Libya, Obama, Bumper Stickers: Give War a Chance

Jason Mattera, over in Human Events, posted yesterday about all the contradictions in Obama's Monday night speech and the Libya policy in particular.  It's worth a read.

Today on my way to work, I was behind one of those leftists, female, professorial types driving a 10 year old Corolla, with all sorts of leftist bumper stickers.  You know the ones - "coexist," "War is not the answer," "instead of dropping bombs, blah, blah, blah." The crap that was popular among the Left during the Bush years.  And in the middle of all of those, one of those annoying "Obama '08" stickers.  In the fallout of the Libya exercise (war?), I wondered whether she was feeling particularly hopey-changey, and would she be scraping that Obama sticker off soon?

That observation aside, I think it's right that we get involved in the Libyan deal.  Let's face it, I despise the Islamists completely, and want to see them and their ideology wiped off the face of the earth, but, Gaddafi was pretty much the most despicable tyrant in a part of the world filled with them.  Whatever replaces him couldn't be much worse for the United States.  It's definitely worth the effort, especially if it can be done somewhat antiseptically from the air (which I doubt).  I am reminded of the Kosovo operation during Bill Clinton's reign.  I think Clinton hoped he could avoid ground troops in that case, too, and may have even pledged the same thing.  When it came down to the endgame, however, we were sending ground troops, as peacekeepers, with NATO allies and other UN nations, and, we hadn't really removed the government, we had just neutered it.  So, I find it either naive, or a disingenuous lie to say that we won't be putting troops on the ground.  Especially if the goal is no Gaddafi.

Of course, the worse case scenario here is we arm the rebels, and they fail to displace Gaddafi, and the arms we give them end up in the hands of Muslim extremists.  That would be the worst, so, we run a real risk here - do we give a better chance of getting rid of Gaddafi via air support and arms, or do we stay where we are, which today appears to be not that great of a position.  Gaddafi's army is probably able to quash this thing without air power anyway.  So, it's going to take some kind of escalation to get victory.

We're left here, in my opinion, with the only hope of real victory, and a real democratic Libya, being one in which the United States gets much more intimately involved than providing air power.  To really achieve the removal of Gaddafi and the replacement of him with a semi-pro-Western government, is going to require ground troops. And likely American ground troops.  And, it's also going to require an organized opposition that isn't pro-Al Qaeda. That puts us (and our few staunch allies) in the position of picking winners from among the rebel coalition.  If this all sounds familiar to you, it should.

So, Obama has chosen a half-measure, the use of American air power.  To what end?

I also find it a lie that putting NATO in charge removes us.  A NATO operation is for all practical purposes a US operation, as Mattera points out.  No president in my memory has stated such a thing because at least in the past, I think most Americans associated the United States with NATO.  In other words, you couldn't fool Americans with this sleight of tongue.  

For me, when you say NATO, I think of the US and our Western European allies plus Canada, Greece and Turkey.  But mostly, I think of the United States.  When you think of NATO you really should think of the US, if you have a passing knowledge of history.  We ARE NATO.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Sarah Palin? I say no.

Regular readers will know that I am torn by the prospect of Sarah Palin in the GOP race for the 2012 Presidential nomination.

On the one hand, I think she's much smarter than she's portrayed, of course, by the state-controlled media, and even some GOP operatives (are you listening, Karl Rove?).  On the other, I just don't think 2012 is her time, and, now that I am perusing some of the other candidates, I just think we at least need a candidate who elevates the debate, and can clearly articulate the difference between Liberals, and us.  Personally, I think Newt, Chris Christie, Tim Pawlenty, Mitch Daniels, and even Romney, all can, and will do this better than Palin.

I think her behavior since 2008 has been quixotic.  Starting with the resignation, then with the constant defensiveness, the reality show, it's all not very presidential, and has done little to distinguish her as a deep thinker and someone who brings real depth to the conservative debate.

What I don't want is an election that's about the cult of personality.  That's what we got in 2008, and we don't need it in 2012.  If Sarah Palin wants to be president (and I am not convinced she does), she needs to do the same things she would need to do if she wanted to be a thought leader for conservatives.

Which is - take advantage of the one issue where she has a clear edge on every other Presidential aspirant, energy policy.  But, she hasn't seemed to bring that knowledge to the fore.  She needs to.

She also needs to get smart on other conservative issues.  I don't hear her bringing intellectual arguments, clearly enunciated, to the issues near and dear to conservatives - low taxes, smaller government, defense, school choice, free markets, and any foreign policy agenda.  She's a Sean Hannity conservative - not that thoughtful, knowledgeable in a 1/2 inch deep sort of way, but reflexively anti-Obama.  I'm anti-Obama, too, but, geez, our ideas are clearly superior to theirs, we need to get into the habit of being idea driven, not anti-driven.

Sharia, Herman Cain

In response to Peter Wehner's Commentary article today on Herman Cain's position on appointing a Muslim to his cabinet or judgeship.

 

I appreciate your column on anti-Muslim bigotry.  I do not think being Islamic should disqualify one from a position within the American government, any  more than being Christian, Jewish, Wiccan or Atheist should.  Individuals at that point in their career should be judged on their (hopefully well-established) records.  I do think if one is a proponent of the imposition of Sharia, that is disqualifying. 

That stipulated, if one believes that all Muslims are interested in the imposition of Sharia, there is no hope for democracy in the Muslim world, and I simply don't believe that.  I don't think Sharia is human nature.  I think freedom is. 

I do think that it is going to take some serious reformation of Islam to moderate it and bring it in line with Western culture and values, which I think we'd all agree are responsible for most of the progress in the world since about 1400AD.  What Bin Laden, et.al., preach is not a bastardization of Islam, it's pretty much what the Koran and the Hadith say, and he's got many, and the most vocal, clerics to back him up.  The guys' on pretty solid theological ground for what he's doing.

Show us the moderate clerics who are helping the generally peaceable Muslim make the choice to embrace Western values and reject Sharia by re-interpreting Islamic teachings.  Please do, because those leaders need to drown out the voices of the Muslim Brotherhood and their ilk, because the Muslim street sure seems pretty aligned with that crowd.  I'm not suggesting such a change is impossible, I am just saying it's a big uphill climb.

As for Cain's proposition, the real question is - can a devout Muslim retain his devoutness and not desire the imposition of Sharia?  Can he separate the political ideology that exists within Islam from the pure worship of a single deity that is a fixture of Islam?  Does that make him less Muslim?  I just posit that you will find most Muslims, and Islamic leaders, find that separation problematic. 

So, we're looking for Muslims who practice a "kinder, gentler" form of Islam.  If that's so, is it still Islam?

Until that's mainstream, American political leaders should be very wary of what their Muslim advisors and appointees believe.  Sharia?  Just say no.

DVR Blogging Idol: Baker's Dozen

Tonight the competition really begins as the final 13 Idol contestants perform: Pray my battery lasts.

Some random thoughts:

• Do you ever wonder if Randy has a limited wardrobe?
• Who will get the pimp spots, and who is screwed by going in the first group?
• 2 hours.  26 minutes of singing, 30 minutes of commercials, and an hour of nothing.
• Need to get through this quickly so we can see if Russell fails on his Redemption Island effort.
• The washer squeaks so much I can't hear anything.

1. Lauren Alaina - Ouch, spot 1.  I think she's popular, so this may not hurt her.  Some Shania Twain song. Seems pretty uninspired to me.  Steven has it right, not "kick-ass" enough.  Randy and J-Lo echo.
2. Casey Abrams - Joe Cocker's "I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends" - If I hadn't heard Joe Cocker do this, I would like it more.  I think it's a good performance, solidly on key and suits his voice and vibe.  I'm not blown away like J-Lo, but Randy says unbelievable and exciting.  Get the idea the judges like Casey.
3. Ashton Jones - One of the judges picks does Diana Ross.  I am not familiar with the song, but she seems screechy to me.  This spot is not going to help her. No one really loves it. 
4. After 5 minutes of commercials, we are given, Paul McDonald, who will sing a Ryan Adams song.  I have to say, I am not a fan of this guy, and he sounds like he's sick.  I am going to say what America is thinking - "Awful."  Steven Tyler loves everyone.  J-Lo likes the moves.  They're not smiling at him, they are laughing at him.  Randy loves who Paul is.  I DON'T get it.  Well, actually, I DO get it, but, I don't like it.
5. Another 4 minutes, and Pia Toscano is next.  Now, it helps that she's the hottest of the contestants (and can sing), but the number 5 spot is a crap hole. Uh oh, Celine Dion.  Some of us remember when this song was original, and not by Celine Dion.  That means we're old.  Simon would say, "It's very karaoke, I think you're in trouble."  But, these judges are forgiving, so they say instead, "really beautiful," (J-Lo) "You have such a natural gift, I love it," (Randy) and "You just slammed it." (The new Paula).
6. James Durbin idolizes Paul McCartney and will do "Maybe I'm Amazed." Actually, I do like this version, and it's a little more like I think the Beatles (the late '60's Beatles) would have done this song.  He's not helped by the mid-pack position, but Randy, for good reason, loves it.  As do the others.  
7. Haley Reinhart - One of those forgotten girls. Stuck mid-pack, I think she's quite good, as this seems a very difficult song.  Will people remember it?  I think Randy has it perhaps right, that it's boring...
8. Jacob Lusk - R. Kelly?  Really?  Is he going to rape someone?  Ok, I have to admit, when Jacob sings, he is one of those singers that send chills up the spine.  I loved the gospel touch to this.  Really something. Randy has it right.
9. Moving into the homestretch, next up is Thia Megia - who will sing Smile.  There's no doubt that she has a very nice voice, and this moves to a jazzy vibe, which I think works ok for her.  Simon would complain that it's an old person's song.  He'd be right.  
10. Stefano Langone - is going to do a Stevie Wonder song.  Dangerous (that's not the song), it's the strategy.  He's approaching pimp spot, which is an indication the producers want him to stick around.  Stevie Wonder rarely is a good choice for contestants, and I feel the same way here.  The fact that he couldn't break into the top 10 last week means he's not THAT popular with the fans.  Judges pimp him.  I don't really know why.
11. Karen Rodriguez - is going take a Selena song and my only question - is it going to be in Spanish?  I just don't think it's that good.  She's the first contestant I have felt was really, really in trouble.  If J-Lo is downplaying it, it really did suck.  They all agree, suckfest.
12. Scotty McCreery - Seems like something's wrong with the microphone. I don't think this song really fits Scotty's voice.  I like him, and I love his voice for country music.  I don't think this song worked and I hope the country fans keep him in, and he's aided by the number 12 spot.  Steven Tyler makes no sense, you know that.  Judges loved it and I wonder if the acoustics in the theater were better than what translated through my TV.
13. Naima Adedapo - Umbrella - She's got the coveted pimp spot, for someone who was saved by the judges and I didn't think deserved it, that's an indication the producers want her around and think she needs a boost.  This may just be me, but I hated it.  Seemed off-key, arrangement was weird and she's weird.  Simon would detest this.  If she were not in the 13 spot, I'd say goodbye to her.

So, I think Karen is gone, but, could be Ashton or Thia or Paul.  Add in Naima, and they are my bottom four.

My top are easy:

Jacob, James, Pia.

Everyone else in a broad middle.  What did you think?

Wisconsin Dems get asses handed to them. Government unions whine. Wisconsin citizens rejoice!

The Wisconsin GOP senators are teaching Wisconsin Democrats, the government employee unions, and the House GOP a few things tonight.

In what should have been done some time ago, the Wisconsin GOP is stripping their bill of the fiscal portions that require 3/5 of the senate.  The bill passed 18-1.  Details here, as it's not appreciably different from the earlier bill.

While they're at it, they should pass every bill they can that will piss off Democrats.

Idol Results: Chalk

So, tonights final 12 selection show is going on and here's my take after the top 10 have been selected.  Basically chalk so far.

Of the guys, really no surprises.  I thought Stefano would make it, but I also thought Paul would, too.  The other 4 were no brainers.  I think the judges will choose Stefano.

Of the girls, no real surprises there, either.  I thought Naima would make it, but Haley did instead.  She's hot, you could see her nipples, and she didn't sing awfully Wednesday night.  That explains it.  America is hoping for more Katherine McPhee type wardrobe issues.

The judges choose to sing in the stupid sing off six people:

1. Stefano
2. Ashton
3. Kendra
4. Jovanny
5. Naima
6. Robbie

Of course Ryan says that "we don't even know how many you might take" which makes me think we could have a final 16.

The judges take....Ashton, Stefano (knew it, so I was 6 for 6 on the guys), Naima.  So I ended up being 12 for 12 and the judges added one.

Gas blowing up!

Have you all noticed, gas prices have shot up about 35 cents in the last two weeks??

Wouldn't know that from watching the state-controlled media, would you?  I think the last time gas hit $4/gallon, George W Bush was ripped a brand new one with never ending stories on how lame he was, causing all those hurricanes and all.

Now that we have combined issuing no new drilling permits (except to BP) with the turmoil in the Middle East, Investors Business Daily posits that $8/gal gas is the desire of the Obama Administration.

Let's face it, Obama has said before that his energy policy is essentially designed to make you pay more.  Like he said here and below:


"Electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket."

So, this is just part of the grand plan.  Let's make energy costs high enough to make the folly that is solar and wind power and electric cars look good.  Even though they are not.

Blah Blah Blah.

With Libs, it's really about the destruction of Western Civilization, with them lining their pockets all along the way.

Idol Girls - Update!

Tonight is ladies night on Idol, and I have to admit Idon't know who most of these people are.  Below is the DialIdol.com update.  Be prepared to be surprised.

1. Ta-Tynisa Wilson - sucked. Randy wasn't moved nor was I. I was worried about a wardrobe malfunction, though.
2. Naima Adedapo - at least she can sing. That big ole tattoo is going to be a problem. Lose the self-styled dresses.
3. Kendra Chantelle - it's impossible to endure this performance. But it wasn't awful. I think it'll be forgotten by the end of the show.
4. Rachel Zevita - what is this? Oldies night? She managed to take a new song and turn it into an old one.
5. Karen Rodriguez - she's going for the Latina vote. I think she's good. Doesn't move me. Best so far.
6. Lauren Turner - gotta have a fat girl on the show. Doesn't stand a chance of being in the final 12. Judges? Insane loving this.
7. Ashton Jones - who is this person? I could live without it. She hits a few notes. Just who cares. Really.
8. Julie Zorilla - finally someone I remember. Note to contestants - don't do former winner's songs. And if you do, do it good. She's not. Better get some hotness votes.
9. Haley Reinhart - more oldies nite. At least it's original sounding. Wardrobe malfunction 2? I swear she's showing nipples. I swear.
10. Thia Megia - much was made of the 15 year olds, but is she our only one? Simon would complain about a kid singing this song.
11. Lauren Alaina - our Georgia country girl. Also 16. Rotten. But that's just me. Judges love.
12. Pia Toscano - in the coveted anchor slot. She's been plenty hyped by Idol.

My Top 5:
Pia, Lauren A, Thia, Karen, Naima.

Dialidol says (and it says the first three are safe)

1. Ta-Tynisa Wilson - By a long way.  Huh?  This makes me question dialidol's algorithms.  Or perhaps there was an issue with the phone lines for her, making it appear more busy signals.
2. Julie Zorilla - Again, this was the worst performance of the night, I thought by far.  But, she's attractive, so maybe.
3. Lauren Alaina - The first in this group who deserves to be there.
4. Pia Toscano - They have her 4th, but as low as 12th, so, she could be gone...
5. Thia Megia - Again, could be 12th.

Karen is last and Naima is 9th.  I can see the Spanish not going over.  Very small demo, despite what Democrats want you to believe.

Union thugs and Islamic Terrorists. What's the difference?

Pam Geller has details and commentary over at Atlas Shrugs, but, we can expect, and indeed are seeing, that the state-run media is playing down the Muslim attack and murder of 2 US Airmen today in Germany.  They can't stress often enough that this was a "lone" gunman, and they can't stress AT ALL that he was reportedly chanting Islamic slogans as he murdered his victims.

Seems the only people killing American soldiers are the Islamic Taliban in Afghanistan and Islamists acting "alone" around the rest of the world.

If the Left wants to find an instance where hate speech is actually leading to violence, don't look at Rush Limbaugh, look at the Islamists they have been enabling for years.

Shifting gears to another group of thugs, if you haven't been exactly following the goings-on in Wisconsin, Anne Althouse, Law professor at U Wisconsin, has been doing great work on this in the blogosphere.

If you read this blog even a little, you know I am completely unsympathetic to these government-union idiots, but, while they have no "right" to collective bargaining, they do have a first amendment rights to protest, even if their arguments are specious and ignorant.  The Constitution doesn't say your political speech has to be intelligent.

I just ask you who may have some sympathy for these people to look at the conditions they are leaving in the Wisconsin Capital and the violent nature of their protests.  You don't have to look hard.

• Defacing war memorials
• State Senator attacked by the mob
• Dem Assemblyman, in a fit of civil discourse, tells GOP assemblywoman, "You're fucking dead." 
• News reporters attacked.

These are just posted in the last few hours.

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Idol 11! It's back

American Idol has returned now in full force, and I'll be periodically giving my thoughts on it.  Last night the final 12 boys performed, and, in what I think is kind of rotten, this week they will be whittled down to six based on last night's performance.  The top 5 vote getters from us, and the final 1 from the judges.  Then, we'll start in earnest.  The danger here is that a couple of people who deserve to make the final 6 don't.  So, here's my take on last night's men:

1. Clint Jun Gamboa - I thought was good, as did the judges, but he drew the dreaded #1 spot, and I don't think he has a lot of charisma to carry the night.  So, while I think he deserves to be in the final six, I think he's in trouble.
2. Jovanny Barreto - I pegged him an early favorite, but I think his performance was just average.  Stuck in the 2 spot.  Not going to make it.
3. Jordan Dorsey - I also had him pegged as an early favorite, but his performance was really, really awful.  The final six is only going to have one spot for a black guy, and it's not Jordan.
4. Tim Halperin - Honestly, has been invisible.  His performance, and the mid-pack spot don't help him.  Your fifteen minutes is up, Tim.
5. Brett Lowenstern - in a season with a few quirky contestants, Brett is plain wierd.  Later, Brett.
6. James Durbin - Fortunately, the show turned better with James' performance.  He's the odds on favorite to win, in my opinion.  Daughter says he's like Adam Lambert.  Yeah, if you remove the gayness, and the questionable talent.  And, he sang a Judas Priest song.  Gotta love that. Easily in.
7. Robbie Rosen - The judges love this guy, but I just don't get it.  Please, saying he was better than Sarah MacLachlan?  NOT.  Not going to make it, but a potential judges choice?
8. Scotty McCreery - out deep voiced country star could leave this thing and start recording now.  Easily in, but the later theme nights could harm him.  May not have the crossover appeal to win, but should go far.  Doesn't matter, if he makes the final 8 or so, he's got a career covered.
9. Stefano Langone - I didn't like his performancce, but I like him, and I think he may have the most appeal to Idol's 13-16 year old female crowd.  In.
10. Paul McDonald - one of our truly quirky contestants this year. I don't think he is winner material, but he should make the final six men.
11. Jacob Lusk - I agree that this kid can sing.  He should be in easy.  Helped by the slot.
12. Casey Abrams - Taylor Hicks with talent?  My favorite, closely followed by James Durbin, Scotty McCreery and Jacob Lusk.  In.

Now, at this stage, DialIdol.com doesn't tell us too terribly much, especially with the massive text voting that must go on, but it says that the top 5 are:

1. Scotty McCreery
2. Jacob Lusk
3. James Durbin
4. Stefano Langone
5. Paul McDonald

I can see that.  It has Casey Abrams as 7th, but they only predict that Scotty is safe, so anyone else could make the top 5.  If these are the 5, my prediction is the judges will add Casey.  I think the judges would add Jacob, James, Casey, Paul in that order, so, if any of those 3 don't make the final 5 America vote, look for one of them to get added by the judges.

I may blog the girls later, but first I want to watch Survivor.

Launch of Shuttle Discovery as viewed from the air

Great video of this week's Discovery launch.  From the air.  Really a unique experience. Expand to full screen for the best view.

Wisconsin...

The Left thinks they are experiencing a Tea Party moment in Wisconsin.

I have news for them, you're not.

Where the Tea Party is motivated by a desire to fix a dire fiscal situation in this country, the unionistas in Wisconsin are out for themselves.  In a state where teachers pull in >$80k/year, and pay very little out of pocket for their very generous benefits, a bunch of whining, selfish, crybaby government-employee union leaders are trying to retain what little relevance they have in this world by drawing a line at taxpayer expense.

USA Today trumpets a poll that supposedly shows "lukewarm" public support for cutting benefits and the right of government employees to collective bargaining.  The poll shows support for cutting programs and benefits is about evenly split, while support for raising taxes is opposed 3 to 1.  I don't know about you, but in a situation where the choices boil down to cutting programs, cutting benefits, or raising taxes, if you want to be on the side of public opinion, you better choose the first 2 choices.

And, that's exactly what Governor Walker in Wisconsin is doing.  The proposal is asking these employees to contribute (for them) much more to their own benefits, something that private sector unions long ago conceded to in most industries, and, something I can attest to that management employees at most corporations already do to a large degree.

At the same time, the Governor is playing a political card to reduce the collective bargaining power of these public-sector unions.  Ask yourself, why do public employees need unions?

I mean, back in the old days, unions served a purpose, preventing uncaring and greedy employers from abusing them and making them work in unsafe conditions.  But, what are the conditions that public-sector employees suffer from that need a union to address that the benevolent government isn't already addressing?  I mean, seriously, what are they?

And, collective bargaining?  Look, it's always been unfair, and un-American.  You tell me what service collective-bargaining serves?

Tell me.

I'm still here...is Sarah Palin?

Wow, I haven't posted in 3 weeks.

Post Christmas is always hectic around here.  And, I have to admit a bit of a cooling off has been going on politically for me.  The euphoria of November passed into the lamest duck session and now the GOP is set to do what they were elected to do - reduce the size and scope of government's intrusion into the American people's and American businesses lives.

I didn't post about the Tuscon shooting, because the attacks from the Left were so predictable and so outrageous, that it just felt stupid to even address it.  Sarah Palin needs to learn one of the cardinal rules of politics - when your opponents are destroying themselves, sit back and let them.

As many of you may know, I am a fan of Sarah Palin.  I can't see her being a worse president than the one who currently occupies the office, but, in a sea of good GOP candidates, I don't see her as the best.  I also think she better serves the conservative cause (today) by NOT being a candidate, especially if she's going to go into defensive attack mode at every opportunity.  Personally, I wish she had just stayed above things post-Tuscon.  Issued a written statement, and let it sit there.  Enough people were lambasting the Left, especially as the facts came out and we found out that Jared Loughner was certainly more influenced by Adolph Hitler, Chairman Mao and Lenin than he was Limbaugh, Hannity, and Palin.

Even 60 Minutes spent a segment explaining the quixotic nature of political assassins.

I have other reasons why I don't think Palin is ready for 2012, but that's the subject of another (and previous) posts.

Our "New" Bimmer comes to Atlanta

I have posted the pictures we took of our trip from Yardley to Atlanta, bringing our newest garage member home.

Our route took us by air to Philly, where we received a whirlwind tour of the city (Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, City Hall), a not-so-whirlwind tour of the huge King of Prussia Mall, then a nice dinner with my sister's family, a short stop to visit our other Philly cousin and take her present to her, followed by rest.

Day 2 took us from Yardley, via Gettysburg, to Greensboro, to my folks' home.  It's a nice trip, PA Turnpike to US-15 to Gettysburg, then some nice backroads to get you to I-70 in Maryland, then onto I-81 and through Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia, where you hit US-220 to Greensboro.  I remembered that US-220 route from taking my Great Aunt back and forth years ago.  But, do it in the dark, in a car with pretty weak low beams, and try to maintain 65mph.  Scary, but fun.

After some famous Stamey's NC BBQ, we took a rest, and on day 3, washed the car, cleaned it out, and headed down I-85 for the 5 hour trip home.  Quick, and easy, and daughter got her lunch at Panera Bread (in Concord, NC).

Everyone arrived back home happy and tired.  And ready for New Year's.

Health Care Timeline

This link is to a great chart from the Kaiser Family Foundation on the implementation timeline of ObamaCare. It includes when certain provisions go into effect, and their impact.

Non-partisan, and useful to you.

Post Christmas Car Trip - Ridin' with my homey...

Because a couple of my nephews are in the USAF, and one has managed to get himself stationed in England flying KC-135's older than me, and the other is now moving cross country from New Jersey to Seattle (to still fly C-17's.  Go figure), I have come into possession of a car. It's a 1986 BMW 325e.

It was bought by England Nephew to use during his training stateside.  Since he dabbled in Land Rovers, the BMW was an economical way to get back and forth at a time when gas prices were $4/gallon (remember those days? They're approaching again).  When he left for the old country, his brother took it over and it has spent the last couple of years in occasional use in Phiily/Trenton.  Now that he's getting moved to Seattle, the car isn't going with him, so, enter me.  I'll soon have a second licensed teen driver, so, this will give us the extra car we may need for a while to tide the two over.

In this scenario, there's only one slight problem.  The car is in Trenton, we're in Atlanta.  As luck would have it, one of my sisters lives minutes from my nephew, and so, they have agreed to be caretakers for a couple of weeks, get the car in smooth order (as much as a 200k miles, 25 year old car can be) and hold on to it for me.

Thus, the concept of a Road Trip is born.

Since I had enough vacation left to take two weeks this Christmas, I thought this might be the ideal time to get the car.  If I pick it up the week after Christmas, it gives me 2 or 3 days to get it back South, and with family along the way conveniently located, free sleepovers, if needed.

A couple of weeks ago, after finalizing this deal, I started looking for flights to get to Philadelphia, and this week is an excellent time for low fares.  So low, in fact, that my youngest, 15 y.o. daughter decided she'd like to come along for the trip.  In her mind, I must confess, she loves to fly, so she was lured by the prospect of 2 hours in an airplane, and perhaps by the TSA spectacle.  I dunno on that one.  In fact, she likes air travel so much that she isn't fazed by the prospect of 850 miles with Dad in a suspect car, in cold weather.  I should remind my dear readers that in May 2009, the two of us road tripped to Cedar Point on Lake Erie in Ohio to go to an amusement park, so we've spent 10 pleasant hours in a car together.  So, it's not as unbelievable as you may think.

Anyway, the trip is scheduled to start tomorrow.  Given the blizzard that just hit Philly and points north, I'd say our timing was incredibly lucky.  Air travel should be busy, but at full speed tomorrow (in fact, we're already checked-in) and the roads should be cleared by Weds all the way south for us, when we plan to begin our journey.  So far, all our luck has been good, which seems ominous.  The car has needed little work to make it roadworthy, the most major repair that it requires (a timing belt replacement) was done not too many miles ago, and the weather seems to be opening up for us.  Honestly, it almost seems too good, so please pray and keep your fingers crossed.  Of course, in this day and age of cell phones and credit cards, you're never too far from a qualified mechanic, should you need one.

Our trip will take us from Yardley, PA, to Gettysburg, PA. Being within a couple hours of Gettysburg, I want her to see one of the most important sites in American history.  As a Southerner, I hope it'll hold special significance for her, as it does for me, where so many gallant and brave men on both sides fought and died, and where our Union was saved.  From there, we are going to turn south head for I-81, and take off for the longest segment of our trip, to my parents' home in Greensboro, where we hope to arrive Wednesday evening.  Just in time for a heaping plate of North Carolina barbecue.  If you're reading, Mom & Dad - have it  ready.

After that, it's the relatively simple 300 mile trip home to Atlanta down I-85.  I plan to do some documenting on twitter along the way.  You can follow me, or, if you're familiar with Twitter, look for the hashtag, #bmwtrip.

See you along the way

The Tax Deal: What's a Tea Partier to do?

This week, President Obama and those dastardly Republicans reached a deal in principle, at least, on tax policy.

At its core, the deal extends the Bush Tax Cuts 2 years for all Americans, keeping income tax policy where it is. If passed, it will result in no income tax increases for everyone, while the economy continues to struggle in a very weak recovery, which has been completely jobless so far.  Many conservatives and economists have been arguing that the uncertainty around this policy has held back investment.  I agree with that assessment, but, is two years really enough certainty to cause the investor class (that would be "the rich" to you Libs out there) to change their current behavior?  I don't know, but I know that a longer extension would go a lot further to spurring investment.

Just discussing this policy, let's all stipulate that these taxes add nothing to the budget deficit.  The meme of the Left that these cost us $70B/year for the highest rates (and $300B/year for the rest) is wrong and disingenuous.  The truth is that the Left can't wait to get their hands on the money that increasing taxes would bring them.  I suppose if there were some kind of promise that any increase in tax revenue from raising taxes would go towards deficit reduction, it would be an easier sell.  But that is not what is happening, nor is it what would happen in reality.

This cycle, the American people voted, and they were serious that we need to see some serious efforts at cutting spending before we start making attempts to increase revenues.  History tells us that increased revenues will only result in more government spending.  The bottom line is - want less government - you have to starve the beast.  Paradoxically, if we actually lowered rates, we might see more economic activity, more GDP growth, and ultimately, higher tax revenues.  That's been the case historically.  We've only run up big deficits where we have overspent.

Had this exercise only been limited to an extension of these tax cuts, I, and I believe most Tea Partiers, would have been happy.

However, the President couldn't control himself.

He decided that as part of this deal, he needed to add in yet another extension of unemployment benefits, adding another 52 weeks to the already long time that they have been available.  And, he sees fit to do this without any spending offsets.

The deal also includes an INCREASE in the Estate Tax, from it's current rate of 0% to 35% on estates over a certain value.  While this should be considered in the same vein as the Bush cuts (i.e. not as a tax cut), Dems treat this as a deficit increasing event.  In reality, it will decrease the deficit, since it will raise revenue not being collected today.  Washington, however, is a mixed-up, crazy world.

Amazingly, he also brought out a 2% reduction for 2011 in the social security tax on the employed.  Politically, this is to offset the loss of the "making work pay" tax credit that was applied as part of Stimulus.  That tax credit was worth $800 to married couples and if it was left out of this, it would result in a tax increase on working families.  If that happened, Obama loses his campaign talking point that he hasn't raised taxes "one dime" on those making less than $250k.  Faced with a failed Stimulus, he turns to tax policy to put another stimulus into the economy (and allow him to keep at least one campaign promise).  Hey,. personally, I am all for this.  It's worth a lot more than $800 to my family, and with us losing half the child tax credit (it's only for kids under 18), and that making work pay credit, it makes up for it.

Obama has included in this an extension of the various tax credits that were part of Stimulus.  I haven't seen the details on those, but I assume we're talking the energy tax credits and the credits for purchases of hybrid/electric and high-mileage diesel vehicles.  There are probably others that are being extended, too.

The net is all those, plus the 2% social security payroll tax reduction, plus the unemployment benefits extension will add to the deficit.

These things we should all worry about, as I believe the total cost to the treasury will be about $500B.

Were I in Congress, while I would have endorsed the S/S reduction 2 years ago (and would probably have argued for a greater reduction, perhaps of the entire employee portion), today, I think it may be too little, too late to save the Obama presidency, and I would probably vote against this package.  I would support, right now, an extension of the tax cuts, and that's all.

If forced, here's what I'd like to do now:
1. Extend the income tax rates permanently.  No deficit implications.  Government gets the same revenues.
2. Reduce the SS tax rates by 6.2% (equally split between employer and employee contributions) for 2 years - this would be my sop to stimulative effects.
3. Reduce cap gains tax to 0% for 1 year - get businesses to invest, and now!
4. Reduce all non-defense, non-entitlement spending to 2006 levels (not 2008, as the GOP pledged)
5. To facilitate 4, begin the elimination of the Department of Energy, the Department of Education, and defund various non-essential discretionary items - Public TV, NEA contributions, cut foreign aid (like to the UN) and other wasteful and stupid spending.
6. Bring back all unspent Stimulus funds - apply back to the Treasury.
7. Get rid of all the various tax breaks in the Stimulus
8. No extension of unemployment benefits, unless done under Pay-go rules (meaning you cut somewhere to pay for it).

Some number crunching:

• If we can reduce spending to 2006 levels, we could probably balance the budget given revenues return to their pre-recession levels.
• Discretionary spending is slightly more than 1/3 of the total budget.  Since 2006, however, it has increased twice as fast as non-discretionary spending (Social security, medicare, medicaid).  Non-discretionary spending increases about 10% every two years, but discretionary spending is outpacing it.
• Defense spending is about half of that discretionary spending.  From 2006 to 2008, it accounted for nearly all the increase in discretionary spending.   From 2008 to 2010, however, it only accounted for one quarter of the increase.The big increase in that time frame was in a category labeled other (was this elements of Stimulus?).

Anyway, take it for what it's worth.  Not much.

Dec 7, 1941, A Day That Will Live in Infamy

Today marks 69 years since we were viciously attacked by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor, costing over 2400 American lives, and plunging us into WW2.

If you know any WW2 vets, take a moment to thank them, or say a prayer for them.  They put to death two horrible regimes in Tojo's Japan and Hitler's Germany.

A year ago, I posted this about important places for Americans to visit.  It bears a re-read.

Muslim Brotherhood Front Group Trains Airport Screeners - HUMAN EVENTS

Remember the initials MPAC (Muslim Public Affairs Council). MPAC is one of many Muslim Brotherhood front groups operating in the US as "outreach" organizations. Also among them are ISNA, and CAIR.

When you see members from these organizations on TV, supposedly trotted out as "moderates," recall that their organizations were trained and usually founded by people dedicated to the spread of Sharia Law. By force, if necessary, by other means, if possible. The bottom line is - you WILL submit.

See: Muslim Brotherhood Front Group Trains Airport Screeners in Human Events.

You can't make this sh%t up department...(NSFW)

This weekend, I had the pleasure of seeing the first of my nephews married.

It was a fun experience, and a great getaway for the wife and I.  We traveled to Philadelphia, my nephew's most recent stop on his world tour courtesy of the United States Air Force (and home to one of my own sisters) and a place where I spent a few weeks as a youth.

All in all, despite what W.C. Fields said, Philadelphia is a great city to visit, a wonderful Northeastern city with a vibrant urban life, lots of unique and good food, and history to rival few other cities.  It may be the most important city in Colonial America.

I recommend Philly as a great place to visit.  Maybe you'd prefer it in warmer weather, but, hey, we don't schedule these things.

In the you can't make this crap up department, the wedding was held at a South Philly establishment known as the Magic Gardens.  You can read all about the Magic Gardens and how it and the artists who were inspired by it and for it saved South Philly from becoming an expressway here.  The Magic Gardens is such a part of Philly lore and South Philly culture, that they were visited by First Lady Michelle Obama and the First Daughters back in August 2009.  The liked it so much, they penned this letter:

The letter says:
"Thank you so much for passing along the clay tiles and the terrific photos from our trip to Philadelphia's Magic Gardens.  It is such a special place, and it is exciting to hear that our tiles are now on display as part of your beautiful public art.  The girls and I had a wonderful time visiting Philadelphia and we won't soon forget your truly unique contribution to your community.  Thank you again for everything and I wish you all the best"
s/
Michelle Obama

I'm going to say that, as a wedding location, despite being eclectic, perhaps it could best be described as an appropriate place due to its ability to promote fertility.  And by fertility, I mean the chief artist, Isiah Zagar and his followers clearly have an emphasis on the male and female sexual form - sometimes cleverly, and oftentimes not-so-cleverly embedded in the art at Magic Gardens. I also find it interesting that Michelle Obama and the Obamakids found this place so interesting, too.  Let me tell you, I won't soon forget my visit to the Magic Gardens either.

Here are some NSFW examples of the art, again, IN PLAIN VIEW, and in not-so-plain view in this place (and, folks, it ain't that big of a place). Beware, penises ahead (oh, there are many more, I just got tired of taking pictures of penises, lest someone think I was a lecher):