Immigration is not a Democrat vs. Republican issue. Nor is it a left vs. right or conservative vs. liberal or progressive issue. Those who wan to make it so are fueling the fires. Arizona passed a controversial law on immigration last week. There are troubling aspects of the law, but in the ferocious debate we have lost sight of the real problem.
Arizona felt compelled to try to control illegal immigration because the federal government has failed to do so. For at least a decade members of both parties have ignored the festering wound in hopes that inaction will lead to a generation of votes. Bush wanted amnesty for the same reason Obama supports it -- the party that appears to champion Latino issues will garner the largest growing voting block in America. That very notion my friends, makes me sick to my stomach.
The issue is very clear. Do you believe the United States is a sovereign nation and as such, has an obligation to control the borders and immigration or do you believe the fruits of America should be open to all? It is impossible to make a distinction between the guy that mows your yard, the maid that cleans your hotel room and the drug kingpin terrorizing a neighborhood. They all came across the border illegally. Those of you who are in favor of amnesty, do you have the capability to look at that protester waving the Mexican flag and determine that protester A is a hard-working restaurant busboy and protester B is a cocaine mule? I sure can't.
My home town has a serious problem with illegal immigration. The little town of 16,000 has become nearly 30% Hispanic in the past 10 to 15 years. A significant amount of that population growth is illegal aliens, undocumented workers, whatever. The impact upon the community is profound. The societal and political infrastructure is strained to the breaking point. Taxes have risen dramatically as the city tries to add police and fire protection. Health and safety inspectors are strained as increasing complaints of 10, 15, or 20 people are reported living in single family dwellings. The schools have had to hire aides, instructors and translators to manage the non-English speaking students. Every sign, posting and weekly newsletter in the school is posted in both Spanish and English. The courts have been forced to hire translators and legal aids that speak Spanish. We can debate the good or evil of such requirements and necessities, but we cannot deny such actions have a cost to the taxpayers.
Residents in that town face higher automobile rates. The number of uninsured motorists is higher in that town than those of similar size in the state. The local record in the paper demonstrators that more tickets and accidents can be attributed to those with Hispanic surnames. The hospital is strained to the breaking point as the emergency room is filled with people seeking treatment for ailments that should be covered as routine doctor visits. The point being that the influx of immigrants legal and illegal has ramifications. This is not about skin color.
Today we see many immigrants coming to America to make a better life. But they come not to add to the rich melting pot that is America, but to suckle at the nation's lifeblood like a tick on a hound. They come for the opportunity and stay for the benefits. They want to bring Mexico to the US. There is little attempt to learn the language and the culture. Many of the Southern border towns have become to resemble Mexico, and those immigrants left Mexico for a reason.
I have no beef with those who came here legally. My own family did the same. I do have an issue with anyone whose first act upon crossing American soil is to commit a crime. Entering the country illegally is a crime. This is not a human rights issue, a brown skin issue, a language issue, a culture issue. The debate is whether we are going to be a nation of laws, or a nation of suggestions. I am not sure how an administration that is concerned about our health insurance, our salt intake, our oil usage, the setting on our thermostat, and what investment risks we take, can be so unconcerned about controlling illegal immigration.
It is a duty of the Government to control the borders, to protect the citizens of this country. When we do not enforce the laws on the books there are ramifications. We do not know if that guy struggling through the desert is a man looking to feed his family, a mule carrying drugs, a terrorist sneaking in to blow up our children, or a criminal escaped from Mexican jail. When the feds refuse to enforce and protect the border, we invite Arizona to do the job.
April 30, 2010
April 29, 2010
Today's words of wisdom
I am sure many of you have seen this, but I received this in an email from my brother (hola Otter!). This is "the glass is half full" kind of thinking we need:
What a unique way to look at things!
Written by an 82 year old , very wise lady. She gives us a whole new slant on the amazing job Obama is doing:
That is right - I will say it "(THANK GOD FOR THE PRESIDENT)."
1. He destroyed the Clinton Political Machine - Driving a stake thru the heart of Hillary's Presidential aspirations - something that no Republican was never able to do. Remember when a Hillary Presidency scared the daylights out of you!
2. He killed off the Kennedy Dynasty - No more Kennedy's trolling Washington looking for booze and women wanting rides home. American women and Freedom are safer tonight!
3. He is destroying the Democratic Party before our eyes!
Dennis Moore had never lost a race - quit
Evan Bayh had never lost a race - quit
Byron Dorgan had never lost a race - quit
Harry Reid - soon to be GONE
These are just a handful of the Democrats whose political careers Obama has destroyed! By the end of 2010 dozens more will be gone.
In December of 2008 the Democrats were on the rise. In the last two election cycles they had picked up 14 senate seats and 52 house seats. The press was touting the death of the Conservative Movement and the Republican Party. In just one year, Obama put a stop to all of this and will probably give the house, if not the senate back to the Republicans.
4. He has completely exposed liberals and progressives for what they are. Every Generation seems to need to relearn the lesson on why they should never actually put liberals in charge. He is bringing home the lesson very well.
Liberals tax, borrow and spend - check
Liberals won't bring themselves to protect America - check
Liberals want to take over the economy - check
Liberals think they know what is best for everyone - check
Liberals aren't happy till they are running YOUR life - check
5. He has brought more Americans back to conservatism than anyone since Reagan. In one year he has rejuvenated the Conservative movement and brought out to the streets millions of Freedom Loving Americans. Name me one other time in your life that you saw your friends and neighbors this interested in taking back America !
6. His amazing leadership has sparked the greatest period of sales of firearms and ammunition this country has seen. Law abiding citizens have rallied and have provided a "stimulus" to the sporting goods field while other industries have failed, faded or moved off-shore.
7. In all honesty one year ago I was more afraid than I have been in my life. Not of the economy but of the direction our country was going. I thought Americans had forgotten what this country was all about. My neighbors, friends and strangers proved to me that my lack of confidence of the Greatness and Wisdom of the American people was flat wrong.
8. When the American People wake up no smooth talking teleprompter reader can fool them!
Barack Obama woke up these Great Americans! Again I want to say Thank You Barack Obama! This is exactly the kind of hope and change we desperately needed.
What a unique way to look at things!
Written by an 82 year old , very wise lady. She gives us a whole new slant on the amazing job Obama is doing:
That is right - I will say it "(THANK GOD FOR THE PRESIDENT)."
1. He destroyed the Clinton Political Machine - Driving a stake thru the heart of Hillary's Presidential aspirations - something that no Republican was never able to do. Remember when a Hillary Presidency scared the daylights out of you!
2. He killed off the Kennedy Dynasty - No more Kennedy's trolling Washington looking for booze and women wanting rides home. American women and Freedom are safer tonight!
3. He is destroying the Democratic Party before our eyes!
Dennis Moore had never lost a race - quit
Evan Bayh had never lost a race - quit
Byron Dorgan had never lost a race - quit
Harry Reid - soon to be GONE
These are just a handful of the Democrats whose political careers Obama has destroyed! By the end of 2010 dozens more will be gone.
In December of 2008 the Democrats were on the rise. In the last two election cycles they had picked up 14 senate seats and 52 house seats. The press was touting the death of the Conservative Movement and the Republican Party. In just one year, Obama put a stop to all of this and will probably give the house, if not the senate back to the Republicans.
4. He has completely exposed liberals and progressives for what they are. Every Generation seems to need to relearn the lesson on why they should never actually put liberals in charge. He is bringing home the lesson very well.
Liberals tax, borrow and spend - check
Liberals won't bring themselves to protect America - check
Liberals want to take over the economy - check
Liberals think they know what is best for everyone - check
Liberals aren't happy till they are running YOUR life - check
5. He has brought more Americans back to conservatism than anyone since Reagan. In one year he has rejuvenated the Conservative movement and brought out to the streets millions of Freedom Loving Americans. Name me one other time in your life that you saw your friends and neighbors this interested in taking back America !
6. His amazing leadership has sparked the greatest period of sales of firearms and ammunition this country has seen. Law abiding citizens have rallied and have provided a "stimulus" to the sporting goods field while other industries have failed, faded or moved off-shore.
7. In all honesty one year ago I was more afraid than I have been in my life. Not of the economy but of the direction our country was going. I thought Americans had forgotten what this country was all about. My neighbors, friends and strangers proved to me that my lack of confidence of the Greatness and Wisdom of the American people was flat wrong.
8. When the American People wake up no smooth talking teleprompter reader can fool them!
Barack Obama woke up these Great Americans! Again I want to say Thank You Barack Obama! This is exactly the kind of hope and change we desperately needed.
Quick hits
I know most of you do not click links, but here is one you must read, especially if you are outraged by Arizona's attempts to crack down on illegal migration. What would you think of these provisions to immigrate to our nation:
Those are the laws of Mexico, the very same Mexico where President Calderon calls the Arizona provisions "intolerant".
I am not always right. I am sure that is a shocker to most of you. Members of my family, if they could read this, would fall on the floor in shock. But I am firm in my beliefs. I will fight for what I believe is right. I have been mocked and abused for standing on my conservative principles. If, in the course of debate I learn my position is incorrect, I own up to it. It is called having the courage of your convictions.
– If outsiders do not enhance the country’s “economic or national interests” or are “not found to be physically or mentally healthy,” they are not welcome. Neither are those who show “contempt against national sovereignty or security.” They must not be economic burdens on society and must have clean criminal histories. Those seeking to obtain...citizenship must show a birth certificate, provide a bank statement proving economic independence, pass an exam and prove they can provide their own health care.source
Those are the laws of Mexico, the very same Mexico where President Calderon calls the Arizona provisions "intolerant".
I am not always right. I am sure that is a shocker to most of you. Members of my family, if they could read this, would fall on the floor in shock. But I am firm in my beliefs. I will fight for what I believe is right. I have been mocked and abused for standing on my conservative principles. If, in the course of debate I learn my position is incorrect, I own up to it. It is called having the courage of your convictions.
April 28, 2010
Huh?
So Arizona passes a law that says local Law Enforcement Officers will enforce Federal Laws ALREADY ON THE BOOKS. Is there anybody on the left that understands the definition of Illegal?
When any crime happens, police often ask everybody in the immediate area for identification. If a speeding car is pulled over and it appears the occupants of said auto are intoxicated, then all are asked for identification. Arrests are made accordingly if some of the riders are under age. isn't that profiling? What is the difference?
I can only hope more states join Arizona. maybe then the Feds will understand we want controlled immigration -- not criminals.
edit. Here is the text of the law. Note the law only acts in enforcing existing Federal Law.
When any crime happens, police often ask everybody in the immediate area for identification. If a speeding car is pulled over and it appears the occupants of said auto are intoxicated, then all are asked for identification. Arrests are made accordingly if some of the riders are under age. isn't that profiling? What is the difference?
I can only hope more states join Arizona. maybe then the Feds will understand we want controlled immigration -- not criminals.
edit. Here is the text of the law. Note the law only acts in enforcing existing Federal Law.
Section 1. Intent
The legislature finds that there is a compelling interest in the cooperative enforcement of federal immigration laws throughout all of Arizona.
April 27, 2010
Dream Weaver
I had to scoot down to the Pocket City, Dale Evans favorite berg, on Sunday evening to be there for a Monday morning meeting.
I woke in the early morning hours in a cold sweat. I rarely dream, but I just had a doozy. I dreamed I died in my sleep, in a hotel. Was it heart attack or stroke? I have no idea. I was looking down on my body lying in the bed, bowls empty, eyes staring at nothing in the far distance. I saw the maid come into the room and scream. She crossed herself and spoke Spanish to my corpse.
I know some things. I do not want to be buried with shoes or socks on. The Cubs will break my heart. Beef and noodles must be served with mashed potatoes. I do not want to die alone in a fucking Hampton Inn.
I woke in the early morning hours in a cold sweat. I rarely dream, but I just had a doozy. I dreamed I died in my sleep, in a hotel. Was it heart attack or stroke? I have no idea. I was looking down on my body lying in the bed, bowls empty, eyes staring at nothing in the far distance. I saw the maid come into the room and scream. She crossed herself and spoke Spanish to my corpse.
I know some things. I do not want to be buried with shoes or socks on. The Cubs will break my heart. Beef and noodles must be served with mashed potatoes. I do not want to die alone in a fucking Hampton Inn.
April 25, 2010
Who Cares?
Yesterday dawned with a light drizzle. I made some coffee and read your blogs. I ate some Raisin Bran well soaked in milk and soggy -- just the way I like it, the consistency of oatmeal.
Since the day was gloomy I decided to watch The Godftaher (do I really need an IMDB link?). As you can imagine, that took up the balance of the morning.
By this time the sun had made an appearance. I checked the grass, it was not too wet, so I decided to mow quickly. The weather quack indicated we would see rain the next several days and if I waited until mid-week, it was going to be ankle high.
I mowed and showered and promptly fell asleep in the chair. The wife woke me up and asked if I wanted to go to the movies. We have not been to the flicks in months. So that is how we came to go see the new Jennifer Lopez flick. It is a chick flick, but still pretty good. Afterward we grabbed a pizza and went home. Ho hum another Saturday Night.
The wife played cards on the computer and I watched the end of the Cubs game. I channel surfed for a little and went to bed around 11:45.
There you have it, a post so boring that it makes drywall seem interesting and exactly why Twitter is not for old people. Twitter should adopt the Logan's Run philosophy. When you turn thirty your account should be terminated.
Since the day was gloomy I decided to watch The Godftaher (do I really need an IMDB link?). As you can imagine, that took up the balance of the morning.
By this time the sun had made an appearance. I checked the grass, it was not too wet, so I decided to mow quickly. The weather quack indicated we would see rain the next several days and if I waited until mid-week, it was going to be ankle high.
I mowed and showered and promptly fell asleep in the chair. The wife woke me up and asked if I wanted to go to the movies. We have not been to the flicks in months. So that is how we came to go see the new Jennifer Lopez flick. It is a chick flick, but still pretty good. Afterward we grabbed a pizza and went home. Ho hum another Saturday Night.
The wife played cards on the computer and I watched the end of the Cubs game. I channel surfed for a little and went to bed around 11:45.
There you have it, a post so boring that it makes drywall seem interesting and exactly why Twitter is not for old people. Twitter should adopt the Logan's Run philosophy. When you turn thirty your account should be terminated.
April 24, 2010
Obama is mad
Let me understand, The Obama and his Democrat minions are pissed at Arizona. You see, The Grand Canyon State has had the gall to pass a law that says the State will enforce the Federal laws already on the books regarding individuals who enter the Nation illegally.
The people of Arizona think that if you commit a crime you should pay the price. You Arizonians sure have crazy ideas, according to The Obama. In this case, if you are in Arizona (and thus the USA) illegally, the State will detain you and do their best to have you deported. Like many Americans, the people of Arizona believe that your first act upon American soil should not be a crime. In spite of everything you have heard from the amnestyites, law breakers are not model citizens.
But Hoosierboy, this might lead to profiling. Police profile every day, and you are happy they do. Say a guy wearing a red shirt and jeans robs a bank. Would it be reasonable to stop individuals wearing a red shirt and jeans near the just-robbed bank? If we know the robber was a young male wearing a red shirt and jeans would we expect the authorities to question elderly gents in Dockers and blue shirts? Should women be stopped to make sure young men are not profiled? If the robber is white should black youths in red shirts be questioned, just to be fair?
Look, if you are pulled over and you have no drivers licence, no proof of insurance, do not speak English and your car is stolen, it is not unreasonable to question if you have a legal right to be in the State of Arizona.
If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, I see no problem checking for feathers and web feet.
The people of Arizona think that if you commit a crime you should pay the price. You Arizonians sure have crazy ideas, according to The Obama. In this case, if you are in Arizona (and thus the USA) illegally, the State will detain you and do their best to have you deported. Like many Americans, the people of Arizona believe that your first act upon American soil should not be a crime. In spite of everything you have heard from the amnestyites, law breakers are not model citizens.
But Hoosierboy, this might lead to profiling. Police profile every day, and you are happy they do. Say a guy wearing a red shirt and jeans robs a bank. Would it be reasonable to stop individuals wearing a red shirt and jeans near the just-robbed bank? If we know the robber was a young male wearing a red shirt and jeans would we expect the authorities to question elderly gents in Dockers and blue shirts? Should women be stopped to make sure young men are not profiled? If the robber is white should black youths in red shirts be questioned, just to be fair?
Look, if you are pulled over and you have no drivers licence, no proof of insurance, do not speak English and your car is stolen, it is not unreasonable to question if you have a legal right to be in the State of Arizona.
If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, I see no problem checking for feathers and web feet.
April 23, 2010
Now I understand
There is no doubt a sports season is more exciting when there is better competition. I think we would all like to see several teams competing for a playoff spot as the seson winds down. That scenario is far better than seeing the Yankees up 13 games by July. The idea of competitive games at the end of the season is behind the scheduling of divisional rivals in the final weeks of the season in the NFL and the basis for the whole "Chase" in NASCAR.
I finally understand the Cubs role this season. There job is to play the celler-dwellers and give them enough victories to make the divisional races more challenging. There is no other explaination for giving up early season series to the Astros (one victory all season before facing the Northsidrs) and the hapless Mets.
The Cubs starting pitching has been mostly pretty good (welcome to the bullpen Z). It is the late releiver that have crippled the team. That and a complete lack of offense. How do you leave 20+ runners stranded in a nine-inning game?
Upon further thought, I think the Cubs are a larger metaphor for my life. Their role is far more personal than I thought. I no longer intone the mantra "Maybe next year". Next year is always the future. There is no curse. Bartman had nothing to do with the collapse. It is just not to be. We all have our roles in life: Charlie Brown, the fat kid who gets sucked up the chocolate tube in Willie Wonka and the Cubs. That is just how things are.
The Three Fates knitting under the tree in Valhalla decided a long time ago the Cubs would exist to break my heart. The Cubs are the daily disapointment in my life, their chronic failure exisits to get me used to it. Just as we get used to certain levels of pain, so the big disapointments that seem to curse our family hurt a little less.
I finally understand the Cubs role this season. There job is to play the celler-dwellers and give them enough victories to make the divisional races more challenging. There is no other explaination for giving up early season series to the Astros (one victory all season before facing the Northsidrs) and the hapless Mets.
The Cubs starting pitching has been mostly pretty good (welcome to the bullpen Z). It is the late releiver that have crippled the team. That and a complete lack of offense. How do you leave 20+ runners stranded in a nine-inning game?
Upon further thought, I think the Cubs are a larger metaphor for my life. Their role is far more personal than I thought. I no longer intone the mantra "Maybe next year". Next year is always the future. There is no curse. Bartman had nothing to do with the collapse. It is just not to be. We all have our roles in life: Charlie Brown, the fat kid who gets sucked up the chocolate tube in Willie Wonka and the Cubs. That is just how things are.
The Three Fates knitting under the tree in Valhalla decided a long time ago the Cubs would exist to break my heart. The Cubs are the daily disapointment in my life, their chronic failure exisits to get me used to it. Just as we get used to certain levels of pain, so the big disapointments that seem to curse our family hurt a little less.
April 22, 2010
Best thing heard today
I heard a guy on the radio refer to the Cap and Trade Bill as "The China/India Full Employment Act".
I wish I had said that.
Can someone explain to me why Obama is going after investment banks when it was mortgage banks, specifically Fannie and Freddie that were the instigators in the financial meltdown?
I wish I had said that.
Can someone explain to me why Obama is going after investment banks when it was mortgage banks, specifically Fannie and Freddie that were the instigators in the financial meltdown?
April 21, 2010
Reason 4,178 why you wish you were me.
Since I had to go out to visit the bank, I decided to go ahead and visit the grocery as well.
I grabbed a package of bratwurst and a can of sauerkraut for lunch. I grilled a couple of the Brats and ate like a king. I offer up a satisfied belch as proof.
I know some of you are now consumed with jealousy. Hahaha.
I have no pictures, I could not wait to dig in.
I will repeat this lunch on Friday.
I grabbed a package of bratwurst and a can of sauerkraut for lunch. I grilled a couple of the Brats and ate like a king. I offer up a satisfied belch as proof.
I know some of you are now consumed with jealousy. Hahaha.
I have no pictures, I could not wait to dig in.
I will repeat this lunch on Friday.
Suck eggs big bank
A few months ago we set up a special checking account to save money and pay for wedding expenses (my daughter is getting married in July). The Customer Service Rep at the branch said we qualified for a "premier account". Whatever. The debit card is black instead of blue.
I look at the very small balance this morning and I see we were charged a $20.00 Service Fee. WTF? Not too upset, these things happen, I call the local branch to get it fixed.
The lady asks me a series of questions to determine that indeed I am looking at my own account information and I am me. She says I am charged because I did not have 5 debit transactions in April. I pointed out I had six in the past ten days. Oh.
She thinks I was charged maybe because I did not have $XX minimum balance. I reminded her that there were no minimum balance requirements if I have $XXX in loans. I more than surpass that threshold (sadly). She said the loans were not linked and I would have to come in to the branch.
"For what?" I asked. She said I would have to bring in a photo ID so they could link the accounts. Now I am really confused. She admitted she can see both checking accounts and that it shows on the screen my wife and I have two auto loans. So what is the problem? "They are not linked". I explain she should fix that.
She told me she is not a banker. HUH? I asked just who is a banker, then? She said if I come in she can fix the problem. So I guess if one calls the bank, there are no bankers, but if one takes off work to come in, then there are bankers?
So I guess I take my lunch hour, or use up valuable blogging time, to drive to town so some "banker" can hit a few keys to make sure I am not charged in the future. Then we will get really unpleasant until the $20 Service Fee goes away because some nitwit did not push the right keys when I signed up for this account six months ago.
I look at the very small balance this morning and I see we were charged a $20.00 Service Fee. WTF? Not too upset, these things happen, I call the local branch to get it fixed.
The lady asks me a series of questions to determine that indeed I am looking at my own account information and I am me. She says I am charged because I did not have 5 debit transactions in April. I pointed out I had six in the past ten days. Oh.
She thinks I was charged maybe because I did not have $XX minimum balance. I reminded her that there were no minimum balance requirements if I have $XXX in loans. I more than surpass that threshold (sadly). She said the loans were not linked and I would have to come in to the branch.
"For what?" I asked. She said I would have to bring in a photo ID so they could link the accounts. Now I am really confused. She admitted she can see both checking accounts and that it shows on the screen my wife and I have two auto loans. So what is the problem? "They are not linked". I explain she should fix that.
She told me she is not a banker. HUH? I asked just who is a banker, then? She said if I come in she can fix the problem. So I guess if one calls the bank, there are no bankers, but if one takes off work to come in, then there are bankers?
So I guess I take my lunch hour, or use up valuable blogging time, to drive to town so some "banker" can hit a few keys to make sure I am not charged in the future. Then we will get really unpleasant until the $20 Service Fee goes away because some nitwit did not push the right keys when I signed up for this account six months ago.
April 20, 2010
Mark my words
The Democrats are facing significant loses in the mid-term elections. It is conceivable they may even lose control of the house. Harry Reid's re-election bid looks doomed at this point.
Following the elections, the progressives will see their time in power is at an end. Between November and the end of the year they will ram through every bit of legislation they can, including Cap and Tax and Immigration Reform that includes general amnesty.
The House has already passed Cap and Tax. The Dems will still only be one vote short of stopping a filibuster in the Senate until the newly elected members are seated in January 2011. There are still a number of RINOs and moonbats to vote for legislation that will do nothing to stop the non-existent AGW.
As for amnesty for illegals, well there are still several RINOs in both chambers who will get behind that nonsense.
I tell you Ladies and Gentlemen, we are screwed. The Democrats and RINOs will no longer have the threat of re-election or having to go home and face angry voters to govern their passions.
A lame duck can still do a lot of damage.
Following the elections, the progressives will see their time in power is at an end. Between November and the end of the year they will ram through every bit of legislation they can, including Cap and Tax and Immigration Reform that includes general amnesty.
The House has already passed Cap and Tax. The Dems will still only be one vote short of stopping a filibuster in the Senate until the newly elected members are seated in January 2011. There are still a number of RINOs and moonbats to vote for legislation that will do nothing to stop the non-existent AGW.
As for amnesty for illegals, well there are still several RINOs in both chambers who will get behind that nonsense.
I tell you Ladies and Gentlemen, we are screwed. The Democrats and RINOs will no longer have the threat of re-election or having to go home and face angry voters to govern their passions.
A lame duck can still do a lot of damage.
April 19, 2010
Monday's random thoughts
For the TEA Party to be successful they have to be about more than taxes. If they are pushing for a more Conservative agenda, smaller government, lower taxes, reduced spending, then they have a shot at shaping the political dynamic. They should have held their rallies on April 18 or 19, the anniversary of the opening shots of the American Revolution.
If you study American History, especially the decade or so leading up to the outbreak of hostilities, you understand what drove the Founders and why certain things are included in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. Anyone who claims the Founders did not purposely desire and design a Federal Government with limited powers is ignorant of history and demonstrates a clear inability to understand the simple English of the Constitution. This is why those on the left are quick to claim the Constitution is just a document written two hundred years ago by a bunch of white guys and holds no relevance today. Of course that fallacy breaks down when you understand the Constitution is the Supreme Law of the land. I have challenged those who claim it is a dead outdated document to show me where it falls short. None has yet risen to the challenge.
In other news, the volcano in Iceland is playing havoc with air travel all over Europe. The volcano has spewed enough CO2 and ash into the atmosphere to equal a decade of car, SUV, factory, coal plant and cow fart emissions. Yet I doubt we will see the ice caps melt, the oceans rise to swallow Manhattan or the farmlands of the Great Plains dry and blow away. Here we have a living example of not only the fallacy of the Global warming/Climate Change theories but the true power of Mother Nature and our inconsequential actions. How many pig tail light bulbs are we going to have to use to counteract this volcano?
We will see some awesome sunsets this summer as the ash reaches the upper atmosphere and reflects the sun. remember the great sunsets after the Philippino Bitch Pinatubo exploded in 1991?
If you study American History, especially the decade or so leading up to the outbreak of hostilities, you understand what drove the Founders and why certain things are included in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. Anyone who claims the Founders did not purposely desire and design a Federal Government with limited powers is ignorant of history and demonstrates a clear inability to understand the simple English of the Constitution. This is why those on the left are quick to claim the Constitution is just a document written two hundred years ago by a bunch of white guys and holds no relevance today. Of course that fallacy breaks down when you understand the Constitution is the Supreme Law of the land. I have challenged those who claim it is a dead outdated document to show me where it falls short. None has yet risen to the challenge.
In other news, the volcano in Iceland is playing havoc with air travel all over Europe. The volcano has spewed enough CO2 and ash into the atmosphere to equal a decade of car, SUV, factory, coal plant and cow fart emissions. Yet I doubt we will see the ice caps melt, the oceans rise to swallow Manhattan or the farmlands of the Great Plains dry and blow away. Here we have a living example of not only the fallacy of the Global warming/Climate Change theories but the true power of Mother Nature and our inconsequential actions. How many pig tail light bulbs are we going to have to use to counteract this volcano?
We will see some awesome sunsets this summer as the ash reaches the upper atmosphere and reflects the sun. remember the great sunsets after the Philippino Bitch Pinatubo exploded in 1991?
Concord Hymn
By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world.
The foe long since in silence slept;
Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.
On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set to-day a votive stone;
That memory may their deed redeem,
When, like our sires, our sons are gone.
Spirit, that made those heroes dare
To die, and leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.
by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world.
The foe long since in silence slept;
Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.
On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set to-day a votive stone;
That memory may their deed redeem,
When, like our sires, our sons are gone.
Spirit, that made those heroes dare
To die, and leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.
by Ralph Waldo Emerson
April 18, 2010
One spring night
It was a typical spring evening in New England. The night was cool, but the man sweated underneath his clothing. The sounds and smells of the town were around him. He shifted his weight nervously as he waited.
He looked across the harbor at the dim lights of the city. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He glimpsed a tall steeple of a church in the distance. The white steeple looked a ghostly gray in the night. The church moved him to mutter a silent prayer. He was lost in his thoughts for a time.
:There". A voice said beside him. The distant steeple glowed with a lantern hung in the belfry. A second light followed. The man leaped aboard his horse.
"Spread the alarm, 'tis by sea". he said and spurred his mount into the countryside to warn the militia of the surrounding towns. He set off on the Lexington Road to warn Adams and Hancock. The British army was on the move. They must not be arrested, the arms of the colonists not confiscated. The man had not a thought of his own risk, the hard earned wealth he could lose in an instant. Fighting tyranny was worth any price.
He stopped at selected houses and taverns along the road. His whispered message "The Regulars are out", sent other horsemen into the countryside, warning the appropriate 'Minutemen' in Middlesex County. There was no shouting. The message spread across the fields and through the villages with silent efficiency.
Within a few hours the man had arrived in Lexington. He met with Sam Adams and John Hancock. His companion from Cambridge joined them a little after midnight and along with a third patriot set off towards the nearby town of Concord to warn the militia there the British were on the move to collect the arms cache hidden in Concord.
As the man and his companions, William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott, reached the hamlet of Lincoln, they were stopped by a British pickett. Dawes and the Doctor escaped into the dark, but the man had no choice but to submit. As dawn broke the man was being escorted toward the marching army -- back towards Lexington.
Nearing the town the officers and the man, silversmith Paul Revere, heard shouts. Soon shots rang out. The militia had mustered. The colonists had no intention of starting a war. Their only intent had been to bluff the Authorities. As the shots rang out the three British officers made Revere dismount. Taking his horse they rode toward the distant fighting.
Revere walked through the cemetery to the house he was at just a few hours earlier. As citizens and the British Army scuffled on Lexington Green, Revere helped John Hancock and his family escape. As the party fled over the hills, Revere saw the militia he had helped muster fall back toward Concord and history.
He looked across the harbor at the dim lights of the city. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He glimpsed a tall steeple of a church in the distance. The white steeple looked a ghostly gray in the night. The church moved him to mutter a silent prayer. He was lost in his thoughts for a time.
:There". A voice said beside him. The distant steeple glowed with a lantern hung in the belfry. A second light followed. The man leaped aboard his horse.
"Spread the alarm, 'tis by sea". he said and spurred his mount into the countryside to warn the militia of the surrounding towns. He set off on the Lexington Road to warn Adams and Hancock. The British army was on the move. They must not be arrested, the arms of the colonists not confiscated. The man had not a thought of his own risk, the hard earned wealth he could lose in an instant. Fighting tyranny was worth any price.
He stopped at selected houses and taverns along the road. His whispered message "The Regulars are out", sent other horsemen into the countryside, warning the appropriate 'Minutemen' in Middlesex County. There was no shouting. The message spread across the fields and through the villages with silent efficiency.
Within a few hours the man had arrived in Lexington. He met with Sam Adams and John Hancock. His companion from Cambridge joined them a little after midnight and along with a third patriot set off towards the nearby town of Concord to warn the militia there the British were on the move to collect the arms cache hidden in Concord.
As the man and his companions, William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott, reached the hamlet of Lincoln, they were stopped by a British pickett. Dawes and the Doctor escaped into the dark, but the man had no choice but to submit. As dawn broke the man was being escorted toward the marching army -- back towards Lexington.
Nearing the town the officers and the man, silversmith Paul Revere, heard shouts. Soon shots rang out. The militia had mustered. The colonists had no intention of starting a war. Their only intent had been to bluff the Authorities. As the shots rang out the three British officers made Revere dismount. Taking his horse they rode toward the distant fighting.
Revere walked through the cemetery to the house he was at just a few hours earlier. As citizens and the British Army scuffled on Lexington Green, Revere helped John Hancock and his family escape. As the party fled over the hills, Revere saw the militia he had helped muster fall back toward Concord and history.
April 17, 2010
Weekend Funny
After a long night of making love
the guy notices a photo of another man
on the woman's nightstand by the bed.
He begins to worry.
'Is this your husband?'
he nervously asks.
'No, silly,'
she replies, snuggling up to him.
'Your boyfriend, then?'he continues.
'No, not at all,'
she says, nibbling away at his ear.
'Is it your dad or your brother?'
he inquires, hoping to be reassured.
'No, no, no! You are so hot when you're jealous!'
she answers.
'Well, who in the hell is he, then?'
he demands.
She whispers in his ear
'That's me before the surgery
the guy notices a photo of another man
on the woman's nightstand by the bed.
He begins to worry.
'Is this your husband?'
he nervously asks.
'No, silly,'
she replies, snuggling up to him.
'Your boyfriend, then?'he continues.
'No, not at all,'
she says, nibbling away at his ear.
'Is it your dad or your brother?'
he inquires, hoping to be reassured.
'No, no, no! You are so hot when you're jealous!'
she answers.
'Well, who in the hell is he, then?'
he demands.
She whispers in his ear
'That's me before the surgery
April 16, 2010
Plane Crash
Air Force One crashed in the middle of rural America . Panic stricken, the local sheriff mobilized and descended on the farm in force. When they got there, the disaster was clear. The aircraft was totally destroyed with only a burned hull left smoldering in a tree line that bordered a farm. The sheriff and his men entered the smoking mess but could find no remains of anyone, including the President.
They spotted a lone farmer plowing a field not too far away as if nothing at all happened. They hurried over to the man's tractor.
"Hank," the sheriff yelled, panting and out of breath. "Did you see this terrible accident happen?"
"Yep. Sure did." the farmer mumbled unconcernedly, cutting off t he tractor's engine.
"Do you realize that is the airplane of the President of the United States ?"
"Yep."
"Were there any survivors?"
"Nope. They's all kilt straight out," the farmer answered. "I done buried them all myself. Took me most of the morning..."
"President Obama is dead?" the sheriff shouted.
"Well," the farmer grumbled, restarting his tractor. "He kept a-saying he wasn't...
But you know how bad that sumbitch lies."
They spotted a lone farmer plowing a field not too far away as if nothing at all happened. They hurried over to the man's tractor.
"Hank," the sheriff yelled, panting and out of breath. "Did you see this terrible accident happen?"
"Yep. Sure did." the farmer mumbled unconcernedly, cutting off t he tractor's engine.
"Do you realize that is the airplane of the President of the United States ?"
"Yep."
"Were there any survivors?"
"Nope. They's all kilt straight out," the farmer answered. "I done buried them all myself. Took me most of the morning..."
"President Obama is dead?" the sheriff shouted.
"Well," the farmer grumbled, restarting his tractor. "He kept a-saying he wasn't...
But you know how bad that sumbitch lies."
April 15, 2010
Sarah
Sarah Palin's book is exactly the kind of fare you expect from a politician. I have no doubt it is true, but the narrative paints her in the best possible light. It is a long written campaign ad, no more or less. In that instance it is no different than tomes written by politicians for hundreds of years. It is light reading, but so were the writings of Obama, Clinton and TR.
Sarah Palin is not the dumb broad portrayed by the media. No one has the success in her profession she has being a vacant mouth-breathing moron. Those who portray her as such, or perpetuate the myth, are disingenuous at best. You can disagree with her beliefs, but her stance on the issues is shared by a great many Americans. Some polls would suggest her conservative values are those of most Americans. So she did not go to an Ivy League school. Most of us did not either. That does not mean her education is lacking. I went to a small private school. I received an excellent education. I have the Latin inscribed sheepskin to prove it. I may not be able to read my diploma, but that in no way means my education was lacking. In fact my college is consistently ranked in the top colleges in the country. A list of the alumni would impress you, but it was not Harvard or Yale. So what?
I find it laughable that Obama is trying to portray her as lacking. Her knowledge of Nuclear weapons is as complete as the President's. In fact there is no doubt her experience was significantly greater in all areas compared to Obama. On this there is no argument. Look at some of the remarks and actions of some of our elected representatives, The former Governor of Alaska looks a clone of Einstein in comparison. I am pretty sure she at no point EVER believed Guam might capsize, for instance. (Check my archives)
It is a sad state that most Americans are unable to separate the fictional character played on TV with the real Sarah Palin. Sadly, the bias found in today's media is not much different than the "yellow journalism" decried 100 years ago. Future generations will look at today's media in the same historical light.
That said, Palin is unelectable. Her failure to finish her term as Governor is a major obstacle. No matter how she spins the decision (and maybe it was best for the people of Alaska), she quit.
Palin is the most polarizing figure in American politics today. You either love her or hate her. The mass of undecideds will be swayed by the reams of negative press and TV spoofs any run for elective office will create.
Palin is feared by those who call themselves progressive. They fear her values, they fear her popularity. They fear her conservative beliefs. Sarah Palin came within one bailout of getting McCain elected. The left will not make that near-mistake again.
Sarah Palin is not the dumb broad portrayed by the media. No one has the success in her profession she has being a vacant mouth-breathing moron. Those who portray her as such, or perpetuate the myth, are disingenuous at best. You can disagree with her beliefs, but her stance on the issues is shared by a great many Americans. Some polls would suggest her conservative values are those of most Americans. So she did not go to an Ivy League school. Most of us did not either. That does not mean her education is lacking. I went to a small private school. I received an excellent education. I have the Latin inscribed sheepskin to prove it. I may not be able to read my diploma, but that in no way means my education was lacking. In fact my college is consistently ranked in the top colleges in the country. A list of the alumni would impress you, but it was not Harvard or Yale. So what?
I find it laughable that Obama is trying to portray her as lacking. Her knowledge of Nuclear weapons is as complete as the President's. In fact there is no doubt her experience was significantly greater in all areas compared to Obama. On this there is no argument. Look at some of the remarks and actions of some of our elected representatives, The former Governor of Alaska looks a clone of Einstein in comparison. I am pretty sure she at no point EVER believed Guam might capsize, for instance. (Check my archives)
It is a sad state that most Americans are unable to separate the fictional character played on TV with the real Sarah Palin. Sadly, the bias found in today's media is not much different than the "yellow journalism" decried 100 years ago. Future generations will look at today's media in the same historical light.
That said, Palin is unelectable. Her failure to finish her term as Governor is a major obstacle. No matter how she spins the decision (and maybe it was best for the people of Alaska), she quit.
Palin is the most polarizing figure in American politics today. You either love her or hate her. The mass of undecideds will be swayed by the reams of negative press and TV spoofs any run for elective office will create.
Palin is feared by those who call themselves progressive. They fear her values, they fear her popularity. They fear her conservative beliefs. Sarah Palin came within one bailout of getting McCain elected. The left will not make that near-mistake again.
You say you want answers?
In no particular order:
Cappy asked "Is the liver a muscle, or organ?"
Some people like to eat fried chicken livers. Some people like beef liver and onions. I do not like either. All I know is my liver is still functioning to some level. That is good.
Dick inquired "Your preference: Blond, Brunette, or Redhead?"
Brunette, Redhead, Blond. My wifeis wasIS a brunette.
Mr. B wanted to know "Have you stopped masturbating yet?"
For now. Typing is hard enough without trying to multitask...
Ted asked "Do you think it will take an American "Tienamen Square" incident to wake the people up to the reality they aren't free anymore (SocMed hasn't gotten the message across)?"
Until people feel it in their pocket, until their lives are changed, NO. As long as 50% or more Americans do not pay taxes, we are screwed.
Jonas and James, I will address Sarah in another post.
Cappy asked "Is the liver a muscle, or organ?"
Some people like to eat fried chicken livers. Some people like beef liver and onions. I do not like either. All I know is my liver is still functioning to some level. That is good.
Dick inquired "Your preference: Blond, Brunette, or Redhead?"
Brunette, Redhead, Blond. My wife
Mr. B wanted to know "Have you stopped masturbating yet?"
For now. Typing is hard enough without trying to multitask...
Ted asked "Do you think it will take an American "Tienamen Square" incident to wake the people up to the reality they aren't free anymore (SocMed hasn't gotten the message across)?"
Until people feel it in their pocket, until their lives are changed, NO. As long as 50% or more Americans do not pay taxes, we are screwed.
Jonas and James, I will address Sarah in another post.
April 13, 2010
You want to know what?
It is time for another episode of Ask Hoosierboy. You the reader can ask me anything and I will answer in future posts. Ask anything personal questions, history, politics, the everyday conundrums you face.
I have added many readers since we last tried this.
Don't be shy. Ask Hoosierboy.
I have added many readers since we last tried this.
Don't be shy. Ask Hoosierboy.
April 12, 2010
*&%#@*%@
I am booked on a flight to see a major customer this morning. The company wants us to make our own reservations rather than go through the travel agent. No problem, I have been making my own travel reservations for years, prior to this company.
Boy, did I screw up. I forgot to book a rental car. I remembered this morning. Hertz -- nada. National -- nope. Budget, --zero. In fact there is not a car available at any rental company in my destination city.
Looks like I will be in the car for another 12 plus hour drive each way again this week. At least the car is new...
Oh, and the airline ticket is non-refundable. I will use it next month, at least.
Sucks to be me.
Boy, did I screw up. I forgot to book a rental car. I remembered this morning. Hertz -- nada. National -- nope. Budget, --zero. In fact there is not a car available at any rental company in my destination city.
Looks like I will be in the car for another 12 plus hour drive each way again this week. At least the car is new...
Oh, and the airline ticket is non-refundable. I will use it next month, at least.
Sucks to be me.
April 11, 2010
April 10, 2010
Weekend Funny
During a recent password audit, it was found that a
blonde was using the following password:
"MickeyMinniePlutoHueyLouieDeweyDonaldGoofySacramento"
When asked why she had such a long password, she said
she was told that it had to be at least 8 characters
long and include at least one capital.
from my brother
blonde was using the following password:
"MickeyMinniePlutoHueyLouieDeweyDonaldGoofySacramento"
When asked why she had such a long password, she said
she was told that it had to be at least 8 characters
long and include at least one capital.
from my brother
April 9, 2010
F-F-F-Friday
Hello Blog World. What the hell is up with the weather? It was 80- two days ago. Now it is in the 30's. Global Warming indeed.
I just spent 26 hours in the car since Wednesday morning. My ass is so sore. I made a quick trip to New York to turn in and pick up a new company car. I am no longer the driver of a light blue piece-of-shit Ford Taurus. I am now the driver of a brand-new black Ford Fusion. I only played around with it on the fly, but I have to say the Sync System is pretty awesome so far. The car is a little smaller than my old Taurus, but drives very nice. Further on the positive side -- it took less than 1-1/2 tanks of gas to drive from New York to Indiana.
I just spent 26 hours in the car since Wednesday morning. My ass is so sore. I made a quick trip to New York to turn in and pick up a new company car. I am no longer the driver of a light blue piece-of-shit Ford Taurus. I am now the driver of a brand-new black Ford Fusion. I only played around with it on the fly, but I have to say the Sync System is pretty awesome so far. The car is a little smaller than my old Taurus, but drives very nice. Further on the positive side -- it took less than 1-1/2 tanks of gas to drive from New York to Indiana.
April 7, 2010
Where's Hoosierboy
F-Ing Cubs
I only have time for a quick post. I am beat. I just arrived at my hotel. Where am I? Good question. I drove. It took a little over 12 hours, counting piss stops, gas stops and lunch at Arby's.
Mountains were involved. No toll roads though. I did stop at a rest stop, but none on the Parkway.
I will be back on the road by 10:00 am tomorrow, I hope.
For you math types a number puzzle might serve as a hint:
65 70 71 76 80
I only have time for a quick post. I am beat. I just arrived at my hotel. Where am I? Good question. I drove. It took a little over 12 hours, counting piss stops, gas stops and lunch at Arby's.
Mountains were involved. No toll roads though. I did stop at a rest stop, but none on the Parkway.
I will be back on the road by 10:00 am tomorrow, I hope.
For you math types a number puzzle might serve as a hint:
65 70 71 76 80
April 6, 2010
Sports Commentary
Can we finally dispense with the mid-major nonsense? Why is a college basketball program defined by the BCS football schools? Quick, name the storied programs in College basketball.
UCLA, Duke, North Carolina, Indiana, Kentucky. How many basketball final four and National Championships among those schools? How many winning football seasons? How many BCS championships? How many bowl game wins?
Exactly. Gonzaga, George Mason and Butler are perennial Tourney teams. Why are they defined as something less than top-tier basketball schools? Why does the lack of football success determine their basketball pedegree?
A sportswriter summed last night's game perfectly. The right team won. Had Butler's final shot gone into the hoop, the right team would have won.
I was watching the Cubs game yesterday. It was opening day against Atlanta (f-ing Cubs). There was a fly ball hit to center. The Atlanta center fielder made a diving catch, only the ball fell out of his glove when he hit the ground. The players body hid the roll from the 3rd base umpire, but the TV camera's captured it. The Cubs runner, going to second base saw the drop and proceeded to second base. The player got up, and threw the ball to the short stoop who threw it to first. The umpire (who could not see the drop) called the batter out and the throw to first base was ruled a double play. Since the ball was dropped , both Cubs runners should have been safe.
There was discussion among the umpires, and the Cubs manager argued the calls, but to no avail. the ruling had no effect on the Cubbies poor outing, but the wrong calls were made. I am no advocate for replay or letting the TV cameras dictate the outcome. the human error of the umpire is part of the game. I do believe a player should play with honor. The Atlanta player knew he dropped the ball. Letting the play stand as an out shows the man has no character. Nate McClouth should be ashamed. Your record shows a putout and an assist you do not deserve.
In the 1925 US Open Bobby Jones took a penalty stroke after his ball moved. No one saw it but Jones. yet he took the penalty and it cost him the Open. Too bad McClouth cannot have the same kind of honor in sports.
UCLA, Duke, North Carolina, Indiana, Kentucky. How many basketball final four and National Championships among those schools? How many winning football seasons? How many BCS championships? How many bowl game wins?
Exactly. Gonzaga, George Mason and Butler are perennial Tourney teams. Why are they defined as something less than top-tier basketball schools? Why does the lack of football success determine their basketball pedegree?
A sportswriter summed last night's game perfectly. The right team won. Had Butler's final shot gone into the hoop, the right team would have won.
I was watching the Cubs game yesterday. It was opening day against Atlanta (f-ing Cubs). There was a fly ball hit to center. The Atlanta center fielder made a diving catch, only the ball fell out of his glove when he hit the ground. The players body hid the roll from the 3rd base umpire, but the TV camera's captured it. The Cubs runner, going to second base saw the drop and proceeded to second base. The player got up, and threw the ball to the short stoop who threw it to first. The umpire (who could not see the drop) called the batter out and the throw to first base was ruled a double play. Since the ball was dropped , both Cubs runners should have been safe.
There was discussion among the umpires, and the Cubs manager argued the calls, but to no avail. the ruling had no effect on the Cubbies poor outing, but the wrong calls were made. I am no advocate for replay or letting the TV cameras dictate the outcome. the human error of the umpire is part of the game. I do believe a player should play with honor. The Atlanta player knew he dropped the ball. Letting the play stand as an out shows the man has no character. Nate McClouth should be ashamed. Your record shows a putout and an assist you do not deserve.
In the 1925 US Open Bobby Jones took a penalty stroke after his ball moved. No one saw it but Jones. yet he took the penalty and it cost him the Open. Too bad McClouth cannot have the same kind of honor in sports.
Ch-ch-changes
Those of you who are regular readers of the Dax Files should already know he has moved to a new site:
http://www.justdamn.com/
My link over there on the sidebar has already been updated.
If you are not a reader of Dax, you should be. Click here to see his new digs.
http://www.justdamn.com/
My link over there on the sidebar has already been updated.
If you are not a reader of Dax, you should be. Click here to see his new digs.
Final
Damn that was close. What happens if the stripes call that obvious foul on Dukes big guy with less than one minute left? He fouls out and who knows?
Great game anyway.
Great game anyway.
April 5, 2010
Halftime
Duke up one point. Butler shooting poorly. Every call going Duke's way. Butler called for every ticky-tack foul while Duke mugs the Bulldogs.
That is my biased take anyway.
That is my biased take anyway.
Manic Monday
My daughter and her fiancee have scored tickets to tonight's NCAA Men's Basketball Finals. The yare both graduates of Butler University. Both have to work Tuesday, but this is an opportunity to see their beloved Bulldogs, and possibly history in the making.
I heard an interview this morning with Brad Stevens, Butler's youthful head coach. It was a shining example of why he has been so successful. To paraphrase, he said he told his players to play for themselves tonight. He said they were NOT playing for the City, the State, nor for small schools everywhere. Stevens said they do not need that burden. How many coaches would offer just the opposite message?
I heard an interview this morning with Brad Stevens, Butler's youthful head coach. It was a shining example of why he has been so successful. To paraphrase, he said he told his players to play for themselves tonight. He said they were NOT playing for the City, the State, nor for small schools everywhere. Stevens said they do not need that burden. How many coaches would offer just the opposite message?
April 4, 2010
Mark 16:1-8
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' "
Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' "
Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
April 3, 2010
Blah, Blah, Blah -- another Saturday post
Good morning Blog world.
It is warm here in god's country, but the wind is picking up. For those of you who care, there will be some good basketball in the area this evening. I will admit I would not care much, but for the Butler Bulldogs appearance in the NCAA Final Four (copyright etc.). I lost interest in basketball when the IHSAA destroyed the single greatest basketball tourney in the world by putting class basketball in Indiana high schools. At about the same time the NBA became thugball and unwatchable.
I have some serious spring yardwork to do. I still have not cut down last years big grasses. I need to do some serious work in the flower beds as well. If we get any rain at all this weekend, I will have to mow this week, and the mower needs some work -- oil change etc. I really need to replace the blades as well.
I need to go to the store to pick up some items for Easter Dinner. My daughter is hosting her first family get-together this year. I will bring the ham and homemade scalloped spuds and/or mac and cheese. Like many of you we will celebrate the rising of the world's most famous Jew by eating a ham.
I have wasted too much time already on the interwebz. I watched a story last night about the new iPad. It looks perfect for the kind of computer use we have at the HB household. I want one. But it is not to be anytime soon. Finances are strained to the limit with the upcoming wedding. Plus, future models will have more of the bugs worked out. The inability to connect a USB drive or printer is a major problem.
Happy Saturday.
It is warm here in god's country, but the wind is picking up. For those of you who care, there will be some good basketball in the area this evening. I will admit I would not care much, but for the Butler Bulldogs appearance in the NCAA Final Four (copyright etc.). I lost interest in basketball when the IHSAA destroyed the single greatest basketball tourney in the world by putting class basketball in Indiana high schools. At about the same time the NBA became thugball and unwatchable.
I have some serious spring yardwork to do. I still have not cut down last years big grasses. I need to do some serious work in the flower beds as well. If we get any rain at all this weekend, I will have to mow this week, and the mower needs some work -- oil change etc. I really need to replace the blades as well.
I need to go to the store to pick up some items for Easter Dinner. My daughter is hosting her first family get-together this year. I will bring the ham and homemade scalloped spuds and/or mac and cheese. Like many of you we will celebrate the rising of the world's most famous Jew by eating a ham.
I have wasted too much time already on the interwebz. I watched a story last night about the new iPad. It looks perfect for the kind of computer use we have at the HB household. I want one. But it is not to be anytime soon. Finances are strained to the limit with the upcoming wedding. Plus, future models will have more of the bugs worked out. The inability to connect a USB drive or printer is a major problem.
Happy Saturday.
April 2, 2010
Thanks ObamaCare
here is some great work by Ed Morrisey at HotAir read it here
Seriously, watch this. This is exactly what Reagan meant when he talked about the problem of Big Government.
Hope and Change indeed.
BTW, just how does this reduce the cost of health care and provide insurance for an unknown number of people?
h/t Doug Ross
Seriously, watch this. This is exactly what Reagan meant when he talked about the problem of Big Government.
Hope and Change indeed.
BTW, just how does this reduce the cost of health care and provide insurance for an unknown number of people?
h/t Doug Ross
A brief comment from your author
Lest you think I am just jumping on the bandwagon, I have long been a Butler fan. I have given the school tens of thousands of dollars in recent years. You see, my daughter graduated from Butler last May.
To those bloggers who feel compelled to comment on history -- you should check your facts. You appear even more ignorant when you do not understand basic historical references and Constitutional issues.
Some bloggers think the recent passage of ObamaCare is further evidence of the death of the Republican party and Conservatism in general. Let me see, in the past year Democrats and liberals have seen devastating electoral losses in Virginia (a Purple State), New Jersey (almost as Democrat as it gets) and the loss of the seat held for 50 years by the Kennedy family in Massachusetts. The latter was one expressly on the basis Brown would vote against ObamaCare. Obama campaigned for the loser in every case.
The only way your liberal Congress could pass legislation opposed by nearly 60% of the country was by using parliamentary tricks. The leader in the Senate looks like his re-election bid is doomed. Your President is now getting approval Numbers similar to the awful GW at the end of his term, and the Pelosi has an approval rating in the teens. Experts from both political parties expect the Republicans to win the House, and possibly gain 5-6 seats in the Senate. Some 60% of Americans identify themselves as Conservative.
Unemployment remains high. The federal Deficit is approaching unsustainable levels. Long-serving Democrats are quitting in droves to distance themselves from the surrender administration policies, or to avoid embarrassing defeats in the fall elections.
yep, I guess I would agree things look brighter than ever for the Democrats. The Repubs should just fold up their tent and go away forever.
Maybe we should hope that when the liberals flock to Martha's Vinyard this summer it will tip over and capsize? That is some change I could get behind.
To those bloggers who feel compelled to comment on history -- you should check your facts. You appear even more ignorant when you do not understand basic historical references and Constitutional issues.
Some bloggers think the recent passage of ObamaCare is further evidence of the death of the Republican party and Conservatism in general. Let me see, in the past year Democrats and liberals have seen devastating electoral losses in Virginia (a Purple State), New Jersey (almost as Democrat as it gets) and the loss of the seat held for 50 years by the Kennedy family in Massachusetts. The latter was one expressly on the basis Brown would vote against ObamaCare. Obama campaigned for the loser in every case.
The only way your liberal Congress could pass legislation opposed by nearly 60% of the country was by using parliamentary tricks. The leader in the Senate looks like his re-election bid is doomed. Your President is now getting approval Numbers similar to the awful GW at the end of his term, and the Pelosi has an approval rating in the teens. Experts from both political parties expect the Republicans to win the House, and possibly gain 5-6 seats in the Senate. Some 60% of Americans identify themselves as Conservative.
Unemployment remains high. The federal Deficit is approaching unsustainable levels. Long-serving Democrats are quitting in droves to distance themselves from the surrender administration policies, or to avoid embarrassing defeats in the fall elections.
yep, I guess I would agree things look brighter than ever for the Democrats. The Repubs should just fold up their tent and go away forever.
Maybe we should hope that when the liberals flock to Martha's Vinyard this summer it will tip over and capsize? That is some change I could get behind.
Today's Earworm
I saw the Go Gos along with the Flock of seagulls at Purdue University in the early 1980's. The merest effort (and just two typos) reminded me through the world's most used search engine that the actual date was September 7, 1982. Were you there too?
April 1, 2010
This Democrat pushed for Obamacare.
Just think, this guy helped determine the future of health care in this country. Do you feel better now? Check at about the 1:20 mark for the money quote.
I was just thinking. If we follow this guy's logic, those of us in the middle of the country should be concerned. Since most of the population lives on the two coasts, and the Mississippi River is the equivalent of a stress riser, should we be concerned the country is going to just split down the middle and tip into the Atlantic and Pacific? Do the bridges on the Mississippi act as giant stitches holding the continent together?
Seriously, some of you call Sarah Pallin dumb? At least she knows we only have 50 states (not 57, Mr. President) and that islands do not float.
Thursday Grab Bag
Normally I am a light sleeper and I rarely dream. The past few nights I have fallen into deep REM sleep, with vivid dreams. My dreams from last night/this morning were especially pleasant. At least I think they were. They remain as only fuzzy faded disconnected images in my brain as I type. Every second they disappear more, as morning and daylight and consciousness swallow and cover the dreams like sand on a beach is covered by the slowly rising tide. In spite of coffee, working through several emails and reading the paper, I am still a little groggy. Weird.
This evening should be interesting. We are going to meet our future son-in-law's parents. The wife is nervous and anxious. She is worried they will not approve of us, that we will come off like poor hicks and rednecks. The parents are what could be described as at least upper middle class. Neither works, other than the father manages their investments. We live in a tiny house with used cars and lots of bills. Me?, I am not too worried about these people's opinion. They have raised a fine son. I am prepared to like them. They can like me or not. Lets be honest, it is not like we will be spending much time together after the wedding. If and when my daughter has kids there may be an occasional birthday or holiday we cross paths, but I do not anticipate spending more than a few hours a year with these people. Their approval or disapproval means nothing to me. As long as they treat my daughter well, I have no opinion about them at all.
I have been warned enough to behave that it is starting to piss me off. I pointed out that I deal with customers and the public for a living. I know how to act. I know which fork to use. The wife tried to tell me I am sometimes sarcastic (what me?). She reminded me of the time I went to her company picnic and told everyone I was deaf in my left ear due to an industrial accident and asked everyone to stand to my right and shout if they wanted to converse with me. I thought it was a hoot. My wife was not amused. The President of the small bank where she worked stopped by her desk several times in the following weeks to see if I was getting better.
I get it. I will not embarrass her or my daughter. Some people have no sense of humor.
It is payday, that always gets me in a good mood. I am wearing shorts and the temperature is expected to hit 80 today. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and God has blessed me in so many ways. I had my favorite meal for supper last night -- beef and noodles with mashed spuds. Leftovers await in the 'fridge. Plus tomorrow is a holiday for me! In all, I guess it is safe to say it is good to be me today.
This evening should be interesting. We are going to meet our future son-in-law's parents. The wife is nervous and anxious. She is worried they will not approve of us, that we will come off like poor hicks and rednecks. The parents are what could be described as at least upper middle class. Neither works, other than the father manages their investments. We live in a tiny house with used cars and lots of bills. Me?, I am not too worried about these people's opinion. They have raised a fine son. I am prepared to like them. They can like me or not. Lets be honest, it is not like we will be spending much time together after the wedding. If and when my daughter has kids there may be an occasional birthday or holiday we cross paths, but I do not anticipate spending more than a few hours a year with these people. Their approval or disapproval means nothing to me. As long as they treat my daughter well, I have no opinion about them at all.
I have been warned enough to behave that it is starting to piss me off. I pointed out that I deal with customers and the public for a living. I know how to act. I know which fork to use. The wife tried to tell me I am sometimes sarcastic (what me?). She reminded me of the time I went to her company picnic and told everyone I was deaf in my left ear due to an industrial accident and asked everyone to stand to my right and shout if they wanted to converse with me. I thought it was a hoot. My wife was not amused. The President of the small bank where she worked stopped by her desk several times in the following weeks to see if I was getting better.
I get it. I will not embarrass her or my daughter. Some people have no sense of humor.
It is payday, that always gets me in a good mood. I am wearing shorts and the temperature is expected to hit 80 today. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and God has blessed me in so many ways. I had my favorite meal for supper last night -- beef and noodles with mashed spuds. Leftovers await in the 'fridge. Plus tomorrow is a holiday for me! In all, I guess it is safe to say it is good to be me today.
March 31, 2010
The Dems just spit at your defiance.
Taking stock of the current political situation:
Obama's approval rating stands at 46/46 and 47/53, according to Gallup and Rasmussen. 55% want ObamaCare repealed. 52% said Obama doesn't deserve re-election. And he is tied with a generic Republican for the 2012 elections, according to the latest polls. 60% see the country heading in the wrong direction.
Obama and his minions know they are following a scorched earth policy. Pelosi and the Democrat Party leaders know they are facing huge losses in November. Rather than discouraging further unpopular legislation, they are energized to get it done while they can. At this point they feel they have nothing to lose so why not forgive illegals and pass the cap and tax?
When your teenager has a party when you are away and the house gets trashed, he does not end the party and try to fix the broken furniture. He says "what the fuck" and and parties on. He is screwed anyway, so he might as well have fun before you ground him. He knows you will not punish him forever.
The Dems know that the stupid party will screw up and they will be back in power in time.
There is your Hope and Change.
Obama's approval rating stands at 46/46 and 47/53, according to Gallup and Rasmussen. 55% want ObamaCare repealed. 52% said Obama doesn't deserve re-election. And he is tied with a generic Republican for the 2012 elections, according to the latest polls. 60% see the country heading in the wrong direction.
Obama and his minions know they are following a scorched earth policy. Pelosi and the Democrat Party leaders know they are facing huge losses in November. Rather than discouraging further unpopular legislation, they are energized to get it done while they can. At this point they feel they have nothing to lose so why not forgive illegals and pass the cap and tax?
When your teenager has a party when you are away and the house gets trashed, he does not end the party and try to fix the broken furniture. He says "what the fuck" and and parties on. He is screwed anyway, so he might as well have fun before you ground him. He knows you will not punish him forever.
The Dems know that the stupid party will screw up and they will be back in power in time.
There is your Hope and Change.
March 30, 2010
Progressive is just another word for explosive diarrhea
WTF? People are dying at the rate of 27 per minute because they do not have health insurance and there is no healthcare available if you do not have insurance.
That is what we were told.
I guess it is OK to have these people die until 2014?
Can any of you Obamaites explain this seeming paradox? I guess it really is more about control and the redistribution of wealth than helping people.
Indiana has joined 13 other states in a lawsuit on Obamacare. Hey liberals, what are you going to do if the next Congress forces you to buy a Bible, or a gun? What if Congress were to force you to buy a smoked pork shoulder or a bloody beefsteak? What if you have to supplement your tofu with a ration of bacon? It is for the good of the American farmer! Plus the Government knows best -- righto?
What if the next Congress believes you must purchase a new Buick? No more Prius hybrids, we need to jump start our domestic oil industry -- we all have to get a gas guzzler. We must get the return for our investment in GM. It is more than than a slippery slope when you allow the Government to dictate what we buy. It is a fucking landslide of epic proportions. What if a future Congress dictates the amount and kind of asswipe we are forced to purchase?
Did you know the Obamacare demands every restaurant with more than 20 locations must put calorie information on every menu, including drive through menus? Owners must do this for EVERY ITEM on the menu. If I own 20 Hoosierboy Hamburger Heaven stores -- all in Indiana-- by what authority does the Federal Government mandate such onerous expensive changes to My Private Business? I do not sell across State lines so there is no Interstate Commerce at play.
I invite any liberal readers to show me how such regulation is acceptable or Constitutional.
I bet I get no comments on this post giving evidence. Anytime a liberal is forced or even asked to defend a position on logic they just curl up in a fetal position and cry racist, or hate, or FoxNews, FoxNews like some kind of deranged cookoo clock.
I know the liberal cowards will not take me up on this challenge. For them the Constitution is a dusty old scrap of parchment that gets in the way of real progress. What a bunch of hypocritical asstards.
Prove me wrong -- I double dog dare you.
That is what we were told.
I guess it is OK to have these people die until 2014?
Can any of you Obamaites explain this seeming paradox? I guess it really is more about control and the redistribution of wealth than helping people.
Indiana has joined 13 other states in a lawsuit on Obamacare. Hey liberals, what are you going to do if the next Congress forces you to buy a Bible, or a gun? What if Congress were to force you to buy a smoked pork shoulder or a bloody beefsteak? What if you have to supplement your tofu with a ration of bacon? It is for the good of the American farmer! Plus the Government knows best -- righto?
What if the next Congress believes you must purchase a new Buick? No more Prius hybrids, we need to jump start our domestic oil industry -- we all have to get a gas guzzler. We must get the return for our investment in GM. It is more than than a slippery slope when you allow the Government to dictate what we buy. It is a fucking landslide of epic proportions. What if a future Congress dictates the amount and kind of asswipe we are forced to purchase?
Did you know the Obamacare demands every restaurant with more than 20 locations must put calorie information on every menu, including drive through menus? Owners must do this for EVERY ITEM on the menu. If I own 20 Hoosierboy Hamburger Heaven stores -- all in Indiana-- by what authority does the Federal Government mandate such onerous expensive changes to My Private Business? I do not sell across State lines so there is no Interstate Commerce at play.
I invite any liberal readers to show me how such regulation is acceptable or Constitutional.
I bet I get no comments on this post giving evidence. Anytime a liberal is forced or even asked to defend a position on logic they just curl up in a fetal position and cry racist, or hate, or FoxNews, FoxNews like some kind of deranged cookoo clock.
I know the liberal cowards will not take me up on this challenge. For them the Constitution is a dusty old scrap of parchment that gets in the way of real progress. What a bunch of hypocritical asstards.
Prove me wrong -- I double dog dare you.
2549
Two thousand five hundred and forty-nine posts, counting this one. The first was March 22, 2005, just over five years ago. My daughter had not yet graduated high school when I started this rag. Now she is a teacher and on the verge of getting married. My oldest boy could not yet drive, now he is of drinking age. My youngest a mere boy when I started, is now a young man at 16.
My hair is more gray, my eyesight worse. I have changed jobs and lost weight. My typing skills have not improved.
Dax proposed in a post the other day that blogging has jumped the shark. I think he is right. Facebook, Twitter and other mediums have taken our attention elsewhere. I still have 100 or so visitors every day. Thank you. Your visits and comments mean more than you could know.
I occasionally go back and read some old posts. I have written some unbelievably horrible garbage. I have written some good stuff too. I guess that is to be expected when you churn out a post every day. I think you can agree that I keep to this task pretty rigorously.
Like many of you, I consider The Acidman the greatest blogger ever. That is not meant as a slight against any of my daily reads or blogs I fail to read. Rob was able to mix politics, observations, stories and his personal life in way none of us can. He was willing to bare his naked soul to the world, at great personal cost. I wish I had the courage.
I reflect that it was the personal stories that most entertained me. When I re-read his archives I sometime skip the politics. Do you feel the same about this poor excuse of journalistic endeavor?
Over the past five years faithful readers and commenters have come and gone. Lots of bloggers disappeared or took on new identities or priorities. A small core of readers has been here from the start, or almost from the start. I remember the early days when I would get ten hits a day, six of them me checking to see if I had hits. I despaired of ever attracting readers!
Thank you for five great years. To each of you who comment, who read, who lurk -- I appreciate it. I hope I give you reason to keep stopping by each day. I fear you have heard my stories, my jokes, my opinions far too much over the past five years. If that is indeed the case, well too bad. You may read and say "WTF?", "I agree", or "who cares". I will keep trotting out the posts as long as I feel like it.
So, five years, and eight days later we continue.
That quote is from my very first post. Not a lot has changed...
My hair is more gray, my eyesight worse. I have changed jobs and lost weight. My typing skills have not improved.
Dax proposed in a post the other day that blogging has jumped the shark. I think he is right. Facebook, Twitter and other mediums have taken our attention elsewhere. I still have 100 or so visitors every day. Thank you. Your visits and comments mean more than you could know.
I occasionally go back and read some old posts. I have written some unbelievably horrible garbage. I have written some good stuff too. I guess that is to be expected when you churn out a post every day. I think you can agree that I keep to this task pretty rigorously.
Like many of you, I consider The Acidman the greatest blogger ever. That is not meant as a slight against any of my daily reads or blogs I fail to read. Rob was able to mix politics, observations, stories and his personal life in way none of us can. He was willing to bare his naked soul to the world, at great personal cost. I wish I had the courage.
I reflect that it was the personal stories that most entertained me. When I re-read his archives I sometime skip the politics. Do you feel the same about this poor excuse of journalistic endeavor?
Over the past five years faithful readers and commenters have come and gone. Lots of bloggers disappeared or took on new identities or priorities. A small core of readers has been here from the start, or almost from the start. I remember the early days when I would get ten hits a day, six of them me checking to see if I had hits. I despaired of ever attracting readers!
Thank you for five great years. To each of you who comment, who read, who lurk -- I appreciate it. I hope I give you reason to keep stopping by each day. I fear you have heard my stories, my jokes, my opinions far too much over the past five years. If that is indeed the case, well too bad. You may read and say "WTF?", "I agree", or "who cares". I will keep trotting out the posts as long as I feel like it.
So, five years, and eight days later we continue.
I will post on whatever I care to write about. It may be political, humorous, or just boring, but you will always get my best. I may post some of my stories. I may post on historical items that interest me. It may just be crap...I hear you now. "Just who the fuck is this guy"? Well, I am a Liberally Educated Male. I am married. I have three kids. I hate mimes. I like beer. I like baseball. I hate soccer, it is not a real game.
That is all you need to know for now.
That quote is from my very first post. Not a lot has changed...
March 29, 2010
March 28, 2010
March 26, 2010
Friday Five
I may have done this in the past, who cares. No one plays along with this stupid Friday Theme anyway.
There are certain movies you are drawn to. They may be classics, or old favorites. What movies do you have stop channel surfing to watch every time you run across them on the TV, no matter how far along the movie is?
For me;
1. Cool Hand Luke
2. Bridge on the River Kwai
3. Hoosiers
4. Breakfast at Tiffany's (I know)
5. Pale Rider
And lately, Saturday Night Fever. I don't know why, I hate disco, and did not care much for the movie when it came out. Nostalgia? Surely not, who has nostalgia for the late 1970's?
How about you? What movies are you compelled to watch?
There are certain movies you are drawn to. They may be classics, or old favorites. What movies do you have stop channel surfing to watch every time you run across them on the TV, no matter how far along the movie is?
For me;
1. Cool Hand Luke
2. Bridge on the River Kwai
3. Hoosiers
4. Breakfast at Tiffany's (I know)
5. Pale Rider
And lately, Saturday Night Fever. I don't know why, I hate disco, and did not care much for the movie when it came out. Nostalgia? Surely not, who has nostalgia for the late 1970's?
How about you? What movies are you compelled to watch?
March 25, 2010
March 24, 2010
If you are a Democrat you can kiss my hairy ass
No free man shall ever be debarred
the use of arms.
Thomas Jefferson
The strongest reason for the
people to retain the right to keep and bear arms
is, as a last resort, to protect themselves
against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson
Liberals are always trying to take away our right to bear arms. They claim the Second Amendment says only a militia can have weapons. These same people who are anti-gun and are for the most part anti-religion. They see prohibitions against religion in the First Amendment when it does not exist, and are quick to point out a letter written by Jefferson that proclaims a "wall of separation between church and State".
In both cases they see words in the Constitution that are not there. Perhaps the Democratic Party should just be honest and call themselves the Hypocritical Party instead. They can keep their symbol. The Jackass -- it still fits.
h/t in a roundabout fashion to Otter
March 22, 2010
Happy Monday
I have a huge case of "I do not give a shit" today.
The well is dry, the tank empty, I am bored. I have nothing ricocheting around my skull to entertain you.
I have nothing to add regarding the fucking President and his bitches Reid and Pelosi. If you think they have the best interests of th ecountry at heart you are a fucking moron first class.
Eat me, this counts as a post anyway.
The well is dry, the tank empty, I am bored. I have nothing ricocheting around my skull to entertain you.
I have nothing to add regarding the fucking President and his bitches Reid and Pelosi. If you think they have the best interests of th ecountry at heart you are a fucking moron first class.
Eat me, this counts as a post anyway.
March 21, 2010
March 20, 2010
March 19, 2010
The Obama Care theme song
Ignore the Constitution at your peril.
"Blood on the streets up to my ankles" indeed.
Hey you stupid fuckers in Congress -- defeat this piece of crap not because of abortion language. Defeat it because it is UnConstitutional, Becasue it was passed in an UnConstitutional manner. Because it does not reduce the cost of healthcare. Because it is a bad bill.
Framing the argument as an abortion issue does not address the real problem.
Here are some essential health care reform issues in the Reconcilliation Bill.
Sec. 1408. Elimination of unintended application of cellulosic biofuel producer credit. Adds an additional revenue provision. In 2008, Congress enacted a $1.01 per gallon tax credit for the production of biofuel from cellulosic feedstocks in order to encourage the development of new production capacity for biofuels that are not derived from food source materials. Congress is aware that some taxpayers are seeking to claim the cellulosic biofuel tax credit for unprocessed fuels, such as black liquor. The provision would limit eligibility for the tax credit to processed fuels (i.e., fuels that could be used in a car engine or in a home heating application).
Sec. 1409. Codification of economic substance doctrine and penalties. Adds an additional revenue provision. The economic substance doctrine is a judicial doctrine that has been used by the courts to deny tax benefits when the transaction generating these tax benefits lacks economic substance. The courts have not applied the economic substance doctrine uniformly. The provision would clarify the manner in which the economic substance doctrine should be applied by the courts and would impose a penalty on understatements attributable to a transaction lacking economic substance.
Sec. 1410. Time for payment of corporate estimated taxes. Provides for a one-time adjustment to corporate estimated taxes for payments made during calendar year 2014.
Subtitle F – Other Provisions
Sec. 1501. TAA for communities. Appropriates $500 Million a year for fiscal years 2010 through 2014 in the Community College and Career Training Grant program for community colleges to develop and improve educational or career training programs. Ensures that each state receives at least 0.5 percent of the total funds appropriated.
Title II – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Subtitle A – Education
Section 2001. Short Title; References. Provides that this subtitle may be cited as the “SAFRA Act,” and that, except as otherwise provided, whenever an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
Part I—Investing in Students and Families
Section 2101. Federal Pell Grants. Amends the Higher Education Act to include mandatory funding for the Pell Grant. This provides additional mandatory funding to augment funds appropriated to increase the federal maximum Pell Grant award by the change in the Consumer Price Index. The mandatory component of the funding is determined by inflating the previous year’s total and subtracting the maximum award provided for in the appropriations act for the previous year or $4860, whichever is greater. Beginning in the 2018-2019 academic year, the maximum Pell award will be at the 2017-2018 level.
Section 2102. Student Financial Assistance. This section provides $13.5 billion in mandatory appropriations to the Federal Pell Grant program.
Section 2103. College Access Challenge Grant Program. This section amends section 786 of the Higher Education Act by authorizing and appropriating $150 million for fiscal years 2010 through 2014 for the College Access Challenge Grant program created under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007. Provides that the allotment for each State under this section for a fiscal year shall not be an amount that is less than 1.0 percent of the total amount appropriated for a fiscal year.
Section 2104. Investment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions. This section amends section 371(b) of the Higher Education Act by extending funding for programs under this section created under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 for programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and minority-serving institutions through 2019, including programs that help low-income students attain degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering or mathematics by the following annual amounts: $100 million to Hispanic Serving Institutions, $85 million to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, $15 million to Predominantly Black Institutions, $30 million to Tribal Colleges and Universities, $15 million to Alaska, Hawaiian Native Institutions, $5 million to Asian American and Pacific Islander Institutions, and $5 million to Native American non-tribal serving institutions.
Part II—Student Loan Reform
Section 2201. Termination of Federal Family Education Loan Appropriations. This section terminates the authority to make or insure any additional loans in the Federal Family Education Loan program after June 30, 2010.
Section 2202. Termination of Federal loan Insurance Program. This section is a conforming amendment with regard to the termination of the FFEL program, limiting Federal insurance to those loans in the Federal Family Education Loan program for loans first disbursed prior to July 1, 2010.
Section 2203. Termination of Applicable Interest Rates. This section makes a conforming amendment with regard to the termination of the FFEL program limiting interest rate applicability to Stafford, Consolidation, and PLUS loans to those loans made before July 1, 2010.
Section 2204. Termination of Federal payments to Reduce Student Interest Costs. This section makes a conforming amendment with regard to the termination of the FFEL program by limiting subsidy payments to lenders for those loans for which the first disbursement is made before July 1, 2010.
Section 2205. Termination of FFEL PLUS Loans. This section makes a conforming change with regard to the termination of the FFEL program for federal PLUS loans by prohibiting further FFEL origination of loans after July 1, 2010.
Section 2206. Federal Consolidation Loans. This section makes conforming changes with regard to the termination of the FFEL program for federal consolidation loans. This section also provides that, for a 1 year period, borrowers who have loans under both the Direct Lending program and the FFEL program, or who have loans under either program as well as loans that have been sold to the Secretary, may consolidate such loans under the Direct Lending program regardless of whether such borrowers have entered repayment on such loans.
Section 2207. Termination of Unsubsidized Stafford loans for Middle-Income Borrowers. This section makes conforming changes with regard to the termination of the FFEL program for Unsubsidized Stafford loans by prohibiting further FFEL origination of loans after July 1, 2010.
Section 2208. Termination of Special Allowances. This section makes conforming changes with regard to the termination of the FFEL program by limiting special allowance payments to lenders under the FFEL program to loans first disbursed before July 1, 2010.
Section 2209. Origination of Direct Loans at Institutions Outside the United States. This section provides for the origination of federal Direct Loans at institutions located outside of the United States, through a financial institution designated by the Secretary.
Section 2210. Conforming amendments. This section makes conforming technical changes with regard to the termination of the FFEL program for Department of Education agreements with Direct Lending institutions.
Section 2211. Terms and Conditions of Loans. This section makes conforming technical changes with regard to the termination of the FFEL program to clarify the terms and conditions of Direct Loans.
Section 2212. Contracts. This section directs the Secretary to award contracts for servicing federal Direct Loans to eligible non-profit servicers. In addition, this section provides that for the first 100,000 borrower loan accounts, the Secretary shall establish a separate pricing tier. Specifies that the Secretary is to allocate the loan accounts of 100,000 borrowers to each eligible non-profit servicer. The section also permits the Secretary to reallocate, increase, reduce or terminate an eligible non-profit servicer’s allocation based on the performance of such servicer. In addition, this section appropriates mandatory funds to the Secretary to be obligated for administrative costs of servicing contracts with eligible non-profit servicers. This section also requires the Secretary to provide technical assistance to institutions of higher education participating or seeking to participate in the Direct Lending program. This section appropriates $50 million for fiscal year 2010 to pay for this technical assistance. Additionally, this section authorizes the Secretary to provide payments to loan servicers for retaining jobs at location in the United States where such servicers were operating on January 1, 2010. This section appropriates $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011 for such purpose.
Section 2213. Agreements with State-Owned Banks. This section amends Part D of Title IV to direct the Secretary to enter into an agreement with an eligible lender for the purpose of providing Federal loan insurance on student loans made by state-owned banks.
Section 2214. Income-Based Repayment. The section amends the Income-Based Repayment program to cap student loan payments for new borrowers after July 1, 2014 to 10% of adjusted income, from 15% percent, and to forgive remaining balances after 20 years of repayment, from 25 years.
Sec. 1409. Codification of economic substance doctrine and penalties. Adds an additional revenue provision. The economic substance doctrine is a judicial doctrine that has been used by the courts to deny tax benefits when the transaction generating these tax benefits lacks economic substance. The courts have not applied the economic substance doctrine uniformly. The provision would clarify the manner in which the economic substance doctrine should be applied by the courts and would impose a penalty on understatements attributable to a transaction lacking economic substance.
Sec. 1410. Time for payment of corporate estimated taxes. Provides for a one-time adjustment to corporate estimated taxes for payments made during calendar year 2014.
Subtitle F – Other Provisions
Sec. 1501. TAA for communities. Appropriates $500 Million a year for fiscal years 2010 through 2014 in the Community College and Career Training Grant program for community colleges to develop and improve educational or career training programs. Ensures that each state receives at least 0.5 percent of the total funds appropriated.
Title II – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Subtitle A – Education
Section 2001. Short Title; References. Provides that this subtitle may be cited as the “SAFRA Act,” and that, except as otherwise provided, whenever an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
Part I—Investing in Students and Families
Section 2101. Federal Pell Grants. Amends the Higher Education Act to include mandatory funding for the Pell Grant. This provides additional mandatory funding to augment funds appropriated to increase the federal maximum Pell Grant award by the change in the Consumer Price Index. The mandatory component of the funding is determined by inflating the previous year’s total and subtracting the maximum award provided for in the appropriations act for the previous year or $4860, whichever is greater. Beginning in the 2018-2019 academic year, the maximum Pell award will be at the 2017-2018 level.
Section 2102. Student Financial Assistance. This section provides $13.5 billion in mandatory appropriations to the Federal Pell Grant program.
Section 2103. College Access Challenge Grant Program. This section amends section 786 of the Higher Education Act by authorizing and appropriating $150 million for fiscal years 2010 through 2014 for the College Access Challenge Grant program created under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007. Provides that the allotment for each State under this section for a fiscal year shall not be an amount that is less than 1.0 percent of the total amount appropriated for a fiscal year.
Section 2104. Investment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions. This section amends section 371(b) of the Higher Education Act by extending funding for programs under this section created under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 for programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and minority-serving institutions through 2019, including programs that help low-income students attain degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering or mathematics by the following annual amounts: $100 million to Hispanic Serving Institutions, $85 million to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, $15 million to Predominantly Black Institutions, $30 million to Tribal Colleges and Universities, $15 million to Alaska, Hawaiian Native Institutions, $5 million to Asian American and Pacific Islander Institutions, and $5 million to Native American non-tribal serving institutions.
Part II—Student Loan Reform
Section 2201. Termination of Federal Family Education Loan Appropriations. This section terminates the authority to make or insure any additional loans in the Federal Family Education Loan program after June 30, 2010.
Section 2202. Termination of Federal loan Insurance Program. This section is a conforming amendment with regard to the termination of the FFEL program, limiting Federal insurance to those loans in the Federal Family Education Loan program for loans first disbursed prior to July 1, 2010.
Section 2203. Termination of Applicable Interest Rates. This section makes a conforming amendment with regard to the termination of the FFEL program limiting interest rate applicability to Stafford, Consolidation, and PLUS loans to those loans made before July 1, 2010.
Section 2204. Termination of Federal payments to Reduce Student Interest Costs. This section makes a conforming amendment with regard to the termination of the FFEL program by limiting subsidy payments to lenders for those loans for which the first disbursement is made before July 1, 2010.
Section 2205. Termination of FFEL PLUS Loans. This section makes a conforming change with regard to the termination of the FFEL program for federal PLUS loans by prohibiting further FFEL origination of loans after July 1, 2010.
Section 2206. Federal Consolidation Loans. This section makes conforming changes with regard to the termination of the FFEL program for federal consolidation loans. This section also provides that, for a 1 year period, borrowers who have loans under both the Direct Lending program and the FFEL program, or who have loans under either program as well as loans that have been sold to the Secretary, may consolidate such loans under the Direct Lending program regardless of whether such borrowers have entered repayment on such loans.
Section 2207. Termination of Unsubsidized Stafford loans for Middle-Income Borrowers. This section makes conforming changes with regard to the termination of the FFEL program for Unsubsidized Stafford loans by prohibiting further FFEL origination of loans after July 1, 2010.
Section 2208. Termination of Special Allowances. This section makes conforming changes with regard to the termination of the FFEL program by limiting special allowance payments to lenders under the FFEL program to loans first disbursed before July 1, 2010.
Section 2209. Origination of Direct Loans at Institutions Outside the United States. This section provides for the origination of federal Direct Loans at institutions located outside of the United States, through a financial institution designated by the Secretary.
Section 2210. Conforming amendments. This section makes conforming technical changes with regard to the termination of the FFEL program for Department of Education agreements with Direct Lending institutions.
Section 2211. Terms and Conditions of Loans. This section makes conforming technical changes with regard to the termination of the FFEL program to clarify the terms and conditions of Direct Loans.
Section 2212. Contracts. This section directs the Secretary to award contracts for servicing federal Direct Loans to eligible non-profit servicers. In addition, this section provides that for the first 100,000 borrower loan accounts, the Secretary shall establish a separate pricing tier. Specifies that the Secretary is to allocate the loan accounts of 100,000 borrowers to each eligible non-profit servicer. The section also permits the Secretary to reallocate, increase, reduce or terminate an eligible non-profit servicer’s allocation based on the performance of such servicer. In addition, this section appropriates mandatory funds to the Secretary to be obligated for administrative costs of servicing contracts with eligible non-profit servicers. This section also requires the Secretary to provide technical assistance to institutions of higher education participating or seeking to participate in the Direct Lending program. This section appropriates $50 million for fiscal year 2010 to pay for this technical assistance. Additionally, this section authorizes the Secretary to provide payments to loan servicers for retaining jobs at location in the United States where such servicers were operating on January 1, 2010. This section appropriates $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011 for such purpose.
Section 2213. Agreements with State-Owned Banks. This section amends Part D of Title IV to direct the Secretary to enter into an agreement with an eligible lender for the purpose of providing Federal loan insurance on student loans made by state-owned banks.
Section 2214. Income-Based Repayment. The section amends the Income-Based Repayment program to cap student loan payments for new borrowers after July 1, 2014 to 10% of adjusted income, from 15% percent, and to forgive remaining balances after 20 years of repayment, from 25 years.
And you liberal-types call me a fat stupid redneck?
Let me get this straight: Obama Care will provide coverage for forty million, twenty million, thirty million, 15 million, back to 30 million again people without current insurance. It will save medicare from insolvency, it will make sure people with existing conditions are covered, it will pay subsidies to those who cannot afford insurance, it will lower premiums for all Americans, it will reduce the premiums some employers pay for group health insurance by 3,000%, it will not increase taxes or increase the defect by one penny.
Liberals, progressives, Democrats, the education class, the journalist class, the country club elites all want us to believe this is true? Yet these same elites spend an inordinate amount of time telling us not to believe in the tooth fairy, Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and God. We are told they are all myths and fantasy.
Anyone who buys into the Obama Care fantasy makes those guys look sane who castrated themselves, strapped on their Nikes, and drank the poison Kool Aid so they could beam aboard that passing comet.
Liberals, progressives, Democrats, the education class, the journalist class, the country club elites all want us to believe this is true? Yet these same elites spend an inordinate amount of time telling us not to believe in the tooth fairy, Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and God. We are told they are all myths and fantasy.
Anyone who buys into the Obama Care fantasy makes those guys look sane who castrated themselves, strapped on their Nikes, and drank the poison Kool Aid so they could beam aboard that passing comet.
March 18, 2010
Dear Readers
I know times are tough economically, so I have a business deal for you.
Houses in my neighborhood are renting in excess of $1,00 per month. I have very nice house for rent for a mere $500 per month. You will save a bunch! The only catch is we will need a ten year lease, but with the savings I am offering that is a no-brainer.
I will also throw in your monthly groceries. I will pay today's market prices for your necessities at the nearby store. Now how this works is I will pay today's sale price for your groceries after you move in. if the store raises its prices or no longer offers an item, I will increase taxes increase the rent to make up the difference. I will decide the amount of ncrease. But you are getting a house, provided by me!
The lease will start in July 2010 and run through July 2020. Your first monthly payment is due on July 1, 2010. You will authorize me to take the funds directly from your checking account if you do not pay me on time. As soon as you sign the lease I will tell about the property. You will appreciate the amenities, trust me.
You will be able to move in on July 1, 2014. That date may change to 2016.
You must lease this property sight unseen. Since your neighbors are not excited about having renters nearby, you will have to kick in a hundred dollars to them to get them to agree. I will get you their addresses in Nebraska and Louisiana.
I am sure you will agree this is a great idea. You will save $500 per month and perhaps get a better place to live.
I should add if you do not agree with this lease, you will go to jail.
Who in their right mind would agree to such a crazy plan? Who would think this is a good idea? Why, your typical Obama supporter. Obama Care offers the same basic plan. Pay for it for 4-6 years and then you can get the benefits.
And those guys call us stupid fat rednecks.
Houses in my neighborhood are renting in excess of $1,00 per month. I have very nice house for rent for a mere $500 per month. You will save a bunch! The only catch is we will need a ten year lease, but with the savings I am offering that is a no-brainer.
I will also throw in your monthly groceries. I will pay today's market prices for your necessities at the nearby store. Now how this works is I will pay today's sale price for your groceries after you move in. if the store raises its prices or no longer offers an item, I will
The lease will start in July 2010 and run through July 2020. Your first monthly payment is due on July 1, 2010. You will authorize me to take the funds directly from your checking account if you do not pay me on time. As soon as you sign the lease I will tell about the property. You will appreciate the amenities, trust me.
You will be able to move in on July 1, 2014. That date may change to 2016.
You must lease this property sight unseen. Since your neighbors are not excited about having renters nearby, you will have to kick in a hundred dollars to them to get them to agree. I will get you their addresses in Nebraska and Louisiana.
I am sure you will agree this is a great idea. You will save $500 per month and perhaps get a better place to live.
I should add if you do not agree with this lease, you will go to jail.
Who in their right mind would agree to such a crazy plan? Who would think this is a good idea? Why, your typical Obama supporter. Obama Care offers the same basic plan. Pay for it for 4-6 years and then you can get the benefits.
And those guys call us stupid fat rednecks.
Just a thought
Have you noticed the liberal-types that complained to no end about the abuses of the Bush era...
Patriot Act, Guantanamo, Military trials, over-reaching Government, abusive Congress, wild spending, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, The Middle East, voting rights, etc.
...are markedly silent these days on anything political?
I guess the Constitution and rule of law are only important when the other guy is in charge and it helps your argument.
How can you tell when asalesman Democrat is lying -- whenever his lips mover he or she breathes.
Sheep.
Patriot Act, Guantanamo, Military trials, over-reaching Government, abusive Congress, wild spending, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, The Middle East, voting rights, etc.
...are markedly silent these days on anything political?
I guess the Constitution and rule of law are only important when the other guy is in charge and it helps your argument.
How can you tell when a
Sheep.
Your Government at work
A couple years ago Indiana changed the way it assigned licence plate numbers. Previously car plates began with a prefix denoting the county the owner lived in. For instance plated issued in Adams county were assigned a 1, Clinton a 12 and Shelby 73, and so on. Then the county prefix was followed by a letter, then random numbers. So your plate would look like this :
12 A 3456
Motorcycle and Truck plates were always a combination of letters and numbers. They also had "motorcycle" or "Truck" printed on the plate.
In an effort to make life easier for consumers The State decided to do away with the county prefix, allowing one to buy their plates at any BMV Branch in the State. This was a good thing. Plates for all vehicles are now a combination of letters and numbers.
Some bureaucrat decided that as long as the tags had "motorcycle" or "truck" printed on them there would be no problem if the combination of letters and numbers for the plate numbers assigned to automobiles might be duplicate. The geniuses in the Government had no clue that the wrong person might get a ticket. Since some States and localities use traffic cameras to issue a ticket (nefarious at best) the wrong citizens are getting tickets! Idiots. Source
Example two of Government incompetence. My oldest son is a server in a restaurant. To handle or sell alcohol in Indiana you have to have a liqueur licence (must the State be involved in everything?). He applied, sent in his $60 and took the required class in January. To date he still has not received his paperwork. More than six weeks to process a Liqueur Licence. This should be simple. Is the paperwork filled out correctly? Is the applicant over 21? EOS, issue the damn certificate. Three minutes tops. Why would this take six or eight weeks to process?
The State revenue agents are cracking down in the community where he works. An application on file at the restaurant is not good enough, without the actual licence on hand he is not allowed to work. Incompetence and bureaucratic laziness means he loses his income until he can get the paperwork.
He has tried to call numerous times to follow up his application. The ATC (Alcohol Tobacco Commission) has a recorded phone line telling the address and hours of operation. My son cut class yesterday to go in person. They are only open until 4:30 -- way to serve the working public Indiana. He drove an hour to the capitol City, paid to park. he spent ten minutes going through security and arrived at the ATC at 4:31. The doors were locked. The work schedules are done on Wednesday, so now he is out of work for another week.
And just think, some of you think the Government would be the best option to control or health care system.
* Yes, I know these are examples of State Government idiocy. Do you really want to make the argument the Feds are better or even less incompetent?
12 A 3456
Motorcycle and Truck plates were always a combination of letters and numbers. They also had "motorcycle" or "Truck" printed on the plate.
In an effort to make life easier for consumers The State decided to do away with the county prefix, allowing one to buy their plates at any BMV Branch in the State. This was a good thing. Plates for all vehicles are now a combination of letters and numbers.
Some bureaucrat decided that as long as the tags had "motorcycle" or "truck" printed on them there would be no problem if the combination of letters and numbers for the plate numbers assigned to automobiles might be duplicate. The geniuses in the Government had no clue that the wrong person might get a ticket. Since some States and localities use traffic cameras to issue a ticket (nefarious at best) the wrong citizens are getting tickets! Idiots. Source
Example two of Government incompetence. My oldest son is a server in a restaurant. To handle or sell alcohol in Indiana you have to have a liqueur licence (must the State be involved in everything?). He applied, sent in his $60 and took the required class in January. To date he still has not received his paperwork. More than six weeks to process a Liqueur Licence. This should be simple. Is the paperwork filled out correctly? Is the applicant over 21? EOS, issue the damn certificate. Three minutes tops. Why would this take six or eight weeks to process?
The State revenue agents are cracking down in the community where he works. An application on file at the restaurant is not good enough, without the actual licence on hand he is not allowed to work. Incompetence and bureaucratic laziness means he loses his income until he can get the paperwork.
He has tried to call numerous times to follow up his application. The ATC (Alcohol Tobacco Commission) has a recorded phone line telling the address and hours of operation. My son cut class yesterday to go in person. They are only open until 4:30 -- way to serve the working public Indiana. He drove an hour to the capitol City, paid to park. he spent ten minutes going through security and arrived at the ATC at 4:31. The doors were locked. The work schedules are done on Wednesday, so now he is out of work for another week.
And just think, some of you think the Government would be the best option to control or health care system.
* Yes, I know these are examples of State Government idiocy. Do you really want to make the argument the Feds are better or even less incompetent?
March 17, 2010
Drink One For Bobby Sands
Fuck a bunch of St Patrick's Day.
It is another fake holiday like Valentine's Day, Halloween, Kwanza and MLK Day.
Drunken Irish -- and especially fake Irish -- can kiss my ass.
Green Beer is not natural, it falls in the same category as blue food. It should not be consumed.
It is another fake holiday like Valentine's Day, Halloween, Kwanza and MLK Day.
Drunken Irish -- and especially fake Irish -- can kiss my ass.
Green Beer is not natural, it falls in the same category as blue food. It should not be consumed.
Dear Dennis Kucinich
To paraphrase Churchill: Mr. Representative, we now know what you are. All we need to know is what was the price?
I sure hope it was more than an airplane ride.
I sure hope it was more than an airplane ride.
March 16, 2010
Dear President Obama
Back in January you promised during your State of the Union address you were going to focus like a laser on jobs and the economy. Could you let us know when you are going to get on that?
Instead, we see you still out stumping for a health care plan no one wants. Now nearly 60% of Americans hate your ideas. Let it go and focus on the economy.
Seriously, that shit sandwich you keep trying to sell just stinks more every day. As you said, all that can be said about Obamacare has been stated. Hop off the stump and focus your attentions elsewhere. Iran is going to get a bomb and use it. How about re-starting that dialogue? We get what you want to do, we just are not interested in your ideas to take over the health industry.
I do sales for a living -- sometimes the potential customer just does not want to buy. Pressuring only makes him dig in his heels. Since you have never has a job in business you do not understand these things.
You are welcome to the free advice.
Instead, we see you still out stumping for a health care plan no one wants. Now nearly 60% of Americans hate your ideas. Let it go and focus on the economy.
Seriously, that shit sandwich you keep trying to sell just stinks more every day. As you said, all that can be said about Obamacare has been stated. Hop off the stump and focus your attentions elsewhere. Iran is going to get a bomb and use it. How about re-starting that dialogue? We get what you want to do, we just are not interested in your ideas to take over the health industry.
I do sales for a living -- sometimes the potential customer just does not want to buy. Pressuring only makes him dig in his heels. Since you have never has a job in business you do not understand these things.
You are welcome to the free advice.
March 15, 2010
The Constitution is burning
Several democrats have confirmed they will proceed to pass Obamacare under the so-called Slaughter Rule. This is a brand new concept were the House will not vote on the Senate Bill, but will actually just "deem it to have passed". In other words, Legislate by fiat.
This is in violation of the United States Constitution:
The language is straight forward. There can be no bill passed without a vote, and a recording of how the members voted on the bill.
Every American should protest loud and long if their representative goes along with this travesty. The Ends do not justify the means.
BiW offers a much better written commentary. Go read it here.
This is in violation of the United States Constitution:
Section 7 - Revenue Bills, Legislative Process, Presidential Veto
Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.
Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.
The language is straight forward. There can be no bill passed without a vote, and a recording of how the members voted on the bill.
Every American should protest loud and long if their representative goes along with this travesty. The Ends do not justify the means.
BiW offers a much better written commentary. Go read it here.
March 14, 2010
You say you want a revolution?
I woke very early this morning. I was not sure what time it was -- I had not yet done my clock thing. Quick sidebar -- I guess DST is with us so I might as well embrace it and get on with my life. For those of you unaware, until a few years ago Indiana did not subscribe to the insane notion that we can "save" daylight. We hicks understood that the number of hours the sun shines in a given day does not change. DST just means you turn on your lamps in the morning instead of at night. Hey, look at the bright side, our kids may go to school in the dark, but the golf industry gets a boon!
Anyway, I had a nasty rant circulating in my cranium. I was so upset it woke me before dawn. It was so strong that I almost fired up the old computer to get it down on electronic paper for your perusal.
What? You want a hint? If the Dems in charge actually try to put Obamacare into law without even voting on the bill, there will be hell to pay. I am talking blood in the streets kind of hell. Bloggers and patriots of all political stripes should, and must, be irate our politicians are even plotting tyranny of this magnitude. The end does not justify the means. Even the Kos Kids should be terrified over the prospect of simply declaring a bill "deemed as passed". The Constitution is written in very clear language on this matter. Your average third grader can understand it. Heck, go to YouTube and look up some Schoolhouse Rock.
Should the Dems go forward in this manner and Obama sign Obamacare passed in this manner -- a bill of impeachment should be immediately introduced. We do not rule by fiat in this country. Obamacare will become the modern Intolerable Act. For those of you who cannot remember their fourth grade history, the Intolerable Acts were the spark of the American Revolution.
I guess you got the mini-rant anyway. Here is some homework for you. Go to Wiki or whatever search engine you like and look up Germany 1933 and the Enabling Act.
What the heck, here is the work already done for you.
Fear mongering? Hyperbole? Nonsense? Maybe. I never believe that the past repeats. I do believe we can look to the past and see similar examples and better deal with the current situation. Let me ask you a serious question. Answer honestly. Do you think that if Obama and Pelosi and Reid could get a similar power they would not embrace it? If they could get a similar law passed today they would do it? Do you think that at some point, behind very thick closed doors Obama or Emanual, or Pelosi lamented that they did not have a similar power? Would they hesitate to use that power to dictate the provisions of HealthCare, of Amnesty for Illegals, and Cap and Trade?
I said a year ago it was not yet time for a revolution. We are getting closer every day. Let me be clear. That notion scares the shit out of me.
Sic Semper Tyrannis. Is it coincidence that our Government considers a tyrannical act to pass Obamacare during the ides of March? Clio, you funny, funny muse.
Anyway, I had a nasty rant circulating in my cranium. I was so upset it woke me before dawn. It was so strong that I almost fired up the old computer to get it down on electronic paper for your perusal.
What? You want a hint? If the Dems in charge actually try to put Obamacare into law without even voting on the bill, there will be hell to pay. I am talking blood in the streets kind of hell. Bloggers and patriots of all political stripes should, and must, be irate our politicians are even plotting tyranny of this magnitude. The end does not justify the means. Even the Kos Kids should be terrified over the prospect of simply declaring a bill "deemed as passed". The Constitution is written in very clear language on this matter. Your average third grader can understand it. Heck, go to YouTube and look up some Schoolhouse Rock.
Should the Dems go forward in this manner and Obama sign Obamacare passed in this manner -- a bill of impeachment should be immediately introduced. We do not rule by fiat in this country. Obamacare will become the modern Intolerable Act. For those of you who cannot remember their fourth grade history, the Intolerable Acts were the spark of the American Revolution.
I guess you got the mini-rant anyway. Here is some homework for you. Go to Wiki or whatever search engine you like and look up Germany 1933 and the Enabling Act.
What the heck, here is the work already done for you.
Fear mongering? Hyperbole? Nonsense? Maybe. I never believe that the past repeats. I do believe we can look to the past and see similar examples and better deal with the current situation. Let me ask you a serious question. Answer honestly. Do you think that if Obama and Pelosi and Reid could get a similar power they would not embrace it? If they could get a similar law passed today they would do it? Do you think that at some point, behind very thick closed doors Obama or Emanual, or Pelosi lamented that they did not have a similar power? Would they hesitate to use that power to dictate the provisions of HealthCare, of Amnesty for Illegals, and Cap and Trade?
I said a year ago it was not yet time for a revolution. We are getting closer every day. Let me be clear. That notion scares the shit out of me.
Sic Semper Tyrannis. Is it coincidence that our Government considers a tyrannical act to pass Obamacare during the ides of March? Clio, you funny, funny muse.
March 13, 2010
You say you want some evolution
Saturday morning has dawned mild and cloudy. The robins are chirping and crocus and tulips are starting to push through the snow-melt damp soil. Spring is on the way, finally.
One cup of coffee is down my gullet as I read the paper. My daughter's engagement announcement is in the paper today. Did you see it?
It occurs to me that we can find fanatics and small-minded people of all stripes. The lefty liberal progressives are all about making fun of fundamental Christians. For your typical just out of college Che T-shirt wearing ignoramus, those that profess a deep abiding love of God are just ignorant mouth breathers.
I do believe that those who still are firm believers in man-made global warming display ignorance akin to those who deny the existence of evolution. To be clear, since there are some of you who did not pay attention in biology, Darwin did not claim man came from apes. For you on the other side, there is no evidence that the planet has warmed in the past 15 years. In fact, it has been warmer and colder at different times in history. Weather patterns change. Man has nothing to do with it.
Just as some televangelists use God to become rich, those who are at the lead of the Global warming hoax are getting rich too.
I hate to do it, but much of this post was inspired by these jackasses.
One cup of coffee is down my gullet as I read the paper. My daughter's engagement announcement is in the paper today. Did you see it?
It occurs to me that we can find fanatics and small-minded people of all stripes. The lefty liberal progressives are all about making fun of fundamental Christians. For your typical just out of college Che T-shirt wearing ignoramus, those that profess a deep abiding love of God are just ignorant mouth breathers.
I do believe that those who still are firm believers in man-made global warming display ignorance akin to those who deny the existence of evolution. To be clear, since there are some of you who did not pay attention in biology, Darwin did not claim man came from apes. For you on the other side, there is no evidence that the planet has warmed in the past 15 years. In fact, it has been warmer and colder at different times in history. Weather patterns change. Man has nothing to do with it.
Just as some televangelists use God to become rich, those who are at the lead of the Global warming hoax are getting rich too.
I hate to do it, but much of this post was inspired by these jackasses.
March 12, 2010
He lives
Good morning blog world. I come to you with my face blackened from a week of firefighting. Not literally, but solving the inevitable customer issues we all face from time to time in business. Unfortunately all of my issues are hitting at every customer simultaneously. Such is life. It is good to have a job, and a busy day makes the time go by faster.
That also means my time to post and read you guys is limited. We will just have to improvise, adapt and overcome as my man Clint says in one of my favorite movies. Do you know what movie that is from? No fair cheating and using a search engine to find the answer.
My daughter called last night. Apparently she has the same problem as Yabu, only hers was inside -- in the basement. She said it was the biggest possum she had ever seen. It was sitting on the speakers, next to the flat panel TV. She said it just bared its teeth and did that hiss/growl possums do. She asked me what to do. I told her to call animal control -- I am not going to try and catch a crazy possum, and shooting it inside the house is not an option.
Animal came and hauled it away, along with its brother they found patrolling in the backyard. The guy said he will come back today and try to see how it got in. I told her welcome to the joys of home ownership. She is a little relieved. She was starting to think her house was haunted the past few days -- she kept hearing scratching sounds under the floor! Now she thinks it was the critter. She hopes.
That also means my time to post and read you guys is limited. We will just have to improvise, adapt and overcome as my man Clint says in one of my favorite movies. Do you know what movie that is from? No fair cheating and using a search engine to find the answer.
My daughter called last night. Apparently she has the same problem as Yabu, only hers was inside -- in the basement. She said it was the biggest possum she had ever seen. It was sitting on the speakers, next to the flat panel TV. She said it just bared its teeth and did that hiss/growl possums do. She asked me what to do. I told her to call animal control -- I am not going to try and catch a crazy possum, and shooting it inside the house is not an option.
Animal came and hauled it away, along with its brother they found patrolling in the backyard. The guy said he will come back today and try to see how it got in. I told her welcome to the joys of home ownership. She is a little relieved. She was starting to think her house was haunted the past few days -- she kept hearing scratching sounds under the floor! Now she thinks it was the critter. She hopes.
March 10, 2010
Patience Hoosierboy fans
Work and travel and work are taking precedence. We will return to normal programing when time permits.
March 9, 2010
The Second Monday This Week
Work, brings in the money that pays for food, lights, housing, gas, etc.
Blogging pays nothing, it uses valuable time.
Work comes first.
To the left is a pictorial image of my life today. Each animal represents me dealing with a different customer.
Plus, because I am the perfect man, I also did a load of laundry and cleaned/changed the furnace filters this morning.
And I am having a bacon sandwich for lunch.
March 8, 2010
Dear President Obama
I heard excerpts of the Health Care speech you read from the Teleprompter today in Pennsylvania. You sir, are either ignorant of the legislative process, woefully lacking in your understanding of mathematic principles, or a liar.
Since your resume consists of little work experience beyond serving as a politician, I have to believe you understand basic civics and how a bill is passed on the Federal level.
I am positive you can count to 60, and I am pretty sure you can count to 218. Surely a graduate of Harvard can count, or at least hire someone to divide 435 in half to ascertain the number of votes it takes to pass a law? Or to determine what 3/5 of 100 equals? That is the number of votes required to stop debate in the Senate.
That leaves us with the only remaining reason for your comments today. You are a willful, chronic, liar. You appear incapable of telling the truth. Blaming Republicans for the failure to pass sweeping Health Care Legislation is beyond disingenuous, it is a complete and total fabrication, a falsehood.
Until a few weeks ago your party had super majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. You could have passed any bill you presented. The Republicans could not muster enough votes to prolong debate. Claiming otherwise is a big fat damn lie.
Any of your sycophants that parrot these "Blame the Republicans" falsehoods are liars too.
Oh, and Mr. Obama, you pleaded with us to "make our voice heard in Washington". We are trying. Look at the polls -- your health care bullshit is as popular as veal at a vegitarian convention. We do not want it. We are speaking, maybe you should shut your lying pie hole and listen.
Since your resume consists of little work experience beyond serving as a politician, I have to believe you understand basic civics and how a bill is passed on the Federal level.
I am positive you can count to 60, and I am pretty sure you can count to 218. Surely a graduate of Harvard can count, or at least hire someone to divide 435 in half to ascertain the number of votes it takes to pass a law? Or to determine what 3/5 of 100 equals? That is the number of votes required to stop debate in the Senate.
That leaves us with the only remaining reason for your comments today. You are a willful, chronic, liar. You appear incapable of telling the truth. Blaming Republicans for the failure to pass sweeping Health Care Legislation is beyond disingenuous, it is a complete and total fabrication, a falsehood.
Until a few weeks ago your party had super majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. You could have passed any bill you presented. The Republicans could not muster enough votes to prolong debate. Claiming otherwise is a big fat damn lie.
Any of your sycophants that parrot these "Blame the Republicans" falsehoods are liars too.
Oh, and Mr. Obama, you pleaded with us to "make our voice heard in Washington". We are trying. Look at the polls -- your health care bullshit is as popular as veal at a vegitarian convention. We do not want it. We are speaking, maybe you should shut your lying pie hole and listen.
Slowly count to ten....
I did not get a paper again today. I think that is seven times since the beginning of February. I do not know what is so hard about the process. Put the paper in any red newspaper box you see on your route. It is sad when the customer service rep at the paper recognizes your address.
March 7, 2010
I am not even getting my hopes up this year
There was another sure sign that spring is just around the corner yesterday. The Cubs were on WGN. They are already back to their 2009 form --no pitching and no hitting. They were pounded by the Chisox 127 -0. It sure seemed that way. It is going to be another long year, I am afraid. My prediction -- 102 years and counting.
March 6, 2010
Chickaboom, chickaboom
It is the usual weekend routine. I wake very early and cannot go back to sleep. During the week I cannot get awake, on the weekends I get up early. I am sure it is all based on Global warming Climate Change.
I had a glass of OJ and went to fetch the paper while the coffee was brewing. The paper was there this morning. I decided to have a little more juice, but the jug was no longer in the 'fridge. Of course it was in the cabinet where we store th glasses. getting old sucks. I wish I could blame my stupidity on a hangover.
The sun is shining and it looks to be a good day here in God's favorite State of the Union. It may even hit 50 degrees today! I noticed when I came in from getting the paper the wife still has a snowman doormat out. She is to blame for the weather. I will get that put away this morning.
I saw a robin this morning. Spring is on the way.
BTW, my birthday is coming up in a few weeks, so you should start thinking about what you are going to get me. As I often say, if you are not actively trying to make my life better, you should be helping someone who is.
It is all about the old HB....
I had a glass of OJ and went to fetch the paper while the coffee was brewing. The paper was there this morning. I decided to have a little more juice, but the jug was no longer in the 'fridge. Of course it was in the cabinet where we store th glasses. getting old sucks. I wish I could blame my stupidity on a hangover.
The sun is shining and it looks to be a good day here in God's favorite State of the Union. It may even hit 50 degrees today! I noticed when I came in from getting the paper the wife still has a snowman doormat out. She is to blame for the weather. I will get that put away this morning.
I saw a robin this morning. Spring is on the way.
BTW, my birthday is coming up in a few weeks, so you should start thinking about what you are going to get me. As I often say, if you are not actively trying to make my life better, you should be helping someone who is.
It is all about the old HB....
March 5, 2010
Friday Five -- Guess the theme, really easy edition
bonus, since you all love this feature soooo much...
I could have also given you Green Eyed Lady or Lady Marmalade, or that awful, Aerosmith song. What would you add?
March 4, 2010
Breaking News
Olympic committee takes back American skier Lindsey Vonn’s gold medal
The International Olympic Committee announced Monday that it has taken
back the gold medal previously awarded to American skier Lindsey Vonn
and given it to U.S. President Barack Obama.
Olympic officials said Obama deserved the medal more than Vonn because
no one has ever gone downhill faster than he has.
The International Olympic Committee announced Monday that it has taken
back the gold medal previously awarded to American skier Lindsey Vonn
and given it to U.S. President Barack Obama.
Olympic officials said Obama deserved the medal more than Vonn because
no one has ever gone downhill faster than he has.
March 2, 2010
Tuesday Afternoon
I drove 10 hours yesterday to be in position to meet a customer early this morning. These things happen -- his kids were sick and he did not come into work. I met with a couple other people and hit the road.
I have a customer visit on Wednesday North of Knoxville, so I am safely ensconced in my Hampton Inn North a little early. The trip over the mountains from the Charlotte area was brutal. Heavy snow, ice and rain accompanied me. Sometimes the visibility was only a hundred yards or so.
Shouldn't we be past this kind of weather in the mid-south by now? At least it is just rain here in eastern Tennessee. I should have a short customer visit on the morrow and be home by supper time.
All was not wasted on this trip. I was upgraded last night to a full-blown suite. Full living room, 1-1/2 baths, etc. This has happened before, but it is always cool. There are some benefits to travel and always staying at the same chain of hotels.
I have a customer visit on Wednesday North of Knoxville, so I am safely ensconced in my Hampton Inn North a little early. The trip over the mountains from the Charlotte area was brutal. Heavy snow, ice and rain accompanied me. Sometimes the visibility was only a hundred yards or so.
Shouldn't we be past this kind of weather in the mid-south by now? At least it is just rain here in eastern Tennessee. I should have a short customer visit on the morrow and be home by supper time.
All was not wasted on this trip. I was upgraded last night to a full-blown suite. Full living room, 1-1/2 baths, etc. This has happened before, but it is always cool. There are some benefits to travel and always staying at the same chain of hotels.
March 1, 2010
Quick Comment Monday
Sidney Crosby may well be the most revered hockey player in Canada today. Even more popular than Gretzky.
My friend Dave is so religious he will only buy his insurance from Blue Cross.
The Olympics are finally over.
Curling is a fad, its poplarity will fade quickly to the dustbin. Just like pet rocks.
We may finally have average temperatures this weekend. We have not hit the average daily high since sometime in December.
Road trip.
I did get a newspaper this morning.
Too bad cheese and onion enchiladas do not love me as much as I love them.
What have you to add?
My friend Dave is so religious he will only buy his insurance from Blue Cross.
The Olympics are finally over.
Curling is a fad, its poplarity will fade quickly to the dustbin. Just like pet rocks.
We may finally have average temperatures this weekend. We have not hit the average daily high since sometime in December.
Road trip.
I did get a newspaper this morning.
Too bad cheese and onion enchiladas do not love me as much as I love them.
What have you to add?
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