Those who know me well know that I am a Star Trek nut...Trekkie if you prefer. I even have the original Star Trek theme as my ring tone on my cell phone (it's true).
As I was looking at the morning news all I could hear was Mr Spock saying; "It's not logical, Captain." What is not logical you might ask? This BS that everyone in this country now has the right to say that we are offended.
Well guess what...I am offended at your being offended.
Something people living in this country had better come to realize is that at some point in your day you are going to be offended. There is not a darned thing you can do about it. Don't believe me? Let's just take a look at the latest rounds of "I Am Offended" that is in the news and see how things could play out. (Sounds like a new game show..."I Am Offended" here is your host Don Imus).
Do you folks realize that President-Elect Obama is planning on having someone say an invocation (that is prayer for you rednecks out there) at his inauguration? Now we have the atheists that are all up in arms over having an invocation and In God We Trust stamped on our currency (that means money). Okay, I think we can all agree that we cannot have it both ways. Either God is part of our society or God ain't. There is no middle of the road. Why? Because the atheist would never accept the middle of the road. Groups like that never will. So either they are offended because God remains a part of the great US of A or the Christian is offended because the right to religion has been taken away. Who wins? No one does. In fact we all loose.
You see, I am more concerned about the infringement of rights on individuals than I am about someone having to see the words In God We Trust on the dollar bill. Let's take the gay RIGHTS movement as an example. There are people out there who are being denied the basic rights of marriage or civil unions which fails to provide them with the same rights as hetero married couples. My wife is the one who decides my care if I am in an accident. My wife has the right to come see me in the hospital. That is not true for committed gay couples and that is infringing on their civil rights.
If you are an atheist and do not like in God We Trust on your cash then do not use cash. Use credit cards and debit cards. There is a way around your problem. You can chose not to believe in God and that hurts no one but yourself.
There are always going to be areas where we are offended. Even with what I said about gays and civil rights I am still offended when I see gay couples holding hands or kissing in public. But you see that is MY problem...not theirs. If I don't like to see it then I can find another restaurant or look the other way.
It's just like the old saying, don't like what's on the radio? Turn it off or change the damned channel.
Some of us need to change the channel.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
The Plane Trip Wasn't Enough?
You gotta love the US Auto makers. Or at least admire the golden orbs called balls that they are carrying around.
If they didn't learn enough about pissing the US taxpayer off with their little trip to Washington aboard individual private jets, I hope they can learn the lesson now.
It seems Chrysler felt that they needed to say thanks to the US taxpayer by taking full page ads in three big US newspapers. Ads that cost around $200,000 each. Just to tell this fat bastard in Mississippi thank you.
Well let us get one thing straight Mr. Chrysler, I did not approve of the bail out you clowns got. You wanna blow smoke up some ones skirt might I suggest another road trip to DC. There is the teat you should be sucking on. Or are already sucking on.
You would think that a CEO of a large company like Chrysler, Ford and GM, would have to have a lot going for him upstairs. I mean one would think that these guys are like smart. But obviously that is not the case. Evidenced by how they have run the auto companies in the ground and how they not only fail to learn from their own mistakes, but the mistakes of the mortgage industry. I seem to recall those parties after they got the bail out money.
But at least someone got a massage with a happy ending from the parties that the top brass at those financial institutions had. Here I get to look at a front page add that says; "F&%K YOU" to the US taxpayer.
And through all of this our elected officials just sit back and let us take it up the old shoot. Oh...now congress wants the mortgage companies to explain where the hell the money went. How was that not part of the deal in the first place? This is not a 5-year old and his allowance for heaven's sake. This is BILLIONS of OUR dollars and you the elected have no idea where the cash is going and what it is being used for. Oh, and it's not like you asked for an accounting of the money spent...YOU NEVER ASKED. It was never part of the deal.
Here it is almost 2009. You know what...2010 will be here before you know it. That will be our next chance to truly make a change in Washington. Our next chance to take out our own full page ad that says "get the hell out of my face" to all those elected to the House and Senate. It will be here before you know it. Let us not forget.
If they didn't learn enough about pissing the US taxpayer off with their little trip to Washington aboard individual private jets, I hope they can learn the lesson now.
It seems Chrysler felt that they needed to say thanks to the US taxpayer by taking full page ads in three big US newspapers. Ads that cost around $200,000 each. Just to tell this fat bastard in Mississippi thank you.
Well let us get one thing straight Mr. Chrysler, I did not approve of the bail out you clowns got. You wanna blow smoke up some ones skirt might I suggest another road trip to DC. There is the teat you should be sucking on. Or are already sucking on.
You would think that a CEO of a large company like Chrysler, Ford and GM, would have to have a lot going for him upstairs. I mean one would think that these guys are like smart. But obviously that is not the case. Evidenced by how they have run the auto companies in the ground and how they not only fail to learn from their own mistakes, but the mistakes of the mortgage industry. I seem to recall those parties after they got the bail out money.
But at least someone got a massage with a happy ending from the parties that the top brass at those financial institutions had. Here I get to look at a front page add that says; "F&%K YOU" to the US taxpayer.
And through all of this our elected officials just sit back and let us take it up the old shoot. Oh...now congress wants the mortgage companies to explain where the hell the money went. How was that not part of the deal in the first place? This is not a 5-year old and his allowance for heaven's sake. This is BILLIONS of OUR dollars and you the elected have no idea where the cash is going and what it is being used for. Oh, and it's not like you asked for an accounting of the money spent...YOU NEVER ASKED. It was never part of the deal.
Here it is almost 2009. You know what...2010 will be here before you know it. That will be our next chance to truly make a change in Washington. Our next chance to take out our own full page ad that says "get the hell out of my face" to all those elected to the House and Senate. It will be here before you know it. Let us not forget.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Time to say goodbye
I started doing internet broadcasting on June 16, 2008. I started on a site called NowLive.com. NowLive claimed that it was a social broadcasting site. To me when I first joined on May 31st it seemed to be nothing more than a glorified chat room, which, by the way, I hated.
As I started listening I found that it was more than that. You could actually call in and interact live. Now, that I liked.
I really must thank NowLive for introducing me not only to internet broadcasting but also to some people who have become very dear to me.
First, there is Baddog. When I first went into his show (Dog House with Baddog) I found him to be a very quiet laid back person. Now I have found that when he is like that you had better find something and hold on cause something is about to happen. I became his co-host and we have had a great time together. I love this man and his family. They are actually really part of the family now. Our son married his daughter. Incestuous little group aren’t we.
As I listened to the Dog House I was introduced to two brothers who are from Alabama. I found out that Meroll and C-roll had a show called Brotherly Love which seemed to be about anything but love. But then given my dad’s family, I was used to that. I soon became a regular caller on that show as well.
This little group of people was becoming very close. So close in fact that that right before Christmas 2007 on the Dog House with the help of Meroll and C-roll, Smokin and I renewed our wedding vows. It was December 23, 2007, our 35th wedding anniversary. We spent it with our family on NowLive.
While NowLive grew there was a force at work that I think started the sites decline. The advent of the NETWORK.
I can see networks for radio and TV. In the future there may be something to networks on internet radio/TV. But at the stage this was in last year this was just a joke. It was people looking for power and they found people who were willing to give theirs up. All for the promise of some cold hard cash. No cold hard cash ever developed. But the chasm that developed on the site was proving to be very destructive. Friends were turned against friends as one network would not allow its members to promote shows outside of their own network. This was something that Baddog, Meroll, C-roll and I could never agree to. We believed in supporting all shows on NowLive thus promoting the site. Although all of us were approached to join these networks, we declined. This rattled some cages and angered some people. But we stayed true to running our individual shows the way we wanted.
Here is where our next character in the cast enters. Actually, I had been working with Pastor Rick Hope for some time. He was running a show called Challenge from the Heart. A show designed to get people talking about Jesus Christ. An off-shoot of that show was Sunday Morning with Pastor Rick. Yep…our very own NowLive internet church service. Complete with a sermon by Pastor Rick and some Christian based music. That show was picked up as a featured show on NowLive and was also broadcast on Yuwie radio. The family had grown by one as Pastor Rick became our pastor. PastorRick also officiated when we renewed our wedding vows.
There is one other accomplishment of note I would like to mention here. In August, 2007, the staff of NowLive asked for someone to step forward and try to break the website by doing a marathon show. Baddog stepped up and accepted the challenge. With the help of his wife, SexyShelly (and the name is appropriate), and his daughter Amanda and a cast of several others including the rest of the “family” we ran a show for 137 hours. The only down time was when the site crashed (they told us they wanted us to break it). Those breaks were very short, only a matter of minutes, and we were back on the air. The marathon consisted of 137 hours of interactive comedy. Music was played to allow the occasional trip to the outhouse (hey, we are rednecks) and to throw down some groceries. Then back at it. I want to make it clear that this was all Baddog, SexyShelly and Amanda. All the rest of us did was call in and lend give someone to talk to and play off of. All we did was support, but it did cement the family in a way that all of us would never imagine.
With all of the network stuff on the site continuing it was only a matter of time before we created our own network. For no other purpose than to piss off those that were running networks. When the Redneck Radio Network started it boasted two shows that were featured on NowLive. Brotherly Love and the Dog House with Baddog. Wakeup Call with Broken and Smokin joined the ranks as featured in July, 2008. That gave the “network” three featured shows. No other network could boast that. But in fact we were really a network. We were just a group of friends having poking fun at other people and having fun doing it.
All this time things on NowLive really started going south. One of the premier acts on the site left to join another site. Ester Goldberg and “That’s Estertainment” could be looked at as the clash of the rednecks with Hollywood. This was because that “skinny little bama bitch,” Meroll and that “fat mutha fucka,” brokenpole, along with C-roll would be found in virtually every That’s Estertainment complaining about the smell of wolf pussy. Baddog may not have been on the callers list a lot. But he was definitely in the chat stirring up the pot.
While Ester had left on her own terms, others were forced to leave because of finances. Such shows and Morning Wood (later Goober and the Viking) and Buttafuco and Nads were soon off the air. Replaced by shows that wanted to do nothing more than make the mouths of young pre-pubescent males’ water by shaking breasts on cam. Oh the site traffic went up. NowLive became the T&A network.
Not that the Redneck Radio Network didn’t have some fun with it. We had picked up another family member along the way. A gay pervert named Jessie Odell. So let’s see…you take on part Michigan redneck blend together with one big fat ass Mississippi redneck then stir in two-parts bama redneck and put in that touch of gay and what do you have? I have no idea but it is funny as hell. It was Jessie that had fun with a caller on night who called another show on NowLive and somehow got connected to the Dog House. By the time we were done some woman host on NowLive was supposed to get a picture of an erect penis in exchange for on pair of worn panties. The Forbadden Show was never more fun I can tell ya that.
Marty and C-roll created a “show within a show” by turning Brotherly Love into a cross between Judge Judy and Jerry Springer. They held the Brotherly Love Court of Public Opinion. Meroll and C-roll were the judges. Baddog was Chief Prosecutor (although the only thing I think he ever prosecuted was a beer). Myself? I became the “Drunk Bailiff.” Thus started one of the greatest lines in all of internet radio history. “Bailiff, whack his pee-pee.” While the Brotherly Love Court of Public Opinion was short lived, it cemented the relationship of four people. We found we worked well together and enjoyed making each other, as well as the audience, laugh.
But with the funny side of things there was the almost constant barrage of people who would come into shows and just act like total morons. Some would actually call but most were just in the chat. We had fun with more than one of them but in the end it just became too much. So we went to the staff of NowLive for help. What we got was a heapin helpin of “ain’t you happy that we have this site for you and it’s all free you don’t have to pay.” In chorus with that was a shit load of “we are so over worked and don’t have the time to get involved with all you little squabbles you will just have to handle them yourselves.”
You can imagine where this went. Especially given the fact that the show host had no ability to ban or block anyone from the show chat and in some cases even callers. Some would even magically un-mute themselves. So what now? Call a site admin. A person who is a volunteer and is given the power to ban people from the site. Never mind the fact that most of the people that were banned were let back on by some other admin or the staff. This also brought the staff down on us for over working the admins.
Finally in a user lead revolt we got the right to ban people from our show. Things went a little smoother after that. But the end had already started. Complaints to the site staff were always met with “you are getting this platform to use for free. Why are you complaining?”
I never said much to the assholes that ran the site at the time but WE WERE THE PEOPLE BRINGING IN THE SITE TRAFFIC YOUR MORONS!!!
That is something the assholes in charge of NowLive ever considered. That the user’s…those running shows…were what was bringing people to the site. Every time you brought up problem it was like pulling the cord on one of those old toy dolls. A recording would come on and say; “you aren’t paying anything why are you complaining”.
Now there is a sound business plan for ya…kick the people running shows in the balls and get them to leave. Will someone please explain to me how you are supposed to make money by having nothing but an AM/FM radio cast and some bullshit featured shows running on the site?
So the audio quality began to suffer. On the Dog House, a show that is interactive (for the NowLive staff that means we talk to each other) it is awful hard to do anything when you can’t hear the other people talking. Now it may sound like we complained a lot to the NowLive staff. Let me just state for the record that I was told many times that we were not the trouble we thought we were. That they wished they had others like us. Okay…so maybe not. But we complained again.
My wife, smokinbeaver54, wrote a question in an open bulletin. I chose to put mine in the form of a comment to BigDog. Listed below are the answers we got.
posted by bigdog @ 11/23/2008 7:27:38 PMYes I have got the apology and I am sorry...I am basically not involved any more...the only way you can get good audio all the time is to use flash...the issue with call in shows and audio quality is when the site traffic goes up....I am very sorry for the issues but its out of my hands since i do not pay the bills and the people that do right now are trying to find ways in this bad economy to survive...do you think hosts would pay for call-in shows? thanks
posted by bigdog @ 11/21/2008 5:32:24 PMwhat not ask for help instead of posting stupid bulletins slamming the site (not you but the other half)...I would be happy to do some tests and see why you are having such issues...if you want to set up a time and do a test...or maybe explain exactly what the issue is that would be great...its not like i ignore you right?
First…when we asked for help all we got back was that we should be thankful we didn’t have to pay that the site was free. In the top message you can see where that was going. And we were not the only ones being pinched for cash by NowLive.
I got emails from other site members that told me similar stories. I will not post these messages here out of respect for these friends. Not out of respect for NowLive, frankly I could give a shit about them. But I do not want to hurt friends that for whatever reason want to maintain access on the site. Just know that sooner or later members who want to run a call in type show will have to pay for it. Even if you pay I think the site will continue to go downhill and that is really a shame.
The other answer offered by the NowLive staff is to run what are called “flash shows”. This is a show run via webcam and microphone with not callers allowed and no podcast. Well Bigdog let me remind you of a few things that I have told you about before. The flash shows suck ass. If someone does co-host on cam the delay is terrible. Not to mention that the audio quality is NOT what you say it is. I have tried running flash shows and the audio was reported to be “shitty” by the listeners. In addition, I have been in the chat for these shows and I will state that the audio is worse than shitty.
On December 1, 2008 the Dog House with Baddog started at its normal time of 7 PM ET. But we lasted less than 15 minutes because of the audio quality on the site. Baddog decided to shut it down and immediately went to Usteam.tv and have stayed there ever since.
So one on hand I need to thank NowLive for allowing me to meet some very great people. People who I have become very close with. A couple I have even met person to person. Several have even broke bread at my table and I at theirs. A few others I hope to meet face to face in the very near future.
But I have to say that I hate the bastards for destroying something that was wonderful. A whole community of people that would support each other and help each other. For that NowLive I say a hardy FUCK ALL YA’LL.
So if you want excellent audio and video quality come over and join us on ustream.tv. Just follow the links below stop by and say howdy!!
Dog House with Baddog (M – F at 7 PM ET)
www.ustream.tv/channel/doghousewithbaddog
Redneck Radio News (Sun at 7:30 PM ET)
www.ustream.tv/channel/redneck-radio-news
Wakeup Call with Broken and Smokin (Sat 9 AM ET)
www.ustream.tv/channel/wakeup-call-with-broken-and-smokin
Sunday Mornings with Pastor Rick (Sun at 9 AM ET)
www.ustream.tv/channel/sunday-mornings-with-pastor-rick
Bible Study with Brokenpole (Sun 10:45 ET)
www.ustream.tv/channel/bible-study-with-brokenpole
As I started listening I found that it was more than that. You could actually call in and interact live. Now, that I liked.
I really must thank NowLive for introducing me not only to internet broadcasting but also to some people who have become very dear to me.
First, there is Baddog. When I first went into his show (Dog House with Baddog) I found him to be a very quiet laid back person. Now I have found that when he is like that you had better find something and hold on cause something is about to happen. I became his co-host and we have had a great time together. I love this man and his family. They are actually really part of the family now. Our son married his daughter. Incestuous little group aren’t we.
As I listened to the Dog House I was introduced to two brothers who are from Alabama. I found out that Meroll and C-roll had a show called Brotherly Love which seemed to be about anything but love. But then given my dad’s family, I was used to that. I soon became a regular caller on that show as well.
This little group of people was becoming very close. So close in fact that that right before Christmas 2007 on the Dog House with the help of Meroll and C-roll, Smokin and I renewed our wedding vows. It was December 23, 2007, our 35th wedding anniversary. We spent it with our family on NowLive.
While NowLive grew there was a force at work that I think started the sites decline. The advent of the NETWORK.
I can see networks for radio and TV. In the future there may be something to networks on internet radio/TV. But at the stage this was in last year this was just a joke. It was people looking for power and they found people who were willing to give theirs up. All for the promise of some cold hard cash. No cold hard cash ever developed. But the chasm that developed on the site was proving to be very destructive. Friends were turned against friends as one network would not allow its members to promote shows outside of their own network. This was something that Baddog, Meroll, C-roll and I could never agree to. We believed in supporting all shows on NowLive thus promoting the site. Although all of us were approached to join these networks, we declined. This rattled some cages and angered some people. But we stayed true to running our individual shows the way we wanted.
Here is where our next character in the cast enters. Actually, I had been working with Pastor Rick Hope for some time. He was running a show called Challenge from the Heart. A show designed to get people talking about Jesus Christ. An off-shoot of that show was Sunday Morning with Pastor Rick. Yep…our very own NowLive internet church service. Complete with a sermon by Pastor Rick and some Christian based music. That show was picked up as a featured show on NowLive and was also broadcast on Yuwie radio. The family had grown by one as Pastor Rick became our pastor. PastorRick also officiated when we renewed our wedding vows.
There is one other accomplishment of note I would like to mention here. In August, 2007, the staff of NowLive asked for someone to step forward and try to break the website by doing a marathon show. Baddog stepped up and accepted the challenge. With the help of his wife, SexyShelly (and the name is appropriate), and his daughter Amanda and a cast of several others including the rest of the “family” we ran a show for 137 hours. The only down time was when the site crashed (they told us they wanted us to break it). Those breaks were very short, only a matter of minutes, and we were back on the air. The marathon consisted of 137 hours of interactive comedy. Music was played to allow the occasional trip to the outhouse (hey, we are rednecks) and to throw down some groceries. Then back at it. I want to make it clear that this was all Baddog, SexyShelly and Amanda. All the rest of us did was call in and lend give someone to talk to and play off of. All we did was support, but it did cement the family in a way that all of us would never imagine.
With all of the network stuff on the site continuing it was only a matter of time before we created our own network. For no other purpose than to piss off those that were running networks. When the Redneck Radio Network started it boasted two shows that were featured on NowLive. Brotherly Love and the Dog House with Baddog. Wakeup Call with Broken and Smokin joined the ranks as featured in July, 2008. That gave the “network” three featured shows. No other network could boast that. But in fact we were really a network. We were just a group of friends having poking fun at other people and having fun doing it.
All this time things on NowLive really started going south. One of the premier acts on the site left to join another site. Ester Goldberg and “That’s Estertainment” could be looked at as the clash of the rednecks with Hollywood. This was because that “skinny little bama bitch,” Meroll and that “fat mutha fucka,” brokenpole, along with C-roll would be found in virtually every That’s Estertainment complaining about the smell of wolf pussy. Baddog may not have been on the callers list a lot. But he was definitely in the chat stirring up the pot.
While Ester had left on her own terms, others were forced to leave because of finances. Such shows and Morning Wood (later Goober and the Viking) and Buttafuco and Nads were soon off the air. Replaced by shows that wanted to do nothing more than make the mouths of young pre-pubescent males’ water by shaking breasts on cam. Oh the site traffic went up. NowLive became the T&A network.
Not that the Redneck Radio Network didn’t have some fun with it. We had picked up another family member along the way. A gay pervert named Jessie Odell. So let’s see…you take on part Michigan redneck blend together with one big fat ass Mississippi redneck then stir in two-parts bama redneck and put in that touch of gay and what do you have? I have no idea but it is funny as hell. It was Jessie that had fun with a caller on night who called another show on NowLive and somehow got connected to the Dog House. By the time we were done some woman host on NowLive was supposed to get a picture of an erect penis in exchange for on pair of worn panties. The Forbadden Show was never more fun I can tell ya that.
Marty and C-roll created a “show within a show” by turning Brotherly Love into a cross between Judge Judy and Jerry Springer. They held the Brotherly Love Court of Public Opinion. Meroll and C-roll were the judges. Baddog was Chief Prosecutor (although the only thing I think he ever prosecuted was a beer). Myself? I became the “Drunk Bailiff.” Thus started one of the greatest lines in all of internet radio history. “Bailiff, whack his pee-pee.” While the Brotherly Love Court of Public Opinion was short lived, it cemented the relationship of four people. We found we worked well together and enjoyed making each other, as well as the audience, laugh.
But with the funny side of things there was the almost constant barrage of people who would come into shows and just act like total morons. Some would actually call but most were just in the chat. We had fun with more than one of them but in the end it just became too much. So we went to the staff of NowLive for help. What we got was a heapin helpin of “ain’t you happy that we have this site for you and it’s all free you don’t have to pay.” In chorus with that was a shit load of “we are so over worked and don’t have the time to get involved with all you little squabbles you will just have to handle them yourselves.”
You can imagine where this went. Especially given the fact that the show host had no ability to ban or block anyone from the show chat and in some cases even callers. Some would even magically un-mute themselves. So what now? Call a site admin. A person who is a volunteer and is given the power to ban people from the site. Never mind the fact that most of the people that were banned were let back on by some other admin or the staff. This also brought the staff down on us for over working the admins.
Finally in a user lead revolt we got the right to ban people from our show. Things went a little smoother after that. But the end had already started. Complaints to the site staff were always met with “you are getting this platform to use for free. Why are you complaining?”
I never said much to the assholes that ran the site at the time but WE WERE THE PEOPLE BRINGING IN THE SITE TRAFFIC YOUR MORONS!!!
That is something the assholes in charge of NowLive ever considered. That the user’s…those running shows…were what was bringing people to the site. Every time you brought up problem it was like pulling the cord on one of those old toy dolls. A recording would come on and say; “you aren’t paying anything why are you complaining”.
Now there is a sound business plan for ya…kick the people running shows in the balls and get them to leave. Will someone please explain to me how you are supposed to make money by having nothing but an AM/FM radio cast and some bullshit featured shows running on the site?
So the audio quality began to suffer. On the Dog House, a show that is interactive (for the NowLive staff that means we talk to each other) it is awful hard to do anything when you can’t hear the other people talking. Now it may sound like we complained a lot to the NowLive staff. Let me just state for the record that I was told many times that we were not the trouble we thought we were. That they wished they had others like us. Okay…so maybe not. But we complained again.
My wife, smokinbeaver54, wrote a question in an open bulletin. I chose to put mine in the form of a comment to BigDog. Listed below are the answers we got.
posted by bigdog @ 11/23/2008 7:27:38 PMYes I have got the apology and I am sorry...I am basically not involved any more...the only way you can get good audio all the time is to use flash...the issue with call in shows and audio quality is when the site traffic goes up....I am very sorry for the issues but its out of my hands since i do not pay the bills and the people that do right now are trying to find ways in this bad economy to survive...do you think hosts would pay for call-in shows? thanks
posted by bigdog @ 11/21/2008 5:32:24 PMwhat not ask for help instead of posting stupid bulletins slamming the site (not you but the other half)...I would be happy to do some tests and see why you are having such issues...if you want to set up a time and do a test...or maybe explain exactly what the issue is that would be great...its not like i ignore you right?
First…when we asked for help all we got back was that we should be thankful we didn’t have to pay that the site was free. In the top message you can see where that was going. And we were not the only ones being pinched for cash by NowLive.
I got emails from other site members that told me similar stories. I will not post these messages here out of respect for these friends. Not out of respect for NowLive, frankly I could give a shit about them. But I do not want to hurt friends that for whatever reason want to maintain access on the site. Just know that sooner or later members who want to run a call in type show will have to pay for it. Even if you pay I think the site will continue to go downhill and that is really a shame.
The other answer offered by the NowLive staff is to run what are called “flash shows”. This is a show run via webcam and microphone with not callers allowed and no podcast. Well Bigdog let me remind you of a few things that I have told you about before. The flash shows suck ass. If someone does co-host on cam the delay is terrible. Not to mention that the audio quality is NOT what you say it is. I have tried running flash shows and the audio was reported to be “shitty” by the listeners. In addition, I have been in the chat for these shows and I will state that the audio is worse than shitty.
On December 1, 2008 the Dog House with Baddog started at its normal time of 7 PM ET. But we lasted less than 15 minutes because of the audio quality on the site. Baddog decided to shut it down and immediately went to Usteam.tv and have stayed there ever since.
So one on hand I need to thank NowLive for allowing me to meet some very great people. People who I have become very close with. A couple I have even met person to person. Several have even broke bread at my table and I at theirs. A few others I hope to meet face to face in the very near future.
But I have to say that I hate the bastards for destroying something that was wonderful. A whole community of people that would support each other and help each other. For that NowLive I say a hardy FUCK ALL YA’LL.
So if you want excellent audio and video quality come over and join us on ustream.tv. Just follow the links below stop by and say howdy!!
Dog House with Baddog (M – F at 7 PM ET)
www.ustream.tv/channel/doghousewithbaddog
Redneck Radio News (Sun at 7:30 PM ET)
www.ustream.tv/channel/redneck-radio-news
Wakeup Call with Broken and Smokin (Sat 9 AM ET)
www.ustream.tv/channel/wakeup-call-with-broken-and-smokin
Sunday Mornings with Pastor Rick (Sun at 9 AM ET)
www.ustream.tv/channel/sunday-mornings-with-pastor-rick
Bible Study with Brokenpole (Sun 10:45 ET)
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Thursday, December 11, 2008
We Need to Take Christmas Back
I got an email from a good friend yesterday. I forwarded it to folks in my email address book and I feel the need to reproduce it here. The title is "Twas the Month Before Christmas".
You know folks, if you don't want to celebrate Christmas that is alright with me. I have no issue with that. I will leave it to you how to explain to your kids how little Johnnie next door got a new bicycle for no apparent reason.
I won't even mind when you get a paid day off for a holiday that you have no intention of celebrating.
But how about just shutting the hell up and letting us have a little fun won't you. No one is telling you to sing the First Noel or Silent Night or God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen or O Come All Ye Faithful or Joy to the World or We Three Kings or O Come Let Us Adore Him. But darn it if I want to sing I sure as hell am going to sing.
I see no where in federal or state law where you are required to purchase and decorate a pine tree or any other tree for that matter. But if I want to put up a CHRISTMAS TREE I should be allowed to do it.
No police officer is going to ticket you or arrest you if you fail to say Merry Christmas to people you meet on the street. But neither should we be arrested for saying Merry Christmas in public where someone may be offended. If it offends you then maybe you should just lock yourself in your house from Thanksgiving til New Years Day.
I am a 54 year old kid and I love Christmas. I love everything about it. My youngest is 28 years old and I still get goose bumps watching her open presents. My 31 year old daughter is living with me now in Mississippi and I will have tears in my eyes as she opens her presents Christmas morning.
So I am going to wish you a Merry Christmas. Go ahead and get pissed or offended if you like. But you are not going to stop me.
Merry Christmas!!!!!!
Twas 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 - 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'.
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
*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 no where 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 were used to intimidate me.
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!
*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!
Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet during the
holidays a
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is 'The Reason' for the Christ-mas Season!
*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 - 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'.
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
*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 no where 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 were used to intimidate me.
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!
*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!
Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet during the
holidays a
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is 'The Reason' for the Christ-mas Season!
You know folks, if you don't want to celebrate Christmas that is alright with me. I have no issue with that. I will leave it to you how to explain to your kids how little Johnnie next door got a new bicycle for no apparent reason.
I won't even mind when you get a paid day off for a holiday that you have no intention of celebrating.
But how about just shutting the hell up and letting us have a little fun won't you. No one is telling you to sing the First Noel or Silent Night or God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen or O Come All Ye Faithful or Joy to the World or We Three Kings or O Come Let Us Adore Him. But darn it if I want to sing I sure as hell am going to sing.
I see no where in federal or state law where you are required to purchase and decorate a pine tree or any other tree for that matter. But if I want to put up a CHRISTMAS TREE I should be allowed to do it.
No police officer is going to ticket you or arrest you if you fail to say Merry Christmas to people you meet on the street. But neither should we be arrested for saying Merry Christmas in public where someone may be offended. If it offends you then maybe you should just lock yourself in your house from Thanksgiving til New Years Day.
I am a 54 year old kid and I love Christmas. I love everything about it. My youngest is 28 years old and I still get goose bumps watching her open presents. My 31 year old daughter is living with me now in Mississippi and I will have tears in my eyes as she opens her presents Christmas morning.
So I am going to wish you a Merry Christmas. Go ahead and get pissed or offended if you like. But you are not going to stop me.
Merry Christmas!!!!!!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Santa: Pinhead or Patriot
Anyone who watches the O'Reilly Factor on Fox news will recognize the words in the title of this blog.
On Tuesday, December 9, 2008, Mr. O'Reilly had Santa as a patriot in his usual segment. While I can agree that Santa may be a patriot I have to wonder about Mr. O'Reilly. Or is it Santa?
I tried to get a figure for how many service men and women will be away from their families this Christmas and I couldn't even come up with a good estimate. It is certainly in the thousands. In my time in the US Navy I spent time away from family during the holidays.
So "Santa" setting up a furlough so a 3-year old girl can see her daddy seems like a good thing. Certainly a heart warming story for Mr. O'Reilly to air on his program.
The story goes that the little girl told Santa that she wanted to see her daddy for Christmas. We are led to believe that some how this Santa arranged for a furlough so the daddy could come home and see the little girl. As I watched the tape of the little girl hugging her daddy and crying "I love you daddy" my heart melted. I think it was melted by the tears that welled up in my eyes.
But as the day has worn on my mind has started thinking about all of those other men and women. The other mom's and dad's that would love nothing more than to be able to come home for Christmas. My mind wandered to all these other children who saw that segment on Foxnews and now wonders why Santa was not able to bring their mommy or daddy home. To all the other mom's and dad's who are left at home to explain why their loved one cannot be home or worse yet...why Santa didn't work a miracle for them.
I can still remember Christmas of 1980. I had gotten out of the Navy in November and this was my first Christmas as a civilian. Yes...I worked Christmas day. But it was only an 8 hour shift. I also got 2.5 times my normal pay for working that day.
To the person in the service every day is the same. Christmas, New Years or your birthday they are all the same. All that day does is brings you one day closer to the date when you get out or retire. There is no extra pay and no bonus in your stocking.
Yet these courageous men and women are there fighting for us and for our freedom. They are away from home protecting us as well as their own loved ones. They are out there placing their lives on the line so people have the ability to put up signs denigrating the Christmas holiday. They are there protecting Bill O'Reilly and his right to free speech (as well as mine and yours). They are there fighting to protect even those who deface and burn the flag they defend with honor and their lives. You may not think that is so much. But believe me it is everything.
I wish that all the men and women serving in the armed forces could be with their families this Christmas. I wish that each of them could see and hug their children and watch them open their presents Christmas morning. But that is not going to happen.
So instead I will pray for each and everyone of these brave men and women. When I see one of them I will walk up to them and thank them for their service. It is the least I can do. It is all I can do.
In this time of year where we start thinking of New Years resolutions how about that one. To pray for our soldiers safety...everyday. To pray for the families of those that have fallen...everyday. To thank a soldier or sailor every time you see one.
To all our fine service men and women...thank you so much for your sacrifice for me and for this nation. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Most of all...God bless you and keep you and please be safe.
Jonathan Sparks
US Citizen and Veteran.
On Tuesday, December 9, 2008, Mr. O'Reilly had Santa as a patriot in his usual segment. While I can agree that Santa may be a patriot I have to wonder about Mr. O'Reilly. Or is it Santa?
I tried to get a figure for how many service men and women will be away from their families this Christmas and I couldn't even come up with a good estimate. It is certainly in the thousands. In my time in the US Navy I spent time away from family during the holidays.
So "Santa" setting up a furlough so a 3-year old girl can see her daddy seems like a good thing. Certainly a heart warming story for Mr. O'Reilly to air on his program.
The story goes that the little girl told Santa that she wanted to see her daddy for Christmas. We are led to believe that some how this Santa arranged for a furlough so the daddy could come home and see the little girl. As I watched the tape of the little girl hugging her daddy and crying "I love you daddy" my heart melted. I think it was melted by the tears that welled up in my eyes.
But as the day has worn on my mind has started thinking about all of those other men and women. The other mom's and dad's that would love nothing more than to be able to come home for Christmas. My mind wandered to all these other children who saw that segment on Foxnews and now wonders why Santa was not able to bring their mommy or daddy home. To all the other mom's and dad's who are left at home to explain why their loved one cannot be home or worse yet...why Santa didn't work a miracle for them.
I can still remember Christmas of 1980. I had gotten out of the Navy in November and this was my first Christmas as a civilian. Yes...I worked Christmas day. But it was only an 8 hour shift. I also got 2.5 times my normal pay for working that day.
To the person in the service every day is the same. Christmas, New Years or your birthday they are all the same. All that day does is brings you one day closer to the date when you get out or retire. There is no extra pay and no bonus in your stocking.
Yet these courageous men and women are there fighting for us and for our freedom. They are away from home protecting us as well as their own loved ones. They are out there placing their lives on the line so people have the ability to put up signs denigrating the Christmas holiday. They are there protecting Bill O'Reilly and his right to free speech (as well as mine and yours). They are there fighting to protect even those who deface and burn the flag they defend with honor and their lives. You may not think that is so much. But believe me it is everything.
I wish that all the men and women serving in the armed forces could be with their families this Christmas. I wish that each of them could see and hug their children and watch them open their presents Christmas morning. But that is not going to happen.
So instead I will pray for each and everyone of these brave men and women. When I see one of them I will walk up to them and thank them for their service. It is the least I can do. It is all I can do.
In this time of year where we start thinking of New Years resolutions how about that one. To pray for our soldiers safety...everyday. To pray for the families of those that have fallen...everyday. To thank a soldier or sailor every time you see one.
To all our fine service men and women...thank you so much for your sacrifice for me and for this nation. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Most of all...God bless you and keep you and please be safe.
Jonathan Sparks
US Citizen and Veteran.
Monday, December 8, 2008
An Apology
I need to give an apology. One that I am happy to give but is some what over due.
Before the election last month I published a series of blogs asking the people of the USA if they were awake. Wondering why, as a people, we keep electing politicians who are clearly cheating us while collecting a pay check from the American tax payer.
Well evidently the voters of Alaska and Louisiana are awake and are fully aware of what is going on. Evidence Mr. William Jefferson (D-LA) and Mr. Ted Stevens (R-AK).
Mr. Stevens was an joined the US Senate in 1968. In case you are not aware he was recently found guilty of corruption but said he would not resign from the Senate. Well the voters of Alaska did that for Mr. Steven's sending the old man packing. Fortunately he will not be part of the upcoming 111th Congress which meets right before Mr. Obama takes the oath of office.
Mr. Jefferson was elected to the House of Representatives in 1991. Most recently Mr. Jefferson has been the target of some federal investigations where, according to published reports, some $90,000 in cold cash was found in Mr. Jefferson's freezer. Now I realize that a person is innocent until found guilty, but fortunately the people of Louisiana held Mr. Jefferson to a higher standard and also gave him an eviction notice from his seat in the House.
So there are people out there who are listening. The government didn't listen to us and bailed out the big banks. Note that the banks have been bailed out but that has done nothing for the poor American whose home is being foreclosed. The banks got there and the rest of us can go to hell.
Now we have the auto makers and again the American people are saying to let them fail. Instead our elected officials will ignore us and give them money.
Wake up people!!! Or do you just like giving money over to rich fat cats who have driven companies in the ground. Oh...and in this case "fat cats" means both Union and Management!!
Before the election last month I published a series of blogs asking the people of the USA if they were awake. Wondering why, as a people, we keep electing politicians who are clearly cheating us while collecting a pay check from the American tax payer.
Well evidently the voters of Alaska and Louisiana are awake and are fully aware of what is going on. Evidence Mr. William Jefferson (D-LA) and Mr. Ted Stevens (R-AK).
Mr. Stevens was an joined the US Senate in 1968. In case you are not aware he was recently found guilty of corruption but said he would not resign from the Senate. Well the voters of Alaska did that for Mr. Steven's sending the old man packing. Fortunately he will not be part of the upcoming 111th Congress which meets right before Mr. Obama takes the oath of office.
Mr. Jefferson was elected to the House of Representatives in 1991. Most recently Mr. Jefferson has been the target of some federal investigations where, according to published reports, some $90,000 in cold cash was found in Mr. Jefferson's freezer. Now I realize that a person is innocent until found guilty, but fortunately the people of Louisiana held Mr. Jefferson to a higher standard and also gave him an eviction notice from his seat in the House.
So there are people out there who are listening. The government didn't listen to us and bailed out the big banks. Note that the banks have been bailed out but that has done nothing for the poor American whose home is being foreclosed. The banks got there and the rest of us can go to hell.
Now we have the auto makers and again the American people are saying to let them fail. Instead our elected officials will ignore us and give them money.
Wake up people!!! Or do you just like giving money over to rich fat cats who have driven companies in the ground. Oh...and in this case "fat cats" means both Union and Management!!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Is a death enough to wake us up?
Let us not mix words here. We are all responsible for the death of Jdimytai Damour. Each and everyone of us. Me. You. All of us.
What does it take to make a society wake up and look at what is going on around them? Will the death of a man do it? One would certainly hope so.
And how about the 2000 people that were in line to enter that Walmart store that morning, how do they feel this morning? Was the death of Mr. Damour worth all the money they saved on those Christmas gifts? I hope it was. Personally I don't think I would be able to sleep at night if I knew that I had been there in line at that store on Friday and I helped cause the death of another human being.
If that were not bad enough there was the O.K. Corral shoot out in a Toys-R-Us store in Palm Desert, California, that resulted in two men dead. Two sets of kids that will be missing a parent for Christmas. I wonder how those two women that were fighting that started that whole mess feel this morning? Was it all worth it?
Personally I think the cost that has been paid is way too high.
The celebration of Christmas is the celebration of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. A man that came to earth to save each and every one of us. A man who showed, by his life and death, the perfect example of love. A man who showed compassion and mercy to all he met. Now to think that this his how we celebrate his birthday. We trample some Walmart greeter and have a shoot out in a toy store.
We complain about the terrorism and killing in the world. Yet we ourselves are so unconcerned about human life that we would trample a man to death and then have the audacity to complain to the store and the police when the store has to close because of the man's death.
Yes...we are all responsible. I know some of you are reading this and saying that I'm not responsible. I was no where near that store on Friday. May be not. But rest assured we all have a role in the man's death as well as the death of the two men in Toys-R-Us. How you ask?
We have done all we can do to remove the words "Merry Christmas" from our vocabulary. We have done all we can do to remove Christ from Christmas. We have done all we can do to remove Christ from our public schools. We have done all we can do to remove any reference to God in our lives. Should we expect anything different for our actions?
Again there might be those that say that they have not taken prayer out of schools, they have not take God out of our nation, that they have not taken Christ out of Christmas. If you have sat back and watched as this has happened, as I have, then you, like me, are guilty.
I submit to you that we are reaping what we have sowed. We want God out of everything and this is what we get for our trouble.
All I can say is that we had better pray that God is the forgiving and loving God we read about in the Bible. For if not then there are 2000 people that were in a line outside of a Walmart store in Nassau County New York who might not be forgiven. Forgiven for breaking one of those Ten Commandments that we want taken down...Thou Shalt Not Kill.
My prayers go out to the family of Mr. Damour. Look at what Thanksgiving will always mean to that family from now on.
I pray for all of those 2000 people who were at that Walmart Friday morning. I pray that they may find the forgiveness that only God provides.
I pray for the families of those two men in Palm Desert and their families that they can find a way to celebrate Christmas. I pray for the wives of the two men, that they may find a way to explain to their families why it happened. That they can find a way to explain to their children why daddy isn't there this Christmas.
I pray for each and every one of us. That we can find a way to make sense of all of this. That we can finally realize what it means to take prayer away from our children, to take God out of our society. What it means to take Christ out of Christmas.
What does it take to make a society wake up and look at what is going on around them? Will the death of a man do it? One would certainly hope so.
And how about the 2000 people that were in line to enter that Walmart store that morning, how do they feel this morning? Was the death of Mr. Damour worth all the money they saved on those Christmas gifts? I hope it was. Personally I don't think I would be able to sleep at night if I knew that I had been there in line at that store on Friday and I helped cause the death of another human being.
If that were not bad enough there was the O.K. Corral shoot out in a Toys-R-Us store in Palm Desert, California, that resulted in two men dead. Two sets of kids that will be missing a parent for Christmas. I wonder how those two women that were fighting that started that whole mess feel this morning? Was it all worth it?
Personally I think the cost that has been paid is way too high.
The celebration of Christmas is the celebration of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. A man that came to earth to save each and every one of us. A man who showed, by his life and death, the perfect example of love. A man who showed compassion and mercy to all he met. Now to think that this his how we celebrate his birthday. We trample some Walmart greeter and have a shoot out in a toy store.
We complain about the terrorism and killing in the world. Yet we ourselves are so unconcerned about human life that we would trample a man to death and then have the audacity to complain to the store and the police when the store has to close because of the man's death.
Yes...we are all responsible. I know some of you are reading this and saying that I'm not responsible. I was no where near that store on Friday. May be not. But rest assured we all have a role in the man's death as well as the death of the two men in Toys-R-Us. How you ask?
We have done all we can do to remove the words "Merry Christmas" from our vocabulary. We have done all we can do to remove Christ from Christmas. We have done all we can do to remove Christ from our public schools. We have done all we can do to remove any reference to God in our lives. Should we expect anything different for our actions?
Again there might be those that say that they have not taken prayer out of schools, they have not take God out of our nation, that they have not taken Christ out of Christmas. If you have sat back and watched as this has happened, as I have, then you, like me, are guilty.
I submit to you that we are reaping what we have sowed. We want God out of everything and this is what we get for our trouble.
All I can say is that we had better pray that God is the forgiving and loving God we read about in the Bible. For if not then there are 2000 people that were in a line outside of a Walmart store in Nassau County New York who might not be forgiven. Forgiven for breaking one of those Ten Commandments that we want taken down...Thou Shalt Not Kill.
My prayers go out to the family of Mr. Damour. Look at what Thanksgiving will always mean to that family from now on.
I pray for all of those 2000 people who were at that Walmart Friday morning. I pray that they may find the forgiveness that only God provides.
I pray for the families of those two men in Palm Desert and their families that they can find a way to celebrate Christmas. I pray for the wives of the two men, that they may find a way to explain to their families why it happened. That they can find a way to explain to their children why daddy isn't there this Christmas.
I pray for each and every one of us. That we can find a way to make sense of all of this. That we can finally realize what it means to take prayer away from our children, to take God out of our society. What it means to take Christ out of Christmas.
Monday, November 24, 2008
That is why you fail
A great and classic line from Star Wars. I think now this line may apply to the gay and lesbian community.
If you have not heard the dating website eharmony has just reached a settlement in a lawsuit that was filed in New Jersey. A gay man sued the website because if excluded homosexuals.
I guess the main operative word here is settled. I wish eharmony would have fought this lawsuit and stayed with it. Only in this day and age of being politically correct I guess there is no upside to doing that.
I have blogged on the homosexual topic a couple of times over the past year. I have said that I think voting for proposition 8 in California to ban gay marriage is a mistake. I have also said that sometimes the gay community is its own worst enemy. Instead of taking little bites from the apple they seem to want the whole damned thing all at once. Admittedly this might be a little hard for me to totally understand given the fact that I am not gay (although I was in the Navy and served in submarines). I have no idea how this makes these people feel. I have friends that are gay and have explained to me in detail how all of this affects the gay community. That is probably why my stance on a lot of things relating to gays has softened over the years.
But when it comes to someones personal business you can take you PC world and toss it out the window in my book. The eharmony dating service was started by an evangelical Christian. One could see where having gays on his sight might be offensive to him. Now while he may not have taken steps to make it easy for gays to use, neither did he do anything deliberate to block them off the site. The site was established for heterosexual couples. Now they are being forced to change how their website operates just to satisfy gays. I'm sorry...but to me that is just plain wrong. There is nothing out there that blocks the gay and lesbian community from creating their own singles/dating website. In fact do a google search and you can find a bunch of them.
Recently in California there were a group of right wing Christian people who decided to protest right in the middle of a known gay area. Needless to say many of the gays that lived in the neighborhood were not happy having people coming down their street protesting. One of the residents of the area got right up in the camera and stated; "if you don't like it here why don't you just leave?" Well gay and lesbian rights activists...why don't you just leave us alone. If you don't like eharmony...don't go there. In fact start your own website. Nope...force others to conform to your way of thinking by making a business change its practices to suit what you want.
In my humble opinion this is why things such as proposition 8 in California and changes to state constitutions in other states banning gay marriage have taken hold. instead of finding your own way or setting up your own business you instead tear down or infiltrate a hetero based website. Not that they excluded you. They didn't. You just wanted the wording change I guess so you could say that you changed the world.
Well don't be surprised if this doesn't have a backlash with it. Keep attacking the evangelical Christians and you may find yourselves facing more and more states where gay marriage is banned. My suggestion is to hunker down for a while and let some of the smoke and fire blow over.
But then again...I'm not gay so I just don't understand.
If you have not heard the dating website eharmony has just reached a settlement in a lawsuit that was filed in New Jersey. A gay man sued the website because if excluded homosexuals.
I guess the main operative word here is settled. I wish eharmony would have fought this lawsuit and stayed with it. Only in this day and age of being politically correct I guess there is no upside to doing that.
I have blogged on the homosexual topic a couple of times over the past year. I have said that I think voting for proposition 8 in California to ban gay marriage is a mistake. I have also said that sometimes the gay community is its own worst enemy. Instead of taking little bites from the apple they seem to want the whole damned thing all at once. Admittedly this might be a little hard for me to totally understand given the fact that I am not gay (although I was in the Navy and served in submarines). I have no idea how this makes these people feel. I have friends that are gay and have explained to me in detail how all of this affects the gay community. That is probably why my stance on a lot of things relating to gays has softened over the years.
But when it comes to someones personal business you can take you PC world and toss it out the window in my book. The eharmony dating service was started by an evangelical Christian. One could see where having gays on his sight might be offensive to him. Now while he may not have taken steps to make it easy for gays to use, neither did he do anything deliberate to block them off the site. The site was established for heterosexual couples. Now they are being forced to change how their website operates just to satisfy gays. I'm sorry...but to me that is just plain wrong. There is nothing out there that blocks the gay and lesbian community from creating their own singles/dating website. In fact do a google search and you can find a bunch of them.
Recently in California there were a group of right wing Christian people who decided to protest right in the middle of a known gay area. Needless to say many of the gays that lived in the neighborhood were not happy having people coming down their street protesting. One of the residents of the area got right up in the camera and stated; "if you don't like it here why don't you just leave?" Well gay and lesbian rights activists...why don't you just leave us alone. If you don't like eharmony...don't go there. In fact start your own website. Nope...force others to conform to your way of thinking by making a business change its practices to suit what you want.
In my humble opinion this is why things such as proposition 8 in California and changes to state constitutions in other states banning gay marriage have taken hold. instead of finding your own way or setting up your own business you instead tear down or infiltrate a hetero based website. Not that they excluded you. They didn't. You just wanted the wording change I guess so you could say that you changed the world.
Well don't be surprised if this doesn't have a backlash with it. Keep attacking the evangelical Christians and you may find yourselves facing more and more states where gay marriage is banned. My suggestion is to hunker down for a while and let some of the smoke and fire blow over.
But then again...I'm not gay so I just don't understand.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The Holidays Are Coming!!
The holidays are coming!!!
We just finished Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving is around the corner. Less than a month after that Christmas will be here. Then a week later we start a new year.
The Christmas decorations have been in the Walmart here in Vicksburg, Mississippi since the beginning of October. The kids are going to start getting excited while visions of sugar plums dance in their heads.
For many, this is a very sad time of year. Folks who have lost loved ones this time of year feel the sting of the holidays. It is not a time of happiness for them. Rather its a time for loneliness and depression.
There is another group of individuals that are often over looked during the upcoming holidays. Many of us know some of these very special men and women personally. To others, they are just acquaintances or someone we have heard of through church or other prayer group.
But each and every one of us owes these very special men and women a debt that we can never repay.
Many who read my blogs regularly or listen to my show called Wakeup Call on Saturday mornings on NowLive (www.nowlive.com) have probably already figured out who I am talking about. Those of us connected with the Redneck Radio Network talk about these men and women often.
The special men and women I am referring to are those currently serving in the armed forces of the United States of America.
During this time of year we get, or at least I get, hundreds of emails for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I get holiday jokes by the dozens. Then every once in a while I get an email like the one I got this morning from a very dear friend, I call him Jakey. An email that puts everything in such focus and contrast.
Here is the email. I pass it a long to each of you.
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF
PLASTER AND STONE.
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.
I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.
WAS THIS THE HERO
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
‘SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY! COUNTRY, MY CORPS.'
THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, 'CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE.'
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
'MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,!
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.'
Please pray for our troops this holiday season. Pray for their safety. We don't need another family to have the holiday season because it was at Christmas that a son, daughter, mom, dad, brother, sister, aunt or uncle was lost.
Pray for the meaning of this holiday season not to be lost on all those serving so far from home. Pray that they realize that we are all here at home missing them and praying for them.
May God richly bless our service men and women. And may God bless America!!!
We just finished Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving is around the corner. Less than a month after that Christmas will be here. Then a week later we start a new year.
The Christmas decorations have been in the Walmart here in Vicksburg, Mississippi since the beginning of October. The kids are going to start getting excited while visions of sugar plums dance in their heads.
For many, this is a very sad time of year. Folks who have lost loved ones this time of year feel the sting of the holidays. It is not a time of happiness for them. Rather its a time for loneliness and depression.
There is another group of individuals that are often over looked during the upcoming holidays. Many of us know some of these very special men and women personally. To others, they are just acquaintances or someone we have heard of through church or other prayer group.
But each and every one of us owes these very special men and women a debt that we can never repay.
Many who read my blogs regularly or listen to my show called Wakeup Call on Saturday mornings on NowLive (www.nowlive.com) have probably already figured out who I am talking about. Those of us connected with the Redneck Radio Network talk about these men and women often.
The special men and women I am referring to are those currently serving in the armed forces of the United States of America.
During this time of year we get, or at least I get, hundreds of emails for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I get holiday jokes by the dozens. Then every once in a while I get an email like the one I got this morning from a very dear friend, I call him Jakey. An email that puts everything in such focus and contrast.
Here is the email. I pass it a long to each of you.
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF
PLASTER AND STONE.
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.
I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.
WAS THIS THE HERO
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
‘SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY! COUNTRY, MY CORPS.'
THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, 'CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE.'
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
'MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,!
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.'
Please pray for our troops this holiday season. Pray for their safety. We don't need another family to have the holiday season because it was at Christmas that a son, daughter, mom, dad, brother, sister, aunt or uncle was lost.
Pray for the meaning of this holiday season not to be lost on all those serving so far from home. Pray that they realize that we are all here at home missing them and praying for them.
May God richly bless our service men and women. And may God bless America!!!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Thoughts and Prayers
Most people know that I am an ex-sailor. I served for 8+ years in the US Navy and was proud to serve on nuclear submarines.
Those of us who have served on "boats" know how tight nit a community submariners are. So it is with great sadness that I heard about those 17 civilians and 3 sailors that dies during sea trials on that Russian submarine.
I can remember how I felt when I heard the news about the loss of the Kursk. How I felt when that sailor aboard the USS San Francisco lost his life when the boat collided with an undersea mountain. And I have to admit that the San Francisco struck a nerve with me since I had barely missed an undersea mountain while serving aboard the George Washington Carver.
It matters not whether it be a warship or a research vessel, there is something special to me about those that have been under the ocean waves in a vessel that was designed to submerge and surface. All those that have served are part of a brotherhood. A very special band of brothers. A family.
So to those 20 men and their families go my thoughts and prayers.
May God bless those that are lost and comfort the those left to morn. Amen.
Those of us who have served on "boats" know how tight nit a community submariners are. So it is with great sadness that I heard about those 17 civilians and 3 sailors that dies during sea trials on that Russian submarine.
I can remember how I felt when I heard the news about the loss of the Kursk. How I felt when that sailor aboard the USS San Francisco lost his life when the boat collided with an undersea mountain. And I have to admit that the San Francisco struck a nerve with me since I had barely missed an undersea mountain while serving aboard the George Washington Carver.
It matters not whether it be a warship or a research vessel, there is something special to me about those that have been under the ocean waves in a vessel that was designed to submerge and surface. All those that have served are part of a brotherhood. A very special band of brothers. A family.
So to those 20 men and their families go my thoughts and prayers.
May God bless those that are lost and comfort the those left to morn. Amen.
Friday, November 7, 2008
He's Back
He's Back!!
Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. is back in front of the cameras now that the election is over and he appears to be none to happy.
It seems that the media is now being blamed for being "weapons of mass destruction" because the coverage of Rev. Wright and his views were attempting to derail Obama's hopes for the presidency and severed the long time relationship between himself and Barack Obama.
I have a clue for Rev Wright...it was not the media who was a weapon of mass destruction. It is you sir that are a weapon of mass destruction to the ideas of equality in this country which you crave so much.
Has America been a racist country? You bet. Have we made strides in trying to overcome these issues? You bet. Does someone going around proclaiming "God Damn America" for any reason help that cause? Absolutely not! Does someone proclaiming that HIV was a disease brought forth by the US Government to kill blacks help the cause of equality? Oh hell no!!!
It is time for some inner searching Pastor Wright.
I am white...but I would never stay in a church that said anything the likes of what has been said in you service Mr. Wright. Not just in sermons but in church literature. Now had this only been reported on Fox News I might be able to find some reasonable doubt. But when the same things are shown and said on CNN...NBC...MSNBC...etc, it is clear that it is not just a case that we might have misunderstood. You sir are a racist yourself and in my opinion sir you need to get back into the Bible and look into your stance. I believe Jesus preached a sermon of love sir.
Not to mention...had these same principals that you put forth have been stated by Senator McCain's pastor...Jessie, Al and yourself would have been in for forefront DEMANDING that McCain throw his pastor under the bus.
You got what you deserved Mr. Wright. Just as clearly as Don Imus and others who have used racial epitaphs. They were racist sir and so are you.
Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. is back in front of the cameras now that the election is over and he appears to be none to happy.
It seems that the media is now being blamed for being "weapons of mass destruction" because the coverage of Rev. Wright and his views were attempting to derail Obama's hopes for the presidency and severed the long time relationship between himself and Barack Obama.
I have a clue for Rev Wright...it was not the media who was a weapon of mass destruction. It is you sir that are a weapon of mass destruction to the ideas of equality in this country which you crave so much.
Has America been a racist country? You bet. Have we made strides in trying to overcome these issues? You bet. Does someone going around proclaiming "God Damn America" for any reason help that cause? Absolutely not! Does someone proclaiming that HIV was a disease brought forth by the US Government to kill blacks help the cause of equality? Oh hell no!!!
It is time for some inner searching Pastor Wright.
I am white...but I would never stay in a church that said anything the likes of what has been said in you service Mr. Wright. Not just in sermons but in church literature. Now had this only been reported on Fox News I might be able to find some reasonable doubt. But when the same things are shown and said on CNN...NBC...MSNBC...etc, it is clear that it is not just a case that we might have misunderstood. You sir are a racist yourself and in my opinion sir you need to get back into the Bible and look into your stance. I believe Jesus preached a sermon of love sir.
Not to mention...had these same principals that you put forth have been stated by Senator McCain's pastor...Jessie, Al and yourself would have been in for forefront DEMANDING that McCain throw his pastor under the bus.
You got what you deserved Mr. Wright. Just as clearly as Don Imus and others who have used racial epitaphs. They were racist sir and so are you.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Like a Child
Although I am not a scholar of the Bible I have spent some time studying it. Many people believe that the Bible is just an outdated book that has no relevance in today's world.
You see I disagree with that thinking. I think there are great lessons about life to be had if a person just spends the time reading the Bible.
For instance, look at the verses in Matthew 18:2-4
Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
These verses were brought to my mind this morning when a friend at work told me about his 7 month old granddaughter. He had attended a funeral of a very close family friend yesterday. While that is usually a very sorrowful time, he found great joy in the fact that his family were all together. Including the 7 month old granddaughter that thought the music provided by the organ was so beautiful that she should just sing along with it.
We need to be like that little baby. In the midst of sorrow and grief we need to find the way to put that all aside and just bask in the glory of it all.
There are many who are mad about the out come of the elections on Tuesday. Their candidate didn't win or there was an amendment or proposition up to be voted on and it didn't come out as we would have liked. We need to be like my friends 7 month old granddaughter and just let it all go and be happy.
Instead of protesting and looking for ways to change the vote or for some way to over turn the decision of the voters, we need to look the gracious God in heaven and just say thank you Lord that we are in a country where we have the right to vote for these things and not have them just thrust upon us by some dictator or ruling class.
Instead of looking for a way to subvert, overturn or change the outcome of the election so it goes in our favor we should be looking for ways to affect real change in the way things are.
Instead of turning to the courts to look for ways to overturn the results we don't like we should be looking for ways to work together for a way to change the minds of our fellow voters.
As soon as I heard that Obama had won the election I wanted someone to file a lawsuit or something that said he couldn't be president because he wasn't born in the US or couldn't get a proper security clearance because of his background. But I realized that would do nothing more then cause further division of an already divided country. The time for division is past folks. it is time for healing and if President Obama can bring us back together as a nation then I can deal with some of the down side. If nothing else he deserves the chance to do his best.
But while I say this I hope this sinks in to some of those who in the past didn't give a new president a chance. That would be those folks who things like "if so-n-so wins the election I am moving to where ever." Of course they never do move. That is because this is the greatest nation there is and they know it. It matters not whether there is a democrat or republican in the White House. It doesn't matter whether the republicans or democrats are in control of the House and/or Senate. This is still the greatest nation there is. If you feel all of that changes with the folks who are in office then maybe it is time that you leave and find some place else to live. Better yet...buy an island some where and start your own country and see if you can do better.
One last point... Karl Rove was absolutely vilified by the media and a lot of people in this country. Did any of you hear him speak on Fox News yesterday? The great villain of the Bush Administration implored the people of this great nation to give President Obama a chance.
Mean while the sun is still shinning. The rain is still falling. The earth is still spinning. The world ain't come to an end. Accept the election results and get on with your lives. There is still much work to be done.
You see I disagree with that thinking. I think there are great lessons about life to be had if a person just spends the time reading the Bible.
For instance, look at the verses in Matthew 18:2-4
Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
These verses were brought to my mind this morning when a friend at work told me about his 7 month old granddaughter. He had attended a funeral of a very close family friend yesterday. While that is usually a very sorrowful time, he found great joy in the fact that his family were all together. Including the 7 month old granddaughter that thought the music provided by the organ was so beautiful that she should just sing along with it.
We need to be like that little baby. In the midst of sorrow and grief we need to find the way to put that all aside and just bask in the glory of it all.
There are many who are mad about the out come of the elections on Tuesday. Their candidate didn't win or there was an amendment or proposition up to be voted on and it didn't come out as we would have liked. We need to be like my friends 7 month old granddaughter and just let it all go and be happy.
Instead of protesting and looking for ways to change the vote or for some way to over turn the decision of the voters, we need to look the gracious God in heaven and just say thank you Lord that we are in a country where we have the right to vote for these things and not have them just thrust upon us by some dictator or ruling class.
Instead of looking for a way to subvert, overturn or change the outcome of the election so it goes in our favor we should be looking for ways to affect real change in the way things are.
Instead of turning to the courts to look for ways to overturn the results we don't like we should be looking for ways to work together for a way to change the minds of our fellow voters.
As soon as I heard that Obama had won the election I wanted someone to file a lawsuit or something that said he couldn't be president because he wasn't born in the US or couldn't get a proper security clearance because of his background. But I realized that would do nothing more then cause further division of an already divided country. The time for division is past folks. it is time for healing and if President Obama can bring us back together as a nation then I can deal with some of the down side. If nothing else he deserves the chance to do his best.
But while I say this I hope this sinks in to some of those who in the past didn't give a new president a chance. That would be those folks who things like "if so-n-so wins the election I am moving to where ever." Of course they never do move. That is because this is the greatest nation there is and they know it. It matters not whether there is a democrat or republican in the White House. It doesn't matter whether the republicans or democrats are in control of the House and/or Senate. This is still the greatest nation there is. If you feel all of that changes with the folks who are in office then maybe it is time that you leave and find some place else to live. Better yet...buy an island some where and start your own country and see if you can do better.
One last point... Karl Rove was absolutely vilified by the media and a lot of people in this country. Did any of you hear him speak on Fox News yesterday? The great villain of the Bush Administration implored the people of this great nation to give President Obama a chance.
Mean while the sun is still shinning. The rain is still falling. The earth is still spinning. The world ain't come to an end. Accept the election results and get on with your lives. There is still much work to be done.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
It's Over
Yes...it is over. Around the country this morning some are continuing the celebration while others cry in their beer. Another election day has come and gone.
First...may I congratulate Barack Obama on his victory. No, this is not who I voted for. But as I have said many times in this blog he will soon be my president. I will support and defend him. Does that mean I will agree with every decision he makes? Oh hell no!! But I will not sit by while people call him names or demean him. Now I just wish a few of my friends could learn the same trait.
And while I am on the subject to those friends...and you know who you are...who always blamed everything on Bush and not on past administrations or the congress...just remember that stops when Obama is takes office on January 20, 2009. The countries problems will then be on his shoulders. If the blame for all this countries woes rests at the foot of George Bush then so will all the blame for the problems in 2009 and beyond. I don't want to hear any BS about what the prior administration did or didn't do. Also, if Obama does not pull the troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan it is no longer Mr. Bush's war. It becomes Mr. Obama's war.
Next...I figure the lawsuits will start today. Obama doesn't meet the constitutional requirements, voting irregularities. May I just say let it go people. It is time for this nation to get back together. If we want the politicians to stop the partisan politics then it is high time that we stop it.
There is one thing that I am very disappointed in and that in the winners in congress. Folks...congress had the lowest approval rating in history and yet we allowed the incumbents to be re-elected. Well there is always 2010!!!
First...may I congratulate Barack Obama on his victory. No, this is not who I voted for. But as I have said many times in this blog he will soon be my president. I will support and defend him. Does that mean I will agree with every decision he makes? Oh hell no!! But I will not sit by while people call him names or demean him. Now I just wish a few of my friends could learn the same trait.
And while I am on the subject to those friends...and you know who you are...who always blamed everything on Bush and not on past administrations or the congress...just remember that stops when Obama is takes office on January 20, 2009. The countries problems will then be on his shoulders. If the blame for all this countries woes rests at the foot of George Bush then so will all the blame for the problems in 2009 and beyond. I don't want to hear any BS about what the prior administration did or didn't do. Also, if Obama does not pull the troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan it is no longer Mr. Bush's war. It becomes Mr. Obama's war.
Next...I figure the lawsuits will start today. Obama doesn't meet the constitutional requirements, voting irregularities. May I just say let it go people. It is time for this nation to get back together. If we want the politicians to stop the partisan politics then it is high time that we stop it.
There is one thing that I am very disappointed in and that in the winners in congress. Folks...congress had the lowest approval rating in history and yet we allowed the incumbents to be re-elected. Well there is always 2010!!!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Release the Tape
If there is still anyone in this country that believes that there is not a media bias in this country I want some of what your smoking.
Now here we have the LA Times. A great liberal newspaper (I can say that because the paper endorsed Barack Obama on October 19th). They have a tape of Mr. Obama toasting a member of the PLO during a dinner during his run for the Senate of the United States. Also present at that dinner was William Ayers. Now if you don't know his name at this point there ain't much I can do to help you except tell you to google him.
So here the LA Times has this tape. At this point, I don't care whether you are democrat or republican. Just answer two simple questions. If this tape the LA Times was of John McCain with these people, would the LA Times release the tape? Would you be outraged over the LA Times refusal to release it?
I believe the answer to those questions says a lot. If you are currently a democrat you know that you would be crying about the LA Times not releasing the tape. Also you can bet your ass that if this tape were of McCain, instead of Obama, that the LA Times would have released it when they printed the article. It would not matter if the tape were provided by a confidential source or not. The LA Times would do, say or pay anything to get that tape to the public. That my friends is what those that are conservatives call "media bias" and I hate to say it but they are right. It IS media bias.
I guess I am a skeptical person by nature. The way I see it is if there were nothing on the tape then the LA Times would release it. That would clear Obama's good name. Since they will not do that and are fighting it so much it makes me think that there IS something on that tape that some do not want "We the People" to know about. I don't care whether the tape is of McCain, Palin, Obama or Biden...I would want the tape released.
How do you feel?
Now here we have the LA Times. A great liberal newspaper (I can say that because the paper endorsed Barack Obama on October 19th). They have a tape of Mr. Obama toasting a member of the PLO during a dinner during his run for the Senate of the United States. Also present at that dinner was William Ayers. Now if you don't know his name at this point there ain't much I can do to help you except tell you to google him.
So here the LA Times has this tape. At this point, I don't care whether you are democrat or republican. Just answer two simple questions. If this tape the LA Times was of John McCain with these people, would the LA Times release the tape? Would you be outraged over the LA Times refusal to release it?
I believe the answer to those questions says a lot. If you are currently a democrat you know that you would be crying about the LA Times not releasing the tape. Also you can bet your ass that if this tape were of McCain, instead of Obama, that the LA Times would have released it when they printed the article. It would not matter if the tape were provided by a confidential source or not. The LA Times would do, say or pay anything to get that tape to the public. That my friends is what those that are conservatives call "media bias" and I hate to say it but they are right. It IS media bias.
I guess I am a skeptical person by nature. The way I see it is if there were nothing on the tape then the LA Times would release it. That would clear Obama's good name. Since they will not do that and are fighting it so much it makes me think that there IS something on that tape that some do not want "We the People" to know about. I don't care whether the tape is of McCain, Palin, Obama or Biden...I would want the tape released.
How do you feel?
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
What happens?
The whole thing with those "skinheads" who wanted to assassinate Barack Obama opens up a very interesting Constitutional question...What happens if a candidate or president elect die before the election or entering office?
Now understand that I am glad that the FBI thwarted the attempt on Mr. Obama's life. Whether I am for a candidate or not I do not wish him or her harm in anyway. But this situation does make for some interesting discussions about our Constitution around the water cooler or coffee pot.
So let's delve into our Constitution and see if'n we can find an answer.
First...there are several different cases that must be explored here. Some are rather straight forward. Others are much more interesting.
First...what happens if a party candidate for president dies before the election?
In this case what happens is determined by the individual party. Most likely the parties would select their VP candidates as the candidate for president and a new VP would then be selected. But actually there are no hard and fast rules for this case. But it is handled by the individual party and its own rules. There is also the question of the laws of the individual states if the candidate dies so close to the election that new ballots cannot be prepared and put in place. We must remember that our Constitution does not allow for postponement or moving the date of a General Election.
Okay...so its after November 4th. We have an elected president correct?
Actually no we do not. We do not have a president-elect until after the electoral college casts their votes (which happens on December 15th this year) and that vote is certified by the joint session of the House and Senate (which always occurs on January 6th).
So if a candidate dies between November 4th and December 15th we are in the same basic situation we are in if the candidate dies before November 4th. Again there are no provisions in the Constitution for this situation. There are no provisions for a "do over" election process. It would seem at that point that the party involved would have to come up with a new candidate or candidates prior to December 15th when the electoral college votes.
Of course who the electors vote for could be open to interpretation. Actually that falls back to the laws of the individual states. What you could easily end up with is a situation where no candidate receives 270 electors and the whole thing could go to House of Representatives.
So what if the candidate dies between December 15th and January 6th when the House and Senate certify the electors?
This is a very murky period. The problem is that the Constitution is silent as to just when the winning candidates become the President-elect and the VP-elect. It uses the titles without ever defining them. Do we have a President-elect when the electors vote or is it when Congress certifies the vote and declares the winner?
If we assume the former then there is no problem; the Twentieth Amendment controls. In that case, the Vice President-elect shall become President on Inauguration Day.
However, if there is no President-elect or VP-elect until Congress counts the votes and declares the winners on January 6 then I have no idea what happens. Can you say Supreme Court?
Once the election is certified by the joint session of the House and Senate on January 6th, the 20th Amendment takes over and, as stated before, the VP-elect would become the president-elect and take the oath of office.
Now please note that I am not a lawyer. I never played a lawyer on TV and no...I didn't stay in a Holiday Inn Select last night. So I could have this all screwed up.
I just thought it would be fun to look into it.
Oh...and in case you would like to take you own trip through the Constitution...here is the link.
http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#Am20
Now understand that I am glad that the FBI thwarted the attempt on Mr. Obama's life. Whether I am for a candidate or not I do not wish him or her harm in anyway. But this situation does make for some interesting discussions about our Constitution around the water cooler or coffee pot.
So let's delve into our Constitution and see if'n we can find an answer.
First...there are several different cases that must be explored here. Some are rather straight forward. Others are much more interesting.
First...what happens if a party candidate for president dies before the election?
In this case what happens is determined by the individual party. Most likely the parties would select their VP candidates as the candidate for president and a new VP would then be selected. But actually there are no hard and fast rules for this case. But it is handled by the individual party and its own rules. There is also the question of the laws of the individual states if the candidate dies so close to the election that new ballots cannot be prepared and put in place. We must remember that our Constitution does not allow for postponement or moving the date of a General Election.
Okay...so its after November 4th. We have an elected president correct?
Actually no we do not. We do not have a president-elect until after the electoral college casts their votes (which happens on December 15th this year) and that vote is certified by the joint session of the House and Senate (which always occurs on January 6th).
So if a candidate dies between November 4th and December 15th we are in the same basic situation we are in if the candidate dies before November 4th. Again there are no provisions in the Constitution for this situation. There are no provisions for a "do over" election process. It would seem at that point that the party involved would have to come up with a new candidate or candidates prior to December 15th when the electoral college votes.
Of course who the electors vote for could be open to interpretation. Actually that falls back to the laws of the individual states. What you could easily end up with is a situation where no candidate receives 270 electors and the whole thing could go to House of Representatives.
So what if the candidate dies between December 15th and January 6th when the House and Senate certify the electors?
This is a very murky period. The problem is that the Constitution is silent as to just when the winning candidates become the President-elect and the VP-elect. It uses the titles without ever defining them. Do we have a President-elect when the electors vote or is it when Congress certifies the vote and declares the winner?
If we assume the former then there is no problem; the Twentieth Amendment controls. In that case, the Vice President-elect shall become President on Inauguration Day.
However, if there is no President-elect or VP-elect until Congress counts the votes and declares the winners on January 6 then I have no idea what happens. Can you say Supreme Court?
Once the election is certified by the joint session of the House and Senate on January 6th, the 20th Amendment takes over and, as stated before, the VP-elect would become the president-elect and take the oath of office.
Now please note that I am not a lawyer. I never played a lawyer on TV and no...I didn't stay in a Holiday Inn Select last night. So I could have this all screwed up.
I just thought it would be fun to look into it.
Oh...and in case you would like to take you own trip through the Constitution...here is the link.
http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#Am20
Monday, October 27, 2008
The Constitution
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Do you remember those words? Some of us had to learn them in school growing up. We had to stand in front of the class and recite those immortal words from memory.
In 1972, I enlisted in the United States Navy to defend those words and all that they stand for.
Do you remember?
I think that there are 546 people in this country that don't remember. That is a president, vice president, 100 senators, the 435 members of congress and 9 members of the supreme court. Everyone of them a politician who has forgotten that the first three words of that document are WE THE PEOPLE. That is truly sad.
But there is something worse. I also think that there are 305 million US citizens that have also forgotten that the preamble starts with WE THE PEOPLE.
Don't believe me? Let's just look at the recent Mortgage Bailout bill passed in the House and Senate and signed by President Bush. The citizens of this great nation (and yes...it is a great nation) were over whelmingly against that bill becoming law. Yet the president, senate and house voted and signed that bill into law. Have you read the headlines lately? Have you seen the list of those that are wanting a piece of that pie? Banks, lenders, insurance companies and the auto makers just to name a few. And just in case you haven't heard who is fronting all that cash folks it's you and me. Every tax payer in this country is going to send money to help all those starving executives on Wall Street. Who by the way pay all those starving politicians on Capitol Hill.
I had an email sent to me recently that said that there should be a law passed so that politicians would have to wear uniforms like they do in NASCAR. You know with the names of all their corporate sponsors prominently displayed. Now wouldn't that be an idea!!
One of the party candidates for VP has said recently that it is our patriotic duty to pay more in taxes. Oh...and in case you were not aware that was Mr. Biden. Well Senator...how about the oath you took when you became a member of the Senate of these here United States. You remember? Let me remind you sir.
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.
Support and defend the Constitution. See those words sir. And what were the first three words of that document again...WE THE PEOPLE.
Gee...should I continue? Why the hell not.
How about you President Bush. Do you remember that oath of office that you so proudly recited...twice? Do you remember Mr. Bush? I think not when you signed that bail out bill into law. So let me refresh your memory sir.
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."
You see it matters not whether it is a democrat or republican. The oath is the same for all of them. To defend and protect the Constitution of the United States. That document that starts out with those three immortal words...WE THE PEOPLE.
You see folks it is not about them...it is about us. They are not the boss...we are. All of these politicians are worried about what is in it for them. In fact...we have become a society of "what is in it for me". Again look at the companies that are all lined up for a piece of the bail out pie. Look how fast cities and states and counties line up to get a piece of a federal pie. Look at all the fighting that took place after 9-11 when they all lined up for the government hand out. Gimme.
Look at the number of people that are sitting around and not working with their hands out. Gimme. And we refuse to secure our borders to stop the in flux of illegals...yes I said illegals. I said it because that is what they are folks. They are here ILLEGALLY. And they stick their hands out to Uncle Sam and say gimme. And we smile and fork it over.
Enough is enough people. Wake the hell up please. We have 8 days left until the election. EIGHT DAYS. Count them, 1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8.
Now to be honest at this point I could give a hoot who wins the presidency. If we can just turn over congress. If we can just change the members of the House of Representatives by 40 or 50%...it will send a wake up call to all of the politicians. It's time to let them know that we have woke up and we don't like what they have been doing to OUR country while we were sleeping. That will tell Mr. Obama that we are not going to sit still for tax increases. It will tell Mr. McCain that we want our troops home.
We can take it back people if we just wake up!!
Do you remember those words? Some of us had to learn them in school growing up. We had to stand in front of the class and recite those immortal words from memory.
In 1972, I enlisted in the United States Navy to defend those words and all that they stand for.
Do you remember?
I think that there are 546 people in this country that don't remember. That is a president, vice president, 100 senators, the 435 members of congress and 9 members of the supreme court. Everyone of them a politician who has forgotten that the first three words of that document are WE THE PEOPLE. That is truly sad.
But there is something worse. I also think that there are 305 million US citizens that have also forgotten that the preamble starts with WE THE PEOPLE.
Don't believe me? Let's just look at the recent Mortgage Bailout bill passed in the House and Senate and signed by President Bush. The citizens of this great nation (and yes...it is a great nation) were over whelmingly against that bill becoming law. Yet the president, senate and house voted and signed that bill into law. Have you read the headlines lately? Have you seen the list of those that are wanting a piece of that pie? Banks, lenders, insurance companies and the auto makers just to name a few. And just in case you haven't heard who is fronting all that cash folks it's you and me. Every tax payer in this country is going to send money to help all those starving executives on Wall Street. Who by the way pay all those starving politicians on Capitol Hill.
I had an email sent to me recently that said that there should be a law passed so that politicians would have to wear uniforms like they do in NASCAR. You know with the names of all their corporate sponsors prominently displayed. Now wouldn't that be an idea!!
One of the party candidates for VP has said recently that it is our patriotic duty to pay more in taxes. Oh...and in case you were not aware that was Mr. Biden. Well Senator...how about the oath you took when you became a member of the Senate of these here United States. You remember? Let me remind you sir.
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.
Support and defend the Constitution. See those words sir. And what were the first three words of that document again...WE THE PEOPLE.
Gee...should I continue? Why the hell not.
How about you President Bush. Do you remember that oath of office that you so proudly recited...twice? Do you remember Mr. Bush? I think not when you signed that bail out bill into law. So let me refresh your memory sir.
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."
You see it matters not whether it is a democrat or republican. The oath is the same for all of them. To defend and protect the Constitution of the United States. That document that starts out with those three immortal words...WE THE PEOPLE.
You see folks it is not about them...it is about us. They are not the boss...we are. All of these politicians are worried about what is in it for them. In fact...we have become a society of "what is in it for me". Again look at the companies that are all lined up for a piece of the bail out pie. Look how fast cities and states and counties line up to get a piece of a federal pie. Look at all the fighting that took place after 9-11 when they all lined up for the government hand out. Gimme.
Look at the number of people that are sitting around and not working with their hands out. Gimme. And we refuse to secure our borders to stop the in flux of illegals...yes I said illegals. I said it because that is what they are folks. They are here ILLEGALLY. And they stick their hands out to Uncle Sam and say gimme. And we smile and fork it over.
Enough is enough people. Wake the hell up please. We have 8 days left until the election. EIGHT DAYS. Count them, 1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8.
Now to be honest at this point I could give a hoot who wins the presidency. If we can just turn over congress. If we can just change the members of the House of Representatives by 40 or 50%...it will send a wake up call to all of the politicians. It's time to let them know that we have woke up and we don't like what they have been doing to OUR country while we were sleeping. That will tell Mr. Obama that we are not going to sit still for tax increases. It will tell Mr. McCain that we want our troops home.
We can take it back people if we just wake up!!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Palin's Clothes
Big news!!!
Governor Sarah Palin was taken on a shopping spree for new clothes!!!
Hey...are you people really concerned about who shops where and who pays???
Frankly...I don't give a rats ass. I also don't care that while her husband is talking about people in America starving Mrs. Obama is sitting some where having champagne and caviar.
Let's get this issue on the table. These are politicians we are talking about. They are used to talking out of both sides of their mouths. They are used to telling you what you want to hear. All the speeches and all the public appearances are all scripted. You want to know what the candidates really think get them out in public and off the prompter and away from the handlers. Both McCain and Obama have been caught expressing thoughts better left unsaid while speaking off the cuff. The latest of course was Obama and "Joe the Plumber".
So I don't care if Mrs Palin bought the clothes or if the party bought them for her. I don't really care if she keeps them or not. I don't care what Michelle Obama is eating. I don't even care. So enough of the crap. Let's get back to the issues that 'We the People' need to make a decision on November 4th.
There is is...short and sweet.
Governor Sarah Palin was taken on a shopping spree for new clothes!!!
Hey...are you people really concerned about who shops where and who pays???
Frankly...I don't give a rats ass. I also don't care that while her husband is talking about people in America starving Mrs. Obama is sitting some where having champagne and caviar.
Let's get this issue on the table. These are politicians we are talking about. They are used to talking out of both sides of their mouths. They are used to telling you what you want to hear. All the speeches and all the public appearances are all scripted. You want to know what the candidates really think get them out in public and off the prompter and away from the handlers. Both McCain and Obama have been caught expressing thoughts better left unsaid while speaking off the cuff. The latest of course was Obama and "Joe the Plumber".
So I don't care if Mrs Palin bought the clothes or if the party bought them for her. I don't really care if she keeps them or not. I don't care what Michelle Obama is eating. I don't even care. So enough of the crap. Let's get back to the issues that 'We the People' need to make a decision on November 4th.
There is is...short and sweet.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
At it again!!!
Looking at the news today and what to my wondering eyes do appear. Another congressman saying "it wasn't our fault".
Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) is the chairman of a House Oversight and Government Reform committee. He blames the whole mess on the big credit ratings agencies like Standard and Poor's.
The California Democrat said, "Millions of investors rely on them for independent, objective assessments,. The rating agencies broke this bond of trust, and federal regulators ignored the warning signs and did nothing to protect the public. The result is that our entire financial system is now at risk."
Hey Waxman you ass...millions of American investors also rely on Congress to protect them from crooks like this. But I don't see you folks taking any action. All the action that was attempted in 2005 was blocked by partisan politics. I have only seen one congressman stand up and say that y'all had it wrong. That was Arthur Davis, D-AL. Not any of the other 434 members of the house had the guts to stand up in front of country and apologize for this mess. That includes republicans as well as democrats. Oh...and let us not leave out the 100 members of the Senate.
You hear that so many of the people here in the US are fed up with the partisan politics. Yet 'We the People' won't do the one thing we can do to put a stop to it. Stop voting for incumbents and give others a chance. You can bet you ass that if 'We the People' voted just 50% of the 435 members of the House of Representatives out of office in 12 days that they would all take notice.
It is time to hold all of them accountable. But it is up to 'We the People' to do that. You can't vote all the other representatives out of office...but you can vote your own out.
Get the word out. Get them out of office on November 4th.
Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) is the chairman of a House Oversight and Government Reform committee. He blames the whole mess on the big credit ratings agencies like Standard and Poor's.
The California Democrat said, "Millions of investors rely on them for independent, objective assessments,. The rating agencies broke this bond of trust, and federal regulators ignored the warning signs and did nothing to protect the public. The result is that our entire financial system is now at risk."
Hey Waxman you ass...millions of American investors also rely on Congress to protect them from crooks like this. But I don't see you folks taking any action. All the action that was attempted in 2005 was blocked by partisan politics. I have only seen one congressman stand up and say that y'all had it wrong. That was Arthur Davis, D-AL. Not any of the other 434 members of the house had the guts to stand up in front of country and apologize for this mess. That includes republicans as well as democrats. Oh...and let us not leave out the 100 members of the Senate.
You hear that so many of the people here in the US are fed up with the partisan politics. Yet 'We the People' won't do the one thing we can do to put a stop to it. Stop voting for incumbents and give others a chance. You can bet you ass that if 'We the People' voted just 50% of the 435 members of the House of Representatives out of office in 12 days that they would all take notice.
It is time to hold all of them accountable. But it is up to 'We the People' to do that. You can't vote all the other representatives out of office...but you can vote your own out.
Get the word out. Get them out of office on November 4th.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
I am a Redneck!!!
Okay...let's make this clear. I now live and work in Mississippi and I am a redneck. Now to top it all off I have been insulted by some freaking pin head from Pennsylvania who thinks he is Mr. Know-It-All.
That pin head is none other than John Murtha, D- PA.
He opens his flapper and calls some of his constituents "racist". Now he says that no one understood what he meant. So now it comes down to they are "rednecks" who wouldn't vote for a black person for president. Well Rep. Murtha, I am a redneck and I live in the middle of 'redneck central' and I am proud to be considered a redneck!!! There are also a lot of 'rednecks' here in Mississippi who are going to vote for Obama.
Sorry Rep. Murtha, but what you said is the same thing, just now you have spoken out about a large group of people and personally, I hope Bill Russell kicks your fat ass in 2 weeks and dumps your worthless butt out of congress. Honestly, how the good people of Pennsylvania have put up with you for as long as they have is beyond me. And for the record Johnny, calling someone a "redneck" is a racist remark in my book. Although I doubt anyone from the media will say that or if they have I haven't seen it.
Murtha, and others like him in congress, need to be tossed out like left over salad. I have blogged on this a lot lately. We need to send a message to all the members of the House and Senate. Shape up ass hole or you will be out...period.
I have no doubt that there are people all over this great country, not just in western PA, that will not vote for Barack Obama because he is black. Well you know what Rep. Murtha, deal with it! That is there right.
There are also some folks who will not vote for McCain because he is white. Well you know what Rep. Murtha, deal with it! That is there right.
Quit frankly sir I think anyone who votes for a candidate based on race alone is a racist. Not to mention an idiot. But that is that persons right. But to take an area or a group of people and lump them all together with a label, such as redneck, is also to be racist Mr. Murtha.
So why don't you come out sir and apologize for being a racist yourself. Then maybe I can take what you say seriously.
That pin head is none other than John Murtha, D- PA.
He opens his flapper and calls some of his constituents "racist". Now he says that no one understood what he meant. So now it comes down to they are "rednecks" who wouldn't vote for a black person for president. Well Rep. Murtha, I am a redneck and I live in the middle of 'redneck central' and I am proud to be considered a redneck!!! There are also a lot of 'rednecks' here in Mississippi who are going to vote for Obama.
Sorry Rep. Murtha, but what you said is the same thing, just now you have spoken out about a large group of people and personally, I hope Bill Russell kicks your fat ass in 2 weeks and dumps your worthless butt out of congress. Honestly, how the good people of Pennsylvania have put up with you for as long as they have is beyond me. And for the record Johnny, calling someone a "redneck" is a racist remark in my book. Although I doubt anyone from the media will say that or if they have I haven't seen it.
Murtha, and others like him in congress, need to be tossed out like left over salad. I have blogged on this a lot lately. We need to send a message to all the members of the House and Senate. Shape up ass hole or you will be out...period.
I have no doubt that there are people all over this great country, not just in western PA, that will not vote for Barack Obama because he is black. Well you know what Rep. Murtha, deal with it! That is there right.
There are also some folks who will not vote for McCain because he is white. Well you know what Rep. Murtha, deal with it! That is there right.
Quit frankly sir I think anyone who votes for a candidate based on race alone is a racist. Not to mention an idiot. But that is that persons right. But to take an area or a group of people and lump them all together with a label, such as redneck, is also to be racist Mr. Murtha.
So why don't you come out sir and apologize for being a racist yourself. Then maybe I can take what you say seriously.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Sorry Boston
So the league championship series have finally come to a close. Going to be the Phillies and the Rays in the World Series.
Tough luck Boston. But you have to admit, the BoSox made it interesting. You know that after game 5 and 6 that the Rays had to be thinking "not again". Not another come back from a 3-1 deficit to win and go to the series.
But it was not to be and the Devil Rays won game 7 and put themselves in the series.
For the record, I am an Orioles fan. Yeah...sucks to be me doesn't it!
But even when the Orioles were riding high in the American League I never liked seeing the same teams (even the one I rout for) in the World Series year after year. It is nice to see new teams, or teams that haven't been there in a while, make it to the series.
Tampa Bay has never been there and for the Phillies it has been 15 years.
Wanna see something else that is just outstanding? Then take a look at this!!!
Tough luck Boston. But you have to admit, the BoSox made it interesting. You know that after game 5 and 6 that the Rays had to be thinking "not again". Not another come back from a 3-1 deficit to win and go to the series.
But it was not to be and the Devil Rays won game 7 and put themselves in the series.
For the record, I am an Orioles fan. Yeah...sucks to be me doesn't it!
But even when the Orioles were riding high in the American League I never liked seeing the same teams (even the one I rout for) in the World Series year after year. It is nice to see new teams, or teams that haven't been there in a while, make it to the series.
Tampa Bay has never been there and for the Phillies it has been 15 years.
Wanna see something else that is just outstanding? Then take a look at this!!!
- New York Yankees
- Detroit Tigers
- New York Mets
- Boston Red Sox
- Chicago White Sox
- Los Angeles Angels
- Chicago Cubs
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- Seattle Mariners
- Atlanta Braves
- St. Louis Cardinals
- Toronto Blue Jays
- Philadelphia Phillies
- Houston Astros
- Milwaukee Brewers
- Cleveland Indians
- San Francisco Giants
- Cincinnati Reds
- San Diego Padres
- Colorado Rockies
- Texas Rangers
- Baltimore Orioles
- Arizona Diamondbacks
- Minnesota Twins
- Kansas City Royals
- Washington Nationals
- Pittsburgh Pirates
- Oakland Athletics
- Tampa Bay Rays
- Florida Marlins
There are the rankings for the 30 MLB clubs for salary at the start of the 2008 season. Look at who paid and then look at who is in the World Series. You have to love it!!
So sit back all you baseball fans and enjoy the World Series.
Can the Phillies give Philadelphia that championship it wants so bad? Can Tampa Bay complete the trek from last to first?
We shall see.
Friday, October 17, 2008
What is their purpose?
I think it is high time we look at the newspapers and other media in this country. What exactly is their purpose? What do they do for us? What makes them so special that they have specific authority expressed in the Constitution?
The way I see it newspapers are supposed to give us...well...the news. Along with pages upon pages of advertisements and circulars that we can use to line the bottom of the birds cage.
But any more I think it should be the ads and circulars that are read and the news pages that should be put in the bird cage. You can let "tweetie" use that special white out to correct errors.
But seriously, how can a newspaper or news magazine claim to fairly report the news when they are all going out and endorsing candidates for office. Doesn't that give that publication a vested interested in seeing one candidate or the other win or lose?
So much was made about Gwen Ifill and the book she has coming out next year about Obama and how could she fairly moderate a debate. How about all these news organizations endorsing a candidate? How can the news that they present be fair and balanced?
Now I realize that we are all human beings and we have feelings and desires. There is not a news person in this country that does not have their own opinion as to who they hope will win the election. But when you come right out and state an endorsement for a candidate or party I think all thoughts of being fair and balanced are out the window.
Do you realize that if the pastor of a church promotes a party or candidate from the pulpit that the church they serve can loose its tax exempt status. I think we should either abolish that law from the US Tax Code or start applying some of the same principals to the media. If any news organization or member of that organizations news team endorses a party or candidate then that news organization should loose its constitutional protection.
It is not the job of any newspaper or news organization to promote a party or candidate or to endorse a candidate for any office. It is the job of the newspapers and news organizations to report the news...PERIOD!!!
It is time that 'We the People' stand up and boycott all of these newspapers and other news agencies that are endorsing candidates. Stop buying the papers and magazines that endorse any candidate and this practice will stop.
Now maybe next we can get all these hollywood celebrities to stop the BS and we might actually have a easier election cycle in 4 years.
Then again...
The way I see it newspapers are supposed to give us...well...the news. Along with pages upon pages of advertisements and circulars that we can use to line the bottom of the birds cage.
But any more I think it should be the ads and circulars that are read and the news pages that should be put in the bird cage. You can let "tweetie" use that special white out to correct errors.
But seriously, how can a newspaper or news magazine claim to fairly report the news when they are all going out and endorsing candidates for office. Doesn't that give that publication a vested interested in seeing one candidate or the other win or lose?
So much was made about Gwen Ifill and the book she has coming out next year about Obama and how could she fairly moderate a debate. How about all these news organizations endorsing a candidate? How can the news that they present be fair and balanced?
Now I realize that we are all human beings and we have feelings and desires. There is not a news person in this country that does not have their own opinion as to who they hope will win the election. But when you come right out and state an endorsement for a candidate or party I think all thoughts of being fair and balanced are out the window.
Do you realize that if the pastor of a church promotes a party or candidate from the pulpit that the church they serve can loose its tax exempt status. I think we should either abolish that law from the US Tax Code or start applying some of the same principals to the media. If any news organization or member of that organizations news team endorses a party or candidate then that news organization should loose its constitutional protection.
It is not the job of any newspaper or news organization to promote a party or candidate or to endorse a candidate for any office. It is the job of the newspapers and news organizations to report the news...PERIOD!!!
It is time that 'We the People' stand up and boycott all of these newspapers and other news agencies that are endorsing candidates. Stop buying the papers and magazines that endorse any candidate and this practice will stop.
Now maybe next we can get all these hollywood celebrities to stop the BS and we might actually have a easier election cycle in 4 years.
Then again...
Thursday, October 16, 2008
The Final Push
The final push is here. The debates are over. All that is left is for 'We the People' to make our decision on November 4th.
We have heard all that the candidates have to say. I doubt there will be anything new said by either party in the next 2+ weeks. So it is all out there. The statements. The comments. The record. Now it is time for you, the voter, to take the next 2 weeks and make a decision that we will all live with for the next 4 years.
But this election is about so much more than who will occupy the white house. There are also 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 seats in the Senate that are up for grabs.
I have stated many times in this blog as well as stating it on the Redneck Radio News on NowLive (www.nowlive.com) that it is time for all the current members of the House and Senate to be kicked out on there collective butts.
Need a reason to do that? Just look at the recent comments by Rep. John Murtha. That western Pennsylvania is racist. Think about Rep. Ted Stevens from Alaska who is currently in federal court. Then there is Rep. Tim Mahoney. He took the seat vacated by Mark Foley for sending text messages to an intern. Now we find that Mr. Mahoney was having an affair while he was running for office. Guess the hours on the campaign trail just got a little longer.
There are so many others. Rep. William Jefferson and Rep. Charles Rangel to name a few.
The men and women serving us in the House and Senate have spit in the face of each and everyone of us. The sat back and watched our countries economic stability hit the shitter while they did nothing but take money from those that were driving their companies into financial ruin. What did 'We the People' get? Nothing but a bunch of finger pointing. No one taking responsibility for the failure or for their actions. Not the CEO's of the companies. Not the congress for allowing it to happen.
I think it is high time that 'We the People' do some finger pointing of our own. We can do that on November 4th by throwing their ass to the curb and letting someone else have a chance. Then if the new people we elect don't do what 'We the People' want...then we throw them out and vote in the next group.
Do you want to see the members of the House and Senate scared? Start voting them out and see how fast they snap to.
How many of you remember Thomas Paine?
Thomas Paine was an English pamphleteer, revolutionary, radical, inventor, and intellectual. He lived and worked in Britain until age 37, when he emigrated to the British American colonies, in time to participate in the American Revolution. His principal contribution was the powerful, widely-read pamphlet Common Sense (1776), advocating colonial America's independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain, and of The American Crisis (1776–1783), a pro-revolutionary pamphlet series. (Wikipedia)
Well, Thomas Paine has come back and he is pissed. Watch the following Youtube video and see where those elected officials have repeatedly gone against the will of 'We the People'.
http://www.lawatchdog.com/SecondRevolution071108.html
Have you had enough?
We have heard all that the candidates have to say. I doubt there will be anything new said by either party in the next 2+ weeks. So it is all out there. The statements. The comments. The record. Now it is time for you, the voter, to take the next 2 weeks and make a decision that we will all live with for the next 4 years.
But this election is about so much more than who will occupy the white house. There are also 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 seats in the Senate that are up for grabs.
I have stated many times in this blog as well as stating it on the Redneck Radio News on NowLive (www.nowlive.com) that it is time for all the current members of the House and Senate to be kicked out on there collective butts.
Need a reason to do that? Just look at the recent comments by Rep. John Murtha. That western Pennsylvania is racist. Think about Rep. Ted Stevens from Alaska who is currently in federal court. Then there is Rep. Tim Mahoney. He took the seat vacated by Mark Foley for sending text messages to an intern. Now we find that Mr. Mahoney was having an affair while he was running for office. Guess the hours on the campaign trail just got a little longer.
There are so many others. Rep. William Jefferson and Rep. Charles Rangel to name a few.
The men and women serving us in the House and Senate have spit in the face of each and everyone of us. The sat back and watched our countries economic stability hit the shitter while they did nothing but take money from those that were driving their companies into financial ruin. What did 'We the People' get? Nothing but a bunch of finger pointing. No one taking responsibility for the failure or for their actions. Not the CEO's of the companies. Not the congress for allowing it to happen.
I think it is high time that 'We the People' do some finger pointing of our own. We can do that on November 4th by throwing their ass to the curb and letting someone else have a chance. Then if the new people we elect don't do what 'We the People' want...then we throw them out and vote in the next group.
Do you want to see the members of the House and Senate scared? Start voting them out and see how fast they snap to.
How many of you remember Thomas Paine?
Thomas Paine was an English pamphleteer, revolutionary, radical, inventor, and intellectual. He lived and worked in Britain until age 37, when he emigrated to the British American colonies, in time to participate in the American Revolution. His principal contribution was the powerful, widely-read pamphlet Common Sense (1776), advocating colonial America's independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain, and of The American Crisis (1776–1783), a pro-revolutionary pamphlet series. (Wikipedia)
Well, Thomas Paine has come back and he is pissed. Watch the following Youtube video and see where those elected officials have repeatedly gone against the will of 'We the People'.
http://www.lawatchdog.com/SecondRevolution071108.html
Have you had enough?
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Do it yourself!!!
Aren't you tired of turning on the TV or the radio and hearing nothing but all these political pundits telling us what we are supposed to think about the upcoming election?
I know that I am. I am just sick of hearing people, who probably know less than I do, telling me what I should think. This is especially true if this is anyone connected with the media. Any part of the media. This includes (but is not limited to) Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Alan Combes or Sean Hannity.
It is time for Americans to get away from the media and do some research on their own. If you are for Obama that is fine. If you want to vote for McCain that is fine to. Just don't take the campaigns word for anything and take the medias word even less.
Don't like conservative media? Read it anyway. Don't like the liberal media? Read it anyway. The truth of the story lies some where in between the two and the only way that you will find it is to dig for the truth yourself!!!
With the current state of this countries economic situation it is in the best interest of all Americans to get to the truth.
Someone sent me an email (and now I can't find it) that said this whole financial mess so well. In short:
If both parties are against large deficits...why do we still have large deficits?
If both parties are against high taxes...why do we still have high taxes?
We the people don't have the authority to submit a budget. The president does.
We the people don't have the authority to introduce government spending requests. The House of Representatives does.
So where do all the problems reside?
I know that I am. I am just sick of hearing people, who probably know less than I do, telling me what I should think. This is especially true if this is anyone connected with the media. Any part of the media. This includes (but is not limited to) Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Alan Combes or Sean Hannity.
It is time for Americans to get away from the media and do some research on their own. If you are for Obama that is fine. If you want to vote for McCain that is fine to. Just don't take the campaigns word for anything and take the medias word even less.
Don't like conservative media? Read it anyway. Don't like the liberal media? Read it anyway. The truth of the story lies some where in between the two and the only way that you will find it is to dig for the truth yourself!!!
With the current state of this countries economic situation it is in the best interest of all Americans to get to the truth.
Someone sent me an email (and now I can't find it) that said this whole financial mess so well. In short:
If both parties are against large deficits...why do we still have large deficits?
If both parties are against high taxes...why do we still have high taxes?
We the people don't have the authority to submit a budget. The president does.
We the people don't have the authority to introduce government spending requests. The House of Representatives does.
So where do all the problems reside?
Monday, October 6, 2008
Enough is Enough
I think I finally reached my breaking point.
Now I enjoy comedy and I enjoy satire. Anyone who listens to the Dog House on Nowlive.com knows that. But constantly calling a candidate that you happen to oppose is just plain being a moron. As far as I am concerned that is an answer by people who cannot debate the issues with facts because they know they will lose.
I might have lost a good friend last night. I sincerely hope not. But I just cannot take any more of calling an opposing candidate stupid when the one that person is for has made just as many mistakes and stuck his foot in his mouth as well. In fact, I don't usually even mention gaffs that politicians make in my blog. I leave that to the night time shows like Leno.
People who listen to me on NowLive and read my blogs know that I tend to lean conservative. Not democrat or republican...CONSERVATIVE. I have also made no secret of the fact that I voted for our current president and I am not happy with the job he has done. I was not happy with president Clinton. But I am not about to call our current president or any former president stupid. What Clinton did with Miss Monica was stupid. Lying about it was even more stupid. But I have never called president Clinton stupid. I have more respect for someone who has held that office than to use terms like that.
But yet that is the way some like to talk about presidents and former presidents and those running for the office. If you like to do that so be it. It is your right to free speech. But it is also my right not to have to listen and I won't.
So there are some areas on the internet that I will avoid until the election is over. If that offends someones sensibilities I humbly apologize. But it is better for me to stay away then it is to chance losing friendships that I value.
Now I enjoy comedy and I enjoy satire. Anyone who listens to the Dog House on Nowlive.com knows that. But constantly calling a candidate that you happen to oppose is just plain being a moron. As far as I am concerned that is an answer by people who cannot debate the issues with facts because they know they will lose.
I might have lost a good friend last night. I sincerely hope not. But I just cannot take any more of calling an opposing candidate stupid when the one that person is for has made just as many mistakes and stuck his foot in his mouth as well. In fact, I don't usually even mention gaffs that politicians make in my blog. I leave that to the night time shows like Leno.
People who listen to me on NowLive and read my blogs know that I tend to lean conservative. Not democrat or republican...CONSERVATIVE. I have also made no secret of the fact that I voted for our current president and I am not happy with the job he has done. I was not happy with president Clinton. But I am not about to call our current president or any former president stupid. What Clinton did with Miss Monica was stupid. Lying about it was even more stupid. But I have never called president Clinton stupid. I have more respect for someone who has held that office than to use terms like that.
But yet that is the way some like to talk about presidents and former presidents and those running for the office. If you like to do that so be it. It is your right to free speech. But it is also my right not to have to listen and I won't.
So there are some areas on the internet that I will avoid until the election is over. If that offends someones sensibilities I humbly apologize. But it is better for me to stay away then it is to chance losing friendships that I value.
Friday, October 3, 2008
The Debate and Congress
This will be my first two-part blog. There are two points I want to make this morning. One will be concerning the "debate" last night. The second deal with the congress of these United States.
So first...The Debate:
It was 8PM central time. The Dog House with Baddog had just ended on NowLive.com. I was ready to lay down and go to sleep. There was only one problem...my wife wanted to watch some of the VP Debate.
Now I will be honest. I don't generally subscribe to watching political debates. I see these people bloviate too much on the news already. Besides...if you are a democrat you are going to like what Senator Biden says and think that he won. If you are a republican you we see Governor Palin as the winner because you agree with what she says. So in most respects, what is the point of watching? These political debates are more about sound bites and giving the so called news media something to do then they are about the American people.
But, as I laid in bed all curled up in the covers I thought I heard something strange. It sounded like one of the candidates was actually disagreeing with the senior member of their ticket. Did I actually hear that or was I dreaming?
When I was listening to the news this morning I heard the commentators talking about Governor Palin disagreeing with John McCain on the question of drilling for oil in the ANWR. They were stating it in a kind of "how dare she" manner. Like a choice for VP should never disagree with the candidate for President. So I went to a website this morning and listened to the debate. I didn't watch it...I listened to it. Here was Joe Biden agreeing with everything that Barack Obama stands for. Now for the most part Sarah Palin did the same, but there was that part about drilling for oil where Governor Palin did say that she was still trying to change McCain's mind.
So on one hand we have Biden who agrees with everything that Obama's says even when there is clear evidence that he had changed his views since joining the ticket. On the other hand we have Palin stating that there were areas where she and McCain disagreed.
Now excuse me for bringing some logic into this political mess but let me point out something.
My wife and I have been married for over 35 years and I am here to tell you that she doesn't agree with me 100% of the time any more than I agree with her. But you know what? I want her to tell me when she doesn't agree with me. Her opinion matters to me. Her thoughts matter to me.
Now how long have Obama and Biden known each other? How long have McCain and Palin known each other? You cannot tell me that either Biden or Palin agree with 100% with the presidential candidate on their ticket. Folks that just ain't a gonna happen.
If Senator Biden wants to sit there and kiss Obama's ass on national TV during the debate, how do I know that he will speak his mind in those closed door meetings when the shit has hit the fan.
By the same token if Palin is willing to question the stance of McCain on national TV during a debate, I believe it shows that she is willing to lead should the need arise and is not afraid to speak her mind.
Nothing personal ya'll but that is who I want as a VP. I don't want a "yes" man or woman. I want someone who is willing to tell the president that he or she is an idiot if the situation warrants it. I want a VP that I know will speak their mind during those closed door meetings.
That is how I saw the debate.
Now on to point number 2...The Congress:
Now I know many people don't care for Foxnews. I look at the news from several different websites each morning and Foxnews is just one of them. I don't believe anyone should trust just one source for their news. All people have an agenda. That even includes those at Foxnews. They may be more fair and balanced than other outlets but that does not mean they don't have an agenda.
I noticed a video this morning of Bill O'Reilly interviewing Rep. Barney Frank. Now I know this was going to be fireworks and it does consist of a lot of screaming and yelling and even includes Mr. O'Reilly calling Rep. Frank a coward.
Now in some measure I have to agree with Mr. O'Reilly. Rep. Frank is a coward. But so are 433 other members of the House.
As I stated yesterday the only member of the US House of Representatives that has said that they had it wrong was Rep. Arthur Davis (D-AL).
As soon as the interview started Rep. Frank started in with the look at what I did or tried to do. This is the one fact that Mr. O'Reilly had totally correct. With members of the House or the Senate it is all about what I have done and how the other party caused all the problems.
Another example of why we are the American people need to send all 435 members of the House packing on November 4th.
No more of this bull about the democrats did this or the republicans did that. WE screwed up. WE were so partisan that we failed to work together to fix this problem. We are so into petty bickering that we allowed these crooks to screw "WE THE PEOPLE".
At the beginning of the interview Mr. O'Reilly stated that there is blame on both sides of the political isle. Mr. Frank could not even agree with that. With these people it is all about ME and not about WE.
Let's tell them all to take a hike out of Washington.
So first...The Debate:
It was 8PM central time. The Dog House with Baddog had just ended on NowLive.com. I was ready to lay down and go to sleep. There was only one problem...my wife wanted to watch some of the VP Debate.
Now I will be honest. I don't generally subscribe to watching political debates. I see these people bloviate too much on the news already. Besides...if you are a democrat you are going to like what Senator Biden says and think that he won. If you are a republican you we see Governor Palin as the winner because you agree with what she says. So in most respects, what is the point of watching? These political debates are more about sound bites and giving the so called news media something to do then they are about the American people.
But, as I laid in bed all curled up in the covers I thought I heard something strange. It sounded like one of the candidates was actually disagreeing with the senior member of their ticket. Did I actually hear that or was I dreaming?
When I was listening to the news this morning I heard the commentators talking about Governor Palin disagreeing with John McCain on the question of drilling for oil in the ANWR. They were stating it in a kind of "how dare she" manner. Like a choice for VP should never disagree with the candidate for President. So I went to a website this morning and listened to the debate. I didn't watch it...I listened to it. Here was Joe Biden agreeing with everything that Barack Obama stands for. Now for the most part Sarah Palin did the same, but there was that part about drilling for oil where Governor Palin did say that she was still trying to change McCain's mind.
So on one hand we have Biden who agrees with everything that Obama's says even when there is clear evidence that he had changed his views since joining the ticket. On the other hand we have Palin stating that there were areas where she and McCain disagreed.
Now excuse me for bringing some logic into this political mess but let me point out something.
My wife and I have been married for over 35 years and I am here to tell you that she doesn't agree with me 100% of the time any more than I agree with her. But you know what? I want her to tell me when she doesn't agree with me. Her opinion matters to me. Her thoughts matter to me.
Now how long have Obama and Biden known each other? How long have McCain and Palin known each other? You cannot tell me that either Biden or Palin agree with 100% with the presidential candidate on their ticket. Folks that just ain't a gonna happen.
If Senator Biden wants to sit there and kiss Obama's ass on national TV during the debate, how do I know that he will speak his mind in those closed door meetings when the shit has hit the fan.
By the same token if Palin is willing to question the stance of McCain on national TV during a debate, I believe it shows that she is willing to lead should the need arise and is not afraid to speak her mind.
Nothing personal ya'll but that is who I want as a VP. I don't want a "yes" man or woman. I want someone who is willing to tell the president that he or she is an idiot if the situation warrants it. I want a VP that I know will speak their mind during those closed door meetings.
That is how I saw the debate.
Now on to point number 2...The Congress:
Now I know many people don't care for Foxnews. I look at the news from several different websites each morning and Foxnews is just one of them. I don't believe anyone should trust just one source for their news. All people have an agenda. That even includes those at Foxnews. They may be more fair and balanced than other outlets but that does not mean they don't have an agenda.
I noticed a video this morning of Bill O'Reilly interviewing Rep. Barney Frank. Now I know this was going to be fireworks and it does consist of a lot of screaming and yelling and even includes Mr. O'Reilly calling Rep. Frank a coward.
Now in some measure I have to agree with Mr. O'Reilly. Rep. Frank is a coward. But so are 433 other members of the House.
As I stated yesterday the only member of the US House of Representatives that has said that they had it wrong was Rep. Arthur Davis (D-AL).
As soon as the interview started Rep. Frank started in with the look at what I did or tried to do. This is the one fact that Mr. O'Reilly had totally correct. With members of the House or the Senate it is all about what I have done and how the other party caused all the problems.
Another example of why we are the American people need to send all 435 members of the House packing on November 4th.
No more of this bull about the democrats did this or the republicans did that. WE screwed up. WE were so partisan that we failed to work together to fix this problem. We are so into petty bickering that we allowed these crooks to screw "WE THE PEOPLE".
At the beginning of the interview Mr. O'Reilly stated that there is blame on both sides of the political isle. Mr. Frank could not even agree with that. With these people it is all about ME and not about WE.
Let's tell them all to take a hike out of Washington.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Is there hope?
How many of you have been keeping track of the "bail out" bill that has been dancing around the congress for the last week? How many are aware of the vote that happened in the Senate last night? How many are aware of a member of the US House has actually apologized and called on his party to do the same?
Quote from a statement released by Rep. Davis (D-AL) on 9/30/08:
"Like a lot of my Democratic colleagues I was too slow to appreciate the recklessness of Fannie and Freddie. I defended their efforts to encourage affordable homeownership when in retrospect I should have heeded the concerns raised by their regulator in 2004. Frankly, I wish my Democratic colleagues would admit when it comes to Fannie and Freddie, we were wrong. By the way, I wish my Republican colleagues would admit that they missed the early warning signs, that Wall Street deregulation was overheating the securities market and promoting dangerously lax lending practices. When it comes to the debacle in our capital markets, there is much blame to go around for both sides."
100 members of the Senate along with 435 members of the House of Representatives and this man is the only one to come forward and offer any kind of apology for the whole debacle that has been laid at the feet of the tax payers of this country. One out of 535!!!!
Folks it is high time we held the feet of these people to the fire.
And speaking of holding someones feet to the fire. To the presidential candidate that said that it is my patriotic duty to bail these bastards out let me just say oh hell no!!!!
It was the patriotic duty of those in congress to stop this from happening in the first place. What say we take the bail out funds out of the pay of our elected representatives and senators!! Now there is a bail out plan. They ignored it in 2004 during hearings in the house. Rep. Davis said it correctly...we had it wrong!! So I think it only fitting that those folks pay for the mistake. I think someone ought to put a bill in congress that would give them a pay cut. After all...if I were to botch up a job this bad you can be I would loose money. I would also probably loose my job. Why is it that these people are exempt from any of that? The answer, by the way, is because we let them get away with it!!
Not to mention that one of the presidential candidates has one of the crooks from Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae as part of his campaign staff and will probably end up on his cabinet.
Now for those of you who want to know who that candidate is I suggest that you do your own research and get the answer to your question.
But I will tell you this...this kind of action should no be rewarded like this.
Not to mention that fact that 3 of the 4 people currently on the tickets for president and vice president were all part of this crap from the beginning. Biden, Obama and McCain are all members of the Senate and all had a hand in it. Have you heard any of them apologize for what happened at the hands of congress? Nope. Again...let's be clear...this was NOT the president. This was CONGRESS!!!
Get the word out...let's make sure that the jobless rate goes up by 470. That is the number of elected members of congress that are up for reelection. All 435 members of the House and 35 members of the Senate. Let's vote all of them out of office and make them look for a real job.
If I lived in Alabama I might let Rep. Davis stay. At least he is apologizing and saying they had it wrong.
Quote from a statement released by Rep. Davis (D-AL) on 9/30/08:
"Like a lot of my Democratic colleagues I was too slow to appreciate the recklessness of Fannie and Freddie. I defended their efforts to encourage affordable homeownership when in retrospect I should have heeded the concerns raised by their regulator in 2004. Frankly, I wish my Democratic colleagues would admit when it comes to Fannie and Freddie, we were wrong. By the way, I wish my Republican colleagues would admit that they missed the early warning signs, that Wall Street deregulation was overheating the securities market and promoting dangerously lax lending practices. When it comes to the debacle in our capital markets, there is much blame to go around for both sides."
100 members of the Senate along with 435 members of the House of Representatives and this man is the only one to come forward and offer any kind of apology for the whole debacle that has been laid at the feet of the tax payers of this country. One out of 535!!!!
Folks it is high time we held the feet of these people to the fire.
And speaking of holding someones feet to the fire. To the presidential candidate that said that it is my patriotic duty to bail these bastards out let me just say oh hell no!!!!
It was the patriotic duty of those in congress to stop this from happening in the first place. What say we take the bail out funds out of the pay of our elected representatives and senators!! Now there is a bail out plan. They ignored it in 2004 during hearings in the house. Rep. Davis said it correctly...we had it wrong!! So I think it only fitting that those folks pay for the mistake. I think someone ought to put a bill in congress that would give them a pay cut. After all...if I were to botch up a job this bad you can be I would loose money. I would also probably loose my job. Why is it that these people are exempt from any of that? The answer, by the way, is because we let them get away with it!!
Not to mention that one of the presidential candidates has one of the crooks from Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae as part of his campaign staff and will probably end up on his cabinet.
Now for those of you who want to know who that candidate is I suggest that you do your own research and get the answer to your question.
But I will tell you this...this kind of action should no be rewarded like this.
Not to mention that fact that 3 of the 4 people currently on the tickets for president and vice president were all part of this crap from the beginning. Biden, Obama and McCain are all members of the Senate and all had a hand in it. Have you heard any of them apologize for what happened at the hands of congress? Nope. Again...let's be clear...this was NOT the president. This was CONGRESS!!!
Get the word out...let's make sure that the jobless rate goes up by 470. That is the number of elected members of congress that are up for reelection. All 435 members of the House and 35 members of the Senate. Let's vote all of them out of office and make them look for a real job.
If I lived in Alabama I might let Rep. Davis stay. At least he is apologizing and saying they had it wrong.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Do we finally get it?
I have been away for far too long. The move to Mississippi is completed and it is high time I get my fat ass in gear and get back to blogging. Many have to me how much they enjoyed reading my morning rant. So it is for those friends that I pick this back up and get back to it.
Do you think we finally get it?
All the talking heads and politicians are going around affixing blame to why the bail out bill failed in the House of Representatives. It was because of Ms. Pelosi's statement right before the vote. Please! It was because Ms. Pelosi couldn't bring the votes in from her own party. Please!!
You want to know why this bill failed in the House. You can ask any of my friends who were in the Dog House on Monday on NowLive (www.nowlive.com). I said it that night. It was the American people who sank that bill. Not Nancy Pelosi or any other politician. "WE THE PEOPLE" DID IT!!!!!!
Much like the Dubai Port deal that got defeated in 2007, it was the American people. We actually told congress what to do and change the course of a vote in congress.
So do we finally get it? Do we finally get the fact that "We the people" can actually make a difference? Do we now see that if we take an active role in government that we can take back what is rightfully ours, control of the government of the United States. Most of those currently in congress think that the American people are sleeping. We aren't paying any attention so they can do as they like. This means all of them. Democrat, Republican, Liberal, Conservative, Moderate or Independent. All of those elected to congress felt that the American people didn't care. We have put up with the lying, the cheating, the finger pointing and all of the other bullshit for so long that we just don't care. Apparently they were wrong. Apparently "We the People" do care and are paying attention. Or at least we are now.
"We the people" sat back and let congress (note...I did not say democrats or republicans) take this country into the toilet and we did nothing. We blame the current president, no matter what party he is affiliated with, for all the countries woes. Are we finally learning that it is congress that writes the checks and passes the laws? Are we finally starting to hold congress accountable for its part in the state we find ourselves in today? I can only hope.
How many people realize that the entire House of Representatives is up for re-election this November? All 435 members of the House are worried about their jobs. We not all. Some are running unopposed or are essentially unchallenged for their seat in congress. Folks let me tell you that this is a shame!! Everyone of those bastards should fear for their job every election. But "We the People" give them a pass. We see them investigated and indited. We see them cheat us and lie. We see just how inept they are at leading this country and we give them a pass.
Oh hell no!!! Wake up folks!!! It is high time that "We the People" take back the government that is supposed to be ours. IT IS OURS!!!! IT IS NOT THEIRS!!!!
About a month ago there was a new show that started on NowLive called Red Neck Radio News. It is on several websites with Nowlive being the flagship. For over a month we have been calling on "We the People" to vote every incumbent in congress out of office the next time they are up for re-election. We can make a start this November by voting out all 435 members of the House of Representatives.
How many members of the House have you seen on TV since the bail out went down on Monday saying that they fear losing their jobs. How many of us live with this fear everyday because of their mismanagement of the country. Remember, congress has more to do with the jobless rate then the president does. Playing with taxes, NAFTA, stifling government regulations. Congress passes tax legislation. Congress ratifies treaties. Congress passes laws and regulations. How much do all of these things affect the unemployment in this country?
Oh...and congress is also the ones that have the ability to take this country to war. But they gave that power that was afforded only them in the constitution and handed it over to the president.
So have we learned? Do we finally get it? The government is "We the People" and it is time we take it back.
Do you think we finally get it?
All the talking heads and politicians are going around affixing blame to why the bail out bill failed in the House of Representatives. It was because of Ms. Pelosi's statement right before the vote. Please! It was because Ms. Pelosi couldn't bring the votes in from her own party. Please!!
You want to know why this bill failed in the House. You can ask any of my friends who were in the Dog House on Monday on NowLive (www.nowlive.com). I said it that night. It was the American people who sank that bill. Not Nancy Pelosi or any other politician. "WE THE PEOPLE" DID IT!!!!!!
Much like the Dubai Port deal that got defeated in 2007, it was the American people. We actually told congress what to do and change the course of a vote in congress.
So do we finally get it? Do we finally get the fact that "We the people" can actually make a difference? Do we now see that if we take an active role in government that we can take back what is rightfully ours, control of the government of the United States. Most of those currently in congress think that the American people are sleeping. We aren't paying any attention so they can do as they like. This means all of them. Democrat, Republican, Liberal, Conservative, Moderate or Independent. All of those elected to congress felt that the American people didn't care. We have put up with the lying, the cheating, the finger pointing and all of the other bullshit for so long that we just don't care. Apparently they were wrong. Apparently "We the People" do care and are paying attention. Or at least we are now.
"We the people" sat back and let congress (note...I did not say democrats or republicans) take this country into the toilet and we did nothing. We blame the current president, no matter what party he is affiliated with, for all the countries woes. Are we finally learning that it is congress that writes the checks and passes the laws? Are we finally starting to hold congress accountable for its part in the state we find ourselves in today? I can only hope.
How many people realize that the entire House of Representatives is up for re-election this November? All 435 members of the House are worried about their jobs. We not all. Some are running unopposed or are essentially unchallenged for their seat in congress. Folks let me tell you that this is a shame!! Everyone of those bastards should fear for their job every election. But "We the People" give them a pass. We see them investigated and indited. We see them cheat us and lie. We see just how inept they are at leading this country and we give them a pass.
Oh hell no!!! Wake up folks!!! It is high time that "We the People" take back the government that is supposed to be ours. IT IS OURS!!!! IT IS NOT THEIRS!!!!
About a month ago there was a new show that started on NowLive called Red Neck Radio News. It is on several websites with Nowlive being the flagship. For over a month we have been calling on "We the People" to vote every incumbent in congress out of office the next time they are up for re-election. We can make a start this November by voting out all 435 members of the House of Representatives.
How many members of the House have you seen on TV since the bail out went down on Monday saying that they fear losing their jobs. How many of us live with this fear everyday because of their mismanagement of the country. Remember, congress has more to do with the jobless rate then the president does. Playing with taxes, NAFTA, stifling government regulations. Congress passes tax legislation. Congress ratifies treaties. Congress passes laws and regulations. How much do all of these things affect the unemployment in this country?
Oh...and congress is also the ones that have the ability to take this country to war. But they gave that power that was afforded only them in the constitution and handed it over to the president.
So have we learned? Do we finally get it? The government is "We the People" and it is time we take it back.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Congress...lying assholes
I have no blogged in over a month. With the move to Mississippi and the new job starting soon I have just had too many other more important things on my mind (and as small as it is there ain't room for much anyway).
Let's talk about congress. That is the men and women who make up the United States Congress. The ones who are so quick to point out when someone else lies or does something wrong. Yet they scream bloody murder if someone should question what they say or do.
Now this problem goes across party lines. But today's member of choice is on Charles Rangel, Democrat NY.
In the past week there have been two articles in separate newspapers regarding Mr. Rangel and some of his dealings. One deals with his taking money for an academic center (named after himself). That one I will leave alone until there is time for all the facts to come out.
The first one published was the fact that Mr. Rangel was renting four apartments at reduced prices in a prestigious apartment building. One of these apartments was being used for his campaign headquarters. Now that my friends is against New York city rules.
Now Mr. Rangel says he has done nothing unethical or against the law. Yet he has given up the apartment that he was using for his campaign office. If he was doing nothing wrong...why give up the apartment.
Well the the city rules state that rent-controlled apartments to be used as a primary residence. So he gave up the one used as his campaign HQs. How about the other three? Are these being used as a "primary residence"?
It is a shame that those who are elected members of congress seem to think that laws and rules passed for everyone else to follow don't apply to them. It seems they also feel that if they just give it back that the fact that they had it doesn't matter. Well I say that is BULLSHIT!!!!!!
If someone robbed a bank and got caught but gave back the money would we just let them go? I don't think so.
If these assholes break the rules they need to be held accountable for that. I don't care if they took campaign money for someone they shouldn't have and broke the law...I could care less that they gave it back or donated it to charity...they broke the damn law!!!
When are we, the American people, going to wise up to these folks. They will say or do anything to get your vote. They will promise you anything...to get your vote. They will blame anybody...to get your vote.
Where is the leadership?
Hey McCain...Obama...you want me to vote for you...stand up and take responsibility when you do or say something wrong don't blame someone else. Don't even blame someone on your staff. Stand up and admit it. It is YOUR staff. It is YOUR campaign.
But most of all this goes to the 535 people who are elected as members of congress. Stop pointing fingers at the President. Stop pointing fingers at the Democrats. Stop pointing fingers at the Republicans.
Start taking responsibility for the things that you do wrong.
Personally...I don't think they have the nerve to do it.
Let's talk about congress. That is the men and women who make up the United States Congress. The ones who are so quick to point out when someone else lies or does something wrong. Yet they scream bloody murder if someone should question what they say or do.
Now this problem goes across party lines. But today's member of choice is on Charles Rangel, Democrat NY.
In the past week there have been two articles in separate newspapers regarding Mr. Rangel and some of his dealings. One deals with his taking money for an academic center (named after himself). That one I will leave alone until there is time for all the facts to come out.
The first one published was the fact that Mr. Rangel was renting four apartments at reduced prices in a prestigious apartment building. One of these apartments was being used for his campaign headquarters. Now that my friends is against New York city rules.
Now Mr. Rangel says he has done nothing unethical or against the law. Yet he has given up the apartment that he was using for his campaign office. If he was doing nothing wrong...why give up the apartment.
Well the the city rules state that rent-controlled apartments to be used as a primary residence. So he gave up the one used as his campaign HQs. How about the other three? Are these being used as a "primary residence"?
It is a shame that those who are elected members of congress seem to think that laws and rules passed for everyone else to follow don't apply to them. It seems they also feel that if they just give it back that the fact that they had it doesn't matter. Well I say that is BULLSHIT!!!!!!
If someone robbed a bank and got caught but gave back the money would we just let them go? I don't think so.
If these assholes break the rules they need to be held accountable for that. I don't care if they took campaign money for someone they shouldn't have and broke the law...I could care less that they gave it back or donated it to charity...they broke the damn law!!!
When are we, the American people, going to wise up to these folks. They will say or do anything to get your vote. They will promise you anything...to get your vote. They will blame anybody...to get your vote.
Where is the leadership?
Hey McCain...Obama...you want me to vote for you...stand up and take responsibility when you do or say something wrong don't blame someone else. Don't even blame someone on your staff. Stand up and admit it. It is YOUR staff. It is YOUR campaign.
But most of all this goes to the 535 people who are elected as members of congress. Stop pointing fingers at the President. Stop pointing fingers at the Democrats. Stop pointing fingers at the Republicans.
Start taking responsibility for the things that you do wrong.
Personally...I don't think they have the nerve to do it.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Big Oil vs Big Enviornmental
Here is an interesting news story about a leading climate change scientist that wants to take the oil executives to court and put them on trial for causing climate change.
Now don't get me wrong. I would love to see the oil execs in a court of law. But for enabling the high price of oil. Not for causing climate change. Actually...let's be honest...what I would like is to have several million of us catch the oil execs in an alley and bit the living tar out of them.
But to take the oil companies to court for climate change is nothing but pure bull.
Then again...how about all these environmentalists and tree huggers take the oil execs to court if we the people have the right to take all of them to court and get the chance to prove that these people are nothing but a bunch of lunatics. They are every bit as bad as the oil execs they hate. Just on the other end of the scale.
Much of the climate change that has been brought forth over the past several decades has been debunked by pure science. The earth does got though natural periods of heating and cooling. Most can be tied to effects from the sun.
There are people trying to predict the weather decades from now and we cannot even get it right on the 10 day forecast.
I am not in favor of just jumping off the cliff all together and saying that man has no part in climate change. I sure that we do. But not to the extent that some of the scientists and others are saying.
You see I also believe that there is a God. I believe He created the heaven's and the earth. Do I know how He did it? Oh hell no. Do I really care how he did it? Oh hell no. But I do believe that His divine hand guided the process used.
If God is perfect (and I believe He is) then His creation is perfect and the only one that can destroy it is God. No human being can ever hope to have that kind of power. Even if we nuked this planet I believe that it would some how survive and life would go on. May be not human life...but life in some form.
You see there is one thing that human beings have had the power to do since Adam and Eve left the garden. We have had the power to destroy ourselves. That my friends is called free will.
But then may be I am just a Christian nut job. But that is my opinion. What is yours?
Now don't get me wrong. I would love to see the oil execs in a court of law. But for enabling the high price of oil. Not for causing climate change. Actually...let's be honest...what I would like is to have several million of us catch the oil execs in an alley and bit the living tar out of them.
But to take the oil companies to court for climate change is nothing but pure bull.
Then again...how about all these environmentalists and tree huggers take the oil execs to court if we the people have the right to take all of them to court and get the chance to prove that these people are nothing but a bunch of lunatics. They are every bit as bad as the oil execs they hate. Just on the other end of the scale.
Much of the climate change that has been brought forth over the past several decades has been debunked by pure science. The earth does got though natural periods of heating and cooling. Most can be tied to effects from the sun.
There are people trying to predict the weather decades from now and we cannot even get it right on the 10 day forecast.
I am not in favor of just jumping off the cliff all together and saying that man has no part in climate change. I sure that we do. But not to the extent that some of the scientists and others are saying.
You see I also believe that there is a God. I believe He created the heaven's and the earth. Do I know how He did it? Oh hell no. Do I really care how he did it? Oh hell no. But I do believe that His divine hand guided the process used.
If God is perfect (and I believe He is) then His creation is perfect and the only one that can destroy it is God. No human being can ever hope to have that kind of power. Even if we nuked this planet I believe that it would some how survive and life would go on. May be not human life...but life in some form.
You see there is one thing that human beings have had the power to do since Adam and Eve left the garden. We have had the power to destroy ourselves. That my friends is called free will.
But then may be I am just a Christian nut job. But that is my opinion. What is yours?
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