With the Fourth of July coming up this weekend, I thought it might be good to list a few of the freedoms I'm grateful to have. In no particular order:
Freedom to practice my religion without fear of retaliation from the government
Freedom to choose what occupation I work at (even if it means I have too many options)
Freedom to raise my kids as I see fit
Freedom to agree or disagree with my government and voice my opinion either way
Freedom to just be me - an average American living the American dream
Thank you to all those who made enjoying these freedoms possible - the Founding Fathers who were inspired in their creation of this country; the soldiers who have kept this country free from oppression without; the honest politicians who have kept this country free from tyranny within; and above all, a loving Heavenly Father who still watches over and protects this country today.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
What Harry Potter taught me about Barack Obama
Don't tell J.K Rowling, but I actually found an application for her literature in the real world, though probably not in the way she intended. Back in Order of the Phoenix, at the start of another year a Ministry of Magic official (and eventual nemesis of the book), Delores Umbridge, interrupts Dumbledore's welcome speech to announce how the Ministry is going to be more 'involved' in insuring the kids get a 'quality' education. Over the course of the book, it becomes readily apparent just what sort of education a Ministry-enforced curriculum offers - a total lack of real world application, denial or playing down of threats outside of the school, power being consolidated in one Ministry-approved individual, and worst of all, severe punishment for dissenters.
Interestingly, if you look at the headlines over the last few weeks, you'll see the Obama administration employing all of these tactics, to varying degrees. Take a look:
Government "involvement" for our "benefit" - "Wall Street is not going to play as dominant a role in the economy...We don't want every single college grad with mathematical aptitude to become a derivatives trader. We want some of them to go into engineering, and we want some of them to be going into computer design."" - Barack Obama, http://www.foxnews.com/politics/elections/2009/05/03/obama-wall-street-play-dominant-role/
Lack of real world application - "Republican lawmakers are calling on the Obama administration to produce a plan for closing the Guantanamo Bay detention center...So far, France has formally agreed to take in a single detainee as a symbolic gesture." http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/04/29/republicans/
(PS - the raising of a single finger is also a symbolic gesture...)
"And I believe the nation that invented the automobile cannot walk away from it" Obama in his first State of the Union address, apparently unaware that Germany invented the car.
"More than 90 percent of the guns recovered in Mexico come from the United States."
Obama during a press conference with President Felipe Calderón of Mexico. According to Factcheck.org, "the 90 percent claim made by the president and others in his administration lacks a basis in solid fact."http://www.factcheck.org/politics/counting_mexicos_guns.html
Denial or playing down of outside threats - According to Janet Napolitano, Obama's head of Homeland Security, terrorist attacks are now known as "Man-made disasters" and include "events which, either intentionally or by accident cause severe threats to public health and well-being." The list of 'events' comprises bioterrorism, terrorism, and pandemics and diseases.
http://www.hhs.gov/disasters/emergency/manmadedisasters/index.html
Power consolidation - White House Census Power Grab May Violate the Constitution
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/barone/2009/2/9/white-house-census-power-grab-may-violate-the-constitution.html
GM CEO resigns at Obama's behest
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/20625.html
White House Urged Silence On Merrill Acquisition...The government helped orchestrate the acquisition of Merrill by Bank of America http://www.wbur.org/2009/04/23/bofa-testimony
"Wall Street is not going to play as dominant a role in the economy" Obama, cited above.
And let's not forget-punishment for dissent - "White House uses strong arm tactics to extort concessions from lenders...One of my clients was directly threatened by the White House and in essence compelled to withdraw its opposition to the deal under the threat that the full force of the White House Press Corps would destroy its reputation if it continued to fight."
http://islandturtle.blogspot.com/2009/05/white-house-uses-strong-arm-tactics-to.html
"Rightwing extremism [includes] those that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely. It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration.” - Janet Napolitano, DHS Secretary
http://michellemalkin.com/2009/04/15/you-might-be-a-radicalized-rightwing-extremist-if/
To sum it up, we've got a president who thinks he's Delores Umbridge in charge. What will it take to recover from 4 years of Obama, if he can do all this in just 4 months?
Interestingly, if you look at the headlines over the last few weeks, you'll see the Obama administration employing all of these tactics, to varying degrees. Take a look:
Government "involvement" for our "benefit" - "Wall Street is not going to play as dominant a role in the economy...We don't want every single college grad with mathematical aptitude to become a derivatives trader. We want some of them to go into engineering, and we want some of them to be going into computer design."" - Barack Obama, http://www.foxnews.com/politics/elections/2009/05/03/obama-wall-street-play-dominant-role/
Lack of real world application - "Republican lawmakers are calling on the Obama administration to produce a plan for closing the Guantanamo Bay detention center...So far, France has formally agreed to take in a single detainee as a symbolic gesture." http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/04/29/republicans/
(PS - the raising of a single finger is also a symbolic gesture...)
"And I believe the nation that invented the automobile cannot walk away from it" Obama in his first State of the Union address, apparently unaware that Germany invented the car.
"More than 90 percent of the guns recovered in Mexico come from the United States."
Obama during a press conference with President Felipe Calderón of Mexico. According to Factcheck.org, "the 90 percent claim made by the president and others in his administration lacks a basis in solid fact."http://www.factcheck.org/politics/counting_mexicos_guns.html
Denial or playing down of outside threats - According to Janet Napolitano, Obama's head of Homeland Security, terrorist attacks are now known as "Man-made disasters" and include "events which, either intentionally or by accident cause severe threats to public health and well-being." The list of 'events' comprises bioterrorism, terrorism, and pandemics and diseases.
http://www.hhs.gov/disasters/emergency/manmadedisasters/index.html
Power consolidation - White House Census Power Grab May Violate the Constitution
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/barone/2009/2/9/white-house-census-power-grab-may-violate-the-constitution.html
GM CEO resigns at Obama's behest
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/20625.html
White House Urged Silence On Merrill Acquisition...The government helped orchestrate the acquisition of Merrill by Bank of America http://www.wbur.org/2009/04/23/bofa-testimony
"Wall Street is not going to play as dominant a role in the economy" Obama, cited above.
And let's not forget-punishment for dissent - "White House uses strong arm tactics to extort concessions from lenders...One of my clients was directly threatened by the White House and in essence compelled to withdraw its opposition to the deal under the threat that the full force of the White House Press Corps would destroy its reputation if it continued to fight."
http://islandturtle.blogspot.com/2009/05/white-house-uses-strong-arm-tactics-to.html
"Rightwing extremism [includes] those that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely. It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration.” - Janet Napolitano, DHS Secretary
http://michellemalkin.com/2009/04/15/you-might-be-a-radicalized-rightwing-extremist-if/
To sum it up, we've got a president who thinks he's Delores Umbridge in charge. What will it take to recover from 4 years of Obama, if he can do all this in just 4 months?
Friday, February 6, 2009
Where's the insult?
Ok, so I forgot to include the insult in my blog entry a few days ago. Obama (or Obummer as I prefer to call him) was in an interview with Matt Lauer a few days ago, when Matt brought out a copy of US magazine. Obama's wife and kids were on the cover, but not him. Matt made the comment that Obama didn't make the cover, while Jessica Simpson did (she was in a smaller photo on the side). To which Obama replied "who seems to be losing a weight battle," and then laughed.
If it had been anyone else (almost), the media would have jumped down his throat and demanded an apology. But Barack "I can do no wrong" Obama gets a bye, even when insulting a citizen of the country he was just appointed to lead!! Pres. Bush wouldn't have done that, heck, even Clinton had more grace than that (well, maybe not, but you get the idea). Mr. Change and Hope just turned out to be - a common jerk.
If it had been anyone else (almost), the media would have jumped down his throat and demanded an apology. But Barack "I can do no wrong" Obama gets a bye, even when insulting a citizen of the country he was just appointed to lead!! Pres. Bush wouldn't have done that, heck, even Clinton had more grace than that (well, maybe not, but you get the idea). Mr. Change and Hope just turned out to be - a common jerk.
Monday, February 2, 2009
All the President's Men, and an insult too
So the latest move of our 'great leader' in rewarding criminal activity is his new health secretary appointment - Tom Daschle. Apparently he somehow didn't notice that he owed $128,000 in back taxes. That Obama actually supports this guy shouldn't come as too big a surprise - his pick to run the IRS, Tim Geithner, owed what, $42,000 in back taxes which he (with obvious dishonesty) said he didn't know about either. Congress approved that criminal without much to-do (he was the best man for the job, they said). So I'm not holding out much hope that the 'grilling' awaiting Daschle will be any more severe than a slap on the wrist (if he even gets that). On the other hand, it is encouraging to know that if, heaven forbid, I did get involved in complicated and rather large scandal of not paying taxes for several, I might still have a bright future ahead in politics. All that's apprently required is to hold a press conference to announce your 'embarrassment', throw some token payments at the IRS, and say "let's move on, shall we?"
Friday, January 23, 2009
Change we can (and should) be afraid of
We're at the close of Obama's first week as president, and already it's apparent the power has gone to his head. His first few executive orders show his lack of understanding of some basic principles:
1. Planning - For someone who took Pres. Bush to task over and over for not having an exit strategy for getting out of Iraq, you'd think he'd be smart enough to cover his own fanny before he goes announcing big ticket items like closing Gitmo. But no, apparently little details like determining what to do with 250 dangerous terrorists is going to come AFTER we have removed them from their secure facility. Unless he's seriously considering Murtha's proposal to dump em all into a minimum security prison in Pennsylvania because they're "no worse than regular criminals."
2. Respect for human life - Most people that go into the abortion debate take a stand either pro-life or pro-choice. Obama is neither - he's pro-abortion. You look at his voting record and his statements to Planning Parenthood, and he is viciously pro-abortion - he wants all restrictions on all abortions (including late-term and partial-birth, which are too horrible to think about) removed completely. Hence his order this week to remove the ban Pres. Bush had put in on giving money to companies overseas that perform abortions. For someone who has spoken recently on creating a new declaration of independence, he seems to be forgetting one of the key tenets of the original Declaration: that ALL men are endowed by their Creator with the unalienable (meaning it can't be forfeited) rights of LIFE, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. If Obama wants people of all genders, races, and sexual orientations to enjoy those rights, what right does he have to say that the unborn have forfeited those same rights? The same Scripture he quoted from the podium on Tuesday says "It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones." If offending one of the 'little ones' is worthy of that condemnation, what about those who promote the systematic MURDER of MILLIONS of 'little ones'? And uses MY tax dollars to do it? I'm not liking this, not one little bit.
Now I'm not saying Obama can't wise up. He's a smart guy, he can figure these basic principles out if he tries. He's flip-flopped on issues before (gay marriage, for example) so he can put his policy changes up to 'being enlightened' or something. Reagan was man enough to do it. What about Obama?
1. Planning - For someone who took Pres. Bush to task over and over for not having an exit strategy for getting out of Iraq, you'd think he'd be smart enough to cover his own fanny before he goes announcing big ticket items like closing Gitmo. But no, apparently little details like determining what to do with 250 dangerous terrorists is going to come AFTER we have removed them from their secure facility. Unless he's seriously considering Murtha's proposal to dump em all into a minimum security prison in Pennsylvania because they're "no worse than regular criminals."
2. Respect for human life - Most people that go into the abortion debate take a stand either pro-life or pro-choice. Obama is neither - he's pro-abortion. You look at his voting record and his statements to Planning Parenthood, and he is viciously pro-abortion - he wants all restrictions on all abortions (including late-term and partial-birth, which are too horrible to think about) removed completely. Hence his order this week to remove the ban Pres. Bush had put in on giving money to companies overseas that perform abortions. For someone who has spoken recently on creating a new declaration of independence, he seems to be forgetting one of the key tenets of the original Declaration: that ALL men are endowed by their Creator with the unalienable (meaning it can't be forfeited) rights of LIFE, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. If Obama wants people of all genders, races, and sexual orientations to enjoy those rights, what right does he have to say that the unborn have forfeited those same rights? The same Scripture he quoted from the podium on Tuesday says "It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones." If offending one of the 'little ones' is worthy of that condemnation, what about those who promote the systematic MURDER of MILLIONS of 'little ones'? And uses MY tax dollars to do it? I'm not liking this, not one little bit.
Now I'm not saying Obama can't wise up. He's a smart guy, he can figure these basic principles out if he tries. He's flip-flopped on issues before (gay marriage, for example) so he can put his policy changes up to 'being enlightened' or something. Reagan was man enough to do it. What about Obama?
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A rough four years
Well, now President Obama has officially taken over. He gave a big speech, which I'm sure the media will fall over each other in proclaiming the best since Lincoln, if not Washington. But there's a few items in it that bothered me. Here's what I don't like about what Obummer (as a friend of mine calls him) had to say this morning and what I think each item really means for us:
"each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet"
Translation - I'm a sucker for the 'global warming' farce and will throw our money away 'fighting' it
"begin again the work of remaking America"
Translation - goodbye traditional values, hello United States of Obama
"we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age."
Translation - conservative points of view and values will no longer be allowed or taught
"The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works"
Translation - it's not big enough, and I'll make it bigger than ever
"As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals"
Translation - Bush's policies were wrong, and I'll institute wimpy liberal-friendly ones in their place
"so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today"
Translation - I am catering to YOU, not the American people
"those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist"
Translation - here is my jugular, please feel free to plunge your knife in at your earliest convenience
"greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less"
Translation - except for the automotive industry. Or the banks. Or big insurance companies like AIG. Or for about 17 or so Democratic governors. Or anyone like Peggy the Moocher. Or Barney Frank. But aside from them, no shortcuts allowed.
In short - we're in for a bumpy four years.
"each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet"
Translation - I'm a sucker for the 'global warming' farce and will throw our money away 'fighting' it
"begin again the work of remaking America"
Translation - goodbye traditional values, hello United States of Obama
"we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age."
Translation - conservative points of view and values will no longer be allowed or taught
"The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works"
Translation - it's not big enough, and I'll make it bigger than ever
"As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals"
Translation - Bush's policies were wrong, and I'll institute wimpy liberal-friendly ones in their place
"so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today"
Translation - I am catering to YOU, not the American people
"those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist"
Translation - here is my jugular, please feel free to plunge your knife in at your earliest convenience
"greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less"
Translation - except for the automotive industry. Or the banks. Or big insurance companies like AIG. Or for about 17 or so Democratic governors. Or anyone like Peggy the Moocher. Or Barney Frank. But aside from them, no shortcuts allowed.
In short - we're in for a bumpy four years.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
99 Things
Here's how it works: Bold all the things that you have done in your life.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (you can't anymore...)
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing (if you count rapelling)
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been an actor or extra in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason(for my wife)
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Book of Mormon
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby (well, I did my part)
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (you can't anymore...)
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing (if you count rapelling)
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been an actor or extra in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason(for my wife)
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Book of Mormon
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby (well, I did my part)
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
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