The Ease of Voting

The gang at the lake does not understand all the hassles that people have voting. I showed up and went immediately to the table for my ward. No line at all. Even before I could get my wallet fully out Jean, at the table, told me they wouldn't need that. She has known me for years. She pojnted out to the woman next at the table that this was Paul and his wife Sue had voted earlier. Our names were now both checked in the books and I was told to go around an older woman they were helping get registered. I was given my ballot and its folder. I picked among the six or seven open polling tables. I voted and took the ballot over to the machine. I placed it in the electronic reader. I guy standing here told me to wait until the number appeared. It instantly appeared and I was on my way. No lines. No hassles. Maybe all thos other folk having troubles need to look at where they live.

Remember the Nukes

I think the world should take note of the fact that the American military is not going any where beyond where it is. It has no ability to engage in further combat. Let that idiot in North Korea know that if pushed the American military that is coming is a nuclear headed warhead. Since the world thinks we are barbarians, maybe they should realize that we cannot be pushed in the corner forever. Even the most docile pet barks and bites back when severely pushed. Good Bye North Korea, see you a a hunfdred years..

Time for Unity, Except Hillary Doesn't Know It

I was really disappointed in Hillary Clinton yesterday (like it takes much). This is one of those times when any good American would recognize the need for bipartisanship in foreign policy, as we had years ago. To stand up and attack over the North Korena issue, set up one might poiint out by the failure of her husband's policy, shows her committment to an America that is disunited and unable to move forward in the world. She cannot lay claim to any healing of the country. She is part of the problem, not the solution.

Oct 11, 2006 Added Note: John McCain came out with the same concept on cable news last night.

NBC needs to work together

Odd the contrast between Andrea Mitchell and Brian Williams on the NBC Nightly New on Monday. Brian reported on a government intelligence briefling that had been leaked. He told us all about it. When Mitchell started to talk all she could say about it was that it was legal only to say the title. Does this mean that Brian Williams was using stolen goods as he talked? It sure sounded like it.

Is NBC encouraging all of us to openly use known stolen goods. If they can, can we all? I think they need to examine their senee of morality and ethics again. If I used goods I knew were stolent, I would be arrested. They proclaim themselves abovce the las by what they did. ANdrea Mitchell's words confirmed it.

Is the American Press now Anti-Democracy?

Amazing as it seems, one is probably right in detecting a sense of democracy bashing in the American press coming out of their Iraqi War coverage. I sometimes cannot believe my ears as I listen. Faith in democracy has been such bedrock in America. Now to hear open and clear hints that democracy is not for everyone is almost surreal. My third grade teacher would turn over in her grave, she probably has.

Is the press just preparing us to face the loss of our own democracy? Do they see a “friendly fascism” of the left or right? That is a silly question in that the press favors only the left. If they lead us away from trying to bring democracy to the world, they take us away from a multi-decade, multi-party promise that democracy can save the world from the horrors of the past. Is their hatred of American and Western Civilization so pronounced that they have decided democracy must be in error, too? Is it that they have just realized their role in hurting democracy here and they are attempting to save themselves from their sins by blaming the democracy that allows them to speak?

The future is becoming more scary every day.

News and No News

It was interesting how focused the news media were on the gathering of Taliban in a town square in Afghanistan the other week. They made it seem like another aspect of inept Bush actions that no bombing took place.

I noticed the next night that FOX pointed out at 5 that no bombing took place because there are U.S. rules against bombing funerals. Note the morality of US policy. Intersting to find that NBC and CBS did not mention the real news about the incident. Their 5:30 [CST] news covered moral indignation over administration behavior involving the Geneva Convention without noting that the previous night's story had a moral cause.

The Jihadists, Marxist, NAZI at the NY Times at it Again?

Some very illuminating items in the news today. The Pope spoke to a group of academics and quoted a Byzantine source concerning the evil and violent nature of Islam. He was not stating his view, but was referencing a source.

What is interesting is that the Islamic world is up in arms over the use of the quotation. Of course, illustrating the non-violent nature of Islam, they have burned four churches in Jerusalem, one not even associated with the Catholic Church [is this PC violation by itself?]. They have called for more jihad, or war, against the Christian World. Interesting that they have objected to being called violent by being violent. They illustrate the peaceful nature of Islam by burning and threatening death. What definition of peaceful do they possibly use?

The New York Times, keeping with their Jihadist principles, has called on the Pope to apologize. I guess if this is the way the New York Times wants it, we can give it to them. If they quote Hitler they must be Nazi. If they quote Marx they are communists. If they cover the Klan and put in a quotation, they must be Klan type. Oh my God, they have quoted Bush. The New York Times are supporters of Bush! And they see themselves as the bastion of free speech. They are anti-Western crusaders and Jihadists.

Katie Couric's New Start

Not so good. Katie Couric's first night on CBS was not so good. The obvious look at the situation was that there was a reason she was always on the couch with Matt and not at the desk with Natalie or Ann. That certain something that the desk person has to have was not there. Watch any of the others and then Katire, and you can tell something is missing.

CBS also seemed to take on NBC's move to the life. The first few stories had those "wonderful Talban" that left adores showing up those Americans. What great news for the left. If we attacked them then we could only be critisized for over doing it.

In all, a sad start.

NY Times Fails to Understand Rights and Freedoms

Tricky times with the New York Times article letting the world know about our secret operations. That the Times thinks the nation and world need to know this can only enhance our belief that the Times is anti-American and supports the goals of Muslim Jihadists. Of course, the issues will be clouded by other media over the question of whether the Times or the supplier of the information is the larger criminal; but the end answer should be both are criminals.

If I knowing receive stolen goods and use them freely as mine, I would be a criminal in every state. That makes the Times a receiver to stolen information and a criminal. They know they have stolen information and they openly used it. The Times is a criminal operation just as any citizen would be who used stolen goods.

While the Times will wrap itself up in the Constitution, what would have happened to them if they wrote about the cracking of Hitler’s codes during World War II? If they had printed our estimates of Japanese intentions based on the tricking of the Japanese prioer to the Midway battle? The First Amendment to the Constitution would be gone because America would be gone.

This is the result of the failure of the New York Times to understand its role in public policy. By not understanding the simple lesson that freedoms comes with responsibility, the New York Times undermines the very principle it so lovingly seeks to use. The end result of the Times' actions will be an end to the very freedom they think they are supporting.

They must be prosecuted to reestablish that principle.

Do It Yourself

Hurricane season is here again, and low and behold, the government is giving out the advice that every conservative since the 1700s and before would have given: be prepared to take care of your self. As Katrina showed us all, no government is big enough to do all that people expect in the face of massive disaster. Even the Democrats of Louisiana have conceded that people have to be able to do something to help themselves. The Liberal mantra that government is the only unit that can help you is colapsing before our faces.

NBC Promotion of a Darfur Intervention Two Faced

Is NBC politically pushing for the US to enter the Darfur crisis with troops? Given their display of George Clooney and his father going to Darfur, then their coverage of the demonstrations, and finally Darfur is the focus of one of the few major shows they have on the network: ER; it seems that their political push has extended beyond the news. The ER piece (May 4) was very powerful in showing the humanitarian problem—and one that is real and should be solved—it was curious to note that the word “Islamic” was never said. They avoided mentioning, unless I missed it, saying that the background cast of hundreds was totally Islamic. They avoided the use of the one word that would give Americans pause at helping. Very curious.

Their hidden agenda is obvious. While saving Islamic people was “wrong” when Bush did it in Iraq; it becomes right when NBC and George Clooney think it is ok in Darfur. They should have been honest with the audience. Nearly every, including the little kids, in the background cast would wish every American dead. These people would be just another help us, then go to hell group.

NBC should play it with some sense of honesty, as Clooney should. These are Islamic people and they hate us. They are hurting, but that was the goal in Iraq; to help people who are hurting [the Kurds]. Given NBC and Clooney’s attack on that war, why should Americans risk their lives to help people so committed to our destruction? If the many Kurds who died because of genocidal policies are of no value to NBC and Clooney, why are the Sudanese worthy?

Darfur: Now the Liberals Think it is OK to Follow Western Culture

The gang at the lake was outraged over the weekend by the scale of the move by the liberals to get the US into Darfur. Where has George Clooney been when his country needed support to relieve the Iraqi people of a genocidal leader? In opposition. Now the liberal press wants the US to step in and solve the problem in Chad/Sudan.

The US should let its non-involved allies like France and Germany take the brunt of this one. They have sat on the sidelines for several years now.

The lesson of Iraq is that the people of the Middle East do not want us. Clooney’s big mouth was in the forefront of making that one clear until this weekend. Now he is outraged that the US is not stepping right up to the plate to solve an internal Islamic World problem.

Imagine telling our troops, you are going to face death to keep one Islamic group from killing another Islamic group. Both groups, of which would like to see all Americans dead and rotting in hell. Chad and Sudan are surrounded by their own people with plenty of money. If Libya can finance Irish Republican Army terror, it can afford to solve a problem in its neighbor’s world. The same can be said for the other oil-rich Middle Eastern countries. They are so outraged that we tried to bring democracy to Iraq, let them take the bull be the horn and settle their own dispute.

Solving disputes within the Islamic World is no longer our business. When Iraq and Afghanistan are done, this part of the world should be beyond the range of the US military. If they kill each other because the US won’t come and help them act like aduslts under our cultural views, let them kill each other under the guise of their culture. Our culture cannot be so wrong one day to people like Clooney, and so right the next. It is the right choice and to save our culture we must stay at home and let these places learn better vales by themselves. If Islam is tolerant of genocide, then let the world learn that lesson. That will end the anti-western bias of our press and the liberals.

Civilian Control of the Military: Our History Ignored by the Liberals

Just a quick note to the Washington crowd. The Constitution of the United States entrusts the military to civilian control. Any student of Truman, now claimed as great by both parties, knows that his fight with MacArthur was over this very issue during the Korean War. The reaction of the liberal press and the liberals in general, as with Ted Kennedy this morning on the Today Show (NBC April 12, 2006), would lead one to think the Constitution read the other way. Rumsfeld is in charge and that is what our founders wanted. The generals always have had problems with this. Funny how the rule of our history is again ignored by the liberals in pursuit of damaging the America we all love.

Political Quiz

Here is a neat political quiz I found on Sheri’s “In My Opinion” blog.

Try it out at World’s Smallest Political Quiz.

Identifying one's place in the spectrum is a problem for so many. In these days of political polarization, it is important to know one's place. The gang at the lake is probably best received by those placng themselves in the right area of the top Libertarian space.

Jury Nullification and the Mexico-US Border Issue

Watching the Americans struggling along the US border with Mexico is suggesting some scary thoughts. The main thrust of the story was that the illegal-immigrants are leaving a massive amount of litter, but the side issue was that the government is doing nothing to help these people. They are living in fear and the value of their property has been reduced to zero by government inaction.

The first suggestion from this fight is that lawsuits based on eminent domain may take place. The government has abdicated its authority over this part of the American territory. The residents deserve to be compensated for their loss. How big will that bill be for all of us to bear?

The more serious suggestion is that the border residents will start to protect themselves. This opens the door to jury nullification. The legal system will just have to charge such people because of its political rules and lack of a sense of justice; but will Americans convict? It is the finest opening for jury nullification that can be pictured. The government has abdicated authority over a part of our territory. This makes the legal system null. You cannot abdicate authority on one hand then expect those bearing the burden to follow the defunct legal system. You are in full control or you are not. Facing a jury of their peers as the Constitution guarantees, the juries would set such people free. Jury nullification would become widespread. The authority of the government could begin to fall apart. Conservatives have always bought that notion. Liberals are now buying in via the failure of FEMA in New Orleans. The only thing holding them back is a belief that the problem is with the Republicans not government. The concept that New Orleans was too big for a government run by anyone will sink in with the next crisis. You cannot act fast when the system of rights and fairness imposes a giant burden on speed. The Democrats will fail next time and the belief of people from all sides in government will be gone. Jury nullification will become manifest.

Democrat Memory Failure

The gang at the lake has been noting the massive memory failure among the Democrats concerning how it was they who insisted, against White House wishes, that FEMA be put into Homeland Security as part of the response to the 9/11 report. Everything had to be enacted or the country was going to fall apart. They insisted upon another layer of administration. As any real conservative knows, the more layers the less can be done. Each layer protects itself and its interests.

The larger mystery is why the Republicans are not exploiting this issue. While many of them were with the Democrats, the White House and some Republicans were not. Now the Democrats and the Media, from whom no straight answer can be expected, are continuing to pound the post New Orlenas mantra that only bigger government can save us. The only thing that can save us is what some of the Louisiana folk outside New Orleans can proudly tell us: Be prepared to do it yourself. If you relie on government, you will sink no matter which party is in charge.

Of course, the Democrat Party is the party of those who believe that no one can do it themselves. There is no flow of money through them if people actually do it themselves.

Iran Aid Refused

I wondered about an article this weekend saying our offer of aid to earthquake victims in Iran was being refused. I am torn between out sense of humanity and the realization that the end of every effor t to help in the postmodern world results in out being blamed for something. In the end the result of being blamed for every problem on earth has left the gang at the lake on the side of wondering why we would be offering our enemy any aid?

If they can spit at us over and over, why should our hand be so easily offered? Maybe it is time for our aid to stay home unless the hand of friendship has been offered.

Lawyer Outrage II

The Today Show [March 31, 2006] carried an interview by a lawyer launching his lawsuit against the tanning lotion industry because the marketing claims to not match the reality of using the product. That is why we have instructions! Everyone knows that one applies and applies through the day. Every bottle tells you to put enough on. A request ot NBC to let people know about the proper ways in which to use lotion, and a friendly note to the companies that people may need some reminding of the nature of the lotions would be the nice way to do this. BUT, that would not generate an unidentified, but no doubt in the millions fee, for the lawyer. This guy is precisely what is wrong with the American legal system. It is based on suits and making money for the lawyers. Not everything benefits from a lawsuit.

Since we all need the litions to be outside for any length, we all are going to pay for that "lawyers" vacations., car, house, and cottage for the rest of our lives. If he really cared, the friendly way would have worked so much easier and at no cost to us.

American Idol-10 Cut

It was sad to see Lisa go, but it was predictable. Lisa can sing but she just never had that crowd grabbing something or it. She certainly was a pro about losing out. She needs some showbiz training and she will be back and on fire. She might just have been too young and vulnerable.

Three larger show items took place last night:

1. Seacrist did not reveal how many phone votes they took in. He has been sure to make a big point of that the previous several weeks. They obviously were down. The fault lies in the lackluster performances of Tuesday, and the fault for that lies not with the contestants, but with FOX or 19. The choice of 21st Century music was one for the outhouse. What song of the last six years has a giant nationwide audience? I cannot name one even close. We have had elevator music. I am sure that decline, unless Ryan just left it out, weighs large on the AI crew. Give them something to sing, and they shall provide. We have had two weeks of this now [with Manilow inbetween]. Stevie is great, but who else can sing that stuff? The 2000s have been lean on good songs.

2. They heard us and let Lisa finish her song. Not one second more, but she got to the last note. They were rude to the earlier losers. They had fans and should have gotten to finsih. Lisa did.

3. Given the horrible theme choice, they missed Kevin more than they probably thought. Part of the engtertainment value was gone. Sad.

Lawyer Outrage I

The Fargo Forum noted this week that the lawyers for bankrupt Northwest and Delta are expected to get $276 million dollars for their work of reinventing the wheel. Hard working people are going to lose their shirts, and these vultures make such big earnings. At least the oil companies spread it out to stock holders and new investments. All the lawyers do is write memos to themsleves on topics they already know [as the Forum implies], then invest in their own lives. I hope the bankruptcy judge gives them the puny few thousnads they deserve. But then he is a part of their racket, isn';t he.

American Idol Moves Along

With all the grief in the world, it is comforting to have American Idol going full strength. The gang at the lake is backing Paris and Taylor, although admits that Chris has the best shot at the idol spot. Paris has the training and background to sing what she wants to sing to the pleasure of the audience. Taylor is gray and that counts. He is a Joe Crocker of years ago. A favorite at the lake.

The gang has been focused upon Carrie Underwood's version of "Hello Young Lovers" from last season. They have it playing over and over after finally locating a copy on the web. How wonderful it is. Broadway is big with the tire in the lake crowd.

World On Edge

The gang at the lake is on edge about the increasing danger the world is in. Not since the early 1960s and the bomb scares has the gang felt so close to disaster. Vitisting those bomb shelters had a real impact, but the news is worse now and actually more real than then. The Soviets were actually never going to bomb us, but now the case is different.

The world of Islam has shown little restraint in talking about power and death. Its ancient view of the world is one of doom and death. Where is the sound of reason in that area? When westerners propose activities that are far out, there is a reaction to make that nature known. America is not seeing that from the Middle East. The gang knows those people are there, but the American media fails to show them. This produces a sense of fear and loathing. The radical Islamic view is the only view normally heard because it is the news that the media loves. It is exciting. Peace is not a good story. Moderation is not a good story.

The media needs to seek out the moderates and make them the show case of what the Middle East is. How would most Americans even know there was a moderate alive in the Middle East at this time?

American Idol Thus Far

American Idol V has been underway for some weeks now. The gang at the lake has eagerly awaited each and every episode. After sorting through the usual gang of wanabes, the final 12 has emerged, down to 10 tonight.

Paris is the favorite among the gang. This young 16-year-old has the genes of a singing family and the pipes to win. She took a Gladys Knight and the Pips song [I Heard it Through the Grapevine] and out performed Gladys. She can look so professional, and yet look 12 in the next camera shot. She is expected to win or take second.

Kevin is a favorite at the lake, but not to win. He is pure enterntainment. He knows he will not be the ideol, but he is a 17 year-old just pumping every moment for attention from the ladies. The gang recalls being 17 and wanting any attention whatsoever. We were all thrilled by anything. Here is Kevin living our dream from long ago. More power to him. He could easily have a singing career ahead. In one song images of the Three Tenors came to mind for a few select notes. If he can hit just a couple of notes and sound like that, he can hit more. He needs training and school

Chirs is the favorite by the odds, and considered the front runner by the gang. He can really pelt out a song.

Taylor's gray hair carried him into third by the gang;s list. Our people! He has the Joe Crocker look and act. Joe is a fave at the lake.

The gang also support Lisa and Katherine. They have futures, too.

Sharp Points on those Missiles

The world has missed a giant point being made by America over the last year, the era of restraint is over. With the bogging down of the military in Iraq and Afghanistan, the negative reaction to use of the military in America, the down turn in recruitment, law suits filed over National Guard reimbursement, the attack of the media on American power; the role of the American military is likely to change. It would seem that the use of American troops is not going to be in the cards in the future.

What does that mean for the world? The main impact has been to reduce America down to a nuclear power. If this country lacks the will to use troops again, then the only military answer left is the nuclear weapon. The use of the military in connection with Iran has been mentioned, but it will not be us. It will be a missile.

The attack of the "left" on America will leave nuclear weapons as the only answer. The problem will only worsen if Hillary Clinton, or any democrat become sPresident. The military can never depend upon her supporters to fill it. The military is largely filled with conservative, patriot Americans. When she finds a place that needs the military, there will be no one there for her to use. I doubt she can face reestablishing the draft, thus the nuclear answer looms. The use of the Air Force can forestall it, but eventually only the nuclear weapon can win.