The Czech government is honoring Obama's visit with a commemorative medal.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Obama vs. The Truth
During the press conference last night, Obama said "At the end of the day, the best way to bring our deficit down in the long run is not with a budget that continues the very same policies that have led us to a narrow prosperity and massive debt. It's with a budget that leads to broad economic growth by moving from an era of borrow and spend to one where we save and invest."
Sounds great. And the best way to move to an era of "save and invest" is by borrowing and spending our economy into the largest deficit in the known universe?
For years Democrat leaders have been saying this is the "worst economy since the great depression," despite the fact that the economy was at the same level as during the Clinton years when they marvelled at how he had turned America around. Even though this was another blatant lie on their part, they are now doing everything they can to make it true. Of course Obama will blame everything on Bush, like he always does.
And the "stimulus package" has been called the worst bill since the 1930's.
Another thing. Obama the Great said he would cut the deficit in half by the end of his first (and hopefully ONLY) term. Well, since he has qudrupled it in 2 months in office, cutting it back to Bush levels is not a big deal. But like everything else he has promised, I'll believe it when I see it.
Tell me again how the Bush era 1 trillion dollar deficit was horrible but now having several trillion dollars in debt is just what we need?
And then we get to the part where he is discussing his video to Iran. First I hope it was at least encoded properly so they can watch it. Unlike, oh I don't know, the set of 25 DVD's he gave to Gordon Brown.
During the answer about Iran, Obama throws this out "We haven't immediately eliminated the influence of lobbyists in Washington. We have not immediately eliminated wasteful pork projects." Hmmmm, really? It could be that his plan is to eliminate lobbyists by bringing them all into his administration.
Now, about those pork projects you and the Dems are against. Is this sort of like "we have to destroy the village to save it"?
At least the reports tried to ask a few real questions last night, even though Obama dodged giving real answers to most of them.
Sounds great. And the best way to move to an era of "save and invest" is by borrowing and spending our economy into the largest deficit in the known universe?
For years Democrat leaders have been saying this is the "worst economy since the great depression," despite the fact that the economy was at the same level as during the Clinton years when they marvelled at how he had turned America around. Even though this was another blatant lie on their part, they are now doing everything they can to make it true. Of course Obama will blame everything on Bush, like he always does.
And the "stimulus package" has been called the worst bill since the 1930's.
Another thing. Obama the Great said he would cut the deficit in half by the end of his first (and hopefully ONLY) term. Well, since he has qudrupled it in 2 months in office, cutting it back to Bush levels is not a big deal. But like everything else he has promised, I'll believe it when I see it.
Tell me again how the Bush era 1 trillion dollar deficit was horrible but now having several trillion dollars in debt is just what we need?
And then we get to the part where he is discussing his video to Iran. First I hope it was at least encoded properly so they can watch it. Unlike, oh I don't know, the set of 25 DVD's he gave to Gordon Brown.
During the answer about Iran, Obama throws this out "We haven't immediately eliminated the influence of lobbyists in Washington. We have not immediately eliminated wasteful pork projects." Hmmmm, really? It could be that his plan is to eliminate lobbyists by bringing them all into his administration.
Now, about those pork projects you and the Dems are against. Is this sort of like "we have to destroy the village to save it"?
At least the reports tried to ask a few real questions last night, even though Obama dodged giving real answers to most of them.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
St. Patricks parade-Memphis
Here are some pictures from the parade in Memphis. There was a great turnout for the parade on Beale and DEKS was well represented.
Thanks to David and Deb, and T-bone for letting me share their guest bed. T-bone is their dog but was kind enough to give me a small part of the bed. Also we had some very good meals while I was in town.
Friday night we went to Bonefish Grill in Collierville. Dinner started with some excellent calamari, all legs by request. The cook was glad to do that for us and it was perfect.
Next I had the Imperial Longfin which is baked and stuffed with shrimp, crab and scallops. Along with a side of their wonderful mashed potatoes, I had more than enough.
Saturday started at the Flying Saucer downtown and breakfast was a Reuben sandwich with fries and a Youngs Double Chocolate Stout. That is the breakfast of champions.
After the parade a group of us went to the Majestic Grill on Main Street. Once again the food and service were top notch. The waiter answered any and all questions about the dishes and even let us know that the chef there wouldn't take the time to get just legs on their calamari. That tells me that the chef is too lazy to do it, but the waiter actually cared about pleasing the customers and not just padding the bill.
We started with the soup of the day. I don't remember the name but it was sort of a chowder. Very tasty along with the focaccia bread. The waiter even brought a bowl of extra virgin olive oil for dipping.
Next I had the mahi-mahi with garlic mashed potatoes and grilled artichoke butter. One of their specials that night was the grilled trout with rice. Several of the other guests had that and it also looked great.
We finished the meal with dessert shooters and then strolled back to The Silly Goose for a night cap, where we were delighted to find our server was an old friend from the Cordova Flying Saucer!
Sunday found Dave, Deb and I at Chateau Country Caterers in Germantown. Scott Pierce, the chef and Karen, our waitress provided a brunch that perfectly capped my weekend. White fish and oyster chowder got us started. After that I had the eggs Benedict with O'brian potatoes. The chef really impressed with the quality of the meal.
Now I can't wait for my next trip out of town.
Thanks to David and Deb, and T-bone for letting me share their guest bed. T-bone is their dog but was kind enough to give me a small part of the bed. Also we had some very good meals while I was in town.
Friday night we went to Bonefish Grill in Collierville. Dinner started with some excellent calamari, all legs by request. The cook was glad to do that for us and it was perfect.
Next I had the Imperial Longfin which is baked and stuffed with shrimp, crab and scallops. Along with a side of their wonderful mashed potatoes, I had more than enough.
Saturday started at the Flying Saucer downtown and breakfast was a Reuben sandwich with fries and a Youngs Double Chocolate Stout. That is the breakfast of champions.
After the parade a group of us went to the Majestic Grill on Main Street. Once again the food and service were top notch. The waiter answered any and all questions about the dishes and even let us know that the chef there wouldn't take the time to get just legs on their calamari. That tells me that the chef is too lazy to do it, but the waiter actually cared about pleasing the customers and not just padding the bill.
We started with the soup of the day. I don't remember the name but it was sort of a chowder. Very tasty along with the focaccia bread. The waiter even brought a bowl of extra virgin olive oil for dipping.
Next I had the mahi-mahi with garlic mashed potatoes and grilled artichoke butter. One of their specials that night was the grilled trout with rice. Several of the other guests had that and it also looked great.
We finished the meal with dessert shooters and then strolled back to The Silly Goose for a night cap, where we were delighted to find our server was an old friend from the Cordova Flying Saucer!
Sunday found Dave, Deb and I at Chateau Country Caterers in Germantown. Scott Pierce, the chef and Karen, our waitress provided a brunch that perfectly capped my weekend. White fish and oyster chowder got us started. After that I had the eggs Benedict with O'brian potatoes. The chef really impressed with the quality of the meal.
Now I can't wait for my next trip out of town.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
St. Patricks Day
In America this should be known as "Amateur Drinking Day" but that's beside the point.
This weekend I'll be heading to Memphis and marching in their St. Pats parade along with the other members of the Dead Elvis Kilt Society. (DEKS) Steve of Gallowglass pipers will be leading the way as we spread the message of kilted freedom to downtown Memphis. Though it won't be the first, or last, time we've invaded Beale Street.
On St. Pats day itself, March 17th, the Tennesse Valley Scottish Society will join in the Huntsville parade again. This is an annual tradition for us to celebrate with our Irish Celtic cousins.
And as always for the best Guinness in town head on over to Finnegan's Pub on the parkway!
Slainte Mhor!!
This weekend I'll be heading to Memphis and marching in their St. Pats parade along with the other members of the Dead Elvis Kilt Society. (DEKS) Steve of Gallowglass pipers will be leading the way as we spread the message of kilted freedom to downtown Memphis. Though it won't be the first, or last, time we've invaded Beale Street.
On St. Pats day itself, March 17th, the Tennesse Valley Scottish Society will join in the Huntsville parade again. This is an annual tradition for us to celebrate with our Irish Celtic cousins.
And as always for the best Guinness in town head on over to Finnegan's Pub on the parkway!
Slainte Mhor!!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Wedding day
My baby got married today.
It seems like only a few days ago that she was a tiny little baby, lying in the incubator at the hospital with her little toboggan hat.
Today I walked her down the isle and gave her to Andrew. It was something I knew would happen some day but when it was finally time I wondered how I would handle it. I have to admit, I did pretty good. It it obvious they are in love and I am so very happy for them. Join me in lifting a wee dram in their honor, though tonight tequila is the beverage of choice.
When I get some pictures back from the photographer I will post them.
It seems like only a few days ago that she was a tiny little baby, lying in the incubator at the hospital with her little toboggan hat.
Today I walked her down the isle and gave her to Andrew. It was something I knew would happen some day but when it was finally time I wondered how I would handle it. I have to admit, I did pretty good. It it obvious they are in love and I am so very happy for them. Join me in lifting a wee dram in their honor, though tonight tequila is the beverage of choice.
When I get some pictures back from the photographer I will post them.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Sippican Cottage: My Father Asks For Nothing
Sippican Cottage: My Father Asks For Nothing
An excellent post. Sadly we have lost so many of these strong warriors, who quietly did their job and then returned home, never asking for special treatment or favors.
An excellent post. Sadly we have lost so many of these strong warriors, who quietly did their job and then returned home, never asking for special treatment or favors.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Nothing new under the sun
As a wise man once said "There is nothing new under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 1:9)
I'm not a huge fan of Ayn Rand or some of the people that subscribe to her philosophy, but she does have a quote that I find to very relevant to our current situation in America.
From The Voice of Reason: "One of the methods used by statists to destroy capitalism consists in establishing controls that tie a given industry hand and foot, making it unable to solve its problems, then declaring that freedom has failed and stronger controls are necessary."
Is there any more accurate description of the recent spate of financial crises than this?
Liberals pushed banks to make loans to people that were poor risks and couldn't pay them back. When others tried to put some controls on this, such as reigning in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, they were told it was not a problem. Told this by Chris Dodd, Barney Frank and others who had the duty to oversee the financial system.
Now that it has crashed these same people are coming in and saying the government has to step in, infuse the system with cash and impose more strict controls on everyone.
Auto makers have to push to meet inflated MPG cafe standards and develop alternative fuel cars that consumers don't want. When they can't sell these cars, who is there ready to offer a helping hand in exchange for control?
The fact that the helping hand is stuffed full of money taken from hard working taxpayers so it can be redistributed to failed businesses reminds me of another quote:
"From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs." Karl Marx
I'm not a huge fan of Ayn Rand or some of the people that subscribe to her philosophy, but she does have a quote that I find to very relevant to our current situation in America.
From The Voice of Reason: "One of the methods used by statists to destroy capitalism consists in establishing controls that tie a given industry hand and foot, making it unable to solve its problems, then declaring that freedom has failed and stronger controls are necessary."
Is there any more accurate description of the recent spate of financial crises than this?
Liberals pushed banks to make loans to people that were poor risks and couldn't pay them back. When others tried to put some controls on this, such as reigning in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, they were told it was not a problem. Told this by Chris Dodd, Barney Frank and others who had the duty to oversee the financial system.
Now that it has crashed these same people are coming in and saying the government has to step in, infuse the system with cash and impose more strict controls on everyone.
Auto makers have to push to meet inflated MPG cafe standards and develop alternative fuel cars that consumers don't want. When they can't sell these cars, who is there ready to offer a helping hand in exchange for control?
The fact that the helping hand is stuffed full of money taken from hard working taxpayers so it can be redistributed to failed businesses reminds me of another quote:
"From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs." Karl Marx
More snow pictures
Here are some more pictures from the Great Blizzard of '09.
Of course all of this was gone by lunch time.
Of course all of this was gone by lunch time.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
SNOW!!!
March 1st and we have the biggest snowfall I've seen in a long time. At 6am there was a little snow on the ground and then it really began to fall. By 7:30 we had around 1.5 inches and it was still snowing very hard. We also have cold temps and very high winds making the wind chill somewhere around zero.
I went out with my walking buddy to explore. She loved rolling in the snow!
With the wind and blowing snow we didn't stay out as long as she wanted to, but we had a nice walk and saw a few red birds along the fence row.
I'll put up more pictures tomorrow when I'm on a faster network.
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