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.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
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 Naím
Dear Mr. Naím
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. Naím
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.
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
John Kerry Invents Virtual Foreign Relations
Editor,
John Kerry’s latest TV ads accuse President Bush of “misleading America.” Yet just a week ago, John Kerry said: "I've met with foreign leaders who can't go out and say this publicly, but, boy, they look at you and say: 'You've got to win this. You've got to beat this guy. We need a new policy.' Things like that."
Interestingly, there is no evidence that John Kerry met with any foreign leaders since he began his campaign. In fact, the only time he was in the same town (Wash., D.C.) as a foreign leader was Sept. 24, 2003. On that same day, President Bush was in New York meeting with the leaders of Germany, India, Pakistan, Ghana and Mozambique.
Apparently John Kerry feels that if he did talk to foreign leaders, they would tell him how much they prefer him, so why go to all the trouble – just report what they would have said given the chance. Kim Jong Il, for example.
Kerry says President Bush “misleads.” In truth, John Kerry lies.
John Kerry’s latest TV ads accuse President Bush of “misleading America.” Yet just a week ago, John Kerry said: "I've met with foreign leaders who can't go out and say this publicly, but, boy, they look at you and say: 'You've got to win this. You've got to beat this guy. We need a new policy.' Things like that."
Interestingly, there is no evidence that John Kerry met with any foreign leaders since he began his campaign. In fact, the only time he was in the same town (Wash., D.C.) as a foreign leader was Sept. 24, 2003. On that same day, President Bush was in New York meeting with the leaders of Germany, India, Pakistan, Ghana and Mozambique.
Apparently John Kerry feels that if he did talk to foreign leaders, they would tell him how much they prefer him, so why go to all the trouble – just report what they would have said given the chance. Kim Jong Il, for example.
Kerry says President Bush “misleads.” In truth, John Kerry lies.
Monday, August 02, 2004
Do They Have To Retake The Senate Picture?
Editor
Recently 24 recipients of the Medal of Honor released a letter criticizing Kerry for voting against a $1.3 billion increase in veterans' health care benefits and missing some Senate votes related to veterans.
Kerry says he supports veterans’ health care benefits and President Bush doesn’t. However, a recent study shows veterans’ benefits went up 30 percent in eight years of Clinton, and 40 percent in three years of Bush.
On June 21 Kerry rushed back to Washington, D.C. to register support for a guarantee of federal funding for veterans' health care. The Republicans postponed the vote. Kerry then charged that GOP leaders shelved the vote to disrupt his campaign and deny him an issue he has championed. Republicans replied that Kerry, often absent from the Senate during his campaign, was grandstanding. Later that day, the Senate official photo was taken in the chamber; had Kerry missed it, he would have been the only absentee.
Kerry, who has missed 89 percent of the Senate's votes this year as of Monday, and 64 percent last year (including several votes on veterans' health care issues)., said Bush should immediately call a special session of Congress to implement the recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission. Kerry said he would interrupt his campaigning to be there for debate and voting "when necessary."
Why now? Do they have to retake the Senate picture?
Recently 24 recipients of the Medal of Honor released a letter criticizing Kerry for voting against a $1.3 billion increase in veterans' health care benefits and missing some Senate votes related to veterans.
Kerry says he supports veterans’ health care benefits and President Bush doesn’t. However, a recent study shows veterans’ benefits went up 30 percent in eight years of Clinton, and 40 percent in three years of Bush.
On June 21 Kerry rushed back to Washington, D.C. to register support for a guarantee of federal funding for veterans' health care. The Republicans postponed the vote. Kerry then charged that GOP leaders shelved the vote to disrupt his campaign and deny him an issue he has championed. Republicans replied that Kerry, often absent from the Senate during his campaign, was grandstanding. Later that day, the Senate official photo was taken in the chamber; had Kerry missed it, he would have been the only absentee.
Kerry, who has missed 89 percent of the Senate's votes this year as of Monday, and 64 percent last year (including several votes on veterans' health care issues)., said Bush should immediately call a special session of Congress to implement the recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission. Kerry said he would interrupt his campaigning to be there for debate and voting "when necessary."
Why now? Do they have to retake the Senate picture?
Saturday, July 10, 2004
Bush Smarter Than Kerry - Duh?
Editor
The Washington Times reported yet another Kerry lie, this one told repeatedly of how he met for hours with all members of the U.N. Security Council just a week before voting in October 2002 to authorize the use of force in Iraq. Since United Nations ambassadors from many of the Security Council nations are saying the meeting never occurred, I guess it will be up to our Main Stream Media to attack these ambassadors in the same way they attacked the Swift Boat veterans. Although the Swifties prevailed and proved John Kerry never spent Christmas 1968 in Cambodia, and by his own journal Kerry admitted he had not yet been in combat until the week after he supposedly was “wounded” for his first Purple Heart, the Main Stream Media continued to warp the truth.
The New York Times continues to fight for Kerry, now running a story about missing Iraqi high explosives even after NBC reported the explosives were gone before U. S, forces captured the site. Kerry and Edwards are making a big deal of the Times treatment of the story, making me wonder if they are saying we should have attacked sooner.
The New York Times sometimes gets it right. The Times just ran an article about President Bush having a higher IQ than Kerry, based on their scores on Officer Qualifying Tests (Bush scored at the 95th percentile, Kerry at the 91st). The article also reported that President Bush’s SAT score was 1206, which relates to an IQ of 129 and supports above a 95th percentile ranking. It is one point below qualifying President Bush for membership in Mensa. President Bush is measurably smarter than almost every liberal now reading this, with a Yale degree and a Harvard MBA for good measure.
The Washington Times reported yet another Kerry lie, this one told repeatedly of how he met for hours with all members of the U.N. Security Council just a week before voting in October 2002 to authorize the use of force in Iraq. Since United Nations ambassadors from many of the Security Council nations are saying the meeting never occurred, I guess it will be up to our Main Stream Media to attack these ambassadors in the same way they attacked the Swift Boat veterans. Although the Swifties prevailed and proved John Kerry never spent Christmas 1968 in Cambodia, and by his own journal Kerry admitted he had not yet been in combat until the week after he supposedly was “wounded” for his first Purple Heart, the Main Stream Media continued to warp the truth.
The New York Times continues to fight for Kerry, now running a story about missing Iraqi high explosives even after NBC reported the explosives were gone before U. S, forces captured the site. Kerry and Edwards are making a big deal of the Times treatment of the story, making me wonder if they are saying we should have attacked sooner.
The New York Times sometimes gets it right. The Times just ran an article about President Bush having a higher IQ than Kerry, based on their scores on Officer Qualifying Tests (Bush scored at the 95th percentile, Kerry at the 91st). The article also reported that President Bush’s SAT score was 1206, which relates to an IQ of 129 and supports above a 95th percentile ranking. It is one point below qualifying President Bush for membership in Mensa. President Bush is measurably smarter than almost every liberal now reading this, with a Yale degree and a Harvard MBA for good measure.
Monday, December 22, 2003
Liberal Bias Is A Proven Fact
Steve,
Since Mr. Finz “quoted” his grandmother in an earlier letter, I will “quote” mine: “You can lead a liberal to wisdom, but you can’t make him wise.” If I had known that the ICO would have allowed me more than 300 words for my letter, such as the over 400 words allowed Mr. Harry in his pointless “Hollow Argument” rebuttal, I would have included many more examples of studies documenting liberal bias in the media. Instead, I cited a web site, http://www.mediaresearch.org/ , that provides the results of many studies. I had hoped that open-minded truth seekers would go to the web site, there to learn for themselves the findings of liberal bias. Instead, Mr. Finz focused on just one of the findings I included, and didn’t even mention the others. Quoting myself:
“Also, a 2001 Kaiser Family Foundation survey found that members of the media were four times as likely to identify themselves as ‘liberal’ than as ‘conservative.’
Over a 16-year period, the Republican presidential candidate always received less than 20 percent of the media’s vote.”
Another study found that 89 percent of Washington-based reporters said they voted for Bill Clinton in 1992. Only seven percent voted for George Bush, with two percent choosing Ross Perot.
I could go on and on, but the ICO will edit me for brevity at the 300-word point, so I trust interested readers will seek truth themselves. I did not make the findings up – the Los Angeles Times, Kaiser Family Foundation, Gallup Poll, Harris Poll, the American Association of Newspaper Editors, the U. S. New and World Report, the Freedom Forum, Editor & Publisher magazine, major colleges and universities, and many others are responsible.
As the studies found, most Americans (including liberals) believe there is a liberal bias in the media. Mr. Finz and Mr. Harry should challenge these studies with facts, rather than opinions.
My oldest son, Sgt Bruce Combs, arrived safely back from Iraq via Kuwait on December 5. Alice and I are very proud of him and all he served with, who are working hard to protect even the ignorant and ungrateful amongst us.
Since Mr. Finz “quoted” his grandmother in an earlier letter, I will “quote” mine: “You can lead a liberal to wisdom, but you can’t make him wise.” If I had known that the ICO would have allowed me more than 300 words for my letter, such as the over 400 words allowed Mr. Harry in his pointless “Hollow Argument” rebuttal, I would have included many more examples of studies documenting liberal bias in the media. Instead, I cited a web site, http://www.mediaresearch.org/ , that provides the results of many studies. I had hoped that open-minded truth seekers would go to the web site, there to learn for themselves the findings of liberal bias. Instead, Mr. Finz focused on just one of the findings I included, and didn’t even mention the others. Quoting myself:
“Also, a 2001 Kaiser Family Foundation survey found that members of the media were four times as likely to identify themselves as ‘liberal’ than as ‘conservative.’
Over a 16-year period, the Republican presidential candidate always received less than 20 percent of the media’s vote.”
Another study found that 89 percent of Washington-based reporters said they voted for Bill Clinton in 1992. Only seven percent voted for George Bush, with two percent choosing Ross Perot.
I could go on and on, but the ICO will edit me for brevity at the 300-word point, so I trust interested readers will seek truth themselves. I did not make the findings up – the Los Angeles Times, Kaiser Family Foundation, Gallup Poll, Harris Poll, the American Association of Newspaper Editors, the U. S. New and World Report, the Freedom Forum, Editor & Publisher magazine, major colleges and universities, and many others are responsible.
As the studies found, most Americans (including liberals) believe there is a liberal bias in the media. Mr. Finz and Mr. Harry should challenge these studies with facts, rather than opinions.
My oldest son, Sgt Bruce Combs, arrived safely back from Iraq via Kuwait on December 5. Alice and I are very proud of him and all he served with, who are working hard to protect even the ignorant and ungrateful amongst us.
When Did Serbia Attack Us?
Steve,
Since Mr. Finz determined not to waste any more time on an unworthy adversary such as myself, and unilaterally declared victory and an end to dead horse beating, I guess I will just have to find other simple amusements. Mr. Finz and Mr. Wasserman did not comment on any of the studies of liberal bias in the web site I referenced, and continued to write in their fact-free styles. They probably also will not read an excellent article, “War When we’re not attacked – Comparing Serbia with Iraq”, by Tom Campbell, who served five terms in Congress and was a member of the House International Relations Committee. Truth seekers can find the article in the Opinions section of the December 21, 2003 San Francisco Chronicle. Or go to http://www.sfgate.com/ and search for Campbell in Article - archive for December 21, 2003.
I will summarize the article: Serbia and Iraq are both instances of U.S. military action against a country that had not attacked us. Of the two, Iraq posed a greater threat to international peace, since Serbia had never attacked any of its neighbors, did not possess or use poison gas, and had not fired missiles into the territories of U. S. allies. Saddam Hussein gassed, shot, tortured and starved hundreds of thousands of his citizens, compared to the 2,000 killed by Milosevic in Kosovo. The occupation of Kosovo by NATO is in its fifth year. President Bush, contrary to Mr. Finz’s assertion that he directly defied the UN, had UN Security Council resolutions dating back to 1991 for authority, whereas President Clinton had nothing like that authority when he dropped the first bomb on Belgrade. President Clinton said Serbia posed a threat to NATO's security. President Bush said Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction.
Mr. Campbell: “I can understand opposing (or supporting) U.S. action in both Iraq and Serbia. I can understand concluding that, on grounds of human rights, attacks on U.S. allies, international law and U.S. Constitutional law, the war in Iraq was a clearer case than the war in Serbia. To support the decision to attack Serbia, but not Iraq, however, is illogical.”
Mr. Campbell concludes: “It seems that it comes down to this: To some, President Bush can do no good, and President Clinton could do no wrong.”
Since Mr. Finz determined not to waste any more time on an unworthy adversary such as myself, and unilaterally declared victory and an end to dead horse beating, I guess I will just have to find other simple amusements. Mr. Finz and Mr. Wasserman did not comment on any of the studies of liberal bias in the web site I referenced, and continued to write in their fact-free styles. They probably also will not read an excellent article, “War When we’re not attacked – Comparing Serbia with Iraq”, by Tom Campbell, who served five terms in Congress and was a member of the House International Relations Committee. Truth seekers can find the article in the Opinions section of the December 21, 2003 San Francisco Chronicle. Or go to http://www.sfgate.com/ and search for Campbell in Article - archive for December 21, 2003.
I will summarize the article: Serbia and Iraq are both instances of U.S. military action against a country that had not attacked us. Of the two, Iraq posed a greater threat to international peace, since Serbia had never attacked any of its neighbors, did not possess or use poison gas, and had not fired missiles into the territories of U. S. allies. Saddam Hussein gassed, shot, tortured and starved hundreds of thousands of his citizens, compared to the 2,000 killed by Milosevic in Kosovo. The occupation of Kosovo by NATO is in its fifth year. President Bush, contrary to Mr. Finz’s assertion that he directly defied the UN, had UN Security Council resolutions dating back to 1991 for authority, whereas President Clinton had nothing like that authority when he dropped the first bomb on Belgrade. President Clinton said Serbia posed a threat to NATO's security. President Bush said Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction.
Mr. Campbell: “I can understand opposing (or supporting) U.S. action in both Iraq and Serbia. I can understand concluding that, on grounds of human rights, attacks on U.S. allies, international law and U.S. Constitutional law, the war in Iraq was a clearer case than the war in Serbia. To support the decision to attack Serbia, but not Iraq, however, is illogical.”
Mr. Campbell concludes: “It seems that it comes down to this: To some, President Bush can do no good, and President Clinton could do no wrong.”
Friday, December 19, 2003
California - Revenue Shortage, Spending Surplus
Editor,
Your editorial, Junk Budget, December 12, 2003, was very amusing, since the ICO was not a critic of the Davis administration’s fiscal irresponsibility. When liberals bemoan reducing the regressive car tax just to criticize a Republican (a tax that hits the poor much harder than the rich, and then the rich take it as an itemized tax deduction, adding further salt to the wound!), it is true hypocrisy.
You are not alone in your liberal bias. The San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, and other willing accomplices of the Democratic majority that gave California the worst fiscal management of all fifty states (for details of the study that awarded California last place, see USA Today, June 23, 2003, Bad Moves, Not Economy, Behind Busted State Budgets, by Paul Overberg), also never editorialized against the spending that created the problem, but have been all over Governor Schwarzenegger for honoring his campaign promise to throw out the car tax increase. Good thing too, because that was one of the main promises that got him elected!
The problem in California can be summed up neatly. We did not have a shortage of revenue; we had an excess of spending. The only revenue shortage we experienced was due to our inflated expectations of taxes from the rich as they exercised stock options. California budget statistics show: 26% - Increase in state revenue from 1998-99 to 2002-03; 45% - Increase in total state spending from 1998-99 to 2002-03; 37% - Increase in just the General Fund portion of state spending from 1998-99 to 2002-03; and 37,000 - The number of new workers hired as of March 2003 in state government since the Governor's "hiring freeze" was imposed March 2002 (that's 37,000 new hires in ONE year!). Any questions?
Facts, not opinions.
Your editorial, Junk Budget, December 12, 2003, was very amusing, since the ICO was not a critic of the Davis administration’s fiscal irresponsibility. When liberals bemoan reducing the regressive car tax just to criticize a Republican (a tax that hits the poor much harder than the rich, and then the rich take it as an itemized tax deduction, adding further salt to the wound!), it is true hypocrisy.
You are not alone in your liberal bias. The San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, and other willing accomplices of the Democratic majority that gave California the worst fiscal management of all fifty states (for details of the study that awarded California last place, see USA Today, June 23, 2003, Bad Moves, Not Economy, Behind Busted State Budgets, by Paul Overberg), also never editorialized against the spending that created the problem, but have been all over Governor Schwarzenegger for honoring his campaign promise to throw out the car tax increase. Good thing too, because that was one of the main promises that got him elected!
The problem in California can be summed up neatly. We did not have a shortage of revenue; we had an excess of spending. The only revenue shortage we experienced was due to our inflated expectations of taxes from the rich as they exercised stock options. California budget statistics show: 26% - Increase in state revenue from 1998-99 to 2002-03; 45% - Increase in total state spending from 1998-99 to 2002-03; 37% - Increase in just the General Fund portion of state spending from 1998-99 to 2002-03; and 37,000 - The number of new workers hired as of March 2003 in state government since the Governor's "hiring freeze" was imposed March 2002 (that's 37,000 new hires in ONE year!). Any questions?
Facts, not opinions.
Tuesday, December 09, 2003
Our 2003 Christmas Letter
23 December 2003
But there is more. A lot more. By the grace of God and accident of birth, we were born into the most free and freedom loving land ever to grace the Earth, in 1942 when that freedom was most grievously threatened. Evil that should have been nipped in the bud almost destroyed liberty, while good people stood by and allowed it to grow. Hopefully we will never let that happen again.
In July we went on a Baltic cruise and visited the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Denmark, and Russia. To me, the highlight was two days spent in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The palaces and museums were unforgettable, Alice loved the colorful onion domed buildings, but my most lasting image was watching the young Russians coping with freedom. Many were fit and trim, stylishly dressed, well spoken and educated, and trying to take advantage of opportunities. Older Russians, however, may have wanted the old ways back. We ended our vacation in London, thoroughly enjoying “Mama Mia” and “time” at Greenwich.
Debbie and Joe had a dog Buddy, who nipped a jogger on the left nipple while Debbie was walking him in a park. Now Buddy is living with us. He jogs three miles with me most mornings, then walks to the beach with Alice in the afternoon. On mornings when Alice goes swimming, Buddy goes to the office with me, and loves showing property. We are both still on the School Board, and by invitation Buddy now goes to all the meetings too, so we don’t have to leave him alone and lonely. He is spoiled.
Other highlights of the year include Granddaughter Leaha visiting for three weeks, visits with friends and relatives here, in the Bay Area, Southern California, and Lake Tahoe, and completing the remodel and moving into our home among the redwoods. We love it here and hope all our friends and family plan to visit us soon.
A very Merry Christmas, and the happiest of New Years!
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