Jul. 25, 2009 - Mark the day; I agree with the NY Times.
Today's NY Times on Obama's Gates arrest statements:
"Advisers said both his sharp statement, which was made at Wednesday night’s news conference, and his toned-down remarks on Friday reflected strains of his experiences. He was personally outraged by the arrest and wanted to speak bluntly about it, aides said. And they said he was distressed that his words proved polarizing and contrary to his instincts for conciliation."
Duh. Race issues are hard in America. The President, to borrow a phrase, acted stupidly in rushing to comment on a situation where he didn't know the facts. As more emerges about the facts of this particular case and it becomes increasingly clear that this case does not fit any racially motivated pattern, does anyone in our country seriously doubt that many cases do exist where there is underlying racial tension exhibited by police?
On Friday, I think Obama showed the three things I like best about him. First, he listens to his wife. If reports are accurate, it was after talking the whole hoohaw over with Michelle that Obama marched himself into the press room to try to dial back his wrong comments. Second, he at least tries to listen to opposing viewpoints. Third, his astute political survival instincts can push him to make concessions that go against some of his strong opinions.
I don't know if Michelle can help him with his stances on Israel and on health care (I suspect not). But the President would do well to apply some of what I do like about him to craft better foreign and domestic policies, rather than solely extend those instincts only in political dust-ups threatening his personal popularity.
Blessings, Holly
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Jul. 21, 2009 - Thank Goodness he told me what the United Nations was!
This is just too delicious to even merit comment. Form your own; I know I had much fun in reading it. Enjoy Senator Burris' response to my letter asking him not to support the UN Rights of the Child Treaty if it ever came up for a vote and remember, these are the folks wanting to redefine health care in America!
Blessings, Holly
Dear Mrs. Ramsey:
Thank you for writing me with your legislative inquiry concerning the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child and the sovereignty of the United States of America. It is important that citizens take an active role in the governmental process, because ultimately my colleagues and I are here to serve you.
As you may know, the United Nations is a multifaceted international organization that works primarily to fund humanitarian efforts and promote peace worldwide. The very existence of the United Nations hinges on the willingness of all parties to work together for the peace and prosperity of the global community. Without trying to be intrusive, the United Nations seeks to make the world a better place – although sometimes it may question the sovereignty of a nation.
I firmly believe that we need to stand in the interest of the United States of America in all dealings foreign and domestic, but we need to cooperate with the rest of the world in promoting issues of equality, justice, and prosperity. After all, the United States was, in fact, a charter nation for this international organization and its goals and interests are often linked with our own.
I will continue to listen closely to what you and other Illinoisans have to say about matters before Congress, the concerns of our communities, and the issues facing Illinois and the nation. My job is not about merely supporting or opposing legislation; it is also about bridging the divide that has paralyzed our nation's politics.
Sincerely,
Roland W. Burris
United States Senator
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Jul. 16, 2009 - Quick! Someone give this man a NY Times!
This CBO guy must have missed the NY Times headline I discussed in my morning blog entry.
The salient quote from the CBO today for those too lazy to click:
In the legislation that has been reported we do not see the sort of fundamental changes that would be necessary to reduce the trajectory of federal health spending by a significant amount. And on the contrary, the legislation significantly expands the federal responsibility for health care costs.
Blessings, Holly
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Jul. 16, 2009 - Quite Possibly the Most Stupid and Least Honest
headliner the NY Times has ever written...and that is really saying something! Is there one person in America who honestly believes this? If so, contact me...I have some great real estate deals for ya!
Blessings, Holly
A Strong Health Reform Bill
Republicans may balk, but a bill proposed by the Democrats could solve the nation’s health care problems without driving up the deficit.
To put the consideration of ANY new program into context:
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Jul. 14, 2009 - And speaking of grown-ups
What is with the complete Republican implosion and crazy person antics of Sanford and Palin?
What is with the Obama person in charge of GM having to resign because of the little ole pension fund scandal back in NY?
Is there not a Republican who can stay out of the tabloids and be faithful to their spouse? Is there not a Dem who can be financially clean and pay their taxes before advocating our own go through the roof (and is there any other way to pay for our now $1 trillion budget deficit for just this year?).
Does anyone else think we really do seem to be back in the time of Judges when each did right "according to their own eyes?"
Do we honestly think our salvation or change will come from the hands of a political leader? Did anyone else laugh when the G8 commanded the earth not to warm? Who do we think we are?
And do we honestly think we will escape judgment for all this?
Full morning rant over. Off on my morning waddle and to use the silence to remind myself that acting like Jonah when the vine dies is not my best quality. Remember that? Jonah was actually pretty ticked that God chose to save those no good Ninevites and pretty ticked that God who gave him the plant for shade also took away the same plant shielding Jonah from the hot sun. Basically, Jonah was just one ticked dude.
Despite it all, God is still on his throne and still calling people to Himself. Even Jonah.
Even Jonah Blessings, Holly
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Jul. 14, 2009 - So I'm a bit confused...
I've been tracking the "lies" the CIA supposedly told in developing stories in both the Wall St. Journal and NY Times.
The timing of the "lies" revelation strkes me as extremely suspect, coming as it does days before Congress tries once again to limit executive authority (Obama admin has threatened veto of that bill).
Pelosi took a beating in the spring when she accused CIA of lying and Panetta gave her a smack down. Pelosi's lies accusation came at the precise time that her waterboard witch hunt backfired as it became clear she herself was briefed early on it and apparently approved or at least was silent about it.
Reading today's NYT account, the "lie" the CIA told was in not informing Congress about a never operational program to assassinate top Al-Qaeda officials. CIA maintains no specific plans were ever put forth and helloooo, they aren't required to brief on this anyway. Al Qaeda leaders are not heads of state (these are a no no to assassinate).
Bush admin. maintains killing Al Qaeda leaders with a drone from a plane or a gun on the ground is the same thing--they are enemy combatants.
The Obama admin, btw, agrees with this position.
Does anyone feel any safer knowing Panetta killed even the musings of these ideas when he became aware of the program back in June? Do the well-coordinated Congressional Dem leaks about "lies" make anyone think the Congressional Dems have grown up at all when it comes to not playing political games with our safety?
Nope, me either. Oh well. At least we have Al Franken on the case now too. Rest easy, America.
Blessings, Holly
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Apr. 14, 2009 - Another Reason to love Ari Fleisher
This makes so much sense that of course our hapless pols of both parties will never enact it.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123958260423012269.html#mod=djemEditorialPage
Blessings, Holly
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Apr. 7, 2009 - Downright Snarky
Every so often the Wall St. Journal gets downright snarky in a way I find quite funny. Today proved to be one of those days:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123905884295394797.html#mod=djemEditorialPage
Blessings, Holly
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Mar. 20, 2009 - How Stupid does Congress think we are, anyway?
Apparently, they must think we are pretty dumb. 90% tax on AIG bonuses? Set aside ex post facto and bill of attainder considerations; are we really to look at the Great Oz of AIG bonuses and ignore Congress as the lever-puller behind the screen? I don't think Americans are that stupid.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123751023925990683.html#mod=djemEditorialPage
Blessings, Holly
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Feb. 27, 2009 - A Translation Guide
Spot on!
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123569711858288917.html
Kimberly Strassel strikes me as the female John Stossel. Too bad they didn't marry; wouldn't that have been a wonderful tongue twister of a hypenated last name? Anyway, she brokes no bull, which I admire.
Blessings, Holly
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Feb. 26, 2009 - Pragmatists Don't Ignore Data
A tax policy that confiscated 100% of the taxable income of everyone in America earning over $500,000 in 2006 would only have given Congress an extra $1.3 trillion in revenue. That's less than half the 2006 federal budget of $2.7 trillion and looks tiny compared to the more than $4 trillion Congress will spend in fiscal 2010. (WSJ, 2/26/09)
Taxing the wealthy ain't gonna cut it. The whole WSJ piece, The 2% Illusion, here:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123561551065378405.html?mod=djemEditorialPage
And you didn't miss the $410 Billion supplemental on top of the $787 Billion spending bill, did you? I think Congress has approximately 9000 ear-marked reasons for hoping you're not paying too much attention.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123561629425978503.html
Bread and circuses continue.
Blessings, Holly
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Feb. 23, 2009 - Mandatory Reading
If you only read two columnists, make sure one is James Pethokoukis of US News and World Report.
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/capital-commerce/2009/2/23/rick-santelli-the-man-who-talked-back.html
And make sure the other is John Kass of the Chicago Tribune.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass-matches-bd-15-feb15,0,6060540.column
Try em each for 30 days and let me know what you think!
Blessings, Holly
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Feb. 22, 2009 - Why you always should read to the very end of a NY Times article.
Unlike some of my conservative brethren, I do believe the NY Times can contain useful information. But you must read all the way to the very end of an article. The NY Times seems to bury the lead more often than not, particularly when said lead would show that Bush statements were true and its policies sound.
To that end, from the very bottom of a piece in today's Sunday Times:
He (Obama) also ordered a review of whether conditions there meet the standards of humane treatment required by the Geneva Conventions, and a review of what could be done with each of the 245 detainees who remain at the prison.
On Friday, government officials said that a Pentagon official had completed the Guantánamo report, concluding that the site complies with the Geneva Conventions’ requirements for humane treatment
The full article can be found under the headline Obama Upholds Detainee Policy in Afganistan. The main point: the Obama administration agrees with the Bush administration position that military detainees in Afganistan have no legal right to challenge their imprisonment.
Which is a very bad thing for the Move On and Code Pink crowd, but a very good decision for our country. I suppose it is too much to ask that Obama and his people apologize and recognize Bush was right on some of these critical issues? Or am I the only one put off by Obama's not subtly hidden attacks on Bush during Obama's inaugural address and then his quick embrace of many of the Bush policies that helped keep us safe since 2001? Still, if that's the way he has to talk so that his base doesn't desert him, I suppose that's ok, as long as he continues to act in the sane manner of one hears the daily threat reports.
Blessings, Holly
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Feb. 20, 2009 - Money for Idiots and update on anti-Semitism
I read David Brooks' column entitled Money for Idiots in today's NY Times. Brooks, who passes for a conservative voice at the Times--and only in such a milieau might that actually be true--doesn't disagree with my assessment of the housing program idea. But he thinks it's necessary anyway.
I'm generally leery of arguments that agree with common sense in theory but then seek a different application in real life. Don't we call that a slippery slope? Yes, I agree abortion is wrong BUT. Yes, I think marriage is forever BUT. Sure, credit card debt is bad BUT. You get the idea.
And in other news, you really gotta watch the Obama admin on the weekends. Rendition as an option was announced on a weekend. If Obama has to dump it in the news at a less conspicuous time to avoid left leaning ire, I'm still in favor. Heartens me that the daily threat briefings may be having an effect on his thinking.
Last weekend, though, was an equal and opposite dump. Beware of anything released at 7pm on a Saturday night! Should the US really have anything to do with conferences steeped in anti-Semitism and limiting free speech rights? I don't think so either.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123508939643928103.html?mod=djemEditorialPage
Blessings, Holly
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Feb. 19, 2009 - Remember the Good Old Days?
Remember the good old days of, say, a month ago when our bitter complaints centered merely how Obama wanted to redistribute wealth?
At least that, as Alan Reynolds points out, was based on income. The housing "rescue" provides redistribution based on debt. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123500284970517737.html
You owe more, you get more goodies. Have you been responsible, saving appropriately for a down payment? Too bad, so sad. No goodies for you.
Did you lie on your loan application? No matter. That's not an issue or criteria for assessing who gets the goodies. Liars welcome.
It irks me when the responsible have to pay for the irresponsible. That irks me because I fall into the former category.
But you know what? I'm in the former category now. I've been in the latter too and I can tell you that these proposed "solutions" would have delayed necessary life lessons.
We've been in a home we couldn't afford, cutting that magic mortgage payment-to-income ratio too close. Never in our wildest dreams would it have occurred to us that someone should bail us out. We sold the home, moved into an apartment and began again a few years later on a much more solid footing.
That provided one of the best financial lessons ever. One that saved us in this current market as we about killed ourselves to put down 20% in our expensive geographic location and we determined to pay off the balance in 15 years rather than 30. Trust me, once you've been to the land of stupid, you really don't want to schedule a return trip.
We've drowned under a mountain of debt. We repaid it all and never again took on any debt other than our mortgage for longer than 30 days.
We made the leap from irresponsible to responsible because of the school of hard knocks. We need a better housing plan so that others can learn that as well. Assisting people to stay in slavery to debt is no plan at all.
Blessings, Holly
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Feb. 3, 2009 - My letter to Senator Durbin
Dear Senator Durbin:
I am an Illinois voter.
I urge you to use every power at your disposal to convince tax cheat Tom Daschle to remove himself from consideration for employment in the Obama administration.
If he will not, I urge you not to vote in favor of his confirmation.
I also urge you to vote against the bloated spending package that the Democrats are trying to foist upon the American people under the guise of "stimulus." It does not meet criteria set forth by President Obama's advisors to be targeted, temporary and timely. It will result in increased indebtedness of our children and grandchildren, probably huge inflation as the economy begins to bounce back and an unprecedented expansion in the size and scope of federal government.
Given that Social Security is bankrupt and Medicare/Medicaid is bankrupt and our education system is in shambles, I do not trust a federal solution to our most pressing problems. The recent SCHIP expansion of subsidies to families earning up to $65K per year shows Washington's lack of common sense restraint.
Quite frankly, and with all due respect Senator, I view the actions taken so far by this Congress to be a huge part of the problem.
Sincerely,
Holly
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Feb. 1, 2009 - I'm just sayin...
Understand I am not applauding bonuses to failing execs. I live in the real world where my husband's bonuses are actually tied to performance, so I share the anger all Americans feel about this. Stick with me here.
Let's compare that anger to the so far ho-hum response to Daschle evading taxes by saying that he had become so used to car and driver that when it was supplied to him as a lobbyist, it never occurred to him to pay taxes on it. This is the man we want in charge of creating a lean and efficient new health care system? That's nearly as absurd as imagining a tax evader and chief watchdog of the Wall St .banks during the crash as our new Secretary of the Treasury. Oh, wait. We already confirmed Geithner.
Let's try a little experiment. Don't pay your taxes this year and when the IRS comes after you, just tell them it was but a "hiccup." You'd only be borrowing Senator Reid's excusal of Geithner.
Used to be that these types of "mistakes"--and is it a mistake if you wait years between knowing about it and paying up a la Geithner?--put the kibosh on a nomination. I guess the rules are different now. But it doesn't make me feel much hope.
Blessings, Holly
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Jan. 31, 2009 - The Ad you *won't* see on Super Bowl Sunday.
Now, I'm not a big sports fan. Just found out yesterday which two teams would even be playing in the Super Bowl (but may I just add, "Go, Kurt Warner!"). But I heard even grown men in the grocery store yesterday admitting that they were just really watching the game for the ads.
What a pity that they won't see this one, rejected by NBC from the CatholicVote.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2CaBR3z85c
Blessings, Holly
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Jan. 31, 2009 - Noonan Nails It.
Peggy Noonan completely captures how I think most Americans think about the spending package recently passed by the House. From her column:
That's how the Democratic establishment in the House looks, not like people who are responding to a crisis, or even like people who are ignoring a crisis, but people who are using a crisis. Our hopeful, compelling new president shouldn't have gone with this bill.
The whole enchilada here:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123326587231330357.html?mod=djemEditorialPage
Blessings, Holly
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Jan. 30, 2009 - Glad I'm not President
So, I hear tell that Obama has drafted a letter to the nut in Iran, offering direct talks at some level between the US and Iran.
I'm uncertain as to whether this quote from the nut came prior to receiving the letter or after it, but sheesh...what is there to talk about?
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, soured the global welcome party by declaring that “Change means giving up support for the rootless, uncivilised, fabricated, murdering…Zionists.” (source: The Economist online).
My proposal: lock Carter, Ahmadinejad and the Hamas leadership in a room and let them talk nonsense to each other for as long as they like. Just don't let them out into sane society and let's not take up the current President's time by trying to negotiate with outright, rank evil. Let him cut his teeth on trying to rein in just plain bad ideas like those from Pelosi a la the spending package.
Blessings, Holly
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