The Chronicle editorial Saturday prompted me to go to the prediction I made before Katrina hit. In the jar I placed a small piece of paper, upon which I had written the anticipated Chronicle editorial response. I opened it yesterday, and found it was spot-on accurate. It read: "It's Bush's fault." To be honest, I must admit that I put the same piece of paper with the same prediction in the jar every time, and it has not been wrong yet.
I wonder if The Chronicle has someone with enough of a nose for news to go to the San Francisco City Hall and see if SF has a disaster preparedness plan, and check and see if the plan says to "do nothing, and then complain about Bush." Since San Francisco and New Orleans are both one-party towns, where there is no competition between competing philosophies and principles of municipal government (and where corruption and cronyism are expected and accepted), I expect that that is the situation. Wouldn't it be nice to find out before something bad hits the Bay Area?
Friday, October 28, 2005
Who Can We Kick Now?
Damn! These NY Times columnists are now only available online in Times Select, which costs $50 a year. As much as I enjoy pointing out their absurdities and the fact-free columns they write, I'm not paying any $50 to poke fun at them. Since Times Select will result in a vast shrinking of their reading audience, all they will have left to preach to is their choir of true believers - both of them! By reducing their exposure to critical thinkers, they may start to lose the defensiveness that has characterized their "work" of late. Krugman won't have his column held up as an example of what happens when you don't do any research.
The soon to be invisible columnists are:
Nicholas D. Kristof, Paul Krugman, Frank Rich, John Tierney, David Brooks, Maureen Dowd, Thomas L. Friedman, and Bob Herbert
They couldn't take the heat, so they got out of the kitchen!
The soon to be invisible columnists are:
Nicholas D. Kristof, Paul Krugman, Frank Rich, John Tierney, David Brooks, Maureen Dowd, Thomas L. Friedman, and Bob Herbert
They couldn't take the heat, so they got out of the kitchen!
San Francisco Chronicle Full of Gas, Not News
Your Mike Lukovich cartoon on the Sunday Chronicle editorial page was ludicrous. If he had an ounce of fairness or perception, he would have had the first panel of the pair with the "Help us" on the roof of the flooded house, followed by a picture of the hundreds of flooded buses in the parking lot. Don't you at the Chronicle ever give any of the crap you put on your editorial page the smell test. Didn't your mother teach you "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Move the people out with the buses before the flood hits, and you don't have people needing help on a flooded roof. Move the buses out before they are flooded, and you don't need to scream at President Bush to "Give me buses and gas. Buses and gas. Buses and gas." I think the Louisiana politicians are full of gas, and that the Chronicle is overlooking their failures to pursue the usual "It's Bush's fault."
Your Readers Representative column on Sean Penn had to be the lamest thing I have seen among a long list of lame Readers Rep columns. Are you putting out a newspaper or a lifestyle commentary? You gave more coverage to Burning Man and Cindy Sheehan each than to Able Danger, the Iraqi constitution, elections in Afghanistan, the Syrian pullout of Lebanon, and the disuse of the New Orleans hurricane disaster preparedness plan combined.
Your Readers Representative column on Sean Penn had to be the lamest thing I have seen among a long list of lame Readers Rep columns. Are you putting out a newspaper or a lifestyle commentary? You gave more coverage to Burning Man and Cindy Sheehan each than to Able Danger, the Iraqi constitution, elections in Afghanistan, the Syrian pullout of Lebanon, and the disuse of the New Orleans hurricane disaster preparedness plan combined.
On The News Tonight
Did you see this on TV evening news?
On the screen are pictures of hundreds of buses parked in floodwater.
Terry Ebbert, head of New Orleans' emergency operations: "This is a national disgrace. FEMA has been here three days, yet there is no command and control. We can send massive amounts of aid to tsunami victims, but we can't bail out the city of New Orleans."
Louisiana Governor Blanco called for a mandatory evacuation following a personal President Bush request on Sunday. President Bush had already declared a state of emergency for Louisiana.
Someone notes that The City of New Orleans has a disaster plan they didn’t follow.
"Don't give me your money. Don't send me $10 million today. Give me buses and gas," said Dem. LA state Rep. Kargen Carter.
Meanwhile, hundreds of New Orleans buses sit flooded and useless, their gas and oil polluting the surrounding water. “Did you see the picture, Mr. Ebbert? Ms. Carter?”
The Democratic Black Caucus and NAACP leaders condemn President Bush for the slow pace of rescue efforts.
“But the City of New Orleans hurricane emergency management plan did address the evacuation of poor blacks. You can easily access it and read it on the Internet,” I point out – “I did, and I am not a reporter. In fact, I live in the tiny far-off northern California hamlet of Gualala.” (How did I get on this TV news show?)
Then the black mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin, says President Bush and his administration did not do their jobs. At this point the camera pans back to the flooded buses. Then to Mayor Nagin. Then to Mr. Ebbert. Stunned silence, then heads bowed in shame.
But then Nagin, Ebbert, and Carter yell in unison: "Yeah, those buses were Bush's fault!" Then Michael Moore appears: "You know, brothers! Sister too!"
On the screen are pictures of hundreds of buses parked in floodwater.
Terry Ebbert, head of New Orleans' emergency operations: "This is a national disgrace. FEMA has been here three days, yet there is no command and control. We can send massive amounts of aid to tsunami victims, but we can't bail out the city of New Orleans."
Louisiana Governor Blanco called for a mandatory evacuation following a personal President Bush request on Sunday. President Bush had already declared a state of emergency for Louisiana.
Someone notes that The City of New Orleans has a disaster plan they didn’t follow.
"Don't give me your money. Don't send me $10 million today. Give me buses and gas," said Dem. LA state Rep. Kargen Carter.
Meanwhile, hundreds of New Orleans buses sit flooded and useless, their gas and oil polluting the surrounding water. “Did you see the picture, Mr. Ebbert? Ms. Carter?”
The Democratic Black Caucus and NAACP leaders condemn President Bush for the slow pace of rescue efforts.
“But the City of New Orleans hurricane emergency management plan did address the evacuation of poor blacks. You can easily access it and read it on the Internet,” I point out – “I did, and I am not a reporter. In fact, I live in the tiny far-off northern California hamlet of Gualala.” (How did I get on this TV news show?)
Then the black mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin, says President Bush and his administration did not do their jobs. At this point the camera pans back to the flooded buses. Then to Mayor Nagin. Then to Mr. Ebbert. Stunned silence, then heads bowed in shame.
But then Nagin, Ebbert, and Carter yell in unison: "Yeah, those buses were Bush's fault!" Then Michael Moore appears: "You know, brothers! Sister too!"
ICO Editor Gives Me Enough Rope
Thanks for giving me enough rope to hang myself, or to share with others.
As an afterthought to my letter concerning the lack of Ms. Plame's "covertness," I served three years in the Air Force Security Service as a Russian linguist radio intercept operator in the mid-1960’s. We went to Russian classes at Indiana University in uniform. We had classes at the National Security Agency. We worked in a secure compound in Turkey. We knew the Soviets knew who we were, and had a pretty good idea of what we did. We also knew that the Soviets knew the names of everyone who openly worked in intelligence activities. Especially if they went to work at the National Security Agency everyday. Or the Central Intelligence Agency. Even if they always sneaked in the back way! How did we know they knew? Because it was and is really stupid to think your enemy is too dumb or too lazy to find out and keep track of the obvious.
Let’s keep hangin’ ‘em high!
As an afterthought to my letter concerning the lack of Ms. Plame's "covertness," I served three years in the Air Force Security Service as a Russian linguist radio intercept operator in the mid-1960’s. We went to Russian classes at Indiana University in uniform. We had classes at the National Security Agency. We worked in a secure compound in Turkey. We knew the Soviets knew who we were, and had a pretty good idea of what we did. We also knew that the Soviets knew the names of everyone who openly worked in intelligence activities. Especially if they went to work at the National Security Agency everyday. Or the Central Intelligence Agency. Even if they always sneaked in the back way! How did we know they knew? Because it was and is really stupid to think your enemy is too dumb or too lazy to find out and keep track of the obvious.
Let’s keep hangin’ ‘em high!
Tax The Rich!
Bill Meyers uncovered part of our little Republican secret when he said that we had an agenda to eliminate taxes on the rich. Then James Oglesby tried to throw everyone off the track when he disagreed with Bill. Unfortunately, I must disclose all the sordid details of one of the most diabolical plots ever devised by man.
Unfortunately, when we devised our plot to eliminate taxes on the rich, we forgot that government always screws everything up. Think of examples such as the National Health Services of Great Britain and Canada. Social Security and Medicare here. Any systems of tariffs by any governments anywhere.
Anyway, when government implemented our plan to eliminate taxes on the rich, as usual they fouled it up royally. Consequently, each year the rich pay a larger proportion of total taxes compared to their proportion of total income. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: “The tax cut enacted last year has reduced tax burdens further. This analysis' update of the Treasury data shows that in 2001, … a median family of four will pay a smaller share of its income in federal income taxes than in any year since 1957.”
Conversely, the top one percent will pay four times more than the total paid by the bottom 50 percent, who will pay less than four percent of the total. And the percentage paid by the top wage earners has been increasing steadily for years. Of course the government screwed it up! Hopefully the Democrats will pass a tax-the-rich bill, and finally give the rich true tax relief!
Unfortunately, when we devised our plot to eliminate taxes on the rich, we forgot that government always screws everything up. Think of examples such as the National Health Services of Great Britain and Canada. Social Security and Medicare here. Any systems of tariffs by any governments anywhere.
Anyway, when government implemented our plan to eliminate taxes on the rich, as usual they fouled it up royally. Consequently, each year the rich pay a larger proportion of total taxes compared to their proportion of total income. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: “The tax cut enacted last year has reduced tax burdens further. This analysis' update of the Treasury data shows that in 2001, … a median family of four will pay a smaller share of its income in federal income taxes than in any year since 1957.”
Conversely, the top one percent will pay four times more than the total paid by the bottom 50 percent, who will pay less than four percent of the total. And the percentage paid by the top wage earners has been increasing steadily for years. Of course the government screwed it up! Hopefully the Democrats will pass a tax-the-rich bill, and finally give the rich true tax relief!
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Keeping it simple
What am I missing? Back in March the NY Times, Washington Post, ABC, CBS and about 32 other major news organizations filed a "friend of the court" brief to protect Judith Miller and Matthew Cooper against a charge of concealing the identity of a source responsible for compromising the identity of a covert agent. In essence, when the Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982 was reviewed, it became readily apparent that no violation of law had occurred. Simply, Valerie Plame had not meet the criteria to be a covert agent for over five years, and the CIA had not even taken the reasonable minimum steps to maintain her in a "covert" status.
So the question is, how can these news agencies be pursuing "Plamegate" so breathlessly when they already concluded there was nothing there?
So the question is, how can these news agencies be pursuing "Plamegate" so breathlessly when they already concluded there was nothing there?
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
International ANSWER Is For War!
Editor
International ANSWER was in the news again, this time as a leader of the "anti-war" protests. However, the most modest research shows that International ANSWER is actually pro-war, and openly supports Kim Jong-il, Fidel Castro, Slobodan Milosevic, and the "resistance" in Afghanistan and Iraq. In Slate go to "Anti-War, My Foot, The phony peaceniks who protested in Washington," by Christopher Hitchens.
International ANSWER is not opposed to war. They are against democracy, capitalism, and personal freedom and liberty.
International ANSWER was in the news again, this time as a leader of the "anti-war" protests. However, the most modest research shows that International ANSWER is actually pro-war, and openly supports Kim Jong-il, Fidel Castro, Slobodan Milosevic, and the "resistance" in Afghanistan and Iraq. In Slate go to "Anti-War, My Foot, The phony peaceniks who protested in Washington," by Christopher Hitchens.
International ANSWER is not opposed to war. They are against democracy, capitalism, and personal freedom and liberty.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
An Ounce Of Prevention
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Gov. Kathleen Blanco-Dem., on Sunday ordered a mandatory evacuation following a personal appeal from President Bush.
However, Governor Blanco, who had the sole authority, not President Bush, did not then call up the Louisiana National Guard.
About the need to evacuate residents stranded in the city, Democratic Louisiana state Rep. Karen Carter said: “Give me buses and gas.” However, photos of the flooding show hundreds of city buses and school buses that should have been used for evacuation were instead left parked in areas vulnerable to flooding and are useless.
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, in a foul-mouthed rant, blamed President Bush for not doing more. If Nagin would have followed the hurricane annex of his own City of New Orleans Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, President Bush would not have to do as much now.
Whatever happened to personal responsibility? Do the Governor and Mayor think their jobs are just ceremonial? Most of the suffering in New Orleans was avoidable, if they would have done their jobs in the first place.
Gov. Kathleen Blanco-Dem., on Sunday ordered a mandatory evacuation following a personal appeal from President Bush.
However, Governor Blanco, who had the sole authority, not President Bush, did not then call up the Louisiana National Guard.
About the need to evacuate residents stranded in the city, Democratic Louisiana state Rep. Karen Carter said: “Give me buses and gas.” However, photos of the flooding show hundreds of city buses and school buses that should have been used for evacuation were instead left parked in areas vulnerable to flooding and are useless.
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, in a foul-mouthed rant, blamed President Bush for not doing more. If Nagin would have followed the hurricane annex of his own City of New Orleans Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, President Bush would not have to do as much now.
Whatever happened to personal responsibility? Do the Governor and Mayor think their jobs are just ceremonial? Most of the suffering in New Orleans was avoidable, if they would have done their jobs in the first place.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Blowing Up Mosques With Korans and Muslims Inside - Desecration?
Editor
As Muslims kill Muslims by blowing up mosques, is it possible that some of the Korans contained therein were desecrated?
And isn't there something unholy about blowing up people praying in a house of worship?
Maybe even as bad as making captured terrorists listen to Christina Aguilera? I admit, that might be a tough call. Speaking for me, that threatened punishment would make me quit the mosque-bombing business, no matter how many women and children would be spared.
You also get more Big Media coverage (BM) by complaining about Korans splattered by water balloons than you do from blowing up a dozen mosques and destroying hundreds of Korans. And, oh yes, killing hundreds of people. Isn't the BM wonderful?
As Muslims kill Muslims by blowing up mosques, is it possible that some of the Korans contained therein were desecrated?
And isn't there something unholy about blowing up people praying in a house of worship?
Maybe even as bad as making captured terrorists listen to Christina Aguilera? I admit, that might be a tough call. Speaking for me, that threatened punishment would make me quit the mosque-bombing business, no matter how many women and children would be spared.
You also get more Big Media coverage (BM) by complaining about Korans splattered by water balloons than you do from blowing up a dozen mosques and destroying hundreds of Korans. And, oh yes, killing hundreds of people. Isn't the BM wonderful?
Saturday, May 28, 2005
People Die, Symbols Don't
Editor
Islamic terrorists murdered almost 700 Muslims last month. At the same time, a Koran was reputed to have been desecrated. With all the outrage at Newsweek’s careless error, shouldn’t Muslims be outraged at the senseless slaughter of other Muslims? When a US flag is burned, a crucifix displayed in urine, the Saudis confiscate and burn a Bible, we say: “No one was hurt, it is just a symbol.”
When will Muslims understand these are people, not symbols?
Islamic terrorists murdered almost 700 Muslims last month. At the same time, a Koran was reputed to have been desecrated. With all the outrage at Newsweek’s careless error, shouldn’t Muslims be outraged at the senseless slaughter of other Muslims? When a US flag is burned, a crucifix displayed in urine, the Saudis confiscate and burn a Bible, we say: “No one was hurt, it is just a symbol.”
When will Muslims understand these are people, not symbols?
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Arabs In Foreign Lands
Moisés NaÃm
Dear Mr. NaÃm
The answer as to why Arabs in America do better than in Europe or their native lands is quite simple. Arabs are assimilated into American culture, whereas in Europe they have remained separate. Add to that the greater freedom resulting from lower taxes - in Europe high taxes to maintain the social welfare system have kept total employment stagnant for over two decades - and Arabs, just as other recent immigrants to America, have a field day of opportunity. You undoubtedly will find similar success statistics among Chinese, Vietnamese, Nigerians, Indians, and other recent immigrants to America. Among current Americans, Blacks have maintained a culture that has held them back; it is unbelievable that a Nigerian refugee, black, with no English skills and just the shirt on his/her back, will in a generation have accumulated more wealth and achieved a higher level of education than a Black whose family has been here over a hundred years. Only the Mexicans, who bring their culture with them, have difficulty prospering in America as a group. Needless to say, many Mexicans also do very well in America, much better than they would in any other part of the world given that they usually start here with no education, no capital, and no marketable skills.
Dear Mr. NaÃm
The answer as to why Arabs in America do better than in Europe or their native lands is quite simple. Arabs are assimilated into American culture, whereas in Europe they have remained separate. Add to that the greater freedom resulting from lower taxes - in Europe high taxes to maintain the social welfare system have kept total employment stagnant for over two decades - and Arabs, just as other recent immigrants to America, have a field day of opportunity. You undoubtedly will find similar success statistics among Chinese, Vietnamese, Nigerians, Indians, and other recent immigrants to America. Among current Americans, Blacks have maintained a culture that has held them back; it is unbelievable that a Nigerian refugee, black, with no English skills and just the shirt on his/her back, will in a generation have accumulated more wealth and achieved a higher level of education than a Black whose family has been here over a hundred years. Only the Mexicans, who bring their culture with them, have difficulty prospering in America as a group. Needless to say, many Mexicans also do very well in America, much better than they would in any other part of the world given that they usually start here with no education, no capital, and no marketable skills.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Put Up Or Shut Up, Ms. Foley
Linda Foley
International President
Newspaper Guild
Ms. Foley,
I saw a video clip of your accusations that the U S military is targeting and killing journalists. It sounded like an Eason Jordan rerun. Where is your proof? Show it or shut up
This is not an attempt to censor you. In fact, I demand you show the world your proof, and show it right now. The atrocities you describe must be exposed and stopped immediately. If you do not do your part, you are complicit in evil. However, if you cannot back up your words with proof, you have no business continuing in a responsible position in journalism.
Michael B. Combs, Major, U S Air Force, Retired
International President
Newspaper Guild
Ms. Foley,
I saw a video clip of your accusations that the U S military is targeting and killing journalists. It sounded like an Eason Jordan rerun. Where is your proof? Show it or shut up
This is not an attempt to censor you. In fact, I demand you show the world your proof, and show it right now. The atrocities you describe must be exposed and stopped immediately. If you do not do your part, you are complicit in evil. However, if you cannot back up your words with proof, you have no business continuing in a responsible position in journalism.
Michael B. Combs, Major, U S Air Force, Retired
Saturday, April 30, 2005
I Miss What We Lost
Editor
I was glad to read that Rosemarie Brooks enjoys living in Point Arena. I not only enjoyed living in Point Arena, I loved it from 1949 to 1960, and always enjoyed returning to visit family and friends over the years.
The movie house is one of my favorites. I have seen over 1,000 movies there. We once had two thriving general stores in Point Arena, which provided incomes to support a total of ten or more families. Three service stations, two hotels and a motel, three downtown restaurants with bars, a busy bowling alley with bar and restaurant, a soda fountain, shoe store, dress shop, two meat markets, the Bank of America, an appliance sales and repair shop, a paint store, two barber shops and a women’s hair salon, and more houses and a larger population than now. Also at various times a pool hall, penny arcade, small engine sales and repairs, coffee shop, and many other signs of an energetic and robust economy in a small town.
Our energetic life style also featured activities year around. Young men played for basketball and softball teams sponsored by their sawmill employers – Bojock Lumber Company had particularly strong teams – and the 776th Radar Squadron, U. S. Air Force, also fielded strong teams. Adult and youth square dancing, and monthly dances at Point Arena High School, were very popular. The high school, with participation from teachers, townspeople, and Air Force personnel, put on an incredible performance of H. M. S. Pinafore in 1959, and presented plays and band performances frequently during each school year.
Unlike today, local people could be found in large numbers on evenings and weekends at the beaches and at swimming holes on the Garcia and Gualala rivers. The Point Arena wharf was very busy, with boats being rented and launched, and as many as twenty salmon trollers tied alongside the wharf, and a dozen more tied to buoys.
I understand our differing perspectives: Rosemarie is celebrating what she has, I miss what we lost.
I was glad to read that Rosemarie Brooks enjoys living in Point Arena. I not only enjoyed living in Point Arena, I loved it from 1949 to 1960, and always enjoyed returning to visit family and friends over the years.
The movie house is one of my favorites. I have seen over 1,000 movies there. We once had two thriving general stores in Point Arena, which provided incomes to support a total of ten or more families. Three service stations, two hotels and a motel, three downtown restaurants with bars, a busy bowling alley with bar and restaurant, a soda fountain, shoe store, dress shop, two meat markets, the Bank of America, an appliance sales and repair shop, a paint store, two barber shops and a women’s hair salon, and more houses and a larger population than now. Also at various times a pool hall, penny arcade, small engine sales and repairs, coffee shop, and many other signs of an energetic and robust economy in a small town.
Our energetic life style also featured activities year around. Young men played for basketball and softball teams sponsored by their sawmill employers – Bojock Lumber Company had particularly strong teams – and the 776th Radar Squadron, U. S. Air Force, also fielded strong teams. Adult and youth square dancing, and monthly dances at Point Arena High School, were very popular. The high school, with participation from teachers, townspeople, and Air Force personnel, put on an incredible performance of H. M. S. Pinafore in 1959, and presented plays and band performances frequently during each school year.
Unlike today, local people could be found in large numbers on evenings and weekends at the beaches and at swimming holes on the Garcia and Gualala rivers. The Point Arena wharf was very busy, with boats being rented and launched, and as many as twenty salmon trollers tied alongside the wharf, and a dozen more tied to buoys.
I understand our differing perspectives: Rosemarie is celebrating what she has, I miss what we lost.
Monday, January 17, 2005
Saving Social Security Once A Clinton Priority
ICO Editor
Seven years ago President Clinton said we needed “to save Social Security for the 21st Century.” A year later, in his State of the Union address, he announced a plan to "save" Social Security and fund a new type of retirement savings account. Now, even though nothing was done, Democrats say that Social Security is OK and that retirement savings accounts are a bad idea. What changed?
The Editor of the ICO does not think there is a Social Security crisis. He said its trust fund will last until at least 2042. The trust fund, as we all know, is full of Treasury Bonds (government IOU’s) to replace the surplus funds that the general fund “borrowed” and our government spent. Senator “Fritz” Hollings, D-S. Car., says Social Security is being destroyed because the trust fund has been “looted.”
Just what are these government IOU’s in the trust fund? Back in my CPA working years, we called bonds “liabilities,” because they must eventually be repaid. However, our government puts its IOU’s in a “trust fund” and calls them “cash” (an asset).
Just how is the government going to use the trust fund to pay Social Security obligations when cash outflow exceeds inflow in 2018? There are very few options. Taxes could be raised, general fund expenditures could be cut, or borrowing increased. Also, the Social Security tax rate could be increased, benefits cut, or retirement age increased. The point is, one or more of these options have to start in 2018, not 2042. And the second point is, each and every one of these options hurts economic growth and personal savings. The final point, Social Security still is not saved, just extended on life support.
Next week, saving Social Security with personal retirement accounts, just like the ones government employees already have.
(Note to Steve: National debt as a percentage of GDP has been higher in the past, and is already coming back down. It, like many other things, is only considered a crisis by Democrats when Republicans are in power.)
Seven years ago President Clinton said we needed “to save Social Security for the 21st Century.” A year later, in his State of the Union address, he announced a plan to "save" Social Security and fund a new type of retirement savings account. Now, even though nothing was done, Democrats say that Social Security is OK and that retirement savings accounts are a bad idea. What changed?
The Editor of the ICO does not think there is a Social Security crisis. He said its trust fund will last until at least 2042. The trust fund, as we all know, is full of Treasury Bonds (government IOU’s) to replace the surplus funds that the general fund “borrowed” and our government spent. Senator “Fritz” Hollings, D-S. Car., says Social Security is being destroyed because the trust fund has been “looted.”
Just what are these government IOU’s in the trust fund? Back in my CPA working years, we called bonds “liabilities,” because they must eventually be repaid. However, our government puts its IOU’s in a “trust fund” and calls them “cash” (an asset).
Just how is the government going to use the trust fund to pay Social Security obligations when cash outflow exceeds inflow in 2018? There are very few options. Taxes could be raised, general fund expenditures could be cut, or borrowing increased. Also, the Social Security tax rate could be increased, benefits cut, or retirement age increased. The point is, one or more of these options have to start in 2018, not 2042. And the second point is, each and every one of these options hurts economic growth and personal savings. The final point, Social Security still is not saved, just extended on life support.
Next week, saving Social Security with personal retirement accounts, just like the ones government employees already have.
(Note to Steve: National debt as a percentage of GDP has been higher in the past, and is already coming back down. It, like many other things, is only considered a crisis by Democrats when Republicans are in power.)
Monday, December 20, 2004
Our 2004 Christmas Letter
20 December 2004
We wish you and yours the merriest Christmas and the happiest New Year!
In a recent exchange of opinions via letters to our local weekly newspaper, I was accused of wearing “rose colored glasses.” Alice and I are too optimistic. We think life is good. We enjoy our lives, friends, and families. What is wrong with us? Have we lived lives without loss, sadness, regret, challenge? Are we in denial, unable to see how tough life is, how messed up the world is? In a word, no. We have lost, and sorely miss, many of our closest family and friends throughout our 62 years. Many of our loved ones are gravely ill or struggling with infirmities and disabilities. That means that we are a part of humanity, too.
Now a brief recap of the past year. The highlight was Alice and her brother Rob hosting a three-day 90th birthday party for their father, George Dickinson, at Newport Beach in July. Besides the party, we stayed fairly close to home this year. We went to Mexico for two weeks; a week in Mexico City, and a week studying Spanish in Cuernavaca. We had planned to visit friends at Lake Tahoe but had to cancel because my real estate job got too busy. In fact, the past year has been busier than the four previous years combined, and my “hobby” has become hard work. Be careful what you wish for, because wishes may come true.
Shortly after George’s birthday party, we had company for 19 nights in a 36-day period. We were serious when we invited everyone to visit, and for awhile it looked like everyone was taking us up on our offer. Alice is very busy in a book club she joined this year and is enjoying it immensely. She said she studies harder for book club meetings than she ever did in school, and just for sheer pleasure. Her company, Vulcan Incorporated, just gets better and better, thanks to the employees’ “sweat equity” ownership program Alice started years ago.
Buddy, who nipped a jogger’s nipple to escape from city life, continues to show that crime does pay. Buddy now is rarely more than an arm’s length away from one of us, except when he is visiting his other family including his little sister Duchess in Walnut Creek. He spends a lot of time in the woods, on the beaches, chasing rabbits, deer, wild turkeys, and skunks. I wish the little stinker would drop skunks from his list, but “if it runs, Buddy chases it.” I'm glad there are no bull elephants in Gualala!
Soon we will be on the road for Christmas, New Years, and family birthdays. Then later in January we go to Thailand for a few weeks, return in time for Alice’s high school reunion – then I’ll have to catch up on two months of neglected real estate work in about a week. Alice and I already feel tired just thinking about all that is before us! Like getting this in the mail before Christmas Eve.
Best wishes for now and for tomorrow, and for all your tomorrows.
Alice and Michael
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Jimmy Carter, Our Heart's Desire
Editor
I am very glad that Brady Klopfer included the H. L. Mencken quote: “On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.” I knew there had to be some explanation for Jimmy Carter. I wonder what explanation Mencken had for Bill Clinton?
To give credit where credit is due, it was the majority of eligible voters (led by Abraham Lincoln, our first Republican president), that first voted in the reforms which ended slavery, and later brought universal suffrage. Only forty years ago Republicans overcame the opposition of Southern Democrats to pass landmark civil rights legislation. Yes, the minorities that opposed these reforms were wrong, the majorities were right.
Now, as then, Republicans are the primary force for reform, against reactionary Democrat policies. In the United States, President Bush is providing bold leadership to finally reform Social Security, public education, immigration and Medicare, reforms which should have been done but weren’t during the long period dominated by the “do nothing” Democrats.
President Bush also has a vision for a world free of the tyranny of religious extremists and terrorists. In Afghanistan, women vote, attend school, can work outside their homes, and no longer need suffer the pain and humiliation of genital mutilation. Afghanis are free to worship or not worship as they please. In Iraq, the majority Shiites and minority Kurds were freed from Sunni oppression and will soon control their own destinies. Twice in January, in historical firsts, Arabs will freely elect their own leaders.
“If people are not liberals at 20, they have no hearts. If they are still liberals at 30, they have no brains.” The election results show we have a brainy majority.
I am very glad that Brady Klopfer included the H. L. Mencken quote: “On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.” I knew there had to be some explanation for Jimmy Carter. I wonder what explanation Mencken had for Bill Clinton?
To give credit where credit is due, it was the majority of eligible voters (led by Abraham Lincoln, our first Republican president), that first voted in the reforms which ended slavery, and later brought universal suffrage. Only forty years ago Republicans overcame the opposition of Southern Democrats to pass landmark civil rights legislation. Yes, the minorities that opposed these reforms were wrong, the majorities were right.
Now, as then, Republicans are the primary force for reform, against reactionary Democrat policies. In the United States, President Bush is providing bold leadership to finally reform Social Security, public education, immigration and Medicare, reforms which should have been done but weren’t during the long period dominated by the “do nothing” Democrats.
President Bush also has a vision for a world free of the tyranny of religious extremists and terrorists. In Afghanistan, women vote, attend school, can work outside their homes, and no longer need suffer the pain and humiliation of genital mutilation. Afghanis are free to worship or not worship as they please. In Iraq, the majority Shiites and minority Kurds were freed from Sunni oppression and will soon control their own destinies. Twice in January, in historical firsts, Arabs will freely elect their own leaders.
“If people are not liberals at 20, they have no hearts. If they are still liberals at 30, they have no brains.” The election results show we have a brainy majority.
Monday, November 08, 2004
After We Won! 2004
In this Fools Paradise for Liberal Democrats, I would like to say some nice words of consolation: You have very good looking political yard signs here in the Land of the Lost.
You have already picked a sure-fire winning rationale for your loss – American voters are too uneducated and uninformed to be trusted to vote intelligently. Since the Left dominates public education and the main stream media, it is interesting to hear that we, the ignorant right-wing scum (as I was labeled in a letter to the ICO) are the fruits of your labors.
You accuse us of being violent and narrow-minded, and yet it is our yard signs that are destroyed as fast as they are put up, and yours aren’t. I spent hundreds of dollars, and several hours of driving, to provide a friend two large Bush/Cheney signs. He spent time and materials to place them on his property, and within two days they were gone. Many Republican friends would not display the smaller yard signs and bumper stickers I bought for them, because they were afraid of vandalism and their neighbors’ reactions.
You say that now the election is over, President Bush and the growing Republican majorities in the House and Senate should work with you. How about you working with us? Did the thought ever occur to you that if your ideas are better than ours, you would have won, and would be leading?
You challenged us to watch Fahrenheit 9/11, and we did, but then we watched Fahrenhype 9/11 to learn of all the lies and distortions Michael Moore fed to a gullible audience. I challenge you to watch Fahrenhype 9/11 – the truth may set you free, believing lies won’t.
I feel your pain, and am glad it’s not mine.
You have already picked a sure-fire winning rationale for your loss – American voters are too uneducated and uninformed to be trusted to vote intelligently. Since the Left dominates public education and the main stream media, it is interesting to hear that we, the ignorant right-wing scum (as I was labeled in a letter to the ICO) are the fruits of your labors.
You accuse us of being violent and narrow-minded, and yet it is our yard signs that are destroyed as fast as they are put up, and yours aren’t. I spent hundreds of dollars, and several hours of driving, to provide a friend two large Bush/Cheney signs. He spent time and materials to place them on his property, and within two days they were gone. Many Republican friends would not display the smaller yard signs and bumper stickers I bought for them, because they were afraid of vandalism and their neighbors’ reactions.
You say that now the election is over, President Bush and the growing Republican majorities in the House and Senate should work with you. How about you working with us? Did the thought ever occur to you that if your ideas are better than ours, you would have won, and would be leading?
You challenged us to watch Fahrenheit 9/11, and we did, but then we watched Fahrenhype 9/11 to learn of all the lies and distortions Michael Moore fed to a gullible audience. I challenge you to watch Fahrenhype 9/11 – the truth may set you free, believing lies won’t.
I feel your pain, and am glad it’s not mine.
Friday, September 10, 2004
World A Better Place Without Saddam?
“Anti-war” Senators Carl Levin, Tom Daschle and John Kerry wrote on Oct. 9, 1998, in a letter to the Clinton White House: "[W]e urge you …to take necessary actions …to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs."
Bill Clinton responded. On December 16, 1998, he unleashed Operation Desert Fox "...to attack Iraq's nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs, and its military capacity to threaten their neighbors. Their purpose is to protect the national interests of the United States..."
Previously, on February 17, 1998, Bill Clinton noted: "Saddam's son-in-law and the chief organizer of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program, defected to Jordan." Therefore, Clinton said, “(we know Iraq has) an offensive biological warfare capability, notably 5,000 gallons of botulinum...2,000 gallons of anthrax, 25 biological-filled scud warheads, and 157 aerial bombs."
Surprisingly, Senator Tom Daschle, D-S.D., recently praised the Bush administration's war and nation-building work in Iraq and said he has no serious concerns about the lack of weapons of mass destruction.
"I give the effort overall real credit," Daschle said. "It is a good thing Saddam Hussein is no longer in power. It is a good thing we are democratizing the country." Does it sound like the world is a better place without Saddam in power?
“Perhaps so,” huffed the ICO Editor.
With the Taliban gone, Al-Queda on the run, Saddam captured, no terrorist attacks in the United States since 9/11, Libya and Iran admitting nuclear arms plotting, North Korea cheating exposed, United Nations Resolutions on Iraq finally enforced, and even senior Democrats applauding – perhaps even the ICO Editor will admit the world is a far better place without Saddam. Because Saddam caused the deaths of three million Moslems, more than any other person ever, even some Moslems admit the world is a better place without him.
Facts, not opinions.
Bill Clinton responded. On December 16, 1998, he unleashed Operation Desert Fox "...to attack Iraq's nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs, and its military capacity to threaten their neighbors. Their purpose is to protect the national interests of the United States..."
Previously, on February 17, 1998, Bill Clinton noted: "Saddam's son-in-law and the chief organizer of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program, defected to Jordan." Therefore, Clinton said, “(we know Iraq has) an offensive biological warfare capability, notably 5,000 gallons of botulinum...2,000 gallons of anthrax, 25 biological-filled scud warheads, and 157 aerial bombs."
Surprisingly, Senator Tom Daschle, D-S.D., recently praised the Bush administration's war and nation-building work in Iraq and said he has no serious concerns about the lack of weapons of mass destruction.
"I give the effort overall real credit," Daschle said. "It is a good thing Saddam Hussein is no longer in power. It is a good thing we are democratizing the country." Does it sound like the world is a better place without Saddam in power?
“Perhaps so,” huffed the ICO Editor.
With the Taliban gone, Al-Queda on the run, Saddam captured, no terrorist attacks in the United States since 9/11, Libya and Iran admitting nuclear arms plotting, North Korea cheating exposed, United Nations Resolutions on Iraq finally enforced, and even senior Democrats applauding – perhaps even the ICO Editor will admit the world is a far better place without Saddam. Because Saddam caused the deaths of three million Moslems, more than any other person ever, even some Moslems admit the world is a better place without him.
Facts, not opinions.
Friday, September 03, 2004
You won't find this in the San Francisco Chronicle, or the New York (All the news that's fit to print) Times.
Establishment Survey (W-2 payroll employment)Total employment as of December 2000 = 131.878 million
Total employment as of August 2004 = 131.475 million
So, the truth is that 403,000 W-2 jobs have been lost since George Bush took office; not the 900,000, 1 million, or even the 2 million that you see, from time to time, in various liberal and partisan-Democratic circles.
On the other hand:Household Survey (W-2 employment, 1099 contractors, self-employment, etc.)Total employment as of December 2000 = 135.836 million
Total employment as of August 2004 = 139.681 million
Hmm. I don't think the Associated Press, the New York Times, MSNBC, or Reuters, want to run the following headline: "Economy generates nearly 4 million net jobs under George W. Bush." So, therefore, it would appear that the establishment survey is the one with which the liberal media will continue to be preoccupied.
Establishment Survey (W-2 payroll employment)Total employment as of December 2000 = 131.878 million
Total employment as of August 2004 = 131.475 million
So, the truth is that 403,000 W-2 jobs have been lost since George Bush took office; not the 900,000, 1 million, or even the 2 million that you see, from time to time, in various liberal and partisan-Democratic circles.
On the other hand:Household Survey (W-2 employment, 1099 contractors, self-employment, etc.)Total employment as of December 2000 = 135.836 million
Total employment as of August 2004 = 139.681 million
Hmm. I don't think the Associated Press, the New York Times, MSNBC, or Reuters, want to run the following headline: "Economy generates nearly 4 million net jobs under George W. Bush." So, therefore, it would appear that the establishment survey is the one with which the liberal media will continue to be preoccupied.
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