Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter -- Isaiah 5:20
I'm not sure how much it matters that Obama is one step away from Ted Kaczinski. The majority of people who would vote for Obama with full knowledge of the facts, would vote for him anyway. They fully believe that the end justifies the means. If blowing up a few public buildings advances their cause no matter what, they'll do it.
It also clearly means these people identify more with our enemies than with us, because our enemies have no problem blowing up a train or a building to amplify their message, either.
Add to this small number, the number of people who are blind to the facts who will vote for Obama. It's testimony to the art of lying and deception that together they can even come close to being a combined majority.
In my youth, I was a tolerant person allowing all other ideas to coexist, even the big lie that is socialism, trusting that the truth will always carry the day. It was only when the lies got noisier and more obnoxious that it became obvious that you really can fool most of the people most of the time.
All I can do is point out these things in my little corner of the internet. Maybe enough people will get wise to this. At some point, a number of people who are reasonably well-informed have tuned out of the election because the choices are between two shades of bad. It's becoming increasingly clear that one of those options is shaded significantly darker, and must be avoided. Then we can start working for a better day.
Update: Chicago Election Goes West
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Leaving Michigan
News item: John McCain's campaign is pulling up stakes in Michigan and moving on, effectively conceding the state and its 17 Electoral College votes to Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama in order to fight on elsewhere.
"What? I just got here!" -- The Wizer (who moved to Michigan in September)
I admit to having a contrarian streak. It's something I'm proud of, even though it makes nearly all candidates unsuitable for office in my eyes. Candidates try to look like they can relate to the majority, and when they do that, I tend to dislike it. Obama, who represents the views of very few people tries to sound like he's the right guy to lead this country. The simple truth is, he represents true disaster to real Americans, and false promise to the quasi-Americans he intends to trick into voting for him.
John McCain, who tries to make everybody happy, instead makes most of us mad with his bipartisan horsehockey. Now comes the news that he intends to abandon Michigan. Well that's original. More residents are leaving Michigan than any other state. There's even a blog devoted to Leaving Michigan.
We can talk about all the reasons why Michigan is a blue state, or at least 3 points bluer than red, I would just say it is a target rich environment for someone wanting to make a difference. To give up on a state where answers are desparately sought strikes me as a dull, stupid move. It's also not the path of a Maverick. It follows the conventional wisdom. The press is telling McCain to get out, and he agrees with it.
Fortunately, Sarah Palin has caught wind of this insanity, and she wants to come here and give a try. Now there's a real original thought. Michigan does not want McCain... but Michigan would likely benefit from a strong dose of Sarah. I hope she comes.
"What? I just got here!" -- The Wizer (who moved to Michigan in September)
I admit to having a contrarian streak. It's something I'm proud of, even though it makes nearly all candidates unsuitable for office in my eyes. Candidates try to look like they can relate to the majority, and when they do that, I tend to dislike it. Obama, who represents the views of very few people tries to sound like he's the right guy to lead this country. The simple truth is, he represents true disaster to real Americans, and false promise to the quasi-Americans he intends to trick into voting for him.
John McCain, who tries to make everybody happy, instead makes most of us mad with his bipartisan horsehockey. Now comes the news that he intends to abandon Michigan. Well that's original. More residents are leaving Michigan than any other state. There's even a blog devoted to Leaving Michigan.
We can talk about all the reasons why Michigan is a blue state, or at least 3 points bluer than red, I would just say it is a target rich environment for someone wanting to make a difference. To give up on a state where answers are desparately sought strikes me as a dull, stupid move. It's also not the path of a Maverick. It follows the conventional wisdom. The press is telling McCain to get out, and he agrees with it.
Fortunately, Sarah Palin has caught wind of this insanity, and she wants to come here and give a try. Now there's a real original thought. Michigan does not want McCain... but Michigan would likely benefit from a strong dose of Sarah. I hope she comes.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Barry becomes 'Agreeable'
Byron York logs quotes from Obama in the first debate:
“I think Senator McCain’s absolutely right that we need more responsibility…”
“Senator McCain is absolutely right that the earmarks process has been abused…”
“He’s also right that oftentimes lobbyists and special interests are the ones that are introducing these…requests…”
“John mentioned the fact that business taxes on paper are high in this country, and he’s absolutely right…”
“John is right we have to make cuts…”
“Senator McCain is absolutely right that the violence has been reduced as a consequence of the extraordinary sacrifice of our troops and our military families…”
“John — you’re absolutely right that presidents have to be prudent in what they say…”
“Senator McCain is absolutely right, we cannot tolerate a nuclear Iran…”
Does this mean Obama is changing his vote?
“I think Senator McCain’s absolutely right that we need more responsibility…” “Senator McCain is absolutely right that the earmarks process has been abused…” “He’s also right that oftentimes lobbyists and special interests are the ones that are introducing these…requests…” “John mentioned the fact that business taxes on paper are high in this country, and he’s absolutely right…” “John is right we have to make cuts…” “Senator McCain is absolutely right that the violence has been reduced as a consequence of the extraordinary sacrifice of our troops and our military families…” “John — you’re absolutely right that presidents have to be prudent in what they say…” “Senator McCain is absolutely right, we cannot tolerate a nuclear Iran…”Does this mean Obama is changing his vote?
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Dr. Frankenstein's Wall Street
"Americans should remember that Frankenstein was not the name of the monster but of its creator" -- Victor Davis Hanson
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Regarding Choices
If you come to a fork in the road, take it. -- Yogi Berra
Selwyn Duke wrote an article that stopped me in my tracks this week.
As many of you know, I have advocated the investigation of third party candidates as the eminently rational choice for your vote in November. After all, neither the republicans nor the democrats have much of a platform to offer, and there are dozens of people you or I would rather have as president than either of these choices. In fact, I can think of three that are actually running for president that are better qualified and preferable as choices, so why not pick one of those instead?
I have rejected many arguments against third party voting before now. I could hold each of them up to the light and see that they reflect only the self interests of the parties themselves. Then, Mr. Duke put an analogy in play that shows a few more facets.
Picture a bus traveling down the highway. At each exit ramp, you have exactly two choices. You can move right, or stay left. The third party candidates reside in an alternate place somewhere else that is not immediately accessible. To get to one of these better places, Duke advises that you would need Captain Kirk's help. So, as a practical matter, it is always about two choices.
His argument is that every choice presented in the past leads to the sequence of choices in the future. As much as we'd like to visualize the right guy in office, the best we can hope for is to take an exit that doesn't take us very far away from our desired destination.
In many ways, choices have been made all along, and the real leaders are either not involved in the race, or have already been eliminated. To belabor the analogy once, it's like we missed the best three exits, and now have a choice between one exit and another.
Perhaps choosing between them is a more rational choice to make than one of wishing for a warp in the space-time continuum precisely on November 4th. I recommend reading the article.
Selwyn Duke wrote an article that stopped me in my tracks this week.
As many of you know, I have advocated the investigation of third party candidates as the eminently rational choice for your vote in November. After all, neither the republicans nor the democrats have much of a platform to offer, and there are dozens of people you or I would rather have as president than either of these choices. In fact, I can think of three that are actually running for president that are better qualified and preferable as choices, so why not pick one of those instead?
I have rejected many arguments against third party voting before now. I could hold each of them up to the light and see that they reflect only the self interests of the parties themselves. Then, Mr. Duke put an analogy in play that shows a few more facets.
Picture a bus traveling down the highway. At each exit ramp, you have exactly two choices. You can move right, or stay left. The third party candidates reside in an alternate place somewhere else that is not immediately accessible. To get to one of these better places, Duke advises that you would need Captain Kirk's help. So, as a practical matter, it is always about two choices.
His argument is that every choice presented in the past leads to the sequence of choices in the future. As much as we'd like to visualize the right guy in office, the best we can hope for is to take an exit that doesn't take us very far away from our desired destination.
In many ways, choices have been made all along, and the real leaders are either not involved in the race, or have already been eliminated. To belabor the analogy once, it's like we missed the best three exits, and now have a choice between one exit and another.
Perhaps choosing between them is a more rational choice to make than one of wishing for a warp in the space-time continuum precisely on November 4th. I recommend reading the article.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Cargo Cult Economics
If Reagan offered "voodoo economics", as his opponents charged, Obama is selling Cargo Cult economics. After World War II, New Guinea aborigines build model airfields to entice the gods to bring them "cargo". They watched American soldiers build airstrips and land cargo planes, and sought to accomplish the same through sympathetic magic. Given the culture of the aborigines and their observations, anthropologists aver, making radios and observation towers out of straw and coconuts was a rational response. Something similar might be said of the position of the American middle class. Spengler, Asia Times, Jan 29, 2008.
So, what is it, exactly, that this man proposes to do? Raise the minimum wage? Okay, more unemployment. Is that what you want? No? You want more jobs? Oh, okay, so we need to become competitive with China, Russia, Brazil, and India. But that means lowering the cost of production. That will at least require energy as cheap as it is in these other countries. We can't drill? No Nuclear power? Oh, okay, we'll invest in solar energy. and wind energy. That's all well and good. So, what do we do when the sun doesn't shine or the wind doesn't blow? Might as well stay at home.
Like it or not, we are competing with the rest of the world to supply the goods and services that enrich our lives, and those of the rest of the world. When we saddle ourselves with significant competitive disadvantages, we had better have competitive advantages that greatly outweigh them.
So is there any competitive advantage to be gained in any of Obama's policies?
So, what is it, exactly, that this man proposes to do? Raise the minimum wage? Okay, more unemployment. Is that what you want? No? You want more jobs? Oh, okay, so we need to become competitive with China, Russia, Brazil, and India. But that means lowering the cost of production. That will at least require energy as cheap as it is in these other countries. We can't drill? No Nuclear power? Oh, okay, we'll invest in solar energy. and wind energy. That's all well and good. So, what do we do when the sun doesn't shine or the wind doesn't blow? Might as well stay at home.
Like it or not, we are competing with the rest of the world to supply the goods and services that enrich our lives, and those of the rest of the world. When we saddle ourselves with significant competitive disadvantages, we had better have competitive advantages that greatly outweigh them.
So is there any competitive advantage to be gained in any of Obama's policies?
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Game changer, or checkmate?
Some of life's greatest opportunities come unexpectedly. And this is certainly the case today.
I never really set out to be involved in public affairs, much less to run for this office. My mom and dad both worked at the local elementary school. And my husband and I, we both grew up working with our hands. I was just your average hockey mom in Alaska, raising...
(APPLAUSE)
We're busy raising our kids. I was serving as the team mom and coaching some basketball on the side. I got involved in the PTA and then was elected to the city council, and then elected mayor of my hometown, where my agenda was to stop wasteful spending, and cut property taxes, and put the people first.
...If our state wanted a bridge, I said we'd build it ourselves. Well, it's always, though, safer in politics to avoid risk, to just kind of go along with the status quo. But I didn't get into government to do the safe and easy things. A ship in harbor is safe, but that's not why the ship is built. -- Sarah Palin
While the democrats were at their self-absorbed best acting like sourpusses, whiners, and victims, Hurrican Sarah was bearing down on the dems version of New Orleans, 2008-style.
How does one attempt to equate John McCain to George Bush when it also means equating Sarah Palin to Dick Cheney? Heh. I know, I know, they both think drilling is a pretty good idea, and shooting is good fun, but I don't think a lot of people are going to see this election as being about Bush III any more.
The "party of change", incidentally, picked Biden. Talk about business as usual. People who want change are going to have a hard time seeing Obama as anything but a Chicago machine cog wedded to a lifetime east coast leftie.
One of the interesting themes at play will be that this Sarah Palin, who lives life to the fullest, truly does love America. I think people want a leader who loves America. Not would be leaders who are only proud of it when they get the nomination.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Hitchhikers
- Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
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