So, That's What Dr. Marvin Candle Was Working On

I don't really understand how this works (shocker), but I think these physicists may have discovered the key to Desmond's uniqueness.  Either way, it sounds super cool.  Also super cool is the fact that they've created an invisibility cloak.

Physicists have created a "hole in time" using the temporal equivalent of an invisibility cloak.

Read This

No, seriously.  Read this article to better understand the raping and pillaging of our nation at the hands of those who purport to serve us.

They're all bums and they should all be shown the door.  For that to happen, we all need to take more responsibility for ourselves and for each other.  The oligarchy in Washington has only been able to reach these obscene levels of corruption because we citizens could not be bothered to truly govern ourselves and to be ever vigilant in protecting ourselves against the tyranny of the privileged few.  Apparently, we had better things to do than to pay attention to those who seek to control us and profit from our hard work and their plum positions.  Let's all agree to not let that happen again, shall we?

Small Thoughts

I don't get this, but then again -- I don't have children.

Moms Stage a 'Nurse-In' at Target Stores

Apparently, a Houston mother was asked by several Target employees to retreat to a fitting room to breast-feed her kid and she took offense and staged a national protest, even after the corporate Target office sided with her. This is not a big deal and I know that breast-feeding can be done in public in a modest way, so I don't really have a dog in this fight.  But here's part of the Target response that seems somewhat counter-intuitive:

"We kind of just refreshed our team members on our policy to make sure that any guests that come into the store aren't uncomfortable at all," said Chicago Target spokeswoman Ashley Krehoff.

What about guests who are uncomfortable being confronted by breast-feeders in the Home & Garden section?  It's all rather ridiculous.  The moms say they were staging the event to "raise awareness".  Awareness of what?  That a new mother's breasts produce milk from which to feed their baby?  I'm aware.

What Are They Thinking?

Hello and Happy Christmas.  I've been stuffing my face since Thanksgiving, ergo blogging has been non-existent.   It's hard to type with a turkey leg in one hand.  Anyway ...

I've been thinking about some things.  Some big, some small.

Among the bigger thoughts is this:  what the hell is going on with the Republican Party?  I no longer consider myself a member, although I will likely vote Republican (at least in national elections) for the rest of my life.  We have a presidential election next year where the stakes are as high as they've ever been (and yes, I know we say that every four years):  Supreme Court nominations, Obamacare, sustained unemployment, class warfare, global economic instability, domestic economic instability -- we're 12 years into the 21st century and so far it looks like the dawn of a very scary new world.

The Republicans are up against a guy who -- despite breaking many promises to his followers (not closing Gitmo, engaging in another war in Libya, extending the Patriot Act, cozying up to Wall Street, etc.) -- remains personally popular.  Personally, I think he's as charismatic as a lamp post, but many others disagree.

Who do the Republicans have to oppose the sitting President?  A motley crew of has-beens, never-will-bes, and not-ready-for-primetime players.  The alleged shoe-in and inevitable nominee (because somebody somewhere said he's the only one who can win, so that's why we have to vote for him), Mitt Romney, is the original architect of that most odious of this President's "accomplishments" -- The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act aka Obamacare.  That is one hell of a liability.  Not because Mitt Romney made a mistake and overextended the purview of the government of Massachusetts in constructing his own "Romneycare" version, but because to this day, he continues to defend it and think it's a good idea!  It is my opinion that he is a mannequin seeking the presidency for his own personal fulfillment, not because he seeks to  right a ship that has long been teetering in the wrong direction.

Ron Paul.  Unfortunately, Libertarian's most famous face.  A man so isolationist he would not have lifted finger to stop the Holocaust.  Anti-Israel.  If the newsletters with his name on them are to be believed, anti-non-white people in general.  He says much that makes sense and I admire the consistency of his ideology over the years.  But he is a kook who is not fit for the presidency.

Michele Bachmann.  A congresswoman who has not held an executive position in government.  She's also an attractive Christian Republican woman and she will be destroyed by the media if she gets anywhere near the nomination (the Sarah Palin rule).

Herman Cain.  A successful businessman and someone I found to be charismatic.  However, it seemed as if you could ask him a question one day and get one answer and the same question again the next day and get a completely different answer (still not sure what his position on abortion is, but I liked one of his answers -- the other responses not so much).  He was not ready to be a candidate for president.  I have no idea what happened or didn't happen concerning the allegations of those women, but let me say this:  I am personally okay with our next president have wild orgies (except in the West Wing/Oval Office) in the White House as long as he cuts spending (big time), rolls back government intrusion into my life and the lives of my fellow citizens, repeals Obamacare, and fosters an environment of true freedom in this country again.

Which brings us to Newt Gingrich.  I go back and forth on him.  I have no one else to vote for.  But he's an insider and a technocrat who sees government as the solution to a whole host of problems.  He is not humble. I do think we need a humble president because, truly, the issues of our world and our lives cannot be solved by the government.  Please remember that.  A humble man would know that.

Oh, and Jon Huntsman and Rick Santorum.  Who?  (Now watch, Rick Santorum will be the nominee.)

Everyone has baggage.  There is no perfect human being and there is no perfect presidential candidate.  I will never agree with any candidate on every issue.  That is not the goal.  My goal is trust.  Do you say what you believe and believe what you say?  I think that's why Ron Paul has been successful -- you know where you stand.  I really don't know who I'll vote for in the primary.  I keep returning to Newt because I think it would be a very entertaining campaign.  I'm not sure that any of them could beat Obama in an election where the incumbent is extremely vulnerable.  And yet, the Republican Party has nominated these jokers.  It's disheartening.

Oh my, I almost forgot about Rick Perry.  At one point, I thought he was going to be my guy. Not looking that way anymore.  He's ... not ready.  I'm not actually as worried about him in office, but I think I'd cringe too much during the campaign.

One Man's Trash . . .

I find this a bit ridiculous:  'Alley Trolls" Illegally Taking Garbage In Minneapolis. I'm not so obtuse that I can't see why this might bother the residents, but I think their reasoning is lacking.  And if part of the problem is that these scavengers make a mess of the garbage, then cite them for littering.  But this is stupid:

“I wish they’d leave the bins alone because people’s personal papers can be in there and that kind of thing. It just leaves too much open for the criminal element,” said Levitz.

If you're throwing stuff away that is personal and has personally identifying information in it and you throw that trash away where it ends up sitting in an alleyway for pick-up, then you're a dumbass.  Let this be my public service announcement for the day:  SHRED, BURN OR OTHERWISE DESTROY ANY PIECE OF MAIL OR "GARBAGE" THAT CAN BE USED BY SOMEONE TO STEAL YOUR IDENTITY.  I will do my best to refrain from saying "Duh".

Another reason cited in the article for cracking down on the trash scavengers is that "it could lead to more bold acts."  So apparently, dumpster diving is the marijuana of petty crime.  Noted.

Shocking

**Breaking News**  JLo did not actually film her Fiat commercials in the Bronx.  Whoa.  Next you're going to tell me that there is no Stars Hollow and that Gilmore Girls was filmed on a Hollywood set.

Boo, Hiss

Hundreds Arrested in Atlanta Traffic Sweep

What is the probable cause here?  Maybe I watch too much TV so I don't understand what actually constitutes probable cause for a police officer to search my vehicle, but I don't think the fact that one has a cracked windshield should allow for one to be treated as a suspected criminal and open to search and seizure by the police.

Because you know what?  I do have a cracked windshield and I am not a criminal.  I simply refuse to invest any more money in the jalopy that I have to hold on to until I can afford a new (used) car.  In short:  bite me, APD.

Poor Form

From the headline, I thought this was going to be overwhelming booing, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.

NASCAR CROWD BOOS FIRST LADY

However, I will say that I think regardless of politics, it's just rude to boo the First Lady.  She's not in office.  I don't care for her or the fact that (I believe) she was ultimately responsible for pillaging my Happy Meal and taking away my fries, but I don't think I'd like to be someone who sat there and booed the poor woman in front of a stadium full of people.

Buckle Up

I just saw a rather disturbing "Click-It Or Ticket" commercial from the state of Georgia.  The cops are going to hunt me down, scare the bejeezus out of me and write me a ticket for daring to forget to put on my seat belt.  That was the gist I got.

But because they do this out of concern for me and my safety, I shouldn't be bothered by it.  It's okay that the police set up roadblocks to check for drivers not wearing their seat belts.  That's neither absurd nor a blatant affront to liberty -- because they care about me and they're doing it for my own good.  And it's not about revenue -- I know because the Click-It Or Ticket website (yes, it exists) tells me so:

“The worry of getting a traffic ticket is sometimes the only motivation for some drivers to fasten their safetybelt,” says GOHS Director Dallas.

Basically, Director Dallas is admitting that they had to threaten armed robbery to get people to buckle up.  So, it's our fault really.  Sure.

There Goes Sarah Palin . . .

Making sense again.  People just hate it when she does that.

More Evidence of Our Insanity

I was reading about San Francisco the other night and came across an article about efforts to clear Golden Gate Park of its homeless population, and in the course of that article a group of "anti-poverty activists" was quoted.  Are there any "pro-poverty activists"?  I'm not talking about people ambivalent to poverty or those nefarious "banksters".  I'm asking if there is an article in a newspaper or magazine out there that identifies someone as "John Doe, pro-poverty activist"?  And if there aren't pro-poverty activists, then why the hell do we need anti-poverty activists?  What do they do?  What I don't think they do is actually help people out of poverty.  What the people in the article I read do is lobby the government to allow for a permanent and pervasive vagrant population to live in a public park indefinitely.

You know who really "acts" against poverty?  Capitalists.

Objectivism

Interesting article on the study of Ayn Rand and Objectivism on college campuses.  I read Atlas Shrugged for the first time in the fall of 2008 and I honestly could not keep track of what was actually happening in the world and what was happening in the book -- auto company bailouts, steel company bailouts, bank failures, crony capitalism, etc. etc.

I strongly suggest reading this book.  It is frighteningly prophetic.  It is also quite long and repetitive.  I do not subscribe fully to Objectivism, but it serves as a strong argument for the moral virtues of individualism.

Evidence of Our Insanity

Some people were researching the idea of women taking their husband's surname upon marriage and found that 50% of those surveyed supported a law to require women to take their husband's name after marriage.  A law to require it.  What is happening to us?  There is a fundamental problem with a society that supports laws to project onto others even the most trivial aspects of our own personal worldview.  Why the hell should I care what another woman calls herself?  Am I so insecure in my choices that others should be forced to do what I have done and change my name to my husband's?  Or are people just so lazy that when asked a question like that, they don't think at all and just go with the reaction of "there oughta be a law"?  Ridiculous.  Think, people.  Every single law -- no matter how trivial and insignificant -- has consequences.

This Will Go Over Well

Someone at the White House slipped on their bad idea jeans again and came up with this doozy:  the Christmas tree tax.

Apparently, the government feels that the image of Christmas trees in America needs a boost, so they're here to help.  And their help, as always, comes in the form of a tax.  I'm going to give my reader(s) the benefit of the doubt and not even list the reasons why this is so f***ing absurd.  Good grief.  Guess I'll be borrowing my mom's old fake tree this year in protest.  Thanks for mutton, Obama.

I Can Sympathize

This is awesome.  If you set aside the fact that this is real and that Occupy Portland protesters actually did set fire to things.  It's like something out of my darkest revenge fantasies.

Occupy Portland protesters became enraged when Pizza Schmizza ran out of breadsticks to accompany their order. They threatened to assault employees and vandalize the restaurant.

There is one restaurant in particular that pissed me off one night that I have imagined doing comparable damage to.  I read once that serial killers and mass murderers lack a good sense of imagination and that is one of the reasons they are compelled to act -- because they do not experience the cathartic effects of simply imagining their darkest desires.

But what was I saying?  Yeah, these "protesters" are really entertaining as long as you ignore the fact that they're real and this is happening.  If you've wondered why I've been mum these past few weeks, it's because I've been speechless.  I had to explain to my husband that we have morons and imbeciles everywhere among us and that they're "Occupying" everything now.  I broke his heart when I showed him youtube video of "Occupy Valdosta".

Something sinister is afoot.  I don't know if this originally started as some grassroots thing and was very quickly co-opted by all the usual suspects (unions, George Soros, Michael Moore, the Democratic Party) for their own agenda or if the usual suspects hatched this plan from the get-go, but it's ugly and it won't end well.  They'll continue in some form or another until the 2012 election and I don't think they'll get the results they want and when that happens, do you think they'll just go away?

Environmentally Speaking

Am I wrong to think that with our advanced technology and ingenuity that we could do something about this?  Tons of debris from the tsunami in Japan is adrift in the Pacific Ocean and heading for Hawaii (and elsewhere, one would assume since there is no exit route from the ocean).  Maybe I am a total idiot (it's possible), but couldn't we send some barges out there to at least try to gather some of it up?  I realize we're talking about tons of debris, but come on.  Can't Al Gore afford to charter a boat to go out there and do something?

And this is completely separate from the giant trash island that we also have in the Pacific.  What if all the money spent on the PR and advocacy side of various environmental groups was instead spent on actually solving problems?  I would gladly give money to clean up this trash, I will not give money to pay for Al Gore's speaking tour on a private jet to lecture us all on our energy consumption.

Occupy Wall Street

Watch this.  It's interesting -- frightening and hilarious at times, too -- but also very interesting.

Is It Just Me?

Or does something seem a little off about this?  Michelle Obama visited the Secret Service headquarters and talks about how much she appreciates the work that they do (and I'm sure she does), but this is what she says:

"Sasha will come in, it's like, 'You took Scott!'" Mrs. Obama said. "Malia's like, 'You took Scott? That's not fair!' And then I'll say the same thing to Barack. It's like, 'Why did you get Beth?' It's dinner table conversation." 

"Why did you get Beth?"  Maybe because Beth's boss at the Secret Service thought she'd be a better fit for the assignment with Barack.  She's talking about these highly-trained men and women as though they're the Obamas' house slaves (how's that for post-racial?).

This is a unique view into the First Lady's mindset.  She believes she's complimenting them and in her own way, she is.  But this is how the First Family thinks about all the perks that come with being in the White House.  The lavish trips abroad, the separate flights to Martha's Vineyard, the bartering over Secret Service agents, and on and on ... Marie Antoinette was more low-key than this.

Hmmm

Is this the War on Terror?

The 26-year-old Massachusetts man, Rezwan Ferdaus, was arrested as part of an FBI sting operation in which he was made to believe he was working with members of al Qaeda, who were actually undercover agents.

I think it's great to remove potential terrorists from our midst, but are we just luring young Middle Eastern men into thinking that they're living out their terrorist fantasies and then arresting them for it?  The FBI led this man to believe that he was working with Al Qaeda.  How about actually infiltrating Al Qaeda?  There are countless men (and women, I guess -- don't want to discriminate) out there like Rezwan Ferdaus.  It seems a rather inefficient use of resources to create sting operations like this to capture one dude at a time.

Newt for VP

I've given it about five minutes of thought and I think Newt should be the Vice President.  He knows the ins-and-outs of Congress and would work well with the almost inevitable Republican majorities in both houses (I think the as yet to be determined president should designate him as the man for that job) .  He's an idea man and could just churn out a bunch of good stuff for a seasoned executive to sift through and decide which to pursue.

Anyway, I'm still undecided (leaning Perry) on the presidential nominee (and haven't been able to watch many debates), but I think I'm on to something here.

Inside Baseball

What is the deal with Tim Pawlenty and Thaddeus McCotter dropping out and endorsing Mitt Romney?  Romney was the main nemesis for both during their primary runs.  (Excepting, of course, Pawlenty's whiny attacks on Michele Bachmann.)

I read that Pawlenty was getting his campaign's debt taken care of by Romney (in exchange for the endorsement?).  I'm not sure what McCotter's motivation is.  He had previously said of Romney, "our struggling families, entrepreneurs, and workers think Mr. Romney and Mr. Obama are not rivals, they’re running mates."  Very true, in my opinion.  So what gives?


Politics certainly does make strange bedfellows.  You just have to wonder what's going on behind the scenes that we are not privy to.  

The Road to Recovery Is Actually a U-turn

This is why the economy won't get back on track:  CEO fined for hiring too many workers.

At a certain point you have to wonder if Obama administration doesn't want the economy to improve.  They seem to do everything within their power to prevent a recovery.  The question is why.  Are they purposely creating an economic condition under which the only jobs available will be government jobs or jobs funded by the government?  I think our current debt situation shows that is not a viable plan.  

FREEDOM!!!!

A couple in California is being fined for holding a bible study in their home.

Homeowners Chuck and Stephanie Fromm, of San Juan Capistrano, were fined $300 earlier this month for holding what city officials called “a regular gathering of more than three people”.

That type of meeting would require a conditional use permit as defined by the city, according to Pacific Justice Institute (PJI), the couple’s legal representation.

"A regular gathering of more than three people" is cause for a $300 fine?  Excuse me?  Is this America?  Is this freedom?  You have to have a freaking permit to meet regularly with more than three people?  Do family dinners count?

We don't think about stuff like this and when we find out about it, we think it sounds utterly ridiculous.  But this is the country we've created.  We did this.  And now we have to fix it.  Our liberty will perish by a thousand little regulations and ordinances such as this one.  We elect people to office and then turn our backs because we don't want to be responsible or aware of how the sausage is made.  But we must be ever vigilant against this type of thing because this is what people in power do.  Unfortunately, this kind of law isn't how it begins; it's how it ends.  Good luck.

Somebody's Watching Me (and You and You and You and You)

I once thought about writing a screenplay about something like this ... if, you know, I knew how to write a screenplay.  Instead I'll just tell you two about it.  (Hi Kerr!  Hi Mom!)

Much of the technology developed to make our lives more convenient can easily be re-purposed to make our lives monitored and tracked -- cell phones, bar codes, credit cards, GPS, Netflix, IP addresses, the internet etc. etc.  That doesn't mean we shouldn't use it, but we should be aware of how it can be used against us.

Unbelievable

My husband refuses to believe that this is real because it looks so ridiculous.

Remember how much of a dumbass everyone thought George Bush was?

What?

I opened my email this morning to find an email from Barack Obama asking if I want to get dinner sometime. The email is actually asking me to donate $5 "to be automatically entered for a chance to join [Barack Obama] for dinner."  Forget AttackWatch, this is unseemly.

Creepy Much?

I bring you AttackWatch.com from Obama For America.

It's hard for me to articulate all that I find offensive about this.  There's the premise that everyone who disagrees with Obama is a liar.  There's the rather aggressive design and tone of the website itself.  There's the link to "Report an Attack" inviting us to spy on our fellow citizens (don't worry, I already let them know that Drudge is reporting that they've launched a really creepy website to monitor criticism of the President).

I know the guy has to run for re-election, it's just kind of unseemly for this to be part of a sitting President's campaign.  I don't like it.

Solidarity

Via Instapundit, we learn of one union boycotting another over layoffs of the latter union's staff.

It's just too perfect.

Update:  My husband's immediate reaction was "I hope they both win."

Here's Why I Like Perry

He doesn't back down when confronted with a position which people think he shouldn't hold.  He calls Social Security a Ponzi scheme and even the people who agree with him that it is a Ponzi scheme say that Perry shouldn't say that because he won't get elected.  What does Perry do?  Reiterates that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme!  Amen.

Confronted by the Tea Partiers about his laissez-faire approach to illegal immigration, and again he doesn't tell them what they want to hear:  that he made a mistake, that illegal immigrants are everything that's wrong with this country, that a fence will solve all our problems.  Nope.  He talks about the American Dream and how it doesn't matter where you came from, but where you are going.  I'd prefer if he included some talk about assimilation and embracing the common culture that makes one an American as well, but still, Perry's not just going to tell you what you want to hear.

It's almost as if he believes what he's saying.  It's almost as if he's letting the voters know where he stands and allowing them to make up their minds on the merits of his ideas rather than trying to bamboozle them into thinking that he agrees with them on every single thing they believe.  News flash:  no two people on this earth will agree about everything.  An election is about deciding whose larger view you agree with (or can stomach).  So, if your main issue is building a fence and shipping all the illegal immigrants back to where they came from, don't vote for Rick Perry.

Spoke Too Quickly

I'm sorry.  I must admit, when I wrote the previous post I hadn't yet read all the way through the material that the White House graciously provided for us.  Here are the details about how the act will be paid for:

5. FULLY PAID FOR AS PART OF THE PRESIDENT’S LONG-TERM DEFICIT REDUCTION PLAN. 

To ensure that the American Jobs Act is fully paid for, the President will call on the Joint Committee to come up with additional deficit reduction necessary to pay for the Act and still meet its deficit target. 

The President will, in the coming days, release a detailed plan that will show how we can do that while achieving the additional deficit reduction necessary to meet the President’s broader goal of stabilizing our debt as a share of the economy.

That, my friends, is how f***ing stupid they think we are.  

The "President's long-term deficit reduction plan"?  What?  I didn't know he had one of those.  It's all good then.  But wait!  It says it's his plan in the header, but then the very first sentence says that the President will ask the Joint Committee to find a way to pay for it.  The next sentence then switches back to the President doing it.  Which is it?  Does it matter?  No.  Because it will never happen.

The Final Straw?

This is how much the Obama White House disdains you.

Under the headline "American Jobs Act:  Read All the Details" on the White House blog, you are directed to a series of links to highlights of the bill, a so-called "complete overview" of the bill, and a blah-blah-blah of PR crapola about the bill.

To be clear, this White House believes that we are stupid enough to think that a post on their blog with a couple of links covers all the mother-lovin' details of a $4.5B (BILLION!) stimulus package.  There's still not even a bill!  Do you know that?  The "pass this bill" mantra Obama was chanting the other night was a complete farce.  That's how stupid they think we are.  Please don't be that stupid.

It's actually kind of terrifying to realize how much (I hope) they underestimate us.

Top Secret Jobs Plan Speech -- First Impressions Part II

Pass this jobs bill and maybe I'll shut the hell up before kickoff.

Update:  Does he really believe that wealthy Americans don't already "pay their fair share"?  That's absurd.  He just characterized the wealthy as "the most fortunate" -- maybe they worked harder.  Not everybody is John Kerry and married into their wealth.  Some people got their money the old-fashioned way.

Update II:  Is he comparing himself to Abraham Lincoln?

Update III:  I think this is Obama's "I Have a Plan (details to follow)" speech.

Top Secret Jobs Plan Speech -- First Impressions

It's been about 10 minutes -- and maybe my expectations are too high -- but President Obama just keeps saying that he has a "jobs" plan.  And that Congress should pass the jobs plan.  But he hasn't said what the freakin' jobs plan is.  He did say what the plan will allegedly do and that there are certainly no reasons to oppose it.  But again, what exactly is the plan?  

Stranger Than Fiction

A couple in Canada is keeping their baby's sex a secret as "a tribute to freedom and choice in place of limitation, a stand up to what the world could become in Storm's lifetime (a more progressive place? ...).”  Canadians.  It figures.  When I read the headline, I was sure they were going to be Swedish for some reason.

Storm is their third child; he/she/it has 2 brothers -- Kio and Jazz.

We get a little background on their parents:

Both come from liberal families.  [Gee, ya think?]  Stocker grew up listening to Free to Be ... You and Me, a 1972 record with a central message of gender neutrality. Witterick remembers her brother mucking around with gender as a teen in the ’80s, wearing lipstick and carrying handbags like David Bowie and Mick Jagger.

Then I got to the below paragraph and decided it was my favorite part of the article:

Witterick practices unschooling, an offshoot of home-schooling centred on the belief that learning should be driven by a child’s curiosity. 

 I think I have now heard it all.

File This Under "Poor Taste"

Looks like somebody put on their bad idea jeans and decided to put a United Airlines ad at Ground Zero which reads, "You're going to like where we land."  Smooth.  Apparently, some New Yorkers are miffed and find it "insensitive".  Ya think?


I hear they've delayed plans for a similar billboard in Shanksville.

More Cops Behaving Badly

In yet another instance of being presumed guilty before proving innocence, a couple of Philadelphia cops harass a private citizen legally carrying a firearm.  Be sure to listen to the audio to get a taste of their professionalism.  Remember -- only cops are uniquely qualified to carry guns and it's in our best interest to trust thugs like this to defend and protect us.  Yeah, right.

Rights? What Rights?

As long as you have a badge and a gun in this country (or at least in Indiana), you can do whatever you want.  The Indiana Supreme Court has ruled that citizens no longer have the right to defend themselves against unlawful entry into their home.  The money quote:

"Justice Steven David writing for the court said if a police officer wants to enter a home for any reason or no reason at all, a homeowner cannot do anything to block the officer's entry."

So, a cop can storm into your home for ANY reason and there's nothing you can do about it.  They could be coming to rob you, rape you, plant evidence in your home -- nothing you can do about it.  I thought we were all supposed to be innocent until proven guilty.  This ruling presupposes inherent guilt on the part of all private citizens.  We're not exactly a free country anymore, are we?

Good News, Or Rumors Thereof

Firstly, the Wall Street Journal brings us speculation from a Huckabee insider that the former Arkansas governor will NOT be running for president in 2012.  Phew.  I don't know if I stomach finding out how many of my fellow Americans would support him.

Secondly, we hear in an article from RealClearPolitics that Mitch Daniels would prefer Condoleezza Rice as his running mate if he were to run in the 2012 election.  Run, Mitch, run!*

*This is not necessarily an endorsement of Mitch Daniels -- at this point, the more the merrier.  But I should say that I'll endorse Ms. Rice for just about anything she wants to do.

Obama and the Economy

Demonstrating a fundamental misunderstanding about how the economy functions, "President Obama urged businesses to 'step up' and hire workers ."  That's not exactly how it works, sir.  Companies are not charities and they exist to make a profit.  In the recession, many (most?) companies learned that they could do more with fewer employees and thus, those eliminated jobs aren't coming back.  And I can't blame the companies for that.  One of the problems is that these companies are now sitting on huge cash reserves that would otherwise be invested in the economy in one way or another and would inevitably lead to new jobs, but with the uncertainty surrounding healthcare, tax rates, the value of the dollar, government regulations, etc. those companies are holding onto to their cash because they're not sure how to invest or even to invest.  The government can encourage growth by setting a clear policy on the issues under its control -- even if the policy is something that is traditionally understood to be detrimental to business growth.  At this point, we all just need to know what to expect.  

The economy and unemployment rate will improve on the backs of small business owners.  Unfortunately, the small business owners in this country are often the same "rich" people vilified by the administration for not paying their fair share.  You see, the Obama administration wants control -- they want to confiscate money through taxes and then redistribute it how they see fit.  They do not want businesses -- particularly small businesses who don't have strong lobbying power in Washington -- to control their own money and drive the economy through the free market.  The free market marginalizes government and puts power in the hands of the people and that is unacceptable to most people involved in government -- both Democrat and Republican.  Remember, they're fighting for their livelihood too and that's a powerful motivation for maintaining the status quo.  

Well, Good Riddance

Some random thoughts on the killing of Osama bin Laden:

• Obviously, this is a good thing.  But we need to remember that the fight continues.  This isn't like Zelda where you kill the ringleader in Level 5 and all the other bad guys magically disappear.  
• It's interesting seeing the people celebrating in the streets over this.  Eerily reminiscent of some of the people in the Middle East celebrating after 9/11 -- Palestinians, I'm referring to you.  I'm not sure how I feel about it, but it is good to see that people haven't forgotten what and why we're fighting.
• Also interesting that a lot of the people I see celebrating look young and were probably young children on September 11, 2001. 
• I'm relieved that President Obama seems to have acted in accordance with his role as Commander-in-Chief and gave the go-ahead for this operation.  I really wasn't sure if he had it in him.  So, for probably the first and last time you'll hear me say this:  well done, Mr. President.
• Hats off as well to President Bush -- politics aside, I think ol' George W. would have given a pretty entertaining press conference about this news had it happened on his watch.

Cops Continue to Build Upon Their Great Reputation

An off-duty Atlanta police officer "got into a scuffle with a woman" at IHOP the other night.  Translation:  an overly aggressive thug with a uniform, badge and weapon punched a (probably drunk) woman in the face at a restaurant and as far as I can tell, has not charged the victim of his aggression with any crimes.  

I used to almost automatically side with the police on situations like this, assuming that they were in the right.  No longer.  I know there are honorable police officers, but it seems as though we are confronted more and more with their incompetence, belligerence and misconduct.  Police officers used to be called upon to keep the peace.  What this officer did was the opposite of that -- he basically instigated a brawl.  Could he not have managed the situation with this woman (whatever it was, because again - no charges as far as I can tell) in a less aggressive way?  Why is a cop entitled to put his hands on a private citizen in a private establishment when there is no apparent crime?

Was That So Hard?

President Obama finally released his long form birth certificate and as far as I can tell, there's nothing weird or suspicious about it.  I just don't understand why it took so long for him to deign to show it to us when we are living in an age when presidential candidate routinely release documents ranging from college transcripts to military records to medical records.  We know Al Gore's and George W. Bush's college GPA's (2.2 and 2.35, respectively) and that John Kerry received four Ds in his freshman year of college. Given that you have to produce your official birth certificate for a whole range of activities, I find it odd that it is not simply required paperwork for any presidential candidate.  Anyway, I digress.  Thank you to President Obama for putting this issue to rest.  Now we can focus on how he is facilitating America's great decline.

Big Business, Big Government -- BFFs

GE posts a 77% increase in its Q1 earnings and apparently, paid no corporate taxes in 2010.  You see, it doesn't matter what the tax rates are -- corporate tax rates are currently 35% -- because wealthy and connected companies and individuals will always find the loopholes to avoid paying what our president often refers to as "their fair share".  

So, please remember that the conversation about taxes shouldn't be about raising the rates on "the rich" -- it should be about lowering tax rates for everyone, closing loopholes and simplifying the tax code.  That is how to protect the middle class and ensure that everyone pays their fair share.  Unfortunately, it's also an honest and straightforward way of dealing with the issue, so the government will be very reluctant to do it.  Big Business will also be reluctant because they like their funky, little tax breaks and Big Government likes using those loopholes as bargaining chips when it comes time for favors and political donations.  

Yeah, That Makes Sense

Dozing off to the local news last night, I heard a report on the recent push for Sunday alcohol sales in Georgia.  As I understand it, the state legislature has allowed for cities and counties to decide the issue for themselves.  In the course of this report, one gentleman -- who I assume is some sort of councilman or government official -- expressed his concern that we need to approach this issue very carefully because we could have a situation where a county approves the Sunday alcohol sales before the city does and that could be "frustrating" and "confusing" to people.  Yes sir, it could.  That is quite a reason to continue this Sunday Prohibition until that issue gets worked out.  We citizens are a "confused" and "frustrated" lot.  Why, I might do something crazy if the Decatur Kroger refuses to sell me my Miller High Life -- in my frustration and confusion, I might even drive down the road to the other Kroger that's not in the city limits!  The horror.

This guy is just some low level state (or city) bureaucrat, but can you see the contempt and disdain he has for us regular folk?  The paternalistic sensibility that he needs to protect us from feeling confused or frustrated?  Now, multiply that by about 1,000 and you approach the contempt and disdain that those in the federal government feel for us.  

Obama: Class Warrior

Is defense the only government spending Obama is willing to cut?  Doesn't that seem kind of crazy coming from the man who just put us right in the middle of a civil war in Libya?  

He's also back to calling for tax increases on "the rich".  Oh, the nasty rich.  Does anyone remember a time when it was conceivable that all Americans could be rich owing to their own hard work and productivity?  A time when our nation aspired to success and prosperity?  Who would want to succeed in business now when the president of our country vilifies people for daring to prosper.  

The notion that "the rich" aren't paying their fair share is absurd.  "The rich" pay considerably more than their fair share -- the top 1% of taxpayers pay 38% of the income taxes in this country; the top 5% pay 58%, and the top 10% pay 69% of the income taxes!  What more does Obama want from them?  He wants everything.  He wants to redistribute wealth from those who make money to those who don't.  

I am nowhere near the top 10% and I don't want their money.  I want an economic climate (i.e. limited and logical government oversight) where I can put myself into the top 10%.  And I want that for everyone.  

Surprise in the WSJ Poll for GOP Primary Hopefuls

Everyone's talking about Donald Trump's 2nd place finish in the WSJ poll.  I'm more shocked at Mike Huckabee's 2nd place tie with Trump.  Who are these people who would vote for that buffoon man?  I'm reasonably confident that he would never win the nomination, but the results in the poll show that he also is not fading into obscurity as quickly as I would have liked.  

PS.  I'm actually warming to the idea of a President Trump.  Don't judge me.  Just listen to what he says.  Plus, there's the possibility that upon meeting President Obama before the inauguration, Trump will shake his hand and say, "You're fired."

Be Afraid -- Be VERY Afraid

From the Wall Street Journal:

More Americans work for the government than work in construction, farming, fishing, forestry, manufacturing, mining and utilities combined. We have moved decisively from a nation of makers to a nation of takers. Nearly half of the $2.2 trillion cost of state and local governments is the $1 trillion-a-year tab for pay and benefits of state and local employees. Is it any wonder that so many states and cities cannot pay their bills?

Awesome.

And Now For Something Completely Different

I bring you pictures of trees in Pakistan covered with spider webs due to recent flooding.

Shame

I would wonder at how we elected such a buffoon as president of our great nation, but then I see who occupies the Oval Office now and I get it.  We're stupid.  Anyway, Jimmy Carter continues his shameful ways -- this time in pursuit of freeing an American aid worker taken hostage by the Castro brothers in Cuba.  He failed, by the way.

To paraphrase the Dixie Chicks:  just so y'all know, I'm ashamed that he's from Georgia.

Georgia: Taking a Few Pointers from the Nazis

I don't want to sound hysterical, but really -- this is what the Nazis did to fill their coffers.  Watch the video and then we need to make this a huge issue in any and every election in Georgia.  This "civil forfeiture" is something we all think would never happen to us, but it very easily could and it's an obscene abuse of power.

Common Sense

Doesn't this sound entirely ... reasonable?  Don't let the unions fool you -- all they want is power and control -- same as Big Government, same as Big Business.  The union leaders do not care about those within their ranks.  They care only about the money of those within their ranks.  That's why they eschew reforms that would save jobs in favor of holding out for completely unrealistic (and greedy) concessions when they know those concessions will result in massive layoffs.  

Why should union dues be automatically deducted from workers' paychecks?  If they want to join the union and direct some of their salary to the union, then by all means -- do it.  But for those who do not wish to join the union, that deduction is stealing.  The workers should be thanking Ohio and Wisconsin for ending this thievery and freeing them from their union masters.  Unfortunately, people aren't that bright -- their ignorance and/or Stockholm syndrome is especially troubling in Wisconsin where the protesters are teachers.  We'd like to think teachers are smarter than that, but hey -- teachers are people, too.  And if I've learned anything in my life, it's that people are stupid.  

Blood: Boiling

What the freakin' hell?   This is your government at work -- taking your stuff and lying to your face (while dressed for work in a spiffy sweatshirt, I might add).  It's not even unbelievable anymore.  This is America.  Get used to it.

I really don't want to sound like a crazy person, but at some point we're going to have to say "ENOUGH!".  I'm afraid that when that time comes, there will be few civilized options left for us to gain back our freedom.  I'm going to have to tell my kids stories about how America used to be and what freedom actually is because they will never experience it for themselves.

Big Brother: Beta Version

The TSA has been researching ways to "screen" us everywhere -- it's not just for the airport anymore.  They responded to the linked blog post (probably via their nifty rapid response TSABlogTeam) to claim that they have no plans to implement this technology for other forms of mass transit or on pedestrians, presumably.  I guess I have two issues with that: 1) why then are they wasting our money on this kind of research, and 2) I don't believe them.

At Least These Guys Are Consistent

Liberal Democrats are questioning US air strikes against Libya.  I don't have much to add to the echo chamber citing the sheer hypocrisy of Obama's actions, but I did get quite an image in my head from the following in the linked article:

Reps. Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.), Donna Edwards (Md.), Mike Capuano (Mass.), Dennis Kucinich (Ohio), Maxine Waters (Calif.), Rob Andrews (N.J.), Sheila Jackson Lee (Texas), Barbara Lee (Calif.) and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.) "all strongly raised objections to the constitutionality of the president's actions" during that call, said two Democratic lawmakers who took part.

What a seriously motley crew that is.  Can you imagine being a fly on the wall in their conversations?  Do you think Maxine Waters listens to Dennis Kucinich and thinks to herself, "Is that what I sound like?  That dude is crazy."  Or vice versa, of course.  

Shut It Down

Congress keeps passing continuing resolutions for short-term budgets to keep the government running while they debate whether or not to shave 1% or 2% off our current spending levels.  Shut it down, I say.  Let's just decide that for, say 1 month, we shut down the government and see if anyone is negatively affected.  Come on, let's do it.  Even in a government shutdown, they still maintain essential services -- I know because I saw it on that episode of The West Wing where Donna saved Social Security.  So don't fret -- our borders will still be unsecured, we'll still deny justice to the victims of terrorist masterminds, we'll still abdicate our leadership abroad, and government employees will be free to surf the internet for porn on their own time and their own dime.  No worries.

God Bless Rand Paul

He talks like a human being and not, you know, a politician:

I think there should be some self-examination from the administration on the idea that you favor a woman’s right to an abortion, but you don’t favor a woman or a man’s right to choose what kind of light bulb, what kind of dishwasher, what kind of washing machine.

No kidding.

This is What Democracy Looks Like?

Wisconsin Republicans are receiving death threats.  From the email sent to Scott Fitzgerald:

Mr. Fitzgerald,

I want to make this perfectly clear. Because of your actions today and in the past couple of weeks I and the group of people that are working with me have decided that we’ve had enough. We feel that you and your republican dictators have to die. This is how it’s going to happen: I as well as many others know where you and your family live, it’s a matter of public records. We have all planned to assult you by arriving at your house and putting a nice little bullet in your head ...

I think this bears more of a resemblance to the behavior of Nazi Brown Shirts than to American democracy.  But maybe that's just me.

Also from the above email:

If you and your goonies feel that it’s necessary to strip the rights of 300,000 people and ruin their lives, making them unable to feed, clothe, and provide the necessities to their families and themselves then We will “get rid of” (in which I mean kill) the 8 of you.   

Is that what they really think is happening?  Is being required to contribute 5.8% to your pension and 12.6% to your health insurance premiums the "strip[ping] of rights of 300,000 people"?  Does it really ruin their lives?!  

Remember everyone, it's the conservatives and the Tea Partiers in this country who use overheated rhetoric and poison the political debate with their hateful bile.  

Thank Goodness

The Republicans have won in Wisconsin.  Finally.

"The whole world is watching!" protesters shouted as they pressed up against the heavily guarded entrance to the Senate chamber.

First of all, don't kid yourself -- the whole world is not watching a bunch of coddled and delusional brats throw a temper tantrum and live out their hippie dreams.  I doubt that much of America is watching. Secondly, for those people who have been watching this unfold it is very important that this legislation passed for a couple of reasons.   The state was going to go broke trying to fulfill the union's demands -- Scott Walker made it very clear that teachers would need to either accept a nominal increase in what they must pay in to their pensions and healthcare (something almost all private sector works must do) or he would have to layoff a significant number of teachers -- so where's the solidarity there?  The union doesn't care about jobs -- it cares about power and the union bosses would gladly sacrifice their "brothers and sisters" to keep their power.  The second reason this is important is the need to face reality.  I don't know what is wrong with some people in this country who cannot see what is happening, but if there's no money -- then there's no f**king money!  It doesn't matter what the union promised you, what the state promised you, what President Obama and the federal government promised you -- we are out of money.  We're in the hole.  To the tune of trillions of dollars.  Do these people not care?  Or are they too stupid to understand it?  Do they assume that productive, tax-paying Americans are a never-ending resource from which to plunder?  I understand the self-interest that drives the union bosses to protect their positions, what I cannot fathom is the union rank-and-file members (and their supporters in the general population) allowing themselves to be so badly used.  It's pathetic.

Huh?

I just clicked on a link to a story about Miami cops using drones that can see inside houses when I happened to look to the right of the headline and see a picture of Al Franken with a caption that says "Guess Who's Jewish".  Really?  What prompted this?  Passover's not for at least another month.  Why aren't we guessing who's Catholic in honor of Lent?  I don't see this as necessarily anti-Semitic, but it is bizarre.  I was heartened by skimming the comments and finding I'm not alone in my assessment ... and I learned that there seems to be some sort of controversy surrounding Kathie Lee Gifford and her alleged Jewish roots.  So there you go.

More on those drones later.

Housing Market Outlook Still Bleak, Common Sense Starting to Take Hold?

So, the level of underwater mortgages continues to rise -- no real surprise there.  The one sentence from this article that struck me is the following:  "Many banks are also requiring homebuyers to put as much as 20 percent of a home's value as down payment ..."  Didn't that used to be the norm?  The 20% down payment is what I was always told by my parents I needed to have in order to buy a house -- this bit of wisdom was imparted to me probably before I even reached my teenage years.  If all of these homeowners who have underwater mortgages or have been foreclosed upon had been required in the boom years to put down a 20% payment for their homes, they (and we) wouldn't be in the mess they're in because a) people couldn't buy a house they couldn't afford and b) they'd have some equity in the damn thing if they did buy a house and would be in a better position to renegotiate terms.  

I am not now and have never been a homeowner -- do you want to know why?  Because I do not now nor have I ever had the freakin' 20% down payment!  Yet I have to read articles and listen to news stories about the housing crisis and feel as though I'm expected to sympathize with people who thought the good times would never end and behaved accordingly.  The good times always, always end.  It is foolish to think otherwise.

Too Good Not to Share

"I just broke into a house and the owner came home,' Intruder tells 911 Operator.  I take this as another sign that the economic recovery continues its lethargic pace towards prosperity for all.  Obviously, this would-be thief is not cut out for burglary, but he probably can't find any legitimate work either.  I actually find it rather endearing that the poor schmuck called 911 to protect himself from his victim.

Are You Ready For Some Football?

North Africa in turmoil,  four Americans killed by pirates, 2 US military personnel killed by an alleged Islamic terrorist, gas prices surging, unemployment above 10%, I could go on and on ...

And President Obama allows the press one question at a press conference (!) and the AP reporter asks about the NFL lockout?  Yet, still the press wonders why certain people think a) that they're in the tank for Obama and the Democrats in general, and b) that they're woefully incompetent.

This Makes Me Want to Get a Twitter Account

The Transportation Security Administration (aka the TSA aka the men and women you pay to grope you and your grandma at the airport) is apparently monitoring Twitter and possibly other internet sites (hey y'all!) for the purpose of defending itself against stories it considers negative or objectionable.  There is even a "TSABlogTeam" -- how hip and cool.

What I think bothers me about this -- well, one of the things that bothers me -- is the government's urge to propagandize.  They're the government -- if what they do is deemed legal, and thus far, no one has proven that their invasive tactics are illegal -- then there's not much we can do about it except complain to each other and now they're actively discouraging even that.  I'd rather them just man up, give us the finger, and tell us to suck it  because they're the guvmint and they can do whatever they want.  Because it's apparent they can do pretty much whatever they want.

This is America on Crack

I think I give up.  Oh, those evil Noodles merchants.

I do love the sign at the meeting of these kooks that says "From Cairo to Madison Workers Unite!"  And who might comprise the tax-paying private sector which powers both the economy and the government?  Could it be "workers"?

This is How the Rich Get Richer

A-Rod Tax Loophole Has New Yorkers Seeing Pinstriped Red

Just don't fool yourself that it's only Republican-run governments that protect their special interests.  And the "fair" solution is not to keep jacking up tax rates on the rich -- the fair solution is to level the playing field for all Americans by cutting tax rates and simplifying the tax code.  The truly rich will always find the loophole for themselves and greedy politicians of any stripe (many of whom are the truly rich) will always be there to help them.

Democracy Anyone? No, I Didn't Think So.

Following the courageous escape of the Wisconsin Democrat senators to neighboring Illinois, Indiana's Democrat reps are now also on the run.  Sayeth Indiana Democrat chair Dan Parker:

"Republicans have decided to bring their Wisconsin assault to Indiana, and we're not going to just sit around and take it."

How about a debate, Dan?  Isn't that what legislators are elected to do?  You don't just have to sit and take it -- you can participate in the democratic government to which you were elected. 

I should note that I'm all for the actions of these fools as long as they grab the rest of their lily-livered and like-minded anti-democratic "Democrats" and just keep on truckin' and never come back. 

Truly, this is outrageous behavior and all of these elected officials should be removed from office.  This attempt by these Democrat state senators and representatives to nullify their party's electoral defeats in November is unconscionable.  It is an attempt to thwart our democracy.  And it's one gigantic "F**k You" to the voters in those states -- especially the ones who actually voted for these cowards! 

Ridiculous

I don't even know what to say regarding this absurdity.  Because we allowed the federal government -- the federal freakin' government -- to dictate what light bulbs we as individuals are permitted to purchase and use, we now have to pass a repeal amendment and have a Congressional debate in order to restore our freedom to use the light bulbs of our choosing.  Light bulbs!  

Upside:  They've come up with a great name for the repeal bill:  the Better Use of Light Bulbs Act -- BULB.  I must start keeping track of these.  

The Audacity of O

What offends me -- and what I presume offends most people who are offended -- about the Obamas' seemingly frequent and lavish vacations is the sheer audacity of it all. President Obama pays lip service to the economic struggles of the rest of us and then sends his wife and kids off to Vail for a ski weekend while his court jester spends the weekend preening in the Keys.

‘If you’re a family trying to cut back, you might skip going out to dinner, or you might put off a vacation,’ [President Obama] said.

Hey buddy, has it not occurred to you that we're probably doing that already?  We've been at this for years now -- the "financial crisis" started in 2007-2008; we've been dealing with skyrocketing gas prices, massive layoffs, and an unemployment rate hovering around 10% (and that's just the government's numbers, other sources estimate real unemployment in the 15-20% range) for years.  And you think we should go to fewer restaurants.  Noted.  

How about you stop coming up with ways to waste our money on those things that are unnecessary, impractical, and insane?  I bet if we stopped that, we would all have a bit more money in our bank accounts than what would be saved by us skipping the occasional restaurant.  So please, go on your fancy-pants vacations -- I really don't care -- but please stop trying to pretend that you understand our plight when you so obviously have no idea about it.

Well Done, Atlanta

The Atlanta Police Department has now reached an agreement (following a lawsuit) that they will not hinder or interfere with citizens videotaping police officers' actions in public.  Progress, people, progress.  The police are not above the law and videotaping them performing their public duties does not infringe on their rights or keep them from doing their job.  It simply holds them accountable -- which is a very good thing to do for people in positions of authority, especially when they have a badge and a gun. 

RE: Super Bowl Halftime Show

How pissed is Axl Rose right now?

One of a Kind

In honor of the Reagan centennial, here's a short video showing him at (arguably) his best.

President Reagan was my first president.  He was the president of my youth, the president of my innocence when I thought America really was a shining city on a hill.  I don't know if I feel that way anymore and I often wonder what those younger than me who never experienced the Reagan years think about our country and how their perceptions and perspective will shape us in the years to come.  God help us and God bless America.

Algore: Moron at Large

Logically speaking, if everything is a sign of global warming then NOTHING is a sign of global warming!  What intrigues me about the green movement is that they seemingly have such respect for Mother Nature, yet they pair that respect and awe with the unbelievable hubris that Man can overcome the forces of nature.  The Earth may be cooling.  It may be warming.  It's done this many, many times before -- and Man had nothing to with it. We may be able to tweak things one way or the other -- or better yet use the technology we've developed to ameliorate the conditions to allow us continued survival under different and changing climates -- but if Mother Nature wants an Ice Age or a tropical climate, then that's what we're going to get. 

In Which I Defend Katie Couric

Drudge is having a little fun at Ms. Couric's expense by highlighting her vacation time with the headline "News to Her:  Couric Lounges in South Beach as Egypt in Turmoil".  What should she be doing?  That's her vacation time.  One could argue that there's always news to report, so obviously a reporter (excuse me, anchorwoman) is going to miss out on a few stories whenever she takes her vacation. 

Does Katie Couric have some superhero abilities that we're unaware of?  Can her perkiness save Egypt?

Ludicrous Speed

When I read the headline, "NY mob task force spends 6 MONTHS probing 50-cent sausage heist", I thought it must just be a sensational take on a truck full of 50-cent sausages getting robbed.  But no, this is an actual on-going investigation by the "Waterfront Commission in Bayonne, NJ of a robbery worth $2.50 (there was some iced tea involved as well).

The commission was blasted in August 2009 - one year before the sausage investigation was launched - as home to corrupt execs barely better than the waterfront's notorious mobsters. Officials were accused in a damning 60-page report of misusing Homeland Security money, keeping a convicted crook in business and surfing the Internet for porn. The iced-tea-and-sausage probe - which has yet to wrap up - is considered an embarrassment among investigators and dock workers. "They snicker about it," one of the sources said. So ...  someone (or more likely, some commission) commissioned an investigation into the commission tasked with policing and investigating crime at the port, the commission investigating the commission then issued a 60-page report and the investigation into the missing sausage and iced tea has yet to wrap up?  Absurd. What's the root of the problem here?  How did this happen to us?  How do we allow such absurdity, and more importantly, why do we pay for it?

State of the Union

So far, what I'm wondering is why the hell do 80% of Americans need access to high-speed rail?

More thoughts later.

UPDATED:  Eh, I don't really have any other thoughts.  I think the above about sums it up.

Aaaaah, Berkeley

Does this strike anyone else as frivolous in times such as these?  Berkeley taxpayers may pay for sex-change surgery.  Really?

A Heartwarming Story . . .

Heartwarming in the sense that my blood is boiling.  In Houston, paperwork and permits are required to feed the homeless.  I know this is the case in pretty much every city (if not all) and I acknowledge the concerns about  food safety that are the origins of these regulations.  Leaving aside the fact that I think we as human beings should be able to discern for ourselves whether or not it is wise to purchase food from certain establishments, why the heck do you need a permit to give it away on a street corner?


Kathy Barton of Health and Human Services says that "poor people are the most vulnerable to foodborne illness and also are the least likely to have access to health care."  Those pesky little poor people, what to do with them?  Poor people couldn't possibly decide for themselves as human beings whether the risk of food poisoning is worth the reward of a much-needed meal.  Thank God for Kathy Barton!   What would poor people do without her to protect them from their greatest threat -- salmonella?  

Woman vs. Home

Alright, Dear Readers, I've been homebound for going on 5 days now due to the snow/ice storm that has paralyzed Atlanta.  And as I was thinking about the coping mechanisms required for such a situation, I realized the Bear Grylls' Man vs. Wild-type scenario that Atlantans are in.  Obviously, we all have different ways of passing the time, but there are survival techniques to be used here:

• Don't have a movie marathon the first day with all your favorite flicks (same goes for all the episodes of your favorite TV show).  Conserve.  You don't know how long this could last.
• If given enough warning, get to the store and while others are focusing on the "essentials" of milk, bread and eggs, you go for the Ding Dongs, Cheetos, and cookie dough.  If you're a health food nut, well, this is your excuse to experience the sublime flavors of trans-fat and processed cheese in all their glory.
• Mess.  If you're not a messy person and keep a clean and organized house, then you'll need to make a mess for yourself to clean up (I hear kids are very helpful in this area, too).  For the rest of us, we can simply pick whichever project we'd like to tackle.  My Day 2 was spent organizing my kitchen utensils.
• Books.  If you're a reader, then this is an ideal situation for you.  Hopefully, you have a new book you're enjoying that will help you pass the time.  If not, pick up that old favorite and visit your old friends.  
• Walks.  Do explore your neighborhood.  I met several new neighbors on my first sojourn out of the house.  There's nothing better than snow to bring together a bunch of Southerners.  

That's all I can think of right now.  If Day 5 uncovers any new techniques, I'll be sure to share them.

Yes, Atlanta is Ill-Prepared for Winter Inclement Weather, But . . .

“I'm supposed to be delivering right now... and I mean, I can barely back out the driveway,” a trucker told [WSB Reporter] Jones.


Just so we're clear, you know that your driveway is your responsibility, right?  The government doesn't come salt it and shovel it for you.  

But What Will Protect Us From Them?

In the aftermath of the Tucson shooting, House members are now calling for a plexiglass "security shield" over the House floor to protect them from their supposed would-be assassins.  Seems like a bit of overkill (can I say "overkill"?).  Aren't there already security measures in place to make sure that no firearms can be brought into the Capitol?

Are they afraid of someone breaking out with a diving leg drop on them in the middle of some inane debate?  Because while I don't condone or advocate violence against our government officials, I would accept a nominal tax increase to see that.

Our government already operates within a metaphorical bubble, why should they construct a physical one as well?

Proud to be an American

Kevin Williamson makes an excellent point about the nature of Americans' response to the Tucson shooting as well as the response to other violent actions in our recent history.  Bottom line:  we are a sane, measured and thoughtful people and for that, we should all be grateful and proud.

Dog Bites Man: Politicians Say Mean Things About and To Each Other

This article came to me via Facebook.  It attempts to posit a theory about what spurred Jared Loughner to open fire on Rep. Giffords event.  There's one problem with this totally partisan theory -- it is absurd.  Rhetoric doesn't kill people, people kill people.  And to believe that only conservatives dish out violent rhetoric towards their liberal opponents is to live in a world that is entirely different than the one I inhabit.

Setting aside the fact that whatever Loughner is, he is not some ultra right-wing activist who shot at Rep. Giffords to make a political statement -- or at least not a political statement that would be at all recognizable to any mainstream conservatives or liberals in this country -- let's look at the facts.  And the facts are this -- the aggressive tone of criticism against President Obama and the Democrats does not even approach the level of insanity and violent rhetoric aimed at his predecessor.

The Republicans are not the sole arbiters of vitriol in Washington and America at large as this author Jeremy Bloom seems to think:

Everyone decries the “incivility in Washington”, but nobody is willing to point the finger where it belongs. And no, it’s not “the same thing” when some random guy on the Internet spews anti-Republican hatred, and the leader of the House Republicans foments hatred against his Democratic colleagues.

The article then goes on to scold John Boehner for using the term "dead man" when speaking of his opponent's vote for the healthcare bill.  Ugly stuff -- also ugly is Senator Harry Reid's comparison of the healthcare bill's opponents to opponents of the abolition of slavery and women's suffrage.  Last I checked, Senator Reid, although he often impersonates one, is not "some random guy on the Internet spew[ing] anti-Republican hatred."  We can go round and round comparing and contrasting the ugly things people on both sides say to and about each other.  There are no political points to be won here, so why is this author even trying and why are people buying it?

As a commenter at Althouse pointed out:

Anyone else find it creepy that new standard what me may and may not say is: How will it affect the behavior of an abviously crazy person who may or may not hear it?

Unfortunately, not enough people find it creepy.

Huh?

A town in New Jersey is proposing to randomly drug test middle schoolers.  What the what?  Here's what Principal Szabocsik had to say about it:

“We’re hoping that the students if they’re at say a party or someone’s house or just hanging out somewhere, that they’ll say ‘I don’t want to get involved in drinking or using any drug because tomorrow could be a drug testing day.’”

See, this is all about control.  You don't want to deter kids from doing drugs by showing them how it could ruin their lives and harm their health and mental capacity.  No, that would be ridiculous.  Kids shouldn't do drugs because tomorrow could be a drug testing day.   Please.

As I have said before, I think drugs should be legal.  As a somewhat rebellious and experimental teenager, I dabbled in some drugs as I believe many other teenagers did.  I didn't abstain from harder drugs because they were illegal, I abstained because I was scared of what drugs like cocaine or heroin would do to me and my mind.  And in my case, I was much more frightened of my parents than I was of any government rules.

I can't imagine being a parent in this New Jersey town and having to submit my child to drug testing against my will.  Where does it end?  We need to decide who is ultimately responsible for the raising of our children -- us or the government?  Unfortunately, I feel like the wrong answer has already been given in too many places and it will be very difficult to now change course.

Tucson

I should have something to say about this awful business in Arizona, but I don't have a lot to add.  The shooter, this Loughner person, is obviously very disturbed. Because the shooting took place at a political/government event and the victims include government officials, we are prone to thinking the motive would be political, but I think he's just a psycho who may have fixated on Rep. Giffords and decided to harm her dramatic fashion.

It's not that I don't think we should examine this crime and learn from it, but I think the tendency to think the learning will be impactful politically is misplaced.  He's crazy, just as John Hinckley is crazy.  Anyway, that's my thinking.