Many of you know that I find a great deal of interest in terrorism and international intelligence, so it should come as no surprise that in the very second I learned about Mumbai (Bombay) I was scanning world wide news for info.
Here is what I have, and later I will add my commentary:
--10 Gunmen, armed with automatic rifles, hand grenades, and several other explosives
--Goal was to hit at least a dozen different places, with emphasis on the Taj hotel
--They came ashore on zodiac type boats, launched from a larger ship
--One of main targets was a Jewish Chabat house, (think religious hostel)
--In the Chabat the victims were bound then shot
--Gunmen yelled out for British, Jewish, and American citizens in the hotels
--Police were ineffective due to an emphasis on less than lethal weapons, substandard rifles, and poor training
--The hostages were probably not part of the plan, but more of an opportunity
--All of them were trained in military tactics and were very familiar with the weapons they used
--The sole survivor claims he is Pakistani, and that the terrorists trained in Pakistan
Ok, commentary. It’s clear to me that the attack was to remind the Indian people that their country’s fledging democracy was failing them. This was designed to undermine the current government and make the Indian people wish they had not chosen a democratic form of government. It just might work in the end. The theory has been proven in Spain; if you hit hard enough the people will choose a stricter government in the hopes that it will protect them. Only to realize, and often too late, they have sacrificed freedom for security.
This should send a cold chill down every Americans’ spine. Just think about the throngs of uneducated voters who voiced themselves in the last election, and look at the results. The people have totally ignored the fact that since 2001 we have not been attacked by foreign terrorists. They would rather believe President Bush was complicit in 9/11 and that he started a war in Iraq for oil. Now take these people and apply the bloodshed of Mumbai…scary concept.
This is why I urge every American, red or blue, liberal or conservative, to never allow a president or a congress, to cut our defense spending. We must always take the fight to the enemy and destroy them where they live, before they get here. This is not a tough concept, nor is it new. But it is a concept we will see under siege in the coming years. PE Obama has promised to cut “tens of billions in spending…halt the development of future weapons…stop the funding of unproven missile defense systems…” the list goes on.
Homeland security is not perfect, but it is complimented by fighting those who would harm us in their own hovels and caves, and not on Main Street.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Mumbai Report
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Give 'em a check...and its all down hill.
Lately I have done some studies on what modern socialism has accomplished, and what modern socialists wish it would. I've come across some very interesting web pages designed to tug at your "feel sorry" strings and lead you to the conclusion that industry is to blame for the worlds' woes, and government is the cure. I have sat and pondered many times how anyone could come to this conclusion, and be so sure about it, that they proudly call themselves socialists.
In the spirit of this movement I decided to look at the basis for their "save-the-world-via-government-intervention plan for success." I found a great example of how and why government is not the answer, but as Reagan said, is the problem.
The City of Mesa, is a sprawling suburb of Phoenix with slightly over 460,000 citizens. The landscape of Mesa is as diverse as the people who live there. On the west end you have a mix of high class business suites, right next door to pay by the hour hotel rooms and on the east end you have multi-million dollar homes. But in the west end you will find the first evidence of a failed government plan, the light rail system. Just to be clear, I like the light rail idea. I lived off of it in Europe and I like the system Salt Lake City has. But in Mesa you will find all of one mile of light rail track, which quickly terminates at the sight of an old abandoned mall. It literally is the end of the tracks. So why is this the City's fault? They waited way too long to get on board the project, and failed to explain to the citizens how useful it would be. They simply shrugged their shoulders and quietly whispered, "It'll never work."
Next we have a failure on the part of the city to recognize bad money management. A few years ago the city would pay each person $50 for their old refrigerators. Why? Well I don't know except to say they obviously wanted the honor or throwing the old cold boxes in the dump themselves. And sit tight, this next one will sting, $800,000 on the first (and only) City of Mesa Citrus festival! Eight hundred thousand big ones to celebrate an orange. It was fun for the whole family, and ended as a "fee"-nominal failure.
Ready for this? The Diversity officer for the City of Mesa starts at just over $79,000 a year. Just to put that into perspective; That's two firefighter recruits or one and half Police Officer recruits. In fact, when a cop "tops out" they wont even come close to $79K a year. For reasons of clarity I will add that the only education requirement for the Diversity Officer is a 4 year degree.
I don't have enough space on this post to talk about the City's utilities department who artificially kept rates low so as to keep customers, even while the water pipes were bursting all over the place.
And finally, the piece of resistance, bronze statues. Yes life like statues of dogs, kids, three over- weight women, and a skinny horse. Total cost? $69K for upkeep and upgrades, plus 75K for advertising. Income to the city? Um, zero. (They don't have a sales tax so even if you buy an Ice Cream while looking at the skinny horse, the only person you are helping is yourself).
And in that final thought comes the inspiration for my conclusion: The government cannot provide the type of financial leadership socialists crave. Because of the City's lack of fiscal responsibility, there are patches of extreme blight everywhere. Abandoned buildings dot the landscape, and low income neighborhoods look like war zones. Hundreds of people will be cut loose after Christmas, and no one is safe from the chopping block. That simple bronze cast skinny horse is the epitome of the failed government, and now even he has to go.
In the spirit of this movement I decided to look at the basis for their "save-the-world-via-government-intervention plan for success." I found a great example of how and why government is not the answer, but as Reagan said, is the problem.
The City of Mesa, is a sprawling suburb of Phoenix with slightly over 460,000 citizens. The landscape of Mesa is as diverse as the people who live there. On the west end you have a mix of high class business suites, right next door to pay by the hour hotel rooms and on the east end you have multi-million dollar homes. But in the west end you will find the first evidence of a failed government plan, the light rail system. Just to be clear, I like the light rail idea. I lived off of it in Europe and I like the system Salt Lake City has. But in Mesa you will find all of one mile of light rail track, which quickly terminates at the sight of an old abandoned mall. It literally is the end of the tracks. So why is this the City's fault? They waited way too long to get on board the project, and failed to explain to the citizens how useful it would be. They simply shrugged their shoulders and quietly whispered, "It'll never work."
Next we have a failure on the part of the city to recognize bad money management. A few years ago the city would pay each person $50 for their old refrigerators. Why? Well I don't know except to say they obviously wanted the honor or throwing the old cold boxes in the dump themselves. And sit tight, this next one will sting, $800,000 on the first (and only) City of Mesa Citrus festival! Eight hundred thousand big ones to celebrate an orange. It was fun for the whole family, and ended as a "fee"-nominal failure.
Ready for this? The Diversity officer for the City of Mesa starts at just over $79,000 a year. Just to put that into perspective; That's two firefighter recruits or one and half Police Officer recruits. In fact, when a cop "tops out" they wont even come close to $79K a year. For reasons of clarity I will add that the only education requirement for the Diversity Officer is a 4 year degree.
I don't have enough space on this post to talk about the City's utilities department who artificially kept rates low so as to keep customers, even while the water pipes were bursting all over the place.
And finally, the piece of resistance, bronze statues. Yes life like statues of dogs, kids, three over- weight women, and a skinny horse. Total cost? $69K for upkeep and upgrades, plus 75K for advertising. Income to the city? Um, zero. (They don't have a sales tax so even if you buy an Ice Cream while looking at the skinny horse, the only person you are helping is yourself).
And in that final thought comes the inspiration for my conclusion: The government cannot provide the type of financial leadership socialists crave. Because of the City's lack of fiscal responsibility, there are patches of extreme blight everywhere. Abandoned buildings dot the landscape, and low income neighborhoods look like war zones. Hundreds of people will be cut loose after Christmas, and no one is safe from the chopping block. That simple bronze cast skinny horse is the epitome of the failed government, and now even he has to go.
700 Billion and counting.
I'm sure you have all read about this bail out package to the point your sick, me too. But in typical "Me" fashion I have to take it one step further.
I read Henry "Hank" Paulson's op-ed piece in the NYT today and the only thing I extracted from it was, "its bigger than we thought, we need more cash." It's like watching that 10 minute segment of "Independence Day" when all of the massive ships come drilling into the atmosphere and all of the people are staring up in disbelief and horror. Add to that some annoying Nelson Muntz style voice in the background saying, "We need more sky!"
My point is, of course the problem is bigger than you thought! What a surprise! It's like every other government run program, it starts with a modest assessment and then lo and behold, they need more cash. Now I know Paulson didn't come right out and say he needs another check, but read his NYT piece, about halfway through when he talks about "not enough fire power". Its cryptic for, open your wallets my fellow tax payers.
This whole thing has become a major joke with all of us being the punchline. AIG is scheduled to get 25B more, and that's after they all went to Cali and got massages. GM, Ford, and Chevy want some money, and even the state of Arizona has jumped into the mix. With all the beggars showing up in DC the one industry that stands to gain is the hotel chains.
As just an average person who spends his days trying to break out of the middle class, I have but one question on this thing, why? Why don't you let these companies who have failed to adapt to the new century just go under? No one is going to bail me out if I make bad financial decisions, so why should I bail out multi-billion dollar companies who have done the same?
I read Henry "Hank" Paulson's op-ed piece in the NYT today and the only thing I extracted from it was, "its bigger than we thought, we need more cash." It's like watching that 10 minute segment of "Independence Day" when all of the massive ships come drilling into the atmosphere and all of the people are staring up in disbelief and horror. Add to that some annoying Nelson Muntz style voice in the background saying, "We need more sky!"
My point is, of course the problem is bigger than you thought! What a surprise! It's like every other government run program, it starts with a modest assessment and then lo and behold, they need more cash. Now I know Paulson didn't come right out and say he needs another check, but read his NYT piece, about halfway through when he talks about "not enough fire power". Its cryptic for, open your wallets my fellow tax payers.
This whole thing has become a major joke with all of us being the punchline. AIG is scheduled to get 25B more, and that's after they all went to Cali and got massages. GM, Ford, and Chevy want some money, and even the state of Arizona has jumped into the mix. With all the beggars showing up in DC the one industry that stands to gain is the hotel chains.
As just an average person who spends his days trying to break out of the middle class, I have but one question on this thing, why? Why don't you let these companies who have failed to adapt to the new century just go under? No one is going to bail me out if I make bad financial decisions, so why should I bail out multi-billion dollar companies who have done the same?
Saturday, November 15, 2008
This may make some folks angry, but its the truth.
I have been relatively quiet on the CA prop 8 and the AZ prop 102 protests. I expressed my displeasure in a few entries about the protests going on at Mormon churches and temples, but overall I have been quiet and yet highly agitated. I learned many years ago that I have an amazing ability to offend, annoy, and otherwise alienate people when I speak in an agitated mood, so I’ve had to hold back some. Until now.
I read an article on the website www.truthwinsout.org that compared the plight of the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender community to the plight of the Jews and African Americans. It even went so far as to say those whom felt the sting of discrimination were now stepping on new victims of hate.
This is where the nonsense stops, to compare the GLBT plight for gay marriage to the Jews or the African Americans is not fair, and it spits upon the memory of millions who lost their lives out of no fault of their own.
No members of the GLBT community have been oppressed since the time of Julius Ceaser. They have not been rounded up by tribal kings and sold in chains to the highest bidder. They were not forced into putrid conditions, raped, hung, and drug to death simply because their skin was different.
No members of the GLBT community have been rousted out of their beds at night and forced into Warsaw ghettos. They did not stand in lines while soldiers tore their family members away at gunpoint. They were not forced into gas chambers, work camps, or shot in the streets. The Jews, like the African Americans, suffered some of the most horrendous treatment human beings can devise and to even think that the gay community has claim to that suffering is sickening.
Thankfully we live in a civilized society where these people will not have to suffer like that. But this new rage and hate coming from the GLBT community has already gone too far, and I fear it will get even worse unless someone on their side speaks up and calls for common sense. Until then, they should expect that the harder they push, the harder the public will push back. And the more they try to compare themselves with those who have truly suffered, the more they will ensure that they will never be alike.
I read an article on the website www.truthwinsout.org that compared the plight of the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender community to the plight of the Jews and African Americans. It even went so far as to say those whom felt the sting of discrimination were now stepping on new victims of hate.
This is where the nonsense stops, to compare the GLBT plight for gay marriage to the Jews or the African Americans is not fair, and it spits upon the memory of millions who lost their lives out of no fault of their own.
No members of the GLBT community have been oppressed since the time of Julius Ceaser. They have not been rounded up by tribal kings and sold in chains to the highest bidder. They were not forced into putrid conditions, raped, hung, and drug to death simply because their skin was different.
No members of the GLBT community have been rousted out of their beds at night and forced into Warsaw ghettos. They did not stand in lines while soldiers tore their family members away at gunpoint. They were not forced into gas chambers, work camps, or shot in the streets. The Jews, like the African Americans, suffered some of the most horrendous treatment human beings can devise and to even think that the gay community has claim to that suffering is sickening.
Thankfully we live in a civilized society where these people will not have to suffer like that. But this new rage and hate coming from the GLBT community has already gone too far, and I fear it will get even worse unless someone on their side speaks up and calls for common sense. Until then, they should expect that the harder they push, the harder the public will push back. And the more they try to compare themselves with those who have truly suffered, the more they will ensure that they will never be alike.
Monday, November 10, 2008
DNR GOP ?
Today is the 10th of November, 6 full days have elapsed from the election of Barack Obama, and yet if you scan the news sites you would think it just wrapped up about 10 minutes ago.
The excitement of the new President Elect is almost matched by the excitement of throngs of bloggers and columnists who are hailing the death of the Republican Party, more so, the death of Conservatism. I picture a large ball room chock full of angry GOP’ers marching single file out a pair of double doors, flanked by new progressives slapping orange DNR stickers on their hunched backs.
No one can deny that the media established itself as the big kid on the playground during this last election. They may not have wielded the biggest stick, but they sure screamed loud enough. For those they supported the media acted as a digital form of ADD quickly flashing over, or completely ignoring, any faults the new president may have, and substituting them with highlight reels and chanting onlookers. For those the media opposed, they took on the role of grim reaper, constantly reminding us that the end was near.
Just as they performed the greatest shuck and jive in the history politics over the last two years, they are now at it again with the same scythe swinging audacity. Any scan of the news, cable or Internet; will lead you inexorably to the conclusion that America has cast the conservatives out on their elephant-gray butts. It takes a deeper look into the “news” to find the actual truth; we are still here.
It is true the Republicans have tossed aside the Conservative base, John McCain went through the primaries ignoring us, all the while claiming he was the right man. (Pun fully intended). At the last minute his choice of the Sarah Palin was a sign that even he could not ignore the solid Conservative base. But that’s all behind us now, and presently we need to focus on rebuilding the party.
We need to start training and educating ourselves on this new style of politics, and stop preparing for a battle that was already lost. We need to focus on the Conservative message regarding limited government and why it works. We need to focus on less government spending, and smarter spending where it is needed. We need to teach people that the government should be a resource, not the sole source. We need to remember that strong churches and strong families are the backbone of society, and stop shunning the “Religious Right”. We need to remind people that we have the most advanced oil drilling companies in the world, and they are ready and willing to help us get away from mid-east oil. All we need do is cut the leash.
No Conservatism is not dead, it is in exile. We are preparing for the next battle to be fought for this great country. We are seeking men and women who are ready for the fight and willing to stand up and declare, we are proud to be Conservative.
The excitement of the new President Elect is almost matched by the excitement of throngs of bloggers and columnists who are hailing the death of the Republican Party, more so, the death of Conservatism. I picture a large ball room chock full of angry GOP’ers marching single file out a pair of double doors, flanked by new progressives slapping orange DNR stickers on their hunched backs.
No one can deny that the media established itself as the big kid on the playground during this last election. They may not have wielded the biggest stick, but they sure screamed loud enough. For those they supported the media acted as a digital form of ADD quickly flashing over, or completely ignoring, any faults the new president may have, and substituting them with highlight reels and chanting onlookers. For those the media opposed, they took on the role of grim reaper, constantly reminding us that the end was near.
Just as they performed the greatest shuck and jive in the history politics over the last two years, they are now at it again with the same scythe swinging audacity. Any scan of the news, cable or Internet; will lead you inexorably to the conclusion that America has cast the conservatives out on their elephant-gray butts. It takes a deeper look into the “news” to find the actual truth; we are still here.
It is true the Republicans have tossed aside the Conservative base, John McCain went through the primaries ignoring us, all the while claiming he was the right man. (Pun fully intended). At the last minute his choice of the Sarah Palin was a sign that even he could not ignore the solid Conservative base. But that’s all behind us now, and presently we need to focus on rebuilding the party.
We need to start training and educating ourselves on this new style of politics, and stop preparing for a battle that was already lost. We need to focus on the Conservative message regarding limited government and why it works. We need to focus on less government spending, and smarter spending where it is needed. We need to teach people that the government should be a resource, not the sole source. We need to remember that strong churches and strong families are the backbone of society, and stop shunning the “Religious Right”. We need to remind people that we have the most advanced oil drilling companies in the world, and they are ready and willing to help us get away from mid-east oil. All we need do is cut the leash.
No Conservatism is not dead, it is in exile. We are preparing for the next battle to be fought for this great country. We are seeking men and women who are ready for the fight and willing to stand up and declare, we are proud to be Conservative.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
A bit too cliche?
Remember all of those cliche stories in high school sex-ed about "Tommy" and "Jenny" who unwittingly fell into a compromising situation one night after the high school football game? Poor Jenny was convinced Tommy loved her so much that she gave herself fully to the man of her dreams, only to wake up alone the dreaded morning after! (dramatic music)
I can't help but think we are seeing some morning after action going on right now in the Obama administration-to-be. He promised change and vowed not to succumb to politics as usual. He promised to bring change to Washington and "fundamentally change the United States of America".
And then he picked Joe Biden.
Yes, nothing says change more than 30+ years of Washington insider standing next to you in Scranton, PA. And now we find he picked Rahm Emanuel, a top advisor to Bill Clinton, and a speaker's pet to Nanci Pelosi, as his Chief of Staff. Not to mention John Podesta, former Bill Clinton White House Chief of Staff, will head Obama's transition team.
It seems like Obama decided to pull some quickness the morning after while half of his constituents are still bathing in the after glow of his ascension, and the other half are just happy they were not disenfranchised from voting by scary republicans with sticks. I'm willing to say we just experienced several months of what amount to political pillow talk.
But maybe I am all wrong on this, maybe Tommy really does love Jenny, as he runs out the front door, looking over his shoulder, and saying, "I'll call you, I promise!"
I can't help but think we are seeing some morning after action going on right now in the Obama administration-to-be. He promised change and vowed not to succumb to politics as usual. He promised to bring change to Washington and "fundamentally change the United States of America".
And then he picked Joe Biden.
Yes, nothing says change more than 30+ years of Washington insider standing next to you in Scranton, PA. And now we find he picked Rahm Emanuel, a top advisor to Bill Clinton, and a speaker's pet to Nanci Pelosi, as his Chief of Staff. Not to mention John Podesta, former Bill Clinton White House Chief of Staff, will head Obama's transition team.
It seems like Obama decided to pull some quickness the morning after while half of his constituents are still bathing in the after glow of his ascension, and the other half are just happy they were not disenfranchised from voting by scary republicans with sticks. I'm willing to say we just experienced several months of what amount to political pillow talk.
But maybe I am all wrong on this, maybe Tommy really does love Jenny, as he runs out the front door, looking over his shoulder, and saying, "I'll call you, I promise!"
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
The Conservative Credo
1. We believe that life starts at conception.
2. We believe that the right to bear arms is an individual right, protected by the Constitution.
3. We believe in the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman.
4. We believe in the freedom of political discourse, no matter what side you are on.
5. We believe in the right to vote, and deplore any and all actions that restrict that right.
6. We believe that children can be educated at home and at school, and reserve the right for the parents to choose where they will send their children.
7. We believe that the borders of our country should be secured, allowing only those who legally cross to access the American dream.
2. We believe that the right to bear arms is an individual right, protected by the Constitution.
3. We believe in the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman.
4. We believe in the freedom of political discourse, no matter what side you are on.
5. We believe in the right to vote, and deplore any and all actions that restrict that right.
6. We believe that children can be educated at home and at school, and reserve the right for the parents to choose where they will send their children.
7. We believe that the borders of our country should be secured, allowing only those who legally cross to access the American dream.
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