"A wise and frugal government which shall restrain men
from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government."
(Thomas Jefferson)


Thursday, February 10, 2011

Breaking News: Mubarak Refuses to Step Down

Once again the American media jumped the gun announcing that President Mubarak was stepping down tonight and the military would be in charge. Something happened between initial reports and the actual speech -- Mubarack is not stepping down until his term is up in September but will transfer more power to his Vice President.

Don't know about anyone else but these baseless breaking news during the day make you wonder where they are getting their information. Were the media set up by Mubarak. That wouldn't be too hard to do the way cable news rushes to the airwaves with every rumor. Print media is right there with them.

This is a mess that is going to get worse with media around the world saying he was stepping down and he is not. We certainly don't have the answers but believe it is time that the media stopped this rushing to be first and got it right for a change.

Breaking News Alert
The New York Times
Thu, February 10, 2011 -- 4:16 PM ET
-----

Mubarak Refuses to Step Down

President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt told the Egyptian people
Thursday that he would delegate more authority to his vice
president, Omar Suleiman, but that he would not resign his
post, contradicting earlier reports that he would step aside
and surprising hundreds of thousands of demonstrators
gathered to hail his departure from the political scene.

In a nationally televised address following a tumultuous day
of political rumors and conflicting reports, Mr. Mubarak said
he would "admit mistakes" and honor the sacrifices of young
people killed in the three-week uprising, but that he would
continue to "shoulder my responsibilities" until September,
and did not give a firm indication that he intended to depart
the political scene.

Read More:
New York Times

NFL Presents the Declaration of Independence at the Super Bowl 2011



The NFL presented this video with General Colin Powell and NFL President Roger Goddell along with NFL stars and the American people reading the Declaration of Independence. What a great way to introduce the Super Bowl. Very impressive video and a reminder to all that America is still the world's best hope for the future.

Upstate New York Republican Congressman Lee Quits over Craigslist Scandal

Stupidity and arrogance are not good traits to have as a Congressman.  The Congressman is married and he sends a picture of himself with no shirt to a woman on Craigslist?  Who are these people we are electing to Congress.  Anyone with half a brain should know if you are married the chances of you getting caught like this are pretty high and if you are a Congressman, extremely high.  To resign so fast, what else is out there is the question of the day other than pictures and this email?
Lee responded by e-mail the same day. He told the woman he was 39 years old, unmarried and "a very fit fun classy guy" according to the Gawker report. "I promise not to disappoint," he wrote, further describing himself as "6ft 190lbs blond/blue."

That makes me ill -- sounds like a teenager or someone who never grew up.  Looking at the picture he sent -- UGH!


How would you like to be this guy going home to Upstate New York to meet his wife?  The cold weather we are experiencing is going to be nothing to the chill in that home.

When I first heard it, I thought no one is that dumb in today's environment and then Lee talks about a security breach in the office (yeah right), and finally admits and resigns. 

All they have to do is go to Congress, do their job, and go home.  He is cute or she is cute is not reason enough to elect someone but that seems to be the #1 criteria of some people as we witnessed with O'Donnell in Delaware.  If she had been a guy, she wouldn't have gotten to first base or Hailey down in SC who doesn't believe in open meetings since becoming Governor. 

This should be an interesting two years and hope in 2012 people look at the candidate, their background, and experience.  If there are rumors of an affair(s), chances are there is probably some truth there.  If you want to run for office, candidates have to remember that their private lives become public.  If you cannot stand the heat, then don't run and have to resign a month into a new term like this guy and cause a special election.  Personally think he should reimburse New York for the cost of the special election for being so dumb!

GOP lawmaker quits over Craigslist scandal


By: Susan Ferrechio 02/09/11 8:05 PM
Chief Congressional Correspondent

Rep. Chris Lee, R-N.Y., resigned Wednesday after a report on Gawker.com revealed that the married lawmker sent shirtless photos of himself to a woman he met on Craiglist. – Images courtesy gawker.comA New York Republican congressman resigned abruptly on Wednesday after a scandalous photo and e-mails surfaced that suggest the married father of one was seeking women outside his marriage. Rep. Christopher Lee, 46, left the Capitol on Wednesday after releasing a statement that said he felt he could no longer effectively represent his Western New York district.

"The challenges we face in Western New York and across the country are too serious for me to allow this distraction to continue, and so I am announcing that I have resigned my seat in Congress effective immediately," Lee said. "I regret the harm that my actions have caused my family, my staff and my constituents. I deeply and sincerely apologize to them all. I have made profound mistakes and I promise to work as hard as I can to seek their forgiveness."
The photo and e-mails were first reported by the Web site Gawker. The site revealed a photo Lee sent to a woman he met on Craigslist, which showed him standing shirtless and flexing one of his biceps in front of a mirror. In mid-January, Lee had sent e-mails and a photo to a 34-year-old woman who listed herself in the Craigslist personals, the "Women for Men" section. The Gawker report described her as a government employee from Maryland, but did not name her.

She had sought a man who was "financially and emotionally secure" and specified that responders not "look like toads."

Lee responded by e-mail the same day. He told the woman he was 39 years old, unmarried and "a very fit fun classy guy" according to the Gawker report. "I promise not to disappoint," he wrote, further describing himself as "6ft 190lbs blond/blue."

The woman forwarded the e-mails and photo to Gawker after searching him online and discovering who he was.

Lee was elected in 2008 and was serving his second term. He spoke to House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, just before resigning, but leadership aides would not disclose whether Boehner encouraged him to resign. In the past, Boehner has expressed a "zero tolerance" policy toward GOP members who go astray and has generally forced them out quickly.

The state of New York will have to set a special election to fill the remainder of Lee's term. The timing of that will be in the hands of the state's Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The district has leaned Republican, even in years that the nation favored Democratic candidates. GOP presidential nominee Sen. John McCain carried it with 52 percent of the vote in 2008, even as Barack Obama won the state by an overwhelming margin.

Read more Washington Examiner
Note to Upstate NY Republican County Chairs:  Please vet your candidates better than the GOP did the last time in the NY 23 special election where the candidate chosen by the district GOP Chairs turned out to be a liberal.  Please send former Congressman the bill for the election -- taxpayers should not have to foot the bill. 

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

What does snow, eating healthy, gardens, and a smile have in Common?

As I was sitting here figuring out what to focus on various topics, I decided to do various topics -- very little to do with politics and more how you see things when you are hibernating. You can choose to be grouchy but anyone who knows me knows that doesn't happen off or you can choose to make the best out of another day of hibernation after all last week. Haven't seen a car move on my street this entire day.

Once again the Norman area has been hit by snow, but this time we got less than predicted -- YEA!!! That said -- the roads that were clear are now snow covered, my walk that was clear has about a foot of snow on it from blowing snow, and my deck is almost clear as most of the snow blew off. It was predicted to end at 6:00 p.m., but has already ended so we are grateful for that. What we would like now is that early spring promised by the groundhog.

We have lived in Norman since January 1997 and the last two years we have seen more snow than all the rest put together. In Tulsa they are breaking the record for the most snow in a year.

This is global warming? Tell that to my spring flowers that were poking through and now covered up with snow again. It is not supposed to snow like this in Oklahoma or be this cold -- predicting single digits again tonight. Heard several people ask if Al Gore had been visiting the state. Last time he was here we went from a drought to flooding.

This storm is now headed east and has pretty much blanketed Arkansas. Eleven days ago it was 79 degrees and a few days later we had in single digits. Know people say in Oklahoma if you don't like the weather just wait and it will change. I didn't just like but loved the 79 degree weather.

Yesterday was spent getting ready for today -- you should see the shelves in our local grocery stores -- not much left in milk, cheese, eggs, meat, lunch meat, bread, dog and cat food, and throw in bird food. Had to go to four stores to find sunflower seeds yesterday.

The past ten days puts things in perspective. It makes you think what does my family need to survive if the power goes off and then you cannot get out -- that's why there is a bunch of wood in my garage and a propane tank filled with my grill under cover on the deck. Also stocked up on water in case something happened. Those empty Coke bottles came in handy for something besides watering my plants on the Sun Porch.

Reconnected with day time TV last week when I was sick during the snowstorm. Not a lot can be said for day time TV -- in fact I think I could only watch because I was sleeping a lot on the couch and was kind of in and out. How do people sit all day and watch television? Cable News for the most part sucks for lack of a better word. The same stories over and over again. Hard to tell which station you are listening to as they are all giving Breaking News which was the same as the Breaking News 30 minutes ago. Without Meghan Kelly on Fox who actually delves into subjects, it is pretty much of a waste of time and energy during the day.

Guess if you are sitting at the car dealer for hours waiting for the car that is going to be ready in a few minutes, it is something to pass the time. Do people actually watch cable news on a daily basis?

Did enjoy watching Hawaii 50 on CBS at night along with NCIS but then I have always liked Mark Harmon who leads the team on NCIS. Watched the NFL Network and found the guys they have on there are really enjoyable. Laughed at a lot of what they were discussing because they were having such a good time.

Started thinking that maybe some people stay in a bad mood because they do watch too much cable news or listen too much to talk radio who tend to say the same things. Everyone seemed to be saying the 'sky is falling' and the Country is going downhill rapidly. Why does every little thing have to be commented on about what happens at the White House?

Do I care what any First Lady serves for Super Bowl or that they are having 100 people over to watch the big game? Find it stranger if they were not celebrating Super Bowl Sunday. So Michelle believes in eating healthy most of the time but splurges on a day like Super Bowl? What's wrong with that? More adults would be better off if they ate better, got more exercise, and put their health up at the top.

What is wrong with eating healthy most of the time and making our sure our kids growing up are outside more and don't eat so much snack food. Never have figured out why they had Coke machines in elementary schools. This sniping has gotten out of control. Would rather have a First Lady who cares about eating healthy than one like Hillary who wanted to run the world. Michelle Obama gets a big pass and thank you for taking on child obesity. The First Lady shouldn't have to tell schools to prepare healthier food but she did because they were not doing very well on their own. Ever looked at what they are serving -- YUCK! A big thank you goes to the NFL teams who have programs around the Country encouraging kids to go outside and play.

Someday the snow is going to melt and the spring garden will be planted -- love to be outdoors and get the fresh vegetables from the garden. So much was made of the First Lady having a garden along with snarky remarks. I think it is neat to let school children in DC experience a garden. In fact, our eating habits would be better if we all had gardens when we have room. Don't have to worry about pesticides or pay the big bucks for organic food -- go out and pick your own. Years ago when I lived in an apartment, I grew tomatoes and peppers on my balcony. Why not plant a garden and if you have children have them help. My granddaughter loves to help Grandma pick vegetables -- she giggles the whole time.

The world moves very rapidly and we are as guilty as the next in forgetting what priorities should be. Was reminded at the post office on Monday when I was holding the door open for this older woman and she thanked me and then I told her to have a great day and stay safe from the snow. She turned and said well thank you very much -- I feel better already. How many times when we are out will a smile, a thank you, or telling people to have a great day make a difference in someones life?

Try holding a door open the next time you are out and tell them to have a great day and see the look on their face. One thing between being sick and all the snow is made me realize that I have a lot to be thankful for and need to start thanking those around me more for the blessings I have been given.

When I look at the wall near the desk and see the pictures of my three grandchildren smiling, I find myself smiling at the pictures. I put all three pictures in a frame that says "Grandkids Fill a Place in Your Heart You Never Knew was Empty" which says it all.

Have a really terrific day! As they say "Take time to smell the roses!"

Monday, February 7, 2011

Reagan Remembered: An Unyielding Faith in America's Greatness by Senator John McCain

Reagan Remembered: An Unyielding Faith in America's Greatness
Feb 3, 2011 – 9:20 AM

Sen. John McCain
Special to AOL News

When I was a prisoner of war, the Vietnamese went to great lengths to restrict the news from home to only prominent opponents of the war. They wanted us to believe America had forgotten us. They never mentioned Ronald Reagan. No matter. We knew about him. New additions to our ranks told us how the then governor and Mrs. Reagan were committed to our liberation and our cause.

When we came home, we were eager to meet the Reagans to thank them. But more than gratitude drew us to them. We were drawn to them because they were among the few prominent Americans who didn't subscribe to the then fashionable notion that America had entered her inevitable decline.

We came home to a country that had lost a war and the best sense of itself; a country beset by social and economic problems. Assassinations, riots, scandals and contempt for political, religious and educational institutions gave the appearance that we had become a dysfunctional society. Patriotism was sneered at. The military scorned. The great, robust, confident republic seemed exhausted.

He possessed an unshakable faith in America's greatness, past and future, that proved more durable than the prevailing political sentiments of the time.

We were a good country before Vietnam, and we are a good country after Vietnam. In all of history, you cannot find a better one. Of that, Ronald Reagan was supremely confident, and he became president to prove it.

His was a faith that shouted at tyrants to "tear down this wall." Such faith, such patriotism requires a great deal of love to profess. And I will always revere him for it.

When walls were all I had for a world, I learned about a man whose love of freedom gave me hope in a desolate place. His faith honored us, as it honored all Americans, as it honored all freedom-loving people.

Let us honor his memory by holding his faith as our own, and let us, too, tear down walls to freedom. That is what Americans do when they believe in themselves.

Sen. John McCain. R-Ariz., was the 2008 Republican presidential nominee.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Super Bowl Prediction Time

Been watching the NFL network off and on this week trying to decide who to root for in the Super Bowl as neither team is high on the list of favorites. 

Sam Bradford and the Rams stand #1 in this family.  His selection as the official NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year was the perfect ending for Sooner fans who have now become Rams fans.  Our family especially my son has been a Rams fan since he was 2 1/2 sitting in front of the TV in Southern California on his stool with his Rams jersey on rooting for the Rams.  Now with our favorite Sooner Sam Bradford being chosen as the first pick and leading the Rams on an amazing turnaround, a lot of the State of Oklahoma has joined the Rams family.  In fact, our local sports radio station here in Norman carries all the Rams games.  Even our TV Fox affiliate carries the Rams now as the backup to Dallas.  Most people I know would rather have the Rams than Cowboys now.  Jerry Jones is rapidly losing the Sooner State.

Our first criteria has always been for the playoffs and Super Bowl to pick the team who has the most University of Oklahoma Sooners.  Last year it was New Orleans.  This year there are no Sooners on either team so was sitting here trying to determine who to choose since the second criteria is being from a Red State.  Both Green Bay and Pittsburgh were part of Blue State America in 2008 with the owner of Pittsburgh a big Obama fan even though his brother was elected to Congress as a Republican in 2010 -- must be some interesting times at family gatherings.  In 2010 both states joined the rest of us in Red State America by electing Republican Senators and in Wisconsin electing a Republican Governor and Republican controlled Legislature, but then so did Pennsylvania.  Our final decision was based on what state was the most shocking to go fully Republican and that honor belongs to Wisconsin because Senator Johnson beating Feingold was the icing on the cake of a great night in November.

May not be the most scientific way to choose a Super Bowl team but we will see if plays out!

Our pick for the winner of the Super Bowl is now Aaron Rogers and the Green Bay Packers.   Go PAC!

Enjoy the Super Bowl coming from Jerry's World!

Ronald Reagan Speaks Out Against Socialized Medicine in 1961



NOTE: From the 1961 Operation Coffee Cup Campaign against Socialized Medicine as proposed by the Democrats, then a private citizen Ronald Reagan Speaks out against socialized medicine. There is no video because this was an LP sent out by the American Medical Association
President Reagan's comments in 1961 need to be heard by everyone in America including those Democrats in the Senate who voted to keep Obamacare instead of repeal. His comments detail what the Democrats were trying to pull off on socialized medicine during the Truman years and they never stopped. The Democrats finally pulled it off with Obamacare years after Reagan's warning in 1961. That passage fell in the category of 'elections have consequences" which was never truer than in 2008.

The comments of President Reagan should be used by everyone as he sums it up better than anyone I have heard what is wrong with socialized medicine. His words to contact your members in Congress including the ones who agree with you to express your disgust with socialized medicine are as true today as when he first said them.

Please share the link below with your members of Congress as they need to listen to President Reagan in this You Tube audio about the dangers of socialized medicine: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRdLpem-AAs&feature=email
The Judicial Ruling by Florida District Judge Vinson when he ruled that it is unconstitutional for the bill to mandate individuals to buy healthcare was a major step forward. Because the Democrats got cute and attached a no severability clause in the Obamacare bill, he ruled the whole bill was ruled unconstitutional.

Now it is up to all of us to put more pressure on the Senate even though they have voted to keep Obamacare. This fight is far over and their votes to keep Obamacare against the wishes of the American people will have repercussions in 2012. The House has done their part but we have to let our Republican members know we stand behind them 100% in their fight against Obamacare and the House Democrats who voted to keep it, we will be coming after them in 2012.

Doubt if you would ever see a Pelosi or Barney Frank take the time to listen to this Reagan audio because they have no desire to hear what he had to say. Those Senate Democrats along with House Democrats who voted to keep Obamacare who are up for reelection in 2012 need to hear this audio loud and clear.

The question of the day is if Ben Nelson, Nebraska Democrat, is going to stand for election or is he going to retire. He has gone from being popular in Nebraska to be one of their most unpopular Senators ever. During the Bush years he was a staunch ally of the President but since Obama took over he has been voting with the Democrats more and more. Time Nelson retired and Nebraska Republican Senator Mike Johanns is joined by a fellow Republican to represent the values of the people of Nebraska.

We took one Democrat seat back in North Dakota when Dorgan retired and they elected the popular Republican Governor John Hoeven to be their Senator and now in 2012 we have a chance to pick up their second Senate seat with Conrad announcing his retirement.  In January 2013, North Dakota could be represented by two Republican Senators along with Nebraska. 

Next up is the Democrat Senator Johnson in South Dakota in 2014.  Then each of our six red states in the center of the Country will have two Republican Senators when he is defeated.

Looks to us like the 2012 election is already starting with the Senate Democrats voting to keep Obamacare. As a good friend and I have been saying since 2000 -- politics has become a virtual campaign with little stopping in between federal elections. 

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Friday, February 4, 2011

DfS will be back on Monday, February 7, 2011

Due to inclement weather (we had more snow today) and being under the weather with sinus problems, decided to wait until Monday to resume posting.

This has given me a chance to watch the three cable news outlets, CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC, during the day and will be giving my impressions.  Let's put it this way -- Roger Aisles needs to have a talk with several of his anchors.  Meghan Kelly far outshines the rest in the afternoon on Fox.  No wonder people who follow cable news 24/7 are angry people. 

Enjoy the Super Bowl!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Blizzards Moving East; Punxsutawney Phil doesn't see his shadow -- Spring is Near!; National College Signing Day

Blizzard is roaring north and east from Oklahoma.  For the most part Oklahomans are staying inside today after the blizzard as the temps are so cold -- finally reached 12 degrees -- UGH.  My sinus are saying UGH as well today.  Chewie, our in house dog, won't go off the front porch to go to the bathroom -- won't even try to go through about an 18" snowdrift on the walk.  Eddie, our Brittany Spaniel, is down in the heated barn and won't even stick his nose out the door.  He sees no need to go outside when it is cold.  When I was down at the barn about an hour ago, he wouldn't come within six feet of the door.  Then Chewie didn't want to go back out in the snow.  At 32 pounds, he is too heavy to carry -- was trying to lift his paws as he came back up, he was trying to keep his paws from touching the ground.  Didn't even chase a squirrel which is his favorite pastime -- he just wanted to go back inside.  The SUV and I along with the dogs are hibernating and will hibernating tomorrow before on Thursday we get back over freezing.



Lakeshore Blvd in Chicago where people were stranded into the middle of the night --
Chicago dropped the ball big time by not closing Lakeshore earlier
 Now Chicago is going to experience the same cold temperatures that we are going through starting in Texas where they had an ice storm and going across the Nation.  Looks like the two storms have joined together  which is making a very dangerous storm.

*****
Punxsutawney Phil did not see his show so spring is around the corner.  If he was here in Norman, he would be seeing his shadow as it is a very cold, sunny day.

Phil Says Expect an Early Spring!

Phil's official forecast as read February 2nd, 2011, at sunrise at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, PA:

Here Ye, Hear Ye, Hear Ye
Groundhog Day, February 2, 2011

Punxsutawney Phil was raised from his burrow
By the call of President Bill Deeley.
He greeted his handlers, Ben Hughes and John Griffiths.
After casting an inquisitive eye towards thousands of his faithful followers,
He proclaimed that the Steelers are going to the Super Bowl!

Back to the business at hand...
He surveyed his surroundings carefully and found that there was no shadow around,
So, an early spring it will be.


*****

The most important happening in Norman, OK, besides the blizzard and remaining snow and ice around, is this is National Signing Day for college football.  University of Oklahoma filled their needs with this very small class -- 17.

Nice way to spend the day listening to sports talk radio on KREF and hearing interviews with the various players and why they chose Oklahoma.   Most liked the atmosphere of a family environment around the Sooners and the coaches plus the emphasis on academics pleased their parents. 

Sometimes politics just needs to take a backseat -- this is one of those days! 

Boomer Sooner!