Some days I get up in the morning convinced man is advanced. Other days not so much.
Reading this article about Greece slamming businesses with a pay up front 90% tax left me utterly dejected.
It's literally the thinking of a mentally defective Orc to actually think taxing the ONE segment of an economy that CREATES WEALTH is a solution of any kind.
Once again, the productive get the shaft.
Chalk Greece up to 'forgotten and irrelevant.'
2013-05-23
It's Not The Real Me!
"Obama also expresses exasperation. In private, he has talked
longingly of 'going Bulworth,' a reference to a little-remembered
1998 Warren Beatty movie about a senator who risked it all to say
what he really thought."
What are we to take from this?
That he's disingenuous at the moment? That Americans are not seeing the real him, him?
Pathetic.
Note: From article in previous post.
What are we to take from this?
That he's disingenuous at the moment? That Americans are not seeing the real him, him?
Pathetic.
Note: From article in previous post.
Operation Protect Obama In Overdrive
God, what a bunch of insufferable hacks these people are.
Geez, I mean, like, come on!
Anyone who wears a t-shirt of a politician like Ezra Klein does in the picture in the linked article can't be taken seriously.
****
As for Obama wanting to go 'Bulworth,' there you go. More reality and myth are colliding with this guy. He can keep up appearances only for so long.
So much for his "auto-biographies." I guess there's too much fiction in them to be full Bulworth.
What a cynical man.
He's acting as if the world doesn't get him. I and many people 'get him' all too well.
No one is stopping him. In fact, we should welcome what he "really thinks."
Break out your Alinsky, Mao, Zinn books folks.
Geez, I mean, like, come on!
Anyone who wears a t-shirt of a politician like Ezra Klein does in the picture in the linked article can't be taken seriously.
****
As for Obama wanting to go 'Bulworth,' there you go. More reality and myth are colliding with this guy. He can keep up appearances only for so long.
So much for his "auto-biographies." I guess there's too much fiction in them to be full Bulworth.
What a cynical man.
He's acting as if the world doesn't get him. I and many people 'get him' all too well.
No one is stopping him. In fact, we should welcome what he "really thinks."
Break out your Alinsky, Mao, Zinn books folks.
Dark Side Of The IRS Moon
More on the IRS scandal.
Something about Section 1203.
I don't know how anyone can claim this is not a major problem with a straight face and be taken seriously.
Something about Section 1203.
I don't know how anyone can claim this is not a major problem with a straight face and be taken seriously.
Little Miss Public Speaker
Turns out my daughter is becoming quite the public speaker not gone unnoticed by people. Seems that every time a speech has to be given be it at school or elsewhere she either volunteers or is selected as was the case last night when she was asked to deliver the the end of year speech at her Brownies ceremony last night.
Now I have two social butterflies - wife and daughter - who crave and love social gatherings and events who are fortunate enough to have me; The 'what's the point, get off my lawn, quit inviting me places, I just want to play with my dolls' Commentator; as part of their entourage.
If I could only capture on this blog the looks on their faces as they wait at the door for me as I curse and complain about having to go to a party with people I barely know.
Now I have two social butterflies - wife and daughter - who crave and love social gatherings and events who are fortunate enough to have me; The 'what's the point, get off my lawn, quit inviting me places, I just want to play with my dolls' Commentator; as part of their entourage.
If I could only capture on this blog the looks on their faces as they wait at the door for me as I curse and complain about having to go to a party with people I barely know.
2013-05-22
U.S. Admits To Drone Strikes
I understand that America is at war. Quite honestly it don't bother me none when they "take out the trash" so to speak. In this light, I do sympathize with the President - as I did with Bush.
A President's first and foremost task is to protect citizens and national security.
Drone strikes (which the Obama administration admitted too), however, are problematic. While they're useful in getting rid of scumbags it should not be left to ANY man or woman to decide who gets whacked. That's what due process is all about. Cops know who the bad guys are but are prevented from going in and offing them because of our legal system in the West.
From NYT comments thread (been a while since I read worthwhile comments over there):
"The problem is that we actually have a legal process for when one party of a legal process cannot actually be there. They are represented by an attorney who speaks on their behalf. It's even done in the case of estates where someone dies without a will and the deceased person is provided an attorney to represent the best interests of the estate.
US citizens are granted special rights to a legal process that we do not extend to others. Without due legal process, these people are still Americans who have been stripped of their right to a fair trial without even having to present evidence to a court.
It doesn't matter what someone is accused of, if we choose to let fear, bias, or retaliation weaken our belief that all Americans should be considered 'innocent until proven guilty in a court of law' then our legal system will crumble."
I kinda lean this way.
A President's first and foremost task is to protect citizens and national security.
Drone strikes (which the Obama administration admitted too), however, are problematic. While they're useful in getting rid of scumbags it should not be left to ANY man or woman to decide who gets whacked. That's what due process is all about. Cops know who the bad guys are but are prevented from going in and offing them because of our legal system in the West.
From NYT comments thread (been a while since I read worthwhile comments over there):
"The problem is that we actually have a legal process for when one party of a legal process cannot actually be there. They are represented by an attorney who speaks on their behalf. It's even done in the case of estates where someone dies without a will and the deceased person is provided an attorney to represent the best interests of the estate.
US citizens are granted special rights to a legal process that we do not extend to others. Without due legal process, these people are still Americans who have been stripped of their right to a fair trial without even having to present evidence to a court.
It doesn't matter what someone is accused of, if we choose to let fear, bias, or retaliation weaken our belief that all Americans should be considered 'innocent until proven guilty in a court of law' then our legal system will crumble."
I kinda lean this way.
Daycare Update
Like I said, daycare in Quebec is needlessly political and as a result in a state of anarchy. There's no social and business harmony whenever the PQ and politics in general interfere.
Believe me, they don't give a shit private businesspeople invested hundreds of thousands of dollars that are constantly threatened by government intervention. They simply are anti-business and anti-private. That much they have in common with the ideologue in power in the USA.
For them, it's all about 'la societe' as they design and interpret it.
As it stands, very little of how the government operated daycare is fair. They've succeeded however - as they're apt to do - in polarizing people.
Article in French.
Believe me, they don't give a shit private businesspeople invested hundreds of thousands of dollars that are constantly threatened by government intervention. They simply are anti-business and anti-private. That much they have in common with the ideologue in power in the USA.
For them, it's all about 'la societe' as they design and interpret it.
As it stands, very little of how the government operated daycare is fair. They've succeeded however - as they're apt to do - in polarizing people.
Article in French.
Quebec: Canada's Louisiana Or Alabama Or Whatever
That Quebec does corruption well is no secret. I don't know if we're worse or better than most jurisdictions but if I had to guess based on experience I'd say we're up there.
And if we're not racketeering we politicize. It's our idea of running a just and functional society.
Quebec decided, in its infinite wisdom, that all exams needed to get a license to sell mortgages, real estate etc. should be in French only. For the 10% or 15% of us who don't use French as a first language too bad. In English universities they allow French-Canadians to write their exams in their mother tongue but Quebec society being what it is isn't interested in returning the favor.
After all, it's 'French' here.
Anyway, I know a few people who simply went to Ontario and will eventually move there.
It's unfortunate. Real estate and mortgages are fucking sales jobs. There should never be a language requirement to sell. Jesus, let people freely move about for fuck sakes.
Free you say? In Quebec? Perish the thought! En francais and shut up!
Oh, about the racket. It costs $670 to take the exam here.
50 bucks in Ontario.
Makes me wonder if Quebec has come up with a magic formula or innovated new sales techniques in mortgages and real estate to justify that outrageous price.
Right.
It's not about innovation.
It's about bull shit.
And if we're not racketeering we politicize. It's our idea of running a just and functional society.
Quebec decided, in its infinite wisdom, that all exams needed to get a license to sell mortgages, real estate etc. should be in French only. For the 10% or 15% of us who don't use French as a first language too bad. In English universities they allow French-Canadians to write their exams in their mother tongue but Quebec society being what it is isn't interested in returning the favor.
After all, it's 'French' here.
Anyway, I know a few people who simply went to Ontario and will eventually move there.
It's unfortunate. Real estate and mortgages are fucking sales jobs. There should never be a language requirement to sell. Jesus, let people freely move about for fuck sakes.
Free you say? In Quebec? Perish the thought! En francais and shut up!
Oh, about the racket. It costs $670 to take the exam here.
50 bucks in Ontario.
Makes me wonder if Quebec has come up with a magic formula or innovated new sales techniques in mortgages and real estate to justify that outrageous price.
Right.
It's not about innovation.
It's about bull shit.
Emelin Undergoes ACL Surgery
Montreal Canadiens talented, hard hitting Russian defenseman Alexei Emelin underwent MCL and ACL surgery. They are targeting a return in six months.
Six months!
Crazy.
For ACL rehab is traditionally one year. I kinda get 10 months but you're asking for trouble if you want to be back in just six months. The ACL comes with its own 'nervous system' which can take up to two years to come back - if at all.
I don't get these rushed comebacks. I must be missing something.
***
My first ACL surgery in 1991 I was kept off putting weight on the leg for three months. By my second surgery in 2003, the 'advancement' was that doctors allowed for placing weight on it, in fact, it was encouraged. Which makes sense since it doesn't affect the ACL as that ligament deals more with lateral movements.
However, my doctor - a sports doctor - said you "could" play sports in the six to eight month range but he wasn't sure if that was such a good thing. To play it safe, one year was better. Granted, I didn't have millions of dollars at stake for the athlete and organization and pressure to get back into it, but nature is nature and it would be wise to 'play it safe' because ACL recoveries are long and arduous. Why risk going through it a second time? Get it done right the first time.
The best way to do that is to let it heal.
Six months!
Crazy.
For ACL rehab is traditionally one year. I kinda get 10 months but you're asking for trouble if you want to be back in just six months. The ACL comes with its own 'nervous system' which can take up to two years to come back - if at all.
I don't get these rushed comebacks. I must be missing something.
***
My first ACL surgery in 1991 I was kept off putting weight on the leg for three months. By my second surgery in 2003, the 'advancement' was that doctors allowed for placing weight on it, in fact, it was encouraged. Which makes sense since it doesn't affect the ACL as that ligament deals more with lateral movements.
However, my doctor - a sports doctor - said you "could" play sports in the six to eight month range but he wasn't sure if that was such a good thing. To play it safe, one year was better. Granted, I didn't have millions of dollars at stake for the athlete and organization and pressure to get back into it, but nature is nature and it would be wise to 'play it safe' because ACL recoveries are long and arduous. Why risk going through it a second time? Get it done right the first time.
The best way to do that is to let it heal.
Obama: The Disconnected Clueless Calculist
Right now, it seems Obama's line of defense is to say he didn't know about the IRS, Benghazi, and the wiretapping and hacking of investigative journalists. To say nothing of mistreatment and strong arming of whistleblowers, Fast & Furious, Libya and drone strikes. Forget the day he fucked GM bondholders to reward unions and through hundreds of millions in failed green project or that Obamacare is now being scrutinized and people aren't liking 'what's in it.'
Kinda hard to believe considering it seems to be the rule rather than the exception and it ain't driven by Fox News. This stuff should be investigated. If he's cleared, he's good to keep going, right?
Bah. If you're hard left-wing, every 'teabagger' deserves what they're getting in these 'scandals.'
Problem is, more than just conservatives are being affected by all this.
Back in high school we had a couple of liberal high school teachers constantly spoke about the ethics of presidents whenever we spoke about American power - which is where the real discussions lay. And in Canada it was always from a "Americans think their so tough" perspective. Lame. I know.
Add that it was Ronald Reagan the leader and it made for the usual, lamentable American bashing.
Which led to questions of this sort: What is more problematic, A) a President who is disconnected from the agencies he overlooks (once in power, you own it all baby) are misbehaving (he found out about the IRS reading the paper), or B) one who knows or is aware to some degree but lets it happen?
A third I would add, C) he sets the tone and narrative through a hyper-political agenda for this behavior and let's A roll and unfold.
Which means he needs a "lotta buffas" as Ciccio said in The Godfathers. That's a lotta of swords the government needs to find.
Patsy: Mr. President, Whistleblowin' Willie is on the loose!
President: We're gonna need more swords. Cicc' a porta!
Kinda hard to believe considering it seems to be the rule rather than the exception and it ain't driven by Fox News. This stuff should be investigated. If he's cleared, he's good to keep going, right?
Bah. If you're hard left-wing, every 'teabagger' deserves what they're getting in these 'scandals.'
Problem is, more than just conservatives are being affected by all this.
Back in high school we had a couple of liberal high school teachers constantly spoke about the ethics of presidents whenever we spoke about American power - which is where the real discussions lay. And in Canada it was always from a "Americans think their so tough" perspective. Lame. I know.
Add that it was Ronald Reagan the leader and it made for the usual, lamentable American bashing.
Which led to questions of this sort: What is more problematic, A) a President who is disconnected from the agencies he overlooks (once in power, you own it all baby) are misbehaving (he found out about the IRS reading the paper), or B) one who knows or is aware to some degree but lets it happen?
A third I would add, C) he sets the tone and narrative through a hyper-political agenda for this behavior and let's A roll and unfold.
Which means he needs a "lotta buffas" as Ciccio said in The Godfathers. That's a lotta of swords the government needs to find.
Patsy: Mr. President, Whistleblowin' Willie is on the loose!
President: We're gonna need more swords. Cicc' a porta!
2013-05-21
Oklahoma Tornado
The U.S. gets hit with more tornado's (about 1000) per year than any other country. Canada is second at just around 100 every year.
The devastation in Oklahoma has, naturally, prompted the usual 'is it global warming' that caused it.
I don't know but I do know the south central States are located in an area called 'Tornado Alley.'
Chances are this is as natural and common a weather occurrence which precedes the global warming movement. Basically, it's sandwiched between warm/hot air coming from the south east and cool/cold air coming from the north west. So. It's all science and Mother Nature. Who knew?
I doubt, in this light, it's attributable to global warming. But it won't stop left-wing numbskulls like Piers Morgan from pimping that angle.
The devastation in Oklahoma has, naturally, prompted the usual 'is it global warming' that caused it.
I don't know but I do know the south central States are located in an area called 'Tornado Alley.'
Chances are this is as natural and common a weather occurrence which precedes the global warming movement. Basically, it's sandwiched between warm/hot air coming from the south east and cool/cold air coming from the north west. So. It's all science and Mother Nature. Who knew?
I doubt, in this light, it's attributable to global warming. But it won't stop left-wing numbskulls like Piers Morgan from pimping that angle.
Harper Has His Own Scandal
What is this? Shark week in North America? Both President Obama and Prime Minister Harper have had to deal with scandals - although I would submit Obama's are a little more problematic and serious.
Conservative Senators have been acting badly with expense accounts with Mike Duffy being the latest figure to be outed. Duffy received a (personal) cheque from Harpers chief of staff Nigel Wright. Recall Pamela Wallin - another high profile Senator - was pinched last year I believe.
Both Duffy and Wallin were television personalities.
Anyway, the ethics commission is now investigating and the Harper government is cooperating.
In a rare move, the PM allowed for cameras to be part of conservative caucus meeting usually held behind closed doors.
The question being asked is whether Harper knew of this deal. He insists he didn't.
But as someone pointed out, for a leader that micro-manages his party and controls everything, it's sort of hard to believe he didn't know.
Conservative Senators have been acting badly with expense accounts with Mike Duffy being the latest figure to be outed. Duffy received a (personal) cheque from Harpers chief of staff Nigel Wright. Recall Pamela Wallin - another high profile Senator - was pinched last year I believe.
Both Duffy and Wallin were television personalities.
Anyway, the ethics commission is now investigating and the Harper government is cooperating.
In a rare move, the PM allowed for cameras to be part of conservative caucus meeting usually held behind closed doors.
The question being asked is whether Harper knew of this deal. He insists he didn't.
But as someone pointed out, for a leader that micro-manages his party and controls everything, it's sort of hard to believe he didn't know.
Carter Honored
A portion of Faillon street around Jarry Park will be renamed for Gary Carter.
All I can say: High five.
Go Expos!
All I can say: High five.
Go Expos!
Obama A Threat To Freedom Of The Press?
Department of Justice monitoring award-winning investigative journalists?
More here.
Disturbing.
Very.
This ain't China, Iran, North Korea or Cuba. Or is it?
He's more dictator than President.
Will he go up and say he 'won't stand for it' as he's been doing lately?
More here.
Disturbing.
Very.
This ain't China, Iran, North Korea or Cuba. Or is it?
He's more dictator than President.
Will he go up and say he 'won't stand for it' as he's been doing lately?
Quote Of The Day
About Obama's commencement speech at Ohio St. "Citizen. Obey!"
One week later the shit hit the fan as noted.
Will they?
That speech was priceless, right up there with 'you didn't build that' speech. Context noted.
***
Talk of impeachment has begun.
"In this regard, the Atlantic's Conor Friedersdorf makes a key point: "The biggest Obama scandals are proven and ignored." Among other offenses, Friedersdorf writes, the president has "violated the War Powers Resolution ... when committing U.S. troops to Libya without Congressional approval" and "ordered the assassination of ... American citizens in secret without due process," while "refus[ing] to reveal even the legal reasoning he used."
***
If the President were to be impeached that would leave...Joe Biden to take over.
At least he'd bring comic relief.
One week later the shit hit the fan as noted.
Will they?
That speech was priceless, right up there with 'you didn't build that' speech. Context noted.
***
Talk of impeachment has begun.
"In this regard, the Atlantic's Conor Friedersdorf makes a key point: "The biggest Obama scandals are proven and ignored." Among other offenses, Friedersdorf writes, the president has "violated the War Powers Resolution ... when committing U.S. troops to Libya without Congressional approval" and "ordered the assassination of ... American citizens in secret without due process," while "refus[ing] to reveal even the legal reasoning he used."
***
If the President were to be impeached that would leave...Joe Biden to take over.
At least he'd bring comic relief.
Painting Of The Day: Rubens
Massacre of the Innocents - originally painted 1611-12 by Peter Paul Rubens.
Haunting. Disturbing.
Haunting. Disturbing.
Open Letter To Parti Quebecois Brass
Just because you speak Spanish, love Italian food, salsa and line dance, or listen to world music or participate at the tam-tams or side with the Palestinians or whatever else it doesn't automatically make you 'open and tolerant.'
You can love Fellini and still be a close minded asshole. Racists still loved listening to Michael Jackson, no?
What makes you open and tolerant is the rhetoric and its correlation to laws and how it in turn correlates to individual civil liberties.
There. On this front, you're an epic fail. All of you.
Now bugger off and stop writing to us in cynical, meaningless, pseudo-Machiavallian tongue through the newspapers.
You can love Fellini and still be a close minded asshole. Racists still loved listening to Michael Jackson, no?
What makes you open and tolerant is the rhetoric and its correlation to laws and how it in turn correlates to individual civil liberties.
There. On this front, you're an epic fail. All of you.
Now bugger off and stop writing to us in cynical, meaningless, pseudo-Machiavallian tongue through the newspapers.
French Youth Flee
In a previous post about France I wondered why more people weren't leaving. In truth, I kinda knew (I have French clients and family who keep me in the loop from time to time and according to them people are exiting) they were but had no real recent article to link to.
From Time World:
"Charles-Marie Jottras, president of Paris's biggest luxury-real-estate company Daniel Feau, estimates that during the past year his company has sold hundreds of homes of wealthy families leaving France, driven out by what he calls "a very bad atmosphere." Jottras says the departure of wealthy clients is reminiscent of the early 1980s, when the previous Socialist President François Mitterrand was in power. The difference this time, he says, is that "it used to be just rich people who left, not business people." [...]
Nice. Brav'.
Question: When will Hollande blame Bush?
I suppose he can blame Sarkozy but Bush has more, how shall we say, panache?
From Time World:
"Charles-Marie Jottras, president of Paris's biggest luxury-real-estate company Daniel Feau, estimates that during the past year his company has sold hundreds of homes of wealthy families leaving France, driven out by what he calls "a very bad atmosphere." Jottras says the departure of wealthy clients is reminiscent of the early 1980s, when the previous Socialist President François Mitterrand was in power. The difference this time, he says, is that "it used to be just rich people who left, not business people." [...]
Nice. Brav'.
Question: When will Hollande blame Bush?
I suppose he can blame Sarkozy but Bush has more, how shall we say, panache?
The Folly Of Planned Economic Activity
I'll put this article about "key officials" trying to set up a market for medicinal marijuana in the 'what can go wrong?' department.
If there's one thing I've learned is that you can rest assured that interventionism simply skews the market.
You can't 'plan' an economy. That would suggest it's a top-bottom organism. It's not. An economy is an organic, self-regulating and enterprising entity that grows from the bottom (ie free people).
But there they, progressives (or whatever you want to call them, I prefer the term regressives) pounding their heads against the walls and fists on their desks sticking to a failed game plan.
"Key officials helping to create Washington state's potentially lucrative recreational pot market say its success may hinge on preventing consumers from choosing to get high on readily available medical cannabis because of low and sometimes nonexistent taxes on it."
Ouch. Yeesh. Yikes. Whatda.
Know what this is? It's called inflating a market, creating possibly superficial monopolies, making it vulnerable to cronyism and disrupting the free-market system.
Regulating medicinal marijuana, subsidized daycare - whatever - they usually end up in a state of anarchy. Ironic given the state's fear of anarchy but that's what we have on our hands: Financial anarchy.
If there's one thing I've learned is that you can rest assured that interventionism simply skews the market.
You can't 'plan' an economy. That would suggest it's a top-bottom organism. It's not. An economy is an organic, self-regulating and enterprising entity that grows from the bottom (ie free people).
But there they, progressives (or whatever you want to call them, I prefer the term regressives) pounding their heads against the walls and fists on their desks sticking to a failed game plan.
"Key officials helping to create Washington state's potentially lucrative recreational pot market say its success may hinge on preventing consumers from choosing to get high on readily available medical cannabis because of low and sometimes nonexistent taxes on it."
Ouch. Yeesh. Yikes. Whatda.
Know what this is? It's called inflating a market, creating possibly superficial monopolies, making it vulnerable to cronyism and disrupting the free-market system.
Regulating medicinal marijuana, subsidized daycare - whatever - they usually end up in a state of anarchy. Ironic given the state's fear of anarchy but that's what we have on our hands: Financial anarchy.
2013-05-20
Phrases I Hate
"Free market capitalism has failed."
Usually meant to include 'deregulation.'
What the fuck does that even mean considering we don't have a free-market system! How would we know?
Depends where we sit doesn't it? It's not really deregulation if the system prior to it was over burdened with excessive regulation? On the flip side, they will argue the system was too open and unregulated to be open to deregulation. The result being the 2008 meltdown.
There are kernels of truth in both and not the subject here.
We have a freeish system. After all, the market needs a leash. But who gets to control the leash? Cronies and flunkies which is what we have at the moment.
Across this continent economic policies are created based on votes. Right there we lose the plot.
Usually meant to include 'deregulation.'
What the fuck does that even mean considering we don't have a free-market system! How would we know?
Depends where we sit doesn't it? It's not really deregulation if the system prior to it was over burdened with excessive regulation? On the flip side, they will argue the system was too open and unregulated to be open to deregulation. The result being the 2008 meltdown.
There are kernels of truth in both and not the subject here.
We have a freeish system. After all, the market needs a leash. But who gets to control the leash? Cronies and flunkies which is what we have at the moment.
Across this continent economic policies are created based on votes. Right there we lose the plot.
Obama Administration: This Is Nowhere
"The President's budget numbers don't add up."
Get used to that phrase because they never did.
Well, the CBO are just a bunch of racist, crackerheads who watch Fox anyway.
Look, Obama doesn't do math, ok? He has bigger things to fry with his ultra-violet visionary ideas.
In a way Obama was right. He is transparent. In a very amateurish way.
He knows damn well he ain't cutting the deficit.
Remember, dude uses the slogan 'Lean Forward.'
Code for 'Bend Over.'
***
Is the Obama administration falling apart?
All I know is that wiretapping of journalist stuff is outrageous. Tin-pot outrageous.
He managed to even have MSNBC begin to criticize him. If he keeps this up he'll only have Matt 'Sad Beard' Yglesias and Eleonore Clift defending him.
Cripes, my articulate liberal friend from Massachusetts is also showing cracks and coming to terms with Obama's dismal performance. 'There is not 'there, there' as he put it.
No end game. No strategy. No thinking.
Get used to that phrase because they never did.
Well, the CBO are just a bunch of racist, crackerheads who watch Fox anyway.
Look, Obama doesn't do math, ok? He has bigger things to fry with his ultra-violet visionary ideas.
In a way Obama was right. He is transparent. In a very amateurish way.
He knows damn well he ain't cutting the deficit.
Remember, dude uses the slogan 'Lean Forward.'
Code for 'Bend Over.'
***
Is the Obama administration falling apart?
All I know is that wiretapping of journalist stuff is outrageous. Tin-pot outrageous.
He managed to even have MSNBC begin to criticize him. If he keeps this up he'll only have Matt 'Sad Beard' Yglesias and Eleonore Clift defending him.
Cripes, my articulate liberal friend from Massachusetts is also showing cracks and coming to terms with Obama's dismal performance. 'There is not 'there, there' as he put it.
No end game. No strategy. No thinking.
Ray Manzarek Dead: But The Doors Will Live On
The man who added the haunting keyboards to Jim Morrison's dreary and macabre lyrics has passed at the age of 74.
Together, along with John Densmore and Robbie Krieger, formed The Doors.
Much like The Beatles their lifespan was quite short but their influence and impact runs deep. That's what happens when you come up with a unique sound with a good looking but troubled front man.
You get one of the all-time American rock bands with a fanatical (almost cult-like) fan base.
Land Ho!
Love me two times/Texas Radio and the big beat (from Alive! She Cried one of my all-time favorite albums)
Or as a mathematically inclined buddy once called it in one of his less sober moments: Love me 112.2 times.
L.A. Woman holds a special place for me because of it brings back a time when we drove back to Montreal after a long night partying in Quebec City. Actually we headed for the small town of Lorraine 30 minutes north of Montreal for a 10am soccer match. After the game we were exhausted and running on nothing but adrenalin. Did we surround ourselves with lavender in the car? Did we sip some tisane to calm us down? Did play soft 'sounds of the oceans or forests' music?
Nope.
We played L.A. Woman - and sang it all the way back home. The last pit stop we made was at a gas station. The car by that point was bouncing as we sang. I could barely gas up as I laughed uncontrollably.
His sister later on ran into the house telling him about the psychos she had just seen at the gas station. "You won't believe what I just saw! People were wondering if they should call the police!"
"Oh" he replied.
"Must have been Pat."
"Know what? Come to think of it, one of the guys did look like Pat! Wait a second...what car does T.C. drive?"
Rock on.
***
Often we have the discussion of why the British have so many legendary rock bands. Howard Stern asked Rod Stewart why that was so and his answer was simple- and one I've observed and mentioned in the past: "We're just playing back your music."
As any rock enthusiast knows, the British were influenced by American rhythm and blues (Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson and an endless stream of both legendary and forgotten bluesmen). 1950s rock from Elvis to Diddley to Little Richard (to name a precious few) and even Motown in the late 1960s. The base root of British rock is American.
Together, along with John Densmore and Robbie Krieger, formed The Doors.
Much like The Beatles their lifespan was quite short but their influence and impact runs deep. That's what happens when you come up with a unique sound with a good looking but troubled front man.
You get one of the all-time American rock bands with a fanatical (almost cult-like) fan base.
Land Ho!
Love me two times/Texas Radio and the big beat (from Alive! She Cried one of my all-time favorite albums)
Or as a mathematically inclined buddy once called it in one of his less sober moments: Love me 112.2 times.
L.A. Woman holds a special place for me because of it brings back a time when we drove back to Montreal after a long night partying in Quebec City. Actually we headed for the small town of Lorraine 30 minutes north of Montreal for a 10am soccer match. After the game we were exhausted and running on nothing but adrenalin. Did we surround ourselves with lavender in the car? Did we sip some tisane to calm us down? Did play soft 'sounds of the oceans or forests' music?
Nope.
We played L.A. Woman - and sang it all the way back home. The last pit stop we made was at a gas station. The car by that point was bouncing as we sang. I could barely gas up as I laughed uncontrollably.
His sister later on ran into the house telling him about the psychos she had just seen at the gas station. "You won't believe what I just saw! People were wondering if they should call the police!"
"Oh" he replied.
"Must have been Pat."
"Know what? Come to think of it, one of the guys did look like Pat! Wait a second...what car does T.C. drive?"
Rock on.
***
Often we have the discussion of why the British have so many legendary rock bands. Howard Stern asked Rod Stewart why that was so and his answer was simple- and one I've observed and mentioned in the past: "We're just playing back your music."
As any rock enthusiast knows, the British were influenced by American rhythm and blues (Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson and an endless stream of both legendary and forgotten bluesmen). 1950s rock from Elvis to Diddley to Little Richard (to name a precious few) and even Motown in the late 1960s. The base root of British rock is American.
France Is Run By Thieves
Households taxed 100% of their income.
"The Constitutional Council has judged such a high rate of taxation to be unfair, leaving the government to rehash it to hit companies rather than individuals."
"Since then, a top administrative court has determined that a marginal tax rate higher than 66.66 percent on a single household risked being considered as confiscatory by the council."
You fucking think?
So remember folks, while Obama's leftist ideas on wealth and economics scares you, it ain't French.
Which leads me to wonder, why do wealthy families stay in France? I know many are indeed leaving but what are others waiting for? Socialists drain you.
****
Top 10 countries for tax evasion:
True, high tax rates doesn't equate to tax evasion as the American example shows.
Quotes from the link:
From Washington, D.C., and Brasilia to Moscow and Madrid, the taxman is on a mission to squeeze more revenue from people, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet amid the worst economic slowdown since the Great Depression.
Naturally, go after the small guy? Don't focus on the bigger fish. No sirreeeee. What a disturbing sentence.
"Countries made the list because they either lack the will or the resources to collect all the monies that they are owed. The U.S. ranks first based on absolute dollars partly because its economy is so big. After all, it’s the world’s largest. Americans, though, are more willing to pay their taxes than people in other countries are, which is known as “tax morale.” A 2005 study published by Yale University found that the U.S. had a higher rate of tax morale than other counties surveyed."
There you go. Tax reform. Try it.
"In third-place Italy, the media is full of reports about people with no legitimate income driving expensive sports cars."
Hi-larious. According to the article Italy's black marker is 27% of GDP. I read it could be as high as 36%. When I was in Italy for the first time in 1990 it was interesting to see all these kids riding in Aprilia motorcycles. I could barely afford to buy a bicycle.
Quote from the comments thread:
"...Then there would be no tax cheating and no punishing people for their NATURAL BEHAVIOUR - tax dodging. It's like punishing a tiger for killing a human being. But tigers, wolves etc. are wild animals and they need to eat!
Unless! The governments get FREE SLAVES by placing the tax evaders in prisons and confiscating their money and property. Then such governments are criminals themselves.
TAPOS = Tax At Point Of Sale."
"The Constitutional Council has judged such a high rate of taxation to be unfair, leaving the government to rehash it to hit companies rather than individuals."
"Since then, a top administrative court has determined that a marginal tax rate higher than 66.66 percent on a single household risked being considered as confiscatory by the council."
You fucking think?
So remember folks, while Obama's leftist ideas on wealth and economics scares you, it ain't French.
Which leads me to wonder, why do wealthy families stay in France? I know many are indeed leaving but what are others waiting for? Socialists drain you.
****
Top 10 countries for tax evasion:
True, high tax rates doesn't equate to tax evasion as the American example shows.
Quotes from the link:
From Washington, D.C., and Brasilia to Moscow and Madrid, the taxman is on a mission to squeeze more revenue from people, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet amid the worst economic slowdown since the Great Depression.
Naturally, go after the small guy? Don't focus on the bigger fish. No sirreeeee. What a disturbing sentence.
"Countries made the list because they either lack the will or the resources to collect all the monies that they are owed. The U.S. ranks first based on absolute dollars partly because its economy is so big. After all, it’s the world’s largest. Americans, though, are more willing to pay their taxes than people in other countries are, which is known as “tax morale.” A 2005 study published by Yale University found that the U.S. had a higher rate of tax morale than other counties surveyed."
There you go. Tax reform. Try it.
"In third-place Italy, the media is full of reports about people with no legitimate income driving expensive sports cars."
Hi-larious. According to the article Italy's black marker is 27% of GDP. I read it could be as high as 36%. When I was in Italy for the first time in 1990 it was interesting to see all these kids riding in Aprilia motorcycles. I could barely afford to buy a bicycle.
Quote from the comments thread:
"...Then there would be no tax cheating and no punishing people for their NATURAL BEHAVIOUR - tax dodging. It's like punishing a tiger for killing a human being. But tigers, wolves etc. are wild animals and they need to eat!
Unless! The governments get FREE SLAVES by placing the tax evaders in prisons and confiscating their money and property. Then such governments are criminals themselves.
TAPOS = Tax At Point Of Sale."
Non-Sequitur: Ordering Pizza
INT. Room. Late day. Hairy figure much like Chewbacca on the phone ordering a pizza.
Chewbacca: It's Chew-Bacco! Chew...aw forget it.
Chewbacca: It's Chew-Bacco! Chew...aw forget it.
Happy Victoria Day
Quebec nationalists decided to make this day 'Patriot's Day' in this province but no one outside the parochial chambers of hardliners really cares.
I'm not much of a monarchist but Victoria had a global impact so I'll stick with her.
I'm not much of a monarchist but Victoria had a global impact so I'll stick with her.
2013-05-18
Lost Classics
Can Detroit Ever Comeback?
Take note - and heart - Detroit. By the late 16th century Rome's population had fallen to a mere 25 000 from a high of about 1 million during its Imperial glory. The chaotic city had been over run by criminals and tumbled into disrepute.
But all that changed with the arrival of Sixtus V who ushered in a Roman renaissance - ironic given his cultural ignorance - giving way to the Baroque period. Rome had revived itself and rebounded by the 17th century.
Although I'm not sure Detroit needs a tyrannical character quite like Sixtus V who was all too happy to execute people to set Rome on a proper course.
But all that changed with the arrival of Sixtus V who ushered in a Roman renaissance - ironic given his cultural ignorance - giving way to the Baroque period. Rome had revived itself and rebounded by the 17th century.
Although I'm not sure Detroit needs a tyrannical character quite like Sixtus V who was all too happy to execute people to set Rome on a proper course.
Pandora's Box Is Open
Something tells me this IRS thing goes deep.
What a rat and a weasel Harry Reid is.
I bet that he has more shady business deals in his closet than Romney ever had.
What a rat and a weasel Harry Reid is.
I bet that he has more shady business deals in his closet than Romney ever had.
Question
Are the scandals hanging over the Obama administration worse than Watergate?
Watergate became what it did because, I think, it was a first where one party broke into an office of its opponent. It was a double victory for the left because the Democrats were the victims. The story was broken by the Washington Post and made into a movie (naturally, Robert Redford playing a part) in which 'Deep throat' was made famous for other than sucking.
The rest is history.
Watergate is tattooed into the mindset of the American (and international) public.
Lots of scandals have broken since then and I wonder, is Watergate still as big a deal as some of the ones we've seen?
For our sake here, it seems to me Obama's administration has been wracked by serious problems - worse than Bush even - as I've highlighted in previous posts (I forgot to mention his totalitarian behavior towards privacy issues including with the press and whistleblowers).
Ok, let's say Fast and Furious is like Iran-Contra. Even. Let's say his continuation of the war machine (including the opening of Guantanamo - remember that?) and attack of Libya without Congressional approval and drone strikes killing innocents. Perhaps not quite even with Bush's invasion of Iraq but really, not that far since he was not supposed to be a "violent" President. Katrina? By all accounts, Sandy wasn't handled any better and the same bureaucratic wrinkles that were present in 2005 were still around in 2012.
Benghazi? Plenty of embassy attacks took place under Bush - 13 I think. The problem is that, to our knowledge, none of those were blamed on a video to which a man was put in jail and stand down orders were given perhaps resulting in the deaths of American citizens. Benghazi is precisely disturbing for the attempted and original narrative, its apparent incompetence and subsequent refusal to set the record straight.
Pretty serious given America's standing is at stake.
Contrary to Hilary, it matters a whole lot. It should give pause to those who believe she's Presidential material given her "what difference does it make?" quip when the administration still hadn't come clean.
There are a bunch of little issues and then came the IRS.
This is a biggie. A major one. A scandal that points directly to the "tone" set by the president himself.
This was an assault on free citizens.
To the left, both are case closed. But they're choosing to be naive here.
Investigators are still interviewing employees of the Cincinnati branch so how can it be closed?
Yes, it's all political stone throwing on the part of the GOP. Believe that, and you've abandoned your duty as a private citizen to seek the truth from your own government.
Apathy drawn along political lines is a sad thing.
I know. Canada does that well.
Watergate became what it did because, I think, it was a first where one party broke into an office of its opponent. It was a double victory for the left because the Democrats were the victims. The story was broken by the Washington Post and made into a movie (naturally, Robert Redford playing a part) in which 'Deep throat' was made famous for other than sucking.
The rest is history.
Watergate is tattooed into the mindset of the American (and international) public.
Lots of scandals have broken since then and I wonder, is Watergate still as big a deal as some of the ones we've seen?
For our sake here, it seems to me Obama's administration has been wracked by serious problems - worse than Bush even - as I've highlighted in previous posts (I forgot to mention his totalitarian behavior towards privacy issues including with the press and whistleblowers).
Ok, let's say Fast and Furious is like Iran-Contra. Even. Let's say his continuation of the war machine (including the opening of Guantanamo - remember that?) and attack of Libya without Congressional approval and drone strikes killing innocents. Perhaps not quite even with Bush's invasion of Iraq but really, not that far since he was not supposed to be a "violent" President. Katrina? By all accounts, Sandy wasn't handled any better and the same bureaucratic wrinkles that were present in 2005 were still around in 2012.
Benghazi? Plenty of embassy attacks took place under Bush - 13 I think. The problem is that, to our knowledge, none of those were blamed on a video to which a man was put in jail and stand down orders were given perhaps resulting in the deaths of American citizens. Benghazi is precisely disturbing for the attempted and original narrative, its apparent incompetence and subsequent refusal to set the record straight.
Pretty serious given America's standing is at stake.
Contrary to Hilary, it matters a whole lot. It should give pause to those who believe she's Presidential material given her "what difference does it make?" quip when the administration still hadn't come clean.
There are a bunch of little issues and then came the IRS.
This is a biggie. A major one. A scandal that points directly to the "tone" set by the president himself.
This was an assault on free citizens.
To the left, both are case closed. But they're choosing to be naive here.
Investigators are still interviewing employees of the Cincinnati branch so how can it be closed?
Yes, it's all political stone throwing on the part of the GOP. Believe that, and you've abandoned your duty as a private citizen to seek the truth from your own government.
Apathy drawn along political lines is a sad thing.
I know. Canada does that well.
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