Sunday, August 30, 2009

Immigration - The Sleeping Dragon

I've been reading a book about European immigration; it takes an historical look at the problems that European-style immigration has caused the countries of the continent.

For the last few months, I've not been focused on this issue; it isn't that illegal immigration has become less of a problem, but that the issue of the health care legislation has taken center stage.

The book is Reflections on the Revolution in Europe, by Christopher Caldwell. So far, it's been worth reading - it covers aspects of the European Islamization (not sure that's a word - but it should be) that I haven't seen addressed anywhere else.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

What A Smackdown

I read the link at The American Spectator. I think it neatly captures the problem liberals have with Sarah Palin's analysis of the proposed health care bill.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Why I Haven't Been Active Lately

At the start of August, I was hospitalized with pneumonia. Once released, I immediately started my new job (yeah, I know, not smart). I had no voice for 2 weeks, which is great when that job is teaching. However, I trudged on - I really must write a book someday, about how to teach when you can't speak.

By the end of this week, I could talk, reasonably well. My sore feet have also begun to heal. I'm going to head to Bally's today, to soak and restore some degree of health.

The good news is, we MAY have a place to live. We'll find out Monday. So, we could, within a few days, get off the motel-merry-go-round we've been on for the last 3 weeks.

I'll be posting more once we get settled in, and get some Internet at the new place.

Friday, August 07, 2009

Hardball

I sent the following in response to the Hardball show, which accused Obamacare protesters of being racists:
When someone in these rallies complains about America being different than the way it was, I don't believe very many are referring to race.

Instead, they are unhappy about the increasing tax burdens, the outrageous deficits, the disdain for opposition to the Royal White House (whatever happened to "dissent is patriotic"?).

I am also concerned about the promotion of thuggish behavior by the SEIU and ACORN, which Obama's administration seemed unconcerned about. Yelling at a congressman is, although quite rude behavior, still legal. Pushing, shoving, and beating, all of which the pro-Obamacare people have engaged in over the last several days, is not.

We're frustrated. Our concerns are belittled; the representatives have admitted they haven't read the bill, and the provisions are still up for grabs in the different versions. Why the rush? This is an attempt to change 1/6 of the American economy RADICALLY, and to push it through fast.

The last time I was pressured by someone this hard, and told to make a decision RIGHT NOW, I was in a parked car. I fear that both that young man, and this administration, are looking for the same result.

Some Thoughts on the Journalists' Release From Korea

Using Bill Clinton was a brilliant move. His presence enabled NK to save face - anyone less than a full former POTUS wouldn't have worked. Further, I'm sure that Bubba, being Bubba, charmed the heck out of all.

He is not actually an official of the US diplomatic service, so whatever he said, it's not official policy.

Can't complain about the outcome; only suggestion that I would make is, in the future, to have journalists sign waivers before going overseas into areas bordering hostile countries - if you're dumb enough to wander too close to the troubled site, y'all on your own.

Single Payer...Or NOT?

I found this video on Ace of Spades.



Watch it, then listen to the lies that Obama has no plan to eliminate private health care.

Thursday, August 06, 2009

"Our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor"

There's a coordinated campaign going on to impose political aims on the American people.

Is it The Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy? If you believe the Obama administration, YES! And they are asking their neighborhood spies honestly-motivated and patriotic Americans to send them the information on these toxic, evil dissidents.

Not only that, he wants you investigated for speaking your mind in public.

Think I'm kidding? Check out The White House site to collect the names of those who write online about the proposed health insurance legislation - and send them in. How does your elected President see these opponents? It's not pretty.
There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov.

Think this is a joke? Click the link, see where it takes you - it's bona fide.

There's a kicker here - Obama wants the addresses of everyone accessible to him by knowing the ISP info (which is attached to your email, which is forwarded under this FLAG program). But, of course, he would NEVER use it inappropriately.

However, according to this article, no, the protesters aren't professional right-wing hit men.
The memo also includes these phrases, which are left out of the reporting and demagoguery:

"Do not bring the signs into the hall if you want any chance to be picked for a question."

"Don't carry on and make a scene, just short, intermittent shout-outs," which may sound familiar because the shout-out part was quoted without context by Think Progress.

It also offers such guerrilla tactics as, "When the formal Q&A begins, get your hands up and keep them up— be persistent throughout the entire session. Keep body language neutral and look positive to improve chances of being selected." It instructs participants to be ready with follow-up questions and insist that representatives answer questions instead of launching into talking points.

The memo outlined strategies MacGuffie had used during a town hall meeting with his Rep. Jim Himes in May of this year. While organizing that event and writing the memo, he emphasized that critics should not get out of hand, he said.

His objective was to "make sure we didn't get kicked around, asked good, thought-out questions, and had follow-ups ready," he said. "We took him off his script, but we did not shout him down."


Lastly, but not least, the whole problem of what has been called (by Powerline Blog) "a dissident database" is addressed by Powerline. It's scary. It's chilling. It's how dictatorships get their start.

Please, I beg you, let the White House know that Americans are prepared to draw a line in the sand at this point. Remember the words of the original Americans (those who took action to start our nation).
we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor

Freedom isn't free.

Sunday, August 02, 2009

Sunday Thoughts

As usual, Sunday is a day to go to church, think lofty thoughts, and, by the lazy part of the afternoon (on those days when I'm not just looking to "kill time"), check out Francis W. Porretto.

Today, he writes of the responsibilities of being an adult - not just any adult, but a Christian adult. How can we meet our obligations and fulfill our function as children of God?

Lies of the Left

This COULD be a lengthy post. But, I'll try to winnow it down to a reasonable length. The CA Parent Bribery 'Scandal' - the 1...