TAKE THAT, YOU *### SOMALI PIRATES!

Now you've gone and done it. Senator John F. Kerry (D-Fantasyland) is coming after you! Easily one of the more delusional members of a completely unconnected-to-reality body of legislators, Senator John F. Kerry has boldly and fearlessly warned the Somali pirates that if they don't cease and desist, he is, by golly going to come after them in his bunny suit! And woe betide them if THAT happens!

Dear merciful heavens, Senator, can't you just shut the f**k up!?

MORE THOUGHTS ON THE PASSING
OF BEAUTIFUL BABY CAKES

Further to the passing of the estimable Baby Cakes over this past weekend, I have had people say to me in the past, “He was ‘only’ a cat!” to which I replied then and would reply now that our domesticated animals have been and continue to be a gift of God and there can be no heaven for me where those animals aren’t present and honored for their many gifts to humankind.

Certainly I look forward to seeing the full panoply of pets I have loved and lost over the years, particularly the much loved and still-missed BooBoo and Rocky who lived to grand ages of 18 and 15 respectively. Amber and Cassis were two golden retrievers I well loved. Gigi was an utterly spoiled, totally lovable kitty who was beloved of my sister until she left us at the great age of 18!

It is no accident that convicts are frequently helped by programs that involve them with the care of animals of varying sizes. It is no accident that our seniors and infirm are helped by “therapy” animals – both dogs and cats (although Sam the Wonder cat probably wouldn’t ever qualify for that job – he’s entirely too unpredictable and grumpy).

Our domesticated animals provide companionship, amusement, unquestioning love and a friendship that is difficult to equal. They keep us connected to what is the better part of our nature because we have made them dependent upon us and we therefore owe them an enormous debt of responsibility.

When I spend time with the deeply shy pit bull Zeus or the ever needy Corgi mix named Harley at my sister’s house, I am experiencing the uncritical devotion for which dogs are so well known. When the utterly adorable bluepoint Siamese Tim comes and sits on my lap, I am honored by his affection (although truth be told – his philosophy seems to be “any lap in a storm”). When Sam comes and cuddles up with me in the middle of a cold and stormy night, there is more comfort there than just the physical warmth he brings to my arms – albeit 26 pounds of purring cat is one hell of a lot of warmth!

I think that, in many ways, our interaction with our domesticated friends brings out the very best in our souls. And so, when a beautiful creature like Baby departs our midst, we are diminished in a very painful and very real fashion.

Farewell, beautiful boy. I truly hope that you have found my handsome BooBoo and the rascally and deeply lovable Rocky and that they are easing your transition until we meet someday.

FAREWELL BEAUTIFUL BABY CAKES!

Fellow blogger and dear friend Sissy Willis and her husband, the estimable Tuck, lost their beautiful cat Baby over the weekend. He was a delightful fellow, dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him - either in person or through the blogsphere. There has always been something about a pink-nosed kitty that warms my heart! Baby was no exception.

Our love and sympathies go forth from me and Sam the Wonder Cat!

A Very Merry and Blessed Christmas
To You All

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." -Isaiah 9:6-7

PRAYER REQUEST

Five days per week, I spend about 3 hours daily with my friend Joyce - carpooling to and from our Washington, D.C. work places. During those commutes, the conversations are wide ranging, frequently funny, sometimes slightly insane but always provocative and deeply interesting. During the first 6 months of this commuting routine, Joyce frequently told hilarious stories on her husband Mark who is a West Virginia good old boy and a great deal more. Last January, however, the stories pretty much changed when Mark was diagnosed with a primary site brain tumor - a glioblastoma which is a particularly aggressive tumor. We've all heard a great deal about this type of cancer due to the subsequent diagnosis of the same tumor in Senator Edward Moore Kennedy.

At that time, Joyce was told that because it was a primary site tumor, complete removal of it was virtually impossible and that even removing as much as possible did have the risk of Mark losing his sight, his cognition or his ability to walk. As it happened, Mark came through the surgery fairly well (although he did tell the doctors in the Recovery Room that he had just had a hysterectomy - pure Mark humor to be sure) and has since been going the chemo and radiation route. He refers to his once-per-month chemo regimen as "taking my hormones" - do you see why he delights us?

Unfortunately, last Friday, Joyce and Mark received the news that the tumor had returned and now on January 20th Mark will be undergoing another brain surgery. He is not yet 60 years of age. He has 4 adult children who love him and a great many grandchildren who adore "Poppy" with good reason. His particular favorite is his eldest granddaughter, our beloved Jillian, who with her mother has lived with Joyce and Mark her entire 9 years on this planet!

Please pray that Mark comes through this approaching surgery with faculties intact so that he can enjoy whatever time remains to him with his wife of 38 years and his children and his grandchildren, as well as the assorted animals in the family - all of whom have unique relationships with him - and those of us who are "adopted" family and love him too. Of course I want Mark to have many more years of decent health but if that is not in his future, please pray that whatever time he has left will be free of pain and filled with love as long as possible.

I can and do say "God's will be done" but at the same time - I really hope for everyone's sake that the next year or more will be good ones for Joyce and Mark and their entire family.

AS IF D.C. RESIDENTS DIDN'T HAVE
ENOUGH PROBLEMS!

December 19, 2008 --

OPRAH Winfrey wants to be as close to Barack Obama as possible. Insiders say Winfrey has started a preliminary search for a home in Washington, DC. A nine-bedroom Georgetown mansion she's said to have asked about is listed at $50 million, but another source said, "She has never personally been to see it." We're sure Winfrey will try to swing by during Inauguration week. Her rep didn't return calls.

Another neighborhood to avoid! I'm sure the gawkers will be out in force once she's settled in - just what D.C. needs - more tourists!

WHY IS PELOSI PRODDING THE PRESIDENT?

WASHINGTON -- Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi called on President Bush to act quickly to prevent "the imminent insolvency of the domestic auto industry," as dismal new unemployment data surfaced Thursday.

Is somedamnbody looking for cover? The Democrats have a strong majority in both Houses of Congress and couldn't get the job done. I can think of no other reason for Crazy Eyes Pelosi to be trying to inveigle the President into doing her job for her except that - once again - she has demonstrated fully her incompetence and wants some precipate action of the President's to hide behind.

Don't buy into that loopey dimwit's twaddle, President Bush. It's a no-win proposition.

BUT WE HAVE TO LIVE HERE!

It is a little over a month until Barack Hussein Obama is inaugurated as 44th President of the United States of America. Whatever your feelings − pro or con − about the upcoming administration, kindly spare a thought for those of us who live and/or work around the District of Columbia.

*The District is a total of 68.3 square miles, of which 61.4 is land, with 6.9 square miles comprised of water. Permanent residents equal (as of 2006) 558,292. During the workday, the population of the District swells to 5.3 million people, and the District’s ability to deal with that influx waxes and wanes on an almost hourly basis. Suffice it to say, traffic is a nightmare during rush hour almost always, the so-called commuter trains coming into the city are only moderately reliable and the Metro is crowded and filled with far too many people whose rudeness is exceeded only by their poor personal hygiene! I’m not saying all, or even most. Just too doggone many. There are lots of buses but, at least on Inauguration Day, their routes will be severely limited.

*As a basis of comparison, Los Angeles, California has 9,948,081 people with a land mass of 4,061 square miles. L.A. is overcrowded and is not, in my view, a livable city. I know. I’ve lived there. Just do the math – with just a tiny fraction of L.A.’s land mass, we’re expected to provide for nearly half of the population of L.A. – probably for several days.

*Just for a start, what does D.C. plan to do about its numerous homeless, many of whom are elderly and/or simply mentally challenged (as in NUTS)?

*From what we are currently hearing, private vehicles will be forbidden in the District at least part if not all through the Inauguration weekend. So much for the “People’s Inaugural” since I’ve heard that ONLY limousines are going to be permitted. I know of at least two law firms overlooking Pennsylvania Avenue that are planning to have clients come to their offices on that date to watch the Parade. The Secret Service will have their hands full vetting the guests at just these two parties, and I’m willing to bet any amount of money that these two are only the tip of the iceberg. Are they insane? Do I really have to give my opinion?

*Four million people and 10,000 buses are expected. Wherever do they expect these people to sleep overnight? Hotels as far away as Richmond (well over 100 miles and remember the travel restrictions) have been sold out for months!

*How are they expecting this flood of visitors to be fed? It is rumored that hot dog vendors (a principle source of nourishment for many of us who work in the District because it’s affordable and pretty doggone tasty as well - but there are only about 300 of them at the best of times) are going to face huge restrictions and may not even be able to ply their wares. Those jumbotrons on The Mall aren’t going to be audible over the rumbling tummies of 4,000,000 hungry people who also – by the way – will have only limited access to porto-potties! Remember folks, you aren’t allowed to bring any WATER, FOOD, CHAIRS – nothing, nada, niente − with you on the day of the Inauguration for security reasons. Guess the restriction on bottled water will have an unexpected side benefit, eh?

*While we’re on the subject (and even if we are not), let’s talk about hygiene – if there truly is the gigantic shortage of porto potties that is predicted, where are people going to relieve themselves? The mind reels.

*I live in Fredericksburg, about halfway between The District and Richmond. I am off for the Martin Luther King holiday and on Inauguration Day and I’m taking the rest of that week off. I somehow think that it will take at least that long to get The District back to what passes for normal.

SOMETIMES A PRESIDENT-ELECT
JUST CANNOT CATCH A BREAK!

He hasn't even taken the oath of office yet and already President-elect Obama is receiving major bad press! It is true that, much more than Republicans, Democrats eat their own.

The cause this time? The invocation speaker for the Inauguration:

GAY LEADERS FURIOUS AT OBAMA

Ben Smith, Nia-Malika Henderson
Wed Dec 17, 5:59 pm ET

Barack Obama’s choice of a prominent evangelical minister to deliver the invocation at his inauguration is a conciliatory gesture toward social conservatives who opposed him in November, but it is drawing fierce challenges from a gay rights movement that – in the wake of a gay marriage ban in California – is looking for a fight.

Rick Warren, the senior pastor of Saddleback Church in southern California, opposes abortion rights but has taken more liberal stances on the government role in fighting poverty, and backed away from other evangelicals’ staunch support for economic conservatism. But it’s his support for the California constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage that drew the most heated criticism from Democrats Wednesday.

Disenchantment seems to be galloping in at a dizzying rate of speed! On the popular Perez Hilton gossip blog (don't judge me because I'm human), Perez came right out and said that this wouldn't have happened if Hillary Clinton had gotten the nomination! This may turn out to be the shortest honeymoon any new president has ever had!

Another Example of Journalistic Half Truths!

This time from Marie-Claire.com.

Not just money — gobs of it. Nicole Buffett's grandfather is the legendary investor Warren Buffett, whose $58 billion fortune made him the richest man on the planet, a mantle he seized from Bill Gates last fall. So deep are Buffett's pockets that when the financial markets cratered in September, the so-called Oracle of Omaha single-handedly buoyed Wall Street (at least for a day) by plunking down $5 billion on troubled investment bank Goldman Sachs. ("Canonize Warren Buffett," cried one headline on CNBC's Website.) But there's a bitter irony to Buffett's beneficence. Wall Street's white knight is also an unforgiving hardhead when it comes to his own granddaughter, whom he cut off two years ago after a falling-out. "For him to discard me like that was devastating," Nicole says matter-of-factly. "It permanently divided our family."

When Nicole was 4, her singer-songwriter mother married Warren Buffett's youngest child, Peter, a composer for commercials and films. He later adopted Nicole and her identical twin sister, who were embraced as kin by the larger Buffett family — especially Susan, Warren's first wife, an avid music lover and cabaret performer. "A lot of people don't realize that my family is full of artists," says Nicole. (Susan Buffett, who died in 2004, was an early buyer of Nicole's art and named Nicole one of "my adored grandchildren" in her will.)

Okay - so now we come to the truth of the matter. Nicole Buffet lives in Berkeley, California on $40,000 per year approximate income from selling paintings. She was "cut off" by Warren Buffet, a notoriously private man, because she ran her mouth about him in public. Granted, this doesn't rise to the level of ax murder, but WARREN BUFFET earned the millions, not this self-entitled female. She knew the deal from an early age because the education of his grandchildren - the complete education of each and every one of them - was paid for by Warren Buffet and each of his grandchildren knew from an early age that from then on they were on their own.

So what is the point of this article in Marie-Claire.com? Is she just whining for the sheer bloody pleasure of it? I don't know but this article raises my hackles to an appreciable degree. Listen lady, plenty of people manage to live quite respectably on $40,000 per year. And if you cannot manage your money to do so, that's not Warren Buffet's fault - or anyone else's for that matter. Poor thing - she doesn't have cable. Why should I care?

THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HMMMMM......!

Russian treason bill could hit Kremlin critics

By DAVID NOWAK, Associated Press Writer David Nowak, Associated Press Writer 26 mins ago

MOSCOW – A new law drafted by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's Cabinet would allow authorities to label any government critic a traitor — a move that leading rights activists condemned Wednesday as a chilling reminder of the times under Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.

The draft extends the definition of treason from breaching Russia's external security to damaging the nation's constitutional order, sovereignty or territorial integrity. That would essentially let authorities interpret any act against the interests of the state as treason — a crime prosecutable by up to 20 years in prison.

If we had this law, there would not be enough room in our prisons to accommodate the number of leftwingnut bastards who have trashed our current President due solely to Bush Derangement Syndrome. And yet, I don’t think any of us would – even though the vision of comeuppance is delicious – in any way want a law like this. And yes, our current situation isn’t really all that far away from it, is it?

WILL WE ENDURE THE SAME BROUHAHA THAT
SARAH PALIN ENGENDERED?

The 2-time mayor of Wasila, Alaska, and sitting governor of the state of Alaska was deemed by the leftwingnuts to be “too inexperienced” to join the McCain ticket as vice presidential candidate. Now this . . .

Caroline Kennedy to seek Clinton's Senate Seat
By MICHAEL GORMLEY, Associated Press Writer Michael
Gormley, Associated Press Writer 14 mins ago

ALBANY, N.Y – A person close to the discussions says Caroline Kennedy will seek The U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Hillary Clinton. Kennedy has told Democratic Gov. David Paterson she wants the job should Clinton be confirmed as secretary of State for President-elect Barack Obama.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity Monday because neither Kennedy Nor Paterson have acknowledged she is seeking the position. If appointed by Paterson, Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy, would hold the seat once occupied by her late uncle, Robert F. Kennedy.

Other Democrats seeking Paterson's nod include New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

Will the Sarah Palin standard of experience be applied to a woman who has not, so far as I am aware, ever held any public office, has never had an actual job and has nothing to offer except a political pedigree?

Yeah right – and the Pope is a 7th Day Adventist! The neverending hypocrisy and double-standards exhibited by our bretheran in the Democratic Party is almost excruciating in its depth and variety!

By the way,
"What limits the number of times someone can be elected governor of Illinois?
The US Attorney."

H/T Attorney Jack in Columbus, Ohio - one of the nicest and smartest fellows I know.

ONCE AGAIN, THE DONKEY IN THE

ROOM IS BEING IGNORED!

No, I'm not referring to Eddie Murphy.

The Governor of the State of Illinois has been arrested by the FBI and charged with multiple counts of corruption, alleged to include putting the soon to be vacant seat of Senator Barack Hussein Obama up for sale to the highest bidder. Nowhere in the article is there any reference to the fact that Governor Rod Blagojevich is a Democrat.

That's right folks - Nancy Pelosi can prattle on all she likes about the Republican culture of corruption, but we don't have Blagojevich or Rangel making a mockery of our pretensions to ethical purity and Mrs. Pelosi really should learn to keep her pie hole firmly shut. Nearly everything that emanates from the foul and festering abscess she calls a mouth is either incoherent or untrue anyway.

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING!

"Liberals voice concerns about Obama

Carol E. Lee, Nia-Malika Henderson Carol E. Lee, Nia-malika Henderson

Mon Dec 8, 4:22 am ET

Liberals are growing increasingly nervous – and some just flat-out angry – that President-elect Barack Obama seems to be stiffing them on Cabinet jobs and policy choices.

Obama has reversed pledges to immediately repeal tax cuts for the wealthy and take on Big Oil. he’s hedged his call for a quick drawdown in Iraq. And he’s stocking his White House with anything but stalwarts of the left.

Now some are shedding a reluctance to puncture the liberal euphoria at being rid of President George W. Bush to say, in effect, that the new boss looks like the old boss.

“He has confirmed what our suspicions were by surrounding himself with a centrist to right cabinet. But we do hope that before it's all over we can get at least one authentic progressive appointment,” said Tim Carpenter, national director of the Progressive Democrats of America.

OpenLeft blogger Chris Bowers went so far as to issue this plaintive plea: “Isn't there ever a point when we can get an actual Democratic administration?”

Even supporters make clear they’re on the lookout for backsliding. “There’s a concern that he keep his basic promises and people are going to watch him,” said Roger Hickey, a co-founder of Campaign for America’s Future.

Obama insists he hasn’t abandoned the goals that made him feel to some like a liberal savior. But the left’s bill of particulars against Obama is long, and growing.

Obama drew rousing applause at campaign events when he vowed to tax the windfall profits of oil companies. As president-elect, Obama says he won’t enact the tax."

We let these ignorant infants VOTE!?

Listen you dumb bunnies - he hasn't been INAUGURATED yet! And he cannot pass a law! He can propose that laws be enacted but then it's up to CONGRESS. Before you start bleating and acting like idiots, LEARN THE FREAKING CONSTITUTION, you morons! I have got to tell you, I'm actually having a scintilla of sympathy for the lad from Chicago! He's going to have his hands FULL come January 20th!

O.J. SIMPSON - CONVICTED FELON

IS OFF TO PRISON FOR A LONG, LONG TIME!

O. J. Simpson appears to be a thoroughly nasty piece of work. Lots of superficial and manipulative amoral charm there, but not a lot of depth or moral center. Kind of like a black version of former President William Jefferson Clinton, except that O.J. lacks President Clinton's brains.

From what I can gather, the judge in the current Las Vegas case issued a sentencing that was so complex that very few people are certain of exactly how long the minimum sentence for O.J. is exactly. They only know that it appears to be a minimum of 15 years. There is also disagreement on when he will be eligible for parole - either in 9 years or, again, 15 years. This means that O.J. won't be out playing golf and thumbing his nose at the Brown and Goldman families for a very long time and when and if he finally does get out of prison he will be between 70 and 75 years old. Good.

I have always believed absolutely that O.J. Simpson was guilty as hell in the 1995 murders and quite literally got away with murder. This conviction isn't much - but it's better than nothing. If nothing else it definitively proves that the man isn't really all that bright! Who tape records an armed robbery? I mean really!

PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA SETTING THE TONE?

Rumblings are beginning to surface vis-a-vis the so-called press conferences being held by President-elect Barack Obama. These rumblings clearly indicate that some of the bloom is already coming off the rose - and he hasn't even been inaugurated yet (assuming that he legally can be).

His demeanor is being described by some radio commentators as "somewhat aloof and imperial" and that is a perception of President-elect Obama that will not serve him well in future months. Note has also been taken of his disinclination to answer press questions beyond 1 or 2 at most.

Here's a tip for our putative 44th President - YOU work for US. And you are answerable to US. You might want to jettison the snarky attitude and start acting like the public employee you most assuredly are!

THE SUIT(S) TO PROVE THAT

BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA
IS CONSTITUTIONALLY ELIGIBLE TO BE PRESIDENT

12/01/2008
Obama Fomenting A Constitutional Crisis: Constitutional Lawyer Discusses Ramifications Of Controversy
By John P. Connolly, The Bulletin
Controversy continues to surround President-elect Barack Obama's eligibility to serve as president, and a case involving his birth certificate waits for its day before the U.S. Supreme Court. A constitutional lawyer said were it to be discovered that Mr. Obama is not a natural-born U.S. citizen, it would have grave consequences for the nation.

The fact is that Senator Obama was probably born in Hawaii, just as he has claimed. The more troubling question is why has he not put the matter firmly to rest, as only he is able to do? And so, the soap opera continues with a lot of government resources being consumed. Why? So he can prove his is bigger than anyone else’s?

Does he honestly believe that he is completely above any requirements to prove his eligibility? Is he just doing yet another middle-finger-salute? Is his arrogance so complete that he feels no necessity to respond to specific questions about his place of birth and his constitutional eligibility for the Presidency – and himself a so-called professor of constitutional law?

For the man who will have his finger on the nuclear trigger, this is not a schoolyard game, nor should Senator Obama allow it to continue. Either produce the damned birth certificate or admit you’re a fraud – but do it now and do it definitively so we can move on to either inaugurate you or figure out who in the name of hell is our President-elect!

MINNESOTA ELECTION RECOUNT IN VIOLATION OF BUSH/GORE SCOTUS RULING

And friend Paul has a post that should be read. Yes, as indicated by Kitty, Stuart Smalley is trying to steal the Minnesota Senate seat he didn't WIN. And violating Federal law in order to do it.

I AM TAKING A FEW DAYS OFF!

I am on vacation starting tonight at 5:30 p.m. until Monday morning 12/01/08 at 9 a.m. This doesn't mean I might not post something in the interim but I have a lot of pre-Holiday prep to do and I'd like to do a little recreational stuff as well during my time off.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

WE HAVE WON!

THERE IS ALWAYS A LOT

FOR WHICH TO BE GRATEFUL!

The miracle of happenstance and incredible beauty is all around us. I spent 10 minutes of my lunch hour watching a YouTube presentation of the exceptional figure skating of Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao, 3 time World Champion Pairs skaters from China, sadly now retired from international competition.

Think about odds. First, that these two exceptional people HAPPENED to be born within a few miles of each other in Harbin, China. Second, that they HAPPENED to be discovered by Chinese athletic officials looking for possible skaters. Third that they HAPPENED to coalesce as a team to the point that they are now or are about to be married to each other.

Chinese figure skating was, until very recently, somewhat of a joke. Then Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao became part of the competitive circuit and everything began to change. Certainly when they began, they were famous mostly for their exceptional athletic abilities. The sheer courage that permits Xue Shen to be thrown through the air at the height, velocity and distance her partner propels her is to me absolutely astonishing. The trust she exhibits, together with that courage, makes her one of my most admired people at any time!

His courage in coming back from what should have been a career-ending blown Achilles tendon, and at an age when figure skaters are starting to lose a step or two anyway, makes Hongbo Zhao another hero of mine. To come back and participate in the 2006 Olympics and then win the 2007 World Championships is the result of herculean personal effort. No nationalism nor ideology could inform that dedication to one’s art – because that is what pairs skating is in the hands of Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao.

The athleticism was first, but when they developed their artistic style, my how they began to shine! The exceptional unity of their presentation, the grace and flow across the ice is absolutely stunning.

I salute the pair of them and thank them sincerely for the many years of pleasure their skating has provided. You will be missed and I am enormously grateful that some of your more stellar performances are available on the Internet. Sometimes happenstance is a glorious thing!

MY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

On January 20, 2009, whether it makes us happy or not, the fact is that at 12 Noon on that day, Barack Hussein Obama will become the 44th President of the United States, and my president. No I didn’t vote for him but nonetheless, he will be my president just as fully as he will be the president of every single American.

Based on that, I have no choice but to wish him well and hope that what we think we have heard in terms of his rhetoric during the campaign will not materialize in his administration. In fact, for the sake of our nation, we should do everything in our power to help Barack Hussein Obama to be the best, most effective President he can be.

Unlike the Democrats’ 8 year tantrum since George W. Bush WON the Florida vote count and became our president (yes, dear leftwing crybabies, a number of independent recounts have conclusively shown that he DID win Florida and thus the presidency – nobody stole anything and get over yourselves already). I will not call my president by stupid and inaccurate names but I will not self-censor in terms of expressing disagreement. Hysterical loathing is counterproductive at the best of times and this nation has far too many challenges facing it right now. We cannot afford to be self-indulgent pouters operating from emotion rather than logic and clear thought!

I believe that this is my responsibility as a United States citizen. Nothing less, nothing more. I will not succumb to the hysteria surrounding our President-elect in many quarters, but I will show respect for him as the occupant of the office he is due to assume and will be an example of correct and proper behavior vis-à-vis a President for whom I did not vote. His greatest challenges may well emanate from his own Party in the persons of Senator Harry Reid and Representative Nancy Pelosi, two incompetents if ever such existed, and the extremists in his Party who wrongly expect him to be and do everything for everybody, without accepting the simple reality that he doesn't have that kind of power and will not have that kind of power. Our new president will be subject to and constrained by the U.S. Constitution and we must make certain that any programs or initiatives that violate that Constitution are rapidly defeated on that basis.

In other words, we must watch him like a hawk!

A GOOD FRIEND SAYS IT SO WELL!

"The Republican party is made up of people from lots of different walks in life. There are people who are Christians, Jews, Atheist, Agnostic, straight, gay, some are socially conservative, some are fiscally conservative...you really can't put a "one size fits all" label on us. I think, however, that most of us would agree that we already pay a LOT in taxes (despite Vice President-elect Biden saying it's "patriotic" to pay more taxes!), and don't see that the government has done a very good job in managing what we've given to them. I don't have at my fingertips the stats for how much the Federal Government has actually spent on welfare since the inception of The Great Society, but it's in the hundreds of trillions of dollars. What was once seen as a "helping hand" for people who were down on their luck, has become a "hand out" for millions of people...there are some families who are 3rd & 4th generation welfare recipients. I would suspect that the "overhead" in managing such programs far exceeds any actual benefit that goes to the individual(s) needing help.

It is correct that "helping others" is a core belief for Christians, no matter what the denomination. However, I think for the most part, private organizations do a better job at this than does our favorite Uncle. There are many groups that refuse to take money from the government because they don't want the government intrusion in what they do ... SOME, Central Union Mission, Salvation Army, The Smile Train, etc. Many refuse government help because they want the freedom to bring religion into the mix...they know that a person who has a drug or alcohol problem is going to need "something/someone/higher power/God" to help them gain control in their lives. The government tends to meddle when they are holding the purse strings and won't let the organization bring religion into the picture.The Bible does talk about our obligations to the poor, and has plenty to say about those who will not work (not cannot, but will not!) but this is not to be mandated by the government.

Most Americans are generous to a fault, not only with charities in this country, but around the world when disaster strikes. There are missionaries from many denominations who really do sell all (or almost all) and dedicate their lives to making the lives of others better. My Grandfather was a missionary to Africa. He buried his first two wives on that continent. My dad was born in Nigeria while his parents (my grandfather & his 3rd wife) served there for many years. After my grandfather contracted African Sleeping Sickness, the family was traveling by ship to Liverpool, England, where my grandfather was to receive treatment. Just as they entered the harbor, the ship was torpeedoed by a German sub. They were the only family saved in its entirity...my grandfather was lowered into the life boat in his wheelchair, and my grandmother sat in water up to her waist as they awaited rescue. She held my dad, just a few months old, over her head to keep him out of the frigid water...she was told it would be better to toss him overboard for a quick death than to try to save him.

Look at the number of young people who forsake the pleasures of the world and go join a monastery, convent, or other such outreach of not only the Catholic Church but other denominations. God expects us to build into our budgets monies to help others who cannot help themselves. There are some people, unfortunately, who don't want to help themselves, and expect someone else to do it for them. You likely didn't see the woman at one of the Obama rallies (it's available on you tube) who was beside herself with happiness at the prospect of Obama being elected..."Obama will put gas in my car, and Obama will pay my mortgage. If I help him, he will take care of me!" The government is far too free to throw around money...you only need look at the earmarks and pork that politicians haul back to their districts that help them get reelected every 2 or 6 years. A lib friend of mine lives in John Murtha's district...he told me that Murtha is thought of as a "god" in his congressional district for all the pork he brings there.

A poor person has never created jobs that can employ others...as much as we hear how awful "big business" is, think of the hundreds of millions of people who are employed because of big & small businesses ~ people who pay taxes, are good citizens, do for others, and help to keep other businesses in the black! I don't quite remember the exact stats, but Exxon (vilified so much) has approximately a thousand smaller companies that supply them with goods and services, and I think there are well over 1 million people who have jobs because Exxon exists. Obama's call to tax people who make over $250,000 a year is a call to stifle job creation and ingenuity. While that seems like a LOT of money to me, there are many small businesses that gross that amount.

Our dear friend, Bob, likely grosses (not nets) that amount...he pays himself, two mechanics, and his office manager, gives them a generous raise each year, and keeps up to date with equipment and book knowledge so he can be one of the best mechanics in the area. Part of his "giving back" is that he does all the work on the vehicles for the Montgomery Humane Society at his cost. That allows the Humane Society to spend more of their money taking care of animals, rather than putting it into vehicle repair. An increase on his taxes would likely mean a cutback on what he was able to do for others. I'm sure there are even more things that he does like this, but this is the one example that comes to mind.

When the Reagan tax cuts went into effect, instead of less money coming into the US Treasury, receipts exploded. It was no longer worth trying to figure out how to hide money off-shore, and people were able to use the extra money they had to expand businesses and hire more people, which resulted in more tax payers added to the coffers.Sharing with the unfortunate IS a core foundation of Christianity...the VOLUNTARY sharing of our money is a very good thing. When the money is taken from me by coercion, it's not money that is given willingly, and certainly won't be blessed by God if I don't have a good attitude. The other evening I heard a brief interview with Rev. Rick Warren, who wrote the bestselling book, The Purpose Driven Life . He said that it becomes part of our personal development when WE give rather than having the government taking our money & giving it away. I make it a goal to set aside pretty close to 10% of income to give to various churches and other organizations that help the less fortunate. I feel like a local agency (SOME, Salvation Army, Central Union Mission, Feed the Children, etc.) is in a better position to know who needs financial assistance, food, clothes, housing, than is a government agency.

I'm not saying that the government agencies shouldn't exist, but there are some real horror stories coming out of social welfare agencies...the latest is the 10 year old girl who jumped out of a second floor window at her home in Lusby, MD, and got to someone who could help her. Her foster mother had beaten her severely, and when the home was searched, they found the remains of two other foster children in the freezer. This took place in the past 4-6 weeks.One of my friends recently sent me this poem about taxes which I shall include at the end of this missive...at this point you are probably sorry that you asked a simple question. I guess it boils down to not wanting the government in my life any more than is Constitutionally mandated. I want the freedom to decide where I put my money to help others...not have the feds make that decision for me. When I make those decisions, I research to find out who will be a good steward of my meager means. For instance, The Smile Train can correct a cleft palate on a child in a third world country for $250, which gives them a new lease on life. Wealthy benefactors (Cindy McCain is one) pay all the overhead costs of transporting medical personnel, hospital space, etc., and the gift of any amount from someone like me goes 100% to the purpose at hand. Central Union Mission can serve a Thanksgiving meal to a homeless person for about $1.70. Operation Gratitude sends boxes filled with all sorts of things to our military overseas and in hospitals at Christmas time. There are so many really wonderful, worthwhile charities out there, just waiting for help from people like you and me.

As far as the idea of selling everything we have and giving it to the poor, who, then, will support us? If the lions were hungry, should we walk into the lions den to become their food? The problem is that selfishness is always hungry and self-perpetuating. I read recently of a Monastery where the men had taken a vow of poverty and a pledge to help the poor. Trouble was, they had no funds to help the poor. So, they developed products they could sell, and while they still live a simple, no frills life, they are bringing in hundreds of thousands of dollars per year that they can use to help others. There will always be those who, while calling themselves Christians, do not adhere to the basic tenants of their faith, but there are many, many more who go about life in their own quiet way, making life better for so many that they touch, either personally or via an organization in the community.

Here's the poem about taxes...At first I thought this was funny...then I realized the awful truth of it.Be sure to read all the way to the end!
Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the tableAt which he's fed.

Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.

Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for peanuts
Anyway!

Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.

Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.

Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.

Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.

Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers,
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid.

Put these words
upon his tomb,
' Taxes drove me to my doom...

'When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (42 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Sales Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recu rring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local TaxTelephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility TaxesVehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our nation was the most prosperous in the world.We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.What in the hell happened? Can you spell 'politicians????!!!!'And I still have to 'press 1' for English!?!?!?!?"

BIG HAT TIP to Piano Girl who shared this explanation of true charity with me.

BUT IT’S OKAY FOR

THE LEFT TO CALL
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH

“HITLER”?

Congressman sorry for likening Obama to Hitler
Posted: 02:38 PM ET
From CNN
Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

Rep. Paul Broun is sorry for seemingly comparing Obama to Adolf Hitler.

(CNN) — Republican Paul Broun is sorry for calling President-elect Barack Obama a 'Marxist' and comparing him to Adolf Hitler, the Georgia Congressman said Tuesday. “I regret putting it that way,” he told WGAC radio in Augusta, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “I apologize to anyone who has taken offense at
that.”

Talk about your basic double standard. It would be tragic if it weren't so damned terrifying!

AW SCREW IT –

LET’S TALK ABOUT
FIGURE SKATING!

Candidly, I am sick to DEATH of politics at this point. It’s nearly Thanksgiving and that means that the figure skating season is underway – not that you’d be able to tell from the television coverage or lack thereof!

Of the Grand Prix Series, Skate America (a dreadful bore), Skate Canada (likewise), and Cup of China are complete and the Trophee Eric Bompard is currently underway. The quality of skating on display is so far uninspiring – not that much of it is available except on IceNetwork.com or on NBC Universal Sports (not NBC itself – this is a special cable channel that carries nothing BUT sports but only on its own arcane scheduling agenda).

So let’s talk about my usual obsessions: dirty skate laces and dark roots. No – I’m even sick of those topics even though I still do wish they would disappear from view.

Let’s talk about the phenom from South Korea Yu Na Kim. She is exquisite and remarkable and perhaps being pushed too far too fast. In fact, I think far too many of the skaters, especially the female skaters, are being allowed to try too many difficult tricks far too young. The jarring impact of landing a quad or even some triple jumps can be extremely detrimental to the physical health of a skater when they are in their 40s and 50s or, as is the case with me, in my mid-60s. And I wasn’t even awfully good and still I’m suffering severe spinal issues! It's the falling on your derriere, folks! However, the particular “ace in the hole” possessed by Yu Na Kim is her coach, the still marvelous Brian Orser who is one of the most intelligent, thoughtful and, I think kind and gentlemanly coaches someone like Ms. Kim could be lucky enough to know. It seems to me that he takes care to maintain her physical and mental well being in a very careful manner. If I were a young skater and I could be coached by Brian Orser, it would be a very good thing. Clearly, I’m a fan!

Both Johnny Weir (Isn’t he a tad too old to be Johnny?) and Evan Lysacek have not even come close to peaking and the Japanese men seem to be setting the skating world on fire with their tricks. Their artistry is, however, woefully inadequate.

When are we going to see coaches absolutely forbidding their skaters to do that offensively ugly “leg wrap” on jumps. It’s awkward and should lose points for skaters every time they do it. What coach permits a skater to ever START doing that nonsense? Shame on them! Technique people, technique!

When are layback spins going to be done with consistent quality? Skaters should be losing points for improper free leg position routinely. I’ve done laybacks. I did laybacks when I could still barely do a 3-jump! And I did them correctly from the very beginning because my coach made sure that I did.

There are a lot of coaches making a lot of money teaching skaters to do things improperly. And there are some choreographers who are doing likewise by creating some of the most frenetic and unlovely programs I’ve ever seen. In their zeal to incorporate 47 positions into one spin, they have designed some of the most unlovely positions known to man! Folks, this is grand theft skater! And like Dick Button, I am so tired of seeing skaters - again, especially the female skaters, grabbing onto their skate blade constantly. Enough already!

So let’s start making our objections known, if in fact we object. The Olympics are in 2010 and it would be nice to send well trained skaters with attractive choreography and good physical conditioning who don’t fall on their prats every 12 seconds! I mean really!

THE PRESIDENT ELECT,

THE ECONOMY
AND ALL THAT JAZZ!

There is no question that the economy has serious issues at the moment, and has had for the past several months.

The Democrats created this crisis by forcing lending institutions to issue mortgages to people who were unqualified to have same. Two of my acquaintances, both of whom liberals and Obama supporters, are BOTH bailing on their home mortgages primarily because they were stupid enough to get in over their heads with ARMs. And hell, why not join the stampede, right? One of them was even miffed that she had to meet criteria in order to short-sale her current home come Springtime! That is an irresponsible attitude at best, particularly since both of them are capable of earning a good enough living to pay the damned mortgage themselves. It just doesn't fit their "aspirations"! Lord help us all!

The roller coaster ride that financial markets have become is very much at the doorstep of George Soros and others of his ilk. After all, that’s how George Soros made his billions of dollars in the first place. He has been quite blunt that he doesn’t give a damn who gets hurt when he has manipulated the markets in the past and I am willing to bet that he expects to benefit mightily this time. Certainly MoveOn.org has already served notice that they expect President-elect Obama to "fall in line" once he takes office.

In the meantime, groups such as ACORN have been permitted to run amok and create chaos during the 11/4 election, creating more instability.

The leftists have no intention of surrendering their gains in taking over our nation any time in the future. They have used our own strengths against us and have been enabled to do so because Republicans in the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives have been too spineless and too lacking in core moral values over a long period of time to put a brake on them.

And then there’s our President-Elect. I’m sure he is smart enough not to have authorized his campaign spokesperson to opine that he will be “ready to rule” on Day One, but my personal opinion is that for the next 2 years, with an unfettered Congressional delegation, we are in for a rocky period.

There’s no point in going elsewhere folks. Mexico is in the middle of a drug war and Canada has slid so far down the road to socialism that it may be 50 years before its people are able to free themselves, if ever. An island in the Pacific is fairly impractical, albeit attractive!

What we need to do right now, without any delay and even before the Inauguration of President-elect Obama, is begin rebuilding the Republican Party in a solidly conservative vein . We can begin by insisting that Michael Steele is elected RNC chairman and that Newt Gingrich is brought onto the board as an advisor. Newt is an ideas guy and grand at achieving majority. But once he’s there, he’s not the best at maintaining. That’s why Michael Steele is a far better choice. The site is RNC.org and I would advise hopping on over there and expressing your desires in the matter.

We need to start now to find and encourage solid candidates for Congress so that their organizations are in place well before the runup to the 2010 elections. To quote someone else, “Yes we can" – drive the left wing out of Congress and reestablish the rule of law and the respect for the U.S. Constitution in our nation. If we are successful and blow the wienies out of the House then even the most feckless RINOs in the Senate will take notice and begin to behave themselves! At least enough of them to keep the Dems in check.

We have 2 years to get things back on a more even keel in the Congress. As inept as Pelosi and Reid have proven themselves to be, and as inexperienced and inept as our new President will probably prove himself to be, it may just be enough time. I hope. And I pray.

GREAT NEW SITE!

I have discovered Paul Ibrahim - a really great site that I think you'd enjoy. Intelligent and insightful stuff over there.

GEORGE W. BUSH, 43rd President -

AN APPRECIATION

We have been totally blessed for 8 years by a great and good President named George W. Bush. Most of us failed to appreciate his greatness; all of us marveled at his consistent refusal to dignify the calumnies by firing back at the pinheads attacking him in childish and despicable language.

Through these 8 years, my genuine affection and respect for the man has become enormous. I was happy in 2000 when he was elected over the execrable Gore; thoroughly relieved in 2004 when the fraudulent poseur Kerry was defeated.

We have been blessed by God for 8 years and showed our appreciation for His bounty by ALLOWING the dialogue to be controlled by hateful people. Obama may be our punishment.

It would have served us right, at any time over the past almost-8 years, if George W. Bush had told us all to go to hell, decamped from the Presidency and just headed back to Crawford. But that would be untrue to the tungsten spine of a deeply moral and steadfast man who loves this country a great deal more than do his enemies - both foreign and domestic. They can demonize him all they want with their not-terribly-clever little epigrams like "chimpy Bushhitler" which only demonstrates how utterly ignorant of history AND the amazing character of the man they slander that they really are. They can speak vicious untruths about the current President of the United States, but he serenely sails along the course that he believes is the right one and ignores the jabber of the more-than-a-little insane class!

Never does our good President Bush dignify any of the calumny by a response. If he isn't leaving the Presidency with a duodenal ulcer, then God has been protecting the President's stomach lining as well as this country since 9/11!

Not only was George W. Bush betrayed by the Democrats who made a great (and fraudulent) show of patriotism after the 9/11 attacks, but he was betrayed by his own - the self-serving and spineless Republicans in the U.S. Congress. We didn't really deserve George W. Bush and it was definitely a gift of the Lord that we had him for 8 years. Barack Hussein Obama is really good at doing that passive-aggressive finger thingie - but despite how seriously it has been warranted, George W. Bush has never given "the finger" to the American people.

My prayer now is that, as has happened before, the presidency will be a transformative experience for Senator Obama. That’s my prayer, not my expectation based on his proposed Cabinet nominations and his actions since the election! God bless and keep George W. Bush, the United States of America which we all love, and all of us that we remain safe in God’s hands.

I'M TAKING A FEW DAYS OFF!

Time to take a deep breath, sit back and get some rest and then decide what steps I would recommend the GOP/Conservatives take in order to roar back in 2 years with a more reasonable version of the U.S. Congress. One thing that is a comfort is that Mitch McConnell will be the "go to" guy for us in Congress. He has proven pretty consistently that he actually does possess some cojones, something sadly lacking in our GOP elected officials of late!I'll be back by Monday. Meanwhile, keep on praying for our nation's future and safety from threats both foreign and domestic.

OKAY - I WAS WAY WRONG!

Now let's see if he can govern!

And let us pray as we've never prayed before that he is not the complete waste of time that he appears to be.

And next time I listen to Dick Morris, kick me where I live!

WHY OBAMA WILL LOSE TODAY!

Actually, there are a variety of factors that will contribute to Senator Barack Obama's defeat today. The first is that there are sufficient Americans who have not quaffed at the altar of the heretical messiah worship indulged in by the American news media and many of the Senator's dimmer supporters.

The second reason, one not widely discussed except in specialized blogs, is the abortion issue. The Catholic bishops have, this year for the first time, spoken out forcefully against Catholic candidates who are pro choice such as Senator Joseph "Rosary Joe" Biden and Representative Nancy Pelosi. This is a quiet dynamic that has received insufficient attention.

The third reason, again not being discussed, goes by the names of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, two of the most disliked politicans in Washington, D.C. Maybe they aren't disliked by their own constituents - but this country is made up of a great deal more than San Francisco values and the State of Nevada and in those venues, these two cretins are seen for the completely ineffective partisan hacks they truly are. The thought of a President who will not hold these two farceurs in check is unattractive at best.

Finally, there is the Bradley factor. Given the thuggish and/or intimidating behavior of so many of Senator Obama's supporters and his failure to condemn their actions (need we look further than the Black Panthers with night sticks standing in front of a polling place in Philadelphia THIS MORNING), is it any wonder that many people may SAY they are voting for Senator Obama when in reality they are simply fearful about saying that they are not voting for him? The woman in Florida who opined to a telephone solicitor that she would not vote for Senator Obama because he killed babies was turned in to the Secret Service. Supporters of Senator Obama attempt to intimidate radio talk show hosts in Chicago when they have on people whose views differ from those of the Senator. Reporters for newspapers that have endorsed Senator McCain are kicked off the campaign plane. Sounds like Argentina during the rise of Juan Peron to me, folks! Or the 1930s in Germany perhaps?

Finally, there is the matter of national security. Americans with even one functional brain cell know that they can TRUST John S. McCain to preserve, protect and defend the United States of America. Those who do not vote for Senator Obama do not believe that they can trust Senator Obama to do likewise.

I HAVE ALREADY VOTED!

Here's the deal . . . I was at my local polling station at 6 a.m. and there was a line out the door and down into the parking lot. A ton of people. However, as soon as the doors were opened, the line was ushered into the school where we were divided into 3 lines based on the alphabet. From there, the process went smoothly, although I did notice a lot of minority voters giving up and leaving before voting . . . possibly needing to get to work and planning to vote later (good luck with THAT). Polls in Virginia open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. We of the infamous carpool stuck it out because voting after work is not an option. By 6:40 I had voted and by 7 a.m. the other carpool members had voted. And the ginormous crowd had thinned down to something more closely resembling normality. However, when I placed my ballot into the OCR reader, I was ballot 152. Joyce was the last of us to vote and her ballot was ballot 282. So they had enormous volume and handled things briskly. When I was leaving the polling place to get the car moved closer to the door for Joyce and Linda, I ended up talking to a very very nice looking man in a suit (tipoff to me - I didn't fall off the turnip truck yesterday - I KNEW he was a poll watcher) about how things were going in there. He kept trying to wrest details of problems from me and finally I looked him right in the eye and told him "There are NO problems! It's running as smooth as silk in there. If some people didn't WANT to stand on line for a few minutes, that's THEIR laziness. I'm 66 years old and I did it and if I can, most anyone can!" Pissant lawyer.

WHY I AM VOTING FOR

JOHN S. McCAIN

I am not a John McCain fan on some levels. I consider McCain/Feingold to be fundamentally in violation of the First Amendment and, to my mind even worse, it has given rise to the 527s which have been, in my opinion, enormously disruptive and which have also led to the current atmosphere of poisonous animosity abroad in the land.

I will vote for Senator McCain because he is an honorable man. I will vote for Senator McCain because he is an ADULT. I will vote for Senator McCain because he will, above all other things, protect this nation’s safety and security.

While neither John S. McCain nor Barack Hussein Obama has, based on my criteria, ever held a “real job” – one in which an actual production of goods and/or services is involved – Barack Hussein Obama’s contribution to his nation’s betterment has been precisely ZERO. What bill has he written and shepherded through the legislative process? What positive contribution have either he or his perpetually petulant spouse ever really made to the betterment of their fellow citizens? From all that I have been able to glean on the sparse information made available on the man, he has been very good at TAKING from the bounty that is America, and just plain piss poor at giving back. Even his charitable giving, as detailed on his income tax returns, has been virtually nil despite his personal wealth.

John S. McCain has served his country his entire adult life, in one capacity or the other, and has made some sacrifices that are unimaginable, including 5-1/2 years in the Hanoi Hilton – something that his opponent wouldn’t survive for 5 minutes, so lacking is Obama in character or moral center! And Senator McCain and his wife are exceptionally generous in their charitable giving.

While Senator Obama has no problem with the killing of the unborn – or even the just-born, I believe it was Senator McCain and his wife who adopted a severely ill third-world child and provided the necessary medical care to make her the vibrant and happy teenager she is today. Would either Barack Obama or Michelle Obama have the generosity of heart to do that? Based on the fact that Senator Obama has family members living in abject poverty – both here and in Kenya – my answer has to be no.

Finally, I will vote for John McCain because of Sarah Palin. She is like fine wine and will only get better with the passage of time. On the other hand, Senator Joe Biden is a horse’s ass on his best days and it is unthinkable that he would be a heartbeat from the presidency! As unqualified as Barack Hussein Obama is, his selection of Rosary Joe Biden as his running mate is proof certain of his appalling lack of judgment!

We’ll be voting at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning in Virginia. Then we’ll drive in to work.

PLEASE BE SURE TO VOTE. Your lives very well may depend on it. And while you’re at it – pray for our nation.

FINALLY - THANK GOD THIS INTERMINABLE CAMPAIGN IS OVER!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

h/t Miss Doxie and Bo!

Brits certainly have a way with the English language . . .

"You have to pinch yourself - a Marxist radical who all his life has been mentored by, sat at the feet of, worshiped with, befriended, endorsed the philosophy of, funded and been in turn funded, politically promoted and supported by a nexus comprised of black power anti-white racists, Jew-haters, revolutionary Marxists, unrepentant former terrorists and Chicago mobsters, is on the verge of becoming President of the United States. And apparently it's considered impolite to say so."

Melanie Philips, The Spectator ( UK ) 10/14/08.

h/t Cousin Ernie! Gorgeous AND smart!

Catching Wild Pigs

A chemistry professor in a large college had some exchange students in the class. One day while the class was in the lab the Professor noticed one young man (exchange student) who kept rubbing his back, and stretching as if his back hurt.

The professor asked the young man what was the matter. The student told him he had a bullet lodged in his back. He had been shot while fighting Communists in his native country who were trying to overthrow his country's government and install a new Communist government.

In the midst of his story he looked at the professor and asked a strange question. He asked, 'Do you know how to catch wild pigs?'

The professor thought it was a joke and asked for the punch line. The young man said this was no joke. 'You catch wild pigs by finding a suitable place in the woods and putting corn on the ground. The pigs find it and begin to come everyday to eat the free corn. When they are used to coming every day, you put a fence down one side of the place where they are used to coming. When they get used to the fence, they begin to eat the corn again and you put up another side of the fence. They get used to that and start to eat again. You continue until you have all four sides of the fence up with a gate in The last side. The pigs, who are used to the free corn, start to come through the gate to eat, you slam the gate on them and catch the whole herd.

Suddenly the wild pigs have lost their freedom. They run around and around inside the fence, but they are caught. Soon they go back to eating the free corn. They are so used to it that they have forgotten how to forage in the woods for themselves, so they accept their captivity.

The young man then told the professor that is exactly what he sees happening to America . The government keeps pushing us toward socialism and keeps spreading the free corn out in the form of programs such as supplemental income, tax credit for unearned income, tobacco subsidies, dairy subsidies, payments not to plant crops (CRP), welfare, medicine, drugs, etc.. While we continually lose our freedoms -- just a little at a time.

One should always remember: There is no such thing as a free lunch! Also, a politician will never provide a service for you cheaper than you can do it yourself.

If you see that all of this wonderful government 'help' is a problem confronting the future of democracy in America , then spread the word.

If you think the free ride is essential to your way of life then you will probably ignore this post, but God help you when the gate slams shut!

In this 'very important' election year, listen closely to what the candidates are promising you !! Just maybe you will be able to tell who is about to slam the gate on America.


'A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have.' - Thomas Jefferson

H/T Piano Girl!

PRAYERS FOR OUR NATION

I received an email from my cousin over the weekend. He is joining with his own church (in Ohio) to participate in a nationwide weekend of modified fasting (except those with health concerns) combined with prayer on behalf of the safety and future well being of our nation, asking God to protect us from those who would wish us ill. I think it’s one heck of an idea and intend to participate. At the very least it will give me incentive to keep my hot little hands out of the leftover Halloween candy!

There is another Internet push to rally as many as are willing, asking us to pray for our nation at 9 p.m. ET each day. This is another worthwhile effort and one in which I hope you will participate. The more people besieging heaven on our nation’s behalf between now and the election is a very good thing.

In further news:

“This Sunday, all the parishes in the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington will pray the Litany of St. Thomas More, martyr and patron saint of statesmen, politicians and lawyers. We will ask St. Thomas More to intercede so all statesmen and politicians may be courageous and effective in their defense and promotion of the sanctity of human life. We hope Sen. Biden will carefully listen to the Church’s 2,000 years of testimony on abortion and that he will join in the defense and promotion of the sanctity of life.”

Most Rev. W. Francis Malooly, bishop, Catholic Diocese of Wilmington

Bishop Malooly is Senator “Rosary Joe” Biden’s own Bishop! I think of myself as a "constantly striving and frequently failing" Catholic and I think any Catholic who is making a sincere effort feels the same way. I don't think I know everything about my faith and so I am pretty much always moving forward with explorations of it. I find it somewhat perplexing that both Rep. Pelosi and Senator Biden seem to interpret their faith to suit themselves and tend to give the impression than they know more than the Church heirarchy about Church doctrine. Trust me guys, being a second rate politician doesn't impute or imply any kind of deep doctrinal wisdom. It is true that if I were to tell either of you (or Senator Kerry) to "stick with what you know", you'd have little to talk about - but wouldn't that be somewhat peaceful too? I'm just saying.

Our nation needs our prayers more than it usually does! And it needs you to vote next Tuesday.

UPDATE: Note to diabetics - I'd prefer that you not fast. And those of you, like me, who are will-power-deficient, give up something you really really love. I've decided that from Saturday at noon through Tuesday midnight, no coffee or chocolate will pass my lips. That, for me, is an enormous sacrifice!

A NEVER-TO-BE-FORGOTTEN MEMORY

In December 1958, as a result of my father's exceptional sales efforts during the preceding year, the three of us flew via Miami to Cuba for the Christmas holidays on a vacation paid for by my father's company.

To my teenage eyes, it was an awful place. Women rented babies from other women with extras so that they could beg on the steps of the cathedral. The Havana Hilton was extraordinarily lavish with live flamingos strolling around a reflecting pool in the lobby. We were staying at the Havana Riviera Hotel which had table lamps that would serve as floor lamps in my American living room and carpeting that actually was ankle deep. And yet, in the same neighborhood, there were tenement buildings so appalling that I wanted to cry when I looked at them.

The then-dictator Batista had two separate police forces. One policed only the Cubans and the other was there to protect the tourists, who were a source of revenue to the dictatorship. Traffic was, to put it mildly, terrifying and at one point I handed my newly minted driver's license back to my mother saying, "Maybe this isn't such a good idea!". She laughed but I wasn't kidding.

One morning my mother and I were awake early and decided to go for a walk. We got about 10 steps outside the hotel when one of the policemen who were charged with the duty of protecting tourists told us we must go back to our hotel and not come out on the street unless accompanied by our driver or my father, because we would be considered to be "loose women" if we were out there alone. In my very, very young and idealistic mind, this was absurd and offensive.

And over all of the other things that I found unlovely about Havana in those days around Christmas 1958, there was the constant uneasy feeling that something very very bad was about to happen.

I understood that the Cuban people wanted change - and I couldn't much blame them. But when they got CHANGE - what they got was the 48 years of misery (so far) exemplified by the reign of terror of Fidel Castro and his even crazier brother Raul. They took control of the Cuban government on the very day that we left to return to Ohio.

So I guess what I'm saying is - be careful what you ask for America. And whatever you do, be sure to vote.

THE INMATES REALLY ARE IN CHARGE!

The child’s view of the world is almost entirely black and white. To most children, an event is either good or bad, fair or unfair and their perception is simplistic for the most part. And despite the oft repeated canard that children are so “pure” or so “honest” it is my view that children are the ultimate in utterly self-involved thinking and behavior.

So too are liberals. The fact is that there are virtually no filters, nor is there any common sense or judgment involved in many (most) of their foolish and heedless utterances. They feel perfectly free to make the most inappropriate, insulting and outlandish statements (almost always completely unsupported by any form of reality) because they ARE the center of the universe and must be heard!

As an example, today on The View that paragon of useful idiot perception, Joy Behar, proclaimed that none other than Rush Limbaugh is a terrorist! This shows me two things pretty clearly. First of all, Joy Behar is a demented dunderhead who hasn’t got the foggiest notion of what a terrorist really is (Doesn't this dithering twit live in NEW YORK?) – else there is no way she could label Rush Limbaugh as such with a straight face. Secondly, like a child, Ms. Behar sees anyone who doesn’t think the way she does as somehow evil and corrupt. Not different. Not entitled to their own thought processes and opinions. No – if you don’t think precisely the way Joy Behar thinks (heaven forbid), then you are wrong and evil and must be labeled as such, preferably in shrill and emphatic tones. Ah, those tolerant liberals!

This infantile worldview of so many on the Left is both dangerous and obscene. And it occurs to me that the reason that many nations around the world look at us with some degree of contempt is not George W. Bush, but rather the fact that we tolerate and – in some cases – even respect these prattling nimcompoops!

Just a thought.

Heaven help us!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

The Anchoress has posted an urgent prayer request for a military family facing the unthinkable and indescribably painful:

I cannot tell you his name - but if you could storm heaven for “Beloved and his family” at this time - for miracles if God wills them, for peace and consolation if not. The need is great. Please keep these people “in your pockets,” so to speak. Perhaps offer something up for their behalf, keeping this in mind: Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church…(Colossians 1:24)

Certainly prayer for Beloved and his family, as well as all our active duty service men and women (including my family's beloved Navy Guy) should be (or should become) a routine and important part of every day. It isn't so-called journalists, politicians or "neighborhood organizers" who keep us free, but rather the military men and women who daily risk their lives in service of their nation's honor and safety. God bless them, every one.

WHAT BARACK OBAMA SAYS

And what Senator Obama’s campaign does are two entirely separate matters. That’s the only conclusion I can draw from the horrendous hit job on Cindy McCain in this Sunday’s New York Times – a rag with which I would not even line my birdcage – out of respect for the bird dung!

Senator Obama’s thunderous silence on the subject has been quite revealing, particularly coming from the man who prattled about “my wife is off the table” when even the mildest criticism was expressed about his eternally rancorous spouse Michelle.

When the Times goes so far as to contact 16-year old high school classmates of the McCain children to dig up information on Cindy McCain, using Facebook, they really are going way too far. In fact, my personal opinion is that when Jodi Kantor contacted these under-16-year olds he crossed the line into downright creepy behavior. There is a difference between true journalism and yellow journalism. The Times apparently no longer knows the difference and its reporters have the morals of the worst alley cat in the most fetid and festering alleyway of the most seedy neighborhood in a Calcutta slum!

Finally – can we talk about the sheer weight of the moneys being spent to achieve this office. One needs to wonder – very seriously – who it is that is willing AND ABLE to spend $600 million to achieve a job that pays $400,000 per annum plus some juicy perks? There’s something seriously rotten in this campaign and it doesn’t have thing one to do with anyone named McCain or Palin. Chicago politics has run amok and we’re all going to suffer for it. I suspect the rat shelling out all the cheese is named Soros, but that's only my opinion. I could be wrong - but I doubt it.

Finally, I continue to wonder - very seriously - if Senator Barack Hussein Obama could, on his own and without the presidency in his back pocket, acquire a decent security clearance!

THERE’S A REASON IT’S CALLED “PRAVDA ON THE POTOMAC”

I consider the Washington Post to be a completely dishonest newspaper, but some parts of it are more dishonest than others.

And I have no doubt that this “yellow” rag is “in the tank” for Barack Hussein Obama. How else to explain the most recent, utterly fallacious column written by James V. Grimaldi, who tries to insinuate that Cindy McCain is guilty of some sort of ethical violations because Verizon Wireless and AT&T installed portable cell phone towers to provide coverage at McCain's home in Hidden Valley near Sedona, Arizona. Mind you, Michelle Obama, the rabidly peevish spouse of Senator Obama is, according to him, “off the table” – but Cindy McCain apparently is not. Talk about your double standard!

What Mr. Grimaldi could have learned quite easily, had he been a serious journalist instead of a partisan hack, is that the tower work was performed at the request of the Secret Service, something which has been confirmed by spokesmen for the Secret Service who confirm Verizon's statement that the company only put in a temporary cell service facility near the McCain ranch in Arizona at the request of the agency.

According to the Secret Service: "We made a request of Verizon in I believe May that was covered under our contract and they did address our immediate needs," said Secret Service spokesman Eric Zahren.

Mr. Grimaldi, not only are you inexcusably biased, you’re lazy as well! A few moments of actual research would have shown that you were having a hissy fit for no reason. Was it worth it to take a "shot" at the Republican presidential candidate when now that you’ve been CAUGHT, it's clear you’ve made an ass of yourself? I suspect it is not the first or last time! I further suspect that you are suffering from that new disease known as MPDS (McCain/Palin Derangement Syndrome).

Bonehead of the week? James V. Grimaldi of Pravda on the Potomac!