This'n'That; February 1st[Superbowl;Porkulus;MexEconomy]

The Superbowl Copyright Flap The latest situation is pretty bizarre -- but tragically, seems to fall closer to a correct legal reading of a really poorly written law. The NFL apparently nastygrammed a church for planning to host a Super Bowl party. The original complaint was first that the church was charging people, but also that they used the term "Super Bowl" (as if people would somehow believe that the church was associated with the NFL?). After the church agreed to let people in for free and not use the term, the NFL continued to complain, saying that showing the Super Bowl on a screen larger than 55 inches represents copyright infringement. While we, at first, doubted the reality of this, Ben Austro sent in the fact that it is, indeed, spelled out in copyright law that once you get above 55", you may be talking about a "public performance," though, as Ben notes, the wording sounds like it was clearly written by a lobbyist. No matter what the law states, this seems ridiculously short-sighted by the NFL. It's hard to see how they lose out in any meaningful way by not allowing groups to watch the Super Bowl together. Of course, now that this particular quirk of copyright law is getting some attention, how long will it be until the MPAA starts cracking down on those of you with really big screen TVs from showing movies in your home theaters. What was a joke just a few months ago, may become real. Another Porkulus Oddity The economic porkulus measure making its way through Congress could steer government checks to illegal immigrants. The legislation, which would send tax credits of $500 per worker and $1,000 per couple, expressly disqualifies nonresident aliens, but it would allow people who don't have Social Security numbers to be eligible for the checks. Undocumented immigrants who are not eligible for a Social Security number can file tax returns with an alternative number. A House-passed version of the economic recovery bill and one making its way through the Senate would allow anyone with such a number, called an individual taxpayer identification number, to qualify for the tax credits. [http://www.newsmax.com] The Taxpayer Identification Number was quietly slipped into the porkulus package wording by the obama handlers. This gives the illegals a pathway to collect tax credits they neither earned nor deserve!! These credits are for the American citizen-the legal worker who has been instrumental in the country's prosperity and growth for over 400 years. The Next Economic Collapse Mexican illegals work for the lowest wages American employers can get away with. The illegals do so because wages in Mexico continue to leave a vast portion of that nation's population in poverty, forced to live on $3 to $4 dollars per person, per day. According to the CIA, 40% of Mexicans live below the poverty line. The current estimated population is 109,955,400 people [July, 2008] and the labor force is estimated to be 45.38 million [2007]. Despite being rich in natural resources, the Mexican economy is highly dependent on the U.S. economy. We buy 84% of all Mexican exports, compared to Canada that buys a mere 1.8%. Per capita income is one-fourth that of the U.S.; income distribution remains "highly unequal." That's a diplomatic way of saying a handful of Mexican elites own almost everything. The Mexican economy would collapse without the money sent back by the Mexicans, both legal and illegal. This would explain the reluctance of the various administrations to stem the flow of illegals across our southern border. Ignoring the financial and social impact that millions of illegal Mexican workers are having on America may well be the government's way of avoiding a tsunami of even more Mexicans crossing over in the wake of the collapse of the Mexican economy. The 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement has forced whole sections of Mexican citizens to head north. People don't do this because they have a choice; Mexico is not creating new jobs. It is instead, sending its people here to take over all kinds of jobs that unemployed Americans no longer can get. Nearly half of the Mexican population is just as poor today as they were in the 1960s. That's not slow growth; That's no growth!! According to Bloomberg.com, "Mexico's economy grew at the slowest pace in a year in the first quarter as U.S. demand for the nation's autos, textiles, and appliances declined." The estimated $20 billion in U.S. dollars that Mexicans sent home last year is the mainstay of Mexico's economy. When the main export is citizens, the nation is in big trouble. China has surpassed our southern neighbor as the top supplier to the U.S. of a vast array of assembled goods, as well as textiles, office computers, metal parts and prefabricated construction parts. Mexico's problems have become America's problems despite all the hoopla about NAFTA. The failure to stem illegal immigration and all the problems that go with it will become a major political issue. It simply cannot be ignored, though obama will probably do just that. Illegal Mexicans will take any job available, but even worse news for us is the growing trend of out-sourcing white-collar jobs. Though it is hard to determine due to reporting procedures, there is no debate regarding the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs that will leave many Americans unemployed in the years directly ahead as their jobs migrate to India, China and other nations. So while the potential of economic collapse of Mexico looms to the south of us, internally jobs are disappearing into cybersphere as workers in developing nations, receiving far less than American workers, are the beneficiaries of the way technology speeds aspects of globalization. Here again, the US government is taking no steps to address this looming crisis. The US economy is faltering; quite likely, Mexico's will completely collapse!! Mexico: Social As Well As Economic Collapse Indiscriminate kidnappings. Nearly daily beheadings. Gangs that mock and kill government agents. This isn’t Iraq or Pakistan. It’s Mexico, which the U.S. government and a growing number of experts say is becoming one of the world’s biggest security risks. The prospect that America’s southern neighbor could melt into lawlessness provides an unexpected challenge to obama’s new government. In its latest report anticipating possible global security risks, the U.S. Joint Forces Command lumps Mexico and Pakistan together as being at risk of a “rapid and sudden collapse.” The Mexican government, its politicians, police and judicial infrastructure are all under sustained assault and pressure by criminal gangs and drug cartels. The command said in the report published Nov 25, “How that internal conflict turns out over the next several years will have a major impact on the stability of the Mexican state.” These are the very reasons many Americans pleaded with the congress to continue with border security measures already approved and funded. When the American economy is in "full-blown" depression, what will happen with the illegals in this country? Those who don't remain at their current locations to rob and pillage the citizenry, will return to Mexico. What will they find south of the border? The situation very well may be worse than it is now: Corrupt national, state, regional and local political leaders, police and judges. Along the border, drug cartels control most levels of government. They run rampant with murder, rape, assault and kidnapping to persue their goals. This might be the time for the common man to become an armed citizen, as the Second Amendment guarantees: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. Til Nex'Time......

This'n'That; January 31st[Stimulus;DemOpposition;

Stimulus NOT Porkulus In it's entirety below is an op-ed piece by Rush Limbaugh that ran in Thursday's Wall Street Journal: My Bipartisan Stimulus Let's cut taxes, as I want, and spend more, as Obama would like. By RUSH LIMBAUGH There's a serious debate in this country as to how best to end the recession. The average recession will last five to 11 months; the average recovery will last six years. Recessions will end on their own if they're left alone. What can make the recession worse is the wrong kind of government intervention. I believe the wrong kind is precisely what President Barack Obama has proposed. I don't believe his is a "stimulus plan" at all -- I don't think it stimulates anything but the Democratic Party. This "porkulus" bill is designed to repair the Democratic Party's power losses from the 1990s forward, and to cement the party's majority power for decades. Keynesian economists believe government spending on "shovel-ready" infrastructure projects -- schools, roads, bridges -- is the best way to stimulate our staggering economy. Supply-side economists make an equally persuasive case that tax cuts are the surest and quickest way to create permanent jobs and cause an economy to rebound. That happened under JFK, Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. We know that when tax rates are cut in a recession, it brings an economy back. Recent polling indicates that the American people are in favor of both approaches. Notwithstanding the media blitz in support of the Obama stimulus plan, most Americans, according to a new Rasmussen poll, are skeptical. Rasmussen finds that 59% fear that Congress and the president will increase government spending too much. Only 17% worry they will cut taxes too much. Since the American people are not certain that the Obama stimulus plan is the way to go, it seems to me there's an opportunity for genuine compromise. At the same time, we can garner evidence on how to deal with future recessions, so every occurrence will no longer become a matter of partisan debate. Congress is currently haggling over how to spend $900 billion generated by American taxpayers in the private sector. (It's important to remember that it's the people's money, not Washington's.) In a Jan. 23 meeting between President Obama and Republican leaders, Rep. Eric Cantor (R., Va.) proposed a moderate tax cut plan. President Obama responded, "I won. I'm going to trump you on that." Yes, elections have consequences. But where's the bipartisanship, Mr. Obama? This does not have to be a divisive issue. My proposal is a genuine compromise. Fifty-three percent of American voters voted for Barack Obama; 46% voted for John McCain, and 1% voted for wackos. Give that 1% to President Obama. Let's say the vote was 54% to 46%. As a way to bring the country together and at the same time determine the most effective way to deal with recessions, under the Obama-Limbaugh Stimulus Plan of 2009: 54% of the $900 billion -- $486 billion -- will be spent on infrastructure and pork as defined by Mr. Obama and the Democrats; 46% -- $414 billion -- will be directed toward tax cuts, as determined by me. Then we compare. We see which stimulus actually works. This is bipartisanship! It would satisfy the American people's wishes, as polls currently note; and it would also serve as a measurable test as to which approach best stimulates job growth. I say, cut the U.S. corporate tax rate -- at 35%, among the highest of all industrialized nations -- in half. Suspend the capital gains tax for a year to incentivize new investment, after which it would be reimposed at 10%. Then get out of the way! Once Wall Street starts ticking up 500 points a day, the rest of the private sector will follow. There's no reason to tell the American people their future is bleak. There's no reason, as the administration is doing, to depress their hopes. There's no reason to insist that recovery can't happen quickly, because it can. In this new era of responsibility, let's use both Keynesians and supply-siders to responsibly determine which theory best stimulates our economy -- and if elements of both work, so much the better. The American people are made up of Republicans, Democrats, independents and moderates, but our economy doesn't know the difference. This is about jobs now. The economic crisis is an opportunity to unify people, if we set aside the politics. The leader of the Democrats and the leader of the Republicans (me, according to Mr. Obama) can get it done. This will have the overwhelming support of the American people. Let's stop the acrimony. Let's start solving our problems, together. Why wait one more day? Mr. Limbaugh is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. NUFF SAID!! His Party Dislikes obama's Porkulus Bill A key Democrat on Tuesday lambasted the economic stimulus bill that is headed to the House floor, claiming it was put together too quickly and won’t help the economy in the short term. Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.), who chairs the Financial Services subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises, said on C-SPAN that Democrats have "lost our way" and "shouldn't be pressed by silly deadlines" of getting the bill into law by the Presidents Day recess. During his appearance, Kanjorski said he will oppose the bill unless it is significantly changed. Kanjorski said, "We need to take our time. I guarantee we're going to come back and we are going to have another stimulus, we're going to have another bailout for Wall Street because we are not doing these things properly." "I think we've lost our way in a way ... We shouldn't be pressed by these silly deadlines like, you know, what makes [the] Presidents Day holiday so important for us to get out of town?" He added, "In order to get it right, we have to spend time and analyze how much is going to hit the street as fast as it can hit the street and I don't think we've done that." Kanjorski suggested the $700 billion bailout bill was rushed and that Congress made mistakes in its haste. Throughout the interview, Kanjorski bemoaned that not enough funds in the stimulus will help the economy in the first couple of years. Proponents of the stimulus plan claim it needs to be passed soon because of the economic downturn, and dispute assertions that it would not jolt the economy in 2009 and 2010.

This'n'That; January 30st[WldEcon;WeimarRepub;Porkulus;Taskforce]

Will Economy Survive Current Tinkering ??

How the Dollar System works

At the end of WWII, the United States had the bulk of the world gold reserves and a surplus of dollars back by that gold. From the beginning and during most of the "Cold War," the U.S. was very generous to it's allies like [West] Germany and Japan. We both allowed and aided, the Asian and Western European economies to grow, primarily as a deterrent to communism. This pretty much made the U.S. Dollar the world standard, which gave us a distinct advantage in all the world markets. The American involvement in the Viet Nam War had a tremendous negative affect on the dollar. The associated costs drained the national treasury, and with it, a good percentage of the gold reserves. In 1971, then President Nixon broke the "Bretton Woods Agreement" and refused to exchange dollars for gold.

[[The Bretton Woods Accord was established in 1944, towards the end of World War II. The United Nations Monetary Fund convened in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, with representatives from the United States, Great Britain and France. The Bretton Woods Accord established the policy of pegging currencies against the U.S. dollar in order to stabilize the global economy. It set fixed exchange rates for major currencies and subsequently established the International Monetary Fund (IMF). ]]

After President Nixon's refusal to honor the exchange of dollars, the world's currencies were tied to nothing more than the Treasury Department's printing presses. The federal government, much as it does today, used it's role as the planet's "Hi-Muckety-Muck" to demand that it's allies continue to use the American Dollar as they had before. Currencies floated up and down against the dollar. Financial markets were slowly deregulated. Controls were lifted. Offshore banking was allowed, with unregulated hedge funds and financial derivatives. All these changes originated from Washington, in coordination with New York banks.

The current economic crisis, if left to the markets, would correct it's self. Most recessions last from 8 months to a year; the average length of a recovered economy is six years. The best "tinkering" the federal government could do-with the most positive results-is to have true tax cuts!! My definition of a "true tax cut" is to determine the percentage of the rate cut; then determine by historic data, the dollar amount that will be reduced; make commensurate spending cuts. Otherwise, the reduced funds are just made up from other sources, hence not a tax cut but income re-distribution!!

All the deficit spending in the proposed Porkulus Bill requires the Treasury Department's printing presses work twenty-four/seven. World-wide, the most grevious affect might be... the loss of confidence in America's economic guidance. When and if that happens..... the U.S. economy and most probably, the world economy will suffer a total collapse.... the end of economic life as we know it!! The nearest example of the drastic affect of a collapsed economy is The Weimar[Germany] Republic: After WWI, The German Republic suffered economic collapse. Early in 1921, the Mark was valued at 60Marks=1 USD; or 1Mark=1-1/2cents, US. Early in 1922 the Mark stabilized at 320/dollar; by December that year, the exchange rate was 8,000Marks per USD. For the year of 1922, the German cost of living increased by a factor of 16!! [The illustration above right, is reputedly, the cost of a loaf of bread-many, many MILLIONS of Marks] Before this hyperinflation was conquered, the government printing presses could't keep up with demand; they used an "overstamp" to change the value of the currency [The illustration above left, is a 100Mark note overstamped with a value of 50MILLION Marks; The center photo is of a lady burning hordes of cash-cheaper than buying firewood or coal.]. This could very well happen again. In any case, it ain't the change I wanted!!!!

The Middleclass TaskfArce!

WASHINGTON — As vice president, joe biden will oversee an obama administration effort to find ways of building up the ranks of the middle class, that ambiguously defined segment of society most Americans identify with. The task force will include four Cabinet members as well as other presidential advisers, the obama Transition Team announced Sunday. The goal is to recommend proposals to ensure the middle class is "no longer being left behind," biden said. The proposals could include executive orders and legislative plans.

This is truly a "taskfArce!!" I normally don't cuss a whole lot.... but these dam' idiots are driving me to distraction. This farce is nothing more than continuing the "fluff" of the campaign!! Where are the middleclass members of the taskfarce? It's made up entirely of the ruling class-the Washington Insiders!! Betcha their findings will benefit the democrats including the lobbyists, far more than it will you and I!!

Til Nex'Time.....

This'n'That;January 29th[+][ACORN;PorkDetails]

Think This Is Fair?? A rising chorus of GOP leaders are protesting that the blockbuster Democratic stimulus package would provide up to a whopping $5.2 billion for ACORN, the left-leaning nonprofit group under federal investigation for massive voter fraud. Most of the money is secreted away under an item in the now $836 billion package titled “Neighborhood Stabilization Programs.” Ordinarily, neighborhood stabilization funds are distributed to local governments. But revised language in the stimulus bill would make the funds available directly to non-profit entities such as ACORN, the low-income housing organization whose pro-Democrat voter-registration activities have been blasted by Republicans. ACORN is cited by some for tipping the scales in the Democrats' favor in November. Basics Of The Porkulus Bill You look at this list. I don't see any jobs created. It all appears to be routine maintenance or construction. I Guess the administration is about minus 3,000,000 [jobs]. Isn't it way early to fail this badly?? Unless I grabbed the wrong bill, this looks like nothing more than a standard budget proposal. These are the dollar amounts without all the fluff concerning how they demand it be allocated: (1) Department of Agriculture—Office of Inspector General, $22,500,000. (2) Department of Commerce—Office of Inspector General, $10,000,000. (3) Department of Defense—Office of the Inspector General, $15,000,000. (4) Department of Education—Departmental Management—Office of the Inspector General, $14,000,000. (5) Department of Energy—Office of Inspector General, $15,000,000. (6) Department of Health and Human Services—Office of the Secretary—Office of Inspector General, $19,000,000. (7) Department of Homeland Security—Office of Inspector General, $2,000,000. (8) Department of Housing and Urban Development—Management and Administration—Office of Inspector General, $15,000,000. (9) Department of the Interior—Office of Inspector General, $15,000,000. (10) Department of Justice—Office of Inspecor General, $2,000,000. (11) Department of Labor—Departmental Management—Office of Inspector General, $6,000,000. (12) Department of Transportation—Office of Inspector General, $20,000,000. (13) Department of Veterans Affairs—Office of Inspector General, $1,000,000. (14) Environmental Protection Agency—Office of Inspector General, $20,000,000. (15) General Services Administration—General Activities—Office of Inspector General, $15,000,000. (16) National Aeronautics and Space Administration—Office of Inspector General, $2,000,000. (17) National Science Foundation—Office of Inspector General, $2,000,000. (18) Small Business Administration—Office of Inspector General, $10,000,000. (19) Social Security Administration—Office of Inspector General, $2,000,000. (20) Corporation for National and Community Service—Office of Inspector General, $1,000,000. Government Accountability Office—Salaries and Expenses $25,000,000, for oversight activities. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY BOARD. There is hereby appropriated to the Board $14,000,000. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agriculture Buildings and Facilities and Rental Payments, $44,000,000 Buildings and Facilities, $209,000,000 Salaries and Expenses, $245,000,000 Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations, $350,000,000 Watershed Rehabilitation Program, $50,000,000 RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS Rural community advancement program, $5,838,000,000 RURAL HOUSING SERVICE Loans To Section 502 Borrowers, $22,129,000,000. Maintenance, Compliance, Safety and Soundness of Loans, $1,750,000. RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE For Grants, $2,825,000,000. FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE special supplemental nutrition program, $100,000,000. management and oversight, $4,500,000. BUREAU OF THE CENSUS Periodic Censuses and Programs, $1,000,000,000. Salaries and Expenses, $350,000,000. Wireless and Broadband Deployment Grant Programs, $2,825,000,000. Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Program, $650,000,000. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY Scientific and Technical Research and Services, $100,000,000. Industrial Technology Services, $100,000,000. Construction of Research Facilities, $300,000,000. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION Operations, Research, and Facilities, $400,000,000. Procurement, Acquisition and Construction, $600,000,000. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance, $3,000,000,000. Community Oriented Policing Services, $1,000,000,000. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION Science, $400,000,000. Aeronautics, $150,000,000. Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance, $50,000,000. Research and Related Activities, $2,500,000,000. Education and Human Resources, $100,000,000. Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction, $400,000,000. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (1) Operation and Maintenance, Army, $1,490,804,000. (2) Operation and Maintenance, Navy, $624,380,000. (3) Operation and Maintenance, Marine Corps, $128,499,000. (4) Operation and Maintenance, Air Force, $1,236,810,000. (5) Defense Health Program, $454,658,000. (6) Operation and Maintenance, Army Reserve, $110,899,000. (7) Operation and Maintenance, Navy Reserve, $62,162,000. (8) Operation and Maintenance, Marine Corps Reserve, $45,038,000. (9) Operation and Maintenance, Air Force Reserve, $14,881,000. (10) Operation and Maintenance, Army National Guard, $302,700,000. (11) Operation and Maintenance, Air National Guard, $29,169,000. ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, DEFENSE (1) Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army, $87,500,000. (2) Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Navy, $87,500,000. (3) Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Air Force, $87,500,000. (4) Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Defense-Wide, $87,500,000. DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY-CORPS OF ENGINEERS; CIVIL Construction, $2,000,000,000. Mississippi River and Tributaries, $250,000,000. Operation and Maintenance, $2,225,000,000. Regulatory Program, $25,000,000. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Water and Related Resources, $500,000,000. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, $18,500,000,000. Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, $4,500,000,000. For the cost of guaranteed loans, $1,000,000,000. For the cost of guaranteed loans, $500,000,000. Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program, $8,000,000,000. Fossil Energy, $2,400,000,000. Science, $2,000,000,000. Defense Environmental Cleanup, $500,000,000. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION Federal Buildings Fund, $7,700,000,000. General Services Administration’s Motor Vehicle Acquisition and Motor Vehicle Leasing programs, $600,000,000. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Direct loans and loan guarantees, $426,000,000. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Salaries and Expenses, $100,000,000. Construction, $150,000,000. Aviation Security, $500,000,000. Alteration of Bridges, $150,000,000. Emergency Food and Shelter, $200,000,000. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR-BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Construction, $325,000,000. UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Construction, $300,000,000. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Construction, $1,700,000,000. NATIONAL MALL REVITALIZATION FUND construction, improvements, repair, or replacement of facilities, National Park Service, National Mall in Washington, DC, $200,000,000. CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE Challenge cost share agreements, $100,000,000. UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Surveys, Investigations, and Research, $200,000,000. BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS Construction, $500,000,000. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Hazardous Substance Superfund, $800,000,000. Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Program, $200,000,000. State and Tribal Assistance Grants, $8,400,000,000. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-FOREST SERVICE Capital Improvement and Maintenance, $650,000,000. Wildland Fire Management, $850,000,000. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION Facilities Capital, $150,000,000. NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS Grants and Administration, $50,000,000. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Training and Employment Services (”WIA”), $4,000,000,000. Community Service Employment for Older Americans, $120,000,000. State Unemployment Insurance and Employment Service Operations, $500,000,000. Departmental Management, $80,000,000. Office of Job Corps, $300,000,000. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Health Resources and Services, $2,188,000,000. Disease Control, Research, and Training, $1,500,000,000. Office of the Director, $1,500,000,000. Buildings and Facilities, $500,000,000. Healthcare Research and Quality, $700,000,000. Comparative effectiveness research to be allocated at the discretion of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, $400,000,000. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance, $1,000,000,000. Payments to States for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, $2,000,000,000. Children and Families Services Programs, $3,200,000,000. Aging Services Programs, $200,000,000. Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, $2,000,000,000. Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund, $430,000,000. Development and purchase of vaccine, antivirals, necessary medical supplies, diagnostics, and other surveillance tools, $420,000,000. Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund, $50,000,000. Prevention and Wellness Fund, $3,000,000,000. Indian Health Facilities, $550,000,000. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Education for the Disadvantaged (”ESEA”), $13,000,000,000. Impact Aid, $100,000,000. School Improvement Programs (”ESEA”), $1,066,000,000. Innovation and Improvement (”ESEA”), $225,000,000. Special Education (”IDEA”), $13,600,000,000. Rehabilitation Services and Disability Research, $700,000,000. Student Financial Assistance (”HEA”), $16,126,000,000. Student Aid Administration, $100,000,000. Institute of Education Sciences, $250,000,000. School modernization, renovation, and repair, $14,000,000,000. Higher education modernization, renovation and repair, $6,000,000,000. Domestic Volunteer Service $160,000,000. National Service Trust$40,000,000. SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Limitation on Administrative Expenses, $900,000,000. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Military Construction, Army, $920,000,000. Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps, $350,000,000. Military Construction, Air Force, $280,000,000. Military Construction, Defense-Wide, $3,750,000,000. Military Construction, Army National Guard, $140,000,000. Military Construction, Air National Guard, $70,000,000. Military Construction, Army Reserve, $100,000,000. Military Construction, Navy Reserve, $30,000,000. Military Construction, Air Force Reserve, $60,000,000. Department of Defense Base Closure, $300,000,000. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Medical Facilities for maintenance, including energy projects, $950,000,000. National Cemetery Administration for monument and memorial repairs, $50,000,000. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Capital Investment Fund, $276,000,000. INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION, UNITED STATES AND MEXICO CONSTRUCTION Construction for water quantity, repair and rehabilitation, $224,000,000. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Grants-in-Aid for Airports, $3,000,000,000. For projects and activities eligible, $30,000,000,000. Capital Assistance for Intercity Passenger Rail Service, $300,000,000. capital grants to Amtrak, $800,000,000. transit capital assistance grants, $6,000,000,000. Fixed Guideway Infrastructure Investment, $2,000,000,000. Capital Investment Grants, $1,000,000,000. Public Housing Capital Fund, $5,000,000,000. Elderly, Disabled and Section 8 assisted Housing Energy Retrofit, $2,500,000,000. Native American Housing Block Grants, $500,000,000. Community Development Fund, $1,000,000,000. HOME Investment Partnerships Program, $1,500,000,000. Self-Help and Assisted Homeownership Opportunity Program, $10,000,000. Homeless Assistance Grants, $1,500,000,000. Lead Hazard Reduction, $100,000,000. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, $79,000,000,000. Til Nex'Time......

This'n'That; January 29th[PorkulusBill;Cantor;Crook]

The Latest 'Pork'ulus Bill WASHINGTON – Looking beyond expected House approval of an $816 billion economic stimulus plan, obama said Wednesday the nation is at a "perilous moment" requiring swift and decisive action. "We don't have a moment to spare," obama said in the East Room of the White House, just hours before a crucial House roll call vote. The measure intended to steady the ricocheting economy was expected to pass, but likely with little of the bipartisan support that obama wanted. The issue then goes to the Senate where the new president hopes to draw more GOP backing. obama tempered the sense of urgency in his voice with his observation that he and corporate leaders "left our meeting confident that we can still turn our economy around." His brief remarks were designed to put his stamp on the debate while the action was taking place at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue. During his talk and in the earlier Roosevelt Room session with business CEOs, obama said the people running the companies that are the engine of the American economy are behind him. [But, Prez... that "engine" is sputtering-on the verge of dying; a "rebuild" will have no long-term positive affect; time to let it fail and bring in newer smaller "engines" that have proven positive track records.... then get the government the-Hell-outta-the-way and let 'em run...creating jobs, producing profits!!] Asked at one point if he was confident of getting Republican support, he replied only: "I'm confident we're going to get it passed." [He'd like the opposition support to preclude them using this as campaign fodder when it fails.] obama has spent his first days in office trying to drum up bipartisan support for his expensive and expansive plan to help pull the country out of the year-old recession. It's the first major test of obama's presidency; how he handles the volatile situation, and the effect of his stimulus package on the economy, could well set the tone for his presidency.[".....expansive plan...." that's interesting terminology; The democrat plan has for years, been to expand both the size and scope of government. Growing the government just puts an added burden on the already stretched taxpayer. Sure, it will provide jobs; those jobs are funded by those in the taxpayer role-NOT in the consumer role; their efforts provide NO "corporate" income-NO profits!! Having a increasingly intrusive government will only piss off the guy payin' the bills....you and I!!!!] The House measure had been estimated to cost $825 billion, but the Congressional Budget Office updated the bill's price tag to $816 billion after accountants recalculated its cost. That total could still rise, however, if the House passes a Democratic amendment that would add $3 billion for mass transit.[The Porkulus Bill approved by the House actually "came in" at $819BILLION. The bill has page-after-page of pork; Think the Senate democrats will do more with the bill than ADD MORE PORK?? Nobody mentions this, but I'll bettcha they haven't thought about the interest this pork money will generate: $347,000,000,000 {Billion} which is TWICE the total cost of the current war in Afganistan!!] It already includes about $550 billion in spending and roughly $275 billion in tax cuts in hopes of spurring the economy and helping those directly affected. Much of the spending would be for items such as health care, jobless benefits, food stamps and other programs that benefit victims of the downturn. [Ah...... JUST WHAT WE NEED-More FREE MONEY for those collective, "more-than-ample" asses to be comfortable in front of those collective TVs!!!....on our dime!!!] On Capitol Hill, a day of debate on the measure opened with most Democrats pressing for passage and trumpeting the measure as the elixir for what ails their jobless constituents; Republicans generally griped about "insane" programs that would be funded in the plan and "minuscule" tax relief for small businesses as they urged opposition. [It's kinda rare, but the republicans have it right this time. It's the small businesses that statistically and historically create the vast majority of jobs; hire the most workers. ] "It is now essential for us to move," said David Obey, D-Wis., chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. "Another week that we delay is another 100,000 or more people unemployed. I don't think we want that on our consciences." [This Obey guy didn't "come from the factory" with a consciense-or there would be more true tax cuts for both individual and business incomes and true cuts in the business taxes. He and the other House lackeys certainly made sure there was enough pork in the bill to satisfy their lobbyists and to ensure their re-election] His Republican counterpart, Rep. Jerry Lewis of California, suggested that Democrats were putting politics over progress as they crafted the language of the bill and led the debate on it. "It's not too late to make this a better bill, a bipartisan bill," Lewis said. Republican support by and large ranged from tepid to icy. [Mister Lewis.... forget that word "bipartisan"..... it no longer exists in the democrat lexicon. The democrats have no desire to share power or even consider an opinion that doesn't agree with theirs.] House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, wouldn't say how he thought the vote would turn out but he emphasized anew that GOP members are worried about billions in domestic spending that "has nothing to do with creating jobs or preserving jobs." [Which is nearly the whole dam' bill!!] Citing the proportion of tax cuts to new spending in the bill, Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said "where we have differences with the House Democrats is that the package just doesn't seem to reflect our priorities, nor the president's." Congressional leaders have promised Obama they would send him the measure by mid-February. In his remarks, obama called on everyone — corporate executives and factory floor workers, educators and engineers, health care professionals and elected officials — to abandon a "sense of irresponsibility that prevailed from Wall Street to Washington." And he said his administration would make certain the money would be spent in full view of the public, with ways to check where it goes and how it will be used — a nod to skepticism about the "size and scale" of the plan. [Now, THAT'll be a FIRST- that oversight part.] He left no doubt that he means to see it signed into law, and quickly — and that he thinks those who stand in the way will suffer the wrath of angry voters. [Sure, it's gotta be signed into law quickly.... those "fluff believers" ain't gonna continue to turn a blind eye forever!!] "All we can do, those of us in Washington, is help create a favorable climate in which workers can prosper, businesses can thrive, and our economy can grow," obama said. "And that's exactly what I intend to achieve - soon." [Like I said before, in order for that to happen, ya gotta stop pissin' away our hard-earned money, get government outta-the-way and let the system work!!]

From the Seattle Times Editorial Page[Porkulus Bill]

The huge stimulus bill is packed with items that appear to have no stimulus properties at all, except to help politicians get re-elected. Here are just a few of many, many pork-barrel projects: -- $44 million for construction, repair and improvements at U.S. Department of Agriculture facilities; -- $209 million for work on deferred maintenance at Agricultural Research Service facilities; -- $245 million for maintaining and modernizing the IT system of the Farm Service Agency; -- $50 million for "watershed rehabilitation"; -- $2.7 billion for rural-water and waste-disposal direct loans; -- $1 billion for "periodic censuses and programs"; -- $650 million for digital-to-analog converter box program; -- $624 million for Navy operation and maintenance; and -- $79 billion in education funds for states. I could have made three to four pages of items similar to these. I am personally against the bill because I don't believe in large government. But how can anyone see this as a stimulus? It is a waste of money -- borrowed money. I have asked our senators to explain each line item. Let's see if they do that. -- Todd Welch, Everett

Rep Eric Cantor, Va., Has It Right

"If we're going to deliver on trying to revive this economy, a stimulus bill has got to be focused like a laser on the preservation, protection and creation of jobs," said Eric Cantor representing Virgina's 7th Congressional District. The stimulus plan could grow to more than $1 trillion, Cantor says, and if it's going to cost that much, "we ought to make sure we're getting it right." Republicans say the looming deficit is hurting the entrepreneurial environment. "We've got to make sure we're stimulating investors, entrepreneurs and small business people to get back into the game," Cantor says. He complains that the bill only allocates $41 million for small businesses. He argues that because mom-and-pop businesses create 70 percent of the nation's jobs, more needs to be done to help them. "There are some terrific tax provisions in the bill," Cantor says. But he's quick to add, "If we're going to be meaningful about what we're going to do taxwise, we have got to be much more focused on the real job generators."

"The Crook" Speaks Treasury Secretary Timothy "Crook" Geithner said on Wednesday the obama administration was working on a plan to repair the battered financial system and boost recovery that should be ready fairly soon. "We hope to make decisions and be in a position relatively soon" to make them public. Geithner ducked a reporter's question about whether Treasury was considering setting up a "bad bank" to take toxic assets off the balance sheets of banks as some Capitol Hill Democrats have indicated has been under discussion. "In the coming weeks, we will unveil a series of reforms to help stabilize the nation's financial system and get credit flowing again to families and businesses," Crook said. http://www.treas.gov/initiatives/eesa/agreements/index.shtml It will show contracts for future completed transactions within five to 10 business days after they are completed. [I'm not-at-all convinced that putting a crook in charge of Treasury is the wisest idea obama ever had. If you and I had done what "Crook" did, we'd be charged with, and probably convicted of, several felonies.]Til Nex'Time.....

As in any agreement, contract or piece of legislation, the devil is in the details. So it is with the stimulus package percolating in Congress. Analysts are beginning to figure out that only a small percentage of the money will actually trickle down into the economy in the first two years, not enough to do much stimulating. Yet in this package is a $4 billion pot for community groups like ACORN to draw upon for what are called "neighborhood stabilization activities," which include "redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed homes." That is a worthy goal in a troubled economy. But money was already appropriated for that purpose in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act signed into law in 2008. The problem for activists is the money was limited to state and local governments, where presumably there is greater transparency on how it is spent, and some measure of accountability. Community groups like the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now felt left out. So their Democratic patrons in Congress have included language to expand the eligible recipients of up to $4 billion in assistance to include "nonprofit entities or consortia of nonprofit entities," which translates into groups such as ACORN. ACORN has been accused of perpetrating voter registration fraud numerous times in the last several elections; is reportedly under federal investigation; and played a key role in the irresponsible schemes that caused a financial meltdown that American taxpayers are now paying dearly for. This is like giving fire-prevention money to arsonists. It was ACORN, under the cover of the Community Reinvestment Act, that intimidated banks into making risky loans to people who could not afford them in the name of "fairness." ACORN organized to intimidate financial institutions into giving what have been called "ninja" loans — no income, no job, no assets — to people who could not afford them. The CRA empowered regulators to punish banks that failed to "meet the credit needs" of "low-income, minority and distressed neighborhoods." It gave groups such as ACORN a license and a means to intimidate banks, claiming they were "redlining" poor and minority neighborhoods. The CRA was designed to increase minority homeownership. Whenever a bank wanted to grow or expand, ACORN would file complaints that the bank was not sufficiently sensitive to the needs of minorities in providing home loans. The agitators would then be unleashed to seal the deal — for a cut, of course. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac then would buy up these bad loans, creating a market for them, and the rest is history. A major part of ACORN's sordid history is vote fraud. ACORN has been implicated in voter fraud and bogus registration schemes in Missouri, Ohio and at least 12 other states. Last July, ACORN settled the largest case of voter fraud in Washington state history, involving nearly 2,000 bogus voter forms. In Ohio in 2004, ACORN submitted forms for the likes of Mary Poppins, Dick Tracy and someone named Jive Turkey. In 2008, ACORN filed more than 43,000 new voter registration forms in Minnesota, where the razor-thin margin of victory for Republican Sen. Norm Coleman over former "Saturday Night Live" comedian Al Franken evaporated. Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, who orchestrated the recount that gave Franken a lead six weeks after Coleman appeared to win by 725 votes on Election Day, has extensive ties to ACORN. It's becoming clear that the stimulus package in its current form is less about jump-starting the economy than it is about pursuing a political agenda. To give access to stimulus money to a group waist deep in the mortgage crisis and vote fraud like ACORN is, well, just plain nuts.

This'n'That; January 28th[MoslemTV;Stimulus;Quote]

Do American Voters Count For Anything? The 53% of voters that put obama in office gotta be feelin' like crap today. Those voters put him in the highest office in the land...nay on the planet!! Who does he elect to speak to in his first TV interview?..... the arab world!! President Barack Obama chose an Arabic satellite TV network for his first formal television interview as president. Obama also said that recent statements and messages issued by the al-Qaida terror network suggest they do not know how to deal with his new approach. In his latest message on Jan. 14, al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden said Obama had been left with a "heavy inheritance" of Bush's wars. Shortly after the election, the network's number two, Ayman al-Zawahri described Obama with a demeaning racial term for a black American who does the bidding of whites. The message suggested the terror network was worried Obama could undermine its rallying cry that the U.S. is an enemy oppressor. "I can't be optimistic until I see something tangible," said Hatem al-Kurdi, 35, a Gaza City engineer who saw parts of the interview. "Anyone can say nice words, but you have to follow with actions." The interview may have had positive results rather than just snubbing the American electorate. This may put the terrorist community on notice that their actions will be even less tolerated than with the previous administration. This Hatem al-Kurdi dude may be more intuitive than the majority of American voters...... He's not believing all the "fluff".....the same crap that was the prominent fodder of the last campaign!! The "Inmates Are Runnin' The Asylum" Policy The hole in the U.S. economy is so deep that even $825 billion in extra government spending and tax cuts probably cannot fill it right away. obama has said that 75 percent of the stimulus package will be spent within the first 18 months, although a review by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found that only about 64 percent of the proposed spending and tax cuts would arrive in the first 19 months. The idea is that money spent on building a new bridge not only puts construction workers on the job, but also supports the restaurant where they buy lunch and the stores where they spend their paychecks. Economists call that the multiplier effect. Calculating the impact, however, is more art than science. With economic uncertainty running high, a bigger portion of that money may be saved rather than spent. While the final details of the package are still unknown, a version heading for a vote in the House of Representatives on Wednesday includes $358 billion for infrastructure, such as rebuilding roads, and $275 billion in temporary tax cuts. Tax cuts tend to reach the economy more quickly than infrastructure spending, although even then it probably will not be soon enough to do much for this year. I'm going to continue to say this until someone, somewhere, gets the message!! Neither an individual, a business nor a government can spend it's way to prosperity!! I see why obama pressed for that Crook-Geithner's confirmation as Treasury Secretary: He's really, really good with "creative accounting." Now obama has to get a "numerical creator" into the Congressional Budget Office, to make the circle complete; everyone on the same page-whether it's the correct page or not. While it's true, at least in theory that infrastructure spending supports more than the construction companies and their employees; the waitress, the gas station, the grocer and any number of others. But, what if: The construction worker and/or others down the line, decide that the best option for them is to save the bulk of their income? That removes a large percentage of "stimulation" the government hoped for.... There's that word: HOPE.... I didn't think that was the kinda hope the American voter was longing for. These infrastructure jobs are temporary at best, as is their "trickle-down" effect. When the bridge, road, power plant, sewage plant is completed.... then what happens? Those tax cuts obama talks about? Are they really? The only way to truly cut taxes is to have an equal or greater reduction in federal spending. Otherwise, it won't be a tax cut... the federal legislators will just shift the funds from another source. When have you ever seen the government do with LESS FUNDS? A Quote Worth Remembering James Garfield "Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature." Til Nex'Time......

This'n'That; January 25th[Limbaugh;Bruno;Kiplinger;Stocks]

Hannity Interviews Limbaugh

There are several blogs that I keep up with, one being "Conservatism with a Heart [ http://chatterboxchronicles.blogspot.com/ ]. "Miz Dee" posted the Hannity interview[s] with Rush Limbaugh which I found very interesting.... Limbaugh has the country's best interests at heart and isn't afraid to say it!! The interview link is thus: http://chatterboxchronicles.blogspot.com/2009/01/sean-hannity-interviews-rush.html . If you're a member,or the antithesis of: obamamania, you would bode well to view these interview segments with an open mind.

The Best Government Money Can Buy

The photo above is of Joe Bruno, a retired New York legislator. Apparently, Mr Bruno couldn't "exist" on his annual salary as the NY State Senate majority leader. Mr Bruno's "wealth re-distribution program" would have gone largely unnoticed had he not pissed off then-Guvner Spitzer. Spitzer, between hookers, started an investigation into Bruno's use of State Police helicopters and staff for personal travel. Prior to releasing the information garnered by investigators, Spitzer got caught "with his sausage hidden in Kristen"..... delaying the process by a few strokes... The "local rag" published some of the larger graft items: $1.37 million between 1994 and 2006 from Wright Investors' Service of Milford, Conn., which provided investment advisory services to union pension funds. The indictment said Bruno solicited union officials to hire Wright as an investment adviser. Wright paid him a fee for each successful referral, court papers said. Bruno is accused of leading Wright employees to believe he had disclosed the relationship to the Legislature and had been assured it was ethical, but he had never asked or received an opinion from the Legislative Ethics Committee, court papers said. $632,116 between 1993 and 2005 from McGinn, Smith & Co., an investment banking and brokerage firm in Albany. One of its activities was trading union fund assets as directed by investment advisers. The firm hired Bruno to help develop money management relationships with labor unions' pension plans, the indictment said. Bruno did not inform the Legislative Ethics Committee of this, it said. $483,000 between 1993 and 2004 from Leonard J. Fassler, owner of various companies. The indictment said Bruno didn't perform legitimate work through the Fassler companies, making the payments essentially gifts. $440,000 between 2004 and 2006 from Jared E. Abbruzzese of the Albany area who owned several companies. The indictment said that the payments essentially were gifts in this case, too. In 2005, when a consulting agreement had been terminated, Abbruzzese agreed to pay Bruno's farm $80,000 ($40,000 in cash and $40,000 in forgiveness of debt) for a horse that was "virtually worthless," court papers said. $270,000 between 2004 and 2005 from Russell C. Ball. The indictment said Bruno did not perform legitimate work commensurate with the payments. The indictment further charged that Bruno had an agreement with Asentinel in Memphis, a telephone bill management company, to receive a percentage of money the company got from accounts the senator introduced. Wass'da problem here.... ?? This is no more than what the current federal administration's objective is, right??

Those "Junk-Mail" Things....

I have subscriptions to several financial and business magazines. Just one of the the best is Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine. In conjunction with them, I receive periodic non-magazine mail from them in the form of lists of stocks and funds for which I can request the various companies' annual reports. The lists have the company full name and ticker symbol so there's no need yet to have the annual report, I just use the symbol and do my own price research. If-based on price, they seem "interesting" I can then do further research and/or request the report. This mailing is divided into sectors, everything from Aerospace & Defense to World Equity Funds. The lower-priced two or three that seem interesting to me are [Name; Symbol; Recent Price]: In AEROSPACE&DEFENSE: Applied Signal Tech; APSG; $17.68; Xedar Corp; XDRC.OB; $00.40. In AG,PAPER&PKG: Alliance One Int., Inc; AOI; $2.51; Temple Inland, Inc.; TIN; $4.05. In AUTOMOTIVE: Tech Ops Sevcon; TO; $2.67; Titan International, Inc; TWI; $7.92. In BANKS,FINANCIAL SVC&INSURANCE: Integrated Asset Mgmt Corp; IAM.TO; $00.74; Ampal-American Israel Corp; AMPL; $00.86; Columbia Bancorp; CBBO; $1.92. In BIOTECHNOLOGY: Ore Pharmaceuticals, Inc; ORXE; $00.50; Holis-Eden Pharmaceuticals, Inc; HEPH; $00.61; XOMA ltd; XOMA; $00.70. In BUILDING&CONSTRUCTION: Advanced Environmental Recycling; AERT; $00.1799; Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc; HOV; $1.90; Seacliff Construction Corp; SDC.TO; $5.75. In BUSINESS&SUPPORT SVC: Collectors Universe, Inc; CLCT; $3.05; ENGlobal Corp; ENG; $3.46. In CHEMICALS: Darling International, Inc; DAR; $5.50. In COMPUTERS,TECH&INTERNET: Dot Hill Systems Corp; HILL; $00.58; Cover-All Technologies; COVR.OB; $1.01; Datawatch Corp; DWCH; $1.57; Innodata Isogen, Inc; INOD; $1.94; Socket Mobile, Inc; SCKT; $2.45. In CONSUMER&RETAIL PRODUCTS: Charles & Colvard; CTHR; $00.21; Emerson Radio; MSN; $00.60; La-Z-Boy Inc; LZB; $1.65; PFSWeb, Inc; PFSW; $1.22; Tandy Leather Factory; TLF; $1.73. ****Please bear in mind that it's the investors' responsibility to do the due-diligence required for informed and profitable investments**** As time permits, we'll continue on with the aformentioned list.

Til Nex'Time......

This'n'That; January 23rd[Gillibrand;PrincessCaroline;

FINALLY: Real Representation!

Guvner Dave done good!! At noon today, he appointed Kirsten Gillibrand to fill "Rob'em's" US Senate seat, although it doesn't appear that Ms Gillibrand will require as "big a seat" as "Rob'em" did.

GILLIBRAND, Kirsten, a Representative from New York; born in Albany, Albany County, N.Y., December 9, 1966; A.B., Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., 1988; J.D., University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif., 1991; lawyer, private practice; special council, United States Housing and Urban Development; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Tenth Congress and to the succeeding Congress (January 3, 2007-present).

During the Clinton Administration, Gillibrand served as Special Counsel to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Destruction (HUD), Andrew Cuomo [currently, NY's Att'y Gen]. She worked on HUD's Labor Initiative and its New Markets Initiative, on strengthening Davis-Bacon Act enforcement, and on drafting new markets legislation for public and private investment in building infrastructure in lower income areas.

Considered to be a centrist or conservative Democrat, Gillibrand was a member of the Blue Dog Democrat Coalition during her tenure in the House of Representatives. She is an outspoken advocate for gun rights and has a 100% positive rating from the NRA, but has also worked to strengthen legislation to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. She supports same-sex marriage, abortion rights, stem cell research, and the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act.

Kirsten Gillibrand sits on the following committees: Member, House Committee on Agriculture Member, Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research Member, Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture Member, Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Member, House Committee on Armed Services Member, Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Member, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities

Princess Caroline OUT-But Why?

Early on, the Princess was informed by Guvner Dave that she was his [and presumably obama's] choice to replace "Rob'em." He later said that he kept the suspense going to throw the media off the trail. In the last week Her Royal Hi-ness hemmed-and-hawed about the appointment with the Guvner, her family and other clan royalty; finally sending Guvner Dave an email abdicating the senatorial throne.

Problems involving taxes and a household employee surfaced during the vetting of Caroline Kennedy and derailed her candidacy for the Senate, a person close to Gov. David A. Paterson said on Thursday, in an account at odds with Ms. Kennedy’s own description of her reasons for withdrawing.

Til Nex'Time......

This'n'That; January 22nd[Inauguration;Kennedy;Crooks]

The Inauguration Address The local "rag" published the Inauguration Address in it's entirety. I know what let's do....... After I've had time to read and digest it, why don't we go thru it sentence-by-sentence; paragraph-by-paragraph. We can point out the good points, the not-so-good points and the pure fluff.... Whaddya say?? A "Convenient" Seizure? "Princess" Caroline announced that she's taking her name out of the pool of selectees to be the next co-senior senator from New York. She gave no reason other than family health stuff..... "Unk's" deteriorating health[?]. How convenient is that? A ready-made reason for withdrawal. She's gotta nurse Phatt Kennedy "back to health." Another point to "ponder....." Where's this put Guvner Dave? obama likes and appreciates what the Kennedy name might accomplish, and to have her withdraw puts Guvner Dave in a precarious position.... he wants to be first in line for the state-level handouts.... obama needs to pay "Princess Caroline" back for all her campaign work!! Speaking of "pay-back," how is a political "job" from obama that much different from "cash" for Blago....?? Down Ta Bidness.... Have ya ever seen a bed that wasn't square.... round, or rectangular? I'm thinkin' obama has.... one with extra corners on it. It would stand to reason..... he's "made his bed, now he's gotta sleep in it!" That "bed [crooked; added corners, getit?]" being all facets of his administration, i.e., the White House staff, the agency political appointees, cabinet members/nominees et al. How's ONE MAN control all those crooks?!?! We know that "Rob-em" is all about the power!! and she ain't about-ta "share her toys" with anybody-obama incuded!! Rahm Emanuel......he ain't gonna wanna give "Rob-em" any more access to obama than's absolutely necessary.... can't have any power going her way!! That Geithner guy he's just an "out-and-out" crook!! Til Nex'Time......

This'n'That; January 27th[Inaug Address]

My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition. Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents [Our forefathers, while writing the Constitution, were concerned that one branch of government would overpower the others; they intentionally wrote into that document all the incumbrances that we now see in action. Starting in the last century, the governance has not "remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers;" Those ideals included limited government-minimal involvement and/or interference in the individual's personal lives, rights and responsibilities]. So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans. That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. [Yes, but a necessary two-front war. We have seen the devastation that can be wraught upon our land by terrorist forces, sworn to kill anyone not of their faith. True, our economy IS badly weakened. This weakening started in the modern era by President F.D. Roosevelt at the beginning of "The Great Depression." Most conservative economists agree that his liberal fiscal policies extended that downturn by 3 to 5 years. WWII finally put America and Americans on a track to prosperity. Most don't know or don't remember that it was the added liberal policies during the Clinton Era which severely relaxed financial stability requirements for home ownership; thus allowing housing purchases by those who could least afford them. True, jobs ARE shed.... primarily due to the passage of the NAFTA Treaty. This agreement sent hundreds-of -thousands of manufacturing and service jobs overseas or across the border. Is it finally time to consider it's repeal? Businesses HAVE been shuttered. When did it become "un-American to fail? As surely as "death is a fact of life"..... failure is a fact of poor business practices. Recently, America's future has been mortgaged more than ever to support businesses which, due to their short foresight and dismal business models, should fail-to force them into healthier economic practices]. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet [Healthcare IS expensive! This was not the case prior to federal interference. I remember in the 1950s when my Dad earned $50/week, supporting a family of six; there was NEVER a shortage of healthcare for us. Welfare and Medicare/Medicaid were even "thought of" at that time. With the exception of national defense and homeland security, there is not one program in which the federal government has had a positive affect. Our schools fail too many? The proper phrase should be: Too many pupils fail! This all stems from continuing the failed policies of FDR {The New Deal} and LBJ {The Great Society}. These two programs among others, were great forces in altering "the family dynamic." With continued giveaway programs two-parent households, the natural work ethic and the will to succeed have been cast asunder. Why work if the government is going to financially allow the populus sit on it's collective ass in front of a TV? This lackadaisical attitude has extended itself to the student. The government has forced the teacher to "teach the test;" their livelyhood depends upon success-at any cost! Imagine the effectiveness of each tax dollar if the Department of Education were eliminated and those budget monies dispersed to the individual school districts....and the authority for programs and policies is relegated to the school district and the school board-someone a parent can approach? Government is most effective at it's lowest level! Energy: A simple solution is to allow oil drilling/exploration in America! A more complex solution is to explore alternative energies; not to finance the process, but to get-ta-Hell outa the way, forego federal mandates and let economics and the inventive spirit work! Those that are economically viable will succeed-those that aren't, won't. With starvation rampant in many parts of the world, using food as [bio-]fuel is asinine!]. These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights[If there are two mis-steps that will bring down America as we know it will be the welfare system and the "unlimited" federal spending!! The welfare system promotes the single parent household and makes lifestyle profitable by paying individuals and parents to sit on their collective dead asses in front of the TV. Some Census Bureau findings:- Median monthly earnings of TANF[forerunner of AFDC] participants increased significantly,from $472 in 1996 to $738 in 2000.....the typical poor family with children is supported by only 800 hours of work during a year: That amounts to 16 hours of work per week.......Father absence is another major cause of child poverty. Nearly two-thirds of poor children reside in single-parent homes; each year, an additional 1.3 million children are born out of wedlock. If poor mothers married the fathers of their children, almost three-quarters would immediately be lifted out of poverty............... Employment and Labor Force Status[Welfare Benefit] Employed full time . . . . . . . . . $224 Employed part time . . . . . . . $260 Unemployed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $403 Not in the labor force . . . . . $421

..The current Congress and those of the past 10 years are responsible for the vast "runaway" federal spending! Just a few of the stats I've found: [in this order...Year; Total Federal Spending; Total Federal Public Debt-all amounts in Trillions of dollars, i.e., $1.515= One Trillion,515 Billion Dollars!!] 1995...$1.515...$4.974; 2000...$1.789...$$5.674; 2005...$2.472...$7.932; 2008...$2.931...$10.385. [The "Public Debt" portion is that which will be paid by the GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN of the current taxpayers....]. Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met. On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics. [This seems more like the "campaign fluff" we're used to hearing. This fear,conflict, etc., is generated by the Members of Congress more so than by the general population. Prior to this "Giveaway Era," Americans "hitched up their boots" and did whatever was necessary to survive those previous downturns. The competitions in Congress, be they... out-spending each other, party versus party or member versus member..... are far more damaging to the morale and psyche of the average American than the actual economic conditions.] We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness. [Sir: Several times during this discourse you've mentioned God, Scripture and other religious themes. Is now the time that we can expect you to stand up to those who would remove the word "God" and various Scripture passages from coinage and currency, public buildings and public oaths??] In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. [Mr President..... we DID EARN IT, only to have that greatness given away by you, previous presidents and the rest in the Congress. That "giveaway" was completed with the passage of the NAFTA Agreement!! On that note: Why was this NAFTA thing formulated as an "agreement" rather than a "treaty??" Might it be because a treaty must be approved with the "consent" of the Senate and an agreement only requires a handshake in the "dead of night??"] Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. [By the American people-TRUE; By the Congress-FALSE. The previous congresses seemingly have been hell-bent on acquiring power and riches for themselves. This being done with too-liberal welfare policies and individual members' less-than-forthcoming policies which stifle opposing opinions, promote porkbarrel spending, etc. Any of these will garner more power through the vote of those most benefitted by the public dole and those porkbarrel projects that benefit the few over the most.] Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom [Mister President, how can prosperity and greatness be earned sitting in front of a TV, on the public dole? Are not ALL AMERICANS deserving of greatness and prosperity? The public perception of "risktakers" are those Americans who are small businessowners; those Americans who are entreprenuers. The current confiscatory tax policy stifles both at their outset!!] For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life. For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth. For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn. Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction. This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America. [Surely we can not continue as the most prosperous nation on earth when most of the economy is owned by communists-namely China via the Public Debt] For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. [These jobs you propose are temporary, at best. What the country REALLY needs are deep TAX CUTS; massive federal SPENDING CUTS. Both these actions will put massive amounts of money back into circulation; creating lasting jobs; creating public purchasing power; reducing the growth of the public debt; all benefits of and to, a growing economy!!] ***From here-I find the address too depressing to continue analyzing... I done the best I could....*** We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do. Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage. What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government. Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good. As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more. Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint. We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort - even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you. For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace. To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist. [This last sentence: Is the President referring to the Congress....?? I'm confused!!] To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it. As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all. For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate. Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task. I thought I might be up to the task. Now, I'm not so sure! This recitation is depressing, far too depressing to continue to analyse. I had decided prior to January 20th to look at this presidency with as un-jaundiced an eye as possible. Everyone deserves the time to put his or her programs into place and the additional time to see if they will work or fail. I intend to do just that!! If there are statements made; if programs are made; which I think are wrong-minded, goofy or downright ludicrious, I intend to take the President to task..... Til Nex'time....

This is the price and the promise of citizenship. This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny. This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath. So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people: "Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]." America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.