Sunny - Hi 86 Lo 63 for Baghdad, Iraq
Sunny - Hi 68 Lo 43 for Qandahar, Afghanistan
Sunny - Hi 68 Lo 45 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Six Strings, Mt. Pleasant String Band



Ramble:

Just not ready to blog... with each passing day we walk away from the principles our Founding Fathers established...

Please don't misinterpret this as a personal throwing in of the towel... to the contrary... it is more of a convenience thing... Writing our political officials weekly from the local to federal level is time consuming and sucks all creativity out of me...

Besides, plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas...come before blogging.

If you are not actively contacting your Congressman and Senators on a regular basis.. please do so. Check my sidebar for easy links to Kentucky officials. Thank you notes are in order for 215 Congressmen that voted NO on HR.3962.

One other thing... Scooter Trash Husband and I have decided we will continue to NOT support the GOP. We will support specific campaigns... gone are the days of writing 1 check. New York District 23 was the deciding factor...

I leave you with the words from someone I miss... Ronald Wilson Reagan.

Speech to CPAC
February 6, 1977

[...] When a conservative states that the free market is the best mechanism ever devised by the mind of man to meet material needs, he is merely stating what a careful examination of the real world has told him is the truth.

When a conservative says that totalitarian Communism is an absolute enemy of human freedom he is not theorizing—he is reporting the ugly reality captured so unforgettably in the writings of Alexander Solzhenitsyn.

When a conservative says it is bad for the government to spend more than it takes in, he is simply showing the same common sense that tells him to come in out of the rain.

When a conservative quotes Jefferson that government that is closest to the people is best, it is because he knows that Jefferson risked his life, his fortune and his sacred honor to make certain that what he and his fellow patriots learned from experience was not crushed by an ideology of empire.

Conservatism is the antithesis of the kind of ideological fanaticism that has brought so much horror and destruction to the world. The common sense and common decency of ordinary men and women, working out their own lives in their own way—this is the heart of American conservatism today. Conservative wisdom and principles are derived from willingness to learn, not just from what is going on now, but from what has happened before. [...]

Read the entire speech here.

I'll return to regular Sunday postings as time allows.

P.S. Dear Kentucky or Anonymous or whoever you are-- I leave you with this glimpse into how serious I am... If given the opportunity to opt out of Social Security today... (I am 20-25 years away from retirement and have paid into Social Security for 24 years) I would do so in a heart beat.

Have a great week everyone!

Congressman Joe Wilson, I think I love you!!

Thanks - 55krc

Look Ma, No Hands!

Sunny w/ Sand - Hi 107 Lo 84 for Baghdad, Iraq
Sunny w/ Sand - Hi 100 Lo 75 for Qandahar, Afghanistan
Sunny - Hi 71 Lo 52 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: American Ride, Toby Keith



Toby Keith's newest. It's fun.

Ramble:

Senator Ted Kennedy died Tuesday night after a year long battle with brain cancer. I am saddened for his family. I watched the funeral yesterday and it was quite apparent that he was loved very much as a father, husband, grandfather, uncle and friend. How would you like to be part of that dynasty? Regardless of how you feel about them politically--- this is one strong clan. Right or wrong, when one of their own is in trouble the wagons are circled immediately. Ted Kennedy was the patriarch of that family. He was not only father to his own children, but a surrogate father to the children of his two murdered brothers. I can not imagine that kind of pain and sorrow and to endure it while the public watched. Ted Kennedy could have turned his back on his family, but as a person, as a living breathing soul he was obligated to care for his brothers children. I have always admired the pictures and old footage of the Kennedy's at funerals. They don't cry. Sadness and grief is done in private.

One can only speculate why Senator Kennedy pursued such legislation through out his nearly 50 years in office. I am sure it was out of passion and personal experience, possibly guilt and a search for redemption. He was hostile, malicious and in my opinion, liable during the Robert Bork hearings. His adversaries liked him and loved to spar with him. Only he and his Maker knew his heart. As a man, Ted Kennedy was funny, loved a good show tune, loved a good cocktail and enjoyed beautiful women. He was persistent and pragmatic. As a young man, he was caught cheating at Harvard. His penance was 16 months in the Army. Then 1 year after his brother Bobby was murdered, Ted Kennedy left a woman to die. Maybe he spent the rest of his life trying to redeem himself for that act or non-act... I don't know.

Politically, everything Senator Kennedy achieved was based on good intentions. No one should suffer, no one should go hungry, everyone in this country has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It says "the pursuit", it does not say life, liberty and happiness.... it says the pursuit of happiness. Each one of us as individuals must make that determination as to what makes us happy. Then it is up to each one of us to work toward that goal and strive for our potential. It is my contention that our federal government is there to provide for our basic needs--- strong military, roads, that's about it. Everything else should be governed by the individual states. That is what our Constitution provides.

HOWEVER, it is our MORAL obligation to care for the poor, the sick, the less fortunate. Our government was never intended to be our Mama and Papa. We as human beings, as individuals, as people, as children of God are obligated to care for one another. Love and care can not be legislated by Congress... it can not be sent down as a Judicial decision or an Executive order.

Senator Kennedy wrote a letter to Pope Benedict. He probably asked for a blessing or forgiveness. In response, "One veteran official at the Vatican, of U.S. nationality, expressed the view of many conservatives about the Kennedy clan's rapport with the Catholic Church: "Why would he even write a letter to the Pope? The Kennedy's have always been defiantly in opposition to the Roman Catholic magisterium." (Magisterium is the formal term for the authority of Church teaching.)"

Time Magazine

I go back to the vision I have of the Kennedy family... strong tightly knit family that takes care of their own. That is the micro vision to the macro vision of what this country should be again.

I was not a fan... never was. His body of work shows that he was concerned about the human spirit. His intentions were admirable yet misguided. The dichotomy was the the other half of the man. He did some horrible unimaginable things and his opposition to fundamental Church teachings make for a mixed bag...

A person is to be judged by the totality of his actions. Senator Kennedy will be judged by his Maker. Time will tell how he is portrayed in history.

Have a great week everyone!

I Kept My Oath... Do You Ever Intend to Keep Yours?

Reason # 1989

Why I love Marines

*** gotta watch this one *** the best part is the end...not just what this Marine says, but what he does... very sweet and important.

The Alleged Tendency of the New Plan to Elevate the Few at the Expense of the Many Considered in Connection with Representation

Our Founding Fathers thought of everything. The Federalist Papers were written to assure the people of the colonies that forming a Republic would not infringe upon individual or states rights. James Madison one of the authors of the Federalist Papers and of course one of our Founding Fathers most assuredly is vomiting in his own grave...

"In the third place, those ties which bind the representative to his constituents are strengthened by motives of a more selfish nature. His pride and vanity attach him to a form of government which favors his pretensions and gives him a share in its honors and distinctions. Whatever hopes or projects might be entertained by a few aspiring characters, it must generally happen that a great proportion of the men deriving their advancement from their influence with the people, would have more to hope from a preservation of the favor, than from innovations in the government subversive of the authority of the people."

"I will add, as a fifth circumstance in the situation of the House of Representatives, restraining them from oppressive measures, that they can make no law which will not have its full operation on themselves and their friends, as well as on the great mass of the society. This has always been deemed one of the strongest bonds by which human policy can connect the rulers and the people together. It creates between them that communion of interests and sympathy of sentiments, of which few governments have furnished examples; but without which every government degenerates into tyranny. If it be asked, what is to restrain the House of Representatives from making legal discriminations in favor of themselves and a particular class of the society? I answer: the genius of the whole system; the nature of just and constitutional laws; and above all, the vigilant and manly spirit which actuates the people of America, a spirit which nourishes freedom, and in return is nourished by it."

Go read the rest of the Federalist #57 here.

Seriously... go.

The Nazi's Made the Jews Wear Flair

Sunny - Hi 108 Lo 85 for Baghdad, Iraq
Sunny - Hi 110 Lo 82 for Qandahar, Afghanistan
Scattered Showers - Hi 79 Lo 63 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Three Imaginary Boys, The Cure - 1979

I have always loved The Cure-- I think it was 1981 when I first remember hearing them... Boys Don't Cry... I had such a crush on Robert Smith.... before the heavy make up and huge Aqua Net hair... as he became more of a caricature, the more dark and brooding the music became... and I obediently followed. As much as I would have liked to think of myself as dark and brooding.... I could only sustain that darkness for so long... although it is a place I am quite comfortable even to this day... it gets awfully lonely... it is better to be surrounded by light and love.



Ramble:

OK... So... the President has a beer with a racist and a cop (and the "VP").... Cash for Clunkers is already without funds...so the House has approved another $2 billion...nice... You have Nancy Pelosi calling insurance companies the villains.. and the House of Representatives has voted to place a cap on what bankers can make in pay and bonuses.... then my favorite... The White House now accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express from dining guests... when they are from "big evil business". And this is the stuff that is happening here in the United States... The insanity taking place globally is just as frightening...maybe even more frightening...

So... that's enough...for this week... I can't take anymore of this... Saturday, Scooter Trash Husband and I went to see The Hangover. Oh dear gawd... this movie is so funny... so sophomoric... it's up there with Office Space, Anchorman, Wedding Singer, Wild Hogs, and There's Something About Mary-- except... even more raunchy and even more sophomoric... My sis in law would absolutely HATE this movie. Lots of guy humor... The language is repulsive and there is full frontal nudity... of men... yep... that's right...lots of boobs too... at the end of the movie. Dude from The Office, Ed Helms is too funny. I love him even more now.

All right.. so, I'm on Facebook now... trying to figure that out. I'm in to double digit friends now, so that's good and I'm not feeling completely friendless. So, anyway... there are these games... I'm not quite following the purpose of them, but apparently I am playing and gaining points.. how, I'm not quite sure... in any event... I guess I'll keep playing until I can figure out how to make them go away. However on a fun note, my niece sent me a piece of Flair... and I love it... This caused me to go and seek out more Flair...

What is Flair you ask? According to Urban Dictionary, the most popular definition is, "Buttons and other decorative accessories added to a work uniform, esp. at chain restaurants. Almost universally despised by restaurant workers and customers alike."

The common everyday person became aware of Flair after the 1999 movie, Office Space. However, I think the first movie to introduce Flair was Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Mike Damone, the ticket scalper had a certain Flair... usually only one or two pieces at any given time.

I have a confession... I have my own Flair.. My Flair predates both movies... My Flair is now called vintage...(ooohhhh... ahhhh....) circa 1980.... nearly 30 years old... Back in the day, I wore my Flair on my Dad's USMC wool overcoat or on one of my many army surplus purchases... So I must thank dear Shauna for reminding me of this. Here are a few photos.... click to enlarge











Walk across the garden
In the footsteps of my shadow
See the lights out
No one's home
In amongst the statues
Stare at nothing in
The garden moves
Can you help me?

Close my eyes
And hold so tightly
Scared of what the morning brings
Waiting for tomorrow
Never comes
Deep inside
The empty feeling
All the night time leaves me
Three imaginary boys

Slipping through the door
Hear my heart beats in the hallway
Echoes
Round and round
Inside my head
Drifting up the stairs
I see the steps behind me
Disappearing
Can you help me?

Close my eyes
And hold so tightly
Scared of what the morning brings
Waiting for tomorrow
Never comes
Deep inside
The empty feeling
All the night time leaves me
Three imaginary boys sing in my
Sleep sweet child
The moon will change your mind

See the cracked reflection
Standing still
Before the bedroom mirror
Over my shoulder
But no one's there
Whispers in the silence
Pressing close behind me
Pressing close behind
Can you help me?
Can you help me?


Have a great week everyone!

Unemployment on the Rise

Sunny - Hi 108 Lo 88 for Baghdad, Iraq
Sunny - Hi 107 Lo 78 for Qandahar, Afghanistan
Scattered Showers - Hi 73 Lo 59 for Northern KY, USA --IT'S JULY!

Song of the week: Both Sides Now, Joni Mitchell

This song takes on a different meaning when 40 years have passed since it's first recording.




FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted preliminary unemployment rate for June 2009 reached a near 26-year high of 10.9 percent from a revised 10.7 percent in May 2009, according to the Office of Employment and Training (OET), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet. June 2009’s jobless rate was the highest since the August 1983 figure of 11.1 percent.

Kentucky.gov

Regional and state unemployment rates were generally higher in June. Thirty-eight states and the District of Columbia recorded over-the-month unemployment rate increases, 5 states registered rate decreases, and 7 states had no rate change, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Over the year, jobless rates were higher in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The national unemployment rate, at 9.5 percent, was little changed between May and June, but was up 3.9 percentage points from a year earlier.

U.S. Department of Labor

Keep nationalizing businesses and keep on taxing us... yeah... that'll help.

Have a great week everyone!

That Bitch Doesn't Get It

Real Racism--- I heard this clip on talk radio yesterday... but to see this... this... piece of work and her underbelly being exposed for what she really is... Wake up folks... Just pat the little black man on the head, march him out for everyone to see...tell him what and how he should think... completely and utterly obnoxious...

I can state I have not been this pissed off about anything in I can't tell you how long. I've always known that Liberals are racists... but to see that behavior... to hear that tone of voice...

May I remind the Senator from California of the words of a preacher,"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

Mr. Alford, Thank you for your service and thank you for speaking out. We need men like you to represent this country and lead it out of the dark days we are in.

However, please be careful... you could be the next Joe the Plumber... I already found a couple of not nice articles.

IRS Dictates 1st Amendment Rights

Where is my rock? I need to crawl under a rock... or maybe sand.. yeah... I stick my head in some sand and this will all go away...

The Internal Revenue Service has told members of the Coalition for Life of Iowa they would have to give up their 1st Amendment rights in order to be recognized as a non-profit organization, according to a complaint being pursued by members of the Thomas More Society.

Read the entire article here.

Algore... Calls for Global Governance

It just keeps getting more and more bizarre...

Former Vice President Al Gore, whose "An Inconvenient Truth" video epistle on the claims of global warming has not weathered recent scientific research, now has promised at a conference in the United Kingdom that the impending virtual energy tax under the U.S. "cap-and-trade" legislation will bring about "global governance."

Be sure to read the entire article here.

Do You Take One Lump or Two Lumps With Your Tea?

It's nearly time.

I'll be with you all in spirit but who knows, maybe I'll find a couple of folks at work interested in attending a tea party at lunch.

God Speed to those of you attending-- Please be careful--- be safe--- do not let any protestor-trolls bait you into anything but a peaceful protest.

Take lots of pictures and videos. Document. Document. Document.

Squirmy Squirm Squirm

Thank you to the Harvard student for standing up and asking a question. My oh my... Barney sure is sensitive to a simple question....

Link:

Where Eagles Soar

Mostly Sunny - Hi 81 Lo 66 for Baghdad, Iraq
Rain - Hi 73 Lo 55 for Qandahar, Afghanistan
Scattered Thunderstorms - Hi 70 Lo 44 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: When The Sh*t Hits The Fan, CJ



In a sluggish economy
Inflation, Recession,
Hits the Land of the Free.
Standing on an employment line.
Blame the government for hard times.
We just get by, however we can.
We all gotta duck when the shit hits the fan.
Ten kids in a Cadillac,
Standing in line for welfare checks.
"Let's all reach off the state."
"Gee the money's really great!"
We just get by, however we can.
We all gotta duck when the sh*t hits the fan.
Soup lines.
Free loaves of bread.
Five pound blocks of cheese.
Bags of groceries.
Social Security,
Has run out on You and Me.
We do whatever we can,
Gotta duck when the sh*t hits the fan......

When I was in high school I went through a two to three year period from being a born again Christian to being anti-establishment. It was during my angry year that I discovered bands like Black Flag, Dead Kennedy's, Ramones, Patti Smith, The Damned, Clash, and of course CJ. It's funny... I've written here before... a song is very personal, it can take you back to a different time and place. The miracle of music is that it can change meaning over time. This song has a whole new meaning for me today...

Podcast of the week: Dr. Roy Spencer- Global Warming Is Not Man Made Young Americas Foundation Author and scientist Dr. Roy Spencer presents data to students that global warming is primarily a natural occurrence. This speech took place at Young America’s Foundation’s National Conservative Student Conference. Length: 00:40:46

There is no doubt in my mind that the top folks pushing Global Warming now known as "Climate Change" are pushing a socialist agenda. These people want us to not have stuff... to live more simply... Now, mind you- there is nothing wrong with living more simply. However, my husband and I and every single solitary person in this country has the right to pursue our happiness... our dream.. So... get off me you effing liberals--- I suspect this is one of the reasons Rick Wagoner, former CEO for GM was terminated by the President of the United States... Rick Wagoner made the biggest gas guzzling vehicle on the road... the GMC Yukon. OH.. he must be evil. My God. the President of the United States terminated the CEO... Good GAWD!! Where do we live? Since when does the government have authority over a private business? DO YOU SEE THE DANGERS OF TAKING HANDOUTS? Be it a company or a solitary person... once you accept a handout from the government... the government owns you. You lose freedom... you lose liberty. YOU LOSE. I digress. Anyway, my brother has one of these baby's and it is really nice.... really... Mr. Wagoner made these because up until gas prices shot up last summer, people wanted these behemoths. The people wanted them...

Our neighbor's young daughter, Danielle has an electric car... quite frankly... hers is larger than the yellow one pictured above...

Ramble:

I'm disgusted by everything in Washington. What the heck are they doing to our country? I think I'm going to post something over at my other place about a "little tax" that went into effect on April 1. So, rather than go on another ramble I offer you a diversion.

Cindy sent this link to me and it has really struck my interest. The link is to a live web cam watching an eagles nest in West Virgina over the Potomac River. There is an eaglet and some may think watching a couple of eagles- Mom and Pop raising a baby may be like watching paint dry, but I can guarantee it is not. I was pretty sad yesterday, but watching them take care of this defenseless baby... poking at him when he was sleeping as if to check to see if he was breathing... I don't know... it gave me some hope... not like the kind in the White House. Watching the symbol of our nation has provided me with inspiration. So, enjoy... Here are two links-- the first is to the live web cam, the second is to the blog. web cam and blog. At the time I am typing this, Mom and Dad have both left the nest. Baby is sleeping soundly. I'll be adding both links to my sidebar. Thanks BBH!

Have a great week everyone!