Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Excellent satire
How many votes would he take from Obama?
I have written often here that I fear Ron Paul running as an independent for the 2012 nomination, because he would take away votes from the Republican nominee. But, what about those votes he would take away from Obama Would those young people who voted for Obama in 1008 now go to Paul because of his desire to legalize drugs? This article raises some questions: http://spectator.org/archives/2012/01/18/election-deceptions
Eric Holder’s Political Prosecution of Pro-Life Educator Thrown Out of Court
Kudos to Liberty Council at www.LC.org!
"We have successfully defended Mary Susan Pine. A federal judge has ended Attorney General Eric Holder’s two-year political prosecution of this pro-life educator. Holder accused Pine of obstructing the entrance to an abortion clinic, in violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (“FACE”).
In granting summary judgment, Judge Kenneth L. Ryskamp concluded that the government lacked evidence to prove not just one, but “all three elements of its FACE claim.” Judge Ryskamp chastised Holder for seeking to apply federal law in a clearly unconstitutional manner: “Stretching the terms of FACE to apply to this case … would unjustifiably impinge on Ms. Pine’s First Amendment rights.”
The Government’s decision to prosecute Pine despite having no evidence of wrongdoing prompted Judge Ryskamp to suspect a conspiracy at the highest level of the Obama Administration: “The Court is at a loss as to why the Government chose to prosecute this particular case in the first place,” he wrote. “The Court can only wonder whether this action was the product of a concerted effort between the Government and the PWC [Presidential Women’s Center], which began well before the date of the incident at issue, to quell Ms. Pine’s activities rather than to vindicate the rights of those allegedly aggrieved by Ms. Pine’s conduct.”
This is a tremendous victory not just for Susan Pine, but for the First Amendment and the pro-life movement. Attorney General Holder sought to use federal law as a billy club against pro-lifers, but received instead a clobbering from the very Constitution he had sworn to protect.
Freedom-loving Americans everywhere should rejoice."
Via i Own the World: http://iowntheworld.com/blog/?p=114809
"We have successfully defended Mary Susan Pine. A federal judge has ended Attorney General Eric Holder’s two-year political prosecution of this pro-life educator. Holder accused Pine of obstructing the entrance to an abortion clinic, in violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (“FACE”).
In granting summary judgment, Judge Kenneth L. Ryskamp concluded that the government lacked evidence to prove not just one, but “all three elements of its FACE claim.” Judge Ryskamp chastised Holder for seeking to apply federal law in a clearly unconstitutional manner: “Stretching the terms of FACE to apply to this case … would unjustifiably impinge on Ms. Pine’s First Amendment rights.”
The Government’s decision to prosecute Pine despite having no evidence of wrongdoing prompted Judge Ryskamp to suspect a conspiracy at the highest level of the Obama Administration: “The Court is at a loss as to why the Government chose to prosecute this particular case in the first place,” he wrote. “The Court can only wonder whether this action was the product of a concerted effort between the Government and the PWC [Presidential Women’s Center], which began well before the date of the incident at issue, to quell Ms. Pine’s activities rather than to vindicate the rights of those allegedly aggrieved by Ms. Pine’s conduct.”
This is a tremendous victory not just for Susan Pine, but for the First Amendment and the pro-life movement. Attorney General Holder sought to use federal law as a billy club against pro-lifers, but received instead a clobbering from the very Constitution he had sworn to protect.
Freedom-loving Americans everywhere should rejoice."
Via i Own the World: http://iowntheworld.com/blog/?p=114809
The Real Romney
Two journalists have published a book they have been working on for five years, The Real Romney. Here are some things they found: (via http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2012/01/18/The-Real-Mitt-Romney-What-You-Didnt-Know.aspx#page1
- Romney, a chauffeur, briefly while in college, loved tinkering with cars. Perhaps as a result, he believes that almost anything can “be taken apart, studied and re-engineered.”
- He was viewed as such a skilled leader during his first year of college at Stanford University that “you wanted Mitt on whatever committee or group you were [working on]. He would take charge and lead it,” according to a former roommate, Mark Marquess.
- He earned his degree in English Lit in 1971 with highest honors from Brigham Young University, going beyond his own father, George Romney, former governor of Michigan, who never graduated from college.
- Mitt Romney attended Harvard’s business and law schools simultaneously in a demanding four-year program. He graduated in 1975 with honors from the law school and was a Baker Scholar at the business school, in the top five percent of his class.
- When his kids were growing up, the roles in the Romney household between dad and mom were very clearly defined. “I was willing to change the urine-soaked diapers,” the authors quote Romney as saying, “but the messier types gave me dry heaves… So my wife allowed me to escape that.”
- Ann Romney, whom he pursued relentlessly until she agreed to marry him (she converted to Mormonism as well), remains “his chief counselor and confidante.” (She was diagnosed with MS in 1998, and is now in remission.) “‘Mitt’s not going to do something that they don’t feel good about together,’ said Mitt’s sister Jane.”
- When Romney was just 36 years old and a “business consulting star,” people thought of him as “mature beyond his years and organized to a fault.” He seemed “brilliant but not cocky.” More than one partner told Bill Bain, “This guy is going to be president of the United States someday.”
- When Bain first asked Romney to
become head of a new company to be called Bain Capital – a firm that
made millions – Romney “explained to Bain that he didn’t want to risk
his position, earnings, and reputation on an experiment.”
So, “Bain sweetened the pot.” If all of this failed, Romney was told he’d get his old job and salary back, “plus any raises he would have earned during his absence.” Not a bad deal. But Romney still didn’t take it. He was worried about the “impact on his reputation if he proved unable to do the job.” So Bain came back with another deal sweetener. He promised that, if necessary, “he would craft a cover story saying that Romney’s return to Bain & Company was needed because of his value as a consultant.”
This time, according to Kranish/Helman, “Romney said yes.” - While serving as a Mormon missionary in Le Havre, France, after his freshman year of college, Romney was hit head-on by a drunken driver and was thrown from the vehicle. One of the five passengers died. A policeman believed Romney was dead and wrote “il est mort” on his passport. Later, according to U.S. News, he was found to be alive by Sargent Shriver, a friend of his father and the U.S. ambassador to France at the time. Largely as a result of this incident, Romney believes that life is fragile and that one’s time on this earth should be spent meaningfully.
- He’s warm and charming with family and close friends, but he comes across as stiff and “all business” to others. According to Kranish/Helman, “He has little patience for idle chatter or small talk, little interest in mingling at cocktail parties, at social functions, or even in a crowded hallway. He [has] little desire to know who people are and what makes them tick.”
- He is altruistic, generous to those in need. Countless times, he has gone out of his way to help other families through rough patches.
The government didn't do enough?
The Washington Post has discovered the Solyandra "scandal." In their opinion, the scandal was that the government did not do enough! Via http://iowahawk.typepad.com/iowahawk/2011/12/journalistic-sun-stroke.html
"Not seen since World War II"
Pro-choice
"People who think abortion should be outlawed are pro-choice because they
would allow other choices (childbirth, adoption, avoiding pregnancy via
abstinence or contraception)."
James Taranto, as quoted today in Instapundit: http://pjmedia.com/instapundit/
James Taranto, as quoted today in Instapundit: http://pjmedia.com/instapundit/
The Food Stamp President, or the Food Stamp Fraud President?
John Hinderaker writes at Power Line about Senator Jeff Sessions' attempt to get Obama to do something about food stamp fraud: http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2012/01/the-food-stamp-president.php
via Instapundit
Can voters "connect the dots?"
Liz Peek writes in Fiscal Times about how unions have busted state budgets: http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Columns/2012/01/18/Bloated-Union-Contracts-Have-Busted-State-Budgets.aspx#page1
via Instapundit
via Instapundit
Ameritopia
Glenn Reynolds interviews Mark Levin, who talks about his new book Ameritopia here: http://www.pjtv.com/?cmd=mpg&mpid=86&load=6518
Better for the Earth, or an Obama capitulation to environmental whackos?
An Instapundit reader asks:
So let me get this right. The Canadian Oil is supposedly worse for the environment, so stopping this pipeline will help the planet.http://pjmedia.com/instapundit/
So instead of moving the oil in a safe way and be processed in US refineries operating under EPA regulations, the oil will now be transported across the Canadian Rockies where it will be loaded onto giant tankers and shipped across the Pacific where it will be refined in Chinese operations that have far fewer, if any, regulations in place.
Please let me know how the Chinese alternative is better for the Earth. Because no matter what, this Canadian oil is going to be sold.
"Response ability"
Far and away the most valuable book to me that I have read in the last several years is Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor's My Stroke of Insight. As a brain scientist, Dr. Taylor thought she knew something about the brain, until she suffered a stroke and lost the functioning of the left hemisphere of her brain. Over an eight-year period, she slowly recovered the functioning of her left hemisphere. During that time, with the right hemisphere dominating, she realized how natural it was to be compassionate, joyful, and grateful. She also realized that many negative qualities of her personality had vanished with the loss of the left brain. She determined to get back the functioning of the left brain, but to keep an appropriate balance between the left and right hemispheres, thereby not allowing the negative features of the left brain to dominate, as had been the case before she suffered the stroke.
She writes about the obsessive qualities of the left brain's storyteller function, and how draining it can be emotionally. She defines responsibility as "response ability." That is, we can choose how we respond to stimuli. If another person approaches us with anger or frustration, we can choose whether we respond to that person with anger and frustration of our own, or "step to the right" (brain) with loving empathy and compassion.
We can choose whether to hang on to negative emotions, even though they chemically remain in our bloodstream less than 90 seconds, or we can choose to let them go and enjoy the present moment, be compassionate to others and good to ourselves. It's a matter of being aware of choices, and making healthy ones.
Scientists are finding that our brains are much more malleable than they previously thought. We can choose to let our left brain obsess with fear, anxiety, anger, or other negative thoughts, or we can choose to let them run their physiological course of less than 90 seconds and return to peaceful and loving thoughts. Can you see how revolutionary this process can be? I read and re-read excerpts from Dr. Taylor's book every day, and it has been a huge help to me.
She writes about the obsessive qualities of the left brain's storyteller function, and how draining it can be emotionally. She defines responsibility as "response ability." That is, we can choose how we respond to stimuli. If another person approaches us with anger or frustration, we can choose whether we respond to that person with anger and frustration of our own, or "step to the right" (brain) with loving empathy and compassion.
We can choose whether to hang on to negative emotions, even though they chemically remain in our bloodstream less than 90 seconds, or we can choose to let them go and enjoy the present moment, be compassionate to others and good to ourselves. It's a matter of being aware of choices, and making healthy ones.
Scientists are finding that our brains are much more malleable than they previously thought. We can choose to let our left brain obsess with fear, anxiety, anger, or other negative thoughts, or we can choose to let them run their physiological course of less than 90 seconds and return to peaceful and loving thoughts. Can you see how revolutionary this process can be? I read and re-read excerpts from Dr. Taylor's book every day, and it has been a huge help to me.
Buying silence
Does money have anything to do with the media's failure to take a watchdog role with Obama? How much money did the Obama campaign spend on media ads in 2008? $427,000,000! This year the expectation is that the total amount spent by candidates will more than double what was spent in 2008. Read more here: http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_19761296?source=rss
On a related note:
Then, there is the matter of the timing of Congressional stock trades: http://biggovernment.com/whall/2011/11/18/exclusive-documents-the-kerrys-curious-stock-trades/
On a related note:
Then, there is the matter of the timing of Congressional stock trades: http://biggovernment.com/whall/2011/11/18/exclusive-documents-the-kerrys-curious-stock-trades/
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Israel buys time?
The London Times claims to have confirmation of Israeli intelligence being behind last week's assassination of the Iranian nuclear scientist: http://formerspook.blogspot.com/
Adam and Eve and the first lawyer
In honor of Betty White's 90th birthday yesterday, Jeffro at The Poor Farm dug up this video from the Johnny Carson collection, and also wrote a tribute to Betty's career. In this video Adam and Eve discuss the first divorce:
Jeffro's tribute to Betty is here: http://crazedpw.blogspot.com/2012/01/happy-birthday-betty-white.html
Jeffro's tribute to Betty is here: http://crazedpw.blogspot.com/2012/01/happy-birthday-betty-white.html
Is love a set up? by Greg Agard, age ten
Jerry is in love with his spatula. His mom makes him date a human. One day his girlfriend came to his house and saw him making out with his spatula. She pulled out a gun and tried to shoot the spatula. The knife leaped off the counter and took the bullet meant for the spatula. The girlfriend ran away crying. The spatula thanked the knife for saving him. Then Jerry got jealous and threw the knife out the window, and the knife hit the dog's tail. The dog squealed and barked. An old lady standing near the dog heard the squealing and tried to run away, but she fell on the ground in the road. A car saw her and came to a sudden halt. The car behind that car couldn't stop, and crashed into the first car. A neighbor saw the wreck and called 911. The cops came and saw the knife on the ground and thought this was a sign of gang members causing trouble. They interrogated the old woman. She told them she saw the knife fly out of the window of Jerry's house and hit the dog. The cops went into Jerry's house. They saw the bullet the girl had fired at the spatula, and decided this was a gang house, so they arrested Jerry and took him to jail. The moral to this story: love is a big set up for a lifetime in the slammer.
Monday, January 16, 2012
"Think carefully about what you really want the government to do."
Here is an important blog post: "Government policies, meanwhile, have managed both to over-regulate and
under-regulate the economy, resulting in the massive unemployment.
Regulations on industry and manufacturing have made it far, far harder
(and far, far more expensive) to open a new and productive business.
Under-regulation of financial gamesters, as well as political pressure
from Congress, allowed for the inflation of the housing bubble.
So, yes, if you're young, government is very much your problem. Any government spending is coming out of your hide, as is the debt created by the past generations. Think carefully about what you really want the government to do."
via http://grimbeorn.blogspot.com/2012/01/good-point.html
So, yes, if you're young, government is very much your problem. Any government spending is coming out of your hide, as is the debt created by the past generations. Think carefully about what you really want the government to do."
via http://grimbeorn.blogspot.com/2012/01/good-point.html
Tonight's GOP debate: Gingrich comes on strong against racism allegation
via Gateway Pundit: http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012/01/newt-gingrich-pummels-juan-williams-at-gop-south-carolina-debate-video/
Girls rule! by Sara Agard, age eight (or, try not to get an "F" in class)
Once upon a time in New York lived two sisters. They lived in a big apartment. Their names were Zoey and Kaylee. They were both thirteen. They both liked the same colors: purple and pink. They also had two dogs; one looked exactly like a wolf; the other one was a German Shepherd dog. Zoey and Kaylee were both getting ready to go to high school next year. In math they would multiply twenty times thirty times five, because some of the kids at that school didn't really pay attention in math. At breaks they would talk to their friends and do stuff at their lockers.
There was one girl in the whole entire school that was an excellent student. Her name was Violet. She had very black hair and brownish eyes. No one ever could even challenge her and win, but Zoey was exactly like her. In science Violet could do everything. The teacher asked her to build a castle, and she built one half the size of the room! Zoey never got "Fs": she built New York and Denver right there in the classroom. Before the teacher could ask a question, Zoey raised her hand. Both Zoey and Violet were very tall.
Violet and Zoey lived right next to each other. However, next door to them lived Alyssa and Marisa. They were twins. Next door to them were twin boys, named Thomas and Tomas. They were even snottier than Alyssa and Marisa. Zoey became friends with Violet. Alyssa and Marisa realized that they knew Violet: Violet and Zoey used to be their reading buddies.
One day Violet and Zoey were going to the park. They were having such a good time, then they realized it was time to go home, so they did. The next day when they got to school the teacher was very mad. She took them in front of the whole entire school. She said, "You both got "F's !" All the students felt their mouths drop open. "You forgot to turn in your homework!" Violet and Zoey stared at the teacher. They wanted to leave school, but they couldn't. They hid in the back of their car. Alyssa and Marisa stole the teacher's car keys and put them in their locker. The teacher searched all lockers, but did not find the keys. The teacher found car marks all over her car (actually, they were paintings). Soon the whole school was painted pink. Five days later, the whole entire school was turned into a girls' school: no boys allowed.
There was one girl in the whole entire school that was an excellent student. Her name was Violet. She had very black hair and brownish eyes. No one ever could even challenge her and win, but Zoey was exactly like her. In science Violet could do everything. The teacher asked her to build a castle, and she built one half the size of the room! Zoey never got "Fs": she built New York and Denver right there in the classroom. Before the teacher could ask a question, Zoey raised her hand. Both Zoey and Violet were very tall.
Violet and Zoey lived right next to each other. However, next door to them lived Alyssa and Marisa. They were twins. Next door to them were twin boys, named Thomas and Tomas. They were even snottier than Alyssa and Marisa. Zoey became friends with Violet. Alyssa and Marisa realized that they knew Violet: Violet and Zoey used to be their reading buddies.
One day Violet and Zoey were going to the park. They were having such a good time, then they realized it was time to go home, so they did. The next day when they got to school the teacher was very mad. She took them in front of the whole entire school. She said, "You both got "F's !" All the students felt their mouths drop open. "You forgot to turn in your homework!" Violet and Zoey stared at the teacher. They wanted to leave school, but they couldn't. They hid in the back of their car. Alyssa and Marisa stole the teacher's car keys and put them in their locker. The teacher searched all lockers, but did not find the keys. The teacher found car marks all over her car (actually, they were paintings). Soon the whole school was painted pink. Five days later, the whole entire school was turned into a girls' school: no boys allowed.
Are you following what is happening in Iran?
Tensions are rising with Iran, whose leaders are threatening to cut off access to the Strait of Hormuz. "The United States has been quietly shifting
both ground troops and naval forces to the Persian Gulf region. These
include nearly 15,000 troops in Kuwait and an additional aircraft
carrier. Pentagon officials deny these moves suggest a build-up to war." Via http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/node/1138486
Press covers up lavish Obama Halloween Party
via http://floppingaces.net/2012/01/15/sunday-funnies-169/
Late night jokes
“According to National Enquirer, John Edwards has proposed to his
mistress, Rielle Hunter. He gave three reasons for wanting to marry her:
He loves her, she’s the mother of his child, and of course, a wife
can’t testify against her husband.” –Jay Leno
“Ron Paul – he looks like a guy you’d keep overnight for observation.” –David Letterman
“A dead body was discovered this week on the grounds of a country estate owned by Queen Elizabeth. The queen said today she hopes this serves as a reminder to anybody on her staff that there is a right way and a wrong way to polish sterling silver.” –Jay Leno
“Don’t you think Ron Paul looks like one of those people they interview after every UFO sighting?” –David Letterman
“In Saturday night’s Republican debate, Jon Huntsman spoke Chinese. Why Chinese? If you want to reach the American people, you’ve got to speak Spanish.” –Jay Leno
“While campaigning yesterday, Jon Huntsman said he was ‘ready to rock and roll.’ Not to be outdone, Mitt Romney said he was ready to ‘easy listen.’” –Jimmy Fallon
“I’m having trouble warming up to Mitt Romney. He looks like the guy in the restaurant that comes to your table to make sure everything’s all right.” –David Letterman
“Yesterday Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt stopped by the White House. There was an awkward moment when they tried to adopt President Obama.” –Conan O’Brien
“Nation, unless you live in a cave, I’m sure you’ve heard that yesterday’s New Hampshire primary was won by Mitt Romney. And if you do live in a cave, I’m guessing you voted for Ron Paul.” –Stephen Colbert
Via the Flopping Aces blog: http://floppingaces.net/2012/01/15/sunday-funnies-169/
“Ron Paul – he looks like a guy you’d keep overnight for observation.” –David Letterman
“A dead body was discovered this week on the grounds of a country estate owned by Queen Elizabeth. The queen said today she hopes this serves as a reminder to anybody on her staff that there is a right way and a wrong way to polish sterling silver.” –Jay Leno
“Don’t you think Ron Paul looks like one of those people they interview after every UFO sighting?” –David Letterman
“In Saturday night’s Republican debate, Jon Huntsman spoke Chinese. Why Chinese? If you want to reach the American people, you’ve got to speak Spanish.” –Jay Leno
“While campaigning yesterday, Jon Huntsman said he was ‘ready to rock and roll.’ Not to be outdone, Mitt Romney said he was ready to ‘easy listen.’” –Jimmy Fallon
“I’m having trouble warming up to Mitt Romney. He looks like the guy in the restaurant that comes to your table to make sure everything’s all right.” –David Letterman
“Yesterday Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt stopped by the White House. There was an awkward moment when they tried to adopt President Obama.” –Conan O’Brien
“Nation, unless you live in a cave, I’m sure you’ve heard that yesterday’s New Hampshire primary was won by Mitt Romney. And if you do live in a cave, I’m guessing you voted for Ron Paul.” –Stephen Colbert
Via the Flopping Aces blog: http://floppingaces.net/2012/01/15/sunday-funnies-169/
Idjut!
Via Flares into Darkness, one of the best places on the web to visit: http://yargb.blogspot.com/2012/01/close-call.html
How is this for an explosion?
via Finest Kind fish market and clinic linking to http://scienceblogs.com/startswithabang/2012/01/did_this_supernova_leave_nothi.php?utm_source=selectfeed&utm_medium=rss
An effective argument for Romney
Larry Kudlow asks, "Isn't a Bainful turnaround exactly what America needs?" http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/288117/isn-t-bainful-turnaround-what-america-needs-larry-kudlow?pg=2
Confirming Romney's liberalness
I guess it really is true that Jon Huntsman hates Mitt Romney. By endorsing Romney and getting out of the race on the eve of the South Carolina primary, Huntsman confirms the suspicions of South Carolinians that Romney must be a liberal. Huntsman had little support in South Carolina.
Which Martin Luther King, Jr.?
Colleen O'Connor writes an article entitled Call to Justice in today's Denver Post. She correctly asserts that Martin Luther King was about much more than overcoming racial prejudice. However, I believe we honor him today for his achievements in civil rights, not for his work to promote socialism. We honor him for his emphasis on having his children be judged by the content of their character, not his anti-Vietnam War work or his effort to provide a guaranteed annual income for all Americans. O'Connor ties King's legacy to today's Occupy movement. To the extent that is true, his legacy does not benefit America's poor or racial minorities. They can only benefit from the same things the rest of us can benefit from: love of learning, hard work and persistence, good humor, dreaming big and pursuing our dreams, being true to oneself, and being grateful to our Creator.
O'Connor's piece is here: http://www.denverpost.com/recommended/ci_19750416
Related: Dr. Sanity says we are in a worldwide narcissistic crisis: http://www.drsanity.blogspot.com/
O'Connor's piece is here: http://www.denverpost.com/recommended/ci_19750416
Related: Dr. Sanity says we are in a worldwide narcissistic crisis: http://www.drsanity.blogspot.com/
Sparkles in their eyes
I meet a lot of really interesting people in my job. Last week I met a woman who looked really good, but I wondered how old she was, so I asked her, "How old are you going to be on your next birthday?" She said if she makes it to April, she will be 100-years-old! Humorously, she added that the way things are going in the world, she didn't know if she should try for that milestone. She told me that she had already outlived all her children but one, her 66-year-old "baby," with whom she was shopping. Of course, I asked her what her secret to longevity was, but I didn't really get an answer on that one. She clearly had a good sense of humor, though, and a real sparkle in her eyes.
The next day I met a guy who was wearing a cap that said US Marines. I asked him where he served. He said World War II in Okinawa! He didn't look a day over 65. I asked him if he was glad Truman decided to drop the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He said no. He regretted that so many innocent people had to lose their lives. When I told him how good he looks, he said he plans to live until he is 120, at least.
The next day I met a guy who was wearing a cap that said US Marines. I asked him where he served. He said World War II in Okinawa! He didn't look a day over 65. I asked him if he was glad Truman decided to drop the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He said no. He regretted that so many innocent people had to lose their lives. When I told him how good he looks, he said he plans to live until he is 120, at least.
Practice what you preach, Newt!
I just finished listening to an audio book by Newt Gingrich and his daughter, Jackie, Five Principles for a Successful Life. The book is read by his wife Callista, who has an absolutely great voice, with Newt and Jackie also participating in the reading. It is a good book, with sound ideas on how to live a successful life. Too bad Newt didn't listen to his own advice, about staying positive, when it came time to battle Mitt Romney for the GOP nomination for President this year. In the book Jackie brags about how her father is able to rest and "go to his happy place" with brief naps, then perform articulately under pressure. Maybe he should have done that, instead of attacking Romney's career in capitalism.
However, I like Gingrich's independent thinking. Compared to Romney, Newt comes across as a real person with flaws just like the rest of us. It would be a wild ride with him as President, but not boring.
However, I like Gingrich's independent thinking. Compared to Romney, Newt comes across as a real person with flaws just like the rest of us. It would be a wild ride with him as President, but not boring.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
The Broncos? Tim Tebow?
You've heard of bubbles bursting? Our bubble is bursting today in Colorado. The entire front range of the Rockies was clearly visible this morning as I drove in to work from my house on the high plains. No smog whatsoever. Why? Because the Broncos-Patriots football game began at 6 p.m. last night. That was the time when the last car left the roads, which were folded up at six p.m. sharp.
In December I wrote about a co-worker who warned me that the Patriots have Tom Brady, and all the Broncos have is God: ( http://bobagard.blogspot.com/2011/12/god-and-football.html). Well, that guy was waiting for me at the front door where we work this morning. He started in with his gloating, which I found quite unattractive. I pretended not to know there was a game last night. I said, "Are you sure? I think that game is tonight." I went on in this vein with a straight face. Then, it dawned on him that I was "gaming" him, and he demanded that I stop.
It's basketball time now, and Denver has a great team this year. The Nuggets are playing great team basketball, unselfish, with everybody contributing. We got rid of superstar Carmelo Anthony and a few others. In their place Coach George Karl has brought back Andre Miller and some European guys who can really shoot the basketball. Everybody is hustling, playing tenacious defense, and rebounding. They whipped the Miami Heat two nights ago. Look out NBA, the Denver Nuggets are going to be the surprise team this year! (See how quickly we forget the Broncos?)
In December I wrote about a co-worker who warned me that the Patriots have Tom Brady, and all the Broncos have is God: ( http://bobagard.blogspot.com/2011/12/god-and-football.html). Well, that guy was waiting for me at the front door where we work this morning. He started in with his gloating, which I found quite unattractive. I pretended not to know there was a game last night. I said, "Are you sure? I think that game is tonight." I went on in this vein with a straight face. Then, it dawned on him that I was "gaming" him, and he demanded that I stop.
It's basketball time now, and Denver has a great team this year. The Nuggets are playing great team basketball, unselfish, with everybody contributing. We got rid of superstar Carmelo Anthony and a few others. In their place Coach George Karl has brought back Andre Miller and some European guys who can really shoot the basketball. Everybody is hustling, playing tenacious defense, and rebounding. They whipped the Miami Heat two nights ago. Look out NBA, the Denver Nuggets are going to be the surprise team this year! (See how quickly we forget the Broncos?)
Horse Moon by Sara Agard, age eight
Once upon a time in the cold winter there was a little boy and his mom. They went into the forest, When the little boy turned his head, a black thing he had never seen before sprang up in front of him. The boy said, "Mom!" She said, "What?" When the boy turned his head, a big shadow appeared in front of him. It was just a rabbit. On the other side, there was another shadow. That shadow was white. It scattered far and fast. Along came the little boy's sister. She was carrying a sled. It had hay on it. She thought there was such a thing as magical horses. When the boy looked back again, the hay was gone. The horse had eaten it! Along came a little puppy running out of the woods. The boy followed the horse tracks. Instead of just one black horse, there were thousands of horses: gray, brown, white and black. The boy saw his little sister on one of the horses' backs. She was asleep. All of a sudden, one of the horses stared at one of the shadows that they had never seen before. Out of the blue, the horses scattered into the black forest. Everything there was black.
A little pony was walking in the forest. He froze. He had stepped on a stone leaf. The boy was about to walk into the forest, but when he turned his back, he saw a horse with red stripes. He had always been dreaming of a horse like that. The horse said to the boy, "Run, boy!" Before he could ask, she put him on her back and ran. She had looked all around her, and couldn't find anyplace to hide. The horse queen came out of the shadows. She looked at the boy. A herd of white horses lined up. The boy called his mom. His mom had left to go get a drink. The mom thought the boy was in bed. The boy asked the horse to give him a ride home, and she did. When he got home and opened the door, his mom was not there. She had left a note on the door: "Dear Marisa and Rex. I'll be back in a couple of days."
Rex had an idea. They would make a robot mom. It worked! Marisa was turning four. The next day Rex was going outside to play, but then he remembered that it was Monday, and he had to go to school. He took his little sister to school with him. They got on the bus. People were making fun of him. Marisa screamed for everybody to be quiet. "It's my birthday! Just because my mom's not here doesn't mean I have to have a bad day." Everybody was quiet. The moon was still shining really bright, because the bus comes early in the morning.
A little pony was walking in the forest. He froze. He had stepped on a stone leaf. The boy was about to walk into the forest, but when he turned his back, he saw a horse with red stripes. He had always been dreaming of a horse like that. The horse said to the boy, "Run, boy!" Before he could ask, she put him on her back and ran. She had looked all around her, and couldn't find anyplace to hide. The horse queen came out of the shadows. She looked at the boy. A herd of white horses lined up. The boy called his mom. His mom had left to go get a drink. The mom thought the boy was in bed. The boy asked the horse to give him a ride home, and she did. When he got home and opened the door, his mom was not there. She had left a note on the door: "Dear Marisa and Rex. I'll be back in a couple of days."
Rex had an idea. They would make a robot mom. It worked! Marisa was turning four. The next day Rex was going outside to play, but then he remembered that it was Monday, and he had to go to school. He took his little sister to school with him. They got on the bus. People were making fun of him. Marisa screamed for everybody to be quiet. "It's my birthday! Just because my mom's not here doesn't mean I have to have a bad day." Everybody was quiet. The moon was still shining really bright, because the bus comes early in the morning.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Are you richer than Rockefeller?
“Or consider this,” I said, “Who was the wealthiest man in America
early in the 20th century?” “John D. Rockefeller,” said someone.
“Right,” I said, “and at its peak, John D. Rockefeller’s net worth was,
in today’s $, about $200 billion, which would make him richer than Bill
Gates and Warren Buffett combined.”
“But think what you have that he didn’t. He couldn’t watch TV, play video games, surf the Internet, or send e-mail. During the summer, he didn’t have air conditioning. For most of his life, he couldn’t travel by airplane. He didn’t even have [and here I picked up my cell phone] a 1G. And here’s the big one: If he got sick, he couldn’t use many medicines, including penicillin. Calvin Coolidge’s son, after playing tennis on the White House lawn and getting a blister, died. He didn’t have antibiotics.”
Found here: http://www.coyoteblog.com/coyote_blog/2012/01/david-henderson-talks-to-the-occupy-folks.html
“But think what you have that he didn’t. He couldn’t watch TV, play video games, surf the Internet, or send e-mail. During the summer, he didn’t have air conditioning. For most of his life, he couldn’t travel by airplane. He didn’t even have [and here I picked up my cell phone] a 1G. And here’s the big one: If he got sick, he couldn’t use many medicines, including penicillin. Calvin Coolidge’s son, after playing tennis on the White House lawn and getting a blister, died. He didn’t have antibiotics.”
Found here: http://www.coyoteblog.com/coyote_blog/2012/01/david-henderson-talks-to-the-occupy-folks.html
Where do you stand on "pissgate?"
Was it wrong if our soldiers urinated on Taliban fighters after killing them? Here is one blogger's post: http://www.coyoteblog.com/coyote_blog/2012/01/our-confused-policy-in-afghanistan.html
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Do you know who might be providing them with guns?
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Empathy?
Mark Steyn writes about the so-called empathy of the left. Please read every word of it here: http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/287410/left-s-so-called-empathy-mark-steyn
Low-hanging fruit
Peter Heck writes in American Thinker that one of the Republican candidates could have won the nomination on the spot if they would have answered Diane Sawyer's question like this: http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/01/the_answer_that_would_have_won_the_nomination.html
"Enslaving the mind and destroying the soul:" oh, is that all?
One of the things wrong with the Ron Paul candidacy is his desire to legalize drugs. Read more here: http://spectator.org/archives/2012/01/11/drug-legalization-chic
"It's not as hard as it looks"
I found this at American Digest: http://americandigest.org/mt-archives/driveby/hard_and_fast_is_how_i_go.php
Freedom of religion?
And you wonder why Ron Paul's liberty movement is so strong?
Iranian nuclear scientist killed
An Iranian nuclear scientist was killed today when two guys on a motorcycle magnetically placed a bomb onto his car. Read more here: http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=253112
Freedom versus discrimination
Ace posts a brilliant refutation today of Ron Paul's "freedom agenda." He shows how the emphasis on the sacred right of property enabled "Jim Crow" practices to prevail. A sandwich shop operator does not want to serve a black man, who just wants a sandwich. The man refuses to leave. The owner calls the police (the government), who arrest the black man for trespassing. Be sure to read the whole thing at Ace of Spades. Here is Ron Paul responding to Chris Wallace's questioning him on this issue:
Mitt v. Mitt
The Democrats have put together a pretty devastating ad against Romney. Of course ads like this can be put together against any of the candidates, including Obama and Paul. It is a dirty game, and negative ads have been proven to work year-after-year.
via Ace of Spades
via Ace of Spades
"Dangerous?"
Here is Ron Paul after his second place finish in New Hampshire. I like the fact that he is tie-less. He believes his "liberty" movement is growing, and it surely seems to be. Much of the criticisms he makes seem to be valid. It is so unfortunate that if he runs as a third party candidate, he will hand the presidency back to Barack Obama. That is what I see happening, because he will take votes away from the Republican candidate, not from the "Food Stamp President," who has quite a coalition: millions who use food stamps to buy more food than the rest of us, liberal academics and professionals, feminists, government bureaucrats, wealthy Hollywood liberals, crony capitalists, and labor union thugs.
Paul admits his movement is "dangerous." Dangerous to the "military-industrial complex," dangerous to the federal reserve, dangerous to those who want to control our lives.
Update: Dick Morris does use the word "dangerous" today in talking about yesterday's Ron Paul vote in New Hampshire. He points out that Paul got over 50% of the votes from voters under thirty-years-old, and he says Romney will be required to take that into consideration as he moves forward with what looks like a "cakewalk" to the nomination. Morris was looking to see if Gingrich or Santorum would "separate" from one another, so they could combine forces behind either Gingrich or Santorum, but it did not happen, as each got about ten percent of the vote. The Morris video can be found here: http://www.dickmorris.com/blog/what-does-new-hampshire-mean-dick-morris-tv-lunch-alert/
Paul admits his movement is "dangerous." Dangerous to the "military-industrial complex," dangerous to the federal reserve, dangerous to those who want to control our lives.
Update: Dick Morris does use the word "dangerous" today in talking about yesterday's Ron Paul vote in New Hampshire. He points out that Paul got over 50% of the votes from voters under thirty-years-old, and he says Romney will be required to take that into consideration as he moves forward with what looks like a "cakewalk" to the nomination. Morris was looking to see if Gingrich or Santorum would "separate" from one another, so they could combine forces behind either Gingrich or Santorum, but it did not happen, as each got about ten percent of the vote. The Morris video can be found here: http://www.dickmorris.com/blog/what-does-new-hampshire-mean-dick-morris-tv-lunch-alert/
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Will we notice?
In light of your immediate failure to financially manage yourselves and also in recent years your tendency to elect incompetent Presidents of the USA and therefore not able to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective immediately. (You should look up 'revocation' in the Oxford English Dictionary.)
Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths, and territories (except Kansas, which she does not fancy).
Your new Prime Minister, David Cameron, will appoint a Governor for America without the need for further elections.
Congress and the Senate will be disbanded. A questionnaire may be circulated sometime next year to determine whether any of you noticed.
Read the rules the Queen will require here: http://www.theospark.net/2012/01/important-announcement-for-us-citizens.html
"Abysmal incompetence"
Michelle Malkin, not a Mitt Romney fan by any stretch, takes aim at the "non-Romney Occupiers": http://michellemalkin.com/2012/01/09/the-abysmal-incompetence-of-the-non-romneys/
"No quarter!"
Stacy McCain has written the last word on feminism. There is nothing left to say. Read the whole thing here: http://theothermccain.com/2012/01/10/dammit-smitty-how-many-times-must-i-tell-you-no-quarter-to-feminists/
Monday, January 09, 2012
Persistence
This reminds me of myself when I am sleeping. If I get one position that feels comfortable, I don't want to change it.
I found this here: http://yargb.blogspot.com/2012/01/pestering-starfish.html
I found this here: http://yargb.blogspot.com/2012/01/pestering-starfish.html
"A high-beta world"
Today's wealthiest citizens have less security and stability than the rich of yesteryear. That is the opinion of Robert Frank, who has written two books on the subject. He gives an interview to Private Wealth Magazine in which he proposes this solution:
"To solve the problem of high-beta wealth you have to roll back all the forces that have created inequality. You’d have to roll back all the recent advances in technology, you’d have to roll back globalization and you’d have to somehow wipe out most of the financial markets around the world. Not going to happen. So the practical solution is to better prepare for these wealth and income shocks. Governments need to create bigger, more robust rainy day funds that they can fill during good times and drain down during crises. As consumers and workers, we need to save more, spend less and borrow less to survive these cycles. And for those who aspire to be wealthy, they need to take money off the table as they’re on the way up and use debt sparingly. You can’t get around risk if you want to get rich today. But you can manage those risks and price it more intelligently....
And in a high-beta world, wealth no longer ensures stability and security in your life. What really matters in this world is doing something you love, having strong connections to family and friends, and making a contribution to your community or the world at large."
Sounds about right to me.
I found this at Maggie's Farm: http://maggiesfarm.anotherdotcom.com/archives/18929-Manic-Millionaires.html
Read the interview in Private Wealth here: http://www.fa-mag.com/component/content/article/9535.html?magazineID=3&issue=184&Itemid=211
"To solve the problem of high-beta wealth you have to roll back all the forces that have created inequality. You’d have to roll back all the recent advances in technology, you’d have to roll back globalization and you’d have to somehow wipe out most of the financial markets around the world. Not going to happen. So the practical solution is to better prepare for these wealth and income shocks. Governments need to create bigger, more robust rainy day funds that they can fill during good times and drain down during crises. As consumers and workers, we need to save more, spend less and borrow less to survive these cycles. And for those who aspire to be wealthy, they need to take money off the table as they’re on the way up and use debt sparingly. You can’t get around risk if you want to get rich today. But you can manage those risks and price it more intelligently....
And in a high-beta world, wealth no longer ensures stability and security in your life. What really matters in this world is doing something you love, having strong connections to family and friends, and making a contribution to your community or the world at large."
Sounds about right to me.
I found this at Maggie's Farm: http://maggiesfarm.anotherdotcom.com/archives/18929-Manic-Millionaires.html
Read the interview in Private Wealth here: http://www.fa-mag.com/component/content/article/9535.html?magazineID=3&issue=184&Itemid=211
"Authoritarianism," or fascism?
Fred Siegel and Joel Kotkin have written an important piece at City Journal. It warns of increased "authoritarianism" emanating from the Obama administration. They warn that "The legacy of the Obama years—once so breathlessly associated with hope and reconciliation—may instead be growing pessimism and polarization." "The Left’s growing support for a soft authoritarianism is reminiscent of the 1930s, when many on both right and left looked favorably at either Stalin’s Soviet experiment or its fascist and National Socialist rivals."Read more here: http://www.city-journal.org/2012/eon0106fsjk.html
On the eve of the New Hampshire vote
Three home schooled girls sing the National Anthem today at a Ron Paul event in New Hampshire.
I found it here: http://theothermccain.com/
I found it here: http://theothermccain.com/
A shaky White House?
William Daley is out as Obama's Chief of Staff. That makes it four Chiefs of Staff now in three years. This blogger wonders if there might be a little instability there: http://moelane.com/2012/01/09/rsrh-bill-daley-out-as-white-house-chief-of-staff/
A psychologist blogger with a sense of humor and good insight
Want to read a good blog on parenting and other such issues? Go here: http://ironshrink.com
No apologies needed, Mitt
A PAC supporting Newt Gingrich is criticizing Mitt Romney for his career at the head of Bain Capital. This blogger says Romney has nothing for which he ought to apologize: http://blog.american.com/2012/01/romney-doesnt-need-to-apologize-for-his-bain-career/
Todd Palin supports Newt!
Todd Palin has announced his support for Newt Gingrich today, on the eve of the New Hampshire primaries. Way to go, Todd!
Update: Stacy McCain blogs about it: "Nevertheless, some form of a Palin/Gingrich alliance could prove quite formidable, and lead to incontinence in certain corners of the White House. . ."
Update: Stacy McCain blogs about it: "Nevertheless, some form of a Palin/Gingrich alliance could prove quite formidable, and lead to incontinence in certain corners of the White House. . ."
Answer your own question, Mr. Smarty Pants!
"He pulled it!"
I was working yesterday while the Broncos defeated the Steelers. Afterwards, as I stood watching the replays, mouth wide open, I was amazed. I did not think they had a prayer against Pittsburg. They had a prayer all right, they had a pray-er, Tim Tebow. Last week sports columnist Woody Paige interviewed Broncos executive John Elway, and asked him what Tebow needed to do against the Steelers. He needs to "pull the trigger," replied Elway. After yesterday's game, Paige asked Elway for an assessment of Tebow's performance. "He pulled it," answered Elway. On the first play of overtime, Tebow hit Demaryius Thomas on a long pass over the middle of the NFL's best defense for an eighty-yard touchdown, longest in NFL history in the playoffs in overtime.
But Tebow himself gives all the credit to his teammates and coaches, and they deserve it. First and foremost, however, Tebow puts his trust in his "Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." With the same fervor he has also learned to put his trust and confidence in his coaches and teammates, and they in him. And don't forget the players on the defensive side of the ball. It was one of them, Elvis Dumervil, who sacked Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, causing him to fumble the ball, sending the game into overtime.
Roethlisberger was playing with a high ankle sprain. Saturday the Broncos play Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Boston. Brady has no significant injuries. Neither does Tebow. You can roll up the streets and highways in Colorado when game time approaches Saturday. We believe!
Update: Tim's favorite Bible verse is John 3:16, which says "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Tim threw for 316 yards yesterday, and had an average of 31.6 yards per completed pass.
But Tebow himself gives all the credit to his teammates and coaches, and they deserve it. First and foremost, however, Tebow puts his trust in his "Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." With the same fervor he has also learned to put his trust and confidence in his coaches and teammates, and they in him. And don't forget the players on the defensive side of the ball. It was one of them, Elvis Dumervil, who sacked Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, causing him to fumble the ball, sending the game into overtime.
Roethlisberger was playing with a high ankle sprain. Saturday the Broncos play Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Boston. Brady has no significant injuries. Neither does Tebow. You can roll up the streets and highways in Colorado when game time approaches Saturday. We believe!
Update: Tim's favorite Bible verse is John 3:16, which says "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Tim threw for 316 yards yesterday, and had an average of 31.6 yards per completed pass.
Women in combat
Dick Cheney had always been in agreement with the policy of women not serving in combat. However, he writes in his book In My Time that the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have caused him to "adjust" his thinking on the subject. We need to have the most competent soldiers fighting, and sometimes that will be a female soldier. How do you know where the "front" lines are in fighting terrorists?
Sunday, January 08, 2012
"Consulting with key sources"
If, like me, you worked last night, and were out shoveling snow this morning, and you missed the debates last night and this morning, a good place to catch up is here: http://theothermccain.com/2012/01/08/sunday-morning-coming-down-in-n-h-meet-the-depressed-debate/
"Disfigured minds"
Alan Colmes and Eugene Robinson have each commented about the "weirdness" of Rick Santorum bringing his son home for his children to see him, after he died two hours after his birth. Andy at Ace of Spades writes about the left's lack of concern about individuals, but great faux concerns for "victim" groups:
"In the meantime, Steyn has a great piece on the faux empathy of the left if you need to return your blood to a boil this morning.
But they sure don't seem to give a crap about any individual human beings, do they? It's all about creating and preserving groups that can be pitted against one another for electoral advantage.
As a matter of fact, they're downright hostile to individuals. And especially those in the earliest stages of life.=
Andy also links to an excellent piece written by Peter Wehner here: http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2012/01/05/partisan-politics-santorum-stillborn-baby/
"In the meantime, Steyn has a great piece on the faux empathy of the left if you need to return your blood to a boil this morning.
The short life of Gabriel Santorum would seem a curious priority for political discourse at a time when the Brokest Nation in History is hurtling toward its rendezvous with destiny. But needs must, and victory by any means necessary. In 2008, the Left gleefully mocked Sarah Palin’s live baby. It was only a matter of time before they moved on to a dead one.Liberals stake out this moral high ground where they "care" about all sorts of "people": The Poor™, The 99%™, The Children™, Minorities™, Undocumented Citizens™, etc. ad nauseam.
But they sure don't seem to give a crap about any individual human beings, do they? It's all about creating and preserving groups that can be pitted against one another for electoral advantage.
As a matter of fact, they're downright hostile to individuals. And especially those in the earliest stages of life.=
Andy also links to an excellent piece written by Peter Wehner here: http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2012/01/05/partisan-politics-santorum-stillborn-baby/
Wanting to believe
Sports columnist Mark Kizla says that any person caught wearing Steelers colors today in Mile High stadium in Denver should have his ticket confiscated and be promptly escorted to the exit. His meant-to-be-humorous column reminds me of an incident I observed this week. A woman noticed that the man next to her in line was wearing a Steelers shirt. She remarked about it. He responded with really hateful rhetoric about how Tim Tebow is a phony and the Steelers are going to crush him. He went on and on, getting uglier and uglier. She walked away in a huff, but after about four steps, she stopped, turned toward him and said, "God bless you."
It's true, as Woody Paige says in his column today, that the Steelers have the most loyal fan following in the NFL. However, the Broncos, Paige points out, have sold out every home game since 1970. The town is in a funk, though, because the Broncos lost three straight games as they limped into this first game of the playoffs. But the enthusiasm is raging just under the surface. They really do want to believe.
Kizla's column is here: http://www.denverpost.com/kiszla/ci_19698112
Paige's column is here: http://www.denverpost.com/paige/ci_19698016
It's true, as Woody Paige says in his column today, that the Steelers have the most loyal fan following in the NFL. However, the Broncos, Paige points out, have sold out every home game since 1970. The town is in a funk, though, because the Broncos lost three straight games as they limped into this first game of the playoffs. But the enthusiasm is raging just under the surface. They really do want to believe.
Kizla's column is here: http://www.denverpost.com/kiszla/ci_19698112
Paige's column is here: http://www.denverpost.com/paige/ci_19698016
Saturday, January 07, 2012
In My Time
Though he is a man of few words, Dick Cheney has actually written a book! It is entitled In My Time. I am almost done reading it, and I have enjoyed it. I am so thankful that George W. Bush chose him as his running mate, and gave him a significant role in decision-making, after the American electorate voted for the team. Cheney's deep respect for the courage shown by President Bush, especially in the earlier years of his presidency, is clear. The same for Cheney's appraisal of Don Rumsfeld, with whom Cheney remained close for four decades.
Cheney's disappointment in Colin Powell, with whom he had worked closely in the first Gulf War, is reflected in several examples in the book. Powell had been told by Richard Armitage that Armitage had been the one who had leaked classified CIA information, yet when Bush was asked if he knew who the leaker was, with Powell sitting silently beside him, Powell said nothing, while Bush said he would like to know who the leaker was. Like Rumsfeld wrote in his own book, Cheney also expresses disappointment in Condi Rice, especially for her naivety regarding the North Koreans.
While admitting that the intelligence reports by intelligence agencies in America and other countries was wrong regarding Saddam Hussein possessing weapons of mass destruction, Cheney has much praise for the difficult work done by intelligence officers. He points out the hypocrisy of people like John Kerry and Hillary Clinton, who based their initial votes on the Iraq war after reading the same intelligence reports as the Bush team, then whined that they had been betrayed. Cheney shows how intelligence activities saved many lives in the decade following 9-11.
Cheney's wife, Lynne, has been chosen Citizen of the West at this year's National Western Stock Show, which began today in Denver. She is a tremendous individual in her own right, as are the two Cheney daughters. They are a wonderful family, who have served America well.
Read about Lynne here: http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_18996068
Cheney's disappointment in Colin Powell, with whom he had worked closely in the first Gulf War, is reflected in several examples in the book. Powell had been told by Richard Armitage that Armitage had been the one who had leaked classified CIA information, yet when Bush was asked if he knew who the leaker was, with Powell sitting silently beside him, Powell said nothing, while Bush said he would like to know who the leaker was. Like Rumsfeld wrote in his own book, Cheney also expresses disappointment in Condi Rice, especially for her naivety regarding the North Koreans.
While admitting that the intelligence reports by intelligence agencies in America and other countries was wrong regarding Saddam Hussein possessing weapons of mass destruction, Cheney has much praise for the difficult work done by intelligence officers. He points out the hypocrisy of people like John Kerry and Hillary Clinton, who based their initial votes on the Iraq war after reading the same intelligence reports as the Bush team, then whined that they had been betrayed. Cheney shows how intelligence activities saved many lives in the decade following 9-11.
Cheney's wife, Lynne, has been chosen Citizen of the West at this year's National Western Stock Show, which began today in Denver. She is a tremendous individual in her own right, as are the two Cheney daughters. They are a wonderful family, who have served America well.
Read about Lynne here: http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_18996068
Circles
I was speaking with a male co-worker friend at work today, when a female co-worker friend came over and joined us. She told him that she used to be in my inner circle of friends, but now she is just in one of my outer circles. The existence of these circles was news to me. I am always wanting meaningful relationships, and, whenever possible, close friendships. Later, that same male friend came up to me and said, "I don't know about the women who work here. You never know whether they are going to yell at you or hug you!"
Later in the day I spotted my female co-worker friend. I asked her what I had done to make her feel that way. She said she had only been joking. I pressed on, saying that I didn't think she would say that if she didn't mean it. Then she told me what had happened: she had overheard two other female co-workers saying how much they liked me, and they were two people with whom she was not close, so she felt I had moved on to another "circle" of friends. As for me, I am just glad to know that I have at least three female friends who like me.
Later in the day I spotted my female co-worker friend. I asked her what I had done to make her feel that way. She said she had only been joking. I pressed on, saying that I didn't think she would say that if she didn't mean it. Then she told me what had happened: she had overheard two other female co-workers saying how much they liked me, and they were two people with whom she was not close, so she felt I had moved on to another "circle" of friends. As for me, I am just glad to know that I have at least three female friends who like me.
Friday, January 06, 2012
Republicans: "The party of normal people"
Ann Coulter remains solidly in the Romney camp, asserting that he is the only GOP candidate who can defeat Obama. Here is her assessment of each candidate: http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=48571&s=rcmp
Colorblindness, or multiculturalism?
This month we shall celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. He was the guy who said he had a dream, that one day his children would be judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. Here is the video:
I found it here, where there is a good discussion of colorblindness versus multiculturalism: http://www.brutallyhonest.org/brutally_honest/2012/01/colorblindness-is-bad-multiculturalism-is-good.html
I found it here, where there is a good discussion of colorblindness versus multiculturalism: http://www.brutallyhonest.org/brutally_honest/2012/01/colorblindness-is-bad-multiculturalism-is-good.html
"This time I'm not leavin without you"
I must admit this is the first time I have watched Lady Gaga sing. She can really belt it out!
I found it here: http://www.brutallyhonest.org/brutally_honest/2012/01/this-is-where-she-should-live-all-the-time.html
I found it here: http://www.brutallyhonest.org/brutally_honest/2012/01/this-is-where-she-should-live-all-the-time.html
Loving truth and justice = being religious?
Was Christopher Hitchens a religious man? This priest believes he was, because of his intense love of justice and truth.
I found this here: http://www.brutallyhonest.org/brutally_honest/2012/01/christopher-hitchens-was-despite-himself-a-religious-man.html
I found this here: http://www.brutallyhonest.org/brutally_honest/2012/01/christopher-hitchens-was-despite-himself-a-religious-man.html
Surprise ending
Watch this one all the way to the end.
I found this at: http://www.brutallyhonest.org/brutally_honest/2012/01/bob-welsh-my-christmas-eve.html
I found this at: http://www.brutallyhonest.org/brutally_honest/2012/01/bob-welsh-my-christmas-eve.html
"Legitimizing the oldest of bigotries"
Alan Dershowitz shames Ron Paul for refusing to repudiate anti-semitism: http://www.stonegateinstitute.org/2725/mainstream-anti-semitism
Criminalizing free speech
An innovator
The CEO of Ryan Air socks it to the European Commission.
I found this at http://ace.mu.nu./
I found this at http://ace.mu.nu./
Being there
Deciding to stick with Joe
Proud to be a native Iowan
So the evangelical Christians of Iowa, Protestants, have voted for a Mormon and a Roman Catholic! Their lack of bias is refreshing, and makes me, a native Iowan, proud!
"Convenient Revelations"
Robert Spencer is a brave man.
I found this here: http://vladtepesblog.com/?p=42555
Thursday, January 05, 2012
Santorum speaks out against Sharia Law
Rick Santorum spoke at a dinner in New Hampshire, saying jihadism is evil, supporting vouchers for students who are now attending "government schools," and emphasizing the importance of parents taking responsibility for their child's education.
Read more here: http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2012/01/santorum-jihadism-is-evil-and-we-need-to-say-what-it-is-sharia-law-is-incompatible-with-american-jur.html
Read more here: http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2012/01/santorum-jihadism-is-evil-and-we-need-to-say-what-it-is-sharia-law-is-incompatible-with-american-jur.html
Victor Davis Hanson says goodbye to 2011
"Presidents are rarely reelected on the grounds that “otherwise it could have been worse.”
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/287249/goodbye-2011-victor-davis-hanson
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/287249/goodbye-2011-victor-davis-hanson
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
Valuing work
Congratulations to Rick Santorum. I like his sense of humor. Here is the speech he gave last night in Iowa. I found it here: http://www.verumserum.com/
Three winners
I found this photo at http://chicksontheright.com/2012/01/04/iowa-discuss/
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
The Bill of Rights: a review of where we stand
The Bill of Rights: how are we doing in honoring its provisions? This blog has an update: http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/today-is-bill-of-rights-day/#utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Cato-at-liberty+%28Cato+at+Liberty%29
Thanks to http://www.coyoteblog.com/
Thanks to http://www.coyoteblog.com/
Is photography a crime?
Here is a blogger who says it is not, and, so far, has won his court cases. In this post he lists a year in review, of cases where photographers were arrested while taking photos of cops: http://www.pixiq.com/article/2011-the-photography-is-not-a-crime-year-in-review
Thanks to http://www.coyoteblog.com/
Thanks to http://www.coyoteblog.com/
Master one power at a time
Since age four, Greg, who is now ten, and Jon, age eleven, have been playing a game they make up on the fly. It is about trolls. Now that they live in New Mexico most of the time, I call them every night, and they sometimes tell me about how their troll game is progressing. Tonight Greg went on for a solid hour telling me about what happened today, as they played in a canyon, near a frozen pond.
Trolls live in a different galaxy. They have special powers. As they get older, they get more and more powers. They live in a big troll castle on the planet Hugon, which is similar to the Earth. Some people from Earth traveled to Hugon and discovered the trolls. Hugon has animals. I'll just tell you about two of the animals, minx and kinkos. Minx are smiling animals who don't have much to say. They are mostly females. They eschew violence of any kind. Kinkos are nasty animals with eight arms, and claws at the end of each arm. They have black eyes. They are cliff dwellers. They are covered with spikey fur going down their long backs. They have noses like dogs, but slanted, evil eyes.
The people from Earth who traveled to Hugon loved Hugon, and did not want to go back to Earth. They shared with the Hugonites Earth technologies, and the Hugonites did the same with the Earth people. One day the Earth people were hiking through the forests of Hugon and fell into a big pit. There had been a Hugonquake, and there was a big crack in the ground. As they were falling, they stopped in mid-air, then slowly drifted to the ground. There was a weird, colored mist. A man got in the mist. The mist gave him incredible powers, and he died. I guess the moral to this story is to just master one power at a time.
Trolls live in a different galaxy. They have special powers. As they get older, they get more and more powers. They live in a big troll castle on the planet Hugon, which is similar to the Earth. Some people from Earth traveled to Hugon and discovered the trolls. Hugon has animals. I'll just tell you about two of the animals, minx and kinkos. Minx are smiling animals who don't have much to say. They are mostly females. They eschew violence of any kind. Kinkos are nasty animals with eight arms, and claws at the end of each arm. They have black eyes. They are cliff dwellers. They are covered with spikey fur going down their long backs. They have noses like dogs, but slanted, evil eyes.
The people from Earth who traveled to Hugon loved Hugon, and did not want to go back to Earth. They shared with the Hugonites Earth technologies, and the Hugonites did the same with the Earth people. One day the Earth people were hiking through the forests of Hugon and fell into a big pit. There had been a Hugonquake, and there was a big crack in the ground. As they were falling, they stopped in mid-air, then slowly drifted to the ground. There was a weird, colored mist. A man got in the mist. The mist gave him incredible powers, and he died. I guess the moral to this story is to just master one power at a time.
Monday, January 02, 2012
Debt limit
What it would look like if we were all as reckless as our elected leaders:
I found this at http://www.laborunionreport.com/portal/
I found this at http://www.laborunionreport.com/portal/
Communications
Communications. In my lifetime the changes in communications technology have been amazing. Sidney Poiter writes in A Life Beyond Measure that he did not experience electricity until as a boy of ten his family moved to Nassau in the Bahamas. His friends invited him to go see a "matinee." He said, "sure," although he had not the slightest idea what to expect. It was a western, with cows and cowboys. After the movie, Sidney excused himself from his friends, and circled back to the theater, wondering if he would see the cows coming out the back of the building! Since he was fascinated by cows, he got the idea that some day he would go to Hollywood, because that is where the cows were.
Fast forward to 9-11-2001. On that fateful day, as he recounts in his book In My Time, Vice President Dick Cheney was in the bunker below the White House, where all kinds of communications technology had been installed. But, on that day, there were all kinds of "communications glitches." The t.v. reception was so bad it sounded like Alvin and the Chipmunks at the bottom of a swimming pool! Finally, Cheney ordered some of the government systems to be shut down, and the officials gathered there got their images from the regular media, just like you and I did. He had trouble with the phones, too, such as in attempting to communicate with President Bush via Air Force One. Moreover, much of the information coming in through the government channels proved to be unreliable, such as the number of hijacked planes and where they were headed. Rumors were rampant.
Nevertheless, the technological advances in communications have been breathtaking in my lifetime. I was ten years old when my parents bought their first black and white t.v. Before that, the family gathered around the radio to hear Jack Benny and "The Shadow Knows." Poitier wonders what has the t.v., internet, and cell phones done to our ears, eyes, and brains. He wonders if we have as much connection to science and physics as butterflies do.
Update: Here is another blogger who is writing about how times have changed: http://www.coyoteblog.com/coyote_blog/2012/01/david-henderson-talks-to-the-occupy-folks.html
Fast forward to 9-11-2001. On that fateful day, as he recounts in his book In My Time, Vice President Dick Cheney was in the bunker below the White House, where all kinds of communications technology had been installed. But, on that day, there were all kinds of "communications glitches." The t.v. reception was so bad it sounded like Alvin and the Chipmunks at the bottom of a swimming pool! Finally, Cheney ordered some of the government systems to be shut down, and the officials gathered there got their images from the regular media, just like you and I did. He had trouble with the phones, too, such as in attempting to communicate with President Bush via Air Force One. Moreover, much of the information coming in through the government channels proved to be unreliable, such as the number of hijacked planes and where they were headed. Rumors were rampant.
Nevertheless, the technological advances in communications have been breathtaking in my lifetime. I was ten years old when my parents bought their first black and white t.v. Before that, the family gathered around the radio to hear Jack Benny and "The Shadow Knows." Poitier wonders what has the t.v., internet, and cell phones done to our ears, eyes, and brains. He wonders if we have as much connection to science and physics as butterflies do.
Update: Here is another blogger who is writing about how times have changed: http://www.coyoteblog.com/coyote_blog/2012/01/david-henderson-talks-to-the-occupy-folks.html
Over the top, and lands on his feet!
I don't have a t.v. hookup, so I appreciate when a blogger friend posts something I might otherwise have missed. Jon and Greg will be impressed with this Christmas Eve move, which over five million people have already seen on You Tube.
I found this at Webutante: http://webutante07.blogspot.com/2011/12/over-top-football-with-jerome-simpson.html
I found this at Webutante: http://webutante07.blogspot.com/2011/12/over-top-football-with-jerome-simpson.html
Sunday, January 01, 2012
Dick Cheney
Two people gave me gift certificates at Christmas to spend at Barnes and Noble. I thought I better run right over there before they, like Borders, went out of business! I picked up Dick Cheney's In My Time.
Cheney begins by describing what he was doing on 9-11-2001. I am so glad we had him as Vice President for eight years, and especially on that day.
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