"A people who still remembered that their ancestors had been the masters of the world would have applauded, with conscious pride, the representation of ancient freedom, if they had not long since been accustomed to prefer the solid assurance of bread to the unsubstantial visions of liberty and greatness."
Edward Gibbon the Decline and Fall of Rome
"You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children (America), the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness. If we fail, at least let our children and our children's children say of us we justified our brief moment here. We did all that could be done." -- Ronald Reagan
"The opera ain’t over until the fat lady sings."
-- Texas Tech sports information director Ralph Carpenter, 1978
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Drug Trafficking: Why a change in District 7 is needed
Dennis Wagner begins a story series in the Arizona Republic that reinforces the need for removing Raul Grijalva as District 7's representative in the US House. Wagner describes the 2006 murder of Ymer Orozco, a 46-year-old former milk delivery driver who quit his job and volunteered to help detectives bust major cocaine dealers. Without going into details, Orozco's death reiterates the the control drug Cartels have over our state, a major route for drugs into the US. As the representative for District 7, Grijalva is the designated go to guy for the border region where, according to Wagner, more Cartel drugs enter the US than any other point of entry. What has Grijalva done about stopping the flow? What legislation have we seen from his office for border security? Stopping the flow of weapons across the border? Here is a list of the items on Grijalva's agenda, from his website:
Legislation Introduced by Rep. Grijalva in the 111th Congress:
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HR 324 - The Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area Act
Establishes the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area in Arizona. Designates the Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance, Inc. as the management entity for the Area. HR 325 - The Avra/Black Wash Reclamation and Riparian Restoration Project
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with Pima County, AZ, to participate in the planning, design, and construction of water recycling facilities and to enhance and restore riparian habitat in the Black Wash Sonoran Desert ecosystem.HR 326 - The Cocopah Lands Act
Provides that if the Cocopah Indian Tribe of Arizona transfers title to certain described land to the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary shall take it into trust for the benefit of the Tribe, if there are no adverse legal claims to it, including outstanding liens, mortgages, or taxes owed. Considers such land to be part of the Tribe's initial reservation. Prohibits its use for gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.HR 404 - The National Landscape Conservation System Act
Establishes in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) the National Landscape Conservation System (thus, enacting into law the National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS) created by BLM in 2000) in order to conserve, protect, and restore nationally significant landscapes that have outstanding cultural, ecological, and scientific values for the benefit of current and future generations.-
HR 644 - Grand Canyon Watersheds Protection Act of 2009
To withdraw the Tusayan Ranger District and Federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management in the vicinity of Kanab Creek and in House Rock Valley from location, entry, and patent under the mining laws, and for other purposes. -
HR 715 - The Saguaro National Park Boundary Expansion and Study Act of 2009
The bill would enable the Park Service to purchase from willing sellers 283 acres adjacent to the Park's East Unit, including three miles of an important creek, and 300 acres adjacent to the West Unit.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Why Wilson is not a Liar and the President Is
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a tear-filled appeal to Republicans to yesterday to "tone down the rhetoric" on health care reform because she fears it will result actions like the murder of Harvey Milk. Huh?
Harvey Milk was not assassinated by Right Wing political activists as Pelosi indicates. The violence of the 70s in San Francisco was from left wing activists, not conservatives. Enough of Pelosi's lies in an attempt to get people to stop exercising their free speech.
On to the President.
Pelosi's comments came on the eve of her move to censure House member Joe Wilson for shouting "you lie!" during a presidential speech. Pelosi initially accepted an apology from Wilson, then decided his actions demanded a reprimand on the floor of the House. Pelosi agreed to a "Resolution of Disapproval."
Ann Coulter in her column this week responded to Pelosi's charge. According to Coulter:
"There are a number of theories about why America's greatest living statesman shouted "You lie!" at that juncture, but mine is that Wilson said it because Obama told a big, fat stinking lie.
"illegal aliens are excluded from precisely one section of the thousand-page, goodie-laden health care bill: Section 246, which distributes taxpayer-funded "affordability credits" to people who can't afford to pay for their own health care.
"Even this minor restriction on taxpayer largesse to illegals will immediately be overturned by the courts. But the point is: Except for vouchers, the bill does not even pretend to exclude illegals from any part of national health care -- including the taxpayer-funded health insurance plan."
Harvey Milk was not assassinated by Right Wing political activists as Pelosi indicates. The violence of the 70s in San Francisco was from left wing activists, not conservatives. Enough of Pelosi's lies in an attempt to get people to stop exercising their free speech.
On to the President.
Pelosi's comments came on the eve of her move to censure House member Joe Wilson for shouting "you lie!" during a presidential speech. Pelosi initially accepted an apology from Wilson, then decided his actions demanded a reprimand on the floor of the House. Pelosi agreed to a "Resolution of Disapproval."
Ann Coulter in her column this week responded to Pelosi's charge. According to Coulter:
"There are a number of theories about why America's greatest living statesman shouted "You lie!" at that juncture, but mine is that Wilson said it because Obama told a big, fat stinking lie.
"illegal aliens are excluded from precisely one section of the thousand-page, goodie-laden health care bill: Section 246, which distributes taxpayer-funded "affordability credits" to people who can't afford to pay for their own health care.
"Even this minor restriction on taxpayer largesse to illegals will immediately be overturned by the courts. But the point is: Except for vouchers, the bill does not even pretend to exclude illegals from any part of national health care -- including the taxpayer-funded health insurance plan."
Monday, September 14, 2009
Why They Don't Teach Logic in Schools Anymore
Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear.
Thomas Jefferson
In its never-ending quest to convince us that we need Universal health insurance, the Obama administration is now comparing its plan for mandatory insurance to requirements for car insurance. Judson Berger has already torn this one apart on logic:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/14/health-insurance-mandate-works-like-auto-insurance-think/
I am wondering what the administration is thinking. To avoid mandatory auto insurance in Arizona, I just need to show that I don't use my car. Under Obamacare, can I claim that I don't get sick and therefore don't need insurance? Or is the administration implying that, like a right to health insurance and a home, everyone has a right to a car? Where do Obama's speechwriters come up with this logic? They, like most of this generation, are a product of schools and media which teach students to listen for the soundbite rather than think for themselves, to be a mirror of the urbane rather than a filter of the inane.
The result has meant a vacuum of our political system. Not only is politics full of corruption and immorality, we have lost the ability to detect it. Godly politicians who make moral errors are crucified, while wholesale corrupt politicians with shrewd marketing always survive.
It is time to ignore the slick marketing campaigns and apply business logic to our politicians. If a manager at McDonalds mismanaged funds, he or she would be fired. If your son or daughter was caught cheating in school, you would expect them to get a failing grade for the class. Our politicians should be no different. And yet, we have allowed ourselves to be duped into believing that politics is a game best managed by shifty contrivers, not honest workers. We can no longer afford to operate under such assumptions. it's time to throw the bums out.
Thomas Jefferson
In its never-ending quest to convince us that we need Universal health insurance, the Obama administration is now comparing its plan for mandatory insurance to requirements for car insurance. Judson Berger has already torn this one apart on logic:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/14/health-insurance-mandate-works-like-auto-insurance-think/
I am wondering what the administration is thinking. To avoid mandatory auto insurance in Arizona, I just need to show that I don't use my car. Under Obamacare, can I claim that I don't get sick and therefore don't need insurance? Or is the administration implying that, like a right to health insurance and a home, everyone has a right to a car? Where do Obama's speechwriters come up with this logic? They, like most of this generation, are a product of schools and media which teach students to listen for the soundbite rather than think for themselves, to be a mirror of the urbane rather than a filter of the inane.
The result has meant a vacuum of our political system. Not only is politics full of corruption and immorality, we have lost the ability to detect it. Godly politicians who make moral errors are crucified, while wholesale corrupt politicians with shrewd marketing always survive.
It is time to ignore the slick marketing campaigns and apply business logic to our politicians. If a manager at McDonalds mismanaged funds, he or she would be fired. If your son or daughter was caught cheating in school, you would expect them to get a failing grade for the class. Our politicians should be no different. And yet, we have allowed ourselves to be duped into believing that politics is a game best managed by shifty contrivers, not honest workers. We can no longer afford to operate under such assumptions. it's time to throw the bums out.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Hope and Change--a Contrast in Leadership
In 1964, Ronald Reagan spoke at the Republican Nomination of Barry Goldwater for president. In that election, Goldwater lost in one of the biggest landslides in history to Lyndon B. Johnson, who carried the torch of John F. Kennedy into office. Reagan's speech became a manifesto for the Conservative movement that led to his election as governor of California in 1966 and a landslide election as president 14 years later.
In the waning years of the Reagan era, his vice president, George Bush (the senior) chose as his running mate a young Congressman by the name of Dan Quayle (who had 12 years experience in the Senate). During the VP debates, Quayle was sniped famously by Lloyd Benson for comparing his experience to that of John F. Kennedy (who struggled in foreign policy and relied heavily on supply side economic policies to maintain a robust economy):
In 2000, Barak Obama gave a speech to the Democratic National Convention and Democrats began salivating; they had the "Ronald Reagan of the modern era." Eight years later we see the Democratic "savior" swept into office, enacting policies that would make even Lyndon Johnson shout "Save our Constitution!" Today thousands of Americans, who lived through the seventies can forcefully say: "Senator Obama, I remember Ronald Reagan, I trusted Ronald Reagan. Mr. Obama, you're no Ronald Reagan."
The following is a comparison of speeches on the issues that matter, between Ronald Reagan, the "Great Communicator" and Barak Obama, the "Great Windbag." Watch and learn, America:
In the waning years of the Reagan era, his vice president, George Bush (the senior) chose as his running mate a young Congressman by the name of Dan Quayle (who had 12 years experience in the Senate). During the VP debates, Quayle was sniped famously by Lloyd Benson for comparing his experience to that of John F. Kennedy (who struggled in foreign policy and relied heavily on supply side economic policies to maintain a robust economy):
- Quayle: Three times that I've had this question — and I will try to answer it again for you, as clearly as I can, because the question you're asking is, "What kind of qualifications does Dan Quayle have to be president," "What kind of qualifications do I have," and "What would I do in this kind of a situation?" And what would I do in this situation? [...] I have far more experience than many others that sought the office of vice president of this country. I have as much experience in the Congress as Jack Kennedy did when he sought the presidency. I will be prepared to deal with the people in the Bush administration, if that unfortunate event would ever occur.
- Judy Woodruff: Senator [Bentsen]?
In 2000, Barak Obama gave a speech to the Democratic National Convention and Democrats began salivating; they had the "Ronald Reagan of the modern era." Eight years later we see the Democratic "savior" swept into office, enacting policies that would make even Lyndon Johnson shout "Save our Constitution!" Today thousands of Americans, who lived through the seventies can forcefully say: "Senator Obama, I remember Ronald Reagan, I trusted Ronald Reagan. Mr. Obama, you're no Ronald Reagan."
The following is a comparison of speeches on the issues that matter, between Ronald Reagan, the "Great Communicator" and Barak Obama, the "Great Windbag." Watch and learn, America:
Friday, September 11, 2009
Remember that Day?
As we watch our President negotiate with terrorist states, castigate our intelligence services, and cut military spending REMEMBER. Lest we forget the sights and the sounds of that day, please revisit what it was like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Mz0_x7313I
I can hear you, the rest of the world can hear you and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.
George W. Bush
One thing that can be said of George Bush in contrast to the man who now occupies the White House: George Bush KEPT his promises.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Mz0_x7313I
I can hear you, the rest of the world can hear you and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.
George W. Bush
One thing that can be said of George Bush in contrast to the man who now occupies the White House: George Bush KEPT his promises.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Death by Suicide
"Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step over the ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never! -- All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Bonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a Thousand years. At what point, then, is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide."
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln lived to see some of the worst of American government in action during the
Civil War. Corruption, inaction, graft, selfish profiteering; all were a part of American government during the Civil War. but Lincoln also saw the tremendous sacrifice of Americans on the battlefield and on the home front. It is not the government of the United States that determines the destiny of our country, Lincoln posed, it is the people. Their willingness to find the common good and sacrifice despite the ineptness of a corrupt and inefficient government.
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln lived to see some of the worst of American government in action during the
Civil War. Corruption, inaction, graft, selfish profiteering; all were a part of American government during the Civil War. but Lincoln also saw the tremendous sacrifice of Americans on the battlefield and on the home front. It is not the government of the United States that determines the destiny of our country, Lincoln posed, it is the people. Their willingness to find the common good and sacrifice despite the ineptness of a corrupt and inefficient government.
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Who am I? Like yourself, I am a concerned citizen who is sick of elected officials who's only concern is their own political future. In 1994 I moved to southern Arizona to work and live because of the large number of jobs being created in this fabulous state. Like most Arizonans I value the freedom of economic opportunity that this state is known for and that has helped us to thrive. Unfortunately, many politicians, having passed themselves off as sharing these values, now promote a socialistic agenda, wanting to spend the wealth that Arizonan's create on large government and programs that stifle creativity and initiative. I wish to be a voice in opposition to these charlatans. Enjoy my blog.
