tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75690613447060512702024-02-20T17:33:07.697-06:00Strong ModerateScientia est potentia - Knowledge is powerStrong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.comBlogger123125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-9979892274199066522011-07-31T14:59:00.009-05:002011-07-31T15:47:58.731-05:00Debt Deal?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.imagestate.com/Watermark/Y213513201.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 341px; height: 512px;" src="http://images.imagestate.com/Watermark/Y213513201.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />With only 48 hours before the "deadline" (I'll explain why that is in quotations in a minute), the media hype is all focused on the possibility of a debt deal between House GOP, also read 'the Tea Party', and Senate Democrats/the President, also read 'Centrist Democrats'.<br /><br />If you want to know the importance I place on a balanced budget, under-control debt, and a lack of wasteful spending feel free to read some of my past posts. This post is more about the subtle things that are happening behind the scenes that have gone under the radar with the Mainstream Media.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>1. Why the "deadline"?<br /></strong></span>As Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) has asked, how much money (cash) does the Treasury really have? That is a question that has gone unanswered and purposefully so to apply even more pressure on lawmakers to reach a deal.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>2. What if the "deadline" passes?</strong></span><br />If there is no deal the United States and her government will continue existing the real question comes down to two things: what will our limited funds be spent on? and how does this affect markets, domestic and foreign?<br /><br />The first question is answered the same way a government shutdown would be handled, by prioritizing our needs and monies until we don't have anymore money. Comments like those made by Adm. Mullen in which he states he is unsure if the military would be paid if the debt ceiling is not raised are perposterous, irresponsible, and false. Pretty much everyone in the federal government would have to be furloughed before anyone even mentioned cutting wages to active military personnel.<br /><br />The second question's answer is easy, "pretty badly." I don't know about 'disasterous' or 'depression' or any of these other doom and gloom predictions but let's just say if you knew someone had just declared bankrupcy it doesn't exactly inspire confidence in you lending that person any money soon. The problem for our foreign creditors, China and Japan, is that there aren't a whole of other good options right now.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>3. Did I read right, Obama is a "Centrist Democrat" now?</strong></span><br />Yup, Presidents always move towards the center of the political spectrum with time and I would argue democrats more than republicans. The President is almost the most right-leaning democrat right now! President Obama gave up on tax increases early which could have been used as leverage late in the game (now). Basically in desperation for a deal the President has limited his options and so far it seems he would only use his veto pen on a bill with a balanced budget amendment or cuts that he couldn't spin on certain social programs.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>4. Impressions of the majority of each House of Congress?</strong></span><br /><br /><em>House of Representatives: </em>Republicans and the Tea Party<br /><br />At this point there are two majorities, each with its own interests at heart. Republicans are willing to play ball to compromise to a deal as almost all polls say that this crisis is affecting Republican numbers negatively as they are seen as holding up progress.<br /><br />The Tea Party is playing the "no compromise" card which is hugely popular within their own constituencies but is not in the best interests of the country, which correct me if I'm wrong here but I think that is their JOB. If you think you send a newly-minted member of Congress to DC and s/he doesn't have to compromise once then you must be living in lala land. The Tea Party is hurting their image deeply here, transforming themselves from principled patriots to infantile and stuborn fools who are acting on their own self interests instead of the nation's future. (House GOP 1994, anyone?)<br /><br /><i>Senate:</i> Harry Reid and Centrist Democrats<br /><br />For the first month and a half there was a generally open and yielding position for this group, "whatever the President says!" was their call. Now in the 11th hour they are getting a little fiesty, hoping to empower the President with the ability to use the Constitutional option to raise the debt ceiling. While that takes away from their own power and makes them look a little like last-minute objectors, it does bolster their ability to spend while a Democratic President is in office.<br /><br />Anything I missed? Feel free to comment!Strong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-81710286272310994312010-10-21T22:59:00.002-05:002010-10-21T23:23:30.415-05:00Is Vicky Hartzler the Most Anti-Gay Candidate in America? Nope!<a href="http://motherjones.com/politics/2010/10/vicky-hartzler-most-anti-gay-candidate-america">Is Vicky Hartzler the Most Anti-Gay Candidate in America? | Mother Jones</a>: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"<br /><br />I was perusing the internet for stories on interesting candidates that aren't shining bright in the media spotlight (for positive or negative reasons) and I came upon this story of Vicky Harzler. Ms. Harzler is running for congress in Missouri's 4th Congressional District against Democrat Rep. Ike Skelton. You may have heard of Rep. Skelton... he fought against He-Man during the years of my youth... wait that's not right! Ah... he was one of the creators of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy our military used/uses/used/uses or something.<br /><br />This article on Mother Jones, admittedly a more liberal publication, painted Harzler as the "most anti-gay candidate" in an election this year. She is one of the creators of first gay-marriage bans that passed a state election and led to a handful of others in 2004. Does that make her anti-gay? I don't think so. Anti-gay marriage? Yes.<br /><br />The whole problem with defining a person by their campaign is that in almost all cases they are simply dichotomies. Democrat vs. Republican. Incumbent vs. Newcomer. Veteran vs. New blood. The story is the same. That story for each campaign has to be all about widening the gap between themselves and the opposition.<br /><br />In this case, Candidate A is running against a founder of DADT at a time where that policy is in the news and is controversial. I don't think it matters who it is, that Candidate A is going to be anti-DADT! So to call her the MOST Anti-Gay is simply <span style="font-style: italic;">ridiculous</span>. She used the avaliable political environment, first in 2004 and now in 2010 to <span style="font-weight: bold;">achieve full political potential</span>.<br /><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://florida.bilerico.com/upload/2008/08/early_voting_begins_in_florida/vote-smart-button.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><br />When you go to the polls in a couple weeks keep that in mind. Vote for the person based on their greater record not just the two or three things the candidate or their opposition highlights. Do a little research if you feel it matters. Remember on the Congressional level you have a <span style="font-weight: bold;">MAX </span>of <span style="font-weight: bold;">THREE</span> races with up to <span style="font-weight: bold;">SEVEN </span>people to research (Yeah... Florida messes things up, but more on that another time). Think of this like an investment, piece of furniture, or an appliance you want to buy. It's going to be around for the long haul... so you do more than just read the bullet points! The same goes for Elections:<br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" >THINK</span>, then <span style="font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:180%;" >VOTE</span>!Strong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-65310380440265181962010-10-16T23:14:00.000-05:002010-10-16T23:14:46.214-05:00No Oversight for U.S. Soldiers Accused of Murder - The Daily Beast<a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheat-sheet/item/us-soldiers-accused-of-murder-ran-wild/afghanistan/">No Oversight for U.S. Soldiers Accused of Murder - The Daily Beast</a><br /><br />Another sad chapter for our Armed Forces. Without a proper chain of command and a clear mission these soldiers have debased everything our military stands for. Instead of protecting the innocent and defending freedom they commit murder, intimidate the righteous, and embarrass their uniforms. Thank goodness for whistle blowers!Strong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-34866411116433830452010-10-01T22:47:00.000-05:002010-10-01T22:47:40.024-05:00Addicted to Drones - By Micah Zenko | Foreign Policy<a href="http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/10/01/addicted_to_drones?sms_ss=blogger&at_xt=4ca6aac429ea3240,0">Addicted to Drones - By Micah Zenko | Foreign Policy</a><br /><br />Read This! It's a great look at how dependent we are on UCAVs - Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles - and what that <span style="font-style: italic;">really </span>means for our military power. With drone strike rising sharply (see posts above) isn't it time we take a serious look at just how effective this form of violence is?<br /><br />SMStrong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-22106900474877121112010-09-28T17:26:00.000-05:002010-09-28T17:26:08.611-05:00Inside the busiest month on record for the drone strikes - By Katherine Tiedemann | The AfPak Channel<a href="http://afpak.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/09/28/inside_the_busiest_month_on_record_for_the_drone_strikes?sms_ss=blogger">Inside the busiest month on record for the drone strikes - By Katherine Tiedemann | The AfPak Channel</a><br /><br />A very interesting look at the increase in Drove strikes in Pakistan. Is this really an effective strategy to counter insurgency?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-13539666383140276702010-09-19T01:20:00.000-05:002010-09-19T01:20:29.590-05:00Message to Muslims - I’m Sorry - NYTimes.com<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/19/opinion/19kristof.html?src=ISMR_AP_LO_MST_FB">Op-Ed Columnist - Message to Muslims - I’m Sorry - NYTimes.com</a>: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"<br /><br />Just a quick article I found particularly poignant while surfing the web today. Read it and feel free to leave a comment!Strong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-4532934766841862372010-04-20T14:36:00.003-05:002010-04-20T14:55:03.982-05:00America: Struggles of Freedom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://rewindamerica.org/Images/Flags/Betsy%20Ross%20Flag.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 704px; height: 508px;" src="http://rewindamerica.org/Images/Flags/Betsy%20Ross%20Flag.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Today marks a very important anniversary in United States history. April 19th was the day which the battles of Lexington and Concord between American revolutionaries and British troops. That makes today, April 20th, the first full day which America was at war.<br /><br />Reflect on that for a moment. Revolutions are usually marked with months and years of unease and anticipation then in a single crucial moment those who are brave step forward and declare that they are ready to hold fast no matter the consequences.<br /><br />Revolutions, as we know, are not always violent. Look at the many democratic revolutions which took place in Eastern and Central Europe at the conclusion of the Cold War, while many died their revolutions were peaceful as they bravely stared down their oppressors. In the American colony Jefferson's logic, Paine's law, and Franklin's social commentaries were not enough - they needed Washington's military bravery before freedom was won.<br /><br /><br />April 20th of 1775 was not the day of the "shot heard 'round the world" but it was the critical day after. The day the American people committed themselves to the promise of freedom. The promise of freedom that may not have reached all people at once but in its promise has freed the peoples of the United States and many others around the world.<br /><br />What does that promise mean to you? How are you reviving that promise everyday? What can be done to keep the flame of hope alive for those whose freedoms are mere memories and dreams? <br /><br />You can comment and share. Please do!Strong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-6833032475349782572010-04-16T22:30:00.002-05:002010-04-20T14:58:22.129-05:00In Memory of Virgina Tech<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ut Prosim - That I May Serve</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Let us just take one moment's pause to think and pray for those whose lives were plucked early at Virginia Tech three years ago.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Let us put aside politics, ideology and our differences to contemplate the tragedy and its consequences.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Let us remember those who were taken from us that horrific day: </span><ul style="font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><li>Ryan Clark (22), a senior in Psych/Biology/English from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martinez%2C_Georgia" title="Martinez, Georgia">Martinez</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_%28U.S._state%29" title="Georgia (U.S. state)">Georgia</a></li><li>Emily Hilscher (19), a freshman in Animal Sciences from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodville%2C_Virginia" title="Woodville, Virginia">Woodville</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia" title="Virginia">Virginia</a></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liviu_Librescu" title="Liviu Librescu">Liviu Librescu</a> (76), a professor of Engineering and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holocaust" class="mw-redirect" title="Holocaust">Holocaust</a> survivor from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ploie%C5%9Fti" title="Ploieşti">Ploieşti</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romania" title="Romania">Romania</a></li><li>Minal Panchal (26), a masters student in Architecture from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai" title="Mumbai">Mumbai</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India" title="India">India</a></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G._V._Loganathan" title="G. V. Loganathan">G. V. Loganathan</a> (53), a professor of Engineering from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_Nadu" title="Tamil Nadu">Tamil Nadu</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India" title="India">India</a></li><li>Jarrett Lane (22), a senior in Civil Engineering from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narrows%2C_Virginia" title="Narrows, Virginia">Narrows</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia" title="Virginia">Virginia</a></li><li>Brian Bluhm (25), a masters student in Civil Engineering from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisville" class="mw-redirect" title="Louisville">Louisville</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky" title="Kentucky">Kentucky</a></li><li>Matthew Gwaltney (24), a masters student in Environmental Engineering from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesterfield_County%2C_Virginia" title="Chesterfield County, Virginia">Chesterfield</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia" title="Virginia">Virginia</a></li><li>Jeremy Herbstritt (27), a masters student in Civil Engineering from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellefonte%2C_Pennsylvania" title="Bellefonte, Pennsylvania">Bellefonte</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania" title="Pennsylvania">Pennsylvania</a></li><li>Partahi Lumbantoruan (34), a PhD student in Civil Engineering from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medan" title="Medan">Medan</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia" title="Indonesia">Indonesia</a> (<a href="http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partahi_Lumbantoruan" class="extiw" title="id:Partahi_Lumbantoruan">Indonesian article</a>)</li><li>Daniel O'Neil (22), a masters student in Environmental Engineering from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln%2C_Rhode_Island" title="Lincoln, Rhode Island">Lincoln</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhode_Island" title="Rhode Island">Rhode Island</a></li><li>Juan Ortiz (26), a masters student in Civil Engineering from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayam%C3%B3n" class="mw-redirect" title="Bayamón">Bayamón</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rico" title="Puerto Rico">Puerto Rico</a></li><li>Julia Pryde (23), a masters student in Biological Systems Engineering from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middletown%2C_New_Jersey" class="mw-redirect" title="Middletown, New Jersey">Middletown</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey" title="New Jersey">New Jersey</a></li><li>Waleed Shaalan (32), a PhD student in Civil Engineering from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zagazig" title="Zagazig">Zagazig</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt" title="Egypt">Egypt</a></li><li>Christopher James Bishop ("<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamie_Bishop" title="Jamie Bishop">Jamie Bishop</a>") (35), an instructor of German from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_Mountain%2C_Georgia" title="Pine Mountain, Georgia">Pine Mountain</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_%28U.S._state%29" title="Georgia (U.S. state)">Georgia</a></li><li>Lauren McCain (20), a freshman in International Studies from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampton%2C_Virginia" title="Hampton, Virginia">Hampton</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia" title="Virginia">Virginia</a></li><li>Michael Pohle Jr. (23), a senior in Biological Sciences from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flemington%2C_New_Jersey" title="Flemington, New Jersey">Flemington</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey" title="New Jersey">New Jersey</a></li><li>Maxine Turner (22), a senior in Chemical Engineering from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna%2C_Virginia" title="Vienna, Virginia">Vienna</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia" title="Virginia">Virginia</a></li><li>Nicole White (20), a junior in International Studies from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smithfield%2C_Virginia" title="Smithfield, Virginia">Smithfield</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia" title="Virginia">Virginia</a></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jocelyne_Couture-Nowak" title="Jocelyne Couture-Nowak">Jocelyne Couture-Nowak</a> (49), a professor of French from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_Scotia" title="Nova Scotia">Nova Scotia</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada" title="Canada">Canada</a></li><li>Ross Alameddine (20), a sophomore in English/Business from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saugus%2C_Massachusetts" title="Saugus, Massachusetts">Saugus</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts" title="Massachusetts">Massachusetts</a></li><li>Austin Cloyd (18), a freshman in Int'l Studies/French from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champaign%2C_Illinois" title="Champaign, Illinois">Champaign</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois" title="Illinois">Illinois</a></li><li>Daniel Perez Cueva (21), a junior in International Studies from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodbridge%2C_Virginia" title="Woodbridge, Virginia">Woodbridge</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia" title="Virginia">Virginia</a>/<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peru" title="Peru">Peru</a></li><li>Caitlin Hammaren (19), a sophomore in Int'l Studies/French from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westtown%2C_New_York" title="Westtown, New York">Westtown</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York" title="New York">New York</a></li><li>Rachael Hill (18), a freshman in Biological Sciences from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond_County%2C_Virginia" title="Richmond County, Virginia">Richmond</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia" title="Virginia">Virginia</a></li><li>Matthew La Porte (20), a sophomore in Political Science from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumont%2C_New_Jersey" title="Dumont, New Jersey">Dumont</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey" title="New Jersey">New Jersey</a></li><li>Henry Lee (20), a freshman in Computer Engineering from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roanoke%2C_Virginia" title="Roanoke, Virginia">Roanoke</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia" title="Virginia">Virginia</a>/<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam" title="Vietnam">Vietnam</a></li><li>Erin Peterson (18), a freshman in International Studies from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centreville%2C_Virginia" title="Centreville, Virginia">Centreville</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia" title="Virginia">Virginia</a></li><li>Mary Read (19), a freshman in Interdisciplinary Studies from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annandale%2C_Virginia" title="Annandale, Virginia">Annandale</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia" title="Virginia">Virginia</a></li><li>Reema Samaha (18), a freshman in Urban Planning from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centreville%2C_Virginia" title="Centreville, Virginia">Centreville</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia" title="Virginia">Virginia</a></li><li>Leslie Sherman (20), a junior in History/Int'l Studies from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springfield%2C_Virginia" title="Springfield, Virginia">Springfield</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Granata" title="Kevin Granata">Virginia</a></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Granata" title="Kevin Granata">Kevin Granata</a> (45), a professor of Engineering from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toledo%2C_Ohio" title="Toledo, Ohio">Toledo</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio" title="Ohio">Ohio</a></li></ul><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">[List compiled by way of Wikipedia, NBC News]</span>Strong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-9112207070076536542010-01-26T01:41:00.005-06:002010-03-23T13:25:18.529-05:00Oh how forgetful the Elephant is!I know it has been awhile but this blog post has inspired me to come back once again. As I'm sure anyone who has had a quick read of this blog has realized I am not a radical. I am not a Tea Party type. I believe in Big Tent GOP Reagan-style party makeup.<br /><br />One thing that brought Republicans to power and allowed them to actually DO something during the terms of President Reagan (and George H.W. Bush) was that the Republican Party did what it does best, stick to its values. Which is to say they stuck to their values but remained realistic, they compromised and politicked hard so that even if the end result wasn't perfect - they always made a big step in their direction with minimal damage. You'll notice I didn't say screamed and called names at the other side OR bowed their heads and obeyed. <br /><br />The GOP of today is being overtaken by a bunch of far right-wing fundamentalists who have abandoned the real world for their "vision." I am talking about Neo-conservatives and the religious right-wing. Again, you will notice I made a distinction between those who are conservative or are generally hawkish on the issues. What really irks me and many of the bulk of Republicans is this, we share common values: generally conservative social values, a certain view of keeping government as small as possible, and preserving fiscal responsibility. We share these values but those few on the fringes have used their megaphones and steadily alienated moderates while taking credit for their successes. Case in point: Senator Scott Brown, Republican from Massachusetts. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">NEWSFLASH</span>!!! THIS JUST IN: SCOTT BROWN IS THE MOST <span style="font-style:italic;">LIBERAL </span>REPUBLICAN IN THE SENATE!</span><br /><br />Tea Party Republicans are claiming the electoral victory of Sen. Brown was a sign that their brand of exclusionary insanity is the way to go when in fact it is just the opposite. Let's face it the overwhelming majority of MA voters approve of President Obama and the job he is doing, so why did they elect a Republican? Simple. Scott Brown campaigned and showed them that he cared and that he was moderate enough to listen, weigh the issues, and compromise for their good and the good of the nation. Martha Coakley stood for liberal democrats and their arrogance in thinking that just because the voters were in love with the late Sen. Kennedy (who worked hard on his agenda, right or wrong) that they would just hand it to the next liberal democrat in line. Well.. it aint played that way folks, you gotta earn it.<br /><br />Links:<br /><br /><a href="http://republicansunited.us/2010/01/the-gop-doesn%E2%80%99t-need-nutjob-politics-to-win/">An excellent article on GOP moderates and Scott Brown</a>Strong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-29301730812902552009-09-30T16:30:00.005-05:002009-10-06T00:27:29.626-05:00Iran So Far Only to Come Back<a href="http://www.chandlerswatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Iran-leader-nuclear-298x300.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.chandlerswatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Iran-leader-nuclear-298x300.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Iran. Iran. Iran.<br /><br />The country that cannot stay out of the news. Why are they so hell-bent on irritating the Western world. Why must their President (mind you I didn't say leader) say the most inflammatory things? All these questions make me think.. why do they dislike us so much?<br /><br />Well, the problem with those questions is that we, as Americans, have a unique place in the world that no one but perhaps some Western European nations enjoyed. I am talking about being the number one dog in the neighborhood.<br /><br />For the United States the "neighborhood" is the majority of the world and all of the areas the US has serious interests. This is the mentality of American Exceptionalism, the thought that America is special and there never has been nor will there ever be anything like it. While there is some truth to this claim if you buy into it there are plenty of dangers. American exceptionalism rejects the idea that we can learn from other 'empires' and civilizations that also enjoyed success beyond what had been imagined. Simply patting ourselves on the back for having the luck of being born into this country at this point in history is not going to be enough to sustain the hard work of previous generations (and a little luck).<br /><br />What does all that have to do with Iran?<br /><br />I'll tell ya! There is a saying that even the most insane person believes they are sane and the rest of us are the crazy ones. It is beneficial to look through Iran's eyes in order to understand their actions. The first thing that we must realize is that while we here in the US use a metric of global consequences, Iran (along with most of the world) uses the metric of regional power. Iran is looking wearily at its neighbors as well as the global implications of its actions. This is the sort of thing that led Saddam Hussein to refuse admitting he had no WMDs, he was afraid of an Iranian invasion.<br /><br />Iran's regional neighbors such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Jordan, and Egypt all have a stake in the failure of Iran. This can be seen in a semi-binary fashion if one takes the Sunni-dominated versus Shi'ite-dominated leaderships of each nation. Iran over the years has made many enemies amongst its neighbors and now that the United States and Europe have put it in their bull's-eye those who felt slighted are licking their chops for revenge. (Sound familiar? It is basically what Iran has done with Iraq)<br /><br />This neighborhood brawl has created a stir because with disagreement comes rhetoric. It is important to note that Iran's President is perhaps the 15th or 20th most powerful political figure in their system. He can afford to make populist hoopla, deny history, and threaten nations he has no chance of even scratching. When we listen to him it would be as if we took Representative Dennis Kucinich as the spokesman of the Democratic Party every time he opened his mouth, or if we believed that Micheal Savage was the mouthpiece of the Republican Party. Both make a difference and have a following but they are by no means important in the final product of political decision-making.<br /><br />Ignore him. What is going on in Iran goes far beyond the yammering of a rhetoric-spewing, election-fixing, ill-dressed maniac. Let us look beyond him to the nation of Iran and its true political structure. That is what will truly enlighten our path to understanding Iran's nuclear policies and allow the global community to ensure they do not turn to violence.Strong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-28393448459950848532009-06-04T11:34:00.000-05:002009-06-04T11:34:00.398-05:00Known Unkowns of North Korea<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.rammerjammeryellowhammer.com/weblog/KimJong-Il-2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 380px;" src="http://www.rammerjammeryellowhammer.com/weblog/KimJong-Il-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />It seems that international relations experts can never decide exactly how to characterize North Korea's Leader, Kim Jong-Il. Is he a shrewd, cool customer or a completely bonkers and irrational psycho?<br /><br />Recently, North Korea has been feeling a little lonely. Everyone is talking about Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Swine Flu, the EU, the global economic recession, bailouts, China, a beached whale, rumors of a new phone/computer from Apple, etc... To Kim Jong-Il that translates into "everything but me", and if there is one way to get on that man's nerves it is to not pay attention to him.<br /><br />In the past few days North Korea has: tested a nuclear device, launched two or three short range inter ballistic missiles, and basically called off the 1953 Truce which ended the Korean War. That's pretty drastic. The problem with North Korea which experts find most troubling is that we know so little about the nation and its internal politics that its moves make very little sense. Even its closest ally (which it still mostly despises) China doesn't know much.<br /><br />That of course leads us to the questions: why they do it and how to respond?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Why do they do it?<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Thankfully this one is pretty simple. North Korea is as broke as a joke. They produce nothing of value, have to important natural resources, and due to the draconian government don't even export labor. So... they use bombs and threats as their economic stimulus. It is pretty predictable behavior: 1)North Korea (Kim Jong-Il) find itself running out of money, 2) Ratchet up some press through threats and wild behavior, 3) Blow something up... preferably nuclear or in the direction of South Korea or Japan, 4) Wait for other countries to come bribing you to give up the weapons for food/money/aid, 5) spend that money... but keep some to set something off later.<br /><br />That's what I call a <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Nuclear Economic Stimulus</span>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">How do we respond?<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Well.. there are several options, unfortunately they vary from weak to certifiably insane with no options in the middle. We, of course, can continue what we are doing - bribing the North Korean regime with aid, money, food, etc.. in the hopes they stop. This obviously is not working to end the crisis but rather just buying time.<br /><br />On the other hand, we could be pro-active however this would lead to a major catastrophe of human suffering and death as North Korea would shell the living daylights out of Seoul, South Korea which is within spitting distance. If you hear anyone suggest we "nuke 'em" please feel free to slap some sense into that nutcase and let them know that international relations is not a video game, real people's lives are in grave danger.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.foxnews.com/images/279183/2_63_042507_news_in_pics1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://www.foxnews.com/images/279183/2_63_042507_news_in_pics1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>The uptick in aggression and posturing from Kim Jong-Il and his cronies should be a clear sign that something has to change. First, aid must be more dependent on actual PERMANENT improvements. Second, China must be more pro-active in its conversations with North Korea in order to communicate the realities of a retaliatory strike. Third, much more human intelligence is required in order to make better decisions. The largest drawback to current policy is that it is based on perceptions not necessarily realities of the North Korean regime.<br /><br /></div></div></div></div>Strong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-62570771589110775662009-03-25T21:27:00.010-05:002009-03-26T00:05:15.362-05:00Hoping to Fail or Failing to Hope?I know it's been awhile since I've posted but something has really been grinding my gears (thanks Peter!). <br /><br />Recent comments made by Republicans about their desire that President Obama fail are tragically telling of the individuals making the statements, their party (my party, too by the way), and the country as a whole. A few of the offenders (they are indeed offensive to any rational person) include: radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh, LA Gov. Bobby Jindal, Rep. Party Chairman Micheal Steele, and most recently fmr Sen. (and actor) Fred Thompson. That list includes very crazy persons.. and seemingly quite sane people and they all repeat the same thing they either "hope he (Obama) will fail" or they support those statements in a wholehearted way.<br /><br />These people who are joining this chorus are losers. Plain and simple. I know at least a few of you who are reading this are already looking for the comment button to blast me for blindly supporting the President's policies and probably are ready to use a liberal sprinkling of the words : koolaid, messiah, sheep, brain dead, and biased media. If you really are that simple-minded go ahead.. but I'll just respond by letting you know you should have read past the first two paragraphs....<br /><br />Like I said, these people are losers. They are failing themselves, their ideology, and the American people. First, they fail themselves. How petty do you have to be to lose a popularity contest and then hope the other side trips on their way to the podium? Pretty dang petty. These politicians and critics are doing just the opposite of what a responsible person who disagrees should do, find alternate solutions and try to convince others their way is better. Simply saying that you hope the ones with the coherent plan don't do so hot basically says "I hope the front-runner falls so I'll come in first!" Folks, that's just the voice of pettiness, anger, and desperation at work.<br /><br />Second, these people are taking the Republican Party's elephant 'round back, replacing it with a giant elephant balloon than going out and publicly poking holes in it... all for the cause of advancing the party (with the notable exception of Rush, who does it for the money and power). Of all the public figures who have spewed these sentiments Rush is the only one who hasn't done harm to the party.. which is remarkable. He is one man, a man who can be (very easily) discredited at very little true political cost. I know he has tens of millions of listeners but most of these folks would be equally swayed by the next nutcase (liberal, conservative, crazy, sane, or possibly dead) who takes over the time slot. Before you go off firing the cannon on me ponder this, his listeners call themselves 'ditto heads'! They reference the fact that they are COPYING someone else, not thinking for themselves! 'Ditto head' ought to be used as a derogatory term for the blind followers of anyone (especially in a democracy that is based on the fact that people will think then vote).. not as a self-imposed label. What's wrong with us?<br /><br />Enough about Rush.. back to my point, the Republican party is being hurt. By only "hoping" that the President's policies fail you basically shoot yourself in the foot and demonstrate pretty clearly that you have no idea what you actually support. Solving the economic crisis is not a two solution game where you can simply say "that is wrong" and logically that means you are right, it is the economy for goodness sake, a million solutions exist. The right way of criticizing the Obama policies should be to tie all democrats to it then say that it WILL fail, give evidence (this is important!), then inform the public of your better solution. Simply saying 'i think that's bad just cuz...' then saying tax-cuts a few times before shrugging your shoulders and going home is not going to cut it. Don't believe me.. watch for the 2010 election results. <br /><br />Lastly, this approach is terrible for the American electorate and the nation as a whole. When policy debates keep gravitating to personal and distracting issues faster and faster the American people find themselves uniting less and dividing more. That is isn't good for us as a nation. I'm not saying one side should lay down and surrender, what I am saying is that if we both just agreed that we both want the same thing then debated how to get there we would have some progress. Simply pointing fingers and name-calling doesn't produce solutions it produces doubts, political demons, and more problems. <br /><br /><br />Remember that fear, smears, and lies only go so far before we, the American people, get fed up and vote in your replacements. Be careful.Strong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-84834391355946865162009-02-09T12:43:00.003-06:002009-02-09T14:15:25.383-06:00Strong Moderate Blog's 1st Birthday!Happy 1st Birthday!<br /><br />Over the past 12 months the topics have been wide ranging, although mostly focused on these "Obama" and "McCain" fellas. I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I did. Here's to hoping for another great year!<br /><br />Strong Moderate & Flaming ModerateStrong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-4229754005674296602009-02-06T12:00:00.001-06:002009-02-06T12:00:02.253-06:00U.S./Emirates go nuclear... dealWhat is small, smart and full of oil? No, it's not Dick Cheney's heart - it's the United Arab Emirates.<br /><br />The U.A.E. is one of the most forward thinking and advanced countries in the Middle East and I would venture to say, the world. As a small confederation of mostly tiny desert emirates the UAE is looking to the future.. and that future includes international cooperation, an expanded relationship with the US, and energy stability.<br /><br />I know you're probably scratching your head going "The UAE? Aren't those guys swimming in oil?" and yes, yes they are. The UAE is one of the most oil rich countries in the world, especially considering its puny size and small population. Unlike other Arab and oil-producing countries the Emirates are looking forward to the age of energy-independence and oil's inevitable decline.<br /><br />If 2008 has taught the oil-producing countries of the world anything it is that fortunes can swell and then disappear <i>very</i> quickly. In the past year oil prices climbed from 70 dollars a barrel up to 150 at the height of summer, then down to $40 at the end of the year. That means most OPEC countries had horrible years because they expected the prices to either keep going up or hold stead at the price of $75/barrel. There were very few bright spots, one of those was the Emirates due to their plan to turn their tiny country into a travel, tourism, and foreign investment destination as well as their own economy's diversification.<br /><br />There is one great weakness however in the Emirates, energy. How? Well, when you at home and you plug go to the electrical outlet where does your power come from? A coal plant? The UAE has no coal. A wind farm\solar energy? The Emirates would have to build a wind mill or solar panel every 20 ft to meet their needs. A hydroelectric dam? Good luck finding rivers in the desert. Finally, the most efficient, a nuclear power plant. Well.. the UAE is on its way.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDHR6QYbOMI4VcDquiTJEmr9FYsX2cm9gWViu_80e7v88FvoQDVytDoIWEkFgv2aDt8uAT-iJPHkdDwhjlXf4t5yw1iO5a9hdOUdACT8ErVSOG0gUsReVatbPrtQl1X5u5MrWYZUE2d8h/s1600-h/Nuclear_Plant.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDHR6QYbOMI4VcDquiTJEmr9FYsX2cm9gWViu_80e7v88FvoQDVytDoIWEkFgv2aDt8uAT-iJPHkdDwhjlXf4t5yw1iO5a9hdOUdACT8ErVSOG0gUsReVatbPrtQl1X5u5MrWYZUE2d8h/s320/Nuclear_Plant.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299743046829335874" border="0" /></a><br />The UAE signed a nuclear deal with the United States for nuclear fuel and access to important knowledge regarding the construction of one or more power plants. This deal is mutually beneficial, the Emirates get their precious energy, the US has something to cement their relationship with the oil-rich country, the US gets loads of cash (which they need), and the whole thing will be overseen entirely by the International Atomic Energy Agency.<br /><br />I do love it when a plan comes together. <br /><br />What do you think? Do you think this is a smart move by either party? Any aspects you think I'm missing? Enlighten everyone with a comment!<br /><br /><br />Links:<br /><br /><a href="http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/01/15/us_and_uae_sign_nuclear_deal">U.S. and UAE sign nuclear deal</a>Strong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-9993131767783376702009-02-04T16:31:00.000-06:002009-02-05T00:23:53.139-06:00Stimulus... for WHAT?<p><br /></p> <p>Republicans leaders are finding the new $825 Billion dollar stimulus package that passed the House (without a single GOP vote) a little hard to swallow.. and rightfully so. As the minority party the responsibility falls to them to propose alternate ideas and better solutions. Since being the majority party and having their President in the White House Republicans have really fallen off and the way they are acting so far this year has been downright sad and regrettable.</p> <p>So Republicans decided instead of coming up with a cleaner, leaner, and possibly more effective bill they went to the "well your plan is terrible" path and just offered a list of some of the items they consider useless, pork, or unnecessary spending. The list, which follows, has some of each.. and then there is some stuff that just sounds a little childish to dispute or items which should be fully funded but have nothing to do with a "stimulus" package. , The bullet pointed the items are the ones the GOP Congresspeople object to and I decided to follow each item they object to with a little comment of my own... enjoy. Some of the items are hilarious... hilariously sad. </p> <p></p><p>• <span style="font-weight: bold;">$2 billion earmark to re-start FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Department of Energy defunded last year because it said the project was inefficient.</span></p><p>Because all the US Government needs is a coal power plant! I guess they wanted something familiar (especially in Illinois): dirty AND inefficient.<br /></p> <p> • <span style="font-weight: bold;">A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film.</span></p> <p>This is really outrageous. Has Hollywood had any problems buying motion picture film? Is there a shortage? With all the garbage Hollywood produces every year having a limited amount of film might actually make them make a good movie every once in awhile.<br /></p><p>• <span style="font-weight: bold;">$650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program.</span></p><p>Why? The government has been broadcasting warnings about the digital tv conversion for TWO YEARS! If folks haven't got a box yet they ought to be penalized, by NOT getting a free $40 bucks off.<br /></p> <p> • <span style="font-weight: bold;">$88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship).</span></p><p>I actually don't see much of a problem with this however this spending belongs in the 2.65 trillion dollar defense budget not a stimulus package.<br /></p> <p> •<span style="font-weight: bold;"> $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters.</span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;"> • $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters.</p> <p>Building a headquarters for the DHS isn't a bad idea. spending more than half of what you did on constructing the place on furniture is baloney. Some furniture makers are getting rich selling DHS $4,000 desk chairs and $50,000 toilets! Once again, this doesn't belong in a stimulus package, it belongs in the appropriations bill for the DHS.<br /></p><p>• <span style="font-weight: bold;">$600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees.</span></p><p>Umm... I'm not sure if this means they will be giving tax incentives for employees to buy hybrids... or they plan on purchasing hybrids as fleet vehicles (a good idea by the way in terms of fuel economy).. or Oprah decided that the President ought to tell federal employees: "You get a new car, and you get a new car, and you get a new car...." Oh yeah, how does this stimulate the economy again?<br /></p> <p> •<span style="font-weight: bold;"> $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD's.</span></p><p>That's nice.. I support funding the CDC but this really isn't stimulating the economy, there isn't a financial meltdown because sexually promiscuous individuals have STD's.<br /></p> <p> • <span style="font-weight: bold;">$1.4 billion for rural waste disposal programs.</span></p><p>This could be very useful and helpful if done correctly... but it belongs in the Department of Agriculture or Dept of the Interior's appropriations bill.<br /></p> <!--startclickprintexclude--> <!--endclickprintexclude--> <p> •<span style="font-weight: bold;"> $125 million for the Washington sewer system.</span></p><p>Careful folks! Improving the sewer system might cause more waste to end up in the Potomac. Congress, I suggest you begin investing in swimming lessons! Seriously, complete pork.<br /></p> <p> • <span style="font-weight: bold;">$150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities.</span></p><p>They need it! The Smithsonian museum system is a national treasure but this isn't really going to stimulate the economy.<br /></p> <p> • <span style="font-weight: bold;">$1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion.</span></p><p>Completing a Census is very important. It tells us about the direction of the country in so many ways and it leads to the reapportionment of districts for the House of Representatives and countless state/local legislative bodies. Something troubling.. how does a program run a $3 billion dollar overrun with a budget of $13 billion? Was someone trying to impress the new boss with a ridiculously low estimate for costs or are these people just incompetent spending money?<br /></p> <p> • <span style="font-weight: bold;">$75 million for "smoking cessation activities."</span></p><p>Great. That's right I'm a HUGE anti-smoking advocate. Go cry about it. Better yet, go cough, wheeze, and give yourself serious disease.. far away from me. Oh yea, this is a good investment because it does decrease health costs down the line, so it is borderline OK to include in a stimulus package but it doesn't do anything for the "now" or "today" of this crisis.<br /></p> <p> •<span style="font-weight: bold;"> $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges.</span></p><p>Why do the GOP object to this? This is a great idea. In bad economic times people who are out of work often turn to education to help them find gainful employment and are trained in new areas giving the American worker more skills and a wider variety of experience. Computer centers can add to that by giving community college student access to more resources, including online job listing and resume-makers (and this blog!)<br /></p> <p> • <span style="font-weight: bold;">$75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI.</span></p><p>The FBI has a budget. This is a stimulus package. The stimulus package is not the FBI budget. 'Nuf said.<br /></p> <p> •<span style="font-weight: bold;"> $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction.</span></p><p>Great... a good $25 million dollars to spend on the Bureau of Indian Affairs budget. This could really uplift reservations out of their third-world environment if the money was allocated in the right place and used wisely on programs that have been proven to work not sunk into the same old programs that have shown no promise over the years.<br /></p> <p> • <span style="font-weight: bold;">$500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River.</span></p><p>Ok... going for the whole TVA thing (Tennessee Valley Authority, for those who didn't pay attention in High School US History). A nice FDR touch could actually be helpful if it was used to protect cities (like New Orleans) while respecting wildlife.<br /></p> <p> •<span style="font-weight: bold;"> $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas.</span></p><p>Speaking of New Orleans... I'm not sure this is quite a "stimulus", it is needed but still.. I'm not sure it applies<br /></p> <p> • <span style="font-weight: bold;">$6 billion to turn federal buildings into "green" buildings.</span></p><p>A great idea.. that sounds like it is going to turn into a stimulus for "green" contractors who will be rolling around in our "green". "Green" buildings are good for saving on costs down the road, but maybe this could be done piecemeal, with the most cost-efficient work done first then work our way towards true eco-friendlier buildings.<br /></p> <p> • <span style="font-weight: bold;">$500 million for state and local fire stations.</span></p><p>Good. They are feeling the pain out there. Not sure if this belongs in a stimulus package but they really do need it, as do the communities these fire stations serve courageously.<br /></p> <p> •<span style="font-weight: bold;"> $650 million for wildland fire management on forest service lands.</span></p><p>NO. The over-protection of the forests from fire is one of the leading causes of the current crisis that has killed MILLIONS of acres of trees across the country, from the Rockies clear out to the Pacific Northwest. If you want more info on this leave a comment.<br /></p> <p> •<span style="font-weight: bold;"> $1.2 billion for "youth activities," including youth summer job programs.</span></p><p>How about instead of "including" we cut out all the non-work/service related program funding and focus in on pushing the next generation of American worker into positive programs that will really help in the long run.<br /></p> <p> • <span style="font-weight: bold;">$88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service.</span></p><p>1) Sounds like too much, 2) Public Health is important 3) their building may need some repairs - they should include an extra $88 million on their next budget request<br /></p> <p> • <span style="font-weight: bold;">$412 million for CDC buildings and property.</span></p><p>Too ambiguous. Possibly reasonable, maybe not.<br /></p> <p> • <span style="font-weight: bold;">$500 million for building and repairing National Institutes of Health facilities in Bethesda, Maryland.</span></p><p>*sniff* Oh yeah.. smells like pork, a big half billion dollar load of pork. These facilities fall in Rep. Van Hollen's Congressional district.. who is that you ask? Rep. Van Hollen is Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means as well as the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform" --quote from Rep. Van Hollen's website<br /></p> <p> • <b>$160 million for "paid volunteers" at the Corporation for National and Community Service.</b></p><p>This is a good idea, one thing the country could really use this period of economic downturn for is to renew the Community service spirit and get people involved in their own communities, helping each other so the government doesn't have to help them. Ask for a cup of sugar from your neighbor and offer to carpool to work instead of putting your hand out and asking for a bailout from Uncle Sam. A community can serve as a helping hand to help you find those bootstraps and get you out of despair.<br /></p> <p> • <b>$5.5 million for "energy efficiency initiatives" at the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration.</b></p><p>This one stinks so bad... well, you can finish that one. If they need it then they should ask for it in their annual budget, it seems that Congress is willing to give anything to the VA, no matter how useless, in order to prove to their voters that they "care" about returning soldiers. Hardly. Most are just token supporters who only cared for vetrans when Walter Reed (the hospital, not middle school) came up. Most have already forgotten and almost none have worked towards projects like the Hagel/Webb G.I. Bill.<br /></p> <p> • <b>$850 million for Amtrak.</b></p><p>Why? Oh yeah.. it IS a bailout. I don't even know what Amtrack would use the money on! Their trains, service, employees, and scheduling has been terrible for years (except the DC-Wilmington, Del. service). Heck, most folks are use to it, don't change it now - especially when that money could go to better uses like stimulating the economy!<br /></p> <p> • <b>$100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint.</b></p><p>Congress: Tell companies to stop putting lead in paint.<br /></p><p>I'll be expecting my $100 million dollar check in the mail, thank you.<br /></p> <p> • <b>$75 million to construct a "security training" facility for State Department Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies.</b></p><p>This is a good idea, it think all State Dept personnel should be well trained especially with the hazards of the current age, none larger than the threat of a ballistic Hillary Clinton. Oh yeah, put this in the Dept of State budget.<br /></p> <p> • <b>$110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems.</b></p><p>I'm really not sure how badly this is needed or what its effect will be so I won't judge. That's right, I didn't know the answer and I decided to own up to it instead of putting a snarky comment here. How many bloggers do that? Not a lot.<br /></p> • <b>$200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations.</b><br /><br />Lease? Leasing is the biggest scam in the auto industry since the advent of the "Under-vehicle protective coating" that "must" be purchased with a new car. Stop leasing and just buy vehicles, negotiate sane service plans, and put this spending in the Dept of Defense budget where it belongs.<br /><br /><br />Wow. Wasn't sure if I was gonna make it through that heap of garbage but I think it'll be ok.<br /><br />Agree? Disagree? Think there is something more outrageous in the bill? Leave a comment and let everyone know. Thanks.Strong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-29333213809151062102009-01-20T11:00:00.000-06:002009-01-20T12:58:25.224-06:00President ObamaBarack Hussein Obama is the 44th President of the United States of AmericaStrong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-16788527445034709162009-01-15T15:20:00.000-06:002009-01-17T15:35:55.781-06:00What's 350 Billion Bucks, really?President-elect Obama is urging Congress on his hands and knees then from his mighty pedestal to pass the second half of the Bailout money. Most Congressional members, Democrats included, are a little resistant to that kind of thinking. There is a glimmer of hope that is attached to this debate.<br /><br />First off, Congressional democrats are already off to the wrong start for the 2010 elections and would be in a tough spot if not for the bunches of retiring Republican Senators. Democrats pledged over and over again their allegiance to Obama's plans during the campaign, especially health-care related items, but now are having a little trouble reconciling their own political futures with the Obama Economic plan.<br /><br />Congress finally buckled and released the remaining half of the $700B bailout they approved in October. After all their complaints they decided.. "hey, maybe we are just whiny! Let's just approve it!" As usual they were exactly wrong. Usually (most) members of Congress are whiny and ask frivolous questions and engage in self-serving "investigations" while the American people suffer or could someway be better served. In this case there are legitimate questions to be asked. Where did all the money go?! <br /><br />We were told that this money would fix the financial markets and one would think that the over 500 Billion dollars we've spent would have done that however the banks are asking for more and other industries are getting a piece of the pie too. Where's the money? Banks refuse to tell us.. or Congress.. or their shareholders. Seems a little suspicious. Let me draw up a scenario: You are a rich philanthropic individual and you see a bunch of poor homeless people. You want to help them and a bunch of Soup Kitchens come to you telling you the only way to do that is by giving them a million dollars, you give them 500,000 and then come back a year later and find that nothing has actually changed. Do you: 1) Wonder if the Soup Kitchen people are crooks? 2) Call the police to investigate? or 3) Both. Obviously you'd do #4, just fork over the rest of the money.. because evidence is for the weak.<br /><br />Just sad. <br /><br />In the 2008 election we had a choice between one candidate who was surrounded by Oil Industry executives and one who was surrounded by Financial Industry executives. Guess which one we picked? I'm not saying President-Elect Obama is in their pocket but he needs to start showing some backbone if he wants to really get us out of this thing.Strong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-42144305346187936942009-01-02T16:52:00.003-06:002009-01-02T18:16:46.253-06:00So... I was at a local fast food place when I saw two young African-American couples, their children, and a couple other African-American adults sitting waiting for their meals to arrive. I was seated nearby and just so happened to hear them discussing something, where would a "good" place in town be for them to go "enjoy" the day in such nice weather.<br /><br />Obviously I was distraught. Blacks would only possibly "enjoy" dealing/using drugs or involvement in some kind of crime! I went to the counter and immediately flagged down the manager, "oh my! You have got to get the cops down here, those.. people over there are planning something bad!" I said. Of course, with crime rates going up in town the manager ran to the phone and the police arrived soon thereafter.<br /><br />The police questioned them and decided there was nothing wrong and assured everyone that there was a mistake and everything was alright. Just before the police left they went to the counter wondering if they could get their food, the manager informed them that the fast food restaurant no longer would allow them to purchase food there and they could go elsewhere. Even after the police spoke to the person at the counter, still the black family & friends couldn't get their food and were asked to leave.<br /><br />Great Story right... I mean that makes me sound like a racist. It makes the fast food place and its manager sound damn near crazy and racist as well. Also, it just isn't rational. Although I'm sure that sort of thing does occur, that story is not true I just wanted to illustrate a point.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2190/2397315959_e6103a2543.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2190/2397315959_e6103a2543.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My point here was that when a US-born but foreign-looking (six Pakistani, two Turkish, one black) group of Muslims got booted off a plane because they were overheard looking for the "safest" place to sit on the plane. AirTran has a policy that you get to choose your seat essentially and on their way to the back of the plane the two males were heard discussing how they wouldn't like to sit near the engines because if there was an accident it wouldn't be safe. Not exactly the kind of talk you'd expect to hear from hardened terrorists but they got thrown off the plane, interviewed by the FBI, then for several hours not allowed to fly to their destination or home... by AirTran, even when FBI agents spoke to attendants at the counter on the family's behalf telling them that the family was cleared to fly and there was nothing to fear.<br /><br />Really sad. If this were a story about a bunch of guys joking about killing people or committing terrorist acts, I'd say these folks are dumb... but they still should have been allowed to fly thereafter. This family group however was doing no such thing and the FBI understood that but still AirTran balked for hours about either refunding tickets or giving them a later flight. Despicable. I'm no bleeding heart but when people are treated completely different in our paranoid society just for looking different it really cooks me inside. If it can happen to them today.. it can happen to you tomorrow.Strong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-67941070732783767152008-12-27T11:50:00.002-06:002008-12-27T11:51:41.487-06:00Temporary BreakSorry folks, we are currently undergoing a short period of scheduling insanity so the blog has suffered. The blog shall return soon with all new posts! Please be patient.<br /><br />Strong ModerateStrong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-68224476759620210782008-11-19T02:45:00.000-06:002008-11-19T02:45:00.154-06:00START - FinishedWhat does START mean to you? For many of the new generations it means the little button you click in Microsoft Windows that gives you access to a bunch of programs not sitting on the desktop...<br /><br />For older generations and the slim minority of newer generations that care about history, START is the STrategic Arms Reduction Talks that began on June 29, 1982 and culminated in an agreement with the USSR about Nuclear missile and material reduction in 1991. START II began in June 1992 and ended with President H.W. Bush and President Boris Yelstin's agreement in January 1993. START III was dead on arrival in 1997 and dealt a death blow by the George W Bush Administration's withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.<br /><br />Before I mention why I'm bringing up START let's talk about a strange trend that you can notice in that last paragraph.. did anything about the culmination of the START talks strike you as odd or telling? START I: Pres. Reagan brings it up, pushes it until it passes. START II: Pres. George HW Bush brings it up with the Russians, Pres. Clinton pushes it until it passes. START III: Offered by Russian diplomats, agreed to in principle by sane State Dept. diplomats, killed by Pres. GW Bush. Sad.. It is like we this Bush Administration has taken pride in wasting and throwing away all the good will and soft diplomatic power the US possessed and worked hard to gain. Hard work by Presidents and proud American men and women who toiled to step America up just one more step so that the next global generation would see America on a pedestal not in the dirt. Thanks, Dubya - you have spoiled and deserted their ideals then threw them out all in the name of a new American "power" - force and terror.<br /><br />Well... Where was I before my diatribe? START! That's right, START is going to expire! START expires in December 2009. The United States and Russia are trying to come together to come to an agreement. There are a few, uh how to put this.... problems.<br /><br /><b>First</b>, US diplomats have zero credibility or power because they represent a lame-duck President with less than 90 days to serve.<br /><br /><b>Second</b>, this Bush Administration is more interested developing ABMS (Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems) and antagonizing the Russian Bear than it is willing to actually doing something truly courageous - working towards a more peaceful world.<br /><br /><b>Third</b>, the Russians are looking to regain the Soviet glory of military power with no international restrictions (obviously they have rose-colored glasses on their hindsight along with a severe case of selective amnesia).<br /><br /><b>Fourth</b>, there is a general disagreement as to exactly what a new START would cover - US diplomats want to limit the number of missiles period, the Russians would like to see a limit on warheads (there can be many of these per missile) and they want a limit on ABMS.<br /><br />I hope that in the 11 months following the Presidential Inauguration that (then) President Obama will have the ability to multitask effectively and deal with the START talks seriously and with great care. As an aside - I do not believe that total disarmament should neither be a possibility nor a goal. The reduction of nuclear weapons will lend a hand to a more effective security between nations and will reduce the ability of rogue states or terrorists of getting their hands on Nuclear materials.<br /><br />Have ideas? Share them here! Comment!Strong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-53807627396211386532008-11-12T22:10:00.001-06:002008-11-12T22:10:00.942-06:00Auto Bailout: Corporate We(a)l(th)fareSeriously democrats? Seriously?! Democrats got a huge mandate to do what they will with the nation by capturing the Presidency and enlarged their margin in the House of Reps and Senate. What do they do? What will their first lame duck move be? Trying to get the Big Three Auto companies (Ford, GM, Chrysler) to either be allowed to received money from the 700 Billion dollar bailout already passed or to pass another bailout just for American Auto companies.<br /><br />Here's a better idea: Let them suffer. The crisis these companies face can be divided into two main problem areas: Management and Unions.<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: center;">Management</h4><br />It would be hard to imagine a company losing Billions of dollars for many quarters in a row and two or three years after having consecutive negative quarters beginning to respond with changes to structure and product design. The Big Three have done just that.<br /><br />What did Ford and GM focus on while gas prices where skyrocketing? They were producing and actually expanding SUV production. Now they claim that somehow it is the economic climate that is causing their losses and they claim it is foreign competition that is adding to their woes. That's like wondering why the sidewalk lemonade stand doesn't do so well in winter and then blaming the lack of lemonade sales on the fact that there is a Starbucks 10 feet away.<br /><br />Of course gas prices affect Auto sales, even Toyota had some losses last quarter (in the US) and it is also obvious that competition makes it more difficult for a company to sell the same product and have the consumer buy it without thinking. The management at the Big Three always seem to have their eyes on Washington for a handout ever since they decided that American consumers wouldn't trust new Japanese cars that came flooding into the US in the 70's when gas prices were sky high and they couldn't stop making gas guzzling boat-cars. It is true that American consumers like buying products that are made in America and have brand-name allegiance but there is a limit. The companies had fair warning that quotas on foreign cars were going out the window and should have gotten the message when "foreign" vehicle plants started popping up in the South and now have 100% American labor. These big company executives just refuse to believe that their reality from 1965 has changed.<br /><br />These management executives have to realize a few things. 1) American consumers are smart, they will buy the best vehicle for their needs no matter how many million dollars is spent on researching a trendy model name. 2) Making a bad product should not make you eligible for a handout. 3) Unlike banks, if you fail there are plenty of other companies that can pick up the slack, there is no Auto Tsunami in the making. 4) React to the economy, don't sit around and wait until it beats you to death. 5) Deal with the Unions (UAW), they are sucking your carcass dry.<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: center;">Unions</h4><br />Bargaining organizations are an important part of the advocacy of blue-collar workers. Unions also played an important part in the fight against oppressive businesses and the politicians that were in Big Business's pockets. There.. proof I do not hate unions.<br /><br />Now, moving on to the UAW (United Auto Workers), the union dealing with the the Auto companies in question. The UAW is largely corrupt and has turned from an advocacy group to a group that seeks to feed itself by extortion. This union isn't working for the true interests of workers it is making moves and spreading misinformation amongst those who may not know as much as them in order to cause walkouts and strikes. The effect of this being the UAW is extremely powerful and of course.. that means they want more. The UAW keeps finding the weakest points of the Big Three and then making sure they pay dearly before their workers return to the line.<br /><br />The sad part of this setup is that it is the workers that are being hurt. First they lose wages when they are not working then they go back to work feeling better but without receiving any substantial increase in meaningful work benefits or work conditions. Meanwhile the unions gain more clout and more memberships.. They ought to change their title to UAE - United for Auto Extortion.<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: center;">Conclusion</h4><br />Democrats, no doubt, have a debt of gratitude to pay to Unions who endorsed them and made sure their members turned out in large numbers for their candidates but it is time to stand up to corrupt unions and failing big businesses and say "Help doesn't mean handouts!"Strong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-55682083130305047042008-11-11T22:23:00.000-06:002008-11-11T22:23:00.730-06:00Veteran's Day<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.centraldenverblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/Veteran_27s_20Day.jpg" alt="Honoring Veteran's Day" /><br />Honoring Veteran's Day</div><br /><br />If you read this blog from time to time you will know that the Armed Forces and their Veterans are something I care very much about. No matter what the policy of their mission they ought to be respected and protected when they do their jobs right. [There are a few that do not and it is those who sully the name of our military forces.]<br /><br />The members of the Armed Forces and their Veterans deserve our thanks and gratitude.<br /><br />Show your gratitude by donating to the USO or by supporting veterans who have returned injured, physically or mentally. Remember the Government might let a soldier through the cracks, it is our job as a society to rescue them before they fall further.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.uso.org/donate/custom.aspx">Click here</a> to donate to the USO (United Service Organization)<br /><br /><a href="https://www.uso.org/donate/custom.aspx">Click here</a> to send a donation to DAV (Disabled American Veterans)Strong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-77504526673260015952008-11-11T01:06:00.001-06:002008-11-11T01:30:02.867-06:00Obama's CabinetWell... not 24 hours after Senator Barack Obama became President-Elect all eyes have shifted from victory celebrations to the possibilities for the positions of the Obama Administration's Cabinet positions. Word on the street (aka in the Beltway) is that Obama will be making his decisions very quickly and will push to hit the ground running with his political mandate. Unlike President Clinton in 1992 there is an urgency to today's economic problems and if something isn't done quickly Democrats will be heavily punished in 2010 and 2012. But who could possibly serve in an Obama Administration? Who will it be?!<br /><br />Let's focus on the three "big ones", listing a few names for each and in <b>bold</b> will be the one I believe that would be truly best suited for it and in <i>italics</i> the one that is most likely of those listed to actually get it.<br /><br />Secretary of State:<br />Strobe Talbott - Brookings Institution president, former deputy sec. of state; honest, focused and very intelligent man with a real grip of the issues and problems America faces abroad<br />James Baker - Sec. of State under H.W. Bush, one of the best at the job in the past 20 years and a great deal maker and *bonus* is an actual international realist and a Republican<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Richard "Dick" Lugar</span> - Knows his stuff and there's no drama around this expert Senator who is the ranking minority member on the Foreign Relations Senate Committee, *bonus* is a Republican from a state Obama carried<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chuck Hage</span>l - Senator widely admired for his straight-talk and positive vision *bonus* Republican, a realist<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">John Kerry</span> - Long-time democratic Senator, former Presidential candidate, No. 2 Democrat on the Foreign Relations Cmte.<br /><br />Secretary of Defense<br /><b><i>Robert Gates</i></b><i></i> - Current Secretary. I have written previously about his courage and true patriotism in helping our troops and keeping America safe in every way he can, *bonus* is well respected on both sides of the aisle, won't seem like changing horses midstream<br />Robert Zoellick - Former president of the World Bank, knows the ins and outs of foreign- policy as well as being a Washington insider<br /><br /><br />Secretary of the Treasury<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">David Lipton</span> - Former under secretary of the Treasury<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hillary Clinton</span> - Remember her? Yup, Her name has come up for this position because she's from New York (sorta) and knows how to play hardball with Wall Street, *bonus* A conciliation gift from the victor, get her out of the Senate - an enemy is best kept close<br />Warren Buffet - Maybe the Sage of Omaha will know how to invest America's money in such a way that businesses don't disappear and the taxpayer is protected from Big Business's foibles, *bonus* Everybody knows and respects this guy.. he is the American dream - Midwestern No one into Richest Man on Earth<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Unknown</span> - a Wall Street Veteran with some Government experience, probably from the Big Bank sectorStrong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-74381728664047396922008-11-04T23:51:00.000-06:002008-11-04T23:52:47.156-06:00President-Elect ObamaBarack Obama passes 270 electoral votes, defeats John McCain, and will become 44th President of the United States.<br /><br />Wow. Just let it sink in for a moment.Strong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569061344706051270.post-57976030513533990182008-11-03T12:35:00.003-06:002008-11-03T12:52:45.008-06:002008 Election Campaign almost over.. finally!It almost over. You won't have to sit through political ads or get annoying volunteer phone calls or even more annoying robo-calls. No more half hour political infomercials. No more intense negative advertisements. No more mailboxes full of glossy postcards telling you that if you vote for Candidate B the terrorists win.. or your taxes will go up. No more yard signs popping up faster than weeds. No more 3rd Party supporters shouting at you near the intersection that "they both stink!" Aaah, none of that.<br /><br />Just a 3 month wait until the pomp and circumstance of a Presidential Inauguration. The interest of waiting for a Cabinet to be formed and a super-lame ducked President handing out pardons and signing Executive Statements like its Republican Christmas. Then we start anew..<br /><br />But think... if you don't <b>vote</b> you don't have the right to complain or applaud. The privilege of voting bestowed upon you by the Constitution be lost by your own laziness or apathy. Even if your <b>Vote</b> doesn't count for much.. it does count to YOU. <b>Vote</b> your conscious. <b>Vote</b> your values. <b>Vote</b> your wallet. Whatever it is, Just VOTE.<br /><br />It isn't difficult. It doesn't cost much (just gas or a fare to get you to the polling station). Ask right now where your polling place is if you aren't sure. Then go out and <b>vote</b> tomorrow. <b>Vote</b> for the sick man who can't cast his ballot. <b>Vote</b> for the young girl who is just a few days too young to <b>vote</b> this time around. <b>Vote</b> for the mentally disabled. <b>Vote</b> for the soldier far away who hasn't had the chance to cast his or her ballot because they fight for their survival with no time to spare. <b>Vote</b>... For goodness sakes, <b>Vote</b>.<br /><br /><b>Vote</b> for the good candidate. <b>Vote</b> for the honest candidate. <b>Vote</b> for the open candidate. <b>Vote</b> for your candidate. Make a decision about their values, their policy, and their ability. <b>Vote</b>.<br /><br />I think that will suffice but I wish to reiterate one last time:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:180%;">VOTE</span></div>Strong Moderatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01890776139495152899noreply@blogger.com2