More Quotes

A wise assessment to remember in these trying economic times:

"A nation trying to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to pick himself up by the handle." -- Winston Churchill

The elitism is dripping off this one:

"I don't mean this will happen tomorrow, I know that the majority (of British people) are still opposed, but there is a period of consideration underway and the people which matter in Britain are currently thinking about it." -- European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=081130204959.yq2a770m&show_article=1)

...and I thought "the people which matter" in a democratic society are the entire general population.

A few great quotes from our Founding Fathers, great men who if they were alive today would sadly be mocked and reviled as religious nutjobs:

"And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep for ever." -- Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 18, 1781

"It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favors." -- George Washington, Thanksgiving Proclamation, 3 October 1789

"It is the duty of every man to render to the Creator such homage, and such only, as he believes to be acceptable to him. This duty is precedent both in order of time and degree of obligation, to the claims of Civil Society. Before any man can be considered as a member of Civil Society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe." -- James Madison, A Memorial and Remonstrance, 1785

-1 for Socialism

Another lesson on the pitfalls of socialism / nationalizing private business:

Fannie, AIG Struggling After Federal Takeover on washingtonpost.com

Though we could have predicted that by looking at history. How about we work on privatizing more government programs instead and letting competition work. Potentially painful? Yes. But the markets have a better chance of picking the best solution than the government, which seems to specialize in putting down layers of ineffective inefficiencies.

Again With the "Rights" that Aren't Rights

Some good points from Thomas Sowell on gay "marriage" in this townhall.com article.

Revive Reagan!

No, not Republicans that just say they're like Reagan, we really need somebody like this to emerge strongly in 2012:

Karl Marx is Not the Father of Capitalism on townhall.com
Inside Ronald Reagan on reason.com

Problematic Permissive Parenting?

A liberal acquaintance of mine started a blog with a first post that I'm guessing (hoping) is somewhat tongue-in-cheek:

When you have kids every toilet in the house has yellow water in it and sometimes worse. Basically I have given up telling the kids to flush. I just go in behind them and do it.

Great, let's train our kids at an early age that somebody will take care of you and walk behind you to fix your messes all the time. Sure, it's hard and exhausting and frustrating, but if parents don't teach their kids how to behave, who will? First they don't want to flush the toilet, then they expect easy A's at school, then they don't want to fix their mistakes at work, then they'll expect the government to pick them up. Hmmm, then again, maybe those are the lessons liberal parents are trying to teach their children.

What if 'SNL' mocked Michelle Obama?

There are lots of articles about the double standard in the media these days, but I particularly liked this one:

Patrick J Buchanan on WorldNetDaily

Inconvenient (for Democrats) Truths about the Iraq War (and others)

This came as a forward in email and provides some good historical perspective...

John Glenn (DEMOCRAT) said this ----- It should make us all think a little:

There were 39 combat related killings in Iraq in January. In the fair city of Detroit there were 35 murders in the month of January. That's just one American city, about as deadly as the entire war-torn country of Iraq .



When some claim that President Bush shouldn't have started this war, tell them the following :



FDR (DEMOCRAT) led us into World War II. Germany never attacked us; Japan did. From 1941-1945, 450,000 lives were lost ... an average of 112,500 per year.



Truman (DEMOCRAT) finished that war and started one in Korea . North Korea never attacked us. From 1950-1953, 55,000 lives were lost ... an average of 18,334 per year.



John F. Kennedy (DEMOCRAT) started the Vietnam conflict in 1962. Vietnam never attacked us.



Johnson (DEMOCRAT) turned Vietnam into a quagmire. From 1965-1975, 58,000 lives were lost ... an average of 5,800 per year.



Clinton (DEMOCRAT) went to war in Bosnia without UN or French consent. Bosnia never attacked us. He was offered Osama bin Laden's head on a platter three times by Sudan and did nothing. Osama has attacked us on multiple occasions.

This one is a fact that makes me mad as hell.


In the years since terrorists attacked us, President Bush has liberated two countries, crushed the Taliban, crippled al-Qaida, put nuclear inspectors in Libya, Iran, and, North Korea without firing a shot, and captured a terrorist who slaughtered 300,000 of his own people. And the Democrats are complaining about how long the war is taking.

But Wait, There's more.



It took less time to take Iraq than it took Janet Reno (DEMOCRAT) to take the Branch Davidian compound. That was a 51-day operation



We've been looking for evidence for chemical weapons in Iraq for less time than it took Hillary Clinton (DEMOCRAT) to find the Rose law firm billing records.





It took less time for the 3rd Infantry Division and the Marines to destroy the Medina Republican Guard than it took Ted Kennedy to call the police after his Oldsmobile sank at Chappaquiddick.

It took less time to take Iraq than it took to count the votes in Florida !!!

Our Commander-In-Chief is doing a GREAT JOB! The Military morale is high!
The biased media hopes we are too ignorant to realize the facts.
But Wait ....There's more!

JOHN GLENN (on the Senate floor - January 26, 2004)

Some people still don't understand why military personnel do what they do for a living. This exchange between Senators John Glenn and Senator Howard Metzenbaum is worth reading. Not only is it a pretty impressive impromptu speech, but it's also a good example of one man's explanation of why men and women in the armed services do what they do for a living.



This IS a typical, though sad, example of what some who have never served think of the military.

Senator Metzenbaum (speaking to Senator Glenn):
'How can you run for Senate when you've never held a real job?'

Senator Glenn (D-Ohio): 'I served 23 years in the United States Marine Corps. I served through two wars. I flew 149 missions. My plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire on 12 different occasions. I was in the space program. It wasn't my checkbook, Howard; it was my life on the line. It was not a nine-to-five job, where I took time off to take the daily cash receipts to the bank. I ask you to go with me, as I went the other day . .. to a veteran's hospital and look those men ... with their mangled bodies ... in the eye, and tell THEM they didn't hold a job!




You go with me to the Space Program at NASA and go, as I have gone, to the widows and orphans of Ed White, Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee .. and you look those kids in the eye and tell them that their DAD'S didn't hold a job.



You go with me on Memorial Day and you stand in Arlington National Cemetery , where I have more friends buried than I'd like to remember, and you watch those waving flags . You stand there, and you think about this nation, and you have the gall to tell ME that those people didn't have a job?
What about Metzenbaum? For those who don't remember During W.W.II, Howard Metzenbaum was an attorney representing the Communist Party in the USA .

Now he's a Senator!

If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading it in English thank a Veteran.

Pro-Rape?

Given the moral relativism in our world, will this be the new "alternative lifestyle" and "right to choose" someday?

You're walking down the street one day with five friends and you see a woman being raped...
by Coffee Catholic

Obama the Tax Man



Ahh, the old faux-retail-sale strategy...mark up the price $1.00, then put up a big sign saying $0.50 off and hand out coupons for $0.25 off...

My only question is, why didn't the McCain campaign make this ad? Or at least make this point during the second debate?

Beck on the Bailout

Like many, I'm trying to get a handle on the bailout and the economic mess that led to it. Here's a synopsis that I like so far:

Glenn Beck: What happened?
Glenn Beck: What's Coming
Glenn Beck: What Can I Do to Prepare? (all 3 are good, but wow this one is awesome!)

And some more great thoughts on the state of the economy:

Commentary: Get ready for more economic trouble ahead

Catholic Vote 2008

An inspiring video for Catholics as we decide who to elect president in 2008:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqzMB-gA6Ro

And a guide to the most important issues:

Catholic Voters Guide

Watch. Read. Pray. Vote. Pray some more.

Republican Convention Lines

Some lines I liked from the Republican National Convention:

"A government that gives you everything is the same government that can take everything away from you."
-- though Huckabee attributed it to Abraham Lincoln, it was actually Gerald Ford

"Don't confuse enthusiasm for capability."

"Change is not a destination just as hope is not a strategy."
-- Rudy Giuliani

...and one that's not from the convention, but that I was reminded of during Palin's speech, since she had used it earlier:

"A ship in harbor is safe. But that's not why the ship was built."
-- John A. Shedd (paraphrased)

The Art of Conversation

A good article from CNN.com/Real Simple with some smart principles for good conversation:

1. The "yes...and" technique
2. Go with your gut
3. Make everyone else in your group look good

Learning from Dogs

I don't own a dog, but couldn't help nodding my head reading a forwarded message from my aunt on the things dogs can teach us:

• When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
• Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
• Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
• Take naps.
• Stretch before rising.
• Run, romp, and play daily.
• Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
• Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
• On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
• On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
• When you're happy,dance around and wag your entire body.
• Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
• Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
• Be loyal.
• Never pretend to be something you're not.
• If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
• When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
• Being always grateful for each new day and for the blessing you have.
• ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

Babies Born Alive

Some links to discussion of Obama's pro-infanticide votes against "babies born alive" and his lies to try to backpedal on it. Are shifting excuses his idea of "change"?

WSJ.com
weeklystandard.com
humanevents.com
catholicnewsagency.com #1
catholicnewsagency.com #2
lifenews.com
redstate.com #1
redstate.com #2
youtube.com

Teaching the Next Generation How to Live

My goddaughter sent me this essay in an email (though the email attributes it to Paul Harvey, it's actually from Lee Pitts's "People Who Live at the End of Dirt Roads". Too many people today don't learn to fail, think you get rights without responsibilities, and have some skewed impressions of fairness. Time for some tried-and-true lessons:

We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better. I'd really like for them to know about hand me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches. I really would.

I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated. I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car.And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.

It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep.

I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.

I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother/sister. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room,but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him.

When you want to see a movie and your little brother/sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her.I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.
On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your Mom.

If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.

When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.

I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a boy/girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.

May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.

I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it.. And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend.

I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Grandma/Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle.

May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.

I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Hannukah/Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.

These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life. Written with a pen. Sealed with a kiss. I'm here for you. And if I die before you do, I'll go to heaven and wait for you.

The 4 C's

I saw somebody describe themselves as being the 4 C's, and I guess it fits me too:

Christian (or Catholic, to be specific)
Conservative
Capitalist
Caucasian

Isn't Barack Embarrassed of Himself?

Amazing that he can rip Americans for not learning a foreign language and for expecting people to speak English here in the US, and then he trots off to Europe and gives speeches in English in countries that have official languages other than English. Instead of calling him on his own words that he should be embarrassed for not speaking to the Germans in German and the French in French, the mass media just continues to fawn all over him. Fortunately I was able to get my weekly dose of Rush while driving around this afternoon and catch his bit of essentially going almost MST3K on his Berlin speech...it's hard to laugh out loud at the same time as you're getting angry, but that pretty much did it.

Shuddering at Obama in Germany

A couple user comments on a NewsBusters post about Obama's speech in Germany:

Twilight Zone

July 24, 2008 - 23:56 ET by Lakewood Bob

Obama's speeches remind me of an episode of Twilight Zone where an alien comes to earth and promises the earthlings that their every care will be provided for. No more wars, no more struggles, and no more hard laboring. All the while, he carries with him a book entitled "Serving Man". An obvious indication of their desire to save humanity and have everyone live a contented life. Several ship loads of earthlings even left for a visit to the alien planet.

As it turns out, "Serving Man" was a Cookbook!! If Obama is elected, I believe we are cooked also.

__________

Me, too!

July 25, 2008 - 01:24 ET by i was just thinking

"Obama said he was speaking as a citizen" What about me? I'm a citizen. Can I go make a speech in Berlin?

"I know that I don't look like the Americans who've previously spoken in this great city." I thought we weren't allowed to talk about that. Wait a sec... is he talking about being black, or having big ears?

"...designed to make him look presidential." Because after all, it's really only looking presidential that's important, right? (By the way, why does someone "speaking as a citizen" need to look "presidential"?)

"His message: That as President he would bring the U.S. and Europe together." Well, THAT'S a relief, because he sure as hell won't bring the U.S. together!

"...this is our moment. This is our time." Read: "...this is MY moment. This is MY time."

"Barack Obama was due to visit wounded troops in Germany but canceled it
after the Pentagon told him that it would not be proper while on a
political trip." But...but... I thought he was traveling and speaking as an citizen, not a political candidate. Hell, now I'm really confused...

"He told them a lot of what they wanted to hear..." Let's all look surprised.

"In Europe, the view that America is part of what has gone wrong in our
world rather than a force to help us make it right has become all too
common." Just because they "view" us that way doesn't mean they're right. I view Obama as a pompous windbag. Does my view make me right?

"...part of the Obama pitch that his approach can heal the rifts with
America's allies in Europe and restore American prestige abroad." And exactly HOW would he do that? Oh, wait... he doesn't have to tell us how, all that's important is that he says he will.

(This is fun!...)

"To his detractors, it was presumptuous that a candidate for President would deliver a speech as if he were President." No, Charlie, that should be "to anyone with an ounce of common sense and half a brain in his head..."

"Not only have walls come down in Berlin-..." Obama says, "see? I can talk about walls, too!"

"...Senator Barack Obama today shared his vision for peace." ...vision, as opposed to an actual plan...

"It was that they were Presidents, Obama a mere candidate." A "mere candidate"?!?!? That's it, Jake... no more Obama exclusives for you! Blasphemer!!

"But I also know how much I love America." I'm certainly glad HE knows, 'cause the rest of us aren't really sure about it! And as the saying goes, you always hurt the one you love.

"And as for the people who came here today, many of them gushed about his speech." And I'm sure many more didn't gush, but we won't talk about that right now.

"My new messiah." My new messiah, filling the empty void that I call "my life". "Hey, Kool-Aid!!!"

McCain Doesn't Know?

McCain doesn't know if Obama is a socialist: CNN article

Considering he has a further left voting record than a declared socialist and speaks about how we need more "shared prosperity" and that he's afraid of an "on your own" society...I'd say it's pretty much a textbook definition.

Beck on this topic here. I'll gladly share my prosperity with my neighbors, but I don't want the government doing it for me (Apr 15 doesn't feel like "give to charity" day to me) -- I'd rather they leave me "on my own".

Think they deserve it? Yeah, they deserve it!


Thanks to Glenn Beck for posting this on his site and once again exposing what we're dealing with when it comes to Islamic extremism. See the full transcript from his radio show on this here.