Monday, September 30, 2013
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
Zealotry
This guy is a knucklehead.
If you've been reading this blog for any amount of time you know I'm totally not a fan of our President. Don't really like anything about him. His leadership style is alien to anything I've ever been exposed to. He is a divider. He doesn't listen. His naivety is dangerous. But...he's our President so he gets to set the agenda and run the government. That's the way it is. The people spoke twice and he got the most votes. Simple as that. If those of us on the other side don't like the things he stands for or has inflicted on the country, then we can try and influence change at the next election. But you know all that. Or you should know all that.
But then along comes the likes of Ted Cruz and Mike Lee. They want to defund Obamacare. They want to force a shutdown of the government. They are as far to the right as Obama is to the left. And that is simply not good for the country. In fact it's terrible. We've got to get to a place in this country where we are implementing policies that are achieved through compromise and are the best that they can be for the largest majority of our citizens. These guys cow-tow to the right wing Tea Party loonies. And as a party if we allow them to be our voice we're going to be on the outside looking in for a very long time.
Now don't get me wrong. I'm not remotely, not even a little bit, in agreement with the vast majority of the policies and decisions of Obama. I believe he has been terrible for the country. From the economy to national security, he has been a disaster. You name the issue and it's worse under him. And he just doesn't have the skill to influence people. With him it's simple...my way or the highway. There have been many, many things that I don't agree with and very close to the top was his ramming through Obamacare with not one Republican vote. The fact is that engineering that level of social change with only one side's agreement is a recipe for continuing acrimony. The folks on my side will never, never, ever agree with the government take over. But at the same time the folks on my side do see a need to make changes. Many of them are willing to make compromises to get to progress on health care. But the way it was shoved down their throat, the arrogance of the majority, the damage to the economy...it's just too much to take. So they'll fight for change and they'll vote for change at the first opportunity. Hopefully we have enough people with the leadership skills, legislative skills, and logic to win the day and take the country to a better place.
But fighting for change doesn't mean shutting down the government. It doesn't mean swinging the pendulum all the way over when you don't have a majority. That's because it's simply not going to happen. Just because the House voted to defund, the Senate won't vote the same way in a million years with it's current makeup. And if we ever get to a position of shutting down the government, as sure as the sun comes up in the morning, the Republicans will be blamed. The average American is not interested in these stupid squabbles resulting in all the ramifications that come with government shutdown. And it makes them look stupid in the eyes of the average American. And honestly, they aren't far wrong.
This is no way to win elections. This is no way to exhibit leadership. This is no way to chart a course to the future. Instead keep fighting the fight. Keep making your case. Come up with good and reasonable solutions. But don't be idiotic. There is no honor or glory in maintaining a losing position that results in wasting everyone's time and looking stupid.
If they keep this up, we will lose. And lose big.
But this guy is an idiot
If you've been reading this blog for any amount of time you know I'm totally not a fan of our President. Don't really like anything about him. His leadership style is alien to anything I've ever been exposed to. He is a divider. He doesn't listen. His naivety is dangerous. But...he's our President so he gets to set the agenda and run the government. That's the way it is. The people spoke twice and he got the most votes. Simple as that. If those of us on the other side don't like the things he stands for or has inflicted on the country, then we can try and influence change at the next election. But you know all that. Or you should know all that.
But then along comes the likes of Ted Cruz and Mike Lee. They want to defund Obamacare. They want to force a shutdown of the government. They are as far to the right as Obama is to the left. And that is simply not good for the country. In fact it's terrible. We've got to get to a place in this country where we are implementing policies that are achieved through compromise and are the best that they can be for the largest majority of our citizens. These guys cow-tow to the right wing Tea Party loonies. And as a party if we allow them to be our voice we're going to be on the outside looking in for a very long time.
Now don't get me wrong. I'm not remotely, not even a little bit, in agreement with the vast majority of the policies and decisions of Obama. I believe he has been terrible for the country. From the economy to national security, he has been a disaster. You name the issue and it's worse under him. And he just doesn't have the skill to influence people. With him it's simple...my way or the highway. There have been many, many things that I don't agree with and very close to the top was his ramming through Obamacare with not one Republican vote. The fact is that engineering that level of social change with only one side's agreement is a recipe for continuing acrimony. The folks on my side will never, never, ever agree with the government take over. But at the same time the folks on my side do see a need to make changes. Many of them are willing to make compromises to get to progress on health care. But the way it was shoved down their throat, the arrogance of the majority, the damage to the economy...it's just too much to take. So they'll fight for change and they'll vote for change at the first opportunity. Hopefully we have enough people with the leadership skills, legislative skills, and logic to win the day and take the country to a better place.
But fighting for change doesn't mean shutting down the government. It doesn't mean swinging the pendulum all the way over when you don't have a majority. That's because it's simply not going to happen. Just because the House voted to defund, the Senate won't vote the same way in a million years with it's current makeup. And if we ever get to a position of shutting down the government, as sure as the sun comes up in the morning, the Republicans will be blamed. The average American is not interested in these stupid squabbles resulting in all the ramifications that come with government shutdown. And it makes them look stupid in the eyes of the average American. And honestly, they aren't far wrong.
This is no way to win elections. This is no way to exhibit leadership. This is no way to chart a course to the future. Instead keep fighting the fight. Keep making your case. Come up with good and reasonable solutions. But don't be idiotic. There is no honor or glory in maintaining a losing position that results in wasting everyone's time and looking stupid.
If they keep this up, we will lose. And lose big.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Health Care
Confused by all the health care arguments? Don't know which side to believe? It's a hugely complicated subject with a lot of dynamics. Someone who is well versed in the subject can sway opinion. I am fundamentally against Obamacare because I don't trust him. If he's for it, I'm against it. Simple as that. Having said that, something needs to be done. We've got to bring down health care costs or we're all in big trouble. The Republicans keep trying to defund it and that simply isn't going to work. Now they are coming up with an alternate proposal. A better strategy but probably will fall flat. They won't have the votes. So the most likely course is to muddle through. Muddle through until we can get a President who can lead, compromise, and develop plans that are good for the majority of Americans. Not all. That's not doable. But something that will be good for as many of us as possible. But back to the beginning...confused? If so take a look at this video. It is entertaining, educational, and scary. And it really provides a glimpse at how monumental the problem is.
Posers
I'm an old dude so sometimes I don't get all the latest fashion statements. Like I haven't really gotten this latest craze for the flat billed hats that look...well...stupid. So I totally agree with this.
Out For a Stroll
Glad I live in SoCal and not Florida. We've got coyotes but wouldn't want to run into one of these dudes while out for an evening stroll!
Monday, September 16, 2013
Wal Mart
So I've heard a lot about these union thugs arranging protests aginst Wal Mart. But I just don't get it...doesn't look too threatening to me. And I'm sure they pay a decent wage. Hell, they even have a security guard!
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Motivation Monday
Saw this photo and it brought back a ton of memories. We lived in Washington DC when Cal set his record. Baltimore was just up the road and everyone was captivated by how it was unfolding. You know the record...consecutive games played. The one Lou Gehrig had set 50 years earlier. The one that everyone said couldn't be broken. And yet with what seemed like the whole world watching, Cal broke that record. In fact he shattered it. By the time he stopped in 1998 the record stood at 2632 consecutive games. In this day and age of instant gratification, of folks who sit down because of the slightest ache and pain, of not a lot of attention to tradition...this was and is a wonder to behold. It was amazing. It was thrilling. It was motivating!
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Friday, September 13, 2013
Those Were The Days
The world has evolved. Lots of dangers out there...real and imagined. Saw this on another blog and thought I'd share. A lot of truth in this...sadly.
First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.
Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.
As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags. Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle. We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day, and we were O.K.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.
We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays,
Made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!
Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!
The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
Born before 1980?
TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930's 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's...
We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because .
WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound, CD's or Ipods! No cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or chat rooms.......
WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!
These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!
If YOU are one of them, CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up, before the lawyers and the government regulated our lives so much, than for our own good.
And while you are at it, share it to your kids so they will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were.
Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!
Syria In A Nutshell
Victor Davis Hanson's writings usually ring pretty true for me. Every once in a while he hits the nail squarely on the head. Here's one such article in its entirety.
by Victor Davis Hanson
We are contemplating going to war in Syria to help the opposition a lot and to hurt Assad some, or to help the opposition some and hurt Assad a lot, or to hurt Assad some and help the opposition some, or to force Assad to stop or to leave, or to stop but stay, or to stop and leave; or to restore the word of the president, or the word of the United States, or the word of the international community by bombing, or by threatening to bomb but not bombing, or by neither threatening to bomb nor bombing; or to warn the Russians to stay out, or to welcome the Russians to come in, or to warn the Russians to stay out and welcome the Russians to come in. Message? We are planning to do all kinds of things by not doing anything.
We had planned a “shot across the bow” against Syria, which was to be “unbelievably small” but could by no stretch of the imagination be a “pinprick” — given that the U.S. military “doesn’t do pinpricks.” But a pinprick at least hits its target, while a shot across the bow does not. Message? The administration apparently wants to talk about taking military action rather than take military action, and so splits the difference and talks about taking a little bit of military action.
First Hillary Clinton set a red line, then Barack Obama set two; but neither really did, because the world already had set red lines. Message? Everyone vies to set red lines; no one competes to enforce them.
The United States does not bomb a sovereign nation that is responsible for a war that kills 99,000 people. The United States instead does intend to bomb a state that has used WMD to kill 1,000. But then again, the United States really did not bomb a state that has killed 1,000 with WMD. The United States would bomb any sovereign nation that has killed 1,000 with WMD, to destroy its WMD, or to warn others not to kill 1,000 with WMD, or to punish it for already killing 1,000 withWMD. Message? If you’re a monster, either kill 99,000 without WMD, or a number smaller than 1,000 with WMD — or maybe 1,000 with WMD after all.
According to Hillary Clinton and John Kerry, Mr. Assad, before he was to step down and leave, was not long earlier a “reformer” and a “moderate,” at the very time when Mr. Qaddafi in contrast was targeted as someone who needed to be captured or killed. But before we targeted Qaddafi, he had in fact also been proclaimed to be a reformer and a moderate. The message? Middle Eastern authoritarians should worry when the U.S. labels them reformers and moderates, but relax when we order them to step down and leave.
War with Syria was once imminent, given that time was of the essence, and then was not imminent, given that time was not of the essence. Message? Apparently when we think about bombing, we have to bomb right away before the targets scatter; but when we think about not bombing, then we should not bomb right away because the target always stays put while we think about bombing — or not.
If we are going to bomb Syria, the president does not have to go to Congress. But he also is supposed to go to Congress. But he also can bomb Syria after he goes to Congress if he doesn’t like the way Congress votes. But he can also postpone going to Congress if he is afraid that he won’t like the way Congress votes. Or he can go ahead and not postpone going to Congress, and just bomb Syria because he does not want to go to Congress if he thinks he won’t like the way Congress votes. Message? Going and not going to Congress are essential.
Assad is a monster who kills thousands. Assad is a monster who gasses children and seems also to be the only one protecting Christians, Alawites, and Kurds from non-monsters who do not gas children but do kill minorities. Assad is opposed by monsters who are cannibals and execute prisoners as well as non-monsters who only kill but do not eat Assad’s monsters. Message? Sometimes monsters are non-monsters, and sometimes non-monsters are monsters.
Obama was elected to end wars, not to start them. So he ended a war in Iraq that in truth had already been ended, and continued one in Afghanistan that was not ended, and then started a war in Libya but does not want to start one in Syria since we are tired of the wars that someone else started in Afghanistan and that ended in Iraq and that he started in Libya. Message? Obama says that he does not like to start wars.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
Elementary School
Harry answered, "I'm too smart for the 1st grade. My sister is in the 3rd grade and I'm smarter than she is! I think I should be in the 3rd grade too!"
Ms. Brooks had enough. She took Harry to the principal's office.
While Harry waited in the outer office, the teacher explained to the principal what the situation was. The principal told Ms. Brooks he would give the boy a test. If he failed to answer any of his questions he was to go back to the 1st grade and behave. She agreed.
Harry was brought in and the conditions were explained to him and he agreed to take the test.
Principal: "What is 3 x 3?"
Harry: "9."
Principal: "What is 6 x 6?"
Harry: "36."
And so it went with every question the principal thought a 3rd grader should know.
The principal looks at Ms. Brooks and tells her, "I think Harry can go to the 3rdgrade."
Ms. Brooks says to the principal, "Let me ask him some questions."
The principal and Harry both agreed.
Ms. Brooks asks, "What does a cow have four of that I have only two of?"
Harry, after a moment: "Legs."
Ms Brooks: "What is in your pants that you have but I do not have?"
The principal wondered why would she ask such a question!
Harry replied: "Pockets."
Ms. Brooks: "What does a dog do that a man steps into?"
Harry: "Pants."
The principal sat forward with his mouth hanging open.
Ms. Brooks: "What goes in hard and pink then comes out soft and sticky?"
The principal's eyes opened really wide and before he could stop the answer, Harry replied, "Bubble gum."
Ms. Brooks: "What does a man do standing up, a woman does sitting down and a dog does on three legs?"
Harry: "Shake hands."
The principal was trembling.
Ms. Brooks: "What word starts with an 'F' and ends in 'K' that means a lot of heat and excitement?"
Harry: "Firetruck."
The principal breathed a sigh of relief and told the
teacher, "Put Harry in the fifth-grade, I got the last six questions wrong... "
Dubai is...Different
I've been there many times. It is a strange place. Modern meets ancient. Rich meets poor. The latest luxuries versus old world ways. Indescribably hot!! I mean really, really hot!! I saw this rather humorous look at many of the contradictions. You can see it here. The photos are all pretty interesting. I like this view of the city.
Truth
Like many (most?) Americans I've been following the disasterous situation in Syria. Not the chemical attack, but our grossly incompetent response. Obama has never looked so monumentally incoherent and fatuous. His lack of strategy, his naive proposed response, his baldly clear political calculations...well, it's just a sad state of affairs. More importantly it's scary. Our national security strategy is now officially in the hands of amateurs.
So I've had this yearn to write a long rant about how depressing and disgusting the whole thing is. But I've spent more time reading a lot of things than writing. Plus I've been busy with my day job. But today I stumbled on something with such clarity that hits the nail squarely on the head. One of my favorite bloggers has a great post on the situation. You can read it here. Make sure you follow the link to the story. If you want a simple, direct, truthful explanation of what's going on, you won't find a better article.
So I've had this yearn to write a long rant about how depressing and disgusting the whole thing is. But I've spent more time reading a lot of things than writing. Plus I've been busy with my day job. But today I stumbled on something with such clarity that hits the nail squarely on the head. One of my favorite bloggers has a great post on the situation. You can read it here. Make sure you follow the link to the story. If you want a simple, direct, truthful explanation of what's going on, you won't find a better article.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Saturday, September 7, 2013
THREAT-CONS
A friend posted this over on FB. Pretty funny. And maybe not that far off...
John Cleese has it about right:
"The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent events in Syria and have therefore raised their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved." Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to "Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross." The English have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to "A Bloody Nuisance." The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada.
The Scots have raised their threat level from "Pissed Off" to "Let's get the Bastards." They don't have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years.
The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide." The only two higher levels in France are "Collaborate" and "Surrender." The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France 's white flag factory, effectively paralysing the country's military capability.
Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout Loudly and Excitedly" to "Elaborate Military Posturing." Two more levels remain: "Ineffective Combat Operations" and "Change Sides."
The Germans have increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance" to "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs." They also have two higher levels: "Invade a Neighbour" and "Lose."
Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.
The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.
Australia, meanwhile, has raised its security level from "No worries" to "She'll be alright, Mate." Two more escalation levels remain: "Crikey! I think we'll need to cancel the barbie this weekend!" and "The barbie is cancelled." So far no situation has ever warranted use of the last final escalation level.
-- John Cleese - British writer, actor and tall person.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Monday, September 2, 2013
Sunday, September 1, 2013
A Little Sunday Morning Truth...
A Country Founded by Geniuses but Run by Idiots
By Jeff Foxworthy:
If you can get arrested for hunting or fishing without a license, but not for entering and ...remaining in the country illegally — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.
If you have to get your parents’ permission to go on a field trip or to take an aspirin in school, but not to get an abortion — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.
If you MUST show your identification to board an airplane, cash a check, buy liquor, or check out a library book and rent a video, but not to vote for who runs the government — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.
If the government wants to prevent stable, law-abiding citizens from owning gun magazines that hold more than ten rounds, but gives twenty F-16 fighter jets to the crazy new leaders in Egypt — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.
If, in the nation’s largest city, you can buy two 16-ounce sodas, but not one 24-ounce soda, because 24-ounces of a sugary drink might make you fat — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.
If an 80-year-old woman or a three-year-old girl who is confined to a wheelchair can be strip-searched by the TSA at the airport, but a woman in a burka or a hijab is only subject to having her neck and head searched — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.
If your government believes that the best way to eradicate trillions of dollars of debt is to spend trillions more — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.
If a seven-year-old boy can be thrown out of school for saying his teacher is “cute,” but hosting a sexual exploration or diversity class in grade school is perfectly acceptable — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.
If hard work and success are met with higher taxes and more government regulation and intrusion, while not working is rewarded with Food Stamps, WIC checks, Medicaid benefits, subsidized housing, and free cell phones — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.
If the government’s plan for getting people back to work is to provide incentives for not working, by granting 99 weeks of unemployment checks, without any requirement to prove that gainful employment was diligently sought, but couldn’t be found — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.
If you pay your mortgage faithfully, denying yourself the newest big-screen TV, while your neighbor buys iPhones, time shares, a wall-sized do-it-all plasma screen TV and new cars, and the government forgives his debt when he defaults on his mortgage — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.
If being stripped of your Constitutional right to defend yourself makes you more “safe” according to the government — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.
What a country!
How about we give God a reason to continue blessing America!
Amen