Friday, December 19, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
T'was the Night before Electoral College Voting
T'was the Night before Electoral College voting
(The 14th of December if you are noting);
The ballots were all printed and placed with care,
In hopes that the end of the 2008 presidential contest would soon be there;
The 538 members of the Electoral College were asleep in their beds,
While visions of casting their ballots filled their heads;
Only someone in Hawaii’s Office of Records was stirring
In the dark of night inside this stately house
Moving quite stealthily was a man named “The Mouse”
Who was known for his skills in counterfeiting;
He was dressed all in black, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were purposely camouflaged with ashes and soot;
A bundle of tools he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a burglar just opening his pack.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
He pulled out his plates from his large velvet sack--
Engraving tools, special paper and a Hawaii State Seal
Inks of bright colors, a signature book, optic enhancers—to name just a few; the purpose,
An election to seal
He had all his tools lined up for his task
His magnum opus, his mark on history, within grasp.
With the art of a master who excelled at his craft,
He chuckled with glee at what he would gain,
Cash and power that none could disdain;
For in his craftsman’s hand he held the key
The one thing that stood in the way of certain victory
A certificate of birth, with all of the luster
That would pass any test that Keyes and Berg could muster;
Once finished he filed the document under H
He cleared the area so nothing was disturbed
And laying a gloved hand on the door he left so quick
Not even the night watchman saw the light flick
He scampered away with his tools and his sack,
But unfortunately he didn’t watch his back.
Dateline December 15, 2008.
Manny “The Mouse” Fletcher found dead,
A single bullet to his head. No suspects.
Gang violence a possibility given his personal history.
And could be heard from the office of the president-elect,
I got the victory, so don’t mess with Barry.
(The 14th of December if you are noting);
The ballots were all printed and placed with care,
In hopes that the end of the 2008 presidential contest would soon be there;
The 538 members of the Electoral College were asleep in their beds,
While visions of casting their ballots filled their heads;
Only someone in Hawaii’s Office of Records was stirring
In the dark of night inside this stately house
Moving quite stealthily was a man named “The Mouse”
Who was known for his skills in counterfeiting;
He was dressed all in black, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were purposely camouflaged with ashes and soot;
A bundle of tools he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a burglar just opening his pack.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
He pulled out his plates from his large velvet sack--
Engraving tools, special paper and a Hawaii State Seal
Inks of bright colors, a signature book, optic enhancers—to name just a few; the purpose,
An election to seal
He had all his tools lined up for his task
His magnum opus, his mark on history, within grasp.
With the art of a master who excelled at his craft,
He chuckled with glee at what he would gain,
Cash and power that none could disdain;
For in his craftsman’s hand he held the key
The one thing that stood in the way of certain victory
A certificate of birth, with all of the luster
That would pass any test that Keyes and Berg could muster;
Once finished he filed the document under H
He cleared the area so nothing was disturbed
And laying a gloved hand on the door he left so quick
Not even the night watchman saw the light flick
He scampered away with his tools and his sack,
But unfortunately he didn’t watch his back.
Dateline December 15, 2008.
Manny “The Mouse” Fletcher found dead,
A single bullet to his head. No suspects.
Gang violence a possibility given his personal history.
And could be heard from the office of the president-elect,
I got the victory, so don’t mess with Barry.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Larry Summers Was Right
I know that 2005 seems like a century ago but in that scant amount of time what caused Larry Summers to be ridiculed proved prescient. In January 2005, William Saletan posted to the Slate blog the following:
“Larry Summers, the president of Harvard, suggested the other day that innate differences between the sexes might help explain why relatively few women become professional scientists or engineers. For this, he has been denounced—metaphorically, of course—as a Neanderthal. Alumni are withholding donations. Professors are demanding apologies. Some want him fired.”
We all know the rest of the story. He did get dismissed from the “fair and open-minded” Harvard University. But that ended up as a great career move. Now Summers is part of the One’s economic dream team. But the economy is not what this post is about.
As someone who defines herself as a conservative feminist, I am proud to say, ”Viva la difference!”
I like the fact that there are real men in the world who fight wars, play sports, swill beer and admire women. Those same men supported Sarah Palin because they saw in her a woman who wasn’t afraid of being a woman. They also liked the fact that she exercised her choices to learn how to hunt and fish, but still remained true to who she is, a mom, a wife, and a leader. It was only the metrosexual men in academia; you know the same ones who supported BHO and gay marriage. These guys wax their chests, legs and arms. They wear designer cologne and would never be caught dead in Cabela’s. They know how to order appletinis and foie gras, but could never figure out how to field dress a moose. So where am I going with this? Read on.
One of the keys to the selection of BHO for the American Idol president was the unmarried woman vote. As I have pondered this, I wondered what would cause this voting block to vote against a man’s man and a feminist. Then I heard of Summers’ appointment, it all flooded back to me. There are differences in the sexes. Unmarried women want someone to take care of them to free them, if you will, from the drudgery of work and provide for their every need. Well with the dating pool full of metros that won’t pay for anything and are more interested in getting the name of your manicurist than your contact info, it must have been the fantasy of a metrosexual who promised to take care of them. Not only did he sip lattes but he would pay their rent! He would also pay off their student loans; provide child care, gasoline, and a monthly clothing allowance. Now these women got to project their idea of the perfect man onto a candidate who was an empty screen waiting to be made into whatever you wanted him to be.
With the economy crashing in around them and no “bailout” for individuals on the horizon, I trust that the one-day stand and the day-after-the-night-before regrets will force women to act wiser in how they cast their votes in the future.
“Larry Summers, the president of Harvard, suggested the other day that innate differences between the sexes might help explain why relatively few women become professional scientists or engineers. For this, he has been denounced—metaphorically, of course—as a Neanderthal. Alumni are withholding donations. Professors are demanding apologies. Some want him fired.”
We all know the rest of the story. He did get dismissed from the “fair and open-minded” Harvard University. But that ended up as a great career move. Now Summers is part of the One’s economic dream team. But the economy is not what this post is about.
As someone who defines herself as a conservative feminist, I am proud to say, ”Viva la difference!”
I like the fact that there are real men in the world who fight wars, play sports, swill beer and admire women. Those same men supported Sarah Palin because they saw in her a woman who wasn’t afraid of being a woman. They also liked the fact that she exercised her choices to learn how to hunt and fish, but still remained true to who she is, a mom, a wife, and a leader. It was only the metrosexual men in academia; you know the same ones who supported BHO and gay marriage. These guys wax their chests, legs and arms. They wear designer cologne and would never be caught dead in Cabela’s. They know how to order appletinis and foie gras, but could never figure out how to field dress a moose. So where am I going with this? Read on.
One of the keys to the selection of BHO for the American Idol president was the unmarried woman vote. As I have pondered this, I wondered what would cause this voting block to vote against a man’s man and a feminist. Then I heard of Summers’ appointment, it all flooded back to me. There are differences in the sexes. Unmarried women want someone to take care of them to free them, if you will, from the drudgery of work and provide for their every need. Well with the dating pool full of metros that won’t pay for anything and are more interested in getting the name of your manicurist than your contact info, it must have been the fantasy of a metrosexual who promised to take care of them. Not only did he sip lattes but he would pay their rent! He would also pay off their student loans; provide child care, gasoline, and a monthly clothing allowance. Now these women got to project their idea of the perfect man onto a candidate who was an empty screen waiting to be made into whatever you wanted him to be.
With the economy crashing in around them and no “bailout” for individuals on the horizon, I trust that the one-day stand and the day-after-the-night-before regrets will force women to act wiser in how they cast their votes in the future.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Janet: the Bobby Fischer of Political Chess
Many people were surprised when Janet Napolitano endorsed the candidacy of BHO in the primary, especially when the Arizona Democrats cast their ballots for Hillary. I wasn't one of them. Let me explain.
I first got to know Janet when she was Attorney General. Jon Kyl had successfully supported a bill on the Hill that was a landmark in helping victims of domestic violence. At that time I was working in an organization that had identified an effective violence prevention program and one of my board members had arranged a lunch meeting with Janet to see if we could engage her support for the work we were doing. The funding from the Feds was to be distributed by the state attorneys general.
My board member and I arrived at the restaurant early. We decided to go to our table as the place usually fills to capacity at lunchtime. Our meeting was scheduled for noon. By 12:15 we figured that she was a no-show. Just as we were about to order, in swept Janet and her assistant. She deftly worked the crowd on her way to our table and when she got to us, she took a seat that gave her maximum exposure. I watched her case the joint before she settled her attention on us.
My board member was a celebrity sucker and I could see that she lost focus and became a fawning fan. In a way this was perfect as I got to be in the observer's seat. As the conversation progressed, Janet described her recent campaign trip to Northern Arizona. She was testing the waters for a run for governor and had doubled down on a trip to that part of the state for official Attorney General business as an opportunity to survey the constituents on their prime policy issues. That narrative proved to be an insightful look into her motives and character.
I won't get all GW on you and say I looked into her soul and.... but I will say that I agree with the poet, the eyes are the windows to the soul. What I saw during that conversation was validated over and over again by her actions as both AG and governor was the thirst for and need for power.
During our conversation that day, she played my board member like a fiddle. Let me just say that this person had tons of cash and I am sure that Janet had done her preliminary "findings" on her prior to the meeting. She probably had dismissed me as I never have had tons of cash. And it was apparent that her focus and probably reason for the meeting was to make a connection with another significant donor.
Here's how she did it. Janet gave my board member her undivided attention. She directed her assistant to write down the significant points. She nodded in agreement at the appropriate time. The coup d'grace was when she told my board member that her assistant would be assigned to work on this project and he would report directly to her because this was an issue that mattered deeply to her. In fact, Janet stated, this was one of her top priorities for the year. Then she gathered herself up and signaled to her toady that it was time to leave. Being overly gracious, she held my board member's hand just a little longer and told her to keep in touch.
I pulled out my barf bag but my board member was convinced that we had a friend in high office and this project was a done deal.
Here's the rest of the story. Nothing ever happened with the request. No phone calls, no letters of support, no funding, no personal appearances, no contact with the toady. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zero. But at the next board meeting guess who was wearing a Janet button?
If you look at her tenure as governor, she was never an Arizonan. She followed the Democrat play book and depleted the state treasury saying it was for the children. She tested the waters and convinced enough people that she was tough on the boarder and crime. Never mind the facts that Arizona continues its educational decline, its loss of jobs and increases in foreclosures (as of this writing number 3 in the nation). Never mind that open boarders policies that have increased violent crime in the state. Never mind the dilution of the state Constitution to open the way for the imposition of more social engineering.
So America, be ready. As Secretary of Homeland Security, what is it that she is seeking to secure? Her power or America? Checkmate.
I first got to know Janet when she was Attorney General. Jon Kyl had successfully supported a bill on the Hill that was a landmark in helping victims of domestic violence. At that time I was working in an organization that had identified an effective violence prevention program and one of my board members had arranged a lunch meeting with Janet to see if we could engage her support for the work we were doing. The funding from the Feds was to be distributed by the state attorneys general.
My board member and I arrived at the restaurant early. We decided to go to our table as the place usually fills to capacity at lunchtime. Our meeting was scheduled for noon. By 12:15 we figured that she was a no-show. Just as we were about to order, in swept Janet and her assistant. She deftly worked the crowd on her way to our table and when she got to us, she took a seat that gave her maximum exposure. I watched her case the joint before she settled her attention on us.
My board member was a celebrity sucker and I could see that she lost focus and became a fawning fan. In a way this was perfect as I got to be in the observer's seat. As the conversation progressed, Janet described her recent campaign trip to Northern Arizona. She was testing the waters for a run for governor and had doubled down on a trip to that part of the state for official Attorney General business as an opportunity to survey the constituents on their prime policy issues. That narrative proved to be an insightful look into her motives and character.
I won't get all GW on you and say I looked into her soul and.... but I will say that I agree with the poet, the eyes are the windows to the soul. What I saw during that conversation was validated over and over again by her actions as both AG and governor was the thirst for and need for power.
During our conversation that day, she played my board member like a fiddle. Let me just say that this person had tons of cash and I am sure that Janet had done her preliminary "findings" on her prior to the meeting. She probably had dismissed me as I never have had tons of cash. And it was apparent that her focus and probably reason for the meeting was to make a connection with another significant donor.
Here's how she did it. Janet gave my board member her undivided attention. She directed her assistant to write down the significant points. She nodded in agreement at the appropriate time. The coup d'grace was when she told my board member that her assistant would be assigned to work on this project and he would report directly to her because this was an issue that mattered deeply to her. In fact, Janet stated, this was one of her top priorities for the year. Then she gathered herself up and signaled to her toady that it was time to leave. Being overly gracious, she held my board member's hand just a little longer and told her to keep in touch.
I pulled out my barf bag but my board member was convinced that we had a friend in high office and this project was a done deal.
Here's the rest of the story. Nothing ever happened with the request. No phone calls, no letters of support, no funding, no personal appearances, no contact with the toady. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zero. But at the next board meeting guess who was wearing a Janet button?
If you look at her tenure as governor, she was never an Arizonan. She followed the Democrat play book and depleted the state treasury saying it was for the children. She tested the waters and convinced enough people that she was tough on the boarder and crime. Never mind the facts that Arizona continues its educational decline, its loss of jobs and increases in foreclosures (as of this writing number 3 in the nation). Never mind that open boarders policies that have increased violent crime in the state. Never mind the dilution of the state Constitution to open the way for the imposition of more social engineering.
So America, be ready. As Secretary of Homeland Security, what is it that she is seeking to secure? Her power or America? Checkmate.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Barry, You're No JFK
It should have been predictable. Now that the media is claiming its first election victory, I should have known that they weren't finished. I thought that now that they had created a combination American Idol, West Wing, phony baloney empty suit president that they would make an attempt to return to journalism instead of screen writing. Boy was I wrong! Now they are colluding to create an aura of the return to Camelot, the reincarnation of the Kennedy administration.
Please, enough already. Let's set the record straight--Barry, you couldn't hold a candle to JFK. First and foremost JFK volunteered to serve his country as a member of the US Navy. He was a combat veteran and chose to enter even when he had a medical reason to be disqualified for service. The issue, a bad back, exacerbated by his war injuries, caused him a life of pain. He was Roman Catholic and ardently pro-life. He believed in limiting the scope of government and embraced tax cuts. He believed in a strong military and was staunchly anti-communist. He embraced civil rights and sought to end institutional racism.
BHO is anti-military. He has time and time again attacked our men and women in service accusing them of acts of violence and torture. He has vowed to withdraw troops and reduce the size of the military. BHO wants to talk with our enemies while limiting the development of defensive weapon systems. As a young college graduate, BHO chose to spend time organizing and building a political machine instead of serving his country.Instead of writing about heroes he had know ala JFK's Profiles in Courage, BHO wrote two autobiographies outlining his drug use and radical associations.
No one is quite sure what religion BHO practices. I am not aware of any mainstream religion that embraces infanticide, unlimited abortion, euthanasia, gay marriage, curtailment of speech and forced redistribution of wealth. The closest match I can find is the tenets of humanism that are found in Das Kapital. Another difference between the two, BHO wants to expand the role of government and raise taxes. He uses racism as a tool in his attack arsenal and refuses to support the rights of those who don't support him politically. He admires current communist states, touting the wonders of China's construction.
Please, enough already. Let's set the record straight--Barry, you couldn't hold a candle to JFK. First and foremost JFK volunteered to serve his country as a member of the US Navy. He was a combat veteran and chose to enter even when he had a medical reason to be disqualified for service. The issue, a bad back, exacerbated by his war injuries, caused him a life of pain. He was Roman Catholic and ardently pro-life. He believed in limiting the scope of government and embraced tax cuts. He believed in a strong military and was staunchly anti-communist. He embraced civil rights and sought to end institutional racism.
BHO is anti-military. He has time and time again attacked our men and women in service accusing them of acts of violence and torture. He has vowed to withdraw troops and reduce the size of the military. BHO wants to talk with our enemies while limiting the development of defensive weapon systems. As a young college graduate, BHO chose to spend time organizing and building a political machine instead of serving his country.Instead of writing about heroes he had know ala JFK's Profiles in Courage, BHO wrote two autobiographies outlining his drug use and radical associations.
No one is quite sure what religion BHO practices. I am not aware of any mainstream religion that embraces infanticide, unlimited abortion, euthanasia, gay marriage, curtailment of speech and forced redistribution of wealth. The closest match I can find is the tenets of humanism that are found in Das Kapital. Another difference between the two, BHO wants to expand the role of government and raise taxes. He uses racism as a tool in his attack arsenal and refuses to support the rights of those who don't support him politically. He admires current communist states, touting the wonders of China's construction.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Money Can Buy You an Election
The esteemed Arizona State University Regents' Professor of Psychology, Robert B. Cialdini, published the quintessential book Influence which describes how to manipulate people through specific marketing techniques. In this book he describes how people are put into positions of saying yes when they really wanted to say no. The book examines how human psychology is subject to influences that reach into the subconscious and trigger actions that don't make any logical sense. Previously these techniques have been used by sellers to get you to buy something that you didn't want. In election 2008, these same techniques were used to market a presidential product and they worked. I guarantee you that buyers remorse probably set in by Friday November 7th when the ersatz candidate removed all previous "promises" from his website.
Republicans as usual believe that elections are about issues. In a country that is center-right on all issues, it makes logical sense to think that the people would vote their values. So they spend their time and limited resources speaking to people about taxes, freedom, liberty and life. In a fair and free election on issues they would win hands down. What they are unwilling to admit, however, is that the left also knows this and refuses to engage in a discussion on the issues. They know that they are toast if they do so. Instead they create an image and sell that instead.
A few examples will suffice. John McCain challenged Obama to join him in a series of town halls across America to showcase the different points of view each held and to give the people a chance to see the differences and make a choice. But the tall drink of icy water refused. Why? He knew that the campaign wasn't about issues. For him it was about power. Next point. During the debates Obama looked like he was bored stiff. He sat back and looked as his nails. As one commentator put it, he looked like he was preparing to go on stage at an R&B concert. When it came time to speak, he regurgitated his script being sure to use "change" "George Bush" and "tax cut". While it was clear that John McCain won each debate on ideas, those polled consistently said Obama won. Why? He was the QVC of the presidential product line. He didn't have to say anything because he had become a brand.
By refusing public financing, his brand spent over $650 million dollars on a marketing campaign that had nothing to do with the truth. We will probably never know how much came indirectly from Soros and foreign operatives (Al-qaida anyone?). So what is the lesson to be learned here?
If Republicans keep acting like the British troops in the American Revolution they will continue to lose. Take a lesson from history. While King George's boys marched in formation which was the gentlemanly way to wage war, the American revolutionaries used guerrilla tactics and won.
Campaign 2008 marked a new era in politics. Republicans must reclaim the American brand. They must use the best tactics. Don't buy into an ersatz product. Reagan knew how to do it. Let's start today to rebrand and win.
Republicans as usual believe that elections are about issues. In a country that is center-right on all issues, it makes logical sense to think that the people would vote their values. So they spend their time and limited resources speaking to people about taxes, freedom, liberty and life. In a fair and free election on issues they would win hands down. What they are unwilling to admit, however, is that the left also knows this and refuses to engage in a discussion on the issues. They know that they are toast if they do so. Instead they create an image and sell that instead.
A few examples will suffice. John McCain challenged Obama to join him in a series of town halls across America to showcase the different points of view each held and to give the people a chance to see the differences and make a choice. But the tall drink of icy water refused. Why? He knew that the campaign wasn't about issues. For him it was about power. Next point. During the debates Obama looked like he was bored stiff. He sat back and looked as his nails. As one commentator put it, he looked like he was preparing to go on stage at an R&B concert. When it came time to speak, he regurgitated his script being sure to use "change" "George Bush" and "tax cut". While it was clear that John McCain won each debate on ideas, those polled consistently said Obama won. Why? He was the QVC of the presidential product line. He didn't have to say anything because he had become a brand.
By refusing public financing, his brand spent over $650 million dollars on a marketing campaign that had nothing to do with the truth. We will probably never know how much came indirectly from Soros and foreign operatives (Al-qaida anyone?). So what is the lesson to be learned here?
If Republicans keep acting like the British troops in the American Revolution they will continue to lose. Take a lesson from history. While King George's boys marched in formation which was the gentlemanly way to wage war, the American revolutionaries used guerrilla tactics and won.
Campaign 2008 marked a new era in politics. Republicans must reclaim the American brand. They must use the best tactics. Don't buy into an ersatz product. Reagan knew how to do it. Let's start today to rebrand and win.
Friday, November 7, 2008
When did he believe he was a god?
Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama……….”
The chants began to build during the early evening hours of November 4th until the man who had just become the 44th President of the United States emerged as a solitary figure on a raised platform. He paused in an eerie fashion that was reminiscent of an ancient Caesar, rotating slowly to drink in the nectar of adoration from those who had been promised anything and everything in exchange for their vote. He raised his magician like hands as he continued to manipulate his subjects into their trance like state where they continued their insidious mantra. Not once was any reference made to this country which had made his rise to power possible. Instead, the crowd much like Romans who encouraged the deification of Caesar continued: “Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama……….”
He proceeded to feed their hysteria: “I’ve heard your voices, I need your help.” No matter what he said the response was always the same: “Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama……….”
It was at this moment; perhaps, as he watched the frenzied mass of humanity that he made the leap in his mind to no longer see himself as mortal, but as divine. Could it be that through the prism of his tangled psychosis full of oedipal impulses and father abandonment issues a new self identity emerged? “Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama……….”
Perhaps this chanting triggered a memory of Louis Farrakhan’s proclaiming him earlier this year “ the messiah” and in combination with the dizzying drone of the faithful caused him to embrace this image as who he indeed is. “Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama……….”
No human can be a god. And when the frenzy dies down and the god Obama fails to deliver the manna from Washington, those who voted for him so they would be able to divest themselves from all personal responsibility find out is was a tissue of lies, will turn on him. What we have no way of knowing is will his “Et tu Brute?” be at the expense of the destruction of the American Republic?
“Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama……….”
The chants began to build during the early evening hours of November 4th until the man who had just become the 44th President of the United States emerged as a solitary figure on a raised platform. He paused in an eerie fashion that was reminiscent of an ancient Caesar, rotating slowly to drink in the nectar of adoration from those who had been promised anything and everything in exchange for their vote. He raised his magician like hands as he continued to manipulate his subjects into their trance like state where they continued their insidious mantra. Not once was any reference made to this country which had made his rise to power possible. Instead, the crowd much like Romans who encouraged the deification of Caesar continued: “Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama……….”
He proceeded to feed their hysteria: “I’ve heard your voices, I need your help.” No matter what he said the response was always the same: “Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama……….”
It was at this moment; perhaps, as he watched the frenzied mass of humanity that he made the leap in his mind to no longer see himself as mortal, but as divine. Could it be that through the prism of his tangled psychosis full of oedipal impulses and father abandonment issues a new self identity emerged? “Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama……….”
Perhaps this chanting triggered a memory of Louis Farrakhan’s proclaiming him earlier this year “ the messiah” and in combination with the dizzying drone of the faithful caused him to embrace this image as who he indeed is. “Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama……….”
No human can be a god. And when the frenzy dies down and the god Obama fails to deliver the manna from Washington, those who voted for him so they would be able to divest themselves from all personal responsibility find out is was a tissue of lies, will turn on him. What we have no way of knowing is will his “Et tu Brute?” be at the expense of the destruction of the American Republic?
“Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama……….”
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