Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Christmas Once More, I Will Try Again
From an e-mail sent to me by a neighbor.:
*T’was the month before Christmas* *When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - Why? No one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
*December 25th is just a Holiday*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
*At Lowe's the word Christmas - was nowhere to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that are used to intimidate me.*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
*Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout
MERRY CHRISTMAS , not Happy Holiday!*
*T’was the month before Christmas* *When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - Why? No one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
*December 25th is just a Holiday*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
*At Lowe's the word Christmas - was nowhere to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that are used to intimidate me.*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
*Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout
MERRY CHRISTMAS , not Happy Holiday!*
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
More on Christmas
Following is a post I did two Christmases ago. It received zero comments. So here it is again in the context of this debate. Happy Holydays
The incarnation is the most significant event in human history. At Christmas time, one relives that moment–the angels can be heard singing Holy Holy Holy. The star of Bethlehem shines in the bright sky and God comes nearer.
Throughout that history however, we know that there is a spirit of the anti-Christ working to obliterate all mention of Christ from human consciousness.
Happy Holidays seems benign. It isn’t.
The incarnation is the most significant event in human history. At Christmas time, one relives that moment–the angels can be heard singing Holy Holy Holy. The star of Bethlehem shines in the bright sky and God comes nearer.
Throughout that history however, we know that there is a spirit of the anti-Christ working to obliterate all mention of Christ from human consciousness.
Happy Holidays seems benign. It isn’t.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Do Many Liberals get Stuck in Adolescence?
We have some liberals on this blog whose thought processes are maddening. This post is a psychologist’s attempt to explain the source of the irritations in terms of cognitive developmental theory.
Cognitive developmental theorists point out how the ability of formal reasoning arises in adolescence. These abilities allow the adolescent to go beyond the world as it exists and to speculate about a world that might be or that might have been but never was. Indeed, young adolescents often become so absorbed in the realm of possibility that they forget the realistic limitations on their dreams. The ability to consider numerous life possibilities other than those that actually exist, often leads the adolescent to become overly idealistic. Why can't the world be different, they ask? Adults reply that someday they will realize that an outcome being theoretically possible does not mean that it is likely to occur or has to occur. The adolescent's insistence can drive an adult over the edge.
The stage that follows this formal reasoning ability is called Postformal thought, the thinking ability of the adult. Postformal thought is a stage in which thinking is less abstract and less absolute than formal operational thought; also more adaptive to life's inconsistencies and more dialectical- capable of combining contradictory elements into a comprehensive whole. It develops from real life experiences.
Postformal thought recognizes that one's own perspective is only one of many potentially valid views and that life entails many inconsistencies. Postformal thought is well suited to addressing problems that have no single correct solution. Postformal thought is more practical, flexible, and more dialectical.
Adolescent thinking
Adult thinking
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Do You Feel Safe?
I am willing to forgive Janet Napolitano for her 24/7/364 gaffe just as I did with Obama when he said there were 57 States. I'm sure President Obama was just confused with this. I have no idea what was confusing Napolitano but I'm still letting her slide.
This Clapper thing is a different story. The huckleberry moment begins at about 3:35. This is our Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and he doesn't have a clue. White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan tries to cover for him then Clapper nods "oh yea" pretending to know about it. It's hard to watch and impossible to fathom. The White House at first denied that Clapper had not been briefed but that turned out to be a lie.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
All Were Winners
Still, the people had some great weeks. They stopped him dead in his attempt to raise taxes in the middle of a recession, a real job saver. They shot down a huge budget busting spending bill wherein he was attempting to keep control over next year’s spending. The people would have been denied the work of their new representatives they just elected.
The people blocked a huge sneaky attempt at amnesty after telling two presidents in a row to seal the borders first, then talk to us about fixing the illegal alien problem.
And, they have forced him away from his dangerously misguided approach of treating terrorism as if it is only a criminal act. Prisoners of war will now stay in Guantanamo and not be tried as criminals.
Finally, the American people forced him into bipartisanship even though he tries to convince them that bipartisanship was his idea all along.
The president took his victory lap. We all know it was we who should be whooping it up.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Democrats Damascus Road
The picture of the three first ladies from behind was lighthearted. Our Liberal’s response was: “Blogger, When did you get to be such a petty old fart? All the real problems facing America and you choose to waste blog space on non issues?”
I was reading the book of Acts this morning regarding Paul’s conversion. Paul had been struck blind and then when hands were laid on him, “something like scales fell from his eyes.” After his conversion, the Scripture says and “Things calmed down after that and the church had smooth sailing for a while. All over the country--Judea, Samaria, Galilee--the church grew” (Acts 9:31)
Liberal’s comment came to mind.
Scales falling from their eyes seems a great description of what Obama and many Democrats have just gone through, and like with Paul, it happened in just a few days. Overnight we hear them using Republican talking points: “We must not raise taxes in the middle of a deep recession.” And, “Raising taxes on the job makers will kill jobs.”
Turning on the TV this past Thursday, we could barely believe our ears. Once they were blind, and now they can see. A miracle had taken place. And, like in the Scriptures: “Things calmed down after that and the church (substitute country) had smooth sailing for a while.” Liberal, as peace descends, we can now take a breath and perhaps even indulge in a little whimsy.
I was reading the book of Acts this morning regarding Paul’s conversion. Paul had been struck blind and then when hands were laid on him, “something like scales fell from his eyes.” After his conversion, the Scripture says and “Things calmed down after that and the church had smooth sailing for a while. All over the country--Judea, Samaria, Galilee--the church grew” (Acts 9:31)
Liberal’s comment came to mind.
Scales falling from their eyes seems a great description of what Obama and many Democrats have just gone through, and like with Paul, it happened in just a few days. Overnight we hear them using Republican talking points: “We must not raise taxes in the middle of a deep recession.” And, “Raising taxes on the job makers will kill jobs.”
Turning on the TV this past Thursday, we could barely believe our ears. Once they were blind, and now they can see. A miracle had taken place. And, like in the Scriptures: “Things calmed down after that and the church (substitute country) had smooth sailing for a while.” Liberal, as peace descends, we can now take a breath and perhaps even indulge in a little whimsy.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
EXPOSING EARMARKS HARRY REID PULLED IT 9:00 P.M. THURSDAY!
Earmark
I first opened this with my Office. The second time, it opened itself with Office.com on line. You can then go to Edit Find and just look for earmarks of anyone you are interest in. I received a letter from Sen. Burr just today outlining his passionate attack on earmarks. Then I looked his up. He has a lot of them including several over one million dollars. I will add however, that none of his seem to be the absurd ones, several even being for the military. Still. . . .
I first opened this with my Office. The second time, it opened itself with Office.com on line. You can then go to Edit Find and just look for earmarks of anyone you are interest in. I received a letter from Sen. Burr just today outlining his passionate attack on earmarks. Then I looked his up. He has a lot of them including several over one million dollars. I will add however, that none of his seem to be the absurd ones, several even being for the military. Still. . . .
Groundhog Day and the State of the Union
This next year, both Groundhog Day and the State of the Union address occur on the same day. As the ultra left wing Air America Radio pointed out, "It is an ironic juxtaposition of events; one involves a meaningless ritual in which we look to a creature of little intelligence for prognostication while the other involves a groundhog." Would you say, the Left is upset with Obama?
From Facebook
From Facebook
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
First Women
Left to right - Princess Letizia of Spain, French first lady Carla Bruni, and American Food Policewoman
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Nanny State
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This will send chills up the spine of most and tingles up the legs of others.
"We can't just leave it up to the parents".
Monday, December 13, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Katie, Meet Condi
The Iraq war has been defined by the press to the detriment of the truth more than any issue I know. Katie Couric is a key player in the charade. As much as I love Sarah Palin she does not have the gravitas of Condi. I understand the fact that Mrs. Palin was railroaded by the MSM in her infamous interview (to conclude she can't read is the height of idiocy) but Miss Rice left no room for that kind of stupidity. It was Katie that looked like the idiot. The rest of the interview is here.
Rice/Palin 2012?
Friday, December 10, 2010
Congresswoman Foxx on Tax Policy
Virginia Foxx Newsletter (From the Congresswoman SO good they named a NETWORK after her!) Posted by NewGuy
Why we need to overhaul
the U.S. tax system
Step one: Burn the current tax code
About half of American workers didn’t pay any federal income taxes last year.
Huge agribusinesses got billions in tax subsidies to turn food into fuel—pushing up the price of food for American families. In fact, last year’s tax subsidies for turning corn into ethanol reached $6 billion. The Congressional Budget Office even estimates that government subsidies for ethanol amount to about $1.78 per gallon.
What do these two rather divergent facts have to do with each other? Answer: they each point to the need for fundamental federal tax reform.
Let’s face it. Our tax system is a complete disaster. It is so byzantine that only the sharpest tax lawyer or Washington lobbyist can tell you what lies beneath the surface.
In true Washington fashion, it gets more complex, more unfair and more indecipherable with each passing year. Congress can’t resist tinkering at the margins, throwing in new provisions or special carve outs and generally adding to the economic dead weight that is our tax code.
The year-end debate over tax rates just serves to illustrate the point. There are currently six separate tax brackets that will all increase in
Taxpayers waste 6.6 billion hours a year preparing and filing their taxes.
2011 if Congress doesn’t do something to stop it. Some people want to increase taxes on some brackets, others would like to increase taxes on all brackets and still others would like to increase taxes on no brackets. (You can put me in the not increasing taxes on anyone column.)
This tax debate is rowdy and the disagreements are sharp. Left unsaid is the fact that no matter what Congress does about these upcoming tax increases, we’ll still have an opaque system that is constantly gamed by special interests.
You may wonder what special interests have a stake in the current tax code. The honest answer is almost all of them. This is why real tax reform is such a herculean task. Thanks to hundreds of exemptions, deductions and carve outs
inserted into the tax code over the past several decades, almost every interest group with a mailing address in Washington, DC will be crowing for another carve out if Congress sets about retooling taxes.
The tax code is so bad that Americans waste at least 6.6 billion hours each year working to comply with the IRS requirements. Add to that the more than $200 billion spent to stay in compliance and keep the auditors at bay and you have a massive drag on the economy and economic growth.
So Congress must be bold. Tax reform can’t be a piecemeal sort of operation. Step one must be burning the current tax code. Step two must involve creating a tax system that is fair and efficient and that doesn’t pick favorites. There are plenty of tax reform options out there—many of them far, far better than what we have now.
The core problem is that our tax system is stuffed with needlessly complex provisions. These carve outs mean tax rates are artificially high. The carve outs also end up arbitrarily punishing some taxpayers and rewarding others. As a matter of fairness, any tax reform proposal should strip away the layers of tax carve outs and lower the tax rates everyone pays. After all, if you get rid of the special deductions, you could lower rates without seeing tax collections fall.
This kind of reform could look like a Fair Tax or a flat tax or some sort of hybrid proposal. Ultimately the exact type of tax reform should be up for negotiation. The most important thing is to kill off the current tax code and replace it with something straightforward and fair for everyone.
The result of fundamental tax reform would be immediate and dramatic. America would experience a profound—and real—economic stimulus. The uncertainty and ambiguity currently plaguing hundreds of thousands of businesses would virtually evaporate. The wasted time and money of tax compliance would be slashed to a pittance. Most importantly, tax rates would fall—empowering entrepreneurs to focus on big ideas rather than long tax forms and families to focus on their budgets and not their tax returns.
If we get tax reform right we will spur investment in the people and businesses of tomorrow on a level not possible under the current tax system. In today’s tough economic times, we can’t afford NOT to scrap our tax code and start over
Why we need to overhaul
the U.S. tax system
Step one: Burn the current tax code
About half of American workers didn’t pay any federal income taxes last year.
Huge agribusinesses got billions in tax subsidies to turn food into fuel—pushing up the price of food for American families. In fact, last year’s tax subsidies for turning corn into ethanol reached $6 billion. The Congressional Budget Office even estimates that government subsidies for ethanol amount to about $1.78 per gallon.
What do these two rather divergent facts have to do with each other? Answer: they each point to the need for fundamental federal tax reform.
Let’s face it. Our tax system is a complete disaster. It is so byzantine that only the sharpest tax lawyer or Washington lobbyist can tell you what lies beneath the surface.
In true Washington fashion, it gets more complex, more unfair and more indecipherable with each passing year. Congress can’t resist tinkering at the margins, throwing in new provisions or special carve outs and generally adding to the economic dead weight that is our tax code.
The year-end debate over tax rates just serves to illustrate the point. There are currently six separate tax brackets that will all increase in
Taxpayers waste 6.6 billion hours a year preparing and filing their taxes.
2011 if Congress doesn’t do something to stop it. Some people want to increase taxes on some brackets, others would like to increase taxes on all brackets and still others would like to increase taxes on no brackets. (You can put me in the not increasing taxes on anyone column.)
This tax debate is rowdy and the disagreements are sharp. Left unsaid is the fact that no matter what Congress does about these upcoming tax increases, we’ll still have an opaque system that is constantly gamed by special interests.
You may wonder what special interests have a stake in the current tax code. The honest answer is almost all of them. This is why real tax reform is such a herculean task. Thanks to hundreds of exemptions, deductions and carve outs
inserted into the tax code over the past several decades, almost every interest group with a mailing address in Washington, DC will be crowing for another carve out if Congress sets about retooling taxes.
The tax code is so bad that Americans waste at least 6.6 billion hours each year working to comply with the IRS requirements. Add to that the more than $200 billion spent to stay in compliance and keep the auditors at bay and you have a massive drag on the economy and economic growth.
So Congress must be bold. Tax reform can’t be a piecemeal sort of operation. Step one must be burning the current tax code. Step two must involve creating a tax system that is fair and efficient and that doesn’t pick favorites. There are plenty of tax reform options out there—many of them far, far better than what we have now.
The core problem is that our tax system is stuffed with needlessly complex provisions. These carve outs mean tax rates are artificially high. The carve outs also end up arbitrarily punishing some taxpayers and rewarding others. As a matter of fairness, any tax reform proposal should strip away the layers of tax carve outs and lower the tax rates everyone pays. After all, if you get rid of the special deductions, you could lower rates without seeing tax collections fall.
This kind of reform could look like a Fair Tax or a flat tax or some sort of hybrid proposal. Ultimately the exact type of tax reform should be up for negotiation. The most important thing is to kill off the current tax code and replace it with something straightforward and fair for everyone.
The result of fundamental tax reform would be immediate and dramatic. America would experience a profound—and real—economic stimulus. The uncertainty and ambiguity currently plaguing hundreds of thousands of businesses would virtually evaporate. The wasted time and money of tax compliance would be slashed to a pittance. Most importantly, tax rates would fall—empowering entrepreneurs to focus on big ideas rather than long tax forms and families to focus on their budgets and not their tax returns.
If we get tax reform right we will spur investment in the people and businesses of tomorrow on a level not possible under the current tax system. In today’s tough economic times, we can’t afford NOT to scrap our tax code and start over
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Weed Patch
It's been too long, so have at it. The world is your oyster, speak up. BTW, my bridge has arrived.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
What Do Americans Think About Tax Cuts
Rasmussen
The Left is trying all their polled words like "hostage holders" and Republicans only care about their millionaires. As Tom Brokaw said this morning, "They are shooting over the peoples' heads." I agree. The phrases are not gaining any traction.
The Left is trying all their polled words like "hostage holders" and Republicans only care about their millionaires. As Tom Brokaw said this morning, "They are shooting over the peoples' heads." I agree. The phrases are not gaining any traction.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Our Liberal Likes to Blame Capitalism
In “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism,” Max Weber argues that Puritan ethics and ideas influenced the development of capitalism. Worldly success was evidence that one was saved. Such belief also added to self-confidence. Weber also noted that Luther taught that a "vocation" from God was no longer limited to the clergy or church, but applied to any occupation or trade. A person had a divinely ordained calling through which he or she served the Creator (from Wikepedia).
It is therefore no accident that the great capitalist countries are also the great Protestant countries.
Liberal POV wrote: “Many of the problems (in underdeveloped countries) come with Irresponsible capitalism failing to support the society and environment in existing within and the government of that nation failing to demand fair wages and opportunity.” Sorry Lib, the problem goes way beyond your superficial analysis. The weaknesses of the underdeveloped world result from the lack of such a profound religious concept as the Protestant Ethic that has guided the great Protestant nations.
It is therefore no accident that the great capitalist countries are also the great Protestant countries.
Liberal POV wrote: “Many of the problems (in underdeveloped countries) come with Irresponsible capitalism failing to support the society and environment in existing within and the government of that nation failing to demand fair wages and opportunity.” Sorry Lib, the problem goes way beyond your superficial analysis. The weaknesses of the underdeveloped world result from the lack of such a profound religious concept as the Protestant Ethic that has guided the great Protestant nations.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Spam Blocker
I finally did find some of your comments in the spam file. I marked them as not spam and you can let us know if they came up. I don't see a common content that confuses the blocker. If I ever figure it out, I will let you know. So far it appears to be an equal opportunity spam block. Many of you have been hit and not one person in particular.
Six Dirty Senators That Need to Go Down
Eight Republican senators on Tuesday voted to preserve earmark spending despite pressure from the Tea Party movement. THE DIRTY EIGHT
Sens. Thad Cochran (Miss.), Susan Collins (Maine), James Inhofe (Okla.), Dick Lugar (Ind.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Richard Shelby (Ala.) voted against an amendment to food-safety legislation that would have enacted a two-year ban on the spending items. Retiring Sen. George Voinovich (Ohio) and defeated Sen. Bob Bennett (Utah) also voted against it.
Cochran, Collins, Murkowski, and Shelby are all on the corrupt Appropriations Committee. Senators work to get on that committee because that is where they can rip off the most money from taxpayers. They also have no shame.
Sens. Thad Cochran (Miss.), Susan Collins (Maine), James Inhofe (Okla.), Dick Lugar (Ind.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Richard Shelby (Ala.) voted against an amendment to food-safety legislation that would have enacted a two-year ban on the spending items. Retiring Sen. George Voinovich (Ohio) and defeated Sen. Bob Bennett (Utah) also voted against it.
Cochran, Collins, Murkowski, and Shelby are all on the corrupt Appropriations Committee. Senators work to get on that committee because that is where they can rip off the most money from taxpayers. They also have no shame.
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