Thursday, September 17, 2009

Joe Wilson = Rebuked…

I've often asked, "whyfor" when things just aren't making sense. I figure, why not ask the question in a form that doesn't make sense either.

The below events are just begging me to ask, whyfor?

On Tuesday, September 15th; Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) & Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) brought resolution H. Res. 744 to the floor; which says the outburst "was a breach of decorum and brought discredit to the House of Representatives."

The final tally late Tuesday was 240-179, generally but not entirely along party lines. It was 233 Democrats and seven Republicans voting to chastise Wilson, 167 Republicans and 12 Democrats opposing the measure and five Democrats merely voting "present." (Don't get me started on voting 'Present')

Though Joe Wilson apologized to White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, and the President almost immediately after the outburst; and even Obama himself considered the matter 'closed'. The Democratice leaders had this to say:

"The House general code of conduct requires that, "a lawmaker shall conduct himself at all times in a manner which shall reflect creditably on the House of Representatives." These are the standards members are held to when they take the oath of office. Despite the request of leadership of both parties, Rep. Wilson has refused to apologize on the House Floor, as is considered traditional, when a Member breaches House rules. Therefore, the House is compelled to respond."


Hmmm, interesting; Standards in the House of Representatives? Oath you say? Then, are the below actions not in violation of this same code of conduct?*

RANGEL FAILED TO REPORT ASSETS AND PAY TAXES

Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) Failed To Report More Than $660,000 In Assets During 2007. “In late August, the slowest news period of the year, Rangel filed updated financial disclosure reports showing he failed to report more than $660,000 in assets during 2007, a potential violation of House ethics rules.” (Glenn Thrush, “Pelosi Loath To Drop Hammer On Rangel,” The Politico, 9/5/09)

Rangel Is Already Under Investigation For Misusing Rent-Controlled Apartments, Avoiding Taxes, And Using Government Letterhead To Raise Money. “The ethics panel has already spent a year peering into Rangel’s use of several rent-stabilized apartments in a luxury Harlem apartment complex, his failure to pay all taxes on a Dominican Republic vacation villa, and his use of Congressional letterhead to raise funds for the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service at City College in New York City.” (Glenn Thrush, “Pelosi Loath To Drop Hammer On Rangel,” The Politico, 9/5/09)

The House Ethics Committee Is Also Investigating Rangel’s Trips to the Caribbean. “The committee recently broadened the investigation to include Caribbean trips taken by Rangel and four other lawmakers to determine if they complied with a ban on corporate-funded travel.” (Glenn Thrush, “Pelosi Loath To Drop Hammer On Rangel,” The Politico, 9/5/09)

MURTHA AND VISCLOSKY DOLING GOV MONEY FOR CAMPAIGN CASH

Reps. John Murtha (D-PA) And Peter Visclosky (D-IN) Have Been Linked To Lobbying Firm PMA, Which Has Been Raided Twice By FBI Agents. “Murtha and Visclosky have both been linked to the lobbying firm PMA, which was twice raided by federal agents in recent months.” (Jay Newton-Small, “Key Dems' Ethical Clouds Could Haunt Pelosi,” Time, 8/22/09)
Murtha And Visclosky Have Received $3.5 Million For Steering Money To PMA Clients. “Over the last decade firms that PMA helped get hundreds of millions of dollars worth of earmarked projects - pet projects inserted into the appropriations process by lawmakers — have given Murtha and Visclosky more than $3.5 million in campaign contributions.” (Jay Newton-Small, “Key Dems' Ethical Clouds Could Haunt Pelosi,” Time, 8/22/09)

Visclosky Was Forced To Give Up Control Of His Appropriations Subcommittee After Being Subpoenaed In The PMA Investigation. “But, Visclosky was forced to resign his chairmanship of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee after he was subpoenaed in relation to the PMA investigation.” (Jay Newton-Small, “Key Dems' Ethical Clouds Could Haunt Pelosi,” Time, 8/22/09)

MORAN TAKEN MORE THAN $100,000 IN PMA-CONNECTED DONATIONS

Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) Received $53,100 In Campaign Cash That Was Tied Directly To PMA On A Single Day In 2006. “Moran’s total take for June 6, 2006, shows how PMA’s bundling increased its presence. On that day, Moran’s campaign took in $57,000, according to FEC records. Of that total, $19,650 came from employees of Planning Systems, ProLogic and FiberGate. But another $15,500 came from PMA employees and another $7,750 from other PMA clients. Counting donations of spouses and other relatives of PMA clients, the lobbying firm was connected to $53,100 of the $57,000 total that Moran collected that day.” (Paul Singer, “PMA, Clients Shared Deep Ties,” Roll Call, 3/17/09)

From 2003 To 2005, Moran Received At Least $60,685 From A Group Of Companies With PMA Ties. “Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) received cash infusions from this same group regularly. In June 2003, Moran’s campaign banked $22,685 from employees of the four companies. Over a week in June 2004, he received $19,250. On one day in June 2005, he received $18,750 from members of this group.” (Paul Singer, “PMA, Clients Shared Deep Ties,” Roll Call, 3/17/09)

Cryptek, FiberGate, And Planning Systems Have Contributed To Members Of Congress In Bunches. “Employees of Cryptek, FiberGate, Planning Systems and ProLogic have tended over the years to generate campaign donations to Members of Congress in bunches, suggesting that the check writing was an organized activity, not random donations.” (Paul Singer, “PMA, Clients Shared Deep Ties,” Roll Call, 3/17/09)

Three PMA Directors Are Listed As “Equity Security Holders” For Cyrptek. “In bankruptcy filings submitted in a Virginia court in November, Cryptek listed three PMA directors among its ‘equity security holders’ — Paul Magliocchetti, Mark Magliocchetti and John Lynch. “(Paul Singer, “PMA, Clients Shared Deep Ties,” Roll Call, 3/17/09)

Louis Brown, A PMA Director, Is A Director At FiberGate And The Son Of PMA Founder Paul Magliocchetti Was Once Employed At FiberGate. “One of PMA’s clients is an Alexandria, Va., fiber optic company called FiberGate. According to Virginia corporate records, one of three directors of the firm is Louis M. Brown Jr. Brown has also been a director at PMA since 2005. Mark Magliocchetti, son of PMA founder Paul Magliocchetti, was also once employed at FiberGate.” (Paul Singer, “PMA, Clients Shared Deep Ties,” Roll Call, 3/17/09)

Brown, A PMA Director, Was Listed As A Director At Planning Systems Until 2008. “Until 2008, Brown was also listed as a director of Planning Systems Inc., an information technology firm that was a PMA client and received millions of dollars worth of earmarks.” (Paul Singer, “PMA, Clients Shared Deep Ties,” Roll Call, 3/17/09)

*Source = www.cologop.org/news

This is a living and breathing example of the self serving activity I’ve grown to despise in our Government. Michael Steele, president of the GOP claimed it was a sideshow meant to take focus off of their bumbling and deteriorating health care debate. Though that is true, to a point, it really doesn’t accomplish anything except salve the animosity Clyburn has of Joe Wilson and waste taxpayers time and money. None of these I consider productive.

The best part? Joe Wilson was spot on; President Obama has lied; he may have juts missed the bullseye on the ‘what’ he was lying about, that, and he picked a poor place and time to bring it up ;-).

Pimpin Tea...

Ok, I’m taking a page out of the ACORN book and am about to become a pimp. A pimp of a really cool site that is…see below:

http://www.freesignartwork.com/tea-party.html

It has some awesome ‘free’ art for you to make your Tea Party signs. whish I would have found this a couple of weeks ago...but, it's not that hard to take the image and make some cool banner art for your site.

Also, Welcome Michelle Malkin to Colorado Springs, CO. If you ever need any restaurant recommendations, I’ve got ‘em for ya! (as if she reads my blog...)

Hmmm, that’s a thought, perhaps I do need another blog…I’m constantly being hit-up for restaurant advice…stay tuned on that one. ;-)

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Donkey or...?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090915/ap_on_en_tv/us_tv_obama_tweet

High five Mr. President; I agree with you in this regard. Kanye West is indeed a “jackass” ;-)

"I thought that was really inappropriate," Obama says.

"What are you butting in (for)? ... The young lady seems like a perfectly nice person. She's getting her award. What's he doing up there?"

A questioner chimes in, "Why would he do it?"

"He's a jackass," Obama replies, which is met with laughter from several people.

"Come on guys," he says. "Cut the president some slack. I've got a lot of other stuff on my plate."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCdDKEFFU7Q

Above is the audio captured from his pre-interview comments with John Harwood. These were supposed to be off the record.

In the world of iPhones, Twitter, and apparently, shared studio broadband lines; nothing is off the record. You are the president, everything you say is news. What I see here though, might actually be a positive for BHO. I mean, who better to call out Kanye, on his actions, than someone that Kanye will have a hard time countering. What next Kanye, Barrack Obama doesn’t care about black people? Don’t put it past him…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIUzLpO1kxI&feature=related

Ouch…yeah, jackass just about covers it. And you know this…maaaaan!

Monday, September 14, 2009

My, My, My…

So, I tried to hold it in; I tried to avoid any political discussions on my blog…turns out, I can’t do it. I waited several days after the infamous Rep. Joe Wilson “You Lie” comment. I wanted it to play out so I wouldn’t have any words to pen. Turns out, the Lame-Stream Media didn’t cover it correctly (imagine that). They played the 'disrespectful' card…on one of the smartest men in congress, who by admission of most people in government is well-noted for crunching numbers and for his attention to detail. He, of anyone, knows what is funded, by whom, and what is written, by whom, into the versions of these ‘overhaul’ bills circulating in the House and Senate. He was part sponsor of the amendments that were stricken from the house bill which included language to expressly exclude Gov’t Funded abortion on demand (elective abortions); and the exclusion, through verification, of healthcare for illegals. Sure there is language in one version of this bill that says illegal immigrants are not eligible, but no enforcement language, and no requirement for anyone to verify their citizenship in order to apply for the public option (Harry Reid, D-Nev, said this would make the application process to cumbersome) Not even an ID requirement to verify your own identity. I get asked for my ID to buy items from my local grocery, is that too cumbersome? I might need some governmnt intervention here, that 16 year old behind the conveneince store counter won't let me purchase a lottery ticket.

Seriously…nothing will stop your tax dollars from paying for healthcare for illegal immigrants…get ready border patrol, you will soon be very busy. You will need the doughnuts to keep your carb count up with all of the running your about to be doing. Mmmm…doughnuts; Doh!

Ok, so in this country we don’t celebrate freedom of speech during a presidential address (oh and on Prime time, again…how much does this cost anyway?). We are instead supposed to watch our president, delay our sit-coms, and be force fed with another sales pitch. While the dem's, as if attached by string to Pelosi’s witch-like fingers, pop-up and down and applaud on command. I was over taken by an urge to play “Whack-A-mole” …but I digress.

To my point; Anyone else notice the use of the word “my” by BHO? Of the many plans circulating through the house, none are written by, or presented by the White House. Where is his plan? He used the phrase, under “my” plan quite freely.

So let’s get technical here: Rep. Joe Wilson, you can’t exactly call the president a liar; nope, apparently this is too disresepctful; and, because he could indeed be telling us the truth. If, and this is a huge if, BHO actually has drafted a healthcare reform plan, and, since no one has even seen it, it might just include/exclude a provision to not pay for elective abortions (doubtful, since PP is one of his biggest backers); his un-seen plan might include/exclude illegal immigrants from service; his plan might not increase the deficit, wait, no, that’s actually impossible…there is no other way to pay for this plan, the cuts he proposed are not enough. Oh an by the way, this will raise taxes for EVERY American, including the middle class…which you promised you would not do.

Mr. Wilson, you are correct, Mr. President, you are indeed a liar.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Finally…

Parents, listen up; this IS how it should be.

http://www.gazette.com/articles/police-61572-children-officers.html

Incident Date
September 7, 2009
Time
12:29:00 PM
Division
Sand Creek
Shift I

Title
Burglary
Location
854 Chapman Drive
Summary
Officers of the Sand Creek Division and the CSFD were dispatched to a burglary involving an apartment fire. Investigation revealed that three children entered a vacant apartment by an open window and put some twigs on top of the stove. The twigs started to smoke when they turned on the burner. The apartment was not damaged and the children were unharmed. Two parents, Desire Jones and Pablo Salayandia-Marquez, were served a summons for child abuse/neglect. A third parent, Nicole Watkins, for obstructing a police officer. The burglary case against the children was exceptionally cleared by statute due to their ages, 4 thru 6. The children were released to their parent.
Adults Arrested
Nicole Watkins, Pablo Salayandia-Marquez and Desiree Jones

I can guarantee, in no uncertain terms, that if more Parents were held accountable to the actions of their children, there would be much less juvenile delinquency.

I hear it all to often, “my kids are out of control”; how did they get that way? Children are a product of their environment. Like plants, feed them well, nurture them, and they produce amazing results. Children are no different.

Educate them, teach them right from wrong, and hold them accountable for their choices. Is this really that hard? In the above article, where were the parents? And where did the THINK their 3 children were. Ages 4-6, did anyone else catch this?

My daughter is 3, in one year will she know how to break into an apartment? (My daughter knows not to go into the refrigerator without asking 1st); collect fire making materials, and turn on a burner…

My point is, these children had to have learned this behavior from somewhere. Not one action performed in the above police-blotter is ‘natural behavior’.

I will stay tuned for the full police report as well as the court docket ;-) I can’t wait to see “my kid would never…” excuses these parents come up with.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Things I said...

I was having difficulty getting any progress from an internal department the other day...Someone asked me, "why don't you just go talk to their department head...who's in charge over there"

I could only reply with; "No one's in charge, it's like running into a Chicken Coupe and yelling 'Who's got eggs! Who's got 'em!?!'"

If there is one thing that irks me to the core, it is lack of accountability...and when the drive-thru hands you an ice-cold drink on a hot day...but forgets the straw...yeah they are pretty equal. The difference? I can ask to see the Manager at the drive-thru...good luck with that in the Chicken Coupe. "cock-a-doodle-doo"

It's not working for you...

My good friend and fellow blogger T-Willy (Travis) provided some interesting statistics during a presentation he gave at our Toastmaster’s meeting. One that made a significant impact on me was that 80% of employees are actively looking for another job.

At 1st, that number felt incredibly high, shockingly high to me. Then I started to begin to take a look at how people are hired, what people actually do vs. their job description, and why people leave/move on. Then, I had an epiphany.

This number is probably closer to being accurate than many might believe. Think about it, how many employees are actually doing work they are passionate about? How many of you are in fields that align with your university degree?

Personally I have an IT degree, but work in Advertising and Marketing. Go figure…