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.
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.
Sunny - Hi 112 Lo 87 for Baghdad, Iraq Sunny - Hi 108 Lo 74 for Qandahar, Afghanistan Isolated Thunderstorms - Hi 85 Lo 64 for Northern KY, USA
Song of the week: Der fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman), Richard Wagner
The Flying Dutchman by Richard Wagner is a romantic opera. Wagner's earliest opera was based on the legend of the Dutch captain who defied Satan to prevent him rounding the Cape in a storm. He was condemned to sail the seas until Judgment Day, unless redeemed by a woman's love. Read more here.
Young Americas Foundation Chicago talk show host Sandy Rios reveals the horror stories of life in socialist countries. This speech took place at Young America’s Foundation’s Midwest Conference. Running Time: 00:43:09
Ramble:
Scooter Trash Husband and I have been hitting the history books of late. We've been watching lots of documentaries all the while trying to keep up with the rapid pace of all that is occurring today. Americans have been witness to extraordinary times. My grandparents stand in disbelief as events unfold. I can not imagine their point of perspective on this.. For God's sake... they fought this form of tyranny 60 years ago. We have forgotten already? There is no doubt we are marching towards Socialism. There is an apathy and indifference that has taken hold of the people. Who can forget the young woman during the elections that believed when then President-elect Obama would get into office, she need not worry about paying for gas for her car or her mortgage? In observing young people today... those that have just entered the work force do not go beyond what is absolutely required to perform their job duties. And even younger people (those in high school)do not see anything wrong with spreading the wealth... Yes... yes indeed.. timing is everything.
In looking at Socialism and Communism throughout history, there is this slow ooze of change... if ever so slight... for a very long time... little things really.. nothing of any consequence or real substance but then all of a sudden and virtually overnight with a fury of lightning speed major changes occur and for the common working soul it is overwhelming and there are so many things happening simultaneously, it is hard to keep up with all of it.
What are the "slow oozes of change"? Well, seatbelt laws and smoking bans would have been unheard of in the 1950's. Sure sure.... we can say we didn't know the safety and health risks... ok... what about baggy pants laws? If some dopey goofy kid wants to walk around with his pants hanging down to his hips and his parents are too stupid and pathetic and apathetic to say no... who am I to dictate what is fashion? I can always say no--- no shirt, no shoes, no baggy pants in my establishment... Why does this have to be mandated by government? What about Zero tolerance laws? Are you kidding me? Yah... the 16 year old girl with Midol gets expelled from school... unreal... What about neighborhood association rules? You know the ones I'm talking about... You as a HOMEOWNER can not paint your house purple with pink polka dots... or You as a HOMEOWNER have to have a particular type of mailbox or have to store your trash cans in a particular area... or You as a HOMEOWNER can not have 150 pink tacky plastic flamingos in your front yard (we have 2 in our front yard so that's different... thanks Rob and Jo) or You as a HOMEOWNER can not put your 4 beater cars up on cinder blocks in your front yard... Sure... these are all to keep the neighborhood free of looking like Hillbilly Heaven... but what about You as the HOMEOWNER not being permitted to place a flag pole in your front yard? What? You can't fly Old Glory? No common sense in anything anymore... Has anyone checked the Constitution on this? Does anyone realize these are all UNCONSTITUTIONAL? But because, we are more interested in aesthetics... well... we'll just let that slide...
So while the masses are entertained by Panem and Circuses such as the Paris Hilton's and Perez Hilton's and Michael Jackson's (or err uh... ex-Michael Jackson's) we have handed our banks over to the Federal Government... We have handed over 2 car manufacturers to the Federal Government... The House of Representatives has passed cap and tax.... Honestly... on Global Warming? We are on the verge of having nationalized health care. How many Executive Orders has President Obama issued? How many Czars has President Obama appointed because there were not enough seats at his Cabinet table? What exactly does a "Special Master of Compensation (Pay Czar)" do? All the while the undertow of becoming a Godless nation continues. The bias of mainstream media is blatant... I'm not writing about Democrats vs. Republicans... Like a growing number of conservatives I have little use for any politicians. I'm writing about conservative vs. liberal, right vs. wrong, good vs. evil, real science vs. junk science, religion vs. new age.... I'm talking about common sense. I'm talking about the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. AHHHH!!! I'm so frustrated!!
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." - George Santayana
An interesting timeline of the rise of Nationalsozialismus (Nationalized Socialism) can be found at Shoah Education.
This was one of the best interviews I have ever heard. The fluidity of conversation between Brian and Harald was truly appreciated. I was introduced to Mr. Zieger along with 5000 other Cincinnati Tea Party participants. His story is one of escape from oppression in East Germany. His story is one of cherished freedom and fear of it being lost once again. Mr. Zeiger is just a regular guy. Imagine having a personal file that consisted of 8000 pages... Yes. 8000 pages. Let me offer some context- The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown is 454 pages. William Bennett's America The Last Best Hope Volume I is 572 pages including notes and index. 8000 pages on a regular guy. If you do anything today... please... please listen or download this podcast. Be inspired.
Ramble:
My head is reeling. After the onset of the War on Terror in Iraq, I stayed with it and kept informed and stayed active in my support for our military, in support of our Commander in Chief. About three years ago, I had to tune it all out-- especially when the focus turned to politics and the presidential election. My head was ready to explode and I just needed a vacation. It wasn't until about nine months prior to the November 2008 elections did I tune back in. I now feel the urge to tune back out... but I can not. It is my responsibility to stay informed and to do my part to preserve our incredible nation. There is so much we need to watch. I alone can not remain vigilant and watch everything that is occurring in our country. Yes... it's the economy, stupid. We are being taxed and taxed. Our money has no value. My 401K is a 101K. I know I know... but while we are focused on that... the creepy crawlies are out in force and I am compelled to watch all the different tentacles of of the Legislative, Executive and Judicial Branches of our government instead of zoning out with a trashy romance novel... I now have to keep an eye on what this "mandatory volunteerism" or the prettier more PC "GIVE Act", H.R. 1388 is.... Embryonic Stem cell research,Card Check, anti-gun legislation, the Fairness Doctrine aka Localism has taken a back seat and run the news cycle for the time being,and the United Nations and all their incredible work...
I suppose what concerns me more than anything else is our children. My ears always perk up when I hear a politician say, "we have to think of the children." It turns my blood cold. Although Scooter Trash Husband and I do not have any children of our own, my thoughts and concern goes immediately to our nieces and nephews and children of our friends. I feel horrible a million... make that a trillion different ways. I started perusing Birth to Five Policy I don't know what this means... There is so much. Of course... our children are most important. That is clearly defined. The "HOW" part is what is obscure and unclear... There is no doubt- The Stimulus Plan is all over all the links associated with this program. What are the intentions? Yes... I know... I sound conspiratorial... Please someone enlighten me. I did not realize and forgive my ignorance... but I thought education was fundamental. Reading, writing, math, science and history... Why is money being put towards understanding the development of a brain? Why is the money not going towards rewarding excellent teachers? Where are the vouchers?
What is happening? Why is everything so complicated? Where is my country?
Oh. One other thing. Make no mistake... I'm not afraid. I'm pissed.
It is hard to keep up with all the national and world events. One that has caught the collective eye of many of the blogs I read is Bill H.R. 45.... Michael and I were at a little party and a comment was made in response to a comment I made about Armageddon being around the corner. The reply of the young lady turned my blood cold, as it is someone I love very much. She said that this was a scare initiated by the NRA.... Now, I have no doubt her flippant reply was in response to my flippant comment, however, her sentiment is one that can be read all over the Internet. My Grandfather's voice is in my head... "The Socialists in this country are going to do their best to disarm the American people."
"It" is H.R. 45: Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009. This bill was introduced in the 111th Congress by U. S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) on Jan. 6, 2009. Failing to attract any co-sponsors, it was referred for consideration to the House Committee on the Judiciary, where it now rests awaiting further action.
This bill is sweeping in its gun control proposals. Its summary description reads, "To provide for the implementation of a system for licensing for purchasers of certain firearms and for a record of sale system for those firearms, and for other purposes."
If enacted, this bill would prohibit anyone from owning any type of handgun without obtaining a license for such ownership. The same would be true for any semiautomatic firearm that can accept any detachable ammunition-feeding device.
Further, all sales of these firearms would have to go through a licensed dealer. The bill also directs the Attorney General to establish and run a federal record-of-sale system. And it would make it a criminal act not to register as an owner of a firearm. Read more at ESPN Outdoors.
Stop the ACLU has details on the bill. A few things that caught my eye in the bill are: gun owners would be required to be photographed and thumb printed, testing would be required--- and the gun owner is required to notify the feds of any change of address, or if your gun is lost or stolen, but the best catch all- any other subjects, as the Attorney General determines to be appropriate.
There are fewer and fewer of The Greatest Generation to remind us of tyranny and what can happen when our rights are slowly and quietly taken away... "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." We are on our way folks...if we do nothing...
Call your Congressman (I have links on my sidebar)... So far this is just sitting in Committee... let it die there.
I'm working on a new blog idea-- I'm calling it The Slippery Slope. It's not quite ready, but feel free to take a sneak peak if you like. I intend to keep track of all the initiatives, executive orders, policy changes, and laws that erode our liberties... starting with seat belt and helmet laws, smoking bans, and baggy pants laws. This is the slippery slope that leads to legislative proposals such as gun control laws... If you have something you would like to contribute, please let me know... it is going to be a huge task but I hope to illustrate how our liberties are at risk.
Scooter Trash Hubby made an interesting observation in the car the other day. We were listening to the radio and national news came on... One of the items reported was about a car accident killing 5 or 6. Now no doubt this is profoundly sad... but why is this NATIONAL news?
Sunny - Hi 73 Lo 52 for Baghdad, Iraq Mostly Sunny - Hi 66 Lo 42 for Qandahar, Afghanistan Mostly Cloudy - Hi 40 Lo 24 for Northern KY, USA
Song of the week: SOS, ABBA
For those of you that have been visiting me since I started blogging know that I am a closet fan of ABBA. And when ABBA makes it as a cornerstone to my weekly post as the Sunday Song, it is a tell tale sign I am down in the dumps. This past week was trying on several fronts... personally- spiritually and emotionally, politically, monetarily, and work of course was another factor. So, Agnetha, Benny, Bjorn, and Frida ---take me away! By the way-- what is Frida's real name? I'm too lazy to look it up. I know it starts with an "A."
Ramble:
I found the following all rather depressing... so join me.
Vigorously disagreeing, House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio dumped a copy of the 1,071-page bill to the floor in a gesture of contempt. "The bill that was about jobs, jobs, jobs has turned into a bill that's about spending, spending, spending," he said.
Thanks John. I'll remember this. Keep up the fight.
Labs are creating human organs, companies are making a wide range of "human enhancement" drugs, and bioengineers are figuring out how to make better babies. The field offers great promise to improve human health and cure disease. But the ethical issues are very unclear, and the science appears to be moving faster than our ability to figure the ethical questions out.
Pressure waves from exploding bombs shook homes and rattled windows, and rumors of an earthquake spread quickly by phone and over the Internet, the report said.
During the final months of the Bush administration, top U.S. counterterrorism officials engaged in an intense debate about the fate of the Yemenis detained at Guantánamo Bay. There are a lot of them there--nearly 100 out of the total population of 248--and most can be directly tied to al Qaeda's global terror network. Barack Obama's Gitmo problem is, in many respects, a Yemen problem. And it just got worse.
By threatening to break its military agreements with South Korea, the North has created an environment of danger that would surround a later long-range test firing. Pyongyang has put a great deal of serious thought into resetting the table before any future six party nuclear talks involving the newly arrived Obama government. Leverage is the aim and the North Koreans know how to play the game.
“This man will come to show them the way, because the prayer of every Muslim five times a day … ends with ‘Show us the right path, not the path of those who have incurred your anger or those who are lost, but those upon whom grace has come'”.
photos from Missouri Skies. Click on each photo to enlarge. They are spectacular.
This week I travel up east to Lieberman Country on business... I'm not keen on flying anymore... and I have had upsetting dreams for about the past month about flying. Say a little prayer for me.
I am an independent, patriotic, conservative with a passion for fine art.
I'm devoted to my husband and all the things we find important- our time together, our family, our country.
I'm forever a pessimist, but doing my best to change that.
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