Another "In The News"

Un-Raptured

I am pleased to report we have survived the rapture of 2011. To the "true believers" I say... well, maybe next time.


Obama Off To Ireland

I thought this was a cute news item; "Obama In Ireland To Discover His Irish Roots" I can't help but wonder if Mr. O'bama will be off to Russia next, to discover his socialist roots.


Say It Aint So

According to two of his team-mates, Lance Armstrong was not only doing enhancement drugs but, he was trying to convince his pals to enhance also.

I can't really explain why I always get spicious when folks get a conscience and fess up a couple years after a dirty deed was done.


Don't Buy American

At least that is the message I am getting from THIS STORY courtesy of MSN.COM this morning. The story author, Katherine Reynolds Lewis, suggests the notion that Americans who "go out of their way" to find and purchase American made products are doing the economy far more harm than good. Ms. Lewis contends "a complete end to imports would actually hurt the U.S. economy because consumers and domestic companies would lose access to cheap goods."

[A complete end to imports? How do we go from some Americans making an effort to buy American made goods to a nationwide ban on all imports?]

Mark Perry, an economics professor and visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute (a conservative (?) think tank) says; "If we restrict trade to just the fifty states, what would happen immediately, and increase over time, would be a huge reduction in our standard of living, because we wouldn't have access to the cheap goods we get from other countries. We also wouldn't have any export markets, so companies like Caterpillar and Microsoft would have a huge reduction in sales and workforce."

[Since Caterpillar and Microsoft both have operations on foreign soil, I don't see how they would stand to lose much if their American based operations cut off all exports. As for cheap foreign made goods and their effect on our standard of living; had greedy businesses like Caterpillar and Microsoft (et al) not moved various operations out of the country, to avoid paying big bucks to American workers, there would be more Americans working and enjoying a better standard of living. Of course, if American workers had not been so greedy by demanding big bucks and high priced benefit packages...]

According to Ms. Lewis, who is quoting "financial experts;" "when you spend more on an equivalent product because it's made in the U.S., you're wasting your money and supporting an inefficient manufacturer that, by rights, should become more efficient or go out of business."

[I thought that was how the system worked. A business either produces quality stuff and prospers or, puts out junk and goes out of business when folks refuse to buy said junk. However, Ms. Lewis almost makes it sound as though some "higher forces" should be in a position to PUT those businesses out of business.]

So says Ken Fisher, Founder and CEO of Fisher Investments in Woodside, California, and the author of "Debunkery." "The additional money Americans spend on an inefficient U.S. producer could have been spent on something else, helping the economy further. Or it could stay in their savings account and been funneled into the financial system, which in theory allocates capital to the most efficient producers. These most efficient producers are best-positioned to create more jobs and return profits to their investors, and to the government in the form of tax revenues. "We make the country better by allocating resources toward the ones that can use them best," according to Fisher.

[I'm sorry Ken, whose economy would we be helping out exactly? China's?

Savings accounts!!! Are you serious!!! If the banks decided to have a "holiday," our savings accounts could be going on said holiday with the banks. As for those accounts being used to funnel money into the financial system, are we talking about the same financial system that has allocated capital to all of those big businesses who are building off shore operations? Or are we talking about the financial system that has all but bankrupted America by funneling money into it's own pockets?]

To tell you the truth folks, after reading these stories today, I'm almost disappointed the rapture passed us over. Well, maybe next time.

MikeH.

Forget Those Sunday Drives

It's bad enough we Americans are forced to pay exorbitant, yet ever increasing, amounts for a gallon of gasoline. I can certainly attest to the fact that it is putting the brakes on our Sunday drives and mini adventure trips through the countryside. Let's face it... the price at the pumps pretty much dictates that starting our vehicles, for any reason other than absolute necessity, amounts to unnecessary waste. So what could possibly make this situation any worse?

Well, it seems the El Zippo administration is "drafting a proposal" to conduct a study that will investigate the feasibility of instituting a mileage tax on those of us who are stuck in that "must drive" station in life. Yes, this tax was brought up in the early days of Zippie's claim to power. And yes, allegedly, His Zeroness pushed down that idea. But as many things do in Zippie's circle of jerks, it has once again raised it's ugly head. (yes Michelle, that includes you)

The writer of the story poses the question; What will Americans find more offensive, the tax or the loss of privacy when government metering devices are installed on all vehicles to determine the miles driven and resultant tax to be levied.

According to the story, federal taxes on gasoline, instituted in 1992, can't keep the coffers full any longer since auto manufacturers keep building vehicles that keep getting better gas mileage. (these democretins always need a patsy on whom to stick blame) Far be it from me to mention the MPG guidelines the government expects auto manufacturers to adhere to. I mean, one would think some bright bulb in government would realize that government would be causing it's own windfall losses through these guidelines... RIGHT!!!

Now supposedly, if a miles tax was to be chiseled in stone, the federal per gallon gasoline tax would be removed. Please allow me to repeat that statement. The FEDERAL per gallon gasoline tax would be removed. That won't bring about any change in the per gallon taxes set by the states. And it stands to reason that if the federal coffers are floundering under the per gallon tax rate, the per mile rate will, no doubt, have an impact we will see (and feel) in our wallets.

Just like with drug dealers... just say NO!!! In my way of thinking, the federal coffers wouldn't be in deep doggie dodo if the people in charge of the purse strings weren't blowing the money like drunken sailors in a liberty port. Those folks, from way back when, came up with an interesting concept; "No taxation without representation." I think that should hold true today.

So, NO, I will not be coerced into paying any new taxes especially without seeing some real government services being rendered in return. And if anyone comes around looking to put any kind of device on my vehicle, they had best bring EMS and a SWAT team along. And it will not be a training exercise.

In an unrelated story, yet another writer asks the question; "Are gasoline prices hurting the jobs market?" In my own digest form, the writer is suggesting that gas prices are preventing folks from driving about in the active pursuit of work. (honestly, stupid people should not be allowed to procreate)

As I recall, last year someone had pointed out that in the last few years, nine million jobs have either left the country or just flat out gone out of business, never to return. Call me a skeptic but, I don't think there would be much change in the jobs market numbers if gas were a dime a gallon.

On a much brighter note, the U.N. wants to know if the U.S. had any plan on taking Osama bin Laden alive. They seem to think he was entitled to a "criminal trial." (I'm telling you... procreation should only be permitted in order to sustain a mentally healthy society. I guess I should thank God I am already grandfathered in)

MikeH.

It All Makes Perfect Sense

At least it's all perfect sense if you are among the inner circle jerks.

El Zippo's poll numbers have been circling the hole in the bottom of the porcelain throne. He needs a hail Mary play to boost up those numbers if he has any hope of tricking the public into believing he is worthy of holding on to his other throne in the oval office for another term. Enter a long form birth certificate that seems to have been several years in the making. And of course, His Worthlessness jumps on this as an opportunity to ridicule anyone who has even half considered the notion of whether or not he is an American citizen.

Shouldn't (or couldn't) this have been addressed way back when, instead of dragging it out and, even still after the big unveiling, continue to fuel the fire of "birther" conspiracy doubts?

Perhaps realizing his extreme arrogance may well have rubbed some potential voters the wrong way, Zippity Do Duh concludes the need to pull another rabbit out of his hat. So, a mere few days after the birth certificate surfaces, enter (or exit) Osama bin Laden... the number one (well, number two after Zippie) most hated individual in America today.

So, we have Pakistan, military / CIA op, shootout and bin Laden dead. And the news reports start to trickle in.

We learn that SEAL Team Six, the oh so secret military unit that "doesn't even officially exist" has apparently been outed into officially existing, complete with a story on SEAL training and another story told by a unit member's wife. I have to suppose Area 51 doesn't have the big box-office draw it once had.

We are told the operation was in the planning stages for eight months. It is also reveled that one of the two aircraft being used went down near bin Laden's compound after mechanical problems. But, we are also told that the teams have to double up in the one remaining aircraft for the extraction phase. So what was the sense in carrying bin Laden's body out to that craft and transporting it to a U.S. Navy ship? Was that part of the eight month game plan?

An official aboard ship is reported to have said bin Laden's body was cleansed prior to a burial at sea. We are told that this was done to appease Islamic law that requires immediate burial and, to spare any other country from having to bury it. Someone had to figure there would be conspiracy theories by the ship load after being so quick to dump bin Laden overboard. But he sleeps with the fishes none the less.

I don't understand any need to put American military personnel at additional risk of injury or death to carry the body around in what would be considered a hot landing zone, or transport it out of Pakistan. But, I am without doubt a tad confused as to why we should care about Islamic law being satisfied or who gets stuck with the funeral arrangements. I feel sure the Pakistani government was fully aware bin Laden was living there so let Pakistani President Zardari worry about it. For that fact, I think it would have been appropriate if Zardari had awaken that morning to find bin Laden's bloody severed head next to him in bed.

I had a feeling there would be some "we said / they're saying" stories to be told. The first official version reported bin Laden was shot and killed during a heated fire fight that he was actively participating in. Today, bin Laden's thirteen year old daughter has been quoted as saying her father was unarmed when he was shot to death. And Zardari has been quoted as saying this was not a joint operation between the U.S. and Pakistan.

During the last few years, the American public has heard tell from various "experts" who have speculated bin Laden was killed during the carpet bombing of the mountains in Tora Bora. Still others suggested bin Laden had been seriously wounded and died from complications of those injuries in one of the numerous mountain caves. I'm sure with this in mind, theories will abound.

In one of the stories I read this morning, it was reported that bin Laden's location was obtained from a source by way of water-boarding. I thought water-boarding was a thing of history... just like Gitmo.

In yet another story today, a couple of our Congress critters are talking about Pakistan being actively involved in keeping bin Laden under wraps and the U.S. cutting off all financial aid. Call me cheap, but I would think all cash would have been cut off, give or take, eight months ago. I don't think it's too late to send in SEAL teams One through Six to begin collections and repossessions. But that's just the kind of guy I am.

Lastly, another news item asks if America can expect a return to normalcy with bin Laden dead. I have to ask, other than through procreation, where do these idiots come from and how did they find jobs in the media? Mark my words; jihad aint over and there will no doubt be payback to come.

Thus far, I don't believe there is much that makes sense within this entire event. I can't help but wonder though what the outcome would be if bin Laden had been taken alive and brought to trial.

MikeH.

Osama bin Laden Killed

El Zippo has announced U.S. Navy SEALS and CIA paramilitary teams shot and killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan last night.

According to the report, since Islamic law requires burial within three days after death, and since no Islamic countries were receptive to receiving the body for burial, bin Laden's body was buried at sea.

I suppose this means we are expected to believe whatever proof the administration presents, especially since no independent testing to establish identity will be possible. I also suppose this will provide a boost to Zippie's poll ratings.

Just something to consider since the only talent Zippie seems to project is that of a pathological bull-stuffer.

MikeH.

Let The Joke Continue

During the White House Correspondents Dinner of 04 30 11, President Zippo took the opportunity to make jokes "after weeks of attacks" from would be republican presidential challenger, Donald Trump, that questioned Zippo's citizenship and resultant legitimacy to hold the office of president. His Zipness began his evening's monologue with the phrase, "My fellow Americans." Although Zippie's barbs were directed at Trump, who was in attendance at the "gala dinner," I suppose one could easily infer that the jabs were equally directed at the numerous (confirmed and confident) American citizens who are also suspicious of Zippie's credentials.

The Big Z probably assumes a tad more license to ridicule after the release of what is touted to be his official State Of Hawaii long form certificate of live birth. (I personally belong to the group of "birthers" who subscribe to the belief that Stanley Dunham did not give birth to any children who lived.) After that certificate was made public, Trump immediately jumped from the birther train of thought to the believer train... claiming credit for the document's long awaited journey to daylight. I personally am more suspicious of his legitimacy now, than previously, since it took only four years for the certificate to break the surface from the depths of darkness. ("his legitimacy"... I made a funny)

But, just as Nero fiddled while his empire burned, Zero entertains his media admirers while his "fellow Americans" are suffering with even higher gasoline and food prices.

While various sources pump the schmooze about Middle-East instability and / or the fears of speculators driving the price of oil through the roof, the New York Times reported ExxonMobil has posted a first quarter jump of 69% in profits. That's 10.7 BILLION dollars. Up from the previous quarter's pittance of 6.3 BILLION dollars. (it must suck to be them!!!) Obviously the big bucks we are paying at the pumps aren't going to help stabilize tensions or soothe those fears. As I said in my last post; it's called G R E E D folks.

Among shocking prices at the grocery check-out, I noted a 12 oz. container of cherry tomatoes at four dollars and eighty-nine cents. I'm talking about almost $5.00 for less than a pound of miniatures. My family is no longer treating me as being brain damaged since I was the one who insisted we buy and plant thirty two tomato plants in the garden a few week back. Further, I can now understand the full social impact of laws designed to shut down hobby / personal gardens. And they ARE NOT intended to protect ANYONE.

If you haven't already, you better get into the prepper mind-set. I can only pray you still have time. Time is not on our side.

MikeH.