In a recent interview in a men's health magazine, President-elect Barack Obama pledges not to do something we rarely have seen but knows he does.
Light up a ciggy.
We all know that President-elect Obama is a cigarette smoker. And, he admits it in this article. And he says that he has been weak and "fallen off the wagon" and bummed cigarettes while running for president.
News flash, Mr. President-elect! It is not going to get any easier. Soon you will be president and have to actually govern. And take responsibility for the good and the bad. And, you will be under immense pressure from day one.
But, I think that this is like so much that he has promised and or pledged. There is an expiration date on everything. At some point, not even the DDBMSOWM will be able to cover up when a ciggy comes out of the box, into President-elect Obama's mouth and a lighter and or match goes up to said ciggy and, voila! He lights it up and relaxes.
I hope that he can stop smoking, but please do not make a big deal about it one way or the other. Do not fall for this PC claptrap.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
December 7, 1941-The Original Date That Shall Live In Infamy
Today is December 7, 2008 and the 66th anniversary of the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawai'i.
As then President Franklin Delano Roosevelt correctly said, it is a date that shall live in infamy.
The worrisome aspect of this as more time is removed and more and more soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines from that era go to the glory, is how many of us Americans will forget about what happened that day.
It was an amazing event because it was the first battle of modern warfare.
The Japanese Pacific fleet and air force did something that had never been done before in the history of warfare. An air attack against an enemy target. And, it was regrettably successful at that.
While there has been a lot of strange history that somehow President Franklin Delano Roosevelt actually knew of the impending attack and did nothing to stop it, it is as noted. Strange history. Some use that history to cite that because of that the United States could formally enter the war against the Axis powers that included Germany and Italy.
My take is that it is possible that the Roosevelt administration knew of the potential of an attack, but not how, by who, not when that could take place.
Such conspiracy thinking requires that all the players have to keep the conspiracy under wraps. And we know that there are always those that can not keep a secret.
The real lesson is that the United States has to always know who our friends are and be always watchful for those that wish us harm.
As Santayana once said, those that ignore history are doomed to repeat it.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Big Win For The GOP
Tonight, the voters in New Orleans have spoken and said enough is enough and voted out the indicted incumbent Democrat congressman William "Big Bucks" Jefferson and elected the first Vietnamese-American and Republican Joseph Cao.
It is the second bit of good news for the Republicans in week on top of the big win by Georgia Senator Saxby Chambliss this past Tuesday.
And it maybe the harbinger of things to come for the Democrats.
Remember folks, they now run the show. The White House on January 20, 2009 and congress now.
No more George W. Bush to kick around. No more Republicans to blame for all that goes wrong. Neither will be able to be blamed for a moribund economy. A foreign policy crisis. And, for corruption that will follow the Dems into the halls of power.
Of course it seems to go hand in hand that corruption=Democrats. Of course the Republicans took some lessons from the Democrats the last several years. And, that is why they got their hat handed to them in their hands. And they deserved it!
It is what was one of the leading reasons that led to the Republicans taking control of congress in 1994. Corruption.
Lets see now how the Dems will handle this issue now that they run the show. Except for a big win in Louisiana.
Here are the results from the election:
U.S. House - District 2 - General
Louisiana - 492 of 492 Precincts Reporting - 100%
Name Party Votes Vote %
Cao , Joseph GOP 33,122 50%
Jefferson , William (i) Dem 31,296 47%
Rahim , Malik Grn 1,880 3%
Kahn , Gregory Lib 548 1%
It is the second bit of good news for the Republicans in week on top of the big win by Georgia Senator Saxby Chambliss this past Tuesday.
And it maybe the harbinger of things to come for the Democrats.
Remember folks, they now run the show. The White House on January 20, 2009 and congress now.
No more George W. Bush to kick around. No more Republicans to blame for all that goes wrong. Neither will be able to be blamed for a moribund economy. A foreign policy crisis. And, for corruption that will follow the Dems into the halls of power.
Of course it seems to go hand in hand that corruption=Democrats. Of course the Republicans took some lessons from the Democrats the last several years. And, that is why they got their hat handed to them in their hands. And they deserved it!
It is what was one of the leading reasons that led to the Republicans taking control of congress in 1994. Corruption.
Lets see now how the Dems will handle this issue now that they run the show. Except for a big win in Louisiana.
Here are the results from the election:
U.S. House - District 2 - General
Louisiana - 492 of 492 Precincts Reporting - 100%
Name Party Votes Vote %
Cao , Joseph GOP 33,122 50%
Jefferson , William (i) Dem 31,296 47%
Rahim , Malik Grn 1,880 3%
Kahn , Gregory Lib 548 1%
Guess The State The Recession Has Not Hit Yet
Much to the interest and chagrin of The New York Times, there is a state in this great land that the effects of the current resicion have not hit at all.
Can you guess the state?
Two hints.
One, it is not Rhode Island, the focus of the previous post.
Two, it is governed by Republicans.
Give up?
Why it is North Dakota, of course!
So the question is how have they done it?
The following from The Times article may help explain it in part
North Dakota’s cheery circumstance — which economic analysts are quick to warn is showing clear signs that it, too, may be in jeopardy — can be explained by an odd collection of factors: a recent surge in oil production that catapulted the state to fifth-largest producer in the nation; a mostly strong year for farmers (agriculture is the state’s biggest business); and a conservative, steady, never-fancy culture that has nurtured fewer sudden booms of wealth like those seen elsewhere (“Our banks don’t do those goofy loans,” Mr. Theel said) and also fewer tumultuous slumps.
I want to focus on the last part of the paragraph.
A conservative, steady, never-fancy culture that has nurtured fewer sudden booms of wealth like those seen elsewhere (“Our banks don’t do those goofy loans,” Mr. Theel said) and also fewer tumultuous slumps.
It is about the banks and the fact that they appear to be responsible and loaning to people and businesses that will pay them back. Thus, one would have to conclude that these banks adhere to strict structures as to how and who to loan to. Too bad a lot of other banks did not follow this approach.
While unployment is around 3.4%, North Dakota is having a problem filling jobs. There are 13,000 unfilled jobs in the state. North Dakota is now branching out to recruit potential employees to such deep recision states as Michigan.
As far as governance, under a Republican governor, John Hoeven, and Republican controlled legislature, the state is experiancing a $1,200,000,000 surplus. A surplus, mind you! And there is talk of property tax relief, a five percent raise for state workers, and more money for secondary education.
In neighboring Minnesota, the state is dealing with a $5,200,000,000 budget deficit.
The moral here as opposed to the post on Rhode Island previously is that responsible governance leads to a strong economy. Not going overboard with big, bloated government is the key to having a strong economy that leads to increased tax revenue and the ability to provide truly nessecary services.
It is too bad that so many states and localities in the United States do not follow the example of North Dakota.
HT: The Other McCain @ www.rsmccain.blogspot.com and Jammie Wearing Fool @ www.jammiewearingfool.blogspot.com
Can you guess the state?
Two hints.
One, it is not Rhode Island, the focus of the previous post.
Two, it is governed by Republicans.
Give up?
Why it is North Dakota, of course!
So the question is how have they done it?
The following from The Times article may help explain it in part
North Dakota’s cheery circumstance — which economic analysts are quick to warn is showing clear signs that it, too, may be in jeopardy — can be explained by an odd collection of factors: a recent surge in oil production that catapulted the state to fifth-largest producer in the nation; a mostly strong year for farmers (agriculture is the state’s biggest business); and a conservative, steady, never-fancy culture that has nurtured fewer sudden booms of wealth like those seen elsewhere (“Our banks don’t do those goofy loans,” Mr. Theel said) and also fewer tumultuous slumps.
I want to focus on the last part of the paragraph.
A conservative, steady, never-fancy culture that has nurtured fewer sudden booms of wealth like those seen elsewhere (“Our banks don’t do those goofy loans,” Mr. Theel said) and also fewer tumultuous slumps.
It is about the banks and the fact that they appear to be responsible and loaning to people and businesses that will pay them back. Thus, one would have to conclude that these banks adhere to strict structures as to how and who to loan to. Too bad a lot of other banks did not follow this approach.
While unployment is around 3.4%, North Dakota is having a problem filling jobs. There are 13,000 unfilled jobs in the state. North Dakota is now branching out to recruit potential employees to such deep recision states as Michigan.
As far as governance, under a Republican governor, John Hoeven, and Republican controlled legislature, the state is experiancing a $1,200,000,000 surplus. A surplus, mind you! And there is talk of property tax relief, a five percent raise for state workers, and more money for secondary education.
In neighboring Minnesota, the state is dealing with a $5,200,000,000 budget deficit.
The moral here as opposed to the post on Rhode Island previously is that responsible governance leads to a strong economy. Not going overboard with big, bloated government is the key to having a strong economy that leads to increased tax revenue and the ability to provide truly nessecary services.
It is too bad that so many states and localities in the United States do not follow the example of North Dakota.
HT: The Other McCain @ www.rsmccain.blogspot.com and Jammie Wearing Fool @ www.jammiewearingfool.blogspot.com
The Insanity Of Liberalism
Today's highlight of the insanity of liberalism, or in this case socialism, comes from the state of Rhode Island.
It is here that the infrastructure, roads, bridges and the like, are falling apart. Where neglect reigns supreme.
It is in Rhode Island that a blue-ribbon commission put in place by the Republican governor, Donald Carceiri recommended, among other things, a VMT fee. A VMT fee is a Vehicle Millage Fee, which could be as little as a half-cent to a full cent per mile. Or put it this way. Driving 10,000 miles a year in Rhode Island could cost another $50 to $100 dollars.
As those television infomercials say, but wait, there's more!
The state gasoline tax, currently 30c a gallon could go up another 15c a gallon.
State car registration fees would rise from $60 a year to $140 by 2013.
A potential $3 toll for cars and $6 for trucks-only at Rhode Island's border with Connecticut. Also there would be a possible $3 toll on a new bridge at the Sakonnet river.
All told, this could raise about $150,000,000 a year supposedly for infrastructure repairs.
Here is the richness of this scam.
According to the Providence Journal article that I linked, the state of Rhode Island depends on most of its transportation and department of transportation funding from the federal government.
Once again, a state that is dominated by liberal Democrats can not get in tax structure and funding straight.
In case one thinks that I am exaggerating the dominance of the Democrats in Rhode Island, after the just concluded election, the Democrats control of the legislature is as follows:
HOUSE: 69 D 6R
SENATE: 33D 4R 1I
So, out of 123 potential legislative seats, the Republicans control a grand total of 10. It is practically a one party dictatorship.
If Rhode Island followed the example of states that are growing, mostly in the South and the West, they would find other ways to fund highway repair and improvement. They would not have penalizing taxes, such as what is being proposed on actual driving, but funding from the general tax fund. Only in these states dominated by legislatures that have not met a tax that they do not like would people think this way.
BTW, our "illustrious" governor in California, Benedict Arnold Schwarzenegger, has thought of the idea of taxing by the mile. So, it is not an original idea.
People in high-tax states never stop paying high taxes until they find a way to just say no more.
That is what happened in 1978 here in California when Proposition 13 passed overwhelmingly. Up until then, the California legislature kept finding ways to raise property taxes to levels that people were actually losing their homes. Not to foreclosure, but being unable to pay the ever-increasing tax burden.
Until the people of Rhode Island and other states ran like Rhode Island just say no more, they can not get mad about those they elect to lead the state. Keep electing Democrats, and this is what one gets.
And, a state should not have their hat in hand for a federal government "bail out" any more than a bank and or an auto maker. Apparently, Rhode Island falls into the federal government trough quite often. And it has done nothing to improve the crumbling infrastructure.
Pro-growth policies and the like could be a solution. But, not when the first thing is "let's raise taxes in the most insane matter."
Rhode Island needs to decide priorities. What is important to fund. And they have not done so. And, it appears that they will not.
FTR, Gov. Carceiri has not endorsed or opposed any aspect of the commission's findings.
It is here that the infrastructure, roads, bridges and the like, are falling apart. Where neglect reigns supreme.
It is in Rhode Island that a blue-ribbon commission put in place by the Republican governor, Donald Carceiri recommended, among other things, a VMT fee. A VMT fee is a Vehicle Millage Fee, which could be as little as a half-cent to a full cent per mile. Or put it this way. Driving 10,000 miles a year in Rhode Island could cost another $50 to $100 dollars.
As those television infomercials say, but wait, there's more!
The state gasoline tax, currently 30c a gallon could go up another 15c a gallon.
State car registration fees would rise from $60 a year to $140 by 2013.
A potential $3 toll for cars and $6 for trucks-only at Rhode Island's border with Connecticut. Also there would be a possible $3 toll on a new bridge at the Sakonnet river.
All told, this could raise about $150,000,000 a year supposedly for infrastructure repairs.
Here is the richness of this scam.
According to the Providence Journal article that I linked, the state of Rhode Island depends on most of its transportation and department of transportation funding from the federal government.
Once again, a state that is dominated by liberal Democrats can not get in tax structure and funding straight.
In case one thinks that I am exaggerating the dominance of the Democrats in Rhode Island, after the just concluded election, the Democrats control of the legislature is as follows:
HOUSE: 69 D 6R
SENATE: 33D 4R 1I
So, out of 123 potential legislative seats, the Republicans control a grand total of 10. It is practically a one party dictatorship.
If Rhode Island followed the example of states that are growing, mostly in the South and the West, they would find other ways to fund highway repair and improvement. They would not have penalizing taxes, such as what is being proposed on actual driving, but funding from the general tax fund. Only in these states dominated by legislatures that have not met a tax that they do not like would people think this way.
BTW, our "illustrious" governor in California, Benedict Arnold Schwarzenegger, has thought of the idea of taxing by the mile. So, it is not an original idea.
People in high-tax states never stop paying high taxes until they find a way to just say no more.
That is what happened in 1978 here in California when Proposition 13 passed overwhelmingly. Up until then, the California legislature kept finding ways to raise property taxes to levels that people were actually losing their homes. Not to foreclosure, but being unable to pay the ever-increasing tax burden.
Until the people of Rhode Island and other states ran like Rhode Island just say no more, they can not get mad about those they elect to lead the state. Keep electing Democrats, and this is what one gets.
And, a state should not have their hat in hand for a federal government "bail out" any more than a bank and or an auto maker. Apparently, Rhode Island falls into the federal government trough quite often. And it has done nothing to improve the crumbling infrastructure.
Pro-growth policies and the like could be a solution. But, not when the first thing is "let's raise taxes in the most insane matter."
Rhode Island needs to decide priorities. What is important to fund. And they have not done so. And, it appears that they will not.
FTR, Gov. Carceiri has not endorsed or opposed any aspect of the commission's findings.
Friday, December 05, 2008
Kathleen Parker Keeps Going On, And On, And On
This post by The Other McCain says a lot about the rantings of Washington Post columnist Kathleen Parker as she continues to insult evangelical Christians with a feeble "apology" in her latest column. The Other McCain: Dear Kathleen Parker . . .#links
Want the money quote as to why Mrs. Parker is nothing more than a religious bigot? Here it is:
It is an indisputable fact that conservative Catholics are the solid backbone of the Christian pro-life movement. (If you doubt this, come to Washington, DC, for the annual March for Life next month, and witness the crowds of Catholic students packed into the trains at Union Station.) Conservative Catholics also are staunch opponents of same-sex marriage and embryonic stem-cell research, and are the leading activists on the kind of end-of-life issues dramatized by the Terry Schiavo case. And yet you, Ms. Parker, say not a word about Catholics.
Bada bing!!
Mr. McCain hits it right on the head about Mrs. Parker and all who seem to have it in for the "white" evangelicals.
One thing that I have not heard from people like Mrs. Parker is how did Proposition Eight in California, affirming marriage as between one man and one woman pass? Oh, not by "white" voters but by mostly black and Hispanic voters. And-horrors-most of those Hispanic voters are Roman Catholic. Where is the shame of that group?
Listen for the crickets.
I am certain that Mrs. Parker was bashing then Republican presidential candidate Gov. George W. Bush for daring to speak at evangelical Bob Jones University. BJU is known as anti-Catholic. And until recently anti-black. To their credit BJU realized that their anti-black attitudes were not Biblically based. But, BJU is a PROTESTANT, Christian university. And by nature, they have what can only be called an anti-Roman Catholic world view. There are different degrees to that and many Mainline Protestants are less anti-Roman
Catholic than in the past. But the bottom line is that BJU is what it is. Yet, then Gov. Bush was vilified for speaking there. And here is another money quote by Mr. McCain:
Because smearing Catholics still carries the taint of prejudice, whereas conservative Protestants are a favorite target of ridicule among the enlightened elite whose esteem you covet. And when you narrow it down by specifying that you mean white conservative Protestants, this allows you to disguise your appeal to bigotry as a call for diversity! (Neat trick, that.)
Here is the thing for Mrs. Parker.
If she wants to help the Republican party as she claims she wants to do, just get off this topic. Write about something you know something about. Oh, I guess that means you should take a vacation for a while to find something you can write about.
Want the money quote as to why Mrs. Parker is nothing more than a religious bigot? Here it is:
It is an indisputable fact that conservative Catholics are the solid backbone of the Christian pro-life movement. (If you doubt this, come to Washington, DC, for the annual March for Life next month, and witness the crowds of Catholic students packed into the trains at Union Station.) Conservative Catholics also are staunch opponents of same-sex marriage and embryonic stem-cell research, and are the leading activists on the kind of end-of-life issues dramatized by the Terry Schiavo case. And yet you, Ms. Parker, say not a word about Catholics.
Bada bing!!
Mr. McCain hits it right on the head about Mrs. Parker and all who seem to have it in for the "white" evangelicals.
One thing that I have not heard from people like Mrs. Parker is how did Proposition Eight in California, affirming marriage as between one man and one woman pass? Oh, not by "white" voters but by mostly black and Hispanic voters. And-horrors-most of those Hispanic voters are Roman Catholic. Where is the shame of that group?
Listen for the crickets.
I am certain that Mrs. Parker was bashing then Republican presidential candidate Gov. George W. Bush for daring to speak at evangelical Bob Jones University. BJU is known as anti-Catholic. And until recently anti-black. To their credit BJU realized that their anti-black attitudes were not Biblically based. But, BJU is a PROTESTANT, Christian university. And by nature, they have what can only be called an anti-Roman Catholic world view. There are different degrees to that and many Mainline Protestants are less anti-Roman
Catholic than in the past. But the bottom line is that BJU is what it is. Yet, then Gov. Bush was vilified for speaking there. And here is another money quote by Mr. McCain:
Because smearing Catholics still carries the taint of prejudice, whereas conservative Protestants are a favorite target of ridicule among the enlightened elite whose esteem you covet. And when you narrow it down by specifying that you mean white conservative Protestants, this allows you to disguise your appeal to bigotry as a call for diversity! (Neat trick, that.)
Here is the thing for Mrs. Parker.
If she wants to help the Republican party as she claims she wants to do, just get off this topic. Write about something you know something about. Oh, I guess that means you should take a vacation for a while to find something you can write about.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Distrubing
It appears that the Roman Catholic church in Great Britain is proposing-I kid you not-to provide prayer rooms for Islamic students attending Roman Catholic schools.
Here is an interesting statistic provided in the Daily Mail article by the Church.
Thirty percent of students attending Roman Catholic schools in England and Wales are members of a non-Christian faith.
Thirty percent?!
Astounding.
It is no wonder then that the bishops have no problem giving in to those who are Islamic and attending a Roman Catholic school and providing not just a prayer room but implements for "purification" before said prayers.
The "purification" rite is called the Wudhu and includes the following:
Washing the face, hands, arms and feet three times each, gargling the mouth three times and washing the neck and inside the nose and ears. Some Muslims also wash their private parts.
Oh, and this is a real hoot: Islam teaches that Muslims are unfit for prayer if they have not performed Wudhu after breaking wind or using the toilet.
Remember, these Islamic students are attending a Roman Catholic school, not an Islamic school.
This is a result of a local Roman Catholic church that has lost its way.
The mission of the Christian faith is to share it with those who are not Christian. It is to save those from Hell and to teach those that there is a better way. The way of Jesus Christ.
Part of a Roman Catholic education should include the history of the Church. The persecution that the Church went through at the hands of many opposed to the Church (before the Reformation) and especially at the hands of Islamics. Is that even being taught in the Roman Catholic schools in England and Wales? Or for that matter, here in the United States?
A real question is this.
Would a majority Islamic nation make the same kind of accommodation to Christians? Jews? Non-monotheistic faiths?
No, no and no!!!
Look at Saudi Arabia. Iran. Afghanistan under the Taliban. The Sudan. These are Islamic majority nations. The Sudan fought a 30-year civil war to drive out black, African Christians in the south of the nation. Saudi Arabia does not allow any, I mean any, religion to practice in the land other than Wahhabi Islam. Even in the areas set aside for non-Saudi workers. Iran is a totalitarian, Shite Islamic state. And the extreme was on display in Afghanistan when the Taliban was running the nation. Thirteenth-century style. Why they could not even handle Buddhist shrines and they blew them up.
One expectation when a non-Roman Catholic attends a church school is that they adhere to the teachings of the Church. They do not have to necessarily become Christians and or Roman Catholic, but they must remember that they are attending a Christian school and will be taught Christian beliefs.
But, in the New Britain, actually believing in something is all wrong. The more that the government gives in to fanatical demands by radical Islamics, it is like a cancer and permeates in some unexpected areas. Such as the Christian faith.
One expects that Pope Benedict will have a say in this matter. And, he needs to. It is a matter of continuity. It is a matter that a Roman Catholic institution of learning must at the very least uphold some of the Church teaching and traditions.
It is a Brave New World in the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales. And it is not a good one in the least.
Here is an interesting statistic provided in the Daily Mail article by the Church.
Thirty percent of students attending Roman Catholic schools in England and Wales are members of a non-Christian faith.
Thirty percent?!
Astounding.
It is no wonder then that the bishops have no problem giving in to those who are Islamic and attending a Roman Catholic school and providing not just a prayer room but implements for "purification" before said prayers.
The "purification" rite is called the Wudhu and includes the following:
Washing the face, hands, arms and feet three times each, gargling the mouth three times and washing the neck and inside the nose and ears. Some Muslims also wash their private parts.
Oh, and this is a real hoot: Islam teaches that Muslims are unfit for prayer if they have not performed Wudhu after breaking wind or using the toilet.
Remember, these Islamic students are attending a Roman Catholic school, not an Islamic school.
This is a result of a local Roman Catholic church that has lost its way.
The mission of the Christian faith is to share it with those who are not Christian. It is to save those from Hell and to teach those that there is a better way. The way of Jesus Christ.
Part of a Roman Catholic education should include the history of the Church. The persecution that the Church went through at the hands of many opposed to the Church (before the Reformation) and especially at the hands of Islamics. Is that even being taught in the Roman Catholic schools in England and Wales? Or for that matter, here in the United States?
A real question is this.
Would a majority Islamic nation make the same kind of accommodation to Christians? Jews? Non-monotheistic faiths?
No, no and no!!!
Look at Saudi Arabia. Iran. Afghanistan under the Taliban. The Sudan. These are Islamic majority nations. The Sudan fought a 30-year civil war to drive out black, African Christians in the south of the nation. Saudi Arabia does not allow any, I mean any, religion to practice in the land other than Wahhabi Islam. Even in the areas set aside for non-Saudi workers. Iran is a totalitarian, Shite Islamic state. And the extreme was on display in Afghanistan when the Taliban was running the nation. Thirteenth-century style. Why they could not even handle Buddhist shrines and they blew them up.
One expectation when a non-Roman Catholic attends a church school is that they adhere to the teachings of the Church. They do not have to necessarily become Christians and or Roman Catholic, but they must remember that they are attending a Christian school and will be taught Christian beliefs.
But, in the New Britain, actually believing in something is all wrong. The more that the government gives in to fanatical demands by radical Islamics, it is like a cancer and permeates in some unexpected areas. Such as the Christian faith.
One expects that Pope Benedict will have a say in this matter. And, he needs to. It is a matter of continuity. It is a matter that a Roman Catholic institution of learning must at the very least uphold some of the Church teaching and traditions.
It is a Brave New World in the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales. And it is not a good one in the least.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Chambliss Wins-No Magic 60 For Senate Dems
Tonight, Georgia voters stopped the Democrats from getting their magical 60 seats in the senate by reelecting Sen. Saxby Chambliss by a large margin after he was forced into a runoff due to not reaching 50% plus one. That is a Georgia quirk.
But, it will prevent the Democrats from attaining the 60 needed to shut off debate and a filibuster proof majority that could have rammed any piece of legislation that they wanted to.
Most important, look for no help from the senate Dems in the Minnesota race still undecided between Republican incumbent Norm Coleman and Democrat "comedian" Al Franken. They do not need him as much now that Sen. Chambliss won reelection.
And, will anyone note that Gov. Sarah Palin went all out to get Sen. Chambliss reelected?
But, it will prevent the Democrats from attaining the 60 needed to shut off debate and a filibuster proof majority that could have rammed any piece of legislation that they wanted to.
Most important, look for no help from the senate Dems in the Minnesota race still undecided between Republican incumbent Norm Coleman and Democrat "comedian" Al Franken. They do not need him as much now that Sen. Chambliss won reelection.
And, will anyone note that Gov. Sarah Palin went all out to get Sen. Chambliss reelected?
So, Will Sarah Get ANY Credit When Saxby Wins?
Here she is, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, in Georgia yesterday rallying the Republican base in getting out the vote in the senate run off between Republican senator Saxby Chambliss and Democrat challenger Jim Martin.
My question is this.
Will Gov. Palin get ANY credit when Sen. Chambliss wins reelection?
I think that I know the answer.
But, here are the facts.
Gov. Palin drew about 3,000 people at a rally in a senate runoff in the middle of the Christmas season. There are many who have been down to Georgia to help Sen. Chambliss win reelection, but none resonate as does Gov. Palin.
And, the timing of having her at the end of another endless campaign in brilliant.
But, do not expect that the DDBMSOWM will credit Gov. Palin with rallying the Republican base behind Sen. Chambliss. No, they will find a way to diminish her. But, Republicans and conservatives that are paying attention know that she is an asset, not a liability.
The real question should be where is President-elect Obama?
Friday, November 28, 2008
Light Blogging-Hey, It Is A Holiday Weekend!
The blogging will be light this weekend. If existant at all!
Mrs. rightviewfromtheleftcoast, Scout the Wonder Dog and I will be taking a well deserved trip to Palm Springs.
It is always warmer there in the desert. Oh, not by much this time of year. But, it is the best time of year to visit The Living Desert.
Please, continue to have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. If you are a football fan, GO BROWNS!
Mrs. rightviewfromtheleftcoast, Scout the Wonder Dog and I will be taking a well deserved trip to Palm Springs.
It is always warmer there in the desert. Oh, not by much this time of year. But, it is the best time of year to visit The Living Desert.
Please, continue to have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. If you are a football fan, GO BROWNS!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Today we celebrate Thanksgiving, a most unique, American holiday.Here I want to share with you some prayers from the Book Of Common Prayer (1979) celebrating Thanksgiving:
A General Thanksgiving
Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love.
We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care which surrounds us on every side.
We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy and delight us.
We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.
Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for thetruth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.
Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know him and make him known; and through him, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen.
Thanksgivings
Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so freely bestowed upon us. For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea.
We thank you, Lord.
For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women, revealing the image of Christ,
We thank you, Lord.
For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and our friends,
We thank you, Lord.
For minds to think, and hearts to love, and hands to serve,
We thank you, Lord.
For health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play,
We thank you, Lord.
For the brave and courageous, who are patient in suffering and faithful in adversity,
We thank you, Lord.
For all valiant seekers after truth, liberty, and justice,
We thank you, Lord.
For the communion of saints, in all times and places,
We thank you, Lord.
Above all, we give you thanks for the great mercies and promises given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord;To him be praise and glory, with you, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
For those in the Armed Forces of our Country
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
And, I wish all of you a happy and safe Thanksgiving!
Islamofacsist Terror Strikes India
Above is the Taj Mahal hotel in Bombay, now known as Mumbai, India. Today Islamofacsist terrorists struck the financial capital of India with a vengeance killing at this point 80 people and injuring hundreds.There is great blogging coverage over at Gateway Pundit with a link to a television crew that was caught in the crossfire of violence gripping Mumbai.
According to Fox News Channel, a little-known Islamofacsist group known as Deccan Mujaheddin
is taking responsibility for the rain of terror.
The terrorists struck at numerous locations in Mumbai including the central train station and it appears that Westerners and especially British and Americans were the targets.
It appears that the terrorists did not get the memo that this is the era of hope and change. That the new American president-in-waiting, Barack Obama, is willing to talk to any one, any where, any time and with no preconditions. Preparation, yes, preconditions, no.
What this event shows is that the War Against Islamofacsist Terror is real and did not change just because the American people voted for President-elect Obama. That the tactics may have changed is something that needs to be considered. We can not think that an event like this can't happen in the United States.
Let us hope that the Indian anti-terror police can restore order, kill or arrest as many terrorists as possible and find out who is really behind this wave of terror.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Can't We Celebrate ONE Holiday Without Politically Correct Garbage?!
What a great photo above. It is two schoolchildren that are dressed and a Pilgrim and an Indian and it is a celebration of the first Thanksgiving. Note that the Pilgrim is Asian and the Indian looks to be Hispanic. Only in America, right?
But, Thanksgiving is the new holiday for the political correct police to come out in force and harass schools and children about how eeeevvviiiiiiiillll the Pilgrims were to the poor Indians. Thanksgiving or not.
In the college town of Claremont, California, two elementary schools Condit and Mountain View, got together and shared in a Thanksgiving feast. And, the students dressed up as Indians and Pilgrims.
But, a busy-body university professor, Michelle Rajeha, took on Condit Elementary for holding such a "demeaning" event.
Miss Rajeha wrote this to her daughters kindergarten teacher at Condit Elementary:
"I'm sure you can appreciate the inappropriateness of asking children to dress up like slaves (and kind slave masters), or Jews (and friendly Nazis), or members of any other racial minority group who has struggled in our nation's history."
What?! What in the name of Almighty God is this educated fool talking about?
Is it really demeaning to dress in period clothing? After all, the event did occur in 1620. Sorry, but the Indians did dress differently then. As did the English settlers that sailed to the New World. One does not hear women complaining of the Pilgrim girls wearing bonnets. Or the Pilgrim men wearing the funny hats.
Now, Miss Rajeha's mother is a Seneca Indian. And it appears that somehow, dressing up in traditional clothing is a racist act.
But, it gets better.
Miss Rajeha goes on to complain:
Raheja, an English professor at UC Riverside who specializes in Native American literature, said she met with teachers and administrators in hopes that the district could hold a public forum to discuss alternatives that celebrate thankfulness without "dehumanizing" her daughter's ancestry.
Now, thankfulness is what the holiday is all about. The act of thanksgiving was a hopeful start for the English settlers and the Native Americans. No one knew at that great feast that a terrible time in the history of what would become the United States of America in the treatment of the Native American.
And, as the article points out, not all Indians think the same as Miss Rajeha.
There is mother Kathleen Lucas and here is what she had to comment on the situation:
Kathleen Lucas, a Condit parent who is of Choctaw heritage, said her son -- now a first-grader -- still wears the vest and feathered headband he made last year to celebrate the holiday."My son was so proud," she said. "In his eyes, he thinks that's what it looks like to be Indian."
Mrs. Lucas takes a clear view of the celebration.
But, it does appear that the Miss Rajeha is part of what can only be described as an elitist group of educators that have begun this campaign against this celebration of Thanksgiving:
Among the costume supporters, there is a vein of suspicion that casts Raheja and others opposed to the costumes as agenda-driven elitists. Of the handful of others who spoke with Raheja against the costumes at the board meeting, one teaches at the University of Redlands, one is an instructor at Riverside Community College, and one is a former Pitzer College professor.
Methinks that the costume supporters are correct. It is an attempt by educated fools to foist their point of view on the school as a whole.
I have some advice for all concerned.
Remember, the first celebration is the historical marker of the origin of Thanksgiving. It is not to be the end all of Thanksgiving. The school is actually taking great liberties in the first place, but makes it easier for very young children to get a feeling of what that event must have been like. It is not meant to be exact. As these children get older, they will learn more about the first Thanksgiving and come to their own conclusions.
After all, today we celebrate Thanksgiving in a different way.
We celebrate it with family and friends and with total strangers. We take time from our busy lives to thank Almighty God for all that He has given to us. Our wives, husbands, children, family and friends. It makes us remember that there are many that are not thankful for anything. And that when we can to take time to share our thanks with those who can not share. Take time to feed the homeless and the hungry.
Children are being turned into adults faster and faster. Parents need to let their children be children and if there is something objectionable, why not just opt your child out of the celebration?
Please, people, can we have one holiday, just one, without political correct garbage? It is all many of us ask.
HT: Donald Douglas @ www.americanpowerblog.blogspot.com
Is It Conservatives Fault The One Is President?
The latest column by Right Wing News' John Hawkins is a serious indictment on conservatives and the lack of willingness of some to stick it out like liberals do.
Here is what I would call the money quote of this piece:
However, the greatest flaw conservatives have is that when we get frustrated with the performance of the Republican Party, we have a tendency to pick up our ball and go home. “Well, if they do that, then I’m not giving any money, I’m not helping any campaigns this year, and I’m not voting.”
In listening to talk radio as I do and did during this past election season, I can not tell you how many callers would tell any given host a similar line. In the Republican primaries, most were looking for the perfect conservative. Since there is and has never been such an animal, I looked at all the candidates and found Mitt Romney to be the best of the lot. But, he did not win the nomination. Again, I want to write this like a broken record. Conservatives did not unite against one candidate and Sen. John "F--- You" McCain emerged as the Republican nominee. And when Sen. "F---" McCain won, the chorus of the “Well, if they do that, then I’m not giving any money, I’m not helping any campaigns this year, and I’m not voting.” got louder and louder. And even when Sen. "F--- You" McCain nominated Gov. Sarah Palin, there were still holdouts.
It is exactly this attitude that means when a moderate does win as did Sen. "F--- You" McCain, when fellow conservatives pick up the marbles and go home, it either hands the election to Sen. Barack Obama or if he had won, Sen. "F--- You" McCain would have not felt that he owed conservatives anything.
The interesting aspect of Ronald Reagan is that he realized he needed a lot of people. And, some were not conservative as he. In fact, some where not really conservatives at all. It took amazing leadership.
And, that is what conservatives are looking for. Someone to unite all factions, social, foreign policy/national security and fiscal conservatives.
But, it may mean that we all have to take a role. That means we have to find and cultivate someone that understands what conservatism means and is not ashamed to speak the truth.
The good thing about being out of power, it recalibrates that focus and we are now on that lookout and realizing that there are a lot of good leaders in our midst. The key is sticking it out and not worrying about setbacks. They happen. We can take a lesson from the other side.
And, Mr Hawkins explains how to do that.
Here is what I would call the money quote of this piece:
However, the greatest flaw conservatives have is that when we get frustrated with the performance of the Republican Party, we have a tendency to pick up our ball and go home. “Well, if they do that, then I’m not giving any money, I’m not helping any campaigns this year, and I’m not voting.”
In listening to talk radio as I do and did during this past election season, I can not tell you how many callers would tell any given host a similar line. In the Republican primaries, most were looking for the perfect conservative. Since there is and has never been such an animal, I looked at all the candidates and found Mitt Romney to be the best of the lot. But, he did not win the nomination. Again, I want to write this like a broken record. Conservatives did not unite against one candidate and Sen. John "F--- You" McCain emerged as the Republican nominee. And when Sen. "F---" McCain won, the chorus of the “Well, if they do that, then I’m not giving any money, I’m not helping any campaigns this year, and I’m not voting.” got louder and louder. And even when Sen. "F--- You" McCain nominated Gov. Sarah Palin, there were still holdouts.
It is exactly this attitude that means when a moderate does win as did Sen. "F--- You" McCain, when fellow conservatives pick up the marbles and go home, it either hands the election to Sen. Barack Obama or if he had won, Sen. "F--- You" McCain would have not felt that he owed conservatives anything.
The interesting aspect of Ronald Reagan is that he realized he needed a lot of people. And, some were not conservative as he. In fact, some where not really conservatives at all. It took amazing leadership.
And, that is what conservatives are looking for. Someone to unite all factions, social, foreign policy/national security and fiscal conservatives.
But, it may mean that we all have to take a role. That means we have to find and cultivate someone that understands what conservatism means and is not ashamed to speak the truth.
The good thing about being out of power, it recalibrates that focus and we are now on that lookout and realizing that there are a lot of good leaders in our midst. The key is sticking it out and not worrying about setbacks. They happen. We can take a lesson from the other side.
And, Mr Hawkins explains how to do that.
Who Should Replace Alan Colmes?
The left side of the Fox News Channel's Hannity and Colmes, Alan Colmes, announced that he is leaving the weeknight slugfest to do commentary and continue his radio talk show.
So, who would you like to see up against righty Sean Hannity? I vote for Kirsten Powers. It does not hurt for the left to have someone like her up against Mr. Hannity.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The Change We Have Been Waiting For: Implementing Keynesian Economics With The Clinton Team
Yes, a long post headline, but right to the point as President-elect Obama announced some of his plans to revitalize the failing economy in today's radio/web broadcast.
And it is a doozy.
Firstly, it is a plan that calls for the creation and or saving of 2,500,000 jobs by 2011.
And, how will President-elect Obama do it?
Why with good, old-fashioned government spending on make-work projects that will supposedly repair the national infrastructure.
Of course, throw in for good measure, the ridiculous notion of a commitment to fuel-efficient cars and alternative energy technologies "that can free us from our dependence on foreign oil and keep our economy competitive in the years ahead." according to our president-elect.
So, the question has to arise.
Where is the president-elect going to come up with the money to accomplish any of these ideas, especially repairing our roads and bridges?
The secret is to do this one has three options.
1) Increase taxes. And, candidate Obama certainly drove that point home. But, will he have to lower that middle-class from the stated $250,000 threshold? To increase government involvement in the economy, yes he can!
2) Borrowing. We are already doing that for the $700,000,000,000 bailout/rescue package passed by congress. And President-elect Obama wants another $175,000,000,000 on top of that.
3) Inflation. Now, there is a word that rarely gets mentioned these days, but under this soon to be president, get ready to hear it a lot. It is what happened to the last liberal Democrat president, Jimmah Carter. Along with killer interest rates and high unemployment. Not to add his allowing the Shah of Iran to be deposed and the ushering of the first Islamofacists, the ayatollahs led by Khomeini.
The irony is that the president-elect is appointing a mostly Clinton-era team to implement this back to the future economic plan.
What I do not hear or read from our president-elect is how he will have policies that actually encourage growth in the private sector that will lead to real jobs and people paying taxes and keeping the economy strong.
Because it appears by this, he does not think that the private sector can do all that much. Why else would he seek these FDR era schemes? Does our president-elect not realize that these schemes only kept the Great Depression going until World War II? I guess not.
I do not get how the Clintonites lining up to be part of the incoming Obama administration do not point out to President-elect Obama that they raised taxes and did not even promote the make-work schemes and got their heads on a plate in the 1994 midterm elections.
Also, on the subject of roads and bridges, blogger Robert Stacy McCain points out in growing economic areas such as the South or Western state (except California, of course!) roads and bridges are in great shape and there are improvement projects going on all the time to keep up with changing conditions. And as Mr. McCain points out much of this money will go to the dilapidated highways in the Rust Belt and or places like New York state, California and the like. Note that these areas are almost entirely governed by liberal Democrats, Republicans and so-called Republicans like here in California with Gov. Benedict Arnold Schwarzenegger.
While it sounds great, this is but another rabbit hole that President-elect Obama and company are going to drag the United States down and methinks of the gal that made the following comment after an Obama campaign rally:
"I never though this day would ever happen! I won't have to worry about putting gas in my car, I won't have to worry about paying my mortgage. You know, if I help him, he's going to help me."
Well, for Peggy Joseph, she may not be able to afford that car payment or the mortgage anyway because if President-elect Obama has his way, one if not all three options noted above will come to pass and survival will be what Miss Joseph will be worrying about.
More hope and change. Hope and change, baby!
And it is a doozy.
Firstly, it is a plan that calls for the creation and or saving of 2,500,000 jobs by 2011.
And, how will President-elect Obama do it?
Why with good, old-fashioned government spending on make-work projects that will supposedly repair the national infrastructure.
Of course, throw in for good measure, the ridiculous notion of a commitment to fuel-efficient cars and alternative energy technologies "that can free us from our dependence on foreign oil and keep our economy competitive in the years ahead." according to our president-elect.
So, the question has to arise.
Where is the president-elect going to come up with the money to accomplish any of these ideas, especially repairing our roads and bridges?
The secret is to do this one has three options.
1) Increase taxes. And, candidate Obama certainly drove that point home. But, will he have to lower that middle-class from the stated $250,000 threshold? To increase government involvement in the economy, yes he can!
2) Borrowing. We are already doing that for the $700,000,000,000 bailout/rescue package passed by congress. And President-elect Obama wants another $175,000,000,000 on top of that.
3) Inflation. Now, there is a word that rarely gets mentioned these days, but under this soon to be president, get ready to hear it a lot. It is what happened to the last liberal Democrat president, Jimmah Carter. Along with killer interest rates and high unemployment. Not to add his allowing the Shah of Iran to be deposed and the ushering of the first Islamofacists, the ayatollahs led by Khomeini.
The irony is that the president-elect is appointing a mostly Clinton-era team to implement this back to the future economic plan.
What I do not hear or read from our president-elect is how he will have policies that actually encourage growth in the private sector that will lead to real jobs and people paying taxes and keeping the economy strong.
Because it appears by this, he does not think that the private sector can do all that much. Why else would he seek these FDR era schemes? Does our president-elect not realize that these schemes only kept the Great Depression going until World War II? I guess not.
I do not get how the Clintonites lining up to be part of the incoming Obama administration do not point out to President-elect Obama that they raised taxes and did not even promote the make-work schemes and got their heads on a plate in the 1994 midterm elections.
Also, on the subject of roads and bridges, blogger Robert Stacy McCain points out in growing economic areas such as the South or Western state (except California, of course!) roads and bridges are in great shape and there are improvement projects going on all the time to keep up with changing conditions. And as Mr. McCain points out much of this money will go to the dilapidated highways in the Rust Belt and or places like New York state, California and the like. Note that these areas are almost entirely governed by liberal Democrats, Republicans and so-called Republicans like here in California with Gov. Benedict Arnold Schwarzenegger.
While it sounds great, this is but another rabbit hole that President-elect Obama and company are going to drag the United States down and methinks of the gal that made the following comment after an Obama campaign rally:
"I never though this day would ever happen! I won't have to worry about putting gas in my car, I won't have to worry about paying my mortgage. You know, if I help him, he's going to help me."
Well, for Peggy Joseph, she may not be able to afford that car payment or the mortgage anyway because if President-elect Obama has his way, one if not all three options noted above will come to pass and survival will be what Miss Joseph will be worrying about.
More hope and change. Hope and change, baby!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Some Links And Comments For Your Reading Pleasure
I am somewhat lazy tonight and will just send you to some links that you may enjoy with a little commentary.
The first link is this excellent column in the Wall Street Journal by Daniel Henninger. Take this away from what he is writing. Religion is important to keeping business on the straight and arrow. It is sort of a "take that!" response to Kathleen "Keep your faith to yourself" Parker.
Next link is Hugh Hewitt's latest column on the 2012 election, yes I know why so late! Interesting take on Rush Limbaugh's infamous "Operation Chaos" that almost gave Sen. Hillary Clinton the Democrat presidential nod. It is another argument that large population states should go earlier in the nominating caucus and or primaries. I agree about closing primaries to Republicans only or at most independents.
Again, on the religion meets the real world front, it appears that Pope Benedict wrote about the current economic crisis way back in 1985 when he was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. Read it and you be the judge.
In the Y A W N category, Guns 'N Roses is finally releasing its latest album. It took only 17 years to make. I wonder if Axl Rose is still alive?! Let's be honest. G 'N R were great back in the day. They staved off the grunge rebellion into the 1990s. But now and sooooo long in the making, it just does not make any sense.
Well, that does it in links around the world tonight.
The first link is this excellent column in the Wall Street Journal by Daniel Henninger. Take this away from what he is writing. Religion is important to keeping business on the straight and arrow. It is sort of a "take that!" response to Kathleen "Keep your faith to yourself" Parker.
Next link is Hugh Hewitt's latest column on the 2012 election, yes I know why so late! Interesting take on Rush Limbaugh's infamous "Operation Chaos" that almost gave Sen. Hillary Clinton the Democrat presidential nod. It is another argument that large population states should go earlier in the nominating caucus and or primaries. I agree about closing primaries to Republicans only or at most independents.
Again, on the religion meets the real world front, it appears that Pope Benedict wrote about the current economic crisis way back in 1985 when he was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. Read it and you be the judge.
In the Y A W N category, Guns 'N Roses is finally releasing its latest album. It took only 17 years to make. I wonder if Axl Rose is still alive?! Let's be honest. G 'N R were great back in the day. They staved off the grunge rebellion into the 1990s. But now and sooooo long in the making, it just does not make any sense.
Well, that does it in links around the world tonight.
More Hope And Change
This little piece from Reuters does not exactly make me feel all that great for the future for these folks in the Upper South and Lower Midwest.
But, at least it has nothing to do with the great earthquake that is supposed to befall on California any minute now.
Just one more thing to get in the way of the era of Hope and Change!
But, at least it has nothing to do with the great earthquake that is supposed to befall on California any minute now.
Just one more thing to get in the way of the era of Hope and Change!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
A Case Against An American Automaker Bailout
In today's New York Times, former Republican presidential candidate and Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romney, makes a strong case against congress agreeing to bailout the big three American automakers.
Here is an interesting point that I did not think of as part of the reason why there is a problem for a Ford to compete with a Toyota:
That extra burden is estimated to be more than $2,000 per car. Think what that means: Ford, for example, needs to cut $2,000 worth of features and quality out of its Taurus to compete with Toyota’s Avalon. Of course the Avalon feels like a better product — it has $2,000 more put into it. Considering this disadvantage, Detroit has done a remarkable job of designing and engineering its cars. But if this cost penalty persists, any bailout will only delay the inevitable.
It is amazing, but when one thinks about it, it is very accurate that a Toyota Avalon looks like, feels like and is considered a luxury car. Not that there is anything wrong with a Ford Taurus, but when it does not look like, feel like and not considered a luxury car, it is not.
Here is something else for Chrysler, Ford and General Motors to consider:
The need for collaboration will mean accepting sanity in salaries and perks. At American Motors, my dad (George Romney) cut his pay and that of his executive team, he bought stock in the company, and he went out to factories to talk to workers directly. Get rid of the planes, the executive dining rooms — all the symbols that breed resentment among the hundreds of thousands who will also be sacrificing to keep the companies afloat.
It could not have helped that the executives of the three major American car makers went to Washington today to beg for a hand out-on their private jets, of course!
Nobody wants to see any or all three of the American car makers resort to chapter 11 bankruptcy, but if this is not a case for it too occur, there would never be one.
Chapter 11 would give the car maker(s) the ability to reorganize and thus renegotiate the labor contracts that are a contributing factor to the decline of the once mighty American car makers.
One must also remember that the foreign competitors are already building many of the cars that American's drive right here in the United States. Toyota just opened a new plant in Indiana.
And, they are doing so at less cost because they are not negotiating with the United Auto Workers.
And because of that, a bloated, outdated American auto industry is on the ropes. And instead of making the tough choices, the CEOs and the head of the UAW traipse to Washington, hat in hand.
Mr. Romney is correct that one if not all of the American automakers do not need a handout. They need to accept the new reality, and suffer the consequences now for the possibility of a better future. Otherwise, if the federal government agrees to a new round of cash, $25,000,000,000 on top of another $25,000,000,000, it is just delaying the inevitable.
Here is an interesting point that I did not think of as part of the reason why there is a problem for a Ford to compete with a Toyota:
That extra burden is estimated to be more than $2,000 per car. Think what that means: Ford, for example, needs to cut $2,000 worth of features and quality out of its Taurus to compete with Toyota’s Avalon. Of course the Avalon feels like a better product — it has $2,000 more put into it. Considering this disadvantage, Detroit has done a remarkable job of designing and engineering its cars. But if this cost penalty persists, any bailout will only delay the inevitable.
It is amazing, but when one thinks about it, it is very accurate that a Toyota Avalon looks like, feels like and is considered a luxury car. Not that there is anything wrong with a Ford Taurus, but when it does not look like, feel like and not considered a luxury car, it is not.
Here is something else for Chrysler, Ford and General Motors to consider:
The need for collaboration will mean accepting sanity in salaries and perks. At American Motors, my dad (George Romney) cut his pay and that of his executive team, he bought stock in the company, and he went out to factories to talk to workers directly. Get rid of the planes, the executive dining rooms — all the symbols that breed resentment among the hundreds of thousands who will also be sacrificing to keep the companies afloat.
It could not have helped that the executives of the three major American car makers went to Washington today to beg for a hand out-on their private jets, of course!
Nobody wants to see any or all three of the American car makers resort to chapter 11 bankruptcy, but if this is not a case for it too occur, there would never be one.
Chapter 11 would give the car maker(s) the ability to reorganize and thus renegotiate the labor contracts that are a contributing factor to the decline of the once mighty American car makers.
One must also remember that the foreign competitors are already building many of the cars that American's drive right here in the United States. Toyota just opened a new plant in Indiana.
And, they are doing so at less cost because they are not negotiating with the United Auto Workers.
And because of that, a bloated, outdated American auto industry is on the ropes. And instead of making the tough choices, the CEOs and the head of the UAW traipse to Washington, hat in hand.
Mr. Romney is correct that one if not all of the American automakers do not need a handout. They need to accept the new reality, and suffer the consequences now for the possibility of a better future. Otherwise, if the federal government agrees to a new round of cash, $25,000,000,000 on top of another $25,000,000,000, it is just delaying the inevitable.
Four Reasons The GOP Lost
It is amazing that the 2008 presidential election came down to the economy in a way. I mean, many in the pundit class were priming for Hillary vs Rudy showdown. And, much to their chagrin, it was Barack vs. Johnny Mac.
So, it should not be surprising that the Republican party and its allies are trying to find blame with how they lost this election.
Well, again, it was two things.
A referendum on President Bush and, as noted, the economy.
But, reading the very same people that promised the Hillary/Rudy showdown, there are other reasons.
I will highlight four reasons to add to the two reasons I noted above.
1) Why, it is those darn social conservative/religious voters.
And this is according to the newest member of the Washington elite club, columnist Kathleen Parker.
Today in her Washington Post column, she takes out the double-barrelled shot gun and blasted those pesky so-called values voters.
Here are some choice cliches that Miss Parker takes aim at the values voters:
Three little letters, great big problem: G-O-D.
I, for one, do not think that God is a problem. The problem is when someone closes their mind to God, which Miss Parker must have done.
I'm bathing in holy water as I type.
A totally insulting line that diminishes a potential point that Miss Parker may be trying to make.
To be more specific, the evangelical, right-wing, oogedy-boogedy branch of the GOP is what ails the erstwhile conservative party and will continue to afflict and marginalize its constituents if reckoning doesn't soon cometh.
I have heard this before, but what I would like to ask people like Miss Parker, et al, is does she really think that if the most energetic group of Republicans are thrown overboard, those youths and young adults would flock to the Republican party? No, they were attracted to President-elect Obama because he had a positive message and was on offense while Sen. John McCain had no cohesive message and was on defense.
And shifting demographics suggest that the Republican Party -- and conservatism with it -- eventually will die out unless religion is returned to the privacy of one's heart where it belongs.
Again, I have heard this bandied about as well and yet if that were to occur, then what else would one have to keep private? Miss Parker seems to forget that the United States constitution guarantees freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion. Thus, all those who practice their religion should be able to do so freely. That goes for evangelical Christians, traditionalist Roman Catholics and mainline protestants and Orthodox Jews.
So, according to Mrs. Parker, the Republicans would be better off without it's strongest voting bloc.
But, there is the following from this blogger's dear friend, the former Republican governor of Arkansas, the Rev. Mike Huckabee.
2) Why, let the Rev. Mike continue his pile-on against former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. And, when that is not enough, he pretty much goes after Fred Thompson, Sen. John McCain and fellow evangelical Gov. Sarah Palin.
The main problem with the Rev. Mike is that he is an very bitter and small man. And, an ordained minister. A bad combo.
But, the Rev. Mike is promoting his book, "Do The Right Thing" and he uses the book to do the wrong thing.
And that is the continuing demonizing of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And, Mitt Romney. The Rev. Mike uses the book to whine about not getting a phone call of congratulations from Mr. Romney after the Rev. Mike won the Iowa caucus. Of course, before that the Rev. Mike had a rather offensive "Christmas television ad" with a floating cross. And in an interview with the New York Times magazine, the Rev. Mike asks an ignorant question about a Mormon belief that God and Satan were brothers. Nice. And he expects Mr. Romney to grovel at him? I guess so.
And now, the Rev. Mike is resentful of Gov. Palin being chosen by Sen. McCain to be the GOP vice-presidential nominee.
News flash Rev. Mike. If you thought that sucking up to Sen. McCain while knocking off Mr. Romney was your ticket to the VP slot, you got taken. You were never on the McCain radar. Period.
What the Rev. Mike is doing is giving all the ammo that ingrates like Kathleen Parker need to demonize the Republican party. If he really believes in doing the right thing, he needs to get over the hate against Mr. Romney and learn some economics from the former Massachusetts governor.
3) So-called Republican congressmen like this imbecile who has no idea that he was voted out of office. And probably wonders why.
Joe Knollenberg is a recently defeated congressman from Michigan and he is trying to explain why the three American auto makers deserve any help from the American people.
But, according to this guy, it is not the American people, i.e. the taxpayers, but congress that is helping out. Because after all, it is congress' money, not the American people's money.
What is the difference between soon to be ex-congressman Knollenberg and President-elect Obama on "spreading the wealth"? Nothing.
Again, when a moderate Republican is pitted against a Democrat, people vote for the Democrat because they know what they are getting with the Democrat. Screwed.
4) Lastly, it is all the groups of the conservative coalition saying they are important at the expense of the other.
Get a clue.
As I say, I am a conservative. Not a social conservative. Not a fiscal conservative. Not a national security-foreign policy conservative. A conservative period.
Until we get that through our heads, we will not go out and talk to the American people and regain their trust.
These are some highlight reasons, but there are probably many more.
We need to stop shooting each other.
The common enemy, if you will, is the Democrat party. Liberals. President-elect Obama.
If we focus on that, we can learn a lot from the three branches of the conservative movement.
Until then, I guess some people and groups just have to vent. At the expense of serious examination.
So, it should not be surprising that the Republican party and its allies are trying to find blame with how they lost this election.
Well, again, it was two things.
A referendum on President Bush and, as noted, the economy.
But, reading the very same people that promised the Hillary/Rudy showdown, there are other reasons.
I will highlight four reasons to add to the two reasons I noted above.
1) Why, it is those darn social conservative/religious voters.
And this is according to the newest member of the Washington elite club, columnist Kathleen Parker.
Today in her Washington Post column, she takes out the double-barrelled shot gun and blasted those pesky so-called values voters.
Here are some choice cliches that Miss Parker takes aim at the values voters:
Three little letters, great big problem: G-O-D.
I, for one, do not think that God is a problem. The problem is when someone closes their mind to God, which Miss Parker must have done.
I'm bathing in holy water as I type.
A totally insulting line that diminishes a potential point that Miss Parker may be trying to make.
To be more specific, the evangelical, right-wing, oogedy-boogedy branch of the GOP is what ails the erstwhile conservative party and will continue to afflict and marginalize its constituents if reckoning doesn't soon cometh.
I have heard this before, but what I would like to ask people like Miss Parker, et al, is does she really think that if the most energetic group of Republicans are thrown overboard, those youths and young adults would flock to the Republican party? No, they were attracted to President-elect Obama because he had a positive message and was on offense while Sen. John McCain had no cohesive message and was on defense.
And shifting demographics suggest that the Republican Party -- and conservatism with it -- eventually will die out unless religion is returned to the privacy of one's heart where it belongs.
Again, I have heard this bandied about as well and yet if that were to occur, then what else would one have to keep private? Miss Parker seems to forget that the United States constitution guarantees freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion. Thus, all those who practice their religion should be able to do so freely. That goes for evangelical Christians, traditionalist Roman Catholics and mainline protestants and Orthodox Jews.
So, according to Mrs. Parker, the Republicans would be better off without it's strongest voting bloc.
But, there is the following from this blogger's dear friend, the former Republican governor of Arkansas, the Rev. Mike Huckabee.
2) Why, let the Rev. Mike continue his pile-on against former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. And, when that is not enough, he pretty much goes after Fred Thompson, Sen. John McCain and fellow evangelical Gov. Sarah Palin.
The main problem with the Rev. Mike is that he is an very bitter and small man. And, an ordained minister. A bad combo.
But, the Rev. Mike is promoting his book, "Do The Right Thing" and he uses the book to do the wrong thing.
And that is the continuing demonizing of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And, Mitt Romney. The Rev. Mike uses the book to whine about not getting a phone call of congratulations from Mr. Romney after the Rev. Mike won the Iowa caucus. Of course, before that the Rev. Mike had a rather offensive "Christmas television ad" with a floating cross. And in an interview with the New York Times magazine, the Rev. Mike asks an ignorant question about a Mormon belief that God and Satan were brothers. Nice. And he expects Mr. Romney to grovel at him? I guess so.
And now, the Rev. Mike is resentful of Gov. Palin being chosen by Sen. McCain to be the GOP vice-presidential nominee.
News flash Rev. Mike. If you thought that sucking up to Sen. McCain while knocking off Mr. Romney was your ticket to the VP slot, you got taken. You were never on the McCain radar. Period.
What the Rev. Mike is doing is giving all the ammo that ingrates like Kathleen Parker need to demonize the Republican party. If he really believes in doing the right thing, he needs to get over the hate against Mr. Romney and learn some economics from the former Massachusetts governor.
3) So-called Republican congressmen like this imbecile who has no idea that he was voted out of office. And probably wonders why.
Joe Knollenberg is a recently defeated congressman from Michigan and he is trying to explain why the three American auto makers deserve any help from the American people.
But, according to this guy, it is not the American people, i.e. the taxpayers, but congress that is helping out. Because after all, it is congress' money, not the American people's money.
What is the difference between soon to be ex-congressman Knollenberg and President-elect Obama on "spreading the wealth"? Nothing.
Again, when a moderate Republican is pitted against a Democrat, people vote for the Democrat because they know what they are getting with the Democrat. Screwed.
4) Lastly, it is all the groups of the conservative coalition saying they are important at the expense of the other.
Get a clue.
As I say, I am a conservative. Not a social conservative. Not a fiscal conservative. Not a national security-foreign policy conservative. A conservative period.
Until we get that through our heads, we will not go out and talk to the American people and regain their trust.
These are some highlight reasons, but there are probably many more.
We need to stop shooting each other.
The common enemy, if you will, is the Democrat party. Liberals. President-elect Obama.
If we focus on that, we can learn a lot from the three branches of the conservative movement.
Until then, I guess some people and groups just have to vent. At the expense of serious examination.
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