United Nations and the Climate

In the United Kingdom, as reported on BBC,  they just finished a government inquiry into information dissemination on climate change.  Amongst other minor issues..  Has anyone ever seen the BBC shows Yes Minister or Yes Prime Minister?
An interesting part of this issue is revealed when you read United Nations Framework Convention on  Climate Change. FCCC/AWGLCA/2009/INF.2 15 September 2009
This document contains reordered and/or consolidated sections of the revised negotiating text
(FCCC/AWGLCA/2009/INF.1) prepared by facilitators during and after the informal meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA) held in Bonn, Germany, on 10–14 August 2009. I quote
"2) The range of emission reductions in paragraphs 31 (a) and 34 (a) should be removed from the shared vision chapter and treated in the mitigation chapter."

Does this make it harder to find?

It seems to me, while perusing this document, the whole purpose is to punish developed countries and reward developing countries.  I especially make note of .
sections....
PP.14 Acknowledging that current atmospheric concentrations are principally the result of historical emissions of greenhouse gases, the most significant share of which has originated in developed countries.
PP.15 Further acknowledging that developed countries have a historical responsibility for their disproportionate contribution to the causes and consequences of climate

change, reflecting their
disproportionate historical use of a shared global carbon space since 1850 as well as their proposed continuing disproportionate use of the remaining global carbon space.

The United States of America is the greatest Industrial Country in the world.  It is easy to look back and give credence to some of these claims. In the time of our greatest growth,  the science to support this thesis didn't exist.  Today it does and we have taken and continue to take steps to alleviate the problem.

The science does exist today. So why isn't China trying to control their emissions.  At the last Olympics,  the government had every factory and business shut down  two months ahead of time, just to get the air clear enough to breathe. Of course this wasn't widely commented on.  And, considering the size, population and sheer disregard for human life, where is the outcry? If you were to take overall greenhouse gases volume,  what is their percentage?  And they do it knowing the effects.

But the United Nations will not try to punish them, just us.  This document reminds me of the Kyota Treaty.  The United Nations is trying to pass off the notion of equitable responsibility. What they mean is developed countries ( ie us) must sacrifice.

Page 7
8. Deep cuts [by developed countries] [by all Annex I country Parties] [by all developed countries]in global emissions by Parties in accordance with their historical responsibilities, as well as the principles FCCC/AWGLCA/2009/INF.2
Page 8
of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities, and realistic changes in emission patterns [will be] [are urgently] required to prevent dangerous interference with the climate system and achieve the ultimate objective of the Convention. Early and urgent action by all countries on the basis of equity and according to their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities is necessary.

I don't care how I read this,  The United Nations is trying use Climate Change as one more stepping stone to punishing the United States for being successful. One more brick in their desire for Equity without Effort.
http://freethinkingadult.blogspot.com/

Identity Theft and Craiglist

Identity Theft and Craiglist

Several months ago, I answered and e-mail from what I thought was my email provider.  i only answered after repeated attempts.  As a consequence, I was blocked out of my 13 year old account.  The perpetrators tried to scam all my contacts , stole my identity and cleaned out my bank account.

So, I learned the hard way.  Because of this, I have been forced to put  a prize
possession, up for sale.  I am broke, so I looked for various ways to advertise.

I place an ad on Craigslist.  Every body's heard the name.  I have even used it when I was looking for different things.

Since I placed the ad,  I have received more that 50 emails concerning the item.  I can honestly say that not one of them is legitimate.  they are, in fact, attempts to get information from me.

How can I say that? 

First they will have a link in the text and will ask if you will trade for this or is you ora anything thing to get you to go to that link.  Once there, you are led to believe that you are at the craigslist login page.  It isn't.  I have bitten, but I am positive that once you log on that page , they got you.

They now can get into your account and get other info that will allow them to STEAL FROM YOU.

One of the other scams is telling you that they need to send a cashier check and need information to send it.  DON'T.

When you suggest talking on the phone,  Oh I'm deaf or my doctor told me not to talk on the phone.

One of my favorites is ,  I'm not in your state, but somebody owes me money.  They'll give you a cashier, you give them the difference, when you deposit the check and then I'll get the item.  SCAM.

First cashier checks used to be consider like gold.  Not anymore.  I've dealt with legitimate cashiers checks recently and they take a week to 10 days to clear.  Mainly due to this kind of scam . And if it doesn't, you are  responsible.

Craigslist does give out info on scams.  It is a shame on society, I guess, but really on individuals.  Be aware of anyone asking for info.  You don't know who to trust nowadays.

I consider the shame on me when I fell for it.  It took several months of the same email before I did. And I never believe the telephone one.  But somebody must be or they wouldn't keep it up.

Just a word to the wise.

July 4, 1776 plus 1, The Next Day

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/Us_declaration_independence.jpg)

Everyone knows about Independence Day.  For the sake of argument, We will assume it was signed that day.

John Hancock signed in his signature in bold writing, the first to sign.  At that time he and many other signers, already had a price on their head.  (John Hancock later became Seventh President of the United States in Congress Assembled,November 23, 1785 to June 5, 1786)

"....we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."

These men signed, knowing full well that they risked everything thing.  Not for personal gain, but for a greater cause.

Imagine, July 5th, 1776.  There's no going back.  You're committed.  The risks are

great, the dangers many.  Every moment fraught with peril. 

Does this realization begin to weigh heavily on you?  What about your family?  Is it worth it?

The youngest signer was Edward Rutledge of South Carolina, 26.  The oldest was Benjamin Franklin, 70. In the beginning of life and the end of life.

What plan's were made?  Actions Taken? Did regrets set in?  Worries, depression?

All that risk, and today what do we do with the gift that these men gave to us?

On the day after, remember them and honor them by following the principles laid down so eloquently.

July 4th is a day to celebrate. But July 5th is a day to live the dream that these men gave to us.

Obama's plans to pull out of Afghanistan

Obama's plans to pull out of Afghanistan

President Obama (hic) plans to begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan next

year.

Gen David Patreus has just assumed command of the forces in Afghanistan.  Gen

Patreus has publicly said , "We are in this to win."

Since these two plans are contradictory, how long before Patreus is out?

If you tell your enemy that you are quitting the fight,  wouldn't it be reasonable

for him to just sit back and wait? We have all seen boxing matches where one

fighter waits for the other to tire out.  If i was the Taliban, I would slow down

my activities until our troops are pulled out.  I mean we have already told them

when it was gonna be.  Then just as soon as we are gone, pounce .  Take everything

back over again. Come on we just gave them great intelligence , didn't we?  Told

them when we were leaving and that we are giving up.

 When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals,

adjust the action steps.
Confucius

In war there is no substitute for victory. It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it.
Douglas MacArthur

Gen Patreus, I think you've been dropped into it.

Al Gore , the "Wooden Man"

Well the man know for being "wooden"  is back.

Now everyone knows he was accused  of sexual misconduct.  4 yrs ago.  The case is being reopened.  The story was just broken by the National Enquirer.  Years ago , it would have been a joke because of that.  But. remember they were the first to break the John Edwards story.

Go here and you can see the documents

http://www.scribd.com/doc/33564096/Al-Gore-investigation-transcript
http://www.scribd.com/doc/33499672/Portland-Police-Statement-on-Al-Gore

What's the old saying? Still waters run deep.

We do know that the Gore's are separated or are in the process.

Remember when Clarence Thomas was accused of sexual misconduct? Investigated by the FBI, who found no evidence?  What was said then?  Oh yea,  something along the lines of... the charges are so important that we have to investigate more. 

Do you think there will be an outcry from women's groups? Or will they keep there mouths shut, like they did for Clinton?

President Obama's Legacy

President Obama's has already achieved a place in History.  First Black President  Hurrah,  hurrah,  as Carlos Mencia said now you can't play the race card.

Let's be honest about it, the first Black President is a milestone.  But, I don't think that will be Obama's  Legacy.

I want to totally clear,  I am not a lawyer.  I am not aware of everything that has gone on.  But, Common Sense tells me that Barack Obama is not LEGALLY President.

Oh, he was elected.  In an election that saw the entire roster of the Dallas Cowboys registered to vote in Colorado.  Saw dead people, convicts and Mickey Mouse registered to Vote.  In case you don't remember, this was done by ACORN.  A company hired by the democratic Party. Questions about his filings were never answered.

Of course this got very little play in the media.  Surprise, surprise.  Compare the attention to what happened in Florida when Bush won. Bush's presidency's legality was questioned for years because of Fla.   Only bloggers and conservative question  Obama's.

The question of his legal right right to be President has not been answered.  the Supreme Court hasn't ruled on it.  Remember President (and VP)  is the only thing that absolutely requires that you be a Natural born Citizen.  And Precedence  has determined that  Obama is NOT a Natural Born Citizen.  His father was not an American.  Even if he was born in Hawaii  (not proven) , it just makes him  a citizen, not a Natural born Citizen.  
Note 
http://www.peoplespassions.org/documents/Press_Release_08_10_29_TX_WA.htm 
http://moniquemonicat.wordpress.com/secretary-of-state-responses-in-regards-to-request-for-obama-records/

There are many other examples against his status.  It would be simple to put it all to rest.  But, no one does.
Why not?  Is it a cover up?  I don't know, but in the enthusiasm to get him elected, most people turn a blind eye and some don't care.  But someone knows...  something.......

Old news.  Right.  Except he's not Legally the President

That makes everything he does Illegal, every bill he signs, every treaty, agreement, everything....

Hell of a Legacy,   Isn't it? 

Common Sense Quotes Today

July 7th 2010

Europe will never be like America. Europe is a product of history. America is a product of philosophy.

Margaret Thatcher (1925 - )

JULY 6, 2010

The genius of the United States is not best or most in its executives or legislatures, nor in its ambassadors or authors or colleges, or churches, or parlors, nor even in its newspapers or inventors, but always most in the common people.

Walt Whitman (1819 - 1892)

 

“In any war, the first casualty is common sense, and the second is free and open discussion”

 James Reston quotes (Scottish Journalist, 1909-1995)

If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.

Thomas Paine, The American Crisis, No. 1, December 19, 1776

July 5th, 2010

Intellectually, I know that America is no better than any other country; emotionally I know she is better than every other country.

Sinclair Lewis (1885 - 1951)

 The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind. Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776

Not all the treasures of the world, so far as I believe, could have induced me to support an offensive war, for I think it murder; but if a thief breaks into my house, burns and destroys my property, and kills or threatens to kill me, or those that are in it, and to "bind me in all cases whatsoever" to his absolute will, am I to suffer it?

Thomas Paine, The American Crisis, No. 1, December 19, 1776

“Common sense is not so common.” Voltaire quotes July 1, 2010

“Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.”    Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.

Obama and Transparency

There's not a lot to say here.
first go here and read this by Barack Obama.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/TransparencyandOpenGovernment/

Then try to reconcile that with his refusal to release an original birth certificate, college records etc.

And now he has fired An Inspector General who found fraud and waste of taxpayer fund in an organization run by an Obama ally.

And in violation of law, he refuses to explain why.

I know it must transparent but i guess I've gone blind.  I don't see through it. 

Supreme Court

The Senate is in hearings over President(?) Obama's nomination of Elena Kagan to

the Supreme Court to replace Justice John Paul Stevens.

President Obama is anxious to get his nominee pushed through.  The former Solicitor

General has been described , in various publications, as being of the same mind as

President Obama.  Once she become a Justice, It is obvios that the President(?)

will have a friend on the Bench.

That may become very important.   I don't think that the Supreme Court can keep

denying application to be heard concerning Obama's eligibility to President.

They have denied all attempts to have the issue decided , usually in conference.  

I would think that it would be a simple thing.   If he's legally the President, say

so.  After all, it is a Constitutional matter.  And their is precedence.

The Supreme Court is there to interpret the Constitution. Right?

Article 2 set forth presidential eligibility requirements.  He must be a natural

born Citizen.

Go to the following link and you'll see precedence set by the Supreme Court on just

what means. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_born_citizen_of_the_United_States

If Mr. Obama meets these requirements then it's simple to prove it.  Wait.... I

forgot.... All his records are kept locked away.

Georgia Representative Nathan Deal sent a letter to Barack Hussein Obama requesting

that he prove his eligibility to be President.  Since Obama  has stated publicly

that his father was not an American, Article 2, Section 1, Paragraph 5 of the

Constitution seems to disqualify him.

But then again, if the Supreme Court want listen to arguments, I guess it's a moot

point.

Damn right, he pushing Kagen.  She's already proved to be  Obama's Janet Reno

To support him please contact:

The Honorable Nathan Deal
2133 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1009
DC Phone: 202-225-5211
DC Fax: 202-225-8272
Email Address: http://www.house.gov/deal/contact.shtml
WWW Homepage: http://www.house.gov/deal/

2nd Admendment

The Supreme Court has upheld the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America.


Amendment II.
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Frankly, I'm surprised.  The way things have been going, I wasn't sure they would. 

I would like to say thank you.  Especially since I believe that it was put into the Constitution not only to allow us to protect our own person, but to protect us from government. Oppressive government, one that does not govern by the  "Consent of the People". 

In a time where it doesn't seem that the government even listens to the People it's governs, this recognition of one of our founding principles is vitally important if we are to survive as a nation.

So to the Justices of the Supreme Court, I say thank you.

Russian spies. Return of the Cold War?

As reported by AP, a Russian spy ring has apparently been broken up in the United States.  Some of the operatives were in what know a "deep cover".

From the report, the movies have it right.  They apparently used invisible ink,  radio transmissions and even the old brush pass.

Anybody surprised?   I would be surprised if there weren't any.   I hope we have some in Russia. And ours don't get caught.

Russia didn't quit being the USSR overnight. And if this ring got caught, what about the ones who didn't?

North Korea and South Korea

On the 25th of June 1950 North Korea crossed the 38th parallel and the Korean War

began.

An Armistice was signed on July 27, 1953.  In that period the United States lost

over 25,600 men and United Nations members lost an additional 17,000 plus.

As history has proven,  North Korea was urged, prodded and supported by China and

Russia.  The possibility of a nuclear war was a determining factor in how the war

was fought and in bringing an end to active hostilities.

I say this because the war is not over. 

Today, as we worry about Iran  (and rightly so) and it's nuclear program, we tend

to gloss over North Korea's nuclear program. 

Yes, it's been reported on and  Yes, most sane people understand the nature of

nuclear weapons.  But , most of us believe in the sanctity of life.   That is not

traditionally the view of the North Koreans or of the Chinese.  Perhaps it's not

important when you have a population  of over a billion.

We know that the North Koreans have nuclear weapons. Even if they did did it on

their own, without help from the Chinese.  And if you believe that,  please send me

money and I'll invest it for you, I promise.

It is reliably believe that Kim Jong-il, the leader of North Korea, ordered or

authorized the sinking of a South Korean warship at the border area between North

and South Korea.  It's believed by some that this is to help seal his son's

accendency to leadership.

Tensions are mounting. In May Kim Jong-il was in China.

So, we have a war that never ended.  And a border incident.

Look at historical reasons for going to war, economics, natural resources, land or

room to expand, politics and revenge.

Common sense tells me that with it's huge populace, economic issues, low value on

life and it's sense on the world stage(look at the Olympics),  China  may have more

than one reason.  And using their surrogates, North Korea, would be easy.  Kim

Jong-il is not know for being level headed.  A war , however short, might seem a

good way to cement his son's position, slap us in the face and please an ever

growing China.

President Obama has publicly indicated, that we would not use nuclear weapons.

This was in April.  The North Koreans sank the South Korean Ship in May.

Coincidence?

While the world is watching us in Iraq and Afghanistan, Iran is developing nuclear

weapons.

While we are watching Iran, North Korea becomes a nuclear power.

So Now we have two countries who have publicly stated their willingness to use

these weapons.  They each have their reasons,  whether we agree with them not.

And we are caught in the middle.  In a so called "Holy war"  in the Middle East and

a war never ended in Korea.

The term "divide and conquer"  comes to mind.  Add to that our on internal

destruction of the core values that made this country great,  and I keep coming

back to Revelations.  The End of Days.  Take out the religious aspect and just look

at it as a scenario. 

The Bible says the world as we know it will be destroyed by fire.  What would you

call a nuclear war?

I don't have answer or suggestions.  But it bears thinking on, doesn't it?

 

BP's gift to President Obama

I'm not talking about directly.  I'm talking about President Obama's chance to beat up on a huge corporation.  His chance to carry out an attack against those evil, greedy bastards who would dare to want to drill for oil.

Please give me a break.  Has common sense been thrown so far away that we can't see what's going on?  Liberals, environmentalist and other ilk,  see this as a perfect opportunity.

To do what?  Go back to the stone age, back to gas lamps and horse drawn buggies?  If you were beaten up in the press , vilified and accused of every sort of vile corruption known to man, would you keep doing your job?  And let's don't forget being regulated to impotency.

That may be the reason that BP an others spent so much money on contributions to candidates.  Reportedly, the largest beneficiary of this largess since 1990, was Barack Obama.

So how does this add up? If he got the most money, he would be on their side .  Right?

Not necessarily.   We don't know who else may be in the wings.  Or in the background.  I feel, strongly, that someone is pulling some strings.

We do know that Obama doesn't care what the majority of Americans think.  The so called Health Care Bill proves that.  

But this oil spill takes everybody's mind off things like that.  By beating up on BP, Obama looks good to all his liberal ilk.  In addition, other programs and strategies can be moved forward under cover.

While, I don't believe in most conspiracies, the cries for FEMA are disturbing.  Once they really get started, watch out.  They have more power that any organization in our history.   Back them with an armed force (ieNational Police Force) and One more Executive Order, and every personal liberty our Constitution guaranties is gone for the duration.

Conspiricy blogs are full of rumors of  people being evacuated because of the oil spill. Moved to camps.  For their own good, of course.    Is it smoky in here?

Even if the extremes are wrong,  we know this Administration thinks the government should run everything.  That what FEMA will do , take over everything.  I mean everything.  They have the authority to take over all industry, food production and distribution.   Labor, law enforcement, your salaries.  All services.   A lot of power in one organizations hands.

We have a few more years to find out how much this gift by BP will mean to President Obama.  That's assuming we are still allowed to vote then.  And are still here.

FEMA and theOil Spill

The call for FEMA has gone out.   They are the people to get the job done. ETC  ETC ETC.

Interesting. They did a bad job at Katrina and Ike (I'm from Texas).  What has changed?   Are they now our saviors in times of disaster?   Have they put on leotards and a cape?

I don't know about that.  I do know that they have the ability to seize control of our everyday life whenever they deems it is necessary.  During an emergency. They can throw the Constitution out and all of our rights.    Question.  Who declares the emergency?  Or, when its over?

Were you aware that the Homeland Security Grant Program is administered and money given out to states etc only through FEMA?

FEMA is only supposed to enter a situation after the individual state or states have declared an emergency and requested federal aid.  Does anyone believe that's the way it's leading?

Have all the FEMA "failures " of the past made us blind to this huge bureaucracy and the potential abuses?  Do we just give them their head?  While thinking, we need them to help, it will be ok.  They are the government after all.

Of course, the government wouldn't do anything wrong, would it?

IMMIGRATION PROFILING

AK2F57X63YEW
It looks as if most of the complaints against the Arizona Immigration Law are directed toward the misuse of power by the law enforcement.  Having to carry papers.  Possibility of being stopped because you look like a possible illegal. Profiling.   Unless you're the Administration,  these are probably the biggest areas of concern.

They are legitimate concerns.  But the reality is,  what are we to do?  We give drivers licensees, welfare etc to illegal aliens.  All the benefits of being a citizen , without the responsibilities.  Meanwhile we cut back on other services.

Look if the illegal aliens crossing the border were all from Canada or Iceland or.....   We would stop only white guys to check them out.   They are not.  They are typically of Hispanic ethnicity.  Why?  Because the border is right there!  Throw in drugs and who else is law enforcement going to stop?

All citizens, especially those who have done the work to become Americans, should support control over this problem.  Pay attention.  Watch for abuses.  Train your people properly.   Have safeguards.


But how can you try to solve a problem? Without identifying the problem?

STATES RIGHTS? Constitutionality?

The Obama administration is threatening to sue the state of Arizona over it's recently passed immigration laws.  It is the administration's contention that the federal government holds jurisdiction  here. 

What makes them think that?  The United States Constitution does not give that power to the federal government. It does give them the power and responsibility to make uniform rules of naturalization.  That gives the power for everything else to the States.   Unless we have passed an Amendment,  its always been this way.

The States can sue for help from the federal government if necessary.  Arizona learned that they were going to be sued and that troops were being sent to help at almost the same time.  From an interview given by Hillary Clinton to an Ecuadorean news service.  I would have thought they would have learned it from our government. Wait...   we do have a Democrat Administration and congress...... that means that  Arizona Governor Jan Brewer did learn from an administration source when she heard the news on CNN.

The last time we started taking away States rights, what happened?  Anybody remember?   Of course the President could do an Executive Order or declare an emergency........ Maybe all the immigrants could go to the detainment camps, excuse me "Civilian Inmate Labor Camps".   or, hell, just anybody that disagrees with this administration.   

It may not be Constitutional, but hey,  that kind of thinking doesn't seem at home around this and other issues.  Unless they are trying to stop something, I don't think they care about the Constitution.  And now , unless somebody can show me different,  they aren't even bothering to get the facts right.

Go figure........

ATTENTION TO ORDERS

Today, it was reported that President Obama has summoned the top US commander in Afghanistan to the White House.   Reportedly, he is to explain "derogatory" remarks he made about the administration, in a Rolling Stones  article.

Hummm.... let's think a minute.  Let's start off by saying that my father retired from the Marine Corps and I served seven years in the same.  So , I have some familiarity with the Armed Services.  As I remember correctly,  The President is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Services.  Last time I looked,  this general fell in that group.

General Stanly McChrystal was totally inappropriate in making his comments public.  No excuse.  I learned early in life, Praise in Public, Criticise in Private.  Especially when it gives aid and comfort to the enemy. And this man spoke publicly against his Commander in Chief. And I don't even know what he said.  Just that is supposedly derogatory.

I have several problems with this situation.

First,   let's address the summoning of the General and the "authority" President Obama has to "fire" him  as spelled out in the AP report.  The President doesn't summon , he orders and every member of the Armed Forces is sworn, before God, to obey.  (I hope they still swear the oath)   And a General, for that matter the lowliest private, doesn't get "fired.  They get relieved and/or  forced to retire or discharged. But this man is not a used car salesman, who showed up late too many times. 

Second, this man was picked by the President to replace someone else.  Obviously, at that time he was on board with the direction things were going.  What happened?  What did he really say?  Granted, I don't have a copy in front of me, but it seems like the remarks were were made by aides to the general. And there were some inappropriate jokes about members of the administration.   That sort of commentary has been part of military life from it's inception.  No big deal right?  Then  you remember what Obama thinks of anybody that dares to disagree or criticise him.  Fox News, bloggers, people against health care.  Remember the Rahm Emanuel "retard" remark?  So, if the General has said anything against Obama, he'll soon wish he was back in Afghanistan.  As point man on patrol,  quicker that way.

Third, when did Generals become rock stars?  We have changed our military when the Commanding General is giving out interviews to Rolling Stone.(A fine magazine)  Shouldn't he be taking care of business?  You know, like winning this damn thing and taking care of the troops.  But we ( the collective we)  have turned our military into a parapolitical organization. Every member of the military has to be a PR spokesman nowadays.  We should return to the days when the political masters  said do this or that and the military did it.  President Bush understood.  Don't ask the military to be something it isn't. 

The General was wrong and should be relieved if there is just cause.  If he wasn't taking care of business, relieve him.  Have him counting mess kits somewhere. However, with this administration's attitude toward anyone who dares to criticise,  he may get "fired" for a joke.   Should that kind of triviality be apart of our National Policy?  

Whose Detention Camps?

Rex84.  Executive orders.  It seems clear, there are detention camps set up

throughout the country. On doing a little research,  I found stories and

articles that pointed the finger of blame towards opposite groups. 

It seems like whose to blame is based on who's doing the blaming and when?

Early on, it was Bush's fault. Republicans trying to enslave everybody.

Now it's the liberals, the Democrat's who want to lock up Christians.

Which is more important? Who built them, who's running them now or the very fact

that they exist.

This should concern everybody.  Regardless of politics.

I could understand building facilities as needed.  But to have this many just

waiting?  For Who?

Somebody knows what the current plan is.  Throw in the National Police force,

United Nations policy on private property and FEMA.  Stir it all up and add a

dash more Executive Orders and ..... phew.....  this stinks.....

AMERICA. The Land of the Free?

It's starting to look like we will have to redo our advertising campaign.   That's what the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution really are.  Advertisements for a new way of life .  In 1787 in Convention, the states proposed ratification of the Constitution of the United States of America.  The first 10 Amendments, know collectively as the Bill of Rights, were ratified Dec 15, 1791.  The world looked upon this and influx began. 

We advertised freedom and the world rushed to partake in this grand experiment.  All in all,   those that bought into our product, were happy.  Here , they were able to live  the American Dream. 

Product satisfaction.  Freedom and peace, opportunity to grow and prosper, free from oppression. This is what we sold to the world.

Today, it's becoming false advertising .  The government is taking more and more control of things.  Of course it goes without saying that we are told that it's all for our own good.  Whats the loss of a little freedom to be safe?  The Patriot Act was scary enough, but it had checks and balances and a limited life span built in.  But,  as we look on a National Police force and Detention Camps  already in existence here in this country,   what are the safeguards.   If there are no Freedoms anymore except what the government allows us to have, then isn't the Constitution now false advertising?

If there is such an outcry about the terrorist detention camps, who are the alleged 600 to 800 camps for?  The ones that have reportedly been established in Montana and other places.  Remember, Montana is our third largest state with a low density population.  Lot of out of the way places.   Nobody around.

Who's freedom are we going to take away , here?  Who are they intended for?  Have we forgotten the craziness after Pearl Harbor, when west coast Japanese were interned?   Just because.  Who are we going to put in these camps?

Considering that this administration began immediately denouncing any who said anything against Obama's tactics.  Plus the fact that President Obama's desire for a National Police force, on par with the military. Who is the enemy , that he expects to be fighting?    These tend to worry me.

More to Follow.....




 

Inmate Requested Firing Squad

Utah  fulfilled one of the last request of a convicted killer today, when the executed him by firing squad.  My sympathies go out to the innocent members of the families.

But this morning,  the media,  the ACLU and probably a multitude of other groups, will get there names in the papers and on tv as they bemoan the methodology for this man's execution.

The executee chose this method.  Asked for it by name.  Once convicted, it was one of his last requests.   He and his attorneys tried hard to get his sentence commuted or overthrown.  But, I don't see where he tried to change the methodology.  If he wasn't complaining , why should others?  Remember he chose how to go out and he knew when it would happened.   His victims didn't get that chance.

As the outcry is sounded over this "barbaric"  form of execution , the media should remember what this is really all about.

This was about this man's victims and him.  And their families.  Nothing else.

EU to give approval to sanctions

Yes sir.  I bet the Iranians are shaking today.  The EU is set to approve sanctions against them..  Combined with all the devastating  power of UN sanctions,  well….. I expect to hear of Iranian capitulation any day now.

Well….. That is…. unless they decide to just ignore them.  Simply act as if they don’t exist.  Identical to how they treat UN sanctions.  Of course, I’m probably wrong.  They wouldn’t do that? Would They?

Of course they will.  

I ..would laugh at EU sanctions.  If the UN can’t do what it was chartered for , how can they?  Or are they the new and improved UN?  Are we seeing the beginning of a turf war building?  Will the EU now try to recreate the  Oil for Food scandal  with Iran as a partner?

What is the REAL cost of rescue?

Having just read the news story about the young American , stranded in the  Southern Ocean,  I applaud the Australians.   They did “ the right thing”  You know ,the intangible  that we are all aware of, but sometimes  we let get over shadowed by realities?

And now the story is what it cost.   The numbers are huge.  Chartered jets, Orion planes, ships,  personnell.   Everything must be accounted for, properly assigned cost codes.  The bean counters must be satisfied.

If it sounds like I’m being derisive, I’m not.  This proceedure is standard in any military or government in the world.   It’s necessarry.   It’s just not necessarily correct.
Costing of assests in a business helps keep the business profitable.   Militaries and governments are not designed to be profitable. 

With the exception of fuel and the “chartered” jet,  these assests were already on the books , so to speak.  The ships, Orions and all the personnell are already being paid  and paid for.   They don’t just sit , without cost, waiting to go on the clock.   Even the fuel would have been disbursed for normal costings and training etc,  in the normal course of events.   So, on a basic level,  there was no real cost.  Very general , I know.

Why don’t the Austrailian’s look at  it this way.   Look at all the money they saved on planning a realistic training exercise for themselves.   They could take the next exercise out of the schedule and be in the black.

To be clear, the Austrailan government  isn’t complaining.  They just “ did the right thing”.  No excuses, no explanations.  I applaud them.

To the people who are screaming about the taxpayers,  I sure your country is no different that ours in this regard.  There are many  ways the government wastes taxpayer ‘s money.  Scream about them.   Here the real cost was just our humanity.

Over 10,00 FAILURES!!

Ever think of giving up.  What if you had had over 10000 Failures?  Would you have given up?  Me?  Good thing I didn't have to make that choice.  Thomas Edison did.

And behold there was light

Persistant, determined, driven, dedicated  With a little bit of dreamer in the mix.

When life tries to kick you in the teeth.  These would be pretty good qualities to emulate.

I 'm trying to.   

Soldier of God. Insane? Soldier of Allah. Dedicated?

Reading about the man who went to Pakistan to kill bin Laden,  I was struck by the tone attributed to his  comments  concerning God..  Nothing overt,  just an underlying tone.  Obviously, to many,  anyone who claims to be following orders from God , must be irrational, mentally unstable.  Right?

This gentlemen  might be unstable or just overzealous.  That's not the point.  He could be right.  Again, that's not the point

If he had said he was following the orders of Allah,  well... he's  dedicated, committed to his cause.  The question of sanity or implication of insanity , would never come up.  Have you ever seen or read or heard anyone suggest  that the 9/11 terrorist were "not all there"?

I don't know whether this disparity  is more a question of religious  differences, or a question of  mainstream media bias.  I suppose it could be pandering to certain elements for ulterior motives.   I don't know why this slant is there, But, it's there.

My real question.  Media Bias or pandering to gain favor  from Muslims, or any of a dozen other scenarios,  which one is any better that the other?   And why do we put up with it?

R Wii Getting Lazy?

I was just reading Daydream Believer (http://jamiejenson.blogspot.com/).  She made an observation about an adjustable reading valet.  In essence, how lazy we are getting?   She's right.

In a society where the "Fat Police" may soon be  a reality, where there have been proposed "sin taxes" on fatty foods, and suggestion that all meals for kids should be issued by the government in schools, we are getting  lazier.

Modern conveniences were a boon. t hey helped relieve us from the mundane, freeing us to grow as a culture, as a people.   It was always implied that now we could use our minds not our backs.  All of that came to pass.  But now we are on the precipice.  Do we go sliding down the slope to the point where we end up floating in chairs , never leaving our homes?  Our bodies deteriorating to lumps of tissue, only there to house our brains .  Wasn't that a point from the movie Wall-E?

We do a lot of shopping over the internet,  research ( when was the last time you  just stepped" into a library?), entertainment and work. Conferences from home , banking , ordering goods and services and socializing.  Convenient.  You don't even have to get out of your chair. Not even to meet the man or woman of yours dreams.

And why should you?  Get the right system and you can be at the game or concert.  Without all the hassles or aggrevations.  And now interactive gaming precludes physical participation in outside activities.  You can sit on a pad in your house, with a little controller in your hand, working out, playing baseball, golfing  etc.

We text, often shortening the words, using symbols because it takes too long to type it all.  When they develop a way to work directly from our brains we want even need a body.

So as our bodies deteriorate and become useless appendages for carrying our brains, will we expand our mind to the questions of the cosmos? Will we become great thinkers and philosophers ?  Will we fulfill our great potential as intelects?

Or......R Wii just Getting Lazy ?

- (DASH) AMERICANS

 We all know the words"....give us your tired, give your poor....".  The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island. The first first American soil immigrants touched.

Those future citizens wanted to be Americans.  they gave up their homes, families and lives in other countries to taste the freedom and opportunity that was only available here.  they became Americans. By definition a melting pot of others.

They learned the language, customs, traditions.  They became part of it all.  They were Americans.

Where are they today?  It seems everybody is a dash American.  (well not everyone.  not me)  Black-, Native-, Chinese-  the list is endless. I didn't know that American was a term used to describe any one race, creed , color or any other distinction. 

Is anyone smart enough to establish a correlation between the dash American phenomenom  and problems we have now? 

Pix. Sunset in South Txas

I was driving to Corpus Christi to see my oldest son.   I love sunsets and sunrises.

THE FAMILY HOME

Throughout our history as humans, the family home has meant generations living together, usually under one roof. Here in the United States, as our affluence as a country grew, we started to change that dynamic.

When, the exodus from the family home started, i can't give statistics, but as the country grew , sons and daughters went out on their own. I's only right and proper, that they sought their own destinies.

Until then, generations sat down together at the table,worked together, shared the joys and burdens of life with a rich and varied support group. A support group of people who loved and valued each other. (In my family we say you have to love your family but you don't always have to like them) In this network were the older members, with their experiences, beliefs, cultures being passed on to the next generation. And even as important, their struggles and the lessons they learned from them.

The family unit provided support in hard times. Upon this rock, the newer generations could grow strong, knowing that there was a solid foundation of love, traditions and values, that they grew up on, that they could count on.
Under one roof, the family home, you had help. Babysitters, bankers, teachers, entertainers, mechanics etc. And most important, someone who cared more about you than anyone else in the world.

The Family home could be a row house in the north, a Sunday fried chicken dinner in a trailer in the south. Pizza boxes on the table, any where, with kids squealing as they chase each other around the table. Someone telling them to behave as dads, probably, sat watching the game. It could be anything.

Hard to enjoy that and benefit from it, if we run from it. Remember when you couldn't wait to get out of the house , away from the rules, restrictions? You were going to be own your own. Do what you wanted.

People need to make it on their own. True. But,as time went by and the family unit shrank, this knowledge, this support, these experiences, ceased to be. And we went off on our own. But at what cost? The heavy price of forgetting who we are and replacing it with values that allow us to even contemplate "death panels"?

Have our older family members become so valueless? Remember, one day, we'll be the older family members. No. I don't want to pay that price.

Today, today there will be four generation under our roof. It will loud, racous, crowded, annoying and great. There will be fights, arguements, laughter and warmth. It's our family home. I wouldn't want to be any where else.

Pix. Action Taxi, Bossier City

I stopped and talked to this Husband and wife in the parking lot of a grocery store. real nice folks. call em if you ever need em.

Pix. Small Town Mural in Louisiana

I had stopped in Bossier City on the way to Georgia and found this by accident.  I don't know any detail, but , I like it.....

Pix. Small Town Mural and Bench

 Do you think they have city squares like this up north?  if you do, send me a pic.

Pix. Small Town Mural

I guess this would be considered politically incorrect nowadays.

Pix. Rusty Bridge

WHY GET BACK UP?

You've just been knocked down by life, again. Do you get back up? Literally or figuratively. Why do it?

Well, I've been knocked down a few times. Getting back up has been painful. It would have been a lot easier to stay down. It cost, in physical and emotional pain. It would be great to say I was inspired or inspiring. There is an element of that, to be frank. But, I like to say that I'm just too damned stupid to stay down.

Think about it for a moment. Life knocks you down. you fail at something, get divorced, lose your business, get sick, rejected, get hit by a Durango doing 70. Easier to stay down.

But, the view is horrible. You are either looking at people stepping over or on you or you're looking a the the smelly behind of someone else. So, you get up.

Sometimes , it seems you have to hit bottom to start back up. Just start back up. Any and all successes, no matter how small, are successes. Pebble by pebble, rock by rock you can build a mountain to climb back up.

And one more thing, don't let anything or anyone stop you. Not even Life. Get up.

SOMETHING'S HAPPENED TO AMERICA

Where did the dream go? America was founded by dreamers. Men, women and children who dreamed of freedom and a better life. They dreamed of freedom of religion, speech and from unwarranted persecution. Parents dreamed of a better life for their children, a better tomorrow. The downtrodden dreamed of a fresh start, a chance to grow beyond their boundaries. They all believed in something larger than themselves.

I would be surprised if we taught our children about these dreams. Today, you would be hard pressed to prove we teach them to read and write. That sort of thing gets in the way of their indoctrination as a global citizen or their training as a Neo-Environmentalist and their submersion in all the lowest common denominators in society.

Children no longer say the Pledge of Allegiance, prayer, excuse me Christian prayer is out of our schools. All of of our founding principle and ideas are denigrated, scoffed at and walked over.

The Constitution is supposed to be interpreted by the Supreme Court. I don't think that most of them believe in it. Not based on their opinions.

The government is trying to do away with the first and second admendments to the Bill of Rights.

The dream of freedom is being crushed under the weight of rules, laws, regulations. Most of which don't make sense and are really just ways of suppressing freedom and separating the taxpayer from his money.

I believe we are on life support.