Saturday, November 28, 2009

Affirmative Action Works!....Right?

"Bachelor's degrees make pretty good placemats if you get 'em laminated." ~ Jeph Jacques

I found this photo over at Trader Rick's blog.



Well, I've always said there is often a vast difference between education and intelligence. Ms. Brown proves my point.

What's really scary is the fact that this woman creates laws!

I read a bio on Rep. Corrine Brown.

She has a Master's degree from Florida University.

Really.

In education, no less!

(Rick, no offense, but are you sure you really want your name associated with a university that turns out such erudite graduates?)

If this is an example of the success of affirmative action programs, I have to believe I am right to oppose them.

Affirmative Action: Handing out degrees to complete idiots for decades.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

The Death Of America's Work Ethic

"God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into its nest." ~ J. G. Holland

The above quote seems to be what many people just don't understand. God provides and God answers prayer, but He doesn't make the things you need just suddenly appear out of thin air. God depends on His people, not His people's government, to do His work.

And, you have to work for everything you get.


This is why taking from the "haves" to provide for the "have nots" is not God's plan. Every man is responsible for both his own blessings and his own curses.

Many Liberals insist they are following the teachings of Jesus when they support wealth distribution, but this is not what Jesus had in mind when He told us to give to the poor.

Giving to the poor, as with everything else, is a personal choice, not a government mandate.

At least it should be a personal choice.

But our Government has usurped the right of the individual to make his own personal choice to give money, goods, services, or whatnot to help those less fortunate than themselves.

It is no longer a matter of personal choice.

It is no wonder, then, that many people are rising up in protest over the increasing governmental control of our personal lives and finances. People love their freedom, in this land, and in every other land.

Those who don't have never experienced freedom.

Health care is only the most current egregious example of Government over-stepping it's bounds.

To demand that those who have the money to afford their own health care or their own health insurance to pay the tab for those who don't, is patently un-American.

And, to back those demands with threats of jail time and/or imposing heavy fines is explicitly treasonous.

It violates the very principles upon which this great country was founded.

In 1776, our founders signed a document that enumerated the rights we enjoy as free men and women. Those rights are the right to life, the right to liberty, and the right to personal property.

All of these rights are contingent upon taking personal responsibility for one's thoughts and actions.

The current administration and the current United States legislature is attempting to take those rights away from us.

We cannot allow them to succeed.

We must demand that our representatives return to the founding principles that made this country the most powerful and respected country on earth. We must remind them of the Biblical admonition, which was understood and repeated by the freedom loving men who first settled in this new world:

The men who settled at Plymouth Rock in 1620 made that admonition the law of the new colony: "Those who do not work, shall not eat."

This simple admonition was the impetus which created what once was the American work ethic.

This nation cannot survive with out it.

We had it once. My father instilled it in me. His father instilled it in him.

When did we lose it, and how?

UPDATE:
I have had to re-enable word verification to my comment form due to spam comments directing readers to porn sites, escort services, viagra/cialis websites, etc. I am sorry for the inconvenience this causes, but it seems some unethical people just never learn.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Sunday, November 15, 2009

What I've Been Thinking About

"I feel like it's raining all over the world." ~ Tony Joe White

It's been raining continuously for what seems like 40 days and 40 nights here, but I have yet to see any arks floating by.

Anyway, today dawned bright and sunny and more like September than mid November.

The recent weather has brought this song to my mind lately.



I just thought I'd share.

Friday, November 13, 2009

I Am Now A Pro!

"im living so far beyond my income that we may almost be said to be living apart" ~ e e cummings

I am now officially a professional blogger. At the top of my sidebar is a small, unobtrusive advertisement. I do not endorse this service, but neither do I reject it, either.

It is simply an ad that I was paid to place here, on my sidebar.

I know nothing about the company except that they are willing to pay me for advertising them, and they have kept all their promises to me.

I don't know for a fact if company is legitimate or not, but their representative offered to pay me for the ad, and he followed through as promised. The funds were deposited into my Paypal account expeditiously.

I would assume, based solely on that knowledge, that the company is indeed legitimate.

So, if either of my readers should want to avail themselves of the advertised service, all I will say to you is "caveat emptor".

And now, I am placing a video of a song below that has been swimming around in my head for the last few days:

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Thank You, Veterans

"In peace there's nothing so becomes a man as modest stillness and humility." ~ William Shakespeare



My Father-in Law, "Doc", turned 87 last week. Still very healthy except for severe arthritis in the knees and his hearing is almost completely gone.

He served in the Navy in World War II, and his ship, the USS Colhoun, was sunk at Guadacanal. The USS Colhoun

When the ship went down, there were 149 crewmen aboard. Fifty one were lost, and eighteen wounded, including my father-in-Law.

"Doc" doesn't talk about the war too much.

I talk about Doc Johnson and his service to our country not because anything he did was particularly special.

The singular thing that strikes me about Doc is his humility regarding his role.

He says, "I don't see anything special about what we did in the war, we were just doing our jobs".

That fact alone is perhaps what makes Doc Johnson and thousands of other veterans special indeed, and why we honor them on this day. Without the unquestioning willingness to do their duty, and the understanding of their responsibility, in spite of danger and overwhelming odds, The United States of America might not exist as the most powerful nation on earth.

And the fact that this country is the most powerful nation of Earth is a testament to the courage and the diligence of the humble American servicemen and women who we honor on this day, Veterans day.

I don't think we can say thank you nearly enough to all of them, but once again, Thank you, Veterans.

Monday, November 09, 2009

The Gauntlet Has Been Cast

"Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway." ~ John Wayne

I found this information at Lone Ranger's blog. I rarely copy and paste someone elses article, but this is so unbelievably fascist in nature, I am linking to, and quoting from it directly.

I can't make this stuff up.

In a letter from the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT), released by Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee Dave Camp (R-MI), the JCT states,

"H.R. 3962 provides that an individual (or a husband and wife in the case of a joint return) who does not, at any time during the taxable year, maintain acceptable health insurance coverage for himself or herself and each of his or her qualifying children is subject to an additional tax"

(BTW, how much is "acceptable"?)

"If the government determines that the taxpayer’s unpaid tax liability results from willful behavior, the following penalties could apply…”

And...

“Criminal penalties

Prosecution is authorized under the Code for a variety of offenses. Depending on the level of the noncompliance, the following penalties could apply to an individual:

• Section 7203 – misdemeanor willful failure to pay is punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year.

• Section 7201 – felony willful evasion is punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment of up to five years.”

The cost of Obama's health care insurance, which we will be compelled to purchase whether we want to or not, is $15,000.00. I assume this is a yearly fee. I don't know if they will want it all up front or if they will allow us to pay for it incrementally.

I wouldn't put it past these Liberal elitists to expect payment in full and in advance.

I am not poor, but I am not wealthy, either. I cannot afford to pay for Obama's health insurance.

Nor can I afford the fine levied for not purchasing Obama's health insurance.

How is this plan supposed to make health care affordable for those who cannot afford health care now?

I get notices in the mail and over the phone all the time offering to sell me health insurance plans for much less than Obama is planning on selling it, and I can't afford them, either.

Frankly, this scares me. I am a law abiding citizen.

I am not a criminal.


If this information is correct, Obama, Pelosi, Reid, and company intend to criminalize my inability to afford health care insurance.

I will not pay them.

They have thrown down the gauntlet. They have challenged the strength of my resolve.

I don't fight back, but I don't back down, either. I stand firm.

At this point, I wouldn't accept the Government's health care plan even if it was free, and wasn't paid for with taxes, and I was dying of a curable disease. It has become the principle of the thing, now.

I do not intend to go to jail. I do not intend to pay any fines.

I dare them to try to force me to buy their Government health care.

I am not a particularly courageous guy, but when I get angry, I know no fear, and this makes me extremely angry.

They are in for a helluva fight.

Friday, November 06, 2009

Ruminations

"To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe." ~ Marilyn vos Savant

Just a couple of thoughts I've been ruminating about today:

Number 1: Since our Congressmen don't read the bills they vote on, I think some true Conservative Congressman should slip a provision into the health care reform bill that forces Liberal Democrat leaders such as Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and Barack Hussein Obama to resign from office, effective immediately upon passage.

I could support that kind of health care reform bill.

2. Prayers go out to the families of the armed forces members who were killed or wounded in the evil Islamic terrorist attacks at Fort Hood, Texas.

First reports were that the cowardly Muslim gunman was killed, but now we know he survived his wounds and is currently on a respirator at the base hospital.

If he survives, he should be given the death sentence, but since this is the home of the brave and land of the free, we must give him the benefit he didn't give his victims.

A fair trial.

This presents problems, because we know his lawyer(s) will argue he is not responsible for his actions, extenuating circumstances, temporary insanity, justifiable homicide, or any one of dozens of "legal defenses". And, he could win.

Personally, I hope they keep him alive but in a coma until he dies of old age. The man deserves death, but that would be too good for him. He deserves to live out the rest of his life as a vegetable, and in tremendous pain before he goes to meet his 42 virgins.

That would insure that he has no chance to be exonerated due to some heretofore unknown technicality.

No trial, no exoneration, and just punishment all at the same time. Perfect!

3. I don't care what Barack Hussein Obama says publicly about this local terrorist attack.

He's a liar.

I'll bet he's jumping for joy, celebrating one of his own, exterminating American soldiers. It's what he wants. It is a major part of his agenda, and I don't care if the Libtards disagree. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Obama is despicable.

4. One way to prevent further such attacks: Immediate in-depth investigations and subsequent dishonorable discharges (if determined subversive) of every member of the armed forces with the word "Muslim" entered on the "Religious Preferences" line in their records.

Racial profiling?

Absolutely.

So what?

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Sending A Message

"The character inherent in the American people has done all that has been accomplished; and it would have done somewhat more, if the government had not sometimes got in its way." ~ Henry David Thoreau

Probably, by now, both of my readers have learned of the Republican victories in yesterday's Gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey.

Here in Virginia, the Republican party made a clean sweep, winning the Governors race, as well as Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General.

This makes me very happy. I believe it's the first time since I've been voting that all the candidates I voted for have won.

In New Jersey, the mostly Liberal Democrat and "moderate" voters have joined with Republicans to oust corruption plagued Governor Corzine, and install a Republican Governor.

I was at work when my wife called me and told me of the Republican victory in Virginia. My boss was standing nearby when I received the call, and he looked at me with a quizzical expression when I disconnected. When I told him the news, he responded, "It's not surprising. Obama has screwed up this country so much, it's no wonder people are voting Republican. They will vote for Republicans in the next Presidential elections, too."

I've read a couple of articles so far that also suggest these victories are significant losses for Barack Hussein Obama.

The general consensus seems to be that these outcomes will send the message to the White house that American voters are not happy with the way Obama is presiding over our country.

I disagree.

Barack Hussein Obama is much too arrogant and narcissistic to consider the results of these elections a personal loss for him or his administration. Although Obama personally campaigned on behalf of the losing candidates in these races, he will not even consider that he had any effect whatsoever on their outcomes. He will probably blame the losses on incompetent or inadequate campaigning by the Democratic candidate's campaign personnel, or on Fox News.

If it was sent to Obama, I don't think he will get the message.

I do, however, think these Republican victories will send a message to the United States Senate and House of Representatives.

They have been ignoring the will of the majority for too long now.

They have been thumbing their collective noses at we the people.

They have been running things their way, and now it's coming back to haunt them in a big way.

I believe last night's elections are just the beginning of a long needed house cleaning. More will come. There will be a changing of the guard.

Perhaps now the Legislature will sit up and take notice. Perhaps now they will listen to the voice of the people.

If they value their jobs. If they wish to be re-elected.

The message has been delivered.

The question now is: Will they listen?

Sunday, November 01, 2009

Definitions

“When government accepts responsibility for people, then people no longer take responsibility for themselves.” ~ George Pataki

I think if there must be one or two words that define what is meant by the word, "Conservatism", it would be the words, "personal responsibility".

Conservatism, to me, means taking responsibility for oneself. And, by "responsibility", I mean taking blame for your own words and actions as well as taking credit.

I have much more respect for the man who admits to doing wrong while apologizing for whatever he did, than the man who makes excuses and blames others for his mistakes even if his apology is sincere.

And, I think that extends to taking punishment, also. A couple of years ago, a man named Stanley "Tookie" Williams was executed in California for four very senseless and brutal murders.

To my knowledge, he went to his Maker protesting his innocence, and without taking responsibility for his crimes.

Can anyone think of another man who makes excuses and blames others for his problems?
(hint)


Barack Hussein Obama is a Liberal. Personal Responsibility are not words that describe him. Nearly a year into his administration and he still blames his predecessor on America's problems.

One could argue that Obama takes personal responsibility sometimes, and that would be true.

Now, he often takes credit for what he perceives as positives, however, he never takes the blame for anything negative.

Remember when he claimed the reason a Chicago White Sox pitcher pitched a perfect game was because Obama wore a White Sox jersey at the all-star game? It was a statement made with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek, I realize, but still the statement speaks volumes about the man's character, in my opinion.

If his health care bill passes, he will take the credit. When it fails, as it inevitably will, he will not take the blame.

Mark my words.

And, that brings up another term I want to define, because as sure as I'm writing this, some Liberal who read this will undoubtedly suggest that my disdain for Obama is rooted in racism. Even if they don't comment, there will likely be one or two Liberals who will mutter to themselves, "He doesn't like Obama just because Obama is black".

I would submit that anyone who believes Conservatives reject Obama or his policies because of his color is a racist himself.

If someone voted either for him or against him simply because he is black, that someone is the definition of a racist.

Some people no doubt voted against him because he's black. That's a sad reality.

Multitudes voted for him for the same reason.

This isn't only my opinion. It's a fact.

This is how I define racism:

The act of judging a person on the color of his skin, rather than on the content of his character.

I sincerely believe most Conservatives oppose Obama and his policies, not because he is a black man, but because he represents positions that Conservatives deem harmful to the continued existence of the Constitutional Republic that is the United States of America.

Barack Hussein Obama is not disliked because he is black. He is disliked for his refusal to take personal responsibility, and for failure to demand others take personal responsibility for themselves.

This failure will ultimately create more problems in the future for all Americans.