THANK BARACK OBAMA -- WHY?

 
I lifted this from Rich over at The Vail Spot last Wednesday and believe that you will benefit from reading it. For certain, it never occurred to me to be as grateful to the president as this guy says I should be. Given his history, I am inclined to listen to him.

 “The following column is by Andreas Dahl. Dr. Andreas Dahl is a retired dentist who lives in Onalaska, Wisc.. He is 87 and fought the Nazis when he was a student in Norway - his native land. It came to me via a mutual friend whom he has known for more 30 years, and I for but one year.

THANK BARACK OBAMA - WHY?

He destroyed the Clinton Political Machine: Driving a stake thru the heart of Hillary's Presidential aspirations - something no Republican was ever able to do. Remember when a Hillary Presidency scared the daylights out of you?

He killed off the Kennedy Dynasty: No more Kennedy's trolling Washington looking for booze and women wanting rides home. American women and Freedom are safer tonight.

He is destroying the Democratic Party before our eyes

· Dennis Moore had never lost a race - quit

· Evan Bayh had never lost a race - quit

· Byron Dorgan - had never lost a race - quit

· Harry Reed - in all probability - GONE

These are just a handful of the Democrats whose political careers Obama has destroyed. By the end of 2010 dozens more will be gone. In December of 2008 the Democrats were on the rise. In the last two election cycles they had picked up 14 senate seats and 52 house seats and the liberal press was touting the death of the Conservative movement the Republican party and downplaying the Tea Party movement.

In one year Obama put a stop to all of this and will probably give the house, if not the senate back to the Republicans.

He has completely exposed liberals and progressives (extremists) for what they are. Every Generation seems to need to relearn the lesson on why they should NEVER, EVER put liberals in charge. He is bringing home the lesson very well.

· Liberals tax, borrow and spend - check

· Liberals won't bring themselves to protect America - check

· Liberals want to take over the economy - check

· Liberals think they know what is best for everyone - check

· Liberals aren't happy till they are running YOUR life - check

He has brought more Americans back to conservatism than anyone since Reagan.

In One year he rejuvenated the Conservative movement and brought out to the streets millions of Freedom Loving Americans

Name one other time in your life that you saw your friends and neighbors this interested in taking back America.

In all honesty one year ago I was more afraid than I had ever been in my life. Not of the economy but of the direction our country was going. I thought Americans had forgotten what this country was all about. My neighbors, friends, strangers proved to me that my lack of confidence in the Greatness and Wisdom of the American people was flat out wrong.

When the American People wake up, no smooth talking teleprompter reader can fool them. Barack Obama woke up these Great Americans. Again I want say -

THANK YOU, Barack Obama”

Now you see why this piece brought me up short. Sometimes it is difficult to recognize a blessing. I suppose that says far more about our lack of faith than the problems with the president. Thanks again Rich, for this enlightening piece.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Shotguns for the Department of Education

  
Back when I was a kid, the worst that could happen was a paddling by either the coach or the principal. Apparently they have decided to ramp up the discipline. If you have an extra 27 shotguns lying around, you might want to think about submitting a bid. I found this solicitation on this government website.

"The U.S. Department of Education (ED) intends to purchase twenty-seven (27) REMINGTON BRAND MODEL 870 POLICE 12/14P MOD GRWC XS4 KXCS SF. RAMAC #24587 GAUGE: 12 BARREL: 14"- PARKERIZED CHOKE: MODIFIED SIGHTS: GHOST RING REAR WILSON COMBAT; FRONT - XS CONTOUR BEAD SIGHT STOCK: KNOXX REDUCE RECOIL ADJUSTABLE STOCK FORE-END: SPEEDFEED SPORT-SOLID - 14" LOP are designated as the only shotguns authorized for ED based on compatibility with ED existing shotgun inventory, certified armor and combat training and protocol, maintenance, and parts."

The required date of delivery is March 22, 2010. Click the above link for the rest.

In the offering above, the two items in red stand out. First, the barrel length is illegal according to current ATF regulations demanding at least an 18 ½” barrel minimum on all rifles and shotguns. The second refers to the “existing shotgun inventory.” Who at the Department of Education needs a shotgun for protection, intrusion, or civil disturbance? I know that classroom discipline has diminished since I was a kid but has it become that bad? Perhaps they fear the Tea Party Patriots, most of whom, view the Department of Education with absolute dismay. Since a huge percentage of our educators have a Marxist view of history and government they surely fear a soon to be applied bounty on them.

In the configuration described with such a short barrel, the shot pattern would be logical for this department. It would spread far wider and sooner than a legal piece thus missing most of the targets—sort of like our current teaching methods. Further, once the shot found its mark it would be so watered down as to be ineffective. Yes indeed, it would be consistent with the current roster of those instructors in the classrooms. Will someone kindly wake me when this is over?

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Massa-Rahm---a Disgusting Encounter

 
One hardly knows where to start on this mess. If you do not immediately know the circumstances, I congratulate you on ignoring the prurient interest which it brings to the political arena. The episode has all the charm of a dingy back street bath house for the participants. It did, however, take place just off the exercise room in a federal building in our nation’s capital. Without going into every sordid detail, we heard enough to realize that there were no winners—only losers.

In the final analysis, it was a confrontation between “dead fish” Emanuel and the self serving turn-coat from New York, Massa. In a typical case of true Chicago land thuggery, Rahm elected to conduct the nation’s business au naturale with the Democrat representative who was sitting (?) in the shower similarly clad. Inasmuch as the area is reserved for our elected representative’s exclusive use, one questions the presence of the White House chief of staff in that building in the first place. I suppose if you wish to have a conversation mano a mano that would be the ideal way to achieve it.

Once one disposes of the suggested ugliness of the situation, we find little left but coercion, threats and intimidation. Did I mention they are both Democrats? I remember quite a bit from a long-ago civics class about how the congress works but this little event wasn’t part of the procedure that Mr. Toft taught us.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Are We Really Stupid?

 
As I read the morning blogs, the tenor was one of accusing the American people of being “stupid.” After a simplistic examination one might tend to agree. Upon a more thoughtful look, I don’t believe that stupid is the right word choice. It’s far more complicated than that. Stupid has a pejorative connotation which is hard to ignore. I truly love my fellow citizens and object to harsh language to describe them. So what is the problem and whose fault is it?

Might these writers have described us as uninformed? Yes, and that would have been a correct assessment in general. The tendency is to rely upon familiar and comfortable sources for news and opinion. I can testify that I read the Daily Kos with great displeasure to understand what the lunatic left is currently astir about. Most American daily newspapers and TV reporters manage to insert enough editorial content in the “news” stories to bring me to the edge of my seat in protest. Those who rely upon traditional news sources which were once reliable fountains of facts are the victims today of media bias in the extreme. The veracity of a publication or broadcast is far too often judged by the level of agreement with the content than a critical view of the reported situation.

It is possible that, by nature, Americans are just a peaceful group. Traditionally, our citizens have responded, under the duress of assault, with the will to defeat those who attack us, our property, or our concepts with a suitable and successful rebuff. Need I cite our wars for proof of that statement? We are at the core, a peace loving nation. Life is good here and we do not enjoy going forth to battle the forces of evil but we do. No sane person does. Whether you always agree or not, we do not fight for the acquisition of lands and treasure. At the conclusion of each encounter, we found more freedom, less oppression and the restoration of property to its rightful owner. This is as it should be with God fearing people.

For the most part, we are uneducated. Before you recount the immense numbers of our colleges and universities, understand that your host does not necessarily equate formal education to intelligence. All too many believe that education comes to a halt about an hour after the graduation ceremony. These same people don’t recognize that which can be learned from family, friends, business associates, children, observation of the operative world around us, and an inquiring mind. One thing I admire about doctors is their willingness to call what they do a "practice.” The implication is clear that they see their arts as requiring an unending repetitive exercise. If old age has a benefit it is to observe, in real time, the constant changes in our society and the tools to make life better. To depend solely on the lessons of thirty/forty/fifty years past is no sign of intelligence.

We may also simply be too easily distracted. My neighborhood is the center of an Amish community. These simple people shun that which occupies so much of our collective time. To speak to them of American Idol, the NFL, Ipods, the Oscars, exposed cleavage, weight loss, Twitter, political correctness, or the esthetic affect of a four-in-hand vs. a Windsor knot is useless. One might as well communicate in a specific aboriginal dialect from the Outer Mongolian wastes. The rest of us, lacking the result of a dedicated life, are then subject to diversion produced by these occupations and others too numerous to count. We may conclude that we are distracted, slothful, lazy or perhaps, it is we who are the “simple people."

We might also accept the accusation of naiveté. It is difficult to recognize that our nation could possibly become one which some would wish to dissolve. By placing a child-like trust in elected officials to understand and support our constitutional republic we hand them the essential tools to destroy the country. We blithely protest that “they wouldn’t do that.” Oh, yes they would. Any parent should know better than to claim that “my little Johnnie wouldn’t …….” Not only would he do it, he probably already has.

It is an oversimplification to insist that the electorate is stupid. We the people are not blameless because we are uninformed, peaceful, uneducated, distracted and naïve. It may take a while, but eventually our citizens will come to recognize their responsibilities and act to counteract the hideous acts being perpetrated in Washington. We see the awakening in the Tea Party movement, the increased polling numbers of disapproval, the sea change in election results, and evidence of increasing awareness.

This will not halt the accusations of the stupidity of the America people. The leftist lunatics who wish to disrupt the republic will continue to brand anyone who disagrees as stupid. As the evidence mounts against their vile attempt, they will simply shout louder. What really matters is whether the people, angered by the accusation, will seek to become informed, educated, focused, less gullible and more bellicose in their reaction to the usurpers of the government. God willing, they will come out of their stupor, as they gradually are, and send these Marxists to their well deserved retirement.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Swedish Meatballs or Goofballs?

 
So a reliable website, Reason had a piece on the Swedish socialist model of government. It featured some commentary by a proponent of their system who had recently made a two week trip to the country and came back an expert. After his fortnight experience, he concluded that everyone should emulate the Swedes and turn over 75% of their income in taxes and enjoy the boon of federal control of everything. He didn’t mention why we should follow the lead of people who notoriously swelter naked in small heat stifled huts and then escape the steam by jumping into snow banks.

Since socialism is epidemic throughout Scandinavia, he easily discerned a template for America. In fact this short term traveler even posed a question: "If state intervention into the economy is so bad, high taxes so destructive, then why is Sweden such a success?" It is a simple question with an extremely complex answer which completely ignores scale, ethnic diversity, history, and any hint of personal initiative.

We shall deal with the scale first. Sweden’s population is roughly equivalent to that of Los Angeles County; give or take a couple of hundred thousand. Just over nine million people live in an area 11% greater than the size of the whole state of California. The entire Scandinavian bloc (Sweden, Norway and Denmark) is home to 19,126,088 or just more than half the current California population. The comparison then is not apples to oranges but rather, grapes to watermelons. For Sweden we see a 300 to 1 comparison. Size matters but not as much as the next comparison.

They acknowledge that 89% of the population is ethnic Swedish, Finish 2% and 9% “other.” The chief religion is Lutheran, claiming 84% of the whole in their membership. Where are the huge minority numbers in comparison to the United States? 24.4% of our people counted in the 2000 census declared themselves other than native Caucasian to include African American, Asian, Hispanic, Pacific Islanders and other. (?) This eclectic mix of humanity will obviously present more problems for government and the citizens than the relatively stable base of the Swedish demographic. Based on the last decades immigration figures however, the Swedes can count on and have already observed that the principal offshoot of diversity is crime, dependency, and increased use of public resources. As gramp often said, “you get what you pay for.”

These groups at this time are not so prevalent as to have acquired the ghetto mentality. They will as a result of being human, have the urge to flock together. That observable tendency is quite easily seen in our cities. One of the commenters on the original article brought this amusing example to the discussion:

“One of my favorite stories relates to this. Once when interviewed about making the "Planet of the Apes" movies, Roddy McDowell remarked that the ape makeup was so time consuming to apply, that all the actors had to leave it on for breaks, meals, etc. When the actors would gather together, they self associated into groups of Chimpanzees, Gorillas, Orangutans, regardless of their real backgrounds. While not important in and of itself, I always thought it was a nice illustration of how humans, absent other factors, will self segregate.”

From the base of a constitutional monarchy, it is presumptive to draw a parallel to a republic. This historical form of government may indeed work for the subjects so long as they maintain the proper loyalties. Since loyalty to self is at the root of most socialist systems, it is questionable whether it can all work in harmony. What goes underreported is that the result has been mediocrity, suppressed private enterprise, stifled individuality, and loss of national pride.

As the immigrants continue to flow to the advantages of the welfare state which Sweden has become and with the increase in crime, sloth, and diminished self worth, the picture will follow its current trend. That trend has included increasing taxes, lowered average income percentage as related to gross national product, and diminished importance of Sweden relative to world markets.

Be sure to click the above link, watch the video, read the comments, and above all, don’t be jealous of the Swedes for the wrong reasons. Remember, they have a actual monarch, not a president who thinks he is one. Meanwhile I think I’ll go fire up the sauna—if I can chip the ice off the door jamb.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Monday Morning Rant 136

 
Those of us in this corner of the Ozarks feel almost guilty to have such fabulous spring weather to bask in. A seventy degree weekend with sunshine and little wind, called for yard work and a renewed interest in watching out for copperheads. It proved a great day for a drive to Miami, Oklahoma for a reunion with the folks over there.

I took the lap top along to share a video I had received from the daughter-in-law in Tucson. In the interest of not being selfish, I shall share it with you. If you have seen this video, just hit the back button and don’t worry about it. On second thought, play it again and enjoy a glimpse in review of a wonderful life.

While we are on the subject of “stuff in the email”, I also received a spelling lesson:

“SPELLING LESSON

The last 4 letters in American is ... I CAN

The last 4 letters in Republican is ... I CAN

The last 4 letters in Democrats is ... RATS

Need I Say More?????”

A Dark Day in America

February 28, 1993, I had a dentist appointment and as I waited, the reception area TV had coverage of some sort of dust-up in Waco, Texas. I watched horrified as the ATF pursued their ham-fisted raid on a compound of Branch Davidians and found the occupant’s resistance a match for the para-military raid on their property. Little did I know that the siege would continue for an additional 51days and finally terminate on April 19 as combined federal forces succeeded in burning the compound to the ground.

As I later managed to discern, this event produced the largest single compilation of lies, diversion, falsehood, incompetence, and cover-up which our nation had ever experienced. It was a bloody example of a central government gone mad. This horrible coincidence of the date of the fire and what is generally thought of as noblest day in the long history of our nation is inescapable.

The final outcome occurred exactly 218 years to the day after the struggle at Lexington and Concord. One wonders what the militiamen of that day would have thought of the travesty at Waco. Just as Paul Revere warned the population of the impending attack on the green at Lexington, the Branch Davidians had managed to obtain prior intelligence of the raid by the ATF. As a result, they were prepared and did not suffer the consequences of a sneak attack. Four agents and six Davidians lost their lives in the initial encounter in February. In all, seventy-six (an interesting historical number) Davidians (men, women, children, and babies) died in the arson which destroyed the compound on April 19.

As we close in on the anniversary of that struggle, I shall have a more comprehensive review and comments about a nation with a sacred document (the US Constitution) which was ignored and federal personnel who circumvented the law repeatedly. If you have any doubts about the dangers of a nation gone mad with its own power, the review will provide more than you can comfortably tolerate.

These were indeed, “day(s) which would live in infamy.”

Olympic Concerns

In a lame attempt to generate interest in the Winter Olympics from Vancouver, I tuned in several nights for the late coverage. Unfortunately, my favorite activity was not very well covered or else I tuned in at the wrong times. Curling always provides more fun and opportunity for weak humor than any other sport. (Ed. Note: Plus hysterical laughter from the editor) For an example; check the following picture of an amateur participant.

When the ladies figure skating ended I will admit to disappointment. I gave the men’s a go but somehow, it just wasn’t the same. Did you note that each program, whether ladies or men’s, was nearly an exact duplicate of the other except for the musical accompaniment. The biggest problem is that it is nearly impossible to take a man seriously who is made up, well coiffed, dressed frivolously and still claims a measure of athletic prowess. If all varieties of athletes share a common feature it is normally sweat. Winter games=cold weather=no sweat!

Hockey was, as usual, boring since I never played as a lad.

The bobsled competition reminded me of someone being shot from a cannon. It became difficult to understand precisely how any athletic ability was involved other than actually getting into the sled. Riding it upside down at 84 mph could not have been too much fun. Apparently, my timing was off because I saw no evidence of the Jamaican team.

Interest was restored on the slopes with the skiers. Every category, and there were a bunch, offered admirable athleticism, daring, and obvious evidence of training. With a true Olympic ecumenical spirit, I was thrilled by their combined and individual efforts regardless of nationality.

Now that the event has come to a close, they may now return to the drudgery of training for the next competition and pray for a better outcome. I’m still mad I missed the curling. Where’s my broom?

Marin County, a Tea Party?

As outrageous as it seems is the very thought of a Tea Party in Marin County, California. A group which anticipated a crowd of a couple hundred to show up in this liberal bastion just north of San Francisco Saturday, actually managed to attract nearly six hundred. This must have felt like just another earthquake to the locals who are totally unaccustomed to any demonstration which does not have a pink tinge.

Many recognizable notables (Meg Whitman, Steve Poizner, Chuck Devore and Carly Fiorina) showed up to speak and decry their existing representatives and offer a conservative alternative. Although their probability of success is dependent upon how much governmental control their neighbors will tolerate, they deserve huge credit for just showing up. All too often in that area, this is little or no opposition.

Unlike any Tea Party your host has attended, this one carried an entry fee of $5. Past that, there is little to criticize in the gathering and one hopes that it becomes an habitual feature in those rolling hills.

And finally

The local daffodils have budding heads with dots of their famous yellow color showing. Barring some cruel trick of nature, it would appear that spring is at hand. We welcome it and rejoice at the thought of lessened expenditure for household heating, coats, and other inconveniences. It is indeed, a joyous time of year.

The goldfinches continue their color change and the rest of the gang keep on gorging at the feeder. I am amazed that we still maintain a substantial flock of robins spread out over the two acre expanse of the front grass. Judging from the road kills, the skunks are on the move as well. That reminds me that I need to restock on those necessary pint bottles of peroxide to treat Maggie for her inevitable encounter with our striped friends. A couple tablespoons of baking soda, a strong squirt of dishwasher liquid and a stout brush are all you need for a thorough job. Once mixed, get to it! I use a long handled, soft bristled car brush and it never fails. Don’t bother with the rear quarters as the damage is invariably on the front end of the dog. That’s OK, you can thank me later. (Ed. Note: For your stupid cat who can't seem to stay out of their way, either, you can use Arm and Hammer Toothpaste with peroxide. Just rub some on and then let it wear off, since you won't be able to get near her after that.)

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon