Friday, May 29, 2009

El Paso (drama) politics

Goodness! Reading online & in the newspaper -- especially about El Paso politicians -- is enough to make one scream!

The big news -- EMBARRASSING news -- was Norma Chavez dissing Melissa Marquez during the celebration of Chavez' graduation from college because according to Chavez, Marquez hasn't shown her "the respect" she deserves after working to get Marquez elected. Excuse me? The voters elected her. YOU did not "get" her elected. While you helped & she has said this many times, you are owed no more special treatment than any other campaign worker. Period. So, Norma -- get over yourself!

like an immature 22 year old, which Norma is NOT, she acted as a child pitching a tantrum under the stress. While Chavez may not appreciate, or even like, Marquez, they BOTH owe El Paso an apology for acting so childish. The text messages were, to say the least, tacky in the extreme -- & to say the most, rude & uncalled for. Chavez should have had the brains & the backbone to actually call Marquez to say this or sort this out. Instead, she acted like a teenager lost in the world of "it's all about me!"

Chavez says....Marquez says....she did....well, SHE did....you can't come to my party! And, here - take your present back! and the card! There!!!! That'll show you!

What it showed the rest of us was that the two of you are immature to the extreme! You weren't sent to Austin to be best friends or roomies or playmates. We, the constituents (remember us?), expect you to work for the good of El Paso. As with every person who works, there are people we don't particularly care for personally, but we can respect the job they do or the work they do. We can respect their achievements & acknowledge them. If, in returning a gift in this very public, petty, nasty way was an example of Chavez' ability to get along with others, we are in trouble.

This was an embarrassment. Petty. Spiteful. Vindictive. Those are the words I think of when I hear their names.

And so do a lot of other El Pasoans. So ladies - take a hint -- GROW UP! You do not have to like each other, but yes we expect you to get along to work for the best interests of EL PASO! Do the jobs you were hired for & do them well. Or we will find others who WILL do the jobs well.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

where does it end?

around & around & around it goes....where it stops....nobody knows.

Every GRASS ROOTS organization had better get busy. NOW. The world is literally turning upside down, downside up, left is right, right is left. Okay those last 2 are wrong. The left is still the left in all it's delusional grandeur -- bho raising $$ to try to save Harry Reid's butt in Nevada & then jetting off to hang with hollyweird sycophants & pour more $$ bho's way. Why is bho's mis-use of oil perfectly ok but YOUR use of oil (gas, etc.) to get to work & earn a living is wrong? He has already stated he wants to see gas at prices no one can afford - well, except for him & his buddies.

News grows more disturbing daily:
  • lawyers deciding which Chrysler dealers will be closed - minority owned &/or dem supporters stay open
  • the idea of Koh running around deciding what laws will change in the U.S. to better mirror the U.N. & world-view
  • bho spouting off that he wants to do 'more' - what, he forgot the change in piggybanks?
  • N.Korea is conducting nuke tests & threatening S.Korean & U.S. ships
  • bho is hosting/kissing up to Palestinian pres
  • bho disses Israeli Pres. & tells him to lop off part of Israel for Palestine
  • Pakistan is falling apart with the Taliban taking over larger portions daily
  • U.S. housing market is still bad & getting worse - but a/p (always partisan?) reports as a gain of .03 in new home sales.
  • Mortgage delinquencies/foreclosures are rising daily - more than 12% of mortgages are behind in payments
  • Fed deficit is the trigger for inflation -- get ready to see the balloon bust
  • (per Fox News) Supreme Court: 63% of Americans believe the U.S. Constitution should be the defining law; 30% of Americans believe SCOTUS rulings should be based on 'international laws'.Last I heard, this was still the UNITED STATES of AMERICA, formed under the CONSTITUTION, defined with the BILL OF RIGHTS & AMENDMENTS
  • Sotomayor is the SCOTUS nominee of bho. sly? yep. self-serving? yep. slimy? yep. Will be voted in? yep.
  • A few (3 to be exact) climate reports are trying to revive/save al gore/bho/climate hysteria. IF IF IF IF IF IF IF IF. Every report is based on IF.....THUS HAPPENS & IF SO HAPPENS, then certain areas of the ocean will rise. IF IF IF IF IF IF IF IF IF IF IF IF IF IF I win the lotter, I can move to another country until America is returned to sanity! IF I can find a country to move to.



    REMEMBER: CONSERVATIVE is not a dirty word.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

last thoughts for tonight....

I keep hearing that Texas Governor Rick Perry somehow committed heresy by even mentioning the words 'secession' & 'Texas' in the same speech during the Tea Party on April 15th. Either people are cheering this idea or wanting to tar & feather him. Where is the voice of the 'moderates'? Where is the voice of those who are willing to compromise?

Well, I hope those moderates & those compromisers are watching Pakistan & Afghanistan & Iraq & seeing the concessions being made by the governments of those regions to the Taliban. I hope they are getting scared into reality. I hope they are seeing that when you make a bargain, an agreement, with terrorists, the terrorists do not stick to their end of the bargain or go along with the agreement.

We are seeing the 'give them an inch & they'll take a mile' attitude of the Taliban as more & more people are desperate to escape from the regions handed over. These escaping people make the poor in America look as though they are kings & queens - wealthy & happy.

Wisconsin is bowing at the altar of bailouts & actually increasing the spending of government PLUS increasing taxes from as-yet-to-be-determined entities.

Texas, on the other hand, is being lead by a Governor who says NO BAILOUT MONEY WITH ANY STRINGS because eventually the feds will stop paying for whatever program & the state will be stuck with the costs of the program the feds mandated when Texas accepted the money.

Why can't the Wisconsin Governor see the reality? It is a state hit even harder by unemployment, business closings, & home foreclosures than Texas, even with the hurricane damages Texas has endured.

I happen to agree with Gov. Perry & absolutely disagree with Gov. Doyle. As families experience more problems, cut back further, lose jobs, lose homes, lose faith in government - who do you think will be blamed more by their constituents? Perry (TX) or Doyle (WI)?

Monday, May 25, 2009

Out & about

  • just got an email from "Country First PAC" & being the curious person I am, went to the site. Surprise of surprises (sarcasm) it is all about John McCain. I am not knocking McCain's war experiences or love of country, since he is so quick to remind me of those. However, he is a RINO, has been a RINO for a very long time, will always be a RINO. He has the right to send out begging letters or emails or even notes on lunch bags, but he does not have the right to continue to lie about being a CONSERVATIVE. He is not.

    I am not certain he even knows what a true CONSERVATIVE is, wants, or needs. I also believe it is too late for him to discover the true meaning of the word & apply it to his life. And that is unfortunate because it is time to elect someone who know the meaning of the word, lives & breathes the precepts of a true conservative & replace McCain with that person.

  • Florida gov. Charlie Crist is running (already) for retiring sen. Pruitt's seat. The Republican Nat'l Senate Committee (RNSC) has added their voice to his campaign. No money yet tho as he will have opponents in the primary. Since Crist has publicly stated he will be like Specter (former RINO, now an official Dem w/no seniority or power), I believe the RNSC has made a HUGE misstep that should be corrected NOW. The GOP is losing support daily by foolish decisions such as these. And Crist? He's a putz, in favor of a nanny-state, flips & flops, & I sincerely hope he loses in the primary. Altho I do feel sorry for the people of Florida....elections are 17 months away. It's going to be a long long 17 months for them.

  • The prez is poised to announce his nominee for the Supreme Court. I know this because every news channel & newspaper & blog & internet blog has said every day: today might be the day. The POTUS keeps his name in the news by simply teasing these people into believing that 'oops, not today - maybe tomorrow'. Even his mouthpiece announced last week at the morning 'briefing' for the news people that the prez would be announcing his nominee at 6:30 a.m. the next morning', laughed at the groaning sycophants & said 'gotcha'. Haha. Good joke. NOT. Of all the things I hear the prez saying he wants in this appointee, empathy, sympathy, knowledge of laws of the world at large (tall order, but needs only the socialistic ones), sycophanty (is that even a word), adulation for his every word (ok, he hasn't actually said that one) -- what I do not hear is: aware of & well versed in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights & Amendments, as well as the Laws of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. I believe he is looking for someone to change the Supreme Court into a complete law-making body. It must be exhausting for the prez tho, looking always for adulation & admiration. Doesn't it get old for him? It sure has for WE THE PEOPLE. He was hired to do a TEMPORARY job. And thus far, I am not impressed. I want to be, as he is President of my country. As long as he continues on the socialism path, I will continue to pray for our country to make it through until his term is up. It is going to be a long 3 years & 8 months.

Sir Newton was right

FIRST LAW: A body at rest or of uniform motion, stays at rest or in uniform motion, unless an external unbalanced force changes this.
SECOND LAW: The net force on an object is equal to the size & weight of the object multiplied by its acceleration.

THIRD LAW: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
These three laws of motion, forming the scientifically accepted basis for classical mechanics, are the work of Sir Issac Newton (1643-1727). I remind you of them in a simplistic form. Think of them, especially the 3rd Law, in relation to the actions being taken in Washington with congress. Congress should be made aware of these laws & the sooner, the better because they are PROVING one or more of these laws with the passing of every bill.

During campaigns, candidates tell us how smart they are & how much they will do for us. Do any of them ever tell the truth that no matter how smart they think they are or what they plan to do, they will screw things up for us?
In fact, do they ever tell the truth? Their 1st concern is getting elected & from then their focus is on re-election & POWER.

Why would anyone one spend MILLIONS of dollars to get a (supposed to be) temporary job that pays around $150,000? There has to be a way to make money as almost every congressman & senator is a multi-millionaire after 1 or 2 terms in office.

Thinking about it, their last bit of truth was most likely when they stated their name. From then on, we are supposed to just take whatever they do, & say, regardless of how it negatively affects us & then keep re-electing these same self-serving liars.


Read Star Parker's comments on Townhall.com about the 'government plantation' (& other things), remember the 3 Laws of Motion, & learn to say "yes sir, mass'ah sir" to the nanny-state government coming soon to YOUR paycheck, YOUR healthcare, YOUR mortgage company, YOUR bank, YOUR area, YOUR life, YOU.

Be ready to move on to the plantation.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Consequences

LOUC - LAW OF UN-INTENDED CONSEQUENCES

W
e are back in the mess again -- this time with the CREDIT CARD bills congress just passed & the POTUS is touting as 'wonderful'. Well, it ain't all so wonderful & won't be fun. Again with LOUC! Everything congress touches outside the scope of the Constitution and/or Bill of Rights & Amendments, they screw up for the rest of us.Here is the CREDIT CARD mess congress & the president just put us in:
  1. Not paying a fee right now to have the card you have (except maybe on a few cards)? You will now so the CC companies can recoup the monies they are going to lose.
  2. Have a grace period when finance charges are not applied? Not anymore. They need the interest from the moment of your purchase to recoup their money.
  3. Have a high credit limit? Expect it to be lowered.
  4. Have high finance charges? Expect them to be higher.
  5. Have fees for late payments or paying on line or by phone? Raising all the other stuff will make up for congress deciding this goes away.
  6. Carry a balance every month because things are tight at your house? Expect your limit to not only go down, your interest percentage to go up, & fees to even have the damn card - they will come up with more ways to acquire your money.
In case you think I am kidding - just wait & see. All this time you have been doing what is right by paying your payment on time. Well, if you carry more than 1/3 of your limit on the card, you will likely be bumped into the high-risk category.

LOUC - LAW OF UN-INTENDED CONSEQUENCES

The McCain-Feingold bill was 'going to clean up & straighten out' how politicians advertise; instead it opened up massive money for outside groups to advertise anything they want about any politician. LOUC sure bit McCain & Feingold in their butts -- but have they corrected their mistake? No. Therefore, anyone (unions, PACs, anti-this, pro-that) can advertise FOR or AGAINST a candidate, take anything out of context, say just about anything -- & some politician benefits without spending his 'hard earned' campaign money.

LOUC - LAW OF UN-INTENDED CONSEQUENCES

After looking at the health care system in Great Britain & Canada, talking to people from each country, I have come to the conclusion that a UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM such as is being proposed now, much like Hillary-care way back when, would be disastrous for our country. I deal with Medicare & it is, to say the least, frustrating; to say the most, it is asinine. An example for you: after 10 years of using a stomach gastrostomy tube (g-tube), Medicare refused to pay for my tubes anymore. When I called to find out why, there was no real reason given, just that I need to send in paperwork to show that I am still using one. HELLO? Anyone out in the world with a permanent need for a g-tube does not suddenly go to NOT needing one. Well, unless you die of course. But, I am not dead. So, why now? Well, to slow down payment which is already at a snail's pace.

No money in Medicare so I guess they save money by denying things that are necessary & forcing you to prove you still need this. Another example: only 1 formula seems to agree with my body - yet Medicare, because of their 'rules' demands I use it for most of my nutrition. That would be fine except it would cost me more than $700 a month. Living on $1,000 a month does not allow me to spend $700 for ANYTHING. Are they insane? Nope. They have their 'rule book', their 'guidelines'. When I asked who set these rules & guidelines up, no one can tell me. My bet is that it was someone who is concerned about money, has no medical knowledge, & only cares about the bottom line.


Well, if they care so much about money, why don't they stop THE FRAUDULENT CLAIMS & DOUBLE BILLINGS that Medicare pays to the tune of 12 BILLION taxpayer dollars? That would certainly help, don't you think?

I absolutely oppose any effort to create another government bureaucracy - especially one that would control our doctors, hospitals, insurance companies. Are dentists next or will they be included in the universal health care idiocy also?


Every time congress or the president tell me how they have just done something that is WONDERFUL for me, I shudder. Because it is only a matter of time until LOUC catches up & things are worse than they were before.

LOUC - LAW OF UN-INTENDED CONSEQUENCES


Remember this - it will be coming to bite your behind. Just be warned.

Interesting Place you MUST visit....

DOWNSIZEDC. org - The site is working to pass the READ THE BILL ACT - along with other non-partisan issues. This is just plain common sense! Apparently our elected representatives do not understand, or know, or cannot comprehend this simple concept.

1st RULE IN BUSINESS: never sign anything until you
read & understand it.

2nd RULE IN BUSINESS: see Rule #1.


Is it BECAUSE these rules are so simple, our reps cannot understand them? It has to make you wonder at how much these people truly DO NOT understand about the real world. It certainly makes me wonder. And afraid; VERY afraid. Of their ignorance. Most of them are lawyers/have a law degree, so they - even more than ANYONE - should take the advice they would certainly give to a client.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Wisconsin budget

Bouncing between Wisconsin & Texas gives me the opportunity to see politics in the 2 states & how they differ as well as keep up with national politics.

Wisconsin is releasing a new budget. Personally, I believe it will be the death of many areas of the state. "Why?" you may ask.

Every business still left in the state is wondering now how to survive another blow. Every business is struggling & along come new taxes from every direction: federal, state & next will be (if not already) local. Those who can, will relocate to a state where they can survive; those who can't are making plans to close; some will simply try to survive & put off those decisions until they HAVE to be made. Businesses on the borders will be looking to move as soon as possible.

Residents who can, will establish residency in another state by agreeing to live there more than 1/2 the year. 'Snowbirds' already know this - Florida & Arizona & Texas are more receptive & less 'taxing' to them than Wisconsin so it only makes sense. Yet, the WI governor plows ahead with tax increases & spending increases.

Where will it stop? Who in the state senate or assembly has the fortitude to stand up for the residents of Wisconsin? Who will decide the PEOPLE are more important than the politics? Who will have the nerve?

Call, email, write a letter to, or fax your representatives & tell them to stand up for citizens. Tell them to use common sense: unemployed people will not increase the coffers of the state; closed businesses will not fill the coffers of the state; both will increase the demand on social services & the need to support those without jobs.

It is so simple to see & maybe that is the problem - governor doyle & cohorts do not want to look. They are all more concerned with gaining money to support their re-elections than to do what is right. Believe me when I tell you some people, some areas, some businesses will have exemptions written in any budget. Those are the ones that fuel re-election campaigns.

Cynical? yes. Hopeless? not yet. I'll let you know after the final budget is passed for Wisconsin.

Additional info can also be had at The MacIver Institute & Real Debate WI.

Speed reading a Bill?

Yes. The CLIMATE BILL that is going to be voted on, WILL be read in Committee......BY A SPEED READER. To our congressional representatives who are supposed to read the damn thing themselves! Or at least I was under the (mistaken) impression they would read them.

This is the very Climate Bill that will tell you how to live your life from now on: what to drive, how far to drive, how much electricity/gas/water you will be allowed to use & how you can use it, or whatever.

I don't actually know what is in the Bill or Amendments -- in that respect I am on par with my own representatives. I would like to actually know what is in the Bill -- in that respect I am not on par with my reps. They do not want to know what is in the Bill. They simply do not care. They just want to vote.


Democrats claim Republicans want to slow down this vote by (shocking new idea coming) ACTUALLY READING & DISCUSSING the Bill & ALL Amendments. So, the dems hired a SPEED READER to read the Bill & Amendments so it cannot be said they did not read it all before calling for a vote.

How the heck can they vote on something that was read to them - at lightening speed - instead of reading it themselves? Is this what they were elected to do?

Is this the way most of them will be able to use deniability when they are campaigning again? "Oh, gee. I must have missed that when the speed reader went over it. Wow. It went by so fast I can't be expected to know every detail."

Oh, sure. I believe you! Just show me where to mark to vote for you again! (this is sarcasm in case you are wondering)


ANY representative who has a Bill in front of them that is read aloud by a SPEED READER should be blasted with calls, emails, letters & faxes demanding their resignation. NOW!

Just in case you think I am making this up, or kidding, read the following from the Wall Street Journal:

Need for Speed (Read) to Pass Climate Bill

WASHINGTON -- Democrats in the House Energy and Commerce Committee have taken a novel precaution to head off Republican efforts to slow action this week on a sweeping climate bill. They are hiring a speed reader.

Republicans on the committee have said they may force the reading of the entire 946-page bill -- as well as major amendments that measure several hundred pages -- all aloud. This is a procedure lawmakers have a right to invoke. Republicans are largely against the bill, which aims to cut emissions of so-called greenhouse gases by more than 80% over the next half-century but would be costly.

Republicans haven't tried the tactic, but Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D., Calif.) is prepared.

A committee spokeswoman said the speed reader -- a young man who was on door duty at the hearing as he awaited a call to the microphone -- was hired to help staffers. After years of practice, the panel's clerks can read at a good clip. But the speed reader is a lot faster, she said.

"Judging by the size of the amendments, I can read a page about every 34 seconds," said the newly hired staff assistant, who declined to give his name. Based on that estimate, it would take him about nine hours.

It took the committee more than two hours Tuesday to debate and vote on the first proposed amendment. By the time Capitol Hill interns finally left for tacos and happy-hour drinks at the local Mexican restaurant, the panel had approved just three amendments. Among them was a proposal to give government subsidies to people who trade in old cars or trucks for new, more efficient ones.

Mr. Waxman has said he still hopes to finish the bill by Thursday, meeting his goal of moving the climate bill out of committee by Memorial Day.

"He's dreaming. It ain't going to happen," said Texas Rep. Joe Barton, the panel's ranking Republican. He added that Republicans "have 400 amendments that we could offer, but there are at least 75-80 that we almost have to offer."

Write to Ian Talley at ian.talley@dowjones.com



on Michael Steele

heard Michael Steele on the Laura Ingraham show this morning (early here in west Texas) & I am willing to support him more now after hearing his positions on many CONSERVATIVE issues, especially abortion. I did not know (did you?) that his own mother got pregnant while in college & rather than have an abortion, had him & gave him up for adoption. So, YES, he is absolutely on the side of Pro-Life. Period. His words.

Quitting the RNC? He said that was newspaper & media hype. He simply stated that he would not be a 'figurehead' with no input - a puppet - for the RNC & would fight to make certain his role is one of actual LEADERSHIP. The media took that & extrapolated it into 'he says he will quit' when he did NOT say that. He simply wants to do the job for which he is hired - leading the Republican party.

It sounded like he is finally getting the message -- especially after the California massacre of spend&tax&borrow&spend&tax&borrow ideals -- that CONSERVATIVE IS NOT A DIRTY WORD.

My question is this though: ARE YOU GOING TO ALLOW THE RNC TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT RINOs SUCH AS CRIST & SNOWE & idiots like them?????? Answer THAT & maybe you will win me over. Right now, I believe Crist is a bad idea, Snowe is a bad idea, their ilk should be thrown out. Period.

Michael Steele, it is time to say to every Republican representative: either you are FOR us or you are on your own. Period.

DOWNSIZING!

"We believe the federal government has grown too centralized, too intrusive, and too expensive. We believe in constitutional limits, smaller government, civil liberties, federalism, and low taxes. We want to end laws and programs that don't work, cause harm, and violate the Constitution. We want to restore the full force of the 9th and 10th amendments, which reserve most social functions to the people and the states."


This is "a quick summary of what DownsizeDC.org is about" & I like it! If you have not visited them (see my 'Interesting Places') please take time to see what they are working to accomplish.

DownsizingDC is tackling thorny issues that demand our congress actually does the job for which we HIRED them. Please keep in mind, I believe in STRICT TERM LIMITS because as these reps are showing, & as pelosi stated, it is all about POWER. This has been the way -- no matter the party affiliation -- for too long. It must stop!

We did not vote for them to have POWER. We, the PEOPLE voted for them to represent our ideals & values. My own senator sent me a letter telling me that because HE did not PERSONALLY agree with, & was disappointed in, a vote in our state so he would not take the position the voters (his constituents) took -- he would, & will, vote differently.

EXCUSE ME? He was not elected to vote for HIMSELF; he was elected to represent the voters. PERIOD. That should be good enough for him, but it is not. He will continue to vote as he sees fit, regardless of what his constituents want or need or demand. A very good example is that his office was flooded 20 (against) to 1 (for) the bailouts & the budget; yet he continues to vote FOR the bailouts & obscene budgets. The 20 to 1 came from a staffer who answered the phone each time I called to ask the rep to vote against the bailouts & the budget mess.

So, go to www.downsizedc.org & you will find issues where you can add your voice. Eventually, the din will overwhelm them & they will HAVE no choice but to LISTEN to WE, THE PEOPLE. Please remember, this is who we are: WE, THE PEOPLE.

Every Grass Roots Organization in the country needs to be watching & supporting DownsizingDC. I support grassrootselpaso.org & now am a fan of DownsizingDC.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

The NANNY State Cometh

  1. Does the FDA have so little to do that their people have time to complain to General Mills about the size of the FONT used on boxes of Cherrios for the cholesterol info? Seems to me the FDA obviously has too many people with nothing to do so they are making stuff up.
  2. Does Congress really have the idiocy to continue to raise taxes & lie at the same time? When the tax cuts were made under Pres. Bush' administration, federal income went up, but those will expire in 2010. So no more tax cuts - EVERYONE will feel the effect.
  3. When business is taxed beyond reason, they have no money with which to hire new people & in many cases (as we are now seeing) to retain the numbers of personnel they already employ. So businesses have lay-offs, early retirement, hiring/bonus/salary freezes & are still struggling with the economy. Does anyone in D.C. listen to ordinary people?
  4. Telling banks & credit card companies & investment firms & consumers what 'wonders' are being worked on our behalf is like pouring 1/2 a cup of salt into the ocean: it does nothing to improve the ocean. Would you be able to tell the difference?
  5. Why are California fields being allowed to lie fallow to save a little smelt fish which is used for bait in most areas of the country? Farmers & ranchers are going broke because of this idiocy.
  6. When has the government EVER created a new program that worked efficiently & effectively? EVER? I have to deal with Medicare on a regular basis; stop the billions of dollars in fraudulent claims every year & THEN come talk to me.
  7. So-called 'sin tax' used to be limited to basically alcohol & tobacco; now, that is not good enough. There are new taxes about to be levied by the GOVERNMENT on 'foods that cause obesity'; soda pop is only the first 'shot across the bow'. Be prepared for more. I suppose this means cavier & special steaks from Japan will be allowed only for friends of the current administration.
  8. Will rationing happen next? Will it be based on the number of calories a person is allowed to consume per day or ounces of meat allowed or cheese or number of crackers that can be eaten per -- what -- day, week, month, year? Who decides? Will each of us have to report to a government agency for weigh-ins?
  9. There was much screaming, crying & whining that government -- big brother -- was too intrusive by having the ability to listen to phone calls, map routes, take satellite pictures, intercept internet traffic, etc. during the Bush years. Why aren't we hearing from those people now? The same things are going on - & more.
  10. What will it be like when this new 'nanny state' tells you what you may & may not eat, where you can & cannot shop, foods you are & are not allowed, cars you are or are not allowed to purchase, where your children are & are not allowed to attend school?
  11. How is it that a charter school in the Minneapolis, MN receives taxpayer dollars but is only for Muslim students? It is the Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy, also with campuses in Blaine & Inver Grove Heights. Islamic religious practices & Arabic language instruction are cornerstones & the school is housed in the same building as a Mosque. It was slated to received over 3 million in tax dollars for 2007-08 school year. Why can't Lutherans or Catholics or Baptists have the same support to start their own 'charter' schools? Why can't other religions have taxpayer support for obviously religious 'public' charter schools, that are not for the public? Read Robert Spencer's "Stealth Jihad" & get an eye-opening view of radical Islam.
  12. Why are WE, THE PEOPLE allowing massive government intrusion into our lives & sitting meekly by as more & more liberties are taken away from us? If you haven't found your voice to speak out now, pretty soon it will be too damn late. The bailouts are a good example -- why did we allow them to happen?
  13. Why do we put up with a POTUS who apologizes for us to countries that owe their very freedom, their very existence, to the U.S. men & women who fought for them?
  14. Why do we put up with a POTUS sitting meekly nodding & smiling while a dictator, a brutal blood-thirsty cretin, preaches to him about how horrible America is & then our POTUS apologizes?
  15. Have we Americans lost our minds or just our courage?

Irresponsibility

Child #1 is responsible with money earned/received so Child #1 has money saved when a big 'want' or 'need' comes along -- iPod, computer, cell phone, college, vacation, -- & for future purchases; Child #1 strives to live within their means.

Child #2
is irresponsible, spends every penny earned/received & runs up massive debts to 'pay later' so when a big 'want' or 'need' comes along, they run to Mommy & Daddy for $$. Child #2 continues to spend & accumulate more debt even after being rescued time & again by Mommy & Daddy.


Substitute the words "Most state governments/taxpayers" for "Child #1"
Substitute the word "California " for "Child #2"
Substitute the words "Federal Government" for "Mommy & Daddy"

Last question: if California can continue to spend like congress & the president, i.e. with nothing to back it up & no money to cover the debts, why should any other state in the country try to operate in the black?

A bailout of irresponsible state governments (AND businesses) rewards them for being irresponsible & penalizes responsible state governments (AND responsible businesses).





Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Wind shifts?

Today, the voters of California head to the polls to vote on important issues that will have far-reaching implications for every citizen & business. More that just that state, the directives by the voters will give an indication of what is to come in every state in America.

California is deeply in debt. For years the massive spending to satisfy certain political supporters & groups has saddled more & more debt on citizens & businesses. Now everything has come to a boil - the bills are due & there is no money to pay them. So, it is back to the constituents to cajole, beg, compliment, promise, even threaten to cut necessary programs.

News reports today are predicting only 25% of voters will go to the polls. I believe this would have been true before the Tea Party events & Grass Roots movement. The Tea Parties in California were huge & attracted people from ALL walks of life. Now, I believe there will be more voters than expected. I believe the 'silent majority' will begin to speak today.


I sincerely wish all Californians the courage Ms. Prejean showed when she represented your state, whether or not you agreed with her statement. I hope & pray every voter will make the effort to get to the polls & let their voice be heard.

Good luck, California. You need it.

show me the $$$$

Curious about where TARP $$ is being spent? Wondering how much usefulness there is with the massive bailouts & tax/spend atrocities being committed even now by our (non)representatives in Washington, D.C.?

Click on the title of this blog to see where some of it is going. Sign-makers rejoice. Taxpayers weep.

Oh, for complete transparency, check out www.recovery.gov & when you figure it out for your area....be sure to let me know. If this is 'transparent', I need to rethink my definition of 'opaque'.
Please feel free to send me pics of how $tarp$ is being used in your neck of the woods.

Texas Governor Perry is walking his talk that no bailout money with strings attached or new programs that have to be created, will be accepted by Texas; not very popular with those in 'elected power' who want the $$. He knows the reality that the $$ will run out from D.C. & the state will be stuck with the tab from there. He does not want the state to take on more federally-mandated-temporarily-funded programs. Bravo for him standing strong for Texas. Most Governors do not have his courage: like Doyle in Wisconsin they are begging at the table of D.C. & will do whatever the feds direct, no matter the ultimate cost to the constituents of the state they are 'supposed' to represent.

WE, THE PEOPLE.....

Sunday, May 17, 2009

the POTUS speaks

& Notre Dame loses support. The pounding of feet you hear is people running from their mailboxes straight to the shredder with the ND begging letters. Had ND simply asked him to speak, I think some of the objections would still be there but with presenting an honorary degree, the objections came to a boil. To quote Alan Keyes, "it is fundamentally at odds with what Catholic school kids should be learning." All 3 of my children attended Catholic schools for almost all K thru 12 grades & this disturbs me, as well as them, on so many levels.

To quote Robert DeNiro from the movie Broken Trail, "I am a thoroughly failed Christian". I say this because only GOD will decide if I am a "good" Christian or a "good" Catholic. I can only do the best I can & work for His purposes. It is the hardest thing to do because my own will & wants get in the way. However, I do not pretend to be someone I am not. Some guy speaking out for bho on FOX said that was the reason bho was going to ND is because he is engaging in a 'dialogue' with Catholics. There can BE no dialogue with someone who believes Roe v. Wade was the watershed moment for women, believes embryos are nothing, believes abortion should be allowed anytime, anywhere, for anyone, for any reason, AT ANY STAGE OF PREGNANCY. In fact, the U.S. believes so strongly in abortions - as bho represents us - that the taxpayers even pay for abortions in other countries.

The 'star struck' swooners today at Notre Dame will hear nothing to dissuade them. I find it offensive that ND will confer an 'honor' on bho. The University used to be a beacon of light for many Catholic families who dreamed of their children attending a top-flight university. Now, that light is dimmed for many more than the Board at ND can imagine. I would feel sorry for them, but they brought it on themselves. Asking him to speak was one thing, 'honoring' him takes it to a whole different level - down.

While I am on 'honors', here is the one who deserves honors: PROFESSOR MARY ANN GLENDON. The former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican told Notre Dame she will not accept the school's top honor because the school is giving President Barack Obama an honorary degree at commencement. Professor Glendon, an anti-abortion scholar and Harvard University law professor, wrote in a letter to the Rev. John Jenkins, the university president, that giving Obama an honorary degree violates the U.S. bishops' 2004 statement that Roman Catholic institutions shouldn't honor people whose actions conflict with the church's moral principles.

Every moral position of bho is in absolute direct conflict with Catholic Church. Or at least what they are supposed to be. The priest in my (former) home church told parishioners that we should not be 'one issue' voters & bho's position on life should not keep us from voting for him. EXCUSE ME? He did this about Kerry 4 years ago & this time was the final straw for me. Supported by his parish, not living as most families have to - many are struggling - he has no clue what the real world is like. His position, combined with other ministers, influenced many to the greatest deception in our history thus far. All the time bho was stating his positions, my priest was castigating anyone not grabbing onto bho's legs.


Sadly, the younger kids,
especially college age, simply DO NOT see the issues. They do not see his charm & charisma come from speak writers & his delivery of those lines from a teleprompter. They are 'star struck' by his being at ND. I know this because several younger college kids are there to watch their sibling graduate & they are simply google-eyed that they will "be near him", meaning bho. bho is a superb actor with a teleprompter but I have to wonder, does it have little notes like "look serious", "smile", "look humble" (tough one).Unless & until we can educate these young people - we have lost the battle. I am not yet so cynical that I believe we have lost the war.

We need to rethink how to communicate. We need to find succinct communicators who convey Conservative messages CONSISTENTLY; are reasoned/reasonable without denying the Conservative morals; are thoroughly immune to seeing themselves as a 'star'; are in firm support of our Constitution. We need to walk the walk as well as talk the talk. Do these people exist? Absolutely! Do I know who they are? Absolutely not. But we should definitely start with people like Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Ron Paul, Bob Jindahl (with a makeover & shoulderpads), & Rick Perry.

If FOX News is the only channel that will give a fair hearing, go to them time & again as they are the #1 rated news channel. If newspapers do not print reality, find a buyer & change the paper to one of fairness & reality. If radio stations are to be taken over by the bho FCC dictates, conservative talk radio will broadcast from offshore. There are many Conservatives with a lot of money who are willing to spend it to help AS LONG AS THE MESSAGE IS COHESIVE & SOLID & CLEAR.

Not so hard, really, when you think about it. The Grass Roots Movement was dismissed by so many "in power" (AstroTurf to Pelosi) yet it continues - much to the chagrin of those who want to wear the mantle of "moderate" (aka wimp, aka go-along-to-get-along), or want to ignore that this country was founded on THE CONSTITUTION. The Grass Roots people (yep, I am one of 'those') are scary simply because we are asking elected officials to represent the voters. That is another blog though.

So, this is why I say that I cannot tell you I am a 'good' Catholic or a 'good' Christian. This is for God to decide on my judgment day. Not a priest who tells me it is acceptable to not only deny the teachings of the Bible, but I can pick & choose which mores of the Catholic faith to follow. Somehow, when I come before God, I don't think He will accept an excuse like "my priest said it was ok".

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Are YOU a terrorist?

Do you listen to talk radio? Do you watch FOX News channel? Do you believe marriage is between 'one man & one woman'? Are you a 'right-wing extremist' (aka 'possible terrorist' per DHS)? Are you a veteran? Are you recently returned from Iraq or Afghanistan deployment? Are you white? Are you Hispanic? Are you money-poor? Are you Conservative? Are you a wealthy Conservative? Are you Christian? Are you Jewish? Are you a member of any religion other than Islam? Are you a supporter of Ron Paul, Bob Barr or Chuck Baldwin? Do you have a bumper sticker on your car? Are you a registered Republican? Are you in favor of lower taxes? Are you in favor of term limits for elected officials? Are you a gun owner? Are you a Pro-life supporter? Are you fed up with the spending in Washington? Are you fed up with the national debt? Are you concerned the U.S. is not as safe as it once was? Are you fed up with politicians? Are you worried about your job or have you lost your job? Are you bothered by so many jobs being outsourced overseas? Are you bothered by so many American companies moving overseas? Are you concerned about the new legislation to further restrict firearm ownership? Are you an 'animal rights activist'? Are you a non-union worker? Are you someone who does not want to join a union? Are you against "card check" legislation? Are you in favor of the Constitution as it is written, not as an 'evolving instrument'? Are you a believer in the Bill of Rights? Are you in favor of personal responsibility? Are you against abortion on demand? Are you against late-term abortion? Are you against paying for abortions in other countries? Are you against bailouts for companies that have run themselves into the ground? Are you against paying someone else's mortgage when they lied to get one? Are you against gay marriage? Are you against Socialism? Are you against Communism? Are you against the New World Order? Are you against the U.N., gun control? Are you against the violation of Posse Comitatus? Are you against the Federal Reserve? Are you against NAFTA? Are you against the Income Tax? Are you against the Ammunition Accountability Act? Are you against a possible Constitutional Convention? Are you against the North American Union? Are you against the Universal Service Program? Are you against Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)? Are you against illegal immigration? Are you against giving taxpayer money to other countries to pacify them?

If you answered 'yes' to any of the above questions, you may be labeled a "rightwing extremist". In fact, by writing this, I am probably already labeled one.

As I write this, I keep hearing Jeff Foxworthy drawl.....you just might be a terrorist!

going GALT.....

Written by Chuck Baldwin & understanding the DHS report on rightwing extremists plus the DHS released/recalled MIAC report, the following is truly scary stuff. Every gun owner can have their 2nd Amendment rights DENIED if HR2159 passes (proposed by idiot rino Rep. King from NY). The only measure for this is a SUSPICION, no proof of wrongdoing needed. Is this what rino's mean when they say they are 'moderates'? If this passes OR especially if this rino is supported by the Republican party, the GOP can forever kiss goodbye any hope of winning back my support, along with many others.

"According to World Net Daily, May 9, 2009, "A new gun law being considered in Congress, if aligned with Department of Homeland Security memos labeling everyday Americans a potential 'threats,' could potentially deny firearms to pro-lifers, gun-rights advocates, tax protesters, animal rights activists, and a host of others--any already on the expansive DHS watch list for potential 'extremism.'

"Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., has sponsored H.R. 2159, the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2009, which permits the attorney general to deny transfer of a firearm to any 'known or suspected dangerous terrorist.' The bill requires only that the potential firearm transferee is 'appropriately suspected' of preparing for a terrorist act and that the attorney general 'has a reasonable belief' that the gun might be used in connection with terrorism.

"Gun rights advocates, however, object to the bill's language, arguing that it enables the federal government to suspend a person's Second Amendment rights without any trial or legal proof and only upon suspicion of being 'dangerous.'"

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Quick takes....

I am truly disgusted by the following two items because in both cases, the ones suing have no real interest in the group they are suing; they simply want to make a point: to allow the judiciary to make new law. Those on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals should be removed.

These lawsuit-happy people are the same ones telling the rest of us "to live & let live; accept all lifestyles". They must not understand the value of WALK their own TALK.


They, & the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, prove Forrest Gump's mother right - STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES
.


----The Christian Legal Society (CLS) has filed a petition for certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court to protect the rights of the religious student group at the Hastings College of Law, University of California. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the organization had to accept members who did not hold Christian beliefs or morals.

-----The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), along with the Thomas More Law Center (TMLC), have filed a brief in defense of Boy Scouts at the U.S. Supreme Court. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of an agnostic couple and a lesbian couple who did not like the Scouts beliefs or ethics.

How many warnings are needed?

A friend sent me this today although it is old news. What astonishes me is where those 'denying there's a problem' people are now & why no one listened to the warnings.

Oh, that's right. It was because they were raking in lots of money for their own campaigns!

This video clearly shows that George Bush tried to warn Congress starting in 2001, that an economic crisis was coming, if something was not done. But congress refused to listen, along with the arrogant Congressman Barney Frank.

This video says it all and more. Everyone in America needs to see this before it is yanked off YouTube again!

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Do Not Forget Tea Party Lessons

Please connect by clicking on the title of this entry.

This is a file I sincerely hope you will open. Listen to this young woman so maybe you will understand why I went to a Tea Party on the 15th. I believe we must ALL get involved in what is happening in Washington DC. If we do not get involved, if we continue to bury our heads in the sand, or hope someone else is 'taking care of business' we can blame no one but ourselves.

Remember, this is not a party (Dem or GOP) thing! It has nothing to do with race or religion or eye color or hair color. It has everything to do with what is right for the United States of America & her citizens. Creating debt of what essentially amounts to $500,000 per person cannot possibly be the answer. Politicians need to listen to the ordinary people of this country.

Please watch the speech of this (extra)ordinary young woman.

Random El Paso election thoughts....

It's a beautiful day....thanks to God for all His blessings. I am doubly blessed to be the Mother of 3 wonderful children....they are amazing people! More on that in the next blog entry....but for now, I need to get some thoughts out about politics here in El Paso, Texas. They seem to be as pathetic as national politics.

I have to admit I am totally shocked that there are only 345,000 or so REGISTERED voters here in this city of over 750,000 people. The vote that throws most of the same ones back into the council chambers was accomplished by
less than 10% of the city's REGISTERED VOTERS. So, 1 person is dictating for more than 9 other REGISTERED VOTERS the management of this city &, to a great extent, what will happen in their lives. Are you comfortable with that?

I notice the re-elected mayor said this is wonderful because it shows (in his mind anyway) the support for his "progressive council" & pride in all their accomplishments. SAY WHAT? In what world does he live? The lessons he SHOULD get (but won't) is the voters are completely apathetic about him & the rest of his crew. What he SHOULD be saying is: we need to engage more voters in the process. But he & his cronies won't do this because then they might be found to be less than forthright & someone else would be elected. Elections are planned down to the exact days to be held, normally anticipating the lowest turnout because then the outcome is pretty much already decided. Those already in office use every opportunity to get their name in the paper & on the news, in front of potential voters, because that name recognition will serve them well instead of the challengers -- no matter how much advertising they buy.

Cook strikes me as a con artist & thus far he seems to be doing everything to reinforce this perception. If you are a person with lots of money, I am sure you are important to him & his cronies as they bob & weave & slide all around expanding city government & spending money the city does not have. All the while, he & the council talk about low taxes, low cost of living, great schools, storm-water runoff, etc. That last one didn't work out quite as well as he wanted as the few voters who did show up displayed the good sense to leave storm-water management with the PSB rather than putting it into the hands of political appointees.

Frankly, when has a politician EVER improved your life? Seriously, I would like to know. I am certain there must be individuals out there who have a story of being helped with a specific problem. However, every time politicians get into the mix, there is usually an outcome that is neither wanted & oft-times unintended. How, exactly, has Cook being the Mayor helped you in some way that is helpful to others also?

A case in point: who thought up building 'round-abouts' on residential streets & decided this was a valid idea in a quiet neighborhood? Things were going along fine. I never had a problem at that intersection & quite frankly, it is not one that is heavily traveled. The ones using the main street where the 'round about' was built are the residents of this housing area. I have come close, just about every time I go that way, to being hit by other drivers who simply drive in & never look to see if others are coming. Good grief! the street is barely wide enough for a car to park on each side of the street & 2-way traffic to continue. So, the city puts in this absurd 'round about'. Assinine does not even begin to describe how foolish this was & what a waste of money!

Now there really IS congestion (& danger) when someone tries to park near the houses on the corners nearest to the nightmare 'round. People approach & if they need to make a turn, go the wrong way to 'cut the corner' & not go around the circle. WHY IS IT HERE? Take the damn thing out! I have watched youngsters try to cross the street (there is a school about a block away) & with no stop signs drivers ignore them. I am afraid there will have to be a serious injury or death of a child before anyone in 'power' acknowledges the absurdity of the situation & removes this nightmare. I pray I am wrong, that someone in the city will wake up & remove this traffic hazard before someone gets hurt.

Why are parks, sports facilities & pretty downtown ideas thought up by Cook & associates a good idea when social services is suffering under the weight of so many people in need & so few workers to help them? Maybe those in need can just go sleep in one of the pretty little 'green' areas. I'm sure it will make them feel better. Why isn't more money available for police officers & firemen? Why isn't more money available for the El Paso Animal Control people? Where is the priority for these vital services? It is being spent for El Paso to be pretty for visitors that will be attracted if the council just does ???? (fill in the ? mark with some inane idea).

Why is giving money to builders for new office or retail space a priority when the Northeast has so much of both sitting empty? The Northeast does not exist except as an aside from Cook that he 'came from the northeast' as though that makes him 'one of the common people'. Wrong. The situation in the Northeast worsens every day that no new businesses open. Why are there no incentives for companies to locate in the Northeast? There certainly is a lot of space to from which to choose. So, Cook being from the Northeast, how has this helped the area?

The council jets off to visit other places & see how they do things; they fly off to meetings; they trip the light fantastic & get paid to play. There are such things as internet meetings & DVDs & info provided many ways other than spending time & money jetting around! As businesses cut back, pare expenses, the council continues with business as usual.

Residents pay higher & higher taxes - WHY DO THEY SIT STILL FOR IT? geez....

My father's property tax statement just came. It is common knowledge the housing market, even in El Paso with more incoming military personnel, is down. So please, someone, Cook? anyone on the 'progressive' council? explain how his taxes went up for 'improvements'? There has been no work done because he lives on a very tight, fixed income. This house needs a new cooler, new windows, new soffit & fascia, concrete work in the driveway & sidewalk, landscaping front & back, just to mention a few needed 'improvements'.

So, please explain the IMPROVEMENTS? Where the heck are they? He & I am know exactly what needs to be done & neither of us can afford the work. Where is the help for him with this 'progressive' council? Oops. He's not wealthy. I am not wealthy. Therefore, the only time he counts is elections & THAT rates an electronically generated, prerecorded phone message. Thanks for caring about your constituents.

So, Mayor Cook, as you bask in the glow of your victory, realize
the grass is growing & the roots are getting deeper.

This new term will not be a repeat of the last one. You will now have to deal with that pesky 'silent majority'. We are getting louder. If you do not listen & learn, you can kiss your political dreams bye-bye. And that goes for your 'progressive' council also.

Friday, May 08, 2009

The Eagle Has Died

The American Bald Eagle is a time-honored symbol of America. This beautiful bird represents freedom, liberty, The Constitution & The Bill of Rights of the United States. Sadly, this beautiful bird can no longer fly.

Our Eagle has only it's left wing. This is the 'perfect storm' horror scenario because there are no longer ANY checks & balances. The president is an ultra-liberal democrat, the senate has a majority of ultra-liberal democrats, the house of representatives has a majority of ultra-liberal democrats. Left-wing ultra-liberals are being appointed to every position of 'power', including the judiciary.

There is no discussion or input allowed from the 'right-wing', i.e. conservatives therefore there is no balance. There has been a pretense of listening (for photo ops), patching things up, working together but in the end, anyone republican &/or conservative is ignored, snubbed, discounted, disparaged.

Have you ever seen a bird with a broken wing?
The bird will die, or be eaten by a predator, because it cannot fly.
Remember this as we face the days, the weeks, the months ahead.

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Pedophiles YES Vets NO

Just when I think politicians in Washington can sink no lower, they show they have not yet reached bottom.

The Hate Crimes Bill actually will add protection even for pedophiles. They will be able to claim they fall under the 'special group' clauses of the bill. FOX News' Megyn Kelly reports on how the Democrats voted to protect pedophiles but not veterans. She talked with the author of the amendment to correct this, Republican Steve King of Iowa, about this travesty.

King wanted to make sure that people who commit sex crimes against children don't get special protection under the amendment, and every single Democrat voted against this. Later, the same group decided that veterans do not need special protection they are offering to others because veterans & military personnel do not/have not suffered any type of real problems. I guess being spit on, attacked, screamed at, hit, their offices being blown up &/or set on fire, being denied access to airports or schools -- beginning in the 60s & continuing today -- does not count.

Click on this blog title to view the exchange between Megyn & Rep. King.

The House of Representatives is pathetic - every Democrat should be deeply ashamed of this 'Hate Crimes' bill.

CALL YOUR SENATORS NOW & TELL THEM TO VOTE 'NO' TO GIVING CERTAIN PEOPLE MORE RIGHTS THAN OTHERS.

Tell them you are tired of being discriminated against -- & if you believe I'm wrong think about this: if one group gets special consideration because of 'sexual orientation' or any other group specified in this bill & you do not fit one of those designations, it automatically by it's own definition, denies you the same exclusive protections. Therefore, these bills are actually CREATING discriminatory classes.

Are you covered under any special bills? If not, where is the bill protecting your rights? Oops. That was The Bill of Rights & it's Amendments plus the Constitution. These documents are out of fashion, no longer valid, no longer necessary, no longer used. Bypassing them seems to be the style of this 'open, honest, transparent' administration & congress.

THIS IS A NEW LOW EVEN FOR POLITICIANS. I'm waiting to see what is next.

But I AM NO LONGER SILENT!!!!

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Conservative is NOT a dirty word

I am a CONSERVATIVE.

CONSERVATIVES
accept everyone. All are welcome.


CONSERVATIVE is not a dirty word.

GOP Chairman Michael Steele needs to get that through to everyone that THIS will be the branding. All sizes, shapes, colors, creeds, are welcome.

I believe the strength of the GOP party is in the word CONSERVATIVE and living up to that premise. We need to understand & verbalize & support that principle alone & we will have a solidified base.

Chairman Steele will continue to be untrusted as long as he preaches that he is a MODERATE. What is THAT? Heck, there are a lot of Democrats who call themselves 'moderates' so what good is this word? Thus far, those in republicans in congress who brand themselves as 'moderates' have done nothing toward the principles the GOP is supposed to espouse.

At the heart of it all: we believe in limited government, low taxation, necessary/needed social programs, the safety of America, obeying the laws of our country. We do not eat small children or burn people at the stake.

It is past the time to stand up - as over a million did across the nation at Tea Parties - & declare: I AM A CONSERVATIVE & PROUD OF IT !!!!!

Say it with me: CONSERVATIVE IS NOT A DIRTY WORD!

Sunday, May 03, 2009

A Tale of Houses

I take no credit for writing this....I don't know where it came from originally but was sent to me in an email. Having checked it out, it seems to be true.


The fun of politics...A Tale of Houses

House #1 - A 20 room mansion, plus 8 bathrooms, heated by natural gas plus a pool, pool house & separate guest house, all heated by gas. In one month this residence consumes more energy than the average American household does in a year. The average bill for electricity & natural gas runs over $2400 per month. In natural gas alone, this property consumes more than 20 times (other reports have the figure at only 12 times) the national average for an American home. The 60 to 70-year-old house is undergoing renovations to add solar panels to reduce consumption off the power grid, and energy-efficient windows have been installed. The home also uses "compact" fluorescent light bulbs and other energy-saving technology, the owners drive hybrids and participate in two programs that indirectly reduce carbon emissions. In the year since steps to make the home more energy-efficient, energy use surged more than 10%, according to the Tennessee Center for Policy Research.

This house is not situated in a Northern or Midwestern "snow belt" area. It's in the South.

House #2 - Designed by an architecture professor at a leading national university, this house incorporates every "green" feature current home construction can provide. The house, constructed of local limestone, is 4,000 square feet (4 bedrooms) & is nestled on a high prairie in the American southwest. A central closet in the house holds geothermal heat-pumps drawing ground water through pipes sunk 300 feet into the ground. The water (usually 67 degrees F) heats the house in the winter & cools it in the summer. The system uses no fossil fuels such as oil or natural gas & it consumes one-quarter the electricity required for a conventional heating/cooling system. The water for the outdoor pool is heated with the same system which proved so efficient that initial plans to install solar energy panels were cancelled. Rainwater from the roof is collected & funneled into a 25,000 gallon underground cistern. Wastewater from showers, sinks & toilets goes into underground purifying tanks then into the cistern. The collected water then irrigates the land surrounding the house. Surrounding flowers & shrubs native to the area enable the property to blend into the surrounding rural landscape.

House#3 - has never had anything that we can find written about additional energy efficiency measures or reducing the carbon footprint by the current owners.

~~~~~
HOUSE #1 is outside of Nashville, Tennessee;
it is the abode of the "environmentalist" Al Gore.

HOUSE #2 is on a ranch near Crawford, Texas;
it is the residence of former President of the United States, George W. Bush.

HOUSE #3 is a $1.65 million restored Georgian mansion in the Kenwood neighborhood. It's the Chicago home of the current President

Yup, go ahead, blame it on Bush, again! An "inconvenient truth."


INCONVENIENT though it may be, it makes valid points. Snopes shows bias by trying to mitigate the amount of gas & electric used by home #1, stating it is used as an office for the couple who owns it. Uh, nope, not quite buying that. Snopes also shows bias by trying to say that House #2 had to be built as it was because of the area in which it is located. Uh, nope, not quite buying that either. It could have been built much as most others in the area who did not employ such planning.

Also, it's disgraceful that energy-saving features (solar, etc.) had to be installed after it was pointed out that House #1 was not following the 'global warming' preaching. The facts are what they are & it is plain that if you are going to preach to me about the energy I use, you darn well better have your own house in order first. DO NOT talk the talk until you are already walking the walk.

Last but not least in my musings is this: where does House #3 fall? On the side of pseudo-environmentalism or is it as environmentally friendly as possible? My guess is that it will get the same, un-investigated, un-questioned pass the current president has gotten from the media.

Which one is the most enchanting?