Good Job Navy Seals

As I write this, three of the Somali pirates have been killed and the American ship captain has been rescued by Navy Seals.
Isn't it amazing that we have Americans who volunteer to join our military and then suffer and sacrifice to become part of an elite team like the Navy Seals? What country produces such wonderful men who will selfishly perform their tasks so willingly, and spend a career risking their lives so Americans and our allies can be rescued, and will take the life of bad guys when there are no other options left? There is one country-The United States of America.
These are the men who grew up in a country with some great presidents, those presidents who would always travel around the world and praise our nation, not criticize. Those presidents would laud the great things our country has done to protect and preserve the world, not apologize. Those presidents realized our country is a nation of heroes, not just those who served on battle fields but heroes who go to work every day, provide for their families, stick around to protect their children and pay their taxes.
And you know, those Navy Seals would probably say what they did wasn't any different than other folks jobs, it was just out in the middle of an ocean and involved guns.
Our current president didn't grow up the way many Americans grew up. My father was a veteran of World War II, and before that he survived the depression. Those two signal events impacted his life, and through his sacrifice the lives of millions in America and in Europe.
Winning a world war was just a job they took very seriously. I wonder what great stories President Obama heard from his father? Not many, since his father abandoned him, and his grandmother that raised him, "was a typical white woman."
Maybe President Obama's interaction with Navy Seals will ensure he doesn't gut the military, and put us in a position of weakness around the globe. I hope so.
Peace--through strength. Just three words, but three words that are extremely important for our young, liberal, inexperienced president to remember with bad guys like those in North Korea and Iran rattling nuclear sabers.
God speed Barack Obama.

Kum Ba Ya--Great for Campfire Songs, Not Foreign Policy

Was the European "ordination" the media gave Barack Obama misplaced?
Could be. It seems BHO was wanting to ask forgiveness for America's short comings and sins. He explained how the actions of the U. S. were sometimes missteps. One must wonder if that included the world wars, the Berlin Airlift, the destruction of the Soviet Union or not?
It was the community organizer in chief who asked the European Commnity, "Can't we all just get along?"
Then, North Korean Despot Kim Jung Il launched a rocket. Barack says the United Nations must act. The international community must stop these types of actions. Iran is building nuclear reactors that could create nuclear weapons and Somali Pirates are hijacking American ships and Barack says, the United Nations must act. .
Maybe the UN must act, because Barack plans on underfunding our military to pay for his massive spending and borrowing plan and big-government takeover of business that HE thinks may get the economy going again? He's wrong, the economy must fix itself, but I digress.
Idealism is one thing, but reality is a bit more certain.
The reality is North Korea and Iran are dangerous, didn't a recent president say they were part of the axis of evil? Yeah, he did,thanks Pres. Bush for telling it like it is.
But our new young inexperienced president believes "we can all just get along" if the U. N. gets involved. The same U. N. that passed more than 20 resolutions demanding Saddam Hussein stop building dangerous weapons and killing his citizens? That didn't work either.
Kum Ba Ya is a campfire song children sing, sadly, our new, young, inexperienced president thinks it's a great foreign policy plan. We have already found the truth, and singing won't solve these problems, a strong America will.

The Blackmail of 9,000 Earmarks

How does someone get a pass on everything boneheaded that he does? No, not me, Barack Hussein Obama?
He boldly says, "We will change Washington and stop earmarks."
Then signs, in a private ceremony a OMONOUS (sic) BILL with 9,000 earmarks.
Who gets to have it both ways?
The media lets him. Maybe they will take notice of this, but the biggest failure of the media isn't just this issue and the kid-gloves they treat this inexperienced chief executive.
The biggest failure? Thinking that government spending can help an economic recovery. It's never worked---instead it only creates more government and more spending and hard-wires bigger government. The WORST PART? These government programs are like heroin. The money is here this year, but if you want to keep these jobs, raise taxes at the local level to pay for them. In Detroit, 25 new police officers graduated from the police academy. They will get paid for a year-----next year, you're on your own. That's when the blackmail starts. To keep these police officers on the job--you must raise your taxes....it's liberal fiscal insanity.

Higher Taxes, Bigger Government, Huge Deficits!

I'm a conservative. I like lower taxes, less government and low debt. Sadly, the president elected in November, disagrees with all those goals.
He is a liberal, tax hiking, big government growing, huge deficit supporter---and he's wrong.
He is part of the liberal crowd that always lives in crisis--think about it--the Democrats always use a crisis as the reason to act and raise taxes--they call them investments--and grow government to "fix" a problem that will fix itself in 6 months.
Spending more money makes no sense. In fact, the "hot rhetoric" talking about the worst economy since the great depression doesn't help.
The dangerous energy policy being proposed with a government takeover of the energy industry and the takeover of the health care industry is terrible news.
Maybe that's why they are proposing HR 45 to demand federal licenses for guns?
These boys in power right now--liberals and democrats--DON'T GET IT.
The American people do get it and for a guy who won a close election to drive so fast into a left ditch doesn't make anyone happy.
I HOPE Obama will CHANGE and butch up for the next few years because if he remains heading in this direction, he's treading a dangerous path for our Republic.

He's MY President, Too!

I didn't vote for Barack Obama, but he's my president too.

It is my hope that my democrat friends won't mind if I try to convince the new president of a few things I care about.

I'm a conservative.

Obama could be the most liberal man EVER elected president, I hope I can change his mind.

I like babies--they turn into taxpayers and creators of wealth---post-partum, which is a very good thing.

Obama supports and defends abortions, I hope I can change his mind.

I like lower taxes.

Obama likes higher taxes, I hope I can change his mind.

I like limited government.

Obama likes bigger and more government, I hope I can change his mind.

An Ode to BCS

Twinkle, twinkle little lone star
How could Mack Brown go down so far?
In the Big 12 the Sooners faired well
But the Texas Longhorns in clutch games fell
Mack Brown griped and complained to all
But the mountain to climb was way too tall
The Longhorn coach tried to politick the Sooners down
But a neutral computer made Mack Brown frown
So the Longhorns will watch the Big 12 Championship on TV
And will have dreams for a national championship next year---we’ll see.
But for sooner fans, Santa came early as he rode into town and gave Texas fans reason to fight…..
Merry Christmas Oklahoma Sooners-----and you better beat Missouri Saturday night…..

The Automotive Car Fix---It's the Price Dummy!

Anybody bought a new car lately?
Around Christmas I love seeing those brand new cars with the big red bows on top, thinking that someone went out and purchased a brand new car for a really loved one for a gift.
Never happened to anyone I knew.
And…it won’t happen to me because I don’t spend that much money on a car.
Perhaps that’s what’s wrong with our auto industry---the prices are too high and can’t be justified.
You want to buy a new Cadillac or Lexus, get ready to spend as much as you would for a small home in parts of Oklahoma County. It seems those who spend that much appear unconcerned about debt for something as seemingly insignificant as mere transportation.
Here’s the math, let me know if you agree.
If General Motors produces an electric car at a cost of $40,000 that means a no interest loan for 72 months would be around $555 a month payment.
If I just want a four door vehicle to drive around, I can buy a really good used import for $12,000 that I can pay off in 72 months for $166 a month. At $3 a gallon, I can fill the 12 gallon tank twice and drive more than 700 miles a month for another $100. My monthly costs for transportation would be around $266 and total costs for six years would be $19,152, half the costs for the estimated price of the GM electric car.
It seems to me it would be difficult to justify the cost of a car for more than $15,000, but over the past years we have seen prices for domestic cars increase far beyond what the average citizen can afford.

Driving More--Enjoying it MORE!!!!

I'm driving more on my Honda Shadow Aero and enjoying it MORE!!!

Since I've purchased the wonderful cruiser I refer to as my "Japanese Girlfriend" we have been out riding a Lot.

I've traveled as far west as Portland, as far south as North East 10th Street, as far east as Luther, Oklahoma, and on Thanksgiving Weekend I traveled as far north as I have so far up to Guthrie---COOL!

I've put about 1,500 miles on the Honda since getting it back in July, with my helmet, leather jacket and leather chaps. The leathers really keep you warm and Evel Knievel says they are really handy to keep the ends of the broken bones together until you get to the hospital. I'm very careful and very defensive as a rider.

Boomer Sooner-Happy Thanksgiving!

It's almost hear, as I write this the OU/OSU game is close.
I get very nervous before every OU game because I care too much. Sounds like an old girlfriend right before she says you should both date others.
Although, back then it was a pretty good idea, now that I recall, but that's another story that probably shouldn't be repeated here.....
It's funny the way these games effect me. As a proud University of Oklahoma fan who attended AND Graduated from the University of Oklahoma. I also played sports at OU and earned a letter at the University of Oklahoma for my performance, I'm pretty proud of that.
When OU plays well and wins, I feel better. If OU doesn't win and plays well, I feel better, but when OU plays poorly and loses I feel bad.
Maybe because I know the tradition and appreciate these young men who are the cream of the crop of football players and they are the torch bearers of "Sooner Magic".
Sooner Magic--two words that mean anything is possible. Sooners, simply put, are people who strive at all costs to win.

Big Three Bail Out?

I have owned and still own domestic cars and or trucks.

So, since I've had Chevys, Fords and my parents and friends owned a Dodge or two, perhaps I can explain what needs to happen with the auto makers.

I think it's time for the future of the American automobile makers to write the next book on making cars, and like other companies, they will have to start writing the book at Chapter 11.

We can't bail you guys out anymore, sorry. And your problems aren't being caused by a failure to make great cars, your problem is a worldwide economy that is shuddering. Fuel prices are unstable, Congress screwed up the mortgage industry and now a new president has pledged to write checks to people who don't pay taxes....yeah, that's what it means, sorry Democrat friends.

All those things have created a mess for domestic car makers. Couple that with expensive union contracts that are causing American cars to be $2,000 to $4,000 more expensive that foreign cars, also made in the U. S., and it was a disaster waiting to happen.

The only way for you cars makers to survive is the use the bankruptcy laws to end those expensive labor contracts so you can turn a profit. What's also very interesting is the way the unions backed our new president and the democrats for congress. They have invested around $200 million in Pres. Obama.

Isn't it great that only congressional democrat math can turn $200 million in campaign contributions into $25 Billion in a bailout for the United Auto Workers?

Congress doesn't run anything well, and getting involved in these talks about fixing the economy should scare the bejesus out of every American, because they can't fix this, it needs to fix itself.

Oklahoma---OUT OF TOUCH?

Oklahomans are “out of touch” because we cast our votes overwhelmingly for Sen. John McCain?
The candidate who ridiculed conservatives for being bitter and “clinging to their guns and religion” didn’t earn our vote. Who would have thought supporting and defending the First and Second Amendment would be ridiculed by a major party presidential candidate?
Out of touch Oklahoma conservative voted for the candidate we believed would keep taxes low; wants less government, not more; a candidate who supports life instead of using the euphemism “choice” to describe killing babies. Conservatives also don’t think Frankenstein lab experiments on embryonic (meaning babies) brain stem cells should be paid for with our tax dollars because conservatives love babies.
Oklahomans voted for someone to make America the strongest nation in the world, a candidate who pledged to fight the war on terror “over there”, instead of surrendering and having the terrorists “over here”.
Sen. Barack Obama may give a great speech but it will take more than smooth rhetoric and a teleprompter to protect America from bad guys and jump-start our economy. I’m keeping him in my prayers.

If McCain loses, what next for conservatives? | Reuters.com

If McCain loses, what next for conservatives? Reuters.com

Bailout

What an incredible circumstance.
The financial markets played inside the park rules, created by democrat leaders in congress like Cong. Barney Frank and Sen. Chris Dodd. Former Clinton officials who are now supporting and raising money for Barack Obama walked away from Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae with hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars in bonuses for driving these "quasi government groups" into the ditch.
So, where is the accountability?
What should happen?
Rep. Frank and Sen. Dodd should have their heads put on pikes on the steps of the nation's capitol because they stalled and prevented any reforms in 2003 that would have prevented this meltdown in the mortgage industry which is impacting the economic health of our nation.
But democrats never resign, they blame everyone but themselves for any shortcomings. "I did not have sex with that woman," or "It's all about sex and has nothing to do with his job," or "I'm going back to work for the American people," remember?
The media, ignorant of economics will paste over the issue because they like the democrats because they're cool just like them, and can go sleep with anyone and no one cares.
So now, the worst financial crisis may cost taxpayers billions, and no one gets the blame----Except for President Bush and Republicans. Thanks media, you.....

French Kissing Candidates II

TIME MAG PUTS OBAMA ON COVER -- FOR THE 7TH TIME IN A YEAR!

[MCCAIN HAS BEEN ON COVER TWICE]

French Kissing Candidates

Wow, who would have thought Barack Hussein Obama would be faltering in the polls and the media would be trying to buck him up. Especially after the, let's fact it, French kissing the media has been doing with Barack for the past year.
It's really embarrassing to see this fawning from the media. And it seems to reinforce the love-fest the national media has with Barack. Despite all the effort, as I write this missive, Barack has lost a narrow lead and now trails Sen. John McCain in the most recent polls. Heading into a national convention and announcing his Vice President soon, Barack could be way out in front if the media could ONLY convince people to support this inexperienced--let's face it--socialist. If you disagree with someone because of the policies they support, you are a conservative and oppose policy issues. Some Democrats are liberals and support more government programs, more government spending and higher taxes. As a conservative, I support fewer government programs, less government spending and lower taxesss.
I disagree with Barack on many issues, but mostly because he lacks the experience to be president. Hey, Barack, just a reminder, abortion is bad and if you are president every decision is within your paygrade.

Selling the House

This is different, the family is in the process of selling the home where we have lived for 20 years.
We have a new home we have purchased and are selling the current house and it looks great.
I can't remember doing as many chores and improvements in a short amount of time, and it is amazing how great everything looks. I'm working on fixing the sprinkler system which is going to be a little tricky since I have spent about 20 hours working on the system over the last year. I'm going to try something new and we'll see how it works.

Who is that guy?

Aromas of Spring and Summer

There are aromas that mean Spring and Summer. Aromas, I don't like to call them smells because that has such a negative connotation to it. It's similar to the difference between the chocolate chip cookies and a skunk. They both have an aroma about them, one good, the other not so good.
Now, it's quickly becoming summer and there are aromas that are seared in my mind, most from childhood.
One is the smell of cut grass. I have some cool grasses in my front yard, and the aroma of that grass freshly cut reminds me of being a child in California. The neighbors would all cut their grass and the aroma of the cut grass would fill the neighborhood.
Then in the evening when the delta area of San Francisco cooled, the aroma of the grass mixed with the aroma of shish kabobs cooking on the charcoal grill are things that always will remain with me.
Now, the heat of summer is becoming more searing and humid. When I awaken in the cool of the day, the early day is cool and the awakening earth brings forth its own aroma, which makes you realize the world is alive and it fills your soul with hope that the change of the seasons can make all things happen...if not this year, the next.

Memorial Day-2008

Memorial Day commemorates all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in military service to preserve our freedoms.
Many of my relatives all served in the military, I figured it up once and these relatives served in every war since the First World War. Some declared, some undeclared.
How many years? I figured more than 150 years of service, including a close friend who was killed in Viet Nam.
So what does it mean?
The United States of America is the most wonderful country in the world, and while there are other countries that may boast just as special, I believe I'm right. There is ONLY ONE country in the world where immigrants can come and begin the legal process to become a citizen and become an American.
I can't go to France and become a Frenchman, or to England and become and Englishmen, but anyone who follows the rules can come to American and become an American. What a country.
The United States instills such pride that we send our religious volunteers, our Peace Corps, our troops and our foreign aid to promote, preserve and protect freedom loving citizens of the world. We do that using the most amazing technology in the world. Some are killed or die for their American ideals.
There are critics and liberals who don't understand America or the idea of America. The idea of America is what lives and inspires people around the world to want to strap themselves to anything that floats to try and get to U. S. shores so they can catch the dream of becoming an American.
If you are an American, God has blessed you with the most important gift: citizenship in the greatest country in the world.
If you were in trouble in a foreign country you will proudly exclaim you are an American citizen. And if you were stranded in a remote area, could you feel any better if over the ridge appeared a "Band of Brothers", American troops with the Stars and Stripes patches on their shoulders?
The greatest country in the world has created the greatest population of citizens who fight to preserve their freedom and encourages and promotes the freedoms of others around the world who crave this God-given gift.
We celebrate those who served and fought to preserve, protect and promote our freedoms today. God bless them all and let them rest in peace knowing we shall never forget them and their sacrifice.

Talents For The Home

When you were a kid, was there something you did that turned out better than your friends?
Maybe it was dodge ball, tether ball, football, baseball or something else, it was just easier for you. Maybe it is cooking, or decorating or driving efficiently.
Sometimes you are pretty good at some things but because it appears effortless to others, they think you are so much better.
Sometimes it was frustrating when you're a child because sometimes kids aren't very understanding when someone else can't match their performance.
If it's happened to you---great! If it hasn't happened to you, keep reaching for something because it's a great feeling.
What's the secret--mostly it's the confidence to try something new.
I have a very close friend who has gotten into the investment of real estate. I've worked building houses and other projects and I've been able to help her make some repairs and they turned out great. The truth is I worked my buttocks off and I'm really tired.
It was great to have others compliment you on the work you do. So often in our lives we work at jobs or projects that take so long that sometimes they don't get resolved or completed for us to reflect and relish. Too bad, because it feels good.
You remember Jesus, his story was in all the papers. Jesus explained how under-appreciated he was in his own hometown. "Nothing good ever came out of Nazareth," it's reported.
Often times as adults, it's even more pronounced that we are under-appreciated, particularly in our own hometown.
When you can use your skills and get the praise for those skills, it makes you feel great. It makes you feel like a kid again. And feeling like a kid is a wonderful feeling. I hope you can feel like a kid again.