Windy City Commentary

Blind Praise For Paul Ryan

2011-08-21T12:35:00.005-05:00

I guess the nut cases like Ron Paul and Michelle Bachmann, who actually won't budge and vote YES for bad legislation, are not qualified for the presidency. However, a guy like Paul Ryan, who talks like he won't budge but does budge time and again, is as conservative as conservative gets and would be a GRRRRRRREAT Candidate for President! I just don't understand the blind praise.

Paul Ryan voted YES for TARP 1, GM Bailout, Boehner's first budget deal with Obama which cut millions not billions, and Boehner's debt ceiling deal, which has a trigger that drastically cuts defense and medicare reimbursement to doctors if the Republicans can't reach an agreement with left wingers like Patty Murray and John Kerry on tax increases.

DO THESE FACTS ABOUT PAUL RYAN'S VOTING RECORD MATTER TO ANYONE?

It is About the Quality of Their Judgement

2011-08-06T10:32:00.015-05:00

The S&P has downgraded the U.S. Credit Rating. The Treasury Secretary is Tim Geithner appointed to serve at the beginning of Obama's term.

Attorney General Eric Holder was appointed by Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate at the beginning of Obama's term. Holder's tenure has included Operation Gun Runner, and much more.

Of course, in order for any cabinet appointments and judicial appointments to be allowed to serve, they must receive confirmation from the U.S. Senate. Let us not look past the Republican Senators who currently serve in office, and voted YES to confirm such appointments. The review below also notes votes in favor of the confirmation Obama's controversial Supreme Court picks, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. One additional big mistake that 2 Republican Senators made, was being the only Republicans to vote YES on Obama's failed stimulus package in 2009. Let us review and let us run primary opponents against these failing Republican Senators. I have rated their lack on success based on their confirmation votes.

#1
Olympia Snowe (Maine, currently serving her 3rd- 6 year Term)
Voted YES to confirm the following individuals:
Timothy Geithner, Secretary of the Treasury
Eric Holder, U.S. Attorney General
Sonia Sotomayor, U.S. Supreme Court
Elena Kagan, U.S. Supreme Court
* In addition Snowe voted YES on the failed Obama Stimulus
Senator Snowe is up for re-election in 2012. She should be the prime target of all grass roots conservatives and conservative voters in Maine, in the 2012 Primaries. If you are looking to donate to primary campaigns, look to donate to her opponent. There is no state in the union that should have a Republican Senator who has voted the way Snowe has. She clearly can be called a Republican in Name Only (RINO), no matter how misused and overused this label has become in recent years.

#2
Richard Lugar (Indiana, currently serving his 6th- 6 year Term)
Voted YES to confirm the following individuals:
Eric Holder, U.S. Attorney General
Sonia Sotomayor, U.S. Supreme Court
Elena Kagan, U.S. Supreme Court
Senator Lugar is up for re-election in 2012. He has had many additional votes that should be called into question by primary voters. I will write a review with further information on his Senate votes in recent years. It is very likely that a strong conservative and electable candidate will run a primary against Lugar in 2012. Put your money on Lugar's primary challenger.

# 3
Lindsey Graham (South Carolina, currently serving his 2nd- 6 year term)
Voted YES to confirm the following individuals:
Timothy Geithner, Secretary of the Treasury
Eric Holder, U.S. Attorney General
Sonia Sotomayor, U.S. Supreme Court
Elena Kagan, U.S. Supreme Court
Senator Graham is up for re-election in 2014. After the 2012 Elections are complete, Graham should replace Snowe as primary opponent #1 during the 2014 Republican Primary. He has attempted to position himself as a conservative over the past year, but his voting record is plain as day. In addition to his voting record, he has talked out of both sides of his mouth during his entire Senate career. As with Lugar, a review is forthcoming.

#4
Susan Collins (Maine, currently serving her 3rd- 6 year term)
Voted YES to confirm the following individuals:
Eric Holder, U.S. Attorney General
Sonia Sotomayor, U.S. Supreme Court
Elena Kagan, U.S. Supreme Court
* In addition Collins voted YES on the failed Obama Stimulus.
Senator Collins is up for re-election in 2014, and after the 2012 Elections are complete, she will be next in line after Lindsey Graham to face a strong primary challenge. It is said that it is difficult for a conservative to win the Republican Primary in Maine, so it all depends on the quality of the candidate who runs against Collins. It is likely that only the grass roots will be present to extend an effort to oust Collins and Snowe. No one out of the established GOP is going to step forward, so a quality candidate (i.e. a conservative who is articulate with a clean record) is the best bet.

#5
Orrin Hatch (Utah, currently serving his 6th- 6 Year term)
Voted YES to confirm the following individuals:
Timothy Geithner, Secretary of the Treasury
Eric Holder, U.S. Attorney General
Senator Hatch is up for re-election in 2012. Like many Senators in a conservative state, as a long 6 year term begins to wrap up, he shifts completely to the right and hopes that voters don't remember the previous 5 years of the term. Hatch has had some good moments in his Senate career, but he has also had many unwise votes. Hatch is a politician who earns brownie points for a gentlemanly demeanor and statesman like air, but the effort to appear above the fray, honorable, and esteemed has taken away from a steadfast conservative position that a Senator from Utah should take. Review on the way.

#6
Bob Corker (Tennessee, currently serving his 1st- 6 Year term)
Voted YES to confirm the following individuals:
Timothy Geithner, Secretary of the Treasury
Eric Holder, U.S. Attorney General
Senator Corker is up for re-election in 2012. Word comes from Tennessee that many voters have not gotten from Corker what they expected when they voted him into office in 2006. More on Corker to come.

#7
Lamar Alexander (Tennessee, currently serving his 2nd- 6 Year term)
Voted YES to confirm the following individuals:
Eric Holder, U.S. Attorney General
Sonia Sotomayor, U.S. Supreme Court
Senator Alexander is up for re-election in 2014.

Only grass roots conservatives can create the environment to unseat these Senators in the Republican Primary. Seeking out conservative candidates who have shown the ability to win and live their lives fairly and honestly is the place to start. Conservative voters dedicated to replacing politicians who do not get the job done right and have been lackluster in the defense of liberty and American values, will be ready to team up with the right candidate and see to it that a conservative takes a seat in the Senate.

Washington Wants Help from Wall Street

2011-07-30T21:45:00.005-05:00

As each day gets closer to the Y2K of 2011 (Obama's Debt Default Day), word is getting out that the DC amatuers (likely kids just out of college who got a gig working for a Congressman) are hoping for Wall Street to have a plunge, to influence more Congressman to vote for whatever junk bill Harry Reid and John Boehner can gin up. It's all too clear that we need to decrease the role government has in tanking stocks.

Washington Is Annoyed at Wall Street's Failure to Panic

As he explained it, lots of people in Washington, D.C. expected that this would be a week marked by panic in the markets. Stocks would tank. Bonds would get clobbered. The dollar would do something dramatic. And all of this would help convince reluctant lawmakers that they had to reach a compromise on the debt ceiling.

Boehner's House Bill

2011-07-30T17:14:00.003-05:00

I guess this is just how things get done in Washington. When I went to the Library of Congress website to see the vote rolls for the Boehner Bill, I came across this bill, which was sponsered by Democrat Senator Patrick Leahy. Strange. This is it, this is the Boehner Bill, couldn't even get its own bill number or anything.

61. S.627 : Faster FOIA Act of 2011
Sponsor: Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [VT] (introduced 3/17/2011) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Judiciary; House Oversight and Government Reform
Latest Major Action: 7/29/2011 Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 218 - 210 (Roll no. 677).
Latest Action: 7/29/2011 Motion by Senator Reid to refer to Senate Committee on the Budget the House message to accompany the bill (S. 627) to report back forthwith with amendment SA 591 made in Senate.
Note: The bill is the House vehicle to raise the debt ceiling, make budget deficit reductions, and require a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/D?d112:61:./temp/~bdtxdA::

It's Called Getting Primaried

2010-09-14T23:00:00.003-05:00

O'Donnell beats Castle, and by a good 6 points. Many have said unflattering things about O'Donnell, O.K., we'll see how bad she really is.

The key is that Mike Castle; who would have probably become the most Liberal Republican Senator, won't have his chance. Conservative Republicans will never have to worry about what he might do and what big govt. legislation he will vote YES on. He won't get to go on Meet the Press to poorly represent the Republican Party, and most of all, an example was made out him.

Those Republicans who wish to reach across the aisle and enable the Democrat Party to micro manage the citizenry can keep Mike Castle in the back of their minds, when 20 something year old staffers on the Hill attempt to convince them that voting YES on something like Cap and Trade is a political winner. Remember boys, there is a primary to be won. Also, the Northeast Republicans might want to think twice the next time they buck the party and join a coalition of 2-3 Republicans who join hands with Harry Reid's crew to pass legislation like Financial Reform, the brainchild of Barney Frank and Chris Dodd. Such a Republican can get primaried in states other than Delaware.

Lately

2010-06-19T13:47:00.003-05:00

Here is a little roundup of tidbits from American Spectator writers.

Some of them serve as yet another reminder that Republicans are the great enablers of progressive policies, and a dysfunctional band of reactive hand-wringing lovers of Washington DC. Guys who will do anything to stay in their relationship with the swampy capitol and all her friends. Like a man who would stay married to his promiscuous wife, as long as she brings him along to the parties, the long-time GOP grand daddys shamefully, bicker a little, but in the end let the Democrat bells of the ball win the day. Afterall, no matter how immoral or destructive, the power lies with them. That is, until the Republicans are brave enough to take a few lumps and stand up to what is wrong, no matter the cost. If they have to move into a small bachelor's apartment and do their own laundry, they should. If they need to step out of the limelight and accept only the power of their vote, they must.

Conservative Media: A Critique from a Conservative Whom They Drive Nuts

2010-02-19T17:16:00.005-06:00

For the sake of keeping this article short and simple, I will divide those I mention into two camps, conservative and liberal. Many who I place in the conservative camp, probably belong in no camp. Perhaps they belong in a camp of their own, where they can collect their own wood and make a fire to shed light on their pages of opinions poking at both camps while they stand firm as an army of one. However, since they think they are conservatives and speak for everyday Americans, I have to put them in a camp. They may be armies of one, but they still like D.C. cocktail parties.

The first conservative writer of note, who decided to discount the value of Sarah Palin, was Washington Post Columnist, Kathleen Parker. Ms. Parker had seen Sarah Palin’s T.V. interviews with Charles Gibson on ABC, and Katie Couric on CBS, and that was enough for Ms. Parker to sadly throw in the towel and lament that 4 decades of a women’s liberation movement, resulting in the drop of the U.S. birth rate, could only give Republicans a female Vice-Presidential Candidate who was from Alaska, had 5 kids, and gave imperfect T.V. interviews. A shame no doubt. The Democrats had already had Geraldine Ferraro take the national stage 2 decades earlier, and now the Republican’s big chance, only produced a moose hunting airhead expressing the values of freedom better than anyone, including a former Vietnam POW, but one easily stumped by questions from liberal journalists, who were able to convince so many that we had a folly on our hands, by simply displaying a displeased frown and a look above the eyeglasses.

After Ms. Parker’s article was published not only by her employer, The Washington Post, but also dutifully by the soft conservative National Review Online, I was driving in my car on a nice Saturday morning in September, when the top of the hour news came on, and touted that even conservative columnists, like Kathleen Parker, are beginning to have their doubts. Peggy Noonan and Mike Murphy, two more conservative school marms, were caught unaware that the microphone was still on as they went on to explain to one another what a joke Palin was. The media barrage from both camps commenced for the following months and Palin’s reputation as a woman with at least the knowledge of a 12th grader was badly tarnished. Such an unnecessary and unfounded notion, yet the false reality was created for millions of American Idol voters to mutter how stupid and how frequently pregnant that lady who tried to be Vice-President is. Nice job Ms. Parker, I’m sure Mrs. Palin thanks you for being honest and for not holding back even for a week or so, to see if the newly selected candidate could get her footing. I thank you too, Ms. Parker, because you helped to rescue the U.S. from having an imperfect woman be a heartbeat away from the Presidency, and you went on to support our current president, Barack Obama, and he won. Now he leads us, and how we have witnessed his noble and humble leadership.

Let me now move on to another conservative media man who I think might wear a nose plug during his nightly radio show; a show chocked with a who’s who list of conservative interviewees who make it possible for Hugh Hewitt to have a show containing more than the 15 minutes worth of things he would be able to talk about on his own, therefore allowing him to fill a three hour show. Hugh should definitely be giving 80% of his earnings to his guests, because without them, he wouldn’t have a show. I mean, this guy even has to book the left wing writers of the Washington Post to fill time.

At one time, I was a fan of the Hugh Hewitt Show. He talked a pretty big game, and he laid out some good goals for our elected officials to follow; goals which he later stopped mentioning after the Republicans drafted a nominee for President who wouldn’t come close to following them. In January of 2008, I was listening to Hugh’s show, when he said that the in the week to follow, the people of Florida and Michigan were going to vote Romney and end this charade of the McCain campaign. I sure hoped Hugh was right, and I loved his tough talk. Only, McCain won Florida and the Republican nomination. Now, it was early February, 2008, and Hillary Clinton and President Obama had months to go before one would finally be given the rights to take up the Democrat mantle. Their was no rush to become an overnight John McCain cheerleader, but Hugh became one instantly, and urged us all to do the same. If we didn’t, we would only be cutting off our nose to spite our face. Suddenly, we were expected to be happy that John McCain, complete with his bi-partisan deals with Democrats, which resulted in giving away the store, incoherent explanations about amnesty for illegal immigrants, and hell bent effort toward protecting terrorists, was now the Republican standard bearer. I spent the next few months hoping for a reason that McCain would become unable to run, but alas, I had to wait until November 3, 2008, to be relieved of the McCain candidacy.

The other night, I was listening to Hugh’s show again, and he was on the road, probably promoting a book about Mitt Romney. A caller from Arizona was up, and began saying how he supported J.D. Hayworth over McCain in the Arizona Primary. Hugh wouldn’t even let the caller say McCain’s name, because Hugh didn’t have his “dump button” with him in case the caller said an unkind word about McCain. I didn’t understand this one bit. I can only assume that callers that night were allowed to raise points of argument against Barack Obama throughout the night, unless Hugh had every minute booked up with guests that night, allowing the show to go on. However, Hugh did allow himself to point out that J.D. Hayworth was one of those “Birthers”, implying that it would be better to go the McCain route once again, than be tagged as supporting a “Birther”. Hugh needs to keep his moderate interviewees happy; after all; his show depends on it. That, and it gave Hugh the chance to use his favorite word and describe yet another person as a, “nutter”. Hugh’s new adaptation of forced civility apparently doesn’t apply to himself.

I was momentarily away from that evening’s Hugh Hewitt show, but when I tuned back in, he was just finishing up yet another interview with a politician, who said something like, “we need to put the brakes on Obama’s agenda”, and Hugh cut him off saying that he refuses to allow analogies on his show. O.K., Mark Steyn had better get off the guest list then. No wonder I never hear Dennis Miller on the Hewitt show.

So there you have it. This is a sample of our conservative media. Of course, not all conservative media personalities live in a bubble insulated with their own demands of perfection from conservative politicians and conservative Americans. If you look closely, you’ll also find that conservative media members will choose an issue for which to offer a defense for a liberal politician. Usually, they pick something that they don’t know enough about to discover that what they picked is indefensible. Some will even pick Bill Clinton’s lying under oath as the issue they decide is, “no big deal” and “overblown” (See David Frum). Erick Erickson has decided that in regards to Barack Obama he will pick the issue (birth certificate) that the President spent millions on to keep from seeing the light of day. Erickson will even ban anyone who goes on his site and brings the matter to attention. It seems as if that which is indeed indefensible has an expiration date. Usually, the ramifications of misdeeds might only expire after apologies are given, but some conservatives no longer require such a thing, while they mock the apologies of fellow conservatives. And when it comes to their own apologies or issued corrections forget about it. Many in the conservative media aren’t talented enough to admit their weaknesses and mistakes.

Ban of the "Birthers" and Redefining Reality

2010-02-19T17:05:00.003-06:00

On February 12, 2010, Erick Erickson of Redstate.com declared that “Birfers and Truthers” would be banned from, I can only assume, posting comments on the Redstate.com site. O.K. fine, go ahead and ban people, whatever floats your boat. The problem that I have is that Mr. Erickson equates those who know that Barack Obama has not provided a long form birth certificate, with those who believe the U.S. Government plotted 9/11. He is equating those displaying an unpleasant fact, with those rendering a more deeply unpleasant opinion. For me, it is difficult to swallow and carry on quietly while the self-professed conservatives aim to define the boundaries for which freedom loving Americans express their opinions and form arguments. They therefore limit argument in a similar way that those on the left do, and many times, without knowing it, ally themselves with the opinions of the American left wing.

The comments board at Redstate.com now features the unbridled ridicule, once reserved for Code Pink types and cheerleaders of socialism, directed at anyone who questions the opinions of Erick Erickson, or entertains the possibility that a man who spent multiple years as a child in another nation (Barack Obama) might have been born in another nation and doesn’t meet the requirements of the constitution to serve as president. I don’t believe that it has been proved otherwise. Many of the Redstate.com commenters fear that the presence of “birfers” will cause the site to be, “taken off message”, as if that blog is actually going to lead the conservative movement with its anonymous bloggers and poor user interface. I personally don’t put a lot of effort into studying the matter of Obama’s citizenship or talking about it, but I don’t get the least bit upset if someone else does. The 9/11 conspiracy does upset me, but I’m willing to put up with hearing about it, as long as someone offers a little detail with elements of sanity and absent the appearance of an axe to grind. From what I’ve learned about the Kennedy assassination, I’m more inclined to believe Oswald had accomplices, but I’m not going to spend any extra time investigating it. If someone wants to, good. All three of these national questions, may be better unsolved, at least for now.

However, Erickson acts as if his own personal credibility depends on who views his site and posts comments. The move he has made with this ban is a purge to hide the rubbage, while the new and more elite viewers browse his postings. Another way to increase credibility might be ban those bloggers of Redstate.com who post full articles using aliases such as Haystack. Come out secret identity bloggers, and let us know who you are. Some, such as Allahpundit on HotAir.com have so many frequent postings throughout the day, I don’t see how they could actually have a real job to jeopardize.

Update: Red State continues digging the hole they are stuck in.

Erick Erickson assures readers in his latest post, that this is his last word on the Birfer and Truther issue. To argue in defense of Obama’s official Erickson Seal of Natural Born Citizenship, Erick tries to impress us with his knowledge of 14th Century British law defining natural born citizenship as having been born anywhere in the world by two parents who are citizens of Britain. So, Erickson refers to foreign law to make his case. I hope Erick doesn’t later bemoan Justice Breyer’s support of using foreign law in U.S. Supreme Court cases, when the issue again presents itself. Also, it seems that Erickson personally re-writes the U.S. definition of natural born citizen to read, “anyone born anywhere, who has parents who are U.S. Citizens”. By Erickson’s definition, one could conceivably be born in Iran by a U.S. businessman and his wife, attend Iranian schools and spend years of his life in Iran, only to later move to the U.S. in his 30s, begin a political career and become an Iranian sympathizing President of the United States. That is O.K. by Erickson’s standards because his parents were U.S. Citizens after all.

The question that is not asked by Erickson or his enlightened readers, is “Why does the Constitution require that the President be a Natural Born U.S. Citizen?” Is there a reason for this provision? Also, we simply need to know the definition of “Natural Born Citizen” as defined by the U.S. Constitution and/or Supreme Court Case. That is all.

Erickson instead focuses on his ridiculous assumption that those questioning Obama’s citizenship, believe that there was a cover up from the highest places of government since the day of his birth. I challenge him to find someone who believes that. Instead, the question should be asked, “how would Obama’s U.S. Citizenship benefit him and/or his parents at the time of his birth?”, and the other germane question is, “how many years of Obama’s childhood were spent in Indonesia?”

With the world becoming smaller and smaller, this is an issue that is likely to come to life in the future. It raises a question of sovereignty when the qualifications for a U.S. President become so skewed and more and more people like Erickson re-write history and make false claims regarding the meaning of imperative laws.

Erickson seems to be trying to play up his fame, and wants to be seen as a "reasonable conservative" by the likes of the conservative elite. Those who comment on his site even want him to bullet proof from the liberal likes of Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann. Erickson falsely believes that he will be judged according to the small number of birthers or truthers who comment on his site. This is weakness grounded in the “perception is reality” fallacy. Reality is reality, perception is temporary and the longer a perception lasts the more harmful it can become. This is a recurrent problem of the conservative media. They give up and give in.

They bought into the perception that the Bush administration’s Hurricane Katrina response was akin to immoral. This was a perception created by the liberal media, and it lasted long enough that most conservatives eventually decided to confirm the perception and adopt it as reality, even without newly born facts to persuade them that the Katrina response was indeed botched and careless. The reality of the Katrina response is something different than the perception that the liberal media transmitted, and conservative media should be chastised by their audience for lazily accepting, simply because of the passing of time, the liberal media’s invented reality. Erickson is doing the same thing here with the birthers. The birther’s questions have not been answered, but time has passed, and the perception created by the liberal media has eaten into Erickson and now he is crying uncle. Not only that, but he is now inventing facts himself to defend his actions. Good bye Redstate.com. Where will you be in 5 years?

Nothing is Over Until We Decide it Is!

2010-01-07T13:20:00.005-06:00

I've been waiting to hear about town hall meetings and protests as Congressmen are back in the territories of their constituents, but apparently, most folk think that the health care bill is a.) already passed, or b.) is so inevitable it is not worth lifting a finger over. It's a shame that some bloggers (i.e. Allahpundit) are in default defeatist mode, convinced it's over. Votes still need to take place.

Quinn Hillyer from American Spectator writes a rallying piece for Republican Congressmen that holds so true.

See my article from earlier this week, trying to rally the troops as well.

Got Ezra!

2010-01-05T18:40:00.002-06:00

The American Spectator is forced to rebut the juvenile sentence constructions of recent college grad and Washington Post's red carpet walking, Ezra Klein. I think the guy just uses those word refrigerator magnets to construct his columns. For his new column he must have opened up that new calculator he got for graduation, because he's spoutin' of math and frighteningly underestimating how much the government would be spending on health care if the new bill passes. If the govt. spends as much as he said, we might all get a tournaquet and aspirin each year, but that'll be about it.

I'm sorry, but why do we keep listening to 24 year old Ezra Klein. His writing gives away his age, I hadn't even heard of him until last month when he came up with some ingenious idea of killing the fillibuster (gee, I never heard that one before). Why conservative blogs quote him, and why the Washington Post would give someone with 24 years of life experience a blog and a pay check is beyond me.

I'm sorry, I mean I'm 34, so I'm not so old that I need up to date guidance from someone The Economist magazine named one of the "minds of the moment", (yeah, a moment, kind of like 15 minutes of fame) and at age 16, I could have wrote and thought something as compelling about a politician as this quote he wrote about Joe Lieberman ; "willing to cause the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people in order to settle an old electoral score".

I must be getting old, because the political and worldly wisdom from these recent college grads just ain't gonna grab my attention. I'm just sick of reading his stupid name "Ezra" over and over again. That's how it goes sometimes; somebody's name simply annoys you, and then you read the critique of this overpaid "journalists" blog, and you "Learn That Life Is One Crushing Defeat After Another Until You Just Wish Flanders Was Dead."

Christmas Vacation is Over

2010-01-05T13:50:00.001-06:00

It was nice to relax over the holidays and breath a sigh of relief that Washington D.C. was for the moment, uninhabited by Freedom’s Plague found in the halls of Congress. Yes, it was a time to relish in the fact that if only for a few weeks, the weak parasites who needed to retreat to their resorts were gone for a time, and the rest of us could stop supervising the insubordinates and fully enjoy life with our families and put worry aside.

Today, is January 5, 2010, and that nice time is over. Concession needs to be over as well. It seems that too many fighting Americans actually think that the Health Care bill is Law, likely the result of a deaf and dumb Republican Party too camera shy and busy soaking up sun in some far away land to spread the word. However, the bill is not law, not at least until Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and various Obama advisors huddle in a lair somewhere and hash out a final bill comprised of the Senate and House bills, readying it for one last vote in the House and Senate. You won’t be able to see into the huddle, but the quarterback, or maybe the center, is likely to be Ezekiel Emmanuel, the quack doctor, who wrote one opinion piece after another, favoring rationing health care so that Americans could compete with the rest of the world in dollars spent on vacations. These opinion pieces were published regularly in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Yes, the American Medical Association (AMA); a dying organization made up of the last remnants of doctors too lazy to cure and discover cures; instead focused on easier ways to do harm. One easier way is to just get published ad nauseum in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA); even easier when your wife/ ex-wife holds a staff position at the AMA.

I’ve concluded that, Zeke has had an in at the AMA for years, and latched on to public healthcare policy ever since. Based on the Northwestern University Kellogg Staff webpage, “…Dr. Linda Emanuel was Vice President of Ethics Standards and Head of the Institute for Ethics at the American Medical Association. Dr. Emanuel moved to Chicago to create the Institute for Ethics at the AMA and to expand Ethics Standards.” My research shows the Emanuel’s are no longer married, but a quick google search will pull up articles co-written by the duo. You don’t see medical journal articles written by either of the two with titles like, “Accuracy and dimensional stability of extended-pour and conventional alginate impression materials”, you will instead see articles with titles like, “Who really pays for health care?” “The myth of "shared responsibility"”. “The cost-coverage trade-off: "it's health care costs, stupid"”, “What cannot be said on television about health care”, “Changing pre-med requirements and the medical curriculum.”, “Quantifying the federal minimal risk standard: implications for pediatric research without a prospect of direct benefit.”, “The perfect storm of overutilization.” None of these focus on treatment or science, simply policy, simply spreading the healthcare around, simply rationalizing rationing. The Editors of the Journal and the American Medical Association have looked the other, while the editorial page has become filled with article after article on how to avoid provided medical care. Obama and his large staff includes Dr. Emanuel and the fate of U.S. health care is at the mercy of such people and a derelict Congress.

Folks, this is it. If you would like, in 10 years, to still recognize the health care you grew up with (doctor appointments, reassuring nurses, stethoscopes, good beside manners); the time to act is now. Get on the horn to your U.S. Representative and Senator and let them know what you think. Organize protests in front of your U.S. Reps. offices; it isn’t hard to do. And to my fellow Chicagoans; wake up and realize that you have forced an entire state and now the nation, to endure the rule of a monarchy of many for the past 50 years, due to constantly taking the voting path of least resistance. To you Chicago Catholics; realize this one thing; abortion is against the teachings of your Church; a teaching which covers life and death and may I say, first heartbeat of the Will of God. If your faith means any more to you than a source for social outings and happy thoughts, now is the time to say so. Many of us have been in this battle for years and we could use reinforcements. Many of us have lived outside of the realm of patronage, nepotism, and politics as usual and still have a Chicago address. This is it, dress warm and get out there and tell your representatives what you would have them do.

Natural Disaster Talking Points

2010-01-04T12:22:00.007-06:00

A day or two following the failed terrorist attack to blow up an airliner above the city of Detroit, the Secretary of Homeland Security assured us that the “system worked.” Unfortunately, for Janet Napolitano; she must have read from an adaptation of a scripted response taken from under the shelf labeled “Hurricane Press Conference”. With a few strikethroughs and text replacements; I’ve put the text back to its original form, ready once again for safe keeping in the hurricane section of shelves in Janet’s office.

NAPOLITANO: "What we are focused on is making sure that the ~~air~~ environment remains safe, that people are confident ~~when they travel~~. And one thing I'd like to point out is that the system worked. Everybody played an important role here. The ~~passengers~~ residents and ~~crew~~ first responders ~~of the flight~~ in the affected area took appropriate action.

Within literally 90 minutes of the ~~incident~~ disaster occurring, all ~~128 flights in the air~~ law enforcement and first responders had been notified to take some special measures in light of what had occurred on the affected areas. ~~Northwest Airlines flight~~. We instituted new measures on the ground and at ~~screening areas~~ shelters, ~~both here in the United States and in Europe~~, where this ~~flight~~ storm hit ~~originated~~. So the whole process of making sure that we respond properly, correctly and effectively went very smoothly."

What Napolitano did say is all the words in black text and all the words in red with strikes. As you can plainly see, this would be a fine response for a natural disaster, but it doesn’t quite cut it for one of Napolitano’s coined phrase “man-made disasters”. There is a big difference between natural disasters and man-made disasters; Al Gore’s sermons aside. Unfortunately, there is little that the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security can do to avoid the oncoming hurricane on its way from Africa to the United States Gulf Coast. After taking the hit of the high winds and torrential rains, DHS can spur into action and receive applause after a press conference such as the one above. The storm of terrorism from Africa to the U.S. has a guarded gate that it must enter, if it can even get to that gate. It made it to and through the gate and the last line of defense; the fellow traveler stopped the storm dead in its tracks, just as the winds, landmass, and ocean current may happen to weaken and move a raging storm away from the well-populated area.

By now, as even Ms. Napolitano has conceded, it is agreed that the system that is supposed to be the first line of defense, did not work. We should have multiple first lines of defense here, made up of redundancies, shared data, and fast moving data. The last line of defense, needs to be the airport security screening and if necessary the terminal gate, and this is just airplane security.

Yes, natural disasters and man-made disasters derive from very different elements. We have in charge, many who don’t seem to realize a difference between the two. A former vice-president seems to see the two as synonymous, yet still I would advise trying to get a handle on keeping the man-made disaster in check as a starting point, before enacting so many ridiculous proposed measures in an effort to keep man from causing heavy winds and rain.

Convention Time

2009-12-31T15:15:00.004-06:00

I just saw this link. The National Tea Party Convention will be held in February at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee, and the Keynote Speaker will be............Sarah Palin!

Windy City Obamacare Update

2009-12-31T13:41:00.002-06:00

Looking over my recent posts, I guess I should update my post from December 18th

As it turns out, I was seriously off target on Ben Nelson. Guided by hope, I actually wrote "Defender of the Unborn" and "Ben Nelson" in the same sentence, but it will now take a complete about face by Nelson, to ever get me to repeat such a sentence. As it turns out, on the night of my December 18th post, Ben Nelson met in Harry Reid's office with the likes of Barbara Boxer and Chuck Schumer to help him shed his pro-life credentials. One account tells how it was Schumer and others who thought a compromise was hopeless, until Ben stepped in it, and mentioned crafting some state opt-in/ opt-out gibberish, giving Reid, Schumer, and Boxer, and daylight they needed to force the legislation onto the American people.

Nelson's first mistake was entering a room with Barbara Boxer to have a dialogue about abortion. It sounds like "Notre Dame- The Sequel"; the most renowned Catholic University which shed part of its own pro-life strength by inviting the pro-abortion President over for an honorary degree and commencement speech. Nelson made it pathetically easy on Reid by allowing the pro-abortion, Viagra spokeswoman into the room, and for what? What good for his pro-life cause did Nelson possibly think could be done by having mega-feminist Boxer in the room.

Obamacare has a few hurdles yet, before it becomes law, but unless Nelson changes his vote next time the Senate seeks approval of the reconciled House/ Senate version, it appears he may be the un-electable Ben Nelson, lobbyist to be.

Axelrod and Rahm- Once "Blame Bush" Takes its Last Breath, These Two Clowns are Done

2009-12-31T11:13:00.002-06:00

The country's greatest political arm twisters, David Axelrod and Rahm Emmanuel appear to be at peak performance these days. Unfortunately for them, once the past is no longer believed to be the cause of present and future problems, these hacks are toast.

A Sort of New Christmas

2009-12-26T01:23:00.002-06:00

This Christmas Day was a bit different than all others. For the first time since her being born, I did not see my sister on Christmas Day. She spent her first Christmas morning with her first child, Seamus, and husband Kevin, and then went to Kevin's family party. We'll all get together tomorrow and open gifts and have brunch. It was nice to be able to sleep in on Christmas morning after a late night going to midnight mass. This is probably the first Christmas in my life that I didn't get up early and open gifts. I gladly slept until 11 AM, and sometime earlier in the morning, my mom gave me the gift of throwing a couple more blankets on me, as I slept on the basement couch. I found a big bin of my baseball cards too, and looked through some of them.

At Noon we went to my Grandma's House. This year we were missing a few of my cousins as well as my sister and brother-in-law. Instead of about 30 people at Grandmas, we had around 20. My little cousins (my aunt and uncle's 5 kids) were there which really helped fill the place a little more, and they are so enjoyable to have around. My little god-daughter who is a year and half seems to become a character when she's tired and having fun. She kept moving a small, one foot high stool to sit on in front of me, on the couch. This same stool my Grandpa used to rest his head on when he laid on the floor and watched TV, before he died over 20 years ago. She sat on the stool to watch the older kids watch my brother and cousins play Super Mario Brothers. Her older brother who is 4 asked why my eldest uncle was still asleep in the recliner chair, and someone suggested waking him up. When a few taps didn't work, my cousin went to get his kiddie saxophone and he blew some forte notes in front on my uncle. I'm sure it is impossible to go into a deep sleep there on Holidays; I've tried.

So, it was a Christmas that was different but quite the same. Very nice all around, and another reason to appreciate God's great gift of family and children.

Time for Obamacare to Go on Christmas Break

2009-12-18T13:52:00.003-06:00

Not many are happy with it. Most Americans want to keep things the way they are rather than pass it. The time has come for Obamacare to go on Christmas vacation and for Senators to head back to their home states and face the music. I lift my glass of eggnog and say, "Here's to Ben Nelson the Defender of the Unborn, Jim Webb the Silent, and Joe Lieberman the Ointment's Fly." Of these three I pray that Ben Nelson stays worthy of his above title.

Here is a good Ann Coulter article with a nice change of pace with its little less bite than usual; it's pretty right on.
Coulter

McCain Consols Lieberman

2009-12-14T14:58:00.003-06:00

Yet another reason why I find John McCain an iron free, wet noodle of a Conservative, and a hindrance to the battles against liberalism. In the National Review Online post below. We get to read about McCain's pep talk to Joe Lieberman, in the middle of a battle. For now, Joe is arguing strategy with his Democrat allies. He wants to retreat on the Obamacare Bill, and he is catching hell from liberals bent on Obamacare passing at any cost. A few bloggers are passing around a petition to lobby the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to fire Joe's wife, because Joe is holding out on voting for Obamacare. McCain's defense of Joe is mealy mouthed as are most of the words that leave his mouth whenever he is not throwing a temper tantrum. It is nice that he defends his friend is so many ways, but at the end he fails to overcome the great unreliability that any careful observer could pin on McCain. He says at the very end; “I only talk to him in the way that a friend talks to a friend,” says McCain. “I tell him that I know whatever he does, it will be the right thing.”

Hey Johnny, what if he votes for the current bill, IS THAT THE RIGHT THING? What a dunce you are Johnny; is it too early or cruel to use the word senile. Mr. McCain, you are not Joe's parent telling a high school aged Joe that if he chooses to play baseball or run track this Spring, either way he'll stay in shape. This is a decision between either voting FOR a huge liberty destroying bill, or voting AGAINST a huge
liberty destroying bill. There is a right and a wrong to this John, believe it or not. Meanwhile, as is usually my advice, why don't you keep your mouth shut. Like the Good Lord once said, "say yes when you mean yes, and no when you mean no". McCain's been trying to say yes and no to the same questions over and over, and the act is getting old.

Human Perfection by the Dictate of Humans

2009-12-10T16:53:00.004-06:00

"We are called to be Saints". So said St. Paul in his letter to the Romans. This is a call from God and He alone. Today the world of non-believers received a call of perfection from President Obama.

Obama: “But we do not have to think that human nature is perfect for us to still believe that the human condition can be perfected.”

Who will bless one who partakes in this pursuit?

As Victor Davis Hanson writes today:

"That thought of the perfectibility of the human condition, in lieu of deterrence and military preparedness, throughout history has gotten millions killed. The human condition can be improved, but only by acknowledgment of the lethal propensities of some — and by readiness to prevent those propensities’ becoming manifest. Most of the great wars of the 20th century were fought against those who were convinced that “the human condition can be perfected.”

Obama must not take much credence in the Book of Revelations. Apparently, he thinks the story ends with a U.S. President spreading misery equally, closing the gates of Earth from Heavenly intervention, while sent to us is this U.S. President created by God to rule over all on the Earth. God sent his only Son so that all who believe in him will have eternal life. God wouldn't send us Obama to neutralize souls as they await death. Not after Jesus set our souls on fire. All non-believers still have a choice; do you wish to follow the examples of Obama or Jesus.

The Minority Party is Supposed to be "The Party of No".

2009-12-08T15:11:00.004-06:00

Americans chose Democrats to lead the nation. Whether they meant to or not, they forgot to elect enough Republicans to get any legislation written by Republicans passed. As they say, "Elections have consequences". The ONLY purpose the Republicans can now serve is to COMMUNICATE what is wrong with Democrat proposals, and explain what they would do differently, if there were enough of them in office. After that, all they can do is say NO, and use parliamentary tactics and whatever means the Founding Fathers put into place to slow down tyranny. They need to do this to buy time until the next election when more Republicans can be elected to do whatever it is voters elect them to do.

I'm not paid to think this or write this, but someone is making big Republican money to not think this or write this. My predication: If Obamacare passes, Republicans go the way of the Whigs. Bye bye country club members; inherited wealth, nepotism, name recognition, and the fact that you were a POW 35 years ago, ain't gonna cut it anymore. You will prove how useless and unthinking you really are, and that you were the great enablers of the death of our freedoms.

Led by the Godless UPDATE: Usurped by the Kennedys

2009-12-07T16:52:00.004-06:00

Today, we are truly under the whim of godless government employees and politicians. The current attempts to takeover health care and regulate carbon dioxide emissions are two huge symptoms of the world's greatest disease: Godlessness. No matter what a politician or government employee may tell you about their religious faith, it is clear that the majority believe there is no God, once you look past their act of enduring God, while putting up their patronizing facade at so many Protestant Churches throughout America. Prostestantism seems to be the world's stage for corrupt politicians to spread their lies with a false cover of religion. Being that the Eucharist is nowhere in sight, they can do this fearlessly. You do not see a politician give a speech during a Catholic Mass, do you? If these government leaders were truly people who followed God, events would be nowhere near where they are.

If you are godless you may believe that only you and cooperative others can save mankind and future generations. (The Global Warming hoax wouldn't exist without such godless figures and fellow believers of man made global warming.) Only if you believe there is no God who created you, can you believe that the fires you light for warmth and the breath you exhale could harm the world that God created. You may only believe that your origins were begotten from exploding gasses and stars or simply a tadpole, and now your mere existence is turning your habitat to ruin. Being godless you would believe your fellow Godless neighbors could only produce and invent things that ultimately prove to be evil. Somehow even though you are godless, you do believe evil exists, but only in humans who don't agree with you; you being the God you've appointed yourself to be; since there really is no higher being, or so you believe. So, since you were elected to a position in government, or appointed by one who is elected, or hired by the appointed, your the tops; it's up to you. However, unfortunately for you and the rest of us, you are very limited in your ability, but you might be able to write and enforce laws to enslave the rest of us to make up for your shortcomings.

There are only so many doctors out there, and there is only so much room on the computer screen for commas and decimal points which notate fictional dollar amounts, so now you feel it is time to take control over it; afterall who else could do such a thing. You were elected to a high office, or appointed by the elected person, or hired by the apointee, so you're it. You're the one. The length of your arm is as long as any arm. Unfortunately for you and for the rest of us, you really don't know too much about how healthcare in the U.S. came to advance as it has, but you think everyone should have the same chance at acquiring it, so whoever the doctors, insurers, researchers, etc. are, you want them to change to your liking and be compensated to the amount that you think is fair. Whatever their shortcomings are, and become after you force them to change, you will make up for by collecting many more taxes and forcing others to buy the insurance product that you don't know how to produce. Your the tops, and you think people in this country spend too much on health care and it embarrases you because in other countries people don't spend so much on health care and because they do so in your country, you get all embarrassed around all the other "tops".

The other thing about healthcare is that you can't perform miracles, and there is no being in the universe that can, so once someone reaches what you deem to be an irreversible condition, you're done paying for them, that's it, their time to bask in your glory is over.

And one more thing. Since their is no God, in your mind, the average man or woman on the street is severely limited, and also corrupt and evil. They can be no way influenced by some sort of wonderful counselor, and they were never elected to any position, or appointed by someone elected, or hired by someone appointed, so they could never produce anything worthwhile for other humans or even themselves, so it is up to you to provide for them. The way to do this is to take away from those few less than human, producers who have scourged the earth and stole everything. You never told them they could do anything for themselves, or donate time and money to anyone, so who do they think they are; hand it over you wasteful theives. Who better than you to decide who to help? After all, you are the tops, and you are known by your fruits.

UPDATE: Politicians often receive an open forum from Protestant churches as mentioned above, but being that they are unable to grab the microphone at Catholic Mass, Cafeteria Catholic Politicians write OP-Eds to criticize bishops on Magesterial Church Teachings. Who better to continue to do this, then members of the Kennedy family. Oh, if only Lee Harvey Oswald hadn't pulled the trigger, the Kennedy fascinations could have run their natural course and ended 30 years ago. Instead, today we all continue to suffer from America's greatest farcical family legacy.

"When the Iraqi's Stand Up, We'll Stand Down"

2009-12-04T17:54:00.004-06:00

This title quote was stated by George W. Bush quite often as he tried to convince a weary nation and adversarial Congress that a troop surge in Iraq was necessary and would work. This quote was the "timeline" George W. Bush created. It was a milestone and not a date on the calendar.

These days, President Obama is trying for a troop surge as well in Afghanistan, but he is also trying for a deadline; July, 2011; a month on a calendar, not a milestone of achievement.

Unfortunately, the "conservative" non-thinkers lack the will or brightness to make mention of this key difference. Newt Gingrich and the CWINOs (Conservative Writers in Name Only), are saying that Bush created a timeline for Iraq too. If he did, he didn't telegraph it to the enemy. He didn't include it in his speech to the nation on the Iraq Surge.

The question I ask is this: When did Afghanistan suddenly become such a tough fight? All during the Iraq War, we heard from the left that Afghanistan was the right war and their was no nightly body count given. The anti-war movement must have been so distracted by Iraq that they forgot to demand that the U.S. Troops in Afghanistan come home to fight Hurricane Katrina. I thought things were going well there, but then Obama got elected.

President Bush was in his second term but had just suffered a huge beating in the Congressional elections in 2006. He quickly fired Don Rumsfeld, and in January announced the Iraq surge. He did this with a Democrat controlled Congress who wanted troops out now, a minority of support from the public, and a squeamish bunch of what was left of Republicans in Congress. He did have the support of the ever so influential John McCain, but even without McCain, Bush probably would have taken the surge direction. The Democrats in Congress tried to cut funding for Iraq and played games with troop funding every chance they got. Remember the night that hundreds of cots were hauled into the Capitol building, for a night of debate on stripping war funds. Only a few of those idiots used the cots, while the rest went to their posh lodging. Yet another waste of taxpayer dollars.

Let us contrast this with President Obama. He has a huge advantage in Congress, and the pressure is not to withdraw troops from the evil Iraq War, but to withdraw them or keep a stagnant number in the good war, Afghanistan. Apparently, the moral justification for a war is solely dependent on its ease. Maybe the Civil War served no moral good afterall. Obama might still be waiting to send troops had not General McChrystal's request for more troops had been leaked. But as it was, Obama waited as long as possible so the domestic issues at home could go his way, before jeopardizing the unabetted assaults on the freedom of U.S. citizens, with a unapproved of foreign policy decision.

George W. Bush seemed to separate domestic policy advantages from foreign policy neccessity. It seems Obama has been unable to separate the foreign policy neccessities which hinder his momentum on his domination of domestic policy. He sure has tried; but time ran out on his dithering and the milestones have been hard to realize. Let us hope that our military has better success.

Newt's Been Catholic 10 Minutes- Endorses Pro-Choice Republican

2009-10-22T17:21:00.002-05:00

Do we really need more Catholics who keep quiet and go against the teachings of the faith? Well, we just got another one this year in former Speaker of the House- Newt Gingrich. Usually, the Catholic politicians who leave their faith back at the church door have been baptized since infancy and are Catholic only as a part of some ethnic heritage, although Catholicism knows no ethnicity. However, good old Newt converted in 2009 and is already backing a pro-choice Republican for NY-23 Congressional District. This isn't just any pro-choice Republican either, it is Dede Scozzafava, who probably has less to offer folks like pro-lifer Doug Kmiec than Obama.

It is nothing new for members of the "Baby Boomer" generation of which Newt and Doug appear to be a members of, to have discovered a need to throw away the Catholic faith as taught to them and try to re-invent it. Newt just came aboard and already is putting politics above faith. But who knows what his RCIA notes may say. Given the infiltration of liberal theology in Parishes throughout the U.S., the social justice teachings Newt learned may have been exclusively geared toward softening him up on his beliefs about capital punishment while avoiding the topic of abortion all together. It's a subject many Catholics choose to ignore.

The children of these boomers either have their parents heresies engrained in them, or were so blessed to pay them no heed and learned the faith on their own, or grew up with parents who turned away from the detrimental 1960's and the mis-understood yet great catalyst for changes by the diabolical influences in the church; Vatican II. The children of the boomers laugh at grandma reminding them to get to mass on Sunday, as I once did. The hope is that the great majority of diobolical influences in the church are buried along with the boomers who were left so open to such influence.

One would have hoped that a politician such as Newt, converting so late in life, would have gotten off to a better start. Time is needed for improvement. Newt is full of politics, leaving little room for the Holy Spirit. Mr. Gingrich, will you trade politics for principle?

White Lab Coats- In, Medical Tests- Out

2009-10-06T16:29:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, the president hosted a confederacy of medical dupes, many of whom forgot to bring their photo-op neccessity; the white coat. So, White House professionals quickly handed out white coats that they happened to have on hand. Those big money assistants sure are coming in handy these days. The Obama dog needed some more Alpo, and Michelle Obama needed an afternoon latte, so a case and a cup was also grabbed along the way.

In other healthcare takeover news, this Wall St. Journal article mentions again, how adamently opposed the president is to wasteful medical tests, like MRI's and CAT scans. The kind of tests that oncologists and cardiologists use to diagnose their patients. It must be more cost effective to just guess whether or not a patient has a heart condition or cancer. Give em chemo; just don't test em to make sure it's actually needed. Schedule a bypass, but for the love of God, don't order another echocardiogram.

When I was 12, I was hit by a car. Lucky for me, I initially showed no signs of damage. However, about 10 months later, I began to have horrible chronic leg pain. In 1988, my rural healthcare workers didn't have the latest technology. I saw a Rheumatologist, probably an Oncologist, and more doctors than I can remember. X-Rays and even a Bone Scan didn't show anything that could cause such symptoms. After months of inconclusive diagnoses, I was brought to a children's hospital in Chicago, and within a week, a brand spanking new MRI confirmed that I had a herniated disk in my back which required surgery. A month later, I was recovering from surgery, and my leg was pain free, and remains so to this day. If cost cutters like Obama had ruled the day, my Roy Rogers/ John Wayne limp would still prevail, and I would likely be living a sedentary lifestyle, unable to be physically active do to severe leg pain, and probably additional pain acquired over the years.

Tests may cost extra and in cases prove worthless, but they are humane in allowing doctors to see what the naked eye cannot, and from there, begin the kind cure.

Another Catholic Politician- No Friend to the Unborn

2009-10-05T17:01:00.002-05:00

On the first Sunday in October, many Catholic politicians in Illinois walked once again up the steps of their parish to receive the eucharist with their soul in a state that they see fit. Another Sunday to rest and spend time with family before another busy day of making a name for themselves with the rest of the world.

Vi Daley, I presume yet another Irish Catholic politician on the Chicago City Council, has sponsored an ordinance to prohibit pro-life sidewalk counseling outside of abortion clinics in Chicago. Mrs. Daley would submit her fellow Catholic brethren to a $500 fine if they were to come within 8 feet of someone entering an abortion clinic. Does not Daley know that sidewalk counseling saves lives? Daley claims that "protests" outside a clinic in her Lincoln Park ward have grown in number of participants and have become "agressive".

At a health care facility in the ward, one which provides women's health
care in addition to reproductive services, the number of protestors has more
than tripled. The local police and nearby residents have reported
increasingly aggressive tactics. The police cannot respond to the
Federal law and have few, if any, alternative options until an otherwise
illegal activity takes place.

In her quote above from her website, Daley refers to "aggressive tactics". Are there any police reports filed regarding these "agressive tactics"? If no, than Daley is clearly trying to make what is a legal activity, illegal. Since Mrs. Daley doesn't like it, she wants to make it a crime. This is what our modern day politicians are fighting for these days. Constitutional rights are being broken down and made into illegal elements. What was once O.K. for nearly 40 years, is now a problem to Daley because, now there are more protestors, and she doesn't like it.

Also, she states that police can currently do nothing. Since when have police been unable to respond to whatever Federal law she is talking about? Does the Sanctuary City status of Chicago, which allows illegal immigration to flourish in the city, also apply to laws regarding assembly? Mrs. Daley is clearly another nanny state politician who money made. It's a shame that she has spent no time seeing for herself the caring sidewalk counseling, rosary praying, and hymn singing. She is another Catholic politician who leaves her faith inside the church doors, receives communion from pushover clergy, and goes about destroying the tenants of the faith each Monday- Saturday.

Happy October

2009-10-01T16:47:00.002-05:00

Well, since the country is now wrapped up in whether or not Chicago will host an Olympics in 2016, I guess we can forget about everything else that might be serious. Obama is in Denmark, for the cause of Chicago Olympics 2016, so there must not be anything else to worry about.

Congress might pass the health care bill next week, complete with tax payer funded abortion and mandated health insurance complete with IRS supervision. However, the always hoodwinked Republicans and their dwindling base still thinks they already won the health care battle back on September 12, because they think 2 million showed up in Washington D.C. on a Saturday. Only Rush and the Heritage Foundation are making noise about the possibility of health care legislation being passed by a ridiculous parliamentary procedure. I'll be surprised if it really does happen, but the whispering is already happening and since so many of us have spent the last 3 months complaining about pending legislation, shouldn't we remain vigilant during these significant hours of a possible congressional heist? I know Krauthammer said that the "public option" is dead, but he's been wrong before.

Iran seems to moving full speed ahead with creating a nuclear bomb and the U.S. Military Commanders say they could use some more troops in Afghanistan, but Obama needs to make sure Chicago gets the 2016 Olympics first. I remember in 2004 when Democrat politicians were saying we needed more troops in Iraq, and Bush kept saying that as soon as the Generals asked for them they would receive them. Now the Generals are asking for additional troops for the "good war" and the new president needs to wait and see. I don't know what he is looking for.

So, at this point, I say, to heck with it all. Maybe things will become less like the Twilight Zone long enough for me to get my thoughts together and write another good post, but for now, I'm only good for about 4 Rosarys a day, daily mass, and some focus at work. I have no idea what might happen next week, month, or year, in my life, or on this earth.

The Firsts

2009-09-17T17:04:00.003-05:00

So far, it doesn't look like things are going too well for the "first woman Speaker of the House", and "first black President". If one wants to hype these two firsts and claim that our nation has achieved some sort of permanent moral absolution for their ascendency, may I point out that it appears these two have lost control?

The President has lost control due to his executive decisions. I read a relative's Facebook posting today which began, "Obama is a nice guy, but...". Nice guy? Perhaps to those who determine niceness by a good handshake and a smile, but look at the deeds to see how nice one really is. Is it nice to turn a blind eye to slain protesters in Iran? Is it nice to revoke the visas of Honduras government officials who were only acting in defense of the constitution of their democratic nation? The President is not so nice, and I won't get into the domestic front where gauging good intentions becomes difficult.

Pelosi on the other hand has lost control emotionally. Today, she claims fright of the right, and believes assassinations and political turmoil is about to ensue. You declared war on the CIA and average Americans months ago Nancy. Is crying in front of the camera the new form of engagement? History didn't teach you that declaring war requires action? Declaring war is not the same as winning a war. It is not like claiming the front seat of a car by being the first to yell, "Shotgun".

So there you have it. We've got our first woman speaker and our first black president. Race and gender never meant anything to me, but it sure did to many of their supporters. And now we can all plainly see that race and gender are not relevant to success, temperment and leadership. Sonia Sotomayor would tell us otherwise; maybe she'll one day rule otherwise.

Slackin'

2009-09-14T17:02:00.002-05:00

To all my imaginary readers, I apologize for my lack of posting lately. I have been somewhat busy at work and don't have the time to dedicate to much effort to posts lately. I should have a post on this past Saturday's Tea Party in Chicago, complete with photos of good signs I saw there.

I am hoping to start writing a deeper weekly column for this ever visited site, and hopefully keep the interest of all those out there who are afraid to comment on all the posts that they are reading. I know Kazoo is out there somewhere and Mr. Peabody, and all the scary imaginary friends from horror films everywhere. I hope I can help you become less scary, by influencing you to lessen your need for senseless violence. Get out from under the bed and smile on your brother for cryin' out loud.

I Think I Must Be the Only One Afraid of RINOs

2009-09-04T17:07:00.003-05:00

Maybe it won't matter in the long run. Maybe Olympia Snowe and friends won't pull together a health care compromise, once again becoming the most powerful Senators by means of bucking the rest of the party; but this story has been heralded atop my Yahoo e-mail page for the past 2 hours, and the "conservative" blogosphere is still busy gathering Van Jones quotes.

I don't know how many more "Gang of 14" groups the conservative media are going to remain asleep at the switch for, but I am getting tired of being a guy who has a full time job in something that has nothing to do with world events, yet professional bloggers at NRO and other places take hours to catch these things. In 3 weeks, we could see this newly minted "Bi-partisan 6" sitting around a table with Obama fresh off his congressional address, putting the nation on the fast train to the public option, and these "professionals" will be late to the party once again.

One of the main reasons I ever created this blog, is because I was getting so tired of reading the same thing on blog after blog. I even thought of creating a blog which critiques and rates other blogs. We have had the David Frum and Rod Dreher types wringing their hands about paranoid, racist grassroots conservatives and on the other side you have Michelle Malkin who informs me well, but really can't write more than 2 sentences per paragraph. Then you have Hot Air and Powerline, which are pretty much in between The Frum Hand Wring Brigade and Michelle's Border Patrol, but you never know when Powerline or Hot Air will disappoint next, due to their ability to "stick with it" resembling that of George Will's.

One thing I know for sure is that the RINOs are still a lingering problem for those who want to slow down and defeat the left's premises, ideas, and policies, and until we repetitively petition those people in Congress to get it together and fight as well, we ain't going nowhere. Also, it is time to focus on THE INDIVIDUAL seated in the Congress. When we focus on the overall numbers, such as congressional gains in the House and Senate, we count (R)s and (D)s and allow many imposters to sneak in. Mark Kirk (R) in Illinois is a prime example. Republicans in Illinois whined for a few minutes when Kirk threw his hat in the ring for U.S. Senate, but since then, all strategies to keep him from becoming the Republican nominee have been abandoned. This is due to simply settling for the (R) and forming rationalizations so that we can just relax and let it be. One must insist on putting the magnifying glass in front of the individual to see if he/she really does withstand our own scrutiny. If so, vote Yes, in not, vote No. Leave the party affiliation or chances of general election success out of it. Otherwise, you are left with a choice of the lesser of two evils once again, resulting in electing yet another cog in the political machine or a yet another unreliable RINO.

It will be years until I can again enjoy peace in the judgement of the "GOP" electorate, after John McCain entered the GOP primary with 2 dollars in his pocket, and with the help of his MSM base, New Hampshire, Charlie Crist, and the Fox News All-Stars Panel, became the GOP nominee before Mitt Romney had a chance to purchase his second jar of hair gel. The polls showed that McCain had the best numbers against Hillary in the general more than 8 months before election day, and the GOP flock voted in the Maverick, only to see youthful Barack holding the reigns of the Donkey by July. Conservative journalists like Tony Blankley warned against the possibility of a GOP brokered convention, and he and others trumpeted the need to pick the candidate ASAP. McCain had the nomination in the bag by February and commenced waxing his Model-T for 5 months while Hillary and Obama had the news all to themselves. Yep, people get paid to write these words of wisdom and manage these campaigns and we end up where we are today, and even though we are here, it appears that the GOP establishment is ramping up for an encore.

Krauthammer: Good, but Still Just Another Pundit.

2009-09-03T12:43:00.002-05:00

Conservatives have held Charles Krauthammer in high esteem for a long time. Charles regularly offers great verbal and written summaries of what has already been done and said in the political world. Sometimes, his conclusions are not what you want to hear, and lately his outlook on what will happen next, has turned out wrong. For instance, when the health care town hall meetings were in their infancy, Krauthammer warned that they would have a negative effect on overall public opinion, and would be detrimental to the efforts of those who were protesting Obamacare. He later admitted that he was wrong. The fact that he made such an admission itself, sets him apart from the many self-righteous "conservative" pundits.

But like many of the most well-known MSM "conservative" pundits, he has a born in disdain for Sarah Palin. In a recent article he said that if we are having a discussion about healthcare, Sarah Palin should leave the room. He said this in reference to her "death panels" remark. Now that the term "death panel" is starting to seem more realistic, I doubt that Krauthammer will one day admit he is wrong about Palin. After all, if you're in the beltway media, disregarding all that is Palin, is required.

The National Review Online Corner, must believe that each oration from Dr. Krauthammer on the Fox News All-Star Panel is worth its own post each day. As such, they posted his stated advice for Obama when he addresses Congress next week. I don't think Axelrod could have thought up a better strategy. So nice of Charles to lend his high intelligence to the Obama propoganda machine:

Krauthammer's Take [NRO Staff]
From last night's Fox News
All-Stars.

On Obama’s upcoming health-care address to a joint
session of Congress:
I think this speech has to be dramatic. It has to be a
reset. It has to be a restaging of this debate, because he has lost Act One. It
has got to be an opening curtain on Act Two, and it can't just be a repetition
of his old positions.

I think the way they are headed is to try to
say — have the president do a nod to the discontent and the anxiety that was
generated over the summer.

But then, I think if they are smart and
politically cynical — which I think they are — what they will try to do is say
that the reason the president could not be specific is because while
negotiations were going on with Republicans, specifically the “Gang of Six” in
the Senate, he wanted to not preclude any possible agreements or
compromises.

But now that the Republicans have walked away — and I
suspect he will attack Senators Grassley and Enzi specifically — and say: Well,
now that the Republicans are going to be entirely obstructionists…now I will be
specific, and now this summer of discontent — in which I had to be either
evasive or ambiguous or at least open — is over. The Republicans have forced my
hand, and now I'm going to say x, y and z.

But he has to say x, y,
and z. He has to make a pronouncement on the public option, and he also has to
make a critical strategic decision. Is this about cutting costs, which will
destroy him in popular opinion, or does he ignore that now and make it all about
expansion of coverage and guaranteeing of coverage?

So there you have it. Take it away Mr. President.

Free pieces of advice from the Conservative side come again and again. The beltway observers seem to withdrawl their conscience from the debate and lend strategy to the political enemies. Krauthammer knows Obama's main goal is for the government to have complete control of healthcare, but even Krauthammer can not resist assisting with new material, as long as it is his material. Whoever picks up on it, doesn't matter. Well, Chuck, I predict your advice may partly be used to the detriment of those who protest Obamacare. Hopefully, as you were, I too will be wrong.

Swine Flu Bill

2009-09-02T17:49:00.002-05:00

World Net Daily provides information on pending legislation in Massachusetts which will restrict liberty if indeed the Swine Flu rears its ugly head. There are other states heading in this direction as well. Are the quarantines really going to be necessary and how will they be carried out? Looks like the police will have authority to enter homes without a warrant and detain those sniffling and vomiting. Also, the road to forced vacinations is being paved by our thoughtful state legislators. I don't believe the current Swine Flu that is going around has shown any long term effects after recovery such as the effects of Polio, but the hysteria coming straight from the government is as on cue as ever.

Maybe the wiretapping that was so denounced during the Bush administration could be used to listen in on citizens describing their symptoms over the phone to Dr. Mom. Obama and Co. are just beginning to realize how much power wielding can be done from up there in the White House. Bush needed 2 towers to collapse and 3,000 people to die within hours to get a portion of the power Obama's Bureaucrats may seek to take when the common cold comes a callin' come winter. Quarantine's are already being practiced the first week of September in those liberal bastions; universities. Classes may be cancelled soon. Just cancel the whole school year, learn online, etc.

Isn't it so pleasant remaking America?

Chief RINO is Back

2009-08-31T17:50:00.002-05:00

John McCain (W) seemed awful quiet over the summer, but now that the weather is cooling down over much of the country, the old man is back to add some more "Wrong" to the nation. The ever so principled McCain, took a trip to Illinois to endorse the pro-abortion, pro-planned parenthood Mark Kirk (R), for U.S. Senate. This is the same Mark Kirk who was against the Iraq War surge the John McCain championed. If Kirk had won the day, Iraq would have been lost. This is the same John McCain who twisted words during the 2008 Republican Primary and said that Mitt Romney was against the surge in Iraq, but now he endorses a guy who actually was. With guys like Kirk and McCain around, you often have to remind yourself that "this is the same guy who....". Just as Obama has shown the ability to hypnotize Americans to favor him, John McCain has done the same with the rank and file Republican voters and donors, and "conservative" media. Everyone seems to forget the political fraud that comes out of McCain time and time again.

Mark my words, McCain will continue to be the death knell of the party, and Democrats will own the nation for generations, unless a 3rd party arises or those in charge of the Republican Party wake up and throw the liberal Republicans like Kirk, and the just plain ignorant like McCain, overboard. The (R) after the name isn't going to fool enough people to win an election. The Republican Party is still badly in need of moving to the right, or we will continue to see the loss of Republican seats. If H.R. 3200 gets passed with Republican assistance, a 70-30 Democrat Majority in the Senate is on the way.

Where's Ted?

2009-08-27T17:11:00.003-05:00

This piece by Jeffrey Lord presents Ted Kennedy in a light that perhaps the lion wasn't all bad. I can see a wee bit of the traits of an Irish heritage; a glimmer of the common man, as much as a glimmer that can be seen in a resident of "Camelot".

However, at the end of the piece, Lord, states that, "Right about now, Ronald Reagan is welcoming Ted Kennedy home. And after the pleasantries, I have no doubt Reagan is saying, "Teddy, about that health care reform, well…"

I know we humans should not judge and assume that someone is burning in Hell. But on the other hand, is it any better in the eyes of God to assume that someone who has publicly supported abortion and has committed God knows how many sinful acts, to be assumed to be residing in Heaven? And for that matter, in 2 days? Perhaps Lord stood bedside and witnessed a perfect Act of Contrition a few days ago, but short of that, at least us Catholic brethren (of which Teddy is a member) believe there is rarely an express ticket to the pearly gates. Yet so many of us recite the likely false yet comforting line that, "he/she is in Heaven now". God's mercy is infinite, but since when has it become understood, that it is extended instantly to most all?

McCain (W)

2009-08-27T12:59:00.005-05:00

Inspiration from a death was once left to the Christ; he who died for our sins. But today, we have 24 news media, who will interview one public figure after another to express how the death of Ted Kennedy can inspire both parties, Republican and Democrat, to come together and pass a health care bill. I thought to myself, "since when are we to be inspired by a death?" When it serves a political purpose in America, of course.

There is no politician more committed to the irrelevant than John McCain. He is not an (R) or a (D), he is only a (W), from the Party of Wrong. This man seems to buy into every left-wing idea and give it credence with his high level of respect gained from when he was shot down in a plane and kept as a POW; not from any actual act as a Senator. You may think that other than he and his family's grief from the years of captivity, this would not matter much in the vast configuration of things, but just like in the case of Ted Kennedy's death, you'd be wrong. For we live in a society which debates vigorously the merit of completely opposite views, even on the definition life and death, and waits for the irrelevant emotional moment to break the tie.

Whether it was Barack Obama's race breaking the deadlock between he and Hillary, or John McCain's former POW status as the horse he rode in on to capture the Republican nomination, there is always the irrelevant emotional story which holds the nation hostage at its arrival. How fitting for Ted Kennedy to die in the middle of a stagnant healthcare debate, to provide once again, the emotional moment we Americans need to submit and give away our freedoms. What Kennedy's life story has to do with H.R. 3200, I have no idea. He received health care from the Congress Cadillac plan, and likely received whatever medical care he wished. He didn't go to Canada or Great Britain to experience their taxed system.

But, lurking once again after months of silence is the great Democrat Party enabler, the opportunist, self-acclaimed Reagan footsoldier, Mr. Soundbite, the loser, the man who gives away the store time and time again; McCain (W). The man from the Party of Wrong, will prove once again to be the Democrat Party's knight in shining armor, to rescue the wretched usurpers of freedom once again. And once again, he will endure a little bit of whining from the conservative media, after yet another McCain "compromise", but they'll shrug and shut up soon after H.R. 3200 becomes inevitable, as they did leading up to McCain's 2008 nomination. The reliable dust bunnies in Arizona will re-elect him again and he'll remain in office until he gets sick and dies, to provide yet another irrelevant emotional reason for Americans to hold the gun to their heads once more.

And There It Is!

2009-08-24T17:11:00.002-05:00

I saw this coming a month ago. Swine Flu mania is on the way. It's in big red letters on Drudge right now, but who knows how long it will stay there. We can all feel safe though that the President’s Council of Advisers on Science and Technology is on the case, and has given the Obama administration high marks for preparedness to boot. Hurry up and get your shots, Obama has got 'em in mass production. The economy may become stimulated after all. The president's council says 90,000 americans could die from it. What about the 45 million without health insurance; they'll all die, right?

I won't be surprised if Obama comes home from vacation refreshed and with the brand new talking point that Obamacare must be passed to combat Swine Flu. And, I won't be surprised if the RINOs once again go along and take the bait. I better keep up with the excercising. Personally avoiding the need for Obamacare has become my life long goal now. My wish is to live until 90 and die in my sleep, but if need be, I'll spend my last days lying on a mat of some sort, reading Psalms and waiting for the clock to run out. I'll do my best before then to give as much comfort and care as I possibly can to my loved ones, friends, and neighbors in their time of need.

Who Wrote H.R. 3200?

2009-08-24T16:47:00.004-05:00

Now that the Attorney General is going to probe the pre-Obama CIA interrogators, I am reminded of all the attorneys who were outted for authoring the "torture memos" for President Bush. It is possible that these attorneys will face prosecution for forming legal opinions, many of which were never acted on.

In the spirit of burning legal advisors at the stake, I'd like to know the names of everyone who participated in drafting House Bill 3200. Tell us who they are, so that any inhumane portions of the bill can also be grounds for prosecution. Prosecute those who made coding errors at the VA, resulting in 1,200 veterans going through months with fresh copies of the "VA Death Book" believing they had ALS (Lou Gerhig's Disease). I'm sure the coders were only trying to do good when they made clerical errors, not at all unlike the good intentions of the "torture memo" authors and authors of H.R. 3200. I'm sure there are plenty of other authors who Eric Holder doesn't like; the list could go on and on. Make sure little Barak and Eric get what they want; they deserve so much more opportunity to remake America: GM, check; Banks, check; Healthcare, working on it; CIA, check; worldwide apologies, check; Closing GITMO; check; begin to lose Afghanistan, check; begin to lose Iraq, check; nuclear Iran, almost; negotiation with Kim Jong Il, check; salary caps, check.

What If We Blow This? and Lamenting Labor Unions

2009-08-21T17:22:00.003-05:00

A more than appropriate question from Andrew McCarthy at National Review. While most of the National Review crowd try to continue on their merry moderate way, the stand outs who really keep a firm and level headed keel are Andrew McCarthy, Victor Davis Hanson, and the humorous but sober Mark Steyn. McCarthy rebutted the NRO editorial from earlier in the week, which I commented on previously, and Steyn wasn't far behind to add his boy wonder two cents to McCarthy's Batman like calculations.

At the end of the McCarthy's column he writes,

Obama, of course, wanted health-care “reform” done — all 1,000-plus pages
of it — before the summer recess. In essence, Democrats want to repeal
individual liberty; move one-sixth of the private sector into the same
government-controlled model that has produced bankruptcy in Social Security,
Medicare, and Medicaid; add additional trillions to the already exploded
national debt; and they want to do it all right now — no discovery, no
settlement negotiations, no five-week trial, no delays.

Given this Democratic whirlwind, I don’t see why we owe them better than “death panels.” They are what we’re sure to get if Obamacare isn’t killed first.

And I think this is where we are now. It is time to scrap H.R. 3200. It was an overdone high octane bill surely written by life long bureaucrats with God knows what motivations. I'd like a list of everyone who was involved in writing it, so that I can charter a bus "AIG Style" and lead the ever angry mobs to demand these bad neighbors resign their posts and get out of town. Another question I have is why the SEIU states that if the "public option" isn't included in a bill, that the Democrat majority will cease. Why is the SEIU so hell bent on the passage of this legislation? Why doesn't the SEIU suck it up, and put together its own health insurance program for its members, and leave the rest of the hard working self-reliant country alone? (BTW, Isn't it sweet that Andy Stern, the SEIU Pres., thinks maybe super RINO Olympia Snowe might help pass the bill?)

This leads me to my last thought for the week. At what point is it realized by the majority of Americans that labor unions have outlived their original purpose, and when is Obama planning to "re-make" them? Unions have become a refuge for the lazy, stagnant, and uneducated who have won life's lottery of being born into a union family. In Chicago, a damn thing can't get done without caving to the extraordinary costs of union labor, yet it's healthcare costs we are supposed to cry over (union workers have infiltrated health care as well, by the way). Unions have likely caused churches to close their doors as well as other non-profits who needed their buildings repaired, but could in no way be allowed to do it without paying top dollar. They have likely caused our new architecture to look as sterile as an operating room. Show me a building with any ornate features that was built after the time of the stranglehold of the unions. If Obama really wants to re-make America, he will rid us of this tyrannical element that defines the word "workforce", for they force us to hire them to work. Unions are made up of adults who behaved like punks in high school, because they knew daddy had a leg up for them in the trade school after graduation. Where they went on to make $30+/ hour by the age of 25, to watch along with about 5 others, one guy open a manhole cover. These selfish wretched leaches; send them to the communist nations they so desire for us to become.

On the other hand, unions are also made up of the most liberal, fantasy world contingency of them all; the educator. So mired in the exhausting educational system, which truly doesn't pay what these glorified cattle herders derserve; these apple shirt wearing loafers are constantly under the whip of insane school CEO's or big city superintendents who always expect them to raise the test scores of a classroom of hoodlums whose parents instill in them only the morals of the latest R rated movie. TIME and Newsweek are quick to cover the latest 20 hour per day working school superintendent such as the wonder woman in Washington D.C., who arrogantly believe that even if the kids live in a neighborhood filled with drug dealer jobs and negligent parents, somehow the 25 hours/ week that they spend in school is going to prepare all for the Ivy League as long as you whip the teachers enough. Don't forget to cue the action shot of the superintendent and the kid pretending to read. Maybe the teacher's need unions after all. Although if I were a teacher, I'd trade the union for the right to speak religion to the kids. No, not the religion called the labor union.

Future Lifesaving Slaves

2009-08-20T11:59:00.003-05:00

A good editorial by Hunter Baker.

With the government trying to control the practices and compensation of doctors, we may soon end up with a small number of Mother Teresas, a modest number of bitter poor performing doctors, and a large number of talented physicians and surgeons who say, "the hell with em", and leave the field all together. These ridiculous elected officials in both parties have done little to defend the very people who make healthcare possible. If I was an M.D., I would refuse to be a lifesaving slave to this pathetic bunch of couch potatoes, who have done so little to educate themselves, that they've elected socialism; the ruin of most all good things that this nation has ever had.

At some point, I think public school teachers should also say, "discipline your damn kids, or don't blame us for his/her failure". We would be better off if more kids would just shut the hell up for 4 hours a day and listen to the teacher. Instead, we feel bad for them because they are expected to sit still and listen. Well, most of a kids day doesn't require them to sit still and listen, but many do it voluntarily in front of the TV. So put away the kleenex.

Finite Resources At National Review

2009-08-17T17:26:00.004-05:00

Andy McCarthy dissents from the high brow health reform editorial from National Review Online.

Key section:

I don't see any wisdom in taking a shot at Governor Palin at this moment when,
finding themselves unable to defend the plan against her indictment, Democrats have backed down and withdrawn their "end-of-life counseling" boards. Palin did a tremendous service here. Opinion elites didn't like what the editors imply is the "hysteria" of her "death panels" charge. Many of those same elites didn't like Ronald Reagan's jarring "evil empire" rhetoric. But "death panels" caught on with the public just like "evil empire" did because, for all their "heat rather than light" tut-tutting,
critics could never quite discredit it. ("BusHitler," by contrast, did
not catch on with the public because it was so easily
refuted.)
The editors implicitly concede that Palin is on to something. Indeed, from an Obamaesque perch, they find themselves admonishing both "Sarah Palin’s fans and her critics." With due respect, there's a right side and a wrong side on this one. Above the fray is not gonna cut it.

At the very beginning of the editorial, this quote appears: "not everything that might be in a patient's best interest can be done in a world of finite resources". Yes, we do live in a world of finite resources, but a finite amount of steel and cardiologists is not the reason why we would give the 100 year old lady a pain pill instead of a pace maker. If the 100 year old lady receives a pacemaker, it would not mean that the 60 year old heart patient down the hall gets nothing. There are a finite amount of donated organs such as livers, lungs, etc., and we accept that an ethical decision process is in place for such disbursement, but there is no excuse to deny care that comes from renewable resources like the doctors themselves and manufactured medical equipment. It seems to me that advancements in medicine are all about increasing that finite number of resources. What begins as a rare breakthrough procedure may turn into a reasonbly priced, widely used procedure over time. Treatments advance and become more readily available to a larger number of people, and then the legal system kicks in and demands access to such care.

It seems that some have bought into the notion that you CAN put a price on life; and as soon as this happens the moral bankruptcy begins. We are expected to be seen with jaw-dropping expressions when told of the $2+ trillion we Americans spend on healthcare each year. We find that the Blue-dog Democrats are mostly concerned with the unsustainable cost of the proposed health care bill, while they don't bat an eye regarding the bill's infringement on liberty. This high regard for the dollar is what fuels the large number of abortions in this nation; kids are expensive; college first, they say. A price has been put on life. And now, government leaders, so incensed with the high costs of healthcare, and obsessed with the 45 million without health insurance, want to take on the remaining 270 million of us who cover our own healthcare costs, so they can lower that price which bothers them so much? They are overcome by mere dollars and cents, but should we be surprised? One party fights hard for the right of women to abort, while the other does little to stem the tide. For many, it is the dollar before the breath, relegated to a finite life, with little faith in that which is indeed infinite.

The GOP's Last Chance for Victory

2009-08-13T12:57:00.006-05:00

I was listening to Rush Limbaugh yesterday afternoon and he again told the audience that Republican Senators/ House Members are non-factors if Obamacare gets passed. This was after a call from a guy who commented on the Republican Senators who are negotiating over the health care bill in the Senate Finance Committee. Rush continues to dismiss the effects of the random 3 to 4 GOP Senators who Democrats commonly sway to vote Yes on legislation destined to fail. As I've written before, the stimulus that was passed in February was done courtesy of Maine's Collins and Snowe and then Republican, Arlen Specter.

It always comes down to the cloture vote, and there always seems to be a GOP Senator waiting in the wings to either vote against cloture if the President happens to be George W. Bush, or for cloture if the President is Barak Obama. The 60 vote requirement to end debate was used by the 45 Senate Democrats to block the nomination of John Bolton for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, as well as to block numerous judicial nominations made by George W. Bush. Bolton was eventually given a recess appointment by Bush, but judicial seats which would have been filled with judges selected by Bush were kept open for judges to be named by Obama. The Democrat Senate prior to 2006 voted as one, and many times got their way, acting as a majority party while demanding rights for themselves as the minority party. The election of 2006 put the Senate and House in Democrat hands and the concept of rights for the minority party has since disappeared.

Today, whenever GOP defections occur, you can bet that Democrats reap the benefits in multiple ways. For example, when Collins/ Snowe/ Specter voted for the stimulus, the door was left open for Red State Democrats to vote for the bill and claim it to be a bi-partisan measure. If the 3 would have voted against it, it is likely that a small handful of those Red State Democrats would also have voted against it, which would have made the vote closer and even if it had passed, it would have 100% owned by the Democrats. GOP defections can also lead to Democrats benefitting politically from voting against their party. In the House, the cap-and-trade voted which took place earlier this summer, was supported by just 8 Republicans, and passed 217-215. Had all House Republicans voted NO, a.) the bill would not have passed, or b.) an additonal 8 Democrats who voted NO on the unpopular legislation would've had to vote YES in order for the bill to pass. If scenario (b.) had taken place, 8 additonal Democrats would now have the cap-and-trade albatross around their necks come election time. As it often goes, they were spared by Republican defectors.

A party line vote probably rarely happens in the House, but when 1000+ page freedom limiting legislation comes up for a vote, it is important for Republicans to hold firm at least in order to moderate future legislation that comes to the floor. There is no way to limit the overreach of liberal legislation if Republicans continue to provide cover to their colleagues in the Democrat Party with just the right amount of Republican YES votes.

This brings me back to H.R. 3200. If 8 random Republicans in the House vote YES on this bill, as happened with Cap and Trade, and/or if 3 random Republicans vote YES on the Senate version, conservative voters will know that we have become a nation represented by Democrat and Democrat Lite, and will clearly see that Republicans are the party of the maverick, and of the politician whose narrow plans are made not for America's future, but for their own bi-annual election cycle. The GOP will clearly be known as the party unable to hold the line in order to save the U.S. from the other party; in this case, one with a vision of a Government grown so large that whatever one might call it, be it Socialist, Facist, Communist, it will have become so strong with oversight powers that it will allow its providers to engulf the citizenry in the flames of their every whim.

If this day comes, if the citizenry have enough freedom left to fight the spread of government's cloud, it's seems only a 3rd political party can be relied upon to grow from a diet of moral principle dedicated to inalienable rights. I only advocate for this sprout if it becomes neccessary and clear that it is the only hope left for countering the failed experiments of Godless leaders and return to a land and beacon for the world which we once proclaimed God shed his grace upon.

Becoming Europe

2009-08-13T11:55:00.002-05:00

The great Victor Davis Hanson on becoming Europe. It doesn't have to happen.

Great paragraph. (my italics)

When I talk to well-off Italians and Greeks who have substantial homes by
the sea not available to most others, one of three realities leak out: one, they
have family money made decades ago by their ancestors that includes ancestral
estates permissible before the period of supposed mandated equality of result.
In other words, theirs got theirs and then helped make laws so no one else could.

An Educated Look

2009-08-12T16:52:00.001-05:00

A Duke Professor's take on H.R. 3200

Latest Thoughts on the Healthcare Debate

2009-08-11T17:13:00.002-05:00

I am back from a long weekend away and aside from the latest spin on the anti-Obamacare mob, there isn't much else I've learned about the health care reform effort. One thing that is almost as certain as death and taxes, is the wishy-washy "conservative" punditry and Republican moderates who have plopped down in front of the news camera once again to denounce the latest sentence spoken by Sarah Palin and the latest raised fist by the common folk who have attended townhall meetings over the past week. Once again, when Pelosi speaks ill of average Americans, the "conservative" beltway elite is there let her statement marinate long enought to find themselves believing that even her most ridiculous lies must have some grain of truth.

So, David Brooks and even Charles Krauthammer have issued the latest obligatory scolding to the unwashed masses, in exchange for sitting next to Mark Shields and keeping jobs as the resident conservatives at the New York Times and Washington Post. Oh, the respect these fine gentlemen receive from liberals, conservatives, and the ever important independent fence sitters who make the world go round when they decide to pay attention 2 months out of every 4 years. If only more of us could extract from our blood our passions of ignorance and stay above the fray. Let me say though that Charles Krauthammer is usually right on, but even he is not immune from looking downward from the perch at the little guy.

Fresh in my memory are the heavy street tactics of the Iranian Basiji and the lack of "meddling" on Obama's part. I fear the Republicans will put forth the same effort in defending those who once made up a large portion of their base from unwarranted verbal assaults and modest physical attacks and threats from hardcore Democrat activists. Those attending these townhall meetings along with Sarah Palin have received double barrel criticism from the MSM and the great moderates will slowly begin their criticisms as well. If the healthcare bill is passed, many Americans will have nowhere left to go but a 3rd party; one of great financial poverty, but perhaps the only party left with a penny of inspiration for individual freedom.

- Sarah Palin wrote a Facebook message recently, decrying the "death panels" that would result from H.R. 3200. Where does this woman come up with such rhetoric of the reactionary? Hurry David Brooks and David Frum, tell me why she is "insane" and how she is cursed with such troubling discourse! Then tell me of the time of reason when Ted Kennedy valiantly sounded the alarm and saved the U.S. from a Supreme Court Justice who would've forced women to rely on "back alley abortions". All I keep hearing about is cost, cost, cost, getting rid of those wasteful medical tests, we spend $6,000 more per person each year on health care than other western nations, stopping tonsilectomies, giving the 100 year old lady a pain pill instead of a pacemaker, cost, cost, cost, deficits, spending too much on healthcare, red pill, blue pill, end of life counseling, panel of experts. Just where oh where does Sarah come up with such delusions?

- I read in the Wall Street Journal that as a nation we spend nearly $2 trillion per year on healthcare, but still 46,000,000 Americans are uninsured. O.K., so are these 2 numbers supposed to convince me we have a problem? According to www.census.gov, the U.S. currently has 307,147,983 (307+ million) people living within its borders. If we were to subtract 46 million from this number, we see that over 261 million are insured. This would mean that people in the U.S. spend on average $7,629 per person in healthcare costs. Using this $7,629 figure; if the entire U.S. was insured, the U.S. would be spending just over $2.35 trillion per year on healthcare. So, if I changed what I read in the Wall Street Journal to read, "the U.S. spends just over $2.35 trillion on healthcare each year and everyone is insured", how does that sound? You know the saying; "your money or your life".

- If the H.R. 3200 or any bill quite like it passes, those who are so vehemently opposed and the great majority of Americans who say they are opposed to this kind of health care reform need to hang on to the memories of these latest months. Do not forget those representatives who admitted they don't have time to read the bill, said you reminded them of KKK during debates over civil rights legislation, or made news by saying that you brought swatstikas to visit your congressman. These are the words of the overprivileged court of 535 kings and queens, many who have reigned for decades and regularly re-districted their kingdoms to keep their electoral advantage and ruling power. These are the rulers who do as they please during off-election years and take full advantage of today's short memories the election year after. These are rulers who refuse to retire their power at 80 or 90, when many of us break our backs for 40 years and pray that we might live a little while past 65 to enjoy at least some years off the clock. There are so many bright and wonderful contributors to this society yet we have a political system with a door closed to most all except the very rich and connected. We all should know that this is not how it needs to be. A campaign can likely be won these days with less money than it took to win 50 years ago. This information age can make anyone relevant overnight. All it really takes is a vigilant public; perhaps an unlikely hope and wish, yet not one out of the realm of possibility.

Protester Fashion Plates

2009-08-06T15:33:00.002-05:00

I like this post from Michelle Malkin showing the not so well-dressed protesters of the left. It's complete with swatstika for Pelosi, and a well-dressed Michelle Obama for Boxer. I guess you can't judge a protester by his cover.

Where is Everybody?

2009-08-06T11:21:00.004-05:00

Protests against Obamacare have been going on all week. The DNC and Democrat media has been smearing protestors all week. Yet 3 Republican Senators (Snowe, Enzi, Grassley), remain huddled in cloak rooms compromising with the Democrats to breath life back into Obama's presidency and left wing agenda. The Washington Post has a story on this, but I can't find one damn conservative media outlet aside from an article written hours ago in the American Spectator alerting us on the RINO/ Democrat seance that is happening once again.

It makes you wonder if some of the conservative media outlets just want this garbage passed. Where are they? Why aren't they on the front lines right now, letting us know what is happening in the back rooms? I know some insiders who say that a compromise has come about this morning. Yet the media messengers are hours behind. Where's Paul Revere when you need him. The Democrats telegraphed their message war late last week, while National Review, etc., were busy planning the next cruise. We whine about the MSM being so powerful, while we busy ourselves talking about Obama Joker posters, or having a Star Trek discussion (see the cutesy Jonah Goldberg side of National Review's corner)

As for elected Republicans, lets see, 55 Senators to 40 Senators in less than 4 years. I'm sure we can get down to 30 by 2010. Just KEEP COMPROMISING!!! Keep following your ridiculous election strategies. Third Party, your table is ready.

A Sweet Home Chicago Counter Rally

2009-08-05T17:31:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, IL-Rep Jan Shakowski (D) had a lil' rally in downtown Chicago. The Democrats must pay rent on these "bi-partisan" grounds, because everytime one of their big causes start to steam up, they put on a dog and pony show in Federal Plaza. I joined a group representing the other side of the debate and we stood on the other side of the street, holding signs and shouting back and forth with the 20 or so pro-government takeover types who faced us. I'm not sure why we couldn't have just been on the same side of the street so our fabulous signs could make the news, but oh well.

It was a mostly jovial occasion, topped off by a few temperate arguments and Stevie Wonder's "Happy Birthday" song playing on the loud speakers in honor of the president's birthday. Even some of us boring conservatives danced with our signs. Why should the other side of the street have all the fun. Pics are below.

Blue Dog Republicans

2009-08-05T16:34:00.004-05:00

Today Rush Limbaugh gave a warning to the "Blue Dog Democrats", saying that if they vote for the health care bill, their careers are over. Rush defined blue dogs as "conservative Democrats from Blue States". One thing that Rush does not mention enough if that we also have "Blue Dog Republicans". These are Republicans in blue states who are really the great enablers for left-wing policies. These are the small handful of Republicans that vote against the large majority of their party, therfore allowing Democrats to call left-wing legislation, "bi-partisan".

Case number 1 is the Stimulus Bill. All House Republicans (over 170) voted against the bill making it a bill owned 100% by the Democrat Party. Until however, 3 out of 41 Republicans in the Senate, crossed the aisle, met for tea with Obama, and voted Yea on the stimulus bill. The 3 Senators? Specter, Collins, and Snowe; Republicans in Blue States. If these 3 had held firm (something they are incapable of doing), cloture on the stimulus may have failed and fiscal conservativism, prevailed. But instead, these unreliable 3, from really, more purple than blue states, lived up to the spineless compromising self-serving hacks that they are.

Case number 2 is the House Cap and Trade Bill. Given that the Democrat Super-majority in the Senate won't bring it up for a vote, shows how bad this bill really must be. Still though, 8 Blue Dog Republicans in the House voted for it. They are Mark Kirk (IL), Mary Bono Mack (CA), Mike Castle (DE), John McHugh (NY), Frank LoBiondo (NJ), Chris Smith (NJ), Dave Reichert (WA), and Leonard Lance (NJ). All from what these 8 must see as hopelessly blue states.

Being a resident of Illinois, I have seen clearly, since Election '08 what a fraud of a Republican Mark Kirk is. Watching local PBS (WTTW), I saw a campaign spot featuring Mark Kirk, and the first thing out of his mouth was that he was proud of his pro-choice record and support of planned parenthood. Since his vote on Cap-and-Trade, he has elected to run for U.S. Senate, and has voted against an ammendment stripping government funding for abortion heavy Planned Parenthood. He lived up to his PP support just like he said he was so proud to do. Before announcing his run for U.S. Senate, he sat tight until Illinois Democrat, Lisa Madigan announced she wouldn't be running. Kirk just assumed she would automatically win, and would have sat out had she run. At least now, he might get the liberal vote. It's the calculating politicians like Kirk and the Blue Dog Republicans that dumb down political representation. Kirk's a "realist" and definitely an opportunist, but he is creating a political reality for himself and Illinois Republicans that is sub-par to the core.

For politicians like these blue dogs, it isn't about priciple or doing what ought to be done. It isn't about seeing the world as it should and could be. It is about seeing the world for what it is and assuming that what is now, will still be later, and it is about maintaining the political status quo as the safest route to a meaningless victory, and a fast road to hell. For what good is it anymore to have these Blue Dog Republicans, clogging up primaries with the uncertain promise that they are the best bet for the general election. They assumed victory to John McCain back in February '08. He was the best bet to beat Hillary Clinton; the polls said so. Only Hillary didn't become the opponent. Nice theory, too bad the variables were changed. It is these calculating predictions leading to political concessions, that will continue to doom the GOP. It's voters would be wise to imagine the possibilities at all times, and not settle on what seems to be the sure shot, too far in advance. The Blue Dogs for both partys would be wise to do the same.

Obama Promises Healthcare by the End of the Year, With or Without Republican Support. Ain't He Talked to the Maine Gals Yet?

2009-08-05T15:08:00.003-05:00

Today, Pres. Obama spoke in his favorite city of hardship, Elkhart, Indiana, where he promised a healthcare bill by the end of the year, with or without Republican support. I imagine he will be getting a call from the Great Maine Compromisers or Chiefs of Giveaways, (Collins (R) and Snowe (R) in 3...2...1... When's the next sports party at the White House? A World Series Party will probably get the Maine gals to the Obama rumpus room with bells on, soon. Too bad old Arlen already sold out and probably won't get an invite too.

It's the Liberty Stupid

2009-08-03T12:01:00.005-05:00

As I wrote a few weeks back, the message on health care should not be all about the money. A bill of bad ideas and assaults on liberty should not be accepted whether it cost $1 trillion or $1.

If you had a teenager who wanted a tattoo and asked you for the money to get one, you could say, "no that is too expensive", when your main concern isn't the $100 cost, but that your child will be making a lasting decision and may be harmed by the procedure. So, the kid gets a job and saves the money to pay for one himself. Now what? Is all concern out the window since your wallet won't be tapped?

Mark Steyn, one of my favorite writers, picks up on this reasoning in his latest article. He also mentions that the war over Hillarycare was won only fiscally, and that the battle on the government's grasping at freedom by taking full control of healthcare had not been waged. Therefore, the attempts at government control of health care are back again and will continue until Americans see this war as an issue of freedom and not solely economic.
Mark Steyn

Also, Jed Babbin provides suggestions on what to ask during these August townhalls.
Jed Babbin

I've heard some of the audio clips of townhall meetings filled with concerned, angry, and informed citizens. What it tells me is that these Congress mainstays have had it too easy for too long. They have operated and lived off of political connections, special interest groups and bundled campaign donations. Even in this information age, the one with the most money to buy soundbite heavy commercials, still ends up the victor. McCain/ Feingold may have tried to take the money out of politics, but the big money givers have found the loop holes leaving only the small honest donors under control.

Politicians have shown great concern for those flavors of the election cycle, such as soccer moms, the hispanic vote, the youth vote, senior citizens, and evangelicals; and have received big dollars from environmentalists, gay rights advocates, unions, and a plethora of other lobbying groups. Well, now the rest of us are here to say, "here comes the individual, baby". We don't fit into a neat little control group, comforted with mere incomplete sentences, talking points, or a living and breathing constitution. Questions will be asked and explanations will be required. Either earn your keep, or find a new job. Once the mainstream media earns the mis-trust they are so warranted and their laughable double standards and partiality to Democrats becomes apparent to more Americans, perhaps voters will take advantage of all the data and information available to them and take a little time to come to an educated conclusion on who they should vote in. When that time comes, the big dollars ain't gonna get 'em thru the chamber door anymore.

Coulter on Gates

2009-07-29T17:45:00.004-05:00

Ann Coulter's weekly column weighs in on the H.L. Gates event. A couple of good observations and points from the column:

The left's last-ditch attempt to defend a powerful black man's attack on a
powerless white man is to say the arrest was improper. In Time magazine,
Lawrence O'Donnell factually announced, "Yelling does not meet the definition of
disorderly conduct in Massachusetts."

It's not just the left that has been debating the legitimacy of the arrest. The hand-wringing perfectionist right has been too.

Suppose a cop didn't arrest a guy who was ranting and raving -- in his own home
-- and, an hour later, the hothead assaults someone. Policeman: I was as
surprised as anyone that he shot his girlfriend! Every liberal in the country
would demand the cop's head. And by the way, try screaming at a judge that he's
a racist and see what happens. Why should police officers deserve less
protection than judges? They're in more danger.

Good point about the possible "dereliction of duty" charges that might have followed Crowley had he not arrested Gates. Due to unbridled law practices, we are a hypercharged society of accountability, constantly doing more than what makes sense to meet the ever growing need to CYA. Think of all the money that is spent just to prove and document when right is done. Trust and forgiveness rank low. Also, the last point speaks to our worship of the judiciary. Respect for judges is an important pillar of civilization. However, this culture which increasingly distrusts cops hasn't yet caught up to the stealth misdeeds of judges that likely are as prevalent as crooked police actions.

Trust But Verify- Update 7/29/09 at 12:55 PM

2009-07-29T11:53:00.006-05:00

No one should be surprised of the news that the Democrats are getting together this afternoon with a surprise attack with health care bill guns blazing. To find solace in the words of Harry Reid last week that there would be no vote before recess is for a wishful thinking fool. This is the same Harry Reid who said, "this war is lost". What makes anyone think his word or predictions are good for anything? This is the way it goes. Republicans perform CPR on Democrat legislation and governance time and time again. This is what happens when the news manages the story to make it look like health care legislation is dead, while scheming political opportunists in both parties wheel and deal in the wee hours of the night. This is what brings revolt among the public as well, and the 3rd Party is going to be damn well on the way, if this bad faith sneaking by Republican cancers continue. They go into remission now and then, only to return and spread. Collins, Snowe, and there is always a special guest star, be it Specter, McCain, Grassley, Graham, you name it. If this bill sneaks through; Death to the Republican Party!

Update: 7/29/09 at 12:55 PM
Now that my marker has been laid down, to summarize the current developments regarding Obamacare, the Blue Dog Democrats have agreed to pass the bill out of the Energy and Commerce Committee in return for a delay on a vote until next month. That shouldn't provide much comfort. There is still the possibility that the mainstream Dems in the House could push for a floor vote before the recess at the end of the week. With a Congress as untrustworthy, lunatic led, and volatile as this one, anything could happen, deal or no deal. After all, as you can see in the details of the deal, it is all about money anyway for the blue dogs as I see no objection from them regarding the new regulations and government control of healthcare that the bill would dictate.

Regarding the Senate Finance Committee, Mike Enzi (R), says they aren't even close to a deal. Yeah sure, what about that group of 6 who want a bill for the president?

Honduras Officials Taken Off the Guest List; Ahmadinejad Remains?

2009-07-28T17:30:00.003-05:00

The U.S. State Department under Obama is actually keeping government officials out of U.S. by Visa denial. If only the Bush Administration would have tried that with a certain Iranian. I am not sure why State would deny a Visa to officials of the new Honduras Government, but the story mentions that one of the officials is Honduras Supreme Court Justice Tomas Arita, who ordered the arrest of ousted president Manuel Zelaya in late June, 2009. Zelaya is happy with the Visa denial and is urging the U.S. to do more to help restore him to power. Nevermind the fact that he single handedly attempted to force a change to the Honduras constitution to make it possible for him to run for another term of office. Why would a U.S. President side with someone who did something like that? Of course, Obama might not make it to a second term as it is, so it's a mystery why he would side with Zelaya. Then again Zelaya and Hugo Chavez (Socialist, Venezuela) and Fidel Castro (Socialist, Cuba) are on the same team here so...Eureka.

Are Catholics Coming Together Regarding Obamacare?

2009-07-28T17:02:00.005-05:00

As the Senate continues its talks, a post from Ryan Ellis at American Spectator shows that more Catholics than usual may be speaking out against abortion, at least in the case of their tax dollars funding it. Of course, the government funds Planned Parenthood, a sort of abortion porthole, and many Catholics probably don't realize a.) Planned Parenthood visits often lead to abortion and b.) Planned Parenthood receives tax funds.

Another helpful resource out today from Lee Cary at American Thinker. Part One/ Part Two/ Part Three/ Part Four/ Part Five/ Part Six/ Part Seven

Birth Certificate or House Resolution Required

2009-07-28T12:39:00.003-05:00

The best outcome for the cause of the birth certificate vigilantes may not be that Obama is eventually found not to be a natural born citizen and stripped of his presidency; but I would love to see that a few years after his presidency, it is proven that he is not a natural born U.S. citizen, if nothing else but to see the hand-wringing conservatives shown for the status quo opportunists that they are. I read a lot of political blogs, and while I rely on many for the good information that they provide, there are those which often disappoint and annoy me because they are so hung up on MSM reaction to the embarrasing members of the conservatives family like Sarah Palin followers and "birthers", or as I will call them, birth certificate vigilantes. These are the "smart" conservatives who will tell us repeatedly that as long as a candidate has an (R) after his/her name, we must support them. (see John McCain, Mark Kirk, Arlen Specter, Maine Senators, Lincoln Chafee, etc.) These are the conservatives who tell us, "see, now the U.S. House has passed a resolution stating that Obama is a natural born citizen, therefore it must be true."

The line between Republican and Democrat is becoming more and more blurry. If somehow Obamacare passes before the August recess, it will be because of those Republicans who have been the great enablers for Liberal Democrat policies and the liberal big government direction of D.C. since the Gang of 14. As I write this, news is coming out about Senate compromise on healthcare. Supposedly, there is a group of 6 bi-partisan Senators who are trying to push healthcare reform through. The obligatory compromise is becoming all too routine. The minority in the GOP who have been continually providing cover for the Democrat's destructive policies just can't seem to help themselves. What is it going to take GOP? A minority position of 30 senate seats before the mindless compromise and shady deals stop? Charles Grassley (R, Iowa) has already given the Democrats CPR over the weekend, when saying that a bill will be passed this year. Hey Iowa, how much more ethanol subsidies do you need before voting in a Senator who can represent the full scope of American interests?

If the healthcare bill gets passed in anywhere near the form it is currently in, I think it will be prime time for a 3rd party to become a player in 2010 and 2012. The conservative braintrust can downplay and preach against it all they want, but if that line between Republican and Democrat Representation continues to blur, that 3rd party may become quite an electoral competitor.

Hope and Change

2009-07-27T14:31:00.005-05:00

If nothing else comes out of the Gates episode, at least we have learned that despite the fact that Gates was arrested for being defiant and belligerent toward law enforcement, the nation's commenting braintrust has assured us all that it is not illegal to have a temper trantum and yell at cops so one should not be arrested for it. Therefore, the police really did act stupidly. I knew Obama must have been right.

So go ahead everyone, go ballistic! The cops just sit around eating doughnuts all day anyway, they could probably use a good dose of exhuberence. The useless intelligentsia steps up to the plate for America once again. Remember middle American, they know better than you, they are truly educated. What you thought was right and wrong just plain isn't; if only you were privileged enough to study and think about it, you'd know.

Wrongful arrest.

Breitbart on Gates, Obama, Crowley

2009-07-27T13:12:00.002-05:00

Andrew Breitbart; couldn't have said it any better myself.

Catholics for Obama Take Heed

2009-07-27T10:18:00.005-05:00

Perhaps President Obama can address a question about this story and what it says about religious freedom. Has Lynn Sweet's White House press pass been revoked yet, or is there still time? Below is a link to a piece by Matt Bowman at the American Spectator which explains the status of conscience protection for health care workers. To the surprise of the Obama supporting flock, he ain't done much to lower the demand for abortion, but don't you progressive types worry, choice is alive and well; not so much for the Catholic who wants to abide by the church's teaching, but for they who like an occasional church gathering and ask themselves, "is Obama more catholic than the pope?", if a friend makes a mistake on a Saturday night, the choice remains.

Matt Bowman- Obama's Conscience Claws
more on the story

I'll keep an eye out for any kind of financial or other support for Catherina Cenzon-DeCarlo. Please pray for her and as always, pray for those who do not see the intrinsic evil of abortion, and pray for courage and zeal for those who do.

The Coming Beer Photo Op and the Swine Flu: Update- 7/27/09, Update II- 7/27/09 at 1:02 PM

2009-07-25T19:02:00.008-05:00

Just when it starts to look like things are starting to turn around for the nation, it appears we will be treated to a beer drinking kumbaya at the White House with the "stupid" cop, some professor I had never heard of, and the U.S. President. I think we're due for another lecture on race, after all we haven't elected an African-American for president in almost a year. I hope more voters are starting to see the folly of white guilt, and that forgiveness saves. If you can't forgive yourself for your politically incorrect, and possibly lynch happy and/or slave owning ancestors, perhaps take a trip to the confessional.

Holding on to a grudge for the sins of the past has given so much to African-Americans hasn't it? Kids shoot up the neighbors on Saturday nights in Chicago, while Ivy League professors throw tantrums at cops. Great numbers of people gather in the same spot for a news segment, make America shed a guilty tear, and then the group leaders get in their nice cars and drive off to the other side of the tracks. Racism and gun related sob stories bring in the dollars for the finger pointers like Jesse, Al, and Henry Louis. Long live the mistakes of others! Make noise, find the cameras, and collect.

For Obama, it's time to have a beer with a white guy and watch your poll numbers go up again. It's just that easy. Meanwhile, if your healthcare bill is in shambles, don't worry, the Swine Flu is making the rounds and will make for a most perfect cause to get that damn thing passed already. You can even take the acknowledgement of morality off the shelf, and tell the world that its morally imperative pass this bill. Oh America, it's true, anyone can succeed here, the American dream is alive and well.

Update: Other perspectives of note on the Obama, Gates, and Crowley trifecta.
Heather MacDonald
Jack Dunphy
Victor Davis Hanson- Obama to the white guilt afflicted: “Vote for me and I will offer you instant exemption from all prior racial guilt — and yet allow you to live your rather secluded lives as usual.” (Bold Italics, mine)

Update II: And a perspective on swine flu from one who may have it. Sounds like a very tough bug. We should be thankful that we live in an age where we have the resources to combat a temporary illness that could have killed many in the early part of the 20th century. And remember, Obamacare isn't the comprehensive solution to the swine flu. There are plenty of less expensive and sweeping avenues that Congress could take if it became necessary for that degree of govt. intervention.

Mark Hemingway- Swine Flu is here, be prepared.

In Response to Mediocrity

2009-07-24T18:30:00.003-05:00

Another GOP genious (you can tell there are a lot in Illinois, right?), writes that conservatives in Illinois should take another arrow and let Mark Kirk just happen. I can't go for that, no matter what half-brained strategy this guy might suggest. My comment contribution to his web post is below.

The Dems will spend plenty of money to try and keep the seat. I say give Kirk a primary battle. I didn't even realize he was against the surge Iraq let alone being pro-abort and pro-cap and trade. How can he even call himself an (R)? I'd just assume let the Dems keep the seat. You can call me crazy, but other than the likely corruption that a Democrat will bring, I've no reason to vote for Kirk in the general. Policy wise, Kirk belongs in the Dem club. Besides, as the clever GOP braintrust would tell you; both parties are equally corrupt. Since when did we decide to elect a Republican fraud just so we can say there are more Republicans in the basket than Democrats? What a joke. Don't forget, in 2006 there were 55 Republican Senators and now there are 40. How did that happen? Because the Democrats ran Conservative Democrats. The conservative movement in Illinois will not grow stronger by having Kirk as the head of the GOP Party.

Illinois Republican Senate Candidate Votes for Planned Parentedhood (Again)

2009-07-24T18:02:00.002-05:00

And so Mark Kirk (R) Illinois, does it again, just after announcing his run for U.S. Senate in Illinois. An ammendment to defund Planned Parenthood offered by Mike Pence (R) Indiana was voted down today, 247-183. Nine Republicans, including Kirk, voted with the Democrats to kill an attempt to de-fund Planned Parenthood. And this guy wants to be our Republican nominee for Senate? So, in less than a decade, the Illinois Republican Party goes from one of the most serious pro-life advocates, Alan Keyes, to ever more serious pro-choicer Mark Kirk as its U.S. Senate nominee. Hope the Illinois Republican Party or National Republican Senatorial Commitee doesn't start throwing around endorsements too soon.

Lindsey Graham for President! (Of Mexico)

2009-07-24T16:00:00.003-05:00

The Republican who must have a dream of personally receiving 100% of the Hispanic vote, Lindsey Graham, strikes again. It is this man's mocking tone that really adds to the dislike of this guy. This time he says to those who disagree with his decision to vote YES on Sotomayor's nomination; "Enjoy life in the minority". He should know, since he takes the minority position within the Republican Party about everytime. He may be the only Republican in the Senate Judiciary Committee to vote YES and send her nomination to the Senate Floor. He was one of the few Republicans who championed amnesty for illegal aliens. He was 1 of 7 out of 55 Republican Senators to join the Gang of 14, and keep many of President Bush's judicial nominees from even getting an up or down vote on their nominations. He even put a hold on one of Bush's nominations making it impossible to carry out the advise and consent responsibility of the Senate.

But, when Obama becomes president, he suddenly adopts the philosophy that what the president wants, the president should get. Republicans in South Carolina, WAKE UP! The next time this fraud of a Republican faces a primary is 2014, find someone, anyone, and get this man out of office. If not, one day, he will likely be the chair of the Senate Judiciary committee and more and more liberal jurists will be guided by him to seats on the court, while constitutionalists will face his frivilous blockades.

His concern that Republicans are hemorraging Hispanic support by merely existing is laughable. He is as many conservative voices say, unreliable and unthinking. Hey Lindsey, how many Republican YES votes for Sotomayor will get us in the majority? Please tell us, save us from our loud mouthed bigoted selves. And if we fail you again, go run for President of Mexico, so you can put your talented racial game of appeasing and pandering to Hispanics to good use. Maybe you could even help make Mexico a better country for her people.

Let the Rogue Congressional Actions Begin

2009-07-24T11:53:00.003-05:00

Now that more and more people are saying, NO, to a freedom crushing, money pit of a health care bill, Henry Waxman (D) California, is threatening to force a house floor vote on the bill and bypass the Energy and Commerce Committee, which is at a standstill on moving forward with the bill in its present form. Salesman Obama failed in his pitch the other night, so the one thing left to do is forego the niceities and process and just force it through.

Obama and the Democrats are now at war with anyone who objects to their attempt to takeover healthcare. Republicans and citizens need to fight back against the strong arm of an upset political party and its angry weak leader whose true colors are being shown as clear as day with each passing moment. Real America is on display again. The flag waving, hard working and self-sufficient Americans who might live by the motto of Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death may be starting to show the rest of us, why this country was founded in the first place. It sure wasn't founded so that we could get to the point where the government keeps tabs on every medical device used, forces its citizens to purchase healthcare insurance, forces senior citizens to meet with a govt. appointed end of life counselor, and darn near bans God from watching over the land that he shed his grace upon. This bill shows that the goal of current government leaders and its employees is to micro manage the lives of those who they are supposed to serve the interests of. The old saying, "at least you have your health" won't mean the same thing when your health is determined not only by the grace of God, choices you make, and the good deeds done by your doctor. The U.S. Govt. will have a final say in that doctor and choices part, if this bill were to pass.

Give Glory to God that no government on earth can ever usurp his will.

Obama's Hometown News Girl Plants Seed for Backlash

2009-07-23T17:12:00.003-05:00

Lynn Sweet, the original press member of the Obama Fan Club was the last to be called on at last night's Obama press conference on his healthcare plan. Apparently, everyone who went before Sweet must have stolen her question, because when it was her turn all she could come up with was to ask him what he thought about an African-American Harvard professor getting arrested and what that says about race relations. Perhaps, she really didn't know too much about healthcare to form a question, but she might want to at least make a habit of reading cliff's notes on the topic at hand, at least for prime time press conferences.

Lynn really showed her journalistic talents in the middle of a Q & A about remaking the way we go to the Doctor's office, the age old question of taking the red pill or the blue pill, and the importance of keeping tonsils in tact. It's good to know that the Sun-Times has a reporter on staff with such a keen sense of urgent matters. Just about as good as Obama's sense of meddling. Given the U.S. relationship with Iran, he said we wouldn't want to meddle and interfere in their baton olympics, but Cambridge is his territory, and if he has to take time out to chastise the local police he will.

Yep, Lynn and Obama are like two peas in a pod. She's a Harvard girl too, and after last night I'd say she has a real quick hand at opening a can of worms. The funny thing is that the result of her question is the last thing she would have ever wanted to have happen. Sometimes, when you can't think of a good question, maybe you should keep quiet, and leave the softball back at the office. I bet Lynn was just trying to help O with his bomb of a prime time special, but she's just not that good. Oh, subjective journalism gets so hard after a while, eh Lynn.

F-35 Not Ready to Replace F-22

2009-07-23T17:06:00.003-05:00

The Senate voted earlier this week against funding the F-22 fighter jet, stating that the F-35 was a more effective alternative. It's so effective that The Pentagon now says that it needs two more years before it is ready. I suppose in the meantime the Spirit of St. Louis and Enola Gay will be given a tune up to help fill the void. This quick trigger voting habit that Congress has really isn't going so well these days.

Buehrle = Perfect Game!

2009-07-23T15:43:00.002-05:00

Following a mid-afternoon meeting, it was great to check my e-mail inbox and see one from an uncle saying that Buerhle had pitched a perfect game. Sox took 3 out of 4 from the mighty Devil Rays and are now tied for 1st place. And to think, just last month the sport know-it-alls on radio said the team was done.

He's one of 17 pitchers to pitch a perfect game in modern MLB history.

It's Not Just About Money

2009-07-22T18:17:00.004-05:00

This society really does demonstrate a worship of money over many many important things. Regarding Obamacare, it seems that only when $ became the front page issue did the cry against it begin to take effect. But wait, if it's just about money, the U.S. Congress might be able to work around that. After all, spending is job 1 for them. What happens when congressional leaders cut a few hundred billion from the bill and win the hearts of the constant fencesitters in the Democrat and Republican Partys? The quality of healthcare provided by this bill will not go up (less $ = less quality), and the mandates on purchasing government healthcare might stay right where they are.

We should be scared if the main objection right now is $ and not loss of freedom and healthcare. It's $ that will determine if the elderly are given the care they need. It's $ that will cause rationing for the rest of us. It's $ that will influence how generous that health review board is going to be when they decide on whether or not and how soon you can receive the new hip or kidney transplant. Just like it's $ that sees to it pot holes are filled in June when first appearing in January on Chicago streets. Just like it's $ that influences a state to legalize marinuana, a city to open a casino, and decorate the streets with red light cameras. It's $ that influences people to have abortions.

We should be less worried about the money and more about what else will be taken from us and forced upon us in this H.R. 3200. Americans should be ready to address these concerns once Congress solves the money problem. Eventually, they always do.

It's all up to H.R. 3200? Updated: 1:22 PM

2009-07-22T11:46:00.005-05:00

From the National Journal website, there is heresay upon hearsay that President Obama said that if his healthcare plan isn't passed his presidency will be destroyed. If he indeed said this, it seems he is throwing in the towel rather early. Then again, I believe he thought the Iraq War was lost a few years ago, too.

Anyway, in looking at polling on issues just before the 2008 Election, the percentages in order of importance were: Economy- 57%, War in Iraq- 13%, Healthcare- 13%, Terrorism- 10%, Illegal Immigration- 5%, etc.

I have never heard of presidential destruction based on an over-regulated, freedom killing domestic bill not being passed. However, given that the economy ranks so high on the list above, Obama would reach a better conclusion by admitting that his presidency may end up being destroyed because of the economic measures that he was able to pass. (see stimulus, GM, etc.)

However, there may be no better reason for the fawning media to tout passage of the H.R. 3200 then for their simple fact that "Obama Really Needs This; for now anyway". Perhaps if Obama really said what's reported in the story, he was just giving the media the motivation they need to begin a full court press of Obamacare propoganda. He'll be on T.V. again tonight. Look for him to put on one of his "best" shows yet.

Update: 1:22 PM

I'm sorry, I don't get this whole idea that if Obama doesn't get his signature issue of healthcare passed, his presidency will be over. He spent much of his candidacy during the Democrat primary repeating over and over how he came out against the Iraq War but Hillary voted for it. Aside from that and his receiving the crown as media's king, we didn't see a whole lot of difference between those two candidates. After finally wrapping up the nomination in early summer 2008, he only eclipsed McCain after an economic catastrophe. It was never about who had the better healthcare plan. Yet, geniuses like Charles Krauthammer now think it is make or break for his presidency. It's almost like the next selling point will be that in order to be good Americans, we must get behind Obama's bill, however bad, to boost the standing of Obama and save an American president from his own demise. Has it come down to this? Must I hand over my Blue Cross/ Blue Shield PPO to save the union?

Krauthammer's Take [NRO Staff]
From last night's "All-Stars."

On the state of health-care legislation:

Look, it is about politics but it's mostly, despite what Obama also said yesterday, it's about him. It is entirely about him.

It's not about cost control, because all of the plans are going to raise the costs.

It's not about improving quality. If anything, these machinations are going to decrease the quality of American health care.

And it surely isn't about efficiency—the inefficiency that has accrued in the health care system as it developed over the decades—because it's going to introduce all kinds of new commissions, new regulations, all kinds of inefficiencies.

It is about Obama. This is [the] signature achievement he has promised. If he doesn't have it, if he doesn't have a bill, any bill, at the end of the year, his presidency is going to be seriously damaged, and all the mystique will disappear. Which is why...I'm absolutely sure that at the end of the year, he will have a bill. It will have the words "health-care reform" on it. It will be extremely watered down: All of the ballast that the Blue Dogs were protesting against, including, I'm sure, the public plan, is going to be thrown overboard.

And it will be a very weak version of what we have now, probably even harmless—which will be a great American achievement. But he's going to have something. He won't have it in August, but he will have to have it at the end of the year.

Democrats understand his presidency is over if he gets nothing. (bold mine)

So the Democrats must save his presidency and pass some sort of health care bill, see. Remember when the Republicans saved George W. Bush's Presidency by standing on the 3rd rail of politics (Social Security Reform)? You don't remember because they didn't even humor him on the issue. If Social Security Reform was the "3rd Rail of Politics", than this healthcare bill is both the train and the rope which ties you down to the tracks.

Slow Tuesday

2009-07-21T16:53:00.004-05:00

Since the Sotomayor nomination and the healthcare bill are in time out; I feel little drive to write anything today. Actually, I haven't really cared much about the Sotomayor nomination since she won't be changing the makeup of the court much, but like many people, I'm holding my breath on the healthcare bill since there is so much permanence to it if it were to pass. Supreme Court Justices come and go, and occasionally the most ridiculous rulings are overruled.

The American Thinker blog has had some good finds in the healthcare bill and they are listed below. In order to verify their conclusions, I'll need to sit down with a pen and match up all the sections and paragraphs that are referenced in whirlwind fashion, which makes reading the bill a total scavenger hunt. Who writes these bills anyway? It would be good if we could vote for them too, since they seem to be the only ones who get a chance to read bills before they are voted on.

The political gamesmanship regarding the healthcare bill will soon be in full bloom. The Congress's August Recess begins on August 7th, and Obama wants a bill on his desk by then. Seventeen days is a long time and plenty of time for Obama to go on the stump and stamp his feet and possibly get his way since he has been so spoiled by his bad parents in Congress. Nancy and Harry want to shower him with gifts, and his aunts and uncles in the Republican Party don't want him to get upset and tell all his voter friends how mean they are, so anything could happen.

Meanwhile, if you're like me you'd like it if the officeholders would chill out and let us just go about our business as fellow countrymen. Maybe, we could actually turn the economy around and change the healthcare market forces from just our own activities of what we will buy or won't buy. It would also be good if elected leaders would think for a minute or two about national security again; it still matters.

Affirmative Action Primary Care
Dying? Let's Talk

Confirming Citizenship = Racism

2009-07-20T17:43:00.002-05:00

I just read this story about a lady acting up at a townhall meeting. She's bewildered at why Obama hasn't released his birth certificate to prove he was born in the U.S. She also says he is Kenyan, to give her back her country and her flag. I wouldn't want this lady to be my personal spokesperson, but the comments section in this story hits with all tones of mockery on a couple of repeated points.

A.) Obama is keeping his birth certificate locked up so that the Republicans can be exposed as representatives of the "birther" nutjobs, and all the with-it young people will vote Democrat as a result.
B.) Asking for the birth certificate is racist because they are only asking to see it because Obama is not a white male.

I am not going to make "Show the Birth Certificate" my mantra and the issue that I will go to the mattresses for, starting today. However, I'm not going to join the "sensible" conservatives who blast these yokels and wish they would disappear. As far as I know, I have my birth certificate on a shelf in my baby book at my mom's house, and I even have a key to my mom's house and I could show it to anyone who demanded to see it; which I may do if I become president and everyone thinks I was born in Ireland. I don't need the State of Illinois to hold a press conference about how they have it safe and sound, locked in a vault "Just trust us"!

Questions about Obama's original whereabouts can be seen as understandable. If there is another black president, don't expect birth certificate questions just because of race. If that president's parents were both natural born citizens, and that president didn't go to grade school all the way in Indonesia, I'm sure it won't come up, even if he isn't white.

Why do we require the president to be a natural born citizen anyway? Could it be that the founding fathers would have preferred a president that spent his childhood in the U.S., brainwashed in love of country and an engrained knowledge of judeo/christian and american values? Maybe we should have a requirement of time spent in the U.S. (particularly the impressionable age of childhood), in addition to being born in the U.S.

Obamacare Hurdling through House Committees

2009-07-17T14:58:00.003-05:00

Two down, one to go. Obamacare has been passed by the U.S. House Ways and Means and the Education and Labor Committees. The Energy and Commerce Committee is the last hurdle before the bill can enter the house floor. A few days ago there was a story that 10 Democrats in the Energy and Commerce Committee were against the bill in its current form and would be voting NO if changes were not made, in effect keeping the bill off of the house floor. So, we are left to wait and see if there was any truth to the story or if since the other two committees are full speed ahead, enough arms will be twisted to send it to the floor. See the links below to other stories on the bill, including one from the New York Times where Sen. Chris Dodd (D), says that private health insurance plans would have to offer coverage to those with pre-existing conditions and forego caps on lifetime reimbursement amounts. Seems an awful tough way to stay in business if you're Blue Cross/ Blue Shield, etc. If they go out of business, where will I go to get insured? I guess their is always the public option (a.k.a ONLY OPTION post-Obamacare passage)

Update/ Tuesday 7/21: Obama will be inviting the committee on Energy and Commerce to the White House this afternoon for tea and arm twisting. Charlie Rangel will be there with bells on and as he said in the article, Obama has invited the committee to show that he is in charge. In charge of the bill he doesn't know a whole lot about.

The Bill
No pre-existing conditions and no caps on reimbursement.
Forced Vaccinations

There are 40!

2009-07-16T11:02:00.003-05:00

I was listening to Rush Limbaugh yesterday and he repeated something he has said before. That the Republicans hands are tied since they have only 40 members in the Senate and a minority in the House. This lets the Republican Senators and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell off the hook when 2 or 3 of them go rogue and vote with the Democrats on bills like the huge stimulus package early in 2009 (see Specter, Collins, and Snowe). This gave 3 Democrats in red states cover to vote against it, and the slightest appearance of bi-partisanship.

With the health care bill on deck and even in the case of a Sotomayor confirmation vote, if those 40 (R) senators could just once vote the party line, it most likely would make all the difference. When it comes to the health care bill, it comes down to this: if all 40 (R) senators vote NO, it doesn't pass, plain and simple. There will be at least one Democrat who will not vote for cloture on this thing. However, if a small group of those 40 defect and compromise with the 60 Democrat senators, both parties will own it, plain and simple. It doesn't matter if only 5 (R) senators vote Yea and 35 vote No, in the eyes of the voters, both parties will have brought socialized healthcare to fruition.

So, I think Rush and others need to hold the feet of these 40 to the fire. It is well past time for a party line vote on economy changing legislation. Even the House did it once when Obama's stimulus came up, but the Senate could not keep it's small group of 41 (before the Specter switch) together. No more excuses.

Judges can't answer citizen questions?

2009-07-15T15:11:00.003-05:00

I'm glad to see the smart ones in the black robes are so separated from the citizen. It's evident in this story about the Sotomayor hearing that the court has become an abstract and theoretical body which exists in a dimension not to be visited by the common man.

See quote:

Coburn asked whether technological improvements that help premature babies
survive might "have any bearing on how we look at Roe v.
Wade," the 1973 court ruling that established abortion rights.
"I can't
answer that in the abstract," Sotomayor said. "The question as it would it come
before me wouldn't be in the way that you form it as a citizen, it would come to
me as a judge."

Firstly, I didn't know that lack of technology had anything to do with Roe v. Wade; I thought it was all about privacy and choice. But what is with Sotomayor and her many replies of, "I can't answer in the abstract"? I get it that a case would have to be brought before her, which might trigger her wise latina mind to ask herself the question posed by Coburn, but then again, I don't think she has a richness of technology experience like the rich experiences she may have of knowing women who have had abortions, so that question may not come up.

You see, citizens form questions everyday, but those citizens must have the knowledge to translate a question into the correct abstract and concrete legal terminology, so that the ever intelligent court can understand the question and recall settled law and if not settled law, international law to come to a conclusion which allows Ms. Sotomayor and her peers to opine. Get it?

Congressional Congeniality

2009-07-15T14:15:00.002-05:00

I've grown tired of the bi-partisan get-along gang in congress. Even when there is a big political battle it sometimes seems like the "fighters" in the GOP are just going through the motions, thinking about the next meet and greet. Today, pro-life Senator Tom Coburn wasted no time in apologizing to Sonia Sotomayor for the 6 pro-life protestors who interrupted yesterday and the AP wasted no time running with the story. The moral of the story is; pro-life protestors are always going about it the wrong way. Don't protest; you pro-lifers need to learn to love more. Why are we always apologizing for the John the Baptists of the pro-life movement? The ones who don't dress well, eat locusts, and speak with a loud voice.

Swine Flu- The Next Crisis that Won't Go to Waste?

2009-07-14T15:50:00.002-05:00

Rahm Emmanuel is quoted as saying something to the effect of..."you should never let a good crisis go to waste". Below are some recent crises and their remedies:

Bank Failures= TARP 2 + Timothy Geithner
Recession= Stimulus Package
Climate Change= Passage of Cap and Trade Bill in the House
GM and Chrysler Bankruptcy= Govt. Motors
AIG Bonuses= Congress authorizes taxing them 90%
1st Swine Flu Scare= confirmation of Kathleen Sebelius

It's seems that the confirmation of Kathleen Sebelius may have been the one remedy that worked, temporarily at least, since once she was confirmed, the swine flu panic subsided. Now as a bill geared toward socializing healthcare is expected to be debated and possibly passed before the August recess, Swine Flu is again rearing its ugly head in Europe, and the apocalyptic forecasts for this disease is back in the news. I'm sure those in support of healthcare will trumpet the horrors of Swine Flu as the vote for the government takeover of healthcare nears. After all, the reactionary Congress always has to do something; I hear the zombies off in the distance MUST GET RE-ELECTED!, MUST GET RE-ELECTED!, BRAINS, BRAINS!

But doesn't most of Europe have socialized healthcare, where everyone has access to care? See this sad story from Britain. Apparently, the girl may have only needed some Ibuprofen. I hope with socialized healthcare, we can at least keep plenty of Advil around. Quick action and hydration seem critical, so I encourage everyone to take care of you and yours, and remember what you know about quick action and government.

It's All Settled for Sonia

2009-07-14T13:03:00.003-05:00

I've never been a fan of the phrase, "so it's all settled then", but apparently, a brilliant mind like Sonia Sotomayor might be. To her, the right to an abortion is "settled law". I see, just like the "settled law" in the Dred Scott Decision. What was it that ultimately settled that law? And that IT happened after THIS, right? All settled, eh?

What Of the Anti-Palin Republicans?

2009-07-13T17:23:00.002-05:00

After reading the opinions on Sarah Palin’s latest blunder by the former Reagan speechwriter, former Bush 43 speechwriter, former leader of John McCain’s 2 losing presidential bids, THE New York Times and PBS approved conservative columnist, the guy who forced himself to quit the McCain campaign because he was afraid to say anything critical about an African-American, and the go to guy from the ’08 McCain campaign for all the dirt that is fit to print about Sarah Palin, I wonder what this list of important Republicans will do if she were to win the GOP nomination in 2012.

Will they establish a crescendo of support for her or will they line up outside the studio doors of MSNBC waiting for their turn to explain how Palin has damaged the Republican Party and divided it between those reasonable ones like themselves who strive to find the middle ground with their Democrat friends (the ones who really no how to throw an elegant cocktail party), and those bitter angry Joe the Plumbers. Their steadfast protests of Palin’s existence may make it hard for them to ever support her as nominee because she doesn’t get the big things right; such as providing them the cover they need to take her as seriously as they do Obama. For them, she needs to seclude herself in her study for the next few years to study up on all the things she didn’t have a chance to learn while she was busy fishing and having kids. She needs to be able to get big things like Iran and Honduras right because she might not be able to tell the difference between the groups defending and crying for freedom in those countries and those disregarding court edicts and cracking heads. (although I might be able to understand disregarding court edicts, but not in the case of Honduras Democracy). That girl had better learn a thing or two about hiring CEOs for auto manufacturers, before she stands on a debate stage with the likes of Mike Huckabee.

Some of these important Republicans have made it sound like McCain let the crazy family member out of the attic when he picked Palin. Nobody knew of this Palin with her uneducated ways, therefore nobody realized she was related to the prestigious Republican family until Uncle John opened the wrong door; the one Lieberman was supposed to be behind. However, I remember seeing a nice looking photograph of a pleasant go-getter a year or two before Fall 2008, with something written beneath it on how she might run for president or something. Maybe if she could have fit onto the cramped debate stage she could have made Ron Paul look really good. I also remember thinking that this woman was to my liking, but too bad the poor gal was paired up with McCain.

Almost a year after McCain’s VP choice, this might be the ultimate conclusion I’ve come to regarding Sarah Palin. She would probably have been better off not being McCain’s running mate. By now, her approval rating would be huge in Alaska, her name untarnished, and maybe even the important Republicans (the ones that sometimes vote Democrat for President) would be taking her seriously; maybe even with a smile.

That darn Graham

2009-07-13T11:47:00.003-05:00

My applause meter for Lindsay Graham has been stuck between 0 and 1 for as long as I can remember and today's Sotomayor hearings keep my hands far apart. Graham said during the hearing that barring a meltdown, Sotomayor will be confirmed. First of all, that seems just a dumb thing to say, and just one question for Lindsay; if she says anything about being a wise Latina able to reach a better conclusion than a white male, would that be the kind of meltdown you are talking about? Or if she starts crying for some reason, like Justice Alito's wife? Elaborate please. And to all you Palmetto staters; please vote this guy out in 2014. You should of done it last year, but apparently, the guy must bring Oscar Mayer portions of pork to the state. Conservative representation? Not much.

On Deck

2009-07-10T14:13:00.000-05:00

Don't miss my post-weekend posts coming Monday. They will cover "conservative" pundits against Sarah Palin, and a walk down memory lane to the 2008 GOP Primaries where Mitt wouldn't lay a glove on McCain...

What Do I Know?

2009-07-09T18:16:00.000-05:00

This marks the beginning of an ongoing notation of thoughts about the things I care most about, I guess. But after all the screeds and rants are done, and after I've read and commented on the opinions of so many other pundits and bloggers, pointed out how wrong or right this or that writer might be; at the end of each day the question will always remain, "what do I know?"