I Found My Happy Place

With the help of a friend at work today, I was able to get through the anger and frustration and find my Happy place. Just look at how Happy my Ronald Reagan picture made me.

I know that God is in control, but it isn't easy to accept something that I feel is so wrong for my country. I guess I have become too focused on this world, which is truly not my home. God please give me true focus on your kingdom and help me to accept and adapt to what the world puts into my current every day life.

Thanks to all of my friends who have reminded me today that God truly is in control. I found a passage that I love just now, and I will leave it for you to ponder as well.

Psalms 61:1-4

1 Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.
2 From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.
4 I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Selah

All I have for you today is that .5 cent thought!

Why?

I am not coping too well today, clearly. If I write anything right now it would be neither uplifting or kind. So, since my momma told me that I shouldn't say anything if I couldn't say anything nice, I will refrain until my mood improves. I would like to thank all of my friends who have sent me messages of encouragement today. But it took the wise words of a former Liberty Prof to help me put it into perspective:

"Why, God, would you allow this wonderful country I love to elect a man who supports the killing of unborn children, who supports immoral behavior between people of the same sex, and who plans to tax away the blessings with which You have so bountifully blessed us? Why, God, did you not stop us from electing a man who will undo in four years (months?) all of the God-honoring legislation we have spent 40 years trying to get in place in this country?

Is it because we have tried to do it ourselves with our programs and our political action committees rather than by Your hand? Is it because we have tried to get morality in our laws rather than in our hearts? We have allowed our country to get into deep trouble, so what do we do now, God?"

I asked, and God answered:

"Do not fret because of evil-doers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers For they will wither quickly like the grass, And fade like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. And He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your judgment as the noonday. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret, it leads only to evildoing. For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land. Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more; And you will look carefully for his place and he will not be there. But the humble will inherit the landAnd will delight themselves in abundant prosperity."
[Psalm 37:1-11]

And I answered, "Dear God, Help me pay attention to (and do with my whole heart) the requirements that Your word has placed on me. And help me let You take care of the part that applies to others. Amen."

Thanks Doc T. for letting me borrow your your 2.5 cents on this one!

Fed up

Some frustrated observations from a very tired and peeved me:

• I do not know who my neighbors any more. I love that Bedford county went Republican huge, but without LU Lynchburg is Blue. I don't know my state anymore. Who are you people? I don't like you right now!
• I need to move back to NC. It looks like McCain is making a comeback there. Way to go NC.
• I am greatly disappointed with Pennsylvania. The man slapped you in the face, and you embraced him? What in the world are you thinking? It isn't even close.
• Ohio is going BO as well. Unreal.
• I want to move to Wyoming, where McCain is Slaughtering Obama.
• Locally, the AP called the 5th District Congressional race for Virgil Goode with 50% of the precincts reporting. Perriello was in the lead then, and now with 95% reporting he still leads by a hundred or so votes and the AP had to "UNCALL" the race as too close to call. Dummies! Now it appears Perrielo will win.
• For those who have voted to give us 4 years of BO socialism, I will be calling on you to pay my pending tax increase.
• Congratulations, you just voted yourself a huge tax increase.
• Mark my words, most BO voters will regret their vote within his first 6 months in office. We will be tested by other countries and terrorists just like Biden said.
• Whomever the Republican candidate is in 2012 it doesn't matter. They will win in a landslide. My only hope is that they can undo some of the damage BO will inflict on our country.
• Standby for the Fundamental change BO promised you, and then prepare yourself for the damage he does.
• I'm exhausted and the news is over, so now I get to go home and wonder what happened to my country.

That is my 2.1 cents! More tomorrow!

Exit Polls

GO VOTE. Do not believe the early election results or the exit polls. Please do not believe the hype. Do your job and vote.

Voting issue

Pray for my sister-in-law to get things straight. She showed up to vote in Amherst County only to find out that a registrar in Arlington made an error entering another person's registration and inadvertently canceled hers. They will not let her vote. It was their admitted error, but they will not correct it by re-registering her because their silly deadline is passed. They did offer her a provisional ballot, but she wants to vote now and have her vote counted now. We are working the phones trying to get her some resolution.

UPDATE- After many phone calls and much persistence, the Amherst Country registrar overrode the system and re-registered her effective today. She is heading back over now to vote. Woo Hoo!

My Morning voting experience

I was so excited to vote, I jumped right out of bed. My oldest son and I headed out just after 7am. I was thrilled as I pulled up to my polling place and saw the parking lot overflowing. Then I got in a line that extended clear out of the building. I began to wonder how long this was going to take, when a poll worker (coffee in hand) walked out and said "if your last name starts with M-Z come right this way". I walked with him past a line of close to 75 people with names starting from A-L into my wonderful M-Z line of 3. I waited less than 10 minutes to vote. The line I experienced a few minutes later at Starbucks was much longer and took longer.

I think it is great that they let you bring your kids with you. I saw many with their kiddos in tow. My son really liked seeing the whole process, and he liked my voting strategy too. He was a little surprised by the sample ballots though. The Republican sample ballot had all candidates printed the same, and had their candidates highlighted in yellow. The Democratic sample ballot had all the Democratic candidates printed in BOLD, and had all the others in a smaller font and printed so faintly that you could hardly read them. He didn't like this at all and felt it was deceptive. I guess I'm used to political manipulation.

In my district, I believe big turnout is great for McCain. It usually goes for Republicans easily. It was great to see people so excited to be a part of the process. So, please get out and VOTE! Again, nothing has been decided yet, and it can not be until after 10pm tonight. Don't believe the Hype. McCain will carry the day despite what the media will tell you early on.

What an exciting day, that is until I report to work in a little while and work until midnight. I love election day and my job. It should be an exciting day either way.

That is my 2.5 cents on my morning vote. Look back for lots more as the day rolls on!

Great read, with HOPE!

I just found an article where a McCain campaign official seems to agree with me that undecided folks could still carry the day for McCain tomorrow. The number of people considering themselves undecided or unsure is staggering. As I stated last week one poll showed that 1 in 7 were still not committed. As I've been saying, ignore the media. This thing is not over yet, and the fat lady is still sleeping in her trailer.

Read the article here: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15193_Page2.html

Here are some clips from it:

MIAMI – A high-spirited Rick Davis late Sunday night made perhaps his final case for John McCain, arguing that the unusual number of still-remaining undecided voters could tip the election to the GOP and that whether those holdouts ultimately vote could prove decisive.

“If Barack Obama hasn’t closed the deal with them after two years in the campaign and a year as the nominee of their party, maybe they’re holding out for a good reason,” Davis told reporters en route to an after-midnight campaign rally here. “Now, maybe they just decided not to vote and they don’t want to say that because everyone they know is voting. So we’ll see. If we see the vote drop below 130 million, you’ll know they didn’t show up. If it goes over you’ll know they came out, [and] I think that’s a good chance for us to win.”

“The big hole we have I think is…our earned media coverage,” he said, referring to the campaign’s treatment in the press. “I don’t know what we could have done to do it differently, but it sucks. So I look back at that and say wow.”

That's my 2.5 cents. Get excited, get the word out, and get out and vote!

Last chance plea

I just wanted to send out one more plea on this election eve. I obviously have some firm beliefs on this election. I haven’t tried to hide it; as a matter of fact I’ve tried to scream it from the highest mountain.

I feel strongly that the choice is clear. Late last week, Mr. BO made it even more clear to me with his statement: "five days from now we will fundamentally change America". I don’t know about any of you, but I don’t want any politician from either side to “fundamentally change America”. Small change is always needed, but not changes to the very fabric of the constitution. Make no mistake; this is what BO means by that statement. He wants to fundamentally change us to a socialist society, and with a full Democratic House and Senate, he will.

Even though you will see six candidates for President on your ballot tomorrow, there are only two who are viable. So either way you will vote for either Obama or McCain. The way this election is tipping, a vote for anyone but McCain will turn out as a vote for Obama. There are those of us who are already solidly behind either McCain or Obama, but there are two other categories of folks who are still in play. There are a huge number of undecided or unsure folks out there. If you are in this area, please make an effort to inform your self today (I’d prefer you read my blog J), and please get out and vote. Then there are those of you who plan to vote for one of the fringe candidates. I was one of you several months ago. I was ready to just stay home because John McCain is not really my ideal candidate. However, as I do my due diligence and research, Mr. BO truly scares me. I can not allow my distaste for some of McCain’s policies to enable Obama to destroy our country. As I’ve said a million times, I would rather be on a slow moving sail boat to the left with Mr. McCain than on a huge jet racing boat to socialism with Mr. BO. Please understand that if you vote for anyone but McCain you are voting for Obama and helping to usher in his terrifying constitution damaging policies.

This election is not over yet no matter what the media and the corrupt pollsters try to tell you. Please don’t allow them to discourage you from voting. There are way to many undecided folks, and I believe many who plan to vote for BO will change their minds in the booth. And I still say that polls are way too erratic and slanted. Many Republicans are they type that refuse to tell the pollsters how they will vote, which is why most polls have more Democrats participating than Republicans. This slants things drastically. The only true poll is the one the whole of America will participate in tomorrow. I think turnout will be huge, and that part truly makes me proud to be am American.

So, do not give up and do not stay home and pout.

That’s my 2.5 cents. My prediction: McCain by 350,000 votes.

Are you a Mouse? (or Sheep would work too)

I found this picture on the web today and just had to share it. It is quite a terrific depiction of what is happening right now in this election. I'm all for change, but only if it is the right kind of change. Mr. BO does not offer any of the right kind of change. He offers only socialism, make no mistake.

I have written at great length about how scary it is that people "follow" Mr. BO without even knowing exactly what or whom they are following. If you try to bring up substance to most BO supporters they cry foul. They call you nit picky and the become offended. It is as if they think the man is completely infallible. It is impossible to have a calm political discourse with them. They refuse to even consider any negative information about "their man". If some of the current accusations were proven without a doubt, they would still vote for him and not care in the least. There are many reasons they are like this. The most common is the Bush hatred. They want someone, anyone from the other party because they perceive Bush and everyone else in the GOP are exactly the same. Let me say once and for all, John McCain is NOT George W. Bush. Some are voting for BO because they want to be a part of "History" by voting for the first Black President. Some are wooed by his charm and flowery words. It doesn't seem to matter what their reason is though, it only matters that they keep on "following" without question.

This kind of blind adoration and lock-step mentality brings up images in my mind of Hitlers Germany, Mussolini's Italy, or Stalin's Russia. It is frightening to me to see people almost worshiping this man. After all, no matter what they or he believe, he is only a man. Our Government was set-up to be a Government of the people, for the people, and by the people. It was set-up to have checks and balances. Leaders were not to have the kind of sway that a dictator or a traditional king would have. I for one will not "follow" and Political or governmental leader without question. I will not be a "sheeple".

That's my 2.6 cents, and I'm going to walk out of step with the adoring throngs on election day.

WARNING! Please read carefully!

ATTENTION:

I wanted to send out an urgent warning to all of you for public service purposes. As you may be aware Mr. Obama has broken his campaign spending promises and is airing a thirty minute infomercial on all the major networks tonight. Not only is he proving that he has obvious un-American ideals by postponing the World Series by thirty minutes, but now we’ve learned that he may be attempting to hypnotize us with subliminal messages as well.

For years it has been a mystery what happened to what little objectivity the media still had left. We wondered why they follow every word BO says as if he were a god. We wondered why Hollywood and other celebrities fell prey to the same effect. Then when it had been assured for several years that Hillary Clinton would be the Democratic Nominee, we wondered what happened to change the tide. Why did Democratic voters suddenly flock to Mr. Obama with unwavering loyalty?

Well, now we have found the answers. All of the folks who now follow after Mr. Obama have fallen by actually listening intently to him speak. They watch him in the debates, at a stump speech, or on his commercials and begin to be drawn in. Drawn in by what? We are not quite sure how, but it appears that subliminal messages are being sent while he is speaking. It is a clear form of brain washing. How else would you explain those who not only support him but actually refer to themselves as an Obama follower? We have learned that tonight’s infomercial (which is pushing back the World Series – how un-American) is full of half-truths, positions that are really not his, and full of outright pandering. It will also contain promises which can’t possibly be kept, piles of psychological babbling, and hatred aimed right at the heart of Mainstream America. What other subliminal messages might the infomercial contain? We are not quite sure.

We ask that you avoid this infomercial and all further Obama communications until after Election Day. I feel that I am strong enough to deal with it as I have been unaffected by previous attempts. But, I for one will not allow myself to be tempted or drawn in as a follower of any politician. So I will be avoiding the infomercial at all costs. Please don’t take chances; this content is highly volatile and harmful. So please stay clear of your television sets between 8pm and 8:30pm eastern time tonight. He may even be sending mind altering signals through the airwaves using the vertical interval (Yay, I fit in some TV techie stuff). You have seen what Mr. Obama has done to those his messages have reached. Some media members even say that he sends a chill up their leg (Chris Matthews). So please, heed this warning for your own sake. Then tune in for the World Series game at 8:35pm. This will allow five minutes for the disruptive signals to dissipate.

That’s my 2.5 cents. Please exercise caution and don’t take chances! This warning was brought to you as an inspiration from my beautiful wife.

It ain't over yet!

I’ve got myself in a bit of a predicament. I’ve always said I don’t believe polls, but I am excited by a trend in 2 of the major polls today. Rasmussen has Obama’s lead down to 3 points and Gallop has it down to 2. So am I giving up my lack of faith in the polls and embracing these numbers? NO! I don’t think the polls are much of an indication of anything except the volatility of public opinion. Again, I do not know 1 single person who has ever taken part in a poll. I think polls may show trends, but that is about it. My point is that you shouldn’t believe any of the polls, just get out and vote.

So, I say all that to say this. I have said for months not to believe the Hype or the endless prattle coming from the media. There is very little objectivity left anywhere, and anyone (including pollsters) can skew numbers anyway they want to say what they want. All I know is that this election is nowhere close to over and has never been. There are still a significant number of folks who have not yet made up their minds, and it could swing either way. I also believe that some will actually change their minds after entering the voting booth or standing in front of the touch screen. I heard several news stories out of Ohio last week on the early voting about just that. One lady actually said on camera that she was all set for months to vote for Obama, and then she just couldn’t do it and voted for McCain. The other problem with polls is that they often end up polling a lot of folks that don’t actually go out and vote, and they leave out many who refuse to be polled or are just quiet and then go vote.

I truly believe that the Obama campaign has become complacent in these last days and believes that a victory is virtually guaranteed. This is what Thomas Dewey thought in 1948 when all the polls had him with a huge lead over Truman. Well, we now know that the polls were very inaccurate because we’ve never had a President Dewey.

Tuesday is going to be a huge day for our country. We have a chance to vote in a president who will remain strong on defense, will let our troops win in Iraq, will cut your taxes, and will protect human life across the board. Or we may end up with a man who wants to spread your wealth around, will take our troops out of Iraq as losers, will be very soft with foreign leaders, and will surely raise your taxes and raise spending to all time highs. I didn’t even mention the half of it though. This man will not protect life, will socialize medicine, and will send the whole economy into a deep recession that we may not recover from. Which of these two men do you want to appoint new Supreme Court justices? I say John McCain. The differences are stark, and for me the choice is clear.

What ever you do, don’t listen to the hype. Don’t believe the talk of landslides and huge victory parties already being planned. Believe your heart and your love for your country, and get out and vote. Spread the word and don’t let up. Remember that hype is often trumped by real heart, experience, and skill. That is what the battle is here. Mr. Obama has all the money, all the media hype, all the swagger, and none of the experience or skill. Mr. McCain has the skill, knowledge, experience, and heart to lead. In the end I believe that substance will win out over fluff.

That’s my 2.5 cents. The fat lady hasn’t even warmed up just yet!

Don't believe the Hype

I have heard enough doom and gloom in the last few days to last a lifetime. Some folks are convinced that John McCain has no chance and BO has already won. Some have actually told me that they plan to stay home and not waste their time. I think these people must spend too much time watching TV news and reading print news. If that is all you listen to, then you may come to that conclusion.

On the other hand, if you use your brain and think on your own, you can be patient and resolved. I have not given up yet. John McCain can still win, and I am still trying to convince others who either aren’t voting or are voting for the dark side. I do not trust polls at all, and I think this will be an extremely close election. I feel the momentum starting to shift, but we only have one week.

So you must get out Next Tuesday and VOTE! However, if you plan to vote for Obama, than I’m OK with you choosing to just stay home! Remember that this election is very critical. If BO is elected, he will surely take us so far to the left that the foundation of this country will break irreparably. If he wins there is also a good chance he could achieve a full filibuster proof majority in both the House and Senate. If this happens, there would be no checks and balances at all. In this case the liberal Senate, House, and President would run roughshod across the constitution. I fear for our country with this kind of free and easy law making on either side, but from my perspective this is even more frightening. When they are through, we would more resemble a Socialist country than a Democratic Republic. We will surely have tax and spend like we’ve never seen before, not to mention Socialized health care and a weak military.

This is something I am not willing to stand by and let happen. I am campaigning for McCain as hard as I can right now in my own little world. I know some folks are not excited to vote for John McCain either. But I must tell you that not voting or voting for anyone but McCain is a vote for Obama. So please go out and vote, and mobilize as many as you can.

We must send a message on Tuesday. Many news organizations are already declaring BO the winner. This is wrong in so many ways, and could effect the outcome of the vote. So, just don't believe the hype. Don't get complacent and let the media or your friends talk you out of voting. Out right to vote and make a difference in our society is one of our most powerful rights. I for one will walk up to that voting machine first thing Tuesday morning and push that button proudly. Later the votes will be counted. So strip away the polls and the guesswork and the bias that you are hearing and stand up to be heard!


That’s my 2.5 cents, so please get out and Vote.

Please take a little survey!

OK, I’d like to try something so that I can better understand why people are planning to vote as they are. It will be easier for me to write about what will lead up to Election Day with some more data.

You will have to post a comment to this blog entry, but you may post it anonymously! So, here we go.

1. How do you usually vote, by party affiliation or by values and principals?

2. Are you voting in the Presidential race this year?

3. If you are voting, are you voting this year based on party affiliation or values and principals?

4. If you are voting, are you planning to vote for the candidate you believe in, or against the one you don’t believe in?

5. Is the candidate you are voting for the one you wanted in the primary stage of the campaign? If not, who was it?

6. Does race have anything to do with your vote?

7. Did the Bush Presidency help determine your vote, or are you voting based on the merits of these 2 men?

8. Are you campaigning for your candidate of choice? (T-shirts, buttons, bumper stickers, yard signs, etc.)

9. Did the Iraq war stance of your candidate make up the majority of your decision to vote for them?

10. How much, if any, impact did the VP choice of your candidate have to do with your decision? Why?

That’s my 2.5 cents. Thanks for your input.

Even O'Biden doesn't trust BO!

I almost forgot to post on the O'Biden comments from Sunday about Obama facing an international test within 6 months of becoming President. If you didn't hear it, here is a clip with several different news views of the comment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkq-CRrXTs8

It is clear that Mr. O'Biden still holds his views from when he was running against BO in the Democratic Primaries (See those opinions here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpjAs4vtc1w). He agrees with me that BO is not ready to be President and that the world would see him as soft. We would be open to contries testing our "mettle" because they think BO would not respond. Say what you want about Mr. Bush, but noone dares test the man. He would surely respond firmly. Mr. McCain would also respond in a tough manner, and therefore would not be tested as the inexperienced BO.

I pray for the safety of our country that Mr. Obama loses this election, or we will surely be tested. I feel strongly that if BO is tested as President he would fail miserably. He is not ready to lead, and not ready to handle the world. I don't want his "change" in this area, and I say "No you can't"!

That's my peaceful 2.5 cents. I will withhold the anger for now!

If BO wasn't running for President. . .

. . . he would probably sound more like Barney Frank. No, I don't mean the accent or the lisp, I mean he would actually be saying what he truly believes.

I mean listen to this clip of Barney about raising taxes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1Mazjm_A5k

If there is one thing to mildly admire about Mr. Frank it is that he typically says what he thinks and stands for out loud. It is much easier to then vote intelligently on someone when they come out and say what their version of “Change” would look like. Mr. Frank has come right out in this clip and told us that he for one wants higher taxes on those horrible masses of rich people. So, that begs the question, how in the world does Frank keep getting reelected? He just so happens to have picked the right state.

Now back to Mr. BO. It is clear that his version of the word “Change” is a code word or a smoke screen. He really meant to say just what Mr. Frank said. He really means what he said to Joe (or is it Samuel?) the Plumber. He has lots of little surprises in store for America should he be elected. People like me are able to decode his messages and see through the smoke screens, but for some reason his flowery words leave most people in a euphoric state. They really think that his “Change” will be happy and good with no negative consequences. They may actually picture him as their Messiah as some have joked.

Let me just state it for the record. Mr. BO only wants you to feed his power and the power of Big Government. He only wants you to be more dependent on him and the Washington power structure. He wants you (yes, all of you) to pay higher taxes. He wants more and more social programs. He wants to be the hero of your medical care issues by controlling and limiting your choices and options. He wants full control.

You must look for the moments he lets these little lurking surprises slip. You must wise up to his brand of “Change”. I guarantee you will not like it, and America will not survive it.

My Hero Ronald Reagan once said: “Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.”

I will virtually guarantee you that quote is Mr. BO’s “life verse”.

That’s my 2.5 cents. Change that causes pain and costs a fortune is not good change.

Joe The Plumber Follow-up

I was all over the Joe the Plumber / Spread the wealth stuff before Mr. McCain made it cool! It's about time a politically motivated, hard working, bald guy got into this fight!

Joe is right, the Obama Tax plan will hurt any and all hard working Americans. Wealth distribution is wrong, and it is true class warfare at it's best. Joe got invited onto Fox News with Neal Cuvuto, and He's not happy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDVM7ODUBn8

I am nowhere close to the income level Joe is about to buy into, but the Obama tax plan will effect us all. Joe and all the other business owners who will be taxed a much higher rate by Mr. Obama will not take the decrease in funds and just smile. Nope! They will in-turn raise prices for their goods and services, and the "middle class" Mr. Obama wants to help will be hurt once again! And the business owners like Joe may also have to layoff some of those middle class folks that BO says he is trying to help! Please Mr. Obama, I don't need your kind of "help" nor does anyone in America!

Higher taxes is never the answer. We must make the Bush tax cuts permanent, cut spending, and cut taxes further!

That's my 2.5 cents until Mr. Obama taxes it away!

OH Yea, and here is my new song: Joe the Plumber, if he buys it. Joe the Plumber, BO will tax it!

My observations from the last debate

*Please Mr. McCain stop with the boredom already. Right out of the box he is safe and mundane, and that will not get it done.

*Here we go. Second point he is going for the jugular now. He is attacking him on the Joe the plumber slip up I wrote on yesterday.

*Hurray he is hammering BO on the Spread the wealth around comment.

*Barack is struggling and off balance right now. He will not address the wealth spreading. McCain got the last word on it too.

*Nice comment fromMcCain on his spending plan being hatchet first and then scalple. Nicely played. I love the spending freeze idea too.

*It is a miracle. He just said what I have been begging for. BO tried his old tired tactic of comparing the budget of McCain to that of Mr. Bush. "I am not President Bush" McCain replied and then he said that if he wanted to run against Bush he should have run four years ago.

*I am taking a break now.

*They both side stepped the dirty campaigning question. McCain missed the opportunity to hammer the Ayres connection. Barack even just brought it up for him and McCain is not biting. Wait, here it is. McCain is unloading on him now. I agree we need to know the connection between Obama and Ayres. Obama is now downplaying the connection. If you do not have anything to do with him then why do you hang out with him?

*Obama tried to sidestep acorn too and McCain hit him on his huge donation to it. Then he hammered the Ayres thing again with a claim that BO started his presidential run in Ayers livin room, which seems to be true.

* Bresh of freth air. Haha. McCain with the tongue twister.

*Now we are slipping into boredom. z z z

*"I admire Sen. Obama's eloquence. but you have to listen to his words carefully". Very nice Mr. McCain.

*Aww Mr. BO is so nice. He wants to give me health care, and then raise my taxes to pay for it. Bigger government control equals less freedom and less money in my monthly real budget. No thanks.

*Wait. BO, why am I paying for a kitty?

*Alright, I am tired and I am going to bed. I will write more on the debate tomorrow.

BHO: "Spread the wealth around"

I had to make sure you all heard this TODAY! I've been saying it, and most of us knew it, but now Mr. Obama has made it clear: he is a big time Socialist! When an upstart plumber asked Mr. Obama if his tax plan would hurt him, Mr. Obama's answer confirmed that he believes in wealth redistribution not freedom.

Here is the clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owA2geM8OGg&feature=related

Spread the wealth around, was his answer. He even said it was a good thing. Freedom is cliche, and the new hip is "spread the wealth around". Translation: he wants to take our money and give it to the "poor" and end the class system. This is textbook socialism. Obama=Joe Stalin! He wants us who work hard and stick our neck out (like this plumber) to take our hard fought money and give it to the people who would rather sit at home and collect a government hand out than work for a living.

If this man is elected, everything the founders intended, everything we have worked for, was for naught. He will destroy the very fabric of our Free society. It is very clear that we are facing a possible president that embraces socialism and wants to move our society to a Socialist/Communist wasteland. Up to this point most Democrats (including Clinton(s), Kerry, and Gore) have all tried to hide socialist tendencies. They try to use the right key words and disguise what they mean. They are wolves in sheeps clothing. A few of us are smart enough to see through it, but most of America takes them at their word. Now, the gloves are off and so is the sheep costume. It is clear that we are facing a full on socialist, who would love nothing more thatn to destroy the American way that I love. He sees out Democratic Republic as out of date and not "world friendly". He wants to take us to a point of being part of the "New World Order", and take away our soverenty forever. I am aware that I sound a bit overboard to some of you. But I feel that it is time to wake up and realize what we are dealing with. I love America and I am going to stand up to this man. We must get the vote out for McCain no matter how we feel. I for one will not be lead to distruction by this Pied piper.

I fear that if this man is elected, the damage he could do to our great country would be too much to ever overcome. McCain may move us slightly to the left, but Obama will move us so far to the left that we will not even know what right is anymore. As I've said before, I'd rather be on the McCain Sail boat drifting to the left than on the Obama Jet Racing boat blazing to the left. Either way, we need a real conservative to step up to the plate for the 2012 election. We will have to see the creation of a true conservative third party for it to happen though.

Please get out on Election day, and defeat this man. Make sure everyone you know is aware of the truth. Don't allow your disappointment of the political process to sway you not to vote. We must vote for Mr. McCain to preserve our great country!

Thanks for the ammo Barack! Tell a friend!

That's my 2.5 cents.

Also, soon I will give a rant on Michelle Obama's comments that the soul of America is broken and that Barack is the only person to fix them. WOW! Again!

Bradley's Forecast for 10/11/08

6am - 12noon - Temps between 56-65 With Humidity aoround 70%
12noon - 6pm - Temps between 62-74 With Humidity aoround 70%
6pm - 12mid - Temps between 65-52 With Humidity aoround 70%


AM: Partly Cloudy with a chance of some passing showers.
PM: Mostly clear and sunny with a small chance again of a passing shower.

Of Politics and Football

Since this election process is starting to bore me, I have been searching for a different perspective. The truth is that both of these guys are actually fairly close together in most of their philosophies. They both will lead us to bigger government. They both will seek to “help” me when I just want to be left alone. And lastly, they both hunger for power and fame and not what is truly the best for our country as a whole. They pander to voters all over the map, and yet their actually philosophies are rather tired and in concrete.

At the end of the day on November 4th, I will poke at John McCain’s name on my touch screen ballot. Why? Well, John McCain and I agree on the really meaningful stuff. We agree on life being an important thing to protect, and that a Baby has rights as well as the mother. We agree that we must win in Iraq, and not flee like dogs with our tails between our legs. We agree that we must drill for oil offshore (and in Alaska for me) and we must build more nuclear plants now. We agree that diplomacy should be done with a strong arm and we shouldn’t bow down before our enemies. So we do agree on quite a lot even though we disagree on many areas (especially this government buying bad mortgages thing, but that’s another topic for another day). Mr. Obama and I agree on zip, zero, nada!

Then I got thinking of other ways I could differentiate the two since they are fairly similar. So, I went to my favorite arena: the sports world. In both politics and sports, there are many people that would be considered successful to varying degrees. But, to me it comes down to style. So I will now try to relate the style of our 2 presidential candidates to that of some greatly successful players in the National Football League.

I would relate the style of John McCain to that of Drew Brees or Barry Sanders. Both were/are fantastic players with real skill and determination to beat the odds. However, both are very quiet and matter of fact people. They just keep plugging away towards the goals that they have; and don’t let detractors, failures, or fan opinion sway their resolve. They are both team players, and willing to sacrifice the glory if it means a win. They are stars of course, but without all the flash and baggage. They also both live and play with integrity and honor. Barry took it right to the end of his career when he left seemingly at the top. He pushed aside the accolades and the fame to leave on his own terms to do what he felt was right for him and his family. Both were/are consistent performers throughout their career. John McCain is much the same. He’s not afraid to go against the grain, but typically he is running below the radar. When all the Barack the rock star stuff was in full effect, you hardly heard from McCain at all. He was almost completely ignored by the media, but I think that is the way he likes it. But, don’t mistake that for lack of resolve. He will work amidst the fray to do the best that he can for the country.

I would conversely relate they style of Barack Obama to that of Terrell Owens or Jeremy Shockey. These guys are all about: “Me, Me, Me”. Neither is happy when they are not the star. Neither is happy when they are not getting thrown the ball enough. Neither are happy unless they are on TV once a day. They are attention hogs, and darlings of the media. They have both had success, but not to the degree of the promise they have shown. If you listen to them or their pals in the media they may be the best at their position ever. If you look at the stats and wins and losses, they don’t live quite up to that. They are an emotional drain on their coaches and their teammates. They have both destroyed team unity. Everyone always thought the Eagles teams with Owens on them should be Super Bowl contenders, but at some point every year Owens imploded and so did the team. Owens crazy celebration antics are always a distraction to the team as well. He has always been into something that takes the media focus to “TO” and off of the team. Shockey was a ball hog with the Giants, and always wanted Eli Manning to look to him first. Look at what happened last year when Shockey got hurt, and Manning felt like he could spread the ball around. They took off, Eil is suddenly great, and they won the Super Bowl. This guy is so selfish and focused on stardom, it’s not funny! Now take Mr. Obama. If you listen to the media, you would be sure that this man has the most leadership experience ever and a record of reform to go with it. You would think that the stardom he now has came from some really big accomplishments. He talks a big game (when he has a teleprompter). He goes on for hours about nothing, and yet the media keeps pumping the hype. He takes all of the credit (for what I don’t know), but never owns up to mistakes. He distracts from the political process, and has turned the whole thing into a circus (or maybe a Touchdown celebration). As far as success or real displayed leadership, I can’t seem to find much. As far as being a team player, I see no evidence of it. As far as serving anyone’s interest but his own, it’s just not happening.

So, as you can see I prefer Mr. McCain’s tried and true leadership under the radar to Mr. Obama’s empty rhetoric and lack of results. You use what ever method you choose to make up your mind. In my case I think I’ve found a good one!

That’s my 2.5 cents. So are you ready for some Football?

Bradley's Weather for 10/9/08

Today's Forecast:

AM Drizzle to scattered showers, Chance of rain 50%.
PM Increasing clouds but warm, Chance of rain 65%

4am-8am Temps between 60 and 70, 85% humidity, and Barometric pressure at 29.00

8am-12noon Temps between 65 and 70, 84% humidity, and Barometric pressure at 29.00

12noon-4pm Temps between 65 and 70, 85% humidity, and Barometric pressure at 29.00

4pm-8pm Temps between 60 and 75, 85% humidity, and Barometric pressure at 29.00

8pm-12midnight Temps between 55 and 60, 85% humidity, and Barometric pressure at 28.00

Bradley's Forecast

10/6/08 (Lynchburg, VA) Forecast

Mostly Sunny all day, Warm, Chance of showers 5%

9am-12noon - Temperatures ranging from 54-64
12noon-4pm - Temperatures ranging from 64-76
4pm-10pm - Temperatures ranging from 76-54

Humidity betweem 60-90%
Barometric Pressure between 28.00-30.00

At War with the Wind

WWII Era author D.L. Sears has written a new book based on the Japanese Kamikaze attacks late in the war. The book is called "At War with the Wind" (http://www.amazon.com/At-War-Wind-David-Sears/dp/0806528931/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222127131&sr=8-1)My Dad Carl Spiron was an Electricians Mate on the Destroyer USS Haraden DD585 during this time. He has a very interesting story from this time period, and Mr. Sears interviewed him over the phone for part of the book. The book comes out on October 1st, but my dad already got his copy early. He is mentioned in the book, which is a deserved honor.

By the way, I can give a breif description of my dad's story. He was station in the Radar tower in the middle of the ship. Early on the morning of December 13th, 1944 he was switched with an officer who was on deck in the spray in the back of the ship. That very morning a Kamikazi hit the ship, right in the middle. Anyway, the book outlines the story even better and I will post more later. Here is some more info on his ship:http://ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/DD/DD-585_Haraden.htmlhttp://www.ibiblio.net/hyperwar///USN/ships/dafs/DD/dd585.html

Bradley's Weather Forecast

My oldest son Bradley wants to be a meteorologist someday. He has had this as a goal since he was like 6 or 7 years old. A few years back he requested and got a wireless weather station of his own for Christmas. He has done and unofficial forecast for the family for several years. Now he has decided to try and prepare one more regularly. So, I will regularly try to post his forecasts here. i doubt it will be every day, but we'll see. He is very excited.

Today's Forecast: Mostly Sunny with highs in the upper 60's to low 70's. No real chance of rain in our area.

That's all he gave me today, but it will expand as time goes on!

My different view of the VP Debate

**********Wait, one more thing. I thought I heard Palin call Joe O'Biden once last night, and now a friend just confirmed it for me. That is too funny. O'Biden, HAHA!

**********OK. That is about all I can take for now. I am tired. I will keep the debate on tivo and write more later.

OOOH one more thing. What is with all the crazy faces Biden makes in the split screen? He looks like a lunatic.

**********There you go pointing backwards Joe. She called him on his main tactic.

**********I am back momentarily. Sarah seems to be doing much better. Woah, she just rolled her eyes. Ha Ha.

**********OK time for a break for me to get ready for bed. I am starting to doze off.

**********OK, Sarah dropped the ball on the 2 same sex marriage questions. Talk about train wreck and sticking her foot in her mouth. She needed to shut him up after she left her first answer totally vague and instead she agreed with him. great.

**********Drill Baby Drill. Now shes back. Hit him with his own words girl.

**********Biden is now reminding me of the crazy dude from Lost in Space. What was his name?

Sarah is kind of stumbling a little now. Get it together girl.

**********I'm glad Joe is talking to people like me who are genious IQ people. I think he's most likely losing all the normal folks with his numbers and double speak. Sarah is keeping it simple.

**********Woo Hoo Biden wants Fairness. that's a code word for giving tax breaks to folks who don't have jobs and don't even pay taxes. How is it fair to single out the middle class for cuts? I am in the middle, but we all need cuts - yes even business owners Joe.

**********How much do you think Biden payed for that terrable hair transplant?

**********Biden appears to be set to repeat Obama's themes from the presidential debate. Its because of the failed economic policies of the Bush administration. They are doing their best to position McCain as just a Bush continuation.

Sarah seems a bit stiff right now. Come on old.coot.say something mean and get her fired up.

**********OK! Thank goodness for Tivo. I am just getting ready to finally start watching the debate. So, I start the thing and Sarah gets apoint right off the bat with her polite : "Nice to meet you. Hey, can I call you Joe?" She disarmed him right off the bat. He reminds me of a mean old used car salesman. Eww.

And isn't it great to see Gwen Aweful I mean Obama oops I mean Ifill toughing it out with her broken leg?

I plan to blog about the debate tonight

If things go well, I plan to do some blogging tonight during or after the Palin/Biden VP debate. It could be very interesting and entertaining. If I don't post tonight, I will tomorrow. I personally hope that "debate camp" hasn't turned Sarah into a Republican clone with talking points. We need her to just be Sarah, and rip Biden into shreads. If she is able to be herself and Biden is himself, everyone will love her and hate the mean old man. We'll see how it goes.

Here is a great article, and I hope she does "go on the attack!"

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14220.html

OH yea, and one more thing. I hope she calls him a liar at some point since that is what he has built his political career on!

That's my 2 cent preview!

Big Government has eaten the Real America!

I just wanted to take a minute and rant! I truly love America, and I consider myself more patriotic than most. However, a lot about our system seems to be broken. Who broke it? People! Specifically, the want and need of power and money has enticed our governmental and business leaders to make poor decisions that have poisoned the well. The current financial crisis is one obvious issue, but there are many more. The corruption ranges from Political system, to legal system, to medical system, to education system, and so on. It is wide ranging, and the issues are quite different in their presentation. However, the theme is clear amongst all of them. Big Government has eaten the Real America.

When the country started off, the laws were very simple and not very numerous. Most of the national laws were very common sense. Locally, other laws were put into place to keep the peace, but again they remained very simple. Now logically, as a country grows it needs more law and order. But, starting with the Great Depression, it all changed. F.D.R. came up with the great society concept, and began a long line of “if there is a problem just throw money at it”. People were tight on money or didn’t have a job, so the government gave them money. People couldn’t afford medical care, so the government paid for it. Not enough people were in “proper” schools, so the Government stepped in and took it over. And now we have Big financial institutions, Big Government, and Big Government Programs working together to kill the financial system with Sub-Prime Mortgages. What is the answer? Government (in this case the Senate) steps in and “rescues” us. Now typically, if a fireman were to show up to rescue someone who is trapped in a car they would use their own tools to do the rescuing. But in this case, the Government is using our tools to do the “rescuing”.

All of these instances share the same “fix”, and the same results. The Big Government attitude is to SPEND, SPEND, SPEND with little care for where the money will come from. So they spend, and we pay. We pay in taxes, we pay at the pump, we pay higher interest rates, we pay more for groceries, and so forth. We work just as hard as always at the same pay rate, and yet pay more for everything. People are in the middle of expanding into families and taking on a mortgage and other expenses. Then the government steps in and says, don’t worry about not being able to afford a house. They offer Sub-Prime mortgages, people bite, and Viola we have a financial disaster. The disaster takes the form of rampant loan default, rampant, bankruptcy, rampant insurance claims, and a blur of other failures. But the government just continues to repeat they cycle over and over. Power and Money have made our government officials insane. By Albert Einstein’s definition, insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. But yet, they just keep heaping more and more BIG Government on trying to “fix” all the issues. The problem is that the more regulation and money they shove down our throats, the bigger the mammoth monster problems become!

So don’t wonder why we need rescuing. The media and the government would like us to believe that it is our fault. And it is to some small degree. But I believe that if they would just keep their hands out of my pie, I would be just fine thank you! I want to run my own life. I want to decide how I earn and spend my money. I want to judge my own investing strategy. I want to decide where to send my kids to school and not have my money stolen away to subsidize their failing school systems. I want to have a society where I’m not taxed to death to pay for program after program after program. I want to have choices. Continued increases in regulation simply rip away any and all options we have in America.

The only answer is for We the People to step up and say that we have truly had it. At this moment we can’t speak with our vote because all the political choices are quite the same. So, we need to find creative ways to be heard. We need to keep up the noise until they can’t take it anymore and real change actually happens. Woah! Sorry, I just took the short trip to Utopia! It was once exactly where we now live, and it can return, but only if we are ready to make it happen.

That’s my 2.5 cents. And boy do I feel better!

Top 10 issues above Barack Obama’s Pay Grade

So you have most likely heard by now about Mr. Obama’s answer to Rick Warren regarding the beginning of life. If not here is what was said:

Rick Warren: “…at what point does a baby get human rights in your view?”
Barack Obama: “Well, I think that whether you are looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity, you know, is above my pay grade…”

Wow, can you say cop out? So, that got me thinking, how many other topics might Barack “plead the 5th on” as president? So, I have compiled a Top 10 list of things that just might be above Mr. Obama’s Pay Grade as the Leader of the most powerful country in the world.

10. “My fellow Americans, please stop worrying about inflations and rising interest rates. From the White House, it all looks fine to me.”

9. “What do you mean Al Qaeda has infiltrated Iraq? Not my Problem.”

8. “You mean I was supposed to do something to stop Social Security from
going bankrupt? OOPS! Come on, it’s been there forever.”

7. “Check this out, Time Magazine Man of the Year! See, I told you that all I had to do was smile and say lots of nothing and everything would be OK.”

6. “Wait, you mean we have more than 1 border?”

5. “No honey, it is way to hard for me to decide between the Blue tie and the
Red one! You Choose!”

4. “Woo Hoo, Pizza man is here! Meeting adjourned. You Joint Chief dudes hang here and work this whole war stuff out. I’ll bring you the leftovers.”

3. “Gentlemen, I’m glad you are so into this balanced budget thing, but I have a lunch date with Oprah, later!”

2. “La La La (fingers in ear), I can’t hear you talking about Oil Supplies being critically low! I love Caribou, they are so Majestic!”

1. “AcmadenaWHO? Tell him I’m busy! I’m instant messaging with Wolf Blitzer and Keith Olberman! Sheesh, the gall!

That’s my 2.5 cents. And it is well within my pay grade!

A Charger Fan's "Ode to Ed Hochuli"

Oh Ed, Dear Ed,
It seems you are quite the man!
But Ed, Dear Ed,
On Sunday you lost your head.

Oh NO Mr. Ed, Oh NO,
Don’t blow the whistle yet,
Cutler, yes Cutler just now lost the ball,
Don’t make a call you’ll regret.

NO Ed, Are you kidding Ed?
A Fumble it was just now.
Well Ed, Dear Ed,
You’ve killed the Bolts with a POW!

Thanks Ed, Dear Ed,
For admitting you did bad.
But ED, Dear ED,
The Chargers were who was had!

OH ED, Dear ED,
Should I give you a break?
Well Ed, Dear Ed,
It’s too hard for me to fake.

So Ed, Dear Ed,
I hope you have a good day.
Oh Ed, Dear Ed,
While the Bolts win the Super Bowl anyway.

That’s my 2.5 cents. My apologies to real Poets everywhere!
PS - This was written in jest as a response to some friends who have been hard on this lone Virginia Charger fan (it seems). I understand that mistakes happen and Ed is a great official, not to mention the fact that he could crush me with his Biceps.

To all the Charger Fans who have sent Mr. Hochuli hate mail and threats, please leave and go be a Raider Fan!

BARACKTASTIC

So, tonight is THE night you’ve all been waiting for all of your lives. The only problem is that you didn’t know it. You don’t know what I’m talking about, do you. Well, turn on your TV for a moment, pick up your local fishwrap, or get on the internet and you will know exactly what I’m talking about. People in newsrooms all over the country are about to burst with excitement for “their guy”. Tonight something more exciting and intriguing than the circus coming to town when you were a kid is happening. Tonight something more important than the discovery of Penicillin and gravity is happening. Tonight something that is more of a phenomenon than the Beetles on the Ed Sullivan show is happening. It is all over the news and everywhere else. You can’t get away from it, because it is just that big. Just ask the media, they’ll tell you. NOTHING this important has ever happened anywhere. Heck they needed a Football Stadium that seats 76 plus thousand people and that cost more than $364 million dollars to build to house the thing. They needed a set that looked like the Acropolis to equal the import of the actual occurrence. It has been anticipated for months and talked about constantly for weeks. I just can’t believe it is finally here. I am so excited, and I can’t wait. . . . NOT!

You see, it’s actually something really simple actually. It is a political speech by a presidential candidate at the end of his party’s convention. It has happened many times before. So unless he lives up to his media hype and actually walks on water, it will really be just another political speech. The United States political process has been around for 232 years. We have already had 43 presidents, and we’re trying to find the 44th. There have been numerous speeches just like this one. But wait, have there? If you listen to the media, no one like this tremendous man has ever been in this situation. He is: amazing, stupendous, super-colossal, wonderful, and . . . . NOT REAL.

I say: “Don’t believe the hype”. Look, he is truly the definition of an empty suit. He has no executive experience to speak of at all. He has been in the Senate for a short period of time, and has spent most of that campaigning and not voting. His only other experience is in the Illinois State Legislature. This is the man with all the Hype? Yes, it is! He is all words and no action. He is an amazingly captivating speaker, but says absolutely nothing.

So, then why is this night like no other and this man like no one we’ve ever seen? Well to find that out we must get to the bottom line of who his supporters really are. So let’s list them: all liberals, most news media members, Hollywood, and people who rely on the government for their living. So, what do these people love and want more than anything? They want: bigger government and more stuff from it, they want a watered down military that “just get’s along with the world”, they want to be able to live their lives with no moral compass, and most of all they want anyone but Bush.

So, as you get your popcorn and remote ready for tonight, my TV will be off as it has been all week. You can listen to the fluff till you are bloated with it. You can cheer, or laugh, or even get angry. I will not be watching. I have heard enough of nothing from the empty suit. So, someone please call me tomorrow if he actually drops ANYTHING of substance.

I will say one thing for sure. This empty suit has solidified my stance this week finally. I will be marching to the poll against my better judgment to pull the lever for Mr. McCain for sure. As a matter of fact I’d like to pass along a piece of advice for the McCain camp. Just shut-up! Barack is already doing the best campaigning for you. The people you will finally get sick of this madness and flock to the polls in November for McCain. You just need to sit back and say very little. The base is angry. They are all lying in wait and saying they will not vote for you. But mark my words, they will! They will come out in unbelievable numbers like you have never seen and McCain will easily win.

Please Lord let it be true!

That’s my 2.5 cents, take it or leave it!

OH to be a kid again

I haven’t blogged much lately because of several reasons: too busy, burned out, not motivated by the current state of politics, just plain tired and uninspired. But maybe I’ve been looking to the wrong areas for inspiration.

You know, I was sitting at my desk today, fretting and pouring over a ton of junk called paperwork. Then the picture screensaver on my computer caught my eye. It was on this great picture of my youngest son Trevor. When I saw this picture, I couldn’t help but laugh. It was taken while we were camping recently at Douthat State park near Clifton Forge, Virginia. He was attempting to eat a smore, but not having much success. It is the type of picture that makes anyone and everyone smile. But, that is the way Trevor lives every moment of his little, crazy life. If you haven’t met him, then you are missing out. He lives every minute wide open. He always has fun no matter what is going on. This also gets him in trouble sometimes of course, but he’s learning. He has an approach to life that I could and should take something from.

So I began thinking to myself about how we as adults tend to lose sight of the fun things life holds. I think I actually do better than most, but recently I have allowed stress and aggravation to sour my outward mood. I think it is important to me as a boss, friend, son, husband, and father to remain joyful even in times of stress and in the face of obstacles. You know it has become clear to me recently how my bad mood or poor attitude effects those around me negatively. It is also clear how Trevor’s smile and pep effect all of those around him positively. So, I am setting out recently to try to remain positive as much as possible. Well, how in the world am I going to do that? I have no clue on my own. I have had some good days trying this and many not so good ones. I am by nature a fairly negative person, and I want to fix that. So, I finally realized today that I can’t do it on my own (yes, I’m thick headed). I need help from my Lord Jesus Christ. But it has to go far beyond just plain help. I must immerse myself in his word every day for his joy to shine through me. In John 17:13 Jesus says: "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.” So it is clear that I must spend more of my time immersing myself in the things Jesus said in order for my joy to be full and unfailing. For those of you who are hard headed like me this is a great verse because Jesus goes as far as to say that we actually needed to listen and heed what he said while here on earth.

So, look up at that picture of that gooey funny face and remember to let the joy of Jesus shine through you today!


That’s my 2.5 cents, and that’s all I’ve got!

Just the facts, Please?

Alright, it is no secret that I am rather frightened about Obamamania. Frightened? Why yes! It is frightening when folks in this great land of freedom begin to follow a candidate based solely on flowery words or the color of his skin. So many are choosing to look at the superficial parts of his candidacy and very few supporters care about what he really stands for. As I have said before, what he stands for is not a good thing for this country. He would usher in a new era of spending of which we have never seen it’s equal. Those of us who show enterprise and work production would be penalized with higher taxes while those who are not would be rewarded with more “social programs”. If you think this economy is bad, wait for the Obama recession with the inflation and unemployment rates it would bring. He would turn us so far to the left we would scarcely return.

On top of that I have shared with many my concern about his largely unproven track record. His record as a state Senator in Illinois shows a great propensity to spend. His record in the U.S. Senate? Well, there isn’t much of one. He voted very little because he started to campaign for President one year into his term. What a great service to the people who elected him. What votes he has shown up for have proven him a blatant socialist. At a later time I also want to expand on Mr. Obama’s friends and aquaintences. What they and his wife have to say is the key to understanding what this man actually believes. Don’t expect to hear any clarity from his mouth.

So, I ask supporters three questions constantly:

1 - Name one great accomplishment of Barack Hussein Obama in his life?

2 – Name one piece of Legislation that Mr. Obama has authored in his term in the U.S. Senate?

3 – What is one thing Mr. Obama will do to better this country if he is elected? (Or, name one thing of substance in his speeches)

Sadly, not one supporter chooses to answer.

Sadly, they DO NOT know the answers.

So then today, I found a columnist that is so much better of a writer than I that states it the way I have tried (unsuccessfully) to write it. Please read this article from Thomas Sowell here. Please, if anyone wants to disagree with me or Thomas or answer the questions, please comment now.

That’s my 2.5 cents, so there!

Read more of Thomas Sowell’s work here.

I'm Back

Alright, I am long overdue for a political post. The reasons for that are very painful and rather numerous. But all of a sudden, as November looms, I am all fired up all over again.

BURNOUT - The campaign started so early this time around that most normal folks with real lives and jobs are burnt out. I got so excited and pumped behind Mike Huckabee, that I spent the energy that I usually spend on the actual candidate too early. Why? Because I thought Mike represented the only real conservative, Christian voice in the race. Because I thought he could take a huge turn back to the right for the party I once loved. The reality is that the Republican Party has now moved so far left with the selection of Mr. McCain that they have occupied a position left vacant 5 or 10 years ago as the Democrats moved even further left. So, now I am left in a quandary. Yes, I will take my burnt butt to the polls and nonchalantly pull the McCain lever, but it will hurt. I constantly try to motivate myself to get out and work to get him elected, but I just can’t. I am very tired of the process, the endless coverage, the bitter negativity, and the lack of any substance or real stance on meaningful issues. I’m getting even more mad just writing about it.

AMERICA HAS ALREADY LOST – At this point it is pretty clear to me that no matter who get’s elected, we have all lost already. Like I have said before, any of the 3 captains we now have to choose from are steering their ships due Left. The only difference is that Clinton or Barack Hussein Obama are piloting a cigar boat with dual 350 Horsepower Evenrude engines, and McCain is steering a small sailboat. Both are going to the same place, just at a different pace. I will not belabor a point I have written about several times before, but the current system of selecting a candidate is broken. I also feel strongly that now more than ever we need a real, conservative third party. I no longer affiliate myself with the Republican Party. I can not. This party is so far from Reagan Conservatism it is scary. I will vote Republican in November, not because I want to, but because I have to. Either Democratic Candidate will destroy our country so badly on four years that it would take 8 to 10 years to overcome the damage.

DARE I SAY APATHY - I have spent 20 years bashing of friends, acquaintances, and others about their political apathy. It has most disturbed me when I find Bible believing Christians who are not only apathetic but don’t even vote. This totally burns me up. I believe strongly as both a Christian and a Patriot that we must be involved in the political process all the way through. If you don’t vote, then you have no voice in the democracy. However, for the first time in my lift I have recently been teetering on the brink of apathy. The Republican Party and apparently a majority of its voters have given us someone other than a real Republican. I can not get excited (yet) about this candidate I find myself stuck with. Mr. McCain is a good man, yes, but to me he is way off the Right path on too many issues. I actually agree with him quite a bit, but he totally burns me up on way too many issues that count. I also fear that he will end up like our current President. He is a man with great potential who squandered opportunities and allowed power, P.A.C.s, lobbyists to lead him down a free-spending swath right across the backs of true working men and women. Has President Bush done some great things, YES! But I fear men like him and Mr. McCain because they obviously wear lots of “sheep’s clothing” in campaign time only to reveal the true wolf when in office. So, why will I mobilize when the time comes? Why will I vote and campaign for Mr. McCain? Because I have a much deeper fear of Barack Hussein Obama (and Hillary) who will likely win the Liberal nod. He is the most liberal politician of our time. He has zero substance now in campaign time. He wields a barrage of flowery meaningless dialog that simply hides what his voting record screams out. Please don’t be fooled. This man is a liberal like none we have ever seen. If he gets elected we will see proposals that will make your head spin. We will see taxes increase right away. We will see nationalized healthcare pushed down our throats again. We will see gay marriage shoved down our throats. We will see our involvement in the U.N. increase. We will see our troops removed from Iraq and Afghanistan. We will see terrorism flourish and attacks will again come to our very homeland. We will see gun laws tighten like a noose around our necks. We will see our Foreign relations crumble, and we will soon be “giving away the farm” to dozens of other countries. We will leave the Barack Hussein Obama Presidency on the brink of a one world government. I could go on and on. I am for the first time in my 20 years of being voting age actually scared for our country. If this man gets elected, the American I have grown up in, the one my father fought for in World War II will cease to exist. You think I’m going overboard? We’ll see! So many Barack Hussein Obama supporters I know have no idea what the man stands for. They just think he is different, and a great speaker. If you are willing to vote for a man whose policy you do not even really know, then you will get what you are asking for. He is ill prepared and ill experienced to lead such a great country. And once he finishes we will no longer be that country. SO MUCH FOR APATHY!

BOTTOM LINE: I for one will not sit here and let Barack Hussein Obama ruin my country. So, against my better judgment I will get behind and vote for Mr. McCain. I urge all that love our great country to follow my lead and get the truth out.

My true prayer is and has been that a true conservative candidate will step forward and unite the true Republican base. We are left searching and with no real unifying choice. So I now will fight for the creation of a true conservative third party to become viable by the 2012 election cycle.

In parting, I will add the one thing that keeps me from exploding. All of this doesn’t really matter. This is all prophesied in the Bible. We (in my opinion) are on the brink of the end times. So truly, the Barack Hussein Obama direction may be what God chooses to lead us to the returning of his son. If so, Dear Lord, let it be.

That’s my 2.5 cents, so there!

I saw it coming...

I just wanted to re-post a comment I blogged about in January of 2006. I'm not usually the type to say I told you so, but I will here. And don't expect your "representatives" (yea, right) to do anything to help us now. I don't know about you, but the cost of gas is killing me. I just pray that someone with some pull finds some guts to stand up and push through some reform. Get the EPA, and the environmental wackos out of the way and drill. Then build some new refineries and get the gas flowing. Let's get energy independent, and we must do it now!

Anyway here's my profetic post:

Get used to it!
I've heard a lot of complaining and griping over the past 4 to 6 months about the price of gas going up, up, up. Up until a few weeks ago I was one of the loudest shouters (who me, and I'm usually so quiet). Then oil drilling in the Alaskan Wildlife Refuge was voted down by Congress yet again. I just can't believe that the Republicans have a majority and still can't sneak this one through. It is one of the most important domestic economic issues to ever face our country, and yet political pressure groups have so much power and influence that it may never pass. We have the worst case of politicians who are in the pockets of lobby groups we've ever seen. The Congress is no longer lead by the best interests of their constituency, but by what is the best for their continued political power and $ Gain $.Today the Oil prices went up yet again, and they are quickly headed to where they were after Hurricane Katrina. All I'm saying is don't expect Congress or even the President to get as upset as we are and actually do something about it. Because while we're making our measily salary and living month to month, they are sitting there in their multi-million dollar houses with their mades and nannies asking what the problem is. So stop worrying and losing sleep, because your representative sure isn't.That's my 2 cents!

Happiness comes from God alone!

I have a reputation for being quite a hard head. Lessons others learn and hold on to tightly sometimes take me quite a while to learn. Then, when I do learn them, I seem to forget them very easily. This is the case with waiting on the Lord and the happiness that most see from true patient openness to God's leading. I can not even begin to tell you how many times God has gotten a hold of my heart through circumstances and life changing issues. These are the times when I am able to slow down and truly hear and heed the still, small voice of God. Then in what seems like hours, I've allowed myself to take full control yet again and do things my way. I even realize then and now that my happiness is 100% linked to where I stand in relation to God controlling my life. If I am yielding to him and relaxing in his arms, then I am happy and thriving. At the times where I am control I may feel slightly more comfortable for a time, but I begin to be less and less happy and very bitter.

I found this verse today and thought it was fitting for this issue:

James 5:11Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

I have seen in my life and the lives of many friends the impact at laying our lives at the alter of God. We have so many things in our lives that we hold so tightly to, and they begin to get in the way of letting God control our major decisions. I have been inspired by friends this week that chose to consider giving up a big dream vacation because of a family medical situation. Then things begin to ease and look a lot less grim. After they gave up that tight hold, God gave it back to them with a peace that is unexplainable. It is amazing how many decisions lie ahead of me right now. It is completely overwhelming when I try to take it all on all by myself (cause I'm so tough- yea right), but with God nothing is impossible. It is amazing upon that realization how the clouds roll back and the peace comes over my life. And with peace comes real and true happiness. That happiness is only achievable with a life truly laid on the alter for God to control.

Now, don't get me wrong, I haven't changed that much. I'll still slip back into bitterness and overwhelmed dispair. God will still have to slap my hand. For now I will bask in the happiness and peace that only my God can give.

Twilight Jumpers!

I wanted to share this shot as well. It is a silouette of one of my Boys and two children of some friends. This was taken at dusk near Smith Mountain Lake Virginia. I personally love this shot.

Smith Mountain Angels

I just wanted to share a shot I took 2 weeks ago near Smith Mountain Lake. It was taken in the evening. I wonder if it will look anything like this when Jesus comes again breaking through the clouds?

The words "My Jesus" spoken on Idol???

So I got home really late last night, and when I walked in the front door, my wife said "you aren't going to believe this." So she pushes play on the TIVO and I hear Ryan Seacrest say "with 'shout to the Lord' it's your top 8 ladies and gentlemen." She was right I didn't believe it. They started the music and I was shocked as the words "MY JESUS MY SAVIOR" came out clear as a bell on the most watched show in America (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6G0U8Vg6nY). Now, I've since heard (and seen) that they also performed the song at the conclusion of Wednesday night's show, but that part didn't air due to time constraints. Interestingly, that Wednesday night version had them saying "My Sheppard, My Savior", (http://www.idolstalker.com/american-idol-top-8-shout-to-the-lord/) and then the one that actually aired changed to Jesus.

Scarlet and I discussed for a minute about whether any of them even understood or meant any of the words. Then we both realized that it didn't matter. Millions of people (lot's of un-churched folks) were hearing a blatant praise song to Jesus my Savior. What a powerful moment. I don't know if they were throwing us a bone, patronizing us, or trying to capitolize on the popularity of Praise and Worship music; but I am so glad they chose the song and performed it well.

Praise the Lord!

That is my Shock and Awe 2 cents!

China Olympic Noise

OK, let me start by saying that I in no way condone the Civil Rights practices of the Chinese Government. Actually, I condemn both those practices and their oppressive form of government as well. I do however find it comical that politicians and crazy protesters take an event like the Olympics and the Torch run to make a point.

The issues with China’s treatment of their citizens and Tibetan citizens are not anything new. It is the same as it has been since the Communist Regime first took power. Yet we choose to not punish them properly, and we reward them every day. This country as a whole has already been treating China as if they have had favored nation status for years. We have free and open trade with China. As a matter of fact it is very difficult these days to find anything in America that isn’t made in China. It is an absolute embarrassment as an American how difficult it is to buy American. I did this for years, but find it almost impossible now. Just looking right here around me now most everything is made in China: Mouse, Cell Phone, Coffee Mug, Watch, you name it. Heads of state for years have made cordial visits to China, and acted like everything is just fine thank you. Anything negative in any way is really a little tap on the wrist. Money flows every day from our country (and yes our government) to China. Everyone has stood by for years and condoned China’s human rights failures but not flat out condemning them.

So now all of a sudden we’re supposed to be outraged but things that have been going on for quite some time because the Olympics are in China? Give me a break! This is only done by Hillary’s Campaign and these Left wing groups to either forward an agenda or get free publicity. I assure you they are not really outraged at China. I am so sick and tired of Folks putting a faux opinion out there when it serves their purpose instead of really trying to change things for the better. Also, this is the Olympics for Pete’s sake. It’s a bunch of games and competition between countries and it has very little real impact on any thing of substance diplomatically. If President Bush boycotts the Opening ceremonies, I guarantee you that China will not “Free Tibet”.

If we really want China to change things, we need a long term plan to hurt them where it counts, in the wallet. Anything short of real economic threats, are nothing but a big joke.

That’s my 2.5 cents, so there!

You might be a redneck if. . .

You are nearly as uncomfortable as me when in a High Class Resort hotel. You can see me letting my hair down (ha) here after 2 straight nights of wearing the same suit to dinner. The Homestead is a very nice place and I enjoyed it, but I'm just not so good in High-society settings. After the Bellboy took my luggage up to the room I came up and spent 5 minutes trying to open my door with the card. It turned out when he walked back by that I was trying to open the door with a card that was attached to the useless mini-bar key.

So, maybe this California boy IS a redneck after all.

Homestead April 2008

These are a few of my favorite shots from a business trip to the Homestead resort (Hot Springs, Va.) last week.
Enjoy and see the rest at: http://picasaweb.google.com/knuckleheadva/Homestead

Early March in Virginia!

I took these 2 shots recently on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Bedford County! I can't wait for Spring!

Forest Sunset 2/19/08

Had to pass on these 2 shots of a beautiful Sunset out in Forest last night. I got the camera out just in time. One minute later it was all gray!

Operator Error!!

I was going to title this entry “The System is Broken” but that would have not been true. The system that our founding fathers crafted artfully is just fine. Upon writing our constitution, they assured themselves a form of government that would live on well past their lives and well past my own. What they didn’t account for and couldn’t have foreseen was what I will begin to refer to as operator error. This could also go under the subheading of “Weak Minded Voters”. Hang with me for a moment and I’ll explain.

When the founding fathers framed our base law in document form, the society at the time was very intelligent and very self-sufficient. The government was built as a basis for helping the citizens live their lives as they pleased with very few outside influences or regulations. There was a system much like that of any time before the 1900’s which consisted of friend helping friend and neighbor helping neighbor. They relied on the government for very little, and in some cases for nothing. Therefore, very few laws were needed. Only some big picture laws, or guidelines of you will, were necessary. Most everyone at that time was solidly founded in a strict value system that for most came from the Bible. There were of course those who strayed, but society as a whole did not tolerate deviance. The point is that citizens were very much able to make their own daily decisions on right and wrong just from their value system and their family upbringing.

The news of the day came from near by mostly from word of mouth and could be trusted implicitly. All they needed to know came from their small circle of family, friends, and community. Occasional news came from other parts of the country and consisted by word of mouth and some printed materials. Most of what they heard was honest news being passed on for information’s sake. Again, they learned to be self-sufficient. They lived their lives as they knew was right, and did not wait for those passing on news to tell them.

Fast-forward all the way to today. We are hand-fed by our government down to the nth degree. There is a law for every move we make. Folks long ago didn’t litter because they knew it was wrong. Today our society has degraded to the point that every move we make is dictated by laws. No one has to think anymore because everything is spelled out for them.

News today comes from everywhere (radio, TV, web, Newspapers, e-mail, Text-messages, you name it). We are told up-to-the-minute details of every happening anywhere instantly. The only problem is that the news folks everywhere now feel free to mix opinion with news as common practice. So many folks listen to talk radio or 24-hour TV news so much, that it becomes ingrained in their minds. They stop having any original thoughts, and all of their opinions begin to sound like what they watch or listen to. I talk to tons of friends who say they are conservatives, but yet they sound like Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh when they talk.

So now instead of folks being self-sufficient they have now slowly been lulled into a dependence on media and government. So what does this have to do with the political system in this country? I have been brought up by my father to always go to the polls on Election Day and vote from your heart. He also taught me to stand up strongly for what I believe. I still do, but suddenly I am looked at as old fashioned. I have supported Mike Huckabee from day one of this election cycle. People have been telling me for weeks that I need to move on a support John McCain. Mike was still solidly in the race as early as just before Super Tuesday, and folks were already saying McCain had the nomination sewed up I needed to conform. I believe strongly that people let media of all sorts convince them that Mike was not a “national candidate”. I believe strongly that he would have easily been a national candidate if people had just had courage and stood up for their stated values. By the time for the Virginia primary most of my conservative friends had been convinced to vote against their heart in the name of party unity. They went to the polls like good little sheep and voted for the candidate that we are now supposed to line-up behind. It doesn’t matter that John McCain is directly opposed (by voting record) to much of what we believe. All that matters is that they voted for they guy with a “chance”. They got this notion directly from some form of media and now its fact. So Huckabee is now kicked to the curb by most and left for dead because they let someone tell them he didn’t have a chance. In reality, if everyone had voted their heart and ignored the media, Mike would have had a great chance.

I did what I know was right and voted for Mike. Most say this only proves that I’m not a progressive thinker. I say it’s a case of not settling just because were told to. I say it’s taking a different route because it is right.

Anyway it is now pretty much over for Mr. Huckabee who represented the right’s only real option for a win. His only chance is if McCain can’t get the magic number of delegates by the convention, and it is a major long shot. So now I’m hearing that I have to commit right away that I’ll vote for McCain. I just can’t do that. I am going to stand by my convictions, and wait and see if Mr. McCain makes any efforts to meet the right half way. I would still hope for a real conservative to step up and run as a third party candidate. There are those who are trying to convince Mr. Huckabee to do this, and I hope he will consider it long and hard. We need a clean start with a true conservative party. I can no longer call myself a Republican with the direction this party has now taken.

So, I’ve said a lot but I’d like to end with this. The system is not broken, but the Operators have forgotten how to use it. I for one will not fall in line just because I’m told too. I see McCain as a liberal who happens to have some Conservative views on Military and Foreign policy. He will move us to the left just like Obama or Hillary, just at a slower pace.

That’s my 2.5 cents, so there!