Sunday, August 12, 2012
Sonny Landreth
In keeping with my original intent for this blog, I would like to recommend a great CD - From The Reach by Louisiana's own Sonny Landreth. Sonny is one of the best guitar players I've ever seen - and I've seen a lot. Like Jeff Beck, he employs techniques that are very original and unique. And on this recording he has the added performances of luminaries such as Eric Clapton, Dr. John, Mark Knopfler, Eric Johnson, and many more. It's a great blend of blues/country/soul and has been in my player for years.
I’m Back
I apologize to anyone who followed this blog but I got tired of the political stuff and dismayed by the Obama regime. However, since it’s election season, I think it’s time to ramp it back up. Plus I still have thoughts on music, sports, and life in general. So here we go again!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
My apologies
My apologies go out to anyone who may check this blog for updates; I have been so frustrated with the things that are happening that I haven't had the heart to comment. I will endeavor to do better.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Global Warming Links
I said that I would provide links that point out the lies and deceit of the Global Warming advocacy – here are several starting points (the first one has to do more with the ineptitude of any Federal program than about Global Warming):
Relief workers ate steak, Navajos scraped by
What to say to a global warming advocate
Now IPCC hurricane data is questioned
World may not be warming, say scientists
Please note that the last three come from extremely liberal publications in the UK; unlike the NY Times and other progressive media outlets in the States, they evidently still practice real journalism.
The religion of Global Warming
There is a mountain of evidence coming out that suggests that man-made global warming is a fraud that has been perpetrated on us to the tune of billions of dollars (who knew?). I intend to provide as many links as I can but the evidence shows that the global warming elite has falsified, misrepresented, and in some cases ignored data in order to produce the outcome that they desired. This whole thing has been a money and power grab – hence the efforts to ram through Cap & Tax before the November elections find a lot of elitist Global Warming advocates unemployed.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Update
So far so good on the New Years Resolutions. The wife's company Christmas party was a bit of a setback, as was the massive soreness that a 46 year old out of shape fat guy accrues when hitting the gym five days straight. Taking a couple days off to recover but will start hitting it hard again tomorrow.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
New Year's Resolutions
I have never been real big on New Year's resolutions, I tend to live for the moment and pursue the things I enjoy with gusto. However, I had a medical event on Dec. 30 that made making some New Year's resolutions seem appropriate, given the timing. So in 2010 I have resolved to:
1) Lay off the beer except on special occaisions (Jazz Fest would be one of those). So far I have stuck to this one, believe it or not.
2) Lay off other booze beyond one medicinal drink or small glass of wine. So far I violated this one once, on Sunday, but I was having a gout attack from Hell at the time. Yesterday I went to the clinic and got that taken care of.
3) Get in the gym again; it has been way too long.
4) Drop 50 pounds. This one will only be tough if I regress on the other 3.
Wish me luck and feel free to ask for progress reports; I need the moral support!!
1) Lay off the beer except on special occaisions (Jazz Fest would be one of those). So far I have stuck to this one, believe it or not.
2) Lay off other booze beyond one medicinal drink or small glass of wine. So far I violated this one once, on Sunday, but I was having a gout attack from Hell at the time. Yesterday I went to the clinic and got that taken care of.
3) Get in the gym again; it has been way too long.
4) Drop 50 pounds. This one will only be tough if I regress on the other 3.
Wish me luck and feel free to ask for progress reports; I need the moral support!!
Thank goodness for Global Warming
I recently heard that since December 30 there have been 1,246 winter weather records set in the United States. The last two nights here have been in the 20's, and they are forecasting weekend nightly wind chills in the 5 - 15 degree range - we will very likely set modern, if not all-time, cold records this Friday and Saturday night. All I can say is Thank God for Global Warming, just think how bad this winter might be without it!!
Transparency?
This morning I heard seven sound bites of then-candidate Obama bloviating about how the health care debate under his administration would be "Transparent" and "In the public view" and "Televised on C-Span". Which of course explains why Pelosi and Ried have denied C-Span permission to cover their closed-door reconciliation hearings. When asked about Obama's promises of transparency and C-Sapn coverage, Pelosi smirked that "A lot of things are said during a campaign". Which, my friends, sums up her and her party's attitude and approach in a nutshell - say whatever you need to say to get elected,then do whatever you want once you are in there, the American public be damned. I hope I am not the only one paying attention to this.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Our Tax System Explained: Bar Stool Economics
The following is attributed to David R. Kamerschen, Ph.D., Professor of Economics, University of Georgia. I received it by e-mail and have forwarded it several
times, but I still believe it is relevant and because of it's simplicity is the best arguement for tax reform I have seen.
Our Tax System Explained: Bar Stool Economics
Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:
The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
So, that's what they decided to do.
The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve.
"Since you are all such good customers," he said, "I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20." Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?'
They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.
And so:
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33% savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28% savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).
Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.
"I only got a dollar out of the $20 declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man, "but he got $10!"
"Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!"
"That's true!!" shouted the seventh man. "Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!"
"Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison. "We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!"
The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up. The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
And that, ladies and gentlemen, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.
For those who understand, no explanation is needed.
For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.
times, but I still believe it is relevant and because of it's simplicity is the best arguement for tax reform I have seen.
Our Tax System Explained: Bar Stool Economics
Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:
The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
So, that's what they decided to do.
The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve.
"Since you are all such good customers," he said, "I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20." Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?'
They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.
And so:
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33% savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28% savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).
Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.
"I only got a dollar out of the $20 declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man, "but he got $10!"
"Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!"
"That's true!!" shouted the seventh man. "Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!"
"Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison. "We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!"
The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up. The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
And that, ladies and gentlemen, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.
For those who understand, no explanation is needed.
For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
More on Perception vs. Reality
Coincidentally, I was listening to Mark Levin's radio show earlier and Sean Hannity called in. During the course of their conversation they both asserted that they do not question Barak Obama's citizenship and have both said as much on their shows, which further validates the point I am trying to make - the only people who think this is an issue to Reagan Conservatives are those who get their information about Conservatives from ultra-left-wing sources.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Perception vs. Reality
I have received several e-mails and other communications that indicate that an alarming amount of people formulate their opinions about Conservatives and what we are about by how we are portrayed by extreme liberal outlets such as MSNBC, the Daily Kos, the Huffington Post, and the fraudulent posturer Michael Moore.
A perfect example of this is the constant harping on the Birther topic, which attackers of the Conservative movement seem to think is sacred to our doctrine when in fact we all know that this is a total non-issue for mainstream Conservatives. The attacks that I have seen on people like Sarah Palin and Bobby Jindal are completely baseless, and the constant attacks on Conservative commentators like Rush Limbaugh generally involve taking short sound bites completely out of context.
Another great example is the vociferous excoriation of Bill O'Reilly, who probably has more journalistic integrity than anyone out there. I have said this before - I have seen e-mails to Bill that blasted him for being too far to the left and too far to the right on the SAME STORY. I think that if some of the O'Reilly haters actually read his books and watched his show they might find out that they have a lot more in common with him than they ever would have thought.
When the State controls the media they can force-feed the population whatever they wish to propagate. The sycophantic liberal media in this country sucks up to to those who give them access and support their worldviews. Those who reject Fox News and conservative talk radio out of hand need to re-evalaute their stance; most mainstream media outlets these days are parroting liberal talking points. The Wall Street Journal is a bastion of journalistic integrity that is ignored by the legions who get their worldview from the New York Times and/or Washington Post, among others.
A perfect example of this is the constant harping on the Birther topic, which attackers of the Conservative movement seem to think is sacred to our doctrine when in fact we all know that this is a total non-issue for mainstream Conservatives. The attacks that I have seen on people like Sarah Palin and Bobby Jindal are completely baseless, and the constant attacks on Conservative commentators like Rush Limbaugh generally involve taking short sound bites completely out of context.
Another great example is the vociferous excoriation of Bill O'Reilly, who probably has more journalistic integrity than anyone out there. I have said this before - I have seen e-mails to Bill that blasted him for being too far to the left and too far to the right on the SAME STORY. I think that if some of the O'Reilly haters actually read his books and watched his show they might find out that they have a lot more in common with him than they ever would have thought.
When the State controls the media they can force-feed the population whatever they wish to propagate. The sycophantic liberal media in this country sucks up to to those who give them access and support their worldviews. Those who reject Fox News and conservative talk radio out of hand need to re-evalaute their stance; most mainstream media outlets these days are parroting liberal talking points. The Wall Street Journal is a bastion of journalistic integrity that is ignored by the legions who get their worldview from the New York Times and/or Washington Post, among others.
Crosby and Nash
Two great YouTube videos of David Crosby and Graham Nash, circa 1970. (These links will redirect you to YouTube, you will need to use your browser's Back button to return to this blog)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdNO9Qa5rzI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPvOTVVbMko&feature=related
To quote a friend, YouTube is like crack for music junkies!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdNO9Qa5rzI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPvOTVVbMko&feature=related
To quote a friend, YouTube is like crack for music junkies!!
Saints!!
Yes, we lost to the hated Cowgirls, but we will be OK. We have had more than our share of injuries but we should have some guys back for the playoffs. Going 16-0 is not important - just ask the '07 Patriots. This season has been a blessing for New Orleans and we are a team of destiny.
The Death of Common Sense, Part 1
Three Navy SEALS - who, for those who don't know, are among the very best of the very best in the American military and are more highly trained than almost anyone on earth - are about to go on trial for the supposed abuse of the prisoner Ahmed Hashim Abed, who masterminded the killing and mutilation of American contractors in Iraq.
This is wrong on so many levels I don't even know where to start, but I will open with the tidbits that 1) This guy was not in American custody for the entirety of his capture, which would violate the chain of custody rules in any (liberal) American courtroom; and 2) The Al-Quaida training manual specifies that anyone captured by Americans needs to scream that he was tortured, beaten, and otherwise mistreated by our troops, as they know that the politically correct dimwits that have been making the rules in this country would rather prosecute our own troops than see a terrorist scumbag get a bloody lip (see this case as an object example).
There are people in this country who view the unfortunate actions by a misguided few at Abu Gharave as torture. This stuff makes me sick; I will say for the first time (on this blog) but certainly not the last that political correctness will be the death of this country.
This is wrong on so many levels I don't even know where to start, but I will open with the tidbits that 1) This guy was not in American custody for the entirety of his capture, which would violate the chain of custody rules in any (liberal) American courtroom; and 2) The Al-Quaida training manual specifies that anyone captured by Americans needs to scream that he was tortured, beaten, and otherwise mistreated by our troops, as they know that the politically correct dimwits that have been making the rules in this country would rather prosecute our own troops than see a terrorist scumbag get a bloody lip (see this case as an object example).
There are people in this country who view the unfortunate actions by a misguided few at Abu Gharave as torture. This stuff makes me sick; I will say for the first time (on this blog) but certainly not the last that political correctness will be the death of this country.
I'm back
Obviously I have been remiss and neglectful in maintaining this blog. I hate to say it, but the events that are taking place in this country have overwhelmed me to the point where I have not known where to start. But I think that it is important to get some messages out, so here I go again...
Friday, September 11, 2009
Remembrance
Today is, of course, the 8th anniversary of the attacks on America by Islamist fundamentalist radicals. It was disturbing to me to learn that flags were flown at half mast for the death of Senator Kennedy (which I do not in any way mean to disparage) but were flown at full mast today. I can't believe that the collective memory of this country is so short. I am disheartened and really do not know what to add to that.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Eutopia
In tonight's speech our Beloved Leader promised us Eutopia if we follow his lead on Health Care. I sincerely hope that everyone who agrees with and supports our Beloved Leader's message is still happy when the velvet gloved but iron fist of government crushes our liberty and freedom.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Friedman on Capitalism
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZStCMC5bCCg
The above link is a classis clip of the late great economist Milton Friedman schooling Phil Donahue on the virtues of Capitalism. This is precisely the the kind of common sense thinking that has been missing in our society lately. I also believe this to be a good example of how two people with diametrically opposed belief systems can have a civilized conversation.
The above link is a classis clip of the late great economist Milton Friedman schooling Phil Donahue on the virtues of Capitalism. This is precisely the the kind of common sense thinking that has been missing in our society lately. I also believe this to be a good example of how two people with diametrically opposed belief systems can have a civilized conversation.
Weighing in on Health Care Reform
Once again, the President has managed to raise my blood pressure to unsafe levels. This time it was with his speech on Friday, in which he accused the detractors of his Health Care reform as being without ideas of their own - as if his plan is the only thing that anyone has come up with. The substance of Obama's message is irritating enough; his arrogant, lecturing tone in delivering it makes it insufferable.
Regarding the "lack of ideas" from Conservatives, I would be happy to throw out just a few of the more popular ones for consideration:
- Tort reform. The single biggest problem with health care in this country is the profligation of medical malpractice suits and the shameless precedents set by judges who are evidently more interested in the enrichment of their colleagues than they are in imparting justice. It is because of the fear of lawsuits that insurance companies require and doctors are compelled to order so many tests and procedures, and why the path to get to the right specialist is such a convoluted one. Malpractice insurance for some specialists, such as brain surgeons, can run into as much as a half-million dollars per year. Combine this weight with the student loan payments that many doctors have and the tax bracket they are in, and you have doctors that must gross nearly a million dollars per year before they see a profit. These costs trickle down into every aspect of health care.
- Allow insurance companies to sell across state lines. Obviously, anything that fosters competition will lower costs and increase quality.
- Allow small businesses to join together and form insurance buying cooperatives, so that they can use the strength of their combined numbers to lower their costs.
- Allow pre-tax employer contributions to personal health care accounts in lieu of employer provided healthcare, with supplemental insurance for catastrophic event care. My company probably pays about $15,000 per year for my health insurance, and I pay about another $4,200. This would add up quickly if the bulk of it was going into a personal health care account and accruing interest. It would also make people think twice about running to the doctor over every little ache and pain if they were using their own money to pay the bill.
- Make health care costs 100% tax deductible, to ease the financial burden on folks with major health issues.
I am sick and tired of hearing the insurance companies demonized; my insurance isn't perfect and is expensive, but it has seen me through my children's childhood misfortunes, my wife's bout with breast cancer, and my own back surgery and sleep apnea, among other things. We have always received stellar care by excellent health care professionals.
It is true that our health care system could be reformed for the better, but the ideas of Obama and the liberals in Congress are the worst possible solutions. To hear Obama accuse Conservatives of not having ideas or solutions is both laughable and infuriating.
Regarding the "lack of ideas" from Conservatives, I would be happy to throw out just a few of the more popular ones for consideration:
- Tort reform. The single biggest problem with health care in this country is the profligation of medical malpractice suits and the shameless precedents set by judges who are evidently more interested in the enrichment of their colleagues than they are in imparting justice. It is because of the fear of lawsuits that insurance companies require and doctors are compelled to order so many tests and procedures, and why the path to get to the right specialist is such a convoluted one. Malpractice insurance for some specialists, such as brain surgeons, can run into as much as a half-million dollars per year. Combine this weight with the student loan payments that many doctors have and the tax bracket they are in, and you have doctors that must gross nearly a million dollars per year before they see a profit. These costs trickle down into every aspect of health care.
- Allow insurance companies to sell across state lines. Obviously, anything that fosters competition will lower costs and increase quality.
- Allow small businesses to join together and form insurance buying cooperatives, so that they can use the strength of their combined numbers to lower their costs.
- Allow pre-tax employer contributions to personal health care accounts in lieu of employer provided healthcare, with supplemental insurance for catastrophic event care. My company probably pays about $15,000 per year for my health insurance, and I pay about another $4,200. This would add up quickly if the bulk of it was going into a personal health care account and accruing interest. It would also make people think twice about running to the doctor over every little ache and pain if they were using their own money to pay the bill.
- Make health care costs 100% tax deductible, to ease the financial burden on folks with major health issues.
I am sick and tired of hearing the insurance companies demonized; my insurance isn't perfect and is expensive, but it has seen me through my children's childhood misfortunes, my wife's bout with breast cancer, and my own back surgery and sleep apnea, among other things. We have always received stellar care by excellent health care professionals.
It is true that our health care system could be reformed for the better, but the ideas of Obama and the liberals in Congress are the worst possible solutions. To hear Obama accuse Conservatives of not having ideas or solutions is both laughable and infuriating.
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