"We have decided..."

Our favorite present president said : "We have decided..."

Chrysler should merge with Fiat.
GM's CEO should resign.
That Gitmo detainees should be allowed in this country & be eligible for welfare.

What expertise does P.O. or any of his advisers have in business? Almost all if not all of his advisers are academicians who have no experience running even a lemonade stand. I know a community organizer must have some experience but in what I don't know (getting federal grants perhaps). Look at how well they have run the government so far (can you say trillions of dollar deficits, spending money they don't have to spur business who then do not have the ability to raise money since the gov will be borrowing out of the available capital).

Allowing very bad people to run free in this country (Gitmoees) also seems like a stupid idea. Giving them welfare only adds to the brilliance & this is from a government that raised a trial balloon that war veterans should use private insurance to pay for war injuries.

I do wish P.O. would get a clue!!!!

A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you have. Barry Goldwater

Ancient Rome declined because it had a Senate, now what's going to happen to us with both a House and a Senate? Will Rogers

Christmas is the time when kids tell Santa what they want and adults pay for it. Deficits are when adults tell government what they want and their kids pay for it. Richard Lamm

Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys. P. J. O'Rourke

Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. George Washington

business (n) 1 a person's regular occupation, profession, or trade • an activity that someone is engaged in • a person's concern • work that has to be done or matters that have to be attended to 2 the practice of making one's living by engaging in commerce • trade considered in terms of its volume or profitability • a commercial house or firm 3 [in sing. ] informal an affair or series of events, typically a scandalous or discreditable one • informal a group of related or previously mentioned things
ORIGIN Old English bisignis (see busy , -ness ). The sense in Old English was [anxiety] ; the sense [the state of being busy] was used from Middle English down to the 18th cent., but is now differentiated as busyness. The sense [an appointed task] dates from late Middle English , and from it all the other current senses have developed.

Investment Math

When stocks go down 20% & then up 20% are you back to even?

No you're not, assume have $1000 & they go down 20% you have $800, up 20% or $160 you have $960.

Let's go the other way: $1000 becomes $1200 but down 20%($240) you get to $960.

How about 50%; $1000 to $500 then to $750 other case $1000 to $1500 down to $750.

Doesn't seem fair does it?

“If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” Benjamin Franklin

“There's a lot of evidence you can sell people on tax increases if they think it's an investment” Bill Clinton

Bottoms in the investment world don't end with four-year lows; they end with 10- or 15-year lows. Jim Rogers

mathematics (n) the abstract science of number, quantity, and space. Mathematics may be studied in its own right ( pure mathematics), or as it is applied to other disciplines such as physics and engineering ( applied mathematics). • [often treated as pl. ] the mathematical aspects of something : the mathematics of general relativity.
ORIGIN late 16th cent.: plural of obsolete mathematic [mathematics,] from Old French mathematique, from Latin (ars) mathematica ‘mathematical (art),’ from Greek mathēmatikē (tekhnē), from the base of manthanein ‘learn.’

"Old" Taxes

I listen to a lot of Milwaukee radio (I live between Chicago & Milwaukee). They were talking about some taxes that have not been raised in 40 years (beer tax in WI) & parking meter fees (10 years).

Politicians used the excuse that they haven't been raised in so long; it was time to do it (beer tax not yet up but the parking fees increased 100% in parts of Milwaukee).

It is interesting that pols believe in any way to increase the taxes but no reduction in services or gov workers. When times are good governments increase their spending but when times are not good they only consider increases in taxes. In my opinion, just because taxes have not increased in years is a valid reason to increase them. I guess I will never be a politician!

The aging process has you firmly in its grasp if you never get the urge to throw a snowball. ~Doug Larson

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. ~Mark Twain

Age does not diminish the extreme disappointment of having a scoop of ice cream fall from the cone. ~Jim Fiebig

OLD, (adj) In that stage of usefulness which is not inconsistent with general inefficiency, as an old man. Discredited by lapse of time and offensive to the popular taste, as an old book.

"Old books? The devil take them!" Goby said.
"Fresh every day must be my books and bread."
Nature herself approves the Goby rule
And gives us every moment a fresh fool.
Harley Shum (DD)

Toxic Assets

"Buy Toxic Assets poison your financial future!" Just think of the marketing campaign for the sale of "Toxic Assets"!

You can have lawyers advertise "Were you forced to buy Toxic Assets? Dial 1-800-Sue-the Gov or go to suethegov.com"

Insurance salesmen : "Don't have any money because you were poisoned by toxic assets? Call 1-800-SafeAsset!"

Pharmaceutical ads : "Buy Toxic Assets to smooth over your upset finances! Side effects include no money, suicidal tendencies (jumping out of tall buildings), constrictive investments! Contact your financial adviser if your have any of these symptoms : rational thought, money sense, a mind!"

toxic (adj) poisonous : the dumping of toxic waste • of or relating to poison • caused by poison ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: from medieval Latin toxicus ‘poisoned,’ from Latin toxicum ‘poison,’ from Greek toxikon (pharmakon) ‘(poison for) arrows,’ from toxon ‘bow.’

Bonuses

I think it is ridiculous that Congress (House)  is passing a law to tax the bonuses of the AIG crooks.  It is my understanding that it is illegal to do so; to target individuals retroactively for their (Congress's) mistakes.

Congress knew it was happening before it occurred & changed the language in the Porkulus bill to allow it.  Only Congress would do something this stupid!  I am outraged that we are paying the bonuses but who would not accept them (bonuses) if offered.  One extremely corrupt politician (MA congressman) wants to publish the bonus-ees addresses; even though he kept Fanny Mae & Freddie Mac going & forced (passed legislation) banks to loan to uncredit-worthy people.

It amazes me that people keep electing these fools (you can't blame me everyone that I voted for did not get elected)!

Politicians are like diapers. They both need changing regularly and for the same reason.

There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle. ~Alexis de Tocqueville

We'd all like to vote for the best man, but he's never a candidate. ~Frank McKinney "Kin" Hubbard

Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber. ~Plato

Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where they is no river. ~Nikita Khrushchev

bonus (n) a payment or gift added to what is usual or expected, in particular  • an amount of money added to wages on a seasonal basis, esp. as a reward for good performance • something welcome and often unexpected that accompanies and enhances something that is itself good : good weather is an added bonus but the real appeal is the landscape.
ORIGIN late 18th cent. (probably originally London stock-exchange slang): from Latin bonus (masculine) ‘good,’ used in place of bonum (neuter) ‘good, good thing.’ Compare with boon

Earmarks

What's so wrong with Earmarks? Many people have numerous tattoos or piercings; why can't they have marks on their ears?

After all we are only paying for 8500 earmarks in the $410,000,000,000 omnibus spending bill; how much can 8500 marks on ears for people cost? The big question should be: how do we choose the lucky people to get the marks?

President Obama said after signing the bill that there should be NO MORE Earmarks (even though he said no earmarks during his administration before signing it - this only shows his compassion for the unmarked) ! Isn't that discrimination against the poor people who can not afford to mark their own ears?

Even when there is nothing improper about the actual earmark, it's very difficult for citizens and even other members to be sure. ~ Dennis Thompson

I generally would still not count that as an earmark, even though it has a similar effect, because it is such a gray area of how specific is too specific when setting eligibility criteria. I obviously oppose those provisions, but I would not classify them the same as spending earmarks that actually list the name. ~ Brian Ried

The line-item veto is just one element in earmark reform, and earmark reform is just one element in spending restraint. However, the line-item veto would add an important check to a budget process that is tainted by waste, abuse, and favoritism. Congressional leaders should move quickly on this proposal. ~ Tom Schatz

earmark (n) a mark on the ear of a domesticated animal indicating ownership or identity.
• a characteristic or identifying feature : this car has all the earmarks of a classic.
(v) [ trans. ]1 (usu. be earmarked) designate (something, typically funds or resources) for a particular purpose : the new money will be earmarked for cancer research. 2 mark the ear of (an animal) as a sign of ownership or identity

March Madness

I am not filling out a bracket for the NCAA Basketball Championship. When I used to do it, I would predict that MSU (Michigan State) would win it all. A couple times I was even right, but since I am a Big 10 (11) fan I usually pick the Big 10 to send 2-4 teams into the final 4; and my brackets look bad after the sweet 16.

I like the idea that almost all of the best teams are competing for a Championship; unlike football where only at most 2-3 teams have a real chance. America should be like that; everyone should have a chance and in general one of the best will win.

So if you want a prediction : MSU will win it all!


Everybody pulls for David, nobody roots for Goliath.-- Wilt Chamberlain

One man can be a crucial ingredient on a team, but one man cannot make a team. -- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

This is the second most exciting indoor sport, and the other one shouldn't have spectators.
-- Dick Vertleib

If you are going to take it to the bank, then you better cash it in. -- Shannon Fish

My responsibility is getting all my players playing for the name on the front of the jersey, not the one on the back.

Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best. -- Tim Duncan


basketball (n) a game played between two teams of five players in which goals are scored by throwing a ball through a netted hoop fixed above each end of the court. • the inflated ball used in this game

Arithmetic

Take the deficit and triple it then promise to half it in a few years.

Simple arithmetic will tell you this is not a good deal!

For the math challenged : $600 billion x 3 = $1800 billion / 2 = $900 billion!

deficit (n) the amount by which something, esp. a sum of money, is too small.
• an excess of expenditure or liabilities over income or assets in a given period : an annual operating deficit | the budget will remain in deficit. • (in sports) the amount or score by which a team or individual is losing : came back from a 3–0 deficit.• technical a deficiency or failing, esp. in a neurological or psychological function : deficits in speech comprehension.
ORIGIN late 18th cent.: via French from Latin deficit ‘it is lacking,’ from the verb deficere (see defect 1 ).

AIG Bonuses

AIG Bonuses, the president & congress are complaining bitterly about the bonuses ($168,000,000) handed out by AIG, which has accepted over $150,000,000,000 in bailout money with no end in sight.  I agree that it seems ridiculous to give out bonuses for driving a company into the ground.

But there is another group which has cost this country many trillions in debt who are getting bonuses for their "great" work.  Congress has an automatic pay increase to their salaries every year.  It doesn't matter that they don't deserve it (many people believe one of the major causes for the housing collapse is legislation requiring banks to loan to high credit risk people) or that most businesses are not giving raises to their employees or that country needs the money for other purposes; congress is getting a raise! A GOP senator (Sen. Vitter) introduced an amendment to the $410,000,000,000 pork bill that would have stopped it, but congress did not pass the amendment  (the vote was 52-45 & would have stopped a $4700 pay raise.)  Of course. Nancy P. in the house did not even allow it to come up.

John Adams sings:

I do believe you've laid a curse on North America
A curse that we now here rehearse in Philadelphia
A second flood, a simple famine
Plagues of locusts everywhere
Or a cataclysmic earthquake
I'd accept with some despair
But, no, you sent us Congress.
Good God, sir, was that fair?

Musical: 1776 Song: Piddle, Twiddle and Resolve/Till Then

NBC

The most liberal TV network is NBC.  They ruined (to me) Boston Legal which was good for the first few years; but then they started shifting the cases to (what I consider)  liberal causes like, a soldier who wanted to be outwardly gay & not ask not tell not.  The conservative on the show was the crazy Denny Crane, etc..

So I was watching the show "Life" on VHS tape (we tend to record shows because my wife has numerous activities at night or we don't to stay up late to watch it); when the bad guy twice said "it was supposed to last only 6 weeks" (referring to the Iraq war).  Probably I am too sensitive to liberal propaganda, but this was on NBC.

As I have said I am conservative & try to not support liberal enterprises.

“If you're not a liberal at twenty you have no heart, if you're not a conservative at forty you have no brain.” Winston Churchill

“Some of you may remember that in my early days, I was sort of a bleeding heart liberal. Then I became a man and put away childish ways.” Ronald Reagan

“One difference between a liberal and a pickpocket is that if you demand your money back from a pickpocket, he won't question your motives”

liberal (adj) 1 open to new behavior or opinions and willing to discard traditional values • favorable to or respectful of individual rights and freedoms • (in a political context) favoring maximum individual liberty in political and social reform 2 [ attrib. ] (of education) concerned mainly with broadening a person's general knowledge and experience, rather than with technical or professional training. 3 (esp. of an interpretation of a law) broadly construed or understood; not strictly literal or exact

[ editorial comment - def 1) seems to be by the wayside; P.O. not for individual rights but the rights of the liberal]

Great

I listen to a lot of radio & listen to the Chi Bulls basketball games on the radio.  Their color commentator is named Bill Wennington who was an ex-Bull player, he does a very good job in my opinion; but he almost always calls the Bull plays as "great"; like Ben Gordon made a great move to get to the basket (unfortunately for the Bulls Gordon missed the shot).

I think that some words are over used & cheapened like "great".  To me this should be reserved for great outcomes or efforts.  On the advertisements, every show is great; every toothpaste works great; etc..  What they usually mean is that it works OK.

I've heard Pres. Obama's speeches called great though there is no content; they are good to listen to because they are well written, but lack any depth.  Books are called great only because the author is famous or politically connected.  And so on & so on!

When asked how they are some people say "great"; when they are not as great as they think!

great (adj) 1 of an extent, amount, or intensity considerably above the normal or average • very large and imposing • [ attrib. ] used to reinforce another adjective of size or extent • [ attrib. ] used to express surprise, admiration, or contempt, esp. in exclamations 2 of ability, quality, or eminence considerably above the normal or average 3 [ attrib. ] denoting the element of something that is the most important or the most worthy of consideration

Then & Than

I have been using Then & Than a lot.  I think I may have been using them incorrectly so I decided to look up the definitions.

then (adv) 1 at that time; at the time in question 2 after that; next; afterward : • also; in addition 3 in that case; therefore • used at the end of a sentence to emphasize an inference being drawn • used to finish off a conversation : see you in an hour, then.

than (conjunction & preposition) 1 introducing the second element in a comparison 2 used in expressions introducing an exception or contrast 3 [ conj. ] used in expressions indicating one thing happening immediately after another

So there!

AARP

At one time we belonged to AARP; we had AOL & got a discount that paid for AARP.  We no longer belong, they seem to be mainly a sales organization for various companies : insurance, flowers, etc. Plus at one time the senior citizens were considered better off than the average family (before P.O. helped the stock market tank); so it irritated me that they were pushing for programs that only helped older Americans not society.  When the prescription drug program was passed, they were not satisfied at the amount and would be working to increase the benefits.  I am for helping those who need it but not for programs which cover everyone.

Of course, it is an organization for older people so it is their mission plus older people vote more often which gets them more than normal people.

“When I was young, I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old, I know it is” Oscar Wilde

“When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened” Winston Churchill

“The soul is born old but grows young. That is the comedy of life. And the body is born young and grows old. That is life's tragedy.”  Oscar Wilde

OLD, (adj) In that stage of usefulness which is not inconsistent with general inefficiency, as an old man. Discredited by lapse of time and offensive to the popular taste, as an old book.
"Old books? The devil take them!" Goby said.
"Fresh every day must be my books and bread."
Nature herself approves the Goby rule
And gives us every moment a fresh fool.
Harley Shum  (DD)

"It's not your fault that..."

"It's not your fault that..." is an interesting fragment.  I listen to a lot of radio & it seems almost every ad starts with "It's not your fault that...". 

One of my favorites is "It's not your fault that..." you are over your head in credit card debt because the credit card companies will not let you get out of debt.  I feel not spending more than you can afford is one way to "beat" the credit card companies or even paying off your credit card each month might work.  But if you are lucky enough to have at least $10,000 in credit card debt these people can help you!

There are actual people that "It's not your fault that..." is correct.  A major medical emergency can wipe you out (if you can't afford a major medical policy) or if you lose your job (not thru incompetence) due to the Obama economics.  These people do actually need our help not the over-spenders or people who bought more house than they can afford (after all "It's not their fault that..." that the big bad banks forced them to buy more house than was prudent so the ones who pay their mortgages MUST pay theirs).

DEBT, (n) An ingenious substitute for the chain and whip of the slave- driver.
As, pent in an aquarium, the troutlet
Swims round and round his tank to find an outlet,
Pressing his nose against the glass that holds him,
Nor ever sees the prison that enfolds him;
So the poor debtor, seeing naught around him,
Yet feels the narrow limits that impound him,
Grieves at his debt and studies to evade it,
And finds at last he might as well have paid it.
Barlow S. Vode

Communication

When I was in the Navy we had a form of communication for shipboard activities.

"Conn, Maneuvering : the reactor has scrammed!" The reply was "Maneuvering, the Reactor has scrammed, Aye."

So the form was the addressee, speaker : message then the reply was original speaker's position : message followed by Aye.  This way the communication was verified that it was received & understood by repeating what you heard.  Many messages were not as short as the above but could become very complicated.

If we used this form of communication today; there would be less chance for error.  Many times when we are "listening" to a speaker, we are more concerned with constructing our reply than hearing what is said.

Of course, now a days my memory is not as great and I wonder if I had kept up the "Navy" skill it would be better.

“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”
George Bernard Shaw

“To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.”
Anthony Robbins

“Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.”
Anne Morrow Lindbergh

communication (n) 1 the imparting or exchanging of information or news :  a letter or message containing such information or news. • the successful conveying or sharing of ideas and feelings : there was a lack of communication  2 ( communications) means of connection between people or places, in particular • the means of sending or receiving information, such as telephone lines or computers : satellite communications 
ORIGIN late Middle English : from Old French comunicacion, from Latin communicatio(n-), from the verb communicare ‘to share’ 

Panic

When do we panic?  Is panic good?

We have been trying to maintain our investments hoping for better things to come.  But today the stock market is down another 260 points (DJIA).

I knew when Obama was elected that we (the nation) would be in trouble financially but I didn't think it would be this bad.  If I had panicked then & sold everything that would go down I wouldn't have lost an additional 15%.

The worst part is that of our children & grandkids who will have to pay for all Obama is proposing (no they are not rich).  When Trade & Cap comes in; most everything will increase in price (used to limit CO2 gases).  When China wants higher interest rates the deficit will increase.

PANDEMONIUM, (n0 Literally, the Place of All the Demons. Most of them have escaped into politics and finance, and the place is now used as a lecture hall by the Audible Reformer. When disturbed by his voice the ancient echoes clamor appropriate responses most gratifying to his pride of distinction.

Temptations

Temptations come in many forms. When we discussed temptations in a recent Bible Study (most of us are 60+), we could only think of food as our major tempter.

Kids today have many temptations like drugs, sex, gossip, etc..

Consider Daniel (from Book of Daniel in the Bible), he was a young man in his teens when he was uprooted from Israel. The king (Nebuchadnezzar) decided to groom Daniel & other royal captives as bureaucrats in Babylon. So he was given royal food to eat but being a loyal follower of his God, he was not supposed to eat food that had been used in sacrifices to the false gods. So he asked to eat vegetables and water instead of the meat & wine; he was allowed to do it for a short period to see if he was fit & he was.

But Daniel was a young man in a foreign country a captive; and the temptation to conform was great but he didn't. A object lesson for the rest of us!

“I deal with temptation by yielding to it” Mark Twain

“'Tis one thing to be tempted, another thing to fall.” William Shakespeare

“I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it” Mae West

How like herrings and onions our vices are in the morning after we have committed them. ~Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Those who flee temptation generally leave a forwarding address. ~Lane Olinghouse

temptation (n) a desire to do something, esp. something wrong or unwise : he resisted the temptation to call Celia at the office | we almost gave in to temptation. • a thing or course of action that attracts or tempts someone : the temptations of life in New York. • ( the Temptation) the tempting of Jesus by the Devil (see Matt. 4). ORIGIN Middle English : from Old French temptacion, from Latin temptatio(n-), from temptare ‘handle, test, try.’

Ask not

In 1961, John F Kennedy in his inaugural speech said "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

It seems to me that we are doing just the opposite, President Obama wants the government to do everything for us (at the cost of our liberty).

JFK was talking to the "Greatest Generation" who had seen the great depression; put aside their lives to win WWII and made the US the greatest power with their ambition & drive.  But Obama is speaking to the whining generation who complain if they have to miss TV because they were too lazy to get a Digital to Analog conversion box in the 5 years or so they were told it was needed.  The generation who are willing to do anything to make a better environment except reduce energy use or stop polluting, etc..  They are willing to make any sacrifices as long as others make them for them.

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. 
My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man. JFK 1/20/61

GREAT, (adj)
"I'm great," the Lion said -- "I reign
The monarch of the wood and plain!"

The Elephant replied: "I'm great --
No quadruped can match my weight!"

"I'm great -- no animal has half
So long a neck!" said the Giraffe.

"I'm great," the Kangaroo said -- "see
My femoral muscularity!"

The 'Possum said: "I'm great -- behold,
My tail is lithe and bald and cold!"

An Oyster fried was understood
To say: "I'm great because I'm good!"

Each reckons greatness to consist
In that in which he heads the list,

And Vierick thinks he tops his class
Because he is the greatest ass.
Arion Spurl Doke (DD)

Match.com

All of the relationship websites seem to tell you that only if you & your date match each other in at least 40 - 400 different factors of personality can you be happy with that person.

My wife and I are different people (of course we have only been married 40+ years). She has many wonderful qualities; she is kind, smart, pretty, & considerate.

I like sports she feels they are a waste of time; she is a great singer I try but do not have the artistic abilities she has. I like finance things she lets me do the finances. I like to pick up as I work (like in the kitchen); she would rather cleanup later all at once. I tend to put things in their place (since my memory is not as good as hers) she tends to use all the space.

She was great with our kids; I tended to work too much & didn't spend as much time with them as I should have. I am very lucky she married me.

For two people in a marriage to live together day after day is unquestionably the one miracle the Vatican has overlooked. Bill Cosby

It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.Friedrich Nietzsche

There is nothing nobler or more admirable than when two people who see eye to eye keep house as man and wife, confounding their enemies and delighting their friends. Homer

Success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through being the right mate. ~Barnett R. Brickner

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. ~Mignon McLaughlin

MARRIAGE, (n) The state or condition of a community consisting of a master, a mistress and two slaves, making in all, two. (DD)