They call the season of picking a party candidate a "Horse Race." I call it annoying. I'd much rather watch a real horse race. At least I could bet on that.
The debates have been embarrassing.(Newt stumbling around, Mitt sounding like a left winger...sheesh.) The rhetoric has been embarrassing (negative words, foolish statements, eeeekkk). The President has been embarrassing. Just ask Governor Jan Brewer, who got a book critique instead of real action on the border security issue when she spoke to the President the other day. Good grief, people.
Why can't people actually be civil to one another? Why can't we find candidates who have strength like the proverbial horse? Someone who can go the distance with majesty instead of fumbles. I like Newt, but he opens his mouth and doesn't think before he opens it. Mitt has the habit of talking up his Romneycare as if it were something fresh and new...not, it's another socialist program just like Obamacare.
Can't we get some honesty? Why do people continually try to cover their butt? Just say it like it is, and let the chips fall where they may. We used to have a politician here in our area who never minced words. You knew exactly where he stood on every issue. He was crusty, ornery, and opinionated. But you knew where he stood no matter what. I want THAT in a Presidential candidate. But the press would likely paint him/her as a fruitcake, I suppose. We just can't seem to win for losing. Give me a horse race with real horses anytime!
Friday, January 27, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
No Politics Today
Hi, all. I read a friend's blog yesterday and after laughing my fool head off, I have to make some comments. By tomorrow I'll have to comment on Romney-Gingrich, so I'll take this short opportunity to bring a laugh or two. Tana Essary wrote about some former workplaces being filled with "colorful people." Then she posted a photo of a male peacock. I have to say...wonderful! I,too, have known some extremely "colorful" folks in my life, if on a different level. But the peacock image was right on.
Let's see. First, there were the policemen I used to work with. Honestly cool guys, 90% of them, but of course we had some arrogant men whose chests were so puffed up they threatened to burst the buttons off their uniforms. Like one guy who lasted about one month on the job because he was convinced that he was "God's gift to women." Not. One other guy got fired because he kept making jokes about donuts. Then there was one guy who got fired because he got lost every time he went on a call. Cute, huh?
Then there was the Federal Parole officer who loved to make wine in his spare time. I have it on good authority that his basement was...well...interesting. He was a great guy. But definitely colorful.I used to cook with his wine, but drink it? No chance.
My family was "colorful"- most of them gone now. Dad, for example, was convinced that we could re-elect Ronald Reagan to office after his second term if we just put him in as vice president and then got rid of whoever was the president. Interesting concept, don't you think? I'm sure he meant for someone to "step down" after the election, but um, that was my Dad.
Of course at this point in my life- as a writer-- I have oodles of colorful folks. At one writer's meeting a couple of weeks ago we had a former Madame from San Francisco. You like? She was most assuredly colorful.
But my absolute favorite is my current friend, Bobby Wilhelm, a former drug kingpin from North Idaho. His list of relatives and their friends beats all for "colorful." One friend of the family was the Sheriff in Shoshone County Idaho and was indicted for racketeering (they declared a mistrial)huh, imagine that; one friend of his Grandfather was connected to a Teamster's Union scandal in 1957; his Grandfather was arrested numerous times for bootlegging and/gambling. The deeper we get into his life and that of his family's friends and relatives, the more "colorful" it gets. You'll have to read the book "BobbyConvict" when it comes out to find out more.
Let's see. First, there were the policemen I used to work with. Honestly cool guys, 90% of them, but of course we had some arrogant men whose chests were so puffed up they threatened to burst the buttons off their uniforms. Like one guy who lasted about one month on the job because he was convinced that he was "God's gift to women." Not. One other guy got fired because he kept making jokes about donuts. Then there was one guy who got fired because he got lost every time he went on a call. Cute, huh?
Then there was the Federal Parole officer who loved to make wine in his spare time. I have it on good authority that his basement was...well...interesting. He was a great guy. But definitely colorful.I used to cook with his wine, but drink it? No chance.
My family was "colorful"- most of them gone now. Dad, for example, was convinced that we could re-elect Ronald Reagan to office after his second term if we just put him in as vice president and then got rid of whoever was the president. Interesting concept, don't you think? I'm sure he meant for someone to "step down" after the election, but um, that was my Dad.
Of course at this point in my life- as a writer-- I have oodles of colorful folks. At one writer's meeting a couple of weeks ago we had a former Madame from San Francisco. You like? She was most assuredly colorful.
But my absolute favorite is my current friend, Bobby Wilhelm, a former drug kingpin from North Idaho. His list of relatives and their friends beats all for "colorful." One friend of the family was the Sheriff in Shoshone County Idaho and was indicted for racketeering (they declared a mistrial)huh, imagine that; one friend of his Grandfather was connected to a Teamster's Union scandal in 1957; his Grandfather was arrested numerous times for bootlegging and/gambling. The deeper we get into his life and that of his family's friends and relatives, the more "colorful" it gets. You'll have to read the book "BobbyConvict" when it comes out to find out more.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Integrity
Something remarkable happened this morning in the political scene. Erick Erickson talked about sponsorship of the SOPA and Protect IP (PIPA) internet bills before both houses of Congress, and publicly called on the sponsors to withdraw their support.
Now if you weren't aware, these are two bills that threaten the freedom of the internet to the max. They are touted as "anti-piracy" bills, and are supposed to prevent copyright infringements by certain websites. Unfortunately, they give an disproportionate power to the Attorney General and/or the President to censor websites and prevent search engines from linking to them. Basically, it gives the kill switch to people who have already demonstrated their lack of wisdom.
Up until this morning, Marco Rubio of Florida had been a sponsor of those bills. Within a short few minutes of Erick's post this morning, Marco Rubio had withdrawn his support. He had not realized the danger of giving that kind of power to a few. Kudos, Marco, for recognizing the problem and removing your name from the sponsors! You have great integrity! (I see that at least 3 members of Congress have withdrawn their support so far).
Censorship is evil, period. It allows the influences of that evil to destroy freedom. Personally I would rather have an internet that has problems, than one which tells me I can't express my opinion or demands that I follow someone else's bandwagon. Long live the First Amendment!
Now if you weren't aware, these are two bills that threaten the freedom of the internet to the max. They are touted as "anti-piracy" bills, and are supposed to prevent copyright infringements by certain websites. Unfortunately, they give an disproportionate power to the Attorney General and/or the President to censor websites and prevent search engines from linking to them. Basically, it gives the kill switch to people who have already demonstrated their lack of wisdom.
Up until this morning, Marco Rubio of Florida had been a sponsor of those bills. Within a short few minutes of Erick's post this morning, Marco Rubio had withdrawn his support. He had not realized the danger of giving that kind of power to a few. Kudos, Marco, for recognizing the problem and removing your name from the sponsors! You have great integrity! (I see that at least 3 members of Congress have withdrawn their support so far).
Censorship is evil, period. It allows the influences of that evil to destroy freedom. Personally I would rather have an internet that has problems, than one which tells me I can't express my opinion or demands that I follow someone else's bandwagon. Long live the First Amendment!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Iowa Caucuses
Well, the verdict is in: Romney squeaked by Santorum by just 8 votes, Paul flew into third and Newt fell into a dismal 4th place. A little embarrassing, actually, on that one.
Now I have to be careful here, because I'm a nonprofit, so I can't endorse any candidate for office. But I do have some pointers:
When we pick a candidate, we need to ask for wisdom from DAD. We need to not operate in our emotions, our angry backlash, or any other foolish place. We need to ask very specific questions: Who is really electable? Why are they qualified? Are they passionate without being "radical?" Do they have the expertise and fortitude to get up day in and day out as President of the greatest country in the world and face horrendous difficulties both abroad and at home?
Frankly, I don't give a darn about "charisma," or intelligence. I don't give a rat's rear end about their background or their sins of the past. I want to know whether they've learned any lessons from those past mistakes. I want to know how they see the world and what they can bring to the table. We don't need more polarization, folks. We have such a right/left split in our nation now that very little gets done at all. We need a leader of strength, power, and wisdom.
Honestly, I don't see those qualities in anyone yet.There are hints of it in all of them, but only hints. Stay tuned to see if anyone fits the requirements of a President.
Now I have to be careful here, because I'm a nonprofit, so I can't endorse any candidate for office. But I do have some pointers:
When we pick a candidate, we need to ask for wisdom from DAD. We need to not operate in our emotions, our angry backlash, or any other foolish place. We need to ask very specific questions: Who is really electable? Why are they qualified? Are they passionate without being "radical?" Do they have the expertise and fortitude to get up day in and day out as President of the greatest country in the world and face horrendous difficulties both abroad and at home?
Frankly, I don't give a darn about "charisma," or intelligence. I don't give a rat's rear end about their background or their sins of the past. I want to know whether they've learned any lessons from those past mistakes. I want to know how they see the world and what they can bring to the table. We don't need more polarization, folks. We have such a right/left split in our nation now that very little gets done at all. We need a leader of strength, power, and wisdom.
Honestly, I don't see those qualities in anyone yet.There are hints of it in all of them, but only hints. Stay tuned to see if anyone fits the requirements of a President.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Dear Erick
Today I am ticked off at one of my favorite pundits, Erick Erickson said something uncaring today: that people who declare bankruptcy over medical bills are just doing it to remove their responsibility to pay it. I'd like to box his ears.
Let's cut to the chase: Conservatives are mad as hell because the current administration is constantly giving away things to people who don't work, who refuse to take responsibility for their own lives. They want government handouts. And we're sick of it. I frankly don't like Obamacare any more than any other Conservative. It forces me to buy something. I don't believe the government has a right to do that. But I also think Mr. Erickson needs a heart re-direct.
Sometimes life deals us some whammies that take away all of our ability to handle them. I am a Christian- my Father in Heaven always takes good care of me. I trust Him with my heart, my life, my future. I worked hard in law enforcement most of my adult life . But let me ask you, Mr. Erickson- what will you do the day you get very sick and are faced with a stack of medical bills that reaches the ceiling? You're probably very wealthy. You're very young. You probably have a "cadillac" insurance plan. Some of the rest of us unfortunately are not in that class. We're on fixed incomes. We get sick and we get stuck. We can't afford what you can afford.
You came off very uncaring today. I think you should repent, back the truck up, and really start caring about the people around you. Take your head out of the political rhetoric and remember that real people have real problems and sometimes they are out of our control. Not everyone is irresponsible leaky trailer trash. Stop generalizing. Get it right.
Let's cut to the chase: Conservatives are mad as hell because the current administration is constantly giving away things to people who don't work, who refuse to take responsibility for their own lives. They want government handouts. And we're sick of it. I frankly don't like Obamacare any more than any other Conservative. It forces me to buy something. I don't believe the government has a right to do that. But I also think Mr. Erickson needs a heart re-direct.
Sometimes life deals us some whammies that take away all of our ability to handle them. I am a Christian- my Father in Heaven always takes good care of me. I trust Him with my heart, my life, my future. I worked hard in law enforcement most of my adult life . But let me ask you, Mr. Erickson- what will you do the day you get very sick and are faced with a stack of medical bills that reaches the ceiling? You're probably very wealthy. You're very young. You probably have a "cadillac" insurance plan. Some of the rest of us unfortunately are not in that class. We're on fixed incomes. We get sick and we get stuck. We can't afford what you can afford.
You came off very uncaring today. I think you should repent, back the truck up, and really start caring about the people around you. Take your head out of the political rhetoric and remember that real people have real problems and sometimes they are out of our control. Not everyone is irresponsible leaky trailer trash. Stop generalizing. Get it right.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Wisdom or Panic?
Ok, I'm wading in on that Defense Bill with the detention provision tucked inside. Erick Erickson mentions that it's section 1021 in an 1800 page document.Gotta love these short bills, huh? Anyone wanting to read throught it would go to sleep before they got to the end.
The provision supposedly gives the President broad power to detain anyone involved in any kind of "Terrorist group" indefinitely without legal foundation. So, what's a terrorist group, we ask?
Now first, I remember certain members of the administration back in 2009 warning the country that conservatives or as she put it "the right wing" were dangerous and she nearly placed us in the terrorist category in a memo she wrote. Soooo...it has given many of my conservative friends pause as to what is the real agenda behind the "Fema Camps." Not to worry, I'm sure that we can prove that we are far more dangerous than they think we are.
Then there are my Christian friends who are freaked out thinking their homeschooling or evangelical activities are going to get them classified as "terrorists." Again we can prove we are far more dangerous than the government thinks we are: we PRAY. Now THAT's dangerous!
Point is, while this legislation passed with narry a nay, it passed because our own leadership is scared. OUR response should not be panic, or anger, but should contain true wisdom. There are inherent problems with the law -- let's work to get those parts removed. We still have a legal system, as wacky as it may be. Let's not give the liberals cause to call us deranged, let's show them who's really boss!
The provision supposedly gives the President broad power to detain anyone involved in any kind of "Terrorist group" indefinitely without legal foundation. So, what's a terrorist group, we ask?
Now first, I remember certain members of the administration back in 2009 warning the country that conservatives or as she put it "the right wing" were dangerous and she nearly placed us in the terrorist category in a memo she wrote. Soooo...it has given many of my conservative friends pause as to what is the real agenda behind the "Fema Camps." Not to worry, I'm sure that we can prove that we are far more dangerous than they think we are.
Then there are my Christian friends who are freaked out thinking their homeschooling or evangelical activities are going to get them classified as "terrorists." Again we can prove we are far more dangerous than the government thinks we are: we PRAY. Now THAT's dangerous!
Point is, while this legislation passed with narry a nay, it passed because our own leadership is scared. OUR response should not be panic, or anger, but should contain true wisdom. There are inherent problems with the law -- let's work to get those parts removed. We still have a legal system, as wacky as it may be. Let's not give the liberals cause to call us deranged, let's show them who's really boss!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Who are We Standing For?
Ok, I have a bone to pick with Christians, and a complaint about the government. Nice combo, don't you think?
1. The government is hell-bent toward dropping America into Communism/Socialism in the name of "fairness." Most of the folks who subscribe to that philosophy don't know jack about what it means to follow that path. "Spreading the wealth" --money to everyone means that no one gets any except the top level- I can prove that by what happens when you get millions of people involved in a class action lawsuit. My hubby got a whopping $.21 from a class action lawsuit against EBAY. Whee, I feel rich already! Point is, when everyone is "entitled" to money, nobody gets much.
These people simply have an opinion and that opinion tries to paint the rest of us as imbeciles. And frankly, sometimes we are. We have knee-jerk reactions to things that we should be wisely countering. We go off and say ridiculous things that make the media circle us like sharks smelling blood in the water. It's embarrassing.
And just for drill, not one candidate for President is free of sin- everybody's got it. And I frankly don't give a darn about what kind or ilk it is. We just need strong leadership- which seems to be lacking in many areas. Sometimes the worst sinners make great leaders (evidenced by King David- murderer, adulterer, great king).
2. Christians are supposed to hold themselves to a higher standard than those reactions. "Bless those who curse you" is a case in point. Do we ever bless the President, or are we cursing him daily? I mean spiritually too- we are constantly griping, complaining, whining, and cursing in the name of "standing for the truth." Well, gang the truth is in the New Testament, and He commands us to bless and not curse. If we want a new President, if we want God's best for us, WILL WE OBEY HIM? WILL WE GET THE MESSAGE?
I sincerely doubt that Christianity will get it. We're on an I-hate-Obama roll. Whether we like him or not is irrelevant- we are supposed to obey the Lord's Word and bless him. Until we do so, we are in for a ride. Defeating Obama can only happen when the Body of Christ unites to obey the Word of God.
1. The government is hell-bent toward dropping America into Communism/Socialism in the name of "fairness." Most of the folks who subscribe to that philosophy don't know jack about what it means to follow that path. "Spreading the wealth" --money to everyone means that no one gets any except the top level- I can prove that by what happens when you get millions of people involved in a class action lawsuit. My hubby got a whopping $.21 from a class action lawsuit against EBAY. Whee, I feel rich already! Point is, when everyone is "entitled" to money, nobody gets much.
These people simply have an opinion and that opinion tries to paint the rest of us as imbeciles. And frankly, sometimes we are. We have knee-jerk reactions to things that we should be wisely countering. We go off and say ridiculous things that make the media circle us like sharks smelling blood in the water. It's embarrassing.
And just for drill, not one candidate for President is free of sin- everybody's got it. And I frankly don't give a darn about what kind or ilk it is. We just need strong leadership- which seems to be lacking in many areas. Sometimes the worst sinners make great leaders (evidenced by King David- murderer, adulterer, great king).
2. Christians are supposed to hold themselves to a higher standard than those reactions. "Bless those who curse you" is a case in point. Do we ever bless the President, or are we cursing him daily? I mean spiritually too- we are constantly griping, complaining, whining, and cursing in the name of "standing for the truth." Well, gang the truth is in the New Testament, and He commands us to bless and not curse. If we want a new President, if we want God's best for us, WILL WE OBEY HIM? WILL WE GET THE MESSAGE?
I sincerely doubt that Christianity will get it. We're on an I-hate-Obama roll. Whether we like him or not is irrelevant- we are supposed to obey the Lord's Word and bless him. Until we do so, we are in for a ride. Defeating Obama can only happen when the Body of Christ unites to obey the Word of God.
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