The Holy Innocents

Sandy Hook Elementary School, December 14, 2012, Massacre of the Innocents

Bethlehem, 2012 years ago, Massacre of the Innocents

This Friday, the Catholic Church honors the Feast Day of the Holy Innocents.  On that day, the Church remembers King Herod's diabolical massacre of the small children in Bethlehem who resembled in age and sex the newborn King and infant boy, Jesus Christ.  It has been written that 20 very young boys were murdered by the barbaric Herod. Infanticide carried out on the basis of "mistaken identity."  On that day, innocence was lost and martyrs were made.

In 2012, two weeks ago, another act of immoral barbarism was committed upon the very young by a madman. 20 boys and girls, mostly first graders, of ages 6 and 7, were murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut.  Another six adults were also were murdered.  On that day again, innocence was lost and martyrs were made.

As the peace of Bethlehem was shattered that day by the cries of the slaughtered and of their weeping mothers, so too, the peace of Sandy Hook School was shattered by unfathomable madness and evil.

"Jesus Christ was slain and the peace of the world was shattered by the single cry from the cross. Yet through that death and mourning, peace was reborn, indestructible now, in the Resurrection of the slain Christ."

May the grieved families of the taken innocents today receive the many graces of the "Resurrection of the slain Christ."

May God bless those little children, brave adults and their surviving families.

Merry Christmas 2012

Fresco of the Nativity of the Birth of Jesus, by Giotto in 1306, Arena Chapel, Padua, Italy

"Try to imagine what I gave up when I came into your world as a baby.  I set aside My Glory, so that I could identify with mankind.  I accepted the limitations of infancy under the most appalling conditions - a filthy stable. That was a dark night for Me, even though angels lit up the sky proclaiming 'Glory!' to awe-struck shepherds."  Jesus Calling on December 25

Merry Christmas and Feliz Navidad to you and your families.

California taxin'

Albert Pujols, St. Louis to Anaheim, $240MILLION, 10 years
California State Income Tax bill  = $32MILLION

Dwight Howard, Orlando to Los Angeles, $20MILLION, 1 year
California State Income Tax Bill  = $2.7MILLION

Zach Greinke, Texas to Los Angeles, $147MILLION, 6 years 

California State Income Tax Bill  = $19.6MILLION

Josh Hamilton, Texas to Anaheim, $125MILLION, 5 years
California State Income Tax Bill  = $16.7MILLION 

Governor of California Jerry Brown, the tax man cometh
State of California Tax Revenue from four people above = $71MILLION

Not so long ago on a planet far different from the one today, the thought of raising taxes was a death sentence for any politician, particularly, one running for president.

The fear of a tax increase was so palpable to the electorate in 1988,  Republican nominee for president, George H.W. Bush #41, uttered these famous words at the Republican National Convention to quell the nation's fears, "Read my lips, no new taxes."  Bush won that election on that promise.  However in two years, he broke his own pledge, raised taxes to combat the deficit and was publicly pilloried coast to coast.

Enter Bill Clinton in 1992, the Democratic nominee for president.  Bush lost his re-election because of what Clinton phrased as Bush's "untrustworthiness" for breaking his own promise of no new taxes and Bush was booted out of office with some help from third party diluter Ross Perot.

Fast forward to today.  Oh, how the planet has changed.

In the last election cycle, President Barack Obama and California Governor Jerry Brown campaigned on what used to be political suicide, raising taxes.  Both Obama and Brown flatly stated that new higher taxes were needed for the governments to function and for the entitlements to continue period.  Against a painful backdrop of an anemic economy, they both won on that blanket tax dictum with no mention of specific spending cuts.

Obama won a second term and Brown won with the passing of his new revenue pet Proposition 30 insuring higher taxes.  So in a span of 20 years, the thought of raising taxes on the populace which was an anathema to a center right American citizenry changed to a righteous hip center left culture of today that paying "our fair share is the right thing to do."

Specifically, on the state level, California's money cash flow woes are very serious due to generational political incompetence and malfeasance in Sacramento. Shockingly,  California's debt is $400BILLION.  California's scale of debt is similar to Greece debt size.  Greece is done.  California is on the ropes. How to keep California breathing? "Raise taxes", says Jerry.  And Jerry implied, 'if you don't raise taxes, California will not have enough money in its coffers to do most anything for the public good.' Terrified voters bought the message.

In California, the new tax increase retroactive to 2012 are stunningly onerous. The newly passed Prop 30 increases state taxes on the wealthy by 30% to 13.3% from 10.3%.  State sales tax and local taxes will rise to 10% plus or minus for all citizens.  California now has the dubious distinction of being the most heavily taxed state in the country surpassing the old standard bearer of statehood fiscal irresponsibility, New York.

Astonishingly, the recent megastar signing events in California have given much needed oxygen to Jerry and his Sacramento spenders and looters.  The four major athletes pictured above have all signed humungous contracts to move from tax friendly states to the most hostile tax grabbing state in the country.  These four men and their agents are either the most clueless businessmen on earth or they like the geography and weather of SoCal so much that paying Jerry a major surcharge is "the right thing to do" to call Cali home.  Or, maybe they just found out about Cali's exorbitant taxes and cost of living and that's why none of them are smiling.  Oops.

Needless to say with this sudden infusion of revenue,  Jerry is in full downward dog repose...with a wide Mr. Burns grin. Christmas came early.

In closing, let me get this right.  Josh Hamilton just left Texas that has zero state income tax for tax crazy California. He will gross $25MILLION his first year of a five year deal with the Angels. His tax bill in 2013 will be 40% Federal, 3.8% Obamacare surcharge and 13.3 % State of California income tax on that $25MIL.  That equates to a total tax bill for his first year in sunny SoCal of $14.275MILLION.  Josh nets $10.725MIL.  Not bad in a lousy economy.

Sacramento and DC thanks Mr Moreno, 'the feeling crummy of oneself' spendthrift owner of the Angels, for helping "level the playing field" (no pun intended).

Now that raising taxes are cool and in, what's next? Eating brussel sprouts enhances one's sex life.  No way!

Take Five Forever

Dave Brubeck at 2009 Monterey Jazz festival at age 89.

Dave Brubeck, 45, in 1965 among his young admirers.

Today, the jazz world and the greater music world lost a true legend in the art of composing and performing on the piano, Dave Brubeck. Brubeck, 92, died of heart failure in Norwalk, Connecticut.

The self-proclaimed "composer who plays the piano" traveled the world for over 60 plus years with a sound and an artistry that transcended the jazz genre and appealed to music lovers of all stripes. His seminal piece, Take Five, written by the brilliant alto saxophonist, Paul Desmond, and arranged by Brubeck, sits equally amidst such jazz piece heavyweights as John Coltrane's, A Love Supreme, and Miles Davis's, Kinda Blue.

I was lucky enough to hear Brubeck several times at the Monterey Jazz Festival.  In fact, Brubeck was one of the founding musicians behind the longest continuous running jazz festivals in the world, MJF.  Brubeck always delivered the goods and with that trademark joyful smile of his.  He made music which made his audience happy and made himself delirious with joy.  He truly loved his art. And for that, we all loved him.

Brubeck was born in Northern California into a musical family. His mother taught piano.  His brothers were both musicians.  Brubeck enrolled at the University of Pacific with an interest in veterinary science. But quickly changed his major to music.

After graduating from college in 1942,  Brubeck was drafted in the Army.  It was this moment of time that changed his life's path.  He met Desmond in the Army which furthered his love of and talent for music, and as they say "the rest is history." 

In 1959, Desmond and Brubeck collaborated in producing Take Five.  Desmond with his restrained white "cool school" saxophone style melded with Brubeck's riff-like block chords created this timeless masterpiece we enjoy today, 53 years later.  With it's truly renegade (at that time) quintuple time 5/4, hence the name Take Five, Desmond and Brubeck gave us all something to cherish in forever time. 

After listening to this piece, can you imagine these two cool cats together in the same barracks in the Army?

RIP Dave Brubeck.

Have a laugh or two this Thanksgiving

Here are a few classic lines from the comedic personalities past and present on Thanksgiving:

"My cooking is so bad my kids thought Thanksgiving was to commemorate Pearl Harbor."
Phyliss Diller

"Thanksgiving dinners take 18 hours to prepare.  They are consumed in 15 minutes.  Football half times take 15 minutes.  This is no coincidence."
Erma Bombeck

"The turkey that President Obama will pardon this Thanksgiving is from California. The turkey said, I don't need a pardon.  I need a job."
Conan O'Brien

"Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday.  People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year.  And discover once a year is way too often."
Johnny Carson

Wherever you may be on this fine day of Thanksgiving have fun, laugh and make someone else laugh amidst it all. For laughter is key in this world.

And think about and rejoice for all of our multitudinous blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Most Beautiful Race on the Planet

Why do we run? For 9,000 reasons.

Honeymooners take first place for both men's and women's divisions.

This past Sunday, my family and 9,000 of our closest friends, ran along the Monterey Coast in the 10th Annual Big Sur Half Marathon.  The weatherman predicted a cold rain but the good Lord thought otherwise.  We were blessed with warm air, sunny skies and no wind.  A runners delight.  All this set against a backdrop of  incomparable beauty and a restless sea. It could not have been better for the runners but it was truly magical for two very elite athletes.

For the first time in modern day running history, methinks, a husband and wife won their respective divisions in the same long distance race.  Arizonans Ben Bruce, 30, and his wife, Stephanie Rothstein-Bruce, 29, won first place in both the men's and women's division.  At one point, I saw Ben cruising at top speed with three Kenyons in hot pursuit on his tail.  At mile 9, Ben had a healthy lead over the Kenyons but was still concerned. "Even when I got the big lead, I was wondering, are they coming back on me? You feel hurt, too.  It just becomes a matter of hanging on from there."  Boy, did Ben hang on and beat the tireless Kenyons.  Impressive. His time was 1:04:45.  A shade under 5 minutes a mile.  First place for men.

His wife, Stephanie, was equally impressive.  I saw Stephanie motoring back to the finish line in pure chettah stride. Her body was and is a finely tuned machine with every muscle in concert with one goal...to go really fast.  A lovely athletic motion to witness. She finished the race with a personal best time of 1:12:19. A shade under 6 minutes a mile.  First place for women.

And that's not all regarding the husband and wife dual victory on Sunday past.  You ready for this?  They were on their HONEYMOON!!!  Forget Cancun.  Forget Hawaii.  Forget Bahamas.  'Babe, let's run a marathon together...and win the darn thing on our honeymoon. OK.' Incidentally, they both won $3000 each for first place and guess where they are headed next?  To run in the Honolulu Marathon next month. Now those are some runnin' foos!

Congrats to Bruce and Stephanie and I hope you have a very happy life together. And major props for all of us runners who gutted it out and rode in on Ben and Stephanie's wake. It was a spectacular race and an astonishing accomplishment for the entire field of runners.

Everybody won that day.

See you next year.

"stupid is as stupid does"

Would you hire this guy to run your company?  Probably not.  So why is he governing over the largest economy in the world (for now) for a second term? Because we're stupid.

President Obama stunningly won a second term as President of the United States this past Tuesday.   With a lot of help from his loyal friends:  students, blacks, Hispanics, women, left wing radicals and an ever-growing number of government largesse receivers, Obama narrowly defeated Governor Mitt Romney by 2% points 50-48.  How?  Regardless of his pathetic four year record as president, simply, Obama again proved to be more rockstar likeable, an expert campaigner and an effective demagogue against the richer than Croesus but boring as burnt toast, Romney. Welcome to American Idol, White House edition.

Romney and the Republican braintrust should have seen this coming long before this past Tuesday. A wealthy boringly normal 1% Republican guy or gal does not have a chance against a self-professed "liberal warrior idol" for the middle class on today's unsavory and angry political stage.  One can't buy any office anymore much less the presidency. Want proof? Cue up super rich Meg Whitman's failed run for Governor in the State of California two years ago.  She was trounced by Governor Moonbeam and he who sleeps on the floor, septuagenarian (74 years old) Jerry Brown. (Incidentally, the odd Brown is the perfect gov for the failed state of Cali.)

Romney was painted fictitiously by the Obamanistas as another rich capitalist who exploited the middle class.  'How dare he succeed in Obama's America at the expense of all of us regular folk', was the nationwide murmur by the other side all the way into and out of the voting booth.

Obama, the black everyman, whose cunning heart beats for the downtrodden middle class of all colors, waged a full frontal relentless assault against the wealthy, successful, white businessman, Romney.  While Romney promised jobs and an opportunity for work to those 23 million supposedly in need, Obama promised everything but jobs and a repudiation of everything Romney represented.  And the foolish 50% American electorate swallowed that class warfare claptrap by the incumbent...hook, line and sinker.

Mitt lost for three reasons:  one, he was too financially successful (a new negative in the USA) which Obama exploited to his advantage; two, he was too decent to the incumbent particularly on the Benghazi murders; and, three, Obama's likeability proved to be more important to many voters than his record.  Other factors may have played a part, such as: Hurricane Sandy which stalled Romney's surge a week before election Tuesday,  Romney's fluid position on issues, and, frankly, an electorate that is about as smart as a box of buttons and as gullible as a third grade class. Nonetheless, it was the third point which ultimately proved to be the most powerful force against Romney, that is, Obama's likeability.  Simply, Obama appeared to be more likeable and not stereotypical of the angry black man. That one stark contrast swayed people of all stripes.

 "So why is Obama so likeable?  It's a way for people to say that even when they don't approve of what he does, they still appreciate the fact that Obama isn't Jesse Jackson or  Al Sharpton.  White Americans will always take a bargainer over a challenger. Consequently, there is an unspoken force drawing Obama forward, and this makes him much harder to beat at the ballot box than a white Democrat who might be identical to him in all other aspects.  This is something Obama's opponents must always keep in mind.  They must figure out how to give people permission to vote against Obama: if they cannot do this, they will never defeat him."                                                                                      Dinesh D'Souza, Obama's America.

Regrettably, Romney's hopeful message of American exceptionalism, jobs and a plan to revive an anemic economy fell on many deaf ears.  Those simple truths were not enough of a reason to vote against the "Likeable One" in office. Romney did not "figure out how to give people permission to vote against Obama." As a consequence, he lost to a very vulnerable opponent. Obama played "rope-a-dope" while Romney punched himself out.

So, as Forrest Gump said, "stupid is as stupid does."  America just got a whole lot more stupid this past week in front of the whole astonished world.

As a result of Tuesday's outcome, our landlord, China, is gleefully grinning ear to ear and our dogged enemy, Islamic terrorists, are high fiving each other in caves around the globe. For nary a shot being fired nor a bomb dropped, America is defeating itself from within....vote by vote.

The Believer

Will this man, Mitt Romney, Governor of Massachusetts, businessman, philanthropist and family man be the 45th President of the United States of America next week?  If the below groups have their say and come out en masse for Romney, he will defeat President Barack Obama and win the crown.  Here's the TWW's non-scientific totally subjective list of Romney's main twenty constituencies:

1. The Married Moms. Mothers young and old are very concerned about the economy and have not bought into the liberal lie of conservatives waging war on women.  These Moms are raising kids and worried about their kids future more so than free birth control in Obamacare. 10 million heroic voters.  100% voter turnout.

2. Working White Males. Buddies. Bros. Dudes. Sons.  Dads. Whatever you call them, they are fed up with Obama.  These men remain grounded with real concerns, like jobs, balancing checkbooks every month quite unlike their federal government.  They want Obama and his ilk OUT. 10 million disgusted voters.  100% voter turnout.

3.  The Military. From the cadets at West Point to the grunts in war theatres around the globe, they are worried about their commander-in-chief Obama.  Does c-i-c Obama have their back?  Benghazi answered that question. 5 million strong and brave voters.  100% voter turnout.

4.   Small Business Owners.  The greatest job creators in the country. These middle class warriors have endured four years of stagnation, fear and worry about the future.  They haven't hired or expanded because of Obama's failed policies and unknown future costs.  They are fired up.  10 million energized voters.  100% voter turnout.

5. The Capitalists.  The wealth makers in the country not only for themselves but for those who work for them.  Their trillions await on the sidelines until Obama is gone before they unleash the greatest infusion of capital into the country that the USA has ever witnessed. With billionaire fingers crossed and 100,000 voters.  100% voter turnout.

6. Tea Partiers.  Everyday people who want their country back from the moochers and the takers.  They have completely changed the political landscape in this country.  Want proof? Cue up the 2010 midterm elections.  They dished out a "shellacking" to Obama gained House control and still Obama didn't get the message and learn how to get along with the opposition. They are powerful, well funded, organized and civil.  Oh, did I mention rabid? 10 million voters.  100% voter turnout.

7.  The Faithful.  Those who believe in a Being larger than government have been holding vigils around the country for months that Obama is defeated.  Prayer is powerful when all else fails.  God's probably saying "enough already." 20 million ardent followers.  100% voter turnout.

8.  The Unemployed or Under-employed.  Truly the tragic face of the failed Obama Presidency.  While millions of people were out of work or getting laid off in Obama's first year in office he was too pre-occupied with Obamacare to care for them.  23 million angry talented workers without an office, shop or factory to go to.  100% voter turnout.

9.  The NRA.  The gun loving Second Amendment citizens who love their guns for sport and self-defense.
In anticipation of the unthinkable, gun owners are stocking up on more weapons in case Obama wins a second term.  1 million trigger happy voters.  100% voter turnout.

10.  The Outlier.  The nightmare for any liberal politician, a black smart conservative congresswoman-to- be,  Mia Love from Utah.  Check out this firebrand on YouTube. She is amazing, fresh, attractive and dynamic.  She is the "black swan", a rare occurrence that will have a huge influence on history, for the Republican Party and the USA.  1 Brilliant vote.  100% voter turnout.

11.  FOX NEWS.  While mainstream media throughout our country poisons soft gullible minds with sordid influence peddling, Fox News gives conservatives a voice for their many authentic causes.  The creation of FOX NEWS is the most brilliant addition to the conservative cause since Ronald Reagan's two terms in the 1980s.  Millions tune in everyday but in this survey it is hard to quantify how those numbers translate into votes.  But the categories above this and below this will certainly be Fox News fans.

12.  Pro-Marriage.  For many people in this country marriage is defined by a man and a woman.  However, the left continues to try to legitimize same sex marriage coast to coast.  Courts are full of same sex v traditional marriage cases. This is a fight that will not go away.  Recently, both sides confronted each other rather demonstratively in Chick-fil-A restaurants around the country.  While homosexuals and lesbians were making out, Moms and Dads were in line to get a sandwich.  10 million hungry voters.  100% voter turnout.

13.  Grover Norquist.  The Washington conservative lobbyist on everything to do with holding the line on new taxes.  Howard Jarvis disciple of the highest order.  Conservative politicians pledge their support and he gives them plenty.  If not, he cuts them off and they lose their office.  1 strong vote.  100% voter turnout.

14.  Physicians.  Is there a physician worth his or her salt who likes Obamacare?  Some have even closed up their practices in light of the coming onerous Obamacare.  They cite higher costs, government interference between patient and doctor and the topper still no tort reform for those liberal blood sucking darling tort lawyers, ie. John Edwards. 600,000 white-smocked doctors and surgeons.  100% voter turnout.

15.  OKLAHOMA.  The only state in the Union in which every county in the state voted for Senator McCain in 2008.  Sheer brilliance on their part.  What did they know that 70 million people failed to see?  Here's hoping there are more Oklahomas next week on Tuesday.  Since, we can count on Oklahoma again, that equates to about 2 million brilliant voters.  100% voter turnout.

16.  The Great Silent Majority.  There's a ground swell of discontent in our country coast to coast, border to border.  They don't make a whole lot of noise but they are seething underground.  They don't like what's happened to the USA.  Finally, their hushed voices will be heard loud and clear on next Tuesday.  30 million patient voters.  100% turnout.

17. The Immigrants (not including 85% Hispanics).  America is a patchwork quilt of immigrants wanting something better for themselves and for their families.  For that is why they came. America is the prized grail of opportunity.  They work hard.  They are decent. They contribute. They produce and do not take. They are smart business people.  They are a blessing to this country. 5 million industrious voters.  100% turnout.

18.  Country and Growing Suburbia.  Millions of conservatives have fled the liberal failures known as cities in our country and moved to safer and better governed locations away from the death grip of the liberal party.  Some people call these areas the "fly over" communities.  Small and insignificant when compared to the ant hill known as cities.  But add these communities up and they are a major demographic in our country.  Millions will vote.  Separate  from the categories above, expect 3 million happier voters to vote on Tuesday.  100% voter turnout.

19.  PRO-LIFE.  Is there a more contentious and obvious distinction between a conservative and a liberal than where one stands on the issue of abortion?  The Pro Life movement is growing  thanks to the intercession and leadership of church groups, church leaders and concerned citizens.  They believe that life inside the womb starts at conception.  And that a "right to life" is a constitutional right. A fetus's heart beats at six weeks. The Pro Choice liberal position is that a woman has the right to do as she pleases with her own body regardless of the obvious life within her. Sadly, our Supreme Court ruled in favor of the woman's right to choose in Roe V Wade in 1973.  Since then, approximately 50 million abortions have been performed in the USA. Pro-Lifers will be voting fervently against the pro abortion sitting President Obama. Recognizing cross categories above, a safe number would be 20 million activist voters will vote on Tuesday.  100% voter turnout.

20.  The Supreme Court.  Will this election be determined in the highest court of the land similarly to the ruling Bush v Gore in 2000?  If so, which way would the court rule?  In whose favor?  After the shocking Justice Roberts Obamacare ruling, it now appears that Romney would get four votes and Obama five if one uses the Obamacare ruling as a test. But who really knows for sure!  For this exercise, it's safe to put 4 votes in the bank for Romney.

So there you have it, Governor Romney's constituencies.  If you add up the projections of the voter turnout above, Romney will garner about 160 million popular votes.  However, because of the crossover appeal in several categories above that number could be discounted by a minimum of 50% to around 80 million votes for Romney which is 20 million more than Senator McCain collected in 2008.  If Romney gets close to 80 million votes, he wins by a wide margin.

All this conjecturing aside, it is a safe bet that over 130 million invested citizens will vote out of a total registered voting bloc of 200 million about a 65% voter turnout.  

In closing, three sure things will happen next week, there will be a winner, there will be a loser and profound change is coming to America once again.  Let us pray that this coming sea change will be good for all America. 

So, please exercise your right to vote next Tuesday or earlier.

And may God continue to bless this great land. 

Blood on his hands

The glib Obama can't finesse his way out of this

Headline reads: Charles Woods, father of Tyrone Woods, former Navy SEAL, who was killed in the 9/11 terrorist attack at the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya, publicly questions who made the call not to send in back-up forces to possibly save his son's life, as well as three other Americans killed, including Ambassador Chris Stevens, in Benghazi.

At the memorial service at Andrews Air Force Base for his son and the other fallen patriots, Woods replayed the scene, "When Obama came over to our little area, he kind of just mumbled, you know, 'I'm sorry.' His face was looking at me, but his eyes were looking over my shoulder like he could not look me in the eye. And it was not sincere." Woods added further commentary on his meeting with the commander in chief, "shaking his (Obama's) hand was like shaking hands with a dead fish."  To add insult to incredible pain from the loss of his son, Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, "came over to me gave me a hug, I shook her hand. And she did not appear to be one bit sincere - at all."

The grief-stricken Mr. Woods concluded, "We need to find out who it was that gave the command ---- do not rescue them." Or, in CIA parlance who ordered them to "stand down."

56 days later, that search for the truth continues today with vigor while those in command and control run for the same cover that they did not offer to those poor vulnerable souls against that terrorist mob in Benghazi.

This is just another tragic example of Obama's mind-numbing incompetence in being our President. He proves time and again to not only be a disaster domestically but also overseas. Truly, Obama is a global failure of epic proportions.

Obama and the whole lot of them, Biden, Clinton, Panetta, Rice, et al are a disgrace to this country. Time for them to go far far away after November 6.

WE DESERVE AND EXPECT SO MUCH MORE FROM OUR LEADERS!!!!

VOTE  ROMNEY/RYAN  ON  NOVEMBER 6  FOR  A  RETURN  TO  HONOR,  DECENCY, STRENGTH  AND  INTELLIGENCE  IN  THE  WHITE  HOUSE.

October Surprise

The thrill of victory in October...

The agony of defeat in October...

First of all, thanks to Bud Selig for adding the second wild card this season. Without it, the St. Louis Cardinals World Champions would be three weeks into their winter break. 

Secondly, thanks for great run Redbirds.  You never quite had your mojo all year but somehow you got to within one game of the World Series.  Truly remarkable!

Lastly, see you in Jupiter in February.

Go Cards 2013.

Large v Small

Who is the grown up here?  Romney not Obama

Third and Final, thankfully, Presidential Debate
October 22, 2012
Boca Raton, Florida

Thank God it's over.  This Presidential race is starting to smell badly. Enough already.

As Big Daddy said in the Tennessee Williams's classic play, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, "There ain't nothin' more powerful than the odor of mendacity." (And just for the record, mendacity means untruthfulness, falsehoods, tendency to lie.) President Obama has taken mendacity's odors to the level of THE Chicago waste dump in Cicero.

By repeatedly spouting many falsehoods as a campaign strategy against his rival Governor MITT Romney, Obama is continuing to smell badly.  Don't you think?  Kinda like running shorts that haven't been washed after three marathons. That makes Obama not only smelly but small, petty and unfocused. 

Obama deflects the viewers attention away from his own pathetic record while guttering and lying about MITT's record.  But that's how they do it in Cook County.  When your record is lousy, one deflects, obfuscates and lies about the other guy to win. Obama thinks that will work. It will not.  The majority of the electorate in America is not that stupid Mr. President.

A growing number of Americans see Obama as the choleric and somewhat melancholy character of an Elizabethan play. A cross character type of a brooding Hamlet and the angry Laertes in Shakespeare's, Hamlet, who incidentally both fell on each others swords over pride, anger and envy.  Tonight Obama appeared churlish, edgy, condescending, arrogant, impertinent and amateurish.  Seemingly, he cannot conceal his utter contempt for the challenger. Presidential. NO. Small. BIG YES!!

On the other hand, MITT continued to keep his cool against this blatant fraud, Obama.  Frankly, I don't know how MITT remains so collected and calm in the presence of a serial fraud and liar. MITT is cheerful, positive, strong, factual, confident and respectful amidst all the mendacity.  Presidential. YES.  Big. BIG YES!!!!

The highlight of the debate was the interchange between the two candidates about Obama's pandering to the Arab countries on his "Apology Tour."  On his tour, Obama bowed and asked for forgiveness from Israel's enemies for the USA's generational policy missteps against the Arab world. Shockingly, on the very same tour through the Middle East, Obama avoided a visit to Israel, our strongest ally in the region, which MITT stated rather forcefully. Obama feebly talked about some visit in the Middle East when he was campaigning in 2008. MITT's rejoinder to Obama's inane rambling remarks were, "we do not dictate to other nations, we free other nations from dictators."  Obama was stunned. ('Where is my sword?' He muttered to himself.)

As the debate concluded, I noticed an intense mien on MITT's face as Obama was concluding his remarks.  What was he thinking? Was he thinking of Big Daddy's words to his profligate son, Brick, as he stared at the President? "What's the smell in this room? Didn't you notice it, Brick? Didn't you notice a powerful and obnoxious odor of mendacity in this room?"

No, MITT's too decent a man to tell a person he stinks.

"Trickle down government never works"

Just answer the damn question about Libya, jerk

Presidential Debate #2

Hofstra University

Town Hall Debate, 11 Questions

Tonight, President Obama punched back at Governor Mitt Romney.  Romney took the punches well. His big jaw and bigger brain helped absorb the blows.

After his first debate debacle, Obama made sure for debate two that he took a double 5 hour energy drink before the red light came on. But, even on stimulants, Obama exchanged glancing punches with MITT and never landed the devastating blow that would move the needle of the "UNDECIDEDS".  The Write Way calls the debate a draw or a slight Obama decision...by a hair.

But, Obama cannot run from his pathetic record.  MITT continued to pummel Obama's kidneys with body punches on his record that just don't lie. Obama felt those fists against his lean and slippery lats.  He appeared dazed at times. Frankly, he knows he has met his match. And his match is superior in every way. The camera doesn't lie. And the facts don't lie. And the ugly, glaring, mainstreet facts begging for answers remain unanswered, dodged and cajoled by Obama:

• 1.5% gdp (China 7.6%)
• 23 million out of work
• $5 trillion added to debt column in four years
• $4 gas
• 47 million on food stamps
• 50% college graduates cannot find work
• 8% unemployment straight 43 months
• 1 out of 6 live in poverty in the richest country in the history of the world
• $4,300 less income for middle class in last four years
• 580,000 jobs lost by women in four years
• production of oil on government lands down 14% under Obama
• fewer people working today than four years ago
• 4 million immigrants waiting legally for citizenship
• 15% business tax rate in Canada versus 35% in USA
• gov't regulations in USA have quadrupled in four years
• first US ambassador killed overseas since 1979

And what's Obama's response?  "Governor Romney wants to retire Big Bird...stop funding for planned parenthood (aka abortion clinics)...expel illegal gangbangers from the USA." That's his feeble rejoinder for the electorate to consider as we go to the polls in November? "You can't be serious?"  

Obama doesn't get it and he never will.  Mainstream concerns and the economy looks like a rubik 's cube to him. He's been a fraud all his adult life. Obama makes the disgraced and imprisoned for life Bernie Madoff look like a baby in a carriage.

So, America you have a clear choice. From the left, Obama/Biden risible administration gives us more government, higher taxes, higher gas and commodity prices, more instability around the world, more spending, higher deficits, stubborn unemployment, more divisiveness and a lower quality of living for four more years. Or, from the right, Romney/Ryan will give all of us a fresh start with an energized domestic energy plan, trade crackdown on China, a balanced budget, a deficit reduction, a champion for small business and a force to fear abroad. 

Easy choice.  More of Obama's nonsensical impotence.  Or, more jobs, prosperity, respect and strength with MITT.

Predictably, we tried the naive and amateurish Hope and Change and that got us nowhere both here and abroad for the last painful FOUR YEARS. Obama had his chance with a stacked deck for two of those years and blew it. Let us not settle for less...AGAIN!

Vote for MITT.

I Can't Believe What I Just Saw...again!!!!

Second baseman Daniel Descalso new Redbird hero

"NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE HEART OF A CHAMPION"

St. Louis Cardinal baseball is not for the faint of heart.  Remember last year?

Tonight, the reigning World Champion Cardinals were down 6-0 after three innings in the final game of the best of five to the Washington Nationals in their park and tied the game and then took the lead in their half of the ninth inning with great at bats all with two outs and two strikes...down to their final swing twice. Sound familiar??? Deja vu all over again. They did it with unlikely heroes with eagle-eye walks and timely hits against their closer stopper Drew Storen.  INCREDIBLE COMEBACK!!!!

Jason Motte, Cards closer,  retired the three top National sluggers in the bottom of the ninth to secure the victory and punched their ticket to San Francisco to face the Giants for the National League pennant.   Scoreboard: Cardinals 9 Nationals 7. INCREDIBLE VICTORY AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!

You want fun?  Follow the Cardinals. They are more fun than a $20 five minute grinding lap dance with Peaches at Shotgun Willies.  Sorry Peaches.

Go Crazy Cards and fans. Beat the Giants.

And for the District, this loss is just a foretaste of what's coming in November.

Smiling Joe

As the world burns, he smiles, laughs, interrupts

After watching the Vice Presidential Debate tonight between VP Joe Biden and Congressman Paul Ryan, I had a flash back to my childhood of being one of the younger kids in an Irish Catholic family of eight. 

The older child, regardless of ability, always dominated the younger. It was family code.  It was true in my family. Using an Irish metaphor as it relates to family, the oldest male in the family almost always gets the family farm in spite of total glaring incompetence in some cases.  That's why the Irish coined the phrase from "shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations." First generation builds the business.  The next generation destroys the business.  And the third generation re-builds whatever is left.

As is appropriate for this blog, both the debators tonight are from Irish Catholic descent.  Both understand that "big brother/little brother" Irish dynamic.  Tonight Joe played the omniscient overbearing big brother role.  As the younger "know nothing" insignificant little brother Paul spoke, Joe dismissed him with arrogant indifference, condescension and disrespect.  He smiled.   He showed lots of white teeth.  Laughed. And interrupted Paul's comments repeatedly...over 80 times!! All the while the complicit moderator, Martha Raddatz, gave Joe a pass to dominate the younger brother. Is she an only child? If so, she doesn't understand the dominator/subservient family mystique.

On the other hand, the wiser and younger Paul, said his peace and listened respectfully and civilly to Joe hectoring on about "these guys" to just get out of the way and stop the "mullarkey, my friend". Paul, not the ablest debator, however, showed remarkable strength, restraint and respect for the uber-amped up Joe and the courtesy was not reciprocated to Paul from Joe.

On a another matter...whenever two divergent Catholics debate the issues, the one issue that gets my immediate attention is the subject of abortion.  The sensitive abortion question surfaced tonight. As a practicing Catholic, we believe that life begins at conception.  Conservatives believe this.  Paul believes this.  Liberals believe that a woman has a right to choose who lives and who dies within her own body. Joe believes this.  If you are a practicing Catholic, which Joe said he is, "religion defines who I am", how does he reconcile his position on pro-abortion while his religion says it's murder? Can't have it both ways, Joe.  "Say it ain't so, Joe."

As the debate wound down, the closing statements of both men were very telling.  Joe was brief, self-assured and willful.   Like an older brother.  Paul was clear, decent and slightly submissive.  Like a younger brother. 

Problem for Joe is the viewers saw Joe's churlishness and Paul's decency.

Older and nasty is never appealing.

"I have no idea what you are talking about."

Which candidate looks Presidential to you?

University of Denver

Presidential Debate #1

Topic: Domestic Issues

Barack Obama has been exposed....FINALLY!!!!  Teleprompters, aids and mainstream media lovebirds and lapdogs were not available to help bail him out in Debate 1.  He stood alone barefaced in full smirk mode in front of the American people and failed miserably.

Obama has no clue what he's doing and now 50 plus million people who tuned in tonight to watch the first debate know too!!!  He has no idea of how business and the economy works. How could he?  He's a community organizer with a snake-oil salesman tongue.  Slick as snot. His wares are vacuous promises. That may work in Chicago but that doesn't translate well outside of that cesspool of Cook County.  MITT Romney knew this going in and took him to the Massachusetts woodshed.  Round one to MITT on all cards.

MITT was in control of that stage tonight.  He knew the issues, understands business and dispelled the heinous myths perpetrated by the Obama hoodlums.  On the other hand, Obama looked vulnerable, defenseless, uneducated, afraid, childlike and clueless.  Presidential? Hell no!!! He looked like a poor actor who forgot most of his lines. For you liberals out there, this is your prophet, what happened tonight?  You've invested all that energy for years into that Eastwood's "empty chair."  How could you all be so wrong?

Answer:  Obama was over-matched by someone smarter, more articulate, more experienced and a helluva lot more decent and genuine.  It all came through loud and clear tonight. Brilliance and decency always wins big against average and deceit. Deal with it Chris Matthews nation....but blame it on Bush.

Tonight, the worm has turned, thanks be to God.  And what is the big issue from lunatic fringe tonight:  MITT took over the debate from the pathetic catatonic Jim Lehrer. They cry, "UNFAIR!"  Without question, Lehrer was pushed around by MITT.  Meanwhile Obama just stared, rambled and stammered. About Lehrer...if he is the best at PBS, that's an indictment on how feeble that group is.  What a waste of taxpayer money. Government funding should be stopped for that lame network. (MITT alluded as much to Jim, while Jim gulped. Sorry Big Bird, find another nest.)

Many lines to remember from tonight's debate but one struck me above the others.  After Obama accused MITT of not being an advocate for bettering our schools to which MITT flatly objected, he pointedly said to Obama, "If you didn't waste $90BILLION on the loser Solyndra-like projects...you could have hired 2MILLION more teachers."  All the while, Obama stared down at his Sudoku puzzle on the podium....smirking.  Very un-Presidential. Not good form Mr. President.

Safe to say Axelrod will be looking for a new debate coach after this disaster.  The also- ran, John Kerry, debate training Obama in Vegas over the weekend proved to be a colossal failure. It would be akin to John McCain debate training Allen West in Atlantic City. A bad match all around.

Footnote: If Obama is this impaired in a debate format..."dah, ah, folks, dah, smirk, ah, folks, blah, bunch, blah, blah", I can't wait for the theatre of the absurd known as the walking-talking-bumbling gaffe machine, Joe Biden, in his debate with wonkish Paul Ryan on October 11 from Kentucky.

Game on but keep that chinstrap fastened tightly.  This race just got a whole lot meaner tonight.  Chicago will come out with tommy guns and hand grenades tomorrow.

To My Beloved

35 years of mostly joy, laughter, good luck, favorable health and enduring faith

Happy Anniversary to the finest lady, my wife and the mother to our four terrific adult children, my Marian.

Simply stated, she is the BEST thing to happen to me in my life and the BEST of all of us.  If you know her, I'm sure you will agree.

Here's to another 35, LUV!

Cheers.

For Seve

Severiano Ballesteros, deceased, with his favorite trophy

The heavens send a message to the Ryder Cup faithful

Never underestimate the enduring spirit of the deceased. 

As shown in the miraculously triumphant, European Ryder Cup team, the spirit of their gone but not forgotten golfing warrior, Seve Ballesteros, carried them to victory in one of the most compelling victories in sporting history.

Astonishing really.  With Europe down not only on the scoreboard in points after Saturday, 10-6 in favor of the Americans, but, also in demeanor, they rallied on the second to last head to head finals match to win the coveted Ryder Cup on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in suburban Chicago.  Final score: Euros 14.5 pts, USA 13.5 points. Beautiful to Europe.  Ugly for the Americans.

What happened?  America seemed so overpowering in the first two days of team play.  But Sunday, the final day, the day of mano to mano finals, seemed to summon up within the Euro team an indomitable spirit beyond comprehension and with no thought of surrender.  And where did that come from?  Only the gods know...and Seve.

Their Sunday counter to Americans dominance after the first two days reminded me of the speech given by the King of Sparta, Leonidas, in 480 BC, as he led his 300 Spartan warriors against the Persian god-King Xerxes and his vicious horde of thousands, when he said to his men, "There is no retreat.  There is no surrender.  That is Spartan law." 

Leonidas is credited with that great no quit line in the face of certain defeat in BC but the Leonidas-like enduring spirit of Seve in AD permeated every player on the Euro team and they won.  Only difference, Leonidas died that day in Thermopylae but Sparta rallied years later to defeat the Persians, while joy came sooner to the Euros by channeling their inner spiritual leader, Seve.

Lesson learned by the Americans: never underestimate the soul of a man...or a team who believes in something bigger than themselves.

OLE...OLE...OLE...OLE!!!!!

Bravo to a thrilling weekend of sport.

Cheers.

Terror on the Green

Opening tee shot tomorrow in the Ryder Cup...where's the Maalox plus? Gulp

If there is actual terror in professional sports, the next three days on the links in Illinois will be its home.

The 39th running of the biennial (every two years) golf's version of waterboarding, known as The Ryder Cup, gets underway at Medinah CC in suburban Chicago tomorrow for three excruciatingly dramatic days. 

The Ryder Cup pits the best 12 European golfers against the best 12 American golfers in the world.  The uber-talented golfers are the show but don't tell that to the rabid fans who writhe in pain or exude with joy on every shot. 

The spectators have taken over this event and has made it intensely personal to whatever side of the Atlantic one resides. In television or on site, the fans rule at the Ryder Cup.  Count the number of flags and patriotic chants along the way.  You'd think you're at the World Cup final in Brazil. But this lasts three full days all over the world!

If you don't believe me tune in tomorrow on ESPN at 8:20A EST to see balls in the air or on the ground off the first tee.

The opening tee shot in the Ryder Cup is THE most terrifying shot a professional attempts to hit successfully in his entire career including Opens, Masters whatever...  It's for country not wallet.  That means everything. Pride is still alive in America and Europe. These players desire exceptionalism. It's in their DNA. And, it's personal too!  For the four American rookies, Snedeker, Dufner, Bradley and Simpson, they best strap on their big boys pants Friday morning for what lies ahead of them. It will be a war.

Past Ryder Cuppers have stated they are so nervous on the First Tee that it helps to keep their eyes closed and keep breath held until impact.  "Be the ball", he whispers.  "And hope to God I can find it out there...somewhere playable."  Certain applause or disgust awaits from the boisterous crowd depending on the result and one's allegiance.

So enjoy the show and say a wee prayer for these mortal men who play a game following 1.68" of a white dimpled ball on a stage of global sublime insanity.

Cheers.