D.C. (Direct Current)

2009-05-18T06:21:00.000-07:00

Abandonment! The Repetition of History!

One of the most popular refrains from conservatives comes from the fact that many of them were once Democrats. “I didn’t leave the Democrat Party, it left me”, is an often overheard motto that Republicans cite regarding their transition from one party to another. It is most likely true. Given the fact that President Kennedy was a strong defense Democrat, an argument can be made that he would today be somewhat conservative. Given the times in which he lived, he would likely be considered a liberal on some social issues, but might be socially conservative on some as well. There is truth that as the 1960’s diminished the banners that Democrats once carried, and the electorate with them was abandoned.

Over the next fifteen years those displaced Democrats, and true conservatives, gravitated toward the Republican Party. By the time Ronald Reagan came on the Presidential scene in 1976 the party-less, found a home. When Reagan became President many the folks who still considered themselves Democrats sided with the Gripper. They too joined in the Reagan Revolution.

The original Kennedy Democrats and Reagan conservatives flourished; reaching a zenith when Newt Gingrich stormed Congress with “the Contract with America.” There in print for all American’s to see were conservative Republican’s own principals in a blueprint declaration as to how the country should be governed, and what accomplishments were left to be achieved.

Unfortunately, for that traveling band of conservatives, it was the last time that their core values were in the limelight, enjoined by action. Over the next fourteen years the conservatives, who were cajoled into service by the notion that supporting another Bush in the White House, would assure maintenance and strength of those core values. However, President George Bush governed much more from the political middle than from the political right, where most of these purists reside.

These once staunch supporters have been disillusioned over the second Bush term. Immigration amounting to amnesty, abandonment of Social Security reform and privatization, along with exponential governmental growth, fiscal irresponsibility, and an attempt to place Harriet Meyers on the Supreme Court, have illuminated the “Bush conservative credentials” fraud.

The conservatives did like Bush’s strong stand on defense, though most had trepidation about a preemptive strike foreign policy. The 30 percent of support that remained for the President in public opinion polls were from those strict hawkish conservative Republicans that believe in a strong national defense.

2008 brought John McCain to the front of the political race to succeed President Bush. This was the last straw for those out of sorts’ conservatives. The talk shows scream it, the media took advantage of it, and the Kennedy conservatives turned Reagan Republicans were left with no place to go, again!

McCain had an even worse record than Bush on abundantly more issues that resulted in the push of executive governance to the center, and with President Obama, far left of center. True conservatives cannot abide such an occurrence. The current administration is over reaching and ignoring lessons from history. Someone needs to tell President Obama that "talk is cheap.” It is his legislative actions and agenda that will haunt him despite his current flippant, glee.

The first black man in the Presidency is a fresh face with a silver tongue that can seduce many. He is a unique flirtation with Americas own ideals, however that reality is marred by politics, and made worse by talk that doesn't match his actions!

All of those who had seen Obama as the new way have already begun to take note of the disconnect between words and actions. This inevitably will lead to disenfranchisement with the great Black hope! Once again a political party train is leaving the station, and its supporters are not on it!

2009-04-22T13:41:00.001-07:00

Back Over the Hill

What more does one need to know that the campaign 2008 buzzword “Change” means get out of my way, I’m taking your money and giving it to some other guy? When Joe the Plumber hit the nail on the head the Obama Campaign teetered on the razors edge of melt down. Fortunately for them they were running against John McCain who belonged to the wrong party, made a mockery of suspending his campaign, coming back to D.C. to address the looming spending fiasco that House Republicans wanted to thwart. McCain riding in on his white horse would be President today had he not knuckled under to agree with Obama on the need to pass a massive bill Bush was pushing at the time. Had he stood with House Republicans your grandchildren would not be facing the “Obama-Spend-Our-Wealth-Now train.

In the 1970’s NFL Football Coach George Allen made history with “the over the hill gang, a group of old seemingly useless no name football players that came together for an exciting brand of football that took the Washington Redskins to the Superbowl. Allen’s operational theory was summed up in the slogan “The Future Is Now!” In other words I don’t want to grow talent and wait for up and comers to make things happen, I value experience and I want it all right now. For the most part it worked to a point. However Allen and the gang never won a Superbowl and the aftermath of the philosophy set the Redskins back a number of years. There was a price to pay when the over the ill gang became the "can’t function anymore gang."

President Obama would have George Allen smiling. Here he is with his hands on the till of your money and he wants it now. And he’s taking it now. And he’s spending it now to the tune of a record $3.5 billion fiscal budget. Never mind that we don’t have the money to spend. It’s really in somebody’s pocket; yours. We’ll he’s gonna spend it to hell with you and your children. Who might pay for it? Your grand children will pay!

Yes my friends change has come to Washington though It is not the togetherness we were promised. No it is not the “we’re not looking back administration any more. Obama is now ready to make legal scapegoats of the past administration, something he vowed he would not. So, the change is" blame the other guys and when you’re distracted enough I'll take your money and give it to whomever I want;” Sort of a welfare redistribution plan. Like the days of old. Didn’t we find out that it didn’t work for the Redskins? Why does the inside the Beltway crowd think that this version of "The Future is Now" will fare us any better? It won’t, so don’t expect it. Be prepared for years of rebuilding before we can field a valuable team again after the current administration rapes your purse and calls it just.

2009-04-03T20:32:00.001-07:00

A Whirl, A Twist and a Puff of Smoke

Harry Houdini never had to sink to a whirl, a twist and a puff of smoke to disguise his illusion and antics. He was quite a showman and might have used these devices, but he was so good, he didn’t need such devices. The current administration is not quite so good.

The mea culpa tour is well underway from the Obama administration. Like Clinton before him, President Obama leans on the liberal tendency to blame America not only for its own ills, but those that permeate the globe.

To aid in his attempt to gain support for his point of view he rewrites history. He claims accomplishments that he has little to do with, that court future disaster and, seeks to deflect blame onto anyone else but himself. These are classic liberal signs despite his perpetual Madison Avenue quality advertising campaign team.

Claiming to guide the budget process and stimulus packages for instance, he was really hands off. He handed the ultra liberal, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid the reigns and let them formulate what would eventually become law. Unfortunately, the views of these two are not only out of step with the mainstream, they are out of whack with any semblance of traditional America. Obama supports them because he really is one of them.

Allowing a bloated budget of the size and dimension that is our future might very well cost us most of it. The Obama administration opened the candy store and let the children inside to pick what they want. When the parents come home however, they will find a mess of governance run amok. Until, that day comes there will be little control on left wing tax, spend and redistribution. These are the enemy of capitalism and destined to drag out a recession and move the economy forward at the rate of oozing sludge.

Of course the President is still trying to blame the crisis on the previous administration and eight years of failed policies. For the seven and a half year stretch that the economy was booming and humming are tossed aside and the new history lay in its place. Deception, but what the heck, the guy looks good in a suit. He is a better speaker than the last guy (as long as there is a teleprompter around). He may be smart, but his suit is a lot less empty since he has taken office. We’ve passed socialism and headed toward some intimations of fascism including the intimidation, and confrontational nature that all suggests.

It is too bad that the promise that was conjured for the American electorate wasn’t based in truth, but rather like a magic trick, a slight of hand, a whirl, a twist and a puff of smoke. Abracadabra and misdirection are now the official policies of our leaders (once again).

2009-03-17T16:35:00.000-07:00

Only A Motion Away

Paul Simon once wrote about “a strange and mournful day.” Today, the brewing discontent within the country regarding its government and how it is being run brings it citizenry closer to the sad conclusion that talk alone will not alter the actions of their representatives. The headlines screamed today that “Livid Democrats demand AIG return bailout bonuses,” according to the Associated Press. The lead “Talking tougher by the hour, livid Democrats confronted beleaguered insurance giant AIG with an ultimatum Tuesday,” belies the ineptitude of those making the claim. A worthwhile demand perhaps, but as with every other entity the government touches their “black thumb” is really the result of their own double standards, unwillingness to stand accountable, and the corruption of their very soul.

The Democrats themselves as well as the administration’s naked incompetence is showing. The process is controlled entirely by one party. The strings of legislative power control are in Democrat hands. They command the purse strings, the budget, and have little check on them, yet in passing the bailout, of A.I.G., specifically they not only didn’t forget to address the issue, but they struck down efforts by Republican’s to thwart this very eventuality. Now Democrats scream like wailing fishwives, whose husband’s have stayed out past their bed times. The hypocrisy would be incredible, if it were not par for the mode of Democrat operations.

Before Obama was elected the Republican worry was, maybe he would be as good as his rhetoric. That unfounded fear has been put to bed. His compatriots in the Senate and House headed by Hysterical Harry and Nagging Nancy compound the light shining upon their routine insincerity. All this was accomplished in a matter of two short months. Harry and Nancy were well known quantities before this, but Obama now completes the “Three Amigos of Arrogance.” Does anybody in Washington think that the people are not watching?

Compounding the Carter-like malfeasance is the repeated aid from media outlets to prop up the notion that any effort is better than no effort. In the short term that may look fair, but over the long haul, the landscape changing decisions are being made under the nose of the sleeping giant population. At least that is how the mindset in the White House and Democrat halls of Congress seems to be interpreting the bubbling voter silence.

Unfortunately, the stupidity of the left is matched only by the ineptitude of the right. Had we been under these circumstances in the early 1990’s, Newt Gingrich could have parlayed his power to the Presidency, instead of merely the House of Representatives. The battle of stupidity rages in Washington despite the bleeding heart party’s ascent to power, and the cold hearted bastards’ ouster. The only folks, who are going to be hurt by the D.C. hijinks once again, will be the people.

Most of the public are up for changing they system from within, but given the uselessness and dismissal of the people’s point of view in the eyes of both parties, and barring the next unforeseen Newt, the turn toward violent dissention is as Paul Simon said, “only a moment away.”

2009-03-06T08:58:00.000-08:00

Hot Talk and the “New” Washington

The battle of the titans which was either hatched or brewed from of none other places than the White House, more than simply demean the office of the President. It makes apparent the overly sensitive nature of the new brain trust in Washington. What did you expect? The new administration is filled with folks who are use to swimming in the Illinois political cesspool. The chief among the skin-challenged is the chief executive himself. It seems as if he has hung around the basketball court too long, and that every move has to prove something. This is a classic adolescent side effect of a man not sure of his own masculinity. It reeks of a street war mentality. How many folks could have imagined however, before the election of the “new tone” and “change” that candidate Obama promised, would amount to a head to head confrontation with a political talk show host?

Par for the course is it to exploit any daylight that these operatives see is their enemy’s weakness. It is their modus operandi. Seeking to position anyone who stands in their way as the ogre, the troll under the bridge or the boogey man that hides in your closet, the government has exacerbated a bad situation. This is not unusual, for these guys, but this is how they define change! It means tossing out old Washington style politics and installing Chicago style politics.

The result is instead of the welcome breath of fresh air a gigantic leap in reverse which has landed our policies and politics back in the 1930’s. The populous prefers the 1980’s or 1990’s frankly, to the decade of the depression. Who would Franklin Roosevelt have demonized? The only record we have to go on is his words, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Now there’s a change. The new group in D.C. is now the perpetrator of a “sky is falling” outlook and that around every corner lurks a crisis. When they are not finding one, they are creating one; hence, the distraction of the Limbaugh versus White House controversy.

If history is any guide, the scare tactics won’t work, and neither will a massive infusion of government into where it doesn’t belong; the marketplace and a wrestling match with talk-radio. In the latter case we all are a bit poorer, but that is going to be the likely result of the polices too.

2009-02-13T12:38:00.000-08:00

The Psycho-Bubble

The last two decades have shown that bubbles are not only prevalent, but that they are dangerous. In the 1980’s the me generation rode a bubble of self indulgence rivaled only by that of that of the late 1960’s. The 1960’s imagery of Camelot and innocence was an idealistic bubble thought to be shattered by the violent decade. Yet the 1970 hippie movement was a bubble of idealism too. However, it slowly deflated as everyone grew tired of making love with each other because it came with strings attached, namely herpes and then AIDS.

The 1980’s “throw caution to the wind” attitude was a bubble. At the time the country thought it was large. That generation “hadn’t seen nothing yet.” The 1990’s computer dot-com boom made millions of dollars for people who owned and invested in companies. It was however, smoke and mirrors. The bubble was mammoth as companies raked in money that produced little. Their value so overblown that there was no where to fall but off of a cliff like it was 1929.

Still, America recovered and had faith in its system. Little did they know that since the 1960’s everything was ruled and regulated by something more sinister that corporate executives. Things were being run by emotion. Talk about volatility! The housing boom, created by sub prime mortgage financiers out to rake in billions, related to reality only in name. Everyone was getting a home (the great American dream) without having to work real hard for it. What could be wrong with that? Well, like a proverbial city on a hill, most everyone was dismayed when the FED popped that bubble. The hill under their houses and their feed took a nose dive.

Finally the bubble in energy last year had the price of gasoline rising from about 2.25 per gallon to over $4 per gallon. The friction became quickly obvious, unrest and worry rose, and the speculators drove the price up until the commodity resembled nothing based in reality. After July, the "pop" sound was swiftly followed by a "whoosh" and the bubble of that inflated delusion was over. Unfortunately, the whole financial sector which was built on mortgages that many people couldn’t afford, did the same. Wall Street was exposed for the “air pump” (or is that pimp?) that it really had become.

Now the latest hysteria is hysteria itself. Leading the charge down the hill is the new President. Every word out of his mouth is doom and gloom. We’re on the verge of catastrophe he says. His talk, he says, is an honest warning, not a method. He says he’s an optimist. Unfortunately, he sounds more like Jimmy Carter than Ronald Reagan. Obama has been drinking out of the same half empty glass since long before his Presidency. If this is leadership, someone needs to point out the direction he is headed; down.

Positive noise makes for productivity, and over time success. Being told that the world is going to come to an end just so you can get your agenda passed is political suicide, and the fear bubble is the first vestige of a fool. When the American populace wakes up it may be too late. The only hope to deflate the negative psycho bubble being inflated by the Administration and Democrats is for the entire Republican Party to pop it. Let’s hope they have a pin that’s big enough for the job before folks start jumping out of windows. After all it’s allegedly the worst economy since 1929 despite plenty of signs to the contrary.

2009-02-03T10:43:00.000-08:00

Winkin' Lincoln

The Rock band “Faces” utilized a clever phrase with their 1971 album “A Wink is as Good as a Nod to a Blind Horse.” That axiom comes in handy when looking in retrospect at the gala Presidential inaugural held recently in the shadow of the Smithsonian. The astronomically priced festivities remind us of the excess found at a full blown pink-satin Rod Stewart post concert party. The Capital, where all of the important swearing-in occurred, lies at one end of the Washington Mall. Given the tons of garbage left behind, the aftermath reveals that those in attendance were surely not “earth-friendly” but rather a Styrofoam generating throng of star struck drooling followers. If you could cut through the astral plain you might have heard a few different choice words coming from the Lincoln Memorial at the other end of the Ellipse. The large white statue depicting arguably the most important U.S. President, Abraham Lincoln, could have been the place to hear after-life murmurs of a different kind of swearing.

That is not to say that Lincoln wouldn’t like Obama, or the people he attracts, he probably would. The pair does share some connections. Both now belong to quite an exclusive club consisting of a mere 44 males. No it is not a Dumbo-sized ear club for men! All the President’s have been men of course. It sounds a bit sexist, but why would anyone want to be ruled by an administration headed by a woman anyway? Heck that would be just like being married! Perhaps that is the reason that both Hilary and Sarah bumped their noggins on that glass ceiling.

The similarities between Abe and Barrack don’t simply end with the fact that both of these bean-poles are from Illinois. With a little make up and some straw they could be used in corn fields to scare crows. Lincoln’s tall gangly countenance reminds us that his hideously large sized ears were the things holding up those top-hats. The current large-lobe challenged President hasn’t yet discovered the virtue of hats, but nevertheless has magically been deemed qualified to be placed among the D.C. marble. This, despite the fact that he hasn’t even served a hundred days yet! Lincoln had to put up with Mary Todd, but still gave it his all. Obama merely gave us a good campaign and some wild dancing on Oprah. Still, there were no less that 3 commercial products depicting smiling Barack on coins, plates and guacamole dip.

No freshman rookie gets their face plastered on the Mount Rushmore of Mexican dishes until he has done phenomenal feats such as inventing the sombrero. Occasionally however, along comes a personality so revered that the entire population takes a siesta for four years, or the cacophony inverts so loudly that the poles reverse. Obama is just such a figure. In his case no one is sleeping because the grating noise of well wishers is loud enough to make a grown man squint.

So would the man who freed the slaves be happy about America’s election of a man of color? In Honest Abe’s case, there is no telling if his response to Obama’s ascension is a wince of distain, or an approving wink to go with the invisible nod. To the masses who are the blind horses in all of this, it doesn’t matter because once you are big enough to be pictured on food, it doesn’t matter how well sighted the horse. All that matters is that we giddy up!

2009-01-22T10:09:00.000-08:00

Presidential Superstars

Presidential popularity like that of all cultural icon’s follow an ebb and flow consistent with the culture at large. We are in an age of stardom. but it didn’t just start yesterday! After the death of the 32nd President, Harry Truman was afforded high ratings for his raw courage stepping into Franklin Roosevelt’s shadow. . In Truman he was a Congressman who was thrust into the spotlight ill-prepared. He grew in the post. As he began his term he carried support of over 85% of the people. He was easily revered as much as many Hollywood leading men. It was every decision after the oath of office that saw his support take a nose dive. His likeability was so damaged that by 1948 he was certain to lose reelection.

President Eisenhower portrayed a somewhat Henry Fonda-ish senior statesman-like role, and maintained a higher average of popular support during his 8 years. He guided America through a decade of calm before a radical storm. Still he left office down a full 10% in support compared to his arrival in the Oval Office.

President Kennedy, as popular as any swashbuckling Errol Flynn character, has to be lumped with the likes of Johnson, Nixon, Ford and Carter. Each saw sizeable support evaporate as quickly as Truman’s. Each faced differing circumstances, were revered briefly, and then reviled as their decisions didn’t wear well upon the country.

President Reagan perhaps because he was actually from Hollywood, was the first of the modern era Presidents to come close to leaving office with a similar popularity. His second term marred the feat ultimately though. He left office with a rating in the upper 50’s after coming to the White House with over 60% approval.

The Bush’s both left office palpably less popular than when they arrived on the scene. Neither were superstar material but made tough decisions and were rewarded for it before being ostracized. Both were involved in wars and the success, or controversy’s surrounding them didn’t help ease that plight.

The only President to buck the trend was President Clinton. Most likely to be comfortable among Hollywood elites, Clinton was put in office with nearly 55% approval rating. He departed with numbers well into the 60’s. This accomplishment is even more remarkable given the fact that he was impeached, acquitted, and had a scandal- driven atmosphere around him form two terms. It was sort of like a bad Hollywood movie came to Washington. It is likely that his popularity was because of the ill-advised prosecution, rather than in spite of it.

With these historical facts as a backdrop, it is safe to say that after taking the oath of office (for a second time on January 21st 2009 because of the overt flub on inauguration day) President Obama’s soaring popularity has only one direction in which it will likely go. Still he is as popular as Brad Pitt. Barring a national crisis, which would have the population rally around the new President, expect the hero worship to wear thin during the first term. Given the nature of crisis’ facing the man, his numbers are likely to be vastly different in 18 months. It goes with the job, but in Obama’s case no one has come into office with so much support since Harry Truman.

After Truman brought the world into the nuclear age with atomic detonations over Japan his numbers were at 90% approval. Within a year after the war’s end his support plummeted to about the same place where the departing President George W. Bush found his lowly numbers on his way out the door.

President Obama should learn from history, and expect the worst. What’s more Americans have a habit of becoming disillusioned with their President heroes. It happened to Truman after World War II, to Nixon after the end of the Vietnam War (and primarily because of Watergate), after The Persian Gulf War, and the war in Iraq.

Perhaps a time of peace like Eisenhower’s decade would change Obama’s destiny. Unfortunately, this is not peace time and the economy is the worst it has been since the 1970’s. It is a tough spot for anyone to be in, but since it is not popularity that is the President’s role, it really matters little. All movie stars fade leaving only their star on the walk of fame. As with President Bush doing what’s right is more important than doing what’s popular, and the price will be popular support. So long as it keeps America safe then President Obama will deserve his star like the other 43 men who preceded him.

2009-01-09T09:10:00.000-08:00

America's Newest Shooting Star

What goes up must come down. The truth is being learned daily in the economic world. Likewise, the political pendulum swing carries great weight. Attention Democrats, your criminality is showing! Lobbyists taking payoffs, Governor’s selling political rewards, a heavily Democratic canvassing board reversing vote totals in a Minnesota Senatorial race, and a Speaker of the House poised to eliminate Congressional fairness rules. These are the new governmental hallmarks. It sounds like government of old; so much for transparency. Chicago, has come to Washington, so why shouldn’t the secret backroom deals do so also? It is after all the Chicago national pastime. These are the new tones of bipartisanship in Washington.

The unethical nature of the looming four years is already popping its head to the surface, and the inauguration of the new President hasn’t even happened yet! Remember all of the moaning over the corrupt right wing Republicans? Remember the last eight years of constant anti-Bush hysteria? If you bought into the Obama “age of Aquarius,” you are in for a mild shock. Of course you won’t feel it for a while because of the blind devotion. After the rationalization that somehow you are better than what came before fades, the truth will settle upon you. The band “The Who” said it best when they penned the lines “Meet the new boss; same as the old boss.”

Multiple political contacts of the new President, the Governor’s of Illinois and New Mexico to name just two are under clouds of criminal investigation of play for pay scandals. These are hard core Democrats that have rubbed elbows with many in the new administration, including the President-Elect. There hasn’t been so much scandal surrounding a guy before taking the Oval Office since President Clinton in 1992. Look how well that turned out. There were political witch hunts for two consecutive terms by right wing skeptics in the 1990’s. President Bush swept that away, but was lambasted with not only doubters, but down right haters who compared the man to Adolph Hitler, among many of their irrational smears.

Out of the ashes once again rises someone appearing to be from beyond the political scene, ala President Jimmy Carter (another remembrance of four stupendous years can be placed aside the asterisk which accompanies his name). The phoenix this time was marketed as markedly different. He is if you only look skin deep; which many American’s have done. Some gravitated to Obama because of pride in their heritage as African American’s; others because of their white guilt. Finally there are still others who have bought the lie that Obama is “Harvard” intelligent. Of course we don’t really know the truth on that because his handler’s won’t open up information about the President Elect’s college grades. Nevertheless, this rising rocket has shot to the zenith of American political life in a mere four years; the latest shooting star.
People want what looks like a winner. They took hold of his high trajectory and as of yet haven’t let go. For this reason we know little about him and have ignored his associates in a campaign that is designed to be about proper vetting of a candidate.

This ill-advised methodology of "getting to know them as they serve," invites everyone to be witness to the ongoing vetting process like Carter, Clinton, and Bush's (43) required. Was anybody disappointed in what they found out about these guys after they were already in office? The next four years won’t be pretty! Worse than that is the universal truth that shooting stars fall from the sky as quickly as they ascend. This latest missile from Chicago is destined to be tied to the others which have surrounded it. The Richardson, Blagojevitch, Resko, Ayers stars have plummeted, and will continue to do so. Who and what will finally drag down the young upstart President? Know one knows just yet, but if history tells us anything it is that American’s love to create heroes only to turn and destroy them. Keep an eye on the sky; you don’t want to be hit by any falling debris!

2008-12-19T08:07:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays

Let’s take a good look at the state of Christmas in America. At the time the law was passed that established Christmas as a Federal holiday in the 1800’s the U.S. wore their Christianity on their sleeve much more openly. At that time the average citizen feared God much more than their government. Today the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has surpassed God through an agenda of fear. Rightfully so, given they represent rule by the few over the many. Today the word Christmas is being cast in a light of radicalism by the purveyors of secular extremism backed by such anti-Christian organizations.

Extremely progressive organizations will cite the first Article of the U.S. Constitution, selectively. The text says “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion” and here is the part the radicals forget “or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Organizations like the ACLU would have you believe that exercising religion in public or on public governmental ground is an establishment of one religion over another.

Since 85% of this country identifies themselves as Christian it stands to reason that the vast majority of displays on public grounds will reflect that point of view. Take note that there is no restriction on other religions displaying the trappings of their religious occasions on the same site. Instead of suing for the right to also be included in displays, the A.C.L.U sues to remove existing expressions of religious beliefs. That interpretation is patently unconstitutional!

Culturally, the phrase "Merry Christmas" is even being cast aside in favor of the phrase "Happy Holidays." Examining this we find that the Thanksgiving holiday at the end of November begins the Christmas season. There is no other sanctioned holiday between Thanksgiving and Christmas; not Jewish, African, Buddhist or Hindu. Therefore the phrase "Happy Holidays" does not properly apply in the context of the season. "Merry Christmas" is the only expression that can do the holiday justice. If there was no Christ or Christian church there would be no Christmas or Christmas holiday. There would be no Federal holiday; day off from work, or solemn occasion of religious reflection by those who wish to do so, unmolested by the nonbeliever.

The second sanctioned holiday is New Years day and is quite secular. Saying Happy Holidays would be appropriate between the two dates not before and not much long after either.

It is the right of every citizen as spelled out in the constitution that no law can prevent your right to practice, and express your religion anywhere, or at any time. This includes public spaces, or in your home on Christmas. Should you decide to shout Merry Christmas from the roof of your house to everyone that passes, no harassment should come to you (as long as you don’t disturb the sound ordinances of your town). Doing the same in the town square is your right, and not to be denied by those of different faiths. The Constitution guarentees what "the creator" has endowed to all mankind.

2008-12-09T10:32:00.000-08:00

Chicago East?

Not since the Clinton Administration in the 1990’s has the swirling breeze of corruption blown like on a wind of a California wildfire. One of the characteristics of Chicago machine politics for the past century or so has been corruption. The buying and selling of nearly anything seems to be the backbone of business as usual in the windy city.

All indications around Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich created a smoke signal for the rest of the country to see. The often hidden back room dealing so typical of Chicago has been exposed. It is not like the country didn’t know about it. It gets mentioned as a by word and a chuckle of “the late Mayor Richard Daley era. His spirit is still alive and Blagojevich is apparently a practitioner.

Whether his web of malfeasance extends to Illinois star son, President Elect Obama remains to be seen. The prosecutor in the case Patrick Fitzgerald of “Valerie Plame/Skooter Libby” fame has stated this complaint about the current Governor has nothing to do with Obama. Unfortunately, it is a de je vu of the Clintonian scandal ridden 90’s.

Kicked to the curb gladly Clinton left office with a pardon de jur stick in the eye to all Americans, so the country was happy to be rid of him. A press weary populace hoped to breathe a sigh of relief when the 2000 election was cast.

Obama’s star illumination is almost as bright as Abraham Lincoln (and the man has yet to accomplish anything). There are already coins with his image being bought and sold. Again the only thing that he has accomplished is being black, and he had little choice in that matter. You can rest assured that if there are any questions in Chicago about its politicians, its machine, and its corruption, it will be irresistible not to have reporters trying to tie it to the President Elect over the next term. If you thought you were corruption weary, get ready for round two.

Obama, like President Reagan so far has displayed his Teflon exterior. His associations with domestic terrorists, racist and anti- Semitic preachers have yet to stick to him. The Supreme Court won’t hear a case that the President Elect might not even be a U.S. citizen. Could we expect that there is no underlying backroom connection between Governor Blagojevich’s rant about selling Obama’s former Senate seat and his arrest? Political payback? Iron fist rule from a man not yet even in the White House or just a Governor gone bad and finked-on by the “pinched” party? History will tell the tale. It doesn’t really matter, but you can count about half a dozen potential scandals that could intersect with the Obama, and he has not even taken the oath of the Presidential office yet. The next four years should prove entertaining; just like a Clinton Administration rerun. Okay fore the pocketbook, but hell on ethics. Unless you are from Chicago; then it is just business as usual.

2008-11-26T11:42:00.000-08:00

Sleeping with the Fishes
The Last Economic Bubble

Not since Abe Vigoda uttered the line “Tom can ya help me out” regarding his betrayal of Michael Corleone in the Godfather has such a particular thud been heard in conjunction with the “family business.” Of course Sal Tessio (Vigoda) got a one way ride, and ended up sleeping with the fishes. In America today “the family, also known as Congress, has worked over the automobile manufacturers pretty good! They dared to come to D.C. with their hands out. However, given that the same yahoos in Congress ponied up a record $700 Billion just a month or so earlier, is it any wonder that the auto titans thought they’d give it a try? On top of that they came to grovel after flying in on corporate jets.

Remember when the Treasury Secretary began the financial panic? His dire prediction which came out of nowhere was sort of the antonym of the gold rush. The looming crisis was a revelation that the economic sky was about to fall. Had these financial genius’ not allowed Lehman Brothers’ investment firm to fold, the whole house of cards might still be standing. “Unnatural-selection”, sort of the opposite of Darwinism, has led us down the not so rosy economic path. So quick did the economic wind change that it seemed we were on a financial laundry shoot strait toward hell. Once again high ranking members of the Bush administration have shown that “ineptness” is the definition of “expert” in Washington D.C. Iraq, Katrina, and now Wall Street have each been colossal blunders in their individual aftermaths.

The latest bubble in finance is the “bailout bubble!” Everyone gets in line and gets extra money that the Federal Reserve has printed. It is the 21st century version of the bread line. Only this “bread” is the anachronistic 1970’s version; money. This system means that all of the bad debt will eventually go away. Interest rates will skyrocket, and inflation may soar, but we are not gonna let the free markets handle themselves. This is exactly the wrong tact to take preemptively. It will likely not solve the problem but exacerbate it. People might feel warm and fuzzy that their government seems to be taking action, but when the price is realized no one will be smiling. When the time comes for recovery after a natural market correction will there be any money left? Save it for then fellas we’re gonna need it.

How much irony is there when fat-cat Senators and Congressmen with their own Chauffer driven limousines and “special arrangements” for air flight get to grill those evil corporate mavens? The same pussycats who reached in our back pocket to “find” the funds necessary to bail-out Wall Street executives and firms to the tune of $700 Billion sat strait faced as they squawked about a measly $25 Billion for car manufacturers. These evil auto execs were told how many hoops they’d have to jump through just to be considered for bridge loans.

The friends of Treasury Secretary Paulson however, got their money post haste with little or no guarantees other than “we’ll pay it back” agreements. Then they didn’t use it for the intended purpose. They sat on it, padded their own supply, and let the consumers, who actually paid for it, suffer all the more, by still not lending to their brother and sister banks. $350 Billion is gone and with a new spend-happy administration on the horizon the only thing that is going to get bigger is our national debt. Never mind though, just get in line. Everyone is going to get a little something from “the family”. Let’s hope it’s not a just a one way ride that in the end has us sleeping with the fishes.

2008-10-26T08:21:00.000-07:00

Controlling More than Just the Global Economy

Here’s a scenario: Just before Halloween 2008, Israel attacks Iran in an effort to eliminate the Muslim country’s nuclear weapons program. The Middle East democracy will have to do this eventually, anyway, and with the potential for an uncooperative liberal administration looming, there is little incentive to wait. The Iranian’s would mull over their options ranging from blocking the Strait of Hormuz to a retaliation strike on the Jewish homeland. The headlines would scream, and the International incident would sweep the economy off of the front page and place the notion of “survival” squarely in the laps of the Presidential electorate.

Senator John McCain would immediately voice support for Israel, as likely Senator Obama would too. However, the scene would benefit Senator McCain and work against senator Obama since McCain is the experienced world leader with foreign policy credentials. People would again see a strong world leader. Senator Obama’s response would be critical. If his reaction is weak as his performance in the Georgia crisis, he would likely lose the election.

With the proper timing of such a crisis, the dynamic of the American election would be altered. McCain, who has been hurt by the economic situation, would find an issue equally out of his control, but one that would counter its ill effects. His own party’s administration began McCain’s troubles by hailing the coming economic crisis with great fanfare, and a code red alert. They couldn’t have shouted any louder if they had been in the wheelhouse of the Titanic. The panic that ensued is the direct result of a pushy administration announcing that the sky is falling, instead of calmly handling the situation. They made the resulting panic much worse than it would have been.

McCain, who was screwed during the 2000 primary election by the Bush campaign, now gets his second dose at the end of the Bush Presidency. It makes one think that the Bush’s have something against Senator McCain.

Perhaps an outside interest that would prefer to see a McCain Presidency over one headed by Obama would consider pulling a trigger. The Israeli one described above is the most likely. The small democratic country has little faith in an Obama administration. Israel does not know how much backing it would receive from Obama despite his rhetoric. McCain’s support, they can count on; Obama’s is suspect. Given the nature of Israel’s history and its sensitivity toward its own survival, anything is possible even before the election. Such action would not only be a method to eliminate Iranian nuclear advancement, but it is the most direct way Israel could affect American policy at its root. They have the power to create alternative outcomes for the U.S. presidential race based upon their action, or lack of it.

What happens and when should be of primary concern to both Presidential candidates, as well as would-be supporters of each. Voters need to keep an eye on the global scene because in the crisis arena the military picture always trumps the economic one.

2008-10-10T10:01:00.000-07:00

Ulterior Motives

The jig is up! American’s no longer will believe stories from one side of the Congressional mouth, and ignore the truth that lies beneath. The recent vote on a self described economic bail-out has been seen in that light. Droves of constituents bombarded their Congressional representatives to vent and remind the House, the Senate, the President, the Treasury secretary and the rest of the Administration that America does not favor socialism. The economic bail-out package saw initial defeat for a number of reasons. Much of the typical Washington doublespeak highlighted the shenanigans, and Americans immediately saw through it. Check out public opinion polls on Congress. They are rated lower than the President. The people have little faith in their government. The bail-out plan is a prime example why. The tumbling stock market calamity is a psychological melt-down not one where business across the globe has suddenly turned sour. Perception is reality. With socialism taking hold of the White House financial folks have lost their nerve, and that is just the Bush Administration. If the far left leaning Barack Obama wins the General election there is no telling where the country will be in a year.

Before the 1960’s the citizenry took their elected officials explanations at face value for the most part. However, as that turbulent decade progressed the people’s eyes were opened and innocence shattered. The corruption, which likely had been in the government for generations, came to the forefront. The decline of faith in the institutions of government began there and winds its way through to the present day. Most recently it has infected the financial sector and global markets around the world. Like each cultural generation pushing the envelope in a game of “let’s see you top this” Congress has gone overboard as a matter of practice rather than exception. Witness since the 1980’s when political foes Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neal battled it out politically, and yet remained friendly afterward. Today’s representative doesn’t represent us. They are as much interested in jumping through hoops for lobbyists in order to keep their job, advance their power and advance their own career. Hence the personal bitter attacks on each other. The leaders of financial giants have become robber barons of the 1890’s all over again and are feeling the lack of consumer confidence in the form of a stinging backlash. Congress, corporations and media corruption has endangered each ones job efficiently, and confidence is imperiled. They put themselves ahead of the constituents they are responsible to represent and inform.

The American people are tired of the smiling President telling us everything will be alright, after a number of crises’ have been mishandled by the Administration. They are tired of nonexistent Congressional oversight and the lack of accountability. Heads must roll from government, corporate America, and from media outlets. The gutless ones in Congress no longer have to worry about that because the American people are noticing and beginning to make these frauds accountable! We’ll see how that plays out after the election.

When Senator Obama says he is going to give tax relief to 95% of the population, he doesn’t mention that 5% of the country pays 90% of the taxes. Much of them are businesses that create jobs and drive the economic train. His motive is to fool you like a snake oil salesman. To date he has faired well. When John McCain rushes back to Washington to help improve the bail-out package and get Republican colleagues a seat at the table, many find it disheartening when he doesn’t follow through. He claimed he would stay to make sure the vote passed. He didn’t. Political fall-out from potentially skipping a debate brought him back to Washington gamesmanship. The flash of guts turned out to be as much political show as leadership. Both are indicative of the root problem of our government. The institution is corrupt, and its influence corrupts all who touch it. At least McCain has admitted as much in the past. With him the people have a prayer. Aside from that everyone is as bad as the next.

The U.S. population is tired of corporations being over-reaching in their zeal like frat boys at an all night party who don’t realize that it is now noon and the body will collapse without proper sleep. Bail yourselves out is what the people have said but once again they were ignored. The American people are tired of the usual politics. Every word spoken to the cameras is a line to cover up what someone really is hiding beneath the surface. American’s know it, have known if for some time, and are finally raising their hand to slap down the perpetrators. The guilty, so accustomed to the undisciplined sweet life, continue to be characteristically arrogant. They know what’s best for you because you elected them. How dare they not give us 700 billion that we asked for? We told them it was to save the economy what more do they want? In a week since Congressional indignation, the stock market has responded with a slow motion crash. Eight ugly days and the evaporation of $8 trillion is the response to emergency action. It seems like the folks are no longer buying the smoke and mirrors that has created bubble after bubble in the global economy. Maybe it’s time to toss ‘em all out of office!

Americans might swallow a capitalistic market bail-out yourself approach, but it would also take time. With a left leaning administration perhaps coming to power, look for a likely extension of the agony for a decade, rather than a few years. The people will suffer at the hands of socialist elements. The Democrat Presidential candidate is allied with the very double crossing snakes in the grass that ignored this problem. McCain tried to warn Congress two years ago, but to no avail. As a result the financial melt down is what rose up and bit them all in the ass. This time the American people wore the chompers. The election year cinched the power of the people. You spoke and Congress actually listened for a brief moment. The initial bail-out was defeated. Then we were told without it we’d see a melt down. So they passed it again rather than listen to the people. Guess what they were wrong. They passed out our $700 billion dollars over our objections and the stock market has ended up in the toilet, which the bail-out was supposed to stave off.

The folks who have any money should now invest in the stock market. The vast majority of people are spooked by the crash. Now is the time to buy. That is how rich tycoons become so wealthy. Buy low and sell high. There are bargains to be had everywhere in companies that are as valuable today as they were yesterday even if their stock doesn’t say so. Americans are poised to take back their power, both politically and financially. If anyone has the guts, now is the time to do so!

2008-10-02T07:18:00.000-07:00

Double Standards

Is it any surprise that we have stunning double standards in our political and journalistic circles? Fat people are maligned in the general society, women still have a tougher time in the work place in some industries, and racism is a cottage industry that leads certain minorities to prosper off of past wrongdoing. Hollywood movie types and sports figures are idolized, while those teaching children, the medical profession and the regular Joe are relegated to be one of the unwashed masses. The way “haves” versus “have-nots” are treated in this culture is the epitome of a lack of ethics and a society in decline. The whole culture is riddled with it.

An easy illustration is the Presidential election. Fore nearly two years Barack Obama has been fawned over and Senator McCain more maligned. Liberals don’t readily see it, but conservative think they are watching a version of the “especially for women” daytime bull session “The View.” The Vice Presidential debate also, offers other evidence of corruption among those charged with maintaining high ethical standards. Gwen Ifill is the moderator of the debate. She may be a respected journalist in some circles, but her political point of view is well known. Asking tough questions of either candidate is not as much at issue as the slide in acceptable behavior. Walter Cronkite, the much respected journalist of the 1960’s and 70’s was equally as liberal as Ifill, maybe more so. The country however, never knew his political stance. He wouldn’t allow it. His reporting never showed it. He never would have been caught dead on camera touting one candidate over another or using his writing skill to that end. In his day such a thing was unethical!

Look how far we’ve come down off of such a principled high horse. Ifill has a book “The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama” that is scheduled to be released on Inauguration Day 2009. The book’s title even en measures today’s politics with Obama as the standard. Should he win the Presidency her book might be a best seller, and make her substantial money. A loss might cost her that chance to pad her wallet. She has a vested interest in a Senator Obama win in the coming election. She should not be a moderator in a debate where she has a vested interest in one of the parties. Our cultural moral compass, like much of journalism, has embraced double standard as a way of life. To make it worse those “withes” pretend as if there is no double standard against the “withouts,” and don’t recognize their own complicity in the debauchery of human values.

Since this information became known to the general public, .Ms.. Ifill response is typical of the double standard perpetrator. She claims her professionalism enables her to maintain the role as moderator. Herein lays the rub. Whether or not she appears unbiased, is not the issue. The appearance of impropriety tells us all we need to know about Ms. Ifills standards, and they don’t measure up. For liberals though, the traditional standard of ethics has a very low bar. Moral principles, espoused by the Democrat Party, typify the single edged sword. The in-group can do no wrong, the out-group, no right.

Should Brit Hume, Bill O’Riley or someone else with a suspected conservative credential moderate a similar debate? If so could they have a positive book deal pending on the virtue of John McCain, the war hero? Not without liberals displaying a wild emotional conniption to make it a crisis issue.

It is this cultural “us” verses “them” mentality that permeates all levels of government, media, entertainment, and much of the society as a whole. The difference is that both
O’ Riley and Hume would recuse themselves from such a process because of the very morals that liberals deride. Ms. Ifill, like so many others in this culture, does not believe in recusing herself from the limelight, and uses her responsibilities as a journalist as a convenient cover. She like so many others embraces elitism because she thinks from the heart she can adequately perform this service to America. Like Senator Obama, Ifill largely illustrates the arrogance of the left and its lack of high moral standards. Both carry an air of condescension to “regular folk.” Their elitist point of view stems from the Higher education system in this country, which unfortunately gives us attractive choices for journalists, and Presidential candidates with substantially lacking moral authority, and good judgment.

2008-09-26T07:06:00.000-07:00

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

With the alleged economic meltdown just over the next hill, a concise picture has come into view. It is good, bad, and ugly. This week’s action by John McCain in running back to Washington to address how to solve the problem illustrates the differences between Presidential candidates. Whether you are on the left, right, or in the center will determine if you find it excellent, dreadful or repulsive.

The Good: Whether a stunt or not, McCain’s act is likely to be seen by the coveted undecided independent vote as putting America ahead of politics. Strike a win for McCain! Now, the criticism of McCain for lacking economic skills is likely to depart some of these independent voters. However, it needs to be said that McCain will be viewed this way because of his war hero status, his dedication to his country and a 26 year career in the Congress. Obama can hardly counter the claim. It won’t change any Democrat minds, but that is not what the McCain camp is seeking. The brilliant move leaves Obama as an outsider looking in on a process that McCain has hijacked. Senator Obama already thinks himself more of a President than a Senator. Until either one of these guys is elected, the title in front of their name is still “Senator.” Obama has forgotten that and it could be a crucial mistake. In any event putting the country first is just what the American people has been seeking for decades. McCain is demonstrating it!

The Bad: McCain charging in on a white horse to save the day fits him, and is acting with responsibility as his Arizona constituents have entrusted him. Obama however, claimed the economic crisis is the greatest since the 1930’s Great Depression yet, he shot himself in the foot by responding “call me if you need me, and I’ll come back to Washington.” This sent a very wrong message. McCain asked Obama to delay the debate, put politics aside and fly back to D.C. to help solve the crisis. That is something most Americans have long sought in their leaders. Obama stuck gave a finger and shoved it in our eye, by refusing. Imagery can be everything in politics. Obama would have stayed in Mississippi to debate, had P{resident Bush (prompted by McCain) not asked him to a high level meeting. Obama looks more interested in his campaign than the county’s well being.

Obama responded poorly by making the distinction that debating another candidate is more important than debating real, economic altering, legislation (which is what both of these men are charged to do as Senators). Obama has voted “present” again with his response to McCain’s gambit. The whole series of events gives McCain the upper hand, and backs up his claim that he’d risk losing an election if America comes out the better. He is visibly demonstrating that he puts America first. In doing so he also is taking the economic issue from Obama. The Illinois Senator, struggling to counter attack, claims that the election decision trumps a crisis that he himself has dubbed dire. Loss Obama.

Whether any of this has any affect on tonight’s Presidential debate or not, remains to be seen. McCain can go one of two ways. If legislation is passed McCain can ride in to tout the victory. That is not likely because the Congress which is controlled by Democrats won’t pass the bill without Republican’s on board. They don’t want the blame if it fails. That is why McCain and the Republican’s have the upper hand. They can craft whatever bill they want and because of Democrat cowardice will have to accept something, likely a McCain driven bill. McCain will take that gamble that all of this will work to his favor. The other option is to delay the debate. McCain wins in that scenario too because he will be seen as diligently working to solve the crisis while Obama is left debating himself. Obama will be seen as fiddling while D.C. burns. McCain will not.

The Ugly: American’s are being shown that they have someone willing to fight for them, by McCain’s fight to cast off a taxpayer bail-out with a craftier bill that will protect them. McCain is leading that charge. Unfortunately, it takes such high-handed political maneuvering to drive the point home to a dense populous. Administrative oversight might have been dubious in the whole process that brought us to the current economic crisis, but the American people have been asleep at the fiscal switch for way too long. In any event it is going to be a rough ride to recovery. McCain seeks to ease the ugliness of this, and all other partisan bickering. When a House and Senate, both controlled by one party, refuses to act in the face of crisis, can there be any doubt that politics is still hard at work corrupting our government?

Obama looks more elitist than ever, and believes himself already above his own senatorial station in politics. The man seems to think it is all academic and that he is a shoe in to the Oval Office. The bigger consideration of the whole process is that one of these two is going to be the President and will have to deal with the aftermath. That is when the true ugliness will ramp up.

2008-09-12T05:52:00.000-07:00

The Wellstone Millstone
and
The Sheer Genius of John McCain

Now that the lights have faded and the political convention fanfare is over, these events have crystallized some things. First of all, Senator Obama’s speech from Mount Olympus was moving to some, but the sheer pageantry exposed him and the Democrats once again for what they really are all about; themselves. The high flying Hollywood crowd approved. Why shouldn’t they; the whole spectacle could have been held at Caesars Palace in Vegas! Unfortunately, the Democrats and the Senator still don’t realize the lesson from Paul Wellstone’s memorial. A very popular Minnesota Senator, he was rightly being honored with a memorial by the Democrats in 2002, right before a midterm election, The massive event however, turned into a “show” for liberal agenda elites and the far left wagged the dog. The backfire aided in keeping Republicans in the Congressional majority.

Senator Obama also, revealed that even as a minority he was willing to gamble on losing it all because he was not man enough to lift Hilary Clinton onto his ticket. That combination would have made the pair a near sure thing in November. The equivocating Obama was unable to go for the jugular though, and whimped out by picking a safe choice in Joe Biden. Biden brings some attributes Obama needs, but not the zing that would help him close the deal like of a woman running mate.

John McCain, sensing Obama’s error not only brought the Republican ticket to the verge of history by naming a woman VP, but he chose a relative unknown. As it turns out Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is a natural. She is so because she comes from small town America, not from among the elite like Obama, Biden, and even McCain himself. The intangible that America has grown weary of is the guilded class. Sarah Palin is a no nonsense, strait talking, reform Governor from a fairly large state. She carries energy and economic credentials.

The Obama campaign has been flummoxed since Palin’s selection. They can’t figure out how to attack her without a rebound that will hurt Obama. The Democrat candidate is already suspected of being a bit sexist because of the Hilary snub. His lack of serious consideration for the poor woman has boomeranged against him. Mrs. Clinton after all received 18 million votes in the Democratic primaries. Now if Obama’s camp attacks Palin they will be seen ever increasingly as a sexist chauvinistic men's club that is standing on top of the glass ceiling that Palin is attempting to break. If Obama is to live by his own mantra “you can’t attack me because I’m black”then he can’t readily do similarly to Palin without also being seen as a hypocrite.

John McCain might not have seen all of the ramifications of choosing Palin, but then again it is likely that he did. He has always been underestimated in his life. He overcame long odds in a Vietnam prison camp, and then on the political stage. Fourteen months ago the darling of the media from Campaign 2000 was alone, carrying his own luggage through airline turnstiles. He had been abandoned by everyone. The media had moved on to crown Obama the new wizard deluxe. Everyone in the media thought McCain’s race for the White House was finished. McCain knew otherwise; just as he knew the surge in Iraq was America’s best option for success. He was correct on both counts, and Senator Obama’s inabilities to be forthright and admit it in the face of overwhelming evidence illuminates that the Illinois Senator is nothing new despite his appearance to the contrary. He is like the Wellstone memorial attendees chanting “rah rah for my party” rather than solemn in dignity for his countrymen. For this reason today Senator McCain leads in political polls by as much as 10 points in a year when Democrats should breeze to the White House. The Wellstone display like the self-aggrandizing Democratic convention is a millstone weighing down Obama. It threatens to drown him. American’s flock to a winner and Palin is on the rise with wings. They don’t care for arrogance and Obama is becoming its poster-child.

For some, both Presidential tickets may be backward, but as of today McCain’s genius has shined again. The people are ready for a women reformer. Palin and McCain have deeds and accomplishments to back up their words. Obama's glitz, showmanship, and silver tongue without significant accomplishments are a millstone around his neck.

2008-08-29T07:57:00.000-07:00

OBiden versus McPalin

With the Democrat convention completed and the Grand Old Partiers about to take the stage, it is time to take stock of our electoral choice this November. The phrase that comes to mind the quickest is “yecccchhhh!” Only in America could we tolerate the umpteenth campaign suggesting that one of these yutzes will be the guy to “change Washington.” Senator Obama who staked his entire primary campaign on “change” showed the other side of his mouth once again. He didn’t reinforce the notion of a new course; he selected a running mate who has been in Washington longer than John McCain.

McCain for his part was worried about his lack of economic credentials, and settled for a woman. Governor Palin is a maverick in her own right, and offers the only glimmer of hope for real change in the D.C. landscape. McCain selected based on his heart allegedly, but what About his brains? Until we find out who Sarah Palin is the question of whether her selection was a good choice will be an open question. Obama maybe too charismatic for his own good, but he is a fine looking gentleman. McCain had to “out-model” him so there was no other choice than to select a female as McCain seeks to capture disaffected Hillary Clinton voters. McCain’s choice will be seen as a cynical pandering to women, or hailed as the greatest and wisest of choices.

All in all both tickets are “balanced.” Each has a stogy old Washington fat-cat, insider on the team, and a youthful photogenic representative that will make people take notice. During the primary the main concern was that putting Obama up against McCain on the same stage might be like viewing toned muscle next to oatmeal. As it turns out it looks more like wrinkles vs. Diaperene. The result of these two Presidential candidate’s choices for running mates is that we will now get the same thing when their own partner stands on the same stage next to them. What confliction!

Had Obama been true to his wailing cry of change Tim Kane from Virginia would have been a better choice. More so, he double-crossed his best option by not choosing Hilary Clinton. Apparently this not-black-enough man (as they said at the campaigns start) seemed right out of the ghetto when he walked away from her for his sake, as opposed to taking the sure thing. That was the right choice, but he didn’t have the nads to go down that route.

McCain for all of his huffing about being a Maverick has once again shown it with action, not just bluster. It is a big shake-up, and a sign that change might be possible with McCain instead of just lip service. Remember he was the guy who would rather lose an election rather than giving up his principles. Sounds like Washington hot-air, but occasionally McCain will surprise you. .

Instead we have stealth politics as usual and a mirror image of Dick Clark’s eternal youth and Rip Van Winkle one each ticket. Either way we’ll be stuck with that combination after Election Day no matter who wins. McCain’s shrewd choice gives the Republican’s a small hand up regarding possibilities.

2008-08-15T09:10:00.000-07:00

Balancing the Ticket

With the Presidential election looming this fall, the stakes are high for victory. Not since Rodney King was beaten on national television has a drama been so riveting. A “President Obama” will likely make wholesale changes of how the beurocratic red tape is spun. “President McCain” would be a wild-card, but likely to keep things closer to the status quo more so than the smooth talking Democrat. The two major parties seek a win at all cost. With that in mind, both need to consider balancing the tickets. Their Vice Presidential choices are the way to accomplish the proper equilibrium. Obama needs an experienced stalwart with impressive foreign policy credentials, and McCain requires one appealing to youth, women, blacks and the economy.

Obama will have to reach for some version of a crotchety old man, likely in the form of an elder statesman such as Senator Joe Biden, Chris Dodd, or Sam Nunn. We’ve heard from some mention the large-eared Chicago Senator resembles Opie from The 1960’s Andy Griffith Show. Since President Opie is modeling his public personification motif on John Kennedy who could be a better choice as a running mate for such a cutting silhouette than Andy Griffith? He has age, grey hair and the home spun wisdom that will allow those bitter rural religious gun clinging citizens to vote for such a ticket. They could whistle the Andy Griffith Show theme song all the way to the White House!

McCain for his part needs to find someone that looks like Dan Quayle and makes as little sense as Obama. Oh yeah that is Quayle, but we’ve been down that rocky road before! Perhaps someone a less maligned who has less political baggage like ABC’s Doogie Howser (Neil Patrick Harris) would be a good selection. True Doogie looked like he was 12 when he was a doctor curing all sorts of maladies in the allotted 60 minute TV slot during the late 80’s and early 90’s. Today he still survives on TV, but as the typical sex crazed male Barney Stinson on the CBS sitcom “How I Met Your Mother.” Choosing the baby-faced MD would be a stroke of genius for capturing the youth vote or at least the "geek vote.”

If all else fails another way to balance both tickets comes to mind. Since the talk of having Obama select Senator Chuck Hagel (a Republican) and McCain perhaps choosing Senator Joe Lieberman (a Democrat) is currently the hot topic, it leads to the obvious solution. What each of these guys needs is someone like the other. A McCain-Obama ticket or an Obama-McCain ticket would be quite a balance on everything. It would also reflect the continuing deep divisions that the country feels in so many areas. On top of that we’d only have to suffer through one political convention! We’d get the crotchety old guy with a temper that east prunes and sort of looks like them, and we’d get the youthful fairy tale-like Camelot revisited character too What a balance! What better way to solve all of our problems? Maybe with such a ticket we could achieve Rodney King’s plea, and finally all just get along!

2008-08-05T06:50:00.000-07:00

From Berlin to Paris

The loud cacophony of disenchantment offered by progressive leaners regarding the latest John McCain political ad is laughable. It seems to have struck a nerve. The shot of Obama being hailed in Germany before throngs of adoring fans is reminiscent of a Beatles concert rather than a political speech. It also sends a signal that celebrity carries a less serious weight. That gravitas is necessary for the office of the Presidency. Such spectacles are unbecoming for a head of state. Unfortunately for Obama, he has cultivated a following of zealots.

It is this very image that McCain has decided to hammer home. Obama is a superstar! The Illinois senator himself, swelled head and all, seems to believe it too. He has anointed himself as the savior to a generation. Such self aggrandizement has a tendency to backfire in the long run. Just look at what happened to Jesus Christ! In the short term Obama appears to be a breath of fresh air, but like other great orators of the last 100 years, Clinton, Reagan and Hitler, what lurks behind the mask is likely very different from the persuasive cultivated image of a man.

As far as being perturbed about spotlighting Obama with Brittany Spears and Paris Hilton, you should know that liberals are upset because they readily recognize the antics of these two intellectual lightweights. McCain’s ad paints Obama with the decision making power of Ms. Spears. Remember the limo shots of her sans underwear? Not a bright choice. It also connects his image with the wealthy elitist Hilton who is the Typhoid Mary of the celebrity sect. Any starlet she touches becomes infected with lightning speed career ending disaster. Her touch seems to lead to self destruction.

To psychologically join Obama with these particular celebrities is effective in trivializing his stature via an avenue that his campaign thought to be their great strength, his charm, good looks, and charisma. McCain’s ad likens him to the privileged class and valley-girlish naiveté. For his part Obama’s views, though a bit muddled, are beginning to poke through the façade. The country is learning about him, and what they see they don’t trust. The veil of his past record is slowly being lifted and unfortunately for him, the electorate is still much more mainstream than socialist.

Senator McCain has a record of working against his own party at times. Obama is a staunch Democrat. The population is seeking someone to stand–up for them even if it means giving the finger to their own political party. Both candidates have a history. McCain is a wild-card maverick, and Obama, a card carrying socialist of the highest order. Those are the facts no matter how many ways each side tries to deny them.

Since his Magical Mystery Tour in the Middle East, Obama’s poll numbers have tumbled by 10 points, and McCain’s stock has risen. Some think McCain’s campaign has been lackluster. In reality, he has been a victim of celebrity too. He is not a pop-idol. The American culture, especially in Hollywood, holds few in less value than the elderly. McCain looks like your grandfather! He’s too old to be a cultural icon, so many avoid paying attention to him.

Defining the opposition is very important and Obama has not bee able to stop McCain and his Merriam Webster-like stealth force. When they are standing side by side debating on the same stage it would stand to reason that Obama would look like the epitome of vigor and McCain the pride of the geriatric. The evidence suggests though that the majority prefers its Presidents to be gruff older types rather than timid genteel pop stars.

American’s do love their celebrities. The one thing that they love more than creating a star is destroying one. Obama’s orbit is on an ominous trajectory unless he can find a way to correct it before he becomes the Paris Hilton of the political set. There he might be relegated to the likes of John Kerry, and Michael Dukakis. In politics days are a lifetime, so he has plenty of time to extricate himself. However, that will call him to a position of humble humility rather than elite star entitlement. Otherwise he might become career challenged amidst the likes of Brittany and Paris.

2008-07-22T10:04:00.000-07:00

Tiny Bubbles

Historically there have been bubbles. Not simply the Lawrence Welk kind of bubbles, but economic ones have ebbed and flowed throughout American history. The most renowned is the one that preceded the stock market crash of 1929. It caused a certain number of former wealthy people to perform swan dives from open windows. People love the illusion of wealth, status and aggrandizement, but have a problem when delusion is exposed.

In the 1970’s shortfalls in energy created inflated prices that were not only unrealistic but were manipulated by U.S. enemies. The 1980’s me-generation spent like there was no tomorrow on creature comforts, and redefined life in cultural America by standards dictated on Madison Avenue. The 1990’s Generation Xer’s brought us some significant bubbles in the technology sector; specifically the dot-com business. Much of the internet boom was performed with smoke and mirrors as entrepreneur’s extracted money from investors for companies that amounted to little more than a slick website, and stealth, Ferrari driving CEO’s

The 21^st century’s first bubble was the housing boom that began more than a decade earlier. Homes increased in value by hundreds of percentage points. When a modest 10% gain in value over a five year period would have thrilled our parents, the baby boomers came to rely upon unrealistic increases in home values. 300-400% increases over a short decade became the standard and owners viewed it as normal instead of an aberration. Folks began to gobble up homes to flip them for profit. A speculator could put in a little bit of work and that $300,000 home could be sold for $500,000 in a couple of months. Some markets were so hot that owners could list a sale and have a bidding war among numerous buyers. Sellers sometimes ended up with tens of thousands of dollars more than the original asking price. The improbable and unsustainable conditions guaranteed a sale in a matter of days rather than months as had been the traditional model for the housing market in America.

Surprise is a mild understatement to the wake up call many received over the past two years. A more appropriate way to describe it is foreclosure. The real estate market fortunes led to the banking bubble where credit principles were discarded in favor of the gluttonous consumer appetite. Everyone was making money and life was grand for banking and finance. Astute business men offered consumers the opportunity to borrow more than their actual homes (collateral) were worth; far from sound financial practice for both the borrower and the financial institution. Most are going to skate away having the period written off as “glee run-a-mok” instead of prosecutions for the casting off of personal responsibility and shaded deceptions that actually took place.

The latest bubble exists in the energy markets and at this writing the is bursting. Given the weak dollar some of it is understandable, but petroleum is overpriced by about 45%. Instead of $145 per barrel, oil should be about $80. The rest is market manipulation, speculation, hysteria and greed. Then again those are the usual traits that supply the extra hot air to inflate any bubble.

What the next bubble will be no one knows. We can only hope that people wake up. Realize that most things that seem too good to be true usually reveal themselves in time. We could use some level headed thinking instead of the usual emotional frenzy that accompanies these economic anomalies. That however, is as likely as a Lawrence Welk concert without tiny bubbles.

2008-07-03T06:58:00.001-07:00

The Next Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

In the golden era of cartoons, a familiar story-line dressed a wolf in sheep’s clothing to fool those the animal was about to devour. That story line could have been taken directly from the political history of American Presidential candidates, and their success upon achieving the office. Few have been as important as Washington, as brave as Lincoln, or as determined as Roosevelt. Nevertheless, even these men spoke one game, and delivered another. Often the lupine behavior of those seeking office only appears after the country grants them the keys to the kingdom.

When President Bush leaves office it will not matter who becomes the next President. Both John McCain and Barack O’Bama will appear remarkably like George W. Bush. THEY ARE ALL THE SAME GUY!!! Once in office, the lofty personality highlighted by smiles and platitudes will fall away, and the grim face of governance will take hold. It doesn’t matter which party puts up the agent of change. Never failing, the hype is always bigger than the payoff. How much disillusionment must one nation suffer before realizing that the problem is as much in the electorate as it is in their elected officials? Not only is the government corrupt, but so are the governed!

Parts of the country are beginning to make some rumblings like kids commenting on those wolfish cartoons. We know the wolves howl at the moon, and we know what’s going to happen if we elect them. Someone to do the leading that is untainted is required because we are as much sheep as the wolf who disguises himself to live among us.

There is no room for the whimpering and whining of the thin skinned post baby-boom and me generations. The work that must be done to alter the course of this country’s destiny will not be handled by the likes of Baby-face Obama or Grandpa McCain. If it is to them that we are looking for the change, it will never come. Both men have blind supporters seeing truth in their own rose colored glasses. They spur on the misguided and flawed candidates. McCain was the only senator to escape a sting in the Keating 5 scandal. Yet the question remains, what was he doing there in the first place? O’Bama, the alleged agent of a new tenor in D.C., has actually run the other way from working with members not of his own party.

Might I remind you that the last person, who said Washington was broken, before these two gurus arrived on the scene, was George W. Bush. We have seen where such political posturing took us. These two very typical politicians, that the country has decided to delude themselves about, will offer more of the same. The more change that they espouse, the more they pander to the electorate, and stray from their own true agendas and values. We won’t really see those until they turn them into action after being elected. Good night America!

Wake up! We have met the enemy and he is us; dressed in a fine suit, well groomed, able to seduce people with oratory, and carrying a reassuring wisdom for our senses. The path we ride is the one we’ve been on since 1965, and its trajectory is angled down toward the gates of hell. Both of these candidates want to be “Choo Choo Charlie” on the “Damnation Express.” Unless the people change their values, the train will forever be driven by wolves in sheepskin.

2008-06-26T07:57:00.000-07:00

Pulling The Trigger

It is now okay once again for American’s to own guns. Not since the Wild West has Clint Eastwood been safe as a private citizen in carrying a weapon. The Supreme Court affirmed individual’s rights to own guns in its first case dealing with the second amendment, practically since the Constitution was written. As a matter of law it is a good ruling. The Constitution guarantees citizens the right to defend themselves against a tyrannical government. In order to do that it might very well mean fighting the government’s “well- regulated militia.” That is the supremacy of the law, its basis, and frankly the purpose of the entire Constitution. If citizens are threatened by their government, they have the right to overthrow it, by force if necessary, to restore tranquility and justice. In small town America, citizens have been bestowed the right to defend themselves and families with modern weaponry.

In practicality, criminals will get guns too. Then already do and have long threatened the fabric of law-biding American citizen rights. People have the right to walk to the bus station, local grocery store, neighborhood tavern, and local park without being molested by criminals. Unfortunately, some ne’er-do-wells endanger that peace with violent acts, including assaults and homicide. The location of the court case, Washington D.C., offers direct approval to the town’s people to carry guns for defense. The right has now been affirmed to everyone. The playing field just become a little bit more even. Let the criminals of the country, and tyrants of government beware. The people are armed, and like the Supreme Court, ready to pull the trigger should you continue to interfere with life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Freedom after all needs some guarantees. The court affirmed that “magnum force” will do the trick, and it is a constitutional right of each citizen to do so.

2008-06-10T09:02:00.000-07:00

Barackracy!

What would the world look and feel like in the wake of a Barack Obama presidency? Will an African version of Camelot settle upon America? Will fairies flitter about as babbling brooks elicit calm reflection as man holds out his hand to his fellow man? It could, but in the post Bush-Clinton era, it is not likely. For all of the rhetoric imploring what the country needs, beneath the silver tongue lays the soul of a radical politician. Obama is so far left that he passed socialism long ago. His ties to radicals at home and around the globe are finally seeing some illuminating light.

With every effort to bring his vision to the country, the federal government would dig its hands deeper and deeper into your pocket and mine. Taxes would skyrocket. Those investments you are contributing to in hopes of having ample retirement for your golden years will be pilfered as the government takes more of it every day. Your twilight years will be darker, and your golden years; reduced to tin.

"McCainenomics" would not improve our lot either. There is plenty of evidence that he also talks a good game, but often delivers division. Look at his actions within his own party. He forges arrogantly ahead with his own course, despite what the American people desire.

Both promise to clean up Washington, its lobbyists, and the corruption of money. However, both will do more to add layers upon layers to the bureaucracy rather than reducing it. The last “small government” guy was President Reagan, and he was soundly criticized.

After years of yutzes occupying the Oval office American’s have had enough, but the trend is likely to continue despite the chorus of “change” that you keep hearing. That political song is designed to appeal to your emotions not your logic.

Unfortunately, the gridlock of the past is likely to be the hallmark of either a McCain Presidency or one featuring Obama. American’s are worn out from the chicanery, pomp, and slick glossy presentations. When we finally get to see what’s really behind the curtain, we will have been screwed for a few more decades. Whether it is Supreme Court nominees, health-care, energy policy, or taxes, the people pay the piper. The population grows poorer in the process all of the time. The only other thing that grows is the layers of mismanagement.

I hereby declare that "McCainenomics" or the large looming "Barackracy" will be the terms that will be used to expose the misappropriation of power of the next President, and to mock our own stupidity for nominating such weak electoral choices.

2008-05-29T11:11:00.000-07:00

The Green Movement,

Draining Your Wallet of It!

Most people, especially those at the youngest end of the voting spectrum, have no clue what constitutes a recession. The economic darkness and doom that the Presidential campaigns say that we are operating in is still laughable, but their scare tactics have affected many. Manipulative liberal spin-masters Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama divvy up the undiscerning sheep and feed them such mistruths to feather their own political caps. The media eggs it on. Ever eager to portray America in a negative light, politicians and the Fourth Estate highlight a list of the country’s alleged ills and typically blame it on the present administration. There is no criticism for Congress which in fact bears a much greater guilt for the economic slow-down. The economy becomes sluggish every election cycle too, as people brace for possible change. This election will surely bring alterations one way or another.

The thrust of the current economic fear mongering from the left, regarding our current ills, comes from high energy prices. The responsibility for it belongs, at least in part, with the Democrat championed environmental movement. The ecological hoops that energy companies must hurdle are costly. The green movement and its substantive expenses are passed on to you and me. We see it at the pump, or when turning the thermostat in either direction. Soon you won’t be able to turn on a light bulb in your house without paying the extra five bucks to become “energy efficient.” That may be a good idea, but it must be coupled with removing the shackles off of those sectors of society charged with bringing us energy, cost efficiently. Unfortunately, the removal of restrictions is not likely when one views the potential Presidential candidates. Given the political disadvantage that the Republicans hold this election, it is likely that more regulation will be forced down the throats of Americans, who will also be charged the exorbitant bill.

If you thought $4 per gallon of gas was tough to take, wait until the industry becomes even more regulated. $5 - $10 per gallon at the pump could be in sight if tree-huggers continue to put conservation ahead of national security in their granola at all cost point of view. Certainly America can breathe clean air and drink clean water because of environmentalists. Soon however, we won’t be able to get either because the price of energy to bring them too us will become prohibitive, or our economy will implode. It is after all driven by the very energy that environmentalists continue to stifle. The cycle is on a path to collapse. If you hamstring your economy then you add to the downward spiral.

Just to make it clear the U.S. economy is not in recession and hasn’t been for quite a long time. The current energy price bubble like the stock market, housing and internet bubbles will eventually burst. The distinct definition for recession has not been met. As a matter of fact the economy grew in the first quarter of 2008. The word “grew” should give skeptics a clue. The economy is weak, but still moving positively despite what the media feeds the public. The young in this society became so use to 5% growth and 20% annual housing appreciation that they don't yet realize that we were living in an anomalous times part of a real estate bubble most of their young-adult lives. 2% growth is not what we're use to lately, but it is merely a slower ride, not a car in reverse!

Once again election time is near and a change is in the air as it always is as the American pulse is taken in the only poll that ever really matters, an election. I suspect that the miracle comeback will occur in the economy next spring (especially if a Democrat wins the Presidency). Either way we are likely to pay more for everything, as we always do. The only question is which party do you want inside of your pocket forcing you to pay more? At lease with less smog we’ll be able to see clearly who is screwing the electorate. Betcha it’ll be environmentalists masquerading as politicians!

2008-05-09T13:08:00.000-07:00

Heidi, and the Heave-Ho

While inevitability might seem assured, there is one thing human beings are known for; fallibility. We don’t see into the future very well. In January 2007 Rudy Giuliani was the front runner in Republican circles deemed unbeatable. By June 2007 John McCain was left all but for dead in his Presidential aspirations. Senator Clinton was another “shoe-in” regarding the latest round of Presidential politics. If you listened to the hype, spin, and self serving media agendas, none of their names would be on our lips today. McCain would not be the republican Nominee. Giuliani wouldn’t look like such a bust, and Mrs. Clinton would have walked away with the Democrat nomination. Had her party been as wise as the founding fathers they would have used a winner take all strategy in primaries.

The Democrats have it exactly backward. Proportional distribution of votes would be proper if it the republic ever held a national election. The primaries and the General Election are comprised of 50 individual state races not a national one. The whole purpose of the Electoral College is to avoid the Democrat primary catastrophe which the media celebrates today.

And now to top off the pundantry/soothsayer’s inaccurate record, they are harping on the inability for Mrs. Clinton to win because the math doesn’t add up. They have already decided it’s over, she’s lost and they want to give her the “heave-ho, out the door. In normal mathematics classes and contests, the winner must meet the specified goal before being declared the winner. In this case the specified majority number of delegates has not been garnered by either democratic candidate. For that matter the Democrats can’t even agree on total numbers of delegates to capture. Instead they’ve chosen to disenfranchise voters in two large states Florida and Michigan. No delegates for you! The total delegate count is in doubt as Mrs. Clinton is likely to make the case late this month if those two state’s delegations are not seated at the democrat national convention. Regardless of that, even taking the DNC and media bandied number of 2025 delegates needed to win, someone ought to tell the prophesiers that the magic number hasn’t been reached yet by either candidate.

Sports fans would do well to remind the Democrats of The New York Jets - Heidi game of the 1970’s. With barely time left, the network switched off a game which the Jets were too far behind to rally from. The viewers got to watch the children’s flick Heidi instead. Unfortunately fans missed one of the most exciting comeback in sports history.

The Democrat establishment is trying to switch the channel to the Wonderful World of Heidi instead of letting us watch the rest of the game. With such an illustrious record as they have demonstrated in prognostication over the last 15 months, I think political sportsman would like to wait until the gun sounds before flipping the channel. When one candidate reaches the majority of delegates required and it is certifies then the race will be over. That is the point of a political convention by the way. Rushing it now is another backward trend in Democrat. The wishful thinking crowd might better serve us in another industry Perhaps they could administer lotteries, and we could get our prize money before the numbers are drawn.

2008-05-05T11:11:00.000-07:00

Wheels on the Bus

“Wheels on the Bus go round and round” so the kindergarten children’s tune goes. A pleasant little ditty it is, until one finds themselves part of a political campaign in

America

. Those big wheels have been pounding over folks this election season. “Wheels on the bus go thump, thump, thump.” Ask Reverend Jeremiah Wright of Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ. Wright is the latest political hit-and-run victim whom the Barrack Obama campaign tossed under the spinning wheels when the campaign association heat got too blistering. The list of victims is long, varied and includes such notables as Geraldine Ferraro, Rev Louis Farrakhan and even President Bill Clinton who was cast aside by Al Gore in 2000 because of Clinton’s Oval office Shenanigans. Such actions bemoan long engrained behavior traits. Robert Fulghum may be right as his book title suggests that “Everything I really need to know I learned in Kindergarten.”

The practice of casting off close confidants to distance oneself from unsavory press coverage is nothing new. It looks even worse when the smear is directed against the candidate themselves. The practice is part of our corrupted culture and bankrupted moral values. Even the guy in the 2008 presidential primary that talks so well is tainted by the knee-jerk desire to have power even if it means sacrificing moral authority. Experience suggests that it is this sort of cat and mouse game that the devious will resort to when they cannot win the race based upon issues. Robert Fulghum may be right as his book title suggests that “Everything I really need to know I learned in Kindergarten.

Since the world was riled up by Farrakhan, Feraro and Wright perhaps our little town can learn the lesson and reject such transparent shams the next time someone attempts one in a council race.

In the year when campaigns seek to rally around “candidate positions” but fall way short, it has to be asked; can local government hope to fair better? The snooty elites around town might realize that what’s good for the masses is good for them also. Then again that is apparently not the lesson anyone learned in Kindergarten.

2008-04-11T07:53:00.000-07:00

To Tell the Truth

In the 1950’s and 60’s the game show “To Tell The Truth” featured three individuals claiming to be someone of a certain amount of renowned. A panel would interview them simultaneously, with probing questions to determine who the genuine article was. The “imposters” would give misleading answers and downright lies. At the end of the inquisition the questioning panelists would hazard a guess as to the real celebrity. It was entertaining and at times enlightening. We could use some of that truth now in our politics. “Will the real Leader of the Free World please stand up?”

The current election cycle points up the need for a reality check. Here we are with three potential Presidents, each telling us who they will really be in office. Much like the game show, it is the “imposters” job to lie to us, and throw us off the track. Unfortunately, it seems like all we have are pretenders, and not the real thing grounded in principles.

John McCain is an old guy living on his hero status from 40 years ago. He hides his Napoleonic temperament and smiles during tough questions, though you can almost see the seething behind his wrinkled eyes.

Mrs. Clinton is the contestant who comes off logically, but answers similar questions with opposite answers at every turn. She is throwing out so many deceptions that it is impossible to determine if she has a set of core beliefs. Not to mention she carries historical baggage in the shadow of her husband Bill. These two are perennial imposters on the political version of this game show.

Senator Obama is the calm, good looking everyday man who could sell you that swamp land in Florida and make you feel good about it. Upon digging a little deeper we find that he runs with the worst hate filled associates, and pretends that he isn’t part of their group.

All of them are politicians; each just an imposter! All we have to go on is their past records. McCainian Bonepart calls himself conservative, but will likely be centrist so much as to tick off the political right. Likely when his hunker down time in the White House comes, as it inevitably does to all Presidents, the sneer of his righteous arrogance will shine. Senator Clinton is likely to be most like President Nixon usurping the power structure agencies in Washington to get back at anyone who has stood in her way, or abandoned her campaign for the White House. She feels most entitled to it, having been there before. Senator Obama is likely to be the biggest surprise because he has received a free ride with the media. His Teflon countenance rivals that of Ronald Reagan. Nothing sticks to him. Checking his record however, he is likely to lead us to become a socialist country with liberal Supreme Court Justice Appointments. We’ll be victims of super-taxed redistribution of wealth schemes, and will wind up handing over the country’s sovereignty willingly subordinated to United Nations-think, or some other global hierarchy.

None of these are good for

America

. Perhaps it is that none of them have ever run anything as an Executive. The last time we had a Senator in the Oval Office people were very taken with him, hope pervaded, and innocence abounded. It looked much like the Oprah inspired fawning that has occurred over Senator Obama. If the history of this game show is repetitive he should watch his step. That previous Senator rode into legend on the blast of a rifle.

We are stuck with this group of imposters and the American panel is asking questions. The answers like on the game show are everything from somewhat sincere to downright ridiculously laughable. Once again we the people will bear the brunt of the outcome. It is time that someone stands up to tell the truth. Hopefully

2008-03-28T06:23:00.000-07:00

The 2008 Presidential Election Rainbow

For all of the talk about color in the 2008 Presidential Election, the proper perspective on the race is that of the Jesse Jackson dream of a rainbow coalition. That rainbow is offering quite a spread of shades this Presidential election cycle. Everything from the darkest black to the most lily-white is represented in the surviving crop of candidates.

When looking at the Presidential candidates, one must look past color however; look past the fact that Barack Obama is black, that Hilary Clinton is a woman and that John McCain is a crotchety white version of Napoleon. The true test of any one of these is not in color, but in their governance. Since words in politics are worthless except to those in politics, we prefer to view actions rather than colors or words when choosing a candidate for which to vote. That initially hurts Obama. He is the silver tongued black Teflon candidate of the 2008 presidential race. However, there are records consisting of action that must be considered above the rhetoric and gloss presented to America to date.

In the drive to bring everyone together, it is simple to judge who will win both blue liberal states, and staunchly red conservative states. Obama talks a good game, but again words mean nothing. In a country of red and blue states, Obama is so far to the left that he is purple! Far removed from the mainstream of America, Obama makes Hilary Clinton appear more conservative.

Senator Obama has the most liberal voting record, actions, and opinions than any one else in the United States Senate. His oratory on the campaign trail is contradictory to his track record of action. He speaks in tones conciliatory and inclusive, but his agenda and record are stealthily uncompromising. When given repeated opportunities to vote with a more centrist point of view he declines to even participate. Given all of the flowery rhetoric he espouses, you might think there was some meat to stand behind it. Not so.

Mrs. Clinton who has spent much of her life as a flaming liberal of the left, and values progressive socialism is, despite her past, a bit farther to the right than Obama. She remains far left of mainstream in America, however. She has done little aside from wittingly moving to New York, a bastion of liberal support, in order to parlay her position as First Lady into a bid for the Presidency. Shrewd is the shrew! Nevertheless the major insight into her governance is her failed health care policy of the early 1990’s. She will demand that everyone be covered by a government plan. Under her resurrected plan, the government will not only force you to join, but they will steal you money via the tax system to make you pay for it. It sounds almost communistic, let alone a social program. It is the same, Social Security, payroll tax, income tax, triple-play mentality that exemplifies her leanings when it comes to action.

Finally, John McCain is as close to the middle as we might get this election year. Here is a guy who has many conservative beliefs, but has proven with his actions that he is willing to work with Democrats. He has pissed-off his own party for his radical stances on major issues like immigration, free speech, and taxes. If we go strictly on action, McCain is the most like what American’s say that they are seeking. McCain is someone who is committed to his beliefs, but retro enough to remember that compromise is part of how government that works, operates. That is why he is viewed as a conservative centrist. Neither side can fully trust him. Overall Senator McCain is right of center, but on balance not too far right. This year that might be enough to take the White House.

If there is a candidate who embodies traits of both red and blues states in this race, it is Senator McCain. The Democrats certainly personify blue state concerns, and would run the country likely from a far left perspective of action. They are not so much blue as they are a shade of deep indigo. McCain is much more of a maroon, leaning right into the red, but dipping just enough into the blue to make him viable and perhaps the right color for the 2008 presidential race.

2008-03-14T11:07:00.000-07:00

The New Wild Party

For the longest time it seems that the party of the people (the Democrats) has had the high road. They have been given a pass mostly by minority groups. They tout helping their fellow man, and they garner 90% of the black vote for instance in election years. In reality many stalwart Democrats are the very people that continue to enslave minorities by perpetuating the myth of victimization upon them. The latest successful charting of such politics came from the Clinton Administration.

This election cycle has a new added dimension, Barrack Obama. What does that mean? Well not only does it mean this year’s general election will be largely racially charged (c’mon an old wrinkled white dude up against a young handsome black man?), but that the primary season has a head start on the process.

In South Carolina’s Democratic Primary President Clinton injected race into the scene and successfully polarized the state. Its ramifications have been felt nation wide. It started a debate and a flight to Obama among African Americans. Clinton once touted as the first black President for his image toward them has now lost his footing, and standing among them. Candidate Mrs. Clinton is paying the price. Mrs. Clinton has become the Republican of the Democrat primary. She is now being lambasted as racist for any mention of Senator Obama’s record. That discussion will come, but the segregation among voters is fairly wide spread.

Obama has made inroads with whites, but when this close primary contest comes down to Obama leading in delegates, and Clinton leading in the popular vote what is the likely outcome. The bloodletting would likely rival anything that the republican’s have been accused of in political past. Mrs. Clinton and the fight that is possibly going to ensue will be one for the books and might be the only hope McCain has of being elected. Once the democrats bloody themselves by embracing their racism (which is a label hard to stick to a black man) then McCain will be the outsider who can rise above it. The Democrats need to play nice, but history has shown that the Clintons and Obama in some instances will go to the wall for what they want, honor be damned. Look out for this election year to be a wild one!

2008-02-20T12:06:00.000-08:00

Political Ground Hog Day
“Change” Is Coming...... Again!

Bill Murray’s movie Ground Hog Day has him waking up in the same nightmarish morning, relentlessly, until he learns a greater lesson. The Groundhog “Punxsutawney Phil” has predicted six more weeks of winter, and it takes Murray that long to become a clear thinking well balanced judge of what in life is really important.

In a similar way, much political hay has been made of the word “change” in this year’s Presidential nomination primaries. As if the electorate has never heard the word before, they have flocked to it, regardless of the lack of specifics attached, and no matter how many times the same scene has been repeated with them inside of it.

Senator Obama was the first to jump on the message of change, and the rest have followed. Obama is the most charismatic speaker since Bill Clinton, or Ronald Reagan. The change message for changes sake alone however, can prove to be a hollow one.

President John Kennedy’s ascension to the Presidency hailed the wave of change in America at the dawning of the 1960’s. That change which started with so much promise however quickly unraveled into perhaps the worst decade of the entire 20th century.

In the 1960’s the U.S. citizenry lost its moral compass, trust of government officials, and trust of each other. The “try anything generation” was given free reign in the form of radicalism, brotherly love, and the hippie movement. The nation also, became militantly violent. That is not quite the change that Camelot promised at the outset of the decade, but then again change is an imperfect thing even when specifically defined.

When Jimmy Carter’s wide toothed smile donned living room television sets in 1976 promising a change from the Watergate era and offering a distraction from our global economic woes, it might have seemed like a breath of fresh air. Unfortunately the oxygen quantity filled the volume of a thimble. A case can be made that Carter, the world’s most compassionate man, was the worst President in history. Energy prices soared, interest rates hit 20% or more, and people lost faith in the country, and themselves.

Ronald Reagan brought a promise of change too. His tough old world Americanism brought the John Wayne swagger back to America. It lasted for six years, while seeing the children of the “hippie generation” coming into their own. The “me generation”, no longer interested in helping their fellow man, sought to line their own pockets, and advance their own agenda; the competition be damned. By the end of the 1980’s brought George H.W. Bush to power, and a slide back in awareness.

Bill Clinton, another southerner with a fresh face and voice for change, came to town, and overcame a troubled economy with compromise. He embraced Newt Gingritch’s conservative movement as if he had invented it. It was a forced form of cooperation that was really closer to venomous. Clinton neglected to recognize the global threat to America, and act on it in such a way as to offer enhanced security even after being attacked.

Finally George W. Bush offered change from the sleazy politics under the Clinton years. For the sake of defending the country the man has not wavered in his morals or scruples in dealing with common enemies. Like his father he has somewhat of an economic deaf ear, but has sought to give money to people as a solution. The war on terror has cost him dearly too, yet he persists.

The point is that each of these Presidents offered the olive branch of hope and change. It is as if Senator Obama was writing new speeches. For long time political stalwarts, we find ourselves trapped in our own little Ground Hog Day. The same story keeps unfolding, and the same electorate keeps falling for the manipulation.

Each President had a story that started out well, and then collapsed under the weight of our own gluttonous impatience for perfection. Each also gravely disappointed the masses in achieving what they set out to accomplish, except perhaps for Reagan and Clinton.
Now the newest squeaky fresh face on the scene is Senator Obama. He offers the same outstretched hand pitching the same tired rhetoric, and like each Ground Hog day before hand, the American people are responding with a tin ear and a blind eye.

If we as a people cannot discern our own past historical errors then this cycle of being unwittingly controlled into embracing the “change candidate” will never end. We will be stuck like Murray in an American Groundhog Day until we learn that words do not translate into action. Judgment therefore must be decided upon answering the question what are your accomplishments, not gee he makes me feel hopeful. While we continue to repeat this game, we get weaker as time passes. Our enemies however, gain strength, and that is unsafe for America, as much as is change for the sake of itself.

2008-02-08T09:14:00.000-08:00

Abandoned!

One of the most popular refrains from conservatives comes from the fact that many of them were once Democrats. “I didn’t leave the Democrat Party, it left me”, is an often overheard motto that Republicans cite regarding their transition from one party to another. It is most likely true. Given the fact that President Kennedy was a strong defense Democrat, an argument can be made that he would today be a fiscal conservative. Given the times in which he lived he would likely be considered a liberal on some social issues, but might be considered a socially conservative on some as well. There is truth that as the 1960’s preceded the banners that Democrats once carried and the electorate with them was abandoned.

Over the next fifteen years those displaced Democrats, true conservatives, gravitated toward the Republican Party. By the time Ronald Reagan came on the Presidential scene in 1976 the formerly displaced, found a home. When Reagan became President many the folks who still considered themselves Democrats sided with the Gripper. They too joined in the Reagan Revolution.

The original Kennedy Democrats and Reagan conservatives flourished; reaching a zenith when Newt Gingrich stormed Congress with “the Contract with America.” There in print for all American’s to see were conservative Republican’s own principals in a blueprint declaration as to how the country should be governed, and what accomplishments were left to be achieved.

Unfortunately, for that traveling band of conservatives, it was the last time that their core values were in the limelight, enjoined by action. Over the next fourteen years the conservatives were cajoled into service by the notion that supporting another Bush in the White House would assure maintenance and strength of those core values. However, President George Bush governed much more from the political middle than from the political right, where most of these purists reside. They have been disillusioned over the past four years by some Bush policies. Immigration amounting to amnesty,, abandonment of Social Security reform and privatization, along with exponential governmental growth, fiscal irresponsibility, and an attempt to place Harriet Meyers on the Supreme Court, have illuminated the “Bush conservative credentials” fraud.

The conservatives do like Bush’s strong stand on defense, though most probably have trepidation about a preemptive strike foreign policy. The 30 percent of support that remains for the President is from those strict hawkish conservative Republicans that believe in a strong national defense.

2008 brings John McCain to the front of the political race to succeed President Bush. This may be the last straw for those out of sorts conservatives. The talk shows scream it, the media takes advantage of it, and the Kennedy conservatives turned Reagan Republicans are now left with no place to go!

McCain has an even worse record than Bush on abundantly more issues that threaten to push executive governance to the center, or even left of center. True conservatives cannot abide that occurrence. The nomination of John McCain will likely move these conservatives to some other coalition if he does not act in the manner that they see fitting. Someone needs to tell Senator McCain that even “strait talk is cheap.” It is his legislative actions that have him in trouble with his own party. That is not likely to change unless a President McCain governs from the right, not the middle.

McCain is not likely to beat Barack Obama in his Presidential bid. The first black man with an actual chance to win the Presidency is a fresh face with a silver tongue that can seduce many. He is a unique flirtation with Americas own ideals, however that reality is marred by politics, which is in the way!

Standing side by side on a debate platform will look worse than the Kennedy-Nixon debate. A fresh vibrant Obama standing aside an old grumpy wrinkled McCain gives a clear visual to the electorate. March forward with youthful abandon, or creep along with aging obsolescence. Giving rise to hope, Obama could become the next John Kennedy. That would happen if his record did not reflect his absolute liberalism at every corner. He might win those homeless conservatives based on hope were it not for his polar opposite views on so many things. Too bad the Illinois Senator isn’t a centrist, because then he would win election in a landslide.

McCain however, could beat Senator Clinton. She is a polarizing force; much stronger than the distaste for McCain in the mouths of conservatives. Mrs. Clinton’s nomination as the Democrats choice for President is the only thing that could make enough conservatives stay and vote for McCain. Reduced to voting as the anti-Hilary bloc the conservatives will not be a true constituency for McCain. Barring that outcome the conservatives will once again find themselves abandoned by their own party. This time it is the Republicans that have erred. Perhaps after an eight year stint of liberal policies, higher taxes, bloated social program expansion and international respect at the sacrifice of American sovereignty, the Republicans will learn their lesson. Likely then, it will be long too late. The conservatives will likely have forged a new home outside of the Republican party, or have rebuilt it with what really works to win Presidential elections; true conservatism.

2008-01-27T07:25:00.000-08:00

21st Century Sheep Herders

One only needs to look at the 2008 Presidential primary race to find the over reaching influence of the U.S. media, and the sheep-like spine of the American electorate. Take for instance the Democrat primaries to date. Despite Senator Clinton’s delegate lead (the actual method for nominating a candidate) the press keeps wielding notions to lead the public to specific conclusions.

Once again the comparison of Barack Obama to President Kennedy arises. It might make a nice sounding story. The attempt is to make everyone feel optimistic, but the truth of the matter was that John Kennedy was very much conservative on issues (especially defense). Senator Obama is much more of a flaming liberal. The electorate is not doing its job by exposing the facts. Check each man’s record, and you get a sense of how each candidate would govern from the Oval Office.

Senator Obama’s primary victory in South Carolina was predictable and Senator Clinton’s team, while bringing race into the campaign, was able to marginalize Obama. You wouldn’t know that from the press reports. The media suggests a revival for the Oprah supported Obama. All of a sudden the press has turned from super cynical to idealistic? What a transparent sham!

Obama won roughly 80% of the African-American vote in the South Carolina primary. Additionally, he won about 25% of the white vote, but if you believe the press you’d still think Obama won a great victory across racial lines. Unfortunately if you do the arithmetic such results applied nationally would leave senator Obama about 10% short of the Democrat nomination.

If 100 million people vote in the general election and Senator Clinton receives 20% of the African American vote she would garner about 4 Million Votes. However, if the nation votes along racial lines using the South Carolina template she will attract 75% of the white vote, 60 million people. Generally speaking, Senator Obama would likely lose the nomination 60% to 40%. That is a 20 point defeat. In politics that is quite a drubbing. Listen to the media though and you’d think that South Carolina results have helped Obama turn some mythical corner. Not so!

The same ridiculous notion is being allowed to play out in the Republican primaries. Senator McCain has won a couple of primaries and trails Governor Romney in delegates substantially. Romney has been consistently near the top in all of the primaries and has won a couple too. However, the media darling status for McCain is driven by political agendas. His positions are closer to the media left stances. He also would likely have a difficult time motivating the core base of Republicans to vote for him. This has been born out by the fact that he has not won a plurality of conservatives in any race to date. He relies on independents. Similarly, the same manipulation could be said for the media attempt to put Mayor Giuliani in the worst possible light. The attacks on the Mayor because of his wait until Florida strategy has been relentless. The likely reason is that they would fear a Clinton vs. Giuliani General Election race the most. However if Giuliani were to win the Florida primary the same “hop on the bandwagon” electorate mentality would drive him to the nomination. That bandwagon by the way is driven by the media elites through slanted news reports and analysis

The reason for the media slants is an attempt to lead the American electorate horse to the media waterhole, to make them drink. Unfortunately for the country, we are a nation of sheep; not bucking-broncos anymore. We just may drink the nonsense that the media is dishing out.

The electorate is making decisions about their candidates based on media hype, misconceptions, and downright manipulation. Instead of being true political consumers, we are political sheep being led by well dressed New York based sheep-herders. To decide on a candidate a true citizen must go beyond the surface dribble that they are fed by the media and actually research candidate positions in detail. Then taking a hard look at the records of what candidates have accomplished in office, a assessment process should begin. Once armed with the true facts people can mull over their appraisal. Making an informed decision this election would be a nice change.

2008-01-07T08:23:00.000-08:00

Talk is Cheap

Hot air is swirling from primary election analysis. It is coming from the media, and the volume of it is only rivaled by that which you find in the U.S. Congress. There is a whole lot of talk going on and it means very little. It is a good thing to have debates and a national dialogue. There is so much emphasis upon what the candidates have said however, and little upon what they have actually done. It is mindless chatter that the media uses to lure in listeners. Candidates do the same to lure in voters. The electorate has yet to tire of the game because they fall for it every November.

Example #1. It’s safe to say that the Barack Obama voter like what Senator Obama says, but the average American in his corner cannot name three legislative programs, or policies for which he stands. They like his rhetoric, and message of hope. That’s wonderful, but hope is an intangible quality, and without substance. Saying that he’ll engage in dialogue with U.S. enemies is closer to a policy, but still reeks of being just a platitude, without specific detailed actions to back it up.

Mrs. Clinton, the nominee heir apparent before the voting began is probably the biggest loser of the “Barack phenomenon”. However for the two years prior to the Iowa caucuses, she basked in the benefit of the “all talk and no scrutiny" atmosphere.

John Edwards has perhaps the largest credibility gap of any candidate. His message of being for the little guy, and divisively pointing out that there is a rich and poor America is reasonable. Many people would like to end such disparity. Unfortunately, his rhetoric is simply talk. He is one of the richest guys in the campaign, but you wouldn’t know it if all you did was listen to him speak. Check his record as a trial lawyer, and you might find disparity between his “talk”, and his “walk”.

Fred Thompson suffers from an “anticipation” plague. In late summer 2007 when he was contemplating joining the Presidential sweepstakes, Thompson enjoyed his most favorable status because all he had to do was talk, and barely did he do that. Many thought the actor would be a natural communicator. He may be a good actor, but without energy and the proper script, he faltered quickly. The electorate, which values hearing words more than viewing accomplishments, won’t dig deep to find his true conservative credential.

John McCain fairs better because he has been controversial enough within his own party for many people to take notice. However, his words don’t always match his deeds when one takes a look at the record. Then again the electorate won’t search the records, so McCain is still a contender.

Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani are actual executives with extensive track records that would seem to be the likeliest of the contenders in either party because they actually have been the guy running the show in their respective states and cities. However the focus by the public has not been upon how these men actually governed, it has been about their vision for the future.

Each of them point to their record, and invite the electorate to check out what they have done in their respective cases. The electorate is ignoring those pleas. If they weren’t then Governor Huckabee's tax increases, and coddling of illegal aliens, prisoners and murderers would never come close to flying in the Republican party of Ronald Reagan.

Mitt Romney has not been hurt by his position changes. He’ll explain it with words, but his deeds in Massachusetts are there for everyone to see. They would likely turn-off conservatives if actions were more important than words.

Giuliani has had the same coronation status as Mrs. Clinton enjoyed for much of 2007. He only had to give lip service to be in that position. He is best remembered for his decisive action in the aftermath of September 11 2001. Yet, if you check his actual record from the time he served before that, his city improved immensely. He was controversial and somewhat unpopular at the time because he’s an “I’m gonna do it my way” kind of a guy.

The point is that Americans go for the “cheap” and “easy” every time. We have grown fat and lazy. We believe everything we hear. We elect the most powerful person on the face of the earth on little more than rhetoric, and it is about to happen again.

Americans need to study their history. Remember Jimmy Carter was a big smile and a bunch of hope when he first ran for President. He was the first Democrat to win election after Watergate. The electorate didn’t scrutinize his Georgia record well enough in advance. As a result his actions in office put the country in worse shape than Watergate. His words weren’t even close to his governing record.

Both President Bush’s and President Clinton were big on talk too. Clinton, like Reagan was very good at getting people to believe him. Enough were fooled by their charisma to get them elected. The surprise came after Clinton and Reagan’s elections because the electorate voted with its ears not with its eyes. Seeing is believing; except in American Presidential politics

Senator Obama is the next great American hope. The vibe surrounding him has not been seen since President John Kennedy ran for office. More than the similar meteoric rise, the two share another commonality. Both seduced the nation’s people with their oratory. Unfortunately what you hear is not what you get.

The greatest orator of the 20th century was Adolph Hitler. Seducing a nation with your tongue is almost always a double edged sword. America needs to learn to duck during Presidential campaigns and ask for candidate records, not words. Talk is cheap. Actions speak the loudest.

2007-12-21T07:48:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays

Let’s take a good look at the state of Christmas in America. At the time the law was passed that established Christmas as a Federal holiday in the 1800’s the U.S. wore their Christianity on their sleeve much more openly. At that time the average citizen feared God much more than their government. Today the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has surpassed God through an agenda of fear. Rightfully so, given they represent rule by the few over the many (also known as communism). Today the word Christmas is being cast in a light of radicalism by the purveyors of secular extremism backed by such anti-Christian organizations.

Extremely progressive organizations will cite the first Article of the U.S. Constitution, selectively. The text says “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion” and here is the part the radicals forget “or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Organizations like the ACLU would have you believe that exercising religion in public or on public governmental ground is an establishment of one religion over another.

Since 85% of this country identifies themselves as Christian it stands to reason that the vast majority of displays on public grounds will reflect that point of view. Take note that there is no restriction on other religions displaying the trappings of their religious occasions on the same site. Instead of suing for the right to also be included in displays, the A.C.L.U sues to remove existing expressions of religious beliefs. That is what is patently unconstitutional!

Culturally, the phrase "Merry Christmas" is even being cast aside in favor of the phrase "Happy Holidays." Examining this we find that the Thanksgiving holiday at the end of November begins the Christmas season. There is no other sanctioned holiday between Thanksgiving and Christmas; not Jewish, African, Buddhist or Hindu. Therefore the phrase "Happy Holidays" does not properly apply in the context of the season. "Merry Christmas" is the only expression that can do the holiday justice. If there was no Christ or Christian church there would be no Christmas or Christmas holiday. There would be no Federal holiday; day off from work, or solemn occasion of religious reflection by those who wish to do so, unmolested by the nonbeliever.

The second sanctioned holiday is New Years day and is quite secular. Saying Happy Holidays would be appropriate between the two dates not before and not much long after either.

It is the right of every citizen as spelled out in the constitution that no law can prevent your right to practice, and express your religion anywhere, or at any time. This includes public spaces, or in your home on Christmas. Should you decide to shout Merry Christmas from the roof of your house to everyone that passes, no harassment should come to you (as long as you don’t disturb the sound ordinances of your town). Doing the same in the town square is your right, and not to be denied by those of different faiths. The constitution guarentees what "the creator" has endowed to all mankind.

2007-12-12T06:46:00.000-08:00

Pumpernickel Politics

Political candidates are like bread. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and styles. Deciding on which one to consume is not a reflection of anything more than our personal taste. However, that taste is from our mouth not from our biases.

When prominent civil rights leader Andrew Young recently spoke of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama he offended some people. He said that "Bill is every bit as black as Barack. He's probably gone with more black women than Barack." In letting this offhand joke slip, Young peeled back the onion, and defined the debate of politics in America.

It is true that there is a hard corps of the electorate that would never likely vote for a dark skinned person for President. Such prejudice might even be more prevelant in local politics. The statement by Young proves once again that racism exists in politics, in all quarters. Pointing up race to justify qualifications should raise objections. It was reported upon, but there was a roaring silence, especially in the overly tolerant African-American community.

This election cycle, offers evidence that we are not yet culturally mature enough to achieve America’s promise. Should anyone care about a candidate’s skin color? Shouldn’t we rather be focused exclusively upon what policies candidates would enact, and how they would lead? Skin pigment is irrelevant! The statement by Young smacks of schoolyard antics. The Civil Rights Act passed in the 1960’s, but yet it seems that sometimes the African-American race is its own worst enemy.

African-Americans vote in large numbers for Democrat candidates. There is nothing wrong with that per se. When a whole group of people categorically eliminate half of their electoral choices out of hand (Republicans and Independent candidates, for instance) it begs the question, who is really prejudice”

Oprah Winfrey’s foray into politics has made people take notice. Would those people be as interested if she were Walter Cronkite? He is someone equally as famed and trusted. Cronkite however, is of the old boy network and he is white, to boot. Oprah's popularity comes from her integrity and her race. Most of Oprah’s influence is upon her fans who tend to be color blind. She is bringing large numbers of the public to events for Senator Obama, whom she supports. Whether that translates into support for him or detriment to her popularity remains to be seen. In that context however, race is a factor.

The point is that today in politics anything goes. If you listen to the media, race and gender still have a prominent place at the table. We have not even come close to achieving Martin Luther King’s dream. That is disturbing. We are not only not ignoring race, but we are pointing up and celebrating our different heritages to the detriment of the whole society. We are no longer a true melting pot of Americans.

If we don’t get past it, race will haunt our grandchildren’s lives much like it has corrupted the population for the past two century’s.

When shopping the bread aisle at any local grocery, you will find white bread, rye bread, pumpernickel, and a whole host of others. If we made bread purchases the same way we apply this county’s selective racism, some bread would no longer be on the shelf, from lack of sales.

It is time for American’s to step up beyond their veiled racism, and practice what they espouse. Race has no place in American politics, or American life. The sooner we can see people based on their abilities rather than their skin pigment, the sooner the society will reach the goal of the Civil Rights movment; equality for all withour regard for race. That would justify Dr. King's life long mission.

2007-11-21T10:09:00.000-08:00

Celebrating Denial

Once again the seasonal holidays have arrived all too quickly. Many of us groan at the thought. Here we go again! We run to keep up the pace so as not to be swept asunder mankind’s marching advance.

Each year we’re a little older, and seemingly less prepared. As a nation, we seem less tolerant, and willing to reflect upon what has gotten us here. We recede to our homes, and whisper quiet thanks to our families. We no longer shout from the mountain tops about those things that have made us a beacon for the world

The common sense of “community” is slowly being abandoned in favor of “the self” Profit, seems to be top priority while our very laws are abandoned and perverted. We’ve begun to lose our souls.

The truth is that “actions speak louder than words”. Latter day American history has found us removing the underpinning of the nation’s Christianity. We no longer allow prayer in schools, nor humility toward something greater than ourselves. We forget to place our hand on our hearts during the National Anthem, and we prefer to use our military protectors as political pawns rather than recognize them as true heroes. We certainly have not accorded veterans the proper status in the more than 30 years. One look at any V.A. hospital will tell you all you need to know about our priorities.

Rather than protecting the rights of the minority, the hardening hearts in America are dictating law to the majority. Could revolution be far behind? We have lost our way. The very things that allowed this country to be strong for nearly 200 years are under attack, and systematically being dismantled. The slow water torture, drip, drip, drip we hear is our life blood being drained. What is worse is that we are inflicting the wounds upon ourselves.

Yes, we still celebrate Thanksgiving just like the pilgrims did. We were fairly puritanical and religious in the 1600’s. Today, the folks who made nice with Native American’s during that first feast would scarcely recognize their own country for its holy abandonment.

Christmas is a target. The idea of even calling December holidays “Christmas time” is offensive to some people. An attempt to secularize the nations institutions and traditions has been mobilized, but in doing so its supporters weaken the national foundation. We celebrate our holidays merely as time away from toil, instead of cherishing those days for what they really mean.

We don’t want to be reminded of the true meaning of Thanksgiving or Christmas. That would involve admitting to our own narcissism. Unfortunately, we can’t even identify how offensive we are to our founding constitutional tenants. The constitutional right exists to freely practice religion, not to curtail it. Thusly in rewriting the past we do a great disservice to those who will follow us. So gluttonous are we that we are about to choke on our own freedom. We fashion idols to the contemptible, and revere the truth less and less.

The first step on a road to recovery is to recognize the problem. We are still in denial over these suicidal tendencies. Unless we admit the errors, we are likely to falter and ultimately perish. The ash-heap of history is replete with other empires and paradises that disappeared because mankind wanted the one fruit that would harm it, instead of the many which will nurture. It’s time to redeem ourselves. Step out of the denial, and set a course of action to make us a great nation once again. Then we will truly have something to celebrate.

2007-11-09T08:16:00.000-08:00

None of the Above!

Hollywood writers have gone on strike! Now some of our favorite television shows will be on hiatus. If this goes on too long, we’ll be forced to watch stale reruns endlessly. It’ll be like observing another Presidential election campaign.

We’re a full year away from the next election, and the gloves are off. Democrats are attacking the front runner, and so are the Republicans. Can there be any doubt that the recent hoopla over “the boys’” attack on Mrs. Clinton after the last Democratic debate is anything more than calculated political marketing by the Clinton machine?

For that matter suspicions abound regarding Bernard Kerik’s recent incitement on corruption charges. Is this the 1990’s again? It hints of the Clinton White House “Character Assassination by Association” routine. Mr. Kerik was hired by Rudy Giuliani; Mrs. Clinton’s likely rival in the general election. What better issues to use to try and wound Giuliani in the Republican primary. He’s the only one who has a shot at beating Mrs. Clinton. If they can get Giuliani out of the way now by denying him the Republican nomination, then it’s “First Gent Bill” in the Lincoln bedroom all over again.

It is not that Kerik may be guilty; it is the scent around the the indictment, and its timing. America spent eight years under the Clinton’s seeing their Nixonian method of operations. It is amazing that they are so like Nixon, and yet so revered in comparison by the political left. The country has become even more disenfranchised under the Bush administration. The folks outside of those corrupted by Washington’s lure of power, want some honesty.

Everything that is wrong in this country is brought to light in a Presidential election. The backstabbing, the conniving, the inability to live and let live with those of a different opinion are laid bare. Truthfully though, this country is better than that. It lives with fair morals outside of politics and the way media portrays it. In political and media circles, everyone is racist, sexist, homophobic, and greedy; especially if those messages enhance someone’s political chances of landing in a seat of power.

American’s love their system and culture. They feel ashamed however, to be associated with the way it is being used, and the people who are attracted to it. In the election process, what is being trampled under the bus is the populous. Regardless of which party lands in power, the citizens are the losers.

It is time for the population to inflict its will on the politicians. It is time to list the phrase “none of the above” on our voting ballots. When we elect “no one” to power, then those losers standing with their gaping mouths open will understand that even “no one” is a preferable choice to their tainted values. When “nobody” is better than "anybody", a real dialogue can begin between politicians and the population.

So the next year might be very interesting for politics watchers. For all of the hoopla though, the discourse will be as much of a waste as the hot air congress spews. The vast majority of the electorate won’t be paying attention, or really deciding who they will vote for the next eleven months. Until then, we are left to the spinners, media outlets with particular agendas, and the machine’s that some candidates bring to the table. Basically it is reruns of the last thirty years. We’ve seen this show, turn the channel and let’s see what else is on! We need a petition to get “none of the above” onto ballots in next year’s election.

Since Hollywood writers went on strike, I’m willing to donate my talent and take credit as a scab for that new literature to appear on ballots. Come to think about it, since Hollywood writers are not working, how much could it possibly cost to persuade political candidate writer’s to go on strike in sympathy? About a year’s walk-out is all we need. Without their pupopet masters, the candidates won’t have anything to say (not that they say much of use anyway). That sounds like a breath of fresh air coming from the political scene. Afterward, the population can do its own talking by voting for “none of the above.”

2007-10-29T07:32:00.000-07:00

Pants on Fire

One of the most memorable highlights of childhood memoirs is the sayings. The linguistic gems often bespeak a larger truth that as children we do not fully understand until we are slammed by adulthood.

Perhaps the most visual of them is “liar liar pants on fire.” How easy it would be to distinguish the truth as a gullible youngster if the fibber’s pants were smoking. It is not like our judgment improves with age, however. It’s tough apparently at any age to distinguish the frauds from the morally just. Look and listen. Many of us are still naïve.

Has there ever been a politician in Congress or the Executive branch that has spoken the truth to us in the last forty years? The answer is likely, no.

For a great nation that once bordered on the empirical, our rotting cultural innards are illustrated in the form of political corruption. If the masses are wayward can we expect any less from Washington? It is reminiscent of kingdoms past just before they collapsed under their own weight of immorality. Political operatives being exposed for stowing bribe money in their freezers, nailing impressionable young interns in the Oval Office, and playing footsie under the bathroom stall indicate a representative class out of control. They have taken their cue from the "anything goes" current of a society gone amok. Without straitening out our moral compass, we too may be doomed.

It also points out that the Washington D.C. maternal government teat bestows an “out of touch” nature upon its political residents. Dip into the money well and earmark your millions for the folks at home. Never mind that the tickle you feel on the inner thigh comes from the hand in your pocket as they extract money for their special interests. It is no more for the good of all. It is no longer that the nation comes first.

What’s most laughable is that both the Republican and Democrat parties will utter anything that we want to hear as long as they obtain and maintain their illusion of power. The question becomes who do we want representing us, and what standards do we want portrayed? Today unfortunately, the out of control representation is an accurate reflection of us. Unless we change and rededicate ourselves as a nation to our longstanding principals, what the founding fathers died for will be only a memory.

Both parties who tout moral or intellectual superiority over the masses are neither. Making promises is much like an ongoing joke inside of the beltway. What would you hear as a fly on the wall in a strategy meeting for a Congressman running an election campaign? “Promise them anything, it won’t matter in the long run”, is the likely tenor. What’s more they’d be correct.

Those elected instantaneously become stained and drunk with delusions of grandeur. Those in the masses that can interpret political doublespeak know what is being said is “let ‘em eat cake!” Those we send to Washington should take heed. The person who coined that phrase lost her head in the long run. There is a growing sense of unrest in America today. The masses are seeking their moral compass. Once they find it they will start searching for for their own guillotine.

Until American’s become more discriminating and stand up as leaders ourselves nothing will change. We are the ones who must let Congress know we won’t strand for the nonsense anymore. More than political descent, the people must demand accountability. They must take back their government from the shills that have sullied it. The wisp of a scent on the horizon we smell is revolution against the political elite. The torch the public is carrying is destined to set the privilege class' pants on fire!

2007-10-03T05:51:00.000-07:00

Political Penguins

Has anyone heard any hootin' and hollerin' regarding the sharp decline in violence around Baghdad since the U.S. military surge implementation has been fully deployed? You are not likely too either. First of all there are still deaths on a regular basis, less now but still enough for those who always have a dark cloud over their head to point toward. Homicide is not so much different as a concept than what you will find in any big American city. Good news however, doesn’t serve the media agenda.

The main reason you won’t hear about the 53 percent drop in the civilian Iraqi death rate being shouted from the rooftops or posted in huge headlines is the desire held by many media outlets to influence events rather than to report them. American’s should be hearing loudly about this progress. In retrospect the media has done such a bad job of telling the truth with balance that for the second war in a lifetime, it has aided in placing the outcome in jeopardy. As if that were not enough, these video accomplices willingly have aided the liberals that control of congress.

On the other hand, the electronic and print communications mediums are double edged visual swords. Having already stuck their neck out by saying the troop surge was a failure, liberal Democrats, wavering moderates, a few conservatives, and much of the public at large has reinforced a biased image. This passive majority has created a bandwagon to the detriment of American troops in harms way. Among the big casualties is common sense. Should the Iraqi conflict turn extremely positive for the U.S., liberals and the media are on video and in print regarding their concrete positions. That tape and those articles condemning the U.S. for not “pulling out” could roll for eternity to create a backlash of political damage.

American military deaths were the lowest last month in more than a year. The decline in the rate is a four month trend coinciding with a surge in troop levels. The left wing should be concerned. Aside from the attacks on General Petraeus by political operatives on the Democrat side of the isle, the left has a vested interest in failure in Iraq. That wing of Congress however in its strategy has adopted a take no prisoner’s scorched earth policy. As long as they can attempt to damage conservative Republicans it matters not how much they distort the facts in order to assure their ascendancy back to power of the White House. They expect to control all branches of the government after 2008. The next few months will tell the tale if the Democrats have overextended their defeatist dovish nature, and left themselves open to the charge of weak on defense. That issue might turn the 2008 general election. A terrorist attack in this country before then would surely sink them because they only carry the olive branch and not the big stick required to defend a nation.

Unfortunately for both Democrats and Republicans both the President and penguins are more popular than congressmen of both parties together or singularly. All of the political hot air has disgusted Americans for nearly a generation and the wind of change is blowing. Both parties have demonstrated that their views are more important than the desires of the populace. That is not a good environment, if one studies the empires on the ash heap of history. If that wind of change blows hard enough from the planets coldest regions perhaps we could skate in some of the flightless birds instead of congressmen and senators. Penguins are always seemingly well dressed and they can’t do us more harm than the prevailing political charlatans. Best of all they are likely not to enact any laws. They are sort of like Libertarians. A moratorium on new laws is something we could put a hold on for the next generation without much consequence.

Both political parties should be on notice. The disagreement on the war is to be expected however, the rhetoric that displays a true lack of support for war and troops in the field is something for which American’s could rise up and squash. Until then those currently trusted with power in Washington should take note of the crescendo building toward a new citizenry battle cry; “The penguins are coming, the penguins are coming”. We can only imagine because such relief is as improbable as a penguin party landslide.

2007-09-17T08:41:00.000-07:00

Morally Corrupt and Emotionally Bankrupt

Looking back over decades it is easy to see cultural shifts in our thinking and actions. The sedate post war era led to the suburban 1950’s of quiet comfortable family living. The 1960’s brought upheaval, a cultural revolution, and the 1970’s saw further pains. They were precursors of the movement for the “me generations” of the 1980’s and 1990’s. The whole thing brings to mind an episode of M*A*S*H* in which a drunken Hawkeye and B.J .tie a toe tag on their bunkmate nemesis to indicate he is dead as a practical joke. Written on the tag was the phrase "Morally corrupt and Emotionally bankrupt". Frank Burns stumbles into an ambulance, and is accidentally shipped to the front lines of the war. He doesn't awaken through the whole episode. Our cultural toe tag however, has us awaking, and thinking “how did I get here?”

The latest hullabaloo regarding O.J. Simpson is culturally revealing. It would be comical if it were not for the fact that many people believe that the great American football hero killed his wife and her friend in the early 1990’s.

This time Mr. Simpson was allegedly told that some of his personal memorabilia from his football glory days that was supposedly stolen from him was being sold by unscrupulous dealers in Las Vegas. Sounds plausible enough to be true or it could be a set up. After all in some folks minds who more deserves to be set up than a suspected murderer?

Mr. Simpson, instead of going to the police for assistance took matters into his own hands, it seems. He inspired others to help him, and in a hotel room in Las Vegas stormed in and confronted the dealers. At this point in the public revelation much of this is heresy however, as with many dramatic court cases fought out in the media, the existence of an audio tape will clarify things over the along haul.

The lack of video or audio tape in the death of Mr. Simpson’s ex-wife might be seen in retrospect to be how the perpetrator slid away from justice. In this latest almost bizarre scenario, the tale of the tape should illuminate things sufficiently.

There are many people jumping the gun, as the media is apt to do. What of Mr. Simpson’s rights? Yes he still has them because in a court of law he was never convinced of any criminal wrongdoing. Those that want to deny Mr. Simpson all the courtesy that the law provides American citizens are swayed way too much like many in this country, by their emotions rather than logic.

If there are actionable crimes here, Mr. Simpson should be charged with them, and then convicted. However, if his actions were somehow justifiable then that should be allowed to come to the forefront. To say gotcha on burglary and weapons charges because you think O.J. killed two people is not just, even if it were determined to be accurate. The justice system is not designed as a venue of vengeance; it is designed to give all parties a hearing with impartiality.

This O.J. Simpson case before the court should be judged on the audio tape, eyewitnesses and the events that took place in a hotel room in Nevada. They should not be about how much notoriety a particular District attorney cab garner in the political arena of his state (as we saw in the Duke Lacrosse Rape case with Mike Nifong). It should not be about settling an old score. That does have some precedent in the American court system (as seen in Al Capone’s demise in the 1930’s for tax evasion in place of the real desire to put him away for running a murderous crime organization). This case should not be fraught with emotion. Feelings have no place within the walls of a jury room during a trial. Leave that for the lawyers with a sense for the theatrical.

The judgment of a case should rest upon cold hard law and logic. That however, is not realistic in today’s America. We leak emotion at every corner. Has Brittany Spears endangered her poor little children’s lives? She is breaking our hearts! Why did Princess Diana have to die? Princesses are supposed to live happily ever after! Who won the Emmy awards and who was deemed best dressed for the occasion? Our cultural focus is drenched with emotion. We can’t even speak freely anymore because someone might be too sensitive (that’s emotional), and offended by our words. Yes political correctness is also emotionally driven; not the stuff of logic.
Finding a fair jury for another Simpson trial? Good luck! Mr. Simpson having pulled the biggest slight of hand since Houdini in the 20th century is likely screwed here in the 21st. Then again we may see once more that money can buy justice for those capable of hiring the best legal team.
In any event, polarization was big after the last two Simpson trials (criminal and civil). Do you suppose that white America already has convicted him, and black America is right now thinking “right on O.J. you got your stuff back, and rightfully so.” If so maybe we have not entered a new enlightened century. Maybe it is the 1990’s still and our growth has been stunted by our reliance on emotion. That time period seems to be where the distinct division in this country began to outpace our logic. “Today is really only yesterday and both of them sucked”. That might make a good carving on America’s cultural headstone. Ready the stone mason! Here we go again.

2007-09-07T08:25:00.000-07:00

Beware of What “Everybody Knows”

A sure indication of the downward spiral in American wisdom is the brilliant thought processes displayed on any number of radio and television talk programs. You can hear similar nonsense at numerous cocktail parties around many cities and towns too. While there are often plenty of well reasoned logical theories put forth in many circles, the vast majority of the great unwashed rears its ugly head with emotional leaps, conspiratorial contortions, and conclusions of irrational thought.

How does one tell the lucid from the far out proposals on the nation’s airwaves, on the street, or in front of the office water cooler? One dead giveaway of this mental minority comes in the form of people so dug into their point of view that they must project it upon us all. They preemptively attempt to explain away their position’s weakness with sweeping generalities that they think will fill in all of empty space in their hypothesis. In reality their suppositions are really riddled with more gaps than a fine block of Swiss cheese. They preface the conjecture that they are about to espouse often beginning with the phrase “everybody knows that…” Such a ridiculous premise being laid at the opening of someone’s statement should have sound thinkers either laughing or running the other way. Surrounding oneself with such self-absorbed and closed minded thought processes are not the hallmark of traditional America or a sign of balanced, and cogent thought.

Eventually the unbridled emotion that is corrupting dispassionate and more accurate thought will push things a bit too far; as if we haven’t already gone far enough. The culture supports such hedonism in all of its outlets as evident in the can you top this sweepstakes of stupidity. One need not look any farther than reality television shows to see the confirmation of our own corruption of thought, debauchery and self esteem. We as people will pay the price for abusing privileges bestowed upon a free nation; more so that we already do. We are eerily on a similar track as the Roman Empire. In its finale throes the Romans also experienced an almost anything goes cultural upheaval as it slid into a comparably long slow steady decline before its final collapse and overthrow.

Once upon a time in America, the culture penalized weak thinkers, improper behavior, and more or less policed itself by shunning those whose thought and actions were weird, off center, or out of the mainstream. Cultural guidelines were unspoken yet everyone adhered to the regimen out of moral fortitude. Today’s culture embraces all of those bizarre elements and seeks to push the envelope, even if it means logic falls off the edge of the world. After all, everybody knows that…. the world is flat.

2007-08-17T06:45:00.000-07:00

* With an Asterisk

When Barry Bonds hit a record breaking 756th homerun on August 7, 2007 it illuminated in a nutshell the current American culture. Aside from the fact that my hometown Washington Nationals’ Mike Bacsik gave up the milestone pitch that Bonds sent into history, the feeling about this feat was not what you would expect across the country.

In San Francisco, Bonds’ home town fans went nuts. It was as if they were the ones on steroids. Much has been said about Mr. Bonds’ alleged enhancement via banned substances to help him achieve the Home Run King record. According to reports from Associated Press, Bonds response to such suggestions is "This record is not tainted at all. At all. Period" The statement has wound within it all one needs to know about the character of Mr. Bonds, the fans desperate for a piece of history, and a culture that has tossed standards out of the window in favor of artificial markers to highlight tainted achievements. When listening to many athletes and celebrities of privilege these days one sees a smarmy prepubescent attitude flowing from the lips of what should be adult pillars of society. Sacrificing one’s soul is quite a price for the mere return of being able to push out one’s chest for all to see.

There are two basic issues regarding the Bonds affair that are at the forefront. First, the previous mile markers set by Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron were relatively free from controversy. Ruth, a heavy drinking party animal set the standard, and is arguably the greatest player of all time; not merely for his 714 career home runs. He also played in a much less sophisticated era where strength and conditioning were the exception and not the rule. He was multitalented in that he was originally a pitcher too, and a good one. He certainly was a better all around player. Aaron long toiled in his career with sub-par teams and achieved his night of triumph in April 1974 through persistence and hard work. Ruth set the standard and when Aaron broke the record nearly all of America watched, cheered, and ran the bases with him. Like Cal Ripken who was recently inducted into the Baseball hall of fame, Aaron did his stoic duty with class and dignity in the name of what used to be America’s pastime; baseball.

Issue number two is that today a more snot-nosed generation of self-centered athlete has taken hold of the grand ol’ game. That is unfortunately a mirror of the culture. Instead of a gracious, awestruck humbling celebrity elite, most have the morals of slick Madison avenue shysters who achieve not for the country, the fans or the game, but instead are out for the self at all cost.

It is much easier to believe that had the baseball greats of the past such as Mr. Aaron been caught in such controversy as has been heaped upon Mr. Bonds that they would have fallen on their swords honorably. Those sports greats like DiMaggio, Robinson, Gehrig, Mantle, Mays, and Ripken would not likely have perpetrated an indignity upon themselves and baseball as an all out pursuit of a relatively meaningless record simply for the fame, glory and the endorsement contract possibilities that goes with it.

The likes of individuals hitting ridiculous amounts of homeruns in a single season allegedly perpetrated with the assistance of banned substances also, says more about the individual character of players and our culture. It makes for great competition, generates a flitter of interest by fans, and is beneficial to baseball in the short term. However, no self respecting fan should consider themselves honorable that bestows hierarchy in baseball history to players who hedge their bets by giving themselves a “juiced” edge. No honor is due to players, or any to citizens who rig the system instead of marching on a level playing field.

There is no fair way to match achievement for achievement equally without a level playing field. Bonds and many players in general have spit upon the memory of the giants whose shoulders baseball and America once stood. America, take note of the asterisk forever to be placed next to Bonds career crowning achievement; with it goes a never ending black mark upon purity of character and grace. The culture is equally marred as well in many sectors.

When the populace forbids and no longer supports such trite substandard behavior, then the country will regain its moral footing and the glory befitting a pristine cultural pastime. Until then let the celebratory mania, and the asterisk remind us all of what our fathers were, and what we are no longer.

2007-08-03T07:06:00.000-07:00

Rhetoric and Other Hot Air

For folks that are political junkies or policy wonks, the current Presidential Primary Campaign season which is about six months early has been a blessing. Not only does it give the politicians running for office something to spew about, but it does the same for the blowhard TV and radio commentators.

Not since the last Congressional Election has so much hot air been released at one time. If you listen now though, you’ll hear enough of it to fill up a fleet of hot air balloons. It’s enough to make the Wizard of Oz’s County Fair balloon seem paltry.

First, regarding the general public, it is the middle of summer vacation so the Presidential candidates that have set out on an unprecedented early debate schedule in both parties are talking to, media reporters, wonks and other folks who have no real life to speak of. C’mon the general electorate won’t wake up to this stuff until mid November; only to slumber through the winter holidays again. Real attention to the issues won’t be the focus of their lives until after the Martin Luther King Holiday in mid-January. Of course then comes the cavalcade of primaries where the politically astute will finally make a decision on some folks. After that the whole thing will get even more narrowly focused, and the winners of both Republican and Democratic nominations will be ignored for another six months try not to though they might.

In the mean time all of the pufferations and huffifications that you might witness in the media are merely show pieces. How naive Barack Obama’s foreign policy sounds, how low cut Mrs. Clinton’s plunging neckline blouses happen to be or how much of a distant family man Rudy Giuliani really is will never matter, and certainly not this far in advance of voting day. It is all entertainment for the elites and media types. Actually it is quite comical to note the seriousness that the “privileged” find in this stuff. They are living on this hot air while most American’s are sunning themselves on America’s beaches with the sun's natural heat.

All of this hype and malarkey is driven by the money machines that are seeking an edge in order to produce viable candidates for the Presidency. It could be worse perhaps. All of the campaigns could resemble John McCain’s "Disintegration Express" and have barely enough air left to be noticed. In the last Presidential campaign the "McCain, media darling" tour was the big elephant balloon (of hot air I might add) in the room. Today with so many other options including formidable candidates with a “D” next to their name, it has relegated McCain to some sort of secondary gnome status.

This early in the primary season what would be a great is if we could put all of the rest of the Presidential trolls under the bridge and in the dark next to McCain until the election was about a week off. Unfortunately that’s not how campaign seasons work.

As long as we’re stuck with all of the political hot air so early though, we might fill up some hot air balloons with all of that nonsensical rhetoric and make our escape in the attached baskets. At least then the Presidential hopefuls with the ever flapping jaws will actually be supplying something the electorate would appreciate.

2007-07-20T08:27:00.000-07:00

The Antidote for the Anecdote

In the 1950’s and 60’s Dragnet, a television series of two Los Angeles police officers Bill Gannon and Joe Friday, had the eye of the nation. The deadpan delivery of the actors (Harry Morgan, and Jack Webb) seemed odd, yet the standards in the show reflected the heart of the nation’s scruples. Not interested in the emotional rantings of the citizenry, the two detectives were champions of deciphering the truth in their daily investigations by separating the logical from the extraneous noise in the stories they were being told. Their modus operandi was summed up by Friday’s repetitive admonition “Just the facts” request.

First let us be clear; like the strait forward Gannon and Friday of decades past, your personal story of those incidents that you have seen do not constitute proof of anything. The surging insta-poll results-driven society has been constructed over the past three decades. The desire to project small meaning from snapshots of particular occurrences upon the whole of society is not only laughable, but in a sense revealing and ultimately tragic. Evidence requires data presented in a limited specific scope supporting the facts. You can’t just say a table stood with only three legs, you have to produce it to prove it. Stories don’t cut it. As such, statistics while susceptible to interpretation are much more factual than emotion filled rhetoric.

Even more disturbing than such “projectionists of delusion” are politicians and the general public who indulge in linguistic imprecision. They generally have no clue as to how to correctly present an honest opinion and lack the capacity or scruples to back it up with fact. Many develop arguments without factual anchors as part of their normal presentation. Obfuscation and parsing of words to skirt responsibility for their own statements has become the order of the day. Worse than this is that the double-speak is more than just in their speech; it has seeped in their thought processes like a creeping virus.

Listen to the public discourse in many insignificant topics for instance and you will usually hear two distinct opposing points of view. Yet on both sides of an issue you hear sweeping generalities, historical rewrites, half-truths and downright falsehoods. It makes the average person pause to ponder why we no longer are a nation of thinkers. We are a nation of sheep. We have two political parties who have locked out most other voices. This weakens further checks and balances in that the majority party often runs roughshod over the minority party. Nevertheless, these two opposing political brain trusts spew forth their self interested agendas and then venomously attack their opponents as if it were part of the argument. This technique is used often by children and the less than honest as an illusion. Casting doubt on your opponent is slight of hand perpetrated to keep eyes off of the weakness of your actual position on a topic.

Hence, the rise in story telling has become fact as people choose camps and fall in lock step with political non-thought because of historic party loyalty. What does a man gain if he sacrifices truth for his own image when it costs him his soul? Few in the public any longer know how to listen to a person’s argument and dissect it to determine properly what is being said. Therefore misconception, partial stories, and unsubstantiated claims are allowed to stand as fact instead of being exposed for the flaws that riddle them. Weak thinkers use anecdotes as badges to prove their preconceived notions. In the past we’ve called that bigotry and prejudice. Today it is just as ugly as it was then. Society must demand a fine detail oriented discourse of logical, unemotional communication, steeped in pure facts. It is the only way to solve what ails it. Please, just the facts ma’am; just the facts.

2007-07-10T09:09:00.000-07:00

First the Sucking Next the Flushing!

In the 1992 Presidential campaign candidate Ross Perot said that if the North American Free Trade (NAFTA) pact was passed into law that the country would “hear a giant sucking sound” of manufacturing and jobs from this country being diverted outside of our borders. That down the drain noise has been loud and clear over the past 15 years and has left us with nary a peep on it. The deafening silence is the result of the “Washington knows better’” crowd that permeates the halls of Congress and the White House. If you think the sucking is over well you ain’t seen nothin’yet!

Mr. Perot’s qualifications as a successful businessman assisted in his rise, and the creation of a viable third political party (the Freedom Party) for a while. Many folks saw, and began to believe that the people actually do have a voice in the political process. Unfortunately for the country, Mr. Perot was really only interested in a voice for himself in the process, and not actually winning the Presidency. Why else would a self made multimillionaire even consider squabbling with the likes of George Bush Sr. and upstart Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton in 1992? He was ticked off at the Bush family reportedly because the administration wouldn’t get on the stick to help his cause of tracking and returning remains of Viet Nam veterans from that country. We’ll probably never know the truth on what gave Mr. Perot the desire to undermine President George Herbert Walker Bush’s Presidency; however for the record it was effective in getting Governor Clinton elected to the Presidency.

The same type of folks who did not listen to Mr. Perot in 1992 are not listening now on the country’s demand regarding immigration. The sound you are about to hear is not a giant sucking one, but a giant flushing one. That commode is in Mexico, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and any number of other places including the Middle East which is about to flush more unwanted people into this country. How’s that? Of the estimated 12 million illegal aliens already in this country was recently proposed and killed in the Senate would have allowed and encouraged family members of those illigal individuals in to the country in short order. Given the average household of lets say 4 people per family we might expect to see an influx of another 36 million aliens in short order (spouse and children to join illegal in this country already). The bills defeat in no way guarentees it will not raise its ugly specter again. In the mean-time we are at status quo; the same condition of the past two decades that has allowed the illigal population to swell to its present state.

The debate has gotten us this: if you break the law long enough we’ll consider letting you stay in this country. You can have services and some benefits natural born citizens enjoy, and even some they don’t. When was the last time you were allowed to break the law, avoid the judicial system, and pay a minor fine? When was the last time that you broke the law and the police didn’t bother to find you? As a citizen, arrest for our crimes more often than not costs more than a few thousand dollars. Never is there any reward attached to it. However, if you are an illegal alien and you have been under the radar long enough you might win your citizenship. Maybe this is why they say no country on earth is like the United States. Perhaps we should find out Mr. Perot’s views on the subject. He has been correct in the past regarding international trade. So as we trade our dollars in revenue and resources in exchange for another 40 million people we might want to ask what sound he hears coming over the next decade or two. Such an influx flushed onto our shores would like NAFTA change the face of this nation and might create a sucking sound of a cultural nature.

2007-06-22T07:47:00.000-07:00

The Choice of a New Generation

Suppose you were one of three survivors of the human race after some worldwide catastrophe. You are one of only two men and one woman left alive. Both men are homosexual. The question for this intellectual exercise is “does mankind survive?” Since necessity is the mother of invention it would seem that one or both men would have to mate with the female in order to begin repopulation of the earth. However, that can only happen if there is a choice regarding sexual activity. In essence behavior would be selected despite ones prevailing feelings. In this situation there are no more conventions, nor political correctness required. Survival as a species would rule behavior.

Let’s further suppose that the two men are not attracted to one another. Do they cavort and carry on simply because they are “gay”? Does one or both of them join with the female to create a marriage type relationship or do they redefine the “family unit” in a completely new way?

All of the possibilities come down to choice. Each selection may require something greater for the whole rather than the individual. In such a scenario, judgments would have to be made. The resulting choices would reflect priorities, and might direct one to certain behavior. Can you imagine the uproar between the three survivors if each of them has a strong libido and everyone believes that they have been “born” into their sexuality? Is it a sacrifice to sleep with each other, or will biology simply dictate interaction between them all?

The preference for the men to desire each other would be no less strong than before the caliphate and with a lack of desire for one another would they shrivel and die? Would they make the best of each other? While their predisposition might lead them to get together, it would certainly seem that the behavior between all three of these tragic figures would be all about choice.

Much like today, one might have feelings for another of the same gender. Is it natural? Is it an abomination? None of that matters. Whether you feel more excitement, stimulation, or a feeling of wholeness with your own gender, the truth of the matter is that behavior is a controllable element of the human make-up. We choose to behave in a certain manner given the circumstances and our feelings.

If you want to be gay, then be gay. If you do not, then don’t. However, if you have feelings of homosexuality and don’t want to behave in such a manner then you have the power to avoid such behavior. There have been many men and women who have lived happy, married lives even with these same-gender-attraction feelings. It has only been since the 1960’s in which this society has placed the “self” ahead of the “all", and that illicit behavior has gained acceptance in the culture. Make no mistake however, that while your feelings may be as genuine as possible to another of the same gender, the behavior biologically is a perversion. If tab A is biologically meant to go into slot B, then putting it into slot C is abnormal. You are the one putting the puzzle together, however. That is where society finds the rub. Same gender relationship participants’ focus upon the beauty of feelings, and those finding it perverse can’t get past the physical nature of how our bodies were designed.

Certainly homosexuals can be married to members of the opposite sex. There are plenty of examples of marriages lasting as long as a lifetime when one partner is bisexual, homosexuals or leans in a cross-gender manner. They listen to what their heart and mind is telling them. Comparatively however, you are not really an athlete unless you compete. You are not a doctor unless you train, quell your fears of surgery, and become capable of behaving like a physician. You might have the strong desire to live off the land and farm it, but until you actually plant and grow crops you are not really a farmer in the eyes of society.

The point is that feelings are a perspective. It is behavior that is our presentation to the world, and we each control our own. Every generation lives off of their choices; not inborn predisposition, despite campaigns to make it so. Bravo for your choice; but realize that with each alternative comes distinct consequences. Like everything else in life be prepared for the consequences of your actions, and don’t try to rewrite the laws of nature, simply to make you feel better.

2007-06-08T09:57:00.000-07:00

The Next Wave to Save the Union

For all of the hoopla about illegal immigration there is one point that tips the scales. It hasn’t been articulated, but may very well be a saving grace for the country. Aside from Republicans quivering to special business interests and Democrats throwing open the gates with a megaphone shouting, bring us your tired your hungry and especially your criminals, there is a profound factor in having immigration proceed with little legal limitation.

First let us agree, since most American’s do, that the borders must be secured. The Mickey Mouse game Congress has been playing leads the populous to believe that its time for more than a third party. It’s time for the people to take back their government. That implies force if the knuckleheads in Washington don’t get the point. Some quarters on the political extremes have been entertaining the idea it, if not yet voicing it.

When the population feels strongly about such a vital issue, it is ill advised to have representatives with a collective tin ear. They are in their jobs to represent their constituents; not to run roughshod over them. Congress has not acted responsibly in the national interest to quickly eliminate illegal immigration.

The government only has two basic responsibilities. One is to protect and defend the nation by raising armies, and declaring and implementing war when necessary. The other is to provide a social net of some source for those incapable of sustaining themselves. The latter shouldn’t entail a large body of folks, but forms of government always work better on paper than in practice.

Securing the border for protection, and enforcing the laws are what the population desires. Don’t let people with illegal status, nor terrorists across the border. Fence it, and punish any business substantially that hires illegal workers. Once these steps are implemented and the border is secured then letting everyone apply legally to be here is the way to go. The masses know this, and have been telling their government. The government is not listening.

The Republicans have squandered their chance and the Democrats have pandered in the name of courting the sensitive and potentially powerful Latino voting block in this country. That is fine and dandy, however placating the majority of Americans, which by the way outnumbers the illegal Alien’s in this country by 20 to 1, is the least the Congress should be doing. Representatives should bend to the will of the people by creating tough measures and enforcement; not amnesty. Instead both parties are salivating over each other in their usual misguided way to achieve a political advantage of the future.

Here’s the part that has yet been articulated, but which needs to be contemplated. Apart from the three ring circus, the main reason to support the influx of aliens into this country is one of self preservation. No country or empire in the course of human history has withstood a declining rate of reproduction in its populace for very long. Unfortunately for the U.S. that downward spiral began with the advent of “the pill” and has slid ever since. The death of the family is leading the decline of the culture. It is time for an infusion of new blood; one that is family and work oriented. Ethnic groups that are disposed to raising the birth rate will be the saving grace of America. That waive of immigrants is crossing our southern border.

The amount of illegal immigrants in this country would make up about 15% of the Mexican population. Perhaps making Mexico the U.S.’s 51st State would be the quickest way to lessen the immigration problem. Just deputize the whole country by making everyone an American citizen with a land purchase. Something akin to the Louisiana Purchase may be in order south of the border.

Latinos, it is estimated will some day make up a hefty percentage of the population. Residing in close living quarters and being poor, fuses families together in ways unfathomable to the privileged. They create a bond that lasts generations. That family strength gives rise to extensive reproduction and necessitates a work ethic. This is the condition many illegal immigrants and legal migrants find themselves in when arriving in the U.S. This “culture down under” in America is similar to the very foundations of past immigrant waves that built this country, and made it strong. Whether the language that is spoken in the U.S. is English, Spanish, or perhaps a combination of both will soon not be the issue; survival will!

Whoever this rising tide of Latino’s votes for in future elections is of little consequence to what is important for America. The fact that the current wave fits all the criteria in the way that the Irish, German, Italian and all of the other groups of immigrants did before them is of substantial consequence. The Spanish heritage is destined to mingle with the U.S. They are profoundly necessary if the country is to survive the coming scourge of Islamic radicalism beating the war drum against western values. The more Latino’s who become American’s the better for the country; not because of politics, but because they will proudly carry a gun and defend their new homeland. There is no greater reason to let immigrants in the country legally.

A quick solution on illegal immigration is essential because we are losing valuable time bickering about politics. The last time we did that buildings fell in New York; enough of the infighting. It’s time to welcome our Spanish brothers, and any others who want the American dream. It is time to invite them to fight with us for the sake of the nation because they have already demonstrated their values by risking their lives to get here. They too have already spilled their blood, and taken great risks in their own fight for freedom. There is nothing more American than that.

2007-06-04T06:07:00.000-07:00

The Music of the Media

One of the key elements that an aspiring musician learns is that the rests (silences in a melody) are often more important than the notes surrounding it. Properly placed and used strategically such silences in a tune can evoke important emotional feelings and perspectives. The purpose of music after all is communication without the need for words.

When it comes to written script much like the bars of the score sheet perceptions are also altered, shaped and steered not only by the facts offered to the reader but by the omissions too. Exclusion of facts, half truths and ignoring positive stories altogether the American media shapes, bends and contorts the points of views of to its consumers.

While it would be nice to be able to say that these rests are merely inadvertent shortcomings, by and large these gaps in the truth are not only commonplace but subtly taught in journalism schools across the county.

The most obvious place to see entrenched points of view are on editorial pages of newspapers. With every slant possible the heads of the big city news companies pitch their version of things with such a slant that the rests in their argument are big enough to drive a truck through. The casual observer might think they were listening to an Ivy League debating society.

This deliberate shading in attempting to influence audience view points has seeped into general reporting over the past two decades to the detriment of journalisms true calling. Objective facts are all that are required. Alas like the changing of all industry landscapes in this country the fourth estate is another one that seems to be devolving. There are countless examples of media perpetuating stereotypes by the words that they choose in the stories that they present.

For generations black individuals had to be identified in a crime story. Whether a thief is of any particular color is not germane to the facts in many cases. However failing to put their own biases and political beliefs in check such details stay in stories. Over time the reader comes to form a particular opinion of the subject based upon repeated ill advised and truly unnecessary details. This corrupt yet subtle technique serves little good in the cause of progress.

Rewriting is another clever compositional technique of the media. Usually this occurs over long stretches of time and when the media merely print what someone says instead of investigating and comparing facts from then to now.

Politicians for instance are choosing to rewrite history regarding the invasion if Iraq. They would have you believe that the President sat around knowing that weapons of mass destruction were not present in that country. The tainted intelligence he received from the CIA and other countries became a lie when it reached the Presidents desk, but only in hindsight. At the time there was a groundswell of support based upon the same intelligence.

It’s almost like these folks perpetrating the myth were on sabbatical at the time we all went through the turmoil of a 10 month build up prior to the invasion. They forget that Bush went to the United Nations as they required and chided Sadam Hussein weekly to give it up or suffer the consequences. The complainers want to pretend that the Democrats and Republicans alike didn’t vote to give the President the authority to do what he deemed necessary. The fact is that they did just that. No whining now will change the record. Just look back at those papers and see what they reported at the time and compare them to what is being said today.

The media is almost happily becoming a propaganda machine locked to their political beliefs. That is not what the first amendment is all about nor is that what is called for in this symphony of reporting. Perhaps if they looked for a balance of good stories with the tragedy there would not be a cry from many corners for the media to “give it a rest!”

2007-05-17T08:19:00.000-07:00

Deja’ Redux!

Since the pending legislation in Congress will pretty much guarantee a better life regardless of one’s legal status, I have a few requirements that should take effect along with the new amnesty law. When being in the U.S and law-breaking is no longer enforceable there are a few things to be addressed. I want the government to guarantee me a job. I don’t care if it pays too little; it’s not a problem for me. When I am laid off I want to collect unemployment, and collect other social service benefits. In between visits to those offices I want to stand on street corners and panhandle. It’ll keep me busy and I may look pathetic enough for folks to give me more free money.

I want to be able to rent a two bedroom home, and house twenty of my closest friends and family members in it. Of course paying the rent will not be my top priority, so landlords should chill out if it takes six months or more for them to receive the first months rent check. There are after all twenty of us in the house and only two bathrooms. Don’t make us sue you for not providing sufficient living conditions!

I want to be able to drive without being required to obtain a driver’s license, and auto insurance. On top of that why would I even care about health insurance? I’ll be able to pay a fine for living here and not have to pay taxes because after all I don’t have any documentation that I even exist. It’s a small price to pay; much smaller than what the taxman or bail bondsmen charge. It’s a bargain that makes America great. I kind of like it that way!

Don’t try to locate me or find my whereabouts. That’s not the government’s job. Government is responsible for feeding me, clothing me, employing me, keeping me healthy and paying for my descendants to survive after I’m gone. Some years down the line my people will also want repairations for the way you've treated us so shabbily now! It almost sounds like characteristics from a form of government other than a Democratic Republic doesn’t it?

Don’t worry about my criminal record because there are just as many patrol agents who have committed crimes as bad as me anyway. Since the term illegal is now invalid we might as well just add it to the seven words you can’t say on television, or perhaps lump it in along with phrases you can’t say because of political expediency, for instance “nappy headed ho” comes to mind.

When I am ill I’ll make sure I end up at a local hospital. Never mind about paying those bills because I know that the country will do it for me. Clogging up medical services is no mind to me. Ya see what is most important in this whole scenario is me. It doesn’t matter that there may be others in the same or worse shape as me; as long as illegality no longer exists it simply will lead to further action that confirms my importance among the rest.

When I retire I’ll collect social security like the rest of us even though I haven’t put in nearly enough to the fund or the economy to make a difference. I am thankful for a government that won’t prosecute companies for hiring me. “One hand washing the other”, I think they call that in this country. You see it won’t matter so much that money I collect is from a lower paying job because I will have little of the cost of living associated with living in this country. You pay the benefits; I work a little and live much better than doing so in my “legal" country of origin.

One more thing; I don’t want the government to bother me. I’m a free man even though I’m here illegally, so make sure you avoid being labeled a racist or bigot by acting politically correct and not insulting anyone’s sensibilities; no matter how trivial. Leave me and my kind alone.

When I’m done and allowed to stay here despite my criminal path of arrival, we can do it all over again in twenty years or so. That way my grandchildren can be here illegally and reap the financial windfall too. Is America great or what?”

2007-05-02T11:24:00.000-07:00

Sticks and Stones

The greatest threat to America is not terrorism, not foreign aggression, nor even exterior political subversion. For those areas, the country once under attack will unite like a mother bear protecting her cubs. The greatest threat, as Nikita Khrushchev pointed out in the 1960’s, is our vulnerability from within.

Today’s political correctness is threatening the fabric of the culture in the name of “sensitivity” toward every group and anyone who is offended by words that makes them victims. The sentimentality in their grievances complains of persecution in commentary which is often designed as humor. Much of the disintegration of lightheartedness has its underpinnings in the black community which refuses to advance beyond a stranglehold grip on the image of itself wronged by this country’s forced slavery of the past. There are whole cottage industries formed by famed black leaders whose livelihoods are dependent upon perpetrating the racism myth, instead of leading the advancement. Being a watchdog is one thing, but many leaders’ actual posture contributes to further demoralize a people who have already been set free; several times.

Slavery was abolished under President Lincoln nearly 150 years ago. A civil war was fought over the issue and thousands of people, most of them white, gave their lives to free blacks from bondage.

President Johnson over 40 years ago assured equal rights through a civil rights law which again guarantees equality. However, all this time later black leaders continue to permeate the idea that Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream lies unfulfilled. Much of society believes that blacks are as free as anyone else, yet within their own community people of color are constantly bombarded with prejudices that perpetuate the notion that they have not yet overcome!

The sensitivity issue in all sections of our diverse society rises from a lack of a sense of humor. The ability to laugh at oneself and make light of ones plight no matter how serious the issue is not only a long held coping mechanism, but it has proven to be vital to the vibrancy and health of the self, the community and the culture at large. In the past two decades many have lost their way and for many their very sense of humor.

When it matters to me or my race or my gender what someone says about us, especially in a joke format, then the world has tipped too much to one sensitive side. Humor eases the soul, and people who attempt to make constituents laugh at the sake of others do serve a function, despite what the insulted would have you believe. Still, those individuals devoid of a base sense of humor would have you think that every Polish joke is a slap against a great nation, every joke with a black as the punch line is a slur against a great race, and that any standard that they are insulted by should be offensive to all.

These folks are still in the minority of thought, but the country has kowtowed to their growing whines for the past 20 years, and it is time for those who find laughter in all situations to stand up and culturally body-slam their outrageous blanket victimization propaganda. It’s time to tell them to learn to laugh or shut up. The minority wagging its tongue loudly enough to control the majority is dangerous to institutional cultural norms, even in a compassionate country. Jokes, insults, stereotypes and concepts begin with words. At that, they are merely words until those without far reaching humor in their souls find in them insult fear and loathing. Its time to ease-up and realize that no one can be insulted if they are secure in their own skin. This group of cultural tyrants no longer finds truth in the youthful adage “sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.” It is convenient to subvert such simple wisdom when agendas are cloaked beneath every sour action by those seeking the ultimate power at the center of their discontent. They desire to control other people with whom they disagree so that there is only one opinion in lock-step with their own.

People of humor speak the truth and don’t fear the name calling: those are just words. A thick skinned soul shrugs those words off with a laugh and focuses on finding the positive around them even within what some consider distasteful humor. They will even use controversial words to describe that forward thinking motion. It is not insulting. Complete freedom of speech is what elevates; as countless patriots have spilled a riover of blood for the right few other societies even respect. Those martyrs perish leaving us the right to even have opinions openly spoken without serious repercussion. It is what keeps Democracy head and shoulders above every other political and cultural system mankind has ever devised. Humor as an expression of that free exchange of ideas is uplifting to the majority, and they are laughing.

2007-04-15T14:05:00.000-07:00

Cynicism of the Soul

It is now official. The African American culture and many people from numerous backgrounds in America have little in the way of a sense of humor. The ability to laugh at oneself and cultures within society has been challenged in the name of community standards. The big loser in this, other than Don Imus, is free speech.

We have witnessed commentary the likes of which are spoken in numerous art forms daily in the United States, yet over the past week the sheer hypocrisy of the players involved is stupendous. The biggest setback for everyone is the freedom of expression.

While the capitalist society has spoken and as it is suppose to function, the structure which supported Mr. Imus’ shows for nearly 40 years abandoned him in the name of political correctness. Being sensitive is one thing but railroading someone for their form of free speech is downright dangerous. You do not have to like or even listen to shows with shock jocks and talk-a-lots like Imus. Every receiver has an off button and a selector with which to change the channel. To silence voices because of what they utter is Un-American.

It is unfortunate that those who took action in denouncing the type of programming on the Don Imus program were many of the same people who became rich or richer because of the likes of him.

The knee jerk reaction is emblematic of something far deeper. That is the desire from certain factions of society to control other people no matter what freedom it may cost us all. The autonomy to express oneself is essential in this country and the very foundation from which our rights flow. You may not like what someone says but you should be defending the right to have someone say it freely. That is not to say that there should be no repercussions from utterances that are offensive. As a matter of fact capitalism is the secondary factor that has driven Mr. Imus from the airwaves. The first is political correctness. Those who inflict standards based upon political correctness are like minded thinkers who essentially lynched Mr. Imus this week.

In this case that is the market place at work. Bravo on the evidence that the free market, which is the backbone of American culture, is still responsive to the people. Capitalism wins. However the notion of censorship of speech, even offensive speech is truly anti-civil rights. Today the minority rules and the majority out o gutlessness accommodate such ridiculousness toward overt sensitivity. The desire to avoid being called a racist has driven the heart of America to bizarre lengths, without questioning the motives of those doing the labeling. Doing so incurs further deceitful practices of those handing out the racist label; in essence creating a catch 22.

It is time that all cultures learn to laugh at themselves and stop taking every utterance so seriously. There are major issues on the horizon and here we banter about being harmed by someone else’s speech: ridiculous! The bombs which are falling right now, we are hurling at ourselves because of such super sensitivity. For some that process is lucrative and hails from pure cynicism of the soul.

Every culture has had major hurdles in this country when it comes to their ethnicity and melting into the American way of life. Every group has been looked down upon, held back, prejudiced against spit upon, and made to feel inferior by a majority with seniority. Most have learned how to laugh through such situations to cope, and assist in overcoming invectives hurled at those segments. The African American culture still has not come to grips with learned how to find humor in their own culture when someone other than a person of color says something viewed as insulting.

The current melee has not advanced the banner of civil rights. It has actually set it back decades, by once again pointing out how African Americans are victims. In all of the coverage of the Rutgers Basketball team/ Imus incident never once did the media show us the insulted Caucasian girls on the team; only the African-Americans. Were the white girls not victimized along with the blacks? African-American culture that lends itself to victim-hood hands over incredible power to others when someone else’s words no matter how distasteful “hurt them”. A sense of humor negates victim-hood. The leadership in African-America should learn to laugh.

2007-03-30T12:57:00.000-07:00

The Invisible Third Party

During the early to mid 20th century, the American Congress was highlighted by the normal division of political operatives and partisanship. Among the populace however, there was a unity of mind and culture that since, has evaporated.

Much of the Congressional wrangling then was about representing opposing points of view and even the art of compromise. In effect the country was so unified in its common beliefs that there effectively was only one political party. They were not left or right, but simply a product of the majority of our cultural commonality. Often the Democrat Party encompassed the values of the country at the time. People needed protection and entitlement of a mild socialism crept into the culture. In doing so people found their lives improved with a financial and organizational safety net. Because corporate America at the time was wealthy enough and viewed with an eye of suspicion they operated on their own under a watchful eye of regulatory constraint.

After World War II, the last time the country was truly united on everything for more than a few months, the 1950’s became a golden age of American life. Peace reigned over the land, albeit briefly. There were Soviets to contend with and a paranoia that led us into The Cold War. The 1960’s brought the unraveling of everything including unity that the U.S. had achieved since the depression of the 1930’s.

It seemed we don’t learn our lessons very well. Only by coming together with a common purpose can the nation’s people rise above any circumstance, any enemy, and any condition; achieve victory and reach nirvana. The problem we have is that once we attain success, we can’t hold it for long. We are destined to screw it up. History is replete with such examples.

Now 50 years later we witness the greatest threat to not only America, but mankind itself. Evil is showing its face once again and this time instead of German Nazi Fascism, Japanese Imperialism, or Communist Chinese advancement, it comes to us in the image of radical Muslim fundamentalism. Where the early 20th century’s cultural moral fiber had us uniting, the current derision has the country fractured.

The liberal left under the banner of self flagellation vocalized by the likes of Michael Moore, and Nancy Pelosi, offers us its poster boy and girl. Bill Maher and Rosie O'Donnell are on one side. The conservative right whose figure head Rush Limbaugh is credited as the source from which all conservatism flows is on the other side. These two factions which have drawn a line in the sand have both done irreparable harm to a country they reportedly love.

The rise of Limbaugh however can be argued owes its elevation as a response from commercial media being a liberal entity from the 1960’s through the 1980’s. Nevertheless now that both sides are being heard, civility as a commodity is a rare sight. Name calling is the norm and so is the hold your breath until you turn blue politics of both sides with their unwillingness to compromise. They are teaching this and future generations that holding to ones principals is a good thing even at the cost of the welfare of the nation. What does it value a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul? The country is suffering from unbridled freedom and the lack of discipline within that liberty.

So entrenched are both sides in their rhetorical gymnastics that anyone who does not believe as they do is not worthy of respect or consideration in the family of man. This polarization has all but paralyzed the nation, its progress, and its national security. No longer can we debate one another and agree to disagree. We must heap epithets upon the opposition in order to inflate our position. It might be entertaining but like termites do more damage in places unseen. The politics of personal destruction buried within our national history, brought to light in the Nixon era, and perfected during the Clinton Administration is disintegrating the underlying fabric of our society.

The political party that we don’t believe exists is the viable third one. However it is right under out nose. It is illustrated in the difficulties of the 20th century as President Roosevelt tapped it as a resource in World War II. John Kennedy’s charisma brought idealism to which this party could believe before one side or the other sent the country into a tailspin of disillusionment. The last time we saw the invisible party in the lead was just after September 11, 2001. This party is not right, nor left. It does not adhere to the "it’s my way or the highway" mentality. Its nature is not one of extremes. It is comprised of both moderate liberals and moderate conservatives. They consist of the bulk of the political middle. Together this coalition dwarfs both left and right extremists and their idealistic adherence to stubborn scorched earth policy views at all cost. All someone needs to do is tap this political middle to set the ship properly afloat.

Bill Richardson and Rudy Giuliani are examples of the type of people who could fill this political and cultural void. Neither one is completely right or left, but actually issue oriented with a bit of something for everyone. They are what the country needs in 2008. Only if you are willing to compromise and bring back the grace of our history can this political party take hold. The next time you mutter something about needing a third party, look within your own. You hold the power to join these forces and return America to the civil and righteous throne that the people are seeking.

2007-03-26T10:47:00.001-07:00

The Invisible Third Party

During the early to mid 20th century, the American Congress was highlighted by the normal division of political operatives and partisanship. Among the populace however, there was a unity of mind and culture that since, has evaporated over the last several decades.

Much of the Congressional wrangling then was about representing opposing points of view and even the art of compromise. In effect the country was so unified in its common beliefs that there effectively was only one political party. They were not left or right, but simply a product of the majority of our cultural commonality. Often the Democrat Party encompassed the values of the country at the time. People needed protection and entitlement of a mild socialism crept into the culture. In doing so people found their lives improved with a financial and organizational safety net. Because corporate America at the time was wealthy enough and viewed with an eye of suspicion they operated on their own under a watchful eye of regulatory constraint.

After World War II, the last time the country was truly united on everything for more than a few months, the 1950’s became a golden age of American life. Peace reigned over the land, albeit briefly. There were Soviets to contend with and a paranoia that led us into The Cold War. The 1960’s brought the unraveling of everything including unity that the U.S. had achieved since the depression of the 1930’s.

It seemed we don’t learn our lessons very well. Only by coming together with a common purpose can the nation’s people rise above any circumstance, any enemy, and any condition; achieve victory and reach nirvana. The problem we have is that once we attain success, we can’t hold it for long. We are destined to screw it up. History is replete with such examples

Now 50 years later we witness the greatest threat to not only America, but mankind itself. Evil is showing its face once again and this time instead of German Nazi Fascism, Japanese Imperialism, or Communist China advancement, it comes to us in the image of radical Muslim fundamentalism. Where the early 20th century’s cultural moral fiber had us uniting, the current derision has the country fractured.

The liberal left under the banner of self flagellation vocalized by the likes of Michael Moore, and Nancy Pelosi, offers us its poster boy, Bill Maher is on one side. The conservative right whose figure head Rush Limbaugh is credited as the source from which all conservatism flows is on the other side. These two factions which have drawn a line in the sand have both done irreparable harm to a country they reportedly love. The rise of Limbaugh however can be argued owes its elevation as a response from commercial media being a liberal entity from the 1960’s through the 1980’s. Nevertheless now that both sides are being heard, civility as a commodity is a rare sitting. Name calling is the norm and so is the hold your breath until you turn blue politics of both sides with their unwillingness to compromise. They are teaching this and future generations that holding to ones principals is a good thing even at the cost of the welfare of the nation. What does it value a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul? The country is suffering from unbridled freedom and the lack of discipline within that freedom.

So entrenched are both sides in their rhetorical gymnastics that anyone who does not believe as they do is not worthy of respect or consideration in the family of man. This polarization has all but paralyzed the nation, its progress, and its national security. No longer can we debate one another and agree to disagree. We must heap epithets upon the opposition in order to inflate our position. It might be entertaining but like termites do more damage in places unseen. The politics of personal destruction buried within our national history, brought to light in the Nixon era, and perfected during the Clinton Administration is disintegrating the underlying fabric of our society.

The political party that we don’t believe exists is the viable third one. However it is right under out nose. It is illustrated in the difficulties of the 20th century as President Roosevelt tapped it as a resource in World War II. John Kennedy’s charisma brought idealism to which this party could believe before one side or the other sent the country into a tailspin of disillusionment. The last time we saw the invisible party in the lead was just after September 11, 2001. This party is not right, nor left. It does not adhere to the "it’s my way or the highway" mentality. Its nature is not one of extremes. It is comprised of both moderate liberals and moderate conservatives. They consist of the bulk of the political middle. Together this coalition dwarfs both left and right extremists and their idealistic adherence to stubborn scorched earth policy views at all cost. All someone needs to do is tap this political middle to set the ship properly afloat.

Bill Richardson and Rudy Giuliani are examples of the type of people who could fill this political and cultural void. Neither one is completely right or left, but actually issue oriented with a bit of something for everyone. They are what the country needs in 2008. Only if you are willing to compromise and bring back the grace of our history can this political party take hold. The next time you mutter something about needing a third party, look within your own. You hold the power to join these forces and return America to the civil and righteous throne that the people are seeking.

2007-03-07T06:51:00.000-08:00

Libby and the Liars

After ten long days of deliberation a jury found Scooter Libby guilty of lying and obstructing justice during an investigation. What were they doing that took them so long to come to that conclusion? Much of what you have been hearing and will continue to hear is the inference of some connection between Libby’s apparent misjudgments of the facts with the initial underlying investigation. Everyone with an agenda will spin this decision in their own favor.

Like President Clinton, lying under oath to investigators is not acceptable. In both cases the underlying facts of the investigation turned up very serious ethical questions but probably no crimes in a legal sense. President Clinton was as fast and loose with the facts under oath as he was with an intern in the oval office. The lie under oath is a crime, the activity in the White House merely immoral. The same applied in the Libby case. The crime was in the lie to investigators. There was no crime in the leak to reporters; just something perhaps a bit depraved.

Patrick Fitzgerald the prosecutor in the Libby case basically brought no charges on what he was charged to investigate. This trial only came to be a magnet for everyone with an ax to grind against the Bush administration because Mr. Libby didn’t tell the truth while under oath. Sound familiar, ala impeachment? The case is justified and Mr. Fitzgerald is correct to say that perjury goes to the heart of the judicial system. People under oath must not be allowed to lie. However, for a prosecutor to hang his hat on that as being the same as having done the job, one he never set out to do, is somewhat indicative of the politically charged times in which we live. Please shout it loud from the mountain tops, there was no leak of a CIA covert operative’s identity. There certainly wasn’t enough evidence to charge anyone. That is what this case was supposed to be about.

If Mr. Libby hadn’t lied there would be no cameras, no salivating political hacks, , no pundants, and no possible attempt by enemies of the administration to link them to a crime that apparently the prosecutor in the case thinks never happened. If some can infer Libby’s conviction means there was a White House strategy to retaliate against Joe Wilson’s wife, then we can equally conclude that no charges brought regarding the C.I. A. identity leak means there was no crime committed. What you've heard publically by some on both sides of the issue is their own tornado-like spinning funnel of lies.

Ms. Plame’s identity regarding being outed or not really was never addressed in court, nor resolved. At this point it is still in contention. Now that question is marred by politics and the corruption that taints both the political and legal arenas. However it is Mr. Fitzgerald’s desire not to have that question answered in the first place which has spurred on the Libby story into something much larger than it really is; it’s just a rallying point for politics on both sides.

The Libby jury person who spoke publicly afterward bemoaning the fact that others from the administration were not on trial too, goes to show that politics and corruption exist in all of our institutions. This warped commentary threatens the very foundations of the legal system that Mr. Fitzgerald and jurors are to hold sacrosanct. There is not supposed to be bias or political agendas in those holding such public trust, but their words and actions speak for themselves. Anyone who tells you differently is lying to you. In today’s political and legal worlds you have graphic examples of the reward for lying. It is really a shame that all lying is not condemned especially that which is wrapped in the guise of justice.

2007-02-19T07:22:00.000-08:00

QUALIFIED!

For the last several Presidential Election cycles a familiar refrain of doubt has been heaped upon certain candidates. As a matter of fact some verbal fisticuffs directed at some Presidential aspirants claim that “so and so is not qualified to be president!” Given the fact that we are not England, which adheres to strict bloodline requirements for the throne, there are really very few qualifications to be President. Those that say otherwise are actually trying to read into the Constitution their notion that the document “lives breathes and grows.” Such nonsense gets us into trouble because reading and interpreting every word for its intent that is shaded by one’s own ideas often leads to the abandonment of what the founding fathers actually penned on the paper. That is the situation beleaguering the Supreme Court, for example. They are drowning in legal minutia.

Barack Obama is the latest Presidential contender to be smeared with the question of “is he qualified?" He is in good company. The same doubt was cast upon Ross Perot, George W. Bush, and John F. Kennedy among other less than experienced politicians in the national archive.

It is nice to have lofty goals and desire our leaders to be geniuses, captains of industry, from scientific or moral sectors of American life, but that is not what the founding fathers required. Being a politician or a lawyer can be an asset in the Oval Office and has been for some time. Judging from the mood of the country however, and the electorate’s low opinion of folks from some of these walks of life it begs for someone to run who is more of the people than of the corruption. As a matter of fact delegates considering Presidential requirements at the Constitutional Convention let their desire to create a leader from "among the people" be known. It was an overriding concern. They didn’t want the American President to be a King. They had seen enough of that in England and fought a war to create leadership that was responsible to the people, not elected tyrants to rule over them.

The bright minds of their time decided that there only would be only three qualifications to be President. First, the person must be a natural born citizen of the United States. That means a person from any national heritage, Mexican, Israeli, Italian, African American, Irish, or Muslim can be President if they are born in this country. The second qualifier is that the person must have resided within the U.S for fourteen years. Of course such a person running for the office can also be from a family with roots dating back to the country’s founding.

The final qualification is that the person be at least 35 years of age. Apparently this is where the Constitutional Convention addressed the “experience” issue. They deemed the age 35 as the point in time when life would have taught a person enough to be an effective leader with the necessary ability to make sound decisions. When individuals start casting doubt on a candidate’s qualification we should take out a rolled up version of the constitution (with Article II showing) and slap them on the nose with it.

The wording and the document itself leaves open the opportunity for the people to change these requirements. To do so would require a Constitutional amendment of which three- fourths of the existing states would have to agree upon. To date no such amendment has been ratified.
Therefore the next time you hear the grumblings about qualifications for Presidential leadership you may snicker to yourself.

The office of President does have a decent salary, and comes with a housing allowance not to mention all the China you can steal when your term is up. There are helicopter rides, a summer place in the mountains, and the title looks good on a resume.

Hello is anybody listening? Under the Constitutional requirements most Americans qualify for the job. The next time you catch yourself asking the question “is he/she qualified” consider running for the office yourself. The country could use a fresh perspective; one that will come from the people. You just might be the one.

2007-02-07T06:17:00.000-08:00

Conviction with a Caveat

I hereby resolve that I will not rape, pillage, conquer, devastate or murder anyone during the course of my lifetime. Now don’t get me wrong; my resolution is non-binding! If I slip up somewhere along the way we’ll make sure that all the newspapers say that hey I voted for it before I voted against it.

“We oppose the war but support the troops”, they say as responsible leaders. Yeah, and I have dogs as pets that stray into the neighbors yard. and eat the cats that terrorize my love birds! That’s when I put the dogs on a leash. Of course the leash is still long enough for dogs to stray in the neighbor’s yard, but since they’re on a leash I’m sure it sends a message to the neighbor that I am displeased with the decisions my dogs have been making; territorially speaking.

Seem familiar? This is the kind of wishy-washy action masked in doublespeak that the newly elected majority in our government is communicating. What’s more they are trying to sell this drivel to a salivating populace that is parched for relief for their squeamish “I don’t want to be at war anymore” temper tantrum.

The spectacle that has become our Congress is reflective of a culture that wants resolution on a time schedule, a little pill for any ache, and answers to all questions as soon as yesterday. Our great grandparents must be spinning in their graves! What a collection of wimpy whiney ne’er-do-wells their lineage has produced.

The strength that was once American has become a sniveling self aggrandizing collection of entitlement crazed nincompoops. We can agree on nothing, and as opposed to conduct ourselves respectfully in deference to one another, we resort to personal attacks of the most subtle yet insidious manner.

Then there are the representatives we keep choosing to speak for us. “Earmarks for everyone!” That was the political right’s answer to everything. “Give the folks back home exactly what I can steal for them and I’ll be reelected until I’m a hundred two.” Such is the attitude that relegated them to the minority; perhaps rightfully so. However, the political left who has vowed to clean up things in Washington "cause there’s a new sheriff in town”, has already shown that their hand is as much bent the wrong way as the posse that they came into replace.

What’s a Libertarian to do? Well since government is obviously the problem, and at the heart of that are political parties, I find little reason except to tear it all down and start again. We’re one catastrophe step away from anarchy anyway, and those charged with our safety are more interested in lining their own gainful pocket. Those leaders are too busy to notice that they are engineering the American choo-choo right off the tracks and over the cliff.

In another country, or perhaps here in another time, we all would have been fed up enough by now to have fueled a mutiny, a coup or a revolution. That of course would mean raping, pillaging, conquering, devastating and murdering anyone who stands in the way. If that is still possible then thank goodness my resolution was non-binding!

2007-01-19T08:02:00.000-08:00

No Confidence in Cowardice

The U.S. Senate is making noise once again. Under new management, the current leadership is doing what Washington politicians do best; covering their asses. The current move of self-preservation is a lack of support for troops in war time. While it is true that there are grave concerns about the situation of Iraq and U.S. troops stationed there, the problems in that country are much overblown. War is a hellatious business and losing 3,000 troops in four years is regrettable. Then again, losing nearly 3,000 citizens in two hours in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania is much worse when it comes to figuring the mathematics of evil men.

After witnessing four years of a constant dripping of bad news through media outlets in this country the perception has become the reality. Freeing 25 million souls from bondage and lives from fear under a brutal dictatorship is not front and center in the news in the same manner as the theatrical recounting of the U.S. troop death count. Because the media has conspired to show only negative images from the war zone this country’s population has made conclusions filtered through a warped view of reality. Distortion is just about all the Fourth Estate is useful for. They have become a handy tool in our enemy’s propaganda efforts. Terrorists are succeeding with a misinformation campaign thanks largely to journalism’s abdication of its responsibilities. When media begins to shape the story instead of defining it, then their function becomes comparable to Congressional politicians; corrupt and untrustworthy.

America deserves better. What’s more American soldiers in harms way deserve much better. They are the folks that have kept your butt out of the grave at every turn in American history. An all-volunteer military since 1973, U.S. forces do more than just answer the noble call to defend a nation. These armed forces are willing to make the sacrifices necessary so that you and I might have a chance at freedom. Their sacrifices are not a guarantee mind you, but offer the best hope to continue what generations have fought and died for in the past; keeping mankind free.

The current legislation being bandied about in the Senate is in essence a no-confidence vote regarding an increase of troops that is being mobilized by President Bush in Iraq. While Congress may have legitimate concerns, the height of hypocrisy to their duty is to offer such high profile advice because it is motivated by politics. Their effort to discredit the President knows no bounds. However, in doing so they not only display their duplicity in the manipulated mantra “support the troops but not the war”, but they illuminate their true color. The Senate motivation is an alignment with what is politically expedient. The paramount concern is really for their own corrupt political careers. Watch who joins in support calling a troop increase a grave mistake. You will surely see that they are up for reelection in 2008. They are betting that later the troop increase will be viewed as a failure in Iraq. In voting with the anti-war supporters they will be safe with their constituents when election time comes. Their impetus is not for the safety of our troops abroad, the war on terror, or with the desire to win the struggle taking place in Iraq. Their concern is for themselves and the desire to hold onto their seat in Congress.

This attempted slap at the face of the President is all the more transparent given that Congress does have the power to disapprove actual funding for such a troop increase. If Congress truly believes it is the wrong thing to do then they should exercise their duty and refuse to fund such a move. They should “put their money where their mouth is”, like so many troops have done over the last four years in Iraq. However, much like the cowardice pacifists show in confronting evil around the world they too show the same yellow streak by abdicating their scruples and beliefs when it comes to action. Instead of voting not to approve funds for the President’s extra deployment they offer the coward’s solution; a non-binding resolution and all the rhetoric that goes with it. All that hot air will make good sound bites for the coming 2008 election cycle.

These are the people you keep electing to positions of authority! When you send corrupt leaders to represent you in Congress and do nothing to change that fact, then sadly, you too are corrupt. Much like your representative you also carry a yellow streak within and display it at the ballot box. You undercut the military in war time who offer their lives in exchange for the very freedom that you enjoy. The real no confidence vote should be from the electorate to the cowardice being hoisted on the public in the guise of leadership at the risk of our soldiers in the field.

2007-01-05T13:15:00.000-08:00

The New Captains

“Meet the new Boss
Same as the Old Boss”
-The Who-

If you have followed politics for any length of time then the realization that nothing ever really changes should be smacking your forehead sometime this summer. For all of the recent hoopla of “having the first woman speaker etc” and “a historical change blah blah blah” you, the most seasoned of observers, already knows that power not only corrupts, but that it merely changes who leads the corruption.

When Republicans gained control of the House and Senate in the mid 1990’s they sounded remarkably like the Democrats of this current Congress. This should send up the first red flag. When Conservatives had the ship of state they sailed it creaking leeward and back over the course of a dozen years until they crashed it on the rocks surrounded by a swirling riptide of media bias. Forget the media. Had they kept themselves clean then the stigma of dishonesty would have taken much longer to grab hold to sink them. However, like the drunken sailors that they had become with all of their arrogant glory, they ignored the minority party in a dearth of foul play. They now should castigate themselves. The American people have tossed that captain overboard. Who wants to sail on a ship piloted by Captain Hook? American’s don’t like piracy on the high seas or in their government for that matter.

While all of the fresh squeaky clean faces now occupying chairs on the legislative ship are full of vigor and potential, they should already know, (many of them are old hat at this), that the new sparkle lasts about as long as does “that new car smell” We’re already being fed the line that we’ve heard after every recent election, namely that “we are going to have the most honest majority ever”. Excuse me if I don’t join in the latest chorus of “Happy Days Are Here Again”. We’ve heard this way too many times before from both parties.

When will the American people wake up and realize that third parties and term limits are the best chance to break the stranglehold that corruption has upon the political elite? Probably never! Alas, it’s not just Congress or the government that has veered off course. The entire culture has sold its soul to turn the holy city into Sodom and Gomorrah. The reason is that we’ve taken our eyes off the prize. We have tossed faith out on its ear and replaced it by drowning in our own salivation in hot pursuit of owning things. Don’t believe it? Just check out the lines at Christmas when the next Playstation game system hits the market or chain stores offering $200 stereos for $3 during the first hours of a Black Friday sale. You might save $197 but your true character is displayed when you participate in a riot to grab something before it's sold out and simply for material possesions. What is it costing your soul?

Worse than all of that is the fact that the corruption is not limited, but is everywhere. One movie that sums it up perfectly is All the President’s Men. In the true story Robert Redford’s Character (Bob Woodward) is asked by Jason Robards (Ben Bradlee) how high up in the government the Watergate corruption and cover up goes. Redford’s answer; everyone’s involved. Like that movie’s assessment, we are all participants in the slight of hand and shenanigans threatening to sink this culture. If you partake, have conditions or an agenda then you are to blame. Denying it only suggests that you are a liar too.

New Congress, fresh start and real hope lasts about the first 100 hours! Within a year it will all look the same again. Sadly we are all corrupted.

2006-12-22T06:46:00.000-08:00

A STOCKING DUE FOR COAL!

A school in England has had the audacity to discredit Santa Claus! The problem, resulting from a misguided teaching lesson, is disturbing. Students were apparently given Holiday season type worksheets with numerous classroom exercises which are common in many schools. However, among the assignments was information which allegedly stated that many small children incorrectly believe in Father Christmas. It further explained that of the tonnage of letters children address to the Jolly Ol’ Elf every year is actually answered by the Post Office.

Parents were dismayed and some outraged. The inference was clearly that Santa Claus does not exist. The educator’s perspective instead of parental wishes was hoisted upon the spirits of the young and naive just in time for the Christmas holiday. Some stunned children as young as nine years old were affected.

Hoping to circumvent a potential backlash the school’s principal sent a letter home to parents explaining that the lesson would never again be taught. The communiqué was also accompanied by an apology.

As the parent of a wee one I can empathize with disgruntled parents. Asking for forgiveness after this kind offense is akin to saying “sorry”, after taking my daughter’s virginity. It might make one feel better but her innocence is gone nonetheless. How do you replace the irreplaceable? Simple; don’t go there in the first place. Where do you go when those touted as “the educated” start damaging our children?

What has the world come to in its abhorrent revulsion of even secular symbols evoking holiday spirit? Is there of any wisp left of truth regarding the sacred nature of the holiday? Taking someone’s innocence and expecting to be forgiven without consequence does not sit well and those who perpetrated this assault on the innocent certainly deserved coal in their stockings this Christmas.

2006-12-12T09:42:00.000-08:00

Lame Ducks from the Start

After the midterm election, I took a small sabbatical after Thanksgiving from this column for about a month with another long Christmas break looming just ahead! It’s as if I was a congressman. Do you realize that your hard working elected officials only work about 6 months a year? Not bad for the money and all of the perks.

Having recovered from the debacle of the demise of the Republicans, I must once again reiterate that the Democrats are showing their propensity for delusion. Unless President Bush plays for his legacy the odds of getting meaningful legislation passed in the next two years will be thin. For six years you’ve heard “he’s never used his veto pen.” Get ready for it now. When the Democrats revert to their true colors from the show they put on in the campaign (and what politician can resist) there will be some watershed events that will push them into trying to cram unwanted bills upon the country. What will it be, healthcare, higher taxes, the draft? Expect some of it to get by, but expect Bush’s conservative leanings to also show his true color in the way of black ink. The veto may be on the way and everyone’s favorite phrase “gridlock” will be back in vogue.

So while everyone is seeing a sea of change in government it will really only be the same or worse. The next two years will be a passion play for whomever the media wants to anoint for an ’08 Presidential Run. Barack Obama is getting the early spotlight as the media tries to engineer a drama between the Senator and Hilary Clinton. Expect them to push John McCain and Rudy Giuliani also.

It'll be two great stories in the first round and then the showdown in 2008. Will they be able to pull it off? Should we no longer doubt? It took 6 years of them getting it wrong before they actually manipulated the electorate enough to force the Republicans out of the majority. The media is riding high and once again feeling its oats. Look for the same guys you see on TV to be asking "what happened" come 2008. It’s a long road. If you’re not up for a show you’ll have to invent your own media. Try the internet! The electronic marketplace is full of writers who have agendas rather than truth at heart.

2006-11-10T09:52:00.000-08:00

Returns Day

Listen. Do you hear that sound? It sounds like concession and conciliation. Since the Republican loss of the U.S. House of Representatives, and U.S. Senate, in races eerily as close as the Republican Presidential victory of 2000, you might expect to hear weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth. However, National Republicans and Democrats react differently in defeat.

One of places in which I was privileged to live for a period of time was Delaware. They have a quaint little tradition of convening a get-together of all politicians who have just been in an election; winners and losers. They appear together smiling in a festival setting, and burying the hatchet. It seems like the Republicans have had a lot of experience in that role as the perpetual minority in the State of Delaware. Today it appears that the national Republicans are honorary Delawareans.

The Conservatives have lived up to one characteristic of their Reagan style core values. They are taking it like a man! In losing both Houses of Congress they have shown their true colors. The numerous races in which voter irregularities, fraud, and the law provided opportunities for Republicans to scream for recounts, investigations, lawsuits and a protracted election day have all been left alone. In the other party, Democrats, who regularly find conspiracies under every election rock reacted, victimized in 2000, 2002, and 2004. The Conservatives, true to form, have taken the civil high road. Democrats would do well to learn from the example.

Republicans have no one to blame but themselves. Polls showed the bad mood of the country before December 2005 and they did little to nothing to change it in the ensuing 12 months. Some small amount of legislation, serious immigration reform perhaps, light footedness in Iraq, or simply showing Donald Rumsfeld the door prior to the election might have been enough to change at least the Senate outcome.

The “gang that couldn’t shoot strait” label that the Democrats plastered to the Republicans this campaign stuck, and the tone deaf White House hummed merrily along. You might have thought it was 1992 all over again with George H.W. Bush taking a peek at his watch during a crucial debate. The “I’ve got better places to be, don’t bother me now I’m in control”, arrogance that has been displayed by the Administration has come back to bite the whole party on the collective keester.

Unlike 2000 when the hooting, howling, foot dragging, and courtroom antics of the Florida Supreme Court was spurred by the Democrat Party, this year’s potential replay of fighting to the enth degree was avoided. You can give thanks for that to the Republican Party and their very nature. A win is a win and a loss is a loss. Who is the party with more class?

It is apparent and indicative of one underlying suspicion than many Americans, especially conservative voters, possess. The Republicans own the high road as much as they do the issue of the Country’s defense. Unfortunately, for those inclined, both of those issues will have to lead the Republican’s through a dark valley before they see the light of the majority again.

Expect the “new middle” to dictate, and hopefully some on the fringe will learn that cooperation, compromise and civility is the path citizens want to take. Since the late 1980’s the American electorate has been screaming for bipartisanship in their government. Both sides have rode that cresting wave once apiece. Neither side to date has learned the long term lesson. The Democrats now have the chance to change the tone in Washington along with the Republican President. Unfortunately, if history is an example, what is to come will not be pleasant.

Let’s see who has gotten the message that governance needs to come from a third party; or one centered in the middle. We saw it with Ross Perot, and no one has had the brains, nor dared make a go of it since. The raw opportunity has been waiting their patiently, and still exists some dozen plus years later. America is ready for the third party centrist to take control. California’s Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger might be the perfect example of this and displays the proper composition a Presidential candidate must possess to make Americans happy. Too bad he was born on foreign soil.

In 2008 the centrists may look like Hilary Clinton though she is really liberal, John McCain though he is a bit too much of a maverick for some Republicans, or Rudy Giuliani who has the same problem as McCain. However, to the rest of the country these folks would probably all be acceptable. Mrs. Clinton, who potentially would be the most polarizing would be vilified and might lead the country divisiveness back to the 1990’s all over again.

For today perhaps even in disgrace the Republicans can hold their heads high. Though they lost their way like the Democrats before them, numerous scandals have tapped the Republican decorum necessary to teach the country how to lose gracefully. That is the way your father’s Congress use to act. Thank goodness they finally found a way to bring back those core values. Could a reunified Congress be on the way? It could happen, but only if the country demands the same from Democrats.

Perhaps we should hold elections on Thursday’s. It’s a holiday more or less, so why not make it a long weekend by adopting a National Returns Day for the Friday afterward too? That would be a good start for the new Democrat Congress, and a sign to all Americans that our long political partisan gridlock nightmare is over!

2006-10-30T09:44:00.000-08:00

THE DEAFENING ELECTION CRESCENDO!

Sometimes there are sounds that get inside of your head and rattle your brain. Many times it might be at an opera or during a cold wind storm where you have to walk miles to the nearest store for infant formula. The point is that there is no avoiding the elements.

In politics that has become true too. The rising tide of partisanship signales the coming tide as a midterm election approaches. In the past two decades however, the reverberating political atmosphere has just about made everyone in this country deaf.

No one is listening to the other side for the purpose of reasoned discussion. This dialogue has built an atmosphere of gotcha politics and a slimy grasp for the control of something. Politicians hold no power over those that they represent unless the electorate allows it. Many in politics do not know that or quickly forget when the levers of government are placed in their care.

The media has been functioning in the same manner since the advent of cable TV news. It is a pity. No matter which side of any issue you happen to be on you can bet that there are plenty of name calling mood altered persons on the opposite side who are that way because they cannot convince you of their point of view. This “I am the only one who can be right” stance has seeped into most avenues of the American culture. The most visual among us with the affliction is the media and politicians.

There have been other cultures that have run into the same sort of divergence from their historical foundations for the “My way or the highway” path. They all happen to have been conquered, however.

Great nations fall from within first and then are overrun by eager external enemies. We are doing the first part now. Just listen to the winds of this midterm election season. The seeds of discontent are a canyon that divides us. If we can only see each other as brothers during the time of a terror attack then the enemy is halfway home to taking us out because we've done the first half of the work for him.

It is time to vote on issues with logic and reason. Pathos should not enter into the decision making process. Such emotion blinds a people. Right now in our history we need to see what is taking aim at us. Unfortunately we are distracted by our own noise as it is peaking.

It is time to quite the rhetoric and become brothers in arms again. You can disagree with someone else, but let’s stop destroying others with differing opinions. Simply spar with civil discourse our valuable ideas. The oponent you snear at regarding abortion, immigration and homeland security, may be your brother in arms of the future. Don't burn that bridge. keep the lines of civil communications open. Don't be deafened by the current modern blowig winds.

2006-10-14T06:15:00.000-07:00

WHEN HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF!

By all accounts the Democrat party should be waltzing into control of at least one and probably both chambers of Congress after the 2006 mid-term election. Every poll and interpretation by the media offers a dire consequence to the Republican majority.

The media spin doctors once again have their act together and are filtering these ideas through a heavy yet transparent agenda. There is more ammunition this time compared with the previous four election cycles to boost hopeful Democrats into believing the Republican Revolution and their control of every arm in the government is about to change. They are ignoring their mantra of the 1992 election; it’s the economy stupid.

Historically the party in power loses a lot of seats during a mid term election. In the 1950’s 24 seats on average were lost by the party holding power in the White House. That was last century however, and before George Bush and Karl Rove started to gnaw at Democrat sensibilities in these races. In the time since the Republican Revolution in 1994 that number of changing seats has shrunk dramatically.

In this century with Bush in office the old paradigm has not applied. Republicans have been able to upset the Democrat victory parade four times running. Each one of those elections was earmarked by Democrats underestimating the formidability of Bush and Rove’s strategy. Democrats have the tendency also to believe their own press. Well they’re about to do it again. Strike up the band for one more round of shock and awe at the ballot box!

In the 2000 Presidential race President Bush bested Vice President Gore in the electoral vote while losing the popular vote. The Democrats still have yet to recover. Their repeatedly precipitous blindness stems from the month long cliff hanger election that was highlighted by Florida’s “recount heaven”, and a forum where the citizenry learned something new. Today they can tell you all about chads.

When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on a motion from the Bushies effectively ending the seesaw maneuvering of the Florida judiciary the dye was cast. It poked a big splinter into the better eye of the Democrats. The wood is still there and the subsequential elections have been a devastating lesson that they still haven’t learned.

When Jim Jeffords flipped from Republican to Independent and changed the balance of power in the Senate to thwart the duly elected Republican majority Democrats were downright gleeful. That same joy has appeared at every succeeding election. Unfortunately the positive expectations are merely the hopeful hype before the given election. It is the only time Democrats have been allowed to express those joyous feelings about Congress in over a dozen years. In each case the Democrats hopefulness has been dashed against the rocks. This year’s result is allegedly a sure thing! Once again polls indicate that the Republican control of everything is about to end, and it has Democrats gleeful once again!

What do you call someone who keeps making the same mistake over and over again? Are they simply optimistic, heavily in denial, wishful or insane? A good argument for a Democratic psychiatric disorder is that mentally challenged patients will perform the same behavior repeatedly expecting the result each time to be different. That may not exactly be clinical but it is the behavior of the mentally ill, and the Democrats.

In the 2004 Presidential election the gleeful Democrats were ready to celebrate Senator John Kerry’s victory over President Bush. Democrats that time relied on exit polls and by mid afternoon of Election Day they were celebrating and ready to pick out drapes for the coronation. When evening came the media, burned in 2000 by declaring early victory for Gore, steadied themselves enough not to say Kerry was going to win. They all thought it was coming based upon the exit polls however. They were wrong!

These are the same people dishing to you now the spin that the Democrats are a shoe in for one or both houses of Congress. I wouldn’t count my chickens just yet. History, and recent history at that, has shown us that polls are not as accurate as we are led to believe. Once they were a clever and entertaining method of suggesting most peoples likes and dislikes about everything from mustard to dancing shoes. However when it comes to the bottom line where life and death issues are at stake they are not so reliable. Each of the last four election cycles should demonstrate that to the electorate. However there is a very short memory span in politics. The Democrats are especially plagued by the malady.

Is it possible what the polls say will bear out finally reclaiming their validity come Election Day? Possibly. Judging from the behavior of the players today however history is poised to repeat itself once again to the dismay and potential destruction of one particular political party.

2006-09-13T06:55:00.000-07:00

THE DEMOCRAT DELUSION!

About six months ago the Democrat party was considered a long shot to overtake the sitting Republican majorities in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. To consider such a thing was entertaining but not likely.

Since then some things happened to lead Democrats to put on rose colored glasses. The party hijacked by its far left wing pumped its conspiracy leaning ideology into the mainstream. Coupled with their unbridled hatred for the sitting President and his sagging poll numbers the Democrat left philosophy gained credence. The media eagerly assisted. Armed with polls of questionable methodology the hype became a snowball gaining density as it rolled down hill. The skies seemed to brighten for Democrats.

By mid summer the winter’s chorus had changed so much so that some in the media gushed over prospects of a coronation for Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and a Democrat return to majority power. Democrat committee members were practically being assured jobs as chairmen. The vision however, will prove to be merely a dream.

Democrats are avoiding by the old election proverb don’t count your chickens before they vote! The long ride from January through the summer traditionally highlights opinions from a population not really paying attention to politics. It is not until mid September that the voters really begin to take assessment of who they want in power.

The first sign of popping the Democrat dream machine occurred when Joe Lieberman was defeated in his own party’s primary. Afterward joyous Democrat celebration was dampened as it became evident that Joe Stay the Course in Iraq Lieberman will probably still win in the general election as an Independent.

The tide is turning again as the electorate turns back to the looming election. The signs once so hopeful for Democrats are now more ominous. It threatens to put the lid back on their victory party.

The election will be decided on 2 major fronts: the war on terror and the economy. The old adage that all elections are local, that is being so carelessly tossed aside by Democrats and media reports, will once again bear out its truth this November. Incumbents win more than 90% of the time. This year will be no exception. The election outlook, given the good economy, 95.3% of folks employed, falling gasoline prices, and Republicans more trustworthy in war time adds up to staying the course in the House and Senate. The House and Senate will likely remain Republican

Given the fact that the last two major elections were far from traditional those who have jumped to an early conclusion are sure to be disappointed come November. Since President Bush won the controversial 2000 Presidential election the Democrats have virtually barked up every wrong tree in drawing outcome conclusions. This year again will be no different. However we must thank the Democrats and the media for inventing a story worthy of some interest. It’s kind of like a Hollywood movie; an interesting story but fiction nonetheless.

2006-09-03T15:14:00.000-07:00

JUST YOUR AVERAGE JOE!

The defeat of Joe Lieberman in the Connecticut democrat primary has implications that can not be ignored. A number of conclusions are immediately apparent. Dancing with the administration on the Iraq war may be political poison within the ranks of the Democrat party. Heck it makes many Republicans uneasy. Prior to this primary loss, Lieberman was about as far to the right of his party as one could get. Unfortunately for Democrats he is only a centrist. With his loss the clear message is that moderates are no longer welcome in the democrat party unless you are antiviolence.

This imprint is joyous news to the far left of the Democrat party. They have officially arrived to control the party. Howard Dean is its poster boy, and the politics of exclusion is now its standard. There is no room for someone who votes the party line in the Senate 95% of the time as long as they are someone who supports the war in Iraq. So the core value of the Democrat party is once again antiwar ala 1968.

They have been vocal, determined and looking for their generation’s cause. They have found it in the pacifism they practice. Desperate to appear united and salivating to control the levers of power once again has blinded them to the long term consequences. There is no longer room for someone who agrees with them most of the time if they are not a lockstep conscientious objector.

Not even the average Joe or run of the mill American is fit for the Democrat party. For the majority of Republican 1960’s baby boomers the phrase “I didn’t leave the Democrat party it left me” is commonplace. The succeeding 21st century generation is ready to be sent out looking for a party. The Democrats, sliding once again further to the left are marginalizing themselves, in the long term. They have abandoned the political middle.

This sets the stage for the next George McGovern to take the political advantage. Al Gore might just be such a candidate. Nevertheless the 30% of the U.S. population who occupy the extreme wing now in control of the democrats are in a better place than they should be because the Republicans have driven their own scruples over the cliff. They too have abandoned all of the standards on which they were built. The Republicans like the Democrats have neglected the middle in favor of being drunk with power. Now is the time for the average Joe of a third party to sweep into office.

Joe Lieberman commented on his humility about running for such a high political office when he was Al Gore’s Vice Presidential running mate in the year 2000. That political zenith may be dwarfed by what follows next. He is potentially going to win his senate seat to spite his party giving him the high hard one. His election may be a template for things to come if he wins reelection despite his primary loss. Such a political earthquake will wake up those in the middle to forge a viable third party and field a candidate to capture the White House. The loser would be one of the other two parties. The Democrats stand the most to lose due to their marginalizing the party to the far left wing. They would all have to thank average Joe for changing the American political landscape for decades to come.

2006-08-17T13:22:00.000-07:00

SPINNING IN THEIR GRAVES!

Usually the phrase spinning in their grave is a referenced to attribute a notion that a dead person would have extreme disagreement with a given situation. It is ascribed to the living as a point of view and is usually a significant offense related to the decedent’s core beliefs.

On the other hand in modern society the phrase spinning has come to mean slanting the facts so as to filter them through ones own biases and political point of view so as to make it more acceptable to a like minded constituency.

Unfortunately the latter is being allowed to occur on a whole host of cultural topics none the least of which is the Israeli invasion into Lebanon. I refer to the invasion this summer as to the others required over the past two decades.

Once again Israel has been forced to defend its borders from enemies that want to wipe it from the map. Military action to defend oneself is not only morally correct, but it is also basic to the biological instinct of survival. Drawing a line in the sand after two soldiers were kidnapped and several killed Israel; took offensive action in order to defend its continual existence. Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, there illegally as per U.N. resolution, fired rockets on northern Israel from its arsenal of 13,000 shells. These armaments were supplied by Iran and Syria.

The aftermath of 900 dead sees Israel is receiving the blame. The spin-meisters and anti-Semites are at it again trying to spin Golda Meir in her grave. After all one good spin deserves another. What they don’t see is their contribution to the enemies of freedom. They are spinning themselves into an early grave!

If allowed to stand the propaganda being perpetrated will subtly coerce the mainstream into believing such rubbish. The rhetorical nonsense must be challenged head on and vehemently dismantled point by point exposing the lies being perpetrated otherwise the truth will be lost forever. One avenue spared since September 11th’s attacks on the U.S. is that of the Muslim and Middle Eastern press. Essentially a propaganda arm for militant Muslim points of view Al Jezeera for instance is still broadcasting when the U.S. should have taken it apart with the dismantling of Iraq and Afghanistan. That has been the biggest mistake of the Bush administration to date!

Muslim fanaticism and to a large degree the turning away from condemning fellow Muslims is the larger issue. Allowing these spinsters and their state supported and alleged free news agencies that supporting them to run amok with the truth is unacceptable. This complacency in the Muslim community is palpable and something not seen since the German people kowtowed to Hitler and the Nazi Third Reich.

If not checked the result will be the same or worse with Iran and a host of militant governments leading the way back to a Muslim Shangri-la of the 13th century variety where fascist slavery was be the rule and not the exception.

The world has a history of standing up but only after its too late. This time such a lumbering nature will be nuclear-ly devastating not only to Israel but to the west and the core principal; of freedom itself. It is time to stand up and be counted or to lie down and spin. Choose sides!

2006-08-08T10:44:00.000-07:00

THE NEW WORLD ORDER?

The neatly arranged streets of Anytown U.S.A have been replaced by huge gouges, scarring and other associated craters. Treetops are scorched and there is still a thick scent of smoke, timber, and burnt flesh in the air. Automobiles, once the symbol of an everyday western affluence and upwardly mobile jet setting culture, have come to a halt. Skies are more often grey than blue and the sound of aircraft is a faint memory whispered of with reverential sorrow. The barren landscape comprised of housing development remains is devoid of everyday life despite the “children at play” signs that line suburban ruins.

The once thriving and bustling major industrial and living centers have become hollow, empty shells of their remnant selves. The financial centers and institutions no longer remain. Barter is the main source of commerce yet the vast majority of the surviving culture either own little or have no hope of financial ascension.

Spirituality is the last vestige of the believer and concurrently the first scorn to the skeptics of little faith. The victors mandated belief for those remaining and there is no escaping the stranglehold the new government has imposed upon those able to tolerate the repression.

Those who practiced satanic arts such as painting, film making, or poetry and advanced any idea of free thinking are the first to be brutally decapitated like swine in the town centers. Most of the population has succumbed to the fatalistic future that has befallen a once proud empire now vanquished by the barbarian hordes of the gods of old, Gog and Magog.

The part of the continent not still smoldering has become armed venues of obscene persecution not seen since the Spanish Inquisition. Allegiance is sought and the cowards who acquiesce believe that they are extending their life when in reality they are extinguishing it with such an exclamation point. Is life worth living without liberty? Those who show any sign of resistance are summarily eliminated in anguish before the onlookers.

Those who have formed a resistance have taken to the mountain ranges near either coast in an effort to resurrect the greatest accomplishment mankind had ever devised, the concept of freedom. The futile chore ahead of them is a never ending struggle against a battle tested terrain champion and conqueror. There is little sign for encouragement. Jabbing at the new central government for years armed with mere toothpick weapons against a fallen nuclear arsenal illuminates the disparity.

One might harkens back to the events as they unfolded before the memory is systematically eradicated from the face of the earth. The lynchpin for the devastation of the once great and mighty nation was of a religious nature. The failure of a great bureaucracy to swiftly counterpunch a fanatical enemy doomed the once almighty blest nation.

The lumbering torch bearer of independence was choked by its own political correctness and deviant toleration of every abysmal abomination. Corruption killed the keeper of the faith. Its response, weakened culturally from within, instead of enduring as the generations whose shoulders it stood upon, succumbed. In place of strengthening its hand in the face of global religious fanaticism it walked blindly while conversing to itself into the jaws of jihad. The horde devoured the freedom of all mankind and brought the 13th century Muslim empire to America’s 21st century elimination. The year was 2012!

The future is changeable, however what we do now determines what road we will be on later, and time is running out!

2006-07-21T06:01:00.000-07:00

NUMBER III

Those that ignore the past are destined to repeat it! Given that axioms are like comedy in that they are based on some amount of truth our recent history suggests that is the also true for tragedy.

Since the affiliation of becoming the chosen people Jews have been the target of true evil in the world. From Biblical and historical texts to the final creation of the State of Israel in 1948 these people have been enslaved, attacked, and the victims of genocide.

World War II and the run up to it was virtually ignored or dismissed by those who believe that you can appease evil into submission. The general population of the world doesn’t want to be bothered with the prospect of death and destruction. Like water they will choose the path of least resistance. They believe confronting evil brings it on. In fact ignoring it is what enables wickedness to grow like a cancer, flourish, and then explode upon the globe in horrific nightmare proportions.

Adolf Hitler’s Germany was allowed by the free world to invade, conquer, and occupy several countries before one by one the western allies were sucked into the whirlpool vacuum of war. The United States even let its greatest ally Great Brittan suffer alone for quite a length of time before becoming involved in World War II.

It took a direct attack on the U.S. by aggressors to drag a reluctant and unprepared U.S. populace into the war. It wasn’t easy but the final WWII results while positive were devastating to all mankind. The birth of the nuclear age and the loss of two Japanese cities and its citizens were the price of stomping out evil and putting it back into its box.

Today the same pre-war mindset exists. The U S is less revered and even despised in some quarters that it rescued in WWII. The face of fascism this time comes in the form of a turban. Fanatical Fundamental Muslim extremists are now the face of Hitler. The world as in the late 1930’s is still in its appeasement mode. Calls for bringing these barbaric demons under the hammer of justice are being derided, ignored, and mocked or worse yet deflected. The deflection portrays Israel as the aggressor when it is simply trying to defend itself once again.

Like the precursor events of WWII sides are being drawn. Basically it comes down to fascism versus freedom, the Mideast versus the west, Muslims versus Christians and Judaism. Most of the world like in the late 30’s is not ready to hear this sentiment. The catastrophe has not yet occurred that will be the tipping point to opening the eyes of freedom lovers. Some are sounding the call but mostly the message is falling on deaf ears of those in denial. Only when the enslavement of mankind begins will the catcalls go out. Then even the passive will demand retaliation. World War III, and some claim we are in the beginnings of it now, will be more of a threat to the annihilation of mankind. There are only few places that unchecked aggression can lead and most of them sooner or later are nuclear.

Like WWII that escalation will be only part of what will end the coming conflagration. This time around evil will have to be put in a pine box. It will take the utter extermination of fanatical religious zealots to put an end to their delusions of one world under Allah’s thumb in a midlevel Muslim paradise. Many may not survive the tribulation which lay ahead. However if history teaches us anything it is that we should never ignore the past unless we want to relive it!

2006-07-07T06:56:00.000-07:00

The Malevolent Alliance

During the State of the Union address in January 2002 when President George Bush identified three countries as belonging to an Axis of Evil the country was generally surprised. There has certainly been a history of Iran, Iraq, and North Korean shenanigans qualifying them for such a grandiose title. Yet people at the time, even in the afterglow of 9-1-1, seemed catatonic to the grim facts the President was laying before them.

Four and a half years later the population has elaborating behavior demonstrating the insight which sparked the use of such language. Conjuring up images of the Axis Powers of World War II and President Reagan’s Soviet reference of The Evil Empire, George Bush placed these rogue nations on notice and upon the same infamous pedestal. The countries which he identified have bore out their labels. He illuminated those regimes as cockroaches lurking in the darkness scurrying the modern globe.

Iraq which was perhaps the most benign of the three was, like North Korea, run by a megalomaniac bent on holding power by the only method it knew; violence. The brutality of the Hussein dictatorship was for the population of Iraq an obvious form of terrorism. It was evident in war with Iran, through an invasion of the sovereign Kuwaiti nation, and against the Kurdish population in Northern Iraq. In those places the terror served to heighten fears within Iraq.. They heightened realities based upon government actions and the use of force including lethal chemical weapons of mass annihilation.

North Korea’s recent posturing and missile firings have heightened the tensions in the Far East and around the world. Another little troll-like doll of a leader, Kim Jong-Il, is having a temper tantrum and threatening the world. North Korea’s nuclear ambition places the free world more ill at ease because of the super repressive nature of the regime. Heap upon that Russia and China’s reluctance to intervene to control the little bugger and ipso facto you have another despot trying to hold the west for ransom in a strategic terror ploy.

Iran the unstable Middle East sister of the other two has a different form of government yet is no less dangerous. It revels in an inquisitional auto de fe of the modern era. The spiritual underpinnings of the culture has run amok and placed the reigns of governmental power with the hands of religious fanatics. The resulting torment of its own people is in the name of Allah. However, more importantly it is a haven of support for exporting terror and anti-western action. Top it off with another nuclear program and like the other two in the alliance it supports sects that oppose western religions in favor of promoting its own world view. They also breed state sponsored terror.

These three rogue cultures slink along supporting the underworld of barbarians which each harbors its own way. Since that State of the Union message each country has either been shown or has demonstrated themselves to be of the caliber the President described. The method of dealing with each however, has been unsatisfying.

Iraq’s tyrant has been deposed creating a vacuum for all the global slithering ilk to fill. It is the biggest success story for the U.S. to date to spite all the hoopla to the contrary. Whether that country makes it to full fledged democracy remains to be seen. There is a pro-western government evolving. America has done about all that it can to send them on the right path. The final choice is up to the Iraqi’s.

What once was thought of as a nation the people who would take back Iran has become troubling in the hands of a hard line Ayatollah puppet President. His rhetoric is as threatening as anything man has ever heard with echoes of Adolf Hitler. North Korea is center spotlight currently because they’re not merely using words but provocative action to demonstrate their instability. The U.S.’s strategic military hands are tied lest it risk nuclear conflict. Global pacifism and cowardice has given rise to a safe harbor for nations such as these and autocrats that rule them.

Whatever the course for the iniquitous trio the world has had plenty of warning signs to ponder much like the Nazi’s provided before World War II. Typified by the United Nations inaction this internationally auspicious body has proven itself to be another League of Nations. The world is in for a rocky ride over the next quarter of a century. Those who have chosen to ignore the verbal warning President Bush gave in 2002 are seeing the fruits of the failure. International response has been insignificant in the face of identified threats. If history is a gauge it will have to get much worse before it ever gets any better!

2006-06-23T10:23:00.000-07:00

Immigration Part II

While fairness is essential for all persons, when it comes to immigrants, their status, treatment, and contribution to the country, law breakers put the notion of equality in peril by their own hand.

Many of our citizens belong to an immigrant ancestry that was treated badly but the leadership of their culture never called for repayment regarding being discriminated against. They were led through a tough work ethic by individuals who achieved more for their children than they ever were rewarded themselves.

As far as the problem of illegal immigration, no people from any culture on the globe should be allowed to enter this country by breaking the immigration laws! Your color, creed, and religion should play no part in determining if you get in or are rejected.

As far as economic examples, according to the Federation of American Immigration Reform (FAIR) for instance “analysis of the latest Census data indicates Florida’s illegal immigrant population is costing the state’s taxpayers nearly two billion dollars per year for education, medical care and incarceration. Even if the estimated taxes collected from illegal immigrant workers are subtracted, net outlays still amount to nearly one billion dollars per year. The annual fiscal burden amounts to about $315 per Florida household headed by a native-born resident.”

People should open their eyes. Illegal aliens do collect medical care through hospital emergency room visits and we pay! The money they collect under the table from unscrupulous employers is not taxed and the government wants more from us. We pay! Illegals may want to remain invisible but their shadow is seen in every hospital emergency room. They are on the transparent welfare roll when they take money from companies willing to pay them next to nothing or when they live together 16 in a one bedroom home fit for four individuals.

Championing such an illegal immigrant subculture of welfare off the books is another insidious form of slavery itself which many refuse to see. Certainly immigrants work hard. They always have. That is not the issue. Can a nation of laws exist without adherence to those laws?

Addressing the illegal alien issue by slamming the border shut and only allowing immigrants to apply for legal status is the first step. Because good intentioned organizations side with illegal immigrants does not give them the right to break the law. Civil disobedience is a cherished American tradition. However, being wrong and breaking the law only compounds the problem. Many people desire to change history and have the forefather’s sins visited upon their sons.

We are American’s! That was eloquently stated over 85 years ago years ago through Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an American. Excerpted from a letter written shortly before his death in January 1919, just a few months after the armistice that ended the fighting in World War I he wrote "In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American ... There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag ... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language ... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

Is that view still valid today? Though debate opinions vary I will fight side by side with an opposing debater to preserve their right to differ from me. That is what is uniquely American, and worth dying for. Illegals who want to share in that glory should do so legally!

2006-06-09T04:56:00.000-07:00

Catfight
Coulter versus Clinton

The uprising of shock from the mainstream over author Ann Coulter’s comments in her new book Godless: The Church of Liberalism is quite predictable. It may shock sensibilities that Ms. Coulter says in her book that a group of widows whose husbands perished in the 9/11 terrorist attacks “act as if the terrorist attacks happened only to them." The biggest backlash however rises from her personal appearance tongue in cheek commentary on several talk shows where she alleges that that these widows are self-obsessed and enjoying their husbands' deaths.

First of all much of her rhetoric generates publicity and help her sell books. There is much hyperbole laced through her commentary. She tends to be in your face with much of her delivery on many well thought out political positions. The latest example is no exception.

Her argument is basically that liberals often send into the spotlight victims of tragedy who espouse left wing ideology. The resulting compassion for these tragic figures according to Coulter is being used as a shield from critical rebuttal while they go unchallenged on activist rampages. She is using an over the top approach to prove her point.

Coulter concludes that this is a tactic of liberal methodology. She is essentially correct. Unlike most other political commentators however she will not play their game, whither, pull her punches, and be relegated to the shadows. Using clever hijinks she blasts the left at the same time shocking conventional sensibilities.

Take for example Hilary Clinton. Senator Clinton commented on Ms. Coulter’s tome. “Perhaps her book should have been called 'Heartless," Mrs. Clinton states that she knows a lot of the widows and family members who lost loved ones on 9/11 and that they never wanted to be a member of the tragedy defined group.

The tenor of the retort sounds like Ms. Coulter has hit a nerve. You are not allowed to criticize widows even if you find it repulsive that they are using their spouse’s deaths as a launching pad for political activism. The response tends to validate Ms. Coulter’s assumption.

It is sort of like collecting life insurance. You may find yourself better off financially after your loved one is gone and thanks to their death your fiscal position is elevated. You may be shattered that they died but you take advantage of its benefits. Ms. Coulter is saying that these women sure enjoy the limelight resulting from their spouse’s demise, not the loss itself.

For a family that enjoys parsing words you’d think that Mrs. Clinton of all people would understand. The name Clinton should conjure nothing but the concept of linguistic gymnastics. She however has political interests to think about.

Mrs. Clinton found it beyond her how anyone in the public eye could launch such a mean spirited attack upon victims. You must understand that the political left has not only cultivated but championed victim-hood. It guarantees liberals relevancy. If the populace is always under the thumb of someone then you can be saved by the cavalry (the political left).

As someone who spent 8 years seated at the right hand of her husband President, there was little compassion for truth or openness let alone individuals that got in the path of the Clinton slander machine. With countless scandals under their belt the number of people harmed by their authority has been relegated to history to be forever ignored by all but the historians.

Mrs. Clinton's label as being among the smartest woman in America, bestowed upon her by feminists, seems strange. The Clinton White House attacks upon people were applauded while a mere author is lambasted. Mrs. Clinton is after all a victim of her husband’s philandering. Don’t attack her though she is a casualty!

As the two square off Ms. Coulter’s point is made again. Victims that spin political from their spouse’s tragedies are being as vulgar a site as the specter of the calamities themselves. The activism is what they are enjoying, their new found fame and attention which they would have never achieved without the misfortune to their families. Ms Coulter just wants a level playing field where commentary even from tragic figures may be challenged without undue repercussion. She points it out by using similarly offensive reciprocation.