Friday, February 29, 2008
Prince William: War hunk. Who knew?
This is from the Washinton Times, from a column by Andrea Billups. I wish I were as clever as she:
And we thought he was just some pampered, tea-swilling panty boy! Prince Harry, all uniformed up and serving in Afghanistan, looks kinda hottie in the combat gear. In the war zone, too. Wowza. Diana would be proud of her boys, who seem modern and determined to use their lives for more than pomp and pageantry. Good on 'em.
Barak Obama Enlists (Oratory) to Military Affairs
Barak Obama was speaking at a Town Hall meeting in Houston and touting his points of view on veteran’s affairs. Mr. Obama talked about his visits with veterans and promised a varied menu of expanded benefits he would provide should he become president.
In stirring tones, Mr. Obama described the “inspiration” he had received from talking to wounded veterans. No doubt he was “inspired,” but his inspiration for military affairs came many years too late for him to be inspired enough to wear the uniform himself.
It’s well and good that Mr. Obama decided not to gain a measure of personal military experience, as did Prince William of England, but there was nothing in Obama’s speech which indicated anything except a bald appeal for veteran votes in exchange for promises.
In stirring tones, Mr. Obama described the “inspiration” he had received from talking to wounded veterans. No doubt he was “inspired,” but his inspiration for military affairs came many years too late for him to be inspired enough to wear the uniform himself.
It’s well and good that Mr. Obama decided not to gain a measure of personal military experience, as did Prince William of England, but there was nothing in Obama’s speech which indicated anything except a bald appeal for veteran votes in exchange for promises.
John McCain Faces Citizenship Challenge
A Man of Questionable Citizenship Runs for President.Expect Barak Obama’s sub-strata litigation minded dirty tricks squad to bring up John McCain’s constitutional qualifications to be president. McCain was born in the Panama Canal Zone, the child of a navy officer on assignment. The constitution of the U.S. describes one of the qualifications of the presidency as the necessity of being born and residing on U.S. soil. McCain wasn’t, according to the New York Times article.
Democratic professional stonewallers like Patrick Leahy are already trying to sue the Telecoms for helping the U.S. government to protect civilians from mass murder. The Obama campaign team is filled with lawyers, as is the entire Congress, and one expects little more than double-talk, duplicity, re-statement, vagaries, peripatetic wanderings, obfuscations, and outright lies told large in a sycophantic Obama liberal media. Is there not a single issue in America so insignificant that Democrats cannot stage a Normandy style invasion of attorneys? McCain will certainly be challenged on his citizenship. The purpose, of course, will not be to win but merely to throw up a distraction, the preferred method and approach that many Democrats have to America’s problems.
You got to love Lindsay Graham’s comment on the Times story:
“We need to tell every military family that your kid can’t be president if they take an overseas assignment,” he said.
Back to Jail: Do Not Collect $200: Pew Research
Everyone seems to be reeling from the numbers coming out of the Pew Research Center regarding the number of inmates incarcerated in the U.S. According to the report, your chances of being jailed are far better than they are for getting into a car accident or hitting the lottery today. The recently released figures include the startling facts:
2.3 million adults were in jail or prison at the start of 2008. This translates to one out of every 99.1 adults in an adult population of 230 million adults.
$49 billion dollars was spent by the 50 states in 2007, representing an increase of $39 billion from the comparative figure of $11 billion spent twenty years ago.
I’d like to know why. Are we getting better at catching criminals? Probably not. Are we benefiting at all from all the child-rearing guidance we’ve received over the past 20 years? Probably not. The people who read books are already better at raising children than the rest. Too many of the jailed are between the ages of 18 to 25. America has a problem with teens and young adults. By the time parents reach the age of 35, they’re already too slow and passé to catch the drift of the waves that teenagers and young adults are today riding. The lives of our kids remains a hidden world and it moves too fast. Life is so fast on American streets that even nice kids can slip down at a rate so fast the news could reach outer space in the time it takes for the average parent to kiss their kid goodbye. There’s probably no more dangerous roles in America than being a teenager or young adult between the ages of twelve and twenty eight (pick any numbers you like). Among all the political hysteria from some quarters about the brave sacrifices of American youth and their families in Iraq and Afghanistan, there is little acknowledgement of the dangers the kids face on the streets of America.
2.3 million adults were in jail or prison at the start of 2008. This translates to one out of every 99.1 adults in an adult population of 230 million adults.
$49 billion dollars was spent by the 50 states in 2007, representing an increase of $39 billion from the comparative figure of $11 billion spent twenty years ago.
I’d like to know why. Are we getting better at catching criminals? Probably not. Are we benefiting at all from all the child-rearing guidance we’ve received over the past 20 years? Probably not. The people who read books are already better at raising children than the rest. Too many of the jailed are between the ages of 18 to 25. America has a problem with teens and young adults. By the time parents reach the age of 35, they’re already too slow and passé to catch the drift of the waves that teenagers and young adults are today riding. The lives of our kids remains a hidden world and it moves too fast. Life is so fast on American streets that even nice kids can slip down at a rate so fast the news could reach outer space in the time it takes for the average parent to kiss their kid goodbye. There’s probably no more dangerous roles in America than being a teenager or young adult between the ages of twelve and twenty eight (pick any numbers you like). Among all the political hysteria from some quarters about the brave sacrifices of American youth and their families in Iraq and Afghanistan, there is little acknowledgement of the dangers the kids face on the streets of America.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Barak Obama: Don't Confuse Him With the Facts
At this point, it doesn't matter to the Democratic Party Bosses who is "ready" or “knowledgeable” about the issues or has worked the hardest and the longest with a singular focus. The die is cast and, in a year when a Democratic victory would have been more possible than ever, most Democrats are riding a "wave" or "movement" built up from a single issue: opposition to Iraq. It will be a big job for Obama's Guidance Team of Northeast liberals to ride the wave without crashing into the rocks.
Is the liberal left media stampede decelerating somewhat after the last debate? Not among its most herd-conforming provocateurs like Jonathan Alter, Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews. These “independent” thinkers are joining the cacophony of Obama worshippers who are daily trying to bludgeon Hillary into submission with the only PC nanny-approved tool available to them: left-liberal media consensus.
The left-liberal press is clearly hold out impossibly high standards for Hillary Clinton and setting ridiculously low standards for Obama. Not a word of Rezko, though the trial begins next week. Isn’t it a matter of voter concern to know how and why someone would make an in-kind gift of real property valued at $300,000.00 to an aspiring politician?
Is the liberal left media stampede decelerating somewhat after the last debate? Not among its most herd-conforming provocateurs like Jonathan Alter, Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews. These “independent” thinkers are joining the cacophony of Obama worshippers who are daily trying to bludgeon Hillary into submission with the only PC nanny-approved tool available to them: left-liberal media consensus.
The left-liberal press is clearly hold out impossibly high standards for Hillary Clinton and setting ridiculously low standards for Obama. Not a word of Rezko, though the trial begins next week. Isn’t it a matter of voter concern to know how and why someone would make an in-kind gift of real property valued at $300,000.00 to an aspiring politician?
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Can MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann & Chris Matthews Spell “Misogyny”?
One sure indicator that men are threatened by the notion of a woman with brains, strength, and tenacity is when they avoid the issues and immediately begin babbling about baseball. That’s exactly what happened at the conclusion of last night’s Democratic presidential primary debate when Hillary Clinton read the book to Barak Obama on a variety of issues beginning with health care, extending to NAFTA, and to a range of other topics about which her opponent was largely uninformed.
Chris Matthews immediately teamed up with bed buddy Keith Olbermann to engage in a pathetic and overabundant baseball metaphor. Did Hillary hit a “home run?” Would it have been more ladylike had she bunted instead of "hitting away"?
More salient issues might have been addressed by Olbermann to Matthews. Did you once again have a tingling going up and down your leg as Obama spoke?
I know I’m sounding like a Hillary voter here but, rest assured, I’ll be voting for McCain. The Democratic position on the Iraq war positively burns me up. But this is a campaign that needs neither racism nor misogyny and I think it has drifted toward the latter.
While the MSNBC Hillary Haters tried to persuade viewers that Clinton was “peevish” in her remarks about the ordering of questions, it was an important point she brought up. In just about every question of any complexity, Clinton delineated a response reflecting considerable detail. Obama went second and repeated Hillary’s answer almost verbatim, validating the slogan that he represented “change you can Xerox.”
Even more revealing was the opening sequence in which two of Hillary’s television clips were aired. You’ve seen them, even if you live in Madagascar. The first one shows Hillary warmly congratulating her opponent in debate mode. The second one shows Hillary scolding that “Barak Obama, you should be ashamed.” There were no corresponding “conflict clips” shown with Barak Obama as the subject.
This inept and clumsy MSNBC attempt at catalyzing a lively debate was tantamount to a pot-bellied man in a beer-stained tee-shirt bullying his girlfriend in a tenement flat for being “on the rag.” The clips said more about the network which posed that question than it did about Hillary. What’s happening here, Hillary? Are you having hot flashes? Are the voters at risk of suffering a menopausal presidency? It was insulting, not only to women who have every right to “steal second base”, but to the voter’s intelligence.
Now if Matthews and Olbermann are truly worried about their shared and bonded communal manhood, I would suggest they switch to boxing metaphors. But then again, maybe they would worry too much about being knocked out.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Obama: A Home You Can Clone
Tim Russert was doing color commentary prior to the Tuesday debate with Obama. One of the things everyone's finally noticed is how all the questions put to Obama were dumbed down so that the liberal media could coo at the response. Maybe there will be more chills running down Keith Olberman's leg this time. Russert disputed the notion the press was intentionally bouncing puffballs to Obama. As proof, Russert dared to mention Rezko, the "slum lord" close friend and campaign contributor to Obama who is set to go on trial soon for bribery and extortion. Olberman quickly glossed over the mention, a clear "no-no" in MSNBC Land, but Obama's questionable relationship could be brought up tonight if the fix isnt' in again.
The commentators quickly turned on Hillary, quick to point out that Hillary's "change you can xerox" line "didn't work out." Maybe it didn't work out in their country but it worked out in my country. I heard a kid in the library repeating the line today in jest. Another person at the gym last week referred to Obama's "Home You can Clone" referring to Rezko's conjuring of a house he gifted to Obama (in return for smiles?) when Rezko and wife bought the house next door.
It's all good. I'm glad the Obama's have a nice crib but Barak shouldn't play the goody two shoes change warrior, an unctuous posture he assumes when he has nothing to say. Which is often. Hmmmm.... a home you can clone.... change you can xerox...
That's not funny? Yo, maybe it's not.
The commentators quickly turned on Hillary, quick to point out that Hillary's "change you can xerox" line "didn't work out." Maybe it didn't work out in their country but it worked out in my country. I heard a kid in the library repeating the line today in jest. Another person at the gym last week referred to Obama's "Home You can Clone" referring to Rezko's conjuring of a house he gifted to Obama (in return for smiles?) when Rezko and wife bought the house next door.
It's all good. I'm glad the Obama's have a nice crib but Barak shouldn't play the goody two shoes change warrior, an unctuous posture he assumes when he has nothing to say. Which is often. Hmmmm.... a home you can clone.... change you can xerox...
That's not funny? Yo, maybe it's not.
Anne Coulter a Hillary Clinton Superdelegate?
Scene: The Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.
CUT TO:
EXT. - EVENING
The crowds are streaming out from the theatre after the Democratic presidential debate. In the private rooms reserved for celebrities, Hillary Clinton pushes her way past the papparazzi as her aides scuttle the following throng of people.
Hillary (urgently) Keerist...my bladder! (looking toward a sign) Ah, there it is...
INT. - EVENING -
Hillary enters and rushes to the bank of mirrors to pat at her hair before entering a stall. Suddenly, there is a bang on the outer door and in rushes Anne Coulter. Ann heads straight for the mirrors, patting her hair.
Anne Coulter (alarmed) : Oh, Christ!...I can't let anyone see me like this. (pats at her hairand applies makeup) Fuuuuuck!...Where is that damned eyeshadow? (fumbling in her purse) Damn, damn, damn....
Suddenly the stall door opens as Anne Coulter turns, surprised, thinking she was alone. The two women stare open mouthed at each other.
Hillary: Anne?...Anne Coulter?
Anne Coulter: Hillary?...What are you doing here? (grimaces) Yikes...never mind that. Stupid question...I'm just surprised..
Hillary: Not as surprised as I am, Anne...and I want to say, Anne, that....
Anne Coulter: You heard about it already?
Hillary: Yes,Anne...and I am so pleased with your endorsement that I am more than willing to let bygones be .... (pausing,moving toward Anne Coulter hands outstretched) Hey, where did you get that skirt? That's some skirt!
Anne Coulter (looking sheepish) : Do you like it, Hillary? Do you really like it?
Hillary: It's awesome...awesome on you, Anne. You're so thin...so razor-thin...
Anne Coulter is taken back, obviously moved to tears. Impulsively, she rushes into Hillary's outstretched arms. The two women exchange a long and warm embrace.
Anne Coulter : It takes a lot to know who your real friends are, Hillary. That's why I'm endorsing you for president.
Hillary (clenches her fist) : Womanhood is powerful!
Anne Coulter: You said it, Hill...Right on! (pumping her fist) Well, I guess I can thank that John McCain for one good thing at least.
Hillary: For bringing us together?
Anne Coulter (taking Hillary's hands) : Oh, Hillary...Do let us forget the past, shan't we?
Hillary : Anne, I'm just so glad to have you in our camp. I mean it, Anne... I am truly moved. Moved almost to tears. Tears of joy, that is. Not tears of anger, tears of joy, joy at meeting such a friend when all along...
Anne Coulter (interrupting) : I know, Hill, I know. 'Nuff said. Ummnnh..listen, Hillary, this is a little difficult for me, you understand.
Hillary (entreating) : Oh, I know, Anne. Believe me, Anne. You can't imagine how many nights I've agonized about you supporting that warmonger McCain.
Anne Coulter (suddenly angry) : DON'T even utter the man's name, Hillary, I beg of you!
Hillary: Or Barak...
Anne Coulter: Hillary, stop! Barak's a mere boy...cute, but still a boy...
Hillary: Whereas that John McCain...that man really scares me...
Anne Coulter : Scares you? Hah! Why, do you know that son-of-a-bitch snubbed me in the receiving line? Believe me, I'd waterboard the son-of-a-bitch and then he'd know what side his bread is buttered on... (sneering) I wouldn't hesitate!
Hillary : I know you wouldn't, Anne...and I know I can count on you and many other just like you. But I don't know...so much depends on appearance, don't you think? I mean... (thoughtfully) I suppose I could support waterboarding Senators and other politicians who like to argue with me. (laughs) And that includes my husband!
Anne Coulter : Yeah, well...you can't waterboard your husband...unfortunately...well (pauses) Politics does indeed make strange bedfellows...
Hillary : Hey, don't assume, Anne...who says we're bedfellows? Hah!...more like law partners... and you KNOW how that is... And I can keep up appearances like FOREVER! And you know, I'M IN NO WAYS TIRED!......
Anne Coulter: Yeah. Okay, Hill...give that line a rest, will ya'? I can't imagine anyone speaking like that, let alone an African-American. It sounds more like Amos n' Andy than Martin Luther King.
Both women begin to laugh heartily but are interrupted when an aide comes in the door. The aide, who recognizes the two, is shocked at the sight.
Hillary (sharply) : Ashley! ...Not a word, do you hear? Not a word of this to anyone or you'll end up working in a Walmart in Peoria so fast it'll make you head spin.
Aide (retreating) : Yes, ma'am...
Anne Coulter: How cute! Does she have a boyfriend? Yes, ma'am, she says. The last time I heard that was when I dated the tennis team at Tulane.
Hillary: (astonished, playing it up) You did? Honestly? You go, girl!
Anne Coulter: It was the most fun weekend I ever had!
Hillary (clueless) Who knew?
Anne Coulter: You're the first, Hillary. That's way back before I realized there was no money in being honest.
Hillary: I know exactly what you mean. (looks at her watch) But hey, we've got to get out of here. Shall we?
The two women exchange one last long embrace. Exeunt.
CUT TO:
EXT. - EVENING
The crowds are streaming out from the theatre after the Democratic presidential debate. In the private rooms reserved for celebrities, Hillary Clinton pushes her way past the papparazzi as her aides scuttle the following throng of people.
Hillary (urgently) Keerist...my bladder! (looking toward a sign) Ah, there it is...
INT. - EVENING -
Hillary enters and rushes to the bank of mirrors to pat at her hair before entering a stall. Suddenly, there is a bang on the outer door and in rushes Anne Coulter. Ann heads straight for the mirrors, patting her hair.
Anne Coulter (alarmed) : Oh, Christ!...I can't let anyone see me like this. (pats at her hairand applies makeup) Fuuuuuck!...Where is that damned eyeshadow? (fumbling in her purse) Damn, damn, damn....
Suddenly the stall door opens as Anne Coulter turns, surprised, thinking she was alone. The two women stare open mouthed at each other.
Hillary: Anne?...Anne Coulter?
Anne Coulter: Hillary?...What are you doing here? (grimaces) Yikes...never mind that. Stupid question...I'm just surprised..
Hillary: Not as surprised as I am, Anne...and I want to say, Anne, that....
Anne Coulter: You heard about it already?
Hillary: Yes,Anne...and I am so pleased with your endorsement that I am more than willing to let bygones be .... (pausing,moving toward Anne Coulter hands outstretched) Hey, where did you get that skirt? That's some skirt!
Anne Coulter (looking sheepish) : Do you like it, Hillary? Do you really like it?
Hillary: It's awesome...awesome on you, Anne. You're so thin...so razor-thin...
Anne Coulter is taken back, obviously moved to tears. Impulsively, she rushes into Hillary's outstretched arms. The two women exchange a long and warm embrace.
Anne Coulter : It takes a lot to know who your real friends are, Hillary. That's why I'm endorsing you for president.
Hillary (clenches her fist) : Womanhood is powerful!
Anne Coulter: You said it, Hill...Right on! (pumping her fist) Well, I guess I can thank that John McCain for one good thing at least.
Hillary: For bringing us together?
Anne Coulter (taking Hillary's hands) : Oh, Hillary...Do let us forget the past, shan't we?
Hillary : Anne, I'm just so glad to have you in our camp. I mean it, Anne... I am truly moved. Moved almost to tears. Tears of joy, that is. Not tears of anger, tears of joy, joy at meeting such a friend when all along...
Anne Coulter (interrupting) : I know, Hill, I know. 'Nuff said. Ummnnh..listen, Hillary, this is a little difficult for me, you understand.
Hillary (entreating) : Oh, I know, Anne. Believe me, Anne. You can't imagine how many nights I've agonized about you supporting that warmonger McCain.
Anne Coulter (suddenly angry) : DON'T even utter the man's name, Hillary, I beg of you!
Hillary: Or Barak...
Anne Coulter: Hillary, stop! Barak's a mere boy...cute, but still a boy...
Hillary: Whereas that John McCain...that man really scares me...
Anne Coulter : Scares you? Hah! Why, do you know that son-of-a-bitch snubbed me in the receiving line? Believe me, I'd waterboard the son-of-a-bitch and then he'd know what side his bread is buttered on... (sneering) I wouldn't hesitate!
Hillary : I know you wouldn't, Anne...and I know I can count on you and many other just like you. But I don't know...so much depends on appearance, don't you think? I mean... (thoughtfully) I suppose I could support waterboarding Senators and other politicians who like to argue with me. (laughs) And that includes my husband!
Anne Coulter : Yeah, well...you can't waterboard your husband...unfortunately...well (pauses) Politics does indeed make strange bedfellows...
Hillary : Hey, don't assume, Anne...who says we're bedfellows? Hah!...more like law partners... and you KNOW how that is... And I can keep up appearances like FOREVER! And you know, I'M IN NO WAYS TIRED!......
Anne Coulter: Yeah. Okay, Hill...give that line a rest, will ya'? I can't imagine anyone speaking like that, let alone an African-American. It sounds more like Amos n' Andy than Martin Luther King.
Both women begin to laugh heartily but are interrupted when an aide comes in the door. The aide, who recognizes the two, is shocked at the sight.
Hillary (sharply) : Ashley! ...Not a word, do you hear? Not a word of this to anyone or you'll end up working in a Walmart in Peoria so fast it'll make you head spin.
Aide (retreating) : Yes, ma'am...
Anne Coulter: How cute! Does she have a boyfriend? Yes, ma'am, she says. The last time I heard that was when I dated the tennis team at Tulane.
Hillary: (astonished, playing it up) You did? Honestly? You go, girl!
Anne Coulter: It was the most fun weekend I ever had!
Hillary (clueless) Who knew?
Anne Coulter: You're the first, Hillary. That's way back before I realized there was no money in being honest.
Hillary: I know exactly what you mean. (looks at her watch) But hey, we've got to get out of here. Shall we?
The two women exchange one last long embrace. Exeunt.
Hillary Clinton: Not the Real Bitch in 2008
Hillary Clinton: Stronger, better, brighter, but still behind...One of the craziest things I’ve seen lately in the drive-by (thank you, Rush) media is the all too frequent appearance of Newsweek Magazine’s Jonathan Alter. The unabashedly liberal senior writer seems to be falling all over himself to let his moms see him on TV. Or something. He was on Chris (chill-running-down-my-leg) Matthew’s show and he was on with CNN’s Dobbs and he was with “friend” Dan Abrams and who knows where else.
Jonathan Alter must be really clever because he invariably launched his rehearsed schtick with the exact same words. And no, he didn’t get them from Patrick Deval. The Jonathan Alter Pony Show begins with an a heh-heh-heh where he tries to get you to believe that he (as a journalist) would benefit from a brokered convention and therefore be in conflict with his own interests in urging Hillary Clinton to leave the race. Yes, Jonathan, we bow to your high-mindedness and applaud your anti-American sentiments in pressuring Hillary to drop out of the race before Texas and Ohio and Pennsylvania and…
Alter first reared his head to say this over a week ago and the weird thing is that he keeps on making TV appearances. Is he that hungry for attention? Has he hired on with Obama? Does he vacation in Hyannis Port? Does he get free ketchup for life?
Newsweek Magazine, liberal or not, has in interest in credible reporting. Sometimes that requires restraint, or at least the ability to make a distinction between what one thinks and looking like Obama’s bitch. Wasn’t Hillary supposed to be the real bitch? Apparently, she’s been upstaged by Newsweek writer Jonathan Alter.
I’m voting for McCain, but the degree to which the Clintons have been abandoned by the Dem Party political bosses who were, just a short time ago, sucking up to them, makes me very contemptuous.
I’m voting for McCain but I hate it that Hillary really got so royally screwed by Democratic Party Hackdom and its New Big Idea. I understand that Hillary alienates men, as she sometimes alienated me with those schoolmarmish hand signals, but she’s clearly the more capable candidate on the Democratic Party side. That would be important to me should McCain lose. Besides, it would be unseemly and unmanly for me to fault Hillary for the same qualities and traits that I admire in McCain: conviction in her own worth, belief in her own ability to lead, and a tenacity and willingness to fight.
Change, Change, Change....Change of Fools....
Change, change, change…change of fools…. Barak Obama hammers away at Hillary Clinton for her husband’s NAFTA bill implying that the loss of jobs during her husband’s administration was Hillary’s fault.
The parroting press, with few exceptions, seems content to chirp about NAFTA without ever mentioning its provisions or effect. NAFTA has resulted in job shifting in the U.S. and accounts for some small increase in the huge GDP. Job shifting and the creation of new jobs don’t do much for the blue collar factory worker who loses the job he needs to feed his family. It is estimated that 90,000 factory jobs have either been eliminated in the interest of lean manufacturing or have been shifted to Mexico or Canada.
Yet, Obama is hypocritical, disingenuous, and demagogic in busting Hillary Clinton's chops about NAFTA. As with most trade agreements, NAFTA has provisions for dropping out. Barak Obama’s objection to NAFTA doesn’t go that far, however. Obama tells the press (should they dare to ask) that NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!, a thousand times NO! A Barak Obama administration wouldn’t drop out of NAFTA!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Dollar Cost Average Your Heating Bill
As I drive by the gas stations along the roads from one day to the next, it seems as if there’s a giant with flash cards representing the minute by minute price. The only strategy I can develop to thwart the price gouging is a form of dollar cost averaging.
That’s right: dollar cost averaging. Consider the common stock market indices like the S&P 500 or the Dow-Jones industrial average. The indexes move up and down in the same way the gasoline and heating oil prices are fluctuating.
One day I realized that the same technique could be applied to gasoline prices. If one day gas prices have jumped five or ten cents and I happen to need gas, I’ll buy only five or ten gallons worth. If there’s a dip of five or ten cents per gal in gas prices, I’ll fill up the tank. The method works even better when buying heating oil where you must buy larger volume quantities. Ten bucks saved on a hundred gallons if the price drops ten cents from day to day, as it has been doing.
My heating oil distributor is not exactly thrilled at having to drive x distance to deliver 160 gals of oil but then the heating oil distributor is not giving me the fuel for free, either.
Meanwhile, there are some things to consider about the oil-energy crisis.
• Oil spot prices are reflective hot demand (today 101 bbl) from industrial newcomers like China and India and from the U.S. which uses a quarter of the energy produced around the world.
• In spite of the high prices at the pump, gasoline prices are at their highest inventories in years, believe it or not.
• The actual price of gasoline is not as high as it was at various times in the past decades after adjustment for inflation.
• Overall, people have accepted $3.00 per hour gasoline and fuel oil prices. Experts estimate that it will take $5.00 per gal gasoline to see a reduction in U.S. demand and driving.
.
That’s right: dollar cost averaging. Consider the common stock market indices like the S&P 500 or the Dow-Jones industrial average. The indexes move up and down in the same way the gasoline and heating oil prices are fluctuating.
One day I realized that the same technique could be applied to gasoline prices. If one day gas prices have jumped five or ten cents and I happen to need gas, I’ll buy only five or ten gallons worth. If there’s a dip of five or ten cents per gal in gas prices, I’ll fill up the tank. The method works even better when buying heating oil where you must buy larger volume quantities. Ten bucks saved on a hundred gallons if the price drops ten cents from day to day, as it has been doing.
My heating oil distributor is not exactly thrilled at having to drive x distance to deliver 160 gals of oil but then the heating oil distributor is not giving me the fuel for free, either.
Meanwhile, there are some things to consider about the oil-energy crisis.
• Oil spot prices are reflective hot demand (today 101 bbl) from industrial newcomers like China and India and from the U.S. which uses a quarter of the energy produced around the world.
• In spite of the high prices at the pump, gasoline prices are at their highest inventories in years, believe it or not.
• The actual price of gasoline is not as high as it was at various times in the past decades after adjustment for inflation.
• Overall, people have accepted $3.00 per hour gasoline and fuel oil prices. Experts estimate that it will take $5.00 per gal gasoline to see a reduction in U.S. demand and driving.
.
Joe Scarborough on MSNBC: Pundit Extraordinaire!
MSNBC's Pundit Extraordinaire, Joe Scarborough.
The Morning Joe is a better show when Joe is absent as he more frequently is. MSNBC is doing very well with Mika Brezinski and Willie Geist. Andrea Mitchell fills in admirably when real reporting is required. In spite of her personal political beliefs (which tend toward the liberal view), Mitchell keeps her opinions to herself and reports the political news with sufficient objectivity to keep you listening.
Ham-handed Joe Scarborough is altogether too much convinced of his political acumen and should know better than to focus so much on the sensational side of American life. Scarborough’s career itself was under a cloud because of the death of Lori Klausutis, a 28 year old Scarborough aide, in July 2001. The late Ms. Klausutis was found dead in Scarborough’s Florida office a few months after Scarborough had announced his intention to resign his congressional seat.
Further controversy grew from the fact that the medical examiner who examined Klausutis had been previously fired and suspended from practice. Initial autopsy reports from Dr. Michael Berkland said initially there were no signs of trauma but later reports indicated two fractures and a “contra-coup” head injury. The ultimate conclusion of the medical examiner (Berkland) was that Klausutis “had an undiagnosed heart problem which caused her to faint and hit her head on the edge of the desk, causing the skull fracture.”
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Rezko Trial May Snarl Obama Campaign
Antoin Rezko, once a top Obama fund-raiser, is set for trial on March 3. The Wall Street Journal did a story about Rezko's trial last week and noted that Obama wasn't involved. The article said that "Mr. Rezko is under indictment for extortion, and prosecutors will try to prove he used connections with state politicians and appointees to orchestrate kickback schemes."
Antoin Rezko, a real-estate developer a key player in Illinois politics, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Though Obama campaign spokespeople say that Obama is "not involved in the matters at issue in the trial," things are bound to get messy as the trial will recall the Obama's ties to a man Hillary Clinton labeled a "slum landlord" in one of the primary debates.
Rezko gave tens of thousands of dollars to Obama's state and national campaigns. Obama has given back some of that money in January of 2007, not to Mr. Rezko, but to charities.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Obama "bought his Chicago home in 2005 on the same day that Mr. Rezko's wife, Rita, bought an adjacent lot from the same sellers, part of which Sen. Obama later purchased. The deal came a year before Mr. Rezko's indictment but after it was known he was facing federal scrutiny."
Barak Obama admits to the "appearance of impropriety" in buying his house and splitting the lots adjacent to it with Rezco's wife. Gee, I hope he can clean up those dirty Washington lobbyists! Just so long as he lets the ones in Chicago alone.
,
Antoin Rezko, a real-estate developer a key player in Illinois politics, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Though Obama campaign spokespeople say that Obama is "not involved in the matters at issue in the trial," things are bound to get messy as the trial will recall the Obama's ties to a man Hillary Clinton labeled a "slum landlord" in one of the primary debates.
Rezko gave tens of thousands of dollars to Obama's state and national campaigns. Obama has given back some of that money in January of 2007, not to Mr. Rezko, but to charities.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Obama "bought his Chicago home in 2005 on the same day that Mr. Rezko's wife, Rita, bought an adjacent lot from the same sellers, part of which Sen. Obama later purchased. The deal came a year before Mr. Rezko's indictment but after it was known he was facing federal scrutiny."
Barak Obama admits to the "appearance of impropriety" in buying his house and splitting the lots adjacent to it with Rezco's wife. Gee, I hope he can clean up those dirty Washington lobbyists! Just so long as he lets the ones in Chicago alone.
,
Friday, February 22, 2008
Think I'm gonna' holler...throw up on my hands: Hillary bilked of millions
I'm feeling a little sorry for Hillary but that's not what motivates me to this posting. It's more that I've been taking a self-study course in economics, a discipline and knowledge content area which was foreign to my environment during my callow youth. Well, not entirely. I was sent to the railroad tracks to pick up coal which had fallen from the passing freight cars and could be used to heat our hovel. That had something to do with economics, I suppose.
Be that as it may, I am astonished at the amount of money lifted from people who want to be president. Lifted by one's so-called friends, incidentally. The Wall Street Journal reported today that the amount of money charged against Hillary's campaign was so much as to have been a big factor against Clinton's race with Obama.
The WSJ quoted one dissatisfied New York donor who said:
"We didn't raise all of this money to keep paying consultants who have pursued basically the wrong strategy for a year now."
Chief recipient of all those bucks was Mark "Money Man" Penn, Hillary's chief strategist. Strategist at what? Ripping people off? Penn's form billed Hillary more than $10 million buckos for what the WSJ categorized as "consulting, direct mail, and other services." Except for direct mail, and considering the results, the bill was for snake oil. And 3.8 million for January alone! What? So the presidency has become a big fat body for political leaches to suck on?
Yo, these are shark-infested waters we swim in during campaign seasons. One of the circling sharks is Obama, a crafty and smooth operator who has moved off his hair shirt platform to dial in for big campaign dollars in a cash-without-limit ploy to bankrupt the opposition by any means necessary.
I'm voting for McCain, of course, but I'd feel better with Hillary on the other side in the event that people act even more stupid than they have been and McCain loses.
Barak Obama: Change You Can Xerox
Another guy who should lose the crucified Jesus hand signals is Barak Obama. Hillary seems to have taken my previous campaign advice :) and limited her own hand jive to the necessary. I watched a little of the debate last night and I think the mainstream spin media is being a little dull in not appreciating Hillary Clinton’s zinger to Obama. That was a good jab and it had some substance behind it. Obama said his copied use of a Patrick Deval speech was “given to me” so why shouldn’t he use it. Using it wasn’t the issue and the protocols of integrity would demand Obama identify its use. “As my friend Patrick Deval says,” Obama should have paraphrased….. A lack of originality is the problem here, especially when a candidate launches a campaign based on stereotypical populist oratory. It’s what Texans call “All hat and no cowboy.” when a candidate so often mentions “change” and “new” and compares “new” to “old” and is not referring to soapsuds, you’ve got to wonder what the hell he’s talking about. That’s not real change, noted the nimble Hillary, that’s “change you can Xerox.” And serve it up again and again.
The slavering changelings of the mass media (Jefferey Toobin, the classic example) and quislings like Donna Brasile are squirming to resist Hillary’s line, but it was a good shot. If it hadn’t happened in the only liberal oasis in Texas (Austin ) and if the audience hadn’t been packed with University of Austin college students, people would have been like me: ROFLMAO. I think the media wusses should have checked the Texas roadhouses for reaction to the Hillary jibe.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
New York Times Reporters Detect Morality Lapse:Salem Revisited
Meanwhile, the looniest and most pathetic story to come out of the campaign comes from the New York Times. The story says that McCain’s staff 8 years ago were “convinced the relationship (between McCain and a lobbyist named Vicki Iseman) had become romantic.” Whoo-hoo! Does this mean that the old man's got it goin' on after all? Did McCain have a (gasp) flirtation? Could McCain have stood morality on its head by checking out (and possibly enjoying, God forbid) that woman's person? Did he have the "lust in my heart" of which Jimmy Carter spoke in a long ago Playboy interview? Ah, it will take an entire series of NYT articles to get to the bottom of this!
Of course, this effete, small, and feckless part of the story was the "kicker", the red flag which was supposed to call attention to an 8-year old story that everyone has read already. Imagine the wrenching paroxysms of despair those New York Times reports must have experienced as they wrestled with the depths of depravity in the Greatest Morality Play of Modern Times.
Much of the story is pure editorial, vegetarian at best, although the piece does then present McCain’s historical path in some detail, with the usual evident anti-McCain bias. In a piece so obviously political, it would have been prudent to mention Barak Obama’s flip-flop on public campaign funding (see this website: Barak Obama: Hope But Verify at http://moeursalen.blogspot.com/2008/02/barak-obama-hope-but-verify.html
I suppose the New York Times will next be investigating Obama’s alleged connections to Larry Sinclair, a buzz piece which last week inflamed the You Tube crowd.
Of course, this effete, small, and feckless part of the story was the "kicker", the red flag which was supposed to call attention to an 8-year old story that everyone has read already. Imagine the wrenching paroxysms of despair those New York Times reports must have experienced as they wrestled with the depths of depravity in the Greatest Morality Play of Modern Times.
Much of the story is pure editorial, vegetarian at best, although the piece does then present McCain’s historical path in some detail, with the usual evident anti-McCain bias. In a piece so obviously political, it would have been prudent to mention Barak Obama’s flip-flop on public campaign funding (see this website: Barak Obama: Hope But Verify at http://moeursalen.blogspot.com/2008/02/barak-obama-hope-but-verify.html
I suppose the New York Times will next be investigating Obama’s alleged connections to Larry Sinclair, a buzz piece which last week inflamed the You Tube crowd.
Good Shot, Navy!
Good shot, Navy! A Navy missile launched form a ship hit a defunct satellite 130 miles above the Pacific Ocean. The dying U.S. spy satellite was carrying 1,000 pounds of potentially lethal rocket fuel. To some extent, it was an unusual environmental cleanup but it was also great target practice for the U.S. Navy. A little bit of a lead and “front sight follow” might come in handy sometime with nutjobs like Ahmadinejad or Putin around.
Barak to Ahmadinejad: Chill the Anti-Semitic Rhetoric
Now that's not the way it happened but it should be. Right now is a good time for Baraka Obama to make good on his proffered “hope” of bringing rogue nations into line by talking with their leaders. Iranian President Ahmadinejad yesterday once again unleashed a torrent of rabid Nazi rhetoric against Israel in calling the Jewish state "a dirty microbe," "a wild animal" and "the West's scarecrow".
Ahmadinejad latest scripted bugout is because he thinks Israel had something to do with the assassination death of Number One Terrorist and Ahmadinejad butt-buddy Imad Mugniyah. It is possible that Syrian factions (and they are to be praised for this) lent a helping hand in bringing Murdering Mugniyah to justice. Of course, Mugniyah had a close relationship with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and especially with their Uber-Nazi contingent, the al-Quds force, which has been blacklisted by the US as a terror organization.
Ahmadinejad latest scripted bugout is because he thinks Israel had something to do with the assassination death of Number One Terrorist and Ahmadinejad butt-buddy Imad Mugniyah. It is possible that Syrian factions (and they are to be praised for this) lent a helping hand in bringing Murdering Mugniyah to justice. Of course, Mugniyah had a close relationship with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and especially with their Uber-Nazi contingent, the al-Quds force, which has been blacklisted by the US as a terror organization.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Barak Obama: Hope but Verify.
Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose. In the early days of the Obama campaign, he was all over the other candidates for getting financial support from special interest groups. Not Obama though, Obama was going to go it clean by tapping into public campaign financing. It was Barak Obama’s solemn promise—take no lobbyist money. That false high-mindedness lasted as long as Obama was the underfunded underdog in the primaries. Now that he’s out in front and his campaign coffers are overflowing, Obama wants to keep the rivers of money flowing. Last words from the Obama campaign are that he’s changed his mind about public finance moneys.
McCain’s stuck to his word on campaign financing and expects Obama to do the same. McCain came under considerable heat from Uber-Rightists like Anne Coulter for his support of campaign finance reform, you remember? Campaign finance reform limitations was something that the Uber-Rightists regarded as an impingement on “free speech.”
Draw your own conclusions, but Barak Obama stands with Rush Limbaugh on this uber-rightist campaign financing issue. Maybe he’s hoping (no pun intended) that Anne Coulter will shift her endorsements from Hillary Clinton to Barak Obama now that Hillary’s campaign is stretched to the breaking point.
A Hillary comeback is still possible, no matter how the pundits spin it. And McCain has only begun to maneuver his forces into position. Like Julius Caesar of old, Barak Obama should remember: Pride comes before the fall.
McCain’s stuck to his word on campaign financing and expects Obama to do the same. McCain came under considerable heat from Uber-Rightists like Anne Coulter for his support of campaign finance reform, you remember? Campaign finance reform limitations was something that the Uber-Rightists regarded as an impingement on “free speech.”
Draw your own conclusions, but Barak Obama stands with Rush Limbaugh on this uber-rightist campaign financing issue. Maybe he’s hoping (no pun intended) that Anne Coulter will shift her endorsements from Hillary Clinton to Barak Obama now that Hillary’s campaign is stretched to the breaking point.
A Hillary comeback is still possible, no matter how the pundits spin it. And McCain has only begun to maneuver his forces into position. Like Julius Caesar of old, Barak Obama should remember: Pride comes before the fall.
Barak Obama: Tell Us About Your Country!
I have to congratulate the Democrats running for President. At a time when it seemed impossible for a Republican candidate to win, the Democrats on all sides (there are always exceptions) have turned the odds slightly in favor of John McCain. That “slightly” is not so bad when you consider that McCain hasn’t yet won the Republican nomination and has not yet begun to fight. It seems almost as if the loudness and shrillness of the media anti-Bush drumbeat had destroyed the hearing of chief contenders Obama and Clinton.
Let me be honest here. I felt that Obama would be more popular with voters than people gave him credit for, but not this popular. So now he rides the wave of a “movement” to surprising number of primary wins. Hillary’s the more informed candidate on the Democratic side, but her experience has worked against her within a young Democratic population brought up on computer games and mass hysteria. Such people are desperate to play follow the leader, especially if they believe something “new” is better than what they did yesterday, since what they did yesterday is the fault of “society.”
There’s also the Hillary Hate Factor which is deadly when combined with the Bill Factor. With Hillary, there’s also a very powerful perception thing that works against her with two types of men: blue collar workers and middle-aged and mid-level managerial types. Were I Hillary’s campaign manager, I’d tell her to lose the hand signals. They’re perfect for the classroom or the library but somebody ought to tell her that men point at each other just before they begin throwing punches.
It’s the “movement” part that bugs me the most, to tell you the truth. Both Dems are “movement people.” No doubt one has to have come of age in the 60s to know what the term means: movement people. Teddy Kennedy knows, and so does John Kerry. Hillary Clinton knows, too, even better than most people for it was through connections with “movement people” that she and her husband rose to prominence.
Barak Obama’s a “movement guy”, even though he was in knickers when the “movement people” were on the move. You can be a “movement people” if you read a lot, style yourself after other movement people, and do social work. It does impress me that Obama can adopt the jargon of hip-hop and “shout out” to some of his supporters while asking them if they “know what I’m sayin’?”
I can do that also. For the past ten years, I have been working at schools for “at-risk youth” and volunteering with the type of kids who are better off hanging out in boxing gyms than on the street. I guess I am a “movement guy”. Well, if I wasn’t your basic misanthrope, I could be a “movement guy.” I be spittin’ it nice but I wouldn’t be spittin’ it to John Kerry an’ Howard Deans.
At the same time, Obama can appeal to liberal elite yuppies in states with majority Caucasian populations, speaking their language in an equally facile way. But what is there about upwardly mobile college educated liberal white people that distinguishes them from shaker hordes in a Southern Baptist Evangelical prayer tent or lemmings?
Last night I heard Obama’s speech. Uplifting, long, and boring after your curiosity abandons you three minutes later. The only thing short about Obama’s speech was its content. We’re going to talk about it in detail later but I’m afraid as hell of some of the things Obama says. He ought to go back to school and bring his best game next time. Not that I wouldn’t support him for president of some other country!
Let me be honest here. I felt that Obama would be more popular with voters than people gave him credit for, but not this popular. So now he rides the wave of a “movement” to surprising number of primary wins. Hillary’s the more informed candidate on the Democratic side, but her experience has worked against her within a young Democratic population brought up on computer games and mass hysteria. Such people are desperate to play follow the leader, especially if they believe something “new” is better than what they did yesterday, since what they did yesterday is the fault of “society.”
There’s also the Hillary Hate Factor which is deadly when combined with the Bill Factor. With Hillary, there’s also a very powerful perception thing that works against her with two types of men: blue collar workers and middle-aged and mid-level managerial types. Were I Hillary’s campaign manager, I’d tell her to lose the hand signals. They’re perfect for the classroom or the library but somebody ought to tell her that men point at each other just before they begin throwing punches.
It’s the “movement” part that bugs me the most, to tell you the truth. Both Dems are “movement people.” No doubt one has to have come of age in the 60s to know what the term means: movement people. Teddy Kennedy knows, and so does John Kerry. Hillary Clinton knows, too, even better than most people for it was through connections with “movement people” that she and her husband rose to prominence.
Barak Obama’s a “movement guy”, even though he was in knickers when the “movement people” were on the move. You can be a “movement people” if you read a lot, style yourself after other movement people, and do social work. It does impress me that Obama can adopt the jargon of hip-hop and “shout out” to some of his supporters while asking them if they “know what I’m sayin’?”
I can do that also. For the past ten years, I have been working at schools for “at-risk youth” and volunteering with the type of kids who are better off hanging out in boxing gyms than on the street. I guess I am a “movement guy”. Well, if I wasn’t your basic misanthrope, I could be a “movement guy.” I be spittin’ it nice but I wouldn’t be spittin’ it to John Kerry an’ Howard Deans.
At the same time, Obama can appeal to liberal elite yuppies in states with majority Caucasian populations, speaking their language in an equally facile way. But what is there about upwardly mobile college educated liberal white people that distinguishes them from shaker hordes in a Southern Baptist Evangelical prayer tent or lemmings?
Last night I heard Obama’s speech. Uplifting, long, and boring after your curiosity abandons you three minutes later. The only thing short about Obama’s speech was its content. We’re going to talk about it in detail later but I’m afraid as hell of some of the things Obama says. He ought to go back to school and bring his best game next time. Not that I wouldn’t support him for president of some other country!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Michelle Obama: You Are Forgiven!
Beginning with MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough, the media has been entirely too harsh on Michelle Obama in reaction to her remarks that “for the first time in my life, I am proud of my country.” Scarborough lacerated the accomplished and articulate wife of presidential candidate Barak Obama in no uncertain terms.
I like Michelle Obama and have great appreciation for her accomplishments though I have no intention of voting for Barak. McCain’s my preferred choice and I have supported him while he was dead in the water in the early days of his campaign. Nonetheless, I must rise up in defense of Michelle; she was broadly misunderstood. The fault was more in the Democratic Party than it was with Michelle. Everyone knows that when Democrats utter the words “my country”, they are not referring to America, but to a separate country in which they live.
This country of Democrats is a wonderful place where World Trade Centers are not attacked and where terrorism does not exist. There is no possibility of fatigue in the country to which Michelle Obama referred: everything is new, or renewable, or wonderful in some way that mere humans cannot understand. That which is not new, or that which is “desperate” is easily “changed.” Of course, that is easy to accomplish when your husband is the “change agent.” The rest of us must be content with more traditional truths, acknowledging both the beauty and the occasional nasty realities inherent in them.
I like Michelle Obama and have great appreciation for her accomplishments though I have no intention of voting for Barak. McCain’s my preferred choice and I have supported him while he was dead in the water in the early days of his campaign. Nonetheless, I must rise up in defense of Michelle; she was broadly misunderstood. The fault was more in the Democratic Party than it was with Michelle. Everyone knows that when Democrats utter the words “my country”, they are not referring to America, but to a separate country in which they live.
This country of Democrats is a wonderful place where World Trade Centers are not attacked and where terrorism does not exist. There is no possibility of fatigue in the country to which Michelle Obama referred: everything is new, or renewable, or wonderful in some way that mere humans cannot understand. That which is not new, or that which is “desperate” is easily “changed.” Of course, that is easy to accomplish when your husband is the “change agent.” The rest of us must be content with more traditional truths, acknowledging both the beauty and the occasional nasty realities inherent in them.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Northern Illinois School Shooting: Solutions Not Slogans
U.S. colleges and other educational institutions are going to have to get serious about security. Instead of mouthing the usual bromides about the need for more stringent gun control, people should be aware of the need for better gun control. Yes, I know, the sentence doesn’t look right but the redundancy is intended. Gun control should mean arming and training school security guards like real cops, especially at colleges around the country. The argument that this is unaffordable at universities and colleges is completely ridiculous considering the amount of money parents pay for their children’s education and the amount of funding that schools receive. If Harvard University can offer free education to poor students, then it can offer free education to law enforcement officers if it does not want to hire them outright. College which do not have the resources to hire a team of law enforcement officers might consider adopting a program similar to the federal air marshal program where armed trained air marshal style personnel carry concealed weapons among the student body.
At least half the problem in school shootings is how easy it is do open up on an innocent population captive behind ivy-covered walls. The thought one could get clipped before committing mass mayhem doesn’t occur to the perpetrators of these horrible acts.
The other half of the problem is the generally young people who commit these acts. People must recognize that there is something drastically wrong with such people as Dylan Kleebold and others of the same ilk. The numbers of such people are not insignicant. Whatever the reasons for it, the fact is that there are large numbers of unbalanced youths in our society. Instead of focusing on facile interpretations of the “my mommy neglected me” type, society must address the fact that whatever is wrong with America’s youth may go back act least two generations.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Mitt Romney to Endorse John McCain on Valentine's Day
It's official, or soon will be. Mitt Romney has announced to the press that he will be endorsing Republican presidential candidate John McCain later today.
Is a Health Savings Account Right for You?
Here's the link to a story I wrote for those who may be considering a Health Savings Plan:
Is a Health Savings Account Right for You?
Is a Health Savings Account Right for You?
Societe Generale Investigations Continue Into Stock Fraud
Caught in the Headlights: Jerome Kerviel, French securities trader who racked up $73.6 Bn in uncovered trading positions. The law firm of Finkelstein Thompson LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors who may have put their money in American Depositary Shares ("ADS") of Societe Generale. A previous story in this website revealed how France’s largest bank, Societe Generale, issued a statement publicly revealing for the first time that it had uncovered a fraud.
One of the Company's traders, Jerome Kerviel, ran a staggering 50 billion euro ($73.63 billion) position on European equity index futures contracts. Kerviel falsified documents and used stolen computer access codes to build up his unhedged positions.
When Soc Gen found out about the massive vulnerability, it hid the rogue trader’s activities until they could undo part of the damage. Even so billions of dollars lost was the BIGGEST IN BANKING HISTORY. U.S. investors saw their investment in the Soc Gen’s American Depository Shares (ADS) dwindle by 23%.
Societe Generale didn’t tell any of its outside investors the bad news until it was too late. There are indications that the bank was informed of “suspicious” trading activity in November 2007. That was plenty of time for Soc Gen’s Robert Day to dump about $100 million Euros in Soc Gen investments. Financial analysts think all this security dumping added to and even catalyzed the panic and downward pressure of Wall Street’s plunge.
Impecunious ripped off investors who read this and need to have representation in claims against Soc Gen can call Finkelstein Thompson at (877) 337-1050.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Debra Burlingame: Let Me Tell You a Thing or Two
Debra Burlingame in a 2005 photo by the NYT.I had never heard of Debra Burlingame but she had a brilliant piece in the Wall Street Journal about Bill Clinton’s pardon of 16 convicted FALN terrorists. You can find the story on Digg under the title “The Clintons' Terror Pardons”, on the date February 13, 2008. It’s worth reading, not because of any anti-Hillary sentiment, but because it highlights a period and an event which was systematically suppressed and hidden from public view.
Debra Burlingame is my "Woman of the Day" but who gives a ___t? Someone ought to introduce her to Chris Matthews. This woman plays "hardball" whereas Matthews doesn't seem to know what the word means.
There was nothing proved illegal about the Clinton FALN pardons but the investigation launched by the House never went anywhere because:
1) Bill Clinton claimed executive privilege.
2) The Clinton DOJ forbade the testimony of FBI agents and the use of its files on the FALN, and the 16 imprisoned convicts who were released.
I’d heard a little about this and must say I was one of the bamboozled ones. This story deserves to be read just because it’s a good story, provides a lot of background, is wonderfully rational. Debra Burlingame is a former attorney. She served on a board for the WTC memorial. Her brother was killed on the plane which crashed into the Pentagon on 9-11.
I looked around on the internet and found this Debra Burlingame quote, which in itself is deserving of note:
“To me, they're treating 9/11 like a 3,000-person car crash.”
Tears for the Murderer in Beirut: Imad Mughniyeh
Hizbollah fanatics poured out into the street in a "show of support" designed to intimidate more moderate elements in Syria and Lebanon. In case you'd forgotten, here's a list of "activities" to which these "mourners" are giving tacit support:
April 1983: suicide bomber rams van packed with explosives into the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, killing 63 people, including 17 Americans.
October 1983: suicide attackers carry out near simultaneous truck bombings against barracks of French and U.S. peacekeeping forces in Beirut, killing 241 American Marines and 58 French paratroopers.
March 1984: Lt. Col. William F. Buckley, Central Intelligence Agency station chief in Beirut, kidnapped and eventually killed in the beginning of a spate of kidnappings linked to Hezbollah.
March 1985: Associated Press chief Mideast correspondent Terry Anderson kidnapped and then held for more than six years.
June 1985: Lebanese Shiite militants hijack TWA Flight 847 heading from Athens to Rome, flying it back and forth between Beirut and Algiers. At Beirut's airport, the hijackers shoot Navy diver Robert Stetham, a passenger on the plane, and dump his body on the runway. Most of the 150 passengers were freed during the three day hijacking; some were held for two weeks. The United States indicted Mughniyeh for his role in the hijacking, and he was put on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's most wanted list with a $25 million bounty for information leading to his capture.
March 1992: A pickup truck packed with explosives smashes into the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires, killing 29 people.
July 1994: A van packed with explosives levels a seven-story Jewish center in Buenos Aires, killing 95 people. Argentina issues an arrest warrant for Mughniyeh in 1999.
April 1983: suicide bomber rams van packed with explosives into the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, killing 63 people, including 17 Americans.
October 1983: suicide attackers carry out near simultaneous truck bombings against barracks of French and U.S. peacekeeping forces in Beirut, killing 241 American Marines and 58 French paratroopers.
March 1984: Lt. Col. William F. Buckley, Central Intelligence Agency station chief in Beirut, kidnapped and eventually killed in the beginning of a spate of kidnappings linked to Hezbollah.
March 1985: Associated Press chief Mideast correspondent Terry Anderson kidnapped and then held for more than six years.
June 1985: Lebanese Shiite militants hijack TWA Flight 847 heading from Athens to Rome, flying it back and forth between Beirut and Algiers. At Beirut's airport, the hijackers shoot Navy diver Robert Stetham, a passenger on the plane, and dump his body on the runway. Most of the 150 passengers were freed during the three day hijacking; some were held for two weeks. The United States indicted Mughniyeh for his role in the hijacking, and he was put on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's most wanted list with a $25 million bounty for information leading to his capture.
March 1992: A pickup truck packed with explosives smashes into the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires, killing 29 people.
July 1994: A van packed with explosives levels a seven-story Jewish center in Buenos Aires, killing 95 people. Argentina issues an arrest warrant for Mughniyeh in 1999.
Top Terrorist Imad Mughniyeh: Life Cancelled
Buh-bye, Mughniyeh! The insane Islamic Terrorist known as “the Fox” could no longer escape the Wolves who were seeking to end his monstrous life. His useless and maniacal life as a serial murderer evaporated in car bomb assassination in Damascus, Syria. The list of Mughniyeh’s atrocities is long and, while he specialized in mass murder, I remember him best for the cold-blooded murder of a U.S. Navy diver, Robert Dean Stethem, who was singled out from among the other passengers to be shot, killed, and dumped on the tarmac.
Investigations will continue as Mughniyeh’s vapors fall to earth. What we know of him is enough to rally around the cause of defeating Islamic Terror Inc. but there is no doubt the murderer was planning or had planned other murders of innocent people.
Don’t underestimate or ignore this one because you were too young to remember. Mughniyeh was a big “get”, as big and as murderous as OBL. We don’t know what angels visited with the Terrorist murderer that day, but they were good angels, and they didn’t forget.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Telecom Rules May Not Protect Terrorist Communications
Democrats interested in providing better cover for terrorists suffered a defeat in the Senate today.
A bill that granted legal immunity to telephone companies involved in government surveillance passed, leaving Senator Dodd and other opposition party leaders to carry on the fight in the House.
Hillary Clinton didn’t vote but said she opposed the eavesdropping bill. Senator Obama voted his opposition to the bill. Senator McCain supported the new rules which removed some of the civil liabilities for telecom operators who feel that Al Qaeda terrorists are bad for business, bad for the U.S. and bad for the general public health.
Litigious left wing Democrats Obama and Clinton, with the support of Ultra-right wing-nut reactionaries Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Anne Coulter, will fight to stop implementation of the bill. Clinton and Obama (and Dodd) feel that U.S. citizens, who route phone calls received from Al Qaeda relatives to Al Qaeda terrorists located around the world, should not be eavesdropped because not ALL of their conversations sound like terror planning. Some liberals worry that private, intimate, romantic details of the type one hears from people shouting into their cell phones in malls and supermarkets, might end up being used as filmscript scenarios during the Writer’s Strike.
A bill that granted legal immunity to telephone companies involved in government surveillance passed, leaving Senator Dodd and other opposition party leaders to carry on the fight in the House.
Hillary Clinton didn’t vote but said she opposed the eavesdropping bill. Senator Obama voted his opposition to the bill. Senator McCain supported the new rules which removed some of the civil liabilities for telecom operators who feel that Al Qaeda terrorists are bad for business, bad for the U.S. and bad for the general public health.
Litigious left wing Democrats Obama and Clinton, with the support of Ultra-right wing-nut reactionaries Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Anne Coulter, will fight to stop implementation of the bill. Clinton and Obama (and Dodd) feel that U.S. citizens, who route phone calls received from Al Qaeda relatives to Al Qaeda terrorists located around the world, should not be eavesdropped because not ALL of their conversations sound like terror planning. Some liberals worry that private, intimate, romantic details of the type one hears from people shouting into their cell phones in malls and supermarkets, might end up being used as filmscript scenarios during the Writer’s Strike.
Khalid Sheikh Mohammad On Trial for 3,000 Murders
Now that six defendants will be put on trial for the 9-11 attacks, I suppose some Democrats will come to the conclusion that putting these men on trial will create more terrorists and precipitate further terrorist attacks. Somewhere in the twisted labyrinth of certain minds, this will become a fulcrum and turning point which will lead to the conclusion that evidence of murdering 3000 people and planning the WTC attacks should be thrown out because Khalid Sheikh Mohammad was waterboarded. Remember, that this is the man who boasted he personally beheaded Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl for the TV cameras. The thought that Khalid might have been waterboarded brings tears to my eyes—of joy. I oppose waterboarding, but not in this case.
Gary Bauer's DNA Found On Rush Limbaugh's Dress
I wonder if Anne Coulter is meeting with Rush Limbaugh right now to defrock Gary Bauer of his True Conservative Badge. Bauer announced his endorsement yesterday of Arizona Senator John McCain. Jeb Bush, the president’s brother, also announced his endorsement of McCain, and the president mentioned in an interview with Fox News’ Chris Wallace that he considered McCain a great candidate and a “True Conservative.”
Anne Coulter could not be reached for comment. Her aide said she was traveling with Maggie Williams and Hillary Clinton in the Potomac primaries. The relationship has progressed so much that the women are reported to be sharing prized items of designer clothing.
Meanwhile, Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh have kidnapped Gary Bauer and are holding him in a basement in an unknown foreign country where interrogation methods are “relaxed.” Once the Conservative DNA test returns, says Hannity, the results will be announced.
Anne Coulter could not be reached for comment. Her aide said she was traveling with Maggie Williams and Hillary Clinton in the Potomac primaries. The relationship has progressed so much that the women are reported to be sharing prized items of designer clothing.
Meanwhile, Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh have kidnapped Gary Bauer and are holding him in a basement in an unknown foreign country where interrogation methods are “relaxed.” Once the Conservative DNA test returns, says Hannity, the results will be announced.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Democrats Heading for Super Delegate Train Wreck
Super delegates in the Democratic Party are a small hand-picked group of organization (party hacks?) people who can override the popular vote in primary elections. It's a bad system and it's headed for a train wreck. When the Democratic party establishment tries to nudge Obama out of the way, the ensuing mess might resemble the Chicago convention of 1968. The "remedy" for this idiocy of "super-delegates" will be for Hillary's people to push for the counting of Florida and Michigan regular delegates which were precluded from participation by the DNC.
It’s beyond belief how this “super-delegate” business could withstand a constitutional test. It must be because routinely litigious Democrats are willing to supplicate whenever the magic words “Republican Party” are uttered. That’s what worries me the most about many Democrats, especially the ones leading the party. They’ll tolerate all kinds of thought suppression so long as the pressure comes from DNC headquarters.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Chelsea Clinton Kickin' It with the Super Ds
Yeah, it’s kind of whacked that MSNBC reporter David Schuster got suspended for making a stupid reference to Chelsea Clinton being “pimped out” on the campaign trail. That’s what happens when essentially lame reporters try to act cool and use street slang that seems not fit with corporate television. Fitty (sp) or Marshall Mathers could have said it and no one would have blinked but Schuster’s got no street in him. He’s more like the Bright King of Nerdland and should have stayed on topic. I don’t much care for the guy but I will say he doesn’t need to be fired. Schuster does make a good point in mentioning that Chelsea is making all these calls to Super-delegates yet reporters are not allowed to approach her with questions. The Clinton campaign shills are also acting bizarre in stage managing the indignant protests against the reporter. It’s like an elephant stepping on an egg.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Gun Control: A Steady Hold, A Clear Mind and Second Amendment Rights
There’s absolutely nothing which could possibly justify Charles “Cookie” Thornton’s march on a town council meeting in Kirkwood Missouri and shooting five people to death, a police officer among the victims. The police officers who shot the man dead should be commended for their bravery and quick action.
One of the surviving victims, a man who was shot in the hand, said from his hospital bed that he was now motivated to be a gun control activist. No doubt the man’s sentiments ran in that direction previously. Certainly, one must empathize with the horror that he and others experienced. But pretending that additional gun control regulation would resolve such problems as presented by Charles Thornton amounts to little more than a feel-good political reaction.
Aside from Second Amendment rights, is it realistic to think that guns can be removed from our society by edict? Is it realistic to think that people like Thornton would acquiesce to additional gun control regulation? After all, one of the guns that Thornton used was taken from a police officer, something that could have happened if the perpetrator didn’t have legal access to a firearm of his own. So far as that goes, the handgun he had previous access to was acquired illegally, considering that Thornton had a criminal record. Would an additional mix of gun control bureaucracy and feel good pablum paper have stopped the nut job from shooting up the town council?
If illegal items could be removed from our society by regulation and new laws, then the U.S. would not have a drug problem. Nor would it have violent street gangs in states like New York and California where state gun control hysteria is most extreme.
One of the surviving victims, a man who was shot in the hand, said from his hospital bed that he was now motivated to be a gun control activist. No doubt the man’s sentiments ran in that direction previously. Certainly, one must empathize with the horror that he and others experienced. But pretending that additional gun control regulation would resolve such problems as presented by Charles Thornton amounts to little more than a feel-good political reaction.
Aside from Second Amendment rights, is it realistic to think that guns can be removed from our society by edict? Is it realistic to think that people like Thornton would acquiesce to additional gun control regulation? After all, one of the guns that Thornton used was taken from a police officer, something that could have happened if the perpetrator didn’t have legal access to a firearm of his own. So far as that goes, the handgun he had previous access to was acquired illegally, considering that Thornton had a criminal record. Would an additional mix of gun control bureaucracy and feel good pablum paper have stopped the nut job from shooting up the town council?
If illegal items could be removed from our society by regulation and new laws, then the U.S. would not have a drug problem. Nor would it have violent street gangs in states like New York and California where state gun control hysteria is most extreme.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Romney Will Drop Out of GOP Race Today Feb 7
Super Tuesday was significant for Republican candidates and, with so much of his own money spent on his campaign and little to show for it, it will be no surprise when Mitt Romney drops from the race today. Romney's a team player and he can read the writing on the wall. Romney's appeal was strong for most Republicans and, of the reasons his campaign didnt' catch fire, the strongest was that he could not beat the Democratic Attack Machine which would charactrize him as a White Caucasian Corporate Male. Romney's a great leader, more than the sum of his media image, and it's unfortunate that image politics can play so great a part in modern elections.
John Mccain, however, is the right man to benefit from Romney's decision. His brand of real politiks and his service records stand in the face of insinuation and image manipulation.
Hillary Panhandles; Obama Rocks
John McCain said yesterday that “politics is a rough business” and he might have been referring to Hillary Clinton’s race against Barak Obama. At least we know that McCain won’t be playing the “Crying Game.” We’re not so sure about that on the Democratic side.
Can tears help a president? We’ll see. The Clinton Campaign Inc. had to get a loan from one of its principals. Hillary referred to the 5 million bucks she loaned to herself as an “investment.” She’s hoping it goes as well as her long ago investment in cattle futures.
Where the Obama campaign raised 32 million during the last month, the Clintons raised only 8 or 9 million, leaving something of a deficit in expenditures. The 5 million is part pitch and part practical because the next run of primary and caucus states is not where the Clintons would want to scrimp. Pennsylvania’s is in her pocket and Rendell will deliver what Chris Matthews last night called the “old-style political machine.” Equally salacious politics goes on in Ohio where Hillary hopes to have the unions go into action for her.
The spending is important but what the Clinton campaign really needs is to turn the tide, the groundswell of public acclaim for Obama. Where once Clinton did not want a 1 on 1 debate with Obama, now it’s essential and her people are calling out Obama while her campaign goes begging for cash.
The Obama ranks are not stupid, and want to keep taking their case to their base. However, they’ll be forced to make some concession, not wanting to appear to shrink from a challenge. The pro-Obama anti-Clinton faction among Democrats doesn’t need to risk its candidate making a gaffe. Forget the details. The Barak Campaign is better off with thoughtful oratory, a youthful image, and a rock star charisma.
Meanwhile, DNC chairman Howard Dean has a Big Problem and I’m not referring to Chronic Scream Syndrome. The ugly specter of Super-Delegates is hanging over the Democratic race with Obama and Clinton in a virtual tie. That road leads to a brokered convention, meaning back-room deals to anoint a president. Followed by a short two-month campaign against the Republicans. So Dean wants a meeting where he gets one of the candidates to back down a bit and take second place. That’s a prospect that will play as well in theatres as the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago.
Include me out. I’m only the messenger.
French President Sarkozy: Less Abstraction, More Work
One of the things you often hear from people without any real fondness for America’s accomplishments in the world is how much “prestige” has been lost as the result of its refusal to turn the other cheek against foreign attacks. This notion is most often promulgated by the Old Left who seem not to have noticed that Europe has moved on to address its entrenched, endemic economic problems caused by medicinal political systems which hold your hand while the ship sinks.
Both Germany and France have elected leaders who have distanced themselves from the left-leaning politics of the Old Left. France elected Nicolas Sarkozy, a man who recognizes the dangers of a nuclear Iran. Germany has elected Angela Merkel and she has also gone out of her way to mend fences with the U. S. Both have made official visits to the Bush ranch in Crawford, Texas.
So what? Well, for one thing I can buy excellent French wines again in good conscience and some Liebfraumilch (sp?) too.
The other advantage has been pointed out in the British Economist magazine. The French president is far more practical, energetic, and less inclined toward empty poetic flights than the Chirac government with its former poet-turned-prime minister Dominique De Villepan. That was a cute government, alright, but left quite a mess in its place. Sarkozy’s message to Europe: Roll up your sleeves and go to work.
Both Germany and France have elected leaders who have distanced themselves from the left-leaning politics of the Old Left. France elected Nicolas Sarkozy, a man who recognizes the dangers of a nuclear Iran. Germany has elected Angela Merkel and she has also gone out of her way to mend fences with the U. S. Both have made official visits to the Bush ranch in Crawford, Texas.
So what? Well, for one thing I can buy excellent French wines again in good conscience and some Liebfraumilch (sp?) too.
The other advantage has been pointed out in the British Economist magazine. The French president is far more practical, energetic, and less inclined toward empty poetic flights than the Chirac government with its former poet-turned-prime minister Dominique De Villepan. That was a cute government, alright, but left quite a mess in its place. Sarkozy’s message to Europe: Roll up your sleeves and go to work.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
The People's Republic of Berkely California Learns to Love the Marines
It's a virtual lovefest in Berkely, California. Such an outpouring of remorse! The People’s Republic of Berkely California is now hedging its bets with the Marine recruiting station it’s been harassing. Now the City Council of Beserkley wants to amend its statement to say that Beserkely is “against the war but we support the troops.” The Democrats are sure to win that district big in 2008.
Yo!...Thank you, Berkely.... may your identity always be stuck in the 60s along with the other graybeard aging hippies like myself.
Yo!...Thank you, Berkely.... may your identity always be stuck in the 60s along with the other graybeard aging hippies like myself.
National Intelligence Chief Wants a "Re-do"
There’s some encouraging news from the New York Sun. Perhaps Barak Obama can reach out to the Iranians now that the director of national intelligence is retracting his statement that Iran had halted its nuclear program.
Michael McConnell said he’d change a few things if he had it for a “redo.” He said he’d amend it to read that the Iranians had halted the “least significant portion of their nuclear program.”
The least significant portion of the program? What would that be? UN Inspections? Go and discuss, Barak.
Michael McConnell said he’d change a few things if he had it for a “redo.” He said he’d amend it to read that the Iranians had halted the “least significant portion of their nuclear program.”
The least significant portion of the program? What would that be? UN Inspections? Go and discuss, Barak.
Rush Limbaugh and Anne Coulter Lose California
To the chagrin of Rush Limbaugh and Anne Coulter, John McCain busted out a California victory as well as winning eastern states like NY and NJ. Apparently, Coulter is still desperate for media attention and continues to support Hillary Clinton. California has only one kind of Republican and that’s the Orange County Reagan type, so McCain’s victory there shows that McCain can pull the support he deserves from conservatives.
Dick Armey was on CNBC this a.m. and chuckled when someone mentioned the James Dobson remarks about McCain’s “hot temper.” That’s old news, and it’s a revived smear tidbit from the first time McCain ran. It’s a cheap shot, b.s, the usual smear. Like when the media tagged Bob Dole as “dark.” Now could you see the media describing Barak Obama as “dark”?
Armey said he worked with McCain in Congress for many years and never saw any pettiness from the Arizona Senator. I really don’t get Reverend Dobson’s remarks, anyway. Has he never heard a sharp word? Is he cavorting with angels and saints? No doubt. You’ve got to envy the Bubble Boys and Ivory Tower Princess who can afford to live so protected from life’s vicissitudes. Will the Gates of Heaven decline to admit millions of people in the neighborhoods, the barrios, and the boardrooms where real life goes on in a less perfect but not evil way?
McCain’s a red blooded American. Gee, do you suppose McCain never heard a curse in U.S. Navy? Or in a prison camp? Was he supposed to have tea and make polite banter with his North Vietnamese captors? Get real. If America needed a syrupy, honey-toned, aristocratic voice, it would have elected John Kerry.
Let’s face it, Mr. Rogers was a great guy but he could never have won the presidency. He would have gone down for the count with the first body shot. That will never happen with McCain—he’s more the Jake LaMotta type—takes a beating and keeps on tickin’. Can you imagine him getting out the handkerchief for a good cry on the campaign trail like Hillary Clinton 2 x?
I think it was okay for Hillary to cry—but just once—it scares me that she cried 2 X already and who knows how much more water works are on the way? Maybe McCain, gentleman that he is, will offer to take Hillary to the next boxing match he attends. Last one I know he attended was the Floyd Mayweather – Oscar DeLaHoya fight; McCain was there with his wife Cindy. I’m sorry—I gotta’ like a president who likes boxing. I’ve had it up to here with the Exclusive Big 3 Sports Club.
Dick Armey was on CNBC this a.m. and chuckled when someone mentioned the James Dobson remarks about McCain’s “hot temper.” That’s old news, and it’s a revived smear tidbit from the first time McCain ran. It’s a cheap shot, b.s, the usual smear. Like when the media tagged Bob Dole as “dark.” Now could you see the media describing Barak Obama as “dark”?
Armey said he worked with McCain in Congress for many years and never saw any pettiness from the Arizona Senator. I really don’t get Reverend Dobson’s remarks, anyway. Has he never heard a sharp word? Is he cavorting with angels and saints? No doubt. You’ve got to envy the Bubble Boys and Ivory Tower Princess who can afford to live so protected from life’s vicissitudes. Will the Gates of Heaven decline to admit millions of people in the neighborhoods, the barrios, and the boardrooms where real life goes on in a less perfect but not evil way?
McCain’s a red blooded American. Gee, do you suppose McCain never heard a curse in U.S. Navy? Or in a prison camp? Was he supposed to have tea and make polite banter with his North Vietnamese captors? Get real. If America needed a syrupy, honey-toned, aristocratic voice, it would have elected John Kerry.
Let’s face it, Mr. Rogers was a great guy but he could never have won the presidency. He would have gone down for the count with the first body shot. That will never happen with McCain—he’s more the Jake LaMotta type—takes a beating and keeps on tickin’. Can you imagine him getting out the handkerchief for a good cry on the campaign trail like Hillary Clinton 2 x?
I think it was okay for Hillary to cry—but just once—it scares me that she cried 2 X already and who knows how much more water works are on the way? Maybe McCain, gentleman that he is, will offer to take Hillary to the next boxing match he attends. Last one I know he attended was the Floyd Mayweather – Oscar DeLaHoya fight; McCain was there with his wife Cindy. I’m sorry—I gotta’ like a president who likes boxing. I’ve had it up to here with the Exclusive Big 3 Sports Club.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Dobson Damns McCain for "Foul Language"
Oooh...away with ye devils! Away from me fingertips! James Dobson, a broadcast evangelical leader nonpareil, recently described John McCain as someone with a "legendary temper" who "often uses foul and obscene language." Dobson said he would sit out the general election if McCain was the GOP nominee. I wonder if he’s ever spoken spoken out against fellow McCain attackers and vitriolic profaners of language like Rush Limbaugh? Be careful, Mr. Dobson, the devils also make strange bedfellows.
Bob Dole to Rush Limbaugh: Get a Grip
Rush Limbaugh seems to think he has a solemn duty of deciding who is a True Conservative and who is just a mere Republican. In this latest flap to afflict the primary race, Rush seems to have led his far-right contingencies of jock strap caddies and sycophants off the cliff. As with most cheerleaders of the revolution, he’s most often exhorting others to fight while he watches. There must be something more behind his attacks than "conservative" fervor. He acknowledged today on his WABC 77 Radio show that Ronald Reagan gave real and unconditional amnesty to three million illegal immigrants during his presidency. So the immigration issue attacks on McCain have to be pure bullshit, not surprising, considering the source. As governor of a blue state, Romney's record was as liberal as Ted Kennedy's until 2005 when he decided to make a run for the presidency. Take it from the Wall Street Journal, if you don't believe me.
The nadir of far-right attacks on McCain and Huckabee occurred a week ago when Anne Coulter said in a television interview that she would vote for Hillary Clinton should John McCain become the Republican candidate. Sean Hannity and other pundits have recognized Coulter’s mistake and have spent the week backtracking on Coulter's vapidity.
Where Rush may be entertaining as a bombastic Falstaff, a semi-talented buffoon, or a satirist, obsequious imitators and disciples like Coulter are merely clumsy and embarrassing to most Republicans. Unlike the type of literate conservatism seen in magazines like National Review, many of the dittoheads are content to echo Limbaugh’s sloganeering and attempt to pass it off as the type of conservative intellectualism manifest by such pundits as William Buckley and George Will. Such damaged apples as Coulter have fallen far from that tree.
Former GOP leader and war hero Bob Dole last week wrote a letter to Rush Limbaugh rebuking him for going beyond free speech in attacking McCain. Dick Armey also chided the clownish ideologue for the same reason in a TV appearance with MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell. Armey sagely said that pundits like Rush Limbaugh had an enlarged opinion of their own importance and power among Republicans.
No doubt. Limbaugh became apoplectic and sounded like he'd been waterboarded when a guy with a thick Southern accent complained on his show about Limbaugh's "whining" tone. Maybe he could get some sympathy from Billary Clinton who is grateful to Rush for the help she is receiving. They could sip daiquiri's at Rush's Florida mansion and then have a good cry together. The only thing I would caution against, in that case, is that Rush would be the only one who wasn't faking.
The nadir of far-right attacks on McCain and Huckabee occurred a week ago when Anne Coulter said in a television interview that she would vote for Hillary Clinton should John McCain become the Republican candidate. Sean Hannity and other pundits have recognized Coulter’s mistake and have spent the week backtracking on Coulter's vapidity.
Where Rush may be entertaining as a bombastic Falstaff, a semi-talented buffoon, or a satirist, obsequious imitators and disciples like Coulter are merely clumsy and embarrassing to most Republicans. Unlike the type of literate conservatism seen in magazines like National Review, many of the dittoheads are content to echo Limbaugh’s sloganeering and attempt to pass it off as the type of conservative intellectualism manifest by such pundits as William Buckley and George Will. Such damaged apples as Coulter have fallen far from that tree.
Former GOP leader and war hero Bob Dole last week wrote a letter to Rush Limbaugh rebuking him for going beyond free speech in attacking McCain. Dick Armey also chided the clownish ideologue for the same reason in a TV appearance with MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell. Armey sagely said that pundits like Rush Limbaugh had an enlarged opinion of their own importance and power among Republicans.
No doubt. Limbaugh became apoplectic and sounded like he'd been waterboarded when a guy with a thick Southern accent complained on his show about Limbaugh's "whining" tone. Maybe he could get some sympathy from Billary Clinton who is grateful to Rush for the help she is receiving. They could sip daiquiri's at Rush's Florida mansion and then have a good cry together. The only thing I would caution against, in that case, is that Rush would be the only one who wasn't faking.
Super Tuesday and the Gang of Four GOP Team Franchise
Super Tuesday will be a test of the Gang of Four’s influence on the GOP. I’m referring to the attacks on John McCain by the political pundits who believe they are GOP Team Owners: Anne Coulter, Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, and Michelle Malkin. I would love to be privy to their late night conversations among themselves and with other GOP Team Franchises like Michael Reagan, Cal Thomas, or business consultant and motivational speaker JD Hayworth. Include Bay Buchanan in that group, too.
GOP voters should inform these people in the strongest terms that there are issues more important than narrowing the ideology so much that it fits only a handful of people who find in ideological “conservatism” a way to profit. Certainly, it’s no worse than the pandering conducted by left-liberal demagogues, but it’s no better either.
Fortunately, the largest number of Republicans believes in thinking for themselves and find Limbaugh more an amusement than a thinker. Like Shakespeare’s Falstaff, Limbaugh is capable of cracking you up while cavorting on stage, and is embarrassing only when he presumes to present himself as an intellectual.
Traditional GOP leader and former war hero Bob Dole recently wrote a letter to Rush Limbaugh rebuking him for going beyond free speech in attacking McCain. And Dick Armey was on a tv interview with MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell politely chiding the extremist ideologues for the same reason. Armey sagely said that the Gang of Four types had an enlarged opinion of their own importance and power.
Sensible GOP minds will hopefully prevail today, Super Tuesday.
GOP voters should inform these people in the strongest terms that there are issues more important than narrowing the ideology so much that it fits only a handful of people who find in ideological “conservatism” a way to profit. Certainly, it’s no worse than the pandering conducted by left-liberal demagogues, but it’s no better either.
Fortunately, the largest number of Republicans believes in thinking for themselves and find Limbaugh more an amusement than a thinker. Like Shakespeare’s Falstaff, Limbaugh is capable of cracking you up while cavorting on stage, and is embarrassing only when he presumes to present himself as an intellectual.
Traditional GOP leader and former war hero Bob Dole recently wrote a letter to Rush Limbaugh rebuking him for going beyond free speech in attacking McCain. And Dick Armey was on a tv interview with MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell politely chiding the extremist ideologues for the same reason. Armey sagely said that the Gang of Four types had an enlarged opinion of their own importance and power.
Sensible GOP minds will hopefully prevail today, Super Tuesday.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Secret Agent JD Hayworth and the Rush Limbaugh Shadow Government
The Wannabe Shadow Government of Ultra-Right Politics continues to work for Hillary Clinton (Except for George Will, with his well established bona fides, the anti-McCain pundits do not represent intelligent conservatism). Appearing on the Fox News network this a.m., J.D Hayworth, reiterated its support for Mitt Romney and its opposition to front-runner John McCain. Hayworth lost his seat in congress after a single term. The former motivational speaker and Eagle Scout has a booming voice and we learn from his website that he was a business management consultant. You know….one of those guys who screams at the top of his lungs about how rich you can be by buying distressed real estate. Where in his curriculum vitae is the information regarding his lock-step hypocrisy? Hayworth’s appearance was short—apparently, he was in hurry to get back down to Florida to polish Rush Limbaugh’s boots. Who listens to him anyway?
What’s with these people and their absolutist and impractical slogans? They’re sounding almost as lame as the Democratic presidential candidates. Which explains the affinity for Hillary, in any case, and the reason they’re becoming ever more irrelevant to intelligent voters.
What’s with these people and their absolutist and impractical slogans? They’re sounding almost as lame as the Democratic presidential candidates. Which explains the affinity for Hillary, in any case, and the reason they’re becoming ever more irrelevant to intelligent voters.
Fox News: Now Safe for Democrats
Apparently, it’s now safe for Democrats to appear on Fox. Last night, Hillary Clinton had a congenial tete-a-tete with Chris Wallace. Most people will remember that Democratic candidates were too timid to be interviewed by any television stations which would not promise to refrain from embarrassing foreign policy questions. On Fox News this morning, Lanny Davis admitted that McCain is the candidate most feared by Democrats. The reason, says Davis, is that McCain appeals to independent voters and many Democrats who would like to have seen Joe Lieberman ascendant in their party instead of scorned, undermined, and abandoned like a bad conscience. All Republican voters do not wish to have a heart-shaped paens to Anne Coulter tattooed on their arms.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
It Can't Happen Here: Illegal B-B Guns
A BB Gun in the Wrong Hands Can be Just as Dangerousas this legal American 9-mm semi-automatic pistol.
A newspaper in Wales reports the recovery by police of a BANNED B-B Gun. Apparently, the Brocock ME38 revolver uses compressed air to fire pellets. Oooh!... I hope Hillary and Barak are keeping tabs on this story and making it part of their gun-control programs. There's even more to this Horror Story of Guns and Sons Gone Bad. These B-B Guns are made of metal and can be CONVERTED TO FIRE REAL AMMO! Billary, are you hearing me? If you're truly "in no ways tired", then you might consider banning them before they cross over to our shores.
And while you're at it, let me add a number of other things that can be converted to FIRE REAL AMMO: Fountain pens, metal tubes, walking canes, and the plumbing in American houses.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Anne Coulter's Valentine for Hillary Clinton: Endorsement
Scene: The Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.
CUT TO:
EXT. - EVENING
The crowds are streaming out from the theatre after the Democratic presidential debate. In the private rooms reserved for celebrities, Hillary Clinton pushes her way past the papparazzi as her aides scuttle the following throng of people.
Hillary (urgently) Keerist...my bladder! (looking toward a sign) Ah, there it is...
INT. - EVENING -
Hillary enters and rushes to the bank of mirrors to pat at her hair before entering a stall. Suddenly, there is a bang on the outer door and in rushes Anne Coulter. Ann heads straight for the mirrors, patting her hair.
Anne Coulter (alarmed) : Oh, Christ!...I can't let anyone see me like this. (pats at her hairand applies makeup) Fuuuuuck!...Where is that damned eyeshadow? (fumbling in her purse) Damn, damn, damn....
Suddenly the stall door opens as Anne Coulter turns, surprised, thinking she was alone. The two women stare open mouthed at each other.
Hillary: Anne?...Anne Coulter?
Anne Coulter: Hillary?...What are you doing here? (grimaces) Yikes...never mind that. Stupid question...I'm just surprised..
Hillary: Not as surprised as I am, Anne...and I want to say, Anne, that....
Anne Coulter: You heard about it already?
Hillary: Yes,Anne...and I am so pleased with your endorsement that I am more than willing to let bygones be .... (pausing,moving toward Anne Coulter hands outstretched) Hey, where did you get that skirt? That's some skirt!
Anne Coulter (looking sheepish) : Do you like it, Hillary? Do you really like it?
Hillary: It's awesome...awesome on you, Anne. You're so thin...so razor-thin...
Anne Coulter is taken back, obviously moved to tears. Impulsively, she rushes into Hillary's outstretched arms. The two women exchange a long and warm embrace.
Anne Coulter : It takes a lot to know who your real friends are, Hillary. That's why I'm endorsing you for president.
Hillary (clenches her fist) : Womanhood is powerful!
Anne Coulter: You said it, Hill...Right on! (pumping her fist) Well, I guess I can thank that John McCain for one good thing at least.
Hillary: For bringing us together?
Anne Coulter (taking Hillary's hands) : Oh, Hillary...Do let us forget the past, shan't we?
Hillary : Anne, I'm just so glad to have you in our camp. I mean it, Anne... I am truly moved. Moved almost to tears. Tears of joy, that is. Not tears of anger, tears of joy, joy at meeting such a friend when all along...
Anne Coulter (interrupting) : I know, Hill, I know. 'Nuff said. Ummnnh..listen, Hillary, this is a little difficult for me, you understand.
Hillary (entreating) : Oh, I know, Anne. Believe me, Anne. You can't imagine how many nights I've agonized about you supporting that warmonger McCain.
Anne Coulter (suddenly angry) : DON'T even utter the man's name, Hillary, I beg of you!
Hillary: Or Barak...
Anne Coulter: Hillary, stop! Barak's a mere boy...cute, but still a boy...
Hillary: Whereas that John McCain...that man really scares me...
Anne Coulter : Scares you? Hah! Why, do you know that son-of-a-bitch snubbed me in the receiving line? Believe me, I'd waterboard the son-of-a-bitch and then he'd know what side his bread is buttered on... (sneering) I wouldn't hesitate!
Hillary : I know you wouldn't, Anne...and I know I can count on you and many other just like you. But I don't know...so much depends on appearance, don't you think? I mean... (thoughtfully) I suppose I could support waterboarding Senators and other politicians who like to argue with me. (laughs) And that includes my husband!
Anne Coulter : Yeah, well...you can't waterboard your husband...unfortunately...well (pauses) Politics does indeed make strange bedfellows...
Hillary : Hey, don't assume, Anne...who says we're bedfellows? Hah!...more like law partners... and you KNOW how that is... And I can keep up appearances like FOREVER! And you know, I'M IN NO WAYS TIRED!......
Anne Coulter: Yeah. Okay, Hill...give that line a rest, will ya'? I can't imagine anyone speaking like that, let alone an African-American. It sounds more like Amos n' Andy than Martin Luther King.
Both women begin to laugh heartily but are interrupted when an aide comes in the door. The aide, who recognizes the two, is shocked at the sight.
Hillary (sharply) : Ashley! ...Not a word, do you hear? Not a word of this to anyone or you'll end up working in a Walmart in Peoria so fast it'll make you head spin.
Aide (retreating) : Yes, ma'am...
Anne Coulter: How cute! Does she have a boyfriend? Yes, ma'am, she says. The last time I heard that was when I dated the tennis team at Tulane.
Hillary: (astonished, playing it up) You did? Honestly? You go, girl!
Anne Coulter: It was the most fun weekend I ever had!
Hillary (clueless) Who knew?
Anne Coulter: You're the first, Hillary. That's way back before I realized there was no money in being honest.
Hillary: I know exactly what you mean. (looks at her watch) But hey, we've got to get out of here. Shall we?
The two women exchange one last long embrace. Exeunt.
CUT TO:
EXT. - EVENING
The crowds are streaming out from the theatre after the Democratic presidential debate. In the private rooms reserved for celebrities, Hillary Clinton pushes her way past the papparazzi as her aides scuttle the following throng of people.
Hillary (urgently) Keerist...my bladder! (looking toward a sign) Ah, there it is...
INT. - EVENING -
Hillary enters and rushes to the bank of mirrors to pat at her hair before entering a stall. Suddenly, there is a bang on the outer door and in rushes Anne Coulter. Ann heads straight for the mirrors, patting her hair.
Anne Coulter (alarmed) : Oh, Christ!...I can't let anyone see me like this. (pats at her hairand applies makeup) Fuuuuuck!...Where is that damned eyeshadow? (fumbling in her purse) Damn, damn, damn....
Suddenly the stall door opens as Anne Coulter turns, surprised, thinking she was alone. The two women stare open mouthed at each other.
Hillary: Anne?...Anne Coulter?
Anne Coulter: Hillary?...What are you doing here? (grimaces) Yikes...never mind that. Stupid question...I'm just surprised..
Hillary: Not as surprised as I am, Anne...and I want to say, Anne, that....
Anne Coulter: You heard about it already?
Hillary: Yes,Anne...and I am so pleased with your endorsement that I am more than willing to let bygones be .... (pausing,moving toward Anne Coulter hands outstretched) Hey, where did you get that skirt? That's some skirt!
Anne Coulter (looking sheepish) : Do you like it, Hillary? Do you really like it?
Hillary: It's awesome...awesome on you, Anne. You're so thin...so razor-thin...
Anne Coulter is taken back, obviously moved to tears. Impulsively, she rushes into Hillary's outstretched arms. The two women exchange a long and warm embrace.
Anne Coulter : It takes a lot to know who your real friends are, Hillary. That's why I'm endorsing you for president.
Hillary (clenches her fist) : Womanhood is powerful!
Anne Coulter: You said it, Hill...Right on! (pumping her fist) Well, I guess I can thank that John McCain for one good thing at least.
Hillary: For bringing us together?
Anne Coulter (taking Hillary's hands) : Oh, Hillary...Do let us forget the past, shan't we?
Hillary : Anne, I'm just so glad to have you in our camp. I mean it, Anne... I am truly moved. Moved almost to tears. Tears of joy, that is. Not tears of anger, tears of joy, joy at meeting such a friend when all along...
Anne Coulter (interrupting) : I know, Hill, I know. 'Nuff said. Ummnnh..listen, Hillary, this is a little difficult for me, you understand.
Hillary (entreating) : Oh, I know, Anne. Believe me, Anne. You can't imagine how many nights I've agonized about you supporting that warmonger McCain.
Anne Coulter (suddenly angry) : DON'T even utter the man's name, Hillary, I beg of you!
Hillary: Or Barak...
Anne Coulter: Hillary, stop! Barak's a mere boy...cute, but still a boy...
Hillary: Whereas that John McCain...that man really scares me...
Anne Coulter : Scares you? Hah! Why, do you know that son-of-a-bitch snubbed me in the receiving line? Believe me, I'd waterboard the son-of-a-bitch and then he'd know what side his bread is buttered on... (sneering) I wouldn't hesitate!
Hillary : I know you wouldn't, Anne...and I know I can count on you and many other just like you. But I don't know...so much depends on appearance, don't you think? I mean... (thoughtfully) I suppose I could support waterboarding Senators and other politicians who like to argue with me. (laughs) And that includes my husband!
Anne Coulter : Yeah, well...you can't waterboard your husband...unfortunately...well (pauses) Politics does indeed make strange bedfellows...
Hillary : Hey, don't assume, Anne...who says we're bedfellows? Hah!...more like law partners... and you KNOW how that is... And I can keep up appearances like FOREVER! And you know, I'M IN NO WAYS TIRED!......
Anne Coulter: Yeah. Okay, Hill...give that line a rest, will ya'? I can't imagine anyone speaking like that, let alone an African-American. It sounds more like Amos n' Andy than Martin Luther King.
Both women begin to laugh heartily but are interrupted when an aide comes in the door. The aide, who recognizes the two, is shocked at the sight.
Hillary (sharply) : Ashley! ...Not a word, do you hear? Not a word of this to anyone or you'll end up working in a Walmart in Peoria so fast it'll make you head spin.
Aide (retreating) : Yes, ma'am...
Anne Coulter: How cute! Does she have a boyfriend? Yes, ma'am, she says. The last time I heard that was when I dated the tennis team at Tulane.
Hillary: (astonished, playing it up) You did? Honestly? You go, girl!
Anne Coulter: It was the most fun weekend I ever had!
Hillary (clueless) Who knew?
Anne Coulter: You're the first, Hillary. That's way back before I realized there was no money in being honest.
Hillary: I know exactly what you mean. (looks at her watch) But hey, we've got to get out of here. Shall we?
The two women exchange one last long embrace. Exeunt.
The People's Republic of Berkeley California
The People’s Republic of Berkely California has passed a resolution protesting the U.S. Marine recruiting station there. It’s not for nothing that the place has historically been termed “Berserkely.” Write your congressional representatives and let them know what you think of the city’s actions. Check to see if there’s any of your taxpayer dimes going to the city and do what you can to stop any federal dollars from going there. The Berkely City Council and its pablum stuffed “Code Pink” Cotillion elitists should stop harassing the soldiers and we must insist on it.
We must do this, as Marines are gentle, and taught to be respectful of moronic civilians as well as the regular kind. They will respect the constitutional rights of free speech that the Beserkely town council will not extend to our American men and women of arms.
The Berkely Town Council “absolutely, positively has to be torn down overnight” and it is up to us to do that.
We must do this, as Marines are gentle, and taught to be respectful of moronic civilians as well as the regular kind. They will respect the constitutional rights of free speech that the Beserkely town council will not extend to our American men and women of arms.
The Berkely Town Council “absolutely, positively has to be torn down overnight” and it is up to us to do that.