ThackerAgency's Blog

I am excited about an Obama administration for one primary reason.  It seems as though Americans see America as the beacon of hope to the world that it is and always has been.

The strange thing is that America is strong in spite of who is in office.  America's greatness comes in its ability to transition the highest post in government peacefully.  That does not happen in many places in the world. . . but it does in America.  The commander-in-chief will change hands again without a shot fired.

Obama will be every Americans' president just like Bush was.  The office should always be respected even if you disagree with what the person in the office is doing.  I didn't agree with Bush on a lot of things.  But I never thought he was evil, or manipulative, or petty.  I believe he did the best of his ability but made mistakes.

Obama has an opportunity to be the greatest president ever.  But he hasn't served one day yet.  I get concerned when people are lifted up too high because Americans love to tear people down too.  When Obama makes mistakes as everyone does, I hope that people understand that the president is not infalible.

My main concern is that during these difficult times Obama will use the government to set up fiscally unsustainable programs.  The Bush administration did it.  Bush just stole 700 billion dollars from the taxpayers.  That 700 billion is the benchmark for all government spending.  'if you can spend 700 billion on banks, why not 200 billion on health care. . . '.  I wish that I had ever heard a Federal politician say 'we can't afford it' about anything but a tax break.

Say what you will about Bush and his policies, but where it counted (and where the government touches every productive citizen) is in how much he took in taxes.  In all the spending, taxes went down.  I wish they would consider cutting government expenses instead of increasing taxes.  Cut defense?  fine.  Cut subsidies for oil companies?  fine. . . but CUT the size of government.

Do you ever wonder if Congress was so powerful to control the economy, why don't they just make a law that the stock market goes up 10% every year?  Why not make a law to make the Dow 50,000 by next year?  BECAUSE THEY DON'T CONTROL IT.

Knowing that they don't control it, I don't like them throwing money at something they don't control. . . OUR MONEY.  I don't like R's doing it, I don't like D's doing it, I don't like any government 'redistributing wealth'.  (Someone needed to tell Biden that paying taxes is not patriotic as our country was founded when some Americans didn't want to pay their taxes.)  As I say this, if Obama can figure out how to govern on a tighter budget I'll sing his praises.

Having said that, there are some things that Obama can do from this situation that could be a win for everyone.  He could help out the auto industry with the understanding that they will produce more smaller fuel efficient (less profitable) cars.  He could also help to create jobs by drilling offshore and in Alaska (at literally no cost to the taxpayer).

The government should not be concerned with messing up the environment.  While nobody wants to mess up the environment and drilling for oil will be done in a safe way, Americans are a part of the environment and we are an endangered species if we don't utilize our own resources to strengthen our economy.

If you've read this far, I'm wondering about you.  But thanks.  I like Obama at least as much as McCain.  They both were similar.  I liked Obama's stance on Pakistan better than McCain's, they both were for amnesty, neither know a whole lot about the medical insurance field (I know that the missus works in a hospital), and they essentially both believe that throwing money at problems is the government's responsibility.

So congratulations Obama.  I look forward to celebrating his success.  I can't wait until I see his vision for this country.  But understand that this is America.  No matter what. . . he can only be president for a maximum of 8 years if he gets past the first 4.  Peaceful transition is what makes America great. . . and it will as long as there is an America.

Our economy is bad and it is going to get worse (possibly Dow < 5000).  The economy runs in cycles.  The government usually takes the credit for a good economy and 'creating jobs'.  But the reality is that government only controls how much money they take out of the economy through taxes.  Jobs are determined by profits and losses.

I know a lot of people have made a cottage industry of celebrating Obama and blaming Bush for. . . well everything, but the reality is government isn't nearly as important as they think they are.  Bill Clinton wasn't the reason for the good economy in the 90's (Bill Gates was).  And George Bush isn't the reason for this financial melt down either (I'd blame congress and the PC lending practices, but it wouldn't make the problem go away).

Regardless of blame, the reality is that the economy is bad and it is going to get much worse no  matter who is in office.  The problem is that nobody really knows how long this is going to last.  We only know the phases of the cycle.  The worst phase of the cycle is the phase that we are entering. . . rising unemployment.

We are already at 6% unemployment which is historically low, but I would not be surprised if we see 10% unemployment.  Do not be afraid though.  Just be aware that it is going to happen no matter who wins the white house (because they really don't have as much power as they like to think they do). 

Take this time to get your finances in order.  Pay off your debt.  Don't buy anything unless you have the CASH to buy it.  Get a 3 month emergency fund of cash ready.  And know that America is the greatest nation in the world ever in history even in its worst years.  There is opportunity in every crisis. . . but be prepared for this coming crisis to be pretty bad for the foreseeable future.

The news is that Exxon made 12 billion dollars in the recent quarter due to profits from oil. Every time you fill up at the pump that number should make you angry because someone is making money off of your pain at the pump. 12 billion dollars made in 3 months because of oil seems like a lot of money. In fact it is a record amount of profit for any company in any industry for a quarter.  While you struggle to decide whether it is worth the cost of gas to make your annual vacation, the fat cat big oil companies are getting rich off of your suffering.

That's the news, and that's how you are supposed to respond. However, the number that isn't reported is that last quarter Exxon paid 35 billion dollars in taxes. So of the amount of money that you have to pay at the pump, the federal government is getting 3 times the amount of money that the 'evil big oil' companies are getting. If you think that the price of gas would be lower if the oil companies didn't make so much money, how much do you think it would cost if the government did not take so much in taxes?

The Democrats want you to believe that it is the evil big oil companies that are to blame for your pain at the pump. In fact, if we increase supply, the price will fall. They are debating offshore drilling to increase supply on the floor of the senate now. The Republicans tried to put an 'emergency' amendment that would allow off shore drilling in an emergency. This emergency bill had a price trigger at which point drilling for American resources would be allowed. The Republican leader started at $4.50/gallon, the Democrats objected, then $5.00 was proposed as the trigger, Dems said no. No to $7.50, and even if the price at the pump got to $10/gallon, the Democrats would not be willing to even allow off shore drilling to ease the pain at the pump of the American people. Here is the video online.

Democrats want there to be a crisis so that we NEED the government to have more power and more control to 'save us'. They also NEED a boogy-man to blame when their utter failures as a legislative body come to the surface. This is a supply and demand problem. To fix the oil problem, both supply and demand must be addressed. Democrats are not willing to address the supply problem. . . unless they stand in the way of our ability to access more supply. While they blame 'big oil', Congress is the biggest of the big oil through taxes. And Congress is more to blame than big oil for restricting supply from reaching the market - be it in 5, 10, 20, or 30 years. I imagine if gas was $20/gallon the Democrats would not care other than blame the oil companies.

The Democrats (especially Obama) claim that the best way to deal with the rising cost of gasoline is to impose a 'windfall profits' tax on the big oil companies. The last time this was tried was during the Carter years which caused the price of gas to increase. My question is how much would be appropriate to take from this publicly traded company in a capitalistic society? Let's assume that we want to get all socialist and have them pay every penny of profit to the government (like Russia and Venezuela and Iran). So they want to tax the remaining 12 billion dollars and give it to the government. If the government can't take the 35 billion dollars in taxes they already get to make the cost of gas go down, why should we believe that taking the remaining 12 billion dollars in profit will make any difference for us at the pump.

If the government decides that they want to take a windfall profits tax, what incentive would there be for Exxon to continue to produce oil? The more oil they produce and sell, the more taxes they have to pay. It would make more sense for them to just not produce any oil so that they didn't work for free. Let the government pay to get the oil themselves if they are going to be taking all the money from it. That would result in less production, shorter supply, and higher prices at the gas pump thanks to the Congress - because the big oil companies would no longer be available to blame any more.

Don't kid yourselves. The price at the pump is high not because of the oil companies, but because our fascist government is standing in the way of American progress. We need conservation, the sooner the better. But we also need supply, better late than NEVER. Congress has control over one, not the other. They control the supply. Innovation controls the conservation efforts that may occur next year or it may take 50 years. But we will always need oil. We will always need access to supply. The Democrats in Congress are standing in the way of our supply. Obama is the ring leader.

Don't be fooled by the headline about the record profit by an oil company. The more Exxon makes, the more the government makes.

Now that the Lakers have been eliminated like everyone else but the Celtics this year it is time for the annual Kobe talk.  We now know that the formula for MVP is blame your teammates and management for any past failure.  (Especially if you personally demanded they trade the most dominant center of the past 20 years).  Demand that you get traded to another team so that your 'talent' won't be wasted.  Then play on the most hyped team that doesn't get into contention until you acquire a franchise player in the middle of the season who helps you get the undeserved MVP.

Kobe Bryant is no Michael Jordan and he never will be.  The only reason that the comparison is made is because he plays for LA.  Kobe is no Magic, Kareem, or even Worthy.  Kobe is definitely no Shaq O'Neal.  But alas, it doesn't matter because in LA, reality takes a back seat to perception.  Image takes precedence over substance.  As long as you are seen at the games, it doesn't matter what happens during the game.

Kobe's stat line in the Finals ELIMINATION GAME was 22 points on 22 shots in 43 minutes.  He had 1 assist and 4 turnovers and a 'whopping' 3 rebounds.  But in LA that doesn't matter.  They will still claim the Kobe is the GREATEST PLAYER IN HISTORY.  I hope he never wins another championship.  I cheer for players more than teams in the NBA.  I am overjoyed that Kevin Garnett got a ring - it couldn't happen to a better guy.  I'm overjoyed that Shaq got another ring apart from that whining over-rated ball hog hack Kobe.

As an example of the image conscious 'make sure you are seen' crowd in LA, I saw an interview with Kristen Davis (used to love her on Melrose Place, but she is now best known as a Sex in the City girl) at the Laker game.  She said, 'we feed them' when talking about how great the crowd was.  She must be a true sports fan (/sarc).  Obviously she  had heard someone say that the Lakers 'feed off the crowd'.   Since she had a camera and was appropriately dressed with a microphone in her face, she decided to say the lines she had heard someone tell her (that's how LA works).  She needed a re-take. . . but to her WHAT was said isn't as important as THAT she said it at the 'it place to be'.  They don't call it 'La La Land' for nothing.

Anyway, it is time for Kobe to throw his team mates under the bus and declare that he would have won if his team mates were better.  It's time for him to demand to be traded to a better team so that he can 'prove' that he can win a championship with out Shaq.  I never recall Michael Jordan ever complaining about his team mates.  He made a champion out of RUSTY LARUE for goodness sakes.  But Kobe will still be a front runner for MVP again next year, and he'll be compared to Michael Jordan for no real reason either.  But that's LA.  Where Kobe Bryant isn't really the MVP. . . but he plays one on TV (and he DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night).

This is the solution to the energy crisis.  Follow the link to the story about the 200 billion barrels of oil reserves discovered under North Dakota and Montana.  For perspective, Saudi Arabia has 260 billion barrels of oil reserves TOTAL.  Before this discovery, US reserve was 20 billion barrels of oil.

http://www.nextenergynews.com/news1/next-energy-news2.1
3s.html

Now we have a dilemma. . . nobody wants people to know about this discovery.  Why?

Well, the oil industry and OPEC doesn't want word to get out about a massive oil find that could reduce the price of oil per barrel by flooding the market with supply.

The US government would prefer using up the reserves of our enemies so we can be in a stronger position than them when they run out.  This doesn't make sense to me either, but there must be some reason that the US government isn't more excited about a discovery such as this (and the Canadian oil sands).

The greens (cottage Hollywood industry - Green Industrial Complex) don't want this discovery to be true because we would no longer need to find green technology to 'save the planet' with more fuel efficiency and alternative fuels.  Clinton's new ad talks about all the government spending (your money) she's going to throw at the problem . . . yippee.  She wouldn't need all those studies if we could solve our dependency on foreign oil by drilling in North Dakota.

So why ISN'T this bigger news?  Why hasn't this been all over the mainstream news networks?  Why aren't we celebrating the end of dependence on foreign oil?  I'm not saying I know because I don't.  I just know that there's a lot of stuff out there that is good news that doesn't make the news.  We have it so good in this country that we manufacture things to be upset about.  If it ever were bad in this country, people would really be struggling.

And, by the way, Happy Songkran!  Especially for Axe.  It is the Thai New Year Water Festival Celebration for the next three days.  Axe, I need you to help me out.  I need a full report on the history, the origin, who started it, who copied it, who did something similar to it, and get back to us with your findings.  Because all of that is most important to the celebration of this happy festival.  I'll give you a head start on your research with a cushy link to more info on Songkran here.

Chris Paul is leading the New Orleans Hornets to the best record in the highly contested Western Conference in the NBA.  They just got their 50th win with 10 games to play.  The franchise record is 54 in a season.  The Hornets threatened to move their franchise this year if attendance didn't increase as they were getting less than 10,000 people out to the games.  Over the last 15 home games, 10 have been sell outs.

I am a basketball fan.  I do not think CP3 should be MVP as a Wake homer.  In fact many die hard Deacon fans detest Paul more than anyone because they feel he abandoned them when he left early for the NBA.  After he left, it showed how valuable he was to Wake because Wake's success was because of him when he was here.  It wasn't because of Justin Gray, or Eric Williams.  It wasn't because of Skip Prosser or the 'great fans'.  It was because of a 19 year old 6' tall kid who is to basketball what Tiger is to golf.

Casual fans and sports writers love to point to stats to make their case.  But the award should go to the most VALUABLE player.  Chris will likely win many MVP's over the next 15 years and I just feel privileged to have the opportunity to have seen him play.  I got NBA League Pass for the singular purpose to watch him play and I'd have spent 10 times what I spent to watch this season.  Every game has been the TV feed from the opposing team as I don't guess New Orleans even has a big enough fan base to warrant a play-by-play TV commentator.  I had just about given up watching the game until Chris Paul came around. . . but enough about me.

Last night, Chris Paul had 20 points and 16 assists.  Two other Hornets players had more points than he did.  But the Hornets were leading by 22 points with 101 points at the beginning of the 4th period and they took Paul out.  With about 3 minutes left, the score was 112 - 108 and they put Paul back in to promptly get two assists with the last one being an alley oop to finish out the win.

By contrast, Kobe Bryant of the Lakers (always a sell out crowd, always their own commentators, already has championship rings and a built in fan base) scored nearly 60 points . . . and LOST two nights ago.  I bring up Kobe because he and Kevin Garnett are likely the other two front runners for this award. . . after all, Kobe has more average points per game than Chris Paul does.  People want to give a lifetime award rather than an MVP award if they argue it should go to Kobe.  He's a ball hog and takes most of the shots.  Chris Paul takes the shots when his team needs one. . . and he makes them regularly.

Kevin Garnett is on a Celtics team with other all star talent.  Chris Paul makes his team mates into all star talent that they would not be had it not been for him.

The problem with Chris Paul is his nature.  He will never personally say that he should be the MVP.  He would say that David West should be the MVP, or that Peja should be.  In fact the players on Paul's team play better because of him.  When he passes them the ball, they try to make it so that Paul can get an assist (of course they are open and in position to score when Paul passes them the ball anyway).  But it is as though they want to make the shot not to pad their scoring stats, but Paul's assists. . . it's quite fascinating to watch. 

At the beginning of the season I was only hoping that Paul would make the playoffs.  After his performance last night he was interviewed and asked whether or not he thought that they could win the championship.  He said he thought they could, and I believe him - not that they will, but they definitely could.  They could not without Paul.

If you watch a game with Chris Paul, he won't stand out unless you are looking for him.  He only cares about one thing. . . winning.  The casual fan won't notice the small things that he does to make the team have an opportunity to win.  It's not like Kobe's flash, or an MJ dunk or a Garnett block.  But his poise and confidence are unmatched on this planet. . . other than say Tiger Woods.  He rarely makes mistakes (turnovers).

Hear me now and believe me later.  Chris Paul is the real deal.  I am so thankful that I get to watch him play for at least another 15 years.  I am disappointed that I only get to watch him for a mere 15 years or so.   I can die happy seeing someone who understands the game at such an advanced level with the skills to execute with the precision that he understands it.

So Chris Paul might not get the MVP award for the New Orleans franchise this year, but he'll get at least one eventually no matter where he plays.  But if you are looking to find the most VALUABLE player on a team and in a community to give this award to, it has to go to Chris Paul.  When Chris Paul shoots free throws, the sell out crowds in New Orleans chant MVP.  I think that the NBA should give the man that gave New Orleans something to cheer about again the award because it would mean so much to the town, the team, and Chris Paul himself.  As for me, I don't care about awards. . . I'm just glad to witness history in the form of Chris Paul.

Again, I used to watch all the time, but now find better things to do usually.  Last night I was flipping through the channels and caught it just in time for Neill McNeill to 'confirm' that Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe was going to Arkansas.  I expect a full on air apology and retraction for the non-news 'news'.

I know lots of Carolina fans are disgusted by the success of little ole Wake Forest, and they want nothing more than to get the 'pecking order' right again.  Fear not Carolina fans, you won't have to play the WFU football juggernaut for another 3 years now so you'll have time to build your program in the meantime. 

But this issue is similar to the Earnhardt Jr. to Childress earlier this year.  NEWS is supposed to be NEWS.  RUMOR is supposed to be RUMOR.  If you are 'the news leader', you might want to make sure it is actually news before you decide to air it if you want people to believe you and take you seriously.  The fact that it was 'breaking news' read by the anchor gave it some sort of legitimacy.  Your credibility as a news station is ZERO.

Grobe is a great coach.  WFU is lucky to have such a fine man.  If Grobe were to move on, I would be happy for him and his family whatever he decides.  I would appreciate it if you would allow him to make decisions on his time rather than reporting the rumor every year that he is going to another school.  It will happen every year, and one year he may leave WFU and it will be different.  He might head to Michigan next year, there are a whole host of other jobs that he could take for more money.  I know that he can stay at Wake forever without worrying about a job even if he goes 2-10 for the next 10 years.  That's how WFU is.

But if Butch Davis can use Arkansas (his alma mater) after a losing season to extort more money out of his Carolina football program, why can't Jim Grobe use his SUCCESS to leverage his position internally too without getting RUMOR in the news?

I would rather you have accurate news than lead with stories of rumor.  I guess if I want real live factual information, I can only turn to the internet anymore.  The networks are concerned with rumor more than news.  Again, I expect an on air apology, but what I'm sure I'll get is a 'other stations did it too'.  Thanks Neil, your credibility is about as solid as Dan Rather's last year (no it's not intended to be a compliment).

I was at the post office today coming back to the office when I looked up and saw a huge plane that had just taken off from Greensboro a minute ago.  It was big enough for me to notice that it was a plane I would like to identify.  It looked big enough to be a 747, but was it?  Not many 747's use this airport.  A longer look and sure enough the nose did look bigger than the rest of the plane.  I thought I could make out 4 engines on the wings.  But the colors were too far away to make out.  It seemed like there was some blue shimmering on the nose.  Just like AIR FORCE ONE!
 

My heart skipped, 'no way', I thought.  The President isn't in town because there would be police everywhere if it really was Air Force One.  There is one other 747 for the cargo company Tradewinds Cargo that is usually at the airport.  Maybe it was that 747.  Maybe Fedex was flying in to test out the equipment at the new hub.  I know from working with them in grad school that most of their planes are 737's, with a few DC10 and DC9's, and a couple of 727's.  Maybe they had a new 747, but I would know the colors of a Fedex plane from that distance.

 
Surely I thought it was the 747 of the Cargo company.  But I just had to see it.  It was still in the landing pattern so I knew it was going to come back around.  If it was Air Force One, that would be cool, but it would still be cool to see such a gigantic aircraft fly.

 
So I drove to the market street runway and parked.  I saw it in the pattern so it was going to be coming to land any minute.  First a small single engine piper landed (yawn), then a commuter came in to land (nope, not what I'm looking for).  A jet took off between those to aircraft to give you some idea of how long I waited. . . .

and waited. . .

and waited. . . .

I had to get to work and there was no sign of this monstrous plane I had seen.  Had it left the pattern?  Was it going to another airport?  Should I go on with my day?  After all, it's just a plane. . .

 But then, ALL OF A SUDDEN, just above the tree tops, in all its physics defying majesty!  Right above my head there it was!  The bastion of freedom around the world!  The harbinger of justice to those mistreated!  The torch of Liberty from sea to shining sea!  The pinultimate icon of Capitalism world wide! as plain as the nose in my face! AIR FORCE ONE 747 in landing formation with the blue and spangled wording 'THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"!

Oh, I could not believe it.  I saw it from an angle few will.  For surely had the President been on the plane, I would not have been able to get there!  It didn't land.  It flew right over the Runway on a 'touch and go' but never actually put its wheels on the ground.  My lunch break I got a fly by of AIR FORCE ONE!  Imagine the countries and places that plane has seen.  I know there is more than one air force one, and it is only air force one when the President is on it technically.  But wow!

This was better than the f-15 flyby at the Wake Forest homecoming two weeks ago.  But that F-15 fly over was THE BOMB because the f-15 is my favorite plane and they were so low and so fast and it was REALLY AWESOME!  But this was even BETTER! 

That plane is calling me.  It's the only reason I would want to be President.  But it might be enough of a reason to get me to seriously consider straightening up my act and letting my ideas benefit the world.  I don't know if I want to be President.  But that plane and all it symbolizes and represents is something I definitely want.

I had to share that experience with someone because I was by myself, but it was awesome!

 

Now on a sadder note, my good friend is the man who died in the house fire this week.  I've known him for 10 years at least.  It is one of those situations where I feel like I could have done something to help him, but didn't.  I'll always remember him fondly. . . I'll always want to think there was more I could do to help him.  As Greg used to always say before drinking a beer 'this one's for my homies' and pour out a sip.  Well Greg, this one is for you.  I'll miss you friend.



 

The Senate is debating all night (worthless political theater that belongs more in Hollywood than DC) about why they should do away with the Executive Branch of government in deference to the schizophrenic moods of the Legislative Branch (for the war, against the war, for the war, etc).

The media talks about this, but ignores the quantum shift in development with North Korea.  The recent events in North Korea (N. Korea shutting down nuclear reactors) are a major development in the historical relationship between our two countries.  Through economic sanctions (we kept them from getting HD flat screen TV's), we may finally see the end to the Korean War!  This is BECAUSE of the Bush administration.

So if the Korean War is just now coming to an end (started in the 1950's), why does Congress and the media expect the Iraq war to be finished in 4 years?  Bill Clinton's administration failed miserably with N. Korea because Madeline Albright signed a treaty with them that they had no intention of complying with.  That's how they developed the nuclear bomb.

I'll be the first to admit that I don't agree with how the Iraq War was prosecuted.  We needed more troops earlier, and we needed to secure the borders ourselves.  We also needed to deal with Iran (who is at war with us) through sanctions earlier to limit their ability to disrupt our operations in Iraq.

That said, this war is the right thing to do for our foreign policy interests.  The Buckley piece on the newest soldiers is typical of the military today.  They view their job as a service to their country.  They are PROUD to be there and follow the orders designed to bring them all back safely.  We ALL want ALL of our troops home NOW.  But most of us would rather have our troops come home AFTER their job is completed.  Nobody knows how long that will be (CERTAINLY NOT THE CONGRESS).

Let the Bush administration handle the foreign policy.  That's his job.  He got our relationship with N. Korea to a place that nobody thought was possible without invading.  He CAN do the same with Iran.  The world is better when America is strong and united.  Our allies appreciate our fulfilling our obligations, and our enemies respect our resolve.  Leaving Iraq prematurely would be the worst thing that could happen for our nation's foreign policy.  I wish the media and the left in Congress would understand that.  THERE IS ONLY ONE COMMANDER IN CHIEF!  It may be a Democrat in a couple of years, but there would still be only ONE Commander in Chief.

Kudos to Bush for the AMAZING N. Korea development.  Here's to peace through strength.

Emphasis on DEMOCRAT because the newscast did not mention what party he is affiliated with.  In fact, in all the reporting about (D) Black, House Speaker, I have never heard mention of the party of the most corrupt politician in the history of this state.  Yes, even when he was going to lose the speakership, $50,000 from Black to a Republican from Winston was all it took to buy his party affiliation so he could switch to the Demoncratic side.  And Black is just the head of this corrupt Demoncratic snake.  Republicans aren't free from blame, but this post is mostly about media bias against Republicans

Were Black Republican, that would have been broadcast gleefully.  Democracy in NC under Demoncratic leadership has been up to the highest bidder.  Chiropractor laws, school eye exams (Black is an optometrist), lottery, etc etc etc.  WHY VOTE?

I bet there are only 1 or 2 Conservative on air personalities at Fox8 (Kevin Conolly - a beacon of hope, and probably another couple - don't be mad if I'm wrong Kevin, sorry if I'm wrong about you).  And of the copywriters probably zero conservatives at Fox 8.  There is a bias and it painfully shows.

Check out this report if you don't believe me from MSNBC.com

MSNBC.com identified 143 journalists who made political contributions from 2004 through the start of the 2008 campaign, according to the public records of the Federal Election Commission. Most of the newsroom checkbooks leaned to the left: 125 journalists gave to Democrats and liberal causes. Only 16 gave to Republicans. Two gave to both parties.

-end of quote-

MSNBC.com is not some conservative outpost making up this story to make liberals look bad.  90% of the contributions were for Democrats.  It shows in your 'reporting'.  It's hard for a Conservative to stomach the 'news' a lot of the time.  Now I don't care because I don't like none of them.  But as an impartial observer, the bias is clear.

I just hope for the media's sake that we only elect Democrats from now on.  According to the media, we need more leadership like DEMONCRAT Black to make our country great.  The only question is, what on earth would the story be about if they can't bash Republicans over and over and over again on air?  As long as the talking heads in the media are happy, I guess all the corruption in government is OK.

In the interest of promoting America's image worldwide, our blameless Congress must impeach Bush at all costs for any reason they can possibly find.  This opening sentence is sarcastic but it is what recent media reports would have you believe is true.

I don't know where, but I have recently seen a poll that says 45 percent of Americans want to impeach President Bush.  It doesn't say exactly what 'high crime' he committed that would warrant an impeachment, it just says that he should definitely be impeached.  Americans do not know what 'impeachment' means.

While the media would love to do stories on impeachment for ratings, there is really no basis for his impeachment.  Cindy Sheehan recently 'threatened' Pelosi that she must impeach 'or else'.  I wonder why even do a poll on this question.  It won't make any difference because Bush won't be removed from office - needless to say he hasn't broken any laws.  I'm not defending him because there is really nothing to defend here, and I don't much like a lot of what he has done anyway.  BUT HE IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - elected by the people of America and in charge of the image of America (the greatest country on the planet that everyone wishes to become) worldwide.

Pelosi gained the Speakership saying that she would not impeach Bush:

Friday, May 12, 2006; Page A06

 

Seeking to choke off a Republican rallying cry, the House's top Democrat has told colleagues that the party will not seek to impeach President Bush even if it gains control of the House in November's elections, her office said last night.

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) told her caucus members during their weekly closed meeting Wednesday "that impeachment is off the table; she is not interested in pursuing it," spokesman Brendan Daly said.

different source, same incident

Pelosi, who Republicans have charged intends to lead an impeachment effort, dismissed the idea when she spoke Wednesday morning at a closed-door caucus of the House's 201 Democrats. Pelosi also restated her opposition to the idea of censuring Bush over his decision to invade Iraq in March 2003.

-end of quote-

I guess what corrupticians actually say doesn't mean anything.  Go ahead and vote for whoever you want, they are all just telling you whatever they think you want to hear to get elected.  It doesn't matter who you vote for.

I for one wish that we had a congress and a country that was PROUD to be AMERICAN.  Why can't we look at the OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES as an international SYMBOL OF AMERICA and not try to bash it to win votes domestically?  I wish we had leadership that was interested in making America better.  But our leadership doesn't have any ideas other than to throw stones from their glass houses.  They should be promoting ideas to make this GREAT country BETTER (without tax and spend big government ideas).

Impeachment would be a waste of time and taxpayer dollars for no reason other than revenge because people don't like and disagree with Bush's positions.  That's not a legal reason.  I guess it's better for this Congress (which by the way has a much lower approval rating than Bush does) to waste its time on this frivolous issue than it is to have them figure out how to give away more of what they don't have and take (through taxes) more of what they don't deserve.

The problem is the revenge factor for people still mad that Clinton got impeached AND DISBARRED for getting himself into the situation where he lied to a grand jury.  I would have argued that you can't indict a sitting President, BUT Clinton didn't want to go that route because he thought he could just lie his way out of it like he did to his wife.  Clinton brought it on himself and could have avoided the whole thing by telling the truth about something that he did that wasn't illegal in the first place.  I'm neither proud nor happy that Clinton (the President) got impeached.  I hope no President ever gets impeached again (Democrat or Republican).

But if there is an impeachment, I hope it is for something serious.  Congress voted to go to war and they saw the same intelligence that Bush did.  It's amazing that Democrats would want you to believe that Bush is both 'stupid' and 'brilliant schemer'  in the same breath.  I wish people (especially our elected officials) looked for ways to LIFT AMERICA UP instead of tearing it down.  With friends and leaders like these, we don't need enemies because our elected officials and free media do a better job of undermining America than our enemies could hope for.

Vice President has got to be the best job in America. Who wouldn't want to be Vice President? You get all the perks of an elected official with ZERO responsibility. You get the paycheck, the pension plan, rides in the cool jets, and you don't have to do anything.

I think my life's ambition is going to become the Vice President of the United States of America. I believe I can be a company shill if my only requirement is that I stay alive and do nothing. I could stand firm with any chosen political position of my 'boss'.

There are no term limits for Vice President either. So I can be Vice President forever. Since I don't vote, I don't have the opportunity to vote against any of my bosses either. That way they can never say that I don't agree with them. My slogan will be 'the people know best', and 'I'm with the people'.

As for my other ideas, well they'll obviously be whatever the boss President wanted. Lower taxes, strong military, national pride, and opportunity for everyone are all cornerstones to my campaign.

So with all the talk about who you will vote for for president on the news. Don't forget about my campaign for Vice President. I am a Vice President of the people, by the people, and for the people. Your voice will be my voice, and I'll speak directly to the President to let him/her know what it is you want them to know.

I'm not an agent, but if I were, here's what I'd be telling Chris Paul about now.

Chris, this upcoming season is the most important season of your basketball life.  You need to do everything you can to win as much as you can and go as far into the post-season this year as possible.  Pace yourself and your team to make the playoffs, but peak in the springtime.

The reason for all of this is this is your contract season.  This is the reason it was important for you to go pro early (so that you could get past this year earlier).  I hope you got plenty of rest over the last month, and keep resting up to make sure that you are 100% healthy for the beginning of the season at the end of October.

I would recommend relaxing this summer, maintain your fitness, but if you go into a gym work on the 3 point shot.  It is important that you get your 3 point percentage up by taking and making open shots.  You won't need to force it, but you will need to make that shot on a regular basis.

Play this season as hard as you can for the city of New Orleans.  The truth is that the city of New Orleans needs you, but you don't necessarily need the city of New Orleans.  And we all know what a 'great' owner Shinn is.  So at the end of this season, I would expect you to be in a position to shop your skills to another team for the big bucks.

Dude, I don't have to tell you but the WEST IS LOADED!  Kobe is jumping ship as fast as he can.  Look to teams in the EAST.  If you go to a team in the East, your run to the playoffs and the finals will be easier every year.  You will be an all star every year, and will be seen as the guy who saved the east.  Look at Boston, New York, Miami, Cleveland. . . you probably know the opportunities in the East, and where you might fit in better.

Bottom line:  rest up, work on the 3 pointer, play the best ball of your life this season, shop for the big bucks in the east, start winning championships (in that order).

For What Its Worth:  I'm just a big fan of Paul and wish him the best.  He probably would prefer that I not be a fan.  But were I his agent, this would be the general advice I'd give him at this point of his career (for what it's worth).

I know I take it for granted here, but the weather and climate here rocks.  I would just like to take the opportunity to recognize the great weather we had this weekend.  I think we should applaud after a weekend like this past one like they do for the sunset in Key West every night.

I try to keep our good weather on the down low because I don't want too many people moving here and messing up all the pristine rural natural forests.  We need to stop with the Southern Hospitality too.  We need to get more mean.

But really, this weekend was perfect for anything.  We are so fortunate to live in this climate.  A drive through the North Carolina countryside on a perfect day will help anyone understand why this home is where everyone is moving to, and few people are moving from.

Thank goodness NC made international news with its stance on the oath and the Koran.  I pesonally was so worried that we would be seen as offensive to Islam (sarcasm).  Of course the moral relativism media loved this story and anything that points to the demise of Christianity.  But lets look at what this means:

The oath in the NC court of law is done with either a Bible, or nothing.  Not having any other literature to make an oath on has nothing to do with Constitutionality or not.  It could be argued that denying the request for religious articles to swear in before court would be cumbersom and insignificant to justice.  (What if someone felt a need to sacrifice a goat for his oath?).

Ultimitely, the state of NC did not want to waste the taxpayer dollars that the ACLU doesn't have a problem wasting because they did not want to have to argue a need to not allow the Koran for public oaths.  The state of NC did nothing against the Constitution by not allowing the Koran to be used.  There is no discrimination if everyone is included in the ability to say an oath to the court without religious text.  But if you want to use the Koran in place of NOTHING in the eyes of the law, by all means, take your oath, and say 7 thank you's to the Christian judge for allowing you to use your Koran.  So this 'victory' by the Muslim community just means that finally the Koran has reached the status of nothing in the eyes of the law.

The fight against the Koran in the legal system in the US is not my fight.  It won't affect me.  The people who will be affected by the 'sharia creep' worldwide is the feminists (abortion rights), and gays.  But they are all silent on this issue.

The only way that we will have peaceful relationships with our Muslim brothers is to convert them.  Muslims try their whole life to prove that they love God.  In many places in the world they are not allowed to hear the Gospel Good News that God loves them too.  God loves them so much that He died as sacrifice for them so that they wouldn't have to.  I'm not saying that anything needs to be done other than witnessing (no threats, or 'holier than thou' attitudes, no condemnations to hell).  Just explain to these God fearing Creations that the Prince of Peace died for all their sins.  Forgiveness is the way to live on this earth.  Obey God, and leave everything else to Him.  He can fight His own battles.