Saturday, March 31, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/31/2012

Very little of interest to me in the news today, but while surfing the Net, I came across an article by Paul Joseph Watson of Infowars.com that he posted yesterday. And it was the title of a paper he reviewed that piqued my curiosity, "Climate Change Skepticism a Sickness That Must Be Treated."

The paper's author is a professor of sociology and environmental studies based in Oregon, Professor Kari Norgaard, who compares skepticism of man-made global warming to "racist beliefs" and she's labeled doubts about anthropogenic climate change a “sickness” for which individuals need to be “treated”.

Appearing at the "Planet Under Pressure" conference in London, she presented a paper in which she argues that “cultural resistance” to accepting the premise that humans are responsible for climate change “must be recognized and treated” as an aberrant sociological behavior. She went on to state that, skepticism of climate change alarmists -whose data is continually proven to be politicized, agenda-driven and downright inaccurate according to her- is like racism, noting that overcoming such viewpoints poses a similar challenge “to racism or slavery in the U.S. South.”

But, aside from the professor, here are a couple of statements put out by scientists behind the event. One calls for humans to be packed into denser cities so that the rest of the planet can be surrendered to mother nature. According to Paul Joseph Watson, the idea is similar to one put out last year "Planned-Opolis" at the Forum for the Future organization, in which human activity will be tightly regulated by a dictatorial technocracy in the name of saving the planet.

This was followed by a quote from another attendee, Yale University professor Karen Seto, who said: "We certainly don’t want them (humans) strolling about the entire countryside. We want them to save land for nature by living closely [together].”

In closing, Watson wrote: "Due to the fact that skepticism towards man-made global warming is running at an all time high, and with good reason, rather than admit they have lost the debate, climate change alarmists are instead advocating that their ideological opponents simply be drugged or brainwashed into compliance."

As for me, I have to admit that although I've heard plenty about the perils of global warming, I've never really paid a lot of attention to the details Because I think, basically,  the premise is beyond ridiculous. The planets been changing for millions of years by itself and humans just don't have the resources or smarts to make even a dent in Mother Nature's plans, actions and events.

Nonetheless, if what I posted above is really an example of what these global warming advocates are all about, it does raise a question I've never considered before. Because now I'm curious about where they come from and what they really want, since except for AlGore who's amassing a fortune from this gibberish, why would anyone consider this ridiculous subject at all?

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Friday, March 30, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/30/2012

The past two days were quite interesting to me because of comments made by two quite disparate people. One was Jeffrey M. Lacker, a renown economist and president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond Virginia, the other was John Ratzenberger, best known as Cliff Clavin the mailman on Cheers!

When interviewed on CNBC's Squawk Box this morning and asked about his thoughts on high unemployment, President Lacker said that over the past ten years job requirements have changed significantly in the U.S. Businesses, he said, have utilized significant technological advances to streamline their operations allowing them to increase production and efficiency while requiring employment of fewer people.

At the same time, he believes the work force itself hasn't kept pace with the skills required to operate, maintain or otherwise work with the continual streamlining of workplaces and equipment, primarily because the subjects aren't being widely taught. In conclusion, he suggested that perhaps the statistics on how full employment is gauged ought to be re-thought because, economically the nation's doing much better than the out-dated numbers suggest. 

Lastly, he also noted that bank credit itself also isn't as dismal as many suggest, it's just that lenders are being more careful today, as they should be. Which translates into the fact that well-rated borrowers have access to all the loans they need at very attractive rates, and its only questionable accounts that are having problems finding lenders. In fact, he stated, to that extent, it's bankers whom are frustrated because they can't find enough worthy prospects. 

Now, along the same lines, I came across an interview of John Ratzenberger on Fox's morning news show where he was approaching the same subject as Fed president Lacker, but from a different direction. Because, while Ratzenbrger also believes there are plenty of jobs in the nation, and knows that there's lack of qualified folks to fill them, he's now focused on providing the severely needed education through a program called M.O.S.T.

M.O.S.T. teaches skills in a wide-range of front line production jobs including: Machine Operation, Shop Math, Blueprint Reading, Metrology, Lean to Green Manufacturing, CNC Operation, Welding and others.

So here we have two front-line opinions, observations and suggested solutions for core problems in the nation's business environment from informed, hands-on people who are trying to help the recovery. However, what their findings and ideas point out most specifically to me is the reinforcement of the fact that our educational system not only completely misses the boat, it doesn't even see the water.

As for myself, I'm not at all surprised that we have a system which knows nothing about the ramifications or needs brought about by changing technologies, systems and required skills because it's been many, many years since government or unions had any concern about any kind of education. Today their focus is all about how little can be done to receive the most money and benefits for the least amount of hours spent dong practically nothing. So, once again, the problem has nothing to do with the subject itself, education, it comes down to the self-serving bureaucrats and politicians caring about nothing but themselves.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Thursday, March 29, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/29/2012

It looks like it's been a very bad few days for George Soros. On one hand, recent information regarding Rush Limbaugh's sponsors show that most of the largest ones have returned, despite Soros' move.on.org's efforts to have him tossed off the air. Then, the government announced that oil supplies are climbing, likely due to customers avoiding price increases for gas and driving much less than normal. The drop-off is quickly reducing the barrel price for oil, which had just spiked.

All this leads me to believe that Soros probably called the president and told him to step up his rhetoric disparaging oil exploration and production inside the U.S. to avoid lowering of import amounts from Brazil where Soros's business is located. So, this morning the president made his first public appearance since returning from Korea to call for the passage of a doomed Senate bill that would increase taxes on oil companies and use the money to subsidize green-energy initiatives.

But the most remarkable things to me were not only the president's refusal to try to help the millions of drivers being bled dry by the continuing high cost of vital fuel, but the words in his statement which were: “I’m not worried about oil companies. Wind and solar power … energy-efficient cars. That’s the future.”

So, I guess what that all boils down to is that even if his objective isn't protecting Soros investment in Brazil, he's perfectly happy letting folks suffer financially, seeing the costs of goods and services rise due to higher priced fuel while all the other modes of transportation increase their prices as well. Because, thanks to his wisdom, twenty or thirty years from now people will be travelling in environmentally friendly windmills or hot air balloons. But in the meantime, he really doesn't give a good GD if they all starve or go broke. 

That's for today folks.

Adios

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/28/2012

The health care case in SCOTUS heated up yesterday as the justices heard arguments about specifics of the law itself. And, according to Fox News online, the government's taking a "middle ground" position regarding the individual mandate contained in the bill, saying that "if it's struck down - something it doesn't think should happen-  then the two major parts of the law that are directly tied to the mandate would also have to go down. But it says the rest of the law should remain in force."

The parts that would fall, however, are the provisions instructing insurers to extend coverage to all people regardless of medical history and to offer affordable premiums regardless of risk. And it's these issues that are the very expensive benefits that "could not exist without the mandate's forced inclusion of additional (mostly healthy) customers who'll collectively cover the added costs."

As for me, in reading the last sentence above, I think it concisely states the problem with the whole health care law in the first place, because it illustrates clearly that the administration's goal is communism, pure and simple. And if this law's upheld it sets the stage for who knows what else? We've already seen what a world-wide debacle occurs when government decides that everyone's entitled to a mortgage, whether they have a dime in the bank or not or even a job. So, what's next?

I also now think I understand why Nancy Pelosi said she didn't read the bill before it was passed. Because even though I don't believe she's a candidate for Mensa, or even Ding Dong School, she's politically quite astute. Which says to me that she probably had somebody read the legislation to her beforehand. And when she realized what a disaster is was likely going to be, since she was forced to go along as Democrat Speaker of the House, it was better for her to look like an irresponsible dunce than a third world dictator to her constituents.

But no matter what the court's conclusion to this case is, it seems that the administration's got real problems. Because if the government wins the whole world now knows how far left it is and that it needs to be stopped, however, if it loses free enterprise comes out on top which is what our nation is all about. So, either way it looks like these guys in office are dead in the water.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/27/2012

Most of the news consists of the SCOTUS review of the health care law. However, since no decision will be made until early June, I think all the hype, smoke and noise regarding the case is a waste of time because no one has any clue -perhaps even some of the justices themselves- as to what the final outcome will be. So, that brings me back to the issue I've been typing about all week: Qualifications required to be President of the United States.

One of the most important issues I've mentioned to date regarding a leader is the ability to recognize mistakes, whether one's own or others, to learn from them and to use the education to try and make things better. That's why I pointed out yesterday, that I truly believe Romney's intimate knowledge of Massachusetts' health care is an asset, not a fault, because today he recognizes that universality in that kind of legislation simply doesn't work.

In that same regard I recall recommending the reading of Tony Blair's book, "A Journey" which was published last September and covers his life, politics and especially his 12 years as England's Prime Minister and the following few months after. And as I noted in my comments back then, I certainly knew who he was, because I saw him frequently in the news, especially due to his close ties to "W" Bush. However not very much else about him.

As I got into Blair's book and learned about what he faced in his political career, what struck me most was the way he approached one of the biggest problems in his nation -the deep entrenchment of social programs in almost every aspect of citizen's lives. There were generations of folks who'd never worked a day in their lives but were continually supported by others who did. And after studying the basics of England's economic system, Blair clearly understood things couldn't go on that way or the nation would soon be financially finished.

After his election to Parliament, and then moreso as its leader, he took each segment of the government's fiscal involvement and began trying to rebuild it. He removed outdated, unaffordable, programs and restructured them to modern standards, in many cases replacing handouts with incentives allowing folks to better themselves with the government's help. However, despite the benefits to all from his improving the nation's economic condition he faced huge opposition from members of his own party. And it wasn't until then in my reading that I found out he was a true bleeding heart socialist all the while representing the Labour Party, later changed to "New Labour" under his watch.

So here we have someone whose experience taught him that if you keep giving everything away with no incentive for people to help themselves, regardless of political belief's sooner or later you run out of funds and no can longer stay above water. And what's worse, creating significant debt to sustain existence leads to total economic failure.

However, Blair also realized that through sound financial management and elimination of programs that made no economic sense whatsoever, the total draining of the system could be averted. And beyond that, none really suffered if they could be taught the value of cooperation.

And so perhaps, the POTUS and Rick Santorum ought to buy a copy of Tony Blair's book and memorize the parts about how to rebuild and reshape a government that hasn't a sound economic basis. Because by turning England's failing economy around and holding social issues in abeyance until they could be afforded, Blair not only saved his nation he had the resources to help us win in Iraq.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Monday, March 26, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/26/2012

Nothing much in the news except for the Supreme Court opening it's consideration of the health care law, which brings me to the last ditch babbling's of Rick Santorum in his sinking campaign for the White House.

And, obviously, he doesn't have much to offer voters outside his limited appeal to the far right, so he continues to hammer Mitt Romney, particularly on that very same issue. And that brings me back to the subject I've been jotting about over the last few days regarding the great benefits of learning from your mistakes. Because experience is the greatest teacher in the world, provided that folks use the results wisely. 
  
In that regard, according to Richard Rainey, of The Times-Picayune, Romney spoke in Metairie, Louisiana on Friday and not only called for a full repeal of the national health care package, but also a replacement that would put the onus on states to design market-based health care markets, saying, "We'll learn from one another. We'll have good plans and bad plans and we'll compare them and states will ultimately select those things that will work best for their people. There are differences between states."

He went on to say that, "In my state, we had roughly seven to eight percent of our population uninsured. So the solution was quite different than, say, the solution for Texas where 25 percent are uninsured. Different states have to take different approaches."

As for myself, I see Romney's approach as mature, learned, and one that recognizes the value of what one has seen and done in the past. It also appreciates how much can be gained by adaptation to changing circumstances and cases. And I think that's especially important because right now we have a glaring example of the complete reverse in the White House where the incumbent precisely fits the famous quote attributed to Albert Einstein: "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results."

Therefore, I can only hope that both the president and Santorum keep yapping away within the narrow borders created by their inexperience and naivete, and as for Mitt, let him keep educating the public instead of  shoveling tons of useless political rhetoric. Because what the nation needs now is someone who really knows what he's doing and not a blabbering bag of wind.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Sunday, March 25, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/25/2012

Nothing much going on in the news today, except for Santorum's Louisiana primary win, which likely won't do much more than prolong his exit from the presidential campaign. But in scanning the net I came across an article quoting Ron Paul, by a guy named Steve Watson, on Infowars.com.

And although I've seen the issue discussed before, I thought I'd mention a particular aspect of Paul's arguments regarding Mitt Romney, because he, as well as many others, claim that Romney "flip-flops" on various issues which they deem terribly wrong. However, I for one, feel that flexibility's an asset, provided that mistakes are learned from or that additional information causes an intelligent observer to re-think previously held incorrect opinions.

What's more, and I've mentioned this often in the past, I believe rigidity regarding mistaken beliefs or assumptions is not only harmful, it's actually quite stupid. And this can be seen quite clearly almost every day by observing the actions of the current presidential incumbent. Because while practically every step the president's taken has proven to be very wrong, he not only hasn't learned a thing, he's actually gotten more rigid which is quickly making things continually worse for the nation in almost every aspect.

So, if I were Mr. Romney I'd make the public a promise that I'd carefully examine the actual results of my policies and decisions and where they prove wrong I'd do my best to change them for the better in the future. Because while talk is cheap and political speeches have no real value,  actual performance counts.

So the president and Ron Paul can stand firm all they want and never adapt, amend or waver, but in the end, putting stubbornness ahead of common sense and consistently repeating mistakes is simple-mindedness beyond comprehension.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Saturday, March 24, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/24/2012

Yesterday, I mentioned the considerable differences there are between campaign speeches and the real world and that if Rick Santorum comes unglued and becomes irrational over primary losses, he'd likely rattle completely when faced with important decisions as POTUS. And to me, that shortcoming clearly underlines the point that many amateurs, wannabee’s and never-was’es whom have no conception of what it takes to perform jobs for which they haven't the slightest qualification, still pontificate as if they were experts while remaining clueless. Which brings me to today's subject: Tim Tebow again.

In an article in USA Today on-line, the greatest Jet quarterback ever, legendary Pro Football Hall of Famer, Joe Namath, is quoted as saying "I think it stinks," talking about the Tebow deal.

He went on to say, "The Jets' embrace of Tebow, their excitement over him running a Wildcat offense, and their previous dalliance with Peyton Manning before he signed with Denver, can't help but undermine incumbent starter Mark Sanchez."

Namath continued that if he were in Sanchez's place, he would not be happy about being pulled from the field at critical moments for Tebow this season, because "That's not a pat on the back. That's a slap in the face. If I were there, I'd be pissed off about it. But still go to work and try to make things work. But not be happy about it."

Now, in contrast to Joe, in the same article a New York sports radio personality Mike Francesa noted on WFAN Wednesday, that Tebow is a "leading man" in every way: in leadership skills, in the media coverage he gets and the attention he draws from marketers on Madison Avenue.

So, on one hand we have a living legend in football at every level, from pee wee league to the Pro Football Hall of Fame explaining what a disaster the Tebow deal is and how harmfully he suspects it will affect Sanchez and the team, as opposed to some radio clown who likely doesn't have the coordination to tie his own shoes.

Consequently, to me this Francesa’s another example of folks who do nothing but shoot of their mouths without an iota of real experience or expertise to back up their verbiage. Yet, they promote themselves and pass themselves off as judges of others performance while having absolutely no real knowledge themselves.

And in that regard, Rick Santorum and all these sports "experts" are precisely the same. They haven't a whit of personal involvement, skill, or knowledge about a particular job, yet somehow have anointed themselves to the highest levels of critical judgement about it, which is ludicrous at best. But far sadder than these self-aggrandizing buffoons is anyone dumb enough to put any value on their worthless hot air, because if they believe what they hear from these skill-less windbags they obviously never suited up either.

That's for today folks.

Adios

Friday, March 23, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/23/2012

As regular readers of this blog know, I've said many times in the past that it really doesn't matter what people say or promise, it's only what they actually do that counts. And in that regard, yesterday, those who are astute learned a great deal about Rick Santorum. Because, although he might win the Louisiana primary tomorrow, he's running out of states and time to try and win the Republican presidential nomination. And that's putting significant pressure on him right now, which brings me to my point.

Whereas Mitt Romney's lead in states won and delegate count keep rising, it's becoming quite apparent that Santorum's strong "conservative" beliefs are not getting him the votes and support he expected. So, once again he made a remark that's totally outlandish by stating that there's really no difference between Romney and the current president. 

Now, to me, without listing the specifics making up the huge gap in ideology between Romney and Obama, much less any Democrat at all, Santorum's suggestion is totally off the mark. However, I think it demonstrates much more than that. Because what it really illustrates is that when in trouble, Santorum reacts like a spoiled child not getting what he wants resulting in extremely immature behavior.

And in this case, the most important aspect of it all is that this is a presidential campaign. Therefore, the winner has a very good chance of becoming the leader of the greatest nation on Earth. And I, for one, believe that that person must not only be mature and able to remain calm.cool and collected under pressure, he has to be able to rise above the rest when tested.

Consequently, if someone rattles as easily as Santorum, and can do no better that try to insult and slander an opponent who's proving almost impossible to beat on merit, I think Santorum's got his descriptions mixed up. Because it isn't Mitt who's acting like the fumbling, bumbling fool Obama is under pressure, that's being done by Santorum himself.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Thursday, March 22, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/22/2012

Reports from France say the Al Queda gunman who terrorized Toulouse and Montauban in France, killing seven people, jumped out of his bathroom window last night and killed himself after a stand-off with police who had him cornered.

Now, obviously I wasn't there and have no clue as to what really went on, but if I had to bet, I'd have to think this guy had a little help at the end. Because I suspect the cops wanted to save taxpayers the cost of his upkeep in jail and then a trial in this tight economy and simply tossed him out in the street on his head without a second thought. Maybe I'll celebrate with a bottle of Champagne.

On another subject, I also noticed a blurb on Rush's Facebook link where he wrote "Nudge to the right produces Mitt's best speech yet - if he means it." And what that says to me is that even Limbaugh's finally waking up and smelling the coffee, realizing that hard line conservatism isn't cutting it with voters, even those who claim they're devout.

But more than that, if Rush doesn't accept that even idols like Jeb Bush favor Romney and continues putting Mitt down, he might find himself persona-non-grata at the White House next year. And that would really be something if the purported head of the movement wasn't favored by a president from his own party.

Nonetheless, if nothing else, Rush is a very, very bright guy, so I'm sure he'll keep covering his tail and eventually butter up in spades, especially since he surely knows half a loaf is better than none. And that's why slowly, but surely, he'll jump all the way in and make sure 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue will be open to him.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

BloggeRhythms 2 3/21/2012

This is a first for me, because I've never written two entries on one day, however today is absolutely unique.

I've been a Jet fan since they were the New York Titans and have gone through the very few good times, Broadway Joe and the Super Bowl win, and seen just about every game they've ever played. I was a season ticket holder at Shea Stadium, and sold my seats after the move to the Meadowlands. Even as die hard as I was, as a Long Islander, four hours in traffic was a little too much...even to see the Jetski's. But one game in New Jersey was enough for me and I never returned there.

Similarly, due to a friend of mine, I became interested in the University of Florida's Gators team quite a few years ago and have rooted for them ever since. Consequently, I've seen many great players and coaches represent that school on the field and viewed fantastic football. And then one day along came this quarterback named Tebow.

I distinctly remember the first time I saw him play, because the question I asked was...does this guy know there are ten other players on the team? In all my years of watching and playing football I'd never seen a ball hog like that and truly expected that pretty quickly his coaches, other team-mates and even the fans would make him realize that football's a team sport and not about only him. Yet, surprisingly, not only did he call his own number more and more often, he'd take a twenty yard loss before getting rid of the ball rather than hand it or pass it to somebody else and they let him.

Then. even more remarkably, the Denver Broncos drafted him last year and let him start for them, going so far as to change their offense to suit his me-first, me-only style. And I remember saying, this is different, this is the NFL, if he continues keeping the ball and running all the plays himself, some huge defensive player, or a pile of them, are simply going to kill him. As it turned out, at the end he got pretty beat up and caused the loss of his last Bronco game, but he can still walk which is a surprise to me.

Then along came Payton Manning this week and he accepted a contract with the Bronc's today. And John Elway, their owner, couldn't wait to sign an injured quarterback who might not even last a whole season due to his weakened physical condition, immediately blowing out Tebow. And I think that's no mistake because Elway not only was a super-star quarterback himself, he's an excellent businessman and knows that if he couldn't get Tebow to learn how to play the position professionally...nobody can.

Now, you'd think that at the professional level, coaches and owners know something about the game itself. Which means a guy like Tebow, regardless of his physical skills is a bad bet because his goal is personal glory and he's divisive to a team. So, in view of all that, what do the Jet's do? They sign this self-absorbed one-way street.

So, the reason I'm doing two entry's today is because it's a huge event in my life. Because it wouldn't have dawned on me in a thousand years, but I'll never watch the Jets again and that's a promise I very much plan to keep. Hello Green Bay and Pittsburgh, you've both just gotten a new fan.

That's it for today folks twice.

Adios

BloggeRhythms 3/21/2012

Republican representative, Paul Ryan, introduced his awaited budget plan yesterday calling for cuts in Feral spending of $5.3 trillion over the next ten years.  

And, as expected, there are many cuts to programs for the poor and elderly which would face restructuring, consolidation or reduction while much of the fiscal responsibility would be shifted to the individual states. Additionally a change in the tax code, eliminating many deductions and establishing only two brackets, would likely benefit the so-called "rich."

To me. there was no surprise in the plan at all, especially since many of its elements have been openly discussed for quite some time now. But leaving the plan itself aside and its specifics, what interested me most was the Democrat reaction which was exactly as expected. Because there was no call by them for a detailed review, discussion or negotiation, just an outraged cry and accusations of deceit, class-warfare, hatred of population segments amid all kinds of purported social discrimination. 

However, what the Dem reaction pointed clearly out to me again was the flagrancy of their agenda which doesn't seem to make an iota of fiscal sense and never has. Because, as they've seen vividly illustrated over the past five years, the nation can't keep continually giving money away on social causes. And not because of political beliefs at all.  It's simply due to the fact that the nation not only doesn't have it, the constant piling on of debt is quickly breaking the country's financial back.

So, my question for today is: When will these Dem's wake up and realize that there are fiscal issues that need facing by mature adults and stop crying like children whose allowances have been cut? Because you can only keep spending to the limit of what you earn and borrow, and after those resources are exhausted...the whole  nation becomes a Solyndra itself.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/20/2012

According to an email I received, the following's a copy of thoughts from Bill Cosby, no less. I'm sorry about the various typrfaces and fonts, but that's how it arrived in my in box and I thought it best to just cut and paste it in, because, if it's really from Bill, I think it certainly speaks for itself.

Bill Cosby "I'm 83 and Tired"
 I'm 83Except for a brief period in the 50's when I was doing my National Service, I've worked hard since I was 17. Except for some serious health challenges, I put in 50-hour weeks, and didn't call in sick in nearly 40 years. I made a reasonable salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, it looks as though retirement was a bad idea, and  I'm tired. Very tired. 

I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the  government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it. 

I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honor"; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers"; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Shari'a law tells them to. 

i'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must let Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries use our oil money to fund mosques and madrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in Australia, New Zealand, UK, America and Canada, while no one from these countries are allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia or any other Arab country to teach love and tolerance.. 

I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate.

I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses or stick a needle in their arm while they tried to fight it off? 

I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of all parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful  mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught. I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor. 

I'm really tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems. 

I'm also tired and fed up with seeing young men and women in their teens and early 20's be-deck them selves in tattoos and face studs, thereby making themselves un-employable and claiming money from the Government. 

Yes, I'm damn tired. But I'm also glad to be 83.. Because, mostly, I'm not going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for my granddaughter and their children. Thank God I'm on the way out and not on the way in.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Monday, March 19, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/19/2012

Over the weekend Chris Christie said again that it's a mistake to elect someone from Congress to the presidency because they haven't the experience that hands-on governance takes.  And I agree with him completely, because the only difference between Rick Santorum and the current president is that their zealous beliefs aren't the same, but both do nothing positive for the nation.

And I, for one, am certain that Santorum knows nothing about managing the national budget, the military, foreign policy, health care, domestic oil exploration, tax reform or anything else related to putting the country on a solid footing again.

But, what he does advocate, and apparently has some expertise at, is trying to jam his social views down my throat. However, what I do individually, how I choose to live my life and my morals are none of his GD business.

So as far as I'm concerned, he and his personal feelings can take a hike. And I also know, as sure as I'm sitting here typing, that if he showed up at my house and tried to tell me how to conduct myself in person, I'd pick him up and throw him out bodily because I find him not only dumb and boring, but repulsive to boot.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Sunday, March 18, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/18/2012

I clicked on the Journal Editorial Report on Fox yesterday afternoon after noting a crawler about the administration's foreign policy. When I turned up the sound, I heard a few moments of a woman panelist's thoughts on the subject but, unfortunately, I didn't catch he name. However, here's what she said.

She very briefly made the point that she thought the current administration had no real foreign policy or capability in that regard at all. Then she went on to state that in contrast, the Bush approach was very aggressive to the extent that all threats were taken seriously and dealt with accordingly, including our incursions in the Middle East, such as Iraq.

As a result, she thinks, of all the harm and damage done to enemies abroad, and their having been held in check by Bush, the current administration has had the advantage of weakened opposition who today are lesser threats. This in turn, gives the president time to avoid direct involvement which camouflages the fact that he wouldn't know what to do if things heated up or military action was called for.

In closing, she suggested that all the incumbent really wants is for things to stay calm until November because any kind of real conflict would expose him for what he is, and although she was far more articulate and polite...I interpreted her meaning to be he's an inexperienced political hack in a job that's a hundred miles over his head.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Saturday, March 17, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/17/2012

The most incredible headline this morning on Fox announced new fears of inflation as particular costs continue rising in the nation. Because this should come as no surprise to those who read this blog, since I've been mentioning the subject for quite some time now. But what I still find to be astounding is that no one in the major media mentions the underlying cause.

And although I'm not an economist, and don't compile tomes of information to support my beliefs and opinions, common sense has been telling me for a long while now that if money keeps being taken out of citizens pockets to be sent overseas for oil, those dollars are obviously insidiously draining our economy. And what's just as bad, perhaps worse, is anything that has to be transported by oil-burning carriers, such as autos, trucks, planes or ships has got to cost more as well, to cover the increasing costs of fuel.

So, I don't think we really have "inflation" in the classical sense, instead we have the results of an administration dedicated to the payback of those who put them in office. And since it was the funds raised and contributed by owners of foreign fuel sources, coupled with environmentalists, their lobbyists and lawyers that greatly enabled the administration's win in the first place, their dedication to paying back those to whom they're indebted certainly makes sense as well.

But what I really have trouble in grasping is why the media, who understands all of this without doubt, continually goes out of their way to cover it up. Because what's going on isn't in any way shape or form good for the country, instead it's incredibly harmful. And while I can absolutely understand media bias towards a particular political party or ideal, I'm simply unable to fathom their willingness to conjoin with self-servers who wish to help or enrich nobody but themselves.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Friday, March 16, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/16/2012

Browsing Drudge I came across a CNN taped interview of David Axelrod on "Out Front with Erin Burnett" which aired last night.

In it, Axelrod explains why he thinks the festering situation regarding negative and insulting comments toward women made by Bill Maher and Rush Limbaugh are different, boiling it down to the point that while Maher's only a comedian, Rush is the de facto head of the Republican party. Consequently, to him, Rush's words are far worse than Maher's.

The reason I'm mentioning it, however, is not so much about Axelrod's defense of Maher and total distaste for Rush, because that's to be expected, but because under the interview screen there's a listing of comments from viewers. And considering the typical bias of CNN, I was surprised to find that out of 45 postings, while only one opined that both guys were out of line, the other 44 strongly supported Rush.

There also seemed to be a consensus that Maher was receiving special protection because of his donation of $1 million to the president's campaign.

However, the most important thing to me was that if that many folks have negative opinions about a vociferous presidential supporter on a station like CNN, I think that indicates major disenchantment with the incumbent altogether. Therefore, no matter how much the press may want to cover it up, I think the guy at the top's in very, very big trouble voter-wise across the spectrum.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Thursday, March 15, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/15/2012

There's an article from London's Telegraph on-line headlined "Soldiers asked to disarm during Leon Panetta speech in Afghanistan." In it, the author, Raf Sanchez,  in Washington DC explains that "Around 200 troops who had gathered in a tent at Camp Leatherneck were told 'something had come to light' and were asked abruptly to file outside and lay down their automatic rifles and 9mm pistols. 

I mention it because I think it offers the best example of our military's low opinion of the current administration's foreign policy that I've seen so far. Because fear that our own soldiers might shoot the nation's Secretary of Defense says an awful lot about how far tensions have risen, and I doubt there's anybody who knows more about the subject than our folks in uniform.

According to the article, "Major General Mark Gurganus later said he gave the order because Afghan troops attending the talk were unarmed and he wanted the policy to be consistent for all. You've got one of the most important people in the world in the room." Apparently he insisted that the decision was unrelated to Sunday's killings, saying "This is not a big deal."

As for me, I'm sorry to disagree with the general, but this is the first time I've ever heard of U.S. soldiers being asked to disarm when a Defense Secretary showed up anywhere in the world and to me it certainly is a big deal. So my next question is, if administration representatives visit one of our carriers will they have to toss the armed aircraft overboard?

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/14/2012

The administration got some good news yesterday, thanks to voters in Alabama and Mississippi who gave Rick Santorum wins in both state's Republican primary elections. Because he may be the ideal candidate for Conservatives, but there's no way he'll beat the incumbent in next November's presidential election. And that's because he'll scare all hell out of the very much needed independents.

What's even more unfortunate for the Republican party is that the economic news keeps getting worse, which should increase their chances of victory -but only if they nominate Mitt Romney whom Conservatives keep dissing and trying to defeat. So, as far as chances of winning the White House goes, they're not only shooting themselves in the foot, they're blowing both their legs off with a cannon.

As far as the economy goes, there's some very interesting data which most folks don't often analyze, if at all, yet affects each of them greatly. First and foremost of course is the spiraling cost of oil, which can be vividly felt by the rapidly increasing cost of fuel. However, it's not only gallons of gas that now cost so much more, it's also raising the price of food, which has gone up about nine percent overall in the past twelve months. And then there's the whole area of transportation, from trucking to air travel and everything else that requires fuel which increases prices across the board.

Yet, despite the pinch that just about everyone's feeling the administration points to statistics to demonstrate what they deem improvement, such as a falling unemployment rate which is now approaching 8%. But, what they leave out of their discussion is the group of folks who've totally given up in frustration and have left the work force count altogether. When you add them back in, the number jumps to 9.7% unemployed and climbing.

The same goes for the current rise in the three major stock indexes which would lead to the belief that things are truly getting better business-wise. However, as it turns out a considerable portion of security purchases are being made by public company's themselves. Many of them are sitting on hordes of dollars they don't want to invest in an economy they don't trust. Consequently, they're taking advantage of artificially low costs of bonds, thanks to the Fed's continual printing of money, and are using the low cost funds to buy back their own stock for future sale at higher prices or mergers and acquisitions.

While the preceding examples are only a small part of the economic damage that's been done over the last five years, mainly due to Democrats efforts to suppress anything having to do with businesses chances of success, the overall negative affect on the general public has been huge. Consequently, the opportunities for a change in administration are also immense.

So, what's really a shame is that social conservatives don't see, understand or care about fiscal issues at all, right up to their "leader" Santorum who knows less about the economy than your average Cocker Spaniel. And because of their narrow-mindedness, they're just about guaranteeing the incumbent another four years in office.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/13/2012

The longer the Republican primary season goes on, and the more delegates Mitt Romney wins , the more his two main rivals strive to establish themselves as true "Conservatives ," hoping that will increase their appeal to those on the far right. Yet, as I've mentioned often before, the net effect of their efforts seem to me to be more harmful to them in the long run than beneficial.

Because while it's true there are many Conservatives in the nation, and certainly in the South, there aren't enough of them to carry a national election, which clearly establishes the need for a candidate to broaden his appeal. And this time around, just about every prediction I've seen concludes that for a Republican win, a significant number of independents votes will be needed. Nonetheless, Santorum and Gingrich willingly grab their brushes and paint themselves further into an idealistic corner, which shrinks their appeal on the broader scale.

In that regard, Santorum in particular is increasing his effort to prove just how he avowed he is in his beliefs, and is attempting to invalidate Romney altogether because, according to Rick, Mitt's record as Massachusetts governor wasn't rigidly conservative enough.

But, on the other hand, Mitt's track record shows that he did an excellent governance job, especially regarding the budget, employment and in management of the state itself. So what that says to me is, he's a guy who's been there, knows how the job really works and isn't simply a bag of hot air. And beyond that, he's also aware that leadership at the top levels is about trying to do what's best for all the people, not just a bunch of single-minded idealists.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Monday, March 12, 2012

BloggeRhytms 3/12/2012

Aside from the rapidly rising cost of gas at the pump, there's not much very much of interest in the news. I did notice however, that with each tick up in fuel prices the president loses points in the polls. So perhaps, folks just aren't buying his story that he's not responsible for the increased cost of oil, when the very facts of the matter prove that he certainly is.

Elsewhere I saw a story on CNN's website wherein Rick Santorum blasted nomination rivals for using teleprompters when speaking in public. Here's what he said:

"See, I always believed that when you run for president of the United States, it should be illegal to read off a teleprompter. Because all you're doing is reading someone else's words to people. Furthering that thought he stated that "prompters should have no place in politics" and said that people should know that a candidate's words haven't been 'focus-grouped' and that the words are the candidate's -not those of 'pollsters and speechwriters.'"

As for me, I think someone should tell Rick that a teleprompter's only a tool for displaying text. And that simply because the words appear on a screen doesn't mean someone other than the speaker wrote them. And along the same lines, I'd have to assume he also dislikes prepared speeches or notes on paper, because they're similar, if not exactly the same. The only difference is, that the technology of teleprompting permits speakers to keep their heads up and face their audience while talking instead of staring down at lecterns or scrambling through piles of notes.

However, I think Santorum's comments provide some valuable insight regarding him personally, because he obviously has problems accepting technological advancement which might explain why so many of his beliefs in other areas are so archaic.His thoughts also indicate that he'd prefer to rely strictly on himself in all cases, which sounds like he thinks he's either the absolute and only expert on all subjects, or a stubborn stick-in-the-mud that refuses input from anyone else, regardless.

In summation, if nothing else, I can certainly understand that there are folks like Santorum who don't understand how to absorb modernity or to let technological advancement help them. Most often, in my experience, those reactions result from either pure ignorance or fear of the unknown. However, in Santorum's situation, I truly think it might have helped him to have learned that just because he thinks some things others do are really terrible doesn't necessarily mean the devil made them do them.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Sunday, March 11, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/11/2012

In an article on Fox News website this morning,  I once again confirmed my belief that the average politician is either too dumb to walk and chew gum simultaneously, or too crooked to be permitted the power they wield over the public and should be permanently locked up. Here's what the first paragraph said:

"Democrats in Congress increasingly are putting pressure on Wall Street speculators to pull back from the oil markets, effectively blaming them for the unseasonable spike in oil and gas prices -- which has caused a headache for the White House as well as cash-strapped families."

However, as usual, they either have the picture completely upside down due to stupidity or blindness to facts, or are trying to dupe voters into blaming business folks who are simply taking advantage of a market being manipulated by Democrats themselves. Because, what these Dem's seem to have failed to notice, or are simply covering up, is that it's they themselves, and especially their leader, that are specifically responsible for the rocketing price of fuel.

The most recent evidence of direct curtailment of domestic oil production stems from the president's own huge efforts to kill or delay the Keystone pipeline, which by itself will pressure prices down. Then there's the year-long campaign to prevent the return of full-scale drilling in the Gulf. Tie those two factors to the continual increase in regulations, taxes and production hurdles resultant of pandering to environmentalists and you have a nation that's lucky to produce any oil at all.

It also becomes more difficult to lower prices when the Energy Secretary himself testifies before Congress and says he thinks gas at the pump ought to cost nine or ten dollars a gallon as it does in Europe, because he thinks those backward nations have the right idea.  

So, when you add all of these factors up -and they're only the ones we see on the surface- there's little doubt about who's responsible for fast rising oil prices, and it isn't simply speculators. Because traders aren't driving the market but are simply responding to the opportunity arising from the president's wishes to drive U. S. production down and pump prices up. 

Consequently, if the Democrats really want to see oil prices decrease dramatically they need to pressure their leader to back off, not the speculators. And if they want to do even more than that to help, they ought to try convincing their leader's boss, George Soros, to move Petrobras from Brazil and begin oil production in the United States. 

That's it for today folks.

Adios.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/10/2012

Scanning headlines this morning, I saw one from Politico on Drudge that I couldn't believe: Gloria Gone Wild: Arrest Limbaugh for his speech! I didn't know who it was the "Gloria" referred to, so I clicked it and read the story.  Here's what I found out.

Apparently she's an attorney named Gloria Allred and she sent a letter to the Palm Beach County state attorney requesting an investigation into whether Rush should be prosecuted for "calling a law student a 'slut' and 'prostitute' last week"

According to the article,  Allred said, "Mr. Limbaugh targeted his attack on a young law student who was simply exercised her free speech and her right to testify before congress on a very important issue to millions of American women and he vilified her. He defamed her and engaged in unwarranted, tasteless and exceptionally damaging attacks on her. He needs to face the consequences of his conduct in every way that is meaningful.”


(PS-I think you should read her first sentence carefully because I think it clearly reflects the dramatically decreasing knowledge level of today's "experts," especially the part where she says: "who was simply exercised her free speech " In that regard, I suggest this lady learn the English language, especially sentence structure and tense, if she intends to keep letting the press quote her because to me she sounds like a major league dunce, likely educated in public schools.)

As for the opinions she stated themselves are concerned, the last time I looked this was still the United States of America where we still exercise free speech. That's mentioned in the Constitution, and provided she knows what that is and also how to read -she can look it up. If not, perhaps she can find someone who can read it to her.

As far as Rush himself is concerned, I think it's likely he appreciates the attention she's drawing for him and the probable boost in his ratings. But whatever the case, that's where the final determination on what he said about the young woman will come out. Because if his ratings do increase, it doesn't really matter what this headline-seeking lawyer thinks, and if they go down, he'll have a learned a lesson from his public. But, no matter what temporarily happens to Rush, I'm pretty sure he'll remain at the top of  the heap for a long time to come, and the lady mouthpiece will remain an illiterate meddling wannabe for the rest of her life.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Friday, March 9, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/9/2012

As expected yesterday, I'm sure the president was quite pleased that an amendment to the highway bill to fast-track the Canada-to-Texas oil pipeline was defeated. But what surprised even me, who follows the oil supply situation closely, was that he personally lobbied Senate Democrats with phone calls urging them to oppose the bill, according to Politico's website. Even so, this time around 11 Democrats joined 45 Republicans to support the pipeline, and only the fact that 60 votes were needed for passage saved him from an embarrassing defeat

As for me, I understand clearly that the president owes his election win primarily to George Soros and moveon.org, and therefore does everything he can to maintain and support the importing of foreign oil, increasingly from Petrobras in Brazil. But what continues to confuse me is why so many other Dem's go along with the incumbent while watching American citizens suffer financially as foreigners greedily take money out of their pockets, hand over fist.


And while I certainly realize that folks like Schumer, Pelosi and Boxer are nothing more than totally selfish, uncaring political hacks who have some bucks themselves and generally have no interest in anyone else, I wondered about some of the others on the left. And then just yesterday I saw that Henry Waxman voiced an opinion.

Both Waxman and the president said that increasing domestic oil production would do nothing to reduce the price of gasoline at the pump. And after wondering what planet these two think average folks live on to try and sell them that kind of total BS, I looked up Waxman's bio. I did that because although I've seen him often enough to know that he comes on like a ferret after a dying sparrow, I actually know little about him personally, and here's what I found out.

As I should have expected,  after attending UCLA, attaining a BS in political science in 1961, he got a degree from their law school in 1964. He worked as a lawyer until elected to the California Assembly in 1969 and served three terms, then went on to Congress where, along with Congressman Howard Berman he co-founded the Los Angeles Young Democrats.

According to his own website, Waxman's legislative priorities are "health and environmental issues, including  universal health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid coverage, tobacco, AIDS, air and water quality standards, pesticides, nursing home quality standards, women's health research and reproductive rights, the availability and cost of prescription drugs, and the right of communities to know about pollution levels. As an example of Waxman's thoughts regarding tobacco, on April 13, 2010, he requested that Major League Baseball ban smokeless tobacco"

So, as I should have suspected, he's another one of these guys who's never worked in the real world, or likely seen it, a day in his life. He's also highly opinionated about things he knows nothing about from an average American's perspective and represents a district that's so left wing, none of his constituents know anything about it either. And yet, despite his naivete and gullibility to the realities of the nation's economy, his election to office permits him to add his effect to the dampening of the nation's well being continually.

The only good thing about any of this is that if I found these two politico's, the president and Waxman, so unconscionably biased against the good of our nation I have to assume many others will too. And although all the Hollywood types will likely keep Waxman in office, there's a very good chance the general voting public will toss the other one out.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Thursday, March 8, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/8/2012

Two items today, both of which have to do with differing points of view.  The first is about all the flap about Rush Limbaugh's loss of sponsors because of his remarks said to be disparaging to women.

In that regard, I simply don't understand what's so upsetting to people, because whether everyone acknowledges it or not, the situation for women in the U.S. has significantly changed. From sports at all stages, including the professional level in many, to Chairperson's positions at many Fortune 500 businesses, to politics, government, education, medicine,  manufacturing , the theater, music, the arts, even auto and horse racing and just about every other endeavor one can name...women now participate freely at their discretion and are not precluded from competing in any way, so long as they have the abilities and credentials which is the same as it is for men.

Consequently, if they step up to the plate and play in the game, why shouldn't they face the same conditions as men? And the answer to that one, I think, is that they shouldn't get special protection from whatever they might face because they're now equals and not some delicate, petite little flower to be treated with kid gloves. And I'm pretty sure that Nancy Pelosi, Hillary, Sandra Palin and Oprah are very good and clear illustrations of my point.

So, perhaps Rush's choice of words may not have been the best, but if the lady he supposedly insulted has problems with the heat, she ought to stay of the kitchen and learn to keep her mouth shut in public about her opinions. 

As for me, I stopped listening to Rush, among other shows, about five years back because there were more commercials than talk and I got tired of continually turning the sound down or off when they were played. And then one day, I just never turned it on again. But now, if sponsors keep leaving and there's less interruption, I just might tune in again, which means -perhaps the insulted lady was for me a good break.

Item two's about how the media's treating Romney, saying he's still not a winner because the others are still in the race. And while they suggest it shows weakness, as I've stated before I think the extended internal competition helps him. Because as soon as he has the nomination wrapped up, he'll have to direct his efforts at the incumbent president and I believe that with eight months to go, his arguments are subject to becoming boring and might simply burn out. Therefore, the longer the nominating process takes, the better it is for Mitt's chances in the general election.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/7/2012

According to the Washington Post, Dennis J. Kucinich, a high profile Ohio Democrat representative and two-time presidential candidate lost his House seat in yesterday's election. He was a major liberal icon, especially for the antiwar left. And that's what got me to thinking, because I simply don't understand their position.

While I'm certainly not a war-monger myself, and don't believe our nation should specifically create any kind of trouble, I'm nonetheless aware of what goes on in the world regarding international military action and threats. Consequently, I don't think it matters that there are people who don't want to get involved in any kind of warfare at all when it comes to other nations that do. Because appeasement, negotiation and sanctions simply aren't going to stop marauders and zealots whose goal is to do you, and/or your allies, in militarily, whatever the cost to them.

And far more basic than the preceding, is the fact that our nation was founded by warriors who won our freedom in the Revolution which gave us our start. And how would we feel, and what would our country look like, if we’d simply ignored World War's One and Two?

So, while trying to stay above it all and trying to remain pure and pristine sounds wonderful and wins the adoration of peace-loving folks who don’t wish to get involved, unfortunately in taking that approach, both logic and our own history say we’ll likely get overrun.

But far beyond any of that is the simple fact that one of the results, perhaps the most important one, of our prior military actions and our global strength at present, is that without them, those who are so strongly anti-war wouldn’t have the protections needed to so loudly voice those opinions in public at all.

That’s it for today folks.

Adios

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/6/2012

A headline this morning on Fox News' website, and a similar one on the Drudge Report, caused me to  re-read both items several times to be sure I was clear on the subject matter -because it was such a shock. But now I’m convinced I haven’t lost my marbles.

What completely surprised me was that, according to Washington Post writers, Peter Finn and Sari Horowitz, Attorney General, Eric Holder, stated yesterday that "the U.S. government has the right to order the killing of American citizens overseas if they are senior al-Qaeda leaders who pose an imminent terrorist threat and cannot reasonably be captured." And what that means to me is that the present administration may have finally done something that's in the best interests of the United States, which I find to be simply incredible, and to my knowledge -a first.

In a speech at Northwestern University law school in Chicago, Holder addressed some of the factors the administration reviews before deciding an individual represents an “imminent threat.” Including critical factors such as the “relevant window of opportunity to act, the possible harm that missing the window would cause to civilians and the likelihood of heading off future disastrous attacks against the United States.” He also said the president is not required by the Constitution to delay action until some “theoretical end stage of planning -when the precise time, place and manner of an attack become clear.”

As for me, I wanted to include Holder's remarks because I think it's the right thing to do considering how often I complain about nearly everything the administration's done for the last three years. So I think it's only fair to mention something they finally got right.
 
There was something else in the Fox posting though that really got me to thinking, however. Because it seems that civil libertarians object to the administration’s decision, believing that the Constitution's due process protections require the president to get permission from a federal court before taking lethal action.

And to that I have to ask, exactly who are these loony tunes and where do they come from? Beyond that, how much damage do terrorists have to do to our nation, how many of our folks do they have to kill, and how much peril do they have to put us in before we can retaliate in kind without giving these murdering SOB’s a day in court?

 
As for me again, I’d also like to find out exactly who these “libertarians” are and ask them where they think our nation goes wrong in trying to defend itself and its citizens from deadly harm, and why they hate the nation in which they live to the extent they do. My guess is there not libertarians at all but much more likely subversives on enemy’s payrolls, so while Holder’s finally chasing terrorists as he should, he ought to shoot them too.

That’s it for today folks.
 
Adios

Monday, March 5, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/5/2012

Determining subject matter each day, I draw on multiple areas of information, hoping to find issues and things readers will find interesting and entertaining. Most often, the material comes from my own experience, items in broadcast news and scanning of many websites. And today, a caption on the Drudge Report caught my eye.

Although the article I read has to do with politics, specifically Rick Santorum's campaign, it wasn't the politics that interested me; my curiosity piqued from the headline "Rick Santorum accuses Drudge Report of being a Mitt Romney cheerleader."

In the article itself in, MailOnline, Bryan Blunt, a director of a cable television company from Mesa, Arizona waved a sign saying "Drudge Backs Mitt. AZ Picks Rick!!" right in front of the stage at a Santorum rally in Phoenix on February 21st. And way back in January, Fred Thompson, a Gingrich "surrogate," said on NBC's Meet The Press that the Romney campaign "has Drudge in their back pocket."

Mr. Blunt went on to say that both Drudge and Fox News had now joined the GOP establishment. "Drudge was not part of the establishment in my mind until this election cycle. Now he is absolutely part of the mainstream media. He's not the only one. Fox News is guilty of it. When Rick had his trifecta on February 7th, I was watching Fox News and it looked like they all stepped in poop."


My thought about all of this, however, comes from a different angle altogether. Because the reason I use Drudge for information is that there's no political slant at all. His website's a list of headlines and writers that link you to almost any subject you can think of. So, if you really want another slant on things, aside from Fox you can click on links to CNN, CNBC, or The New York Times among a slew of others.


And that brings me back to my original point, which is the question as to why these Santorum supporters think that because articles on Drudge mention Romney wins and Santorum gaffes, Drudge is therefore a Romney fan. Because in reality, all that's been done is a printing of facts as seen by various reporters.

Consequently, I don't think these Santorum fans have a problem with Drudge; their dilemma really rests with their candidate individually who often tends to bury himself without anyone else's help at all.

And whatever the truth is about Drudge's alleged support for Romney, Bryan Blunt turned out to be wrong about Arizona picking Santorum, because last Tuesday, Romney won there by 20 points. Beyond that, this week Drudge also linked to a Hot Air article, "Lazarus Rising Again" that pleased Gingrich so much he publicized it on his Facebook page. All of which, I think, helps me make my case regarding Drudge’s neutrality.

That’s it for today folks.

Adios

Sunday, March 4, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/4/2012

While sitting at my keyboard this morning, doing some bookkeeping chores, my wife informed me that she'd just read yesterday’s blog entry. She then went on, in a rather loud stream of invective, letting me know beyond any shadow of doubt she thought I was a heartless, vindictive, chauvinistic SOB, having absolutely no regard for women. She was further shocked beyond belief that I'd use a particular defenseless woman's health care cost predicament to try to make a point about the upcoming presidential election.

When finally able to get a word in edgewise amidst her tirade, I tried to make her understand my theory which obviously didn't come through in yesterday's entry. Because although I'd clearly used the woman's plight to make my case, I was merely trying to demonstrate how Rush Limbaugh had gotten himself elevated to equal status with the president of the United States.

 Because the situation as I saw it was that both the president and his press secretary made specific mention of Rush, and their disagreement with him, which to me said that they both thought him someone worth doing battle with. And therefore, if he's gotten himself to that level, Rush has arrived at the pinnacle of status in politicking.

So, to reiterate, I didn't mention yesterday's issue because it was about treatment of women, or to address their medical insurance plights, I chose it because of its meaning to Rush. And in fact, it wouldn't have mattered to me what the subject of discussion was that got the leader of the free world to take a verbal shot at a talk show host.

Therefore, as a result, all I know is that now Rush has become even more of a talking point for the public than he was. Because he's just been given considerable additional exposure and his words now merit presidential consideration, and it doesn't even really matter what he said.

Because my suspicion is that Rush is bright and clever enough to milk this situation for all its worth and then some. And since long before it happened he already had huge influence among twenty million voters, the presidential endorsement will likely add millions more. 

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Saturday, March 3, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/3/2012

I'm sure that by now everyone's heard or seen some of the flap about Rush Limbaugh's negative and insulting remarks about Sandra Fluke, a Georgetown University student who spoke to lawmakers about birth control. And as far as the subject itself goes, it's one that's been an issue for decades.

However, what interested me most was not simply the issue, or the words used in discussing the matter.  I'm more focused on what I believe actually happened yesterday. Because although I think there's little doubt that Rush has had significant influence among Conservatives for about twenty years, or more, he's actually only a radio talk show host, not a government leader, politician, or elected official. Yet, nonetheless, he's now been formally elevated to a much more significant status than he's ever possessed. 

For a guy like Rush, who pontificates from behind his golden microphone every weekday for three hours, what better endorsement as a recognized statesman could he receive than a personal attack from Jay Carney, the presidential press secretary? And better yet, an even stronger one from the incumbent himself.

Consequently, as I've been mentioning for quite a while now, for those campaigning against the current president, I truly think that it's best to just leave him alone and not get involved with him in debates or any other kind of discussion. Because left alone, and as each day goes by, he keeps digging deeper holes for himself through his own actions. And now he's made the hugest kind of mistake.

By elevating Rush to the level of someone who is seen by the president as someone who's worth personally attacking in a publicized phone call from the White House, he's validated Limbaugh's opinions beyond any measure that Rush could ever do by himself and added incredible value to Limbaugh's comments.

So, although I have no idea at the moment as to how much yesterday's presidential error in judgement will help Rush in the future, I do know is that it was one of those things that when added to every other mistake made to date, will be long remembered by the president as one of those potentially fatal.

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Friday, March 2, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/2/2012

I can't believe that a blurb I saw as I flipped past Neil Cavuto's news show on Fox Business channel last night wasn't headline news anywhere on the dial. Not only that, I didn't see it mentioned anywhere this morning. And worse yet, I not only had to Google for the information I wanted, but found that candidate Gingrich was the only one who'd commented on the subject.

But anyway, here's what practically blew me through my own ceiling. Apparently, according to Gingrich, Energy Secretary Steven Chu said yesterday that he had no intention of trying to get gasoline to be less expensive and his goal was to get the American people to go to alternatives "and wants American prices to be about the European level, which would be $9 or $10 a gallon.”

After I read through Chu's comments again, I had to sit back and wonder about exactly what it takes to make people realize that this isn't some kind of glitch or joke, but that lunatics have actually taken over the asylum. Because the current president and his cohorts are steadfastly determined to reduce our nation to third-world status.

And without-re-listing the examples I've typed about for quite time now, its obvious that step-by-step, and according to plan our economy's being ruined. Because you don't have to be an economist, you don't even have to understand much about math to grasp the fact that at present, THERE ARE NO MASS ALTERNATIVES TO FOSSIL FUELS AND THERE LIKELY WON'T BE FOR YEARS TO COME. Aside from that, from what's happened so far to the Solyndra's of the world, and many other's like them, there may never be a viable alternative to go to.

So then, I think folks have to ponder what the real situation is here. Because beyond what seems like blind-eyed ignorance and abject stupidity, I think it's highly unlikely anyone could be vapid enough to diligently look for ways to sink a nation's economy and keep trying to dampen the public's hopes for no reason at all. And I, for one, haven't a clue as to what their actual goal is. But what I do know is, if these insidious slimes aren't stopped soon, the American economy's over for good. 

That's it for today folks.

Adios

Thursday, March 1, 2012

BloggeRhythms 3/1/2012

I'm not a fan of Ann Coulter, because frankly, her style gets on my nerves and I find her to be more of a screechy pest than a pundit, but there's no doubt she's pretty bright. That's why this morning I clicked on an article on her website from a link posted by Drudge, because the subject's one I frequently write about also -the demise of higher education in the U.S.

And it seems she has problems with Rick Santorum, because she believes he frequently fails to state his points clearly, or trips himself up by misstatements or mistakes in interviews and debates. She also apparently thinks he's often set up and prone to falling in traps designed by interviewers, because he doesn't always remember his own prior writings and statements.

However, what set her off regarding higher education was a comment Santorum made in response to the president's stating that "everyone should go to college." Upon hearing that, Santorum said, "What a snob!"

In this case, Coulter thinks Santorum's response was incorrect because he missed the point. Since, according to her, "It's not snobbery that compels liberals to promote college for all; it's a scam to manufacture more Democratic voters, much like their immigration policies." And that's where I agree with her absolutely and completely, because I keep making the very same point in many ways myself.

But the main reason I'm writing about her today is that she posted some examples of what a joke college curricula have become that I think are perfect but hadn't found myself. And here's how she put it: 

"This isn't the '20s, when only the upper classes went  to college. These days, every idiot who can scratch an "X" on his checkbook assumes hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt to make himself less employable by taking college courses in - for example - "Lady Gaga and the Sociology of Fame" (University of South Carolina, Columbia), "GaGa for Gaga: Sex, Gender and Identity" (University of Virginia), "Arguing With Judge Judy: Popular 'Logic' on TV Judge Shows" (University of California, Berkeley), "The Phallus" (Occidental College), "Zombies" (University of Baltimore), "Comics" (Oregon State University), "Harry Potter: Finding Your Patronus" (Oregon State University), and "Underwater Basket Weaving" (University of California at San Diego).

Now, although I 've reached my own conclusions about the devaluation of education, primarily in public institutions, and am convinced it's mainly due to the dumbing down of "teachers" protected by thuggish unions...today's illustrations take my argument one step further.

Because I've thought all along that the subject matter taught remained pretty much consistent, such as courses in grammar, sciences and math, however kept at minimal difficulty levels due to deteriorating skill levels of the instructors. But today, thanks to the homework of Ann Coulter, I've learned that today's "educators" are too dumb to even do that. 

That's it for today folks.

Adios