WWRD?

What would Reagan do?



You might not have liked Reagan, I certainly disagreed with his Administration's handling of a few things. But he wasn't a fool and he had a real vision that didn't include a lot of government in it.

Another thing I suspect Reagan would have done was release the photos of Osama to show the world that perseverance and patience pays off...and to silence doubters before they become doubters. He might have approved of burying the bastard at sea, but I seriously doubt he would have been buried in accordance with Islamic Law.

Friday Flashback

The wit and wisdom of the one we called Maggie:



As you can see, we are still fighting the same weak and faulty arguments today.

Friday Flashback

For all of you history buffs who like to remember and/or study how the America culture has evolved over time, here is something sent to me via e-mail:


High School Class of 1958 vs. 2010

Scenario 1:

Jack goes quail hunting before school and then pulls into the school parking lot with his shotgun in his truck's gun rack.

1958 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.

2010 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

Scenario 2:

Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.

1958 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.

2010 - Police called and SWAT team arrives -- they arrest both Johnny and Mark. They are both charged with assault and both expelled even though Johnny started it.

Scenario 3:

Jeffrey will not be still in class, he disturbs other students.

1958 - Jeffrey sent to the Principal's office and given a good paddling by the Principal. He then returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.

2010 - Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin. He becomes a zombie. He is then tested for ADD. The family gets extra money (SSI) from the government because Jeffrey has a disability.

Scenario 4:

Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.

1958 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college and becomes a successful businessman.

2010 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy is removed to foster care and joins a gang. The state psychologist is told by Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has an affair with the psychologist.

Scenario 5:

Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school..

1958 - Mark shares his aspirin with the Principal out on the smoking dock

2010 - The police are called and Mark is expelled from school for drug violations. His car is then searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario 6:

Pedro fails high school English.

1958 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English and goes to college.

2010 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against the state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English is then banned from core curriculum. Pedro is given his diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

Scenario 7:

Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from the Fourth of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle and blows up a red ant bed.

1958 - Ants die.

2010 - ATF, Homeland Security and the FBI are all called. Johnny is charged with domestic terrorism. The FBI investigates his parents -- and all siblings are removed from their home and all computers are confiscated. Johnny's dad is placed on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario 8:

Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.

1958 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.

2010 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.


Note--I would have called this post the Friday Funnies. But when I think about it, this stuff really isn't funny anymore.

Quotable Quotes

"You cannot exaggerate about the Marines. They are convinced to the point of arrogance, that they are the most ferocious fighters on earth - and the amusing thing about it is that they are."

Father Kevin Keaney, 1st Marine Division Chaplain, Korean War

From Dream To Nightmare

I have the utmost respect for Dr. Martin Luther King and what he stood for.

At a time when his voice was needed, it rang out and resonated. It dispatched a message that was sorely needed at the time, he told us all of a better way. Facing steep odds, he paved the way for justice and equality to be available to all citizens, regardless of race or national origin. He did this at a time when there was very little justice, in this regard. He spoke of the need for equal opportunity for everyone.

It is my opinion this story should be kept alive, but only if it can be told in the context of truth. He deserves an accurate portrayal, without deifying or demonizing him. I feel it would do his legacy the proper justice, because it would show how a mere mortal being with the usual human faults and shortcomings could rise above them. It would show how he projected a true hope and painted a real attainable vision.

Sounds easy, right? Just get Spielberg to produce a major motion picture. Right?

Not so fast, it seems that Rev. King's heirs have differing opinions.

DreamWorks plans the first big-screen portrayal of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life, the studio announced Tuesday, but two of King's children immediately threatened legal action because the film deal was brokered without their blessing.

Either it was without their blessing or they wanted to get a cut out of it.

To some, this might smell like a shakedown. To others, it may look like a greedy brother trying to pull a fast one on the sibs. Who can really say except for them, and their attorneys?

It's not uncommon for these family members to argue and fight, they have been doing it since the death of their mother. It's just another one of those tragic stories where brothers and sisters split and position themselves apart after the parents are gone, usually over the will.

At one time, at one moment, Martin Luther King had a dream, Since then, he has left us a legacy that should be preserved. But I would not imagine part of that dream included his children, his flesh and blood, acting like total fools with each other. If I were all of the parties involved here, I would be utterly ashamed of myself.

I lost my brother when he was but sixteen and I was twenty. What wouldn't I give to have him around to argue with, right now?

I think that if the story is accurately portrayed, there is a definite benefit for all to see. It will show just how those who followed him have altered his message to one of monetary gain, and spent the bulk of their time justifying their own existences. Maybe the only way to stop the kids from fighting is to throw the story of the sibs, after the death of Coretta, into the mix. People sometimes straighten up when under the microscope, certainly it may worth a try. Maybe then, with the prospect of the world seeing how silly they are, they will act like they have some damned sense.

But then again, maybe not.

Illinois: A Modern Pattern Of Corruption

Here is an article that lists the governors that have served time in prison for misdeeds they committed while in office. Here they are:

_Otto Kerner, a Democrat who was governor from 1961 to 1968, served less than a year of a three-year sentence after his 1973 conviction on bribery, tax evasion and other counts. He was convicted of arranging favorable horse racing dates as governor in return for getting horse racing association stock at reduced prices. Kerner died in 1976.

_Dan Walker, a Democrat who was governor from 1973 to 1977, served 1 1/2 years of a seven-year sentence after pleading guilty in 1987 to bank fraud, misapplication of funds and perjury. The charges were not related to his service as governor.

_George Ryan, a Republican who was governor from 1999 to 2003, was convicted of corruption in 2006 for steering state contracts and leases to political insiders and helping cover up bribes paid in return for truck drivers licenses while he was secretary of state and then governor. He is serving a 6 1/2-year prison term.

In addition, William Stratton, Illinois governor from 1953-1961, was later indicted but was acquitted on charges of income tax evasion.

That's three of eight (four, if you count Stratton), who got caught with their hands in the cookie jars. And it is my opinion that Stratton merely beat the rap. So with Blago making his big splash in Illinois gubernatorial history, what we now have here is something that is strikingly close to a pattern.

How much more of this pattern will see from Obama's administration? After all is said and done, we cannot forget that he too is an Illinois machine candidate. And yet, just when we think this is the end of it, we get this new revelation that Jesse Jackson Jr. was on the short list of possible candidates for Obama's Senate seat because he was going to pay for it.

Candidate #5 offered some serious money to Blago.

Of course JJ Jr. is denying everything, he and papa will probably turn this into a racial issue if any real heat comes down on him. So unless there is a huge outcry that resonates throughout the media, he's probably going to skate. But there is one bright shining aura that flows from this turn of events: At this point in time, there's precious little chance he will be the one appointed to fill the vacancy.

But let's be clear about this and make no mistake here. This is a damaging turn of events for the Obama camp. There is a remarkable amount of damage that can and will be absorbed.

I believe they had plans for Junior all along. Maybe Blago is outing the whole plan and of course there's always the chance he will spill more beans if he goes to trial. Why else would he be so defiant? It's the old crash and burn policy, take everyone you can with you, spare nothing if you can.

Too bad something like this couldn't have come out, before the election, right? Well it did. It did here at PYY, on the Nobama 08 Blogbursters, and countless other platforms in and out of the blogosphere. We hammered this thing hard, to no avail.

And the sickening thing about all of this? The people of America demonstrated they didn't care. It's painfully apparent, they didn't give a damn about Obama's Chicago and Illinois connections of the past. They didn't care that he sat in a church under a whack job for 20 years, they didn't care that he had questionable ties to a one-time avowed terrorist that showed no remorse. They just didn't care.

They just wanted change they could believe in. So they bought into the delusion and voted it. Thanks to them, here we are today, staring at one of the worst possible moments of corruption ever discovered, knowing it extends to the new White House.

Good job, America. Who knows what new revelation we'll have, next?

Are You Tough Enough?

To some, the word tough casts a misconception. Some see it as a chest-thumping trait that is brash, arrogant, and intimidating. But when we stop and think about it, we find that it is anything but.

Toughness is not barbaric, cruel, or sadistic. It is a quiet and subtle, yet strong inner resolve that often gets mistaken for weakness by those that view tough in a negative light. Toughness is not an overt trait easily seen, at first glance. It is something that is hidden until it is needed.

Mustang at Social Sense has an essay that looks at the toughness of people throughout history and laments the lack of it, in western society today.

Give it a read, when you get a chance.

When In Rome...

I have added some channels to my cable television package, recently. And, I have been treated to a full day of Military.Discovery.Com's all-day feature, Rome: Power & Glory. To listen to it, it sounds like a very familiar tale. Apathy, corruption, over-indulgence, high taxes, and so forth, all are pages straight out of an all too familiar script that we have in this country, right now.

The truth is, the mistakes of Rome have been repeated by many nations and empires that have followed; and yet, very few people in a position to do anything about it even realize it. Those that do have the ability to do something, wont. This is because they are the ones that are making the mistakes.

The people are either blind to what goes on, or they just don't care. As long as they can watch their ball games, watch their movies, and essentially do whatever "their thing" is, why should they?

In the days leading up to WWI, we saw this kind of love for leisure time and the malaise that leads to a civilization's decline (be it through war or attrition). What followed was a period of time that brought the world, the most senseless war of the modern age. I have heard almost every explanation for why that war was fought, imaginable. And I truly can find no real good one.

That's not to say that there haven't been other senseless wars. There was no real need for Hitler and his allies to feel the need to spread their specific brands of fascism though out the world. They weren't forced to do it. There was, however, the real need to stop them before they succeeded.

And that's not to say that I am leaving myself out of some of criticism here. After all, I am guilty of doing the Monday Morning Quarterback posts (as well as the other occasional sports posts). I love sports and good cinema with a good story/message, as much as anyone. But, I do see things that certainly concern me about the state of my nation (and others that we align ourselves with). I see us all heading down the same path as those that were once great, before us.

After saying all of this, I am quite sure that some who come hear understand what I am trying to imply here. If you don't, then I am not going to say. I'll let you think this one through on your own, because it's very likely that nothing I say is going to light up the universe in your minds. But to the many that do see it, I have a question:

Will the demise of Rome also be the current western world's destiny?

Because from what we know about the world's history, it's hard to imagine that it won't.

Another Interesting Trans-Atlantic Discussion

Flocon never disappoints. Here, he has generated the makings of another interesting debate and discussion on imperialism. Take a look and drop a thought in the form of a comment, when you get time, if you wish.

A Must Read

Here's an op-ed that appeared in the LA Times yesterday, one that I think everyone needs to read. I have, on occasions, compared the U.S. to the Roman Empire. But the author of this piece takes it all a step further, in what I think is a brilliantly written and must read piece.

It's sobering, when you stop and consider what this guy says.

It's easy to take a lot of things for granted, we all do it. After all, we are all human. But when we seriously look at the great empires of the past, we simply must consider that we too, will someday occupy a place in history.

Mob Hits In Deutschland

From the IHT comes this story.

A bitter blood feud between two rival southern Italian crime families erupted on the streets of a northern German city early Wednesday morning, as the police in Duisburg found the bodies of five Italian men in two parked cars.

There's a lot that can be said here, but let's highlight some of it:

In some ways, two allies in WWII, have chosen very different cultural and economic paths. Germany is a thriving industrial nation that at one time was known for having a strong currency (Deutsch Mark), which for many years post WWII was the backbone of the European economy. The West Germans worked hard and played hard (in the days after the war), rebuilding a modern state that in many ways was the envy of Europe.

But more importantly, I'd like to highlight this: During my two years spent in that nation (1978-80), I found the German people to be respecters of the law and lovers of order. The only reason Germany has had trouble socially and economically in recent years, is due the reunification. Years of Communist rule in the former East Germany has been a drain on those that live in the area that was once West Germany. And to be sure, many former East Germans have had some difficulty adjusting to life in the new Europe. But on this one point let's be clear on something (and make no mistake doing it): Almost all Germans, whether from the former East or West, still have deep respect for law and order.

On the other hand, Italy has seen numerous governments, since the end of the war; and historically, their economy has struggled much more so than their German counterparts. So, in stark contrast to Germany, Italians seem to thrive on chaos and uncertainty. Whereas Germany has progressed, Italy has (in many ways) regressed.

In the days before the unification of the Italian States, rich, powerful, and sometimes ruthless families ruled the peninsula, which once housed one of the most powerful empires in the history of the civilization, Rome. Today, there are still areas on that peninsula that have yet to modernize their thinking, sufficiently enough to shed the image of those pre-unification days.

If you've read Mustangs latest post, then let's do some pondering, shall we?

We know that Rome fell for many reasons, some of which are clearly outlined in Mustang's piece. Many people are very much of the opinion that the U.S. is headed down the same path as Rome. So we see how things are done in some areas that Rome once controlled, which are inhabited by the descendants of that culture. And yet, it should come as no surprise that there is always the distinct possibility of our nation deteriorating further than it already has, maybe to the point the Italian peninsula has managed to reach.

I wonder, how would the U.S look carved up into sections, similar in the manner Italy was, after the fall of the Western Empire? Would it yield the same outcome(s)? Or have we gotten to that point already and just do not recognize it, thinking we are okay? Would we return to a chaotic state like it was in the days pre-WWI, with lawlessness reigning supreme (like in the days of the old west)?

I do not ask these things to be flippant. Because from where I sit, it looks like we are almost (if not already) there.

The Roman Empire Model Revisited

If you truly would like to have a better understanding of why this country is going down the tubes, you can read Mustang's latest post over at his site, Social Sense.

If your thinking is based in reality, you'll want to read this.

If not, skip it. It will be a waste of your time.



Addendum:

If you are backing into this post through a link or a search, I recommend reading this post, after you finish Mustang's essay.

The Costs Of Impeachment

You know, there was a time I thought the GOP was mean-spirited and seething with anger and hostility - all over the fact that their candidates didn't win an election. I argued with many Republicans at that time, over the way they went after Clinton. Whether someone liked him or not, I still felt there was no reason to impeach him, especially because there was not enough votes to remove him. And even though the charge was perjury, taking it forward just for show was not a valid reason to tie up the nation's business in a meaningless action. But more importantly, I thought his sex-life was something that was not important enough to make an issue of, to begin with. In short, it simply was not wise to blow $12 million and waste months on the people's nickel, on what turned out to be consensual sex.

With that said, let's fast forward to today.

We now know, we can count Sen. Barbara Boxer along with joining the irrational Bush haters and calling for the impeachment process to begin. And so, once and again, we may see millions and millions of taxpayer dollars, blown away, in order to (ab)use a process, for nothing more than partisan political reasons. And the reason for my thinking this way is simple. They know they do not have a true case for anything that is impeachable.

The infamous sentence commutation?

Where did the President break the law? History already bears out the use of the pardon as a reward. No crime committed, long story short, problem solved. Next.

Starting a war?

How quickly some of us forget who advocated for it, supported it, and voted for it. The resolution that was passed, was passed for the specific purpose of authorizing the President to use force. He was given permission to do it, by Congress. Congress said he could. No crime.

Lying to start a war?

Where's the proof? Where's the crime, even if he did. He wasn't under oath. No perjury, no crime, absent solid proof. Many Democrats believed that the guy had WMDs, they had been making speeches and even bombed them for effect, when it was necessary to divert attention. It was very much believed widely, by many officials on both sides of the aisle, for the entire time Clinton and Gore was in office. What? Now they want take-backs? Do overs?

Taking civil rights away?

Listening to phone calls of those suspected of being involved with terrorist organizations would have been done, had FDR been president. He suspended his share of civil rights along the way during WWII, namely those of Japanese-Americans. His administration certainly restricted the press, and generally did many things that normally would not have been done had there not been people that were trying to harm the nation in some way. In fact, you'd have a hard time persuading me to believe that HST, JFK, and LBJ would not have done the same thing, as well. Nope, precedent has been set for this long ago. Nothing there. Not a crime.

For outing Valerie Plame?

Earth to moon, earth to moon. Bush didn't do leak her name. Someone under him did it. Bush can't be legally charged with something, he didn't actively do. There's a whole list of names that were embroiled in this whole stinking mess, to choose from. Libby was charged and convicted, but to date no one else has been tried. And if you think there is enough legal evidence to prove that Bush or Cheney gave the order, you'd have to think again. There just isn't. Even if either did give the order, it cannot be proven unless you go after the ones that actually did it and cut them deals to testify against the President. So far, that hasn't happened.

So meanwhile, it's now July and Congress hasn't passed much of anything to benefit the American people. In short, they haven't done a damned thing to earn their salaries this year. But rest assured, they sure have been fixated on bringing down another President, for payback purposes.

Think about this for a moment. One can make the ethical argument, one can make the moral argument. And they can do it (all day long) in their little sound bites, their posturing moments, and their campaign speeches. But that is not enough to legally bring any charges against Mr. Bush. With things as they are at present, there just is no good sensible or reasonable case that can be made, to tie up the legislative process for the period of the upcoming campaign.

After you have thought about that, then, let's take a trip down memory lane and remember some things.

In my lifetime I have seen impeachment hearings against two Presidents. The Democrats drew first blood.

In the case of Nixon, one can argue there was good cause or reason to set a standard. And while I think the only reason he got caught was the fact that he made too many enemies along the way, he was to blame for much of his trouble, for covering it up.

Still freshly empowered (to the point of delusion) over that victory, the Dems had hoped to perform this again with Reagan, in the Iran-Contra affair. It didn't lead to impeachment, but it was looked at as a possibility, if (and only if) North or Poindexter would have implicated the President for a deal. Do not think for one moment that it wasn't looked at and hoped for, despite the fact it didn't happen.

Then, it was the GOP's turn with Clinton. (SEE: Opening Paragraph)

Now it's time for payback on the payback? It's very much sounding like it is.

Where will it all end? Is this what we really deserve? I know we always say we get the government we deserve, but why do we insist on letting these clowns keep wasting taxpayer money so they can spend the entirety of their terms getting something on someone, just because someone does not like or agree with him/her? Why do we still keep voting for them?

At this rate, we won't need to worry about the Jihadists. We have an entity that has taken on the form of an out-of-control beast, which is also self-serving, corrupt, and guilty of the same hypocrisy, as those they try to smear. We seem to have the ability to destroy ourselves slowly and painfully.

So, you know what? When I see all of this happening day after day, week after week, I often think of something:

When some future civilization's archeologists' dig up the rubble and ruins of Washington DC, I highly suspect they will all be astonished at what they are likely to find. There will be many skeletons found in their natural state and they will all be found, pointing their fingers.