Monday, January 31, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/31/2011

A U.S. district judge, Roger Vinson, in Pensacola, Florida threw out the new health care law today as unconstitutional because it violates the Commerce Clause. His decision rested upon the "individual mandate" requiring people to buy insurance, and from the way that mandate was written, in his opinion the entire law must be declared void.

He wrote that "I must reluctantly conclude that Congress exceeded the bounds of its authority in passing the act with the individual mandate. That is not to say, of course, that Congress is without power to address the problems and inequities in our health care system. The health care market is more than one-sixth of the national economy, and without doubt Congress has the power to reform and regulate this market. That has not been disputed in this case. The principal dispute has been about how Congress chose to exercise that power here."

So, what we have here is the whole problem in a nutshell. Because the judge isn't necessarily disputing what government can and can't do, it relates to how Congress did it. And that goes back to square one, which I think is a matter of interpretation. Because it seems to me that the president's mandate all along, real or perceived, has been to revise health care...and that's what he set out to do.

The first thing on his agenda was to introduce a new law, but as I recall the primary issue was to insure passage as quickly as possible. So, he created a situation that demanded legislation by a particular date but nowhere in that edict was there any requirement for either economic viability or even common sense. All he wanted to do was deliver a law by a deadline date.

So, what's happening now is people are finally reading and analyzing the bill, as they should have done before, and as a result, it's coming apart at the seams. And that means it'll have to be put together again. And next time around, maybe someone will actually take the time to really think about what needs to be done, and perhaps devise a sensible way to do it that folks can afford.

And I'm going to stop typing now, because although my books are fiction, I try to insure that this blog contains fact. So, when I start writing about government and "sensible" in the same sentence, I know that I've gone on too long and it's time to stop.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Sunday, January 30, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/30/2011

Saw an interesting blurb go by on TV this morning. I don't remember the station, commentator or interviewee because I was just surfing channels soundlessly when I read the screen. But, I've been thinking about what I read.

I'm sure you can look up the data if you wish, but according to what I saw -women Congressfolks introduce more bills, bring more funds home to their states and generally involve themselves in more things than elected males do. What's more, it seems that this is something they're proud of. So, that got me to thinking about what these Congress jobs are all about.

I've always been under the impression that government's job was to protect the citizenry and the borders, to preserve the peace and establish the guidelines for law. And all those things were pretty much taken care of in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. And, as I've mentioned before, governing originally wasn't even a full time job. The Founding Fathers all had other real businesses or jobs.

So, my question for today is...what exactly is it that these ladies do all day long? Do they sit around looking for things to write laws about? Do they advertise or troll for new ideas to introduce like the ambulance-chasing lizard-lawyers on TV that want to grow their class action suits?

As for me, I don't know very much about what's already been passed into law from a professional standpoint because I'm neither a lawyer or a politician. But it would seem to me, just from what I'm exposed to via the media or word of mouth -there can't be very much left of daily life that isn't already covered somewhere by some kind of legislation.

So, that being the case. Why don't these ladies (and men too), just go back where they came from and stop mucking up everyone's life with worthless legislation. And maybe then the people who really produce, the general population, can go out and get something beneficial done.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Saturday, January 29, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/29/2011

According to an Associated Press article published yesterday, a terrorist plot in Moscow was foiled New Year’s Eve. That's when an unexpected text message detonated a suicide bomber’s explosives prematurely.

The bomber, called “Black Widow,” may belong to the group that attacked Moscow’s Domodedovo airport on Monday. Her plan apparently was to set off her suicide belt near Red Square, potentially killing hundreds of people. But, since she accidentally blew herself up several hours too early, she never reached the target.

I was intrigued by the article because it fits right in with the viruses mysteriously attacking the nuclear facilities in Iran, potentially causing any weapons to self-destruct. And it occurred to me that perhaps the best way to deal with all of these various threats is to simply sit back and let whoever it is continue to infiltrate their devices and let them annihilate themselves.

Because, sooner or later, even hostile Iranians and suicide bombers will likely figure out that the only ones in grave danger are actually themselves.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Friday, January 28, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/28/2011

An item caught my eye today saying Ford earned $6.6 billion in 2010, its highest profit in more than a decade. U.S. sales jumped 20 percent last year when an improving economy lifted demand for the company's F-Series pickup trucks. Ford was the top-selling brand in the U.S. Revenues rose 3 percent to $120.9 billion, and it was also its best performance since 1999 and second straight annual profit.

The reason for my interest was that I'm pretty sure Ford was the only U.S, automaker to decline government bailout funds, preferring to try to work out its problems on its own. At the same time, I've seen items here and there that the wonderful Japanese cars and trucks lately appear to be falling apart, with what seems like more recalls than sales. Maybe they're falling back on the same kinds of plans they used after Pearl Harbor. As I recall, they blew that war too and decided to leave us alone after Hiroshima.

Of course, the US being the good guys, after we convinced our enemy in WW II that surrender was their best route, we turned around and rebuilt them, economically and otherwise. And to show their everlasting gratitude they underpriced everything we showed them how to produce, and then figured out if they couldn't bomb us they'd try to buy us with their profits. But, unfortunately for them I guess, in the long run they have a problem they just can't seem to overcome -they don't seem to really be very good at anything at all.

In any case, the Ford turnaround demonstrates once again that if you leave businesses alone, and let them do what they know how to do, they'll generally do quite well. But on the other hand, no matter how much government funding you throw at the real world, if you let Sam become involved you lose. Because no one in DC has a clue as to how the business world works, unless they've come from there themselves. I think that's pretty clearly evidenced by government debt approaching 15 trillion dollars and unemployment still at more than 9%.

So, with Ford's performance as an example of how to succeed on your own if you really want to, just try to imagine what the economy would look like with no government interference of any kind at all. We'd likely have booming businesses everywhere we looked, and the only employment we'd find would likely be inside the Beltway.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Thursday, January 27, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/27/2011

There's very little better than knowing that so-called "experts" are wrong, abusing their status or are just plain frauds. And sometimes you have to be quite patient before these phonies are exposed. But if you hang in there long enough and bite your tongue, the truth will eventually surface.

And that's why I've been having so much fun this winter.

Because with every shovelful of snow I toss, I'm helping disprove all the BS about global warming. And, this season there've been really huge drifts to remove.

Snow's fallen eight times in New York since December 14. That averages about once every five days. And after this Wednesday's deluge the area's already seen 36 inches of snow this season, compared to the full-winter average of 21 inches.

Now, I'm sure there are global warming proponents that'll say "Aha! The snowfall's the exception that proves the rule." Because the best defense of any harebrained concept is usually gibberish. But expecting this kind of answer, I looked the meaning of the exception concept up.

The idea was first proposed by Cicero in his defense of Lucius Cornelius Balbus, whoever he was, and Cicero's concept states: "The fact that an exception is stated serves to establish the existence of a rule that applies to cases not covered by the exception."

Now, I'm sure there are people out there who might have a clue as to what Cicero meant, but I'm not one of them. In fact, this might be something to ask Joe Biden about, because he uses phrases that are similar all the time. But, as for me, I'm just going to keep looking out my snow covered window for Cicero. Because, maybe he has a shovel and wants to earn a couple of bucks digging out my car.

That's it for today folks.

Adios



Wednesday, January 26, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/26/2011

As always, I skipped the State of the Union message last night, and after reading recaps today am satisfied that I didn't miss a thing. But, in one of the articles I found something interesting, because, evidently the president fulfilled two promises from last year's speech.

In his second State of the Union speech last year, he particularly focused on two issues, and has delivered on both: global warming and stimulus spending.

Since I live in the Northeast, I'm witness to the fact that global warming is over. And, thanks to the president, I've shoveled more snow in the last few weeks than I've seen in as long as I can remember. What's more, long term forecasts predict that this will continue to be one of the longest, snowiest, coldest winters on record. So, on this one...hats off to the president for ending global warming and also to AlGore who in addition to carbon swaps is now selling snow blowers and shovels.

Then there's the issue of stimulus spending where the president really lived up to his promise. Because as of now, the federal deficit is moving toward $14 trillion and climbing. So that boils down to the president taking his promise so seriously, he's put every citizen in smothering debt and plans to add more if Congress will let him. And in that regard, he'll make sure that he stands by his words...even if it takes every nickel you've got.

That's it for today folks.

Adios





Tuesday, January 25, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/25/2011

Something I've never understood, and doubt that I ever will, is the purpose of speeches by incumbents...especially in the last twenty years or so. Between the media, word of mouth, and lately the Internet, for anyone who has an interest in what politicos of any kind are doing, all they have to do is look it up. Hard information's available 24-7-365.

Aside from that, political blather is exactly that and has no value at all. So, if you really want to what any incumbent has done, simply look it up. And as anyone with any experience in listening to politicians knows, there's usually a huge difference between what's said, sold or promised and what they actually do.

So then, what's the purpose of the State of the Union message? Because,unless they've been living under a turnip, I doubt there's anyone in America who's not painfully aware of the state it's in, and, whether they'll or not admit it, who put it there to begin with.

That's why tonight, while the president tries to scramble toward the middle verbally and promises to focus on jobs, anyone with half a brain knows that's what he has to do to keep his job. But, the odds are, after the lip service is through he'll go back to his same old, same old attempts to keep the country weak which will benefit his friends and simultaneously sink those in business.

As for me, the speech will have little affect on my TV schedule. I never watch the networks or news channels in the evening to begin with, I always prefer to fall asleep to a movie or comedy re-run. But even if I click on one of the channels by accident that's carrying the address, it really won't matter. Because I never have the sound on -and that's always the best way to deal with meaningless speeches.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Monday, January 24, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/24/2011

Very depressing day yesterday, and not simply because the Jets lost. I've been watching that team for too long to let them get to me that way. What's bothering me is, they didn't lose the game to the Pittsburgh Steelers, they lost it because of "stealers" from the NFL.

I've seen football refs do terrible jobs before -missed calls, quick whistles, mis-reads on the side or end lines, whatever- but yesterday's squad was the worst I've ever witnessed. And as I've mentioned in previous entries, for some reason this year's Jet team has been a slow starter all season long, so I really expected them to be down at the half. But, what I didn't anticipate was that the opposition would be gifted a touchdown by the zebras, simply due to blown calls. Because when you give a guy like Big Ben Roethlisberger three first downs in a row via mis-called penalties, he's going to score. And, if you take the ref's gift away, the Jets win the game by two points.

Now, as usual, I didn't have the sound on and I didn't watch any of the post game stuff either, I never do, so I don't know if the commentators brought up the horrid job the refs did. And frankly, my guess is they'd likely protect the officials anyway. But the Jets season finally ended regardless, thanks to the penalties imposed by referees who obviously had other motives.

So, when all is said and done, despite their lackadaisical slow start, the Jets came back in the second half as usual, and shut the stealers out. In fact, Gang Green clearly won the game. But, unfortunately, since the refs had made sure that the Jets wouldn't recover at all, the losing stealers are on their way to the anything but "super" bowl.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Sunday, January 23, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/23/2011

Big day today, and from what I can tell it looks like all the pundits agree. The Packers will unequivocally beat the Bears, unless the Bears somehow manage to pull out a win. And the Steelers will bury the Jets, except that Sanchez might have a good day which would give the Jets an edge, perhaps.

So what it boils down to, according to the experts, without a shadow of a doubt: in the upcoming Super Bowl, either the Packers or Bears will face the Steelers or maybe the Jets.

But all I know for sure is, it's going to be a long day. And, in my opinion this is the best group of quarterbacks to ever simultaneously reach the playoffs. While Big Ben Roethlisberger has the most playoff experience of the four, and is as tough as they come, the other three guys are gaining quickly in regard to playing under pressure, so Ben doesn't have that much of an edge. And since this is the playoffs, and one-game situations...anything can happen. Aside from that, it's a team sport, so everyone has to produce.

The only other thing I have to note, which I've done often lately, is although I've been a die-hard Jet fan since their inception, I've mentioned the other three QB's in these writings before. And my guess early this season was that they'd all be there at the end, except maybe a little shaky on Cutler. So, since it doesn't happen too often, I just wanted to take credit for my correct predictions again.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Saturday, January 22, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/22/2011

Busy, busy day today. This is the latest entry I've ever typed. It'll also be short.

And speaking of short, if I understand the Republicans plan correctly, they're going to have the shortest election cycle in history. Because they had a well-thought out plan to try overturning the very unpopular and ill-conceived health care law and an agenda focused on righting the economy.

But, what did I read this morning?

These folks are going to try and ban abortion again. And if there's one issue that will bring their party down, that's it. It makes no sense for me to list all the pro's and con's about this hot-button topic, but suffice to say it will do the Republicans in, vote-wise, if they really pursue the issue.

As for me, if health care gets overturned and they can actually reduce taxes to stimulate growth, more power to them. But, election-wise, they're cooked and did it to themselves. What a bunch of morons.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Friday, January 21, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/21/2011

As promised, Republicans in the House voted to overturn the recent health care legislation and stated some goals for reform. They basically agreed to focus on cutting waste, fraud and abuse; expanding insurance coverage; reducing premiums; allowing people to keep the coverage they have and also block federal funding of abortion, one of their never-ending goals.

But what's most interesting to me is, they've continually tried to introduce medical malpractice lawsuit limits and to expand medical savings accounts all along, because these two areas are critical to reducing health care costs, yet the Democrat majority has blocked them for the past five years. So, on one hand you have a health care bill that can't possibly reduce costs, and in fact, will likely increase them and an opposing party that refuses to face facts. To me, that's not only ridiculous, its outright theft of voter's funds.

A new bill supported by Congressman Paul Broun, Republican from Georgia, who's also a family physician, would let people buy insurance across state lines, allow individuals and businesses to create insurance associations to reduce costs, create high-risk pools to cover those with pre-existing conditions and make all health care costs 100 percent tax deductible. But, it seems that any kind of proposal involving thought and consideration upsets Democrats for some reason, as does any kind of legislation that deals with truths.

Now, I don't know what kind of Utopian la-la land typical liberals live in, but I surely know it doesn't exist on Earth. And if they want to go on preaching their version of wealth redistribution from lecterns in education that's fine with me. But, there comes a time when pipe dreams can no longer be afforded, and these folks had better wake up pretty soon, because taxpayer's funds have run out.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Thursday, January 20, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/20/2011

As readers know, I've always believed that folks who wind up in political careers are much like academicians in terms of employment. Since they lack any really valuable skills and have almost no employable worth in the real world, they end up like water. They seek the lowest possible levels because there's no where else for them to go and no one else wants them either.

So that's why I was pleased to see my suspicions validated today by a new joint project put together by the Center for Responsive Politics and Remapping Debate. These two watchdog groups say their new tracking system stays on top of former elected officials, to see where they go after leaving office.

The watchdog groups say that of the losing Congresspeople in the mid-term elections, 16% went to work for a federal government agency, 2% went to work for a lobbying client, 11% went to work for a lobbying firm, 16% went to work in academia, another 16% went to work in state government, 25% have been hired by a private organization, and 11% retired.

So there we have it. 61% found some other job in or near the political scene or education which is almost the same, and 11% quit altogether. That adds up to 72% who would likely be unhirable anywhere else. And as for the 25% going into "private" employment, my guess is they're likely all lawyers trying to sell their connections and Blackberry contacts to the highest bidders.

As for me, I really couldn't care less about where these frauds wind up, it's just nice to see my assumptions proven out. And also smart on behalf of the business community who know better than to hire a squad of losers.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/19/2011

Not a lot of time today. Spent several hours calling on a customer. That's quite different for me, I do almost all business on the web, but today's meeting was a total success.

In the meantime, over the last few days I've written significantly about football, because it's that time of year, and also Gang Green's still alive in the playoffs. And although there's not much else new, health care's coming back into play because the Republican house leadership has vowed to repeal the new law.

But what's important to me is, not so much the law itself, which seems to be a total disaster, financially and otherwise. But the fact that very few if any, supporters of the bill actually know what's in it. The majority leadership rammed the legislation through, simply because they had overwhelming votes via their numbers, yet none of them knew what they had actually voted for.

Consequently, what's happening now is the individual items in the bill are being brought to light and two things are becoming quickly apparent. The costs of health care will not only increase for everyone, but illnesses covered and services now provided will decrease over time. And by socializing the system, the country will soon mirror Canada and England where health care is at it's worst on the planet.

Now, it doesn't take a medical degree or a doctorate in applied math to figure out that adding 30 million uninsured folks to the health care rolls has to somehow be paid for. So, if the costs increase, and the new folks don't chip in, where does the funding come from? The answer is, everyone else of course.

So, hopefully what will happen now is enough noise will be made and enough things stirred up to cause what should have been done in the first place. Unwind the bill, take it apart and attack each issue one at a time till it's fixed. Because, perhaps there might be sensible way to extend coverage to those who really need it but can't afford it. But I certainly don't believe the answer is to take the best health care system in the world and shred it for political reasons.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/18/2011

Last evening my wife asked how I was holding up since it was still six more days to the conference championship game. I replied that, so far, everything was under control and that I was looking at the event as simply a bonus. One more Jet game at the end of the season, which was good enough for me. When the season began, I had no visions or heartfelt beliefs that this team was destined for greatness...so getting as far as they already had was okay with me.

Unfortunately though, even though my feelings were true; once she'd spoken, no matter that I had no great expectation...before falling asleep later on there was a momentary flash of -what if?

Well, regardless that I'm surely no football expert, and have no other knowledge than what I've seen as a long time fan, there's one thing I know for certain. Every game's a one-time event, and has it's own outcome that no one can possibly predict. So once you start thinking with any kind of belief that the team you root for is going to win, the odds can't really be better than 50/50 no matter...so what's the point?

This has been my rationale for a very long time now, and that's why both wins and losses are easier for me to take. Because, if you have no expectation, you minimize disappointment about losses and increase the pleasure of wins. What's more, without strong pre-game belief you lessen anxiety, which is far better for both your mind and your health. So, my approach is not only beneficial intellectually its best for my body too.

And, as I've already written, my beliefs aren't just something recent, or in any way caused by this particular season, I've been ambivalent about possible game outcomes for many, many years and am well used to not getting ahead of myself. And now, I'm going to stop typing and then, I'm going to read this entry over and over again. And if I do that long enough, maybe it'll be Monday morning and my hands will stop shaking from anxiety.

That's' it for today folks.

Adios

Monday, January 17, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/17/2011

I stopped shaking about one o'clock in the morning, when the effects of yesterday's game wore off. Not because Gang Green won it, but the way that they did it. As readers know, I've been typing all season about how this team just can't put away opponents early and put games out of reach.

In every game but one so far, they've left the door open enough to allow their rivals back in at the last minute. And yesterday was no exception. Because there's nobody better at scoring fast against an end-of-game flex defense than Tom Brady, and he had enough time left to do it again -but this time, the solid Jet defense held him off.

And speaking of Brady, I swore to a friend from New England a few weeks ago that I'd never repeat this, but I admitted that Brady was someone I actually liked. That's the first time I've ever said that about any Pat player while they were still with the team. But the reason I did it is because Brady seems like a regular guy, doesn't get into trouble off the field, acts professionally all the time and as any Jet fan can tell you, has incredible skill and talent. He's eaten their lunch many times over. So, with so many other guys in the NFL being total bozo's and morons, he stands out in my mind as a class act.

Now, having typed all the above as background, before yesterday's game began I was thinking that it was going to be odd watching someone I have some respect for play against a Jet team. And then, during the first Pat play from scrimmage, some kind of switch got tripped in my mind and the real truth came out. Because that's when I realized that no matter what I'd said to my friend, or what I might have thought I thought about Brady, once the game finally started I realized without doubt...I actually hate him right down to his cleats.

Once my Brady delusion was over, I spent the rest of the game talking back to my TV screen like I usually do, urging the Jet defense to put the guy in traction, maim him or just do whatever it takes to get him off the field.

As far as the game itself went, except for the tension at the end, I thought it was a pretty good one and very much like what I expected. I was a little surprised during the third quarter though, because that's when my wife returned from her store. She glanced at the screen saw the score and told me she was amazed, because she said it seemed that every expert, pundit and predictor said the Pats were going to evaporate the Jets who didn't have a prayer. And that's when I gave her my standard reply that I've been using for forty years -if any of them actually knew what was going to happen in the future at all, they wouldn't be babbling away on the air...they'd be at the track.

As for me, I didn't have the sound on for the game, and haven't tuned in a sports show since the first time I heard Howard Cosell many, many years ago. He, fortunately, convinced me that hangers-on, leeches, motor-mouths and even retread former players aren't worth listening to, and are so boring that I never turn them on. And that's why I didn't know that the Jets were underdogs.

So, if nothing else, I guess I have to assume that the Jets don't listen to "experts" either. They just go out and win football games.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Sunday, January 16, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/16/2011

Yesterday certainly lived up to my expectations, all four playoff games were great. But what pleased me most was, how close I was with my predictions. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't know enough about pro football to make any kind of really valid assumptions, and I've been watching the game long enough to learn that nobody else on Earth can either, but the "experts" certainly have much more solid and inside information than I do.

Nonetheless, there are certain teams, players and coaches that send off a particular kind of vibe that differentiates them to me, and often gives them an indefinable edge that can be sensed. I know I've mentioned all this in earlier blogs, so I won't repeat it here, but I anticipated yesterday's outcomes for reasons important to me.

Recapping quickly, naturally the Jets are my one real favorite, but a couple of others are special too. I was adopted as a Steeler fan by guys I worked with in the early seventies, when I would root for that team as soon as the Jets blew out of the playoff picture...which was often and early. That was just before the Steeler's became the legend they've grown into now, so they certainly haven't let me down.

I also remember writing a blog in the pre-season about the Packers, who I watched out of curiosity since Nannette Fabrey left them to come screw the Jets and then do in the Vikings. That's when I first saw their new quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, and wrote about him. Because for some unknown reason, I thought he looked like the real deal and so far, it looks like I was right about that one too.

Then there's Pete Carroll, who as I mentioned often before, was sorry to see leave when the Jets let him go after only one season. So, naturally, after pulling for him at USC for the last few years, I'm pleased to see him get the Seahawks into contention in his first season with them.

Then there's Lovie Smith and his quarterback Jay Cutler, whom I've mentioned before too. And although I'm certainly not a rabid Bear fan, nor do I plan to become one, I like both guys a lot as well as Brian Urlacher a linebacker who's tough as they come.

So, all in all, I've got five teams in the running this season, out of the six that are left. And although there's nothing I'd like more than Gang Green winning the Super Bowl, I can't remember ever having so many teams in contention that I've believed to be worthwhile and who I'd root for if push came to shove.

In closing, I certainly know that there's nothing I can do to insure that a team I like can ever win a game, because neither I, nor anyone else who doesn't suit up have that kind of knowledge, skill or power. But, there is something I can do to insure that they lose. And it's pretty simple. All I have to do is place any kind of bet, even a no-money gentleman's handshake and it's the same as the kiss of death for them. Because once I make even the tiniest indication that I really believe they'll win, I know for a well-proven fact -they're over.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Saturday, January 15, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/15/2011

Best NFL weekend of the year. 4 games. Doesn't get better than that. Of course, the last one's the one that counts- Jets/Pats.

I haven't listened to any of them, but the pundits must be going crazy babbling about rivalries, off-field stories they've likely dug up, and who knows what else. But regardless of all the expert opinions and inside scoops, there's one thing I'm absolutely sure of. As soon as the final gun sounds to end the game tomorrow, I'll know who won just like they will.

In the meantime, the Dems are still all upset that the new Republican majority in the House is still planning to begin trying to dismantle the new health care bill next week. They say it's too soon after the tragedy in Arizona to begin debate. And that got me to wondering if talking about health care now would make them sick.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Friday, January 14, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/14/2011

It seems to me that most folks must be pretty well used to the fact that large segments of the population believe that the average American has the intellect of a turnip. There are evidences of that everywhere. All kinds of commercials, for example, promote colossal untruths about products, goods, and services twenty four seven, three sixty five, scrounging for whatever suckers they can hook with their come-on's.

And then of, of course, we have politicians who'll say anything to anyone, anytime, anywhere if they think it'll get them a vote. The media too is fraught with bias, disguised in any number of ways to get their particular slant across as if it were unvarnished fact. And we in the public, have all of this drivel foisted on us to the extent that, if we thought about it we'd find their haughty presumption highly insulting.

So, that's why when I read about the situation still roiling at NPR, and their firing of Juan Williams, part of me registered it as a non-event I couldn't care less about, and another part took it as insulting. Because here we have a radio station taking public funds from the citizenry in general and using them to promote a highly-biased political agenda. And then, after firing someone with an opinion out of line with their focus, making the claim that they're advocates of free speech.

What it all boils down to I guess, is that I have no expectation of honesty, fair-play or sincerity in most situations I encounter in life, especially when there's a gain for someone else involved. So I'm really not surprised when others try to put one over on me. But while telling me stories is one thing, and selling me short is another, I find it really revolting when my intelligence is insulted in the process, such as NPR's trying to get me to believe their hogwash about being unbiased.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Thursday, January 13, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/13/2011

I remember distinctly when Sarah Hughes won an Olympic gold medal in 2002 for figure skating. Although I'm not a skater myself, nor have any interest in the sport, Ms Hughes happened to live in Great Neck, NY where my family resided, and my wife owned a store.

Soon after the games were over, the town held a parade for the champion, which is why I remember the event so clearly. And since my wife's store was on the main drag, Middle Neck Road, she hung a big sign in her front window saying something like, "Way to go Sarah!" in appreciation.

Now, Great Neck is fairly well known, primarily as a suburb of Manhattan and lot's of prominent folks have resided there over the years. Nonetheless, it's not a very big town. Consequently, while the parade for Ms Hughes was a heartfelt gesture to honor her achievement, and certainly well planned and executed, there weren't all that many marching. There was a squad of policemen, a fire unit and big red truck, a high school marching band and some convertible cars with their tops down. And that's why I'll never forget the parade.

Because in two of those convertibles, filled with local dignitaries, who else showed up? Why none other than Hillary Clinton and Chucky Cheese Schumer calling attention to themselves as usual by glomming on to someone else's achievement. Neither one of those parasites had a thing to do with the Olympics, figure skating or even Great Neck itself that I know of, yet they came there because there would be cameras and news crews.

And the reason I especially remember that event today is because the president is doing exactly the same thing in regard to the shooting in Arizona. He's stuck himself in the middle of a newsworthy happening that has nothing to do with him or his administration, and is trying to turn the tragedy into a political issue with himself as the focal point.

But what struck me as most interesting is, that he's using the issue as the basis for telling folks to make less political noise, because, he says, that leads to situations like this. And I, for one, can certainly understand where he's coming from. Because the less political noise and public disagreement, the less that will be said about him and his failures. And if I were him, I wouldn't want them talked about either. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if he tried to pass a law, in the interest of public safety. that made it illegal for anyone to talk about politics except himself.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/12/2011

The founding fathers had the right idea. They all had businesses, professions or other non-political occupations or pastimes, and they governed only at particular times or when absolutely necessary otherwise. But, somehow or other, the whole things gotten completely out of hand.

Today we have folks in office who aren't qualified to tie their own shoes, working full time on schemes, plans and ridiculous ideas that aren't worth the paper or whatever else they might be written on, simply because they think they've been ordained. Beyond that, these intellectually limited, societal freeloaders spend three hundred sixty-five days a year muddying everyone else's lives because they have nothing better to do with their worthless, tax-payer funded, time.

As for me, for almost all my life I didn't really know who any elected officials were, except for the president. That's because I spent all my time working, or with family and friends never caring who was elected to what unless it directly affected me. That's why, when election day came around I ran my finger down the row of buttons, voting for those who seemed to favor lower taxes and less government in my life, but I never read any of the names or cared what party they claimed to be in. I still do it that way today.

But, now I have more time available to me, and I also have this blog which I try to keep timely. So, for the first time, I've actually spent some time in the last couple of years paying more attention to what folks in the news actually say or do. And what's been striking me the most is, not so much that people in politics are such card-carrying phonies...I've always thought that. But, the level of their vapidity makes me wonder how they function at all. And stranger that that, who'd willingly allow them into office?

Now, I could sit here and type about countless things I notice about what politicians do, and how ridiculous most of their babbling's are. But I don't, simply because it's pretty boring and there are others out there who point this stuff out in the media all day long. But, every once in a while, one of them does something beyond stupid.

There's this guy, Peter King, from New York and apparently he needs some press, so he's introducing a bill that would make it illegal to knowingly carry a gun within a thousand feet of "certain high-profile" government officials.

Now, let's think about that. Who would that bill stop from carrying a gun near "high-profile" government officials? The answer is, you and me and of course, and any other law-abiding citizens who don't carry weapons in the first place. But, would it stop a loony, kook or fanatic? I think we saw the answer to that one a couple of days ago in Arizona. That guy was determined to mow folks down and some new law no one will even remember isn't likely to have stopped him.

So why don't these politicians stop trying to make headlines for themselves by taking advantage of others tragedies for personal gain? But, that would take some thought, caring and understanding -traits most politicos are void of.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/11/2011

The headline story everywhere continues to be the Arizona shooting, and as I stated yesterday, everybody and his brother has seemed to jump on board with some kind of opinion on the matter.

As near as I can determine the gunman had no political affiliation, and didn't even cast a vote in the recent mid-term election. Yet, folks are jumping up and down and screaming that lack of gun control's the problem and calling the shooter a right-wing fanatic who's out to eliminate the Democrat party.

As for me, I don't own a gun and never wished to. I've always felt that if push came to shove, unless I ran into some armed weirdo, I'd be able to take care of myself without one. But, now that I'm getting older, I'm not so sure I won't change my mind. Because as our world changes, there may be different kinds of threats to face than I'm used to. However, that remains to be seen.

As far as other folks go, though. Especially solid citizens who feel it's important to have weapons, I see no problem with that. And, as I mentioned yesterday, with the size of our population there are very few incidents involving regular, everyday people and guns.

On the other hand, if gun control was enforced...who'd still be carrying weapons? The group would include only the military, cops and crooks. Now, under most circumstances I certainly have no problem with the military having weapons. In fact, since their primary purpose is to protect me, I hope their arsenal gets bigger, more deadly and better. And, as far as most cops are concerned I feel pretty much the same way. But that still leaves another group out there that will never give up their arms -the crooks. And those are the ones that scare me.

As somebody said a long time ago, laws keep honest people honest. And as proven time and time over and then some, honest folks are really never ones to worry much about. But crooks are another story. And as for me, until I'm absolutely sure that everyone of them has been locked up and will never get out, I'd like to retain my right to protect myself. Because I don't want my epitaph to say that I lived my life strictly by the book, but unfortunately for me, the guy who shot me didn't.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Monday, January 10, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/10/2011

The headline news everywhere today is the mass shooting tragedy in Arizona, killing six, wounding 14 and seriously wounding Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. And what strikes me the most is the way everyone with an axe to grind reacts.

Because, so far I've seen very little real concern for those who lost their lives or were wounded. Nonetheless, there are sound bites by the carload regarding whatever it is anyone thinks they can gain for themselves via someone else's loss.

Politicians are screaming for gun control on one side, anti-terrorist groups claim it was some kind of plot, others promise that if you vote for them things like this will never happen again. Yet, as a practical matter, what happened was, a deranged loner shot someone he despised.

So, the thing that strikes me the most about the event is, that when the issues are sorted out this will likely prove out to be a singular, though very tragic occurrence. And, at the same time, we've just finished a census that says 330 million or so folks occupy this nation. What that means is that out of all those hundreds of millions of people, one of them went nuts.

So, in light of the statistics, it's highly unlikely that there needs to be major legislation upheavals or the dissolution of one political party or another as some would like to see, but rather a straightforward investigation into the facts of the shooting and an adjudication of the individual case.

And, as far as those who're trying to leverage their own causes over someone else's tragic loss, let's hope that next time, some shooter gets them in their sights.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Sunday, January 9, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/9/2011

Just rechecked the start of yesterday's blog, to be sure I included the word "if" when describing the play of the Seattle Seahawks, and, thank goodness, I did. Because when I wrote those words it was midway through the first quarter, and I truly believed there was no way that team could beat an egg, much less last year's Super Bowl winners, unless they either woke up or traded away for a team of totally new personnel.

And then, bang! All of a sudden it was like Jekyll and Hyde, a new team did show up, but it was the same players. Now, I don't know what Pete Carroll says to those guys, or feeds them or whatever, but somehow or other he did it again. Just like he pushed the Trojans at USC to great football, he's now doing it in Seattle. Of course, I've been around for a very long while, and I surely know it was only one game. Nonetheless, this is the NFL and footballs always bounce kind of funny, so who knows what'll happen down the line?

Then, later last night there was a true test of medical science, because the Jets played the Indianapolis Colts and their nemesis, Peyton Manning.

A few years ago I had some major work done on my heart. It was performed at North Shore University Hospital in Manhassett, NY by a surgeon reputed to be one of the best on the planet. And I surely know, simply from the way I now function that this expert lived up to his reputation, because I've completely recovered to the extent that unless you really knew what I went through, you'd never, ever guess. Because I'm better than 100%.

But the only tests I really put my heart to, and its various working parts, are the day to day things most people go through routinely. So, like everyone else, I drive a car, I do lots of chores, I walk a lot, sometimes I even jog and trot, I play golf (which isn't really saying much, sportswise, but more healthful and stressful than laying on a couch) I even toss baseballs, footballs and basketballs around now and then and have absolutely no trouble handling any of that at all.

But...then there's the Jets.

And as I've written in many of these entries lately, for some reason, these guys just can't go out and put a game away like they're supposed to. Just about every contest comes down to the last couple of minutes, if fans are lucky, or more often -down to the last few seconds. And yesterday was certainly no exception.

After a lackluster first half, Gang Green came back as the game progressed and even captured a slim lead. Then, with two and a half minutes left in the game and up by two, they surrendered the ball to the Colts. Now, you don't have to know an awful lot about pro football to realize that when Peyton Manning has the football and more than two minutes on the clock, the game is virtually over. Because he's going to march his team down the field, methodically pick the opponent apart and score a touchdown like he always does.

But, this time he fell short and had to settle for a 50 yard field goal, no easy chore, but Adam Vinatieri kicked it through, putting the Colts ahead, 16-14, with 53 seconds to play.

Then, down by two, less than a minute left and on the opponents home field, Mark Sanchez played the most incredible few seconds of his young life. After a big run-back of the Colt's kickoff, three perfect passes hit Sanchez's mark, the last a leaping grab by Braylon Edwards to the Indy 14 yard line. When Nick Folk made a field goal from there, the Jets had themselves a one point victory with no time left on the clock.

As for me, by that time I was incoherent. And although I'd seen this team come back from the jaws of death however many times, this one was over the top. To say I was stunned was the understatement of the century, I was flat out speechless, in shock. And that's when I knew that that surgeon of mine was an absolute genius. Because if my new aortic valve can take that kind of stress and not blow out, it's going to take an elephant gun to croak me.

That's it for today folks.

Adios.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/8/2011

Just watched the start of the Seattle/New Orleans game, and if the level of play stays the same as the first eight minutes this game is over now. It's like watching a professional football team play against a high school marching band. Unless they can adjust really quickly, the Seahawks haven't a prayer.

In the meantime, I saw a blurb that said Harry Reid thinks the Tea Party's a flash in the pan and won't last after the economy turns around. So, according to him, members shouldn't "quit their day jobs."

What was most important to me about Reid's comments, is the arrogance and vapidity of his thoughts. Because, evidently, he's completely missed the point. I don't think it matters what the Tea Party members call themselves, or whether they remain organized or not. What the group primarily represents is a significant, likely huge, number of folks who're fed up with politics, and particularly politicians.

Richard Nixon recognized the impact of what Tea Party-like movements when he used the phrase "silent majority" referring to the vast number of citizens opposed to the Viet Nam war. He knew back then that these unspoken, everyday voters, were the ones that could bring his administration down in a heartbeat if they chose, and the best route was the one he tried to take, by listening to them and trying to win them over.

So, as already evidenced by the landslide shake-up in the House of Representatives, there's no doubt that the majority, silent or not, has spoken. And if Harry Reid, who somehow survived an election even he thought he'd lost, chooses to continue along blindly on his same path, disregarding wishes of most of the population, he won't have to worry about quiting his own day job. The voters will do that for him.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Friday, January 7, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/7/2011

The PGA Golf Tour is playing at Kapalua golf course on Maui this week. I was watching a sports station in my favorite hangout last evening, when scores were posted from the tournament. My wife, sitting next to me, said something like, "That's always been one of your favorite courses."

Well, not only was she absolutely right, as usual, but it's also the scene of one of may favorite golf stories.

The second time I played the course, on a free afternoon during a week-long business conference, I invited three managers from our organization to come along. All three were good players, and I was sure we'd make up a fun, competitive, foursome. I told the guys that I'd played the course several years before, and thought they'd enjoy not only the golf, but the fantastic scenery too.

As we went around the course, it turned out exactly as I expected. The weather, naturally, was perfect. The course was in magnificent condition. And all in our group were having a wonderful time, and playing pretty good golf to boot.

Then, somewhere on the back nine, the fifteenth hole I think, but I'm not positive though I should be, considering what took place. After I'd lined up a putt and was about to strike the ball, I took my putter back as I usually do, while keeping my eyes on the ball. But, I found that my swing was cut short because I'd evidently hit something behind me.

Now, as anyone who's ever seen someone hit a putt, even the most inexperienced observer knows that when golfers hit any golf stroke, much less a putt, there's never anyone, or anything close by. And certainly nothing that a swinging putter could hit. Consequently, when my putting stroke was blocked from behind, I had a moment of complete confusion, perhaps shock, and sort of froze before recapturing my senses.

Almost instantly later, the other three guys with me began laughing loudly, adding to my confusion.

A moment later, still in my putting stance, I finally turned my head to the right and was astounded to see this enormous white duck standing about two feet away, right on my putting stroke's path. So, obviously, when taking my club back, I'd hit the duck.

What had happened was, this bird was evidently fascinated by my golf shoes, which were bright white and had flaps that covered the laces and gently moved in the breeze. And not only was this duck somehow driven to get at my footwear, no matter what we did, it wouldn't give up. Yelling and screaming "beat it" an "shoo" didn't work, nor did arm waving or gentle prods with golf club handles, or flapping of towels. No matter what we tried, or how far we pushed this determined duck, within moments it was back.

As I sit here and type, I really don't remember if I ever finished out on that hole, or gave up trying to putt. And, all in all, we had a strange kind of fun due to the highly unusual circumstance of someone losing a hole to a duck. But, when the round was over, since the scene was so odd, we went into the pro-shop to tell the tale to the resident pro.

After I'd related the story, and mentioned that we'd tried everything we could think of to rid ourselves of this pest, the pro asked something like: "Can you read sir?" When I assured him I could, he asked us to accompany him back to the golf hole, which we did, clambering back into carts. And there, right next to the the green, on a tree we obviously hadn't noticed, was very a large sign with very big letters hanging over a can of dried corn kernels. What the sign said was: "Feed the duck!"

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Thursday, January 6, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/6/2011

There seems to be very little doubt that the president is moving to the right politically, especially regarding economic policy, because if he doesn't, he's finished and he knows it. It's also not very surprising. Because politicians as a rule have no hard and fast beliefs, they'll say and do anything they think will get them elected and keep them in office. But what's most surprising to me is how the hard core left objects to his changing horses in midstream.

I really don't know much about politics itself, nor really care about the subject either, but since so much of what politicians do affects us all so greatly, I do try to stay tuned in. And that's why the folks on the left really confuse me. Because for the last four years, and especially the last two, they've watched their beliefs turn the strongest nation ever built into a fast-deteriorating failure economically, and still want more to be done to insure it sinks even further.

So, what is is about those on the left, and socialists in general that makes them abhor success? Why do they feel its tantamount to crime to earn and keep the rewards of hard labor? Why do they want everyone to suffer equally, with no chance for anyone to rise above the rest, especially financially? And why are they blind to the fact that without capitalists to carry them, they'd all be dead or starving, because none of them are capable of supporting themselves?

What's even stranger to me is that those who the left support tend to talk a good game when campaigning, but also seem to be quite well off themselves. Because the top tier of the Democrat party is made up of very well-to-do-folks, as are much of their supporters, such as the Hollywood crowd, but that's okay with the rank and file. So, why don't the "masses" understand that, politically, they're being ripped off in spades and being buried in hogwash?

Fortunately for the rest of the country though, it looks like the worst is finally over. Because the president's only goal now is what it's really been from the start...reelection. And that means he can no longer go on pursuing policies and programs that clearly don't work. But, why is it that even he can see that, and that he clearly knows now how wrong those ideas have been, but those who urged him to pursue a course founded on failure want him to keep trying to do the country in, and why do they hate it so much?

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/5/2011

Read an interesting article today by Martin Frost, Democrat Congressman from Texas who served 26 years in the House. He says Republicans ought not expect incoming Speaker, John Boehner, to lead similarly to Newt Gingrich or Nancy Pelosi, both of whom were very strict, dominant characters who ran very tight ships. And from the gist of the article, I got the sense that he thought Boehner might be weak.

It seemed to me that Frost feels the Speaker's job calls for someone who appears powerful and takes firm command, and that he also felt though Gingrich and Pelosi were polar in their political views, both directed similarly as Speaker, exercising rigid control, helping them in their roles.

I, on the other hand, as a political outsider, only seeing Gingrich or Pelosi in their media bites and clips, formed a different opinion completely. I thought Newt Gingrich was a blow-hard, empty suit of the first water, with an irritating tendency to whine like a child, who came across as an ego-driven, self-important martinet. And as far as Nancy Pelosi goes, simply stated, she's a brain-dead dolt who married a fat wallet.

So maybe Mr. Boehner, who's far more low key, will actually take a more sensible approach. Perhaps he'll go after the issues, one by one, work toward getting the votes he needs for passage through hard work and dedication and leave the useless screaming and yelling and "me-first's" to someone else.

In the meantime, the last time I looked, Gingrich had to give his Speaker's post up because folks had enough of him, and Pelosi's party lost the House majority by the largest backlash vote in the history of elections. So perhaps those two's characteristics will do them some good in the future, because when you're out on the street, looking for work, I guess calling attention to yourself can't hurt, even if you're actually worthless.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/4/2011

Congress goes into action on Wednesday, and one of the first agenda items is repeal of the new health care law. And that's not really out of touch with public desires because, according to polling data, almost 70% want either major revisions or total repeal.

What I thought very interesting though, was why many Democrats are in favor of leaving the bill alone. According to them, too much hard work and effort went into passing the legislation and, therefore, the bill should not be touched. Yet, none of them has said much about the virtues of the law itself.

From their response I'd have to assume their idol was someone like Sisyphus, the Greek character who was doomed to pushing a rock up a hill forever, but could never get it to the top. He spent eternity wasting effort on a worthless cause, and, evidently, so do Democrats. Of course, that's really not too odd, because right up to and including Nancy Pelosi herself, very few of them read the bill at all.

In a nutshell the bill is designed to force the 70% of folks who have health care insurance to subsidize the 10% that don't. And in the process, require those who are primarily younger to purchase a product they neither need nor want. So, basically it comes down to redistribution of wealth, a basic tenet of socialism and the very opposite of the system that made our country the greatest on the planet.

Beyond that, there might be some further discussion on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," which was repealed by the lame duck Congress. Because, according to top military personnel in the field, it's far better if issues like sexual orientation are kept quiet, especially in combat where there might be ramifications. So, perhaps, once again bench jockeys have made decisions affecting areas they know little to nothing about, but really don't care because they're being politically correct, which has nothing at all to do with the real world.

Then there's the extension of tax cuts which Republicans want to make permanent and their opposition does not, which can be added to the decision to enter a new nuclear missile treaty with the Russians. In the treaty case, after making a huge amount of noise about how great the agreement is and how much safer the country will be, the Rusky's said they needed more review time and haven't been heard from since.

And what all this adds up to is, that all that's really been happening is a lot of political noise. Because the increasingly aware voting public isn't buying the hype and the smoke. And while the administration's pursuing it's agenda of social reform, the economy's continuing to tank. Which means that officeholders have, once again, completely missed the point.

And what that means is, that in the not too distant future the unemployment number's going to increase by quite a lot, when all the incumbents from both sides hit the silk. Except, I'm not too sure if being voted of office is tantamount to being unemployed, because I'm pretty sure that to be employed in the first place, you have to do some productive work.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Monday, January 3, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/3/2011

The 112th Congress begins this week, and one of the first issues is the debt ceiling. It's now at $14.3 trillion dollars, and the actual debt is getting close at $13.9 trillion which is a pretty sizable chunk of change.

Now, there's this guy, Austan Goolsbee who's apparently really nervous that the ceiling won't be lifted. He's Chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, and is urging Congress not to "toy with" the issue. He said "This is is not a game," on ABC's This Week, and went on that, "If we hit the debt ceiling, that's essentially defaulting on our obligations, which is totally unprecedented in American history. The impact on the economy would be catastrophic. I mean, that would be a worse financial economic crisis than anything we saw in 2008. I don't see why anybody's talking about playing chicken with the debt ceiling."

So, in effect what I think he's saying is, the country's in huge debt now and has to pay back what it's already borrowed. But it hasn't got enough money to do that and can't cover it's current obligations, so the way to fix that is...to borrow even more.

The reason this guy's comments struck me is that I spent most of my career in the commercial finance business, primarily involved in working with businesses that wanted to finance or lease industrial equipment. Now, there's a considerable amount of knowledge you need in this arena, because financing's a pretty risky business even when you really know what you're doing. And, it's a disaster if you don't. Because it doesn't take an awful lot of bad deals to put a lender out of business. In fact, one of the proofs is, just look at at today's banking industry and the sorry hole they put themselves in out of sheer stupidity, ineptitude and greed.

But, for my point today you don't really need a lot of financial sophistication or knowledge. Because while there's a real need for some expertise to be a lender, the basics of the business are plain old common sense. And question one to any potential borrower is pretty simple: "How will you pay us back?"

Now, the answer to the paying us back question can sometimes be pretty involved, and that's where the sophistication, knowledge and experience of lender's kicks in, because they have to be able to calculate the odds of being repaid as agreed. But, no matter how much or little any lender knows, they all understand this much. If folks don't repay what they've borrowed, lenders go broke.

So, the first thing a lender would tell a potential customer that's financially strapped is that they've got to prove their creditworthy and if not, come back when you can afford whatever it is you want to finance. And, most often, the way to do that is to either grow income somehow, or most often, and usually the best -cut expenses.

And in that regard, I think this economics guy has the picture either upside down or inside out. Because the country's already proven beyond doubt it can't cover its overhead and obligations. So, step one shouldn't be borrowing more funds and piling more debt on debt. The road to a cure is chopping out tons and tons of worthless waste, eliminating costly bureaucratic do-nothing departments, and ending hand-over-hand mindless spending. And, a good place to start might be to close down the White House Council of Economic Advisers and fire all those dimwits.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Sunday, January 2, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/2/2011

Gang Green's up 17 zip at halftime. Lot's of scrubs playing today in a meaningless game for both teams. But, not to worry, the Jetski's will figure out a way to let the Bills back in, and the game will go down the wire, scorewise, just like they always do.

In the meantime, the word is that there are enough votes in Congress to overturn the healthcare bill. And although that may very well may happen, it probably doesn't matter. Because, since no real homework was done before passage, the Dem's didn't know that there isn't enough available funding, through taxes and the budget, to pay for the bill anyway. So, there's a very good chance it will simply destruct by itself.

The other major issue set for attack when Congress reconvenes, is the permanent extension of tax cuts. And that too, has a very good chance of happening. Then, the legislators can go on from there. But, the very best news for the population is, any new laws will be very hard to pass due to the redistribution of power.

And that's what everyone really needs because, except in times of war, a Congress that can't act, can't do any more major harm to the population.

That's it for today folks.

Adios.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

BloggeRhythms 1/1/2011

It's halftime for Penn State/Florida, so I have a few minutes to type. And the game's turning out to be not only good, which I expected, but different too. Because the Nittany Lions are playing much more wide open than they generally do. I expected lot's of run and gun from the Gators, since that's how they always play, but Joe Pa's surprising me. Maybe that's why he has all those wins.

I also clicked through the channels every time a commercial comes on, since I always do that no matter what show I'm watching. And I didn't realize it til then, but 'Bama's in a bowl game too, and eating Michigan State's lunch. It was 28-0 in favor of the Crimson Tide last time I looked. I have a warm spot for that team because that's where Broadway Joe quarterbacked, and Bear Bryant wasn't a bad guy to root for either.

So, for today, so far, so good. Last night was a bit of a downer with South Carolina losing to Florida State, but the Gamecocks aren't really a bowl experienced type of team. But with Spurrier back and focused again, this was hopefully a learning experience. As they say: wait til next year. We'll see.

As for now, I'm going to watch the second half of the game. I assume the half-time babble is over and the talking heads are back in their rubber rooms, or wherever they keep them. But, in closing, if Urban Meyer's last game is a loss to Joe Paterno, it may be very upsetting as far as the game goes, but living legends are hard to beat.

That's it or today folks.

Adios