CNN Opinion Piece Urges Valentine's Day Massacre

That's what the title of this post would be if a Conservative or Republican had written this opinion piece on CNN's site encouraging a Republican President to "go gangsta" Chicago style, on his political opponents. I'm not going to be so foolish.

Among the reasons I am no longer a Democrat, is the ongoing outrageous double standard among the media and political class. Ted Kennedy can kill a woman and flee the scene and nearly become President while Sarah Palin is attacked and marginalized because she wrote a couple of notes on her hand in preparation for a speech. The lack of proportion is mind boggling. What do you think?
Dr Dave

More Madison

More  Madison:

It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood.
James Madison

We are there!
Dr Dave

Are we there yet

Readin' some of Madison's brilliance tonight. Much to ruminate on.

Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and subverted the Constitution, which can only end in a distorted, bastardized form of illegitimate government.
James Madison

Are we there yet?
Dr Dave

The Miracle of the Poor Shipbuilder and his Unlikely Friends

Near the end of the last century, the most evil and murderous in human history, there was an incredible convergence of  strong moral leadership from 4 improbable leaders around the world that freed hundreds of millions of people from the evil of communism in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union and a Global recession. Only a few years before even talking about battling Communism was considered unsophisticated and foolish and the evils of that system were mostly ignored, often excused and sometimes even promoted in the West.


One, the daughter of an English storekeeper and lay Methodist preacher. The other an actor and the son of an alcoholic salesman and lay preaching mother. The other 2 Polish. One a shipbuilder, Union leader and son of a carpenter, the other the son of a non-commissioned Army officer, was a manual laborer and Catholic priest. The lives of these unlikely heroes through the coincidental vicissitudes of life or intercession of Providence (depending on your perspective), intersected and together they destroyed the most evil system of slavery in the history of man.  Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan, Lech Walesa and Pope John Paul II redeemed the 20th century.

Last Friday Lech Walesa spoke in Chicago at a campaign event for Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Andrzejewski, and this is what he said:

"The United States is only one superpower. Today they lead the world. Nobody has doubts about it. Militarily.  They also lead economically but they're getting weak. But they don't lead morally and politically anymore.  The world has no leadership.  The United States was always the last resort and hope for all other nations.  There was the hope, whenever something was going wrong, one could count on the United States.  Today, we lost that hope."

If he has lost hope, what hope do we have? 

The same hope of a shipbuilder and Union leader in Communist Poland. The hope of a Catholic priest that lost his entire family by the age of 20 and endured Nazi occupation of Poland in World War II. The hope of an average girl in Britain living in a humble flat above her fathers shop during  the Battle of Britain. The hope of the young boy during the Great Depression, who rescued his drunk and unconscious father from the snow before he froze to death on his front lawn.


None of those people came from elite families. None but Margaret Thatcher were particularly highly educated in the traditional sense.  None came from money, position or fame. All possessed unbending optimism, unapologetic moral and ethical clarity, and deep personal faith. Perhaps most importantly they all possessed an indefatigable work ethic. Optimism, moral clarity, faith and a work ethic forged in the Great Depression, World War II, the slavery of despotic Communism and significant personal difficulties in their lives. 


We cannot all be President of Poland, the United States or the Prime Minister of Britain. Most will never become the leader of a great world religion. But some among us will. We can only hope the strength, moral clarity, optimism and faith formed in today's adversity will be manifest in them as it was in those 4 moral titans of the last century. 

That is my hope.


Dr Dave

State of The Union 2010... huh?

Quite a highly anticipated speech last night. As usual I did not see it, I read the transcripts. That makes it easier to concentrate on the content and meaning rather than the theater.

Actually I did see the first couple of minutes. Primarily the introductions and applause. Comments were made by those viewing it with me that Obama was doing more of the strange Mussolini-like posturing after his introduction at the podium. I'm talking about the chin thrust, chest puffing and upward far-away gaze. It does look weird and doesn't serve him well.

The speech was filled with misleading statements, negativity and a real lack of focus. I could comment on practically every sentence, but pulled out highlights that I think are particularly important. Here's my analysis of the speech:

“...For these Americans and so many others, change has not come fast enough. Some are frustrated; some are angry. They don’t understand why it seems like bad behavior on Wall Street is rewarded but hard work on Main Street isn’t; or why Washington has been unable or unwilling to solve any of our problems. They are tired of the partisanship and the shouting and the pettiness. They know we can’t afford it.  Not now.“

Others of us want to know why those that set the rules and create the problems continue to redirect attention to those on Wall Street and in Corporate board rooms. Catastrophicly failed regulation is followed by demands for greater regulation. Washington is unwilling or unable to release the death grip on every aspect of American life and let the people prosper.

“...So we face big and difficult challenges. And what the American people hope – what they deserve – is for all of us, Democrats and Republicans, to work through our differences; to overcome the numbing weight of our politics. For while the people who sent us here have different backgrounds, different stories and different beliefs, the anxieties they face are the same. The aspirations they hold are shared. A job that pays the bills. A chance to get ahead. Most of all, the ability to give their children a better life.“

Great! How about starting by unlocking the conference and committee rooms and letting in the Republicans elected by Americans to represent us. They are bound by the Constitution to represent us and so far, have been prevented by your party from doing so.

Then you can stop belittling those Americans you disagree with. Stop calling me and my peers “national security risks”, “rednecks”, “stupid”, “bigots” and a myriad other marginalizing and demeaning terms, just because we disagree with your health care plan, budget, foreign policy, etc..

“...To recover the rest, I have proposed a fee on the biggest banks. I know Wall Street isn’t keen on this idea, but if these firms can afford to hand out big bonuses again, they can afford a modest fee to pay back the taxpayers who rescued them in their time of need.”

Most of those in these “Big Banks” played by the rules. Rules our Congress created and other Federal agencies oversee. Rules that the Bush administration warned weren't working and putting Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and other financial institutions at great risk. I wonder when you'll get around to fining or prosecuting those in the Government who created problem, profited from the problem, and now blame everyone else for the problem, and demand more oversight of the issues – by them.

“...So tonight, I’m proposing that we take $30 billion of the money Wall Street banks have repaid and use it to help community banks give small businesses the credit they need to stay afloat. I am also proposing a new small business tax credit – one that will go to over one million small businesses who hire new workers or raise wages. While we’re at it, let’s also eliminate all capital gains taxes on small business investment; and provide a tax incentive for all businesses, large and small, to invest in new plants and equipment.”

How about returning that money to the Americans you took it from, and let them decide where the expenditures should be made to best benefit them. If you are truly interested in what's best for Americans, why make it a political decision from on-high, instead of the decision of Americans that own the money.

“...Tomorrow, I’ll visit Tampa, Florida, where workers will soon break ground on a new high-speed railroad funded by the Recovery Act. There are projects like that all across this country that will create jobs and help our nation move goods, services, and information. We should put more Americans to work building clean energy facilities, and give rebates to Americans who make their homes more energy efficient, which supports clean energy jobs. And to encourage these and other businesses to stay within our borders, it’s time to finally slash the tax breaks for companies that ship our jobs overseas and give those tax breaks to companies that create jobs in the United States of America. “

The Governemnt creates the tax and regulatory structure that makes companies send jobs overseas to stay competitive, then the Government penalizes them for doing so.


Rail - one of the liberals' most popular pet projects and perennial failures. We all know how well those projects turn out. Just look at Amtrak, and dozens of other municipal tax devouring boondoggles. Now it's presented as an environmental job program to entice us into ignoring the facts of history.

“...Well I do not accept second-place for the United States of America. As hard as it may be, as uncomfortable and contentious as the debates may be, it’s time to get serious about fixing the problems that are hampering our growth.”

And that fixing begins in Washington, D.C.. No longer should we look to Congress and the President to fix anything. If there's one thing we've learned it's that the planners have no plan, the overseers have no oversight, the legislators do no legislating. It is up to us to fix things. We began to do that in Massachusetts last week...

“...Third, we need to export more of our goods. Because the more products we make and sell to other countries, the more jobs we support right here in America. So tonight, we set a new goal: We will double our exports over the next five years, an increase that will support two million jobs in America. To help meet this goal, we’re launching a National Export Initiative that will help farmers and small businesses increase their exports, and reform export controls consistent with national security.

We have to seek new markets aggressively, just as our competitors are. If America sits on the sidelines while other nations sign trade deals, we will lose the chance to create jobs on our shores. But realizing those benefits also means enforcing those agreements so our trading partners play by the rules. And that’s why we will continue to shape a Doha trade agreement that opens global markets, and why we will strengthen our trade relations in Asia and with key partners like South Korea, Panama, and Colombia.”

As with so many of our Country's problems of the last 50 years, they have been caused or at least aggravated by the intervention of the legislators, regulators and bureaucrats at the behest of the internationalists, eco-terrorists, Marxists and their PR arm, the “lame -stream” media. We don't want confiscation of our property just to have you give it back through your manipulative programs ( after you've taken your cut of course). Get out of Americans' way and we'll innovate, produce, profit and compete just fine.

“...I took on health care because of the stories I’ve heard from Americans with pre-existing conditions whose lives depend on getting coverage; patients who’ve been denied coverage; and families – even those with insurance – who are just one illness away from financial ruin.

After nearly a century of trying, we are closer than ever to bringing more security to the lives of so many Americans. The approach we’ve taken would protect every American from the worst practices of the insurance industry. It would give small businesses and uninsured Americans a chance to choose an affordable health care plan in a competitive market. It would require every insurance plan to cover preventive care. And by the way, I want to acknowledge our First Lady, Michelle Obama, who this year is creating a national movement to tackle the epidemic of childhood obesity and make our kids healthier.”

Why does taking my money and having a bureaucrat buy my insurance for me in Washington, D.C. make more sense than letting me buy my insurance myself, right here? And why is health care insurance a right before food, clothing and housing. If health care is a right based on it's existential importance, then we've skipped a couple of VERY important predicate rights in free food, shelter, and housing. They are far more important on a daily basis for health than insurance. How do you explain that horrid oversight?

“...Starting in 2011, we are prepared to freeze government spending for three years. Spending related to our national security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security will not be affected. But all other discretionary government programs will. Like any cash-strapped family, we will work within a budget to invest in what we need and sacrifice what we don’t. And if I have to enforce this discipline by veto, I will.“

It's better than continued uncontrolled spending, but not nearly as restrictive as it sounds, or should be. A little late too. Sort of like the proverbial closing of the barn door after the cow got out. Several trillion cows later, Obama has seen the light. I guess better late than never, but I can't help but think this is another example of the political posturing he is so good at. He's like a magician that knows how to get your attention misdirected to his off-hand, so he can then do whatever he wants with the other one without you even suspecting.

“...From some on the right, I expect we’ll hear a different argument – that if we just make fewer investments in our people, extend tax cuts for wealthier Americans, eliminate more regulations, and maintain the status quo on health care, our deficits will go away. The problem is, that’s what we did for eight years. That’s what helped lead us into this crisis. It’s what helped lead to these deficits. And we cannot do it again. 
 

Rather than fight the same tired battles that have dominated Washington for decades, it’s time to try something new. Let’s invest in our people without leaving them a mountain of debt. Let’s meet our responsibility to the citizens who sent us here. Let’s try common sense."

The Government can't make investments “in our people”. They must first take money FROM the people to then give it back. I want tax cuts for ALL Americans. Stop the class warfare and let ALL of us keep the fruits of our labor.

Let's get the Federal Government out of our lives, give up on redistribution of wealth and let Americans use the product of their efforts as they see fit. What an investment! Common sense? Indeed!

“...Last week, the Supreme Court reversed a century of law to open the floodgates for special interests – including foreign corporations – to spend without limit in our elections. Well I don’t think American elections should be bankrolled by America’s most powerful interests, or worse, by foreign entities. They should be decided by the American people, and that’s why I’m urging Democrats and Republicans to pass a bill that helps to right this wrong. “

We live in a free society with the right to support who we want to support. To artificially limit the freedom of support among certain class of citizens is wrong. Interesting how people like Soros, MoveOn.org and others were able to get around the prior limits. For them it won't matter, except they'll confront a more level playing field with those corporations they demonize.

“...It lives on in the 8-year old boy in Louisiana, who just sent me his allowance and asked if I would give it to the people of Haiti. And it lives on in all the Americans who’ve dropped everything to go some place they’ve never been and pull people they’ve never known from rubble, prompting chants of “U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A!” when another life was saved.“

The fact that that poor misinformed little boy sent his money for Haiti to the President says more about what's wrong with our attitudes than anything I could write. Send it to the Red Cross or Salvation Army. The President has nothing to do with that sort of stuff. At least he's not supposed to. But of course everything is about Obama, isn't it.

Just don't bomb us Ms. Pelosi

Here's a quote from Madam Speaker this morning:

"You go through the gate. If the gate’s closed, you go over the fence. If the fence is too high, we’ll pole-vault in. If that doesn’t work, we’ll parachute in. But we’re going to get health care reform passed for the American people."

Whatever it takes to take over 1/6th of the American economy they will do. What will we do to defend it?

Could less discipline improve productivity?

This is a great discussion about the realities of practical time and task management. So much of the "guru's" tips techniques and tools are inflexible and lack proportion that they become unwieldy and actually get in the way of real productivity. This thread addresses that reality and provides suggestions for using your time management tools and techniques in a disciplined but flexible manner that benefits but doesn't enslave.

It's like having a realistic and healthy diet that isn't so restricted that it's impossible to adhere to. A little wiggle room prevents the inevitable failure that can often occur when realities of cheesecake and hot dogs are confronted in the real world.

Wow! Prophetic! From Harding College 1948...

MILITARY PROSECUTORS WITHHOLD EVIDENCE

There is no question I am not privy to all the facts of this case, but experience has taught me that we have become so biased against America and it's military that we often offer up our heroes as PC sacrifices in these situations regardless of the facts. If I had to bet whether the guilt lies with the Lieutenant or the prosecutor, I'd bet on the prosecutor.

If nothing else, this situation deserves very close scrutiny. Check out the facts and make up your own mind. If your conscience permits make a donation.
Dr Dave

Hate, Hate, Hate!?

Check out this email from a Florida lib. Underscores where the hatred really lies. I've never seen anything like the last 10 years of so, and it's only getting worse. Even the wacko Reagan haters of the '80's (I was one) could not compare to current "journalists".

Hitler, Pol Pot, Mao: Who's your hero?

Here's a video of Anita Dunn (whitehouse spokesperson) speaking truth:

Let them speak long enough and they can't help but expose themselves...

Welcome to the NFL (New Facist League) Rush!

I'm supposed to sit quietly as Keith Olberman makes his hateful snide and irrational comments about me and those of my ilk, and watch his vapid, arrogant, presentation on NBC's NFL shows but Limbaugh aggravates a few lib's and he's too devisive for the NFL? Give me a break.

Roger Goodell, you have just created enemies out of millions of avid NFL fans. You may not be aware of the number of Limbaugh fans, Free speech advocates, and fans of the Constitution that will not tolerate your fascist policy against Limbaugh. My phones have been ringing off the hook, since you made your foolish little statement about "having a higher standard". Every single person I have talked too has pledged to never participate in the NFL ever again. No NFL on TV, no game attendance, no team paraphernalia, nothing. Nada.

I'll be calling Goodell in the morning, along with Redskins owner Dan Snyder. I'm sure they'll both take my calls of course. But whether they do or not, they must know they cannot make the NFL a political hot potato with such outlandishly fascist policies.

The legacy media, the Unions, the music industry, the high tech industry, Public education, higher education and politicians are all arrayed against those who take a more traditional, if conservative approach to culture and politics in America. They now want to co-opt the last bastian of non-pc Americana? I'm just not going to sit still for it.

Dana White, head of the UFC better watch listen and learn. Goodell's gonna be gone by the end of the month...

Principled Analysis of Constitutional Fidelity

This Marine's analysis of Constitutional defense, and responsibility for failure to do so is refreshingly free of the political "bravo sierra" we so often find.

Our current cultural reliance on overwhelming over complication of such topics normally makes such discussions completely irrelevant. This Marine nails it. He happens to be one of John Boyd's Acolytes, too.

Wonder What the Other Nobel Winners Think?

The week since President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize has been a storm of controversy. Regardless of which side of the political spectrum you're on, it's undeniable that the rationale of the Nobel Committee is not clear to many of us.

One angle I've not heard discussed among all the chaos on talk radio and cable news is the effect this sort of award has on the other presumably deserved Nobel Prize winners. It's really unfortunate that the luster of their award may be tarnished. I would love to be a fly on the wall in their offices as they express their true feelings amongst their family and friends.

 

40 Years of Progress?

40 years after the moon landing in 1969 and we haven't much to show. A lot of entertainment choices we didn't have in 1969, but the steel industry, electronics industry, textile industry, auto industry and even the aerospace industry are all but gone from our shores.

When will we get the fight back? The drive, the positivity and willingness to risk to progress? Not any time soon I'm afraid. This is so reminiscent of the '70's it's incredible. We can't even pay for our own doctors services. We can't build a fence on the border, and we can't tell the folks in D.C. that we've had enough. What a weak, pitiful people we have become.

Are you ready to fight back? Offend some people and even make a few mad? That's what it's going to take you know - and then some.

America could build a fence to the moon if we wanted too. That's the America I know and love!

Lifelong Remininces on Walter Cronkite

Walter Cronkite was one of the traditional cultural icons of my life. For many years he was THE source for "accurate" information about the state of the world. He was on the introduction page to my first set on Encyclopedia authoritatively saying, "and that 's the way it is", thereby certifying as absolute truth all of the information contained in those tomes. At least in the mind of an incredibly knowledge thirsty and gullible 5 year old.

Then I began to see him on the evening news, talking about the horror of the Vietnam war, and the outrageous mistake that it was. He commanded respect just by being on TV as "THE" CBS News anchor. I wasn't sure why, but knew it was true. Every evening at the end of his broadcast," and that's the way it is," sealed the deal. There was no question, no doubt. Cronkite said it - it was so!

Now many years later he has passed from this Earth, and my perspective is no longer that of a gullible 5 year old. Or even 20 or 30 year old. I have learned, much to my disappointment that Mr. Cronkite was quite a dishonest fellow. The Nation, Society and Culture he was charged with impartially informing, was one he hoped to fundamentally change through his work because of it's outrageous flaws. Flaws that justified dishonorable and misleading editorials about the war, the state of America, our enemies and the World.

We've since learned that Cronkite was an Internationalist that viewed traditional Americanism as a destructive force. No less destructive than Communism, Fascism, or any other nefarious political force. A force that could potentially prevent the Internationalism he so valued. The American people he sought to propagandize each evening were in a very real sense his enemies. Little did we know, so innocent and believing were we, that we were the only thing standing between him and the traditional American values he so despised.

Little by little, night after night, we were pounded gently into submission. American patriotism was unsophisticated and wrong. America was a destructive force throughout it's history, rather than the freedom, prosperity and health engine we had been so ignorantly been taught. It's founders were evil, ignorant slaveholders rather than brilliant freedom loving people flawed by traditional racial beliefs held by nearly every culture since the dawn of man.

My purpose is not to dishonor Walter Cronkite, but to further expose the truth about him and others like him who have for the last 50+ years sought to undermine the values that have made America the greatest force for good in the history of the Earth. His fundamental misunderstanding of human nature, history and the practical requirements of law enforcement(internationally and otherwise) make his views VERY difficult to take seriously. Serious or not the damage has been done. Here's a taste courtesy of Youtube. You'll hear it right from the horses mouth and can make your own judgment.

Dr Dave

Gov't's Blatant Exploitation of the Rule of Law

Just another self defeating move by another Government entity exploiting their power and ignoring the rule of law.

The cost to LA and California is staggering and won't be addressed until it's too late. Lib's and bureaucrats are still ignoring the facts and aren't likely to wake up until California is a wasteland and there's no one left to exploit.

We have built our entire modern Government and bureaucratic system in this country on the fundamental idea that we can exploit at our whim those who are the producers. We extort more of the fruits of their efforts and risk taking, through greater and greater taxes, regulatory costs, and political demonization. We are reaching the threshold where business people are forced to make the decision to flee in spite of the relocation costs and personal affection for La and California. This flight response is not limited to California. The same has been happening for years in Southern Arizona. Businesses laugh when approached with the idea of relocating here. It's almost, but not quite, as anti-business an environment as California.

Come on folks, this is getting serious. We must throw out those who are trying to destroy our prosperity and freedom, no matter what party they're in!

DOD Will No Longer Support Dangerous Celebration

No matter where you stand on participation of DOD resources on events, this is a perfect illustration of just how upside down the world is.

The DOD has recently insisted on Islamic sensitivity training INSIDE the DOD, but discontinued the fly-overs of this patriotic celebration after 42 years. Isn't the imbalance clear?

Gutsy Brit Gets Away with Journalistic Suicide

Our Presidents weakness is reminiscent of Jimmy Carter only worse. His lack of seriousness is frightening. I've been talking about since before the election, and making enemies by the boatload doing it.

Our enemies sniff out weakness like my Ridge-back hunting rabbits. They exploit it instantly and completely. They will push the envelope as long as we don't give them strong reason to stop. When we do, they will. It's no coincidence that the violence in Iraq has recently escalated...

Here's a British journalist that is committing professional suicide, unless the atmosphere in the UK is a little more accepting of serious, critical analysis than our own country. This guy tells it like it is. 

Read the article and tell me what you think.

A Refreshingly Rational Palin Analysis

I am so used to the whacked out Palin hatred in the MSM, that I was shocked to read this response to a readers question by Camille Paglia of Salon.com.

She accurately summarizes Palins weaknesses and her strengths. She accurately and with cool analysis, characterizes her lack of high-level, professional political advisors as both a problem and a part of Palin's charm.

She then takes to task the "Northeast media complex" that so viciously and with a complete lack of dispassionate professionalism, repeatedly attacks Palin over the most trivial issues.

I suspect we will, in time,  find that Paglia has been a disgruntled Dem for some time, and has begun to turn. One can only watch and excuse the insanity for so long. It can happen to the best of us. Even me!