Obama apology tour continues...

All About Obama

Michael Gerson, Washington Post:

I’ve refrained from commenting on President Obama’s address to the United Nations General Assembly because the speech made me angry. And most postings -- or letters, or e-mails -- written while angry are better discarded or deleted.

But this address grows more disturbing on further reading. Some major presidential speeches deserve to be remembered, quoted and celebrated. Some deserve to be forgotten. A few deserve to be remembered and criticized, because they dishonor the history of presidential rhetoric.

Obama’s rhetorical method in international contexts -- given supreme expression at the United Nations this week -- is a moral dialectic. The thesis: pre-Obama America is a nation of many flaws and failures. The antithesis: The world responds with understandable but misguided prejudice. The synthesis: Me. Me, at all costs; me, in spite of all terrors; me, however long and hard the road may be. How great a world we all should see, if only all were more like…me.

On several occasions, Obama attacked American conduct in simplistic caricatures a European diplomat might employ or applaud. He accused America of acing “unilaterally, without regard for the interests of others” -- a slander against every American ally who has made sacrifices in Iraq and Afghanistan . He argued that, “ America has too often been selective in its promotion of democracy” -- which is hardly a challenge for the Obama administration, which has yet to make a priority of promoting democracy or human rights anywhere in the world.

The world, of course, has its problems, too. It has accepted “misperceptions and misinformation.” It can be guilty of a “reflexive anti-Americanism.” “Those who used to chastise America for acting alone in the world cannot now stand by and wait for America to solve the world’s problems alone.” Translation: I know you adore me because I am better than America ’s flawed past. But don’t just stand there loving me, do something.

I can recall no other major American speech in which the narcissism of a leader has been quite so pronounced. It might be compared to Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s “I shall return” -- which made it sound like MacArthur intended to reconquer the Philippines single-handedly. But MacArthur, at least, imagined himself as embodying his country, not transcending it. He did not assert that while the Japanese invasion was certainly excessive, America had been guilty of provocations of its own -- and now, in the MacArthur era, things would be finally different.

Twice in his United Nations speech, Obama dares to quote Franklin Roosevelt. I have read quite a bit of Roosevelt ’s rhetoric. It is impossible to imagine him, under any circumstances, unfairly criticizing his own country in an international forum in order to make himself look better in comparison. He would have considered such a rhetorical strategy shameful -- as indeed it is.

At the United Nations, Obama set out to denigrate American goodness so he can become our rescuer. The speech had nothing to do with the confident style of Democratic rhetoric found in Roosevelt, Truman and Kennedy. It insulted that tradition. And no one is likely ever to quote the speech -- except to deride it.

By Michael Gerson | September 26, 2009; 6:00 AM ET

I remember being a young man in the early 70's when being "radical" was seen as being cool. Jimmy Hendrix playing the National Anthem- to the horror of the "old guys"...I also remember becoming very patriotic when I was in London and the topic was America's arrogance, corrupt politics, and Nixon's Watergate- we may be imperfect, but we can take care of ourselves- without washing our laundry in the world's laundry mat.

I remember how good it felt when we sent Jimmy Carter packing and we could be proud of being American again...

I am looking forward to having a leader who can lead while he/she acknowledges our strenghts...and lets us be proud to be Americans again.

God Bless America

Michael and Me...

Pigs are flying. It is a cold day in Hell. I can’t believe I am writing this, but last night I was surfing the channels- and paused at Larry King--- yes he is still kicking... His guest was Michael Moore pushing his latest film (which I believe has made him more money in this capitalistic system.) I gritted my teeth and prepared- but I found that some of what he was saying made sense... Before my conservative friends start calling the shrinks- let me say again---some. He is critical of Christopher Dodd, Tim Geitner, and Ben Bernacke... for the original reason I was... We are putting the same characters in charge of the financial mess they helped create.

Michael IS qualifying his dissent from the Obama administrations selections by using the banks practice of hiring former bank robbers to advise how to avoid future robberies... I believe Michael is clutching at straws, but he is heading in the right direction...However, banks that employ criminals and scoundrels do not give them the keys and alarm codes- they tend to keep them on a tight leash... They are, after all still morally corrupt- they just got caught.

Right is right, wrong is wrong. Mr. Moore is an avid Obama supporter and of course still thinks George Bush is the Antichrist, and probably thinks (along with Moammar Kadafi) that he (Bush) may have been on the grassy knoll in Dallas shooting at President Kennedy.

Michael is still a whacko on health care- and most every other issue... but even a blind squirrel will find a nut every now and then...

We are Americans... we can figure out something on this health care issue- despite what our friends and allies might think- we are resourceful and resilient. We just need to get rid of the special interest- on both sides of the aisle. For starters- to get some control on costs- let’s get some tort reform, and outlaw prescription drug advertisements... oily stools and all....

Okay- no more channel surfing...

God Bless,

No news is good news?

Thought I would check in. Not much going on--- had my leg blow up and erupt just before my sister Linda and her husband came to visit... Prior to that, all was pretty good. As I stated in my last post, I was thinking about doing some light car maintenance... The swelling is going back down, so maybe this weekend. My cars are filthy and they could use an oil change. I can’t remember the last time I actually changed the oil myself... Speedy Lubes are so inexpensive. It is still extremely hot here- currently 88 degrees with 89% humidity- so I would have to get any work done in the early AM. I like synthetic oils.

Linda and Jim are back home, Denise has gone to Vermont to visit her mother- and our son and granddaughter...so the dogs and me are batching it.

I received an email from Dr. Byrd yesterday; he said the Cal 101 has been worked out... I guess we are somewhat moving forward. I have not heard from the coordinator yet. I have another transurethral resection (bladder surgery) scheduled for October; at Moffit- the tumors are still superficial- but again, a nuisance. I am not sure if that will get in the way of the Cal treatment.

Politics is still driving me crazy... health care issues are wild. No one seems to get the fact that most of us want change but we would like it to be a thoughtful process- not a slam dunk, no time to read it we got the votes so hell with you process.

Anyway... prayer and hope for a sane solution to the many issues facing us...

God Bless

4 percocet day

I was just boasting the other day that my legs have healed very nicely and the lymph node seemed to be smaller. I began compiling a list of some of the things I would do- change the oil in the Mustang, do some minor repair work on the PT Cruiser, wash both, and maybe some work around the house. I even went so far as to find and set up my car ramps. This morning I was going to Walmart for some Mobil One...and an oil filter. The previous day I had replaced the battery in the mustang. Getting that normal thing back... then the other shoe dropped.

I woke this morning to find that the swelling had began...my left ankle and calf doubled in size- creating blisters filled with the clear fluid. It is as if the fluid has to escape- and these blisters provide the only avenue of escape. The blisters fill and pop, causing some burning- and releasing sufficient amounts to stream down my leg...drying to a hard crust. The initial pain is from within the ankle, as well as a burning acidic sensation from the skin eruptions. Over the course of the day, I usually take 4 percocets, pop beneryl, and let nature take it's course. By the next day, I can flex my ankle, and the eruptions- while not pretty, have completed their function by providing portals for the white sticky fluid to escape to the outside world. The following day, I have some ugly scars- but the swelling has gone down and I am on the road to normal..for what ever a brief time I might spend there...

God Bless

They should be ashamed.

The lack of media coverage of ACORN and their corrupt practices is just the tip of the iceberg that seems to plague our country. Except for Fox- no one has mentioned much about this recent exposure of the federally funded agency- two video tapes were made of two different offices offering illegal (not to mention immoral) advice to a two twenty year olds posing as a Pimp and Prostitute.

The Baltimore office of ACORN was taped helping a Pimp and Prostitute set up a cat house and import teen age illegal immigrants for what can only be considered underage sex slavery, as well as tax fraud.

ACORN officials called foul-claim they were being set up- then fired the two employees.

The next day another video tape of the Washington DC office of ACORN, again seen helping a Pimp and Prostitute set up a cat house and import teen age illegal immigrants for what can only be considered underage sex slavery, as well as tax fraud..

ACORN officials quietly fired the two employees.

The local Tampa paper had two mentions: one in an obscure section that highlights different blogs- a blog mentioned ACORN in a paragraph, the second came Saturday, they reported deep in the paper about the Baltimore alleged misconduct- even though the newspaper had ample time to report the newest allegations. Google ACORN- with the last 24-hour option---where are the major players? NY Times? NBC? CBS? Walter Cronkite is spinning in his grave. Those that call themselves journalist should be ashamed of themselves.

This is not the first time we had seen corruption and illegal activities associated with ACORN. Just last week 11 ACORN employees were arrested in Miami for voter fraud allegations. ACORN continues to be investigated in numerous states, raising much concern.

Some activities were encouraging....

Rep Conyers, Democrat, had suggested an investigation as seen in this except of a Washington Time article...

Washington Times:
May 20, 2009
In an startling partisan shift, House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers Jr. on Thursday proposed holding hearings on claims the liberal activist group ACORN engaged in a pattern of crimes ranging from voter fraud to a mob-style “protection” racket.

... until the shoe dropped -an except from the Washington Times.

Washington Times:
June 25, 2009
House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers Jr. has backed off his plan to investigate wrongdoing by the liberal activist group ACORN, saying "powers that be" put the kibosh on the idea.

I wonder who could exert the political pressure on the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee? If he is the Chairman, what pressure is he subjected to?

Where is the moral outrage? Where are the legislators from both side of the aisle on this?

Maybe you should ask...

If they are not looking to root out the corruption in this agency- no matter where the ax falls- well then they should be ashamed of themselves as well...and in my opinion seeking new employment.

God Bless,

Doing all right!

I know some people check this blog out to see how I am doing... Still upright and on the green side of the grass. No fevers, fatigue is manageable- lymph nodes manageable... the skin issues seem to be calmed for the moment...knock on wood...all in all doing pretty well.

Guess my recent posts are a testament of my general well being... I am getting all worked up about the political hi jinks that seem to go unnoticed in the mainstream media...not focusing on the CLL thing.

I mean, ACORN, Rangel, Wilson, Obama, Health care... aghhhhh.

I have started listening to left wing radio as well... Randi Rhodes... along with Beck and Limbaugh... talk about going from one extreme to the other...trying to get a balance.

I sometimes wonder if they car pool in together...

Anyway- I am doing well- nothing from the Guru's at Ohio State yet...which is good.

Just sitting here making tin foil hats...

God Bless,

Who do you trust?

This health care issue is a real twister. We need to be a benevolent people... We need to make sure that those less fortunate among us have the opportunity to move up. We need to offer support to those that are faced with extreme illnesses. But we need to also make sure that they who can, pull their own weight.

We are once more asked to act quickly... the goal had been to have this health bill passed and on the President’s desk prior to the August break. Questions arose- arguments erupted. That didn't happen. The pressure is still on.

My questions are:

Do we want to give our trust and the keys to our health care to the US government or do we leave it with the insurance companies?

If this is such a hot item that needs to be passed today- why are we waiting until 2012 to implement it?

How do we pay for more insured- and less premium costs for those currently insured? 36-46 million (depending upon who you ask) now are not covered.

Can we really expect the cost saving measures of the government to find the necessary funds so no additional deficit funding is necessary (tax increase)? If so, what are they waiting for? We could use the money right now.

Can we believe that the existence of a public option (or coop) will not lead to employers taking the 8% payroll hit/fine and dropping their employees- sustaining a lesser cost against the bottom line and swelling the rolls of the “option” beyond the 5% expected and budgeted for?

What about the personal penalty clause? Can we enforce making those individuals that can afford insurance buy it? How? Can't we start with that and see how it impacts our costs?

Can’t we get a bit more aggressive with tort reform?

I do come from the point of the insured. I personally have not had any health insurance nightmares...and believe me I have used a lot and I have cost a lot. I come under the category of catastrophic illnesses, and I expected some push back from insurance companies- but have not had any to date.

The Government has mishandled the VA, SS, Post Office, and created bureaucratic red tape everywhere they go.

Insurance by nature is a nasty business- the insurance companies bet they will collect more money than they pay out. We hope they are right- but just in case, we want coverage.

Lots of questions... basically come down to whom do you trust...

My trust factor is getting low on both sides. There are many more questions than there are answers. I tend to hold off on making decisions when I am being pressured.

Who do you trust?

God Bless,

Blue Collar Guilt

I am not sure why, but I feel like a scoundrel. I have what feels like lead in my stomach. I received another letter from the IRS telling me that I owe more taxes than I paid in 2007- a sizable amount I might add. I first got notification in April. In 2007 I transferred some IRA funds, as well as former employer 401K money and Ameritrade did not correctly report the IRA transfer. Simple mistake- easily clarified. I sent the rollover forms in to the IRS. I thought we were cool… Living guilt free.

Apparently not, they want me to ante up a sizable chunk of cash. They don’t seem to show the corrections. I have contacted an attorney… I will ante up some funds- but not to them, keeping the wheels of capitalism greased. I apparently need to have someone handle the situation, someone who knows how to square dance the IRS way. Guess a simplified tax code is out of the question.

Until I get the clarification from the IRS, I will still feel like a criminal. It’s a blue-collar thing. I do not want to be seen as a shirker- but a lawful American. I don’t want to receive letters from the IRS. I am confident it will be clarified- at a cost to me, of course. But I can and will regain my honor. It is worth it to me.

I remember my father- in his sober periods, sitting down at the kitchen table with his Republic Steel paycheck and paying bills- satisfying his responsibilities. It instilled a bit of pride in the old man- he had put aside the bottle and was manning up to his duties… Short lived or not- this was a valuable learning tool. I found that staying sober is better, and paying your bills gives you peace. You also knew where you car was, and you were not evicted for not paying rent. I also had the times he was not out of the bottle to balance and learn from. I learned later through trial and error that living within your means is also key to a peaceful life-sober or not.

These thoughts, basic premises of what is honorable and what it means to be at peace, is what amazes me about the government official and legislators who seem to feel no shame as they forget to report income- even though they are responsible to write the tax laws, or make mistakes on their tax forms, and are now responsible the IRS.

I won’t even go into living within your own means.

Charlie Rangel the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee- responsible for writing tax laws somehow did not know that he had to report income on a rental property…and then years later, had to adjust his 1040 once more because he forgot about some property he owned (worth a Million or so- who can keep track?) I guess being a representative is a well-paid position.

Tim Geitner, the only person in the world who could lead us out of this financial mess we are in (how’s that working out- by the way?) had underreported income, even though he had numerous notifications that he needed to report the income… He had used Turbo Tax (as do I) and somehow that was blamed. Now he is chasing scoundrel like me as the head of an agency he could not be hired into, because of his tax missteps: Treasury Secretary- in charge of the IRS. Tim did pay the taxes past due- but only moments before he was appointed Chairman of the Treasury (IRS). I don’t think the Turbo Tax defense would fly for me. I don’t have the guts to even try.

I guess I am wrong to feel this blue-collar guilt- I don’t think I am wrong to want to pay my bills- live within my means and pay my fair share. This is the honorable thing to do.

I once listened to Rep Rangel give a speech some years ago at a Law School graduation… I remember thinking that while I disagree with his liberal leaning- he is a legislator; he is giving back to his country and must be a patriot. He must be honorable.

Rangel, Geitner, and others who shirk their responsibilities- especially those that has positions of authority in government- are not honorable men…

But we are the smucks who keep reelecting them to office...

God Bless us all...

Dancing with the Czars

We desperately want out President to be above the rhetoric and partisan politics... and to have patriotic staff members who reflect the goals of serving all the people and ideals our country...as well as our legislators- both side of the aisle...and we find ourselves disappointed.

Again.

Communist Green Czar’s with no congressional approval, tax cheats who either write the codes or become head of the IRS. Senators with sweet heart mortgage deals deciding the fate of the mortgage companies. Sexual advances in airport rest rooms, as well as performances in the oval office. The only thing that seems to make sense these days with our legislators is the former republican congressional leader Tom Delay being on dancing with the stars-going with his true talent-performing for the public.

Depending on his ratings this fall we should see Barney Frank and Charlie Rangel on Dating in the Dark and Deal or No Deal- respectively.

I am sure there are decent Democratic and Republican legislators, who want to check the United States of America box first, before party preference. I just wish they would be forthright and expose themselves--- in the appropriate fashion...

God Bless and save America...