The Case of the Gurgling Toad!!

Yo, Pilgrims..... you might have noticed Secretary of Defense Gates testifying before the House Defense Committee this week and imploring them to 'Please pass the 2011 Budget so the Defense Department can get on with their serious responsibilities!'.. or some such ...

What you might have missed is - "A $600,000 frog sculpture that lights up, gurgles "sounds of nature" and carries a 10-foot fairy girl on its back could soon be greeting Defense Department employees who plan to start working at the $700 million Mark Center in Alexandria, Va. this fall. That is unless a new controversy over the price tag of the public art doesn't torpedo the idea."

Now then, not only is the 'art' a little dubious -- but the fact that only a minor faction of DOD employees will even see this overpriced piece of ...... kind of compounds the problem.

So in this day of increasing national debt and annual deficits, we have the 'hard strapped' Department of Defense building a $700 million new 'center' in Alexandria --- and centered on a $600, 000 , ten foot fairy girl on a frog sculpture that gurgles to the sound of nature!!

Just in case you think I am pranking you with some kind of April Fools joke, click here for the link to the source.

But take two alka-seltzers and an aspirin first!!!! BTW, friends, the original cost to build the Pentagon itself, the worlds largest office building, was just $50 million! Or, adjusted for inflation, about the same cost as this new much smaller 'center' in Alexandria!!!

Of course, the Pentagon doesn't have a Fairy on a Gurgling Frog's back..............

Do you remember 'The Cone of Silence"?

Do y'all remember on Get Smart, that whenever he and the 'Chief' wanted privacy, they lowered the Cone of Silence over their heads?........ well guess what-- it's still around but now is installed in the Department of Justice...

How little have we heard about this FUBAR "Project Gunrunner" ..... which should be on the front pages and leading the news on every newscast.......

Now, BO disclaims any knowledge, Attorney General Eric (for his people primarily) Holder, disclaims any knowledge, and even ATF Acting Chief, Kenneth Melson is ducking any appearances before even the friendly Dem led Senate committee, much less the Issa led GOP led Congressional Oversite Committee...

My God, this makes Watergate look like someone spat on the floor --- whassup? Just for fun - Google "atf, guns, mexico" and stand back.................


Here is just one of a hundred hits:
http://www.examiner.com/gun-rights-in-seattle/maybe-kerlikow
ske-should-duck-thursday-hearing-as-well

If you read it in a book of fiction - you wouldn't believe it..............

Proving once again that the American government is always willing to provide charity to the needy in other lands, the ATF (under Eric Holder's Department of Justice) apparently helped smuggle more than 1700 weapons to Mexican criminals and drug cartels "to see where they'd surface."

Theoretically, this would provide valuable information which would allow the ATF to shut down gunrunners. But in this case, "theory" went out the window... and the AK-47s and armor-piercing shells were unsurprisingly used to murder dozens (if not hundreds) of people, including a U.S. Border Patrol agent and a Customs Enforcement agent.

When a huge operation like this goes so badly awry, it's important to find out exactly who authorized it and just what the hell they were thinking. And already, an investigative House Committee has been able to strike two names off the list: Barack Obama and Eric Holder - both of whom claim they knew absolutely nothing about the operation.

Mr. Holder denied responsibility for the actions of his people, claiming that he'd established in previous testimony that "my people" are actually the Black Panthers.

Mr. Obama went even farther, explaining that he couldn't possibly be aware of every Justice Department plan to ship guns to the Mexican drug cartels because he oversees "a pretty big government" with "a lot of moving parts." He then added that many of the moving parts are "really shiny" and that he blacks out if he watches them too long.

While it's disturbing to think of so many high-powered weapons heading into Mexico, we doubt that the problem will last very long. Because considering the porous state of our southern border, we're pretty sure a lot of those weapons will be coming back eventually...

Barack Obama and Eric Holder - "No Guns" Heroes?

-
For more of Hope'n Change - click here.

(Thanks and a tip o' the stetson to Ret'd Vet, Al up in MD)

(More than) A few words about body language.....

Many years ago, about a hunnert or so, I reckon, I took my first course in public speaking. That was before Air Force instructor school, or Toastmasters or a myriad of salesmanship courses.... and one of the more memorable instructions from that first course was:

"Always 'jog' up onto the dais and over to the lectern. It makes you look energetic and eager to share your message with the audience!"

I tried it a couple of times, and it just made me feel plumb foolish.... nobody 'jogs' 12 feet to a lectern. But it's amazing how many folks took that advice to heart - and they must still be teaching it in Public Speaking 101 classes in some places.

The thought had tickled the back of my ole' brain a couple of times while watching Obamanation approach a mike, run up two steps onto a dais, or up and down the steps of Air Force One.... but it particularly caught my attention last evening when he gave his "Libya' speech.

There was no introduction, but he came on from stage right, raised his two hands to his chest in the jogging position and proceeded to show his energy by running up those two steps and over to the lectern! Or was it just one step?

Frankly, I don't need a POTUS to exhibit a phony youthful exuberance, I need him to show a measured, careful train of well advised thought. But that's just me.

Keep your eyes peeled the next time his TOTUS is gonna' speak to us, and the Bam man is gonna' read it.......... watch his approach ......... and then, like me, you'll probably think to yourself..... if his whole character and message is as phony and measured as his approach to the microphone, what does that body language tell me?

Oh, and before I leave this topic of the Libyan speech last night, I want you to recall the sincere look in our president's eyes when he looked straight into the camera and read the TOTUS's words regarding his insistence that NO AMERICAN BOOTS SHALL STEP ON LIBYAN SOIL, or words to that effect-- in fact, UN Resolution 1973 (the authorization for the No Fly zone) specifically states in Paragraph #4: "............... while excluding a foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory........"

In other words, it ain't BO's decision --- it's the UN Resolution that keeps foreign troops out of Libya ....

Keep on joggin........

(Thanks and a tip o' the stetson to Air Force Vet, Dave, up in MD for the heads up on the Paragraph 4 directive)

Gary Varvel .........on Presidential Leadership this week

A rhetorical question............ por favor.....

I will try to make this as apolitical as I can, but I doubt if it will come across that way....

Anyway --we know that when the non-war, war broke out and Libya started being bombarded, our POTUS left on his previously scheduled spring break trip to South America - Okay. He didn't even bother to contact Reid or Boehner about the bombardment before he left.

We know he returned from his five day trip 'early' because of the non-war (five hours early I think)

We know that he spent his first day back in closed conference with Timmy the Treasurer and then later with his Security Council. Priorities mixed up?

We know he said firmly,'no American boots on the ground' and we also know from news from North Carolina that a 2200 Marine Expeditionary Force is either on the way or already on the ground.

Here is the question - Instead of addressing the nation from the Oval Office (normal procedure), he sent Hillary out last nite to tell us something -- I'm still not sure what she said. And even that short (no questions) prepared speech started forty-five minutes late because of ......?

Without hurling all of the usual right wing missiles; "Does anybody have any idea or opinion what's really going on in that Administration?"

I'm both curious .................. and concerned!!

Whoa Nellie!!!!!!!

On Friday, March 18th, Obamanation assured the Congressional leaders and American public that; 'there will be no American boots on the ground in Libya!'

On March 20, am ABC North Carolina TV station broke this news;

"We've seen Camp Lejuene marines in Iraq and Afghanistan and now they are joining the fight against Libya. 2200 marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, or 26th MEU will take part. Their mission is to help end the violence directed at the Libyan people."

(Click on the link for the whole report)

I am reminded of that old joke (despite the fact that this is no joke) where a neighbor caught in bed with his neighbors wife told a long tale -- and then asked, "What are you gonna believe, me - your good neighbor, or your lying eyes?"

I am also reminded of these stern words from Joltin' Joe Biden, Administration Clown and former Senior Senator.... and he says it in only 1:27 minutes.....



So again I ask, you gonna believe Joltin' Joe, or your lying eyes?

"Turban' Durbin to hold Senate hearings on Mulsim's rights..

So reports the Washington Times....

by Stephen Dinan

March 22, 2011

"Just weeks after House Republicans held a hearing looking at the dangers of radical Muslims in the U.S., Senate Democrats are countering with a hearing of their own, scheduled for after Congress returns from a 10-day vacation, to examine Muslims' civil rights.

Senate Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin, Illinois Democrat, announced the subcommittee hearing Tuesday, saying there has been a spike in anti-Muslim bigotry in the last year that demands closer attention.

“Our Constitution protects the free exercise of religion for all Americans,” Mr. Durbin said. “During the course of our history, many religions have faced intolerance. It is important for our generation to renew our founding charter’s commitment to religious diversity and to protect the liberties guaranteed by our Bill of Rights.”

The hearing will be the first ever before the Judiciary Committee's new subcommittee on the Constitution, civil rights and human rights, which Democrats created this year. Mr. Durbin is the chairman of the subcommittee.

Earlier this month House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King, New York Republican, held the first in what he said will be a series of hearings to look at problems posed by radicalized Muslims in the United States.

In 2009, the latest FBi statistics available, anti-Islamic hate crimes accounted for 9.3 percent of the 1,376 religiously motivated hate crimes recorded. That's far less than the 70.1 percent that were anti-Jewish."

Why am I reminded of 'Deep Throat's' admonitions during the Nixon years ........'Follow the Money' --- and think that someone ought to take a long, hard look at Durbin's personal and political war chest sources?

Just wonderin' out loud.......

Combat pay for pizza parlor clerks in Tulsa?

It might be safer to join in Afghanistan than being a pizza store clerk in Tulsa. Sunday evening, two black hoods, one 180 pounds - the other 200 pounds, robbed three pizza parlors. Domino's, Papa John's and Pizza Hut.

In all three of the armed robberies, the robbers entered the store and “politely” forced an employee to open a register and a safe, Walker said.

At Papa John’s, police said a man came in the back door, robbed the restaurant and left with money, but then another robber came in the front and also demanded money.

Police Sgt Dave Walker said the employee told the man he can’t rob them because they were just robbed.

At 180 & 200 pounds, five feet, ten inches tall -- neither of them sound like desperate, hungry men!! But I hope they find a steady diet of 'three hots and a cot' soon -- before they kill somebody........

File this under "Stuff even I can't believe is happening!"

We have all heard the caterwauling and complaining because Congress is cutting back on the money they are throwing in the NPR toilet bowl. Now comes the news......

"The U.S. State Department is poised to invest a "significant" amount of money in the BBC World Service to help combat TV and Internet censorship in countries like Iran and China."

So we stop feed our own left wing public broadcasting operation, and the State Department decides to start funding the BBC -- which is so far to the left, it almost makes NPR look like FOX network!

Can any of you remember when the BBC had anything good (or unbiased) to say about the United States of America?

Maybe it helps being crazy..... I dunno..... how do we tell the inmates from the ward orderlies anymore.... I'm beginning to empathize with Jack Nicholson's character, McMurphy in 'One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest' !!

When does it finally sink in????????

And he'll be well enough to vote next November too!!

An unnamed man was taken to St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, Okla., in February with a gash on his face and a bullet (later removed) in his sinus cavity. It was reported that police think "he might have been chewing on a firecracker or a bullet" when it exploded.

And they say that smokeless tobacco is dangerous!!! Ha!

Avalanche of news???

There was such an avalanche of news over the weekend, that I thought I wouldn't add to it. Shucks, between Japan's woes, Libya's throes, BO's goes, and Congress's shows..... we were overwhelmed.

Then this morning, I read this headline: "Raleigh man angered by TSA security screening', and I thought to myself........... with the world overflowing with news - how does one more (of millions) American who is offended by TSA deserve a headline?

Turns out that an (autistic) gentleman traveler was passing through Boston's Logan Airport when he set off the screening device and TSA agents decided to have a 'strip search' right in the middle of the airport! Take off your belt, suspenders and drop yer trousers -- it seems. I ain't been told that since my military physical fifty years ago....

I guess the good news is that they didn't do a body cavity search! Go here for the rest of the story, or if you of a mind, watch this video.....



I got an e-mail telling me that some folks are having difficulty starting this video clip. For those of you that are ...... click here to go right to the source at NBC17.com. Sorry 'bout that pardners!

Maybe Quakdaffy and his bully boys ain't the only bad boys on the planet anymore!!

When is 'Good News', --- 'Bad News"?

When the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released their new figures.....

"WASHINGTON – A new assessment of President Barack Obama's budget released Friday says the White House underestimates future budget deficits by more than $2 trillion over the upcoming decade.

The estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says that if Obama's February budget submission is enacted into law it would produce deficits totaling $9.5 trillion over 10 years — an average of almost $1 trillion a year.

Obama's budget saw deficits totaling $7.2 trillion over the same period."
****************

This AP report (hardly a Right Wing media) is as scary as any I have seen. We are $14 Trillion dollars in debt -- and the best news scenario is that in ten years we will be $23.5 Trillion in debt?

WTF?

And in BO's best case lies, we will be $21.2 Trillion in the hole? To whom????

And this is the best case? Whoa Nellie! Who is minding the store....??

When exactly, did the inmates take over the asylum? Or more to the point, when did we give them the keys?

And when are we going to do something about this insanity before our great grandkids find themselves as third world citizens?

Huh?

Blame it on Rio.....................?

This is as good an excuse for this 'nother trip as any other I've heard! Two wars, Libya in turmoil, Japan on the edge of nuclear disaster, ........ and MR AWOL is off again! Of course it'll be a couple of weeks before he's off to Ireland. Time to get in a game or two of golf!

Thanx and a tip o' the stetson to Al of MD

Obamanatioon's 'Present' votes turn into "AWOL"

The 'One' occupying the White House Oval Office is apparently a man of habit. For his first job, he was greased into an Illinois State Senator seat. In his sterling terms in that office, he voted 'Present' 129 times! (He did find it within himself to vote 'Aye' on a bill making it legal for a doctor to put a surviving abortion baby on a shelf until it dies however)

He then moved into another greased seat in the US Senate. A year after arrival, he began his long run for President --- making it possible to avoid voting on many important matters. Those that he did vote for or against -- were telling of his character and mindset, however.

Finally, as POTUS, he sat in the Oval Office and let Reid and Pelosi carry the water on his Porkulus Bill and even porkier Obamacare bill while he stayed above the fray. He has however, sprung from 'Present' to MISSING IN ACTION these last few weeks.

- The Congressional battle of the budget --- LAST YEAR's budget mind you - no action or comment

- The crisis in Egypt - no action or discernible comment

- The crisis in Libya and several smaller countries - no action or discernible comment

- The nuclear crisis in Japan - no action or discernible comment

What has he commented on? Why - the March NCAA basketball brackets and his upcoming taxpayer paid trip for a weekend in Rio with the little missus.

Question - Can a sitting president get re-elected on a record of 'Present' & 'AWOL'?

Answer -- Ask me next year!! Nothin' the American voters will do or not do surprises me any more.

Interesting Item in CNS today....... or sad!!!!

U.S. Debt Jumped $72 Billion Same Day U.S. House Voted to Cut Spending $6 Billion

Wednesday, March 16, 2011
By Terence P. Jeffrey

(CNSNews.com) - The national debt jumped by $72 billion on Tuesday even as the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution to fund the government for just three weeks that will cut $6 billion from government spending.

If Congress were to cut $6 billion every three weeks for the next 36 weeks, it would manage to save between now and late November as much money as the Treasury added to the nation’s net debt during just the business hours of Tuesday, March 15.

At the close of business on Monday, according to the Treasury Department’s Bureau of the Public Debt, the total national debt stood at $14.166 trillion ($14,166,030,787,779.80). At the close of business Tuesday, the debt stood at $14.237 trillion ($14,237,952,276,898.69), an increase of $71.9 billion ($71,921,489,118.89).

Since the beginning of fiscal year 2011--which began on Oct. 1, 2010--the national debt has climbed from $13.5616 trillion ($13,561,623,030,891.79) to $14.2379 trillion ($14,237,952,276,898.69) an increase of $676.3 billion ($676,329,246,006.90).

Congress would need to cut spending by $6 billion every three weeks for approximately the next six and a half years (338 weeks) just to equal the $676.3 billion the debt has increased thus far this fiscal year.

So, Pilgrims.............. are we getting our monies worth out of these new Tea Party Conservatives or more of the same old, same old? Are they doing better..............

or are they doing anything??

Have you e-mailed your representative and spoken your mind yet? Your grandkids lives depend on it!!

Time to cut your personal household budget.....?

By making sacrificial and proportional cuts in your own personal budget, you can appreciate that budget cutting really cuts to the quick.

Please accept my apology in advance for the following email about an unpleasant subject. I tried very hard not to do it, but because it helped my perspective and made me feel much better; I thought perhaps it would do as much for you. It's tough, but we all need to do our part.

The President ordered the cabinet to cut a whopping $100 million from the $3.5 trillion federal budget.

I'm so impressed by this sacrifice that I have decided to do the same thing with my personal budget. I spend about $4,000 a month on groceries, medicine, bills, etc., etc., and now it's time to get out my budget cutting axe, go line by line through my expenses, and get to work.

I'm going to cut my spending at exactly the same ratio as the President - 1/35,000 of my total budget. After doing the math, it looks like instead of spending $4,000 a month; I'm going to have to cut that number downward by eleven cents!

Yes, I know that's a lot and I must somehow get by with $3,999.89, but that is what sacrifice is all about. The President has requested that we get some of our own "skin in the game" with everyone else. So we'll just have to do without some things, that are, quite frankly, luxuries those eleven cents normally buy us.

Guess I'll have to put a little less Vermouth in my Manhattan or give up lemon in my gin and tonic!!!!! Tough decision!! Hope this helps brighten your day ... and gives you a little better understanding of just how serious our President is.

Feel better now?

There are still people who believe him, and think he's doing a great job... can you believe it?

The fever spreads across the land.........

I have been watching the recall election in Miami-Dade County FL out of the corner of my eye the last couple of months as it heated up.

Tuesday was voting day --- and the good citizens of that city-community not only recalled the mayor and the country commissioner --- they broke an all time record of 88% for ousting them!! Yessir, 9 out of every 10 voters said 'hit the road'. And when the votes are certified Friday - he will!

And what was the sin of this popular Cuban-American pseudo-conservative, former FBI agent, in a town that adores Cuban Americans.... It's as simple as one, two, three...

1. He used millions of public dollars to build the Marlins a new playpen.

2. When housing values crashed, he increased property taxes 40% to 'fill the shortfall'

3. (the killer!) And then he gave large raises to 'public' employees and huge raises to his close aides!

I am slowly beginning to believe that that Americans have some backbones after all.... well at least - the taxpaying ones......

Bring back the poll-tax for all that don't pay taxes (income or property)!!

UPDATE!! ALERT UPDATE!

In an effort to be 'fair and balanced', I must report the following:

Last week when I returned, I pointed out that of the thousands of eligible high schools in the United States, less than 100 applied in the contest to have Obamanation speak at their commencement this Spring. The administration, obviously embarrassed by this overwhelming lack of interest, sent their Dim friends in Congress and other DNC lackeys out to beat the bushes for candidates - while they extended the filing deadline...

The contest is now closed and I am plumb proud to report that they found enough schools to apply so that they finished with 464 applicants! Whoopie Dee Doo. Congratulations BO and Bo-peeps!!

I wonder what kind of a letter those 27,004 American High Schools that didn't bother to apply will get from Pennsylvania Avenue?

The Death of an Olde Friend.....

An Obituary printed in the London Times - Interesting and true.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

Community Organizer in Chief is Clueless........AGAIN!!

At Friday's news conference, President Obama tried to connect with the common man coping with rising gasoline prices. Instead, the president left little doubt that he is clueless about cars.

"You may want to buy a fuel-efficient car," quoth Obama, "but you may not be able to afford it. And so you're stuck with the old clunker that's getting 8 or 10 miles a gallon."

Eight to 10 mpg? Which clunker would that be? I wondered. An old Hummer? Your father's father's Oldsmobile? A late-model Lamborghini? It takes a luxury brand, a boat-sized machine and/or a few decades to approach those dismal mileage numbers.

An 11-year-old Pontiac minivan, for example, gets 17 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway.

You have to go back to the Carter administration years or earlier to find Obama's idea of a gas-guzzling family car -- and even that vehicle would have been a van, light truck/SUV or luxury model. And yet he is behind the wheel of Washington's energy policy.

Can you blame me for believing Team Obama was pushing the pedal to the metal in a rush for higher gas prices?

Thus starts a great column by Debra Saunders on Townhall.com this week. And she goes on to share BO's actions to support her theory..... it's a good read that makes sense!!

Click here for the rest of her column.....

Don't Mess with Texas!!!!!

Thanks and a Tip O' the Stetson to Russ up in Utah!

Why men shouldn't write 'Advice Columns'.....

Thanks and a Tip O' the Stetson to Dave - up in Maryland

(clik on the pic to expand)

And you thought The Sopranos was just a TV series....

Well Pilgrims, apparently the Sopranos lives on ......... in the union management thugs in Wisconsin. I ain't believing this is still happening in this country!! Taken verbatim from the WTMJ NewsRadio site, Milwaukee WI:

UNIONS THREATEN BUSINESS

By Charlie Sykes

Mar 10, 2011

That's a nice business you got there. Pity if anything were to happen to it if, say, you didn't toe the line and denounce Governor Walker like we're asking nice-like.

March 10, 2011

Mr. Tom Ellis, President

Marshall & Ilsley Corporation

770 N. Water Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202

SENT VIA FASCIMILE AND REGULAR MAIL

Dear Mr. Ellis:

As you undoubtedly know, Governor Walker recently proposed a “budget

adjustment bill” to eviscerate public employees’ right to collectively bargain in

Wisconsin. ..

As you also know, Scott Walker did not campaign on this issue when he ran for

office. If he had, we are confident that you would not be listed among his largest

contributors. As such, we are contacting you now to request your support.

The undersigned groups would like your company to publicly oppose Governor

Walker’s efforts to virtually eliminate collective bargaining for public employees in

Wisconsin. While we appreciate that you may need some time to consider this

request, we ask for your response by March 17. In the event that you do not

respond to this request by that date, we will assume that you stand with

Governor Walker and against the teachers, nurses, police officers, fire fighters,

and other dedicated public employees who serve our communities.

In the event that you cannot support this effort to save collective bargaining,

please be advised that the undersigned will publicly and formally boycott the

goods and services provided by your company. However, if you join us, we will

do everything in our power to publicly celebrate your partnership in the fight to

preserve the right of public employees to be heard at the bargaining table.

Wisconsin’s public employee unions serve to protect and promote equality and

fairness in the workplace. We hope you will stand with us and publicly share that

ideal.

In the event you would like to discuss this matter further, please contact the

executive Director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, Jim Palmer,

at 608.273.3840.

Thank you in advance for your consideration. We look forward to hearing from

you soon.

James L. Palmer, Executive Director

Wisconsin Professional Police Association

Mahlon Mitchell,President

Professional Professional Fire Fighters

Jim Conway, President

International Association of Fire Fighters Local 311

John Matthews, Execuctive (sic) Director

Madison Teachers, Inc.

Keith Patt, Executive Director

Green Bay Education Association

Bob Richardson, President

Dane County Deputy Sheriffs Association

Dan Frei, Prersident (sic)

Madison Professional Police Officers Association

Now then Pilgrims, I've been around this land long enough recognize 'bent nosed' extortion and threats when I see them! And what makes it worse it that these threats are coming from union thugs representing law enforcement, firefighters, and educators of our children....... here is a link to the WTMJ site. You'll find the comments to this item very interesting.

New Senator Rand Paul does NOT tip toe into his new role!

Here is a fresh example of how new faces like his in the senate and the house have changed to dialogue -- 'Lady, you are pro-choice for a woman to have an abortion but not pro-choice for her to decide what kind of light bulb, refrigerator or toilet she wants to buy!!'

Dingy Harry Reid and Cowboy Poetry!!!

Back from Biloxi!!!

I made it back safe and sound last evening --- it's a long haul for these old bones. I wasn't sure where I would pick up this morning -- when I started seeing these headlines:

-ABC to produce and broadcast program called "Good Christian Bitches"! Don't guess they'll be running one called "Muslim Bitches" or "Hindu Bitches" .........goes without saying! Of course it is ABC, so it doesn't call for a 'WTF?' -- that's just today's Disneyland...... Mickey darlin' what happened to you?

-CBS reports that Obamanation's contest among schools to get him to speak at their commencement ceremonies this spring have fallen on deaf ears. Last year more than a thousand schools applied -- then he showed up with his TOTUS and put the class to sleep on national television... This year, they have so few - less than a hundred, that they are extending the application period and whipping congressmen up to go out to those thousands of American schools and find somebody that wants to hear him. Is there a message here?

And of course the good news, up in Wisconsin, the GOP governor and legislators didn't fold under pressure and pass the collective bargaining containment bill this morning...!

Going AWOL for a couple of days. guys...

Am leaving at O'Dark thirty tomorrow morning to meet with a few old military friends in Biloxi, Mississippi fer a couple days. I'll try to behave and take notes ........... you do the same, and I'll see you back here next Wednesday!

Take care, and keep your eyes peeled......... and your powder dry!!

Pecozbill

Mostly, don't forget to come back and say Howdy next week!

News stories you might have missed......

Nominee for Chauvinist of the Year?

A man on an Indian airplane freaked out and demanded to be let off the plane -- when he learned the pilot was a woman.

The man started shouting after the pilot came on the intercom before takeoff and he heard a female voice. He shouted: "I don't want to die! She can't take care of the house, how can she take care of the plane?"

The man demanded a new pilot and argued for some 40 minutes before he was finally dragged off.

Shouldn't muggers have rights too?

Some knife-wielding thugs in Sweden thought the walker-using 62-year-old man was an easy mark, but they didn't know they were the underdogs on the fight card.

The crooks attacked the man at an ATM, but were shocked to find out he was a retired pro boxer.

The boxer, Rolf Klasson, shouted, "This isn't going to go well," and then knocked one crook out with a left hook and the other with a jab.

Thank and a Tip O' the Stetson to: Weird News at the NY Post

Chip Bok makes it even clearer.......

Adding insult to injuyr? ..... or should I title this: STOP THIEF!!

Picture yourself as a hard working Missourian, maybe even holding down two jobs to make ends meet. It's January, it's cold, snowy, but still you get up and go to work...... to pay your bills and to pay your taxes.

Now picture yourself as that same Missourian, sitting down to dinner watching the local evening news and finding out that during the month of January, Missouri food stamp and welfare recipients are using their EBT (food stamp cards) at ATM's and food markets in Hawaii, California, Florida and elsewhere - to the tune of $3,521, 974 dollars worth. Yep $3 million plus!

Don't that just warm those frozen cockles of your taxpaying heart?

In January Missouri EBT cards were used to withdraw $362,682 in cash outside the state. During that same time period Missouri EBT cards purchased $3,521,974 worth of food outside Missouri. Those card users racked up $752 worth of ATM fees, they were also paid by taxpayers.

Many of the EBT purchases were in border states, but a large chunk of change was spent in hard to reach places like California, Alaska, and Hawaii.

In Hawaii Missouri EBT cardholders spent $2,737 on food in January. During that same time period there were 6 ATM transactions totaling $175.

In California Missouri EBT users purchased $69,672 worth of food, and withdrew $7,818 from ATMs.

In Texas Missouri EBT users purchased $139,763 worth of food, and withdrew $20,981 from ATMs.

In Florida Missouri EBT users purchased $84,061 in food, and withdrew $9,737 from ATMs.

In Alaska Missouri EBT users purchased $1,845 in food, and withdrew $465 from ATMs.

I think if I was from the 'Show Me' State, I'd want somebody to SHOW ME why I should kick in to pay $752 just for the ATM charges for these welfare receiving jet setters!!

Now Pilgrims, if this much fraud and abuse is running amok in lil' ole' Missouri, in one month, it boggles the mind to think how many billions and billions of dollars are being swindled in the US Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid systems............. Next time you hear some pencil necked bureaucrat or politician whine about cutting benefit programs to the bone --- think about this article. Better yet -- call or write 'em and tell them to stop the cheating and cut the fat out of the existing programs.!!

If you steal a loaf of bread from your local 7/11 - you go to jail......... these thieves, and that's what they are ---- thieves.... don't even get their ATM cards taken away when they are caught!!!!

Click here for the whole article and short TV clip..

Some random thoughts after a couple days off.....

In the news:

- Army charges Wikileaker soldier with 'aiding the enemy'! That used to be a firing squad offense when I wore a uniform..... now it probably means he doesn't get cable TV in his cell on Sundays.....

- Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, University of Arizona researchers did a nation wide study and found that 72% (that's three carts out of every four, Gomer!) of all shopping carts have discernible amounts of fecal matter on their handles. And you thought those disinfectant wipes they offer were just for sissies.
They added that they found more fecal material on cart handles than in restroom --- the reason they surmise - is that restrooms are disinfected more often than the carts.... Arghhh

- Obamanation dodges contempt of court charge by authorizing one oil driller in the Gulf of Mexico. And the winner is? Duh --- Noble Energy!! You know they are gonna rush in and spend millions with their fingers crossed that he doesn't change him mind again next month.......... I wonder if Noble Energy awards a Noble Energy Prize each February - maybe BO is looking for a bookend??

-What are the odds? Or maybe a better title would be - 'Paranoia or Deja Vu?"

New Zealand traffic officer Andy Flitton cited an unnamed speeder recently for the second time in two years -- 11,000 miles from the spot of the first ticket. Flitton had moved from the U.K. to New Zealand, and unknown to him, the motorist himself had relocated to New Zealand last year. When Flitton stopped the man in Wellington in December 2010, the motorist recognized Flitton as the one who had ticketed him on the A5 highway near London

- And finally, the Gray Lady - the NY Times herself - ran an editorial today crying that the gob'mint is not broke --- they just need to raise taxes ! Duh!!!