Welcome To Trigger

Dear Eli Manning....

2012-02-05T20:13:00.000-08:00

I have eternal hatred for you now. I used only dislike you when your Dad came out before you got drafted and said you will never play for my beloved Chargers. I thought I'd never say this, but I prefer to watch Peyton over you. And now that you have won 2 rings, I have eternal hatred for you and you are a sure lock for the Hall of Fame.

And on a side note, New England....why are all the championship games you have been in the last decade+, always 3-4 points differential? And you're favored in all of them too? I am no longer rooting for you in these situations.

And 49er fans: If you would had done your job on special teams, I wouldn't be making this post.

At least one of my all-time favorites, Joe Montana, his records are still intact and is the greatest Super Bowl Champion. Yes, even over Terry Bradshaw who was also 4-0 in Super Bowls.

New Year Update 2/2012

2012-02-04T13:53:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!

A few weeks ago, I had a great review at my job and made permanent status! I actually like my job, good people that work there and (what always helps) is a good wage.

Yesterday in front of the county courthouse, there was a "re-occupy/take back the courthouse" rally that I stuck around for after work. It was a small grassroots effort and a couple hundred people marched in front of the courthouse to tell the Board of Supervisors and the city that we're tired of the bums/vagrants camping and to clean up their act and go.

Where I live, the real "Occupy" people left a couple months ago, now it's basically bums, homeless and vagrants hanging out, destroying the courthouse grounds and lawn, smoking weed and confronting people on their way to work making it uncomfortable to walk on the sidewalk. Of course the bums made signs that say "we are here to stay", "you can't fence in Democracy" and various other signs. Everyone has a right to protest, but there's a time when it gets old and especially when they are destroying the grounds.

We used to have a couple of groups such as "The Ladies In Black" and "Veterans for Peace" who did silent protests on Saturdays but they even said in a recent Board of Supervisors meeting that they don't come around anymore because the current idiots (paraphrasing) have made it uncomfortable for them. There was a even a guy holding a sign last night saying he was a "99%" person, but even he is fed up with the vagrants/bums/occupiers that have camped in front of the courthouse and it was time to take it back.

When the first "occupiers" showed up, one of them had a sign that said "this is public space, this is ours and we're taking it back". And this is the time when they were camping out, trash was everywhere, just a blatant disregard for the grounds and area around the courthouse. I confronted one and said "I bet you don't work and pay taxes do you? Well I do and my taxes have to go towards the extra security and to pay for the clean up you morons have made. This is also 'my space' since it's a public ground and I don't destroy my own property like you guys are doing. You are ridiculous". As usual, their only response was profanity.

I even had a co-worker go for a walk and one of the bums/occupiers asked her for a cigarette and she said she didn't smoke. He then asked her for some change and she told him "no". His response was "Don't you know it's the holidays?" She told him what does that have to do with anything? He proceeded to call her profane name which is uncalled for.

All in all, I am glad people are starting to get tired of the "occupy" people. In most cities where this is happening, there have been assaults, clashes with police, damage to windows and buildings, trashed parks or courthouse grounds, hacking into government sites, etc and you know, this never was the case with the Tea Party. People tried to make false stories about them being racist, trashing the areas where they had their marches and cities even made them take permits out if they wanted to march. NONE of these "Occupy" people have even gotten a permit and they trash everything.

Who do you got for the Super Bowl? I got New England. They have a good team but mainly because I hate Eli Manning. I'm a huge Chargers fan and ever since the NFL Draft that year and his Dad spoke out and said "we'll never play for San Diego". I don't care for him. i really don't care for the Mannings in general. I hate Eli so much, I'd take and injured Peyton Manning over Eli. So tomorrow on Super Bowl Sunday, go Patriots!

Take it easy!
- Trigger

Why Hello There!!

2011-12-19T17:49:00.001-08:00

Hello people. Work has been busy, life has been good and the it's almost Christmas time and a new year!

I'm hoping after the new year I will blog more, maybe not so much political as I had previously, just blog about everything and everything.

I hope everyone will be safe this upcoming holiday and have a great new year!!!

Trigger

Hello!!

2011-09-27T21:36:00.000-07:00

Yes I'm still alive and around. New posts coming soon

Happy 4th of July!!

2011-07-04T19:45:00.000-07:00

The Week Ahead

2011-06-10T15:37:00.000-07:00

Well I should know next week if I got one of the jobs I interviewed for a little over a week ago. I called and followed up and that's what they told me.

Plus my brother is getting married, I'm to SoCal for my niece's high school graduation and then to the lake for a couple days on my cousin's houseboat which will be nice.

And all in between that, as ALWAYS, I'll still be looking and filling out applications.

Have a great weekend!

- Trigger

Flashback Friday! - The Wham! Edition

2011-06-10T15:11:00.000-07:00

This week's submission is done by my buddy Angel aka DaddyRose who is the Founder/CEO and also my partner on the development (and hopefully someday money maker) that is Argos The Dog Enterprises. I'm the Creative Consultant.

Enjoy these old cheesy Wham! songs and a few solo George Michael songs, and the weekend.

Flashback Friday! - The Tonic Edition

2011-06-03T21:55:00.000-07:00

This one of my favorite bands, and they should had gotten bigger than they did back in the mid 90's, but they still tour and put out good music. Enjoy!

Have A Great Memorial Day Weekend!!

2011-05-27T18:26:00.000-07:00

Have a great holiday weekend. It's supposed to be raining with showers where I am, but that won't get in the way of enjoying myself, watching the Kinetic Sculpture Race and possibly seeing "The Hangover 2" with a few friends.

Just remember, don't drink and drive and if you are going to have fun, make sure you either stay the night somewhere, have a designated driver, call a cab or don't drink at all.

God Bless the military and have a great 3 day weekend!!

Job Update And Story

2011-05-27T17:16:00.000-07:00

Well in the last week or so, I've been able to find and submit 12 applications. One place told me to come back Tuesday for an interview - WOO HOO!! - and another told me they would call me next week. I did get one place to email me back and say "thanks, but no thanks" about an HR Assistant job. In the area where I live, jobs are scarce and though I LOOK EVERYDAY EITHER IN PERSON OR ONLINE FOR JOB POSTINGS AND HIRINGS, I've gotten more feed back in the last week than I have in the last 4 or 5 weeks. It's been crazy. But at least it's a sign that things are slowly picking up.

So HELL YEAH and SUCK IT! I hope something positive comes from this. I get some many no responses or emails back from employers telling me that "Thanks for applying, but you don't meet the qualifications, etc" with all these jobs I have been applying for (Full Time or Part Time).

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

One reason why I am posting this, is because it's good to express your feelings, i like to let some people know the status of my job searches since I have been unemployed for over a year now, and also to respond to a person who I though was my friend and is no longer.

Last Friday, I reminded him that I was having a BBQ and to make sure that he would be coming by along with a few other people. He then sends me hateful texts saying that I should schedule the BBQ at the location he'll be camping at instead of where I live and that "I'm fucked up" and "I've exhausted all his patience" and "...to quit wasting his motherfucking time". I have never done anything mean to this person, I've been a good friend to him in the year I have known him, his girlfriend and kid, go archery shooting, hang out, etc.

After getting no response on what prompted this, Monday comes around and I send his girlfriend a message letting them know that due to his actions, they are uninvited to my cousin's houseboat trip he had planned and we were all going to go. Probably within an hour I start getting "I'm sorry" texts from my "friend" then followed up by messages for almost the next hour saying things like "...(I) got tired of hearing the reasons why you can't afford things (this is from me turning him down to meet up for breakfast on his day off because I wanted to try somewhere different and he got butt hurt about it so I ended up not going)", and he CLAIMS "...I plan on staying on unemployment until December (when basically my 99 week would be up) and that "...I plan on waiting a few weeks until after the houseboat trip to look for work..." which he called "nuts". That claim is completely false because I have been looking for work on a regular basis and if I get a job in the meantime, I plan on working, so that claim is out the window.

He also got butt hurt at the fact I didn't want to go camping Memorial Day weekend because I try to avoid camping and traveling on the major holidays due to traffic, campgrounds being packed and something always happens. Plus where I live, the weather is supposed to be raining so that wouldn't be any fun right there.

He says that he and his girlfriend tried to "...help me have fun (which is partly true, when I felt like hanging out, we did have fun hanging out, getting a few beers and doing archery), "helping me find work" (which is funny because the only three times he mentioned about he knew of a place hiring, he didn't give me the company name so I missed out on that job and the other two was for the hospital and you had to be a certified Lab Tech to have the job. It wasn't like a cafeteria job or something I would qualify for), "help me get laid" (which is a joke - if he wouldn't fuck that girl, why would I?)

Also, he says to me that "...I talk about wanting to get out of my Mom's place" (which i help out on bills with - I'm not freeloading) and that he said "I've asked about renting his trailer which too is nuts". Yeah it is nuts, it's small and the only time I did ask about his trailer, was what kind of model it is, how long has he had it and I made the joke that you could run an electric cord from the trailer to the house and someone could live in it. I guess he took that as me wanting to "rent it out".

He says that he and his girlfriend just got "...frustrated with my 'situation'", basically not going out whenever they invited me out (and like I texted him back, whether I can afford to or not, if I don't FEEL like going out, I won't. Why should I drop whatever I am doing just so we can always hang out?), and that the "free" breakfast I turned down the previous Friday was the "straw that broke the camels back". Too fucking bad.

He also was "frustrated" at the fact that a piece of my bow broke a couple weeks before on the outdoor range and I hadn't gotten fixed yet and that he invited me to a weekend Archery shoot that I turned down because of bow situation. This was also the 3rd archery shoot that I turned down with him because though archery is fun, I can do it for an hour every now and then, but not ALL day for 3 days like he likes to do. Again, if i don't feel like going, I won't.

He then apologizes again to me and rambles on about how I need to "upgrade my morals, regain my self respect and getting employed with benefits will help me lots". He also says that "...I can't talk to (us) about not working..." and that "...I have plans on 'milking the system' and it's his girlfriend's job to weed out fraud and it's insulting in case I haven't figured it out" and that "...any job is better than no job after all this time isn't it?" (which is also funny because I made the comment once to him about working at McDonald's IF HE HAD TO and he has a kid to support and he told me HE WOULDN'T - A JOB IS BETTER THAN NO JOB RIGHT BUDDY???). He also claimed that me helping him with yard work the other weekend was him "hiring me" and he thought that "...would motivate me to get the ball rolling and get a job" which is a joke because he asked me as a friend to help him out and I did just that.

That right there angered me and I took it as a threat because I have had NO plans on "milking the system", I have ACTIVELY been looking for work, applying for all kinds of work but so far not much has come my way, I've tested for a couple of jobs, had only 2 phone interviews and I have a personal interview next Tuesday and to say that because I have been unemployed this long I am committing 'fraud'.

My brother was unemployed for almost a year and a half before he got his new job back in March and I have a friend down in Sacramento where I used to live where he couldn't find work, his 99 weeks were exhausted and he ended up going back to school and getting grants to help out. Is that "milking the system"? Come on. There are tons of people who are not and are genuinely having a tough time finding work. Not everyone has a secure job making good money and working for the county like his girlfriend or pulling and installing cables like him.

I texted him back a few times, nicely, explaining that he made it seem like I complained to him ALL the time, that there are times he complained about his Grandma living with him and they he has seconds thoughts about his girlfriend moving in with him and that at one point she was upset because she had to get rid of her pets because he's allergic and when I asked him, he said "he didn't care and if she doesn't like it, there's the door". I never told her any of this because he asked I wouldn't and as a friend, I try to keep my word. There are many other things he has said to me that I kept under wraps and it's rude how a person I thought was my friend would all of a sudden say things like this and turn his back on me after a year of friendship all basically because I wouldn't hang out when he wanted to, eat at where he wanted to eat, and that I wasn't finding a job quick enough for him. You're not my Dad, you're 44, and grow up. Who are you to tell someone how they do they things and what pace it's going at?

You can never say never, maybe someday we'll be friends again, who knows, but as of now, I can't be and I never accepted his apology.

Flashback Friday! - The Bobby Brown Edition

2011-05-27T16:44:00.001-07:00

This guy was awesome in New Edition and as a solo artist. Too bad crack ruined his life. I hear he still does some gigs and there was a buzz some years ago when he did a guest spot on one of Ja Rule's albums, but it never happened. On May 3, 2011 - R&B supergroup New Edition announce that all 6 members have signed on to celebrate their 30th anniversary as a group. Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill, Michael Bivins, Ricky Bell and Ronnie DeVoe Enjoy these old school vids!

NEW EDITION (When he was in it)

Some Random Cool Links

2011-05-26T09:40:00.000-07:00

Tour the Harley Museum

50 dirtiest moments in comic book history

The Walking Dead board game (this show is awesome by the way. I have season 1 on DVD)

Before and after pictures of Joplin, MO (It is sad the deadly tornadoes did what it did there. They need our support and hopefully they can rebuild soon).

Top 10 Bond babes

"Bohemian Rhapsody" Told in Rage Comics

This is funny as hell!

MSNBC Ed Schultz Suspended For Remarks

2011-05-26T09:33:00.000-07:00

I'm glad. This guy since Keith Olbermann left, is who I consider the most dangerous man on t.v. When I flip around the channels at night and come across his program "The ED Show", his tone and comments are uncalled for ("right winged slut" as he called Ms. Ingraham), especially towards Republicans. He is a radical left winger in my opinion. I'm glad to see this guy get suspended, hopefully he'll get removed like Olbermann was. It'd make that network look a lot better.

Yahoo!/The Cutline: Ed Schultz has been suspended from MSNBC for calling conservative talk show host Laura Ingraham a "right wing slut" on his syndicated radio show.

Schultz opened his primetime MSNBC show on Wednesday apologizing to Ingraham, MSNBC, his family and viewers.

"It doesn't matter that I was on radio ad-libbing," Schultz said of his comments the day before. "What I said was terribly vile."

Schultz met with MSNBC management earlier in the day on Wednesday, and said he offered to take himself off the air indefinitely and without pay. The network said the suspension would be one week.

"I have embarrassed my family," he added, before turning the show over to substitute host Thomas Roberts. "I have embarrassed this company. The only way I can prove my sincerity in all of this is if I never use those words again. You have my word I won't."

Schultz said that he tried--unsuccessfully--to reach Ingraham to apologize http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifpersonally.

Network brass released this statement before Schultz went on the air: "MSNBC management met with Ed Schultz this afternoon and accepted his offer to take one week of unpaid leave for the remarks he made yesterday on his radio program. Ed will address these remarks on his show tonight, and immediately following begin his leave. Remarks of this nature are unacceptable and will not be tolerated."

The "Ed Show" host joined MSNBC in 2009, taking over Keith Olbermann's 10 p.m. slot after Olbermann--no stranger to network suspensions--left the cable channel earlier this year.

You can watch Schultz's full, on-air apology here: Yahoo!/The Cutline

Quick Message

2011-05-16T12:35:00.000-07:00

As you can see, there was no "Flashback Friday". I've had to deal with 2 deaths in the family in the last week and a half, not to mention still trying to find work and other things. Good thing is, in the last 2 months since I had that leg infection, I've lost almost 30 lbs. I changed my diet, cut out soda and it seems to be paying off.

I hope to have "Flashback Friday" back this week, as always I do take suggestions for that.

Have a good Monday!
- Trigger

Flashback Friday! - The TOTO Edition

2011-05-06T17:21:00.000-07:00

What A Great Way To End The Weekend. Multiple Sources And All The Major Networks Are Confirming...Bin Laden Dead And The USA Has His Body

2011-05-01T19:54:00.000-07:00

I have a good week, great weekend and with the exception of my cousin passing yesterday, and I have a test for a job tomorrow, but man, what a great way to end the weekend. Rot in Hell you Son of a Bitch.

God Bless the USA!!!!

Flashback Friday! - Some 80's Favorites

2011-04-29T22:52:00.000-07:00

In honor of the 80's party I'm going to tomorrow night, I thought I'd post some cool 80's videos. It won't be many since I got a late jump on it today, but oh well.

9/11 First Responders Bill Passes, People Filing A Claim Will Checked As Terrorists

2011-04-27T09:58:00.000-07:00

I think it's stupid that it took this long to pass a bill taking care of the ones who took care of those in NYC on 9/11. The stupidest thing about this bill is that it requires the people who are filing a claim to be cross checked to see if they are terrorists or not. Really? That's an insult. We don't cross check that for people who receive money for Medicare, SSI, Disability, Farm and Oil Subsidies, we don't check for druggies getting Welfare and Unemployment. We should for all of that. And the stupid part is that the committee chairman says it's an insult but allowed a vote that provision and it passed. That's our Congress.

Via Huffington Post: A provision in the new 9/11 health bill may be adding insult to injury for people who fell sick after their service in the aftermath of the 2001 Al Qaeda attacks, The Huffington Post has learned.

The tens of thousands of cops, firefighters, construction workers and others who survived the worst terrorist assault in U.S. history and risked their lives in its wake will soon be informed that their names must be run through the FBI’s terrorism watch list, according to a letter obtained by HuffPost.

Any of the responders who are not compared to the database of suspected terrorists would be barred from getting treatment for the numerous, worsening ailments that the James Zadroga 9/11 Health And Compensation Law was passed to address.

It’s a requirement that was tacked onto the law during the bitter debates over it last year.

The letter from Dr. John Howard, director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, informs medical providers and administrators that they should begin letting patients know before the new program kicks in this July.

“This is absurd,” said Glen Kline, a former NYPD emergency services officer. “It’s silly. It’s stupid. It’s asinine.”

“It’s comical at best, and I think it’s an insult to everyone who worked on The Pile and is sick and suffering from 9/11,” said John Feal, a former construction worker who lost half a foot at Ground Zero and runs the advocacy group Fealgood Foundation.

Read the full article on HuffPo
Watch the Daily Show videos here on this bill. Pretty hilarious and makes sense.

White House And Obama Finally Release His Birth Certificate

2011-04-27T09:53:00.000-07:00

As VP Joe Biden would say, "This is a big F'N deal!!" I don't know if Trump actually hired a private investigator or not, but it lit a fire under the President and finally got him to release his birth certificate (which you can view if you click on the pdf link in the article below). Why did it take so long?

Via Yahoo! News/The Ticket: The White House on Wednesday morning released the president's long form birth certificate (pdf) in an attempt to put "birther" questions to rest.

"The President believed the distraction over his birth certificate wasn't good for the country. It may have been good politics and good T.V., but it was bad for the American people and distracting from the many challenges we face as a country," White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer said in a statement.

The president had released his certificate of live birth in 2008, but many "birthers" said the absence of a long form birth certificate prompted questions about Obama's birthplace of Hawaii. In recent weeks potential GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump has brought birther questions into the forefront of the media.

"At a time of great consequence for this country--when we should be debating how we win the future, reduce our deficit, deal with high gas prices, and bring stability to the Middle East, Washington, DC, was once again distracted by a fake issue," Pfeiffer said. "The President's hope is that with this step, we can move on to debating the bigger issues that matter to the American people and the future of the country."

Obama admitted at a White House press conference following the document's release Wednesday morning that he's been both amused and puzzled by the degree to which his place of birth has become an issue.

The president echoed Pfeiffer's statements saying that Americans and their representatives need to come together to solve issues such as how to "invest in our future" while tackling the federal deficit and federal debt:

But we're not going to be able to do it if we are distracted. We're not going to be able to do it if we spend time vilifying each other. We're not going to be able to do it if we just make stuff up and pretend that facts are not facts. We're not going to be able to solve our problems if we get distracted by sideshows and carnival barkers.

Though the president didn't mention Trump by name, Obama noted that when he announced his deficit plan this month, his birth certificate, not our country's economic future, dominated the news that week.

Trump on Wednesday took full credit for the release.

"I feel I've accomplished something really really important and I'm honored by it," Trump said at a press conference held during his pre-scheduled visit today to New Hampshire. Trump noted that people have long been requesting the document, but Trump was the only one who got the president to release it. Trump suggested Wednesday this development will boost his own potential presidential candidacy.

Trump said he and others are still going to have to assess the document's authenticity. We're "going to look at it. We have to see if it's real, if it's proper," Trump said. But he added that he's "sure it's the right deal" and is looking forward to moving on to more important issues such as OPEC and China.

Flashback Friday! - The Weird Al Yankovic Edition

2011-04-22T17:10:00.000-07:00

This guy is hilarious. Enjoy these ones I picked.

Many more on his YouTube channel

Flashback Friday! - The Dru Hill Edition

2011-04-15T19:43:00.000-07:00

It's that time again! It's Flashback Friday!!

Flashback Friday! - The Nelly Edition

2011-04-08T15:18:00.001-07:00

He is one of my favorite artists and hip hop stars. I had to post his work.

Flashback Friday! - The Quiet Riot Edition

2011-04-01T14:46:00.000-07:00

Personal Message - No "Flashback Friday" This Week

2011-03-25T13:33:00.000-07:00

For the first time ever, I will not be doing a "Flashback Friday". Reason is because over the weekend, I got a fever that somehow turned into an infection on my leg that ended up becoming an abscess and I had to go to the emergency room and had it popped and drained. I visited a surgical specialist yesterday because of how large and deep it was, the ER doc said I may need surgery. Luckily I do not, it seems to be slowly draining and healing well with the medication, sit baths and other things I am doing to keep it clean, etc. The only thing I am not looking forward to is the bill since I am still unemployed and have NO insurance.

But on the upside, I am doing better and this is the first time in a week I have been online, but only enough to write this. I hope to be all better next week and I can bring back a kick ass "Flashback Friday" for those who do enjoy it.

Thanks

- Trigger

Flashback Friday! - The Anthrax Edition

2011-03-18T17:08:00.000-07:00

Just for fun. The episode they were on Married With Children.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-17T17:34:00.000-07:00

Here's a link to some St. Patrick's facts. Also, did you know that the first St. Patrick's Day parade took place in New York City, not Ireland? I didn't. I do now.

Flashback Friday! - The Eminem Edition

2011-03-11T13:39:00.000-08:00

Earthquake And Tsunami Hits Japan, West Coast Of CA Hit Too.

2011-03-11T13:21:00.000-08:00

Around midnight PST, I was watching the news and the earthquake had just hit and as the commentator was talking to a USGS guy from Berkeley, the tsunami was hitting the coast and I agree with the guy as it was unfolding, it was "awesome". Not being disrespectful, it's just something you don't see, especially "live" and from aerial too. What else can you say? It's just shock and awe basically.

So far, I hear the death toll could be over 1,000 and one nuclear reactor in Japan is in danger and on fire, but luckily it is under control and because technology and awareness has come so far since Chernobyl, no one is expecting it to radiate and harm people which is good.

Where I live in California, the tsunami warning was WAY over hyped, the local news is going nuts, a 3 foot surge isn't going to do much around here thanks to the peninsulas, the shallowness of the bay and the elevation my town sits on proximity to the bay and ocean. I'm wondering what kind of crazy stories the local media will show since nothing significant really happens around here anyways.

But...the positive spin on this is, that nothing was damaged, and it does show how prepared we are. The people who did get hurt to the north, they were idiots and didn't stay away from the shore and take higher ground as instructed. Those kind of things do have to have a degree of seriousness to it and should not be taken lightly.

I hope others in that country and throughout the Pacific and western USA are OK, God Bless them, and we will be right there helping with aid and reconstruction.

Japan earthquake story here

Watch different point of views and videos of the earthquake and tsunami hitting Japan here

Story on the tsunami hitting Hawaii and the West Coast here

Some Charlie Sheen Funnies And Links I Have Found

2011-03-09T18:27:00.000-08:00

shirt picture from Crazy Dog T-Shirts

I don't know why, but Charlie Sheen has become a trainwreck I can't stop watching. So for those Warlock, Tiger Blood filled, Disease cured with your mind, and want to Duh...Winning! who feel the same way, enjoy these links.

Charlie Sheen Twitter

Winning with Charlie Sheen Tumblr

Charlie Sheen Soundboard

Charlie Sheen quotes

Charlie Sheen e-cards

Charlie Sheen t-shirt

Create your own stark raving mad Charlie Sheen libs

Wednesday's Political Funnies

2011-03-09T18:17:00.000-08:00

Anti-Union Bill Passes In Wisconsin

2011-03-09T18:14:00.000-08:00

I think this is good because most unions are draining state budgets and the pockets of private sector workers and plus it's a nice slap in the face for the Democrats aka "fleebaggers" who ran like a sad little girl out the state and are hiding because that's what they do. They want everyone do listen and do what they say, but when confronted, they use hate or they run. Good for Wisconsin.

Yahoo!/AP: The Wisconsin Senate voted Wednesday night to strip nearly all collective bargaining rights from public workers, approving an explosive proposal that had rocked the state and unions nationwide after Republicans discovered a way to bypass the chamber's missing Democrats.

All 14 Senate Democrats fled to Illinois nearly three weeks ago, preventing the chamber from having enough members present to consider Gov. Scott Walker's "budget-repair bill" — a proposal introduced to plug a $137 million budget shortfall.

The Senate requires a quorum to take up any measures that spend money. But Republicans on Wednesday separated from the legislation the proposal to curtail union rights, which spends no money, and a special committee of lawmakers from both the Senate and Assembly approved the bill a short time later.

Read the full article here

Message From Trigger

2011-03-04T11:51:00.000-08:00

I have been crazy busy with some personal things, including my search for work lately. In the last two weeks, I've made more progress that I have in the last about 8 months. At least a couple of places let me turn in hard copies of applications and my resume' instead of the usual "you need to apply online" and in that case, I'll get no response or I'll get in the mail or email notice saying "Sorry you don't qualify".

I actually had a phone interview with one company. That was the first "interview" I've had since May of 2010. I have to go back to EDD next Thursday since I've been unemployed for over a year now, my 2nd extension is almost up and I have to do the interview process and turn in my work search form at the same time to them. Hopefully something positive comes from it.

I did notice that HotJobs and Monster joined forces, but it still sucks like Career Builder because I can search for work on it, and the first 9 pages are filled what I call "Scam Jobs". Those consist of all those "work from home" type jobs and "make $750 a week" or "online survey" jobs. Of course all the other jobs that seem to be posted are for Health Care but I have no degree or experience in that so that automatically disqualifies me.

I have had lots of luck the last couple of months though with searching for work on Indeed.com for regular work and the California state website. Still not many businesses locally are hiring and hardly take a resume' in person.

Maybe over the weekend or next week I'll get back to posting a few political or random stuff. I haven't decided.

Thanks!

Trigger

Flashback Friday! - The Classic Rock Edition Part 3

2011-03-04T11:43:00.000-08:00

This Week's Political Funnies

2011-03-04T11:27:00.000-08:00

Flashback Friday! - The Stray Cats/Brian Setzer Edition

2011-02-25T20:02:00.000-08:00

This one came as a request from my friend Anna. I think it was a good idea. I completely forgot about this band and this guy. Enjoy!

Some Random Videos

2011-02-23T10:46:00.000-08:00

Political Funnies

2011-02-23T10:21:00.000-08:00

I didn't do hardly any updates last week and the beginning of this week. I didn't post any funnies at all last week. So I'm going to overload it today. Enjoy!

Random Political Links

2011-02-23T09:53:00.000-08:00

Townhall - Story on how we are a Republic, not a Democracy

The Weekly Standard - Obama's horrific spending record

Reuters - USA to have direct talks with Taliban? What happened to not negotiating with terrorists?

Financial Post - Story on $250 a barrel for oil not out of the question

NH Journal - Dem Leader tells people (on Unions) 'Time to get bloody'

NY Times - Story on how NY Teacher's Union is spending $1.1 million in ads to advocate raising taxes

Director Blue - Story on why is Obama silent on the violence in Lybia

LA Times - Global Warming leads to extended allergy season?

NY Post - Columbia University students boo a wounded soldier after he receives Purple Heart. What a way to greet and honor a soldier. People need to learn some manners.

Gallup Poll Shows Reagan As #1 President

2011-02-23T09:43:00.000-08:00

Another reason Ronald Reagan is awesome. In a recent poll by Gallup, Americans polled ranked their top Presidents in history. As you can see below, I posted a video of MSNBC's Chris Matthews commenting on this poll and he clearly doesn't like the notion that Ronald Reagan was #1. Obama was #7. He even went as much to say "Americans with their limited memory...". Limited memory? Really? In the top 7, Lincoln was #2, JFK was #4, Washington was #5 and FDR was #6. With the exception of JFK, the other 3 aren't anytime recent. Especially when Lincoln was listed at #2.

Chris Matthews just doesn't like anyone who doesn't agree with him (like most Democrats/Progressives) and he always feels he's right. Well the American public got this one right.

Via Gallup: Ahead of Presidents Day 2011, Americans are most likely to say Ronald Reagan was the nation's greatest president -- slightly ahead of Abraham Lincoln and Bill Clinton. Reagan, Lincoln, or John F. Kennedy has been at the top of this "greatest president" list each time this question has been asked in eight surveys over the last 12 years.

See the full article and list on Gallup

Video via Freedom's Lighthouse

Video - Myths VS Truth On Wisconsin Protests

2011-02-23T09:34:00.000-08:00

Via The Heritage Foundation

Also check out these links about Wisconsin too:

Just A Conservative Girl (pictures of protest signs)

The Economic Collapse (Prelude to future riots in America?)

Right Klik (Medical Fraud - Registered Doctors on site giving the protesters doctor notices so they can miss work. Huge scam)

$5 A Gallon For Gas Coming Soon

2011-02-23T09:24:00.000-08:00

I saw a very similar story on this yesterday on MSNBC. Yes I know. I was flipping around the channels and saw a commodities expert talking and he was saying how the situation in North Africa (with Lybia) and the Middle East, how to expect at the least, a 15-20 cent rise in gas prices starting next week. He also said that if these uprisings and anti-government protests spread to places like Kuwait, UAE and even to Saudi Arabia, it would put a strain on Iraq and Iran (they have 20% of the output) and to expect $5 a gallon by summer, but $6 a gallon would not be out of the question.

Get ready for America to come to a grinding halt, no one vacationing, and though I need work and money, it will completely alter my day to day search for work since you need a car to get around and I can't afford a bus or cab. That can get expensive too.

All the more reason for the USA to be more energy independent and start exploring, taping, drilling, harnessing, whatever you want to call it for our oil, coal, wind, solar, natural gas supplies we have under American soil and territories.

Via The Economic Collapse: One of the quickest ways to bring down the U.S. economy would be to dramatically increase the price of oil. Oil is the lifeblood of our economic system. Without it, our entire economy would come to a grinding halt. Almost every type of economic activity in this country depends on oil, and even a small rise in the price of oil can have a dramatic impact on economic growth. That is why so many economists are incredibly alarmed about what is happening in the Middle East right now.

The revolution in Libya caused the price of WTI crude to soar more than 7 dollars on Tuesday alone. It closed at $93.57 on Tuesday and Brent crude actually hit $108.57 a barrel before settling back to $105.78 at the end of the day. Some analysts are warning that we could even see 5 dollar gas in the United States by the end of the year if rioting spreads to other oil producing nations such as Saudi Arabia.

With the Middle East in such a state of chaos right now it is hard to know exactly what is going to happen, but almost everyone agrees that if oil prices continue to rise at a rapid pace over the next several months it is going to have a devastating impact on economic growth all over the globe.

Right now the eyes of the world are on Libya. Libya is the 17th largest oil producer on the globe and it has the biggest proven oil reserves on the continent of Africa.

Libya only produces 2 percent of the oil in the world, but with global supplies so tight at the moment even a minor production disruption can have a dramatic impact on the price of oil.

Before this crisis, Libya was producing approximately 1.6 million barrels of oil per day. Now the rest of the world is wondering what may happen if revolution spreads to other major oil producing nations such as Kuwait (2.5 million barrels of oil per day) or Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia produces 8.4 million barrels of oil a day. It produces more oil than anyone else in OPEC.

If revolution strikes in Saudi Arabia and a major production disruption happens it could be catastrophic for the global economy.

David Rosenberg, the chief economist at Gluskin Sheff & Associates, is warning that if there is major civil unrest in Saudi Arabia we could end up seeing oil go up to $200 a barrel....

Read the whole thing here. Also follow the links and read the quotes from others about the situation. It's pretty crazy but also not out of the realm of reality.

Wisconsin Dems AKA Fleebaggers - Ones That Fled The State - Must Get Paychecks In Person If They Want To Get Paid

2011-02-23T09:13:00.000-08:00

This is funny. Well the situation in Wisconsin isn't (which seems to be spreading to other states now like Iowa and Indiana), but since things got heated, the yellow-bellied Democrats fled the state because, well, that's what they do under pressure. It's a known fact. They love to lecture and have free speech if THEY are the ones doing the talking, but if you press them and confront them, they run. I think it's great that the Governor is making them come back to the state to get their paychecks if they want to get paid.

Via Hot Air: A nice first step. The next step, after the “fleebaggers” (as they’re now being called on Twitter) have come home, should be to pass a law retroactively docking their pay for the days they missed. Senate Republicans can’t do that now, I believe, because it’s a fiscal measure and those require a 20-member quorum. But soon enough, soon enough.

[MOTION] That the Chief Clerk provide the paycheck, per diem check, and any expense reimbursement check of any Senator who is absent without leave for 2 or more session days to the Majority Leader for the absent member to pick up in person. Until the Majority Leader authorizes the Chief Clerk to reinstate direct deposit, the Chief Clerk shall suspend the direct deposit of the paycheck of any such Senator and process the Senator’s pay as a paper check. The Majority Leader shall provide the checks only to the absent Senator and only on the floor of the Senate during a session day.

The committee vote on that was 3-2, three Republicans in the majority and two Democrats in the minority. But wait — how can Democrats vote when they’re not there? Well, apparently, telephone votes are permissible and common practice for committee sessions, just not for floor sessions..."

Read more here and here

Finally, Someone On The Left Admits Media Bias

2011-02-23T09:10:00.000-08:00

I saw this one last night and I didn't feel like posting it until today. It's nice to see someone from the left actually say this - There is media bias. Watch towards the end of the video and it is said.

Rahm Emanuel Elected Chicago Mayor. Must Had Been Rigged

2011-02-22T18:21:00.000-08:00

I personally call for a recall and investigation of voter fraud. There is no way he was elected fairly.

Yahoo!/AP: Former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel has been elected mayor of Chicago, to succeed the retiring Richard Daley. With 86 percent of the precincts reporting, Emanuel was trouncing five opponents Tuesday with 55 percent of the vote to avoid an April runoff. Emanuel needed more than 50 percent of the vote to win.

The other major candidates — former Chicago schools president Gery Chico, former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun and City Clerk Miguel del Valle — had hoped to force a runoff but were no match for Emanuel.

Chico had 24 percent of the vote compared to 9 percent for both del Valle and Braun. Two other lesser-known candidates each got about 1 percent of the vote.

Emanuel's win caps off a campaign that included an unsuccessful legal challenge to try to keep him off the ballot.

Flashback Friday! - The Early 90's Gangsta Rap Edition

2011-02-18T20:41:00.000-08:00

Female CBS Reporter Sexually Assaulted In Egypt, Now Back Home

2011-02-17T11:42:00.000-08:00

This is just sick. I'm glad that she is OK and now back with her family and stateside. These jackasses were assaulting her and calling here a Jew, yet she isn't Jewish. Just another US or Western news reporter to be attacked. Yet, when all of this was starting (the protests), the MSM was all over it and claiming it's good but then people are getting attacked, etc. Like I said, I'm glad she is back home. LA Weekly even had the nerve to make things up in their article just to juicy up the story. How can they be proud of that? Just disgusting.

NY Post: "60 Minutes" correspondent Lara Logan was repeatedly sexually assaulted by thugs yelling, "Jew! Jew!" as she covered the chaotic fall of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo's main square Friday, CBS and sources said yesterday.

The TV crew with Logan, who is also the network's chief foreign correspondent, had its cameras rolling moments before she was dragged off -- and caught her on tape looking tense and trying to head away from a crowd of men behind her in Tahrir Square.

Logan was covering the jubilation . . . when she and her team and their security were surrounded by a dangerous element amidst the celebration," CBS said in a statement. "It was a mob of more than 200 people whipped into a frenzy.

"In the crush of the mob, [Logan] was separated from her crew. She was surrounded and suffered a brutal and sustained sexual assault and beating before being saved by a group of women and an estimated 20 Egyptian soldiers.

"She reconnected with the CBS team, returned to her hotel and returned to the United States on the first flight the next morning," the network added. "She is currently in the hospital recovering."

Read the full thing here

Read more at this link, this link, this link, this link, this link and finally here

4 States Now Receiving Waivers For Obamacare

2011-02-17T11:20:00.000-08:00

Again, if it's so good, they why are some people, companies and now states getting waivers for Obamacare?

NY Times: The Obama administration said Wednesday that it had granted broad waivers to four states allowing health insurance companies to continue offering less generous benefits than they would otherwise be required to provide this year under the new federal health care law.

The states are Florida, New Jersey, Ohio and Tennessee, the administration told Congress.

Lawmakers said that many other states, insurers and employers needed similar exemptions from some of the law’s requirements and would seek waivers if they knew of the option.

Read the full article here

h/t The Lonely Conservative

If Captured, Bin Laden To Be Held At Gitmo?

2011-02-17T11:09:00.000-08:00

I like how these guys really don't have a clue most of the time on certain situations. Bin Laden to Gitmo? I also like how in the article it says "President Obama ordered the Guantánamo Bay prison closed in 2009 after the facility was criticized for violating prisoners’ human rights". yet, it we're captured by any of these terrorists or rogue governments, we'll be beaten and tortured worse than anyone even claimed happened at Gitmo. What a joke.

The Hill: Osama bin Laden would be shipped to Cuba and held at the Guantánamo Bay prison if he were captured, the head of the CIA told senators on Wednesday.

CIA Director Leon Panetta was responding to a question from Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), the ranking Republican on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, who asked what would happen to the heads of al Qaeda — Osama bin Laden or Ayman al-Zawahiri — if they were captured.

“The process would obviously involve, especially with the two targets that you just described — we would probably move them quickly into military jurisdiction at Bagram [an air base in Afghanistan] for questioning and then eventually move them probably to Guantánamo,” Panetta said.

Read the full thing here

h/t The Lonely Conservative

Chris Rock Says Tea Party Is "Racist".

2011-02-17T11:03:00.000-08:00

Here we go again. Another Hollywood "elite" letting people know what they think and because they think it and have said it, it must be true. bullshit. I'd be nice if for once most of these guys would keep their mouth shut. If I said something like that, in a place of work or anything, I'd be fired or sued because of the statement or because it offended someone. But with Hollywood, they say whatever they want, rarely any consequences to their careers and if they get in trouble with the law, slap on the wrist.

Politico: In the March issue of Esquire, comedian Chris Rock takes a swing at the tea party.

Rock is interviewed by writer Scott Raab.

"Like many nice Caucasians, I cried the night Barack Obama was elected," said Raab. "It was one of the high points in American history. And all that’s happened since the election is just a sh—storm of hatred. You want to weigh in on that?"

"I actually like it, in the sense that—you got kids?" asked Rock. "Kids always act up the most before they go to sleep. And when I see the Tea Party and all this stuff, it actually feels like racism’s almost over. Because this is the last—this is the act up before the sleep. They’re going crazy. They’re insane. You want to get rid of them—and the next thing you know, they’re f—-ing knocked out. And that’s what’s going on in the country right now."

The issue hits newsstands on Feb. 22.

Jobless Claims Rose Again Last Week

2011-02-17T10:58:00.000-08:00

More "unexpected" numbers for unemployment. In the last week, I've been turned down or had the work search stopped by the prospective employer 3 times and they were either "trainee" or entry level positions too. How the heck can I find reasonable work if I'm getting turned down for those kind of positions?

On another note, according to this article here (link), the number slightly dropped for the number of applicants to now almost 5 people applying for every 1 position available for hiring. Still crazy.

Yahoo!/Reuters: New U.S. claims for unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week, according to a government report on Thursday that still pointed at gradual labor market recovery.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 25,000 to a seasonally adjusted 410,000, the Labor Department said, partially reversing the prior week's hefty decline.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims rising to 400,000. The previous week's figure was revised slightly up to 385,000, from the previously reported 383,000.

The claims data covers the survey period for part of the government's employment report for February. But the correlation between claims and nonfarm payrolls has weakened somewhat. Claims have been hovering above the 400,000 mark, a sustained breach of which is regarded by economists as signaling strong jobs growth.

A Labor Department official said there was nothing unusual in the state-level data, adding that two states had been estimated.

The four-week moving average of unemployment claims -- a better measure of underlying trends - rose 1,750 to 417,750 last week.

The number of people still receiving benefits under regular state programs after an initial week of aid edged up 1,000 to 3.91 million in the week ended February 5.

Economists had expected so-called continuing claims to rise to 3.90 million from a previously reported 3.89 million.

The number of people on emergency unemployment benefits dropped 127,386 to 3.63 million in the week ended January 29, the latest week for which data is available. A total of 9.25 million people were claiming unemployment benefits during that period under all programs.

Read the full thing here

Muslim Brotherhood Planning To Form A Political Party In Egypt. And It Begins...

2011-02-15T23:10:00.000-08:00

Well, I got an earful last week from friend and people online about my warning on the Muslim Brotherhood and how they can take power and from there, it's all downhill. Well, it looks like that is going to happen. Step 1 and Step 2 are complete. You've been warned. I don't get how some people are looking the other way, especially the people on the left.

Yahoo!/AP: The long banned Muslim Brotherhood said Tuesday it will form a political party once democracy is established in Egypt but promised not to field a candidate for president, trying to allay fears at home and abroad that it seeks power. Still, the fundamentalist movement is poised to be a significant player in the new order.

Egypt's new military rulers gave a strong sign they recognize that the Brotherhood, which calls for creation of an Islamic state in the Arab world's most populous nation, can no longer be barred from politics after the mass uprising that forced out President Hosni Mubarak with 18 days of protests.

The Armed Forces Supreme Council included a former Brotherhood lawmaker on an eight-member panel tasked with amending the constitution enough to allow democratic elections later this year.

The panel is comprised of legal experts of various ideologies, including secular liberal scholars and three judges from the current Supreme Constitutional Court, one of them a Christian, Maher Sami Youssef. The changes aim to open the field for political parties to form, loosen restrictions on who can run for president and write in guarantees to prevent the rampant election rigging that ensured Mubarak's ruling party a lock on power.

Read the full article here

The Domino Effect Has Begun...Bahrain Latest Country To Have Protest/Unrest And Orders Change

2011-02-15T18:53:00.000-08:00

See a pattern? People call me, other Conservatives, Fox News, Glenn Beck, the list goes on all of us conspiracy theorists, spreading hate, nut jobs, etc but there is a pattern and if people would listen and research and open their eyes, they would see exactly what is happening.

Yahoo!/Reuters: Shi'ite protesters camped out in Bahrain's capital to press their demands for political change after a day of unrest inspired by popular revolts that toppled rulers in Tunisia and Egypt.

A funeral is planned on Wednesday morning for a man shot dead when police and mourners clashed on Tuesday at a funeral procession for Ali Mushaima, a 22-year-old killed the day before in clashes between demonstrators and security forces.

As evening fell on Tuesday, the number of protesters in the encampment at Bahrain's Pearl Roundabout dwindled to around 1,000 from an earlier 2,000, according to witnesses.

It remained to be seen whether the number would rise or fall during Wednesday. Some people will have to return to work, after a public holiday on Tuesday to mark the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed.

The demonstrators from Bahrain's Shi'ite majority say the ruling Sunni minority shuts them out of housing, healthcare and government jobs.

The main Shi'ite opposition bloc Wefaq, which boycotted parliament to protest the clampdown by Sunni security forces, said it would hold talks with the government on Wednesday.

Protesters said their main demand was the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa, who has governed the Gulf Arab state since its independence in 1971.

An uncle of King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, he is thought to own much land and is seen as a symbol of the wealth of the ruling family.

Read the full article here

CA Governor Orders A Freeze On State Hirings To Save On Budget

2011-02-15T18:51:00.000-08:00

Well I've been having a tough time trying to land a normal job, now I can definitely count on not getting a state job.

Yahoo!/Reuters: California Governor Jerry Brown ordered a hiring freeze on Tuesday across the state's government to help cut costs in the face of a budget gap of at least $25 billion.

The budget deficit of the nation's most populous state is closely tracked in financial markets. California is the biggest issuer of U.S. municipal debt, and is of concern in Washington as some in Congress have discussed crafting legislation to allow states to declare bankruptcy to ease their fiscal woes.

The U.S. economy may be recovering but state and local governments still face weak revenue due to the recession, housing and financial market slumps, hesitant consumer spending and high unemployment.

Brown's order applies to vacant, seasonal, full-time and part-time positions and will save $363 million in operational costs in the next fiscal year beginning in July, Brown's office said.

Read the full thing here

Protests Underway In Yemen. The Lastest Arab Country To Start In...

2011-02-15T15:11:00.001-08:00

Notice how the wave of protests and clashes lately have been against the governments of US backed allies? I get called many things, to my face when I talk in person about politics or even on Facebook on my page, but you know, this won't lead to anything good for those people and the USA in the long run. Plus these uprisings in the region are not good for Israel's stability either.

Yahoo!/Reuters: Hundreds of anti-government demonstrators and government loyalists fought with rocks and batons in the Yemeni capital on Tuesday in political unrest fueled by Egypt's uprising.

About 1,000 protesters, marching down a street leading to the presidential palace, were blocked by riot police. As they dispersed into side streets, they were confronted by hundreds of government backers and both sides hurled rocks at each other. Four protesters, including one member of parliament, were wounded, two with head injuries.

Police soon stamped out the clashes.

"The people want the fall of the regime! This corrupt government should leave the country!" some of the protesters shouted, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, a U.S. ally against al Qaeda's Yemen-based wing.

Read the full thing here

Herman Cain Video From His CPAC Speech And Other Related Stuff

2011-02-15T11:38:00.001-08:00

This is from the site, "Just A Conservative Girl". And she brings up a good point. Where is Jesse Jackson? NAACP? He quickly jumps to the aid of any liberal or sports figure if he feels they were treated wrong or discriminated, but when an African-American Conservative is questioned, he is nowhere to be found. That's the Left for you. Below is the YouTube video of his speech and at the end it a perfect summary of it from the other site Government Mess and check this link from The Left Coast Rebel. Great stuff.Article in question - liberal playing race card here.

Video from YouTube:

Where is Jesse Jackson and Co. after the unwarranted and despicable attack on GOP Presidential hopeful Herman Cain? Herman Cain's speech was very well received at the conservative gathering CPAC on Friday afternoon. Many felt his was one of the best of the weekend.

What I find so sad about this attack on Mr. Cain is that he is old enough to remember what it was like to live under oppression. He is in mid 60's and was born in raised in the south. In many of speeches he talks about how his father's dreams were relatively small in comparison to many, but one of his dreams was to give his children an education that would help improve their lives. His dad worked long hours in order to save money and purchase a single family home, which he did. Both of his children received college degrees. He taught his sons that hard work has its own rewards. Herman held onto these believes throughout his life and they have paid off. He has been a successful man by anyone's standards. He is now working towards becoming the presidential nominee for President of the United States, the "most powerful man in the world".

If you watched his speech you will see that he on a few occasions he showed his sleeves. What he was telling the audience was that he nothing up his sleeves, but a desire to right the ship of the country he loves and calls home. This was characterized in this article as:

Then Cain feigns swimming after rolling up his sleeves to show them his black skin and how he is a hardworking negro (not like those other ones)".

Another of the complaints is that the music played during his introduction was from Motown. The song was "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". Which I personally find to be the perfect song to describe his run for the presidency. This is a man who has had to overcome a great deal in his life to get to this point. He also is a very long shot for the nomination, not based on his color, but based on the fact that he has never held public office. This will take people to take pause about his experience.

'We always need a monkey in the window, for he/she reminds us of our humanity while simultaneously reinforcing a sense of our own superiority. Sadly, there are always folks who are willing to play that role because it pays so well.

As you know, I find black garbage pail kids black conservatives fascinating not because of what they believe, but rather because of how they entertain and perform for their White Conservative masters.

'Instead, Herman Cain’s shtick is a version of race minstrelsy where he performs “authentic negritude” as wish fulfillment for White Conservative fantasies. Like the fountain at Lourdes, Cain in his designated role as black Conservative mascot, absolves the White racial reactionaries at CPAC of their sins. This is a refined performance that Black Conservatives have perfected over many decades and centuries of practice'

The person who penned this "article" writes under a pseudonym, he can't even be bothered to put his real name to this filth. I realize that may sound hypocritical because my name is not on this blog, but I know that if you google my name it comes up, so I am not hiding anything.

The real question really isn't about this article nor is it about what is said in this article. This is the typical race baiting that goes on to any conservative of color. The real question is where is the NAACP, Jesse Jackson, and the Al Sharpton's of the world? This is no different from comments that were made on video of Justice Thomas. The NAACP recently released a statement saying that they would not be addressing those comments directly. Why not? If these organizations and people really want to be taken seriously than they cannot let comments like these go.

One of the worst things that these groups and these people are doing is making that much harder for the next black president and if they don't care about that what is this doing to our democracy? Herman Cain is a conservative, would he like the policies of President Obama if he happened to be white instead of black? The answer is no. This is not about race, it is about policy. The people who write these articles are not only just showing themselves to be thoughtless, they are showing themselves to be anti-American.

Mr. Jackson until you stand up and repudiate this type of talk, you have proven yourself (yet again) to be nothing more than race baiter who is a shill for the left. You watched Dr. King die in front of your eyes. Shame on you for allowing this good black man to be put down simply because he doesn't agree with your political beliefs. Simply because he doesn't buy into the notion that the as a black man he is a victim. Even after reading this article I am sure that Mr. Cain doesn't look at himself as victim, even though he most certainly was victimized by people who have bought the mantra you have been peddling for decades. Shame on you and your ilk for selling out those principles that Dr. King died for.

Via Government Mess:

My favorite line by Herman Cain in this speech is "Stupid People Are Ruining America". Herman tells the truth that the liberals and the media deny daily.

Mr. Cain is correct about liberals being the racists.

Which party is the party always telling black people they can't do it?

The Democratic party.

It is in the highest interest of the Democrat Party to keep Black Americans invested in thinking of themselves as VICTIMS.

If Black people were ever to fully wake up they would realize that race baiting is the MONEY maker for keeping liberals in power.

And what have Blacks gotten from decades of supporting Democrats? NOTHING!

This is a great speech by Herman Cain, enjoy.

Coke's Secret Formula Discovered?

2011-02-15T11:31:00.000-08:00

Coke and KFC are one of those companies that has a great history and good products, but their secret recipes/formulas are of lore and guarded heavily. No one knows them...until now? (at least for the Coke one).

Yahoo!: One of the most closely guarded trade secrets in the history of commerce may be a secret no more: NPR's "This American Life" thinks it has found the exact recipe for the world's most popular soft drink in a 1979 newspaper article.

According to the show's host, Ira Glass, the drink's secret flavoring component, which was created by pharmacist John Pemberton in 1886, is something called "Merchandise 7X." The show's staff recently stumbled across the February 8, 1979 edition of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which published an article on page 28 about a leather-bound notebook that once belonged to Pemberton's best friend, another pharmacist in the Atlanta area named R. R. Evans. The notebook contained a number of pharmacological recipes--but the main entry, for students of commercial history, was what's believed to be the exact recipe for the soft drink: all of the ingredients listed with the exact amounts needed to whip up a batch.

And

The recipe:

Fluid extract of Coca: 3 drams USP
Citric acid: 3 oz
Caffeine: 1 oz
Sugar: 30 (unclear quantity)
Water: 2.5 gal
Lime juice: 2 pints, 1 quart
Vanilla: 1 oz
Caramel: 1.5 oz or more for color

The secret 7X flavor (use 2 oz of flavor to 5 gals syrup):
Alcohol: 8 oz
Orange oil: 20 drops
Lemon oil: 30 drops
Nutmeg oil: 10 drops
Coriander: 5 drops
Neroli: 10 drops
Cinnamon: 10 drops

And

...the drink originally contained Coca leaves laced with cocaine. After Atlanta passed a local prohibition ordinance in the 1890s, the company took the booze out of the formula, and the company has used cocaine-free coca leaves since 1904.

Read the full thing here

NYSE And Deutsche Merging Exchanges

2011-02-15T08:31:00.000-08:00

I personally don't like this merger. In my opinion, with this merger, New York may not be the capital of the world anymore for stocks and economic outlooks if this gets approved. You think of NYSE, you think America, Capitalism. Who knows now. It still needs regulatory approval from the US and Europe. Just another sign that America is being bought out by a foreign entity since Deutsche will be majority owner.

CNN Money: NYSE Euronext (NYX, Fortune 500), the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, and Germany's Deutsche Boerse agreed to merge in a $10 billion deal that will create the world's largest exchange for stocks and derivatives.

The deal, announced before the U.S. markets opened Tuesday, ends several days of negotiations between the two exchanges.

Under the terms of the deal, Deutsche Boerse will swap 0.47 of its shares for one share of NYSE Euronext. That will make the combined company 60% owned by Deutsche Boerse shareholders, with existing NYSE Euronext shareholders owning the remaining 40%.

The merged company will have combined revenue of $5.4 billion, according to a joint statement, making it the largest exchange by revenue.

Read the full thing here

Obama's New Budget Plan Resurrects The Tax Increases He Wanted

2011-02-14T10:51:00.000-08:00

People still don't get it. you can't raise taxes in times like we have right now.

Yahoo!/AP: President Barack Obama's budget proposal resurrects a series of tax increases that were largely ignored by Congress when Democrats controlled both chambers. Republicans, who now control the House, are signaling they will be even less receptive.

The plan unveiled Monday includes tax increases for oil, gas and coal producers, investment managers and U.S.-based multinational corporations. The plan would allow Bush-era tax cuts to expire at the end of 2012 for individuals making more than $200,000 and married couples making more than $250,000. Wealthy taxpayers would have their itemized deductions limited, including deductions for mortgage interest, charitable contributions and state and local taxes.

"These policies were unfair and unaffordable when enacted and remain so today," Obama said in his budget message.

Read more here

Flashback Friday! - The Sugar Hill Gang Edition

2011-02-11T09:56:00.000-08:00

Sugar Hill Gang is still touring to this day, they have a great following and what people may not know, is that about 90% of Hip Hop is sampled music and "Rapper's Delight" was one of the first songs to use sampling. The track is actually Chic's song "Good Times". "Rapper's Delight" is still one of the best songs made regardless. Enjoy!

Just for fun:

As requested by my buddy Angel aka DaddyRose:

Demotivational Poster Time!

2011-02-11T09:52:00.000-08:00

Friday's Political Funnies!

2011-02-11T09:11:00.000-08:00

Protesters Win, Mubarak Resigns, Military Takes Power....For The Moment

2011-02-11T09:08:00.000-08:00

Well though the people and MSM is claiming this is for Democracy, I see it as the beginning phase for the Muslim Brotherhood to claim power and turn Egypt into a full fledged Islamic State. Mark my words.

Yahoo!/AP: Egypt's Hosni Mubarak resigned as president and handed control to the military on Friday after 29 years in power, bowing to a historic 18-day wave of pro-democracy demonstrations by hundreds of thousands. "The people ousted the president," chanted a crowd of tens of thousands outside his presidential palace in Cairo.

Several hundred thousand protesters massed in Cairo's central Tahrir Square exploded into joy, cheering and waving Egyptian flags. Fireworks, car horns and celebratory shots in the air were heard around the city of 18 million in joy after Vice President Omar Suleiman made the announcement on national TV just after nightfall.

Mubarak had sought to cling to power, handing some of his authorities to Suleiman while keeping his title. But an explosion of protests Friday rejecting the move appeared to have pushed the military into forcing him out completely. Hundreds of thousands marched throughout the day in cities across the country as soliders stood by, besieging his palace in Cairo and Alexandria and the state TV building. A governor of a southern province was forced to flee to safety in the face of protests there.

Read more here

China Fights Inflation, Raises Interest Rates

2011-02-09T10:04:00.000-08:00

This can't be good. They are buying up our debt and Spain's, now this is happening. There was a post I did a while back about how an economist explained that in the next few years, when the China bubble bursts, it will be disastrous for the world. Hopefully it won't be. If they do fail, hopefully by then, America will be stable again and it won't be as tough.

NY Times: China on Tuesday raised interest rates for the third time since October, in the latest sign that the authorities were trying to temper economic growth and prevent inflation from escalating further.

The central bank in Beijing raised its benchmark one-year deposit rate by a quarter of a percentage point, to 3 percent, and its one-year lending rate by a similar amount, to 6.06 percent.

The timing of the announcement, at the very end of the Lunar New Year holiday, which has kept mainland Chinese markets closed for the last week, was in line with what many analysts had expected.

In fact, many economists forecast still more increases and other measures this year as the battle to combat price increases intensifies. “There are plenty of reasons to expect inflation to pick up further in the next few months,” Brian Jackson, an analyst at the Royal Bank of Canada in Hong Kong, wrote in a note after the rate increase announcement Tuesday.

Read the full article here

h/t Lonely Conservative

Team Trigger Update - Lakers In Talks For Carmelo Anthony

2011-02-09T09:56:00.000-08:00

Just from my Team Trigger sources, the LA Lakers jumped in the mix for a trade for Carmelo Anthony. Though I am a LA Clipper fan and have been for years, I like Carmelo and this would be a great trade. Plus Carmelo would sign an extension and I would start watching the Lakers a little more if this happened.

The Lakers look like they would give up the often hurt and (in my opinion) lazy Andrew Bynum, Ron Artest (who's been bitching about his role lately) and a possible draft pick.

Though Carmelo would like to play in New York, he does own a summer home in LA and became friends with Kobe in the 2008 Olympics and though the two lead the league in shot attempts per 48 minutes (Kobe 28, Carmelo 26), it would work out fine, much to as it has in Miami after the first bumpy month they had.

Plus Laker fans and the NBA, you have to start thinking of life after Kobe and this would be a great start for them.

Check Out The New CA Driver's Licenses

2011-02-09T09:52:00.000-08:00

It's so high tech and complicated, the state can't even get it right. In an attempt to thwart counterfeiters and to beef up security since 9/11, the state of California will be issuing these fancy new drivers licenses soon.

Yahoo! via Contra Costa Times: HAVE YOU been desperately searching for a reason, any reason, to feel good about California? Get ready to pound your chest.

The state has created a swell new driver's license.

This laminated marvel, first issued to applicants in October, is a next-generation, high-tech, cutting-edge work of art. It is so meticulously designed with so many precisely embedded images it will leave forgers crying in their ink.

Read more here

WikiLeaks New Report Says The Saudis Are Running Out Of Oil

2011-02-09T09:47:00.000-08:00

Just another reason to tap and drill the resources we have here in America. Not only would it benefit and create jobs here, but it would create wealth and lower the debt and prices by having homegrown energy instead of spending billions every year buying from the Middle East.

Yahoo!: The latest startling revelation to come via documents leaked to Julian Assange's muckraking website and published by The Guardian is should give pause to every suburban SUV-driver: U.S. officials think Saudi Arabia is overpromising on its capacity to supply oil to a fuel-thirsty world. That sets up a scenario, the documents show, whereby the Saudis could dramatically underdeliver on output by as soon as next year, sending fuel prices soaring.

The cables detail a meeting between a U.S. diplomat and Sadad al-Husseini, a geologist and former head of exploration for Saudi oil monopoly Aramco, in November 2007. Husseini told the American official that the Saudis are unlikely to keep to their target oil output of 12.5 million barrels per day output in order to keep prices stable. Husseini also indicated that Saudi producers are likely to hit "peak oil"--the point at which global output hit its high mark--as early as 2012. That means, in essence, that it will be all downhill from there for the enormous Saudi oil industry.

"According to al-Husseini, the crux of the issue is twofold. First, it is possible that Saudi reserves are not as bountiful as sometimes described, and the timeline for their production not as unrestrained as Aramco and energy optimists would like to portray," one of the cables reads. "While al-Husseini fundamentally contradicts the Aramco company line, he is no doomsday theorist. His pedigree, experience and outlook demand that his predictions be thoughtfully considered.

Late Night Post I Had To Share #2

2011-02-08T23:25:00.001-08:00

Then of course I love this one, again from Think Progress, a report about how at least 13 states have introduced laws to combat against the so called "non-existent threat" of Shariah Law. Yeah right. I laughed at that one. If you watch Glenn Beck or as he always says (and even I have posted and cross-posted stories on my site here over the year), "do your own homework", Shariah Law and many other things that the Left tries to deem as "non-existent" and trying to make others look stupid or "Islamaphobic", http://thinkprogress.org/2011/02/08/sharia-states/, it is a real and growing threat. I mean, I even posted 2 stories-in-one earlier today about this, along with Caliphate. Link is here. Open your eyes people.

Late Night Post I Had To Share #1 - Updated - Again

2011-02-08T23:15:00.000-08:00

I have a friend who is pretty cool, get along with and is an awesome musician. But like most friends I have, they are very liberal and a huge GW Bush hater (like most liberals are). On Facebook, he posted a link from the very liberal site Think Progress which had an article about the "10 things Conservatives don't want you to know about Reagan", just in time for his 100th birthday. Here's what I wrote back. Now understand I wrote it real quick, used my own opinion and memory for this as a comment so understand that one. I'm sure others can and will go into more detail to back this up or to debunk it. Plus back on Facebook, I'm sure I'll get some crazy responses back from him and others unless he deletes it.

"As a person who follows politics, I already knew most of these. Too bad between Bush's last 2 years and ESPECIALLY Obama's first two, they blow any negative against him out of the water. For #1, it was the 60's and many governors were raising taxes all across the country so it wasn't just him. For #2, the rise in debt was in part of strengthening the military, the arms raise in fact, ended up breaking down the Soviet Union. For #3, just as Obama likes to cry and say he "inherited" the mess we are in now, Reagan "inherited" Jimmy Carter's mess that he started in 1978 and by the beginning of 1982 after the tax cuts took effect and Laffer Curve worked, we were all better and America was off and running. For #4, the way he "expanded" government is nowhere near what it is now. For that time, it wasn't frowned upon. For #5, it's true, he did little about abortion. Being a religious person, he didn't believe in it. For #6, it worked. It did break the Soviets. For #7, amnesty he gave is one the reasons why there is such an argument for it now. It didn't work for 3 million, so why would it work for the approx. 12 million illegals there are now? Also, he gave reparations to the Japanese families that were put into concentration camps in the USA during WWII because of the threat of a "home grown" invasion after Pearl Harbor. For #8, Iran-Contra. Oliver North took the fall, Congress "prohibits" a lot of things, but doesn't mean they didn't want to. Communism was a real threat and anyway to defeat it, they did. Plausible Deniability. For #9, no law has helped that region. Africa has gotten worse over the years, mostly thanks to civil war and genocide. For #10, he didn't "create" them. The story of Bin Laden had many factors and one reason why he turned was because at the end of the Afghan invasion by the Soviets, we promised to stick around and help build schools, etc, get them back and running and in the end, Rep. Charlie Wilson got stabbed in the back by others and decided not to so we didn't. If you watch "Charlie Wilson's War", that is documented. Bin Laden took it to heart and personally. That is one factor why we are in Afghanistan as long as we have been and want them to succeed because we don't want it to happen again. We want the infrastructure and government to be sound before we pull the troops out.
So what the Washington Times, NPR, and Think Progress links/sites are very liberal ones and I'm going out on a limb here, but are they saying, is that Reagan sucked and caused 9/11? I wouldn't put it passed them. Did Michael Moore link him to it? I know he tried his hardest to link Bush, the Saudi's and others for 9/11".

UPDATE - OK, I got a response:

Long comment ... article must have touched a nerve... the facts are what they are, which you acknowledge. The point of the article isn't to say whether he did or didn't do the things he did. Its to show the irony in the pedestal position he... has achieved in the view of the current gop when it goes against what they're pushing for.
I am confused about your response to iran-contra. He (his administration) went behind Congress' back to sell Iran arms to fund the contras in Nicaragua in order to topple their democracy and institute the us trained dictator who destroyed their livelihood until he was eventually removed from power. It was a huge embarrassment that even Mr. North faced no jail time for.

Most economists who don't have paychecks issued by uberpowerful corporations will tell you the laffer curve is laughable.
Never heard about Reagan being responsible for 9-11, but I know bush convinced the nation that Saddam was.
Look, I know you want to try to convince me that Obama/Democrats are causing problems and you think I'm trying to say Reagan and the Republicans are to blame, but to be honest, they're all to blame. Either side of the aisle might rhetorically or symbolically please their constituents while getting down to business on the downlow- big business gets them into office, and they have to do as their told. I see you get a lot of info from fox, heritage foundation, etc. But there is not much taken from the other side or the side that's least commonly heard - the objective one. Get skeptical. And yes, I said it. To me, as long as we're distracted by the same bipartisan bickering , we'll continue running in circles as the ultra wealthy few keep moving up. There was no recession for them - their wealth only multiplied! And no, the tea party is not the solution I'm reaching for haha.

I responded: "I could had made it a REAL long comment if I wanted to or you thought it "touched a (real) nerve". My response about Reagan and 9/11 was a satire. I was putting that on the basis that the hardcore crazies, conspiracy theorists like a Michael Moore would try and do that.
I wasn't trying to convince you of anything, just responding. You and others already know where I stand on most things. I do get some info from Fox, Heritage...yes, but I also post on here sometimes and especially my blog, links from other sources as well, mostly right but also from the left. But not ALL. Not all (reasonable) people who are Republicans, Conservatives, etc get all their info just from Fox as MSNBC, The Daily Show, and some other MSM outlets like to think. The whole system is crooked, it's just what or where (in my opinion), you agree with most or where your principals lie most. I don't always agree with everything the GOP does. I'm opinionated all around. And honestly I have never bought into the Tea Party. Especially after I read a couple months ago that after they championed for cuts, they accepted over a billion dollars in money from the government. I had that article on my blog and I ranted about that.
In my opinion and for most I think, Reagan overall had a great reputation, the 80's had some of the best economic and militarily dominance in American history and that continued up to the end of the first Persian Gulf War with Bush #1. People will remember him for that, as well as his humor, strong minded approach, the attempted assassination, freeing the hostages from Iran, toppling Communism/Soviets, his faith and how both parties liked him. People who were on the "left" weren't called "Reagan Democrats" for nothing".

My friend responded back: "I see. Yeah them Koch brothers and their tea parties.
Although, despite Reagan's Rep, lots of shady happenings did occur, as with most presidencies. I don't put it past any man to act human - full of mistakes and that bastard greed. If I me...t someone who said Obama had a spotless record, I'd slap them on behalf of every person affected by the BP oil spill and for all those fighting for a break from their dictator in Egypt. Although I do find it hard to think in the future he'll be remembered for pleasing both sides - he's been a target since the day he won. Oh well...."

Tuesday's Political Funnies

2011-02-08T12:50:00.000-08:00

Obama Is Only Asking For $775 Million In Budget Cuts

2011-02-08T12:44:00.000-08:00

This sounds legit. Oh by the way, the President also announced he was $53 billion spent on a high speed rail. Sounds like the government has their priorities in place.

Via Heritage: Releasing his budget this Monday, President Barack Obama told the American people:

We won’t be able to bring down this deficit overnight, given that the recovery is still taking hold and families across the country still need help. … Just as it would be a terrible mistake to borrow against our children’s future to pay our way today, it would be equally wrong to neglect their future by failing to invest in areas that will determine our economic success in this new century.

But not only does President Obama’s budget fail to reduce deficits “overnight”, his budget actually moves them in the opposite direction. President Obama’s budget would:

* Permanently expand the federal government by nearly 3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) over 2007 pre-recession levels;
* Borrow 42 cents for each dollar spent in 2010;
* Leave permanent deficits that top $1 trillion in as late as 2020;

The chart above compares the President’s budget deficit projections to the Congressional Budget Office’s budget deficit projections under current law. In other words, the policy changes embodied in President Obama’s 2011 Budget puts our country $2.5 trillion deeper in debt by 2020 than it other wise would be if current law were left unchanged.

Now the President is apparently arguing that his trillions of dollars in additional deficit spending are needed to “invest in areas that will determine our economic success in this new century.”

This is statement goes to the core of the fundamental difference between leftists and conservatives in this country: liberals belief economic growth comes from wise investments by government experts; conservatives believe that economic growth stems from millions of Americans having the freedom to make their own economic decisions everyday.

President Obama’s bailouts, massive stimulus spending, and other dangerous interventionist policies (some of which began in 2008) have made Americans less economically free. The 2010 Index of Economic Freedom analyzes just how economically “free” a country is, and this year America saw a steep and significant decline, enough to make it drop altogether from the “free” category, the first time this has happened in the 16 years we’ve been publishing these indexes. The United States dropped to “mostly free.” As the Index shows, lack of freedom has a direct, negative effect on job growth. It should be no surprise that President Obama’s policies have taken us down the path to fewer jobs and record deficits.

New CBO Budget Baselines Show Permanent Trillion Dollarr Deficits

2011-02-08T12:35:00.000-08:00

Check out this article from Heritage that shows new CBO budget baseline numbers shows that we in America, will have permanent TRILLION dollar deficits. Disgusting.

Heritage: The new Congressional Budget Office (CBO) 10-year budget baseline shows a virtually unprecedented sea of red ink. The report reveals an unprecedented $1.5 trillion deficit in fiscal year (FY) 2011—an increase of $95 billion over their last 2011 estimate.[1] This will be the third consecutive year of trillion-dollar deficits.

However, the baseline includes a number of unrealistic assumptions—assumptions that Congress requires the CBO to use—that skew the results. Once the baseline is scrubbed of these unrealistic assumptions, the more realistic baseline shows historic spending levels driving the budget deficit to $1.9 trillion by 2021. Over the next decade, deficits are projected to total $13.6 trillion.

Read more and see the numbers here

Capitalism, A Forgotten Value

2011-02-08T12:29:00.000-08:00

I found this one on the Left Coast Rebel's page. Read it

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Birthplace of Independent Conservatism

I have to chuckle when I listen to the business community and/or the government, specifically when either talks about capitalism.

Capitalism is something our founders understood. For a brief, maybe one hundred years or so following them, so did most Americans. They understood what it is as well as the value it gave to a free society.

However, after 1900 or thereabouts something changed. I think we all know what it was that began to slowing erode capitalism until today we have only a shell of real capitalism; a perverted shell at that.

Yes, certainly I blame the anti capitalist government mentality that took hold and ultimately grew in America, much to its great detriment. I also blame equally the businessmen and the manufacturers that once were responsible for this nation's prosperity and the creation of national wealth {those who produce} because they became willing partners in the efforts that served to eliminate true capitalism.

By asking for and accepting favors in the form government subsidies, business played into the hands of the progressive elements of society and a progressive socialistic government and in the process played their cards against the best interest of capitalism, the American people, and a free society.

Consider the following from Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal: "I said that the "liberals" are coining and spreading the "anti concepts" in order to smuggle this country into statism by an imperceptible process - and that the primary target marked for obliteration is thew concept of "capitalism," which if lost would carry away with it the knowledge that a free society can and did exist."

Consider as well this, again from Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal: "No "anti concept" launched by the "liberals" goes so far so crudely as the tag "consumerism." It implies loudly and clearly that the status of "consumer" is separate from and superior to the status of "producer"; it suggests a social system dedicated to the service of a new aristocracy which is distinguished by the ability to "consume" and vested with a special claim on the castes serfs marked by the ability to produce. If taken seriously, such a tag would lead to the ultimate absurdity of the communists proclaiming: "Who does not toil, shall not eat" - and the alleged representatives of capitalism replying: "Oh yes he shall!"

Anyone truly interested in understanding true capitalism and its force for good should read Ayn Rand's book, Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal.

I vaguely recall a time when the banking industry was lauded as "Pillars of the Community." Well, given the recent past and the financial meltdown I suppose we can all agree the neither banking industry nor the financial industry in general represent any such "pillars." Rather they, as well as the government represent corruption and control. Today neither represent anything even close to an understanding of what true capitalism is.

Consider the following from the third President of these United States, Thomas Jefferson.... "I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs." -- Thomas Jefferson, 1821

Indeed, if President Thomas Jefferson and Ayn Rand where with us today there is no doubt but they would be appalled at the Corporatism, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-crony-capitalism.htm, Anti Concepts, and lack of Intellectual Honesty that currently pervades our society.

Unfortunately neither modern liberals nor modern conservatives are talking honestly and rationally on the issues herein introduced. This is not all that surprising if one thinks about it. After all, as we have grown to observe {assuming we have observed reality at all}, regardless of party, ideology, or level of awareness it is likely that all roads eventually converge at the same point. The failure to reexamine the principles of capitalism. and allow a true capitalism to again take root and eventually flourish will, at a not to distant time, result in our society becoming {willingly} enslaved to the corporatist, crony capitalist, and the anti-concept snake oil salesmen.

The choice we make must be that of people. The road we choose to take rests with us. Isn't it time that all Americans that truly long for a better more prosperous future take action to insure we remain a free people. A people at liberty to choose the course of or life and succeed own our own merit and hard work.

This is The United States of America. We can accomplish great things if we renounce emotionalism and lead our lives and our nation by rational concepts. Concepts borne of physical reality and determined to be true based on cognitive reasoning and logic.

Cross posted to Rational Nation USA and Democracy Central

Via: Memeorandum

Nanny State, Sign Of The Times. Oregon Shuts Down 82 Year Old Barber - Video

2011-02-08T12:24:00.000-08:00

Here we go with the Nanny State and thinking others know whats best for others. Come on, this guy has been cutting hair for 50 years and you shut him down and tell him he has to go back to school?

h/t left coast rebel

Beck, Caliphate, The Hizb Ut Tahrir & Another Article On How They Think Shariah Rules Over The Constitution

2011-02-08T12:14:00.000-08:00

This is serious shit and I can't believe that most of Americans and the MSM is blind to this. It IS a real threat. One thing that I do like about Glenn Beck, is that he tells people every night, "Do your own homework, don't take my word for it" and "Listen to them in their own words" and he plays audio and visual clips of people saying the things that the idiots on like MSNBC constantly bash him for.

You should also read this article about how a conference was held in Chicago by this guy who wants Capitalism destroyed and Shariah Law introduced and rule the land. He says that Shariah Law takes presence over the Constitution. Link here

Via Right Pundits

Since the unrest in Egypt broke out, Glenn Beck has been the sole voice on television speaking out regularly on the Muslim Brotherhood. For the past week, he has been connecting the dots between them and many Progressive organizations, such as Code Pink, One Nation, and SEIU. Even Bill Ayers and wife Bernadine Dorn are part of Left-Wing cabal aiding the Brotherhood, says Beck. On Monday night’s program, Glenn introduced us to another group, the Hizb Ut Tahrir. Like the Muslim Brotherhood, they call for the creation of a new Islamic Caliphate and the destruction of Capitalism and Western Civilization.

Has Glenn Beck gone off the deep end with his talk about Caliphates, the Muslim Brotherhood and the Hizb Ut Tahrir? Or is he the lone voice in the wilderness? Image Credit: Ray Garbo/WENN.com.

All one need do is to venture to their ‘About Us’ webpage to see what these guys are up to. Guess what, Chris Matthews and the rest of the Beck-Bashers, Glenn is right once again! Here is a passage from their ‘About Us’ page, “Hizb ut-Tahrir is a political party whose ideology is Islam. Its objective is to resume the Islamic way of life by establishing an Islamic State that executes the systems of Islam and carries its call to the world.” Not enough for you doubters? Then read this passage four paragraphs down after you click the ‘Read more…’ link:

“The rise of Hizb ut-Tahrir was in response to Allah (swt)’s saying: T.M.Q. “And let there arise from amongst you a band that calls to the good and commands what is right and forbids what is evil and those are the ones who will attain felicity.” in order to revive the Islamic Ummah after the severe decline to which she has sunk, to liberate her from the thoughts, systems and rules of Kufr, its systems and from the hegemony and influence of the Kufr states, and in order to work towards establishing the Islamic Khilafah State so that the rules by what Allah (swt) has revealed returns to the realm of life.”

Just so we’re all on the same page with a few of these terms, let us define them. ‘Ummah’ refers to the “One Community” under the Qur’an. An Islamic Caliphate, or ‘Kalifah’, being a collection of Islamic nations, a republic, all aligned under Shari’a Law and the Constitution of Medina from 622. This federation of Islamic nations would stand in opposition to the ‘Kufr’, or pagan-nonbeliever. In latter years, the term became more known as ‘Kaffir’, at about the 15th Century as Europeans began sailing further down the coats of West Africa. Then, it defined the African slaves that Muslim slave traders they sold to Europeans and Asians.

Which does bring us to one of those ‘lightbulb’ moments when we look deeper into history. If you read the Progressive version of world history, then you would think that all African slaves were originally captured and shipped abroad by White Europeans. Oh contraire! Europeans may have shipped, bought, and used slaves, but they were not the ones capturing them in the first place. Indeed, whites rarely ventured deep into Africa’s interior until the latter half of the 19th Century. The climate and environment was just too much for them. By the late 1850s, medical science had progressed enough to allow for the Europeans to begin the task on colonialism in earnest. Prior to that, they usually just lived along the coast in their colonial outposts.

Now, all cultures in human history practiced slavery in one form or another, so I am not picking on the Arabs or Muslims in general. But for the last few centuries, the facts show that they were heavily involved in the industry, particularly at the ‘ground level’. Without Muslim Arab slavers operating in Africa, there would have been no slave trade in the West.

But these facts and history are ignored by the Progressive media. Just as they ignore the facts and history of the Muslim Brotherhood and affiliated groups, like the Hizb Ut Tahrir, that operate openly here in the United States. Chris Matthews and the rest of the Far-Left media might poke fun at Glenn Beck and his Caliphate conspiracy theories, but the truth is that these groups mean what they say. They want to restore the Islamic Caliphate of the 10th Century, when it dominated much of the known world. This time around, they want the whole planet!

AOL Merging With Huffington Post

2011-02-08T12:10:00.000-08:00

This seems weird to me. Anyone even still on AOL anymore beside just for an email address?

Yahoo!: AOL chief executive Tim Armstrong has talked a lot lately about how content is key to his company's future. And despite some skepticism over the company's strategy, AOL is moving forward with a bold acquisition to beef up both its original content and its news gathering capabilities.

In a major deal struck Sunday, AOL has agreed to purchase The Huffington Post—one of Internet's most-read news and opinion sites—for $315 million. Fittingly enough, the parties signed off on the blockbuster media merger at the Super Bowl.

Arianna Huffington, the site's co-founder and editor-in-chief, will oversee the integrated editorial content under The Huffington Post Media Group.

Read the rest here

Olbermann Lands New Gig On Current TV

2011-02-08T12:06:00.000-08:00

This man is a joke and I'm glad the local cable company up here doesn't carry him. I'm sure this new show he'll have 5 nights a week will be more insane than the one he had on MSNBC. So Current TV which is owned by Al Gore, also gave him the "chief" title, a managerial role and a cut of the business to have him. Too steep of a price for a man with his ego. Only the best for Gore...

Yahoo!: Keith Olbermann will return to cable television this spring as host of a new primetime news and commentary show on Current TV.

"Nothing is more vital to a free America than a free media," Olbermann told reporters Tuesday. "And nothing is more vital to my concept of a free media than news that is produced independent of corporate interference."

Read the full thing here

Happy 100th Birthday President Reagan!

2011-02-06T11:00:00.001-08:00

The greatest man and President EVER

A Personal Note

2011-02-04T18:15:00.001-08:00

My Aunt passed away yesterday morning so I won't be doing any further posts until next week. I miss you. R.I.P.

Thank you

- Trigger

Flashback Friday! - The Kenny Loggins Edition

2011-02-04T18:05:00.000-08:00

Demotivational Poster Time!

2011-02-02T13:32:00.000-08:00

Mid-Week Political Funnies

2011-02-02T13:25:00.000-08:00

Dennis Kucinich Is Suing Over A Sandwich

2011-02-02T12:46:00.000-08:00

What a joke. Suing over a broken tooth that he sustained 3 years ago and the dollar amount is crazy - $150,000.00. I broke a tooth on my lunch break at a restaurant once and another one while eating at a company BBQ, but I didn't sue.

This goes to show again how you can sue for anything now. This guy doesn't need this amount of money, plus you know he gets probably free health care and dental care for being a Representative so it's not like he is out of money. Again, as I have written before on different pieces, if something happens to you, you should sue then, not 1, 3, or 10 years later.

I also love how when people sue, the main amount they want is for emotional distress or in this case, "loss of enjoyment".

Via LA Times: U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) is suing the operators of a House cafeteria for alleged negligence stemming from a almost 3-year-old incident involving a sandwich he says left him with significant dental injuries.

Kucinich is seeking $150,000 in damages from companies that run the cafeteria in the Longworth House Office Building and the providers that service it. According to the District of Columbia Superior Court, the case was filed on Jan. 3, and a hearing has been scheduled for April 8.

Read more on LA Times

11% Of Homes Are Empty, Towns Becoming "Obamavilles"

2011-02-02T12:37:00.000-08:00

Another h/t from The Lonely Conservative on this one for the links and picture.
Check out these links to the stories on how 11% of homes in America are now empty and what were regular towns are now becoming "Obamavilles". I'm just glad I didn't but that condo I was interested in a few years back. I'm mean it's already tough for me being unemployed still and all, but I know I'd really be hurting more financially and with my credit if I had bought that and then lost my job when I did. Before with my rent, my unemployment barely covered my rent, I know it would had not covered that mortgage or insurances.

Via CNBC.com:"...Now to vacancies. There were 18.4 million vacant homes in the U.S. in Q4 ’10 (11 percent of all housing units vacant all year round), which is actually an improvement of 427,000 from a year ago, but not for the reasons you’d think.

The number of vacant homes for rent fell by 493 thousand, as rental demand rose. 471,000 homes are listed as “Held off Market” about half for temporary use, but the other half are likely foreclosures. And no, the shadow inventory isn’t just 200,000, it’s far higher than that".

More on "Obamavilles" here on familysecurity matters.org

Planned Parenthood Exposed - Video

2011-02-02T12:26:00.000-08:00

h/t The Lonely Conservative, Via Live Action
This is crazy! As LC points out - "Of course, NPR tried to downplay this by falsely reporting that James O’Keefe was involved in the sting. They later had to issue a correction, as James O’Keefe had nothing to do with it. Oh, and Gawker was quick to jump to Planned Parenthood’s defense".

Of course, it's always the people on the right or Conservative's faults when something like this gets exposed. Not only does this lady need to be fired, but that whole organization needs a positive makeover. When you watch the whole thing, it's really disturbing on how this manager helps this "pimp" on how to take care of the girls/sex slaves he is talking about.

This video reveals a top-level Planned Parenthood worker, the manager of Planned Parenthood of Central New Jersey’s second largest clinic, making a secret deal with a pimp. Watch and listen as the Planned Parenthood manager, Amy Woodruff, advises the pimp how to make the trafficking of underage girls look “as legit as possible” (her words). Watch and listen as the manager advises the pimp how to ensure that his 14-year old victims of trafficking can still make money for him after secret abortions by performing sex acts “waist up” (her idea). Watch as she advises the pimp to instruct his girls to lie on the paper work about their ages, and identify themselves as “students” to get cheaper contraception and avoid mandatory reporting laws.

Chrysler Losing Money, Wants Another Bailout, Gives Bonuses To UAW Workers

2011-02-02T12:21:00.000-08:00

Read this article from Red State. I can't believe this, Chrysler already got a bailout before, now they are losing money again, want another bailout but was able to afford giving the UAW (United Auto Workers) workers bonuses? How can you afford bonuses if you are losing money? This is b.s. click on the links to the other news articles as part of this story to get all the feedback. Some highlights below:

Chrysler’s $3 billion loan application is still pending, denying the automaker a chance to refinance its pricey bailout loans before an expected initial public offering this year.

“It just underlines the special challenges for Chrysler,” Sean McAlinden, chief economist for the Center for Automotive Research, said of GM’s decision to withdraw its application.

“They’ve got another really tough year and they need the money.”

And

Chrysler’s net revenue of $41.9 billion for 2010 was slightly below the $42.5 billion called for in the five-year business plan that the automaker announced in November, 2009, and just short of some analysts’ expectations.

“What Chrysler delivered last year, on both the product and financial fronts, surpassed many expectations,” Marchionne said in a statement issued by the company.

And the automaker is forecasting a better year for 2011, now that its dealers have a new stable of vehicles to attract shoppers.

And

United Auto Workers President Bob King said he is “pleased at the turnaround that Chrysler and the other domestic automakers have made. The dedication and hard work of UAW members at Chrysler have contributed greatly to this success, and we appreciate the company’s recognition of the contribution made by employees. We are convinced that Chrysler has a great future and look forward to more opportunities for our members to share in that success.”

General Holiefield, UAW vice president of the Chrysler Department, described the collaboration between company and union in achieving strong 2010 results as “a testament to what can be accomplished when all employees recognize that their jobs are at stake and pull toward a common goal.”

The common goal is repayment of government loans, Holiefield said. “We have more work to do, much more, but with focus and determination, we can reach any goal.”

Ken Lewenza, president of the Canadian Auto Workers union, expressed surprise that CAW employees will be rewarded as well. “Chrysler is on the right track and gaining momentum with our new products, and I expect this success to continue into 2011.”

Maddow Gets Duped By A Satrie Site, Then Blames Glenn Beck For It.

2011-02-02T12:06:00.000-08:00

Another reason why MSNBC is full of idiots and Rachael Maddow is now the top idiot since Olbermann was fired. I continue to push my personal ban on that network and her show, and just proves again that they can't report REAL news and that all they do is watch Glenn Beck and Fox for their news, just so they can try and make fun of it to make their out of control liberal egos feel better. What a joke. Remember, this is also the same channel that pushed the idea hard after Rep. Gifford was shot saying it was all Conservatives faults.

Via News Busters:

Read the whole article that is with the video here

h/t The Lonely Conservative

If Obamacare Is So Great, Why Are There Now 733 Companies Now Exempt From Carrying It - 40% Are Unions?

2011-02-02T11:54:00.000-08:00

I can't believe this, 733 companies are exempt from Obamacare and that list is sure to grow. You can view the entire list here on the hhs.gov website. Out of that 733, 40% are unions or union companies. Well, they did give $100 million to Obama's campaign, so why shouldn't they get a free pass? And it's true, if this is so good for Americans and businesses, then why are so many trying to opt out of while the Constitutionality of it is being challenged and Florida just jumped on board with a few other states and had their judge rule it was unconstitutional.

Via economiccollapse.net: If Obamacare is supposed to be such a great thing for America, why are so many companies and various organizations being granted exemptions? Why do so many of those who have sought the exemptions — like unions, for example — just happen to be supporters of Obama and liberal democratic policies? Could it be that liberals just love to make laws for everyone else, love to make everyone else but themselves pay?

I do not know how many companies and groups have applied for exemptions from Obamacare, but the list of entities who have been granted an exemption is growing quickly. A look at the page now shows that, as of December 3, 2010 there were 733 approved exemptions. That’s a total of 2,189,636 American workers that will not suffer the consequences of Obamacare. Keep in mind that the date on this report is two months ago. Who knows what the number is today. You can view the entire list at this website, and perhaps it will be more current by the time you click through to it.

Read more here

Jerry Brown's State Of The State Address Highlights

2011-02-02T11:45:00.000-08:00

First off, I thought it was odd he would incite the violence in North Africa is compared to California. Second, I'm glad he did tell both parties that times are different and cuts and increases are going to happen but I did like how he said it would go to a vote of the people. He has proposed an extension of tax increases that include the DMV license fee for another 5 years along with cuts into programs and around 10% take home pay for state workers. I'm for that, the cuts into wasteful programs and state pay, but I don't want my taxes and especially my DMV fees to go up. That was one of the reasons (beside the energy deal), that got Gray Davis recalled 8 years ago.

But the State of the State is bad and something needs to get done. Hopefully Governor Moonbeam doesn't revert back to his old ways.

Via gov.ca: Governor Jerry Brown released a balanced state budget today that slashes spending by $12.5 billion, including an eight to 10 percent cut in take-home pay for most state employees, and proposes a “vast and historic” restructuring of government operations.

“These cuts will be painful, requiring sacrifice from every sector of the state, but we have no choice,” Brown said. “For 10 years, we’ve had budget gimmicks and tricks that pushed us deep into debt. We must now return California to fiscal responsibility and get our state on the road to economic recovery and job growth.”

Brown’s budget also calls for temporary continuation of taxes while the state pays off debt, moves forward with his realignment plan and consolidates or eliminates functions.

“Since it will take some time to fully implement these changes, I propose to ask the voters for a five-year extension of several current taxes so that we can restructure in an orderly manner,” the Governor explained.

He said the proposed spending plan, which puts $1 billion into a “rainy day” reserve fund, closes California’s budget deficit “now and into the future.”

The Governor said his realignment plan, which he called “vast and historic,” will return decisions and authority to cities, counties and schools and “allow government at all levels to focus on core functions and become more efficient and less expensive” by reducing duplication of services and administrative costs.

The one area of state spending spared from cuts is kindergarten through 12th grade education.

“Schools have borne the brunt of spending reductions in recent years, so this budget maintains funding at the same level as the current year,” the Governor said.

Brown’s budget proposes total spending of $127.4 billion for the 2011-12 fiscal year. Of this amount, proposed General Fund spending is $84.6 billion.

The spending plan eliminates an 18-month budget gap estimated at $25.4 billion, comprised of a current year shortfall of $8.2 billion and a budget year shortfall of $17.2 billion. A combination of $26.4 billion in actions is needed in order to have a $1 billion reserve. In addition, the deficit will grow to $26.6 billion if the proposed sale of state office buildings, blocked by court order, does not proceed, requiring $27.6 billion in budget actions in order to have a reserve.

Brown’s budget proposes $12.5 billion in spending reductions, $12 billion in revenue extensions and modifications, $1.9 billion in other solutions to close the gap and provide for a $1 billion reserve.

Major spending reductions include $1.7 billion to Medi-Cal, $1.5 billion to California’s welfare-to-work program (CalWORKs), $750 million to the Department of Developmental Services, $500 million to the University of California, $500 million to California State University, and $308 million for a 10 percent reduction in take-home pay for state employees not currently covered under collective bargaining agreements. Brown also plans to trim state government operations by $200 million through a variety of actions, including reorganizations, consolidations and other efficiencies.

The Governor’s spending plan proposes additional reductions throughout state government, including corrections, the judiciary and resources.

The budget also proposes to change the role that state and local governments play in local development activities by eliminating state tax benefits for enterprise zones and phasing out the current funding mechanism for redevelopment agencies. This will return billions in property tax revenues to schools, cities and counties and help pay for public safety, education and other services.

The revenue component of the budget calls for an election this coming June where voters will be asked to continue current personal income and sales taxes, as well as the Vehicle License Fee rate, for five years. Brown said revenue from the sales tax and the vehicle license fee will be transferred directly to local governments to finance the first phase of his realignment plan.

Brown’s budget also requires all corporations to use a single sales factor when measuring income attributable to California and calls for an amnesty program for taxpayers who have avoided or under reported income owed to the state.

Brown called the spending plan “a tough budget for tough times” that will close the state’s structural deficit and provide a “strong and stable foundation” to meet future needs.

“Without decisive action, the state’s severe budget problems will persist, threatening economic recovery, job growth, public education and the quality of life in California,” he said. “The adoption of this budget will position the state to lead the country as it slowly recovers from the Great Recession.”

The Governor’s spending plan assumes that all statutory changes to implement budget actions will be adopted by the legislature in March, allowing the necessary ballot measures to be put before the people at a June special election.

Flashback Friday! - The Sammy Hagar Edition

2011-01-28T12:46:00.000-08:00

This week's "Flashback Friday!" was submitted by my friend David and he picked a good one. These are classic Sammy Hagar songs from throughout his awesome career as a soloist and with groups. Thanks David for the pick and enjoy!! If you have an idea, let me know.

Friday's Political Funnies!

2011-01-28T12:32:00.000-08:00

Video - Meghan McCain: Bachmann A ‘Poor Man’s Sarah Palin’

2011-01-27T16:37:00.000-08:00

What the hell does Meghan McCain have against the women in the GOP or Conservative movement? I know she has never like Palin, but now she's going after Michelle Bachmann. Remember people, just because she's John's daughter and claims to be a Republican, over the last 2 years and being on t.v. and in interviews, she sounds like the opposite and she doesn't speak for all Conservatives.

Via Breitbart.tv

Jobless Claims Rose Last Week, Blamed Partly On Snow In The South

2011-01-27T16:16:00.000-08:00

Bloomberg News: More Americans than forecast filed first-time claims for unemployment insurance payments last week, indicating it will take time for the labor market to mend.

Applications for jobless benefits increased by 51,000 to 454,000 in the week ended Jan. 22, Labor Department figures showed today. Economists forecast 405,000 claims, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey. The number of people on unemployment benefit rolls rose, while those collecting extended payments fell.

A Labor Department official said snow in four southern states in previous weeks created a backlog of claims that were processed last week. While the economy has improved, it hasn’t been enough to reduce an unemployment rate that Federal Reserve policy makers said yesterday is too high and requires pressing ahead with a $600 billion stimulus plan.

Read the whole thing here

Kentucky Considering Law That Would Randomly Drug Test Welfare Recipients - I Think California Should Do The Same

2011-01-27T16:06:00.000-08:00

I think this is a good idea. My friend in Missouri said they are working on a similar bill in that state and especially where I live in California, I think this would be a great idea. There are lots of people who manipulate the system and do drugs and keep getting assistance from the state. There are also people who just keep having babies or are illegal and get assistance as well. I may be getting off track there, but seriously, while people like me who try to be honest, abide by the law and do the right thing, always seems to be pushed away.

Some jobs require you to pass a drug test in order to be hired and there are some jobs that randomly drug test their employees and if you fail, you're fired. I believe that is "Zero Tolerance". I think the states should have a similar thing if you are going to receive welfare or other "free" assistance. It would save California probably $500 million a year at least and that would help schools or close our budget gap.

I can pass a drug test, can you?

Huffington Post: Kentucky state Rep. Lonnie Napier (R-Lancaster) has introduced a bill that would enforce random drug testing for all adult Kentuckians receiving welfare, food stamps or Medicaid, which he told HuffPost would "get people off drugs" and save money for the state.

"I believe there is a place for public assistance for those that really need it, but I don't think there should be public assistance for those using it to buy drugs," Napier said. "It's widely known here and all over the country that they'll take the food-stamp card and buy good groceries with it, and then swap them for illegal drugs. My deal would only be random testing, and this would put the fear in people to keep them drug-clean because they would lose their public assistance if they show up with illegal drugs in their system."

Under Kentucky House Bill 208, public-assistance recipients who fail the random drug test would immediately lose their benefits, which Napier said will save the state government "millions and millions and millions" of dollars.

"The public-assistance program is one of the most expensive things we have," he said. "This is gonna save us a lot of money, because there's gonna be a lot of people showing up on illegal drugs and they will lose their assistance. If the working people in Kentucky have to be randomly drug-tested, why not those who are receiving the public's money?"

Napier's legislation was cosponsored by House Speaker Greg Stumbo (D-Prestonsburg), who told HuffPost he views the bill as an opportunity to curb drug use in general. "As Attorney General and as a legislator, I have done all I can to curb illegal drug use in the state. I view this issue in that light, and that's why I signed on as cosponsor," he said.

The idea of drug testing those on public assistance is not a new one, as HuffPost's Ryan Grim pointed out in June after U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) introduced legislation that would have mandated drug tests for Americans receiving unemployment benefits. But an early experiment with such a policy in Michigan proved ineffective, experts say.

"A decade ago, Michigan implemented mandatory testing in three welfare offices. Out of 258 new and continuing applicants tested, 21 tested positive for illicit substances. All but three of these women tested positive for marijuana only. In light of such experiences, few states have chosen to pursue similar efforts," said Harold Pollack, the Helen Ross Professor of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago.

Napier said he has no intention of drug-testing all of Kentucky's unemployed -- only those who receive "free handouts" from the state. He said he wants critics of the bill to know that he does care about his low-income constituents and that he views this legislation as a way to help them beat their drug addictions.

"I'm not a hard-hearted person -- I'm compassionate. However, I think it's time somebody stepped up to the plate and tried to help people get off of drugs," he said. "If you're continuing to let people have free handouts and they're using it for illegal drugs, then I guess we're helping them do it."

Illinois High Court Rules Rahm Emanuel Can Run For Chicago Mayor. What A Joke

2011-01-27T16:02:00.001-08:00

Who did Rahm-bo have rustled up to be allowed to be on the ballot for Chicago's mayoral election? Seriously though, I mean, there was questions about eligibility, and a couple of other things and the state court tells him he cannot run and now the high court says he can. If this was me, and not so "high profiled", I wouldn't be allowed to run. The high court would had upheld the lower courts decision.

Yahoo!/AP: Illinois' highest court put Rahm Emanuel back in the race for Chicago mayor Thursday, three days after a lower court threw the former White House chief of staff off the ballot because he had not lived in the city for a full year.

The state Supreme Court ruled unanimously in Emanuel's favor, saying an appeals court decision that said the candidate needed to be physically present in Chicago was "without any foundation in Illinois law."

"As I said from the beginning, I think the voters deserve the right to make the choice of who should be mayor," Emanuel said shortly after getting word of the high court's action. "I'm not quite sure emotionally where I'm at."

Read the whole thing here

Demotivational Poster Time!

2011-01-24T18:29:00.000-08:00

Also check out this link to Super Booyah's website on The Onion's 30 most hilarious headlines ever. I was busting up on a few of them.

Last Week's Political Funnies

2011-01-24T18:22:00.000-08:00

Just like the "Flashback Friday" from last week, I am running behind. So here are my favorite political funnies from last week, today!

Taxpayers Picking Up The Tab On The Legal Bills For Freddie And Fannie Too?

2011-01-24T18:18:00.000-08:00

We gave these idiots billions and now they're sticking us with their legal bills too? Hell no.

Via NY Times: Since the government took over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, taxpayers have spent more than $160 million defending the mortgage finance companies and their former top executives in civil lawsuits accusing them of fraud. The cost was a closely guarded secret until last week, when the companies and their regulator produced an accounting at the request of Congress.

The bulk of those expenditures — $132 million — went to defend Fannie Mae and its officials in various securities suits and government investigations into accounting irregularities that occurred years before the subprime lending crisis erupted. The legal payments show no sign of abating.

Read the whole thing at NY Times

Restoring America - Harness Our Natural Resources

2011-01-24T18:09:00.000-08:00

I had a piece that I did about a year or so ago (link here)on this very thing and linked and showed pictured from the Government offices on Minerals, etc showing our huge natural deposits but we can't do it mainly because of the red tape and the lawsuits that would follow. If we want dependence, lower energy costs and national security, we need to harbor the resources we have here. I found the reader's piece below from Flopping Aces awesome and I hope you do too.

Via Flopping Aces

We all know America is doomed unless we return to core economic values and we know the economy is presently in ruins.

We know that if any recovery takes place, hyper-inflation is sure to manifest itself. Inflation is already rising, and that’s with a national 10% unemployment rate.

BUT THERE IS A SOLUTION, and only Conservatives can implement that solution. First, some FACTS on which I’m sure you’ll agree with:

A)The jobs lost aren’t coming back, because the Industries that supported them are gone.

B) To create new jobs, you need to create:

1 – A new Industry.

2 – One vital to our economy.

3 – One that will generate not just jobs, but tax revenue.

4 – One that by it’s nature, can’t be shipped offshore.

5 – One that, also by its nature, affects every area of our Nation.

6 – One so large, it will spin off other new Industries.

7 – An Industry so large that it will reverse the flow of money outside of America to a flow of money INTO America.

8 – One that will result in manufacturing returning to America.

9 – One that the people will support.

10 – One that the Government will support, and finally….

11 – ONE THAT WILL STRENGTHEN NOT JUST OUR ECONOMY, BUT OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AS WELL.

Does such an Industry actually exist? Why YES! IT DOES!

Now, another FACT: (Remember this): “Energy is what keeps us from living in Mud Huts making sharp sticks.” Keep repeating that to every policy-maker you meet. Let’s see some info you can give them, shall we?

Since Oil was discovered in Pennsylvania in the mid- 1800′s, THE ENTIRE WORLD has used roughly 1-Trillion Barrels of oil. The “Green River Oil Shale Deposit” (“Google” that to learn more) contains an estimated 2-TRILLION BARRELS of recoverable oil. And it sits on Federal Land. (We own it).

Bush wouldn’t harvest it because of obvious ties to “BIG OIL.” (Royal Dutch Shell has the bid on it, not an American Company).

One totally new Industry must be created to harvest and refine it, using BIG AMERICAN COMPANIES that employ millions of workers, like Grumman, Westinghouse, Caterpillar, GE, United Technologies, Kaman, Texrel, and big transportation, like Georgia Pacific Rail.

SECONDLY, regarding coal, there are more BTU’S of energy underground in West Virginia in Coal than there is under the sands of Saudi Arabia in oil.

All States combined, America has more BTU’s of energy in Coal Reserves than all the OPEC countries possess..

In the 1930′s Germany (Under WWI blockade and having no known oil reserves) perfected the Fischer-Tropsch process, a catalyzed chemical reaction in which synthesis gas (a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen) is converted into liquid hydrocarbons of various forms. The principal purpose of this process is to produce a synthetic petroleum substitute, typically from coal, for use as synthetic lubrication oil or as synthetic fuel (Diesel and Jet Fuel). This synthetic fuel runs trucks, cars, and aircraft engines and electrical power plants. (Think Panzer and Luftwaffe Divisions. What powered them?).

Imagine this new Industry that takes 1/3 of our commercial vehicles off of Crude oil-based fuel. WE CAN DO THIS! We’re America!

Remember, I’ve not even mentioned Domestic Drilling, Nuclear or Natural Gas energy harvesting.

And what about another new industry created by doing this:

Land Reclamation.

Paid for by a small 50-cent (or so) per ton tax levied on mined coal or Oil Shale (To produce Shale Oil). Again – NEW INDUSTRY, with jobs that can never be outsourced.

America could become the world’s leading energy exporter, instead of it’s leading importer. Think of what that means for our National Security, and for Income and sales tax revenues. And the flow of money back into America instead of out.

Think of the corporate tax revenues, and instead of money flowing out into entitlement spending, tax revenues coming in due to income and sales tax revenue.

And because this incredible economic recovery will be BECAUSE of a massive influx in Independent Energy Production, energy prices won’t inflate. They’ll actually decline, preventing hyper-inflation and allowing Americans more disposable income. The dominos of recovery will be all lined up.

A President could do all this with a simple stroke of a pen, BY EXECUTIVE ORDER, citing National Security and our National Economy.

BOLD? Sure! But I would do it in a New York Minute. People are angry. They’re tired of wars (political or otherwise) over energy. They want to work, they want jobs.

They don’t believe in man-made “Climate Change.”

We Republicans can sell this, and do this. Real results. Real jobs. A Stronger and more secure America. I respectively request that you good folks consider and support this plan as THE MAJOR PLANK in our conservatives next Campaign Platforms. The resulting debate will forever diminish and expose “The Environmental Left” as the Anti-Americans they are.

Their Domestic Energy Policies have crippled an brought America to it’s knees. We can not allow that to continue.

Regards, Nostradamus.