Clear and Present Blogger

Secret Shopper Scam

2011-11-14T09:43:00.000-08:00

My email reply to this one was "Nice Try." If it seems to good to be true it most likely is. That is the adage, right? I received a knock on the door this morning and I opened the door in time to see Fed Ex pulling away after leaving an overnight paid for Fed Ex envelope on my front porch. I opened the envelope and there were two Money Gram money orders for $955.00 each.

I checked the sender name and found it was sent by Mainframe Productions, 70 S. Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104. My first reaction was that I had received payment for a film or industrial I had recently done. My agent generally distributes my checks directly so I was a little suspicious. There was a pink strip note instructing me to email bobballs@one.co.il for instructions as soon as received. Next, I figured some indy film maker was advancing me for a role I was to do. That thought was cast into the not a viable explanation pile because I have never met an Indy Film Company who would pay an actor, much less pay him up front. I emailed the bob balls (nice) guy saying only Instructions?

I received an immediate email reply which read:

Mystery Shopper first Payment..

This is to inform you that your first assignment starts today. Recently, there has been several lapses in the services of Western Union as reported by various customers and you are to evaluate a Western Union OUTLET nearest to you ..Read carefully as this is very easy.

Steps to take ; YOUR FIRST ASSIGNMENT
You are advised to read carefully to understand procedures.

1) You are to proceed to your bank, cash the check at your bank and make a transfer of funds from a Western Union location closest to you to another Mystery shopper in Philippines and the funds would be picked up by this Mystery shopper at the exact locations which a customer has reported her funds stolen from.

2) You would have to record the time at which you go to the location and how many minutes it took you to get service.
You are advised to cash the Money Orders at your bank, upon receipt deduct $200 survey fees for this assignment and have the balance funds transferred via Western Union to the following mystery shopper. You will be required to deduct the Western Union transfer charges from the balance funds to the agents details below ;

Here are the details below:

RECEIVERS NAME : Michelle Hudson
                268 East Waffi Street,
                 State ...manilla
                 Country.. Philippines
amount..$1450

RECEIVERS NAME : Amanda Harris
                44 East Waffi Street,
                 State ...manilla
                 Country.. Philippines
amount..Remain balance left

Remember, the sending charges should be deducted from the balance.After processing the Money Orders at your bank, proceed immediately with cash to the nearest Western Union OUTLET for evaluation and secretly perform the following shopping operation on your own, please do not ask the Western Union operators any suspicious question as your Identity should be kept confidential as the job states (secret shopper). In the process of sending the funds to the above mystery shopper, you are to carry out your assignment and provide us with a report to the following questions below ;

1. How fast and Efficient is the Western Union Money Transfer Service?
2. How long did it take you to have the funds wired?
3. How close is the Western Union Money Transfer Location to your area?
4. Is the Senders Request Form too short or Long? Kindly Advise
5. Is the neighboring environment safe for handling Western Union Money Transfer Service.
6. When you get to Western Union some would ask you, about whom you are sending funds to ,just let him or her know you are sending the funds to a close relative..
7. Be very Cautious as they would want to find out whom exactly you are working for
8. General Comments....

You are expected to have this done on the same day you receive the funds and email us back your results with the following information after you have the funds wired:
1. SENDER'S NAME:
2. SENDER'S ADDRESS :
3. MTCN Number ( 10 digit) xxx:xxx:xxxx
4. Exact Amount Wired: $
I will like you to confirm you completely understand your assignment and capability in carrying it out without glitches. Also note that if you complete this task within 24 hrs, you are entitled to a bonus fee of $100 which will be included in the payment for your next assignment.
Kindly get back ASAP because your results will be reviewed and collated for the upcoming Analyst/Investor Conference.

Regards,

I was born in the dark but it wasn't last night. I immediately sent my reply: Nice Try.
I did a little quick search on 'one.co.il' and found nothing informative and all in a language I could not recognize. So I did a net search on Money Gram Scams. I came across a blog that described similar scams. My instincts proved correct. As much as you need the money, don't deposit the money orders. Your bank will accept the money orders and they will credit your account. However, the cash will be recaptured later and you may incur penalties and possible legal damages.

I am above this stupid crap, and I tend to keep a little cash in my account so I was not too seriously tempted by the $1,910.00 windfall. Don't send these low lifes any money. Don't depoit the money order thinking you will get over. Throw it away and report the scam to www.consumerfraudreporting.org/reporting.php.

Later.

Sanctuary City Fight

2011-06-09T12:29:00.000-07:00

Chief McMannus

San Antonio Police Chief, Bill McMannus, is joining law enforcement officials across the state of Texas in protest of the proposed Sanctuary City Ban Legislation slated to be debated during the upcoming special session of the Texas Legislature. He cites his objection for many reasons, but primarily that it will consume too much time, sacrificing resources and officers' time better used for legitimate emergency duties.

A couple of thoughts come to mind:

Isn't a law to be enforced no matter the time constraints? The sanctuary city law would only more specifically mandate enforcement of standing immigration law.

Why enforce DWI laws?

As far as time consumption:

Why enforce DWI laws? The typical DWI stop consumes from 25 minutes to over an hour of the officers' time. It could be argued that this time could be better spent addressing emergency calls.

He states that it would hurt the popularity and perceived likeability of the police force. He claims that it would encourage racial profiling.

Pre-qualification of a suspect is necessarily profiling on every level

Racial profiling is an integral part of crime detection as a rule. Pre-qualification of a suspect is necessarily profiling on every level. If popularity and likeability of the individual officer is an issue, then perhaps the officers should refrain from sitting beside the highway clocking drivers and entrapping them in order to give traffic tickets. Why not have them make arrests less frequent?

My point is that cops are not in the popularity business. They are in the business of enforcing the laws as they have been voted upon and signed into law by our legislators. McMannus is not in the business of deciding what law is inconvenient or not economically viable to enforce. The call to arms of the liberals trying to protect illegal immigrants from the law is reprehensible. Illegal immigration is exactly that. Why not amnesty for traffic tickets and DWI's? These people are Americans at least.

I am dismayed at the temerity of people in public positions feeling free to impose personal opinion and political leanings to the execution of their public service duties. In private business, we get to decide with whom we do business but the market dictates how we do it. Our personal likes or proclivities are an impact on those decisions only in so much as we want to stay in business. Government funded concerns, staffed by government payed employees, necessarily restricts their activities to established governmental policy. Their druthers don't play in that process.

firefighters ... would not have to extinguish church fires

If McMannus and friends are valid in their pursuit then firefighters who practice the Jehovah Witness religion would not have to extinguish church fires. In case you did not know, Witness' will not build, attend nor participate in any way in church activities - only Kingdom Halls! Personal views don't matter once you take the job.

That's all I have to say about that!

Conservatism is the Latest Fad

2011-01-28T04:20:00.000-08:00

Like many of you, I am an active participant in the Facebook networking site. As a film actor, it is a useful tool. I also play the occasional game and stay in touch with friends. There are many aspects of facebook I find annoying. I really hate the bait and switch App's which proliferate the site. I initiated one app, the other day, which promised to track my page views. After filling out 3 surveys and receiving numerous spam texts to my cell phone number, I finally lost interest and texted stop to the spam texter.

Even more annoying than these misleading offers, is the proliferation of misleading "Conservative" ads. Joe Strauss for Texas Speaker of the House: A true Conservative; the new tea party book - Why did Obama bow to foreign leaders?; ads for conservative newsletters. I think you get the point.

Of note: Joe Strauss is a Rhino Republican based on his voting record.

With the November elections, came the previously muted voice of the silent majority. To the surface emerged millions of previously unheard from voters. The Tea Party turned out to be a mere postage stamp for the powerful message sent to the leadership of our country.

"Talk radio, of all things, leveled the playing field. "

Much has been made of the true face of the Silent Majority. Republicans had often speculated them conservative. Democrats have always touted them Moderates. It is no longer speculative nor is it open to interpretation. Americans, by and large, are conservative. One wouldn't know it based upon news reporting, film,or the make up of our government. What we see on television and on-line is the product of a small liberal populace that controls the public message. Their opinions are shouted from the mountaintop via the most powerful medium in history. Talk radio, of all things, leveled the playing field. It is incredible that AM radio has been the vehicle by which conservatives have united and are in the act of retaking America? Radio is the modern revolutionary underground.

Based upon the demonstrable changes in our political climate, I assert that maybe 10% of the American people are truly Liberal. 90%, or more, embrace the ideals of the American breadbasket, Rockwellian, conservative principles. The liberals would have you believe the numbers are lower than that. They would site that no one wants to see others suffer. They hold that the individual American sees the need for social reform, health care for everyone, welfare for the common man down on his luck: everyone wants to help his neighbor when he's down.

"Silent Majority" was stirred to action by the blatant arrogance of a liberal government..."

The United States is the most giving country in the world. We are always first to offer assistance when our brothers fall upon hard times. As a result, our eagerness to lend a hand makes us an easy target for those who would take advantage of this same generosity. Liberals take it one step further by mandating "generosity" in all their corpulent social programs. These mandates become a vacuum which sucks money from the doers into the pockets of government first and the needy last. The ranks of the needy grow as a result, as does the glut for the doers' money. But I digress: this missive is about the emerging conservative fad.

I believe that most Americans are so disenchanted with the political climate, and so busy with the important work of their lives, that they fail to engage in the day to day monitoring of our governmental behemoth. This "Silent Majority" was stirred to action by the blatant arrogance of a liberal government that flew its undisguised agenda in the face of the American people. The Democrats' brazen disregard for American ideals caught the attention of even the most non political of us. The result was a jaw dropping political defeat unheard of since the 30's.

In the breach of this election, the American people have adopted a breathless wait and see posture. The newly elected are being scrutinized more closely than even the deposed liberals before them. Campaign promises are now more than just flowery pillow talk. The candidates, newly elected and incumbents, will be supported or discarded according to his or her actions.

The bi-product of all this groundswell reaction is a strong, if not awkward, marketing push to capture a market share of the conservative movement. Even more obviously self-serving and opportunistic are the newsletters and periodicals subscription offers coming out of the woodwork. Suddenly, every candidate is a staunch conservative. Everyone is now a pundit and author. Liberal democrats now lay claim to conservative values as are select liberal Republicans riding the party wave. The democrats are to be forgiven because lies and misdirection are hallmark traits for them but, as the party selected by conservatives to assimilate, liberal Republicans are to be reviled as cancerous impediments to conservative progress.

"When Ted Koppel and Dick Morris are dubbed conservative strategists, something is up. "

So now the campaign is on. We free thinkers and American patriots are being hammered by anyone, who is either, out to make a buck, political position, or those who want to garner his or her 15 minutes of fame as a pundit, author or blogger. It is conceivable that I could be lumped into the latter category except that my conservative inflamatorium predates even George W. Bush.

Conservative tomes used to be rare and much the scandal. Nowadays, every talk show host is published as are most conservative politicians. I grow weary of the same ham handed attempts to rouse the conservative troops to a lather: touting trite epitaphs and taking quippy back-handed shots at the liberals. Now that it is cool to be a conservative, the cowardly politician, who would have considered suicide before he or she would ever have outed himself or herself from the conservative closet, has taken that bold step out-of-doors behind the protection of a new political correctness, made possible by a scant few who put their careers on the line. Now that the 'all clear' has been sounded, the cowards are coming out of hiding, like roaches scurrying about after the kitchen lights have been clicked off.

"A liberal will always define conservatism as selfish and callous. "

My fellow conservative stalwarts, be slow to trust the conservative trumpeting of the politicians. Be leery of what you read under the guise of 'conservative publications.' Check the internet archives for past video or audio recordings of the conservative media hosts. When Ted Koppel and Dick Morris are dubbed conservative strategists, something is up. Conservatism is not a new shoe style to be selected while it is in style. Conservatism is a life choice.

The most difficult part of conservatism is the bedrock values inherent to being a true conservative. A liberal will always define conservatism as selfish and callous. This definition is easy to illustrate from the liberal view point. Remember that liberalism is the path of least resistance. It is easy to be liberal. All one must do is relegate any inequity or tragedy to the avoidable; thus, either purposely devised, or avoidable through more careful preventions. All victims of these tragedies are victims of the inequity or tragedy. Victims are entitled to help and succor. All tragedies and inequities can be avoided through more careful and compassionate legislation and larger sums of money thrown at the problem. To be conservative means to understand that bad things happen to good people and not everyone can finish in first place. Losing is not popular with anyone but it is completely unacceptable to a liberal. The term 'less fortunate' illustrates this lunacy. A wealthy person is not more fortunate than another. The homeless are not less fortunate than the wealthy. What you get out of life is in exact proportion to what you put into it. Being fortunate is like being pregnant. You are either fortunate or you are not. It was once said that we are all self made but only the millionaires are willing to admit it.

"How can the words of an imperfect man be made perfect?"

Finally, liberalism is all about money. The typical liberal is a victim of the efforts of the worker. 'If I had only invented Velcro I would be wealthy too. ' 'Who couldn't turn 8 million dollars into 800 million?'

Conservatism is all about opportunity. Abraham Lincoln said all men are created equal. This is completely untrue. All men were created with equal opportunity. How can the words of an imperfect man be made perfect? If we were all truly equal, no one would win a foot race. No one would be more attractive than another. There would be no birth defects. IQ tests would be pointless. Why is it that the vast majority of entrepreneurs have no college education? Unrewarded genius is a proverb. If the greatest musical talent were making the greatest amount of money then the people in Nashville wouldn't be there: someone else would be. Conservatism is founded on the belief that anyone is capable of anything if they are willing to work hard enough to earn it. Liberalism is founded in the belief that gain is possible only through loss by another.

The fad conservative cannot hide from the light of conservatism. Principled decision making and a willingness to sacrifice one's political career for conservative values, no matter how unpopular, are key components of the litmus test.

False Hope: The Liberals are Coming!

2011-01-15T08:02:00.000-08:00

I was watching “The Factor” last night, as I have most of this past week. O’Reilly annoys me as a matter of course, mainly due to his opaque host manner and his unmoving opinion, which shuts down all who don’t agree with every detail of his opinions. I have long suspected him of being a Rhino Conservative. This week, his mantra has been: “I have spoken with several Liberals who say they ‘get it’ and are moving right.“ I am sorry, Bill, but I have trouble buying this altruistic self serving sentiment. I say self serving because each time he says it, he is defending his opinion that the venomous anti-conservative-rhetoric attacks by the left have exposed the left for what they are and always have been: mealy-mouthed, bitter, malcontents with a poisonous, if not unrealistic, agenda. I have real trouble believing that any staunch liberal is moving right even a hair.

“Being liberal is an easy choice.”

You see, there is a fundamentally impossible change a liberal would have to make to move right. He would have to stop making judgments based solely upon emotional stimuli. Additionally, he would have to abandon the predominant liberal trait of taking the path of least resistance. Being liberal is an easy choice. Whatever makes you feel good, justified or better is a centerpiece to the liberal ideology. They support environmentalism because it just makes sense that there are a limited number of trees and breathable air in the world so it stands to reason that man could destroy a finite resource. They support abortion because one can always justify ones actions simply by comparing those actions to the more base actions of another person. Liberals support hate crimes because the path to hell is paved with good intentions but so is assault on a person of color. Liberals believe there are only victims with one common perpetrator: conservatives. Is tolerance really a good thing? Can you build a relationship with a person you only tolerate?

How do you feel about your wife?

I tolerate her.

You see, liberals are lacking a human component necessary to make a successful move to the right. They lack the ability to judge based upon the weight of fact, as judged by a principled set of rules. By definition, liberalism is a theology based in a devil’s advocate sense of things. Cynicism is the basis for liberalism. Why do you think that liberals get so worked up when they argue a point with or about a conservative? Why is it so difficult to debate a liberal? Why are liberals always so emotionally charged? Why is the first reaction of a liberal to ridicule and minimalize? Why do liberals exude a domineering air of mental and moral superiority over conservatives?

“The liberal person feels a calling to, what he perceives to be, a higher order of things.”

Liberals are not rational. I didn’t say liberals are not convicted. I didn’t vouchsafe ignorance on their part. I truly believe many liberals are intellectually superior to most conservatives: in as much as a larger number attain higher levels of education than the majority of conservatives. The liberal person feels a calling to, what he perceives to be, a higher order of things. This calling makes it essential that a commitment to education be pursued in order to attain priesthood in the liberal faith. By the way, all liberals attain clergy status. There are no followers, only enlightened missionaries in a world rife with cultural heathens.

Conservatives tend to be the steak and taters class. They are the bedrock upon which our economy and culture majorum are based. Liberals make claim to the higher moral ground because they believe they are enlightened. They are not required to be moral, much in the vein of a policeman having to speed in order to chase down a speeder.

Conservatives are the ‘great unwashed’, in their opinion. To imagine that a liberal would move right would be to believe he were willing to whittle away about 30 IQ points and shed his college diploma as John Kerry shed his Vietnam war medals.

Nancy Pelosi: “…the terrible “accident” in Tuscon was a tragedy…”

The salve for any mistake a liberal would make is his sense of justification. A liberal can justify any act or statement via his intent. Words are a thin veil behind which the true intent of the concerned and motivated individual can plainly be seen. Nancy Pelosi stated on the House floor that “…the terrible “accident” in Tuscon was a tragedy…” Of course she knew it wasn’t an accident. But, as so often with her, each sentence from her exalted person is merely an imperfect representation of a perfect intent, based upon perfect understanding, as inspired by unprecedented enlightenment.

Conservatives are individuals based in deliberateness. To the left, the conservative is a plodding beast of burden. Liberals acknowledge that middle class America is the engine of our country’s economy. They merely have to rein in that engine’s selfish tendencies to make all right and fair in the world. They believe opportunity is not something you take from life. It is something you share with others from whom opportunity presented itself first. This ‘Borg’ mentality is pervasive with liberals. The good of the collective above the good of the individual.

“Pro-activity, or a lack thereof, would require responsibility”

In history only 20 assassinations or assassination attempts have occurred when congress men and women were out and about with the populace. The popular liberal response to the Tuscon shootings is to bolster security everywhere. Of the hundreds of thousands of airplane flights each year, 4 hijacked airline flights changed American travel forever. Continued reactionary policies by our idiotic federal government will ultimately have us flying, on commercial flights, in stasis, in armored cylinders, like pickled herring, before long.

Bill O’Reilly has made this belief his motto of the week. “We need to expand the Federal Marshall service and make sure every Congressperson has at least one in attendance when they appear in public.” By the way: liberals are always reactive. Pro-activity, or a lack thereof, would require responsibility; to take ownership of one’s own actions. As discussed earlier, liberals are victims. Perpetrators are a combination of conservative falsehoods acted upon by the unrestrained. Conservatism leaves the door open wide, through which malcontents and angry psychotics rush. The libelous attacks on conservative populars like Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann, Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh, will pass into distant history. Mob memory is short. Bill O’Reilly’s optimism for liberal conversion is unrealistic and impossible.

“Conservatism is intellectually honest”

There are no moderates when it comes to conservatism. By definition, conservatism demands adherence to a stringent code of values and a dogged commitment to selfless principles. Conservatism is intellectually honest in ones acknowledgment that bad things happen to good people and sometimes that person is you. Conservatism is a belief in responsibility for one’s words and actions. There is no excuse for irresponsibility. To moderate these principles is to abandon conservatism.

So Bill, I don’t buy your assertion that there are unnamed liberals, known only to you, who have “seen the light.” That spectrum of light is not in the visual bandwidth of the ‘enlightened.’ Last night you inquired whether Glenn Beck had experienced the liberal conversion phenomena on his show. He dismissed this out of hand with an immediate ‘I haven’t seen that’ response.

The factor is entertaining but I suspect that as with Dick Morris, Ted Koppel and many other former liberals, a market is being tapped to the detriment of the true conservatives. The media, and many Republicans, are attempting to ride a wave of fad conservatism which will break upon the rocks of truth soon enough. Liberalism is dynamic: this ever changing nature of liberalism is the allure. Conservatism is timeless and static. Change is implemented through this immovable foundation not because of it.

Blood Libel

2011-01-12T17:54:00.000-08:00

Eight minutes worth of eloquence in a well written, well delivered response to the hate speak of the left, and all we can hear is the anachronistic term "Blood Libel."

Sarah Palin posted an eight minute video addressing the increasing fervor of the left and its attack dog, the liberal press. The message was an attempt to stem the growing furor from the left: the effort to get political momentum behind baseless, empty accusations that the conservative message is other than the promise of a commitment to the American way as intended by the founders. Her words belied the liberals' efforts to get the American people popularly behind their destructive agendas by assigning blame for the Arizona killings to the message of the right. Her video said precisely the right thing measured in the right way to prevent an impending fear of reprisal from responsible Americans.

Conservatism is in real danger of being consigned to the restricted areas of political correctness. Palin's video was subtle in its caution to the Liberals' agenda while confirming her unflagging support of conservative efforts

"Obviously, she was not implying that she is a slighted Jew..."

Obviously, she was not implying that she is a slighted Jew in the literal definition of Blood Libel. She is referring to the unfair and punitive reaction by a narrow minded, over compensating press and liberal political body. Compare the baseless accusations made against right wing politicians and talk show personalities to the groundless murders of innocent Jews at the hands of blind haters of the middle ages. Like these middle age bigots, the left is desperate to eliminate anyone who would have the strength and temerity to oppose their equally nonsensical agenda. In her video, Sarah Palin's message was warm and encouraging. Her meaning was clear. Her demeanor was measured and open.

Sarah Palin

It is hilarious. That term has incited such a viral reaction all over the net. Two factions are at work here. The first are the many liberal intellectuals who, in their petty arrogance, decided to ridicule based on a literal translation of the term Blood Libel. The second faction is the mindless mob of article comment pundits. The typical commenter has barely the IQ to maintain body temperature and the reading level of a 6th grader. None of these commenters were offended nor did they pay attention to the Blood Libel term until they read that they should pay attention and be offended. My favorite response is: "That's why Sarah Palin will never be president."

"...typical commenter has barely the IQ to maintain body temperature..."

The similarities between the Blood Accusations of the middle ages and the baseless accusations of the incident in Arizona are remarkable. According to Jared Lee Loughner's best friend, the accused was not a fan of TV nor talk radio, much less a devotee of conservative pundits or politicians.

Hapless liberal politicians, following the reports of a vindictive and uninformed press, took action. The comments flew willy nilly. Speech limitations were proposed on the Senate and House floors. Every effort was made to accuse as many conservative well-knowns of inciting this murderous psychopath to his act of violence.

"It is better to be thought a fool than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt."

The desperation of the left to salve the wounds of a November drubbing drove the left to make a fool of themselves...Again! However, all this last four days of blood letting has done is to mobilize the mindless internet commenter to make a complete ass of himself and leave an indelible monument to the crass ignorance of the average web surfer.

I encourage you haters to crack a book every now and again - and I mean something other than a trashy fiction novel. Pay attention to what is around you. And most importantly, make up your own mind, observing the facts of a case, before you empty your chum bucket heads for all the world to see. A wise man once said, "It is better to be thought a fool than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt."

Sarah Palin: "America's Enduring Strength" from Sarah Palin on Vimeo.

The Tea Party: Fringe Kooks or Patriots?

2010-12-31T11:22:00.000-08:00

O'Donnell and Angle Fail to Wrest Control from the Dem's

Harry Reid: Dem Sen Nevada

Did the Tea Party take a bath in November? Is the Delaware senate race, where Christopher Coons defeated "Tea Party Candidate" Christine O'Donnell, indicative of a lack of American support of the Tea Party? Did Harry Reid's Nevada Senate race defeat of Tea Party Candidate, Republican, Sharron Angle prove that the Tea Party is a movement without teeth?

"Keith Obermann, made no effort to stem his insulting rhetoric of Tea Party endorsed Republican candidates"

On election night November 2nd, 2010, the former MSNBC loud mouth, Keith Obermann, made no effort to stem his insulting rhetoric of Tea Party endorsed Republican candidates as well as those Americans who support the Tea Party movement. His position, as is that of most popular network and network affiliated media members, puts the Tea Party on a par with Waco's Branch Dividians. Most mainstream news sources proclaimed, in sage tones, that the Tea Party is a trend: a fad which will sputter and fail over time.

Tea Party: Third Party?

The Tea Party is not a political party. It is not a fringe movement. The Tea Party doesn't even have leadership. So how could it possibly have gained so much traction in the political world? It is important to note that every movement, from religious to social, has always had leadership. So what does this say about the Tea Party movement? Tea Party members agree that the American people believe in the American dream: not the dream of little pink houses or a chicken in every pot; but the dream of equal opportunity to succeed without the meddling of government. The Tea Party is not a political party. It is the judge, jury, and executioner of our tax and spend politicians. The Tea Party is not a Republican faction. It is the means by which traditional conservative principles shall be forced upon member politicians of the Republican party.

"The "Rhino" Republicans will not last long in this new climate."

Keith Obermann

If the Democratic party were nearer the conservative, American beliefs of the people than the Republican party, the Democratic party would be the body which is being ministered by the Tea Party. Intrusive, corpulent government is the disease and The Tea Party is the penicillin for the disease. Expect major changes in the Republican party as the Tea Party Assimilates it. The "Rhino" Republicans will not last long in this new climate.

The pundits and reporters who shook their head at 'Tea Party Candidates who lost' are mistaken. There were no "Tea Party Candidates." There were candidates who read the writing on the wall and feigned conservatism in their campaigns and there were candidates who won primaries by being the real deal. The charlatans will be unmasked and driven from the ranks soon enough.

Please, No Bible Thumping!

There is a verse in the bible: “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Not all Tea Party members are Christian, but as a whole, the power of this verse is the power of the movement. The November midterm elections were the first strike against a system out of control. The power of the movement is in the fervor of principles and moralistic beliefs of the body. We are witness to an unprecedented happening. I said in an earlier blog that nothing of historic importance was ever done by a group; but rather, a group led by an individual. This Tea Party movement is a first among firsts: it belies my statement and many other bedrock precepts of the demigog establishment. It is a movement led by a combined spirit and belief rooted in the original intentions, as written, of the founders of the United States of America.

Sarah Palin

Republican Street Team?

The Republican Party is on the lame duck verge of being remade into the party of the people. This moniker has historically been the intellectual property of socialist movements. The difference, in this case, is the very nature of the Tea Party. There are no charismatic rebel-rousers inciting the throng. This is a movement driven by the intentions of our founding fathers. The Tea Party moves forward - constitution in hand - anachronistic slogans on placards. To the enlightened left, the images and shouts are to be ridiculed and mocked. "Tea Baggers" is the best they could do. Racists and fringe kooks were their flimsy hurled stones.

"The American people have never been more savvy... better informed...wielded more inalienable power than they do today."

The only people who believe these empty claims are the uninformed minions sought by this manipulative, self-interested Democratic party. These dupes are the same people who voted Barrack Hussein Obama into office via a sales pitch which promised pretty colors, sunshine and puppies. These are the same altruistic self feelers who whined and cried when the axe fell.

Many of the slurs are well spoken, intellectually adroit pleas for sensibility as defined by the left. To the uninformed, they make sense and are completely believable. Peruse the ignorant comments subsequent to any left vs. right news story on Yahoo. The American people have never been as savvy. They have never been better informed. They have never wielded more inalienable power than they do today.

Review - Valentines Day

2010-07-13T08:32:00.000-07:00

My fiancee and I were invited to a couple's house for swimming dinner and a movie. South Texas is a wonderful place for such events, especially during the heat of July. With hair askew from the pool and a full belly, I settled in for the all star cast movie, "Valentines Day."

This movie was a futile attempt at cleverness seasoned with a riveting all star cast whose acting style came right out of an episode of "Love Boat.". Unlike many of the films I review, this one was adequately acted though not at a feature film level. If I had wasted $25 on admission and popcorn I would have been pretty annoyed.

"It came off a little too Christmas movie of the week meets "Love American Style."

The writers really let the talent down on this one. The entire premise of the film was meant to be clever with a quirky slant. It came off a little too Christmas movie of the week meets "Love American Style." I may be cynical, but the whole 'Christmas comes but once a year' urgency applied to hearts and flowers day sentiment echoed hollowly.

When was the last time a drama featuring an all star cast didn't bomb? In the 70's, comedies like "It's a Mad Mad Mad World" did well because of its intended and delivered campiness. Comedy can be presented in a herd environment but I think love stories, if that's what any of these situations meant to portray, is a couples thing.

"The obvious social study plugs were a little over cooked..."

The obvious social study plugs were a little over cooked, in my opinion: Jennifer Beal and the interracial thing, Jennifer Garner and her waitress revenge on her married boyfriend (she flew to Philly to meet him but the Mai tra de facilitated her restaurant clearing actions because she taught his kid in school?), Bradley Cooper and his plot revealing gay relationship with the pro quarterback who recently came out on national TV, and Ashton Kutcher adorned in pink so we would know he is so vulnerable and sensitive. What happened to George Lopez? Did they cast him as the token Mexican comedy side kick on purpose?

"In Nashville they have "Fanfair" In Hollywood they make a cheesey ensemble movie."

The premise of the movie was transparent and self serving. The plots were equally predictable and sophomorically intertwined. The light-hearted intent was artificial and preserved at the cost of true dramatic impact. It became apparent early on that the only redeeming quality of this film was the cast. In Nashville they have "Fanfair" In Hollywood they make a cheesey ensemble movie.

I file this movie under the occasional "Hollywood Reunion Film" which is inflicted on fans from time to time. Zanex would have been cheaper and less frustrating.

O'Reily Spring Nationals: Team Zizzo - A Personal Story

2010-04-14T21:24:00.001-07:00

My good friends Greg and Louise invited me and my lovely girlfriend, Lana, to the drag races. I have never been a big race car fan and I have been known to pose the query: 'Are drivers athletes or not?' We arrived at Houston Raceway Park on a balmy April day. Greg had secured a camping spot for his large pull behind trailer near the track area. Greg is not one to half ass anything so we had access to 2 golf cart type transports, cases of Miller Lite and mounds of beef fajitas and riblets. The name 'riblets' kills me.

"John Force, Bernstein, Kallitta, Cory Mac? I guess I had some familiarity with the names. "

We arrived on Friday without the benefit of our significant others. The hilarious Steve, Greg's brother in law, completed the dynamic trio. After setting up camp Greg suggested we check out the races. Tickets during 'happy hour' on Friday are only $17 rather than the minimum $47 per day necessary to enter for the remainder of the weekend. We paid, grabbed a beer, and watched a few races. After a time of watching the top fuel dragsters Greg, who was the veteran of attending the races, suggested that we walk around pit row. So the three of us moseyed over to the pit row named 'Nitro Alley' - or at least that is what the sign said.

We toured the spoils of high dollar sponsorship quantified in the form of brightly and intricately painted tractor trailers, buses, and pit areas emblazoned with names of which I had heard in passing and others whose names had become famous enough to have wafted into the notice of a non-fan such as myself. John Force, Bernstein, Kallitta, Cory Mac? I guess I had some familiarity with the names. We were on our 4th Miller Lite by the time we happened upon Team Zizzo out of Chicago, Illinois. Fate is a sometimes stern and sometimes a rewarding task mistress. Greg, Steve and I were reading the names on the poster at the entrance to the Zizzo pit area when a saucy Sicilian woman approached the tether separating us fans from the pro team members. It may be my acting confidence, although I believe fate had a hand in my hailing Media Relations expert, Cathie Gallo, with a "Hey you are the chick in the picture" comment.

"Passion is her driving force and her Sicilian nature is the ire by which she conquers unshakeable odds."

With her characteristic beaming smile she said "Yes I am, and who are you?" That was the beginning of the most surreal experience of my life. Cathie and I hit it off. She is quite possibly the most charismatic personality I have ever met. Passion is her driving force and her Sicilian nature is the ire by which she conquers unshakeable odds.

Within a few moments she drew me behind the pit barriers and brought me into the presence of a man whose penetrating gaze would be intimidating if it weren't for his engaging demeanor. TJ Zizzo, driver and son of team owner Tony Zizzo shook my hand and extended to me a cautious welcome. I informed him that I was a film actor and would be interested in chronicling his team with my HD camera. He vouchsafed that he would be open to it although I detected the reservations of a vetted pro who had heard every one-liner uttered by a desperate fan yearning for a moment in the sunlight of a Top Fuel Dragster driver at the pro level. I admitted to him that I wished I had not been 4 beers into it when we had met but assured him I would return bright and early the next morning garbed in God's own sobriety. He paused to look me over then said: "I look forward to it."

The next morning, with hangover headache, I arrived camera in hand. Cathie's face exploded into a broad grin as she spied me arriving. The next few hours were filled with owner, driver and crew interviews and 'B roll' footage to buffer each. What struck me immediately was the chemistry which was a consistent thread binding the entire team. Every member had a personal relationship story leading to their joining the team. Tony Zizzo, team owner and charismatic leader, was the manifest persona reflected in the motley make up of this Chicago-based crew. Over two days in the pit I never heard more than a half dozen words between Zizzo and individual crew members, but his will; his philosophy of winning; his strength of experience was omnipresent in each team member.

"Ask the man a question and one never knows the angle of attack he will take. "

Tony was a reluctant on camera contributor but rather accepted his role and performed his acting duties with glib humor and reluctant poise and charm. Between interviews and peppered throughout the shoot was the loquacious Cathie, filling in the blanks with key facts and important details about each team member. Ryan Ramos (engine bottom man) had the penetrating insight of a veteran twice his age, but with boyish charm, he described his duties in a dismissive manner which decried the danger and urgency of his duties. Tony Smith (clutch specialist) should be on ESPN the way he tallied the summary of track to tire to clutch to engine ratio. Rick Messmore (car chief) was mixing Nitro and Methane as he spoke to me about his work with the team. His knowledge was a testament to his faith in crew chief Mike Kern's decisions about setting up of the car race to race. Ricky Dale (cylinder head specialist) was the quintessential upper midwestern sage personality, per my experience as a dyed in the wool Texan. He spoke with a smile and an apparent strength of conviction which, I have to assume, is born of a winning spirit germane to his team. Chris Schneider should be in film with his demeanor. Ask the man a question and one never knows the angle of attack he will take. I asked him what he thought about the Saturday morning rain storm which unexpectedly descended on the event. He continued to blow compressed air on a part seeming not to have heard. Unexpectedly, he said, "Everyone here has the rain to deal with. They do what we do...take the conditions and work with it." Mike Adams (utility and tires) came on at the same time that Chris joined team Zizzo. He busied himself picking up the slack and helping out everywhere he could when his duties didn't require his attention. He is a man who is never idle. His hawkish gaze is always searching for that gap to fill. My toughest interview was with Joe Cluts (cylinder heads and frame). He was very technical and focused. During our talk he kept the car and crew in sight in case he was needed. Apparently I had not earned the attention from him, but his team members assured me he was the quick wit and practical joker of the crew. I am unsure whether I desire his favor or not.

All crew members had several things in common: they were volunteers and they held down full time jobs at home. Truer dedication cannot be expressed than a man who sacrifices the precious commodity of work and family to support a mutual cause.

"Part super hero, part philanthropist, he is powered by nothing less than a diesel electro-generator for a soul. "

TJ Zizzo: now he is a study in human nature. Part super hero, part philanthropist, he is powered by nothing less than a diesel electro-generator for a soul. At age 16 he was considered the fastest teen alive. 18 years later at 34 he counts himself the most fortunate man on planet Earth. What is most remarkable about him is not the fact that he allows himself to be strapped into an explosive device which pulls over 4 g's and who's every moving part is a health hazard. Rather, his allure is the casual way he approaches his craft.

I donned a Peak/Zizzo crew shirt in order to join the team on the race track area. In the staging area, there was TJ texting his Mom, Wife and whomever else, as if he were getting ready to check out a book in a public library. On cue, he began his ritual of checking the car - laying hands upon it tenderly. Make no mistake, he may air casual interest in his surroundings but from the moment he begins his pre-race dogma the man visually enters an area of mental and physical intensity which bonds him to his machine as surely as if the crew had composited him into the very mechanisms which drive it.

"Tony sees in his son those things which makes him a great driver."

Dad, Tony Zizzo garbs him and secures him in the cockpit in a dance they share before every race. It occurs to me that the skills which make a driver are deep within the man and recognizable only to another of the same ilk. I say this because of the way Tony oversees TJ's preparations to enter the car. His gaze loiters on a number of details to which I would never pay attention. I can't pinpoint the source of this attention because I am not a driver, but suffice it to say Tony sees in his son those things which makes him a great driver.

TJ and team made it to Sunday's quarter finals but was defeated by a combination of the nature of the machine and legendary competitor Cory "Mac" McClenathan. I was unsure how the team would take the defeat and, as most of my assumptions about the team, I was wrong. Tony , TJ and various crewmen assured me that they were upbeat about the weekend. Tony said, "Most of these drivers have more than 50 passes under their belt by this weekend where this is our first weekend to run the car this season. We made it to Sunday with an untested car. This is a good sign of what we are capable of doing this season."

"Team Zizzo is probably one of the most feared small teams on the circuit because of their success in spite of under-funding."

Team Zizzo is probably one of the most feared small teams on the circuit because of their success in spite of under-funding. The entire team attributes their respect among their well sponsored competitors to the unpredictable nature of a well run committed team. Their attention to detail and singularity of purpose in keeping one of the oldest cars on the circuit in contention event after event.

Keep up with Team Zizzo by subscribing to their monthly newsletter. Their web site is http://zizzoracing.com/Joliet, Ill. where the United Association Route 66 NHRA Nationals are being hosted at Route 66 Raceway. . My next event with them is the weekend of June 4th at their home track in Jolliet, IL.

Craig on Craig's List - or Why Socks are Mandatory at the Computer!

2010-04-05T16:35:00.000-07:00

It is crazy how, as the internet continues to advance with technology, some parts of the internet fall victim to it. Now that high speed internet is a way of life, all, including the idiots, are empowered. I have occasion to run ads either for employees or to sell items. Craig's list is popular enough that it is sometimes worth the moron danger to use it.

"I truly believe that Craig's list is the primary tool of the stay-at-home- ne'er-do-well husband."

A couple of years ago I ran an ad asking for carpenters for my construction business. I included a wage scale of 12 to 15 dollars per hour to start. I am not a big fan of Craig's list for personnel resources, mainly because it seems the typical applicant is - to be delicate - a little bit flighty. I truly believe that Craig's list is the primary unemployment retention tool for the stay-at-home- ne'er-do-well husband. This is a guy who is either unemployed or under employed part time. His effort to keep his wife off his ass by looking for work is completely a function of Craig's List.

Since the hero in our storyhas a primary occupation, after his bread winning wife leaves the house for her overtaxing job, is to flagellate to on line porn. Of course, he is a picture of fitness and mental acumen.

I remember calling back on an email sent in response to one of my ads. (By the way, guys like our hero never call, even when a number is made a part of the ad. This would require taking ones genitals away from the computer area and who knows when the urge may strike.) Because this particular ad had resulted in few telephone responses, I threw caution to the wind and called. His name was Alan. Alan answered one ring before it went to voice mail. I am certain he added that bit of suspense because he recognized the number on his caller I.D. from my ad.

In typical applicant polite speak seasoned with the proper mixture of cordiality and just a smattering of authority, I introduced myself and inquired as to candidate Alan's qualifications. He seemed a tad offended that I was being so personal so he had questions of his own he felt compelled to put to me.

"This would require taking ones genitals away from the computer area and who knows when the urge may strike."

He asked how busy I was.

I replied that I was busy enough that I was seeking out additional employees.

He followed up with where my office was located.

I indicated the general area.

He scoffed that that was a residential area. (Of course, at that point, he had triumphed.)

I admitted that I worked from a SOHO (Small Office / Home Office).

He chuckled and asked me where I stored my materials, my tools, my service vehicles, my office staff!?

I replied: the lumber yard, a tool box, my garage and my employees garages, she sleeps with me at night and I am usually with myself in my truck during the day.

My sense of humor has bounds and I am even less amused by worthless vagabonds attempting to draw me into a time consuming pointless debate on commerce, of which he knows less than the cat laying across from me now (The cat has the decency to clean her paws after pleasuring herself so I may be comfortable in her company.)

So I asked the un-showered, sticky handed, corpulent dolt whether he wanted a job or not. He seemed genuinely insulted and replied that when I had been in business long enough to learn how to run one properly ( and obviously I am sprucing up his statement) I might give him a future call and he would consider it.

I wasn't gazing in a mirror, but I am fairly sure my mouth screwed up into a frustrated grimace. I bid him go back to his jacking off and picking zits. Then I bid him adieu.

Another ad I ran on Craig's List was a 'for sale ad.' I was selling my 21' Maxum Cuddy Cabin for $5000.00. This was a good price based upon average value and I had done a lot of work to the boat to enhance it. I received a few calls and I did get the typical hairy handed email or two.

Remember that our hero in the semen stained T shirt is a goal setter. One day he will have to find a way to spend the largess he has earned after landing his cushy, well-negotiated computer job at the fortune 500 company lucky enough to have lured him away from his home-based sticky keyboard business.

"I am truly surprised women keep their panties around their hips with the negotiation powers of this guy."

The first email asked what my best price was. As motivated by his offer as I was - oh wait: that was the only sentence in his missive. I guess that should have done the trick. I am truly surprised women keep their panties around their hips with the negotiation powers of this guy.

Another email message stated simply: I had trouble seeing your ad. Did we all come up with the same answer? Say it with me: Don't you know that sort of thing can make you go blind?

No. No. I didn't say it. I merely advised him that he might need a better computer....and to clean off his monitor from time to time. Sorry, I couldn't help myself. So I guess I am hinting that these critical, and sometimes sardonic, individuals have accumulated quite a bit of unspent aggression - and one's ad is an irresistible outlet by which they vent said aggression.

About 2 weeks ago I read an ad placed by a brave remodeling contractor. He was looking for a subcontractor to perform general carpentry work. I do that sort of thing in m real work so I replied. The ad gave too much information, in my opinion, with its explanation that some jobs would be small and others big. Defining big vs. small to our Craig's list cruiser would be a daunting task.

"I didn't even laugh because I know how the poor bastard felt."

To my astonishment, I got a return call from the phone number I included with my email reply. (He didn't leave a number - mistake of the highest order if you want serious response to your ad. Remember: our hero doesn't call, so your odds of a serious response go up exponentially when you add a number to the ad.) His first question was whether I had ever built anything before. I didn't even laugh because I know how the poor bastard felt. After a solid 20 minutes of low level "Craig's List Cruisers" filtering queries, we arranged a meeting. He wanted me to bring references, photo's of work done, tools he could see in my possession, a driver's license and social security card. I brought the requested items to a Lowe's where we had agreed to meet. After further in-person questioning for 15 minutes, I stopped him, a nice guy, though somewhat harried looking, and I said:

"So your biggest objection is that I answered an ad left by you on Craig's List."

"Actually, yes", he replied.

"I am ashamed", I said, "but with the economy like it is, I had to make an Obama run this one time."

He laughed. And in relief he contracted me to do the work. We have done several jobs (big and small) since.

I believe that any classified page, or site, that includes a "Rant and Rave" section should give one pause. But, in deference of our hero, the nature of a free site, where the advertising desperate go for assistance, has a compelling allure to the bored unemployed in post-climactic bliss.

Not Liberal - Not Conservative - Just American

2010-04-02T05:42:00.001-07:00

For a moment let's put our party affiliation or Conservative/Liberal feelings aside. The two party system is integral to our system of government; but it is divisive to our solidarity with one another as citizens. With the new Healthcare Law passed, there is a lot of salesmanship going on to convince the American people this is a good thing on the part of the Democrats. The Republicans are spewing anger, citing its unconstitutional nature. We can agree that there is a definite divide down aisle center on the matter.

"49% of the American people across party lines were positive about the new law"

I want to ask a couple of questions: What is the biggest benefit of this Law? Free health care is probably the answer most would give. What is the biggest detriment? The conservative answer is the socializing of 1/6th of the American economy. I read a blog yesterday that touted a Gallop Poll as finding that 49% of the American people across part lines were positive about the new law. In our political climate, polls seem
to have become the measure of right, wrong, and what is constitutional or not. If our courts operated on polls, I vouchsafe that Rush Limbaugh would have been put to death for his pain killer addiction related "crimes.' In this world, Dr. Jack Kevorkian would have won the Nobel Peace prize for his euthanasia practice.

But that is not the case. Our country was founded on a set of concrete principles and unambiguous laws. Popularity has nothing to do with what our founding fathers intended. The passing generation - the World War 2 generation - made the hard decisions with relish. When the war became ours to bear our youth flocked to the recruiting stations. American patriotism was so strong in our youth that many was the story of a young man who was found unfit to serve he would take his own life rather than live with the shame.

"Less Fortunate" is inaccurate. "Less Hard Working" or "Less Driven" would be more accurate."

The two party system has divided us. The two party system does not exist outside of politics. We Americans are one. I do believe that there are some basic rules we must follow as people. I am not wealthy. I am a carpenter/pundit who's business is down 80% due to the economy. I know others who are in worse shape than I am. When I am able to scrape a hundred bucks together, what makes it right for me to be forced to give part of it to a guy who doesn't work just because he is "less fortunate?" By the way, "Less Fortunate" is inaccurate. "Less Hard Working" or "Less Driven" would be more accurate. In this land of infinite opportunity, if you are not where you want to be, it is because you don't want it badly enough. There is no law on the books that prevents any American from succeeding in earning money. My point is: what you get out of life is in exact proportion to what you put into it. Nothing is free. Free health care is oxymoronic. It will be free only to those who are not making an effort to earn a living. The rest of the American people will pay the bill. The government has now gone into the business of mandating that we buy a product or service or we are punished legally. I can only hope that a law is passed where everyone has to buy a home rather than rent. As a builder, I will clean up. Those who cannot afford a new home will get the home for free from the government. I will have guaranteed work for the rest of my life. This seems far fetched to you? Property taxes would be the motivation. Better schools, roads and infrastructure. Renters dilute the tax base because multi-family structures pay less per individual than owned real property. Fact: Government is about revenue - unearned revenue.

So how will health care be paid for under this law? Political dogma aside: our taxes. And make no mistake, all of our taxes are going up. The rich will go elsewhere with their money. The rest of us will stay and deal with this.

"Even the Canadian president came here for a heart saving procedure last month."

Quality-wise, we have the best health care in the world. Even the Canadian president came here for a heart saving procedure last month. Canada has one of the farthest reaching socialized health care systems in the world. The proponents of universal health care continually touted their system as a model we should adopt. So why did Mr. Canadian Resident comer here for his life saving procedure?

The affordability is the problem. How can we buy so expensive a product? When the fuel prices went to $4 per gallon last year, Americans stopped driving. The price dropped to half that price in less than a month. But, according to the political sales pitch, driving is a luxury whereas health care is a necessity. Both are a necessity for trade and survivability. Whether we drive or take a bus or train we need transportation to get to work and back home; to the store, and to the hospital. Hospitals are key for check ups, emergency room injuries, sickness, and calamitous disease. The thing that fuel and medical have in common, is that both, like any product in the world, is priced based upon what the market will bear. Gas dropped because Americans limited their consumption to what was necessary based upon their needs. If Americans stopped running to the doctor with every sniffle and sneeze, those doctors' salaries, hospital costs, and taxes would have to be paid somehow. Can we find a sale on appendectomies this week? Market will level the prices. Competition will lower those prices. Why is it common practice that, upon check out from a hospital, the released patient is always offered a lower cash price as an option? Does filing with an insurance company cost 50% more than processing a cash payment? This is proof that there is pricing wiggle room in the medical industry's pricing structure.

Capitalism is power to the people. We benefit from both the consumer, as well as the provider side. When you go to work for an employer, by the hour, you are selling your services by the hour at a market rate. Unions operated, originally, by creating solidarity among workers forcing employers to pay everyone a preordained minimum, or the work did not get done. Capitalism. Now labor unions are out to take over employers using this same power. The "bail out of General Motors resulted in the labor unions taking ownership of a large piece of the corporation.

Honor, as it existed with the passing generation, does not exist anymore. We no longer want what is right and fair. We want to make those who provide opportunity to pay dearly for our selfish benefit. Capitalism, unlike socialism, requires honesty and integrity. When the media and politicians celebrate the underachievers; taking from the achievers: we cannot help but see this trend as justified. What if I won the lottery? Would I turn down the money?

"The stereotypical evil rich fat cat is not who will be hurt in this growing scenario"

What if you had risked your livelihood to start and grow a business while the next guy did nothing? Would you want to give your blood sweat and tears away to him? The stereotypical, evil, rich, fat cat is not who will be hurt in this growing scenario in our country. The small business person is going to be crushed. Small business is owned by the middle class. Our freedom is rooted in our ability to own property. In France, farms are owned by the state and leased to individuals to work. There is no middle class in France. All of Europe is that way. The constitution and Bill of Rights guaranteed, as one of our rights, the ability to own property.

Health care reform is capitalism reform, just like TARP was capitalism reform. Bush is not without blame in my book. Fellow American - fellow free man and woman - familiarize yourself with our constitution. In it you will find the key to your ability to do what ever it is that makes you happy. You will not find in it the key to taking away from others who are building their dreams in order to create your own. A market solution is the only one for health care reform.

Stealing from the have's will not save the have not's. Empowerment via knowledge will save the have not's.

Go Ahead - Be an American!

2010-04-01T13:42:00.000-07:00

What the hell happened -

545 people vs 300 million people

This is about as clear and easy to understand as it can be - read it!!

The article below is completely neutral, ...not anti republican or democrat.
Charlie Reese, a retired reporter for the Orlando Sentinal has hit the nail
directly on the head, defining clearly who it is that in the final analysis must
assume responsibility for the judgements made that impact each one of us every day.
It's a short but good read. Worth the time. Worth remembering!

545 vs. 300,000,000

EVERY CITIZEN NEEDS TO READ THIS AND THINK ABOUT WHAT THIS JOURNALIST HAS SCRIPTED IN THIS MESSAGE.

Charley Reese has been a journalist for 49 years.

545  PEOPLE--By Charlie Reese

Politicians are the only people in the world  who create problems and then campaign against them..
Have you ever  wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?
Have you ever wondered, if  all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have  inflation and high taxes?
You and I don't propose a federal budget.  The president does.
You and I don't have the  Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of  Representatives does.
You and I don't write the tax code, Congress  does.
You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.
You  and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve  Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one  president, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally,  and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague  this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve  Board because that problem was created by the  Congress.   In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty  to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central  bank.
I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a  sound reason. They have no legal authority.  They have no  ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one  cotton-picking thing.   I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash.  The  politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what  the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility  to determine  how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault.   They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What  separates a politician from a normal human being is an  excessive amount of gall.   No normal  human being would have the gall of a  Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating  deficits.....   The president can only propose a budget.  He cannot force the Congress to accept  it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the  land, gives sole responsibility to the House of  Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes.   Who is the speaker of the House?    Nancy Pelosi.  She is  the leader of the majority party.  She and  fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want.  If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if  they agree  to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million can  not replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of  incompetence and irresponsibility.   I can't think of a  single domestic problem  that is not traceable directly to those 545 people.  When you fully  grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal  government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to  exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it  unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in  the red ..

If the Army & Marines are in   IRAQ   ,  it's because they want them in  IRAQ

If they do not  receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available  to the people, it's because they want it that way.

There are no  insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift  the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can  abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to  regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can  take this power.   Above all, do not let them con you into  the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the  economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing  what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and they  alone, are responsible.

They, and they alone, have the  power..

They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.

Provided the voters have the  gumption to manage their own employees...

We should vote all of  them out of office and clean up their mess!

Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the  Orlando  Sentinel  Newspaper.

What you do with this article now that you have  read it, is up to you.

This might be funny if it weren't so darned true.

Be sure to read all the way to the end:

Tax his land, Tax his bed,

Tax the table, At which he's fed.
Tax his tractor, Tax his mule,

Teach him taxes Are the rule.

Tax his work,Tax his pay,
He works for peanuts Anyway!
Tax his cow, Tax his goat,
Tax his pants, Tax his coat.

Tax his ties, Tax his shirt,
Tax his work, Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco, Tax his drink,
Tax him if he Tries to think..

Tax his cigars, Tax his beers,
If he cries Tax his tears.

Tax his car, Tax his gas,
Find other ways To tax his ass.

Tax all he has Then let him know
That you won't be done Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till He's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin, Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in Which he's laid...
Put these words Upon his tomb,
Taxes drove me to my doom...'

When he's gone, Do not relax,
Its time to apply The inheritance tax..

Accounts Receivable Tax Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax, Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)Gross Receipts Tax, Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax, Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)Liquor Tax, Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax, Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax Property Tax
Real Estate Tax Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax, Road Usage Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax, Sales Tax
School Tax, State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service FeeTax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY? Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world.  We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.
What in the hell happened?   Can you spell 'politicians?'
I hope this goes around THE  USA  at least 100 times!!!

YOU can help it get there!!!
GO AHEAD - - - BE AN AMERICAN!!!

Review: Bridge to Terabithia

2010-03-29T10:04:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally watched it. This movie has scored high marks with the mom and kid crowd since it came out a couple of years ago. I was visiting a single mom friend of mine. She and her daughter insisted that I watch the movie with them. The first 3/4 of the movie droned along following the plight of two kids who spent most of their days in school avoiding bullies who seemed to be irresistibly drawn to these two misunderstood targets. Those they could not avoid made their lives miserable to the point of sadistic psychosis.

"The blonde chick ... is mysterious and a tad quirky but seems to be uncommonly self-possessed and confident."

One day they (boy and girl) traipsed through the woods and happened across a rope swing dangling above a small stream. They swing across and enter an imaginative world

of dark kings, bizarre creatures and an abandoned tree house recreated by their imaginations into a 'Swiss Family Robinson' fabulous abode.

As the story goes on the boy's private conflict with a depressed and introspective father, quarreling older sisters and the idolization of his kid sister dominate the character development of the film. The blonde chick with whom he shares the imaginary world of Terabithia is mysterious and a tad quirky but seems to be uncommonly self-possessed and confident. As a team, they support one another as the day to day mischievousness of their bully nemesis' continues.

One day the boy is invited to a museum by his hot music teacher - hey I would definitely do her too. He accepts and they drive off together as the infatuated boy watches to make sure he is undetected by his uninvited "best friend" as they pass by her house. They have much fun and many laughs at the museum as his crush on teach grows.

Late that afternoon he gets back from the museum to the alternating frantic scolding and hugs and fawning over the seemingly truant son. His father breaks the news abruptly that his friend girl tried to cross the rope swing alone, fell, and died after hitting her head on a rock.

The remainder of the movie focuses on the boy's mending relationships with his father and the bullies at school and reconnecting with his doting younger sister.

My 'mom friend' looked at me through sagging mascara and a waning smile.

"Did you like it?", she asked with that look Spock gave the blonde alien in Star Trek when he said, "I too was.......moved."

I paused before answering. During these times of frail innocence and open emotion from another, I feel a responsibility to allow myself and those around me to cross that emotional bridge and to, as Deacon, in 'Waiting', said, 'Leave no mental stone untoined (unturned)."

Here was my reply:
"This was supposed to be a modern tragedy. I can see some of the trappings of tragedy but it failed the test."

The tears lay unheeded on her face as she absorbed this affront to her feelings and reaction to what she considered to be one of her favorite flicks.
"So this movie is good because it made you cry?", I asked. "So if I slapped the dookie out of you that would make me a good boyfriend, husband or significant other?"
Yeah I know what you are thinking. She said the same thing: "It's not the same thing, Craig." And: "You are a dick!"

Here is the test. If, in a tragedy, the protagonist or protagonists had lived, would the story have a happy ending? Simple, isn't it?
"If the story is good and the writing/acting is effective, the audience will be moved naturally and acceptably."

In the classic "Romeo and Juliet' the two could never be together because of their social and status inequities. If they had not died, Romeo would have ended up a military conscript or at best a tragic poet wandering aimlessly in a lonely world. Juliet would have been betrothed to some aristocratic curmudgeon and squeezed out 3 or 4 kids. The only way they could have been together was to die together.
In Bridge to Terabithia, if the girl had lived, they would have grown up together, studied together and resisted the evil advances of rogue bullies together. Both sets of parents liked the other kid so they could have done anything they wanted. They were only slightly different economically. I think the girl's dad made a little more money but that was not presented as an issue in the film plot. As they got older, they would have either become childhood sweethearts and gone on or had their first sexual expedition and lived out 'Lost Lagoon' or something like that.

Killing a 12 year old girl was pointless to the story. The boy had already opened his closed mind to the wonders of Terabithia in the first 20 minutes of the film. He had already gone through the changes that would have been the only reason but really obscure justification for her death. Her death in the film, is on the par with throwing a cat with a loud audio bang accompaniment to get a cheap start from an unsuspecting audience.
"Killing a 12 year old girl was pointless to the story."

In 'The Hitcher', Dave Myers - director - ran over a jack rabbit in the opening sequence of the movie. The gory scene had nothing to do with the story. It was just a cheap trick to upset the audience. If the story is good and the writing/acting is effective, the audience will be moved naturally and acceptably.

Because a movie makes you cry is not affirmation that the movie was good. Watch the nightly news. That kind of 'tragedy' happens every day.

Short Story: Fun as a Barrel of Monkeys

2010-03-29T09:02:00.000-07:00

He gained consciousness in the familiar confines of his apartment. He knew it was his because he could see the banister to his bedroom loft and the burgundy accent wall above him. But that was where the familiarity ended...He pulled himself to his feet.

"Ow." He played gingerly at the tender spot on top of his head: a spot covered by hair matted with dried blood - apparently his own. Because opening his eyes caused him pain, he squinted through narrowly separated eyelids at his surroundings. He groaned at the top of one of his home theater speakers poking out of the screen of his high def television. His green leather sofa, loveseat and lounger were in turn, toppled, ripped and...

"What the hell is that", he muttered, spitting out small strands of hair…or fur?

As he got closer he identified the smeared matter on the lounger as feces. Upon closer inspection, the overpowering smell which struck him like a blow confirmed the matter smeared on his walls as poop, up to about 4 feet from the carpet.

"Oh my God!"

"As he got closer he identified the smeared matter on the lounger as feces."

His carpet had been beige. The carpet he beheld now was a burnt umber-hued brown. Not only that; it was being jostled by the currents of the slowly spinning ceiling fan. It eddied languorously then settled…thousands of individual fibers.

He brought his scratched and soiled hand to his blood-stained lips and removed a like strand from under his tongue. It appeared to be fur. His back stiffened slowly. Dread washed upon him as he felt the blood drain from his ears and his neck flushed.

"Please no", he begged, though he already knew.

"Dread washed upon him as he felt the blood drain from his ears and his neck flushed. "

Slowly he turned. It was a laborious turn of the head, as he trained his diminished gaze upon the spot where his $10,000.00 drum kit had been. His dining room had become a drummer's shrine over the months he had lived there. Now the shrine was 4 feet of smeared feces and an impressionist sculpture of bristling drum sticks protruding from a wall made jagged and angry with broken cymbals, twisted boom stands, and deformed die-cast hoops. The fur blanketed floor welcomed the splintered spiny remains of cherry maple lacquered drum shells. In the center of the debris field was the bottom quarter circle and spiked legs of the 20 inch bass drum gently cradling a carefully deposited pile of poop.

He would have fallen to his knees had it not been for the liberally strewn mixture of feces and what had been the contents of his refrigerator at every available spot on his fur-bearing floor. As tears streamed down his cheeks, he made his way towards the front door. If only he could get outside into the fresh air; back to a semblance of the familiar; the sane! His bare feet…his shoes had been removed too…squished and sloshed as he staggered down the hall.

The door was ajar. Silhouetted in the grey light of the approaching sunrise was a squat wooden….Then it came back to him.

"Take me off your list you dick!"

His week had started like any other. Monday was always a drag. A weekend of heavy drinking and over-eating had endowed him with a sickly pallor and a reluctant wit. His main goal was coffee and feigned work behind the antiquated monitor at his place – a grey carpeted cubicle with a grey Formica desk over grey steel drawers housing the impersonal office supplies which bore testimony to the nomadic nature of his job and the listless vagrants who had made that cubicle a temporary home before he had stopped in.

'Downtime: please no calls now,' he thought.

The screen displayed a single line and his headset crackled with a 'hello.'

He summoned his best happy voice:

"Hi, does the idea of saving 50 to 75 percent on your utility bills interest you? (no pause) Of course it does. That's why I wanted to call you personally with an incredible offer…"

"Take me off your list you dick!"

This was his life? He had hoped the classroom training, last week, would never end. But it did. This was the hell for which he had prepared. There was no way he could last through Friday. No way!

But he did. Every day dawned with dread and dusked with despair. Was it too much to ask for a little fun? On Friday he did what anyone would do. He deposited his financial largess in his bank and went home to his sanctuary apartment and got on the phone. He needed some fun so, by god, he would have it! When fun was not readily available you ordered it in.

The fun arrived in the form of a wooden barrel, delivered by two overall clad, beefy men. Each sported scruffy van dykes, presumably to mark where their chins would have been had they been thinner.

"Sign here". One of them said.

He scrawled his name hurriedly and shut the door on the behemoths.

Once alone, he wanted to move the barrel where the light was better: to release the steel bindings. Although he strained mightily, he could not budge the container one inch. He studied the situation for no more than a minute and decided the barrel would be more gainly if the contents were emptied.

He went to the kitchen and found his household hammer in the drawer next to the sink above the cabinet door that concealed his plastic ware. You know the one: where he kept old drink cups and disposable lidded containers bearing fast food logos.

He hurried back to the ponderous container and worked at the steel strap. Slowly he was able to coax the steel band above the flat lid. Finally he wedged the claw of the hammer under the lid, secured by black headed nails. He worked the hammer around the lid until only two nails held the lid secure.

He grinned expectantly as he said:

"What could be more fun than a barrel of monkeys?"

The top exploded suddenly and he was thrown back, falling to the beige carpeted floor. With a cacophony of screams that made the welkin ring a flood of brown furry creatures boiled out of the barrel.

"The top exploded suddenly and he was thrown back, falling to the beige carpeted floor."

What he knew about a barrel of monkeys would be put to the test this night! The emerging primates seemed to have answers of their own to his many questions.

As the multitudes of fingered feet trampled him as they made good their escape he thought:

'Why would someone want to barrel monkeys? Further, who came up with the idea to do so? Did the fun meter tip depending upon the type of monkey? Were spider monkeys the optimum barrel occupant? Would a chimp be questionable or is the orangutan more agreeable with the confines of a barrel? Was a gorilla the revenge or practical joke method in the barreling community? It would seem that only one gorilla would fit.'

As the clamor heightened within his apartment he rose to join the riotous monkeys. He remembered no more than when he arrived at the point where the hallway entered the living room.

His last thought, as he slipped into the blackness of unconsciousness was that these particular monkeys didn't seem to be having much fun.

Review: The Hurt Locker

2010-03-27T15:26:00.000-07:00

Sergeant Will James: A compelling character? Maybe to some. The Hurt Locker won best picture at this year's Academy Awards. Was it truly the best? I enjoyed it although it seemed long and drawn out. I feel it lacked character development and a satisfying plot.

Times they are-a-changin' in the film industry. With the perpetuation of reality television shows and the mindless throng who watch them, it is inevitable that the theme would seep into bona fide cinema. This film was a fictitious reality show. What is truly sad is that we are now buying tickets to movies which ape the lowest form of entertainment. I have been an outspoken critic of reality shows so when I see a film that creates its own reality and portrays it in a linear non climactic way, I feel a little cheated.

"...when I see a film that creates its own reality and portrays it in a linear non climactic way, I feel a little cheated."

The movie was good in many of the areas it won Oscars. Where I feel it did not earn the award was in best picture. I got into acting because I believe in the power of the story. In every good story there is a build up to a crescendo - an emotional peak. The best films change the viewer's emotional
state. This film hinged its dramatic impact upon shock and awe explosions and the utter barbaric nature of the war in Iraq. As I said, there was little character development and the story lacked impact on a plot vs. emotional impact level. When our hero returns to the sand we are given the fact that he is a man obsessed with the danger of his work. Why wasn't this characteristic given more front and center stage throughout?

As far as military statements go, there was a complete lack of military bearing in all of the principle characters. What was up with the loony Major played by David Morse? Guy Pearce had a gritty cameo at the beginning of the film. If the movie makes a statement, it is this: Our troops are wasting their time and our money trying to stay one step behind the crafty bomb toting insurgents. The grocery store scene meant to point out the largess and waste of Americans and what we take for granted. I am about sick of being hit over the head about that one!

"The best films change the viewer's emotional state."

The acting was superb. The cinematography was excellent. The time spent on keeping the artsy shots yet not pandering to the uniqueness of the shot was well done. I have to say that both Avatar and Star Trek were better movies than this one.

It seems that the academy has to satisfy its artsy special interest/sociopolitical appetite. This film is the third "best picture" that has left me scratching my head. The first is American Beauty. Kevin Spacey is a favorite of mine but the whole midlife crisis, misunderstood teen, all conservatives have a deep seated homosexual side dogma wears thin. The second was Broke Back Mountain. This film makes me want to laugh. I have no issue with homosexuals, gays or even sexual promiscuity but the cowboys taking a roll in the tent and getting together for an anal anniversary party is a little too billboard for man on man love. Interesting film? Yes. Best picture? Far from it. It seems that a film has to go out of its way to be "edgy" to get notice from the Academy. Edgy is an effective tool but too much emphasis on it is comparable to too much Thousand Island dressing on a salad.

"I really thought Sgt James was going to go on a personal crusade against the evil bomber monkeys"

The Hurt Locker is better than the other two but I crave plot and storyline. The day to day life of the EOD guy is suspenseful but really goes nowhere as the main focus. I really thought Sgt James was going to go on a personal crusade against the evil bomber monkeys but that endeavor sputtered pointlessly through the movie.

I enjoyed the film even though the ending was uneventful and lacked dramatic pay off. Still it is not the best movie of 2009.

Apocrypha

2010-03-25T12:31:00.000-07:00

In October of 2007 San Antonio based film company, Ponderous Productions, began principle filming of one of the most ambitious film projects ever to be undertaken - possibly in film history. Brett William Mauser, founder of Ponderous and Director at large, conceived and wrote the script for a 10 movie series entitled "The Innocence Saga."

The series began with an ensemble cast of both unknown and experienced indie actors from the Austin/San Antonio area. At the helm, Brett Mauser, a vetted director with more than 15 completed films to his credit, shrouded the entire production under a cloak of secrecy. Even the principle actors had no clue what the movie was about. Scripts were distributed as fragments of scenes comprised of only dialogue necessary for the actor to complete his part of the scene.

"The film was shot by location and the actors were never certain in which film they were acting."

Each film was shot as a stand alone feature but comprised a segment of the whole Saga. Screening of the first film "InnocentKillers" filled two large auditoriums of the Alamo DraftHouse Westlakes in San Antonio in June of 2008. The film introduced the principle characters of the Saga and set the groundwork for a clever, if not confusing, plot which would span 9 future films. Many audience members, including cast and crew, left the movie with questions and not a small amount of excitement. Brett makes it habit to trail the current episode with a teaser for the next film, whetting the appetite and frustrating the patience. The second feature, "Shadow Dragon" would not be seen for 3 more months.

"Throughout the Saga other films in the Ponderous Universe are referenced."

Time travel to the future - to today. Nine of the movies have screened premieres and many of the mysteries have been solved. The big mystery, however has not. What was Jax talking about that 'he cannot ever know?' If you have not seen the movies they are available at Amazon or more easily at www.ponderousproductions.com.

The tenth film Apocrypha, is to be premiered at the Alamo DraftHouse Westlakes in May of 2010. If you have seen the films, you may appreciate the cleverness of the name. If not, the film will answer all your questions. Brett is known to have written the Saga over the past 20 years. Incredibly, every film he has produced in what he calls "The Ponderous Universe" is intertwined with the story of the Saga. The main villain, Collin Donovan, played by Craig Rainey is eluded to but is never seen until the Innocent Killers. Many of the characters from the previous Ponderous films appear in the Saga where their true roles are revealed. In short, the organization and arrangement of the Ponderous Universe films is remarkable.

Brett Mauser is somewhat of a recluse in his film making. He spends excruciating hours on set and on location filming, where he is friendly engaging and completely in charge. After filming is wrapped he secludes himself within his editing room where he crafts his films with adroit creativity. Between projects he and Executive Producer, Amanda Nutting, grapple with the business end of the films they produce.

As an actor, I put great weight behind a Ponderous trait: they always complete any film they begin. In a climate where the industry is in ample supply of film makers, there is a short supply of commitment to complete a film

"I have personally acted in 38 films. At least 30% have never seen post production."

Due to this fact, and largely to Brett's genius in his conception and writing of a film, actors show unwavering loyalty to a director that many call the next Spielberg.

The Innocence Saga is a weighty piece of film making. The plot has so many twists and turns that, to many, it is hard to stay abreast of the story. This, incidentally, is not due to writing or acting but rather in the complexity and intellectual stimulus the movie portrays. Throughout the Saga other films in the Ponderous Universe are referenced. If one has not seen the films it is difficult to follow the story. If the associated scenes had been included each of the 10 features the Saga would make for a 3 to 4 hour film experience. To aid the neophyte, Brett is creating an episodic presentation of the Saga in which segments of the other films will be included in the story line as they fit into the plot. Each episode is cut to a 42 minute length with the additional scenes included. The episodic series is not available yet but will be presented at a later date.

Brett and company recently completed their first western: Bass Reeves, which has been distinguished as official selection of 4 film festivals and has been purchased for distribution nationwide this Summer. Look for many great things from Ponderous Productions. Watch for the premiere date for the 10th in the Innocence Saga - Apocrypha

Bottom Up Economics

2010-03-25T12:26:00.000-07:00

Well, the day is here. I predicted this pair of candidates in a blog months ago. I also predicted that McCain would be unable to defeat Obama. (Barrack Hussein Obama - where even our name means terrorism!)

I am truly surprised at the criteria by which the citizens of our country are attracted to a candidate. Obama has proved himself an economic socialist with his open promises to 'redistribute' wealth. This is a nice buzz statement. And the general public is eating it up. Today Barrack Obama, Louis Farrikan and Bill Ayers all voted at the same polling place: they are neighbors - in case you hadn't figured out the coincidence. You people who are voting for this rad
ical racist have not done a single bit of homework. You are being spoon fed a heaping helping of media bias and you are licking the bull shit off your fingers with a brown encrusted smile.
A common theme, for which I entitled this blog, is the belief that Obama has: that our economy works from the bottom up. How many of you truly believes that? Of those who do, what does that mean? When last I checked, the poor created no new jobs. They don't even pay taxes. The rich (by the way: I appear to be one of those, being that I have a little remodeling business that does a little over half a million a year. Keep in mind that gross figure includes payroll for my employees, materials and services, insurance, overhead and taxes. Unfortunately, I am a sole proprietorship which means that I am taxed as an individual. Obama is coming after me. This also means that he will affect my ability to employ good help and provide a product which will keep us in weekly pay checks.

"I am truly surprised at the criteria by which the citizens of our country are attracted to a candidate."

Reaganomics (also known as 'trickle down economics') was a term started in the early eighties when Ronald Reagan announced his radical belief that our economy grows from the top down. The media and the special interest groups who have never had to produce a product or service were enraged by this concept even though our country was founded on the individuals right to go out and achieve. Now we envious unrich didn't like hearing that because we like to believe that the reason we are not rich is because someone is working against us or at best the rich are greedy money grubbing champagne swilling Mr. Burns types who keep us down.

Take a look at 'big oil.' Exxon made $30billion last year. Well there you go! That's billions Mr.! That accounts for a profit margin of only 8%. My company operates on a profit margin of 25% on average. Profit is a bad word to most of you. Put it this way: If you make $500.00 per week and after you have paid your bills, groceries and gas and if you still have $100.00 left over, you have achieved a 20% profit. Obama says you should give that to someone who has not worked as hard as you have for it. Exxon employs 10's of thousands of employees contractors and suppliers.

These folks bring home paychecks to pay their above mentioned bills. They buy stuff which keeps others in paychecks. This is what supply side economics is. You make it easier for the employers to employ others and allow them to achieve their self centered goals and we all benefit from the by product.

I liked neither Obama nor McCain but McCain was not going to take my money away from me and give it to someone who risks nothing; produces nothing; employs no one; and aspires to nothing. The crux is this: you all will suffer for this redistributionist communist agenda. The mean income level for the Obama tax policy has dropped from $250,000 to $150,000 as one close aid to Obama has already said.

"He is the target voter for Obama. "

Why did Joe the Plumber get shellacked in the media and had a complete background check while he became the victim of an elaborate smear campaign? All he did was disagree with Obama. He wasn't at a rally or demonstration. He was playing catch with his kids in his front yard on a street where Obama decided to talk to the people. He is the target voter for Obama. Why did they try to ruin his life?

Here is a funny that hit me today: Obama's brother lives in a hut in Kenya and he earns about a dollar a month. Soon he will be able to say: " My brother is president of the United States." Anyone remember Billy Carter (Jimmy Carter's drunken brother)? I think Obama's bro has him beat. The middle east is already partying in celebration of an Obama victory. Why is our enemy so happy? As I said previously: be careful what you wish for - you just might get it.

How Much is a Trillion

2010-03-25T12:18:00.000-07:00

We are in an age where we bandy about many terms which, before, would have been deemed ridiculous. One in particular is the number One Trillion. BuryUs Obama has brought this term to life in a very dangerous way. There is not a trillion dollars in circulation but our wise and benevolent government has managed to earmark the sum of 2 trillion (give or take a billion or two) to "spend" 2 trillions over the next 2 years.

So how much is a trillion? Here is an easy illustration: In my home city of San Antonio, TX there are approximately 1 million men women and children within the city limits proper. If each of these individuals were a 1 millionaire - even the homeless and poorest of the poor - that would equal 1 trillion dollars. That's right: 1 trillion is 1 million millions. How much is a million?

That is a dollar for each of those people. Duh, right?

What really troubles me is that our national deficit is projected to be 9 trillion dollars by year's end. That is 2 trillion more than projected by the bad check writers in our nation's capital since may (3 months ago).

One side note: these men and women in government are not "RULERS". They are "REPRESENTATIVES."

Taking over 16% of our economy in the form of nationalized health care; nationalizing our biggest industries and financial institutions; ignoring the will of the people is not the work of representatives but rather a despot or in the least a tyrannical regime. The last time this was done on this scale was during the reign of Adolph Hitler.
I want my country back. You people who believe Obama means change are exactly correct. I could be flip and say pocket change but this is far more serious. our liberties are being stolen. Fascism works only when a crisis becomes so grave that the populace turns to the government for salvation. Obama has no world war like Hitler, Mussolini or even Woodrow Wilson or FDR had. He is creating his own crisis by crushing our economy. If he gave a crap about the economy he would not do those things that any family provider knows. You don't write hot checks and run your credit cards up to the max to float your debts. you save, work harder, and cut your expenses.

I blame Bush as much as anyone for his support of TARP. Why in the hell would anyone throw money into a failing company? You let them fail. Cars will continue to be made, most likely more efficiently. Now the government and the unions own Chrysler and GM. Daimler got the hell out of dodge before this unprecedented blunder. Keep in mind that Daimler is based in a socialist country and they were unwilling to risk their success on an obviously foolhardy move.

Cash for clunkers seems like a good idea to you who don't think it through. You just got your own personal bailout if you took advantage of the program. This mess has cost you and me more than 2 billion dollars so far. How are we going to get that money back? By law these cars have to be destroyed after the fed buys the car.

Our economy and the mechanism that is the make up of our entire way of life is like a fine Swiss watch. Every component has been carefully crafted (by the founding fathers) to work perfectly together. Our current government is working on our fine mechanism with a sledge hammer. If we don't stop them we will not have the luxury of repairing it. We will reach the point where humpty dumpty can not be put back together again.

American Culture - Immigration

2010-03-25T08:13:00.000-07:00

With all the talk about immigration - legal or otherwise - I found myself in a conversation with a friend about the subject. She told me that the process of immigrating to the United States is both positive and negative for the immigrant. The positive aspect is that they get a shot at the American Dream: Freedom, opportunity, security. On the other hand, they lose their cultural base. They are forced to merge with the American culture, leaving theirs, at best diluted - typically behind. They are forced to learn English. Our media and entertainment crush their innocence.

"Our media and entertainment crush their innocence."

I had to take a moment to process this statement. I didn't weigh the mentioned pro's and con's of the statement. I didn't even bristle at the temerity of an immigrant complaining about such a worthwhile trade-off. Rather, I was struck by the duplicity of it all. If one were to take a poll, would one find that more immigrants come to the US or would it be that more US citizens immigrate to other countries?
Why are Americans reviled worldwide? Why does every political "summit" result in third world countries demanding money from the US to pay for the wrongs and environmental damages we do? Why is every international organization attempting to limit our freedoms and prosperity, even though it would have little or no affect on their freedoms or prosperity?

Side bar: I find it interesting that a country with sewage running through a ditch beside a dirt road, its foul detritus making its way into canals and waterways to merge with natural water sources, can attack us. We spend, fully, a third of our corporate dollars adhering to environmentally sustaining guidelines. What isn't consumed by existing means is invested in newer technology to do it better.

"...a country with sewage running through a ditch beside a dirt road, its foul detritus making its way into canals and waterways..."

I lived in Europe for a number of years in my late teens. Then, as now, Americans were hated. The reason is clear - envy. We are the baby of developed countries - a mere infant. We are also the richest, best armed, most patriotic, toughest baby ever born. Most major cities in Europe are older than our country. For that matter, most of the buildings in major European cities are older than our country. Still, why do they come here by the millions every year? Why do immigrants risk life and limb to get here?

Going back to the conversation with my well-meaning friend: The loss of culture is a farce, by in large. Look at the boroughs of our greatest cities. Look at the cultural diversity which exists from city to city. I lived in Detroit during the race riots of the 60's: tanks in the streets and all that. We lived in a heavily Polish sector of the city now replaced by the GM plant. Cultural freedom? Oh yea, we've got it.

"You see, we typical Americans have no culture. "

Now take an American who immigrates to Europe, or any other region of the world for that matter. What does he face when he settles into their culture? Nothing. That's right - nothing. You see, we typical Americans have no culture. We have Thanksgiving, Independence Day and our birthdays (celebrated with a lighted cake). We don't have a separate language to delineate us. We have no 'old country' upon which to dote. We are the victims of 'what do they know from tradition' speeches. If an American is foolish enough to relinquish his citizenship, he gives up nothing of his culture or heritage to meld with the new country's ways. He has to learn their language. he has to learn their laws and customs. He has to dress as they do. he must work within their monetary and commerce guidelines.

Wow. That sounds a lot like what an immigrant to America would have to do. Sounds fair to me. The biggest difference is that where the immigrant to America is welcomed - and lately - deified, the American who immigrates abroad is a second class citizen - an arrogant, imperialistic, money grubber of the first order.

"...the American who immigrates abroad is a second class citizen..."

We live on an island of freedom in a world of poverty and strife. Our style of life and even our method of government is unique and impossible to duplicate. We welcome what we don't understand with a child like openness. We are willing to give the benefit of the doubt and forgive those who show there is doubt that there is benefit. The rest of the world doesn't understand how we prosper and even dominate when trust of their fellow man has gotten them into trouble from which they could not escape.

It ain't perfect, but it is better than the alternative, folks.

Bass Reeves

2010-03-25T08:01:00.000-07:00

Bass Reeves is making a huge buzz in the south central Texas film community. Within 2 months of completion of principle filming it was selected as official selection in four film festivals and it was bought by a high profile distributor for North American distribution.

The movie is about Bass Reeves, the first African American deputy marshal in the 1800's. He is considered to be one of the bravest and most successful Federal Marshal of all times. Bass is played by North Carolina actor James A. House. Film maker Brett Mauser and his Ponderous Productions shot the film in less than a month. The details of the distribution deal have not been disclosed but prospects for the film's success look good.
"Film maker Brett Mauser and his Ponderous Productions shot the film in less than a month."
Also starring as Bob Dozier, the main villain in the film, is Craig Rainey. Santiago Villalobos plays Bass' trusted posseman Martinez. The film was shot on an almost nonexistent budget and I was shocked at the quality of the film.
Only two screenings pre-distribution were allowed. The first at the Alamo Drafthouse, Westlakes in San Antonio sold out 3 auditoriums in the first 2 days tickets were available. The second at Overtime Theatre in San Antonio filled the single theater assigned. We all must wait until the official release some time this Summer to get another look at the film. The distributor asked Brett to make some editing changes and to shorten the original film by some 26 minutes.
"The distributor asked Brett to make some editing changes and to shorten the original film by some 26 minutes."

What amazes all who watch the film is the top shelf acting from every actor. These are actors who, in many cases, had done numerous films with Ponderous and had made the cut due to their commitment and skill in them. Brett brought his "A" team and they brought their "A" Game. The distributor was quoted as saying the acting was "superb."

I have seen the shortened version and am delighted at the improved tempo and pace of the film. Brett Mauser sought the council of Bass Reeves Biographer, Art T. Burton, to ensure historic accuracy in the film. It is rumored that Mauser's next film will also be a western starring Craig Rainey in the leading role.