I've heard many people over the past week telling me "Obama beeds to get off his ass and fix this Oil price issue." That's interesting, because any other time these same people were complaining Government and "O" need to stay out of the Markets and Business alike.
I guess it all depends on how that involvement affects one’s lifestyle.
But let's be clear, the last thing we want in Government involvement in the price of Oil and history proves it.
In 1973, Egypt (supplied by the Soviets) organized a coordinated Arab attack against Israel on the Yom Kippur holiday. Pres Nixon, designed an airlift to help supply the Israelis with food & armor and within days the Israelis were able to regain their military power and defeat the Egyptians.
A truce was constructed to avoid fututre conflicts, thereby leaving the US and the Soviets at bay, if the conflict continued both were ready to jump in with full military action.
However, in the fall of 1973 the OPEC countries decided cut their production and raise prices close to 70% to all countries that helped Israel. The US fell victim to a price war.
Within a few months, OPEC raised their prices again and the US saw oil prices from heating oil to gasoline skyrocket.
Want did President Nixon do? He imposed a ceiling cap price on oil!
By setting a ceiling cap on oil it meant demand went through the roof thanks to an artificial price, but chaos ensued afterwards for the Market and Business because supply was already low.
People kept buying gas on the cheap, yet the gas station owner was still paying the increased cost set by OPEC and the market.
State governments tried every gimmick to slow the thirst, such as an “even-odd license plate” purchase plan that failed to slow the consumer. The United States had come to a tortoise pace thanks to Government involvement of setting artificial gas prices.
Just about anything that had to deal with Oil had almost tripled in price thanks to Government’s flawed ideas. Government started changing Speed limits and requiring better gas mileage on Domestic cars which did nothing to change the damage already done.
Now remember those people I spoke of earlier, yep, you guessed it, they even want some sort of military action on Iran to get prices down as well.
So here we are again, this time a Democratic president pushing environmental beliefs on the Oil and Auto Industry, yet gas prices have raised for the last 6 years.
As I’ve said before the current “embargo” is artificial, as we do not receive oil from Iran and Iran did not cut production nor raise pricing. Iran took the oil once sold to Britain & France and sold it to India. The artificial pricing we see today is caused by Oil speculators and the fear many feel is caused by the Media.
There is no oil shortage, it’s out there waiting to be refined, yet thanks to boardroom wisdom, Big Oil is closing refineries because they are not cost productive.
Yes, it’s true they are building newer refineries but those are being built for the heavy/thicker tar sand oil, the older refineries are useless trying to work with the tar sands.
It was quietly announced that Keystone XL will complete their pipeline from Oklahoma to the Gulf of Mexico and resubmit their application for the pipeline from Canada to Nebraska, once environmental reports have been processed. Yet, oil pricing still goes up.
Of course there's the political aspect as GOP and their candidates are saying the Keystone pipelone is not a win for "O" and "O" calling it as so.
Folks, a President cannot force Big Oil to build refineries for Crude Oil nor should government build them for it as well. A President cannot control pricing, just like a President cannot create jobs with tax incentives. It's been proven. A company will hire when they are in need and Big Oil will build Crude refineries when they see a need as well, to which neither are looking.
Let’s get this straight; things don’t appear overnight they take time.
Media, GOP Candidates, and Con-talkers all act as if a refinery gets built overnight or the Keystone pipeline will be pushing oil tomorrow.
First of all, there is no guarantee that the Keystone will be sold in the US, as Keystone announced a deal with China and Europe late in 2011. And if it does sell in the US, it will sit until it's refined as gas prices rise thanks to speculators and Market.
Secondly, get rid of the speculators and watch prices go down. It's like saying you see a short supply future for Cocoa Puffs due to a lack of "puffs." People run to the grocery stores and find out the company jacked up the price due to speculation. People will still buy at the inflated price but when new "puffs" are found, people sigh in relief but the price only drops a small fraction because the company sees a greater demand for the product.
Speculators cry wolf way to often and it's time for the Wolf bite their heads off.
Slap the tap, don't spill a drop of Guinness as it's a precious commodity. Pay the political tab
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Big Poppa Politics 2:23:12- The Religious Gender War Chronicles
Big Poppa Politics 2:23:12- The Religious Gender War Chronicles
There is no lie that the Media controls the conversation in our Nation. Over the past month, their control has pushed Social Issues to the brink of division and brought GOP candidate Rick Santorum to the front of the pack.
Face it, Santorum’s time was coming. He’s been on point at each debate and as bodies have dropped out he has moved closer to the middle of the stage. So now here we are, Santorum leading all contenders and making Willard dip into his million dollar piggy bank.
But the Media has pushed Santorum as a one trick pony Social Issue Warrior with the constant clips of his talk of Religion, Contraception, and Theological belief and so on. But that’s only snip-its of his stump speeches, a fragment of 60 minutes where he speaks of Economy, Military, Jobs and belief. So is there more to Santorum then the Social Warrior the Media portrays?
Santorum needs to send a huge thank you card to “O,” Washington and California courts and other Democrats for this gift over the past month.
All of sudden, we’ve gone from hearing about the Economy after every commercial break to a Social Issue conversation about Gay Marriage, Religious Government intrusion, and women fighting on the frontlines of war.
But what’s the benefit of all these? Is it another game of finger pointing on who’s right and who’s wrong?
Listening the Arizona debates, you’d think a single parent home means the child will grow up not wanting to push themselves in employment and in life. Of course, the candidates were talking about children born out of wedlock as if the ghost of Dan Quayle circa 1992 appeared fighting the “Murphy Brown” argument again.
They were about one sentence away from arguing the right/wrong of people having their first child in later years of life, after they’ve become financially sound.
Should a Widow or Widower go out and remarry immediately to have that “nucleus” family?
How about the abusive marriage, should the woman stay in such a marriage, taking all the pain of physical, mental, psychological abuse to keep the “family” whole?
The argument over contraceptive availability for women still riddles my mind that Man believes he knows what’s best for Woman. It’s not just the religious health insurance argument; it’s a total argument from all aspects of the Woman’s body.
I’ve blogged before about the many anti-abortion laws in affect or to be voted upon at the State level and at Federal level. It's s till baffling that one party can say the other is being intrusive yet their believes are doing the same and the masses attack the accused.
If we are talking about insurance purpose alone, what someone pays for health insurance through their employer is their business, not mine, not their neighbors or not even government’s business.
Yes, there are 28 States that have laws that require stand alone Churches to provide some sort of Contraceptive coverage, yet no one is out picketing the State Capitols. Yes, stand alone/individual churches should be exempt, after all their employees pretty much are of that faith.
But what of those Churches affiliated with Universities and/or Hospitals? Should they not give the 2 options, with or without Contraceptive? I say yes, since most receive some sort of State/Federal funding outside of Title IX and Pell Grants.
How do you think they can afford to build a new 9 story garage or even Sports facility? It all doesn't come from Donors and Alumni, and more to the fact that some "Christian" hospitals, like Christ Hospital or Sister's of Mercy have now become part of a Health Care conglomerate corporation, their are in fact a "for profit" business.
Most of these Universities/Hospitals are businesses. They have multi-religious employees and there should be an option. The “Pill” is not just a pregnancy prevention, it has many medical/health advances as well. Why is it so hard for Religious belief to understand so?
Oh I forgot, Bible trumps Science all the time. Damn you Isaac Newton.
Currently there is somewhere around 77% Catholic women that use contraceptives, are they any less a Christian for using a product that keeps them from having Ovarian cyst? Answer is no.
Why do they allow Priests to have Viagra? What’s the reasoning and why is it ok for them to have Viagra when they are to be celibate? Hm, what's actually happening behind closed doors
Of course, everyone goes back to the Affordable "Obamacare" Act argument, yet there are Woman’s groups that back “O” on the Contraceptive fight. Groups like:
Benedictine Sisters, Boerne, Texas; Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Texas; Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary, New York; Dominican Sisters of Hope; Justice and Peace Committee of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, Massachusetts; Marianist Province of the United States; Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth Leadership Team, New Jersey; Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent De Paul of New York; Sisters of the Holy Cross Congregation Justice Committee; Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, Corpus Christi, Texas; Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Justice Team, Nebraska; Sisters of the Most Precious Blood, Missouri; Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, New York; Sisters of St. Dominic Congregation of the Most Holy Name; Society of the Holy Child Jesus, American Province Leadership Team; Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk, US Province; JOLT, Catholic Coalition for Responsible Investing; Region
VI Coalition for Responsible Investment, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee; School Sisters of Notre Dame Cooperative Investment Fund - http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/02/21/429184/religious-groups-line-up-to-support-affordable-care-act/
Anyone see a pattern with that list?
As for Darrel Issa chairing a committee on Contraceptives and not allowing women to speak, which is an infringement on their Freedom of Speech, is a complete joke and waste of taxpayer cash. Sure trout in 7-8 religious leaders to plead their bible thumping voices for the cameras, but you women must sit behind them and stay quiet.
Oh yeah I forgot, Issa has decided to let women speak, but no cameras allowed. Is that not another infringement of their Freedom of Speech, not to be heard/seen?
It’s utterly disgusting, that in 2012 we are reverting back to the days when every woman should be June Cleaver. Sure, just drink some whiskey while the kids are away at school and Man works, those menstral headaches will go away.
I dare any woman to videotape themselves taking their “Pill” in front of their pastor. I say “Cheers to you” if you do. And while you're at it, go to the grocery store and ship a few boxes of Tampons to Darrell Issa's office
Slap the Tap, I'll feel fill the peanut bowl. Pay the political tab.
There is no lie that the Media controls the conversation in our Nation. Over the past month, their control has pushed Social Issues to the brink of division and brought GOP candidate Rick Santorum to the front of the pack.
Face it, Santorum’s time was coming. He’s been on point at each debate and as bodies have dropped out he has moved closer to the middle of the stage. So now here we are, Santorum leading all contenders and making Willard dip into his million dollar piggy bank.
But the Media has pushed Santorum as a one trick pony Social Issue Warrior with the constant clips of his talk of Religion, Contraception, and Theological belief and so on. But that’s only snip-its of his stump speeches, a fragment of 60 minutes where he speaks of Economy, Military, Jobs and belief. So is there more to Santorum then the Social Warrior the Media portrays?
Santorum needs to send a huge thank you card to “O,” Washington and California courts and other Democrats for this gift over the past month.
All of sudden, we’ve gone from hearing about the Economy after every commercial break to a Social Issue conversation about Gay Marriage, Religious Government intrusion, and women fighting on the frontlines of war.
But what’s the benefit of all these? Is it another game of finger pointing on who’s right and who’s wrong?
Listening the Arizona debates, you’d think a single parent home means the child will grow up not wanting to push themselves in employment and in life. Of course, the candidates were talking about children born out of wedlock as if the ghost of Dan Quayle circa 1992 appeared fighting the “Murphy Brown” argument again.
They were about one sentence away from arguing the right/wrong of people having their first child in later years of life, after they’ve become financially sound.
Should a Widow or Widower go out and remarry immediately to have that “nucleus” family?
How about the abusive marriage, should the woman stay in such a marriage, taking all the pain of physical, mental, psychological abuse to keep the “family” whole?
The argument over contraceptive availability for women still riddles my mind that Man believes he knows what’s best for Woman. It’s not just the religious health insurance argument; it’s a total argument from all aspects of the Woman’s body.
I’ve blogged before about the many anti-abortion laws in affect or to be voted upon at the State level and at Federal level. It's s till baffling that one party can say the other is being intrusive yet their believes are doing the same and the masses attack the accused.
If we are talking about insurance purpose alone, what someone pays for health insurance through their employer is their business, not mine, not their neighbors or not even government’s business.
Yes, there are 28 States that have laws that require stand alone Churches to provide some sort of Contraceptive coverage, yet no one is out picketing the State Capitols. Yes, stand alone/individual churches should be exempt, after all their employees pretty much are of that faith.
But what of those Churches affiliated with Universities and/or Hospitals? Should they not give the 2 options, with or without Contraceptive? I say yes, since most receive some sort of State/Federal funding outside of Title IX and Pell Grants.
How do you think they can afford to build a new 9 story garage or even Sports facility? It all doesn't come from Donors and Alumni, and more to the fact that some "Christian" hospitals, like Christ Hospital or Sister's of Mercy have now become part of a Health Care conglomerate corporation, their are in fact a "for profit" business.
Most of these Universities/Hospitals are businesses. They have multi-religious employees and there should be an option. The “Pill” is not just a pregnancy prevention, it has many medical/health advances as well. Why is it so hard for Religious belief to understand so?
Oh I forgot, Bible trumps Science all the time. Damn you Isaac Newton.
Currently there is somewhere around 77% Catholic women that use contraceptives, are they any less a Christian for using a product that keeps them from having Ovarian cyst? Answer is no.
Why do they allow Priests to have Viagra? What’s the reasoning and why is it ok for them to have Viagra when they are to be celibate? Hm, what's actually happening behind closed doors
Of course, everyone goes back to the Affordable "Obamacare" Act argument, yet there are Woman’s groups that back “O” on the Contraceptive fight. Groups like:
Benedictine Sisters, Boerne, Texas; Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Texas; Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary, New York; Dominican Sisters of Hope; Justice and Peace Committee of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, Massachusetts; Marianist Province of the United States; Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth Leadership Team, New Jersey; Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent De Paul of New York; Sisters of the Holy Cross Congregation Justice Committee; Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, Corpus Christi, Texas; Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Justice Team, Nebraska; Sisters of the Most Precious Blood, Missouri; Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, New York; Sisters of St. Dominic Congregation of the Most Holy Name; Society of the Holy Child Jesus, American Province Leadership Team; Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk, US Province; JOLT, Catholic Coalition for Responsible Investing; Region
VI Coalition for Responsible Investment, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee; School Sisters of Notre Dame Cooperative Investment Fund - http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/02/21/429184/religious-groups-line-up-to-support-affordable-care-act/
Anyone see a pattern with that list?
As for Darrel Issa chairing a committee on Contraceptives and not allowing women to speak, which is an infringement on their Freedom of Speech, is a complete joke and waste of taxpayer cash. Sure trout in 7-8 religious leaders to plead their bible thumping voices for the cameras, but you women must sit behind them and stay quiet.
Oh yeah I forgot, Issa has decided to let women speak, but no cameras allowed. Is that not another infringement of their Freedom of Speech, not to be heard/seen?
It’s utterly disgusting, that in 2012 we are reverting back to the days when every woman should be June Cleaver. Sure, just drink some whiskey while the kids are away at school and Man works, those menstral headaches will go away.
I dare any woman to videotape themselves taking their “Pill” in front of their pastor. I say “Cheers to you” if you do. And while you're at it, go to the grocery store and ship a few boxes of Tampons to Darrell Issa's office
Slap the Tap, I'll feel fill the peanut bowl. Pay the political tab.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Oil Embargo 2012: Brought to you by Oil & Media Speculators
Well on Sunday I decided to change my routine, clicked on the Drudge Report to start my day and the written in the largest font possible was “Iran decides to shut off oil to Britain and France.”
Well good morning to the American Media for this report.
Why does this move by Iran come as a shock to the majority of Media is shocking in itself, but it’s the spastic response by the Media that’s driving the rage for action in the US.
Media opinionators and Con-talkers are already calling for “O” to jump in and push Iran harder, stiffen the sanctions and some even want military interference. Seriously, people want military interference in Iran with addition of those in Congress that want military interference in Syria as well? The US cannot afford any more wars!
Let’s consider the fact that the Brits & French only import only 1% of their oil from Iran. Only 1% and the US get less than Zero.
Here’s a fact, the U.S. Top 15 Oil importers are (in order): Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Nigeria, Iraq, Colombia, Russia, Algeria, Angola, Kuwait, Brazil, Ecuador, Norway, and United Kingdom.
Truly, if anything when worrying about Oil imports, the US should worry more about the African Nation’s the most, with all the unrest and rebellion constantly evolving over there, that loss of production would hurt the most.
By Monday afternoon, Oil was trading at $105/barrel, higher more by speculation then output, because India jumped in and said they’ll buy what is not being imported to the Brits & French.
And how many more people will jump in and start trading on Oil futures tomorrow morning or the next day?
Already the Media is running reports about $4.25/gallon in California and comparing Iran’s actions to 1973 Oil Embargo.
First, THAT’S CALIFORNIA where everything costs more due to outrageous taxes.
Secondly, there are large differences by comparing 1973 to 2012.
The Oil Embargo of 1973 hit the US suddenly, government had no true plan. Oh and let’s through in it was a Republican president at the time as well, just in case people forget US History.
The 1973 embargo had to do with OPEC wanting to control cost and produce less. America was a different time in 1973, with monster gas guzzling vehicles, a population that went to the big city to work and no internet.
Now in 2012, cars are more fuel efficient and many jobs can be done from home through internet access. As most corporations have moved away from downtown areas where public transportation is accessable, it’s not that hard for most employers to create a “32” work week, meaning 3 days in office and 2 at home, or even vice verse.
The biggest issue will be making sure many reserves are moved toward the trucking industry so produce, milk and so on can still make it to the grocery stores.
Iran’s actions truly play into the US political arena as well, as we’ve already revisited the Keystone XL pipeline debate with the last 24 hours.
Here’s the deal on the Keystone XL Pipeline, it is all speculation as well.
The original proposal did not say anything about Canadian oil being sold in the US and Keystone even said it wasn’t promising it would either. What the pipeline would do is bring some 270 million barrels of Canadian oil to the market, of which wouldn’t touch the market for another year or so.
Oil refineries are running at 75% right now and there’s truly no plan for any of the oil companies to build new refineries. So adding more barrels may over saturate the market, enough to stop the price at $105/barrel, it won’t produce anything at the pump.
So as the Limbaugh’s, Hannity’s, McCain’s cry for some military interference and remember what happened to Iraqi oil they so desperately said was “ours.” The reality was it was contracted to China.
Slap the tap, pour the Guinness and squeeze the oil off the chips, it’s time to pay the political tab.
http://www.ensec.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=155:35yearsafterthearaboilembargo&catid=83:middle-east&Itemid=324
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/19/us-iran-oil-europe-idUSTRE81I07W20120219
http://zfacts.com/p/35.html
http://www.palestinefacts.org/pf_1967to1991_oilembargo_result.php
http://www.openfuelstandard.org/search?updated-min=2012-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2013-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=11
http://www.davemanuel.com/2010/12/30/historical-gas-prices-in-the-united-states/
Well good morning to the American Media for this report.
Why does this move by Iran come as a shock to the majority of Media is shocking in itself, but it’s the spastic response by the Media that’s driving the rage for action in the US.
Media opinionators and Con-talkers are already calling for “O” to jump in and push Iran harder, stiffen the sanctions and some even want military interference. Seriously, people want military interference in Iran with addition of those in Congress that want military interference in Syria as well? The US cannot afford any more wars!
Let’s consider the fact that the Brits & French only import only 1% of their oil from Iran. Only 1% and the US get less than Zero.
Here’s a fact, the U.S. Top 15 Oil importers are (in order): Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Nigeria, Iraq, Colombia, Russia, Algeria, Angola, Kuwait, Brazil, Ecuador, Norway, and United Kingdom.
Truly, if anything when worrying about Oil imports, the US should worry more about the African Nation’s the most, with all the unrest and rebellion constantly evolving over there, that loss of production would hurt the most.
By Monday afternoon, Oil was trading at $105/barrel, higher more by speculation then output, because India jumped in and said they’ll buy what is not being imported to the Brits & French.
And how many more people will jump in and start trading on Oil futures tomorrow morning or the next day?
Already the Media is running reports about $4.25/gallon in California and comparing Iran’s actions to 1973 Oil Embargo.
First, THAT’S CALIFORNIA where everything costs more due to outrageous taxes.
Secondly, there are large differences by comparing 1973 to 2012.
The Oil Embargo of 1973 hit the US suddenly, government had no true plan. Oh and let’s through in it was a Republican president at the time as well, just in case people forget US History.
The 1973 embargo had to do with OPEC wanting to control cost and produce less. America was a different time in 1973, with monster gas guzzling vehicles, a population that went to the big city to work and no internet.
Now in 2012, cars are more fuel efficient and many jobs can be done from home through internet access. As most corporations have moved away from downtown areas where public transportation is accessable, it’s not that hard for most employers to create a “32” work week, meaning 3 days in office and 2 at home, or even vice verse.
The biggest issue will be making sure many reserves are moved toward the trucking industry so produce, milk and so on can still make it to the grocery stores.
Iran’s actions truly play into the US political arena as well, as we’ve already revisited the Keystone XL pipeline debate with the last 24 hours.
Here’s the deal on the Keystone XL Pipeline, it is all speculation as well.
The original proposal did not say anything about Canadian oil being sold in the US and Keystone even said it wasn’t promising it would either. What the pipeline would do is bring some 270 million barrels of Canadian oil to the market, of which wouldn’t touch the market for another year or so.
Oil refineries are running at 75% right now and there’s truly no plan for any of the oil companies to build new refineries. So adding more barrels may over saturate the market, enough to stop the price at $105/barrel, it won’t produce anything at the pump.
So as the Limbaugh’s, Hannity’s, McCain’s cry for some military interference and remember what happened to Iraqi oil they so desperately said was “ours.” The reality was it was contracted to China.
Slap the tap, pour the Guinness and squeeze the oil off the chips, it’s time to pay the political tab.
http://www.ensec.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=155:35yearsafterthearaboilembargo&catid=83:middle-east&Itemid=324
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/19/us-iran-oil-europe-idUSTRE81I07W20120219
http://zfacts.com/p/35.html
http://www.palestinefacts.org/pf_1967to1991_oilembargo_result.php
http://www.openfuelstandard.org/search?updated-min=2012-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2013-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=11
http://www.davemanuel.com/2010/12/30/historical-gas-prices-in-the-united-states/
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Society Mishap: Let's fly the flag at half-staff for the right reasons
On Wednesday, Feb 15, New Jersey Gov Chris Christie has requested the flags in his state be lowered to half-staff this Saturday in recognition of Whitney Houston’s funeral. What the hell man?
I wouldn’t believe but I heard it on Limbaugh and we all know Limbaugh doesn’t lie. Ok, he extends the truth but I give him some props on explanation to why Gov Christie did so, it’s an election year.
Now some callers got Limbaugh’s ear about “this is doing nothing but give props to an addict” and so forth. Limbaugh’s response was correct in reading from the Gov’s statement that “the recognition is for all of Houston’s accomplishments.”
Yes, flags should only fly at half-staff for military, fire/police, and politicians. The last one comes into question for me, however it stands as is.
But Limbaugh added one little tidbit, New Jersey did the same for Frank Sinatra as well to which a caller said “Sinatra was a great man.”
OK, Frank Sinatra accomplished many things in his career but he also was a man of his own addiction between alcohol and power, plus a man who hung out with Mobsters, Politicians, Womanizers and Alcoholics. To me, with all their accomplishments, Sinatra & Houston are equals.
But this is now not then. Sinatra and his Rat Pack would be paparazzi wet dreams with their antics, today’s stars don’t come close. Dean Martin, Peter Lawford (A Kennedy none the less), Bing Crosby and so on were not great people off the big screen.
We live in a society that idolizes celebrity, but downplays the heroics of our men/ women in uniform, from our military to our local fire/police departments. And our society even demonizes the very same as well.
A celebrity’s death or poor actions simply brings in higher ratings than that of those in uniform. Even when some intolerable action is done, those in uniform get 5 minutes of each hour but these so called TV journalists will dedicate an 30 minutes each hour to the celebrity.
Foxnews.com had Whitney Houston as their lead story for 2 hours today, why? Because that’s what people are tuning in to watch/read and I wouldn’t be surprised that on Saturday during services all three major cable news channels ran the entire funeral during that timeslot.
Just look at our pop culture, we have drinking games for every time Newt Gingrich mentions that he is a disciple of Reagan during a debate!
We followed every move of Jon & Kate + 8 and made them celebrity and now Kate is out of a job crying she can’t support her kids and their 12 acre ranch since the show was cancelled.
People have Dancing with the Stars parties and would rather vote for the next American Idol then go to a voting booth because it’s inconvenient that there’s no App to vote on their Iphone/Smartphone.
After Whitney Houston’s death, SONY has made millions by jacking up the prices on all music downloads pertaining to Houston.
I’ll admit I watch some Reality shows, such as Survivor, Amazing Race and Fear Factor. I did my short time watching the Hogan’s, Simmons’ and Surreal Life. I grew up with the first 3 years of MTV’s Real World but was smart enough to change the channel once everything became staged.
There’s nothing real about Reality TV, except that it’s cheaper to produce than the regular unoriginal TV show.
How bad is society it that the Beverly Hilton, where Whitney Houston passed away, is now a Tourist Attraction? We truly have our priorities confused on who and what to praise.
I propose we praise the right people.
I propose we fly our flags at half-staff across this nation for the 6,352 men & women in uniform that gave their lives doing their duty in protecting our country & freedoms in Afghanistan & Iraq beginning on Feb 20, 2012.
Fly the flag at half-staff for the next 6,352 days for each of their lives that were taken from their families doing something that many won’t, wouldn’t or ask for an unreal deferment.
How many governors will agree to this?
Will President Obama agree to this?
How many of you will agree with this?
I highly doubt it, because politicians and many Americans alike only praise those in uniform when the camera is near. I’m tired of politicians using those in uniform as props and for photo opportunities to get press reviews.
I’m tired of politicians and Americans demonizing fire/police departments as budget killers and then turn around and praise them when they are near. Yet they will complain and point fingers when there are not enough bodies in those departments to get the job done.
One time I would love to hear a member of these departments tell that politician to shove the microphone up their collective ass, as the politician is a budget killer as well.
We are so infatuated about celebrity, now more than ever thanks to social media, YouTube and News Media. We would rather hero worship their lives, on & off the stage, than actually find someone worthy of praise.
I’m not saying all celebrity are praised for all the wrongs reason or shouldn’t be praised, some deserve praise for their efforts to keep a clean life and help within the world community.
Whitney Houston accomplished great things, but in today’s society many will only pay attention to the now of drug, alcohol, and physical abuses.
It’s time to praise those that deserve praise for the right reasons!
Slap the tap, pay the political tab and serve one up for those in uniform that protect!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Slap the tap, it's time for the Top 10 Tea Party budget cuts
The article titled Tea Party: Top 10 Federal Government Cuts by Alex Pappas over at the Daily Caller was posted way back in the old days of Oct 20, 2011 and made me wonder if there is anything I could come to agreement on with the Tea Party in today's partisan society.
Now the article only lists the ideas and gave no description/instruction as to how these ideas would be conducted, so after some research I added my own description/instruction.
So basically these are the top 10 favorite “dream” cost-cutting ideas the Tea Party can agree on, since it is not one organization but multiples. And of course it wouldn't be whole without the help of Freedomworks, one of few money backers for the Tea Party.
OK, so let’s see what they like:
1. Repeal Obamacare - Is it still called the Affordable Care Act or has it officially been changed to Obamacare?
This a favorite for everyone outside of the super-secret Liberal handshake society, including GOP Presidential hopefuls like Willard Romney. But one thing ALL must consider, there are parts of Obamacare that cannot be repealed.
What can't be repealed, well for one that health insurers are required to take on all newcomers, no matter their health and still charge the same amount for insurance and secondly a large part of Obamacare was put forth without "reconciliation" which means it can't be repealed.
However, any product of Obamacare that affects the budget can be repealed and if Republicans repeal the subsidy part of "requiring newcomers" for health insurers, it will collapse the health insurance system.
Hm, the term "collapse" is rather scary, now wonder some of Willard's campaign staff has come out stating that all of Obamacare can't be repealed. We wouldn't want to hold a candidate to their promises, would we?
2. Reduce duplicative purchases of Pentagon supplies- Why not just call this waste? Because that's what it is and simply the Pentagon needs to go through major management changes.
Wasting paper is a good start. Printing large 5'x5' posters as visual aid can stop, actually that should go for Congress as well.
All this technology and no one knows how to use a laptop/Ipad and a large video screen for visuals is downright insane! Buy some freakin' large screen monitors and place them, I'm sure Wal-Mart will give them a good deal.
But paper is one fish in the very large ocean over at the Pentagon. As we've seen over the last month, Defense Secretary Panetta has given his budget cuts and many people are crying foul.
There's lots of duplication services & organization so it's too to streamline.
But one has to ask, if it’s Un-American to cut anything from our Military, doesn’t this make the Tea Party Un-American as well?
3. Eliminate the Department of Education- Always gotta keep this one in the closet and pull it out when needed. It’s a fact, a Department with the “kick me” sign hanging on the front, gets more ridicule from the GOP, Tea Party and Con-Talkers, yet it’s been the GOP that has ballooned this Department, yes even Reagan added to the DoE.
But how about instead of eliminating the DoE, let's refine and dissect what it does and what services are duplicated. First get rid of No Child Left Behind, because the notion that each child learns at an equal pace is wrong. And while we're at it, get rid of Race to the Top which seems more of a paper pusher program from the get-go.
But if America is lagging in Math & Science, why cut the DoE? Don't give the lame excuse of Charter Schools either, because reports have been coming out from States that they tests are no better than Public Schools.
4. Privatize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac- So technically these two are already "private" entities, with backing from the US Treasury and private shareholders and both are exempt from SEC regulations. Fannie being in charge of buying bank loans to free up bank money for more home loans and Freddie watching over savings banks.
In 2008 "W" placed them both in conservatorship as everything bank and loan wise froze during the meltdown.
So how private will they become if released from the conservatorship and will the US TReasury still back them?
Well the current plan is to raise their rates to that of the banks, reduce the loan amounts and reduce the amount of loans given, all while still being backed by the US Treasury and Private shareholders. Does that sound to anyone?
So I guess Michelle Bachmann got her $700K home loan just in time.
5. Reduce discretionary spending to 2008 level- Why, why is it always 2008? Why not 2001 or 1998? I seem to recall there was a Surplus up until 2001.
Simple, because spending up until 2008 didn’t include making payments for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (gotta love “W” & GOP led Congress for fixing the books on this) and now they are part of the budget.
So what to cut back on, well like the notion of repealing Obamacare, let’s repeal “W’s” monstrous Medicare Part B that the GOP admittedly stated “we never figured out how to pay for it.”
A trillion dollar monster that has costs taxpayers almost triple to maintain. Personally, I blame the ScooterStore and Hovaround to jacking up costs. Not to mention this is one action Presidential hopeful Santorum needs to really explain, because this is not Conservative action!
Ok, so we cut that and well we’ll never get back the $700billion from Wall Street, thank you GOP & Democrats for that.
Answer is, to cut back to 2008, we have to pay off 2 wars first and truly use the Line Item veto for it's correct intentions and not be a partisan tool.
Hey wait, how much did Chrysler pay Clint Eastwood for the Super Bowl commercial and was that bailout money?
6. Block grant Medicaid- OK so right now the Feds give roughly about 57% of funds to each State as the State picks up the rest; the poorer States get a higher percentage, somewhere around 85% while the wealthier sit at 50%. And in return for the Feds say States must keep a certain criteria such as, coverage for poor children, elderly, pregnant women and some adults with dependents.
Here's the kicker, States have the option not to be in Medicaid. Yet when States like Texas and others decided they might drop out they realized it would kill their economy to care for their residents alone. So they stayed in.
Now with a Block Grant, everyone pretty much is equal on Federal help, which would leave the States "freedom" to decide the fate of Medicaid in their State. Yep, they can then decide whom gets what help and how much money they'll give.
But States already are given some "freedom" already on who gets it, how much they'll pay and how much hospitals and doctors will recieve.
Hey wait this sounds like the same argument the GOP gives against Obamacare!! So the Tea Party will turn Medicaid into a socialist program!
7. End ethanol tax credits- Experts have said that the Ethanol tax credit has saved about 25cents/gallon as of July 2011. Hm, sounds nice to me, but since Ethanol comes from corn and once the tax credit was placed, corn prices have gone up.
Corn is used in so much, but much of it is used in livestock feed as well. So as the price of corn goes up, so does the price of everything from Milk to Chicken to Steak at the grocery store.
Now the credit has helped US and World refineries from running at full capacity, but we know in due time they'll find their loopholes to adjust the prices higher.
For the moment the credit sounds good.
8. Sell needless federal buildings- There’s roughly 12,000+ federal properties that the Federal government has no use for. Yet, some of these properties are rentals because many departments have outgrown their current facilities and use rentals for storage purposes.
The selling off federal properties is a decades old issue, heck even Reagan put together a special commission into trying to sell off old military installations and the big “O” was hoping to save the budget $15 billion by selling off other properties.
We've already have "Doomsday" people buying old missile silos and converting them into underground habitats. But what would someone do with an old Air Force base that shares runways with a major airport? Build low income housing?
Not to mention, many still believe our National Forests should be sold to privaters. So how majestic would Mt Rushmore look with a Shale frackin' rig sitting above Teddy Roosevelt's head?
9. Eliminate the Department of Housing and Urban Development
By eliminating this department, many low income families will find it harder to afford housing and after the Housing market imploded, many families are finding renting to be harder as landlords are jacking up prices even in the most poorest of communities.
The elimination will give authority to the States to regulate the access of fair market value in housing and rentals.
Now grant it, I think it's absurd that a Section 8 house should be in the austute communities but it doesn't need to be in the poorest of communities either, especially when children are involved and parents want good education for their kids. It's bad enough when you hear about a kid that has to take a Subway and a Bus to a school 90 minutes away and not every child is accepted into Cyber-Schooling either.
10. Reduce Medicare teaching subsidies- Medicare teaching subsidies is a mixed bag as these subsidies are used to help with the internships of young doctors, intensive medical care services, burn trauma units, as well as offset the costs of medical treatment for the poor and elderly.
These subsidies help keep teaching hospitals in New York, Massachussetts, California, Pennsylvania and others to keep the fresh young talent alive and pay their saleries.
Here in Pittsburgh, once the hub of the Steel industry is now the hub for medical procedures at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centers pumping out talent, innovations and many dollars into the local community. Take away these subsidies and many jobs in nursing and health care will be lost. So Pittsburgh would have to go through its 5th Renaissance to recover.
Ok so there are a few ideas I could agree with and there are others I can't. But the funny thing is, most of these ideas have been tried in the past with failure or a commission was set forth to research and then cast aside with their findings costing taxpayers money in the process. Not to mention if one of these ideas actually happens, it's not an overnight fix but can take several years to even get started.
So how does that help us now? It doesn't. But people like to hear all the abbreviated ideas and believe when their told "It will happen." They just don't tell you when and at what cost.
Yet the masses of lemmings would never know because they have too little time to pay attention to other sources and only listen to one media source, mainly the opinionated ones that aren’t reporting news.
Slap the tap on the Guinness and don’t spill a costly drop. It's time to pay the political tab.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Defense budget cuts: A 60 year decision not made by Democrats alone
Over the past 30-40 years, there’s has been a saying around Washington DC that “Democrats hate the military and are un-American” for all the Defense budget cuts that have been proposed over that time period. Hm, well that’s not entirely true.
One only needs to look as far back as January 21, 2011, when the newly elected Tea Party Members of the Republican Party called for Defense budget cuts. Those new members stated “the military’s budget needs to be part of mix" when talking about fiscal responsibility in reducing the federal budget.
So doesn't that make the Tea Party un-American?
Hell, then newly minted House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said nothing should be held back as well.
But all the Con-Talkers, GOP and their minions aim their crooked finger at Obama and other Democrats. The one group that should be cheering such proposed cuts is the Tea Party, many which have barked about Defense cuts since the Tea Party's conception over 3 years ago, yet no fingers are pointed towards them?
Shouldn’t all be demonized for wanting Defense budget cuts? I know, it cuts into the audience of Hannity and his contracted employer Media Corp.
So, I guess “Fair and Balanced” does have a limit.
I’m tired of the abbreviated history we get shoveled down our throats by both the Left & Right Media talkers. Yes, Obama has issued Defense budget cuts, just like many Presidents before him.
How many, well you can go back to Eisenhower if you must, but it happens.
However, many Americans can only store a few months worth of information into their craniums before it spills out. And what history they remember has been abbreviated by those in the Media to whom they pay homage towards.
Now Obama’s Defense budget cuts cover a 10 year period, that’s twice as long than the 5 year plan introduced in 1988 by then Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney.
Let’s remember, that when Pres H.W. Bush proposed a Defense budget cut of $6.3 billion of a then $300 billion budget, Cheney went further and cut $10 billion. Cheney knew then that the Military needed downsizing as the Cold War had just ended.
Cheney cut each branches needs/wants and by the end of his term had cancelled such programs as the B2 Stealth bomber project to 20 planes, canceled the Midgetman missile development and only allowed the purchase of cruise missiles that were already authorized.
Along with equipment cuts, Cheney agreed with Pres H.W. Bush that there should be a cut back in production and deployment of our nuclear weapons arsenal.
Cheney took Congress to task for “forcing” the military to buy equipment they didn’t need or want such as extra F-16 fighters, M1 tanks and holding onto unnecessary reserves.
Cheney didn’t stop at equipment either, as the military branches saw reduction in ranks as well. The Army was hit hardest with a 25.8% reduction, followed by the Air Force with 22.3%, Navy at 14% and the Marines dropped by 9.7%
Now as we flash forward to the present planned Defense budget cuts, many need to keep in mind of the build-up of our military over the last 10 years due to carrying 2 wars half a globe away.
But as of last week, the current Secretary of Defense, Leon Panata, will take cue from Cheney, just without use of an Autopen, as he must cut $480+ billion over the next 10 years, with half to be cut in the first five years.
Maps will be scoured for base closures across the Globe, many will be those that served purpose during the Cold War era as well as stateside.
Base closures at home surely will affect the economics of the community, but across the Globe, many of our worries come from North Korea, China and Iran.
The proposal calls for all branches to make cuts in ranks, yet all numbers will not drop below pre-9/11 averages. But still between the Army & Marines, that’s about 100K soldiers to be given walking papers or forced retirement.
The Air Force & Navy are listed for equipment cuts, but everyone knows when you cut equipment you cut people as well.
I was shocked to see the elimination of 65 C-130 Hercules, the little workhorse of the Air Force, in the midst. But once again, it’s a Cold War era model. Along with the C-130, will go 27 of the C-5 Galaxy transports.
The Navy takes the larger equipment hit with mothballing close to 10 vessels within the first year, but also delaying the build of the new Virginia class submarine by 2 years plus suspending the build of the still unnamed CVN80 Aircraft Carrier.
The biggest problem Penata will have is the Medical care coverage of our wounded soldiers.
OK, this got a little long winded with many facts, but damn it, I didn’t abbreviate the facts!
Point being, everyone is so blinded by partisan blindness that they overlook the facts of reason. Cuts need to be made and even the GOP’s election time “Booty Call” Tea Party members have even called for such cuts.
That's it, too much historical facts need to be drowned in a Guinness Stout. Fill the peanut bowl and pay the political tab.... AND THANK A SOLDIER FOR OUR PROTECTION ANY TIME YOU SEE ONE!
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/26/10244240-panetta-military-cuts-to-hit-all-50-states
http://www.defense.gov/specials/secdef_histories/bios/cheney.htm
http://thenewamerican.com/usnews/congress/6025-tea-partiers-push-for-cuts-in-defense-spending
http://thenewamerican.com/usnews/congress/10698-opinions-differ-about-wisdom-of-proposed-military-cuts
http://thehill.com/news-by-subject/defense-homeland-security/176393-tea-party-activists-bring-on-defense-cuts
One only needs to look as far back as January 21, 2011, when the newly elected Tea Party Members of the Republican Party called for Defense budget cuts. Those new members stated “the military’s budget needs to be part of mix" when talking about fiscal responsibility in reducing the federal budget.
So doesn't that make the Tea Party un-American?
Hell, then newly minted House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said nothing should be held back as well.
But all the Con-Talkers, GOP and their minions aim their crooked finger at Obama and other Democrats. The one group that should be cheering such proposed cuts is the Tea Party, many which have barked about Defense cuts since the Tea Party's conception over 3 years ago, yet no fingers are pointed towards them?
Shouldn’t all be demonized for wanting Defense budget cuts? I know, it cuts into the audience of Hannity and his contracted employer Media Corp.
So, I guess “Fair and Balanced” does have a limit.
I’m tired of the abbreviated history we get shoveled down our throats by both the Left & Right Media talkers. Yes, Obama has issued Defense budget cuts, just like many Presidents before him.
How many, well you can go back to Eisenhower if you must, but it happens.
However, many Americans can only store a few months worth of information into their craniums before it spills out. And what history they remember has been abbreviated by those in the Media to whom they pay homage towards.
Now Obama’s Defense budget cuts cover a 10 year period, that’s twice as long than the 5 year plan introduced in 1988 by then Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney.
Let’s remember, that when Pres H.W. Bush proposed a Defense budget cut of $6.3 billion of a then $300 billion budget, Cheney went further and cut $10 billion. Cheney knew then that the Military needed downsizing as the Cold War had just ended.
Cheney cut each branches needs/wants and by the end of his term had cancelled such programs as the B2 Stealth bomber project to 20 planes, canceled the Midgetman missile development and only allowed the purchase of cruise missiles that were already authorized.
Along with equipment cuts, Cheney agreed with Pres H.W. Bush that there should be a cut back in production and deployment of our nuclear weapons arsenal.
Cheney took Congress to task for “forcing” the military to buy equipment they didn’t need or want such as extra F-16 fighters, M1 tanks and holding onto unnecessary reserves.
Cheney didn’t stop at equipment either, as the military branches saw reduction in ranks as well. The Army was hit hardest with a 25.8% reduction, followed by the Air Force with 22.3%, Navy at 14% and the Marines dropped by 9.7%
Now as we flash forward to the present planned Defense budget cuts, many need to keep in mind of the build-up of our military over the last 10 years due to carrying 2 wars half a globe away.
But as of last week, the current Secretary of Defense, Leon Panata, will take cue from Cheney, just without use of an Autopen, as he must cut $480+ billion over the next 10 years, with half to be cut in the first five years.
Maps will be scoured for base closures across the Globe, many will be those that served purpose during the Cold War era as well as stateside.
Base closures at home surely will affect the economics of the community, but across the Globe, many of our worries come from North Korea, China and Iran.
The proposal calls for all branches to make cuts in ranks, yet all numbers will not drop below pre-9/11 averages. But still between the Army & Marines, that’s about 100K soldiers to be given walking papers or forced retirement.
The Air Force & Navy are listed for equipment cuts, but everyone knows when you cut equipment you cut people as well.
I was shocked to see the elimination of 65 C-130 Hercules, the little workhorse of the Air Force, in the midst. But once again, it’s a Cold War era model. Along with the C-130, will go 27 of the C-5 Galaxy transports.
The Navy takes the larger equipment hit with mothballing close to 10 vessels within the first year, but also delaying the build of the new Virginia class submarine by 2 years plus suspending the build of the still unnamed CVN80 Aircraft Carrier.
The biggest problem Penata will have is the Medical care coverage of our wounded soldiers.
OK, this got a little long winded with many facts, but damn it, I didn’t abbreviate the facts!
Point being, everyone is so blinded by partisan blindness that they overlook the facts of reason. Cuts need to be made and even the GOP’s election time “Booty Call” Tea Party members have even called for such cuts.
That's it, too much historical facts need to be drowned in a Guinness Stout. Fill the peanut bowl and pay the political tab.... AND THANK A SOLDIER FOR OUR PROTECTION ANY TIME YOU SEE ONE!
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/26/10244240-panetta-military-cuts-to-hit-all-50-states
http://www.defense.gov/specials/secdef_histories/bios/cheney.htm
http://thenewamerican.com/usnews/congress/6025-tea-partiers-push-for-cuts-in-defense-spending
http://thenewamerican.com/usnews/congress/10698-opinions-differ-about-wisdom-of-proposed-military-cuts
http://thehill.com/news-by-subject/defense-homeland-security/176393-tea-party-activists-bring-on-defense-cuts
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