Hutch Report

Senate Takes Up Obama Health Care

2009-11-09T13:03:00.003-06:00

One U.S. Senator said yesterday on national television that the "U.S. House of Representatives version of Obama health care reform will be dead on arrival when it reaches the U.S. Senate". While I won't go that far in describing the fate of health care reform in the U.S. Senate, most certainly the political makeup of that chamber of Congress is more moderate than the House of Representatives that is completely controlled by Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In the United States there are liberals and then there are extreme liberals. The U.S. House of Representatives is made up of extreme liberals with the biggest liberal in the U.S., Nancy Pelosi, as it's leader.

The U.S. Senate is a completely different body of legislators that remain in office for eight years, instead of the two for House members - which means that U.S. Senators are less politically partisan on average than their counterparts in the House of Representatives. That said, I would be surprised if President Obama does not get at least some of his health care ideas passed in the U.S. Senate before the end of the year. When President Obama won the White House in 2008, the American people were completely fed up with the conservative leadership of President George W. Bush. So, as is often the case in this great country - the voters went in the complete opposite direction of President Bush and that is why a majority in the Congress and our U.S. President are liberals right now.

From a purely political point of view, Democrats in Congress and President Barack Obama cannot afford to outright lose their fight to reform health care in America. To do so would be political suicide for their party in the next election cycle in 2010. That is why I cannot image that a Democratic controlled Congress would not at least pass some type of health care reform - so they can declare victory for their political party. However, the extremely conservative Republican Party of today is working overtime to make sure that President Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress do not change health care. It would be nice if their main motivation was what was in the best interest of the American people, but instead - for the GOP, health care reform is just more business as usual and that involves getting reelected that taking back power in the Congress.

Right now, I would consider passage of Obama health care reform in the U.S. Senate as a 50/50 proposition with a slight edge going to the Democrats. It is usually wise to not bet against the majority when it comes down to which way votes will be cast on an important issue in Washington. If however, the GOP is able to out maneuver the Democrats in the U.S. Senate and completely destroy President Obama's vision of health care reform in the United States - that would be one of the biggest victories ever accomplished by any major U.S. political party. The unfortunate truth is that both Democrats and Republicans in the Congress are fighting over health care reform for the wrong reasons. Both major political party's are fighting to expand their own power, instead of doing the right thing. In the end, this latest battle over health care is just more of the same from our elected leaders.

Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan / Terrorist Or Not?

2009-11-09T00:00:00.005-06:00

Here in Central Texas, no other news stories have been reported over the past couple of day except for the shooting rampage of Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan . Then Sunday morning on a national morning television news program, a U.S. Senator said that he would being hearings soon to determine if Maj. Nidal Hasan was a terrorist or not. Most people I have talked to believe that Maj. Hasan was just plain nuts and that is why he killed over a dozen people at Foot Hood, Texas last week. However, there are Members of Congress and other high U.S. government officials that want to know if there was more to Maj. Nidal Hasan actions than just a crazy man that wanted others to die with him in a blaze of bullets. I must admit that I too wondered to being with if Maj. Nidal Hasan was a terrorist or not when I learned that he believed in extreme Islam and considered the United States of America and all citizens that live here as evil.

It is very understandable that President Barack Obama and the U.S. military want to downplay the effect religion had on the actions of Maj. Nidal Hasan. However, now is not the time to get so politically correct that important warning signs from Maj. Hasan's past are swept under the rug - because they might reflect negatively on the U.S. Army or President Obama. I do not believe that Maj. Nidal Hasan was a terrorist, but instead I believe that he is just an unstable man that is just like the hundreds of others that pick up guns each year and take the lives of others. While I personally wish that Maj. Hasan would have died too in last weeks shootings at Fort Hood, Texas - maybe with time and medication, the U.S. Army will be able to learn some things about him that could help mental health experts to discover the mind set of mass killers before they strike.

In hindsight, it is easy for me to see why the U.S. Army did not honor Maj. Nidal Hasan request to be discharged. It is likely that U.S. taxpayers spend tens of thousands of dollars to pay for the educational training that was necessary for Maj. Hasan to become a medical doctor, so the powers that be in the military did not want to waste taxpayers money by allowing him to leave the U.S. Army and begin a private practice before all the requirements of his tour of duty were completed. If that does turn out to be the reason why the U.S. Army did not discharge Maj. Nidal Hasan - then in the future there must be some other way found for the U.S. taxpayers not to be ripped off, while at the same time protecting the lives of our soldiers right here on American soil. There are mass shortages in some areas of the medical field in the U.S. Army right now, so my opinion at this time is that Maj. Nidal Hasan was not discharged from the U.S. Army - because of his extremist beliefs, because there was no one else qualified to take his place on the battle field.

While it is worse than terrible that U.S. soldiers and civilians were killed last week by one of their own at Fort Hood, Texas - every single day, some unstable person in the United States walks into a business or their own home and starts shooting people. Sadly, Maj. Nidal Hasan is just the latest nut case that did not know how to accept personal responsibly - so he decided to teach everyone else a lesson - because of his narrow minded vision of what life should really be about. I always worry when I meet someone like Maj. Nidal Hasan who does not have the ability to accept responsibility for their own actions, so they blame everyone in the world for their own rotten lot in life instead of themselves. In the end, I believe it will be proven that Maj. Nidal Hasan is not a terrorist - but instead just another run of the mill mass murderer that never learned how to take personal responsibility, so he blamed everyone else for his problems - except himself.

Dallas Cowboys Defeat Philadelphia Eagles

2009-11-08T23:06:00.003-06:00

A short time ago, the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in a close game. That victory takes the Dallas Cowboys to the top of the standings in the NFC East in 2009. Just a few short weeks ago, it appeared that the Dallas Cowboys were going to repeat their poor performance of 2008 - but over the past three weeks the team has started to play well together and they have a new hero by the name of Miles Austin. Ever since the Dallas Cowboys traded away Terrell Owens, many fans have been concerned that there was not a marquee player on the team that could take his place. Then after the Dallas Cowboys coaches gave Miles Austin a chance to play, the rest is history.

While it is true that Terrell Owens was more of a distraction to the team than a player that motivated his fellow team mates, the exact opposite is true of Miles Austin who has not only created a great deal of excitement among Cowboys fans - but it is clear to see that from Tony Romo on down the player roaster, they are all playing better because Miles Austin gives the team a chance to win each week. In tonight's hard fought game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles, the winning touchdown was scored late in the game by Miles Austin. When Austin scored that winning touchdown, I saw coach Wade Phillips and Tony Romo dancing around on the field like they had just won the lotto. That is a picture I will not soon get out of my mind.

For a long time, I have felt that coach Phillips and Tony Romo lacked the raw enthusiasm that is needed to win week in and week out in the NFL. In the back office, NFL football is a business like any other that requires a cool head to make a profit. However, out on the football field - a certain amount of raw emotion is needed by the coaching staff and players on the team to win hard fought games like tonight's against the Philadelphia Eagles. Miles Austin has created the spark that the 2009 Dallas Cowboys team needed to win even when the chips were down. Another player on the Cowboys team that is overlooked right now as a positive influence is a rookie player by the name of Kevin Ogletree. Ogletree caught several good passes tonight and he should be a great contributor to the Dallas Cowboys in future years.

It's always a good Sunday when the Dallas Cowboys win, but it is a great Sunday when they beat another good NFL East team like the Philadelphia Eagles. Tonight's Cowboys victory over the Eagles will go a long way toward giving the entire team a good positive mental outlook as this season moves forward. As far as I am concerned, if the Dallas Cowboys hang on and win the NFL East and play winning games in the playoffs this year - the person all players, coaches and fans should thank is Miles Austin. Every NFL team needs a spark to help them move from a good to a great team. In 2009, the one player that has created that spark for the Dallas Cowboys is Miles Austin. It never ceases to amaze me when a player that was never expected to be great - changes the minds of everyone when their determination and will to win converts a downtrodden team into one that is exciting to watch.

Obama Care Nears Reality

2009-11-07T23:30:00.004-06:00

Late tonight, President Barack Obama cleared his first hurdle in changing health care in America as the U.S. House of Representatives closely pass a health care reform bill. Now the debate on whether or not changes in health care become the law of the land move on to the U.S. Senate. As a first strong supporter of health care reform, I now have big doubts that the version of health care reform passed by the U.S. House of Representatives today is really what this nation needs or deserves. As a lifelong Texan, I have always had concerns with any program that the U.S. federal government comes up with that is suppose to improve our lives. After much thought about this new health care reform legislation, I now believe that the U.S. Senate should shoot it down - because it contains language that would give the federal government too much control over the health care choices Americans will make in the future.

Please don't take me as some kind of "Red Meat" conservative ideology that is just against anything President Obama supports. Instead, I personally like President Obama - but the way in which he has tried to push health care reform down the throats of the American people with little to no compromise from the GOP, causes me to believe that buried deep inside this new health care reform law are liberal causes that would never be passed by Congress - if they were proposed in a up or down vote on each issue. Another thing that bothers me about this new health care reform law is that it is designed to allow the U.S. federal government to use it's heavy hand to force changes on the American people against their will. The very idea that a "death panel" will be written into law should scare the hell out of most people.

Political discourse is not only healthy, but that is exactly what our foundering fathers wanted to see happen when they first wrote the U.S. Constitution. There have always been and there always will be extreme partisans on both sides of important issues and those sometimes lonely voices often times make the difference when it comes to stopping poorly thought out laws. Tonight, when Obama health care passed the U.S. House of Representative there was no GOP support for the bill. That fact should scare folks into taking another look at this new law that effects so many Americans and to also look at the past, present and future motivations of political leaders like Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and President Barack Obama to determine if they are really interested in the long term health of the U.S. medical system or are they being driven solely by political ideology.

Just because there was a razor thin winning vote in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass Obama care today, that does not necessary mean that the U.S. Senate will just rubber stamp what the U.S. House wants to do. In fact, I predict a much tougher fight for President Obama when health care reform moves to the U.S. Senate and passage in that Chamber of Congress is nowhere close to a certainty. Sometimes, the American people tune out politics - because they do not think they can make a difference. However, nothing could be further from the truth. If you have concerns about the direction that the Congress and President Obama are moving in when it comes to health care reform - it is not only your right, but it is also an obligation for you to contact your Congressman or Senator and let them know what you think.

Obama Under Fire For Fort Hood Response

2009-11-07T01:32:00.003-06:00

The last thing President Barack Obama needed this week was a shooting on a military base at Ford Hood, Texas. However, as President Obama is learning the hard way - the President of the United States can do many things, but the most powerful person in the world cannot control the actions of crazy people who show up with guns - hell bent on killing others. It's not the on base shootings at Fort Hood, Texas that is drawing fire from President Obama critics - but the way in which he first talked to the American people as the news was still breaking about the Fort Hood massacre.

When all hell was still breaking loose at Fort Hood army base, President Obama was already scheduled to be talking to a group of people about a positive issue. Instead, of talking to the news media first about what a terrible tragedy the Fort Hood base army shootings really were - President Obama tried to he happy in one sentence when he was praising an Indian group and then within seconds he changed his mood to offer condolences to the family's of victims in Killeen, Texas. My thinking is that President Obama was trying to kill two birds with one stone this week, but in the end he ended up failing miserably as people who already don't like him - used the murders at Fort Hood, Texas to show that he lacks compassion as commander and chief.

On a personal level, I believe these attacks against President Obama's compassion are totally politically motivated. I do not believe that President Obama has a cold heart, but instead he is a very smart individual that tries to compartmentalize issues and problems in the same way as President Clinton did before him. Smart men have been known for years to use compartmentalization as a way to clear through all the smoke that gets generated around an important and complex issue to make cool and well thought out decisions in the face of a crisis. It was a mistake for President Obama to try to offer praise to one group of Americans in the same speech when he was trying to give comfort to the families of the injured and dead soldiers that were killed on the Fort Hood army base in Texas this week.

Right now, President Obama seems to be messing up a lot more than I thought was possible when he was elected the 44th President of the United States. It is always the case that when politicians run for public officer they are better versed in the words that are needed to win the office. Then when the time comes for them to quit campaigning and start leading - issues of coldness and lack of compassion are often times glued to that politician unfairly. I remember on many occasions when President Bush 41 and 43 both appeared on television speaking in a cold way about some mass tragedy or crisis. Right now, President Obama is still learning the rules of the road when it comes to being an effective President of the United States and that is why I believe the American people will forgive him for not showing more emotion when a gunman killed over one dozen people at Fort Hood this week.

What Happened To Kevin Skinner?

2009-11-07T00:20:00.002-06:00

Only a couple of months ago, singing sensation and 2009 America's Got Talent winner Kevin Skinner was the talk of the town. Now, as I search the Internet for news about what's been happening with Kevin Skinner's life since he won AGT 2009 - there is not much of anything being reported. Of course, after Kevin Skinner won America's Got Talent - he was one part of a larger cast of finalist at the Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas for a few weeks, but what happened to Kevin Skinner since then? I am personally shocked that there has not been more news reported about Kevin Skinner considering how much good will he generated all around the United States when he won AGT 2009.

Maybe this is just the pattern of winning contestants on reality TV shows, because back when Susan Boyle became a household name around the world after her amazing debut on Britain's Got Talent, it was almost six months before she was really in the news again and that was when she first started promoting her new CD that will be released later this month. Speaking of new CD's, has anyone heard whether or not Kevin Skinner has been given a record contract? It would be nice to know if some Nashville record company has signed Kevin Skinner to a deal. I am so afraid that if someone does not get Kevin Skinner back out on television or on a music tour soon, that the American people will forget all about him before Christmas.

If that happens, I mainly blame the producer of America's Got Talent - Simon Cowell. In the beginning, I wrongly believed that Kevin Skinner would be performing in Las Vegas all by himself, but later I discovered that Kevin would be joined on stage at the Las Vegas Planet Hollywood Resort by other AGT 2009 finalist as well. Then the news leaked out that rather than Kevin Skinner or the other finalist being the stars of the show, Jerry Springer was really the headliner. That decision had to come right from the top and when I think about who is really in charge at America's Got Talent that person is Simon Cowell. Right now, Simon Cowell seems to be promoting his own show at the expense of Kevin Skinner and the other finalist of this years program.

Yes, I know show business is all about making money and we all know that Simon Cowell has made a fortune producing winning reality TV shows like America's Got Talent. That said, it would be nice if someone that has knowledge of the American music business would sign up Kevin Skinner and start looking out for his future, instead of a show business producer that seems to only care about himself. In closing, let me say this. I am only assuming that Simon Cowell is the reason why Kevin Skinner is not more front and center on the music stage today. As more time passes by and additional information is released from Kevin, it could turn out that he is moving exactly at the pace he has chosen. The truth is that Kevin Skinner now has more money than he has ever had in his life and he might just want to enjoy that windfall for awhile before he pursues his music career full-time.

Cowboys/Eagles - Sunday Night Football

2009-11-06T11:25:00.003-06:00

The big headline leading up to Sunday night's game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles is that these two teams will be playing their 100th game against each other this week. For me, a long time Dallas Cowboys fan, I will be watching closely to see if the real Dallas Cowboys team is the one that played great against Seattle last Sunday or the one that started off the 2009 season in a poor fashion. Dallas Cowboys fans had high hopes as the 2009 NFL season got underway, but our pride at having a new one billion dollar football stadium was quickly shattered as Tony Romo and crew took to the football field with less than the same enthusiasm the fans felt.

On Sunday night, the Dallas Cowboys have a chance to prove once and for all that they are a top preforming team in the NFL in 2009. The Philadelphia Eagles have a strong football team and if the Dallas Cowboys are able to hold their own and eventually claim a victory against the Eagles - millions of Dallas Cowboys fans will be feeling much better about their favorite team when they return to work on Monday morning. As the Eagles take to the football field on Sunday night against the Cowboys, I will also be watching Michale Vick very closely. Michael Vick is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, but like millions of other NFL fans - I believe it was a mistake to allow him to return to the NFL after it was proven in a court of law that he engaged in the sick human sport of dog fighting.

Early on in 2009, I wrote many posts about my belief that Tony Romo does not have the right stuff and that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones should consider replacing him somewhere down the road. In last Sunday's game against Seattle - Tony Romo played like a pro bowl quarterback, but his lack of consistency is what bothers me the most. On Sunday night, Tony Romo can go a long way in proving to Dallas Cowboys fans everywhere that he does indeed have the internal talent and fortitude to lead the Dallas Cowboys to a future Superbowl. Another Dallas Cowboys fan told me this week, that the Dallas Cowboys would not be the team that millions of fans have loved over the years, without a quarterback controversy and I believe that guys words were right on the money when it comes to Tony Romo.

I look forward to enjoying a nice weekend and as my two days off come to an end on Sunday night, I look forward to watching the Dallas Cowboys play the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football. Nothing would top off my weekend better than to watch the Dallas Cowboys win on Sunday night against the Eagles. Some Cowboys fans have been saying for weeks now that it was a mistake to let Terrell Owens (TO) go before the team had a top receiver to take his place. While I agree that releasing (TO) did hurt the Dallas Cowboys in the early part of this season - the team must learn to get along without (TO) and find the extra talent that is need to replace him as wide receiver. This Sunday night I will be hunkered down with a bowl of potato chips and a few cold beers to watch the Cowboys play the Eagles and hopefully that game will end with a Cowboys victory.

Massacre Strikes Fort Hood Texas

2009-11-05T23:12:00.003-06:00

As some of you know, Waco Texas has been my home since 1983 and only 30 miles away from Waco is the largest military base in the world called Fort Hood. This afternoon while I was at work, I heard the news break on the radio that a mass shooting had taken place on Fort Hood. As the hours of continuing news coverage on both radio and television in this area continued, it became clear that a dozen people were killed by a single gunman on Fort Hood this afternoon and at least 30 others are in area hospitals being treated for their injuries. It is always terrible when one of these mass shooting occur, but it is always just a little bit worse when it takes place so close to home and involves brave young troops that were soon to depart for Iraq and Afghanistan to fight for our freedom.

Late word came tonight, that the alleged shooter did not die as was first reported this afternoon - but he is instead being treated at a hospital in Temple with non life threatening injuries. My first thoughts this afternoon when news broke that a mass shooting had taken place on Fort Hood was that it was either a low level Army solder that was likely involved or a terrorist cell had attacked the United States on one of our own military bases. Sadly, both of my first observations were incorrect as it was later revealed that the lone gunman at Fort Hood today was not only an Army officer, but he was a medical doctor as well. The gunman responsible for today's Fort Hood shootings is receiving the best medical care this great nation can offer him - even after he destroy the lives of almost 50 people today.

On a personal note, I remember back years ago when another mass shooting took place in the Killeen, Texas area. That shooting did not take place on the Fort Hood military base right next door - but it happened at a Luby's Restaurant inside the city limits of Killeen. It's amazing how the human mind works when news of a mass shooting is learned. In my mind, I instantly remembered the Killeen Luby's shooting more than a decade ago - the minute I heard that there was another reported massacre on base at Fort Hood. If other Americans feel the same as I do tonight, they are angry at how this special Army officer treated his fellow soldiers today, when he entered a base health care facility on Fort Hood and starting killing everyone in sight.

While there is nothing that can be said that will ease the pain of the families that lost loved ones at Fort Hood Army base this afternoon, I would like to suggest that the U.S. Army, President Obama and Congress create some kind of military honor for them to help their families know that they were all hero's even though they were not killed at war in Iraq or Afghanistan. Fort Hood is the largest military base in the world, which mean that thousands of young soldiers and their families pass through there every single year. Here in Central Texas, people are lining up by the hundreds to offer their blood donations to help the wounded that are recovering in local hospitals. For everyone else around the world that might be reading this blog post, please say a prayer for everyone that was effected by this senseless mass murder at Fort Hood today.

Gold Wins Dollars Lose

2009-11-05T11:50:00.003-06:00

As most experts have been warning now for months, the U.S. dollar continues to lose value against Gold and more than likely this trend will continue. The main reason why Gold has soared in value while the U.S. dollar has declined is very simple. Government officials in Washington D.C. continue to borrow money from abroad to finance their excessive spending and all of those extra dollars are making the "green back" less valuable by the day. In recent months, the U.S. government has gone from a debtor nation to one that is almost bankrupt as Congress and President Obama try to socialist the U.S. health care system with borrowed money from the Middle East and China.

In recent days, the price of Gold has approached $1100 per ounce and over the long haul the price of Gold could actually be valued at $2000 or more per ounce. I have never in my life seen as many financially brain dead politicians as there are right now in Washington. Long term Members of Congress have been living in and expanding the debt of this great country for so long now - that they have not a clue on how to slow down that excessive spending - which is destroying the financial future of the United States. It's a crying shame that our government cannot live within it's means, considering that almost one trillion dollars is taken in by the federal government each year through taxes. Soon, just the interest on our national debt will cost one trillion dollars and that will mean that all of our tax money will be going to pay the interest on our debt to people in other counties that don't really like us that much in the first place.

For average Americans who have watched our government steal from tomorrow to pay for today for way too long, the best advice anyone could give you is to buy Gold and hold it for a long time. As long as the U.S. federal government continues to borrow billions of dollars from other counties, there is little chance that the dollar will increase in value. Instead, with even more federal government borrowing coming down the road - because of new government programs like health care reform, the "green back" will continue to lose value against Gold. In hindsight, it was a terrible mistake for the U.S. to become unattached to the Gold reserves held by the U.S. government. Ever since the U.S. went off the Gold standard, Washington politicians have gone hog wild in their excessive spending habits.

Watch the price of Gold closely, because it is the best indicator available to know what the underlying financial condition of the United States is in at any given time. The U.S. dollar and the price of Gold nearly always move in opposite directions and that is why high Gold prices are not a good thing for the United States of America. More than likely, it will take other nations around the world stopping their leading to the U.S. federal government to force Washington D.C. to show some kind of fiscal restraint. The American people have been after Congress to change their excessive spending ways for decades now, but no one in public office seems to be listening. If you want to protect your families financial future as the U.S. federal government continues to spend like a drunken sailor - Gold might be the place you should sock away much of your still available capital.

Nancy Pelosi Declares Victory In Defeat

2009-11-04T23:40:00.003-06:00

Love her or hate her, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi sure tries to put a positive spin on things, even when most political experts think differently. On Tuesday night, all conservative commentators and pundits agreed that the GOP won the night. However, there were two victories for Democrats in New York State and in California - so being the habitual optimist, Nancy Pelosi declared victory and proceed to call for a vote on health care reform changes as early as Friday. While Nancy Pelosi's words caught some people off-guard, I personally think that she made a wise move - at least for this week. I still believe that the universal health care reform that is making it's way through Congress and supported by President Obama is a mistake, but there is one thing that is completely certain and that is if Nancy Pelosi and President Obama don't pass their health care reform package now, there will be few Democrats left after the 2010 election to try again.

Just like what was the case with President Bill Clinton, the United States is moving quickly back toward conservatism as liberal leaders in the Congress and President Obama try to push old liberal ideas back down the throats of the American people. While I disagree with most of the liberal ideas making their way through Congress right now, I have to take my hat off to lifelong liberals who work against all odds over the decades to try and change America into a socialist nation. I use to think that nothing was more unchangeable than a conservative politician. However, I now believe that lifelong liberals are just as stubborn and maybe even more so than the most conservative thinkers in the United States. The sad truth is that extreme liberalism and conservatism is wrong for the country, but don't waste your breath trying to convince true believes of that fact.

I have watched for years as the far extremes of the Republican and Democratic Party's have taken control of this country. I still believe that most Americans are politically moderate, but because of apathy and a lack of control when it comes to campaign contributions, the United States political leadership has been taken over by two extremely radical portions of each main political party. Now, every time a Democrat is interviewed on television he sounds exactly the same way as President Barack Obama and when top leaders of the GOP are interviewed they sound the same as Rush Limbaugh. I believe that well over 50% of the American public do not fall into the Limbaugh or Obama camp, but too much campaign cash and twisted all or nothing ideologies have taken this country to complete polarization.

Tonight, the blood of millions of conservatives is boiling - because Nancy Pelosi rained on their victory parade today when she declared Tuesday night's election results as a win for Democrats. I believe that Nancy Pelosi is already living on borrow time as the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives - because I can already feel the political wave of America swinging back to the GOP each day. It really does not matter, politically, anymore if Obama health care passes the Congress and is signed by the President - because democrats have already lost the next major nationwide election. While Nancy Pelosi might find it easy to smile and declare victory today, it will be something else entirely when the Democrats lose control of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010 and she is forced to give up her big office, private government jets and big seat in the U.S. House Chamber.

Has Intel Played Unfair In Chip Market?

2009-11-04T22:40:00.004-06:00

In a lawsuit filed today, the New York State Attorney General claims that giant computer chip maker Intel has played unfair in the competitive computer chip marketplace. At the heart of AG Andrew Cuomo's lawsuit against Intel are billions of dollars worth of rebate payments that Intel made to computer hardware sellers Dell, HP and IBM. Attorney General Cuomo believes that these payments were made to IBM, Dell and HP as an incentive for them to not buy cheaper computer chips from Intel rival AMD. Once again, there is a fine line in U.S. law between competition and one company using it's massive size to try and destroy a smaller competitor.

While I believe it's a good idea for the New York Attorney General to take a close look at Intel's competitive practices, in the end - I believe that he is likely to lose his lawsuit because the illegal payments he is alleging that Intel made were in the form of rebates that were tied to actual chips that were sole to Dell, IBM and HP. For a long time, hundreds of manufactures have used rebates to entice both manufactures of goods and services as well as retail customers to increase retail sales. Almost every time I buy something at "Best Buy", there is some kind of rebate offer available to me at the check out counter. Are rebates to companies like Dell, IBM and HP really that much different than ones that are offered to consumers at retail locations nationwide?

The real issue here is how the current U.S. federal government views members of the corporate world. To AG Cuomo and the people at the U.S. Justice Department, huge companies like Intel are probably looked upon as evil or they would have never grown so large in the first place. So, when a smaller company like AMD claims that a larger one like Intel is using it's size to try and put them out of business, there are already willing ears available in Washington and New York State to believe their charges without really trying to see if illegal activity is happening. That said, it is in the best interest of all Americans to make sure that large companies are not breaking the law in order to continue to increase their market share at the expense of smaller competitors and future consumers. To me, what Intel is doing in the computer chip market is no different that what Wal Mart does in small town America everyday.

Large companies become even larger by pushing out their smaller competition by selling products and services at a cost their competitors cannot compete with. It's a fact that AMD chips are cheaper than Intel's, so Intel must try and convince consumers that their computer chips are worth the extra difference in price. During good economic times, it is likely easier for Intel to make the case that their computer chips are better than AMD. However, right now - sales of personal computers and laptops are lagging well behind previous years, because of the 2009 recession. If indeed Intel is breaking the law then they should be punished and they should stop those practices. However, I have a gut feeling that AG Cuomo's lawsuit against Intel is likely more based in political correctness than in actual law and that is why I believe he is likely to lose his case when it is presented to a jury.

Pros/Cons Of Writing A Blog

2009-11-04T11:39:00.003-06:00

In September of next year, I will have been writing daily posts in this blog for five years. Over that period of time, I have found that blogging is a wonderful pass time for me. Before I started blogging on a daily basis, I usually worked an eight hour day and then returned home to watch several hours of prime-time television. During my younger years, that pattern of life seemed to be pretty satisfying to me - but as I aged the watching TV for a couple of hours per night part started to get boring. Then in 2005, I started this blog and before it's 5th anniversary, I am on target to write over 5,000 posts about issues that I love and care about.

There are pros and cons to writing a blog on a regular basis, so I thought I would share them with my regular readers. For me, the pros far outweigh the cons. The biggest thing on the pros side in writing a blog is that for me it is great therapy to be able to express my point of view about the news both locally and nationally. Before I started blogging, I would watch some outrageous news story on television and then just get angry inside. Now that I have a blog, when something wrong happens in the world - I sit down at my computers and express my feelings and when that post is published - I feel better. Another thing on the pros side to writing a blog is that for some of us, blogging is a great hobby that can be pursued no matter what the weather looks like outside.

Now for the cons of writing a blog. The only really big con that I have found to writing a blog on a regular basis is that it can become quite addictive. There is such a release of positive energy for me when I write on my blog, that I have to temper those good feelings blogging creates - with the necessity to still maintain a relationship with my family and friends. It is easy to completely lose oneself in the act of blogging, so if you decided to take up blogging as a past time - please remember that moderation is the key, so don't completely lose yourself in blogging to the point where it starts to hurt your personal life. Like everything else in life, there are pros and cons to blogging - but for me the pros win out big time.

If you decide to start your own blog, there are several free blogging services that make that dream an easy possibility for you. For this blog, I use a Google owned service called "Blogger". With "Blogger" it is simple to set up a new blog and easy to add to that blog without a bunch of computer knowledge beforehand. Another large blogging company is "Word Press". Many of my friends use that company, instead of "Blogger" and they say that it is also easy for a neophyte blogger to manage. While there are some bloggers that earn decent money from blogging, I would not suggest getting into the blogging business for profit. The real beauty of blogging is in the positive release of feelings it provides to you - by allowing the expression of your inter feelings. Whether you are a good writer or not - blogging provides everyone a chance to let their individual voice be heard by others.

Feelings Of Sadness For Michael Jackson

2009-11-04T00:22:00.003-06:00

As the new Michael Jackson movie premiers to millions of people around the world each day, I can't help but have a certain sadness in my heart for this once great singer and entertainer. Even when Michael Jackson was a young child, he was already a superstar to millions of fans around the world. Then when he hit mid-age, something negative happened to him and then the last decade of Michael Jackson's life turned out to become nothing more than a series of missteps and outright crazy behavior. From allegations that he abused children, to all types of strange beliefs - the Michael Jackson we all knew through his music turned out to be something entirely different in his private life.

Now days, everyone has an opinion as to why Michael Jackson acted so strange when he hit his 40's. I still remember how he turned the music world upside down with his "Thriller" album of which I watched the video of that title track on MTV - hundreds of times before I finally got tired of it. Back when "Thriller" was first released to the public, Michael Jackson looked and acted like any normal person that you would meet on the street. However, it was not long before Michael Jackson's behavior started to take a turn for the worse and somewhere during that time period - Michael Jackson became a reclusive figure just like Howard Hughes did decades before him. I believe some people do well with money and fame, while others wither and die.

It is clear now in hindsight that Michael Jackson did not do well with money and fame and neither did most of the rest of his family. From recently released documents about Michael Jackson's wealth and debt at his death, it is clear that it was not only Michael that had a huge problem with living above his means - but his entire family seemed to be feeding off of him to keep their large lifestyles afloat as well. All that expensive living by Michael Jackson and the rest of his family is the main reason why Michael Jackson agreed to do the "This Is It's tour in the UK in the first place. Now that Michael Jackson is dead and the coroners reporter revealed the extent of his frailty when he died, it is now easy to see that there was no way that Michael Jackson was ready to preform a nightly tour that was filled with heavy dancing and exercise.

That is why I still believe that Michael Jackson had made an internal decision to end his life. In the same way that some people who are depressed can never actually kill themselves so they find a segregate like a police officer to do it for them - I believe that Michael Jackson found the right group of doctors that would help him end his life without him actually doing it himself. There is no doubt in my mind that Michael Jackson was very depressed in the days leading up to his death. As I have learned from past experience, depression all too often leads to suicide and with all the depressive medications that Michael Jackson was consuming each day - he most certainly had a depressed mind before his death. When you add that depression to an upcoming concert tour that he was not physically able to preform, then suicide seems like a likely reason why Michael Jackson is not alive today.

Does Obama Have Political Capital Left?

2009-11-04T00:00:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, was a bad one for President Barack Obama as the GOP won three very important special elections. One year ago yesterday, President Obama was elected as the 44th President of the United States and in the short period of time between then and today - almost all of his political capital has been spent trying to pass universal health care in the United States. As of today, universal health care is still not the law of the land and with yesterday's giant GOP victories - President Obama could go down in history as the only President to spend all of his political capital on an issue that he eventually does not get passed into law. It's not like President Obama did not know what would happen when he decided to make universal health care the main priority during his first year in office.

Over a decade before, President Bill Clinton decided that the time was right for universal health care in the United States and he failed too. Now President Obama will be treated like a lame duck President with more than three years still left in his first term as President. When are liberal democrats going to learn that the American people are not liberals by their very nature? For decades, even when a democrat is elected to the presidency, every time he tries to go down the same old liberal path - most Americans turn on him and head right back to the GOP. That exact thing happened to Bill Clinton in the 1990's and then again yesterday it also happened to President Barack Obama.

President Bill Clinton survived the terrible defeat of universal health care in the 1990's to win reelection to another term as President. However, President Obama might not be as lucky as President Clinton because there is one huge difference between now and when Bill Clinton was President. That difference is an economy that is still in full blown recession and an outlook that unemployment will not start to go back down for several more years. Also, I believe the American people will be less forgiving of President Obama over this whole universal health care issue, because they will rightly see that he should have known better after watching President Clinton crashed and burned on that same issue less than two decades earlier.

Like President Clinton, President Obama is a well liked man even though most Americans may disagree with some of his more extreme liberal views. That likability issue could help President Obama rebuild some of his political capital, but it will never be greater than it was after he won election last November. While most Americans have forgotten this fact, let me repeat it here so that everyone can understand how political fortunes are won and lost at the White House. After 911, President Bush was one of the most popular President's ever to serve in the White House - but over the years his popularity dropped steadily as he refused to listen to the people that first elected him to office. At this point in time, President Obama runs the risk of following in President George W. Bush's footsteps - if he does not learn from history and stop governing from the extremes.

GOP Might Sweep Today's Elections

2009-11-03T00:00:00.002-06:00

Today, there will be special elections held in the states of New Jersey, New York and Virginia. Recent polling suggests that the Republican party could sweep all of today's elections and speculation is running wild around Washington D.C. as to what a potential landslide by the GOP will mean to the future legislative plans of President Barack Obama? Honestly, I hope that the Republican Party wins all of the special elections that will be held today - if for no other reason than to slow down some of the major changes that President Obama has in store for our future health care. While I voted for President Obama and I personally like the man, his ideas about the future of health care in the United States are poorly thought out and that is the main reason why the American people should urge their elected representatives to not move so fast in that area until the Congress examine the long term downsides of the public option.

I still believe that President Obama is a good man, but his moderate campaign for President has been replaced with a firebrand liberal governing style ever since he took the oath of office in January. It is true that President Obama tried to get GOP Members of Congress to join him in health care reform, but that invitation to the party was one that no conservative Republican could accept and still win reelection. All Americans know that changes need to be made to the United States health care system, but as always the devil is in the details. President Obama has shown his true liberal leanings when he supported a government run health care option, but refused to do anything that would slow down the landslide of medical malpractice lawsuits that are growing every single year and driving up the cost of health care for all Americans.

If the pollsters and the political pundits are right that the GOP will win all of the special elections that will be held today for Congress and state governors, then that will send a wake up call to President Obama that he is moving too fast in his attempt to completely change the way health care in American is paid for. I get worried anytime a President of the United States tries to rush something through Congress without a long and sound debate regarding the wisdom of their actions. Sadly, the same Democrats that want President Obama to rush through government run health care reform in the Congress right now are the same Democrats that wanted to hear more debate before President George W. Bush committed troops to Iraq. At the time, I wanted President Bush to take more time before invading Iraq - but I also believe that President Obama is rushing too fast into health care reform changes in this country.

While today's special elections in New Jersey, New York and Virginia will likely trend the GOP's way - those three small elections will not add up to the same nationwide mandate that was given to President Obama last November. President Obama seems to keep missing the target when he judges what the American people really want. Barack Obama is President of the United States today not based on his support for government run health care. Instead, he was elected as President last year because most of the American people were disgusted with the extreme right wing agenda of President George W. Bush. Now from all outward appearances - the American people have traded one extremist President for another one. President Barack Obama is the exact opposite of a strict social conservative and that fact alone could hurt the Democratic Party in today's elections and next November too when even more Democrats will be up for reelection.

Ford (F) Right Choice / Perfect Time

2009-11-02T11:40:00.003-06:00

While General Motors (GM) and Chrysler have been bleeding U.S. taxpayers dry with their billions of dollars in bailout money requests, there is one U.S. automaker that not only has refused money from the federal government - they also announced today that they actually made a profit in the third quarter of 2009. Ford Motor Company (F) has not only surprised Wall Street professionals with the speed and effectiveness of cutting costs and turning a profit, they have at the same time won millions of American consumer fans by not taking federal bailout money. If there is one large company in the United States that has shown the way back to future profitability and success, that company is the Ford Motor Company.

Even today, General Motors has not found it's way back from government bailouts/bankruptcy and almost no one is saying anything positive about Chrysler. However, Ford is a different story and with the news that the Ford Motor Company made a profit in the third quarter of 2009 - I expect most Americans that love this country and want to show that love by buying an American car or truck will now be buying Ford vehicles exclusively in the future. Today, Henry Ford is likely looking down from heaven with a smile on his face and a heart filled with pride as his automobile company was the only one of the "Big Three" not to accept government bailout money.

Over the weekend, I saw some new Ford Motor Company ads during NFL football games. I must say that the new Ford Taurus is an exciting looking vehicle. I current drive a Ford Taurus and from a customer service standpoint, it is one of the most reliable cars that I have ever owned. The new Ford Taurus looks completely different than the 2004 version that I drive and I am also happy to see Ford put the Taurus SHO back into the marketplace as well. News reports today suggest that "Cash For Clunker" did help Ford Motor Company's bottom line in the third quarter of 2009 as Americans lined up to buy new Ford cars like the Focus in large numbers.

With Ford Motor Company proving that an American car company can not only survive, but profit during the recession of 2009 - the days should be over when GM and Chrysler are allowed to show up again in Washington D.C. to ask for even more taxpayer bailout money. The fact is that it was not the recession of 2009 that drove GM and Chrysler into bankruptcy, but it was terrible management right from the top of those two companies that destroyed them. While the U.S. federal government seems to have a love affair with poorly run automobile companies that cannot earn a profit, I have a feeling the American people are going to think in the opposite way and direct most of their automobile purchases in the future to the Ford Motor Company as a reward for running their company right.

Buy Susan Boyle CD First On QVC

2009-11-02T00:00:00.002-06:00

It seems that the marketing arm of the world's newest singing sensation, Susan Boyle, had a few tricks up their sleeve when it comes to selling her new CD in the United States. It was announced today that the U.S. based home shopping cable channel, QVC, will be allowed to sell Susan Boyle's first album and ship it even before Internet powerhouse Amazon.com. On Wednesday November 4, 2009 - QVC viewers will have a chance to not only watch and listen to Susan Boyle sing songs from her new album, but they will also be allowed to purchase her new CD entitled "Wild Horses" weeks before it goes on sale at Amazon.com and at other retailers around the world. Wow, I can only image how high the ratings will be on QVC when Susan Boyle's new album goes on sale there on Wednesday.

Tens of millions of Susan Boyle fans around the world have been eagerly awaiting the release of her new CD titled "Wild Horses". Amazon.com has recently said that "Wild Horses" from Susan Boyle has outsold all previous music albums and now Susan Boyle promoters have found a new way to give people that just can't wait until the end of November a chance to have her new CD in their hands by Thanksgiving. I predict that Susan Boyle will sell at least 10 million copies of "Wild Horses" by New Years Day. If that opinion eventually becomes a reality, Susan Boyle will join other huge music names like Michael Jackson and Barbra Streisand in the music sales history books. As the judges said on "Britain's Got Talent" when they first introduced Susan Boyle to the world, her voice and story are just what we needed during this time of uncertainty and recession.

Included on Susan Boyle's new CD "Wild Horses" will be the Christmas classic "Silent Night" and the most beloved Christian song of all time, "Amazing Grace". People in the United States got a taste of what Susan Boyle's new CD will sound like when she preformed the title track from her new album "Wild Horses" on America's Got Talent about one month ago. I remember well how my wife and I fought back tears as Susan Boyle turned that old song from the "Rolling Stones" into a very emotion presentation. What is so neat about Susan Boyle is that she can take an old song that was only so/so a hit and transform the words and melody of that song into something that is not only modern - but commercially viable in the music world today.

As far as I am concerned, at this time in history - there is no other singer in the world today that can touch Susan Boyle. Her life, story and musical talent will take her far in the years to come. For those of you that just can't wait until the end of November to buy a new copy of Susan Boyle's CD "Wild Horses", make sure to check your local cable TV listings for QVC to find out when Susan Boyle will not only preform that on cable shopping channel on November 4th, but also be one of the first people in the world to purchase her new album. In the UK, the British tabloid news media tried and failed to bring down Susan Boyle. However, it seems like the people that are now in charge of promoting Susan's career are getting the last word as QVC in the United States, will offer the first worldwide release of Susan Boyle's new CD "Wild Horses".

Is California Ready For "The Big One"

2009-11-01T11:10:00.000-06:00

All of my life, I have heard stories about huge Earthquakes that have raddled the State of California in the past and most experts agree that within the next 10 to 20 years - residents there will once again experience mother nature at her very worst. A TV commentator said once that there is a price for living in paradise when describing California and the ever present threat of the "Big One" striking is the price millions of California resident face as the biggest draw back to living in an almost otherwise perfect climate. Almost every month, small Earthquake rumble the ground under some parts of California - but the "Big One" will be nothing like any other Earthquake people alive in the United States have ever witnessed.

Over the past several month, CDC officials have predicted a death toll of millions if a massive pandemic hits the United States. In the same way a pandemic could killed millions of people, more than likely just as many people could die if the predicted "Big One" Earthquake occurs directly under the ground of Los Angeles or San Francisco. A category 9 or 10 Earthquake centered directly under downtown Los Angeles or San Francisco would likely kill one million people and injure millions more. Even though the U.S. federal government and State of California officials have worked hard over the decades to reinforce tall buildings in these two cities. A massive category 9 or 10 Earthquake that lasted for more than a few seconds might have the effect of crumbling many tall skyscrapers to the ground.

Tall buildings are not the only things that would crumble like dust during the "Big One". California's massive freeway system would collapse to the ground under the tremendous shaking and shifting of the soil it is attached to when the "Big One" strikes again. Decades ago, I remember watching a movie that depicted a huge Earthquake that was centered under downtown Los Angeles. In that movie, the late Charlton Heston showed the world exactly what might happen in modern day Los Angeles if and when a huge Earthquake occurs directly under this nations second largest city. From my point of view, it appears that all that can be done - has been done to protect California residents. The as yet unanswered question is, could Los Angeles or San Francisco survive a category 9 or 10 Earthquake today?

Honestly, I do not believe that mankind has the knowledge yet to protect huge cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco from the "Big One" - which could exceed even category 10 strength on the rictor scale. That means that when the next massive Earthquake shakes the ground under LA or San Francisco, hundreds of thousands or more than a million people could be killed within the span of one minute and scores more would die of the injuries they suffered over the next couple of days. The rugged landscape that is modern day California was carved out by previous large Earthquakes and it is very likely that the way we see California today will be much different than what future generations will see after the "Big One" occurs again.

Is Glenn Beck A Threat To America?

2009-11-01T00:05:00.004-05:00

When it comes to TV personality Glenn Beck, I am coming late to the party in commenting on his strange and scary show that runs nightly on the Fox News Channel. At first look, it appears that Glenn Beck is just another right wing conservative media hack that finds no good in President Barack Obama. However, if you dig deeper into the political views of Glenn Beck, you will discover that he does not like conservatism that much either. Glenn Beck reminds me of the Mel Gibson character in the movie "Conspiracy Theory". Every time I watch Glenn Beck on Fox News I come away with a strange feeling inside not only about the man, but also about what he is trying to sell the American people.

For Fox News, Glenn Beck was just what the doctor ordered to offer a huge lead in audience to their already strong prime-time line up. It appears that at least a few million people in the United States are eager to hear what Glenn Beck thinks each late afternoon when his show comes on Fox News. The liberal media establishment have been quick to brand Glenn Beck as some kind of crazy "chicken little" nut job who has the ability to convince weak minded Americans that the sky is falling. Most members of the conservative news media really don't have that much to say about Glenn Beck's daily program - probably because they don't know if he is really a fan of their conservative ideas or just a closet paranoid schizophrenic that will turn of them at the first sign of trouble.

While I personally think that Glenn Beck's view of what is happening in the United States is twisted at best, that does not mean that there are not millions of Americans who are mentally wired to see a conspiracy theory behind every move President Obama makes. Both extreme politically thinking Democrats and Republicans have in their midst small groups of citizens that are absolutely convinced that the other political extreme is evil and up to no good. With so many people already convinced that members of the U.S. federal government wake up every morning with their sights set on taking away the freedoms of America citizens, Glenn Beck's classroom style television format is perfect for continuing to feed the fears and prejudices of some people that just don't know how to play well with others.

To me, there is a world of difference between Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck. Limbaugh entertains his audience of millions each day with not only political commentary, but he also uses political satire to keep the audience laughing and coming back for more. To the contrary, Glenn Becks' daily program on Fox News is more dark and evil than Rush Limbaugh's radio show and I have a feeling that within a short period of time - most of today's Glenn Beck fans will start to fade away as his conspiracy theory's start to even make them feel uneasy about his mental stability. Always remember that the United States of America is a great country and throughout our history we have had to deal with radio the TV commentators that are well beyond the mainstream when it comes to their political thinking. Right now, Glenn Beck's biggest enemy is himself - because sooner or later he will carry his U.S. conspiracy theory's too far and self destruct just like Morton Downey Jr. did before him.

Hutch Report Archives 2009 (November)

2009-11-01T00:01:00.027-05:00

Is Glenn Beck A Threat To America? - Comments about Fox News host.
Is California Ready For The "Big One"? - When will next big Earthquake hit?
Buy Susan Boyle CD First On QVC - Cable network first to sell new CD.
Ford (F) Right Choice / Perfect Time - Ford Motor Company profitable.
GOP Might Sweep Today's Elections - Will it be a good night for Republicans?
Does Obama Have Political Capital Left - Has President Obama become lame duck?
Feelings Of Sadness For Michael Jackson - Did "King Of Pop" commit suicide?
Pros/Cons Of Writing A Blog - For some people blogging is a great pass-time.
Has Intel Played Unfair In Chip Market - NY AG files lawsuit against Intel.
Nancy Pelosi Declares Victory In Defeat - Dems lost, but Pelosi declares victory.
Gold Wins Dollars Lose - Excessive government spending & high Gold prices.
Massacre Strikes Fort Hood Texas - Army Major kills 12 injures 30 more.
Cowboys/Eagles Sunday Night Football - Dallas/Philadelphia play Sunday.
What Happened To Kevin Skinner - What's going on with the 2009 AGT winner?
Obama Under Fire For Fort Hood Response - President responds poorly to murder.
Obama Care Nears Reality - U.S. House of Representatives pass health care bill.
Dallas Cowboys Defeat Philadelphia Eagles - Great NFC East football game.
Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan / Terrorist Or Not - Fort Hood mass murderer.
Senate Takes Up Obama Health Care - U.S. Senate takes up health care reform.

American Values Changing For The Better

2009-10-31T12:58:00.003-05:00

Nothing helps bring about a change for the better in American values more so than a good old fashion recession. American history is filled with both good and bad financial times and when times are good - too many Americans become excessive in their spending habits and low in their basic moral values. Over the past year, millions of Americans have seen their on paper financial wealth decrease tremendously and just like in the past - when wealth goes down in the United States - the moral value of helping ones neighbor increases at the same time. I have heard all of my life that money is the root of all evil and maybe that old age wisdom is correct.

Let's face it, in the United States the citizens that have called this nation home for over two centuries have had a checkered past at best. Young Americans are for the first time learning that it is possible to lose everything they have worked for through no fault of their own. That reality is the same one that was experienced by their parents and grandparents in the past and it is a lesson each generation must experience - if they are to learn and grow in a moral way into adulthood. There is an old song that says something like "life is about change, nothing ever stays the same". Those words are as true today as they were generations ago. Good financial times are only successful over the long run, if they are followed by more difficult times - which help Americans understand that nothing long lasting happens without a good moral foundation to build upon.

In 2009, the United States is building a moral foundation that will take our great country into the future. Gone are the attitudes of only a year or so ago when narcissism and excessive human self indulgence was the preferred path toward happiness. Now, most Americans are starting to look at their lives in a more inclusive way and that is a good and natural thing that needs to be repeated at this time in history. I believe that this Christmas holiday season will prove that the American people will have readjusted their priorities of life as they start to give more gifts of necessity and fewer gifts of status. My guess is that Christmas 2009 will provide a good road map for future Americans to follow, even when this years recession has been reduced to a distant memory.

The boom and bust cycle of the United States of America serves not only the financial needs of our people, but it also builds something more important than money. No great nation will survive the long run without a rock solid moral foundation. Human experiences of the past prove time and time again that moral foundations are built during times of struggle and hardship and that is exactly what the United States of America is in right now. Before long, the tough financial times of today will fade away and more affluent days will once again take their place. All Americans should rejoice in the hard financial times of today, because without them our nation would have no character and would soon parish from the face of the Earth. When good financial times return to the United States, a new generation will better understand the changing financial landscape of the greatest country on Earth.

Love Listening To Kari Callin Sing

2009-10-31T00:41:00.003-05:00

Now that the 2009 edition of America's Got Talent is in the history books, I have been going back over the auditions on this years show. The one person who got a raw deal by the judges this year on AGT was a female singer by the name of Kari Callin. I don't think I am alone in believing that the three judge panel on American's Got Talent made a mistake when they did not send Kari Callin to Las Vegas so the rest of the country could vote on whether or not she should have competed with Kevin Skinner in the final rounds. The only reason I can think of that the AGT judges took a pass on Kari Callin is because she portrayed herself as a victim before her first audition, instead of as a fighter that never let anything get her down.

When Kari Callin sang the song "Somewhere", that was made famous by Barbra Streisand, on her first audition for AGT - she literally knocked the ball right out of the park. I still remember thinking to myself that this girl could likely defeat Kevin Skinner, who was my early favorite to win American's Got Talent 2009. Then when it came time for the judges to decide which contestants would continue to Las Vegas and then to Hollywood in the finals, Kari Callin's name was not announced. I still remember well how Kari Callin brought that audience in Seattle to it's feet and included in those cheering her on were the three judge panel on America's Got Talent.

As Kari Callin knows all too well, life is not perfect or fair and while I believe she earned the right to be considered in the final rounds of America's Got Talent, the three judge panel on that show did not agree. Kari Callin is a very young woman and I personally hope that she will not let the negative experience that was sent her way by AGT as a sign that she should give up on her dream of becoming a professional singer. In fact, I believe that Kari Callin should sign up to compete on the 2010 edition of America's Got Talent and this time there will be millions of Americans that will not just assume that the three judge panel on that show will automatically do the right thing. If Kari Callin takes her amazing voice back to AGT in 2010 and this time portrays herself as a person that did not let adversity get her down - she could definitely be a contender for the championship on that show next year.

Just in case you missed Kari Callin's audition earlier this year on America's Got Talent, you can click here to watch it again. I hope that Kari knows that no matter what comes a persons way there is always something residing deep down inside of all individuals that will allow them to continue on pursuing their dreams. I also believe that everything happens for a reason, but too often times most of us are living too close to the forest to see the trees. Kari Callin - if you happen upon this blog post someday, please know that there are Americans that thought you got a raw deal on the 2009 edition of America's Got Talent and we also want you to try and try again until the powers that be behind that show give you a chance to let the America people give you an up or down vote.

Climate Change Skeptics Love Cold Weather

2009-10-30T00:00:00.004-05:00

The fall of 2009 is starting out as one of the coldest on record, at least here in the United States. Conservative commentators like Rush Limbaugh and Internet websites like the Drudge Report are having a field day with the cooler temperatures this fall. Matt Drudge and Rush Limbaugh have more in common than just their conservative political beliefs, in fact the single issue both of these well known and powerful men believe in is that "Climate Change" is not real. Limbaugh and Drudge, rightly or wrongly, think that "Climate Change" was created as an issue around which liberals from all over the world will unite to take down capitalism.

While I do not see the "Climate Change" movement as the same international conspiracy that Rush Limbaugh and Matt Drudge do, the constant changing of scientific positions on the issue of "Climate Change" should give even the biggest believers in that concept pause. When I was young, the world was filled with top scientist that were totally convinced that the world was cooling and they even predicted that by the year 2000 - most of the United States would be uninhabitable, because of fringed conditions. Now many of those same scientist are claiming that it will not be a new ice age that will take down mankind, but instead it will be global warming that will bring about the end of our days on this planet.

There is no doubt in my mind that the whole issue of "Climate Change" has been hurt by the likes of former Vice-President Al Gore's participation in trying to sell it to the American people. Long before anyone was talking about global warming or the new more popular politically correct term "Climate Change", Al Gore was telling the world that the combustible engine was the worst thing that ever happened to mankind. With a reputation like that, conservative leaders like Rush Limbaugh were sure to jump on any kind of idea that came out of Al Gore's mouth in the future. Right now, the people that really believe that "Climate Change" is real are being blind sided by a smart politician that sees political gain and profit in attaching himself to their issue.

There is no doubt that within the past 50 years or so the Earth has been warming. The real debate is between people like myself that believe the Earth has warmed and cooled naturally for millions of years before mankind put one once of carbon emissions into the atmosphere and the people that believe that human beings are causing the destruction of the planet Earth because of huge emissions of carbon pollution. There are true believes on both sides of the "Climate Change" debate and in my opinion the extremist that frame this debate for public consumption both have unspoken motives when presenting their case. I believe that no one reading this post will be alive when the world finds out for sure if "Climate Change" is man made or not, so why don't we just focus on enjoying life as we have it today?

Where To Find H1N1 Vaccine?

2009-10-29T00:39:00.003-05:00

Millions of Americans have made the personal choice to get vaccinated against 2009 H1N1 swine flu, but there seems to be shortages of this vaccine in most areas of the country. Isn't it just like the U.S. federal government to at first insist that every American get vaccinated against H1N1 and then for everyone to find out later on that there is not enough H1N1 vaccine to go around? As I watched the Obama administration move the severity threat of H1N1 to a critical emergency, while at the same time telling the public that there is not enough of the H1N1 vaccine to go around - I just started shaking my head in total disbelief.

Right now, President Obama is making his final push to make sure that health care reform in the United States includes a government run option. At the same time, millions of Americans are learning first hand that the U.S. federal government is not even able to provide H1N1 flu vaccinations to the American people on a timely basis. Doesn't President Obama know that the American people are judging whether or not he will be able to deliver on his health care promises down the road, by watching the way his administration administers the H1N1 vaccine to the public? Apparently not, and that is a big reason why millions of Americans are turning away from their once support of a U.S. government option in the 2009 health care reform debate.

This week, the first H1N1 flu vaccination supplies arrived where I live in Central Texas. While health officials are still encouraging young and pregnant Americans to get vaccinated first, starting tomorrow at the Waco Convention Center - resident of Waco and Central Texas will be able to show up and get vaccinated against 2009 H1N1 - while the limited supply of the vaccine lasts. I'm sure in other states there are still massive shortages of the H1N1 vaccine too and we should all focus closely on how fast and how quickly the Obama administration handles getting an ample supply of this H1N1 vaccine to the public in as short of time period as possible.

The Obama administrations slow handling of getting enough H1N1 vaccine supplies to areas of the country that need them, has caused me to wonder what the U.S. health care system will look like 10 years down the road - if President Obama is successful in Congress at getting a public health care insurance option passed? Most Americans judge their government leaders based on the way they have previously handled important issues. Right now, there is little faith in the Heartland of America that President Obama or any future President of the United States can do a better job running health care than the present system that, while not perfect, does provide for the health care needs of most Americans. Every American should be asking hard questions of both Republicans and Democrats as health care reform makes it's way through the Congress.

President Obama Destroys Democrats?

2009-10-29T00:05:00.004-05:00

Well, those of you that have been emailing me for months to say that I was dead wrong to believe that President Obama was a moderate are turning out to be 100% correct. During last years presidential election cycle, I was so mad at President George W. Bush that I would have voted for anyone that did not have an (R) beside their name. Now, a little less than one year later it is turning out that President Obama is just as much of an extremist liberal as President Bush was an extremist conservative.

What is it with Washington D.C. politicians these days? Are there no true moderates left? Has the United States of America turned into nothing more than an extremist party where only liberals and conservatives are invited? Let me first say, that President Obama still has a pleasing personality when I watch him on television - but if you really start looking at the facts of what he really wants to do as President of the United States that is when his true blue liberal colors start to stand out loud and clear. So many Americans, including myself, were totally fooled by President Obama's moderate campaign for President last year.

Right now, the United States is facing the largest budget deficit in our history, so what does President Obama want to do to stop the fiscal bleeding in Washington? If you guessed that he wants to spend even more money than what we are right now - you would have guessed the right answer. Only in the U.S. government is the idea of spending even more money when you are aleady broke considered to be a good idea. I have said before and I will say again that if regular everyday Americans handled their personal finances in as reckless of a way as Washington politicians - we would all be thrown in jail as crooks.

So now that it has been proven that President Barack Obama is nothing more than a Ted Kennedy style liberal, what are the American people going to do the next time Members of Congress come up for reelection in 2010? My thinking is that when November of 2010 comes around, the U.S. House of Representatives will change hands from the Democrats to the Republicans and in the Senate - there is an excellent chance that Democrats will lose control there too. Extremist President's always destroy the political party's that they lead and when November 2010 finally arrives, President Barack Obama could very well have destroy the Democratic Party in the same way that President George W. Bush did to the Republican Party only two years earlier.