08 November 2008
07 November 2008
What the....??
I have been inclined to sit back and see what Obama does as President before I start heading for the hills.... But I have to admit - I saw this picture of his first presser and couldn't believe my eyes:
You'll note, of course, the seal on the podium. It says "The office of the President Elect".
There's one little problem here, dear readers. And that is, there ain't no such office as created by the law of the land, that is, the United States Constitution! So we have the President Elect - with no Constitutionally mandated authority until he is sworn in - holding a presser, announcing the creation of a new official office, and then telling Congress that he wants them to pass his economic stimulus package before he takes office!
That is taking egomania to an entirely new level, my friends; and it is shaping up to be a very long 4 years.
You'll note, of course, the seal on the podium. It says "The office of the President Elect".
There's one little problem here, dear readers. And that is, there ain't no such office as created by the law of the land, that is, the United States Constitution! So we have the President Elect - with no Constitutionally mandated authority until he is sworn in - holding a presser, announcing the creation of a new official office, and then telling Congress that he wants them to pass his economic stimulus package before he takes office!
That is taking egomania to an entirely new level, my friends; and it is shaping up to be a very long 4 years.
06 November 2008
To Vote or not to Vote...
This week precipitated a running discussion on a couple of websites regarding voting. One position I've seen and struggled with is the one of non-participation. "I refuse to vote, because it's a corrupt system," etc. I've always held voting to be a privilege and even a responsibility. Even if you think your vote doesn't count for something like President, I believe it certainly does count for things at the local, county, state, and federal level. Don't believe that? Look at the results for local elections, bond votes, alcohol sales, etc. I saw a local ballot decided by 3 (yes, THREE) votes this week.
But the ones who actively refused to vote are adamant, even though I've argued that they're merely rationalizing their civic laziness.
The folks who've chosen not to vote have posited that it's their choice - it's a free country, after all. And they're right! We've got freedom of speech, the freedom to express ourselves as we see fit. My counter to that has always been that if you don't vote, you don't get the right to complain. Upon further consideration, I realized that's just not true. You can complain all you want - it's your inalienable right. Just don't expect someone like me to give your complaints any credence. My first question to you will likely be: what did you do about it? If you can't answer that question, I've no obligation to listen to you. If you were content to let others make decisions on your behalf, you got what you deserved.
What do you think? What does voting mean to you, and what's your take on not voting as a form of protest? Use the comments to discuss - I won't moderate unless it gets out of hand.
But the ones who actively refused to vote are adamant, even though I've argued that they're merely rationalizing their civic laziness.
The folks who've chosen not to vote have posited that it's their choice - it's a free country, after all. And they're right! We've got freedom of speech, the freedom to express ourselves as we see fit. My counter to that has always been that if you don't vote, you don't get the right to complain. Upon further consideration, I realized that's just not true. You can complain all you want - it's your inalienable right. Just don't expect someone like me to give your complaints any credence. My first question to you will likely be: what did you do about it? If you can't answer that question, I've no obligation to listen to you. If you were content to let others make decisions on your behalf, you got what you deserved.
What do you think? What does voting mean to you, and what's your take on not voting as a form of protest? Use the comments to discuss - I won't moderate unless it gets out of hand.
05 November 2008
Gun Pr0n
When I get depressed about...oh...stuff, I like to work on guns. Catfish and I went to the very fine Fort Worth gun show this last weekend, and I picked up some various accessories for my scary black rifle. Note the new grip, the flip-up rear sight, tactical charging latch, the PMags and the rail accessory foregrip. I won the light kit at a match this year - I forget where. Put it all together, and I've got a pretty sweet goblin gun. I believe Catfish will want to chime in with his purchases from the show...
04 November 2008
Embrace the Suck
Well.
Some random thoughts here....
Part of me is happy that McCain lost. I truly hope it leads to a rebirth of the Republican Party. I hope that his loss sends a message to those in power that we will not vote for a man who is a Republican in name only. A Republican who believes in amnesty. A Republican who believes in global warming. A Republican who created the biggest assault on the 1st amendment with his ridiculous McCain/Feingold campaign finance reform. A Republican who is just as likely to vote with Democrats as he is with Republicans.
I'm hoping that as was the case with Carter, we get a Reagan in 4 years. Not a Huckabee, not a Romney, not a Guiliani. A fiscal conservative. Someone who will make government smaller. Someone who will put our country's defense first and stop pandering to dictators large and small across the world. Someone who will respect and protect the Constitution.
I'm also hoping that the Democrats will not kill us all in the next two years. I believe that they will push a hard left agenda very hard before the next Congressional elections. God help us if a conservative judge leaves the Supreme Court between now and then. Buy your high cap mags and AR's now, as I know there will be another round of gun laws coming down the pike. At the very least high demand due to fear and panic buying is going to drive the price up up up.
Radical Islam can not help but see this as a victory. I truly hope Obama is prepared to make the tough decisions that are going to wind up on his desk in the coming years. I doubt very much that he will, but there's always "hope", I suppose.
I strongly suspect that Israel will strike Iran before Obama takes office. I would if I was in their shoes because they know that the United States will not support them after Obama's elected. And their back is seriously up against the wall. They simply cannot afford to have a nuclear Iran on their doorstep. I wish them well because they truly will be alone in the world with an Obama administration.
And a final thought.... Now that we have a black president, does this mean that racism in this country is over? Will Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton be out of the race baiting business? Can we do away with quotas and affirmative action? Will hate crimes decrease? Will dogs and cats finally be able to get along once Obama waves the magic wand?
Obama and the Democrats are about to learn that governing is significantly harder than running for office. The ball is now in your court, fellas. Try not to drop it.
And to you, my fellow gun nuts, conservatives, libertarians, friends... Embrace the suck.
Some random thoughts here....
Part of me is happy that McCain lost. I truly hope it leads to a rebirth of the Republican Party. I hope that his loss sends a message to those in power that we will not vote for a man who is a Republican in name only. A Republican who believes in amnesty. A Republican who believes in global warming. A Republican who created the biggest assault on the 1st amendment with his ridiculous McCain/Feingold campaign finance reform. A Republican who is just as likely to vote with Democrats as he is with Republicans.
I'm hoping that as was the case with Carter, we get a Reagan in 4 years. Not a Huckabee, not a Romney, not a Guiliani. A fiscal conservative. Someone who will make government smaller. Someone who will put our country's defense first and stop pandering to dictators large and small across the world. Someone who will respect and protect the Constitution.
I'm also hoping that the Democrats will not kill us all in the next two years. I believe that they will push a hard left agenda very hard before the next Congressional elections. God help us if a conservative judge leaves the Supreme Court between now and then. Buy your high cap mags and AR's now, as I know there will be another round of gun laws coming down the pike. At the very least high demand due to fear and panic buying is going to drive the price up up up.
Radical Islam can not help but see this as a victory. I truly hope Obama is prepared to make the tough decisions that are going to wind up on his desk in the coming years. I doubt very much that he will, but there's always "hope", I suppose.
I strongly suspect that Israel will strike Iran before Obama takes office. I would if I was in their shoes because they know that the United States will not support them after Obama's elected. And their back is seriously up against the wall. They simply cannot afford to have a nuclear Iran on their doorstep. I wish them well because they truly will be alone in the world with an Obama administration.
And a final thought.... Now that we have a black president, does this mean that racism in this country is over? Will Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton be out of the race baiting business? Can we do away with quotas and affirmative action? Will hate crimes decrease? Will dogs and cats finally be able to get along once Obama waves the magic wand?
Obama and the Democrats are about to learn that governing is significantly harder than running for office. The ball is now in your court, fellas. Try not to drop it.
And to you, my fellow gun nuts, conservatives, libertarians, friends... Embrace the suck.
Xavier Thoughts: Vote
Xavier Thoughts: Vote
This has a makings of an Internet meme that will symbolize this election. I never realized how much I respected John Adams until I watched the HBO series bearing his name. He was a true rebel, and while he was a Federalist, he was strong-minded enough to disagree with his party. He represented the British soldiers who committed the Boston Massacre, and 6 of them were acquitted. He helped to draft the Declaration of Independence, and more importantly, fought to gain support for it. His unique beliefs actually led to the idea of "checks and balances." He refused to own slaves. His son became the 6th President of the United States. He died on the 4th of July, 1826, the same day as his friend Thomas Jefferson.
This has a makings of an Internet meme that will symbolize this election. I never realized how much I respected John Adams until I watched the HBO series bearing his name. He was a true rebel, and while he was a Federalist, he was strong-minded enough to disagree with his party. He represented the British soldiers who committed the Boston Massacre, and 6 of them were acquitted. He helped to draft the Declaration of Independence, and more importantly, fought to gain support for it. His unique beliefs actually led to the idea of "checks and balances." He refused to own slaves. His son became the 6th President of the United States. He died on the 4th of July, 1826, the same day as his friend Thomas Jefferson.
"If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen."
--Samuel Adams
03 November 2008
All I can say is....
Hail to the Redskins, Hail to the Chief....
Come on guys, beat the snot out of the Steelers.
17-1 is a helluva lot better prognosticator than anything else I've seen on TV.
Come on guys, beat the snot out of the Steelers.
17-1 is a helluva lot better prognosticator than anything else I've seen on TV.
02 November 2008
You're welcome!
When JR and I had the opportunity to visit with the Senator last week, one of the things he mentioned was how drastically different running for election this year vs. the last time was. It's nice to see someone not only embrace the new technology that's out there, but be on a quest for new and better ways to get the news out.
I do believe the Senator even mentioned he Twitters, which made JR quite pleased....
Now get out Tuesday and VOTE, people!
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