The Conservative Pundit

Exercise

noreply@blogger.com (Chip) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 22:38:00 +0000

About year ago, I found another great tool to add to the toolbox that is my exercise equipment. I have long been a fan of kettlebells and after doing a lot of work with Circular Strength Training pin the form of TACFIT and various other stuff, I stumbled on to the Clubbell. My first foray into this world was with a pair of 15 pounders. They were deceptively heavy. Because the weight is all on one end and opposite from where the handle is, it makes it seem heavier. I sought out a trainer, Shane Heins, within the large world of CST and quickly downloaded some of his programs.

My first program I tried was Clubbell Mass Evolution. Let me tell you this program is a beast. It is quite possibly one of the best programs to build lean muscle. You have to get past the idea that you won't be doing any bench presses or dumbbell curls. Using the clubbell is like a breath of fresh air. The whole idea of CST and the clubbell is that you move in 6 Degrees of Freedom, so why do we only work out in linear movements. From there and just prior to my deployment, I downloaded his next program called Clubbell Hero Evolution. This was an outstanding program as well that I used for the first three months on my deployment while underway. I no doubt got odd looks from people walking by me while I was working out in the hangar bay, and a few would stop and ask me what were these things I was swinging. At first, I thought nothing of it, but soon, it was akin to people asking if you like to wear FiveFingers. The sarcastic in me, would always have a great reply to this question, but I kept my tongue at bay and always answered as kindly as I could. Now upon my return from deployment, Shane has released a very comprehensive and robust program, the Clubbell Flow Evolution, that will take a long while before I will need another program. This one is broken down into three different programs. The first is all about mobility and uses a lighter clubbell. The second is for endurance where you use double clubbells. And the final program is for strength using a single heavy clubbell. Each program is broken down to last months on their own. There is a very well written review here by John Sifferman and the below video is him doing a flow from the strength cycle. This post is not meant to be a review or a promotion really of the clubbell or CST or anything along those lines, really more just a foreshadowing of future posts that have to with working out and the clubbell. It has become my go-to tool for getting a great workout and even my wife, who hasn’t ever been a fan of training with weights is loving working out with the Clubbell Flow Evolution. She has been using a pair of 5 pounders and has found them to give a great workout. Leave any comments if you have any questions, and I will be sure to point you in the right direction.

Funny because it's true

noreply@blogger.com (Chip) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 22:00:00 +0000

I was never a fan of McCain. I loathed the fact that the 2008 election came down to either him or Obama. So when I saw this little comic, I thought it was rather funny.

We're coming back...

noreply@blogger.com (Chip) — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 23:41:00 +0000

So after a few years taking care of what I like to call life, this blog is hopefully about to see some more posts. We are returning to try and bring this blog up to speed and up to the current state of affairs. It's been too long since we have posted anything. I myself have been on three deployments with the Navy in the last two years and between those cruises, it's been non-stop detachments and somewhere along the way, I managed to meet the love of my life and get married. So with all that life has presented in the past couple of years the blog took a back seat. Now that I can finally slow down and breath a little, it's time to try and bring this thing back up and breath new life into it. From here, you'll see politics and other random thoughts that I feel like throwing into the mix. The podcast may also be making a come back so stay tuned for that. Well ladies and gents...here we go....

Helen Thomas is ...gasp!...a liberal!

noreply@blogger.com (Democrats make me angry) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:23:00 +0000

I saw this last night on the Glenn Beck program and I couldn't help myself. Seriously? What else should a journalist be? And the follow up question kills me. Only a conservative would expect objectivity? What???

The Obama National Anthem

noreply@blogger.com (Democrats make me angry) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:15:00 +0000

FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!!!

It's the End of the World

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 23:28:00 +0000

This is the headline of a Virginia newspaper from Friday, January 9th. How incredibly scary is this?

Caroline Kennedy's Voting Record

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:57:00 +0000

I don't want to harp on Caroline Kennedy. I really don't. But when I read the following, I have to comment. From FoxNews.com, Kennedy said

“I was really surprised and dismayed by my voting record,” she told the Associated Press. “I’m glad it’s been brought to my attention.”

Evidently, Kennedy did not vote in several elections (including voting for the Senate seat that she is now vying for.) It bothers me that she didn't vote. What bothers me more is that she was "surprised" by her lack of voting and that someone had to "bring it to" her attention. She is an adult that should be fully aware of whether or not she did or did not vote. This is possibly our next New York Senator. Scary.

Double Standard

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:32:00 +0000

Before the election, nearly everytime Sarah Palin was mentioned in the mainstream media it was a put down (even if it was thinly disguised as simple commentary). Every sentence was scrutinized. Her experience was called into question. And while I'm not saying that the Vice Presidency and a New York Senate seat are exactly the same (because I know that they're not) it is infuriating that we aren't hearing more critical comments about Caroline Kennedy's seeming inability to put together a sentence without more vocalized pauses that I ever thought possible (and I teach intro level Public Speaking, so I hear a lot of them). In this short, 2:30 clip alone, she says "you know" 30 times, which roughly translates to one "you know" every five seconds. That doesn't even include the "um"s and "uh"s and other fillers present. It is really scary that this woman can't put together a coherent thought without all this filler. Some may argue that she's a "private" person, doesn't speak in public, whatever. The point is that she is now in a position in the public eye and has to consider how she presents herself. She has to speak better than this. At least, she should be held to a higher standard. They sure held Sarah Palin to one. All I'm expecting is a little bit of fairness in the way judgment is passed. Of course, considering who I'm talking about, I seriously doubt it will happen.

This chick is AWESOME!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Democrats make me angry) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:59:00 +0000

Ive never heard of her before, but I tell you what...I couldn't have said it better myself! Long read but WELL worth it!

Kit Lange is an Air Force veteran and military writer who specializes in investigating murder cases stemming from actions in combat. Her work was used as evidence in the Lt. Ilario Pantano case, and has been quoted extensively in other news publications for other cases. In 2005, she co-wrote a 10-part series disproving war crime allegations against an elite Army unit; her blog, EuphoricReality.com, was named as one of the top 10 milblogs of the year. She is also the National Web Coordinator for Gathering of Eagles, a nationally-recognized troop support organization. Kit holds a degree in Aircraft Maintenance Technology from Spartan College of Aeronautics, and is currently working on a second degree in Aviation Technology Management. She resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

My Predictions for the New Obama "Presidency"

Now that America has shown us all that affirmative action even works in politics, I've compiled a list of things that you can probably expect to happen. These predictions are 80% gleaned from information all of us have access to, and 15% gut instinct based on many years of research, historical study, and being glued to current affairs. The other 5% is just anger at my countrymen's stupidity--I admit it.

- Websites and mass emails offering "free grants," courtesy of the government and "Obama's wealth redistribution." Actually, this one's a freebie, because I have an email with a date and timestamp of literally minutes after Obama was declared the winner, offering exactly that.

- Israel will understand this election was the end of any type of assistance, military or otherwise, from the U.S., and will stop holding back their defense at the request of the American administration. Look for a first strike on Iran soon, as well as increased activity by the Israeli military in general. Israel is on her own now, and God help us all because of it.

- Look for Iranian retaliation--against American targets. That goes doubly for other terrorist organizations. We just elected a man with the full endorsement of every major terrorist group in the world as leader of the free world. It's the political equivalent of hiring a child molester to babysit your kids while you leave for the weekend. Not only is HE going to have fun with your child, but he'll probably sit and watch while his friends come over and do it too.

- Look for far-left justices appointed to the Supreme Court, effectively tying up the entire government in a trifecta of liberal humanism, the buzzwords of which remain empty platitudes like "hope and change," and the ultimate goal of which is socialism--and soon, sharia law.

- Military cases of troops being tried and convicted for killing the enemy in combat will continue to rise--and the conviction/plea-bargain rate will stay at nearly 100%, as the government seeks to use the best men and women this country has to offer as sacrificial lambs on the altar of global appeasement. Those brave and honorable men who currently reside in prison cells across the country, stripped of their rank, their careers, families, and their good name, will not taste free air again for many years. Their sacrifices and their stories will be forgotten by the general public, remembered only by those of us who continue to fight for them.

- Look for the slow but steady erosion of rights you have enjoyed for your entire lives--all the while being told it's "for your own good." Restrictions on gun ownership, home schooling, encouraged dependen ce on the ever-growing federal government. More nanny-state provisions will be put into place to protect the "disadvantaged" and the "poor," (read: lazy, uneducated, unwilling to better themselves) even while groups like the unborn, the mentally handicapped, elderly, and terminally ill are slowly pushed toward euthanasia. Of course, this will be done with feel-good phrases like "death with dignity," "not wanting to be a burden," and "merciful release from suffering," all of which ignore the basic fact that we are killing people without their consent for the "good of the people." Before you tell me I'm crazy, let's just remember that Barack Obama was the ONLY senator in the Illinois state senate to vote against providing medical care for babies who were inconsiderate enough to survive an abortion. Also, look for taxes to go up. Yes, they'll go up.

- You think the economy is bad now? Just wait. You'll have the most expensive "free" health care ever. Bread lines aren't just for Russians anymore. We have traded experience for color, freedom for slavery--and the irony is that the average American sheeple thinks their vote somehow righted an ancient wrong, somehow ENDED the spectre of slavery and ushered in some beautiful era of liberty. In reality, we are about to be less free than you ever thought possible.

I watched the faces of those crowded into the mob (excuse the pun) in Chicago. They stared at Obama like he was a god, an idol, a panacea to their every want and need. We have truly failed as a nation if we are at the point where we feel we must look to one man to take care of us all, to be our father figure and our sugar daddy. We have lost not only the "can-do" attitude of past generations, but the "MUST-do" attitude of our forefathers. We have allowed ourselves to become reduced from Patrick Henry's proud cry of "liberty or death" to the sniveling, whining idea that we are owed something. We have gone from being the honorable defenders of freedom to being told we are the problem.

The eyes of Obama and McCain were also telling. McCain acted with class and grace in his concession speech, offering the most honorable response I've seen yet. I don't agree with all of McCain's positions, but it cannot be denied that the man has served his nation--at permanent and severe detriment to himself--for half a century. His eyes were clear and sincere, honest. His speech underlined the very reasons why, of the two men offered, he was hands down the better choice.

On the other hand, Obama's eyes were cold, calculating. His manner was smug and still carried the arrogance he has always had. His facial expression was one of barely disguised disdain for everything people like me believe in. His body language was smooth, polished--too much so. He talked of patriotism as though it is a value he is familiar with--and yet, his horrifying attitude toward the country he now leads is as well-documented as his friendships with those who seek its demise. He is charismatic to those who don't know what to look for, and he is inspiring to those who cannot or will not think for themselves. However, too many who voted for him are guilty of the most dangerous kind of hypocrisy. You see, we are told daily that we must not see color, just mankind. (We are all family, you know--or so we're told.) And yet Barack Obama was handed the White House on a silver platter by a fawning media, a bevy of foreign donors (who, to this day and in violation of U.S. election laws, remain nameless and unaccounted for), and a populace who voted based on color instead of right and wrong--even in the face of the most damning evidence against a Presidential candidate in many years, perhaps ever.

It is said that the people receive the government they deserve. Sadly, I fear that's correct. We have become complacent, unwilling to see the writing on the wall, content to frolic in the warm water without bearing to notice that it's been getting hotter by the minute. We are two seconds from a rolling boil--and perhaps it is already too late.

So, liberals, enjoy your victory. Jump around. Have a party, file for your free grants. Scream "Gimme my handout!" and make fun of those of us who fought to make sure your "messiah" didn't get access to the most powerful position in the world. Just remember when it all comes crashing down: You own the White House, the Congress, and soon the Supreme Court. You have no one to blame but yourselves for the mess you just created.

That is, those who voted for him. Interesting commentary. Time will tell

Carbon Leaf - War Was In Color

noreply@blogger.com (Democrats make me angry) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:27:00 +0000

Yeah, my buddy Wes turned me on to this group (Carbon Leaf) while I was visiting him over new years. Pretty good stuff. This video in particular is eye opening, even if you've seen some of these images before. It just makes me thankful once again for the folks that came before us and paid the ultimate sacrifice for us to live freely as we do.

Obama is going to fix everything!

noreply@blogger.com (Democrats make me angry) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 19:58:00 +0000

I have no idea if this is real or not. But I have a feeling that is just might be. Check out the audio below:

http://www.bunkerofdoom.com/car_repo.wav

The reason that I believe that this might be real is because of what this woman said:

Forty Years Ago

noreply@blogger.com (Chip) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:07:00 +0000

Forty years ago today the first humans saw the earth from the dark side of the moon. Here is a YouTube video that was made by the NYT.

More Global Warming Stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Chip) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:18:00 +0000

The esteemed Walter E. Williams weighs in this week in his syndicated article. He makes some great points as he always does in every one of his articles.

The global warming scare has provided a field day for politicians and others who wish to control our lives. After all, only the imagination limits the kind of laws and restrictions that can be written in the name of saving the planet. Recently, more and more scientists are summoning up the courage to speak out and present evidence against the global warming rope-a-dope. Atmospheric scientist Stanley B. Goldenberg of the Hurricane Research Division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said, "It is a blatant lie put forth in the media that makes it seem there is only a fringe of scientists who don't buy into anthropogenic global warming."

Global Warming Hits Europe

noreply@blogger.com (Chip) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:34:00 +0000

Looks like ~~warmer~~ cooler weather in Europe. As cold waves continue to hit most of the Earth, the Man Made Global Warming Alarmists still assert that even this cold weather is proof of the earth warming. It must be great to be able to always be right even if you are wrong, all that you need to do is change the parameters. What...it's getting colder, it must be Global Warming. Now you say it's getting hotter, well of course what else would it be but Man Made Global Warming! Take this article from Time:

... we can't track global warming through changes in the weather, even from one year to the next. Instead we need to look at the long-term trends, and here the evidence is undeniable.

Myles Allen, head of the Climate Dynamics Group at Oxford University, explains, "Globally, this year would have been considered warm, even as recently as the 1970s or 1980s, but [it would have been] a scorcher for our Victorian ancestors."

Now I will be the first to admit in Climate Change, but only natural Climate Change. I don't believe that there is anything man can do to affect climate.

Happy RamaHanuKwanzMas! - HD Version

noreply@blogger.com (Democrats make me angry) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:25:00 +0000

Perfect!! I dont know about the rest of you guys, but to me, if you dont believe in Christmas, dont celebrate it! Dont take any time off of work, dont go to any parties, dont eat anything that you wouldnt normally eat any other time of year, and most importantly...DONT GIVE OR RECIEVE ANY PRESENTS!!!

Obama's Choices

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:36:00 +0000

We are learning more about Obama's administration as he chooses the people who will surround him when he takes office. Having run his campaign on a promise of "change," the current line up doesn't really inspire a lot of confidence in his ability to deliver it (not that I had a lot of confidence in him anyway, but thats beside the point.) From today's Washington Post (by Michael Gerson):

A defense secretary, Robert Gates, who once headed the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M. A secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, who supported the invasion of Iraq, voted to label the Iranian Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization and called direct, unconditional talks with Iran "irresponsible and frankly naive." A national security adviser, retired Gen. James Jones, most recently employed at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, who served as a special adviser to the Bush administration on the Middle East. A Treasury secretary, Timothy Geithner, who is one of Henry Paulson's closest allies outside the administration. A head of the Council of Economic Advisers, Christina Romer, whose writings and research seem to favor low tax rates, stable money and free trade.

Gerson goes on to say (emphasis mine):

Second, Obama's appointments reveal something important about current Bush policies. Though Obama's campaign savaged the administration as incompetent and radical, Obama's personnel decisions have effectively ratified Bush's defense and economic approaches during the past few years. At the Pentagon, Obama rehired the architects of President Bush's current military strategy -- Gates, Gen. David Petraeus and Gen. Raymond Odierno. At the Treasury Department, Obama has hired one of the main architects of Bush's current economic approach.

This continuity does not make Obama an ideological traitor. It indicates that Bush has been pursuing centrist, bipartisan policies -- without getting much bipartisan support. The transition between Bush and Obama is smoother than some expected, not merely because Obama has moderate instincts but because Bush does as well. Particularly on the economy, Bush has never been a libertarian; he has always matched a commitment to free markets with a willingness to intervene when markets stumble.

The candidate of "change" is discovering what many presidents before him have found: On numerous issues, the range of responsible policy options is narrow. And the closer you come to the Oval Office, the wiser your predecessors appear.

This is exactly what I was thinking through the election. While Obama may have some grand plans, the reality of the situation he finds himself in doesn't lend itself to the "miraculous" change that he promised while running (hopefully, anyway)

And finally, this is probably one of my favorite qoutes from this article:

Third, Obama is finding the limits of leading a "movement" that never had much ideological content.

Even though many have praised Obama for his speaking skills, I always felt like it was so much fluff. What he said sounded great, but I never heard a lot of substance. It was good enough for those looking for pretty words, but anyone who actually listened and paid attention was probably left wanting. But that's just the humble opinion of a Communications/Public Speaking professor.

Thoughts on the Election

noreply@blogger.com (Chip) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:52:00 +0000

One thing that I find depressing is the complete lack of understanding people have when it comes to the President-Elect. With his idea of "Change" he brings in everyone who has been in Washington for all these years causing the problems we now face.
Now I don't mean to say that Bush has been perfect for the past 8 years. Too many "compassionate conservative" bills and too many RINOs in Congress drunk with power and forsaking conservative ideals has caused the country to look differently at the Republican party. Where does that leave the party? Hopefully regrouping and realizing that conservative ideals win elections. At the end of the day most Americans don't want Big Government. True conservatism is anti big government. And the Republicans in office, what little remain, aren't seeing that at all.
Obama on the other hand won this election by promoting big government. He espoused a Civil Security Force with the manning and funding of the current military, whose budget already is well over $500 billion. He promoted the Fairness Doctrine, which is now being re branded as Localism. Sometimes all it takes is a name change and everyone forgets what the previous iteration was called. It is appalling how many sheep are in America and voting.
McCain's rise to power wasn't very encouraging either. Somehow he was able to sway the electorate into believing he was a true conservative and the sheep who nominated him to represent this party in the national election. I find it hard to believe that he was the first pick of true conservatives. But we were stuck with him and while I for one hated the idea of voting for him I held my nose and did anyway. Partly due to the fact he chose a true conservative to be his running mate. Looking back, I may have not even have voted in the national election if he had chosen anyone with the same thinking as himself.
Now, as the economy continues to collapse, Obama will walk into office facing tough decisions. Hopefully all this will give him pause and keep him from enacting the legislation that he wants. Government is not the answer and bigger government is even worse. The only way to save this country is to get back to basics. We need to put the power back into the people and the states. The 10th Amendment is one that needs to be re-read by everyone in Congress. And Obama, being a constitutional lawyer, would be well served by acquainting himself with this oft forgotten restriction on the grasp of the federal government which reads:

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Powerful words indeed.

Obama chooses his new Secretary of Defense.....Stephen King!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Democrats make me angry) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:04:00 +0000

Apparantly famed author Stephen King doesnt think so highly of the military. A couple of months ago this jerk was speaking in front of a group of kids at the Library of Congress when he said...

So, in summation if you cant read, join the military! They'll hire your dumb a$$! Sounds like a perfect candidate for Obama's Sec Def. Good news is his book sales shouldn't see a decrease in sales from military folks since hell, THEY CANT READ ANYWAY! (Of course I guess the bad side of that means that they can't read this either...?) JERK!

Obama's Civil Service Uniform

noreply@blogger.com (Democrats make me angry) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 02:13:00 +0000

I was doing some research on Obama's plan for a "Civilian Police Force" and apparently he's already got his uniforms picked out.......

Gotta Love Ted Nugent

noreply@blogger.com (Chip) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 03:51:00 +0000

In an article on Human Events Ted Nugent talks about hunting RINOs. I say happy hunting. Get them out of Congress. My favorite quote...

There are really only four things I have a strong aversion to: unloaded guns, dull knives, banjos, and Republicans in Name Only (RINOs).

Obama's Civil Defense Problem

noreply@blogger.com (Chip) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 02:40:00 +0000

At what point will this cross the line?

Exit thought. Does this come to mind?

America Watch Out

noreply@blogger.com (Chip) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:32:00 +0000

Rep. Paul Broun from Georgia has made some bold statements and in view of what Obama has said before would it really surprise anyone?
Here he is on Concealed Carry Laws:

And here is a video from the campaign that highlights his support of anti-gun laws.

And here he is talking about his civilian security force:

So when Rep. Paul Broun comes out and says

"It may sound a bit crazy and off base, but the thing is, he's the one who proposed this national security force," Rep. Paul Broun said of Obama in an interview Monday with The Associated Press. "I'm just trying to bring attention to the fact that we may—may not, I hope not—but we may have a problem with that type of philosophy of radical socialism or Marxism.
That's exactly what Hitler did in Nazi Germany and it's exactly what the Soviet Union did," Broun said. "When he's proposing to have a national security force that's answering to him, that is as strong as the U.S. military, he's showing me signs of being Marxist."

You're right, to most it may sound crazy but in light of everything he stands for, would it really surprise any who are actually paying attention to what he says.

Broun said he believes Obama would move to ban gun ownership if he does build a national security force.
"We can't be lulled into complacency," Broun said. "You have to remember that Adolf Hitler was elected in a democratic Germany. I'm not comparing him to Adolf Hitler. What I'm saying is there is the potential of going down that road."

Full article here.

Happy Veterans Day

noreply@blogger.com (Chip) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:26:00 +0000

Happy Veterans Day to those who are serving and to those that have served. Freedom isn't free and I am thankful that we have a day to remind ourselves of these axiom. This video is a little long, but if you can make it to the end, you'll appreciate the message it sends. This still gets to me every time I watch it. Enjoy!

New Addition

noreply@blogger.com (Chip) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:30:00 +0000

Conservative Pundit would like to welcome "Democrats make me angry" to the site. As his name suggests he feels very strongly about Democrats and Liberals. Welcome to the site brother.

Guns going away?

noreply@blogger.com (Democrats make me angry) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:48:00 +0000

Here we go. Folks reacting to a "crisis". I have mixed feelings about this one; on the one hand its plain and simple...NO ONE should be able to infringe on our 2nd amendment right to bear arms. ANY kind of arms. But at the same time, when were talking about self defense anyway, who really needs an AK-47 or a Barrett Model 95 or an Uzi? Who the hell in their right mind says to themselves, "Hmm. Thinking about going to see a movie tonight. Should I carry the Browning M1919 or the XM8?" and actually wants to stay alive? Now when we're talking about just plain fun, thats a different story. We'll still be able to "protect and defend", we just won't be able to go out in the back yard (for those who live in NC, anyway) and cut down trees with lead for a while. Get 'em while you can (but take it easy because the more of a "crisis" we make it, the more prices will go up)! One thing that KILLS me though is how many liberals I see at the gun shops right along side of us. W..T..F..?!?! You guys were practically camping out at the poles to vote for this dude! This once again proves that Dem's are morons and they don't ACTUALLY believe in ANYTHING that they "stand for"!!!!! Vote for one thing on the 4th, turn around and do the EXACT OPPOSITE on the 5th. Good job morons! These jerks should have some kind of card, or something on their license that identifies them as a MORON, excuse me, democrat/liberal that they have to show to the gun store owner when they are trying to buy a gun. That way the store owner can alert the rest of the folks in the store that DO have some sense and those folks can politely escort said democrat/liberal out of the store and point them in the direction of the nearest Starbucks where they belong. Just my $.02.......