What has President Obama done right?

I am a firm believer in agreeing with my opponents when they are correct, or when they do something right, even if for the wrong reasons.  In court, attorneys who do not concede unwinnable issues lose credibility which they need later when arguing more debateable.  Who believes somebody who won’t concede that Christmas is celebrated in the U.S. on Dec. 25th? They are either stupid or trying to lie to you.  Likewise, any political pundit who never concedes that someone on the other side ever does anything commendable is not worthy of being taken seriously. 

In that vein, I’ve determined to come up with areas with which I agree with Mr. Obamster.  The first that comes to mind is that he made a brilliant political decision to have that healthcare reform meeting with Republican and Democrat legislators.  The second was his decision to keep slogging onward when it appeared that healthcare reform was defeated.  You have to admire the political smarts, and the stick-to-itism.  Even when it is in furtherance of wrong-headed policy.

I also admire that he has not cut and run in Afghanistan or Pakistan, and has in fact increased the troop strength in the latter country, and increased the drone attacks.  Why should our troops be put at risk when a drone will do the job?  And he has not closed Guantanamo, despite his promises to do so.  And he backed off when the protestations became great about trying terrorists in New York in civilian courts.  That showed weakness to some, but to me it was a shrewd reading of the public will, and acknowledgment that it was a bad decision.  I wonder if GWB could have swallowed his stubborn pride and executed such a strategic withdrawal. 

Heck, I even admired Obama when he told the Republicans “I won.”  Yes, he won.  That entitles him to get away with as much as he possibly can.  Republicans routinely ”win” and then act as though the Democrats won instead.  Our Presidency is an all or nothing affair.  If you win, it does not matter by how much, you still get to be President.

I admire the fact that he nominated two women to be on the U.S. Supreme Court.  We’ve had too many men for too long.  I disagree with his specific choices, but I applaud him seeking qualified women and “minorities.”

I admire his political feistiness.  Whereas GWB sat back in the Oval Orifice and allowed leftists to attack him at will, fearing that any response would be un-Presidential and beneath the dignity of the Office, Obama fights.  Is it fair that the most powerful man in the world can attack private citizens and law abiding corporations? No.  But life ain’t fair.  As long as he holds the power, he might as well use it.  I do not agree with what he is using it for, but I admire his willingness to mix it up.  Sure, he looks petty, and thin-skinned, and non-Presidential.  But GWB sat back and acted like a pinata, which was much, much worse.

Hmmm.  Domestic policy with which I agree with Obama.  Hmmm.   I’ll have to think about that and get back with you.  And it sure is more difficult to think of the few things with which I agree with him than it is to tick off the many areas where I disagree with him.

John Doe

Simona Halep, teen tennis star, has breast reduction surgery

To help her tennis.  I say screw tennis!  This terrible trend  must be nipped in the bud, cut off at the pass, and stripped of any legitimacy!  Oh, sure, they are her boobs, she can do with them what she wants.  In fact, she already did.  But we here at Smash Mouth do not want her to set a trend that other naturally endowed women might follow. Period!

So, could John Doe turn this into a Rule 5 opportunity?  What do you think?

Before the dreaded surgery

Conor Friedersdorf sees crazy people

And hits one out of the park.  I’m no fan of Mr. Friedersdorf–or metro sexual weenies in general–but I have to give him kudos for his recent article “Is Rand Paul crazier than anyone else in D.C.?”

The gist of his article is that Rand Paul is being excoriated for his naive libertarian views, but Conor points out many other crazy views that are “mainstream” inside the beltway.”  Heh, his views are not as crazy as these other peoples’ crazy ideas.  I believe that is called “damning with faint praise.” 

But he does have a point.  Talk about your crazy ideas.  The war on drugs.  Farm subsidies for tobacco.  And Obama’s claim to have the right to assassinate any U.S. citizen whom he labels as an enemy combatant.  [I have not thoroughly thought through the implications of that policy, but it gives me great pause because I don't trust Obama further than I can throw a Chicago thug.] 

Mr. F’s point?  Those and other arguably crazy ideas are considered mainstream, while Rand Paul and other libertarians oppose them.  So, yeah, sometimes extreme libertarians’ thinking leads them to embrace ideas that are outside the realm of political mainstream thought.  But often it leads them to oppose clearly idiotic ideas that are within the mainstream. 

I have no emotional capital invested in Rand Paul.  Never heard of him before recently.  Other than considering myself a Tea-Partier and a conservative, I have no reason to support him, except for the fact that the enemy of my enemy is my friend.  That said, I admire men of principle, and he seems to be one.   I also would not rule him out, were I a voter in Kentucky, just because he would not have voted for something that occurred 45+ years ago (before he was born) because he was against it on principle. 

Let’s think of some other crazy ideas that Rand Paul (and most correct thinking libertarian and conservative voters) likely opposes but his opponent and liberals in general support.  How about the law that requires us to add ethanol to our gasoline?  How about those who want us to stop using coal when we have no viable substitute? How about those who want to turn this country into a welfare state?  Rand Paul needs to go on the offensive and deal with real issues, and forget about answering idiotic questions about policies that will never come up because they have been settled for the past several decades. 

I am  not so sure that position will hurt him.  Liberals and blacks would never support a Republican anyway. The real fight will be can he recover, and appeal to the mainstream center and right.  Sure, he had a terrible first couple of day.  But the leftist media is making this out to be much worse than it really is.   Were I a betting man, I’d say that Rand Paul is still a 5-4 favorite to win in November. 

[Just kidding about the "were I a betting man" comment.  Of course I'm a betting man!]

John Doe

UPDATE:  Obviously, great minds think alike!  Robert Stacy McCain has a great mind, and John Doe has a mind.

Some percentages and impertinent Facts for your perusal

According to Rasmussen, 63% polled favor repeal of the HCR bill.  Not repeal and replace…REPEAL. My feeling is it would be just as unconstitutional for Republicans to replace the current law with one of their own making as it was for the Democrats to MANDATE,( force) health coverage.

72% polled say Congress is absolutely clueless on the economy. That’s a no-brainer.

48% Blame Bush and 43% blame Obama for the economy. How about we put the blame where it belongs…on the clueless fu@ks at Fannie and Freddie.

The staunch defenders of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Mssr’s Frank, Dodd and Schumer are put in charge of  the Wall Street overhaul…WTF?

Pay for government jobs is outstripping private jobs.  Damn, who’da thunk it?

The president wants 30 Billion,( with a Bee), for jobs aid. Hmmm…wasn’t that  what the 800 Billion stimulus bill supposed to be fore? ( That’s damn near a Trillion with a Tee!)

Oh yeah…and the Obama White House investigates itself and finds no impropriety in it’s investigation of the supposed job offer to Joe Sestak if he would drop out of the race for former RINO senator Arlen Specter’s seat. Investigate yourself and find nothing wrong…damn, why didn’t I think of that.  Oh yeah, I have scruples and a strong moral upbringing.

And Obama is finally coming under fire from the Main Stream Media for his lackluster response to the disaster in the gulf with the oil spill. Even his one of his staunchest supporters,  James Carvelle who lives in New Orleans, thinks Obama has dropped the ball and kicked it into the gutter on this disaster.

Picked from the headlines at BigGovernment.com

My thoughts, what are yours?

Political Bell Curve

Saw my learned Uncle the other day and as usual, we started talking about politics. I was stating my position and he would play devil’s advocate. I forget how we got on the subject, but all of a sudden out of the blue, he said, ” I’m a firm believer in the Bell Curve”.( Besides having a lot of common sense, my Uncle is a retired college professor. He has 4 degrees including a doctorate.) Anyway, I started thinking about Bell Curves and how people use them. Here’s my version of a Bell Curve.

Sojournors trying to profit off the LA oil spill!!

Did you know that God is against oil consumption?  Did you know that greed for profit caused the oil spill in Louisiana?  Well y ou would if you were on The Sojourners’ mailing list!  My recent discussion with my new friend Steve here got me to investigating exactly what the Sojourners believe and what they support.  I went to their website in order to see what they are all about.  I signed up for their emails.  The very first one I opened was this verbatim email:

Dear [John],

You’ve seen the images of the Gulf and God’s creation suffocating under crude oil.While these images are another symptom of our energy greed, we can also work to inspire personal and communal transformation. Join the Sojourners Sustainers Circle!

I don’t know about you, but my reaction to images of the marbled, oily waters in the Gulf of Mexico is a significant shudder.

With every headline, I am challenged again – as I’m sure you are as well – to reconsider my own lifestyle. Where do I draw the line on my energy consumption? How can I educate others about the effects of energy greed? How do I advocate for strong climate change legislation?

I make personal choices each day to reduce my own energy dependence. And I’ve made one easy choice – to be a member of the Sustainers Circle – to be part of a movement I believe in, and to inform and challenge myself and people around me to action on this and all social justice efforts.

I want to invite you to join me – to become a Sustainer. Sustainers can choose a gift amount that works for their budget and can give either monthly, quarterly, or annually. It’s easy, flexible, and comes with perks!

Your membership allows Sojourners to forge ahead, inspiring the transformation we need in our communities, our country, and our world – through personal choices and through regulation and legislation.

Just this week, Sojourners’ message has been spreading:

• In SojoMail, Jim Wallis reminded Fox News commentator Glenn Beck that churches advocating for environmental justice are not being used by politics, as Beck claimed, but are being used by God.
• Speaking to the press with our partners at Oxfam and The Nature Conservancy, Jim reminded all that creation care is a moral and religious issue.
• We are working to convene a national faith leaders meeting with key senators on the new “American Power Act” bill in Congress – providing an opportunity for the political establishment to hear from leaders in the church about concerns and encouragement with their legislation.

Decide today to be a Sojourners Sustainer – to be the anchor behind our successes. Join now.

When we see fish washed up on our beaches after an oil spill or the tears of children whose fathers are dead because of violated safety standards, when we know that these tragedies are connected to our own greed, we cry for repentance and then shout for reform.

At Sojourners, we’re encouraged by the passion and activism of our followers. But we need to share this message with more people to build a stronger faith movement for social justice. Your gift as a monthly Sustainer makes all our teaching and action opportunities possible. It’s vital to reaching new ‘Sojourners’ across our nation and world.

Join our Sustainers Circle today.

Blessings,

Leah, a Sojourners team member and a proud Sustainer

P.S. As part of my personal transformation, I strive to live as simply as possible – creating edible landscapes, watering from rain barrels, biking and using mass transit in my daily commute, and living in the smallest house possible for my growing family. Being a Sustainer gives me the opportunity to see others transformed through Sojourners’ work, and I receive a complimentary copy of Sojourners magazine to share with others! Click here to learn more.

 Back to this humble blogger’s opinion:  Can. You. Imagine.  Just think if some conservative group, or Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh started hitting people up for money after 9/11.  “When we see fish washed up on our beaches after an oil spill the twin towers in ruins or the tears of children whose fathers are dead because of violated safety standards those Islamo- fascists, when we know that these tragedies are connected to our own greed, we cry for repentance and then shout for reform.” 

Yeah, that would go down well…

I don’t know about “Leah” the dumb bitch who wrote that e-mail, but my “own greed” had nothing to do with that well blowing up and leaking.  I’d say she is the one with the greed problem. I’m not hitting up people for money while using a terrible disaster as an excuse. 

John Doe

Barack Obama’s student loan records: Some American citizens are “more equal” than others…

Helen Jones-Kelly gave the maximum allowed to B. H. Obama

Snoop in computer records about student loan applications regarding Barack Hussein Obama–get charged with a Federal Offense, and be at risk for a year in the slammer and/or $100,000 fine.  Snoop on tax records of Barack Hussein Obama’s political opponent, “Joe the Plumber,” you might get “suspended” from your cushy state job (after political pressure finally forces the issue), and if you get sued for violating Joe’s privacy, the Attorney General of the state of Ohio will defend you.  Even the Governor will defend your actions:  “The administration of Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland has said the information was not improperly shared and that there were no political motives behind the checks.”

Accessing a presidential candidate’s records used to be what the press did routinely.  Hell, it used to be our right to know about candidates.  Now the press doesn’t even bother to ask them questions.  And when a few bother to ask, the President does not even bother to respond. 

Can’t you almost hear what happened when Helen Jones-Kelly got caught?  Shush little Obama backer-honeybuns, The Won will look after  you.  And thanks for the dirt on ”Joe the Plumber.”  Hey, it’s “the Chicago Way.”

“Rhetorical Flourish”

Cross-Posted at Viewed From The Right.

h/t boston.com (or don’t, I won’t mind…)

At the end of the column, note that Gov. Patrick states his charge of sedition against the GOP was actually “rhetorical flourish”.

Back in 2008, Mr. Obama accused Joe Biden of speaking in “rhetorical flourishes”.  Later, in 2009, Justice-to-be Sotomayor spouted her infamous “wise latina” rhetoric, which she later referred to as “rhetorical flourish”.  Last March, Sen Gramnesty made a remark about Nancy Pelosi and Liberals being “all liquored up on sake” and ready to make a “suicide run”.  Yep, you guess it –  rhetorical flourish.

The definition of rhetorical is: “concerned with effect or style of speaking; a rhetorical question is one asked solely to produce an effect.” The definition of flourish(es) is: “an ornamental embellishment.” The follow up question is: what does “rhetorical flourish(es)” mean?

That’s “BULLSH*T” in English.

So to celebrate Gov. Patrick’s “rhetorical flourish” I thought I might add one of my own – regarding him. Fortunately, he provided a photo with which to mark this event.  The emphasis on “sedition” definition is mine, for easy “flourishing”.

Governor Deval Patrick, even as he decried partisanship in Washington, said today that Republican opposition to President Obama’s agenda has become so obstinate that it “is almost at the level of sedition.”

The Democratic governor, who is close to the president, made the comments at a forum at Suffolk Law School’s Rappaport Center, where he was asked by an audience member about partisan battling in Congress.

Patrick said that even “on my worst day, when I’m most frustrated about folks who seem to rooting for failure,” he doesn’t face anything like the opposition faced by the president.

“It seems like child’s play compared to what is going on in Washington, where it is almost at the level of sedition, it feels to like me,” Patrick said.

Merriam-Webster.com, the dictionary site, defines sedition as “incitement of resistance to or insurrection against lawful authority.”

After the forum, Patrick explained his remarks.

“I think that the number of people in the Grand Old Party who seem to be absolutely committed to saying ‘no,’ whenever he says ‘yes,’ no matter what it is, even if it’s an idea that they came up with, is just extraordinary,” the governor told reporters after the forum.

But did the opposition really border on sedition?

“That was a rhetorical flourish,” Patrick said.

Actually Gov. Patrick, I believe YOU are “rhetorical flourish”.  I’m just saying….

-LTB

I killed a deer on the way home from poker last night

I was on my way home from poker, not the deer.  He got in my way so I ran  him over.  Basically, I was almost home.  I was on the expressway just about to my exit.  This damn deer came from the median, ran across two lanes and directly in front of my car.  I slammed on the brakes but had no chance to stop.  Hit him right in the drivers’ side front, he went up onto my hood and over the top, and landed dead in the road.

No, it wasn't this bad

I was a little hyped up; I don’t enjoy killing deer.  I did not know what to do.  The little button buck was small and fit neatly into my trunk. He only weighed about 65 lbs.  I had visions of taking him home and making venison jerky out of him. Then I thought of all the hassle,  he wasn’t very big, and I do not even think it is legal in Virginia to keep road killed deer. 

And thank God it wasn't this bad...

So I did what any bone weary poker player would have done at 2:30 a.m. after hours of poker and wine [no, I was not intoxicated, thank you].  I dropped him off in the parking lot of a local office  complex.  Bet they got a surprise in the a.m.  upon arriving for work.   Hey, if I left him in the highway he would have turned to mush after a few trucks ran over him.  This way, I’m hoping somebody will make use of him.  If not, not my problem… 

Fortunately I have comprehensive and only a $100 deductible, cuz there is much property damage to my car.  The front bumper is plastic and got smashed and ripped.  Crap.

A real man would have at least cut off the hind quarter of the side that didn’t hit the car, and certainly would have cut out the tenderloins.  I just was too damn lazy.  True confessions of a used up ex-woodsman.

John Doe

Rep. Anthony Weiner is an un-American piece of shit

He is attacking “GoldLine”–an American company that sells gold–because it advertises on the Glenn Beck show, on Rush Limbaugh’s show, and on Mark Levin’s show.  Rep. Weiner, D-NY, claims that GoldLine sells gold at too high of a mark-up.  However, a quick google search by the illustrious Doug Ross showed that of the top ten sites listed by google, GoldLine was fifth out of ten for the highest priced for a 2010 Gold American Eagle.  

If you think that un-American piece of shit Weiner is investigating the four companies that sell their gold pieces for prices higher than GoldLine then you are dumber than one of Gramps’ big dumps following a night of drunken debauchery.

Glen Beck is a big boy who can handle himself.  Predictably, he shows Weiner for what he is–a Joe McCarthy-wannabe who is attacking American businesses simply because he does not like what they are sponsors on radio and T.V. shows that express opinions that he opposes.  If he can attack people who can fight back, he certainly can attack people who are not able to fight back. 

Wiener tries to make it sound as though GoldLine is profiting by Glen Beck’s ominous warnings that the price of gold is skyrocketing because of the Obama Administration.  Unfortunately, Beck has been correct.  Since Obama was elected, the price of gold has gone up from roughly $850 per ounce up to roughly $1,250 (plus 47% if my math is correct).   I wish I had paid attention when Beck was warning us that the price of gold was going to sky-rocket!

From “Weiner Fact” comes evidence that even the New York Times disagrees with Weiner about GoldLine:

“The Better Business Bureau, which has given Goldline an A+ rating, said Tuesday that it was standing by that. A representative of the bureau said it had recently re-reviewed Goldline in response to Mr. Weiner’s accusations and saw no reason for a change. “It’s a company with not that many complaints,” said Gary Almond, from the bureau. When compared with other companies that sell gold, “there was a remarkable difference in how each one addressed complaints,” noting that some of those other companies had F ratings.”   –New York Time

Redstate and YidwithLid are among the others destroying this p.o.s. Obama lap dog.  (There is no truth to the rumor that The First Dog is called Weiner by the Obamas.)  Makes me wish it was still socially acceptable to tar and feather our legislators.