Has anybody looked beyond health care reform?
Should a health care reform bill pass - a bill close to what President Obama spoke about on Wednesday night - what will be next?
With cap and trade looming, the government's involvement in the banking industry and some segments of the insurance sector - then throw in the auto industry, where does the involvement end?
Is life as we know it destined to become an insolvent mess like the United States Post Office?
If health care reform is shoved through in partisan fashion, what will be next?
How about auto insurance for all Americans? Does every resident in this country have a RIGHT to automobile insurance?
How about the right to a free college education for all Americans. Is the government going to mandate that ALL high school graduates get money for college?
How about the right to food?
Housing?
Furniture?
Appliances?
Air conditioning?
Automobiles?
Tires?
Gasoline?
Electricity?
You may think this is an attempt at humor. Sadly, the concerns are legitimate.
Do we want this type of government interference?
More importantly, how in the world do we pay for this type of change?
Right now, every person in this country - ALL OF US - are on the hook for over $40,000 on our debt. That's the amount of money YOUR elected officials have spent OVER what they were authorized to spend. That's what you owe in addition to what you pay Uncle Sam annually.
The government does not run things efficiently. They never have. They operate in the realm of pork-filled policy which balloons the cost of everything they "improve."
The regulation and supervision of health care reform, bailout of large banks, GM and Chrysler - all of the things our government is now involved in takes a huge number of employees. Guess who pays for these employees? YOU AND I!
Like Obama, I also think we should make sure all Americans have health care. The difference is, I think the waste should be eliminated from both the public and private sector before taking on added expense.
Let's get those 30 million Americans covered using common sense and belt-tightening. Let's do it by streamlining what works in the current system and removing or improving what doesn't.
Let's get some measures of tort reform in the bill. If hospitals and doctors were not burdened by the billions it takes to protect them from frivolous lawsuits, there is probably enough money right there to insure millions.
I always thought America was a place to dream big and work your butt off to make those dreams come true. Where is the incentive to accomplish a dream when the government takes the ball out of your hands.
Like most of you, I was taught to work hard and try and accomplish goals.
Today, the only guarantee you have on this planet are air and sun. Everything else you'd better be prepared to work for.
Sadly, I would have like to have written a trusted parent or family member was also a guarantee, but that is no longer the case for many.
Look, unless you believe the government should care for you from the cradle to the grave, you'd better pay attention to what out Congress is working on and how it will be paid for.
Copyright 2009 by Christopher Blackburn
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Alinsky's Influence
Washington Democrats have a playbook and they are sticking to it.
The playbook: "Rules for Radicals," written by Saul D. Alinsky, is at the cornerstone of the pro-left movement in the U.S.
From Sec. of State Hillary Clinton to President Obama, Alinsky's influence can now be felt across the country. Is it the change we need?
Clinton wrote her thesis on Alinsky and was later offered a job from the man as he was looking for a community organizer to move to Chicago and establish grass-roots organizations to reform the city. Clinton declined and chose to attend law school.
Seventeen years later, another young honor student was offered a job as an organizer in Chicago. Barack Obama, a 23-year-old Columbia University graduate, was hired to organize black residents on the South Side.
Both Obama and Clinton, along with First Lady Michelle Obama, have used the Rules as guidelines to attempt to transform the country from what it is, or was, into what they think it should be.
Alinsky's book begins:
What follows is for those who want to change the world from what it is to what they believe it should be. The Prince was written by Machiavelli for the Haves on how to hold power. Rules for Radicals is written for the Have-Nots on how to take it away.
“The first step in community organization is community disorganization,” Alinsky, who died in 1972, said.
Alinsky writes that through hope and resentment, organizers can create an army which continues to recruit from churches, labor unions, gangs and other community organizations.
Here are Alinsky's rules:
RULE 1: Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have. Power is derived from 2 main sources - money and people. "Have-Nots" must build power from flesh and blood.
RULE 2: Never go outside the expertise of your people. It results in confusion, fear and retreat. Feeling secure adds to the backbone of anyone.
RULE 3: Whenever possible, go outside the expertise of the enemy. Look for ways to increase insecurity, anxiety and uncertainty.
RULE 4: Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules. If the rule is that every letter gets a reply, send 30,000 letters. You can kill them with this because no one can possibly obey all of their own rules.
RULE 5: Ridicule is man's most potent weapon.
RULE 6: A good tactic is one your people enjoy. They'll keep doing it without urging and come back to do more. They're doing their thing, and will even suggest better ones.
RULE 7: A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag. Don't become old news.
RULE 8: Keep the pressure on. Never let up. Keep trying new things to keep the opposition off balance. As the opposition masters one approach, hit them from the flank with something new.
RULE 9: The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.
RULE 10: If you push a negative hard enough, it will push through and become a positive. Violence from the other side can win the public to your side because the public sympathizes with the underdog.
RULE 11: The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative. Never let the enemy score points because you're caught without a solution to the problem.
RULE 12: Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it. Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people and not institutions; people hurt faster than institutions.
The rules are simple and are being followed by some Democratic leaders. Example: Rule 12 in relation to the health care debate.
"Mobs," "Right-wing extremists," "Nazis," "Un-American" - these are what you are called when you question health care reform. This is said by our leaders about hard-working Americans with questions. It was said of our elderly who are worried about Social Security and Medicare.
As Americans, it is incumbent on us to watch our political leaders and demand they hear our voices. It becomes even more important when the mainstream media fails to play watchdog for us.
Copyright 2009 by Christopher Blackburn
The playbook: "Rules for Radicals," written by Saul D. Alinsky, is at the cornerstone of the pro-left movement in the U.S.
From Sec. of State Hillary Clinton to President Obama, Alinsky's influence can now be felt across the country. Is it the change we need?
Clinton wrote her thesis on Alinsky and was later offered a job from the man as he was looking for a community organizer to move to Chicago and establish grass-roots organizations to reform the city. Clinton declined and chose to attend law school.
Seventeen years later, another young honor student was offered a job as an organizer in Chicago. Barack Obama, a 23-year-old Columbia University graduate, was hired to organize black residents on the South Side.
Both Obama and Clinton, along with First Lady Michelle Obama, have used the Rules as guidelines to attempt to transform the country from what it is, or was, into what they think it should be.
Alinsky's book begins:
What follows is for those who want to change the world from what it is to what they believe it should be. The Prince was written by Machiavelli for the Haves on how to hold power. Rules for Radicals is written for the Have-Nots on how to take it away.
“The first step in community organization is community disorganization,” Alinsky, who died in 1972, said.
Alinsky writes that through hope and resentment, organizers can create an army which continues to recruit from churches, labor unions, gangs and other community organizations.
Here are Alinsky's rules:
RULE 1: Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have. Power is derived from 2 main sources - money and people. "Have-Nots" must build power from flesh and blood.
RULE 2: Never go outside the expertise of your people. It results in confusion, fear and retreat. Feeling secure adds to the backbone of anyone.
RULE 3: Whenever possible, go outside the expertise of the enemy. Look for ways to increase insecurity, anxiety and uncertainty.
RULE 4: Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules. If the rule is that every letter gets a reply, send 30,000 letters. You can kill them with this because no one can possibly obey all of their own rules.
RULE 5: Ridicule is man's most potent weapon.
RULE 6: A good tactic is one your people enjoy. They'll keep doing it without urging and come back to do more. They're doing their thing, and will even suggest better ones.
RULE 7: A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag. Don't become old news.
RULE 8: Keep the pressure on. Never let up. Keep trying new things to keep the opposition off balance. As the opposition masters one approach, hit them from the flank with something new.
RULE 9: The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.
RULE 10: If you push a negative hard enough, it will push through and become a positive. Violence from the other side can win the public to your side because the public sympathizes with the underdog.
RULE 11: The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative. Never let the enemy score points because you're caught without a solution to the problem.
RULE 12: Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it. Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people and not institutions; people hurt faster than institutions.
The rules are simple and are being followed by some Democratic leaders. Example: Rule 12 in relation to the health care debate.
"Mobs," "Right-wing extremists," "Nazis," "Un-American" - these are what you are called when you question health care reform. This is said by our leaders about hard-working Americans with questions. It was said of our elderly who are worried about Social Security and Medicare.
As Americans, it is incumbent on us to watch our political leaders and demand they hear our voices. It becomes even more important when the mainstream media fails to play watchdog for us.
Copyright 2009 by Christopher Blackburn
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
The First Day Of School
My son Jackson hit the big time Monday. He is now a kindergartner.
I dreaded this day all summer. I really don't know why either. It's a big step in my son's life, but letting go was difficult for me.
Maybe it's a control issue. For the first time in his life, he's really in the hands of others. Perhaps that's the reason.
Then again, it may be the fact that he's taking a large step in his young life. It's not every day you start school for the first time.
Jack has been through a lot in his young life. Could it be that I feel helpless or powerless now? I guess that's another control issue.
As my wife and I were leaving his classroom this morning, I paused and looked back at Jackson. He sat their calmly, facing forward and not saying a word.
"Come on Jack, just give me one quick glance," I said to myself. "Please Jack, look over that left shoulder and give me a thumbs up!"
Nothing. He remained still. His little toe-head fixed on what was in front of him. "I know you're scared son ... just give me a look and I'll make you feel at ease."
Nothing still. "I finally joined my wife and younger son and we started the long walk out of the school. Jackson was on his own and I had to deal with it.
In retrospect, it was probably a good thing that he didn't look back. I'm not so sure I could have kept it together.
Sometimes I'm not so sure about our society. Part of me feels like taking the wife and kids and hiding out in the mountains for a couple of decades. That way I can keep them safe and sound and out of harms way. I can shelter them from the influences of others.
But that's neither wise nor practical. Job number one is preparing them for the challenges they will face in their lives. It's a job I take seriously and one I think I'm pretty good at.
It is comforting knowing I left my son in good hands today. The teachers in that school are incredible and we're fortunate to have such a place.
I told Jackson of my difficulty when I picked him up this afternoon. I told him it was hard on Daddy to let go.
"I know Dad, I was a little bit scared too," he told me as we walked to the car. "You don't need to worry though. No matter how many time I go to kindergarten, I'll always love you and I know you'll always love me too."
I guess the students do become the teachers on occasion. All-in-all, he handled his first day of school better than I did. And, he even earned some extra recess.
Copyright 2009 by Christopher Blackburn
I dreaded this day all summer. I really don't know why either. It's a big step in my son's life, but letting go was difficult for me.
Maybe it's a control issue. For the first time in his life, he's really in the hands of others. Perhaps that's the reason.
Then again, it may be the fact that he's taking a large step in his young life. It's not every day you start school for the first time.
Jack has been through a lot in his young life. Could it be that I feel helpless or powerless now? I guess that's another control issue.
As my wife and I were leaving his classroom this morning, I paused and looked back at Jackson. He sat their calmly, facing forward and not saying a word.
"Come on Jack, just give me one quick glance," I said to myself. "Please Jack, look over that left shoulder and give me a thumbs up!"
Nothing. He remained still. His little toe-head fixed on what was in front of him. "I know you're scared son ... just give me a look and I'll make you feel at ease."
Nothing still. "I finally joined my wife and younger son and we started the long walk out of the school. Jackson was on his own and I had to deal with it.
In retrospect, it was probably a good thing that he didn't look back. I'm not so sure I could have kept it together.
Sometimes I'm not so sure about our society. Part of me feels like taking the wife and kids and hiding out in the mountains for a couple of decades. That way I can keep them safe and sound and out of harms way. I can shelter them from the influences of others.
But that's neither wise nor practical. Job number one is preparing them for the challenges they will face in their lives. It's a job I take seriously and one I think I'm pretty good at.
It is comforting knowing I left my son in good hands today. The teachers in that school are incredible and we're fortunate to have such a place.
I told Jackson of my difficulty when I picked him up this afternoon. I told him it was hard on Daddy to let go.
"I know Dad, I was a little bit scared too," he told me as we walked to the car. "You don't need to worry though. No matter how many time I go to kindergarten, I'll always love you and I know you'll always love me too."
I guess the students do become the teachers on occasion. All-in-all, he handled his first day of school better than I did. And, he even earned some extra recess.
Copyright 2009 by Christopher Blackburn
Un-American?
Something has disgusted me over the past several weeks.
It is hard to believe that the voices of so many were dismissed as "un-American" by elected officials, particularly the Speaker of the House.
What is more un-American, protesting a war you feel is the wrong decision or protesting a health care reform bill?
What is more patriotic, protesting a war you feel is the wrong decision or protesting a health care reform bill?
The reality is, you are not un-American nor patriotic in either instance. That is the beauty of our freedom of speech. It guarantees you the right to say and express how you feel about a given topic or situation.
Freedom os speech can be hard to swallow at times. If you feel strongly about a topic, then naturally, the opposite view will upset you. But elected officials should be above name-calling. It makes them look petty and sad.
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House and one of the biggest hypocrites walking the globe, called those protesting at recent town hall meetings "un-American," "Nazis" and "right-wing extremists."
Oh yes Madam Speaker, those grandmothers sure did look like "right-wing extremists." How terrifying!
Wouldn't it have sounded more professional if she would have said, "We welcome differences of opinion in this country. It leads to constructive dialogue which enables us to have the pulse of our respective constituents, thus, making us a better country."
Of course, if she were to say those words, would you believe them?
Here are some words Pelosi spoke following the presidential election:
“Last week, in a stunning display of democracy, the American people voted for change,” said Pelosi. “Today, House Democrats have elected the leaders who will help take our nation in a New Direction. We will work together to lead the House of Representatives with a commitment to integrity, to civility, and to fiscal responsibility. This leadership team will create the most honest, most open, and most ethical Congress in history.”
How wonderful it would have been had she really meant what she was saying back in November.
At times during the war formerly known as the war on terror, it pained me to see so much hate in the streets of our country. In fact, many of the things said during that time made me sick.
However, I can appreciate the fact that people can assemble and voice their opinions and that right should be, and is, protected.
I remember growing up and seeing and hearing both pro life and pro choice groups going at it in front of clinics around the country. Both groups had one thing in common: freedom of speech.
Freedom of speech is a human right. Without it, we are oppressed.
Read the words of others:
"If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter." - George Washington
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Voltaire
"The sound of tireless voices is the price we pay for the right to hear the music of our own opinions." - Adlai E. Stevenson
Speaker Pelosi can't have it both ways. Elected officials condemning Americans for exercising a basic right is both unprofessional and childish. I was going to say it was un-American, but we proved here that would be a mistake on my part.
Copyright 2009 by Christopher Blackburn
It is hard to believe that the voices of so many were dismissed as "un-American" by elected officials, particularly the Speaker of the House.
What is more un-American, protesting a war you feel is the wrong decision or protesting a health care reform bill?
What is more patriotic, protesting a war you feel is the wrong decision or protesting a health care reform bill?
The reality is, you are not un-American nor patriotic in either instance. That is the beauty of our freedom of speech. It guarantees you the right to say and express how you feel about a given topic or situation.
Freedom os speech can be hard to swallow at times. If you feel strongly about a topic, then naturally, the opposite view will upset you. But elected officials should be above name-calling. It makes them look petty and sad.
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House and one of the biggest hypocrites walking the globe, called those protesting at recent town hall meetings "un-American," "Nazis" and "right-wing extremists."
Oh yes Madam Speaker, those grandmothers sure did look like "right-wing extremists." How terrifying!
Wouldn't it have sounded more professional if she would have said, "We welcome differences of opinion in this country. It leads to constructive dialogue which enables us to have the pulse of our respective constituents, thus, making us a better country."
Of course, if she were to say those words, would you believe them?
Here are some words Pelosi spoke following the presidential election:
“Last week, in a stunning display of democracy, the American people voted for change,” said Pelosi. “Today, House Democrats have elected the leaders who will help take our nation in a New Direction. We will work together to lead the House of Representatives with a commitment to integrity, to civility, and to fiscal responsibility. This leadership team will create the most honest, most open, and most ethical Congress in history.”
How wonderful it would have been had she really meant what she was saying back in November.
At times during the war formerly known as the war on terror, it pained me to see so much hate in the streets of our country. In fact, many of the things said during that time made me sick.
However, I can appreciate the fact that people can assemble and voice their opinions and that right should be, and is, protected.
I remember growing up and seeing and hearing both pro life and pro choice groups going at it in front of clinics around the country. Both groups had one thing in common: freedom of speech.
Freedom of speech is a human right. Without it, we are oppressed.
Read the words of others:
"If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter." - George Washington
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Voltaire
"The sound of tireless voices is the price we pay for the right to hear the music of our own opinions." - Adlai E. Stevenson
Speaker Pelosi can't have it both ways. Elected officials condemning Americans for exercising a basic right is both unprofessional and childish. I was going to say it was un-American, but we proved here that would be a mistake on my part.
Copyright 2009 by Christopher Blackburn
UG2BK
Do you send text messages on your cellular phone? If not, surely you've been around people who are texting.
In the world of texting, abbreviations (a type of shorthand) are commonly used. So much so, it is almost like another language.
To be honest, I'm not very good at texting. I'm slow and I really don't enjoy it that much. However, it does come in handy at times. One of the most useful aspects of texting for me is the fact you can send the same message to several people at the same time. Example: "Baseball practice tonight is canceled."
As text-messaging shorthand becomes more and more widespread in emails, text messages and Tweets, people have a need to decode the ever-evolving shorthand.
Parents want to keep up with or police their teens. Bosses want to know what employees are saying on company equipment.
One reason for the growing number of texting abbreviations - now over 2,000 according to NetLingo.com - is the boom in social-media sites like Twitter, where messages are limited to 140 characters. Text messages, too, are limited in length, so users have developed the shorthand abbreviations.
The trend will most likely continue. In 2008, over one trillion texts were sent in the U.S.
The confusion over the explosion of abbreviations is fueling a greater number of resources that provide English translations. They include independent Web sites like NetLingo.com and UrbanDictionary.com and corporate ones like LG Mobile Phones’ DTXTR.com. Textapedia, a pocket guide to texting terms released last year, is now sold in over 4,000 stores nationwide. NetLingo reports a 391% increase in the number of unique visitors over the past five years, while UrbanDictionary says it saw a 40% jump in its unique visitors in the past year.
Both the AP Stylebook and Merriam-Webster Dictionary recognized texting shorthand for the first time in their 2009 editions. The AP Stylebook now includes IMO (“In my opinion”), ROFL (“Rolling on the floor laughing”) and BFF (“Best friends forever”), among others. Merriam-Webster defines LOL (“Laugh out loud”) and OMG (“Oh my God”).
Some parents have created their own cheat sheets in an effort to keep up with their teens. Rightfully so given these abbreviations: GNOC (“Get naked on camera”); POS (“Parent over shoulder”); LMIRL (“Let’s meet in real life”); and IWSN (“I want sex now”).
Here are some more examples of some common shorthand abbreviations:
* UG2BK - You got to be kidding
* GBTW - Get back to work
* NMP - Not my problem
* PIR - Parent in room
* GFTD - Gone for the day
* FYEO - For your eyes only
* BI5 - Back in five minutes
* DEGT - Don’t even go there
* BIL - Boss is listening
* PAW - Parents are watching
* 99 - Parents are no longer watching
* PCM - Please call me
* IMS - I am sorry
* TOY - Thinking of you
* KUTGW - Keep up the good work
* CID - Consider it done
* FWIW - For what it’s worth
* HAND - Have a nice day
* IAT - I am tired
* NRN - No response necessary
* 4COL - For crying out loud
* WRUD - What are you doing
* ^5 - High five
For what it's worth, I'll throw an original of mine in there: IHNIWAIS!
Know what it means. Hint: It's what I'm thinking when I get texts.
I Have No Idea What Anyone Is Saying. Of course, people are really not "saying" anything when they text, so I should probably change that to IHNIWAIT.
And you thought spelling and grammar suffered as a result of spellcheck...
Copyright 2009 by Christopher Blackburn
In the world of texting, abbreviations (a type of shorthand) are commonly used. So much so, it is almost like another language.
To be honest, I'm not very good at texting. I'm slow and I really don't enjoy it that much. However, it does come in handy at times. One of the most useful aspects of texting for me is the fact you can send the same message to several people at the same time. Example: "Baseball practice tonight is canceled."
As text-messaging shorthand becomes more and more widespread in emails, text messages and Tweets, people have a need to decode the ever-evolving shorthand.
Parents want to keep up with or police their teens. Bosses want to know what employees are saying on company equipment.
One reason for the growing number of texting abbreviations - now over 2,000 according to NetLingo.com - is the boom in social-media sites like Twitter, where messages are limited to 140 characters. Text messages, too, are limited in length, so users have developed the shorthand abbreviations.
The trend will most likely continue. In 2008, over one trillion texts were sent in the U.S.
The confusion over the explosion of abbreviations is fueling a greater number of resources that provide English translations. They include independent Web sites like NetLingo.com and UrbanDictionary.com and corporate ones like LG Mobile Phones’ DTXTR.com. Textapedia, a pocket guide to texting terms released last year, is now sold in over 4,000 stores nationwide. NetLingo reports a 391% increase in the number of unique visitors over the past five years, while UrbanDictionary says it saw a 40% jump in its unique visitors in the past year.
Both the AP Stylebook and Merriam-Webster Dictionary recognized texting shorthand for the first time in their 2009 editions. The AP Stylebook now includes IMO (“In my opinion”), ROFL (“Rolling on the floor laughing”) and BFF (“Best friends forever”), among others. Merriam-Webster defines LOL (“Laugh out loud”) and OMG (“Oh my God”).
Some parents have created their own cheat sheets in an effort to keep up with their teens. Rightfully so given these abbreviations: GNOC (“Get naked on camera”); POS (“Parent over shoulder”); LMIRL (“Let’s meet in real life”); and IWSN (“I want sex now”).
Here are some more examples of some common shorthand abbreviations:
* UG2BK - You got to be kidding
* GBTW - Get back to work
* NMP - Not my problem
* PIR - Parent in room
* GFTD - Gone for the day
* FYEO - For your eyes only
* BI5 - Back in five minutes
* DEGT - Don’t even go there
* BIL - Boss is listening
* PAW - Parents are watching
* 99 - Parents are no longer watching
* PCM - Please call me
* IMS - I am sorry
* TOY - Thinking of you
* KUTGW - Keep up the good work
* CID - Consider it done
* FWIW - For what it’s worth
* HAND - Have a nice day
* IAT - I am tired
* NRN - No response necessary
* 4COL - For crying out loud
* WRUD - What are you doing
* ^5 - High five
For what it's worth, I'll throw an original of mine in there: IHNIWAIS!
Know what it means. Hint: It's what I'm thinking when I get texts.
I Have No Idea What Anyone Is Saying. Of course, people are really not "saying" anything when they text, so I should probably change that to IHNIWAIT.
And you thought spelling and grammar suffered as a result of spellcheck...
Copyright 2009 by Christopher Blackburn
Governing From The Center
I've noticed some things about presidents and the Americans they govern. Former President George W. Bush ran from the center, but governed from the right. For millions of Americans, it was too far to the right and cost the Republican Party the majority in both the House and the Senate.
Former President Bill Clinton began his first term governing from the left which led to the Republican Revolution as they took over Congress. Clinton then governed more from the center and was able to make more of a difference.
President Obama, who ran on the left, may be learning that he too needs to govern more from the center or his numbers will continue to drop as more and more Americans are turned off by an agenda they deem too liberal.
The United States is a center-right country. When you take the 330 million residents, what you get are 79 percent who do not consider themselves liberal. That is a telling number.
According to a June Gallup Poll, 40 percent of Americans interviewed describe their political views as conservative, 35 percent as moderate, and 21 percent as liberal. The numbers represent a slight increase for conservatism in the U.S. since 2008, returning it to a level last seen in 2004. The 21 percent calling themselves liberal is in line with findings throughout this decade, but is up from the 1990s.
Basically, that tells me the American people don't want a liberal agenda despite the fact we elected a liberal to the White House.
Now here's the question, will President Obama shift to the center in order to get things done, or will he continue to try and move the country left and run into a brick wall.
I been listening to pundits, from both the right and the left, predicting Obama's demise should health care reform fail. I don't believe that. Similar predictions were made about Clinton during his first term. He easily won re-election.
President Obama is, or should be learning that mainstream Americans, Democrat and Republican, are not liberal. Most Americans don't think like those in the liberal hotbeds of San Francisco, Seattle or Chicago. In other words, most Americans don't think government is the answer for everything. Far from it. Most are weary of big government and expensive government programs.
Obama must also realize that the quickest way to get your message lost is to burn yourself out. The president is on television more than Regis Philbin. After awhile, it all sounds the same. Overexposure is no way to get an agenda across. Bush learned that lesson in 2004 when his popularity vanished as a result of trying to get Social Security privatized.
Obama's popularity has plummeted in recent weeks as more and more Americans are coming out against a massive health care overhaul which would render us with few choices. Many are now paying attention to Cap and Trade and other issues which are rapidly losing ground.
As history has shown us, when a party gains too much power and gets out of line with the mainstream, like the GOP did in 2004 and 2005, it leads to a shift in the balance of power.
Democrats were feeling pretty good about their position in February. Now that they're home and hearing it loud and clear from their constituents (despite denial in some cases), they should realize they are in the fight for their political lives. What happened to the GOP in 2006 could sure happen to the Democrats in 2010.
Might happen anyhow. Most Americans would prefer to have both parties in power in some form or fashion.
Copyright 2009 by Christopher Blackburn
Former President Bill Clinton began his first term governing from the left which led to the Republican Revolution as they took over Congress. Clinton then governed more from the center and was able to make more of a difference.
President Obama, who ran on the left, may be learning that he too needs to govern more from the center or his numbers will continue to drop as more and more Americans are turned off by an agenda they deem too liberal.
The United States is a center-right country. When you take the 330 million residents, what you get are 79 percent who do not consider themselves liberal. That is a telling number.
According to a June Gallup Poll, 40 percent of Americans interviewed describe their political views as conservative, 35 percent as moderate, and 21 percent as liberal. The numbers represent a slight increase for conservatism in the U.S. since 2008, returning it to a level last seen in 2004. The 21 percent calling themselves liberal is in line with findings throughout this decade, but is up from the 1990s.
Basically, that tells me the American people don't want a liberal agenda despite the fact we elected a liberal to the White House.
Now here's the question, will President Obama shift to the center in order to get things done, or will he continue to try and move the country left and run into a brick wall.
I been listening to pundits, from both the right and the left, predicting Obama's demise should health care reform fail. I don't believe that. Similar predictions were made about Clinton during his first term. He easily won re-election.
President Obama is, or should be learning that mainstream Americans, Democrat and Republican, are not liberal. Most Americans don't think like those in the liberal hotbeds of San Francisco, Seattle or Chicago. In other words, most Americans don't think government is the answer for everything. Far from it. Most are weary of big government and expensive government programs.
Obama must also realize that the quickest way to get your message lost is to burn yourself out. The president is on television more than Regis Philbin. After awhile, it all sounds the same. Overexposure is no way to get an agenda across. Bush learned that lesson in 2004 when his popularity vanished as a result of trying to get Social Security privatized.
Obama's popularity has plummeted in recent weeks as more and more Americans are coming out against a massive health care overhaul which would render us with few choices. Many are now paying attention to Cap and Trade and other issues which are rapidly losing ground.
As history has shown us, when a party gains too much power and gets out of line with the mainstream, like the GOP did in 2004 and 2005, it leads to a shift in the balance of power.
Democrats were feeling pretty good about their position in February. Now that they're home and hearing it loud and clear from their constituents (despite denial in some cases), they should realize they are in the fight for their political lives. What happened to the GOP in 2006 could sure happen to the Democrats in 2010.
Might happen anyhow. Most Americans would prefer to have both parties in power in some form or fashion.
Copyright 2009 by Christopher Blackburn
How Stimulating
Our tax dollars are going toward pornography in Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's district.
Hard to believe?
According to news reports, the National Endowment for the Arts is spending some of the money it received from the Recovery and Reinvestment Act to fund nude simulated-sex dances, Saturday night "pervert" revues and the airing of pornographic horror films at art houses in San Francisco.
The NEA was given $80 million of the government's $787 billion economic stimulus bill to spread around to needy artists nationwide. Most of the money is being spent to help preserve jobs in museums, orchestras, theaters and dance troupes which have been hit hard during the recession. I don't have a problem with that as cultural things are needed in our society.
But some NEA grants are being misused, in my opinion, for things which Americans should be up in arms against. One such matter is a $50,000 infusion for the Frameline film house, which recently screened "Thundercrack," "The world's only underground kinky art porno horror film, complete with four men, three women and a gorilla."
Makes you wonder what else has slipped through the cracks concerning the stimulus package. Guess that's what happens when Pelosi and her cohorts decide to pass bills without reading them first.
A few members of Congress raised questions as the stimulus bill was being drafted and approved, but President Obama, while admitting there were problems with the $787 billion legislation, stressed the need for immediate action.
Surely Obama didn't intend to have stimulus money help fund the weekly production of "Perverts Put Out" at San Francisco's CounterPULSE, whose "long-running pansexual performance series" invites guests to "join your fellow pervs for some explicit, twisted fun."
CounterPULSE received a $25,000 grant in the "Dance" category; a staffer there said they were pleased to receive the grant, "which over the next year will be used to preserve jobs at our small non-profit."
Wow. So basically, our tax dollars are going to porn stars in Pelosi's district.
Victoria Hutter, an NEA spokeswoman defended the agency's choices and said its grants would help "preserve jobs in danger of going away or that had gone away because of the economic downturn."
"Our review process is very comprehensive -- we take great care with applicants and with grantees," said Hutter. "It's a thorough, rigorous process that they all go through, and we're proud of the projects that we've been able to support."
Really?
"The Symmetry Project," which has received past NEA funding and stands to get an additional boost from a $25,000 stimulus grant, is a dance piece by choreographer Jess Curtis.
According to Curtis' Web site, "The Symmetry Project" features (hold on to your hat) "the sharing of a central axis, [as] spine, mouth, genitals, face, and anus reveal their interconnectedness and centrality in embodied experience."
Basically, it's a live sex show.
Curtis said the NEA funding will help keep his art afloat.
"I think art is an incredibly important part of our culture and our life and ... that it's very much appropriate that our government should be supporting it," Curtis said.
Well, I think it's a complete waste of our tax dollars and San Francisco may be as out of touch with mainstream America as a remote village in Nepal.
"With these stimulus funds San Francisco arts organizations will be able to weather the storm and continue to provide jobs and to generate revenue while enriching people's lives through innovative, high quality programming," said Luis R. Cancel director of cultural affairs for the San Francisco Arts Council.
High quality? Doubtful.
No question, the stimulus bill needs oversight BEFORE money is handed out. Porn, questionable art, etc... - these things need to be funded by patrons and not the taxpayer. As for Nancy Pelosi, she's needs to be run out of office in the worst way.
Copyright 2009 by Christopher Blackburn
Hard to believe?
According to news reports, the National Endowment for the Arts is spending some of the money it received from the Recovery and Reinvestment Act to fund nude simulated-sex dances, Saturday night "pervert" revues and the airing of pornographic horror films at art houses in San Francisco.
The NEA was given $80 million of the government's $787 billion economic stimulus bill to spread around to needy artists nationwide. Most of the money is being spent to help preserve jobs in museums, orchestras, theaters and dance troupes which have been hit hard during the recession. I don't have a problem with that as cultural things are needed in our society.
But some NEA grants are being misused, in my opinion, for things which Americans should be up in arms against. One such matter is a $50,000 infusion for the Frameline film house, which recently screened "Thundercrack," "The world's only underground kinky art porno horror film, complete with four men, three women and a gorilla."
Makes you wonder what else has slipped through the cracks concerning the stimulus package. Guess that's what happens when Pelosi and her cohorts decide to pass bills without reading them first.
A few members of Congress raised questions as the stimulus bill was being drafted and approved, but President Obama, while admitting there were problems with the $787 billion legislation, stressed the need for immediate action.
Surely Obama didn't intend to have stimulus money help fund the weekly production of "Perverts Put Out" at San Francisco's CounterPULSE, whose "long-running pansexual performance series" invites guests to "join your fellow pervs for some explicit, twisted fun."
CounterPULSE received a $25,000 grant in the "Dance" category; a staffer there said they were pleased to receive the grant, "which over the next year will be used to preserve jobs at our small non-profit."
Wow. So basically, our tax dollars are going to porn stars in Pelosi's district.
Victoria Hutter, an NEA spokeswoman defended the agency's choices and said its grants would help "preserve jobs in danger of going away or that had gone away because of the economic downturn."
"Our review process is very comprehensive -- we take great care with applicants and with grantees," said Hutter. "It's a thorough, rigorous process that they all go through, and we're proud of the projects that we've been able to support."
Really?
"The Symmetry Project," which has received past NEA funding and stands to get an additional boost from a $25,000 stimulus grant, is a dance piece by choreographer Jess Curtis.
According to Curtis' Web site, "The Symmetry Project" features (hold on to your hat) "the sharing of a central axis, [as] spine, mouth, genitals, face, and anus reveal their interconnectedness and centrality in embodied experience."
Basically, it's a live sex show.
Curtis said the NEA funding will help keep his art afloat.
"I think art is an incredibly important part of our culture and our life and ... that it's very much appropriate that our government should be supporting it," Curtis said.
Well, I think it's a complete waste of our tax dollars and San Francisco may be as out of touch with mainstream America as a remote village in Nepal.
"With these stimulus funds San Francisco arts organizations will be able to weather the storm and continue to provide jobs and to generate revenue while enriching people's lives through innovative, high quality programming," said Luis R. Cancel director of cultural affairs for the San Francisco Arts Council.
High quality? Doubtful.
No question, the stimulus bill needs oversight BEFORE money is handed out. Porn, questionable art, etc... - these things need to be funded by patrons and not the taxpayer. As for Nancy Pelosi, she's needs to be run out of office in the worst way.
Copyright 2009 by Christopher Blackburn
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Time To Submit
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for reading my column. I appreciate it.
As you may or may not know, I have several newspapers covering these great communities: Benjamin, Childress, Estelline, Floydada, Gould, Okla., Hollis, Okla., Knox City, Lakeview, Lockney, Memphis, Munday, Post, Rochester and Wellington.
I know you want your newspaper to reflect your community and there are several ways you may be able to help in that endeavor.
With the amount of technology available to us today, it should be possible for nearly every event happening in your respective town to receive coverage. Not necessarily by us, but by you, the reader.
I'm asking those of you with digital cameras to take them with you to different events, take photos, get identification for said photos, and email it to us.
From Boy Scouts to family reunions - we want it all. We need it all in order to give you the product you deserve and show a true reflection of what is going on in your area.
Timeliness is key. We want you to get home after the event and get your photo, information, club news minutes, etc.. to us while it's fresh on your mind. That will help us get it in the next issue and keep everybody happy.
Listed throughout this edition are contact numbers and email addresses. Let's begin a dialogue between reader and newspaper which will serve everyone and help us give you a better product.
As I've said many times, don't assume we know everything. We don't. It is important that the names are correct and the identification is in order. Also, be sure and tell us your name so that we can give you credit for your efforts.
For those of you who are in the routine of submitting news items and photos for publication, I applaud you. Some of you have been doing this for years and it's people like you who are the backbone of so much. It takes a consistent effort to keep doing what you do and I appreciate it.
The bottom line is this: The more information submitted to the local newspaper, the better that publication is going to be.
You have several sources to receive national and state news, but just one to obtain the local news you deserve. Please help us get that news to the public.
Sincerely,
Chris Blackburn
Thank you so much for reading my column. I appreciate it.
As you may or may not know, I have several newspapers covering these great communities: Benjamin, Childress, Estelline, Floydada, Gould, Okla., Hollis, Okla., Knox City, Lakeview, Lockney, Memphis, Munday, Post, Rochester and Wellington.
I know you want your newspaper to reflect your community and there are several ways you may be able to help in that endeavor.
With the amount of technology available to us today, it should be possible for nearly every event happening in your respective town to receive coverage. Not necessarily by us, but by you, the reader.
I'm asking those of you with digital cameras to take them with you to different events, take photos, get identification for said photos, and email it to us.
From Boy Scouts to family reunions - we want it all. We need it all in order to give you the product you deserve and show a true reflection of what is going on in your area.
Timeliness is key. We want you to get home after the event and get your photo, information, club news minutes, etc.. to us while it's fresh on your mind. That will help us get it in the next issue and keep everybody happy.
Listed throughout this edition are contact numbers and email addresses. Let's begin a dialogue between reader and newspaper which will serve everyone and help us give you a better product.
As I've said many times, don't assume we know everything. We don't. It is important that the names are correct and the identification is in order. Also, be sure and tell us your name so that we can give you credit for your efforts.
For those of you who are in the routine of submitting news items and photos for publication, I applaud you. Some of you have been doing this for years and it's people like you who are the backbone of so much. It takes a consistent effort to keep doing what you do and I appreciate it.
The bottom line is this: The more information submitted to the local newspaper, the better that publication is going to be.
You have several sources to receive national and state news, but just one to obtain the local news you deserve. Please help us get that news to the public.
Sincerely,
Chris Blackburn
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Living Longer
Longevity ... is it in you?
Do you ramble around your house wondering when it is all going to head south?
Are you going to be self sufficient at age 70, 80, 90 or 100?
Lately, I'm thinking 60 might be a reach. I guess when you're ill or banged up, it makes you wonder a little more about reaching these milestones.
By the middle of this century, six million people are predicted to be living in their 100s on this planet.
By the end of the century, and perhaps much sooner, the life expectancy in this country could end up much older. Of course, that's without something cataclysmic happening.
Today, there are 340,000 over 100 years old on the planet with the highest concentrations in the U.S. and Japan, according to the latest Census Bureau figures. Their numbers are projected to grow at more than 20 times the rates of the total population by 2050, making them the fastest growing age segment.
Genetics along with medical advances and improved diets, which have reduced heart disease and stroke, are the reasons people are living longer.
Throw in cutting edge technology and the fact scientists are making incredible findings regarding the aging process and who knows how old some of us may end up being.
Months ago, while checking out some show on aging, more than one scientist spoke about humans being capable of living 150 or 200 years within the next 50 years.
Can you imagine living 200 years?
I suppose it would be fine, if were talking about quality years. Of course, you might have to have all of your organs replaced (grown at an organ farm) and your bones and muscles would probably need a significant upgrade. And none of us would want to live that long without being sharp mentally.
Japan, with its low-fat staple of fish and rice, is expected to have the most centenarians in 2050 — 627,000, or nearly 1 percent of its total population, according to census estimates. That's incredible.
Japan has a thriving industry which caters to their advancing population. Personally, I think the Japanese treat their elders better than we do as well. They seem to give the proper respect to their elderly population and not cast them aside as so often happens in the U.S.
Here, centenarians are expected to increase from 75,000 to more than 600,000 by 2050. Those hitting and passing the milestone will mostly be baby boomers.
Guess we better get Medicare and Social Security fixed.
That many centenarians also means considerable growth in nursing homes, assisted living centers and retirement centers.
When I moved here after college, I lived with my grandfather. He was 82 and sharp, as he'd always been. I actually did not realize that he was rare in terms of being that age and getting around as well as he did. He lived another three years and outside an ongoing battle with congestive heart failure, was in good health and stayed sharp mentally.
On the other extreme, my father is only 66 and he's completely dependent on care givers for everything. My mother died at age 63.
I don't know what that says about my future, but I sure hope my dominant genes come from my grandfather if you catch my drift.
One thing I'm sure of: Regardless if you live to be 60 or 160, the days get shorter the older you get and the end will be here before you know it.
Copyright 2009 by Christopher Blackburn
Do you ramble around your house wondering when it is all going to head south?
Are you going to be self sufficient at age 70, 80, 90 or 100?
Lately, I'm thinking 60 might be a reach. I guess when you're ill or banged up, it makes you wonder a little more about reaching these milestones.
By the middle of this century, six million people are predicted to be living in their 100s on this planet.
By the end of the century, and perhaps much sooner, the life expectancy in this country could end up much older. Of course, that's without something cataclysmic happening.
Today, there are 340,000 over 100 years old on the planet with the highest concentrations in the U.S. and Japan, according to the latest Census Bureau figures. Their numbers are projected to grow at more than 20 times the rates of the total population by 2050, making them the fastest growing age segment.
Genetics along with medical advances and improved diets, which have reduced heart disease and stroke, are the reasons people are living longer.
Throw in cutting edge technology and the fact scientists are making incredible findings regarding the aging process and who knows how old some of us may end up being.
Months ago, while checking out some show on aging, more than one scientist spoke about humans being capable of living 150 or 200 years within the next 50 years.
Can you imagine living 200 years?
I suppose it would be fine, if were talking about quality years. Of course, you might have to have all of your organs replaced (grown at an organ farm) and your bones and muscles would probably need a significant upgrade. And none of us would want to live that long without being sharp mentally.
Japan, with its low-fat staple of fish and rice, is expected to have the most centenarians in 2050 — 627,000, or nearly 1 percent of its total population, according to census estimates. That's incredible.
Japan has a thriving industry which caters to their advancing population. Personally, I think the Japanese treat their elders better than we do as well. They seem to give the proper respect to their elderly population and not cast them aside as so often happens in the U.S.
Here, centenarians are expected to increase from 75,000 to more than 600,000 by 2050. Those hitting and passing the milestone will mostly be baby boomers.
Guess we better get Medicare and Social Security fixed.
That many centenarians also means considerable growth in nursing homes, assisted living centers and retirement centers.
When I moved here after college, I lived with my grandfather. He was 82 and sharp, as he'd always been. I actually did not realize that he was rare in terms of being that age and getting around as well as he did. He lived another three years and outside an ongoing battle with congestive heart failure, was in good health and stayed sharp mentally.
On the other extreme, my father is only 66 and he's completely dependent on care givers for everything. My mother died at age 63.
I don't know what that says about my future, but I sure hope my dominant genes come from my grandfather if you catch my drift.
One thing I'm sure of: Regardless if you live to be 60 or 160, the days get shorter the older you get and the end will be here before you know it.
Copyright 2009 by Christopher Blackburn
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Cap and Trade
Of all of the topics in the news over the past couple of years, the one people have urged me to weigh in on the most is Cap and Trade.
Before offering my opinion of this piece of legislation, some of you may need an explanation of how Cap and Trade works.
The Cap and Trade system involves trading of emission credits, where the total number of credits is strictly limited or 'capped' by the government. A regulatory authority establishes the cap which is usually considerably lower than the historic level of emissions.
Basically, it is a method for managing pollution while at the same time providing for expansion of "green" energy.
Like many liberal ideas, Cap and Trade is a great idea on paper. It's when you get into the substance of the matter that the perfect plan begins to show huge holes and all Americans are faced with more money coming out of our pocket books which wasn't before Cap and Trade.
That's really the problem with the mechanism. Instead of allowing a free market to evolve toward a greener world, which could easily be done with tax breaks for companies investing in such technology and not cost you and I a dime, we are faced with regulation forced on energy producers which will effect YOUR cost for energy.
Under a cap and trade system, the government sets a cap on how much pollution will be allowed and reduces that amount yearly until their reduction numbers are complied with.
Companies are issued credits, depending on how large they are. Heavier polluters will get more more credits but face a "cap" on their credits (the amount of their emissions).
If a company comes in below it's "cap" it can "trade" (sell) those credits to companies needing more.
Here's the bad part. The companies are going to pass the cost of their credits directly to the consumer. And since we're talking about oil, gas, natural gas, coal, etc... almost every single facet of U.S. energy, which Texas and Oklahoma are vital to, will be hurt. That is very, very bad news.
We'll get hit at the pump, at home and at work. Prices will go up for nearly everything you buy because it now costs more to make.
More damage: Manufacturing companies will continue to locate to countries trying to grow their economies, namely China and India.
By the way - China and India are not touching Cap and Trade with a 10-foot pole. They know how much money they stand to gain as our government continues to crush U.S. energy and industry.
Why can't the government play fair with U.S. corporations? Did the greed of such a small percentage of our corporations poison the minds of Americans.
Does the average citizen believe American companies are evil?
If so, not only does that show brainwashing on a monumental scale, it's the most ignorant thing I've ever heard. Here in rural America, we can appreciate some things because so many of our towns are struggling to stay around. We know what we've lost and we'd dearly love to have them back.
Cap and Trade will have the whole country feeling like these small towns do.
"Where did everybody go?"
"Some of 'em went to China ... the rest of 'em went to India. You know, where all the good jobs are."
As with attempting to reform health care during an economic crisis, Cap and Trade is very detrimental to an awful U.S. economy.
I hope Americans begin to shout loud enough to be heard regarding these most important things. Democrats and Republicans around the country need to get on the same page and let our elected officials know while good on paper, Cap and Trade is a little ahead of it's time in terms of the amount of damage it will do to the American family.
Clean energy is coming and that's great. Let it come and make it compete for it's place atop the throne of energy. That's what a free market would do. That's what needs to happen now.
Copyright 2009 by Christopher Blackburn
Before offering my opinion of this piece of legislation, some of you may need an explanation of how Cap and Trade works.
The Cap and Trade system involves trading of emission credits, where the total number of credits is strictly limited or 'capped' by the government. A regulatory authority establishes the cap which is usually considerably lower than the historic level of emissions.
Basically, it is a method for managing pollution while at the same time providing for expansion of "green" energy.
Like many liberal ideas, Cap and Trade is a great idea on paper. It's when you get into the substance of the matter that the perfect plan begins to show huge holes and all Americans are faced with more money coming out of our pocket books which wasn't before Cap and Trade.
That's really the problem with the mechanism. Instead of allowing a free market to evolve toward a greener world, which could easily be done with tax breaks for companies investing in such technology and not cost you and I a dime, we are faced with regulation forced on energy producers which will effect YOUR cost for energy.
Under a cap and trade system, the government sets a cap on how much pollution will be allowed and reduces that amount yearly until their reduction numbers are complied with.
Companies are issued credits, depending on how large they are. Heavier polluters will get more more credits but face a "cap" on their credits (the amount of their emissions).
If a company comes in below it's "cap" it can "trade" (sell) those credits to companies needing more.
Here's the bad part. The companies are going to pass the cost of their credits directly to the consumer. And since we're talking about oil, gas, natural gas, coal, etc... almost every single facet of U.S. energy, which Texas and Oklahoma are vital to, will be hurt. That is very, very bad news.
We'll get hit at the pump, at home and at work. Prices will go up for nearly everything you buy because it now costs more to make.
More damage: Manufacturing companies will continue to locate to countries trying to grow their economies, namely China and India.
By the way - China and India are not touching Cap and Trade with a 10-foot pole. They know how much money they stand to gain as our government continues to crush U.S. energy and industry.
Why can't the government play fair with U.S. corporations? Did the greed of such a small percentage of our corporations poison the minds of Americans.
Does the average citizen believe American companies are evil?
If so, not only does that show brainwashing on a monumental scale, it's the most ignorant thing I've ever heard. Here in rural America, we can appreciate some things because so many of our towns are struggling to stay around. We know what we've lost and we'd dearly love to have them back.
Cap and Trade will have the whole country feeling like these small towns do.
"Where did everybody go?"
"Some of 'em went to China ... the rest of 'em went to India. You know, where all the good jobs are."
As with attempting to reform health care during an economic crisis, Cap and Trade is very detrimental to an awful U.S. economy.
I hope Americans begin to shout loud enough to be heard regarding these most important things. Democrats and Republicans around the country need to get on the same page and let our elected officials know while good on paper, Cap and Trade is a little ahead of it's time in terms of the amount of damage it will do to the American family.
Clean energy is coming and that's great. Let it come and make it compete for it's place atop the throne of energy. That's what a free market would do. That's what needs to happen now.
Copyright 2009 by Christopher Blackburn
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Common Senseless
Michigan, along with most of the states, is bankrupt. The unemployment of the state is also spiraling out of control and may now reach 20 percent
California has a $26 billion budget shortfall.
Currently, forty-one states in the U.S. are facing budget shortfalls.
Welcome to Europe.
I wonder if it's a coincidence that the states in the worst financial shape are big-time union states and impose a state income tax?
Right to work states which are more friendly to workers, corporations, land owners, etc..., are faring much better than their counterparts.
However, as job seekers finally leave states like Michigan, you can bet they'll be headed all over the place looking for jobs, which will raise the unemployment level of other states.
Meanwhile, we have Congress and the White House spending more money than ever while also borrowing more money than ever. And when I say more money than ever, I mean in the history of man kind.
Why?
What good is it doing?
People in towns experiencing growth of any kind should be on their knees thanking God and praying it continues. No one knows how this will play out, but I suspect growth of any kind while maintaining reasonable unemployment rates is impressive.
With the economic gloom hanging around and the government breaking it's neck trying to "fix" everything, questions are finally being asked about support for small businesses. As a small business owner trying to keep his head above water, this interests me greatly.
While everyone agrees that small businesses are "the backbone" of the economy, they've only been mentioned at a minimum by the Obama Administration.
Outside of some interest-free loans from the Small Business Administration, many of these businesses, which are usually not in the business of wanting or needing government assistance, are just as deserving as the larger business up the food chain in which they depend on.
In other words, if your business makes GM specific auto parts and Government Motors is no longer buying from you because of measures THEY took, what recourse do you have?
Government intervention in the business world has repercussions we'll be feeling for decades. Talk about a lack of an exit strategy.
Anyhow, back to small businesses: the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) originally had $700 billion appropriated. Of that amount, the SBA has the authority to provide $17.5 billion in loans for 2009. Through June, the SBA had loaned $6 billion.
Of course the vast majority of small businesses have received no funds and will probably never receive any. Many may not want it.
What most small business owners are concerned about is taxes on their bottom line. That's certainly what will help determine the number of employees I have.
Businesses are taxed in a variety of ways. With the overall tax burden on a small business as high as it is, it evaporates the profit margin. Throw in large jumps in the minimum wage and a poor economy, and something has to break.
In 2005, a study concluded that individuals and businesses spent an estimated 6 billion hours and $265 billion dollars complying with their tax obligations. Compliance costs are predicted to grow to $482.7 billion by 2015.
As more Americans turn to entrepreneurship to start a new career or to boost their incomes, our 3.7 million word tax code is brutal for small businesses and home-based enterprises that operate on thin profit margins.
Which brings me back to my original thought: A huge government really does not solve much. It is expensive and continues to get in the way of itself.
Right now, at this moment in history, what we need is a thrifty government which operates lean and efficiently and sees a smaller tax burden as a sound investment leading to job creation and lower jobless rates.
Officials try and blame lack of oversight as one of the problems leading up to the collapse of the economy. I don't think it was a lack of oversight. It is probably because imbeciles like Barney Frank were doing the overseeing.
Democrats continue to Blame President Bush for the economy. That's fine and dandy. But, they have been in power in both the House and Senate since 2006. If Bush is to blame, so are the parties in power.
I think it's times like these where common sense is supposed to prevail. I'm guessing the one who coined that phrase was probably thinking the majority of our national elected officials had some to begin with.
Copyright 2009 by Christopher Blackburn
California has a $26 billion budget shortfall.
Currently, forty-one states in the U.S. are facing budget shortfalls.
Welcome to Europe.
I wonder if it's a coincidence that the states in the worst financial shape are big-time union states and impose a state income tax?
Right to work states which are more friendly to workers, corporations, land owners, etc..., are faring much better than their counterparts.
However, as job seekers finally leave states like Michigan, you can bet they'll be headed all over the place looking for jobs, which will raise the unemployment level of other states.
Meanwhile, we have Congress and the White House spending more money than ever while also borrowing more money than ever. And when I say more money than ever, I mean in the history of man kind.
Why?
What good is it doing?
People in towns experiencing growth of any kind should be on their knees thanking God and praying it continues. No one knows how this will play out, but I suspect growth of any kind while maintaining reasonable unemployment rates is impressive.
With the economic gloom hanging around and the government breaking it's neck trying to "fix" everything, questions are finally being asked about support for small businesses. As a small business owner trying to keep his head above water, this interests me greatly.
While everyone agrees that small businesses are "the backbone" of the economy, they've only been mentioned at a minimum by the Obama Administration.
Outside of some interest-free loans from the Small Business Administration, many of these businesses, which are usually not in the business of wanting or needing government assistance, are just as deserving as the larger business up the food chain in which they depend on.
In other words, if your business makes GM specific auto parts and Government Motors is no longer buying from you because of measures THEY took, what recourse do you have?
Government intervention in the business world has repercussions we'll be feeling for decades. Talk about a lack of an exit strategy.
Anyhow, back to small businesses: the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) originally had $700 billion appropriated. Of that amount, the SBA has the authority to provide $17.5 billion in loans for 2009. Through June, the SBA had loaned $6 billion.
Of course the vast majority of small businesses have received no funds and will probably never receive any. Many may not want it.
What most small business owners are concerned about is taxes on their bottom line. That's certainly what will help determine the number of employees I have.
Businesses are taxed in a variety of ways. With the overall tax burden on a small business as high as it is, it evaporates the profit margin. Throw in large jumps in the minimum wage and a poor economy, and something has to break.
In 2005, a study concluded that individuals and businesses spent an estimated 6 billion hours and $265 billion dollars complying with their tax obligations. Compliance costs are predicted to grow to $482.7 billion by 2015.
As more Americans turn to entrepreneurship to start a new career or to boost their incomes, our 3.7 million word tax code is brutal for small businesses and home-based enterprises that operate on thin profit margins.
Which brings me back to my original thought: A huge government really does not solve much. It is expensive and continues to get in the way of itself.
Right now, at this moment in history, what we need is a thrifty government which operates lean and efficiently and sees a smaller tax burden as a sound investment leading to job creation and lower jobless rates.
Officials try and blame lack of oversight as one of the problems leading up to the collapse of the economy. I don't think it was a lack of oversight. It is probably because imbeciles like Barney Frank were doing the overseeing.
Democrats continue to Blame President Bush for the economy. That's fine and dandy. But, they have been in power in both the House and Senate since 2006. If Bush is to blame, so are the parties in power.
I think it's times like these where common sense is supposed to prevail. I'm guessing the one who coined that phrase was probably thinking the majority of our national elected officials had some to begin with.
Copyright 2009 by Christopher Blackburn
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Greener Pastures For Palin?
Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin is moving on to establish a voice for conservatives is sounds to me.
In a discussion with a friend who is a Palin fan and was more than a little hacked about her decision, I provided a possibility for her decision which eased her pain.
Since we really don't know her future plans other than the general statements she's said, I told him the jury was still out on her decision.
Consider this: since Palin and other conservatives face an uphill climb against the House, Senate, President and mainstream media, what if Palin's goal is to tell her story in a couple of books?
She is reportedly working on a book right now. Love her or hate her, that will be one best-selling book.
Now consider this: she may be considering a talk show. How ironic would it be if a Palin talk show, which is guaranteed a huge audience, was picked up by a major media outlet such as ABC, CBS or God forbid, NBC?
What speaks louder to the CEO's of these companies, their own personal agenda which they've been shoving down the throat of all Americans for years now, or the revenue of the most watched watched shows on television?
I'd say greed will win the day.
Of course she may not even wind up with a show, but she'd be a fool not to.
Having her own bully pulpit to lay out her vision and message would be huge for the GOP which has admittedly lost their voice. I can't think of a better way to begin restoring said voice.
Palin has become a formidable foe for those on the left. Why else would liberals stay on the attack? Never has the Equal Rights Amendment fallen so quickly as is has with Palin. Can you imagine the outcry from the left in this country had one of their beloved candidates had a teenage daughter cruelly ridiculed by a rape joke by David Letterman. Odds are he would have been fired had the politics of the matter lined up.
Palin has been a victim of a double standard since shortly after accepting the nomination for vice-president. It was then the the bellowing on the left began. "Hick," "Dumb," "Inexperienced," "Old-Fashioned," etc...
I'll be the first to say the McCain team handled her poorly. It was a result of mismanagement rather than Palin's brain power. Palin is smart and and she comes across as undaunted about her feelings on matters.
The jury is still out with Palin concerning a candidate. However, the fact she may be more dangerous concerning sensitive topics such as abortion and gun control certainly makes her intriguing to both sides.
Palin in the limelight weekly is would be a network dream and a liberal nightmare. And since she's so used to being attacked, why not give it a shot?
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
In a discussion with a friend who is a Palin fan and was more than a little hacked about her decision, I provided a possibility for her decision which eased her pain.
Since we really don't know her future plans other than the general statements she's said, I told him the jury was still out on her decision.
Consider this: since Palin and other conservatives face an uphill climb against the House, Senate, President and mainstream media, what if Palin's goal is to tell her story in a couple of books?
She is reportedly working on a book right now. Love her or hate her, that will be one best-selling book.
Now consider this: she may be considering a talk show. How ironic would it be if a Palin talk show, which is guaranteed a huge audience, was picked up by a major media outlet such as ABC, CBS or God forbid, NBC?
What speaks louder to the CEO's of these companies, their own personal agenda which they've been shoving down the throat of all Americans for years now, or the revenue of the most watched watched shows on television?
I'd say greed will win the day.
Of course she may not even wind up with a show, but she'd be a fool not to.
Having her own bully pulpit to lay out her vision and message would be huge for the GOP which has admittedly lost their voice. I can't think of a better way to begin restoring said voice.
Palin has become a formidable foe for those on the left. Why else would liberals stay on the attack? Never has the Equal Rights Amendment fallen so quickly as is has with Palin. Can you imagine the outcry from the left in this country had one of their beloved candidates had a teenage daughter cruelly ridiculed by a rape joke by David Letterman. Odds are he would have been fired had the politics of the matter lined up.
Palin has been a victim of a double standard since shortly after accepting the nomination for vice-president. It was then the the bellowing on the left began. "Hick," "Dumb," "Inexperienced," "Old-Fashioned," etc...
I'll be the first to say the McCain team handled her poorly. It was a result of mismanagement rather than Palin's brain power. Palin is smart and and she comes across as undaunted about her feelings on matters.
The jury is still out with Palin concerning a candidate. However, the fact she may be more dangerous concerning sensitive topics such as abortion and gun control certainly makes her intriguing to both sides.
Palin in the limelight weekly is would be a network dream and a liberal nightmare. And since she's so used to being attacked, why not give it a shot?
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Vacation
When I was young, it sure seemed like vacations were easy. I just hopped in the car and in a few hours, we were there.
They're not easy when you're on the parenting end.
To be gone a week takes planning and timing. Never mind all of the things you have to do at home and work to get ready for a trip ... the actual trip can be pretty rough.
Going to Colorado was a virtual breeze last week.
Coming home Sunday was a nightmare.
This side of Raton, N.M., is a stretch of highway from there to Clayton I like to call hell. It was there five years ago I hit a deer at 2 a.m. on the way to Colorado.
This year at the same place, we got caught in a severe rain storm with 70 mph winds. The tarp over the bed of my truck was nearly blown off forcing me out in the elements (when I finally found a safe place to pull over). In all, I had to stop in the rain three times to secure the thing and I got as wet as a human can get. Not good when you have six hours left and finding dry clothes would take an hour to get to then repack.
Anyhow, we got to Amarillo at 8 p.m. and were heading to eat when I had a blowout on the trailer I was pulling. It was then I discovered my lug wrench was too large for the trailer tire.
My wife made a phone call to a friend and an hour later, we were at restaurant.
Between Memphis and Childress, I thought I saw a UFO. It was a glowing stationary light above the horizon to the south and it was off in the distance. Turns out, it was either a star or planet (I'm going to research to be sure) because it rose slowly finally started looking at what you'd expect a star or planet to look like. Very bright however, which I think is strange.
All-in-all, the trip was great. It's so fun getting that special family time with no distractions. I firmly believe little boys need rugged outdoor fun and my two sure got it.
I damaged my arm on the first day we were there when I was helping Jackson, my 6-year-old, fish. I lost my footing on a dam and when I caught myself, I guess I did something to a nerve. Feels like I hit my funny bone all of the time as my hand is numb and tingly and my fingers and thumb don't work right.
i also punctured a hole in my left heal. I stepped off a ladder onto a steel object and it went right through the skin. Good thing my own personal Florence Nightingale was on the scene. My wife would have made a good doctor or nurse. She is not afraid to administer pain (no offense to any real nurses or docs out there).
One of the neatest things about the trip was the fact I got to bond with my niece Samantha, 1. By the end of the week she was letting me lover on her pretty good and she was giggling the whole time. Like I told my wife, I can always get the cuties ... sometimes it just takes a little time.
In big towns and small, we live pretty busy lives in the U.S. When you take away work, computers and cell phones and have the opportunity to totally focus on your family and yourself, it helps put everything into perspective. That's a great thing.
Copyright 2009 by Christopher Blackburn
They're not easy when you're on the parenting end.
To be gone a week takes planning and timing. Never mind all of the things you have to do at home and work to get ready for a trip ... the actual trip can be pretty rough.
Going to Colorado was a virtual breeze last week.
Coming home Sunday was a nightmare.
This side of Raton, N.M., is a stretch of highway from there to Clayton I like to call hell. It was there five years ago I hit a deer at 2 a.m. on the way to Colorado.
This year at the same place, we got caught in a severe rain storm with 70 mph winds. The tarp over the bed of my truck was nearly blown off forcing me out in the elements (when I finally found a safe place to pull over). In all, I had to stop in the rain three times to secure the thing and I got as wet as a human can get. Not good when you have six hours left and finding dry clothes would take an hour to get to then repack.
Anyhow, we got to Amarillo at 8 p.m. and were heading to eat when I had a blowout on the trailer I was pulling. It was then I discovered my lug wrench was too large for the trailer tire.
My wife made a phone call to a friend and an hour later, we were at restaurant.
Between Memphis and Childress, I thought I saw a UFO. It was a glowing stationary light above the horizon to the south and it was off in the distance. Turns out, it was either a star or planet (I'm going to research to be sure) because it rose slowly finally started looking at what you'd expect a star or planet to look like. Very bright however, which I think is strange.
All-in-all, the trip was great. It's so fun getting that special family time with no distractions. I firmly believe little boys need rugged outdoor fun and my two sure got it.
I damaged my arm on the first day we were there when I was helping Jackson, my 6-year-old, fish. I lost my footing on a dam and when I caught myself, I guess I did something to a nerve. Feels like I hit my funny bone all of the time as my hand is numb and tingly and my fingers and thumb don't work right.
i also punctured a hole in my left heal. I stepped off a ladder onto a steel object and it went right through the skin. Good thing my own personal Florence Nightingale was on the scene. My wife would have made a good doctor or nurse. She is not afraid to administer pain (no offense to any real nurses or docs out there).
One of the neatest things about the trip was the fact I got to bond with my niece Samantha, 1. By the end of the week she was letting me lover on her pretty good and she was giggling the whole time. Like I told my wife, I can always get the cuties ... sometimes it just takes a little time.
In big towns and small, we live pretty busy lives in the U.S. When you take away work, computers and cell phones and have the opportunity to totally focus on your family and yourself, it helps put everything into perspective. That's a great thing.
Copyright 2009 by Christopher Blackburn
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Just The Facts
I’m a facts freak so a Google of strange facts unearthed some gems. In fact, they can be found at strangefacts.com.
Here’s a few:
The sloth (a mammal) moves so slowly that green algae can grow undisturbed on its fur.
• Cat urine glows under a black-light.
• The world’s termites outweigh the world’s humans 10 to 1.
• The electric chair was invented by a dentist.
• Windmills always turn counter-clockwise. Except for the windmills in Ireland.
• A hedgehog’s heart beats 300 times a minute on average.
• Camels have three eyelids to protect themselves from blowing sand.
• The placement of a donkey’s eyes in its head enables it to see all four feet at all times.
• Human teeth are almost as hard as rocks.
• A mole can dig a tunnel 300 feet long in just one night.
• Ancient Egyptians slept on pillows made of stone.
• Until 1796, there was a state in the United States called Franklin. Today it’s known as Tennessee.
• The Earth weighs around 6,600,000,000,000,000,000,000 tons (5,940 billion billion metric tons).
• A cockroach can live several weeks with its head cut off - it dies from starvation.
• Every time you lick a stamp, you’re consuming 1/10 of a calorie.
• The average person has over 1,460 dreams a year.
• It’s against the law to pawn your dentures in Las Vegas.
• One in every 4 Americans has appeared on television.
• The average American/Canadian will eat about 11.9 pounds of cereal per year.
• It’s against the law to burp, or sneeze in a certain church in Omaha, Nebraska.
• You’re born with 300 bones, but when you get to be an adult, you only have 206.
• Human thigh bones are stronger than concrete.
• Over 10,000 birds a year die from smashing into windows.
• The state of Florida is bigger than England.
• There are more than one million animal species on Earth.
• In Natoma, Kansas, it’s illegal to throw knives at men wearing striped suits
• In England, in the 1880’s, “Pants” was considered a dirty word.
• Most dust particles in your house are made from dead skin.
• The blesbok, a South African antelope, is almost the same color as grape juice.
• The average person laughs 13 times a day.
• Dogs can hear sounds that you cant.
• Men are 6 times more likely to be struck by lightning than women.
• It is estimated that millions of trees in the world are accidentally planted by squirrels who bury nuts and then forget where they hid them.
• Of all the words in the English language, the word set has the most definitions.
• A toothpick is the object most often choked on by Americans.
• Every 45 seconds, a house catches on fire in the United States.
• The sun is 330,330 times larger than the earth.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Here’s a few:
The sloth (a mammal) moves so slowly that green algae can grow undisturbed on its fur.
• Cat urine glows under a black-light.
• The world’s termites outweigh the world’s humans 10 to 1.
• The electric chair was invented by a dentist.
• Windmills always turn counter-clockwise. Except for the windmills in Ireland.
• A hedgehog’s heart beats 300 times a minute on average.
• Camels have three eyelids to protect themselves from blowing sand.
• The placement of a donkey’s eyes in its head enables it to see all four feet at all times.
• Human teeth are almost as hard as rocks.
• A mole can dig a tunnel 300 feet long in just one night.
• Ancient Egyptians slept on pillows made of stone.
• Until 1796, there was a state in the United States called Franklin. Today it’s known as Tennessee.
• The Earth weighs around 6,600,000,000,000,000,000,000 tons (5,940 billion billion metric tons).
• A cockroach can live several weeks with its head cut off - it dies from starvation.
• Every time you lick a stamp, you’re consuming 1/10 of a calorie.
• The average person has over 1,460 dreams a year.
• It’s against the law to pawn your dentures in Las Vegas.
• One in every 4 Americans has appeared on television.
• The average American/Canadian will eat about 11.9 pounds of cereal per year.
• It’s against the law to burp, or sneeze in a certain church in Omaha, Nebraska.
• You’re born with 300 bones, but when you get to be an adult, you only have 206.
• Human thigh bones are stronger than concrete.
• Over 10,000 birds a year die from smashing into windows.
• The state of Florida is bigger than England.
• There are more than one million animal species on Earth.
• In Natoma, Kansas, it’s illegal to throw knives at men wearing striped suits
• In England, in the 1880’s, “Pants” was considered a dirty word.
• Most dust particles in your house are made from dead skin.
• The blesbok, a South African antelope, is almost the same color as grape juice.
• The average person laughs 13 times a day.
• Dogs can hear sounds that you cant.
• Men are 6 times more likely to be struck by lightning than women.
• It is estimated that millions of trees in the world are accidentally planted by squirrels who bury nuts and then forget where they hid them.
• Of all the words in the English language, the word set has the most definitions.
• A toothpick is the object most often choked on by Americans.
• Every 45 seconds, a house catches on fire in the United States.
• The sun is 330,330 times larger than the earth.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Out Of The Mouths Of Babes
Raising children is a constant adventure.
Sunday during a family outing, I hear, “Mom - Jack said ‘crack.’” Sutton Hawk, my 3-year-old, was telling on Jackson, 5.
“Crack is not a bad word son,” came Mom’s quick retort.
“You’re a crack Sutton,” Jackson fired off with new energy getting the clear for “crack.”
Sutton replied, “Cracker!” And he said it in a racial manner.
I looked at Sharon with nothing to say.
A few weeks ago, Sutton really liked the word “Mexican.” He used it every way imaginable. He wasn’t using it in a mean manner, he just liked the way it rolled off the tongue.
Anyhow, Sharon and I had to tell the boy he could offend people by using his new favorite word. It took two weeks to get this bit of political correctness uploaded into his noggin.
Finally, we started to name off our Mexican-American friends and Sutton Hawk said, “They aren’t Mexicans ... they’re brown people.”
“What are we?” I asked. “We’re white people,” he said.
I didn’t ask him about his cousin, Sam. Sweet Samantha’s dad is African American while the mother is white. I have no idea whether the mom is English American, German American, French American or any other American.
Finally, I told Sutton, “Mexican is a word meaning ‘from Mexico.’ Just like saying we’re Texans because we’re from Texas.”
It got me to thinking... I certainly grow tired of the labels we’ve put on ourselves as a society in this country.
I’d prefer to drop the whole “fill-in-the-blank American.” I think I’ll settle for American. After all, there is no standard of how long you need to be on this soil to be called American. And since Native American is already in use, why not keep it simple.
But what of using state’s as a characterization? I’m a Texan. My sister is an Oklahoman now, although she ‘d prefer Native Texan.
My buddy Rollie lived in Texas for decades, but he’s an Okie through-and-through and has retired there.
It seems we’ve made things too complicated in our society.
My mother was a genealogy expert and traced our family back multiple generations. Dutch, German, English, etc... Guess I’m a Euro-white melting pot ... or would that just be Euro American.
Then again, if someone actually referred to me as a Euro American, I don’t think I would like it much.
I’ve got Indian American friends and Pakistani American friends. Sometimes I can’t tell the difference when I meet someone from either of these countries, but I know there is bad blood between their governments. It can get confusing. Besides, I’m pretty sure they’d prefer to simply be called “American.”
Here’s how I see it and how my children will view it: I’m here now as are you. We’re a ton of cultures from all over the world mixed together and each one of us should be treated as equals.
Our founding fathers - namely Thomas Jefferson - wrote it correctly and Dr. Martin Luther King helped us to understand: It’s not race. It’s just us, living together.
It is a complete waste of time and energy to worry about race.
As far as Jack and Sutton’s creative use of the English language - the jury is still out. They’ve each sampled soap and did not find it to their liking.
If they are anything like their dad, they’ll continue to test the parameters regarding language. My dirty little mouth kept me in plenty of trouble and it would not surprise me a bit if one or both followed suit.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Sunday during a family outing, I hear, “Mom - Jack said ‘crack.’” Sutton Hawk, my 3-year-old, was telling on Jackson, 5.
“Crack is not a bad word son,” came Mom’s quick retort.
“You’re a crack Sutton,” Jackson fired off with new energy getting the clear for “crack.”
Sutton replied, “Cracker!” And he said it in a racial manner.
I looked at Sharon with nothing to say.
A few weeks ago, Sutton really liked the word “Mexican.” He used it every way imaginable. He wasn’t using it in a mean manner, he just liked the way it rolled off the tongue.
Anyhow, Sharon and I had to tell the boy he could offend people by using his new favorite word. It took two weeks to get this bit of political correctness uploaded into his noggin.
Finally, we started to name off our Mexican-American friends and Sutton Hawk said, “They aren’t Mexicans ... they’re brown people.”
“What are we?” I asked. “We’re white people,” he said.
I didn’t ask him about his cousin, Sam. Sweet Samantha’s dad is African American while the mother is white. I have no idea whether the mom is English American, German American, French American or any other American.
Finally, I told Sutton, “Mexican is a word meaning ‘from Mexico.’ Just like saying we’re Texans because we’re from Texas.”
It got me to thinking... I certainly grow tired of the labels we’ve put on ourselves as a society in this country.
I’d prefer to drop the whole “fill-in-the-blank American.” I think I’ll settle for American. After all, there is no standard of how long you need to be on this soil to be called American. And since Native American is already in use, why not keep it simple.
But what of using state’s as a characterization? I’m a Texan. My sister is an Oklahoman now, although she ‘d prefer Native Texan.
My buddy Rollie lived in Texas for decades, but he’s an Okie through-and-through and has retired there.
It seems we’ve made things too complicated in our society.
My mother was a genealogy expert and traced our family back multiple generations. Dutch, German, English, etc... Guess I’m a Euro-white melting pot ... or would that just be Euro American.
Then again, if someone actually referred to me as a Euro American, I don’t think I would like it much.
I’ve got Indian American friends and Pakistani American friends. Sometimes I can’t tell the difference when I meet someone from either of these countries, but I know there is bad blood between their governments. It can get confusing. Besides, I’m pretty sure they’d prefer to simply be called “American.”
Here’s how I see it and how my children will view it: I’m here now as are you. We’re a ton of cultures from all over the world mixed together and each one of us should be treated as equals.
Our founding fathers - namely Thomas Jefferson - wrote it correctly and Dr. Martin Luther King helped us to understand: It’s not race. It’s just us, living together.
It is a complete waste of time and energy to worry about race.
As far as Jack and Sutton’s creative use of the English language - the jury is still out. They’ve each sampled soap and did not find it to their liking.
If they are anything like their dad, they’ll continue to test the parameters regarding language. My dirty little mouth kept me in plenty of trouble and it would not surprise me a bit if one or both followed suit.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Kim Jong-il Thumbs His Nose
I’m of the opinion that our president, and many of his supporters, actually thought the citizens of the planet would join hands and sing “We Are The World,” upon his election.
I’ve got news for President Obama, the world was full of crazy dictators long before he took office and will be long after he’s gone.
So when will his “new diplomacy” take effect? Never?
North Korea and Kim Jong-il have shown us several times over the past week that it has no problem displaying the growing military might of that country.
A nuke test, missile launches ... what more do you need? Take a stance for goodness sake!
I’m no nuclear physicist, but if you have nuclear weapons, and you have missiles, now throw in a crazy dictator ... the math is pretty easy. Put a nuke on a missile and boom - massive amounts of people are dead and things are looking bleak across the globe.
I think some on the left forget there have been insane people running countries forever. Believe it or not, George W. Bush did not invent dictators. However, he did get one killed (Saddam Hussein) and got another (Muammar al-Gaddafi) to surrender Libya’s weapons of mass destruction.
After reading liberal blogs and opinion pieces this weekend, many liberals are shocked that such things can happen under Obama’s watch. Talk about rose-colored glasses...
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates says the U.S. is awaiting the outcome of current six-party talks. An American team is traveling this weekend to see if Japan, South Korea, China and Russia can work out a unified approach on how to deal with North Korea.
Knowing the track record of Russia and China, they’ll want to take it before the United Nations Security Council where North Korea will once again be sanctioned.
The reality is, being sanctioned by the U.N. is like being grounded for a week by a mom who let’s you off the next day. They don’t have a leg to stand on because they don’t enforce anything.
Some of you may be thinking ol’ Blackburn is a war monger. You might be wondering if I’m thinking we should go to war with North Korea.
Of course not.
Fact is, North Korea has us and the rest of the globe over a barrel. Money and resources are scarce and few countries would ever take this one by themselves.
So what are the options? What do you think Obama and his team are working up?
What would you do?
Negotiations have done very little to curb Kim Jon-il’s appetite for destruction.
North Korea has a huge army, so an invasion would be extremely messy.
Bombing strategic points of interest would help temporarily, but doesn’t get to the root of the problem - Kim Jong-il.
The reality is the U.S., Russia and China must work together to get North Korea, Iran and Venezuela under control. You can get whomever you want involved, but those three countries are crucial because if you can get them on the same page and working together, then that is indeed formidable.
Back it up with some unified force from the three and you’ll have dictators all over the world running for cover.
President Obama has his work cut out for him regardless of what he decides to do. One thing is clear though, the silent treatment is not scaring anyone.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
I’ve got news for President Obama, the world was full of crazy dictators long before he took office and will be long after he’s gone.
So when will his “new diplomacy” take effect? Never?
North Korea and Kim Jong-il have shown us several times over the past week that it has no problem displaying the growing military might of that country.
A nuke test, missile launches ... what more do you need? Take a stance for goodness sake!
I’m no nuclear physicist, but if you have nuclear weapons, and you have missiles, now throw in a crazy dictator ... the math is pretty easy. Put a nuke on a missile and boom - massive amounts of people are dead and things are looking bleak across the globe.
I think some on the left forget there have been insane people running countries forever. Believe it or not, George W. Bush did not invent dictators. However, he did get one killed (Saddam Hussein) and got another (Muammar al-Gaddafi) to surrender Libya’s weapons of mass destruction.
After reading liberal blogs and opinion pieces this weekend, many liberals are shocked that such things can happen under Obama’s watch. Talk about rose-colored glasses...
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates says the U.S. is awaiting the outcome of current six-party talks. An American team is traveling this weekend to see if Japan, South Korea, China and Russia can work out a unified approach on how to deal with North Korea.
Knowing the track record of Russia and China, they’ll want to take it before the United Nations Security Council where North Korea will once again be sanctioned.
The reality is, being sanctioned by the U.N. is like being grounded for a week by a mom who let’s you off the next day. They don’t have a leg to stand on because they don’t enforce anything.
Some of you may be thinking ol’ Blackburn is a war monger. You might be wondering if I’m thinking we should go to war with North Korea.
Of course not.
Fact is, North Korea has us and the rest of the globe over a barrel. Money and resources are scarce and few countries would ever take this one by themselves.
So what are the options? What do you think Obama and his team are working up?
What would you do?
Negotiations have done very little to curb Kim Jon-il’s appetite for destruction.
North Korea has a huge army, so an invasion would be extremely messy.
Bombing strategic points of interest would help temporarily, but doesn’t get to the root of the problem - Kim Jong-il.
The reality is the U.S., Russia and China must work together to get North Korea, Iran and Venezuela under control. You can get whomever you want involved, but those three countries are crucial because if you can get them on the same page and working together, then that is indeed formidable.
Back it up with some unified force from the three and you’ll have dictators all over the world running for cover.
President Obama has his work cut out for him regardless of what he decides to do. One thing is clear though, the silent treatment is not scaring anyone.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Special People
My son Jackson, 5, has graduated six times and he’s yet to enter the public school system.
My baby, Sutton Hawk, 3, has now graduated twice.
I’m proud to say they both graduated with straight A’s ... something of a requirement around our house.
Now I know what you’re thinking, the Blackburn boys are now doctors or lawyers or both. I mean, if you’ve already graduated that many times, certainly you have the hardware to hang on the wall.
However, the boys don’t have any degrees yet, just simple diplomas from preschool from two very special ladies. Miss Angie, aka Angie Husband, and Miss Carol, aka Carol Freeman, have been a true blessing for our children.
Miss Carol and Miss Angie have the perfect temperament to deal with preschool-age children and the progress the boys have made under the guidance of their teachers is significant.
The patience these ladies have for children and the response they get from them is impressive to say the least. I’ll be the first to say that what they do is not easy. It takes dedication and organization ... a lot of it.
As with most teachers in town, both will tell you it is worth every minute they sacrifice. Knowing them both well, they mean every word.
Dozens of parents will be headed to local ball fields this evening to volunteer their time to coach our youth in America’s past time. Some do it out of love for children, others do it out of love for the game and still others do it because the job was thrust upon them. Regardless of the personal reason for coaching, teaching, sponsoring, etc... this town is much better with the involvement of so many caring adults.
A decade ago I wondered aloud what would happen here when our better angels passed. I don’t know if you’ve notices, but Lois Stiners and Irma Custers don’t grow on trees. Meals on Wheels volunteers don’t just hall out of the sky. It takes an unselfish constitution and hours of dedication to actually make that difference in so many lives.
I no wonder worry about the future of Childress concerning volunteerism and individuals stepping up to take over worthwhile endeavors and projects. It is happening all of the time and by more and more adults as they too feel the need to make our community stronger.
Childress is not perfect, but it is special. Can we be better? Sure. But, we’re heading in the right direction.
With the school year coming to an end, take time to let those involved with your children know how much you appreciate their efforts.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
My baby, Sutton Hawk, 3, has now graduated twice.
I’m proud to say they both graduated with straight A’s ... something of a requirement around our house.
Now I know what you’re thinking, the Blackburn boys are now doctors or lawyers or both. I mean, if you’ve already graduated that many times, certainly you have the hardware to hang on the wall.
However, the boys don’t have any degrees yet, just simple diplomas from preschool from two very special ladies. Miss Angie, aka Angie Husband, and Miss Carol, aka Carol Freeman, have been a true blessing for our children.
Miss Carol and Miss Angie have the perfect temperament to deal with preschool-age children and the progress the boys have made under the guidance of their teachers is significant.
The patience these ladies have for children and the response they get from them is impressive to say the least. I’ll be the first to say that what they do is not easy. It takes dedication and organization ... a lot of it.
As with most teachers in town, both will tell you it is worth every minute they sacrifice. Knowing them both well, they mean every word.
———
It takes a special person to get involved with youth. Thankfully we have an abundance of special people here in town helping us parents rear our children.Dozens of parents will be headed to local ball fields this evening to volunteer their time to coach our youth in America’s past time. Some do it out of love for children, others do it out of love for the game and still others do it because the job was thrust upon them. Regardless of the personal reason for coaching, teaching, sponsoring, etc... this town is much better with the involvement of so many caring adults.
A decade ago I wondered aloud what would happen here when our better angels passed. I don’t know if you’ve notices, but Lois Stiners and Irma Custers don’t grow on trees. Meals on Wheels volunteers don’t just hall out of the sky. It takes an unselfish constitution and hours of dedication to actually make that difference in so many lives.
I no wonder worry about the future of Childress concerning volunteerism and individuals stepping up to take over worthwhile endeavors and projects. It is happening all of the time and by more and more adults as they too feel the need to make our community stronger.
Childress is not perfect, but it is special. Can we be better? Sure. But, we’re heading in the right direction.
With the school year coming to an end, take time to let those involved with your children know how much you appreciate their efforts.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
The Slippery Left Slope
President Barack Obama is a likable man. In fact, with his charisma and charm in one-on-one interviews, if he were more centrist, there is no telling how popular he would be.
His approval ratings, according to realclearpolitics.com, are 60 percent while over 32 percent of Americans disapprove of the job he’s doing.
Congress’ numbers remain in the toilet. The Congressional job approval rating is 35 percent while 54 percent of Americans disapprove of their job.
It’s no wonder. Led by Nancy Pelosi, who, in a perfect world, would be ousted by her peers as Speaker, the House is suffering an identity crises.
It seems to me, although tired of Pelosi’s inability to tell the truth, House Democrats fear rocking their own boat. I actually think someone is missing out by not coming out against Pelosi, but I digress.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has become very proficient at revising history and can be seen pandering to the left at every turn. I would be shocked if the two-headed monster that is Pelosi-Reid ever got Congress’ numbers in positive territory concerning the approval rating.
Which brings me back to Obama. With the majority of Americans convinced the country is heading in the wrong direction - 54 percent - it’s curious how Obama’s numbers have remained so strong. Especially since he, Pelosi and Reid are together on many contentious issues while the majority of Americans have a difference of opinion.
It’s too bad Obama continues to cater to the left. While his heart doesn’t seem to bleed at the same pace as his liberal contemporaries, it does indeed bleed.
As was predicted, the U.S. Government has been busy moving us further away from our Capitalistic roots and closer to that of Europe’s current state. It’s not good either.
We’ve got serious problems and the only solutions I’ve seen yet are either to throw cash on it or grow government to take care of it.
Gone are the days of responsibility. In their place are the days of dependency.
Those of us in the center and right are left to scratch our heads wondering when our guns will be collected or how much we’ll be punished for driving a truck.
Republicans had better find their voice before 2010, or we’ll be so much like Europe it will be hard to tell the difference.
And I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be like Europe.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
His approval ratings, according to realclearpolitics.com, are 60 percent while over 32 percent of Americans disapprove of the job he’s doing.
Congress’ numbers remain in the toilet. The Congressional job approval rating is 35 percent while 54 percent of Americans disapprove of their job.
It’s no wonder. Led by Nancy Pelosi, who, in a perfect world, would be ousted by her peers as Speaker, the House is suffering an identity crises.
It seems to me, although tired of Pelosi’s inability to tell the truth, House Democrats fear rocking their own boat. I actually think someone is missing out by not coming out against Pelosi, but I digress.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has become very proficient at revising history and can be seen pandering to the left at every turn. I would be shocked if the two-headed monster that is Pelosi-Reid ever got Congress’ numbers in positive territory concerning the approval rating.
Which brings me back to Obama. With the majority of Americans convinced the country is heading in the wrong direction - 54 percent - it’s curious how Obama’s numbers have remained so strong. Especially since he, Pelosi and Reid are together on many contentious issues while the majority of Americans have a difference of opinion.
It’s too bad Obama continues to cater to the left. While his heart doesn’t seem to bleed at the same pace as his liberal contemporaries, it does indeed bleed.
As was predicted, the U.S. Government has been busy moving us further away from our Capitalistic roots and closer to that of Europe’s current state. It’s not good either.
We’ve got serious problems and the only solutions I’ve seen yet are either to throw cash on it or grow government to take care of it.
Gone are the days of responsibility. In their place are the days of dependency.
Those of us in the center and right are left to scratch our heads wondering when our guns will be collected or how much we’ll be punished for driving a truck.
Republicans had better find their voice before 2010, or we’ll be so much like Europe it will be hard to tell the difference.
And I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be like Europe.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
You’ll Blow Up Nothing!
How about our FBI and New York’s finest?
In case you didn’t know, the two worked in tandem to foil a plot to blow up Jewish centers and military targets In New York.
Raids by the FBI-NYPD Joint Terrorist Task Force in the Bronx captured the suspected ringleader and three followers in what is being called a homegrown terrorist plot.
According to reports, the men are Islamic and you guessed it, hate the United States and Israel.
FBI agents and police watched Wednesday night as the suspects planted what they thought were bombs outside two Jewish community centers in Riverdale, a Bronx, New York neighborhood. In one case, the suspects planted a bomb inside a parked car.
In reality, they were actually using fake explosives given to them in an earlier sting operation. The fake bombs were made by FBI technicians.
The four suspects were identified as James Cromitie, David Williams, Onta Williams and Laguerre Payen, of Newburgh in upstate New York, where authorities were conducting raids at their homes, sources said.
“Hatred of the West. The leader of the group, James Cromitie was concerned about deaths at the hands of the U.S. military in Afghanistan,” said Joseph Demarest, head of the New York FBI.
According to the criminal complaint, Cromitie bragged that it would be a “piece of cake” to bomb a Jewish Center in Riverdale, according to the complaint.
Have fun in prison dirt bag! That is, if he even gets there. Authorities said Cromitie had 27 past arrests.
How in the world is someone still walking the streets if they’ve been arrested 27 times?
Either Cromitie has the greatest lawyer in the world, or he’s a benefit of terrible prosecution. Regardless, I hope this one sticks and justice is done.
According to authorities, the four men would meet in a safe house in Newburgh, New York, which authorities said they had bugged with audio and video equipment.
The suspects said they wanted to get their hands on stinger missiles to shoot down planes at a nearby Air National Guard Base at Stewart Airport, according to a criminal complaint unsealed late Wednesday. The suspects also received what they believed were two stinger missiles which they intended to use to shoot down military planes, the complaint said. They also bought cell phones to allegedly use in the plot.
Don’t you know these people are sitting in their cells scratching their heads. I hope it makes them wonder what went wrong forever ... until they are executed.
Oh! I forgot. We live in a peaceful time now where all life is precious and everyone deserves 27 chances. We shouldn’t speak ill of those poor little terrorists. It’s our own fault that brain-washed crazy people hate us.
Well, kudos to the FBI and NYPD for a job well done. At least these people are off the streets ... for now.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
In case you didn’t know, the two worked in tandem to foil a plot to blow up Jewish centers and military targets In New York.
Raids by the FBI-NYPD Joint Terrorist Task Force in the Bronx captured the suspected ringleader and three followers in what is being called a homegrown terrorist plot.
According to reports, the men are Islamic and you guessed it, hate the United States and Israel.
FBI agents and police watched Wednesday night as the suspects planted what they thought were bombs outside two Jewish community centers in Riverdale, a Bronx, New York neighborhood. In one case, the suspects planted a bomb inside a parked car.
In reality, they were actually using fake explosives given to them in an earlier sting operation. The fake bombs were made by FBI technicians.
The four suspects were identified as James Cromitie, David Williams, Onta Williams and Laguerre Payen, of Newburgh in upstate New York, where authorities were conducting raids at their homes, sources said.
“Hatred of the West. The leader of the group, James Cromitie was concerned about deaths at the hands of the U.S. military in Afghanistan,” said Joseph Demarest, head of the New York FBI.
According to the criminal complaint, Cromitie bragged that it would be a “piece of cake” to bomb a Jewish Center in Riverdale, according to the complaint.
Have fun in prison dirt bag! That is, if he even gets there. Authorities said Cromitie had 27 past arrests.
How in the world is someone still walking the streets if they’ve been arrested 27 times?
Either Cromitie has the greatest lawyer in the world, or he’s a benefit of terrible prosecution. Regardless, I hope this one sticks and justice is done.
According to authorities, the four men would meet in a safe house in Newburgh, New York, which authorities said they had bugged with audio and video equipment.
The suspects said they wanted to get their hands on stinger missiles to shoot down planes at a nearby Air National Guard Base at Stewart Airport, according to a criminal complaint unsealed late Wednesday. The suspects also received what they believed were two stinger missiles which they intended to use to shoot down military planes, the complaint said. They also bought cell phones to allegedly use in the plot.
Don’t you know these people are sitting in their cells scratching their heads. I hope it makes them wonder what went wrong forever ... until they are executed.
Oh! I forgot. We live in a peaceful time now where all life is precious and everyone deserves 27 chances. We shouldn’t speak ill of those poor little terrorists. It’s our own fault that brain-washed crazy people hate us.
Well, kudos to the FBI and NYPD for a job well done. At least these people are off the streets ... for now.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Cyberspace Invaders
Have you been cyberbullied? Perhaps your children have and you don’t know it.
Maybe they are too proud to tell Mom and Dad someone is messing with them online. They may not even know it is happening to them.
According to stopcyberbullying.org, “Cyberbullying” is when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones. It has to have a minor on both sides, or at least have been instigated by a minor against another minor. Once adults become involved, it is plain and simple cyber-harassment or cyberstalking. Adult cyber-harassment or cyberstalking is NEVER called cyberbullying.
Parents - it is so important you keep up with where your children are. Cyberspace is no different.
It is the job of a parent to know if your child is on MySpace or Facebook. Those sites, while useful, are also misused by teens. Know what your children are saying and what is being said to them online.
Also check out their text messages on their cell phones from time to time. It’s amazing how quickly things can get out of hand when texting is involved. Fights, sex, drug parties, etc... texting and instant messaging are how the word gets out. It takes vigilant Moms and Dads to take on these issues.
Not too many years ago, students would pass notes in class and harass each other by phone when they got home. Not any more. These tech-savvy teens can message in the blink of an eye and MySpace, Facebook and email are at their fingertips.
You may feel like you are invading the privacy of your children by checking their online habits .... DON’T! If you don’t, who will? We’re not talking about adults. We’re talking about your children.
Did you know the entire Columbine massacre could have been avoided had the parents of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold known about their online activity. Their plan to kill their classmates was there to see right on their computers.
Technology and the exposure heaped on our children have made parenting more difficult. It seems like we’re fighting an uphill battle when it comes to what our children are exposed to so the prudent thing to do is stay on top of the changes and learn their habits.
In other words, get to know your child. Talk to them. Be nosey and let them know what is right and wrong. In addition, network with other caring parents so that you can monitor cyber-conduct more closely.
All of these gizmos and technology do have their place. But like most good things, they can be used for bad. It’s our job as responsible parents to make sure our children are protected and behaving as they should whether that be in the real world or the cyber one.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Maybe they are too proud to tell Mom and Dad someone is messing with them online. They may not even know it is happening to them.
According to stopcyberbullying.org, “Cyberbullying” is when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones. It has to have a minor on both sides, or at least have been instigated by a minor against another minor. Once adults become involved, it is plain and simple cyber-harassment or cyberstalking. Adult cyber-harassment or cyberstalking is NEVER called cyberbullying.
Parents - it is so important you keep up with where your children are. Cyberspace is no different.
It is the job of a parent to know if your child is on MySpace or Facebook. Those sites, while useful, are also misused by teens. Know what your children are saying and what is being said to them online.
Also check out their text messages on their cell phones from time to time. It’s amazing how quickly things can get out of hand when texting is involved. Fights, sex, drug parties, etc... texting and instant messaging are how the word gets out. It takes vigilant Moms and Dads to take on these issues.
Not too many years ago, students would pass notes in class and harass each other by phone when they got home. Not any more. These tech-savvy teens can message in the blink of an eye and MySpace, Facebook and email are at their fingertips.
You may feel like you are invading the privacy of your children by checking their online habits .... DON’T! If you don’t, who will? We’re not talking about adults. We’re talking about your children.
Did you know the entire Columbine massacre could have been avoided had the parents of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold known about their online activity. Their plan to kill their classmates was there to see right on their computers.
Technology and the exposure heaped on our children have made parenting more difficult. It seems like we’re fighting an uphill battle when it comes to what our children are exposed to so the prudent thing to do is stay on top of the changes and learn their habits.
In other words, get to know your child. Talk to them. Be nosey and let them know what is right and wrong. In addition, network with other caring parents so that you can monitor cyber-conduct more closely.
All of these gizmos and technology do have their place. But like most good things, they can be used for bad. It’s our job as responsible parents to make sure our children are protected and behaving as they should whether that be in the real world or the cyber one.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
CISD Is Impressive!
Childress Rotary Club, like so many other local organizations, gives a scholarship to a graduating senior each year. This year, the response has been impressive.
With the Morris Higley Rotary Scholarship, students are asked to write a short essay. Most years, we get just a couple of entries. Sometimes even five or six. This year, 14 seniors applied for the scholarship.
Why should this interest you?
I think it’s a sign local students are interested in taking advantage of scholarships and bettering themselves through continuing education.
It is my opinion that our school district is on the move. Not because of scholarship applications, but because of what I’ve seen in the various students I come in contact with.
The kids I see are upbeat about school ... even in the middle of May. Most are pretty eager to learn and can apply what they’ve learned to the real word. This is huge for their future.
The Childress Independent School District has changed rapidly. Technology has led to a completely different environment at school.
Childress administration and faculty have used impressive tools to their advantage and their cutting-edge system is now the example districts all over the state are seeking to duplicate.
It’s a brave new world and it takes open-minded teachers and students to succeed at levels which put our little old school system on equal or better footing than districts with more money and resources.
What CISD is doing is really incredible when considering the amount of funds we operate on.
My hat is off to local students, teachers and administrators for seeing a window of opportunity and flying through it. I know the future is bright in Childress schools and I’m glad my children will be a part of that.
———
I think Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a grave mistake Thursday saying the CIA lied about briefing Congress on enhanced interrogation techniques.
Pelosi has now changed her story three times on what she knew and when.
The bottom line is Pelosi knew what was going on and signed off on it. She is lying and I’m enjoying the meltdown as she squirms during her weekly revision of the truth.
Democrat leaders need to focus on the here and now. They need to end their witch hunt of Bush Administration officials because they look silly and unprofessional. Is is completely counter productive.
It’s fine If President Obama wants to treat terrorists with a gentle hand. That’s his prerogative and maybe he’s right. But not too long ago, there was a different attitude on both sides of the isle.
These enhanced techniques, namely water-boarding, saved thousands of of American lives. I’m okay with that. I’m also okay with the stance of the current administration as long as they get the information needed to keep us safe.
But to continue to change your story so you can wage war on the former administration is childish and will hopefully cost Pelosi her position as Speaker.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
With the Morris Higley Rotary Scholarship, students are asked to write a short essay. Most years, we get just a couple of entries. Sometimes even five or six. This year, 14 seniors applied for the scholarship.
Why should this interest you?
I think it’s a sign local students are interested in taking advantage of scholarships and bettering themselves through continuing education.
It is my opinion that our school district is on the move. Not because of scholarship applications, but because of what I’ve seen in the various students I come in contact with.
The kids I see are upbeat about school ... even in the middle of May. Most are pretty eager to learn and can apply what they’ve learned to the real word. This is huge for their future.
The Childress Independent School District has changed rapidly. Technology has led to a completely different environment at school.
Childress administration and faculty have used impressive tools to their advantage and their cutting-edge system is now the example districts all over the state are seeking to duplicate.
It’s a brave new world and it takes open-minded teachers and students to succeed at levels which put our little old school system on equal or better footing than districts with more money and resources.
What CISD is doing is really incredible when considering the amount of funds we operate on.
My hat is off to local students, teachers and administrators for seeing a window of opportunity and flying through it. I know the future is bright in Childress schools and I’m glad my children will be a part of that.
———
I think Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a grave mistake Thursday saying the CIA lied about briefing Congress on enhanced interrogation techniques.
Pelosi has now changed her story three times on what she knew and when.
The bottom line is Pelosi knew what was going on and signed off on it. She is lying and I’m enjoying the meltdown as she squirms during her weekly revision of the truth.
Democrat leaders need to focus on the here and now. They need to end their witch hunt of Bush Administration officials because they look silly and unprofessional. Is is completely counter productive.
It’s fine If President Obama wants to treat terrorists with a gentle hand. That’s his prerogative and maybe he’s right. But not too long ago, there was a different attitude on both sides of the isle.
These enhanced techniques, namely water-boarding, saved thousands of of American lives. I’m okay with that. I’m also okay with the stance of the current administration as long as they get the information needed to keep us safe.
But to continue to change your story so you can wage war on the former administration is childish and will hopefully cost Pelosi her position as Speaker.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
Born To Be An Idiot
I’m an idiot.
I thought about stopping my column right there as the statement may need no explanation.
Some days I’m more of an idiot than others. At least a half-dozen times this past week I’ve been a major league idiot.
The other day I spent ten minutes looking for my sunglasses (I need my sunglasses because my eyes are fairly sensitive to the sun). I searched high and low ... looked in my truck twice for them and checked all of the usual places in my office.
You have to understand I park a pretty good distance from my office so the trips back and forth take awhile.
As I decided I’d misplaced them for the time being, I finally headed out the door. I got in the truck and looked in the rearview mirror and BAM! There they sat right on top of my head.
Need more proof?
After solving the case of the missing sunglasses, I drove to Allsup’s to get some mints. I walk in to buy the mints ... low and behold, I don’t have any money.
“Where in the world did I leave my wallet?”
I excused myself from the store to check my truck. No wallet there either. It took me a couple of minutes to find and count the change I had located throughout my vehicle before I could afford the mints which were waiting on the counter for me.
As I sucked on a couple of mints, it donned on me where my wallet was so I went home to get it.
With my newly found wallet secured and my sunglasses affixed to my head, I decided to take the trash out on my way back to the office. As I rose up with the trash bag in hand, I hit my head on our pantry door jam. Nearly knocked myself smooth out.
By this time, I’m starting to wonder why in the world I even bothered getting out of bed.
Thinking I had all the bugs worked out, I went on to have a productive afternoon. However, my idiocy once again reared its ugly head.
Later that evening I went back to Allsup’s - this time for some milk and a bag of ice. I had my wallet on me so I paid for the items and headed out the door. As I got in my truck to leave, I noticed I was lacking my bag of ice. I nearly drove off to go to another store for the ice, but I braved my embarrassment and went back in to claim my purchase. I’m sure Tammy at Allsup’s must have thought I was losing my mind.
I use a lot of brainpower during the course of a week and get about five or six hours of sleep a night. As the weekend nears, I’m pretty much mush.
So, if you see me wondering around looking for my car keys when they’re in my hand, think nothing of it. It’s just me being an idiot.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
I thought about stopping my column right there as the statement may need no explanation.
Some days I’m more of an idiot than others. At least a half-dozen times this past week I’ve been a major league idiot.
The other day I spent ten minutes looking for my sunglasses (I need my sunglasses because my eyes are fairly sensitive to the sun). I searched high and low ... looked in my truck twice for them and checked all of the usual places in my office.
You have to understand I park a pretty good distance from my office so the trips back and forth take awhile.
As I decided I’d misplaced them for the time being, I finally headed out the door. I got in the truck and looked in the rearview mirror and BAM! There they sat right on top of my head.
Need more proof?
After solving the case of the missing sunglasses, I drove to Allsup’s to get some mints. I walk in to buy the mints ... low and behold, I don’t have any money.
“Where in the world did I leave my wallet?”
I excused myself from the store to check my truck. No wallet there either. It took me a couple of minutes to find and count the change I had located throughout my vehicle before I could afford the mints which were waiting on the counter for me.
As I sucked on a couple of mints, it donned on me where my wallet was so I went home to get it.
With my newly found wallet secured and my sunglasses affixed to my head, I decided to take the trash out on my way back to the office. As I rose up with the trash bag in hand, I hit my head on our pantry door jam. Nearly knocked myself smooth out.
By this time, I’m starting to wonder why in the world I even bothered getting out of bed.
Thinking I had all the bugs worked out, I went on to have a productive afternoon. However, my idiocy once again reared its ugly head.
Later that evening I went back to Allsup’s - this time for some milk and a bag of ice. I had my wallet on me so I paid for the items and headed out the door. As I got in my truck to leave, I noticed I was lacking my bag of ice. I nearly drove off to go to another store for the ice, but I braved my embarrassment and went back in to claim my purchase. I’m sure Tammy at Allsup’s must have thought I was losing my mind.
I use a lot of brainpower during the course of a week and get about five or six hours of sleep a night. As the weekend nears, I’m pretty much mush.
So, if you see me wondering around looking for my car keys when they’re in my hand, think nothing of it. It’s just me being an idiot.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Election Season
I need to address a few issues concerning elections and advertising.
If a written piece, regardless of it’s basis on fact, has opinion or conjecture regarding a measure or issue concerning a taxing entity, it is a political ad.
Being that there are at least two sides to most issues - this newspaper makes space available for all sides of an issue or election. It is up to the individual or group to either express their side or not. It is against this newspaper’s policy to run political ads for free nor can we discount them.
Newspapers can endorse one side of an issue or even an individual candidate. Some newspapers do so frequently, some do not.
In all of my years in journalism, my publications have only endorsed two candidates and that was for statewide office.
Elections are emotional. When you do something for one side, you had best be ready to do the same thing for the other or you’re not playing by the rules.
Candidates, those on one side of a contentious issue, etc... you have a choice whether to advertise or not. But rest assured, opposition to your stance has the same right as you.
It is nearly impossible for Mom and Pop to make a decent living at a newspaper in smaller towns which is why you see so many closing.
When you have a situation where you can offer small businesses a terrific rate to advertise their merchandise or services in several area newspapers, you’d be a fool not to. It’s a winner for the businesses.
I have marketing consultants which are contacting area businesses so that we can do our best to fulfill your needs and get you traffic. If you have not been contacted, you soon will be. And if you wish to get before 15,000-30,000 readers at a greatly reduced rate, give us a call.
Meantime, please consider that your newspaper is an evolution in progress. I am not happy with it and I won’t be until it is exactly how I want it.
Just know that we are working very hard and we’ll continue to strive to improve your newspaper.
Why should you care? The Taliban may be getting close to taking over that country and with it, it’s nuclear arsenal.
Can you imagine the Taliban - and Al Qaeda having nuclear weapons at their fingertips?
According to news sources, U.S. officials are worried militants could take possession of the arms during transport or by infiltrating atomic laboratories or fuel-production plants.
The Taliban has recently occupied Buner, a key region 60 miles from the capital, Islamabad. That news increased global fears as to the whereabouts of all of Pakistan’s nuclear sites is unknown.
Something must be done now, even if that means U.S. intervention. I would think the entire world would be interested in getting this situation rectified before it’s too late.
Obviously, the Pakistan government is in jeopardy and judging by how porous their border is, their military are either very weak or simply have not been ordered to do much about it.
You have to think Israel, India, Russia ... just about everyone in the region is watching the situation real carefully.
For the record, Pakistan dropped the ball when they insisted on using negotiations when tackling violent extremism within its borders.
Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters already have strongholds along Pakistan’s border regions from which to plan attacks on U.S. and NATO forces in neighboring Afghanistan.
Of all of the potential threats to U.S. and world security, this one should now be at the top of the list.
The world cannot afford to let these terrorists get their hands on even one of these weapons. Because if they do, they’ll use it on us or Israel and World War III will most assuredly be underway
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
If a written piece, regardless of it’s basis on fact, has opinion or conjecture regarding a measure or issue concerning a taxing entity, it is a political ad.
Being that there are at least two sides to most issues - this newspaper makes space available for all sides of an issue or election. It is up to the individual or group to either express their side or not. It is against this newspaper’s policy to run political ads for free nor can we discount them.
Newspapers can endorse one side of an issue or even an individual candidate. Some newspapers do so frequently, some do not.
In all of my years in journalism, my publications have only endorsed two candidates and that was for statewide office.
Elections are emotional. When you do something for one side, you had best be ready to do the same thing for the other or you’re not playing by the rules.
Candidates, those on one side of a contentious issue, etc... you have a choice whether to advertise or not. But rest assured, opposition to your stance has the same right as you.
———
Producing newspapers is expensive. The cost of newsprint, ink, mail, etc... have climbed steadily over the past two decades.It is nearly impossible for Mom and Pop to make a decent living at a newspaper in smaller towns which is why you see so many closing.
When you have a situation where you can offer small businesses a terrific rate to advertise their merchandise or services in several area newspapers, you’d be a fool not to. It’s a winner for the businesses.
I have marketing consultants which are contacting area businesses so that we can do our best to fulfill your needs and get you traffic. If you have not been contacted, you soon will be. And if you wish to get before 15,000-30,000 readers at a greatly reduced rate, give us a call.
Meantime, please consider that your newspaper is an evolution in progress. I am not happy with it and I won’t be until it is exactly how I want it.
Just know that we are working very hard and we’ll continue to strive to improve your newspaper.
———
Pakistan has between 60 and 100 nuclear weapons.Why should you care? The Taliban may be getting close to taking over that country and with it, it’s nuclear arsenal.
Can you imagine the Taliban - and Al Qaeda having nuclear weapons at their fingertips?
According to news sources, U.S. officials are worried militants could take possession of the arms during transport or by infiltrating atomic laboratories or fuel-production plants.
The Taliban has recently occupied Buner, a key region 60 miles from the capital, Islamabad. That news increased global fears as to the whereabouts of all of Pakistan’s nuclear sites is unknown.
Something must be done now, even if that means U.S. intervention. I would think the entire world would be interested in getting this situation rectified before it’s too late.
Obviously, the Pakistan government is in jeopardy and judging by how porous their border is, their military are either very weak or simply have not been ordered to do much about it.
You have to think Israel, India, Russia ... just about everyone in the region is watching the situation real carefully.
For the record, Pakistan dropped the ball when they insisted on using negotiations when tackling violent extremism within its borders.
Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters already have strongholds along Pakistan’s border regions from which to plan attacks on U.S. and NATO forces in neighboring Afghanistan.
Of all of the potential threats to U.S. and world security, this one should now be at the top of the list.
The world cannot afford to let these terrorists get their hands on even one of these weapons. Because if they do, they’ll use it on us or Israel and World War III will most assuredly be underway
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Too Much Information
I think I’ll make a new rule: no cell phones during family time. While amazing, technology can get in the way in our personal lives.
You know, after being inundated with hundreds of phone calls, emails, texts and mail ... there has to be an end to it in the day sometime.
I’m as guilty as the next person for putting my family off while I’m in contact with someone on business. But I’ve found letting those on the other end politely know that I’ll be out of reach when away from the office is the prudent thing to do. Each person I’ve mentioned this to has understood completely, as they should.
After church Sunday, I witnessed a teenage girl text her way through lunch at a local restaurant. There she ate with her family and hammered away with one on her phone.
I don’t have a teenage girl and I’m not picking on the family I’m referring to, but gosh, there is no way she is getting any real “family time” from that experience.
I made up my mind right there that my children would not be texting or talking on the phone during meal time or family time.
When technology gets in the way of family, we’ve gone too far.
I’ve yet to receive a single phone call or text message which is more important to me than my wife and kids and I never will. Keeping that on my mind helps me to turn my phone off or ignore it all together.
MoveOn is sending millions of emails to Americans asking them to write letters to the editor to express their opinion.
The emails tell you what to write and how to write it. You can even write the letter through their Web site and they’ll take care of the rest.
I guess the only problem MoveOn has now is getting people like me to run their robotic drivel.
If any of you received the email and were contemplating writing a tanked letter to the editor through MoveOn, save yourself the trouble. We can spot a phony a mile a way.
Now, if you wish to express your own opinion in an authentic letter, we’ll certainly take a look at that and consider it.
Americans need to start being careful of groups like MoveOn. It’s wise to find out why an organization is doing what they do. Ask “what’s in it for them” before following the crowd like a bunch of blind sheep.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
You know, after being inundated with hundreds of phone calls, emails, texts and mail ... there has to be an end to it in the day sometime.
I’m as guilty as the next person for putting my family off while I’m in contact with someone on business. But I’ve found letting those on the other end politely know that I’ll be out of reach when away from the office is the prudent thing to do. Each person I’ve mentioned this to has understood completely, as they should.
After church Sunday, I witnessed a teenage girl text her way through lunch at a local restaurant. There she ate with her family and hammered away with one on her phone.
I don’t have a teenage girl and I’m not picking on the family I’m referring to, but gosh, there is no way she is getting any real “family time” from that experience.
I made up my mind right there that my children would not be texting or talking on the phone during meal time or family time.
When technology gets in the way of family, we’ve gone too far.
I’ve yet to receive a single phone call or text message which is more important to me than my wife and kids and I never will. Keeping that on my mind helps me to turn my phone off or ignore it all together.
———
MoveOn.org, which sometimes seems to be running the government since many of the organizations candidates reign over Washington, wants to nationalize health care and wants American citizens to get the word out.MoveOn is sending millions of emails to Americans asking them to write letters to the editor to express their opinion.
The emails tell you what to write and how to write it. You can even write the letter through their Web site and they’ll take care of the rest.
I guess the only problem MoveOn has now is getting people like me to run their robotic drivel.
If any of you received the email and were contemplating writing a tanked letter to the editor through MoveOn, save yourself the trouble. We can spot a phony a mile a way.
Now, if you wish to express your own opinion in an authentic letter, we’ll certainly take a look at that and consider it.
Americans need to start being careful of groups like MoveOn. It’s wise to find out why an organization is doing what they do. Ask “what’s in it for them” before following the crowd like a bunch of blind sheep.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Be On The Lookout!
Nearly two years ago, a tragedy nearly occurred in my small family when my wife, Sharon, backed over our then 4-year-old son Jackson after a family reunion downtown.
Jack was supposed to be in a different care and Sharon was already in the process of backing out and never saw him.
By the grace of God, Jack suffered only minor injuries - mainly to his ear and head. In fact, he still has an area on his scalp where his hair refuses to grow. It serves as a reminder, though none is needed.
Sharon suffered from the incident. It weighed heavily on her soul and the slightest sound or bump in an automobile was nearly too much for her to handle. It terrified her.
Lately, our baby, Sutton, has taken it upon himself to run out in the street. Three times last week.
Sutton, 3, took off for the road during Jack’s t-ball practice. I happen to see him and shouted, “SUTTON HAWK STOP NOW!”
He did. And so did everybody else in a two block radius.
Twenty minutes later, he did run out in the street and Sharon quickly reigned him back in.
I punished him that night. Granted, my punishments are, by old-school standards, pretty mild because the boys mind pretty well. They get in the most trouble for endangering themselves and others, rudeness, attitude and lying. Obviously, this was a safety issue.
Anyhow, the very next night, as soon as I walked into the yard, Jackson, whose in the sandbox playing with his brother and cousin, yells to me, “Dad, I have to tell you something!”
Sutton screams out, “Nooooooooooooooooo ... don’t tell him!”
Then, Sutton precedes to come and tell on himself.
Needless to say, Sutton and I adjourned into privacy and I gave him a strong message. I pray it worked.
You know, when you go through what we went through two years ago, and you have these small children who just run out into traffic .... it just scares the death out of you. Hopefully mine are learning to slow down and look.
I’m sharing this with you, not so you’ll call Child Protective Services on me, but as a reminder. Warn your children to watch out for cars. Tell them to stay out of the street if they’re young and if they ride bicycles or scooters, urge them to wear a helmet and watch out for cars. NEVER ASSUME A DRIVER SEES YOU!
Additionally, local children will be taking to the streets for an additional eight hours a day in a few weeks. Please, please be aware of them, especially around the parks and residential areas.
We can’t always avoid a tragedy, but we have a fighting chance when we are aware of our surroundings.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Jack was supposed to be in a different care and Sharon was already in the process of backing out and never saw him.
By the grace of God, Jack suffered only minor injuries - mainly to his ear and head. In fact, he still has an area on his scalp where his hair refuses to grow. It serves as a reminder, though none is needed.
Sharon suffered from the incident. It weighed heavily on her soul and the slightest sound or bump in an automobile was nearly too much for her to handle. It terrified her.
Lately, our baby, Sutton, has taken it upon himself to run out in the street. Three times last week.
Sutton, 3, took off for the road during Jack’s t-ball practice. I happen to see him and shouted, “SUTTON HAWK STOP NOW!”
He did. And so did everybody else in a two block radius.
Twenty minutes later, he did run out in the street and Sharon quickly reigned him back in.
I punished him that night. Granted, my punishments are, by old-school standards, pretty mild because the boys mind pretty well. They get in the most trouble for endangering themselves and others, rudeness, attitude and lying. Obviously, this was a safety issue.
Anyhow, the very next night, as soon as I walked into the yard, Jackson, whose in the sandbox playing with his brother and cousin, yells to me, “Dad, I have to tell you something!”
Sutton screams out, “Nooooooooooooooooo ... don’t tell him!”
Then, Sutton precedes to come and tell on himself.
Needless to say, Sutton and I adjourned into privacy and I gave him a strong message. I pray it worked.
You know, when you go through what we went through two years ago, and you have these small children who just run out into traffic .... it just scares the death out of you. Hopefully mine are learning to slow down and look.
I’m sharing this with you, not so you’ll call Child Protective Services on me, but as a reminder. Warn your children to watch out for cars. Tell them to stay out of the street if they’re young and if they ride bicycles or scooters, urge them to wear a helmet and watch out for cars. NEVER ASSUME A DRIVER SEES YOU!
Additionally, local children will be taking to the streets for an additional eight hours a day in a few weeks. Please, please be aware of them, especially around the parks and residential areas.
We can’t always avoid a tragedy, but we have a fighting chance when we are aware of our surroundings.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Ohhh Nancy - You Silly Girl
I’d like to publicly thank God Speaker Nancy Pelosi is not my U.S. Representative.
How dare she and some of her cohorts resort to labels and name-calling.
So far, some leading Democrats have referred to Wednesday’s tea partiers as gatherings of racists, Nazis and gun nuts.
Pelosi herself called efforts to get the government to tap the breaks on excessive spending “AstroTurf.”
“This initiative is funded by the high end; we call it AstroTurf, it’s not really a grass-roots movement,” Pelosi said Thursday. “It’s AstroTurf by some of the wealthiest people in America to keep the focus on tax cuts for the rich instead of for the great middle class.”
Other House Democratic leaders took it a step further: One senior aide was circulating a document to the media that the tea parties were driven by corporate lobbyists and attended by neo-Nazis...
The tea parties are “not really all about average citizens,” the document says ... Neo-Nazis, militias, secessionists and racists are attending them.
Watching the news last night in Amarillo, I saw parents, grandparents, children - all walks of life - all races. I saw the same thing in the state-wide and nation-wide coverage as well.
It’s low for those living in their protective world - a world of millions, mansions and limousines - just like Pelosi - to denigrate Americans and flat out lie and portray events differently then they actually happened.
I paid attention to the tea parties. I watched them on MSNBC, CNN and Fox News. I never heard reports which were circulated and conveyed to the media by a few fringe Democrats.
I’ve got news for Pelosi and her buddies, they are quickly getting into the same smug boat Republicans found themselves in back in 2006. Start thumbing your nose at the masses and you’ll be shown the exit come November 2010.
On Wednesday, hundreds of thousands of people across the U.S. held peaceful demonstrations opposing massive spending by the government. Is it so wrong to question how trillions of taxpayer dollars are to be spent? Of course not.
Mrs. Pelosi needs to climb out of her ivory tower and look around for herself. We don’t all live in San Francisco. We don’t all think the government is the correct answer to all our problems. We don’t all think that she, Sen. Harry Reid and Rep. Barney Frank are the answer. In fact, with their 33 percent approval rating, not many think they are the answer at all.
The 58.8 percent of American which think this country is on the wrong track want real answers. They include Democrats, Republicans and Independents. So someone tell me, what is so wrong with wanting OUR money spent wisely?
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
How dare she and some of her cohorts resort to labels and name-calling.
So far, some leading Democrats have referred to Wednesday’s tea partiers as gatherings of racists, Nazis and gun nuts.
Pelosi herself called efforts to get the government to tap the breaks on excessive spending “AstroTurf.”
“This initiative is funded by the high end; we call it AstroTurf, it’s not really a grass-roots movement,” Pelosi said Thursday. “It’s AstroTurf by some of the wealthiest people in America to keep the focus on tax cuts for the rich instead of for the great middle class.”
Other House Democratic leaders took it a step further: One senior aide was circulating a document to the media that the tea parties were driven by corporate lobbyists and attended by neo-Nazis...
The tea parties are “not really all about average citizens,” the document says ... Neo-Nazis, militias, secessionists and racists are attending them.
Watching the news last night in Amarillo, I saw parents, grandparents, children - all walks of life - all races. I saw the same thing in the state-wide and nation-wide coverage as well.
It’s low for those living in their protective world - a world of millions, mansions and limousines - just like Pelosi - to denigrate Americans and flat out lie and portray events differently then they actually happened.
I paid attention to the tea parties. I watched them on MSNBC, CNN and Fox News. I never heard reports which were circulated and conveyed to the media by a few fringe Democrats.
I’ve got news for Pelosi and her buddies, they are quickly getting into the same smug boat Republicans found themselves in back in 2006. Start thumbing your nose at the masses and you’ll be shown the exit come November 2010.
On Wednesday, hundreds of thousands of people across the U.S. held peaceful demonstrations opposing massive spending by the government. Is it so wrong to question how trillions of taxpayer dollars are to be spent? Of course not.
Mrs. Pelosi needs to climb out of her ivory tower and look around for herself. We don’t all live in San Francisco. We don’t all think the government is the correct answer to all our problems. We don’t all think that she, Sen. Harry Reid and Rep. Barney Frank are the answer. In fact, with their 33 percent approval rating, not many think they are the answer at all.
The 58.8 percent of American which think this country is on the wrong track want real answers. They include Democrats, Republicans and Independents. So someone tell me, what is so wrong with wanting OUR money spent wisely?
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Thanks For The Theft!
I had a building burglarized last week.
Thieves broke in and stole some valuable items and vandalized the place.
Here’s how I feel about it: It would be worth them breaking in, if I could catch them breaking in.
I wonder if we could get the laws changed where the victim can get five minutes alone with the perpetrator(s).
I guess that wouldn’t fly. Our liberal friends would have a fit if we did that. Too bad. That would be five minutes well spent.
It’s frustrating when people decide to hit you where it hurts. You go through a gambit of questions and feelings.
Luckily, we have a group of people capable of getting things done regardless of the situation! I’m sure proud of them!
I’ve put family and friends in print ... and not for scoring the game-winning touchdown either. I’ve even placed myself in the not-so-flattering limelight.
As far as I’m concerned, having your name published is a risk you incur when you decide to do something which might get your name in the newspaper. In other words, before knocking off the local Allsup’s, you might consider the fact that your name may indeed, end up in the newspaper.
I suppose you can consider the publicity you receive a deterrent of sorts. It should also encourage law enforcement to release names and information so they get the credit they deserve for keeping us safe and sound.
As for the criminals which burglarized my building - I certainly hope I get to publish your names soon!
“I am very proud of the efforts of the U.S. military and the many other departments and agencies that worked tirelessly to resolve this situation,” Obama said.
The SEALS, which everyone should know are weapons unto themselves, were the perfect solution to the problem.
Obama deserves credit for not only making the call, but letting would-be pirates know our stance on piracy and kidnapping.
Mr. Blackburn,
I was agreeing with you all the way down the page. Couldn’t have said it better myself. Nodding my head and sitting in the “amen” corner on everything you were saying and then you had to ruin it by saying “puke.”.
Why couldn’t you have just said something like regurgitate (for polite society) or maybe up
chuck, throw up, vomit ( I always want to when I see that word) or toss your cookies or even hurl ... or one of my favorites that it was sick enough to “gag a maggot.”
I really never even thought before writing the word “puke.” I guess it’s one of those things that is in the eye of the beholder. One man’s puke is not another man’s regurgitation.
I hope none of you are trying to enjoy a meal while reading this. If so, I apologize.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Thieves broke in and stole some valuable items and vandalized the place.
Here’s how I feel about it: It would be worth them breaking in, if I could catch them breaking in.
I wonder if we could get the laws changed where the victim can get five minutes alone with the perpetrator(s).
I guess that wouldn’t fly. Our liberal friends would have a fit if we did that. Too bad. That would be five minutes well spent.
It’s frustrating when people decide to hit you where it hurts. You go through a gambit of questions and feelings.
Luckily, we have a group of people capable of getting things done regardless of the situation! I’m sure proud of them!
———
So many times newspapers are regarded as the bad guy for printing the news.I’ve put family and friends in print ... and not for scoring the game-winning touchdown either. I’ve even placed myself in the not-so-flattering limelight.
As far as I’m concerned, having your name published is a risk you incur when you decide to do something which might get your name in the newspaper. In other words, before knocking off the local Allsup’s, you might consider the fact that your name may indeed, end up in the newspaper.
I suppose you can consider the publicity you receive a deterrent of sorts. It should also encourage law enforcement to release names and information so they get the credit they deserve for keeping us safe and sound.
As for the criminals which burglarized my building - I certainly hope I get to publish your names soon!
———
President Obama made a great call giving our U.S. Navy SEALS the okay to rescue Capt. Richard Phillips, who was taken hostage when his freighter ship, the Maersk Alabama, was hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia last week.“I am very proud of the efforts of the U.S. military and the many other departments and agencies that worked tirelessly to resolve this situation,” Obama said.
The SEALS, which everyone should know are weapons unto themselves, were the perfect solution to the problem.
Obama deserves credit for not only making the call, but letting would-be pirates know our stance on piracy and kidnapping.
———
The following is some feedback I received recently. It is regarding a recent column I wrote which had the word “puke” in it.Mr. Blackburn,
I was agreeing with you all the way down the page. Couldn’t have said it better myself. Nodding my head and sitting in the “amen” corner on everything you were saying and then you had to ruin it by saying “puke.”.
Why couldn’t you have just said something like regurgitate (for polite society) or maybe up
chuck, throw up, vomit ( I always want to when I see that word) or toss your cookies or even hurl ... or one of my favorites that it was sick enough to “gag a maggot.”
I really never even thought before writing the word “puke.” I guess it’s one of those things that is in the eye of the beholder. One man’s puke is not another man’s regurgitation.
I hope none of you are trying to enjoy a meal while reading this. If so, I apologize.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Interesting Trip For Prez
President Obama had quite a trip. I’d say it went pretty well for him overall. However, there were a few missteps.
Obama’s recent references to American “arrogance” and its “dismissive” attitude are a bit far-reaching.
Why go to France - a country which has displayed nothing but arrogance toward the U.S. for decades and say that?
“In America, there is a failure to appreciate Europe’s leading role in the world. Instead of celebrating your dynamic union and seeking to partner with you to meet common challenges, there have been times where America has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive,” Obama said to the masses.
I think many of us would appreciate “Europe’s role” if the Europeans would get off the sideline and actually display some leadership in the world. Of course we’re going to lead - we are the United States and that is what we do. Seems to me the governments in Europe would rather criticize than truly “lead” by example.
I guess what really gets under my skin about Obama’s comments is the fact he made them in France. Of all the countries in the world to bash the homeland, why do it in front of the French. Drives me crazy!
This was also a quote Obama made in front of the French: “But in Europe, there is an anti-Americanism that is at once casual, but can also be insidious. Instead of recognizing the good that America so often does in the world, there have been times where Europeans choose to blame America for much of what is bad. On both sides of the Atlantic, these attitudes have become all too common.”
Beautiful! Very well said and true, true, true! Next time, he should reverse the two and lead off with the latter quote.
Overall, Obama had a good week overseas. He is now firmly established on the world stage, which should serve this country well.
To his credit, I thought President Obama’s trip to Iraq was huge. There is nothing like seeing our leader in front of the troops. I also like how he is managing the war. Listening to Secretary of Defense Bill Gates is always wise.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Obama’s recent references to American “arrogance” and its “dismissive” attitude are a bit far-reaching.
Why go to France - a country which has displayed nothing but arrogance toward the U.S. for decades and say that?
“In America, there is a failure to appreciate Europe’s leading role in the world. Instead of celebrating your dynamic union and seeking to partner with you to meet common challenges, there have been times where America has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive,” Obama said to the masses.
I think many of us would appreciate “Europe’s role” if the Europeans would get off the sideline and actually display some leadership in the world. Of course we’re going to lead - we are the United States and that is what we do. Seems to me the governments in Europe would rather criticize than truly “lead” by example.
I guess what really gets under my skin about Obama’s comments is the fact he made them in France. Of all the countries in the world to bash the homeland, why do it in front of the French. Drives me crazy!
This was also a quote Obama made in front of the French: “But in Europe, there is an anti-Americanism that is at once casual, but can also be insidious. Instead of recognizing the good that America so often does in the world, there have been times where Europeans choose to blame America for much of what is bad. On both sides of the Atlantic, these attitudes have become all too common.”
Beautiful! Very well said and true, true, true! Next time, he should reverse the two and lead off with the latter quote.
Overall, Obama had a good week overseas. He is now firmly established on the world stage, which should serve this country well.
To his credit, I thought President Obama’s trip to Iraq was huge. There is nothing like seeing our leader in front of the troops. I also like how he is managing the war. Listening to Secretary of Defense Bill Gates is always wise.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Play Ball!
A decade ago I coached 13-15 year-olds in baseball. Did it for three years with a friend.
This week, my son Jackson, 5, will take the field in tee-ball. I am not coaching him, but stood ready had I been asked.
I coached all those years ago because the local league needed help and because I wasn’t sure I’d ever have a family. Things sure change over time!
Here I am at 41 with my oldest boy getting ready for his first season in the sun. I think it’s cool and I hope it’s the beginning of many sports activities he will be involved in.
Will I encourage my boys to play sports? Sure. I will encourage them to try as many things as they can. Activities keep young minds busy and competition is healthy.
Will I live vicariously through them? No. I had my glory years and I don’t plan on having any more ... at least athletically.
The demands we put on our children are easy: Be disciplined, try your best and make straight A’s. I know for sure they are both intelligent so I’m confident they can make some terrific grades once they get in school.
Back to tee-ball. Jack and I discussed sports in general the other day and he now thinks he knows how to hustle. We all know how much difference hustling makes, but I don’t recall him ever doing it.
Speaking of hustle ... My mother and father actually left a soccer game of mine in third grade for my lack of hustle.
“What happened to you!” I screamed at my parents when I got home (I had to find a ride home).
Mom calmly replied, “We are not going to waste our time watching you if you are not going to do your best.”
We never had to have that conversation again.
I can recall some tee-ball action from my younger days as well. It’s a good thing too as I can remember being terrible. That’s right - coach put me in right field to begin the season and I promptly took a fly ball off my forehead. Got a nice goose-egg.
By the end of the season, coach had moved me to center field. Most of what I remember about that season involved a lot of nose picking and ant stomping from my teammates.
I also remember several players running toward third base instead of first. I really emphasized this point with Jack.
Anyhow, it will be a lot of fun watching these kids take the field for the first time. They have no idea what they’re setting us up for over the next 13 years.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
This week, my son Jackson, 5, will take the field in tee-ball. I am not coaching him, but stood ready had I been asked.
I coached all those years ago because the local league needed help and because I wasn’t sure I’d ever have a family. Things sure change over time!
Here I am at 41 with my oldest boy getting ready for his first season in the sun. I think it’s cool and I hope it’s the beginning of many sports activities he will be involved in.
Will I encourage my boys to play sports? Sure. I will encourage them to try as many things as they can. Activities keep young minds busy and competition is healthy.
Will I live vicariously through them? No. I had my glory years and I don’t plan on having any more ... at least athletically.
The demands we put on our children are easy: Be disciplined, try your best and make straight A’s. I know for sure they are both intelligent so I’m confident they can make some terrific grades once they get in school.
Back to tee-ball. Jack and I discussed sports in general the other day and he now thinks he knows how to hustle. We all know how much difference hustling makes, but I don’t recall him ever doing it.
Speaking of hustle ... My mother and father actually left a soccer game of mine in third grade for my lack of hustle.
“What happened to you!” I screamed at my parents when I got home (I had to find a ride home).
Mom calmly replied, “We are not going to waste our time watching you if you are not going to do your best.”
We never had to have that conversation again.
I can recall some tee-ball action from my younger days as well. It’s a good thing too as I can remember being terrible. That’s right - coach put me in right field to begin the season and I promptly took a fly ball off my forehead. Got a nice goose-egg.
By the end of the season, coach had moved me to center field. Most of what I remember about that season involved a lot of nose picking and ant stomping from my teammates.
I also remember several players running toward third base instead of first. I really emphasized this point with Jack.
Anyhow, it will be a lot of fun watching these kids take the field for the first time. They have no idea what they’re setting us up for over the next 13 years.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Absolute Power
President Obama urged GM CEO Rick Wagoner to resign. The request was complied upon.
Wagoner, 56, who spent 32 years with GM working all over the world, stepped down effective immediately. He was replaced as CEO by Fritz Henderson, the company’s vice chairman and chief operating officer.
Obama did so with out any advice from Congress, according to Carl Levin (D), Michigan’s senior senator.
“He didn’t ask us about it, he informed us,” Levin told reporters in a conference call Monday afternoon. “The president said he’d already decided.”
According to reports, Levin said he and three other lawmakers were informed of the decision in a phone call Obama made from the Oval Office. Obama told the members of Congress that Wagoner needed to resign so that his administration could show the public it was making an effort at a fresh start with the auto industry.
Does that not sound strange to anyone but me? Is the president supposed to be in the business of firing people whom aren’t in government?
Does that mean if your business receives money from a bank which received money from the government, Obama can have you fired?
Granted, Wagoner’s company had lost $82 billion the last four years and is a recipient of billions in taxpayer money, but shouldn’t he be judged by the board and shareholders?
In Wagoner’s defense, he was making a difference. He had cut GM’s U.S. work force from 177,000 to roughly 92,000; closed factories; shed the unprofitable Oldsmobile brand; globalized GM’s engineering, manufacturing and design; led a resurgence in quality and performance; and ushered in a more affordable $14-per-hour wage for new hires, about half that of a former wage. These measures saved the company billions.
What really sunk Wagoner was the GM’s focus on larger SUVs and trucks instead of smaller fuel efficient automobiles as fuel prices climbed.
By the way: GM’s stock was down $.92 Monday ... down to $2.70 a share. That’s a pretty good slip.
In fact, it’s safe to say the market reacted poorly to the Obama-Wagoner news. Investors are probably worried about the prospect of the president handing pink-slips out.
Here’s what worries me. The government is getting far too close to the private sector.
If a company is not viable, let it fail. If it is viable but needs to be restructured, let it enter bankruptcy.
What ever happened to the anti-trust legislation? They used to use it when a company was deemed too big. Anyone thinking that should have been the case with AIG?
Mr. President, I implore you, run the country, not businesses. Please protect our Mexican border, take out North Korea’s missile and make sure Congress spends OUR money WISELY!
If Obama wants to reach beyond his powers and start firing people, he should start with Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Chris Dodd and Barney Frank - as they know nothing about business but plenty about spending OUR money poorly. I bet the markets would react great to that news.
And before you Democrats get the rope for me and you Republicans begin praising me, here is something else to chew on.
At least there is leadership on the left. There is virtually no voice coming from the GOP. Where’s the leadership? Who is going to step forward and become the new face of this downtrodden party?
It’s a fact - one party rule in this country stinks. The GOP proved that and it cost them dearly. The Democrats continue to prove that point by spending like coeds on spring break with Daddy’s credit card.
Our current economic situation and the government’s reaction - dating back to the Bush Administration, make me want to puke.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Wagoner, 56, who spent 32 years with GM working all over the world, stepped down effective immediately. He was replaced as CEO by Fritz Henderson, the company’s vice chairman and chief operating officer.
Obama did so with out any advice from Congress, according to Carl Levin (D), Michigan’s senior senator.
“He didn’t ask us about it, he informed us,” Levin told reporters in a conference call Monday afternoon. “The president said he’d already decided.”
According to reports, Levin said he and three other lawmakers were informed of the decision in a phone call Obama made from the Oval Office. Obama told the members of Congress that Wagoner needed to resign so that his administration could show the public it was making an effort at a fresh start with the auto industry.
Does that not sound strange to anyone but me? Is the president supposed to be in the business of firing people whom aren’t in government?
Does that mean if your business receives money from a bank which received money from the government, Obama can have you fired?
Granted, Wagoner’s company had lost $82 billion the last four years and is a recipient of billions in taxpayer money, but shouldn’t he be judged by the board and shareholders?
In Wagoner’s defense, he was making a difference. He had cut GM’s U.S. work force from 177,000 to roughly 92,000; closed factories; shed the unprofitable Oldsmobile brand; globalized GM’s engineering, manufacturing and design; led a resurgence in quality and performance; and ushered in a more affordable $14-per-hour wage for new hires, about half that of a former wage. These measures saved the company billions.
What really sunk Wagoner was the GM’s focus on larger SUVs and trucks instead of smaller fuel efficient automobiles as fuel prices climbed.
By the way: GM’s stock was down $.92 Monday ... down to $2.70 a share. That’s a pretty good slip.
In fact, it’s safe to say the market reacted poorly to the Obama-Wagoner news. Investors are probably worried about the prospect of the president handing pink-slips out.
Here’s what worries me. The government is getting far too close to the private sector.
If a company is not viable, let it fail. If it is viable but needs to be restructured, let it enter bankruptcy.
What ever happened to the anti-trust legislation? They used to use it when a company was deemed too big. Anyone thinking that should have been the case with AIG?
Mr. President, I implore you, run the country, not businesses. Please protect our Mexican border, take out North Korea’s missile and make sure Congress spends OUR money WISELY!
If Obama wants to reach beyond his powers and start firing people, he should start with Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Chris Dodd and Barney Frank - as they know nothing about business but plenty about spending OUR money poorly. I bet the markets would react great to that news.
And before you Democrats get the rope for me and you Republicans begin praising me, here is something else to chew on.
At least there is leadership on the left. There is virtually no voice coming from the GOP. Where’s the leadership? Who is going to step forward and become the new face of this downtrodden party?
It’s a fact - one party rule in this country stinks. The GOP proved that and it cost them dearly. The Democrats continue to prove that point by spending like coeds on spring break with Daddy’s credit card.
Our current economic situation and the government’s reaction - dating back to the Bush Administration, make me want to puke.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
What’s Another Trillion Amongst Friends?
Somebody needs to tackle the Obama Administration and Congress before they start spending my great-great-great grandchildren’s money.
Word out of Washington now says they are needing ANOTHER bailout bill to save the big banks. It may cost $1 trillion in addition to the trillions already spent according to Obama and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.
They say they need it to purchase bad assets off the balance sheets of big banks. Same thing they said months ago.
The only “bad asset” we need cleaned up is Washington.
The reality is the Democrats are on the largest spending spree this planet has ever seen. It is almost comical.
And what is their defense? Why it’s gripping publicly about a few hundred million in bonuses to AIG. Something top Democrats, including Geithner, have known about for months.
The Administration and Congress think by yelling about the bonuses, Americans won’t notice another trillion here and another trillion there.
I wonder what is going to happen when Americans in mass decide to stop paying taxes? What happens when we determine the U.S. Government is a poor investment for our hard-earned dollars.
Obama called the latest bailout “one more critical element” in a multi-pronged effort to revive the economy. I wonder how many “critical elements” it is going to take.
And what about transparency?
All during the campaign, Obama spoke of all of the transparency there would be in his administration. Where is it?
Why isn’t the proposed budget online for us to see? I would think a someone asking for $3.6 trillion in a budget would let us see how our money will be spent.
Guess what? No one outside Washington has a clue what’s in the proposed budget. Heck, most in Washington don’t have a clue either outside of their very own pet projects they had added to it.
If you’re not counting, the total is $160,000 per American family we are on the hook for. That is sad and pathetic.
Obama will try and get the rich to foot that bill. Guess what, they can’t. It will also take the middle class and the poor.
Mark my words - your taxes aren’t just going to increase, they will skyrocket. Maybe not for those out there cheating on their taxes by passing their children’s Social Security numbers around (a topic for another day), but for the vast majority of us.
I understand Obama won an election based on change, but this not the change people had in mind back in November.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
Word out of Washington now says they are needing ANOTHER bailout bill to save the big banks. It may cost $1 trillion in addition to the trillions already spent according to Obama and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.
They say they need it to purchase bad assets off the balance sheets of big banks. Same thing they said months ago.
The only “bad asset” we need cleaned up is Washington.
The reality is the Democrats are on the largest spending spree this planet has ever seen. It is almost comical.
And what is their defense? Why it’s gripping publicly about a few hundred million in bonuses to AIG. Something top Democrats, including Geithner, have known about for months.
The Administration and Congress think by yelling about the bonuses, Americans won’t notice another trillion here and another trillion there.
I wonder what is going to happen when Americans in mass decide to stop paying taxes? What happens when we determine the U.S. Government is a poor investment for our hard-earned dollars.
Obama called the latest bailout “one more critical element” in a multi-pronged effort to revive the economy. I wonder how many “critical elements” it is going to take.
And what about transparency?
All during the campaign, Obama spoke of all of the transparency there would be in his administration. Where is it?
Why isn’t the proposed budget online for us to see? I would think a someone asking for $3.6 trillion in a budget would let us see how our money will be spent.
Guess what? No one outside Washington has a clue what’s in the proposed budget. Heck, most in Washington don’t have a clue either outside of their very own pet projects they had added to it.
If you’re not counting, the total is $160,000 per American family we are on the hook for. That is sad and pathetic.
Obama will try and get the rich to foot that bill. Guess what, they can’t. It will also take the middle class and the poor.
Mark my words - your taxes aren’t just going to increase, they will skyrocket. Maybe not for those out there cheating on their taxes by passing their children’s Social Security numbers around (a topic for another day), but for the vast majority of us.
I understand Obama won an election based on change, but this not the change people had in mind back in November.
Copyright Christopher Blackburn 2009
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