Both Guns Blazing

BGB is Moving!

2011-05-02T16:50:00.002-05:00

Both Guns Blazing is moving to twitter.com. Follow my more concise posts, rants, opinions, and other musings at @2gunsblazing. I'll be lighting it up in 140 characters or less!

It's What Was Promised

2009-10-20T22:06:00.004-05:00

Seems foolhardy to continue with this analysis, BUT, when we are given more proof day in and day out, how can people continue to be so blind to the radical intentions of this administration?

Roger Kimball has an excellent piece on this burgeoning far-left activity coming from all the unelected czars and appointees of our transcendant, ecumenical president. Kimball sums it up nicely:

"This is the point: last November, the American people thought they were electing a “post-partisan,” “post-racial” President who would work to restore unity and self-confidence to the country. They woke up on November 5, however, to find that they had elected someone who was deeply ambivalent about America, who distrusted its founding principles of limited government, individual liberty, and local responsibility. Like his radical friends — Bill Ayers, Jeremiah Wright, Van Jones, Anita Dunn — Barack Obama wishes to transform the United States according to a model whose basic shape was supplied by the utopian schemes of the 1960s.

That’s why Anita Dunn said that Mao was one of the thinkers she most often turned to for wisdom about big-think political problems. It’s not that she admires his penchant for industrial strength homicide: rather, she admires his success at fomenting an egalitarian revolution. It’s not what we bargained for when we elected Barack Obama. But that’s what we’ve got.

The question is how much worse will things have to get before the penny drops, before the scales fall from the collective eyes of the electorate? When will voters begin that long countermarch through the institutions in order to take back the country? If not now, when?"

You can expect more aggressive actions from these fools as more people oppose their policies. They will force them through, damning the consequences and risking their own political futures while betting that administrations to follow won't have the guts to repeal their agenda. As many have observed recently, this is a center-right country. People want Washington corrected... not redirected.

(hat tip: Doug Ross)
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A New Plan for Rush Limbaugh

2009-10-15T17:23:00.005-05:00

We have reached a point in this country where it is next to impossible for a white male to discuss an issue that involves race. Even if you are talking about an issue, perhaps even one that has been talked about by others - notably minorities, somehow it makes the white male a racist.

Here's what Rush Limbaugh should do:

Step 1.) Start an underground dog-fighting ring.

Step 2.) After you have drowned that last dog for not winning its fight, put on some sweat pants, grab your gun, and head out to the club.

Step 3.) While at the club, make it "rain" for the strippers.

Step 4.) Once it stops "raining" (money or bullets), get good and drunk, and get in your Bentley to go for a spin.

Step 5.) While driving, make sure you run over and kill someone. Be certain not to report it.

If Limbaugh follows this simple 5-step plan, he will be accepted into the NFL just like the other NFL "employees" who have done these very same things. Evidently, the only thing that is frowned on by the NFL is being a white conservative.

Side note: Where were all the minority leaders when defenseless 16-year old honor student & football player Derrion Albert was being beaten to death with a railroad tie because he wouldn't join a gang? What about HIS chances to be a part of the NFL? Where were Al Sharpton and Shelia Jackson-Lee then? For that matter, where are they NOW? Is there no money to be made in black-on-black crime? No race-hustling that can gain you a spotlight?

Get your own hypocritical house in order, Mr. Sharpton. Your, and the rest of the Left's selective outrage sickens me... especially when you have NO facts to substantiate your racist claims. That doesn't just make YOU a racist, it shows you are willfully ignorant of the truth. Yet, you still choose to repeat and spew lies to advance your own twisted agenda. Without it, you become irrelevant, and the racial divide from which you so gladly profit, might actually begin to narrow.

(hat tip: Patrick S.)
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A Nobel Prize in Every Box!... and Other Moon-battery

2009-10-09T08:47:00.012-05:00

The useful idiots who award the Nobel Peace Prize have outdone themselves again. In the process, they have solidified the irrelevant nature of their once prestigious award. Somehow, President Obama has won the Nobel Peace Prize, not for anything he's done, but for what he might do... oh, and maybe a couple of speeches he's given. But then again, the consensus is that this is more about a statement against former President Bush than it is anything about Obama's rhetorical accomplishments.

From the AP: "Unlike the other Nobel Prizes, which are awarded by Swedish institutions, the peace prize is given out by a five-member committee elected by the Norwegian Parliament. Like the Parliament, the committee has a leftist slant, with three members elected by left-of-center parties. Jagland said the decision to honor Obama was unanimous." When you share such an award with the other useful idiot, Jimmy Carter (now the 2nd worst president in US history), and Al "the science is settled" Gore, I'm not sure the prestige of present company is all that stellar.

By comparison, from TIME, regarding another nominee: "Compare this to Greg Mortenson, nominated for the prize by some members of Congress, who the bookies gave 20-to-1 odds of winning. Son of a missionary, a former army Medic and mountaineer, he has made it his mission to build schools for girls in places where opium dealers and tribal warlords kill people for trying. His Central Asia Institute has built more than 130 schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan - a mission which has, along the way, inspired millions of people to view the protection and education of girls as a key to peace and prosperity and progress."

Let's not forget the deadline for his application was 12 days into his presidency... 12 days.

In a related over-hyped lack of government accomplishment, can anyone explain to me why NASA feels compelled to spend $79 MILLION dollars to crash a toy into the moon? The official word from the space cadets and rocket scientists is that they hope to find evidence of water on the moon. So the REAL $79 million question is, and let's play their game for a minute, if there IS water on the moon... THEN WHAT? Are we going to colonize? Perhaps import trendy water from the moon instead of France? Maybe setup a lunar Wet N' Wild?

I'll go on record today as saying that no one in my lifetime needs to live on the moon. No one in my lifetime will need water from the moon. There has not been, and will not be, evidence of life on the moon (other than our astronauts). The moon is a giant dustball. I'm no astronomer, but seems to me that all the craters on its surface, resulting from it being pelted by wayward space rocks, tell us that it's as dry as the Mojave desert. Good enough for me. I venture to guess that a vast majority of Americans simply would rather have those tax dollars to spend here on earth... but that's just one man's $79 million opinion.

I'm just not certain which of these is more surreal to me...to believe that a first-term, unaccomplished president can be arrogant enough to file a Nobel Peace Prize application 12 days into his presidency hoping to win (and one doesn't just file unless one wants to win); or that our government who, with hundreds of millions of hard-earned tax dollars, continues to placate grown children who don't have enough toys here on earth to tinker with. And how do we continue to spend as much as we do on a space program that has yet to provide any measurable, reasonable, or rational return-on-investment?

One thing is for sure... if there is intelligent life out there (that drinks water or not), given the continued insanity of news days like this, they certainly aren't looking for us.
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Can Feingold Get Containment?

2009-10-06T17:18:00.003-05:00

Given that Feingold is typically to the left of the Left, do we really think this is a serious venture or just an end-around the end-around? We'll see...
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Senate will hold hearing to probe Obama czars

By: Susan Ferrechio, Chief Congressional Correspondent
10/05/09 5:22 PM EDT

A Senate Judiciary subcommittee on Tuesday will scrutinize the "czar" system used by President Obama and previous administrations.

Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., who heads the Senate Judiciary Constitution Subcommittee, said he wants to explore whether the dozens of czars appointed by the Obama administration constitute "an end run around the advice and consent process."

Feingold said his probe does not involve Senate-confirmed czars such as the Director of National Intelligence, Dennis Blair. "I am most interested in those advisors who have been given important portfolios without undergoing Senate scrutiny," Feingold said.The witness list includes Matthew Spalding, of the Heritage Foundation and University of Virginia Law School's John C. Harrison.

Among the czars appointed by Obama this year was green jobs czar Van Jones, who ended up resigning after controversial past statements surfaced as well as a petition he signed accusing the Bush administration of purposely ignoring warnings of Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Other top advisors not vetted by the Senate include Afghanistan czar Richard Holbrooke and environment and energy czar Carol Browner.
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Cows, Constitutions, & Commandments

2009-10-05T14:03:00.001-05:00

Think about this:

1. Cows
2. The Constitution
3. The Ten Commandments
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COWS

Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing that during the mad cow epidemic our government could track a single cow, born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the stall where she slept in the state of Washington? And, they tracked her calves to their stalls. But they are unable to locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering around our country. Maybe we should give each of them a cow.

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THE CONSTITUTION

They keep talking about drafting a Constitution for Iraq... Why don't we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys, it has worked for over 200 years, and we're not using it anymore.

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THE 10 COMMANDMENTS

The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments posted in a courthouse or Congress is this -- you cannot post 'Thou Shalt Not Steal' 'Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery' and 'Thou Shall Not Lie' in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians... it creates a hostile work environment.

(hat tip: Dad)
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"This is YOUR Time!"

2009-10-01T14:14:00.002-05:00

An instant classic as this 4-year old re-enacts the Herb Brooks speech from the movie "Miracle" about the 1980 US Men's Ice Hockey team and their upset over the Soviets.

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Tell Me Who's Wrong Here

2009-09-27T23:40:00.012-05:00

An assortment of astute observations:
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"Governments don't do things because they're in the world's interests. Governments often don't even do things because they're in their people's interests. Many times, governments do things because it's in the government's interest."
- Jon Alterman, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"If schools wasted less time on “social justice,” “Everyday Math” crap, eco-zealotry, field trips to gay weddings and illegal alien day labor centers, rappin’, revolution, and radicalism, and searching for children’s “inner Obamas,” they wouldn’t need to make up all the squandered days and weeks during the summer."
- Michelle Malkin, Author & Columnist

"Any serious observer recognizes that the economic surge of the nineties was the result of the invention of the web along with the Y2K remediation effort. These events had about as much to do with Clinton's stewardship of the economy as I have responsibility for the invention of the Fudgsicle®. Put simply, a trained dolphin could have been President during the late 90's tech boom. Come to think of it, even a philandering, disbarred former attorney who sold missile secrets to the Chinese for campaign donations while allowing terrorists to relentlessly attack U.S. interests could have been President."
- Doug Ross, Prominent Blogger

"Socialists then and now rely on the writings of the economist, John Maynard Keynes to justify large government spending programs to stimulate the economy. However, Keynes himself wrote to FDR in 1938 questioning his spending programs and why FDR would use only one aspect of his economic theories. The answer is very simple: government programs create the illusion of improving the economy. People only see the jobs created by government programs, never the jobs that are lost in the private sector to create them."
- David Nace, American Thinker

"Common sense question: how are our representatives supposed to vote on something that will effect every American and remake nearly 20 percent of the economy without knowing what's in it, and how much it will cost? In any other context, this would be a dumb question. In the context of a Democratically-run Congress, it's par for the course."
- Monica Crowley, Radio/TV Host

"Iran is breaking rules that all nations must follow. International law is not an empty promise."
- Barack Obama, President
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Ehren Watada, Coward

2009-09-26T15:07:00.004-05:00

Now private citizen Ehren Watada is a disgrace to all the courageous men and women who volunteer their service, and more importantly, their lives in duty to not only their fellow servicemen, but to their country. If you don't want to go to war, or fear the potential thereof, do not enlist. Period. There is no mystery about what the armed services of the United States is, does, and expects of those who sign up.

Ehren Watada, you are not a patriot. You are a shameful, gutless, coward.

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Quick Hits - Must Read Edition

2009-09-25T01:56:00.004-05:00

Sometimes an opinion is echoed so clearly, that you can only allow the voice of someone else to speak. If you haven't received any of this news from other sources, I strongly encourage you to take the time to read each of these stories. They each cover topics so profoundly important to the future of our nation.

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"Dear Leader in Our Public Schools" (Malkin) - Clear attempts at indoctrination by an Obama sycophant

Circumventing the Legislative Process (Heritage) - The Senate is planning an "end-around" to make national healthcare an amendment to a House bill related to TARP bonuses. This should enrage EVERY fair-minded American.

John Bolton is right again...again (McCarty) - One day, future generations will look back and wonder why America did not listen to John Bolton. The man says exactly what needs to be said and done.

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Spread the word. Take action. Our elected leaders MUST listen to us and not just once every four years...

(hat tip: Doug Ross)

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Miss Me Yet?

2009-09-23T11:20:00.000-05:00

Holding Candidate Obama Accountable

2009-09-21T18:07:00.004-05:00

Then Candidate Obama said in Dover, N.H., on Sept. 12, 2008.

"I can make a firm pledge, under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase. Not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes." He repeatedly promised "You will not see any of your taxes increase one single dime."

We'll just see about that... if money goes out of my pocket to the government for any reason, IT IS A TAX. And if MORE goes to the government than I paid before, then that is a TAX INCREASE.

Get ready, America... it IS coming...

(hat tip: Yahoo News)

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Victims, Perps, and Selective Liberal Outrage

2009-09-20T19:20:00.002-05:00

Nathan G. weighs in on the Annie Le/Yale murder...

Where is the liberal outrage for this poor, young, not as educated as the Asian girl, white guy who may have committed this crime due to his environment?

Where are the people who would say, had there been more programs in place at Yale or New Haven for the working class affiliating with the Hob Nobbery of Ivy Leaguers to understand each other better this would not have happened?

Why can't the ACLU come out screaming saying this was caused by socio-economic disparity of lifestyles and environmental inefficiencies?

Oh, I know why... Because this world has people who have problems and evil can rear its ugly head at any moment, regardless of race, gender or even sexual preference. Why can't people accept this when considering other people from different backgrounds? White Guy loses it and kills someone...accepted with nods and understanding. Asian kid shoots up the Virginia Tech campus and you have to subject everyone to analysis paralysis for months on end.

Can there not be a moment when people see crime as just crime...and not some demographic anomaly? What is the likelihood that Yale will now institute some emotionally-driven program where employees and students will have to meet and discuss their differences so each can feel better?

Give me a break! It was murder and it is sad. An innocent life was taken and there is no way to explain this. You can bring every knucklehead to the table and no matter what, you will not ever be able to understand the mind of a killer.

Lastly, I pray for the soul of that young lady who has been taken. I also pray for the soul of this man who may very well have killed her. Both are tragic losses to both families and society. One just carries more sadness than the other.

Still, just watch the sensationalistic media endlessly salivate all over this... then again, maybe I will not have to hear about Michael Jackson anymore. Where is Kanye when I need him to throw a damn fit?

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Twitter... again...

2009-09-15T22:55:00.005-05:00

(hat tip: Doug Ross)

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Quick Hits

2009-09-15T10:19:00.005-05:00

Tiring of Obama's Tactics - It will be interesting to see how Obama's decision to slap punitive tariffs on tires made in China will affect not just the American consumer with higher prices, but also our trade relationship with China. Is it just me, or has the President clearly placed a higher value on union payback and support, based on their bogus claims of union job losses, than he does on doing what's in the best interest of the country? The move is clearly political to maintain union support for his healthcare disaster. But how does he expect to bite the hand that feeds him without consequences? Can he really expect that China will continue to finance his massive spending when he makes a decision like this? Has anyone been to DC lately and can you tell me what color the sky is in their world?

EmptyV - I'm beginning to think that that whole Kanye West debacle was staged to generate publicity for MTV and West. No matter how much he apologizes on this tour of late night talk shows, his career deserves the irreparable harm he's generated for himself. And yes, Mr. West, please do take some time off for reflection. It's all about you anyways. Just goes to further prove what a self-indulgent society we have become.

Yale Grad Student Murder - I'm very interested to know just HOW one is able to get a body inside a wall of an existing building? This is one strange case.

Offensive Football - Here we go again. A small group of seven Native Americans finds the Washington football name to be offensive and is asking the SCOTUS to side with them. I'm not a Native American, but it appears to me that we have more important matters to put before the court, as well as the Native American community, do we not?

Samurai Justice - Can anyone explain to me just why the prosecutors are considering filing charges against a college student who was protecting his property as well as his own well-being by killing a burglar with a samurai sword? Is there any justice in this country anymore for people who AREN'T criminals?

The Big Roadhouse - Patrick Swayze passed yesterday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly cancers and usually carries a prognosis of 6 months or less on diagnosis. Swayze fought for almost a year and a half. Guess God needed "Dalton" in His Roadhouse...

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Paul K. Sloan

2009-09-11T03:05:00.001-05:00

I didn’t know Paul K. Sloan.

I didn’t know that Paul worked in financial services for Keefe, Bruyette, & Woods. I didn’t know Paul went to Brown University. I didn’t know that Paul played football for Brown. I didn't know that the Brown Football Association Offensive Lineman Award was remaned in honor of Paul. I didn’t know Paul liked the Beatles. I didn’t know that Paul was from California. I didn’t know that Paul was 26 years old. There are a lot of things I don’t know about Paul, because I never met Paul.

Despite the fact I never met him, I do know Paul. I know that Paul had a loving family. I know that Paul valued and was valued immeasurably by his friends. I know that Paul went to work every day knowing that he was making a difference. I know that Paul and I shared the same ideals and beliefs about our potential for success. I know that Paul believed in and was a part of the American Dream. And I know that because Paul was at work in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Paul stood for everything that the cowards who took the lives of 2,996 people on that day were against. Finally, I know that God knows Paul. He always knew him. He knew that Psalm 139:16 would remind us that Paul’s life was the exact length God intended. Paul is representative of all the things that make this country great.

Paul K. Sloan is an American hero.

And now we all know Paul K. Sloan.

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Paul K. Sloan (Legacy.com)

Project 2,996

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A fund has been established in Paul’s name at Brown University. Contributions may be sent to:

Brown University

c/o Brown Sports Foundation

Box 1925

Providence, RI 02912

Attn: Paul K. Sloan - '97 Memorial Fund

Make checks payable to Brown University, and include in the Memo space:

Paul Sloan - '97 Memorial Fund

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One Man's Capitalism

2009-09-10T16:22:00.006-05:00

Joe Wilson (R-SC) has with two poorly timed (but honest) words, spawned the essence of capitalism... which is more than we can say for the administration.

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Blind to Hypocrisy

2009-09-08T22:08:00.002-05:00

The idiot march of hypocrisy from the mindless left continues.

I just have one word for you Sitafa... Seriously!? I mean, what rock have you been living under for the past 8 years!? Get real and stop living in your irrational, left-leaning fantasy world.

It's okay to disagree with the president. And those of us who do are not racists or assassins in waiting. I though it would be un-American NOT to disagree with him... Isn't that what Hillary said?!

(hat tip: Nathan G.)

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Dancing With the Czars

2009-09-06T13:13:00.008-05:00

"The biggest problems that we're facing right now have to do with George Bush trying to bring more and more power into the executive branch and not go through Congress at all. And that's what I intend to reverse when I'm president of the United States." -- Sen. Barack Obama, March 31, 2008

One radical contestant eliminated... 30+ more to go...

So Van Jones resigned with little fanfare and virtually no coverage. Hence the line from the article, "The resignation was disclosed without advance notice by the White House in a dead-of-the-night e-mail on a holiday weekend. It came as Obama is working to regain his footing in the contentious health care debate." Of course it did... wouldn't want to alert Americans to the remaining radicals who are not elected or accountable to the electoral process by voters, now would we? If this is a sign of things to come, Cass Sunstein should be next... You can cast your vote here.

Personally, I think all GOP Senators and House members should bring any and all legislation to a screeching halt until ALL these "czars" are fully questioned by Congress. You know that if the power structure currently favored Republicans, this is exactly what the Democrats would be doing. But instead, Mr. Jones claims that using HIS OWN WORDS against him as he tried to posture as something he's not, is "...using lies and distortions to distract and divide." Really, Mr. Jones? Is this a statement that you truly believe (today, anyway)?

America, let this be an example of why it is so important for Congress to be able to investigate and ask questions of those who would directly advise the President. Obama has wantonly circumvented this process and has never been held accountable for any of his clearly radical appointments. Van Jones is the first one to go for being an extreme radical - which is clearly out of step with the majority of this country.

This process of appointing "czars" has become more than a mere unconstitutional practice we've tolerated in a few special circumstances. It has become a way to infiltrate the system and provide those who have VERY specific agendas to appear legitimate in the eyes of the public. However, much like they always do, Obama and the Democrats have misread the public and have overreached yet again. Seems like the one thing this administration is becoming very adept at is backtracking and getting forgiveness under the claim of "not knowing".

Most of the people who put Obama in office are not (completely) blind and are FINALLY beginning to see him for what he is (Many of us knew this during the campaign!). They voted for "hope and change" and are seeing that isn't his style. In fact, it is much the opposite. He is not getting away with claims of naivete any longer. Americans may have forgiven one or maybe two... but after all the issues with his cabinet members not paying taxes and stepping down from nominations, this appears to be a pattern of deception with this administration. Much like I discussed recently regarding changing rules you don't like, this resignation is a prime example of that which he has been doing with all these illegitimate "appointments".

My guess is that this "resignation" is the tip of a very big iceberg for these czars as well as the radical agenda the White House is pressing... and Obama is the captain of the Titanic.

(open quote hat tip: Doug Ross)
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Einstein's God

2009-09-04T23:42:00.006-05:00

And now for something completely different... As you all know, I tend to keep it very opinionated and focused on news of the day, including the good, bad, and ugly. However, I try to find my own sources of inspiration as well. I usually keep these missives to myself or on occasion, share them with a couple of people. However, I really felt that this one was a very interesting perspective on the nature of our existence and our understanding of a higher power... What do you think?

(from Our Daily Bread)

When the great physicist Albert Einstein was asked if he believed in God, he responded:

“We are in the position of a little child entering a huge library filled with books in many languages. The child knows someone must have written those books. It does not know how. . . . That, it seems to me, is the attitude of even the most intelligent human beings toward God. We see the universe marvelously arranged and obeying certain laws but only dimly understand these laws.”

I find it especially interesting the number of people who may not specifically believe what I believe, but like Einstein, ask "childlike" questions about the nature of our existence. They do this knowing that no one can explain it or really knows the origins of life - and it's doubtful as humans that we ever will.

An old pastor once told me that in order to understand God, we have to use human/earthly terms to attempt to explain Him. However, we often forget that God is not of this world, so it is futile to attempt such an explanation. I think this is why so many people find it challenging to truly explain their faith, and yet they persist in believing.
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Changing the Rules in the Middle of the Game

2009-09-03T10:52:00.003-05:00

I know this is a couple of days past, but how any rational person cannot see this for the hypocrisy it is has to be blind or so partisan that it affects any possible clear judgment.

Ted Kennedy, a US SENATOR (not a state representative or senator, mind you) and the Democrats worked to change STATE LAW in Massachusetts to remove constitutional powers from the governor's office when there was a chance that a Republican (Mitt Romney) might appoint a successor to John Kerry. But realizing his own situation, Kennedy wanted to AGAIN change the law the HE wanted changed previously to hurt Republicans in order to put it back the way that benefited Democrats. Obviously, it is more important to maintain the filibuster proof majority for the Democrats than it is to represent the people in a fair manner and play by rules that you've agreed to.

If this isn't a shining example of how the Democrats and the leftist elites in this country operate, please, show me a better one. Oh, I'd say that the Al Gore selective recount might fit, or the Al Franken multiple vote counting standards would also be one. I can also point to Harry Reid's efforts to seat Al Franken well before he was declared the winner or even remotely close to being certified by the state. How about the Obama Administration's refusal to release the list of healthcare executives and consultants who have visited the White House to discuss legislation, but they went ballistic when Dick Cheney wouldn't do it with energy companies? There are also the legal issues related to the "fishy" email address for telling on your fellow citizens at flag@whitehouse.gov about healthcare opinions. The list goes on...If the GOP had done these things, the Left would have gone insane... and they did for lesser things during the Bush years! How about the refusal to allow votes on Bush's judicial nominees? Many were held up procedurally for years by Democrats. Fairness is their mantra but not their mode.

Can you give me examples of Republicans doing this? I'd love to hear them and if their legitimate, I'll even agree with you. Both parties do it, but it always appears that Democrats are so brazen about it and they are never called to task for it... more often than not, they get what they want and no one seems to care. They know that voters will not punish them for picking and choosing how they want to govern in the moment.

The Left continues to to want to selectively apply laws and rules (or just change them) to their benefit and rarely do they have the best intentions as citizen legislators at heart. It's always about power to press a party-line agenda and stay in office.

The only way to correct this problem is through term limits. It's just unfortunate to me that while we can get them at the Presidential and State levels, in many places, Congress has built themselves such a protective silo full of career elitists (Kennedy, Byrd, Dodd, Biden, Kerry, McConnell, Lott, Graham) that the voters eliminate any possibility of getting true reform out of DC by re-electing these criminals who think they know what is best for you. This goes for ANY politician who has served more than 2 terms - in EITHER chamber.

And what they think is best for you today, may not be politically beneficial for them tomorrow... so they'll change the law (rules) in the middle of the game. And you'll again be stuck with the consequences of this representative government who could care less about you.
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The Value We Place on Teaching

2009-08-28T01:15:00.006-05:00

A recent article from the Christian Science Monitor highlights American attitudes towards their public education system. I take specific note of a few ideas the article discusses.

First, it should come as no surprise that similar assessments apply to Congressional representatives as they do local public schools. Americans are more likely to think their local school (representative) is fairly decent, but that the education system as a whole nationally (Congress) is not. So, the question then becomes, how do we fix a national problem that doesn't seem to exist locally? The education system must be driven locally and must be held accountable to improve and not just be, as the article says, good. If we are to have the high expectations of teachers and the education system, we can't let it off the hook with "good". It isn't good.

Second, an overwhelming majority of American support pay raises and bonuses for teachers. I agree. But, along with that comes accountability, which teacher's unions have fought for decades. As a result, you have issues like Memphis City Schools recently outlawing the practice of failing a student because it may affect their self-esteem. Education is an objective practice. Either you're learning or you're not. The only way to determine that is through objective testing, because you certainly can't do it through a rough guess at how a 3rd grader is "feeling". You can't survey the emotions of elementary schoolkids to determine a teacher's "merit".

I've always said that in a just society, its members would place the highest value on the occupations of doctors/healthcare professionals, teachers, law enforcement/fire protection, and military. But who do we place at the top? Celebrities, athletes, congresspeople, and anyone who is determined to be notorious enough for time on TV. In order for us to justify paying teachers more, they MUST be qualified to teach the subjects they are entrusted with. They too, must be able to pass proficiency tests in order to receive merit raises or bonuses - you know, money that serves as a reward for excellence or going beyond expectations... But a blanket statement of paying teachers more isn't enough. If we paid teachers high wages, the field would be vastly more competitive and the best and brightest would be chartered with teaching our children. But that isn't how it works today...

Third, asking for more money for education is a political winner. After all, who can argue AGAINST funding education? But therein lies the final fallacy... the money that IS allocated is not well spent. It isn't even close. It's why the Republicans suggest that money should go back to taxpayers in the form of vouchers to send their kids to any school. But this too, ignores the problem and would create far more problems than it would solve. They're wrong on this one. They should demand accountability and become the champion of education. It's low-hanging political fruit!

We have too much time and money invested in public education to let it fail. It's time to step up and address the problems like adults for the good of our children and the future. It's time to demand the accountability that should accompany an article such as this. If people are interested in paying teachers more, then it should not just be a feel good venture. Let's get people who know what they are doing and actually care. Pay them competitively and give them the freedom to actually teach to produce learning instead of teaching to produce test scores. And to those of you who are in education today... it's time to lead, follow, or get out of the way because this is a battle you are not currently winning.

Americans from all walks of life have ALWAYS valued education and virtually every generation expects the next to be better off. However, we are seeing that fall away and future generations are not doing better. We are regressing. So, the real question now is are we going to continue to pay lip service to education and teaching, or are we going to put our money where our mouth is and demand accountability and significant improvements in results from our students, who are led by teachers who truly earn the money they deserve?
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Going Back on His Word Again...

2009-08-26T09:51:00.005-05:00

Either this man cannot be trusted, or he is not in charge.

(credit: Michael Ramirez)

Palin Flummoxes the Elites with Common Sense

2009-08-25T17:23:00.000-05:00

Palin Flummoxes the Elites with Common Sense

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TIME Magazine STILL Thinks Exercise is Useless

2009-08-24T08:03:00.004-05:00

A while back I covered what has proven to be an ongoing issue for TIME magazine and their poor coverage of the benefits of health and exercise. Well, like any poorly edited rag these days, TIME is at it again... and wouldn't you know it... it's our old friend John Cloud.

The Cooper Institute has put out a scathing analysis to accompany the American College of Sports Medicine's press release that seeks to clean up the mess that TIME/John Cloud created with their out-of-context piece claiming scientific evidence that exercise really isn't all that beneficial to weight loss.

From The Cooper Institute via Facebook:
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You might have read or heard about the brouhaha concerning the August 17th TIME magazine cover article titled, “The Myth About Exercise.” In it the author claimed that exercise doesn’t help you lose weight and may even cause you to gain weight. Oh my!!

The American College of Sports Medicine immediately sent out a press release to rebut the assertions made in the article. “The statement ‘in general, for weight loss, exercise is pretty useless’ is not supported by the scientific evidence when there is adherence to a sufficient dose of physical activity in overweight and obese adults” stated John Jakicic, Ph.D., FACSM one of the lead authors on ACSM’s position stand on physical activity in weight management. Click here to access this important position paper.

Dr. Tim Church, Professor at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana was heavily quoted in the article. Or rather, misquoted. After the story broke, he wrote an open letter to TIME magazine, stating, “I found the story to be full of gross inaccuracies and misleading statements, and the premise, as introduced by the title, entirely wrong.”

One of Dr. Church’s recent studies1 was mentioned in the article. In the study, women who exercised at a high level did not lose the amount of weight they were expected to lose based on their caloric expenditure. Church and colleagues were not exactly certain why this happened but felt that the women might have been consciously or unconsciously eating more than when they started the study. Or perhaps there was a physiologic change that compensated calorically for the extra calories burned. Dr. Church and others need more time to tease this out. In the meantime, remember that while some women in this study did gain weight, on average, the group lost weight.

So the journalist twisted the study results and said that exercise causes you to eat more and thus, will sabotage your weight loss efforts. But in his letter to TIME, Church stated, “The majority of people lose weight in response to exercise training even when no dietary advice is provided…The main point we are trying to make when addressing 'compensation' is that regular exercise is not a license to eat anything you want.”

So what's going on here? It’s a classic example of a journalist cherry-picking the science to create a sensationalistic/provocative story that will sell magazines. Well, telling people not to exercise if you want to lose weight will (and did) get people’s attention. Unfortunately, readers got an eye full of inaccuracies. Dr. Church was told by a health reporter that “it will take 10 years to undo the damage of this particular article.” He – and we – hope not.
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Just as I pointed out back in May... As if it wasn't bad enough to disparage kids and PE before, they are now telling adults in an otherwise out-of-shape society that exercise isn't the answer. I guess they might as well start covering the benefits of taking Hydroxycut and Alli.
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The Future of Elections

2009-08-21T08:09:00.010-05:00

Is it just me or does there seem to be a lot more attention paid to the process of deciding elections over the past few years?

I'd like to think this all started back in 2000 when Al Gore - on his way to concede the presidential election and show the world once again how civilized nations peacefully transfer power - suddenly decides on the advice of a staffer that he should win. This minor decision kicks off a race of epic proportions that has tainted virtually every election since then, both domestic and international. Let's call it the "If at first you don't succeed, sue for selective, inconsistent recounts in precincts where you are likely to add votes" strategy. Dare I say this is the ONLY election where Democrats lost - and even that one was in question. Ever since, they've counted until they've won and then claimed legitimate victory.

Here's a few examples of elections where Democrat candidates have opted not to lose without usurping voter intent through the courts:

2000 Washington Senate: Democrat Maria Cantwell narrowly defeats Slade Gorton by just .09% of the vote. Recounts in heavily Democratic precincts played a role.

2004 Washington Gubernatorial: Democrat Christine Gregoire selectively recounts King County until she overturns the win of opponent Dino Rossi, a Republican. 133 vote margin out of 2.8 million cast. Never mind the irregularities.

2004 Ohio Presidential: An expected battleground state, Ohio could have easily become the Florida of 2004. But this was only one state where the Democrats sought to count until they won - even though they still didn't after finding more votes for Kerry.

2008 Minnesota Senate: Democrat Al Franken sues, recounts using inconsistent standards, finds NEW votes, eventually overturns Norm Coleman's clear victory, and claims to be a legitimate winner after months of what can only be described as an inherently flawed process managed by Democrats. Ironic that the Wall Street Journal identified the same tactics being used as Washington 2004.

I could list many more examples of both national races and local races where candidates have claimed victory, and then argued and attempted to recount "irregularities" and selective ballots. We'd like to stop and thank Al Gore for making this all possible. But his actions in 2000 set the stage well beyond the US.

Latest news out of the 2009 Afghan elections is that BOTH candidates are claiming victory. This of course comes on the heels of the political unrest in Iran where both candidates also claimed victory - only to get mired in a sham of a recount even less reliable than ones orchestrated by Democrats.

But let's look at the larger picture...

In 2007, former exiled opposition candidate Benazir Bhutto was assassinated just 12 days before elections in Pakistan.

In 2008, thugs from the New Black Panther Party openly intimidated voters at a precinct in Philadelphia. Obama's Attorney General Eric Holder mysteriously dropped pursuit of that case. Interesting... nothing fishy going on there. In fact, the Obama DOJ now appears to be openly obstructing.

In Iraq this summer, elections were peaceful largely due in part to a continued US military presence protecting the process.

In Honduras, President Maneul Zelaya was ousted before the end of his term first by a military coup, and then by the nation's supreme court, because he sought to unilaterally change the nation's Constitution to follow a Chavez-style policy of eliminating term limits, thereby allowing himself to remain president. He even appeared to have winning election results BEFORE the election took place.

In Iranian elections, the "winning" party opted to clash with protesters and even killed to silence opposition.

And now, with renewed violence, we can only imagine what will become of the Afghan elections shortly depending on who is declared the winner.

What is more interesting is the Obama administration's varying responses to each of these situations... often uninformed and inconsistent, to say the least.

So, is this the future of elections? Rampant irregularity in recounting close races? A rewriting, or perhaps whitewashing of the process that leads to victory? Voter intimidation and/or using state police forces against opposing viewpoints? Assassination of opponents? The need for coups to remove arrogant leaders from office?

It appears as though the contentiousness of elections is getting worse, especially in two-party and developing systems. And while we normally have peaceful elections, we export our representative democracy, flaws and all, due to the "new" instant media. America sets the tone. If you think about it, we really didn't hear too much about this type of thing before 2000, but if it's now okay for the US goose, then it must be okay for the global gander.

Not even one year into the Obama presidency, the stakes have been raised so high, that the political fallout and implications of the 2010 elections are already being factored in to how congressional representatives vote on legislation NOW. Never mind what is actually good for the country. Focus on what will get you re-elected.

Once upon a time, there was a small group of men who felt that they were not being fairly represented in the election process. Those men took action, and the process got much uglier before it got better. My fear, with the unquenchable thirst some have for gaining and keeping power, is that we may be headed down a similar path. Town Hall meetings across the country illustrate the anger of the voters who, like those before us, are getting fed up with an elite minority who no longer represent, but seek to control. This type of system cannot survive.

If this is the future of elections, we are in deep trouble, at home and globally. But history bears this out time and time again... and as always, there are those who think that if THEY try it this time, it will finally work. November of 2010 will be a bellwether election in this nation's history... the biggest question is now, is there anyone who is interested in playing fair?
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Quick Hits

2009-08-20T14:52:00.003-05:00

Cash for Clunkers: Is it any real surprise that the government screwed this up worse than we thought? Now, dealers who have errantly bet on the government program are dropping out by the dozens because they are owed hundreds of thousands of dollars that the feds are either slow to pay, or balking at paying because of technicalities. And just today, we hear the program is already in the red... Not surprising at all. We knew it was going to happen. Next up? What will they do when the organic auto sales for the next few months don't happen because they were all condensed into this month? This is what is wrong with government intervention. It is always shortsighted for political gain.

US to begin Off-shore Drilling: ...in BRAZIL. Yes, that's right. Brazil. Never mind that Cuba is bringing in foreign countries to drill within shooting distance of Key West, and that we are too damn stubborn to utilize our own resources here domestically... We are now giving Petrobras a $2 BILLION (yes, with a B) loan so they can advance their own off-shore drilling - and then sell that oil to us at market prices.

Can anyone at all tell me how this benefits: a) American consumers, b) our economy, c) our national security, and d) our presupposed shift to green technology? I think the administration wants to have their cake and eat it too. By doing this with Brazil, we expect to quietly keep oil flowing while placating the green movement with promises of wind and solar - and no drilling domestically. You know, so the deer and antelope can play.

Hope you'd Change: Rasmussen reports did an analysis of that uber-informed bloc of voters under age 30. You know the ones who thought Obama was hip and cool and helped put him in office based on his sound bite platform? Well, Micahel Barone slaps some sense into the "me" generation with a scathing analysis of just how much like every other politician before him the Chosen One is.

Interestingly enough, this has been going on for decades. Go back to the 60's. Young voters have traditionally voted based on little information and usually on non-substantive issues. 2008 was no different. But now we are stuck with their choice or 3 more years. What many of these voters fail to realize is that as they age, they begin to see the fruits of their labor and lean more moderate to conservative. If we could only get that message across much sooner in their coddled little lives.
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In a Nutshell

2009-08-20T14:36:00.007-05:00

For those of you who think the government is efficient at running programs and would be well-suited to run a public healthcare program, I present to you sentiment from across the country summarized on one sign:

(hat tip: Charlie Foxtrot)

And if I were Michael Steele or Mitch McConnell, I would come out VERY publicly and dare the Democrats to attempt to force healthcare legislation through by using Reconciliation... The GOP may be in the minority at present, but they are watching the left commit political suicide. Let's just hope that voters will finally learn that the Democrats cannot be trusted to effectively lead when given the chance. They are too ideologically driven and it clouds their judgment and thirst for power.
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Quick Hits

2009-08-17T23:21:00.003-05:00

File Under Unnecessary: Okay. I'm a proud gun owner. However, I don't think the 2nd Amendment crowd is doing themselves any favors by openly toting guns near a presidential event.

I know they are seeking to make a political statement - one which I agree with. But regardless of your opinion of the president, there is no good reason to intensify what is always a tough job for the Secret Service to provide security for the President. Security of the President is something I think ALL Americans agree on no matter who is in office. I think that the protest/statement could have been handled differently - especially given the event was to discuss healthcare. Thumbs down on this one...

UN Chief Dabbles in Fear-Mongering: The science is settled. The science is settled.... NO. It isn't. That's the nature of science. It is NEVER settled. For the UN Secretary General to make such politically driven statements regarding the impending doom of climate change is beyond irresponsible, in my opinion.

But, we've known for years now that the UN is a politically driven organization, with many if not all of it's positions being detrimental to the US. How he can predict the costs in terms of "human suffering" is not only impossible, but reckless given his position. If UN member nations want to implement emission standards in their home countries... fine. But one size does not fit all when it comes to this topic.

I've mentioned before China and India's firm resistance to emission controls that would severely damage their economies, but now even our mates in Australia have rejected this type of nonsense. Hopefully we have enough members of Congress who also see that a unilateral implementation of controls on one country would bring disastrous results.

Brett Favre: Just stop it already! You've damaged your legacy as a great quarterback and your success with the Packers. I'm certain you don't need the money, and quite frankly, we're tired of your selfish antics. If you play, I wish you a sub-.500 season and hope you and your team miss the playoffs.
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Doing the Right Thing

2009-08-15T01:24:00.004-05:00

Every once in a while you have to take a stand that may not set well with those who more often agree with you - or in this case me. Two examples in the news lately call to mind what it means to do the right thing:

Case #1

Al Sharpton & Newt Gingrich team up to tackle Education Reform

First of all, let me say this is an incredibly sore issue for me. It seems like every year on every ballot there are "education initiatives" that result in higher taxes for everyone. However, the quality of education continues to decline year after year. I first, and foremost, place the blame on unaccountable administrators and the unions that fiercely protect unqualified teachers. However, the GOP's notion that school vouchers are the answer simply ignores the problem and absolves them of any responsibility to address the failing public education system (which is a major source breeding government dependence!)

I think the message from this trio, including Arne Duncan - who I'm not entirely crazy about, is valid. I will wait to make any judgments on their sincerity until we see some concrete actions. However, having Al Sharpton demand accountability from parents is a step in the right direction! Education has always been a priority for those in the African-American community, but they've lacked the resources and discipline to demand accountability from their schools and teachers. I'm not expecting this to change overnight, but it is always good to hear people from opposite sides of the political spectrum agreeing on something that affects our kids and their education. If Obama can use his popularity to encourage kids to stay in school and desire to achieve academically, that is a worthwhile venture.

They are doing the right thing.

Case #2

The Philadelphia Eagles sign Michael Vick to a 2-year Contract

I'm certain that I'll be asking "Who let the dogs out?" as people start to question my sanity... BUT... I agree with this move. Originally, I thought it would be a PR nightmare for any team to bother with, and while I'm not entirely certain of the strategic motives related to football, I think Michael Vick deserves a second chance.

First of all, like the verdict or not, he has paid the debt to society the court demanded of him. The man is bankrupt, and most likely has no other way to earn a living. So, why should he be denied a chance to make further amends by using his status to send proper messages about rehabilitation as well as the opportunity to make a living in his chosen profession? He shouldn't.

Many will say he blew the opportunity the first time. But they say that about athletes who make second, third, fourth, and more mistakes. Drugs, alcohol, gambling, infidelity... you name it. They've done it... and they all get another chance. Are we to condemn Rick Pitino as well for his apparently lone mistake? How about young NHL star Patrick Kane? I can say unequivocally that I'd be upset if I was blacklisted in my profession for a serious personal mistake.

I cannot be any more against the terrible and inexcusable activities he was involved in. And in no way do I endorse them by saying he deserves another chance. But, what I have to hope for is that he has learned the value of surrounding himself with quality people who will not use him for his resources. Hopefully he understands the privilege he's being afforded this time and will make the most of it. If he fails and ends up in suspect activity again - on a short leash, no pun intended, then that's it. But otherwise, he has the chance to be a significant success story that illustrates how you need to make the most of your opportunities - especially the FIRST time.

So, while I'm no fan of the team, I say the Philadelphia Eagles are doing the right thing as well.

Doing the right thing is not always popular, but then again, doing the popular thing is not always right. It will be interesting to see how both of these issues play out as people analyze both and provide their own opinions on each. What do you think?
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White House is Violating Federal Law

2009-08-11T09:08:00.003-05:00

I couldn't resist. Ms. Douglass is in over her head... But this snippet makes excellent points. And, as it also points out, you KNOW that the left and the media would be up in arms if Bush did the same.

(hat tip: Doug Ross, rightwingnews.com)
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Even Bloggers Need a Vacation

2009-08-08T11:22:00.003-05:00

While there is plenty of political fodder to sift through and people to skewer, I'm going to be on hiatus to allow the mind time to regroup and recharge. It will involve lots of driving, but happy destinations. But I'll be back on Thursday with both guns blazing!
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Quick Hits

2009-08-04T14:22:00.013-05:00

Project 2996: On September 11th, Project 2996 will flood the blogosphere with personal memorials of those who perished in the twin towers on 9/11. I have signed up to participate and have asked to be assigned up to 5 people. If you, or anyone you know has a blog, it would be one day out of the year to dedicate your space to the memory of fellow Americans who, like you and me, were not just earning a living by going to work that day, but making a life.

"Green" Birth Control: Originally, this idea was concocted by some left-wing loons who clearly think they know what's best for you. Ironic that many of the same folks who are pro-choice (meaning pro-abortion, they just don't like that word), are the very same ones who are now telling you to have fewer kids to save the planet. Well, now they've put a little more work into it and convinced researchers at Oregon State University that it is science worth looking into.

So, couple this with the climate-killing horrors of obesity and divorce (as the article also points out), and not only are those little ones spreading crumbs, but they are spreading greenhouse gases like that life-giving gas CO2.

How long before the progressives think Eugenics is a good idea again? They clearly seek to repeat as many failures of history as possible. I imagine this one has to come around soon.

(Side note: If the wacky environmentalists had any brains, they'd realize their cause is self-defeating. By limiting C02, which is the equivalent of oxygen to plant life, we kill trees. So, reducing greenhouse gases makes the planet LESS green.)

Tax Revenues FALL when Taxes Go UP: But for some reason, all that good information about the Treasury taking in record tax revenues under the Bush tax cuts escaped many Democrats who still believe that they can tax their way to prosperity. Well, Americans seem to think otherwise.

A recent study indicates that tax receipts are estimated to drop 18% this year. So, think of it this way... while tax revenues are dropping by 1/5th, the Democrats want to spend roughly the same amount on public healthcare (never mind that 40 basis point swing in revenue-expense ratio).

Who was in office in 2005? Oh, that's right... George W. Bush. And what tax policy is going to expire at the end of next year? The one that brought record revenues to the government while expanding the economy and GDP. And who's tax policies are already having a detrimental effect on the economy? I think the graph speaks for itself.

Oh, the article also points out that the last time our tax revenue outlook was this rosy, it was 1932... right in the Great Depression. Who is John Galt?
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Cash for Clunkers - Yet Another Example

2009-08-03T06:54:00.003-05:00

It's always refreshing to hear other people say exactly what you are thinking. It means you aren't crazy or screaming into a void.

Here, a voter in Pennsylvania gets her shot at Arlen Specter (??-PA) and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. She asks them why Americans should trust them with a NEW government healthcare program when they have run Medicare and Medicaid into the ground and they can't even run Cash for Clunkers!?

The response is one of sheer indignation of having to tolerate these peasants and a clear intention to push this poorly crafted program ahead... voters be damned. (Besides, we don't know what's good for us anyways... right Andrea?)

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An Abundance of Arrogance

2009-08-01T14:00:00.008-05:00

So much for that "teachable moment". It appears as though our president learned nothing from this episode except that it provided yet another opportunity for him to look like a regular guy on TV for his fawning masses.

Ever want to know who comes first with this President? This picture speaks volumes about being human and also the hubris-driven arrogance of the man in front.

If you ever think this man cares about you, look how he treats his "close" friends. And I seriously don't think there is any way this can be taken out of context... (hat tip: Sharla H.)

Why Thank You, Eric Cantor!

2009-07-31T23:45:00.003-05:00

Many in the blogosphere, namely yours truly, has been calling attention to the endless number of Czars the Obama administration has put in place for an end-around on that pesky Constitution.

First, it was the ever-growing list for things that cabinet level officers should be doing. Then the fact that some were not even doing what we think they were supposed to be doing. Most recently, Steven Rattner decided he would return to private life for various reasons. Yeah, right... things were getting a little too hot with formal investigations into his "private life" alright. This is exactly why Congress confirms those accountable to the President. Oh, by the way, it has a name... Checks and Balances...

But, wait! Is that someone knocking at the door? Hang on a second... Well! Hello Minority Whip Eric Cantor! It's so good to see you! What's that? You've got an opinion on all the Czars published in the Washington Post? Well, by all means, share with the general public ALL that you know!

I'm struggling with the GOP leadership these days as well, so don't paint me into a corner just yet. It seems that Cantor is not just a little, but a lot late to the game on this. Perhaps he should have been tugging a little harder at Minority Leader Boehner's pant leg to get this front and center earlier. The quote showcasing Obama's hypocrisy is great work, but let's see about pressing issues when they are, well, pressing. That's what we expect from those who will be expected to lead in January of 2011.
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Quick Hits: Health Edition

2009-07-31T12:41:00.003-05:00

No More Mosquito Spray - While this was indeed a risky experiment, this is absolutely amazing. Researchers in Europe actually used mosquitoes as "flying vaccinators" to prevent and immunize people from the very malaria they spread. It is still sad that a disease that is mostly gone from industrialized societies still kills so many people in societies that aren't. This is the kind of outside the box thinking that leads to good outcomes.

Have a Coke and a Tax - Here we go again with the nanny state. Lawmakers looking for additional sources of revenue, and seeking ways to legislate better health choices, now want to tax soft drinks and other "sugary" food items to magically transform Americans into models of health.

The article states, "A soda tax would not only help Americans to slim down but could raise revenues that would help to offset the rising sums spent to treat preventable health conditions caused by obesity." Simply not true. Typical politispeak to justify their legislative actions. No similar effort has ever resulted in Americans making better health decisions. Otherwise, many health issues would have been eradicated by high taxes long ago.

The article also quotes New York's Health Commissioner as crediting taxation as the reason smoking rates have dropped. Ever think that people just realize it's a nasty habit, Commish? His validation is incredibly misguided and pure conjecture made to maintain outrageous taxes.

There is no argument that obesity is an epidemic in this country that has far-reaching ramifications on healthcare (imagine what it will do to the public option!). However, as I've heard recently, a tax never made anyone healthy. Look at cigarettes. Taxes continually go up to pay for health programs, but people continue to smoke. It simply doesn't work.

While lawmakers hide their insatiable thirst for more money behind noble causes like making people healthy, they are ignoring the root causes of the obesity crisis. There are few, if any, effective education programs in schools and communities that encourage people to make good choices in food and diet. Marketing by food companies and fast food restaurants have made it easy for people to rationalize their decisions. I won't go into the need to make the nutritional information by restaurants more prominent, but couple that with promoting the benefits of engaging in physical activity, and you've got one heck of a start.

The fact of the matter is that taxing Americans does not change behavior. It never has. So, this is more of the same from elected officials looking to position themselves as protectors of the public good. But until they decide to do something that makes people personally responsible for their own decisions, nothing is going to change except the price at the Coke machine.
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Hey John Kerry! Are You Listening?

2009-07-30T00:22:00.003-05:00

A soldier at an anti-Obamacare rally explains the limits on federal powers outlined in the Constitution while demanding that Claire McCaskill oppose nationlized healthcare. So much for getting stuck in Iraq, eh Senator?

(hat tip: Doug Ross, Hot Air)
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The Importance of People Skills

2009-07-29T10:59:00.005-05:00

(hat tip: Lance)

But I just created a blog, instead... therapeutic perhaps...
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A Teachable Moment from Decades of Lies

2009-07-26T23:23:00.007-05:00

UPDATE 7/28: I'm proud to have the company of Glenn Beck who also calls it like he sees it. Are we still a "nation of cowards" now, Mr. Holder?

UPDATE 7/27: The police report and 911 tapes suggest that the only person discussing race was Professor Gates, when he refused to show proof of ID or residence. The chip on his shoulder must have fallen off when he used it on his locked front door.
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While I'm fairly certain Obama's immediate reaction was a clear reflection of his attitudes towards law enforcement, the backtracking provided a glimpse into the damage control the White House flew into given the heated nature of his response.

However, Doug Ross drills down on how the administration's (and Obama's) lack of post-racial policy is being overshadowed by sound bites and platitudes - all of which the media is too happy to accept at face value.

The following quote was attributed to Charles Barkley; "Poor people have been voting for Democrats for 50 years... And they're still poor." Well, here's why...

(hat tip: Doug Ross)
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The Wisdom of Simplicity

2009-07-25T01:32:00.010-05:00

Regarding the Gates-Crowley dustup in Cambridge this week, there are so many factors, he said / he said, pundits opinions, etc., that it really takes a snapshot to sum it all up. Once again, Michael Ramirez hits the bullseye:

Personally, given the fact that Dr. Gates is a Professor at Harvard, and that we supposedly elected the first post-racial President, I'm finding a lot of difficulty seeing this as a racial incident framed in the Civil Rights era mindset - especially in light of the stated facts and police report. It is, however, ultimately for the individual to decide, but affects us all in how we interact as different races.

Additionally, the usually harsh Ann Coulter, steps back from the abyss and provides a thought-provoking, simple approach to the healthcare "crisis" that has lasted the past 50 years... Like her or not, I strongly encourage you to check it out.
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5 Questions for Obama

2009-07-23T11:15:00.003-05:00

I too would like a simple answer to these simple questions...
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Jim DeMint's Five Questions for President Obama:

1. "If the major provisions of the health care bills will not kick in until 2013, four years from now, why the hurry to pass a thousand-page bill before the August recess; a bill you admit that you haven’t fully read yourself?"

2. "You have said your health care bill will cut costs and not increase the deficit. But, independent analysis by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office contradicts both claims, saying it will raise costs and increase the deficit by $240 billion in the first ten years. What independent analysis will you provide that supports your claims and refutes CBO's?"

3. "You have repeatedly said that your health care bill allows any American who likes their current employer-based plan to keep it. But the most comprehensive independent analysis available, by the Lewin Group, contradicts your claim and found your bill will force over 80 million Americans to lose their current coverage. Will you provide independent analysis to refute this study?"

4. "Your own record in the Senate reveals you spent years voting against nearly every reform to make health care more affordable and accessible, but this week you said that opponents of your plan are 'content to perpetuate the status quo, and are, in fact, fighting reform on behalf of powerful special interests.' Which specific elected officials will you cite that have proposed to keep the status quo, and is that how you characterize the opposition of the 52 Blue Dog Democrats in the House...?"

5. "Yes or no question: Will you guarantee pro-life Americans that, under your plan, they will not be forced to subsidize elective abortions?"
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A 6th, and very important question should be, "Will your legislation require that you, your family, White House staff, and all members of the House of Representatives and the Senate and their staffs participate in the public plan that will be required of all citizens?"

(Hat tip: Doug Ross)
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If I Were President...

2009-07-23T00:57:00.004-05:00

I often like to think of the viability of a TRUE third party. Perhaps a party based on simple common sense. I think it would do wonders by providing some much needed oil for the tired machinations of today's DC. As they say, "Some people go to Washington to do good. Most go to Washington to do well."

A good friend of mine, Nathan G., sent me an email with a few good ideas on how to whip Washington into shape. I think we all agree that government has the extraordinary power to do great things for its citizens. But the corruptocrats currently abusing us have bastardized our Constitution in such a way that makes high school class officers look more competent.

A potential peek into the future? I yield the floor to my esteemed colleague from Virginia:
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If I ran the show out here in Washington, D.C., I have a few ideas which would need to be addressed...

TERM LIMITS. TERM LIMITS. TERM LIMITS....THIS IS FIRST AND FOREMOST... NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING, will be passed through that dysfunctional Palace on the Potomac (The Capital) until maximums of 2 terms are legislated for Senators and 4 terms for Representatives....'Bye Bye Birdie' to the days of career politicians. As a result, more Americans will be inclined to SERVE in public office and true representation will take place.

Just like every citizen in the country, we balance our federal budget. And that is the 2nd #1 priority.

My inaugural address will be about 3 minutes long, because I would demand every Representative and Senator to be in their seats within 20 minutes ready to vote on term limits. And if a member votes 'PRESENT', that person’s congressional pay will be docked each time they do. We don't send them to DC to occupy a seat. If a service member can have it done to their pay, elected officials to the House and Senate are also not immune.

I would make it known far and wide that no more subsidies will be doled out from the Federal Budget to Non Profits and Non-Governmental Organizations. The likes of ACORN need to wither and die and the same goes for Conservative leaning types as well. If you feel so strong about your so called 'issue'...then get off your butt and raise the money yourself! Millions of charitable organizations do it daily. What? Not enough? Too bad. Combine resources with another group. I heard Harvard has a HUGE endowment. Go beg from them.

US Foreign Aid is provided to ‘approved’ nations based upon a percentage of their population. Yes, Djibouti would get far less than say, Ethiopia. Still, we make it clear and set the example that if you squander away US Money or aid in any method, it will be yanked from your coffers and you will learn how to reap what you sow. Suckling from Momma America has been going on far too long. Our taxes benefit OUR citizens before we assist others.

If Israel wants (or needs) to BOMB a country deeper into the Stone Ages...let them. They are big boys and girls and they know what repercussions will happen if they do something unprovoked. But, if another nation does something to Israel first, then we should just whistle past the graveyard.

All federal agencies, besides the military, will be drawn down by 10% my first year in office. That’s how you save money in a bloated government. However, the military will also be held responsible for their spending. No more “Billion Dollar Bullets”. We love you Department of Defense, but you need to run a tighter ship!

Amtrak will no longer be federally funded or subsidized. No more intervention by Congress and you are free to make and live by your own decisions. If you fail, sell those rail cars to Kim Jong Ill. His eyesore of a country could use them.

Bio-Fuels Industry... Go talk to T. Boone Pickens about his wind farm project. Meanwhile, crank up the drills at home.

Any director of a federal agency will make no more than half of what the President makes. No bonuses, no perks. You’re serving the public, not here to get rich on the taxpayer dime. Want to make tons of money? Go earn it elsewhere.

Bailouts will never happen again. Companies must lie in the beds they make. Want to play big shot, Mr. CEO? Live with the consequences. Shareholders can be vengeful people. Private enterprises are not owned by the Feds. Whether they run a company well or poorly...not a government issue unless they are breaking the law – in which case, we drop the hammer of justice on them and protect Main Street.

TORT REFORM...the “John Edwards” of the world need to earn an honest living, and that doesn’t happen by whimsically suing everyone under the sun. For the attorney who files and loses a frivolous lawsuit, you pay all costs to all parties associated with the process. Oh, and you’re disbarred for at least 1 year. HELLO HEALTH CARE COST REDUCTION!!!

Lastly, public BBQ's on the South Lawn!
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Quick Hits

2009-07-20T14:49:00.013-05:00

Government Track Record on Healthcare - (From Cato) Exactly why do Americans think that the government can effectively administer a NEW national health program for ALL of its citizens? The programs the government is in charge of today are all shining examples of colossal failure and inefficiency:

The Veterans Administration (VA Hospitals)
Medicare
Medicaid

Dare I include Social Security?

Bobby Jindal Votes Present - Let's not start signing Bobby Jindal's praises just yet. He's basically doing the Obama equivalent of voting "present" by allowing bills he's not crazy about to become law by simply not signing them. This is not leadership. It's a lack of courage to be the chief executive of state government. Couple this with his failure to initially stand up to legislators' self-voted threefold pay raise, and you've got... Charlie Crist! The GOP does not need to dabble in identity politics to compete with the Left. As appealing as his diversity may be, Jindal is not ready for the national stage, and isn't giving any indications that he will be anytime soon.

Solient Green is made of...Fluorescent Light Bulbs! - Here's a fantastic example of the "green" movement getting entirely too far ahead of itself, making hasty decisions based on limited, agenda-driven information. Can you imagine what dangers lurk with Cap and Trade?

US to Pay for Chinese Pollution - (hat tip: Doug Ross) - The administration wants YOU to pay for China's right to pollute. It's all your fault for buying that widget made in China.

Who's Teaching Our Kids? - (Dan Lawton) Finally, some solid journalism that pokes liberal hypocrisy in the eye. And surprise! It isn't from the MSM... not that you'd be surprised...
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Globalizing Government Healthcare

2009-07-19T00:24:00.012-05:00

In the hurry to pass a 2-foot tall bill that no one has read (again), it is interesting that other countries are not speaking out against Obamacare. I would think practically every other country would have something to lose if the US nationalizes healthcare. Let’s look at a few of the issues:

POPULATION

Two countries primarily used when discussing nationalized healthcare are Canada and the UK. Canada has 34 million citizens while the UK has roughly 61 million citizens. That’s roughly one TENTH and one FIFTH, respectively, of the US population of 307 Million.

In the US in 2008, an estimated 42-45 million are said to be uninsured. So comparing the proposed US plan with nationalized healthcare in those countries is not even apples and oranges. We have, on average, as many uninsured as they have total citizens! It’s more like grapes and watermelons!

So, it stands to reason that if healthcare in those countries is already less than desirable (see side note below) for the fraction of citizens each country has, then it will be up to TEN TIMES worse in the US! It would also be TEN TIMES as expensive… and that’s based on Congressional estimates which are usually dramatically underestimated. You can expect quality issues here to be exported to countries that depend on our medical system to run their own.

Side note: When a Canadian government entity has a publication on wait times for healthcare and the BBC is reporting on average wait times, no matter how you position it, you have de facto rationing of care.

INNOVATION

New medical innovations will suffer as a result of national healthcare reducing or eliminating the profit motive. Glenn Reynolds provides firsthand experience with today’s healthcare systems. While I’m certain there are physicians who choose to work simply to heal and help, those who make the tools of the trade are mostly capitalists. They don’t come cheap. So then, who will provide the government plan with all the cutting edge technology that no one will be interested in investing the time and energy in just to have it bought at lowball prices from (or stolen by) a government bureaucracy?

Legislation currently in Congress (HR 3134) seeks to establish “Healthcare Innovation Zones”. This legislation is designed to encourage “innovative models of care that improve quality and decrease costs” and create “a provider network that will provide the full spectrum of care.” And if national public healthcare – as proposed – passes, who do they think will be left to participate in these programs? Already in the pocket of the Obama administration for cap and trade, General Electric can’t expect to also solve the world’s healthcare needs as well.

HR 3134 gives the appearance of government bribes for those who want to stay fully funded as their national program slowly kills provider incentives and private plans. The intent appears to be asking medical communities to recommend to the government how to run its nationalized program. This gives them “expert” cover in selling the idea to the public. Like other government incentive programs, it too will fail.

PROLIFERATION

But what will happen to the rest of the world’s healthcare programs when our incentive to innovate goes away? For all the countries that have socialized medicine - ones that adopt technologies developed by for-profit pharmaceutical companies and medical equipment companies in the US - how bad will things get for them if they no longer have innovative programs their governments can buy from the US? Do they have money to invest in those technologies themselves? Likely not. Will they foster innovation in their own countries to provide the medical advances they will need? Doubtful. So, our newest export will be self-inflicted misery.

ALLOCATION

Ultimately, I predict there will be a shortage of medical professionals who refuse to work for the government program (unless perhaps they unionize to protect their interests). But more than that, these are EXACTLY the “rich” people the government plans to increase taxes on to pay for the national program. Medical students from around the world aren’t lining up to get into US schools because they can make more money at home.

How does the government expect physicians and other professionals in the medical field to feel about being taxed at rates of 50-60% of their incomes, which are most likely going to be negatively impacted (as they already are) when single-payer programs pay them pennies in reimbursement due to lack of competition? Never mind that tort reform or the soaring costs of malpractice insurance haven’t crossed a Congressional mind as a much needed part of controlling costs…

TERMINATION

Quite frankly, I’m shocked that the rest of the world is not rising up against this fiasco as it will have ripple, or should I say tsunami-like effects throughout the world’s healthcare systems. Surely other countries realize how important the current US system is to their own. Given that the administration is doing all they can economically to devalue our currency, once they devalue our healthcare and energy systems, there will be no one to pick up the slack. Things will not get better for Americans, it will get worse because those who have depended on us for so long will now abandon us and perhaps even turn against us.

As they say today, when the US sneezes, the world catches a cold. If this healthcare plan goes through in the US, when the US sneezes, the world will be hospitalized forced to rely on their own failing programs.
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The Chilling Prophecy of Ayn Rand

2009-07-16T23:17:00.008-05:00

A lot has been made recently of Ayn Rand's prophetic novel, "Atlas Shrugged", and its application to today's political climate. While the parallels are absolutely striking - out of control government spending, rampant attacks on the wealthy and prosperous for the benefit of the poor and downtrodden, and government bureaucrats seeking to legislate prosperity through taxes and other oppressive programs - I think this comparison may not the best one.

A more fitting comparison of Ayn Rand's works to today's America would be "Anthem" - a story about the control and elimination of the individual. I strongly encourage you to read it, as it is a relatively short book. However, let me share with you the author's foreword written in 1946. This could not be a more accurate description of the direction the Obama administration and the Democrats in Congress appear to be taking the country... as well as exposing the blissfully ignorant electorate who's been all too happy to oblige without question:
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"Some of those who have read the story when it was first written, told me that I was unfair to the ideas of collectivism; this was not, they said, what collectivism preaches or intends; collectivists do not mean or advocate such things; nobody advocates them.

I shall merely point out that the slogan "Production for use and not for profit" is now accepted by most men as a commonplace, and a commonplace stating a proper desirable goal. If any intelligible meaning can be discerned in that slogan at all, what is it, if not the idea that the motive of a man's work must be the need of others, not his own need, desire or gain?

Compulsory labor conscription is now practiced or advocated in every country on earth. What is it based on, if not the idea that the state is best qualified to decide where a man can be useful to others, such usefulness being the only consideration, and that his own aims, desires or happiness should be ignored as of no importance?

We have Councils of Vocations, Councils of Eugenics, every possible kind of Council, including a World Council - and if these do not as yet hold total power over us, is it from lack of intention?

"Social gains," "social aims," "social objectives" have become the daily bromides of our language. The necessity of a social justification for all activities and all existence is now taken for granted. There is no proposal outrageous enough but what its author can get a respectful hearing and approbation if he claims that in some undefined way it is for "the common good."

Some might think - though I don't - that nine years ago there was some excuse for men not to see the direction in which the world was going. Today, the evidence is so blatant that no excuse can be claimed by anyone any longer. Those who refuse to see it now are neither blind nor innocent.

The greatest guilt today is that of people who accept collectivism by moral default; the people who seek protection from the necessity of taking a stand, by refusing to admit to themselves the nature of that which they are accepting; the people who support plans specifically designed to achieve serfdom, but hide behind the empty assertion that they are lovers of freedom, with no concrete meaning attached to the word; the people who believe that the content of ideas need not be examined, that principles need not be defined, and that facts can be eliminated by keeping one's eyes shut. They expect, when they find themselves in a world of bloody ruins and concentration camps, to escape moral responsibility by wailing: "But I didn't mean this!"

Those who want slavery should have the grace to name it by its proper name. They must face the full meaning of that which they are advocating or condoning; the full, exact, specific meaning of collectivism, of its logical implications, of the principles upon which it is based, and of the ultimate consequences to which these principles will lead.

They must face it, then decide whether this is what they want or not."

Ayn Rand
April, 1946
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Those who choose to ignore history...
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Wanna know what Sarah Palin is up to?

2009-07-15T17:29:00.003-05:00

She's doing what she wanted to do during the campaign... intelligently impart some common sense to those who need to truly understand the fallacies of the Obama/Democrat plan to artificially send energy prices soaring while enriching Wall Street types who will dabble in the trading of cap licenses, aka "pollution indulgences".

Expect to hear more from Sarah Palin on a variety of issues once she officially leaves office. Her gloves will be off and I expect her to come with "both guns blazing".
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La Sra. Sotomayor que Confirma

2009-07-13T14:47:00.007-05:00

All the headlines today are already indicating that Sonia Sotomayor will be an "impartial" judge and decide cases on their "merits" if she is confirmed to the Supreme Court.

What did you expect?

Just because she is not expected to change the balance of the court, that is no reason to give Obama a tip in. The truth is, we never know what the judges will do until they are on the court and by that time it's too late. In fact, the justice retiring was expected to be a winner for GOP ideals and clearly turned out to be more of the opposite. Regardless of media spin, the basis of this appointment is identity politics, consistent with Obama's belief system.

So, as I've mentioned before, and as the grandstanding opening statements show, these confirmation hearings are nothing but window dressing on what is otherwise a job interview where the applicant will say all the right things to get the job.

Wouldn't you for a well-paying position with a lifetime appointment?

(picture credit: Michael Ramirez / ibdeditorials.com)

Circumventing the Constitution

2009-07-13T10:31:00.004-05:00

I've blogged before about the number of unelected "czars" the Obama administration has "appointed". Since then, I believe the number has increased to 33 or 34, but who's counting. Well, thankfully, Congressman Jack Kingston is. He's introduced legislation that would basically curtail and eliminate this practice lest the "appointee" be approved by Congress as is explicitly stated in the Constitution.

(hat tip: Doug Ross)
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The Best Way to Get a Kidney (or Heart, Lung, Liver

2009-07-11T13:12:00.001-05:00

The Best Way to Get a Kidney (or Heart, Lung, Liver…)

Posted using ShareThis

The GOP Boogeyman Takes Aim

2009-07-11T08:38:00.004-05:00

In an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal, Karl Rove takes on Obama's fear-mongering, everything's an urgent emergency, get it done now approach to legislation. Not only do Congressional members not bother reading the legislation they pass, but the White House mantra of not letting a crisis go to waste - especially when everything is a crisis - now has a majority of Americans second-guessing what they did in November 2008.

The public is shifting back to desiring a relative balance in Washington, if not exhibiting the early signs of buyer's remorse with the Democrats. After only 6 months, the Democrats once again prove they can't be trusted with power.
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You Heard It Here First...

2009-07-08T15:29:00.004-05:00

A while back, I posted on the issue of Cap & Trade and the ridiculous expectations it makes of American business as well as the impact it will have on EVERY consumer of energy in this country. And just as predicted, China and India have come through with flying colors.

From Reuters: "China and India have been opposed to a goal of halving world greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 as part of a declaration by MEF nations, which account for 80 percent of world greenhouse gas emissions." An earlier story indicated that the two nations vetoed a G8 joint statement on commitments to reducing greenhouse emissions, which was designed to serve as a base for a new Kyoto type of climate treaty later in Copenhagen.

What did we expect to happen? Are we naive enough to believe that just because we seek to wreck our our national economy by unilaterally implementing misguided policies based on agenda-driven junk science that every other industrialized nation will too? Why would China and India want to hamper their own economic development at such critical times when they are becoming more important to the global economy? While they pay it the proper lip service to keep us and Europe off their backs, they too still believe it does not make sense.

And, on top of this, there is another reason that all of these "green" jobs Obama has promised will not materialize as expected. T. Boone Pickens who has been clamoring over the past year to revolutionize the nation's energy through windmill farms has discovered that it just isn't as easy as buying a bunch of oversized fans. He's abandoned his Texas wind-farm because of the difficulties associated with getting generated power ON to the grid (ironically for people who want to get OFF the grid...).

Long story short, going "green" is not all rainbows and unicorns as the administration keep promising. For that matter, it's not Nazi Germany either, Mr. Gore. To continue to bet the (wind) farm on this strategy doesn't make much sense, and in a global sense, actually puts the US in a weaker position on many issues.

As I've been saying, there just isn't yet enough proof to put so much energy into "green" energy. Ignoring the vast reserves of oil, coal, and natural gas that sit well within our reach and out of sight of protectionist eyes, is a strategy of failure and arrogance. It's time we stop thinking about special interests, and start thinking about national interests.
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Unacceptable

2009-07-06T07:08:00.003-05:00

The New York State Senate proves once again why we need to clean house with ALL elected leaders from both parties. The Governor has no power over these self-important weasels from both sides of the aisle who are more concerned with their own political careers and power than they are with what's best for a state that is crumbling under the weight of its own fiscal stupidity.

What is so hard about sending reasonable adults to serve in public office instead of immature children? At what point does this type of behavior become entirely unacceptable to the voting public? Will anything ever wake up the populace?
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On this 4th of July Weekend...

2009-07-03T11:51:00.004-05:00

I challenge you to stop and think about what the 4th of July REALLY means to us as Americans. Many people see it as simply a day off to cookout with friends and family and then watch some fireworks along the banks of the river. Not that it isn't a fun time to get together, but it doesn't entirely reflect the true spirit of our nation's independence and birth.

But in the current political and economic climate we find ourselves in, it is critical, now more than ever, to really understand and appreciate the independence and freedom we sought from a tyrannical government. The big question is whether or not we are regressing by ceding too much authority to a government that was originally meant to be limited in scope.

So while you are enjoying your hot dogs and sparklers, think about this quote and to what extent our personal freedoms from an increasingly intrusive government are worth to us as individuals and how far we'll be pushed, or lengths we are prepared to go to, to defend...

(graphic courtesy of thepeoplescube.com)

Energy Czar doesn't have the energy to read

2009-06-30T14:11:00.003-05:00

Carol Browner, the administration's "Energy Czar" admits that she has not read the entire 1000 page Waxman-Markey energy bill, much less the 300 page late night amendment...

Do you get the feeling that this is a trend? Doesn't seem to be a whole lot of reading going on in DC as they rush to ram their ideologically-driven legislation down our throats. While I would never expect the average American to read the full contents of most legislation, but when those making laws that affect the other 300 million of us don't read it either... well, that's criminal and it must come to an end.

Please help send them home in 2010. All of them. None are worth sparing. We literally must start over.

(hat tip: Doug Ross)
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Quick Hits - Legal Edition

2009-06-29T10:51:00.006-05:00

Clearly I am no legal scholar, but as you know, I'm willing to put my two cents in on just about any topic...

Bernie Madoff: Just got sentenced to 150 years. The maximum. Good. It's what he needed. To hear him say that he has no excuse for his behavior is sickening. His excuse was greed. And now he expected a judge to only give him 12 years for ripping off people to the tune of $71 BILLION?! Please. If an 80-year old man now has to return to work as a supermarket butcher (not an easy job, mind you) to make ends meet, then Mr. Madoff should have to do HARD time and not his remaining years sitting in the sun as some prison camp.

You're next Mr. Stanford...and you're sentence won't be any less lenient.

New Haven Firefighters: Vindicated. While the wildcard Justice Kennedy's coin flip landed on the right side this time, true justice was served. The city of New Haven got exactly what it deserved too. To hide behind disparate impact for fear of being sued by minorities got them sued by the majority. Perhaps they were doomed to be sued either way. However, they followed a pretty rigid protocol with their test and the outside company they hired to develop and administer it. So, they were clearly thinking ahead. To take away ALL promotions because proportions were not met is insane. It is traditional Liberalism. Instead of all boats rising with the tide, we punish success so that everyone is brought down to the same level.

And as for our loony Justice Ginsburg - may forces greater than I hasten her departure from the Supreme Court. In her dissent, she actually says the firefighters "understandably attract this court's sympathy. But they had no vested right to promotion. Nor have other persons received promotions in preference to them." Are you kidding me?! Excuse me Justice G, but they met the requirements of service and to take the test, and then they passed the test. Sounds to me like that's EXACTLY a vested right to promotion. Perhaps we should apply your standard to judges - especially to the Supreme Court.

What say you Judge Sotomayor? This, plus her membership in La Raza, should be major red flags during her confirmation hearings. Activism has no place on the bench.

Michael Jackson: Now that he's officially gone, if you thought his LIFE was a circus... just you wait. I predict this is going to make the fiasco surrounding Anna Nicole's death look sane.

Side Note: It saddens me that others who have passed this week have not received the proper remembrance they deserved. Farrah Fawcet and Billy Mays, each important in their own right, also passed and we are sad for their families and friends as well.

SC Governor Mark Sanford: I would not expect him to resign because of his extramarital affairs. Name a Democrat who has. However, I might fully expect him to resign for disappearing and leaving no instruction or notice as to his whereabouts. Not quality, or perhaps even legal behavior for the chief executive of a state government. Poor decision, Mr. Sanford - and you've set the party back. Nice job.

Iranian Election Recount: Expect it to be about as legitimate as the election itself. By the way, since we're so concerned with the free speech rights of the Iranian electorate, isn't it time we revisited the constitutionality of McCain-Feingold?
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A Picture is Worth...

2009-06-26T09:42:00.000-05:00

Consumer Impact of Cap & Trade

2009-06-25T20:10:00.005-05:00

Using the government's OWN DATA, the graph below illustrates the net impact to consumers on a state by state basis:

How much are you willing to give up so other states can benefit?

How much so the federal government can engage in political corruption by rewarding contributors with "indulgences"?

Tell me once again how this isn't a massive energy tax?

Quick Hits

2009-06-25T13:33:00.006-05:00

Government Run Healthcare: An excellent point was made today regarding a "publicly funded healthcare option"... Rush Limbaugh, on his radio program asked, "Will the members of Congress and the President opt out of their current healthcare plans to participate in the new government-run 'public option' ?"

If the answer is anything other than a collective "Yes", then we do not need whatever it is they purport to offer. Simple as that. If it's not good enough for them, it's not good enough for us.

Furthermore, Sean Hannity on his radio program yesterday, asked if the government program would be subject to all of the reporting requirements and regulations that private insurers have to comply with? Again, if the answer is anything other than "Yes", then it is a trojan horse designed to unfairly, under the guise of competition, eliminate private insurance options.

I know these are two prominent Conservative commentators, but your putting D's and R's aside, who among us can disagree with these two questions? I do not think it is rationally possible.

North Korea: It's time to stop playing games with them. Period.

Cap & Trade: Vote expected tomorrow. The House can pass it easily - even as Nancy Pelosi greases the palms of representatives (mostly Democrats) who still have reservations about the bill. The Senate may be able to kill it - and should. It's bad for America - top to bottom, but especially the bottom...

The main problem is that the administration and Democrats are looking for energy legislation, but it is independent and not part of a comprehensive energy plan. So, we'll get some ineffective, poorly reviewed, misguided laws on the books, and the next Congress and President will have to work very hard to correct, if not repeal it altogether. America, you've been warned...again.

As with virtually every other piece of legislation that has come out of DC in the past 6 months, no one has had proper time to read and dissect this bill. My guess is that pattern is not going to change and we will see yet another instance of Obama ignoring his campaign promise to post it 5 days before signing.

Let me guess, it's an emergency if we don't act now - so it's not subject to the normal process.

Farrah Fawcet: My condolences to her family on her passing from her well-documented struggle with a rare form of cancer. The approach they took in making her fight very public will give hope to many people and drives even more awareness about the importance of cancer research.

As unfortunate it is to say at this time, but do you really think a government healthcare plan will have the necessary resources to research the disease and investigate treatments? That's currently a job private enterprise will do. However, if the government opts in, these companies will have no incentive to pursue these opportunities because the free market will not ensure the profits these companies need to continue life-saving research.
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Michael Ramirez Goes There

2009-06-22T23:55:00.006-05:00

Michael Ramirez is the pre-eminent political cartoonist today. As always, he finds a way to make a picture worth Washington's words... or in this case... their lack of words...

In case you haven't heard the story of Neda, you may want the background.

Why I Fly Southwest

2009-06-21T15:02:00.004-05:00

The airlines just don't get it.

Why can't they figure out that it costs X dollars to fly plane Y from point A to point B? The distances never change, the labor costs barely fluctuate, and landing rights/maintenance/operations rarely change. I can understand modificaitons in fares because of fuel, but this nickel and diming of the traveling public is maddening!

According to the article, "Airlines say fees are part of "a la carte" pricing that allows them to hold the line on fares. Rather than charge higher fares to everyone, they say, passengers can pick and choose the extras they want to pay for. "

If a flight costs $200, but then I now have to pay $15 for check in, $15 for a checked bag, an additional $5 if I do it at the airport, $5 for a drink and peanuts, $25 for premier check-in, $15 to actually have a seat assigned, $5 fuel surcharge, and any other myriad of ridiculous fees the airlines are charging, then I really don't have a $200 fare, now do I?

Airlines are more worried about how to make money per passenger, rather than systemwide. Let's start by ending unnecessary flights. While we're at it, let's look at fewer hub flights. People who live in hub cities almost never get as good of fares as those who connect. But instead, airlines continue to dump money into all of these ancillary services that they used to provide, yes, as part of your total fare. But now, fewer and fewer people are taking advantage of the $7 pillow, yet we are all still paying for them, you know, just in case...

If airlines want to keep customers happy, start by focusing on turnaround and on-time departures and arrivals. Not a single major airline can boast in excess of 85% - and in many cases, it is significantly lower (try an industry average of 78%). Clearly, the unions have a large hand in all of this with labor taking full advantage of protections to work often less than efficiently. The second step would be to stop with all these "a la carte fees" and just give passengers ONE PRICE. It will take the guesswork out of it for everyone and likely make planning travel - both by the public and the airlines - a much more streamlined event.

Who knows? It may even make them profitable one day... just like Southwest.
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Destroying Healthcare

2009-06-21T00:22:00.004-05:00

With so many questions about costs, coverage, administration, and whatever else accompanies the implementation of a new government program, Doug Ross and Mark Levin take aim at the reasons behind why the Democrats want to ram through healthcare reform (see The Politics of Hurry).

I think an important aspect that they've left out, however, is the fact that a "public option" is basically the "out" businesses will ultimately choose as the less expensive avenue, thereby taking away the "choice" the Democrats are currently parroting as "protected". Of course its protected... until private insurers can't compete with the government and are forced to shut their doors.

Talk is cheap, and semantics fool. But given the fact that the Obama administration seeks to "re-run" the number analysis through the Office of Management & Budget which is a (partisan) White House entity. There, they can massage the numbers to get something more palatable to sell to voters while looking like they've conducted an independent analysis. They want to do this because the CBO's analysis (which pretty much all presidents and congressional bills have relied on for decades) didn't fit with their agenda.

Normally I only post the referring link for such a story, but I've included the entire article here:
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Why does Obama seek to crush free-market health care?

(from Doug Ross & Mark Levin)

The Democrats' War on Poverty is nearly 50 years old, yet we're told there's too much poverty despite trillions in wealth transfers of every type.

The Democrats have run the education system for nearly 100 years -- with monopolies like the NEA and the AFT teacher's unions, yet we consistently hear that education is broken and that schools need more money.

Government was responsible for securing the southern border since the era of LBJ and it has intentionally failed in order to bolster the Democrat Party's voting base; this has led to the presence of as many as 20 million illegal aliens in the country thanks to Johnson's policies including "chain migration". It has helped result in bankrupted states like California as Democrat policies ensure a culture of dependency.

Democrats were responsible for implementing Medicare and Medicaid, which along with Social Security, are in ruins with approximately $55 trillion in debt. That's nearly a half million dollars for every household in America.

Democrats raped the Social Security Trust Fund -- there is no trust fund. They raped the Medicare Trust Fund -- there's nothing left. They raped the Highway Trust Fund -- it's empty. I could go down a long list of things the government said it would do, but hasn't done. Because the Statist Democrats are liars. They even moved these massive expenditures "off the books" to conceal the damage they've done.

And now the Statist Democrats are launching the most massive attack on the American people in the history of government.They promise health care for everyone, but they will not -- and they can't possibly -- deliver it.

While our health care system is certainly imperfect -- because all humans are imperfect, including doctors, nurses, hospitals and insurance companies -- they are more perfect, more competent, more informed, more capable than all of the bureaucrats to whom they'll be forced to report: a bureaucracy that will make all decisions about your health care.

And it is easy to confirm the havoc that socialized medicine will wreak on American society. All you need to do is to look at how Democrats are trying to ram home socialized medicine: they're doing it as fast as possible with as little debate as possible. For the indigent and the poor, we already have programs like Medicaid and SCHIP and dozens of state programs. Yet we're told tens of millions of us must give up our private insurance and pay for a government-run program.

Democrats claim it will be more cost-effective and efficient. That's bulls***. The man who's had the least experience at running anything is going to unleash the most massive federal leviathan in history, nationalizing nearly 20% of the economy.

This has been the dream of the Statist Democrats since FDR: to force each and every one of you, whether you like it or not, into a strait-jacket form of health care. It controls you; the actual being, the person.

Nameless, faceless bureaucrats substituting their decisions for those of your doctor.Deciding whether you will have an operation or not. Whether you will have an MRI or not. Whether you will receive a life-saving, life-extending drug or not. And we know this, because this is what occurs in Canada and Britain and other centralized bureaucracies, where you simply cannot have similar access to advanced health care.

Where will their new drugs come from, since we produce half of them? Who will invent the new medical technologies for them, since we invent roughly three-fourths of them? Who will run the hospitals and what will they look like when the government unions run them? Who will be responsive in a massive federal bureaucracy, where no one takes responsibility for anything, and yet they're all-powerful decision-makers for your family's well-being?

And for what? Why would anyone advocate dismantling our health care system for something that won't work and will further bankrupt our nation? Because, for one thing, it's yet another payoff to the Union bosses and ACORN who owe billions in health care benefits they don't want to pay.

Where will Barack Obama be in ten years, when the rest of us are struggling with a massive, out-of-control, federalized medical system that doesn't give a damn about individuals and is busy rationing? He will be retired as a very young man; a very wealthy young man, who will have imposed his Marxist ideology upon this society and then walked away from it.

The politicians don't last. But their policies live forever.

And in every successive election cycle, the Democrats will use the health care system to bludgeon their opponents. They will use health care as a weapon, rewarding you by offering more benefits for your votes and punishing you with less benefits if you dare to vote against them.

So much power for a faceless set of bureaucrats who can't possibly have the best interests of your family in mind. And yet they're going to take those decisions away from you and your doctor. And they've been lying every day to justify what they're doing.

They've been lying about the number of people without health care. They've been lying about whether the public is satisfied with health care. They've been lying about every aspect of health care. They unleashed the slip-and-fall lawyers on the medical system, causing untold higher costs for medical practitioners. They've attacked the health care system relentlessly, driving up costs just like they've attacked the energy industry and the automakers.

And even when they have complete monopolistic control of a system, like the educational system in America, they want more control. It's never enough. They want more money, more regulations. More. They need to "invest". They need to raise taxes. They need to repress. They need to compel. Because the Statist cannot make the imperfect perfect, even though he says he can. The Statist is more imperfect than anyone else.

I ask you to consider something: what kind of persons can Obama and the Democrat leadership be, to think they can do these things when history tells them they can not? What kind of a mind refuses to look at the evidence? What kind of person would refuse to look at Britain and Canada? Or engage in arm-twisting secretly, behind the scenes? And use brownshirts like ACORN and the SEIU to intimidate organizations and legislators alike?

They're going to rush socialized medicine through the system, without any debate or transparency... and it's going to be a complete disaster on multiple levels.

Call the so-called conservative Blue Dog Democrats now. Make your voice heard. Help us stop this rush to disaster.
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Quick Hits

2009-06-18T22:35:00.005-05:00

North Korea - Rumor has it that the DPRK is going to "test fire" another missile in the next few weeks. Word is that they plan to "aim" it towards - or in the direction of - Hawaii. My guess is that Obama will do nothing about this at all other than offer up another teleprompter aided finger wag because it has been an effective strategy so far.

Here's where Obama and I would differ as President: I'd take it off the launching pad with a strategic strike (although I'd have already done it to an earlier launch). If that option failed to materialize or if we were surprised by a launch, assuming it was either shot down, or didn't quite reach Hawaii, the launch towards the US would be plenty defensive justification to decimate Pyongyang with a modern day Hiroshima. Harsh, I know - but this is going on a 20-year problem. My next step would be a press conference to tell the Iranians unequivocally that they can expect something similar should they continue to play games.

It's time to stop playing these silly waiting games with an uncooperative, irrational nation. Under my plan, the problem is solved.

Education - In a just and fair society that truly seeks to advance itself, the highest paid people would not be athletes or movie stars, they would be doctors, police and firemen, and most importantly, teachers. The education of a population is the most important thing a society can do. In my opinion, we are on the brink of having completely failed in this regard.

The public education system in this country has failed many, especially children and minorities. The main problems are unqualified teachers who are protected by unions and bureaucrats as well as a lack of accountability from school administrators and parents alike. There are good schools and parents out there, but as a whole, we are in big trouble. By contrast, private schools continue to graduate intelligent kids, as do charter schools - which are on the rise.

Lisa Keegan has an excellent piece on what it takes to be a teacher and excel in the process.

Iranian Elections - It will be interesting to see if the current regime can withstand the power of the people. And I'm not speaking of A-Jad... I'm talking Mullahs this time... I think they actually fear the power of the masses against them. Perhaps a new wind is blowing in Tehran as well...

(Side Note: Do you also wonder why the protesters signs are mostly in English?)

MISC:

Have you heard? Obama killed a fly. PeTA used it as an opportunity to let everyone know just how far they will go to appear relevant...

It's time to audit the Fed. As it stands right now, they are accountable to no one. No entity with a finger in government funds should be closed to public scrutiny - especially one with this much concentrated power.

Will Schwarzenegger finally terminate the status quo in bankrupt California?

Need a break from work? Check out Mousebreaker for a brief respite from the 9-5 grind...
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Comparing the Presidents

2009-06-18T10:45:00.008-05:00

A friend sent this to me today via email (hat tip: Patrick). I thought it was an astute observation, but more importantly, I think we are beginning to see more of this type of analysis - especially given the "fly kill" episode that dominated the headlines yesterday - as well as voter frustration with it. I've highlighted what I thought was the best line... Enjoy.
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Last week I was stuck in Newark Airport awaiting my flight to Chicago. Since I drank too many cocktails the night before, I did a horrendous job packing. There I was sitting at my gate without a book, no iPod, chewing tobacco, or even a Tylenol for my throbbing headache.

Needing something to do, I wandered into Borders where I came across a magazine completely dedicated to the Presidents of the United States. Since every other mag in the place was either focused on Lindsey Lohans upcoming suicide or Jennifer Anniston’s depressing sex life, I purchased the Presidential mag and moved on.

I centered on the chapters that focused on the titans of our Democracy; the founding fathers, Lincoln, Teddy, FDR, Kennedy, and Reagan. Putting partisanship aside, I tried to find the common trait that made these men great leaders and the qualities that allowed them to lead our nation in times of turmoil. It wasn’t difficult, all of these men had the fortitude to cast their ego’s aside and put the nation first.

They took courses of action that benefited the country in the long run, regardless of what it did to their legacy in their own particular times , and shockingly in many cases they hated the office they dedicated their lives too. My feelings of American pride were quickly banished however, when I realized more than ever that despite what the media and the masses try to sell, President Obama lacks many of these traits. He is a reality TV celebrity who cares more about being a star than he does about being effective. In fact, Obama recently had ABC come in and wire the White House with an optical switching technology that allow cameras to link up with patch cords based on the day’s shooting schedule (not much different than the way they filmed MTV’s Real World or the way they currently shoot CBS’s Big Brother reality show). For anyone who disagrees, please read the following comparisons with an open mind.

George Washington’s desire after the Revolution was to retire to Virginia and run his farm. An overwhelming majority of the country wanted to name him king, and give him absolute power. Since the new government did not have the money to pay the soldiers who fought in the war this would have been an easy task. The military was loyal to him and not the gov’t. Not only did Washington put down the rebellion, but he refused to take absolute power of a country that was begging him to. For the first time in history a conquering military commander handed control of a government back to the people. Peacefully. Every action Washington took was precedent. He went out of his way to avoid any action or gesture that would put him above the gov’t, and even more amazingly decided that a President should only serve two terms, when clearly he could have had the post for life. In parting he told newly elected Adams he was sorry for he was about to endure as President.

Does anyone believe, even for a minute, that Obama would have taken these same steps? Would his love for attention and control have made him rationalize the decision to create a post more powerful than President? Would he have stepped down after only 2 terms? Would he have limited the role the American President was going to play? I think even the most loyal liberal must have some lingering doubts about those questions.

Thomas Jefferson made a grand total of two public appearances and oral speeches during his Presidency. TWO!!! Both were his inauguration speeches. He so loathed the responsibilities of the office that he left it off the epitaph on his tomb stone. He believed that the powers of the office should be limited and the states should have an important say how their populace was governed.

Obama is on TV at least 2 times a day. His Presidency is a media event. He appears on late night talk shows, lives in front a teleprompter. In fact yesterday he gave Lebron James a tour of the white house. Apparently their aren’t anymore pressing things to attend to.

Many people compare President Obama to FDR. Both men inherited office during a time of financial turmoil, and both expanded the office and the executive branch. However there are some fundamental differences here too. I lifted the next passage from an article.

“Roosevelt was no radical; indeed, he shared many of the conservative convictions of his class and times. He believed deeply in both balanced budgets and the demoralizing effects of relief on the poor. He tried mightily to rally the business community to his side. For him, the labor movement was terra incognita and — though it may be hard to believe today — played no role in his initial policy and political calculations. Nonetheless, right from the beginning, Roosevelt cobbled together a cabinet and circle of advisers strikingly heterogeneous in its views, one that, by comparison, makes Obama’s inner sanctum, as it is developing today, look like a sectarian cult.”

Obama intends to CONTROL Wall Street and nationalize any industry he feels is underperforming. General motors is now Government Motors and he alone has the final say how they are run. He has no intentions of kick starting capitalism, he has created a socialist agenda that is his to command.

Obama has gone out of his way to link himself with Lincoln. He has gone so far as to be sworn in with the Lincoln bible. But lets not forget that Lincoln was a Republican and believed in the tenets of the party. He was a humble man who was thrust into a series of events that caused him to take action. He did not take actions that thrust himself into a series of events. Lincoln was a humble man who questioned his actions. Obama had this quote in 2004 at the dem national convention “I’m LeBron, baby. I can play on this level. I got some game.”

I’ll sum this up with a Ronald Reagan quote, “Government does not solve problems, government is the problem.”

-Six Gun
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Outright Ridiculous

2009-06-16T22:19:00.005-05:00

So, Justin Denney, a senior at Bonny Eagle High School in Standish, ME, walks across the stage to receive his diploma and in the process turns to the crowd, bows, and blows his family a kiss... What a pleasant honor to his family who has supported him through to this rite of passage.

The superintendent sent him back to his seat without his diploma. He has not officially graduated.

So, who's really "acting up" or "showboating" here? I say it is the school administrators. According to multiple published reports, other students had inflated beach balls and were bouncing it around. That would be disruptive for a graduation ceremony. Thus, those students were separated and also did not receive diplomas. However, bowing to your family and blowing them a kiss is not disruptive. It's not showboating. It's respect.

But when you have administrators threaten kids with arrest and have police, in essence, detain kids separate from others, school officials have gone way past what's acceptable. You see, many of these people are not educators. They are control-freaks. They can't see past their own little fiefdoms. If this young man had done a cartwheel or stripped off his gown for a t-shirt with some crazy message, I can understand that it may meet with some consternation from school officials and reprimands would be in order. However, this is simply an out of control administrator who has not, will not, and likely cannot fathom relinquishing even the slightest bit of control over these students. For them, it is a clear lack of respect.

When the educational system focuses this much on controlling graduation celebrations and non-classroom related behavior (especially when their own parents are in attendance) rather than holding teachers accountable, ensuring students are learning and passing (as this young man clearly did), it may need to be completely scrapped and started over. When you read an article that indicates that "No arrests were made" at a graduation, and that refers to the students, something is beyond wrong.

Graduation is a time to celebrate and release some of that pent up anxiety. It's high school. They're kids. It's been happening for decades. They need to lighten up and just go with the flow sometimes. Heck, it only happens once a year!

I'm not certain whether this superintendent is elected or appointed, but either way, she should be fired. This is outright ridiculous and the parents of this child are right to demand an apology and the ability to have their son honored just as he was honoring them.
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The Politics of Hurry

2009-06-15T18:10:00.004-05:00

So the Obama Administration uses the word “crisis” quite often, and as we’ve discussed before, Rahm Emanuel wholeheartedly approves. For a party that criticized the use of fear tactics after 9/11 in admonishing citizens for giving up their constitutional rights, there seems to be no end to their willingness to circumvent the legal processes that make up the checks and balances that have kept this type of naked power grab in check for over 200 years, but here we go anyway… The end result – bad legislation enacted as a result of the politics of hurry.

Let’s start with the most blatant overstepping of bounds with the czars…

Czars – on what Constitutional authority do these appointees of the President base their activities? Here’s the latest tally from Something New Every Day:

- Border Czar Alan Bersin
- Energy Czar Carol Browner
- Urban Czar Adolfo Carrion, Jr.
- Infotech Czar Vivek Kundra
- Faith-based Czar Joshua DuBois
- Health Reform Czar Nancy-Ann DeParle
- TARP Czar Herb Allison
- Stimulus Accountability Czar Earl Devaney
- Non-proliferation Czar Gary Samore
- Terrorism Czar John Brennan
- Regulatory Czar Cass Sunstein
- Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske
- Guantanamo Closure Czar Daniel Fried
- Great Lakes Czar Cameron Davis
- Special Master for Compensation Kenneth Feinberg
- Cybersecurity Czar (yet to be named)

Special envoys that fall into the czar category:

- Afghanistan/Pakistan special envoy Richard Holbrooke
- Mideast peace envoy George Mitchell
- Special Advisor for the Persian Gulf and Southwest Asia Dennis Ross
- Sudan special envoy J. Scott Gration
- Climate special envoy Todd Stern

Paygo – a legislative farce from both parties. Clever semantics meant to confuse the American people with the veil of fiscal responsibility. Notice that any talk of “paygo” only applies to spending they haven't discussed yet or it isn’t applicable to the grandiose plans they have already pitched with no ability to pay for.

Stimulus – the 1st real emergency: No measureable effect whatsoever - especially in the "saved jobs" category. They projected top unemployment at 8%. It is currently at 9.4%. Biden says they “guessed wrong”. Less than 15% has been spent. What happened to shovel-ready? We can’t afford for them to “guess” on this level.

How’s this for an example of shovel-ready? A perfect example of how the administration is not thinking things through clearly in their rush to pass emergency legislation: The massive stimulus bill that added a whopping $25 per week to many Americans paychecks has now made hundreds of thousands ineligible to continue receiving their food stamp benefits. With the generosity of the government, they took more away from the families they purport to protect the most. The government giveth, and then they taketh away.

Bailout – the ongoing emergency: TARP money can be paid back – but not all of it… only limited amounts as the government sees fit. Now, repayments are being viewed as revolving funds – which also STILL have no Constitutional authority. This is another example of what happens once you give the government a new power or the right to impose a new tax – It. Never. Goes. Away.

GM/Chrysler bankruptcy settlements – the too-big-to-fail emergency: The UAW came out with larger chunks of ownership in both companies which is really strange because they had NO ownership going in! Not to mention this injustice was committed at the expense of secured creditors such as retirement and pension funds. The President has absolutely NO CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY to make these decisions, strike deals, or use funds in this manner. The bigger question is will they be willing to make the hard decisions they forced management into these past 10-20 years?

Meanwhile, the government continues to repay their unions buddies in the overnight and airline industries by changing the rules of operation for successful companies to now benefit unions by making it easier for them to organize. Small insertions into the turbo legislation now modifies the Railway Labor Act to benefit companies like UPS, but more so the Teamsters – who desperately want to organize at FedEx. UPS has no problems with this since it will hurt FedEx. Neither does the union. Big surprise. I use this as an example of liberals bringing down efficient success instead of requiring others to step up and compete. Instead of all boats rising in the tide, all boats fall by draining the swamp.

Healthcare – the most pressing emergency (now for a decade or more...): This impending debacle will be paid for via a “downpayment” (notice that isn’t “pay-as-you-go”) by increasing taxes (on a dwindling segment of) on $250K earners to the tune of $634 Billion, plus yet-to-be-identified phantom savings of $313 billion that the White House parrots are calling “scoreable”. Does Obama stop to think that the same people he’s telling to take less for their services are the same people he expects to increase taxes on to pay for this exercise in socialized futility? Let’s hope this remains a challenge in Congress.

Climate change (cap and trade) – the manufactured emergency: We are the only civilized country willing to damage our own economy further by these unilateral policies. Don’t believe the hype.

And in all of this drunken spending that is so necessary to ward off impending doom that only the government can foresee, the apologists at NYT say this was all set in motion by Bush . Just can’t let go and take responsibility for once, can they?

I say the only thing we need to expedite is the days and weeks until the 2010 elections to stop this madness. It is nothing short of “sound-bite legislation” which cannot be good. Americans are already showing significant signs of buyer’s remorse as many polls will indicate. However, for now we can expect “the politics of hurry” to be the call over the Summer - as if we haven’t waited decades enough already, that this now has to be done in less than 5 weeks or the door will close forever.

Someone be sure to latch the windows too.

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Quick Hits

2009-06-15T18:04:00.001-05:00

Iranian Elections – why is it that we condemn Iran for not allowing free speech and debate within a few days of the elections, and shutting down texting and social networking sites to quell anger over what appears to be a tainted outcome…yet we enacted laws that say similar silencing of free speech is perfectly acceptable (McCain-Feingold)?

Twitter – Is twittering real time updates really the best use of our legislators’ time both at the state and federal levels?
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Sczary Situation

2009-06-12T08:14:00.004-05:00

Barack Obama has appointed another "Czar" in the past week, or is it two... heck, I can't keep up. What I do know is that there are now like, 19 or something. This small cadre of individuals have been appointed by the President to advise, manage, control, rule over (...choose your administrative style) particular aspects of our nation's business - and now of private business. While this is not unprecedented in its approach, Obama has taken it to a new level. A dangerous level. The President is using Czars as pseudo-Cabinet posts and giving them practically equal power. Yet, there are no checks or balances on this power as prescribed by the Constitution.

A lot of bloggers and conservative pundits have sounded the alarms about the US heading into Socialism or Fascism under this administration. Yet, they come out on occasion and pitch the people on why another czar is necessary. The last two appointed were for food and nutrition and executive compensation. It begs the question... are they right?

Czars are not accountable to ANY branch of government. They are not voted on by the people. They are not confirmed by Congress. There is no precedent within the courts to validate their existence. The key factor is that they "serve at the request of the President". Meanwhile, they are influencing, if not making policy that affects all Americans. So, when we don't like a decision they make, what is our recourse?

I think people are beginning to recognize this for what it is. A naked power grab for the President to have the final say in as many matters of American life as possible. I think Obama has stayed true to his radically-associative past. A leopard doesn't change its spots.

By skirting the constitutional processes in place, the President is gambling on his "I won" attitude that he will be allowed to do this unchecked. However, we get to vote again in 2010, in some places this year. As I noted before, the political winds are changing and Americans on both sides don't like what they see out of this President and Congress. As Democrats in NY vote with the Republican leadership because their own is too radical, and as Conservatives make a comeback in Europe to keep the Left in check, so too will American swing back to the middle.

Americans bought into the idea of change. And I agree. Change is sorely needed in DC. But with this President, it isn't even "the more things change, the more they stay the same"... This President is intent on the "fundamental" change he touted during the campaign. Where that leads, no one knows. But my guess is that when we get there, we won't like what we've allowed him to do.
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Reality Check

2009-06-09T23:45:00.010-05:00

I post this with the link because it shows the very real and perilous situations we are faced with in dealing with terrorism. To sugar-coat this as the current administration feels compelled to do, is not only dangerous, it's naive and foolish. The link below showcases examples of what we now know as the very nebulous "Overseas Contingency Operations" (formerly known as the War on Terror).

In a muted review of Obama's "outreach" speech to the Muslim world, Rubicon3 has a pictorial reminder (Graphic Content Warning) of what Islamic extremism has brought us in return. He truthfully asks the question, "And I wonder, where is their attempt at outreach?"

Commenter Charles posts, "We gave peace a chance - they gave us 9/11."

On point, Rubicon. We can't change history, and neither should we forget it.
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Quick Hits

2009-06-08T23:20:00.006-05:00

Exactly how do you “save jobs”? Currently the administration is taking credit for creating or saving 150,000 jobs in first 100 days. Now, the administration claims to be able to create or save 600,000 by the end of the summer. Well that’s just dandy considering over 2 million jobs have been lost since Obama’s election in November and the unemployment rate is at a staggering 9.4%. What about the other millions of people whose jobs haven't been “saved” by Obama? The house of cards is falling.

But still, I want to know who is quantifying this. During the campaign, Obama promised to create or save anywhere from 2.5 million to 5 million new jobs (including "green" jobs). However, as expected, his rhetoric was very light on details. Even now with the proclamation of “saving” jobs, he’s still light on details. The perpetual campaign continues. As Mitch McConnell and others have observed, the economy would probably begin to recover organically if the government would just get out of the way. Another case of the cure being worse than the disease.

(Side note: I thought the vast majority these projects were “shovel-ready”: "It takes time to organize projects, to get the bids in, the funds out and the work started," said Nigel Gault, chief U.S. economist at IHS Global Insight.)

Green is the color of money And that’s the money that people are making off of poor schlubs who think they have to “go green” in everything they do. However, it does not appear as though going green is always the best option. It looks like in many cases in the US, mass transit fares worse than the automobile both in operation AND in construction emissions. Wow. Can’t imagine how that is setting with Mr. Gore.

But the larger implication is this…if they can’t get it right on a smaller scale dealing ONLY with transportation systems, how do they think there will be any possibility of accuracy on a national/industrial scale and how will it be measured? Once again, ideology trumps common sense as the left attempts to hurry through more taxes (cap and trade) and controls over YOUR life. After all, you’re not smart enough to know what’s good for you, right? One size fits all around here now. Do you think the people in rural Nebraska are keen on the idea of paying federal taxes from cap and trade to pay for the pollution generated from the major coastal cities? Doubtful.

The Military wins another battle against a fierce enemy The Supreme Court upheld the military’s “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” policy. I think this is the appropriate decision. First of all, this is one thing that Clinton took heat for, but is turning out to be a good thing. Secondly, the last thing we need is a drop in morale because soldiers cannot trust or believe they can’t trust the man or woman fighting next to them. And finally, it does not matter what your sexual preference is if you can pick off a terrorist from 1000 yards.

The military is designed to fight external wars against common enemies of the country. It is not a place for fighting politically-driven ideological wars internally that ultimately benefit no one.

Anyone else sense the political winds are shifting? Rasmussen does.
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Politician Careers Win Again Over Education Accountability

2009-06-07T16:39:00.005-05:00

The Louisiana School Board Association put on the full court press and helped to defeat four bills in the Louisiana legislature that would have dramatically changed the way school boards operate and make them more accountable for school improvement.

Once again, politicians and special-interest groups come out ahead. While the educational system continues to deteriorate (rot, is more like it), especially in Louisiana, politicians and school board members around the state can sleep easy knowing that their positions and supplemental income is protected. And to think, all it took was a little saber-rattling with legislators who feared their positions and supplemental income were also at stake with these bills.

So, instead of doing what's right, and taking the necessary steps to make school boards, systems, and teachers more accountable for the woeful performance of our underperforming students, they decided that having a little extra pocket money is worth the risk. This is shameful and disgusting and they wonder why people howl when property taxes are eyed for increases in funding to our education system which is in complete disarray.

As you'll often hear me say, we need to have voter-enforced term limits and give all elected offices the political enema they are so clearly in need of.
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Conservatives Sweep Europe

2009-06-07T11:47:00.002-05:00

Isn't it true that the fashion trends in Europe usually take a little time to get to America? Well, if this is what's coming, this is a trend we should be happy to follow in November of 2010. Conservative/Right groups are taking back power in countries all across Europe and putting a stop to this naked worldwide power grab by left-wing statists. My sense is that the same will happen here...

However, the real blessing is that the campaigns have become longer and more contentious. Predictably, when engaged in tough re-election battles, the incumbents will not want to be seen as blindly following a socialist agenda for fear of being painted as such during the campaign. As a result, it should have a slowing effect on legislation critical to Obama's agenda. He and his cronies know this and it's exactly why they are hell-bent on pushing through healthcare reform ASAP. If it lingers, it will die with the campaign, along with his agenda in November.

And with any luck, Obama will be left as a two-year lame duck.
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Quick Hits

2009-06-06T23:42:00.006-05:00

Fatherhood.gov - Isn't it a stinging indictment of where we are as a nation when the government has to put up a website that seeks to educate men on how to be good fathers?

Sacrifice Fly - The Louisiana Senate voted NOT to cut salaries of public officials just in time to make the opening pitch of the LSU/Rice NCAA Super-Regional baseball game. I suppose the only sacrifice the legislators are interested in is one that scores a run.

An Even Harder Finger Wag Coming - Obama is planning to get firm with North Korea by taking a "very hard look" at his options. My guess is that by saying "very hard" he will have taken the finger wag a step further. Just words, Mr. President? We're still waiting...

On the lighter side...

Soldier of Tomorrow - Is it possible to give humans "superhero" capabilities? Raytheon thinks so. I saw this on Modern Marvels recently and it is fascinating.

Patch Adams meets Pro Sports - Perhaps this is the way a professional sports franchise OUGHT to be conceived and operated...
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Voting Rights 2009

2009-06-05T23:48:00.003-05:00

Ace of Spades skewers the DOJ's reversal of Georgia's Voter ID laws. Here's an excerpt from the full article:

So to sum up the current administration's stand on voting rights...New Black Panthers wielding weapons at polling stations, no harm, no foul. Requiring voters to show ID (something you have to do to get into most state and federal buildings to name just two mundane activities)...not allowed. Good to know.
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Fingers in the Dam

2009-06-05T22:52:00.005-05:00

“Well, it looks like our only option is to raise taxes.”

“Sure, we can implement a tax cut, but how are we going to pay for it?”

These are common rationalizations that come out of Washington. Rarely do we hear anything that makes good fiscal sense come of discussions of government income/revenue and subsequent expenditures and outlays.

Here in Baton Rouge, the local suburb of Baker first raised teacher salaries, and then their school board suggested the only way they are going to be able to fund education is to max out property taxes, and now they're holding a job fair for all those teachers they raised the pay for. Is there ANY careful planning or thought going on around there? Sadly, this happens all across the country.

Right now, the US spends more per pupil and gets some of the worst results. Thanks NEA! But how do you dare vote against funding education? Demanding accountability from education is the new racism. If you vote against it, then you are against children getting a good education (never mind the disparate impact on minorities). But, no... What I’m against is funding a broken system that rewards unqualified teachers and unaccountable school boards all of whom are coddled by the unions who shakedown the governments – all the while our children STILL get a substandard public school education. Did I mention we spend more money per student and get some of the worst results?

Meanwhile, Louisiana is putting the weight of its budget woes on the backs of graduate students. Graduate students are often young professionals who are sacrificing current experience in pursuit of future rewards. By no means are they wealthy - otherwise, they wouldn't be going back to school. But with this tuition increase, it is reverse Robin Hood as well as a sure-fire way to discourage people from wanting to better their lot in life through advanced education. It will also force a continued brain-drain at that level on Louisiana. Just what this state needs...

Meanwhile, outside of education, the administration and Congress tells us that the Federal Highway Trust Fund will be insolvent in by August unless taxpayers pony up another $7 Billion. Really? Who knew? I’m shocked that this is JUST NOW being addressed a month and a half away. How did this get left out of the $787 Billion stimulus bill? Wasn't that for "shovel-ready" projects? (Side note: There's clearly enough that's shovel ready in DC...)

From what I can tell, all that decreased driving we were told to do is now having a negative impact on federal gas tax revenues. So, now they are talking about raising the federal gas tax anywhere from 15 to 40 cents PER GALLON. But once again, they expect us to pay for their mismanagement of our dollars. Oh, and we’re also being punished for trying to help out by driving less, you know, like they asked us to. (It’s for the environment…)

Now, the encephalitic Ben Bernanke comes along and says we need to start planning now for the increased revenues that will be needed to pay for all the spending that has been legislated by the bloated beast in DC. Wasn’t it just a few years ago that the Democrats were screaming about “unfunded mandates”? Well, now it’s apparently en vogue and they’re talking about more taxes, specifically the Euro-popular VAT, to cover new spending. If you don’t know what a VAT tax is, I suggest you read this, and this, think of the term “national sales tax” (in addition to your state and local) and gird your loins for sticker shock on just about anything that requires an exchange of money for goods or services. ANYTHING.

But so many of our trusted elected career cowards just go lazily along with palms facing upward and their “but what can we do?” attitude? Then they have the audacity to ask us to send them back to DC so they can work hard to fix the problems that THEY created. Insanity. But in the interim…

First, to look fiscally responsible, Obama instructed cabinet departments to cut $100 million. Insulting. WH Spokesman Robert Gibbs attempts to play up that $100 Million is a lot of money to the American people. Yes, especially when the proposal includes buying office supplies in bulk and government employees having to share printers. But let’s be certain to slash missile defense while North Korea continues its fireworks show for terrorists. Obama & Gibbs are magnanimously throwing out numbers that SOUND big, but in the scale of DC, are minuscule. The budget proposed is $3.67 Trillion… That’s a lot more zeroes – at least four more to be exact.

Next to build on these massive cuts, Obama & Democrats put forth another $17 billion in cuts, likely to confuse (or amuse) people. Whatever. Window dressing at best. In the same breath as these cuts, he offered up billions more in spending. Well, so long as he gets the media coverage for cutting spending, all the other stuff is meaningless. However, once again, both Obama and Gibbs tout that $17 billion is a lot of money to Americans. Hey guys, it’s less than half a percent of the monstrosity you want to spend. Get real.

Not to lose the mantle of fiscal responsibility, now the GOP offers its own menial cuts. Many of these cuts are from programs that are actually very good, but easy targets. Still a drop in the bucket. They’re just as lazy and guilty.

There is no serious interest in cutting bloated spending. None. This is why when a tax cut is actually proposed, politicians ask “How are we going to pay for it?” Remember that from earlier? That is just politi-speak for, “We can’t give money back to the tax payers or take less of their money unless we cut spending from some other program.” And given the fact that the government does not like to cut spending, they hide behind this “pay for it” semantic. Sickening, and yet, the voters buy it without even understanding or questioning it.

By stark contrast, you are expected to cut your spending because they need more of your money to pay for their lack of doing the same. Politicians think you are stupid. And by the looks of it, at least half of the country doesn’t mind that. But then again, only half of us pay any taxes anyways. That’s no way to sustain a country and certainly isn’t any way to expect a society and an economy to grow and flourish. As Churchill so wisely stated and is often quoted, “We contend that for a nation to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.”

Washington is reckless and more out of control than ever. The only solution is to end the circus and send the clowns back to their trailers. They are out of touch and only want to be well-positioned with the media as opposed to truly standing on principle. As Sean Hannity put forth this week, whether you agree with his politics or not, all politicians in DC have no backbone to stand up and do what’s right for America. They only value their political careers and focus on how to get re-elected instead of how to best serve the country.

We need to start a national movement for voter-enforced term limits. We will never get critical mass to amend the Constitution, but it is the best solution to the problems that plague our nation’s capital. To paraphrase Mitt Romney from the 2008 debates, “How can you expect to send the same people back to Washington just to sit in different chairs and expect different results?”

Well America?
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The Irresponsibility of Piling Up Debt

2009-06-03T11:28:00.003-05:00

Doug Ross takes aim at the Obama Adminstration's ignorant hypocrisy in admonishing GM for its irresponsible fiscal behavior, supposedly leading to their collapse... I think the parallel is clear as our government makes the same mistakes on a much larger scale and will likely bring our country to the same end result.

Cross what you can for a halt to this madness in 2010.
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Analyzing the Intolerance of the "Tolerant"

2009-06-03T11:02:00.004-05:00

Michelle Malkin and Caleb at Redstate.com have excellent articles exposing the hypocrisy of the Left in their hijacking of the concept of tolerance, selective outrage, and what is acceptable in terms of hate speech and actions for them, but not for anyone else...
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Why Confirmation Hearings Are Moot

2009-06-02T16:04:00.007-05:00

In meeting with several high-ranking senators from the judicial committee today, Chairman Patrick Leahy said that Judge Sotomayor would, "follow the law no matter what their upbringing has been." In other words, she indicated that she would follow the law in deciding cases that come before her. Interesting. Well, of course she's going to say that now... what nominee seeking lifetime employment wouldn't?

Well, given that Judge Sotomayor's decisions have been overturned 60% of the time, and given the fact that she's been excoriated by her colleagues for decisions that have completely ignored precedent and related case law, I think she's got some explaining to do. But there's the problem...

First of all, neither Rush Limbaugh or Newt Gingrich have directly called Ms. Sotomayor a racist. They have said that her statement about the "wise Latina" is racist and needs explaining, but no one to my knowledge has directly called her a "racist". Secondly, she has been quoted as saying that appellate courts are appropriate in "making policy". Oh, I'm sorry. I thought that was the Legislative branch of government's job - and last I checked, we had three equal branches of government when you include the Executive and Judicial... But never mind that pesky Constitution. It just gets in the way.

These confirmation hearings are mostly ridiculous - a farce at best. For the Democrats it's a chance to assassinate the character of a Republican nominee and a chance to ideologically promote a Democrat nominee. For the Republicans, it's a chance to appear to want to play fair with Democrat nominees and a chance to point out the obstruction of the Democrats when its a Republican nominee.

There is usually never anything of substance that comes from these hearings and any senator who has already made up their mind based on what information is available so far isn't likely to be persuaded otherwise. Thus, this is an exercise in futility. The GOP always caves and never plays hardball. The Democrats always block or promote by threatening to label Republicans in negative ways. Isn't that right, Senator Schumer?

Sonia Sotomayor will be confirmed this Summer and she will enjoy all the accolades from the Left/Identity Politicians who will take all the credit for the first Hispanic on the SCOTUS. Truth be told, they opposed Bush's Hispanic nominees (like Miguel Estrada) simply because they did not want him to get credit for it. How's that for checks and balances?

Personally, I think the Republicans need to stop worrying about Judge Sotomayor's race and past statements so much. She is replacing another poor choice to begin with - so the balance of the court won't really change. Instead, they need to focus on the future and how she will be a judicial collaborator willing to advance the president's socialist agenda.

If Obama gets to nominate possibly two more justices (Kennedy & Ginsburg), then Sotomayor will be the first step in altering the political makeup of the court. Given that these are lifetime appointments, the Republicans needs to send a message loud and clear - and right now - that they will not tolerate extremists or activists on the court. Obama is using his popularity early in his term to get his way on virtually everything, but that may not last. So the GOP best take advantage to play hardball while its still early and in preparation of a backlash against his policies in 2010.

If the GOP can't do that now, then we need to send them home in 2010. What have we got to lose at this point if they aren't willing to fight on principle?
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Inside North Korea

2009-06-01T12:13:00.001-05:00

This is a staggering photo essay of life inside North Korea. Check it out at www.foreignpolicy.com by clicking the link below...

Renowned documentary photographer Tomas van Houtryve entered North Korea by posing as a businessman looking to open a chocolate factory. Despite 24-hour surveillance by North Korean minders, he took arresting photographs of Pyongyang and its people—images rarely captured and even more rarely distributed in the West. They show stark glimmers of everyday life in the world’s last gulag.

(hat tip: Doug Ross)

Quick Hits

2009-06-01T07:40:00.010-05:00

Oil & Gas: Oil prices are up almost 60% this year. Here are some of the reasons/excuses:

(1) “It’s the summer driving season.” Yeah, yeah. We hear this every year. It’s a bogus excuse given the consistent reporting that Americans are driving less and less.

(2) “OPEC has cut back production.” Well, if you believe this, I’ll sell you a Dairy Queen in the Mohave desert. OPEC member country economies are wholly dependent on oil revenues. For them to actually cut back and sell less makes a bad economic situation even worse. Many countries agree to the cuts, which get publicized, and then they fail to recognize them, continuing to produce and sell as much oil as possible - which often goes unreported.

(3) “Refineries are switching to Summer blends.” The fact is that most refiners plan outages for changeovers in which products are produced well in advance. It’s not enough to say that mere changes in production schedules have a dramatic impact on prices.

So, why the dramatic increase in oil and prices at the pump? Well, it is often said that the two are directly related when it comes to increases. But then when there are decreases, there’s a “lag” in prices. Whatever.

Oil and gas price increases are being driven again by speculation – pure and simple. Why do I say this? Well, last summer, when oil prices were going up, it was primarily due to investors hedging their bets in a struggling stock market by getting into more stable commodities. Oil is a commodity of relatively consistent value. When the dollar is strong, people get into stocks. When it is weak, they look to oil because it is traded in US Dollars and that makes it less expensive and a good hedge.

This year is no different in that regard. However, the underlying reasons are much different. While the Obama administration may say that they do not look to the market for economic signals, they may want to start understanding the effects their regressive policies are having on consumers. We are borrowing money at record levels. We are spending staggering amounts of money we don’t have. As a result, Washington has cranked up the printing press to make more money available for it to spend. As a result, the dollar becomes less valuable because there are more of them floating around. It’s the basic tenet of supply and demand – and yes, it applies to currency. Thus, investors are looking for places to park their dollars for the most value. Hence, they get into oil contracts and gas futures… and we all pay for that security with higher prices driven by currency speculation, and not commodity market fundamentals.

So, when you are filling up your soon-to-be-abolished SUV, think of all the money the government is spending and therein you will find the culprit for this year’s oil and gas price spikes.

Baseball: Earlier this season, Manny Ramirez was suspended 50 games for violation of the MLB drug policy. He was cited for taking a banned substance – HCG, a drug used to stimulate natural steroid production that is lowered when someone stops a course of steroids. Under baseball’s drug testing policy, the substance is banned. Ramirez and his doctor would know this if they just picked up the phone and played by the rules.

Well, good for baseball and sports in general. Let’s ensure that those who break the rules are held accountable… by allowing them to play in the All-Star Game.

WHAT?! Are you kidding me?! That’s right. MLB in its infinite wisdom appears ready to allow Ramirez to play in the All-Star Game. However, it must be pointed out that it is the moronic fans that are driving this charade. He should not even be on the ballot.

With this pitch, baseball has brushed back its drug policy and has hit a new low. I suppose with the bankruptcy of GM, all other traditional American institutions must also fail (That means you too, marriage!).

Side Note: I hope someone returns the favor of a 37-6 beatdown Florida State handed to Ohio State in the NCAA's yesterday. Running up the score was simply uncalled for and shows a complete lack of sportsmanship on the Seminoles part. With a 32-run lead in the 5th inning, unless the ball just goes out of the park, runners could be held, balls could be taken. This was another black eye to the unofficial farm system for MLB.

Now, for a sport with integrity…Hockey: The Dallas Stars are taking the right steps to right the once proud Stanley Cup champion organization. Upper management, having begun the process with shipping out notorious hockey moron and Vogue-intern Sean Avery, continued the cleanup by removing Brett Hull and Les Jackson as co-GM’s (a stupid concept in any sport above little league). They made the brilliant choice of replacing this brain-sharing duo with Joe Nieuwendyk as the new GM. Nieuwendyk is a three-time Stanley Cup champion as well as up-and-coming hockey executive. I think he will thrive in this role and will continue the positive changes within the Stars organization.
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TRUE Detroit Classics

2009-05-31T22:22:00.010-05:00

Here's a nice collection from when the auto companies made cars people wanted and the unions worked in a collaborative spirit to assemble some of the finest quality cars ever made... Needless to say, we won't be seeing this type of craftsmanship coming from Detro... I mean...Washington...(hat tip: Mom)

An Unhealthy Infatuation with Obama

2009-05-31T12:28:00.005-05:00

Investors Business Daily has a great editorial by Robert Samuelson that provides a true assessment of where the press is with their disciple...

I think this is the key line from the article:

"a great edifice of government may arise on the narrow foundation of Obama's personal popularity"

Never mind the numerous "Czars" he's appointed without Congressional approval or his abrogation of contract law with the automaker bankruptcies, what we need is a feel-good story about his grandfather.

In this case, the press fiddles...

(hat tip: Doug Ross)
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The Future of GM - Government Motors

2009-05-30T00:14:00.005-05:00

Roughly $20 Billion and over half a year later, the government appears ready and willing to let GM sink into bankruptcy. This is bad for the taxpayer because, well, we lose ALL of the money the government so wisely invested on our behalf in exchange for what? Ownership in a bankrupt entity. Just like the government’s unwillingness to accept repayment of TARP money (because they like the power they now have), GM will never be a privately owned entity again.

But we will have to share this "public" ownership with the UAW – the union that helped transform this once proud icon of America into the suckling pig that it is today now run by bureaucrats who have intruded entirely too far into private enterprise. Meanwhile, like the Chrysler deal, the investors are last to the table once again succumbing to the government’s extortive “take it or leave it” offer of pittance on the dollar. Is this a great country or what?

But the bankruptcy plan (which we ALL knew was coming) is doomed to fail from the get-go for a myriad of reasons. Here’s my prediction… whatever entity(ies) come out of this disaster-in-the-making, they will all fail. Old GM. New GM. Doesn’t matter. GM will ultimately fail. Here’s why…

Let me give you a snapshot into the thinking of 55 million Americans who did not vote for the current CEO of GM. A lifelong friend of mine sent me an email today (hat tip: Nathan G.) sharing the following:

“I am a Capitalist and I believe you are on the same page with me. I am for every sized business to be successful and to grow within its possibilities. I hate to see a business fail, but it is natural for these things to happen. Supply and demand will always dictate one's profit. Customer service is what I believe sets one profitable company light years ahead of its competition. I digress...

As we have watched our economy seemingly swirl into the downward spiral we hear more and more about these companies taking bailouts...which I think is the most un-American thing in the world. Bankruptcy was created for failed business to pay off their creditors, but now we have a whole new level in effect. This is Fascism!

Here is where I stand. I am never going to do business with any company that has taken a handout from the government ever again. Yes, you read that correctly. The only sector where I might not be able to inject this philosophy is the banking world. I have sold my Tahoe, took the equity and put it in the bank. I would have never bought a Chrysler in the first place, but I am never buying a GM product ever again. As a matter of fact, Melissa and I sold both our cars and we have a new one and just one. Life is so much simpler. Oh, what did I buy? We got Melissa a brand new ML 350 which is, yes, a Mercedes, but it is built in Alabama by Americans. So, if the money may eventually wind up in a foreign country, the person who built it is right here and there is my oddball justification.

I want to see where this could lead, but I am sickened to think that if I bought a GM product in the future I am filling the pockets of UAW people who are nothing more than crooks in the first place and are part of the reason why the car companies have failed. Hmmm, Michigan....what a nice state you have there....how is the employment?”

My guess is that there are thousands if not millions of potential vehicle purchasers in the market at any given time. As the Obama administration takes the reins at GM, people will take their business elsewhere. People like Nathan will look for alternatives and they will find them. Toyota. Nissan. Hyundai. Mercedes-Benz. BMW. Others. There are many manufacturers to choose from who can meet each and every need any car buyer could want. Heck, the “new GM” may even save Ford and may even make them profitable!

So, as the “new GM” starts putting out small cars with small engines to placate the green movement, people will go elsewhere. As long as gas is under $4 a gallon, you can bet that Americans will continue their love affair with powerful, large cars. If the last price hike didn’t stop it, nothing short of $5 a gallon will – if then. (Couple that with the Obama tax increases and it may kill the economy anyway…).

Having the government as the primary owner of GM will not set well with a vast majority of Americans. They will express this displeasure both at the ballot box (eventually) and on the showroom floor. Regardless of which brands remain of GM at the end of the day, people are not going to want to deal with another bureaucracy for something so vitally important to them.

Soon enough, the new GM will be the old GM and the old GM will be ancient history. But the problem will be the same… an incompetent, inept management group that continues to anchor themselves to union labor and trying to rely on the political & ideological in order to run a major corporation. The government has never run anything efficiently. Education. Ruined. Social Security. Bankrupt. Now automakers, banks, and coming soon, healthcare…

A Democrat-controlled government will always want to tell you what you can and can’t do because you are only smart enough to pull the lever for them in November. Other than that, you are a moron who needs to be saved from yourself. But feel free to have a couple of kids to fill the pipeline.

Hopefully by November of 2010 America will realize that the “Check Engine” light is on and trade their “new GM” in on a more reliable model.
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Quick Hits

2009-05-27T01:54:00.002-05:00

More Identity Politics from the party who claims to be blind to such issues:
Question: Can someone please explain to me how Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination is any more historic than the first Hispanic Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, the first African-American Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, and the first African-American Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas?
Answer: She’s a liberal not appointed by Bush.

Side note:
Does Obama know that the fireworks coming out of North Korea aren't celebrations of the "historic" nomination? Obama fiddles...

US to paint everything white to go green:
Our ubergreen Secretary of Energy Steven Chu wants to paint everything white or shades of ecru and mother of pearl to reduce global warming. Something tells me this would have unintended consequences…

CA Court upholds gay marriage ban:
Proponents will use the courts until they find a friendly enough venue to win. It’s the mantra of the left. They think public sentiment is on their side. I predict their continuing to fight this will generate more anger against them than support for them...across the country, not just CA.

Assassination Chic:
Why is it that this was perfectly acceptable (even in Canada) against Bush but not Obama?
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How Memorial Day 2009 Will Be Remembered

2009-05-25T23:24:00.010-05:00

First of all, I want to give a shout out to my cousin Nathan currently serving in the US Air Force stationed in Turkey; his father (my uncle), TJ, who served in various roles in the Air Force until retirement in the Air Force, my good friend Scott MacPherson who served in Gulf War I in the Airborne Division, and Bill Stein, who served in the Marines prior to his foray into higher education. Your service, in addition to all who serve, is valued by many and appreciated by all.

However, this Memorial Day is not just a reflection of those who have fallen in duty to their country. Memorial Day 2009 is a look forward at those who have yet to give the ultimate sacrifice for this country. While I know that may sound particularly macabre, it is an inevitable fact that must be acknowledged. More US service personnel will perish in the line of duty protecting and advancing basic human freedoms around the world. It seems to me that more can be done to prevent the unnecessary loss of service personnel lives, not to mention those of innocent citizens.

What brings me to this is the news today of North Korea’s nuclear and missile launch tests. As I noted on May 20th, this president and his administration have been crisis tested just as VP Joe Biden warned during the election campaign. Each time Barack Obama has failed. And in doing so, he has exponentially emboldened rogue states and regimes to continue their illicit activities concerning nuclear and weapons development. Since Barack Obama took office, there have now been two missile tests from North Korea - with a third now expected, a nuclear test, a missile test from Iran, and a direct challenge from Iran’s president to debate ours at the UN annual meetings upcoming. And what has been the administration’s response? A sternly worded condemnation. And what has been the international community’s response? A sternly worded condemnation. How long will it be before these people recognize that the actions of North Korea and Iran speak louder than their false words of diplomacy?

During the campaign season, Obama stated unequivocally that he would meet with such regimes without preconditions. He tried to backtrack on those sentiments and suggested that there would be steps in place (lower level dialogue) to ensure that talks would be productive. Well, as Pastor Jeremiah Wright would say, Obama’s “chickens have come home to roost”. But these are nuclear chickens. In order to get elected, Obama tried to be so different, as former Looney Tunes characters used to say, “It’s so crazy, it just might work.” Well, less than 6 months in, we have our results of Obama’s foreign policy to continue to contain the possible threats of nuclear terrorism. Fail.

Both North Korea and Iran have directly challenged Obama and both have called his bluff. Today another finger-wagging, but again, no bite. Obama talked about pulling back on talks while Secretary of State Clinton just recently referred to six-party talks. Intelligence officials and those in the Department of Defense sent mixed messages about whether they were or weren’t surprised at this test. Now, through these repeated actions, they are raising their hand in class and Obama still isn’t calling on them. You can expect this to continue because the message the administration is sending now is that they have no idea how to deal with this. In fact, the setup Obama provided from the campaign until now has simply made it worse. Both countries know that their allies (China & Russia) will not do anything punitive, and now they know 120 days in that this administration won’t either.

President Clinton played this game and lost. No changes. President Bush played this game and lost. No changes. For the better part of fifteen years, no administration has had the courage to take on either band of terrorists who are as unpredictable in their motives as they are in their actions. John Bolton has been screaming this from the rooftops ever since he was appointed during recess by President Bush as Ambassador to the UN. Hasn’t anyone been listening? Oh, I’m sorry, I mean to anyone other than recent liberal media darling Colin Powell? Meanwhile the press wonders what enchants Mr. Obama most about the presidency…

The reason this makes Memorial Day 2009 so important is because it should mark a turning point in how we deal with these situations. Unfortunately, Obama has not given us the confidence that he can handle it effectively. He’s perplexed at why his approval ratings aren’t higher with them because of his hope and change message. This is not a political, bipartisan, or ideological issue. This is an American issue. Maybe we need to view these deliberate actions as the aggressive threats they really are and respond equally with military force. Rest assured that would send a message much stronger than a lecture you give an unruly teenager.

It’s time we changed tactics. Continued inaction reflects a true lack of will. How do we know this isn’t North Korea or Iran’s sales pitch to terrorists to see who can get successfully-tested nuclear weapons into Tel Aviv, New York or Washington? Can we afford to wait and find out? No. Can we continue to let UN Security Council resolutions go unenforced? No. How long before WE finally decide that OUR ACTIONS will speak louder than our words?

We keep daring these countries to cross a line in the sand. And guess what? They’ve done it time and time again. And what do we do? Just draw another line in the sand. Folks, we’re now standing knee deep in the ocean, and each line gets washed away as soon as we draw it.

Memorial Days to come will have us reflecting on these clear and present threats to international security and honoring those who gave their lives in the line of service defending against it. But the real question is, if we have seen this pattern emerge over three administrations, why is it that we don’t do more to prevent the ultimate burden from being placed on future generations of our armed forces?

It’s 3 AM, Mr. President. How will you answer the phone?
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Just How Fair-minded Are You?

2009-05-24T12:14:00.006-05:00

This was sent to me today via email (hat tips: Brad & Nathan). I thought it was rather interesting...
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If George W. Bush had made a joke at the expense of the Special Olympics, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had given the Queen of England an iPod containing videos of his speeches, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had visited Austria and made reference to the non-existent "Austrian language," would you have brushed it off as a minor slip?

If George W. Bush had tried to fill his cabinet and circle of advisers with people who cheat on their income taxes, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had ordered the firing of the CEO of a major corporation, even though he had no constitutional authority to do so, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had a Republican Congress allocate billions of dollars for a civilian volunteer security force, as “strong and well equipped” as our military forces, and under his personal authority, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had proposed doubling the national debt, which had taken more than two centuries to accumulate, in one year, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had then proposed doubling the debt again within 10 years, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had promised detailed tracking of the spending from a $787 Billion Stimulus Bill and then postponed that oversight until 2010, would you approve or would you think otherwise?

If Bush had promised 48-hour advance posting of the same bill on the internet and only released it two hours before congressional approval, would you wonder what was being hidden from the public?

If Bush's White House staff had spent over $300,000 flying Air Force One low over New York City (for a publicity photo with the Statue of Liberty) sending the city into panic, would you have expected Bush to make all the pictures public? Would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had been addicted to using a Teleprompter, and was practically never gave a speech without having one, would you have questioned his intelligence?

If George W. Bush had pre-approved/pre-picked the list of reporters allowed to ask questions at his press conferences and refused to call on the correspondent from a major news network he personally detest, would you have approved? Is that a fair and representative news conference?

If George W. Bush and a Republican Congress had given hundreds of millions of dollars to a group (the right-wing equivalent of ACORN) after its members had been indicted & convicted of voter registration fraud, would you approve of them to doing the 2010 Census, which will determine congressional districts for 10 years? Can you trust ACORN’s involvement for 2010?

Would you have approved of George W. Bush moving the Census from the Dept. of Commerce into the White House and putting his Chief of Staff in control of the counting?

Obama’s administration has done all this in 14 weeks. Do you approve?
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More Politics of Hurry

2009-05-22T15:49:00.004-05:00

They did not know what was in the stimulus legislation.

They did not know what was in the TARP bailout legislation.

And now, Chairman Henry Waxman freely admits he does not know what is in his beloved Cap & Trade legislation. (hat tip: Michelle Malkin)

Do you ever get tired of these mental midgets creating laws that affect the 300+ million people in the US, when they themselves are blind to what they are actually voting on?!

Healthcare is on deck, people... expect more of the same with even greater consequences.
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The Democrats Want the UN to Raise Your Kids

2009-05-22T15:08:00.005-05:00

Pay close attention to this... and then write your representatives...

If you need your Representatives & Senators contact information click here for the SENATE and here for the HOUSE.

Modern Day Indulgences - The Cap & Trade Scam

2009-05-21T00:03:00.012-05:00

Have you ever heard of "indulgences"? I'm not talking about sitting down with a box of Lofthouse cookies or going elbow deep into a hand-packed pint from Baskin-Robbins... I'm talking about the difference between asking for permission and begging for forgiveness. In essence, an indulgence merges the two concepts so that you can be totally absolved of responsibility, well, beforehand, kind of... Let me explain…

While that is pretty much the layman’s understanding (for those laymen who have heard of the idea), the church doesn't specifically see it that way. Work with me here, we're building to a salient point. While the church has (had, they technically outlawed the practice long ago) specific guidelines regarding indulgences, throughout history, when indulgences have been sold by the church (for whatever reason), people viewed them predominantly as paying cash to the church to absolve one's sins - beforehand. Now the church gets very semantic with this and says that because forgiveness is presupposed for a believer, the indulgence is really a way for a person to avoid the personal punishment required for sins committed. Or as I understand it, permission to sin.

Okay… so that’s a brief overview. If you want to know more, check Catholic.com for a “primer” on the topic as well as learning about the “myths” of indulgences. I've tried to be as representative as possible based on my non-Catholic understanding of the topic. The NY Times, not an often quoted source, does a fair job of discussing their resurgence in today’s society though…

Okay, with the “indulgences” concept in mind… switch gears and think about the latest buzzwords Cap & Trade. This is the Obama administration’s wild-eyed plan to … you guessed it… sell modern day indulgences. But they'll be selling to businesses whose operations emit CO2. See how that all comes together?

Basically, here’s how Cap & Trade works: The government will set an arbitrary “cap” on the overall amount of CO2 emissions that can enter the atmosphere from all American companies in a given year (if it sounds ridiculous now, you can stop reading and begin opposing the policy, otherwise, it gets better). Then, the government will sell these licenses, i.e., indulgences, through a FREE-MARKET system (more government intrusion into private business) to all these businesses whose mission it is to pollute our skies. Some businesses will use their allotments wisely and they'll be fine. Others will be under their allotment and most will probably go over. That’s where the “trade” comes in. Companies who are under, can sell their licenses to those who go over so that it all balances out.

The Pew Center goes into a bit more detail, but you get the idea… Think carbon offsets for big business and the government. (Side note: what an incredibly stupid idea carbon offsets are. See for yourself. You may as well keep your money and burn it for heat! At least its tangible!).

Here’s the problem. The Cap & Trade program does NOTHING to curtail emissions. Bigger “polluters” will still go over, but they will BUY the permission to do so. And then, if they go over further, well, it will likely only be a fine to the government. The indulgences will be bid up in times when the deadline for compliance is near and as those license bidding costs go up for those who pollute more, guess what? So will your energy bills. Using many of the government's own data, the Heritage Foundation has excellent resources on the impact this legislation will have on businesses and consumers.

It’s sort of like the luxury tax in baseball. If you go over the salary cap, you pay a tax. But in baseball that tax is passed on to fans who buy tickets, concessions, merchandise, etc. In energy markets, those costs will be passed on to consumers who buy gas, turn on lights, use air conditioning, i.e., you. Corporations do not pay taxes. Consumers do. It’s all built in to the prices of goods and services. They pass it on 100% - if not more. And you can bet that companies will overestimate their costs to play in cap & trade and make money while you sit in a 90 house in the summer, a 60 house in winter, and your car sits in the driveway – all the while paying for their in CO2 pollution indulgences.

Here’s another thing… the biggest polluters on the planet, China and India… well, they don’t bother with such trivial things. They will still pollute freely at amazingly exponential levels compared to what American business does today. We also do not know how government operated installations will fare in this madness. Will they too be forced to buy indulgences? Or will they be exempt?

So, to recap… The government picks a number between 1 and a gazillion and then sells licenses to pollute that amount. These are then bid on and traded between polluters. As a consumer of energy, you are abused like a casino ATM spitting out winnings to a drunk. For reference, the Democrats estimate it to be about a $300 per year increase while the Republicans estimate it closer to $3500 per year. Clearly they have all this climate change down to a science and the numbers prove it, right Mr. Gore?

Of course, those who think this is such an outstanding policy are those with a vested interest in the whole scam. Never mind the fact that there is no conclusive science that the same CO2 that comes out of your mouth when you exhale damages the “environment” – ambiguously defined as the atmosphere around anyone interested in global warming…

I urge you to oppose the Waxman-Markey Climate Change bill with every fiber of your being. Even with some smart Democrat resistance, this will be pushed through Congress this year. Count on it. It will also likely be signed as fast as possible with little debate or scrutiny of what the actual legislation entails (remember the 5-day online review promise for final legislation? Obama doesn’t either…).

Once again, the “politics of hurry” will win out and taxpayers will be left out in the cold… literally.

The Middle East Gives the Middle Finger to Obama

2009-05-20T09:04:00.002-05:00

Joe Biden was wrong when he said that Obama would be tested during his first six months in office with a foreign policy challenge. As Politico's Richard Benedetto points out, he should have said that Obama would be tested, then re-tested, and then given follow-up tests on a regular basis... all of which he will most likely fail.

To recap...

Iran's president has openly stated his desire to wipe Israel from the face of the map.

Iran claims it's nuclear program is for energy and it's missile program is for defensive purposes.

Like North Korea, Iran also test fired a missile - theirs capable of carrying a "peaceful nuclear" payload a distance equal to that of... Israel.

Test failed, Mr. Biden.

The last one is the most important given Obama's visit this week with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. With the missile test launch, Iran is basically telling them both, "You two sit around and keep talking. We'll be with you shortly." Meanwhile, North Korea is emboldened by not just this, but also by Obama's clear lack of any "consequences" he so sternly finger-wagged while on his European road trip. As former Ambassador John Bolton notes in today's Wall Street journal, they're about to do it again.

Test failed again, Mr. Biden.

So, again, the "leaders" of the world simply sit and watch and talk while Iran's nuclear program goes chugging along. As you said yourself..."Just words?", Mr. President? I wonder what harsh words the Obama administration press release will use to describe the mushroom cloud over Tel Aviv.

Looks like we're short a #2 pencil...

Just When You Thought...

2009-05-20T08:43:00.002-05:00

Again, as discussed this time not less than 12 hours ago, Michelle Malkin and Reuters confirm more of what I posted here last night regarding the government's newfound love for running private enterprise.

Now, should I go ahead and predict that: (1) this won't be the last company this happens to, and (2) one of the banks will be next to do something very similar? I have to wonder how many people actually know this is happening. This shoudl be front page news, but the US media is also looking for a bailout so there will be no truthful coverage of the Obama administration's continued foray into running all aspects of the country...

2009 = 1984

2009-05-19T23:31:00.003-05:00

Go ahead, call me paranoid. Me and all the other whack jobs who seem to think that this administration is slowly, but obviously, changing the fundamentals of the American way of life. Okay, feel better? Now let’s have an honest assessment of where things stand:

AUTOMOBILES: So GM/Chrysler CEO Barack Obama has now unilaterally (that’s right, this is not up for congressional approval) forced what are considered by many rational people to be unrealistic expectations for fuel efficiency and emissions controls on ALL cars by 2016. In the process, the Auto Designer-in-Chief openly admits that the cost of a new car will go up by around $1300. But goes on to presume that the savings in fuel will pay off in about three years – once the car is in your driveway.

So, let’s analyze… First of all, current hybrids have a huge negative environmental impact on the environment based on the manufacture of the battery alone! In addition to the amount of that pesky pollutant CO2 emitted into the air by all the modes of transportation to shuttle the various parts around the world for manufacture and assembly, oh, and also the mining impact itself, they haven’t even begun to address how to dispose of or recycle these batteries yet! For a group of people so environmentally conscious, they aren’t thinking about these toxic batteries impact on the environment in 2014. Much like the other “politics of hurry”, they have no plan.

Second, Hybrids are significantly more expensive than their regular combustion-based counterparts. In some cases, the unit is almost 50% more (Hybrid Tahoe = $14,00 more), or for that matter, Escalade Hybrid = $12,000 more). Why? Because the technology and the demand aren’t there. In a free market system, demand would speed up the development of the technology. But that only happens when gas prices are over $3.50 a gallon – artificially I might add. This doesn’t make sense when gas is under $3/gallon. In fact, automakers have openly admitted that they need for gas prices to remain relatively high for them to be able to manufacture and sell these eco-friendly cars at a profit. But hey, with government bailout on speed dial, why worry about that?! (see ENERGY below)

So, we now are going to be flooded with a choice of small cars, hybrid cars, and other eco-friendly designs that they think will be fine for shuttling people around – never mind the fact that ALL goods and services will be impacted by the higher costs of transportation by smaller vehicles making more frequent trips. In addition, those of you who are being encouraged by the very same government to go out and buy a new car to save the auto industry, well, how will your investment play out over the next few years in terms of operating costs? Something to think about when you get ZERO value trying to trade it in on a zippy government-approved hybrid. And another point, why haven’t car companies brought European technology that is available for diesel and other cars that get 40-60 mpg to America? Unions? Consumer demand? I don’t think it’s the latter because the MINI is wildly popular here.

Costs and environmental aspects aside, the government does not have a plan for how the car companies will get there. Jim Lentz, President of Toyota Motor Sales stated on Great van Susteren’s show (5/19/09) that the technology is proving difficult to reduce costs and increase efficiency – especially in hybrid batteries. And to think that with government interference, that development will go even slower. History proves this point time and again.

So, what we have is the government meddling in another free-market system expecting idealistic results. If anyone truly believes that this will be good for Americans pocketbooks long-term, think again. But there’s yet another neglected impact…

ENERGY SOURCES: The administration is not making any projections as to what the cost of a gallon of fuel will be in 2016 or any time more than 6 months out for that matter. So, they cannot say with any degree of certainty that these cars will pay back with savings at the pump. What they can say with certainty is that they are not remotely interested in producing any more energy domestically because they are beholden to special interest environmental groups. Much like the Clinton and Bush administrations before them, they do not and likely will not have a comprehensive energy policy outside of silly regulations like were announced today. No opening up of domestic sources for exploration and development. That lifting of the ban you recall from last October? Election posturing. Wait for it... Forced conservation is not an energy policy, its parenting. And we don’t need parenting from the government (although 53% voted for it!)…

You might want to ask yourselves if the intention is to drive the government’s hand into energy markets to manipulate oil prices and gas futures for this very reason. There are no indications that this is expected, but given their unwillingness to relinquish the TARP hold on financial institutions tells me that they like the power that type of control brings. While we’re on the subject…

TARP PAYBACKS: So the government forced banks and FI’s to take TARP money because it was an “Emergency” and they went so far as to guarantee that the money would be paid back to taxpayers, most likely at a profit or with interest. Well, the banks are clamoring to pay the money back to get the government back out of the establishment. And well, well… what do you know? Now the government says you can’t pay it back. We’re still involved and we like it.

Does this pass the smell test with any reasonable person? Of course not. Couple the newfound control of the banks with the ability to dictate (along with unions) what car companies can manufacture, and you’ve got yourself a government with new toys to play with. New ways to tell you how you can live and where your money will go.

But I digress… it’s been one of “those” days. Let me give you an example of why all of this prudent observation ultimately may not matter… Here in Louisiana, the House unwittingly passed legislation that overrode Governor Jindal’s rejection of $98 billion in federal stimulus money. He did not want the funds because of the burdens it will place on taxpayers for ongoing programs when the funds run out. So, the Democrats, playing dirty politics, added an amendment that no one bothered to read or understand, and whoops… once it was approved and passed, they read it and found out. Thus, they created a monstrous headache for the governor and another black eye, not just for the uninformed, incompetent pols in Louisiana, but once again illustrating that this sort of thing is rampant at all levels of government – federal, state, and local. Most politicians don’t have the IQ to read a bill in its entirety much less comprehend all of the intricacies of the laws they are all too happy to blindly vote for – WITHOUT READING. Heck, if they can do it with a $787 BILLION package in DC, well, it must be okay everywhere else, right?

The problem is that politics and intelligence don’t often mix. People who are smart figure out ways to make laws work to their advantage to make more money in private business than in the political realm. And in response, the politicians who aren’t bright enough to do that, keep making laws to take more of what private business seems to make. It’s an endless cycle. But one day, smart people are going to have to suck it up and play dirty with the career politicians because they aren’t going to stop running for office. They need to be replaced from top to bottom. They’ll never get critical mass for term limits, but that’s what is needed.

Short of that, smart people are going to have to take some time off and get involved. I call their current unwillingness to do so “jury duty syndrome”. That’s when otherwise perceptive, smart people do whatever is necessary to get out of jury duty because they see it as a waste of their time and a poor way to earn money. And look at our criminal justice system. It’s being run by appointed judges who answer to no one with juries of our peers consisting of people who watch Oprah and Rachel Ray all day. And people wonder what is wrong when we hear jurors being interviewed saying things like, “Well, the evidence didn’t matter…”

There’s an old saying that a lot of people need to think about again. It says, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” I rather like it… I just need a lot of other people to like it too.

Hello Mrs. Pelosi? I Have the Truth on Line One.

2009-05-15T00:44:00.002-05:00

Nancy Pelosi's hole deepens as she states that the CIA has lied and misled Congress. Bold. I don't even think her teammates can support her on this one. She's going to have to bat cleanup on her own. You want a truth commission, Madame Speaker? Let's do it. You're on deck.

Good Research Falls Victim to Poor Journalism (again)

2009-05-15T00:15:00.013-05:00

A recent article by John Cloud of TIME Magazine is a prime example of another uninformed writer looking to make a splash with some selective journalism. As a future professional in the field related to the article, I had to take exception. Here goes…

Mr. Cloud seems to be making the argument that kids PE, well, it really doesn’t matter. In his article, he presumes that at the end of the day, kids will get all the “movement” they need to live a healthy lifestyle replete with low blood pressure, healthy weights, and positive body image. Oh, and that PE really doesn’t matter to our nation’s young people.

So, on what information does Mr. Cloud base his lofty assertions? Well, he apparently got some information from the European Congress of Obesity during a meeting last week in Amsterdam. In his article, he cites a study of “206 children ages 7 to 11 from three schools in and around Plymouth, on the southern coast of England.” Of the three schools, one is a private school for wealthy families, the others are a village school and an urban school. He used this study to compare the amount of actual daily physical movement (note I did not say physical activity) of the kids in each school. The study used accelerometers (a common device similar to a pedometer, but measures more than steps), which he scientifically referred to by their brand name, ActiGraphs, to measure daily physical activity for the kids. So, using the limited information in this study, Mr. Cloud makes the following statement:

The findings are remarkable: No matter how much P.E. they got during school hours, by the end of the day, the kids from the three schools had moved around about the same amount, at about the same intensity. The kids at the fancy private school underwent significantly more physical activity before 3 p.m. than the kids at the other two schools, but overall, when you look at entire days, they got no more activity.

Remarkable indeed. Remarkable in the fact that there is no distinction as to exactly WHAT type of movement the kids engaged in during or after school. Remarkable that in no way do 206 kids in coastal England represent millions of kids enrolled in PE across the US. Remarkable that in discussing intensity, well let's just say that it doesn’t lend itself to being drawn out over the course of a day. Aside from all that, remarkable that kids at these ages are sometimes predisposed to manipulating the devices when unsupervised. While I’m not saying that’s what happened, it is a possibility Mr. Cloud did not mention. Perhaps the authors did.

So, why do I bring this all up? Two reasons…

First, let me clearly state that in no way am I disparaging the research conducted. Without reading it firsthand (unlike, or possibly just like Mr. Cloud), it looks legitimate on the surface and I’m certain that the researchers were professional in their study and were well-intentioned in the objective. It is not an uncommon type of study and there have been many studies similar in nature. I do think that the age groups are not particularly representative to studying the true effects of physical activity on long term health. Kids in the age ranges are still growing and adapting to their bodies. True effects on health are not often known until later ages.

However, Mr. Cloud seems to think that this study of 206 kids on the southern tip of England is somehow representative of kids in the US who participate in PE. This would be like me stating that 200 kids from the coast of Kennebunkport, Maine who ran fast in a relay race means that all kids in England who participate in relay races also run very fast. And the ActiGraphs prove it!

Culture plays a big role in physical activity, especially in how/what kids are taught during the day, and moreso in what activities they engage in outside of school. In addition, finding a cohort of kids to study consistently in the US is challenging enough, which is why multiple studies are done to verify the phenomenon holds true across geographical regions as well as cultures within the US. Mr. Cloud's editors must have heard this point, and suggested he venture for more data…

Lo and behold, there’s more! Mr. Cloud goes on to bolster his assertions with what he describes as a “set-point” study, that much like climate change, clearly settles the “PE“ argument once and for all. He cites a SECOND study - this time of 47 kids near Exeter (England) - to support the first study! Now, this is better journalism per se', but the problem is the same. He has cherry-picked TWO articles that support his notions that PE is unnecessary. The press would never do something like that, would they?

So, I guess my doctoral studies are now obsolete, and my department and many like them at universities across the nation can be folded so money can be given to other departments like, um, I don’t know… JOURNALISM?!

The second reason is that Mr. Cloud is trained to regurgitate interesting, perhaps even useful information, but has no inclination as to how to consume professional research. If he were truly concerned about the issue, rather than writing a puff piece for sensationalizing it, he would have sought out at least a few more studies (perhaps ones using American kids – you know, the ones to which he so easily generalizes) to see if what he was citing was broadly supported – especially in the US. But, alas, that's the media here in the US. As Rush Limbaugh says, the “drive-by” media. Set-point, Mr. Cloud.

If it were as simple as Mr. Cloud's two-study theory presents, we would not have an epidemic of childhood obesity. The reality is that kids DON’T get enough physical activity. They get plenty of junk food and video games. CDC and ACSM standards have recently been revised and increased with respect to how much moderate to vigorous physical activity is deemed beneficial for health. If this article was the final arbiter, it's proven that PE doesn’t do anything positive for kids health and they can do it all on their own... you know, after school... in their spare time... when its convenient.

In the end, this is but one article that I happened upon. Is it wrong? The research? No. The article? In my opinion, it couldn’t be more wrong than if he wrote an article that said that all kids in England had perfect teeth. Okay, that may have been harsh, but it proves the point that the media has problems with intellectual honesty across all topics and the confirmatory nature that what is presented in the media is always factual. But again, as I continue to ask those of you who read this, always think critically and ask questions. Limited information helps few, but hurts many…

Calls Grow for Pelosi to Resign

2009-05-11T20:50:00.005-05:00

Echoing earlier sentiments, and expanding greatly on the issue, Doug Ross is also putting out the call for Nancy Pelosi to resign as Speaker of the House for her selective memory related to Congressional knowledge of EIT's being used.

From yesterday...

Nancy Pelosi channels Bill Clinton. So Nancy Pelosi claims she did not know waterboarding was going to be used as an enhanced interrogation technique (EIT). She who would be 3rd in line for the presidency is claiming semantic ignorance. Okay Nancy, here’s the deal: If you knew about the EIT's, and said nothing, then you are a hypocrite for condemning them now. However, if you really only thought that you were being briefed on EIT's for future use, then you are both naive and also a hypocrite. By the way, waterboarding has been used as an EIT since the Spanish-American War. Regardless of what you knew and when, if you were grounded in principles and not politics, your position would have been consistent from the start. But as the political winds shift, so does your position. Someone at your level playing politics to CYA is disingenuous and shameful. You should step down as House Speaker immediately. You'd demand the same from a Republican for far less an offense.

Random Observations: Weekend Roundup

2009-05-10T23:13:00.005-05:00

Welcome to Baton Rouge, DC. Legislators in the state capitol have placed $11 million in pet projects into the House Appropriations Bill for next year. This includes things like boat ramps, neighborhood associations, and museums. According to the article, the Senate is expected to add their own.

By comparison, the first two places targeted for spending cuts are healthcare and higher education. LSU is due for a budget cut of almost $40 million which will set the flagship agenda back nearly 10 years. Louisiana consistently ranks near the bottom in healthcare primarily because of the charity hospital mentality pervasive in the state. Doctors do not want to spend 8-12 years of their lives to come here and not earn a proper living. While I’m sure we have some good doctors here, the best and the brightest leave for greener pastures. And this doesn’t just apply to doctors anymore. People are voting with their U-Hauls these days.

We’ll see if the GOP’s rising star Bobby Jindal has the fortitude to veto anything that comes to his desk with more “pork”. He waffled on legislators designs on doubling their own pay last year and that cost him some serious political points.

Get credit flowing! This is the mantra from Wall Street and Washington. What I can’t seem to understand is that those clamoring for credit for businesses and consumers don’t’ seem to realize that’s exactly what got us into the mess we’re in. As a nation, we have been living well beyond our means for a long time now, and this is the result. People maxed out their credit cards and then turned to their houses as ATM’s (home equity). Families making six figures or better are living paycheck to paycheck so they can give the appearance of living a lifestyle they cannot afford. What’s the solution? Government reduction or elimination of the bad debt using taxpayer money.

How many times have you heard commercials on TV or radio by companies promising to reduce or eliminate your credit card debt as your “right”. Under what law is that your right? So, what’s their plan? Never mind personal responsibility. Reduce the credit burdens and start over. A perfect example of the cure being worse than the disease.

What message are we sending to the Carrie Prejeans of the future? Well, if you happen to disagree with a clearly partisan homosexual gossip blogger who has no business being a judge of a pageant, the message is clear. If you plan to be representative of the country in any way, especially by way of a pageant, then check your personal beliefs and opinions at the door because there is no tolerance for people who have principled positions in this country. Granted, what we see on TV of kids getting entered into pageants at such early ages is mind-boggling behavior to say the least, but to openly quash a dissenting opinion is simply the wrong message to send. Didn’t Hillary say dissent was patriotic?

Nancy Pelosi channels Bill Clinton. So Nancy Pelosi claims she did not know waterboarding was going to be used as an enhanced interrogation technique (EIT). She who would be 3rd in line for the presidency is claiming semantic ignorance.

Okay Nancy, here’s the deal: If you knew about the EIT's, and said nothing, then you are a hypocrite for condemning them now. However, if you really only thought that you were being briefed on EIT's for future use, then you are both naive and also a hypocrite. By the way, waterboarding has been used as an EIT since the Spanish-American War.

Regardless of what you knew and when, if you were grounded in principles and not politics, your position would have been consistent from the start. But as the political winds shift, so does your position. Someone at your level playing politics to CYA is disingenuous and shameful. You should step down as House Speaker immediately. You'd demand the same from a Republican for far less an offense.

Comedian in Chief. I’m saddened and a bit surprised at Obama joking about the AF1 flyover of lower Manhattan as a “joy ride” stunt pulled by his daughters Sasha and Malia. It clearly was no joking matter to those who have to live and work in the area hit by the 9/11 attacks. To make light of the issue is as insensitive and irresponsible as the flyover itself. He laughs while likely thousands of people were caused undue stress and anxiety thinking they were in the crosshairs again.

Meanwhile, Obama also gets a huge chuckle out of Wanda Sykes wishing death on Rush Limbaugh. Such behavior is not becoming to a president, but since Obama seems to revel in the celebratory spotlight, he’s proving that he’s more enchanted with the trappings of the presidency than being a principled leader – one who would have indicated that such things still cross the proverbial line.

Monica Crowley lays it all out in terms of how taxpayer money is being used… Obama promises to cut the deficit in half after he’s more than doubled it on his own. What?!

ACORN in our side. Can anyone explain to me how an organization with such a shady past and now under official indictment for corruption and election fraud continues to get millions if not billions from the government? How is it that such an organization is expected to truthfully assist with the 2010 Census? I guess the corrupt ACORN doesn’t fall far from the corrupt congressional tree. If this was a conservative organization, this would be a completely different story.

A Real Western Gunfight

2009-05-09T00:14:00.003-05:00

While I don't see a secession coming into play, I do think that this flexing of state vs. federal rights will be interesting. On the surface, it looks like Montana has the upper hand and can quite well move forward. If this shows promise, you can bet that other states will follow and state rights pertaining to firearms will be primary and have the full faith and backing of the 2nd Amendment.

Montana Challenges the Federal Gun Laws (click for story)

A good read... (hat tip: Hot Air Green Room)

Contact Your Representatives to Support HR 1207

2009-05-07T15:48:00.005-05:00

In order to hold the government accountable for the astronomical amounts of money they are borrowing and spending, we need to repeal legislation prohibiting the audit and examination of the government's checkbook, aka the Federal Reserve. Please see the following letter from our House Representative Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and contact your representatives urging them to support or co-sponsor this critical legislation.
________________________

May 7, 2009

Mr. Ware,

Thank you for sharing your concerns about the Federal Reserve.

You may be pleased to know that I am a cosponsor of H.R. 1207, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act, which was introduced by Representative Ron Paul on February 26, 2009. It is currently prohibited by law to audit the Federal Reserve bank's monetary policy and actions, as well as its transactions with a foreign central bank or government. Rep. Paul's legislation would repeal this prohibition and require the Government Accountability Office to perform an audit of the Federal Reserve. This is an important step in making the Federal Reserve's actions public and transparent.

It is essential that an institution as powerful as the Federal Reserve be held accountable to Congress and the American people. I am pleased that we agree on this issue, and I will work to bring this legislation up for a vote in the House of Representatives.

Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts on this important issue. Please visit my website at www.cassidy.house.gov to sign up for my e-newsletter or to share your views on another issue.

Sincerely,

Bill Cassidy
Member of Congress
Representing Louisiana's 6th District

Random Observation: Twitter

2009-05-06T23:37:00.005-05:00

"Do you "tweet"?"

"What, you mean like a bird?"

"No, are you on Twitter?"

You have to be very careful about how you answer this question. Seems like Twitter is all the rage. In fact, I think that the main reason Facebook recently changed to its latest iteration is due in large part to the defection of loyal Facebookers to Twitter. By the way, if you don't know what Twitter is by now, I don't think you are going to be cool or savvy enough to "tweet".

But I have one question about Twitter. What is it really for? According to their website:

Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?

Hmm. I don't know about you, but I'm comfortable not knowing what my friends, family, and especially my co-workers are doing or thinking every minute of the day. I don't need them "tweeting" constantly. Don't we get enough random life updates on Facebook these days?

But in a larger perspective, isn't Twitter just reflecting the society we've evolved into? We are a world of instant gratification, headlines, short attention spans, and the dreaded "so five minutes ago". Twitter reflects and encapsulates this social evolution perfectly. But, does this signal social progress or just technical gadgetry?

The unfortunate thing about Twitter is that it serves as a replacement for conversation. It isolates us from other human contact. Can you share in someone's emotions via Twitter? Can you convey the true spirit of your thoughts with Twitter? It's no wonder that the social and communication skills of our society are eroding as people communicate in short, grammatically and spelling-challenged "tweets". And this passes for communication. Just ask the nearest teacher.

I asked my brother once why he texted so much instead of just calling the other person. He said he could just text something short and not have to engage in a longer conversation. I can see his point, but then why have the text-based “conversation”?

With this advance of technology, it shows that people are becoming more detached from one another. This is straining our ability to communicate information of value, and more importantly it is communicating something about our values. As we seek to live the fast-paced lifestyle and keep others at a "tweets" distance, how are we to expected to grow socially instead of regressing because we fail to properly communicate?

I've had the benefit of living across generations. I've been through the "play outside until the streetlights come on" and then go home and change the TV channel by physically touching the knob on the TV set. I've also seen the internet come of age at a time when some people have known virtually no other existence. Ironically, many urban developers today seek to bring back those traditional neighborhoods like our parents and grandparents grew up in. But why? Are they expecting a return to traditional neighborhood values? I doubt it is their primary objective.

And now we have Twitter. I suppose it can have some social benefits. But from direct experience, the ability to communicate properly in both oral and written means is becoming a less recognized and valued skill. I fear there will come a day where people who make decisions about the importance of communication are not going to be able to articulate it very well. But perhaps they’ll just “tweet” it instead…

Assault on 2nd Amendment - As Predicted...

2009-05-05T23:31:00.010-05:00

Here it is... just what I was talking about earlier today in terms of reading between the lines... I'm glad that GOA is on this. NRA probably is too. Nonetheless, it's important to stay informed and vigilant. Otherwise, something like this passes quietly in the night...

Just as predicted - less than 18 hours ago. They won't call it "gun control", but ironically, this does more than just add new gun laws. This could be the first salvo in opening up U.S. law to foreign reference and opinion for interpretation and even legal standing to bring lawsuits against U.S. citizens. It would be an immediate threat to our sovereignty and independence as a nation, but something the Left in this country seems to be fine with... heck, they're actively pursuing it.

However, I still believe that the gun lobby is sizable and smart enough to translate this politi-speak and expose it for what it is... gun control of the highest INTERNATIONAL order.