This morning on Bill Handel's show (KFI Radio, Los Angeles) the subject of a walk-out by middle school and high school students in East L.A. came up. Apparently, thousands of students decided to take the day off so that they could protest the lack on the federal government's part to make Cesar Chavez day a national holiday (it's already a state holiday), and to voice their opinion that there needs to be immigration reform. Then a clip was played of a Mexican girl saying, "We need to quit fighting among ourselves and join together to fight against the white man."
Excuse me?
My wife is Mexican and she don't see it that way.
What part of "illegal" in illegal alien do these folks not understand?
And it makes a lot of sense to leave school to make your world better. Hey, dummies, how about you get back into class, get an education, then try to change your world the legal way. Otherwise, shut up.
Then Bill Handel said something that cracked me up. He said, "If my kids were to ditch school for something like this I would beat them to an inch of their life."
For a sharp minded individual such as myself, I saw that statement for what it was. He was speaking figuratively. If he was serious, then he'll be off the air soon, but obviously, he was not. He meant that his kids would be in big trouble with him. But it struck me at that time that that is the type of statement that gets the liberal minds all out of whack, because they are in such a world of fantasy, that they can't tell the difference. MK, or the Tom dude that use to comment here, would be quick to quip about that, accusing Bill of being an abuser, and me for being just as guilty for not being offended by the statement.
That type of idiocy drives me nuts.
Then, tonight I finally did my taxes, and my tax man is an independent, and loves to stir it up with me. Being economically minded, he is quick to venture into trying to educate me about the problems with trickle-down economics, and the corrupt power center of big business and old money. For the most part I agree with him, with a few variations. Partially, I think he leans too much toward socialism sometimes, but since he's a business owner, I am sure he will never teeter too far to the left. Anyhow, he brought up something that's been on my mind. Should government regulate big business more heavily because of the corruption? Is it okay that the gas companies made what they made in profit last year? Gets ya thinking. When I do my homework, I'll give you an answer.
Personally, I am a big fan of small business, and competition. The pulse of small business, as my tax man put it, is faint, but beating.
Oh, and don't forget, Saturday (tomorrow) at 4pm Pacific/7pm Eastern Bushwack will join Political Pistachio Radio to tell us about his participation in The Gathering of Eagles March. Tune in, or listen to the archive later.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Playing With The Enemy
Guantanamo Detainees to Play American Baseball
President Bush believes baseball brings people together and helps explain Western values. Games will pit traveling American naval team against willing Muslim inmates.
El Dorado Hills, CA, March 29, 2007 -- A source inside the Pentagon confirmed today that some of the prisoners held at Guantanamo have been offered the opportunity to participate in America’s favorite pastime: baseball. Their opponents will be American servicemen. The decision is part of an extensive new outreach effort to create better relations between the United States and the Muslim world.
According to independent publishing house Savas Beatie, LLC, the idea originated with Pete Merrick, a guard at Guantanamo and former high school baseball standout. Merrick got the idea from Gary W. Moore’s recently released book Playing with the Enemy: A Baseball Prodigy, a World at War, and a Field of Broken Dreams (2006). “If the Americans can teach captured Nazis how to play baseball and break through the ice, then why can’t we teach some of these detainees the same thing?”
Merrick raised the sensitive issue with his superior, “who was initially very cool to the idea,” explained the former shortstop. “But he eventually came around and kicked the suggestion upstairs.”
According to the Pentagon source, who spoke off the record, the journey “upstairs” made it all the way to President George Bush’s desk. The President quickly warmed to the prospects of improving relations (and the world’s view of Guantanamo) through baseball. The former owner of the Texas Rangers and Commander-in-Chief is an avid baseball fan and sometimes referred to in the White House as “the nation’s First Baseball Fan.”
President Bush often does things to honor his father, President George H. W. Bush, a former Navy pilot who played first base for the Yale Baseball Team. In an ironic twist, author Gary Moore’s father Gene was a baseball-playing sailor with major league aspirations. Playing with the Enemy explains how Gene, who was recruited by the Brooklyn Dodgers at the age of 15, overcame the stiff opposition of his superiors to teach the game of baseball to captured Nazis he and his teammates were guarding in Louisiana. The Germans fell into American hands when their submarine U-505 (currently on display at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry) was captured in 1944. Moore’s saga was sold to an academy award-winning Hollywood producer. The movie is scheduled to shoot this summer.
According to the Pentagon source, officials in both the White House and inside the Pentagon “vigorously protested” the President’s decision, but have since thawed to the idea, especially since some of the detainees themselves have expressed interest in the idea. “The President feels strongly about both the game and the prospects for improving relations. Is there a better way to do that than with a game of baseball?”
Author Gary Moore was dumbfounded when he “got the call.” As Moore told a local reporter, he was “honored the President is following in my father’s footsteps and using the greatest game ever invented to craft a public relations solution to Guantanamo. I wish the President luck in this endeavor, and would love to throw out the first pitch in the first game ever played between American Naval ballplayers and Islamic extremists.”
Training is set to coincide with the April 1 opening of the 2007 Major League Baseball season.
For additional information on the Guantanamo baseball training, contact Sarah Keeney or visit http://playingwiththeenemy.com/index.htm
About Savas Beatie LLC:
Savas Beatie LLC is a leading military and general history publishing company.
About Playing with the Enemy author Gary Moore:
Gary W. Moore is the president and managing partner of Covenant Air & Water, LLC, a motivational speaker, and an accomplished musician. Gene Moore was his father. Gary lives in Bourbonnais, Illinois, south of Chicago.
Contact:
Sarah Keeney, Marketing Director
Savas Beatie LLC
Email: sarahs@savasbeatie.com
Phone: 408-892-1316
Fax: 916-941-6895
http://www.savasbeatie.com
###
And don't forget that Gary Moore is my guest on Political Pistachio Radio on April 7, 2007 (day before Easter). If you don't catch the show live, remember you can listen to the archive later. If you catch the show live, feel free to call in and ask him a few questions.
And coming up on this coming Saturday, March 31st @ 4pm Pacific/7pm Eastern, our special guest will be Bushwack from American and Proud, to tell us about his participation in The Gathering of Eagles March just recently in Washington D.C.
Tune in to Political Pistachio Radio to catch all the fun.
Blessings,
Doug.
President Bush believes baseball brings people together and helps explain Western values. Games will pit traveling American naval team against willing Muslim inmates.
El Dorado Hills, CA, March 29, 2007 -- A source inside the Pentagon confirmed today that some of the prisoners held at Guantanamo have been offered the opportunity to participate in America’s favorite pastime: baseball. Their opponents will be American servicemen. The decision is part of an extensive new outreach effort to create better relations between the United States and the Muslim world.
According to independent publishing house Savas Beatie, LLC, the idea originated with Pete Merrick, a guard at Guantanamo and former high school baseball standout. Merrick got the idea from Gary W. Moore’s recently released book Playing with the Enemy: A Baseball Prodigy, a World at War, and a Field of Broken Dreams (2006). “If the Americans can teach captured Nazis how to play baseball and break through the ice, then why can’t we teach some of these detainees the same thing?”
Merrick raised the sensitive issue with his superior, “who was initially very cool to the idea,” explained the former shortstop. “But he eventually came around and kicked the suggestion upstairs.”
According to the Pentagon source, who spoke off the record, the journey “upstairs” made it all the way to President George Bush’s desk. The President quickly warmed to the prospects of improving relations (and the world’s view of Guantanamo) through baseball. The former owner of the Texas Rangers and Commander-in-Chief is an avid baseball fan and sometimes referred to in the White House as “the nation’s First Baseball Fan.”
President Bush often does things to honor his father, President George H. W. Bush, a former Navy pilot who played first base for the Yale Baseball Team. In an ironic twist, author Gary Moore’s father Gene was a baseball-playing sailor with major league aspirations. Playing with the Enemy explains how Gene, who was recruited by the Brooklyn Dodgers at the age of 15, overcame the stiff opposition of his superiors to teach the game of baseball to captured Nazis he and his teammates were guarding in Louisiana. The Germans fell into American hands when their submarine U-505 (currently on display at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry) was captured in 1944. Moore’s saga was sold to an academy award-winning Hollywood producer. The movie is scheduled to shoot this summer.
According to the Pentagon source, officials in both the White House and inside the Pentagon “vigorously protested” the President’s decision, but have since thawed to the idea, especially since some of the detainees themselves have expressed interest in the idea. “The President feels strongly about both the game and the prospects for improving relations. Is there a better way to do that than with a game of baseball?”
Author Gary Moore was dumbfounded when he “got the call.” As Moore told a local reporter, he was “honored the President is following in my father’s footsteps and using the greatest game ever invented to craft a public relations solution to Guantanamo. I wish the President luck in this endeavor, and would love to throw out the first pitch in the first game ever played between American Naval ballplayers and Islamic extremists.”
Training is set to coincide with the April 1 opening of the 2007 Major League Baseball season.
For additional information on the Guantanamo baseball training, contact Sarah Keeney or visit http://playingwiththeenemy.com/index.htm
About Savas Beatie LLC:
Savas Beatie LLC is a leading military and general history publishing company.
About Playing with the Enemy author Gary Moore:
Gary W. Moore is the president and managing partner of Covenant Air & Water, LLC, a motivational speaker, and an accomplished musician. Gene Moore was his father. Gary lives in Bourbonnais, Illinois, south of Chicago.
Contact:
Sarah Keeney, Marketing Director
Savas Beatie LLC
Email: sarahs@savasbeatie.com
Phone: 408-892-1316
Fax: 916-941-6895
http://www.savasbeatie.com
###
And don't forget that Gary Moore is my guest on Political Pistachio Radio on April 7, 2007 (day before Easter). If you don't catch the show live, remember you can listen to the archive later. If you catch the show live, feel free to call in and ask him a few questions.
And coming up on this coming Saturday, March 31st @ 4pm Pacific/7pm Eastern, our special guest will be Bushwack from American and Proud, to tell us about his participation in The Gathering of Eagles March just recently in Washington D.C.
Tune in to Political Pistachio Radio to catch all the fun.
Blessings,
Doug.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
The View is ugly, despite Elisabeth's presence
On March 26, couple days ago, I was forced to watch The View, abc's show that has two fat idiots, one old wimp, and a charming wife of an NFL player, sit around a table and gab gab gab. No, I was not shackled down with my eyelids forced open as the tormenters required me to watch the show as some unique form of torture. I've got no secrets to give away, anyway.
Actually, I was in the waiting room at one of the many doctor's offices I frequent (this particular visit was over a 9x14cm hole in the tissue above my belly button but under the skin that I just had repaired, but seems to be a continued pain in the gut), and the only form of entertainment in this 12x12 room with too many patients and not enough chairs was a wide screen television. I was just in time.
The View, starring Rosie O'Donnell and Joy Behar was just starting. Bobwa Wawa was there as well, and Elisebeth Hasselbeck was wedged in between Rosie and Joy. Poor girl.
The subject of politics came up (how surprising) and Rosie and Joy made their anti-Bush/anti-war/anti-America stabs, and then the subject of the Iranian seizure of the British sailors and Marines made its way to the surface from the rubble. Immediately, Rosie sprang into action, spewing her idiocy on national television, implying that this may be a hoax so that Bush will have yet another excuse to go into war, this time with Iran.
Here's what she said, "But interesting with the British sailors, there were 15 British sailors and Marines who apparently went into Iranian waters and they were seized by the Iranians. And I have one thing to say: Gulf of Tonkin, Google it, okay."
The Gulf of Tonkin incident comes from the Vietnam War. The incident alleges that North Vietnamese aggression on American warships led the U.S. into a long bloody conflict with North Vietnam. It was later revealed that President Johnson was unsure the event occurred, leading many to speculate that it was no more than a hoax and an excuse for America to enter further into the fight with North Vietnam.
This leads one to believe that Rosie was suggesting that the capture of the British sailors is nothing more than a hoax to provoke war with Iran. Why not? Rose has already proven she agrees with the conspiracy theory that 9/11 was orchestrated by the United States government.
Later in the conversation, after Bobwa WaWa indicated that military action against Iran is not something we are in a position to commit to at this time, Rosie said, "Yes, but it's very interesting too that, you know, these guys, they went into the water by mistake right at a time when British and American, you know, they're two, they're pretty much our biggest ally and we're considering whether or not we should go into war with Iran."
After Joy Behar (who later makes quips about Christianity, the validity of Noah's ark, and also spews a distasteful "masturbation" comment in relation to Christianity) inserts that the U.N. is about to sanction Iran, and also have an embargo against the nation, so the timing of this could distract the whole world, Rosie goes on to say, "Right, or it could be just the Gulf of Tonkin, which you should all Google."
Rosie may have missed a few facts. Not only does the United States and Britain insist that the British sailors were not in Iranian waters, but Iraqi waters, but France does as well. Fascinating how the seasoned, veteran journalist Barbara Walters did not catch this, nor correct Rosie.
Fascinating, indeed.
*************************************************
Also catch a fascinating post at Lex Luthor's blog about an environmentalist's house versus a conservatives house - you will be surprised (or perhaps you won't be)
Monday, March 26, 2007
Trashing the monuments and defecating on a burning American Flag
The opinion section this morning proclaimed, in big, bold lettering, that Hillary Clinton is brave, showed her good side yesterday, and spoke sensibly about Iraq. They are applauding her for saying, "However chaotic it gets, we can't just pack our bags and come home."
She has flipped-flopped again.
But why?
The leftist support-ring propagates hate and ill-will. They burn American Flags and then defecate on it as was witnessed in the Portland, Oregon protests, piss on the memorials in Washington D.C., spray graffiti on our capital, trash whatever location they protest at, lump illegal immigration and the war in Iraq together and scream anti-American sentiments as they did yesterday in rallies in Los Angeles, as well as embarrassing the normal people out there that may, in some way, possibly agree with their political position, but are taken aback by these horrendous actions. Hillary sees this, and she wants to distance herself from the radicals.
But, you see, that is how the left tends to deal with most explosive situations. They turn their back, put their hands over their ears, sing la-la-la-la-la, and pretend it doesn't exist. Then they spew their socialist ideas over and over and over until a few folks actually start to believe it. Before you know it, we will be joining a global community based on these ideals that the left seems to hold so dear, and then what will we do?
That's how the left deals with the radicals of Islam as well. They pretend they aren't really that bad, and then accuse the United States of being bullies. What part of "war" do you not understand? Were we bullies to go into Japan or Germany seventy years ago?
So here it is, in plain English (the left would prefer a second version in Spanish too, but they ain't gettin' it).
-Radical Islamic Terrorists Bad. They want to destroy us, and our way of life, and the only way to make them stop is to "Make Them Stop!" In other words, with strength.
-Jumping the border is illegal and bad. They wish for open borders so that those from a country that is messed up because they can't get their stuff straight can come here and take advantage of what we worked hard for. They did not help make this nation great, but they want to benefit from it, and eventually change it into what they departed from. And they are willing to break the law to do it.
-Global Warming is a lie. Science has proven that CO2 does not cause Global Warming. The warming trend of our planet is causing the increase of CO2. And in the fight to stop mankind from destroying our planet, of which we are not destroying because we are too minuscule to pull that off, the left is disallowing developing countries from developing so that they won't produce CO2, leaving those nations poor, and for their people to suffer. Who's the bully now?
-Political Correctness in incorrect. You can make some of the people happy some of the time, but you can't make everyone happy all of the time. Judeo-Christian values, of which this nation was founded upon, is slowly being removed from our society in the name of Political Correctness. Such demoralization was also the last thing to happen just before the collapse of Rome, Babylon, Greece, and other great civilizations.
-Wealth distribution is idiotic. I worked hard for what I have, and I am proud of being self-reliant. I will not allow the government to take my private property, of which I worked hard to achieve, and redistribute it to a bunch of folks that have no participated in making the American Dream a reality. You get out what you put in.
And I can keep going. Fact is, liberals have proven they can't be trusted, and they are destructive to the fabric of American Freedom.
Makes me sick.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Thinking Blogger Award
Okay, I've been hit with the meme twice now, so it's time to play along. First Conservative Cowboy got me, now my dear Semper Fi Mom. Nice to know I'm liked by a few folks out there, and I am honored that Political Pistachio is considered to be written by a thinker (me).
Now, by thinking, I believe this doesn't mean a blog that just passes on the party line, or says what you say all the time almost verbatim, but a blog that is written in such a way that you think to yourself, "wow, that is a good piece of writing," or "geez, didn't think of it that way," or "hmmm, perhaps they've got something there." Really, almost every site on my "blogs I read" list in my sidebar are thinking blogs written by thinking bloggers. If they weren't, they wouldn't be on the list.
Okay, here's the rules:
Should you choose to participate, please make sure you pass this list of rules to the blogs you are tagging. I thought it would be appropriate to include them with the meme. The participation rules are simple:
1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think.
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.
3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote.
Please, remember to tag blogs with real merits, i.e. relative content, and above all - blogs that really get you thinking!
If I didn't pick you, doesn't mean you don't make me think. Either, you've been hit with this award already, or I figure you will be or was and I didn't notice. Now for the list of the five I picked.
5 blogs that are always well written and thought provoking:
1. Gentile Warrior
2. The Christian Defender
3. Night Rider/Holy Chalice
4. Gawfer
5. Conservative Beach Girl
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Iran steps over the line, again
Iran took 15 British servicemen hostage at gunpoint yesterday because they claimed the British crossed into Iranian waters.
Iranian troops took into custody eight Royal Navy sailors and seven Marines while the British sailors and Marines were carrying out a routine inspection in what the British claims were Iraqi waters. According to Iranian television, a British envoy was summoned to the foreign ministry in Tehran to discuss the situation. One Iranian official was quoted as saying the fifteen Brits had been "detained by Iran's border authorities for further investigation of their blatant aggression into Iranian territorial waters".
Request for a full explanation for the detention of the servicemen and a demand for their immediate and safe return was met with silence. The Royal Navy insists they were operating in Iraqi waters and not Iranian territory.
This latest incident comes at a time of new tensions with Iran over the country's nuclear program, as well as coinciding with new suspicions of Iranian interference in Iraq. Latest reports suggest that Iran is indeed arming and funding insurgents attacking American and British troops.
Related Post at Right Angle in a Left Turn World: U.N. Sanctions Against Iran
Iranian troops took into custody eight Royal Navy sailors and seven Marines while the British sailors and Marines were carrying out a routine inspection in what the British claims were Iraqi waters. According to Iranian television, a British envoy was summoned to the foreign ministry in Tehran to discuss the situation. One Iranian official was quoted as saying the fifteen Brits had been "detained by Iran's border authorities for further investigation of their blatant aggression into Iranian territorial waters".
Request for a full explanation for the detention of the servicemen and a demand for their immediate and safe return was met with silence. The Royal Navy insists they were operating in Iraqi waters and not Iranian territory.
This latest incident comes at a time of new tensions with Iran over the country's nuclear program, as well as coinciding with new suspicions of Iranian interference in Iraq. Latest reports suggest that Iran is indeed arming and funding insurgents attacking American and British troops.
Related Post at Right Angle in a Left Turn World: U.N. Sanctions Against Iran
Friday, March 23, 2007
Dan from the Bronx
Last Saturday on my radio show somebody called in that I have received a lot of positive feedback regarding. Dan from the Bronx made the show memorable. His genuine personality and Bronx accent reached out to you, made you feel at home on the show. What a fantastic caller to have. If you missed it, go to Political Pistachio Radio and listen to the March 17th archive.
Anyhow, his blogtalk radio show premiered tonight, and what a great show. Very entertaining. Yours truly called in during the first half, and relayed my story about my visit to New York, an experience I had at ground zero, a comment about New York pizza, and how I learned during my visit to the New York area how huge the rivalry truly is between the Yankees and the Red Sox. Access his show here.
And as an added note, this Saturday, on the 24th of March, the main subject of the Political Pistachio Radio show will be the Great Global Warming Lie! Call in, chime in, let me know what you think about this issue. The show will go live at 4pm Pacific Time, 7pm Eastern. Dial in to be on the show and give your twenty cents of opinion at
(646) 652-2940.
And for those of you curious about how the Gathering of Eagles March went in Washington D.C. on March 17th, Bushwack of American and Proud dot net will join us on March 31st to tell us all about it, so definitely tune in for that one.
And finally, on April 7th, the author of "Playing With The Enemy" will be my guest on the show. His name is Gary W. Moore, and we will be discussing his fantastic book about the life of his father, the motion picture currently in filming based on the book (and the interesting twist regarding the actor playing Gary Moore's father in the film), Baseball, World War II, Oprah, a challenge issued to Rudy Guiliani, and a little town known as Sesser, Illinois. Gary is a person you must listen to. His book is one that is worth reading. Tune in on April 7th to hear all about it.
Anyhow, his blogtalk radio show premiered tonight, and what a great show. Very entertaining. Yours truly called in during the first half, and relayed my story about my visit to New York, an experience I had at ground zero, a comment about New York pizza, and how I learned during my visit to the New York area how huge the rivalry truly is between the Yankees and the Red Sox. Access his show here.
And as an added note, this Saturday, on the 24th of March, the main subject of the Political Pistachio Radio show will be the Great Global Warming Lie! Call in, chime in, let me know what you think about this issue. The show will go live at 4pm Pacific Time, 7pm Eastern. Dial in to be on the show and give your twenty cents of opinion at
(646) 652-2940.
And for those of you curious about how the Gathering of Eagles March went in Washington D.C. on March 17th, Bushwack of American and Proud dot net will join us on March 31st to tell us all about it, so definitely tune in for that one.
And finally, on April 7th, the author of "Playing With The Enemy" will be my guest on the show. His name is Gary W. Moore, and we will be discussing his fantastic book about the life of his father, the motion picture currently in filming based on the book (and the interesting twist regarding the actor playing Gary Moore's father in the film), Baseball, World War II, Oprah, a challenge issued to Rudy Guiliani, and a little town known as Sesser, Illinois. Gary is a person you must listen to. His book is one that is worth reading. Tune in on April 7th to hear all about it.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
NPR says Global Warming is an Accepted Science by Everyone
Most of the time, when I am behind the wheel of my big rig in the early morning hours, or the evening hours, I usually listen to talk radio or Christian Rock. Sometimes, when driving down in San Diego during the morning, primarily because there isn't much to listen to down there during that time of the day, I will tune into their local NPR station to see what the left has to say for the day.
Yesterday Gore's visit to Congress came up, and the statement was made that "Global warming in an accepted science by everyone."
I spit out the water I was drinking, and had to place both hands firmly on the wheel.
It's bad enough that the leftists preach Retreat, Defeat, and Surrender when it comes to the war in Iraq, and that everyone in this world has enormous rights as preached by the ACLU, unless of course you are Israeli, Christian, or a member of the Boy Scouts. But first of all to call Global Warming a science was pushing it, then to say that it was accepted by everyone was the last straw.
Everyone who? If you didn't watch the video, "The Great Global Warming Swindle", scroll down a few posts and watch it. Then ask yourself, is Global Warming a science, or another political tool in the armament of the liberal/Marxist agenda?
Yesterday Gore's visit to Congress came up, and the statement was made that "Global warming in an accepted science by everyone."
I spit out the water I was drinking, and had to place both hands firmly on the wheel.
It's bad enough that the leftists preach Retreat, Defeat, and Surrender when it comes to the war in Iraq, and that everyone in this world has enormous rights as preached by the ACLU, unless of course you are Israeli, Christian, or a member of the Boy Scouts. But first of all to call Global Warming a science was pushing it, then to say that it was accepted by everyone was the last straw.
Everyone who? If you didn't watch the video, "The Great Global Warming Swindle", scroll down a few posts and watch it. Then ask yourself, is Global Warming a science, or another political tool in the armament of the liberal/Marxist agenda?
An acquaintance of mine who grew up in Alaska said to me not too long ago, "Global Warming? Where I lived the glaciers grew by six feet, and all of the polar bear populations in Alaska and Canada grew in numbers, except two of them, of which numbers remained stable."
But, Congressman Barton of Texas, a ranking member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, saw Gore's BS for what it is and took him down for the count during Gore's visit to Congress. Barton told Gore that his ideas are flawed, and if his assertion regarding CO2 emissions were correct, to save the planet we'd have to ban all cars and people!
Little ol' mankind in a short span of years was able to cause all this turmoil, huh? Worse than the volcanoes that created this planet? Damn those cavemen for discovering fire. They doomed us all!
Fact is, Gore is totally wrong, and the left has bought the whole thing, hook, line, and sinker.
And they dare call Christianity a crazy religion. The religion of Global Warming believes that the central principle of governments should be the environment, but the true hypocrisy of it all is that Gore is far from being an energy conservationist, much less accurate on anything he says regarding the global warming question.
Is there polluted gunk in the air and water? Yep. We ought to be clean about how we handle our environment, but to create this new science (which is in direct opposition to the liberal pushed planet cooling agenda in 1972) of global warming, and then proclaim that it is filled with facts when in fact it is filled with twisted scientific theory that has in most cases been proven wrong, is ridiculous.
Science develops a theory, and then goes about the scientific method to prove the theory to be a law, prove it to be false, or is unable to gather enough evidence to prove it one way or the other. Global Warming is hardly a science. The movement depends on hate mail, threats, and Hollywood to keep it breathing.
Global Warming is hardly a science, and hardly true.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Chavez's urgings are, uh, well, ignored!
President Hugo Chavez has been urging the citizens of Venezuela to adopt socialist values.
The national response has been a culture of consumerism, flourishing as an oil boom ignites the nation's economy.
Consumers are buying everything. Shopping malls are springing up. Banks are competing for clients by cutting consumer loan rates in half. Everything is selling, except socialism.
The oil industry, which accounts for 78% of Venezuela's exports, and 14% of the country's gross domestic product, has been booming, setting off a consumption trend that is touching all social classes, increasing the work-force.
However, Chavez cannot recognize capitalism if it hit him square in the face. He calls the positive economic change "Part of our policy seeking equality," since even the poorer citizens of his nation are benefiting.
Granted, oil revenue is primarily guzzled up by the government, but if consumer spending continues as it does, Venezuela may spit back socialism when Chavez finally tries to fully enforce it.
The national response has been a culture of consumerism, flourishing as an oil boom ignites the nation's economy.
Consumers are buying everything. Shopping malls are springing up. Banks are competing for clients by cutting consumer loan rates in half. Everything is selling, except socialism.
The oil industry, which accounts for 78% of Venezuela's exports, and 14% of the country's gross domestic product, has been booming, setting off a consumption trend that is touching all social classes, increasing the work-force.
However, Chavez cannot recognize capitalism if it hit him square in the face. He calls the positive economic change "Part of our policy seeking equality," since even the poorer citizens of his nation are benefiting.
Granted, oil revenue is primarily guzzled up by the government, but if consumer spending continues as it does, Venezuela may spit back socialism when Chavez finally tries to fully enforce it.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Protests and Counter-Protests
The front page of Sunday’s newspaper made no mention of the Gathering of Eagles March. In fact, none of the articles in the entire paper as far as even muttered a syllable about it. However, the front page did say, “Iraq War: Its four-year anniversary gives rise to protests in the capital and across the nation.”
There was a brief story in the local section about a counter-protest march in San Bernardino.
Perhaps, I thought, not enough people showed up for the Gathering of Eagles for it to make it to the news.
15,000 Eagles marched on the capital, outnumbering the anti-war crowd, and filling in every nook and cranny of D.C. with American Flags and patriotic signs.
I heard that the war protestors draped themselves in yellow blankets. Yellow. Appropriate color.
Maybe there was just a mistake, and the local newspapers I read (I gander at three local papers - and none of them are the Los Angeles Times) would give equal coverage to the Eagles on Monday.
Front Page, on Monday’s Paper, read: “War Objectors: Thousands March in California, New York.” Underneath that it read, “Activists seek end to fighting, funding.”
Wait, I could have sworn a certain liberal commenter on Political Pistachio, not too long ago, claimed that the idea of the left desiring a cut and run and a cut in funding to the troops was a right-wing myth! Maybe our lefty nut cakes are not as in tune with their movement as they think.
Page three headlined: “Get out of Iraq, protesters say,” and “Marchers on both coasts claim withdrawal is will of people.”
Next page kissed Obama’s butt. Page after that claimed Israel needs to give up land to Palestine. And on and on it went.
What is the matter with these people? Why are they so partisan in a world they claim is crying out for non-partisanship?
The answer is simple, and many folks fear this next statement because it reeks of conspiracy. The mainstream media has fallen victim to the lefty effort to inject into America the socialist agenda, led by folks like George Soros (in fact he funded many of the marches - grass roots my butt!), Peter Lewis, Michael Moore, Rosie O’Donnell, George Clooney, Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, Alec Baldwin, and the list goes on and on and on. Did I mention Bill Moyers?
Well, Political Pistachio is happy to say that the voices of the Eagles are welcome here, and one of our own blogger friends was there in Washington D.C. last Saturday to be a part of it, and he has provided a great report. Go to Bushwack’s site, American and Proud, for the full diddy.
And if that’s not enough, Bushwack has also agreed to be my guest on Political Pistachio Radio on March 31 to tell us about his trip, what he experienced, and how he dealt with the idiot left’s representatives there in Washington D.C. on March 17. Tune in at Blog Talk Radio, March 31, 4 pm Pacific/7 pm Eastern for the full scoop.
The mainstream media is pushing the agenda, my friends. They are not our friend. We must counter their tactics. We are conservative bloggers! United We Stand!
Blessings,
Doug
Also check out this article regarding PC in our schools by a fellow blogger at NC Conservative
There was a brief story in the local section about a counter-protest march in San Bernardino.
Perhaps, I thought, not enough people showed up for the Gathering of Eagles for it to make it to the news.
15,000 Eagles marched on the capital, outnumbering the anti-war crowd, and filling in every nook and cranny of D.C. with American Flags and patriotic signs.
I heard that the war protestors draped themselves in yellow blankets. Yellow. Appropriate color.
Maybe there was just a mistake, and the local newspapers I read (I gander at three local papers - and none of them are the Los Angeles Times) would give equal coverage to the Eagles on Monday.
Front Page, on Monday’s Paper, read: “War Objectors: Thousands March in California, New York.” Underneath that it read, “Activists seek end to fighting, funding.”
Wait, I could have sworn a certain liberal commenter on Political Pistachio, not too long ago, claimed that the idea of the left desiring a cut and run and a cut in funding to the troops was a right-wing myth! Maybe our lefty nut cakes are not as in tune with their movement as they think.
Page three headlined: “Get out of Iraq, protesters say,” and “Marchers on both coasts claim withdrawal is will of people.”
Next page kissed Obama’s butt. Page after that claimed Israel needs to give up land to Palestine. And on and on it went.
What is the matter with these people? Why are they so partisan in a world they claim is crying out for non-partisanship?
The answer is simple, and many folks fear this next statement because it reeks of conspiracy. The mainstream media has fallen victim to the lefty effort to inject into America the socialist agenda, led by folks like George Soros (in fact he funded many of the marches - grass roots my butt!), Peter Lewis, Michael Moore, Rosie O’Donnell, George Clooney, Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, Alec Baldwin, and the list goes on and on and on. Did I mention Bill Moyers?
Well, Political Pistachio is happy to say that the voices of the Eagles are welcome here, and one of our own blogger friends was there in Washington D.C. last Saturday to be a part of it, and he has provided a great report. Go to Bushwack’s site, American and Proud, for the full diddy.
And if that’s not enough, Bushwack has also agreed to be my guest on Political Pistachio Radio on March 31 to tell us about his trip, what he experienced, and how he dealt with the idiot left’s representatives there in Washington D.C. on March 17. Tune in at Blog Talk Radio, March 31, 4 pm Pacific/7 pm Eastern for the full scoop.
The mainstream media is pushing the agenda, my friends. They are not our friend. We must counter their tactics. We are conservative bloggers! United We Stand!
Blessings,
Doug
Also check out this article regarding PC in our schools by a fellow blogger at NC Conservative
Saturday, March 17, 2007
St. Patrick's Day
I am primarily Welsh, with a twist of English, Dutch, French, Scottish, Cherokee Indian, Black Foot Indian. . .okay, those are the main ones - oh, and a teeny dash of Irish, so I'll let my Irish friends drink it up today for St. Patricks Day. I really don't drink, so I'll have a soda as I think about ya'll out there in the bars celebrating St. Patricks Day. Instead, I plan to have my show on Blog Talk Radio. For those of you new at it, I want to clear up some confusion from last week's show. If you go to the link and you don't see the button for listening live, go to the "schedule" tab. If you go to the link for my show long after the live episode is over, and you want to listen to the archived version, go to the "archived segments" tab. If you still can't figure it out, go to some secular progressive liberal site where other people as dumb as yourself gather.
Mrs. Pistachio will be on the air with me from the onset, and a couple people have already told me they're calling in. Daniel at Fight The Good Fight says he'll be listening to the archive since he's going to be out celebrating St. Patty's.
Reminder: Come home safely, for those drinking tonight. Please don't drink and drive. In the end it's up to you, but we still need ya around to help fight off the libtards.
As an added note, I have just secured a guest for my show on April 7th (three Saturdays from now for those of you that just ran out of fingers to count on). He is none other than established author of the book, Playing With The Enemy, Gary Moore. He will be a real treat, and I know that all of you that are a part of my readership and listenership will love him. If you don't normally get the opportunity to listen to Political Pistachio Radio, that will be the date to do make sure you do listen.
Blessings,
Doug
Mrs. Pistachio will be on the air with me from the onset, and a couple people have already told me they're calling in. Daniel at Fight The Good Fight says he'll be listening to the archive since he's going to be out celebrating St. Patty's.
Reminder: Come home safely, for those drinking tonight. Please don't drink and drive. In the end it's up to you, but we still need ya around to help fight off the libtards.
As an added note, I have just secured a guest for my show on April 7th (three Saturdays from now for those of you that just ran out of fingers to count on). He is none other than established author of the book, Playing With The Enemy, Gary Moore. He will be a real treat, and I know that all of you that are a part of my readership and listenership will love him. If you don't normally get the opportunity to listen to Political Pistachio Radio, that will be the date to do make sure you do listen.
Blessings,
Doug
Friday, March 16, 2007
Illegal Alien Invasion
Last Saturday, on Political Pistachio Radio, Mrs. Pistachio said that illegals are like dogs digging under the fence. That cracked me up, at the time, and I made reference to it during the show. (By the way, Mrs. Pistachio will join me from the beginning of the show this Saturday, and as a team, we do good! Listen Saturday 4pm Pacific.)
Conservatives are frustrated because the Republicans refuse to take a stand on the issue. Those against illegals "digging under the fence" see them as criminals. I have a problem with rewarding criminals with amnesty. Unfortunately, Bush doesn't seem to see it that way.
Activists that support the illegals say they are frustrated by the lack of progress by Congress over changing immigration laws, thus, softening our borders.
On a San Diego radio station the other day I heard about a fire that broke out near the border, and Border Patrol Officers stepped into Mexico about twelve feet to put it out. Had the fire been left alone, it would have become a major brush fire, capable of costing Mexico and California millions of dollars. What was the Mexican response? Anger, because before stepping onto Mexican soil, according to the Mexican Government, a report should have been filed and permission requested, first.
This is the same government that wants us to allow illegals to cross into the United States unrestricted.
Can you say, "Double Standard?"
Libs don't seem to understand this. They say, "immigrants built this country."
Hey, brain damaged liberals, listen carefully: I support immigrants, but I do not support illegal (making them criminals) aliens that cut in front of the line, and then spit on the American flag once they are here. Crime is a problem, and is a larger problem when the illegal alien population is higher. In Los Angeles, most warrants for murder are for illegal aliens. The insanity must stop. Why is it so hard to understand? The facts speak for themselves. We should arm the National Guard along the border, and take out the criminals as they cross. And we need to build a wall topped with razor wire while we're at it.
As for that "they do the jobs Americans aren't willing to do" argument, think again. I work in construction, doing a job that a white boy is not supposed to be willing to do. Fact: People are willing to work, and if there were no illegals, the job would still get done.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Content or Comments
My country comes first when it comes to politics. There is an enemy that wishes to take down our nation, and I believe the way to protect this nation is to meet the enemy head on. I am a Christian, so my values are directly affected by my faith. This means that I am Pro-Life, and Anti-Gay Marriage. I believe in the Constitution of the United States, so I support the right to bear arms. Criminals prefer unarmed victims. I don't plan to give them that preference. I believe as Reagan did, a nation without borders is not a nation, and I, for one, am proud to be an American and do not appreciate people coming to this nation illegally with the attitude that they are entitled to something they did not earn. I am pro-immigrant, if they use the proper protocol, and are proud to become a member of this nation.
I write in this blog, and my other blogs, because I love to write. I am a conservative when it comes to politics. I am a Christian when it comes to my faith. Trolls and debate and hot tempers comes with the territory, whether I like it or not.
I also write in this blog because I feel like I have something to say.
I have always assumed that the people that visit and read my blog do so because they enjoy the content of my commentary, whether they agree with my position or not. Many of my readers have become regular commenters, or send me e-mails, and many I have come to consider as friends. I have had the pleasure of meeting one of you in person, and he turned out to be a pleasant person to talk to face to face. I felt fortunate to have made the acquaintance.
A recent troll that I finally began to delete the comments of because he was over the top, has departed from Political Pistachio. Though I personally enjoy a good debate, he wasn't here for the sake of debate. His goal was to disrupt the blog. And judging by some of the most recent events in the comments section, and actions taken by other bloggers in regards to this blog, it looks like he succeeded in his task of dividing us (or at least a few of us).
There is a longtime liberal commenter and another person who claims to be conservative while spewing liberal rantings on occassion that have taken residence here, and their presence has created pandamonium in the comments section. My conservative readers take priority, and the liberal commenter understands this. However, I will not tolerate bickering, back-biting, profanity, name-calling, and the other bull that has resulted in one commenter claiming that he is "finished with this blog." For those of you that read my blog for its content, or like me because of what I stand for, or sees this bologna for what it is, please continue to be readers of my site, and comment, and don't debate if you don't want to, leave comments directly related to the post. If you want to debate, have fun, keep it clean, and don't take anything personal. If you don't feel like commenting, fine, enjoy my writings. If you think this is a weak response, and feel like I am too lenient, it was nice knowing you. When you grow up and can handle a little confrontation, feel free to re-enter the real world.
I am a multi-faceted person. I have experienced things that many of you can only imagine, and I am sure some of you have seen things I could never imagine. Nonetheless, those life experiences have made me who I am. I tend to be friendly, now, and diplomatic. My wife calls me a negotiator. Some people call it "taking the high road." Sometimes my tactics don't work, and a heavy hand must be used. That's where bolder folks come into the picture. We all have different strengths, different histories, and unique perspectives. Perhaps this is why I am not tough on commenters that some folks feel I should be. I suppose when it comes to some people, they have to really tick me off for me to get rid of them. Perhaps that is a flaw in my personality. Perhaps I should hammer them for their opinions that are contrary to mine. But, I'll be damned if I will take that action because a few people threaten to leave my blog, or kick me off their blogrolls. I don't allow trolls to control this blog. I control it. I can delete their comments anytime I wish. They know this. And sometimes they teeter on a thin line. I have sent out e-mails to certain people regarding this, and I hope resolution is forthcoming.
This is all I have to say about this, and I hope I don't have to spend an evening writing a post like this again. I'd rather write posts about how liberalism is akin to Marxism, or how the shedding of the innocent blood of unborn children is another step in the direction of a demoralized society. As a Christian I hold no ill will towards anyone, and for those that are angry, I am sorry you feel that way.
In short, if I lose readers, so be it. Be safe, and continue the fight against liberalistic Marxism. For those of you that stick with my humble blog, enjoy the content. Bushwack says I'm a good writer, and I take that as a huge compliment. That's why he reads my blog, I suppose.
However, for you folks out there that leave me liberal comments, this does not mean you are off the hook. Troll control is still in place, and though I am a little more easier to get along with than some of the sites you infect, be sure that if you push me, or my loyal readers, too far, you will be the ones asked to leave.
Blessings,
Doug
I write in this blog, and my other blogs, because I love to write. I am a conservative when it comes to politics. I am a Christian when it comes to my faith. Trolls and debate and hot tempers comes with the territory, whether I like it or not.
I also write in this blog because I feel like I have something to say.
I have always assumed that the people that visit and read my blog do so because they enjoy the content of my commentary, whether they agree with my position or not. Many of my readers have become regular commenters, or send me e-mails, and many I have come to consider as friends. I have had the pleasure of meeting one of you in person, and he turned out to be a pleasant person to talk to face to face. I felt fortunate to have made the acquaintance.
A recent troll that I finally began to delete the comments of because he was over the top, has departed from Political Pistachio. Though I personally enjoy a good debate, he wasn't here for the sake of debate. His goal was to disrupt the blog. And judging by some of the most recent events in the comments section, and actions taken by other bloggers in regards to this blog, it looks like he succeeded in his task of dividing us (or at least a few of us).
There is a longtime liberal commenter and another person who claims to be conservative while spewing liberal rantings on occassion that have taken residence here, and their presence has created pandamonium in the comments section. My conservative readers take priority, and the liberal commenter understands this. However, I will not tolerate bickering, back-biting, profanity, name-calling, and the other bull that has resulted in one commenter claiming that he is "finished with this blog." For those of you that read my blog for its content, or like me because of what I stand for, or sees this bologna for what it is, please continue to be readers of my site, and comment, and don't debate if you don't want to, leave comments directly related to the post. If you want to debate, have fun, keep it clean, and don't take anything personal. If you don't feel like commenting, fine, enjoy my writings. If you think this is a weak response, and feel like I am too lenient, it was nice knowing you. When you grow up and can handle a little confrontation, feel free to re-enter the real world.
I am a multi-faceted person. I have experienced things that many of you can only imagine, and I am sure some of you have seen things I could never imagine. Nonetheless, those life experiences have made me who I am. I tend to be friendly, now, and diplomatic. My wife calls me a negotiator. Some people call it "taking the high road." Sometimes my tactics don't work, and a heavy hand must be used. That's where bolder folks come into the picture. We all have different strengths, different histories, and unique perspectives. Perhaps this is why I am not tough on commenters that some folks feel I should be. I suppose when it comes to some people, they have to really tick me off for me to get rid of them. Perhaps that is a flaw in my personality. Perhaps I should hammer them for their opinions that are contrary to mine. But, I'll be damned if I will take that action because a few people threaten to leave my blog, or kick me off their blogrolls. I don't allow trolls to control this blog. I control it. I can delete their comments anytime I wish. They know this. And sometimes they teeter on a thin line. I have sent out e-mails to certain people regarding this, and I hope resolution is forthcoming.
This is all I have to say about this, and I hope I don't have to spend an evening writing a post like this again. I'd rather write posts about how liberalism is akin to Marxism, or how the shedding of the innocent blood of unborn children is another step in the direction of a demoralized society. As a Christian I hold no ill will towards anyone, and for those that are angry, I am sorry you feel that way.
In short, if I lose readers, so be it. Be safe, and continue the fight against liberalistic Marxism. For those of you that stick with my humble blog, enjoy the content. Bushwack says I'm a good writer, and I take that as a huge compliment. That's why he reads my blog, I suppose.
However, for you folks out there that leave me liberal comments, this does not mean you are off the hook. Troll control is still in place, and though I am a little more easier to get along with than some of the sites you infect, be sure that if you push me, or my loyal readers, too far, you will be the ones asked to leave.
Blessings,
Doug
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Monsters
What a segue. From trolls to monsters. But this "monster" problem is one that I have never posted on, but feel it is necessary to, now that my friends are facing this in a very real way. Mary, a fellow blogger, was recently threatened by a child pornography ring. Someone using the handle "OS" threatened to use photos from her blog, presumably of her children, on his blog.
Two sites that I frequent and support with prayer exist regarding this problem of perverts that we have seen spring through the filth lying at the bottom of the barrel in our society. Absolute Zero, and Sues Warriors for Innocence. Sues blog has had some past dealings with OS, and sprang to Mary's aid. Others flagged the sicko's site, and some of us offered our prayers and support. OS has since gone along his way for now, but in Mary's latest post, she indicates "I never realized how perverted the internet really was. I will join forces with Sue and any others to dismantle sites that promote such trash. It opened my eyes to the fact that others don't always view things in a clean, innocent way. They have thoughts so dark I could never get there until it happened to me. This has not jaded me. Only raised the awareness that complacency is a sin."
We are all guilty of complacency on occasion, but sometimes it takes a rude awakening to open our eyes. My advice to her, or anybody (and this is based on some of my own recent learning experience regarding some persistent trolls) is don't give them any reason to continue. Don't respond to them, argue with them, or give them a reason to continue their filth. Delete, report, flag, or do whatever else is necessary. And if a pedo is leaving garbage on your site, let Sues know. She's a Warrior, and will slice and dice these pieces of scum before they know what hit them.
I have posted a number of times regarding the demoralization of our world, and this is just another example of our deteriorating times. It saddens me that our world has become such, but what really surprises me is how many people out there (like the ACLU and far left Secular Progressives) actually defend these scumbags. Don't be complacent. Be active in the fight. Be aware of the enemy. Support your friends. Defend your beliefs. If I'm going to go down, I'm going down fighting. . . to my very last breath.
Two sites that I frequent and support with prayer exist regarding this problem of perverts that we have seen spring through the filth lying at the bottom of the barrel in our society. Absolute Zero, and Sues Warriors for Innocence. Sues blog has had some past dealings with OS, and sprang to Mary's aid. Others flagged the sicko's site, and some of us offered our prayers and support. OS has since gone along his way for now, but in Mary's latest post, she indicates "I never realized how perverted the internet really was. I will join forces with Sue and any others to dismantle sites that promote such trash. It opened my eyes to the fact that others don't always view things in a clean, innocent way. They have thoughts so dark I could never get there until it happened to me. This has not jaded me. Only raised the awareness that complacency is a sin."
We are all guilty of complacency on occasion, but sometimes it takes a rude awakening to open our eyes. My advice to her, or anybody (and this is based on some of my own recent learning experience regarding some persistent trolls) is don't give them any reason to continue. Don't respond to them, argue with them, or give them a reason to continue their filth. Delete, report, flag, or do whatever else is necessary. And if a pedo is leaving garbage on your site, let Sues know. She's a Warrior, and will slice and dice these pieces of scum before they know what hit them.
I have posted a number of times regarding the demoralization of our world, and this is just another example of our deteriorating times. It saddens me that our world has become such, but what really surprises me is how many people out there (like the ACLU and far left Secular Progressives) actually defend these scumbags. Don't be complacent. Be active in the fight. Be aware of the enemy. Support your friends. Defend your beliefs. If I'm going to go down, I'm going down fighting. . . to my very last breath.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Trolls Exist to Disrupt
Troll commentary recently choked the life out of the comments sections on some of my recent posts. Some folks are more tolerant of trolls than others, and I always considered myself a decent guy for giving them their say. I figured, "Bring 'em on. Basic deductive reasoning and logic on my part will blow them out of the water, anyway."
WRONG!
The fact that I am even writing this post, to be honest, is equivelant to throwing them snacks. Trolls exist to be fed, and no amount of reasoning will make them understand the truth. I suppose I forgot my own piece of advice from posts long ago. You can't reason with the unreasonable.
Part of the reason I did not initially react to the presence of trolls was also, I assume, that for the most part they were not resorting to using ad hominem attacks. I figured, I have my point of view and they have theirs.
WRONG AGAIN!
Liberal Trolls don't have arguments, only information that masquerades as an argument. It's not designed to convince anyone of anything. Their commentary is meant to harass, point out their interpretation of what flaws exist, and strut around disrupting a blog. And everytime one of us argues with a troll, we are in a sense rewarding them for their bad behavior. The troll likes getting us all riled up. That's the whole point, and they will keep at it until the owner of the site feels it necessary to change the form of comments, or eliminate comments all together. This really makes a troll feel good.
They are like trolls under a bridge, demanding a toll everytime you use your own bridge. I didn't understand that a month or so ago when I received a couple e-mails from readers stating that they weren't going to comment anymore. The cogs began to turn in my dome with a more recent e-mail stated that the sender detested what was going on and was going to cut ties with Political Pistachio.
It was like losing one of my best friends, almost. Why was I letting the enemy disrupt my house, and force my friends to leave? It's my party, and if someone can't behave, they must be the ones to leave. Period. It has nothing to do with freedom of speech. It's my house. My rules. Rather than paying the toll to that troll under the bridge, I need to just keep on driving, and run right over that troll's hand. Maybe then, the trolls will learn to keep their hands to themselves, and go hang out under somebody else's bridge.
Their arguments are always the same, too. They cry out for non-partisonship, good education for our children, health care for everyone, good health for our children, for society to provide care for our elderly, public services that truly do serve and protect, businesses that all work together for the good of the economy, fresh water and air, animals living in harmony with humankind, livable cities, ethics in all aspects of society be it politics or businesses, fair journalism, fair wages for all, and everyone dancing and singing the same tune of peace, love, and happiness. Sounds great, until you recognize all of the flaws.
Non-partisonship? That means you are partison if you disagree with their agenda. Being pro-life is not anti-abortion, to them, it's anti-woman's rights. Have a problem with gay marriage? They see you as a bigot, and homophobic. Support aggressive military defense of this nation against terrorism? Warmonger. And if you've never served in the military, you are a chicken, too. Ever notice that the argument they use is often: Then go enlist, tough guy. When I tell them I'm a veteran it usually shuts up that argument, but why even argue? If I keep arguing with these idiots, eventually people won't be able to tell who's the idiot, and who isn't. And then the liberal trolls will point out issues that conservatives and moderate Republicans are at odds on, like illegal immigration. They actually see these people that commit a crime in the very act of coming here as refugees, and they lump the illegals together with the legal aliens. I have no problem with immigration. I just have a problem with people that take the matters into their own hands by illegal means, in a sense, cutting to the front of the line.
Everyone wants good education for our children, but this "nurturing" aspect is doing more damage than good. The left is so afraid of hurting anybody's feelings that they have determined that time outs are better than a good old fashioned spanking, and that academics should be based on potential rather than results. Kids do not do well unless challenged. Mankind is that way, for that matter. If not taught to perform, and not forced to be disciplined in order to survive, people lose their competitive edge, and the highly successful concept of captialism requires competition and independent initiative. Self-reliance is not reached by accepting handouts, or being taught that everyone's a winner, and that there are no losers. One must make their opportunity, and work hard to reach success. I would want it no other way.
Who doesn't want to be healthy? But government controlled health care is a recipe for disaster, and the liberal trolls can proclaim the greatness of Europe's system all they want, but evidence is obviously showing that their system is a mess, and you will more likely die there before receiving the care you need. No thank you. I'll pay for my own insurance. It may be expensive, but the quality of care is worth it. Should there be a fix to the system? Sure. But let's not hand it over to socialism.
I'm not even going to go over the rest of those issues today. I think you get the point. And besides, that kind of socialistic programs they push cost money, and a lot of it. Taxes are high as it is. No thank you. I'd rather depend on My Lord and myself for happiness, not the government. For now on I will allow limited lefty commentary, but anything that I deem as even a little over the line in my conservative house will be deleted. No questions asked. If you disagree, too bad. I'm tired of playing the troll's games. This is my house, my party, and if you don't like it, go somewhere else and be a pain in the butt.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
A Political Pistachio Interview: Bushwack
American And Proud is home to Bushwack's blog, which began its journey at blogger nearly two years ago. Bushwack is a sturdy force in Conservative Blogging, and the first political blog I encountered when I began blogging a year ago. His site inspired the creation of Political Pistachio, and the first three comments ever on this site were posted on May 17 and 18 of last year by Bushwack. It was Bushwack, in my opinion, that truly got the word out regarding my humble little blog, as well as help me along my journey to making Political Pistachio the engaging blog that it has become.
His third comment on the site nearly a year ago is one that has stuck with me ever since he wrote it, and I refer to its message constantly when referring to the illegal alien invasion. It read: "About the time we get an WMD unleased here in the states they might decide to do the right thing with the border. Unfortunately, a lot of people must die before something gets done."
Yesterday, I caught up with this nearly legendary blogger, and asked him a few questions about blogging, politics, motorcycles, and golf. The following is a transcript of that interview.
First off, I understand you plan to attend "A Gathering of Eagles", which is a Pro-Military march on Washington DC on March 17th. Can you tell us a little about it, what made you wish to attend, and what are you expecting out of your trip?
The Gathering of Eagles is a chance for me to actually do something to show support for those that are standing in harm's way. I saw it advertised on a blog about a month ago and mentioned to my wife that we should go, she said sure lets do it. I guess I am expecting to see face to face the other side, up close and personal, and let them see me.
Your wife is going too, that's awesome. Apparently, you both share the same political point of view, or at least when it comes to supporting the troops.
We are on the same page on most things. She is a little less condemning of our border issue, at least nicer about it...my oldest son is going too.
My first blog is Defender of the blahs, my writer's blog, created in March of last year. After a couple months of that site, and a baseball site which no longer exists, I created Political Pistachio in May of 2006. My inspiration was your blogger site, "American and Proud of it". When did you start that site, and what was your original motivation?
Oh, man, I think I started it about a year and half ago, I'm not even sure...My original motivation was the anti-American sentiment I was hearing on news channels. I really didn't use my computer much at the time, and I was more into golf and motorcycles. I got fed up and learned of blogger then started voicing my opinions on issues.
As a writer, my love of the written word is what motivates me to blog. What is your current motivation now that you have surely increased your writing skills through your blogging experience?
I suck at writing. I know what I want to say, I just don't structure or punctuate well. Most of my writings are emotionally based and are more rants than logical thought. You are a writer, I am a opinionator.
So getting across your opinion in this mad world is your current motivation?
I guess you could say that. I also enjoy talking to my friends and discussing politics. I've met some terrific folks blogging and a few morons. I boot the morons and develop friendships with those that have similar viewpoints.
How is your new home at American and Proud going in your opinion?
I like it. WordPress has a lot of power and I am learning all the inner workings of web design, if I could make a living at it I'd quit my job now.
One of the main reasons I wished to interview you is because you are the first person ever to comment on any of my blogs, especially Political Pistachio. In fact, the first three comments are by you, back on May 17th and 18th of 2006. Do you remember when you discovered Political Pistachio?
Not really, Doug. I remember running across your blog and reading it and saying dang, this guy can write.
You know, when I first came across yours my first thought was "dang, this guy is on the money. I can't agree more."
Thanks, I have changed some viewpoints since that blog, but overall I'm still a Conservative trying to battle the liberal mindset.
How has the blogosphere changed since you have been a part of it, and where do you see blogs heading in the future?
There are many more blogs now, it seems. I think there are a lot of different views out there now. A year ago it was about "Support Bush" or "You are a liberal". Now it's in my opinion more volatile because some of us [conservatives] aren't supporting Bush [anymore in some aspects]. We need to support the country first.
I often sum up my conservative beliefs by saying that I believe in being independent and self-reliant. How do you sum up your conservative belief system?
Good question. I sum it up very similar. However, I add to it that we must put God & Country before individuals. Man is fallible, so trusting man to be perfect is a hopeless task, therefore, we need to let them know when they make mistakes.
As I tell folks, follow man and you will be disappointed. Follow God and you will be fulfilled.
I believe that also. I am not a practicing Christian (in the sense that I don't attend church regularly), but I am a believer.
One who believes Christ died for their sins, and has a relationship with Him, is a practicing Christian, regardless of their church-going frequency. Not going to Church does not keep you from praying, though church is great for fellowship and the such. You ought to join me sometime at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside.
You do know that my wife is an associate pastor right? IF I went to church it would have to be hers, or else she'd kill me otherwise.
ha ha ha. Yeah, I know she's a pastor. That's actually a funny thought. "News just in, husband killed for not attending wife's church where she's a member of the clergy, details at eleven."
(Laughing Emoticon)
Do you have any military experience, be it directly or indirectly, and how has that affected your belief system as it pertains to politics?
Nope, I never served in our armed forces. My family tree is littered with vets, though. I chose a different path in life, and frankly, military service would have been much easier. I had a lot of time to think and read the Bible when I was younger, and my belief system is one of real life experiences coupled with Biblical teachings. Political beliefs are easy, you pick the issues most near and dear to your heart and try to vote or promote those most closely aligned with those views.
Which are your favorite blogs?
Well, in no particular order, TexasFred's, Freedom Gunz and Ebyjo, Gawfer, Yours, Jarhead John's, Sue's. I also like Sue's Monster hunting site (Warriors For Innocence), she has done a terrific job with that and is a big help to law enforcement tracking down pedo-freaks. I read a lot of blogs and anyone reading out there please don't be offended if I left someone out, I comment frequently at a lot of them. My blogrolls are full of folks I read.
Do you ever find yourself trying to emulate any of them?
I guess on occasion. You guys are all great writers. I am decent with code, and I bring that to the table. As far as emulation, I try not to, but on some issues I find myself opinionating like Gunz or Fred.
How do you decide what to write about on your blog?
At first I wrote about issues that pissed me off. Now I try to find issues that are not so cut and dry. They are hard to find. I am trying to interject more humor in my blog these days, as well, but I haven't really started that yet. I also like to get different news, like from Middle East newspapers that we don't see here, like al-jazeera. I like to see what they see type thing.
I do that every once in a while on myspace and yahoo 360. That's where I posted stories about Castro's artificial anus, and the Tijuana cops losing their guns and having them replaced with slingshots.
Those were good.
What is your strategy with moonbats?
Well, Doug I'm an aggressive, type A, personality, I guess. I don't believe anyone should write something in a blog that they wouldn't say to your face. Moonbats are famous for breaking that rule and therefore I have no respect for them. My strategy is if they are respectful in tone they can voice their opinion on my site. The minute they resort to name calling (Me or my friends) they can take a hike. I won't let a moonbat use my place as a forum to spout ridiculous ideologies.
Does your wife being a pastor affect how you write your posts, or affect your political belief system?
Nope, she reads it often and occasionally I'll get the "look", but like I said, I won't say anything on my blog that I won't say in public, or in front of the target.
Mrs. Pistachio is that way - I tend to be careful when I write sometimes. She's trying to break me of that.
Life's too short to go through life walking on egg shells. Let it out Doug.
You mentioned motorcycles earlier. How often do you ride? Harley, Victory, or Rice Rocket?
Neither. I ride dirt bikes, and I am the proud owner of a KTM EXC450. I had a Harley once and took it to Daytona beach for bike week. That's where My path was changed......
Are you a good golfer, or are you just a hacker like the rest of us?
Well, there was a time that I was thinking of turning pro. I played in quite few tournaments, played a couple of Pepsi tour events (Not well). These days I'm a hacker, I guess, played trilogy last week shot 79.
What's the funniest thing ever to happen to you on a golf course or a blog?
On a golf course? I guess it was playing with Gawfer. He was not having a great round and he was hitting the ball all over the place. Almost every time he hits a ball that should be Out of Bounds, it bounced back in. I was just in awe, he should have shot 200, but the ball would hit a rock or house or tree and bounce back in. On a blog I was once accused of being a liberal, and I guess that was kind of funny. They came to my blog and apologized later.
Any advice for your fellow bloggers as the liberal cloud continues to spread its shadow over our fine nation?
Duck! LOL. Well, I don't really have to deal with them (liberals) much. I mean I am not an avid supporter of Bush right now, his border policy, the agents in jail for doing their jobs, Iraq is a mess because we refuse to fight the war that needs to be fought. I mean, the Libs don't bother me, they'd rather go after the folks that are singing Bush's praises. They will have to come at me with more than "Bush Sucks" or they get no argument. When they show up and say dumb stuff like that our border should be open, or Bush lied and that's why we are at war, then they get an argument they can't win.
Anything to add?
Nope, Doug, I thank you for your interest in my humble existence and I wish you well on your writing career.
And as expected, the conversation with Bushwack was interesting and illuminating. I learned something from him during the interview, that folks like Gunz and Fred and Mrs. Pistachio have been trying to pound into my hard head for a while.
All I can say about what I am learning is, Trolls, beware - or be deleted.
His third comment on the site nearly a year ago is one that has stuck with me ever since he wrote it, and I refer to its message constantly when referring to the illegal alien invasion. It read: "About the time we get an WMD unleased here in the states they might decide to do the right thing with the border. Unfortunately, a lot of people must die before something gets done."
Yesterday, I caught up with this nearly legendary blogger, and asked him a few questions about blogging, politics, motorcycles, and golf. The following is a transcript of that interview.
First off, I understand you plan to attend "A Gathering of Eagles", which is a Pro-Military march on Washington DC on March 17th. Can you tell us a little about it, what made you wish to attend, and what are you expecting out of your trip?
The Gathering of Eagles is a chance for me to actually do something to show support for those that are standing in harm's way. I saw it advertised on a blog about a month ago and mentioned to my wife that we should go, she said sure lets do it. I guess I am expecting to see face to face the other side, up close and personal, and let them see me.
Your wife is going too, that's awesome. Apparently, you both share the same political point of view, or at least when it comes to supporting the troops.
We are on the same page on most things. She is a little less condemning of our border issue, at least nicer about it...my oldest son is going too.
My first blog is Defender of the blahs, my writer's blog, created in March of last year. After a couple months of that site, and a baseball site which no longer exists, I created Political Pistachio in May of 2006. My inspiration was your blogger site, "American and Proud of it". When did you start that site, and what was your original motivation?
Oh, man, I think I started it about a year and half ago, I'm not even sure...My original motivation was the anti-American sentiment I was hearing on news channels. I really didn't use my computer much at the time, and I was more into golf and motorcycles. I got fed up and learned of blogger then started voicing my opinions on issues.
As a writer, my love of the written word is what motivates me to blog. What is your current motivation now that you have surely increased your writing skills through your blogging experience?
I suck at writing. I know what I want to say, I just don't structure or punctuate well. Most of my writings are emotionally based and are more rants than logical thought. You are a writer, I am a opinionator.
So getting across your opinion in this mad world is your current motivation?
I guess you could say that. I also enjoy talking to my friends and discussing politics. I've met some terrific folks blogging and a few morons. I boot the morons and develop friendships with those that have similar viewpoints.
How is your new home at American and Proud going in your opinion?
I like it. WordPress has a lot of power and I am learning all the inner workings of web design, if I could make a living at it I'd quit my job now.
One of the main reasons I wished to interview you is because you are the first person ever to comment on any of my blogs, especially Political Pistachio. In fact, the first three comments are by you, back on May 17th and 18th of 2006. Do you remember when you discovered Political Pistachio?
Not really, Doug. I remember running across your blog and reading it and saying dang, this guy can write.
You know, when I first came across yours my first thought was "dang, this guy is on the money. I can't agree more."
Thanks, I have changed some viewpoints since that blog, but overall I'm still a Conservative trying to battle the liberal mindset.
How has the blogosphere changed since you have been a part of it, and where do you see blogs heading in the future?
There are many more blogs now, it seems. I think there are a lot of different views out there now. A year ago it was about "Support Bush" or "You are a liberal". Now it's in my opinion more volatile because some of us [conservatives] aren't supporting Bush [anymore in some aspects]. We need to support the country first.
I often sum up my conservative beliefs by saying that I believe in being independent and self-reliant. How do you sum up your conservative belief system?
Good question. I sum it up very similar. However, I add to it that we must put God & Country before individuals. Man is fallible, so trusting man to be perfect is a hopeless task, therefore, we need to let them know when they make mistakes.
As I tell folks, follow man and you will be disappointed. Follow God and you will be fulfilled.
I believe that also. I am not a practicing Christian (in the sense that I don't attend church regularly), but I am a believer.
One who believes Christ died for their sins, and has a relationship with Him, is a practicing Christian, regardless of their church-going frequency. Not going to Church does not keep you from praying, though church is great for fellowship and the such. You ought to join me sometime at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside.
You do know that my wife is an associate pastor right? IF I went to church it would have to be hers, or else she'd kill me otherwise.
ha ha ha. Yeah, I know she's a pastor. That's actually a funny thought. "News just in, husband killed for not attending wife's church where she's a member of the clergy, details at eleven."
(Laughing Emoticon)
Do you have any military experience, be it directly or indirectly, and how has that affected your belief system as it pertains to politics?
Nope, I never served in our armed forces. My family tree is littered with vets, though. I chose a different path in life, and frankly, military service would have been much easier. I had a lot of time to think and read the Bible when I was younger, and my belief system is one of real life experiences coupled with Biblical teachings. Political beliefs are easy, you pick the issues most near and dear to your heart and try to vote or promote those most closely aligned with those views.
Which are your favorite blogs?
Well, in no particular order, TexasFred's, Freedom Gunz and Ebyjo, Gawfer, Yours, Jarhead John's, Sue's. I also like Sue's Monster hunting site (Warriors For Innocence), she has done a terrific job with that and is a big help to law enforcement tracking down pedo-freaks. I read a lot of blogs and anyone reading out there please don't be offended if I left someone out, I comment frequently at a lot of them. My blogrolls are full of folks I read.
Do you ever find yourself trying to emulate any of them?
I guess on occasion. You guys are all great writers. I am decent with code, and I bring that to the table. As far as emulation, I try not to, but on some issues I find myself opinionating like Gunz or Fred.
How do you decide what to write about on your blog?
At first I wrote about issues that pissed me off. Now I try to find issues that are not so cut and dry. They are hard to find. I am trying to interject more humor in my blog these days, as well, but I haven't really started that yet. I also like to get different news, like from Middle East newspapers that we don't see here, like al-jazeera. I like to see what they see type thing.
I do that every once in a while on myspace and yahoo 360. That's where I posted stories about Castro's artificial anus, and the Tijuana cops losing their guns and having them replaced with slingshots.
Those were good.
What is your strategy with moonbats?
Well, Doug I'm an aggressive, type A, personality, I guess. I don't believe anyone should write something in a blog that they wouldn't say to your face. Moonbats are famous for breaking that rule and therefore I have no respect for them. My strategy is if they are respectful in tone they can voice their opinion on my site. The minute they resort to name calling (Me or my friends) they can take a hike. I won't let a moonbat use my place as a forum to spout ridiculous ideologies.
Does your wife being a pastor affect how you write your posts, or affect your political belief system?
Nope, she reads it often and occasionally I'll get the "look", but like I said, I won't say anything on my blog that I won't say in public, or in front of the target.
Mrs. Pistachio is that way - I tend to be careful when I write sometimes. She's trying to break me of that.
Life's too short to go through life walking on egg shells. Let it out Doug.
You mentioned motorcycles earlier. How often do you ride? Harley, Victory, or Rice Rocket?
Neither. I ride dirt bikes, and I am the proud owner of a KTM EXC450. I had a Harley once and took it to Daytona beach for bike week. That's where My path was changed......
Are you a good golfer, or are you just a hacker like the rest of us?
Well, there was a time that I was thinking of turning pro. I played in quite few tournaments, played a couple of Pepsi tour events (Not well). These days I'm a hacker, I guess, played trilogy last week shot 79.
What's the funniest thing ever to happen to you on a golf course or a blog?
On a golf course? I guess it was playing with Gawfer. He was not having a great round and he was hitting the ball all over the place. Almost every time he hits a ball that should be Out of Bounds, it bounced back in. I was just in awe, he should have shot 200, but the ball would hit a rock or house or tree and bounce back in. On a blog I was once accused of being a liberal, and I guess that was kind of funny. They came to my blog and apologized later.
Any advice for your fellow bloggers as the liberal cloud continues to spread its shadow over our fine nation?
Duck! LOL. Well, I don't really have to deal with them (liberals) much. I mean I am not an avid supporter of Bush right now, his border policy, the agents in jail for doing their jobs, Iraq is a mess because we refuse to fight the war that needs to be fought. I mean, the Libs don't bother me, they'd rather go after the folks that are singing Bush's praises. They will have to come at me with more than "Bush Sucks" or they get no argument. When they show up and say dumb stuff like that our border should be open, or Bush lied and that's why we are at war, then they get an argument they can't win.
Anything to add?
Nope, Doug, I thank you for your interest in my humble existence and I wish you well on your writing career.
And as expected, the conversation with Bushwack was interesting and illuminating. I learned something from him during the interview, that folks like Gunz and Fred and Mrs. Pistachio have been trying to pound into my hard head for a while.
All I can say about what I am learning is, Trolls, beware - or be deleted.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
The Next Interview
Tomorrow, midday, I will post an interview I conducted of Bushwack from American and Proud. The Interview will remain as the top post once it is posted for the remainder of Sunday, and all day Monday. He is a fascinating person and I thoroughly enjoyed interviewing him. Read it tomorrow right here at Political Pistachio, and while you're at it, give his site a visit: American and Proud.
Third Time was slightly more charming
Political Pistachio Radio, tonight, began rough with poor audio. Suddenly, after the first thirty minutes when Mrs. Pistachio arrived, the audio got great, and the show became, well, an enjoyable show.
So far here are the lessons. first show? Get a better headset. second show? Keep track of the time so that I know when the live feed cuts out. Third show? Get rid of the headsets, and get Mrs. Pistachio home - - - the show soars when she's on the air.
Oh, and Mudkitty did not call in to the delight of some, and the confusion of others.
For those that listened, thanks. I love having ya. And with each show the product improves. Before you know it, it'll be kickin' every Saturday.
Oh, and the archive seems to play best on Windows Media Player, for whatever reason.
So far here are the lessons. first show? Get a better headset. second show? Keep track of the time so that I know when the live feed cuts out. Third show? Get rid of the headsets, and get Mrs. Pistachio home - - - the show soars when she's on the air.
Oh, and Mudkitty did not call in to the delight of some, and the confusion of others.
For those that listened, thanks. I love having ya. And with each show the product improves. Before you know it, it'll be kickin' every Saturday.
Oh, and the archive seems to play best on Windows Media Player, for whatever reason.
Osama bin Laden just turned 50! & Cleaning the mud off of a kitty
Sick and tired of boring afternoon's every Saturday? Need to clean the mud off of a kitty?
Tune in to Political Pistachio Radio every Saturday live at 4 pm Pacific or 7 pm Eastern time, or listen later through the archives. Each show keeps getting better, and Mr. and Mrs. Pistachio keep getting bolder with the dishsoap.
By the way, Osama bin Laden just celebrated his 50th birthday. Anybody want to pitch in for a fine gift that is sure to go off with a bang and is delivered by air-mail? All we need to do is figure out which cave he's hiding in!
Friday, March 09, 2007
Democrat, Republican, or Good ol' Boy?
Okay, here's the scenario. You are walking down a deserted street with your wife and your two small children.
Suddenly, an Islamic Terrorist with a huge knife comes around the corner, locks eyes with you, screams obscenities, praises Allah, raises the knife, and charges at you.
You are carrying a Glock 40-Cal. and you are an expert shot.
You have mere seconds before he reaches you and your family.
What do you do?
*********************************************************************
Democrat's Answer:
Well, that's not enough information to answer the question!
Does the man look poor? Or oppressed?
Have I ever done anything to him that would inspire him to attack?
Could we run away?
What does my wife think?
What about the kids?
Could I possibly swing the gun like a club and knock the knife out of his hand? ;
What does the law say about this situation?
What do the European courts say about this situation?
Does the Glock have appropriate safety built into it?
Why am I carrying a loaded gun anyway, and what kind of message does this send to society and to my children?
Is it possible he'd be happy with just killing me?
Does he definitely want to kill me, or would he be content just to wound me?
If I were to grab his knees and hold on, could my family get away while he was stabbing me?
Should I call 9-1-1?
Why is this street so deserted?
We need to raise taxes, have a paint and weed day and make this a happier, healthier street that would discourage such behavior.
This is all so confusing! I need to debate this with some friends for few a days and try to come to a consensus.
Perhaps if I just have a chat with his laughing friends in the background I can convince him to stop charging at me.
******************************************************************
Republican's Answer:
BANG!
******************************************************************
Good ol' Boy's Answer:
First of all, you wouldn't have a glock, you'd be totin' a Colt.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! click.....
(sounds of reloading).
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! Oooh, got his friends as they pulled out their weapons too!
click
Daughter says: "Nice shooting, Daddy! Were those the Winchester Silver Tips or Hollow Points?"
Son: "Can I shoot the next one?"
Wife: "You ain't taking that to the Taxidermist!"
*******************************************
And I've just added an eighth topic for my radio show - - - HAPPY FEET. You will be totally stunned at what I have to say about that!
Tune in tomorrow at 4 pm Pacific, 7 pm Eastern at Blog Talk Radio.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Cut and Run, cut in funding to troops, and taxation
As always, the comments are jumping. I enjoy reading them, and sometimes I am able to participate. I, however, am not a top 5% wager earner, so I am unable to spend my entire day glued to my computer, visiting other sites (which I do about once to twice per week), and research across the internet everything I write about. The majority of my information reaches me via the radio on the way to jobsites, on the radio on the way home from jobsites, the newspaper (Press-Enterprise, San Diego Union-Tribune, and Orange County Register) and various magazines (although here's a recent article about Dems wanting to cut and run). When I help my wife with her homework, be it at home, or at the University Library, I tend to read Journals as well as other similar publications. I don't always have sources at the ready because most of what I use in my posts is based on what I read or heard, and often I have no more than an hour to write posts for this site, as well as a dozen or so others (Speaking of other sites, I have just been added as a contributor to an anti-abortion site, www.withoutavoice.org).
When I mention the "Cut and Run" as voiced by Liberal politicians, or the idea of cutting funding to the troops, I am met with things like: "That is a Right-Wing myth." Not so. Problem is, with all of the flip flopping in the liberal ranks, when a politician states something they change what they say so much, and deny saying the previous, that what was really said becomes forgotten. A complete pullout of Iraq, and cutting funding, has been uttered a number of times by the left. Where are my sources? I read about it, and I didn't cut out and file the articles. And now, if you try to find some of this stuff on the world wide web, it's near impossible to find. Heck, I remember when Pelosi accused Bush of adding troops so quickly so that she couldn't cut funding for fear of being accused of placing those new troops in danger because of the cuts. Here's what I find interesting, though. I hear statements like: "The troops can't even secure the borders of Iraq. . . " and other statements that makes it sound like winning is impossible in Iraq. John Murtha, recently (saw it on Sunday on television while I was at the Veterans Administration Hospital for an MRI) said, "Iraq is unwinnable. . . we should pull out so that we can prepare for the real enemies, Iran and China." He also stated, "Numbers of terrorists in Iraq are inflated, and only number at 2,000."
That is still 2,000 too many. It only took 19 terrorists to kill over 3,000 Americans on 9/11. And he says our troops can't handle Iraq so let's get them ready for Iran and China? What? If idiots like Murtha thinks our troops are so incapable, then why would he want to get them ready for an even more complex enemy? Heck, if what he says is true, I'm surprised we survived all of the other wars in history.
Another issue that has surfaced in the comments is taxation. The left seems to think that because Conservatives complain on the over-taxation of the wealthy, that the Right desires dropping the higher brackets and raising the lower brackets to the point where the percentages are nearly even. That is insane. Where do these people get this junk? Conservatives don't expect a swing to the opposite extreme. But we, as a nation, have gotten to the point that we are starting to penalize success. The top 2% pays 80% of the taxes. That is a little extreme. Yes, it takes money to run government, but there is plenty coming in economically, I think, and many of the programs that are lauded by the Left should really be eliminated.
I take pride in my individualism, and self-reliance. I will not be reliant on the government, and I think it defeats human-spirit to do so.
Oh, and about profanity - you are right, disguising it is just as bad as writing it, and sometimes I do that (i.e. sh**head), and I ought not. I expect my commenters to follow suit. My excuse is not even good enough to publish, and I won't. But for those of you out there doing whatever you can to find holes, misswording, calling on contradictions (that often are not, your ability to see things in strictly absolutes only makes it look that way), and such, get a life. Read my posts, enjoy them, or don't. Debate in the comments section. But don't play stupid games. It's beginning to get on my nerves - and you know who you are.
Finally:
On Political Pistachio Radio this Saturday, I am attempting to make the show more like this blog (You know, seriously political with the occasional hint of humor when you least expect it), and less like a group phone call. The subjects I plan to touch on this Saturday are: Illegal Immigration, The Ten Commandments on Court Houses, Iraq, A showdown between two Mexicans and a black California Highway Patrol Officer I witnessed on the streets of Temecula (in California), Condi Rice as a possible candidate in 2008?, Political Correctness, and Barack Obama paying parking tickets 17 years late!
During the show you may call in (if you want to comment on the topics on the table) at (646) 652-2940, or you may comment at politicalpistachio at yahoo dot com, or make comments as the show progresses live through Yahoo Messenger (my ID is douglasvgibbs).
When I mention the "Cut and Run" as voiced by Liberal politicians, or the idea of cutting funding to the troops, I am met with things like: "That is a Right-Wing myth." Not so. Problem is, with all of the flip flopping in the liberal ranks, when a politician states something they change what they say so much, and deny saying the previous, that what was really said becomes forgotten. A complete pullout of Iraq, and cutting funding, has been uttered a number of times by the left. Where are my sources? I read about it, and I didn't cut out and file the articles. And now, if you try to find some of this stuff on the world wide web, it's near impossible to find. Heck, I remember when Pelosi accused Bush of adding troops so quickly so that she couldn't cut funding for fear of being accused of placing those new troops in danger because of the cuts. Here's what I find interesting, though. I hear statements like: "The troops can't even secure the borders of Iraq. . . " and other statements that makes it sound like winning is impossible in Iraq. John Murtha, recently (saw it on Sunday on television while I was at the Veterans Administration Hospital for an MRI) said, "Iraq is unwinnable. . . we should pull out so that we can prepare for the real enemies, Iran and China." He also stated, "Numbers of terrorists in Iraq are inflated, and only number at 2,000."
That is still 2,000 too many. It only took 19 terrorists to kill over 3,000 Americans on 9/11. And he says our troops can't handle Iraq so let's get them ready for Iran and China? What? If idiots like Murtha thinks our troops are so incapable, then why would he want to get them ready for an even more complex enemy? Heck, if what he says is true, I'm surprised we survived all of the other wars in history.
Another issue that has surfaced in the comments is taxation. The left seems to think that because Conservatives complain on the over-taxation of the wealthy, that the Right desires dropping the higher brackets and raising the lower brackets to the point where the percentages are nearly even. That is insane. Where do these people get this junk? Conservatives don't expect a swing to the opposite extreme. But we, as a nation, have gotten to the point that we are starting to penalize success. The top 2% pays 80% of the taxes. That is a little extreme. Yes, it takes money to run government, but there is plenty coming in economically, I think, and many of the programs that are lauded by the Left should really be eliminated.
I take pride in my individualism, and self-reliance. I will not be reliant on the government, and I think it defeats human-spirit to do so.
Oh, and about profanity - you are right, disguising it is just as bad as writing it, and sometimes I do that (i.e. sh**head), and I ought not. I expect my commenters to follow suit. My excuse is not even good enough to publish, and I won't. But for those of you out there doing whatever you can to find holes, misswording, calling on contradictions (that often are not, your ability to see things in strictly absolutes only makes it look that way), and such, get a life. Read my posts, enjoy them, or don't. Debate in the comments section. But don't play stupid games. It's beginning to get on my nerves - and you know who you are.
Finally:
On Political Pistachio Radio this Saturday, I am attempting to make the show more like this blog (You know, seriously political with the occasional hint of humor when you least expect it), and less like a group phone call. The subjects I plan to touch on this Saturday are: Illegal Immigration, The Ten Commandments on Court Houses, Iraq, A showdown between two Mexicans and a black California Highway Patrol Officer I witnessed on the streets of Temecula (in California), Condi Rice as a possible candidate in 2008?, Political Correctness, and Barack Obama paying parking tickets 17 years late!
During the show you may call in (if you want to comment on the topics on the table) at (646) 652-2940, or you may comment at politicalpistachio at yahoo dot com, or make comments as the show progresses live through Yahoo Messenger (my ID is douglasvgibbs).
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Liberals may not understand this story, but for the rest of you: Enjoy!
A young woman was about to finish her first year of college. Like so many others her age, she considered herself a very liberal Democrat, and was very much in favor of the redistribution of wealth.
She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch Republican; a feeling she openly expressed. Based on the lectures that she had participated in, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harbored an evil, selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.
One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes on the rich and the addition of more government welfare programs. The self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth so she indicated so to her father. He responded by asking how she was doing in school.
Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 4.0 GPA, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other people she knew. She didn't even have time for a boyfriend, and didn't really have many college friends because she spent all her time studying.
Her father listened, and then asked, "How is your friend Audrey doing?"
She replied, "Audrey is barely getting by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies, and she barely has a 2.0 GPA. She is so popular on campus; college for her is a blast. She's always invited to all the parties, and lots of times she doesn't even show up for classes because she's too hung over."
Her wise father asked his daughter, Why don't you go to the Dean's office and ask him to deduct a 1.0 off your GPA and give it to your friend who only has a 2.0. That way you will both have a 3.0 GPA and certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA."
The daughter, visibly shocked by her father's suggestion, angrily fired back, "That wouldn't be fair! I have worked really hard for my grades! I've invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I worked my tail off!"
The father slowly smiled, winked, and said gently, "Welcome to the Republican Party."
Author unknown
She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch Republican; a feeling she openly expressed. Based on the lectures that she had participated in, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harbored an evil, selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.
One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes on the rich and the addition of more government welfare programs. The self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth so she indicated so to her father. He responded by asking how she was doing in school.
Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 4.0 GPA, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other people she knew. She didn't even have time for a boyfriend, and didn't really have many college friends because she spent all her time studying.
Her father listened, and then asked, "How is your friend Audrey doing?"
She replied, "Audrey is barely getting by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies, and she barely has a 2.0 GPA. She is so popular on campus; college for her is a blast. She's always invited to all the parties, and lots of times she doesn't even show up for classes because she's too hung over."
Her wise father asked his daughter, Why don't you go to the Dean's office and ask him to deduct a 1.0 off your GPA and give it to your friend who only has a 2.0. That way you will both have a 3.0 GPA and certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA."
The daughter, visibly shocked by her father's suggestion, angrily fired back, "That wouldn't be fair! I have worked really hard for my grades! I've invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I worked my tail off!"
The father slowly smiled, winked, and said gently, "Welcome to the Republican Party."
Author unknown
Monday, March 05, 2007
Liberalism and Psychology
You know, I have a few liberal commenters other than Mudkitty that spend a lot of time looking for things they perceive as contradictions on my part, or as "straw man" arguments, and the like. Gentlemen, I enjoy reading your commentary. It gives me a good laugh, and an insight into your ignorance.
One of them even accused me of being "uneducated" and not understanding what the scientific method is. If education means taking your viewpoint in life, then you can keep it.
However, I am educated, and contrary to your opinions, I don't only surround myself by Christian/Conservative news material. In fact, I often listen to NPR (gives me not only a good laugh sometimes, but insight), and I have a whole slew of liberal acquaintances and friends (hence, why I feel I can speak for the left in some cases).
Anyhow, some recent reading of mine (I am a voracious reader) in a Journal of Psychology (I don't subscribe to many of the opinions of psychology because more often than not it is in direct opposition to my Christian belief system) I was reading I found an article regarding a study that may explain Liberalism's tendency to make poor decisions.
I have been proclaiming for a while that the Left tends to make their decisions based on the emotional aspects of issues. "The poor children" "The poor women" etc. Now, before all of my lefty readers get all freaky, I am not saying that I don't care about the women and children, or people dying, or the horrors of war. I agree with you that I would rather have peace than war, but appeasing the enemy is nothing less than disasterous. Anyhow, back to my hypothesis, I believe that Liberals act upon emotion without thinking out all aspects of their decision. In other words, their emotions of how terrible war is, or what not, influences their ability to use logical reasoning to the point that rather than being deductive and logical, they make poor decisions, and even turn to hatefullness to proclaim their belief systems.
The Research Article I was reading in Psychological Science, 2004, Volume 15, Number 11, pages 745-752 (how's that for citing my sources?) is titled "Reasoning About Emotional and Neutral Materials - Is Logic Affected by Emotion?". To clarify, I don't normally read Journals of Psychology, Social Studies and History is more my cup of tea, but my wife is studying Psychology (just a couple classes away from her degree) and often I wind up reading her material, sometimes to help her with her homework, and sometimes because an article or subject catches my eye. Anyway, the experiments set out to investigate whether people reason differently when they reason with positive or negative emotionality as opposed to neutral emotionality.
Common sense has always prescribed that emotions have the ability to impair logical reasoning, and that a cool head is more rational than a hot head.
The investigators in this article desired to prove that wrong, believing that emotions promote sound thinking, rather than hinders it.
Of course there has to be some kind of degree of emotion, for that is what backs up one's belief system. Compassion, or anger, or whatever, is normally the root of a belief. But, being in an emotional state (positive or negative), according to this study, caused participants to make erroneous decisions.
Now, let's get back to Liberals. They tend to be the ones acting out on emotion before stopping and thinking about their decisions. Cindy Sheehan is a great example. The Anti-War Protests with the hate-filled speech and despicable acts is another example. Rosie O'Donnel's common comments that fill us with confused laughter, is yet another.
As for myself, emotion plays a limited role. I am not saying I am without compassion or emotion, only that when it comes to my politics I try to keep a level head when considering my positions. However, what does play a large role is a strong sense of right and wrong, and looking to tomorrow, which affects my decision making greatly. Ultimately, I have thousands of reasons for supporting our troops, supporting the war on terror, and having a willingness to support going into Iraq where I believe lived a powerful allie of terrorism. Thousands of reasons. Each of them died on 9-11-2001.
And for another reason for my view point, watch this video of Reagan on Gawfer's site.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Ann Coulter and John Edwards and the "faggot" comment
Yesterday on my Political Pistachio Radio Show, a caller asked me about Ann Coulter's comment that I am sure you all know about by now. If not, check it out here. Immediately, without being fully aware of exactly what was said, and how the whole thing transpired, I agreed that Ann Coulter was in the wrong, and set back the Conservative agenda.
Now that I have a little better perspective on what transpired, I take back what I said, and offer the following commentary instead.
When I first heard about this "faggot" comment by Ann Coulter, I was upset because she has proven before that she is a controversy hound, loves to stick it to the left no matter how tasteless, and often finds it difficult to come to logical conclusions regarding the issues without tossing around a little name calling. I am one that tries to take the high road, carefully explaining every point. My wife, sometimes, tells me to just get to the point, rather than qualifying everything I say.
Ann Coulter gets to the point, and she uses the same offensive language we use in our everyday dealings with people in the real world. One reason people are so upset about Ann Coulter's remark that basically called John Edwards a "faggot" is because we expect people in the public eye to have some kind of higher standard, and we seem to always be quick to call them on it when they fail to meet that standard. Personally, I think tendencies such as that is just an off-shoot of political correctness, and we should be ashamed of ourselves for having such a knee-jerk reaction. I, myself, as a conservative, am not going to lower myself to the same level of the liberals and bend over backward to appease the gay crowd, much less the liberal/Marxist movement in America.
Is what Ann said tasteless? Perhaps. You know, I work in the construction industry, and when a girly-boy shows up on a job site, we elbow each other, laugh hysterically, and say to each other, "Damn, what a faggot." Do we mean that the person is a homosexual? No, not necessarily. Does the fact that such conversation occurs make in right? Not really. But, to get to the point, "faggot" has become a slang-word for "girly-boy".
It is not really a verbal practice that I am proud of, using the word "faggot", or other words that I would not use in normal, mixed conversation. Speaking in such a way with my friends is perhaps a weakness of us men who don't accept the existence of men who have strong feminine tendencies. But why should I really care in the long run? Who am I trying to appease? Who is really offended here? The gays? Or a bunch of people looking for a reason to lynch a right-winger like Ann Coulter?
And since when does the conservative right really care what the gays are thinking? Most of us on the right believe that gays practice a perverted behavior "by choice" and have no business parading their perversion in front of the rest of us. Society has spent so many years cramming down our throats (no pun intended) that homosexuality should be accepted, condoned, and even promoted, that even those of us that have a problem with this sinful attitude are beginning to jump to defend them.
It comes down to this. If a liberal says something offensive, it was a bad joke, or misunderstood (Kerry is a good case in point). If a conservative utters something deemed offensive by someone on God's green earth, rather than receiving a free pass like a liberal would get, the offending conservative needs therapy, or needs to be dragged out into town square so that everyone can berate them for their unpardonable sin. This is left-wing hypocrisy at its best.
He who is without sin, throw the first stone.
Yes, it was irresponsible for Ann to give the left fuel for yet another attack against the Right. She should have kept her tongue on a leash, not necessarily because it was so wrong to say what she said, but to protect the Right from the flaming arrows being launched by the left.
But here's the other thing that I found fascinating. Left-wingers are always quick to point out how conservatives have made this thing called politics such a Right vs. Left battle. They cry out for bi-partisanship. "Can't we all just get along?" But the moment a right-winger steps out of line, the battle lines are drawn, the lefty battalions group together, and they all participate in that Right vs.Left war they were criticizing before. The left will do anything for votes. Ann should have been careful what she said, but not because it was so wrong. She should have been careful about what she said because the backlash from the left could be damaging, and enable the left to gain just a little more sympathy from those voters out there that are not sure which camp they belong to.
Now that I have a little better perspective on what transpired, I take back what I said, and offer the following commentary instead.
When I first heard about this "faggot" comment by Ann Coulter, I was upset because she has proven before that she is a controversy hound, loves to stick it to the left no matter how tasteless, and often finds it difficult to come to logical conclusions regarding the issues without tossing around a little name calling. I am one that tries to take the high road, carefully explaining every point. My wife, sometimes, tells me to just get to the point, rather than qualifying everything I say.
Ann Coulter gets to the point, and she uses the same offensive language we use in our everyday dealings with people in the real world. One reason people are so upset about Ann Coulter's remark that basically called John Edwards a "faggot" is because we expect people in the public eye to have some kind of higher standard, and we seem to always be quick to call them on it when they fail to meet that standard. Personally, I think tendencies such as that is just an off-shoot of political correctness, and we should be ashamed of ourselves for having such a knee-jerk reaction. I, myself, as a conservative, am not going to lower myself to the same level of the liberals and bend over backward to appease the gay crowd, much less the liberal/Marxist movement in America.
Is what Ann said tasteless? Perhaps. You know, I work in the construction industry, and when a girly-boy shows up on a job site, we elbow each other, laugh hysterically, and say to each other, "Damn, what a faggot." Do we mean that the person is a homosexual? No, not necessarily. Does the fact that such conversation occurs make in right? Not really. But, to get to the point, "faggot" has become a slang-word for "girly-boy".
It is not really a verbal practice that I am proud of, using the word "faggot", or other words that I would not use in normal, mixed conversation. Speaking in such a way with my friends is perhaps a weakness of us men who don't accept the existence of men who have strong feminine tendencies. But why should I really care in the long run? Who am I trying to appease? Who is really offended here? The gays? Or a bunch of people looking for a reason to lynch a right-winger like Ann Coulter?
And since when does the conservative right really care what the gays are thinking? Most of us on the right believe that gays practice a perverted behavior "by choice" and have no business parading their perversion in front of the rest of us. Society has spent so many years cramming down our throats (no pun intended) that homosexuality should be accepted, condoned, and even promoted, that even those of us that have a problem with this sinful attitude are beginning to jump to defend them.
It comes down to this. If a liberal says something offensive, it was a bad joke, or misunderstood (Kerry is a good case in point). If a conservative utters something deemed offensive by someone on God's green earth, rather than receiving a free pass like a liberal would get, the offending conservative needs therapy, or needs to be dragged out into town square so that everyone can berate them for their unpardonable sin. This is left-wing hypocrisy at its best.
He who is without sin, throw the first stone.
Yes, it was irresponsible for Ann to give the left fuel for yet another attack against the Right. She should have kept her tongue on a leash, not necessarily because it was so wrong to say what she said, but to protect the Right from the flaming arrows being launched by the left.
But here's the other thing that I found fascinating. Left-wingers are always quick to point out how conservatives have made this thing called politics such a Right vs. Left battle. They cry out for bi-partisanship. "Can't we all just get along?" But the moment a right-winger steps out of line, the battle lines are drawn, the lefty battalions group together, and they all participate in that Right vs.Left war they were criticizing before. The left will do anything for votes. Ann should have been careful what she said, but not because it was so wrong. She should have been careful about what she said because the backlash from the left could be damaging, and enable the left to gain just a little more sympathy from those voters out there that are not sure which camp they belong to.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
wow, what a week it has been & Environmentalism drives me nuts!
Folks ask me how I pull off maintaining the number of sites I manage, and to be honest, I am not sure. However, this week became difficult, and I posted intermittently. Of course, when I was at work, I was thinking non-stop about my blogs, and about today's radio show.
Anyhow, and dang it, I'm not whining (and no, I don't want any cheese with my whine either), all week I was up at 3 am, and with the exception of one day, home after 7pm. Leaves little time for blogging, much less answering e-mail.
Anyhow, enough of my moaning and groaning.
The real moaning and groaning has been going on in the comments section thanks to the arrival of a few more liberals. However, and I know my conservative readers can't figure me out on this one, I welcome the liberal readers as long as they play fair. Keeps me on my toes, and besides, I love a good debate. The comments at "A Night at the Television" post have been particularly interesting.
To make a point before you read the banter, I am not an environmentalist, but I do recognize that our environment needs to be cared about. Pollutants in the air is bad, ought to be diminished. Pollutants in the water makes it difficult to drink, expecially if you have to chew it. Any idiot can figure that out. But, I don't particularly care for extremists that act as do the enviromental kooks, and extremism is exactly what the environmental crowd tends to represent. Some of my ill feelings toward environmentalists stem from the fact that I used to work for a city (environmental impact reports are the worst, sometimes), and currently labor in the construction industry (don't you know, dirt is now a hazardous material!). They now place hay-rolls and sandbags around the dirt lots the houses are to be built upon to hold back the dirt. Fine. Too much dirt in the storm drains making its way to the beach must be a bad thing. Although, I wonder how the earth has made it this far with all that dirt flowing down rivers into the ocean for thousands of years? Gosh, perhaps that has something to do with all that sand on the beach.
Anyhow, dirt in the gutter, even a dirt clod's worth, can result in fines of unbelievable amounts ($25,000 and up), which the builder applies to the cost of the home. Hmmm, and people wonder why the cost of houses is so high.
So, to answer a person's question who stated that I believe that doing the right thing for the wrong reasons is as bad as doing the wrong thing for the right reasons - the answer is no. I believe doing the wrong thing for the wrong reasons is bad. And often, that is what environmentalists do. Their intentions are good, but my complaint is that their reasons have nothing to do with the environment. Motives, my friends. What sometimes makes something wrong is not what it is, but the motives behind it. Especially when it comes to devious political motives by loud-mouthed groups that think violent picketing and hate-filled speech will get them what they desire.
And remember, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
Oh, and if you get a chance, listen in on Political Pistachio Radio, today at 4pm Pacific/7pm Eastern. Mudkitty will call in at the get-go, and it should prove to be entertaining, since I never did answer a question by her about Mormons being Christians, and she never answered my question about the justifications of Iraq.
Tune in at: www.blogtalkradio.com/politicalpistachio
Call in to the show at: (646) 652-2940
Also, during the show you can send comments to my by Yahoo Messenger, ID: douglasvgibbs
or send "after the show" comments to politicalpistachio at yahoo dot com.
Anyhow, and dang it, I'm not whining (and no, I don't want any cheese with my whine either), all week I was up at 3 am, and with the exception of one day, home after 7pm. Leaves little time for blogging, much less answering e-mail.
Anyhow, enough of my moaning and groaning.
The real moaning and groaning has been going on in the comments section thanks to the arrival of a few more liberals. However, and I know my conservative readers can't figure me out on this one, I welcome the liberal readers as long as they play fair. Keeps me on my toes, and besides, I love a good debate. The comments at "A Night at the Television" post have been particularly interesting.
To make a point before you read the banter, I am not an environmentalist, but I do recognize that our environment needs to be cared about. Pollutants in the air is bad, ought to be diminished. Pollutants in the water makes it difficult to drink, expecially if you have to chew it. Any idiot can figure that out. But, I don't particularly care for extremists that act as do the enviromental kooks, and extremism is exactly what the environmental crowd tends to represent. Some of my ill feelings toward environmentalists stem from the fact that I used to work for a city (environmental impact reports are the worst, sometimes), and currently labor in the construction industry (don't you know, dirt is now a hazardous material!). They now place hay-rolls and sandbags around the dirt lots the houses are to be built upon to hold back the dirt. Fine. Too much dirt in the storm drains making its way to the beach must be a bad thing. Although, I wonder how the earth has made it this far with all that dirt flowing down rivers into the ocean for thousands of years? Gosh, perhaps that has something to do with all that sand on the beach.
Anyhow, dirt in the gutter, even a dirt clod's worth, can result in fines of unbelievable amounts ($25,000 and up), which the builder applies to the cost of the home. Hmmm, and people wonder why the cost of houses is so high.
So, to answer a person's question who stated that I believe that doing the right thing for the wrong reasons is as bad as doing the wrong thing for the right reasons - the answer is no. I believe doing the wrong thing for the wrong reasons is bad. And often, that is what environmentalists do. Their intentions are good, but my complaint is that their reasons have nothing to do with the environment. Motives, my friends. What sometimes makes something wrong is not what it is, but the motives behind it. Especially when it comes to devious political motives by loud-mouthed groups that think violent picketing and hate-filled speech will get them what they desire.
And remember, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
Oh, and if you get a chance, listen in on Political Pistachio Radio, today at 4pm Pacific/7pm Eastern. Mudkitty will call in at the get-go, and it should prove to be entertaining, since I never did answer a question by her about Mormons being Christians, and she never answered my question about the justifications of Iraq.
Tune in at: www.blogtalkradio.com/politicalpistachio
Call in to the show at: (646) 652-2940
Also, during the show you can send comments to my by Yahoo Messenger, ID: douglasvgibbs
or send "after the show" comments to politicalpistachio at yahoo dot com.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Booming Sounds at Camp Pendleton
I live on the other side of the hills from Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base. In the evenings sometimes I hear booming sounds coming from that direction, and I can only assume they are from various battle scenarios going on around base as a means of providing training for our troops.
When I was in the Navy, on my second ship, we participated in some of those war games. I was on a Tank Landing Ship (LST) at the time, so I became accustomed to amphibious operations. Sometimes we launched Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVs) which are basically floating tanks that can float to the shore and then track right up the beach with 25 Marines in each of their bellies. Sometimes my ship would actually pull up on the beach and the Marines would come running out of the Tank Deck onto the sand with their rifles at the ready.
Anyway, the sounds of the cannons booming, or whatever it is making the sounds over at Camp Pendleton, makes me wonder if it is anything close to what it is like living in Israel. That tiny little country is in the heart of terrorist activity, surrounded by the enemy on all borders (and within), and is constantly being bombarded with shells, rockets, or suicide bombers. Yet, despite all of that going on, Israel thrives as a nation. I read an article in my newspaper not to long ago how some Arabs living in Israel prefer Israel over Arab nations because of the freedoms afforded to them. In fact, an Arab just became acting president in Israel, the first member of Israel's minority Arab community to serve in Israel's top ceremonial post. Doubt if any Arab nation would allow that for a Christian or Jew.
Something else before I go. Remember that situation with a suicide bomber, and the Taliban claiming it was intended for Cheney in Afghanistan? Big story for the news, right? Wrong. It appeared on page 6 of my newspaper, the Press Enterprise. Instead, the front page was graced with a story about a boy accidently shot by his friend with Dad's gun, and the sudden drop of the stock market.
Speaking of the drop of stocks, I personally think that it was just a matter of "what goes up must come down" but that the market will steady itself quickly.
And if you wondered why I missed a day and a half of posting, came down to exhaustion from my job in the construction industry. I'll explain more about that on Saturday's Radio Show.
Oh, and one more thing; the Political Pistachio bumper stickers came in. Already have a few folks having theirs mailed out to them this weekend. If you want one, let me know by e-mail at douglasvgibbs at yahoo dot com, or at politicalpistachio at yahoo dot com. Send me your address, and I'll send you a bumper sticker at no cost to you. As for your address, once the bumper sticker is in the mail, you have my word that the address will be shredded.
Blessings,
Doug
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