At my age the "big" memory is December 7, 1941. For many of you, especially the first of the baby boomers and those close to them it's JFK's assassination. And for all of us 9-11-01 is a cataclysmic event which has changed not only the way we live, but the way we think and our total worldview. Coupled with the increase in longevity and the decrease in affordable energy (not to mention other problems--these are enough) we have neither the time nor the resources to spend either, without coming to some agreement on how our nation is going to proceed. Partisan politics is the battleground and it looks to me as though the first thing we have to decide is whether we continue with our present form of constitutional government or do we continue the slide into socialism and even further cradle to the grave lifestyles.
So for the next 7 1/2 weeks we will address the issues which will influence the future of America and your families and mine. If you post a comment which will aid the dialog, we will certainly recognize its validity, but it needs to be logical, sincere and somewhat original--or like a patent, something added to the original which will make it something new or different enough to make us think about it.
Most of us have uttered prayers today for those personally affected by 9-11 and in so doing we have prayed for the future of the country as well. In that respect we are all on the same page.
See you tomorrow
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
The Good Old Days
Yes, I'm yearning for the good old days when my kids were in elementary school and junior high when I could just turn them off by sending them to their rooms. That's about how I am feeling about the folks who are talking about lipstick on pigs, the South Carolina "lady" who made a scurrilous remark about Palin and later figured an apology would wipe it out, Obama saying he would give a tax cut to 95% of the populace when at last count I think about 40% don't pay any taxes anyway, Charlie Rangel acting as judge and jury on cases from which he should recuse himself, and all the other holier than thou types who think they can fool all of the people all of the time.
Didn't Lincoln say "you can fool some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time but never all of the people all of the time" or something like that? He also said that God must have loved the common man since he made so many of us. I'm thinking he could say the same thing at the beginning of this century when we still outnumber the elite who think we are much too close to our church and the 2nd amendment, right? And one more quote: Ronald Reagan said something like: it's just amazing how much we can get done if we don't care who gets the credit. Truer words were never (my addition: or hardly ever) spoken.
Do you remember that little pocket size book "Whatever I Needed to Know in Life I Learned in Kindergarten"? (Not exact words, but close.) Anyway, I would like to change that to "whatever I needed to know in life I learned in my 12th grade Government/Econ class." Reason being, as I reminded my classmates at our 60th high school reunion this summer, Mr. Schultz taught us 3 life long lessons: be wary of what you read in the "Reader's Digest" since anytime words can be added or subtracted from the original the meaning of the author will probably be corrupted, beware of the eastern establishment press (and being from rural Minnesota we had no clue--but sure do now,) and last he said that being able to research was more important than learning answers to questions. I'm thinking he was way ahead of his time and would have really enjoyed the internet. Common sense goes a long way.
See ya tomorrow.
Didn't Lincoln say "you can fool some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time but never all of the people all of the time" or something like that? He also said that God must have loved the common man since he made so many of us. I'm thinking he could say the same thing at the beginning of this century when we still outnumber the elite who think we are much too close to our church and the 2nd amendment, right? And one more quote: Ronald Reagan said something like: it's just amazing how much we can get done if we don't care who gets the credit. Truer words were never (my addition: or hardly ever) spoken.
Do you remember that little pocket size book "Whatever I Needed to Know in Life I Learned in Kindergarten"? (Not exact words, but close.) Anyway, I would like to change that to "whatever I needed to know in life I learned in my 12th grade Government/Econ class." Reason being, as I reminded my classmates at our 60th high school reunion this summer, Mr. Schultz taught us 3 life long lessons: be wary of what you read in the "Reader's Digest" since anytime words can be added or subtracted from the original the meaning of the author will probably be corrupted, beware of the eastern establishment press (and being from rural Minnesota we had no clue--but sure do now,) and last he said that being able to research was more important than learning answers to questions. I'm thinking he was way ahead of his time and would have really enjoyed the internet. Common sense goes a long way.
See ya tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Confessions of a Blogger, or, Life Gets in the Way
When I started this I made myself a promise that I would post every day--it's not fair to bore anyone with repetition, but as they say, things happen. Mea Culpa.
Also, I had really looked forward to doing this since folks like us enjoy a dialog on things important in our lives which in this case is politics and government. When dozens of responses were not forthcoming the first couple of weeks I thought perhaps I'm being redundant and unnecessary, but we're going to hang in here. I should know by next week how to upload some of the videos done for this purpose.
Today let's talk about something very personal which may or may not appeal to most of you no matter whether you attend a church or not. And whether you happen to be a part of a Catholic church. In my case, I do. So you can understand why it drives me nuts to have politicians, over 90% of Democrat U.S. Senators (I haven't counted the House members but figure it's about the same) who claim to be "practicing" or "ardent" Catholics can ask others to support their pro abortion positions and platform.
My favorite analogy for describing their attitudes of not personally pro abortion, but it shouldn't be legislated: Suppose you and others stand by and watch a parent beat on a kid in the parking lot with a baseball bat. Do you really look at each other and say "Gee, I wouldn't do that to my children" or do you run, not walk, over to the guy and wrestle the bat from his/her hands?
Science has caught up to the church as to the question of the beginning of life in that we now know that a heartbeat is discernible early on and surgery is performed in utero. This is pretty basic stuff these days but this is enough for today.
It would behoove legislators such as Mark Schauer and Barak Obama, not Catholic, Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden, Catholic, to use a little logic instead of power broking political reasons to vote to kill.
See ya tomorrow-Promise
Also, I had really looked forward to doing this since folks like us enjoy a dialog on things important in our lives which in this case is politics and government. When dozens of responses were not forthcoming the first couple of weeks I thought perhaps I'm being redundant and unnecessary, but we're going to hang in here. I should know by next week how to upload some of the videos done for this purpose.
Today let's talk about something very personal which may or may not appeal to most of you no matter whether you attend a church or not. And whether you happen to be a part of a Catholic church. In my case, I do. So you can understand why it drives me nuts to have politicians, over 90% of Democrat U.S. Senators (I haven't counted the House members but figure it's about the same) who claim to be "practicing" or "ardent" Catholics can ask others to support their pro abortion positions and platform.
My favorite analogy for describing their attitudes of not personally pro abortion, but it shouldn't be legislated: Suppose you and others stand by and watch a parent beat on a kid in the parking lot with a baseball bat. Do you really look at each other and say "Gee, I wouldn't do that to my children" or do you run, not walk, over to the guy and wrestle the bat from his/her hands?
Science has caught up to the church as to the question of the beginning of life in that we now know that a heartbeat is discernible early on and surgery is performed in utero. This is pretty basic stuff these days but this is enough for today.
It would behoove legislators such as Mark Schauer and Barak Obama, not Catholic, Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden, Catholic, to use a little logic instead of power broking political reasons to vote to kill.
See ya tomorrow-Promise
Thursday, September 4, 2008
T. Boone Pickens
I am so tired of hearing this self-appointed savior of the energy world telling us about his PLAN.
Here's a guy who made gazillions of dollars by being at the right place at the right time in the oil patch and now wants to tell the rest of us how to live our lives according to his PLAN. You gotta wonder why Nancy Pelosi bought stock in his new venture when she didn't even know natural gas was a fossil fuel. Wonder if anyone has corrected her yet.
Anyway, I have some problems with cars running on compressed gas--somehow I can't get past the safety thing. T. Boone says it will buy us time to come up with other ideas and energy sources, but I'm not sure they have perfected the tank that will hold it yet. Doesn't it need to be like a thermos because of the extreme cold, etc?
Also, I don't know how much it will cost to retrofit a vehicle to use it and how long it will take to recover the investment. Until I see some facts and figures I think I'll just wait to climb on old T. Boone's bandwagon.
Maybe someone out there has the answers? We'd love to hear them.
See ya tomorrow.
Here's a guy who made gazillions of dollars by being at the right place at the right time in the oil patch and now wants to tell the rest of us how to live our lives according to his PLAN. You gotta wonder why Nancy Pelosi bought stock in his new venture when she didn't even know natural gas was a fossil fuel. Wonder if anyone has corrected her yet.
Anyway, I have some problems with cars running on compressed gas--somehow I can't get past the safety thing. T. Boone says it will buy us time to come up with other ideas and energy sources, but I'm not sure they have perfected the tank that will hold it yet. Doesn't it need to be like a thermos because of the extreme cold, etc?
Also, I don't know how much it will cost to retrofit a vehicle to use it and how long it will take to recover the investment. Until I see some facts and figures I think I'll just wait to climb on old T. Boone's bandwagon.
Maybe someone out there has the answers? We'd love to hear them.
See ya tomorrow.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Mean spirited bullies
Okay-
Now we know the true meaning of the term "mean spirited" which was the mantra of the liberals some time ago.
But since the leftists of the internet, the Democrat party and the liberal press pile on with a public pillory of a 17 year old girl and her mom by their actions of the last couple of days calling them bullies is probably a modest use of the language. One of my kids called a bit ago and said he could just imagine the conversations figuring out ways to "Bork" them.
Can't wait for her speech tonight.
More tomorrow.
Now we know the true meaning of the term "mean spirited" which was the mantra of the liberals some time ago.
But since the leftists of the internet, the Democrat party and the liberal press pile on with a public pillory of a 17 year old girl and her mom by their actions of the last couple of days calling them bullies is probably a modest use of the language. One of my kids called a bit ago and said he could just imagine the conversations figuring out ways to "Bork" them.
Can't wait for her speech tonight.
More tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Climate Change/Fossil Fuels
Reference S.F.Hayward, fellow at American Enterprise Institute author of "Index of Leading Environmental Indicators."
Just a few facts to get you thinking:
1-In 2006 the U.S. emitted 5.8 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide, just under 20 tons per capita.
2-Obama and most environmentalists want to decrease emissions by 80% by 2050.
McCain wants to decrease emission by 65% by 2050.
President Bush has a goal of stopping growth by 2050.
3-There are four main areas of energy use: residential, commercial (retail and office bldgs)
industrial and transportation--measured by electricity consumption apportioned to each.
4-American residential emissions are 1.2 billion or 20% higher than the total resulting from the 80% reduction goal of Obama. Don't forget this does not factor in the increase in our population which is projected to total 420 million by then or 40 million households.
5-Average usage per household now is 10,500 kwh emitting 11.4 tons per year. To reach the magic number we would have to use no more than 1.5 tons per year or about 2500 kwh. Apparently this is enough to keep an electric water heater going. Now add lights, TVs, radios, computers and other appliances. Get the picture?
6-NOW ADD IN THE COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND TRANSPORTATION USAGE AND
NEEDS EVEN WITH ALL THE POTENTIAL SAVINGS METHODS.....................
It just doesn't add up, does it? Do you want to go back to 1910 when there were 92 million citizens? Good grief, Charlie Brown! Let's get some practical thinkers involved!
See ya tomorrow and give a little prayer of thanks for a weakened Gustav--and pray that the hurricanes coming down the pike will lose their punch as well.
Just a few facts to get you thinking:
1-In 2006 the U.S. emitted 5.8 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide, just under 20 tons per capita.
2-Obama and most environmentalists want to decrease emissions by 80% by 2050.
McCain wants to decrease emission by 65% by 2050.
President Bush has a goal of stopping growth by 2050.
3-There are four main areas of energy use: residential, commercial (retail and office bldgs)
industrial and transportation--measured by electricity consumption apportioned to each.
4-American residential emissions are 1.2 billion or 20% higher than the total resulting from the 80% reduction goal of Obama. Don't forget this does not factor in the increase in our population which is projected to total 420 million by then or 40 million households.
5-Average usage per household now is 10,500 kwh emitting 11.4 tons per year. To reach the magic number we would have to use no more than 1.5 tons per year or about 2500 kwh. Apparently this is enough to keep an electric water heater going. Now add lights, TVs, radios, computers and other appliances. Get the picture?
6-NOW ADD IN THE COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND TRANSPORTATION USAGE AND
NEEDS EVEN WITH ALL THE POTENTIAL SAVINGS METHODS.....................
It just doesn't add up, does it? Do you want to go back to 1910 when there were 92 million citizens? Good grief, Charlie Brown! Let's get some practical thinkers involved!
See ya tomorrow and give a little prayer of thanks for a weakened Gustav--and pray that the hurricanes coming down the pike will lose their punch as well.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Labor, Weather, Convention
The first thing I saw in this morning's paper was a short piece on the fact that 29% of those over 65 are still working and of course it's because the sky is falling. I beg to differ. Wouldn't you like to see a breakdown of that number? Think of all the people who: work because they enjoy their jobs and have good health; work because they want to add to their retirement savings; work because they don't have any other interests; and last, work because they didn't start saving early enough (which might be most of us?) or the market is down or -- due to whatever reason they have no savings at all and never intended to retire.
Just don't forget that in 1935 when the retirement age was put at 62/65 the average life expectancy was 63. It is now 77. Duh!
When thinking about New Orleans hurricanes why is the first picture that comes to mind the one of the fleet of school buses with water up to the wheel wells not being used by the mayor to evacuate citizens? And then, of course, the following days and weeks of agony for not only New Orleanians but those who could only watch helplessly with their only recourse being writing a check in an attempt to help. The Corps of Engineers, the politicians, the disaster teams and even those who refused to leave 3 years ago have all gone to school on the first catastrophe. Wonder who the Dems will blame this time?
The Michigan delegation to the Republican convention is organizing a blood drive as we speak. We have over 2000 activists in St. Paul this week who will all be working to make sure that the opportunity to help in the hurricane efforts will not be wasted. They had all planned to spend a few days having a good time and they certainly will--there is no better feeling than to know you have helped someone in need.
See ya tomorrow.
Just don't forget that in 1935 when the retirement age was put at 62/65 the average life expectancy was 63. It is now 77. Duh!
When thinking about New Orleans hurricanes why is the first picture that comes to mind the one of the fleet of school buses with water up to the wheel wells not being used by the mayor to evacuate citizens? And then, of course, the following days and weeks of agony for not only New Orleanians but those who could only watch helplessly with their only recourse being writing a check in an attempt to help. The Corps of Engineers, the politicians, the disaster teams and even those who refused to leave 3 years ago have all gone to school on the first catastrophe. Wonder who the Dems will blame this time?
The Michigan delegation to the Republican convention is organizing a blood drive as we speak. We have over 2000 activists in St. Paul this week who will all be working to make sure that the opportunity to help in the hurricane efforts will not be wasted. They had all planned to spend a few days having a good time and they certainly will--there is no better feeling than to know you have helped someone in need.
See ya tomorrow.
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