THE SPANISH CHICKENS
March 14, 2005
It’s amazing how two nations react. Terrorists bomb America and we go after them. Bomb a train in Spain and the people crumble. They kick their government out that has fought terorism.
Yesterday Spain sent a message to the terrorists. Bomb us and we’ll drop our arms and run We’ll crawl back into our hole and pray they’ll be kind to us.
It’s not that they re going to pull their 1,500 troops ut of Iraq in July as planned, but the message of being “afraid”, the message that Spain has no back-bone, and the ultimate message that a nation can be driven into fear by a handful of terrorists- who ultimately can change an entire government with one bombing.
Amazing!
A CAB DRIVER’S CONFESSION!
March 12, 2005
Last week as I took a cab from the hotel to the airport, I got a confirmation in the average “Joe’s” mentality. Usually there is nothng but small-talk when one is standing in an elevator or riding in a cab. It seems that someone feels they have to say something, but usually that something is nothing.
Two minutes into the ride, the cabbie asks who I think will win the presidential election this year. I won’t see this guy ever again in my life, so why not a simple answer like ‘I don’t know’? Instead I opted for a more realistic and extended answer. Too many variables over the next eight months to say with any assurances.
His answer? He hoped Bush should win. Why? He felt that the person who is president of the U.S. should be a man of “principles”, one who would take a position that he felt was right and stay the course. He didn’t agree with Bush on all issues but he liked the fact that Bush had moral courage and determination to stay a course once taken.
Of the 1,800 cab drivers in Vegas he’s probably in the minority with those sentiments but at least he made my ten minute cab ride more pleasant- because I agree with his philosophical determinants.
NO PAIN- NO GAIN!
March 11, 2005
So, what’s the headlines for Thursday? John Kerry is not going to apologize: the Republicans are liars and crooks. He knows! And, Al-Qaeda is taking responsibility for the 200+ killed in Madrid.
Just when you thought terrorism was not going to be an election issue (about 12% think it is), along comes the bombings in Spain and the al-Qaeda message that they are 90% prepared for their next attack on the U.S.!
The last think JFK wants to see hit the front pages is the “terrorism” issue. All Democrats want the issue to be about our inate greed, our inherent desire for more and better health care and a myriad of social issues. But while the terrorist issue helps Bush in one way, it hurts him in another.
The stock market has been moving along and heading into a new BUBBLE believing that there were NO RISKS! Risk? What risk? My commentary from yesterday turns out to be more ‘timely’ than even I knew. After dropping 160 points on Wednesday, the Dow tumbled another 168 Thursday and now Wall Street has to seriously consider whether their euphoria is well-placed or not.
What we do know is that life is a series of positive and negative events. What we do know is that you car cannot run without a battery- which has a positive and a negative poll. And in like fashion, Wall Street, the Republicans, the Democrats must accept the fact that life has it’s ups and downs.
No pain, no gain.
As I said yesterday, Greenspan and the world is finding out that MAN is not in control of life and that GRACE is the most important word in our vocabulary.
NOW WHAT GREENSPAN?
March 10, 2005
Wednesday was a really bad day for the Republicans, George Bush, and Alan Greenspan. Oh yes and for the world as far as that goes. You see, the false sense that all is right with our economic world got a wake up call.
The Dow and the Nasdaq are now below where they started the year. Listen, in spite of the Fed printing money like crazy. In spite of century-low interest rates, for a long period of time. In spite of every gimmick in the world designed to pump up the economy, we’ve got problems.
When everyone gets their mutual funds reports in April, it won’t be a pretty picture. People are already afraid of the economy. What does Bush do now? What does Alan Gtreenspan do? More importantly, what does the average American do?
After all, The average consumer is up to his eyeballs in debt, over extended, litle or no savings, and concerned about losing his-her job. When the Chinese can work for 20 times less than the average American will, what’s the options? A trade war? Making out-sourcing illegal? Setting quotas?
Ahh, let’s forget about it. Maybe Thursday will be a better day. You think?
VIVA LAS VEGAS!
March 9, 2005
My “posts’ on the latest news was minimal today (Tuesday) as I was in flight to Las Vegas, where I am now writing this commentary. I’ll be here til Thursday so nothing is normal.
Las Vegas is a place where “chips” seem to be play money, but they aren’t. You’ve probably seen the commercial, “Whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”. Does anyone really believe that? Whatever happens anywhere is a part of history and our life, and it eventually gets exposed.
Anyway, I am here with two friends of seventeen years, and a friend of a dozen years. We’re celebrating one of my best friends 60th birthday. Wednesday night we will be watching and listening to Celine Dion. My friend made that attempt a couple of months ago but the show got cancelled. So this is his second chance- on me.
Vegas is one of a kind city that no other can match. Would anyone want another one to? Vegas is a fantasy land where those of a weak constitution or character find out how far they’ve not progressed in life.
As for me, it’s an opportunity to bond with some close friends, re-charge my batteries, take in a great show, and forget about Bush-Kerry and the real mess this world is in. And look forward to next week and Spring Break with my family on the mountains of Park Cities, Utah. Viva life!
A MAJOR MIRACLE!
March 8, 2005
Unfortunately we have become so inundated by negative news that when good news comes along, we treat it like it’s no big deal. We have also lost track of our roots and don’t remember our national history.
I am often reminded of how far my children have come in comparison to where I was at their age. It’s all too easy to demand that they live a life that we didn’t. When I see how far some young people have come at age 20, 30, or 40 and then I compare where I was at that age, I cringe.
So, let’s take a look at Iraq and the major miracle that happened there Monday. In less than a year, they drafted a Constitution. Forget about the speed with which they did it. Look at the circumstances under which it was done.
Terrorists are killing and bombing anything and everything they can. The nation is divided into three major and distinct groups (Kurds, Shiites, and Sunnis). And then you have geographical warlords and clerics every 100 miles.
But most of all, this is a constitution in an Arab land, in the middle of dictatorial and theological lifestyle. If a democracy can survive in Iraq, every other Arab nation in the area will have serious trouble with their citizens. It is inherent in all individuals that we are allowed to live free.
The signing of the Constitution which was delayed from Friday to Monday was mocked and maligned by a lot of the press. Why the delay they asked? How did such a miracle happen, I ask? Could it be God?
WEEKEND TID-BITS
March 7, 2005
The biggest shocker for me is the fact that the Houston Rockets beat the Dallas Mavericks this weekend. Wow! But on to some boring items.
Hugo Chavez took to the airwaves to threaten the U.S. with a 100 year war and the cessation of all oil purchases is we mess with his nation. I wonder where this guy gets this stuff. Is he really going to live another 100 years? Amazing.
John Kerry is going to pull all of the expletives that Drudge found on his web site. He’s promised to make his web site more “family-friendly”. Such a nice guy.
The Hatians just can’t get enough killing. It seems that 30+ violent changes in government in 100 years is not enough. This weekend there were more killings. Aristide and anti-Aristide supporters went after each other- again. And he’s no longer in the country. Let’s see, he was kidnapped, right?
Martha is getting ready for a visit to her probation officer on Monday. It’ll be interesting to see where the stock in her company ends up now.
The Democrats are up in arms that Bush is using a one second image of the Twin Towers and Hollywood is mad as hell that Mel Gibson’s film is now closing in on $225,000,000.
Oh well, let the new week begin!
23% AND MAYBE 20 YEARS?
March 5, 2005
The jury handed down their decision Friday afternoon. Martha Stewart is guilty on all four counts. She is scheduled to be sentenced in the next three months. She will appeal, it won’t matter
She would be 82 if she got the entire 20 year sentence; however, that’s doubtful. She may get a year, just enough to totally humiliate her. The Days Of Wine & Roses and Stewart’s company are over.
On news of the verdict, her stock dropped like a rock- 23%! I am sure that someone will figure out just how many millions she lost over the sale of a couple of ten thousand dollars of ImClone stock. I guess the jury figured that smart people do dumb things after all.
There’s a bigger message here than fraud, lying, and obstruction of justice. The world would call it living by the sword (you die by the sword). I call it getting grace, because you give grace. Martha’s major problem was her lack of mercy. Were she not so arrogant, demanding, and demeaning in her life, I think the outcome would have been different.
Those that have ears to hear- hear!
PS. I think her arrogance or that of her attorney’s allowing her to go to trial to begin with and then present only a twenty minute rebuttal was another slap in the face- to the world. So, she gets one year for each minute of defense.
WHERE’S MY ENTITLEMENTS?
March 4, 2005
As I have listened to the near dozen Democratic candidates debate over the last six months, I’ve almost been traumatized into thinking that the government OWES me a good life! We are now down to one Democratic candidate (Dennis & Al notwithstanding) and the message is still the same.
The next time you hear John Kerry speak (with Ted Kennedy introducing him of course), listen to what he says. He will bring America to it’s greatness. People will no longer be without health care, everyone will have a job, education will be enhanced, and no one will live in poverty. It’s the American way!
How is that possible? Why am I “entitled” to all of those things and who will pay for it anyway? Isn’t the government that’s going to pay for all of this, the “collective me”: us?
Yes, Kerry is a Northeastern liberal, meaning he’d give us all of these things by taxing us more, and more importantly, he’d tax those evil rich people- not realizing that killing them quickly kills research, production, and stops the economic blessings.
Where in the U.S. Constitution, Bill Of Rights, or any other document does it say I am “entitled” to all of these government programs? I read a lot about our RESPONSIBILITIES, but little about our ENTITLEMENTS. Ahh, but one of the best ways to get elected is to promise people things they shouldn’t really have!
WHO WILL BE NUMBER TWO?
March 3, 2005
Now that we know it will be Kerry vs. Bush, who will be the answer to Dick Cheney? There are a lot of theories out there. So, lt me add one more to the fray.
First off, who will it NOT be? John Edwards is too new, too wet behind the ears. I mean he couldn’t even win Georgia and barely won his home state. So, scratch his name off the short list. Scratch Dean. Duh! And while you’re at it, forget about Dennis and Al. Wesley is too inexperienced also.
With Kerry in Florida today, a lot of people wondered if he’d choose Bob Graham. That would be a good choice because Florida just might be the swing-state again. Picking someone who could turn a RED state into a BLUE one (like Florida- or was it really BLUE anyway?) is a wise strategy. But, Graham is too old.
If that strategy is a good one, then there are several names that one could add to the pot with Gephardt in Missouri being a front runner. There’s lots of electoral votes in that “Show Me” state. But, Ohio, Indiana, and Penn. have great options for Kerry as well.
So, who will he choose? Time will tell; however, I think someone who desperately wants it is Bill Clinton. So, he’s pushing Hillary for the job since he’s not eligible to even be the VP. Hillary would bring about a hundred million to the campaign so we shall see. Of all the decisions that will be made over the next few months, who’s NUMBER TWO (on the Democratic ticket) is the next big political question, since who number ONE will be has been decided. At least that’s my take.
SCLERA WEARINESS?
March 2, 2005
One can only sit in front of the radar screen so long and then your eye balls will begin to turn dry, red, and weary. Tuesday was one of those days when every time you thought you’d seen it all, something else would pop up on the radar screen.
We began with the stories out of Africa that Aristide was proclaiming: he was kidnapped by the U.S. Right! Then a story popped up on he radar screen saying that Bernie Evers (WorldCom) was being indicted: as closing arguments for Martha Stewart were being heard for similiar business mis-dealings were being reviewed.
In the afternoon word came from Venezuela (word that was expected) that the CNE would not approve the 3.4 million signatures to get a vote on Hugo Chavez’s presidency. So, the people will continue rioting and the nation will continue to spiral downward.
As Tuesday closed out we started getting all of those returns from Vermont to California affirming Kerry as the man to carry the Democratic mantle to oust George Bush. So, let the real fight begin. It’s not totally official but what everyone knows is that it’s Bush vs. Kerry. Edwards will drop out Wednesday.
Then there’s the Peterson trial, the Kobe trial, the gay marriage issue, the Earnest Hargon charges, and of course the Mel Gibson movie watch. The Passion is now at $140 million and surging to new records.
Lot’s on the radar screen for Tuesday, so I’m going to get some shut eye, and come back for whatever the world has in store for Wednesday.
YET ANOTHER CONTROVERSY!
March 1, 2005
Did we or didn’t we? That is the new question. Did the U.S. kidnap Jean Bertand Aristide or did he go willingly? Ahh, the mystery of it all. And what great newspaper headlines.
The anti-Bush crowd couldn’t wait to get in front of the cameras and claim that Bush, the CIA, the Department Of Defense, and all things Republican had kidnapped Aristide. In fact, the conspiracy theory went far deeper. The CIA actually sold 20,000 M-16 rifles to the opposition (whoever, for whatever) in the Dominican Republic and helped them cross the border into Haiti for the revolution. Really?
The history books will show some three dozen regime changes in Haiti in the last century. It just seems Haiti is a revoilving door for dictators: Bush or no CIA. But, it’s going to be interesting to see how this one plays out.
Last I heard, it was the French who were guarding Aristide in the Central African country. It was the French accompanied him out of Haiti. Haiti is a French speaking nation- people. Are the French Republican. Oh well, crazy does as crazy is.
Yet another controvery to add to the political rhetoric. Hopefully after today, Kerry will wrap it up and Bush and Kerry can take the gloves off and go after each other- for the next eight months. As for me, I have fond memories of my visit there in 1972 when I stayed at the beautiful Hotel Ibo-Le-Le, half way up the mountains overlooking Port-Au-Prince. A different time indeed.
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