Won't You Go Home Bill Bolling

Well the truth is that Lt. Governor Bill Bolling did decide today not to make an independent run for the governor of Virginia.  The talk that he may seek an independent bid has been going on for several months now, since he decided to forgo a run for the GOP nomination.  

“Based on my discussions with key donors over the past three weeks, I was confident I could raise enough money to run a competitive campaign, but I was not confident I could raise enough money to run a winning campaign,” Bolling said. “Running as an Independent candidate would have required me to sever my longstanding relationship with the Republican Party. While I am very concerned about the current direction of the Republican Party, I still have many dear friends in the Republican Party, people who have been incredibly supportive of me over the years.”

Now, I want to make perfectly clear that I had intended to support Bolling at the upcoming convention in May.  So I am not some huge AG Cuccinelli supporter.  I have some issues with Ken; issues that are primarily based on some inside info that I know about and will not go into in this public forum.  But, suffice it to say, I will still be supporting Ken in the primary election.  His the ideal candidate to me?  No, but he is a far cry better than Terry McAuliffe.  

For those that may need some background, Bill Bolling is serving his second four-year term as Lt. Governor.  Four years ago he made a half-hearted attempt at running for governor, and rightly decided that he wouldn't try to get the nomination.  Now many say he gave up his own ambition because it was right for the party.  Maybe.  But, the truth is that he didn't have a chance to get the nomination in a head to head race with now Gov. Bob McDonnell. Many say that he is somehow owed this nomination due to that.  

Seriously?  C'mon folks.  The nomination isn't due to anyone.  I can't stand this whole he is next line thinking that the GOP has been employing for years and years.  What exactly has that thinking gotten us?  I will tell you what it got us, John McCain and Mitt Romney going against Obama.  Now I will be willing to admit that Romney would have a much better chance to going against Obama in 08 then he did in 12.   There was no way to deny how much trouble the economy was in four years ago.  There were ways to do that last year.  

Another thing I found very comical about all the going back and forth over the past few months is the fact that very same people who were supporting Bolling's indie run were the same people who said I "had" to vote for Romney and put my principles aside.  It was the "right" thing to do.  I was supporting the party.  The very same party that has time and time again pushed against my belief system and consistently raised taxes and increased spending, even on a state level.  The last session of the Virginia legislator just recently raised taxes in what is said to be the largest tax increase in Commonwealth history.  It is also raised taxes in an inconsistent basis.  Some counties will have to pay higher taxes than others.  Which seems not to hold the muster by the Virginia Constitution.  

Moreover, simply calling a measure a “regional congestion-relief fee” doesn’t change the reality that this is really a tax on real estate. Proponents of the deal will reject that, saying it is a transaction fee. But it is not a flat fee. Instead, the amount paid is tied to the price of the land — reflecting real estate conditions, the surrounding neighborhood and more. That’s a tax, and the state Supreme Court ruled as much in 2008, when it struck down the General Assembly’s previous attempt to impose a regional congestion fee.

These are the people who I am supposed to support?  Look, I get that transportation issues in the state have to be addressed, especially in the Northern Virginia area, but that doesn't mean that this tax hike is going to solve the problem.  A big part of the problem is the cronyism that goes on within the Virginia Department of Transportation, which of course increases costs.   So much of the budget is wasted.   I lived there for 17 years, and I would watch them tear up a road, pave it, then tear it up again.  I am supposed to pay higher taxes simply because the people who are hired can't do the job properly the first time?  

I am sure that many are crying in their milk today that Bolling has deciding to take his ball and go home.  My question to them is that if a more conservative candidate toys with the idea of running an independent bid will be as open-minded to it?   Somehow I don't think so.  During the past few months I have been called a bully.  Really?  Me, a bully?  Hardly.  I have been writing this blog for close to four years, how often have you heard me call people names?  I don't do that nor do I like when others do.  I see that as unproductive and childish.   Another thing that those pushing this run seem to fail to mention are a few facts.  Ken Cuccinelli got a larger percentage of the vote four years ago then the governor did.  Ken Cuccinelli also ran and won in Fairfax County, VA when he was serving in the state legislator.  For those that don't know, Fairfax County is one of the bluest counties in the state.  Every credible poll puts this a very tight race, one that Ken could easily win.  

So, for the people who are all upset about Bill Bolling, it is time to dry your tears and get on board.  That is what you told me a year ago.  

Sending the Sequester to Portugal? Yes We Have Idiots in this Country

New MSNBC Poll - 78% Ok With President Killing Americans with Drones

Yes they said this.

Hey New Yorkers, Here's Dunkin Doughnuts New Coffee Rules

Yep, this is really happening in the United States.  I don't feel sorry for the people who live there, they did this to themselves.  But the many tourists shouldn't be made to deal with this insanity.  

BB Guns, Cupcakes, and Toy Soldiers Oh My

A mom in Michigan made 30 chocolate cupcakes for her son Hunter's class birthday party.  She brought the cupcakes to the office so that they could bring them to the classroom, which they accepted.  Within 15 minutes of dropping off her cupcakes, she received a phone call about said cupcakes to tell her that they couldn't be served.

You see Hunter helped his mom decorate the cupcakes and used toy soldiers to do so.  These soldiers were replicas of those who served in WWII.  The school, in their infinite wisdom, decided that those soldiers were upsetting to the children and "insensitive".    The school has doubled down and defended this action:

“These are toys that were commonplace in the past,” she wrote. “However, some parents prohibit all guns as toys. In light of that difference, the school offered to replace the soldiers with another item and the soldiers were returned home with the student.”

“Living in a democratic society entails respect for opposing opinions,” she stated. “In the climate of recent events in schools we walk a delicate balance in teaching non-violence in our buildings and trying to ensure a safe, peaceful atmosphere.”

First, one would think that someone with the education she must have she would understand that do not live in a democracy, we live in a Constitutional Republic.  Look, I understand that there are many parents who do not give their children guns to play with, I respect that.  But I don't see how exposing our children to WWII soldiers is really giving them guns to play with.  These soldiers have been rightly labeled "The Greatest Generation", have we forgotten how much they sacrificed in order to keep the American way of life?  This isn't hyperbole, fascism and totalitarism was on the march and those soldiers gave their lives so it wouldn't reach our shores.

Hunter's dad has had this to say:

Fountain said it was beyond outrageous to compare American soldiers to deranged mass murderers.

“In our politically correct society they can’t separate the good from the bad,” he said. ”I’m sure hammers are allowed in schools — although a lot of people are killed by hammers.”

We have become so politically correct in our society that we can't see the forest thru the trees.

Another similar incident is making some news as well.

Do you remember the Denise's husband Martin from the Cosby Show?  His real name is Joseph C. Phillips, he is married with children and living in the Los Angeles area.  His son is 15 years old.  He used his own money to buy himself one of those air BB  guns.  He was very proud of his purchase, I am sure that he used money he earned at his dad's restaurant was part of that pride.  His son was showing a picture (yes, you read that correctly) on his phone to his friends.  A teacher happened to be walking by.  The teacher not only confiscated the phone, he also questioned the boy's mental state.  To make matters worse, his parents were not contacted by the school.  His son finally told him about the incident days after it happened.  Phillips (a Facebook friend of mine) was furious.  Part of the letter he sent to the school:

It may come as a shock to Mr. DeLarme, It may even be news to you, but my son is not the only boy in Woodland Hills with a BB gun. There are quite a few boys attending your school who not only own BB guns, but own real guns as well. (Some of them play air soft with my son!) Their fathers, mothers, and brothers also own guns and shoot regularly. Owning a gun is NOT a sign of mental illness. Owning a BB gun is NOT an indication of mental instability! Certainly, showing friends a photograph of a gun is NOT a warning sign that a student is a potential danger to his classmates! I object, in the strongest of terms, to my son being treated as a potential danger and to his being threatened with law enforcement. I further object to not being notified! If Mr. DeLarme truly believed my son presented a danger, both my wife and I should have been notified immediately!

Turns out this teacher is a strong advocate of gun control.  Shocker!!!

 "…our country's position on gun control and violence is what makes such situations probable."

It is not only acceptable, but preferable, that a teacher reach out about a student that they feel is mentally unstable and who could potentially cause harm to others.  But that doesn't mean that every 15-year-old who shoots air guns is that danger.  Plenty of children play with air guns or paint guns.  My nephew used to love to play with paint guns when he was younger.  It was a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon.  He is all grown and has never shot anyone.  As far as I know, he doesn't even own a gun today.  But the most reprehensible part of this story is that they were threatening this child with law enforcement without contacting his parents.  This is a minor we are talking about here.  A parent has the right to know that his child is being looked at as a danger to others.

We have gone way too far.  Schools have a responsibility to protect their students to the best of their abilities.  That doesn't give them the right to treat children who are interested in WWII soldiers and BB Guns as criminals and a danger to society. 

Photo of the Day - Rand Paul Filibuster Word Cloud

This was done by New York Magazine.  I thought it was kind of interesting.  I am suprised the word "Cafe" didn't make it to the top.

Chavez - A Champion for the Poor?

This from 2010:

Analyst estimates Chávez’s family fortune at around $2 billion

Criminal Justice International Associates (CJIA), a risk assessment and global analysis firm in Miami, estimated in a recent report that the Chávez Frías family in Venezuela has “amassed a fortune” similar to that of the Castro brothers in Cuba.

According to Jerry Brewer, president of CJIA, “the personal fortune of the Castro brothers has been estimated at a combined value of around $2 billion.”
“The Chávez Frías family in Venezuela has amassed a fortune of a similar scale since the arrival of Chávez to the presidency in 1999,” said Brewer in an analysis published in their website.

Brewer said that Cuba is receiving about $5 billion per year from the Venezuelan treasury and in oil shipments and other resources.

We believe that organized bolivarian criminal groups within the Chávez administration have subtracted around $100 billion out of the nearly $1 trillion in oil income made by PDVSA since 1999.”

From ABC News Jan 2013:

1. Venezuela has gone from being dependent on oil to being extremely dependent on oil.

Former minister Gerver Torres points out that in 1998 oil represented 77 percent of Venezuela's exports but by 2011 oil represented 96 percent of exports. That means today only around 4 percent of the goods that Venezuela exports are non-oil products! The Venezuelan economy relies almost exclusively on the price of oil and the ability of the government to spend oil revenues. This will take years to reverse because of item two below.

2. The Chavez government has crippled private businesses and national industry through expropriations and nationalizations.

The Chavez government has expropriated or nationalized numerous companies (no one seems to be able to count them all) involved in various sectors including aluminum, cement, gold, iron, steel, farming, transportation, electricity, food production, banking, paper and the media. The number of private companies in industry has dropped from 14,000 in 1998 to only 9,000 in 2011, according to Torres.

Companies need investment to grow and hire new workers. One of the biggest failures of the Chavez government has been to drive away both domestic and foreign investors. In 2011 Latin America enjoyed a record of more than $150 billion in foreign investment with Brazil receiving $67 billion. Venezuela's neighbor Colombia received $13 billion while Venezuela received only $5 billion. To avoid expropriation and find investment a number of Venezuelan companies have moved to Colombia, Panama and the United States.

3. The Venezuelan currency is a mess.

The new currency, the Bolivar fuerte, is anything but strong. The Bolivar fuerte has lost nearly two-thirds of its value since it was launched in 2008. Many analysts expect Venezuela will have to go through a painful devaluation sometime this year or next. This will further reduce the value of wages and sharply increase the costs of imports of basic staple goods. Life will get tougher for most Venezuelans but Chavez probably won't be around to see it.

4. Prices in Venezuela have gone up by 23 percent a year for more than ten years.

Inflation in Venezuela has averaged 23 percent during 1999-2011 compared to a Latin American average of 4.6 percent. Imagine what life would be like if the price of groceries went up 23 percent every year. This craziness combined with stringent price controls has completely distorted the economy, creating black markets and shortages. In 2012 Venezuela will again have one of the highest inflation rates in the world.

5.Under Chavez Venezuela has become one of the most violent countries on the planet.

The murder rate per 100,000 citizens has risen from 25 in 1999 to 45.1 in 2011. This is not an economic stat per se but violence has an economic impact. It is more challenging and dangerous than ever to do business and go to work in Venezuela. When you consider these points, it's hard to call the economic legacy of Chavez and his band of 21st Century Socialists a good one.

From Amnesty International:

Police and security forces

Public security remained a major concern and, according to latest figures released by the Institute of National Statistics, more than 21,000 people were killed nationwide in 2009. There were allegations of police involvement in killings and enforced disappearances.

• In September, Wilmer José Flores Barrios became the sixth member of the Barrios family to be killed in circumstances suggesting the involvement of members of the Aragua State Police. At the end of the year, Venezuela had not adopted measures to protect the family, nor had it ordered an effective investigation into these crimes.
• In March, eyewitnesses saw three labourers – Gabriel Antonio Ramírez, José Leonardo Ramírez and Nedfrank Xavier Cona – being bundled into an unmarked car by a group of between 17 and 20 police officers in the city of Barcelona, Anzoátegui State. At the end of the year, the whereabouts of the men remained unknown. Six police officers were under arrest at the end of 2010 in connection with the incident; a higher-ranking officer remained at liberty.

Repression of dissent

Those critical of the government were prosecuted on politically motivated charges in what appeared to be an attempt to silence them.

• In March, Oswaldo Álvarez Paz, a member of an opposition party and ex-governor of the Zulia State; Guillermo Zuloaga, owner of TV station Globovisión; and Wilmer Azuaje, an opposition candidate for the governorship of Barinas State, were detained for several days on spurious charges. The charges remained pending at the end of the year.
• Richard Blanco, Prefect of Caracas, was released in April, after four months in prison, but continued to face unsubstantiated charges of inciting violence and injuring a police officer during a demonstration against an education law in 2009.
• In November, the trial began of trade unionist Rubén González, general secretary of Sintraferrominera, the union representing workers at the state-run iron mine CVG Ferrominera Orinoco in Bolivar State. He was charged with inciting a crime, curtailing people’s freedom to work, and violating a security zone following his participation in a strike in 2009. He had been in pre-trial detention for over a year and the charges against him appeared to be disproportionate.

People boast on how he was "democratically elected":

He cemented his rule by rewarding allies. Opportunists, notably senior military officers and the tycoons known as “boligarchs”, got rich manipulating government contracts. Civilian ideologues and Cuba got power and influence. Hundreds of thousands of ordinary people got jobs in a bloated bureaucracy. And millions of the poor got social services, scholarships and handouts, notably fridges, tumble dryers and washing machines. Those who voted against him were often barred from government jobs and benefits.
Other Latin American governments knew of the abuses, that elections were free though not fair, but stayed silent. Venezuela’s hollowed economy required huge imports from its neighbours to keep shelves stocked. Why risk the bonanza? Plus Chávez offered discounted oil, called time on Yankee meddling and told the IMF to stuff itself.

And:

Venezuela hasn’t invited international observers to watch its elections since 2006, although it does allow “witnesses” to the process

Somehow this man is a hero to the left:

Hollywood liberals Sean Penn, Michael Moore and Oliver Stone have paid tribute to Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez, who died on 5 Marchafter a long battle with cancer, at the age of 58.

Penn, who first met Chávez in Venezuela in 2007 and attended a candlelit vigil for the stricken firebrand in Bolivia in December, bemoaned the politician's lack of credibility in North America. "Today the people of the United States lost a friend it never knew it had. And poor people around the world lost a champion," he said in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter. "I lost a friend I was blessed to have. My thoughts are with the family of President Chávez and the people of Venezuela." Penn added: "Venezuela and its revolution will endure under the proven leadership of vice president [Nicolas] Maduro."

Oliver Stone, who celebrated Chávez's presidency and the successes of left wing politicians across South America in his 2009 documentarySouth of the Border, said the Venezuelan leader would be remembered fondly by historians as a champion of the poor. "I mourn a great hero to the majority of his people and those who struggle throughout the world for a place," he said in a statement. "Hated by the entrenched classes, Hugo Chávez will live forever in history. My friend, rest finally in a peace long earned."

Michael Moore, who met Chávez at the Venice film festival in 2009 and posted pictures of himself with the president, tweeted: "Hugo Chávez declared the oil belonged 2 the ppl. He used the oil $ 2 eliminate 75% of extreme poverty, provide free health & education 4 all. That made him dangerous. US approved of a coup to overthrow him even though he was a democratically-elected president."

If this is a hero, what does a villain look like?  Oh yeah, I forgot George W. Bush.

I would like to give Kudos to Think Progress of all sources.  They had the balls to stand up to the crazies on the left:

Rep. Jose E. Serrano (D-NY) released a statement today praising former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, despite the latter’s record of harsh crackdowns on his political opponents and state-sanctioned persecution against Venezuela’s Jewish population. Serranotweeted a statement praising Chavez as an a champion of the oppressed, writing that “Hugo Chavez was a leader that understood the needs of the poor. He was committed to empowering the powerless. R.I.P. Mr. President.” Serrano’s office later released a statement expanding on the tweet:

President Chavez was a controversial leader. But at his core he was a man who came from very little and used his unique talents and gifts to try to lift up the people and the communities that reflected his impoverished roots. He believed that the government of the country should be used to empower the masses, not the few. He understood democracy and basic human desires for a dignified life. His legacy in his nation, and in the hemisphere, will be assured as the people he inspired continue to strive for a better life for the poor and downtrodden.”

While even Chavez’s critics admit that he did attempt to address the plight of Venezuela’s poorest, the decline in economic inequality in Venezuela reflected a broader egalitarian trend in Latin America, and can’t be fully credited to Chavez’s policies. However, Chavez’ policies harmed Venezuela’s poorest in other ways: the value of the Venezuelan currency dropped while prices soared, making it harder for people to buy basic necessities, and crime skyrocketed.

Moreover, Chavez hurt the vulnerable in Venezuela in other ways. Chavez’s state-run media hounded Venezuela’s small, beleaguered Jewish population — he himself once said “Don’t let yourselves be poisoned by those wandering Jews.” A study released by the Kantor Center at Tel Aviv University found that Chavez’s rule “witnessed a rise in antisemitic manifestations, including vandalism, media attacks, caricatures, and physical attacks on Venezuelan Jewish institutions.” Indeed, roughly half of Venezuelan Jews fled the country because of “the social and economic chaos that the president has unleashed and from the uncomfortable feeling that they were being specifically targeted by the regime.”

Chavez also attacked Venezuela’s democratic political system. Human Rights Watch reported in 2012 that “the accumulation of power in the executive and the erosion of human rights protections have allowed the Chávez government to intimidate, censor, and prosecute critics and perceived opponents in a wide range of cases involving the judiciary, the media, and civil society.” Contra Serrano, Venezuela’s elections were not certified as “free and fair” by international monitors of late: Chavez had not allowed international election monitors to observe Venezuelan elections since 2006.

Here's a Nursing Home I Don't Want to be a Resident Of

Glenwood Gardens in Bakersfield, CA has a "policy" of not allowing their staff of not performing CPR.  That is not a typo.  87-year-old Lorraine Bayless was allowed to die while waiting for medics to arrive.  9-1-1 was on the phone with a nurse after the woman collapsed:

In the seven-minute, 16-second recording, the nurse told the dispatcher it was against the facility's policy for employees to perform CPR on residents.

With every passing second, Bayless' chances of survival were diminishing. The dispatcher's tone turned desperate.

"Anybody there can do CPR. Give them the phone please. I understand if your facility is not willing to do that. Give the phone to that passerby," the dispatcher said. "This woman is not breathing enough. She is going to die if we don't get this started."

I am not going to take the tack that this has something to do with Obamacare, as it clearly does not.  But it does go to the fact that as a society we are getting closer and closer to saying that the elderly, the sick, and the disabled are disposable.

This is part and parcel of the violence we see in this country.  Human life is no longer considered valuable.

Twitter Fun - You Might Be A Dictator Edition

#YouMightBeADictator If you updated the bios of our former Presidents on the White House website to insert yourself and promote your agenda

#YouMightBeADictator if your supporters can't come up with a competing Twitter meme to defend your honor - or you don't have any to defend

#YouMightBeADictator if you say 'with or without Congress'

#YouMightBeADictator if you jet about the country speechifying in lieu of, you know, Doing. Your. Godforsaken. Job.

#YouMightBeADictator if your domestic terrorist list contains veterans and people who fly the Gadsden flag.”

#YouMightBeADictator If you can have your entire life's records sealed so no one can find out a thing about you.

If you every feel the slightest twinge of need to utter the statement#IAmNotADictator, then, #YouMightBeADictator.

If you believe you can spend your way out of debt using the people's money #YouMightBeADictator

#YouMightBeADictator if you let the black panthers assault voters on election day

#YouMightBeADictator if you arm drug cartels in another country

#YouMightBeADictator if you think "compromise" means "my way or the highway"."

Memories

Today is the one year anniversary of the passing of Andrew Breitbart.  

This morning I was thinking about when I last saw him.  Last year at CPAC you may remember the occupy movement promised to come and protest.  So they did.  I was outside with my video camera marching around with them.  Shortly thereafter Andrew Breitbart made his way out. He of course wanted to mix it up, but the police were a little worried about violence, so they made the CPAC attendees get closer to the hotel while the protestors were down in the street.  So I got the chance to hang out with Breitbart for a short time.  We were mixing up with the protestors.  It was a very good time.  

Good times.............bittersweet memories.

Quote of the Day - Andrea Mitchell Edition

‘Frankly there isn’t enough tough reporting in Washington these days’

Really, you don't say?   

Twitter Fun - Donna Brazile Edition

This gave me hours of fun this afternoon:

@Artist_Angie #DonnaBrazileMysteries Why don't the code pink vagina costumes have warts and sores on them?

#DonnaBrazileMysteries Wow, they're treating me almost as harshly as the media treats 

@SarahPalinUSA there on Twitter. Justice, or racism?

#DonnaBrazileMysteries who exactly did let the dogs out?

#DonnaBrazileMysteries Why is gas prices so high when my tires are properly inflated?

#DonnaBrazileMysteries Why are people making fun of me on Twitter?

#DonnaBrazileMysteries How come free stuff costs so much???

#DonnaBrazileMysteries You mean my Social Security taxes are not kept in a savings account I will later have access to.

#DonnaBrazileMysteries why is my grandmother not getting any medical treatment?

#DonnaBrazileMysteries Suddenly people are laughing a lot when I blame Bush. #Confused

#DonnaBrazileMysteries How come after spending trillions, fewer people are employed today than when BHO took office?#NoGoodAnswer. #TGDN

#DonnaBrazileMysteries Wait, the Affordable Care Act affects Democrats, too?

#DonnaBrazileMysteries Called Michael Moore, asked why his dieting advice isn't working, no good answer.

#DonnaBrazileMysteries Why did the rapist suddenly get angrier when I puked on him? He was supposed to leave me alone.

#DonnaBrazileMysteries called NOW to ask if "women's health" only refers to reproductive organs,what abt the rest of my body?#NoGoodAnswers

#DonnaBrazileMysteries If I move to our 57th State -will my healthcare premiums be lower?

#DonnaBrazileMysteries Che is not a hero?

#DonnaBrazileMysteries is the hokey pokey really what it's all about? Called the First Lady. No good answers.

#DonnaBrazileMysteries How can we have all that debt when they just raised taxes?

Liberal Logic Photo of the Day - Donna Brazile Edition

Seriously, how stupid are these people?  Of course your premium went up.  Did you think all that "free" stuff really was free?

Dolt

Quote of the Day - Speaker Boehner Edition Part 2

"The president has known for 16 months that this sequester was looming out there when the super committee failed to come to an agreement, and so for 16 months, the president has been traveling all over the country holding rallies instead of sitting down with Senate leaders in order to try to forge an agreement over there in order to move a bill. We have moved a bill in the House twice. We should not have to move a third bill before the Senate gets off their ass and begins to do something,"

Sadly he forgot to mention that sequester was the idea of the President.  Which is important since the media is not covering the outright dishonesty of the president on this topic.  

For Those Keeping Track, Republicans Who Voted for Largest Tax Hike in VA History

Yep, brace for it Virginia.  You have a massive tax increase coming your way.  Here are the republicans that voted for it.  Sadly, due to schedule, getting someone to primary these people this year will next to impossible.  But, I think they knew that and that is why they voted on this on the last day of the session.

House of Delegates: Dave Albo (42), John Cosgrove (78), Kirk Cox (66), Mark Dudenhefer (2), Jim Edmunds (60), Tag Greason (32), Chris Head (17), Gordon Helsel (91), Keith Hodges (98), Sal Iaquinto (84)*, Riley Ingram (62), Chris Jones (76), Terry Kilgore (1), Barry Knight (81), Jim LeMunyon (67), Manny Loupassi (68), Joe May (33), Donald Merricks (16), Randy Minchew (10), Richard Morris (64), John O’Bannon (73), Bobby Orrock (54), Charles Poindexter (9), Bob Purkey (82), Lacey Putney (I, declared R if running for re-election – 19), Tom Rust (86), Ed Scott (30), Beverly Sherwood (29), Chris Stolle (83), Ron Villanueva (21), Michael Watson (93), David Yancey (94), Joseph Yost (12), Speaker Howell (28)

State Senate: Harry Blevins (14), Bill Carrico (40), Jeff McWaters (8), Tommy Norment (3), Frank Ruff (15), Walter Stosch (12), Frank Wagner (7), John Watkins (10).

H/T Bearing Drift

Some Thoughts on The Oscars and Flotus

I admit it, I am a huge fan of the Oscars.  I rarely miss watching the ceremony.  I love movies and I really like the fact that most years I have seen most of the movies that are nominated for the big awards.  Now, hollywood isn't exactly a fan of mine.  Or, I should say my political beliefs.  Many within the industry are outright rude to people who hold my political beliefs.  They call me all kinds of not so nice names and twitter has made it even more pronounced.

So last night I was tweeting while watching the ceremony.  Many of the conservatives around the twitterverse talked about how we shouldn't watch because of the very liberal slant of the industry and the people within the industry.  I say exactly the opposite.  One of the reasons that democrats win is that use pop culture to influence the masses.

Well, Flotus proved me correct last night.

It's through cinema, Obama said, that "our children learn to open their imagination and dream just a little bigger and to strive every day to reach those dreams."

More accurately she should have said that through cinema they influence our children.  Now, don't take this that I am saying that parents can't do anything about it, but the influences are still there.

Do you still think we shouldn't be engaging in pop culture?

The sad fact is this, the lines between politics and pop culture are not just blurred, Michelle Obama and her bangs giving out the Oscar for Best Film shows that the lines have been completely erased.  Sit on the sidelines if you want, but it will be to your detriment.

Homeless Man Suing Parents for Bringing him up in Poverty

Yes, there is a homeless man, Bernard Anderson Bey, in Brooklyn, NY that has decided that suing his parents is a good idea.  After all, he is only 32 years old and it must be Momma's fault that he is living in a shelter.  The fact that he has drug arrests in the past have nothing to do with the situation he finds himself in.

Now, I have a great deal of sympathy for the homeless.  There are plenty of homeless that find themselves in that way due to a few bad breaks that happen to us all, but they don't have a safety net to help themselves out of it.  But, generally speaking those people only find themselves homeless for a short period of time.  The average is under three months.  They get themselves back on track pretty quickly in most instances.

I do not know how long this man has been homeless, but I do know that his claim is just another symptom of the nothing is my fault and everyone deserves a pony society that we currently living in.  If things don't go your way, blame someone else for your problems.  The man himself says this:

“Defendant Bernard Manley informed the plaintiff he was entitled to nothing, which is true,” Bey wrote in the suit. “I am not entitled to receive anything from an asset he owns. I only thought he might find pleasure in seeing his children become successful.”

What he is expecting is that his step-father and mother take a mortgage against some property that they have as an asset and buy into to some franchises so that everyone in the family will have a job.  He is thinking maybe Domino's Pizza may be a good idea.  Does he know how to make a pizza?  How long has it been since he held a full-time job?  Owning a business is generally very long hours for the owners, it isn't easy being a small business owner.  Many don't make much money for themselves when they first start out, all the bills have to be paid before you draw a salary.

He also claims that his step father was verbally abusive as well as a drug user who had no qualms in using drugs right in front of the five children in the house.  He has five younger siblings, he claims all of which are on public assistance.  While I also agree that poverty in many cases in this country is generational, it doesn't mean that if and when the parents get themselves a little bit of money they owe that to the children.  Of course it would be nice if they shared to help lift their children out of poverty, it is not necessarily the job of the parents to do so.  At some point you have to responsible for yourself.  As his mother states:

“He’s 32 years old. That speaks for itself. Welcome to America. Everyone in America has the same opportunity. Don’t blame the parents at this point. The choice is yours. You’re an adult.”

One of his sisters has found the claim to be ridiculous as well, especially the part that he claims they are all on public assistance:

“I’m not on public assistance. My parents were not terrible. They did the best they could. He chose the life he’s leading now.”

Sadly, this is yet one more example of the masses in this country that takes no responsiblity for their own lives.  Someone else is always to blame.  No wonder we are $16T in debt.

R.I.P. Mindy McCready

I am not a fan of country music generally speaking so I am not very familiar with her music, but I have heard a great deal about her.  Her story is not all that much different with anyone else that is dealing with mental illness, except that she did in the public spotlight.  The stories of her drug abuse, mental health problems, and custody fight over her two young children have been headline news for years.  She lost the battle last night.  She was found dead on her front porch with a single self-inflicted gun shot to the head.

Mental illness has claimed another soul.  This is a woman who was forcibly hospitalized very recently, but as usual was let go way too soon.  One more to add to the list to show how broken our mental health system in this country.  Two children will grow up without memories of their mother as they are too young to have their own memories.

It is very easy to dismiss this and say she did this to herself.  True.  But unless you have dealt with a sort of major depression you can't possibly understand.  Mental illness is selfish.  That is part of the illness.   Drug addiction is a very sad side effect of mental illness.  It is a way to deal with the darkness.  Darkness is exactly what mental illness brings, one that you can't possibly understand unless you yourself have gone through it.

Our mental health system is broken in this country.  It must be fixed or these types of things will continue to happen.

Sadly, Mindy didn't feel the 10,000 angels looking down on her last night.

Yet More GOProud Controversary at CPAC 2013

I wrote this more than two years ago - it seems we are still having the same conversation.  Sad. This was all over twitter today.  GOProud was once again refused a chance for a sponsorship at the CPAC convention.  This is why the GOP is called intolerant.  Look, I am against gay marriage, but I more than willing to engage in thoughtful debate about the topic.  I don't understand why the organizers of CPAC and social conservative groups are not willing to do the same.  


The Conservative Political Action Conference is having yet another controversy this year.  The Family Research Council and Concerned Women for America have decided to boycott.  The organizers have invited GOProud to participate and the social conservative groups are none too pleased.  

I have my belief systems and I am not ashamed of those beliefs.  I believe that I have come about them honestly and with careful thought.  That being said I realize that my belief systems is not something that everyone else is going to agree with.  One of the things that I really do not have the patience for is people that would rather shut down speech instead of engaging in debate.  When we shut down speech nothing will get solved.  The only way to bring about awareness is to have the difficult and uncomfortable discussions.  

One of the things that I promised myself when I started this blog was that I would stay true to my own voice even when it wasn't popular.  So this post will be no exception.  I fully understand and respect the religious beliefs of the far right.  In fact, I agree with much of it.  But, what I don't agree with is when the far right paints itself into a corner that appears like intolerance.  It happens over and over again. 

The conservative blogosphere has yet to finish its discussion on the end of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.  It is not a secret that the right and more specifically the far religious right is appalled that gays will serve in openly in the military.  It is looked upon as a slippery slope that will eventually bring about the ruin of the Republic.  Of course that is somewhat of an oversimplification in many cases, but it certainly is not in all cases.  I have read some things that have blown my mind.  I can only imagine what people who are not inclined to agree with the right are thinking when they read the same things.  

The country is certainly at a crossroads.  We are on the verge of insolvency and in danger of real shift in how we live in this country.  If there ever was a time that we need more discussion, that time is now.  You hear over and over again from the left that the republican party is a small tent.  This is a perfect example of how it simply isn't the case.  Although the new meme of the left and the media is that the republican party is making it clear that it no longer has room for moderates in the party.  It is one of the many inconsistencies that media never fully answers about its discussions of the Republican Party.  But, that is a post for another time.  

There are different types of conservatives.  There are people who are socially conservative yet will still spend money like water.  There are those who are fiscally conservative and more socially liberal.  Then we have those that are conservative on both counts.  So the party is a bigger tent than the media would like to admit to.  But, one of the things that can tear the party apart is this type of stupidity.  

I am not saying that any of these groups should change their strongly held beliefs.  What I am saying is that they need to stop acting like if the rest of us don't agree with them that it is acceptable to pick up their toys and go home.  What we need to do is challenge each other not shut each other out.  By walking away they are becoming exactly what the left accuses of them of; intolerance.  If they truly believe in what they are preaching, then stand up and say it.  Stand up and defend it.  Stand up and show me where I am wrong.  Talk to me, don't shut down discussion.  

I was at CPAC last year and some of this reared its head then as well.  GOProud was there and gave some sort of presentation that I did not attend, so I can't attest to what was said.  CPAC has gone out of its way to be inclusive as possible to college students.  There was an awards program for activists on college campuses across the country. College activists were given a short time to speak about what was happening on their campuses.  One activist choose to use his time to state his displeasure of GOProud and was loudly booed by many of the college kids.  The moderator asked the audience to respect our right to speech and give the young man his time to speak.  Regardless of how I felt about what he saying, I respected his right to say it.  

What these social conservatives are saying is that GOProud has no right to speak.  To me, that is not a conservative value that I can condone.  I don't agree with every speaker at CPAC.  The only way that would happen would be if I chose all the speakers and told them what to discuss.  That doesn't mean that I should not attend and take part of the experience.  Who knows, I may end up learning more from the speaker that I don't agree with than the ones that I do.  

The one thing that I am sure of, if we want to put an end to Obamanation, we have to find a way to make room for all republicans.  If we continue to tear each other down, we will see another four more years of President Obama.  An outcome that is not acceptable.  Hold onto your beliefs and stay true to them, but never forget that the answer to bad speech, is more speech.  

Read more here and here

A Little Chuckle to Start the Weekend

LOL - I have never been to a picnic like this.  Have you?

Happy Valentine's Day from the RNC

Rand Paul's Tea Party Response to the State of the Union Address Video

I don't agree with him on everything, but I love him.

Extreme Parenting Part 6

I want to start out by saying that I love ya and I’m not trying to embarrass you. Before you do anything else click the star in the upper right hand corner of internet explorer which is already pulled up and then click back on the icon to the right of the skype symbol in your toolbar to pull this page back up. —————————————> That history is the reason that you got that scamware and all the other crap on your computer. I want to tell you that it’s ok. Listen, I was 13 once too and it wasn’t so long ago that I don’t remember. I’m not mad or anything. It’s life and I did it too. I just want you to know that most of those sites are places that can and will ruin your computer. You were actually lucky that it only did what it did. There are viruses and other scamware that can completly ruin a computer and I can’t afford to buy you another 1800 dollar machine because you went to a site that fried it.

There are sites that are completely safe and you can go on them and not have your computer turned into a piece of junk. You can go to these sites and not screw up your computer. Don’t click on any links taking you to other sites and please only go to these. Ninty percent of porn sites have crap that can brick a computer.

[editor: links omitted]

Listen, I won’t tell your mom and I’m not gonna make a big deal out of this. In fact I’m not gonna make any size deal out of it. If you don’t wanna talk about it that’s fine and I completely understand. I’ve been on this earth three times as long as you and there’s nothing you have done or will do that I haven’t done before. If you want to completely ignore this ever happened then I can and will do that too. Please don’t act awkward around me because of this. You have nothing to be embarrassed about. I just can’t have an 1800 dollar machine turned into a brick because you haven’t learned where to go on the internet. I’m not going to put a child lock on your computer or punish you in any way because as I said you did nothing wrong. I would like you to not be back here so much though. You literally spend all of your time back here. I’d like to see you more often. I like doing stuff with you and miss it.

I love you and I couldn’t be more proud of you.

Now, I would think that finding porn on your 13-year-old son's computer would be a sticky thing to deal with.  But I don't think that this is way to handle it.  At no time did he tell this child the huge difference between sex, love-making, and porn.  I understand not wanting to embarrass your child.  As a child I had a mother who embarrassed me often, so I know that isn't effective parenting.  But I have to think that being more worried about a computer than your child's well-being isn't being a good parent either.  

Now, even if you are one of those people who dismisses the evidence that porn is unhealthy to relationships, you must admit that it certainly would give a 13-year-old unrealistic expectations of what sex is.  That isn't the real world.  Porn has no relationship to how real women view sex and it turns them into an object.  

Big time parent fail on this one.  Big time.  Since this is making the rounds on the internet, I would say the chances are good that Mom is going to find out.  Let us hope she does a better job of dealing with this than dad has.  Giving your 13-year-old safe porn sites?  Oh my.  

H/T to The Good Men Project

Proud Democrat Letter to the Editor

I do think that this is a fake, this seems awfully long for a letter to an editor.  I also really hope that someone isn't this stupid.

Quote of the Day - Nancy Pelosi Edition

We avow the First Amendment, We stand with that and say that people have a right to have a gun to protect themselves in their homes and their jobs, where, and that they — and the workplace and that they, for recreation and hunting and the rest. So we’re not questioning their right to do that.”

Wow.

And Liberals Don’t Understand Why Conservatives Don’t Trust the Educational System

Exhibit A.

This is a page from a college text book:

Quote of the Day - Michelle Rhee Edition

Here’s the question we Democrats need to ask ourselves: Are we beholden to the public school system at any cost, or are we beholden to the public school child at any cost?

Michelle Rhee on her transformation of supporting school vouchers.

Sadly, we already know the answer to this question.