Happy New Year

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for another year of this old blog. Your readership and comments mean more than you can imagine.

Go out and celebrate the end of 2009, good riddance, I say. I am sure many of you agree.

If you drink, let someone else drive. Be safe. Have fun. I will see you next year!

Just Because

Cooking with the Hoosierboy

I do most of the cooking around the old Hoosierboy homestead. I won't pretend I am a gourmet or top chef, but I get the meals done. I have mastered the art of timing, my dishes nearly all finish within a minute or two. I make a mean white gravy and those who have eaten my cooking rarely complain. Aside from from posts about my lunches or what I have eaten for supper this is no way a cooking blog.

That said, the wife brought home a recipe last week that is intriguing. When I read it, I thought it was one of the worst concoctions I have read. Upon tasting, this salad is excellent. I made it for the Hoosierboy family feast at Christmas and all who tasted it loved it.

Chili Corn Salad

2 cans of corn drained
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 cup mayonnaise
1 bag crushed chili cheese Fritos

Mix it all up.

There you have it. All I might add next time is maybe a dash of Tabasco or hot sauce and maybe use green onions instead of sweet yellow onion.

Let me know if you try it.

The year that was

It is just too much. The incompetence of the current administration and Democrat leaders in Congress leaves me just depressed. Can anyone point to one single example of something good that has been accomplished this year?

We spent nearly a trillion dollars on a stimulus that did not stimulate.

We spent billions of dollars destroying perfectly good used cars.

We took over two Auto companies and completely ignored the standards of bankruptcy law in the process.

We managed to insult some of our closest allies, including Great Britain and Israel.

We apologized to our enemies.

We failed to support democracy in Iran and Nicaragua, instead siding with despots.

We failed to bring home the Olympics, but managed to give American Taxpayers money to Third World Despots. I suggest President Obama not make any more trips to Copenhagen.

Obamacare is on track to pass, even though it will do nothing to reduce the cost of healthcare.

Unemployment has hit double digits with no end in sight.

Housing values are still falling.

We have had two terrorist attacks in recent weeks. Obama is determined to bring terrorists to the continental US, in spite of the wishes of teh People. He is going to conduct a civilian show trial for the mastermind of 9/11.

His administration has excused domestic criminals who denied votors access to the polls because of their race.

Seriously, has this year been better for anyone than 2008? Do you think 2010 will be a good year? Are you confident about your future?

We got the change Obama promised. It is our hope that has been destroyed.

Sports Commentary

Here's the reality: Some teams don't just play for championships, they play to be the best there has ever been. Others are just satisfied with doing what's required. The Colts decided that resting is more important than making a run at history.

--Teddy Bruschi ESPN

Yesterday the Colts had a shot at perfection and let it slip through their fingers. There was no reason to tank the game. There was hardly any chance the Jets could win against the Indy front-line players.

I get the arguments for resting the players. What if someone gets hurt, blah blah. If that is the concern then the starters should have been picking splinters for weeks now. Why are they playing a half at all? Look, they get a week off when the playoffs start. They can rest then, plus they just had ten days between games. I agree with the decision to hold out any injured player. That is smart, but to take out your best healthy players? That is not trying to win, that smacks of "I hope we don't lose".

The decision to rest the starters makes the come-from behind and hard-fought games the past few weeks a waste of time. The team is paid to win.

Here is a conspiracy theory for you. Had the Jets lost, there would be no team in the playoffs from NY, Chicago, LA, Houston or Miami -- some of the largest markets in the Country. The owners share TV revenue. It is in the owner's best interest to have lots of people watching the games. Did some of the owners put pressure on Colts owner Jim Irsay to rest his players? Not to lose on purpose, mind you, but to give the Jets a chance to win?

I do not pretend to have one-one millionth the football knowledge of the Colts management. I do know that the past two times they rested players, they were knocked out of the playoffs. The time they played through the end of the season they won the Superbowl. Pundits always talk about that team that goes into the playoffs on a roll as the team to beat. Recent Superbowls uphold that maxim (Pittsburgh, Arizona, Indy, The Giants,New England, etc,). Who was the last team to win the Superbowl entering the playoffs with a two game losing streak?

Christmas Hangover

Good Morning, I hope you all had a great Christmas. Even those of you who do not celebrate, I hope your day was good. Mine was. I got some fine gifts including a Cubs coffee mug and a new Colts hat, I cooked up a fine meal, enough food for a dozen people. The oldest boy is taking most of the leftovers with him back to school today. School does not start for a week or so, but he has to work. Yes, I am an evil parent, I make my kids work while they go to college. It has been great having him home.

Thank you for your kind comments and wishes for a Merry Christmas.

We are off to do the Hoosierboy family Christmas later today. I have some food to fix, so be good. Regular programing will resume on the morrow. Or maybe not. Tune in to see...

Merry Christmas

Santa Claus is coming tonight

Who was the most hated President in History?

I read something interesting this morning. You can read it too here. It seems that in the latest polls, 46% percent of the respondents report they strongly disapprove of President Obama's job performance.

At the end of his Presidency, George W Bush, the most loathed President ever according to the big-time media. had a disapproval rating of 43%. It took him eight years to become that unpopular. The Obama has accomplished it in less than a year.

How is that Hope and Change working out so far?

I cannot wait for certain liberal bloggers to eat their words and write my favorite sentence -- 'I was wrong and you were right" when, as I predicted, Conservatives again take control of Congress in 2010. And do not think I will not remind her of it when the time comes.

Just Because

This will mark the first year my daughter will not be home for Christmas. We will celebrate with her and her fiancee on the 26th. I keep telling myself it is just a day on the calender, but Christmas morning will still be strange. The wife and two boys and I will open our presents. I will fix a nice breakfast. Later I will bake a turkey and all of the trimmings. But something will still be missing. There are phone connections between Farmville and Chicago. We will have to make the best of the situation. Next year his parents will get the alternate day. I guess that is part of ever-growing families. Soon the boys will find loves of their own and go their separate ways too.

I am baking some pecan tassies later this morning. My daughter is coming this afternoon to bake Christmas cookies and candy with my wife. It is a long-time girl tradition around here.

Thanks George Bush

That whore Ben Nelson was not the deciding vote to move forward opn the worst piece of legislation to ever grace the halls of the Senate. You can blame the politician who only cares about keeping the perks and privledges of his office -- Arlen Sphincter. If GW had not campaigned for him last time he would not be in office, and not able to switch parties to be the key 60th vote. I hope the people of Pennsylvania are proud.

Me, I am calling out Senator Evan Bayh, He was a fairly conservative Governor. He lost all sense of the people of Indiana when he went to Washington, massing a very liberal voting record. Other so-called moderates got something for their votes. You, Sen. Bayh, are just the local slut -- giving it away for nothing. I suspect you will find your upcoming election bid a little tougher than you thought, especially if you continue your support for Cap and Trade and Card Check.

And that piece of shit Harry Reid claiming someone just died because he lacked insurance while Reid was pontificating. Yep, this is so urgent it will go into effect in five years. I hope we can elect some people with balls and courage come November of 2010 that will dismantle this big government boondoggle before it goes into effect.

That is my Christmas wish.

Go. Read.

Go over to Doug Ross' place and scroll through his posts the past 24 hours. There is a terrific rant by Victor the Contractor. Learn how the trial lawyers and excessive lawsuits are what is driving the cost of health care. Roughly 75% of your health insurance premium goes to fighting malpractice suits. Does Congress want to reform healthcare -- the answer is easy, except the Trial Lawyers are among the largest donors to the Democratic party. Educate yourself and act accordingly.

Dear Senator Evan Bayh

Do not sell us out. At least Ben Nelson and Mary Landreau got something for fucking over the people of their states. They may be whores, but that is a step up from giving it away for free. That just makes you a slut.

Please remember you are there to represent the people of Indiana, not the Democrat Party. Your Pop forgot that and he got stuffed by a Quayle. I am sure you are aware this is an election year.

You phones have been off the hook with calls the past two weeks, polls are overwhelmingly against moving forward with Obamacare. Represent the wishes of the people. Stand up and be a man. All politicians want to be remembered by history. Future generations will thank you for standing strong and doing what is right. Do not be afraid to make your mark for the people of Indiana and the citizens of the United States.

You proud Americans out there, those who favor limited, fiscally controlled Government. Write and call your Senator now. Here is a service that will fax your letters free. The vote is tonight. If you have ever considered letting your voice be heard, the time is now. Tomorrow is too late to stop this nonsense in its tracks. Let your Senator hear your voice.

If, like the good Senator Bayh, he/she ignores your will. Do everything in your power to vote him out of office.

Click here to send a free fax to your Representative. You must act today.

A Saturday Tale

Good morning Blog World. Hope all is well in your corner of the forest. We have a skiff of snow on the ground. For you non-Hoosiers that would be a dusting. The weather quacks claim we will have 2 inches by 9:00 in the morning. Mother Nature better get busy. I am not sure it is even still snowing.

After a very wet summer, we have seen little to no snow so far this season. It has been cold, but I can live with that. Maybe the dry spell will continue through January and February? That is some climate change I can get behind.

I met a buddy yesterday evening for a couple of cigars and a couple of beers. I had a nice time. It has been a long time since I went out. These days my extremely rare Boy's Night Out are pretty mellow. That is a far cry from my younger days when I lived the true redneck lifestyle, drinking, fighting and raising Hell. Somewhere in my archives is the story of my fight in a third rate strip club. I will offer a brief version here.

I was working the graveyard shift and a few of us went for drinks after work one Saturday morning. Some of you might find pounding beer at 7:00 in the morning a little strange, but those of you who have worked the third shift understand. Morning turned to late afternoon and only my pal Duane and I were left. We found ourselves in the infamous Combo Lounge, a dank strip club where aging and ugly strippers went to end their careers. Working a strip club in a farm town of 16,000 is not anywhere close to the road to fame and fortune.

There were about ten people in the bar on this Saturday afternoon. I was ignoring the strippers, as was my custom. I honestly have never really seen the point of getting yourself all flustered with no chance of release. Admittedly there was slim chance of that with this crop of females. The saturday afternoon crowd is not probably the place to make a lot of tips. My buddy Duane went to the restroom. A few minutes later I heard a commotion.

Suddenly the door to the head flew open and I see Duane, a big stocky linebacker in high school, deliver an overhand right to some guy's face. The stranger back peddled right at me. At the last minute he gained his balance and turned, just in time to meet my own right hand. In classic pack mentality, I figured if this guy had done something to deserve a punch from my friend, I was in it too. I am sure you guys will understand.

The stranger fell back from my punch only to get another smack from Duane. The guy was like a human version of one of those bumper cars you had as a kid. Every time it hit the wall it went in the opposite direction.

The guy offered no further resistance and Duane and I paid our tab and left at the suggestion of the management. After we staggered to our car, I asked Duane what the guy had done to warrant the mild beating. Duane said that he had pissed on the stranger's shoes while they were standing at the urinal (on purpose) and the guy had called him a mother fucker. "No one is calling me a mother fucker." Duane said.

Like Archie and Edith used to sing, "Those were the days"...

I know, let us borrow money to give to United Way

Imagine you have a neighbor. He is a nice guy, a Ned Flanders type. Old Ned has a mortgage, car payment, bills, the typical debt load. Ned learns the local food pantry needs donations, so he spends his grocery budget to help out the less fortunate. Our good Samaritan learns the homeless shelter needs donations and repairs. He bites the bullet and takes out a second mortgage to finance the repairs.

The economy sours and he has to borrow a little more to make his payments. He takes out credit cards to pay his credit card bills. He takes some items to the pawn shop. He has some unexpected medical bills. He is drowning in debt, but imagines he will survive somehow.

Our Hero decides to "adopt" a kid based on a late-night commercial. A local family's house burns down and there is a plea for donations. Ned sends three thousand dollars. He goes to the bank to discuss a third mortgage. He pleads with his boss for more hours.

Good old Ned has good intentions. He cares about his fellow man, but he is an idiot. He is bankrupting himself. I think most of us would agree.

The US is broke. We have a staggering national debt. The current administration has borrowed more money than all of the previous administrations combined. They are promising more debt and borrowing in the future.

Yet now we are promising we will borrow $100,000,000,000 -- that is one hundred billion dollars -- to give to Third World Countries to assuage our guilt over having advanced industrial capacity. We are going to pay these poor nations, many run by greedy despots, for our evil carbon usage. Our factories may spew CO2, a natural gas that makes farms more fertile, but the plight of the Third World is our fault somehow.

Just think, Hillary Clinton and the Obama administration just signed that third mortgage in your name for a payment of $333 for every man woman and child in this country, plus interest -- every year. I am all for helping out others, but when we are borrowing money to give as charitable donations, we need to take a step back.

I have been asked to leave better places

Why is it some liberals cannot take anyone questioning their belief system? The big pussy over at Cosmic Navel Lint has asked me to go away.

Boo Hoo, can you see my sadness? Blame any misspellings on the tears blurring my eyes.

It seems it is to inconvenient to answer the Constitutional issues presented in the Health Care debate. It is too inconvenient to present that the US Constitution limits the powers of the Federal Government.

Now I have dared to question his sheep-like devotion to the religion of Global Warming. That was going to far, and I have been asked to vacate the premises.

Here is the post and associated comments. I guess my joke hit a little close to home, eh?

I get it, it is Fluffly's blog (and he is about as substantive as a piece of lint) and he can do as he pleases. I will also state unequivocally that he is typical of most liberals, honest debate is not in the DNA. I guess that is why they want the Government to regulate everything; they will not have to think. They will just follow the State directives.

I posted my parting shot, and will not visit the place any more. Somehow I do not think my life or intellect will be a bit poorer for the decision.

Riddle me this

Many of my liberal readers consider me a moron. Here is your chance to educate me.

How is it possible to provide goods and services to twenty million, thirty million, or even one hundred people without adding any cost? Funny, most of you ridicule the Bible, where the only example of getting something from nothing is told in the loaves and fishes story.

I await your response.

Keen insight

You would not think so, but I have nothing so far today.

Keep checking in. You never know when inspriation will hit.

In the meantime, go on over to James Old Guy's place. He has been sick. Wish him a speedy recovery. Some of you think he has no heart, clearly that is not the case.

Ord till Tisdag

I am late getting a post up this morning. I went back to bed after the boy went to school and the wife to work. The joys of vacation. I got up early to make a taco dip plate for the wife to take to work. I know what you are thinking, and you are right. She does not deserve me.

As I type I am having a bit of breakfast. Three fig newtons, two pieces of cold bacon and one can of root beer. It almost sounds like some redneck version of the Twelve Days of Christmas. The bacon was left over from supper last night. I made a pot of potato soup and BLTs. Reheated soup is on the menu for lunch today. It is even better when reheated. If you do not believe me, come on over around noon.

It appears a decision was made in the dark of night to bring the Gitmo terrorists to Illinois. I am not a genius, so can anyone explain the difference in holding terrorists, caught on the battlefield in civilian clothing, prisoner in Illinois compared to Gitmo? The only difference is now they are on US Soil should they escape. And yes, prisoners do escape from prisons.

Has there ever been an administration and Congress so hell-bent on defying the wishes of the People? No wonder 40+ percent of those polled recently said they wish that worthless GW Bush was back in office. That, my friends, is a pretty sad commentary on Hope and Change.

Not a bearded clam, a bearded Hoosierboy

I last sported facial hair back in my college days. I had a full beard, but no mustache -- Amish style. I kept it about a month or six weeks. I went a week or so a few years back and my wife bitched like you cannot imagine. I shaved it mostly because the itchy phase was tough.

I am now on day two of not shaving. I am thinking about growing a beard over the next few weeks, since I am on vacation. I am certain it will be very gray, if not white. It may make me look older.

Since I base my entire life on the opinions of others (sarcasm alert), what do you think? Grow the beard or shave? If I go with the beard I will post a pic.

Pretend you are a Democrat -- vote early and vote often.