11/29/10

Woe Is Me!

By: Nancy Morgan
RightBias.com

This article was first published in AmericanThinker.

In today’s America, feelings have replaced facts as our governing policy. Shame has been relegated to the back of the bus and squeaky wheels have been given the place of honor.

Merit has been replaced by grievance mongers. Accomplishment and material success are vilified as having been attained on the backs of the have-nots. And that’s not fair!

In a rush to attain unearned moral virtue, millions of Americans have bowed to the PC police and advocated issues about which they know nothing in a desperate attempt to appear relevant, compassionate and non-judgmental. Useful idiots reign supreme.

We now see our elected officials on the floor of Congress debating who has come from the most humble background, as they wage a war on those greedy rich people in an effort to show how compassionate they are.

Inconsequential nobodies now have a shot at their 15 minutes of fame, from the attention seeking pastor who threatened to burn the Koran to the (shameful) couple who decided to put the question of whether to kill their fetus to an online vote. And let’s not forget the founder of WikiLeaks, accused rapist Julian Assange, who has put brave lives at risk by his treasonous leak of classified documents.

The media has anointed Julian as a dedicated truth seeker instead of a pathetic former nobody so desperate for fame that he is willing to sacrifice innocent lives. The pastor was rewarded with a new car for not burning the Koran. And the online couple contemplating aborting their child are now somebodies. Finally! No word yet on if the baby will be allowed to live. Stay tuned.

A generation of baby boomers, brought up focused on their rights, as opposed to their responsibilities, have turned their gazes from their own navels to register faux disgust as they publicly opine about the current media anointed bad guys.

“I’m not rich,” they exclaim with pride, secretly pleased that their failure in life’s arena is not their fault any longer. “Those greedy capitalists are to blame.” Whew. It’s not my fault that I’m a loser. And if you dare to call me a loser, you’re being, gasp, judgmental – and everyone knows that’s a no-no.

America is becoming a nation of squeaky wheels. This race to the bottom is a boon to the stupid and lazy among us, as they shrug off the label of loser and adopt the coveted mantle of victim-hood. Thus relieving them of the need to work hard, attain goals and become productive members of society.

But there’s a catch. The “woe is me” template just doesn’t play in Peoria.

Us rubes in flyover country understand that the political, intellectual and educational “elites” who still control and determine the national conversation, are comprised of less than 1% of America’s total population.

We understand that the elite’s template of victim-hood over merit is adopted only by life’s losers. And the majority of Americans aren’t losers.

Like myself, most Americans outside the beltway and away from life in the elite fast lane (the very ones who are paying their bills) still hold fast to traditional values. Values that are continually vilified by the old media. Values like pride of accomplishment, taking care of ourselves and doing the right thing even when no-one is looking. And despite the media sneers, we continue to raise our children to believe in God over man.

For us rubes, respect still has to be earned, and we don’t give points for merely advocating the expenditure of other people’s money on the cause of the day. We rubes have not allowed the elites to redefine our language.

We have nothing but disgust for those who refuse to help themselves and are content to suck on the government teat. And we have only contempt for those among us who have succumbed to the politically correct notion that nothing is ever our fault. (Are you listening, Obama?)

We are ashamed of the notion of dependency and we abhor the concept of victim-hood that is being promoted by our elected officials as they seek media popularity and face time at the expense of their principles and sworn duty. For shame.

Here’s a news flash for those that celebrate victim-hood: You, indeed, are victims. Victims of a political system that seeks to foster dependency in order to accumulate more power. You are victims of a burgeoning grievance industry that seeks profit through promoting misery instead of rewarding virtue.

While the media might comfort you with the notion that you have value and everyone is your equal, the majority of Americans see you for what you are: useful idiots who have chosen the easy path of letting others define you. Weaklings who have willingly adopted standards set by others instead of tackling the much harder task of setting your own. And that is nothing to be proud of – no matter what they say on TV.

Nancy Morgan is a columnist and news editor for conservative news site RightBias.com.
She lives in South Carolina.

11/29/10

Kids and Snowballs

By: T F Stern
T F Stern’s Rantings

Today’s Sunday comic strip, Crankshaft, reminded me of childhood pranks regarding snowballs. I have two memories etched in my mind; neither will get me to Celestial glory, perhaps the proverbial snowballs chance in hell, but not Celestial glory.

When my brother and I were fairly young, we lived on Long Island and took advantage, with reckless abandon, whenever it snowed. We’d hide behind a row of shrubs waiting for the sound of passing cars; quickly tossing a couple of snowballs at the appropriate moment and then took advantage of natural hiding places provided. It was great fun.

One time, we popped up from behind the hedge row and let fly our salvo only to recognize the car we’d randomly targeted turned out to be a police car, the officer’s window rolled down as he patrolled. The moment to run quickly passed; our legs refused to work. The officer put us in the back of his car, drove to our house and handed us over to the warden. Justice has an interesting way of churning out reward. I served twenty years as a police officer.

The other snowball story had to do with a snow fort/wall we’d built in our front yard. Vehicles slowed to turn onto the short street which connected our neighborhood with the adjoining one. It was perfect, a bottle necked canyon like in an old time Western movie; we had them coming or going.

We spotted a fellow slowing down on the slick pavement, his windows down trying to see past a set of windshield wipers that couldn’t keep up with the falling snow. We let a few snowballs fly and hit the mark; his brake lights flashed as he skidded to a halt. Most folks would have chalked it off as “just one of those things” and kept on driving; but when they hit the brakes and tried to chase you down the games got more interesting.

This fellow might have been fired that day, found out his wife was unfaithful or any number of things. He decided to get even with at least one of us as the door flew open, his car left in the middle of the intersection. We took off in all directions; he didn’t stand a chance catching us on our own turf. He was swearing and puffing, puffing and swearing with each belabored stride through drifts of snow while we hid in bushes along the fence line behind our house.

After a while he gave up and plodded slowly back to his car. We thought he needed a little second dose as we let a second volley fly in his direction. He should’ve been ashamed for using that kind of language in front of kids.

This article has been cross-posted to The Moral Liberal, a publication whose banner reads, “Defending The Judeo-Christian Ethic, Limited Government & The American Constitution.”

11/29/10

Some Relevant History – Soviet/Cuban Terror Connections

By: Trevor Loudon
New Zeal

Part of an early 1980s doco on Soviet/Cuban terror links.

Includes cameos from Barack Obama buddies, former Weather Underground terrorists, Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn.

Also an interview with my good friend, former F.B.I. informant inside the W.U.O. Larry Grathwohl.

Larry was pretty handsome back in the day. No wonder those terrorist chicks liked him sooooo much.

Seriously though folks, these networks still exist today and now involve oil rich Venezuela and Middle Eastern terror groups.

These networks are intended to be used, when the time is ripe.

11/29/10

Gratitude Expressed

By: T F Stern
T F Stern’s Rantings

Thanksgiving Day has come and gone; let’s hope our expressions of gratitude extend throughout the year. This morning we heard thought provoking talks which had us consider what our “legacy” would be. Would we be valiant in sharing our testimonies, enough to merit the Spirit touching one soul or many? The closing lesson in today’s meetings centered on a talk given this past General Conference by Thomas S. Monson, The Divine Gift of Gratitude.

Gratitude was taught to me at an early age; a gift from my mother. I once wrote in a collection of thoughts given my own children, “My mother has always elevated any gifts I ever gave her by the manner in which she received those gifts. If I gave her wild flowers picked from the side of a road they were placed in a prominent place in the house for all to see. If I wrote a short story she would praise me for having shared it so well. By her example she has taught me part of what God wants me to know, that to receive a gift properly is as important as the offering of that gift.”

During the week, I’m fortunate to have telephone conversations with my mother, nothing earth shaking or of particular noteworthiness; but important none the less. Mom’s a “non-participating” Episcopalian, a very independent woman if ever there was one; all the same she respects my being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as we agree to disagree on certain doctrinal issues.

This past week, our conversation naturally drifted toward being grateful for our many blessings. I mentioned that like Nephi in the opening line of the Book of Mormon, “I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents…;” it brought tears to her eyes and her voice failed momentarily as my words found a tender place in her heart. In that simple sentence I’d expressed gratitude for the many blessings I’d been shown.

Our family didn’t grow up with an abundance of material things, we weren’t poor; just didn’t have much “stuff.” I was reminded of a time when things were tight and my parents had “too much month at the end of the money.” We children were asked to collect our meager savings; pennies, nickels and dimes from our piggy banks in order to make it through to the next month. Mom choked out her recollection of this event, reminding us that we were eventually paid back every penny borrowed; something which has humbled her to this day as we understood the need to unite as a family.

We were taught the miracle of pea soup; how one batch could last nearly indefinitely. The first night we’d have a small bowl and the remainder was placed in the refrigerator. Over night the miracle happened; the concoction would congeal, so much that large quantities of water had to be added prior to reheating. There would be at least as much pea soup in the container as had been the first day; providing additional meals without the need for additional substance. The scriptures unfolded just as with the loaves and fishes and we were fed.

My folks were products of the Great Depression, something which our own children may have to endure since the lessons of frugality have not been passed from one generation to the next. Each year for Christmas we send my dad a small can of Green Giant Baby Le Sueur Peas, something his family couldn’t afford when he was a young boy. It serves as a reminder; how much value was placed on such a simple commodity at a time when a simple can of peas was considered a luxury. It’s an expression of gratitude for having weathered tough times even when we are no longer stretched to our limits.

Thomas Monson’s admonition to us all:

“My brothers and sisters, to express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven.

As I close this morning, it is my prayer that in addition to all else for which we are grateful, we may ever reflect our gratitude for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His glorious gospel provides answers to life’s greatest questions: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where do our spirits go when we die? That gospel brings to those who live in darkness the light of divine truth.

He taught us how to pray. He taught us how to live. He taught us how to die. His life is a legacy of love. The sick He healed; the downtrodden He lifted; the sinner He saved…

… Let us follow Him. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His words. By so doing, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude.

My sincere, heartfelt prayer is that we may in our individual lives reflect that marvelous virtue of gratitude. May it permeate our very souls, now and evermore. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, amen.”

This article has been cross-posted to The Moral Liberal, a publication whose banner reads, “Defending The Judeo-Christian Ethic, Limited Government & The American Constitution.”

11/29/10

Financial News Update – 11/29/10

Lower-court rulings pose threat to health care law (Virginia judge can shut down Commiecare™!) (Hat Tip: Jean Stoner)

Bogle: European Debt Crisis Can Quickly Infect US Markets

San Jose: Employee charged with creating, selling Social Security cards (Hat Tip: Jean Stoner)

Hungary takes aim at [seizing] private pension funds (Hat Tip: Jean Stoner)

Union Drops Health Coverage for Workers’ Children (SEIU) (Hat Tip: Jean Stoner)

Union Drops Health Coverage for Workers’ Children (Hat Tip: Jean Stoner)

It’s no time to stop weeding the weed (minion of George Soros in Australia) (Hat Tip: Jean Stoner)

Labor facing disaster in three states (Australia turns right) (Hat Tip: Jean Stoner)

Chinese Exchanges Hike Margins On Virtually All Commodities In (Temporary) Attempt To Cool Surging Prices (Hat Tip: Jean Stoner)

Napolitano Halts Shipment of Packages from Japan as Prelude to Civilian ‘Shipper’ ID Lockdown (Hat Tip: Jean Stoner)

Life on the Farm: What SB510 “The Food “Safety” Modernization Act” Means to YOU (Hat Tip: Brian B.)

EU’s Irish Rescue Fails to Stem Contagion; Spain Bonds Drop

Obama Proposes Two-Year Federal Worker Pay Freeze

Mutual Fund Ties to Probe May Prolong Withdrawals

Return of Estate Tax Looms as Impediment to Extending Tax Cuts

U.S. Stocks Drop as Concerns Grow About European Debt Crisis

U.S. Seizes Websites, Alleges Counterfeit-Goods Sales

Spain Is `Big Elephant’ in Room After Ireland, Roubini Says

Portugal, Spain Debt Risk Soars to Records on Bailout Concern

Wal-Mart International CEO Sees China, Brazil Deals

Dairy Farmers Miss Boom Amid Milk Glut, Feed-Cost Surge

Senate set to vote on rigorous food safety bill (Hat Tip: Brian B.)

Farmers told to be ready for drought – National – NZ Herald News (Hat Tip: Brian B.)

Inflation Bell Tolling for China?

Bets Against Europe Unlikely to Lose

Another food crisis on the horizon (Hat Tip: Brian B.)

Obama Pitches Pay Freeze to Trim Debt

Job-Based Health Benefits Facing the Ax?

Cancun ‘climate change’ summit: Scientists call for rationing in developed world

REPORT: Stimulus Exempted Big Polluters From Environmental Oversight

Silver Prices Surging on Near-Record Demand

PENTAGON CONSIDERS HEALTHCARE FEE INCREASE FOR MILITARY

WSJ Blames Gold Prices on Trade Council

Pretty Soon We Need To Start Talking About Italy

The Dark Side To Putin’s Push For Free Trade With Europe

Check Out Photos Of The Incredible Anti-Austerity Student Riots In… ITALY

The Fiscal Trap (Hat Tip: Brian B.)

The Dangers of a ‘Sustainable Community’ (Hat Tip: Jean Stoner)

Obama Kabuki: President Freezes Pay For Federal Employees Who Make Twice As Much As Private Sector

Claire McCaskill: The Stimulus, TARP and Auto Bailouts Were “Wildly Successful” (Video) She’s clearly delusional and most likely just plain evil…

Silver: The Best Commodity Investment in a Stimulus-Driven Slow Recovery (Hat Tip: Jean Stoner)

Morning Bell: Just Another WikiLeak On An Already Sinking Ship

The Importance of Ryan-Rivlin

After the Freeze: Real Reforms Toward Fair Federal Pay

Ireland – New World Order (Hat Tip: Jean Stoner)

Heads up: Federal Farming Power Grab Scheduled for Senate Vote Today (Hat Tip: Jean Stoner)

The Easiest $5-Million Job in the World (Guess which industry pays loan officers that much money) (Hat Tip: Jean Stoner)

Activist Post: 6 Reasons To Start World War III If You Are A Globalist (Hat Tip: Brian B.)

9 Shocking Examples Of Black Friday Violence – Is This A Foretaste Of The Economic Riots We Can Expect When The Financial System Collapses?

New Dem. Whip Hoyer Says Pay Freeze Should Include Military

Obama’s Federal Employee Pay Freeze Will Last 2 Years, Save $5 Billion

‘12 Days of Christmas’ Items’ Costs Rise 10.8 Percent to Nearly $100,000

Fiscal Responsibility? Official Says Obama Will Freeze Federal Employee Pay

How Congress’ Tax-Cut Decision May Affect Economy

SurvivalBlog:

Seven Towns Where Land is Free

IMF’s Dominique Strauss-Kahn wants fiscal and reform powers given to Europe

Debt commission co-chairman predicts ‘bloodbath’.

Are Expert Networks About To Be Exposed As The Ringleader In The Biggest Insider Trading Bust In History?

Another step closer to Mad Max?

Save The Dollar, Not The Fed

The Unemployed Need Help!

Federal Unemployment Benefits Set To Expire

US Military War Gaming for Large Scale Economic Breakdown and Civil Unrest

The latest official CPI figure: 0.2%. Yeah, right… (After some masterful hedonic adjustments and excluding “volatile” food and fuel–things that matter the most to consumers.)

Reader P.T.R. notes: “I noticed that I needed to re-stock some Tang [freeze-dried orange juice powder]. At the store, I noted that it’s now sold in a larger container, so I thought ‘they’re trying to sell more product — the Large Economy Size ploy’. It wasn’t until I got home and compared it to a canister That I had purchased a couple of years back that I saw the real differences. The old container held 12.3 oz, and is labeled ‘Makes 8 Quarts’. The new Tang container, as I said, is larger: net weight is 20 oz, (60% larger) but it reads ‘Makes 6 Quarts’. In addition, the old product contained calcium and several vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin A, and three B vitamins), while the new product only lists the vitamin C and calcium ingredients. Can you say ‘Cheap Fill’?”

German Inflation Accelerates More Than Economists Forecast

Long-time content contributor Chad S. sent this: People trampled at Target store as Black Friday mob rushes in. Chad’s comment: “I just saw this story, Jim. Can you imagine how bad this would be in a Schumer-hits-the-fan scenario, when people actually need stuff?”