President Obama's budget spends more than it takes in by $1.75 trillion. He shouldn't stand for that and cut at least $1.8 trillion out of his spending proposals.
Yes, that's trillion with a "t." He can start by cutting out the big bailouts and let the system self-adjust, as painful as it will be. All they have to do is protect the value of the U.S. currency, as is Constitutionally required. That will leave him about $800 billion to cut in spending.
He should make these cuts now, and inject the system with a bit of self-discipline, which will help us more in the long run, rather than loaning billions to companies that will fail, unless they learn how to take in more than they spend.
But the socialists won't allow that to happen. They'll keep throwing other people's money at the problem until we are teetering on the brink. How many more problems are they going to create in trying to solve the current ones?
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Further Proof that Bailouts Just Delayed the Inevitable: GM Exploring Bankruptcy & AIG Needs Billions More Too
I had written a while back about my opposition to the bailouts and how the companies that were on the receiving end were responsible for their own problems, that the bailouts were pushing their failures a little further around the road.
I had also said that the auto industry was already bankrupt but didn't have the guts to admit it.
Trillions of dollars and a few short months later, we begin to see the danger signs that I predicted back in October. CITI Group is about to be nationalized due to their continued massive losses; GM is exploring three bankruptcy options, in addition to their seeking an additional $16 billion on top of the $13 billion they've already received, and AIG needs billions more on top of the $150 billion it's already gotten from taxpayers.
And they're STILL paying out their multi-million dollar bonuses to their executives. Tactless.
The bailouts were a mistake from day one. The companies should not have been nationalized; government shouldn't have put taxpayers on the line for NEARLY as much as they have. I can see some interventions, but only to prevent crippling the national currency against other markets. I'd rather have been on the hook for $200-$250 billion instead of nearly $5 trillion.
Government's running wild and needs to get a grip. Knee-jerk reactions haven't helped; they've only made matters much much worse. GM needs to get under bankruptcy protection this week. Would CITI's collapse weaken the dollar? What about AIG's?
There are some very stark decisions that will have to be made shortly. I hope everyone's up to it, because the writing's on the wall, and decision time is nearly at hand.
I had also said that the auto industry was already bankrupt but didn't have the guts to admit it.
Trillions of dollars and a few short months later, we begin to see the danger signs that I predicted back in October. CITI Group is about to be nationalized due to their continued massive losses; GM is exploring three bankruptcy options, in addition to their seeking an additional $16 billion on top of the $13 billion they've already received, and AIG needs billions more on top of the $150 billion it's already gotten from taxpayers.
And they're STILL paying out their multi-million dollar bonuses to their executives. Tactless.
The bailouts were a mistake from day one. The companies should not have been nationalized; government shouldn't have put taxpayers on the line for NEARLY as much as they have. I can see some interventions, but only to prevent crippling the national currency against other markets. I'd rather have been on the hook for $200-$250 billion instead of nearly $5 trillion.
Government's running wild and needs to get a grip. Knee-jerk reactions haven't helped; they've only made matters much much worse. GM needs to get under bankruptcy protection this week. Would CITI's collapse weaken the dollar? What about AIG's?
There are some very stark decisions that will have to be made shortly. I hope everyone's up to it, because the writing's on the wall, and decision time is nearly at hand.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Obama Administration Back-Pedals on Habeus Corpus at Guantanamo and Human Rights in China: MAJOR Disappointments
In the space of one week, the Obama Administration decided that the writ of Habeas Corpus doesn't apply to the prisoners being at Guantanamo Bay, and abandoned challenging China to improve it's domestic human rights policies.
These are MAJOR let-downs as far as I'm concerned.
I had hoped that the Obama Administration would turn things around quit feeding the Constitution to the shredding machine, but sadly, it isn't going to happen.
When are defenders of this Bush-era doctrine going to realize that if we do that kind of crap to foreigners, that the same treatment is only a few steps away from being carried out on American citizens as well? Invoking national security to hold onto someone we don't like will prove to be too tempting for a government to resist. It's only a matter of time now.
Secretary Sniper-Fire announced during her first visit to China as Secretary of State that she's had these discussions with Chinese leaders for the last decade, and both sides know what the other's position is. That's NO reason for backing down from China. And I don't care how much we need China's money either. We need to keep the pressure up on China.
Habeas corpus is NOT optional either. Setting our own Constitution aside for the moment, we agreed to it in the United Nations charter, having pushed the organization to adopt it over the objections of the Soviet Union. We need to live up to our international obligations NOW, not when it's more convenient.
If Obama wants to clean up America's image, he needs to get with the program and start DOING it.
These are MAJOR let-downs as far as I'm concerned.
I had hoped that the Obama Administration would turn things around quit feeding the Constitution to the shredding machine, but sadly, it isn't going to happen.
When are defenders of this Bush-era doctrine going to realize that if we do that kind of crap to foreigners, that the same treatment is only a few steps away from being carried out on American citizens as well? Invoking national security to hold onto someone we don't like will prove to be too tempting for a government to resist. It's only a matter of time now.
Secretary Sniper-Fire announced during her first visit to China as Secretary of State that she's had these discussions with Chinese leaders for the last decade, and both sides know what the other's position is. That's NO reason for backing down from China. And I don't care how much we need China's money either. We need to keep the pressure up on China.
Habeas corpus is NOT optional either. Setting our own Constitution aside for the moment, we agreed to it in the United Nations charter, having pushed the organization to adopt it over the objections of the Soviet Union. We need to live up to our international obligations NOW, not when it's more convenient.
If Obama wants to clean up America's image, he needs to get with the program and start DOING it.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Can Government Be Sued By Conservative Talk Radio for Restraint of Trade if Gov't Reinstates Fairness Doctrine?
Every conservative talk-radio personality has been harping on the possibility of the Fairness Doctrine returning, in which their host radio stations will either be forced to take on liberal talk shows, or the conservative shows will be forced to present a more balanced viewpoint during their own air time.
Neither is acceptable.
The radio stations know that liberal talk-radio is a money-losing proposition. Air America's business model was so screwed up that they couldn't find enough advertisers to offset their major expenses, and Air America went under in 2006. It relaunched not long after that, fired some people and took to the air again with varying results. Their ratings remain at a fraction of the conservative talk-shows, and so does their profitability.
Their remaining stations are tempted daily to switch over to all-sports programming to turn a profit, because they definitely aren't making it with left-wing programming.
So if the government reinstates the Fairness Doctrine, are they vulnerable to lawsuits from conservative talk-radio and the stations for restraint of trade, by forcing them to air unprofitable and unpopular programming? Not to mention all the First Amendment issues that come boiling up to the surface as well.
Limbaugh, Hannity, Savage, and Glenn Beck remain the top four talk-radio shows in the country. To give you an idea of how far apart the two audiences are, Air America had a 1.6 market share in Spring 2008; Limbaugh's share was a 13.5 for the same time period.
A fairness doctrine will only be fair if it also targets liberal networks CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS and NBC for a more balanced viewpoint as well, but I don't see that happening. Nor do any of the talk shows.
Keep the Fairness Doctrine in the trash heap, FCC. Don't bring it back.
Neither is acceptable.
The radio stations know that liberal talk-radio is a money-losing proposition. Air America's business model was so screwed up that they couldn't find enough advertisers to offset their major expenses, and Air America went under in 2006. It relaunched not long after that, fired some people and took to the air again with varying results. Their ratings remain at a fraction of the conservative talk-shows, and so does their profitability.
Their remaining stations are tempted daily to switch over to all-sports programming to turn a profit, because they definitely aren't making it with left-wing programming.
So if the government reinstates the Fairness Doctrine, are they vulnerable to lawsuits from conservative talk-radio and the stations for restraint of trade, by forcing them to air unprofitable and unpopular programming? Not to mention all the First Amendment issues that come boiling up to the surface as well.
Limbaugh, Hannity, Savage, and Glenn Beck remain the top four talk-radio shows in the country. To give you an idea of how far apart the two audiences are, Air America had a 1.6 market share in Spring 2008; Limbaugh's share was a 13.5 for the same time period.
A fairness doctrine will only be fair if it also targets liberal networks CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS and NBC for a more balanced viewpoint as well, but I don't see that happening. Nor do any of the talk shows.
Keep the Fairness Doctrine in the trash heap, FCC. Don't bring it back.
U.S. Relations With Pakistan Sometimes Need Secrecy: Blabbing About It Won't Help Pakistan's Situation on the Ground
The U.S. relationship with Pakistan has always been a little tricky, especially in recent decades. And some arrangements have had to be done in secret in order to keep the various Pakistani governments out of trouble with their own people and with the wider Muslim world.
For instance, when it was decided in the 1980s that the U.S. was going to supply Afghan freedom fighters with anti-aircraft missiles and other heavy weapons to shoot down Soviet Hind gunships and hurt the Red Army, a deal was struck between Israel, the U.S. and Pakistan, which insisted upon secrecy out of fear of offending not only the Soviets, but also the Muslim world by working with the Israelis.
In the early days of the campaign, the Israelis would help provide Soviet-built or inspired weapons, and would transfer them to Pakistan, who would be in charge of getting the weapons to the mujaheddin who were killing Soviet soldiers.
That story was not publicly known until well after the Soviet Red Army withdrew from Afghanistan.
The Soviets were aware of Pakistan's involvement in the Soviet-Afghan War later on; they took enough prisoners during the war to confirm that the Pakistanis were arming the Afghan rebels; the KGB and their Afghan allies struck at a munitions depot outside of Islamabad in 1988, and carried out more than one hundred attacks on targets inside of Pakistan throughout the duration of the war.
Fast forward to earlier this week. The British news story that showed American aircraft at a Pakistani base in 2006 hasn't helped the Pakistani government. They're surrendering territory to the Taliban even now, and this story will only destabilize the Pakistani government even more.
Pakistan will continue to help us, but not if the press and our Congress blab about everything.
The press should be a little more sensitive to the situation in Pakistan and understand that their reporting will have a severe impact on the government there. Do we really want a Taliban government in Islamabad? We don't, but the way that the press has been acting, they might.
For instance, when it was decided in the 1980s that the U.S. was going to supply Afghan freedom fighters with anti-aircraft missiles and other heavy weapons to shoot down Soviet Hind gunships and hurt the Red Army, a deal was struck between Israel, the U.S. and Pakistan, which insisted upon secrecy out of fear of offending not only the Soviets, but also the Muslim world by working with the Israelis.
In the early days of the campaign, the Israelis would help provide Soviet-built or inspired weapons, and would transfer them to Pakistan, who would be in charge of getting the weapons to the mujaheddin who were killing Soviet soldiers.
That story was not publicly known until well after the Soviet Red Army withdrew from Afghanistan.
The Soviets were aware of Pakistan's involvement in the Soviet-Afghan War later on; they took enough prisoners during the war to confirm that the Pakistanis were arming the Afghan rebels; the KGB and their Afghan allies struck at a munitions depot outside of Islamabad in 1988, and carried out more than one hundred attacks on targets inside of Pakistan throughout the duration of the war.
Fast forward to earlier this week. The British news story that showed American aircraft at a Pakistani base in 2006 hasn't helped the Pakistani government. They're surrendering territory to the Taliban even now, and this story will only destabilize the Pakistani government even more.
Pakistan will continue to help us, but not if the press and our Congress blab about everything.
The press should be a little more sensitive to the situation in Pakistan and understand that their reporting will have a severe impact on the government there. Do we really want a Taliban government in Islamabad? We don't, but the way that the press has been acting, they might.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Monkey from Hell Shot While Attempting to EAT a Police Officer: What Was Owner Thinking?
Monkeys are not pets.
And a monkey that is kept as one will eventually go NUTS. And someone will get HURT. It's only a matter of time, according to experts.
Such was the case with a 200 pound monkey that went nuts and attacked a friend of it's owner, partially EATING HER ALIVE before escaping and going after Connecticut police officers who came to put a stop to the carnage.
The enraged monkey pursued the police officers; one officer dove inside a patrol car and slammed the door shut. The monkey tried to open the passenger side door, broke off the mirror and then went around to the driver's side, which was unlocked and entered the vehicle. The officer drew his sidearm and opened fire, fatally wounding the monkey.
The victim remains in critical condition.
What on earth was this person thinking, having a wild animal like that outside of a zoo? This is sheer stupidity and a disaster waiting to happen, which DID.
I suppose PETA's going to protest the fact that the monkey didn't get to EAT the police officer too and got shot for his troubles. LUNACY!
And a monkey that is kept as one will eventually go NUTS. And someone will get HURT. It's only a matter of time, according to experts.
Such was the case with a 200 pound monkey that went nuts and attacked a friend of it's owner, partially EATING HER ALIVE before escaping and going after Connecticut police officers who came to put a stop to the carnage.
The enraged monkey pursued the police officers; one officer dove inside a patrol car and slammed the door shut. The monkey tried to open the passenger side door, broke off the mirror and then went around to the driver's side, which was unlocked and entered the vehicle. The officer drew his sidearm and opened fire, fatally wounding the monkey.
The victim remains in critical condition.
What on earth was this person thinking, having a wild animal like that outside of a zoo? This is sheer stupidity and a disaster waiting to happen, which DID.
I suppose PETA's going to protest the fact that the monkey didn't get to EAT the police officer too and got shot for his troubles. LUNACY!
Pakistan Knuckles Under to Taliban: If Pakistan Continues Down This Road, They Should Turn Their Nuclear Weapons Program Over to International Control
Pakistan agreed to impose Islamic law on a section of their country that is under the control of the Taliban, in a very troubling move that is a portent of things to come.
It's widely agreed that Pakistan's government has marginal control of their country and are facing a resurgent Taliban threat. And Pakistan is also nuclear-armed. Pakistan must not allow the possibility of their nuclear weapons ending up under Taliban control.
I think they should consider asking the Americans or Russians or some international agency to come in and remove their nuclear weapons if there is even a remote possibility of the entire country falling to the Taliban. They CANNOT be trusted with nuclear weapons.
It's one thing for an elected government to control it's nuclear arms and technology, but if that government is overthrown by a terrorist force such as the Taliban, the threat couldn't be clearer. It's also clear that if the Taliban do take over Pakistan, we'll be at war with that country next.
I hope that various governments are coming up with a plan to deal with this frightening possibility of a Taliban take-over and will take multi-lateral action to seize Pakistan's nuclear arms and technology if it looks like the country will fall into Taliban hands.
What other choice is there?
It's widely agreed that Pakistan's government has marginal control of their country and are facing a resurgent Taliban threat. And Pakistan is also nuclear-armed. Pakistan must not allow the possibility of their nuclear weapons ending up under Taliban control.
I think they should consider asking the Americans or Russians or some international agency to come in and remove their nuclear weapons if there is even a remote possibility of the entire country falling to the Taliban. They CANNOT be trusted with nuclear weapons.
It's one thing for an elected government to control it's nuclear arms and technology, but if that government is overthrown by a terrorist force such as the Taliban, the threat couldn't be clearer. It's also clear that if the Taliban do take over Pakistan, we'll be at war with that country next.
I hope that various governments are coming up with a plan to deal with this frightening possibility of a Taliban take-over and will take multi-lateral action to seize Pakistan's nuclear arms and technology if it looks like the country will fall into Taliban hands.
What other choice is there?
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Blackwater Security Changes Company Name in New Public Relations Move: Will It Help?
Security outfit Blackwater is changing its name from Blackwater Worldwide to Xe to repair its badly damaged reputation, following a serious shooting in Iraq and the loss of it's State Department contract for providing diplomats protection in and around Iraq.
The shooting incident left a dozen Iraqi civilians dead and caused Iraq's government to request that they leave Iraq. It was one of several incidents that Blackwater was involved in and the straw that broke the camel's back. Five Blackwater employees were charged in the shooting, which prosecutors say was not justified.
Xe will not actively seek new security contracts and is focusing on it's other lines of business that are not under public scrutiny the way that it's security operations in Iraq were.
The State Department contract was worth $300 million to Blackwater/Xe; they took in a little over a billion dollars last year from contract work around the world.
The entire system of using mercenaries to do government work in war zones needs to be examined closely. If it is determined that the services provided are necessary, then they need to be subordinate to both the U.S. military and the Iraqi military. They seemed to ride roughshod over U.S. military units, which was a big distraction for U.S. combat forces who didn't like being told what to do by a company not in their chain of command.
I'm not sure if this name change will change much of anything. It's their actions that people will be watching, not their packaging.
The shooting incident left a dozen Iraqi civilians dead and caused Iraq's government to request that they leave Iraq. It was one of several incidents that Blackwater was involved in and the straw that broke the camel's back. Five Blackwater employees were charged in the shooting, which prosecutors say was not justified.
Xe will not actively seek new security contracts and is focusing on it's other lines of business that are not under public scrutiny the way that it's security operations in Iraq were.
The State Department contract was worth $300 million to Blackwater/Xe; they took in a little over a billion dollars last year from contract work around the world.
The entire system of using mercenaries to do government work in war zones needs to be examined closely. If it is determined that the services provided are necessary, then they need to be subordinate to both the U.S. military and the Iraqi military. They seemed to ride roughshod over U.S. military units, which was a big distraction for U.S. combat forces who didn't like being told what to do by a company not in their chain of command.
I'm not sure if this name change will change much of anything. It's their actions that people will be watching, not their packaging.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Stimulus is 100% Pork That Has Simply Been Repackaged: Same Thing CAN Be Done for $170 Billion
The entire stimulus bill needs to be scrapped; it's full of CRAP! The current plan has stuff in it that has NOTHING to do with providing jobs.
STD prevention, more funding for NASA, a federal tracking system for your health treatments, tax breaks for Hollywood to purchase movie film, Smithsonian funding, smoking cessation, providing public computer centers, alcohol and substance abuse reduction, Farm Service Agency computer upgrades, golf carts for golf courses and dozens of other pork projects totaling $124 BILLION, and that's the stuff that's the stuff we know about.
Pelosi & company are keeping REAL quiet about what's actually in the bill. As of 10:38pm Thursday, Congress hasn't even seen the 780 page bill that they're voting on Friday morning, and they're out securing votes for a plan that no one has even seen in it's entirety. Congress should be ashamed of itself!
Welcome to the Democratic change that President Obama was promising.
What else is in this piece of crap bill?
On a side note, I found it very interesting to read about a Congressional Blue Dog (Conservative Democrat) alternative that does what the current monstrosity of a stimulus rescue plan does, except it does it a lot cheaper and wiser.
Instead of spending nearly $800 billion on pork, which the Democratic Congress is ram-rodding through, the Blue Dogs came up with a $170 billion plan that accomplishes the intended effect of stimulating the economy and implements controls that are missing in Pelosi & Company's $800 billion stimulus plan.
And the Blue Dog plan self-terminates when the economy recovers. The Blue Dogs call it their "Strategic Targeted American Recovery and Transition Act" or START Act.
It's an interesting read.
STD prevention, more funding for NASA, a federal tracking system for your health treatments, tax breaks for Hollywood to purchase movie film, Smithsonian funding, smoking cessation, providing public computer centers, alcohol and substance abuse reduction, Farm Service Agency computer upgrades, golf carts for golf courses and dozens of other pork projects totaling $124 BILLION, and that's the stuff that's the stuff we know about.
Pelosi & company are keeping REAL quiet about what's actually in the bill. As of 10:38pm Thursday, Congress hasn't even seen the 780 page bill that they're voting on Friday morning, and they're out securing votes for a plan that no one has even seen in it's entirety. Congress should be ashamed of itself!
Welcome to the Democratic change that President Obama was promising.
What else is in this piece of crap bill?
On a side note, I found it very interesting to read about a Congressional Blue Dog (Conservative Democrat) alternative that does what the current monstrosity of a stimulus rescue plan does, except it does it a lot cheaper and wiser.
Instead of spending nearly $800 billion on pork, which the Democratic Congress is ram-rodding through, the Blue Dogs came up with a $170 billion plan that accomplishes the intended effect of stimulating the economy and implements controls that are missing in Pelosi & Company's $800 billion stimulus plan.
And the Blue Dog plan self-terminates when the economy recovers. The Blue Dogs call it their "Strategic Targeted American Recovery and Transition Act" or START Act.
It's an interesting read.
Monday, February 09, 2009
CNN's Nancy Grace is Spending FAR Too Much Time on Caylee Anthony Murder: Yes, It Was a Horrible Crime, But That's Not the Only Thing That's Happened
Every time I'm flipping through the news channels and see Nancy Grace on CNN Headline News, she's doing EXHAUSTIVE reporting and commentary on the murder of baby Caylee Anthony.
I'm not trying to dimimish the horror of that particular case, but her nonstop coverage has sensationalized it to a point that I can't stand it anymore. If the word "Anthony" is anywhere on the screen, I flip the channel.
She really needs to vary her programming, while monitoring the situation. I do wish she'd devote some time to the issues that she covers on her web site, which proves that there are other kinds of cases going on every day around us.
I'm not completely sure why she's devoted this kind of airtime (over a month, daily) to one particular topic.
We had a similar type of case in the Lansing area a couple of years ago, where the parent/parents claimed that their little boy had gone missing, but had in fact murdered him by beating him to death with a hammer. I'm still angry over that situation and get reminded of it every so often when the parents try to weasle their way out of their sentences.
I also don't like to be reminded of it every time I turn on CNN Headline News at 10pm. Both situations ARE ugly reminders of the evil that is present in our society, but Nancy, PLEASE vary your programs a little more! The world is still going on.
I'm not trying to dimimish the horror of that particular case, but her nonstop coverage has sensationalized it to a point that I can't stand it anymore. If the word "Anthony" is anywhere on the screen, I flip the channel.
She really needs to vary her programming, while monitoring the situation. I do wish she'd devote some time to the issues that she covers on her web site, which proves that there are other kinds of cases going on every day around us.
I'm not completely sure why she's devoted this kind of airtime (over a month, daily) to one particular topic.
We had a similar type of case in the Lansing area a couple of years ago, where the parent/parents claimed that their little boy had gone missing, but had in fact murdered him by beating him to death with a hammer. I'm still angry over that situation and get reminded of it every so often when the parents try to weasle their way out of their sentences.
I also don't like to be reminded of it every time I turn on CNN Headline News at 10pm. Both situations ARE ugly reminders of the evil that is present in our society, but Nancy, PLEASE vary your programs a little more! The world is still going on.
Friday, January 30, 2009
GOP Leadership Backs Off From Comments Against Limbaugh and Steers House GOP to Reject Obama Stimulus Plan
The House GOP leadership backed away from their comments against Rush Limbaugh, saying that the comments read harsher than they were intended.
Rush seemed willing to let bygones be bygones, but pushed the leadership to be more aggressive in their attempts to stop the Obama Administration's agenda, which was also the correct thing to do.
Their conservative base will support them if they stick to their conservative principles, and don't knuckle under to the new order in Washington. The Republicans who lost their seats did a poor job of taking care of their conservative constituents, who didn't turn out to support them, or threw their votes elsewhere.
The House GOP's unanimous rejection of President Obama's stimulus bill is a very good start. I was pleased to see that. Having the Republicans get along with the Democrats is not in our nation's best interests.
Many of our problems need more than one solution, and if we get into the groupthink that the Democrats have bought into, we run the risk of restricting our choices in dealing with the economic difficulties that have put our economy into the toilet.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
House GOP Leaders Buy Into Socialist Groupthink: Telling Limbaugh to Shut Up Because He's Pointing Out Where They Need to Go Won't Help Them
The GOP House leadership told Rush Limbaugh to back off his comments and that he and Sean Hannity are brick-throwers who don't have to do what is necessary for the well-being of the public.
The House GOP has bought into the socialist feel-good groupthink of the Democrats.
This is why the GOP lost so badly in November, and why they will continue to lose seats. They're alienating their own constituents. By not standing up to the Democrats now, they're proving that this is simply a continuation of 2008, where they're trying to out-Democrat the Democrats. They haven't learned this lesson yet.
Republicans need to be Republicans, and stand on their own merits, not try to cling to the coattails of the Democrats, who are about to enter a troubled time in their own party, now that all the pieces of the elected government are in place.
The Dems are about to find out that capturing power is a lot easier than maintaining it, especially with the patchwork coalition that holds their party together trying to pull in so many different (and opposite) directions. And when Obama starts to move toward the center to govern, that's when the real fireworks will begin inside the liberal Democratic Party.
The Republicans blew it when they controlled the House, Senate and White House. They didn't do what they should have done, and then lost both houses of Congress and the Presidency.
Instead of telling Limbaugh to shut up, the GOP leadership ought to listen to what he's saying and maneuver themselves into position for the next elections. They need to FIGHT against Democratic Party initiatives and propose their own, not go along weakly with the Democrats.
And if the GOP leadership is too weak and too timid to do so, then perhaps they should stand down and let someone in who WILL! Joining the Democratic attack on Limbaugh is not the sign of strong GOP leadership, that's for certain.
Still waiting for the leadership that has been sorely lacking in the GOP....
The House GOP has bought into the socialist feel-good groupthink of the Democrats.
This is why the GOP lost so badly in November, and why they will continue to lose seats. They're alienating their own constituents. By not standing up to the Democrats now, they're proving that this is simply a continuation of 2008, where they're trying to out-Democrat the Democrats. They haven't learned this lesson yet.
Republicans need to be Republicans, and stand on their own merits, not try to cling to the coattails of the Democrats, who are about to enter a troubled time in their own party, now that all the pieces of the elected government are in place.
The Dems are about to find out that capturing power is a lot easier than maintaining it, especially with the patchwork coalition that holds their party together trying to pull in so many different (and opposite) directions. And when Obama starts to move toward the center to govern, that's when the real fireworks will begin inside the liberal Democratic Party.
The Republicans blew it when they controlled the House, Senate and White House. They didn't do what they should have done, and then lost both houses of Congress and the Presidency.
Instead of telling Limbaugh to shut up, the GOP leadership ought to listen to what he's saying and maneuver themselves into position for the next elections. They need to FIGHT against Democratic Party initiatives and propose their own, not go along weakly with the Democrats.
And if the GOP leadership is too weak and too timid to do so, then perhaps they should stand down and let someone in who WILL! Joining the Democratic attack on Limbaugh is not the sign of strong GOP leadership, that's for certain.
Still waiting for the leadership that has been sorely lacking in the GOP....
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Follow-Up to 2008 Story: FLDS vs. State of Texas
Now that seven months have gone by since Texas officials royally screwed up an investigation of the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints (FLDS) cult and were ordered to return most of the 439 children to the unrestricted care of their parents, what's happened since then?
All but thirteen children have been returned; Texas officials believe they've sorted out the situation and have begun prosecuting this case the way it should have been in the first place.
There are multiple investigations of the cult itself and the way that it does business; there are questions of whether the FLDS ranch/compound was constructed using funds illegally siphoned from a trust, which has since been put into caretaker custody by a judge in Texas.
Several men belonging to the FLDS are being investigated for having multiple under-aged wives.
Their leader, Warren Jeffs, remains in prison, where he belongs. He was convicted of child rape in Utah and was facing eight charges in Arizona at last glance.
Overzealous officials seem to be following the rules now, having been slapped around by a Texas judge who reprimanded them for sloppiness in their handling of the case from the get-go. Hopefully they'll remember this situation if they're confronted with something similar down the road and do their homework before executing a search warrant.
That clearly didn't happen when this whole thing started.
All but thirteen children have been returned; Texas officials believe they've sorted out the situation and have begun prosecuting this case the way it should have been in the first place.
There are multiple investigations of the cult itself and the way that it does business; there are questions of whether the FLDS ranch/compound was constructed using funds illegally siphoned from a trust, which has since been put into caretaker custody by a judge in Texas.
Several men belonging to the FLDS are being investigated for having multiple under-aged wives.
Their leader, Warren Jeffs, remains in prison, where he belongs. He was convicted of child rape in Utah and was facing eight charges in Arizona at last glance.
Overzealous officials seem to be following the rules now, having been slapped around by a Texas judge who reprimanded them for sloppiness in their handling of the case from the get-go. Hopefully they'll remember this situation if they're confronted with something similar down the road and do their homework before executing a search warrant.
That clearly didn't happen when this whole thing started.
Obama Administration Mounts a PR Assault on the Military "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy: Strategy Will Backfire
As anticipated, the Obama Administration is making noise about dismantling the military "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy toward gays. His press secretary confirmed that he wants to go to Congress to repeal the policy, but won't do so until late 2009 or 2010.
Ultimately, it won't work.
I think it will actually drive more gays out of the military and lead President Obama to hastily restore the policy--in it's current form. There are many who wouldn't mind seeing this happen.
President Clinton beat a hasty retreat on this issue and never returned to it. I think history will repeat itself with President Obama once he takes a measure of how the military feels about this issue, and how the public feels about it. In fact, he's already delayed looking at this issue until 2010.
I'm not sure that the Democrats in Congress will want to risk alienating their constituents, who have shown that they may vote their own way on issues related to gay rights, regardless of party label. Look at California and their Proposal 8 controversy. I knew that proposal would pass; voters don't like being told what to do and having the power of their votes taken away by activist judges.
Even though the Democrats control the government, I think this will be an uphill battle for them, should they choose to try. And at this stage, I'm not sure they want to go on record with their vote.
And even if they do succeed, how long will it last?
Ultimately, it won't work.
I think it will actually drive more gays out of the military and lead President Obama to hastily restore the policy--in it's current form. There are many who wouldn't mind seeing this happen.
President Clinton beat a hasty retreat on this issue and never returned to it. I think history will repeat itself with President Obama once he takes a measure of how the military feels about this issue, and how the public feels about it. In fact, he's already delayed looking at this issue until 2010.
I'm not sure that the Democrats in Congress will want to risk alienating their constituents, who have shown that they may vote their own way on issues related to gay rights, regardless of party label. Look at California and their Proposal 8 controversy. I knew that proposal would pass; voters don't like being told what to do and having the power of their votes taken away by activist judges.
Even though the Democrats control the government, I think this will be an uphill battle for them, should they choose to try. And at this stage, I'm not sure they want to go on record with their vote.
And even if they do succeed, how long will it last?
Contrary to Popular Groupthink, Now is NOT the Time for National Unity: Now's the Time to FIGHT
The press has been going after Rush Limbaugh for saying that as a conservative, he wants "Obama to fail."
I heard CNN blasting him last night for saying this, saying it's not helpful to "national unity" behind the Obama Administration. Excuse me, but has CNN forgotten that not everyone voted for THEIR candidate?
Now is not the time for national unity; now is the time to FIGHT LIKE CATS AND DOGS to stop the Venezuelan-ization of our country. The government has no need to nationalize banks and private businesses, as Chavez has in Venezuela.
We are NOT Venezuela II or Cuba II.
Limbaugh is absolutely right. And for all these news organizations to gang up on Limbaugh in this fashion for defending the conservative position shows how far and how deep the socialist groupthink extends.
No more bailouts; the economy needs to be allowed to right itself. The accuracy of this position will be made clear when the companies that have already been bailed out start going under down the road, and taxpayers will be left with nothing but the debt to show for it.
I heard CNN blasting him last night for saying this, saying it's not helpful to "national unity" behind the Obama Administration. Excuse me, but has CNN forgotten that not everyone voted for THEIR candidate?
Now is not the time for national unity; now is the time to FIGHT LIKE CATS AND DOGS to stop the Venezuelan-ization of our country. The government has no need to nationalize banks and private businesses, as Chavez has in Venezuela.
We are NOT Venezuela II or Cuba II.
Limbaugh is absolutely right. And for all these news organizations to gang up on Limbaugh in this fashion for defending the conservative position shows how far and how deep the socialist groupthink extends.
No more bailouts; the economy needs to be allowed to right itself. The accuracy of this position will be made clear when the companies that have already been bailed out start going under down the road, and taxpayers will be left with nothing but the debt to show for it.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Current Air Force One to be Replaced: 747-200 Upgrades Becoming More Expensive as Time Goes By
The Air Force is looking to replace the current Air Force One with a newer aircraft.
An exhaustive study found that the VC-25 (which is based on the 747-200 airframe) is due for extensive air control upgrades, air defense and communication upgrades, as well as increased maintenance costs. They're having problems identifying suppliers for needed parts to keep the aircraft ready to take off at a moment's notice. As the design gets older, the problems will get worse.
Boeing and Airbus are already working on designs for a new Air Force One that will be equipped for midair refueling, will have all the communication equipment, technology, room and defensive systems that will allow the President to run the country while he or she is airborne.
The plan calls for the first aircraft to be delivered in 2017; the second Air Force One sometime in 2019 and another in 2021 (the military currently has two Air Force Ones).
The two most likely contenders (the winner gets to build all three aircraft): the Boeing 747-8I and the Airbus A380. There's also speculation that the Boeing 777-300ER might be a contender.
It'll be interesting to see who builds the next Air Force One.
An exhaustive study found that the VC-25 (which is based on the 747-200 airframe) is due for extensive air control upgrades, air defense and communication upgrades, as well as increased maintenance costs. They're having problems identifying suppliers for needed parts to keep the aircraft ready to take off at a moment's notice. As the design gets older, the problems will get worse.
Boeing and Airbus are already working on designs for a new Air Force One that will be equipped for midair refueling, will have all the communication equipment, technology, room and defensive systems that will allow the President to run the country while he or she is airborne.
The plan calls for the first aircraft to be delivered in 2017; the second Air Force One sometime in 2019 and another in 2021 (the military currently has two Air Force Ones).
The two most likely contenders (the winner gets to build all three aircraft): the Boeing 747-8I and the Airbus A380. There's also speculation that the Boeing 777-300ER might be a contender.
The Boeing 747-8I:
The Airbus A380:
The Boeing 777-300ER:
It'll be interesting to see who builds the next Air Force One.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Circuit City Reorganization Fails: Entire Chain Will Close
Circuit City had been hoping to reorganize under the auspices of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but were unable to find a buyer for all or part of the chain. As a result, the entire chain will close, sending another 30,000 of it's employees into unemployment. All 566 stores will be liquidated.
That's too bad. They were no match for Best Buy or Walmart, which knocked the stuffing out of Circuit City to the point that it's suppliers wouldn't do business with them until their past debts were settled.
And in doing so, the suppliers will get paid off what they're owed, with no opportunity for repeat business, which will affect their own bottom line further down the road. Where does it end?
That's too bad. They were no match for Best Buy or Walmart, which knocked the stuffing out of Circuit City to the point that it's suppliers wouldn't do business with them until their past debts were settled.
And in doing so, the suppliers will get paid off what they're owed, with no opportunity for repeat business, which will affect their own bottom line further down the road. Where does it end?
Friday, January 16, 2009
2008 Retail Bankruptcies: Some Familiar Names Go Away
2008 was a very bad year for retailers and business in general, and some big companies went under, including some that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy the week after Christmas.
The 2008 list:
You will not see the following things in 2009 as their companies have cut them:
Companies in Danger--2009
The following list of companies is listed as being in grave danger of disappearing in 2009, according to AOL Money & Finance's web site:
2008 was a very rough year, and 2009 isn't looking too healthy right now either.
The 2008 list:
- Circuit City
- Boscov's
- Sharper Image
- Mervyns
- Linens 'n Things
- Whitehall Jewelers
- Steve & Barry's
- Bennigan's
- Tribune Company
- Tweeter Opco
- Shoe Pavilion
- Waterford Wedgwood
- Advantage Rent-a-Car
- Bally's Sports Club
- Pilgrim Pride
- Aloha Airlines
- DayJet
- SkyBus
- ATA Airlines
- Mrs. Fields Famous Brands LLC
- Progressive Auto Parts
- Goody's
- Ziff Davis
- Buffets Holdings (Old Country Buffet, Ryan's Grill Buffet and HomeTown Buffet)
- KB Toys
- Polaroid
- Arena Football League
- Olsson's Books and Records
You will not see the following things in 2009 as their companies have cut them:
- Polaroid Traditional Instant Film (discontinued before Polaroid filed for bankruptcy)
- Zima (popular clear malt) (Coors Brewing Co.)
- CD sales at Starbucks
- FedEx Kinko's is dropping the Kinko's name and renaming itself FedEx Office.
- Diet Cherry Chocolate Dr. Pepper (Dr. Pepper Snapple Group) (YUCK!!)
- Volcano Taco (Taco Bell) (Company says the popular taco was a limited-run menu item)
- Crown Pilot Crackers (Nabisco)
- Smoky Chipotle Crispy Fried Chicken (Kentucky Fried Chicken)
- DHL Shipping in the United States (DHL) (They're going back to Europe)
- Hundreds of other changes as businesses try to save themselves.
Companies in Danger--2009
The following list of companies is listed as being in grave danger of disappearing in 2009, according to AOL Money & Finance's web site:
- Chrysler (Despite the government bailout)
- XM Sirius
- AIG (Despite the government bailout)
- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (They may be folded into one government agency)
- Rite-Aid
- New York Times (has to pay off a $400 million debt in the first few months of 2009)
- Nortel (already filed for bankruptcy)
- Pier 1 Imports
- Charter Communications ($20 billion in debt, stock was trading at $.12 a share today, expenses>income, just missed a $74 million payment)
2008 was a very rough year, and 2009 isn't looking too healthy right now either.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Has Anyone Seen Chicken Little Lately? He's Strangely Quiet About Global Warming
Has anyone seen "Chicken Little" Al Gore lately?
He's been strangely quiet. Must be crunching the numbers so that he can predict triple-digit temperatures for July and August to support his faltering global warming hubris.
See you around, Al.
He's been strangely quiet. Must be crunching the numbers so that he can predict triple-digit temperatures for July and August to support his faltering global warming hubris.
See you around, Al.
Monday, January 12, 2009
World Media Needs to Give Prince Harry a Break: His Remarks Are Outweighed By His Military Service
Prince Harry is apologizing for a three-year-old video of him using racist terms and poking fun at his grandma.
The media needs to cool it and leave him alone. This is a huge non-issue that they're blowing way out of proportion; how this video made it into the media's hands should be investigated, not Prince Harry. This video was obviously not meant for public consumption and should have remained that way; the media should have ignored it.
How is he supposed to react when militants in the combat zones threaten to capture him, cut off his ears and send them to his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II? "Oh, that's nice?" Or something along the lines of "go %^@ off??!" Harry chose the latter and he's being criticized for it.
The media has it in for Prince Harry and for the royal family, and don't care about the damage that they cause in their reporting. That's more scandalous than the Prince's remarks. He did an outstanding job during his time in the war zone, but the media screwed that up for him too, didn't they?
He's apologized, which was the correct thing for him to do, now LET IT BE, media!
The media needs to cool it and leave him alone. This is a huge non-issue that they're blowing way out of proportion; how this video made it into the media's hands should be investigated, not Prince Harry. This video was obviously not meant for public consumption and should have remained that way; the media should have ignored it.
How is he supposed to react when militants in the combat zones threaten to capture him, cut off his ears and send them to his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II? "Oh, that's nice?" Or something along the lines of "go %^@ off??!" Harry chose the latter and he's being criticized for it.
The media has it in for Prince Harry and for the royal family, and don't care about the damage that they cause in their reporting. That's more scandalous than the Prince's remarks. He did an outstanding job during his time in the war zone, but the media screwed that up for him too, didn't they?
He's apologized, which was the correct thing for him to do, now LET IT BE, media!
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