More From The Cult O' Obama

In this era of Hope and Change, it appears that the local fish wrap, the Pasadena Star-News, is getting in to the act.
For your consideration, this front-page story on a group of Obamiacs that must have not realized that there had been volunteer opportunities before the assent of The One.
No, these people only realized that there were volunteer opportunities when they went to work to elect President-elect Barack Obama. This group calls itself Obama Boosters of the Foothills.
Read what one of these "volunteers" had to say about the effort they will put in cleaning up neighborhoods in and around Pasadena:

Roz Witt of Altadena was enthusiastic about being part of a national movement.
"This is the first time in my life I've been so excited about an election," she said. "I want to be part of the change - I think that pretty well sums it up."

So this question is for Roz. Before The One, did you not care about your neighborhood? Did you not notice that, oh maybe the local park is full of litter and looks not to good? I guess not. You had to be motivated by The One.
And that question is for all these sycophants that are now taking part in volunteer efforts. Did they not care before being motivated by The One?
Why is it that you needed Barack Obama to make you realize that you need to be a part of the society? Could you not find outlets to volunteer before now?
Here is my motivation.
It comes from seeing the world around me. I know that there are problems. One that I care about but write little if anything on this blog is that plight of those who are addicts. Many end up in the revolving door of the state. It could be welfare, social services that is supposed to help but often hinders and yes, for some, jail. And, how do they get back into society when they realize how their addictions not only screwed up their lives but almost always the ones that they love and care for the most? My church sponsors a couple of group transitional homes. I have got to know some of the people that are there and some attend my church. And, Mrs. rightviewfromtheleftcoast and I do what we can, when we can, to support this vital effort to bring the lost back into society.
I did not need to have a political leader tell me that I needed to do that.
But, these people apparently do. This article shows that that there is something wrong to think that only when a politician gives a speech that we should get up and do something.
We should always be ready to do something. No matter how bad many of our lives are, there is some one's that is worse.
If that was not enough, more Obamacultery was found on the Star-News op-ed page in a column by Morton Kondracke about obesity and The One.
Somehow, Mr. Kondracke thinks that the president-elect's strong exercise regimen is a good example to follow. And, Lord knows that President-elect Obama exercises because almost daily we are told how he was either on his way to a workout or coming back from one.
Contrast that with this lovely piece about another president that also has a strong exercise regimen.
Former Los Angeles Time columnist Jonathan Chiat seems to think that President Bush and his exercise regimen is "obsessive" and "creepy".
Oh, my bad!
I forgot.
President-elect Obama is a Democrat. President Bush is a Republican.
So, to follow the logic, when a Republican president puts an effort in to a strong exercise regimen, it is obsessive and creepy. But when a Democrat president-elect does the same thing, that is what is needed to fight the rampant obesity problem in the United States.
That is the ticket!
What Mr. Chait did was trivialize something important to President Bush. Had he gotten off the Bush Derangement Syndrome train and realized that the president sets a good example in eating right and getting as much exercise as possible, that would have been something to write about. But, that would mean having to say something positive about President Bush. And, to be deep in BDS, one can not say anything that may be remotely positive about President Bush.
So, Mr. Kondracke, who must have been asleep on the Bush exercise "obsession" the past eight years, does what Mr. Chiat could not be brought to do.
And, yet I find Mr. Kondracke's piece and worship of the Obama exercise regimen "creepy".
Because it calls for, you guessed it, government involvement. And of course the well meaning liberal cites the health of obese individuals and the medical costs.
There is no question that there are a lot of fat people in the United States. I am one of them. Yet, again, I do not feel that the government needs to tell me to lose weight. How to do it. How to eat. That is an adult, personnel decision. And yes, I do know that there are physical costs to being overweight.
But, there has been a lot of debate about simply being overweight and being obese. The standard keeps getting lower and lower for one to be considered obese.
I have no problem with President Bush and President-elect Obama and the way that they eat and do take the time to get exercise in their schedules. Both have an enormous responsibility as the leader of the United States and the free world. Thus if it helps them, it also can help the nation.
But, look for all things bright and beautiful from now on. Because of Hope and Change baby! Hope and Change!

Jimmah Carter May Not Be All That Good As A Carpenter

It appears that our former president, Jimmah Carter and the Habitat For Humanity house building organization he has worked for has a problem at one of their housing projects.
In this article from the Times of London, the Fairway Oaks development in Northern Florida has become the kind of housing that one would find in a public housing project.
According to the Times article, the housing is cockroach infested, full of mildew and many of the residents are becoming victims of mysterious skin rashes.
Oh, by the way, the housing was built on wasteland. We used to call it a dump.
Now, I believe that Habitat For Humanity is a very good organization and the way that they do what they do is a good thing. By making the potential home owners actually participate in the building process makes them feel more that it will be theirs to be responsible for. It is certainly better than the Countrywide, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac fiasco that have led to our current economic slump.
But, who thought that it would be a good idea to build 85 houses on a dump? Did anyone kind of any research?
Here is a paragraph from the Times article:

One man pulled up his floorboards to find rubbish 5ft deep under his kitchen. Other complaints include cracking walls and rotting door frames that let in rats and ants. Many residents have complained of mildew and mysterious skin rashes.

Five feet of trash? Under the kitchen? Again, one has to ask whether anyone bothered to let the potential homeowners know that their future home was being built on a dump?
What makes this an issue is the fact that the Hollywood left trumpeted their involvement in financing and helping build the houses. One of those 10,000 people helping along the way was the former president, Jimmah.
So, these people wanting to put a salve on their celbutard status, just did what made them feel good and did not bother to make sure that where they were building would be safe for the future homeowners. And the most famous face of Habitat us Jimmah. How many times have we seen him online, in a newspaper, a magazine or on television doing some of the work?
So, what is being done to remedy the situation?
Well, it appears that Habitat For Humanity is being taken to court for their trouble.
Rather than simply admitting that the housing was flawed and work with the people on what can be done, they would rather go to court.
And that brings us to this question.
Will this put a rusty nail in the good work that Habitat has done over the years?
Of course the longer that this goes on in the legal system, the more negativity this brings on Habitat. And because of the sheer size of this project, 85 homes completed in 17 days, it may be a case that they cut off more than they could chew.
Habitat For Humanity needs to settle this legal battle now so that they can move on and do more good work. And, part of doing that good work is total transparency. They did have a legal and moral obligation to let the future homeowners know all about the fact that they were building the houses on a dump.
Otherwise, Habitat For Humanity looks like a very bad organization. And, one more thing that Jimmah Carter turned from gold to trash.

Finally, Charles Barkley Gets What He Deserves

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post is the best sports writer in the United States when it comes to analyzing the sports announcers and sports media in general.
And, Mr. Mushnick is spot on in this analysis of the arrest of former NBA star and resident loudmouth, "Sir" Charles Barkley on suspicion of DUI in Arizona earlier this past week.
Right out of the box, Mr. Mushnick states the obvious. That the sports media, a group that is even more left-of-center than many a political analyst, has not only enabled the Chuckster but does not want to be thought as "un-cool" and especially not thought as racists.
Thus, the Chuckster has been able to get away with being the moron that he has been for lo these many years.
It is probable that the Chuckster has had a drinking problem, which would explain some of his boorish behavior. That has been apparently covered-up well by the enabling sports media. The gambling problem that the Chuckster has is actually quite legendary.
And yet somehow, people want and even value his opinion on anything.
The Chuckster thinks that extending the Masters golf tournament is "racist" because it would hurt golf's greatest superstar and ambassador, Tiger Woods. Actually, the lengthening of the tourney helps Tiger. But, maybe the Chuckster was too busy in Blottoland. Or thinking of the next big bet he was going to place.
Why is this a problem?
Because of words that the Chuckster uttered in an advertising campaign for Nike shoes many a moon ago:
I am not a role model.
No truer words have been spoken by a so-called athlete.
If he were a role model, he would seek help for his problems instead of blaming society and his blackness for holding him back.
Look, I want the Chuckster to get help. I do not want to be an enabler of bad behavior especially if it is a cry for help.
But, a start has to be a sports media that has to stop butt-kissing these guys and yes gals as well. It is one thing to know about some antics. But, unlike other entertainers many athletes end up as analysts on the sport they played. Notice that on both the CBS and Fox pro-football pregame shows are dominated by former players and even coaches. Thus, they are more vulnerable when they are offering their expertise on the sport that they played in.
Or in the case of the Chuckster, his opinion on a lot of things.
Is his analysis clouded by a drinking problem? Is that why he has a habit of shooting off his mouth and offering silly comments like those about the Masters?
Where is the sports writer or broadcast reporter to call the Chuckster out on this matter?
They are too busy laughing at the Chuckster, not with him. And they are covering it up because they do not have to actually do their job. Which last I looked up was reporting.
One hopes that "Sir" Charles Barkley has had a real wake-up call.
If not, he can always go back to his enablers who will not stand up to and for him to get his act together.
And, one more thing.
Always make an effort to read Mr. Mushnick's analysis on Friday's and Monday's at the New York Post website.

The Begining Of The End Of English "Civilization"?

Look at these two photos very carefully.

This is how many a Brit brought in the New Year on Wednesday as according to the London Daily Mail, there was a call to 999-the British equivalent to 911-every seven seconds as the nation seemed to be in a drunken, mayhem filled evening and morning of debauchery.

Things were so bad in a town called Tilehurst that drunken degenerates destroyed an ambulance that was at residence to tend to a 19 month old baby that possibly dislocated his shoulder. The parents had to take the toddler to the hospital in their own car.

The easiest contrast is the Rose Parade held here in Pasadena for 120 years now.

Nearly 1,000,000 people attend the parade every year. An overwhelming majority show up at noon, and really a lot earlier, on New Year's Eve and begin an overnight camp out to stake an area to watch as the parade goes by. With that large a crowd, how many people do you think were even arrested? Give up? The total was 39 arrests and out of that only one was a felony.

What is the difference in these two scenes of the West in the dawn of 2009?

I think that for the British, there is a lack of hope. A not so rosy view of the future for many.

In an increasing welfare state that is more and more opposing the very people that elected them to power, there is an increasing official and unofficial surrendering of the British way of life to radical Islam. The Church of England, the official church headed by Queen Elizabeth, has become irrelevant and is struggling to avoid all out schism. The Roman Catholic church is proposing to make prayer rooms available at their parochial schools for Islamic students. So, the government and a lot of Christianity in the Mother Country is giving in to a group of people that have only been in large numbers a part of British life for about 50 years.

There is a hopelessness in the people of Britain. There can not be an explanation other than that. It is not just on New Year's Eve that we see this debauchery.

It is worse for the hooligan football (soccer) fans that are known to go to matches on Continental Europe, tank up on booze and riot there. And for good measure these hooligan "fans" are as racist as they come.

Without a moral guide, whether it is the monarch, the church or the national political leadership, there is a sense that the people can do what they want.

Thus, there is no shame in a young lady, nearly passed out, yet attempting to induce vomiting. Or a young man bloodied in a drunken brawl.

Let's come back to Pasadena.

Many a family make the trek to Colorado Boulevard to camp out over night. Sure, some people are drinking when they are not suppose to. And many people are shooting off Silly String, again when they are not really suppose to. But, there is a certain amount of control about it. As long as people are not overly stupid, the police will leave them alone. But, because there are many families that are camping overnight on the street, they have a way to shame those who want to go overboard. There is still a certain amount of decorum that is absolutely expected and encouraged, even in revelry. Also, even in the worst of times, it is the American spirit of optimism that is everywhere on the parade route. People, young and old, thin and fat, White and Black, rich and poor and everything in between are all smiles, a feeling of happiness in the air. Living very close to the parade route and always having to walk Scout the Wonder Dog, we trek to the parade route to see what I refer to as "the crazies"-people willing to camp out no matter what to get that great view of the amazing Rose Parade.

I think that while I have not been to Britain to ring in a New Year, this certainly does not make me think it would be a good thing.

Maybe the British people are just numbing themselves as they see a potential for radical Islam to be allowed to take hold in many parts of Great Britain and there is a fear. Fear that those they had trusted to take a strong stand for the nation and against those that would seek to destroy it are giving up.

All I do know is that I will take 1,000,000 people at the Rose Parade in Pasadena over those who seem to have a strange way to "celebrate" a New Year in Britain.

HT: Ace @ www.ace.mu.nu

HAPPY NEW YEAR! And I Will Give Some 2009 Predictions A Shot

Welcoming 2009 over Sydney Harbour

First, let me wish all those who read this blog a very, very Happy New Year!

We survived a lot in 2008 and as it winds down here on the Left Coast, it is time for a little reflection and once again, I will peer into the dirty crystal ball and try my hand at a few predictions for 2009.

The American people did an amazing thing in voting for the first black man for the presidency.

No, President-elect Barack Obama was not my candidate, but he is my president. And I am glad to say that in this nation, people moved beyond race in this presidential election.

That does not mean I do not have worries or will give him a free pass. But, I will be very proud to see the peaceful transfer of power from President George W. Bush to President Barack Obama. Even in the midst of the Civil War, President Lincoln was elected to a second term. It proves that full, free elections can occur and when one side loses, they concede and help the winner take over.

The economic meltdown is astounding. But, once again, there are legitimate concerns as to how the government may or may not make it worse.

As this year draws to a close, Israel is poised to militarily enter the Hamas-dominated Gaza Strip to stop the rain of terror the Hamas government has done to Southern Israel. A lot of serious peril for the incoming Obama administration.

A lot took place in this ending year.

Last year, I tried my best to predict how events would turn out. Rather than rehash them, I will simply link to that post and one can laugh or cry or say, right on the money. One thing I can safely write is that I do not think Nostradamus has anything to worry about!

But, since it was so fun last year, I thought I would give it another shot this year. However, I will not break it down by categories. I will just spray the field, so to speak. Here we go.

• President Obama will be dealing with a terrorist attack within the first six months of his term. The American people will rally around our president.


• The Los Angeles Dodgers will open the piggyback and resign slugger Manny Ramirez. They will need to do so to have another shot at the playoffs. And, as an aside, when he was acquired by the Dodgers, he changed their whole attitude. Got to keep Manny here, Mr. McCourt.


• Norm Coleman will pull out the smokin' hot senate election in Minnesota by 40 votes.


• The Democrat-controlled senate will seat President Obama's appointed successor, Roland Burris. They are in a bad place and will need his probable reliable vote.


• Card-check will not be passed in congress as Republican senators will block the controversial legislation.


• Unemployment will reach eight percent by the end of 2009. Congress will have passed a $1,000,000,000,000 "stimulus" package.


• Chrysler will be the first of the "Big Three" American auto makers to declare Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. General Motors will follow. Ford will not have to file as they will be seen as the strongest of the Big Three.


• California Governor Benedict Arnold Schwarzenegger will raise a slew of taxes and it will still not stop the red ink. He will try to overturn Proposition 13, the property tax measure passed in 1978 that also forced a two-thirds vote of the legislature to raise taxes.


• Congressional popularity ratings will not pass 25% in 2009.


• Super Bowl 43: Pittsburgh Steelers from the AFC, Atlanta Falcons from the NFC. Final score: Pittsburgh 31-Atlanta 24.


• NHL Stanley Cup finals: Montreal Canadiens over the Chicago Black Hawks, 4 games to 3.


• NBA Finals: Los Angeles Lakers over the Boston Celtics, 4 games to 2.


• World Series: Ahh, too early for this. See this in March!

Well, that is it on the prediction front for now. I would like you to share any that you may have. Once again, I wish all, even you Mr. Snarkle, a Happy, Healthy New Year and thanks again for stopping by Right View From The Left Coast!

Nice To See Hamas Hates Christians Too

UPDATED and BUMPED: Finally, the Drudge Report has reported this story. No red siren, but at least there is something on Drudge. Now, will the Dinosaur, Drive-By, Mainstream, Obama-Worshiping Media report on this? Stop holding your breath, folks!


For those who think that the current war between Israel, the Jewish state, and Hamas, the majority party in the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, is just a war between states and a little about religion, maybe this little ditty can make you think twice.
I guess as a Christian, I should be honored to stand with my Jewish brother and sisters.
But, what this should show those that think that we can sit down and talk to these people with rationality is that we can not.
When a government resorts to reintroducing crucifixion of Christians, it must be shunned if not defeated by any means possible.
Unfortunately, we are in transition in the United States from the Bush to the Obama administration. And one has to wonder if that is the rationale for all that is occurring.
I keep looking at the Drudge Report for the red siren, but alas it has not flashed.
Oh well, it is just crucifixion after all. I mean, it is not like Hamas has actually declared war on the West or anything like that.
This is part and parcel of the radical Islamists goal. To eventually drive Christians out of the Middle East.
Yet, for some inexplicable reason, Israel gets the blame.
You know, if there was no Israel, there would still be a move to rid the Islamic lands of the infidel Christians and Jews. It is just that the West is blind and has given up defending the Christian presence in the Middle East. Oh, BTW, it is the cradle of the Christian faith and it is older than Islam. But, that should not get in the way of driving the infidels.
Remember, our president-elect says that he will meet our enemies with out preconditions. Preparation, yes, preconditions, no.
How will President-elect Obama meet with people who would love to hang him, a professing but currently non-church attending Christian, to the nearest cross?
Hope and change, baby! Hope and change!

Some Perspective

This column by Rich Lowry is spot on that while the current overall situation in the United States is bad, it has been much, much worse.
One of the examples that Mr. Lowry describes that I would like to highlight is the depression of 1837.
While it was up to that point the worst economic downturn in the young nation's history, what Mr. Lowry did not mention is that the federal government did not intervene to right the ship. That was left to the free market to do. Not until President Herbert Hoover tried to intervene in the similar situation in 1929 did the federal government directly intervene to try to right the economic ship.
It should not be the federal government's role to intervene as directly as President Bush has and what President-elect Obama most certainly will do.
What should be worrisome is that a bad situation, not the worst in American history by a long shot, could be made worse by practicing discredited Keynesian economics.
Read the whole column, especially as we head into not just a new year, but a new administration.

The Latest From The Globaloney Warming Front

Last time we had one of these globaloney warming posts, I noted that the area around Duluth, Minnesota wished that they had a little global warming.
Now, the good people of interior Alaska, including the Fairbanks area, also share that wish.
These people will get some temperatures that could be -50 degrees below zero.
But of course according to the globaloney warming cultists, these temperatures are actually a result of global warming.
Folks, you just can not make this stuff up.
Yet, those who have blindly followed the globaloney warming cult do make stuff up. They can not explain that this has been one of the coldest years in recent memory.
What is needed is rationality, not emotionalism, in dealing with this issue. The cultists want to cut off debate because if there is debate, many people may look at some current facts and change their minds. At least try to go beyond the bromides of the cultists.
Can not wait for some more "explanations" on this.

BREAKING! Gov. Blago Names Obama Successor

It appears that the impeachment-bound governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, does have some testicles as he will name President-elect Barack Obama's senate successor at a news conference later today.
His name is Ronald Burris and he once ran for the senate in 1984 and lost to Democrat Paul Simon who went on to defeat Republican incumbent senator Charles Percy.
For some interesting irony, Mr. Burris was the former Illinois Attorney General.
This governor facing impeachment is about to name a former attorney general.
Too good.

HT: Drudge Report @ www.drudgereport.com

Surprise! Mainline Protestant Churches Spliting On Political Lines

In an amazingly thoughtful post over at The New Republic, it is showing that the mainline Protestant Christian churches are splitting, figuratively and literally, over political issues and not necessarily over doctrinal issues.
Firstly, I like the fact that the poster, Damon Linker, refers to those as traditionalists and modernists. As I do because it takes the politics out of serious discussions of faith.
Secondly, he states the obvious.
That opposing the modernist social and political trends puts one in a traditionalist camp in any given denomination. But, unlike many mainline protestant denominations, the Episcopal Church has painfully avoided outright schism. Until now.
When several traditionalist bishops announced they were leaving the Episcopal Church, they did not say that they were aligning with another part of the Anglican Communion. No, they said that they are going to form a separate denomination. And that it would be known as the Anglican Church in North America. And, as many as 100,000 will leave the Episcopal Church and join this new denomination. And, Mr. Linker points out that this will not stop at this number as more and more traditionalists look to a reformed, more traditional Episcopal Church for their spiritual needs. And, unfortunately for political needs as well.
As a member of the Episcopal Church, there is no way that anyone in the sclerotic leadership can ignore this. The traditionalist final straw may have been the ordination of the first openly gay bishop in Vicky Gene Robinson in New Hampshire. That may have gone over with a little ripple. However, the Rt. Rev. Robinson is not just openly gay but living with his partner. That is the bridge too far for many.
But, this schism has been a long time coming, going back to the changes in The Book of Common Prayer that took effect in 1979. It took the loved 1928 Book of Common Prayer and added modern language and kept the Elizabethan language. It was a traditional Episcopal/Anglican compromise. But, many modernists want to replace the traditional language rites with politically correct language. That is just part of that struggle.
But, attend a diocesan convention and one can see that it is not far from a sanctioned Democrat party event.
All the fringe groups have been front and center at the Los Angeles diocesan convention the past couple of years because traditionalist churches have left. Thus, the pro-life faction-gone. Traditionalist booths-gone. But take any left-wing issue, and it has it's own booth and propaganda.
It appears that the modernists keep winning at the Episcopal Church. But their victories may be Pyrrhic as this schism will be one that tops any other within the Church.
But, the end of this New Republic post is very, very disheartening.
Mr. Linker cites President-elect Obama's election garnering 53% of the popular vote. One would think that it would put some of the culture war in remission. But, it has not and may have made it worse. And, a current casualty is the Episcopal Church. And, more are on the way.

Marley & Me-The Review

SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT!

As noted yesterday, Mrs. rightviewfromtheleftcoast and I did see the new movie, Marley & Me based on the best-selling book by John Grogan.
And, this dog-lover enjoyed it more than I thought that I would and yet, because I read the book and know what happens, I left the movie with many a tear streaming down my face. And, I was not alone.
What I found amazing and the best about this movie is that it was very close to the book itself. Most movies for some strange reason like to take a whole book and change the meaning. Just ask Tom Clancy. But, I can remember all the movie covered and it was very close to what Mr. Grogan wrote.
Owen Wilson plays Mr. Grogan and Jennifer Aniston his wife also named Jennifer. I thought that they both did an excellent job conveying the story of their beginning as a married couple and how Marley, the world's worst dog, came into their lives.
Marley was a birthday present from John to Jennifer. They went to the breeder, looked at a lot of Golden Labs and fell in love with the "special".
Your humble blogger did a similar thing for then soon to be Mrs. rightviewfromtheleftcoast and her son, who never had a dog because his father claimed to be allergic.
We went to the Pasadena Humane Society, looked around and fell in love with Scout, the Wonder Dog. Poor Scout! She was being abused (not really!) by a pit bull mix that reminded me of Petey from the Little Rascals. She has been with us for 11 1/2 years now.
If anyone has had an unruly, yet so lovable dog, you can relate to the story. Such as the fact that Marley was kicked out of obedience school. Or how Marley was a chewer of any and everything. Well, you get the idea.
What was so moving is how once the Grogans began their family, Marley was just as much a part of that as anyone. Even when Jennifer has a lousy day and snaps and wants to get rid of Marley who was having one of his fun days. Needless to say, they did not get rid of Marley.
I will not relay the ending except to say that it brought other grown men to tears as well. There is just something about the bond of a dog and person that is inexplicable. The fact that the dog is always there for you no matter what. How when we make a bad move, like step on a paw by accident and while the dog may yelp in pain, he or she will jump up on you to let you know they are OK and that they know you did not mean it. It is a bond that can not be broken, but is by the ultimate death of the dog. Yet, amazing memories live on, and that is what this movie is all about.
Word of advice.
Do not take a really young child to see this for the obvious reason of the ending. Also, read the book before seeing the movie. It is a real perspective as to why I believe this movie really captured the book as best as cramming a lot of years in a two hour movie can.
On the rightviewfromtheleftcoast scale, four plus stars. A great, powerful and moving tale.

Marley And Me

Tomorrow, Mrs. rightviewfromtheleftcoast and I will see the movie Marley & Me based on the wonderful book by the same title.
Before I give my review of the movie, Ed Morrissey gives us his review of this soon to be classic, I am certain!
I will not give the movie away but I would recommend reading Marley & Me by John Grogan before seeing the movie. It will put a lot of the movie in context.

I Don't Love America-An Honest Liberal

Leave it to the Left Angeles Times to have a left-wing degenerate actually say what many-not all-but many believe about the United States.
Joel Stein, who seems to just love to irritate for the heck of it, admits that he does not share the same love of this great land as many conservatives.
Written like a true lefty with no appreciation for what makes the United States different from any other nation, Mr. Stein writes this:

Conservatives feel personally blessed to have been born in the only country worth living in. I, on the other hand, just feel lucky to have grown up in a wealthy democracy. If it had been Australia, Britain, Ireland, Canada, Italy, Spain, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Japan, Israel or one of those Scandinavian countries with more relaxed attitudes toward sex, that would have been fine with me too.

See, Mr. Stein just lumps us in with other democracies. And, for good measure he gets a dig in that the United States is not as "relaxed" in our attitudes towards sex.
To be fair, Mr. Stein does point out what makes the United States different from other nations, including our allied democracies. But, once again he digs into what he does not like about the United States:

But there are plenty of things I don't like about America: our foreign policy, our religious fundamentalism, our provincialism, our intellectual laziness, our acceptance of sweat suits in public.

Religious fundamentalism? Intellectual laziness?
What planet is this Joel Stein on? It clearly can not be earth and surely not the present day United States.
It must bother someone like Mr. Stein that an overwhelming number of Americans are practitioners of their faith. Not just Christians, which is his real bugaboo. But Jews, Islamics, and any given non-monotheistic religions. Too bad for the libertine, Mr. Stein.
Intellectual laziness is a euphemism for not accepting anything told by those of Mr. Stein's ilk. That would include such unproven and possible falsehoods as globaloney warming. In fact, conservatives are much more intellectually willing to discuss any given topic. But the liberal-left, well they just want to save us from ourselves and do not even want discussion. Some intellectual openness.
Later in this opus of disdain, Mr. Stein recalls a conversation he had with radio and television talker Glenn Beck. As Mr. Stein quotes Mr. Beck, it is Mr. Stein's creepy comment that shows how serious he is of his lack of love for this Great Land. Here is what Mr. Beck said:

"If I were born in Great Britain and read about Britain and America, I'd love the values and principles and the men who founded this country," he said. "I love that we crossed these mountains and didn't know what was on the other side. I love that the Pilgrims didn't want to come here, but they came here because they felt prompted to by God. There's always been a spirit of adventure and awe in this land. And I don't think any other country has that."

But, Mr. Stein has this rejoinder:

Beck, it seemed, loves America the same way little boys love camping.

First, I doubt that Mr. Stein has ever been camping. And, why does Mr. Stein have to denigrate someones heartfelt love of his nation? Because, Mr. Stein does not love this nation. He looks at it as an accident of birth. And, Mr. Stein claims that he would be perfectly happy if he were born and raised somewhere else. Especially any given, generic Scandinavian nation.
As I read this it goes to the heart of an issue that I often discuss with Mrs. rightviewfromtheleftcoast.
That liberals are, by nature, very unhappy people. Conservatives are generally happy people. Yes, I know some conservatives that are not very happy people, but this is a generalization. And, Mr. Stein plays right into it.
Thus, he can not have much love because that gets in the way of "intellectual curiosity". I will take bets now that his new marriage will not get to five years.
I want to make clear. I do not think that Mr. Stein represents the vast majority of liberals. Many that I do know love this nation. They want nothing but the best for all people of this great land. They mean well. But people like Mr. Stein are becoming the face of modern liberalism, which is increasingly socialistic in nature.
Thus, Mr. Stein represents a bad trend of liberalism. And, that is much more dangerous than anything a conservative can do. And at least Mr. Stein is honest about his disdain for his nation.

Madoff: An Ugly Stereotype Rears Its Ugly Head

The one aspect of the Bernie Madoff ponzi scheme scandal that I am loathe to discuss is the fact that Mr. Madoff is Jewish.
That is a painful fact for me because I am part Jewish. I must emphasise that in the cultural sense since I am a Christian. My father's family are practicing Jews but my father, God rest his soul, was not.
Now in this story, it is really inescapable and has fed into my worst fears as to what Mr. Madoff has done. He has singlehandedly set back the Jewish people by feeding into the vile anti-Semitism of many. And it is on the left and the right. Anti-Semitism is one of those rare cases in which the fringes on both sides seem to be able to agree on.
My problems are these with Mr. Madoff.
He stole from Peter to pay Paul. Hence, that is what a ponzi scheme is. It is always bad when one does that from his or her own people and or faith community. And, it is something that has happened many, many times to churches.
And, he paid off a lot of Democrats.
And, worst of all, not one person seemed to want to think the worst of this guy for he has been doing this scheme for decades.
The racial/religious bigots are having a field day, but I think the three points that I made above are the three issues we need to discuss on this matter.
The fact that Mr. Madoff is Jewish and that he took a lot of Jewish people in his scheme is bad, but has no bearing over the fact that he is an alleged crook. Crookery knows no race, religion, social standing.
Remember that when discussing this matter.

These People Could Use Some Global Warming

Here is a little more on the globaloney warming front.
The good people of Duluth, Minnesota must think that they could use a little warmer temperatures since this is the earliest ice cover on Lake Superior in at least 17 years.
Get this. At some point, people will be able to drive between two islands because the ice will more than likely thicken up to do that. In recent years, people have had to take a ferry between Bayfield and Madeline Island all year long because there has not been a thick ice sheet to drive over in one's own car.
While much of the United States is cold and stormy, it is 52 degrees at 12:15 pm as I type this post, somehow I think most people will agree that if there is globaloney warming, how do they explain these type of events?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The following is the Gospel account of the birth of Jesus ChristThe Holy Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ according to Luke:

1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2([And] this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17And when they had seen [it], they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18And all they that heard [it] wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered [them] in her heart.
20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

May you all have a happy and very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Please keep up with Santa Claus on his journey by going over to the NORAD site. I have bumped and updated it.

Tracking Santa

Last UPDATE and BUMP:
Santa has just completed his annual mission and is doing one last trek around the world to make sure that those who could not get to sleep right away still get their presents.
Once again, I, Mrs. rightviewfromtheleftcoast and Scout the Wonder Dog wish you and yours a happy, blessed MERRY CHRISTMAS!

UPDATED and BUMPED:
Santa is soon going to begin his journey over North America! Keep track on the linked NORAD site!

Welcome to Christmas Eve!
Now, a fun thing is to track the journey that Santa Claus takes every Christmas Eve to bring the presents to all the good, and maybe not so good, little boys and girls.
Go on over to http://www.noradtrackssanta.org/ to enjoy Santa's travels.
Check out the videos as well.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!

Please, Explain Global Warming To The Airline Travelers In Chicago

In this day before Christmas, most of the United States is deep in to winter.
Look at the travel delays at airports across the United States. Throw in the train, bus stations. And, if one is really daring, travelling on an interstate or state highway.
But, there are those in the Globaloney Warming death cult that will try to explain this.
Some have the nerve to actually suggest that cooling is a result of globaloney warming.
If nothing else, one has to get a chuckle of the title of this link over at American Thinker.
While you bundle up with your Snuggle blanket in the midst of this globaloney, remember, even the cold is a result of the warming that is all our fault.
And, here is my Christmas coal in your stocking!

The Conservative Of 2008. . .Sarah Palin, Of Course!

Well, it is official as Alaska governor Sarah Palin is the conservative of 2008 according to Human Events.
It is not a surprise as Gov. Palin is the one that took the ill-fated Sen. John "F--- You" McCain's presidential bid off of life support and energized a dejected Republican base.
But, it a bridge too far for many a conservative to have to vote for Sen. "F--- You" McCain even with Gov. Palin as the vice-presidential candidate.
Without a doubt, if Gov. Palin steers clear of the inside-the-beltway types that will try to remake her into something that she is not, she will be the conservative force for the GOP presidential nod.

A New Way To Squeeze Blood From A Turnip

This is a really rich way for a state that is currently being run-or ruined-by liberal Democrats.
Take a whack at the judiciary to save money.
According to this article in the Los Angeles Times, New Hampshire courts are taking the drastic step of not holding jury trials.
Not holding jury trials? Why, you may ask?
Because after all, it costs money to seek jurors and to pay them the paltry sum of doing their civic duty.
Here in Los Angeles county, there is one day, one trial. What that means is that when one is called for jury duty, they appear at the said courthouse, wait to be potentially called in a jury pool and questioned and tough it out as to whether one is chosen as a juror or not. If one is not chosen, they can go on another panel. If still not chosen by the end of that day, the service is done. If chosen, said juror is not paid the rip-roaring sum of $15 a day for jury service. The juror is paid from the second day on to conclusion of the proceedings.
According to the article linked, the state of New Hampshire will save, drum roll please. . .$73,000 dollars!
Wow! Think of all that savings!
The real reason that this is nauseating is because this is a blatant attempt by the Democrat-dominated state government to sway public opinion.
They want to sway that opinion to institute either a hike in property taxes or a state income tax.
So, use a way that the public will be swayed to support such measures.
If people think that, somehow, potentially dangerous criminals may end up on the streets because of the fact that they are not given their constitutional right to a speedy trial why of course they will do anything to remedy that situation.
It is a tactic that usually has mixed results.
Here in California, Gov. Benedict Arnold Schwarzenegger used a similar tactic in threatening to release thousands of incarcerated prisoners back on the streets. It was because, he claimed, there was not enough money to keep them locked up. Of course, because there was a public outcry and no support by the Democrat controlled state legislature, Gov. Benedict Arnold backed down.
It is what politicians on both sides do to try to get what they want. And it is being done in ways like this that is very bad.
This is a pittance that the state of New Hampshire will save. And do nothing but irritate an already irritated electorate.
A solution maybe to move the trials to North Dakota, a state that is governed by conservative Republicans and boasts a budget surplus.
But, back to reality.
This tactic is being done to create a crisis that is not there.
Paying people the small amount to do one of the very few things our government asks of us as citizens is not breaking the state and or county coffers. But, paying for entitlement programs or big, bloated bureaucracies are breaking all levels of government.
Which is why people need to demand that government promote reform, not a blindside to make people pay for more government.
But, just frighten the people into thinking deadly criminals will get out of jail is the latest way to go.
See how well that does.