A Red State Update.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
"There Would Be No One Left In Ghana!"
Recently I spoke with a man who came to America from Ghana. He first came to New Jersey, then to Colorado, where he has lived the last five years. He told me, "If Ghana were as close to America as Mexico is, there would be no one left in Ghana!"
I asked him if there were a lot of abandoned children in orphanages. He said, "Not in orphanages. They are in the streets."
It was great to hear him express his love for America. He expects to become a full U.S. citizen in two years. He has been taking classes on U.S. history. We talked about this 2008 election. I told him I would not be supporting Obama, and mentioned Obama's association with America-haters like Bill Ayres and Pastor Wright. I told him how excited I was that McCain had selected Sarah Palin as his running mate.
He said that he finds it weird that our candidates ask for money, explaining that in Ghana, the candidates give you money to vote for them!
I asked him if there were a lot of abandoned children in orphanages. He said, "Not in orphanages. They are in the streets."
It was great to hear him express his love for America. He expects to become a full U.S. citizen in two years. He has been taking classes on U.S. history. We talked about this 2008 election. I told him I would not be supporting Obama, and mentioned Obama's association with America-haters like Bill Ayres and Pastor Wright. I told him how excited I was that McCain had selected Sarah Palin as his running mate.
He said that he finds it weird that our candidates ask for money, explaining that in Ghana, the candidates give you money to vote for them!
Raisin McCain
Gecko links us to Meghan McCain's blog, which is rich with photos of the Palin family, and the Jon Rich band, as they travel with the McCain family on the Straight Talk bus.
Palin versus Biden on the most important issue facing our country: our energy policy. Let's get it on, big boy.
Joan of Argghh! links to a recent CNBC interview with Sarah Palin. Asked about Alaska's oil reserves, Palin says it is time to "unlock" them. Palin noted that a Senator named Biden voted against the pipeline that has been supplying America with 20% of its oil needs.
Palin points out that it is in the Alaskan constitution that the residents of Alaska own their resources.
Palin: "Our nation is in a world of hurt if we continue to be so dependent on the Middle East."
Palin on our our energy policy: "America has no energy policy."
Palin on Obama and Biden's naievete regarding renewable energy: "It is a naieve notion to believe we can jump right into renewable sources of energy."
Palin points out that it is in the Alaskan constitution that the residents of Alaska own their resources.
Palin: "Our nation is in a world of hurt if we continue to be so dependent on the Middle East."
Palin on our our energy policy: "America has no energy policy."
Palin on Obama and Biden's naievete regarding renewable energy: "It is a naieve notion to believe we can jump right into renewable sources of energy."
What Makes Democrat Leaders Happy?
Mrs. Who has posted an astounding video revealing a conversation on an airplane between the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Dan Fowler, and South Carolina Congressman John Spratt, in which the two talk gleefully about the possibility of hurricane Gustav ruining the GOP convention.
Good Judgment Equals Good Consequences
JammieWearingFool brings us good news, indeed. He reports that the Rasmussen poll is out, showing Obama got no bounce whatsoever from his big show in Denver. Moreover, McCain's approval rating from unaffiliated voters has jumped ten percentage points to 63% since he boldly selected Sarah Palin.
Good News
The nation's economy is on the upswing. Even the Denver Post is reporting the good news. However, you have to go to page 25A to read the good news in a story that is three paragraphs in length. The gross domestic product rose 3.3 percent in the last quarter.
Insulting Our Intelligence
There are two stories in the above-the-fold front page of the Denver Post today. One is about Hurricane Gustav. The other is by a New York Times writer named Jackie Calmes. Ms. Calmes writes about John McCain's pick of Sarah Palin. There are 24 paragraphs. 2 paragraphs had positive comments about Palin. 13 paragraphs were negative about McCain and Palin. 7 paragraphs were neutral.
The Post decides to use a story by the most biased newspaper in the United States (biased toward the Democrats), The New York Times, to discuss the V.P. choice of Sarah Palin. Who do they think they are fooling? Both the Times and the Post in recent years have been laying off huge percentages of their workforce. This blatantly biased front page story is a prime example of why that is happening.
The Times may get by with insulting the intelligence of its readers in New York. However, here in flyover country, we are not that easily bamboozled. McCain's pick is brilliant. The Times and the Post will do their best to get Obama elected, but the people of the United States will elect the McCain/Palin ticket, and those two blatantly biased newspapers will continue to lose readership. It is a natural consequence for their continually insulting the intelligence of their readers.
With the Democratic Convention being held here this month, Coloradans have been bombarded with story after story in the Post this year about the Democrats. Now it is time for the Republican Convention in St. Paul, and this is what we get from the Post. It is overkill, and I, for one, am fed up with trying to sift though the daily onslaught of bias.
The Post decides to use a story by the most biased newspaper in the United States (biased toward the Democrats), The New York Times, to discuss the V.P. choice of Sarah Palin. Who do they think they are fooling? Both the Times and the Post in recent years have been laying off huge percentages of their workforce. This blatantly biased front page story is a prime example of why that is happening.
The Times may get by with insulting the intelligence of its readers in New York. However, here in flyover country, we are not that easily bamboozled. McCain's pick is brilliant. The Times and the Post will do their best to get Obama elected, but the people of the United States will elect the McCain/Palin ticket, and those two blatantly biased newspapers will continue to lose readership. It is a natural consequence for their continually insulting the intelligence of their readers.
With the Democratic Convention being held here this month, Coloradans have been bombarded with story after story in the Post this year about the Democrats. Now it is time for the Republican Convention in St. Paul, and this is what we get from the Post. It is overkill, and I, for one, am fed up with trying to sift though the daily onslaught of bias.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Late Summer Farm Activities
Peaches ripening and cascading all the way to the ground.
Gobblers and Cornish Rock Crosses
Gobblers and Cornish Rock Crosses
Last Night's Sunset
There is still a lot of smoke in the air from wildfires in the mountains.
A shark or dolphin with her baby on her back?
A shark or dolphin with her baby on her back?
Some More Interesting Tidbits About the Palins
Palin's husband, Todd Palin, is part Yup'ik Eskimo. He works on oil rigs and is also a commercial fisherman. He is a four-time winner of the Iron Dog, a nearly 2000 mile snowmobile race.
Sarah Palin is a lifetime NRA member, was a point guard on her high school basketball team, and also a hockey player.
Do you know that a Colorado blogger named Adam Brickley was the first person to start getting the word out on the web about Palin being the best choice for V.P.? He researched all of the possible candidates, then became convinced she would be a great choice, so he started a blog at www.palinforvp.blogspot.com in 2007. Friday he got 350,000 hits!
Brickley lives on the high plains east of Colorado Springs with his mom, who raises goats! I have not met him.
Brickley says he has gotten an increasing number of emails from former Hillary supporters looking for an alternative to Obama. I believe there will be a sizeable number of those voters who will now vote for McCain-Palin, or who will just not vote, which is almost the same thing.
Brickley is soon to return to his internship with Townhall.com in Washington D.C.
All of these facts about Brickley are lifted from a Rocky Mountain News article by Ed Sealover, who suggests that if Palin becomes America's first female vice president, she might need a staffer with an eye for talent, and choose Brickley, whom she has never met.
UPDATE!
I went to Brickley's blog, and learned that he did receive a phone call from Todd and Sarah Palin, and he thanks them for their kindness.
Sarah Palin is a lifetime NRA member, was a point guard on her high school basketball team, and also a hockey player.
Do you know that a Colorado blogger named Adam Brickley was the first person to start getting the word out on the web about Palin being the best choice for V.P.? He researched all of the possible candidates, then became convinced she would be a great choice, so he started a blog at www.palinforvp.blogspot.com in 2007. Friday he got 350,000 hits!
Brickley lives on the high plains east of Colorado Springs with his mom, who raises goats! I have not met him.
Brickley says he has gotten an increasing number of emails from former Hillary supporters looking for an alternative to Obama. I believe there will be a sizeable number of those voters who will now vote for McCain-Palin, or who will just not vote, which is almost the same thing.
Brickley is soon to return to his internship with Townhall.com in Washington D.C.
All of these facts about Brickley are lifted from a Rocky Mountain News article by Ed Sealover, who suggests that if Palin becomes America's first female vice president, she might need a staffer with an eye for talent, and choose Brickley, whom she has never met.
UPDATE!
I went to Brickley's blog, and learned that he did receive a phone call from Todd and Sarah Palin, and he thanks them for their kindness.
More Interesting Tidbits about the McCains
John McCain still talks every day with his former cellmates from the Hanoi Hilton. He is obsessed with cell phone usage, but does not surf the internet, and does not use email. He is an early riser, and has so much energy that in Congress he earned the nickname "White Tornado" by working a relentless schedule. He is into fruit trees and birds. He keeps binoculars and bird books at the ready in Sedona. His pet collection includes two dogs, two turtles, a cat, a ferret, three parakeets and 13 saltwater fish.
Cindy McCain is also a bit of a maverick. She visited Mother Teresa's orphanage in Bangladesh, and came home with McCain's seventh child, without talking to McCain about it ahead of the decision! (That sound like something my wife would do, except that nowadays it's just goats she brings home, for the most part).
Even in prison, McCain played to the bleachers, shouting obscenities at his captors loudly enough to bolster the spirits of his fellow captives. He was elected by his fellow captives to be the entertainment officer, chaplain, and communications officer. Medal of Honor winner, Bud Day, was a former cellmate. He says McCain's POW experience "took some great iron and turned him into steel."
All of these tidbits were lifted from a lengthy AP story in today's Rocky Mountain News
Cindy McCain is also a bit of a maverick. She visited Mother Teresa's orphanage in Bangladesh, and came home with McCain's seventh child, without talking to McCain about it ahead of the decision! (That sound like something my wife would do, except that nowadays it's just goats she brings home, for the most part).
Even in prison, McCain played to the bleachers, shouting obscenities at his captors loudly enough to bolster the spirits of his fellow captives. He was elected by his fellow captives to be the entertainment officer, chaplain, and communications officer. Medal of Honor winner, Bud Day, was a former cellmate. He says McCain's POW experience "took some great iron and turned him into steel."
All of these tidbits were lifted from a lengthy AP story in today's Rocky Mountain News
Friday, August 29, 2008
Hangin Out
Chuck follows Colleen and Sara all over the place. Some girls have dolls they dress in their bedrooms. Sara prefers to dress Chuck. (For the caseworker who reads my blog, don't worry, the goat was in the house only long enough for me to take this picture).
My New Hangout
This pond with lily pads is close to where I now work. Let this be a warning: you will no doubt be seeing this pond from many angles in the days to come.
Yesterday was the worst day of air pollution I have seen in Denver in many years. At first I thought I could blame Hertz, Avis, and Enterprise for renting cars to 15,000 journalists and all the Democrats. Later, though, I learned that the haze was from wildfires in the mountains. Just as the sun set, the mountains reappeared.
McCain's Pick: Sheer Brilliance
This morning I am hearing that Sarah Palin is in Dayton, Ohio, where McCain is going to reveal his choice for V.P. Romney is not there, and neither is Pawlenty. If she is the pick, I think it is absolutely brilliant.
She recently gave birth to a Downs Syndrome baby. She looked at her baby and said, "I am looking at the baby right now, and I see perfection!" She and her husband knew full well that the baby would be Downs Syndrome. She is a champion snowmobiler, and is a hunter and ice fisherwoman. She has fought to clean up the Alaska corruption. She is ardently prolife. She is ardently anti-illegal immigration. She is attractive. She has a son heading to Iraq. She has a 90% approval rating in that wonderful western state. She has always been against wasteful spending and corruption. Gutsy, she ran for governor with no support from the Republican party, and defeated the incumbent Republican governor in the primary. She is very knowledgable about energy, including drilling in ANWR.
The press will surely be asking her to name all the presidents of the "stans," and she will have to bone up on foreign policy.
I really like this pick. There are many women still angry about Hillary being completely snubbed by Obama when he considered V.P. picks. We'll see if those women can recognize that McCain has chosen a superb member of the female gender, or will they cling to the failed socialist policies of the Democratic party?
This a pick that is beyond brilliant. I am very excited. Bless that maverick's heart!
She will chew up and spit out Joe Biden. You ought to hear her talk about how idiotic it is to "lock up" safe and secure energy.
Palin is plainspoken. Homespun basics. Grow our economy, not hamstring our economy. Brains and guts. Tough, feminine, smart: what is not to like? Grit, no nonsense, pro military: what's not to like? Did you know she sold the "governor's jet" on EBAY for $2.7 million dollars?
This will energize the entire Republican base. It will take the air out of the Obama balloon.
Mr. McCain, you have just made the most brilliant V.P. decision of any candidate who has run for president in my lifetime.
She recently gave birth to a Downs Syndrome baby. She looked at her baby and said, "I am looking at the baby right now, and I see perfection!" She and her husband knew full well that the baby would be Downs Syndrome. She is a champion snowmobiler, and is a hunter and ice fisherwoman. She has fought to clean up the Alaska corruption. She is ardently prolife. She is ardently anti-illegal immigration. She is attractive. She has a son heading to Iraq. She has a 90% approval rating in that wonderful western state. She has always been against wasteful spending and corruption. Gutsy, she ran for governor with no support from the Republican party, and defeated the incumbent Republican governor in the primary. She is very knowledgable about energy, including drilling in ANWR.
The press will surely be asking her to name all the presidents of the "stans," and she will have to bone up on foreign policy.
I really like this pick. There are many women still angry about Hillary being completely snubbed by Obama when he considered V.P. picks. We'll see if those women can recognize that McCain has chosen a superb member of the female gender, or will they cling to the failed socialist policies of the Democratic party?
This a pick that is beyond brilliant. I am very excited. Bless that maverick's heart!
She will chew up and spit out Joe Biden. You ought to hear her talk about how idiotic it is to "lock up" safe and secure energy.
Palin is plainspoken. Homespun basics. Grow our economy, not hamstring our economy. Brains and guts. Tough, feminine, smart: what is not to like? Grit, no nonsense, pro military: what's not to like? Did you know she sold the "governor's jet" on EBAY for $2.7 million dollars?
This will energize the entire Republican base. It will take the air out of the Obama balloon.
Mr. McCain, you have just made the most brilliant V.P. decision of any candidate who has run for president in my lifetime.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
"A City Transformed"
NBC anchor Brian Williams described Denver as a "city transformed," where "giant SUVs roam the streets with men in black with automatic weapons on the running boards." Brian, pepperball guns are not automatic weapons. They are essentially paintball guns filled with pellets that contain a powder that is like a "combination of cayenne pepper and baby powder," according to the manufacturer. They are not available in an automatic version. The city purchased 88 pepperball guns for the DNC, hardly enough to transform the city.
Anarchists Have it Tough This Week
From the Rocky Mountain News:
A self-proclaimed anarchist was trolling the perimeter of the Pepsi Center Tuesday. He saw a heavy police presence, and whipped out his video recorder. A policeman yelled, "No pictures." The anarchist asked, "Why not?" The policeman replied, "Because the Secret Service says so." The anarchist scoffed, "You're not my mom." The officer retorted, "Then go home to your mommy."
A self-proclaimed anarchist was trolling the perimeter of the Pepsi Center Tuesday. He saw a heavy police presence, and whipped out his video recorder. A policeman yelled, "No pictures." The anarchist asked, "Why not?" The policeman replied, "Because the Secret Service says so." The anarchist scoffed, "You're not my mom." The officer retorted, "Then go home to your mommy."
Boo Hoo, Cry, Cry Cry
Dennis Kucinich cried about pharmaceutical companies taking over drug-pricing. I guess he hasn't heard about Wal-Mart's $4 dollar prescriptions, which have been matched by all of the other major chains, like Kroger, Safeway and Costco here in Colorado. Those evil corporations need to be taken over by compassionate government bureaucrats, I guess.
Ommissions
Did you catch the ommission in Hillary's speech Tuesday night? She was "here as a proud mother, a proud Democrat, a proud Senator from New York, a proud American, and a proud supporter of Barack Obama." Not a proud wife of an ex-President of the United States?
One more thing about that speech. "No Way, No How, No McCain" doesn't sound right. I think it sounds better this way: "No Way, No How, Nobama!" Get that one ready for 2012, Hillary.
One more thing about that speech. "No Way, No How, No McCain" doesn't sound right. I think it sounds better this way: "No Way, No How, Nobama!" Get that one ready for 2012, Hillary.
Last Night's Magnificent Sunset
All the media was in Denver last night. This is what they could have shown you with their high tech cameras. Which would the American people have enjoyed more, watching the sunset over the Rockies, or listening to Bill Clinton?
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Dems Last Bash?
Will this party be the last bash for the Democrat Party? Denver attorney Dan Caplis thinks so. He points out that the Dems have allowed people like George Soros and Daily Kos to set their agenda, and that agenda on core issues is way to the left of the American people...
National Security (too weak)
The economy (won't drill and will tax)
Gay Marriage (will force it on states)
Abortion (condemned ban on partial-birth abortion, Obama opposed law protecting babies born alive after failed abortions)
National Security (too weak)
The economy (won't drill and will tax)
Gay Marriage (will force it on states)
Abortion (condemned ban on partial-birth abortion, Obama opposed law protecting babies born alive after failed abortions)
Tribute
I know Michelle Obama is not popular with my fellow conservatives. However, as I have written before, I find her story very inspirational. She and her brother came from very humble beginnings. They had solid parents. Her father had MS, but still made it to work every day. The parents convinced Michelle and her brother that education was the way to success. After graduating from Princeton and Harvard Law School, she returned to Chicago, where she met her future husband.
To see what she has accomplished is a great tribute to her and to our country.
To see what she has accomplished is a great tribute to her and to our country.
Two Items From the News This Week
Harrold, Texas became the nation's first school district to allow teachers to carry concealed guns. This rural community near the Oklahoma border has got common sense.
Most cows align their bodies north to south when resting - no matter what continent they are in. Two-thirds of cows do this, but one-third do not. Are they aligning themselves with the magnetic field of the earth? Why aren't the other third doing it?
Most cows align their bodies north to south when resting - no matter what continent they are in. Two-thirds of cows do this, but one-third do not. Are they aligning themselves with the magnetic field of the earth? Why aren't the other third doing it?
Do the Olympics Promote Freedom in the Host Country?
Dave Krieger, superb columnist on the sports pages of the Rocky Mountain News, says that the Olympics were a great success, if your measure of success is limited to televison ratings. What about the "massive forced evictions,the surge in the arrest, detention, and harrassment of critics, violations of media freedom, and increased political repression?"
One farmer heard about Olympic protest provisions, and thought this might be his opportunity to speak out against communist repression. He was wrong. He was beaten and jailed.
Krieger wonders if "a grand commercial enterprise governed by the rules of expedience" is what the Olympics have become. Those who say that hosting the Olympics will promote freedom in the host country appear to be overly optimistic, to put it mildly.
One farmer heard about Olympic protest provisions, and thought this might be his opportunity to speak out against communist repression. He was wrong. He was beaten and jailed.
Krieger wonders if "a grand commercial enterprise governed by the rules of expedience" is what the Olympics have become. Those who say that hosting the Olympics will promote freedom in the host country appear to be overly optimistic, to put it mildly.
Republicans Not Doing Well in Fund-Raising
In a story published this week in the Denver Post there is bad news for Republicans. They are not doing well in fund-raising. In the Senate races, Republicans had $25 million in the bank in July, compared with $42 million for the Democrats. Republicans have canceled about a quarter of their ad buys they had already booked for Colorado's Senate race.
Last month Barack Obama raised $51 million, compared with John McCain's $27 million.
Last month Barack Obama raised $51 million, compared with John McCain's $27 million.
He Brought The Crowd To Its Feet
The Democrat National Convention was a yawner until Teddy Kennedy showed up. Apparently the Dems admire good swimmers.
Last Night's Painting in the Sky
The Great Painter started early last night.
Later, the clouds developed some moisture, but the sunset illuminated the nearby trees.
Later, the clouds developed some moisture, but the sunset illuminated the nearby trees.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Beauty and Excitement in the Air
Three tornadoes were cited tonight in the county where we live. After the storms passed, I went outside just in time to get these pictures of the sun setting and reflecting on the trees.
When something is going on, the alpacas, just like a school of trout, all face the same direction.
After the storm, the puppies ventured out of their house.
When something is going on, the alpacas, just like a school of trout, all face the same direction.
After the storm, the puppies ventured out of their house.
Sunflowers
I walked over and snapped a picture of one sunflower in a field of thousands of them.
This field of sunflowers went on for as far as my eyes could see. Unfortunately, even though I snapped the picture at 3:30 pm, all of the flowers were still facing east, and I was on the west side of the field. Can you imagine how beautiful would be the view from the east?
This field of sunflowers went on for as far as my eyes could see. Unfortunately, even though I snapped the picture at 3:30 pm, all of the flowers were still facing east, and I was on the west side of the field. Can you imagine how beautiful would be the view from the east?
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Spirit Will Be Next
In five days we expect Spirit to deliver our next batch of puppies. They will be labradoodles.
Activity in the Goat Pens
Our new stud, Chuck, meets our two new does, Twinkle, who has one teat full of milk, and Ginger, who is open and ready to breed. Chuck is clearly not up to the task of breeding these two veterans, so we look for our Boar stud, Noisemaker, to see if he might be interested in Ginger.
Noisemaker, meet Ginger.
After allowing him a good sniff, Ginger led Noisemaker into the goat house, where they could enjoy some privacy.
Noisemaker, meet Ginger.
After allowing him a good sniff, Ginger led Noisemaker into the goat house, where they could enjoy some privacy.
Lies and Deceit
Donald Douglas, on his excellent blog, American Power, is commenting on "Senator Infanticide's" appropriate choice of plegiarist Joe Biden as his running mate. Obama has tried to lie his way out of his support of infanticide. The facts, however, are the facts. Douglas lays them out clearly for us here in a blog piece entitled "Obama's Veep: The Perfect Accompaniment of Lies and Deceit." Douglas also reminds us about Biden's history of plegiarism, and gives us chapter and verse.
Of Predictions and Trends
One of the speakers at the Democrat National Convention will be Senator Ken Salazar from Colorado. He is confident Colorado will go for Obama in November. However, Salazar's cousin in Pueblo, Colorado, Silver Salazar, a life-long Democrat, disagrees. Silver is actively campaigning for John McCain. George Bush got 40% of the Hispanic vote in 2004, up from 34% in 2000. The trend does not favor the Dems.
Sorry, Dems
A "community panel" urged Denver police to refrain from making arrests or issuing citations for small amounts of marijuana possession during the Democrat National Convention next week. Last year the city prosecuted 1,600 marijuana cases. Based on current numbers, the city is on track to increase that to 1,900 this year. The city attorney's director of enforcement responded to the panel by saying, "It's certainly not our function to vote on suspending laws for a certain period of time." Sorry, Dems.
Ho Hum
Next week's Democrat Convention in Denver is not something that has a majority of Coloradans fired up. The Rocky Mountain News yesterday reported that 9% of Coloradans were thrilled, another 15% were excited, and another 20% were "interested."
The remaining 56% were either indifferent, worried, or annoyed. Count me in that latter group.
The remaining 56% were either indifferent, worried, or annoyed. Count me in that latter group.
A Great Opportunity for John McCain
Obama has picked Joe Biden as his V.P. running mate. Rush Limbaugh reported yesterday that Hillary Clinton was not even vetted! No one from the Obama campaign even talked with Hillary about the job. There are going to be lots of Hillary supporters in Denver next week who are not going to appreciate this slight.
This is a wide open opportunity for John McCain. What should he do to take advantage of what I believe will be a huge number of female voters, who are not happy with the Democrat ticket?
This is a wide open opportunity for John McCain. What should he do to take advantage of what I believe will be a huge number of female voters, who are not happy with the Democrat ticket?
What Are Unions Afraid Of?
A Denver District Court Judge has dismissed all claims made in a lawsuit against a signature-gathering process to get a right-to-work amendment on the state of Colorado ballot this fall.The measure would ban compulsory union dues for workers covered by collective bargaining pacts. The suit was brought by a labor-backed coalition called Protect Colorado's Future.
The First Day of School
I was working late last night, so I phoned home to talk to the kids and ask them about their first day at school. Jon said the kids are bratty, and they are allowed to get by with that behavior. He said he wishes his teacher would be "more strict." Greg, whom I home-schooled last year, said his teacher was nice, but maybe a little too nice, because the teacher let the kids get by with some bad behavior. Greg was very impressed that the girl who sits next to him likes doughnuts, just like he does!
Our Future
Is China a threat? If so, in what areas? I think the answer is yes, economically. To get the raw material they need for their rapidly expanding national economy, China is willing to side with other despotic regimes like Iran and Sudan. Because China has massive trade surpluses and an undervalued currency, they have $1.8 trillion in foreign exchange reserves! They can use that cash to buy big stakes in American and other foreign firms.
Meanwhile, here in the USA 3.5 million factory jobs have been lost in the last decade. 40,000 U.S. factories have closed in that same time.
Noticing the crowds in Wal-Mart and Costco, it is obvious that Americans like cheap prices. Colleen was surprised last week when she was able to purchase school supplies and groceries at Wal-Mart for under $200.
Recently I ate lunch (cashew chicken, for three dollars) in a small Chinese restaurant, which was the size of our kitchen. In that cramped space I counted six Asian men working very hard. No one was talking. No one was standing around. Everyone had a role. They work like this from 11 AM to 9:30 PM. A sixteen-year-old Chinese American youth came in from doing his deliveries. Without a word to anyone, he pitched right in, helping at the cash register and filling orders to go or to be delivered.
During this time, where were the average American teens? On the couch watching movies or You Tube? Who will that average American teen be working for fifteen years from now? Their Asian counterparts, who know how to work, and have the discipline to study hard in school.
Meanwhile, here in the USA 3.5 million factory jobs have been lost in the last decade. 40,000 U.S. factories have closed in that same time.
Noticing the crowds in Wal-Mart and Costco, it is obvious that Americans like cheap prices. Colleen was surprised last week when she was able to purchase school supplies and groceries at Wal-Mart for under $200.
Recently I ate lunch (cashew chicken, for three dollars) in a small Chinese restaurant, which was the size of our kitchen. In that cramped space I counted six Asian men working very hard. No one was talking. No one was standing around. Everyone had a role. They work like this from 11 AM to 9:30 PM. A sixteen-year-old Chinese American youth came in from doing his deliveries. Without a word to anyone, he pitched right in, helping at the cash register and filling orders to go or to be delivered.
During this time, where were the average American teens? On the couch watching movies or You Tube? Who will that average American teen be working for fifteen years from now? Their Asian counterparts, who know how to work, and have the discipline to study hard in school.
Lock Em Up
The Denver Post saw the need yesterday to write its lead editorial admonishing Colorado law enforcement officers to act responsibly during the Democrat National Convention next week. "Public safety will depend on keeping both protesters and law enforcement in check," said the Post headline.
I found it offensive that the Post lumped together violent anarchists and law enforcement officers in the same sentence. Personally, I hope every violent thug gets swiftly arrested and removed from the scene of their crime.
I found it offensive that the Post lumped together violent anarchists and law enforcement officers in the same sentence. Personally, I hope every violent thug gets swiftly arrested and removed from the scene of their crime.
Bending Over With Ripening Peaches
I wish I could give a big basket of peaches to every blog friend.
Shade Lovers
Got a shady location? Try impatiens.
Coleus is another plant that needs very little sun.
New Puppies
This little guy likes to pose for pictures.
Three of the six new Lhasa Apso puppies
Whatever he ate, I think it must have been good.
Three more of the six new Lhasa Apso puppies.
This Lhasa Apso puppy is learning that the guy with the funny hat usually has his camera with him.
Three of the six new Lhasa Apso puppies
Whatever he ate, I think it must have been good.
Three more of the six new Lhasa Apso puppies.
This Lhasa Apso puppy is learning that the guy with the funny hat usually has his camera with him.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Protecting Freedom
Every time I read about the POW experience of John McCain or his fellow prisoners, I am moved to tears. McCain's maverick spirit shone most brightly when he told his captors, "I'll go home when everybody else does."
Rob Knutson was a fellow prisoner in Viet Nam with McCain. Yesterday's Rocky Mountain News provided some excerpts of a speech given recently by Knutson to a local Republican Men's Club. Knutson describes the torture he and McCain were subjected to. He and McCain were among about thirty prisoners who were considered attitude problems by their communist captors in North Viet Nam.
McCain knew Knutson was sick (Knudson weighed only 89 pounds), so McCain regularly tapped out words of encouragement on the wall that separated McCain's cell from Knudson's. Knudson knows what it means to lose one's freedom. His advice to us: "Peace without freedom is not worth anything."
We must all work to protect what freedom we have left in America.
Rob Knutson was a fellow prisoner in Viet Nam with McCain. Yesterday's Rocky Mountain News provided some excerpts of a speech given recently by Knutson to a local Republican Men's Club. Knutson describes the torture he and McCain were subjected to. He and McCain were among about thirty prisoners who were considered attitude problems by their communist captors in North Viet Nam.
McCain knew Knutson was sick (Knudson weighed only 89 pounds), so McCain regularly tapped out words of encouragement on the wall that separated McCain's cell from Knudson's. Knudson knows what it means to lose one's freedom. His advice to us: "Peace without freedom is not worth anything."
We must all work to protect what freedom we have left in America.
The Worst of Times, The Best of Times
One of my favorite columnists is Harvey Mackay, author of Outswimming the Sharks. In a recent column he wrote the following: "Don't let hard times turn into end times. Let them lead to your best times." We are determined to do just that, with God's guidance.
Costs
Colorado spent $39.8 million dollars housing illegal immigrants in our state prisons during the past fiscal year, according to Colorado Attorney General John Suthers. Suthers said that "the immense financial burdens were caused by inadequate enforcement of federal immigration laws." How about the personal costs to American citizens who were victims of the crimes?
I am eagerly waiting to read or hear from authorities regarding the child welfare, medical, and education costs we have incurred as a result of Denver's and other cities' Sanctuary City policies of Democrat mayoral administrations.
I am eagerly waiting to read or hear from authorities regarding the child welfare, medical, and education costs we have incurred as a result of Denver's and other cities' Sanctuary City policies of Democrat mayoral administrations.
Freedom of Information
The University of Illinois at Chicago is refusing to release files that would help us learn more about Barack Obama. The Chicago Annenberg Challenge is a project in which Weatherman terrorist Bill Ayres and Barack Obama worked together. We need to learn more about Barack's relationship with Mr. Ayres.
UPDATE: Fox News is reporting that The University of Illinois at Chicago will release the Annenberg files Tuesday.
UPDATE: Fox News is reporting that The University of Illinois at Chicago will release the Annenberg files Tuesday.
"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother!"
Conservative talk radio is all abuzz about Barack Obama's half-brother in Africa. The media has discovered the half-brother, living in unimaginable sqauller on an income of less than one dollar per month. Questions are being raised about why Barack is not helping his half-brother. Barack writes in one of his books about seeing his brother when he was about five, and he has seen him again in recent years. Barack is portraying himself as compassionate about the less fortunate, and declares himself to be a "citizen of the world." He reported earnings of over four million dollars last year. Could he not do something to help his own brother, or is he just compassionate with our money?
"He's An Asshole in Real Life!"
I recently heard that phrase accurately applied to a man. It got me thinking about men and women for whom that designation is accurately applied. For men, it usually seems to be related either to aggressiveness or flaunting money and position. Women who fit that description are usually quieter, demanding perfection from others and themselves. For both sexes, it is about power and control. Both will eventually die earlier than they would have, if they had learned humility, kindness, and the love of God.
We all know people who fit the description. But, who among us knows how to deal with them? Must we all have to just wait for them to self-destruct, which eventually they all do? Have you recently encountered such individuals? What were they like? How did you deal with them?
We all know people who fit the description. But, who among us knows how to deal with them? Must we all have to just wait for them to self-destruct, which eventually they all do? Have you recently encountered such individuals? What were they like? How did you deal with them?
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
The Newest Members of Our Family
These Nubian goats will soon save us twelve dollars every other day in milk expenditures.
Signs of the Times
This auto insurance company in Thornton, Colorado has LOW rates, and accepts Mexican licenses.
The Army Surplus store in Englewood, Colorado is getting ready for the Democrat National Convention next week.
The Army Surplus store in Englewood, Colorado is getting ready for the Democrat National Convention next week.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
To our Wonderful Friends in the Blogosphere...Thank You for Your Prayers
God puts the finishing touches on another wonderful day in Colorado.
No one could ever get bored looking at these creations of our Architect.
Butterflies and begonias go together.
Mr. Fox comes down to snatch the morning paper.
Snacking in the Rockies
Ladies night out on the town, or at least down to the bushes.
No one could ever get bored looking at these creations of our Architect.
Butterflies and begonias go together.
Mr. Fox comes down to snatch the morning paper.
Snacking in the Rockies
Ladies night out on the town, or at least down to the bushes.
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