Oh, I'd love to be an Oscar Mayer WEINER

Just not a Congressman named Weiner.

What a jackass.

It's precisely this kind of chickenshit prevarication that makes my blood boil. We pay these anal orifices a good salary, give them an office and staff, allow them to send us unlimited junk mail -- and they wonder why we don't trust these weasels, er, weiners.

Medal of Honor Recipient and Hero

Folks, I was blessed today. I flew into Washington Reagan National Airport at about noon today. At the gate across from mine, there was a crowd gathered, and a lot of clapping and cheering. I figured it was a group of soldiers returning from Iraq or Afghanistan. Little did I know...

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society is having a convention here in DC. And from that other plane came 20 or so Medal of Honor winners. It was difficult to tell how many, as there were so many folks gathered around cheering. I have to tell you, I was mighty proud of my fellow citizens today -- I mean those folks who came out to cheer, and the business folks who stopped what they were doing and let out a big cheer.

Since I really couldn't see them, I decided to be sneaky. I did a bee-line to the security checkpoint, and waited outside. Sure enough, there was a welcoming group there, and the MOH winners came out in ones and twos, most with a spouse. American Airlines had an escort for each and every one of them. Good for AA!

I was able to take pictures of several of these gentlemen, but most important was that I was able to shake their hands and say "thank you for your service to our country". I have never been able to shake hands with a MOH winner before, and I was floored.

I met GEN Pat Brady, and had my picture taken with Charles P. Murray, Jr., who as a LT in WWII won the MOH. 65 years ago he was a young man, ready to allow Uncle Sam to cash that check.

These gentlemen are America's heroes (along with our troops serving around the world). I met several other MOH holders, but I have to tell you that I was tearing up as I introduced myself and thanked them for their service. One of them (I just don't know which it was) said to me, "No, thank YOU...you don't need to thank me; your tears are all the thanks I need".

Pure class. Greatest generation indeed.

Rahm knows how to celebrate

Geraldo (Jerry Rivers) is a complete moron

Point by point (and I'm going to cuss at the end, so fair warning):

1. Jerry said the new bill removes the ability of insurance companies to deny coverage because of pre-existing conditions.

Jerry, you dumb ass, pre-existing condition denial is already outlawed by COBRA. Provided that you have uninterrupted coverage for the previous 12 months, your new insurance company can't impose a pre-existing condition. I know -- I've had to fight for it, for both myself and for THE BOSS.

2. Jerry says that this bill will prevent insurance companies from imposing wild increases in premiums -- some as high as 30 and 40%.

Jerry, you dumb ass, insurance premiums are set by state insurance commissions. If you have something to bitch about, take your argument to the government board that sets rates. Just because an insurance company asks for a large increase (and may have a perfectly good set of reasons to do so based on previous costs and claims expenses) doesn't mean they'll get the increase. And ANY increase must be approved by the commissions.

3. Jerry says the bill will mandate that insurance companies cover preventive care -- things like annual check-ups, a mammogram, or a colonoscopy (shudder), and the like.

Jerry, you dumb ass. Most insurance companies included coverage for these things already. And in an open and freely competitive market, companies would rather pay for early detection and cure BECAUSE IT'S LESS EXPENSIVE.

4. The new bill allows kids to stay on their parents' plans to age 26 (something Jerry said was good for his kids).

Jerry, you dumb ass. Why on earth are we coddling kids? Parents should kick their asses out of the house after college, and tell them to get a job, just like we as parents do. Allowing them to stay on the parents' plan will keep them as a dependent, and therefore discourage the kids from looking for work. Great idea, there, comrade.

5. Finally, Jerry was giddy with the fact that EVERYONE WILL NOW HAVE INSURANCE.

Jerry, you dumb ass. Just because you want to provide health care for 10 or 20 or 30 million uninsured (the number is in dispute), why on earth do you want to fuck up my insurance to do this? For all the money we're going to spend on this monstrosity, we could have just set up a new program for those who don't have insurance. And WHERE ARE WE GOING TO GET ALL OF THE DOCTORS? I swear to God, if I have to wait in line for one of Jerry's illegal aliens, I'll punch that punk in the nose.

By the way, do you get the idea that I think Geraldo is a dumb ass? Good - I thought I was being subtle.

Health care is a privilege, not a right. It is also a private contract between two parties (with a service provider in the middle). It is none of the government's business what kind of insurance contract I want to negotiate with my provider.

Mark my words -- if the government can get involved in setting standard terms for insurance contracts, then they can get in the middle of ANY contract you have. Just like Blue Laws, which we've mostly gotten rid of, the government should get the hell out of the way of my business with whomever I want to contract with (assuming it's a legal contract, of course).

Fuck you, Jerry. And fuck Bart Stupak, too, that traitorous bastard.

John Boehner - Great Speech Against Health Care Bill

Boehner speaks for me.

H/T Breitbart.com

The Day our Freedoms Died

H/T (sorry, pulled off the web and don't recall website. Will post when I find it.)

Stupak screwed us all

Just talked with my brother in law who lives in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Stupak is his rep...for now. He is (almost) to the right of me (I'm to the right of Ryan). He states that many Republicans in the U.P. support Stupak because he's pro-life and he's pro-gun...he's a huge supporter of hunting rights and gun rights in general.

Wave bye-bye, Bart. You're toast in November.

So much for standing up to Comrade Pelosi on principle.

A Browning in Every Pot

I love this one.

H/T Below the Beltway

Don't Tread on Me - Storming the Capitol Building

This is unbelievable to me...when was the last time you heard that people - patriots - were gathered around the Capitol building and unfurling flags from the building itself!

It's just unfathomable that Comrade Pelosi and all these Democrat morons are so tone deaf.

I think that if there were not Secret Service agents around Pelosi that she'd be physically assaulted. I don't know that she'd be hurt, but she'd certainly be in fear of bodily harm. I don't advocate it, and I deplore violence -- I agree completely with the rule of law and the political process. But she's nuts if she thinks she'd be safe to walk across the Capitol grounds if this vote goes her way.

The good news is she won't be Speaker after November's elections.

H/T The Corner

Paul Ryan on C-Span

I don't normally watch C-Span...it's a little dry for my tastes. I do keep up with politics more than the average person, and I participate in local politics...not really national politics.

Right now, I'm watching C-Span non-stop, and I'm struck by how Paul Ryan's arguments are factual, and how all of the Democrats are reading letters, talking about their moms, dads, neighbors, milkmen, etc. In other words, they are all talking past each other.

I strongly oppose the current health care "reform", mostly because it is no such thing. It's just another entitlement that will cause my taxes to go up and reduce the incentives for folks to get off their assess and get an education to get a job.

Obama said he was going to "focus like a laser beam on jobs". Bullshit.

I'm struck by Paul Ryan's skills as a speaker, his command of facts and knowledge of the financial impact of this crappy bill.

Paul Ryan for President...and Pelosi for dog catcher.

The Damn Congress and the Census - Part 2

Part 1 is here.

So now we hear that if you put "American" on your Census form, the Census Bureau will "impute" your race. Huh.

Wonder how that would work for Tiger Woods. Or his kids. Or Obama. Just saying.

Here's part of the blog post in which the Census Bureau answers the question (BOLD is mine):

Actual Enumeration [Mark Krikorian]

I have a piece in today's USA Today distilling my Corner posts on answering "American" to the census race question. The editor, while writing the paper's own editorial on the subject (mine was the "opposing view"), called the Census Bureau yesterday and asked what they'd do with "American" responses. She was told, as I'd expected, that they'd just impute the race — i.e., make up their own answer based on various factors, like where you live.

I mean, come on. If they can gerrymander a district, what difference is your race to them?

H/T The Corner

New Math

Math? What's math?



Obama says that, under Obamacare, premiums could go down as much as 3,000%. Not a typo. And that means we'll all get a raise! Yippee! A raise. Lessee...if premiums go down by 3,000%, then I'll split the savings with the company...I'll only ask for a 1,500% raise.

So if I make $30,000 a year, now I'll make $750,000! And the company will save that much.
That sounds fair. Yeah, that's the ticket.

Will this freaking moron read anything that's on the teleprompter?

Beware the Ides of March

Looks like everyone is avoiding Chicago's Ohare airport...


(to be fair, this was taken at midnight when my plane got in.)

WURSTFEST 2010

Speaking of sausage, WURSTFEST 2010 will be the 50th-annual event in New Braunfels!

Back in the 70's while in college we went to Wurstfest every year. A plastic pitcher of beer was $2, you got to keep the pitcher, and refills were one measly dollar ($1)! Ah, those were the days...cheap beer, drinking age of 18, and plenty of cops who'd look the other way when you were driving home drunk! Ah well...it didn't hurt that one of my college pals' father was the Sheriff. I tended to ride with the son whenever I was going out drinking...safer that way. ;-)

So come on down to Wurstfest this year! The used to call it "The Best of the Wurst!"

Reid, Pelosi, and Sausages

No, this is not a porn post.
Will Rogers said that the two things you don't want to watch being made are legislation and sausage.

Well, to prove the point: the Senate this week is taking up discussion about the FAA reauthorization bill. Fine and dandy. I fly every week on business, and while I think the FAA could do a better job, they do get me safely from point a to point b. Never on time, but whaddaya want fer nuthing? Rubber biscuit? (If you don't get that joke, sigh, I'm old and you're too young. But I digress.)

I was reading The Foundry this evening, and noted this:

The Senate will continue work on H.R. 1586, the FAA reauthorization bill. Potential amendments include earmark reform, discretionary spending limits and the continuation of the DC school choice program.

Now, excuse me while I go off on a rant here, but WTF does DC school choice have to do with the FAA? Are all the little tykes in the DC school system going to end up as ATC controllers? And why oh why are we adding earmark reform to the freaking FAA funding bill?

I know, I know, the political realities are such that since the FAA bill must be passed, it's easier to tack on more controversial legislation than try to vote on it as a stand-alone bill. BUT THAT'S THE POINT!

You want to know why the Tea Parties are successful? Why no one trusts Washington? It's because Congressmen do stupid crap like this. IF they would simply vote on bills one at a time, then we would have all of that "transparency" that Obama said we'd get, along with debate about the FCC money and DC vouchers on CSPAN.

The Dems are touting the line of "let's have an up or down vote". OK, put your hiney where your mouth is. Here's a better idea...toss em all in the Potomac and let em all go down. Up Yours, Congress!

As much as I hate to say it, we'll have to throw all of the bums out. Thank GOD I can keep Paul Ryan and my brother in law can keep Bart Stupak.

H/T The Foundry

BZ to The Sniper

Out-freaking-standing.

H/T The Sniper

The Damn Congress and the Census

I don't encourage anyone to break the law. As much as I may not like a particular law, it's the law. Our actions to follow the laws of our country are, in large part, what make us free. Sounds counterintuitive, but knowing that there's a law against someone breaking your nose in the grocery store (as well as confidence that the vast majority of citizens won't violate that law) gives you the freedom to go to the store and walk the aisles in a carefree manner (even if you do stand in the middle of the damn aisle and get your glasses out and look at EVERY SINGLE BRAND of tomato sauce...sorry).

Let's also honor those who wear the uniform by obeying the law. They put their lives on the line so that we can have freedom, democracy, and, yes, congressmen who write dumb laws. We dishonor our warriors if we don't follow the law. If we don't like a law, we have a way to change it without resorting to the barrel of a gun. That's the legacy of our Constitution and how it's defended -- by the military.

So while I don't like the census form, or what's on it, I'm going to follow the law when it comes to answering the questions on the form. Honestly and truthfully. While holding my nose.

From The Corner:(emphasis mine)

To Answer or Not to Answer the Census – That Is the Question [Hans A. von Spakovsky]

I have been deluged lately with requests asking me whether one has to answer all of the questions on the 2010 Census, particularly those about race and ethnic background. Like Mark Krikorian, I don’t like those questions and don’t think the U.S. government should be collecting that information — its only use is to continue to separate us on racial grounds, for reapportionment purposes and for certain government programs.

Mark has said that he is going to answer “American” on the race question. I have always been tempted to answer “Native American,” since I was born and raised here. However, people need to understand that they may incur a legal liability if they use such answers or don’t answer questions at all.

In Article I, Section 2, the Constitution says that an “Enumeration” must be conducted every ten years “in such Manner as [Congress] shall by Law direct.” Congress has directed through a federal law that anyone who “refuses or willfully neglects…to answer, to the best of his knowledge, any of the questions” on the Census form can be fined $100 (18 U.S.C. § 221). If you deliberately give a false answer, you can be fined up to $500.

.....

Everyone should realize that if you don’t complete a Census form, you are violating federal law. The chances of actual prosecution may be remote, but it could happen. The only real answer to this problem is for Congress to prohibit the Census Bureau from collecting such information and to make all government programs (and the reapportionment process) explicitly race-neutral.

No, I don't like it, and I'd be willing to pay a fine of $100 as a protest, but I really don't want the feds up my rear end, either.

Freedom's a bitch...unless you don't have it.

I Might Send Money to the ACLU

They ran a full page ad in today's NYTimes.
When Obama loses the ACLU, he's seriously FUBARed.

I will sleep peacefully tonight.

H/T WeaselZippers

Commies to the left, Commies to the right

I work for a living. I put myself through college. I worked while I was in college...3 jobs. Now, I didn't walk 10 miles to school in the snow (both ways), and I had a great time in college. I also got some scholarship money (academic and athletic).

I have news for you...education is NOT a right...it's a privilege...like a driver's license.



I just don't understand these morons across the country, mostly in California. Where the hell do they get off thinking they are ENTITLED to MY TAX DOLLARS to put them through college? If you don't like the fact that California raised tuition, vote with your feet. Go somewhere else. Trust me -- there's always a way. And guess what? When (if) you finally get out of college, you'll get that job, because on your resume you'll describe how you are a responsible citizen who knows how to work, show up on time, and be dependable.

Protesting and destroying property will just get you arrested. Try getting into law school with that on your record. Oh, yeah, forgot...you're not thinking that far ahead, are you?

And I'd take the "resist" word off your literature...not a great word in the private sector.

Morons.

God Bless Larry Gatlin

Larry was on Hannity tonight, and had the best line of the night. He was talking about Harry Reid, and how Reid talks out of both sides of his mouth. Larry said hey, you can't have it both ways:

"It's kinda like the old boy is the veterinarian and the taxidermist...either way you get yer dog back".

Now I could vote for Larry Gatlin. Plus he's got great music.