Doing a little math.

Just doing a little math:

$700,000,000,000 

If you spent $1 million a day, it would take you 1917 YEARS to spend $700 billion!

If your house is worth $230,000, you could buy 2,800,000 of them with $700 billion.

Why would anyone, especially the Fed, give a blank check for this much money to exactly the same people who got us here in the first place?  They need to think this thing through and come up with a plan. Not so fast guys.  Develop a plan that makes sense and let the American people know what the plan is before you do anything.  The result of rushing this through could be far worse than what we might face without it.

My response from Florida Senator Martinez

Dear Mr. Kayser:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the financial crisis facing our country. I appreciate you contacting me regarding this important issue.

I have heard from thousands of Floridians in recent days who are worried about this financial crisis and are concerned about the actions that Congress and the Administration may take in addressing it. I believe that our country is facing a very serious situation, and I share many Floridians’ concerns about the economic consequences to our country if we fail to act appropriately. We need to enact legislation that enables our economy to continue functioning while imposing new regulations and safeguards to ensure that this situation never occurs again.

The exact form that this legislation will take is not yet decided, but I assure you that I am working hard to ensure that your tax dollars will not be wasted on any plan that rewards irresponsible or illegal activities by investment bankers on Wall Street. There must be accountability in any plan approved, and those who have given rise to this crisis need to be investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law for any wrong-doing that occurred.

I am enclosing a copy of remarks I made on the floor of the Senate regarding the current crisis and its origins in the housing market. I believe that this problem is far too complex and serious to be handled in the same ultra-partisan fashion that has unfortunately characterized much of the 110th Congress. I assure you that I am committed to working with all of my colleagues to address this crisis and enact meaningful reforms to protect homeowners and ensure the long-term economic prosperity of our country. 

Again, thank you for contacting me regarding this important issue. If I may be of assistance to you in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Sincerely,

Sincerely,

Mel Martinez
United States Senator

Sorry Son, Wait for the Fed

Stick with this for a moment...

Sunday:

Son: Dad, thanks for the allowance.  I'm going to the movies next weekend and maybe buy some comics and baseball cards.  I might even have a bit left over from my $5.

Dad: Sure son, thanks for cutting the grass.

Monday at school: 

Billy: Hey buddy, can you lend me some money?  I really need just a few dollars to buy some stuff.

Son: Sure, but uh, I need the money back by this weekend.  Can you get it back to me?

Billy: Of course, and to show you I mean it I'll write this note.  It says, "You can have my bike if I don't pay you back by Friday."

Son: Great!

Monday night:

Son to himself: Hmmm.  Billy's bike must be worth more than $5.  Maybe I can sell his note to somebody and make a few extra dollars.

Tuesday at school:

Son: Hey Sam, you're always complaining that you need a new bike.  Wanna get one real cheap?

Sam: Sure.  But I'm broke today.

Son: That's ok.  Pay me by Friday.  Here's the note.

Wednesday night:

Sam to himself: Wow, this bike must be worth more than the money I paid...

Thursday at school: 

Sam: Hey Billy, I have a great deal for you...

Friday at school: 

Son: Hey Sam, got the money?

Sam: I'm going to get it soon.

Son: Hey, Billy, got the money?

Billy: Uh, no.

Son: So, I get to keep your bike?

Billy: Well, actually never really had the bike...

Billy: Hey Sam, where's the bike?  I gotta give it to Son!

Sam: But I never had the bike.

Saturday morning:

Son: Dad, can I borrow $5 on next week's allowance?

Dad: Sorry Son, you have to wait for the Fed to bail you out!!!

I think most of us would agree that it would be irresponsible for Dad to give Son another $5.  Son made a bad deal and lost his money.  Period.  That's free enterprise.  If Dad continually bailed out Son when would Son learn to be responsible.  If every time Son makes a bad deal and he knows Dad will bail him out, one might assume that Son will continue to make bad deals.

Sorry Son, you'll have to live with your mistakes.

Will America be worse off if the "bailout" is voted down, or worse off if it goes through.  Congress will at some point vote it into effect.  But they will probably load it down with earmarks instead of oversight.  

The American taxpayer will pay the bill.  But just try doing this yourself, like not paying YOUR bills and see what the Fed does for you.

Oppose the bailout NOW!!!

In case you missed it, here is the transcript of Bush convincing Americans that there are WMDs in Iraq...oh, sorry, that we need a Wall Street bailout.  I just wonder why Americans aren't screaming and yelling at this plan.  Many Americans don't have health insurance.  Mom and Pop businesses fail every day.  Folks from the aftermath of New Orleans still are waiting for the new and improved city that Bush promised.  And on and on.  Yet taxpayers are expected to bail out the theives on Wall Street that ran their companies into the ground. So they made bad investments.  If Mr. and Mrs. Average American invest poorly does the Fed come along and bail them out?  If Mr. and Mrs. Average American can't pay their credit car bills or car payments does the Fed bail them out?  

WHAT ARE THE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES IN WASHINGTON THINKING ABOUT?  WHAT IS BUSH THINKING ABOUT?

The answer is simple.  They are thinking about their buddies on Wall Street. They are thinking about the lobbyists who control them.  Or they are just plain not thinking at all.

Why does Dennis Kucinich ask for 5 minutes on the floor of Congress, speak for 1 minute and thirty seconds against the bailout, then get gaveled off the floor? And where are all the senators and congressmen that should be working? Kucinich was speaking to an empty chamber.  Can you not show up to work any time you please?

Read Kucinich here:http://kucinich.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2442&Itemid=1

Why are Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich NOT the presidential nominees? Clearly they think outside the Washington box. They make too much sense. They are interested in protecting our rights. They see the mistaken thinking of the present administration.  

Write to your Senator and oppose the bailout.  Write to your Congressperson and oppose the bailout.

https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml

Too funny!!!

POEHLER AS COURIC: "And how do you do that exactly?"

FEY AS PALIN: "Every morning, when Alaskans wake up, one of the first things they do, is look outside to see if there are any Russians hanging around. And if there are, you gotta go up to them and ask, 'What are you doing here?' and if they can't give you a good reason, it's our responsibility to say, you know, 'Shoo! Get back over there!'

POEHLER AS COURIC: "Senator McCain attempted to shut down his political campaign this week in order to deal with the economic crisis. What's your opinion of this potential 700 billion dollar bailout?"

FEY AS PALIN: "Like every American I'm speaking with, we're ill about this. We're saying, 'Hey, why bail out Fanny and Freddie and not me?' But ultimately what the bailout does is, help those that are concerned about the healthcare reform that is needed to help shore up our economy to help...uh...it's gotta be all about job creation, too. Also, too, shoring up our economy and putting Fannie and Freddy back on the right track and so healthcare reform and reducing taxes and reigning in spending...'cause Barack Obama, y'know...has got to accompany tax reductions and tax relief for Americans, also, having a dollar value meal at restaurants. That's gonna help. But one in five jobs being created today under the umbrella of job creation. That, you know...Also..."

POEHLER AS COURIC: "What lessons have you learned from Iraq and how specifically, would you spread democracy abroad?"

FEY AS PALIN: "Specifically, we would make every effort possible to spread democracy abroad to those who want it."

POEHLER AS COURIC: "Yes, but specifically what would you do?"

FEY AS PALIN: "We're gonna promote freedom. Usher in democratic values and ideals. And fight terror-loving terrorists."

POEHLER AS COURIC: "But again, and not to belabor the point. One specific thing."

(several seconds of FEY and POEHLER staring at each other)

FEY AS PALIN: "Katie, I'd like to use one of my lifelines."

POEHLER AS COURIC: "I'm sorry?"

FEY AS PALIN: "I want to phone a friend."

POEHLER AS COURIC: "You don't have any lifelines."

FEY AS PALIN: "Well in that case I'm gonna just have to get back to you!"

Underwhelming and bumbling

Were you as underwhelmed by Obama and McCain as I was last night? McCain came off as an old uncle telling war stories to his nephew.  "I was there when we landed at..."  Obama was very stiff and seemed quite uncomfortable. Almost unfriendly, if that word applies here.  And he kept on trying to interrupt McCain in mid-sentence, which I found annoying.  I may not have agreed with McCain's position, but I think Obama made a mistake by not letting him finish. He was argumentative and seemed primed for a fight.  McCain didn't take the bait. As for the content of what they said, it would be quite easy to put Obama's words into McCain's mouth and you wouldn't know who said what.  But it's not about what you say, on TV it's how you look when you say it. Clearly neither candidate was very impressive, IMHO.

Then there's the continuing saga of "Sarah puts her foot in her mouth."  She told Katy Couric that she is qualified on foreign affair issues because Russia can be seen from her house.  So if I live near the ocean does that make me a marine biologist?  Is that the best she can come up with?  She told Couric that she didn't have a passport until 2006 because she wasn't a rich kid who could travel through Europe with a backpack.  

"It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there, they are right next to our state."

And Mrs. Palin, exactly what role does the governor of Alaska have in making that decision?  

None, as in ZERO!

McCain would do himself and his chances of election a favor by dumping Mrs. Palin and replacing her with someone much more capable.  

Sarah Palin: You Couldn't Make This Stuff Up

COURIC: Why isn’t it better, Governor Palin, to spend $700 billion helping middle-class families struggling with health care, housing, gas and groceries? Allow them to spend more and put more money into the economy? Instead of helping these big financial institutions that played a role in creating this mess?

PALIN: That’s why I say, I like every American I’m speaking with were ill about this position that we have been put in where it is the tax payers looking to bailout.

But ultimately, what the bailout does is help those who are concerned about the health care reform that is needed to help shore up the economy– Helping the — Oh, it’s got to be about job creation too. Shoring up our economy and putting it back on the right track. So health care reform and reducing taxes and reining in spending has got to accompany tax reductions and tax relief for Americas. 

And trade we’ve got to see trade as opportunity, not as a competitive scary thing. But 1 in 5 jobs being created in the trade sector today. We’ve got to look at that as more opportunity. All those things under the umbrella of job creation.

This bailout is a part of that.

HUH???

Nothing to FEAR but FEAR itself. And Bush.

Perhaps I am cynical, or maybe it's that some of us are smart enough to see through the FUD that Washington is throwing at us.  Fear. FEAR!  We have nothing to fear but fear itself.  Bush is saying that if we don't throw $700 billion at the bad money, that things will get worse.  Why?  Uh, dunno.  

And could it be, just maybe, that McCain pulling out of the debate could be a lead in to postponing the November election?  After all, we are in a crisis.  Or so they tell us.  We need to postpone the election until things calm down.  Right? Do you think this could never happen? Well, the last few years, at least since 9/11, have brought us to the brink of the destruction of the Bill of Rights.  After all, anyone entering or leaving the US is subject to search and seizure without due cause.  Check Article 4 of the Bill of Rights.  Prisoners declared terrorists by the US government can and are being held without access to representation and without charges.  Check the fifth amendment to the Bill of Rights.  Never thought that could happen but it has.  Never thought Lehman Brothers could go under. Never thought about Morgan Stanley.  Never thought government insiders like Rove could just ignore subpenas.  You try doing that...

I'm Mad As Hell And I'm Screaming About It

The person in charge of the White House has stated that the economy is in serious trouble.  He says that $700 billion is needed to bail out failing companies.  Hey, my finances are in pretty shaky territory, pal, can I get some of that cash?  

Now look, there are maybe 150,000,000 US tax payers.  That's probably too high, but stick with me.  If you don't bail out those idiots that ran those companies into the ground, but instead shipped every tax payer some of that cash, every one of us would get $4,666.  If there are 100 million tax payers that goes up to $7,000 each.  Now that would stimulate the economy and create jobs. Giving that much money to the vultures who created this mess is like putting more chickens into the henhouse while the fox is still around.

And look at it this way, if you give those losers the cash, it will cost every American - young, old, black, white, hispanic, asian, healthy, sick - $2333.  Now for the McCain's this is pocket change. Probably costs more than that to fly his jet from Washington to Mississippi.  But for the average Joe $2333 buys a lot of groceries.  But the folks we elected to represent us are a joke.  

Hey Washington, remember NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION?  Who are you representing?  Not me, that's for sure.

And why does the Fed allow the crooks running those big companies (like Lehman)to keep their $38 million salaries, boats, private jets, ten houses, etc. while the stockholders get screwed.   Why?  Because they are in the same clubs as the guys running OUR government.  Hey, Washington, that's OUR money you are burning.  Why don't you ask your constituents, who you were sworn to protect, what they think you should do with the money.  I would bet that 99.9% of Americans would say, "Screw those jerks.  They ran their own companies into the ground and ran off with the cash.  Let them burn in hell!"

And the guy in the White House thinks that the way out of this is to throw more money at bad money.  What is he thinking.  Oh, sorry, he's NOT thinking.  This is the way Republicans do things.  Big business supports the neocons and they support big business.  

Who protects the little guy, the you and me, from these vultures?  Who makes sure every child in this country has health insurance, a decent education, and healthy food to eat?  Don't look to Washington for any of that, except if the Washington is named George.  No, not this new George. The one who we call the Father of Our Country.

Need a Ride John?...Letterman Rips McCain

See it here.  You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll wish Abe Lincoln was still alive!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjkCrfylq-E

Falsatoods

John McCain spokesman Brian Rogers said this  about the increased media scrutiny of the campaign’s factual claims:

“We’re running a campaign to win. And we’re not too concerned about what the media filter tries to say about it.”

So, the litany of "falsatoods" coming from McCain/Palin are intentional.  It is clear that all that counts to them is winning.  As Leo Durocer once said, "Nice guys finish last."  

But if lies are what gets you to the White House, excatly when do you begin to tell the truth?  Never? 

Personally I do care that John McCain thinks you are rich if you have OVER $5,000,000.  So if you have a paltry million you aren't rich.  If you have 13 cars are you rich?  McCain has 13 cars.  If you have 8 houses that you can't even keep track of, are you rich?  McCain has 8 houses.

Can an elitist like McCain have any idea what it takes to run a country where the average person won't make in their entire lifetime anything even close to $5,000,000?

God Bless America!

Today's Washington Post...

"DHS spokeswoman Amy Kudwa said the updating of policies reflects an effort to be more transparent. In an e-mail, she wrote that the decision ofU.S. Customs and Border Protection(CBP) "to change some of the standards in its old policies reflects the realities of the post-9/11 environment, the agency's expanded mission and legal authorities, and developments in the law, including the Homeland Security Act of 2003. Although certain aspects of the policies have changed, the policies have always reflected the notion that officers have the constitutional authority to inspect information presented at the border" without requiring suspicion of a particular traveler."

So, basically, DHS and TSA have the right to question an American citizen based on NOTHING. Americans are supposed to be protected by the Bill of Rights Amendment #4.  But because the US was subjected to a terrorist attack seven years ago, we have surrendered one of our most basic rights.  And the people we elect to protect those rights are the ones who tell us we are not safe and need their protection.  Blimey!  The terrorists have won without firing another shot.

If an agent doesn't like the way I comb my hair, or the smell of someone's perfume, or maybe even the color of your skin, they can pretty much do anything they want.  What can they do?  Search you, question you about your religion, take your laptop, take your camera...it's endless.  And what right do you have to deny such action?  None. NONE!

God bless America

Land that I love

Michael Moore's new film

I know that lots of people find Michael Moore annoying and over the top liberal, but I think it's pretty cool that he's putting his new film up for free downloading at:

www.slackeruprising.com

I haven't watched it so I can't vouch for the quality of either the content or video.

The Legend of Tippacanoe

During the early stages of the War of 1812, actually this happened in late 1811, the governor of the Indiana Territory was worried about a group of Shawnee under the leadership of The Prophet. He and his brother, Tecumseh, were organizing Indian groups in an effort to stop treaties with settlers that surrendered large amounts of Indian territory. To make a very long story very short, the governor, William Henry Harrison,  attacked Prophetstown on the Tippacanoe River. It was a disaster for two reasons: first, the Indians and their two leaders had already left the settlement, and second, Harrison had left his fort unprotected. The Indians had already attacked the fort and abandoned the territory. In his haste to report the outcome to President James Madison, Harrison wrote of a great victory at Tippacanoe before the outcome could possibly have been known. It was never refuted, but was obviously inaccurate.

Now, Tecumseh was not happy. In fact, according to legend, he put a curse on Harrison and all future US presidents.

Maybe you are cynical about such things, as I am. But...

William Henry Harrison, the same guy, was elected president in 1840 running under the motto "Tippacanoe and Tyler, too." He died 30 days after taking office.
Abraham Lincoln was elected president in 1860. He died in office.
James Garfield was elected president in 1880. He died in office.
William McKinley was elected president in 1900. He died in office.
Warren Harding was elected president in 1920. He died in office.
Frankiln D. Roosevelt was re-elected president in 1940. He died in office.
John F. Kennedy was elected president in 1960. He died in office.
Ronald Reagan was elected president in 1980, shot but survived.
George W. Bush elected (?) president in 2000. Brain dead in office.

What was the curse? All presidents elected in a year ending in zero would die in office. Maybe it's just a legend.

John Adams, a TRUE American

March 5, 1770. A British sentry posted outside the Boston Custom House was being taunted by a few men and boys. The crowd of Bostonians grew larger and the lone sentry was reinforced by eight additional soldiers. The situation escalated and shots rang out. Five Americans were dead. Sam Adams published a pamphlet with a scene on the cover, drawn by Paul Revere, showing what Adams described as butchery.

The British soldiers were imprisoned but no Boston lawyer would defend them.

Finally, stating, "If, by supporting the rights of mankind, and of invincible truth, I shall contribute to save from the agonies of death one unfortunate victim of tyranny, or of ignorance, equally fatal, his blessings and years of transport will be sufficient consolation to me for the contempt of all mankind."

These are the words of John Adams who was the lawyer defending the British soldiers present at the "Boston Massacre." This unpopular position did not stop Adams, who rightly believed that in a free country all people have the right to counsel and a fair trial.

Sarah Palin spoke these words at the Republican Convention:

"Al-Qaeda terrorists still plot to inflict catastrophic harm on America." Referring to Barak Obama she stated, "He's worried that someone won't read them their rights."

I'm worried, too. We cannot as a nation devolve into thinking that if you are arrested you are guilty of anything.

If Sarah Palin believes what she said then those who are out to destroy us have already done so.

UN of Gadgets

If you are interested in the latest technology, specifically handheld devices such as media players, PDAs, and Ultra Portable PCs, head over to

www.UNofgadgets.com

Try it, you'll like it!

McCain and Palin and Keating OH MY!

John McCain:

"All through this period, the "gooks" were bombarding us with antiwar quotes from people in high places back in Washington. This was the most effective propaganda they had to use against us—speeches and statements by men who were generally respected in the United States."

"This was not too wild to the "gooks," because they're used to the bowing thing."

"A lot of them were homosexual, although never toward us. Some, who were pretty damned sadistic, seemed to get a big thrill out of the beatings."

GOOKS!!!

I'm proud of the part Joe and my wife, Carol, played here at home. The temptation for the wives, as the years went by, was to say, "God, I want them home under any circumstances." When Carol was pressed to take this line, her answer was, "Just to get him home is not enough for me, and it's not enough for John—I want him to come home standing up."

Not so proud. He divorced her after she was crippled in a car accident.

John McCain was one of the "Keating Five." McCain had private meetings on Charles Keating's behalf while a senator with federal banking regulators who were investigating Keating's Lincoln Savings and Loan Association. When Lincoln collapsed it cost the US taxpayers $3.4 billion. McCain was reprimanded by the Senate. It gets worse. McCain took donations from Keating, free trips on Keating's jet, and the second Mrs. McCain invested in an Arizona shopping mall along with Keating. This is all a matter of public record.
John McCain the presidential candidate claims he never did favors for special interests. Oh really?

The McCain-Palin squad claims that Barak Obama favors sex-education for kindergarten kids. Is teaching them to avoid strangers, which is what he really said, sex-education?

Mrs. Palin claims she told Washington "NO!" on the bridge to nowhere. This is after it became a national issue and ALASKA still kept the money.Mrs. Palin sent lobbyists to Washington that secured $27 million in earmarked funding, not for all of Alaska mind you, but for Wasilla. Wasilla, a town of about 6,000 people. This outraged many in Washington and was cited by one senator in particular as a prime example of pork barrel spending. That Senator was John McCain!

The "lipstick on a pig" comment was NOT directed at Mrs. Palin, as the Republican candidates would have you believe. It was directed at McCain's economic package.

Hockey moms unite!

A couple of photos sent to me from the largest political rally in Anchorage history. Not one moose, but several hockey moms showed up. Maybe these folks know something about Mrs. Palin that John McCain doesn't.

John McCain seems to forget quite easily, maybe it's his age...

Just yesterday in Iowa he claimed that Barak Obama was, "Part of the problem in Washington."

Excuse me, John, but haven't you been in Washington for about the last hundred years?

He also stated he would fire Chris Cox, chairman of the SEC. His reasoning was that Cox created open season for short sellers. Now anyone with half a brain knows that it is just as legitimate a strategy to gamble that stocks will decrease in value as it is that stocks will increase. Cox has aimed to bring stocks to a more reasonable value level, and has even recently tried to curb short selling. McCain has ignored this, and the fact that Cox is a federal employee trying to do what he is paid to do. Pressure from McCain is pretty outrageous conduct.

Thinking about the internet

My ISP was down for more than a day. It's interesting how the internet and email have become so much a part of our daily routine. I usually sit and eat my breakfast at my desk while I read the news and check my email. But this morning I couldn't do anything. It was disconcerting because I also couldn't write my usual blog.

I had to resort to TV!

The best part of the internet for me is the many friends I have made from all over the world. It truly has added to my life to get to chat with so many wonderful folks. Perhaps this spirit of communication and free speech will some day bring about a world of peace and harmony through the recognition of our common goals in life. We all want to live in a peaceful world where we can bring up our children in safety and guide them to a future world that will be far more harmonious than it is today.

Confused in Sebastian

Interesting that during the last couple of days, while Wall Street took a major hit, Lehman Brothers crashed and burned, Merrill Lynch, and Fannie and Freddie gave us all headaches, the best the two presidential candidates could come up with was:

McCain criticized Obama for going to a $2,500 a plate Hollywood fundraiser given by Barbara Streisand. The night before McCain attended a Miami fundraiser which netted $5.1 million.

Obama blamed the crisis on the Republicans. No plan other than to be watchful of greedy Wall Street.

McCain's plan is to keep a watchful eye on greedy Wall Street.

Obama says McCain opposes government regulation.

Nice plan guys. Guys...

BTW, Al Gore invented the internet (2000 election) and John McCain is responsible for the Blackberry (2008 election). Vote for the one who lies less than the other one.

Phone calls to voters by Bush pollsters in South Carolina during the 2000 primaries asked if they would vote for John McCain if he had fathered a black child.
Phone calls to Jewish voters by McCain pollsters during the 2008 presidential asked if they would vote for Obama if he was a Muslim.

Michelle Obama's first cousin is a rabbi in Chicago. The congregation has 350 members.

Barak Obama has been criticized for his willingness to negotiate with Iran and Syria.

Republic or Democracy?

The Bush Administration has consistently declared that democracy is the best way to prevent and eliminate "ideologies of hatred."

This is a basic misunderstanding of the difference between a democracy and a republic. A democracy, in simple terms, is rule by the majority. In an ideal democracy the majority sacrifices some of its rule to the rights of the minority. But, what happens when extremists are the majority, as in the case of Hamas? Democracy and intolerance exist in tandem. Thus democracy in this case did not overcome the ideology of hatred.

In a republic, a large population, spread over a large territory, elects representatives. Ideally, this representative, owing little or nothing to any one faction, is better able to judge what is best for all of the people. This is my basic understanding of James Madison's The Federalist #10.

Alexander Hamilton and James Madison wrote extensively in the Federalist Papers that there are evils inherent in any form of representative government. As Madison stated they, "...may forget their obligation to their constituents, and prove unfaithful to their important trust."

In our republic, the rights of the minority are protected in many ways, not the least of which is the Bill of Rights. However, as Alexander Hamilton stated, even freedom loving people such as Americans may at times be willing to sacrifice their liberties as a response to "the continual effort and alarm attendant on a state of continual danger." Furthermore the people may, "...have a tendency to destroy their civil and political rights. To be more safe they at length become willing to run the risk of being less free."

No Amendment has been under more attack since 9/11/2001 than Article IV:

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

So the next time you are searched at an airport think about Madison and Hamilton and realize that when we surrender our rights the "terrorists" have won.

Thus, Madison and Hamilton foresaw America circa 2008.

Bully Good Show!!!

Did you know:
Theodore Roosevelt was governor of New York for less than two years when he became Vice President of the US.
He was 42 years old when he became president, the youngest person to do so.
He had five children with his second wife.
He was a Republican.
During his expedition to Africa after leaving the presidency in 1909 he did not shoot a single moose. They did, however, kill (sung to the tune of "Twelve Days of Christmas): 12 topi, 11 gazelle, 10 oryx, 9 lions, 8 elephants, 7 hippopotamus, 6 buffalo, 5 zebra, 4 roan, 3 python, 2 bushbucks, 1 crocodile, and a partridge in a pear tree (and anything else that moved). BULLY GOOD SHOW!!!
TR seemed to have a thing for guns. There's lots of pictures with him holding a gun. A BIG gun.
His most famous quote: "Speak softly but carry a big stick."

In 1903 TR appointed Senator Henry Cabot Lodge to take part in a dispute and settlement with Britain over the exact location of Alaska's boundary with Canada.
Lodge defeated John Fitzgerald, JFK's grandfather, for the Massachusetts senatorial seat in 1916.
Lodge's grandson, Henry Cabot Lodge Jr, ran for VP with Nixon against JFK in 1960.
Lodge was US Ambassador to South Vietnam at the time when John McCain was shot down and captured by the North Vietnamese.
Later Lodge's son lost to Ted Kennedy for the same senate seat in 1962. Kennedy and his niece Caroline, daughter of JFK, both support Barak Obama.

March 7, 2006 speech by Barak Obama during the opening of a Senate Ethics Committee hearing in which he refers to TR..."What no one could have expected is that soon after the election, when President William McKinley was assassinated, the greatest fears of the corrupt machine bosses and powerbrokers came true when that former governor became President of the United States and went on to bust trusts, break up monopolies, and return the government to its people."

July 13, 2008...“I count myself as a conservative Republican, yet I view it to a large degree in the Theodore Roosevelt mold,” Mr. McCain said.

Does some of this sound vaguely familiar?

Every word of this is true. I researched every word...

Good grief, history is spooky.

Drunk Removed During Olympic Games

Glass Houses

I find all of this religion doublespeak repulsive, on both sides.

We all remember the flak about the Reverend Jeremiah Wright and Obama's attending his sermons.

Well, people in glass houses...

From The Atlantic Magazine website:

From a sermon attended by Sarah Palin at her church on August 17, 2008:

"What we see in Israel, the conflict that has spilled out throughout the Middle East, really which is all about Jerusalem, is an ongoing reflection of the fact that there is judgment," David Brickner told an audience at Wasilla Baptist Church that included Palin. He added that when his son visited Jerusalem, “He was there to witness some of that judgment, some of that conflict, when a Palestinian from East Jerusalem took a bulldozer and went plowing through a score of cars, killing numbers of people. Judgment -- you can't miss it."

The judgment he speaks of is God's judgment of the Jews, the "non-believers." Jews for Jesus exist for one purpose, convert Jews to Christianity. I bet there weren't many Jews in the audience that day in Wasilla.

"The McCain campaign acknowledged Palin was in attendance when Brickner spoke, but stressed Palin does not support Brickner's message."

So it's okay for her but not for Obama. BTW, if you criticize Obama for belonging to Rev. Wright's church, how can you, at the same time, claim he is a Muslim.

Alien and Sedition and the FBI

From the Washington Post September 13, 2008:

"Under the new plan, agents pursuing national security leads could employ physical surveillance, deploy informants and engage in "pretext" interviews with their identities hidden to assess the danger posed by a subject. Such threat assessments could be initiated even without a particular fact or concrete lead that a person had engaged in wrongdoing."

Compare the above to:

The Alien Friends Act (officially An Act Concerning Aliens) authorized the president to deport any resident alien considered "dangerous to the peace and safety of the United States."
The Sedition Act (officially An Act for the Punishment of Certain Crimes against the United States) made it a crime to publish "false, scandalous, and malicious writing" against the government or its officials.

The above are #2 & #4 of the 1798 Alien and Sedition Acts. These were aimed at French immigrants living in the United States. The Acts were deemed so repulsive by many Americans that they probably resulted in the election of Thomas Jefferson as president in 1800. He had been in opposition to the Acts based on the Bill of Rights.

Think about this in today's terms and it is not far fetched to see parallels in our attempt to sanction foreign nations deemed enemies of "Democracy" and spy on alleged terrorists merely because their neighbor calls the FBI.

Deja vu all over again.

PS The third Alien and Sedition Act, passed in 1798, is still in effect:

The Alien Enemies Act (officially An Act Respecting Alien Enemies) authorized the president to apprehend and deport resident aliens if their home countries were at war with the United States.

The truth shall set US free

There's the old saying, "How do you know when a politician is lying? His (or her) lips are moving!"

This seems to be more and more true as we get closer to the November election.

Why can't these people just stand up and say, "Here is my plan." It always comes back to, "Here is my plan. The other guy is an idiot, and a liar." Personally I think in this election the idiot and liar part is probably true, but to paraphrase Isaac Newton, "for every lie there is an equal and opposite lie." And who really believes anything these people say. Just take a look at the 2006 election that the Democrats claimed would be 100 days of radical change. Oh yes, been there. And Bush claiming in 2000 that he was against "nation building." Oh yes, been there.

So I don't really care that much that one says a "pig with lipstick (which the other candidate has also said and which he conveniently forgets)" and the other goes on about the "bridge to nowhere." That's all history and these are the two candidates we are stuck with.

Now what they need to tell us is not how awful the other guy is, but what they will do for all Americans. Not this, "Change" deal that they spout, but a real honest to goodness plan. Like saving the housing market, stop the leaking US dollar, reduce the horrific deficit, get us out of foreign conflicts, and on and on. But will we believe anything they say when they base their candidacy on bad mouthing the opposition and distorting their own political record and just outright "falseifitoods?"

9/11

To honor those who died on 9/11 seven years ago I will observe a moment of silence...

Now that it's over, how is it that Osama bin Laden is still on the run? I mean Sadam Hussain was found hiding underground in the forsaken desert but we can't find this guy who needs kidney dialysis and is reported to be taller than the average palm tree. But he can't be found.

Just asking.

Palin vs. Persia

There's a pretty weird story floating around, again, about Sarah Palin. Here it goes:

Mrs. Palin asked her pastor for some guidance after she was elected governor of Alaska. She needed a good biblical role model. Her meshugener pastor, and this comes supposedly directly from him, suggested Esther (Hebrew name Hadassah). Esther was, of course, Queen of the Jews. And like Sarah Palin she too was a beauty queen, though unlike Sarah she finished first in her contest. As you may know, Esther is credited with persuading the Persian king to save the Jews from annihilation. The Jewish people celebrate Purim in her honor.

Ancient Persia is today called...IRAN! Oy vey.

Esther is also considered by Jewish scholars to be one of the most beautiful women EVER! Even more beautiful than Joan Rivers or Sophie Tucker! A real looker you should know. And such a nice girl, and smart, too. Kept Kosher. Great personality. A shayna ponem.

I suppose some folks will see this as the coming of a Queen to save the Israelites from the Persian Iranians. I hope you don't take this too seriously Mrs. Palin, should you indeed become VP. You know, because the Jews wound up slaughtering the Persians. I mean like 75,000-0. But thank you for noting the beauty and majesty of the Story of Esther.

And what's with the moose? Esther probably never saw a moose. Or snow. Or nosh a nice bisele ham sandwich for lunch.

Thinking Without Speaking

I was listening this morning to one of the many "jazz" groups that I regularly pay a visit to. I would not label it jazz in the classic sense, i.e. front line and rhythm section. This is AMM, a rather unclassifiable group. In one form or another they have been around since the mid sixties. The group currently is down to only two members: pianist John Tilbury and percussionist Eddie Prevost. Guitarist Keith Rowe left the band a couple of years ago for some political or personal reasons. He was a founding member, and to me is sorely missed.

Enough of that. What came to mind while listening was the nature of sound. You see, AMM is not like any other music you have ever heard. When we listen to music there is an expectation of certain devices at work: organization, method, rhythm, melody, harmony, something to follow. None of that exists with AMM. It is at times pure sound, beginning nowhere and ending nowhere. In recent years their sound has mellowed, to me become more "Feldmanesque" in its near preciousness. The now absent Rowe added an edge that is gone. But listening this morning had me thinking "what is music?" AMM music is a challenge to the listener. It is not easy. But I think my interest in AMM is the challenge. You have to listen, really listen. Not talk or maybe even not think. But most of all not talk. Clear the mind.

Now this brings me to a book my little daughter Anna read for school. The name of the book is No Talking. To summarize, a fifth grader named Dave reads a few words about how Mahatma Gandhi did not speak one day each week. Why? To clear his mind. So Dave challenges the female fifth graders to a contest where they would not speak for two days. This is very upsetting to the teachers at the school who cannot deal with this sudden silence. And most of all it upsets the principal who feels it usurps her power. But clearly the teachers are unable to think outside the box. They cannot clear their minds, or think in non-traditional ways. But Dave, through the power of thinking without speaking saves the day. Adults could learn a thing or two from this book. My hat is off to the author.

AMM thinks of music in non-traditional ways. They challenge you to go along with them.

You can find more information about them here: http://www.efi.group.shef.ac.uk/
No Talking is by Andrew Clements

Apologies Mrs Palin

Seems as though the blog I wrote below may not be accurate. The books listed have not been verified as those Mrs. Palin wanted banned, nor is there any proof that she had a list at all. The list is one that has circulated on the internet, but in fact contains books (Harry Potter) printed after the alleged book banning proposal. So until there is some solid proof, other than the word of the librarian she allegedly asked about book banning, then I must recant.

So, Mrs Palin, I do apologize and if you are ever in Sebastian be sure to stop by and have some delicious Chinese food!

Oh, and I have some books on Thomas Jefferson and John Adams and a couple by Al Gore that you might like to read, since they were all VPs.

BTW, I could easily have deleted the blog, but hey, when you are wrong it's healthy and liberating to admit it. I feel much better now!

Palin's Banned Books

Here is a list of books that Sarah Palin tried to have banned from the Wasilla library. This is not a rumor. It has been verified by Time magazine. I'm sure that many of you have read quite a few of these books, as I have. Shakespeare? Twain? Steinbeck? Huxley?

There was a very long list of books here which I have now removed. I did not do so when I first discovered that the list was not directly attributed to Mrs. Palin. In fairness, now that I have had time to research this a bit, I have indeed removed the book titles. Please don't think of this as censorship. All I have done is censored my own poorly researched material. I did not want to delete the entire blog because I felt that some people may have read the previous version and thought it was accurate, only to come back and find it was gone and wondered why.

Fannie and Freddie

Today we learn that by next weekend the Fed will announce a takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two home mortgage giants. Both are bleeding money, having lost about 80% of their value. They hold over one trillion dollars in direct debt.

So the Treasury Department plans to bail the two companies out, costing perhaps $20 BILLION.

So, the two CEOs of course have done a terrible job. I don't think there is any doubt when losses mount to totals we are looking at for both companies.

Now you might want to know how much salary each was paid for the terrible job they did.

Daniel Mudd, CEO of Fannie Mae, made $11.8 million in 2007. Richard Syron, CEO of Freddie Mac made $18.3 million plus perks like paid travel for his wife.

I ask this: Why should or would these huge companies worry about bleeding money when the Fed is bound to come along to bail them out. It happens over and over again and who pays for it? You and I. Hey, how about giving that money back to the tax payers to help them get out of debt? No, we'll give it to the crooks who created this mess to begin with. The banks and other lenders were greedy and lent money irresponsibly. Now many Americans cannot afford their mortgage payments. Does the Fed help them out? Nope, they bail out the crooks. Nice!

Message to the next president: How about REAL change. How about making the irresponsible RESPONSIBLE!

Obama? McCain? How about Madison!

We haven't heard much from Sarah Palin since the RNC ended. I have a feeling she is getting a crash course on politics. Compare that to Joe Biden, who might just be the one giving her the lessons!

My problem is, as I think it is with many Americans, who do I vote for in this election?

There are so many rumors about Palin that I've come to discount all of them.

There are so many rumors about Obama that I've come to discount all of them.

Same for McCain, mostly.

What I do know is that, whoever wins, it will just be more of the same Washington politics running this country.

Only one candidate spoke for real change...Ron Paul. And we know where that got him.

Want to learn from some REAL reformers? Read about James Madison, James Wilson, and Alexander Hamilton. Those Founding Fathers R-O-C-K!!!

A Billion Bucks

Do you know what country has the third most troops in Iraq? Do you know what country just got a nice gift from the US? They are both Georgia (the country not the state).

Now I was really surprised to learn that Georgia had about 2500 troops in Iraq. But about half of them were redeployed back to Georgia when the confrontation with Russia escalated. Oh, we are giving the 5 million people in Georgia a nice round figure...ONE BILLION DOLLARS!!!

In the 2007 US Budget for Education, $380 million was earmarked to strengthen the capacity of our schools to improve elementary and secondary instruction in mathematics and science.

The 2000 Election! Now a Major Motion Picture

Just a quick thought:

If I was going to make a movie about the 2000 election, here is the cast...

Bush - Jack Nicholson (heh, heh)
Cheney - Robert DeNiro (you talkin' to me?)

Gore - George Clooney (the perfect storm!)
Edwards - David Duchovny (sorry for the joke)

If you want to see a cool browser inside your current browser go to:
http://www.navigaya.com/main.php

Have we learned anything from Iraq?

Take a look at a world map in order to understand why Iran is a bit worried. They are practically surrounded by American troops. I don't think the Iranian people have anything against us as Americans. What I do think is that with American troops so close, it might be best to wave a saber like nuclear power to at least make them feel more substantial in our eyes.

And also keep in mind that their president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was elected by the people of Iran. But he is mostly a figurehead and the country, a theocracy, is ruled by the Supreme Leader. The president shares some degree of power with the Supreme Leader, but does not have the range of influence that presidents have in more democratic societies. So when Ahmadinejad shoots off his mouth, take it with a grain of salt.

That doesn't mean that Iran is any less of a threat, especially when it comes to influencing neighboring countries like Iraq.

But I certainly don't think threatening Iran serves them or us or the world any good. We should learn a lesson from the Iraq fiasco.

Metaphorically speaking...

Obama: iPod
McCain: 8-track
Biden: reel to reel
Palin: cassette

Obama: JFK
McCain: Nixon
Biden: Gerald Ford
Palin: Dan Quayle

Obama: Cubs
McCain: Yankees
Biden: Spitz
Palin: Phelps

Obama: Porsche Cayenne
McCain: H2
Biden: Volkswagen
Palin: Hyundai

Obama: Hot dog
McCain: Steak and eggs
Biden: Liver and onions
Palin: Lean Cuisine

Obama: Colbert Report
McCain: Fox News
Biden: Meet the Press
Palin: Today Show

Obama: Stevie Wonder
McCain: Three Dog Night
Biden: The Beatles
Palin: Spice Girls

Obama: Alexander Hamilton
McCain: Benjamin Franklin
Biden: James Madison
Palin: Dolly Madison

Obama: Hank Aaron
McCain: Babe Ruth
Biden: Bobby Riggs
Palin: Billie Jean King

Obama: Prince Charming
McCain: Shrek
Biden: Lord Farquaard
Palin: Fiona

Obama: Iron Man
McCain: Captain America
Biden: Mr. Myxaplx
Palin: Wonder Woman

Obama: Sponge Bob
McCain: Patrick Star
Biden: Mr. Eugene Q. Crabs
Palin: Sandy

Got some of your own? Comments welcome!

Roe v. Wade and Bristol Palin

Bristol Palin's pregnancy is big. It brings to light the issue of Roe v. Wade. Should McCain become president, I have no doubt that the Supreme Court will visit this divisive issue. Should McCain become president, and should one of the chairs become vacant, he would undoubtedly pick a pro-life justice to fill that seat.

But, pro-life vs. pro-choice is not really about abortion vs. anything. Pro-lifers would have us believe that if you are against "pro-life" you are for abortion. But that is not true. What if Bristol Palin had been a victim of rape? Should she not have the choice to terminate that unwelcome pregnancy? What if Bristol Palin had been a victim of incest? Should she not have the choice to terminate that unwelcome pregnancy? What if the pregnancy threatened her life? No choice there either? Are 17 year old girls and 18 year old boys prepared for what it means to be a parent? This isn't ice hockey or cheer leading. This is 24/7.

Why have some Americans decided that such a private life altering decision be left to the politics of those sitting on the Supreme Court of the United States? Why should a sitting president have the power to decide that his choice for a vacant Supreme Court seat could possibly influence a woman's life for years to come? Why would anyone in their right mind leave such a decision to John McCain? And Sarah Palin.

Just asking.

Family Values

It was interesting to learn that Barak Obama has declared Sarah Palin's family problems to be off limits. This would be in keeping with his need to avoid the tag of being "an angry black man." Obama certainly cannot risk middle American seeing him in this light. It is a tag that will not sit well with the majority of voters both black and white. I have heard him referred to as this generations Jackie Robinson. That may be quite accurate. One only has to think about what Robinson had to endure to equate it to Obama. It's the need to avoid conflict that will keep him from saying anything negative about Palin. It would only antagonize the neocons who are waiting to pounce at the first word from Obama's mouth. But the question is, in avoiding the subject does he let down those who are looking for some kind of statement concerning family values. This is a tough spot for Obama, and a very touchy issue. I suppose it may be a no win situation. But he best get used to it if he intends to occupy the Oval Office.

But expect to hear plenty from the opposition in reference to Bristol Palin. But it will not come from Obama.

My question is this: Why would the mother of a special needs infant want to be VP and basically spend the child's infant years away from him? Why would the mother of a pregnant 17 year old daughter basically spend the next years away from her daughter and her grandchild? Is this the family values that the neocons scream about? What values did she teach her daughter? And now we are getting the really outlandish excuse that the daughter told her mother that she would feel terribly guilty if her mother gave up the possibility of becoming VP just because her daughter is pregnant. Excuse me? What about deciding on your own, Mrs. Palin, that your family needs you and that being VP was a distant second to being a mother. Now the question will be, "If she was a man she wouldn't have to make this decision." No, in this case I would expect the father to make the exact same decision. We aren't talking here about a mother or father working eight hours a day at the office. We are talking about being a heartbeat from the presidency. We are talking stress, world affairs, 24/7.

I have no idea what type of person Mrs. Palin is. I'm sure she is a fine woman. She just was a bad choice, one of many by McCain who was undoubtedly pressured into this by the extreme right of the Republican Party. His choice was Lieberman from the start. But Mrs. Palin brings the donations from the extremists that Joe would be unable to do.

I doubt we'll hear much about family values from here on in. Let's remember this about McCain. He cheated on his first wife (a former model from Philadelphia), a woman who suffered serious injuries in a car crash, and was left permanently disfigured. She actually lost four inches of height from the accident. They had three children before he divorced her. Then he married Cindy McCain a month after his divorce. The second wife's family was quite wealthy, and in fact started McCain on his political trail. John and Cindy are worth in excess of $25 million. He stated that you are "rich" if you have more than, oh, $5 million. WHAT!

I wonder how much of a "hero" he is to his first wife. His campaign centers on two things: Being a war hero (remember wife #1) and American values ($25 million worth).

Say WHAT?

Dear Mr. Next President

A note to our next president:

Think of all Americans as your family. Your job as head of the family is to ensure their health and safety. How does the head of this family take care of their health? Think of this. If you have four kids and two are sick, that is quite a burden mentally and financially on the family. It becomes the focus point of the family. So taking care of our children should be a high priority for the next president. Free or low cost medical for every child under the age of 18 should be a priority, not just a dream. Be sure our children, the future, are healthy. A healthy body and a healthy mind makes for a healthy nation.

Next, the land. Everyone needs to recycle. Make it mandatory. Make it a high priority and not just a voluntary afterthought.

We need to think as Americans, as one people. What is good for one should be good for all. A fair tax system, a first class public education system, alternative energy sources, all of which are very easy to do if we have the leadership that wants it to get done. Is there money? Yes...

Let's stop sending our money around the world. First of all, we can't afford it any more. Foreign aide should be totally cut unless there is a disaster that calls for help. Second, giving aide promotes dependence. Dependence promotes intervention. Intervention equals imperialism. Stop all aide. Again, we can no longer afford it other than on humanitarian grounds. I don't know about anyone else, but I've never gotten a thank you card from any country that my tax money has gone to for supporting their US "friendly" government. They want our dollars but not our intervention. So just STOP! NOW!