Tuesday, 27 May, in Northern Michigan.
We are not under canvas, as we would have been forty years ago, but we are in camp, and the North is bright and refreshing and charming, AND it is COLD.
Yesterday the temp reached 80+ degrees.
Last night the temp dropped to 40+ degrees.
Frost warnings are posted for tonight and for tomorrow night.
It is Michigan! What more can one say.
I have a t-shirt from Copper Harbor that warns, in so many words: if you are
too wimpy to take it, go on back home. We’ll go, but not quite yet.
Three boat poles are in now at the dock. One to go. I had set the third one yesterday just as the wind picked up and the temp started to dip. Waves picked up and water spilled down the waders.
We’ll go for the fourth one today.
Maybe the boat can go in tomorrow. Winds today are expected to hit 15-20 mph. That’s too strong for this mariner.
Many of our neighbors have returned ‘downstate’. The work week has begun anew; school is still in session; and it is cold.
How often what we think we see or know is not really the real story.
This morning we learn that the sea researcher Robert Ballard [hope first name is right], the Woods Hole fella who found the Titanic wreck, was really on a secret mission searching for info on sunken nuclear subs. That the Titanic find was just a delightful plus.
And that that the loss of some of these nuclear boats might have been the result of ‘combat incidents’.
And that Mr. Ballard was/is really a reserve US Naval officer. Neat!
And so many ‘natural’ or environmental negatives are crossing the ‘radar’: the earthquake aftermaths in the prc; the storms out in the West; the Olympic pollution concerns in the prc; and the droughts and floods and hurricanes in various other parts of the world.
All of this is not even to mention the diplomatic and political goings-on which are so full of promise and/or threats for the future.
All of which brings to mind the old saying: life is what happens whilst we make our plans.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
MEMORIAL DAY 2008
It is Memorial Day Weekend, 2008.
We and our English bulldog Sophie Matilda are in our camp in Northern Michigan.
We are with friends.
Sometimes we are with family.
Not this time.
But they are with us in spirit and on the phone.
We are on holiday. But we are retired and on holiday, so it is not quite the same.
In his radio address yesterday, the President asked us to pause at 3:00 in memory of those who have given the last, full measure. We will do so.
We have been busy this weekend. This whole past week, in a relaxed sort of way.
There are things to do when you are in The North.
There is reacquainting with folks and things. There is going to all the old places: buying flowers; food; a few presents for downstaters; buying liquor for the empty locker; raking; cultivating; putting in boat poles; picking up boat; launching boat; getting advice on all sorts of things; looking up at the sky at night; walking the prize bulldog at all hours; entertaining folks you haven’t seen for months and months; and on and on.
And then there are things to do when you are Up North and it is Memorial Day Weekend.
There are Memorial Day things to do .
They should not be forgotten.
In some way, we should honor the Veterans. We should remember. It should be an obligation we happily undertake.
The President asked very little. Perhaps he did not ask enough.
Just what is Memorial Day?
Definition of Memorial Day:
Memorial Day is a United States Federal Holiday observed on the last Monday of May (in 2008 on May 26). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who perished while in military service to their country. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, after World War I it was expanded to include casualties of any war or military action.
And what can one do to properly commemorate such a day?
I can suggest a few things to do.
Firstly, we can pause at 3:00PM on The Day, as asked. And we can think about the men and women who have done their duty and who have paid so much for having done so.
Secondly, we Americans can do all the things we are accustomed to be doing that the sacrifices of our Veterans have made possible.
We can take pride in our nation’s accomplishments.
We can give or go to parties and enjoy fellowship with friends and family.
We can attend worship services.
We can garden.
We can go Up North or wherever.
We can thank a Vet if we recognize him as being one.
We can remind ourselves that our freedoms have been bought and paid for in blood and sweat and horrors too awful to talk about in polite company.
We can remind ourselves that the world is a beautiful AND a very dangerous place; that there are folks out there who would kill us if our serving military and our hyper power capabilities were not protecting us.
What we shouldn’t do is believe anyone, anyone, be they politicians or family members or friends, who think that the US is always the cause of problems or the reason why problems are not being solved.
Be polite. But don’t let anyone get away with such nonsense.
Our nation is unique. Our Veterans have done great service for us and for the world. Our Deceased Veterans have done all they could do.
Think of them for a moment and be thankful.
They have helped to make this Great Nation the Nation it is, thereby helping to make it the last, best hope of the world today.
And they have allowed us the opportunity to live our lives in our own Way.
We and our English bulldog Sophie Matilda are in our camp in Northern Michigan.
We are with friends.
Sometimes we are with family.
Not this time.
But they are with us in spirit and on the phone.
We are on holiday. But we are retired and on holiday, so it is not quite the same.
In his radio address yesterday, the President asked us to pause at 3:00 in memory of those who have given the last, full measure. We will do so.
We have been busy this weekend. This whole past week, in a relaxed sort of way.
There are things to do when you are in The North.
There is reacquainting with folks and things. There is going to all the old places: buying flowers; food; a few presents for downstaters; buying liquor for the empty locker; raking; cultivating; putting in boat poles; picking up boat; launching boat; getting advice on all sorts of things; looking up at the sky at night; walking the prize bulldog at all hours; entertaining folks you haven’t seen for months and months; and on and on.
And then there are things to do when you are Up North and it is Memorial Day Weekend.
There are Memorial Day things to do .
They should not be forgotten.
In some way, we should honor the Veterans. We should remember. It should be an obligation we happily undertake.
The President asked very little. Perhaps he did not ask enough.
Just what is Memorial Day?
Definition of Memorial Day:
Memorial Day is a United States Federal Holiday observed on the last Monday of May (in 2008 on May 26). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who perished while in military service to their country. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, after World War I it was expanded to include casualties of any war or military action.
And what can one do to properly commemorate such a day?
I can suggest a few things to do.
Firstly, we can pause at 3:00PM on The Day, as asked. And we can think about the men and women who have done their duty and who have paid so much for having done so.
Secondly, we Americans can do all the things we are accustomed to be doing that the sacrifices of our Veterans have made possible.
We can take pride in our nation’s accomplishments.
We can give or go to parties and enjoy fellowship with friends and family.
We can attend worship services.
We can garden.
We can go Up North or wherever.
We can thank a Vet if we recognize him as being one.
We can remind ourselves that our freedoms have been bought and paid for in blood and sweat and horrors too awful to talk about in polite company.
We can remind ourselves that the world is a beautiful AND a very dangerous place; that there are folks out there who would kill us if our serving military and our hyper power capabilities were not protecting us.
What we shouldn’t do is believe anyone, anyone, be they politicians or family members or friends, who think that the US is always the cause of problems or the reason why problems are not being solved.
Be polite. But don’t let anyone get away with such nonsense.
Our nation is unique. Our Veterans have done great service for us and for the world. Our Deceased Veterans have done all they could do.
Think of them for a moment and be thankful.
They have helped to make this Great Nation the Nation it is, thereby helping to make it the last, best hope of the world today.
And they have allowed us the opportunity to live our lives in our own Way.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
SOME NEEDS
We are in camp in Northern Michigan.
We have wireless internet in camp and a laptop.
Times have surely changed in the fifty years I have been camping.
The times have changed and so have we.
And it is cold.
Last night it was frostie, near mid thirties.
Tonight is sposed to be about the same.
Wife is asleep.
English bulldog, Sophie Matilda, is asleep.
I am at the dining table. A Northern sky is ‘shining’ without; a glass of JD is at hand; it is late and I am finally able to get a few ideas together and put them into some sort of order.
Today we arranged to pick up our boat form winter storage.
We greeted dear friends from ‘downstate’.
We mowed lawns and grocery shopped and savored the air and the environment of The North. The French would say…I think…the milieu.
Upper case French is deliberate. I am giving it/them the benefit of the doubt that they will behave as a sensible nation/people. We’ll see.
Anyway, we are ensconced in our Northern Camp, in the dead of a Northern Night, writing on a brand-new laptop accessing the miracle of wireless computer communication.
How sweet it is.
Back to the theme.
Needs.
An annotated (modestly) list:
We need to vote for McCain. He and the two dems are flawed. He is the less flawed. He will do the least damage to the Republic. He may not do any damage.
b.o. and hillary are, forgive me, losers. Of the two, b.o. is the least desireable. He is the loosest cannon, the most unpredictable. She is more predictable, safer, but an embarrassment, a leader who is most ecomomical with the truth, a leader who is not a safeguarder [a word?] of our traditions, our culture, our truths.
And, do not ever forget as we move toward the fall, that we need McCain to appoint responsible Justices to the US Supreme Court.
We also need to keep bill out of the White House. We do not need bill in there again.
We also need to cross the ‘tipping point’ of the energy debate.
As we drove North a few days ago, we were involved with gas at ca. $3.85/gallon.
Today we saw gas at $4.00+ a gallon.
When the cost reaches $6 or $7 or, God forbid, even higher amounts, a tipping point will be reached.
The greens and the national dems and other moronic, misinformed ‘leaders’ of our Republic will be put off to the side. The algores will find that their counsels will no longer command the attention they now do.
We need to drill, off our coasts, in the oil fields of Alaska and wherever else there is oil.
We need to exploit the oil sands, those deposits where oil is held within the soil.
We need to exploit our vast reserves of coal.
We need to put massive efforts into wind power; nuclear power; and all other kinds of power that will make ‘hat-in-hand’ trips to arab chiefs a thing of the past.
We do NOT need to tell Americans that the world will not long tolerate Americans running AC and driving family-sized cars.
What a pile of bs.
I could go on, but the big need can be summed up by saying we have to toss the greens. They have had their time. They need to go. It is time.
We need to act as tho we are in a war, a struggle, with really big-time enemies.
Because we are in just such a struggle.
b.o. and hillary cannot do the job. Maybe McCain cannot either, but he is the best bet, our only best bet.
He is not Ronald Reagan, God bless him.
And it is my belief that the barbarians just maybe will be a little afraid of him.
They will NOT be afraid of b.o.
hillary probably will not scare a barbarian either.
The barbarians will not fear b.o. or hillary anywhere nearly as much as McCain.
b.o. does not see Iran or Syria as threats. He feels they are ‘small’ countries.
He does not understand the delicacy of the relationships between the nations of all the various regions of the world.
He has advisors who do, but the barbarians will key off the man, or the woman.
These are serious times, and many of us are not sufficiently aware.
It is late.
More later.
Northern Michigan is a Godsend.
We have wireless internet in camp and a laptop.
Times have surely changed in the fifty years I have been camping.
The times have changed and so have we.
And it is cold.
Last night it was frostie, near mid thirties.
Tonight is sposed to be about the same.
Wife is asleep.
English bulldog, Sophie Matilda, is asleep.
I am at the dining table. A Northern sky is ‘shining’ without; a glass of JD is at hand; it is late and I am finally able to get a few ideas together and put them into some sort of order.
Today we arranged to pick up our boat form winter storage.
We greeted dear friends from ‘downstate’.
We mowed lawns and grocery shopped and savored the air and the environment of The North. The French would say…I think…the milieu.
Upper case French is deliberate. I am giving it/them the benefit of the doubt that they will behave as a sensible nation/people. We’ll see.
Anyway, we are ensconced in our Northern Camp, in the dead of a Northern Night, writing on a brand-new laptop accessing the miracle of wireless computer communication.
How sweet it is.
Back to the theme.
Needs.
An annotated (modestly) list:
We need to vote for McCain. He and the two dems are flawed. He is the less flawed. He will do the least damage to the Republic. He may not do any damage.
b.o. and hillary are, forgive me, losers. Of the two, b.o. is the least desireable. He is the loosest cannon, the most unpredictable. She is more predictable, safer, but an embarrassment, a leader who is most ecomomical with the truth, a leader who is not a safeguarder [a word?] of our traditions, our culture, our truths.
And, do not ever forget as we move toward the fall, that we need McCain to appoint responsible Justices to the US Supreme Court.
We also need to keep bill out of the White House. We do not need bill in there again.
We also need to cross the ‘tipping point’ of the energy debate.
As we drove North a few days ago, we were involved with gas at ca. $3.85/gallon.
Today we saw gas at $4.00+ a gallon.
When the cost reaches $6 or $7 or, God forbid, even higher amounts, a tipping point will be reached.
The greens and the national dems and other moronic, misinformed ‘leaders’ of our Republic will be put off to the side. The algores will find that their counsels will no longer command the attention they now do.
We need to drill, off our coasts, in the oil fields of Alaska and wherever else there is oil.
We need to exploit the oil sands, those deposits where oil is held within the soil.
We need to exploit our vast reserves of coal.
We need to put massive efforts into wind power; nuclear power; and all other kinds of power that will make ‘hat-in-hand’ trips to arab chiefs a thing of the past.
We do NOT need to tell Americans that the world will not long tolerate Americans running AC and driving family-sized cars.
What a pile of bs.
I could go on, but the big need can be summed up by saying we have to toss the greens. They have had their time. They need to go. It is time.
We need to act as tho we are in a war, a struggle, with really big-time enemies.
Because we are in just such a struggle.
b.o. and hillary cannot do the job. Maybe McCain cannot either, but he is the best bet, our only best bet.
He is not Ronald Reagan, God bless him.
And it is my belief that the barbarians just maybe will be a little afraid of him.
They will NOT be afraid of b.o.
hillary probably will not scare a barbarian either.
The barbarians will not fear b.o. or hillary anywhere nearly as much as McCain.
b.o. does not see Iran or Syria as threats. He feels they are ‘small’ countries.
He does not understand the delicacy of the relationships between the nations of all the various regions of the world.
He has advisors who do, but the barbarians will key off the man, or the woman.
These are serious times, and many of us are not sufficiently aware.
It is late.
More later.
Northern Michigan is a Godsend.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
EVEN MORE ALARMING
It is apparent that b.o. will very likely be the candidate of the national dem party.
It is equally apparent that he is an alarming candidate, unfit for any number of reasons.
But there is at least one thing that is more alarming than the candidacy of b.o., and that is that so many voting Americans find him to be an attractive candidate.
It is disturbing that so many otherwise intelligent folk can overlook such a significant number of negatives.
I hesitate to list the negatives. It is late and there are so many and they are so obvious.
If any reader doubts their existence, please request examples.
If one didn't know better, one might be led to doubt the utility of the democratic form of government.
It is equally apparent that he is an alarming candidate, unfit for any number of reasons.
But there is at least one thing that is more alarming than the candidacy of b.o., and that is that so many voting Americans find him to be an attractive candidate.
It is disturbing that so many otherwise intelligent folk can overlook such a significant number of negatives.
I hesitate to list the negatives. It is late and there are so many and they are so obvious.
If any reader doubts their existence, please request examples.
If one didn't know better, one might be led to doubt the utility of the democratic form of government.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
THE ANCHORESS...AN ESPECIALLY GOOD POST
There is a link to this site in The Study....but the following specific link is to a really on-the-mark posting by this excellent author.
http://theanchoressonline.com/2008/05/15/a-q-badeconomy-liturgy-bush-but-not-big-o/
http://theanchoressonline.com/2008/05/15/a-q-badeconomy-liturgy-bush-but-not-big-o/
FOLLOWUP NPR INTERVIEW RE NIMITIZ SERIES
Executive producer/director Chermayeff, former U.S. Navy serviceman Chris Altice, and U.S. Navy pilot Laurie Coffey talk with host Neal Conan about daily life on the USS Nimitz during the course of a controversial war.
The link below will take you to a splendid interview with folks important to the series Nimitz.
NPR does some things really well.
This is one of them.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90468082&ft=1&f=1010
The link below will take you to a splendid interview with folks important to the series Nimitz.
NPR does some things really well.
This is one of them.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90468082&ft=1&f=1010
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
QUOTE(S) OF INTEREST
Adlai Stevenson on b.o. and hillary:
In America, anyone can bcome president.
That's one of the risks you take.
QUOTE(S) OF INTEREST
Yakov Smirnoff on the difference between the United States and Russia:
In America, you can always find a party.
In Russia, the party always finds you.
HOWIE FRANKLIN - AIR FORCE ONE
Howie Franklin spoke today at our local Town Hall Series.
Mr. Franklin is the former Chief Steward, Air Force One.
His presentation was priceless.
He held the audience in his hand.
I wish I could remember everything he said.
He enlightened us regarding his eighteen years serving Presidents Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton [in this article, upper case C is intentional] aboard this amazing symbol (the twin 747s) of one of the two greatest nations on earth.
He had praise for all five Chief Executives, more for some, less for others.
He had affection for all, again, more for some, less for others.
He criticized the msm. No surprise there.
Some recollections of the presentation:
The first thing most first-time flyers on AF1 want to do is to make a phone call, for the operator makes the call and announces to the recipient of the call “This is Air Force One calling” [or words to that effect].
Boeing produced the two 747s considerably over cost, and did NOT bill the Government for the overage. This was not widely reported in the press.
Press and passengers are billed by the Government for seats and food whilst on board. The press travels at coach rates and food is served family style.
The Air Force is responsible for the President,s air travel; the Navy is responsible for the White House; the Marines are responsible for Helicopter 1; and the Army is responsible for the President’s land travel.
[I believe the Marines are responsible for Camp David].
I cannot do justice to his remarks about each of the five Presidents he served. I took no notes.
But re President Reagan, we were struck by a couple of his comments:
President Reagan had three passions:
His country
His wife
Riding horses
And he was a source of energy and inspiration for all who were around him.
And he was in private what he was in public, a dedicated, caring, informed, and inspirational leader.
I note that with the passage of time and the release of more and more info on this Chief Executive, the ignorance of his critics is ever more clearly exposed.
Regarding the other Presidents, as I said, I took no notes, but impressions linger:
Ford was a no-nonsense Chief who was determined to do his duty.
Carter was a teacher and an engineer, very, very unlike his Mom.
The Bush family is close-knit, caring, and Barbara is a very important member.
Clinton is a nice guy who really, really likes women.
And the press. Mr. Franklin relates that helen thomas interviewed him for hours and only got half of her facts right for a story she was writing. And she even liked him.
What if she had not liked him?
I will record more stuff if I remember. It was a great morning.
Mr. Franklin is the former Chief Steward, Air Force One.
His presentation was priceless.
He held the audience in his hand.
I wish I could remember everything he said.
He enlightened us regarding his eighteen years serving Presidents Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton [in this article, upper case C is intentional] aboard this amazing symbol (the twin 747s) of one of the two greatest nations on earth.
He had praise for all five Chief Executives, more for some, less for others.
He had affection for all, again, more for some, less for others.
He criticized the msm. No surprise there.
Some recollections of the presentation:
The first thing most first-time flyers on AF1 want to do is to make a phone call, for the operator makes the call and announces to the recipient of the call “This is Air Force One calling” [or words to that effect].
Boeing produced the two 747s considerably over cost, and did NOT bill the Government for the overage. This was not widely reported in the press.
Press and passengers are billed by the Government for seats and food whilst on board. The press travels at coach rates and food is served family style.
The Air Force is responsible for the President,s air travel; the Navy is responsible for the White House; the Marines are responsible for Helicopter 1; and the Army is responsible for the President’s land travel.
[I believe the Marines are responsible for Camp David].
I cannot do justice to his remarks about each of the five Presidents he served. I took no notes.
But re President Reagan, we were struck by a couple of his comments:
President Reagan had three passions:
His country
His wife
Riding horses
And he was a source of energy and inspiration for all who were around him.
And he was in private what he was in public, a dedicated, caring, informed, and inspirational leader.
I note that with the passage of time and the release of more and more info on this Chief Executive, the ignorance of his critics is ever more clearly exposed.
Regarding the other Presidents, as I said, I took no notes, but impressions linger:
Ford was a no-nonsense Chief who was determined to do his duty.
Carter was a teacher and an engineer, very, very unlike his Mom.
The Bush family is close-knit, caring, and Barbara is a very important member.
Clinton is a nice guy who really, really likes women.
And the press. Mr. Franklin relates that helen thomas interviewed him for hours and only got half of her facts right for a story she was writing. And she even liked him.
What if she had not liked him?
I will record more stuff if I remember. It was a great morning.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
IGNORANCE IS NOT BLISS
As we content ourselves with the fallacy that never again shall we have to fight large, technological opponents, China is transforming its forces into a full-spectrum military capable of major operations and remote power projection.
China has just suffered a major natural disaster.
And those parts of the world that can help should help as needed.
But Mark Helprin has penned an alarming yet encouraging article in the WSJ which should be on the minds of all thinking citizens as we view the devastations in China and reflect upon the future relations between the United States and the Peoples'(?) Republic.
Check out the link below. Food for thought.
http://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB121063718854786789.html
China has just suffered a major natural disaster.
And those parts of the world that can help should help as needed.
But Mark Helprin has penned an alarming yet encouraging article in the WSJ which should be on the minds of all thinking citizens as we view the devastations in China and reflect upon the future relations between the United States and the Peoples'(?) Republic.
Check out the link below. Food for thought.
http://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB121063718854786789.html
YUCCA MOUNTAIN AND GITMO
What do Yucca Mountain and Guantanamo Bay have in common? [emphasis mine]
Well, there's the obvious stuff. Both have Spanish names. Neither is a great spot for a family vacation. And each is under the control of the federal government.
Oh, and both are essential tools in wars a lot of people claim they want to win.
[emphasis mine]
This seems so self-evident, so simple.
Read the whole thing via the link below.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-goldberg13-2008may13,0,367027,print.column
Well, there's the obvious stuff. Both have Spanish names. Neither is a great spot for a family vacation. And each is under the control of the federal government.
Oh, and both are essential tools in wars a lot of people claim they want to win.
[emphasis mine]
This seems so self-evident, so simple.
Read the whole thing via the link below.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-goldberg13-2008may13,0,367027,print.column
Monday, May 12, 2008
THE FOG OF POLITICS
We are seeing a variety of prices for gas in our area.
But all are in the upper $3.00 range, edging ever closer to the magic, the black magic, of $4.00.
How high can it really go?
I seem to remember john kerry criticizing President Bush for not raising gas taxes to reduce consumption. And then criticizing the same President for lowering gas prices shortly before the last election.
As though a President of the US is able to raise or lower the price of a gallon of gas.
john kerry is a mental midget.
The greens want higher gas prices to reduce consumption. But they want the higher prices to be because of taxes, not futures trading. More $$ for the State, don’t you know.
Of course, evil capitalists are not to be allowed to drill off coasts; in Anwar (sp?); develop coal sands; operate wind farms off the NE Coast; build more refineries; reduce the insane number of gas cocktail recipes; delay progressively crippling average fleet mpgs; and on and on and on.
Imagine a world where the US unilaterally cripples itself with green regulations whilst the undeveloped [backward] nations of the world pollute and add filth in ever growing amounts.
Imagine a world where the unilaterally crippled US withdraws behind protectionist tariffs and green regulations whilst the world’s barbarians carry out their … agendas.
And hillary condemns President Bush for acting like President Hoover with regard to our alleged recession whilst advocating the very tariff insanity promoted by President Hoover which exacerbated the Great Depression.
Someone said that the clintons think only of today and tomorrow, that for them there are/were no yesterdays, that for them, the memory span of the American People lasts only for a few days.
Good God Almighty!!!
But all are in the upper $3.00 range, edging ever closer to the magic, the black magic, of $4.00.
How high can it really go?
I seem to remember john kerry criticizing President Bush for not raising gas taxes to reduce consumption. And then criticizing the same President for lowering gas prices shortly before the last election.
As though a President of the US is able to raise or lower the price of a gallon of gas.
john kerry is a mental midget.
The greens want higher gas prices to reduce consumption. But they want the higher prices to be because of taxes, not futures trading. More $$ for the State, don’t you know.
Of course, evil capitalists are not to be allowed to drill off coasts; in Anwar (sp?); develop coal sands; operate wind farms off the NE Coast; build more refineries; reduce the insane number of gas cocktail recipes; delay progressively crippling average fleet mpgs; and on and on and on.
Imagine a world where the US unilaterally cripples itself with green regulations whilst the undeveloped [backward] nations of the world pollute and add filth in ever growing amounts.
Imagine a world where the unilaterally crippled US withdraws behind protectionist tariffs and green regulations whilst the world’s barbarians carry out their … agendas.
And hillary condemns President Bush for acting like President Hoover with regard to our alleged recession whilst advocating the very tariff insanity promoted by President Hoover which exacerbated the Great Depression.
Someone said that the clintons think only of today and tomorrow, that for them there are/were no yesterdays, that for them, the memory span of the American People lasts only for a few days.
Good God Almighty!!!
A PROBLEM FOR b.o.
But of all the well-meaning desires projected on Senator Obama, the hope that he would decisively improve relations with the world’s Muslims is the least realistic.
Now, from the nyt, here is something that I never thought about.
Check out the link below.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/12/opinion/12luttwak.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin
Now, from the nyt, here is something that I never thought about.
Check out the link below.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/12/opinion/12luttwak.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin
Saturday, May 10, 2008
MISS JENNA BUSH AND MR. HENRY HAGER
"This is a joyous occasion for our family, as we celebrate the happy life ahead of her and her husband, Henry," Bush said in his Saturday radio address. "It's also a special time for Laura who this Mother's Day weekend will watch a young woman we raised together walk down the aisle."
Jenna Bush and Henry Hager…
We wish you both a long and blessed and happy marriage….
May the Good Lord take a likin’ to ye…
Jenna Bush and Henry Hager…
We wish you both a long and blessed and happy marriage….
May the Good Lord take a likin’ to ye…
BLACKWATER...ESSENTIAL QUALITY
The State Department has just renewed its contract to provide security for American diplomats in Iraq for at least another year.
Liberals, national dems, etc., should eat hearts out and grind teeth.
Blackwater has survived extensive innuendo and propaganda attacks and has emerged as an essential part of US Middle East operations.
The new york times article linked below tells the story, spun of course as you would expect, but still gets the message out: no crime proven and invaluable service provided.
It is a wonder how so much of our liberal establishment seeks to trash and degrade professionalism and skill.
Read the article. Ignore the spin.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/10/world/middleeast/10blackwater.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
Liberals, national dems, etc., should eat hearts out and grind teeth.
Blackwater has survived extensive innuendo and propaganda attacks and has emerged as an essential part of US Middle East operations.
The new york times article linked below tells the story, spun of course as you would expect, but still gets the message out: no crime proven and invaluable service provided.
It is a wonder how so much of our liberal establishment seeks to trash and degrade professionalism and skill.
Read the article. Ignore the spin.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/10/world/middleeast/10blackwater.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
OUR THIN BLUE LINE
"These guys do very important work," Blakeman says. "They are memorializing people who I believe are heroes. I wanted them to know I appreciated it. I never forgot what a privilege it was for me to work at the White House, and I wanted to share that experience with them." [emphasis mine]
In a real sense, the White House is our "hallowed ground".
In a real sense, fallen police officers are our heroes.
It well behooves a nation of heroes and hallowed ground(s) to honor and protect both...and to use both to promote honor and pride.
Read about both via the link below.
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20080509/a_engravers09.art.htm
In a real sense, the White House is our "hallowed ground".
In a real sense, fallen police officers are our heroes.
It well behooves a nation of heroes and hallowed ground(s) to honor and protect both...and to use both to promote honor and pride.
Read about both via the link below.
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20080509/a_engravers09.art.htm
Friday, May 9, 2008
THE PEOPLES’ REPUBLIC OF CHINA…LATE NIGHT THOUGHTS
It is reported that the prc [the peoples’ republic of china (mainland china)] is considering buying farmland overseas, in Africa and South America.
The population is large and growing.
And the prc is operating an underground nuclear sub base close to “vital sea lanes.”
The prc seeks what is known as a “blue water navy.” Such a navy is required to protect overseas investments and communication with those investments.
A year or two ago the prc attempted to buy a port at one end of the Panama Canal.
Control is an important part of the growth pattern of an emerging great power.
And the prc is buying up ever-increasing quantities of iron and coal and petroleum to feed it’s growing colossus of an economy.
International sources of supply are essential to great power status.
Environmental concerns are apparently of little interest or concern to the emerging great power economy of the prc.
Emergent economies cannot afford the luxury of cleanliness.
National self-interests as defined by the prc are frequently in conflict with those interests of the US, Russia, India, Taiwan, Japan, and other nations of the Far East Region.
Folks forget that the prc is not merely a competitor in many arenas. It is an enemy.
The prc produces an enormous amount of goods enjoyed and even required by the economies of the world.
Trade between nations does not by any means guarantee peace between nations. Lots of folks do not know or believe this.
The population is large and growing.
And the prc is operating an underground nuclear sub base close to “vital sea lanes.”
The prc seeks what is known as a “blue water navy.” Such a navy is required to protect overseas investments and communication with those investments.
A year or two ago the prc attempted to buy a port at one end of the Panama Canal.
Control is an important part of the growth pattern of an emerging great power.
And the prc is buying up ever-increasing quantities of iron and coal and petroleum to feed it’s growing colossus of an economy.
International sources of supply are essential to great power status.
Environmental concerns are apparently of little interest or concern to the emerging great power economy of the prc.
Emergent economies cannot afford the luxury of cleanliness.
National self-interests as defined by the prc are frequently in conflict with those interests of the US, Russia, India, Taiwan, Japan, and other nations of the Far East Region.
Folks forget that the prc is not merely a competitor in many arenas. It is an enemy.
The prc produces an enormous amount of goods enjoyed and even required by the economies of the world.
Trade between nations does not by any means guarantee peace between nations. Lots of folks do not know or believe this.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
WE OPENED CAMP
We opened camp this past week.
As I wrote the first draft of this item, it was late, past midnight. The temp was in the low thirties, cold even for Michigan.
The sky was an Up North Sky, black-blue and sparkly starry.
The drive North is several hours, a fun part of the opening ritual. Routine pit stops and food stops.
Opening a Camp after six months of a Michigan winter is a busy proposition. There is always a lot to do. You can get a little dirty.
Opening up and airing out; water and sewer reactivation; greeting neighbors doing the same things; walking down to the lake; making endless lists of things to do; running errands here and there; cleaning out cupboards and storage lockers; refilling propane tanks; cleaning the grill; and planning when to get the boat down to the dock. And the list goes on. And on.
And there are the sunny days; the rainy days; the warm and cold days and nights. Really cold some nights.
There are the first cooking of meals: the first cocktail hour; the first lighting of the grill. First times are always special. That must be one of the special things about being a kid, always doing things for the first time.
There is the homey smell of the closed up camp. So full of...so many memories.
How sweet it is.
And here and there the wildflowers are peeking up through the flotsam of the winter.
We passed a two small groups of deer on the way in to the camp: five in one and three in the other. And wild turkeys.
And the birds which we never see or hear downstate.
And there are the favorite restaurants, in all three of our favourite nearby towns. Manhattans in one are $3.50, the best I have had anywhere in the US and in the UK. And the salmon and the perch and the burgers.
The towns appear sleepy at the end of April. Some eateries are not even open, or open only for a reduced scheduled. They are waiting for folks like us.
How sweet it is.
A fantasy would be to be among the folks waiting for the ‘summer folk’, the Fudgies, the Downstaters.
A fantasy. Maybe being a Fudgie is the next best thing.
And there are the birds we never see or hear at home…always a treat to see one we have never seen or have forgotten.
And the rekindling of memories…of so many years ago…memories of this Camp and of others of our youth.
Our neighborhood in The North acquired wireless this year. Yep! We have to rough it with a laptop and martinis in paper cups. What ya gonna do?
We passed one bear crossing sign. What can I say? We kept an even sharper lookout.
We make it a habit, as far as possible, not to shop the Northern branches of the downstate chain stores. We have two superb local groceries; miniature drug stores; and a whole host of delightful venues to take care of most needs.
The big guys we use when we have to.
The North lives.
Thank the Good Lord.
As I wrote the first draft of this item, it was late, past midnight. The temp was in the low thirties, cold even for Michigan.
The sky was an Up North Sky, black-blue and sparkly starry.
The drive North is several hours, a fun part of the opening ritual. Routine pit stops and food stops.
Opening a Camp after six months of a Michigan winter is a busy proposition. There is always a lot to do. You can get a little dirty.
Opening up and airing out; water and sewer reactivation; greeting neighbors doing the same things; walking down to the lake; making endless lists of things to do; running errands here and there; cleaning out cupboards and storage lockers; refilling propane tanks; cleaning the grill; and planning when to get the boat down to the dock. And the list goes on. And on.
And there are the sunny days; the rainy days; the warm and cold days and nights. Really cold some nights.
There are the first cooking of meals: the first cocktail hour; the first lighting of the grill. First times are always special. That must be one of the special things about being a kid, always doing things for the first time.
There is the homey smell of the closed up camp. So full of...so many memories.
How sweet it is.
And here and there the wildflowers are peeking up through the flotsam of the winter.
We passed a two small groups of deer on the way in to the camp: five in one and three in the other. And wild turkeys.
And the birds which we never see or hear downstate.
And there are the favorite restaurants, in all three of our favourite nearby towns. Manhattans in one are $3.50, the best I have had anywhere in the US and in the UK. And the salmon and the perch and the burgers.
The towns appear sleepy at the end of April. Some eateries are not even open, or open only for a reduced scheduled. They are waiting for folks like us.
How sweet it is.
A fantasy would be to be among the folks waiting for the ‘summer folk’, the Fudgies, the Downstaters.
A fantasy. Maybe being a Fudgie is the next best thing.
And there are the birds we never see or hear at home…always a treat to see one we have never seen or have forgotten.
And the rekindling of memories…of so many years ago…memories of this Camp and of others of our youth.
Our neighborhood in The North acquired wireless this year. Yep! We have to rough it with a laptop and martinis in paper cups. What ya gonna do?
We passed one bear crossing sign. What can I say? We kept an even sharper lookout.
We make it a habit, as far as possible, not to shop the Northern branches of the downstate chain stores. We have two superb local groceries; miniature drug stores; and a whole host of delightful venues to take care of most needs.
The big guys we use when we have to.
The North lives.
Thank the Good Lord.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISRAEL
8 May, Israel's 60th birthday.
An ally of the United States, a tough friend in a world where friends are really, really important.
Check out the splendid article in the Powerline piece below.
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives2/2008/05/020470.php
An ally of the United States, a tough friend in a world where friends are really, really important.
Check out the splendid article in the Powerline piece below.
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives2/2008/05/020470.php
SELECTED ITEMS
WW2 GLIDERS
Thank God for those who built ‘em and for those who flew and flew in them.
And thank God for those who care enough to recreate one.
http://www.startribune.com/featuredColumns/18713344.html
NATIONAL DEMS SABOTAGE US ECONOMY…FREE TRADE
How on earth can anyone believe anything the national democrats say about anything that is important?
http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080508/COLUMNS03/805080304/1026/news12
WE DON’T EVEN KNOW ALL THE QUESTIONS…THE PLATYPUS
Thank God for the mindset of folks in the very late 18th-early 19th Centuries…and for those who have gone on to expand upon their excellent work.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/07/AR2008050702048.html?hpid=topnews
baltimoresun.com
Debt cancellation a victory for the world
By Desmond Tutu
May 7, 2008
Last month, the House of Representatives showed leadership in the fight against global poverty by passing the Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation, which would extend lifesaving debt cancellation to more poor nations around the globe.
Saaay Whatt???????
Showed leadership???
Or showed something very different!!!!!!!!
So, the US House of Representatives has decided to cancel great portions of debt owed by the poorest nations of the world.
So, who then has to pay that debt?
We know that the national dems are economic wizards who can do no evil.
I wonder how the vote in the House went. I wonder which side voted to pass this legislation.
And I presume that said cancellation will solve the problems of the poorest nations, allowing them to move on and become thriving states, especially inasmuch as the reason they are poor is the debts they have incurred.
And I have a bridge to sell.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.debt07may07,0,297018,print.story
Thank God for those who built ‘em and for those who flew and flew in them.
And thank God for those who care enough to recreate one.
http://www.startribune.com/featuredColumns/18713344.html
NATIONAL DEMS SABOTAGE US ECONOMY…FREE TRADE
How on earth can anyone believe anything the national democrats say about anything that is important?
http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080508/COLUMNS03/805080304/1026/news12
WE DON’T EVEN KNOW ALL THE QUESTIONS…THE PLATYPUS
Thank God for the mindset of folks in the very late 18th-early 19th Centuries…and for those who have gone on to expand upon their excellent work.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/07/AR2008050702048.html?hpid=topnews
baltimoresun.com
Debt cancellation a victory for the world
By Desmond Tutu
May 7, 2008
Last month, the House of Representatives showed leadership in the fight against global poverty by passing the Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation, which would extend lifesaving debt cancellation to more poor nations around the globe.
Saaay Whatt???????
Showed leadership???
Or showed something very different!!!!!!!!
So, the US House of Representatives has decided to cancel great portions of debt owed by the poorest nations of the world.
So, who then has to pay that debt?
We know that the national dems are economic wizards who can do no evil.
I wonder how the vote in the House went. I wonder which side voted to pass this legislation.
And I presume that said cancellation will solve the problems of the poorest nations, allowing them to move on and become thriving states, especially inasmuch as the reason they are poor is the debts they have incurred.
And I have a bridge to sell.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.debt07may07,0,297018,print.story
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
b.o.
The ‘airwaves’, as folks used to say, are alive, are full of talk of the end of the line for hillary.
I am really surprised.
I thought that b.o. was too young, too black, too tarnished, too inexperienced to have a real chance at the nomination.
Well, such is apparently not to be.
The bright side of this development is that he is probably the easier candidate for the Right to defeat. hillary is an unlikable character, but b.o. is, I suggest, unelectable at this time for the above ‘too’ reasons.
Once again the democrats are going about the business of nominating an unelectable candidate.
I do not think that he is too black. But I do think he is too young, inexperienced, and tarnished. And probably some more ‘too’ stuff too.
At least we will be rid of the clintons on the national stage.
Hopefully.
I am really surprised.
I thought that b.o. was too young, too black, too tarnished, too inexperienced to have a real chance at the nomination.
Well, such is apparently not to be.
The bright side of this development is that he is probably the easier candidate for the Right to defeat. hillary is an unlikable character, but b.o. is, I suggest, unelectable at this time for the above ‘too’ reasons.
Once again the democrats are going about the business of nominating an unelectable candidate.
I do not think that he is too black. But I do think he is too young, inexperienced, and tarnished. And probably some more ‘too’ stuff too.
At least we will be rid of the clintons on the national stage.
Hopefully.
IT IS TIME
John Bolton has suggested that it is time that iran suffer a military penalty as a result of killing and wounding US and Coalition Forces in Iraq, not to mention the collateral and intentional civilian casualties which have ensued.
Apparently, iranian bases making such casualties possible are currently largely immune from Allied obliteration.
US options are many: predator and or missile strikes as well as Naval and Air attacks by piloted aircraft.
It should be remembered that whilst the US Army and Marines may indeed be stressed by current levels of engagement, the Navy and Air Force are standing idle with regard to an air assault on iran.
Aggressor barbarian states do not grow benign when the attacked side puts up with their barbarian attacks.
Check out the article.
Vote for a Presidential candidate who understands that you cannot talk a barbarian out of his barbarity.
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=295050802233147
Apparently, iranian bases making such casualties possible are currently largely immune from Allied obliteration.
US options are many: predator and or missile strikes as well as Naval and Air attacks by piloted aircraft.
It should be remembered that whilst the US Army and Marines may indeed be stressed by current levels of engagement, the Navy and Air Force are standing idle with regard to an air assault on iran.
Aggressor barbarian states do not grow benign when the attacked side puts up with their barbarian attacks.
Check out the article.
Vote for a Presidential candidate who understands that you cannot talk a barbarian out of his barbarity.
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=295050802233147
Monday, May 5, 2008
NIMITZ ...LAST EPISODES
Additional comments on Nimitz will have to wait until it is rebroadcast and I have a chance to view hours eight and nine.
Hours seven and eight were seen only in bits and pieces and hours nine and ten were missed altogether.
So, final words for now are that this was a superb series, one that all Americans should watch.
iranians and syrians and mainland chinese should watch it too.
Hours seven and eight were seen only in bits and pieces and hours nine and ten were missed altogether.
So, final words for now are that this was a superb series, one that all Americans should watch.
iranians and syrians and mainland chinese should watch it too.
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