Don't worry, this isn't another fawning report about how great the President has done during his first 100 days in office. Instead, its me figuratively "shaking my head" in disbelief at how many over-blown puff pieces have been written on the topic. Most incredible of all is the fact that Obama actually held a press conference and rally to commemorate and analyze his 100 day performance.
The Democrat & Chronicle issued yet another flattering editorial about Mr. Obama today. There is nothing about the President that Jim Lawrence doesn't like. He is even amazed at Obama's ability to handle "softball questions".
Even more amazing was the AP report which exclaimed that Obama remains popular despite the many problems he is facing. The report cites the fact that 48% of Americans think the country is on the right track. If George Bush was still President, that would be proof that a majority of Americans can't stand our government.
Obama can keep campaigning and the media can keep on spinning. Soon however, the bill for the left-wing policies Obama is foisting on the country will come due. When that happens, Jim Lawrence and the rest of Obama's media cheer-leaders, will have a really hard time explaining that bill away.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Specter's Switch
Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter's party switch led me to a number of thoughts.
First, given that Specter was first a Democrat who switched to the GOP, I was reminded of Winston Churchill's comments about party switching. He said something to the effect that "anyone can rat (switch parties) but it takes real style to re-rat".
It is rather sad that Specter, 79 years old and a cancer survivor, wants so badly to cling to his job that he would switch parties after 29 years in the Senate. Does he really think he's indispensable? Like most career politicians, it appears the answer is yes.
It also really irks me that the Bush White House and the GOP National Committee supported him in 2004 against Pat Toomey's primary challenge. When will the national GOP figure out that RINO's are not the answer?
Finally, I hope that the voters in PA send the Senator the same message another Englishman, Oliver Cromwell, sent to the "Long Parliament":
"It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonored by your contempt of all virtue, .....Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation; you were deputed here by the people to get grievances redress'd, are yourselves gone!
So! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors.
In the name of God, go!"
It's a message the GOP should give to all of its RINO's
First, given that Specter was first a Democrat who switched to the GOP, I was reminded of Winston Churchill's comments about party switching. He said something to the effect that "anyone can rat (switch parties) but it takes real style to re-rat".
It is rather sad that Specter, 79 years old and a cancer survivor, wants so badly to cling to his job that he would switch parties after 29 years in the Senate. Does he really think he's indispensable? Like most career politicians, it appears the answer is yes.
It also really irks me that the Bush White House and the GOP National Committee supported him in 2004 against Pat Toomey's primary challenge. When will the national GOP figure out that RINO's are not the answer?
Finally, I hope that the voters in PA send the Senator the same message another Englishman, Oliver Cromwell, sent to the "Long Parliament":
"It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonored by your contempt of all virtue, .....Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation; you were deputed here by the people to get grievances redress'd, are yourselves gone!
So! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors.
In the name of God, go!"
It's a message the GOP should give to all of its RINO's
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Hanson's Latest On Obama
Victor Davis Hanson puts President Obama in historical perspective as he describes the President's performance on his recent world tour in this article from the National Review OnLine.
Hanson is on the mark, as usual. I particularly like his description of Obama as "President of the World". Also fascinating is Hanson's take on European leader's reactions to the President.
Its a bit long but a worthwhile read.
Hanson is on the mark, as usual. I particularly like his description of Obama as "President of the World". Also fascinating is Hanson's take on European leader's reactions to the President.
Its a bit long but a worthwhile read.
Steve Minarik
As most everyone knows, former County GOP Chairman Steve Minarik died suddenly on Easter Sunday. The news was stunning and it has taken me a while to write anything about Steve's passing.
Steve was the County GOP Chairman during my entire tenure as Gates GOP leader. Along with Ralph Esposito, he was one of the greatest political minds I ever knew. He had a lot of critics; that's because he was a leader. He made decisions and he did not care what people thought except that they believed he did what he felt was best for the party he led.
It was an honor to work with him. He will be sorely missed.
My condolences to his wife and children.
Steve was the County GOP Chairman during my entire tenure as Gates GOP leader. Along with Ralph Esposito, he was one of the greatest political minds I ever knew. He had a lot of critics; that's because he was a leader. He made decisions and he did not care what people thought except that they believed he did what he felt was best for the party he led.
It was an honor to work with him. He will be sorely missed.
My condolences to his wife and children.
Give Them What They Want
It appears that Somali pirates went on a hijacking rampage in "retaliation" for American and French actions in killing pirates who were holding hostages. Their revenge included taking 4 boats with 60 hostages on board.
One pirate was quoted as follows: "Our latest hijackings were meant to show that no one can deter us from protecting our waters from the enemy because we believe in dying for our land".
I recently saw a bumper sticker regarding Islamic terrorists which sums up how I feel about the pirate's statement. In sum it said "[They] want to meet Allah; we should arrange the meeting." Well, if these pirates "believe in dying for their land", we should give them what they want.
Hopefully, President Obama will realize he made the correct decision in authorizing the use of deadly force to rescue the transport captain. That was only round one. Its time to send the message that piracy will not be tolerated.
One pirate was quoted as follows: "Our latest hijackings were meant to show that no one can deter us from protecting our waters from the enemy because we believe in dying for our land".
I recently saw a bumper sticker regarding Islamic terrorists which sums up how I feel about the pirate's statement. In sum it said "[They] want to meet Allah; we should arrange the meeting." Well, if these pirates "believe in dying for their land", we should give them what they want.
Hopefully, President Obama will realize he made the correct decision in authorizing the use of deadly force to rescue the transport captain. That was only round one. Its time to send the message that piracy will not be tolerated.
Monday, April 6, 2009
The Sum Of All My Fears
I am fast becoming a big fan of Mark Steyn.
Mark is a naturalized citizen, who immigrated to the U.S. from England. He is witty and satirical and his articles always leave me laughing while realizing that, if he's right, we are in big trouble. Unfortunately, I think he's right about the direction the U.S. is taking under the new Democrat majority in Washington.
In this article, Steyn describes the plans of the Obama Administration and Congressional Democrats as "Europeanization" of America. I don't think he's far off base. Clearly, Obama's plans are the biggest expansion of government power over our lives in the history of America.
Read the article, but the part that worries me most is the point that Europe paid the costs of its "safety net" by eviscerating military budgets. They could do so because the U.S. was always there to back them up. But what happens when Obama decides to pay for his massive over-spending by cutting down our military?
Who will restrain Russia, China and Iran then?
Those of us who are in our 50's or older need not worry. We will be taken care of by the nanny state. And, the worst ramifications of these plans aren't likely to hit in our lifetimes.
But, God save our kids.
Mark is a naturalized citizen, who immigrated to the U.S. from England. He is witty and satirical and his articles always leave me laughing while realizing that, if he's right, we are in big trouble. Unfortunately, I think he's right about the direction the U.S. is taking under the new Democrat majority in Washington.
In this article, Steyn describes the plans of the Obama Administration and Congressional Democrats as "Europeanization" of America. I don't think he's far off base. Clearly, Obama's plans are the biggest expansion of government power over our lives in the history of America.
Read the article, but the part that worries me most is the point that Europe paid the costs of its "safety net" by eviscerating military budgets. They could do so because the U.S. was always there to back them up. But what happens when Obama decides to pay for his massive over-spending by cutting down our military?
Who will restrain Russia, China and Iran then?
Those of us who are in our 50's or older need not worry. We will be taken care of by the nanny state. And, the worst ramifications of these plans aren't likely to hit in our lifetimes.
But, God save our kids.
Better Than I Think?
As you know, I'm a pretty big critic of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle. But lately, I've been beginning to think I may be a little harsh.
After all, there are some pretty big and well-regarded newspapers which have folded or are on the ropes. The Rocky Mountain News and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer are gone and the Philadelphia Inquirer, San Francisco Chronicle, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, and Boston Globe are among the walking wounded.
So far, Gannett is not talking bankruptcy or closure for the D&C. At this point, employee furloughs are the worst case. The D&C has made a real effort at capturing internet readership, too. Plus, Rochester turns out to be a city where a big percentage of the population read newspapers.
Well, I'm not going to stop criticising the editorial perspective, but I guess I have to give Gannett some credit for (so far) staying ahead of the curve on the demise of newspapers.
After all, there are some pretty big and well-regarded newspapers which have folded or are on the ropes. The Rocky Mountain News and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer are gone and the Philadelphia Inquirer, San Francisco Chronicle, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, and Boston Globe are among the walking wounded.
So far, Gannett is not talking bankruptcy or closure for the D&C. At this point, employee furloughs are the worst case. The D&C has made a real effort at capturing internet readership, too. Plus, Rochester turns out to be a city where a big percentage of the population read newspapers.
Well, I'm not going to stop criticising the editorial perspective, but I guess I have to give Gannett some credit for (so far) staying ahead of the curve on the demise of newspapers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
