Memorial Day & open mic

My father passed away a few months back.  Still feeling the loss.  He had his first heart attack in his 40′s and waged a pretty good fight for over 30 years.  Neither he or I ever served, but we both shared a love of our country and the price many have paid for our freedom.  I think there is a difference between honoring the soldiers and honoring the wars.  Did we have to fight in all of them, Korea, Nam, Bush’s or Obama’s?  I think no, but I don’t think anybody has been able to give a clear answer.  Did we have to fight the Revolutionary War?  Maybe things would be better if we were still an English colony?  But don’t look at Canada or Australia, the freedom GIVEN to them came after the war we fought.  A war fought for Independence.  WW1 I think we could have avoided, and that might have prevented WW2.  WW2 I think we had to enter that fight, Germany proved modern weapons backed by the will of a madman, it is possible to conquer the world.

But this holiday is not about the wars, curse them all.  It’s about the patriots who put their lives on the line for a belief that what was achieved by our war for independence was worthwhile.  That even today, freedom is worth the cost they personally pay.  Remember the Hero’s

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1kaXpnJD-0

The Plan… from Common Man

Good Evening Everyone! Tonight I am posting an article from Common Man. Admittedly this has been sitting here in my inbox for a bit. CM was out of town for a bit and then once he returned, I was so tied up with work I didn’t even think about it for a week! But now I share his article with all of you. His work days are pretty busy these days so he may not be able to comment much during the day, but he will he checking in when he can. So enjoy…

Wednesday open mic

Looks like we could us a blank page.  Was looking for a topic to start with, it’s humpday!  Would like to cancel Thursday and Friday…  Came across an article on the Stimulus, remember Obama decrying the need to stimulate the economy?  Anyone else feel like they’ve been screwed?

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/investigations/Stimulus-Grants-Fund-Erectile-Dysfunction-And-Sexual-Habits-Studies-151195105.html

North Carolina Shows Its Ass…. Again

Well, as a resident of the above mentioned tar heel state, I find myself this evening feeling a bit dirty, like someone spilled oil on me that I can’t get off. There have been times in my past that I wasn’t proud of “where I come from, ” and this is another. As some of you know, I grew up in a rather smallish mountain town (NOT South Park) in Pennsylvania. I wasn’t proud of it, but as I grew older, I became less embarrassed by it and now find that I am proud of where I grew up. Several years ago (11, in fact) I moved back to North Carolina. I had lived in NC for many years in the military and wasn’t thrilled about the idea of coming back here 11 years ago. But I have changed in that as well. I love living in North Carolina. It is a great state filled with good people.

TGIF openMic

Partisan

In politics, a partisan is a committed member of a political party. In multi-party systems, the term is widely understood to carry a negative connotation – referring to those who wholly support their party’s policies and are perhaps even reluctant to acknowledge correctness on the part of their political opponents in almost any situation. Partisanship can be affected by many factors including current events, figureheads (presidents), decisions, and even location.

In the United States,  “partisan” has come to refer to an individual with a psychological identification with one or the other of the major parties.

Follow the Leader

I think most of us have been waiting and watching for Greece to fall.  I admit to being gullible from time to time, just like Charlie Brown I fall for the media blowing up an issue into a catastrophe.  But on Greece and the Euro, I feel confidant there is a real story, not just media hype.  For one thing, Flag has mostly agreed  it is a big deal.  And then we are told about all the other countries near default.  But first, a close look at Greece.

Reason Vs. Emotion

I grew up with a very logical father whom I adore(d). That, combined with some natural brain wiring has always made me prefer the logical side of the mind. Still, I always had more empathy than my dad, and I discovered it made a huge difference in life. We are not an island, it is good to have some ability to interact with others on an emotional level. I went through some very bad sections of my life, however, that were characterized by my total abandon of reason in favor of emotion and feeling. Every time I have allowed myself to lead totally with my emotions, despite my logical side, I have always ended up in trouble, turmoil, etc., be it psychological, financial, or some combination.

Voter ID Does NOT Equal Disenfranchisement

I saw this discussion going on here at SUFA during the day yesterday and decided I would wade into these waters with my own thoughts. I won’t spend hours writing, but I will simply offer up what I think and allow the debate to grow from there. There were some who claimed that voter fraud wasn’t as rampant as reported. I am unable to prove that claim right or wrong, although I think that it is clear that there are cases of voter fraud out there. Do they have a significant impact? I think that they can. I also think that in certain races and certain voting precincts that there have been those who fully exploited the system to create a big enough impact. But I will focus only on the concept that has been put forth, primarily by the Democrat party, that to require ID at the voting booth disenfranchises the poor. I find this to be an utterly ridiculous claim. And here is why…

Because It’s Offensive to be Thought Stupid

Greetings SUFA. I have a theory that I would like to present regarding political discourse in America and the bitter divide that exists between so many Americans and further between Americans and the politicians that are supposed to represent them. I made the following claim some time back to Charlie Stella: “I believe the primary reason that people seeking some sort of social justice like you have thus far failed in your quest, is that you continue to use irrational logic and emotional appeal in your claims, while calling us names and treating us like we are stupid for having a different belief.” I am going to attempt to expand on that statement and make my case regarding this theory. I look forward to the thoughts any of you may add.

Screw John Calipari….

First let me say congratulations to the Kentucky Wildcats. They are a great example of what happens when you put five guys on the floor who should be playing in the NBA against a team that has a player or two who may end up there (at least one, Robinson, will). I don’t hold any ill will towards these kids. They are 19 year olds who were handed a National Championship because they are talented (6 guys on the team headed to the NBA).

I don’t really respect the win, however. It is kind of like what the NBA has become with all these teams creating “super teams” by having superstars get together like Miami, LA, Boston, and NY have done. It isn’t all that impressive to win a championship when you get to have all the best players on your team. This is much the same way I felt about the NY Yankees for so many years. Unfortunately, my Red Sox and some other teams have joined them in compiling superstars to compete with teams that can’t afford any. Realistically, the Sox, Yanks, Tigers, Phillies and others who adhere to this tactic should be embarrassed every time they don’t win a championship (which is why I still say the Yankees are the biggest losers in baseball…. Highest team salary in the game and not nearly enough rings to show for it). 

Open Mic

A Few Trayvon Martin Thoughts

This seems to be getting so much air time these days and the folks on one side of the issue are using it as an excuse to make all kinds of demands. Let me say up front that what happened to this young man was a tragedy. If the facts as we know them stand, George Zimmerman should go to jail for a very, very long time. Will he or won’t he? Hard to say. I believe that in the end, justice will prevail in this case. I guess the real question is whether justice would have prevailed if people hadn’t screamed loud enough to basically force outside looks into how the Sanford PD was handling this case. With all that said, I offer my thoughts on what happened, hoodies, the resulting “movement”, and the Stand Your Ground law…

The Sky is Falling! Everyone Vote!

I often point to history to discredit doomsayers, support arguments, and generally vet various arguments and statements. In the interest of consistency, I have to call out the “this is the most important election ever” crowd, and even more so, the “defeat Obama at all costs” crowd. Is the sky really falling? Is it really the most important, life-or-death-level election ever? Will the country really not survive another four years of this administration? Is reactionary voting the right idea? Does that really work? Is the “most electable” guy really worth having? Will it really be any better? These questions, and more, must be asked and answered. So here goes.

My Bad

America needs someone to blame.  Our president has been very vocal about how big oil is exploiting us making unethical profits.  I think I remember him saying they get some 4 billion in subsidies.  That would be tax credits?  Subsidies are something else.  But his point, big oil and the price consumers pay, and that “F” word, fair.  So he is pointing his finger at big oil and I’m coming out of the closet on this, it’s me.

I don’t work for an oil company but I do have IRA/401K and own about $10K of oil stock direct. (http://hollyfrontier.com/)  Wife of Illusion picked it, just to give fair credit.  But it was easier to find info on the evil ExxonMobil, so let’s take a look at them.  Last year they paid out 29 billion to stockholders.  The largest type of stock-owners for them is from pension funds, 31%.  (Everybody hum, “look for, the union label”)  Well that makes me feel better!  Obama wants to cut into big oil profits and reduce what the unions earn with their pension plans (has he told them this plan yet?).  Oh well, works for me since I’m not a union fan by any means.  But first, lets look at some of their numbers.

The Atomic Bomb…..Was it Necessary in 1945

There is no secret that the Atomic Bomb was used on two Japanese cities in WWII. Some say it was the end of the war and some say it was not necessary. Some say that without the United States “forcing” Japan to war, it would not have been necessary. There are theories on both sides of the isle making the claim that they are correct. But the more important question is how has the nuclear age changed the world and is it a necessary deterrent. But since it was used on Japan first and last (so far), why was it used and what effect did it have? Did Japan deserve such? Could it have been avoided? It has been widely believed that the United States forced Japan into the war. I do not subscribe to that theory but let us delve into some facts.

Open Mic

Kathysays:

March 2, 2012 at 12:25 am

Want to watch and listen to some great comedy? Look for the Georgetown law student’s testimony in front of congress about how the poor co-eds can’t afford to pay for contraception. How the hell have we gotten to this point? I’m just plain embarrassed for her.

Then, the best part, is listening to Rush’s follow-up. Apparently yesterday he made the charge that since this woman Fluk wanted to be paid for having sex, she was really a prostitute – tongue in cheek analogy to get the masses fired up like he often does.

Whoa, did he get the liberal women howling – hilarious! He plays clips from a few “outraged” lib women on this horrific thing he has done, including one from the ever intelligent Sheila Jackson Lee.

Watched it earlier, but I’ll look again for the links.

No More Parties for Me, This is Serious

I have left the Libertarian Party.  No, I have not left because I have changed my political position or philosophy, I have left because I realized a big part of the problem with our representative democracy is political parties themselves.  For a long time I have been voting third party, knowing that the current political parties are both corrupt, and are scarcely different in any important way. My line of thinking was that a vote for a third party was a vote against the status quo and a vote for someone who’s political leanings were far more close to my own than what was being offered by the two mainstream parties. I often was criticized for “wasting my vote”, and not employing strategy by not supporting a party that had a chance to win. I always argued that a vote for the status quo was a waste since, at best, it was a vote for the lesser of two evils, guaranteeing the perpetuation of evil among our representatives.

Headed into an Abyss

I wrote an article a while back on Iran and was thinking of publishing it to see if there was any interest.  Lo and behold, the Colonel has Iran on his mind.  Will lead with his thoughts and post my article as a comment.

My President?

Ok, I’m a WASP.  Most of you know me as the racist, sexist homophobic LOI, but surprisingly I have some LIBERAL friends.  And Oh what a contrast there is on my facebook page.  I haven’t responded yet, and may not anytime.  My first thought was negative, second, third, fifth, well, I have few positive thoughts about our Commander-in-Chief.  But when I finally stepped back, I have to admit what appears to be a janitor getting a fist bump from THE President, well that is kinda cool.  For him.  The janitor.  And maybe for African-Americans as a whole.  Here it is MLK’s day.  How many years did it seem having a black man for president was strange fiction just like putting a man on the moon?  But then we did reach the moon, so whats another good analogy?

Open Mic

Some Explanations are In Order…

Greetings SUFA! I know, you are wondering who is this stranger and why is he acting as if he knows us. But it is me. I am still alive. I figured that it was about time that I forced myself to sit down and offer some explanations as to why you haven’t seen very much of me over the last few months. I do honestly feel bad about it. Here I went and created this site and after three years of ranting and arguing, I up and practically disappear on you. There are several realities that have contributed to this and I am hoping to fill you all in on them today. I will also discuss the future of SUFA towards the end so that we can begin figuring out how to handle these new realities. Because what I don’t want to happen is for SUFA to go away. I believe that somehow breaking through the lack of critical thinking barrier that so many Americans are stuck behind is still way too important to give up now.

War with Iran

I re-post this here so to solicit comments and discussions about the topic.

After reading this piece – a piece that I am in great agreement with – I am very disturbed.

Rozeff articulates in this essay parts of  my Theory of Hegemony, where I suggest that it is always the actions of the Hegemonic power that is the causation to political events and not the Weaker power – the Weaker power always and only can react to the actions of the Hegemonic power, and cannot be the cause.

RIP Joe

More Open mic

How’s That Government Meddling Workin’ Out for Ya’?

By Richard N. Weltz

Back in the heyday of the old Soviet Union an agricultural commissar from the Ukraine was summoned to the Agricultural Ministry in Moscow to report on the year’s potato crop. “Ah, Comrade Minister,” said the commissar, beaming, “If all the potatoes harvested this year were put into a single pile, it would reach to the feet of God.”

“What!” exclaimed the minister, “you know that in Communism there is no God.”

“Also,” sighed the commissar, “in the Ukraine is no potatoes.”

Read more: http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/01/hows_that_government_meddling_workin_out_for_ya.html#ixzz1jLrPHuYF

JAC’s Blank Page

Sounded more interesting than open mic….

It Couldn’t Be Because You Suck….

Another day, another claim from a Democrat that opposition to someone is surely based on the fact that they are not white. Eric Holder, embattled Attorney General, gave an interview to the New York Times. I read the interview and was utterly shocked (sarcasm mode activated) to find that he believes the criticism of his actions while Attorney General are based on the fact that he is black. I don’t want to make this about Democrats and Republicans, but this has been, overwhelmingly, a tactic employed by the Obama administration and the Democrats over and over again throughout the last three years. And it isn’t going to stop until they face the backlash that they should face for it.

Merry Christmas to All

Hello all my SUFA friends and family!!  I imagine that you have all assumed that I dropped off of a cliff and some of the regulars are taking the time to build a workable robot to replace me. You would think that with the Black Flag computer program we would already have the initially planning completed! The truth is that I have been extremely busy over the last month or two. I owe a great debt for LOI and others who have realistically been the voice and heart of SUFA when I have been unable to. I cannot promise that my schedule will let up just yet, but I do have a few things to say…

Open Mic, Chapter 7

Atonement, Quotas and Self-Destruction

Looking back, we discover that most societies have at one time disadvantaged some of their constituent groups. This could happen by ignoring them, by denying their potential, or by active discrimination. If discrimination, negative, or positive is proven, then democratic principles demand rectification.

http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/4883

Happy Hanukkah!

The eight-day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah or Chanukah commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt. Hanukkah, which means “dedication” in Hebrew, begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar and usually falls in November or December. Often called the Festival of Lights, the holiday is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah, traditional foods, games and gifts.