Here is what I was telling folks at the Christmas party - figured I would post it before polls close.
The Huck will win with at least 30%,
Romney and Fred will fight for second at around 20% each.
Ron Paul and McCain will also finish in the teens.
Unless Fred can win big in Michigan and then SC or Florida -
I predict Huckabee will win the nomination.
More later as to why, just wanted to get it out there.
9:15 Update
Looks like I was close.
Romney and Huckabee seem to have pulled votes I anticipated for Thompson.
Not a good sign for him, He will need to well in Mich but I think his time has past.
Everyone else is where I expected.
And Clinton did better then pundits were saying.
As I mentioned at Christmas, never underestimate the power of the Machine.
Who do you think are Precinct chairs?
Unless Clinton makes a big mistake, her people will allow her to win.
(Think LBJ & Texas for Kennedy)
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Old college terms and MMGW
Years ago I first heard the term "gigo". I was in college at the U of M. "Garbage In, Garbage Out". In other words, you get out what you get in. Put water in the gas tank, the car's not running or not running well.
I started out taking microbiology for pre-med at the U of M. Chemistry, organic chemistry, calculus, physics. If my data in wasn't accurate or my observations were flawed, my results would also be flawed. GIGO. Now, if there are widespread data and policy reports based on flawed data, and that laws and mass ecocomic planning were to based on those therefore flawed reports,that would be dangerous. Even unforgivable. And so it is with every single Man Made Global Warming (MMGW) believer and supporter.
Patrick J. Michaels, a Ph.D who is also a senior Fellow at the Cato Institute, has authored an article called "Not So Hot" about the terribly flawed MMGW reports that swamp us. He and Ross McKitrick from Canada's University of Guelph decided to put to the test the theory that the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says that urban centers only account for 10% of the observed warming. Now, the basis of any experimentation is the ability to duplicate the results. Well, needless to say that Michaels and McKitrick found that the IPCC overstates warming by at least 100%.
One point: information from North American weather stations are fairly reliable. Information is terribly unreliable from Africa and South America (for instance,he cites that weather stations need to be painted white or the temperature data is too warm. And that the priority to keep a remote station painted white is low on the Need to Do list). They also factored in socioeconomic circumstances.
And Michaels asked "Where is the press?" Nowhere with the exception of a few blogs and one Canadian paper.
Go read the article. Send it off to Amy and Norm and Betty and Hakim and Jim. And remember that ethanol, no oil exploration, the new CAFE standards from the new Anti Energy Bill (all are unconstitutional) are all based on the seriously flawed IPCC. But, the left and many RINOs will still be true believers. They know the truth. The facts therefore become irrelevant.
Oh, and while you're at it, ask if Al Gore will be returning his Oscar and his Nobel Peace Prize.
I started out taking microbiology for pre-med at the U of M. Chemistry, organic chemistry, calculus, physics. If my data in wasn't accurate or my observations were flawed, my results would also be flawed. GIGO. Now, if there are widespread data and policy reports based on flawed data, and that laws and mass ecocomic planning were to based on those therefore flawed reports,that would be dangerous. Even unforgivable. And so it is with every single Man Made Global Warming (MMGW) believer and supporter.
Patrick J. Michaels, a Ph.D who is also a senior Fellow at the Cato Institute, has authored an article called "Not So Hot" about the terribly flawed MMGW reports that swamp us. He and Ross McKitrick from Canada's University of Guelph decided to put to the test the theory that the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says that urban centers only account for 10% of the observed warming. Now, the basis of any experimentation is the ability to duplicate the results. Well, needless to say that Michaels and McKitrick found that the IPCC overstates warming by at least 100%.
One point: information from North American weather stations are fairly reliable. Information is terribly unreliable from Africa and South America (for instance,he cites that weather stations need to be painted white or the temperature data is too warm. And that the priority to keep a remote station painted white is low on the Need to Do list). They also factored in socioeconomic circumstances.
And Michaels asked "Where is the press?" Nowhere with the exception of a few blogs and one Canadian paper.
Go read the article. Send it off to Amy and Norm and Betty and Hakim and Jim. And remember that ethanol, no oil exploration, the new CAFE standards from the new Anti Energy Bill (all are unconstitutional) are all based on the seriously flawed IPCC. But, the left and many RINOs will still be true believers. They know the truth. The facts therefore become irrelevant.
Oh, and while you're at it, ask if Al Gore will be returning his Oscar and his Nobel Peace Prize.
Commodity prices
Drudge reports that gold has surpassed $850/oz and oil is over $100 bbl. And this is being widely reported as news. The price for crude in 1980 was $37/bbl. In inflation adjusted dollars this is about $99/bbl. So we've already been there over a quarter century ago. And again, with the watermelons (green on the outside, red on the inside) stopping any and all domestic oil drilling, India and Red China making significant demand on oil production that weren't there in 1980, I'm surprised it's taken this long to get back to these prices.
As for gold, at $850/oz spot, that translates to about $320/oz spot in 1980. In other words, at $850/oz, the current spot price is about 40% of it's 1980 high point (put another way, gold would have to be at $2270/oz in inflation adjusted dollars to be at the same price in 1980).
Now, the thing about commodity prices, specifically oil, is that production of the commodity makes for fungibility. In other words, if the fools in Congress get out of the way and allow us to develop our own oil reserves, that means we purchase less on the world spot market thereby freeing up production for the rest of the world and easing demand by increasing supply. And our own production is not open to choke points like the Straits of Hormuz and is much more easily defended than Saudi oil fields. Also, remember when the green wienies said that by me filling up my SUV I was pouring money into Al Queada? Well, by drilling our own oil, that problem goes away.
Oh ,and a BTW , if we'd been drilling in ANWR that oil would now be online. So, in effect, Norm Coleman and every single Republican that votes for ethanol, votes against drilling in ANWR and the coastal shelf and in the Gulf of Mexico has sent billions of dollars to Iran, Saudi Arabia and the like. They have cost the American citizens billions in extra costs for nearly everything.
I've said it before: the best thing Congress and any President can do for the American economy is to stay the hell out of the way! Leave us alone! We have done and will always do a better job with money and jobs that you people ever could. Ever!
As for gold, at $850/oz spot, that translates to about $320/oz spot in 1980. In other words, at $850/oz, the current spot price is about 40% of it's 1980 high point (put another way, gold would have to be at $2270/oz in inflation adjusted dollars to be at the same price in 1980).
Now, the thing about commodity prices, specifically oil, is that production of the commodity makes for fungibility. In other words, if the fools in Congress get out of the way and allow us to develop our own oil reserves, that means we purchase less on the world spot market thereby freeing up production for the rest of the world and easing demand by increasing supply. And our own production is not open to choke points like the Straits of Hormuz and is much more easily defended than Saudi oil fields. Also, remember when the green wienies said that by me filling up my SUV I was pouring money into Al Queada? Well, by drilling our own oil, that problem goes away.
Oh ,and a BTW , if we'd been drilling in ANWR that oil would now be online. So, in effect, Norm Coleman and every single Republican that votes for ethanol, votes against drilling in ANWR and the coastal shelf and in the Gulf of Mexico has sent billions of dollars to Iran, Saudi Arabia and the like. They have cost the American citizens billions in extra costs for nearly everything.
I've said it before: the best thing Congress and any President can do for the American economy is to stay the hell out of the way! Leave us alone! We have done and will always do a better job with money and jobs that you people ever could. Ever!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Thompson: off the bus and into the trenches
I've been asked a number of times my thoughts about the Republican primary race. Ron Paul is the only true strict constructionist in the race. Where he leaves me flat and cold is foreign policy. It appears to me that he fails to fully realize that we smacked the tar baby of entangling foreign relationships in 1917 (those Founding Father guys really knew what they were talking about, huh?). Just another horrible legacy from the early 20th century presidents and Congress. So, Paul is unelectable. Sorry Paulites. Time to breathe real oxygen.
So, I tell people my favored candidate is Fred Thompson. But, his campaign just has not ramped up, caught fire, is a hang fire, whatever.
But today, he has a seventeen minute video that hits all the important points that I find necessary to show people that he is a campaigner of and a leader from the Reagan mold.
So, I tell people my favored candidate is Fred Thompson. But, his campaign just has not ramped up, caught fire, is a hang fire, whatever.
But today, he has a seventeen minute video that hits all the important points that I find necessary to show people that he is a campaigner of and a leader from the Reagan mold.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Appreciating blazing insight.
Ya know, when Prairie Pravda exhibits deep acumen and wisdom, well, I've just got to congratulate them. The top of the online fold reads "Crackdown Turns Around Crime in Minneapolis". The core of the article reads:"Apprehending the worst offenders and putting more cops on the streets has helped stem violent crime, which spiked last year..." The reporter states that apparently jailing lawbreakers and putting more cops on the streets works in reducing crime! WOW! Who could have known?
So, yah mean having a green roof on City Hall, having an Afro-American Mens Center, jobs training, etc didn't and doesn't reduce crime but arresting criminals does? Huh.
Well, welcome to a world where the sky is blue, Mayor Grossly Apparent.
However, there are still those race pimps that want everything their way. "Still, "I don't think people feel safe in Phillips," said Clyde Bellecourt, co-chairman of the Police Community Relations Council. "I don't see people walking alone at night, and more houses seem to have bars on windows." And yet, Bellecourt and the Police Community Relations Council are suing the Minneapolis Department (story here).
Yup, so the message from Bellecourt and the PCRC is "You're not doing enough to protect us while we're suing your butt!!!"
And if that isn't enough, read this article on Anti-Strib. Then remember how Hizzoner R.T. Rybak went to Governor Pawlenty to beg for more state money to put more cops on the streets of Minneapolis? (Notice how MPR [Marxist Propaganda Radio] spins the article as if the state is to blame for crime in Minneapolis? Your tax money well spent keeping them on the air).
Just a few more in the long list of reasons I don't and will never live in the sinkhole called Minneapolis.
So, yah mean having a green roof on City Hall, having an Afro-American Mens Center, jobs training, etc didn't and doesn't reduce crime but arresting criminals does? Huh.
Well, welcome to a world where the sky is blue, Mayor Grossly Apparent.
However, there are still those race pimps that want everything their way. "Still, "I don't think people feel safe in Phillips," said Clyde Bellecourt, co-chairman of the Police Community Relations Council. "I don't see people walking alone at night, and more houses seem to have bars on windows." And yet, Bellecourt and the Police Community Relations Council are suing the Minneapolis Department (story here).
Yup, so the message from Bellecourt and the PCRC is "You're not doing enough to protect us while we're suing your butt!!!"
And if that isn't enough, read this article on Anti-Strib. Then remember how Hizzoner R.T. Rybak went to Governor Pawlenty to beg for more state money to put more cops on the streets of Minneapolis? (Notice how MPR [Marxist Propaganda Radio] spins the article as if the state is to blame for crime in Minneapolis? Your tax money well spent keeping them on the air).
Just a few more in the long list of reasons I don't and will never live in the sinkhole called Minneapolis.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Irony, shcadenfreude and 1968
I took Mom to get her four month surgical review. I was reading the October issue of Mpls/St. Paul magazine and saw a very friendly article about the eco street terrorists called "Critical Mass" who have now arrived in Minneapolis. What impressed me was the cheery, upbeat tone of the Mpls/st.Paul magazine article in light of what's been reported about these two wheel thugs here in Minneapolis. Here's my read on this: it's not a coincidence that radical, liberty hating, left wing anarchy groups are showing up here in Minneapolis and St. Paul. With the national Republican Convention just over nine months away, they are testing the response and resolve of the mayors and police departments in advance to plan maximum disruption of the convention. And they have fertile ground to be encouraged. Read the two linked articles again and see the similarities between the two cities responses. Critical Mass and other fellow travelers are well encouraged and emboldened. Mayors Rybak and Coleman have sown seeds that will bear bitter fruit. And here's what I find ironic: being the leftists they are, the Mayors of the Twin Cities support radical notions, though publicly distance themselves, by the prosecution that they cut short. The message "Don't do this or a nasty letter WILL be sent home in your backpack". Note that the San Francisco motorists and bus riders had had enough. That shows a failure at the city executive level. And shows the incompetence of lefty mayors who are the chief law enforcement officers first and foremost.
I vividly remember the Democratic Convention in Chicago in 1968. A very good friend of mine missed the bus that would have taken him into the center of that mayhem and chaos.
And who, pray tell, was the Mayor of Chicago at the time? One Richard J. Daley. And who became the single man focus for the blame for all the riots that occurred at the Convention? Richard J. Daley. And who will become the foci for any and all riots that occur in September 2008? Mayors Coleman and Rybak.
Watching Coleman and Rybak try to control their left wing friends while trying to keep the limelight on themselves should prove interesting.
I vividly remember the Democratic Convention in Chicago in 1968. A very good friend of mine missed the bus that would have taken him into the center of that mayhem and chaos.
And who, pray tell, was the Mayor of Chicago at the time? One Richard J. Daley. And who became the single man focus for the blame for all the riots that occurred at the Convention? Richard J. Daley. And who will become the foci for any and all riots that occur in September 2008? Mayors Coleman and Rybak.
Watching Coleman and Rybak try to control their left wing friends while trying to keep the limelight on themselves should prove interesting.
Ron Paul and James Janos
I read my friend Ed Morrisey's blog Captain's Quarters . Ed and I meet from time to time. We discuss, what else, politics and an upcoming project attempting to right a wrong for a WWII veteran. That being said, I noticed that he rails against Ron Paul. Sometimes I think wrongly.
I notice the same thing from Michael Medved and especially unapologetic Mitt Romney acolyte Hugh Hewitt. Well, swing away at Ron Paul all they like, he still raises money like no one else. His supporters are incredibly passionate and motivated. I went to the AM1280 The Patriot Republican debate with Rusty Humphrey about a month ago. The Ron Paul Fan Club/MN Chapter was there in force. Congressman Paul won the straw poll at about 45+%.
The question I ask isn't about Ron Paul and his stance on the issues. I take a step back and ask a question that I haven't seen anyone else ask with any degree of honesty. That question is why or what do Ron Paul's supporters like or find so attractive about him? The major bloggers and pundits and talk radio hosts would and do dismissively ask that question. I ask it honestly and reflectively. I find parallels between Paul and James Janos. Janos had incredible support because he was "not either one of them". He wasn't a Democrat nor was he a Republican. His supporters believed that. I found him to be what I called a Democan or Republocrat. But, though he was pilloried and dismissed by the press, his supporters were loyal and passionate.
I believe that Paul's supporters find that same type of resonance with Paul. Paul doesn't nibble around the edges. Many of his statements are about important and sober topics that unfortunately still leave most voters looking for the mute button on the remote.
And so I posit that Paul's supporters find him not to be anything like all the other Republican candidates. That he gives them a reason to be excited and passionate. he gives them a reason to vote for him rather than voting against someone else. Dr. Paul runs all his congressional votes based on the same matrix: Is it Constitutional? Does it conform to my oath of office? Does it conform to my campaign promises? Though there are many things with which I agree with Dr. Paul due to how he votes, I'm also clear he has no hope of getting the nomination or of getting elected. But, again, he has attracted a number of ardent fans and contributors. Dismiss him at a certain risk and peril.
And in case you don't recognize the names James Janos, his ring name is Jesse Ventura.
I notice the same thing from Michael Medved and especially unapologetic Mitt Romney acolyte Hugh Hewitt. Well, swing away at Ron Paul all they like, he still raises money like no one else. His supporters are incredibly passionate and motivated. I went to the AM1280 The Patriot Republican debate with Rusty Humphrey about a month ago. The Ron Paul Fan Club/MN Chapter was there in force. Congressman Paul won the straw poll at about 45+%.
The question I ask isn't about Ron Paul and his stance on the issues. I take a step back and ask a question that I haven't seen anyone else ask with any degree of honesty. That question is why or what do Ron Paul's supporters like or find so attractive about him? The major bloggers and pundits and talk radio hosts would and do dismissively ask that question. I ask it honestly and reflectively. I find parallels between Paul and James Janos. Janos had incredible support because he was "not either one of them". He wasn't a Democrat nor was he a Republican. His supporters believed that. I found him to be what I called a Democan or Republocrat. But, though he was pilloried and dismissed by the press, his supporters were loyal and passionate.
I believe that Paul's supporters find that same type of resonance with Paul. Paul doesn't nibble around the edges. Many of his statements are about important and sober topics that unfortunately still leave most voters looking for the mute button on the remote.
And so I posit that Paul's supporters find him not to be anything like all the other Republican candidates. That he gives them a reason to be excited and passionate. he gives them a reason to vote for him rather than voting against someone else. Dr. Paul runs all his congressional votes based on the same matrix: Is it Constitutional? Does it conform to my oath of office? Does it conform to my campaign promises? Though there are many things with which I agree with Dr. Paul due to how he votes, I'm also clear he has no hope of getting the nomination or of getting elected. But, again, he has attracted a number of ardent fans and contributors. Dismiss him at a certain risk and peril.
And in case you don't recognize the names James Janos, his ring name is Jesse Ventura.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Mike Huckabee introduces his Foreign Policy advisor: Rodney King
I'm a good driver (one chargeable accident in forty years of driving). That being said, it was God's grace that I was parked in my Mom's driveway when I heard Mike Huckabee's suggestion as to how to deal with Iran: Just talk to them. Like we talk to Mom. Like we talk to Dad:"We haven’t had diplomatic relationships with Iran in almost thirty years, most of my entire adult life. And a lot of good it’s done. Putting this in human terms, all of us know that when we stop talking to a parent, or a sibling, or even a friend, it’s impossible to resolve the differences to move that relationship forward. Well, the same is true for countries. " (Complete transcript here).
The more I thought of this completely inane statement, I thought "How would Huckabee's soon to be good buddy President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad respond if his advisors might suggest that Mike Huckabee be given a chance to dialogue ?" And the following scene kept coming to mind (I apologize in advance for the language) :
Yup. That's how I envision it playing out for Mike Huckabee with the object of his foreign policy attempts.
For another view, Hugh Hewitt and Michael Rubin dissect Huckabee's comments here.
This comment by Huckabee shows me once again why the MSM loves the guy. He would be a total pushover in any presidential race. Now, instead of a single line through his name as a presidential nominee, I'm putting two.
The more I thought of this completely inane statement, I thought "How would Huckabee's soon to be good buddy President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad respond if his advisors might suggest that Mike Huckabee be given a chance to dialogue ?" And the following scene kept coming to mind (I apologize in advance for the language) :
Yup. That's how I envision it playing out for Mike Huckabee with the object of his foreign policy attempts.
For another view, Hugh Hewitt and Michael Rubin dissect Huckabee's comments here.
This comment by Huckabee shows me once again why the MSM loves the guy. He would be a total pushover in any presidential race. Now, instead of a single line through his name as a presidential nominee, I'm putting two.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Priorities rethought, innocence found again.
My Mom has had a rough four months. Hip replacement surgery followed by major back surgery. And we had to put her dog Skipper down before the surgery marathon. With Mom not being able to drive, I've been doing double duty for a bit. But, there have been wonderful, and poignant times.
While waiting during Mom's back surgery, I noticed a little girl looking at the aquarium in the reception/waiting area at Southdale Fairview Hospital. She never said a word. She was so intently watching the fish silently pass by her eyes. And I had to catch this pure innocence with my cheap phone camera:
And I decided to always carry a digital camera to be able to get much better photos than are obtainable with a phone camera.
I never saw her face. She left on her grandfather's lap as he was pushed to the door in his wheelchair. But, she was the picture of what, besides a relationship with Christ, is important.
A few weeks later my Mom was at a transitional care facility. She asked me if I'd wash one of her favorite outfits as it had taken on the aroma of her former hospital room. Well, I had washed one of her outfits after she had hip replacement surgery and put her lip balm through a thorough cleaning cycle (thankfully rescuing it before I put it through the dryer). Vowing not to do that again, this time I went through her pockets. As I was pulling out her ever present lip balm (this one being new, not reconditioned) and tissues, it occurred to me, that fifty years ago, she would have been going through my jeans pockets before washing them. And here I was doing the very same thing for her a half century later. And it gave me cause for pause as I looked at the tissue and the lip balm that I'd just put aside. It reminded me of a poem Mom gave me a few years back after Dad had died. The author was an older woman getting out of a car. As she opened the door, her adult son reached out to take her hand to help her. And she thought of the time when her son, as a little boy would reach up for her hand as he stepped up on a curb. And now the roles had become reversed. And she was relying on him.
And a tube of lip balm and a few tissues brought that idea home to me for good.
While waiting during Mom's back surgery, I noticed a little girl looking at the aquarium in the reception/waiting area at Southdale Fairview Hospital. She never said a word. She was so intently watching the fish silently pass by her eyes. And I had to catch this pure innocence with my cheap phone camera:
And I decided to always carry a digital camera to be able to get much better photos than are obtainable with a phone camera.
I never saw her face. She left on her grandfather's lap as he was pushed to the door in his wheelchair. But, she was the picture of what, besides a relationship with Christ, is important.
A few weeks later my Mom was at a transitional care facility. She asked me if I'd wash one of her favorite outfits as it had taken on the aroma of her former hospital room. Well, I had washed one of her outfits after she had hip replacement surgery and put her lip balm through a thorough cleaning cycle (thankfully rescuing it before I put it through the dryer). Vowing not to do that again, this time I went through her pockets. As I was pulling out her ever present lip balm (this one being new, not reconditioned) and tissues, it occurred to me, that fifty years ago, she would have been going through my jeans pockets before washing them. And here I was doing the very same thing for her a half century later. And it gave me cause for pause as I looked at the tissue and the lip balm that I'd just put aside. It reminded me of a poem Mom gave me a few years back after Dad had died. The author was an older woman getting out of a car. As she opened the door, her adult son reached out to take her hand to help her. And she thought of the time when her son, as a little boy would reach up for her hand as he stepped up on a curb. And now the roles had become reversed. And she was relying on him.
And a tube of lip balm and a few tissues brought that idea home to me for good.
Lessons taught but never learned
I've been sober for over 22 years. Before my tenth anniversary sobriety date I took the time to reflect on what my sobriety has allowed me to learn. A few considerations:
The Heritage Institute has a great analysis of the anti-energy bill. And instead of pushing failed ethanol , a real push should be oil shale. And Heritage also has a large number of research papers dealing with the huge oil reserves we have here in America that the anti-energy bill prevents us from using (go to the Heritage Foundation, go to the "search" function in the upper right hand corner and type in "oil" and click on any one of the drop down menu items. Incredible!). This anti-energy bill makes about as much sense as a law preventing a home owner from using his own fire extinguisher to put out a fire in his house.
- Never confuse activity with progress. A dog chasing his tail can cover miles and stay in exactly the same place.
- Never confuse the truth with honesty. People can tell part of the truth and lead people to believe that which is not true. It's called deception. And the deceiver walks away with a clear conscience.
- Never confuse education, knowledge and wisdom. What you've been taught, what you know and how you apply it can all be neatly separate. I've seen people with double PhD's not be able to some seemingly simple tasks.
- Never, ever confuse being taught the lesson with learning the lesson. "Well, I certainly learned my lesson!" is not accurate. It may very well be that the lesson was indeed taught. However, whether or not it was learned, and how well, will only become evident over time.
The Heritage Institute has a great analysis of the anti-energy bill. And instead of pushing failed ethanol , a real push should be oil shale. And Heritage also has a large number of research papers dealing with the huge oil reserves we have here in America that the anti-energy bill prevents us from using (go to the Heritage Foundation, go to the "search" function in the upper right hand corner and type in "oil" and click on any one of the drop down menu items. Incredible!). This anti-energy bill makes about as much sense as a law preventing a home owner from using his own fire extinguisher to put out a fire in his house.
Friday, December 14, 2007
I got a fever,
I got a fever! And the only prescription is...
http://www.savagepacer.com/node/5460
(Thanks to Nancy at the Savage Pacer)
http://www.savagepacer.com/node/5460
(Thanks to Nancy at the Savage Pacer)
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
"Stop the threat"... and the subtlety of agenda reporting
I just heard that the autopsy on the Colorado shooter has determined that the fatal shot was from his own shotgun and was self-inflicted. I've been reading all the screeds from Prairie Pravda and the AP attempting to subtly besmirch New Life Church and the security guard (Jeanne Assam). What her employment history has to do with her ending the threat, I have no idea. And that the AP just had to let us know that New Life Church was once led by Ted Haggard and why Pastor Haggard resigned from his position? Once again, nothing that adds to the story in any way, shape or form.
That being said, I'll lay better than even odds that as the left will tell us that Assam didn't kill the shooter and that somehow, that has significance how? Again, SO WHAT? Assam ended the threat. Murray was hit multiple times from her firearm. He was not able to continue his shooting. Again, she ended the threat. She saved many, many lives. As I've stated before, the only way these shootings end is with the shooter running out of ammunition (saving one last round for themselves) or the arrival or perceived arrival of matching or superior force.
Matching force met Murray.
Threat ended. Good on Assam and armed civilians.
That being said, I'll lay better than even odds that as the left will tell us that Assam didn't kill the shooter and that somehow, that has significance how? Again, SO WHAT? Assam ended the threat. Murray was hit multiple times from her firearm. He was not able to continue his shooting. Again, she ended the threat. She saved many, many lives. As I've stated before, the only way these shootings end is with the shooter running out of ammunition (saving one last round for themselves) or the arrival or perceived arrival of matching or superior force.
Matching force met Murray.
Threat ended. Good on Assam and armed civilians.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Cars driving themselves again??
Three headlines up on the Strib today about car crashes:
1. "Two killed in crashes in Stearns, Carver counties"
2. "Close call with train and 2 drivers"
3. "SUV fails trying to pass on 2-lane road, hits oncoming car and kills other driver".
I of course read the third one wondering how the SUV was able to pass without a driver.
After reading discovered that the SUV did indeed have a driver, you find out in the fourth paragraph.
I am sure this is part of the Stribs SUVs are evil campaign.
The SUV driver was treated for non-life threatening injuries, the other driver died.
Because one was an SUV, no because, according to the state Patrol,
Both cars air bags deployed.
The SUV driver was wearing a seat belt.
The dead driver was not.
Maybe a more useful headline would have been:
Head on crash, driver not wearing seatbelt dies.
But that doesn't fit the template.
1. "Two killed in crashes in Stearns, Carver counties"
2. "Close call with train and 2 drivers"
3. "SUV fails trying to pass on 2-lane road, hits oncoming car and kills other driver".
I of course read the third one wondering how the SUV was able to pass without a driver.
After reading discovered that the SUV did indeed have a driver, you find out in the fourth paragraph.
I am sure this is part of the Stribs SUVs are evil campaign.
The SUV driver was treated for non-life threatening injuries, the other driver died.
Because one was an SUV, no because, according to the state Patrol,
Both cars air bags deployed.
The SUV driver was wearing a seat belt.
The dead driver was not.
Maybe a more useful headline would have been:
Head on crash, driver not wearing seatbelt dies.
But that doesn't fit the template.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Best Political ad so far
So, I have concerns about Mike and fiscal issues, but still this is a great ad.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Friday, November 02, 2007
Why I envy my Mom in Oklahoma
She has a someone acting like a real conservative, her Senator, Tom Coburn.
For many years I have stated that there is no such thing as a moderate Republican.
The term moderate is usually used by some who claims to be a Fiscal Conservative but is a social moderate. But to be a social moderate you have to ignore the limits on the constitution and usually end up supporting some social program (SCHIPs being the latest) that is a massive growth of government.
I would also argue that you can not be a Social Conservative and a Fiscal moderate.
To wit, I quote from TheHill article on Sen. Coburn.
While they are not moral equals, death is much greater than debt. I say it is wrong to be compassionate for life. Our government and elected officials should respect all those inalienable rights given by our creator: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. To continue the reckless spending, make us slave to the state and attempt to steal our liberty.
For many years I have stated that there is no such thing as a moderate Republican.
The term moderate is usually used by some who claims to be a Fiscal Conservative but is a social moderate. But to be a social moderate you have to ignore the limits on the constitution and usually end up supporting some social program (SCHIPs being the latest) that is a massive growth of government.
I would also argue that you can not be a Social Conservative and a Fiscal moderate.
To wit, I quote from TheHill article on Sen. Coburn.
The greatest moral issue of our time isn’t abortion, it’s robbing our next generation of opportunity,” Coburn told reporters at a breakfast meeting Thursday at the National Press Club. “You’re going to save a child from being aborted so they can be born into a debtor’s prison?
While they are not moral equals, death is much greater than debt. I say it is wrong to be compassionate for life. Our government and elected officials should respect all those inalienable rights given by our creator: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. To continue the reckless spending, make us slave to the state and attempt to steal our liberty.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
More bad News for Norm
Our favorite RINO Senator has always been a big fan of limiting production of US Petroleum sources while spending (wasting) Billions of dollars on Bio-Fuels.
Well now a new report calls Biofuels a crime against humanity.
"A United Nations expert has condemned the growing use of crops to produce biofuels as a replacement for petrol as a crime against humanity."
Now while I usually ignore the UN and their weekly "this is a crime against humanity", but what will our liberal Senator do. Save the Farmer or Save the children.
Well now a new report calls Biofuels a crime against humanity.
"A United Nations expert has condemned the growing use of crops to produce biofuels as a replacement for petrol as a crime against humanity."
Now while I usually ignore the UN and their weekly "this is a crime against humanity", but what will our liberal Senator do. Save the Farmer or Save the children.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Democrat Dream of Amnesty Act Dies Again - Thank You Norm, for letting us see you as the RINO you are
Let's all call Norm Coleman's campaign office and let him know how much we appreciate him standing up for Harry Reid and supporting the "Dream of Amnesty" Act.
Let him know how his many votes are motivating you this election.
Let him know how much you appreciate his making it clear where he stands - with you or with the Democrats.
Call Norm's Senate office before a vote, but be sure to let his campaign know how you feel after the vote - I know I did.
There you will find sweet, understanding campaign staffers who will treat you on the phone just like Norm treats us in the Senate.
Norm's Campaign contact info:
Contact Us:
Phone: (651) 645-0766
Fax: (651) 233-2405
Email: info@colemanforsenate.com
Let him know how his many votes are motivating you this election.
Let him know how much you appreciate his making it clear where he stands - with you or with the Democrats.
Call Norm's Senate office before a vote, but be sure to let his campaign know how you feel after the vote - I know I did.
There you will find sweet, understanding campaign staffers who will treat you on the phone just like Norm treats us in the Senate.
Norm's Campaign contact info:
Contact Us:
Phone: (651) 645-0766
Fax: (651) 233-2405
Email: info@colemanforsenate.com
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Tol ya
I've written before about the dollar, euro and oil. Nixon in the early 70's took America off the gold standard as Europe was draining out gold reserves (The Bretton Woods Agreement allowed nations to redeem their dollars for gold. It also established the World Bank and the IMF-International Monetary Fund) . He promised Saudi Arabia that if they allowed oil purchases were acceptable only in dollars, that the U.S. would defend the Kingdom of Saud. Hence, the creation of the "petro-dollar" and all oil was purchasable in dollars only. In other words, we switched backing the dollar with gold to oil.BTW,this is/was one of the sticking points with Osama bin Laden, that a hard commodity, oil, is exchanged for printed paper. Saddam Hussein and Iran have offered to sell their oil for euros. The problem with the dollar is, was, has always been the profligate spending of the U.S. Congress. And how the Congress affords all this spending it is to print more money via the Faustian bargain with the Federal Reserve. The problem is that as the Feds printing press runs, the dollars that reside in Saudi Arabia, China, et al, become worth less and less. So, then the dollar holders will begin to look for something that will hold its value. The alternatives seem to have been chosen: gold and euros.
This is a six+ year graph of the cost of gold delineated in dollars per ounce (compliments of Kitco):
This graph shows that the dollar has, since January 2000, lost well over half its value (a dollar in 2000 is now worth $.43). A quick gold vs. dollar seminar: in 1907 a $20 gold piece and a $20 bill (silver or gold note) both bought a man's suit. In 2007 a $20 gold piece will still buy a man's suit. A $20 Federal Reserve note may buy the tie.
In other words, people don't trust the dollar.
And the proof? These headlines:
"Canadian Dollar Trades Even with U.S. Dollar for First Time Since 1976"
" Saudi Arabia Fears U.S. Dollar Collapse" (This headline and story is critically relevant).
"Euro Trades at $1.40 US-Highest Ever"
"Gold Hits Highest Level Since 1980"
"Oil at All Time High"- This is a parallel to gold's price, both being a commodity that holds value.
And it's all about Congressional spending and exporting our debt. And it's not Congress' fault. All those Representatives and Senators did all that spending because we sent them to do it. They did at our behest.
Well, at your behest.
I've always been an extreme fiscal conservative, a strict Constitutionalist (spending only according to Article I, Section 8 along with the 10th Amendment in the Bill of Rights [aka Amendment X]). Unfortunately, I'm on the same ship where you've elected reckless captains and crew for decades.
This a chickens home to roost story.
We'll see if we can dodge the bullet one more time.
But, I doubt that we'll learn the lesson, though it's been taught many times for many years.
My friend Thomas Brewton has an excellent post about the Federal Reserve, the dollar and the current true economic situation here in America. (Also be sure to read "The Unwritten Constitution")
This is a six+ year graph of the cost of gold delineated in dollars per ounce (compliments of Kitco):
This graph shows that the dollar has, since January 2000, lost well over half its value (a dollar in 2000 is now worth $.43). A quick gold vs. dollar seminar: in 1907 a $20 gold piece and a $20 bill (silver or gold note) both bought a man's suit. In 2007 a $20 gold piece will still buy a man's suit. A $20 Federal Reserve note may buy the tie.
In other words, people don't trust the dollar.
And the proof? These headlines:
"Canadian Dollar Trades Even with U.S. Dollar for First Time Since 1976"
" Saudi Arabia Fears U.S. Dollar Collapse" (This headline and story is critically relevant).
"Euro Trades at $1.40 US-Highest Ever"
"Gold Hits Highest Level Since 1980"
"Oil at All Time High"- This is a parallel to gold's price, both being a commodity that holds value.
And it's all about Congressional spending and exporting our debt. And it's not Congress' fault. All those Representatives and Senators did all that spending because we sent them to do it. They did at our behest.
Well, at your behest.
I've always been an extreme fiscal conservative, a strict Constitutionalist (spending only according to Article I, Section 8 along with the 10th Amendment in the Bill of Rights [aka Amendment X]). Unfortunately, I'm on the same ship where you've elected reckless captains and crew for decades.
This a chickens home to roost story.
We'll see if we can dodge the bullet one more time.
But, I doubt that we'll learn the lesson, though it's been taught many times for many years.
My friend Thomas Brewton has an excellent post about the Federal Reserve, the dollar and the current true economic situation here in America. (Also be sure to read "The Unwritten Constitution")
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Jim Ramstad to Retire - I say, good riddance.
While others are talking that we should show some respect for Jim Ramstad, I say good riddance.
Before redistricting I was unfortunate enough to be in his district.
He never was a Republican, did not share our core beliefs and whenever a vote was close you could depend on him to sell out the party and more importantly our ideals.
Some say he was better than a DFL candidate in that position.
B.S.
He was never there when it mattered.
And he blocked the way for a true Republican (can't challenge and incumbent) so when the conservative wave crossed the nation, Jim was there to help sink it.
And now it looks like some in CD3 want more of the same.
Either you think what you believe is good and right or you are just a politician and want to win.
But what is the point of "winning" if the result for you and the country are the same.
So long Jimmy boy, and don't let the flap on the big tent hit you on the way out.
Before redistricting I was unfortunate enough to be in his district.
He never was a Republican, did not share our core beliefs and whenever a vote was close you could depend on him to sell out the party and more importantly our ideals.
Some say he was better than a DFL candidate in that position.
B.S.
He was never there when it mattered.
And he blocked the way for a true Republican (can't challenge and incumbent) so when the conservative wave crossed the nation, Jim was there to help sink it.
And now it looks like some in CD3 want more of the same.
Either you think what you believe is good and right or you are just a politician and want to win.
But what is the point of "winning" if the result for you and the country are the same.
So long Jimmy boy, and don't let the flap on the big tent hit you on the way out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)