Something "Republican" That I Can Support

Looks like the party is finally willing to call something as it is:

Bush and other leaders have embraced socialism.

Yep.

Better late than never, I suppose, but the damage has already been done.

The interesting part here, for me at least, will be to see whether this really opens up the debate on socialism in the US.

Together with our great-great-great-great-grandchildren, we are already set to pay a dear price for our ignorance and publicly-indoctrinated class warfare; but if we can educate ourselves now, we'll be that much better able to pick ourselves up and put ourselves back together.

And that'd be great news.

Doing My Part

Just doing my part to help as many people understand media anti-gun hype, as I can!

h/t: The Arsenal

Just Not for Us, Thanks...

Ford has said they think the President did the right thing by getting around Congress (and the PEOPLE) and making loans available for the automakers.

But they don't need it, thanks.

It reminds me of a line from Lisa Kudrow's character on Friends when rejecting a party invitation - "Oh, I wish I could, but I don't want to."

Hmm... I wonder... how "right" could Ford possibly think the loans were, if they're turning them down?

Free Speech in Russia

After violently suppressing freedom of the press, Putin is looking to silence ALL freedom of speech in Russia.

Any criticism of Russia's government would be treason, according to a bill he's sponsoring in the Russian Parliament.

Why?

Alexeyeva said the government was pushing the law quickly to head off possible protests resulting from the global financial crisis, which has hit Russia hard.

"The people ruling the government are afraid of the reaction of its citizens to their inability to cope with the crisis," she said.

This is a very, VERY bad thing. Fear on not only the citizens' part, but also the government's, is a powerfully dangerous ingredient to add to an easily-combustible situation.

Let's make sure that we stand up lest the same thing happen here; and pray for our brothers and sisters in Russia.

"Nine out of Ten Dentists Recommend..."

Or, "How could a consensus POSSIBLY be wrong?"

The Global "Climate Change" religion relies on one-sided hysteria - and it makes it to press that way! Gee, good thing we're thinking through things and getting both sides of the story, right? Oh, wait... well, at least we're not actually micro-managing economic, social, and energy policy based on it... oh - what's that you say? - hmm.

And in a completely unrelated article:

Scientists initially believed the greatest solar breach occured when the Earth's and sun's magnetic fields are pointed in opposite directions. But data from Themis found the opposite to be true. Twenty times more solar wind passed into the Earth's protective shield when the magnetic fields were aligned, Oieroset said.

Solar flares and holes in Earth's magnetic field work differently than scientists thought they would, too. Huh!

Well, at least NOW we know everything, right?

SOLVED.

The Adam Walsh murder - finally.

Also, more locally, (and last week), the murder of an elderly couple from 2003.

With poor little Caylee Anthony's body (likely) found, too... I might be just seeing what I want to see here, but does it seem to you like more cases shake out leading up to the Christmas season?

In the Midst of Our Transition to Fascism...

As our Fearless Leaders are doing their darnedest to nationalize things right and left by pretending to bail them out with increasingly worthless greenish-gray paper, Jeff at Mormanity found a way to be very, VERY funny.

Definitely worth a read.

Or three. *grin*

Might Want to Keep an Eye on This...

After palling around (officially, AGAIN) with just about every Central & South American country that isn't in love with the USA, Russia is actually sending ships to Cuban waters.

Notice the price of oil right now? (Chalk another one up for "Glenn Beck's Early News" since I started pointing them out...) They're collapsing, scared, and ready to fall back into the familiar swaddling of a dictatorial straitjacket... think I'm kidding?

The naval manoeuvres close to US waters are seen as a riposte to Washington's own moves in Russia's Soviet-era sphere of influence, including in the Black Sea.

Hmm. Their policy people are still living in the Soviet era. A happy, liberal, peaceful, prosperous golden age for them, right? Well, lest we forget the stunning Soviet quality of workmanship, (*ahem* - have you seen K-19: The Widowmaker?), they've been dealing with this lately:

...inadvertent fatal poisoning last month of 20 people aboard a Russian nuclear-powered submarine that was undergoing tests off the Pacific coast.

So... what that tells me, is that it might not even matter whether their subs could still launch a missile; all they'd have to do is explode at us.

I'm so grateful that I'm not in the Russian Navy right now...

Interesting Post at Mudville...

From the Mudville Gazette, a great John Adams quote; here's a bit from the end that seems especially pertinent:

And the new Governments we are assuming in every part will require a purification from our vices, and an augmentation of our virtues, or they will be no blessings. The people will have unbounded power, and the people are extremely addicted to corruption and venality, as well as the great. But I must submit all my hopes and fears to an overruling Providence, in which, unfashionable as the faith may be, I firmly believe. (emphasis mine)

If You Can't Beat 'Em, Go Around 'Em **Updated**

Here's a story problem for the day:

An automaker - after decades of inefficient operations and government oppression - can no longer keep up with its obligations. Rather than allow them to declare bankruptcy, which works for the airlines every couple of years, government leaders - with the approval of Union bosses - want to give them tax dollars. (Note: Because of the way the government pays for things, those are really future tax dollars.) ...The people object, despite the best efforts of the Legislative branch of government to do it while attaching "strings," so the Executive branch decides to just git 'er done and prepares to give them the money, anyway.

Flat-out-stupid economic policy aside, I'm looking for one good reason why this isn't fascist. Anyone?

(To put this in context, the "Bailout" - which is finally being examined more critically by Congress - was also forced on financial institutions... this isn't the first time government has said, 'we're your new bosses, and we dare you to object.')


***UPDATE #1***
So now the Senators are "un-American" for voting against it, according to Michigan's governor. Hmm. Really? Does that mean it's more "American" to run an industry into the ground? Or is it the regulation that's "American?" Or perhaps the "I'll sit on my duff and produce nothing but continue to be paid during 'retirement'" Union obligations are "American?" Hmm. Maybe he just means "punishing the entire country additionally for three companies' bad business policy under suffocating regulation" is "American," instead.

***UPDATE #2***
And ooh! Here's a good sign: the Fed won't disclose the recipients of the funds from the "first" Bailout. Hmm. Simultaneously, there are massive fraud discoveries. Hmm. I mean, honestly - who would've seen this stuff coming? ;-)

RUN Like the WIND!!!

Obama has announced parts of his New New Deal.

Hmm. I wonder how many part-time jobs he's planning on taking up to fund it, because we sure don't have extra dollars sitting around, and I don't think government programs run very well without taking more money from those of us paying taxes.

And I'd object to creating further dependence on the Magical Entity Known As "Government," anyway. Maybe I should turn that into an acronym: MEKAG. And let's call it, "ME," for short.

"We, the People" and all that, you know.

How about "We" quit increasing spending from "ME" for bureaucratic, populist, socialist programs designed primarily to enslave us?

Because government spending only increases every time we look at it.

Yep, What They Said.

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty published a full-page ad in the New York Times, decrying the recent anti-Mormon violence and intimidation after Proposition 8 passed in California (and similar measures passed elsewhere).

This probably means that the Times is pretty hard up for advertising revenue, but I appreciate their allowing its publication, all the same. *wink*

It's a beautiful thing when people of faith can unite to stand up for others' rights to speak and act according to their consciences; and if it continues, this cooperation has the potential to really help solve the root of a lot of our problems as a society by reorienting our priorities and encouraging civility and respect.

Here's to continuing "civil defense" of our rights!

As a Taxpayer...

... it appears that I will soon be part-owner of the Big 3 auto companies. (Well, technically "even more part-owner," since I'm sure our IRA already includes some of their stock...)

With that in mind, I humbly submit the following requests:

• Use of a company jet one weekend per quarter;
• Promotional vehicle privileges, with vehicles rotated monthly;
• A cap boasting the GM logo (since I'm not so big on Ford, and honestly, who'd be seen wearing a Chrysler cap?); and
• Voting rights on any future bailout applications.

Does that work for you?

Power to the People, Baby!!!

Shoppers stopped and detained an armed shoplifter today in Idaho.

It makes me all giddy!!! I just LOVE it when people feel like they can do something positive.

Great Sports!

After beating Ball State tonight, Buffalo took the MAC championship and will be heading to the Toronto International Bowl.

Who else will be going?

Buffalo athletic director Warde Manuel said members of Buffalo's 1958 team will join the current program on the trip because they turned down a chance to play in the Tangerine Bowl because their black players wouldn't have been able to participate.

"The 1958 team deserves a bowl experience," Manuel said.

How cool is that? What a heartwarming story out of this year's football competition. Double props to Buffalo tonight!

One More Check

... in a checkered past, if you can even call it "checkered." It's more just "bad."

Planned Parenthood is in hot water again! It's a disheartening story - coaching a "pregnant minor" to lie about reporting her dilemma so that she can get around the laws in place - but it's very consistent with their past behavior.

The chapter president says, "[t]he apparent actions of the employee would be in violation of our strict policies and procedures..."

Mm-hmm.

Maybe that's why it's happened so often.

Somehow, I doubt that an organization founded by a racist and a eugenicist has - in practice - such strict procedures that they would wouldn't take donations earmarked for minority abortions. Or falsify medical records. Or overcharge the state for their "services."

So what can we do? Protect innocent life. Promote a culture that values life. Fight abortion and eugenics. Life is truly a gift, and the more we exemplify that, the more we'll be able to help others see it that way.

No More Whining. Oh, and Reactions, Too.

I've had a couple thoughts simmering lately, and they merge rather well. (h/t: Chantilita & Jenn)

Politics - and political blogging - self-selects for those with a tendency toward fault-finding.

And while it's important to discuss the issues we face, it's easy to let the tone slide from "serious" into "depressing."

So... I'm still going to cover the issues, but I'll try to keep more of the moping out of it, LOL - and to that end, I'm adding a "Reaction" box you can check if you think I'm sounding whiny.

On that note, yep, there are "Reaction" boxes now so you can check your assessment of each post if you'd like... if you have suggestions for more "Reactions," please leave a comment! Thanks!

Hey! A Parenting Idea!

Exercise helps kids, too.

Even overweight kids!

Huh!

This Is Probably Good

Saxby Chambliss, a conservative and a Republican, won re-election in Georgia's run-off on Tuesday.

I'm stopping short of expecting miracles, but I think it's great that a conservative won. If you still understand the principles that the country was founded on, count me a fan!

And I think it's wonderful that there is not a Democratic supermajority in the Senate; whatever your political views, having the two admittedly partisan branches of the government (along with a sometimes-partisan third) working at odds rather than in concert is better if you're a fan of any sort of balanced approach. I'm not sure whether I am or not, LOL, but "balance" sounds good, right?

Personally, I'd prefer that we resurrected our Founders, but I suppose that will have to wait...

Another Warrior Finally at Peace

CPT Rob Yllescas passed on today.

He leaves a wife and two daughters that I am certain he will continue to watch over.

Please keep his family in your prayers.

Excuse Me, Mr. Officer... or "How exactly do you object to an M-16?"

The Pentagon is planning to deploy 20,000 DOMESTIC MILITARY POLICE.

What could possibly go wrong?

(For the record, Hubby is a member of the National Guard; they're for defense, not for policing, and while I trust him and his associates, I sure don't trust a heavy-handed government with even more local power.)

(And chalk another one up for what I call "Glenn Beck's Early News!")

[h/t: Drudge]

What an Opportunity, Indeed.

Communists in Russia are excited that people will feel threatened enough by world events to re-install their totalitarian rulers. I mean, they're really back with Putin and Medvedev, anyway, (and engineered conflicts with, say... Georgia?), but 'ooh! People might take someone who still carries the actual party name if they get desperate enough!' To quote:

Gennady Zyuganov told the party's annual congress the Communists should make maximum use of the growing public discontent caused by the economic downturn to try to restore their political strength.

Gee, who else has recently said that he should never let a crisis go to waste? (Hint: "a cross between a hemorrhoid and a toothache.")

[h/t: Drudge]

If You Can't Beat 'Em, Take 'Em to Court!

Looks like having real evidence out there about alleged "man-made global climate change" (e.g.: CO2 emissions rise after temperatures, not before - does following the temperature rise sound like causation to you?) is starting to have an effect: more people worldwide are skeptical of the high priests of the global warming religion.

And even if they believe they're personally causing it, they're unwilling to do much, if anything, about it. Ha... what a triumph of laziness, even over gullibility! (Although let me be clear: I believe we should be responsible about the use of our resources; we're supposed to be good, industrious stewards of the earth.)

So... rather than present actual evidence for our role in climate change, (since there's such a paucity of it, regardless of what Al Gore might have gotten back slaps and toasts for...), what do they do? Threaten us through the court system.

[h/t: Drudge]

...In a *Shopping* Basket

Meaning, how society is going all to ruin.

Honestly, after previous years, we weren't surprised to hear that someone was trampled at a store during Black Friday sales, but the severity and aftermath were shocking.

I mean, when you can't even get people to stop shopping for a death, WOW. And the people rushing into the store were trampling the other employees trying to help the man who'd been trampled. WOW.

Or how about when people are so feeling the holiday spirit that they erupt into a fistfight and then shoot each other in a Toys 'R' Us? WOW.

Hubby and I have been talking about the Wal-mart trampling incident since yesterday, and we sure hope the people involved are identified and prosecuted, because no matter how tearfully said, "but I had to get that TV!" probably won't make a very good defense in court... and it would only increase the human cost if everyone involved gets away with it simply due to being a mob.

Sending prayers to the victim's family and to the police working on identifying the guilty parties on the tape...

(Irony of the day: As I'm wrapping up this post, the Taco Bell "Not It" commercial is playing - the one where two friends are watching a third friend get chased around by a bull, both claiming "not it" to go help him...)

Prayers to India

Sending thoughts and prayers to India and the victims and their families there after the horrific attacks... (beware the copious graphic coverage).

And more prayers for the hostages still being held...

Time to Get Our Houses in Order

Not "again."

STILL.

$700 billion has all of a sudden ballooned in size to $7.4 TRILLION. (h/t: Drudge)

Things are going to get a heck of a lot worse, a heck of a lot faster.

All I can say is to get your house solvent, because our country is not... and it will never be as long as our runaway government keeps promising more of our FUTURE INCOME.

Also, CALL your representatives, senators, and the President. Tell them to stop the madness. Do your part to fight this grand theft while you're still allowed to do so.

Tagged!

I've been tagged! (And it sure took me a while to get this out there... started it last Friday!)

It's Just Me at Regular Voices tagged me as having a Fabulous Blog. *blushing* Thanks! I feel very flattered and more than a little overwhelmed! Regular Voices is a great blog that normal people can actually relate to, and from the conversations we've had so far, It's Just Me is not only honest, but open-minded and fair. Makes blogging a real treat, and I get a sense of how other people who are thinking, are thinking.

1. You have to pass it on to 5 other fabulous blogs in a post.
   So here, in no particular order (except as they occur to me... and only 5? I could go on for ages! As busy as these bloggers are, I'm not going to insist that they pass it on, though - no pressure! :-)):
   • Trying to Grok - Sarah is just all-around great to read. From politics to knitting to military life, she's got it covered, and her resources rock, too!
   • A Homeschooling Momma - Such a great resource for educational activities! Ann is thoroughly dedicated to teaching her sweet little girls, and she comes across the neatest sites!
     
   • Jen's Poetry Picks and Politics - Great issues and sources, and I love the poetry posts! What a way to nurture both sides of our brains!
     
   • Young Survivor - Jenn has not just survived, but thrived since her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. She's worked incredibly hard and competed in the Gold's Gym fitness challenge two years in a row now, on top of taking care of her family and doing her job; she was even selected to be on a national panel this year. Such an inspiration!
     
   • Peaceable Walk - Wonderful site. It's a refuge, and a place for relief, uplifting thoughts, and reminders of what's really important.
     
   
   
2. You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.
   • Umm... blogging. Definitely blogging.
   • Following the news/issues;
   • Chocolate (although with recent illness, that's taken a backseat, and, if the universe were "fair," it would stay there!)
   • Information - reading everything I can, which is tough as a mommy;
     
   • Political discussion... although I'm generally non-confrontational in "real life" in the interest of putting people before politics. Spouting off into the ether about politics and principles - well, that and a lot of prayer - is how I keep my head from completely exploding.
     
   
   
3. You must copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post.

   Instructions: On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them. When you post your five winners, make sure you link them as well. To add the award to your post, simply right-click, save image, then "add image" it in your post as a picture so your winners can save it as well. To add it to your sidebar, add the "picture" gadget. Also, don't forget to let your winners know they won an award from you by emailing them or leaving a comment on their blog.

Too Real?

Oh, here's one big reason Gov. Palin was so noxious to the traditional media:

She knows how real life works, and she's okay with it.

Not the whited sepulchre of modern politics, (perhaps... although she might know more than the condescending jerks give her credit for); but REAL LIFE. The vital side.

She wasn't bothered by the turkey slaughtering behind her in her recent press conference because it's REAL LIFE.

Eew, the MSNBC commentator sneers.

Yes, Mr. Commentator, much of real life is "eew-y."

What's more, this incident is highly illustrative of the what "the media" doesn't understand about what a lot of people call "Real America:" We in the latter might not want to be in on the slaughtering, but we DO (largely) understand and appreciate where our turkey comes from, and we don't sneer at those who deal with the vital parts of life. They're real, and we're real. The talking heads' powder, teeth, and hair, on the other hand...

Hummmm...

A lawyer is challenging the music industry's anti-piracy lawsuits, proposing alternate solutions and charging that:

...the Digital Theft Deterrence and Copyright Damages Improvement Act of 1999 is unconstitutional because it effectively lets a private group - the Recording Industry Association of America, or RIAA - carry out civil enforcement of a criminal law.

and that:

...the music industry group abused the legal process by brandishing the prospects of lengthy and costly lawsuits in an effort to intimidate people into settling cases out of court.

Agreed.

I'm not certain about the implications, though. RIAA really does seem to have morphed into a vindictive, petulant organization, but those who knowingly downloaded illegally DID break the law. But fining college students hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of dollars? (And so on with the "buts" - back and forth, back and forth...)

In a way, I think it's kind of like seat belt violations: it's a common violation; most of the time nothing happens; and the potential costs to others are huge. And actually, seat belt violations are more important, in a life-and-death way.

On the other hand, there's nothing inherently wrong with not buckling yourself up; whereas there's definitely something inherently bad about wrongly possessing someone else's property. That's where my problem lies. I don't think I have any legal objection to people doing whatever they please with their own property, for their own use.

While the fines and lawsuits are simply ridiculous, there has to be a penalty for wrongful property possession - especially doing so knowingly.

Maybe the problem isn't with the legal system, per se... maybe it's with judges and juries who issue such outlandish fines.

And with the whiny, maliciously-behaving RIAA.

And with the whiny downloaders who - while seeming apathetic rather than malicious - obviously don't have a real principle to cling to.

A Good Reason to Care Whether We're Becoming Russia

The latest in an evil series.

The article lists previous incidents, as well, but the latest is that yet another journalist has been attacked for investigating corruption in Russia. Just local government, so there was no Polonium involved... "just" thugs.

Wonder What the Stop Fee Would Be...

[Update 17Nov2008/18:12 - thanks to commenter Jason for pointing out that there is Congressional oversight; I've updated the pertinent section of the post and must say I feel marginally better... ;-) ]

Looks like there's a movement to act on the little "buyer's remorse" in Congress over Hank Paulson's recent coronation: Sen. Inhofe (who, I must add, DID NOT vote for the Bailout that granted Sec. Paulson unlimited taxpayer funds with no strings attached and no oversight) has called for cutting off the funds.

To quote just some of the gems in the article:

Last week the Treasury secretary announced he was abandoning his plan to free up the nation's credit system by buying up toxic assets from troubled financial institutions. Instead, Paulson wants to take a more direct action on the consumer credit front.

"He was able to get this authority from Congress predicated on what he was going to do, and then he didn't do it,'' Inhofe said.
...
Inhofe recalled earlier comments opposing Paulson's plan because the administration's point man did not have answers for a number of questions. He also recalled questioning the rush to get the bailout passed.

"I have learned a long time ago. When they come up and say this has to be done and has to be done immediately, there is no other way of doing it, you have to sit back and take a deep breath and nine times out of 10 they are not telling the truth,'' he said.
...
"Congress abdicated its constitutional responsibility by signing a truly blank check over to the Treasury Secretary,'' he wrote.

"However, the lame duck session of Congress offers us a tremendous opportunity to change course. We should take it.''

*happy dance*

I'm considering moving to Oklahoma just so I can vote for him.

I Like Anderson Cooper

He's real, he's thoughtful, he's funny, and he's FAIR. I remember him from Channel One days, LOL, and it's great that he's been doing so well. He calls things as he sees them, (which doesn't always coincide with how I see them, and that's okay), and he's earned my respect. Lots of it.

A couple interesting things from last night's episode of The Tonight Show (pertinent segment is "Chapter 3," right after the second ad break, and around the 20-minute mark and continues through the next segment... if I can get a better link from Hulu, I'll post that instead.):

• He said Sarah Palin was very capable. Jay, of course, had to crap all over that assessment, but Anderson's initial statement is actually what jives with statements from people who have met her, not via Katie Couric, but in person.
  
• His comments on the bailout totally caught Paulson's flipping and flopping (and continually changing demands and plans), to the point that suggested we could question whether they actually know what they're doing.
  

He is one of the friendliest, most politically un-readable people I've ever seen on TV. I have no idea how he votes, but he listens, and he appraises people fairly, at least in my estimation. And that independent, fair nature makes me a fan.

Manners

As in, what we've largely forgotten in today's society.

Just basic decency and respect for others.

A gay "rights"*** group interrupted a church service, yelling and throwing fliers at people (which, I might note, is technically assault), as well as protesting outside the church.

This kind of intimidation is absolutely unacceptable. What are the consequences of the "protest?" Let's see:

churchgoers were unclear as to the purpose of the demonstration.

The Eaton County Sheriff's Department responded to the scene Sunday but no arrests were made.

Moral of the story: It's okay to act like a violent, spoiled child, as long as you're acting that way toward the politically-unpopular people who disagree with you - those oh-so-threatening religious fundamentalists who, I hope the "protesters" noticed, didn't attack them and yell hateful things back...

***in quotes because they already have specially protected rights - it's not a matter of rights anymore, but rather a matter of shutting down those who disagree, which is neither right nor respectful of others' rights.

Perestroika? Hmm...

Drudge has linked to an article about Gorbachev's recommendation for President-elect Obama: PERESTROIKA.

Hmm.

(Showing age...) I was fairly young when Gorbachev came to power, but I remember hearing perestroika and glasnost and some other seldom-used member of that triad... and I remember that they were "good things."

Anyway, that word caught my attention, and I looked it up.

Here's Wikipedia's definition:

the Russian term (now used in English) for the economic reforms introduced in June 1987^[1] by the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Its literal meaning is "restructuring", referring to the restructuring of the Soviet economy.

And here's another - from Gorbachev himself in 1987 - read the whole thing if you're up for night terrors:

...overcoming the stagnation process, breaking down the braking mechanism, creating a dependable and effective mechanism for acceleration of social and economic progress and giving it greater dynamism

...utmost respect for the individual

...the revival and development of the principles of democratic centralism in running the national economy, the universal introduction of economic methods

...a resolute shift to scientific methods

...the combination of the achievements of the scientific and technological revolution with a planned economy

...ever better satisfaction of the Soviet people's requirements for good living and working conditions, for good rest and recreation, education and health care.

...elimination from society of the distortions of socialist ethics

ACK!!! Run like the wind, people!!!

*ahem... regaining composure* Let's take some of these one at a time:

• "Breaking down the braking mechanism?" You mean, like what's left of our divinely-inspired Constitution's checks and balances? In favor of "accelerat[ing]... social and economic progress?" Bad idea, especially since it depends on who's allowed to define, "progress."
  
• Combining science and technology with a planned economy? It's not too far from those words to "eugenics."
• Satisfying "people's requirements for good living and working conditions, for good rest and recreation, education and health care" - like FDR's Second Bill of Rights?
• Eliminating "the distortions of socialist ethics" - (I'm assuming he's not referring to the distortions that ARE socialist ethics...) - that sure sounds like shutting down criticism and silencing disagreement, to me.

We must fight these things!!!

Granted, from reading up on it at Wikipedia, it seemed to be a move in the right direction, the way it was sold: freeing up the economy - to a point. Freeing up political discourse - to a point.

But everything was still ultimately under state control - it seems like the populist Gorbachev and his glasnost were able to make the people (and world media) happier about it, though.

Let's be careful what we let ourselves be made happy about, because "utmost respect for the individual" is incongruous with the rest of those definitions.

One Great Bird

A parrot helped save a two-year-old's life by squawking like crazy when the sitter was... indisposed. (h/t: Drudge)

I think every parent can relate to this sort of thing - although in our house, it's historically a mess that explodes all over the kitchen in less than two minutes in lieu of a life-threatening situation...

And while I've been dead-set against having a live bird in the house, (after the mess left by a family pet when I was growing up), it might not be the end of the world, LOL...

Although... since the babysitter was the one who actually did the Heimlich, maybe we'll just settle for a great babysitter.

Instant Comments

Just a quick note - after having quite a backlog of comments (for the scale of this blog's usual comment traffic) awaiting moderation; and me being unavailable for an extended time (again, for the scale of how quickly I try to publish comments), I've removed moderation for posts within the last 30 days. Older posts' comments will still go through moderation, but I'm going to see how it goes.

So... you'll be able to have more real-time discussions, and hopefully we won't get too much spam, LOL!

The Weight of the Presidency

Everyone knows that the Presidency is not an easy job. You get the blame for pretty much anything anyone wants to throw at you, and most of your accomplishments won't even be known for a few decades. In fact, a recent article at the Onion - ever a source of keen satire - was titled, Black Man Given Nation's Worst Job.

That was the funny spin on the job (among other things... lingering racial tension, our propensity for demonizing people after we vote for them, etc.).

Then I saw the video I'd missed of Obama's press conference.

The biggest emotion I felt when I watched it (aside from the normal critique of his plans and a "that was unnecessary..." about his Nancy Reagan slam) was compassion. Empathy. Even pity.

He looked like he'd aged a decade overnight - did you see those bags under his eyes? And he seemed rather tired and distracted - so off his usual cool, collected presence that he couldn't remember what he was saying much after looking away from his prompter. I felt like I saw the thought, "Oh, crap... what have I gotten myself into" crease his forehead a couple times.

Why is this? My guess: he's getting more Presidential intelligence. He's starting to find out how big the problems really are - especially the ones we don't hear about.

In other words, I think the real weight of the Presidency is beginning to settle on him, and I pray that he really will be granted the strength and the wisdom to keep us free.

Sexual Harassment... oh, you mean the *training*

Ever felt like you're being sexually harassed just sitting in sexual harassment "training?"

Well, this professor does (among other things), and he's refusing to attend.

He's even willing to lose his job and go to jail over it, if necessary. And I LOVE his statement:

"I have consistently refused to take such training on the grounds that the adoption of the requirement was a naked political act by the state that offended my sensibilities, violated my rights as a tenured professor, impugned my character and cast a shadow of suspicion on my reputation and career," McPherson told the Orange County Register.

Sing it, brother!!! (And I must say, he made a brilliant pun...)

Only a Distant Memory?

New research has yielded a rather stunning advance - the ability to "erase" a specific memory. In mice, for the moment, but wow.

It seems almost Haitian, for Heroes fans out there...

Not to burst the researchers' bubble, of course, but I think the technology might already be in use, targeting things like the definition of a free market (Pres. Bush, et al).

Or the text of the Constitution, or the idea of self-reliance (anyone who's been through public school).

I might be signing up when they start human trials...

Of COURSE We're Not Teaching Gay Marriage...

... only societal norms!

I don't care what anyone else says, Kindergarteners are simply too young to deal with concepts like gay, lesbian, and transgender issues.

Even Obama has claimed that his Kindergarten sex ed idea would just be anti-abuse awareness. But that's not what gay-rights advocates are practicing ALREADY.

Just teaching, "be nice to people," or "don't call names," should suffice. But in California, a teacher with an agenda can do a lot more... and watch what the school rep says, versus what the actual school policy says in that video.

One more reason I don't want my kid in public school.

More Good News from Iraq

Two more provinces handed over to Iraqi control!

I'm fairly late posting the news here, but it's GREAT news, nonetheless!!!

Assisted Suicide... Funny Timing!

Washington has legalized assisted suicide. Of course, it might be in much higher demand after last night's results... *wink*

Seriously, though, it actually does fit with the socialist healthcare model. Older, ill people are no longer "contributing enough to society," and healthcare must be rationed, after all, in that model. Check out some of the eugenicists pre-WWII... (and, coincidentally, also during and after a troubled economic period...)

It's a real issue, and it's both dangerous and evil.

What Happens When You Don't Get Real Information

This woman - a daughter of former slaves - was able to vote yesterday. Her friends were more than happy to help her, and I would've done the same.

But I think I would've done more to educate her first, because here's what she had to say about why Obama's a good choice:

"Republicans don't care for the poor people," she said. "They want it all and they don't want the Democrats to have nothing."

Wow.

Where do you even start with that? This poor woman has been isolated and bombarded with defeatist, socialist propaganda for so long that she honestly believes what she's heard.

So do the majority of the people in this country, apparently. (Thanks, public schools...)

Now, I am sick of the constant Republican capitulation to socialism, and I don't consider myself a friend of the party. But I don't think that bad people in positions of power in either party want to do anything but enslave us. The socialist programs we already have, have done little but steal both property and accountability, making it harder for honest people to succeed, destroying families, and undercutting the foundation of our country.

Corrupt, power-hungry people are the ones who don't want us to have anything; and the more we rely on the government, empowering those who seek authority, the less we'll all have, indeed.

Comments Fixed

OK - there's a known issue with Blogger, where embedded comment forms aren't showing up quite right.

I've switched the comments back to a pop-up window, and it appears to have worked around that issue, so they're functional again... sorry for the inconvenience!

Good-night, Comrades.

I just can't filter out what to say.

This whole idea of "unity in support of our Constitution/government despite our differences" (two different things, I'd say...) is a bunch of nonsense.

I support the Constitution.

That IS my difference with our President-elect.

He will not have my support for unConstitutional policies. (Which, as I've heard them, is most of what he wants to do...)

Congress will not have my support for unConstitutional legislation.

Our government will have my support for Constitutional duties.

And I will remain civil.

Good-night, comrades.

Yep. Just in Time.

... or not.

Sarah Palin has been cleared of wrongdoing in an IMPARTIAL ethics probe about "Troopergate."

"Troopergate," wherein she (essentially) fired her Public Safety guy for not firing a slimeball state trooper.

That state trooper also happened to be an ex-brother-in-law. Abusive, drunk on duty, tasing a 10-year-old, corrupt guy - ask Alaskans... he was a real piece of work.

Of course, this is released after early voting, and just before the election, so the news doesn't get time to disseminate as it otherwise would...

What was the last news on it? The partisan legislative (preliminary) investigation thought she did something wrong. (And being part of the establishment she was dismantling, they WOULD.)

So it was referred to the State board, which - yes - just found that she did NOTHING WRONG.

Yep.

Of course.

Released "just in time" - not for people to know that she's been cleared before voting; but for the investigators to wash their hands of waiting until after the election.

It's so good to know that we conservatives can still be so OBVIOUSLY unjustly tarred by the media...

Election Jitters

They're gone.

Up until last night, I was losing sleep over the consequences of this election, however it turns out. I knew in my head that we could survive whatever comes, but I didn't feel it.

But yesterday I decided my votes, and without getting into details, I felt good about them.

And I woke up peaceful today. It felt like a combination of some surreal experience and Christmas morning.

I voted, and whatever happens, my family will be okay. We'll keep fighting the good fight, and we'll be okay.

And Even Cindy Sheehan Has a Right to Speak (and Run)

... even though her HQ keep getting attacked.

That's just not cool. We should shut down the savages, not the candidates.

More Free Speech Issues

1. Obama boots opposition reporters from plane
   Hmm... yeah, that shows a willingness to "reach across the aisle"... not to mention a receptive attitude to different ideas from our "open-minded" candidate. Previous, SECOND shut-down effort on radio station hosting opposition here. And then there are his "truth squads."
   
2. Fairness Doctrine explained at Mormanity (and parallel drawn to religious freedom)
   Shows that - like most fascist schemes - it's not about "fairness" so much as shutting down opposition. From the article quoted in the article (in the house that Jack built):

   As Bill Ruder, an assistant secretary of commerce under President Kennedy, noted, "Our massive strategy was to use the Fairness Doctrine to challenge and harass right-wing broadcasters in the hope that the challenges would be so costly to them that they would be inhibited and decide it was too expensive to continue."

We're going to need to fight loud and hard if Obama gains the presidency, especially if Congress has a liberal supermajority. Political correctness eroded the foundation of free speech, and now this "outlaw speech" idea is being extended to attack and quash simple dissent.

Dissent - free political discourse - is what "free speech" in the First Amendment is really about; and if we lose our First Amendment rights, all others will follow.

Do They Know?

That's the way Cassandra closes her latest brilliant post. (Seriously, go check it out - it's a great read!)

The question regards whether Obama supporters realize what he's doing and what his policies actually mean.

And I'm guessing the answer is, largely, a big "NO."

And for the ones who do know, they agree with him that people should have Constitutional rights to, say, other people's money and property, if it means "stuff" for them.

But do they realize what the Constitution means?

Another big "NO."

The real meaning of the Constitution isn't taught in schools anymore. Even Constitutional law courses focus on case law - with precedent actually taking precedence over the text of the Constitution.

Instead, we learn in school that, whereas the Founding Fathers were really bigoted/licentious men, FDR was a great guy - that he helped us out of the Great Depression.

*BZZZZZ*

FDR was evil. Even Wikipedia reads like a list of "accomplishments" that - from a Constitutional perspective - are travesties. (Yes, Our Public School Hero instituted internment camps.) He was so horrid that he was the REASON for the then-customary two-term limit being enshrined in the Constitution - after he was safely dead and gone, of course.

FDR's New Deal not only deepened and extended the Depression in the US, but stole the soul of America, broadly introducing the concept of dependence on the government for our daily bread.

But even he couldn't get the country to accept his "Second Bill of Rights." From VC:

This new Bill of Rights would guarantee the following government benefits by statute:

• A job with a living wage
• Freedom from unfair competition and monopolies
• Homeownership
• Medical care
• Education
• Recreation

In other words, not only are those things natural rights (which I could still argue against), but it's the US Government's constitutional obligation to provide them.

I call FOUL. Very, stinky, FOUL.

But as I said - even FDR couldn't get the people to swallow that. So now Obama's trying.

And since all we know now is the quasi-socialist result of FDR's programs, combined with absolute information overload, it's going to be a lot harder to fight.

So "Go! Confront the problem! Fight! Win! And call me when you get back, darling; I enjoy our visits." (Edna Mode, The Incredibles)

A Taste of One Future

[Update 28Oct2008/12:43]: Here's an article that lists the questions the anchor asked both McCain and Biden. She's not throwing anyone softballs.
---

Hey, look! It's a whole new "don't ask, don't tell" policy!

"Frank"ly, My Not-so-dear Congressman...

Are you sitting down? Because this is just really rich.

BARNEY FRANK is proposing some fun new changes to congressional spending.

Yep, because his "supervision" worked so well for Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac.

More money for Food Stamps. Which the government has been advertising. Which is it? Can they not drum up enough business, or enough tax dollars?

And oh - he wants to cut the military budget by 25%.

To borrow a phrase from SNL Weekend Update, "REALLY?"

This guy should be in JAIL - alternately in the stocks - for his role in the financial crisis, and we've got him doling out financial ADVICE?

Wow. Just wow. And my, how the corrupt are self-perpetuating...

Follow the Breadcrumb Trail

...all the way to a great article. Trying to Grok has a link and commentary about the class warfare (aka: idiocy) going on in this election season.

Can't hear it often enough.

All Hail Lord Bloomberg

Because, seemingly, he's the only person who could possibly save New York.

Why else would you grant him the REQUESTED exception to the term limits he thought were such a great idea when Giuliani was mayor?

*snort*

Seriously, New Yorkers, flee The Mini-Empire while you're still allowed. Because running on the "rule of law" it ain't.

The Hostiles

Yep. Hostiles. I could call them "The Others," but I believe that term is pretty well-taken by the Lost series.

Why don't I put a bumper sticker on my car once I've made up my mind? (Well, aside from not wanting to deface my form of transportation?) (And no, these stories do not mean I'm supporting McCain; I'm just illustrating how the Rabid Ones tend to work...)

(h/t Drudge)

• Example 1: McCain signs get a guy's home shot up. In a traditionally Republican (pro-McCain) area
• Example 2: Female McCain supporter gets a "B" carved into her face during mugging. Yes, the guy actually did it because she supported McCain.
  [Update 24Oct2008/11:51 - This story is starting to look like it might fall apart - if she's lying, BAAAAD woman. But there's a picture now, too.]
  [Update 24Oct2008/15:33 - SHE MADE IT UP. Any volunteers to cart her away to exile??? LIARS STINK.]
• Example 2: Guy gets assaulted at restaurant over political argument.
• ... and Example 3: I was physically "contacted" over a political discussion at work a few years ago.

So...

Free speech vs. the Savages. Hostiles. Rabid Ones. I'm trying to come up with a good nickname to use for this particular faction of society.

This is a natural outgrowth of what I call, "PC overload." Political correctness is becoming the highest law of the land - and only the officially-endorsed, politically-correct opinion. People view legitimate political opinions - not "fighting words" - as personal attacks now, and they're evolving into physical attacks. Not that the attacks are sanctioned, of course, but good luck reining it in.

Sure hope that Free Speech survives the election.

MEDIA FRAUD. [Updated]

Update 17Oct2008/09.47: Apparently someone did yell "Kill him!" But not about Obama - about Bill Ayers. Hence the Secret Service's initial bewilderment. And the point - that media deliberately twists stories (if they have any truth at all) to fit their narrative - is still completely valid.

For another example (yes, from FOX NEWS), check this out: a girl was called "racist" for wearing a McCain/Palin t-shirt to school. Headline and constant references? "Girl called racist for wearing Palin t-shirt." "Palin t-shirt." "pro-Sarah Palin t-shirt." See what they're doing? Ignoring the *campaign* in favor of painting Palin as the real racist. AMAZING. [Incidentally, this would be why I get my news online instead of TV or the newspaper - it's easier to work through the truth, since you can search out more sides of the issue at hand.]

--
Okay - as much as I dislike using this computer while I wait for the kitchen PC to be fixed, this REALLY needs attention.

Remember that Obama line from the debate (and circulated beforehand), that "people" at McCain rallies are yelling, "kill him?"

My reaction was, 'dang - McCain's nutjobs get more attention than Obama's... but open death threats are slightly worse than calling Sarah Palin the foulest word in the book...'

The media harped on how horrible that was, although McCain dealt well with it.

And then, today, what do I find out?

It's most likely a TOTAL FABRICATION.

Complete fraud on the part of the reporter, as far as the Secret Service can tell. Not another SOUL heard it. And they hear all sorts of things.

You want to talk about baseless smears, Obama, Socialist Some-time Associate of Terrorists? THAT'S one for the books.

(And don't worry - Bush is now a socialist, as well, at the direction of Emperor Palpatine Secretary Paulson... I'm an equal-opportunity socialist-caller!)

PC Problems

Main household PC is down... (with everything blog-worthy that's going on, maybe it's divine intervention to let me get something done besides blogging...)

At any rate, will be away from the blog for a few days. *sigh* Back when the kitchen PC boots again...

In the meantime:

• Faith
• Food storage
• Firearms

And On a Lighter Note, Politics

A couple candidates challenging the incumbent to an Indiana congressional seat have agreed to wear lie detectors during debate...

... to which, the Democratic chairman (whom I quote only because he's got the best line in the article), responds:

"Polygraphs have their use in law enforcement, but I don't see them fitting in a political debate." (emphasis obviously mine...)

L O L

Indeed!

One World WHAT?!?!

Surprise! Recent headlines suggest that the US-led, worldwide economic ... *cough* unpleasantries *cough* are spurring a global movement for "coordinated control." I mean, "order." Or at least something undoubtedly BAD.

Glenn Beck is on it.
Straight YouTube video (h/t Daily Liberty Research):


And here are a few stories:

• Only the First (sound familiar?)
• Happening All Over the World : ("perhaps it's time for a more coordinated approach globally")
• Rewriting Global Rules : Berlusconi says we're "talking about a new Bretton Woods.'' The Bretton Woods Agreements were adopted to rebuild the international economic system after World War II in a hotel in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire." (hmm... socialist FDR "rebuilt" something international - and hasn't that worked out well?) Sarko "l'américain" is totally on-board, too...

And to all of this, the White House says, "of COURSE not..." Best quote of the article: "There are absolutely no plans or discussions to interfere with the functioning of markets in the United States" - well, aside from what we've already done to completely DESTROY them... but no, why would you be concerned about international meddling? *jaw dropping in disbelief*

Oh, and here's a clearer assessment than I would have expected out of a main news service...

The government is authorized under the law to buy "troubled assets."

Those assets include mortgages, but according to the law, they may also include "any other financial instrument" that is "necessary to promote financial market stability ..."

It is the government's position that this authority extends to bank stocks.

"The plan we are executing is aggressive. It is the right plan. It will take time to have its full impact. It is flexible enough to adapt as the situation changes. And it is big enough to work," Bush said.

EEK! The only thing scarier than, "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help," is "I'm from the government, and I'll do WHATEVER IT TAKES to help!"

If you can't laugh, you'll cry.

Here's a link to a great comedy skit about the current economic situation.

Sometimes the English see us soooo clearly...

In the Interest of Free Speech

[Update 08Oct2008:] Here's the edited skit. I guess they were concerned that someone might take the "people who should be shot" line seriously. You know, because no one uses that line in real life... (although I must admit that since becoming a life member of the NRA, I've changed my saying to, "people who need to be horsewhipped," just in case someone does take me seriously; I suppose that will work until horsewhips are common tools again. I had a teacher who used to say, "whipped with a wet noodle" - is that peaceful enough?) [h/t: Drudge; language alert on above link from "take"]

Here's a link to screenshots and the transcript of the SNL bailout skit that's been pulled... [update: here's the actual video... high traffic alert ;-)]

... and here's an article about Google checking your sobriety, more or less, at certain times of day (if you want them to) - ideally to prevent you from sending something stupid while impaired, LOL. Since it's self-imposed, it seems like a good idea. Starts the imagination going, though... wonder how it could work in, say, CHINA... [*awareness of nipping at the hand that hosts me...*]

Today's Threat from Speaker Pelosi

"This is only the beginning..."

(heard on radio news just after the House passed the Bailout... good-bye, tax refund... good-bye, businesses... good-bye free enterprise...)

ARGH. They Did It Anyway.

The Senate passed the Bailout. ('Cept my decent senator didn't!)

Now, that's interesting.

The Senate is supposed to be the ... er... "cooling saucer" to the House's "voice of the people-ness." In other words, they're supposed to be the brakes on the fast track to governmental action.

Instead, trusting our short memories for their 6-year terms, it's turned into the voice of the established powers who want to instantly ram through a massive emergency power grab that they know is contrary to the will of the people.

Bunch of arrogant people. "We're going to screw the taxpayers (whom we like to ignore) in order to take complete control of the economy, anyway!!!"

ARGH. Just ARGH.

What a Dad

Alerted by his daughter's scream, 64-year-old man in Indiana killed a sex offender who broke into his home and was on his way to attacking the man's 17-year-old daughter.

The police spokesman said the dad didn't appear to have tried to kill the intruder - just tried to hold him and keep him away from his daughter - but either way, I believe he should get a plaque for "Services Rendered to Society."

My Thoughts This Morning

President Bush: "I'm disappointed that the bill failed."

Me: "Okay."

President Bush/Congress: "We'll keep trying to pass something."

Me: "Okay. And I'll keep calling to keep the government from screwing the economy even worse."

Wow - Could We Have Actually Stopped It?

Just heard the latest roll call vote being 220-something against, 190-something for... with a few votes outstanding.

Does that mean the Bailout Bill failed? I'm keeping my fingers crossed...

Updates as I hear more...
[12:08 MDT] YES... FOR NOW. We'll just have to let the market fix itself.

[17:01] (Final count: 228 Nay - 205 Yea) Buckle up... it's going to be a very, VERY bumpy ride, and I'm pretty sure it's not the last we'll see of attempts to destroy the engine of the country, either. We're in a very, very dangerous place right now - economically and philosophically, and if we don't stand on principle, we'll end up in an even worse place than we're already headed.

[17:26] What the heck?!?! Check this out:

• "The Federal Reserve will pump an additional $630 billion into the global financial system, flooding banks with cash to alleviate the worst banking crisis since the Great Depression." and
  
• "The Term Auction Facility, the Fed's emergency loan program, will expand by $300 billion to $450 billion." THAT IS A 200% INCREASE!!! Carefully worded for scanning readers, but DANG.

Doesn't look like the Fed needed any additional authorization.

I Think I've Come to a Direction

I think I've finally started leaning very strongly on the proposed "$700B" bailout. (The quotes are because we should probably quadruple any government estimates...)

Up until yesterday around noon, I was very conflicted. And like Sarah at Trying to Grok, I didn't feel smart enough to blog the bailout. I needed more information, and I needed to see clearly the "lesser of two weevils," as it were.

Then I heard more from Speaker Pelosi.

To paraphrase, since it was a radio blurb and I haven't yet seen it online: "we can't just bail out these companies and do nothing for the little people."

Oh, wow. That helped a lot.

Bailing out these companies is (theoretically, propaganda-ly) designed to keep us little people's savings and jobs and finances intact. Why would we need something else?

Then Congress introduced another massive stimulus package last night.

And oh, wow. That helped more.

This is absolutely not about "helping." This is about taking over our lives - in answer to our desperate plea to fix the mess that CONGRESS CREATED by sticking their fingers in the markets!!!

I don't WANT the government to own my house, if/when we buy one again.

I don't WANT the government to own my husband's work or his workplace.

I don't WANT the government to own my financial products.

I mean, name the last time government got involved and things got better.

Even the architects of it don't think it'll fix things - otherwise, why propose an additional stimulus package? (More debt and dependency....)

So... now that this bailout is revealed to be exactly what it sounded like before the confusing propaganda started, namely: an unconscionable power grab to socialize the country by blindfolding and holding hostage the American people; I DO feel smart enough to blog about it. At least on principle.

What's coming is UGLY. But I'm finally of the opinion that what Congress, the Fed, and the Executive branch are doing is not going to help.

And I oppose it.

-- Very interesting source (h/t Drudge) --
from http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13918.html:

• "one option would be to make clear that the secretary needn’t be confined to buying up bad debts" - oh, why in the world would we limit governmental power???
• "Pelosi will be reluctant to expose her members if House Republicans are sitting out the process." - if you're so sure it's right, Ms. Pelosi, GROW A SPINE and stand up for it!!! Looks like she's just afraid of being "exposed."
  
• "Those principles will include improved oversight of the program, as well as a plan to phase in the $700 billion investment in stages, while still assuring the administration a virtual free hand for at least the first $350 billion." (emphasis mine) Pardon me???
• "And when Democrats left to caucus in the Roosevelt Room, Paulson pursued them, begging that they not “blow up” the legislation. ... The former Goldman Sachs CEO [Paulson] even went down on one knee as if genuflecting, to which Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Cal.) is said to have joked, 'I didn’t know you were Catholic.'" EXCUSE ME?!?! Yeah, joke about it, Madame Speaker, but we don't kneel before other mortals in this country. And I'd prefer NOT to have our economy bowing to Congress.

Citizen Action... in Action

A Yemeni journalist - jailed for "insulting the President" - has been freed after worldwide citizen action.

Yep, CITIZEN action. No government sanctions, no government programs...

CITIZEN. ACTION.

To quote from the article quoted at Jawa, regarding human rights, "citizens are taking matters into their own hands without waiting for governments to act."

As long as citizens are protecting human rights, (and not, say... honor killing...), HALLELUJAH!!!

The more we do oursleves, and the less we rely on government to do, the better-off we'll be... so never stop trying! To paraphrase a well-known saying, we can't all do everything, but each of us can do something.

Another Reason to Love Sarah Palin

She can take it - with grace and humor.

When asked about the SNL skit where she was portrayed by Tina Fey, she said, "I thought it was hilarious. I thought she was spot on," Palin said. "Didn't hear a word she said, but the visual, spot on."

And - *heehee* - the resemblance has been so striking that, per the article, "she once dressed up as Fey for Halloween."

"Gangland Diplomacy?"

Aw, HAY-ick no...

[Russia is wandering the world and happens to end up in the Caribbean... all this to play nice with Venezuela? See article here...]

To quote, "Enough is Enough!"

What. The. Heck.

I just completed a survey through a company I'll not name, since I understand that they're just the agents of questioning. I'm also resisting the (STRONG) temptation to post screen shots, for concern over copyright and confidentiality infringement.

But some of the questions were just blatant race-baiting, and I was highly affronted. I'd say "offended," but it's not quite right... "smacked in the face-shocked" is probably the best term.

They had indicators to measure how warmly you felt about "black people." And "white people."

Huh?

You'll have to name the individual to get an actual opinion! For example, I think very highly of Condoleezza Rice, and very poorly of, say, Michael Moore. I think Rev. Wright and Timothy McVeigh are/were hateful individuals. I think Bill Cosby and Mother Teresa and George Washington are/were wonderful individuals.

Isn't judging someone based on who they are and what they do as a human individual, (you know, "the content of their character"), what Dr. King was fighting for?

Another question pertained to whether Barack Obama is "black enough."

Okay - first response: outrage at stupidity of color-based assumptions. How on earth are we supposed to all get along if we keep asking questions based on the premise that people still hold assumptions about others based on how much melanin their skin produces?

Second, as a "white" person, how would I make that call? What could I say that wouldn't be taken as an insult?

Third, since that's been a common criticism from the "black community" (read: a bitter editorialist who happens to be black), I'd have to ask what you actually mean by "black." Are you just judging on skin color, or are there socio-economic factors at work? Like, how critics say Colin Powell, Condi Rice, Walter Williams, etc. are "not really black" because of their positions - in society and on the issues? Could a "white" person be "black" if they fit those socio-economic factors?

Fourth, I know that there are still some die-hard idiot racists in this country, but I'd venture to say that the vast majority of us aren't badmouthing any particular color, or making sweeping (negative) judgments about individuals based on what hue their genetic make-up produces. (Yes, regardless of what recent surveys say.) So enough with the stupid, prejudice-imbuing, "when did you stop beating your wife?" questions!!!

Or maybe I'm wrong, and we're all just haters, and I don't get out enough.

Just for the Record

I know it's been a few days, but I feel obliged to blog that there is telephonic (?) evidence that Russia was indeed the aggressor in the latest Russo-Georgian conflict.

Meaning: Russia had tanks rolling into South Ossetia before Georgia did anything.

Just for the record.

And on the 9-11 Anniversary

Never forget:

We face real evil.

Real horror.

And real courage can fight it...

...whatever size our sphere of influence may be.

Freedom of Speech

I don't support everything that President Bush does. Not even close.

But one thing that just drives me up and down the wall is when people talk about how Bush "censors" people who disagree with him... even though late night comedians, liberals everywhere, and the entire NYTimes staff are still walking free, not stuck in Gitmo.

The thing that these critics miss (besides that they're still able to publicize their oft-lauded critiques, however irrational), is where that's actually happening in the world.

Like China... and hey, even civilized places like Italy, where this comedienne faces jail time for insulting the Pope.

So liberals, don't talk to me about how evil Bush is and how he shuts down social or political discourse. You're still as free to blab - and insult whomever you want - as you ever were.

Wow! Go, Justice Thomas!

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has recently given a speech that indicates he believes systems of racial preference are not only unconstitutional, but a just-plain-bad idea. Counterproductive, even. To quote him, "it almost trumps thinking." And to quote the news article:

He wrote with evident resentment in his autobiography "My Grandfather's Son" that he felt he was allowed to attend Yale Law School in the 1970s because of his race and took a tough course load to prove he was as able as his white classmates.

And that's exactly what good, hardworking people will (and do) feel when government provides "helps" in the system. It might be seen to take away from their accomplishment, if there is the spectre of preference - that they didn't really do it themselves and compete on a fair plane. And there's no way that they can prove to critics that they're truly "good enough." (Even if it's darn obvious, as in Justice Thomas's case.)

Plus, how insulting is it, to say, "you can't really do it... let me handicap your game" to people before they've even had a chance?!?! We're not talking about chivalry - we're talking about infantilizing people. It's lowering expectations based on their color or ethnic background. How is THAT not the "racist" position to take?

If, as a woman, I were graded on an easier scale in school or given a position at work largely (or at all) because of my gender, I would be highly affronted. I'm not a token; I'm an individual. I don't care what "plumbing" we have, or what shade of pale our skin may or may not be. I want to be evaluated as a contributing human being. And I may be projecting, but I think that's what other people want, too.

Regarding Gov. Palin and Her Family

The broadcast media DISGUSTS me.

In fact, the word "disgusts" is not strong enough. My vocabulary isn't broad enough (although, for you LOTR fans out there, the language of Mordor might come close...)

Absolute hypocrites for the sake of political power.

At any rate, I need to pass along a GREAT link at a great blog, guest-written by one of my heroes; here are some snippets:

The news of Sarah Palin's 17 year old daughter didn't surprise me - it was me.
<snip>
That is the reality of teen pregnancy that doesn't end in abortion when your family is in politics. People are gleeful, and people are mean. And the very people who accuse others of being hypocrites are often the biggest hypocrites themselves.

Check it out.

Great News from Iraq - ANBAR

The Anbar province (the one where most of the bad news has been coming out of for a long time now) has now been handed over to Iraqi control. (As of yesterday, actually...)

Sweet.

Big, BIG day for everyone!!!

The Barracuda?

Wow - McCain/ P A L I N ?!?!?!?!

Hmm.

I might not vote for him, but I would almost definitely vote for a good, conservative woman who can field dress a MOOSE.

Heh.

Love this woman.

Not Exactly Freedom Fighters

Those "insurgents" in Iraq (Al Qaeda in Iraq) are not just using Down's Syndrome women anymore - now they're so desperate that they're drugging their own children and wives to use as bombers.

Fortunately, a policeman found this teenage (married) woman wandering and was able to defuse the vest they'd saddled her with - she was looking for her mother to find help.

Might be good to remember next time we hear someone calling AQI "Freedom Fighters" or "patriots." Real patriots are willing to devote their lives to their country; cowards drug their children into human bombs.

Georgia Updates, from a Georgian

via Blackfive:

Part One
Part Two

Please take time to read them - it's critical to really understanding the context of the conflict and what Russia's doing over there.

It's not about "what's good for the goose is good for the gander" and self-determination; it's about Russia seeking to destroy and likely retake a democratic sovereign nation by amping up and using the potential divisions within it to pave the way for a not-very-subtle invasion (because: a, they're mad that Georgia broke away; b, Stalin was a Georgia boy, so there's a streak of nationalism; and c) Georgia was standing up and getting around the Russian energy monopoly on the continent).

So... for more history and a fuller human side, please check out those links - they're indispensable.

Really? (Okay, I checked Us mag online...)

From an Us magazine online article titled, "He's Just Like Us!":

"Spending the holidays in Hawaii is a tradition," wife Michelle (with Barack, then 28, in 1989) says.

Wow.

I don't know many people who have that tradition.

In fact, I'd bet that I don't know ANYONE who has that tradition. Most people I know have better ways to spend money than jetting to Hawaii annually during a peak travel season.

Good thing Obama knows how to relate to regular people, eh?

(In fairness, that article does have a cute little-kid pic of him riding a tricycle... and who didn't love tricycles when they were little?)

"Just like us," indeed.

We'll Pay a Price, Too

From some of the latest at Blackfive:

I fear that Georgia, Poland, the Ukraine ..., and the Baltic states may well pay a very real price for desiring autonomy and aligning with the West, and for standing up to Putin.

Evil dictators will always try to destroy free(-er) countries in order to maintain and expand their own power.

Putin is an evil* dictator** who most likely only handed over the "presidency" of Russia to avoid paperwork.

I know the situation is more complex when we look at every single possible consequence, but there is no doubt in my mind that standing up for free countries against evil dictators (or, for that matter, opposing evil dictators at every step of the way) is necessary and right.

So, while we know that Poland, Georgia, Ukraine, and pretty much anyone else over there who's got a spine will be feeling some serious Russian heat, I know we'll be paying a price, too, if we stick to our guns - and we should stick to them. I am in no way trivializing what our friends in Eastern Europe are going through. I'm just sure that the conflict is going to broaden. Greatly.

___
* Evil: "former" KGB; threatening, poisoning, and murdering "former" associates and political opponents; selling arms to rogue nations; and so much more...
** Dictator: quashing opposition (through legislation for businesses, and generally murder for individuals and journalists); cutting off oil supplies to the EU in winter to get his way; threatening other countries for making up their own minds; installing a puppet president; propping up other dictators' regimes; and so much more...

LOVE This Woman!

An 85-year-old woman took control of the situation when some punk broke into her house recently.

Gotta love that!

(and I'm glad the burglar was unarmed and not very resourceful ;-)

A Thank You Card Is in Order

According to this article, "In two decades of record keeping, no sitting Congress has passed fewer public laws at this point in the session -- 294 so far -- than this one."

KEEP IT UP, CONGRESS!!! A decreasing quantity of legislation is a good start to a GREAT trend...

(I mean, if you can't do anything GOOD, don't do anything at ALL. Please.)

Sweet!

I know the story's a couple days old, but I just have to post because I've been so fascinated by it:

Julia Child was a "listening ear" for the US during WWII.

I like her more all the time!

W00T to Pres. Bush!

For calling out Russia on their invasion of Georgia!!!

Specifically, mentioning "our solidarity with the Georgian people."

Better a little late than never, eh?

Powerline has a transcript.

Update: Blackfive has a good write-up & links to others.

Um, This Isn't Good

There's a chance that the government might look at enforcing the Fairness Doctrine on the INTERNET. As in BLOGS.

Oy.

Not that they'd come after someone like me who has virtually no traffic, LOL, but STILL. It's horrible.

Here's a summary quote:

McDowell told BMI the Fairness Doctrine isn’t currently on the FCC’s radar. But a new administration and Congress elected in 2008 might renew Fairness Doctrine efforts, but under another name.

The name? Probably "net neutrality."

Count me in on the "crash the phone bank" effort if they try it!!! Not that they'd listen, but hey... one more straw can't hurt, right?

All In Favor?

Understatement of the century: "Russia appears to want the Georgian government overthrown."

Who saw that one coming? I mean, waiting until the Olympics and then invading a former slave of the USSR through a friendly rogue province... who knew they were going to take over the capital?

All in favor of Pres. Bush (or maybe the internationally-lauded "Citizen of the World" that is Obama) getting creative and performing a international citizens' arrest on Putin, please say, "Aye."

Whither Innocence?

Now a ten-year-old is bullfighting in southern France.

Don't get me wrong - I LOVE learning about and experiencing other cultures. In fact, it's a bit of an obsession, if you'd like to term it that.

But I've been to a bullfight.

There was nothing glorious about it.

Instead, I felt like a conspirator to murder for paying to watch this poor bull bleed to death. I heard later that we "got a bad bull." I just think we did a bad thing. And on the occasion that I hear a bull gets even, it really doesn't bother me.

Bullfighting is one tradition that - no matter how old it is, or how dear it is to however many hearts - needs to go, and yesterday.

Yes, the meat is frequently donated... yes, I'm sure it has its roots somewhere in legitimate hunting.

But part of ethical hunting is to make a quick, clean kill; and bullfighting simply isn't either of those.