Defining moment of the Obama presidency came to pass last weekend

Remember when Moochelle said that, "For the first time she was proud of the U.S. [when B. Hussein was elected],"? Ever since "reconciliation" took place, the process by which 0bama and his minions "Rahmed 0bamacare through" the sharply divided Congress against the will of the people, and after such dirty deals as "The Louisiana Purchase" took place, we Americans have been subjected to more and more of the same.  Given our Idiocracy, the 24/7 news cycle and our forgetful, me-first nature  these lessons are quite ephemeral.  Seeing a new round of EBT-laden Wal-Mart stampedes gave us pause and showcased these features of our troubled society. 

However, there was one event last weekend that we should all be proud of.  Veterans, you know, dangerous usurpers, gathered at the National Mall to tear down "Barrycades" that would never exist in our pre-Marxist times.  You know, the times before PCness and regulation nation could be squelched out of hand because those ideas and the notion that War Memorials could be closed for "our safety" seemed so ridiculous, they would never come to pass.  (During the last "government shutdown", the memorials were never closed.) People gave their lives for the events and ideas that those memorials represent.

The Barrycades were deposited exactly where they belong: 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.  And for that, I was truly proud of my nation again.  And I truly believe that this event should be featured henceforth in all newly published history books, for the blowback against the foolishness of the current administration was the defining moment of his presidency.

Arizona Gov. Brewer: "No amount of distortion can hide the absolute truth"

One of Gov. Brewer's best speeches on the issue of American border soverignty. From the Border Security Conference and Expo at the Phoenix convention center, 06 MAR 2012.

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I stand here today aiming to make a simple case on the subject of America’s border with Mexico and our illegal immigration policy. I know my words will be distorted by those who disagree. My opponents have already painted me as hard-hearted and uncompassionate. They’re wrong. My career, my record, my life … all stands as proof as to how wrong the critics are.

The truth I’ve come to share with you is anything but hateful. It has nothing to do with skin color, nothing to do with extremism. Instead, it’s rooted in FREEDOM. My truth shares the spirit of our Founding Fathers' quest to “form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty.”

We MUST secure Arizona’s and America’s southern border.That is my truth. We must secure our border to keep our citizens safe. We must secure our border because we are a nation of laws. We must secure our border to ensure our vital and valuable and continuing relationship with Mexico.

There is no other choice, no better option. There is no next-best, easier truth. Of course, there are those in Washington who will tell you … from 3,000 miles away … that our border is more secure than ever.

Tell that to the survivors and friends of Robert Krentz, a dedicated, community-minded man shot to death on the same Cochise County ranch his family has called home for more than 100 years. Tell that to the friends and relatives of a brave and noble border patrol agent – Agent Brian Terry – a victim of a border gang that was armed by our own federal government – allowing guns to be shipped into Mexico in the scandalous Fast-and-Furious Operation.

Tell that to the Arizonans who wake up to find a drop house raid in progress, or who witness high-speed chases on our freeways and in our neighborhoods, or who spend hours in an overburdened emergency room on a Saturday night, waiting while consoling a suffering child. Tell that to our taxpayers, forced to bear the expenses – including state and federal prison cells overflowing with thousands of illegal alien felons – at a total cost of more than one billion dollars each year.

Those are the facts, plain and simple. Our opponents, the self-styled do-gooders, try mightily to bury them. They spin and shout, hate and denounce. To disagree with them, I’ve learned, is to suffer incredible verbal abuse. But, let me assure you, I can live with those consequences, because I believe in the truth and I believe in taking action to protect our hard-won freedoms. Besides, no amount of distortion can hide the absolute truth.

The federal government – Republicans and Democrats alike – has failed every single American. All of us. Washington’s abdication of responsibility is the overarching outrage of America’s illegal immigration crisis. America’s failure to understand this problem at a national level – and deal with it – has haunted border states like mine for decades.For years, Washington has stood idly by, letting our southern border grow more porous and more dangerous.

For years, they’ve tolerated a situation that every day encourages the wanton violation of our neighborhoods’ integrity and safety. The freedom I believe in should be protected by a framework of laws enforced consistently and impartially. I believe in a prosperity that should be enjoyed by all – on both sides of the border. I believe in a relationship with Mexico that celebrates a partnership – one that encourages a dynamic trading environment – a testament to international understanding and friendship. For that to happen, there must be commitment on both sides of the line. Without that commitment, we will have only more of the same.

If Arizona and America are to thrive over the next two decades, Arizona, Washington, D.C., and Mexico must work to create a legal and secure framework to grow our economy and Mexico’s … together. Arizona needs a border that is secure in preventing illegal immigration but effective in promoting swift and easy legal entry. We need ports of entry that facilitate the efficient transaction of goods and products between Arizona and Mexico, our largest trading partner. We cannot allow outdated ports of entry to result in excessive wait times that push legal commerce and industry to other states. We are making progress. Our largest commercial crossing at Mariposa will go from 4 to 12 passenger lanes this year, and is doubling its number of commercial inspection lanes.

Likewise, we have just recently completed expansion at the Lukeville port of entry and opened a brand new commercial port of entry at San Luis II.But we can’t stop there.Last month, I traveled to Rocky Point, Mexico and joined my good friend Governor Padres to meet with business and government leaders representing Arizona and Sonora. I told them that our two states represent a border region, and this region is competing worldwide for jobs and economic development. A secure border – one that blocks criminal trafficking but facilitates legal trade and commerce – is not contrary to our shared goal of economic prosperity. It is simply essential.

In closing, let me say that with the help of individuals like those of you in this room today, we’ll continue to push for an effective border that protects our citizens while welcoming tourism, trade and commerce. We’ll push for a border that aids Arizona’s economic growth – and Mexico’s economic growth, without enabling the crime that threatens our citizens.And, we’ll push for the federal government to finally fulfill its obligations to the American people when it comes to securing our border and enforcing our nation’s immigration laws.

Standing strong with all of you, I know we can do this. Again, thank you all for being here. May God bless you and the great state Arizona. And may God always bless and protect the United States of America.

Article: Allen West on the Marines Incident: 'Shut Your Mouth, War Is Hell'

Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.), a former Army lieutenant colonel, told THE WEEKLY STANDARD in an widely republished e-mail exactly where liberal pundits could stick their opinions regarding the Marines allegedly urinating on a few corpses.  While the incident was wrong, it is amazing - the speed of information - and the speed to self-righteous indignation of the American media, and how quickly we seem to go after our own with the greatest zeal.  Is it any surprise that we now have sketchy "allies" like Russia jumping to get in a few hooks and jabs at the American human rights record whenever they can?  Yet they do, and it is absurd and sad. 

Excerpted from the Weekly Standard, January 13, 2012

“I have sat back and assessed the incident with the video of our Marines urinating on Taliban corpses. I do not recall any self-righteous indignation when our Delta snipers Shugart and Gordon had their bodies dragged through Mogadishu. Neither do I recall media outrage and condemnation of our Blackwater security contractors being killed, their bodies burned, and hung from a bridge in Fallujah.

“All these over-emotional pundits and armchair quarterbacks need to chill. Does anyone remember the two Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division who were beheaded and gutted in Iraq?

“The Marines were wrong. Give them a maximum punishment under field grade level Article 15 (non-judicial punishment), place a General Officer level letter of reprimand in their personnel file, and have them in full dress uniform stand before their Battalion, each personally apologize to God, Country, and Corps videotaped and conclude by singing the full US Marine Corps Hymn without a teleprompter.

“As for everyone else, unless you have been shot at by the Taliban, shut your mouth, war is hell.”

Note from a friend: call your loved ones!

How is your emergency preparedness?  Are you right with God?  Do you have a call card in your wallet?  

Any loose ends with people you care about?  I know I have some. 

The following letter came in from my friend, and having deleted the personal info, I'm posting part of it here so that some good may come of it. 
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Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers after my wife's accident.
There is no earthly reason she survived that wreck. And she has no permanent injuries.
She was t boned in an intersection at the end of our street, rolled over three or four times. She was hit about 45-50 miles per hour, the other driver didn't leave any skid marks.

The paramedic told me she was trapped in the car for about 10 minutes before they could cut her out and remove her through the sunroof of her Ford Escape. Thank God for Henry Ford and building safe vehicles. If it were not for fuel cut off, she would have been in a pool of gasoline. The area between the wheels where the other car hit was pushed in about 12-18 inches. The salvage yard man told me he expected to be putting up coroners' tape.

Instead, she is home after a four day hospital stay with a bad concussion and a lot of pain meds. She is expected to be able to return to work in about twelve weeks. I was at work when I got the phone call. The passage from man to little girl is pretty quick. The voice on the other end of the phone was kind to quickly ID himself and let me know she was alive and on their way to the hospital. Within a few hours, I knew she would be ok.  So do me a favor and give your wife a hug and your kids a call.

A breath can cause your downfall.

A quick narrative on things

"In performances devoid of outward drama that nevertheless convey deep emotion, Vega sings in a distinctive, clear vibrato-less voice that has been described as "a cool, dry sandpaper-brushed near-whisper" and as "plaintive but disarmingly powerful."

Suzanne Vega concert was everything I expected - even though who knows, there may be little difference between hearing an amplified voice or radio voice rather than the naked soundwave, I was able to reach a rare emotional state as the notes washed over me. Whoa, I'm not a die-hard fan, I've just liked her Solitude Standing and remember humming Luka while pedaling around the block as an 80s kid. And as the 80s were the renaissance of sorts of the modern era, I was obliged to go to reap some benefits of pedaling the creative mind.

As her last, she sang Tom's Diner a cappella, a nice surprise. Queen and the Soldier had the most reactions from the seats. I am reminded of an editorial (NPR?) that she is one of the last major artists in contemporary memory that seem to truly draw from deep introspection and show utter lyrical brilliance.

Now, I'm looking at a blue ticket stub, no. 4856138 from Saturday night. The Manny Pacquiao bout - I'm finally watching the showdown with a champion who has won titles in seven different weight classes and he increasingly commands the world's attention. The announcer reads his monumental "resume" in two very long minutes, the challenger's 20 seconds pale in comparison. Thoughts I tie together are the appreciation I have for the Philippines, the history of the campaign in the Pacific, the proud Americans of Philippine descent I've met in the service, a brief visit to the country.  Now I'm in a Filipino bar across the street (we have many in the area) and everyone's going nuts - it's not fancy, it was a small seafood marketeer two years ago, but the crowd is filled to capacity.  There are plenty of well-heeled fans, or those caught up in the event,  and no kidding, even a limo in my little neighborhood - WAY non-sequitur.  There is so much emotion wrapped into this welterweight fighter, I come to realize THIS IS living history and this fact unites we small-bar-filling spectators.  He threw a record number of jabs in the first round - some 120 or so.  Stuff is only adding to his legend.  Even though this Clottey fight was somewhat disappointing, the crowd packed in the little bar is electric, and even though boxing is brutal, it's a hell of a lot more elegant than the savage mixed martial-arts craze.

He prays before a bout, doesn't talk trash, cares about his country.  The most attractive thing about Manny is his humility. 
~~~ 
Anyway, right now I'm most appreciative of the opportunity to "think in neutral": daffodils have sprung in the backyard, my weeping willow is amazingly growing from only a clipping on my windowsill, I'm a year older and I'm finally shaking off some of the cold from fall and winter...  in this transition I'm also spending a bit more time brushing up on literary evaluation as the need to make meaning returns to view -  Not in a journal, but in living.  It's good to know that the more we read, the more our mental discipline grows.  Like gaining momentum in writing papers as the night goes on,  I'm also finding focused introspection is getting easier and less nerve-wracking.

Kanye West meme still fresh in recent memory

Have I covered this already?


You've already suffered enough from a "me first, me victim" upbringing and thought you received enough notoriety saying that "George Bush hates black people," but that wasn't enough. So all 225 lbs. of you leaps on stage at a nationally televised awards show, and rips the microphone away from a waifish teenaged lady receiving her first award. You do the unthinkable, swaggering around and then saying, "I'mma let you finish," but your friend Beyonce, "had the best video of all time." Lo and behold, the president himself later called you "a jackass." What do you do next?


1. You become an internet meme. http://www.zmemusic.com/other/kanyes-imma-let-you-finish-meme-425975/


2. You don't show up for the BET music awards, where of course despite your lunacy, you were still nominated for nine awards. http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/10/11/kanye-west-bet-awards/

3. Where are you, anyway?

"What am I doing here?" moments

I walked in Sears today at 1:30 p.m. Brisk jazz was playing, the kind you'd hear in a Peanuts sketch. I'm on a mini-vacation, and not going anywhere special. Other than me, I wondered, "What are everyone's excuses for being strolling through the mall on a Wednesday afternoon?"

At that time I felt detached, probably due to the walking and jazz without being in a nightclub, stiff potion in hand. Maybe the energy in the jazz made me feel guilty for walking without a purpose. I shook off the feeling of lonely streetlamps and trees.

Ah, the richness of experience.

On a brighter note, I saw ultimate justice (TM) delivered after a self-absorbed idiophite female almost ran me off the road. I blared on the horn, and as lights came flashing and traffic slinkied to a halt, she was pulled over seconds later by the policeman driving in front of me, who was witness to the whole thing. Boy, that felt good.

Bombshell indictment of Donkey shenanigans appears in Salon.com

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whom I used to admire for her smooth aplomb under pressure, has clearly gone off the deep end with her bizarre rants about legitimate town-hall protests by American citizens. She is doing grievous damage to the party and should immediately step down." - Camille Paglia

Excerpted from: http://www.salon.com/opinion/paglia/2009/08/12/town_halls/index.html


Camille Paglia is the University Professor of Humanities and Media Studies at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.


No need for me to boast in a period of national political turmoil, so please don't interpret this as such. However, there is a need to rally - being that events fall ever quickly from public consciousness in time for the next news story - and it is the shift in balance of what's making news today that deserves examination.

A haymaker of an article appeared in Salon.com this week (Wow, on Salon?), probably leaving many rat-out-your-parents ethics libs catatonic. This honest indictment by Camille Paglia is some of the finest writing I've seen: graceful, dot-connecting, cogent. Rarely will one of the left's own have the honesty to dare criticize her cronies. Some of the GOP ignore this painful lesson (prominent voices in the party admit they're in disarray and have long been in tatters), but Sen. McCain, the former presidential candidate obviously hadn't when he impaled himself with his own lance, courting the hispanic "open-the-floodgates" lobby, and shishkebabing the rest of the party with him.

So when honest, courageous voices like Paglia's surface, we need to listen well. Her courage invested with this is pallates taller than the shoebox I saw mustered by the GOP in producing a leader for the 2008 election. It's courage we've seen highly evident in these vitriolic town hall meetings capturing so much press (!) and I'm hopeful for Salon for producing an alternative viewpoint. I won't go as far as being "optimistic" though.

Americans, far too long feeling helpless to throw a wedge in the revolving door of legislators and MSM antics quickly forget what a house of cards is in their midst. How often can grassroots America stand by while their intelligence is insulted? From "flyover states" to "astro-turf," it's evident how far out of touch the liberal elite is with its constituency. A unique feature of Paglia's article is making us confront the cumulative nature of these looney goings-on in government. She not only talks the health-care reform debacle, she stacks up all the other remarkable stories which had quickly scuttled away, winds up, and sends them all reeling:

• Speaker of the house (3rd in line to the Presidency) "Representative" Nancy Pelosi calling private citizens "Nazis"

"House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whom I used to admire for her smooth aplomb under pressure, has clearly gone off the deep end with her bizarre rants about legitimate town-hall protests by American citizens. She is doing grievous damage to the party and should immediately step down."

• - Not-so subtle caste warfare from the White House (Don't jump to dismissing the storied "beer summit" and criticism as racism)

"Of course, it didn't help matters that, just when he needed maximum momentum on healthcare, Obama made the terrible gaffe of declaring that, even without his knowing the full facts, Cambridge, Mass., police had acted "stupidly" in arresting a friend of his, Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. Obama's automatic identification with the pampered Harvard elite (wildly unpopular with most sensible people), as well as his insulting condescension toward an officer doing his often dangerous duty, did serious and perhaps irreparable damage to the president's standing. The strained, prissy beer summit in the White House garden afterward didn't help. Is that the Obama notion of hospitality? Another staff breakdown."

• Incomprehensible information warfare thrust initiated by former jour-nihilist, now comms-Chief-of-Staff backfiring: http://www.breitbart.tv/spokesman-calls-fox-news-host-flabbergasting-for-questioning-white-house-request-for-fishy-e-mail/ "Report fishy concerns about health-care to flag@whitehouse.gov"

"But somehow liberals have drifted into a strange servility toward big government, which they revere as a godlike foster father-mother who can dispense all bounty and magically heal all ills. The ethical collapse of the left was nowhere more evident than in the near total silence of liberal media and Web sites at the Obama administration's outrageous solicitation to private citizens to report unacceptable "casual conversations" to the White House."



Paglia's article is a modern-day Crisis. Thomas Paine would be proud. Pulitzer, please.