Month: December 2011

Out Of Control

The Roar

Out of Control

Tis the season to be merry.  However, the days are dwindling for the average “free” American to buy a necessary, practical and efficient household item of century age durability.  That would be the 100 watt incandescent light bulb, of which served us during two World Wars, not to mention The Great Depression.  Old faithful will become illegal on January first.

To begin with, our reaction of “are you kiddin me” just doesn’t quite do it justice.  Many of us have watched as our highly paid governmental officials flubbed one policy after another.  However, this is a policy which defies common sense along with the product’s useful history.  Just how much are “free” people willing to digest before the boot becomes insufferable upon our throats?

The 2007  democrat Congress passed the Energy Security and Independence Act which President George W. Bush then signed into law.  Words in the act’s title, ” Security” and “Independence” are insulting, devious and nonsensical.  How does outlawing such a useful product increase or even stabilize our “security?”   And, as far as cementing or protecting our “independence” goes, forget it!  These little curled light bulbs are the products from our patriotic General Electric plants in China.

The bottom line to this absurdity is that our government forced the closing of our manufacturing centers in America so that we could buy a product which would be made in China.

Now, one of the definitions of the word “treason” is, “a betrayal of trust or confidence.”  This Act certainly exemplifies such a betrayal.  In addition, it was bandied about Congress that this insanity would be shelved, starting with a pro-American vote in both Houses.  Our illustrious Senate became the bulb’s “A Bridge Too Far.”  The same Senate which cited the eradication of the incandescent age would, in turn, reduce the need for new power plants.  This ability, to rationalize from a 100 watt bulb onto the stage of eliminating the need for “24 fewer coal-type electric plants” defies any system for equational understanding.

To estimate just how out of the understanding loop this legislation is, reasoning leading to its passage also cited inefficiency and wasted energy.  This is the flimsy and unproven thinking which introduced such a negative result against the most standard American product ever made.

It may be interesting to note that while we all rage against the evil influences from Washington’s lobby culture, we at the same time ignore the most effective of lobbyists.  That would be the environmentalist’s greasing of the Washington gearbox.  One yet unproven outcome from this quarter is the Presidential action concerning the Keystone pipeline project from Canada to Texas.  Our President, as was likely the similar case with former President Bush, will be swayed not to endorse an instant 20,000 plus jobs project based upon the concerns and goals from this radically led environmental fringe.

In typical gradualist fashion, today it’s the 100 watt bulb, next year it will be the 75 watt followed with  the 60 and 40 watters in 2014.

In conclusion, talk floats as to the dispersing of those Americans who followed the communist dogma into the current environmental enclaves.  Wisdom preaches that “actions speak louder than words.”  Judging from their lobbying results, their influence seems frightening as they apparently have the power to eliminate common sense from the equation.  Add to this scenario the complacency of the American “go along” mentality and viola, the Red flag may be on the rise!

Jim Bowman, Author of
This Roar of Ours

TARP Costs Are Back Up

TARP Costs Are Back Up — The Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP)  was signed into law by President Bush a month before the 2008 election and authorized spending $700 billion to buy assets and equity in financial institutions. The plan was to prevent an economic meltdown due to the subprime mortgage scam.

It was originally expected that taxpayers would be on the hook for $300 billion but the spending authorization was cut to $475 billion in the Dodd-Frank regulations passed in July 2010 and by March 2011 the total  cost estimate for the taxpayers had been cut to $19 billion as the banks and other institutions began paying back  loans.

On Friday the Congressional Budget Office announced the cost estimate is back  to $34 billion due to a drop in the market value of the government’s investments in American International Group and General Motors.

So how is that Chevy Volt working out? Maybe D.C. should have invested in Ford. Oh, that’s right. Ford threw the money back in their faces.

I see Fords in our futures assuming you think it desirable to buy American.

TARP was basically a scheme for wealthy, connected people to be able keep their homes in the Hamptons and their chateaus in Aspen. If Congress simply raised the federal deposit insurance from $250,000 to $2.5 million, the irresponsible banks would have failed, the deposit holders would have transferred their money to the responsible banks,  and justice would have prevailed.

The bad guys would have got bloody noses. The little guy wouldn’t have been hurt any worse than he was and maybe not even as badly.

And we would not have ended up with the Dodd-Frank travesty.

And maybe even John McCain would be president.

Hat tip Tom C.

 

TARP Costs Are Back Up

Catholic Mass, Andy Reid, School Choice and Dumb Security Measures

 

 

The best thing about being a columnist is that there’s never a
shortage of material—especially the kind that leaves you shaking your
head.  The bad part is that there isn’t enough time to cover all those
topics thoroughly.

So the following is a brief perspective on various events, many of which the media has missed:

Pennsylvania School Choice Disaster: For the last year, those fighting for educational reform (comprehensive choice in education) but against
Senate Bill 1, the fatally-flawed bill in Harrisburg that would have
neither educated nor reformed (and is now dead), were lectured on the
merits of “incrementalism” by SB 1 proponents. “You have to get a little
at a time,” they scolded.

Well, despite never actually trying to pass a
broader bill that would include the middle class—which is why school
choice failed—the SB 1 folks (pushing the incremental approach) were
smashingly successful.  They set the entire Movement back
incrementally.  Comprehensive school choice passed the senate in 1991,
and garnered 89 votes in the House (of the needed 102). In 1995, an even
broader bill had 101 votes—just one shy.  Yet in 2011, with a governor
who made vouchers a top priority, with Republican majorities in both
chambers and with millions of dollars for lobbying, the SB 1 forces
couldn’t even get 90 votes.

So let’s see. In 20 years, we went from 89 to 101 to 90.   Not exactly progress, but definitely incrementalism.

Political Motivation: The “politically motivated”
charge is an overused—and   meaningless—line uttered by those who refuse
to confront the truth.  Consider two recent examples, with the typical
lack of follow-up by the media to call the complainers on the carpet:

Herman Cain is certainly an affable chap, but had no business running
for president for two reasons.  First, he was clueless on the issues,
as his entertaining responses illustrated.  Second, if you’re going to
be under the most intense spotlight in the world, you need to be up
front with your skeletons so that they are revealed on your terms. But
Cain didn’t do that, and he got burned.

How could he possibly think that three sexual harassment suits
wouldn’t come to light? In his announcement speech, he could have denied
wrongdoing, blamed bloodthirsty trial lawyers and wimpy settle-happy
insurance companies, and moved on.  Instead, he just kept blaming Rick
Perry and later the Democrats for leaking it, self-righteously stating
that the story was “politically motivated.”

Hey, Herman, here’s a newsflash.  You were running for President of
the United States! Of course it’s politically motivated!  So what? It’s
not whether something is politically motivated but whether the allegations were true—which
the national media never seemed to ask. Politicians leak things about
their opponents all the time, motivated by their desire to win. If he had just been honest from the beginning, he might still be in the race.

And locally, we have all the Democratic leaders fuming about the new congressional districts,
redrawn every 10 years by the party in power in Harrisburg, which
happens to be the GOP.  Therefore—you guessed it—we have the Dems
leveling the charge that the gerrymandered districts were drawn that way
for political purposes (or, as one classicly described the new 7th District, “Meehan-mandered”).

Let’s see.  They are congressional seats, filled by … politicians.
They are designed by … politicians.  They will remain unchanged for the
next decade, so the drawing was done for … political purposes.  Where’s
the surprise?  That’s the way it’s always worked.  Interestingly, the
Dems’ statements could be swapped word for word with Republicans when
they were out of power.

It would have been refreshing to hear a Democratic official be honest
and say, “Yes, the districts suck for us. Kudos to the GOP.  They got
slaughtered in 2006 and 2008, but won when it counted (2010), and now we
have to live with the results. It’s our party’s fault, so we’ll be sure
to gear up in 2020 to gerrymander them to our liking.”

But that type of honesty is just a pipe dream in politics.

Catholic Church changes: Church leaders decided that
it would be a nice idea to substantially change the liturgy using new
translations.  Brilliant move.  It took centuries for most Catholics to
even begin mumbling the prayers at Sunday Mass (though singing is still
nonexistent), and now they change the whole works?  You can hear the
crickets now …

Fair or not, it has also left many wondering why the Church spent so
much time and energy on such an endeavor while still not cleaning up its
own house regarding the (continuing) sex scandals. And not
coincidentally, more Catholic school closings will be announced next
month.  Sorry, that’s not because of the economy, demographics and
population shifts, but lack of leadership, very little transparency and
an image of arrogance that will be very hard to break. Amen.

Safe to Fly? Think Again: A hugely important story
that got very little attention is the new Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) rules that don’t require children under 12 to take
their shoes off for x-ray inspection. Additionally, children will
receive significantly fewer pat-downs. (Despite the inevitable claims by
one or two whining parents, these pat-downs are not intrusive and the
parents are never separated from their children during the procedure.)

Well, at least it’s reassuring that terrorists don’t know about this new policy.  Oh wait … they do.

Not only do we implement such an insane, politically correct
procedure, but gleefully announce it to the world.  And since there are
numerous examples of terrorists strapping bombs to their children’s
bodies in the name of God knows what, does anyone really think they
won’t gleefully accept this gift, change their strategy, and place
explosives in Junior’s shoe?

And when the next disaster occurs, we’ll all stand around wondering
how on Earth this could have happened.  For that answer, just look to
the TSA signs announcing the policy.

Of course, before that tragedy occurs, we could end the security
theatre and start profiling, make everyone take off their shoes, and
have no exceptions for pat-downs.

As always, those who don’t like it can take the bus to Europe.

And finally, for all the Eagles fans who have been praying for Andy Reid’s firing
at the end of the season, keep dreaming. The Birds will play just well
enough to keep the best three-quarter coach in football right where he
is.  After all, this is Philadelphia, and we revel in the misery heaped
upon us, year after year, by boneheaded decisions made by our teams.

And you can take that $10,000 bet right to the bank.

 

Feinberg RINO Hunt May Get Some Big Guns

The young man primarying the more-liberal-than-he-should-be Republican representing the 18th Congressional District outside of Pittsburgh may be getting some high-caliber endorsements.

PoliticsPa is reporting that senators Rand Paul of Kentucky and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma are considering supporting Evan Feinberg, who served as an aide to both men, over long-time fellow party member  Timothy F. Murphy.

Murphy has a history of supporting Democrats and other big-spenders on budget-busting votes.

Hat tip Bob Guzzardi.

Polar Bear Fell On Me

By Hawthorne Tarry


A polar bear fell on me.

What sadder words are there in the English language? It’s a craven phrase but ultimately a useful one.

A polar bear fell on me.

The phrase is the final sentence in the script from  the docudrama Road House and is used by the only witness to a vile murder to escape from having to testify.

Road House is based on the cold-blooded killing of a disruptive person in a Missouri town done in broad daylight before many witnesses all of whom denied knowledge of it. Granted none of them used the phrase “a polar bear fell on me” as it would not have made much sense unlike in the dramatization in which a polar bear did literally fall on the witness, a man by the name of Tinker.

Still, as is too often unfortunately the case, it is Hollywood that writes the history and “a polar bear fell on me” is what we remember from the crime.

One wonders why it is not used more.

Would not Herman Cain still be in the running if when confronted with the allegations of Ginger White, rather than issue a blanket denial, simply said “a polar bear fell on me”?

Would not Bill Clinton have avoided impeachment if he said “a polar bear fell on me” rather than “I did not have sexual relations with that woman . . .”

Al Gore, when confronted with the discrepancies in the evidence for global warming could use the phrase with ironic aptness.

Thank you for allowing me to get this off my chest.


Ed Note: All who think Hawthorne should hug a polar bear raise your hands.

A Polar Bear Fell On Me
A Polar Bear Fell On Me Tinker

Irony and Tim Tebow

Irony exemplified — Tim Tebow, the devout Christian who has quarterbacked the Denver Broncos to an unexpected winning strike, treats football as just a sport.

Primary Skullduggery

The Roar

Primary Skullduggery

I’m sorry but I thought we were in the process of choosing a candidate for the office of President of the United States.  So far, this primary season has consisted of a political version of the old time boys game called “king of the hill.”  Embedded within this kill the leader mentality is an unmistakeable American Idol aura which leaves no area, whether it be professional or personal, unscathed.

What is often termed “the vetting process” has turned into a systematic attack against any challenger who may represent a genuine threat to Romney.  Over these past few months, this take on what is unfolding is so unmistakably clear that it tends to cheapen the entire process.

In retrospect, the 2008 media treatment afforded to then candidate Obama now stands as a glaring contradiction verses the intense scrutiny which Presidential hopeful Herman Cain recently endured.   And this protective layer attributed to Obama’s past continues today as after very nearly three years in office, Americans knows very little about his years leading up to his presidential bid.  This special care now seem not only in practice concerning Romney, but it’s beginning to send a general unease throughout the voting public since we have already felt the remorse from electing a candidate that was teasingly presented by the media.

This political impropriety suggests that the future of free elections will become an after the fact charade since the selection process may well precede the primaries.  A silver lining to all this subterfuge is this bipartisan appeal since Romney is now heir apparent for such good tidings of care and precautions.

As voter pessimism stirs, it also appears that our news outlets have another tactic in play.  While protective of their candidate, at the same time they ignore any and all who may present a qualified challenge.  This has been most apparent with regards to Rick Santorum.   We owe it to ourselves to ask why.  In fact, it might become prudent for all to consider what the media will not.  Just as there is a reasoning for their Romney selection, so is there a reason why Santorum is being ignored.

Due in part to the President’s own agenda, 2012 will be a determining year for America’s future. Already, our Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing of Obama’s Health Care law and Immigration policies.  Since this fork in the road has been shoved in our faces, we the voter must rid ourselves of any and all entangling influences.  The predominance of media input is not just entangling, it has become suffocating.  More importantly, it’s emphasis has morphed from presenting the news to a presentation of thought.

In honest reflection, the voter still is in the dark as to whether those unsubstantiated charges, which led to Mr Cain’s withdrawal, were in fact, truthful.  The most telling of this outcome is the manner in which it is now considered “old news.”  It appears that the media had its way once again.

What was presented through the personal assault upon Mr. Cain was a picture perfect example from the power of the press, which unfortunately doesn’t equate with a “freedom of the press.”

Jim Bowman, Author of,
This Roar of Ours

Pennsylvania Society In New York? Absolutely!

Pennsylvania Society In New York? Absolutely!


When the second weekend in December rolls around, you can set your watch to two things:

1) Politicians, business leaders and media executives from the Keystone State converge on the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan for three days of receptions and parties in an event known as The Pennsylvania Society Weekend.

2) The news media will, verbatim, recycle their tired old story, criticizing the event and asking why it isn’t held in Pennsylvania.

Good point, right? Wrong. It’s articles like that which make a newspaper’s biggest value being the backup when you run out of toilet paper.

Instead of actually reporting on some of the newsworthy stories that emerge from the weekend, or, God forbid, using the opportunity to generate leads for future stories, most reporters choose the easy — read: lazy — way out by publishing last year’s article after simply changing the date.

Water is wet, the sky is blue and the Pennsylvania Society gala will always be in New York — as it should be. So for all the misguided good-government types, self-described “reformers,” and the chip-on-their-shoulder folks who sport a nose-pressed-against-the- glass attitude, here’s a newsflash: your self-righteous criticism is not just wrong, but factually incorrect about the PA Society. As a result, your comments are simply ignored as white noise.

Here is the truth rebutting many criticisms leveled at the year’s premier networking event and the “elite” who attend:

1) Why isn’t it held in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh? Uhhh, this is a no-brainer. Because, literally, no one would go. Period. Not only is there always an excitement in getting away for a weekend — which just isn’t the same when the destination is in your backyard — but there is the ultimate incentive to attend: it’s Manhattan at Christmas time. No city in the world comes close to matching the electricity flowing through New York in December. There is nothing better. End of story.

2) Why is the Pennsylvania Society event held in New York? In addition to the above, there’s a little thing called history. In an age when traditions are routinely scoffed, it is refreshing to see that some are still sacred. The weekend started a century ago when some of Pennsylvania’s successful businessmen living in New York (you know, the evil industrialists who had the gall to actually employ hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians and transform the state into one of the most dominant economic engines in the world) wanted to keep in touch with fellow Pennsylvanians.

Wow. Maintaining friendships, cementing business relationships and furthering the economic interests of Pennsylvania. What a crime. Maybe they shouldn’t have started the tradition and instead let the state fall into stagnation, decay, and malaise — kind of like it is now.

3) It’s all backroom deals in smoke-filled rooms: Not true. New York has one of those ridiculous, all-encompassing smoking bans, which is a shame. I saw a bunch of CEO’s and pols trying to finish their deal-making after getting thrown out of a mahogany-paneled restaurant for lighting up their Cubans, only to get ticketed for smoking in Times Square. Yep. That’s illegal too. The nerve of New York to interfere with Pennsylvania’s elite!

Of course, it hasn’t dawned on the critics that “schmoozing, networking, fund-raising, backslapping, wining, dining, and deal-making” (as the Inquirer described it) can and does take place outside of New York. It happens in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and everywhere in between. As a matter of fact, these folks don’t even need back rooms anymore, as they can “make their deals” on cell phones, and, for those who prefer face-to-face conspiracies, Skype.

The truth is that the last time a candidate was “anointed” at the Pennsylvania Society was Bill Scranton for Governor. In 1962. And a check of the records will show there was in fact an election that year, so Mr. Scranton was not installed via dictate by the power elite.

4) The money would be better spent in Pennsylvania, and what kind of message does it send in this economy to have politicians attending lavish parties in New York?

It’s probably a bad image, but damn it’s a fun time!

Of course, both these points boil down to one of America’s biggest problems — and a major factor why we are in this mess. We are all about style and symbolism over substance.

Does it “look good” to spend money in-state? Sure. Would it make one bit of difference? None. Zero. Maybe if a fraction of the energy spent advocating for symbolism was actually spent on getting Pennsylvanians back to work through meaningful growth policies, we’d all be a lot better off. Ironically, many of the detractors are the same ones standing in the way of real progress, but that’s another column.

5) It’s so aristocratic…all the power elite playing in their privileged world.

Well, since this author attends, that theory is shot to hell. But beyond that, it’s simply not true. Here’s the biggest non-secret that will get me barred from the few events to which I’m actually invited: most “By Invitation Only” events are nothing of the kind. Put on a suit or nice dress, and you’re in. And once that happens, the preconceived notions disappear right before your eyes.

It’s not about backroom deals and the coronation of candidates. It’s about people enjoying the company of folks whom they see only this once the whole year. It’s about renewing long-lost friendships. It’s about swapping war stories, exchanging ideas, going shopping, seeing a Broadway play and taking in a show at Radio City.

But perhaps most remarkable is that, just this one time of year in New York, you can walk into a room with no gatekeepers and have a relaxed, in-depth conversation with some fascinating people who are otherwise insulated. Current and former Governors, U.S. Senators, Attorneys General, Cabinet Secretaries, Congressmen, titans of industry, media publishers, authors… the list goes on and on. The overarching point of the weekend isn’t to lobby and politic (though clearly that takes place), but to have fun.

State Representative Mike Vereb said it best, “You can actually talk to someone for more than five minutes.” Too bad we can’t do that more often in Harrisburg, but it’s a start.

And here’s the best part. It’s civil. Democrats and Republicans actually talk to one another without hurling insults and fists. About the only folks hitting the floor are the ones who enjoyed the festivities a tad too much.

The media would do itself a huge favor by reporting on the true aspects of the Pennsylvania Society Weekend and not regurgitating the same trite garbage that only serves to further undermine people’s faith in their leaders.

So I raise my glass to keeping the Pennsylvania Society Weekend exactly where it belongs — New York City.

Cuban cigar, anyone?

 

 

Pennsylvania Society In New York? Absolutely!

Sack Lunches And Veterans

Sack Lunches And Veterans Courtesy of Jim Vanore

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. ‘I’m  glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap,’ I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding
me. I decided to start a conversation.

‘Where are you headed?’ I asked the soldier seated nearest to me. ‘Petawawa. We’ll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we’re being deployed to Afghanistan

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we eached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time…

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. ‘No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn’t be worth five bucks. I’ll wait till we get to base.’

His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight
attendant a fifty dollar bill. ‘Take a lunch to all those soldiers.’ She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. ‘My son was a soldier in Iraq ; it’s almost like you are doing it for him.’

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the solldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, ‘Which do you like best – beef or chicken?’

‘Chicken,’ I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later
with a dinner plate from first class.

‘This is your thanks.’

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. ‘I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.’ He handed me twenty-five dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he
walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand and said, ‘I want to shake your hand’ Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain’s hand.

With a booming voice he said, ‘I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.’ I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me
reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man
who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars.

‘It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.’

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers.

As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for
our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little…

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to ‘The United States of
America ‘ for an amount of ‘up to and including my life.’

That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.’

 

Sack Lunches And Veterans

Hypocrisy Thy Name Is Corzine

Hypocrisy Thy Name Is Corzine — Astute reader Tom C points out that Jon Corzine — the prominent Democrat politician who served as New Jersey governor and senator before moving on to head MF Global Holdings Ltd the “leading cash and derivatives broker-dealer” from which he managed to misplace $1.2 billion — was among the supporters of the intrusive Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 which promised an end to greedy corporate skullduggery.

Hypocrisy Thy Name Is Corzine
Hypocrisy Thy Name Is Corzine