It is clear now that the dems just don't get it. The main evidence of that is that Nancy Pelosi appears to be the overwhelming choice among remaining House democrats to be retained as their Speaker. (Along with the endorsements of Obama and Reid, of course)
As much as conservatives grit their teeth over the prospect of her remaining in any sort of an elevated position, we must consider that this is truly a huge help to our cause. In fact, we should hope that she's in the spotlight every single week between now and 2012. Believe it....the more often, the better.
Not only have her policies and hypocritical, royal demeanor turned so many off, but the very act of keeping the House leader, as one who carries a whopping 16% approval rating by a cross-section of all voters, demonstrates the exact issue that has been such a motivator to Tea Party and almost all others outside the San Francisco city limits: the idea of the good-ol'-boy (or girl) system of politicians taking care of each other, ahead of the interests of their constituents.
No my friends, let us drink to Queen Nancy's minority "leadership"....for 2012 awaits!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Hell Freezes Over!
This is the actual headline:
"Black caucus says it will allow Republicans"
The link to the original article is below. In an election year where the dem-liberal-socialist machine has taken an unprecedented spanking, perhaps nothing else exemplifies a lesson learned more than this headline. Even so, it probably means nothing until we see this one:
"First Republican in black caucus is allowed to speak!"
....and that may yet come as the further reckoning comes in 2012!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101109/ap_on_go_co/us_black_caucus_republicans
"Black caucus says it will allow Republicans"
The link to the original article is below. In an election year where the dem-liberal-socialist machine has taken an unprecedented spanking, perhaps nothing else exemplifies a lesson learned more than this headline. Even so, it probably means nothing until we see this one:
"First Republican in black caucus is allowed to speak!"
....and that may yet come as the further reckoning comes in 2012!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101109/ap_on_go_co/us_black_caucus_republicans
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The Morning After
It is the morning after, and the democrat party is a smoldering hulk after receiving a Tea Party and Republican, Election Day Bunker-Buster. There were two initials painted on the side of that bomb: B.O..
B.O....becasue it was none other who owns almost sole responsibility for this devastation. Yes devastation.
The biggest swing in House seats lost and won (by either party) since Hoover, and Pelosi enters the history books as the shortest serving Speaker of the House, ever. The first time in 40 years that there will be less than 200 democrats in the House. A party which went into these mid-terms totally unwilling to talk about any of their "accomplishments" over the last two years. A party that now counts only one third of the gubernatorial offices in the country. And it will be a week before we really have all of the stats on state-level elections which may be the biggest story yet of the dem-devastation.
All of this because of B.O. and his socialist agenda, which very, very few dems dared deviate from. And it wasn't just the typical, follow your President obedience, which both parties are guilty of much of the time. No this was absolute, blind servitude to Hope and Change. Nothing less than that would have put so much radical legislation into place, and so many politicians in direct opposition to the American people.
And now, they reap what they have sown. But there are two bright spots: They've still got Harry Reid and no one can call them racists.
B.O....becasue it was none other who owns almost sole responsibility for this devastation. Yes devastation.
The biggest swing in House seats lost and won (by either party) since Hoover, and Pelosi enters the history books as the shortest serving Speaker of the House, ever. The first time in 40 years that there will be less than 200 democrats in the House. A party which went into these mid-terms totally unwilling to talk about any of their "accomplishments" over the last two years. A party that now counts only one third of the gubernatorial offices in the country. And it will be a week before we really have all of the stats on state-level elections which may be the biggest story yet of the dem-devastation.
All of this because of B.O. and his socialist agenda, which very, very few dems dared deviate from. And it wasn't just the typical, follow your President obedience, which both parties are guilty of much of the time. No this was absolute, blind servitude to Hope and Change. Nothing less than that would have put so much radical legislation into place, and so many politicians in direct opposition to the American people.
And now, they reap what they have sown. But there are two bright spots: They've still got Harry Reid and no one can call them racists.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
The Quiet Time
So, sadly, we have come to the end of another season at the Northern Compound. Last weekend, we wrapped things up, technically referred to as "winterizing", and locked the doors until sometime in May next year. It's difficult to leave, but the age-old truth that the long off-season is what makes us appreciate he north so much, is what we have to remind ourselves of as we depart; this year on a beautiful Indian Summer day.The summer this year was truly that. Unlike 2009, we had a couple of honest-to-goodness heat waves, and plenty of sunshine. That made the boating, kayaking, and swimming much more enjoyable. Other things like biking and hiking were a bit more "work" in the warmth, but actually the only thing that really suffered was the frequency of campfires. Most of the evenings were so warm and humid, that a nice, crackling fire was about the last thing anybody wanted!
And so appropriately enough, we ended the season on a clear, crisp October night, with a welcome campfire to keep us warm as we listened to the coyotes in an otherwise very quiet camp. Good neighbor-friends had closed ahead of us and the waves of kids were gone. But the stars and woods and water are still there, transitioning now, but ready to treat us again next year. We'll just have to wait.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
A Miner Miracle
What is more satisfying in recent memory that those 33 Chilean miners being hauled out of a half-mile deep tomb? Absolutely amazing!
There will no doubt be books and a movie or two about their personal accounts of dealing with such incredible adversity, and those will certainly be something to read and see. I will be in line for sure. Who needs fiction?
Thanks to God for the strength He gave them, the determination of the rescuers and the brilliance of the brains behind the technology. It was a good day.
There will no doubt be books and a movie or two about their personal accounts of dealing with such incredible adversity, and those will certainly be something to read and see. I will be in line for sure. Who needs fiction?
Thanks to God for the strength He gave them, the determination of the rescuers and the brilliance of the brains behind the technology. It was a good day.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Once Again, Where Are These "Moderates"?
Today, Faisal Shahzad was sentenced to life without parole for his attempted terrorist bombing of Times Square. Unrepentant and belligerent, he wouldn't even let his attorney speak. All that he expressed is that he would do it again, given a chance.
The judge said little, except that Shahzad would have many years to study the Koran he claims to follow so faithfully, and find out if it really endorses the killing of innocent civilians.
Every time someone like Shahzad opens his mouth, attempts murder in the name of his religion, or even succeeds in doing it, where is the outrage from the so-called "real" Muslims, the "moderates" we keep hearing about?
On the other hand, some whack-o preacher in Florida threatens to burn a Koran, and that generates world-wide condemnation from the nation of Islam. There is rioting in the streets and "death to America" becomes the theme (again).
I would suggest this to the Islamic community: Shahzad's actions, and those of people like him, do far, far more damage to your faith than some publicity-hungry, radical preacher. And yet, you don't see it, or far worse, you choose not to react. What do you believe? What is the "real" Islam?
The judge said little, except that Shahzad would have many years to study the Koran he claims to follow so faithfully, and find out if it really endorses the killing of innocent civilians.
Every time someone like Shahzad opens his mouth, attempts murder in the name of his religion, or even succeeds in doing it, where is the outrage from the so-called "real" Muslims, the "moderates" we keep hearing about?
On the other hand, some whack-o preacher in Florida threatens to burn a Koran, and that generates world-wide condemnation from the nation of Islam. There is rioting in the streets and "death to America" becomes the theme (again).
I would suggest this to the Islamic community: Shahzad's actions, and those of people like him, do far, far more damage to your faith than some publicity-hungry, radical preacher. And yet, you don't see it, or far worse, you choose not to react. What do you believe? What is the "real" Islam?
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Going Backwards Down a Gravel Road
I've read a couple of articles recently that talk about the idea that a large percentage of Americans now think that today's children will not have an America as powerful or as prosperous as when they become adults. I'm not sure that I agree with that assessment. I'm not even sure how you quantify it. And I'm not convinced that any feelings I might have that would agree with that opinion aren't just the normal musings of a person "a little" past middle age, or maybe just reflective of my current disgust with our socialist leadership and the long term damage they are inflicting.
Then, a couple of weeks ago when we were back at the Northern Compound in Michigan, I heard a news report that one area county had decided that rather than fix a few local paved roads which had deteriorated badly, they were going to revert them to gravel. Yep. No money, and no longer a priority apparently. Grind up whats left of the old, tired asphalt, and take them back to 1950-something condition.
I assume that you are starting to see the connection I'm making here.
At one time, not that long ago, we tamed thousands and thousands of old country roads with asphalt, guard rails, graded shoulders and real bridges across little creeks, not just big steel culverts. During that same era, we also built an entire interstate system across the country. Most of this was done in about a thirty or forty-year period. Apparently we had the money and the will to do these things. Why do we not have the same things required just to maintain them?
I know. This is a small point to be making in the bigger question, but I made the connection in my head anyway. How and why is it, that we could we ride down a nice, smooth, and paved country road in our new 1965 Pontiac, but now, we need to rattle down the same road in our 2010 something-or-other, on gravel ??! That isn't what I call progress, and in fact, might point to exactly the kind of thing that indicates a country going the wrong way.
Of course we could, and should, expand the issue beyond just a few country roads to really consider our entire infrastructure of roads, bridges, sewers, water-mains, etc., etc.. When we do that, then the question of what we will leave our children is a very legitimate one, and I'm afraid of the answer. But why is it that way, and does anyone really care?
Then, a couple of weeks ago when we were back at the Northern Compound in Michigan, I heard a news report that one area county had decided that rather than fix a few local paved roads which had deteriorated badly, they were going to revert them to gravel. Yep. No money, and no longer a priority apparently. Grind up whats left of the old, tired asphalt, and take them back to 1950-something condition.
I assume that you are starting to see the connection I'm making here.
At one time, not that long ago, we tamed thousands and thousands of old country roads with asphalt, guard rails, graded shoulders and real bridges across little creeks, not just big steel culverts. During that same era, we also built an entire interstate system across the country. Most of this was done in about a thirty or forty-year period. Apparently we had the money and the will to do these things. Why do we not have the same things required just to maintain them?
I know. This is a small point to be making in the bigger question, but I made the connection in my head anyway. How and why is it, that we could we ride down a nice, smooth, and paved country road in our new 1965 Pontiac, but now, we need to rattle down the same road in our 2010 something-or-other, on gravel ??! That isn't what I call progress, and in fact, might point to exactly the kind of thing that indicates a country going the wrong way.
Of course we could, and should, expand the issue beyond just a few country roads to really consider our entire infrastructure of roads, bridges, sewers, water-mains, etc., etc.. When we do that, then the question of what we will leave our children is a very legitimate one, and I'm afraid of the answer. But why is it that way, and does anyone really care?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste...or Used to Be
Check it out:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100822/ap_on_re_us/us_taj_mahal_schools
In one of the school districts that can least afford it, the idea of style over substance, or in other words, building monuments instead of minds, is almost criminal here. Not only does this beg for a change of priorities in how kids learn, but it also screams another reason why taxpayers MUST take America back.
How the hell did any of us who grew up (and learned) in those "cinder block jails" of the 60's and 70's ever amount to anything?!!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100822/ap_on_re_us/us_taj_mahal_schools
In one of the school districts that can least afford it, the idea of style over substance, or in other words, building monuments instead of minds, is almost criminal here. Not only does this beg for a change of priorities in how kids learn, but it also screams another reason why taxpayers MUST take America back.
How the hell did any of us who grew up (and learned) in those "cinder block jails" of the 60's and 70's ever amount to anything?!!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
It's No Excuse
Last Tuesday, Omar Thornton walked into an employee disciplinary hearing for him, and began shooting. In the end, he killed eight and then himself.
After the rampage, and before he killed himself, he left a 9-1-1 call describing how he and other black workers for the beer distributor company had been racially harassed. This apparently was his "excuse".
After reflecting on this tragedy, it occurs to me that as actual acts of racism in this country becomes less and less problematic, versus say, a century ago, it is being used more and more as an excuse for other acts of social sickness. Actually in two ways: First, for those who are truly racist in their minds, a person's race becomes the predominant or sometimes only reason not to like someone. Or worse, to actually abuse or hurt someone. But that is the textbook definition of it after all and in that aspect, is nothing new or different about the human condition that has existed forever.
But the second way it is used is in more as a convenience. Convenient because it is now more and more fabricated. Even when it is present in a human relationship of some kind, it is often exploited. Even the president of the United States has done it, in his famous, uninformed and malicious comments about the Cambridge, MA police and their dealings with his Harvard professor pal. It was convenient to quickly accuse the officers of racism, when in fact, none occurred. A "teachable moment" it definitely was.
In the story of Omar Thornton, I believe that racism was a convenient excuse. At the very least a gross exploitation.
Thornton had a very good job. He made excellent union wages to drive a beer truck. I have personal knowledge of what these people make, and it's one of those typically outrageous salaries where unions have succeeded to a point beyond what is in their own long-term, best interests.
But, even with that, Thornton decided to break workplace rules and the law, and steal, then resell some of the beer he hauled. Stupid. He was guilty, knew he'd been caught, and showed up at his hearing to hear of his fate. Yet he wasn't going down at all. He was going to take the others down, and indeed he did.
I've only felt the sting of racism a few times in my life. They occurred as a kid, when I attended a mostly black and Hispanic inner-city school. As a white kid, I was in the small minority and so it was inevitable I guess. But even so, I don't claim to understand what many blacks live through in the workplace and in other settings.
But I know this; no matter what the degree of intimidation was, it is not enough to justify killing eight co-workers. Nor is it enough to kill yourself over...and leave a grieving family of your own. And why did Thornton express his issue only after getting caught stealing? These days, a company lives in abject fear of lawsuits driven by inappropriate behavior by it's management. One who has a legitimate claim about being a victim of discrimination, as Thornton so claimed, has only to hire a decent lawyer, and stands a very good chance of being compensated for his maltreatment.
Don't buy into Thorton's sad excuse. Ignore the inevitable speeches from the Sharpton's and Jackson's. This guy was sick. Really sick. His personal issues went way deeper than being verbally harassed.
No more racism excuses for thugs, crooks, malcontents, and the mentally ill. It's false accusation only helps breed the real thing.
After the rampage, and before he killed himself, he left a 9-1-1 call describing how he and other black workers for the beer distributor company had been racially harassed. This apparently was his "excuse".
After reflecting on this tragedy, it occurs to me that as actual acts of racism in this country becomes less and less problematic, versus say, a century ago, it is being used more and more as an excuse for other acts of social sickness. Actually in two ways: First, for those who are truly racist in their minds, a person's race becomes the predominant or sometimes only reason not to like someone. Or worse, to actually abuse or hurt someone. But that is the textbook definition of it after all and in that aspect, is nothing new or different about the human condition that has existed forever.
But the second way it is used is in more as a convenience. Convenient because it is now more and more fabricated. Even when it is present in a human relationship of some kind, it is often exploited. Even the president of the United States has done it, in his famous, uninformed and malicious comments about the Cambridge, MA police and their dealings with his Harvard professor pal. It was convenient to quickly accuse the officers of racism, when in fact, none occurred. A "teachable moment" it definitely was.
In the story of Omar Thornton, I believe that racism was a convenient excuse. At the very least a gross exploitation.
Thornton had a very good job. He made excellent union wages to drive a beer truck. I have personal knowledge of what these people make, and it's one of those typically outrageous salaries where unions have succeeded to a point beyond what is in their own long-term, best interests.
But, even with that, Thornton decided to break workplace rules and the law, and steal, then resell some of the beer he hauled. Stupid. He was guilty, knew he'd been caught, and showed up at his hearing to hear of his fate. Yet he wasn't going down at all. He was going to take the others down, and indeed he did.
I've only felt the sting of racism a few times in my life. They occurred as a kid, when I attended a mostly black and Hispanic inner-city school. As a white kid, I was in the small minority and so it was inevitable I guess. But even so, I don't claim to understand what many blacks live through in the workplace and in other settings.
But I know this; no matter what the degree of intimidation was, it is not enough to justify killing eight co-workers. Nor is it enough to kill yourself over...and leave a grieving family of your own. And why did Thornton express his issue only after getting caught stealing? These days, a company lives in abject fear of lawsuits driven by inappropriate behavior by it's management. One who has a legitimate claim about being a victim of discrimination, as Thornton so claimed, has only to hire a decent lawyer, and stands a very good chance of being compensated for his maltreatment.
Don't buy into Thorton's sad excuse. Ignore the inevitable speeches from the Sharpton's and Jackson's. This guy was sick. Really sick. His personal issues went way deeper than being verbally harassed.
No more racism excuses for thugs, crooks, malcontents, and the mentally ill. It's false accusation only helps breed the real thing.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
A Mid-Summer's Dream
The heat continues in the Michigan north country. What a change from our Seattle-like summer of 2009! Something in between is what I asked for, but wasn't granted. Oh well, we are not suffering. Cool water and shady wood is always close to us here.
As typical of the summer months, the time flies. We have already reached the Ides of July, that lovely mid-summertime between fireworks and the dog-days. Nice.
Thanks to the hot, dry weather, we have managed to get some quality water-time in the boat. Last week, we had one of the nicest days ever...and I've had many of them in all sorts of watercraft. This cruise was between Sutton's Bay and Northport on the beautiful, deep blue waters of Grand Traverse Bay. We packed a lunch and headed north up the coast. Not a long ride at all, even at an easy pace. The water was untypically calm too, which kept my first mate happy, as she is not fond of whitecaps and rolling seas. How she got to be a first mate is unrelated to her sea worthiness I have to say. It was more like affirmative-action for those that need special consideration for their maritime advancement. That's OK.
We got to our destination and had an afternoon of swimming, picnicking and strolling the short streets of Northport. The best boat trips always have a "destination" in my opinion. Just running around the water surface making waves is not really boating, although a nice ride around the lake on calm water, just after sunset, does have it's appeal.
When it was time to return, we headed directly south, but with a short stop at the lovely, tiny port of Omena and the crystal water in New Mission Bay. You can "read" the sandy bottom in forty feet of water there and it's simply beautiful. Many small to mid-size sailboats are typically anchored there in the little sheltered cove that protects from wind and waves from practically all directions, unless it was a very sneaky southeast gale, which probably rarely causes trouble in this area.
We arrived back feeling very blessed that we can enjoy Lake Michigan and these little port-o-calls on one perfect, northern summer day. No wonder they fly by!
As typical of the summer months, the time flies. We have already reached the Ides of July, that lovely mid-summertime between fireworks and the dog-days. Nice.
Thanks to the hot, dry weather, we have managed to get some quality water-time in the boat. Last week, we had one of the nicest days ever...and I've had many of them in all sorts of watercraft. This cruise was between Sutton's Bay and Northport on the beautiful, deep blue waters of Grand Traverse Bay. We packed a lunch and headed north up the coast. Not a long ride at all, even at an easy pace. The water was untypically calm too, which kept my first mate happy, as she is not fond of whitecaps and rolling seas. How she got to be a first mate is unrelated to her sea worthiness I have to say. It was more like affirmative-action for those that need special consideration for their maritime advancement. That's OK.
We got to our destination and had an afternoon of swimming, picnicking and strolling the short streets of Northport. The best boat trips always have a "destination" in my opinion. Just running around the water surface making waves is not really boating, although a nice ride around the lake on calm water, just after sunset, does have it's appeal.
When it was time to return, we headed directly south, but with a short stop at the lovely, tiny port of Omena and the crystal water in New Mission Bay. You can "read" the sandy bottom in forty feet of water there and it's simply beautiful. Many small to mid-size sailboats are typically anchored there in the little sheltered cove that protects from wind and waves from practically all directions, unless it was a very sneaky southeast gale, which probably rarely causes trouble in this area.
We arrived back feeling very blessed that we can enjoy Lake Michigan and these little port-o-calls on one perfect, northern summer day. No wonder they fly by!
Monday, July 12, 2010
R.I.P. Skittles
I didn't post this when it happened, but two weeks ago we had to put our old kitty, Skittles, to sleep. About 18 years old and failing, it was time; probably past time. She was a good companion and one of the family.
If you've ever had to do this, you understand how tough it is. The argument that it's the humane thing to do, does little to assuage the sadness unless the pet is in obvious pain, and sometimes not even then. A kind and thoughtful veterinarian can really help you through the process though, and that's exactly what we found.
We left town for a two week stay at the Northern Compound on the day after we buried her, and when we got back home tonight we found a card in our stack of mail from the vet's office. In it, two doctors and several assistants and staff had signed a card and said a few kind words about the cat they'd cared for and finally helped us deal with at the end. I've never heard of this happening to anyone else and I find it very caring and classy. Little things do mean a lot.
If you've ever had to do this, you understand how tough it is. The argument that it's the humane thing to do, does little to assuage the sadness unless the pet is in obvious pain, and sometimes not even then. A kind and thoughtful veterinarian can really help you through the process though, and that's exactly what we found.
We left town for a two week stay at the Northern Compound on the day after we buried her, and when we got back home tonight we found a card in our stack of mail from the vet's office. In it, two doctors and several assistants and staff had signed a card and said a few kind words about the cat they'd cared for and finally helped us deal with at the end. I've never heard of this happening to anyone else and I find it very caring and classy. Little things do mean a lot.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
The Pressure Mounts
This just in:
Hall & Oates have announced that they will cancel their upcoming tour dates in Arizona in protest of the new law concerning illegal immigrants.
This could do it. This is the one that may finally buckle the will of the people in Arizona and really force them to rethink this thing. But I think most will wait it out and see how The Captain and Tennille weigh in on it.
I know I would.
Hall & Oates have announced that they will cancel their upcoming tour dates in Arizona in protest of the new law concerning illegal immigrants.
This could do it. This is the one that may finally buckle the will of the people in Arizona and really force them to rethink this thing. But I think most will wait it out and see how The Captain and Tennille weigh in on it.
I know I would.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Easy Street
So one of the first new highway projects to be funded by the economic stimulus farce is to be named the Barack Obama Parkway. It's in Orlando, Florida and runs right to the land of make believe at Walt Disney World. A perfect fit!
There are people researching whether or not this is the first road to be named for a sitting president, but I'd bet good money right now that it is.
How convenient the location is too. If there was anyplace in the country where a street could be located in a more stable, safe, and economically secure place, I don't know where it would be. I'm sure Barry will make certain that all his streets do not go the way of every Martin Luther King Jr. street in the country, which someone once said was "...the last place anyone wants to be!". What an injustice: someone who deserves to be honored that way gets nothing but avenues through ghettos all over the country, and Barry gets the Yellow Brick Road. Figures.
There are people researching whether or not this is the first road to be named for a sitting president, but I'd bet good money right now that it is.
How convenient the location is too. If there was anyplace in the country where a street could be located in a more stable, safe, and economically secure place, I don't know where it would be. I'm sure Barry will make certain that all his streets do not go the way of every Martin Luther King Jr. street in the country, which someone once said was "...the last place anyone wants to be!". What an injustice: someone who deserves to be honored that way gets nothing but avenues through ghettos all over the country, and Barry gets the Yellow Brick Road. Figures.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Around the World in One Easy Book
I just finished reading "Sailing Alone Around the World". First published in 1900, it is the true account of the first solo circumnavigation of the world. It's written by Captain Joshua Slocum himself, who completed his voyage in 1898 after three years and three months. He journaled his entire trip which was not non-stop, and so it contains details about ports and people he visited on six continents, as well as all of the different kinds of water he sailed. It could probably be hundreds of pages longer, but he keeps it short and concise...and interesting.
If you're like me and this story was unknown to you, and you've somehow missed it in it's first 110 years in publication, I highly recommend it. It is full of real adventure, sailing savvy (duh!), human insight and humor too. Not to mention a huge dose of respect for the human spirit in the Captain. Really an amazing feat of endurance and discipline, and written amazingly well for a man who only completed third grade!
Not a tale of the sea, but better: real.
If you're like me and this story was unknown to you, and you've somehow missed it in it's first 110 years in publication, I highly recommend it. It is full of real adventure, sailing savvy (duh!), human insight and humor too. Not to mention a huge dose of respect for the human spirit in the Captain. Really an amazing feat of endurance and discipline, and written amazingly well for a man who only completed third grade!
Not a tale of the sea, but better: real.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Back in the North
Writing tonight from the Northern Compound. Rain is falling steadily and there are happy farmers counting every drop in this year of spring drought. Actually, we have had two nights in the past week with an inch or more of rain, and it's falling lightly, over a period of many hours, which sends it deep into the soil instead of running into the streams.
Yes, we are back in the north. This is actually our second visit, having "opened" on Memorial Day weekend. I have no real excuse for the delay in reporting our return. It certainly doesn't mean that I've lost some appreciation for the area. No, I'm as happy as ever to end the seven month lay-up and return to woods and water, old friends, and the northern life. Nice.
Thankfully, we arrived here to find everything in order. No leaks, no mice and no issues with appliances, and as expected, nothing seems to have changed with the passing of another long winter; which is another blessing of the region and something rare and wonderful.
We're up for a couple weeks this go-round and hopefully more as we get into the heart of summer. We'll enjoy every minute of it too. You have to when the season is so short and the experience so meaningful. It's good to be back. Smell that air!
Yes, we are back in the north. This is actually our second visit, having "opened" on Memorial Day weekend. I have no real excuse for the delay in reporting our return. It certainly doesn't mean that I've lost some appreciation for the area. No, I'm as happy as ever to end the seven month lay-up and return to woods and water, old friends, and the northern life. Nice.
Thankfully, we arrived here to find everything in order. No leaks, no mice and no issues with appliances, and as expected, nothing seems to have changed with the passing of another long winter; which is another blessing of the region and something rare and wonderful.
We're up for a couple weeks this go-round and hopefully more as we get into the heart of summer. We'll enjoy every minute of it too. You have to when the season is so short and the experience so meaningful. It's good to be back. Smell that air!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
66 Years Gone
66 years ago today the allies launched the largest sea-land invasion in history on the beaches of Normandy. And less than a year later, after so many gave their lives on that thin stretch of sand, the "Thousand Year Reich" was gone.
Never forget.
Never forget.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
The Rule of Law?
The most telling evidence of whether or not a law is practical, enforceable or ultimately correct, is to watch what happens when it is violated. Watch how the authorities deal with it.
Oh, you've heard of some of these laws; like the one in Cedar Rapids, Iowa that states that you cannot wear red clothing on Sunday on any city street. Or the one in Frankfort, Kentucky which prohibits chewing gum in any public building.
Now, we have a few of these right here in Chicago. One of them though, is a bit more serious than gum or clothing color, yet can be viewed as being just as ridiculous and incorrect in it's directive based upon the points of contention that I mentioned above. It has the potential to have a very serious impact on those who violate it, and those who enforce it, but it's oh-so provocative.
Here's the thing; we have a law against handguns in the city of Chicago. It's on the books. Been there awhile. The U.S. Supreme Court has struck it down when it was tested, and yet our mayor, the honorable lib Richard M. Daly, continues to support it publicly when asked what he wants to do to lower the incredible crime rate in the city. It's usually his only answer. For him, it's the typical liberal doctrine which always states that the problem is too many guns. And they say this over and over and over again, seemingly never comprehending that criminals don't care to follow laws! These libs believe in a total fantasy world where gang-bangers, rapists and general punk thugs will resort to things like sling-shots, switchblades and crossbows, once they're aware that handguns are illegal to possess! Their stance is beyond any reason, but they cling to it.
But yesterday, there was an event here in Chicago that forces a guy like Daly to come out into the world of reality and talk about his position. And it is so amusing to watch.
Tuesday night, an armed, 80 year-old, Korean war veteran, shot and killed an intruder who broke into his home. The thug was also armed. It sounds like the best possible outcome, doesn't it? Good guy wins, bad guy goes to hell. Except that the elderly homeowner used an illegal weapon to defend himself. Oh, oh! Now what?
Well, what do you think?
Of course, the Mayor says nothing, does nothing. But in fact, he says a lot when this old veteran is not taken away in handcuffs with all of the press standing outside of his home. So what's up Mr. Mayor? This old guy showed absolutely no respect for the law. Your law. The law which exists in almost every liberal platform around the country.
So let's go back to my opening statement: "The most telling evidence of whether or not a law is practical, enforceable or ultimately correct, is to watch what happens when it is violated. Watch how the authorities deal with it."
This elderly veteran will of course, not be charged. And cases like his will be repeated several times this year, just like last year. And yet they go unpunished. That tells us that this law is no more righteous or reasoned than the one banning Juicy Fruit in Frankfort. So shut up Daly, and start fighting criminals instead of law abiding citizens who want to rely on just a little more than you to protect them.
Oh, you've heard of some of these laws; like the one in Cedar Rapids, Iowa that states that you cannot wear red clothing on Sunday on any city street. Or the one in Frankfort, Kentucky which prohibits chewing gum in any public building.
Now, we have a few of these right here in Chicago. One of them though, is a bit more serious than gum or clothing color, yet can be viewed as being just as ridiculous and incorrect in it's directive based upon the points of contention that I mentioned above. It has the potential to have a very serious impact on those who violate it, and those who enforce it, but it's oh-so provocative.
Here's the thing; we have a law against handguns in the city of Chicago. It's on the books. Been there awhile. The U.S. Supreme Court has struck it down when it was tested, and yet our mayor, the honorable lib Richard M. Daly, continues to support it publicly when asked what he wants to do to lower the incredible crime rate in the city. It's usually his only answer. For him, it's the typical liberal doctrine which always states that the problem is too many guns. And they say this over and over and over again, seemingly never comprehending that criminals don't care to follow laws! These libs believe in a total fantasy world where gang-bangers, rapists and general punk thugs will resort to things like sling-shots, switchblades and crossbows, once they're aware that handguns are illegal to possess! Their stance is beyond any reason, but they cling to it.
But yesterday, there was an event here in Chicago that forces a guy like Daly to come out into the world of reality and talk about his position. And it is so amusing to watch.
Tuesday night, an armed, 80 year-old, Korean war veteran, shot and killed an intruder who broke into his home. The thug was also armed. It sounds like the best possible outcome, doesn't it? Good guy wins, bad guy goes to hell. Except that the elderly homeowner used an illegal weapon to defend himself. Oh, oh! Now what?
Well, what do you think?
Of course, the Mayor says nothing, does nothing. But in fact, he says a lot when this old veteran is not taken away in handcuffs with all of the press standing outside of his home. So what's up Mr. Mayor? This old guy showed absolutely no respect for the law. Your law. The law which exists in almost every liberal platform around the country.
So let's go back to my opening statement: "The most telling evidence of whether or not a law is practical, enforceable or ultimately correct, is to watch what happens when it is violated. Watch how the authorities deal with it."
This elderly veteran will of course, not be charged. And cases like his will be repeated several times this year, just like last year. And yet they go unpunished. That tells us that this law is no more righteous or reasoned than the one banning Juicy Fruit in Frankfort. So shut up Daly, and start fighting criminals instead of law abiding citizens who want to rely on just a little more than you to protect them.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Another Press Pass
He was viewed as a friend of "big oil".
He was viewed as weak on environmental issues.
He was accused of being a friend of the oil companies.
He was accused of not caring for the poor folks of Louisiana.
He was a Texan
And so if he was still in charge, the press would be frying George W. Bush. It would be really ugly. They would make it so.
But after a month of watching untold gallons of crude oil free-flowing into the gulf, and doing virtually nothing, Obama has yet to be asked a single hard question on what the government is going to do to help.
I heard the term "Obama's Katrina" about this disaster and I know damn well it didn't come from any mainstream media source. But it might be the best description yet for his handling of the situation.
Look, this thing is one BIG mess. It may be that the right strategy to fix it requires something more than Federal intervention, but only Obama would be given that pass by our fair, wise and accurate press and their "expert" panels. As of now, probably the only angle they're working on is how to blame Bush for it.
He was viewed as weak on environmental issues.
He was accused of being a friend of the oil companies.
He was accused of not caring for the poor folks of Louisiana.
He was a Texan
And so if he was still in charge, the press would be frying George W. Bush. It would be really ugly. They would make it so.
But after a month of watching untold gallons of crude oil free-flowing into the gulf, and doing virtually nothing, Obama has yet to be asked a single hard question on what the government is going to do to help.
I heard the term "Obama's Katrina" about this disaster and I know damn well it didn't come from any mainstream media source. But it might be the best description yet for his handling of the situation.
Look, this thing is one BIG mess. It may be that the right strategy to fix it requires something more than Federal intervention, but only Obama would be given that pass by our fair, wise and accurate press and their "expert" panels. As of now, probably the only angle they're working on is how to blame Bush for it.
Reality is Hard
From the New York Times today:
"In Yonkers, more than 100 retired police officers and firefighters are collecting pensions greater than their pay when they were working. One of the youngest, Hugo Tassone, retired at 44 with a base pay of about $74,000 a year. His pension is now $101,333 a year."
We have the exact same kind of thing bankrupting Illinois and the city of Chicago right now, and presumably more municipalities across the country.
Let me be very, very clear: I have the greatest respect and admiration for those who work as police officers and firefighters, but at some point (and that point unfortunately was years ago) a city or state government HAD to have seen this kind of an agreement as absolutely unsustainable through ANY kind of economy. It's very likely that this particular fireman would collect this for at least 20 more years (he's 47 now), and perhaps for much longer. I'm sorry, but the system cannot work like this. It's not even feasible. And honestly, even he, or at least his union, should have been smart enough to realize the same thing. They were dreaming.
I absolutely have no issue with the individual fighting to keep what he was told he'd collect when he began his career. But guess what, there are millions of us who've been subject to broken promises, albeit mostly in the private sector. It's not right, I know, but it's inevitable when they're promised the end of the rainbow. It doesn't exist, and we all should know that.
"In Yonkers, more than 100 retired police officers and firefighters are collecting pensions greater than their pay when they were working. One of the youngest, Hugo Tassone, retired at 44 with a base pay of about $74,000 a year. His pension is now $101,333 a year."
We have the exact same kind of thing bankrupting Illinois and the city of Chicago right now, and presumably more municipalities across the country.
Let me be very, very clear: I have the greatest respect and admiration for those who work as police officers and firefighters, but at some point (and that point unfortunately was years ago) a city or state government HAD to have seen this kind of an agreement as absolutely unsustainable through ANY kind of economy. It's very likely that this particular fireman would collect this for at least 20 more years (he's 47 now), and perhaps for much longer. I'm sorry, but the system cannot work like this. It's not even feasible. And honestly, even he, or at least his union, should have been smart enough to realize the same thing. They were dreaming.
I absolutely have no issue with the individual fighting to keep what he was told he'd collect when he began his career. But guess what, there are millions of us who've been subject to broken promises, albeit mostly in the private sector. It's not right, I know, but it's inevitable when they're promised the end of the rainbow. It doesn't exist, and we all should know that.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Are You Sorry Yet?
"We see [health care] as an entrepreneurial bill, a bill that says to someone, if you want to be creative and be a musician or whatever, you can leave your work, focus on your talent, your skill, your passion, your aspirations because you will have health care." --House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
In other words, you artistic types who would simply like to turn your hobby into your "job", go ahead and do that. Have fun. We'll have the real workers, the one's in their humdrum, 40-hour grinds, pay for your medical coverage.
Honest to God, is America listening to this?!! Everyday, I am more incensed at the thought processes of these so-called leaders, Barry, Harry and Nancy, and the ruin that they are attempting to bring upon this country.
America will wake up soon. I have to believe that.
In other words, you artistic types who would simply like to turn your hobby into your "job", go ahead and do that. Have fun. We'll have the real workers, the one's in their humdrum, 40-hour grinds, pay for your medical coverage.
Honest to God, is America listening to this?!! Everyday, I am more incensed at the thought processes of these so-called leaders, Barry, Harry and Nancy, and the ruin that they are attempting to bring upon this country.
America will wake up soon. I have to believe that.
Aplogizer in Chief Strikes Again
I'm doing my darnedest to reduce the political content on this blog. My desire and motivation to engage anyone on the wisdom of conservatism is as strong as ever, but as more and more of the Obama "fog" clears from the minds of others, I feel less compelled to be constantly writing about the pitfalls of supporting his agenda. I believe the country is slowly learning it's very hard lesson, and it won't be repeated, but....
Yesterday's event, with the president of Mexico in state meeting with Obama, is yet another major farce that I must vent on. I'm sorry.
Did you here any of Claderon's comments and/or any of Obama's pitiful responses to them? Calderon spewed such absurd and hypocritical words that they didn't even deserve a response, and yet Obama tried. I don't know which was worse.
The Mexican prez actually took the opportunity to scold us for Arizona's recent immigration reform attempt. Standing right next to Obama and telling us how awful we are if we simply decide to uphold our laws. All I could think of is that this guy's nerve was being nothing but empowered by a smiling Obama right next to him, and sure enough, when it was his time to speak, our prez went right into his patented "shame on America" mode that he always goes into on any world stage.
Calderon stated that he was deeply concerned about discrimination of his people, but the thrust of it was very accusatory. Obama merely nodded his head. And when it was time for him to speak, our commander agreed with him.
What our president should have done is turn the tables on him and comment about Mexico's own tough illegal alien laws. Ask him about the treatment of Cubans who constantly try to cross into Mexico illegally. What becomes of them? I can tell you this, they are dealt with swiftly. No entitlements to anything except being pointed back to Cuba after a few nights in a Mexican jail. Illegals from Mexico's southern borders with Central American countries find the same fate.
And he should have asked him about why it is that illegals want to leave Mexico so badly and in such large numbers anyway, even risking death in the desert? What is he doing doing to help change that?
The leaders of these various third-world countries are what they are. We can disagree with them and question why they are given a stage if this is what they want to talk about. But the real issue for us is our own president. His constant pandering and apologizing to these total goofs is absolutely sickening. But it's what he truly feels. There is no pride or respect in him for the country he was given to lead (or it's laws), and it becomes more tragic every day.
Yesterday's event, with the president of Mexico in state meeting with Obama, is yet another major farce that I must vent on. I'm sorry.
Did you here any of Claderon's comments and/or any of Obama's pitiful responses to them? Calderon spewed such absurd and hypocritical words that they didn't even deserve a response, and yet Obama tried. I don't know which was worse.
The Mexican prez actually took the opportunity to scold us for Arizona's recent immigration reform attempt. Standing right next to Obama and telling us how awful we are if we simply decide to uphold our laws. All I could think of is that this guy's nerve was being nothing but empowered by a smiling Obama right next to him, and sure enough, when it was his time to speak, our prez went right into his patented "shame on America" mode that he always goes into on any world stage.
Calderon stated that he was deeply concerned about discrimination of his people, but the thrust of it was very accusatory. Obama merely nodded his head. And when it was time for him to speak, our commander agreed with him.
What our president should have done is turn the tables on him and comment about Mexico's own tough illegal alien laws. Ask him about the treatment of Cubans who constantly try to cross into Mexico illegally. What becomes of them? I can tell you this, they are dealt with swiftly. No entitlements to anything except being pointed back to Cuba after a few nights in a Mexican jail. Illegals from Mexico's southern borders with Central American countries find the same fate.
And he should have asked him about why it is that illegals want to leave Mexico so badly and in such large numbers anyway, even risking death in the desert? What is he doing doing to help change that?
The leaders of these various third-world countries are what they are. We can disagree with them and question why they are given a stage if this is what they want to talk about. But the real issue for us is our own president. His constant pandering and apologizing to these total goofs is absolutely sickening. But it's what he truly feels. There is no pride or respect in him for the country he was given to lead (or it's laws), and it becomes more tragic every day.
Monday, May 17, 2010
The End of the Line
A year or so after I first found the NASA website, I often go back and search for when the next viewing of the Space Shuttle will be possible. Yes, that's right, you can actually see the orbiting Shuttle fly overhead on clear nights when it's circling the earth 250 miles up. You certainly can't see any detail from that distance, but for a short two or three minutes it becomes the brightest spot in the sky. Silent, and with no blinking lights, it's easily distinguished from stars and airplane lights. What you're actually seeing is sunlight reflected off of it's bright white surface. That's why the viewing opportunities are always just before dawn, or just after sunset.
Saturday night, the clouds cleared just in time for a real nice viewing. First, the International Space Station zipped by, looking much the same as the Shuttle light, and then 14 minutes later the Shuttle came by on the same trajectory. On that particular orbit, the Shuttle was literally chasing the Space Station down in preparation for docking. What we saw, my wife and I, was the very last Shuttle mission, heading to it's usual destination for the very last time. Special and kind of sad.
The Shuttle has been expensive and even deadly over it's three decades of service. But it's also been a magnificent scientific tool and an impressive symbol of American ingenuity and capability. Sadly, there is no immediate replacement for it's unique abilities to ferry human beings to and from space.
There are many who argue that we can accomplish a whole lot without the need to have a human physical presence with it. It's cheaper by far, and of course safer. In other words, unmanned space exploration. Perhaps that is the foreseeable future for our programs. But still, something is lost without direct human interface. The most powerful computers in the world cannot relate the emotional aspect of space flight. And for us on the ground, what excitement is there in a bright light in the sky on a starry night, if you can't look up and fascinate on the fact that there are people inside looking back at you?
Saturday night, the clouds cleared just in time for a real nice viewing. First, the International Space Station zipped by, looking much the same as the Shuttle light, and then 14 minutes later the Shuttle came by on the same trajectory. On that particular orbit, the Shuttle was literally chasing the Space Station down in preparation for docking. What we saw, my wife and I, was the very last Shuttle mission, heading to it's usual destination for the very last time. Special and kind of sad.
The Shuttle has been expensive and even deadly over it's three decades of service. But it's also been a magnificent scientific tool and an impressive symbol of American ingenuity and capability. Sadly, there is no immediate replacement for it's unique abilities to ferry human beings to and from space.
There are many who argue that we can accomplish a whole lot without the need to have a human physical presence with it. It's cheaper by far, and of course safer. In other words, unmanned space exploration. Perhaps that is the foreseeable future for our programs. But still, something is lost without direct human interface. The most powerful computers in the world cannot relate the emotional aspect of space flight. And for us on the ground, what excitement is there in a bright light in the sky on a starry night, if you can't look up and fascinate on the fact that there are people inside looking back at you?
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Ernie Harwell - R.I.P.
He lived a long and remarkable life, and his death yesterday came not unexpectedly. Ernie Harwell, the "Voice of the Detroit Tigers", has passed away.
This Sunday will be the 30th anniversary of the death of my grandfather. I have written here before about how much he loved the game of baseball, the Tigers, and Ernie. Some of my fondest childhood memories are sitting with my grandpa out in his garage, and listening to Ernie broadcast on a warm summer night in northern Michigan. If the game was a late one, say from Anaheim or Seattle, the Whip-Poor-Wills would start their chirping out behind the house before the 7th inning stretch, and the stars would just be coming out in the northern sky. Smoke from grandpa's pipe or cigar would help keep the mosquitoes at bay, and all was right with the world.
Ernie's voice and wit were magic in the booth. It was more than a job. He loved the Tigers as much as any of us, and it always showed. So did his wisdom. How could he possibly have known what little Michigan town that everyone who caught a foul ball was from?!!
Grandpa passed a long time ago, at least it feels like long. Now Ernie has joined him. Maybe in heaven the great game continues and there are a lot more than just nine innings. Or perhaps it's more accurate to say that if there is a heaven for these two, then the game definitely plays on, and the only thing that's "long gone" is still a well hit baseball.
R.I.P. Ernie Harwell.
This Sunday will be the 30th anniversary of the death of my grandfather. I have written here before about how much he loved the game of baseball, the Tigers, and Ernie. Some of my fondest childhood memories are sitting with my grandpa out in his garage, and listening to Ernie broadcast on a warm summer night in northern Michigan. If the game was a late one, say from Anaheim or Seattle, the Whip-Poor-Wills would start their chirping out behind the house before the 7th inning stretch, and the stars would just be coming out in the northern sky. Smoke from grandpa's pipe or cigar would help keep the mosquitoes at bay, and all was right with the world.
Ernie's voice and wit were magic in the booth. It was more than a job. He loved the Tigers as much as any of us, and it always showed. So did his wisdom. How could he possibly have known what little Michigan town that everyone who caught a foul ball was from?!!
Grandpa passed a long time ago, at least it feels like long. Now Ernie has joined him. Maybe in heaven the great game continues and there are a lot more than just nine innings. Or perhaps it's more accurate to say that if there is a heaven for these two, then the game definitely plays on, and the only thing that's "long gone" is still a well hit baseball.
R.I.P. Ernie Harwell.
Monday, May 3, 2010
If You're In, You're Out
In Tracy City, Tennessee, incumbent Mayor Barbara Brock was defeated in her re-election bid by challenger Carl Geary, even though Geary had died a month before the vote! Local businessman Chris Rogers explained his vote for Geary by saying that he knew about his death, "...but wanted someone other than her.
OK, so this story is pretty nutty, but not a whole lot more shocking than many other recent election stories around the country, starting with the most significant when democrats lost Ted Kennedy's Senate seat. All of them point to just how tough 2010 is destined to be for incumbents hoping to retain their jobs. So incumbents take note: if Mayor Brock can be defeated by a dead guy, imagine the kind of fight you'll likely face by someone with a pulse!
OK, so this story is pretty nutty, but not a whole lot more shocking than many other recent election stories around the country, starting with the most significant when democrats lost Ted Kennedy's Senate seat. All of them point to just how tough 2010 is destined to be for incumbents hoping to retain their jobs. So incumbents take note: if Mayor Brock can be defeated by a dead guy, imagine the kind of fight you'll likely face by someone with a pulse!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Dump and Run
Remember Bart Stupack? He is the dem congressman from Michigan who was one of the last holdouts to the affirmative vote for Obamacare, due to his supposed convictions against abortion funding. He remained strong right to the end. Then he caved after getting some weak promise from Obama in the form of that executive order which somehow overrides what is in the bill for government funded abortion. (We'll see how that holds up when it is finally tested!)
In going through his stoic resistance, Mr. Bart has made enemies on both sides of the fence. Now today, he announces that he will not seek re-election to his House seat. What a farce this was!
He claims today that he does this not out of fear, but simply that it's time to move on, and of course he breaks out the time-worn "....to spend more time with my family...." excuse. He says that he does not fear the far left or the far right, or the tea-baggers who have him in their sights. He says that he's confident that he could be re-elected. Uh-huh.
Mr. Bart does not represent a huge liberal base like Pelosi. He's in a traditional 50-50 district that is always a battle for either party, although as an incumbent, he's faced little opposition over the years for his seat. But there's no question in my mind that he'd be thrown out in November. Trust me, he knows that too.
I believe that what he's done here is traded his vote to Obama for some future post that will in effect, be a promotion for him. It is likely that he was getting a bit tired of the grind in Congress anyway, and he likes the idea of something different.
So watch for his name in the not too distant future. Obama has promised him something. Nice sell-out Bart. I know it's politics as usual, but when it comes to proclaiming yourself as pro-life, you ought to have a little more conscience than that.
In going through his stoic resistance, Mr. Bart has made enemies on both sides of the fence. Now today, he announces that he will not seek re-election to his House seat. What a farce this was!
He claims today that he does this not out of fear, but simply that it's time to move on, and of course he breaks out the time-worn "....to spend more time with my family...." excuse. He says that he does not fear the far left or the far right, or the tea-baggers who have him in their sights. He says that he's confident that he could be re-elected. Uh-huh.
Mr. Bart does not represent a huge liberal base like Pelosi. He's in a traditional 50-50 district that is always a battle for either party, although as an incumbent, he's faced little opposition over the years for his seat. But there's no question in my mind that he'd be thrown out in November. Trust me, he knows that too.
I believe that what he's done here is traded his vote to Obama for some future post that will in effect, be a promotion for him. It is likely that he was getting a bit tired of the grind in Congress anyway, and he likes the idea of something different.
So watch for his name in the not too distant future. Obama has promised him something. Nice sell-out Bart. I know it's politics as usual, but when it comes to proclaiming yourself as pro-life, you ought to have a little more conscience than that.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Good Enough For Us?
Havana (AP) - Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro on Thursday declared passage of American health care reform “a miracle” and a major victory for Obama’s presidency, but couldn’t help chide the United States for taking so long to enact what communist Cuba achieved decades ago.
Well heck, that's good enough for me! At this point, why would anyone still look critically upon the idea of Obama's socialized medicine? Look, Cuba did this decades ago, and isn't Cuba just about the first country you think of when you consider miracle drugs and cutting-edge health care for it's citizens?
Right.
Seriously, it would be a good exercise to start tallying up the endorsements from around the world that Obama has received in his first year for whatever achievements you think have been made. Look at for what, and from whom, they've come from. I think that it would paint a disturbing picture of what he and his politics would do to this country given enough time and authority. Fortunately, I don't think that the majority of Americans will support that, or are that apathetic, to allow it. Only time will tell for sure. Come November.....?
Well heck, that's good enough for me! At this point, why would anyone still look critically upon the idea of Obama's socialized medicine? Look, Cuba did this decades ago, and isn't Cuba just about the first country you think of when you consider miracle drugs and cutting-edge health care for it's citizens?
Right.
Seriously, it would be a good exercise to start tallying up the endorsements from around the world that Obama has received in his first year for whatever achievements you think have been made. Look at for what, and from whom, they've come from. I think that it would paint a disturbing picture of what he and his politics would do to this country given enough time and authority. Fortunately, I don't think that the majority of Americans will support that, or are that apathetic, to allow it. Only time will tell for sure. Come November.....?
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Everybody Feel Better Now?
No, I did not turn off the lights (or the computer) tonight for "Earth Hour".
I'm sure that there were a million, maybe more, hypocrites out there that did. Yup, I used the "H" word.
Maybe a little strong, but what other word should I use? They ran their electronic gizmos right up until the hour began, shut them off, and then fired them all back up again. A study of demographics on these types of exercises will show that it's not the low income family in their 1,250 square foot house, with their single, 27 inch TV who go for these feel-good events. No, it's much more likely that the typical enthusiast is of above average income, in a larger, better equipped home, and for one hour, they turn off their 51 inch plasma, shut down their wireless laptops, and even kill the timer on their exterior accent lighting. Then, they likely "twitter" about it later using their 4G smart phones.
And it's not just individuals and families. There was a news item from Toronto tonight about downtown office buildings going dark. Yet these are the same buildings that sit almost vacant night after night, 365 days a year, and create that bright, glittering skyline just like every other major city.
So, if none of this is hypocritical, what exactly is it? Help me with the word.
I'm sure that there were a million, maybe more, hypocrites out there that did. Yup, I used the "H" word.
Maybe a little strong, but what other word should I use? They ran their electronic gizmos right up until the hour began, shut them off, and then fired them all back up again. A study of demographics on these types of exercises will show that it's not the low income family in their 1,250 square foot house, with their single, 27 inch TV who go for these feel-good events. No, it's much more likely that the typical enthusiast is of above average income, in a larger, better equipped home, and for one hour, they turn off their 51 inch plasma, shut down their wireless laptops, and even kill the timer on their exterior accent lighting. Then, they likely "twitter" about it later using their 4G smart phones.
And it's not just individuals and families. There was a news item from Toronto tonight about downtown office buildings going dark. Yet these are the same buildings that sit almost vacant night after night, 365 days a year, and create that bright, glittering skyline just like every other major city.
So, if none of this is hypocritical, what exactly is it? Help me with the word.
Monday, March 1, 2010
It's All Our "Fault"
Have you heard anything yet? Any concerns from anyone, especially from the liberal camp, that we are seeing much more frequent and more violent earthquakes? I expect it anytime, and you know, you absolutely know, that there will be a cause identified that is somehow man-made. You know it's going to happen.
Actually, I expect that the convenient culprit will be global warming. Yup. Shocking I know. But you heard it here first.
Here's how this happens in the simplest of terms: A column of "air" from sea level to the top of our atmosphere weighs about 14.7 pounds for every square inch that sits on the earth, your car, your cat or your head. Now, from your 3rd grade science, you know that warmer air rises. So, due to man-made global warming, our air is rising and actually taking weight off of the earth's surface. With air pressure lifting off of the earth's crust, our continental plates are starting to shift and expand with that release. Thus the increases we are seeing in all kinds of movement of our land masses.
So there you go. Our "fault" again!
(Disclaimer: The opinions stated in this post are not based on any factual scientific data, nor is the author qualified in any way to make such claims. However, since this is the exact same protocol by which the current "global warming" claim has been promoted and internationally accepted, the author is satisfied that his conclusions are reasonable and justified)
Actually, I expect that the convenient culprit will be global warming. Yup. Shocking I know. But you heard it here first.
Here's how this happens in the simplest of terms: A column of "air" from sea level to the top of our atmosphere weighs about 14.7 pounds for every square inch that sits on the earth, your car, your cat or your head. Now, from your 3rd grade science, you know that warmer air rises. So, due to man-made global warming, our air is rising and actually taking weight off of the earth's surface. With air pressure lifting off of the earth's crust, our continental plates are starting to shift and expand with that release. Thus the increases we are seeing in all kinds of movement of our land masses.
So there you go. Our "fault" again!
(Disclaimer: The opinions stated in this post are not based on any factual scientific data, nor is the author qualified in any way to make such claims. However, since this is the exact same protocol by which the current "global warming" claim has been promoted and internationally accepted, the author is satisfied that his conclusions are reasonable and justified)
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Shovels Ready? It's Heating Up!
With most of the country under blizzard watch this morning, I had to hear a local "global warming" expert tell a news reporter of how this actually all fits into the computer model that proves we are getting warmer! I do not jest. They are delusional.
Shreveport, Louisiana is expected to get 8 inches of snow today. Yesterday, San Diego county in California got several inches of snow. Washington D.C. is closed, they said it's too dangerous for the snow plow drivers! All of Great Britain has been pummeled this season by record snow and cold. And the beat goes on....
So considering what we're seeing, I guess we should be thankful it's global warming. What the hell would we be experiencing if the earth was actually getting colder!!
Shreveport, Louisiana is expected to get 8 inches of snow today. Yesterday, San Diego county in California got several inches of snow. Washington D.C. is closed, they said it's too dangerous for the snow plow drivers! All of Great Britain has been pummeled this season by record snow and cold. And the beat goes on....
So considering what we're seeing, I guess we should be thankful it's global warming. What the hell would we be experiencing if the earth was actually getting colder!!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
A Bit Rattled
Last night we had some nasty weather here in Chicagoland. The snow had stopped late in the evening with about 6 or 8 inches on the ground, but then the wind started with some real gusto. The forecast had talked of maybe 40 mile-per-hour gusts, so when I was awakened at 4:00 a.m. I thought that it had been a large gust of wind that had shaken the wall just a bit and caused the house to creak in an unusual way. Wrong.
Later this morning I learned that we had actually had an earthquake! Only about 4 on the Richter scale, but almost right underneath us. Strong enough to wake me up which is not an easy thing typically.
I was back in Michigan years ago, I think it was in '82 or '83, when I felt the last one. I recall it very well. It was mid-afternoon and I was standing in the doorway of my boss's office, talking with him and leaning against the door frame when our entire brick office building shook. It was about the same magnitude.
The shear power required to make the earth shake is awesome. The thing about the Richter scale is that each incremental number is ten times the force of the latter. A 5 is ten times more powerful than a 4. So for me, last night's little rumble reminded me that the recent quake in Haiti was over 100 times more powerful than what woke me from a sound sleep! That's an incredible perspective.
Later this morning I learned that we had actually had an earthquake! Only about 4 on the Richter scale, but almost right underneath us. Strong enough to wake me up which is not an easy thing typically.
I was back in Michigan years ago, I think it was in '82 or '83, when I felt the last one. I recall it very well. It was mid-afternoon and I was standing in the doorway of my boss's office, talking with him and leaning against the door frame when our entire brick office building shook. It was about the same magnitude.
The shear power required to make the earth shake is awesome. The thing about the Richter scale is that each incremental number is ten times the force of the latter. A 5 is ten times more powerful than a 4. So for me, last night's little rumble reminded me that the recent quake in Haiti was over 100 times more powerful than what woke me from a sound sleep! That's an incredible perspective.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Our First President of Color; Any Color He Needs!
Isn't it amazing to see the overnight pseudo-transformation of Obama? I mean about his recent announcements regarding cutting taxes, freezing spending and providing retirement savings options. What?!!! Sounds very Reagan-esque doesn't it?
His "finding religion" at this point just exposes a couple of truths about the man. First, that he is feeling genuine fear right now from the growing disdain of Americans for the lib agenda. Here are just a few of the events that have rocked his boat the last couple of weeks:
-"Teddy's Seat" in the senate...gone.
- The Supreme Court's decision on corporate campaign finance.
- Air America crashing with no survivors.
- Biden's kid too scared to attempt a campaign...even with daddy's help.
- Chris Dodd heading for the hills rather than face a voter firing squad in November.
- Pelosi failure to deliver "her house" on health care.
Second, that his convictions are paper-thin. Oh, make no mistake, the guy is a genuine socialist, but he apparently loves his situation much more and surely doesn't want to go crawling back to Chicago, unemployed, in 2012. So he becomes the chameleon extraordinaire.
It is definitely possible to dislike someone's politics and policies and still respect the person, but it's very difficult to have respect for the person who has no core convictions, no matter what they are, that he'll stand proudly behind when they come under serious fire. The "left" should be as disgusted with him as anyone.
Tonight is his State of the Union address and I guarantee you that he'll be playing to the everyday man as represented by the Tea Party groups appearing around the country. But it's all a show, and a desperate one at that.
His "finding religion" at this point just exposes a couple of truths about the man. First, that he is feeling genuine fear right now from the growing disdain of Americans for the lib agenda. Here are just a few of the events that have rocked his boat the last couple of weeks:
-"Teddy's Seat" in the senate...gone.
- The Supreme Court's decision on corporate campaign finance.
- Air America crashing with no survivors.
- Biden's kid too scared to attempt a campaign...even with daddy's help.
- Chris Dodd heading for the hills rather than face a voter firing squad in November.
- Pelosi failure to deliver "her house" on health care.
Second, that his convictions are paper-thin. Oh, make no mistake, the guy is a genuine socialist, but he apparently loves his situation much more and surely doesn't want to go crawling back to Chicago, unemployed, in 2012. So he becomes the chameleon extraordinaire.
It is definitely possible to dislike someone's politics and policies and still respect the person, but it's very difficult to have respect for the person who has no core convictions, no matter what they are, that he'll stand proudly behind when they come under serious fire. The "left" should be as disgusted with him as anyone.
Tonight is his State of the Union address and I guarantee you that he'll be playing to the everyday man as represented by the Tea Party groups appearing around the country. But it's all a show, and a desperate one at that.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Air America Crashes
Check out the article on the link below. A moment of silence for Air America please, and try not to grin.
Of course, since the column is brought to us by the granddaddy of all state run media, the AP, it blames the downfall on everything but the real reason: nobody listened to it. It was a failure from the beginning because of that simple reason, but they'll not acknowledge that.
My question is this: If it's so important to the left to have this liberal voice on the airwaves, then why don't some billionaire ultra-libs like George Soros, simply fund the broadcast? Could it be that they are actually closet capitalists that will let the greed of "return on investment" get in the way of such a worthwhile cause? For shame!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_air_america_bankruptcy
Of course, since the column is brought to us by the granddaddy of all state run media, the AP, it blames the downfall on everything but the real reason: nobody listened to it. It was a failure from the beginning because of that simple reason, but they'll not acknowledge that.
My question is this: If it's so important to the left to have this liberal voice on the airwaves, then why don't some billionaire ultra-libs like George Soros, simply fund the broadcast? Could it be that they are actually closet capitalists that will let the greed of "return on investment" get in the way of such a worthwhile cause? For shame!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_air_america_bankruptcy
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
The Message
Scott Brown's victory in Massachusetts last night was one for the People, with ripples that flow out across the entire political pool, like from crates of Tea hitting the water. For democrat Martha Coakley, check and mate, but really not aimed at her. It was that bigger, badder target standing behind her.
The message was very, very clear to politicians of any persuasion: if you ignore the voices of the People, and continue to push an agenda that a clear majority reject, the price will be high. That is America's nearly perfect democracy in action. God Bless it!
Already today, the effects are being felt. Most politicians are way too fond of their situations to continue to support Obama's radical ideas that have clearly fallen out of favor. If you were a dem facing an election next week, would you make the same mistake Coakley did and call him in to campaign for you? You'd be crazy.
It was a nice "correction" yesterday. Later this year, will see how many took a lesson from it. Can we say "Mandate"?
The message was very, very clear to politicians of any persuasion: if you ignore the voices of the People, and continue to push an agenda that a clear majority reject, the price will be high. That is America's nearly perfect democracy in action. God Bless it!
Already today, the effects are being felt. Most politicians are way too fond of their situations to continue to support Obama's radical ideas that have clearly fallen out of favor. If you were a dem facing an election next week, would you make the same mistake Coakley did and call him in to campaign for you? You'd be crazy.
It was a nice "correction" yesterday. Later this year, will see how many took a lesson from it. Can we say "Mandate"?
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
A Study in Contrasts
A lot of commentary today pounced on the scene of that big, beautiful cruise ship pulling into an idyllic lagoon just 45 miles from the death and destruction in Port Au Prince, Haiti. Everyone it seemed, wanted to swat that big softball of righteous indignation, served up in that blatant contrast of the haves and have nots, between the privileged and the deprived,...and in the west end of Haiti today, between living high and not living at all.
The few defenders of the odd scene, tried to make the case that the ship could have easily cruised on to the next island stop, which would have only deprived the Haitian locals there of making their normal sales of food and drink, and all of the trinkets that tourists always spend money on. Money that Haiti desperately needs, whenever and wherever it can get it, and that the loss of that would only punish them more.
It is a fact today that a portion of mankind is very fortunate, and that a larger percentage is much less so. Moving that ship to another port, if only for a few weeks, would not have changed that fact one iota. So what would be the point? To make the fortunate of the world feel a little less guilty? Yeah, maybe. And exactly how would that have helped the people of Haiti? Not at all.
I would therefore like to suggest that maybe it's not a bad thing at all to show the stark contrast of that pristine ship against the backdrop of Haitian suffering. Perhaps it has caused more than a few to rethink the scene, the symbolism of it, and our priorities. "In your face" is sometimes the only message that works.
The few defenders of the odd scene, tried to make the case that the ship could have easily cruised on to the next island stop, which would have only deprived the Haitian locals there of making their normal sales of food and drink, and all of the trinkets that tourists always spend money on. Money that Haiti desperately needs, whenever and wherever it can get it, and that the loss of that would only punish them more.
It is a fact today that a portion of mankind is very fortunate, and that a larger percentage is much less so. Moving that ship to another port, if only for a few weeks, would not have changed that fact one iota. So what would be the point? To make the fortunate of the world feel a little less guilty? Yeah, maybe. And exactly how would that have helped the people of Haiti? Not at all.
I would therefore like to suggest that maybe it's not a bad thing at all to show the stark contrast of that pristine ship against the backdrop of Haitian suffering. Perhaps it has caused more than a few to rethink the scene, the symbolism of it, and our priorities. "In your face" is sometimes the only message that works.
Hey Barack...Reform This!
Forget health care reform. Follow the link below for one sickening example that personifies the incredible need for education reform in this country. From California of course!
I would highlight the fact that this dude has been paid full salary and benefits since his "firing" in 2003! Anyone who backs this kind of tolerance in the system....teachers, review boards, unions and politicians (or can we just say democrats)....cannot tell me that they care about kids or their education. They're self-serving liars when they do.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-teacher18-2010jan18,0,3686125.story
I would highlight the fact that this dude has been paid full salary and benefits since his "firing" in 2003! Anyone who backs this kind of tolerance in the system....teachers, review boards, unions and politicians (or can we just say democrats)....cannot tell me that they care about kids or their education. They're self-serving liars when they do.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-teacher18-2010jan18,0,3686125.story
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Many Moons
New Year's Eve was quite boisterous around this part of Chicagoland. Apparently, amateur pyrotechnics is the new thing for ringing in the new year. I recall some of it happening last year, but not nearly as intense. Perhaps it's going to replace firing a shotgun into the air, but I'm not sure that it's going to reduce any ER visits! I used to like these things, and fired off plenty of them as a teen, but I eventually grew up. (Some folks never do.) Now they just annoy me and unnerve my dog!
There was something else in the sky that night. Was it clear enough where you were? Yup...a "blue moon". The second full moon in December, and it was crystal clear here and gorgeous. I love a big full moon on a clear night and it made me stop and think.
The fact is, I love the full moon enough to know that in 2009 I had seen at least nine of them in a row, ending with that one on the last day of the year. How do I remember? Well, here's the deal: When we're up at the northern compound in Michigan, I keep a daily journal, and since I'm a night-sky geek, I always made note of the fantastic full moon nights we had over the lake. Sometime towards the end of the season up there, I think it was the September moon, I made a note about it and thought that I'd noted this several times over the spring and summer. When I checked back through the journal, sure enough, there had been a clear night on every full moon since our first visit in May! That's definitely an oddity in a state where clouds always outnumber clear skies, and that little oddity stuck with me through the remainder of the year. The November and both December moons were all seen in Illinois, but the unbroken string of clear nights continued even here, and thus my nine straight!
So on New Years Eve, I look up to see fireworks from my dopey neighbors exploding right next to nature's own beautiful show with that big blue moon. And on the last day of the year, when the mind inevitably drifts back over the year gone by, I'm looking up and thinking how I had that same view way back on the Fourth of July, on a beach in Northport, Michigan, with our good friends from camp (and The Study), watching fireworks explode over the full moon. I would call that serendipitous. Nine moons (blue and otherwise), holidays, and fireworks, all culminating on the last day of the year. Maybe 2009 wasn't so forgettable after all, and maybe there's a good omen hidden in that cold, white sphere, and it's string of visits.
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