A Short Compendium for a Hot August Afternoon

 

Hot Afternoon on Pell Hill                     Hudson River Painter

A short compendium of good reads from the wonderful world of blogs for your Sunday afternoon perusal:

Warning: Contents not verified

Fausta’s story of the Crash-proof motorcycle. To be remembered when someone wants you to rely on a “fail-safe” system.

Something Wonderful from American Digest: the best ever resignation. Makes the idiot from Jet Blue look like an amateur. Ok, it was phony, but apparently so is Stephen Slater.

Greg Gutfeld’s plan to open a gay bar next to Cordoba House Mosque (aka Park 51). Greg and Glen discuss possible names.

The EPA: dangerous at any speed. Another agency acting with impunity. From Steve at Motor City Times

Thomas Sowell’s How Smart are We? Just because it’s Thomas Sowell.

Just for the optics: from Moonbattery, Shirley Jackson Lee, hard at work for the American People. You all remember Shirley of astronauts-on-Mars fame who, it it were up to her, would just have the government take over the oil companies. For their own good of course.

Re. Ground Zero Mosque (GZM): This one could go on for ever, as Legal Insurrection hints, but here are just a few:

Don Surber’s searing question: Hallowed ground for whom?

Doug Ross’ review of the Prez’ unloading of another ton of … crack-pottery

Charles Krauthammer on why this is Sacrilege at Ground Zero.

Nice Deb’s musings on Sarah Palin’s reminder to the Won that this is not above his pay grade.

Barry Rubin’s Why today’s world must understand the crimes of communism in order to survive.

And of course there was MOTUS’ birds-eye view.

And from there we go to Socialists in our Midst:

From DougM at SondraK: great anime plus a link to the Gateway Pundit for the complete list of Congressional members who are also members of the Democratic Socialists of America. And as Doug points out: these “ are just the congressional jackasses who admit to being socialists.”

Of note to Michiganians: Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (history) and John Conyers are members. Of special note, Conyers is also on the Judiciary committee. Can you spell “dangerous”? How about “November”?

That’s really enough for a hot Sunday afternoon.

Islam Creeps in on Little Cat Feet…

That Muslims can build a mosque at the WTC tells you everything about America. That they WILL build it, tells you everything about Islam.

                                                                        Dennis Miller

Here’s a dramatic re-enactment of the creeping Islamazation of America:

via  iOTW , who says: When the birds fly away – GET OUT!

Facts About Elias Abuelazam You May- or May Not- Know

The suspected serial murderer of 5 black men in Michigan who was arrested while attempting to fly home to Israel is not Jewish, as MsNBC’s initial reporting implied. Nor is he “white” as reported across many media outlets earlier. He may or may not be Catholic, as reported by the Detroit News. He may possibly be a member of some other Christian sect as reported elsewhere. Technically ABC was correct in stating that Elias Abuelazam is an Israeli-Arab: sometimes referred to as a Palestinian, under other circumstances.

And while he was in the United States on a green card, it had long since expired – which is so often the case these days.  And yes, while he had married (and divorced) an American woman, he never bothered to use that opportunity to gain legal status. So he really wasn’t in this country legally as reported by ABC, NBC, CNN and CBS and FOX.  Aside from that, it looks like the MSM  - who was crawling all over this story with political correctness if not accuracy – got this one  right.

Intrepid blogger Debbie Schlussel (who has an accuracy rate of about 99.8% on these issues) reported the following:

Serial Killer Who Targeted US Blacks is Palestinian Arab Illegal Alien, Police Hid “Mid-Eastern” Description

For the record: no one (including Debbie) has yet claimed that Mr. Abuelazam is a Muslim. So we’ve got that going for us. Never-the-less, given that this crime spree was perpetrated by a “middle-eastern” man against primarily black men, it leaves the race industrialists on the horns of a dilemma. But I’ll bet the ACLU can make some hay out of it. Even if it turns out he’s just a nut case.

Solid Reasons to Join My “No Incumbents” Club: With Notable Exceptions.

A comment on my “Smart Nerd vs Loud Pol” post reminded me of something I heard on Frank Beckman’s (excellent) WJR morning radio show the day after the Michigan primary, when he was interviewing the winner of the Democratic primary. But I’ll get to that in a bit.  

First, the comment:

“Only one problem: government is not, never has been, and never will be a business. In fact, it is not supposed to be a "business". We have government for those things which business does not and cannot do. Protect the country, enforce the law, keep the water clean, prosecute crimes, etc.
Why a businessman would have an edge in running a distinctly non-business entity like the government is beyond me. The purposes, goals and capabilities are nothing even similar.” 

In these days of crony capitalism, it would be nice if business and government were two completely distinct pursuits. In reality though, the private and public sector have more in common than you might think. And they can both benefit from basic business skills.

First, let me explain why I disagree with the hypothesis that “the purposes, goals and capabilities (of business and government) are nothing even similar.”  There are differences between private and public enterprises, chief among them the requirement for profit in the private sector. Because, after all, without these profits there would be precious little tax basis on which to fund the public sector. But generating profit in no way means that the skills required to do so are not equally beneficial in the public sector.  General business skill is general business skill. GM and Microsoft. are not similar businesses either. Yet regardless of whether you are an auto manufacturer or a computer software company certain general business functions must be executed in order to remain solvent: design and deliver products that people want or need at a price they’re willing to pay.

The U.S. Government ought not be any different: as long as taxpayers are receiving what they believe are valuable services they will continue to “buy” what Washington is selling.  It’s when they start charging for non-existent services (as occurred in the case of the original American Revolution), or services the people really don’t want (Obamacare) that the people rebel.

For not only is government a business, it’s the biggest business in the country. It has a Profit and Loss statement just like any other business entity. It charges money (taxes) for products and services which it delivers to end users (want them or not). It’s just not a for-profit enterprise, and a monopoly at that. One that’s currently running a deficit of trillions of dollars. That’s not a sustainable business model, I don’t care who you are.

When you don’t know how you’re going to pay your employees, cover your operating expenses and pay off your long-term debt, you’re headed for bankruptcy.  With any other enterprise, this would entail a huge shakeup and belt tightening.

Any CEO will tell you that managing the enterprises’s financs is the singularly most important part of their job. You simply cannot commit to costs that you don’t have adequate funding/financing for. But the legislative and executive branches of government –state and federal – do it repeatedly. And worse, they kid themselves  and lie to us about having adequate funding, knowing that when the bill comes due it will be someone else’s problem. If you play games like that in business you get fired or prosecuted. In government you’re likely to get re-elected. Indefinitely.

So, here are my reasons for wanting an elected official to have business experience before seeking to “serve” me – aside from the fact that I’m just plain tired of lying weasel career politicians :

1) Because the government is granted the right to take our money in the form of taxes to allocate as they see fit, it might be nice to have someone guiding the appropriation and redistribution who understands the basics of accounting, financing and fiduciary responsibility. Instead of career-pols whose primary concern once in office is to raise enough money to get re-elected.  

Most politicians knowledge of “financing” goes no further than filling the coffers for their next run. Far too much of a politician’s attention is spent on “fund raisers:” events where  businesses that hold - or wish to hold - government contracts (aka Crony Capitalism) come to contribute large stashes of cash for the politician’s re-election bid. These events also attract lobbyists who expect to get face-time to advance their clients’ causes in exchange for their large contributions of cash (this is equally the purview of  “non-profit” special interest group lobbyists, such as every union in the country and “industry” lobbyists, a sub-set of crony-capitalism.) Ordinary citizens’ votes are bought sought with various community based pork projects funded with someone else’s money.

2) Because government can and does declare war, it would be reassuring if those required to authorize such action had demonstrable skills in setting and clarifying objectives,  real world strategy, (vs. white board navel gazing) implementation/execution protocol and contingency planning. Not because those things are their direct responsibility, but so they will be able to recognize a flawed strategy, an unattainable objective, a weak implementation when it’s presented, and demand better. Many of our politicians have no experience in these critical skill levels beyond getting elected (Obama’s claim to fame) or re-elected.

3) Because the government writes the laws we are required to fund (via endless regulatory bodies) and live by, it might be nice if elected officials understood that they are minimally accountable for reading the bills they vote on. The law of unintended consequences is not sitting well with the angry mob.  CEOs are responsible to their board and shareholders for decisions they make and actions they take. If they do so unwisely, without understanding the import of what they are authorizing, they are subject to termination and/or a jail term. (see “fiduciary responsibility” above). But apparently most pols are too busy to actually read the legislation they vote on. Instead, they just follow the directive of their party leader, in hopes of getting enough money from the Party to get re-elected. I would remind sitting politicians  that the Nuremburg defense hasn’t worked out very well for anyone who’s used it thus far.

And the fact that government has ventured far,  far beyond what “only government can do.” (e.g. Legislation on everything from water per flush  to the kind of light bulb I can buy to what kind of healthcare I can have.) Many of the things they “do” for us they wouldn’t have to “do” in the first place if they were limited to what the original framers intended.  And don’t get me started on imminent domain. Do not.

Then we have one of the primary responsibilities of government: “protect the country” which includes protecting citizens from foreign invasion across our border. This, the politicians claim, they can’t do. So instead of doing what they are responsible for, they chose to do something they are not responsible for: something we most assuredly don’t need them to do – healthcare. Which I can assure you they likewise won’t be able to do.

But let’s put those reasons aside and focus on the candidates for Governor in Michigan. Both men agree that business experience is critical to Michigan’s future. I think they’re right. 

Both candidates claim to have “business experience.” Republican candidate Rick Snyder is an entrepreneur, venture capitalist and former President and COO of Gateway computers. Democrat candidate Virg Bernero is “… a  seasoned veteran of Michigan's political scene, having served previously as a county commissioner and as a state representative and senator in the Michigan Legislature. He also served as the executive director of a statewide non-profit association…”

Rick Snyder has created businesses, created jobs and knows what Michigan needs to do to attract private sector business. Check, check and check.

Virg Bernero has, well, gotten elected. So, he's got that going for him. Listen to CNN’s “Angriest Mayor in America” tell WJR’s Frank Beckman  about his business experience, and how he’s business friendly. You will note that he has memorized and can reel off all of his campaign’s rhetoric without barely taking a breath: demonstrating years of experience running effectively for office:

He doesn’t, however, know what a Profit & Loss statement is. But he’s here to help “working men and women,”  defined by Virg as “union members” (the “working poor” must be non-union members)  Virg takes credit for decreasing the deficit in Lansing while the majority of cities in the state teeter on the verge of bankruptcy. He fails to mention that Lansing has done better than most because it is the seat of state government and the home  of Michigan State University. It has more highly paid state employees than any other city in the state. So, he’s got that going for him too.

Yep, I’m going with the real businessman in the Michigan race, with certain equivocations noted in the original post. Career politicians learn nothing as well as how to work the system to get what they and, by extension, their contributors, want. For Virg, that appears to be moving up the ladder to the governor’s office. And he brings the full support of all the state’s labor unions with him: from the UAW to MEA.

Elected Public Official: you’ve got to love the power and the perks. Yet 98% (my estimate) of elected officials of both parties have proven themselves unfit to serve. Let’s start over. Preferably with people who have a grounding in reality instead of wishful thinking, a knowledge of our country’s Constitutional roots (which include a healthy disdain for and wariness of government’s inevitable bias to do harm) and a genuine respect for principles on which this republic was founded.

And with that, I endorse Rick Snyder for governor of the 2nd worst run state in the union. It would hold the number one position, but for its size. That honor goes to California. They’re working on a green economy too.

PS. Exempted from the “no incumbents" rule are Thaddeus McCotter and Mike Rodgers, due to a solid grasp of all of the above points.

The Michigan Giant Awakes

Well, Good Morning Michigan! Finally, our sleeping giant has been awakened from his dangerous sleep.

I have no editorial comment to add, just read this. It’s on American Digest via Neo-neocon . It’s from a fellow Michiganian. A Union Michiganian who’s finally had it it: with his governor, his party, himself for his role in it all.

As Gerard said, “This is Whitman’s “barbaric yawp sounded over the roofs of the world.” This is an American Citizen speaking, and it is the sound and sign of Democracy awakened. It is the voice of the people betrayed:”

Enter here, all ye who have abandoned hope. Here it is copied in total from American Digest:

Syoung809132001: The Voice of the People

Neoneocon found this commenter’s cri du Coeur deep inside the Washington Post’s long stream of comments castigating the Journolist quislings it still keeps on the payroll. I've corrected the spelling and punctuation and added paragraphing for pacing. Otherwise I have changed "Syoung809132001" words not one whit.

These words are long, strong, worth reading and absorbing. This is Whitman’s “barbaric yawp sounded over the roofs of the world.” This is an American Citizen speaking, and it is the sound and sign of Democracy awakened. It is the voice of the people betrayed:

I urge the new Republicans who are now running to reach out to the unions. We are weary. We know we are a big part of the problem and we are ready to compromise and work together.

Hell, I used to buy all of the spin. I am guilty of doing too little research and just toeing the party line because I was too busy. I’ve got plenty of time now. I’ve got plenty of will now. To say I regret all of the above doesn’t do it justice.

However, as a penance for the error of my ways, I am willing to take any kind of pay cut, benefit cut, furlough, whatever just to be able to feed my family and not have to worry about the bills and the roof over our heads. I am willing to cut whatever corners are necessary, learn whatever new skill is required to just get people working again.

If I never have to hear the words GREEN JOBS from my governor’s mouth again I would fall on my knees in gratitude. Fancy ideas, cotton candy spun dreams do not materialize into real paying jobs.

Our entire state of Michigan was sacrificed to the green job pie in the sky promise. Michigan now resembles a third world country. Whatever it takes, with whatever party candidate who has a realistic, adult answer will get our union votes.

The rose colored glasses are gone, I am turning accusing eyes at my so called “advocates” and I am bringing a hell of a lot of people with me.

I am an adult. Speak to me as an adult. Do not whine and point a finger of blame at a minority party for your own failure. ADULTS admit when they have made a mistake.

It is becoming clear to me who the irresponsible children are who go on a crazy “who cares” spending spree, and then become irritated when the people aren’t appreciative of their irresponsibility. And it is apparent who the adults are who are standing up screaming: “NO! STOP! YOU IDIOTS!” We will soon see which side the majority of the electorate is on.

I only regret I have one vote to cast. It is a dog eat dog world out there and the Democrat party wrote their own obituary with their utter foolishness. I played a part in that foolishness. I regret it utterly, but thankfully a tragic and deep lesson has been learned. If nothing else, I am grateful to be awake, thinking on my own, and seeing the light for the first time. It is a miniscule silver lining to a very dark cloud.

And here is the same commenter again, a bit earlier (at 11:53:50 AM on the same day, addressing the author of the article where he’s commenting, Ezra Klein who, in his callow way is trying to convince all and sundry that the recession is over and happy days are here again):

This is really pathetic, how old is Ezra Klein?

PLEASE be sure to head over to Michigan’s ghost towns, boarded up shops, and empty parking lots. See the lines teeming at the unemployment offices. See people lined up for food stamps and tell all of those people that the “slow recovery is right on schedule.”

What a complete and out of touch idiot -- one of many tone deaf, over confident fools that seem to make up our media nowadays; the same media who will be stunned speechless when the auto workers of this country turn on the Democratic party, and either vote Republican as a protest, or don’t even show up to vote at all.

We are everywhere in this country, but mostly we are in the blue states. We are beyond fed up with promises. We are beyond fed up with being taken for granted by our non-representing representatives. And we are determined to make a deafening exclamation point at the ballot box on Nov.2.
After being unemployed for nearly two years, I am over the blame game of GOP versus DEM. Who in the heck cares?

It is clearly obvious that NEITHER party has the answer. I am game to vote in someone who has EXPERIENCE RUNNING A BUSINESS, has never served in Congress, isn’t reading a speech off of a teleprompter that someone else wrote, and doesn’t REEK of the stench of corruption.

Maybe that person will rise above the pettiness -- “They are the party of no-wah - we only have a supermajority” -- and for a change do something that WORKS!

I have been a Democrat all of my life. I am a union worker in a generation of union workers. My entire family are union workers. We are all Democrats. Not a one of us has even the slightest problem voting against the democratic party, The democratic party doesn’t exist anymore. We don’t recognize it, we don’t like it, we don’t buy what they’re selling and very soon WE will be giving THEM a pink slip.

And then this, today, in response to the craven Matt Yglesias’ evil and overwhelmingly dense Welcome to the summer of fear .

Pure and utter drivel, Sir.

Let me see if I get this straight: If I disagree IN ANY WAY with the Obama administration, I am either a racist (courtesy of the black caucus), a xenaphobe. (According to Mayor Bloomberg and the other reptilious NY politicians), simply too stupid to understand the complexity of the issue (repeat that again, Reid or Joe Biden?).

This is absolutely hilarious and speaks of a "high schooly" clique of "group think."

Let us come up with a new word that will be in much use come Novemember 2, 2010: OBLITERATION,

We will look back at that once vaunted political party inappropriately named "Democrat" and tsk-tsk while shaking our heads in wonder at the sheer buffoonery of a man with the spine of a ham sandwich for a president; a senate majority leader who single handedly bankrupted his own state of jobs, evicted a huge swath of his constituents with his rubberstamping of an agenda of failed fiscal policies and socialist ideals the country rejected; a speaker of the house so universally loathed that her approval ratings seldom make it out of the teens, a woman who spends taxpayer money like water on libations, flights, bon bons and God knows what else for her friends and family; a congress that acts like pompous sniveling pantywaists worthy of the court at Versailles. Add to them a media with yearlings such as Klein who can't be more than a score and 5 years old; Krugman who is so rabid that only the most lack-wit lemmings put any credence into his overly inflated tripe, and the estimable Dionne, who can be depended on to toss out the race card on, at the very least, a weekly basis.

We will point out a wax doll in a museum of the species titled "Democrat", chuckle to our children, and say, "Child, THIS is what happens to those who underestimate the American people. Should you grow up and try such folly, you too, will one day be an oddity, to be pointed at, mocked, and thoroughly despised as well."

DEAREST Matt, I recall your name on the JOURNOLIST. Please do get back to your partners in crime at the new, but not improved CABALIST, and relay our fondest wishes and the unfortunate news that the gig is up. One has that most fabulous invention called the Internet, where we can do the most amazing trick. We can go from blog to blog, or to this site called Real Clear politics, where we can read 20 articles from different papers AND see the JOURNOLIST talking points in each one, and who the constant repeat offenders are.

Tick tock, simpleton -- only three short ,short months to go.

 

Pass this on to everyone you know: Syoung809132001 is far from alone.