With our Congressional Democrats writhing about trying to find the votes to pass the latest version of so-called "Health Care Reform", I've been doing a lot of thinking about rights, obligations, and freedom.
Here's the thing: everyone having health care sounds good. Yeah. I mean, all things being equal, who doesn't think that's a good idea? And there may yet be a smart way to get there, but all the bills waved at us by the Dems so far aren't the way. Why not, you ask?
Ok, let's say that we agree that all citizens have the right to health care (I do not necessarily agree, but for the sake of discussion, I'll concede the point). Now, we have created a right, all shiny and new. But now there's a problem, some of us can't afford it. So we have to help them pay for it, because despite what you may have heard, it ain't free. Who's gonna pay for it? Why the government, or course.
But hang on..where does the government get their money? Well, they can borrow it or they can take it. Borrowing it means they took out a loan in your name (as a taxpayer) without your permission or signature, and you are partially responsible for paying it back. Or they can just raise your taxes, tax the health care plan that you worked hard for, or just take it out of your check...also without your permission by the way. Do you have a right to your money? Is your right to the money you earned more important than your neighbors right to health care they didn't work for?
Secondly, let's look at this notion of health care as a right. The government cannot create a new right, regardless of what they tell you. Rights are inherent in man from birth, you have them simply because you are alive...endowed by your Creator, you might say. Our Declaration of Independence says:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness..."
Ok then, so rights come from God (or whomever you chose to call him). Did God give us the right to health care? And then if we already have rights, what is the government for? Most people don't read the next sentence in the Declaration, or they'd know:
"That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,..."
Did you catch that? To secure these rights. Governments are supposed to protect our liberties, not create or enforce them, or even make us pay for them. And the consent of the governed is required...if you don't want government help, the Declaration of Independence says that's your choice, not Nancy Pelosi's. Read the rest of the document if you want to know what happens to governments that rule without the consent of the governed.
Rather that create a right that doesn't exist, or fund this new right by unconstitutional taxation, why not work to fix the problems that exist in health care now? Stop listening to the special interests groups and lobbyists, and start listening to doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals, and their patients. Find out why people can't get or keep health insurance, and remove the roadblocks where we can. Find out what makes health care so unnecessarily expensive (like baseless lawsuits) and let's work to streamline the process without adversely affecting cost or quality.
Why won't they? Because then they can't claim to have given us a new right, and claim victory. And because it makes too much dang sense.
Nolanbuck
Friday, November 6, 2009
The Fort Hood Shooting
I'd like to begin by saying my thoughts & prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones in this unspeakable horror, and I pray as well that those wounded make a complete (and hopefully speedy) recovery. And thank God for heroes and heroines like this lady.
It is a shocking thing to know that our soldiers aren't safe on their own bases on U.S. soil, but I guess that just speaks to the dangerous world we live in.
We have been told by our President (the same guy who apparently nearly forgot to mention the shooting at all yesterday) not to jump to conclusions in this matter, and for the most part that's good, if mostly self-evident, advice. But a few conclusions can be made here based on what we know.
1. 13 unarmed people were gunned down in cold blood.
2. The killer was, by all reports, motivated by religious and political views.
3. That spells terrorism.
Terrorism does not have to be a grand nefarious plot cooked up in a cave in Waziristan, an act of violence to further a political or religious agenda is terrorism, even if performed by a lone wacko.
Don't tell me to wait and see, the forthcoming facts are just going to fill in the blanks. But the question of whether this was terrorism had already been answered when the first bullet left Hasan's barrel. And don't make this into an anti-muslim discussion. It's not terrorism because he's Muslim, it's terrorism because he did it because he was Muslim. This was not a "man-caused disaster" (the Dust Bowl was a "man-caused disaster") this was an act of terrorism...albeit by a lone crazed assailant.
Nolanbuck
It is a shocking thing to know that our soldiers aren't safe on their own bases on U.S. soil, but I guess that just speaks to the dangerous world we live in.
We have been told by our President (the same guy who apparently nearly forgot to mention the shooting at all yesterday) not to jump to conclusions in this matter, and for the most part that's good, if mostly self-evident, advice. But a few conclusions can be made here based on what we know.
1. 13 unarmed people were gunned down in cold blood.
2. The killer was, by all reports, motivated by religious and political views.
3. That spells terrorism.
Terrorism does not have to be a grand nefarious plot cooked up in a cave in Waziristan, an act of violence to further a political or religious agenda is terrorism, even if performed by a lone wacko.
Don't tell me to wait and see, the forthcoming facts are just going to fill in the blanks. But the question of whether this was terrorism had already been answered when the first bullet left Hasan's barrel. And don't make this into an anti-muslim discussion. It's not terrorism because he's Muslim, it's terrorism because he did it because he was Muslim. This was not a "man-caused disaster" (the Dust Bowl was a "man-caused disaster") this was an act of terrorism...albeit by a lone crazed assailant.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Same Old Song & Dance
Today I read this brilliant column and it encapsulated perfectly what I've been saying & thinking for months: this administration is using the financial crisis to make the social and governmental changes it wants by blaming the whole thing on Bush and saying their way is only undoing the wrong done by the previous administration. I call B.S.
[Nolanbuck's note - Most of you know where I stand politically, but for those who may not, I am a social conservative and a classical liberal in most other matters, including economics (which is not to be confused with modern liberalism, which is not true liberalism but rather progressivism...but I disgress.) I am a member of the Republican Party who has become increasingly disenchanted as the GOP turns out more & more to be "Democrat light".]
Everything that Mr. Obama has tried so far or proposed has been tried before, with mostly poor results. All of this "hope & change" is fancy wrapping for tired old progressivist ideas that didn't work in the previous century, and won't work in this one. Economic "stimulus" is creating a false recovery that has included a drastically weakened dollar and increasing unemployment, all of which will (if history is any indicator) lead to a second downturn in the economy in the coming months and years that I fear will be deeper than the first (see the late 1930's "second crash"). Regulation and government involvement in business during the 50's & 60's caused the stagnant economy of the 70's (also see the 90's in Japan, the so-called "lost decade"). This is nothing new, and most of the old ideas are the bad ones.
True laissez-faire, free-market policies will produce prosperity every time in the long run. Every. Time. I will grant you, free market capitalism is a dangerous beast sometimes, it can buck and thrash wildly on occasion and some companies and people will get hurt economically. But I will posit that many (if not all) of the undulations of the market are caused by our meddling and not by the market itself. And yes, corrupt businesses and people will taint the system and cause it to falter, but that is not the fault of the market, but of those unscrupulous few who would spike it for political or economic gain. In short, I am not pro-business, or even anti-government, but staunchly pro-market.
And I want to tear my hair out when the neo-con "borrow and spend" policies of the Bush administration are called free market or conservative ideals. Bush was not a conservative in the truest sense, he was a neo-con. Neo-cons began as liberals who abandoned the Democratic party in the 50s & 60s due to it's left turn on social issues. I was against Bush's spending and borrowing, his ridiculous immigrant amnesty bill, and a host of other things. The true conservatives biggest mistake was not loudly criticizing Bush when we disagreed, for fear of weakning the GOP's grip on power. Well, we let Bush crap the bed and the progressives now run the government, so in that we failed utterly. Lesson learned.
Nolanbuck
[Nolanbuck's note - Most of you know where I stand politically, but for those who may not, I am a social conservative and a classical liberal in most other matters, including economics (which is not to be confused with modern liberalism, which is not true liberalism but rather progressivism...but I disgress.) I am a member of the Republican Party who has become increasingly disenchanted as the GOP turns out more & more to be "Democrat light".]
Everything that Mr. Obama has tried so far or proposed has been tried before, with mostly poor results. All of this "hope & change" is fancy wrapping for tired old progressivist ideas that didn't work in the previous century, and won't work in this one. Economic "stimulus" is creating a false recovery that has included a drastically weakened dollar and increasing unemployment, all of which will (if history is any indicator) lead to a second downturn in the economy in the coming months and years that I fear will be deeper than the first (see the late 1930's "second crash"). Regulation and government involvement in business during the 50's & 60's caused the stagnant economy of the 70's (also see the 90's in Japan, the so-called "lost decade"). This is nothing new, and most of the old ideas are the bad ones.
True laissez-faire, free-market policies will produce prosperity every time in the long run. Every. Time. I will grant you, free market capitalism is a dangerous beast sometimes, it can buck and thrash wildly on occasion and some companies and people will get hurt economically. But I will posit that many (if not all) of the undulations of the market are caused by our meddling and not by the market itself. And yes, corrupt businesses and people will taint the system and cause it to falter, but that is not the fault of the market, but of those unscrupulous few who would spike it for political or economic gain. In short, I am not pro-business, or even anti-government, but staunchly pro-market.
And I want to tear my hair out when the neo-con "borrow and spend" policies of the Bush administration are called free market or conservative ideals. Bush was not a conservative in the truest sense, he was a neo-con. Neo-cons began as liberals who abandoned the Democratic party in the 50s & 60s due to it's left turn on social issues. I was against Bush's spending and borrowing, his ridiculous immigrant amnesty bill, and a host of other things. The true conservatives biggest mistake was not loudly criticizing Bush when we disagreed, for fear of weakning the GOP's grip on power. Well, we let Bush crap the bed and the progressives now run the government, so in that we failed utterly. Lesson learned.
Nolanbuck
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Building a Better Monster
The end of the U.S. dollar as the world's go-to currency began this year, as world banks put 63% of their cash in Euros and Yen over the summer, a stunning reversal from all of recent history. With the Fed printing greenbacks like monopoly money to pay for the Obama administration's many spending programs that we can't afford, and low interest rates depressing the greenback's value, Fed chairman Bernake has killed the "meltdown" monster by creating a bigger one, making our dollar worthless to comsumers and foreign investors alike.
The problem is, we are paying off the massive debts incurred by Bush and Obama with dollars...dollars that are dropping in value, and foreign banks can't afford to overextend their dependence on the sagging greenback. But raising interest rates and slowing the printing of money to strengthen the dollar will slow down any economic growth we may be producing and extend our recession.
This, ladies & gents, is why you cannot fix a recession or depression with government spending. The governemnt can't afford this rampant spending that seems to be mainly going to Democrat-aligned groups like unions and the indigent (so much for "shovel-ready" projects). And the spending hurts our currency's value, and leaves the government in an ever-increasing portion of our lives.
And Congress is about to stick us with paying for a disaster of a healthcare bill,and even a second stimulus bill. Hang on to your wallets, folks.
Nolanbuck
The problem is, we are paying off the massive debts incurred by Bush and Obama with dollars...dollars that are dropping in value, and foreign banks can't afford to overextend their dependence on the sagging greenback. But raising interest rates and slowing the printing of money to strengthen the dollar will slow down any economic growth we may be producing and extend our recession.
This, ladies & gents, is why you cannot fix a recession or depression with government spending. The governemnt can't afford this rampant spending that seems to be mainly going to Democrat-aligned groups like unions and the indigent (so much for "shovel-ready" projects). And the spending hurts our currency's value, and leaves the government in an ever-increasing portion of our lives.
And Congress is about to stick us with paying for a disaster of a healthcare bill,and even a second stimulus bill. Hang on to your wallets, folks.
Nolanbuck
Friday, October 9, 2009
We Come In Peace?
Our President has won the Nobel Peace Prize today, in what was a shock to everyone including POTUS himself. Mr. Obama said in a speech today that he would accept the Prize as a "call to action". I'm sorry, but isn't that the political equivalent of giving trophies to every kid in little league whether they won a game or not? Whether you like the President's policies or not, you'll have to admit he hasn't done much yet, he hasn't had time to do much, even he said so.
Furthermore, in a cruel twist of irony, this award was bestowed upon our Prez of Peace the very same morning that he unleashed a brutal and unprovoked attack on our nearest celestial neighbor and constant companion, the moon. Yes! On the same day he was hailed as the bringer of peace, NASA rammed a "kinetic bomb" into the south pole of the moon, knocking off enough green cheese to supply salad bars the world over for years. No comment from the little green men on this unjust assault.
Seriously though, I guess our President is as deserving of the Peace Prize as anyone else in the running this year, I'm sure he's in favor of peace, even if he's done little to achieve it anywhere so far. I'm happy for Mr. Obama, for whatever the prize is worth...now that he shares it with the a peanut farmer, the guy who invented the internet, and the butcher of Palestine.
Nolanbuck
Furthermore, in a cruel twist of irony, this award was bestowed upon our Prez of Peace the very same morning that he unleashed a brutal and unprovoked attack on our nearest celestial neighbor and constant companion, the moon. Yes! On the same day he was hailed as the bringer of peace, NASA rammed a "kinetic bomb" into the south pole of the moon, knocking off enough green cheese to supply salad bars the world over for years. No comment from the little green men on this unjust assault.
Seriously though, I guess our President is as deserving of the Peace Prize as anyone else in the running this year, I'm sure he's in favor of peace, even if he's done little to achieve it anywhere so far. I'm happy for Mr. Obama, for whatever the prize is worth...now that he shares it with the a peanut farmer, the guy who invented the internet, and the butcher of Palestine.
Nolanbuck
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Crazy People
(Nolanbuck's note: since I started using Blogger.com's new posting format, I inadvertenly saved a couple of posts as drafts without publishing them. Here's one)
I posted this vid on my Facebook awhile back, saying this is where jazz harmony came from. I stand by that statement. Even if this music isn't your cup of tea, the end of the song will impress you.
Those are the Boswell sisters, from the year19 and 32. The owner of those magnificent pipes seated on our left is Connee Boswell, who went on to have a successful solo career after her sisters Martha and Vet called it quits. She credits the legendary Mamie Smith as her earliest influence (and it shows), and Connee herself went on to be a huge influence on one Ella Fitzgerald (maybe you've heard of her).
And as if her talent and showmanship weren't impressive enough, our little songbird Connee there...she was a parapalegic from childhood, she always performed from a wheelchair or seated. Now that's moxy. Anyway, as you can tell, my tastes in music can be somewhat ecclectic. Check out more of Conne and her sisters on YouTube.
Nolanbuck
I posted this vid on my Facebook awhile back, saying this is where jazz harmony came from. I stand by that statement. Even if this music isn't your cup of tea, the end of the song will impress you.
Those are the Boswell sisters, from the year19 and 32. The owner of those magnificent pipes seated on our left is Connee Boswell, who went on to have a successful solo career after her sisters Martha and Vet called it quits. She credits the legendary Mamie Smith as her earliest influence (and it shows), and Connee herself went on to be a huge influence on one Ella Fitzgerald (maybe you've heard of her).
And as if her talent and showmanship weren't impressive enough, our little songbird Connee there...she was a parapalegic from childhood, she always performed from a wheelchair or seated. Now that's moxy. Anyway, as you can tell, my tastes in music can be somewhat ecclectic. Check out more of Conne and her sisters on YouTube.
Nolanbuck
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Make Mine Freedom
Sometimes, even cartoons get it right.
The world has changed since this cartoon was produced, but the facts remain the same.
Nolanbuck
The world has changed since this cartoon was produced, but the facts remain the same.
Nolanbuck
Friday, October 2, 2009
No Obamalympics for Chicago
Despite reports of Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid being a "done deal" (being that it's Chicago we're talking about here, the pun is intended), not even Mr. Obama's last minute push was enough to win the Olympics for the USA.
I was not particularly against the President going to Copenhagen to lobby for the Olympics, but the timing (what with the raging healthcare debate at home, a partically nuclear Iran thumbing their noses at us, and thing rapidly falling apart in Afghanistan) was inconvenient at best. Leave alone the fact thatChicago politics is famous for being rife with corruption (this Olympic bid being no exception) and that some of Obama's shadier friends (*cough* Tony Rezko *cough*) were rumored to stand to make bazillions in new Olympic construction contracts.
But the fact that Mr. Obama staked his brand on this Olmypic bid, put his name on it, only to be eliminated in the first round of voting, is a hugely embarrassing blow to this Presidency, no matter how the media will try to spin it. This President, the one the world fawned over last year as "their" candidate, could not even get his own hometown into the final vote for the Olympics in 2016. Had this happened to George Bush, one could say, "Well, they hate his guts." But the 1st President of the World? Not even a finalist? Unthinkable.
Could this be the turning point, in a year where our President's frenetic policies have looked like they were though out by an ADHD kid who's run out of Ritalin, that defines a Presidency full of good intentions and high ideals, along with bad ideas and failed deliveries (shades of Jimmy Carter)? Could the epic fail of what was to be the crown jewel of Obama's 2016 "victory lap" put a bow on what will be a 4 year odyessy of ego-bruising falls for this administration?
We'll see, but at least he can claim how much money he saved our country in these hard economic times by allowing Rio de Janeiro to have the games. Wotta guy!
Nolanbuck
I was not particularly against the President going to Copenhagen to lobby for the Olympics, but the timing (what with the raging healthcare debate at home, a partically nuclear Iran thumbing their noses at us, and thing rapidly falling apart in Afghanistan) was inconvenient at best. Leave alone the fact thatChicago politics is famous for being rife with corruption (this Olympic bid being no exception) and that some of Obama's shadier friends (*cough* Tony Rezko *cough*) were rumored to stand to make bazillions in new Olympic construction contracts.
But the fact that Mr. Obama staked his brand on this Olmypic bid, put his name on it, only to be eliminated in the first round of voting, is a hugely embarrassing blow to this Presidency, no matter how the media will try to spin it. This President, the one the world fawned over last year as "their" candidate, could not even get his own hometown into the final vote for the Olympics in 2016. Had this happened to George Bush, one could say, "Well, they hate his guts." But the 1st President of the World? Not even a finalist? Unthinkable.
Could this be the turning point, in a year where our President's frenetic policies have looked like they were though out by an ADHD kid who's run out of Ritalin, that defines a Presidency full of good intentions and high ideals, along with bad ideas and failed deliveries (shades of Jimmy Carter)? Could the epic fail of what was to be the crown jewel of Obama's 2016 "victory lap" put a bow on what will be a 4 year odyessy of ego-bruising falls for this administration?
We'll see, but at least he can claim how much money he saved our country in these hard economic times by allowing Rio de Janeiro to have the games. Wotta guy!
Nolanbuck
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
I Am Not Spam
Apparently, the automated blog police at Blogger had the wrong man. I am in fact not a spammer. I cannot describe to you my relief. Not that they apologized or anything, but now I can post on my own blog without having to retype a sqiggly word.
However, should you be interested in refinancing your quality fake handbags full of male enhancement pills...
Nolanbuck
However, should you be interested in refinancing your quality fake handbags full of male enhancement pills...
Nolanbuck
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Spam, I Am?
Just tonight, I've noticed that this blog has been flagged as spam by Blogger.com. Now I admit I tend to ramble abit, but spam? Seriously? SPAM? What in the name of all that good am I supposed to be selling (besides crackpot ideas, that is)?
This is a most disappointing turn of events. 2BucksWorth may not be the most popular blog on the interwebs, but to be accused of spamming by my own blog provider is disconcerting at best. I'll have to hope that Blogger comes to it's senses and starts picking on real spammers, or I'll be looking for greener pastures.
Nolanbuck
This is a most disappointing turn of events. 2BucksWorth may not be the most popular blog on the interwebs, but to be accused of spamming by my own blog provider is disconcerting at best. I'll have to hope that Blogger comes to it's senses and starts picking on real spammers, or I'll be looking for greener pastures.
Nolanbuck
Marching Bands
This past weekend, the lovely and talented DebbieBuck & I began our yearly series of pilgrimages to various and sundry high school marching band competitions. Our youngest son is a sophomore, and the section leader of the alto saxophones, a fact of which I am unabashedly proud. Debbie & I have been band-parents for 7 years (our Eldest was also a sax player), and I will freely admit to getting all geeked up about it this time of year. I myself participated in marching band in high school, one year as a trombone player, and three of the best autumns of my life as a percussionist (a drummer to you philistines who don't know the difference).
To fully comprehend how engrossing marching band can be, one has to have experienced it. For those who have not, I can scarcely describe the thrill of competing in a marching band contest, the pride and espirit de corps of working together as a unit to produce a product that is both musically and visually pleasing. It is not easy, it requires hours of practice on your insturment of choice to master the music, then more hours in the sun and wind and rain standing at attention and marching around a practice field learning each set until the movements become second nature.
It is at once a sport and art, physical and yet cerebral, beautiful but demanding. And to a band member, halftimes at Friday night football games are mere dress rehersals for the real show on Saturdays, when bands rule the field and clash in a contest of musicianship, skill, and pride. Every member must do his/her job, play every note, make every mark, or the whole band suffers. Each person has their own unique role to fill that no one else can do.
The only thing that comes close to being in a marching band is to be a band parent. God love band parents: working in concession stands, moving the equipment, riding the "yellow dogs" across the state, these folks are what makes the band work. But standing in the stands on Saturdays and cheering as your children do their best on the field, that makes it worth the effort.
October is the Superbowl of marching band, and only high school bands compete against one another (with the exception of drum corps, but that's on a whole different level). This month, is you find yourself with a Saturday free, I encourage you to go check out a high school marching band competition. All-day admission is reasonable, and there's always plenty of good food on hand. If you do go...don't be surprised if you find yourself cheering. And if you are fortunate enough to see our band perform, I'll be the nut in the stands with the very large yellow banner.
BTW, in case you're curious: our son's band won Reserve Grand Champion (2nd place) in two contests in the same day. Go Quistor band!!
Nolanbuck
To fully comprehend how engrossing marching band can be, one has to have experienced it. For those who have not, I can scarcely describe the thrill of competing in a marching band contest, the pride and espirit de corps of working together as a unit to produce a product that is both musically and visually pleasing. It is not easy, it requires hours of practice on your insturment of choice to master the music, then more hours in the sun and wind and rain standing at attention and marching around a practice field learning each set until the movements become second nature.
It is at once a sport and art, physical and yet cerebral, beautiful but demanding. And to a band member, halftimes at Friday night football games are mere dress rehersals for the real show on Saturdays, when bands rule the field and clash in a contest of musicianship, skill, and pride. Every member must do his/her job, play every note, make every mark, or the whole band suffers. Each person has their own unique role to fill that no one else can do.
The only thing that comes close to being in a marching band is to be a band parent. God love band parents: working in concession stands, moving the equipment, riding the "yellow dogs" across the state, these folks are what makes the band work. But standing in the stands on Saturdays and cheering as your children do their best on the field, that makes it worth the effort.
October is the Superbowl of marching band, and only high school bands compete against one another (with the exception of drum corps, but that's on a whole different level). This month, is you find yourself with a Saturday free, I encourage you to go check out a high school marching band competition. All-day admission is reasonable, and there's always plenty of good food on hand. If you do go...don't be surprised if you find yourself cheering. And if you are fortunate enough to see our band perform, I'll be the nut in the stands with the very large yellow banner.
BTW, in case you're curious: our son's band won Reserve Grand Champion (2nd place) in two contests in the same day. Go Quistor band!!
Nolanbuck
Friday, September 25, 2009
Just Dancin'
Weekend Family Feature
(Nolanbuck note: Since I concentrate on current events through the week, I'm going to make it a point to post a more family-centered post or two each weekend. Also, look for another Buck to perhaps make his debut as a contributor here at 2Bucksworth.com. More on that later...)
My oldest son recently reminded me of one of the more hilarious episodes in his childhood (he's now 20). Since he brought it up, I don't feel bad about sharing it with the rest of the planet. LOL
The year was 1995, and my wife, our sons (ages 6, 3 & 1) and I had just moved into the new house that we had built (there's a story in itself.). We had been wallpapering the kitchen earlier in the day, but the wife & I had left the Eldest (6) and Coppertop (3) in the living room watching tv while we went upstairs with the baby to move a piece of furniture into one of the kids' rooms.
We did not intend to be upstairs for long, and were only in the room for a few minutes when we heard Coppertop ascending the stairs, audibly upset. We waited for him to arrive to let us know the source of his discontent (3 year olds move slowly on stairs, unless they are headed down diaper-over-teakettle, in which case they make fairly rapid progress). When he found us he was wet from head to toe and not the least bit happy about it. When we asked him how he got so wet, he gave us a one word explanation, Eldest.
So we called Eldest upstairs to see what he knew. Obviously, he was as "shocked" as we were to see the soggy state of his middlest brother, and posited that perhaps Coppertop had pulled the dipping tray for the wallpaper down upon his own red head, thus releasing the torrent that drenched him.
Well, as the wet kid dripped dry, we all went down to the kitchen to unravel this whodunit. Two things became immediately apparent: 1) the tray had been empty and placed in the sink when we left the kitchen and 2) the tray in the kitchen sink was much too high for little Coppertop to reach without help. Faced with this evidence, Eldest never wavered, claiming he had not even been in the room. I was fairly certain Eldest had filled the tray with water and dumped it on his unsuspecting toddler of a brother, but I played along...
"Where were you then", I asked.
"In the living room", the oldest calmly replied.
Well, what were you doing in the living room", I queried.
Without batting an eye, he says: "I was dancin'. "
"Really?" I answered, choking down a chortle. Thinking I'd finally tripped him up, I went in for the kill... "Could you show me this dance?", I asked.
Without a word of protest, my 6 year old son launched into an impromtu flurry of intepretive dance that looked like a cross between "Swan Lake" and "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo". By the time he got to the big finish (he stuck the landing, BTW) I was laughing so hard I could not continue the cross-examination and I conceeded the field.
I knew he'd doused his brother, that wasn't the point. Coppertop was waterproof and all brothers do things like that to each other. But in trying to teach Eldest a lesson about honesty I learned a lesson of my own: smart kids are difficult to outwit, but smart kids with rythym win everytime.
Nolanbuck
(Nolanbuck note: Since I concentrate on current events through the week, I'm going to make it a point to post a more family-centered post or two each weekend. Also, look for another Buck to perhaps make his debut as a contributor here at 2Bucksworth.com. More on that later...)
My oldest son recently reminded me of one of the more hilarious episodes in his childhood (he's now 20). Since he brought it up, I don't feel bad about sharing it with the rest of the planet. LOL
The year was 1995, and my wife, our sons (ages 6, 3 & 1) and I had just moved into the new house that we had built (there's a story in itself.). We had been wallpapering the kitchen earlier in the day, but the wife & I had left the Eldest (6) and Coppertop (3) in the living room watching tv while we went upstairs with the baby to move a piece of furniture into one of the kids' rooms.
We did not intend to be upstairs for long, and were only in the room for a few minutes when we heard Coppertop ascending the stairs, audibly upset. We waited for him to arrive to let us know the source of his discontent (3 year olds move slowly on stairs, unless they are headed down diaper-over-teakettle, in which case they make fairly rapid progress). When he found us he was wet from head to toe and not the least bit happy about it. When we asked him how he got so wet, he gave us a one word explanation, Eldest.
So we called Eldest upstairs to see what he knew. Obviously, he was as "shocked" as we were to see the soggy state of his middlest brother, and posited that perhaps Coppertop had pulled the dipping tray for the wallpaper down upon his own red head, thus releasing the torrent that drenched him.
Well, as the wet kid dripped dry, we all went down to the kitchen to unravel this whodunit. Two things became immediately apparent: 1) the tray had been empty and placed in the sink when we left the kitchen and 2) the tray in the kitchen sink was much too high for little Coppertop to reach without help. Faced with this evidence, Eldest never wavered, claiming he had not even been in the room. I was fairly certain Eldest had filled the tray with water and dumped it on his unsuspecting toddler of a brother, but I played along...
"Where were you then", I asked.
"In the living room", the oldest calmly replied.
Well, what were you doing in the living room", I queried.
Without batting an eye, he says: "I was dancin'. "
"Really?" I answered, choking down a chortle. Thinking I'd finally tripped him up, I went in for the kill... "Could you show me this dance?", I asked.
Without a word of protest, my 6 year old son launched into an impromtu flurry of intepretive dance that looked like a cross between "Swan Lake" and "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo". By the time he got to the big finish (he stuck the landing, BTW) I was laughing so hard I could not continue the cross-examination and I conceeded the field.
I knew he'd doused his brother, that wasn't the point. Coppertop was waterproof and all brothers do things like that to each other. But in trying to teach Eldest a lesson about honesty I learned a lesson of my own: smart kids are difficult to outwit, but smart kids with rythym win everytime.
Nolanbuck
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Her Body, Not Her Choice
I know that this story is from the UK, but still I have to wonder when the prochoice groups are going to rush to this woman's aid. But then again, hypocrisy among left wing advocacy groups is nothing new.
After all, if a man puts an embryo in a woman's plumbing, he has no say in what the woman decides to do with it. But if a doctor puts it there, suddenly the donor gets a vote? What happened to "my body, my choice"?
Nolanbuck
After all, if a man puts an embryo in a woman's plumbing, he has no say in what the woman decides to do with it. But if a doctor puts it there, suddenly the donor gets a vote? What happened to "my body, my choice"?
Nolanbuck
It's a Tax!
Yes, boys & girls, if the government takes your money without your permission...even if it's "for your own good"... it's a tax.
Nolanbuck
Nolanbuck
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Good weekend in football!
My Ole Miss Rebels are #4 in the land (in the AP poll, the USA Today poll has them at #5), and the Cowboys play the Giants tonight and can go to 2-0 and 1st in the NFC East. Go Cowboys!
Nolanbuck
Nolanbuck
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Making Friends, Making Enemies
I don't blame the Czechs and Poles for feeling a little betrayed at the Obama administration's decision to pull the plug on the Eastern Europe missile defense shield. And even though it didn't convince the Russians to help us put the squeeze on the nearly-nuclear Iranians, this backtrack did solicit a limp-wristed response from the Russians, who had been vehemently opposed to the missile shield in the first place.
The thing is: the mere fact that Russia would object to a purely defensive missile system makes their motives suspect. The only reason for the Russians being so upset at an antimissile system in a neighboring countries is that they may want to attack that neighbor someday. It's like me buying an assault rifle because the guy across the street put in a burglar alarm.
And the fact that the missile defense system was originally unpopular in these countries makes taking it out now all the worse, the governments of these countries worked hard to sell this defense to their people, now they look like fools. And on the 70th anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Poland? Does the White House own a calendar? Tacky.
Russia may not be openly belligerent to the west, but they are no friend, and will not be in the near future. Low oil prices are the only thing keeping them from being a royal pain in the arse right now. And this defense system wasn't intended to protect against the paranoid Russians anyway, it was to defend Europe against Iranian and other rogue state ballistic missiles. And now that we have jerked around until Iran can tip those missiles with a nuke or two, the Obama administration seems to think those are no longer a threat. One has to hope they are right.
Nolanbuck
The thing is: the mere fact that Russia would object to a purely defensive missile system makes their motives suspect. The only reason for the Russians being so upset at an antimissile system in a neighboring countries is that they may want to attack that neighbor someday. It's like me buying an assault rifle because the guy across the street put in a burglar alarm.
And the fact that the missile defense system was originally unpopular in these countries makes taking it out now all the worse, the governments of these countries worked hard to sell this defense to their people, now they look like fools. And on the 70th anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Poland? Does the White House own a calendar? Tacky.
Russia may not be openly belligerent to the west, but they are no friend, and will not be in the near future. Low oil prices are the only thing keeping them from being a royal pain in the arse right now. And this defense system wasn't intended to protect against the paranoid Russians anyway, it was to defend Europe against Iranian and other rogue state ballistic missiles. And now that we have jerked around until Iran can tip those missiles with a nuke or two, the Obama administration seems to think those are no longer a threat. One has to hope they are right.
Nolanbuck
Friday, September 18, 2009
Free Speech Makes Nancy Cry
Surely you've seen this tearful presser, but can you frickin' believe it?
Let's look beyond the crocodile tears for a moment and examine what she's really saying here...
"I wish that we would all, again, curb our enthusiasm in some of the statements that are made. Some of the people hearing the message are not as balanced as the person making the statement might assume,"
Translation: The right-wing rabble-rousers need to be careful what they say, because the tea-baggers are nuts. (no pun intended)
"Our country is great because people can say what they think and they believe,"
Isn't it interesting that when Liberals say things like this regarding conservatives, there's always a BUT coming next?
"But (told ya) I also think that they have to take responsibility for any incitement that they may cause."
Like when you compared townhall protesters to Nazis? By Nancy's logic, Jody Foster should take responsibility for Hinckley shooting Reagan. Yeesh.
"I have concerns about some of the language that is being used because I saw this myself in the late '70s in San Francisco," (*sniffle*) "This kind of rhetoric was very frightening."
Please notice the intentional vagueness here. Exactly which words are bringing her to tears? Freedom? No new taxes? Fire Congress? I must assume the late 70's violence in San Francisco she refers to is the anti-gay violence, particularly the the 1978 murders of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk by nutbag city Supervisor Dan White. While violence against homosexuals or any other group is utterly deplorable, one must concede that (in the long run) anti-gay violence in 1970's San Francisco backfired badly.
Madame Speaker to anti-war activists at a town hall in 2006: "Advocacy is very American, and very important...There's nothing more articulate, more eloquent, to a member of Congress, than the voice of his or her own constituents. I understand your anger...I'm a fan of disruptors, people who make change".
Madame Speaker regarding protesters at town halls in 2008: "These disruptions are occurring because opponents are afraid not just of differing views — but of the facts themselves. Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American. "
Which is it, our-lady-of-the-perpetual-surprised-look? I suppose it depends on who's ideas are being criticized.
Nolanbuck
Let's look beyond the crocodile tears for a moment and examine what she's really saying here...
"I wish that we would all, again, curb our enthusiasm in some of the statements that are made. Some of the people hearing the message are not as balanced as the person making the statement might assume,"
Translation: The right-wing rabble-rousers need to be careful what they say, because the tea-baggers are nuts. (no pun intended)
"Our country is great because people can say what they think and they believe,"
Isn't it interesting that when Liberals say things like this regarding conservatives, there's always a BUT coming next?
"But (told ya) I also think that they have to take responsibility for any incitement that they may cause."
Like when you compared townhall protesters to Nazis? By Nancy's logic, Jody Foster should take responsibility for Hinckley shooting Reagan. Yeesh.
"I have concerns about some of the language that is being used because I saw this myself in the late '70s in San Francisco," (*sniffle*) "This kind of rhetoric was very frightening."
Please notice the intentional vagueness here. Exactly which words are bringing her to tears? Freedom? No new taxes? Fire Congress? I must assume the late 70's violence in San Francisco she refers to is the anti-gay violence, particularly the the 1978 murders of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk by nutbag city Supervisor Dan White. While violence against homosexuals or any other group is utterly deplorable, one must concede that (in the long run) anti-gay violence in 1970's San Francisco backfired badly.
Madame Speaker to anti-war activists at a town hall in 2006: "Advocacy is very American, and very important...There's nothing more articulate, more eloquent, to a member of Congress, than the voice of his or her own constituents. I understand your anger...I'm a fan of disruptors, people who make change".
Madame Speaker regarding protesters at town halls in 2008: "These disruptions are occurring because opponents are afraid not just of differing views — but of the facts themselves. Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American. "
Which is it, our-lady-of-the-perpetual-surprised-look? I suppose it depends on who's ideas are being criticized.
Nolanbuck
Back To It
Just when you thought it was safe to turn on your computer again...lol
I took a break from blogging because a)I had alot on my plate besides this blog, and b)I was doing a rather poor job of it anyway. Well, I've come to the conclusion that posting my rantings and random thoughts on the internet is much too cathartic to give up on. So I'm gonna make this thing work.
I will do my best to make daily entries here, most will probably be brief, and you may find many of them not too terribly interesting. If you do find it interesting: I am pleased to have caught your attention, feel free to comment. If not, that's ok too, at least I got it off my chest.
Also, after this post I am killing the feed to Facebook. Frankly, it's not fair to my FB friends to have to put up with a daily intrusion by yours truly. And furthermore, I must admit that I find the fact that lots of people who know me are being forced to read my mind-ejecta rather somewhat constraining. So FB friends, rejoice, the end is near. :-)
If you are reading this on Facebook, and for some reason would like to see what I say or do next (or are still waiting anxiously for my wife's next entry, since it's her blog too), just go to 2bucksworth.com for more ( twobucksworth.com will get you to the same place, BTW).
So, thank you, goodbye, welcome back, on with the show, which ever sign off applies to your situation. God bless and good luck to you all, regardless.
I took a break from blogging because a)I had alot on my plate besides this blog, and b)I was doing a rather poor job of it anyway. Well, I've come to the conclusion that posting my rantings and random thoughts on the internet is much too cathartic to give up on. So I'm gonna make this thing work.
I will do my best to make daily entries here, most will probably be brief, and you may find many of them not too terribly interesting. If you do find it interesting: I am pleased to have caught your attention, feel free to comment. If not, that's ok too, at least I got it off my chest.
Also, after this post I am killing the feed to Facebook. Frankly, it's not fair to my FB friends to have to put up with a daily intrusion by yours truly. And furthermore, I must admit that I find the fact that lots of people who know me are being forced to read my mind-ejecta rather somewhat constraining. So FB friends, rejoice, the end is near. :-)
If you are reading this on Facebook, and for some reason would like to see what I say or do next (or are still waiting anxiously for my wife's next entry, since it's her blog too), just go to 2bucksworth.com for more ( twobucksworth.com will get you to the same place, BTW).
So, thank you, goodbye, welcome back, on with the show, which ever sign off applies to your situation. God bless and good luck to you all, regardless.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Bad Medicine
originally posted at: 2BucksWorth.com
Nolanbuck's note: I have worked in health care for nigh on 20 years, and while I am no expert, I do know a thiing or two about how the system works, from both sides of the reception desk. This blog on the current health care debate is long overdue. My apologies to those who I told I would be addressing this issue earlier for failing to do so. But better late than never.
That is....unless of course you are President Obama or the Democratic congressional leadership, is which case later is always a bad idea when right the heck now is so much better. Later would cause so many nasty side effects, like congresspersons actually reading the bill they are voting on, or the "3 days of sunshine" that Mr. Obama promised (but has yet to deliver even once) for every bill before the Congress.
And now again they are in an all-fired hurry to pass a health care reform bill. I guess a bad idea is better if you don't stop to think about it. For crying out loud, even Lyndon Johnson took over a year to pass the legislative kidney stone that became Medicare. Why the big rush?
Why, of course, is because the previous big spending bills and an "apologize-first" foreign policy have this President and his pals in Congress staring at some sliding poll numbers, so better to ram all of the pet projects through before the American people wake up completely from their coma. And now even the so-called "conservative Democrats" in Congress have grown a spine and have started telling Speaker Pelosi that they will lose their job if they keep being led around by the nose toward a big government agenda.
But why not have health care reform, if we can just slow down abit and actually talk about it? Well, it depends on the kind of "reform" you are interested in. Does health care in America need some work? Absolutely it does. Don't I want everyone to have decent health care? Of course I do.
But the bill currently before the Congress does the wrong thing in the wrong way. Government health care coverage plans like Medicare and Medicaid already make health care cost more for everyone by demanding care that patients don't need (like a three day minimum hospital stay before a patient can be moved to an outpatient rehabilitation center) and then setting their own price regardless of the cost of the care they insist upon. And who makes up the difference in the cost? Those of us who have private health insurance or pay out of pocket.
Ask yourself: why can practically everyone afford car insurance (which is required by law) and home insurance (required by the mortgage company) but we can't afford our own health insurance without help from our employer, the government, etc? Because the government is already knee-deep in the health care system, and they are the ones driving up costs. I'm no fan of the insurance or drug companies, but it makes me want to laugh when people blame the corruption of the big evil corporations for the problems in health care, when our own government's health care appendages are rife with corruption, graft, and incompetence, all of which make health care more expensive and less available for all of us.
If this bill passes, you will be required by law to have health insurance. Don't want it? Tough. you will be allowed to keep your current employer plan if you have one. But if you resign or are fired, you will be forced into the government plan. The plan would also hurt those of us who already have insurance by either taxing our previously un-taxable health benefits, or providing a cheaper-per-employee government subsidized plan that would force many companies to abandon their own plan to save the company money. So much for keeping your own plan if you like it, huh?
This bill could also hurt those who currently do not have insurance through their employer, by forcing companies to extend benefits or pay a fine. Either cost will force employer to reduce work force size to compensate for the cost of the new legislation. So some Americans who now have a job but no insurance will soon have insurance but no job. Awesome idea. (Not)
The bottom line is this, health care in America needs some help. It needs to be streamlined, cleaned up of corruption and waste, made safer by increased infection control, and yes, made available to everyone. The question is, do we need the government to spend $1 trillion of our money to fix it? Or do we need to have experts from every discipline of health care and business come together to make a better plan? A plan that includes co-ops for the uninsured to buy insurance at lower group rates, limits on federal manipulation of heath care funding and maybe even an insurance for your health insurance, a few extra dollars a week to make sure you have coverage to bridge the gap if you are out of work or hurt.
What we do not need is a government-run health care system, at a time when countries like Canada and Australia that have socialized medicine are backing away in favor of more private care. We do not need just sit by and trust our very well-being to the government that gave us Social Security (bankrupt), Medicare (bankrupt) and welfare, or to the President and Congress that rushed through a stimulus bill so far has only allowed unemployment to rise higher (9.5%) than they said it would go without the stimulus (8%).
It is time to say no....time to say ENOUGH. Stop spending our children's money and our national prosperity on your own Voltairian social welfare-state dreams and start doing your jobs...which is looking out for the best interests of the people who hired you. The country needs some fixing, but it needs a tune up, not a new paint job and tinted windows. Call your congressperson, call the White House, tell them to slow down and stop trying to pull the wool over our eyes, act like adults and maybe they can do us some good for a change.
Nolanbuck
Nolanbuck's note: I have worked in health care for nigh on 20 years, and while I am no expert, I do know a thiing or two about how the system works, from both sides of the reception desk. This blog on the current health care debate is long overdue. My apologies to those who I told I would be addressing this issue earlier for failing to do so. But better late than never.
That is....unless of course you are President Obama or the Democratic congressional leadership, is which case later is always a bad idea when right the heck now is so much better. Later would cause so many nasty side effects, like congresspersons actually reading the bill they are voting on, or the "3 days of sunshine" that Mr. Obama promised (but has yet to deliver even once) for every bill before the Congress.
And now again they are in an all-fired hurry to pass a health care reform bill. I guess a bad idea is better if you don't stop to think about it. For crying out loud, even Lyndon Johnson took over a year to pass the legislative kidney stone that became Medicare. Why the big rush?
Why, of course, is because the previous big spending bills and an "apologize-first" foreign policy have this President and his pals in Congress staring at some sliding poll numbers, so better to ram all of the pet projects through before the American people wake up completely from their coma. And now even the so-called "conservative Democrats" in Congress have grown a spine and have started telling Speaker Pelosi that they will lose their job if they keep being led around by the nose toward a big government agenda.
But why not have health care reform, if we can just slow down abit and actually talk about it? Well, it depends on the kind of "reform" you are interested in. Does health care in America need some work? Absolutely it does. Don't I want everyone to have decent health care? Of course I do.
But the bill currently before the Congress does the wrong thing in the wrong way. Government health care coverage plans like Medicare and Medicaid already make health care cost more for everyone by demanding care that patients don't need (like a three day minimum hospital stay before a patient can be moved to an outpatient rehabilitation center) and then setting their own price regardless of the cost of the care they insist upon. And who makes up the difference in the cost? Those of us who have private health insurance or pay out of pocket.
Ask yourself: why can practically everyone afford car insurance (which is required by law) and home insurance (required by the mortgage company) but we can't afford our own health insurance without help from our employer, the government, etc? Because the government is already knee-deep in the health care system, and they are the ones driving up costs. I'm no fan of the insurance or drug companies, but it makes me want to laugh when people blame the corruption of the big evil corporations for the problems in health care, when our own government's health care appendages are rife with corruption, graft, and incompetence, all of which make health care more expensive and less available for all of us.
If this bill passes, you will be required by law to have health insurance. Don't want it? Tough. you will be allowed to keep your current employer plan if you have one. But if you resign or are fired, you will be forced into the government plan. The plan would also hurt those of us who already have insurance by either taxing our previously un-taxable health benefits, or providing a cheaper-per-employee government subsidized plan that would force many companies to abandon their own plan to save the company money. So much for keeping your own plan if you like it, huh?
This bill could also hurt those who currently do not have insurance through their employer, by forcing companies to extend benefits or pay a fine. Either cost will force employer to reduce work force size to compensate for the cost of the new legislation. So some Americans who now have a job but no insurance will soon have insurance but no job. Awesome idea. (Not)
The bottom line is this, health care in America needs some help. It needs to be streamlined, cleaned up of corruption and waste, made safer by increased infection control, and yes, made available to everyone. The question is, do we need the government to spend $1 trillion of our money to fix it? Or do we need to have experts from every discipline of health care and business come together to make a better plan? A plan that includes co-ops for the uninsured to buy insurance at lower group rates, limits on federal manipulation of heath care funding and maybe even an insurance for your health insurance, a few extra dollars a week to make sure you have coverage to bridge the gap if you are out of work or hurt.
What we do not need is a government-run health care system, at a time when countries like Canada and Australia that have socialized medicine are backing away in favor of more private care. We do not need just sit by and trust our very well-being to the government that gave us Social Security (bankrupt), Medicare (bankrupt) and welfare, or to the President and Congress that rushed through a stimulus bill so far has only allowed unemployment to rise higher (9.5%) than they said it would go without the stimulus (8%).
It is time to say no....time to say ENOUGH. Stop spending our children's money and our national prosperity on your own Voltairian social welfare-state dreams and start doing your jobs...which is looking out for the best interests of the people who hired you. The country needs some fixing, but it needs a tune up, not a new paint job and tinted windows. Call your congressperson, call the White House, tell them to slow down and stop trying to pull the wool over our eyes, act like adults and maybe they can do us some good for a change.
Nolanbuck
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Just Leave Him Alone
originally posted at: 2BucksWorth.com
First of all, I'd like to apologize for not blogging for awhile, but that's what a full life and a borderline addiction to Mafia Wars will get you. I'm sure some of you wondered if I had given up blogging, and for a few it may have been a welcome respite.
Speaking of welcome respites, I for one will be glad when everyone stops talking about Michael Jackson. I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't a fan back in the 80's, when Michael was the biggest thing in music. I remember when I got Thriller for Christmas and played it from first to last over and over.
But all the talk about Jacko is beginning to make me both fed up and a little put-off. Firstly, it has been incessant for over a week now, and it's gets old. But more than that, the way some people are talking about the man strikes me as way over the top.
Some are hailing him as some sort of demigod, which is of course ridiculous and insulting to my intelligence. Michael was a supremely gifted individual, his talent and entertainment acumen are undeniable. He broke the color-barrier at MTV at a time when they did not play African American artists' videos. He was one of the first black men who could say he was the biggest star of the time. He was not, however, the greatest performer of all time - not even the greatest African American performer - Sammy Davis, Jr was better. And MJ was no Elvis, Jackson was around longer, but Elvis was the most famous person alive for over 25 years. I know it's hard to keep our perspective when we've recently lost someone so talented, but "all-time" is a long time.
Then there are others intent on reminding us of Michael's failings, and they are many. Calling him a weirdo may be close to the mark, but it's more than a bit uncharitable at this point. Michael was an odd-duck, to be sure, but most of it was harmless if distracting. And those who call him a child molester are being unfair to a man who was never found guilty of anything. And no, paying a kid to keep the secrets of a very private man is weird, but not proof of wrongdoing.
Now let me be clear, many of Michael's interactions with youngsters, even those he admitted to like sleeping in a bed full of kids, were very inappropriate, wrong, selfish, and not in the best interests of the kids. I have to wonder where the parents of these kids were and why they allowed their children to be put in this situation, but Michael should have known better and he can't be excused for inappropriate behavior. Did he ever cross the line with these kids? I don't know, and neither does anyone who wasn't there. I hope to God not, but we don't know.
Michael Jackson is neither a god nor a devil, he was simply a very talented and very damaged man who had a very hard time making good choices. He was robbed of his childhood and spent the rest of his life chasing what he could never have back. He was a study in indulgence, a cautionary tale of the pitfalls of no self control. Even though he veered into areas that we find inappropriate and reprehensible, in many other ways he is us, writ large. The reasons why Michael ruined his health, finances and career are the same reasons why America is a nation of overweight, in-debt couch potatoes...our access has outrun our self control. We eat too much, watch too much tv, stay on the internet too long, spend too much money...because we can. Sometimes we too have a hard time making good choices with our time, health, and money.
What we need to learn from Michael is that in this world of instant access and abundance... enough is still enough, too much is still too much, and wrong is still wrong.
Nolanbuck
Leave Me Alone-Stop It! Just Stop Doggin' Me Around
"Leave Me Alone" - Michael Jackson
First of all, I'd like to apologize for not blogging for awhile, but that's what a full life and a borderline addiction to Mafia Wars will get you. I'm sure some of you wondered if I had given up blogging, and for a few it may have been a welcome respite.
Speaking of welcome respites, I for one will be glad when everyone stops talking about Michael Jackson. I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't a fan back in the 80's, when Michael was the biggest thing in music. I remember when I got Thriller for Christmas and played it from first to last over and over.
But all the talk about Jacko is beginning to make me both fed up and a little put-off. Firstly, it has been incessant for over a week now, and it's gets old. But more than that, the way some people are talking about the man strikes me as way over the top.
Some are hailing him as some sort of demigod, which is of course ridiculous and insulting to my intelligence. Michael was a supremely gifted individual, his talent and entertainment acumen are undeniable. He broke the color-barrier at MTV at a time when they did not play African American artists' videos. He was one of the first black men who could say he was the biggest star of the time. He was not, however, the greatest performer of all time - not even the greatest African American performer - Sammy Davis, Jr was better. And MJ was no Elvis, Jackson was around longer, but Elvis was the most famous person alive for over 25 years. I know it's hard to keep our perspective when we've recently lost someone so talented, but "all-time" is a long time.
Then there are others intent on reminding us of Michael's failings, and they are many. Calling him a weirdo may be close to the mark, but it's more than a bit uncharitable at this point. Michael was an odd-duck, to be sure, but most of it was harmless if distracting. And those who call him a child molester are being unfair to a man who was never found guilty of anything. And no, paying a kid to keep the secrets of a very private man is weird, but not proof of wrongdoing.
Now let me be clear, many of Michael's interactions with youngsters, even those he admitted to like sleeping in a bed full of kids, were very inappropriate, wrong, selfish, and not in the best interests of the kids. I have to wonder where the parents of these kids were and why they allowed their children to be put in this situation, but Michael should have known better and he can't be excused for inappropriate behavior. Did he ever cross the line with these kids? I don't know, and neither does anyone who wasn't there. I hope to God not, but we don't know.
Michael Jackson is neither a god nor a devil, he was simply a very talented and very damaged man who had a very hard time making good choices. He was robbed of his childhood and spent the rest of his life chasing what he could never have back. He was a study in indulgence, a cautionary tale of the pitfalls of no self control. Even though he veered into areas that we find inappropriate and reprehensible, in many other ways he is us, writ large. The reasons why Michael ruined his health, finances and career are the same reasons why America is a nation of overweight, in-debt couch potatoes...our access has outrun our self control. We eat too much, watch too much tv, stay on the internet too long, spend too much money...because we can. Sometimes we too have a hard time making good choices with our time, health, and money.
What we need to learn from Michael is that in this world of instant access and abundance... enough is still enough, too much is still too much, and wrong is still wrong.
Nolanbuck
Saturday, June 20, 2009
You'd have to be crazy to be a dad!
originally posted at: 2BucksWorth.com
As we approach another Father's Day, I find myself a mix of emotions and thoughts. Those who know me well would not find that different from any other day, but at this time my heart and mind are travelling one particular road together, that of fatherhood.
Firstly for my own father, whom I love, respect and admire. For years now I have know we are two very different men; on the surface of it, I am probably the least like my father of his three sons. But with the wisdom of some years and the benefit of their reflection, I have come to find that we are not so different at all, he and I. He passed on the best of himself to me: his work ethic, his love of laughter, his quiet strength. I am my father's son, and I honor him for allowing me to stand on his shoulders like the trunk of a mighty oak and cast my branches skyward.
Speaking of said branches, my other thoughts this weekend are of course for my own offspring. I am intensely proud of my own sons; as they reach their late teens and early twenties I marvel at the men they are becoming and I cannot help but indulge in a little pride at my contribution to this miracle. And yet I know that much of what they have become, much of the wonder that I marvel at in them is not of my doing. Their wonderful mother, grandparents, countless teachers and coaches, and their heavenly Father have all played a role. And it strikes me that, in retrospect, my job as a father has been not only to have good influence on them myself, but to surround them with the best influences for their minds and hearts to soak up. I know I have failed at times, but I hope on the whole I have served them well.
I will spare you all that my heart is full of today, but I would like to pass along a some of what I have learned as a father for 18 years, particularly as a father of boys.
As we approach another Father's Day, I find myself a mix of emotions and thoughts. Those who know me well would not find that different from any other day, but at this time my heart and mind are travelling one particular road together, that of fatherhood.
Firstly for my own father, whom I love, respect and admire. For years now I have know we are two very different men; on the surface of it, I am probably the least like my father of his three sons. But with the wisdom of some years and the benefit of their reflection, I have come to find that we are not so different at all, he and I. He passed on the best of himself to me: his work ethic, his love of laughter, his quiet strength. I am my father's son, and I honor him for allowing me to stand on his shoulders like the trunk of a mighty oak and cast my branches skyward.
Speaking of said branches, my other thoughts this weekend are of course for my own offspring. I am intensely proud of my own sons; as they reach their late teens and early twenties I marvel at the men they are becoming and I cannot help but indulge in a little pride at my contribution to this miracle. And yet I know that much of what they have become, much of the wonder that I marvel at in them is not of my doing. Their wonderful mother, grandparents, countless teachers and coaches, and their heavenly Father have all played a role. And it strikes me that, in retrospect, my job as a father has been not only to have good influence on them myself, but to surround them with the best influences for their minds and hearts to soak up. I know I have failed at times, but I hope on the whole I have served them well.
I will spare you all that my heart is full of today, but I would like to pass along a some of what I have learned as a father for 18 years, particularly as a father of boys.
- Walk uprightly before them. When you walk through their view, there is an "S" on your chest and a cape flowing behind you. You are their hero, act like one. Treat your wife like a lady, show them how a gentleman behaves. Know that every step you take and every word you say, you are training little men. The cameras are always running, gentlemen.
- Love them freely. So many men in this country still suffer from emotional constipation in this day & age. Your kids crave your love and acceptance, pine for your approval, most of them well into adulthood. Be free with the hugs, liberal with the "L" word, an never, ever let them forget that you love them like crazy.
- Be proud of them and let it show. Let them hear you tell someone something good about them. Take an interest in their lives and show them that they can shine. Tell them that you are proud of them and never stop, even when they are grown.
- Be slow to wrath, and quick to forgive. Children need constant discipline, but always remember that discipline has nothing to do with how you feel about it. Resist the temptation to take revenge, even when they deserve it; and don't hold their mistakes over their heads. Deal with it appropriately and move on. Trust me, they will remember their mistakes longer than you will.
- Admit when you are wrong. You will be wrong, alot. Stop trying to be perfect, every Superman has his kryptonite. When you do wrong, acknowledge it, ask for forgiveness and try to learn from it. Isn't that what we expect from our kids?
- Share your beliefs with them. Take them to worship, talk to them honestly about your deeply held beliefs and opinions. Some people call it brainwashing, I call it engaging them as a fellow human being. Mark my words, they will chose their own way, so you need not worry your head over indoctrinating your kids, you aren't programming a robot here. Your beliefs are only the footing, they will build their own house. Let them roam freely in your house of thought and someday, wonder of wonders, you will be invited into theirs.
- Teach them to work. Let them help you do things, encourage them to put their hands on work, get the feel of it. Mowing the yard, fixing a leak, whatever you are doing that they can be involved in. It's not about being a lawnmower or a plumber, it's about learning to do work, whatever it may be. Safety first, to be sure; but let them help...especially while they are willing...even if it would be easier to do it yourself.
- Lastly, delight in your children. Enjoy every moment, even the frustrating ones, and yes, even the painful ones. I know it's cliche', but all to soon they will be gone, and those moments will go with them. So gawk with feigned amazement at every hand-scrawled drawing, clap and cheer like a fanboy at every game or concert or recital. No need to pressure them, just support them 100%. Let your children know they are awesome, and they will go out and be awesome someday.
Happy Father's Day everyone. If you are luck enough to have your dad still around, go see him or call him. And if you are lucky enough to have your kids within reach, hug them and tell them you love them. Like crazy. :-)
Nolanbuck
Friday, June 5, 2009
How The (Middle) East Was Won?
originally posted at: 2BucksWorth.com
By now, my disagreements on policy and politics with our President are legion and well documented. But, as a fair-minded individual, I have to give the man credit when it is due him.
His speech in Cairo this week, while containing a few items I disagree with and a couple of minor historical inaccuracies, was on the whole brilliant and well-worded. After a couple of days of reflections upon it, I'd like to mention a few passages from the speech.
Excellent greeting, but it would be nice for him to convey a greeting of peace from all Americans. Just a thought.
Excellent, if perhaps self-evident, point.
Bam! Best line of the speech. Brilliantly written and delivered.
Even though his estimate of Muslims in the US is about two times too high, the thought behind the statement still rings true.
A well-made contrast, putting a fine point on an issue that is too often broad-brushed.
I'm glad to hear him say this so unequivocally. The entire Israel/Palestine portion of the speech was bold and searing in its frankness and truth. It was an even-handed rebuke in front of a biased audience, and he did not wilt from its delivery.
(emphasis mine). While I agree with this statement, his relationship with groups like Acorn belie his adherance to this high-minded ideal.
I will not belabor the point, but the President went on to touch on nuclear weapons, democracy, religous freedom, and women's rights in the Middle East. Some will see this speech as kowtowing to Muslims, some will wonder why now it is ok to mention President Obama's muslim heritage when it was an outrage to do so a year ago (a fair point). This President has made his share of foreign policy gaffs in his brief tenure, many of which I have pointed out myself...but this wasn't one of them.
This speech took the moral high-ground without glad-handing or butt-kissing, but by simply stating right as right and wrong as wrong. It's nice to be able to say without reservation: "Well done, Mr. President". I don't expect it to last, but I'll enjoy it while I can.
Nolanbuck
By now, my disagreements on policy and politics with our President are legion and well documented. But, as a fair-minded individual, I have to give the man credit when it is due him.
His speech in Cairo this week, while containing a few items I disagree with and a couple of minor historical inaccuracies, was on the whole brilliant and well-worded. After a couple of days of reflections upon it, I'd like to mention a few passages from the speech.
"I am grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt.
I am also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a
greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: assalaamu alaykum."
Excellent greeting, but it would be nice for him to convey a greeting of peace from all Americans. Just a thought.
"We meet at a time of tension between the United States and Muslims around the
world - tension rooted in historical forces that go beyond any current policy
debate...Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent
minority of Muslims. The attacks of September 11th, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but
also to human rights. This has bred more fear and mistrust."
Excellent, if perhaps self-evident, point.
"And I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States
to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear." (huge
applause from crowd)"....But that same principle must apply to Muslim
perceptions of America" (mixed reception). "Just as Muslims do not fit a
crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested
empire."
Bam! Best line of the speech. Brilliantly written and delivered.
"Much has been made of the fact that an African-American with the name Barack
Hussein Obama could be elected President. But my personal story is not so
unique. The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone
in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores - that
includes nearly seven million American Muslims in our country today who enjoy
incomes and education that are higher than average."
Even though his estimate of Muslims in the US is about two times too high, the thought behind the statement still rings true.
"In Ankara, I made clear that America is not - and never will be - at war with
Islam. We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a
grave threat to our security. Because we reject the same thing that people of
all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women, and children. And it is
my first duty as President to protect the American people."
A well-made contrast, putting a fine point on an issue that is too often broad-brushed.
"America's strong bonds with Israel are well known. This bond is unbreakable. It
is based upon cultural and historical ties, and the recognition that the
aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be
denied."
I'm glad to hear him say this so unequivocally. The entire Israel/Palestine portion of the speech was bold and searing in its frankness and truth. It was an even-handed rebuke in front of a biased audience, and he did not wilt from its delivery.
"No matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a
single standard for all who hold power: you must maintain your power through
consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and
participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place
the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political
process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do
not make true democracy."
(emphasis mine). While I agree with this statement, his relationship with groups like Acorn belie his adherance to this high-minded ideal.
I will not belabor the point, but the President went on to touch on nuclear weapons, democracy, religous freedom, and women's rights in the Middle East. Some will see this speech as kowtowing to Muslims, some will wonder why now it is ok to mention President Obama's muslim heritage when it was an outrage to do so a year ago (a fair point). This President has made his share of foreign policy gaffs in his brief tenure, many of which I have pointed out myself...but this wasn't one of them.
This speech took the moral high-ground without glad-handing or butt-kissing, but by simply stating right as right and wrong as wrong. It's nice to be able to say without reservation: "Well done, Mr. President". I don't expect it to last, but I'll enjoy it while I can.
Nolanbuck
Friday, May 29, 2009
I'm 4 Sotomayor
originally posted at: 2BucksWorth.com
There has been alot of sound a fury from the right over the nomination of federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme court. I've given it alot of thought and frankly I can't see the reason for all the fuss.
Yes, she is a liberal judge (what did you expect? President Obama is a liberal...President Bush appointed two conservatives to the court, why does this shock anyone?) No, she is not a strict constructionist (again, neither is the President, and he won the right to make the appointments). But some food for thought for my conservative brethren & sistren before they go hammer & tongs after this woman.
1. She's replacing a liberal justice, so it's not like this is tipping the balance of the court.
2. She's going to get confirmed anyway. the GOP doesn't have the votes in the Senate to do anything about it.
3. She'll be the first Hispanic justice. Now, I know that shouldn't matter, and it truly doesn't matter to me. But if you think it won't matter at the ballot box if you savage the lady in the Senate, you're nuts.
4. She's turning out to be more conservative-ish than originally thought. While she'll never put Rush Limbaugh out of work ,she has sided with the conservative member of the appellate court more often than her liberal colleague. And she has made some very strong anti-abortion statements (she's a Catholic, you know...and she'll make 6 Catholics out of 9 justices. Again, that shouldn't matter regarding her confirmation, but it can't make pro-choice activist groups very comfortable.)
So if I were running the show for the senate GOP (which I decidedly am not), I would make sure she was asked some tough questions and given a chance to explain some of her more controversial remarks; then I would not only vote for her confirmation, I would applaud it. It's a win-win for Republicans. If she turns out to be far left, we got what we expected. But if she is indeed closer to the center than originally suspected, the court shifts to the right even more.
Nolanbuck
There has been alot of sound a fury from the right over the nomination of federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme court. I've given it alot of thought and frankly I can't see the reason for all the fuss.
Yes, she is a liberal judge (what did you expect? President Obama is a liberal...President Bush appointed two conservatives to the court, why does this shock anyone?) No, she is not a strict constructionist (again, neither is the President, and he won the right to make the appointments). But some food for thought for my conservative brethren & sistren before they go hammer & tongs after this woman.
1. She's replacing a liberal justice, so it's not like this is tipping the balance of the court.
2. She's going to get confirmed anyway. the GOP doesn't have the votes in the Senate to do anything about it.
3. She'll be the first Hispanic justice. Now, I know that shouldn't matter, and it truly doesn't matter to me. But if you think it won't matter at the ballot box if you savage the lady in the Senate, you're nuts.
4. She's turning out to be more conservative-ish than originally thought. While she'll never put Rush Limbaugh out of work ,she has sided with the conservative member of the appellate court more often than her liberal colleague. And she has made some very strong anti-abortion statements (she's a Catholic, you know...and she'll make 6 Catholics out of 9 justices. Again, that shouldn't matter regarding her confirmation, but it can't make pro-choice activist groups very comfortable.)
So if I were running the show for the senate GOP (which I decidedly am not), I would make sure she was asked some tough questions and given a chance to explain some of her more controversial remarks; then I would not only vote for her confirmation, I would applaud it. It's a win-win for Republicans. If she turns out to be far left, we got what we expected. But if she is indeed closer to the center than originally suspected, the court shifts to the right even more.
Nolanbuck
Friday, May 22, 2009
Obama's Gitmo Plan Falls Short
originally posted at: 2BucksWorth.com
In his first week in office, President Obama declared that the terrorist detention facility at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base would be closed. He didn't say how he was going to pull it off, but you have to give him credit for trying to keep a campaign promise.
From that day to this week, his opponents have been allowed to frame the argument about the closing of the controversial prison, and his lack of details led to Congress refusing to fund the closing of the facility.
Now yesterday, the President gave a speech at the National Archives to take back control of this issue. I'm not going to break down the whole speech (which was very long) but here's some thoughts...
1. I find it tacky at best to give a political speech at a sacred place like the National Archives. Make no mistake, the plans he talked about in this speech are political calculations to endear us to other countries and please the U.S. left.
2. While I agree that "enhanced interrogation techniques" are not always the best option, they are occasionally a better option than waiting for something bad to happen. We know that water-boarding revealed a plot for a 9-11 style attack on Los Angeles. If the President thinks that our "torture" could be a recruiting tool for terrorists, what do you think successful attack on a major U.S. city will do for terrorists recruiting?
3. For a guy who says he is not interested in rehashing the past 8 years, the President spent an awful lot of time taking about the last 8 years.
4. I'm all for deporting some of the illegal combatants if other countries will take them and can assure us they will not be released or escape.
5. I'm all for reviewing these cases, as the President proposes, and getting on with prosecutions where warranted.
6. Some of these terrorists cannot be tried here in the U.S., and should not be housed here, even in federal super-max prisons. Even if they can't escape (there's a 1st time for everything), these baddest of the baddies are rock-stars in the terrorist and anti-U.S. crowd, they will preach their hate to the most willing listeners and radicalize those who will someday be released (like the home grown terrorists who were recently caught trying to blow up New York synagogues and military planes, they were radicalized while in prison).
One more point: I know that some of you think I hate President Obama, but nothing could be farther from the truth. He's a very smart man who probably really does want what he thinks is best for the country. The "he thinks" part is where I begin to disagree. Despite all of Mr. Obama's charm, he's still a politician...which means I probably won't trust him; and he's a liberal...which means I probably won't agree with him often. Trying to make that disagreement into hate, or worse: racism, only cheapens the tradition of debate that our country holds so dear.
Nolanbuck
In his first week in office, President Obama declared that the terrorist detention facility at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base would be closed. He didn't say how he was going to pull it off, but you have to give him credit for trying to keep a campaign promise.
From that day to this week, his opponents have been allowed to frame the argument about the closing of the controversial prison, and his lack of details led to Congress refusing to fund the closing of the facility.
Now yesterday, the President gave a speech at the National Archives to take back control of this issue. I'm not going to break down the whole speech (which was very long) but here's some thoughts...
1. I find it tacky at best to give a political speech at a sacred place like the National Archives. Make no mistake, the plans he talked about in this speech are political calculations to endear us to other countries and please the U.S. left.
2. While I agree that "enhanced interrogation techniques" are not always the best option, they are occasionally a better option than waiting for something bad to happen. We know that water-boarding revealed a plot for a 9-11 style attack on Los Angeles. If the President thinks that our "torture" could be a recruiting tool for terrorists, what do you think successful attack on a major U.S. city will do for terrorists recruiting?
3. For a guy who says he is not interested in rehashing the past 8 years, the President spent an awful lot of time taking about the last 8 years.
4. I'm all for deporting some of the illegal combatants if other countries will take them and can assure us they will not be released or escape.
5. I'm all for reviewing these cases, as the President proposes, and getting on with prosecutions where warranted.
6. Some of these terrorists cannot be tried here in the U.S., and should not be housed here, even in federal super-max prisons. Even if they can't escape (there's a 1st time for everything), these baddest of the baddies are rock-stars in the terrorist and anti-U.S. crowd, they will preach their hate to the most willing listeners and radicalize those who will someday be released (like the home grown terrorists who were recently caught trying to blow up New York synagogues and military planes, they were radicalized while in prison).
One more point: I know that some of you think I hate President Obama, but nothing could be farther from the truth. He's a very smart man who probably really does want what he thinks is best for the country. The "he thinks" part is where I begin to disagree. Despite all of Mr. Obama's charm, he's still a politician...which means I probably won't trust him; and he's a liberal...which means I probably won't agree with him often. Trying to make that disagreement into hate, or worse: racism, only cheapens the tradition of debate that our country holds so dear.
Nolanbuck
The Prez Snubs Kindergarteners
originally posted at: 2BucksWorth.com
I thought President Obama was for the "little people", but apparently that doesn't apply if you're little because you are five years old.
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Kindergarteners-Snubbed-for-Steelers.html
That's just cold. They're little kids for crying out loud (and apparently, they were...crying out loud, that is).
Best line in the story:
Ouch. Good thing he won't be running for reelection in 2022.
Nolanbuck
I thought President Obama was for the "little people", but apparently that doesn't apply if you're little because you are five years old.
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Kindergarteners-Snubbed-for-Steelers.html
That's just cold. They're little kids for crying out loud (and apparently, they were...crying out loud, that is).
Best line in the story:
"Here we have President Obama and his administration saying, 'Here we are for the common, middle class people,' and here he is not letting 150 5- and 6-year-olds into the White House because he’s throwing a lunch for a bunch of grown millionaires," Stine said.
Ouch. Good thing he won't be running for reelection in 2022.
Nolanbuck
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
California Dreamin' Turns Into a Nightmare
Originally posted at: 2BucksWorth.com
The voters of California yesterday turned down a budget initiative full of tax hikes and borrowing put forth by Democrats in the state legislature and their RINO governorator. Apparently, those silly Californians didn't get the memo about people wanting bigger government from that other famous RINO, Colin Powell.
Now there's even talk of the rest of the country having to bail our most populous state, a state with an economy the size of the UK. So the rest of us will get to pay for California's irresponsibility? That sounds familiar.
Not that theses point haven't been brought up before, but some things come into my mind about this Cali mess:
1. Don't they have enough rich liberals in California to pay for all of these programs they can't afford? Why don't they do what Joe Biden calls their "patriotic duty" and pay more taxes voluntarily?
2. When people are leaving California in droves, did they really think more taxes was the answer? Hint: It's the taxpayers that are leaving, not the people you're spending it on.
There's a reason why we don't all live on what might be the most beautiful stretch of land on the planet, some of us can't afford it. Apparently now, neither can Californians.
Nolanbuck
The voters of California yesterday turned down a budget initiative full of tax hikes and borrowing put forth by Democrats in the state legislature and their RINO governorator. Apparently, those silly Californians didn't get the memo about people wanting bigger government from that other famous RINO, Colin Powell.
Now there's even talk of the rest of the country having to bail our most populous state, a state with an economy the size of the UK. So the rest of us will get to pay for California's irresponsibility? That sounds familiar.
Not that theses point haven't been brought up before, but some things come into my mind about this Cali mess:
1. Don't they have enough rich liberals in California to pay for all of these programs they can't afford? Why don't they do what Joe Biden calls their "patriotic duty" and pay more taxes voluntarily?
2. When people are leaving California in droves, did they really think more taxes was the answer? Hint: It's the taxpayers that are leaving, not the people you're spending it on.
There's a reason why we don't all live on what might be the most beautiful stretch of land on the planet, some of us can't afford it. Apparently now, neither can Californians.
Nolanbuck
Monday, May 11, 2009
Epic Failure
Originally posted at: 2BucksWorth.com
Back in January, Rush Limbaugh created apoplexy in the media, the Democratic party, and half of the Republican party by saying that he hoped Obama's presidency fails. I know that he's an entertainer and I didn't make a big deal of it...plus if you listen to the entire clip, I kind of agree with him.
You don't have to agree with his statement, but let's all agree on two things: 1) the backlash to his comments was overdone political opportunism, and 2) his ratings go up every time the left has a fit over something he says, so he doesn't care if you're offended. And again, the man is only a talk show host, even if he's right sometimes.
Fast forward to last week at the White House Correspondent's dinner when Wanda Sykes, an admittedly talented if acerbic comic, had some jokes about race, terrorism, drug addiction, and what she'd like to see happen to the President's critics.
Rather that being shocked, or at least maintain a sense of decorum, my President laughed at these crude remarks. So do you still want a President who thinks, terrorism, drug addiction, and kidney failure is funny, do you? Well I can't speak for hope, but this is a change, I'll give you that.
Nolanbuck
Back in January, Rush Limbaugh created apoplexy in the media, the Democratic party, and half of the Republican party by saying that he hoped Obama's presidency fails. I know that he's an entertainer and I didn't make a big deal of it...plus if you listen to the entire clip, I kind of agree with him.
You don't have to agree with his statement, but let's all agree on two things: 1) the backlash to his comments was overdone political opportunism, and 2) his ratings go up every time the left has a fit over something he says, so he doesn't care if you're offended. And again, the man is only a talk show host, even if he's right sometimes.
Fast forward to last week at the White House Correspondent's dinner when Wanda Sykes, an admittedly talented if acerbic comic, had some jokes about race, terrorism, drug addiction, and what she'd like to see happen to the President's critics.
Rather that being shocked, or at least maintain a sense of decorum, my President laughed at these crude remarks. So do you still want a President who thinks, terrorism, drug addiction, and kidney failure is funny, do you? Well I can't speak for hope, but this is a change, I'll give you that.
Nolanbuck
Friday, May 8, 2009
The Picture Worth 1,000 Screams
Originally posted at: 2BucksWorth.com
After scaring the crap out of lower Manhattan and costing the taxpayers over $350,000 for what $800 worth of PhotoShop could have accomplished, the White House today finally released the now infamous Air Force One-Statue of Liberty flyover pic.
You may remember the debacle that the photo op caused, a panic in downtown New York as people evacuated buildings and ran through the streets thinking it was another 9-11 attack, only later to find it was just the President's plane buzzing their office buildings.
The photo came out, after the White House had originally said they weren't going to release it. Apparently someone in the administration realized that this was not in keeping with Mr. Obama's campaign promises of a "more open government", and furthermore that not releasing these embarrassing shots, while at the same time releasing CIA "torture" photos that will probably get some government employees killed, was hypocritical at the very least.
So, enjoy your $350,000 photo, America. And look to the skies, your town might be the next one to hold a Presidential photo-op/disaster drill. Or it could be real terrorists; apparently you never know with this bunch.
Nolanbuck
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Britian Bans 16 "Least Wanted"
Originally posted at: 2BucksWorth.com
I have always been a Britophile. Not merely our mother country, the UK has also been the US's closest ally and best friend for a century. I am loathe to be critical of such a normally outstanding nation, but sometimes they do things that make me scratch my head.
This week, the British Home Office released the names of 16 very bad people that it doesn't want to come to their fair isles. Ever. Some of them are no-brainers...
Artur Ryno and Pavel Skachevsky (Russian skin-head racist murderers)
A gaggle of various and sundry Muslim extremists and terrorists
Mike Guzovsky (a Kahanist/Jewish fundamentalist)
Erich Gliebe (neo-nazi)
Stephen Donald Black (former grand wizard of the KKK)
American Baptist pastor Fred Waldron Phelps Snr and his daughter Shirley Phelps-Roper (nutballs who protest soldiers' funerals because they were supposedly fighting for gay rights)
and Michael Savage (conservative talk-show host)
What? Michael Savage? WTH did he do? When is saying things you don't agree with the same as killing people or rasing money for terrorist front organizations? I don't agree with some of the things Savage says, but I'd never censor him or bar him from the country for speaking his mind.
Even the Phelps, who are twisted, disrespectful and generally disreputable, are only expressing their right to free speech. Yes they are annoying and embarrasing, but enemies of the state? Hardly.
IMHO, any country that starts banning spewers of vitriol and leaves Janeane Garafalo off the list calls their own good judgement into question at the very least.
This is starting to remind me of certain liberal groups in this country, those who will say that if you don't agree with them you are evil. If you don't support President Obama's policies you are a racist (per Garafalo), if you are pro-life you are a misogynist (or a religious zealot), if you support traditional marriage you are a homophobe (or a religious zealot). Or maybe, maybe we just disagree, in a country where that is still allowed. Nah, can't be that.
Yes, a few people are incurably violent or hateful. But for the rest of us, trying to win an argument by labeling someone as a hater is the coward's way to debate a point you can't defend otherwise. Debate and disagreement never hurt anyone, it's when debate is no longer tolerated that things get dicey.
Nolanbuck
I have always been a Britophile. Not merely our mother country, the UK has also been the US's closest ally and best friend for a century. I am loathe to be critical of such a normally outstanding nation, but sometimes they do things that make me scratch my head.
This week, the British Home Office released the names of 16 very bad people that it doesn't want to come to their fair isles. Ever. Some of them are no-brainers...
Artur Ryno and Pavel Skachevsky (Russian skin-head racist murderers)
A gaggle of various and sundry Muslim extremists and terrorists
Mike Guzovsky (a Kahanist/Jewish fundamentalist)
Erich Gliebe (neo-nazi)
Stephen Donald Black (former grand wizard of the KKK)
American Baptist pastor Fred Waldron Phelps Snr and his daughter Shirley Phelps-Roper (nutballs who protest soldiers' funerals because they were supposedly fighting for gay rights)
and Michael Savage (conservative talk-show host)
What? Michael Savage? WTH did he do? When is saying things you don't agree with the same as killing people or rasing money for terrorist front organizations? I don't agree with some of the things Savage says, but I'd never censor him or bar him from the country for speaking his mind.
Even the Phelps, who are twisted, disrespectful and generally disreputable, are only expressing their right to free speech. Yes they are annoying and embarrasing, but enemies of the state? Hardly.
IMHO, any country that starts banning spewers of vitriol and leaves Janeane Garafalo off the list calls their own good judgement into question at the very least.
This is starting to remind me of certain liberal groups in this country, those who will say that if you don't agree with them you are evil. If you don't support President Obama's policies you are a racist (per Garafalo), if you are pro-life you are a misogynist (or a religious zealot), if you support traditional marriage you are a homophobe (or a religious zealot). Or maybe, maybe we just disagree, in a country where that is still allowed. Nah, can't be that.
Yes, a few people are incurably violent or hateful. But for the rest of us, trying to win an argument by labeling someone as a hater is the coward's way to debate a point you can't defend otherwise. Debate and disagreement never hurt anyone, it's when debate is no longer tolerated that things get dicey.
Nolanbuck
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Things That Make Me Go WTHeck?
Originally posted at: 2BucksWorth.com
Riddle me this: why did the media and congressional Democrats have a hissy fit over the the supposed outing of supposedly covert agent Valerie Plame, and why did we need a special prosecutor to charge Scooter Libby (although we later found out it was Democrat Richard Armitage who blabbed); when the Obama Administration and ABC News outed the two CIA contractors who oversaw the waterboarding program?
Valerie Plame hadn't done anything more covert than mowing the lawn for two years before she made herself news by sending her husband to Niger (who was not a spy) when then wrote a column about it, yet the mere mention of her name (which was widely known in Washington) was a breach of national security. Where's the outrage now that the White House has signed these two men's death warrants?
You can argue the merits of waterboarding as an interrogation technique all you want, but how has putting these two men's name, picture, and life's story in the public eye making us any safer? If fact, I would posit that doing so makes the two contractors much less safe, open to the attacks of nutball activists or worse, jihadis bent on revenge.
Remember, when the Democrats gained majorities in congress in 2006, the Valerie Plame incident was examined as possible grounds for impeachment of President Bush. I suppose now they'll be looking into giving President Obama the same treatment. I won't be holding my breath.
Nolanbuck
Riddle me this: why did the media and congressional Democrats have a hissy fit over the the supposed outing of supposedly covert agent Valerie Plame, and why did we need a special prosecutor to charge Scooter Libby (although we later found out it was Democrat Richard Armitage who blabbed); when the Obama Administration and ABC News outed the two CIA contractors who oversaw the waterboarding program?
Valerie Plame hadn't done anything more covert than mowing the lawn for two years before she made herself news by sending her husband to Niger (who was not a spy) when then wrote a column about it, yet the mere mention of her name (which was widely known in Washington) was a breach of national security. Where's the outrage now that the White House has signed these two men's death warrants?
You can argue the merits of waterboarding as an interrogation technique all you want, but how has putting these two men's name, picture, and life's story in the public eye making us any safer? If fact, I would posit that doing so makes the two contractors much less safe, open to the attacks of nutball activists or worse, jihadis bent on revenge.
Remember, when the Democrats gained majorities in congress in 2006, the Valerie Plame incident was examined as possible grounds for impeachment of President Bush. I suppose now they'll be looking into giving President Obama the same treatment. I won't be holding my breath.
Nolanbuck
Friday, May 1, 2009
Swine Flu Redux
originally posted at 2BucksWorth.com
Science being my livelihood and history being my favorite hobby, I always find it interesting when the two intersect. The current flu pandemic, admittedly, has been over-hyped by the media (what isn't these days?) but also I think that based on history and our knowledge of the virus, the public response has so far been mostly appropriate.
First of all, every health official lives in fear of a repeat the 1918 flu pandemic, the so-called "Spanish Flu", which lasted for over two years and killed somewhere between 20 and 100 million people worldwide. Adding to the horror of the sheer numbers was the pathology of the disease, frightening effects like the cytokine storm that made it so deadly. That's why health officials err on the side of caution.
But they have overrated in the past too. For those to young to remember the 1976 Swine Flu outbreak (I was 6 years old), it was a study in too much, too soon. The U.S. government rushed a vaccine into production, and the resulting immunizations killed far more people than the flu did. They even used TV spots to push the vaccinations:
Ultimately, only one person died of the 1976 Swine Flu, the vaccine killed 25.
Even the recent Bird Flu scare had it's usefulness, the plans put in place for the Bird Flu outbreak that never came our way left us more ready to quickly react to this new flu. This time, a rapid but reasonable response seems to be working, and may have saved countless lives.
Apparently, we do learn from history. Sometimes.
Nolanbuck
Science being my livelihood and history being my favorite hobby, I always find it interesting when the two intersect. The current flu pandemic, admittedly, has been over-hyped by the media (what isn't these days?) but also I think that based on history and our knowledge of the virus, the public response has so far been mostly appropriate.
First of all, every health official lives in fear of a repeat the 1918 flu pandemic, the so-called "Spanish Flu", which lasted for over two years and killed somewhere between 20 and 100 million people worldwide. Adding to the horror of the sheer numbers was the pathology of the disease, frightening effects like the cytokine storm that made it so deadly. That's why health officials err on the side of caution.
But they have overrated in the past too. For those to young to remember the 1976 Swine Flu outbreak (I was 6 years old), it was a study in too much, too soon. The U.S. government rushed a vaccine into production, and the resulting immunizations killed far more people than the flu did. They even used TV spots to push the vaccinations:
Ultimately, only one person died of the 1976 Swine Flu, the vaccine killed 25.
Even the recent Bird Flu scare had it's usefulness, the plans put in place for the Bird Flu outbreak that never came our way left us more ready to quickly react to this new flu. This time, a rapid but reasonable response seems to be working, and may have saved countless lives.
Apparently, we do learn from history. Sometimes.
Nolanbuck
Friday, April 24, 2009
"Torture" Cases Now Tormenting Democrats
Originally posted at 2BucksWorth. com
Just last week, even as he kicked the chair out from under the U.S. intelligence community by releasing memos regarding the interrogation of terrorists, President Obama stated that he had no interest in prosecuting officials of the previous adminstration that were involved in using or sanctioning so-called "aggressive interrogation techniques". That was last week, and with each week dawns a brand new approach in the current administration as the political winds have now shifted to a blistering hot gale out of the left.
This week, in a transparent cave-in to the far-left, the President did an about-face and called for the prosecution of certain individuals involved in what we now call "torture" (Of course, many veterans and military academy grads still call water-boarding "hazing".) Also, please keep in mind that these "torture" methods where only used on a handful of detainees...such princes among men as Khalid Sheik Mohammed, who masterminded the 9/11 attacks, and Abu Zubaida, who was invloved in many foiled terror plots and has already been sentenced to death in Jordan.
This latest pronouncement by the White House unleashed a pack of ravening congressional Democrats who had been plotting such prosecutions for months, including House Speaker Pelosi and House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers, who were almost giddy at the proposition of raking these neo-con fascists over the coals for all of their secret plots to torture innocent terrorists and besmirch the reputation of the U.S. as the largest, richest pansy on the globe.
But, alas, in every rush of self-indulgent euphoria there is often a catch, like the fact that Nancy Pelosi has known about the water-boarding for 7 years... and said nothing until it was too late to prevent any "torture" but just in time to make political hay out of the subject. Yes, you read that right, she knew about it. There were over 30 meetings in which this subject was discussed, one in which the cherub-like Khalid Sheik Mohammed was discussed in particular, and yet Madame Speaker (then a mere ranking member) did not bat an eye, much less go to the press or demand investigations.
One has to wonder: why the sudden case of congressional scruples now? And also one wonders how long it will take for the Dems to spin this issue now that they've been exposed for frauds who are demagoguing our national security for political gain. Again.
Nolanbuck
Just last week, even as he kicked the chair out from under the U.S. intelligence community by releasing memos regarding the interrogation of terrorists, President Obama stated that he had no interest in prosecuting officials of the previous adminstration that were involved in using or sanctioning so-called "aggressive interrogation techniques". That was last week, and with each week dawns a brand new approach in the current administration as the political winds have now shifted to a blistering hot gale out of the left.
This week, in a transparent cave-in to the far-left, the President did an about-face and called for the prosecution of certain individuals involved in what we now call "torture" (Of course, many veterans and military academy grads still call water-boarding "hazing".) Also, please keep in mind that these "torture" methods where only used on a handful of detainees...such princes among men as Khalid Sheik Mohammed, who masterminded the 9/11 attacks, and Abu Zubaida, who was invloved in many foiled terror plots and has already been sentenced to death in Jordan.
This latest pronouncement by the White House unleashed a pack of ravening congressional Democrats who had been plotting such prosecutions for months, including House Speaker Pelosi and House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers, who were almost giddy at the proposition of raking these neo-con fascists over the coals for all of their secret plots to torture innocent terrorists and besmirch the reputation of the U.S. as the largest, richest pansy on the globe.
But, alas, in every rush of self-indulgent euphoria there is often a catch, like the fact that Nancy Pelosi has known about the water-boarding for 7 years... and said nothing until it was too late to prevent any "torture" but just in time to make political hay out of the subject. Yes, you read that right, she knew about it. There were over 30 meetings in which this subject was discussed, one in which the cherub-like Khalid Sheik Mohammed was discussed in particular, and yet Madame Speaker (then a mere ranking member) did not bat an eye, much less go to the press or demand investigations.
One has to wonder: why the sudden case of congressional scruples now? And also one wonders how long it will take for the Dems to spin this issue now that they've been exposed for frauds who are demagoguing our national security for political gain. Again.
Nolanbuck
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Happy Lab Week
National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, known in the lab world simply as "Lab Week", is an annual celebration of the scientists and health care professionals (like myself) who work behind the scenes in hospitals, clinics, and research facilities to bring everyone better health through laboratory analysis and scientific research.
It is also a time for us to come out from behind the curtain and showcase who we are and what we do to the world. If you have ever had blood drawn or sent any medical specimen for analysis, your life and well-being has been touched by one of my colleagues. And chances are, you have never seen us, and never gave it a second thought.
But we don't mind, we're not in it for the glory. We chose to work in medical laboratories because we love science, but we also love helping people. We are only one part of a larger family of health care disciplines that all work together to help keep you in tip-top shape; but we help every other healthcare professional do their jobs, and to provide you with better, more focused care.
So, I raise a test tube in salute to my fellow lab rats: may your Erlenmeyer flasks always be full, may your crossmatches always be compatible, and may your titrations never go too far past their end point.
Nolanbuck, BSMT, CLS (NCA)
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Two Books Everyone Should Read
Originally poster at: 2BucksWorth.com
If you want to have some perspective on the way things are going in the world today and where they are headed, check out these two books, one looking at the past and another looking to the future.
The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression by Amity Shlaes
You may have heard about this on tv or radio, as it is getting a lot of buzz recently. I read a lot of history (by a lot I mean nonstop for decades), and this is the best account of the Great Depression I've read. It's balanced and very informative, without all the New Deal kool-aid. Some of the themes of the government response to the Great Depression bear great similarity to ideas being touted today.
The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century by George Friedman
A fascinating forecast for what the rest of the 21st century holds by a man who makes his living helping companies and government stay ahead of the historical curve. The predictions range from entirely plausible to some real head-scratchers, but if half of what Mr. Freidman predicts happens, it will be an interesting century to say the least. Oh and if you don't like America or you think the U.S.'s best days are behind it, this book will probably tick you off.
Feel free to suggest some of your recent favorite reads, I'm always looking for a good book. :-)
Nolanbuck
If you want to have some perspective on the way things are going in the world today and where they are headed, check out these two books, one looking at the past and another looking to the future.
The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression by Amity Shlaes
You may have heard about this on tv or radio, as it is getting a lot of buzz recently. I read a lot of history (by a lot I mean nonstop for decades), and this is the best account of the Great Depression I've read. It's balanced and very informative, without all the New Deal kool-aid. Some of the themes of the government response to the Great Depression bear great similarity to ideas being touted today.
The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century by George Friedman
A fascinating forecast for what the rest of the 21st century holds by a man who makes his living helping companies and government stay ahead of the historical curve. The predictions range from entirely plausible to some real head-scratchers, but if half of what Mr. Freidman predicts happens, it will be an interesting century to say the least. Oh and if you don't like America or you think the U.S.'s best days are behind it, this book will probably tick you off.
Feel free to suggest some of your recent favorite reads, I'm always looking for a good book. :-)
Nolanbuck
Tea Parties "Shameful" and "Dispicable"?
Originally poster at: 2BucksWorth.com
Apparently, the we the people speaking our minds does not sit well with some in the halls of power, like Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), for instance, who referred to the peaceful gatherings as "being held today by groups of right-wing activists, and fueled by FOX News Channel, are an effort to mislead the public about the Obama economic plan that cuts taxes for 95 percent of Americans and creates 3.5 million jobs."
There's an old saying that goes something like this: "If you throw a rock into a pack of dogs, the one that barks is the one it hit." Apparently, someone got Congresswoman Schakowsky's attention, and she was none too pleased. Now she knows how we feel. Mission accomplished.
Nolanbuck
Apparently, the we the people speaking our minds does not sit well with some in the halls of power, like Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), for instance, who referred to the peaceful gatherings as "being held today by groups of right-wing activists, and fueled by FOX News Channel, are an effort to mislead the public about the Obama economic plan that cuts taxes for 95 percent of Americans and creates 3.5 million jobs."
There's an old saying that goes something like this: "If you throw a rock into a pack of dogs, the one that barks is the one it hit." Apparently, someone got Congresswoman Schakowsky's attention, and she was none too pleased. Now she knows how we feel. Mission accomplished.
Nolanbuck
Friday, April 10, 2009
Dad To The Rescue
originally posted at: 2BucksWorth.com
It is an intrinsic part of parenting to be on standby for rescue operations for your children; more so I think for dad's, since a man's natural inclination is to fix something. From righting upturned strollers to the time one of my kids fell out of a second story window (there's another story you gotta hear), I have upheld the proud Buck tradition of fathers rescuing their children from various snags and tight spots.
My oldest son got stranded in strange part of town last night with a broken down car. Between his description of the problem and my cursory knowledge of car anatomy, we diagnosed the problem and after I arrived on the scene we devised a plan to get him & his car back home safely, which we did. Some people would call it an inconvenience (which it was), but I call it an adventure.
Which reminded me of another "adventure", in which my dad rescued me from a much worse predicament almost 20 years ago. Oh yes, being stranded with a broken down car is familiar territory for me...
I lived in Jackson, MS for two years while I was in school there, and in day in December 1990 I left work and headed north to my parent's place 200 miles away for Christmas. The only problem with this plan was, between me and my folks was a raging ice/snow storm that had driven most sane people indoors for the weekend. But, being 21 and invincible, I struck north.
With most of my meager possessions in the back seat (including my 20 gallon tank of tropical fish), I soon ran into heavy snow. Despite the weather, I was making good time until, quite without preamble, my car engine died. On the Interstate, in the driving snow, four miles from the nearest exit. Needless to say, my prospects turned grim in a hurry.
I was in luck, however, as a father and son in a pickup truck picked me up (may God bless them forever) and dropped me off in the next town, the booming metropolis of Vaiden, MS. At a local truck stop, I found a payphone and did what every 21 year old should do in a situation like this, I called dad. He told me he was on his way and he set out through the maelstrom while I sat tight for three hours of stale coffee and disapproving glares from the waitress.
When he arrived, we set out to find the car. the way was not easy going, since it was still snowing (and dark by then), and his truck's radiator iced up (it was that freakin' cold). So we fixed that (the only liquid water we could find was in the bathroom sink at rest stop)and pushed on to the car. The problem was found to be a thrown engine belt, so we returned to Vaiden to buy a belt (try that on a snowy Saturday night) and then back to the car to repair it.
Once the car was running again (and the heat was thawing out my poor fish) we made for the north once more on what was now a 200 mile long sheet of ice. As we clawed our way home, car after car spun out of control and into the ditches, it was like a bad action movie. At one point, my dad spun out on an icy bridge, from my viewpoint it looked like a flashlight thrown across a frozen pond. Round and round he spun in a terrifying dance, to come to rest safely on the median just beyond the bridge. Whew!
I made it to my parents' house 11 hours, two good Samaritans and one dad later, tired but safe. Do I regret my decision not to stay in Jackson that day? Nope. I had a truly death defying adventure and to top it all off: a week later, on New Year's Eve, I met the woman who would someday become my lovely bride, the one and only Debbiebuck. Now if that's not worth driving 200 miles through the ice & snow, I ask you what is?
Nolanbuck
It is an intrinsic part of parenting to be on standby for rescue operations for your children; more so I think for dad's, since a man's natural inclination is to fix something. From righting upturned strollers to the time one of my kids fell out of a second story window (there's another story you gotta hear), I have upheld the proud Buck tradition of fathers rescuing their children from various snags and tight spots.
My oldest son got stranded in strange part of town last night with a broken down car. Between his description of the problem and my cursory knowledge of car anatomy, we diagnosed the problem and after I arrived on the scene we devised a plan to get him & his car back home safely, which we did. Some people would call it an inconvenience (which it was), but I call it an adventure.
Which reminded me of another "adventure", in which my dad rescued me from a much worse predicament almost 20 years ago. Oh yes, being stranded with a broken down car is familiar territory for me...
I lived in Jackson, MS for two years while I was in school there, and in day in December 1990 I left work and headed north to my parent's place 200 miles away for Christmas. The only problem with this plan was, between me and my folks was a raging ice/snow storm that had driven most sane people indoors for the weekend. But, being 21 and invincible, I struck north.
With most of my meager possessions in the back seat (including my 20 gallon tank of tropical fish), I soon ran into heavy snow. Despite the weather, I was making good time until, quite without preamble, my car engine died. On the Interstate, in the driving snow, four miles from the nearest exit. Needless to say, my prospects turned grim in a hurry.
I was in luck, however, as a father and son in a pickup truck picked me up (may God bless them forever) and dropped me off in the next town, the booming metropolis of Vaiden, MS. At a local truck stop, I found a payphone and did what every 21 year old should do in a situation like this, I called dad. He told me he was on his way and he set out through the maelstrom while I sat tight for three hours of stale coffee and disapproving glares from the waitress.
When he arrived, we set out to find the car. the way was not easy going, since it was still snowing (and dark by then), and his truck's radiator iced up (it was that freakin' cold). So we fixed that (the only liquid water we could find was in the bathroom sink at rest stop)and pushed on to the car. The problem was found to be a thrown engine belt, so we returned to Vaiden to buy a belt (try that on a snowy Saturday night) and then back to the car to repair it.
Once the car was running again (and the heat was thawing out my poor fish) we made for the north once more on what was now a 200 mile long sheet of ice. As we clawed our way home, car after car spun out of control and into the ditches, it was like a bad action movie. At one point, my dad spun out on an icy bridge, from my viewpoint it looked like a flashlight thrown across a frozen pond. Round and round he spun in a terrifying dance, to come to rest safely on the median just beyond the bridge. Whew!
I made it to my parents' house 11 hours, two good Samaritans and one dad later, tired but safe. Do I regret my decision not to stay in Jackson that day? Nope. I had a truly death defying adventure and to top it all off: a week later, on New Year's Eve, I met the woman who would someday become my lovely bride, the one and only Debbiebuck. Now if that's not worth driving 200 miles through the ice & snow, I ask you what is?
Nolanbuck
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
President Obama Visits The Troops
originally posted at: 2BucksWorth.com
Ok, you may not hear me say this very often for the next 4 years, so you might want to take note. In fact, the faint of heart might even want to sit down. Here it goes:
Well done, President Obama!
Thank you for swinging by and visiting the troops. You didn't have to do it, but you did, and I salute you for it. A very classy move, Mr. President.
It's obvious that the troops love you. Now, please sir, don't let them down.
Nolanbuck
Ok, you may not hear me say this very often for the next 4 years, so you might want to take note. In fact, the faint of heart might even want to sit down. Here it goes:
Well done, President Obama!
Thank you for swinging by and visiting the troops. You didn't have to do it, but you did, and I salute you for it. A very classy move, Mr. President.
It's obvious that the troops love you. Now, please sir, don't let them down.
Nolanbuck
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
I See Red!
originally posted at: 2BucksWorth.com
"I see red
And it hurts my head
Guess it must be something
That I read" - Red Lenses (Rush)
I've recently been having very frank and stimulating on-line discussion with a long time friend of mine about the charges of Socialism that have been leveled against President Obama (actually, Obama was still a candidate when my friend posted his original blog topic). The discussion has ranged from the relative merits of the differing degrees of socialism versus those of capitalism, to whether in fact Mr. Obama himself is a card-carrying soviet.
As to the later point, my friend wisely cautioned against snap judgements before the election, and I have forced myself since the election to try to wait until the new President has a chance to show us what he's all about. And while there is scant evidence that Mr. Obama is a full-on Commie, it is becoming increasingly apparent that our President and the Congress sees capitalism as more the problem than the solution, and they earnestly believe that if a little government is good, a lot is even better.
I will save my opinions on why capitalism is the nearest to the perfect economic system that man will ever devise for another day, but I must address the few holdouts who are not true-believing liberals, but neither have sufficiently opened their eyes to the fact that Mr. Obama is. When the socialist democracies of Europe are lecturing the U.S. government on the evils of deficit spending and constant bailouts, you know that something profound has happened. It's as if the big kid that everyone teased for never swimming in the socialism pool suddenly does a swan dive into the deep end, all at once socialism isn't as chic as it used to be.
Dependence on government spending to move the economy, government control of major components of our economy like the auto industry and health care (socialism mandates government control of the means of production), and confiscatory taxation of the wealthy to spread the wealth around ("From each according to their ability, to each according to their needs" - Karl Marx) ... is it any wonder that it's not only right-wing wackos like myself that are seeing Red?
No one thinks the next red scare is around the corner, but maybe people are starting to remember some former community organizers that were put in charge of a country. Like Lenin, and Mao.
Enjoy, comrades.
Nolanbuck
Friday, March 27, 2009
Off With His Appendix!
originally posted at: 2BucksWorth.com
On Monday night, while Debbie & I were out & about, our middlest son called us to inform us that he was having terrible pains in his lower right abdomen. (I sometimes refer to him as the middlest son, because why should the 2nd of three kids be the only one without a superlative?) Having been through one bout of appendicitis and an appendectomy with our oldest son in 2006, I immediately thought "appendix". Obviously, having seen what his brother went through 2.5 years ago, #2 son was not thrilled at this diagnosis.
Neither were the wife & I excited at the prospect of another appendectomy in the family so soon after the first. If you've never had a teenager have to have surgery, you must believe me that at some point you will contemplate offering to undergo the procedure yourself as a less painful option.
However, so as to not jump to conclusions, we gave our son some (admittedly woefully inadequate) over-the-counter medication, and asked him to try and get some rest...hoping it was gas or some other transient dyspeptic condition. As with the eldest son, this strategy was to prove wildly optimistic.
By the wee hours of the morning, the pain in my son's stomach had intensified and had awakened him from what little sleep he'd managed to grab. So after the other boys were off to school, my wife made a walk-in appointment (which is an oxymoron, isn't it?) with our doctor. After examination, my son was sent to a radiology clinic to confirm the preliminary diagnosis, appendicitis. The CT scan showed that his appendix was in fact inflamed, so off to the ER he went.
At the ER he awaited the arrival of the surgeon, and then it was on to pre-op and into surgery; where his belly was shaved, carved, relieved of one useless and rather unattractive internal organ, and stapled shut with what appeared to be the same staples you'd use to hang fiberglass insulation. Then to recovery and finally to a hospital room where he convalesced for two days. He is currently at home resting and trying not to walk around like an old man.
I must give the young man his due: not being known for having a high pain tolerance, my 2nd son was a real trooper, maintaining a stiff upper lip and a "can-do" attitude throughout the whole ordeal and it's aftermath. He did very little complaining, and was eager to do his best to get moving again and not lie around and suffer. After almost 20 years in the health care profession, I must tell you that the maturity and determination he showed is rare among patients twice his age.
I'm glad my son is healthy and on the mend, but I'm also proud of the character he displayed during this illness. My sons are growing into fine men, and nothing could make me prouder than that.
(BTW, for those of you keeping score at home, that's two appendices down, one to go)
Nolanbuck
On Monday night, while Debbie & I were out & about, our middlest son called us to inform us that he was having terrible pains in his lower right abdomen. (I sometimes refer to him as the middlest son, because why should the 2nd of three kids be the only one without a superlative?) Having been through one bout of appendicitis and an appendectomy with our oldest son in 2006, I immediately thought "appendix". Obviously, having seen what his brother went through 2.5 years ago, #2 son was not thrilled at this diagnosis.
Neither were the wife & I excited at the prospect of another appendectomy in the family so soon after the first. If you've never had a teenager have to have surgery, you must believe me that at some point you will contemplate offering to undergo the procedure yourself as a less painful option.
However, so as to not jump to conclusions, we gave our son some (admittedly woefully inadequate) over-the-counter medication, and asked him to try and get some rest...hoping it was gas or some other transient dyspeptic condition. As with the eldest son, this strategy was to prove wildly optimistic.
By the wee hours of the morning, the pain in my son's stomach had intensified and had awakened him from what little sleep he'd managed to grab. So after the other boys were off to school, my wife made a walk-in appointment (which is an oxymoron, isn't it?) with our doctor. After examination, my son was sent to a radiology clinic to confirm the preliminary diagnosis, appendicitis. The CT scan showed that his appendix was in fact inflamed, so off to the ER he went.
At the ER he awaited the arrival of the surgeon, and then it was on to pre-op and into surgery; where his belly was shaved, carved, relieved of one useless and rather unattractive internal organ, and stapled shut with what appeared to be the same staples you'd use to hang fiberglass insulation. Then to recovery and finally to a hospital room where he convalesced for two days. He is currently at home resting and trying not to walk around like an old man.
I must give the young man his due: not being known for having a high pain tolerance, my 2nd son was a real trooper, maintaining a stiff upper lip and a "can-do" attitude throughout the whole ordeal and it's aftermath. He did very little complaining, and was eager to do his best to get moving again and not lie around and suffer. After almost 20 years in the health care profession, I must tell you that the maturity and determination he showed is rare among patients twice his age.
I'm glad my son is healthy and on the mend, but I'm also proud of the character he displayed during this illness. My sons are growing into fine men, and nothing could make me prouder than that.
(BTW, for those of you keeping score at home, that's two appendices down, one to go)
Nolanbuck
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Please Stand By...
originally posted at: 2BucksWorth.com
The blog has taken a back seat for the Bucks recently, due to one of our sons recovering from an emergency appendectomy. He's resting & healing...doing better all the time, and we'll be back to blogging in a few more days.
Thanks, everyone for the well wishes.
Nolanbuck
The blog has taken a back seat for the Bucks recently, due to one of our sons recovering from an emergency appendectomy. He's resting & healing...doing better all the time, and we'll be back to blogging in a few more days.
Thanks, everyone for the well wishes.
Nolanbuck
Friday, March 20, 2009
Another Ray Of Hope
originally posted at: 2BucksWorth.com
The 912 Project - TV & Radio host Glen Beck's new project to bring Americans of all persuasions together and bring a sense of purpose back Washington, the way it was on 9-12-01.
Check it out.
Nolanbuck
The 912 Project - TV & Radio host Glen Beck's new project to bring Americans of all persuasions together and bring a sense of purpose back Washington, the way it was on 9-12-01.
Check it out.
Nolanbuck
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