just a conservative girl

Marco Rubio Gives the GOP Weekly Address

2012-01-29T08:50:00.000-05:00

I love this man.

Herman Cain Endorses Newt for President

2012-01-29T00:11:00.000-05:00

This really shouldn't come as a surprise. Newt and Herman have know each other for many years. Newt is a big ideas kind of guy, and so is Herman.

Newt has promised to keep Cain's 9-9-9 plan in the national conversation if he becomes president. I am not sure how much this will help Newt. The wild swing in Florida continues. He and Romney have been trading the front runner status for more than a week now. The latest poll has Newt back on top by less than 1/2 of 1 point.

Apology's in Advance - Hacking Issue

2012-01-26T19:09:00.000-05:00

Maggie over at Maggie's Notebook made me aware of some hacking issues that I am experiencing as of late. She has gotten some rather lengthy and not very nice comments using my blog's name. I didn't write them.

So, if anyone else is getting these from "Just A Conservative Girl" I apologize in advance. There are not from me. They are using the email address justaconservativegirl@yahoo.com as the email address. That is not my email, nor do I use the one that is listed on the side of the blog as a contact when I comment. So if either of those email addresses are coming up with comments, they are from someone else.

I had gotten an email with a long letter attached about Newt and Muslims and some other disjointed messages asking me to have the courage to print it. I wrote back to the person that if they want their opinion out there, they should write their own blog. This person may be the culprit.

So again, I apologize if there are any nasty comments out there. I assume the person will get bored and move on at some point or find another target to get out their obvious anger.

Thanks Maggie for letting me know. I apologize your spam filter got filled up with this hate.

Quote of the Day- Newt Gingrich Edition

2012-01-25T15:54:00.003-05:00

"She lives in a San Francisco environment of very strange fantasies and very strange understands of reality."

Newt Gingrich on Nanny Pelosi's claim that she knows something that would prevent him from being president.

Since this quote the former speaker's office has backed off this claim only to say that she knows he will never be president.

Herman Cain's Tea Party Response to the State of the Union

2012-01-25T09:59:00.000-05:00

Had I known this was going to be at the press club I would have gone down for it. Oh well.

GOP Response to State of the Union Address

2012-01-25T09:10:00.000-05:00

I thought this was an excellent speech. I like Mitch Daniels. I realize he upset social conservatives, but he sees the danger of the debt and spending. We need someone who does.

Get Your State of the Union Bingo Boards

2012-01-24T17:01:00.004-05:00

Quote of the Day - Paul Roderick Gregory Edition

2012-01-24T14:44:00.002-05:00

As someone who has professionally studied and written about comparative economics, capitalism, and socialism for almost fifty years, the reticence to probe the core beliefs of a political leader seems odd. The question is perfectly legitimate in both an academic and political context as long as we define terms and place the discussion in proper context.

By “socialist,” I do not mean a Lenin, Castro, or Mao, but whether Obama falls within the mainstream of contemporary socialism as represented, for example, by Germany’s Social Democrats, French Socialists, or Spain’s socialist-workers party?

By this criterion, yes, Obama is a socialist

Paul Roderick Gregory.

Read the entire article here.

This is the conclusion that I have come to as well. Obama would like America to become like quasi-socialist Europe. I say hell no, I won't go. If that is what I wanted, I would move there.

A Little Humor before Tonight's SOTU Address

2012-01-24T13:00:00.002-05:00

New Federal Golf Rules by the Newly Minted Golf Czar

2012-01-24T07:52:00.001-05:00

These new golf rules will be in effect beginning January 1, 2012.
Please share with fellow golfers.

President BHO has recently appointed a Golf Czar and major rule changes in the game of golf will become effective in December 2011. This is only a preview as the complete rule book (expect 2000 pages) is being rewritten as we speak. Here are a few of the changes.

Golfers with handicaps:
- below 10 will have their green fees increased by 35%.
- between 11 and 18 will see no increase in green fees.
- above 18 will get a $20 check each time they play.

The term "gimmie" will be changed to "entitlement" and will be used as follows:
- handicaps below 10, no entitlements.
- handicaps from 11 to 18, entitlements for putter length putts.
- handicaps above 18, if your ball is on green, no need to putt, just pick it up.

These entitlements are intended to bring about fairness and, most importantly, equality in scoring. In addition, a Player will be limited to a maximum of one birdie or six pars in any given 18-hole round. Any excess must be given to those fellow players who have not yet scored a birdie or par. Only after all players have received a birdie or par from the player actually making the birdie or par, can that player begin to count his pars and birdies again. The current USGA handicap system will be used for the above purposes, but the term "net score" will be available only for scoring those players with handicaps of 18 and above.

This is intended to "re-distribute" the success of winning by making sure that in every competition, the above 18 handicap players will post only "net score" against every other player's "gross score". These new Rules are intended to CHANGE the game of golf.

Golf must be about Fairness. It should have nothing to do with ability, hard work, practice, and responsibility. This is the "Right thing to do."

Quote of the Day - Madonna Edition

2012-01-23T08:14:00.000-05:00

"I say to my daughter, 'That outfit is a little bit too risqué or revealing' and she looks at me and says, 'That's rich coming from you.'"

Madonna on her teenage daughter dressing habits. Oh, the irony. Now that it is her child that is dressing on the slutty side, she doesn't think it is as cute.

Quote of the Day - President Obama Edition Part 13

2012-01-23T03:00:00.000-05:00

"should not intrude on private family matters."

President Obama on the government's role on anniversary of Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion across the country.

Hmm, he seems perfectly fine with the government interfering with people's deeply felt beliefs about forcing people to pay for birth control against their wishes. He seems perfectly fine with making people who want no children to pay for fertility treatments with their insurance costs. He seems perfectly fine with the government telling religious organizations that they have to pay for things that go against their beliefs. Those beliefs are a private family matter are they not?

Hypocrite.

Steven Tyler and the National Anthem

2012-01-22T23:29:00.001-05:00

This is making its way around the net. He certainly didn't do a great job, but it was still better than others have done in the past. He botched one sentence.

This is a very difficult song to sing, it seems to me that they may want to start having people pre-record it and lipsynch for really big occasions.

For some reason this video says NFC game, but he sang at the AFC game in Boston.

A not so sincere congrats to the Pats who will move onto the Superbowl in two weeks.

Gabby Giffords Stepping Down from Congress

2012-01-22T14:36:00.001-05:00

Congresswoman Giffords announced today that she will be resigning her congressional seat this week. It has been more than year since she was shot in the head and suffered traumatic brain injuries from the bullet. She has made a remarkable recovery so far, and every American wishes her Godspeed in her recovery.

She is correct, her district should have their voices heard in congress, this is the right thing to do for everyone concerned.

Best of luck to you Gabby.

Quote of the Day - Charles Krauthammer Edition Part 3

2012-01-22T13:38:00.001-05:00

"If Newt Gingrich wins the presidency, John King is going to have a gilded seat in the White House briefing room. It's going to be an endowed chair."

Too funny.

Newt Talks Victory in South Carolina

2012-01-22T06:06:00.002-05:00

His win was decisive. His win was a smack down to the media who kept saying that Romney was inevitable. While I still think that the nomination is most likely going to go to Romney, at least he will be forced to work for it.

I have issues with Newt, some pretty serious ones. I don't like the fact that he cheated on two wives. It is a question of his character as well as his judgement. But, two of the people he hurt the most are his daughters, and they have forgiven him and moved on. But Newt does something that all conservatives wish Dubbya had done more of, stand up to the biases in the media.

Another big surprise for me was Ron Paul coming in last, he has a massive machine and with this being an open primary, Paul's crossover voters could have come out in force.

Onto to Florida

Newt for President?

2012-01-21T20:19:00.001-05:00

It has been many decades since the winner of South Carolina didn't go on to win the nomination. So will it be Newt edging out Romney in the end? Only time will tell.

At least it is interesting.

Here is picture of Team Newt that worked hard today making phone calls down to South Carolina to get out the vote.

Newt's headquarters is based here in Virginia.

The final vote tally is not in yet, but as it stands right now, Newt is up by double digits. The real fight seems to be for third between Ron Paul and Rick Santorum.

Some Heartwarming News - Elizabeth Smart Engaged to be Married

2012-01-21T00:21:00.000-05:00

Happy endings are always so nice. We don't get nearly as much good news as we should. This is a very happy ending.

Elizabeth Smart, kidnap and abuse victim, is getting married after she graduates from Bringham Young University later this year. She has not only survived her ordeal, but she has thrived into a beautiful and gracious young woman.

Good for her. Best Wishes Elizabeth on a long and happy marriage and bless you for all the work you are doing for missing and exploited children.

Etta James Dead

2012-01-20T13:22:00.001-05:00

An American treasure has left us.

And of course:

Rest in Peace Etta

Newt V. John King

2012-01-19T23:37:00.001-05:00

I wonder how long he prepared this comeback? He had to know it was coming, and it was no surprise that it was question 1.

I don't think it was out of bounds to ask it, but you have to love Newt's ability to stand the heat.

Here is my view, cheating is a sign of character. There is no way around that. But the truth is that this is old news. He doesn't run from, he doesn't excuse it, and it seems that he has changed his heart and his life. The two people who got hurt the most by his behavior, his children, have let it go and it is time the rest of us do as well. I feel sorry for his second wife. She slept with a married man, broke up a marriage, hurt two children, then acts shocked when he did the same to her. There is such a thing called kharma.

Finally, Some Truth from Bob Beckel - Liberals Created Dependent Society with Well Meaning Social Programs

2012-01-19T11:56:00.002-05:00

Well, bless his heart for finally admitting it. I have never said that there wasn't a certain amount of sincerity in the creation of these programs, but that doesn't change the fact that overall, they are a failure. They don't help the people. It just keeps them in or near poverty. For instance, the reason that people who have been on food stamps for a long period of time have difficulty getting off is the fact that if you make even $5 more than the very low amount it takes to qualify they cut you off completely. That $5 extra isn't going to make you able to afford to buy your own food on a permanent basis, but you become disqualified. So what is the answer? Don't make that $5. It keeps people living off the taxpayer's dime instead of giving them a helping hand. It isn't easy to get out poverty, but it can be done. The government must stop putting people in the position that welfare programs are the only alternative.

And Then There were Four - Perry Suspends His Campaign

2012-01-19T11:33:00.002-05:00

It was just a matter of time. Rick Perry has decided to end his campaign for president. He has thrown his support behind Newt.

Perry was never able to rebound from his poor debate performances. My own opinion had been it made no difference what type of president he would be if he were unable to beat Obama. If he had another Oops moment in a nationally televised one on one debate with Obama, we would be guaranteed another four years of The One.

If people are truly worried about a Romney candidacy, this needed to be done to stop splitting the Anyone But Romney Vote. Now, we just need to get Santorum to do the same. Get this race to Ron Paul, Romney, and Newt and see who comes out on top.

Quote of the Day - VP Biden Edition

2012-01-19T03:19:00.000-05:00

"the Giants are on their way to the Super Bowl,"

VP Biden speaking at fundraising event in San Francisco.

For those that are not following the NFL the San Francisco 49's are playing the New York Giants on Sunday for a place in the Superbowl.

The San Francisco Giants are a baseball team.

Reason 15,893 to Home School

2012-01-18T22:53:00.000-05:00

The NEA among others have come out with new guidelines for teaching sex education to our children. While the report doesn't specifically say this, I doubt that this will be opt-in.

Lets begin with what will be taught to your 5-7 year-olds:

They should be able to properly name both male and female anatomy, they should be able to talk about all different types of families, and show respect for these families. They also need to be able to talk about and demonstrate how media influences how boys and girls think and act.

7-10 year-olds:

They should be able to define sexual orientation, and be able to name parents or adults that can help them understand sexual orientation.

Apparently, the worry is that right now, only about 3.1 hours is spent talking to elementary school children about HIV/Aids, pregnancy, and STD prevention. Silly me, I didn't think I needed to talk to a five-year old about STD prevention. I am so out of it.

Here is one of my favorites:

By completion of the eighth grade, the report says, students should be able to “[d]ifferentiate between gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation,” “[e]xplain the range of gender roles,” and “[d]efine emergency contraception and its use.”
Upon completion of middle school, students should be able to “[a]nalyze external influences that have an impact on one’s attitudes about gender, sexual orientation and gender identity”; “[a]ccess accurate information about gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation”; “[c]ommunicate respectfully with and about people of all gender identities, gender expressions and sexual orientations”; “[e]xplain the health benefits, risks and effectiveness rates of various methods of contraception, including abstinence and condoms”; and “[d]escribe the steps to using a condom correctly.”

I am not naive enough to think that kids don't have questions about sex or are not tempted to experiment. Their bodies are changing and many kids hit puberty in the eighth grade and they start to have sexual feelings. I get that. I also get that kids are much more advanced in many areas then I was at that age. But I will tell you, the very last thing I wanted to talk about, let alone participate in at that age was the down and dirty details of sex. I was horrified whenever anyone brought it up. I wasn't ready at that age, plain and simple. I get that not all kids will be like that, but there will be children who are just not ready for these types of conversations and to force it upon them is abusive.

And by the time they graduate from high school students should be expected to “[d]efine emergency contraception and describe its mechanism of action” and “[a]ssess the skills and resources needed to become a parent.”
Also included in the guidelines are the following: “Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of abstinence and other contraceptive methods, including condoms”; “Access medically-accurate information and resources about emergency contraception”; “Compare and contrast the laws relating to pregnancy, adoption, abortion and parenting”; and “Describe potential impacts of power differences (e.g., age, status or position) within sexual relationships.”

Well, at least they are willing to talk about adoption over abortion and abstinence. I guess I should take some comfort in that. But never fear, the NEA, in all of its infinite wisdom, has partnered with Planned Parenthood and GLSEN to help write these guidelines. Thank heavens, they contacted the experts in giving our children moral guidance. /sarc.

You can read the report here to get a gander at the glossary they provide. Ooh, can't wait. Bedtime reading.

Quote of the Day - Michael Williams Edition

2012-01-18T15:21:00.002-05:00

"The moral fiber in our community is dwindling, if not now, when? Because its pajama pants today, next it will be underwear tomorrow."

Commissioner Michael Williams of Caddo Parish on his proposed ban on wearing pajamas in public.

Wew, now we know why there are no morals in our society anymore, it is pajamas. Ban those dreaded pj's!! They are going to be the downfall of western civilization as we know it.

I would not wear my pajamas out in public, but this is taking the nanny state a little too far.

LOL

2012-01-17T11:29:00.002-05:00

Twitter Response to GOP Debate

2012-01-17T02:06:00.000-05:00

This was interesting. Romney didn't come off as believable. Going by this, Newt did better than Santorum.

Newt Vs. Juan Williams One of the best moments of the GOP Debate

2012-01-16T23:56:00.000-05:00

Quote(s) of the Day - Debating on MLK Day Edition

2012-01-16T21:11:00.000-05:00

On the 2008 democrat presidential debate held on MLK day:

“It is fitting this final South Carolina Democratic Presidential debate will take place on the day South Carolina and the nation honor Martin Luther King, Jr.,

Former House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn

“What better tribute to the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. than to host such an important educational event on the day we celebrate his birthday,”

Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Mississippi

Fast forward to 2012 to the republican debate being held on MLK Day.

“The Republicans are scheduling their debate [for] Monday, Martin Luther King Day, without any regard, whatsoever, [for] the civil rights issues that this state has faced,

South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Dick Harpootlian

“It is an irony that they are having a debate on Martin Luther King Day, when all of them are running on state’s rights.”

Jesse Jackson

Apparently memories are short. Hypocrites.

Huntsman Suspends Campaign for President

2012-01-16T15:14:00.003-05:00

Gov. Huntsman has said his farewell after a disappointing third place finish in New Hampshire. He never really had a chance in this cycle. For good or bad, his appointment from President Obama was not something the grassroots looked too kindly upon.

Perry shouldn't be too far behind.

The MLK that Al Sharpton Doesn't Want You To Remember

2012-01-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

Al Sharpton doesn't want you to remember the Dr. King that talked about personal responsibility. The MLK that wanted people to take control of their own lives. That once the walls came down it was up to you to make your life better. The MLK who wanted people just to be given a fair shake, not special privileges, rights that don't exist.

Rest in Peace Dr. King. We have a long way to go before your dream comes true. We still have the Al Sharpton's of the world that wants to portray the black community as victims instead of a strong people who have the God-given capacity of making their way in the world. That they are fully capable of showing an ID to vote. They are fully capable of finding jobs based on merit instead of affirmative action that is based solely on skin color.

Rick Santorum on Fox News Sunday

2012-01-15T19:23:00.000-05:00

Santorum talks about his recent endorsement of the Evangelic groups. After this listening to this interview I am more convinced then ever he is a big government conservative. It is a mute point for me as I have only two choices on my primary ballot (Paul and Romney) but there is no way I could vote for this man.

He talks about states rights then immediately turns around and says that he would push for a national right to work law. That is a state issue that the federal government has no right to be involved in. Truly stunning.

SNL Skit on Romney & Christie

2012-01-15T18:25:00.000-05:00

Stephen Colbert's Super Pac on Mitt Romney The Serial Killer

2012-01-15T11:27:00.000-05:00

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Colbert Super PAC Ad - Attack In B Minor For Strings

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor & Satire Blog

Video Archive

Video - Focus on the Family Broncos Playoff Game Commercial

2012-01-14T21:59:00.001-05:00

Focus on the Family took advantage of the media surrounding Tim Tebow and his values of God and family. This is a great commercial.

Enjoy

Quote of the Day - A NCO, a Gentlemen, and a Marine Edition

2012-01-14T09:16:00.001-05:00

While I do not think it is this horrific act that should ruin their lives forever, it is not an acceptable act whatsoever. We (The United States and Marines) pride ourselves on our professionalism and defending the greatest Country in the World. We became the mighty United States of America by standing on morals and principles that are above this type of behavior. I will probably anger some of my friends by saying this, but if people stop looking at this from an emotional perspective (on both sides of the debate) and start looking at it from a logical one, they will see that if we celebrate this type of behavior we lower ourselves to their level and are no better than the indecent animals we are fighting.

Marine Ron.

Ron has walked a mile in their shoes. He is in Afghanistan as I write this. He has been told he has to have a sit down with his men that peeing on dead bodies is not acceptable. Something he shouldn't be wasting his time on.

This has never been about the Taliban who were killed, it has always been about our military and how we view ourselves and our values.

Tebowing of the Day Marine Style

2012-01-13T23:37:00.000-05:00

H/T to Sister Toldjah

A Little Morning Humor for You

2012-01-13T08:18:00.003-05:00

Quote of the Day - Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli Edition

2012-01-12T18:56:00.000-05:00

“It is worse than our immigration policies, you can’t break up rat families or racoons and all the rest, and you can’t even kill them. It’s unbelievable.”

Ken Cuccinelli on D.C. Wildlife Protection Act which into effect in 2011.

You see, you are no longer allowed to kill those pests that get into your home. You must capture them humanely. Not only must you capture the one in your home, you then have to go and find the whole family. Mrs. Rat and Jr have to be kept with him. They then have to relocate them. But, since rats are able to find their way back to their locations from about 25 miles, the only way to get rid of them when you are in D.C. is to bring them to Virginia (I guess Maryland, too). So I already have to deal with the rats who occupy congress, I get the real rats from D.C. too.

Awesome.

Tebowing Shot of the Day

2012-01-12T12:00:00.000-05:00

Tebowing still seems to be the talk of the town. Here is the latest. Tebowing - Military Style.

The Land of the Free & The Home of the Brave

2012-01-12T08:55:00.001-05:00

This video is making it rounds around the internet. It appears that some marines that are based out of Camp Lejeune are urinating on the dead bodies of Taliban fighters. If this is true and this really is what they did these men need to face military justice. Standing up and saying that this behavior is unacceptable is not an indication that you are a fan of the Taliban.

Sadly, many are not only justifying this behavior but they are celebrating it. Some comments that I have seen have gone as far as to say they should have taken a "dump" on them and used the Koran as toilet paper. They are being celebrated as heroes.

Nothing about this is heroic. We have the greatest military force on the face of the earth. One of the reason that we have that is discipline. Discipline that men follow the orders of their superiors. Discipline that teaches them about honor and service to our nation. Discipline that gives them the courage to go into a theatre of war. A type of discipline that so many others in our society are sorely lacking, that the rest of pay high prices in the forms of entitlement programs and crime.

What these marines did was endanger the lives of men and women serving in Afghanistan. This video will not only be seen by people in the United States. This will be seen all over the world. It will continue the message that the likes of al Qaeda sends that we are evil, or the Iranian version of the great satan.

America has stood up to tyranny all over the world. We have freed millions upon millions people from the likes of Hitler and other evil men. We went toe to toe with the likes of Stalin. We won the cold war without firing a shot because we stood by our principles. All life has dignity and everyone deserves the chance to experience freedom. We scoff at the other leaders of the world who deny their citizens basic human rights. We set up radio stations around the world to give people hope that one day they would experience the same types of human rights that we espouse. We have people fighting tooth and nail in this country to protect our freedoms that many believe are eroding before our eyes.

There is evil in the world, no one can deny that. But do we overcome it by doing this? I believe in American exceptionalism. I honor the troops for the service that they provide to our country. I expect that they live up to that honor.

Bob McDonnell's State of the Commonwealth Address

2012-01-11T22:24:00.001-05:00

Last summer, we all collectively held our breaths as we watched the debt limit fight in Washington. Today we face a volatile Euro and international unrest.
Uncertainty is the new certainty.While we cannot control what Congress or Europe do, we must prepare as well as possible for the future changes that are certain to come.
That is what I have tried to do in the introduced budget.
The budget does not raise taxes.
Rather, it forces state government to set priorities, live within its means and plan for the future, something I wish our federal government would do.
I am asking you to put $50 million into a newly created Federal Action Contingency Trust (FACT) Fund. This fund will help us to handle impacts from the necessary and likely future federal spending cuts, and to take prudent action to help diversify our economy. I am also proposing we enhance our cash reserves by doubling the Rainy Day Fund to over $600 million by the end of FY 2014.
We will also eliminate the accelerated sales tax policy for 96 percent of merchants, by allocating $50 million in FY 2012. My goal is to get rid of this unfair policy by the time I leave office.
Together, these budget strategies provide structural balance, reduce unfunded liabilities and invest in job creation, transportation and higher education; ideas well received during our visit to the three bond rating agencies in New York last Friday with your money committee leaders.

Read the entire speech here.

This is the press conference announcing the legislative agenda for the upcoming session of the legislator.

I am willing to take a wager that this man will be the VP nominee.

Daylight Come and Harry Belafonte Wants to Go Home

2012-01-11T14:09:00.002-05:00

"I’m very cautious of the fact that those who think he has some second agenda and only if he could be given a second term for us to see the new light, new things will be revealed, new efforts will be made to take us to a place other than where we’ve been and where we languish. I just don’t trust that. I don’t believe that’s a safe way and accurate way to look at this scenario. If there was the kind of moral compass serving Barack Obama the way we hoped, the moral force would have helped him make choices, the absence of that force in his equations, that barometer to guide him when he has to make these decisions that are hugely complicated, he should have come to the table with the things that would have helped us in this moment of crisis."

It seems that President Obama hasn't been socialist enough for big Hugo Chavez fan, Harry Belafonte.

Day Oh

Flotus and the Angry Black Woman Stereotype

2012-01-11T11:53:00.000-05:00

Michelle Obama doesn't think it is right that she has been stereotyped as an "Angry Black Woman". I have never referred to her in that manner. I don't really refer to anyone in that manner.

So Michelle, I will do my best to stand up whenever I hear someone call you a Angry Black Woman. I will just tell them to say that you are a far left loon.

Feel better?

Ho Hum, Romney Wins NH Primary

2012-01-10T22:35:00.000-05:00

This was expected. The only suspense was going to be how many points the victory would be. At this point with 73% reporting he is 14 points ahead. The real contest in NH was going to be for second place. I had thought we may have had a surprise with Huntsman pulling it out, but the polling was correct and Ron Paul came in second.

I thought this was one of Mitt's best speeches. I also think that he surviving all the shameful, shameful attacks from Newt and Perry is going to help him down the road. I think it is very unlikely that anyone will catch him for the nomination. I still won't vote for him. But he will be the nominee.

Quote of the Day - Victoria Nuland Edition

2012-01-10T12:57:00.000-05:00

“We’ve seen this press report. I would say that it is one member of the Muslim Brotherhood. We have had other assurances from the party with regard to their commitment not only to universal human rights, but to the international obligations that the Government of Egypt has undertaken.”

Victoria Nuland, Spokesperson for the Department of State, on the statement by the deputy leader of the Muslim Brotherhood that under no circumstances will they recognize Israel.

If you had already not accepted the fact that this administration is naive to the point of dangerous I don't think you need to look much further. Nothing to see here folks, just keep moving along. Forget about the Coptic Christians who are being routinely driven from their homes and killed. Forget about the people who are still being beaten in the streets. They respect human rights. The Obama administration says so.

What Jay-Z Really Thinks of the 99%

2012-01-09T23:57:00.000-05:00

Over the weekend Jay-Z and Beyonce became the proud parents of a healthy baby girl, Blue Ivy. Wonderful, good for them. It is nice to see a high-powered couple happily married and bringing children into the world.

Jay-Z is a big supporter of the Occupy Wall Street movement. He wants to pay more taxes. Why exactly he just doesn't fill out a 1040 EZ and pay the full 35% is beyond me, but he wants to see more tax dollars go to the "underprivileged". Of course the meaning of underprivileged is a relative term.

Jay-Z is also a man who decided to sell T-Shirts for the Occupy Wall Street movement on his Roca-Wear website, but didn't feel the need to share the profits with the movement. After being publicly shamed, the shirts came down off his clothing line's website. As far as anyone knows, no profits off what were sold was ever given to the movement.

But, getting back to his daughter. She made her way into the world at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan. One of the busiest hospitals in the most populated city in America. The Carter's (Jay-Z's given name) pulled out all the stops to protect the privacy of their new bundle of joy. While I completely agree that no woman would ever want pictures of her in the middle of child birth to show up on some rag paper for worldwide consumption. Who can blame them. They wanted to protect their baby. I would want to do the same.

So they decided to make sure no one could bother them. They hired security and bought out the entire floor of the hospital to ensure the big moment was a private family affair. The problem is that the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit was also on that floor.

Newborn and preemies that are fighting for their lives were on that floor. Parents who are dealing with the stress of having a child in that precarious position had to deal with their security.

Neil Coulon, 38, of Brooklyn said the stress of his wife delivering two premature girls was tripled by Beyoncé’s bodyguards treating Lenox Hill Hospital like an exclusive nightclub.
Coulon griped that he’s been repeatedly barred from the sixth-floor neonatal intensive care unit, once for 20 minutes, by the superstar couple’s private security.
He said bodyguards wearing headsets even cleared the sixth floor waiting room, booting his relatives out.

He goes on

:“I know they spent $1.3 million and I'm just a contractor from Bed-Stuy, but the treatment we received was not okay,” Coulon said. “My wife is just terribly upset. She had a C-section. She gave birth to twins. She is sore. Nobody needs this.”

No brand new mom of preemies who are dealing with their babies in distress should be forced to deal with this. It is reported that they paid $1.3 million dollars for the floor. For that kind of money she could have gone to a more private hospital setting and given birth there instead of inconveniencing stressed out parents.

Hey occupiers, this is what he really thinks of the 99%. Oh, and by the way, blue is a color, not a name.

Tavis Smiley Getting a Taste of the Race Card

2012-01-09T16:29:00.000-05:00

Tavis Smiley, a favorite of mine, is getting a taste of the leftist use of the race card. Smiley is an activist for issues within the black community. He wants the issues of poverty and high unemployment addressed. While he and I agree on that, we strongly disagree with ways in which to accomplish them. When I talk about the president and how his policies are failing, I get called a racist.

Well, Mr. Smiley is seeing how annoying it is to have your dissent thrown back in your face. Smiley was scheduled to be a speaker at a celebration remembering the life of Dr. Martin Luther King and he has been summarily dismissed. Why? He has been critical of the president.

It doesn't seem to matter that Smiley has a point and the needs of the black community have not been addressed under this administration. The unemployment numbers are reaching historical proportions, the levels of people becoming dependent upon food stamps is growing and has long since reached record numbers.

The latest numbers are that more than 26% of those on food stamps are black, while they only make up 12.6% of the total population. That is a staggering number. Smiley has the right to be outraged at these numbers. The black community is falling further behind, partially due to the 'great recession", but that is far from the only reason.

But, apparently, he is not allowed to say so. Heaven forbid a left leaning black man say anything against "The One". The great black hope, that has done nothing to deserve that title. He has done nothing to help that community address the real issues that are plaguing them. Of course he is the president of the entire country, but there were expectations of what he would do for the black community.

Both he and Michelle have not really addressed some of the real issues. Poor educational choices (oh, that's right, they don't believe in choice except when it comes to abortion), rising unemployment, 72% of all children are born to single mothers. Study after study has shown that babies born into single homes are far more likely to face a life of poverty and are less likely to get a college degree. Without a good education the chances of lifting yourself out of poverty become almost non-existent. None of these issues have been addresses by the first family.

It has been extremely disappointing to see the first black president who by all appearances has a close family unit not addressing the problems within their own community. He has the perfect platform to stand up and talk about being involved in your child's life. He grew up without a dad, he knows how that can affect a child. He knows how that can affect the financial stability within a family. Yet he says very little. Michelle should be out making these points, yet she has chosen to worry about obesity. Not fitness, but obesity. She has chosen to help create one size fits all government programs to address these issues and force the non obese to comply to them as well. She spends little to no time addressing the family unit.

Well Tavis, welcome to my world. Saying anything against this president means one thing and one thing only, you are a raaaaacist. The so called black leaders in this country are more interested in appearances than calling the president out on these issues. Remember when Emanuel Cleaver said this?

“If (former President) Bill Clinton had been in the White House and had failed to address this problem, we probably would be marching on the White House, there is a less-volatile reaction in the CBC because nobody wants to do anything that would empower the people who hate the president.”

So you see Tavis, it has never been about whether the president is addressing the issues. It is about you knowing your place. You are not allowed to criticize his holiness. You are not allowed to the leave the democratic plantation; pointing out that all the poor get under this president is more handouts that keep them dependent. He is the great black hope, just ignore the fact that his hope and change has been a big fat failure. As I said, welcome to my world.

As an aside, maybe Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich were not too far off about there comments there Tavis. They just may have been on to something.

Occupy Wall Street Quote of the Day - Edition 11

2012-01-09T12:15:00.000-05:00

"When we do march in the street, our intent is largely civil disobedience. People will be arrested, and a permit doesn't really help,"

Mario Lozada on Occupy DC's refusal to get a permit for their March on January 17.

Tebowing

2012-01-08T21:45:00.001-05:00

It seems that more and more people are getting the hang of Tebowing. The CBS Postgame show after Tim Tebow throws the winning touchdown to advance the Broncos over the Steelers.

Good for you Tim.

Tony Blankley Dead at 63

2012-01-08T18:10:00.001-05:00

Tony Blankley lost his battle with stomach cancer today. He was 63. Blankley was formerly a D.A., an editor at The Washington Times, Press Secretary for Newt Gingrich, and served in the Reagan administration. A conservative who understood the greatness of America and wanted to see it preserved.

Newt's response:

Here is him at his best, smacking down liberals:

Rest in Peace Tony. You will be missed.

Military Wife Gets a Surprise in Chick-Fil-A

2012-01-08T14:00:00.002-05:00

Watch More Christian Videos on GodVine.com

SNL Rick Santorum Skit

2012-01-08T13:44:00.001-05:00

As always they go too far, but for the most part it is pretty funny. Enjoy it for what it is, satire.

Quote of the Day - Judge Davis Edition

2012-01-07T09:44:00.000-05:00

“Counting the signature of Bugs Bunny is something only a lawyer could make seem OK."

Waukesha County Circuit Judge J. Mac Davis on the decision of the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board to not check signatures turned in for the recall of Governor Scott Walker.

Voter ID Problem Solved

2012-01-06T21:07:00.002-05:00

The number that the left keep throwing out is that 11% of people of voting age don't have a valid ID in this country. (I find that number very hard to believe).

Let's set up a fund and get them one. Problem solved.

Quote of the Day - President Obama Edition Part 12

2012-01-06T09:38:00.000-05:00

But when Congress refuses to act, and as a result, hurts our economy and puts our people at risk, then I have an obligation as President to do what I can without them. (Applause.) I’ve got an obligation to act on behalf of the American people. And I’m not going to stand by while a minority in the Senate puts party ideology ahead of the people that we were elected to serve. (Applause.) Not with so much at stake, not at this make-or-break moment for middle-class Americans. We’re not going to let that happen.

President Obama on why it is ok for him to be a dictator.

What is really scary are the people applauding. We have checks and balances for a reason, people.

Quote of the Day - Eugene Robinson Edition

2012-01-06T09:11:00.001-05:00

"I mean, his numbers (Obama's) are going up as the Republican party's numbers come down. And I think it's due to the fact that the president has more aggressively and more definitively, I would hope, positioned himself as with the people, as with the 99%, or the 99.99% in this case. It's a smart political move on the president's part and I think a sincere move because I do think if you think of his background, for example, he did not lead a privileged upbringing. His family was on food stamps for a while. He earned what he has in life, and I think he appreciates it,"

Eugene Robinson on how Obama is the 99%, despite being a multi-millionaire. I guess you can have lots of money and still be the 99% if you were not born into it. Self made millionaire's are exempt from the 1%.

All these rules, it is hard to keep up.

And They Say Conservatives are Anti-Science

2012-01-05T07:45:00.000-05:00

I have heard many times that conservatives are anti-science. This is an accusation thrown around mainly in the concept of global warming or climate change, whatever it is being called today. We are told that the science is "settled". Well, that really isn't true. There are scientists who say that it isn't man-made. So I would say that it isn't settled. I don't automatically dismiss the idea of it, but I think that before we spend boatloads of money we should be sure.

I have also been told that homosexuality is a genetic thing. Sorry, but there is no proof that it is. It may very well be, but at this point there is no "gay" gene. From what I have read, the scientific community seems to believe that there are a variety of factors that goes into homosexuality.

When all of the work being done to understand causes is put together, the question about what causes homosexuality seems best answered as follows.

First, science does not have a firm answer that everyone in the field of science let alone everyone else can agree on. The origins of homosexuality are still not clearly understood by scientists.
Most researchers agree that homosexuality is multi-causal and complex; many factors contribute to the development of same-sex attraction. Most researchers, including Dr. Dean Hamer, the "gay gene” researcher who is himself a gay man, agree that homosexuality is due to a combination of social, biological, and psychological factors. Dr. Hamer has said, "Genes are hardware…the data of life’s experiences are processed through the sexual software into the circuits of identity. I suspect the sexual software is a mixture of both genes and environment, in much the same way the software of a computer is a mixture of what’s installed at the factory and what’s added by the user (P. Copeland and D. Hammer (1994) The Science of Desire. New York: Simon and Schuster.)”

So there seems to be choice involved in it. So I would like to know why teachers in California have decided that they are going to liberate children of gender. Liberate you from your gender? Gender isn't a choice. It is biological. This is abusive to young children. They are trying to teach them that biology doesn't matter. The goal according to the union is that children should feel liberated from stereotypes. So do we dress our little boys in skirts to send them to school? Where exactly is this going to lead? This is the slippery slope of liberalism. We take young children who are in the process of figuring out who they are and where they belong in the world, and we confuse them more than they already are. We get them questioning who they are and the values that they are being taught at home by their parents, who by the way should be teaching those values.

Gender is never choice. It is biological. There are hormones that are different between males and females, our body parts are different, we have different functions when it comes to reproduction. Teaching children that is basic science. Gender is not in your head. It isn't a state of mind. You have a penis or you don't. Even if you decide to have surgery to "change" your gender, it cannot be done without changing your hormones. Which says that it is biological. It further proves that it is science.

We are blurring the lines between males and females and what is the end game here? It wasn't all that long ago that homosexuality was considered a mental illness. That all changed when people started to "normalize" it. While some may think that I am going a bridge too far with this comparison but I truly believe this is just another step in trying to normalize pedophilia the same way that they normalized homosexuality.

If you are the parent of young children in the public school system in California you need to stand up to this nonsense. The school system has no right to "liberate" your child of their God-given gender. This is just one more way that the far left is interfering with the parent child relationship and pushing an agenda that is detrimental to the core family unit in this country. It must be stopped.

The only real cure to this is to get a movement going to get more conservatives involved in the school systems, the unions, and the school boards. We should be teaching our children how to think critically, not that their gender is a state of mind.

Michele Bachmann Suspends her Campaign

2012-01-04T22:14:00.001-05:00

I think she did the right thing. She was just a distraction at this point and she had no clear path to the nomination. On top of that she was out of money.

I also really liked this speech. I heart Michele, this just wasn't her time.

Rick Perry Suspends his Campaign

2012-01-04T03:46:00.000-05:00

This comes as a real shock to me. He has the money to continue. He has a good message for South Carolina, so I don't get why he is so willing to throw in the towel this early.

Rick Santorum's Speech in Iowa

2012-01-04T03:18:00.001-05:00

Congrats to Senator Santorum. He pulled out a real surprise in Iowa. He came up a little short, but no one can take away his victory here. I had said about a month ago he would do better than the polls were showing. He is a social conservative, the main base of GOP voters in Iowa. He has moved himself into a position for the VP slot. If Romney is indeed the nominee (which is looking more and more likely) he will need a conservative to balance out the ticket if he has any shot of getting the base out for him.

President Carter Gives Advice to Obama on Re-election

2012-01-03T18:30:00.000-05:00

BWAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Reason 12,834 to Home School

2012-01-03T09:08:00.000-05:00

Virginia just can't seem to keep out of the news lately. The latest outrage is a bunch of third graders wrote a little diddy they performed in October. Now, if I am not mistaken a third grader is about 8 or so. The school says the kids came up with these lyrics totally on their own:

Some people have it all
But they still don’t think they have enough
They want more money
A faster ride
They’re not content
Never satisfied
Yes — they’re the 1 percent

I used to be one of the 1 percent
I worked all the time
Never saw my family
Couldn’t make life rhyme
Then the bubble burst
It really, really hurt
I lost my money
Lost my pride
Lost my home
Now I’m part of the 99

Some people have it all
But they still don’t think they have enough
They want more money
A faster ride
They’re not content
Never satisfied
Yes — they’re the 1 percent

I used to be sad, now I’m satisfied
’Cause I really have enough
Though I lost my yacht and plane
Didn’t need that extra stuff
Could have been much worse
You don’t need to be first
’Cause I’ve got my friends
Here by my side
Don’t need it all
I’m so happy to be part of the 99

Yeah, I really buy that a group of eight-year-olds came up with this, all by their lonesomes. On their website, Kid Pan Alley has songs from previous engagements that they have had around the country, some of the songs are named, Christmas in Tennessee, Stinky Socks, Bouncing of the Bottom, and Whispering in Spanish. So normally these songs take on the silliness and innocence of childhood, yet this particular class wanted to write about the 99%.

Our public school system should not be a place to push a political agenda. No matter who is pushing it. At the age of eight children should be learning how to think and at this point basic information about math, science, improving their reading and writing skills. Instead the public schools have become a place where parents are forced to entrust their children to people who have an agenda, and to heck with the fact that some parents may not agree with that agenda. Why are they teaching young children about class warfare? There is a time and place for these discussions with young children, and a public school is neither that place nor the time in which to engage young, impressionable children about concepts they can't possibly understand at such a tender age.

Values should be taught at home. The fact that the school is defending this is reason enough to home school if at all possible.

There is no low for the left - The Bitter and Amoral Attack on the Santorum Family's Mourning

2012-01-02T15:23:00.000-05:00

Alan Colmes went lower than low with his attack on the way the Santorum family chose to mourn the loss of their baby boy; Gabriel, who died shortly after childbirth.

I personally have never lost a child, but I have watched others who have. My best friend died while we were teenagers and another woman I know lost a six week old to SIDS. Mourning a child is a deeply personal issue and how a family that is grieving that horrible loss have the right to mourn that loss in the way they feel is best for their family. Rick and Karen Santorum felt that their other children needed to be part of the process of saying goodbye to baby Gabriel. They needed to see him and have a chance to say goodbye. While it may not be the way that others would choose to handle it, it was their right as they are their children. They hurt no one else, they broke no laws and even the hospital thought it would be good for them in dealing with their grief.

What Alan Colmes is probably the most upset about is the fact that they didn't abort the child the moment they found out he wouldn't live. But of course they said that their daughter Bela, who is now two, wouldn't live either.

Any liberal who is not condemning these comments is a bad as Mr. Colmes is. Alan Colmes has no right to tell a family how to mourn the loss of a newborn baby. They said good-bye the best way they could and did what they thought was right by God and their other children.

Shame on you Mr. Colmes, shame on you.

Is Hero a Miracle Dog?

2012-01-02T10:15:00.000-05:00

A very touching story of love, moving on, and God's grace. Enjoy!!

Watch More Christian Videos on GodVine.com

And Speaking of a Sense of Entitlement - Drunk Driver Sues for Medical Expenses

2012-01-01T15:18:00.000-05:00

Chelsea Hess, a 22-year-old from South Carolina, is suing the county and a local sports bar to cover her medical expenses after a car accident left her paralyzed. Ms. Hess was 20 at the time of the accident. After spending several hours in bar drinking and playing pool she got into her car to drive home without putting on her seat belt.

Ms. Hess and her attorney have decided that this is the responsibility of the bar, the bartender, and the county. Apparently, she bares no responsibility at all. The court documents show that she feels that she should have been carded and refused service of the alcohol, the bartender should have also known that she may have been drinking before reaching the sports bar, and then of course, they should have also realized that she was unable to drive due to her drinking.

'The bartender failed to attempt to ascertain whether or not plaintiff was already impaired by alcohol consumption when she purchased the alcoholic beverage and made sale to plaintiff even though she was unable to legally purchase the alcoholic beverage, and notwithstanding the possibility that she was already impaired by alcohol consumption,

She then follows all this up with county being responsible for the road saying it has not been properly maintained.

'suddenly dropped off into a large unmaintained area on the shoulder of Alljoj Road, which caused plaintiff to lose control of her vehicle and causing her to roll the vehicle off the side of the road.'

So let me get this straight, a woman who is legally an adult bares no responsibility for going into the bar and ordering the drinks even though it was illegal. It is all the bartender's fault, even when apparently they are admitting that she had been drinking before even reaching that bar. Then she gets into her car knowing that she had been drinking and ends up driving on the shoulder of the roadway, then loses control of her car. She crashes and because she wasn't wearing a seat belt she was ejected from the car and her injuries have left her paralyzed for life. But that is the fault of the county. It has nothing to do with her own reckless behavior. It couldn't possibly be that her own bad choices caused this tragic accident.

Yes, it is sad that she will spend the rest of her life in wheelchair. That must be a difficult thing for a young person to face. But, that doesn't change the fact that she made some very poor choices that evening. The county didn't force her to drive her car, she did that all on her own. The bartender didn't force her to drink any of those drinks, her own arm lifted the drink to her mouth. While I agree that bars should be vigilant about making sure that who they are serving is of age, it isn't the sole responsibility of the bartender.

It seems that young woman didn't learn a great deal from almost dying. She made choices, very bad choices. She has to learn to live with consequences of those choices and stop putting the blame on others. Her life is not over. She can do many great things with her life while in that wheelchair. It is high time that she accept her fate, take responsibility for her actions, and get on with her life.

Boy, do we need tort reform.

What an End to the Year - Occupier Heckling Romney

2011-12-31T19:46:00.000-05:00

I hadn't planned on posting again this year, but this was too good to resist. Enjoy!!

2011 is Outta Here

2011-12-31T16:40:00.000-05:00

We say goodbye to the year 2011 in just a short time, at least in my time zone. We are all geared up for the presidential race that will take place in just over 11 months. There will be plenty to blog about along the way. I have looked up my stats for the past year and here are my top six posts for 2011.

Herman Cain on the issues (A collection of videos on his stances)

Culture and Respect in Japan:

I have been very impressed by the fact that people in Japan have remained so calm. The pictures that we see are heartbreaking. The news reports are now talking about bodies are washing up on shore and there are not enough body bags and coffins for all the dead. They are living with the fear of nuclear meltdown which could have catastrophic effects on generations to come. The people have little food, in many cases they have no power, and to add insult to injury snow is in the forecast.

What you are not seeing in Japan is looting. You are hearing stories of vendors who are lowering prices and in some cases giving emergency supplies to people in need. People are waiting in line in an orderly fashion even though gas lines can last for hours. In the Japanese culture, respect is considered to be of the highest importance. The belief system that when you shame yourself you bring shame onto the entire family.

Read the rest

Photo of the day:

Yeah, Michelle All of That for the American Flag

Truly, I have tried to give the first couple the benefit of the doubt, when people say they “hate” America. I don’t fall into the group of conservatives that have called them communists, or do I want to believe that they want to “destroy” America. My personal belief has been that they firmly believe in more of quasi-socialist European style of government and would like to see that take hold in this country. Something that I 100% disagree with and feel if that is how you want to live, move to Europe. Heck, I will even put into the “here’s a plane ticket” fund and drive you to the airport. You don’t like this style of government, get out. No one is begging you to stay.

But, yes Michelle, there are people in this country who pay great tribute to the flag in this country. The reason, you may ask is that it is the promise of the ideal. The promise of the American dream. That if you work really hard you may be able to have your dreams come true in this country. Even after she herself has watched her husband, a product of a broken marriage born to a white mother when bi-racial children and marriages were not widely accepted can grow up and lead this country proves that my vision of the American dream can come true for virtually anyone. Even you, you ungrateful pig. Anyone who reads my blog on a regular basis knows that I don’t take cheap shots and don’t like getting down in the dirt with the progressives in this country. But this time you have pushed the wrong buttons

Read the rest

Portman, Skins, Sex and the City, and Abortion - The Ties that Do Bind

The new movie No Strings Attached was #1 at the box office this weekend. It is a romantic comedy starring Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher about causal sex. The basic premise of the movie is to tell the story of what happens between friends who decide to have a sexual relationship that doesn't include romance. Now, I have not seen the movie, but I have read the reviews of it. Some are good, others not so much. I was going to do a post on the new MTV show Skins and decided that I should watch it to fully understand what everyone was talking about. Believe me, don't waste your time watching that show, it is horrid. The storyline is stupid and childish and it is chock full of bad acting. I can't imagine it will stay on the air as the advertisers are running away from the show very quickly.

I have read a great deal of the reporting on the butcher that calls himself an abortion doctor in Pennsylvania. There is no other way to describe that man other than evil, pure evil. While reading all the awful stories from the grand jury testimony one must ask themselves where does this type of thought process come from. While it would a leap too wide to say that Skins and No Strings Attached are to blame for it, but it is part of the problem. Especially when it comes to Skins, as this is directed to a much younger crowd. While MTV puts a disclaimer on the show about the adult content, the cast is in high school. There is only a certain age group that is interested in the lifestyles of the young and depraved. It is really the high school version of Sex and the City without the wit and charisma.

Read the Rest

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend - A Portrait of Hypocrisy:

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, former Lt. Governor of Maryland and daughter of the late Robert Kennedy, is asking the question is Rick Perry as Christian as he says he is. Since Perry puts his faith out there in the fashion he does it will be a question that comes up. But I have to question the messenger here.

Mrs. Townsend is pro-choice, oh sorry pro-conscience:

Read the rest

I wish you all a very Happy and Blessed New Year. Stay safe tonight!!!

Corporate Responsibility, Personal Responsibility, Nike, and Michael Jordan

2011-12-29T20:15:00.000-05:00

We have all heard the stories of the near riots that occurred when Nike released a new version of Air Jordan sneakers several days before Christmas. There were arrests, damage to stores, toddlers left in cars, and pepper spray all brought out while the frenzy to be one of the lucky ones who got a pair. Sneakers that are now on sale on Ebay for almost double the original cost.

Activists in the Houston area have asked the Michael Jordan and Nike take responsibility for the violence that occurred when they went on sale and the violence that has occurred to those who have a pair.

“It is the responsibility of Michael Jordan and Nike to stand up and be part of the solution. Right now it’s a public safety issue with children wearing those sneakers,”
“The people that can least afford these shoes are buying them, and what happens as a result of that? Well there’s more crime,”

So, it is Nike and Michael Jordan who are responsible for the violence?

I have had pretty strong opinions on Micheal Jordan during his entire career. As a lifelong long-suffering Knicks fan, Michael Jordan and his Bulls team was nothing but a source of disappointment for me. But above and beyond the fact that the Knicks could never get past the Bulls and go onto to win a title one of the things that always did annoy about Michael Jordan was his insistence of saying nothing no matter what was going on. When asked about endorsing a political candidate running against the sitting republican senator of his home state his response was:

"Republicans buy sneakers, too."

Jordan made millions and possibly billions from endorsements. His life has always seemed to be about the conquest and the next thing. Some call that arrogant, I have always preferred to look at as the "eye of the tiger" if you will. He always maintained an edge that made him better and more competitive. His juices for the next title, the next trophy, the next accomplishment kept him at the top of his game for the majority of his basketball career. He made very few errors until the very end of career and once he went to the management side of things. He has every right to go out and make money. I believe in capitalism so have at it. But I, for one, have always been disappointed that they he didn't take some stands on important issues. Such as child labor in China, the breakdown of the black family (while since it has come out that he had more than one affair while he was married, that could be part of the reason) as he had an image of a family man, who grew up in a close family, and many other issues. But he always kept his mouth shut and picked up his next check. The same was true of Tiger Woods.

I am not a believer in parents sitting back while their children idolize some sports or music star. We should be showing our children the real heroes in our society, first responders who put their lives on the line to protect their communities, our volunteer military who willing go off to war to protect our rights, the people who work at shelters and food banks to help the neediest amongst us for little pay, and countless others who get up everyday and just try to do the right thing. Parents should be living a life that their children will be proud to follow as they grow and mature.

But we have become a culture of entitlement. One of the activists said himself that the people who can afford them the least are the ones buying them. A Black Panther is saying that Nike is responsible for the thefts that are occurring to the people who lucky enough to get a pair of these sneakers. Another said this:

“These shoes have always had a place of value in Black life,”

Maybe instead of going after Nike to lower the price to keep up with the demand (I will let go of that obvious ignorance of how economics work) they should be having the discussion with parents of the kids who were rioting. They should be talking to the kids themselves about coveting a pair of sneakers instead of looking at what the Christmas season is really about. Maybe we should be telling these kids that expecting your parents to spend almost $200 on a pair of sneakers when they don't have a great deal of money isn't such a great idea. Take this moment to teach them about personal responsibility instead of what we want and when we want it. Let this be a teachable moment about how if we really want something we need to go out and work for it. No, instead they are saying that Nike should lower the price. How low should the price be? Should Nike also give some away at no charge for the neediest of people because after all these shoes are part of "black life". What about the non blacks who want these shoes too and can't afford them?

While I would love to see Michael Jordan take a real stand for once, the truth is, this isn't his responsibility. This is the responsibility of the care givers of these children and young adults who caused all the mayhem last week. It is up to the individual to act in a responsible manner, not some athlete who hasn't been on the scene in more than decade.

Quote of the Day - Lawrence Summers Edition

2011-12-29T14:06:00.003-05:00

“Another cause of long-term unemployment is unionization. High union wages that exceed the competitive market rate are likely to cause job losses in the unionized sector of the economy.”

Lawrence Summers, former Economic Advisor to President Obama

Really, I never would have guessed.

Bachmann Names her VP Choices

2011-12-29T12:37:00.000-05:00

Not that any of this will come to pass as she has no shot at the nomination, but Congresswoman Bachmann gave her list of possibilities for the VP slot:

"We've got a lot of wonderful candidates who would fit that bill, easily comes to mind I think would be Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina. Marco Rubio of Florida certainly would be in that category. There's a lot of great people out there. And Donald Trump is someone that I think a lot of people would be intrigued with, too."

Donald Trump? I don't find that so intriguing.

She also stated that Rick Santorum would be a very good Attorney General or VP.

Interesting.

RIP Cheetah - Tarzan Chimp Dies

2011-12-28T22:42:00.002-05:00

I used to love watching these movies when I was little.

This is the Reason Why

2011-12-27T11:23:00.000-05:00

I have heard some not so nice comments from people about my blogging about the homeless woman I have met. There are a few who even told me that she did it to herself. I had one person who knew none of the facts tell me she had other choices. Maybe she did, I can't say for certain. But that doesn't change her reality. People need to open their eyes to what is going on in this country. There are hard working people who have not lived below the poverty line who are now living in situations that they never believed would happen to them.
If the economy doesn't improve more and more people are going to end up in similar circumstances.

Some Thoughts on the Virginia Primary Ballot

2011-12-25T02:25:00.001-05:00

As a resident of Virginia I will say that I am not at all pleased to have two choices and only two choices. That said, there are very clear rules in place and every candidate had the same access to those rules. Three candidates never even bothered to put in signatures for review. I suppose they just never got enough to make it worthwhile. One of those candidates, Rick Santorum, lives in Virginia.

Now, our Lt. Governor Bill Bolling is one of the Chairs for the Virginia for Romney campaign. That has led to some charges that he was rooting for this and possibly there was corruption involved. Anyone involved in the republican party in Virginia could have gone to help verify the signatures. I myself was sent an email with an invitation to attend and volunteer to help verify all the signatures. There is no proof whatsoever that Bolling had anything to do with the outcome. It is very unseemly to make these charges without any evidence to support them. Bolling has already announced his bid for the Governorship in 13, I don't think he would take the chance of ruining his chances to help Mitt Romney get elected. He has had his eyes on the governor's chair for quite some time. The ballots were verified by mainly volunteers. The likelihood that all of them were corrupted to push the outcome in any one direction is very hard to believe.

Gingrich has made the following statement:

The Gingrich campaign responded that "only a failed system" would disqualify Gingrich and other candidates. It said Gingrich would pursue an aggressive write-in campaign in Virginia.

The law is very clear in Virginia, there is no option for a write in campaign. While I am sure that people can still write in a name, it will not be counted. This law has been in place since 1999. This will be the fourth presidential election since these laws have been implemented. In this time no other major candidate has failed to get on the ballot. Here is a list of people who qualified for the Virginia ballots in the past:

2008 – Barack Obama, Dennis Kucinich, Hillary Clinton, Bill Richardson, Joe Biden, John Edwards; Ron Paul, John McCain, Fred Thompson, Mike Huckabee, Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney.
2004 – Al Sharpton, John Kerry, Wesley Clark, Howard Dean, Joe Lieberman, John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich, Dick Gephardt, Lyndon Larouche.
2000 – Alan Keyes, Gary Bauer, George W. Bush, John McCain, Steve Forbes.

So Newt wants me to believe that the system is broken even when the likes of Lyndon Larouche or Al Sharpton can get the necessary signatures? That doesn't pass the smell test to me. Does it to you?

This comes down to one thing and one thing only. They lack the organization necessary to run a national campaign. Running for president is very difficult. As it should be since it is a very difficult job. Even Jill over at Pundit and Pundette; a huge Perry supporter, asked if he was just winging it. Perry turned in sheets that were not notarized. A very simple and free thing to do. It is also is clear indication that no one on Perry's staff bothered to look at the sheets when they were turned in by the volunteers. I will give Perry credit here as he is not making himself into a victim as Newt appears to be doing. So far he seems to accept the inevitable. He will not be on the ballot for one of the biggest prizes of Super Tuesday.

Look, getting people to sign these petitions is not easy. I am not saying that it is, but they were only required to get less than barely over one tenth of one percent of qualified voters. But the fact that it is difficult is the reason that an organized campaign is vital. You must have the staff to organize the volunteers. Another thing to remember is Virginia has off-year elections. We had an election last month. Every campaign has access to the information on where the voting locations were and what the past numbers of voters showing up to those locations are. This is low hanging fruit, everyone showing up is a registered voter. I volunteered on election day. I only saw people out for Romney, Newt, and Obama. I asked the other volunteers at the results party that I went to and none of them saw any for any of the other candidates that I listed. I personally signed for Cain, Newt, and Rick Santorum. I wouldn't sign for Romney and was never asked to sign for any other candidate. I am also on the email list for virtually every candidate and was only asked to collect signatures for Romney and Cain.

Newt would like to change the rules because he is unhappy with the results. That is a leftist tactic. I find it abhorrent that Newt is now looking for a way around the rules. While I do feel cheated that I only have two choices on my ballot. The people who cheated me were the candidates themselves.

Now, I am going to get back to celebrating Christmas.

Romney Will Be the GOP Nominee

2011-12-24T10:23:00.000-05:00

The news for the anyone but Romney camp of the republican party is not good. Only two candidates were able to qualify for the primary ballot in Virginia, Mitt Romney and Ron Paul. All others either failed to get enough signatures or didn't follow the proper procedures to get on the ballot. Gov. Perry turned in signature sheets that were not notarized. Which means that his campaign didn't even bother to do a simple check to see if the volunteers who collected the signatures followed a simple procedure. Rick Santorum and Newt both live in Virginia, so it is even more embarrassing that they didn't qualify.

Ron Paul's newsletters history is going to disqualify him in the eyes of too many in the general public. It doesn't matter if he himself is racist or not (Which I don't believe that he is), but at the very least he is willing to close his eyes to the racist actions of the people around him and that is not acceptable in someone who wants to be the leader of the free world. This is how it is going to look to the average voter and they will not elect a man that they to believe to be a racist or has ties to racists.

While I don't think that any of the candidates will be dropping out simply because of not being on the Virginia ballot, the truth is this, they have lost the money that will be needed to take Romney head on. The inability to collect 10,000 signatures (in their home state no less for two candidates) is an indication that they are not ready for prime time. Big money donors are a necessary evil to be competitive in our political system, whether this is right or not is not really relevant at this point, because that is just a fact for the time being. While I and countless others would like to see this change, it won't change in time for the next election.

As much as this pains me to say this, Mitt Romney will be the nominee. People have a choice to make, rally around him or stay home.

Make your choice. I have made mine. I will not pull the lever for Mitt Romney. If Gary Johnson is on my ballot as the libertarian candidate, I will vote for him or I will leave it blank and move on to my congressional elections.

This will be the first time in my adult life that I will not be involved in some capacity for the election of our next president. What will I do with all the extra time on my hands?

My Birthday Wish

2011-12-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today is my birthday and I have to let go of the fantasy that I am not middle-aged. It is an adjustment for me. I have been pretty militant about keeping my birthday completely separate from Christmas for obvious reasons. Be honest, how many times in your life have you gotten a "Happy Birthday to the Christmas Baby" card? I have gotten many. The gifts are not the issue, but it is the fact that allows people to put little effort into the day. I have to admit my mom was very good about it when I was little. She had my birthday celebration earlier in the month and I had everything that anyone else had on their birthdays that happened not to fall on or near a major holiday. That all changed about when I was 14 or so. There was a time that my birthday cake was actually Christmas Day dessert. Yeah, I had to wait two days to get cake. I hated it.

But, you grow up and realize it is not that big of deal and you don't care as much anymore. That has been true with the noted exception of a really horrible situation that occurred during a year that myself and four or five of my friends turned thirty. But I got over that too. Sort of.

Every year at my church we "adopt" ten needy families. We make sure that they have everything that need to celebrate the holiday season. Thanksgiving is at my church and it included a full meal and they always go home with leftovers to last a few more days.

Christmas is a little different that most people would like to spend it with their loved ones, so somehow December 23 got designated as the day that we spend giving the families all the fixings for their Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations. A full meal, a tree with all the trimmings, warm clothes and boots for the upcoming winter weather, and of course we make sure every child has some sort of toy. It may not seem like all that much, but it really does take a great deal of coordination to pull this off. We try to arrange it so the kids are not at home when we come, not always possible, but that is our hope, to give them a real surprise.

The first few years or so I got involved in this project there was a little part of me that resented that was how I spent my birthday. I then realized how selfish that was and I got over it. I have come to really look forward to this day and always feel good knowing that these families are going to have a better Christmas than they would without our efforts.

This year, I wanted our church to help out Homeless and Conservative and brought it up several times at the meetings that I attended. But, the project is geared to families with children and since she has no children they decided it was not a good use of the limited funds we have to make this possible every year.

I have done what I can to help her, and I am happy to report that she is getting closer to getting back on her feet. She really should have only a short time left of being without a home.

So my birthday wish is that you take a few moments to help someone in need. Money is tight all around, and you may not be able to give in a financial way, but if you happen to have a few extra can goods in your pantry, drop them off at a local food bank or shelter. It is too late for Toys for Tots, but maybe you know a neighbor that has difficulty giving something to their children this year due to tight or non-existent funds, drop something off on their doorstep for Christmas morning. (Or as in my case the traditional Scandinavian Christmas Eve celebration).

If even that is not possible take a moment to go over to visit Homeless and Conservative's blog and give her a Christmas greeting. She will be spending Christmas Eve with me and mine having a traditional Scandinavian Christmas Eve, lutefisk and all. But she could still use some holiday cheer to make her weekend a little brighter. She has stayed mostly positive during this experience, but I know she is missing her Aunt who she is unable to go and visit due to both money and work related issues.

I hope everyone one of my regular readers has a memorable, safe, and very Blessed Christmas..

Mumia Abu-Jamal Will Not Face Death Penalty

2011-12-22T17:55:00.000-05:00

The prosecutors in the case against convicted cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal announced that they will no longer be seeking the death penalty for the for 1981 death of police officer Daniel Faulkner.

Abu-Jamal has become a folk hero to the left who is against the death penalty. Here is a list of honors he has received since being convicted: From Wikipedia

Abu-Jamal has been made an honorary citizen of about 25 cities around the world, including Paris, Montreal, Palermo andCopenhagen.^[104]^[105] In 2001, he received the sixth biennial Erich Mühsam Prize, which recognizes outstanding activism on behalf of a liberatory vision of human society in keeping with that of its anarchist namesake;^[106] in particular, most of its awardees have been activists in the cause of social justice for persecuted minorities.^[107] In October 2002, he was awarded honorary membership of the Berlin-basedAssociation of Those Persecuted by the Nazi Regime – Federation of Antifascists and Antifascist Groups (VVN-BdA).^[108]On April 29, 2006, a newly-paved road in the Parisian suburb of Saint-Denis was named Rue Mumia Abu-Jamal in his honor.^[109] In protest of the street-naming, US Congressman Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) introduced resolutions in both Houses of Congress condemning the decision.^[110]^[111] The House of Representatives voted 368–31 in favor of the resolution.^[112] In December 2006, the 25th anniversary of the murder, the executive committee of the Republican Party for the 59th Ward of the City of Philadelphia—covering approximately Germantown, Philadelphia—filed two criminal complaints in the French legal system against the city of Paris and the city of Saint-Denis, accusing the municipalities of "glorifying" Abu-Jamal and alleging the offense "apology or denial of crime" in respect of their actions.^[104]^[113]

Any fair reading of the transcripts of the trial of this man would leave one to conclude that he is indeed a murderer. He certainly never deserved all of these honors. But, at least now the family of officer Faulkner can put this behind them and no longer have to keep going through the torment of will he or won't he face execution. His widow was with the prosecutor as the announcement was made.

I hope this puts all this nonsense of the left turning this cop killer into some sort of folk hero and now he will just live out his days in obscurity.

Happy Chanukah

2011-12-21T21:19:00.001-05:00

A friend of mine, who happens to be Jewish, told me that this is best video she has seen explaining history, and the religious and cultural struggle to survive.

For those you celebrate Chanukah, enjoy the special time with your loved ones.

H/T to Debbie Munoz

You Can't Fix Stupid

2011-12-21T16:16:00.000-05:00

I am sure many of you have seen or heard about the father of the year who tied up his one-year-old child with duct tape.

The genius then decided to photograph it and post it on Facebook under the caption:

The photo went viral shortly after being posted. I saw it a few nights ago and asked the person who posted it to tell me it was photoshopped. No such luck. This child abuser will be dealt with by the police and luckily for that poor little girl, child protective services has gotten involved and God willing she will never have to be subjected to this again.

But what I found just as disturbing as a father doing this to his helpless child is this quote from a friend of his:

"[He was] being playful with his child, people play with their children differently."

Mr. Curry is now in the cross hairs of law enforcement and child protective services. But his friend, JeVanna Cubbins, is out running loose in the world. You can't fix this kind of stupid. Let's just all hope this woman can't be bothered to vote.

My New Hero - Six-Year-Old Spends Prize Winnings on Sick Children

2011-12-21T08:52:00.000-05:00

Meet Aiden Moe. He is a six-year-old little boy who lives in Bryant, South Dakota. He won a cash prize of $1,000 recently and decided to use that money to buy pillow pets for sick children in Brookings Hospital. Apparently little Aiden was a patient in that hospital at one time and while there he was given a pillow pet. He decided that all the sick kids needed to have one too.

This just warms my heart. Most kids that age would want a new bike or video game system, but this little kid wanted to give back and help others. At six he understands the true spirit of Christmas more than many adults do. His proud mom said:

‘It makes me feel like I raised him well.’

I would say that she is 100% right and she did raise him well.

Quote of the Day - Meghan McCain Edition Part 4

2011-12-20T22:00:00.000-05:00

"As much as you don't like talking about Calllista Gingrich, I think the fact that she was a third wife and a mistress and is coming off somewhat icy and [her] reputation of being somewhat controversial within their campaign is doing damage. Maybe just to politicos, but I think it's something that people, and especially values voters, will bring into the race."

Meghan McCain on Calista Gingrich being Newt's third wife.

Oh, the irony. Has she forgotten that her mother was seeing her father while he was married for about a year?

I am sorry, but she is such a twit.

Quote of the Day - Eric Holder Edition Part 3

2011-12-19T22:04:00.000-05:00

“This is a way to get at the president because of the way I can be identified with him, both due to the nature of our relationship and, you know, the fact that we’re both African-American.”

Eric Holder on the uproar caused by Fast and Furious.

Gee, it couldn't have anything to do with the fact that a man died could it? No, of course not. it is Raaaaacism. What else could it be.

Please tell me when the race card will be maxed out.

Things That Make You Say Hmm...........

2011-12-19T17:06:00.003-05:00

There are Lay away Santa's popping up all over the country to help people pay for toys that are on lay away. Yet we continue to live in society where Christmas is a dirty word. Many retailers won't even use it. But, they sure like profiting off of it don't they?

Tim Tebow is brutally ridiculed for his Christian beliefs. I guess the better role model would be James Loney who was recently pulled over for suspicion of drunk driving after causing a multiple car accident. He was passed out in his car and when he woke up he fled the scene, but only after hitting yet another car. When police tried to give him a breathalyzer he bit off the mouthpiece and spit it at the cop. But no worries, he can keep his million dollar contract. The Dodgers announced it won't affect his contract.

The U.S. national debt has been increasing by an average of more than 4 billion dollars per day since the beginning of the Obama administration.

If the federal government began right at this moment to repay the U.S. national debt at a rate of one dollar per second, it would take over 440,000 years to pay off the national debt.

If Bill Gates gave every single penny of his fortune to the U.S. government, it would only cover the U.S. budget deficit for about 15 days. So, can we stop with the stupidity that taxing the rich would take care of our problems.

The U.S. Senate in all of its brilliance feels that we can pay for a payroll tax break by taking the money from new home buyers. Yet, democrats will continue to tell you that they have not raised taxes on the middle class. Why exactly do we think that putting money into Fannie and Freddie is a good idea? Didn't this last housing bubble do enough damage?

America is Not Buying What President Obama is Pushing

2011-12-19T09:43:00.000-05:00

Gallup released a new poll that is not good for President Obama's campaign strategy.

But what is really fascinating is this:

Even with the economy being much worse than it was in 1998 more than half feel that there being a difference between rich and poor is acceptable. Another words, they like capitalism.

President Obama should take heed. Even in a horrible economy Americans don't want a quasi-socialist economy that President Obama has spent the past three years trying to create.

God Bless America.

Cross Posted at Potluck Bloggers and Pundit Press

Please bookmark!

The Strange World of Google Search Part II

2011-12-18T23:03:00.000-05:00

Eva Longoria is most definitely not a conservative.

I have never seen the 19th century Christmas card with the words spelled out in sexual positions. If one such card exists, I will not be posting it.

Is Ronald Martin playing the race card? I think the better question is when does he not play it?. That example would be harder to find.

Yes, I believe that Allen West's wife is black. Why do you care?

Is Sandra Bullock a conservative? Don't know, but she won an Oscar for a portrayal of one.

What do conservative girls want? I would think that depends on the girl.

How much does Viagra cost? I don't know. I would assume that depends on your insurance coverage. I do know that a school system in WI refused to give up the benefit so some staff was laid off. After all, it would have been sexist to not allow it.

Is President Obama rich? I guess that would depend on how you define rich, but I would say by most people's standards yes, he is rich. He is the 1%.

Why Romney would be a great president? You won't be able to find that answer here. Sorry.

Someone actually hates the Secret Layaway Santa. You, my friend, are sick.

U.S. Troops Leave Iraq

2011-12-18T22:21:00.001-05:00

All troops have left Iraq. It is over.

We rid the world of one of the most brutal dictators on earth. We have given the Iraqis the chance to steer their own futures. It is now up to them to rise or fall. I hope they rise to the occasion.

To all that served, a grateful nation welcomes you home. Thank you for your service.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Romney Finally Graces the Sunday Morning Talk Circuit

2011-12-18T20:20:00.001-05:00

After more than two years Romney has finally decided to grace Fox News Sunday.

Etta James Terminally Ill

2011-12-17T21:41:00.000-05:00

Etta James' longtime manager has said that Etta James is terminally ill and in the last stages of her illness.

She is truly a national treasure. Take it away Etta:

Freedom Tower Taking Shape

2011-12-17T09:03:00.002-05:00

It has taken for what seems like forever, but the new Freedom Tower is now etched on the New York City Skyline. The Steel has reached to the 87th floor.

For some amazing shots from the tower go here.

It is good to see this project coming along. America may have been kicked on 9/11, but we will survive and this tower is a testament to that.

Quote of the Day - Joe Paterno Edition

2011-12-16T21:08:00.001-05:00

"I didn't want to interfere with their weekend."

Joe Paterno on why he waited to report that Jerry Sandusky was seen raping a child in a shower at Penn State

Well, if that isn't a good excuse, I don't know what is.

A Sad Day - Christopher Hitchens Dead at 62

2011-12-16T16:40:00.001-05:00

My own opinion is enough for me, and I claim the right to have it defended against any consensus, any majority, anywhere, any place, any time. And anyone who disagrees with this can pick a number, get in line and kiss my ass.

I disagreed with Mr. Hitchens on virtually everything. We had very little common ground. But, I loved his writing and sharp wit.

Rest in Peace, you will be missed.

Some Christmas Favorites

2011-12-15T22:31:00.001-05:00

Enjoy

Hale, Hale, to Nikki Haley

2011-12-15T09:12:00.001-05:00

One of the messages Gov. Nikki Haley campaigned on was that while government can't do everything, they can still get things done. She also realizes that governments shouldn't just be paying attention to larger cities and income generators, the people living in the rural areas need help too. Well, she is putting her money where her mouth is. She has given all the left over funds from her inauguration ($200,000) and the $550,000 advance from her upcoming book. All profits from the book will also be given to this new foundation The Original Six.

The foundation will be a combination of government services, faith based groups and non profits that will go out into the community to see what the real needs of the people are and address those specific needs. Instead of the one size fits fixes that get forced upon people by government officials who really have no idea what goes on in these smaller, poorer communities.

It is high time in this country that we admit that these government programs that cost tax payers a fortune are not addressing the real needs of the people who they say they want to help. We need to get the communities themselves involved. Just ask the people in New Orleans that lived through the aftermath of Katrina who gave them the most help. It was faith based groups and NGO's who did the heavy lifting.

It is very refreshing to see a politician to keep her promise and really make a difference in the lives of the people she is being paid to represent. Gov. Haley has a promising future in the republican party.

Christine O'Donnell Endorses Mitt Romney

2011-12-14T09:19:00.000-05:00

Does this come as a surprise to you? It doesn't to me. From day one when this woman came onto the national scene I have not liked her nor did I trust her. I took a great deal of flak for saying so. Maybe I wasn't so far off. The true blue Tea Party darling (whom they never bothered to vet before they jumped on her bandwagon) picks the least conservative of the crew we have left.

“It was not an easy decision because I too think any of our candidates would make a great president and a great candidate going against Barack Obama,” O’Donnell said. “But I think there are certain tie breakers and I know that in making my decision I might be hurting some people but I think infrastructure and executive experience are important, and for that reason I’m endorsing Mitt Romney.”

Would Huntsman make a good president too? She has previously stated this:

“I hope the fact that I stood up to the liberal establishment within my own party gives me the bona fides among conservatives to say this,” she said. “I find the tone and nastiness of some of the things circulating around the Internet about Romney extremely offensive.

What things are those Christine? The fact that he burdened the people of his own state with the highest insurance premiums in the country? Or maybe that hospitals there are going broke due to the mandates and the lack of funding. Could it be that people in MA now have an average time of 23 days to get a doctor's appointment. Do you find it offensive that people are reporting that RomneyCare funds abortions and illegals? I know I do.

Christine has offered to go out and stump for Gov. Romney. Oh my, what a treat. I wonder if she will advise Romney to leave more than $1 million in the campaign coffers like she did. Of course he doesn't then file for the next elected office so he can use that money like she has done.

Christine, why don't we call this what it is? A blatant attempt to get a seat at the table of a Romney administration, because you will never get elected to any office in Delaware on your own with your constant cries of being victimized and your somewhat casual relationship with the truth.

H/T to The Other McCain.

They Told Me if I Voted for John McCain Children Would Be Living on the Streets. Turns Out, They Were Right

2011-12-13T14:49:00.000-05:00

Homelessness for children is rising in a dramatic fashion in this country. Since Obama has taken office the rate of homeless children has increased by 33%.

At the First Light shelter in Birmingham, Ala., the fastest-growing group is women with children, executive director Ruth Crosby says. She says the emergency shelter, which houses about 125 women and children, is full every night. An overflow room with mats on the floor fills up every night, too.

Sadly, not all of these people bringing these children to the homeless shelters are not single parents or people who have lived in poverty for long periods in their lives.

Shelly Jordan, a case manager for the homeless in Hattiesburg, Miss., says it has become common for two-parent households or families headed by professionals to turn to the city's lone homeless shelter.

"People had savings or unemployment and that's run out," she says. "This is their last resort."

Although, the government is not reporting this number. The federal government is reporting only a 28% increase. The reasons for this is that they don't count everyone. Sort of like the unemployment number.

The economy in this country is driving countless people to the streets and our government is having an argument over a payroll tax break that will have little to no effect on improving the job market in this country. Without an improving job market, these families will have to stay in these shelters, or tent, or cars, or where ever they happen to be spending the night.

Disgraceful.

Gee, I wonder if this would be getting more headlines if George Bush were still in office.

You can read the report here. If you want to read a blog by someone who has been homeless for months and how she is dealing with it, go here.

And The Christmas Season Begins

2011-12-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

THE FESTIVAL OF SANTA LUCIA

The festival of Santa Lucia begins before dawn, on the thirteenth of December, which under the old Julian calendar (used in Sweden before 1753) was Christmas Day and the longest night of the year. Throughout Sweden, the eldest daughter in each household comes to her sleeping parents, dressed in a long white gown tied with a red sash, and wearing a crown of lingonberry leaves in which are set seven lighted candies. In her hands she carries a tray of steaming hot coffee and "Lussekattor" (Lucia Runs). The procession includes her sisters and brothers also dressed in white, holding lighted candles, and singing of the light and joy of Christmas.

The sisters of the Lucia Bride wear a wreath of tinsel in their hair and a piece tied around their waist, while the boys have tall pointed caps sprinkled with stars. Awakened by the lights and the singing, the parents arise and eat the breakfast served, thus ushering in the Christmas season.

Scandinavian tradition holds that in Värmland, Sweden, a white-clad maiden, wearing a crown of burning candies, brought food to the starving villagers on the shores of Lake Vänern. No one knows how long ago the tradition began, but it was so far back that the festival of Santa Lucia was marked by a notch on the primitive "primstav" (calendar stick), the precursor of the calendar. It later became customary in western Sweden to finish the threshing by Lucia Day so as to begin the cooking and baking for the long Christmas festivities. From its beginnings in Värmland, the customs in honor of Santa Lucia have spread throughout Sweden, and more recently to the rest of Scandinavia. Today, the festival is celebrated in schools, hospitals, businesses, and towns; each of which has its own Lucia Bride and festivities to mark the beginning of Christmas. Santa Lucia Day is also an international holiday, celebrated not only in Scandinavia, but also in Italy and France in the rites of the church.

However, the origins of this tradition are not in Scandinavia, but in Syracuse on the island of Sicily around 304 A.D. According to the Sicilian legend, Lucia's mother, a wealthy lady, had been miraculously cured of an illness at the sepulcher of Saint Agatha in Catania. Lucia, a Christian, persuaded her mother in thankfulness to distribute her wealth to the poor. So, by candlelight, the mother and daughter went about the city secretly ministering to the poor of Syracuse.

Unfortunately, this was during the last great persecution of Christians in the reign of the Emperor Diocletian. The pagan young man, to whom Lucia was engaged, took a dim view of this distributing of her dowry, and denounced her to the prefect, Pascasius, who ordered that she be seized and tortured. Miraculously, when neither boiling oil nor burning pitch had the power to hurt her, she was blinded and slain with a sword. Her martyrdom is recorded in ancient sources and in an inscription found in Syracuse.

How or when this legend and tradition came to Värmland, Sweden, no one knows. With the coming of Christianity to Sweden shortly after 1000 A.D., missionaries and priests may have told the story to inspire new converts. Another possibility is that sailors from Sweden may have been captivated by the popular candlelight festival of Santa Lucia in Italy and brought the tradition back with them. A newer theory, requiring more research is that St. Birgitta (1303-1373), during her stay in Rome (1349-1373) in her effort to get papal approval of the Bridgittine Order for women, probably wrote home to Sweden telling of the Lucia legend which was widely known in Italy. As Lucia Day comes at the darkest time of year, the candies of the ministering Santa Lucia portend and witness to the True Light-the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. On the morning of the thirteenth of December, the strains of "Santa Lucia" are heard everywhere in Sweden as the white-robed maiden comes out of the night with her burning crown of candies dispelling the darkness. In honor of her martyrdom, It has long been the custom to donate money on Lucia Day to institutions working for the blind.

Since 1956, the Scandinavian Club of Portland has preserved the beauty of this ancient tradition with a festival celebrating the coming of Santa Lucia preceding the Christmas holidays. In 1960, the club collaborated with Lloyd Center, providing a spectacular setting on their ice pavilion for the coronation of the Lucia Bride each year. In the tradition of the charitable life of Lucia, the court members visit churches, hospitals, local businesses, and homes for the elderly telling the story of Santa Lucia and bringing the holiday spirit into the hearts of all they meet. These girls are goodwill representatives of all Scandinavian communities in Oregon and southwest Washington, and of the countries of their forebears- Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden

Quote of the Day President Obama Edition Part 11

2011-12-12T22:47:00.000-05:00

As already indicated, we have asked for it back. We will see how the Iranians respond.

President Obama on the drone that Iran has.

I am sure the Iranians will get right on that.

Quote of the Day - Rev. Dr. Luis Leon Edition

2011-12-11T21:40:00.001-05:00

"Many unfairly expected a messiah that could cure the U.S. of all its problems, and now we see it's not that easy. This is not a political diatribe by the way. It is simply stating the obvious."

A tidbit of the sermon heard by the Obama's today. Yes, they actually attended church this fine Sunday morning.

Gee, I wonder where people ever got the idea that Obama was a Messiah?

....then I am absolutely certain that generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when began to provide care for the sick and good job to the jobless; this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal;

Barack Obama on June 3, 2008

Oh, I am still waiting on that job, and so are millions of others come to think of it.

Supporting Newt is Racism?

2011-12-11T00:52:00.001-05:00

So says Glenn Beck. It is no secret that Beck doesn't like Newt; no, it is more like he can't stand him. That is fine, he has the right to his opinion. Beck doesn't think that there is a big difference between Newt and President Obama. He feels that they are so much alike that if a tea party member supports Newt it must mean that they don't like Obama due to racism.

“If you have a big government progressive, or a big government progressive in Obama… ask yourself this, Tea Party: is it about Obama’s race? Because that’s what it appears to be to me. If you’re against him but you’re for this guy, it must be about race. I mean, what else is it? It’s the policies that matter.”

The stretch in logic that one must make to come to this conclusion must mean that Beck is a contortionist. Look Newt has issues. He has done many things that upset social conservatives, he has upset the republican establishment (not to say to that is bad thing), he has upset moderates, and he certainly has upset the left (again, not a bad thing).

But, to think that Newt would have done the things that Obama has done over the past three years is simply ludicrous. Would we have Obamacare? Would we have had almost a trillion dollar in stimulus that really only stimulated friends of the far left? Would he have signed Dodd/Frank? I don't think any of these things would have happened.

Does he really want me to believe that Newt's supporters are racist? Newt also has done some very good things in his career. He led the first republican comeback of the House of Representatives in four decades. When others said it couldn't be done, he did it anyway. Many of the things that are traditionally credited to President Clinton; such as welfare reform and a balanced federal budget, were done under his watch.

So let me ask you a question Mr. Beck, why should I believe that you are a conservative when you pulling the race card from the bottom of the deck? How is what you just said any different than what the left does anytime you criticize President Obama?

This is not the first time that Beck has played the race card. Let's hope it is his last.

Dutch Architects See No Resemblance to 9/11 Attacks

2011-12-10T09:19:00.001-05:00

“It was not our intention to create an image resembling the attacks nor did we see the resemblance during the design process. We sincerely apologize to anyone whose feelings we have hurt, it was not our intention.”

Really? You didn't see a resemblance, are you blind?

However the Weekly Standard reports that Jan Knikker of MVRDV told a Dutch language newspaper, “I have to admit that we also thought of the 9/11 attacks.”

Sick. Why would someone want to live in a building like this?