Liberty Pole Post

Occupy Wall Street -- Revolution or Devolution

2011-10-12T10:36:00.000-10:00

Anyone else a little bored with the whole 'revolution' movement as represented in NY? Really? The 99 Percenters are sitting around with their blue tooth headsets in their ears; their smartphones; some with their tablets and talking about POVERTY in America? Really? For a long long time, America had a clue about destitution and how it looked; about poverty and how it appeared. They saw it when pictures of little malnourished children were shown to incite the viewer to join in a monthly donation to a save the children charity. We see it every time a natural disaster hits a truly underdeveloped area of the world. We don't see people living in squalor with blue tooth devices, smartphones, even electricity. We don't hear of Pizza's being delivered or smoked salmon being made available to them.

This may be the beginning of a revolt against boredom and austerity but it is no revolution against poverty! The folks who are hanging out down there on the streets, many of them as shown in video on various news channels, or interviewed by documentary producers, manifest more middle class than poverty. They may be unemployed; may be even unemployable but they do not know poverty or destitution. In watching the many shots it is interesting to see so many people deliberately crowding around with one another manifesting the baser qualities of humankind 'taking' what they can and while defecating literally on the world. But it is a choice they have made. How utterly embarrassing for America that such a collection of people should be gathering together giving way to a slothful demonstration against hard working and successful Americans!

What is with the whole 'repeat after me' chanting thing..oh wait! That is called 'brain washing'. That is the leadership of the minions telling their groupie friends 'If I want your opinion I will give it to you!' And are these alleged adults in preschool? Wiggle your fingers upwards if you agree? What?

This is no revolution. This is camping in the park with a bunch of bored people who are enjoying their 15 minutes of fame BUT becoming conditioned to listening to the repeat after me leadership without 'thinking' why? What is next? There is already a segment of the folks there who have made no bones about being ready to commit violent acts against anyone who does not agree or approve of their presence, message or tactics. The foundation and camaraderie is being developed. The large group is forging friendships based on a cause and so long as that cause is kept alive their commonalities will be a powerful emotional and psychological bond. With the right leadership a true REVOLUTION would be easily called to pass. Then the movement veers away from the town centers and vilified icons they are revolting against to the people who 'have' what they believe they are entitled too.

Right now, we are seeing DEVOLUTION. This is a manifestation of a willful break down of societal constraints that have traditionally been engrained in the 'good citizen' with regards to property rights; personal safety and respect for others. It appears the 'ME' generation that has been being groomed for decades has finally arrived at their time, locked and loaded with flashpoint buttons set to call for all out anarchy. We have gone from flash mobs dancing in malls in a seeming spontaneous outburst of innocuous and artful creativity to just mobs waiting for the a flashpoint and artful creativity will only be evident in how those who are pulling the strings, supporting this break down in our society, bring about the anarchy that has plagued country after country for this whole past couple of years! Remember the G20 Summit?

Do you really WANT to encourage a violent revolution? Will you pooh pooh the obvious DEVOLUTION? This is not just another phase. This is an eruption that has been building for a long time, a MANtural disaster sure to bring the world to its knees...I don't know about you but my knees can't take that much pressure!

RESOLUTION through Constitution is the answer to this. A person's character and their faith provides their personal constitution and our interaction with others is based on the application of principles held in America's Constitution! The Bill of Rights provides for the obvious. The right to peaceful assembly is guaranteed but not when it is to the destruction of someone's person or property. The right to free speech is a guarantee but it has consequences when you 'speak' the wrong thing. There are laws against threatening violence against another; or death of another.

Hope I am not alone in praying this plan to overthrow traditional America with a fundamental change will never reach critical mass. The question is, 'can you sleep on a stormy night?'

As Assange goes, so goes Free Press/Speech

2010-12-07T09:22:00.003-10:00

Doesn't matter what our individual opinion is on the content, the intent, or the reprint of the Wikileaks vs US scandal. From a 'LIBERTY' point of view, once we begin to muzzle FREE PRESS, or if you disagree with his site as 'press' then FREE SPEECH, to this extent you can kiss YOUR OWN speech and press goodbye!

The morality of his actions with regards his web site will be dealt with by plenty of others. News reports have Mr. Assange and those associated with him, like his attorney, being threatened daily with murder. What happens to him once incarcerated may be an intended -- unintended consequence. He and those who assist him have to make peace within themselves for whatever actions they take, and finally, they must face the music after it is all said and done before the great JUDGE!

However, the idea that one entity -- like Wikileaks -- can post documents and the nations appear incensed enough to rattle their respective sables, while other press/speech that is protected, like renown American Newspapers, continues to release the same information with impunity, manifests an obvious 'bigger picture' conspiracy! In fact, it is rather ironic the US Govt is allegedly INCAPABLE of protecting its 'secret' information but thus far no news agency has been able to uncover the real reason why the US or any other nation is so OBVIOUSLY playing the public with staged outrage seeking the shutdown of the man and his business! Facts are: all the while the intelligence agencies for the different countries, like the US, were fully informed as to where he was and how accessible all along!

There has been details released through the media, for instance on Fox Business Network's "Freedom Watch", where the attorney for Ms. Assange has openly shared that his client's whereabouts have been known by the government authorities in the country he was staying! Yet if you listened to the news [even on FBN's sister agency, FoxNews] it is WHERE IN THE WORLD IS ASSANGE?

For what? To be questioned as to his sources? Like the US cannot figure out exactly when and where the documents were downloaded? Questioned as to what else he may have? Again, like the US cannot figure out the nature of the documents? Like the US hasn't got hackers working for them who could access Assange's stash?

We have had the release of military docs; now the release of state department docs; the threat of release of alleged Bank docs. What is it that the US knows he has they do not want released? Or, what is it they are calling his bluff to force him to release!?!

The headline today is most telling: "Assange arrested for not wearing a condom"! And yet, here we are America. We are drawn to a story because of its titillating headline while we neglect the FREEDOMS that are being forever altered, yet again, for our 'safety'! It may be a crime in Sweden to refuse to wear condom, I don't know, but I am so thoroughly distrustful of our government that I would not be surprised to find out AMERICAN dollars will have been spent or promised to everyone from the Swedish Government down to the women making the allegations to get to this point. Again, I ask, what is the end game for the US?

His being arrested for alleged crimes is a separate issue from the international cry to SHUT down Wikileaks and to classify the site as some sort of terrorist consortium as impetus to that end!

His site today; NY Times tomorrow? Unconstitutional abridgment of free speech and we sit by and let it happen.

Wake up! SPEAK up! Let the morality police deal with no condoms. Let the individual governments deal with their 'alleged' lack of internal security. But YOU, YOU stand up and SPEAK your mind and support the right to FREE speech before you have neither!

Better to be Red than Dead!

2010-11-02T22:09:00.002-10:00

CONGRATULATIONS AMERICA! You stood up, signed up, polled up and stayed up and today began the long trek to bring it home for the kids and the grandkids!

As a child, I was taught to say 'I would rather be dead than red.' Of course, that was the brainwashing verbiage of a generation who feared a communist take over where anyone under the age of 30 would be executed because they could not be taught. But this evening as I contemplated the win I grinned. AGAIN! Communism has been foiled and interestingly by two generations: 1] the one who feared it during the cold war years and 2] their kids!

What is even better is being able to say; thanks to the RED superimposed over the majority of the lower 48 citizens in this country -- the elderly, the infirm, the unfortunate -- will not be denied treatment because of government run HEALTH CARE! Instead, thanks to the vote, America is now on a path to repeal and obstruct the implementation of various aspects of this law through refusing appropriations and initiating legislation to remove the burden from upon the fine folks of this great land.

It will not be easy. And it will not be swift. But it is not the most impending disaster that needs immediate attention. Reining in the deficit, especially in light of the Fed's getting ready to devalue the Dollar by at least 20% Nov 3!

How does that play out? The out of control train wreck America has been riding since January 2009 has had the brakes put on. Will it be enough to bring it to a safe stop? Time will tell. But what will happen is the democratic governors who would indulge their state in 'big government' policies will have fewer and fewer dollars from the Feds to use for their own out of control spending. In reality, the dems who survived the vote tonight will have the hardest time governing in whatever office they hold because the gravy train's engineering staff has been replaced with a leaner more efficient director!

This will have serious consequences for states like NY, CA and HI who are all blue and who have such deficits they are on the brink of financial collapse. Hawaii has a 20 percent food stamp dependency and the State has actively been trying to get as many people enrolled in its food stamp program as possible. Without federal funding that will be a program which will no doubt see drastic cuts. CA hasn't learned its lesson yet. They'd rather be taxed to outrageous levels than to vote in anyone with 'business' savvy. They are so far in the hole they will likely not see the light of day for a very long time. Going back to the teat of the Obama Government is no longer an option. Congress will NOT support it.

The wisdom of our forefathers in designing a terrific republic where the 'people' have the power and the inherent drive to protect their freedoms has in our lifetime never been more self evident than today! Sharia Law in Oklahoma, shot down by the people! I am not sure how come that was on the ballot for this is not a country which recognizes a single religious state/authority. Possession and right to carry a gun was voted in by the good folks of Kansas. Freedoms preserved even on a state level.

Today was a true voter revolution in state after state. With the majority of governors aligned with a conservative bend those states will be brought back from the brink of collapse. Within those states, a conservative change in the majority of their legislators solidly sets the respective states on track for fiscal discipline, albeit tough, which will be unpopular with socialist leaning Americans but in time will see the quality of life begin to rise up as the mythological Phoenix.

It is way too early to predict 2012 and the after math of that vote, but if the newly elected Congress and their corresponding partners in the Senate begin immediately the long process of slowing the momentum of the Obama Train until it can safely be turned it may be possible to head it down a more rational and reasonable path. It could build equity -- perhaps building on the 2010 historic success.

For the record, I think the balance is great right now. The power is in Congress. The Senate has its own character, the President his own. It is finally as it should be. No one party in power.

Thank God for the respite. We may never fully know the disaster that has been averted. While there are many people who have sacrificed much to make this happen, there are a core group of visionary people who I hope history will remember well. The media: FoxNews. The people: Glenn Beck and his entire entourage; leaders in the political field, some of whom were elected today, while others were not but in includes those who championed the candidates from the sidelines through their support as well. The nation: Americans who stopped long enough to see there was something wrong with the route the O Train was taking and began to actively stop it. And God, whose Patience, Righteousness, Faithfulness and Mercy has blessed us once more with a call to our core principles and values and a reminder of the responsibility we have as caretaker of the single most powerful form of government since HIS theocratic rule of Israel of old. It is my hope today's victory would be approved as a right course by such American Icons as John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. It took a bit of Thomas Paine and Benjamin Franklin to get us motivated and moving but surely their spirit rejoices at the train as it chugs along "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!"

And the winner is? Envelope please

2010-11-01T23:06:00.006-10:00

Thought I would join the universal clicking of nails on keyboards around the world as bloggers sit in their respective basements in their jammies, sipping their diet coke and madly recording their pebble of opinion!

I watched most of the day, mostly to see if Rossi, Miller, McDonnell, Fiorina, Whitman, Kasich, Angle and Tancredo were starting to move ahead. Some are, some aren't.

Gagged when I saw McCain trying to sound all 'on it' when he is so part of the 'demogop'! [Of course, in case you haven't figured it out..'demogop' is my contraction of Democrat/GOP.] Listened to Boehner turn a nasty by Obama around to a positive recognizing the 'patriots' who have spent the last 18 months doing what many of them have never done before, get out and 'speak up'. The silent majority has found their collective voice and tomorrow, NOVEMBER 2, 2010, it will resound through the valleys, on the mountains, in the desserts and the plains, over the lakes and hopefully across the ocean. When the day is done, the challenge begins!

Demogops beware! Americans have had enough. Tea Party candidates please learn the lesson of the past few years..do not leave the folks in the dark. Get your work out there. Let us know what you are doing, how it is going, who is impeding it, what we have to do to assist you in sitting down, rolling up your sleeves and getting down to the NATIONAL AUDIT!

We have an exciting election ahead of us tomorrow. Often in our days we have witnessed history in the making. Some has been horrible, traumatic and inconsolable. Some of it was eventful, hopeful, inspirational, awesome and unimaginable. Tomorrow's election will be a bookmark for the first decade of the 21st Millennium! It is likely to dwarf the 2008 landmark election by putting the exclamation mark right over it!!!

It has been great fun these past few months keeping track of what is what. Tomorrow ushers in a new era and new headlines. Hopefully, we can get dressed, emerge from our basements and check out the bright new future...of course, the bright new future is afar off...between now and then there is a lot of hard work, sacrifice and some uncomfortable times. But, when it finally starts to emerge, and we are feeling good about ourselves again, the national pride will be palpable!

November 2, 2010, alas, LIBERTY begins her restoration.

May God bless America.

Juan Willams & Political Correctness

2010-10-22T08:37:00.007-10:00

Folks in America are having their minds, their attention and their 'news' viewing narrowly focused these past four days because of a single incident that involved the termination of an employee from a Radio broadcast company. People are fired from their jobs in radio and television often. So what's the big deal here?

POLITICAL CORRECTNESS! And who came up with the term 'politically correct' when using euphemisms to try and be sensitive or tactful. In the olden days, before everything became 'politic' centric, people communicated with each other from a position of familiarity. If they were very familiar with whom they were speaking, say they shared sentiments and opinions on a topic, they felt free enough to just speak their mind. It was how you knew there were no 'games' being played between you. If one was unfamiliar with the other they would use somewhat more opaque terminology initially switching to translucent as the commonalities were established. It is how we got to know each other. First, start off with safe topics then move on to more controversial in baby steps to begin to mentally and emotionally catalog the individual. One may start of for instance establishing standards of acceptable expression by referring to someone who is grossly overweight by just that vernacular: grossly overweight. It isn't personally directed, it is an acceptable and reasonable statement of fact, and it is not considered objectionable when not personally directed. As you become more free to speak your mind, or, less guarded in your speech, you might next say 'obese' then move on to 'huge' and lastly, just say FAT! It is development of a comfort zone in self expression and communication with others.

Then, along came the 'politically correct' culture where everything must be diffused to its most obscure representation, tantamount to lying, or at the very least, covering intent, and voila you have a community as a nation of people who are afraid to simply express themselves.

The unspoken truth in all of this is the reality that today, our culture as a nation does not support reading, or in depth analysis of any situation not part of our job. Instead of words we now learn through pictures/graphics. Instead of using our heads to figure out a math problem we reach for a calculator. Instead of sitting around a dinner table encouraging frank, open and intense 'co'mmunication we grab a bite whenever, sit and eat in front of the television or sit at the table 'texting' by using a series of consonants to convey thoughts. The 'art' of communication is disappearing from every day life between all relationships from the most intimate to the most casual and yet EVERYONE knows the POLITICALLY CORRECT way to say something. Why? Because WE ARE BEING TOLD the right choice in verbiage! To what end? Well, what happens when you use an electric prod on a bunch of cattle? Or shepherds nipping and barking at a flock of sheep? They go, behave and think what you want them to and personal resistance is minimized. What is else is minimized?

Think about it! Critical thinking, personal freedoms, sense of self. There are so many people unable to cope with life anymore that masses are taking mood altering drugs; the way information is delivered in any medium is directed in terms of 'sound bites' and 'headlines' we even have a growing social medium which deliberately restricts the number of characters you can actually use to transfer data to 140 characters! Hence the need to use a combination of letters and numbers and symbols to convey the full idea between individuals.

So now 3 decades later, firmly rooted as a stalwart part of our society, we have POLITICAL CORRECTNESS! Let us not forget, the 'high minded' the 'elitist' believe one is judged on their ability to speak in PC terms! If you speak your mind, clearly, succinctly and honestly you are uneducated, lack class, socially challenged and inevitably dismissed without any consideration as to the substance, quality or genius the self expression may have contained. You are marked as 'Homer Simpson'!

In the olden days [50 years ago] we were taught if we did not have something nice to say about someone to keep our mouth shut! Now, we can indulge in 'talking stink' about someone so long as we use PC terms. Now, we can destroy someone's life and reputation by using PC terms. Ah, that reminds me, Juan Williams. The man was a guest on a FoxNews program and made a statement in conversation about how he feels about traveling via public transportation in the presence of someone dressed in a particular way whose appearance is generally understood to represent a 'group' -- the fringes of which is understood to have murdered thousands of people in several countries for no reason excepting those we would consider 'radical'. See how long that took to say politically correct? Instead of just saying, Mr. Williams said when he sees Muslims dressed in certain attire when boarding a plane he is uncomfortable. What's the big deal? Isn't he saying what most people here and abroad feel? Yet, it cost him his job with the company he worked with for over a decade. Why? Because they are so keenly focused on TELLING YOU AND I what to think by disallowing certain forms of self expression. They'd rather you 'hide' your honest feelings so as to circumvent any discomfort among a group of people who either represent the group as 'radicals' or who have failed to denounce the 'radicals' and distance themselves from such ones sufficiently to allow for comfortable co-habitation on an airplane! They are also part of a system that continues the 'indoctrination' of the practice of acceptable PC. COME ON!!!

It seems as though this has come to a boiling and roiling point and the PC movement may be in danger of crumbling down around the ankles of its master while people begin to slip back into habits from long ago where they express themselves honestly with each other and at the same time build trust among each other. TRUST, TRUTH, two things which the POLITICALLY CORRECT culture has surgically removed from the communication between people and instead of bringing us closer has insulated each of us from each other while creating 'group think' and 'group speak'!

The BORG from Star Trek had a saying 'you have been assimilated!' We have. It is through learned speech habits that creates the antithesis of commonality by making us all strangers while branding us all with the same iron.

It is definitely time to recapture our right to FREELY THINK, FREELY SPEAK, FREELY ENGAGE with each other, if so inclined. Time to be truthful, trust WORTHY and most of all, be a MAN [insert 'person' for PC] of our word.

Word to the 'wise'? If you don't want to be called a nut, don't act, dress, speak or live as one. Otherwise, you will be called a nut! There are provocateurs among us who position themselves to trap those who would 'react' to the art of provocation. After one reacts they are punished through public chastisements and law suits. Why? Because of honest reaction to a staged situation! You wear black leather vests, bandannas, look unkempt, ride motorcycles and have large gutting knives in your back pocket you will be called a motorcycle gang member with all the negativity that conjures. In my face with your lifestyle and I will respond based on the perception you want me to have. Leave me alone and no problem. The loss of 'quiet living' of 'personal' space and of honest self expression is one of the many underlying problems with the 'society' today as it is in the throes of decay and it is not at all by chance! It is by design and the 30 years of implementation have wrought exactly the fruitage intended by its designers.

So, what will you do? Help me grow thick skin? Call me fat? I am...you are speaking the truth. Is it your place to discuss my being fat? The whole of the US is a FREE SPEECH ZONE so have at it. That street runs both ways.

Juan Williams winds up scoring big on this in one way...he wound up with a contract making more money working more full time at a place he spent a part of each day anyway. Sadly, to get there his whole life has been the 'headline' one way or another everywhere, including here!

Is Someone Else Cueing up your Mind?

2010-09-17T11:19:00.003-10:00

In the mad dash to 'level the playing field politics' currently in play, albeit in peril, people who watch Television or read Newspapers and Magazines or spend time perusing the myriad of op-ed blogs on the internet have been conditioned over time to envision certain iconic images whenever they hear certain words in a specific context. For instance, say the word Terror, what pops in your mind? Say the word 'terror' attack and 9/11 and what iconic image pops in your mind, the Twin Towers? Say the word 'terror' and Nightmare on Elm and likely the iconic image will be of Freddy Kruger. We fasten 'events' or impressive visuals to words which translate into images and we store them for contextual and cognitive access. This is no secret and it is one marketing firms have exploited for a very very long time!

Enters the cause based politician whose world view provides the context of all of his/her mental imagery and in an effort to garner acceptability and to propagate the cause beyond themselves they have learned the lessons of marketing and have fine tuned the art of mind manipulation, even so subtly those who believe themselves 'strong minded' and 'immune' to such nonsense fall prey to the masterful employment of a tried and true craft: Sleight of hand! Watch this hand...OH! DID YOU SEE THAT? The other hand produced a surprise as if out of thin air!! Wow, what a surprise.

Recently we have been given to much discussion, especially related to Ms. Obama, where words like 'obesity' and 'poverty' are linked together. It is no secret she and her husband believe everyone in the world should have everything they need regardless of any known impediment needed to get them. They have used terms like 'equality' and 'level playing field' to lock in our minds their message. So how exactly does that work?

Americans are known worldwide for their generosity. They have historically established a national compassion which is based on the individual manifestation of the same! So, when individual Americans hear things like the 'poverty level' has gone up, because most people have never experienced 'real' poverty in context iconic images like little children with bloated bellies lying about on dirty streets, or whole hospitals with children laying on cots with open oozing sores and flies crawling all over them are their reference images. They see other children who have hands cupped around small containers with white rice in them as their day's ration of food. America intellectually grasps what real poverty is because it has been being introduced into their consciousness via the television for decades. But that is the image of poverty and when we hear our national 'poverty level' has increased we start accessing the stored images we have contextually stored under 'poverty' in our mind's bank of files to perceive what is being said.

Then there is the 'obesity' problem in kids that keeps being introduced and reintroduced into our daily consciousness via television images of stranger's butts walking down the street overflowing their pants or waddling in a skirt, most of which are adult behinds in any case. That is actually a correct image of obesity. Yet, what a dichotomy to have the mind juggle 'obesity' which is always associated with eating too much, which is associated with having the means to feed yourself too much, with the horrid images of poverty -- also being discussed daily. Confuse the mind? First you say 'fat' then you say 'skinny' and then you say this is a epidemic in our nation and your mind is trying to juggle horrific images of children dying of malnutrition and opportunistic disease and butts falling out of pants and the first lady determined this is a problem needing aggressive intervention, and you have a society starting to just fall into lock step because it must be so!

STOP! Think! In 2003, 0.88 billionth of the world's population subsisted on $1.00 a day. That represents 13.6% of the world population in 2003. 48% of the world population subsisted on $2.50 a day. How much are you living on? Really? When you break down the cost of the roof over your head, the food and water you have access to, utilities, just the necessities, what is the per day cost? In our country, even those who exist on the streets in dire poverty, for America, manage to come in for a free meal, but it still costs someone to provide it? No way it can be broken down to $2.50 per day! The mental images we have of poverty really is poverty. America has difficult times and many are without the standard of living other may enjoy and that is where the manipulation begins to connect and move the people. Because American's feel such compassion for lessor fortunate people when they hear kids are going hungry they immediately think little kids with bloated tummies laying in cots with oozing sores and tons of flies. But is that really America's childhood reality? What public school in all of America does not offer 'poverty level' kids free breakfast and lunch? And is it a small container of white rice or is it a nutritious somewhat balanced meal? The kids are given ample opportunity to exercise and maintain the natural immunity their system produces from nutritious meals and regular exercise.

We must slow down and watch both hands! Just because we are fooled into thinking the kids of America live in inequality when it comes to basic needs doesn't mean it is the same level of destitution we see from other countries where it really exists. They have taken on a bold cause trying to reduce obesity while touting poverty simultaneously. But what comes from the message? Being on message with Ms. Obama now has 'choice' being modified. Where we could go and choose a container of regular cottage cheese, many stores no longer offer anything but reduced fat or fat free choices. Fast food chains are being asked to replace their popular food items with vegetables and fruits. This does nothing to change the behavior of the consumer but if you federally mandate it what it will do is reduce the choice in places to take your family for a meal. When you raise the taxes on items considered a source for obesity, such as soda, you reduce the choice of beverages until the beverage companies no longer exist. And people comply because? They have allowed their minds to be cued up by external stimuli such as television and newspapers and then fall right into formation making choices until one day when they begin to miss their favorite french fries or a guzzle of their favorite cola and they go to buy either only to find out neither are there to buy that it dawns on them they've been had! Freedoms were yanked right out from underneath them with their full consent conditioned like the frog in a pot of water quickly warming to a boil..felt good until it didn't.

Maybe you don't frequent fast food chains or drink sodas but you appreciate the 'freedom' to make that choice for yourself enough to understand others should have the freedom to choose for themselves to imbibe in a soda with fries.

Stand up! Don't be deceived by the agenda of the folks who wish to bring you the quality of life that looks like everyone wearing military green work clothes, living in apartments that look exactly the same and eating whatever is served by the government down at the community kitchen. A nation whose freedoms are daily being surreptitiously stolen by the current powers at be is only the latest in a long line of politicians who have used 'words' and 'images' married and stored in our mental filing cabinet to launch a long term assault on our individuality while trying to reign us in under the control of big government. If I were to say 'terror' in the context of 'Solient Green' would that move you to WAKE UP? It is a few minutes until we cross the line of 'no return' and YOU and others like you becoming politically savvy and coming of age in this time of crisis of consciousness stand just this side of extinction. Our parents gave us a better world than we are giving our kids. Is that right?

At every level of life, not just food, our choices are being modified without our conscious consent and to our nation's detriment. I hope my grand child will grow up in a world where they can choose to relish a dark chocolate fudge brownie ice cream cone from 31 Flavors or relish a shiny bright red ripened tomato from their own garden. It should be their choice as to what they want to feed their body and their mind. No one else should have the powerful authority to rip from their lives critical thinking and personal choice both of which are currently on our national endangered species list!

Vote November 2, 2010 to block the movement away from choice and into servitude!

Obama did not watch Beck's Restoring Honor Rally

2010-08-29T23:35:00.006-10:00

Is it a big surprise that the US President, Barak Obama, would remark that he did not watch the 'Restoring Honor Rally', the biggest event at the Mall on 8/28/2010?

According to 'Nightly News' Mr. Obama said: "It’s not surprising that somebody like a Mr. Beck is able to stir up a certain portion of the country. That's been true throughout our history,”.

Not surprising someone is able to stir up certain portion of the country? Ya think?

Why would the President be interested in 'restoring honor'?

This past week we have witnessed a couple of points of DIShonor; here is one:

The Administration has halted the prosecution of the man alleged to be behind the bombing of the USS Cole, which took the lives of 17 military personnel and injured 39.

Why in the world would President Obama be interested in Restoring Honor? He might show an interest in honoring the dead and injured on that ship by not thwarting the trial for political purposes! These folks and their families they left behind, and indeed the nation, deserve to see justice meted out for the murder of our nation's sons in the persons of our military.

Mr. Beck's underlying theme for the rally was a nearly year long focus on Hope, Faith and Charity. While the rally's focal point was clearly on God, this rally was the culmination of an 18 month long message that started with the '912 Project' where Principles and Values were outlined and an invitation was made for people all across the nation to sit down and review them, adopt them, commit to them and then share them with neighbors. They were based in part on the Military code of HONOR.

How ironic that Mr. Beck's guest speaker, Sarah Palin, honored 3 soldiers at the rally just 48 hours after the announcement was made to halt prosecution of USS Cole bombing! Less than 24 hours later Mr. President said he did not watch the Rally. Did he 'just' miss the Rally? Or, did he miss the point.

Here is another point of dishonor:

John Morton, Assistant Secretary of ICE, shares 'New Immigration Policy to Halt Some Illegal Immigration Deportations'

How is this HONORING 'We The People' who in consistent polling shows 2 to 1 support for those states, like Arizona, who are making an effort to suppress the flood of illegal immigrants into the U.S. Honor would dictate the President lead by example in upholding the laws of this land especially, when not doing so undermines the efforts of those who do demonstrate respect for their fellow Americans and has resulted in kidnappings, murders and general mayhem to U.S. residents who live close to the southern border.

Actually, for this past year and half there have been many times when 'honor' should have been the leadership quality and character utmost in evidence by the President and administration but wound up being replaced instead by turning a willful eye to recreating the 'standard' of character with watered down [formerly called dumbing down] vernacular designed to misdirect the mind of the person who would ordinarily find the replacement ideology objectionable and unacceptable. Nowadays, honor is reclassified and the ideals one held before have been rezoned in our psyche to the extent that we are developing mental blurred vision. If we squint our mind's eye we can barely make out the familiarity of the kinds of honor that President John Kennedy was regaled for in the movie PT-109; or Audie Murphy stood for as the most decorated soldier of World War 2! Those of us raised right after that war -- the legendary time of the 'greatest generation' -- learned from our parents all about honor. A 'man's word' and his 'good name' were related to his honor. It meant something to possess a fine reputation. We had leaders for this country who from time to time have manifest exceptional honor. And some who have not, and today, one who WILL not!

The message to restore honor is resonating with many Americans because we understand and recognize the need to reverse the curse of 'me'ism'. Where is Mother Theresa today? She was honor. Where is Ghandi today? He was honor. Where is Dalai Lama today? NOT HONORED by this President. A truly peaceful and honorable man and our President closed the door to the White House and put out the 'do not disturb sign' to this man in October 2009. After the nation winced in a collective sigh of incredulity he finally agreed to meet with him in February of 2010 .

Shame on ALL OF US for allowing an America to develop which relegates all things to the realm of politics. When we would postpone justice until after an election because it might 'effect' the outcome; When we will grant permission to 5 states to not meet the deadline for absentee balloting for our military thus thwarting their voices in the representational government they are putting their lives on the line to protect; When we will release ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS already INCARCERATED back out onto the streets, into the neighborhoods onto the social systems of states that are already operating in the red in no small way because of the burden of costs associated with illegal immigrants, to effect an outcome at the ballot place; we have manifestly abandoned all evidence of honor. If our own men in uniform cannot depend on our word though they have fulfilled theirs, where is the honor? 17 dead and 39 injured military personnel deserve to be honored with justice! Tens of thousands deserve to vote! 1200 deserve to be at home working their real jobs and loving their families not stationed at an out of control border due to dishonorable management of it by the administration responsible.

Glenn Beck's timing is essential. The train is about to run out of track and we will all be in a fix soon if we don't put on the brakes of this forced re-creation of our nation by people without honor and without desire to hearken back to the kind of America where honor was 'the way of life' and respect was the consequence to its presence in our lives. This Restoring Honor campaign has touched many of us. It has been the eye drops that have removed the film that obstructed our vision from seeing even how we, ourselves, have forsaken honor.

The passionate discussion about the Ground Zero Mosque is a 'sign' of the return of Honor. Those who have stepped up and acknowledged there is no doubt a constitutional premise for this mosque to be built there but the 'honorable' thing is not to impose the religious practice of building a monument at a place where that religion believes they have made a conquest. Honoring the sensibilities of many Americans would be a demonstration of character.

It is too bad Mr. O did not catch the many demonstrations of Faith at the Restoring Honor Rally.

Perhaps the seed has been sown and as it is watered God will make it grow and we will once again be a people and nation that will attract men and women of honor from all sorts of countries seeking to live free rather than the crooks who seem to see America as a land of exploitation and not exploration!

Alas, it is clear. Those who voted for change got it. The honor we have now is referred to as 'honor among thieves'. Ironically, the attempt to abscond with honor nearly succeeded.

Will we freely sing this with honor in our hearts? "`Alleluia! the salvation, and the glory, and the honour, and the power, [is] to the Lord our God;" Rev 19:1 [Young's Literal Translation]

Pelosi * Ground Zero Mosque & the Word!

2010-08-19T01:09:00.003-10:00

The 'Word' is, we must be punished!

Fantasy Island has a dark cloud hanging over it and Ms. Pelosi is not happy! She wants to know WHO is FUNDING the OPPOSITION to the Ground Zero Mosque!?!? :::::reaching into my pockets and turning them inside out:::::: Yep, must be me. I am broke, somebody took my money in order to finance opposition, no wait! Because I think it an insulting, ludicrous and ill advised idea, thus I oppose this abomination, I am the opposition!

Before today, I was opposed -- but quietly. You know, the quiet that when you hear something so wrong you have a little talk with yourself in your head and decide on the whys and wherefores that make it wrong and then you file it in your silent majority opinion file. But, today, Ms. Pelosi interjecting herself into my RIGHT to speak my mind has caused me to get it out of my head and out into public domain. I OPPOSE THIS and NO FREAKING BODY IS FUNDING MY OPPOSITION...I am of sound mind and self will and I OPPOSE THIS! Got the WORD yet?

Why do I oppose it? Because I don't approve of anyone coming to my country, slaughtering my fellow American's, and then erecting a trophy on the mantle of the killing field! It is not about their religion or their right to practice it. It is not because they are coincidentally of the same religious affiliation that when radicalized has focused malicious intent against my country. It is because it offends the sensibilities of Americans and it imposes an attribute of arrogance over our sensibilities. If you don't like America the way we are LEAVE ALREADY! No one put a gun to your heads and forced you to immigrate to this country. You are free to return to your culture any time you wish. Just stop trying to change ours.

As for Nonsense Pelosi, November 2nd can't get here soon enough. It will be sweet victory to know that your days are numbered as house speaker. You will be moved out of that very important office and your finger wagging, name calling, chiding and impudent manner will be out of the public eye, yet again. Relegated to just another representative from California, you will no longer wield the power to belittle the fine citizens of this great nation. By the way, I am sure the countries where the Mosque and Islam religion is the ONLY church you will see would welcome you with opened arms to their little close nit family. You will have to get used to sitting down and shutting up unless spoken to; dressing more modestly; wearing a head scarf at least and a burkha at most as a sign of your lack of standing. You being the wrong gender and all. Hold an office where you can wag your finger at a man? Oh, please, try it there.

Lady, you have stepped way over the line and are seriously standing on the last nerve of the people of this country.

Hear me really well...read my lips...I OPPOSE THE MOSQUE BEING BUILT NEXT TO GROUND ZERO. And NO ONE IS FUNDING ME. I just opened my mouth and said it..then I sat down and wrote it here. I paid for this site!

That's my opinion and I am sticking with it.

Are we finished with the RACE CARD YET?

2010-07-25T07:57:00.005-10:00

Here it is, Sunday, and the past couple of weeks we have been inundated with blasts of heat from the 'post racial' gang about race! At the end of the week we find out there was, or is, a concerted effort from some who consider themselves 'liberal' and 'progressive' to 'play the race card' when one wants to obfuscate an issue. Now, mind you, the English language is a lot of fun to play with, like 'LIBERAL'. There are a few choice ways one can use the word liberal. Liberal means copious amounts...for instance when you are supposed to baste a bird you are to be liberal with the amount of basting. And 'PROGRESSIVE' has equal many ways to use it.

Now consider this: With the release of discussions back and forth on the JournoLIST site, now defunct because of exposure, it was a concentrated and concerted decision for some in the 'media' business to deflect interest from a serious set of associates for then candidate Barack Obama, like his minister, by putting the report of Mr. Wright's theological sermons and his closeness to the Obama couple and the expose' of this coupling of friends into the context of 'race'. Because some reported on this volatile association some in the 'liberal progressive' media began their 'race' campaign. We have been bombarded with this strategy over and over again until most in America are wondering what happened to our peaceful and united citizenry! It wasn't until this past week we found out it was actually a PLOT to pull out the old standby Race Card that puts everyone in a place of discomfort. It has backfired on those who promoted this idea BIG TIME. How?

Well, first of all, in reality. Since the narrative from the liberal progressive left is that America has had a long history of not liking people of color, specifically black individuals it is time for a tad bit of a reality check. In my life I have been a fan [sometimes way more than I should] of some of these: Diana Ross & the Supremes; The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Stevie Wonder [even naming my daughter partly from one of his songs], Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, Sidney Poitier, Bill Cosby, Greg Morris, Nicole Nichols, Denzel Washington, Wesley Snipes, Chris Rock, Chris Tucker, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith and many more. I don't do sports but come on, who in America can deny the long time love affair with celebs from the Football and Basketball sports fields? My life has been so blessed and surrounded by the beautiful talent of these folks that it would not be the same without them. Yet, when I listen, watch, read or discuss these same individuals it is not to see them as 'black' but to see them as PEOPLE! Just like everyone else but exceptionally talented...in comparison to myself!

Now with that out of the way, to the repugnant charge 'white' America is 'anti-black' or 'anti-people of color', let's get real. Are there ignorant people who not only possess but practice bigotry and is that bigotry sometimes directed towards people of color? Absolutely! But there is a segment of society that also is ignorant and bigoted with regards to anything that is not 'traditional' or 'acceptable' to their world view, including religion, more specifically, even against different Christian denominations. Are they the 'majority' no way. Do they even amount to enough they should get noticed other than as a concession ignorance is alive and living even in America!

Does playing the Race Card advantage anyone? Especially those in America who go about their daily business enjoying living in this country many of whom are people of color? Only the political movement that may be trying to foster a special agenda which runs counter to the wishes of the majority of Americans, including all people of color. Have we seen this before? YES, YES, YES! Back in the '60's we were being faced with a couple of big movements: Anti-war, Anti-establishment and the Race issues! We had demonstrations on campuses all over the U.S. against the Viet Nam war, Love Ins that showed the previous generation the social mores of their time were being changed and it was 'in their face' change. We also had a campaign by one group of strong militant young black people while at the same time faced with peaceful demonstrations for equal rights led primarily by a minister whose name is synonymous with peace and love, Martin Luther King. Unfortunately, as a teen from that time, I can tell you I confused the one with the other, or more to the point, I saw the violence of the one and superimposed and coupled it with the demonstrations of the other and classed them all as dangerous, not in message so much as in aim. With maturity I was able to divorce the RIGHTS and purposes of Mr. King -- whose message was not to call people to war with each other but to embrace -- from the message of Malcolm X, or the original Black Panther group and others from that time. Even murderer Charles Manson had the black vs white conflict of the time as a strong under current to his maniacal life.

Today, it is a matter of disgust to most Americans to see or be personally aware of any sort of discrimination. We point it up and deal with it when we witness it and we consider it a matter of national pride to do so!

Will this latest move by the 'alternate reality' folk, the mass cry of RACIAL unrest that the media is trying to develop and move along, last? Or, lead to another summer like those of many of the mid and later part of the '60's and early '70's? Not if we don't allow it. We must minimize it in our lives and not let provocative images and statements stir our outrage. Taking the high road is the essential now. We lose only if we let masterful manipulation move us from the place we have been comfortable for a few decades now, life without division, without segregation, without noticing color because we dislike it but because it's diversity enhances our lives!

Shame on EVERYONE who has promulgated this lame and divisive narrative. Shame on those who plotted to make it so in the media community. Shame on the President and his staff that they would make such a public issue out of a media incident and SHAME on the the same for using this instance as an opportunity to further the RACE NARRATIVE!

The one thing I figure will come from all of this is the 'DISGUST' that most Americans will feel from being assaulted in this way will be to begin to push back with counter media, via such places as blogs like this, and with a vote which replaces those who would ride on this sort of dangerous narrative in any way! So, those of you who want to be voted out please feel free to be as 'liberal' as you like, really baste the voting public with as much of your nonsense as you wish. We will remember your name at the polls when we vote for your opponents, doesn't matter what party you or they are, it is ABY! [anyone but you]

This has become boring to most of us because it is nonsense.

Jan Brewer: One Feisty Lady!

2010-06-28T22:44:00.003-10:00

In case you haven't had a chance to watch this, I thought I would post this here. [the actual youtube video of the commercial] I am just disgusted with the way the security needs of Arizonans are being trifled with as each day passes.

We have crisis after crisis, all of which have solutions, but none of which are being resolved. Could it be purposed this way?

Something as simple in 'theory' as border security. It is fairly scary to think third world countries have better border security than does the 'mighty' U.S.A! 524 National Guard troops for a whole 120 days for Arizona. Really, Mr. President? Really, Dir. of HOMELAND SECURITY Napolitano?

Over a little east of Arizona, in the Gulf of Mexico a growing oily nightmare is undulating towards pristine beaches while wiping out eco systems and wildlife in its path. All the while a huge skimmer with impressive equipment sits in the docks of Virginia that could make a significant difference in the Gulf in terms of clean up. But the pesky 1920 law, known as the Jones Act, prevents it from leaving the docks to head over and start cleaning up. It is a Taiwan Flagged skimmer.

Desperate to protect Alabamans, the governor of Alabama secures the 200 miles of his coastline first with huge booms, 7 meters high and weighing tons; they are ripped up by the coast guard and moved to Louisiana. Then, Alabamans bring in snare booms to catch the oil before it washes up on shore. They are foiled by the Fish & Game folks. Lastly, they hire 400 people to patrol their beaches scooping up oil, and OSHA shuts them down saying they could only work 20 minutes out of each hour and no more than 40 minutes in 2 hours! [see dickmorris.com for detail] These incidents are becoming common place. The Barakracy that is this administration has become so frustrating and inhibiting when it comes to innovative ways to stop or clean up the spill, stifling the initiative of thousands whose livelihoods, culture and homes are being threatened. Then there is helpless wildlife falling victim!

The president is preaching 'stimulus' to countries who are no longer able to sustain their own governments instead of being fiscally responsible. His prognosis for the patient known as the US Economy is to leave the gaping wound open and pulsing life blood out while continuing to pump blood replacement in through the heart! Doesn't work.

Jobs: In April of 2009 we all thought the big stimulus package was going to put people back to work and right the messed up economy but here we are 14 months later and hearing that most of the jobs lost are simply gone forever! OOPS!

Treasury Secretary, Tim Geitner declares: "I think the world understands now that growth in the future around the world cannot depend as much on the United States as it did in the past." Really? Why do you suppose this is?

All these crisis, daily growing in disastrous proportions, BUT, not to worry! The senate agreed to give the President the power to shut down the internet for up to 4 months at a time! There you have it folks!!! Imagine, if it becomes law, how many months is it until November exactly? If the internet is shut down the INFORMATION HIGHWAY would no longer be a problem for this administration! Let's face it, with all these bloggers, the news folks, this president is stuck between a hard place and a rock under 24/7 scrutiny and having to adjust his daily policy on the whim of the majority du jour!

It is thoroughly disgusting! First part of his reign had our heads spinning as he announced he would close Gitmo by year's end; that he would allow the CIA and prosecutors to be tried for their part in alleged torture of the bad guys; that he changed the terminology from War on Terror to 'man made conflict' and spent a week and a half traveling the middle east apologizing for what he perceived as America misbehaving for the past 8 years. As if he were a parent and making a huge apology to the school authorities for his child's acting out. We braced ourselves as the Congress passed Cap and Trade and then the focus shifted to a rush to pass Obamacare! We began this year with a reaffirmation of many of the same topics in his State of the Union speech but as the year has progressed many begin to suffer from PTSD as we are hit day after day with one crisis, one foolish mistake, one act of Chicago Style politics after another. I feel like I should go on an apology tour and ask the world to forgive my President for embarrassing them and us with his attempt to 'fundamentally transform' America!

Enough already! It is bad enough so many of the folks in this country have hit upon hard times. There is not much security in their lives. Some have family and friends they are saying good bye to for the last time as they head over to Afghanistan for a 2nd or 3rd tour only to become a casualty. We have murder and mayhem in one of our border states that has robbed many of all sense of safety and security, and they live in a 'mighty nation'. Now untold destruction of the ocean, the teeming life in the ocean, the coast line and the people who will be adversely affected for years by this. Not to be forgotten those who were killed and injured in the initial explosion. This is just too much for the folks of this nation to endure all at once with NO credible assurance from the President or his administration that even a single one of these can be alleviated! Actually, you are hearing, Jobs? Gone forever! Border Security? Not until we get Immigration reform! War over in 2011? We'll be transitioning as is practical based on the assessment of the military. Oil spill clean up? What do you want me to do, suck it up in a straw? Hope and change 'who' can believe in? Promise everything; deliver on nothing.

November 2, 2010 seems likely to be the way Americans can pick themselves up by their boot straps, vote in the REAL CHANGE and then buckle down for the ride back to normalcy. There are many things that need reversed, overturned, fixed. Until then, GOD bless America! We surely need it!

BP, Feds New Bailout Patsy

2010-06-16T13:05:00.003-10:00

It's official!

British Petroleum is now the official banker for the Obama administration's 6 month moratorium on off shore drilling! Yep, the Obama administration made a federal decision to halt all offshore drilling, effectively shutting down some 30 plus drill sites and just as effectively putting tens of thousands of employees out of a job at least for the period of the moratorium. So now the new Bailout Patsy, bp will be anteing up the money to support those out of work during the moratorium, at least to the tune of $100, 000, 000.00!

It's one thing to hold the company responsible for the death and injuries of its employees as a result of the explosion. It is also expected and understandable to hold them responsible for the clean up costs, the recovery costs and the losses incurred due to the explosion and subsequent gushing well! Making them squirrel away $20B in an escrow account to be overseen and monitored by an 'independent third party' who just happens to be serving the US Gov, at least for a little while longer, is hardly an 'independent' third party. And this guy was also involved in the disbursements of the 'after 9-11' costs! [More on that red flag later.]

In addition to the 20 billion escrow and the 100 million moratorium associated costs there is also the reference to the folks there having a hard time since Katrina and Rita...as if that is also bp's fault! The economy stinks because it stinks. Recovery has been slow, even absent the disasters of Katrina and Rita. This incident is surely going to have long term consequences but reach back and pull in hurricane recovery and manipulate Americans into seeing all of this as some how due them by bp is wrong! The moratorium is Obama's administration's doing. It is a knee jerk response, and many believe a political one, to this event. While bp's explosion and subsequent disaster was the precipitous factor in the moratorium bp had nothing to do with the decision to enforce the moratorium. Why are they being made to pay? Political equity!!! That's it.

About the independent third party doling out of dollars...mark my words...look at the date of this blog entry...I venture in 2 or 3 months, maybe even longer, we will be hearing of accounts of people who had been getting payments from bp but once the government's 'independent third party' took responsibility the disbursements are not forthcoming! Do we need a replay of how miserably the funds were disbursed after 9-11?

All in all, on the President's comments after his meeting with the bp folks, I heard NADA about what is being done to 'clean it all up'! He still hasn't addressed why he has not suspended the Jones Act; or, why he has not taken the Dutch up on their offer to assist? The precedent exists.

Yes, there needs to be an accounting. The why's, the how's and the when's. Yes, bp and their associated partners bear absolute culpability for this incident, at this time. But, as we see the economy continue to sink, as we see jobs lost that are even remotely related to the Gulf region, will British Petroleum now be the new China writing checks to bail out America [with out the pay back factor?] with every nuance that something may be related? Do I get to send a request to bp for damages because the price of oil is sure to go up and due to my own unemployment the hardship of the additional costs is something I should not have to bear? Where does it all stop? When do we stop gutting private business? When do we stop the blood letting of corporations simply because they have money? When do we begin to live within our own means, understand in order for people to get back to work, for the economy to be revved back to life we need to stop rendering the life's blood of this country anemic?

bp is a multi national corporation. When we eviscerate them and render them incapable of paying the bill who then will pick up the tab? What is the 'administrative' fee going to be for the 'independent third party' to dole out monies? What legal language is in place to assure ALL the money goes to those who will need it and not just to pay back the coffers of ill spent federal monies? The president said they took steps to set up this fund, including all the LEGAL steps, to make sure the people who need the money get it.

No doubt, this is an horrific event, an incomparable crisis and will destroy much before it assimilated by mother nature. There is accountability. bp so far is willing to step up and do their part. Let it be minus the Chicago style tactics, let it be without alienating allies, let it be apolitical and let it bring all things back to a balance as soon as possible.

These are my thoughts...what say you?

Charles Djou wins Congressional seat Hawaii!

2010-05-23T01:37:00.003-10:00

Congratulations to Charles Djou and his campaign for successfully rooting out a staunchly democratic seat!

The Honolulu Paper, Star Bulletin reports:

“This is a momentous day,” Djou told a jubilant crowd at state party headquarters. “We have sent a message to the United States Congress. We have sent a message to the ex-governors. We have sent a message to the national Democrats! We have sent a message to the machine.

“We have told them that we will not stand idly by as our great nation is overburdened by too much taxes, too much debt and too much wasteful spending.”

This seat was vacated by Neil Abercrombie whose voting record as one of two Hawaii Representatives was definitely party line with his last monumental vote being 'yes' on the Congressional 'Cap n Tax' bill H.R. 2454, passed in July 2009. It is expected Congressman elect Djou will vote down conservative lines. His win is phenomenal in a state where the Republican Governor has taken serious heat over some of her fiscal decisions, 'Furlough Friday' being the most discussed by residents of the state.

Though the win is an interim win and clearly his record between now and the election to fill this seat for an entire term will be his campaign platform, his election is not only about a dysfunctional local democratic party, it is also a referendum on Obama's administration. Charles Djou just ripped a seat from the majority party in the Congress right out from under Obama's alleged home state! A state that overwhelming voted for him for President just 18 months ago! How quickly the tide has changed. There is some hope this state will elect yet another candidate to replace Mazie Hirono and her liberal voting record with a candidate whose fiscal and national security platforms seem more in line with the majority of Americans! Watch Ramsay Pualani Wharton as she manages her campaign. www.ramsay2010.com

Liberty may prevail as one incumbent after another falls to the will of the people; a people who comprise the government 'for the people, by the people and of the people'!

The primaries are only the beginning. The general election in November is the key! It would be so great to see 2 new conservatives sitting in Congress representing the fine people of Hawaii!

Little this; Little that!

2010-05-03T22:50:00.003-10:00

Thought I would share my thoughts on a couple of current events which make no sense to me.

Franklin Graham/Dissedinvited

I am no fan of any particular minister, preacher or alleged man of the cloth. I think they are fairly equal opportunity purveyors of their wares. Some actually do great charitable work; others not so much. Be that as it may, about the Pentagon and the flip flop invitation to Franklin Graham for the National Day of Prayer: just because some insignificant unfamiliar group grumbled that he had made some statement about the Islam religion that was taken by some as offensive. Okay, and? Speaking of offensive, most Americans, of all religions, and of no religion were offended on 9/11. Thereafter, we were offended when Spain and London had their own event. We were offended to see women being forced to kneel in stadiums and beheaded by the 'MORALITY POLICE' in Afghanistan. Offended indeed! Yet, the single common denominator to all of these events is the radical segment of Islam, or so they say. Haven't noticed a huge outcry from the American community of Muslims renouncing such notions. Find that offensive as well.

One more thing offensive is some obscure group can write a letter to the Pentagon and belly ache about Mr. Graham's comments and the government immediately bows to their complaint. So, who is representing the Christian Faith at the Pentagon that day?

Mr. Graham has a son in Afghanistan who is giving of his own life to serve this country. I should think since most of the troops serving in Muslim countries fighting wars against dangerous radicals of the Islam faith are Christian in faith and Reverend Franklin Graham would represent and lead them in his prayer that day. As I said, I am no fan of the man but I believe wholly that the CHRISTIAN troops fighting for our freedoms in 2 wars have a right to be represented by a man of their faith.

About Illegal Non Citizens:

How many illegal individuals do you suppose were among the 50 thousand who marched in Los Angeles; 20 thousand who marched in Dallas and the other groups who marched elsewhere? They enjoyed the 1st amendment right guaranteed by the Constitution for 'citizens' of this country to gather in peaceful assembly. I will give them that...most of them were peaceful. Just curious, how do you think Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez and Iran's Ahmadinawhatever would have handled large crowds who were demonstrating against those country's immigration laws? Oh, wait...just their own citizens gathered in protest to an illegal election in Iran got those LEGAL citizens shot at, beat up, arrested and sprayed with lye from hovering helicopters. Yet, the crowds gathered about AZ's controversial law were accorded the freedom to speak their minds in protest! Suppose that is why they are here? Because the US honors the inalienable rights of her citizens? Why not come here legally, not as a burden to the country? Work, live and love as a legal citizen? Why are you fleeing Mexico? Why not stay and change your own country? Here is a quandry: What if the US sent troops to Mexico, all the way into Mexico to 'occupy' the country? How many of the folks who are here illegally would immediately return to take as stand for their country? As well they should! Divided loyalties, perhaps?

Return home, come into the country the right way, legally. All of America has NO PROBLEM with that. Then, doesn't matter if AZ has a bill 1070 because you would be here legally.

About the Kook from Iran:

Why was he here? Who in this country allowed this wing nut to come here? It is time someone at the government level begins to understand THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is not a door mat! 'Bring the huddled masses to us' does not mean to walk all over us, spit upon us, threaten us and insult us. How much air time do you think anyone from the US would get if they went to Iran and started speaking of Iran as Satan with sulfur wafting up, or engaged in demagoguery with the license this guy does? Right, NONE! In fact, the person would likely be arrested for spying or some trumped up charge. Yet, here we are, again, having to see his face on television mouthing off and condemning the US. ENOUGH ALREADY. I loved former UN Ambassador John Bolton's thoughts tonight: "The strong words mean nothing to these people." Further, he contended Hillary's remarks were more for political purposes and not to effect some resolution. Hillary and Bill live in NY. Suppose the coordinates for NY are in the cross hairs of Iran's long range nuclear missiles? Think her strong words will matter then? Just down the road a tad is the White House...think it will matter to them that those 'strong words' were used? The innocent lives that will be lost if one of those missiles gets off while this government dances with the Madman of Iran will be the legacy of the 'apology diplomacy'. The words of a song come to mind: "Who's sorry now?"

The Oil Spill:

What a sad sad situation! So much life will be lost because of this. Who knows if this was a freak accident or negligence right now. Frankly who is responsible is not now relevant to getting a grip on the escaping crude decimating our ocean and its teeming life. Further, the serious impact upon those communities who have the crude wash ashore is incalculable. The responsible party is alleging to be stepping up to bear all responsibility. My question, though this company is headquartered in Europe, will they be too big to fail? Will their cost soar so high they will ask for a bail out? Seriously! I am not being facetious here. The company should be paying for all the government resources that must be used to assist in getting this under control. But will they?

Will this become the crisis necessary to just slam Cap n Tax through...it's about the environment you know...It is a huge sad event with unspeakable consequences. It needs to be dealt with and then dealt with. But in no way should the folks of this country be subject to extra taxation for clean up; or threat of extreme EPA regulations that stifles our independence from foreign oil. It should not be seized upon as a crisis to manipulate politically for gain for either party.

The news scene is alive with so many hot stories right now...and then there is yet another DUDley bomber! Oh, the current news story is this Dudster is of Pakistan origin...hmmm...what is the dominant religion there? The Dudster tried to detonate in New York...that is not offensive at all! So, explain to me again please, the rationale behind forbidding a Christian minister who has spoken TRUTH about the radical branch of Islam, to be included in the National Prayer Day events at the Pentagon? I AM OFFENDED! I was born here. My parents were born here. Their parents were born here. Their parents were born here! Why should my family's long lived culture and religious preference be singled out and denied especially with the Veterans who comprise our family tree!

I deplore the 'fundamental transformation' with all that is me! I did not vote for this and I shall vote against its continuance on Nov 2.

That's my opinion and I am sticking to it...how 'bout yours?

National Guard to Chicago? R U Kidding me?

2010-04-25T22:38:00.005-10:00

So, people are up in arms about Jan Brewer signing bill 1070 authorizing the police to verify legal status of the folks in the state of Arizona. Really! Imagine, the police enforcing law.

Yet, Chicago politicians want the National Guard to roll into town and 'enforce' the law because of the increase in violent crime. Can we spell P O S S E C O M I T A T U S?

Yes, according to the 'Chicago Tribune'. The article says: "Chicago Democrats John Fritchey and LaShawn Ford said they want Quinn, Mayor Richard Daley and Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis to allow guardsmen to patrol streets and help quell violence. Weis said he did not support the idea because the military and police operate under different rules.

"Is this a drastic call to action? Of course it is," Fritchey said. "Is it warranted when we are losing residents to gun violence at such an alarming rate? Without question. We are not talking about rolling tanks down the street or having armed guards on each corner."

What he envisions, Fritchey said, is a "heightened presence on the streets," particularly on the roughly 9 percent of city blocks where most of the city's violent crimes occur."

Color me confused, but how does one have 'heightened presence on the streets' without there being armed guards on each corner?

Is this the same Chicago the President flew to Copenhagen to sell for the Olympic site?

What does the Police Superintendent have to say about this? "Alluding to the 1970 Kent State University incident where the National Guard was called in and protestors and students were shot, Weis said having guardsmen handle crime could be "disastrous." But he said if the Daley suggested it, he would consider the option.

"I'm open to anything that reduces violence. But I have concerns when you mix law enforcement and the military," Weis said." Ya think?

I was thinking the other day when AZ passed their law, will they wind up with the Nat'l Guard protecting the borders, which is supposed to be the Border Patrol's job, or will they just have the police do it all! Of course I'd not want to be a police person in a state with such a law and the increased kidnapping, murder and mayhem that has become AZ's reality, but until the turf war is finally decided, turf being...who is on first when it comes to enforcement of immigration laws, I guess the police will have the job.

Chicago is no stranger to gangland violence. It has quite a rich history [pun intended] with notorious gangsters from several eras who have used Chicago for their pistol practice and other sordid gangland activities/proclivities. I think the last time the 'crime level' was addressed in this area was when they sent in a Federal Law Enforcement agent in the person of Eliot Ness! Alas, those were the days.

There is no doubt, with the economy where it is, housing where it is, two wars going on for a decade, a government that seems bent on keeping the country off kilter never knowing what to expect next -- how much of their lives will be the next pound of flesh, times are tough. But is it practical to break the Posse Comitatus act to address crime?

This could escalate into a crisis with 'martial law'. What an incredible precedent to set. Oh wait! It was set back in 1970 at Kent University, as noted in the article!

We need to keep our eyes open to the insidious way this incident or another event or activity, all needing the National Guard or the Military to fix instead of law enforcement, lays the ground for routine use of soldiers with weapons walking the street, and curfews in place to force people to be in their homes by a certain time. It is more than a slippery slope. It is the pathway to a national nightmare where our military may be expected to marshall the citizens of this country.

Why hasn't anyone thought of organizing volunteer militias? Remember in the western movies and shows when the Sheriff would deputize a posse to clean up the town? It is provided for in the 2 amendment. Here it is: "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

Let's not press the martial law button. To the lawmakers of Chicago, why not think in terms of the Constitution and Bill of Rights? Work within the guidelines of the existing UBER law of the land and remember the Posse Comitatus act.

That's my opinion. What's yours?

Tea Party. Say what? Confessions of Housewife

2010-04-23T01:39:00.003-10:00

I chose this picture because it perfectly catches my sense of consternation. I loved Samantha Stevens as a housewife! I loved that she was 'bewitching'. And her face says it all in this photo!

I am a 59 year old housewife, married for 43 years next month. Last April 15th, 2009, after only 3 months of watching what the new administration was up to I decided to attend my first 'protest' as a novice activist. I attended the Honolulu Tea Party! WOW! What an exhilarating and awesome experience. Not only were there great people carrying creative signs but the folks driving by in city buses, fire trucks, police cars, delivery trucks, cars, all honking and waving. I saw toddlers in their strollers and seniors in their wheel chairs. I saw a couple of kids around 8 years old drawing pictures that represented what they were seeing. I saw young teens and older adults dressed up in costumes that made a statement, mostly period pieces from the 17th century. I saw people laughing, sharing and enjoying their right to 'PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY'.

On September 12th, 2009, I attended another such protest in Hilo. This time I was even quoted in the local paper!!! Again, I saw all ages, all walks of life, many ages, holding clever signs and waving flags. This time motorcycle groups revved their Harley engines and waved at us, motorists honked in support and one little old lady yelled obscenities from her car. All enjoying their 'PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY'.

I missed this year's tax day event because I was participating in another new found civic responsibility, that of attending our local County Council meetings, especially when discussing important issues, even testifying when I feel so moved.

I diligently watch the national news and find the terms being used to describe me and those who have gathered at the protests I have been at by mighty unkind and very maligning untruths!

"Bowel Movement", really? Neo Nazi, really? Racist, really? Terrorist, really? I listen to the folks that do not come to the protests and have no idea who is there describe the folks who are wondering if they are living in a parallel universe somewhere where Alice in Wonderland sort of stuff happens..what is, is not and what is not, is?

I own no weapon; I bear no ill will; I abhor racism; I totally despise confrontation; I do not 'learn war'; I do not hate America; am not a seditionist nor a conspiracy theorist; and yet if you listen to what is being said about the growing phenomenon that has been called the 'Tea Party Movement' you'd think you'd be able to point me out in a crowd by the multiple assault weapons, hateful signs and horns sticking out of my head! Nope, not me. No amount of saying it will make it so. I will however exercise my 'freedom of speech' and engage in 'peaceful assembly' and talk 'freely about my God' while I remind anyone who wants to listen that our Constitutional government is under siege and being held hostage by those who have fully exploited their power by legislating their will, their beliefs and their rules over everyone -- denying each of us our right to choose. EXAMPLE: The recent passage of National Healthcare was the most autocratic move to date.

Unlike Samantha Stevens, I cannot twitch my nose and make it all right. I have to be patient, grow in knowledge on how things are SUPPOSED to be done and work within my freedoms and those parameters to correct what I can. Malicious intent is being impugned on those of us who dare to actually 'live the constitutional life' yet the sorts of things being said and done clearly evince from whence the malice emanates.

I lay my head down each night and as I begin my good night discussion with my Father, I contemplate what is going on here and then I let my mind wander around to places where freedom does not exist in any form; where it is a struggle to draw the next breath, or the pain of life is screaming aloud from the center of every cell in a body, and I realize, God must surely be patient and loving as HE watches us pick fights with one another. While we play the whole 'sticks and stones' game. We each ought to be unabashedly ashamed of ourselves for being so involved in tearing down the many blessings inherent in our beautiful REPUBLIC as it was CONSTITUTED and using the opportunity -- while you rip down the structure of our historic home -- to throw pieces of it at others. What will you leave us with? Green fatigues and caps? No, I don't think so...not for me...I will defy a cookie cutter world of boring by wearing bright colors and independence as my garb...even while I vacuum and clean house!

What is the price of tea in China?

Posse Comitatus Work Around? I don't think so!

2010-03-12T11:08:00.006-10:00

What in the world is the US Border Patrol and Military up to?

According to http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/state/Mexican_military_helicopter_seen_over_US_home.html some time earlier this week a Navy Helicopter from Mexico entered our nation across the Rio Grande River into Sovereign US soil! The article says: "The Zapata County sheriff Thursday was questioning why a Mexican military helicopter was hovering over homes on the Texas side of the Rio Grande." Also according to this article: "Gonzalez, the Zapata sheriff, said he couldn't confirm reports that the helicopter was scoping out the home of a drug criminal. He said the incursion about a mile over the border took place over a neighborhood populated by many U.S. Customs officers who work at area border crossings — and that they knew what they were seeing.

“My understanding is the U.S. military were informed,” he said. “I don't know what action was taken, if any.”"

Is this the way the US Government side steps Posse Comitatus? If we cannot use our own military to 'police' crime we will allow foreign governments to do so? I don't think so!

This article is just breaking on Drudge Report right now and will likely be picked up and discussed through the day and week end. This writer wonders though will the obviation of our own Posse Comitatus Act be lost in the discussion because of the 'Drug Cartel Crisis' on the border? Will we see further erosion of our 'RIGHTS' while everyone looks the other way?

With the push for Gun Control at a local, national and U.N. level, [the U.N. bid would be the global monster step which would render our 2nd amendment rights moot] the apathetic CITIZEN of this country who 'just goes along with stuff because it sounds good' may be left at the hands of foreign military agencies as possible law enforcement!

This is a slimy path we are slipping down with fewer and fewer handholds to prevent total loss of our sovereignty. Please do not let this 'crisis' be the one the government uses to come in an mow over us. Bang the drums and let your representative governmental leaders know "this is not okay!" Foreign military incursion into our air space, above our soil is not acceptable in the losing battle against drugs. It is a crack in our veneer that will be exploited.

Where will Canadians go after Obamacare?

2010-02-23T10:55:00.008-10:00

What a fine how-do-you-do on this day only 48 hours away from the big 'Summit' between the Republicans and Obama in his 'televised' 'bipartisan' healthcare PR opportunity!

Have you seen this article? http://www.canada.com/Premier+Danny+Williams+surgery/2521522/story.html

How about this one? http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5h0QC7bditrEb3wYz_6_b-gsGGDxA

Premiere Danny Williams is quoted as having said: "I did not sign away my right to get the best possible health care for myself when I entered politics." according to the article in Canadian Press.

What ever will Canadians do when the Obamacare program 'pales' in comparison to the Canadian system? Fly to India? Seriously?!

It is great the Premiere could not only afford to come here and do this procedure out of pocket, [though he hopes to make a claim for whatever reimbursements he may be due] but that he was able to receive 'advice' from those he values to suggest he need not undergo a procedure that would involve breaking bones in his chest. Great that there are cardiologists here in the US who can perform less invasive procedures with the same quality outcome. BUT FOR HOW MUCH LONGER?

This valid argument aside -- that many in this country cannot even afford such medical services/treatment for a plethora of reasons -- the fact that there is still the opportunity to have a CHOICE, were the circumstances present to avail yourself of them, is the salient point. The landscape that attracted Premiere Williams from Canada will likely be very different than the landscape post Obamacare. Where the beautiful field of many colors and flora were will stand blight if not outright destruction. Where specialty trees provided specific remedy, deforestation will likely leave scorched land. Where a bouquet of 'choice' colors and smells could be gathered individually, there will likely be weeds with forbidding thorns. All in all, the 'months' of waiting facing Premiere Williams had he not taken his health into his own hands, will become our reality.

If this is not an obvious and huge red flag for everyone, what is?

Mr. President, remember, the same health care system you leave behind will eventually become yours and your children's lot in life, or death, depending on the 'time' the illness has to wait before treatment. Yes, we understand as president TODAY you have optimum healthcare, but as the years go by and your kids grow up and your socialized medicine has rooted deeply, they will pay for your vision, like every other child and grandchild born to adults of this day! For someone who has a history of cigarettes, hamburgers and fries, your healthcare may come back to bite!

So grateful this news has once again resurfaced, and yes, obviously it is most opportune -- given the big Pow-Wow of the 25th!

2010 and 2012 are key years! Whatever these people put into motion there must be those who are willing to put it in neutral, slow it down and bring it to its inevitable halt to step up and be elected. Nationalized healthcare is not Constitutional and has no business being the business of the ever expanding national government!

CPAC and Glenn Beck

2010-02-21T00:46:00.007-10:00

[Photo grabbed from ustream.tv video.] http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/4881432

Listening to snippets from some of the guest speakers at this year's CPAC was mortifying! Rather than a humble and grateful party, eager to roll up their sleeves and get to work and make it right, it was like deja vu! I thought I was watching the arrogance of the Obama party, after elections, feeling empowered with the 'mandate' of the people wanting CHANGE! The AUDACITY! Wow!...fresh from the win in Massachusetts, the LOSERS in 2008 -- the Republican party -- have themselves ARROGANTLY trotted out on to the stage and instead of talking about issues, CHANGE, chose pot shots at the Obama Administration; made ludicrous remarks; and behaved with absolutely NO CLASS! Felt like screaming 'Sit down and Shut up!'

Come on! What is it, some 'cone of silence' that surrounds these people in Washington they just don't hear the people? It is not about Obama bashing it is about FIXING what is broken and getting this country back on an even keel -- and doing it quickly. It was an abomination and embarrassment to hear the counter productive things said while not hearing the 'way forward' being laid out. America has awakened; they are no longer trusting; they know what needs to be done and it is not bickering and name calling. It is rolling up the sleeves and making the hard decisions: fixing the mess that has become us.

Watching Glenn Beck's keynote address was a great beginning. It was encouraging to hear him take the time to really say it like it is to the Republicans without nary a word about the Dems. YES! As his speech moved along, it was curious to think if the fervor that was evident in the room would leave that building and return to work. Will it be there on Wednesday next when they meet to 'discuss' things -- with the Blackboard? Will they retain the salient points of Glenn's speech or merely reminisce about the great speech and get back down to the same oh same oh?

A single victory does not a party ex-sponge! Scott Brown has already begun to say he will be the 41st voice sometimes and the 60th others. Hope he chooses his battles wisely.

What is surprising was the poll taken for the best candidate for president... Following is the top contenders:

2010 CPAC Straw Poll Results
Ron Paul 31%
Mitt Romney 22%
Sarah Palin 7%
Tim Pawlenty 6%
Mike Pence 5%
Newt Gingrich 4%
Mike Huckabee 4%

The preferred leading candidate is Constitutional, limited government, largely Libertarian, Ron Paul! Who'd have thought it? And while Glenn did not reference Ron Paul specifically, when you take the context of his speech and match up to the one on the political scene most likely to embody the ideas, it is Ron Paul! It will be very interesting to watch the RNC deal with poll results. Looks like Sarah, Tim, Newt and both Mikes have a bit of work to even catch up with the top two. Romney's comments slighting the current administration were beneath him. I have to agree with a statement Bill O'Reilly made on Friday's show: 'Comment about the administration's policies but do not make it personal'.

The next month or so will be telling. Will they swallow their pride and humble themselves or will they continue down the same wrong path the pompous Obama cadre did thinking because they were voted in they could just move in and kick American Ideals and Principles right out the door. Will the somber words from Beck cause them to pause and rethink their posturing? Will they continue the petty sorts of things that were said and wind up losing bigger than they thought they would win? Will the American people lose hope of ever finding anyone who will step up and do what is right? Sure hope not! Hope there emerges truly motivated candidates who will not flip once their feet hit the steps of the capitol. Surely they won't forget the message from the PEOPLE: BRING BACK AMERICA, HONOR LIBERTY!

The RECAP: Fix what is broken. Don't make it worse by playing the same game that has been played. Limited Government; reduced spending; lower taxes; revamp entitlement programs; return to founding principles, do what is RIGHT, HONOR LIBERTY!

Issue du Jour: CNN Poll, is it important?

2010-02-16T23:47:00.005-10:00

Drudge Report is running the headline: "CNN SHOCK POLL: Majority say Obama doesn't deserve 2nd term!"

While that is not a big shock, really, to most of us, though it is understandable it might shock CNN as part of the left stream media, it should not translate to resting on our laurels!

This is Feb 2010, 13 months into O's first term. Yes, he has made a lot of mistakes and is still making them, and yes, the get out and vote campaign will not be run by ACORN but by the Tea Party folks, VOLUNTEERS with no FEDERAL monies corrupting their campaign, but we have a long way to go and any number of things, for instance the Afghanistan war, could turn things around.

Firstly, in order for him not to be elected there has to be someone to run against him. Currently, there is no one who would fit the bill. Huckabee has a growing base and manages to reach people with his affable character. Keep an eye on him. Palin certainly appeals to a certain demographic but not one to carry a national vote. Santorum hasn't declared and frankly, don't know if he could pull it off. Romney did not fair well last time, and with Massachusett's health care on his watch he may never get the majority. Gingrich has been being courted by many but hasn't declared. He is likely too associated with the Washington gang to get the vote. With no candidate with power emerging Obama actually could be reelected with little to no effort.

Secondly, never underestimate the power of a single good story at the opportune time and let's face it, this administration is all about spin and opportune story telling! If people were back to work, if people were making money, if a huge attack was foiled, if they finally found Bin Laden, if he reinstated Interrogations again, if he simply listened to the 'people' and really accommodated their concerns he'd wind up a slam dunk. And history tells us that anything can happen in a flash that will either set a president or unseat him!

Let us not be lulled into some sense of having reached our goal with the headline about CNN's poll. It winds up being a conditioning of the folks. In this time with a constant barrage of bad news people want to hear something positive. They see/hear this they relax thinking the fight has been won, they do nothing more and the vote goes to the incumbent. Be vigilant. Do not worry too much or give too much credence to the 'polls' because people are fickle. Stay tuned in to the issues, the debates, the problems facing this nation. Let's you and I and keep an eye out for a strong candidate who might emerge who will make the 2012 campaign an exciting one! You can bet Obama is going to pull out this smooth and polished persona to woo the folks. Wouldn't it be nice if the teleprompters would unite in failing to work during all the campaigning so we see the real candidate for who they are for each party!

Most important thing to remember: Liberty is not free! It must be preserved. Perseverance will lift LIBERTY tall.

Just keeping it real...how about you?

Issue du Jour: 'O' Subbon One

2010-02-09T06:52:00.004-10:00

While there are many wonderful attributes associated with the Equus africanus asinus, aka donkey, perhaps the most notable and not so favorable attribute is that of stubbornness. If you do your research, you can find the origins of how the donkey and elephant came to be symbols of the two parties that are to serve ‘we the people’. While I am an animal lover and truly find animals by and large to possess a natural grace most humans do not even realize they should exemplify, and while I generally despise superimposing an animal’s traits over the human, it appears at least this time the exception may be apt analogy.

Many folks who ‘O’ppose this president have found many ways to hybridize his name into words like ‘O’bamacare; or ‘O’bamanomics; or ‘O’bamanation. Perhaps for this essay it would be appropriate to use this: ‘O’bstinate!

So now we arrive at the corollary between the ‘stubb’O’rn’ donkey and the ‘O’fficial leader of this nation. Why recalcitrant? Think upon it.

· Ram Health Care down our throats for 2009. While the thousands of voices for the entire summer who protested against it were not loud enough or persuasive enough, after the Massachusetts vote he and others took a huge step backwards from healthcare for what, a nano-second? Now it is back to pushing? Is this what David Plouffe has encouraged him to do?

· Terrorist vacation in NY? What? You are going to bring the very one who plotted, planned, and executed the maniacal, diabolical attack upon Americans to the scene of his crime? You are taking this guy back to delight in ‘nearness’ of his scene of destruction? Are you kidding me? Let’s not even consider the cost, it is obscene. Let’s not consider the logistics, it is unbelievable. Let’s not consider whether this guy is entitled to ‘a court trial by a jury of his peers…’ [That in and of itself is a scary prospect] it is simply unthinkable. Let’s just put out there what most American’s are thinking and wondering…why is this guy still alive? He has admitted, with pride, to doing everything he has been accused of. He has threatened to do it all again if ever released. He shows no shame, no guilt, and no sense of humanity. He eats, drinks, lives in comfort at a facility in a temperate part of the world where his ‘needs’ and ‘rights’ are protected by American soldiers, CIA and American dollars! We’ve gotten all the ‘intelligence’ we can get. Why is he still breathing? What is the problem? It doesn’t matter which religious preference the President wishes to identify with: Islam or Christianity, they share a unique common thread, ‘eye for an eye’! Has anyone asked KSM if he will waive his right to a trial? Plead guilty?

· Raising the debt level for America to offensive levels. Each passing day this country is less and less safe in many ways; now we can add the growing deficit to the list of national vulnerabilities!

· National Security; On again, off again. The ‘blast in his pants’ terrorist interrogated…he claims ’there are more like me coming’….OOPS! Mirandize this dude! He’s talking…so an hour into custody he has a lawyer. Then for 5 weeks the terrorists, who designed this particular failed mission, are quickly destroying evidence; altering their plans; recycling their plots and then ‘Oh, HE’S TALKING again!’ Is this guy not an enemy of the state? [granted his youthful naiveté may have gotten the best of him] How can the Commander and Chief of this nation indulge his own ‘social injustice’ conscience and not see jeopardizing the security of this nation with such junior high school tactics is nothing more than a mule like desire to flex a power muscle, why? Because he can! National Security be damned!

On a daily basis the narcissism that exudes from the pores of this defiant leader shouts his “CONTUMACITY”! And at what price for Americans? Is the arrogance he exhibits the change we wanted? Isn’t he the very one who spoke of the Bush Administration as ‘arrogant’ on his apology tours? Double standards?

Do you see our LIBERTY slipping away? If it is not robbed by the ‘do bad’ guys it will be robbed by the ‘do gooders’, or at least those who have promoted themselves as the ‘O’nes who know what is best for us!! We are not a robotic bunch of people. We are a diverse people. We the people, want our country back! We the people, want to hold on to our LIBERTY with all our might! We the people, recognize we are on a path to no return and want to turn back! We the people, prefer the vision and foundational philosophies of the founding fathers as they laboriously and conscientiously put their own self esteem and beliefs aside to work out a cooperative agreement in the Constitution of the United States of America! We the people, will speak in 2010, LOUD and CLEAR and again in 2012! If being stubborn is the example you want to lead with then watch just how tight a hold on LIBERTY, ‘We the people’ will demonstrate through our vote! HISt’O’ry is being written now; it will be a resounding “n’O’ we can’t!” For those dem’O’crats who have shown no conscious of their own but who have followed the leader, their dismissal from office will be a harbinger.

It is time to show just how STUBBORN we can be.

Issue du Jour: "Rescue, Restore, Rebuild"

2010-01-25T05:21:00.003-10:00

Who in the world is David Plouffe? If you are one of the millions who are concerned about the direction this country is going you’d better get up close and personal with David Plouffe, why? Because your president just put him on the payroll to counter the effect YOU are having on shaping our future – or, more to the point, in returning our country back to the republic it is being steered away from!

This Wednesday the president will give the ‘state of the union’ address to his ‘peeps’ and it is alleged the theme will be “rescue, restore and rebuild.” That’s what the President is looking to promote for the country, you and me, as a whole. BUT, that is just the public application of that concept…

While he is going to try and convince us he has our best interests at heart and he will ‘rescue, restore and rebuild’ America he is actually bringing in his former big guns that helped him to get elected and having them ‘rescue, restore and rebuild’ the O’s image. While they swear they are not going to let polls sway them this new revival of the O is a result of a 2 pronged reality check -1] he and his got a huge scolding in the Massachusetts election; and 2] the polls have never been less favorable for him. His media friends are bailing as they begin to watch the whole honeymoon implode and they try to analyze how this could happen right under their adoring eyes.

Yes! Rescue, restore and rebuild should be the theme for this coming year but I should hope it will be confiscated from the O and held high like a banner for the march to take back our government on November 2, 2010! Let us RESCUE our republic from the socialist, the communists, the Marxists and the totalitarians who currently occupy it. Let us RESTORE it to its constitutional glory [remember RED, WHITE & BLUE, Pride in country] and let us REBUILD our grand country from the inside out.

Finally, let’s REDISCOVER LIBERTY in this beautiful land with its diverse and warm people! By focusing on our own REVIVAL we will serve as a strong and RESONANT voice of our people whose government is FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE AND OF THE PEOPLE! Then and only then will a RESOLUTE nation regain its global standing as unique and independent! A great nation where LIBERTY reigns and government serves.

The Spirit of Independence!

2010-01-19T23:09:00.010-10:00

Scott Brown and Massachusetts won one for the Gippir! How fitting is it that 237 years after the first revolt against disgusting taxes at the Boston Tea Party, in MASSACHUSETTS, we have take two! RIGHT ON MASSACHUSETTS!

What a win for America. It is not just a win for Senator Brown and the folks of Massachusetts it is a win for all America. And is it not unbelievable how quickly the Democratic block is caving as they see clearly what the hand writing on their wall is saying.."PINK SLIP DAY is around the corner!"

Here is a sampling of the headlines tonight:

A cavalier Obama says 'you can't win them all' to Atty General Coakley. Another one under the bus. [NOTE TO SELF: Send memo to Atty Gen Coakley election day 2012 reminding her to call former president Obama and tell him 'you can't win them all -- you know better than anyone!]
Democratic Representative Jim Costa of California feels Obama should acknowledge they may have overreached and scale back their plans. Ya think?
Democratic Representative Anthony Weiner of NY feels where healthcare is concerned perhaps the leadership should 'heed the message of Massachusetts' and believes they should 'pivot toward creating jobs, perhaps with a health-care component added in.' Wonder what his first clue was?
Senator Jim Webb believes the vote for healthcare should be put off until Senator Brown is seated. Wow! is that a glimmer of 'reasonableness' we see oozing forth?

Yep, they got the message! Too LITTLE, TOO LATE!

The not so silent majority has been given a booster shot with this victory and they will be infused now with full speed forward motion.

While we revel in this victory, it must be noted it was not only the Democrats that brought us to this place. Yes, they have escalated it to warp speed this past year but Republicans before them have assisted amply to this end. Though Senator Brown seems to be a refreshing start, we mustn't slip into a twilight consciousness believing the Republican party is the savve for all ills. We must be ever vigilant and vet each and every candidate to make sure we are truly turning over a new leaf in history in 2010 and then again 2012!

I, for one, could not be more proud of my fellow Americans who came out today to vote in this spotlight election and especially in the 53 percent who voted for Senator Brown. Kudos for a job well done for all of America. I believe we may have a reprieve from Cap and Tax and other democratic special interest bills.

My thanks to Senator Scott Brown and his family for putting yourselves out there and for doing this well and right! My thanks to their campaign workers, their insightful campaign management team and to the press that finally began to see this vote as pivotal!

And to Obama...what's up with the slam on Senator Brown's Truck?

Why? Because, he decided to keep his clunker??? Is it missing the magnetic signs which read: "Paid for by Special Interests" or "when GM stood for General Motors not Government Motors" The comment made about his truck was straight out of junior high. Way too shallow for a President to speak. Imagine what the world thinks of you after comments like that one. Not to mention the folks you allege to have represented during your campaign who may for any number of reasons own a truck just like his.

The truck has become so notorious maybe it should sit next to Sanford's truck or the Clampett's truck at the museum. Really? Mr. President?

Shame on you!

Exiting stage left humming: 'We are Americans hear us roar in numbers too big to ignore...:::thrusting fist into air screaming YES!' Doing happy dance...falls off stage..

Negro Dialect, what does that even mean?

2010-01-10T06:53:00.009-10:00

President Obama can't win for losing! First, the 'birthers' harangued him for allegedly not being born in the US and now the 'leader' in his own party's Senate questioned his being 'black'?

What exactly was Reid expecting candidate Obama to sound like to prove his 'black'ness? A rapper? I mean, when one allows their mind to think about what a 'negro' --- and who uses that term anymore --- should sound like what in the world comes to mind? On so many MANY levels this man's stereotyping is wrong and he has been the driving force and voice of the Democratic Senate under the first man of color in the white house? [Here's a clue for the Senate leader, you should not have said it at all...it is not a matter of a 'poor choice of words!']

After gutting America with this year's marxist notions via the current party of oversight, the hasty retreats being beat by such senate lifers as Dodd and the 'true' nature of such leaders as Reid, the Dems are keenly understanding they are about to be evicted. These two [and others] walk away with the sound knowledge they did all that they could to foist upon the American public ideologies with huge dollars attached -- the average citizen did not approve. One can only imagine what comes next before the 2010 vote, yet as this goes to press, the most important race in America right now is happening in a few days in Massachusetts and it is only now starting to make the light of day! Do you even know there is such a vital vote being waged in Massachusetts?

America wake up! The closet doors are opening and the skeletons are falling out. The people who were supposed to create CHANGE in America have -- BUT -- is it the change you expected? This year is your year of redemption. If it is not the change you voted for use your vote ONCE MORE and return America to its historic and principled roots!

Do you really concern yourself with someone's accent? Someone's apparel? It is no surprise we have come to where we are if such unimportant, shallow, things occupy the voter's mind when they cast their vote.

Remember as you form your opinions for the candidate you believe deserves your vote:

The Congress DID PASS CAP AND TAX
The Senate has not, YET!
Compulsory Health Insurance has now carved its pages in history from the floors of the CONGRESS and the SENATE.
The spending spree continues as the American people's Financial portfolio includes such businesses as banks, insurance companies and automobiles.
The housing industry, both in terms of new construction and sales, is still spinning like a top.
The 'global warming' faction managed to gain riches and create legislation, all at the American people's expense leaving many Americans without the personal incomes to even pay for their heating bill during one of the coldest winters in 'global warming's' records!

Those responsible for this will only be held accountable at the polls!

This is a sampling of what 'CHANGE' has cost us. A cartoon recently showed the President and Bernanke looking down at a few coins lying on the floor of a warehouse with the caption something like after Cap n Tax, stimulus and bail outs, what do we have left for Health Care? The response: CHANGE!

Let's do it America! CHANGE our current status quo.

For the record, the many nationalities of color who have spent their formative years in Hawaii are more prone to have a local accent. Reid, Senator from Nevada, a state whose Hawaiian connection is robust, should know that!

VOTE NO for INCUMBENTS!

Fumbling Farouk bungles bomb!

2009-12-26T22:13:00.003-10:00

They keep saying it is not a matter of 'IF' but a matter of 'WHEN'.

They say this bomb was advanced, undetectable, showing the bad guys are adapting to literally stay under the radar; then they indicate it is some amateurish incendiary device.

They say the Detroit Dud was on his way to a conference on Islam in Detroit; but he tried to explode a plane upon landing.

They say he was 'suspected' as having ties with Al Quada; he was on some 'watch' list but they forgot to watch him? He had permission to come to Detroit.

They called this an ATTEMPTED act of terror; those on the plane directly involved in retrospect seem far more terrorized than less.

They have suggested links to the same imam that 'MAY' have been killed in Yemen a few days back that was also now known to have given the order to the Army Psycho who terrorized Ft. Hood a couple of months back, STILL not being called an act of TERROR though, once again, clearly people were terrorized.

"They" .. who would 'they' be? Well, 'they' are the ones charged with our safety, both here and in the skies. Yet, it is clear that even 8 years later we clearly have a muddled system of information. Oh, he is on a watch list but wow how embarrassing that would have been to acknowledge had his plan been successful. Let's not rest on our laurels. Let's not take solace in his ineptitude in this instance. Let's hold the same people responsible for knowing he was on watch list and yet somehow managed to give him permission to arrive in our country. His own FATHER reported him, for goodness sake! Weeks ago!!! And he is on a flight to Detroit HOW?

So lately:

Army Doctor murders military and civilian personnel in an act of terrorism on a military base.
2 people crash a 'dinner party' where the President was a guest.
Delta's Detroit landing was safe, DESPITE the watch listed passenger

...and this is just what we know about. Yes, we all know it is just a matter of time. But, why is it the 'authorities' are concerned the American public may be complacent when in fact it's the ones in charge who are the culprits of complacency.

I agree, we must be mindful that "THEY" have no doubt foiled more than we are aware of and have managed to hover our safety somewhere between fair to good, but, it is clear the bad guys are looking to exploit our vulnerabilities. I hope this incident with Firecracker Farouk doesn't catapult the traveler into yet another series of TSA prohibitions. We have Reid the Ridiculous to thank for having to take our shoes off; We have to buy little travel sized containers of tooth paste, mouth wash and deodorant and stick them in a plastic bag in order to freshen up on the plane after a long flight. So what is this going to cause us to do? Pass through some 'Total Recall' XRAY machine exposing us all to harm? It is time the precautions are taken on the part of US Intel -- especially when you have someone's father force feeding you information about the son's radical activities!

The American Public should stay vigilant but it seems not only of suspicious behavior. Perhaps they should be equally suspicious of those whose behavior is not up to safety standards...like letting party crashers come and go with impunity and a watch listed man board a US BOUND FLIGHT! with US passengers! It is time to pink slip the civil servants who are creating holes for potential deadly consequences to exploit!

From Bondage to Bondage

2009-10-13T14:18:00.005-10:00

Today on Glenn Beck's show he discussed the thoughts contained in the concepts here.

I went online to seek out this same set of thoughts Glenn used to find out the origin and background of the statements. There is a certainty on the internet that some version of this was credited to a few different people. But this particular set of statements in this order I found in its entirety in a Snope's expose. The expose' was not about the statements contained so much as the email under discussion's extrapolation from the sentiment. I thought how about filling in the blanks...what if we each look over the single sentences and answer where in our lives we believe each of these statements became true.

I am not sure if the first two statements have application to a specific time. In my life, I can point to a couple of waves of spiritual freedoms and my life began mid 20th century. However, from Courage to Abundance, I believe that began its assent after the Korean War. It was the last war for a full decade America was involved in and right after that time America and by extension, many nations, began to experience 'abundance'.

From the abundance, complacency. I remember in the 1970's a joke that circulated as a commentary on just how complacent American's had drifted to. The abundance hit a snag in the 70's with a break down of our confidence with the initialization of OPEC's pricing and oil rationing. The economy tanked.

The mid 80's we rebounded and this time we wound up moving from complacency to apathy. A new generation growing up with technology, Hollywood, double income families and less and less 'family' time; a transference of authority over the family from the family to educators and social professionals. The 80's wound up defining all sorts of 'ism's' arising as people manifest behavioral actions which became alarming.

In the 90's we wound up moving from apathy to dependence! Co-dependence, inter-dependence explanations for people's behavior. Independence became a 'bad' notion. If you are independent you are not a Team player, you are not sensitive to the fragility of the universe which manifests 'inter-dependence' on a monumental level. If you express an independent, non conformist opinion, you are considered rebellious, stubborn, and bigoted. Yet, was it not 'independence' that dominated the 'cause' of the founding fathers who founded our LIBERTY through the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE? Were they not diligent in moving America of the day, the 13 colonies, from Bondage to Spiritual Faith.

If we follow the logic of the sentiment above, where are we, in your opinion? How close are we to the final condition, "From dependence back to bondage"? Perhaps closer than you think. We are not completely dependent yet. We still have government health care and everything that is inherent in the various bills they are coalescing into 'free health care'. We still have Cap and Tax, we still have attacks upon the various FREEDOMS we are so dependent upon, SPEECH! If our speech is squelched so is our right to our own religious beliefs and press and the right to stand up for our family, property, beliefs, ourselves!

I believe we teeter dangerously close to the edge of the precipice leading only to bondage if we do not move back to courage and liberty! With a reassertion of liberty and courage we will realize abundance. Abundance -- not necessarily of a material nature. Abundance may be freedom to SPEAK your mind; speak up for another or for a cause you believe in, or simply to hold an unpopular opinion and not be censured for it. Abundance of freedoms from being labeled because you hold a strong opinion, for instance, in civility, in appropriate deportment as allowed by our Constitution.

Liberty has been fanned back to life after smoldering for the past 3 decades. Liberty is manifesting itself in the courage of many Americans who have donned the unpleasant but patriotic notion of confronting their elected officials inquiring of them why they do not respect their constituency. Courage manifesting itself in people like the couple who went on the road at their own peril to expose the truth about some employees working for ACORN, on our tax dollars! With this demonstration of courage and liberty comes more pressure from the government to squelch the 'discontent'. The administration has moved from calling you and I names for our stand for liberty to calling anyone who reports the notions being moved forward -- in some intention to transform the country -- 'the opposition'. Color me an opposer if transforming my country to anything -- other than what it was transformed to in 1791 -- is the goal!

FROM COURAGE TO LIBERTY; will you join the movement back from dependence to INDEPENDENCE? to LIBERTY? Away from BONDAGE? Step back to independence; step away from the edge of the precipice with bondage as ground zero.

That's my opinion. What's yours?

Small Victory for Freedom

2009-10-07T09:44:00.007-10:00

Hawaii County's Human Services Committee took the first step in preserving our constitutional freedoms yesterday during an historic vote on Resolution 237-09. The Resolution's stated purpose: "...Urging Hawai'i State and Federal Legislators to amend vaccine laws to the right of medical, religious and philosophical exemption from mandated vaccine programs."

What a laudable leadership step this resolution proves to be. Residents from Kona, Waimea and Hilo were present to testify before the Committee in support of the approval of Resolution 237-09. After considerable discussion, where the only point of divergence between council members was the absence of testimony from an opposing view, the committee voted to approve the resolution 7 votes yes, 1 vote no. The resolution now passes to the full Council for discussion and consideration with more testimony pending. This resolution is tentatively expected to make it to the October 21st Agenda.

The core point of the Resolution is 'choice'. Choice which comes from the exercise of 'freedom'. Freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution! Our Declaration of INDEPENDENCE says the following: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness..."

Thus, the premise of this Resolution is wholly based on the guarantee of our freedoms as expressed prolifically in our Bill of Rights, our Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution! Authority for the audacity of this Resolution comes from our Declaration of Independence' opening paragraph: "When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation." With this said, the Resolution stands as testimony to the world the folks of Hawaii County expressly resolve to maintain those freedoms which include right to decide whether or not to accept the immunization currently offered for H1N1.

And so Hawaii County's Human Services Committee has declared the cause which impels them to separate themselves from the strong plausibility of a 'mandated' inoculation program currently being hotly debated on a national level. CBS News writes: "This raises an obvious and important question: Under what circumstances can government officials order mandatory vaccination? And could the general public be ordered to roll up their sleeves for injections, even if there might be side effects beyond a sore arm or mild fever? The concern in New York also comes as skepticism of vaccination in general seems to be on the rise. "

Councilwoman Naeole's staff did an outstanding job in seeking out the information they needed and arming themselves with the knowledge that would be defensible and in creating the resolution. Councilwoman Naeole further proved a novel leader in this instance in supporting her staff for their outstanding devotion to this topic.

Councilman Greenwell remained ever focused on the primary issue this resolution exposes and addresses: the 'right' and 'freedom' of Americans to 'choose' if they wish to receive the inoculation, or to opt out for any reason.

Resolutions usually bear no particular legislative weight other than to put on the record the consensus of a group or legislative body. Yet, in this world of 'political gain' as the dominant underlying motivation for nearly all things done on a governmental level, THIS RESOLUTION manifests a clear apolitical impulse prone only in the direction of continuing a freedom based personal choice.

The medical arguments are no less important and bear considerable contemplation, but the underlying issue is the 'freedom' to choose to accept or reject the medical rationale for such a mandate.

Plaudits to the Human Services Committee, to Councilwoman Naeole and her staff and to Councilman Greenwell for maintaining and providing clarity in articulation time and time again, marshaling a positive vote for a positive resolution in the presence of a grateful constituency!

That's my opinion! What's yours?

Crash of Entitlement!

2009-10-02T06:16:00.004-10:00

Drudge Report leads today with this huge headline: THE EGO HAS LANDED WORLD REJECTS OBAMA: CHICAGO OUT IN FIRST ROUND Newt Gingrich writes this:newtgingrich Somehow charm and oratory dont seem to work in foreign affirs but historians have warned that foreign policy is different than campaigning
Breitbarts lead is this:http://www.breitbart.tv/pandemonium-in-the-broadcast-center-chicago-loses-olympics-bid/

And so you have it, the crash of entitlement. We through everything at the bid for Chicago both big "O"'s Oprah and Obama and still it wasn't enough.

Meanwhile back at home a reality check seems to be in order. 43 troops lost their lives in September, a full month after a request was submitted to give support to the Afghanistan war front by the very General appointed to bring this one in as a done deal! And did you hear? John Kerry wants Obama to take some time to think over his strategy, perhaps weeks. Wow, talk about support.

Last month marked another anniversary of the observance of POW-MIA day. Nice write up here: www.vfwpost3830.com

Unemployment is still going off the richter scale.

Americans are reeling from the reality that their strong protests against an over reaching government has fallen on deaf ears. That the push for health care reform should step back and take some time to review the many concerns.

But we could spend beaucoup bucks to make a bid for Chicago as the the 2016 site of the Olympics. Spare no expense.

For so many reasons I am grateful this has happened. It is a form of censure to America that even when we foisted the 'One' upon them they opted to work as an independent committee and not be swayed by some sense of entitlement.

And score one for the folks who believe merit and not cronyism should be the final basis for a decision. The President and his team have let down a lot of people back in his home town but it is not for lacking any nerve to spend money that belongs to the people to be used for National Security. Not bringing home the gold somehow seems quite fitting for a country who is subsidizing itself on monopoly money!

Now that the fun is over Mr. President, how about our troops in Afghanistan? Did you ever entertain the idea of stopping by and saying 'howzit'? Or, how about, 'You're next on my plate'? Gee, using tax payer dollars to bolster our troop's morality, troops from all over the US and not just Chicago, what a novel idea. "O"ops!

Obama-lympics!

2009-09-29T00:54:00.003-10:00

Let me see, the number of American's out of work is what? The number of American's wanting an accounting from the White House on the proposed Health Care Reform is how many? The number of military in Afghanistan needing back up and support will be addressed, when? Taxes must go up, why?

The President himself is leaving on a jet plane for Copenhagen for a 'day' to try and win the Olympic games for Chicago! A day. How many hundreds of thousands of tax dollars are going to be spent to 'sell Chicago as the 2016' site? This has to do with the day to day business of running the country, HOW?

Sure, if Chicago picks up the games there will be much money being funneled into the area with lots of people working in everything related to the Olympics. But what about the rest of the nation? What do taxpayers in Indiana get because the Olympics come to town.

What happened to the 'hard work' and 'sacrifice' Obama talked of on the campaign trail. Perhaps he meant the military, our soldiers, would be the 'hardworking' 'sacrificing' ones. Of course they understand there is more pressing business their Commander in Chief simply must take care of, THE OLYMPICS! Surely the folks in uniform stuck in harm's way understand if their Chief must postpone serious discussion and decisions on their welfare and needs while he and the wife jet off to Copenhagen for the day, on the taxpayers dime!

The world is upside down. Leadership has left the building. Self interest and self promotion have replaced a united sense of kinship, that pride in our country that used to bind us all. Of course, President Eisenhower would jet off to Denmark for the day and leave his soldiers hanging out there at war.

When the Olympics are over and it is time Obama pay the piper, what will it be? What will he promise the folks who make the decision to get them to choose Chicago? Time will tell. In the meantime, while Copenhagen has the President's full attention, our men and women in uniform are still paying the ultimate price and while they likely do not give the 'news' any mind, if they did, do you think they'd be okay with their boss off scoring the Olympics instead of here, hunkered down with the top military brass, trying to negotiate a positive resolution to this Afghan war? NO! But hey, not to worry, the other "O", Bin Laden, is still hard at work. He's able to threaten Europe for supporting the US in Afghanistan and praise his god all the while.

But we might get the Olympics! Surely such frivolity is justifiable and worthy. I bet those folks out in the San Joaquin Valley, where their lives have been turned to dust, literally, fully understand the President has no time to deal with their issues, he has an Olympic Game to secure for Chicago. Hey, but at least the folks there will eat well, even if the rest of the nation doesn't because the folks in the San Joaquin Valley cannot grow the crops to feed us.

Dude! What are you thinking? With so much 'life and death' at stake why are you spending tax dollars to fly to Copenhagen to try and move the folks to vote for Chicago? If you feel compelled to blow the bucks why not take it and hand it out to people who need it? Even if you wanted to do that in Chicago surely there are no to low income people who need a few dollars. How many people could you feed with the money you will be spending to go over? How much will Chicago spend to make over their city for a couple of weeks of games? And people are losing their jobs, their homes, their families. They must know how wonderful their world will be, how Obama's concern for them will rock their world when he leads out the Parade at the Olympics! He will probably carry the torch right to the stadium! We can all be so proud! Hopefully the collective sound of the stomachs of those hungry, out of work and home, will not drowned out the celebration of the Olympics.

No shame. None whatsoever. "Let them eat cake" right?

Ramping Up For Fall On The HILL!

2009-09-01T00:08:00.002-10:00

Summer is behind us, though the 'Town Hall Meeting' are still happening; and though the Tea Party Express is making its way across the country towards 9/12 at DC.

The President's aggressive agenda has begun to reflect 'pause' while the majority regroup and reagendize their goals.

Our vigilance is all the more dire as behind the scenes issues like FREEDOM OF SPEECH and PRESS are being quietly removed from our country's historic landscape of inalienable rights. Healthcare reform, aka, Health Insurance Reform, aka, Obamacare, aka Teddy-Care, will be interesting to watch as the 'death panels' discussion, that embarrassing VA directive to discuss end of life care which doesn't seem to be going away, and the volatile 'Public Option' or 'government option' is in...no wait, it's out...no wait,it's in...all make their way through various committee discussions. Then, today, it is announced Barbara Boxer and John Kerry are putting off their 'Cap and Trade' rendition to the end of September for a slew of reasons.

The end of the month the President heads off on another foreign trip, another opportunity to apologise, only this time perhaps he should, to China, for the way in which he has carelessly opted to spend their monies!

Americans should not view the 9/12 Tea Parties as the culmination of a busy summer and head into malaise as the fall and winter seasons begin to arrive. We cannot be any less vigilant in watching bills and exposing the deeds of those who would alter our country from the United States of America to the United Socialist America!

The last 300 years of our history falls directly on our shoulders to protect. We must be as driven to covet our freedoms as those who have given their all before us. We must keep the LIGHT OF TRUTH shining brilliantly on the underhanded and devious plans of those who would hijack our nation from the Capitol steps! We must expose everything. Give the new FCC CZAR a run for his money and let him know we will not easily bow to becoming a Chavez look alike where media is concerned.

Please mark your calendars every single day to find some thing to talk about with your families, friends and work associates to keep AMERICA ALIVE and FREE!!!

Health Care Discussion & Public Virtue

2009-08-11T15:25:00.003-10:00

Today while observing the politicians who occupy our television and various other devices streaming news through the eyes of the media commentator, one might find themselves caught up in the opinions of the favored commentator, perhaps identifying with their perspective, at least in principle. Are we perhaps doing ourselves an injustice by assuming the opinions of our favorite news sources without truly looking behind the scene to understand motive and intent?

What is virtue? A desired quality; an asset; a good value; high merit/caliber and goodness. When we look at public figures and we assess their performance do we see their good value, high merit and caliber, their goodness? Is it important for our elected officials to have and demonstrate virtue? One of the architects of our republic, Benjamin Franklin, held this idea: “"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." Also, from the first president, “Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder. “ –George Washington

Today we are exposed to news reports of elected officials who either sold out their virtue for a dollar or they never possessed it and were caught fully exposed in their unethical character. The understatement above by George Washington then becomes all the more relative. Yet, conversely, we have some who hold virtue an honor and speak out in defense of it. Of late, Backman, Palin, Issa, and Conryn to name a couple. It is not that we are void of Virtuous leadership it is that we are overwhelmed by the shameful.

We arrive now at the threshold of an incredible time for liberty’s survival. If Franklin’s assessment is correct, ‘only virtuous people are capable of freedom’, where does this leave Liberty and you? Our country is being ripped apart from those who would march Liberty way out to sea from her home on the Hudson River and out of our lives as Americans vs those who hold Patrick Henry’s words as a mantra: “Give me liberty or give me death!”

We have been eye witnesses to the struggle for Liberty these past few weeks during the passionate discussion regarding health care and the proposal before the public being considered in the Congressional portion of the legislative branch. Public Virtue dictates honest debate on real issues that may lay dormant in HR 3200. Recently, Mike Leavitt referenced the health bill as ‘essentially a series of headlines and aspirations.’ [commences at 4:30 seconds] Please pay special attention to the ‘process’ of fleshing in the details of the outline which is HR 3200 as discussed. How can debate proceed when generalities populate the document, said generalities having ignited such a blaze? Wouldn’t Public Virtue involve what is best for the whole of the Republic not merely the elected officials; especially those who make no bones about their vocation? Going back to Washington’s comments regarding virtue vs highest bidder, is it any wonder the folks who have gone out on the hot August days to vent their thoughts and concerns with their elected officials [or their AARP representatives], do not recognize the leadership’s reticence to actually discuss issues as a Public Good? Or, Public Virtue?

The President has already taken his stand, there will be health care reform in 2009! And to that demonstrative dictate perhaps the question should be reiterated, “Why the rush on this bill when it took 6 months to choose a dog?” CAVEAT: Don’t know that it took that long but certainly it was in the news for a long time.

Would it not be in the majority’s best interest to truly hash out the health care plan that works to serve America’s already notable heath care industry?

Senator McCaskill made the following points during her town hall in Hillsboro, MO:

1. No bill has been voted on

2. The Senate will not be voting on the HR 3200

Since no bill has been voted on, how about they return to the drawing table and rework the bills they are entertaining for vote and have it reflect or at least assuage the concerns of the many VIRTUOUS Americans who came out and continue to show up at the meetings. Public Virtue, again, what is good for the country not for the individual, especially if that individual stands to gain from the loss of liberty and health care standards which are the envy of many western nations!

A challenge goes forth from this blog: Instead of trying to beat some partisan clock to win a victory as a feather in your legacy cap with the passage of such an unpopular bill; instead of rushing through this process just for the sake of ‘getting her done’, how about you step back and work at this with the long view!? So what if you don’t get the credit for the whole deal, if you at least get it going down a reasonable road that will be far more important and virtuous.

One last question: Where is it ordered, sanctioned, authorized or mandated that our government provide health care? That is a personal issue. In the early days it was between the practitioner and the patient. Entrepreneurial spirit initiated a bit of capital market trade when they sponsored health insurance. It is private business. The Social Security Act introduced the Medicare component which insinuated the government into the health care industry. There are many ways which have been suggested to create competition between private industry without the government looming over the whole health care system to its potential detriment. We all admit something has to give, and there is no doubt private insurance will need to be the biggest giver, but there has to be a far better way to innovate than to burden all of America with a national health care system. Apart from all of the philosophical discussion on the rights and wrongs of the form of government that leads to, the idea what was to be LIMITED GOVERNMENT now has carved out the potential to come in and hobble our freedoms on so many levels with this sort of health care is over kill!

Here is a clue: If you just went back to trying to fix Medicare? The 90Billion dollars lost to fraud would be a great place to start funding the physicians the fees they require that will encourage them to accept Medicare. It may be naïve but if doing nothing means absolute collapse for the entire system it may well be in everyone’s best interest to sit down and really work out a solution the Medicare folks can live with and the doctors and health care industry can support. The rest of the folks, those on private insurance they need to work through their power to purchase to motivate the private sector and those without, more and more companies are offering limited health care which will cover the big ticket items at least. Those industries have regulators to make sure they are offering real coverage for real health care needs.

Employing people to write health care who give access to a certain age group while exercising an actuarial attitude towards other age groups on either end of the ‘life’ spectrum will not for a long time fly with Americans. They are not ready for selective survival determined by a committee. They are not close to acceptance of eugenics. And let not the leadership forget, you too will grow old and face life threatening malady.

Just because someone is deemed a leader does not mean they are virtuous. Americans standing up and being heard right now demonstrate their desire for liberty and in doing so take the leadership role in PUBLIC VIRTUE. This is not something your neighbor can do for you or you can do for your neighbor. This is all on you!

REMEMBER: “"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.”

Town Hall Meeting Etiquette

2009-08-06T22:28:00.006-10:00

Perhaps Another Beer Summit?

The President should return to his childhood culture and utilize finesse by having 'talk story' sessions with the country's ohana.

Okay, so in the hallowed walls of the House and Senate, decisions are made in a vacuum that emanate out and bind all in America. Typically, these decisions are made, somewhat reported on in the news, Americans grumble a little and they go on about their lives. If they don’t really like something, or conversely, they do, then they use their vote at the next election to register their assent/dissent. Town Hall Meetings are typically reserved for promoting a candidate. They have become far more popular of late and so it is no surprise they’d be employed to communicate with Americans about the one topic that has gotten everyone all riled up!

It is a good thing the lawmakers decided to not rush to judgment, choosing instead to give the people a little one on one time to answer questions, address concerns and build support. The Town Hall Meeting is a great way. Here’s where it has gone south as a great idea. The Hosts of these meetings are not coming to solicit input by answering questions. They came to propagandize their agenda mostly to ‘educate’ people about the bill. Sadly, they seem to all have a script and it is the same tired script the president has been using over and over and over and over and over. The folks out there in America are not the stupid people the politicians truly believe they are. They do not need the repetitive speeches done over and over as though saying it often enough will inculcate the masses and they will accede mindlessly. So when you keep saying ‘if you like your doctor and your insurance you can keep it’ understand, the folks are bright enough to know it cannot happen that way because their employer has already told them depending on the ‘public option’ they may give up private insurance for public plan and thus no more ‘keep the same doctor and insurance’. Of course one could opt to pay full price for the insurance plan while the employer offers other staff coverage under the public plan. That is not a savings for the employee paying for a private plan just to keep the doc and the insurance because the employer decides to opt in to the public plan. And isn’t the purpose of this big overhaul to bring down costs? Or is it merely to bring down costs for the government? <--- Said tongue in cheek!

People go to these meetings hoping to ask questions and get intelligent dialogue going only to find out the hosts have a script and the questions are not part of the script. So, frustration? Absolutely! And why not! A major MAJOR change is threatening to alter their health care and no one is really forthcoming with real information -- only the same platitudes which are easily dismissed with the simplest of reasoning. Human nature sustains a typical reaction to frustrating stimulus: When the human is unable to dispatch the source of the frustration, in this case, get answers to question or learn what the plan hopes to accomplish, the questions issue forth and when not answered the level of the voice goes up as a natural response to a question seemingly unheard. Eventually others in the audience wanting to assist the individual who appears not to hear echoes the same question -- then chaos begins to ensue. The hosts at these town hall meetings haven’t gotten it yet. They should just set up the podium, or grab a chair and sit in round circle, ask for questions, answer to the best of their ability. If they cannot answer, make an effort to get the information and release it. And here's a novel idea: How about the hosts record the concerns of the people, legitimate or not, and take those back to their hallowed walls for further debate? How about honoring the PEOPLE who pay the politician’s salaries and the politician's GREAT HEALTH PLANS by working with them to create a health care reform that works FOR them and not against them.

Now, to add insult to injury, the hosts are bringing bodies to occupy seats at the various locations from the SEIU and Organizer of America effectively neutralizing the purpose of the meetings by denying the American, who has a right to his/her opinion and to elicit information from the lawmaker/host, a place to sit where they can ask question. This opportunity would allow the concerned citizen to rest ‘assured’ the quality of their life, their income, their family’s well being is not going to be radically changed and for the worse by this hell share overhaul.

It is an abomination, an out right egregious assault to the American to take what could have been an outstanding opportunity to reflect REAL TRANSPARENCY and acknowledge REAL CONCERN and show UTTER RESPECT by using these meetings and this recess to really connect in a positive way with the folks. It is truly a shame the campaign trail had this guy out there wooing the public being a ‘regular’ guy having a hamburger and fries and reaching out to the folks; now, treating them with such contempt as to rig and stage these events to create the most havoc is shameful. Imagine this could be purposeful to cast the ‘regular’ folks in the worse possible light thus diminishing their worth and input.

Let’s not lose heart! NOVEMBER 2, 2010 is a little over a year away and that is when the ‘little people’ -- the administration is truly alienating through such disrespect -- will vote out those who participated and showed them they really mean nothing to their respective elected representatives. The level of heat that is going to be stoked to white hot with each and every occasion of the dismissive attitude by politicians will not easily be assuaged. People will remember and when it comes time to enter the voting booth they will make a difference.

So, how come the whole beer summit thing hasn’t been the theme of these meetings? I don’t mean serve beer but how about a room where everyone is sitting, informally, face to face, and just talking one on one? You know, Congressperson or Senator just says ‘I’m here to answer questions, clear the air, help you understand and take your concerns back to Washington”? Why the whole ‘listen up this is what we came here to do!’ The folks in DC cannot possibly be so naive as to believe the masses would not be up in arms. It is not about any cable channel or personality, no talk show pundit whipping up the hot winds of anger. It is not about one party trying to subvert another. It is about John & Jean Q Citizen who understand math, finance, budgets, running households, managing differences, developing team consensus. It is about the many families who fully understand the impact this bill will have on their lives and ultimately the quality of life for every citizen. They just wanted to sit down and have politicians convince them to go against their better judgment and fully understand how this is going to be A GOOD THING, that’s all! How is that so tough for the politicians to grasp. The fact that it is not happening is astounding confirmation the folk’s assumptions are real and correct and the future is looking maddeningly frightful and bleak and yeah, they will totally revolt against it any way they can because it goes against their grain not to.

The Government has failed to seize the moment in an historic and epoch way. They have instead shown themselves to be as those who have critiqued them have suggested: akin to the types who resort to intimidation as a means to an end. In America, land of the Brave, HOME OF THE FREE, the folks do not take kindly to threats! What’s more, they do not have a lot of patience with people who ought to know better but who prefer to induce ‘fear’ through psychological manipulation.

Here is hoping the Town Hall Meetings begin to turn a corner and productive discourse between people begins to happen. That would be far better a legacy for the president than ‘you owe, you owe so off your knee caps go!’

Come on, grab a brew, hang loose, talk story, ‘hear’ the folks. Emerge with a health care reform that has the support of the folks and kicks America up a notch as the prevailing and premiere health industry of the world! That would look far better on your resume'!

Dog Days of Summer

2009-08-04T23:45:00.003-10:00

Or is that the ‘winds of change’ they are a blowin’!

The American people have been through a decade long interruption to their normal routine/comfort zone, commencing with the 2000 vote for President and ending with the summer recess of the House and Senate 2009. Along the way we managed to be attacked by murderous religious zealots, live through home grown terror in the form of white powder delivered via mail, a war that was labeled the ‘mother of all wars’ by Saddam and ‘Shock and Awe’ by the US which proved to be neither; well maybe it is becoming the ‘mother of all wars’ from a couple of different perspectives.

We managed to get through another presidential campaign, though Chad’s name did not come up again as being indecisive; a housing spike that turned out to be deeper than it was high -- ending in a nose dive for the economy never seen by the generation living today, driven there by the highest fuel costs experienced in a short period of time arriving at the end of the road where a lot of people are without jobs, homes, and food. A government, which has once again changed hands, and is printing monopoly money buying up pieces of our national monopoly board! It isn’t the Reading RR but GM; not hotels on Broadway but banks in Manhattan; the electric company is mandated by Cap & Trade promising to drive up costs for power so high people cannot afford the luxury. The Community Chest is TARP and if by CHANCE you have a get out of jail card it will be funded by Stimulus dollars. [The chain gang will have shovels.] Pretty soon, the government owns pretty much all the homes and businesses and you realize, the last vote you cast for change was really nothing more than another ‘roll of the dice’!

The interesting phenomenon that has chased itself from one end of the left/right spectrum to the other has been about the same thing but with different players. For the last few years of the Bush administration folks were up in arms over the Patriot Act, the Surveillance Act, the attempt to alter Presidential powers and changing of the verbiage to the ‘posse comitatus’ proviso. People were so utterly concerned about their right to privacy, their civil liberties, and rightly so, by the time the man who talked ‘change’ with a ‘yes we can’ do attitude figuratively walked off the water right onto the Presidential red carpet and began his reign. Yep, the folks who could not say enough about what was becoming of our constitutional rights, our individual liberties and our right to privacy moved their support from the dominant reigning party to the party that could do no right just a few years earlier. They voted and their mandate was clearly in support of change!

How’s that working out?

The nearly invisible presidency of Bush has become the weekly Obama Show at prime time. While the economy began to tank on the Bush watch the tank’s bottom has given way to a black hole sucking the life out of our once vibrant capitalist entrepreneurial country on the Obama watch. Bush’s intelligence gains have become Obama’s means.

Monopoly is now the name of the government game. Big CENTRAL Government where they sit you down and let you know what you are allowed to eat, drink, do, drive, where you get your healthcare, how warm/cold you can keep your home, because those smart appliances the Cap n Trade bill mandates will be radio frequency controlled and the utility companies will moderate the internal temps of our homes and businesses. They permit you to labor but you only get to keep a tithe of your pay, the government, now your mortgager, your banker, your health care provider, your ‘sin’ moderator [cigarettes, soda, chocolate, alcohol] your car dealer, your educator and volunteer coordinator, your family planner for how many live births to ‘end of life’ decisions and the final arbiter on how ‘old’ old really is, they now get the rest of your pay. In short, because we are lily livered, sniveling, spoiled, stupid and entitled children the government will shoulder the responsibility we have systematically volunteered to give to them. How you may ask?

We got greedy and needed a baby sitter for free. That would be the education system. From pre-school to college from age 2 to 23 the government gives us tax credits, provides the public schools, feeds the kids breakfast and lunch, teaches them academia and social classes. The kids learn how to read condom labels, do the math to determine how much they need for medicinal marijuana, learn virtual geography that comes in handy on My Space and Facebook, how to dress to impress. [I know, in our day it was short tight skirts and today it is big baggie pants.] Phys Ed is now ‘recreational drugs’. We have grown to appreciate the various meanings of ‘crack’. We have crack: the drug, crack: that which you see when the baggy pants fall or the hip huggers do not quite cover the hips and lastly those who use Blackberry phones and devices are ‘crack’berry freaks! On week ends we drop the kids off at the mall and let store personnel, food courts and Hollywood keep them occupied.

Morality has become a naughty, politically incorrect word. We are to ‘embrace’ the differences. We ‘the baby boomers’ -- those of us who detested the ‘establishment’ when we were teens -- wound up handing our lives and our kids lives right over to the very thing we struggled so hard to break free from as kids! Now the ‘establishment’ has loomed so large and whose tentacles are so far reaching and all encompassing there is a stranglehold on everyone of us. This all happened as our personal opinions and individuality eroded and gave way to ‘groupthink’ with ‘social behavior’ no longer innately understood but being dictated to us and it is not a pretty picture. The Bible cautions: “Woe to those who are saying that good is bad and bad is good…” [Isaiah 5:20]

Where does it all end? Or, when? If not soon, never! Independence, individuality and freedom will first disappear as a reality and likely either evolve into some other meaning; foot noted in some ‘radical’ history book or disappear from dictionary.com forever. The two party system will probably ‘change’ to ‘no party’ or ‘class’ systems as the migration from a democratic republic morphs into totalitarian, or worse. We have the ‘dog days of summer’ NOW to work out freedom, our rights, our independence and our individuality. We need to get out and engage in letter writing campaigns first to the elected officials and then to our neighbors. We need to make sure we are not so conditioned by the government in our apathetic malaise that we do not notice the tanks rolling down our streets as ‘wrong’! We need to understand there is a distinctive plan to engage in age discrimination, in exploiting vulnerabilities, and in being recreated in someone else’s image! The healthcare reform as it is being touted currently is a means to an end, but what end and for whom? I will let the more informed paint that one.

Folks, please do not draw comfort in considering yourself one of the ‘silent majority’! We cannot afford to be silent. As the majority we need to make sure our input reaches all the way to the halls of the White House, Capital Hill and reverberates all the way back to the sovereign states and their respective Capital institutions! The architects of the greatest government since the Theocracy of Israel designed a form of government from the bottom up with the majority of the power in the ‘people’ with limited power with the government. We MUST protect the inalienable right to LIFE, LIBERTY and the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS and protection comes only from activity. If you do not USE it you WILL LOSE IT!

All you folks who were rightly and deeply concerned about your civil liberties under Bush and who opted for ‘change’ in Obama, it is understood that you in no way dreamed this would be the change you would get. If you were to compare the two, and you shouldn’t have to, it may be hard to turn a blind eye to the 6 months of nearly irreversible damage done to this country since the first of the year in comparison to the 8 yrs of Bush. The percipient ones understood Bush facilitated change with his policies, however such prescient knowledge no doubt lacked full spectrum affects of how the change would ultimately be realized. Hindsight, as they say is 20/20.

As in any storm the winds change directions, sometimes from one way to another other times circular - counter and then clock wise. The winds of change unleashed in November of 2008 were not correctly perceived as foreboding by the masses. They missed the signs. On January 22 or 2009, however, the winds began blowing out from the White House first to the nation then to the world and when the dust settles Lady Liberty may be looking at the skeletal remains of a once truly FREE DEMOCRACY.

You have the power to alter the course of this storm. Push back by writing letters and sending them. Forget about emailing the elected folks they do not have working emails but have forms where they tell you but do not listen. You can try calling but the interns, their staff, by now have grown accustomed to the disgruntled and dismayed among us and likely are no longer taking detailed messages, if any at all and you can figure it is being delivered through a filter of their perceptions of the caller. That is of course if you can even get through. Contact your local papers, television and radio stations and let them know you really want to know when the Town Hall Meetings for discussion of healthcare reform will be held so you can make an appearance in support of slowing down the process and giving it time for legitimate and creative debate. Keep their news desk folks and their editors busy answering and reading your concerns. Tell the media and elected officials to look at models like Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic and see how to replicate their healthcare. Don’t look at MassCare, Canadian or UK Social systems as models. Be active in whatever way you can – you may be able to continue to enjoy the life you have carved out for yourself. You will be able to snuggle up in your comfort zone and feel like it is all yours. If you don’t do anything you have been promised by Ms. Obama that the president will make sure you are no longer IN your comfort zone but ENGAGED in what he has decided should be your life! No! Uh ah! We the people will exercise our freedoms of speech and self expression!

WAKE UP! REALLY, BEFORE IT IS TOOOOOOOOOOOOOO LATE!

Obama's Halo Fading

2009-07-21T12:33:00.004-10:00

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/presidential-approval-tracker.htm

President’s Reagan, Kennedy, Johnson and Eisenhower have all done similar or better than Obama by this time in their term! We would have to discount the huge jump at 6 months with George W. Bush because the catalyst there could be Obama’s salvation as well should some catastrophic event happen and he handled it correctly. [We are mindful of Biden’s caution that Obama will be tested within the first 6 months and we were asked to be patient because it would not appear initially as though a right decision was made but that in time we’d understand his actions.] Theoretically, we could still see such an event.

USA TODAY, [a non conservative publication] released/posted the latest presidential approval tracker. Not good news for the president! It is heartening to see the media is reporting what it can no longer ignore: things are not peachy in Obama-World!

Dick Morris has daily kept those who read his site/newsletter up to date on just what impact the Obama policies are having not only on America but on the Obama Administration. The idea the "Obamacare would/could be his Waterloo" is looking more and more promising. Most of the excerpts are from his fantastic new book "Catastrophe". It should be required reading for everyone who is anxious about the future of this country, their family, themselves!!

Regarding Health Care: Do we need a complete overhaul? ALL in America would likely agree. Do we need it in the next 2 weeks? Likely most in America would acknowledge decades of debate has historically transpired so waiting until the folks come back from their break is not out of the question. And a comprehensive health care plan is not something that should be set in stone [or thousands of pages in print] and then we march forward -- all in a matter of a couple of months! It should be initiated in phases which can only be done when prioritizing the issues. If our founding fathers who were unique in their political, religious, moral convictions as they could be, could hammer out the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights with accord, surely more elected folk today, equally divergent in their individual tenets, can identify the prime issues, prioritize them, and then set a realistic schedule to deal with them. Obama still gets the credit because the reform happens on his watch; the American people have the confidence the reform will be presented in phases the folks can relate to and debate intellectually. Further, reasonable debate and time frames allows the taxpayer time to correspond with their respective elected officials giving those officials the ‘input’ representative government requires! It may take a few years but so long as progress is being made towards the overall goal of constructive reform everyone is the better off.

There are real issues that must be addressed! Doctors, nurses, health care facilities, they have legitimate concerns which seem to be given ‘lip service’ by the elected ones but are waved off as inconsequential in the big goal to establish UNIVERSAL health care.

Massachusetts, the state our national reform is allegedly being modeled after, is way over budget in just 3 years into practice. There remain 2.6% of the residents of Massachusetts without care; and the emergency rooms are still the first stop for many even with health insurance because doctors are disallowing provider ship to those with MASS-Care. So, when you look at the tremendous cost over runs, now over a trillion dollars, the pressure on emergency rooms and the fact that not all are insured, thus NOT UNIVERSAL, you must ponder seriously: "This is supposed to be the model the US citizenry is stuck with if rushed through in 2 weeks? Where’s the ‘help’ to the taxpayer?" It suffices only to chase the US to national socialism; to plant an esteemed feather in the cap of the leader of this national socialism, a feather by the way which will have a short term presence, and it gives self aggrandizing kudos to the elected officials who rubber stamp it!

And still we have the burning question: “Who will pay the health care providers when there is no more money to pay them? Who will make the hard decisions who will live and who will die? Based on what criterion? What family will wind up suing the government because their family seems marked for death?” The big winners in this whole business of UNIVERSAL Health Care in its present state will be Attorneys who begin filing lawsuits for any number of causes! Has that dollar amount been factored into the COSTS of Obamacare? Or do we accept the concept the Government would consider it a better business decision to cut a check for $10, 000 to a family to cover funeral arrangements, saving the tens or hundreds of thousands it would cost to keep that same family member alive? The bottom line? You can bet there will be an attorney waiting at that line and they will make up the difference between that one time funeral cost and the long term health costs! The only thing healthy in the end is the attorney's bottom line. Fact is, the patient is still dead! Family is still grieved. The rules of the game have changed but the players are all the same!

The ‘poor’ and ‘disenfranchised’ this president kept preaching too during his campaign have learned the hard lesson that politicians cannot be trusted. Yet, the inventory is already out the door and they are being left holding the bag of empty promises. Worse yet, they will bear the brunt of the negative impact this alleged UNIVERSAL health care will visit upon them. They will be the ones whose over all health is compromised because of their economic situation. What happens when the kids of poor families whose health is provided freely, whose school breakfasts and lunches are being provided freely thus they are eating healthy, whose exercise and grooming is being tendered by the public school system, all on the Federal Government, while the parents are unhealthy, eat poorly, if at all, live in less than optimal conditions and who may or may not engage in lifestyle choices that further compromise their health? The kids will be left without parents, or elders related to them and will become yet another dependent of the government.

We should shudder to think of such worst case scenarios. While the media is marching out emotionally packed images and stories no one has looked at the faces and stories of those who will REALLY be affected by this healthcare proposal. And ironically, it is those faces and those stories who got up out of their lives and went to the voting polls and said ‘yes to change’. Did they vote yes to their own death warrant? One can only pray this is not the case! Doomsday thinking? Oh, absolutely. But is it really all that far fetched?

There is a short term fix IF the house and senate exercise some collective and individual restraint and refuse to be bullied into a decision or into a decision NOW. That breathing time gives Americans a chance to launch a letter writing campaign and telephone campaign to really STOP this from forward going! Then, in 2010 VOTE NO for everyone of these people UP for reelection who had to be convinced to NOT sign on or who were never convinced! DON’T FORGET, some of the same characters, at least in the house, voted YES to CAP & TRADE!

Pink Slip Day cannot be here soon enough! Let’s hobble this march to totalitarian rule NOW!

Happy INDEPENDENCE Day, America!

2009-07-03T23:38:00.006-10:00

What is independence, really? What does July 4th mean to you? How long will we be celebrating our independence as a reality vs independence as a by-gone notion?

Of course, July 4th brings many American’s minds rightly back to 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed into history. That day was no doubt rife with an array of emotions as the founding fathers boldly and bravely STOOD up for their cause and signed that now famous piece of parchment. If it worked, their minds no likely could not truly fathom the real freedoms that would be realized. If it didn’t work, the sacrifices of our founding fathers would probably have been footnoted in some history book.

Today, two centuries after the inauguration of independence, untold lives lost, blood spilt, bodies maimed, families and friends ripped apart, independence endures as the back bone of America’s beauty. Independence has a sister, Liberty, and together they breathe life into each of her citizens while they explore life’s opportunities and purpose.

But independence comes in different shades, forms, and contrasts. While we think in terms of generalities when mentioning Independence and July 4, there are other kinds of independence that are no less brilliant and on exhibition in our wonderful nation. Today, July 3rd, Governor Sarah Palin declared her own independence when she demonstrated her outstanding moral courage and nature and informed her fellow Alaskans she’d be resigning her role as Governor. She did it for so many reasons, all wonderful, but one of them showed her own sense of independence in a quintessential way. She announced to the world that she would not remain as Governor, as a ‘lame duck’ Governor, taking advantage of the ‘perks’ of her office, as many politicians do, because she has worked conscientiously for the people of her state. She regards not only the folks she represents, but the state and its nature, with utmost respect and honor. She honors her own personal integrity in making this bold and historic decision. It matters not if in the future she begins to campaign as a potential Presidential candidate, she could have done that like so many others, and remained on the payroll enjoying the benefits being Governor enjoys. There are simply no words to truly define what an exceptional and outstanding display of integrity and INDEPENDENCE Governor Palin demonstrated. She truly took the lead in doing what was right, in her mind, soul and heart, and anyone who faults her for that runs the risk of appearing truly lacking in their own moral character and personal integrity. If you will lead at all, lead with dignity and honor. Gov. Palin is in the lead on both counts!

For the record, Ms Palin was never my ‘idea’ of a candidate. I did not approve of the stereo typing she engaged on the campaign with Senator McCain. But that is simply my personal opinion. Their ticket got our vote nonetheless. ‘Personal opinions’ aside, I have appreciated her willingness to speak her mind, stand up for what she believes in, and her unflinching sense of self confidence. We wish she and her family all the best and congratulate them on their INDEPENDENCE!

It seems appropriate that anytime one ponders July 4 and Independence one also include positive thought, best wishes, and prayerful consideration to our active duty military personnel. They truly know the cost of freedom. Their families and friends deserve our prayers and best wishes as well for their own sacrifices. Gratitude should be expressed also to the veterans and former active military folks who have served for their country’s Freedom/Independence.

Lastly, the question: Will we know Independence next July 4th as we know it today?

The Obama administration has promulgated a dangerous bill through the House, the Clean Energy Bill, as it is ‘nick named’. Included in this bill, should it pass the senate, is a standard for all homes, appliances, vehicles, etc. Smart appliances are to be developed and sold to replace those we currently have. California is the model the Clean Energy Bill holds up as the standard bearer. Until recently, California entertained that PCT, programmable communication thermostats, would use radio frequency, allowing utility companies to regulate the thermostats in your home remotely. Ostensibly, they sold the concept by alleging the utility company would only control the thermostat during ‘high peak’ usage. The 2008 standards were to mandate all new homes and air conditioners would have the radio frequency device included. Ponder this: the Clean Energy Bill, also known as the Cap and Trade, contains the directive that any homeowner who decides to sell their home would be required to retrofit their home to bring it up to the new standards -- prior to the sell. So, those homes already built prior to the passage of this bill, which would be ‘grandfathered’ in, would only be exempt from retrofit until such time as the homeowner decided to sell. New home construction would be done with California standards as the regulatory standard and only Smart appliances would be permitted. California decided to abandon their PCT radio frequency standard due to the ‘big brother’ish’ sort of invasiveness of that bill. Seems Californians objected to that much ‘green mania’. The technology is out there and the Cap and Trade leaves little room for doubt that our homes, our vehicles, our lives will be devoid of privacy and our independence diminished to nearly zilch!

As you enjoy your independence this July 4th week end, please resolve to stand your ground for independence. Do not let the government strip away that which has cost so much and means so much by exploiting the conscientious desire of American’s to preserve nature! Do not let politicians legislate our INDEPENDENCE out of existence with the Cap and Trade and Universal Health Care bills! Be sure to inundate your senators with letters, faxes, tweets, text messages, whatever you can to let them know they must vote NO! Let them know YOU vote for INDEPENDENCE and LIBERTY and not for burdensome taxation without representation or bondage and slavery to the government. Thomas Jefferson would likely remind us: “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.” Incising our Independence from our lives by legislation clearly falls under the ‘abuses and usurpations’ portion of Mr. Jefferson’s declaration. Will President Obama be remembered as the "Red Coat" Threat of this century that inspired a current day revolution because of burdensome taxation and oppression of the people and their sovereign states?

Do America proud and LIFT UP LIBERTY

INVOKE INDEPENDENCE!

Friends in high places!

2009-06-30T23:56:00.005-10:00

OOPS! After life long service to his country, Senator Daniel Inouye, senior Senator from Hawaii, is now faced with what may be at the very least an embarrassing career moment or worse, the loss of respect from many holding him with well deserved esteem.

As one of the original investors in Hawaii’s Central Pacific Financial, Daniel Inouye has had a vested interest in the success of this bank consistently through the years. When the latest economic downturn burned through he and his wife’s shares, there was something Central Pacific Bank had up its sleeve other less fortunate shareholders and financial institutions lacked, a Senator/investor.

According to the Washington Post Central Pacific Bank “was an unlikely candidate for a program designed by the Treasury Department to bolster healthy banks”. However, it is reported that shortly after Senator Inouye initialized contact with Central Pacific they received $135,000,000! [UPDATE: Previously reported here as $135,000.] The Washington Post reports around 30 senators own shares in banks that got federal aid – yet, none of them intervened on behalf of a bank in which they owned shares. As a reporter, this is a tough article to write. We have attended events and have gotten to know the Senator; we have friends who work at and bank with the local branch of CPB, and we know some of the Senator’s staff. Hawaii, after all, is a small state. Senator Inouye has a long and distinguished public service record/career and is a gentle man. While he has declined comment, to date, this act of self interest, which seems totally uncharacteristic of his service record, comes at a time when Americans are waking up to a most distasteful and unpleasant reality: Our elected officials consistently disappoint their fellow citizens through abuse of power, disingenuous public statements, taxation which invites the notion of malfeasance and a blind willingness to support party lines with a ‘damn the consequences’ attitude towards our Constitution and our Liberties. Senator Inouye’s personal financial losses through his investment with CPB, to the tune of about $400k [about 79 per cent of his overall investments which is about 2/3 of his total assets reported in 2008] tested his own personal integrity. Clearly, his part in the infusion of one hundred and thirty five million dollars is questionable, at the very least! His name is now added to a growing list of disappointing public servants [a term which has become an oxymoron].

There are many Americans who suffered significant losses, some of them taking a complete hit, yet they do not have such options available to them. Is this a perk of the job of Senator or a clear over-reach of his position? Is it proof ‘absolute power corrupts absolutely’? Whatever it is, it will likely not be a big news item, not raise many eyebrows, not disgust many who know of it, not amount to much when compared to the colossal abuses of power already being unleashed by this President and his administration of ‘Change’. Whatever you may wish to label it, will it move you to VOTE on November 2, 2010 for change? Will you exercise the one hint of democracy still available to you, the right to FIRE those elected officials who have proven track records of questionable ethics, a morality of convenience --those who engage in social fascism by PUSHING their agenda, those who turn a deaf ear to the citizens of this Country, by voting them out? Your VOTE against this corrupt administration may be your one last voice of dissent. It should be used wisely with an eye to real change from the decades of liberty eroding legislation and lawmaking. We can remove those government officials who flaunt disgust for their constituency by engaging in shady activity with impunity.

Here’s something Senator Inouye may not have been ‘banking’ on, pun intended, YOU voting against him should he decide to run again! He is only one of many who have disrespected us with a show of utter contempt for the trust and stewardship invested in the office they occupy and represent!

Please do not read this, shake your head thinking ‘shame on him’ and then promptly forget it. We have a long 16 months until our vote can truly change this historic movement away from life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; now a series of fleeting momentary memories.

President's Engagement

2009-06-23T08:43:00.005-10:00

The kids in Iran who have shown strength of courage in their sacrifice for liberty in speech and assembly, their voice for dissent, have been shot, beaten, tortured, and bullied by the government agents of Iran. They have given their all for an ideal that is inherent in the human spirit. Support for their demonstration and right to liberty has ranged from tepid to hot around the world.

Clearly, the elections issue is a domestic issue and should be handled within. Contrary to the slow to speak leadership from the Commander and Chief of the U.S. however, is the difference between taking sides in a domestic issue and speaking out in adamant vehemence over heinous human rights abuses!

If the U.S. stands for anything it stands for individualism expressed through the constitutional and natural law of liberty! And in Cairo, the President coined a phrase he employs often: 'a country must lead by consent not coercion.' While reiterating his pet phrase from the speech in Cairo, he misses the point, in fact, has let an entire week of missed opportunities pass him by to show some back bone and sincerely rebuke the Iranian government for the appalling way they have dealt with the youthful activists of their country. There have been statements made by nations from Europe and North America that have been exactly what America's own should have been saying, and since DAY ONE! One cannot use words like 'condemn' with a monotone voice and have it sound like credible conviction. President Obama has failed the people he represents for a week by not taking the lead in exhibiting absolute abhorrence for what we have seen and heard from the folks in Iran.

To add insult to injury to the youthful idealists who have taken to the streets with much peril, and to the folks of America who truly hold liberty as an ideal worth dying for, the President of America has continued the idea that he and his administration could sit down on OUR INDEPENDENCE day with representatives from Iran at the US embassies for a celebration of July 4th! Come on! Forget slap in the face to the kids in Iran, how about a full on PUNCH in the gut! Invite a CELEBRATION with the Iranian Government on Independence Day? Is this sardonic humor? A day we lift up LIBERTY and celebrate it's ideal giving thanks we are privileged to enjoy it here? You have got to be kidding!!!!

Instead of 'engaging' the Iranian government, in celebration, why not engage the youth on the street with outrage for the way they have been treated! Why not organize our July 4th parties here at home, and in US Embassies, in honor of oppressed and repressed in all countries with a renewed conviction to do all we can for those who want LIBERTY -- to achieve it. Let's be very vocal about how we feel regarding the abuse of power the Iranian government, an alleged theocracy, has demonstrated against their own citizens. That is what LIBERTY means, not just a right for American's but a right for all. Not just something for us to celebrate and 'oh well' for the rest of the world. We have a responsibility for Liberty's sake to take up the banner and make it so!

Just to be clear, interventionism is not a correct policy in the 'elections' issue of this country, on that the administration is correct. But STRONG, PASSIONATE protest against the Government's response to dissent is not only necessary but an obligation of every free soul in this world, but especially in the U.S. of A!

Mr. President, on this issue, where is the youth of Iran's 'AUDACITY OF HOPE?'

UPDATE: This was just posted at 2P ET on Twitter, hashtag iranelection: Germans, French, Brits, Aussies: pls ask your govs to put pressure on IR gov, not just talk, US gov won't do anything #iranelection

"Do not wear contact lenses, they will burn with gases"

2009-06-20T22:52:00.004-10:00

With literally hundreds of 'tweets' being uploaded to the #iranelection topic it is hard to keep up with them all. But, perhaps the most poignant of the messages is the series of messages with First Aid instructions in english and Farsi.

"Do not wear contact lenses, they will burn with gases" struck me when I read it. Those of us who were contacts do not think of such things happening. But with the overwhelming belief the government was dropping 'lye' from helicopters onto the crowd on Saturday it was a 'warning' that was well timed and very touching to have read.

The cost of freedom is not cheap! These folks are showing they are willing to give up their lives for a radical change to their country's policies and rulership. They're dying for a cause that has taken millions of lives for many centuries -- the cause of LIBERTY!

Green power has grown and taken route way outside of Tehran. The color of Mousavi's campaign has morphed into the 'yellow ribbon' or the colors of glory for the activists in Iran. Folks outside the country are putting green over their avatars on twitter in support of the evolution of Freedom in Iran.

In this time, when America's own liberties are waning due to socialistic policies, it seems invigorating in a 'uniting' way that America should focus on praying and supporting this fledgling struggle for Freedom in Iran. The opinion media can go a long way to assuring their success by encouraging the hopeful youth of Iran to press forward to FREEDOM. News media here in this country should continue to manifest empathy for the way the citizens have been treated. Being shot, beaten, gassed, and having an acid bath dropped from above has not stopped this forward march.

For a country that is allegedly a 'theocracy' it appears they are employing Saddam Hussein type dictatorship, punishing anyone who steps out of line. Difference? Saddam's regime was not a theocracy. How can someone who truly believes themself a man of God drop acid upon thousands of his own kids? It is unthinkable.

While President Obama may need to walk a fine line where taking sides on the election issue is concerned, when it comes to HUMAN RIGHTS, there should never be a reticence! If AMERICA is truly supportive of HUMAN RIGHTS then surely Mr. Obama will on Sunday make a definitive and strong condemnation of the Iranian Government for its HUMAN RIGHTS ATROCITIES! Surely he will do that. As the First Father, on Father's day, for the sake of the 'kids' marching for their lives, STAND UP FOR THEIR INALIENABLE RIGHTS, PLEASE Mr. President!

To anyone reading this, please hold these folks up in prayer that their sacrifice may not be in vain. The struggle for Liberty must never be invisible to those not in the struggle.

Open Letter of Mahalo [thanks] to FoxNews

2009-06-17T23:07:00.005-10:00

Fair and Balanced vs Obamaworld. We heard a bit of pitiful whining today by the alleged most powerful man in the world, President Obama. Apparently he believes, and we sort of quote: ‘there is one television station entirely devoted to attacking my administration…[journalist interjects ‘I assume you’re talking about Fox’]…I mean, that’s a pretty big megaphone.’ Yes, in terms of MILLIONS of viewers!

The reasonable person may ask, with all the positive press he is getting, why must he belly ache about Fox? They report…WE decide!!

I make no excuses. I am a loyal FoxNews viewer. I began watching FoxNews on September 11th 2001. That day, I had my usual choice of stations, ABC and CNN. [I became a CNN fan during the 1991 Gulf War.] I went back and forth between the two. Before that day I did not even know there was a Fox News cable news station. After having watched ABC [and believe me I cannot even to this day say enough about the wonderfully warm and tireless reporting of Peter Jennings. He will always be one of my favorite reporters.] and flipping over to CNN, the stories and experts were starting to repeat themselves and the speculation was endless. ABC had a former CIA agent on who was outstanding. When he was on I stopped everything to listen. But by mid afternoon I began surfing through the various channels and landed on FoxNews. It was like night and day! The reporters were out there and they were fast and furious covering so many angles of the day’s tragedies. The reporters were not only informed and confident they were human. What I believe I really loved most about FoxNews that day was the sense of Patriotism that was the clear underpinning of their news. For the next few days I continued to switch back and forth but more and more I began just watching FoxNews. I learned their schedule of programming and recorded Fox so I could watch when I got home. By the time the bad guys [terrorists who flew the planes] were finally identified by the government I was committed solely to FoxNews.

One of the first things that struck me about Fox was their free association with God! I exclaimed to my husband often that I could not believe what a great feeling it was to see reporter after reporter talk about God, refer to faith and the Judeo-Christian principles upon which this country was founded. Every one of the reporters was a patriot and persons of faith. Over the years we went through the triumphant ride into Baghdad with FoxNews, the elections of 2004 and 2008.

Here on Oceanic Time Warner, we have cable channel 112 that has thumbnails of 6 news stations and you can cursor over anyone of them to see/hear what they are reporting. FoxNews is always the only one who is about news all the time. The others are about social issues, entertainment, headlines but not the news that affects American’s lives in all aspects.

It is no big surprise I agree with such commentators as Dick Morris, Robert Bolton, Glenn Beck, Mike Baker; or, reporters such as Geraldo, Hemmer, Live Desk, Shepherd Smith, Oliver North or programming like O’Reilly, Hannity, Greta and Red Eye. I appreciate the different degrees of reasoning they each bring to the viewer. I may disagree with some of them some of the time but I appreciate their level of integrity and their continuing support of America and her people! [I always enjoyed Tony Snow and John Gibson too!]

Further, when you have a powerful coupling of patriotic reporters and viewer you have the best mix of opportunity to inspire the latent patriot within. Freedom of speech is a constitutional right in this country all of us know about but few of us utilize when it comes to politics. Not anymore! We understand the angst Dante wrote of when he said this: “The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality." We are faced with the greatest of moral crises from the top down right now.

Being a loyal FoxNews viewer comes with a mixed bag of responses and yes a cost. When you say 'you heard on Fox' … the harangue you get is mind boggling. When watching Fox in a public area, doesn’t matter if you are the only one in a room watching it, someone comes in and changes the station without asking, views for a moment and walks out. But, I remember too, during the first weeks of the Iraq war everywhere I went FoxNews was on. Businesses, friend’s homes, malls, and airport lounges. One of my all time favorite television shows, “Boston Legal”, barely went a week without referencing FoxNews in a negative way. FoxNews is a phenomenon that exists today and it amuses me that it affects the alleged ‘most powerful man in the world’ to the point that he has to elicit sympathy from his adoring fans by complaining about FoxNews. It is really pitiful, I mean, REALLY pitiful.

To the folks at FoxNews/FoxNation I leave you with these salient words from Thomas Paine: “Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it.” Please know, that in the case of this household, we continue to support you in what you are doing regardless of the heat we take from work associates, friends, neighbors and yes, sometimes family. You have awakened the American within and reminded us what we learned as children: The U.S. Constitution is a document that needs to be respected; the Flag should be honored; the National Anthem should stir our soul with reverent appreciation for sacrifice and that America is the land of the Free and home of the Brave. Further, one should neither remain silent when the desire to share your belief in God needs expressing, nor fail to exercise the right to encourage someone with/in faith!

Lastly, your news message reminds us we must be model citizens through a civil demonstration of our values and beliefs. It serves as a FOXLIGHT on the corruption tolerated by this administration, their disregard for citizens of America from all political parties or no party at all, and the questionable ethics of the current political environment. Mostly, you report on the many ways the current administration is trying to fade the Constitution to barely negligible. It is no wonder the leader of this country may be feeling a little heat because his feet are being held to the fire by viewers who have awakened from deep mental hibernation.

Thank you FoxNews, one and all, for doing an outstanding job of reminding Americans they are the ‘people’ and the government is to be ‘by the people, for the people and OF the people’. To all the journalists out in the field and in dangerous places, thanks. To all the anchors, thanks. To the Business folks, thanks. To ALL the WEEK END shows, THANKS!

And thanks too for reporting the NEWS and letting US decide what to do with it!

PINK SLIP DAY, Nov 2, 2010!

Dear President: How about Video Conferencing?

2009-06-16T02:33:00.012-10:00

The Chicago Tribune carried an article over the week end with a general cost break down for the President’s Campaign stump to Chicago to ‘sell’ his Health Care program. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-air-force-one-15-jun15,0,2483578.story

Thanks to the fly over photo op in NY we are all fairly informed on the cost for using the Nation’s airborne command post. The article mentions the tab for DC to Chicago R/T: about $236k and that isn't including ancillary costs such as protection, secret service, etc.

The Chicago Trib correctly pointed up former President’s Reagan and Bush burned through costs flying to their respective homes. In the same article Chicago Trib dropped the bombshell cost of about a million dollars should the Obama’s decide to spend their vacation in Hawaii again this year.

Most Americans will not begrudge the President and his family their fair share [or should I say 'fare' share?] of rest and relaxation. BUT, when it comes to his endless campaigning for all his pet projects, why not do video conferencing? It’s the next best thing to being there and he can still garner all the adulation that he seems to crave. [Though as it turned out, the AMA crowd was not so adoring.]

Technology today is so outstanding where communications is concerned and for a fraction of the cost of flying the man there he could still be on point with his message while being frugal with the taxpayer’s dollar. This one is a stubborn one! When his photo op debacle produced any number of photo shop renditions of AF 1 flying over a myriad of well known sightseeing destination, there should have been a clear message to the White House to 'get with technology'. Would it not be wise of his advisors to think in terms of lesser expensive means to get his message out? Or like my dear husband recently asked me, “Doesn’t this guy know the election is over? He won? Why is he still campaigning?” At the cost of using national resources like Air Force One, why indeed?

As a suggestion for vacation, it would probably be less expensive to fly his relatives from Honolulu to Chicago, or the White House for vacation than to fly AF 1 to Honolulu. Why not stay in town and visit museums? Just thinking out loud here.

The CHANGE that was promised? Fiscal responsibility? President Obama fires an Inspector General because the President has lost confidence in the man, for? Finding fraud amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars and then arranging for half of it to be repaid to the government? So what? 'Look we have an extra $487,000, thanks to former Inspector General Walpin. Why not burn through those savings by FLYING TO CHICAGO to promote my Health Plan Program that is already dying on the vine?' And why is it dying on the vine? Because the costs to support it has turned up the heat on senate seats up for reelection! Did President Obama not get the Memo? NO MORE SPENDING! That means no more flights to beat a dead horse. Enough already.

FYI, TOTUS and video conferencing are not mutually exclusive.

Panetta vs Cheney: A Preemptive Strike?

2009-06-14T19:44:00.002-10:00

News broke this week end that may be alarming to the black helicopter folks among us, but, what if ‘once awhile’ the black helicopter crowd is right? The statement should give all of us pause.

The head of the CIA is alleged to have said this: “"It's almost, a little bit, gallows politics. When you read behind it, it's almost as if he's wishing that this country would be attacked again, in order to make his point. I think that's dangerous politics." Ya think?

In the environment where media is having a feeding frenzy on each other, where one side’s editors and bloggers have found big PRESS in blaming certain media personalities or celebrities for heinous acts of violence committed recently by criminals, why should the comment by the Head of CIA be surprising? But, come on, this should ALARM every American -- the Blame Game at such levels of leadership is wrong on so many levels!!!

This statement lays the ground work to continue a trend to hang the ‘blame’ for an atrocious act on ‘someone’ else. If we are attacked here in the US, after this statement, it will be a nano second before the finger pointing by the ‘blame gang’ accuses V.P. Cheney. Why? Because he has been sharing his concerns that our national security is not what it should be. If an attack should happen orchestrating the event to have everyone talking about who's to blame would deflect the attention of the American audience from ‘who’ really may be responsible.

This current finger pointing is a tool being used by both sides. One side said lately Dr. Tiller is dead because of conservative personalities while conservatie personalities say the Holocaust Museum and the stepped assault against the Jews ‘may be’ as a result of President Obama’s foreign policy speeches where he diminishes the unspeakable murder of 6 million Jews by the Nazi regime by segueing into the plight of the Palestinian people today.

Now CIA head says VP Cheney wants an attack to prove his position regarding the Obama National Security policies. Mr. Panetta says he thinks it’s dangerous politics. Here's a CLUE: Your statement continues the 'dangerous politics!' It is divisive and creates a straw man argument for the sake of finger pointing. Enough already!That sword swings both ways and making this sort of statement merely pours fuel on the fire in the minds of those who would do us harm. The bad guys are watching and the infighting between notable leaders is sending a very definitive signal to the bad guys that we are so busy arguing with each other we’d never notice if they decided to make good on their latest threat. I hope someone is watching the tunnels while the bickering is going on.

American people are not feeling particularly safe these days. We haven’t forgotten what happened! This is not one of Mr. Panetta’s best moments, and he has had some great moments of late with regard to release of documents/photos relative to the intelligence gathering techniques used on 3 very bad guys!

Is it to late to ask for leadership to act responsibly? Do they understand the power of words? Americans are not the stupid folk the politicians believes them to be. Family safety is important and national security is a broader version of that concern. If we do not see responsible dialogue we will decide for ourselves in 2010 when we issue Pink Slips to all who are NOT doing their job.

National Security is way too important for it to be reduced to such diatribe. Talking about ‘stupid’ folks the old adage may apply here: While the politician’s finger is pointing to the ‘American voter’ as being stupid there are 3 fingers pointing back to themselves! Our security is not ‘an opportunity for entertainment’!

Checques & Balances

2009-06-12T12:14:00.002-10:00

It's simply math! If the President, who said we are out of money, wants to ‘balance’ the budget, which by now would require gargantuan strength, perhaps of the magnitude of a 9th world wonder, perhaps he should stop penalizing employees who find half million dollar fraud from ‘buddies’ of his! A half mil here, 760 billion there, 50 billion there, pretty soon the deficit is starting to see a dint! The constitution laid out a system of ‘checks and balances’ as a means to keep everyone accountable to ‘the people’. Writing checks without accountability will never lead to ‘balancing’ the budget.

So, what is the real story here with this Gerald Walpin and the return of about half of the nearly million dollar grant to the St. Hope Academy in Sacramento, coincidentally with oversight by the mayor of Sacramento, also coincidentally a supporter of Obama. Big Surprise. The termination of Mr. Walpin’s job as INSPECTOR GENERAL, after he discovers the "misspent' monies and arranges for half the grant to be returned, bears further investigation by every American! Why would a man lose his job for doing his job? Moreover, why is the focus of his termination on how the mayor of Sacramento ‘feels’ about the investigation and consequential return of half a million dollars? [Which by the way he is allowed to take up to 10 years to repay the lion's share? While he uses it, makes interest on it?] Why would Obama ‘lose confidence’ in a man who has just uncovered such gross 'misspending' and penalized the 'misspending' recipient with reimbursement of monies? Then again, this is the same government who continues to fund ACORN, itself billowing with criminal charges and under investigation by some of its own directors for the lack of complete financial disclosure.

Obama is planning to tax just about everything from the air we exhale to the soft drink we consume to the gas we use to run the ‘Green Machine’ [no doubt GM’s new government car] and even the health care for employees who have it! Let’s not forget the special head’s up we got last month about the nifty VALUE ADDED TAX, a national sales tax of about 25% on everything with no cessation of all other taxes already being levied against the American consumer, citizen and taxpayer.

As the news of ways to finance his grandiose plans for his titanic government continues to flow in a torrential wave towards us drowning us in despair wondering when it all will end, maybe the simple suggestion to the President: Do NOT fire the Inspector General for having done his job! You should staff that department with a dozen more like him. Imagine if they all found such waste and were able to recuperate some of the misappropriated funds the folks here in this country would feel more inclined to see Obama as a capable steward of the national treasury. In the 4 short months of this guy’s administration we have come to understand this statement a tad differently: “two things are certain in life: Death and Taxes!” Today, and many of these taxes are yet to be fully implemented, the clear truth of this administration is ‘DEATH through TAXATION! ‘

Will it be death of many who can no longer live under the tremendous burden of all this tax?

Will it be death of America and its centuries old form of government through taxation without representation?

Will it be the very thing that switches this administration from two term tracks to one term and an ignoble place in history!

You need to decide. It is up to YOU! If it is the latter it can only be done if you VOTE and vote for HONEST REPRESENTATION.

Honoring our Emblem of Liberty-June 14th Flag Day

2009-06-09T13:57:00.009-10:00

“To commemorate the adoption of our flag, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved August 3, 1949 (63 Stat. 492), designated June 14 of each year as Flag Day and requested the President to issue an annual proclamation calling for its observance and the display of the flag of the United States on all government buildings. The Congress also requested the President, by a joint resolution of June 9, 1966 (80 Stat. 194), to issue annually a proclamation designating the week in which June 14 occurs as National Flag Week and calling upon all citizens of the United States to display the flag during that week.”

There was a time when Flag Day was about parades, was about proudly displaying the emblem of Freedom and Democracy, with families and communities understanding the importance of the day. There was a time when every school kid in America knew who Betsy Ross was. Then there came a day when the American Flag was burned and respect for its ideals fell to the ‘silent majority’ to keep alive. After the attack on America in 2001 the Flag was immediately elevated with pride to its former place of respect. Flags were flown on home poles, worn on lapels, sent in email as wallpaper, proudly owned! That event ignited the patriotism of most Americans. Now we are at a crossroads. Those who hold this national treasure in reverence for the ideals it represents and those who are concerned they would be considered some ‘wing nut’ if they proudly displayed their respect for the Flag. The Flag, like the Bible, represents Freedom and allegiance. Both have attracted and repelled radicals. Both represent the quintessential good of humanity --FREEDOM -- freedoms which are inherent in Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

National Flag Day and National Flag Day week have been noted by presidential proclamation annually. Where is this year’s proclamation? We are but 5 days away from the 14th.

The cost to defend our beloved ideals, and yes, the very banner of those ideals, our National Flag, is incalculable. The loss of Life continues to mount as democracy stands against a world of religious, political, national and economic assault .The unifying symbol that embraces not only the highest ideals for humanity but the tremendous loss of humankind in preservation of Life, of Liberty and of Pursuit of Happiness, is the American Flag.

For each century since the Flag was formerly adopted in 1777, there have been great men/women who have stepped up to elevate the Flag high upon it’s staff. This century needs a remarkable and historic people to etch on the pages of the new millennium’s record of history a renewed respect for our Flag. Perhaps the beginning of this will be done by the masses here in this country that will rise up in defense of the very constitution that defines our democracy, our Republic, and ‘the Flag for which it stands!’

Will you be a protector of our freedoms? Will you fight for our constitution -- the constitutional government -- and the symbol of its power -- the American Flag? Will you fly your Flag in honor of it?

We leave you with this simple but powerful truth uttered by one of the Founding Fathers and signers of our Constitution defining the Republic:

“Here sir, the people govern.”

-Alexander Hamilton, speech to the New York Ratifying Convention, June 17, 1788

Liberty Pole Post awaits this year’s Presidential Proclamation. We will post it here once it is available.

The foregoing post was posted on June 9, 2009. We have checked the White House Briefing Room daily morning and evening to await this year's proclamation. It was posted June 12, 2009 and can be seen here in at this link. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-Proclamation-Flag-Day-and-National-Flag-Week/

Remembering & Honoring Our Fallen & Vets D-DAY

2009-06-06T12:20:00.006-10:00

Liberty Pole Post wishes to express it’s gratitude to all the heroes who gave their lives on June 6, 1944 at Normandy in the pursuit of the noblest of ideals, Life with Liberty! We wish to also honor the vets who served and survived. There are no words to convey the deepest emotion that wells up inside an American when they ponder the level of gratitude such sacrifice models by those brave souls that day. Their families, their friends, generations past, present and into the future are owed a debt of thanks and respect as well for their own sacrifices.

Liberty Pole Post found these words by President Reagan best shared the true depth of respect: “Gentlemen, I look at you and I think of the words of Stephen Spender's poem. You are men who in your "lives fought for life and left the vivid air signed with your honor." Further Pres. Reagan, himself a veteran of World War 2, said this: “What inspired all the men of the armies that met here? We look at you, and somehow we know the answer. It was faith and belief. It was loyalty and love.

The men of Normandy had faith that what they were doing was right, faith that they fought for all humanity, faith that a just God would grant them mercy on this beachhead, or on the next. It was the deep knowledge -- and pray God we have not lost it -- that there is a profound moral difference between the use of force for liberation and the use of force for conquest. You were here to liberate, not to conquer, and so you and those others did not doubt your cause. And you were right not to doubt.”

What was the feeling back in America this fated day? “The Americans who fought here that morning knew word of the invasion was spreading through the darkness back home. …in Georgia they were filling the churches at 4:00 am. In Kansas they were kneeling on their porches and praying. And in Philadelphia they were ringing the Liberty Bell.” said Pres. Reagan.
Today, a soldier who was in the 3rd wave of our dear military spoke of his memories on FoxNews.

He still bears the pain of loss yet reminds us it is important to hang our Flag, the emblem of Life and Liberty, in memory of those slain.

Today, the Commander and Chief of America’s military, President Obama, honored the Vets present at the 65th Commemoration of D-Day at Normandy with a ‘thumbs up’ instead of a salute! How indecorous of the Commander and Chief to signal to the elderly Vets ‘good job’ instead of ‘I honor and respect you’! While his words to the world conveyed respect for this historic record of Liberty's fight, this gesture failed to support a depth of appreciation for these Veterans. Where are the advisors to the President? Why not teach him what he never learned because he did no military service? Does he truly comprehend the magnitude of his own statements: “That is the story of Normandy - but also the story of America; of the Minutemen who gathered on a green in Lexington; of the Union boys from Maine who repelled a charge at Gettysburg; of the men who gave their last full measure of devotion at Inchon and Khe San; of all the young men and women whose valor and goodness still carry forward this legacy of service and sacrifice.” with a ‘thumbs up?’

May our nation reflect upon these solemn words: “Here, in this place where the West held together, let us make a vow to our dead. Let us show them by our actions that we understand what they died for. Let our actions say to them the words for which Matthew Ridgway listened: "I will not fail thee nor forsake thee."

Strengthened by their courage and heartened by their value [valor] and borne by their memory, let us continue to stand for the ideals for which they lived and died.”—the 40th President, Ronald Reagan, an honored patriot!

Thank you for leading by example dear Soldier;

we will not ‘fail thee nor forsake thee.’

Liberty Pole Post

Launching PINK SLIP DAY Campaign

2009-06-02T15:59:00.004-10:00

Been on a fast moving train passing breathtaking sights so fast your mind cannot take them all in? Moving with such speed you cannot focus on a single sight?

We’re on a national train that is speeding so fast that we cannot see the significant things we need to and it is dizzying to try and focus on a single issue. Our lives, both in terms of quality and substance, are being effected on a scale unparelleled. It isn’t about managing a crisis a day, though that would have been a huge change before January 22, 2009. It is in fact, about managing many crisises in a day! EVERY CRISIS has an impact on our lives whether it’s economic, social, political, or a matter of national security. We are so overwhelmed by the shear volume of change we flinch daily -- many may soon begin to suffer from depression and perhaps stress disorders! Even news media is having a tough time keeping up with all the news and the changes. They tell us they’re as shocked as the rest of us.

Economically, people are losing their jobs, life savings, homes, a quality of life and self respect, all in numbers not seen in most peoples life time. The government is now a major partner in two of the 3 auto makers of American cars, and they have taken ‘investment banking’ to a whole different level of understanding. The housing industry, long blamed for the reason for the current crisis, is still experiencing a downward turn. With all the money that has been thrown at this problem, ostensibly to save jobs and help people who have been ill affected by the crisis, the job loss numbers are still rising. Yet, the bail out and other monies have been in the hands of those industries identified as crucial for months. Economically, people are still losing jobs, life savings, and homes!

Socially, change in how this administration deals with criminal activity, and criminals, is at least suspect if not worrisome. Charities – a means to sustain the various social needs of our citizenry -- are being severely impacted through taxation proposal and further exacerbated by the crippled economy! Societal mores require personal and moral reserves act as a constraint against extreme response to the powers at be – yet, going forward, there is a need to STAND UP and SPEAK our mind! And do it now.

Politically, we see a revolution building. The power of one party now holds sway over the future of America; said party’s aggressive agenda frightens some, while emboldening others. The world has watched, has assessed and is now speaking. They are referring to us as Marxist and Communists. US! And we are only 4 months into a 4 year regime. What will we look like at the end of this term?

And where national security is concerned, the policy makers running this country have turned their attention away from long time allies in favor of courting ‘acceptance’ from nations whose well documented cases of thuggery, deplorable lack of human rights and criminal activity dominates headlines, globally! Is America ready for the consequences to it’s own inalienable human rights because everything it is now doing is geared to win acceptance in nation after nation where little to no thought is given ‘human’ rights? Nuclear detonation/holocaust looms daily from one despot hotspot or another. Our southern borders, as porous as they are, have led to lawlessness on either side. Already our own citizens have suffered loss of life and property. The government is cutting funding to missile programs at a time when sworn enemies of America are proliferating. The government is cutting costs on surveillance at port authorities when our ports have long been viewed as most vulnerable to enemy insurgents and attack just behind the borders.

Enemies from within and from without are focused on a single goal: annihilate the ‘American’ way. Symbols of America abroad or here on sovereign ground have become increasingly imperiled because this administration is building a reputation of weakness partly by castigating and criminalizing those who protected us so well after 9/11/2001!

Consider young soldiers, standing in front of a recruiting office in a major metropolitan area of the US, can be slain or maimed by a Jihadist terrorist convert and their Commander and Chief shows NO PUBLIC OUTRAGE! 24 hours earlier, a civilian doctor, whose practice included abortion, is shot by a social terrorist. The latter incident not only evoked immediate PUBLIC RESPONSE by the Commander and Chief – he directed protection for abortion clinics by US Marshalls ala the taxpayer’s dime! NATIONAL SECURITY has become an oxymoron!

It is truly frightening to see the speed with which so much change has and continues to happen. It has only been 4 months. We have over a year until we can slow the pace through elections. There is a need for a NATIONAL CAMPAIGN to begin NOW to roust citizens out of their dazed state and into action. We need to make sure we scrutinize the elected officials whose jobs are up for renewal and if they fail to meet the muster they must get their PINK SLIPS! Pink Slip day is November 2, 2010.

Liberty Pole Post will spend the next 18 months campaigning to have our constitutional government be highlighted and honored. We will try to profile different candidates in races all over the US with an eye to determine their record and how it best supports the ideals of our governing documents. Liberty Pole Post will also continue to lend its voice through freedom of speech and press by focusing on stories and their impact on our INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES and CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

Please visit our site often. Add it to your blog rolls or bookmark it. Share the link with friends and family. Help TAKE BACK AMERICA through free exercise of your first amendment rights. In the past it was called the Revolution! Gather here at this Liberty Pole to help strategize how best to deal with this administration’s impingement on our lives in this REPUBLIC OF AMERICA!

Pink Slip Day, Nov 2, 2010

Is Capitalism departing with a whimper?

2009-06-01T06:19:00.001-10:00

From without the looking glass: Remember when you first grasped the notion if you wanted to know how you appeared to others ask someone to tell you what they think of you?
With the back drop of swift change in our economy; with distinct change in our international persona; with the not so subtle alteration to the Judiciary [from rulings based on ‘law’ vs ‘gender or ethnic based bias’] and with an attempt to create an homogenous ‘faith’ face how are we being seen by those abroad, not of the Islamic faith?

Over the weekend the Pravda News carried an article that likely articulated what many of us have been saying for decades but others have not listened to. The writer talked about the dumbing down of the populace via the education system. He talked about how our collective faith in God has been destroyed with pop culture televangelists and mega preachers more happy to sell their faith to cozy up to some politician. The article is entitled: “American capitalism gone with a whimper”. He spares no effort in salivating at what he believes to be our eventual collapse from the great capitalist country we were --to a run-of-the-mill Marxist society.

Is Marxism really the path we are on though? His ‘insights’ or perspective truly touches on volatile truths many Americans will be uncomfortable to reckon; in fact, it is likely they will dismiss his thoughts with some epithet denoting his place of birth. We need to wake up!! When a writer from Russia makes more sense of where we have been and where we are going than our own ‘informational’ systems then we’d better get busy clanging our LIBERTY BELL!

Frankly, it is not Marxism this country is heading towards. It may be one of the preliminary philosophies that has played an underlying theme in all things, but surely we are speeding on towards Totalitarianism with a brief stop at Socialism and a quick visit with fascism. It is easy to see there is no longer a clarion call for any concerned American to hearken to. The leadership of both parties has become the same side of a coin with nary a bit of distinction. They have hastened the move away from our INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES to one of utter dependence by not standing up regardless of how ‘politically incorrect’ it may be. Senator McCain declared he is a ‘Maverick’ for the Republican party right up to the day he voted FOR the ‘bank bail out’ bill. Maverick? More like running with the herd. Again, not distinguishable from the Democratic candidate who ran on the platform of ‘Change’ and ‘Yes We Can’. He voted the same as McCain. Honestly, Obama has actually lived up to his campaign platform and in ways surely many who voted for him never imagined he would! Do you feel the ‘change’ needs to slow its roll from ‘Yes We Can’ to ‘Can we think about it and get back to ya?’ Clearly there was no choice. So we have change.

As we gaze into the mirror of our Country’s future, will we see the complete dissipation of all individual freedoms? Will we shrug our shoulders in apathy as if there is nothing we can do but to accept the inevitable? What CAN you do? WAKE UP! When the Russian media is spelling it out better than most of the American media it should shock you into reality. If what the writer said in his article regarding most Americans knowing more about their rights ‘to choke down a burger’ from McDonald’s or Burger King than their Constitutional rights, and it seems that statement has credible standing, we ought not tarry in standing UP for our Constitutional Rights! Otherwise we will be learned in a foreign rule unfriendly to ‘human rights’ strongly opposed to ‘women in leadership’ regardless of ethnicity, and definitely rooted in capital punishment meted out as swift justice with no ‘appeals court’ to hear you! If you value your INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES, if you value your inalienable RIGHTS to LIFE, LIBERTY and the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS, please do not look into the mirror and walk away distracted by the concerns of the day. Our social conscience needs a swift kick to jump start it. The last time we saw it in action was September 12, 2001. Hopefully, it will not take such a galvanizing event to get us all BACK on the LIBERTY wagon again. Why not a Constitutional Party? An Independence Party? Whatever you do, do some research on the vote your Senators and Congressional reps have made and make. Their voting record is out there. If you do not agree with their actions give them their PINK SLIP in 2010! Honor our fallen; Honor our forefathers; Honor our active military and our coalition friends; Honor our Vets from all wars! Get busy moving the folks out of Washington who refuse to REPRESENT YOU.

You may be too young, may be too new here in this FINE country, but back in the days of ‘duck and cover’ there was a slogan being taught to kids “I’d rather be dead than red!” While that may appear ‘radical’ in today’s world look at the ‘choice’ the ‘liberty’ being exercised. People exercised their freedom of speech in making such a statement. They exercised their freedom in choice by deciding what destiny they’d choose when faced with a political rule which was the antithesis of our Republic. Do we really want CHANGE when it is erasing our rich historic past. Can we “CHANGE” the course we are on now? ‘YES WE CAN!’ Find your candidates for 2010 and get out and promote them. Make November 2, 2010 official PINK NOTICE DAY! You CHOOSE! You exercise your INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY and you send a message to Washington and Moscow: “I believe in LIFE, LIBERTY and the PURSUIT of HAPPINESS. I believe in the US Constitution. I believe in the Republic of the United States of America!” May that be the clarion call.

Debbie McLucas and Old Glory WIN!

2009-05-30T02:16:00.005-10:00

From the halls of history: By now you’ve likely heard about the lady in Texas whose personal property, the American Flag, was removed from her work area and laid on the floor. The objection to its presence in the office which is shared with other workers was from an offended immigrant co-worker. While the issue has been resolved, her flag back up and apologies from her employer have been given, the incident raises an opportunity to promote INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY!

Is the work place ‘sacred’ where you may display your personal property without objection? Was the 3’ x 5’ flag a bit much for the ‘office’?

What are the divisible issues here? Many people are so ignorant of the respect that is required for the flag -- completely unaware of the ‘law’ that regulates its display. Another issue is the Work place display. Compound layers of personal liberties.

At the heart of the issue is the disrespect shown the Flag by laying it on the floor. The United States code, Title 4, section 8[b] reads: “The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise."
[http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode04/usc_sec_04_00000008----000-.html] Back in the day the proper handling of the flag was taught in grade school. Do you remember being at the raising of the flag on the flag pole at school where the pledge of allegiance was recited? Did you assist your school’s custodian when he lowered the flag each afternoon? Were you not ever vigilant to never let the flag fall from your hands, or in anyway touch the ground? Have the parents and the schools not continued this exercise of appreciation in liberty by respect for Liberty’s symbol?

Of course, the other issue is personal statements and ideologies in the work place. Many companies, government agencies, employers require an employee area be void of any personal items including family pictures, knick-knacks, posters, banners, etc. It is a privilege to be gainfully employed; having the freedom to express yourself is really subject to the boss. Display of ‘Old Glory’ in your office falls under the ‘freedom to express yourself’ column. But individual liberty cuts both ways. The co-worker had a right to take offense, to voice dissent, to seek resolution. If she is the one who took the flag down and put it on the floor however she does not have the right or the liberty to show such disrespect to our Flag!

The story has it, Debbie McLucas, the employee whose flag was at issue, put her flag up in her office for the Memorial Day weekend. She has an incredible emotional attachment to the significance of our Flag. Her family has strong ties to the military, including a daughter currently serving in Iraq. Perhaps the folks who found Ms. McLucas’ display offensive fail to comprehend the sentiment the Flag holds for Americans. Ruth Apperson Rous wrote “I Am Flag”. The following is taken from her Patriotic writing:

Americans, I am the sacred emblem of your country. I symbolize your birthright, your heritage of liberty purchased with blood and sorrow.
I am your title deed of freedom, which is yours to enjoy and hold in trust for posterity.
If you fail to keep this sacred trust inviolate, if I am nullified and destroyed, you and your children will become slaves to dictators and despots.
Eternal vigilance is your price of freedom.

While the work place may or may not be the place to have a flag so prominently displayed, Ms. McLucas was surely within her rights to stand up for the emblem of our country, our heritage of LIBERTY, our title deed of FREEDOM. She had an obligation to speak her mind as she found our Flag nullified, laying on the ground, an object of offense to a non citizen of the republic for which the Flag stands!

The blood and sorrow that has been given in solemn protection of our individual liberties and rights calls out to all of us to take a stand whenever symbols of our great REPUBLIC come under attack. Our allegiance to the Flag demands we honor it.

Ms. McLucas has honored what the Flag stands for by her actions. The display in the work place aside, what went right was permitting the flag to be displayed once again. THAT was a nice bit of news to read at a time when our INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES are being eroded so subtly many Americans are not even aware of it. Debbie McLucas is the ‘yellow rose’ of the ‘Lone Star’ state!

Health Care Reform - Congresswoman Mazie Hirono

2009-05-28T00:59:00.007-10:00

Dateline---Hilo Medical Center, Hilo, HI.

Ms. Hirono, together with 10 individual stakeholders from the health care industry, engaged in discourse at a round table forum. There were about 50 others in attendance comprising the audience who later were able to ask questions and give first hand accounts of their nightmares with current health care inequities.

Congresswoman Hirono was personable and cordial. The preamble to the meeting of course was to laud the president's health care reform agenda stating that a couple of weeks ago during a meeting with health care stakeholders he 'promised to make health care reform his #1 priority for the next 6 months.' When asked what this reform would look like when it was done we were told 'there is no reform right now. 'This is a very bottom up process which will percolate the ideas and suggestions gathered at these round table discussions upwards.'

The consensus of the stakeholders was clear; more efficient/timely and more reasonable reimbursements, move the focus to one of primary care, engage multi professional practitioners more, and promote a preventative culture!

Rick Jackson, president of Hawaii Health Care Plans, said "What won't work is pushing down reimbursement.' He also said, "To focus on fraud makes for great headlines but is in error." Also noted to the congresswoman was his concern the 'feds would impose reform that would rip apart Hawaii's pre-paid health care system.'

When asked if there was reform the government has managed which has been effective and could serve as a model for health care, Ms. Hirono answered, "There is no reform currently." Further queried if there was a model she said 'Canada and Scandinavia'.

The congresswoman summed up the meeting by sharing that she was a 'single payer' proponent and would be heading back to D.C. to work on a bill she hopes will be ready June or July. She acknowledged it was an aggressive goal but felt confident working with Congressmen Henry Waxman and Barney Franks it was doable.

It is noteworthy to mention the group of attendees was diverse. Ms. Hirono was not preaching to the choir -- which seemed all the more apparent as one took note of the folks in lab coats with hospital ID's. However, it was a textbook example of representative government at work!

Keep an eye out for the bill. President Obama wants reform that addresses "Cost, accessibility, quality and choice." Lofty goals, but there is no understating there are no holes barred in this endeavor!

Not sure how single payer health care works? Google 'single payer health care'. Or, contact Congresswoman Mazie Hirono: http://hirono.house.gov/contact.shtml