A Teachable Moment

Chock up another one for San Francisco and public education. First graders took a field trip to City Hall and witness first hand the best of San Francisco. They tossed rose petals on their teacher and her wife as they were married. The school's interim director called it a "teachable moment." It was infinitely better than learning math, science or how to read.

You Decide

Hellinahandbasket

Yep, that's where we are headed. I should have taken the blue pill and washed it down with the Kool-Aid as did everyone who supports Obama. At least I would not see nor care where were are going. The problem is that once you take the red pill, you can't go back. Instead, you are forced to see the world for what is really is.

It used to be that you were judged by the company that you kept. Or as my parents would say, "if you sleep with dogs, you are going to get fleas." Using that analogy Mr. Obama needs a flea dip. He has been groomed for the show and now he even sports an American flag on his lapel. However, underneath that shiny, well-groomed coat, he still has fleas; lots of them. Jeremiah Wright, William Ayers, ACORN, et.al. But, no one seems to care that the future Commander-in-Chief could probably not qualify for a security clearance to walk the dogs on a military base. Yet, he will be the one to sit down with Iran (led by one of the former hostage takers), North Korea, and others whose primary goal is the elimination of freedom and the American way of life.

People all over the world who hate America love him. Why is that? Do they see him as the messiah like so many in this country who have been persuaded by his eloquent rhetoric? Could it be that they see him for who he really is, someone who hates America as much as they do? Do they see him as someone who wants to turn America into the socialist utopia that has eluded the European socialists? Maybe they see him as a citizen of the world, not of the United States. Perhaps they understand and embrace the Liberation Theology of Jeremiah Wright and the Marxism at its core.

What has he done to show that he deserves to be the President of the United States of America other than finally don the lapel pin? What has he done to show his love and commitment to our Nation, our Constitution and our way of life. What will Barrack Hussein Obama do if and when we are confronted with another attack on this country? We know what George W. Bush did and even what mistakes he made. We also know that it has not happened again. Would Barrack H. Obama take decisive action or would he sit down and have a nice chat with the terrorists and share their grievances with the Great Satan?

I am certainly not an avid supporter of John McCain. But, he has demonstrated his honor and commitment. I believe that McCain, The United States of America, and the world will lose in November. But, I also believe that sometimes you get the leaders that you deserve. If given the choice, pop the blue pill.

Beyond Our Borders

Even though most of the news here is focused on the descent of Barack H. Obama from the heavens to save us from ourselves, the dark age imposed upon us by George W. Bush and continued oppression under evil John McCain and his inexperienced sidekick, Sarah Palin; there are serious changes taking place across the pond that should make Americans stand up and take notice.

A story in the Times Online, reveals that the UK has adopted sharia - Islamic law, for civil cases. The judgments of these Islamic tribunals would be backed by the full weight of the English legal system. While some would argue that this only affects Muslims and even then only cases of family or financial law, it will easily spread to infect the entire legal system and all citizens of the UK. One of the fundamental tenets of the legal system that has taken centuries to establish is the equality of all persons under the law. Sharia has no such recognition. Women and infidels are not recognized. In divorce cases it is very unlikely that women would fare well. Especially given the laissez-faire attitude toward honor killings by some in that community. What protection would a young Muslim girl who is a UK citizen have if her family decided to force her into an arranged marriage? Could she seek protection from the Courts or would they defer to the Muslim tribunal? What happens to a woman who wants a divorce or a woman when her husband tires of her and decides he wants to divorce her? There are other areas that are just as troubling; contracts between Muslims and non-Muslims or for that matter any area of law that would involve Muslim verses non-Muslim.

One of the pillars upon which western civilization rests is the uniform treatment under a single set of laws. The United Kingdom and the United States have led the world in establishing the idea that ALL individuals are equal under the law. Sharia spits in the face of this basic idea of what it means to be a citizen in the UK and in the US.

This may seem like an issue that should not concern Americans. However, American courts are becoming increasingly interested in the rulings of European courts as precedents for making rulings in the United States. These are usually left-leaning, liberal, activists judges who think that the American legal system is inferior. The type of judges who would most likely be appointed by The Chosen One, Barack H. Obama.

People are worried about Sarah Palin's views on unborn babies...

What is the value of a college degree?

Recently, Wake Forest became the first of the US News and World Report Top 30 Schools to drop the requirement of submitting ACT and SAT scores as a part of the admission process. Other smaller, less well-known schools have led the way in dropping the requirement for standardized admissions testing. But this is the first time that such a prestigious institution has adopted such a policy. Wake Forest is a private university and as such probably gets a significant amount of its funding from alumni. It will be interesting to see the reaction of those contributors as they evaluate whether or not the value of their hard-earned degree is increased as a result of this change to the admissions process.

It may actually be a wonderful idea to remove certain obstacles to academic pursuits. The MCAT is probably overrated in determining the success of medical students. It is certainly biased toward those who would be inclined to spend ridiculous amounts of time preparing and studying for such a grueling experience. But that does limit the available talent pool. Anyone who really wants to practice medicine should be given a chance to try. Medical schools could easily accommodate many times the current number of students. Once more students can graduate from medical schools, health care will become more affordable as the supply of doctors is increased. Likewise, the LSAT probably keeps many from pursuing their dreams of studying law. Speaking of law; they should probably do away with the bar exam since it too fails to predict success or failure of those who practice law.

Actually, grades don't always tell the whole story either. Grading should be dropped and everyone who "does their best" should get diplomas. Grades and honors only serve to make students feel different. Everyone should be equally recognized without distinction for accomplishment. All of those medical school students who were allowed to pursue the dream without taking the MCAT would have a much easier time graduating if they were not constrained by a biased grading system. I know that I would feel safer flying in an airplane knowing that the engineers were not forced to make a certain level of grade in calculus or structural analysis.

Imagine the wonderful world we would live in when anyone can be whatever they want to be without having to worry about how good they might be. Mediocrity is bliss.

Proud to be from a small town in Middle America

Growing up in a small town in the Midwest was a pretty good thing. I was instilled with a set of values and an understanding of what a great country we live in. I also realized that everthing was not perfect. But in true American tradition, the goal was to improve yourself and your country. Even as I watched the mines and mills close around me, I knew that I lived in the best country in the world. I had the opportunity to get an education, and the freedom to choose my destiny and work toward achieving any goal that I wished.

Fast forward many years and I still believe this to be true. However, according to a man who wants to lead this country into the 21st century, I and many like me are just bitter, frustrated and bigoted. Pandering to an audience in the model utopia of San Francisco, Barack Obama said concerning us, "You go into these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years. … And it’s not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.”

Yes I do cling to my guns and my religion, if not in that order. I am proud that as a citizen of the United States of America I have specific rights guaranteed to me in the United States Constitution to worship according to my conscience and the right to self defense. Other rights like the freedom of speech are nice to have as well. The same Constitution that gives him the right to run for President and to say whatever he wishes allows me to cling to my guns and religion just as he can cling to his elitist worldview. It is also that same Constitution that gives the people in San Francisco and Berkley the right to disrespect the United States Military and of course ignorant bigots from the Midwest.

As for antipathy toward people who are not like me, I do have some. I especially feel antipathy toward people who are not like me in respecting this great country of ours and who view a majority of the citizenry as uneducated, uninformed commoners whose lives need to directed and managed from an ivory tower and who need to be rescued from an ignorant dependence on God instead of Government.

I suggest that he take a closer read of the Constitution that he hopes to be able to swear to uphold before he raises his hand and places the other on whatever book he wishes.

I do have to give him kudos for noting that Hillary is not quite "Annie Oakley sitting in a duck blind and carrying a six shooter." However, Mr. O. shows his ignorance here as well. Even Dick Cheney knows that you don't hunt ducks with a "six shooter".

Why Sharia is a good thing

Recently, the Archbishop of Canterbury suggested that the U.K. would be wise to adopt some sharia law to accommodate the increasing numbers of Muslims. At first, I thought that it was much the same as an influx of voodoo practitioners moving into the Anglican church having their need to sacrifice chickens and goats accepted. However, given this latest news from Iran it may be that it could provide a solution that would clean up the country and also make PETA happy at the same time.

A 70 year old man in Iran was sentenced to four months in jail and 30 lashes for walking his dog. Just the mere act of walking the dog in public violates the theocratic sensibilities. Imagine what a wonderful place Great Britain would be without dogs. Perhaps the US should follow suit. I wonder what the penalty for Paris Hilton would be for carrying around her little purse puppy?

Even in a wonderful and pure Islamic republic there are exceptions to every rule. The Iranian president is able to have 4 imported German Shepards by special fatwa.

http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=1.0.1892967009

Oil covers a multitude of sins

If it were not for oil, countries like Saudi Arabia would be nothing more than third world sand pits and the Mutaween would need to find real jobs. However, they are sitting on vast amounts of the oil that powers western civilization. This lone fact causes a willingness to look the other way and accept actions that would not be tolerated anywhere in the "civilized world."

This story from the Times of London illustrates the mindset that has given us suicide bombers and honor killings and lashings for rape victims. The oppression of women in places like Saudi Arabia would not be tolerated were it not for the oil that they posess. As much as I do not wish to see a Hillary Clinton presidency, I would enjoy the hypocrisy that would be exposed as leaders from these countries would be forced to deal with a woman. She could inspire millions of oppressed women in these countries. It would also be interesting to see her wearing a veil to avoid offending them. Unfortunately, this would only decrease the level of respect for the president and her country. It would also be fun to see the Mutaween interact with the Secret Service.

She says that she wants to stay and "make a difference." I am sure that her career has little to do with her decision to stay. However, I do have to wonder a bit about this " American mother of three" subjecting her children to life under such an oppressive regime.

Perhaps her story might help a few more Americans wake up and smell the coffee.


http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article3321637.ece

ESPN and the Three Little Pigs

What do ESPN, and the Three Little Pigs have in common? They expose the hypocrisy and intellectual dishonesty that are destroying civilization right before our eyes.


According to the Times of London, an animated adaptation of the tale of the three little pigs has been panned because it has been deemed to be "offensive to Muslims" due to the porcine protaganists. According to the story, Muslims had not complained but it was still thought to be offensive. Similar episodes have occurred in the US and other countries around the world. I guess that the strategy of killing infidels for offending Islam is producing the desired result; fear. Publishing cartoons and naming stuffed animals can get you killed if you offend the wrong demographic. Even printing something off the Internet can be fatal. On Tuesday, Sayed Parwez Kaambakhsh, 23, was sentenced to death for distributing a report printed from the Internet that religious officials said violated Islam.


Recently, an ESPN host made a less than appropriate remark about Jesus and was given a one week leave from her job. (Yawn) If she had made the same comment about another religious figure she could well be the target of a fatwa and be off of work much longer. Fortunately, Christians are more inclined to allow justice to occur without their hastening influence. It is in fact, the Christians who cherish concepts like free will, tolerance, and freedom of conscience. These ideals have enabled western civilization to thrive. Some might argue that Christianity has had a stifling effect at times in human history. On balance, the positive contributions outweigh the negative. However, one need only to look at the founding of this nation to see the benefits that freedom of religious choice and Judeo-Christian principles brings to a society.


There is never an outcry when "Christian sensibilities" are offended. In fact, there is usually a great deal of celebration and self-congratulatory fanfare whenever Christians are maligned. Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Andres Serrano, and more recently the folks at the Folsom Street Fair have all been hailed for their open mindedness and gifted free expression for their anti-Christian endeavors. Whenever Christians or Jesus are the butt of the joke or the target of derision, mockery and scorn most people cheer or certainly have a good laugh. I can only imagine the response to any of these "artists" and their endeavors if they targeted someone other than Jesus with their religious themes.


The world in which we live is a very dangerous place. Yet, many people seem content to ignore their plight and others choose to imitate Neville Chamberlain and bend over backwards in an effort to not offend and appease an enemy for whom anything less than total victory is not an option. Apparently suicide bombers have failed to convince people of their level of commitment to the cause and unwillingness to compromise.

The three little pigs are offensive enough to warrant censure but zealots sawing off a person's head and broadcasting the video around the world is not offensive enough to warrant action. Western sensibilities are offended every day in countries where women are oppressed under the guise of religion, murdered for "honor" and people are killed for "religious insults". Yet, the only response is to walk more softly and work harder to appease and not to offend. I believe that Jews don't appreciate swine any more than Muslims. But no one complains about being insensitive to Jews.



I wonder when ESPN will start calling for the NFL and NCAA to be less offensive and ban the use of "the pigskin".

Madame Mayor!

Carmen Kontur-Gronquist, mayor of a small town in Oregon is taking some heat for some photos posted on her private My-Space page. I wonder is she is a Democrat since they were posted online before she was elected more than three years ago. Only after her election did it become an issue. Obviously, a very slow news day in Arlington, Oregon.

To her credit, she makes no apologies. "I'm not going to change who I am," she said. "There's a lot of officials that have a personal life, and you have people in this community who have nothing better to do than scrape up stuff like this." She certainly is not guilty of being a chameleon like many other politicians who pander to the crowd du jour.

Personally, I don't think that her photos were that racy. She could have just as easily been photographed on vacation at the beach or on the job as a lifeguard in a swimsuit that was more revealing. The photos that grace the covers of the supermarket tabloids and the billboards along the highway often portray much more suggestive themes than her photos. I can only imagine if I were a politician and some of the photos from my youth came to light. Fortunately, I went to Spring Break long before digital photography and the Internet.

I think that more feminists should come to her defense and support her freedom to express control over her body. However, I doubt that the more vocal feminists want to support someone who actually can pull off being photographed in their underwear.

Final thought: Given identical political ideology, who would you rather see in office? Ms. Kontur-Gronquist or Ms. Rodham-Clinton?

Edwards for President

I have intentionally tried to avoid listening to the prattle and pablum of the Democratic (and some Republican) candidates as the WWE-like spectacle of the presidential campaign season begins. However, I was unwilling to totally isolate myself from the outside world and thus I was forced to take note of the parade of fools in Iowa.

I am glad that Barack Hussein Obama spoiled the party for Hillary Rodham Clinton. Unfortunately for the smartest woman in the world, she tied with the ambulance chasing, dead child channeling Breck Girl, John Edwards.

It was Edwards who nearly inspired me to channel Elvis Presley and destroy my new HD plasma television as I listened to his ridiculous rants masquerading as rhetoric. The man who personally made millions of dollars through lawsuits decried the excessive pay of corporate CEOs. Even though many of them make considerably less than he did as an attorney. He also spoke about "taking away the power" from "Big Drugs, Big Oil, and Big Insurance". I believe that is code for "Communism". He makes no pretense about his vision of the United States of America as becoming a socialist collective ruled by liberal elites who can "take care" of the ignorant masses.

I wonder where the oil, pharmaceutical and insurance companies will invest their capital when he and his ilk remove the economic incentive to innovate and produce. I am certain that he never read "Atlas Shrugged" but was moved to the core by "Das Kapital" and the Communist Manifesto. It is quite clear that he does not think that Americans should have personal property rights. Actually, he is clear only to those who can understand the implications of his Robin Hood rantings.

For example, he rails against "Big Oil" that rapes the little guy with $100/barrel oil. Forget for the moment that oil prices are controlled by OPEC and the laws of supply and demand.

1 barrel of crude oil is 42 gallons and 1 bottle of water is .5 liters or about 1/8 of a gallon.
A barrel of oil at $80 is $1.90/ gallon and $100/barrel is priced at $2.38/gallon before it is turned into gasoline.
A bottle of water priced at $1.00/bottle is about $8.00/gallon.

For the more sophisticated home-gamers: 3 barrels of crude is roughly equivalent to 2 barrels of unleaded gasoline and 1 barrel of heating oil. I am not taking this into account to make the math easier to follow for the working Americans.

How much capital does it take to fill a bottle of water compared to how much is required to fill an oil barrel?

If crude oil is $2.38/gallon and gasoline is $3.00/gallon and bottled water is $8.00/gallon, who is making "obscene" profits? Where is the indignation toward "Big Water"?

If a drug company has $500 million to invest, should it invest in a new drug, water or some other investment vehicle? According to candidate Edwards, the money should be given away. The drug companies should spend their money and give the drugs away at less profit than they could make if they invested their money in making bottled water.

What is more obscene? A-Rod making $275 million over 10 years to play baseball or a CEO of a major corporation employing 100,000 people making a couple millon dollars a year? Perhaps a trial lawyer like Edwards making a few hundred millon on a lawsuit?

Edwards, Obama, Clinton et al. want to nationalize as much as possible. They have not realized that socialism has been an abysmal failure wherever it has been tried. Their raison d'etre is to make as many people as possible dependent on government largess and to control as many aspects of the lives of the citizenry as possible. Of course, they don't come out and admit this. But, that is the end result of their proposed policies.

Capitalism is far from perfect. But, it has resulted in the most benefit to mankind compared to every other alternative. Freedom, private property rights and the economic incentive to achieve have also been astoundingly successful whenever they have prevailed.