the Parkenfarker Group

DAMN INDIANS!

2009-06-17T09:29:00.000-07:00

They are absolutely unreliable, undependable, no matter how much folks talk about their heritage! Especially those from Gilroy, California.

The real problems seemed to start in the early 1950's...

But I'm sitting here staring at the open guts of one right now. the connections under the tank console have vibrated apart! I am now experiencing the same electrical problems that another Indian owner that I know had a few years back. The closest mechanic (who is excellent) lives in the South Sound Area and the idea driving through Tacoma traffic with a trailered bike sucks! No one closer than him will even touch an Indian.

The local Harley shop won't even talk about working on them. The only thing worse is trying to find parts. A few years ago when I blew up the guts in my crankcase, I had to have the engine shipped all the way to florida for a rebuild. 4th corner to 2nd corner and back. One of my riding buddies laughed that my Engine has travelled farther than I have. I made a few disparaging comments about Harleys being bastard children of bowling alleys and golf carts and about his Marine Corp heritage... (oops, Once again I was outnumbered, and forgot that you insult one of 'em and they all gang up on you...) After the beating was over and they were picking me up, they did try to make me feel better by telling me that yes, Indians are the sexiest bike on the road, and they would all love to own one, but that they're not good enough mechanics.

Thanks, I think...?

Anyway, back to the present, I am contemplating trying to cobble together my wires and whether to try to find an aftermarket coil on the internet or find a way to put a 'harley' coil on it. I don't mind twisting wrenches and even enjoy it under the right conditions, but electronics are for folks who have much more patience than I can muster. I've noticed that the new era harley shops are way too much into OEM parts and have run into a couple of Harley shops who won't work on REAL Harleys. They only seem to work on Evo's and newer.

Don't tell me about OEM parts, either. I could no longer care less.

One fellow who stopped by yesterday has an old chopped 45 with welded rebar for footpegs and forward controls, mousetrap clutch, and suicide shift, a set of Chevy points, and other various dodge and ford parts. it is a scary death machine, only a crazy vietnam vet would ride. In other words, my favorite kind of bike! But he wasn't too much help as his bike is 6 volt with a positive ground. I've seen farmers' tractors that were less cobbled together.

So, while I'm contemplating solving my electrical dilemma, I'll visit a couple other blogs, then go ride this itty bitty one lung hard tail suicide shift (no Mousetrap) around the block a few times. ( my block is about 13 miles) Maybe later I'll go to one of the local Harley shops and tell 'em I need a coil for an S and S motor. If I take mine in, they'll know it's for an Indian, and not be very helpful. I think they prefer checkbook cowboys over us backstreet skum, these days...

...anyway, pray for global warming to continue and keep the shiny side up!

(p.s. check out THE HORSE on my sidebar, those guys showcase some incredible home built bikes and none of that theme-bike nonsense)

YES, HE IS MY PRESIDENT.

2009-06-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

Over at Eye On Whatcom, There is a great column in the Treehouse threads about not just ettiquette, but the Code pertaining to our flag of our country. I realized that I should know better for the times that I have violated etiquette and the code by wearing an American Flag headwrap. In the back of my mind I knew it, because I learned it in civics class in grade school. It was driven home to me by a friend of mine who served in both theatres during WWII. Boy, did he scold me and deservedly so.

Maybe only slightly related is how we address our elected officials. Bearing in mind that I can't be encumbered by facts, if I remember correctly it is wrong to call our presidents things like Dubya, Obama, Klinton, etc. (I'll bet I have been guilty more than once.)

Unless I'm mistaken, The only proper way to address our elected officials is by title of position and their last name. (correct me if I remeber incorrectly, ya won't hurt my feelin's.)

examples for dummies like me:
President Bush, President Obama, Governor Gregoire, Congressman Larsen, Councilman Nelson, etc.

But what is downright disrespectful of the officeholder and the office, is statements like "He's not my president!" as was stated by many of my progressive buddies or "She's not my governor!" as stated by many of my conservative buddies. To me that's just being a sore loser, and the only thing worse than a sore loser is a sore winner... (I'll discuss that some other time.)

Anyway, even though I disagree with with probably 80% of President Obama's Agenda, and I voted for Senator McCain, President Obama is my president, and Governor Gregoire is my governor. That goes for all of us Citizens.

Again, unless I'm mistaken we address former officeholders by their former titles out of respect for the office and the office holder no matter how much we disagree with them. The same goes for affectionate familiar nicknames, too. i.e. "Dubya" for those whom we may identify with.

Enough of my 'Miss Manners' etiquette soap box, but maybe if we all try to use a little decorum, we may be able to avoid certain public or printed 'fox passes'...

...standing by for corrections...and reminders of my printed fox passes of the past present and future...

SUPER TIMMY BOBBLEHEADS ON SALE NOW!!!

2009-06-15T11:38:00.000-07:00

SPECIAL GUEST: TIMMY!!!

( for those who don't know I have known Tim for quite a few years now, and he has given me permission to post his news releases on my blog. he keeps promising me an exclusive article, but it ain't happenned yet. I keep telling him I want to 'scoop' Sam over at the B-ham herald...)

June 15, 2009To: Our thousands of supporters throughout the state (cc'd to the media, house & senate members, and Governor)From: Tim Eyman, Jack Fagan, Mike Fagan, co-sponsors of the Lower Property Taxes Initiative I-1033, ph: 425-493-9127, email: tim_eyman@comcast.net, http://www.voterswantmorechoices.com/, (go to our website to do a secure donation by VISA/Mastercard/PayPal or print out the form below, fill it out, and return it with a check or money order or credit card information)RE: A few more "Super Eyman" bobbleheads on the way -- 100% of the proceeds go to I-1033

Because of the popularity and success of the recent "Super Eyman" bobblehead auction, we've ordered a few more -- they're due to arrive soon. This time, we're not doing eBay ... if you want one or more "Super Eyman" bobbleheads (for yourself or as a gift to a friend or your favorite liberal legislator or as an auction item for your club), please send me an email at tim_eyman@comcast.net.

There's no set price ... make a generous donation offer to the Lower Property Taxes Initiative I-1033 and we'll work something out on a case-by-case basis. WE ABSOLUTELY MUST RECEIVE ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN JUNE TO QUALIFY OUR PROPERTY TAX CUTTING INITIATIVE FOR THE BALLOT ... PLEASE HELP. Check out all 3 photos to see what it looks like (it's 4 1/2" tall): http://cgi.ebay.com/TIM-EYMAN-AUTOGRAPHED-SUPER-EYMAN-BOBBLEHEAD_W0QQitemZ270400605822QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ef521ce7e&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72:120566:265:1239:1240:1318301:0293:1294:50#ebayphotohosting

This is a super fun way to boost I-1033's fundraising so we can get over the finish line. Again, send me an email (tim_eyman@comcast.net) if you're interested in getting one or more of the "Super Eyman" bobbleheads. As far as I-1033's signature drive is concerned, we're over the hump and in the homestretch. We've got just 18 days left before the Thursday, July 2nd deadline. Now more than ever, your donations are absolutely needed -- now more than ever, your volunteer signatures are essential.

Getting 300,000 voter signatures in 150 days is a huge undertaking. We're making good progress, we're not there yet, we've all just got to keep our heads down and keep working hard all the way until the end. I implore each and every one of you: Please hit 'reply' to this email and ask for more I-1033 petitions (tell me the quantity and where you want them sent). I urgently ask that each of you contribute generously to I-1033: fill out the form below and send us a donation of $10, $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or more (there are no limits on the amount that can be given) to our offices in Spokane. Or, you can do a SECURE online donation by going to our website: http://www.voterswantmorechoices.com/ -- we accept VISA AND MASTERCARD and PAYPAL (if you have difficulty, let me know immediately). Either way, please send in your most generous donation RIGHT NOW. The Lower Property Taxes Initiative I-1033 tackles the hyper-hated property tax at a crucial time when taxpayers are struggling, property taxes are skyrocketing, and politicians continue to ignore the growing property tax crisis, instead focusing on imposing a state income tax and other family-budget-draining tax hikes. And I-1033 addresses that problem in a very smart way by making sure politicians can't shift the tax burden someplace else. By capping our overall tax burden, we make sure that I-1033 will provide "net" property tax savings. Remember, the Lower Property Taxes Initiative I-1033 says that the growth rate of state, county, and city general fund revenue cannot exceed the growth of the private sector. Tax revenues collected in excess of I-1033's revenue limits will reduce property taxes. It's a bold, brilliant initiative that substantially lowers our property tax burden by gaining control of government's growth. Jack, Mike, and I are really counting on you. Please help. FULL STEAM AHEAD!Regards, Tim Eyman, Jack Fagan, & Mike Fagan, Lower Property Taxes Initiative co-sponsors, ph: 425-493-9127, email: tim_eyman@comcast.net, http://www.voterswantmorechoices.com/ (go to our website to do a SECURE donation by VISA/Mastercard/PayPal or print out the form below, fill it out, and return it with a check or money order or credit card information).Lower Property Taxes Initiative . PO Box 18250 . Spokane . WA . 99228 . PH: 425-493-8707 . FAX: 425-493-1027 . http://www.voterswantmorechoices.com/ . email: jakatak@comcast.net

FLINTSONES FOR FREE SPEECH

2009-06-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

I'm not a smoker.

Except for an occasional cigar, usually with very dark tobacco, or just to exercize free speech after I listen to others who are exercizing their free speech, especially when they speak about limiting our freedoms.

I am willing to pay my $100.00 fine if I get caught. I always light it inside as I walk outside, just to piss off my friends who lean towards being Health Nazi's.

So in honor of free speech I am resurrecting the best of free-market advertising:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttoOOOoRI-U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAExoSozc2c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcdiT3LQaDQ

HUNH? I WASN'T PAYING ATTENTION...

2009-06-08T18:31:00.000-07:00

Say that to your wife, husband, or whatever significant other that's acceptable in the 21st century, go ahead, I dare ya.

Anyway, I may not have had anything very clever or really stoopid to say for a few months, but I'm only pretending not to pay attention.

Once again, the Bellingham Seven have decided that discussing sanctuary city status is the most important issue since making Bellingham and it's surrounding waters to be a nuclear free zone. Have they prosecuted the local medical establishments yet for their possession and use of some nuclear materials?
How's that Nuke ban been workin' out for ya guys?

It also seems that roundabout 75 folks have decided to run for local political offices, and wouldn't ya know it... almost every one of 'em has stated that Lake Whatcom or water quality is the main or biggest issue to them.
So much for the local business climate...
Well,... since we get to vote at large for all county council seats and city council seats, I'll be voting only for those who want to bring hydroplane races to Lake Whatcom, and open up goose season on the lake.
Once again we can expect every forum and debate to be a collection of questions asking 20 different ways on how much do you care about Lake Whatcom and what will you say to make the phosphorous go away?
I am contemplating starting a betting pool on how many times that feller who lost the mayoral race to say 'B I A 'as a 4 letter word. Just what does Dan-O have against the Bureau of Indian Affairs, anyway?
It will be the first of many betting pools I may or may not start. I don't want to end up like one of my heroes Pete Rose and get Banned from politics for life for betting...
So, until my next post, I'll be sandbaggin' most of it and maybe post from time to time on some of my allies and opponents blogs, except from the ones who have banned me for life (not for betting on politics, but for being a pen name and not a real person...)

GUVNER GREGGY DIZZES CITIZENS

2009-01-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

(Guest writer: TIMMYYY!!!)

January 14, 2009To: Our thousands of supporters throughout the state (cc'd to all media outlets -- reporters, columnists, editorial writers, and others in newspapers, radio, and TV -- House & Senate members, and the Governor)From: Tim Eyman, Jack Fagan, & Mike Fagan, Lower Property Taxes Initiative co-sponsors, ph: 425-493-9127, email: tim_eyman@comcast.netRE: Reckless disregard for the voters and project costs illustrate need for our latest initiative Politicians are showing zero respect for the voters and absolutely no fiscal restraint regarding the proposed Big Dig Tunnel (the Alaska Way Viaduct). And don't ever forget: EVERYONE in Washington state is paying for this gargantuan boondoggle (because it's a state highway). As the Seattle Times reported: In February 2007, Gov. Christine Gregoire dismissed the idea of replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a tunnel. A few weeks later, Seattle voters overwhelming rejected a tunnel proposal. But now a combination of politics and new information apparently have pushed the tunnel back to the forefront. As the Seattle Times asks and answers: If the state has $2.8 billion, where would the money come from to pay the total project cost of $4.25 billion? From you. Beyond that, there were few details Monday. Another question, another answer: Everyone knows about Boston's ultra-expensive "Big Dig." Will there be cost overruns here? Tunneling is generally the most expensive form of highway construction. Less than 1 percent of engineering is done here, and some soil in the tunnel route hasn't even been sampled. Industry practice is to distrust estimates until a megaproject is at least 30 percent designed. Queen Christine, King Sims, and Knight Nickels are an embarrassment. None of them is showing any sympathy for the average taxpayer who is currently buried under our state's enormous tax burden and tough economy. None of them has even an ounce of compassion for struggling working families and fixed-income senior citizens who simply can't afford any more. Their reckless disregard for the additional tax burden this mega-uber-project will put on our state's tapped-out citizenry is maddening. But they are providing a perfect illustration why our initiative for 2009 is so critically necessary. This year's initiative puts a solid cap on taxes and requires any excess revenue collected above this cap to go toward reducing property taxes. The reason it's needed is because politicians have repeatedly shown absolutely no fiscal restraint. No where is that more apparent than here. Among the options for the Alaska Way Viaduct, they chose the most expensive approach - the diamond-studded platinum option - the one most likely to have radically higher cost overruns. And we're being forced to pay all these extra BILLIONS so that Seattle can have a pretty park. Even Frank Chopp, the Legislature's mega-liberal Speaker of the House from Seattle, recognizes the idiocy: A tunnel is the most expensive option, particularly since this proposal is significantly longer than the previous tunnel options. There is a real possibility for cost overruns. This plan already requires at least $1.8 billion in additional taxes from Seattle and King County residents. Will they also be on the hook for the overruns? (Boston's "Big Dig" was estimated to cost $4 billion - it ended up costing many billions more) ... voters rejected a similar tunnel option by 70% - is this option going to be more acceptable to the people? And just to pour salt in the wound, they're hell-bent to unilaterally impose all these ADDITIONAL BILLIONS in higher taxes, higher fees, and new tolls WITHOUT A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE. They want to take away our $30 tabs WITHOUT A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE. They want to dismiss and disregard and overturn all the laws currently on the books that REQUIRE VOTER APPROVAL so they can cheat and impose their mega-tax hikes WITHOUT A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE. Politicians only need to look in the mirror to learn why our tax capping initiative is so critically necessary. Their disrespect for the voters is like gasoline thrown on our initiative's fire. They just don't get it. All of us need to take our anger, our frustration, our fury, and our contempt for Gregoire / Sims / Nickels and channel it all into a productive, effective counter-attack. Don't get mad, get even. We must focus all of our time, effort, and resources to get this year's initiative on the ballot. Thanks to Tim's $50,000 loan (please donate to the campaign so you can help pay that off and fund the all-important signature drive), we have enough start-up money to mail out tens of thousands of letters to our supporters throughout the state and pay for the brilliant attorneys that drafted the initiative. But we need everyone's help to raise the funds necessary to fund the initiative's signature drive. We need your financial commitment RIGHT NOW. Please fill out the form below and send us a donation of $10, $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or more (there are no limits on the amount that can be given) to our offices in Spokane. Or, you can do a SECURE online donation by going to our website: http://www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com -- we accept VISA AND MASTERCARD and PAYPAL. Either way, please send in your most generous donation RIGHT NOW. FULL STEAM AHEAD!Regards, Tim Eyman, Jack Fagan, & Mike Fagan, Lower Property Taxes Initiative co-sponsors, ph: 425-493-9127, email: tim_eyman@comcast.net, http://www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com (go to our website to do a SECURE donation by VISA/Mastercard/PayPal or print out the form below, fill it out, and return it with a check or money order or credit card information).Lower Property Taxes Initiative . PO Box 18250 . Spokane . WA . 99228 . PH: 425-493-8707 . FAX: 425-493-1027 . http://www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com . email: jakatak@comcast.net

UP HERE IN THE CHEAP SEATS

2008-11-07T11:59:00.000-08:00

OK, I'll get back to President elect Obama's Cabinet, later.
Right now Obama is giving his first press conference.

At the start of his speech the Dow was up 257 points for it's first post election rally.

5 minutes in it had dropped to only 168 points up.

when he started the question period it was only up 138 points.

It dropped as low as only 74

and by the end of the question and answer period the Dow's Rally was shortstopped by our new President elect at 136.

But the Dow seems to coming back up to 150 points for the since he left the playing field.

That's like bouncing the ceremonial first pitch.

I'd like to take credit for that but Last night on ESPN late night radio I heard one of the commentors make some good points and held his feet to the fire for his campaign promise made during the Monday night football game announcing that if he's elected president he will make sure that the NCAA has a national championship football game.

But his advice if (If I may) to our new President elect is threefold:

"ONE: Stay true to your team. Don't become a cubs fan to be nice. Obama is an admitted White Sox fan.

TWO: The most visible thing you will do is to throw out the first pitch at the April 6th home opener for the White Sox. Don't bounce the ball to the plate. Throw it over the catcher's head if you have to, but whatever you do, don't bounce the ball.

THREE: Talk to us in terms we understand. As in, "I just spoke with Kim Jong Ill and I threw him a brushback pitch."
We understand those terms. Use them."

(Does anybody know who the Commentator was? It was late when I heard it, and I probably didn't accurately qupte him and I want to give him credit while I take the blame.)

On another note of my own;
I didn't know that dog breeds were hypoallergenic.
So I think of dogs that have little or no hair. Most were bred as a food source like the Mexican Hairless, a rather large dog.

I have HOPE that he won't pick an ugly beast like that, so I think about other shorthaired dogs.

Pit Bulls
Rottweilers
Great Danes
Dalmatians
The shaved German Shepard from Major Payne.

My suggestion is the Great Dane, just watch out for that breed, they are very gentle, but the happier they get the more that tail whips around. That's when you get hurt by a Great Dane...

The Dow is 101.07 as I sign off.
Anyway, that's my view from the cheap seats...

(As a side note, at the end of the trading session, the Dow rallied back to 248.02 points up. Is this president -elect a day traders dream? Let him talk and buy, wait and sell after the R's respond? sweeeeeeeeet....)

WORLD BASEBALL LEAGUE

2008-11-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

All presidents, as they retire from service to our great nation adopt pet projects.
Jimmy Carter Built Houses,
Reagan spread goodwill in Asia and Hollywood.

Bush 41 and Clinton go to hurricane infested regions of the world and play golf and panhandle for relief for those who suffer from the devastating effects of Mother Nature.

Well, Bush 43 has determined that International goodwill can best be spread through baseball.

In response to Men's Baseball and Women's Fastpitch being removed from the Olympic Games,
G.W. declared that his post presidency will be dedicated to spreading goodwill through a professional WBL World Baseball League, of which will later become divisions of the MLB.
He will be the Commissioner of the newly formed league.

Many of his cabinet are declaring that want on board. Even former President Carter has asked to be the GM for the team from Lebanon.

One detractor was Dr. Rice, who said that, "Baseball is a girlie game, and I am already considering the position for president...
...of the San Francisco 49er's franchise."

"With Mike Singletary as Head Coach, we should be able to recruit Mike Holmgren, and we can have the Mike and Mike show," Condoleeza added.
(It is noted that Greeny and Golic are going to sue the 49ers for trademark infringement on their ESPN show name. However Dr. Rice, said that they will be brought in to announce with a good enough salary for the boys.)

Meanwhile at an undisclosed location in Dubai, Dick Cheney is rumored to be the GM of the Dubai Merchants, throwing multi-million dollar contracts at players from the Phillies, and recruiting young ballplayers from all over the world before anybody else can. "If it works most of the time for the Steinbrenners, the same model can work for us in Dubai."

In a major surprise, Barney Frank is retiring from the House of Representatives and will be the GM of France's professional ball club the Snails, and was quoted as saying, "with Bill O'Rielly (who just retired from FOX News) we have a good manager, and our new hitting coach, Larry Craig is showing the new hitters how a wide stance is an effective bunting technique..."

Al Gore, former VP of the US, has been appointed to manage the Greenland Baby Seals and says that his talent pool is very good at playing during extreme weather change, but badmouthed the Dubai Merchants by saying that their team is fit for T-ball but not for serious games.

That's the news from the world of the next post presidency.
Maybe tomorrow I'll infiltrate the planning process of the Obama transition team with President -elect Obama's cabinet appointments.

(All facts in this post are verifyable...yeah, right...)

PRESIDENT -ELECT OBAMA

2008-11-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

Presenting number 44, Quarterback Barack Obama, Representing the United States of America!

Congratulations on your victory.
Congrats to my Democrat buddies.

I thought that both Senator McCain and President-elect Obama were both very classy toward each other last night.

Of course I will miss being entertained by the mudslingin' from both sides.

I watched a recording of Indecision 2008, and I think it was the best coverage... serious commentary.

Anyway Congratulations, to our new President Elect Obama...

Ain't America Great?
Yes, it's a beautiful morning.
We still have free speech, and all the other rights declared in the Bill of Rights.

PALIN / NUGENT 2012!!!

VOTE!!!

2008-11-04T00:01:00.000-08:00

VOTE, PLEASE.

MCCAIN / PALIN 2008

2008-11-03T05:00:00.000-08:00

McCain will make a great Commander in Chief.
Whether one agrees with him him or not, He is honest.
He believes that the Constitution is not flawed.
McCain will clean out corruption and make the crooks famous!
He has picked a VP who has more energy experience than the entire Democrat party combined, who also stood up to crooks Murkowski and Stevens. If she'll stand up to her own party and so will John, then the crooks in both parties will be very afraid.
John has always voted his conscience and not some chickenskat vote of present.
Neither McCain or Palin have hid their past from us. We know who they are and what they stand for.

Now is the time to elect someone who has the battle and torture scars to prove that he fought for our liberty, not someone who's own supporters and running mate have stated that he is too inexperienced to lead during a critical time in human history.

MCCAIN / PALIN 2008

VOTE NO ON MAYOR DALEY'S UNDERSTUDY

2008-11-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

First off, if you don't like my opinions, don't read 'em.

The first Step of any Tyrant is to disarm the citizens of his country:
http://macsmind.com/wordpress/2008/02/27/obama-plans-to-disarm-america/

McCain's Opponent has demanded revoking concealed carry permits for law abiding citizens.
He uses the emotional name of an inferior piece of stamped hardware, the AK 47 as an excuse to ban legal ammunition, and legal firearms.
He has a long history of voting against law abiding citizen's 2nd Amendment rights.
Just a thought:
http://parkenfarkergroup.blogspot.com/2008/09/god-guns-and-lipstick.html

So what? you might say?

How about a Chicago politician who has said he will increase taxes on the wealthy?
His numbers have gone from calling those who earn 1 Million per yer year down to a half a million a year, to 250k per year and now he says 200k per year.
Yet his own running mate claims they will raise taxes on those whose families earning 150k per year, and his biggest supporters are now calling those husband and wife's who earn 120k together wealthy.
Senator Obama's voting record shows that he considers a husband and wife who earn $41,600. per year as wealthy. (Redistribution of wealth was coined by Adam Smith or Marx and Engels?)
His campaign transition team says to be aware that now the economy is so bad that we may have to lower the definition of wealthy even more, and not to expect his PIE IN THE SKY promises. (Makes Klinton sound honest)

Now this Chicago trained elitist wants to bankrupt the coal industry. What other energy producers will be punished by Obama when they try to help us to be liberated from the corrupt OPEC?
What kind of energy are we supposed to use? some Gilligan's Island peddle contraption generators?

His inner circle of mentors include a Terrorist Ayers who dedicated his book to the murderer who shamelessly killed the Democrat icon Bobby Kennedy.

He has a cadre of folks who hide information from the American Public. The LA Times who doesn't want us to see him praising the actions of a PLO terrorist who praised the actions of PLO's arm, Black Hand or more correctly Black September who shamelessly murdered the Israeli Olympic wrestling team in 1972.

The governor of Hawaii has sealed his Birth certificate from scrutiny, While his website has a forged Certificate of live birth that has him born at a Hawaiian hospital that wasn't even built for 2 years after he was born.

His campaign has paid $832,000.00 to ACORN, an organization that criminally and fraudulently registers voter addresses and names.
His Democrat cronies want to change voting laws to allow early and often voting and late voting on election night. If one opposes it , one will be accused of voter suppression.
His campaign donation specialists, his two former college roommates who are foreign nationals cleverly accept $199.00 donations over the Internet via "prepaid" VISA cards. It will take years for investigators to trace these potentially illegal overseas contributions.

And finally, he plans a taxation trifecta with Senator Reid and Speaker Pelosi.

He believes the US Constitution is flawed and that the Supreme Court should legislate redistribution of wealth from the bench.

The National News Medias are Silent on all of this. Why?
They claim the election is a done deal and he has already won. Why?
Have they reported their in kind contribution to the FEC?
Sounds like an investigation is in order.
Won't happen with the Triangle of Corruption Obama, Reid, and Pelosi, though.

How about you small business owners when the Unions force your employees to unionize?
These three want to eliminate secret ballots for Union votes, which will ultimately lead to intimidation of those who don't want to pay dues to corrupt Unions.

The Mail only voting schemes across America also have chewed away the sanctity of the secret ballot.

Finally, he wants to dishonor all of armed forces by unilaterally surrendering worldwide.

And what a better weapon against America than a 'progressive' Trojan Horse in our White House.
http://objllc.com/USSA.htm

What is the solution to preventing this?

Keep it simple. Vote for McCain who will VETO the porkbarrel earmarks.
McCain will make the crooks from either party famous.
No wonder the National News Media, the Unions, and the long time incumbents are very scared of McCain and Palin.

It is time to clean up Washington DC and have a real Commander in Chief.

MCCAIN /PALIN 2008!!!

WE"VE GOT A BIGGER PROBLEM NOW

2008-10-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

It's Chicago; Uber Alles
It's Chicago, Uber Alles
Uber Alles Chicago
Uber Alles Chi i cago...
oops, dead kennedys playing in the background.

Anyway Bellinghammer has two good clips and says what I'm thinkin' but way much better...
Check it out:

http://bellinghammer.blogspot.com/2008/10/obama-does-not-respect-constitution.html

ELECTIONEERING

2008-10-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

Since everybody else is still electioneering violating all the homes (polling locations) by beaming in their propaganda, and as Space Ghost pointed out to me in the comments of my last post, my home is no longer a polling location, I'll throw my half-penny thought into the mix.

I'll bet my dear collectivist, spread the wealth WOHLFAHRTSSTAAT Party friends won't be surprised by my picks (that I plagiarised from my intellectually superior friend, gk).

And a special congratulations to my daughter for finally becoming my equal.
Is it that I think she is finally as smart as me?
Is it that she believes she's much smarter than me and I R Stoopid?
What has finally put my daughter on equal footing with me as a citizen of the United States of America?
SHE CAST HER FIRST BALLOT!!!
Now get out and cast yours DAMMIT!!!

VOTERS GUIDE
2008 GENERAL ELECTION

Federal Offices:

· President:
- McCain/Palin

· U.S. Congress Dist. #2:
- Rick Bart

State Offices:

· Governor:
- Dino Rossi

· Lt. Governor:
- Maria McCraw

· Secretary of State:
- Sam Reed

· Treasurer:
- Allan Martin

· Auditor:
- Brian Sonntag

· Atty Gen:
- Rob McKenna

· Public Lands:
- Doug Sutherland

· Supt. Of Public Schools:
- Randy Dorn

· Insurance Commissioner:
- Mike Kriedler
-
Whatcom County Offices/Issues:

· State Rep: 42nd Dist:#1
- Doug Ericksen

· State Rep: 42nd Dist:#2
- Jere Hawn

For South Whatcom County:
State Senator: 40th Dist:
- Steve Van Luven

Charter Amendment No. 1
- Vote REJECTED

Public Utility Dist. 1
Commissioner:
- Jeffrey L McClure

State Measures:

· I-985 - Concerns Transportation
- Vote YES

· I-1000-Physician Assisted Suicide
- Vote NO

· I-1029 - Require Long-Term Care Workers to be Certified-
- Vote NO

VOTE MCCAIN/PALIN!

As for 'spreading the wealth' here's a little thought that was drawn somewhere else:

MY SEASON ENDED

2008-10-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

Nothing refreshes a man like time away from the confines of civilization.
Last Wednesday my hunting season ended and I now have a magnificent beast hangin' in my barn. For a 4 point coastal blacktail he is rather large and will provide many meals for my family.

So now it is back to the Land of Mundania (civilization).

So now here is my absurd thought for the day.

If it is illegal to electioneer within so many feet of a polling place, does this mean that anybody regardless of political persuasion cannot blog or express our support or opposition to any candidates or initiatives once ballots have been mailed out, since now all of our homes have become polling locations.

Once ballots have been mailed to all of our polling places, is it electioneering to beam television and radio ads into our polling places (homes)???

What about the news media being sent via cables, airwaves and satellites to our polling places (homes), regardless of their biases or lack of biases?

What about the Political Parties, Unions, and other interested folks calling our homes (polling places) reminding us to vote or mailing suggestions on who to vote for...

Just a passing thought...

...And congrats Seahawks on remembering how to win a football game!!!!!

PREPARE TO STANDBY

2008-09-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

PREPARE TO STAND BY...

No, really.
Don't stand by...
just prepare to standby...

I am posting from Zeta Reticuli
as I have just stepped through the stargate,
and am taking care of things in the home system.
I will be back through the stargate soon,
but I can't think of anything too clever,
or too stoopid right now.

...I'll leave that up to the rest of you...

TIMMY!!! GOES HOLLYWOOD!

2008-09-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

(Guest Writer: TIMMY!!!)

On Tuesday, September 23 at 7:00 pm, "The Battles of Tim Eyman" will have its movie theatre debut at the Anacortes Cinemas in northwest Washington. The trailer for this documentary by producer Paul Fraser can be viewed here: http://timeyman.info/.

Tim will attend the debut and after the movie will hold a town hall meeting at the theatre, answering questions from the audience and discussing past, current, and future initiative and political efforts. Contact info for producer Paul Fraser: (206) 372-2155, deluxentertainment@yahoo.com

Contact info for Brent Johnson, who is securing other theatre venues: (360) 840-4827, brent@newalbion.org

Contact info for Anacortes Cinemas‎: 415 O Ave, Anacortes, WA - (360) 293-7000‎ Contact info for Washington's Own Schwarzenegger (watch the trailer): tim_eyman@comcast.net, cell: (509) 991-5295

What's not to love about this? Jack, Mike, and I have been doing this political stuff for 10 years. Thanks to our hardworking and loyal supporters, we've accomplished some extraordinary things and learned a lot about what works and what doesn't. But frankly, we feel like we've only recently been hitting our stride and that our most significant, game-changing achievements are ahead of us. Working together with our thousands of supporters throughout the state and with the support of the voters, there's no limit to what we can accomplish together.

When we decided that I-985 was the best vehicle to communicate our no-new-taxes/accountability message in 2008, we knew we had a winner. But we never expected our opponents to figure that out. They're in total disarray. They've raised a whopping $7100 from 3 donors ($5000 from the Sierra Club's Seattle chapter). Their campaign manager who announced in July that he was running things quit, then a new campaign manager was brought on board who was doing such a bad job that the original campaign manager came back. Yikes! Their website (www.no985.org) is put together by a teenager working out of his mom and dad's basement in Redmond as a high school extra credit project. No doubt their on-again-off-again amateur-hour 'leadership' explains why confidence in their operation is non-existent.

Will they get their act together eventually? Probably. But every dollar they spend opposing I-985 is money down a rat hole -- I-985 is just too popular. In these tough economic times, voters will not tolerate higher taxes. They instead demand that state and local governments spend the money they're already taking from us more effectively. That's exactly what I-985 does. Opponents' alternative plans FORCE THE TAXPAYERS to pay more.

I-985 FORCES THE POLITICIANS to spend more effectively the taxes we're already paying. I-985 is a well-thought-out, professional, comprehensive transportation reform proposal; it offers immediate, cost-effective solutions with built-in accountability and oversight by Washington's most trusted elected official. And rather than raising taxes, I-985 instead funds its common sense policies with transportation-related taxes and charges that we, the citizens, are already paying.

Jack, Mike, and I are extremely grateful for the folks who have contributed to our compensation fund. We ask that you continue that support. If you like and appreciate our past, current, and future efforts on behalf of taxpayers, please send us a donation for $10, $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or more (there are no limits on how much can be given). Please consider a monthly pledge from now through December for our fund. We ask you to please help us help taxpayers.

You can go to our website -- http://www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com -- and make a secure PayPal or VISA or MasterCard contribution . Your voluntary contribution to our compensation fund will be divided between the three of us and compensate us for our political work. Congratulations again on getting I-985 on the ballot - we look forward to working with all of you to get it approved by voters. As for our compensation fund, we would be extremely grateful for any financial assistance you can offer. Thanks.

Best Regards,

TIMMYYY!!!

PRICELESS!!!!

2008-09-17T05:45:00.000-07:00

$28,500. for dinner

$2,500. to see Barbara Streisand Sing

$0.50 for earplugs

McCain's opponent showing his true Hollywood Elitist self...

PRICELESS!!!

Billary 2's excuses to not show support for Isreal...even better.

MCCAIN / PALIN 2008

WHY PROGRESSIVES HATE SARAH

2008-09-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

G,G,G,Gloria the man hater is who the left idolizes.
It now appears that she is a lady hater, too.
Sarah is not shrill,
is not a harpy.
Sarah is comfortable in her own skin.
Sarah cannot be controlled by any woman,
or any man.
She will stand up to her own party as well as 'Jackass the Party'.
I suspect that she will even stand up to John McCain if she believes he is wrong.

Sarah is one of us folks from mainstreet America,
that the progressives look down upon as they fly from
New York to Hollywood.
Sarah is tough.
She is confident.
She has been a commercial fisherman.
She is a big game hunter.
She is who she is.
She is proud and not ashamed to be a Lady.

The elitists who want to tell us how we should think
are already buying into the bookbanning myths.
Please keep up the nastiness,
Keep up the attacks.
Bring up the shrill intensity.
It will slide right off her teflon coated skin.
It will show her for who she is...
...and the progressives for what they are.

The real reason the progressives hate her?
They know their good freinds are now telling us
conservatives that they are switching to McCain
because...

DUH...

YOU ARE NO RUFUS T. FIREFLY!!!

2008-09-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

John McCain's upststart opponent
is no Rufus T. Firefly.
However it appears that his collective 'freedoms'
that he believes in from his socialist treatise, 'the audacity of dope'
may very well have been inspired by Rufus T. Firefly,
in my Favorite WAR movie of all time, DUCK SOUP.

You tell me there are no similarities...
go on I dare ya...

"These are the laws of my administration...
No one's allowed to smoke
Or tell a dirty joke
And whistling is forbidden...
If chewing gum is chewed
The chewer is pursued.
And in the hoosegow hidden...
If any form of pleasure is exhibited
Report to me and it will be prohibited.
I'll put my foot down, so shall it be.
This is the land of the free.

The last man nearly ruined this place
He didn't know what to do with it
If you think this country's bad off now
Just wait 'til I get through with it...
The country's taxes must be fixed
And I know what to do with it
If you think you're paying too much now
Just wait 'til I get through with it...
I will not stand for anything
that's crooked or unfair
I'm strictly on the up and up
So everyone beware
If anyone's caught taking graft
And I don't get my share
We stand 'em up against the wall
And pop goes the weasel.
If any man should come between
her husband and his bride
We find out which one she prefers
By letting her decide
If she prefers the other man
The husband steps outside
We stand 'em up against the wall
And pop goes the weasel."

-Rufus T. Firefly, policy song, Duck Soup.

by the way, did I say yet...

MCCAIN/ PALIN 2008!!!

IT'S A NO BRAINER! SARAH WINS AGAIN!!!

2008-09-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

Round about Noon -thirty I met up with a couple of my buddies,
after a morning of political stuff.
We took off and had a great ride!
We covered several counties and finally came home via Chuckanut Drive.
What a view of Samish Bay!

Well along the way at one point I thought about what kind of leadership do we need with changing our energy policies?

We need some futuristic thinking,
and we need some practical solutions until we catch up with Asimovian, Heinleinian, and Clarkist solutions.

So, when I think about it...
...do we want to go backwards to the buggywhip and pedal pushing days of the 1800's while we wait for our best physicists to develop Fusion Reactors, Zero Point Energy, Wind, Tide, and Solar Farms in space beaming energy via lasers to earth?

Or do we want to drill in locations that there is actually oil?

Do we want to build the first Refinery since the Reagan Administration?

I think practical solutions far outweigh waiting for the future...

Do we want powerful independent solutions?

Or do we really prefer impotent solutions designed to take us back to the days of wood fired steam engines and pedal operated bicycles and whirligigs of fantasy...

What kind of change would you prefer?

Awesome Ferocious Practical Power?

or weaky squeaky pedaliwanks...?

MCCAIN / PALIN 2008!

THE SILENT MAJORITY: PART TWO

2008-09-12T14:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I am down right horrible, and run my own little unsupervised experiments.
Not sure if I should apologize to Sam Taylor for using his site for my experiment to see if I could control the direction of dialogue or send a bill to the Bellingham Herald for my services. (It’s all about me, don’cha know…)
As you know I wrote about this topic somewhat in part one and wanted to know more about the voters who let the rest of us make decisions, and what motivates them to come out and participate. This part of my exploration was to find out if no matter if it was the opponents or McCain Palin, could the topics be used to talk about my candidates and almost get everyone to ignore the other two. I was amazed at what I found.

Part of the problem and the current solution is negative campaigns.
It interests some and turns off some folks.
Negative campaigning has some effect, but quite often not the effect that one would think.
The effect that I wanted to see was if dialogue changed to my candidates, whether it be for or against was irrelevant as whether it was about them.

It appears that there may be something to it. As the news media began to question Sarah Palin’s credentials and experience, it didn’t matter. KOS attacking her and slandering her didn’t matter. Why?

Because it was and Is currently, ALL SARAH ALL THE TIME. What happened in the polls nationwide and in the State of Washington? John McCain took the lead or climbed solidly in the polls.

If the other side talks about Sarah, even though it’s negative so to speak, that’s a good thing. They are talking about Sarah…oh yeah, and John’s ability to have good judgment or John’s stealing centrist voters… but nothing about the other two guys. You’d almost forget they were running for office. The rest of this I posted on Sam’s Taylor’s blog.

This may be the public process,even though online commenting is still in it's infancy for public dialogue.Once this fella that I seldom agree with, described on-line comments like a town hall meeting, where everyone wears ski masks and carries baseball bats. I think that is a pretty good description of what goes on.

Whoever gets elected has a tough job ahead, and most folks have a hard time separating campaigning from legislating (or managing)I make no bones about it. Campaigning is a sport to me. You win some and lose some. I figure that we are competing with our opponents for the coveted title. And that the other side is playing to win as much as I do.The goal is to win the hearts and minds of those who participate not so much.Where this banter gets us is name recognition of our candidates.

With all the page views on Sam's website, I have no delusions that anyone takes me seriously, but I found that we have discussed McCain and Palin almost exclusively.Is it that more people are interested in them already and tune in, or is it that we have gotten them interested in McCain/ Palin and they are now tuning in?

I think that there are two kinds of public dialogue. Once folks are elected, no matter what party they are from, on how to progress forward and solve problems with doing no further harm to us in the process. However, I think that campaigns, as a sporting event, are an us vs. the other guys endeavor. Both sides engage in debate of issues, smear tactics, rah rah cheering, and yet nothing any of us says will be taken into consideration by the big players.

It's not a matter of if but how the folks who vote maybe once or twice every four years are affected by the viewpoints in any forum. Whether it be 'Ski Mask town halls' like this or the negative attack ads by both sides or a serious civil discussion of the issues and debates between the candidates. Those who pay attention to issues will ignore the banter and probably listen to debates. Otherwise it is all about popularity and name recognition. No matter who the thread has been about, the dialogue has turned to discussing McCain and Palin and not the other two guys. Both here and nationally. Whether it is positive or negative about them. It has been ALL about McCain and Palin.

Never take my ignorant word for anything, but take a look at the threads on Sam's recent posts during and since the two Big conventions and look at the news.
Sure, I'm biased and presume that the Media is left leaning and attacks my folks running, But I have to agree with Tim Eyeman. "All press is good press as long as it's about me."

We may not like it, but for many folks who work 40 to 60 hours a week, it comes down to name recognition and who they identify with. This is the public process, but only a part of it, and it is still in its infancy. We are better than this, but intellectual civil dialogue doesn't get as much name recognition out there.

Remember when George H.W. Bush was asked a question about the national debt by an audience member who had friends out of work? He did a great job of describing the technical differences between the deficit and the debt. Great issue discussion and dialogue. (put everyone to sleep, even though he described it perfectly.)

Clinton then made an incredible move. Didn't address the debt or the deficit, but simply went out and told that audience member, "I feel your pain"

GHW Bush had brilliantly boring dialogue, but folks identified with Bill. "one of us, so to speak."Like it or not, that's the public process....so who have we been talking about for Sam's readership?...McCain and Palin.To quote Rowan Atkinson, "I'm in a race. I am winningk!"

Stay tuned for part 3.
Not bad for a megalomaniac with little or no edumacation, and as ignorant as I choose to be. (Even though I got as long winded as Hamster guy…a second time…)

Now that Sarah looks to be the Vice President for the next 8 years, I am now requesting all my readers, friends and enemies alike to start campaigning for Sarah to pick me, Poindexter for her running mate in 2016... yes I would be the first cyber vice president...thank you very much...

GOD, GUNS AND LIPSTICK

2008-09-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

There are no inconsistencies with Sarah Palin.
Sure, we have to occasionally remind John McCain about incrementally chewing away at our second Amendment rights...

As for the other two guys, we know how the senior senator on the other ticket has assaulted the second amendment with his voting record already.

But let's take a look at the shady lies that the collectivist standard bearer foists off on us ign'ant folk...

John McCain's Opponent in Fairfax Virginia claims that he will support our right to keep and bear arms...Hogwash.

Here are things he says when he ain't yakkin' away at us average Americans, and talkin' to his elite supporters:

Chicago Tribune, 4/27/2004:
"I am consistently on record and will continue to be on record as opposing concealed carry."

Illinois Senate Debate #3 vs Ambassador Alan Keyes, 10/21/2004:
"I think it is a scandal that this president (Bush) did not authorize a renewal of the Assault weapons ban"

The Audacity of Hope, by B.O. 2006:
"I believe in keeping guns out of our inner cities, and that our leaders must say so in the face of the gun Manufacturers."

Politico, 2/11/2008:
"I think we have two conflicting traditions in this country, 'Gun ownership and Gun Restrictions."

Journal Sentinel Online, 2/15/2008:
"There is an individual right to bear arms. But it is subject to common sense regulation."

Baltimore Sun.com 2/15/2008:
"I think that local jurisdictions have the capability to institute their own gun laws."

We all know how sincere he is talking to his friendly audiences, and how disingenuous he is when talkin' to us 'bitter bible and gun cuddlin' cousins', but us plain folk know that actions speak even louder than words:

Illinois Senate S.B. 2165, vote 20, 3/25/2004:
'the One' voted to allow the prosecution of people who use a firearm for self defense in their homes.

Chicago Defender, 12 13/1999:
'our opponent' supported increasing taxes on firearms and ammunition by 500%

United States Senate. S. 397, vote 219:
'the attorney' voted to allow reckless lawsuits designed to bankrupt the firearms industry.

Illinois Senate Debate #3 vs Ambassador Alan Keyes:
'the candidate' emphatically exclaimed that he will vote to reimpose the failed and discredited Clinton Gun Ban.

Independent voters of Illinois/Independent Precinct Organization General Candidate Questionnaire, 9/9/1996, and Politico, 3/31/2008:
"I endorse and will work toward a Ban on ALL Handguns."

Chicago Tribune, 9/15/2004, and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 4/2/2008:
'the messiah' will work to abolish Right To Carry Laws in Illinois(04) and Nationwide(08).

United States Senate, S. 397, vote 217, 7/29/2005:
'the wise one' voted to ban almost all rifle ammunition commonly used for hunting and sport shooting.

FACT CHECK; His Majesty's campaign website, 12/11/2007:
Gun Owners will be required to be licensed and register ALL firearms.

Illinois Senate. H.B. 2579, vote 34 5/16/2003:
Voted to limit firearm purchases to one per month.

HOLY SMOKES!
This dude wants to change the greatest nation on the face of the earth.
He claims that John McCain and Sarah Palin are out of touch with mainstream America.
Doesn't he realize that Americans want to change Washington D.C.?

If this is the change he wants, How will he prosecute us plain folk who make up 70% of America?
This is a dude who can't tell the difference between a Royals/ Chiefs fan and a Cardinals/ Rams fan. On his behalf, though, we should give him a little leniency. It's not his fault he can't tell the difference between a pitbull and a razorback either. Sarah may have smiled at the comment,
But Gonzaga fans took offense to the 'Razorbacks with lipstick comment', that may be as bad or worse than mistaking Kansas City for Saint Louis...
This is a dude that thinks that AR 15's and AK 47's are used in more crimes than baseball bats and kitchen knifes. and He thinks John McCain is out of touch?

This is not the kind of gun grabbing collectivist I want in a position to change America.
I want a president who will not give our sovereignty up to the third world dictator country club, that we affectionately call the 'United Nations'.

John McCain and Sarah Palin will not decimate our God given rights.
John McCain and Sarah Palin understand that we have an individual right to protect our life liberty and property.

On another note... look how much safer president John McCain and our secret service will be, knowing that Sarah Palin is carrying concealed, there to protect THEM!!!

MCCAIN/ PALIN 2008!!!

For your Amusement; the Intellectually Elite Matt Damon who fell for a hoax...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6urw_PWHYk&feature=related
Official Response stolen from sound politics by me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnkWI3kCwvY&eurl=http://soundpolitics.com/

when liberals talk, people listen...then they vote Republican...
keep talkin'...

LEST WE FORGET

2008-09-11T05:00:00.000-07:00

Please take a long sincere moment of silence for all those innocent folks who died at the hands of evil.
...And an extra moment of silence for my brothers and sisters in the Fire Service along with those good folks in Law Enforcement and EMS services who sacrificed on this day not so long ago...

TELL ME THIS IS A HOAX...

2008-09-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

I enjoy the paraody and hoax pictures more than the Daily KOS likes to fabricate hate speech and lies.

Somebody please tell me that the pictures of the Credentials for the Democrat National Convention is a photoshop hoax?

And tell me that the dude who is the standard bearer for the Democratics is photoshopped into the next picture?

This guy really isn't that disrespectful to the flag of our great country?

The Democrat Party is not anti-American, either?

Anyway, I am proud to have a war hero and an average American citizen representing the GOP.

MCCAIN / PALIN 2008!!!

...a blowout in the meadowlands...

BETTER TO BE PITHY'D OFF THAN PITHY'D ON.

2008-09-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

(Guest Writer: Space Ghost)

I read once that every person who writes a letter to the editor represents a thousand people who agree with them, but didn't take the time to write. Using that formula it appears that at least 3000 people read my article and found it of interest. That seems like enough of an imprimatur to me, so I'm sending you several more thoughts!
SG
÷÷÷÷
Living in Poverty?
Support the Democrat Party...
we’ll help keep you there!
÷÷÷÷
The Democrat Party:
Holding progress and true equality
in check for decades!
÷÷÷÷
High Taxes a Burden?
The Democrat Party has something big in store for you: More taxes!
÷÷÷÷
If conservatives are considered as right,
should liberals be considered as wrong?
÷÷÷÷
America is important enough to fight for!
÷÷÷÷
“Change” requires a firm foundation from which to work, and a clearly stated objective to work toward. Fancy words are neither.
÷÷÷÷
“Change” as a campaign slogan has no real teeth... it’s simply gumming the issue.
÷÷÷÷
Bumper Sticker:
United States - Capitalism,
Obama - Socialism,
It’s NOT time for a change!
÷÷÷÷
Women’s Right to Choose
I believe women have a right to choose. The choice is whether or not to engage in unprotected sex.
If they choose not to, and it occurs anyway, that’s called rape. The rapist does not have the right to make this choice, and laws exist for punishment of this choice.
What if the act of rape creates a fetus? It should be delivered full term and given for adoption if the mother does not choose to raise it.
And what about the argument that it was a rape in the first place - that the mother did not “choose” the pregnancy? Life is not always fair, but killing an unborn infant is way less than fair. It’s murder.
However, if women choose to engage in unprotected sex, then nothing in that decision gives them a further right to choose to take away the life of a living fetus.
In fact, what it gives them is a responsibility to take care of this living creature that their first bad choice created. And another bad choice - abortion - doesn’t fix anything. It’s simply another bad choice.
Give the child a good life. Humanity will benefit.
After all, you’re reading this because someone decided not to abort you!
÷÷÷sg

(not sure what an imprimatur is, maybe some kind of Kansas built Chopper?

anyway, keep commenting folks, and maybe I can keep this guy writing!-Dexter)

OUR VP IS MORE EXPERIENCED THAN YOUR VP

2008-09-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

(Guest Writer: gk)

If you are interested in some background info on BP oil, how it got to where it is, & Sarah Palin's taking them on...here is an interesting article. It also makes some comparisons between Palin and Biden - shedding some light on Biden's so-called "Foreign Affairs" experience - sounds like it doesn't amount to much and is much ado about nothing - which doesn't surprise me -
I'll bet that Obama right now is kicking himself for not picking Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, who could have nullified any advantage the McCain has gained by picking Governor Palin as his running mate. I have heard that she is almost if not, as radical a liberal as he is. Now he is stuck with Joe Biden, who is about as exciting as watching grass grow or paint dry and doesn't mean much gaining votes wise IMHO.

-gk

http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=13809

THOUGHT EXPERIMENT

2008-09-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

(Guest Writer: Space Ghost)

(I have a brand new guest writer, who has a good thought experiment, just got back from Sturgis, and I think you'll like him much better than me. please comment online to let him know you want to read more.-Dexter)

Let’s Pretend
Pretend you have joined the board of a large corporation. It has about 28,000 employees and over $17 Billion in sales. Your CEO has departed after a long tenure... generally successful, but contentious much of the time.
Shareholders want continued good sales, profitability, new products - all the things a CEO is responsible for.
Numerous candidates are considered, and you know that you’ve got to get it right or the competition will eat your company up like breakfast cereal. Ultimately, it’s down to two candidates that look interesting.
There’s an older guy that’s been in the business for most of his life. He knows the game, has a track record, and isn’t likely to deviate from the policies and procedures that got your company to where it is: successful. His ideas are not new. In fact, they look a lot like those of the guy who just left.
Then there’s the young guy that’s an up-and-comer. He looks good and talks good, and has some strong support among his contemporaries. He’s light on experience though and some of his ideas are way off the beaten path. If he’s the new CEO, it’s certain your successful old company will go down a new path. If it’s the wrong path, you’re probably off the board, because your company is now some other company’s breakfast.
Where does the smart money go? __________________________

Wait.
Instead let’s pretend that you’re the military’s top man and you’re faced with selecting a general to lead a military action that is both tenuous in terms of international reaction and yet absolutely vital to the continued existence of your country.
If you pick the right guy, peace comes to a warring region of the world, and by extension, to most of the rest of the planet.
If you’re wrong, several other large nations are going to take it very, very poorly, and by extension, most of the planet is going to be in chaos, and possibly even in peril.
You have several candidates in your pool of generals. One bright spot is a relatively young guy who recently made general, but has never led a major combat action. He’s well-liked and eager and full of ideas on how to resolve sticky situations. He’s proven his approach over a career in various administrative duties. Many people feel he’s got the right stuff, despite the experience factor. This could be his chance to show his stuff.
The other guy is a crusty old fart that never went to college but literally fought his way to the top. Every military action saw this guy in the thick of it, somehow and somewhere. Not everyone likes him, but he doesn’t care whether he’s liked. He knows how to get the job done. He’s done it before, and can be counted on to defend his country, even to his death. Not for glory, but for country. Because he simply knows his country cannot afford to lose.
Which guy gets the job? __________________________

Wait.
Your country is having a presidential election. There are two candidates. You have to pick one to lead your country.
One guy is young, charismatic, and full of hope and change. He has so little experience in government work that in a corporate cutback, he would be among the first to go. His ideas are not all new, but they’re definitely socialistic. His positions change about as frequently as his associates, many of whom are either covered in controversy, convicted in court, or completely unapologetic terrorists... people who blew things up in our own country and who were themselves Americans.
The other guy is an old guy - not ancient, but with white hair and loads of experience in government and the military. He’s not even particularly well-liked by members of his own party, but they know he is steeped in traditional American values and will not lead this country from a democracy based on capitalism to an experiment in socialism (which has never worked well in the history of the world). If elected he would be the first president who did time in prison... with honor.
Who do you vote for? __________________________

You probably saw where I was going with this, but in case you didn’t (or still don’t), go back to the answers you gave to the first two questions. They will tell you how to vote. And when you do, remember: this time there’s no “pretending”. Get it right or we’re just another chapter in history.

By the way, you don’t have to like the guy - you just have to know that he has the fundamentals not to screw things up... for you, your parents, your children, and their children.

HEROS AND ZEROS

2008-09-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

We have a man who fought for his country,
backed up by a lady who could kill a Kodiak bear with her smile alone.
John McCain has demonstrated his leadership his entire life.
John didn't talk about hope as his future policy.
He took action to secure his future and the future of his fellow POWs.
John will not back down from threats to our children's future.
John will do the right thing, while those other guys will take your money
and tell you to keep hoping to get your change back.

Sarah, Tall and not plain, who could pacify a grizzly with her smile
ain't gonna tell you to hope for a better future for energy or tell you what she's gonna do,
like that other guy,
Sarah's already building pipelines for natural gas and forcing the Oil companies to renovate their current pipelines.
If Sarah can smack down Dixiecrat Ted Stevens and former gov. Murkowski for them acting like a Chicago politician making deals with Alfonso Capone, she can do the same to all the pork barrel grafters in Washington DC, too.
Listening to the attacks on Sarah already from the kids on the other side tells me that they are very scared of her.
Not only that, they have such little confidence in their own two guys with ZERO executive experience, that they are no longer talkin' 'bout them. Their talkin' 'bout John John and Sarah.
Sarah is so cool and badass, that she didn't even address the attacks against her and her children. Obviously she knows a pitiful and weak opponent when she sees one.

Don't know 'bout you, but I'd rather wrestle a polar bear than to tangle with Mrs. Palin

McCain/ Palin 2008 HEROS
the other two guys zeros...

WHAT'S NOT TO LIKE?!!!

2008-09-03T15:52:00.000-07:00

These days, we need real Americans in the White House.

Those who have a sense of Honor.

Those who have a sense of Humor.

Those who have the same values as average hardworking Americans.

Those who can enjoy Life.

Those who can enjoy Liberty.

Those who can enjoy the Pursuit of Happiness.

This small town Mayor is like a community organizer with a major difference.

She actually had responsibilities as Mayor.

Got her elected to be a Governor.

A Governor who is a rocks throw away from the Russians and Putin.

A Governor responsible for deploying the Alaska National Guard to many forest fires.

A Governor who renogotiated Gov. Murkowski's failed negotiations with BP and other foreign owned Oil Companies.

A Governor who fought corruption against Dixiecrat Ted Stevens.

A Governor who told congress to not to spend American Tax Money for a bridge to Murkowsi's Home or to build a bridge to Steven's Property.

A Governor who isn't afraid to fire corrupt State employees.

A Governor who can field dress a Moose and will drain the Corrupt Washington Swamp of earmarks and porkbarrel spending.

She may have poise, but I'll bet we don't see her be a poser:

making a statement look 3/4 right chin up, look 3/4 left chin up: Repeat...

No, she is no poser. She is the real deal.

Anybody who attacks this lady is just jealous.

Notice her finger is not on the trigger, it is on the side of the guard.

A president with real life experience chose a Vice President with real life experience.

It's time for Americans to choose to put real Americans in the White house.

No more corrupt self important Chicago politicians and No more East Coast elitists.

The West is the Best...

McCain/Palin 2008

WILL OBAMA FIRE KOS?

2008-09-01T18:15:00.000-07:00

Many like to poin' out that I blog with a fact free style.
I admit to it. Let the smart guys use references and cites etc.

However the Daily KOS is beyond the pale. these guys portray themselves as newsguys and many of the Democratic leadership goes to their conventions and even blog on this hate spewing site.

It was not satire when they accused Governor Palin of horrendous things, pertaining to her youngest son and her eldest daughter and some kind of cover-up.
I read it and tried to give them the benefit of the doubt as I know how very difficult trying to use satire and humor is, but even a satire monger like myself couldn't find humor in their meanspirited attack. And I tried to find humor, but it wasn't there.
In response to what they Libelously printed about Palin, I have to admit Obama was classy in his response, that Families, especially the kids are off limits. He even said that if they work for him that they are fired.

Well I'm eagerly waiting to hear him fire the daily KOS. (should I hold my breath?)
It seems that also our governor gives the KOS special interviews, and some local bloggers use them as source materials, too.

Lets see who defends the KOS and who severs ties with them. They are free to print all the libel they want, and the U.S. citizens will see just how tough and thick skinned Sarah is.

To repeat my disclaimer: Don't take my word for anything, look it up yerself...
...by the way, maybe the KOS should use a similar disclaimer, especially if they're gonna follow my lead and try the challenging task of using humor. (Oh, they were serious? oops.)

...the funniest part of all is that when,

ll: liberals talk, conservatives win...
...when conservatives win, liberals get angry...
...when liberals get angry, liberals talk even more... :ll

(perpetual repeat for the musically challenged, and now for the next twostep, annaone, annatwo, annathree)

T.BOONE PICKENS AND PELOSI SCHEME?

2008-08-30T13:19:00.000-07:00

(Guest writer: 'the real' gk)

(yes it's been quite some time since foreign policy expert gk has written for me, my fault, not his...-Dexter.)

You've probably seen the T.Boone Pickens's Wind Farm ads? There seems to be something rotten in Denmark (or the Texas PanHandle). Naturally- "Save the Planet" Pelosi is involved with her greedy fingers in the pie - It never ceases to amaze me that big politicians like Pelosi will sell the country down the river just so they can personally profit for relatively peanuts, compared to what either the state or the nation will have to invest in a program - just so they can make their piddly profit. In this case - $5 Billion in Cal. State Funds and $5 Billion in Federal Funds -

No wonder McCain has taken as his campaign slogan - "Country First" before Self or some such. It seems a lot of our politicians are doing just the opposite and putting themselves first, either to personally profit or to be re-elected. Maybe we will get the ex-energy regulator - Gov. Sarah Palin on Pelosi/T Boone's case! Wouldn't that be something if she made this giant rip-off one of the cornerstones of their campaign? - they should!

In my research - I found a couple versions of the story - so included both - each has some details the other doesn't have. But it's a shame that our main stream media doesn't cover these sorts of scams, nay, even profit from them, selling them TV ads, like the ones that T Boone Pickens has flooded the TV with. Shame! -gk

http://dontgomovement.com/2008/08/11/nancy-pelosi-invests-in-energy-scheme-and-water-grab-by-t-boone-pickens/

http://blog.freedomist.info/

http://pfds.opensecrets.org/N00007360_2007.pdf

MCCAIN/PALIN 2008

2008-08-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

44 year old Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin, will be John McCain's running mate.
Born in Idaho and at 3 months old moved with her parents to Alaska, this incredible Lady at the young age of 32 knocked off a 3 time incumbent democrat to be Mayor of Wasilla. At age 42 she became the youngest Governor ever elected in Alaska.
She has 5 kids, of which her oldest is deploying to Iraq next month.

Here is where she impresses me even more. She has been involved in the commercial fishing business assisting her husband's families commercial operations. Now that is one Badass Tough lady. You can't be a candyass in the fishing business.
Now here is another place where she is great...A part time sportscaster!
Okay so she studied political science and journalism and graduated from University of Idaho in 1987... But she is a sports enthusiast! and played basketball too! She is a Jock! ***And thanks to 'Hammer for pointing out that I neglected that she is an NRA member and an avid Moose Hunter. if she uses a 45-70, I might just get too giddy for my own good...***

McCain picked a vice president who is:
Bright and intelligent!
Fiscally Conservative!
Younger than I am!
A Commercial Fisherman!!!

*A Big Game Hunter!!! *
An Athlete and Sportscaster!!!
The youngest Alaska Governor ever!
and runner up for Miss Alaska!!!

Holy Smokes, If she has a Harley or an Indian, it might be too much for me...

Although, I was leaning towards Ted Nugent or maybe Stephen Colbert, and on other sites picking Lindsey Graham, McCain did us conservatives right.
Go Sarah Palin! Drive down the court to the white house and SLAM DUNK!

MCCAIN / PALIN 2008

PILED A MILE HIGH AT MILE HIGH STADIUM

2008-08-28T17:54:00.000-07:00

Right Now Algore is droning.

Not a very exciting speaker.

Later tonight Senator Obama will be speaking.

This picture sums up all the pie in the sky that we'll hear...

JOHN MCCAIN"S GOOD FRIEND

2008-08-27T20:13:00.001-07:00

Another great speech tonight, this time by Joe Biden.
It seems that the same good friend who would be thrilled to be on a ticket with McCain and didn't believe Obama was qualified to be commander in chief, now says McCain's Judgement is lacking.

This comes from a senator who voted against the Gulf War. Any smart guys know who the other senator was? hmmm....

Both Biden and his understudy in the senate, Obama both voted against the Surge in Iraq which was solely responsible for smashing the insurgency against Iran's Proxy attack against the west.
John McCain convinced GW that this was the correct course of action. McCain was right.
Obama's senate experience? He wrote what legislation? None? Sponsored legislation? hmmm.

John McCain voted his conscience which on many occasions went against the Bush Administration and many democrat senators followed McCain and not Obama. As a matter of fact Obama followed McCain as John reached across the aisle. Many conservatives considered John a RINO for some of his stances. some are still afraid that John will surprise everybody with Hillary or Joe Lieberman. (Pretty doubtful, John is already a centrist. I still have delusions that John will pick Ted Nugent for VP!)

As for Obama showing leadership and getting bi-partisan support for his legislation, again I ask which legislation did Obama write and if any, did he lead, follow or even have bi-partisan support.

Again for lack of judgement, we are in a war on two fronts, and both Biden and Obama voted against the funding that was needed for equipment for our soldiers and medical care that was needed for them.

Well, John. with good friends like Joe Biden, who needs Kim Jung Ill and other whack job enemies...

THE BILLARIES SPEECHIFY FOR 2 NIGHTS

2008-08-27T18:39:00.000-07:00

WOW!
That Billy shore kan Speechify!
My favorite Televangelists could use some training from the Democrats.
When it comes to loud oratory and arm waving The Clintons make even Ernest Angely look like a high school theatre amateur.
I was so mesmerized that I missed ALL that great substance in his speech.
...or was there any?
...and Billy the C. wants Obama and America to go back to the days of his administration with examples like HIV assistance.
Who invested more in this endeavor, was it Billy the C. or C student George Dubya?

When it comes to displacing foreign citizens, How many million Islamic folks were displaced by US planes flying at who's white house commanded altitudes.
GW? No, it was Billy the C, who displaced many times more than GW did.
More US soldiers died under who? No, It wasn't GW, it was under Billy the C. again.
The stock market started it's long giant tumble when? Again, not GW, it started it's long decline in November of 1999.

When Islamofascists decided to go Trash our Trade center they thought we were decadent and weak because of 8 some odd months of GW? No, they gambled on the US being Decadent and weak because of 8 years of Hollywood's boy wonder, Billy the C.

So when China decides to test US resolve with our treaty to protect Taiwan, Do you want a president like Billy the C.'s buddy Obama or some cranky old geriatric like John McCain?

I'll take a unilateralist like McCain long before an internationalist Like Obama/Biden in the image of Billary the C...

WHEN DEMOCRATS TALK, REPUBLICANS WIN.

2008-08-26T15:06:00.000-07:00

It seems that Quinnipac, Rasmussen and even Gallup agree. McCain is leading in their polls even as the DNC convention is under way. It should be the other way around.
It seems that McCain should just take a nap, get rested and let the Democrats talk themselves right out the election.

What does Billary ONE mean when today when he said, "imagine you're a voter and candidate x agrees with you on most issues, but is unable to deliver? On the other hand, Candidate Y agrees with you 50% of the time but is able to deliver. Which one would you vote for?" And as an aside says that this isn't real or it's hypothetical or something. Then just what is he referring too?

Last night, Senator Biden dizzes his wife, by stating something about her being a hot babe, then whines about her having a Doctorates degree. Hmmm. (Geez, you think that he'd be happy to have a Hot Babe for a wife who is also smarter than he is, I mean... I'm happy that my Hot Babe Wife is smarter than I am. Makes life purty simple for me...especially since she has to help me with all the big words.)

Nancy Pelosi, the unionized proletariat's mouthpiece, (who it appears fought against her own multiple companies' employees to unionize.) has another wonderful inconsistency to add to her laundry list of inconsistencies:

Claiming that the Catholic Doctors of the Church don't think that life begins until 3 months after conception. Members of the clergy are out in force chastising her for that misrepresentation. She quickly backtracked and stated that most Catholics disagree with the church and don't know when life begins.

In typical Democrat fashion, these nice folks say what they think will win votes. I can't believe that they are speaking their conscience...or are they?

In other legislative thoughts, Will Senator Obama sign off and support Senate Bill 636? (I'll let you fact pounders figure out which bill that is...)

Anyway, John...take a nap, wake up a little cranky, and appreciate the lead that the Donkeys gave you, without you having to do a darn thing. A 3 point bump for John?... and we all thought that Barack should have gotten a Convention Start Bump, A VP nomination Bump, and tonight a Unity Bump, and finally an end of convention bump that may not happen.

I can't wait to hear what Billary TWO will say tonight. So much for Unity...The Denver convention is starting to shape up to be a good demolition derby...

THE SILENT MAJORITY: PART ONE

2008-08-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

All seriousness aside, I’ve been giving this some thought, again...

More than half of Whatcom County registered voters have decided to let a minority of us decide who they will get to choose from in the General Election in November represent our County In Olympia. These same folks decided to let the same minority decide who will represent them in their respective parties, or who will be a judge.
http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/purl/elections/results/2008/08/19/html

I’ll bet it is similar or worse across the State.
http://vote.wa.gov/Elections/WEI/Results.htm

Who are these minority scoundrels that decide for the rest of the folks in the county?

My guess is that of the registered voters:
The first two groups of voters are probably active and participate in most elections, Generals, Primaries, Bonds, Levies, Off year local Elections, etc.

The first group represents about 35 to 40% of the registered voters.
(The numbers to the left are closer to what I suspect about this county.)
15 to 20% are Solid Republicans
20 to 15% are solid Democrats
This group as a whole probably votes somewhere between 90 to 100% of the time.

The second group
5 to 10% Independents, Libertarians and Greens
These folks probably vote somewhere between 90 to 100% of the time.

Who are these folks that appear to be content at letting people like me decide for them?

This third group of voters, the other 50 to 60% is probably harder to pin down. These folks probably vote in 70 to 80 % of most general elections, but participation may be almost negligible in primaries and bonds and levies.
Sometimes these folks will vote in off year local cycles, but even then in small numbers…most of the time.

The numbers chosen are only for the purpose of illustration. Go to the Secretary of State Website and the County Auditor website for abstracts and precision numbers. If my premise is flawed, I’m thick skinned, what am I missing, or where is it flawed?

If my premise isn’t flawed, then this gives me a chance to explore a few other questions about the silent majority, who quite often, choose not to vote.
Who are they?
What motivates them to vote?
What has been motivating them not to vote?
Do these folks ever come out in large numbers to vote?
Would the outcome be significantly different if they do vote in large numbers?

(Will they support Poindexter for President, 2016…)

IT'S GOOD TO BE IN THE GOP!

2008-08-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

Wow,
I just checked the Auditor's web page.
What a pleasant surprise. The precinct results are great!
I didn't have a race in my precinct, but my Democrat counterpart only received just less than 2 votes for each one I received.

Why is this good for the GOP that my counterpart received votes 2 to 1 over me?

Here's how I arrived at this.
First: Traditionally, according to the big boys and girls who really know the ins and outs of all things political, Democrats show up in bigger numbers to primaries than do Republicans.

Second: Traditionally, the precinct that I live in lists to port so hard that it usually has a 6 to 1 ratio of Democrats vs. Republicans.

Third: Most folks I know would rather write in vote a dead possum than vote for me, (and these are my good Republican friends...) so I doubt very much that the local democrats would cross party lines to vote for me.

This leads me to think that coming from a 6 to 1 Democrat over Republican voting history,
that 2 to 1 in the primaries suggest that sentiments are changing, even in my little leftist community. Never in voting history have things come this close.

So thank you to my liberal Garden gestapo anti -property rights buddies, Gregoire and now even Obama (it's fun to hear folks mumble under their breath questioning their support for this guy as he leans ever harder towards Stalinist thinking.), Thanks for recruiting so many more folks to the GOP.

It's a good day to be a Republican.

STOP READING AND VOTE, DAMMITTTTTT!!!!!

2008-08-19T05:37:00.000-07:00

Shirley Forslof downgraded her expert prediction from 55% to 45%, and as I predicted earlier over at Sam Taylor's THA BLOG, that turnout will be 40% maximum, and probably less.
You guys who read me and especially those who disagree with me wouldn't want my ignorant prediction to be more accurate than Shirley or her understudy Pete's expert predictions.

While Shirley used Pete's historical research, and their hopefulness for Mail only balloting to save the day and bring more participation to the political process, along with their advanced technologies that they have for making these predictions...

...I just swirled sockeye entrails in my dog's dish and predicted that Folks would participate even less than in the past:

1) The eggs told me 40%
2) The algae in the entrails told me that most people would be uninterested until fall,
3) And the length of time that all that swirling took told me that most folks would forget the deadline and find their ballots several days later under the pile of bills that they were trying so hard to ignore...

Shirley's Expert Prediction:
55% originally
45% downgraded

Poindexter's JuJu prediction: Less than 40% Originally and currently.

Now get out there and turn in your Ballot Dammittttt!!!!
unless you want for me to be correct.

(Now, who ya gonna believe? Me or your eyes? -Chicolini to Mrs. Teasdale)

CHOKE CHAINS FOR LEGISLATURE

2008-08-18T17:45:00.000-07:00

(Guest Writer: TIMMY!!!)

(here is a brief mailversation between Timmy and I:)

Hi Tim,
Ever Try to explain an HOV lane to someone from Moses Lake?
They still like the training leash and inner spiked choke chains for legislators...
-Dexter.

hah! tell 'em that I-985 is better than the alternative: which is higher taxes!!
-Tim

August 18, 2008To: Our thousands of supporters throughout the state (cc'd to all media outlets -- reporters, columnists, editorial writers, and others in newspapers, radio, and TV)
From: Tim Eyman, Jack Fagan, and Mike Fagan, Fighting for Taxpayers for Ten Years, co-sponsors of the Reduce Traffic Congestion Initiative of 2008, ph: 425-493-9127, email: (go to our website to do a secure donation by VISA/Mastercard/PayPal tim_eyman@comcast.net, http://www.voterswantmorechoices.com/

RE: What's not to love about this recent column by the Seattle PI's Joel Connelly? Who amongst our thousands of supporters don't believe this: "public officials must be put on a tight leash with a choke collar". Without voter-approved limits on government's power, we'd have to rely on politicians own sense of self-restraint -- and guess what -- they don't have any. I think you'll enjoy reading this recent column about I-985 by the Seattle PI's Joel Connelly (do you get the sense that even he recognizes the need for I-985 with the crazy cast of characters running things here in our state?):
EYMAN'S LATEST DESERVES A LOOK By JOEL CONNELLY, SEATTLE P-I COLUMNIST Wednesday, August 6,2008
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/connelly/373721_Joel06.html
IN THE POLITICAL worldview of Tim Eyman, public officials must be put on a tight leash with a choke collar, an approach his Initiative 985 would apply to transportation and congestion.On various heavily traveled Puget Sound-area highways, however, critics argue that such an approach would turn choke points into strangulation for rush-hour commuters.I-985 is flying under the radar screen.When it qualified for the ballot, The Associated Press sent out a one-sided story - it reported Eyman's side - that was printed by both Seattle daily newspapers."This cycle, we're definitely not going to be the one sucking the oxygen," Eyman reflected in a long conversation Monday.I-985 would do all sorts of stuff. It would require cities and counties to synchronize traffic lights on "heavily traveled streets and arterials," something already done in many areas.It would open high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes to all motorists aside from the hours of 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m. on weekdays. A Reduced Traffic Congestion Fund would be created, tapping money that currently goes into the state general fund.
Oh, yes, it would require that tolls on a bridge or freeway be used ONLY for that project. The initiative would halt plans to put a toll on both the state Route 520 and Interstate 90 bridges over Lake Washington to pay for badly needed repairs and upgrades on 520."It really boils down to the expectation 'I'm paying for this project and nothing else,' " Eyman said.What's right with his approach? What's wrong?"FIX THIS STREET" read the signs used to promote Seattle's $365 million street repair measure in 2006, the largest levy in city history. The city also socked a head tax on workers and a new tax on commercial parking.But early this year, the City Council voted to use a big chunk of the "repair" money to realize Mayor Greg Nickels' pricey plan for a new, boulevard-style two-way Mercer Street."The approach of politicians is: 'Give us the money. We'll decide where to spend it.' The only time we can ever expect them to do the right thing is with everybody looking over their shoulders," Eyman argued.Given what's happened with the street repair money - or gas tax dollars allocated to rebuild the Alaskan Way Viaduct - can anybody dispute him?Eyman is suspicious that Seattle is using a touted "safety" measure - red-light cameras at busy intersections - to fill its coffers. He notes that most tickets are issued for "California turns," where motorists turn right without coming to a full stop.Once more, much as I hate to admit it, he's on to something.The city hammers motorists, but it has not lifted a pinkie to regulate or penalize hazardous construction sites.Call it the "Seattle swerve" or "the Fourth Avenue Veer": Drivers round a corner. They come on a sudden lane closure. They find themselves vying for space with a bus filled with tourists.Elsewhere, however, Eyman jumps the shark.I'll tell you exactly where: the stretch of state Route 520 between Interstate 405 and the Evergreen Point Bridge.At 6 p.m., under I-985, an HOV lane used largely by van pools and buses would be thrown open to all traffic.The problem is, rush hour doesn't end at 6 p.m.Traveling Route 520 at 6:20 Friday, I found stop-and-go traffic from 84th Avenue Northeast to the bridge. The state Transportation Department's rush-hour map shows even greater congestion much of the time.By throwing open the express lanes, I-985 would expand stop-and-go traffic from two lanes to three and defeat the whole purpose of getting people into buses and van pools.Andrew Villeneuve, director of the Northwest Progressive Institute, cites Sound Transit's route 545 express bus, which links downtown Redmond with downtown Seattle and serves Microsoft's Overlake campus.Route 545 whizzed by my crawling car Friday. What would be the effect of throwing that right lane open?"You'd paralyze it," Villeneuve said. "Sound Transit's new flyers will be mired in the infamous Lake Washington Line, stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic for two miles or more."I-985 would impose a one-size-fits-all rush-hour policy on the state.Consider, too, what would happen if you slap a toll on Route 520, with motorists still being able to cross Lake Washington for free on I-90.Isn't this an invitation to congestion that would stretch back into Seattle going east, back up traffic in Bellevue, and make Mercer Island hard to get to for hours each day?What does Eyman say to this? "They want to call it a toll when it is really a tax," he said. "They want to impose a tax to support 520. It's the camel's nose under the tent."One more point: The whole state would set down iron rules for how the Puget Sound region acts to ease congestion crossing Lake Washington and how Vancouver deals with an antiquated, jammed bridge across the Columbia River.I don't presume to know the ins and outs of Spokane's north-south freeway. It's their pigeon.Likewise, folks in Pasco and Walla Walla know best how U.S. 12 needs to be upgraded.Why put the state in a straitjacket ... unless you see this as the only way "they" can be controlled?I-985 deserves a place on the state's radar screen.P-I columnist Joel Connelly can be reached at 206-448-8160 or joelconnelly@seattlepi.com.. Follow politics on the P-I's blog at blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics.-- END --

I-985 is a well-thought-out, professional, comprehensive transportation reform proposal; it offers immediate, cost-effective solutions with built-in accountability and oversight by Washington's most trusted elected official. And rather than raising taxes, I-985 instead funds its common sense policies with transportation-related taxes and charges that we, the citizens, are already paying. Jack, Mike, and I are extremely grateful for the folks who have contributed to our compensation fund. We ask that you continue that support.
If you like and appreciate our past, current, and future efforts on behalf of taxpayers, please send us a donation for $10, $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or more (there are no limits on how much can be given). Please consider a monthly pledge from now through December for our fund. We ask you to please help us help taxpayers. You can go to our website -- and make a secure PayPal or VISA or MasterCard contribution -- OR, you can print out the form below, fill it out, and return it with a check or credit card information. Your voluntary contribution to our compensation fund will be divided between the three of us and compensate us for our political work. Congratulations again on getting I-985 on the ballot - we look forward to working with all of you to get it approved by voters. As for our compensation fund, we would be extremely grateful for any financial assistance you can offer. Thanks.

Best Regards, Tim Eyman, Jack Fagan, & Mike Fagan, Fighting for Taxpayers for Ten Years, co-sponsors of the Reduce Traffic Congestion Initiative of 2008, ph: 425-493-9127,

KILLER WHALES; BIKERS OF WHALE WORLD

2008-08-17T08:38:00.000-07:00

(Guest Writer: Indian Aaron)

Killer Whales, Not Orcas, but killers of whales, sea lions and salmon. (mmmm, sealions, chewy on the outside, crunchy on the inside...)

Well, Dexter talked about going Reef Net fishing, but he's a nerd and couldn't tell a Bunt from a Breast winch, Or a Head from a Bridge winch...

Occasionally this year I walked on a friends ReefNetter after having thought I had this stuff all out of my system. You know, I don't miss Crabbing or long line pot fishing for Prawns. I kinda miss Gillnetting, but not really.

But the wonderfully tar-healed technology of reefnetting is deep down in my blood. From 1985 through 2002 I regularly fished all 4 of these fisheries, and retired with my land and my home 100% paid off.

For those of you who aren't familiar with Reefnetting, it is two 40' boats, anchored to an artificial reef made of giant anchors, netlines, buoy lines, wall lines and floor lines all shaped to funnel fish up to a net that is strung between the two anchored boats, that drift from side to side as the flood tide changes back and forth from onshore flood to offshore flood. Behind and to the sides of the gear are two breast anchors connected to the Breast winches. Reefnetters are always pulling breast or cutting breast. (sounds kinda weird...)

Anyway, we're standing in the towers like monkeys on a stick staring in the water looking for sockeye...or color changes deep in the water that don't quite look right so we can haul the Head winches up to close the door behind them as they swim in. The Bunt winch aids in trapping the fish from going through and the Bridge winch makes a cut across the net to make for less work in hauling the fish on board. (Until you've hauled 200 to 300 fish in one haul, you have not lived!)

It wasn't a productive day yesterday for the crew and operator, but for me it was nice to be back out there. We noticed these tour boats converging to the south of us and were pushing their way in toward where the reefnet fleet is anchored. Well these nitwits were chasing "Orcas" so their clients could observe nature and whatever else it is they do on those tour boats. It was too bad that the coast guard didn't arrive earlier to chase off the tour boats as they eventually did, but not after we had an encounter that was well AWEsome to use an overused word.

We noticed a group of 2 juveniles and 2 adults aiming right for our Head cans (Buoys) in the front of our reef. As the captain of the gear picked up the heads of the net to allow them to go under us if they actually came down the gear, I barked to the crew and other guests to get in the big skiff and be ready to cut the lines (in case everything goes bad and the whales get entangled in the gear, anybody who doesn't need to be on the gear isn't taking any chances.)

Before the captain, his dad, one senior crewman and myself could get down out of the towers

we could see 3 of the 4 in the reef.

A small one stayed way back from us, but Mom and Pop came right down the outside wall lines an and first one rolled almost right against the net and on the first couple of floor lines to the inside wall lines and back out. The other came like a giant torpedo right down the middle and rolled to the outside and back out the wall lines as if to let junior know, "You ain't playin' here!"

Being that close to some behemoth that is the size of our boat moving that fast with that much power, damn near made me piddle my little britches...Anyway, this group of renegades was not the only group to come roaring through the reefnet fleet that day as another group of Whale watching "experts" chased them into the area. At least these roared through inside of our gear and not through it. Behind us, both groups took some time to brutalize some of the local seals. They will pick them up and throw them, smack them around with tails like a bunch of rugby players, and the water becomes almost as bloody as a rugby field...

This isn't the first time during my years as a commercial fisherman that I have had these Killer Whales approach me while I'm fishing, and every time I wonder if the kayakers and tour boat operators really truly have an appreciation for the power and damage that these beasts can do intentionally or even unintentionally. I won't be surprised if some giant Bull someday or an over sized aggressive teenage whale decides to finally uncork all that power on some tour boat or group of kayakers. If they're surprised, then they truly don't understand why I give lots of room to any Critter that is as big as my boat. Even the "passive" locals have the power to do serious damage while being "playful" but the nomadic Killers of Whales mean business as they roll through, even the local pods give them room.

The bikers of the whale world...fearsome power as impressive as any mammal I've ever seen.

I intend on giving them lots of room.

SNAKE WAVING

2008-08-14T14:23:00.001-07:00

Originally I had planned to go out on a friend's Reefnet gear today, but it looks like maybe Saturday. Might be the final day for the Test catch. I hope that All the rest of the US fishermen get another opener while the fish are showing up this month. Now I remember why I retired from Commercial Fishing.

But instead, I was inspired by Alan Rhodes of the Cascadia Weekly, a fishwrapper of the second magnitude on page 6 of this Link: http://www.cascadiaweekly.com/pdfs/issues/200833.pdf
(Fishwrappers of first magnitude have more black and white and less color. Makes for a much better wrap for fish without the color pictures...)

I decided to try snake waving, not sure what it was, of course I had to ask the smartest person I knew...my wife. That didn't work out so good. I thought that large amounts of tequila was involved, and so were lots of naked women and some Dionysian kind of thing...maybe it was how I asked the question...you know, steak really does work good for my black eyes...(watch out for left handed ladies...)

I also miss the days where I could force my deckhands to work 20 hour days, force my kids into slave labor processing my fish, but you know, if occasionally they lost a finger into the canned goods, I knew that I wouldn't have my health care dictated to me by any State, or worse yet, being told I need health care when I don't want it, or heaven forbid, that I should have to pay for the doctor to sew up my kids,when I could electrical tape the wound for them all by myself...
"Health Care" is really just a code word for impeding Natural Selection... (My "Campaign for Liberty" buddies will never be near as paranoid as I am...Amatuers...)

Did Alice Cooper and Barry Goldwater really party together...or did someone else make that up before I did...?

(Socialism is the enemy of all free men...)

SAUK MOUNTAIN TRAGEDY

2008-08-08T16:48:00.000-07:00

First off, this is a terrible tragedy.
I feel badly for the hiker and her friends and family. I feel badly for the young hunter who probably will suffer for many long years.
The loss of life of a hiker and the long lasting effect on a young hunter has already brought about blather on the local radio station about having an age limit on hunting and requiring hikers to wear orange during hunting seasons etc. I'm sure I can find other examples of piousness in other venues too. But I really want to avoid that.

I originally started writing about this right after it happened and found myself preaching about spotting your target first through binoculars and not through your scope, and by the time I was done I discovered that I had pretty much summarized portions of the Hunters safety course.
I found myself pontificating about why hikers should wear orange during hunting season.

Which hunting season?
Deer?
Elk?
Ducks?
Bear?
Cougar?
how about Coyote? 365 days a year, etc.
How many folks know the safety requirements for these seasons?
Then it dawned on me... I was NOT there nor did I know the conditions.

I erased it. Now here I am starting over, and all I can say is that I wasn't there. I don't know the light conditions during the tragedy, I know the terrain and that there is different vegitation in different areas.

Age limitations are not going to prevent this tragedy, as this is a rare occurrence and older hunters have made the same tragic error.

A few seasons ago, I spotted a fine looking black bear, looked at it through the binoculars and told my 14 year old kid to take the shot. He said it was a no go.
I asked why not? there was a clear shot, perfect backstop of hillside, and no brush in the way.
He told me that "She" had 2 cubs. I kept looking for them and couldn't see them. ( I hate to admit that he saw them with his naked eyes.) After a few minutes, I finally saw them in the shadows of a pile of stumps.

Had my son not been with me, I probably would have been responsible for harvesting a mom with cubs. Not (big fine) illegal, but highly unethical.

New Regulations won't prevent this tragedy in the future, but many will use it as an excuse to campaign for new rules, regs and laws, as sure as local folks who were not present will continue to blather on about how to solve or prevent these events from occurring.

Me, I'm going to reread my Hunters Safety Manual.
Even though I hunt on Private Lands by permission, each year I run into trespassers, and I hunt on public lands and come across legitimate hikers. Divergent User Groups are everywhere.

Nothing I can say will make the young Hunter feel better, nor will it bring back the hiker to her friends and family.

Normally I don't mind sounding a little ignorant, or putting my foot in my mouth.
All I can really say is that I feel bad for all involved.

UPDATE:08 13 08 It appears that the Skagit County Prosecutor has filed charges against the young Hunter for First Degree Manslaughter. I'm not surprised, nor should the young hunter be surprised.

With Individual Liberty comes Individual Responsibility.
If you're a hiker, make yourself visible.
If you're a hunter, Spot with your binoculars, and not your scope.
Again, I wasn't there, but these are my best guesses as to went wrong.

ROSSI IS AN ANTI -INDIAN RASCIST...NOT!!!

2008-08-07T14:05:00.000-07:00

(OK, so I butchered a press release...Fire me!)
(no, really, please...)

The Grinch accuses BIAW anti corruption ad as "Racist" as Diversion to Avoid Answering Questions.
Governor Christine Gregoire was quoted in a questionable alternative lifestyle magazine interview and mainstream news reports piled on against Rossi yesterday as claiming that an ad questioning her actions in turning away state revenue to benefit tribal casino operators in exchange for campaign contributions was "racist".

It appears that there may be a conflict of interest surrounding Gov. Gregoire's involvement in renegotiating a gaming compact that eliminated revenue sharing with the state. it is reported that Gov. Gregoire and the State Democratic Party then accepted over $650,000 worth of casino money. William Thompson, a University of Nevada-Las Vegas professor who has been studying tribal gambling since 1988, called it "a payoff."

"Dino Rossi is one-half Tlingit Alaskan Native and he has made clear that the issue isn't about the tribes, who should be expected to negotiate the best deal possible," said Jill Strait, Rossi spokesperson. "The unanswered question is why Christine Gregoire gave away $140 million a year in state revenue. She's refused to answer specific questions put forth by state legislators and refused to allow a public investigation into this matter. If she has nothing to hide, then she should welcome an investigation to remove the ethical cloud over her head.

"The issue isn't whether the tribal casino compacts themselves are illegal, and it isn't about race. The issue is whether there were illegal or unethical discussions surrounding the compacts. Because of Gregoire Washington may be the only state not to require revenue sharing from casino operators. It seems those casino operators have donated hundreds of thousands to help elect Gregoire.

Was there a Back Room Deal?

Did Gregoire or her agents have an agreement with the casino operators that included some mutual backscratching that brought these campaign dollars?

Since I can never be encumbered by an intellect or facts, I presume that someone can hunt down the real details. Never take my word or any other bloggers' word for fact.
Go look for them on your own.

If Dino is a rascist, then I am an itellectual giant...

7TH INNING STRETCH

2008-08-05T15:28:00.000-07:00

This Seventh Inning Stretch is brought to you by DINO ROSSI!

I love it! Finally, one of our folks gets it. Advertising on news channels and talk radio only appeals to those who are already on board.
But for the average guy who works long hours doesn't want to be bothered by blather from the left or the right or to be bludgeoned with the nightly drive by news report.
He's gonna relax and watch sports. A quick little hello there during the stretch in the game will be noticed and especially by a civil little ad.

Now, me... I'm still waiting for a politician who isn't afraid to show beer and babes in his or her ads...

THAT WILL DEFINITELY GET MY ATTENTION!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

2008-07-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

What on Earth are you doing on the Internet today.

Stop That!

Go outside and play!

Oh and by the way, to all my good friends who are still subjects of the Queen (you know who you are)...

We Won!!! We Won!!!

Twice...

Anyway, I have to go wire up our local fireworks show, so get outside and enjoy the Day.

No Really, I mean it...

TIMMY SAYS GRINCH STOLE $30.00 TABS

2008-06-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

(Well, not quite, but here is TIMMY!)

(When I last spoke with Timmy, he still gave me permission to reprint his updates, even with my picture pick of him...)

June 27, 2008
To: Our thousands of supporters throughout the state (cc'd to all media outlets -- reporters, columnists, editorial writers, and others in newspapers, radio, and TV)
From: Tim Eyman, Jack Fagan, Mike Fagan, & Mike Dunmire, ph:
425-493-9127, email: tim@permanent-offense.org, http://www.ReduceCongestion.org
RE: Aberdeen: latest city to back down on hiking car tabs
It's infuriating that our car tabs aren't $30. Voters have twice approved $30 car tabs and politicians promised to keep car tabs at $30.
Nonetheless, no one is paying $30. Christine Gregoire took away our $30 tabs twice: once in 2005 when she imposed weight fees on vehicles and once last year when she gave cities and counties the authority to unilaterally jack up vehicle tabs without a vote of the people. You may remember that I attended Gregoire's bill signing ceremony and appeared in the picture with a frown and gave it a big 'thumbs down.'
Ever since then, we've been banging away at cities and counties to NOT impose higher car tabs -- so far, we've been 100% successful -- not a single city or county has jacked up car tabs using the authority that Gregoire gave them last year.
This week, Aberdeen became the latest city to back down on hiking car tabs.
Here's a few highlights from Thursday's news story about it:
* The notion of boosting car tab fees in the City of Aberdeen appears
to be dead on arrival because "there's not enough political will to do it."
* Several council members were miffed that initiative guru Tim Eyman
had issued a warning that hiking car tab fees would be "like building a castle on quicksand"
* Councilman John Smith, who last week was one of the major proponents
of a new $20 fee on car tabs, said after the meeting, "Frankly, I don't think there's enough political will to do a car tab tax, even if it is the best direct user fee. Politically I think it's a dead horse and I don't think I'm going to beat on it. I tested the waters and I think it's been rejected. "So call off Tim Eyman," Smith had said during an earlier committee hearing. Eyman has spearheaded several anti-tax campaigns, including a measure bringing the cost of car tabs to around $30.
"Dare ya"
After he caught wind of the proposed car tab increase, Eyman wrote a letter to council members and the press, basically daring the city to implement the tax and promising to lobby hard against the measure.
"If your City Council jacks up car tabs, it'll be like building a castle on quicksand - it will not last," Eyman said. "With the 2005 Legislature jacking up car tabs by imposing weight fees on vehicles - in clear violation of their promise to keep tabs at $30; Sound Transit continuing to collect car tab fees the voters repealed in 2002, we're just waiting for cities and counties to jack up car tabs without a vote of the people to provide enough critical mass to do another initiative. It's not a matter of 'if' - just 'when' we do it. Not a single city or county has unilaterally hiked car tabs without a vote of the people using this authority. Everyone understands that it'll just throw gasoline on the fire for another initiative."
Steve Puvogel, an Aberdeen resident, said if the council wanted to move ahead with a car tab increase, it should.
"Personally, I'm not afraid of Tim Eyman," Puvogel said.
"Neither are we," said Councilman Fritts, who added after the meeting that he wasn't sure if he'd support increasing a car tab tax or even a utility tax but wants the discussion, at least, to move forward.
-- END --
Here's a link to the Daily World news story:
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/06/26/local_news/03news.txt
We've got just 7 days left to collect more voter signatures for I-985. We need your help to make it.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, please fill out the form below & send us a donation of $10, $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or more (there's no limit on amount that can be given) to our offices in Spokane. You can also contribute online using VISA or MasterCard or PayPal:
http://www.ReduceCongestion.org. However you want to do it, please send in your most generous contribution RIGHT NOW.
Please do everything you can to help. FULL STEAM AHEAD!
Best Regards, Tim Eyman, Jack Fagan, Mike Fagan, & Mike Dunmire, ph:
425-493-9127, email: tim@permanent-offense.org, http://www.ReduceCongestion.org
P.S. Here's a quick summary of this year's initiative:
ReduceCongestion.org I-985 implements the State Auditor's recommendations to reform the Department of Transportation and reduce traffic congestion by using existing public resources more effectively. It opens carpool lanes to everyone during non-peak hours, requires local governments to synchronize traffic lights on heavily-traveled arterials and streets, and increases roadside assistance funding to clear out accidents faster with the implementation overseen by the State Auditor. These policies are funded by taxes and charges we already pay: 15% of vehicle sales taxes, revenue from fines generated from red light traffic cameras, and a percentage that previously went to art on transportation-related public works projects. Finally, I-985 doesn't impose tolls, but it institutes critical taxpayer protections if tolls are created and levied.
ReduceCongestion.org (Reduce Traffic Congestion Initiative) . PO Box 18250 Spokane . WA . 99228 . PH: 425-493-8707 . FAX: 425-493-1027 .
http://www.ReduceCongestion.org . email: jakatak@comcast.net

CONSTITUTION SOCIETY

2008-06-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

Today on C-SPAN the American Constitution Society will be presenting a discussion on Guantanamo Detainees access to US Justice System.
Marsha Siegel Berzon , U.S. Court of Appeals
and Alberto Mora , U.S. Navy appear to be the guests.
Might be interesting.

C-SPAN 2:45 EDT
Is that 11:45 our time in the Northwest?

LUCKY 13 to everybody!!!

MY OWN GREED AND SELF INTEREST

2008-06-12T12:53:00.000-07:00

Lately there is a new group of folks who claim that I have been stating the party line and am only representing the Opinion of the Whatcom County GOP.

This is not the first time that I have been accused of representing someone that I am not.

On several occasions, I opposed the EMS LEVY, the EMS sales tax and the Jail sales tax.
All for the reason is that I believe that public safety should be the first line item in any governmental budget from city to Federal.
I can't count how many complaints my poor fire chief got from other fire chiefs and folks in public insisting that I be muzzled and that I represent the fire service 24 hours a day and should not be allowed the same right to press and free speech that other citizens enjoy...(This is only a little taste of history for illustrating my point.)

Anyway,

I am not a McCain Spokesman, even though I think he is our best choice for a competent Commander in Chief. I am not a spokesman for the National, State or County GOP. Of course I prefer the Reaganesque way of deliberating policies and ideas amongst Republicans and not the Goldwater vs. Rockefeller fights that some folks would like to see the GOP revert back to.

So to prevent any more misunderstandings, here is my disclaimer:

I SPEAK ON BEHALF OF MY OWN GREED AND SELF INTEREST AND BY NO MEANS DO I REPRESENT ANY FIRE DISTRICT, YOUTH OR ADULT SPORTS ORGANIZATION, POLITICAL PARTY, CANDIDATE, OR ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION OR BUSINESS INTEREST THAT I MAY BELONG TO.

(Did I leave anything out?...)

PREPARE TO STAND BY...

2008-06-10T10:58:00.000-07:00

TODAY'S COLUMN IS ONLY A TEST

IF THIS WAS A REAL COLUMN IT

MIGHT MAKE SENSE...

THEN AGAIN,

IT MIGHT NOT.

<<http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pUtK98dll2QCjdZa5yjHpJA/>>

By the way... How 'bout the Kid?
Ken Griffey Jr. hitting the 600 mark yesterday!
Anyone else remember him here in Bellingham with the Mariners Farm Team?

TRANSPORTATION COLLECTIVE

2008-06-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

There is a new Car Co-Op in town.
I came across this during a debate between DJ and Stan over at Eye on Whatcom: http://www.eyeonwhatcom.com/yaf_postst188_Bike-Lanes-to-Replace-Parking-on-Cornwall-Avenue.aspx
Stan mentioned "flex cars" during their debate on removing rare parking for bicycle lanes.
Of course, a couple of us chimed in like Statler and Waldorf heckling Fozzie and Kermit,
but I was curious about this Flex Car thing.

My first thought of course was, "is it some kind of articulated thing like a 988 Cat Front Loader?"
So, in the middle of my throwing tomatoes and kibitzing, I asked Stan what it was?
He posted a link to a local group, that I found interesting. If I comprehended what I read on their website it seems to be some kind of Co-Op like Cenex, the Bellingham Food Co-OP or some such.

It Appears that for purchasing a membership, one gains access to Bicycles, Cars and it looks like they even have a pick up truck now too. ( I wonder if they'll ever add Motorcycles and Muscle Cars or Farm, Timber, and Mining Equipment? I won't hold my breath.) Obviously, for those who know me, my perspective is if it looks like a collective, smells like a collective, talks like a collective, it'll probably cost me some of my hard earned pay at some point.

Anyway, I'm curious about this, even though it offers nothing for someone like myself, but if it is truly a membership paid for operation, or better yet, a for profit business, then I could favor something like this, as buses are not much more than cattle trucks for shoe wearing primates and very limited in their capacities to do work such as carrying groceries, animal feed, or hauling lumber, gravel or even tools.

But I suspect that similar to other collectivist ideas, at the first sign of fiscal failure, they will run to the city and county councils and want some of our taxes to keep it afloat. So, here is coffee and toast to these folks proving me wrong and creating a successful for profit Business or (yeccch,) CO-OP, and not asking for a single plug nickle from us taxpayers.

Good Luck, duck.

FORGET POLITICS! IT'S THE BELLS HOME OPENER!!!

2008-06-06T15:04:00.000-07:00

(Guest Writer: Indian Aaron)

Hey folks! Forget politics. There is nothing more American than Baseball!!! Tonight at 7:00 PM at Joe Martin Field, Jake and Brady Locker and the Boys from Bellingham will be hosting the Everett Merchants for their Home Opener!

Looks like the weather has finally turned around today. So C'mon Citizen Steve, Dexter and Wally, these are Ferndale boyz. How 'bout you Sam? and all the rest of you bloggers? AFY, DJ, sigX, Flat Tire and etc...

See ya at the game!!! Baseball rules, politics drools!)

MCCAIN NATION or an OBAMA NATION?

2008-06-04T04:45:00.000-07:00

Last Night, Future President John McCain gave a lousy speech. It included details and policy positions that bored many folks to tears. Whereas I may think that Senator McCain is too Moderate for my tastes, many folks like what he has accomplished, and is going to accomplish.
His town hall meetings across America and his overseas adventures and trips for the past many decades, show that he is who should be in charge of our Nuclear football.

His other two opponents, Hillary who can't seem to make a decision until she talks to her advisers on continuing her campaign or not and Obama who changes his oratory faster than a Klinton can fabricate a story, are neither qualified or experienced to carry the responsibility of running the Crystal Palace or communicate with the looking glass.

If North Korea invades South Korea, will Obama want to talk with them in his best Chamberlainesque manners? Billary appears as if she were in charge, that she would intentionally not make a decision, and wait for her advisers to tell her how it will affect her political career.

In Hillary's non decision speech, she reminded me of that psycho-chick that you date once, and she won't leave. She will blackmail, connive, cheat, and bully her way onto the presidential ticket one way or another. She may still have delusions about getting help from rules committees and SUPER Delegates to get the nomination at the Democrat National Convention for the presidential spot. If she can't get what she wants, she may settle for the VP spot. It won't matter to her what damage she causes Obama, the Democrats or the United States in the process. No matter what Barrack does she will not go away. (Hmmmm, seems that Billy with all his choices of skirts that he chased got stuck with the psycho-chick that wouldn't go away.)

Now, finally the Obama-Nation. As he poses looking right, then dramatically poses looking left after each of his absurd statements, I wonder who will pay for his pie in the sky at the old by and by...

First: This historical journey is ending. Which historical Journey? Does he mean the experiment called the United States of America? (Reminds me of his statement, "We live in the greatest Nation ever on the face of the Earth, Help me change it.")

Second: Free Universal Health Care for All
Third: Free University Tuition for All
Fourth: Free Money for those without Jobs for All

Wow! Who is going to pay for all this? You, Me and all of us hard working Americans, that's who.
Of course he kept saying that he wants change, and to me that means he wants my change, your change, our change. He wants to empty our pockets.He wants our hard earned pay before we even get our paychecks.

Currently we have the lowest unemployment at less than 5% than we have had in years.
We have the Best health care in the world, unencumbered by government.
We have the best colleges in the world.
Obama wants to change all that and pay with it with our change, dollars, and paychecks.

In an Obama-Nation, we go back to the old tried and failed policies of the New Deal.
That truly would be an Obama-Nation.

No thank you, A McCain Nation is liberal enough for me (perhaps a little too liberal...)

GREAT GOP STATE CONVENTION!!!

2008-06-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

I’m Curious, How many Delegates are going to represent Ron Paul at the National Convention?
While I may disagree with Dr. Paul on how best to defend ourselves as Western Civilization is under siege, I like the energy and enthusiasm of many of his younger supporters. Unfortunately, there are a few elements of his supporters that have zero class. ( My good friend Indian Aaron had his motocycle vandalized and they left a Ron Paul sticker on the paint of his bike. Suffice it to say, that he is on the warpath, and I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of his wrath. He does not play well with vandals, thieves, or any other “recidivistic scum” as he calls them.) However, all in all, I was impressed with most of the new folks to the GOP at the State convention, and I was happy with how the convention turned out, even with a few rough moments near the end.
I had folks on both sides of some actions mad at me. Oh well, they’ll either get over it or they won’t…

One of the best parts of the whole convention, was that after it was obvious that Mr. McCain will be the nominee for the GOP, that many of the supporters of Ron Paul are not going away. This is a very good thing!
The addition to the GOP of many young and youthful Ron Paul supporters reminds me of the generational changes to the GOP.

Many liberal leaning folks still paint the GOP as Rockefeller Republicans, but they are so out of date in their thinking. Goldwater and his supporters changed the dynamic of the GOP, and it was a painful evolution for the Rockefeller Republicans, Same for the Goldwater Guys, as Reagan molded the GOP on his way to becoming president. Gingrich and the young freshmen representatives and Senators further modified the party in 1994.

Now, we are in the middle of the newest influx into the GOP. Similar to McCain, Ron Paul is an older Republican, He may take credit for the change in Party Dynamics, but the real modification will come from his young pro-individual liberty supporters. I suspect that they will have a new candidate to rally behind, and may be around for quite some time.

Many of the young supporters, who were not entirely thrilled with the outcome of the State convention threatened to run against long standing precinct committee officers. This is the spark that the old guard needs.
The deadline to register to run for PCO is this week. Don’t delay. I hope that I will have an opponent, too.

Why on earth would I want an opponent? Because I believe that many small races for PCO positions are good for the party. Those of us who have become complacent will need to get out and defend our long held offices, and those who want to shape the future of the party will find out what is involved in running campaigns at local levels. It will be good for all.

I disagree with about 20% of what the newest folks to the party believe. That means we agree 80% of the time. That’s good enough for me. I welcome the future and look forward to the influx of our newest members of the GOP’s Big Tent.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

2008-05-11T11:37:00.000-07:00

(Guest writer: Indian Aaron)

God Bless 50% of the Human Species.

Thank You Mom,

Thank you, All you Mom's

My kids are Barbequing a 25 lb Salmon for my wife this evening.

I took her for a long Motocycle ride yesterday and we went shopping for a motorcycle for her.

We are getting closer I think. (I have to keep remembering I'm buying her one, and not one for me, she wasn't keen on the '62 Ironhead with Mousetrap clutch and Jockey shift from a guy down in Beaverton... I couldn't stop drooling...)

But she does like the Enfield at the Ural dealership and the Ural with Sidecar, and a Cute little 250 Cruiser at Urbano Moto... She loved the used 500 one lung Buell, but it was sold. Nice guys over at Urbano Moto and at Ural Northwest. Both are great little shops.

Thanks for the tip about Urbano Moto,Wally. I told them you posted some favorable comments about them on yer blog, and that you seem pretty darned happy with you and your lovely wife's new skooterz. (Too many skooterz for me however...but I do like your Rossi Sticker on yours...)

Anyway, I better call my mom and I guess I'll take my kids with my wife and I out to lunch today. They can Drive, we'll take the Bike! Looking forward to their Barbeque tonight!!!

HAPPY MOTHER"S DAY!!!

(with love, Indian Aaron)

FRIDAY MAY 9TH FONRA AUCTION

2008-05-08T12:16:00.000-07:00

In honor of Charlton Heston, I added a few pictures that I found. I even found a skooter picture for Wally!

As I understand it, tables are filling up quickly for tomorrow night's event at the Lakeway Inn.

To RSVP and reserve your seats:

Call Tracie at 366 3150

Call Yvonne at 384 2484

Social Hour at 5:30PM

Dinner and Auction at 7:00PM

I also understand that the board is trying to get Indian Aaron to wear something besides a leather jacket and jeans and they're going to make him speak. Since this is a nonpolitical function and a fundraiser for statewide Youth Firearm Safety programs, Women's Self defense programs and rifle range development, I think that he might say a few words...

It should be a fun time. All the ones that I have attended in the past have been great!

I also hear that a Weatherby 12 gauge over and under bird gun is the featured item!

Friends of National Rifle Association is the fundraising arm and part of the Heritage foundation as I understand it. They have Democrats, Libertarians and Republicans in addition to folks who could care less about politics as members.

Again this is a non political event to support the Youth, Women and ranges in the State of Washington.

DON'T MISS IT!

FRIENDS OF NRA

2008-04-23T18:06:00.000-07:00

(Guest Writer: Indian Aaron)

This is a great event. These folks with me here in Whatcom County along with the folks in Skagit County each year raise money for Youth Firearm Safety, Women's Self Defense Handgun Classes, and Range Development.

Last year Skagit and Whatcom made an Emergency Grant Available to replace the Stolen Camping Gear, Fishing Gear and .22 target rifles that some recidivistic scum broke in and stole from the Black Mountain Boy Scout camp at Silver Lake. It was all locked up at the time.

So Jamie Voss and his Great Assistant Drew from Security Solutions made available a beautiful Firearm Safe, and Sportsman Warehouse in Burlington Supplied the Rifles, Camping and Fishing Gear and Both the Skagit and Whatcom Friends of National Rifle Association Raised the money and Presented the Grant to the Black Mountain Boy Scouts.

Our very own Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo was in attendance along with FONRA Rep. Brendon Hill, Skagit Chairman Dutch Jacoby, and your Whatcom Chairman, Indian Aaron (Me) and numerous other good folks from FONRA, and the two mentioned Businesses! http://www.friendsofnra.org/StateHome.aspx?sid=49&sc=WA

So Come Support the Friends of National Rifle Association on Friday May 9th!
At the Lakeway Inn Best Western
Social Hour starts at 5:30PM
Dinner and Auction Starts at 7:00 PM
Tickets are $35.00 apiece or complimentary if you pre-purchase $100.00 in Bucket Raffle Tickets.
You may also reserve a table of 8 for $280.00.
RSVP Soon! Seats are going fast for this Barbecue Style Dinner and Auction!

It is Always Fun!!!
Checks or Credit Cards welcome.

CALL:
Tracie 366 -3150
Yvonne 384- 2484

YES, I'M SUPERDELEGATE, THANKS FOR ASKING...

2008-04-22T15:49:00.000-07:00

Superdelegates, they seem to be the great equalizer of the Democrat Party in their fight to maintain their confederacy of fools.

(First off, it appears that both presidential candidates for the Democratics are collectivists who feel that the nanny state should give us the subjects permission to have freedoms instead of understanding that elected officials only have our temporary consent to legislate.)

That being said, I predict that Obama will still have a solid lead going into the Democrat National Convention. But the superfriends like Al, Space Ghost, and Howard (screaming man) Dean will show the party the light and right that which is not what they expected and give their votes to the very "human" Billary. (No, really. She isn't an alien, she is human. Really. She has even had a shot of whiskey, That proves it. Not like Pelosi and Colmes from Fox News, who are aliens...No, Really...)

I still don't get how the party claiming to be the grassroots populist party would have delegates with special voting privileges, wielding the final voice over their rank and file members. As I was told by my schoolmarms growing up, I would have believed that the GOP would have such a system, but it does not. In the GOP, all delegates are created equally and none have superpowers, like the democrat party seems to act like it does.

As the Greek gods were finally overthrown by the mortals, I wonder when the mortals in the Democratic party will step up and overthrow their Democrat deities.

To all my Democrat friends, remember, it's all about Individual Liberty and not collective permissions; it's about one human, one vote, not common human one vote, SUPERDELEGATE, SUPERVOTE! The folks at the GOP are a big tent party, and you are most welcome to attend. Especially you "bitter, church going" democrats. Unless you really believe that Billary's Grampa whittled his own .22 and cabin from George Washington's cherry tree, or however she's telling the stories this week...

(Might as well laugh at yourselves, everyone else is...)

p.s. to all you young Ron Paul supporters, it has been a pleasure to make your acquaintance, we may disagree 20% of the time but if we agree 80% of the time, that's good enough for me.

JERE HAWN IS NEEDED IN OLYMPIA

2008-04-21T14:27:00.000-07:00

Doug Ericksen has been doing a great job all by himself, but for him to continue to protect our property rights and reign in the unfettered spending in Olympia, we need to find him a counterpart here in Whatcom County. As many of you know, I like Kelli.
However, she has had plenty of time to make accomplishments that will improve our children's and families' safety, create jobs, boost the economy, bring business to Washington State and Whatcom County and finally put a process in place to use our tax dollars wisely.

The control over the policy making and budgets in Olympia have harmed our children and families, created an economy that sees one of the highest rates of business bankruptcy in the nation, has one of the higher cost of living in relation to average wages in the nation, and the Peoples Socialist Republic of Washington has one of the highest tax rates in the Nation.

Not only are our property and Sales taxes high, but if the Democrats control the Governor's Mansion, the State Senate and the State House, they have promised us a State income tax too. (we just need to be educated on why a state income tax is a good addition to all of our other high taxes...) Washington will continue to be a great place to be a felon and a lousy place to do own a business. We have so many early release felons on the streets who are violent offenders and Homeless Child Molesters running rampant in our state. The Democrats want them to have voting rights, too. (hmmmm...) This needs to come to an end.

Here in the fourth corner, we can make the change needed if we continue to support Doug Ericksen and add Jere Hawn to the 42nd District house of representatives.

Jere Hawn has skills that Kelli has never possessed. He owns a business, he served in the Navy and he is the MANAGER of Western Washington University's Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management Program. He is internationally known as an expert in this field.
Not only can he make good decisions, but he can teach how to make good decisions.

Jere Hawn's skills are desperately needed in Olympia.

As I've said before, Olympia needs adult supervision, but more importantly, Doug needs help reigning in the fiscal irresponsibility and I think that Jere's Skills and experience will be more helpful than Kelli's being a nice lady.

It's time to finally make Washington a great place to own a business and a lousy place to be a criminal.

SOLAR LUMINOSITY CYCLES

2008-04-19T09:11:00.000-07:00

As I sit here looking out my office window into my daughter's vegetable garden, I am looking through old garden records of mine. It seems the last time that here in the Pacific Northwest that I had snow sticking to the ground in mid to late April at 90 to 110 feet above sea level was around thirty years ago. It is most definitely a beautiful white color in the garden and (oh, darn...) it looks like I might just put off mowing my 1 acre lawn.

It does appear as if motocycle riding is out of the picture today, which is a bummer, as my wife took the day off from work so we could ride through the Skagit valley tulip fields. The last time that I remember snow sticking in April at sea level was while I was overseas in Scandinavia, but that is another story for another day.

It seems that when looking at international weather patterns, that most of the temperate zone has been cooling for the last two years. This appears to coincide with the luminosity cycles of the sun. (not to be confused with sunspot cycles) Our main source of Vitamin D and warmth seems to be following it's consistent 30 year pattern of cooling and warming. The bright cycle of the sun has ended two years ago, and now it is dimming ever so slightly, again. The polar ice caps on Earth and Mars seem to be done receding and are starting the cyclic increasing again. I would suspect that other heavenly objects throughout our solar system are probably experiencing similar effects.

As always, never take my word for fact, and look into NASA's research, Ames, NOAA and other's research. Even look into local professor Dr. Easterbrook's research and Dr. Flora's coral reef research. There are some very telling bits of evidence that suggest that Big Yellow Thing in the sky probably has more of an affect on the Earth's cooling and warming cycles than all of the burned Styrofoam cups in redneck folks' campfires combined. and possibly more than any of our industrial revolution and post industrial revolution activities. (I'm not saying that pollution is a good thing, we need clean air and water and soil to survive, thrive and multiply on this little spinning rock) But the amount of CO2 increasing in the atmosphere is an insignificant amount as it seems that it has only increased some .003% since the industrial revolution and the biggest increases in CO2 seem to coincide with Krakatoa, Pinatubo, St. Helens, etc.

Anyway, I'm going to go start a fire in my woodstove, and enjoy the day. I hope you do too.

I'M BAAACK!

2008-04-10T16:58:00.000-07:00

So, In Pennsylvania, perennial gunbanner wannabe, Mr. Obama, is now pretending to be a pro hunter and pro personal handgun ownership dude.
I'm not buying it.
This is the same typical Illinois politician type who has called for an all out ban on personal possession, ownership and carry of sidearms for law-abiding citizens.

If he actually gets elected president, will he ban sidearms everywhere in the Union, except Pennsylvania?
Both he and Billary have spoken about being opposed to personal ownership of sidearms for law abiding citizens many times in their own states, but now as they climb out of their Liberal Compounds and into mainstream America, they find that many of us are insulted by such a notion.

When will these guys figure out that more Armed Law Abiding Citizens means fewer recidivistic scum will try to bully the perceived weak, and fewer armed citizens means that these same scum have free reign to bully, terrorize and destroy our peaceable way of life. They do get it... when they campaign and try to pretend that they are one of us. Remember John (that dog don't hunt) Kerry? We didn't buy it then, and we sure won't buy it from a Chicago Daleyite Wannabe president or a Arkansasian Yankees pretend fan either...

The Left has continually accused W of stomping on our Liberties, but I have not experienced it.
And yet at the same time, they want to shred the second Amendment and consider it the only collective government permission right of the Bill of Rights.
Yet our founding fathers considered all 10 Articles Individual Liberties, further restricting the powers of those who legislate with our consent.

So, anybody for Liberty?
Remember, friends: Collectivism is the Enemy of ALL free Men (and Ladies, too!)

NO, REALLY. OLYMPIA NEEDS ADULT SUPERVISION.

2008-03-13T19:07:00.000-07:00

Our beloved State Legislature did it again.

They increased spending by $308 million dollars.

This is a 33% increase.

Since Christine became Governor, her new spending has now reached $8.5 BILLION in new spending. (and I thought the last two decades of Democrat Governorship was bad.)

How are they going to pay for this? Our evergreen state now has a $2.4 BILLION deficit and it is like a teenager with a credit card.

Now, many items are missing from the current budget. What are we spending our hard earned tax money on?

1) Not the SR-520 Bridge

2) Not the I-90 Bridge

3) No, we're not replacing the Alaska Way Viaduct

4) Not the property tax relief that the Grinch who Stole Your Paycheck promised in November last year.

5) No funding for her feelgood Family Leave program

6) No final recommendations for her basic education funding

7) No Sonics for Seattle, Key Arena will not be renovated

Putting all this off until 2009 appears to me to be the lacking adult responsibility that seems so prevalent in Olympia these days.

24 years of Democrat control of the governors mansion is enough. How are we going to pay for this new $2.4 BILLION deficit.

Remember what Gregoire said over in Spokane, " the citizens of Washington will just need to be educated on why a State Income tax is a good thing."

Like I need more money taken out of my paycheck.

Washington's working class and business class are going to pay for universal health care for those who choose not to work, and for those who broke in to our country illegally.

The roads will still not be upgraded properly, Social pograms will increase, and you and I will add several more hours a week not to pay for what you and I need, but to fund the unsupervised spending habits of the elite progressive agenda.

Gee, thanks...

OBAMA'S SENATE VOTES OFFER CLUES TO HIS POTENTIAL PRESIDENCY

2008-03-11T15:50:00.000-07:00

(Guest Writer: gk)
Barack Obama has cast more than 1,100 votes since entering the U.S. Senate in January 2005, and those votes indicate the likely position he would take on several issues as president.
In each of his three years in the Senate, Obama has voted with the majority of Democrats at least 96 percent of the time.
Here is where he has stood on key measures in the Senate, according to MSNBC:
Obama voted against the confirmation of John Roberts for the Supreme Court, saying he “far more often used his formidable skills on behalf of the strong in opposition to the weak.”
He also cast a vote against Samuel Alito and even voted in favor of a filibuster to stall his confirmation.
Obama opposed a bill in 2006 that would have denied citizenship or other legal status to illegal immigrants, and voted last year against a measure that would have allowed police to question people about their immigration status under certain circumstance.
He voted in favor of the immigration reform bill sponsored by John McCain and Ted Kennedy that would have allowed many illegal aliens to become legal residents.
Last October Obama voted for an act that would have allowed illegal immigrants who become permanent legal residents to qualify for lower in-state tuition rates at state universities. That measure was opposed by Democrats in a number of swing states that could be pivotal in this year’s election, MSNBC observed.
The Illinois Senator voted against a 2006 bill to prohibit the transportation of a minor girl across state lines to get an abortion if this would circumvent parental consent.
Obama voted against a bill extending the cuts in capital gains and dividends tax rates that Congress enacted in 2003, and against the repeal of the tax on inherited wealth, the estate tax.
In June 2006, Obama voted against a bill that would have required President Bush to withdraw most U.S. troops from Iraq by July 1, 2007. But this past September, he joined 27 other Democrats in voting for a bill ordering Bush to begin withdrawing most American forces within 90 days. The bill failed to pass.
==================================================
(Please pray for our Patriot Armed Forces standing in harm’s way around the world, and for their families— Of all the gifts you can give them, PRAYER is the best!) gk

NICE TO MEET YOU, FINALLY!!!

2008-03-10T16:08:00.000-07:00

What a weekend!
I put a bunch of miles on the bike, met with lots of folks, and had a great weekend.
Saturday I put most of my miles on the bike, but even though Sunday was cloudy, it was still nice. The only rain I got hit with was on my way home Friday evening from Chihuahua's in Ferndale. But so what. Rain is good!

Guess what? I met with Sam Taylor and his wife, and my wife came along for the ride!
That was a pleasant evening. It was nice to actually meet with Sam eyeball to eyeball. His wife is a very nice and classy lady. And of course, the food at Chihuahua's was excellent as always.
I love my good food, beer, and Tequila poppers!

Anyway, Sam has a pretty good sense of humor and we talked about mostly non political non blogging fun stuff, but we did talk about the blogs and politics a little. It's good to meet folks who are involved in politics or report on politics, but who understand that there is so much more to life than politics.

Sam, meeting you and your gracious wife was a great way to start the weekend!
We'll have to do it again sometime!

By the Way, Councilman Conductor Buchanan, Sam knows who I R now...

MY BAD

2008-03-03T21:14:00.000-08:00

Hi folks,
I posted what I thought was a great Story before checking out the facts.
K-9 Brutus was a hoax that I should have checked out the facts first.
Not my first Mistake, and I'm sure it won't be my last mistake -Dexter

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SUCKS

2008-03-01T08:15:00.000-08:00

(Guest Writer: Indian Aaron)

Dexter whined at me to write something Poly tickle. Here goes:

I keep hearing all these people talking about publicly funded transportation and they're planning to spend Hunnerds and Hunnerds of Millions of Dollars of our state taxes to benefit some folks in King and Snohomish county. According to those guys at the Washington Policy Center the cost will average about $185,000 per person.

Holy smokes! just like subsidizing farmers not to grow crops, Pay these guys not to work.

Buy each one of 'em a Harley, especially that new badass Harley Crossbones! Maybe around $16,795msrp. (they're finally starting to build a motorcycle that looks like a motorcycle should again. Too bad it don't come with a knucklehead! I still prefer INDIAN!!!)

That leaves $165,000 per person. Well if they earn what I do, then they should be able to stay home for about 4 years.

What these guys who want us all on busses don't get is that it will not work in areas like the West. We have had our attitudes for too many generations. It is a cultural problem for them.

" I got my horse, you get your own horse, Dammit!" Got it figured out yet smart guys?

What benefit is there for me on a bus?

What if part way through the busride, I see a road I want to go on? Will the driver change directions for me? NO.

How about grocery shopping?

Or hauling lumber,

or gravel?

Or just opening up the throttle with a hot Babe on the back and enjoying the day?

Every real American male should have a Motorcycle and pick up Truck! Then find a hot babe to marry who owns a Jeep. (not an SUV, but a Real JEEP dammit! If she is a hot babe and her JEEP says WILLY"S on the back with a PTO winch up front...Bonus!)

What about picking up hot babes?

Hey baby, wanna ride with me on the bus?

or...

Hey baby, wanna ride my shovelhead?

Who do you think is going to have a better chance?

Finally, I pay for my ride and subsidizing your ride is as silly as the rest of us buying a bunch of people in King and Snohomish counties a Harley. Or as silly as the rest of us buying your busses for you. Busses are great for Socialist countries like France and Cananda, But not for Americans. The Motorcycle and Muscle car is our culture.

When I was overseas, every European I met described Americans as wearing Cowboy Hats and Giant Revolvers, Racing Big Muscle Cars, Riding Big Loud Motorcycles and We all listen to Hank Williams Jr. and eat Big Greasy Hamburgers and Drink Cheap Beer by the case, and spit Skoal in the Dirt and Pee on trees! We open doors for ladies, and love our moms! We'll fight in public and buy the loser a beer.

I gotta agree with 'em, even though they were tryin' to insult me with this "of course you know" attitude and lookin' down their collectivist nose at me. That is our contribution to World Culture! You sure as hell can't do all this in FRANCE!!!

Don't know 'bout anybody else, but it looks like a fine day to ride! I sure as hell don't mean the bus! As for my biker buddies, If yer waitin' for the sun, I'll have thousands of miles on my bike this year before you stop polishing yours.

Watch out for cages, and remember, none of 'em see us. Always give the cage the right of way, cause they're probably in a hurry and the cell phone is in their ear, their radio is on NPR, their wrapped up in their own little world. Watch for them kommuniste group transportation cages too.

I have seen 'em turn with no signals and blow yeelow lights with a very RED tint. (I know, they're not supposed to do that, but the closer you get to the BIG cities, the ruder and arrogant the bus drivers are. been there done that you can have my @#$%ing shirt!)

OPEN THROTTLE AND RIDE FREE OR DIE, BABY!!!

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

2008-02-28T04:48:00.000-08:00

Here's the problems with Our current Governor's so called Fiscal Responsibility:

· Governor Gregoire has increased spending by 33%, blown through a $2.1 billion surplus and has set us up for a $937 million deficit by the next budget. (Source: 2006 Supplemental Omnibus Budget Overview; Washington Economic Revenue Forecast, March 2007; Washington State Senate Ways and Means Committee, Six Year Outlook, January 2008.)
· During the 2004 campaign, Gregoire promised no tax increases. Right after being certified as governor, the Seattle Times asked her if she would keep her no-tax promise. She answered: "Well.I never really said NO taxes." (Seattle Times, Full plate to greet Gregoire, 12/31/04) She then raised taxes by nearly half a billion dollars - equal to $4,000 in new spending per family. (Seattle Times, What Governor Gregoire said - and did, 5/1/05)
· Gregoire also supports a state income tax. She told the Spokesman-Review this in April 2007, and said the public has not been sufficiently educated on its merits. (Spokesman Review, Public education is first step to updating system, 4/25/07)

Here are the solutions from our next Governor, Mr. Rossi!

· Dino is committed to responsible state spending and efficient use of your tax dollars. As state senator in 2003, he chaired the committee that wrote the state budget. Despite facing a multibillion-dollar deficit, he wrote a budget that paid for state services and protected our most vulnerable citizens - without raising taxes.
· He does not support a state income tax or the death tax.
· As state senator, he joined Gov. Gary Locke in backing "Priorities of Government" for state budgeting. This process identified the most important functions of state government and prioritized spending accordingly. As governor, he will restore the "Priorities of Government."
· Dino will keep the size of state government in check and only hire new employees when there's a need.

POLITICAL GRAFFITI

2008-02-26T06:59:00.000-08:00

After reading a diatribe by somebody who has taken offense that one of my writers was born with the initials gk, I couldn't believe it. Is this guy serious? It seems so.

I had no idea, that only one person in the entire world wide web is allowed to use his own initials.
Amazing, I learn something new every day. I have had comments to columns written by gk on my site that have emphatically stated that there can only be one gk and the gk who writes for me better find new initials to sign with.

For those of you who may be confused, there are no collectivists who write for me. If you are looking for anti- property rights columns, then you are most definately at the wrong site. This site is not going to appeal to your sensibilities.

If it were not for several e-mails that I recieved about this column on another site, ( A very good one, if I might add; I don't agree with all of their columns, but I do like the idea of the government doing the public's business in public or some such. ) I wouldn't address this topic.
But here goes, No one chooses their birth initials, so if you meet someone who may have your initials, don't be too dissapointed. I would suspect that this is very common.

But I gotta admit, this other fella gave me an inspirational concept: Political Graffiti. Poly-Tagging, I like it!
I think that I shall run with it. My new subheading for my group may very well become:

POLITICAL GRAFFITI

OLYMPIA NEEDS ADULT SUPERVISION (2)

2008-02-25T06:52:00.000-08:00

Our State is over $600 million in debt and that is climbing rapidly. Governor Gregoire's and her band of Democrats New budget will put us another Billion in debt by the end of the year. What are they doing about it. Nothing! well not nothing, exactly, but they are proposing more spending. Much of it on projects we don't need.

In addition the Governor is proposing to do this on the backs of hard working men and women who built her party in the 20th century. Welcome to the Big Tent Party of the 21st Century, The GOP.

Our current Governor has been in State government for 38 years. That is long enough. It is time to clean out the unsupervised culture of failure in Olympia.

Here in Whatcom County we need to overwhelmingly send back DINO to a third victory, and this time one so large that the magic ballot box in King County can't produce enough Fraudulent ballots to give her any chance.

400,000 illegal registrations have been removed since 04. No more felons or dead people voting. State auditors all have one database now, so some less than honest folks can't vote in multiple counties.

This time, Our soldiers who are overseas will have their ballots mailed in time to count their votes.

Along with Dino, let's send back Doug Erickson and Add Jere Hawn. Otherwise, the Governor will turn your $30 car tabs into $500 car tabs with the emissions punishment tax, the engine size tax, Her health care payroll tax, her new State Income tax, that she says the citizens of Washington will just have to get used to, because they aren't educated enough, yet to know why we will like more money being taken out of our paychecks.

Olympia truly needs Adult Supervision before they run their giant shopping cart of spending and taxing on a downhill collision harming everyone in it's way.

CLINTON AND BUSH TAX HISTORY

2008-02-22T13:48:00.000-08:00

(Guest writer: the real gk)

Isn't this incredible? How easily mis-led we humans are! (by the Dem's! (Don't believe them when they begin their tax talk - it's not true!)

The Dem's, Billary & Osama Obama, et al keep insisting that the Bush tax cuts only benefit the rich! HA!

And they insist they are going to allow the Bush Tax cuts to expire in 2010 and not only that, they promise to further raise the tax rates and brackets even more then the old Klinton rates/brackets on the rich (which seems to be anyone making the average national wage of $56,000!)

Vote Democrat if you want - but with this email- you are forewarned. (If you are intelligent enough to look up your 2008 tax bracket and compare it to the Klinton's last year tax brackets of 2000. The Bush Tax cuts kicked in - in 2001 and further reduced in 2003, with brackets that have been adjusted for inflation each year under these cuts, further saving tax payers money by not jumping to new brackets as inflation devalues your money.

McCain, incidentally, also bought into the Dem's propaganda that claimed the Bush Tax Cuts only benefited the rich- and voted against the 2001/2003 tax cuts!!!! Hard to believe or understand! But at least he is saying now, (someone must have shown him these charts!) that if elected president, he will fight to keep the Bush Tax cuts and extend them.

I'd rather vote for McCain, even if he can't succeed in extending the Bush Tax cuts, (which he probably won't, with a heavily Democrat controlled Congress) but at least he now sez he will try! We'll see!

Billary/Obama are even bragging/promising about how they will allow the Bush Tax cuts ("that only benefit the Rich") to expire and even raise them more! - on the "Rich" who are already paying 85% of the total income taxes! Go Figure!

Lets see how the Bush Tax cuts benefited the poor.

Under the Bush Tax cuts, the lowest 2008 tax bracket rate is 10% (married and earning 0 - $16,050).

If allowed to roll back to the Klinton 2000 Tax rates - the 2010 lowest tax bracket rate will be/revert back from the Bush rate to the Klinton rate of 15% (married and earning 0 - $43,850) So even the poorest among us, will see a 5% tax jump!!! Meaning, your final total income tax bill will jump up by 1/3rd! If your were paying $1000 in taxes, under the Klinton rates - it would be $1500 under the old rates!

So don't tell me the Bush tax cuts only benefited the rich!

I also know better from my own tax situation!

During the later Clinton Years - my 2000 tax bracket was -

Single - 28%!!!!! - $26,250 - $63,580.

After the Bush tax cuts in 2001 & 2003 - my total taxes percentage rate went down incrementally a couple percentage points yearly from 28% down to 25% and over the Bush years/tax cuts - the top end of the year 2008, the 25% top end bracket raised to $78,850!!!! up from the Klinton top rate of $63,580 where you would jump up to 31% tax rate. That's a 6% jump if we went back to the old Klinton/pre-Bush tax cut rates!

2008 - Single - 25% - $32,450 - $78,850 -

After the 2001 Bush Tax cut, my taxes went down about $3500 that first year, and ended up being about $2-2500 lower in 2003, although each year during the 2000-2008 years, I creped up about $1000 - $1500 in total income per year, but because the bracket top limit increased accordingly, I stayed in the 25% bracket instead of jumping back up to the next bracket, as I would have under the Klinton Tax rates - So bottom line- I have continued to pay about the same total taxes per year - or in real terms, I would have paid about $2000 more in taxes a year since 2001, in other words, I would have paid at least $17,500 more in taxes if it had not been for the Bush Tax cuts 2001 to present!

And as you can see by the above tax brackets, I am a long ways from being rich! In fact, I heard just the other day, that nation wide - the average household income is $56K, which is a bit more then I make in taxable income - so I know that the Bush tax cuts benefit the average household's by at least $2000 a year. Maybe more, depending on how many deductions you have. Could be up to $6000 a year in the average tax bracket - $32,450 - $78,850.

Ignore the Billary/Obama promises at your own peril!

If the Dem's allow the Bush Tax cuts to expire in 2010, allowing the percentages and the top brackets to roll back to the Klinton rates, (my simple personal example above) I would go back to at least the 28% bracket - and pay $3-4, 000 more - total - $14,000 per year in total taxes. I maybe even max out in that bracket and go to the next higher bracket, which I think is 31% and pay up to $6,000 more a year for a total tax bill of $16,000! The would jump my taxes by the increased percentages - from the present 25% to either 28% or 31%, and would put me in higher brackets - cuz the Klinton tax bracket jumps were based on much lower top end figures-

See this link and check out your own situation/brackets/percentage rates - for yourownself, if you don't believe me.

http://www.taxfoundation.org/files/federalindividualratehistory-20080107.swf

Taxes under Clinton 1999 Taxes under Bush 2008
Single making 30K - tax $8,400 Single making 30K - tax $4,500
Single making 50K - tax $14,000 Single making 50K - tax $12,500
Single making 75K - tax $23,250 Single making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 60K - tax $16,800 Married making 60K- tax $9,000
Married making 75K - tax $21,000 Married making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 125K - tax $38,750 Married making 125K - tax $31,250
If you want to know just how effective the mainstream media is, it is amazing how many people that fall into the categories above think Bush is screwing them and Bill Clinton was the greatest President ever. If any democrat is elected, ALL of them say they will repeal the Bush tax cuts and a good portion of the people that fall into the categories above can't wait for it to happen. This is like the movie The Sting with Paul Newman; you scam somebody out of some money and they don't even know what happened.
Vote Democrat at your own peril - be careful what you wish for! You might get it!
gk
============================
(Please pray for our Patriot Armed Forces standing in harm’s way around the world, and for their families— Of all the gifts you can give them, PRAYER is the best!) gk

JUST A BIKER (AUTHOR UNKNOWN)

2008-02-21T10:14:00.000-08:00

(forwarded to Indian Aaron from fellow Iron Indian L.P.)

I saw you hug your purse closer to you in the grocery store line.

But you didn't see me put an extra $10.00 in the collection plate last Sunday.

I saw you pull your child closer when we passed each other on the sidewalk.

But you didn't see me playing Santa at the local mall.

I saw you change your mind about going into the restaurant when you saw my bike parked out front.

But you didn't see me attending a meeting to raise more money for the hurricane relief.

I saw you roll up your window and shake your head when I rode by.

But you didn't see me riding behind you when you flicked your cigarette butt out the car window.

I saw you frown at me when I smiled at your children.

But you didn't see me, when I took time off from work to run toys to the homeless.
I saw you stare at my long hair.

But you didn't see me and my friends cut ten inches off for Locks of Love.

I saw you roll your eyes at our leather jackets and gloves.

But you didn't see me and my brothers donate our old ones to those that had none.
I saw you look in fright at my tattoos.

But you didn't see me cry as my children where born or have their name written over and in my heart.

I saw you drive by as I was broke down on the side of the road.

But you didn't see me volunteer to fight your neighbor's house fire.

I saw you change lanes while rushing off to go somewhere.

But you didn'tsee me going home to be with my family.

I saw you complain about how loud and noisy our bikes can be.

But you didn't see me when you were changing the CD and drifted into my lane.
I saw you yelling at your kids in the car.

But you didn't see me pat my child's hands knowing she was safe behind me.

I saw you reading the newspaper or map as you drove down the road.

But you didn't see me squeeze my wife's leg when she told me to take the next turn.

I saw you race down the road in the rain.

But you didn't see me get soaked to the skin so my son could have the car to go on his date.

I saw you run the yellow light just to save a few minutes of time.

But you didn't see me trying to turn right.

I saw you cut me off because you needed to be in the lane I was in.

But you didn't see me leave the road.

I saw you waiting impatiently for my friends to pass.

But you didn't see me.

I wasn't there.

I saw you go home to your family.

But you didn't see me.

Because I died that day you cut me off.

I was just a biker.

A person with friends and a family.

But you didn't see me.

Repost this around in hopes that people will understand the biker community.

If you don't repost this, it sucks to be you.

I hope you never lose someone that rides...

EVEN IF YOU DON'T LIKE US,

RESPECT OUR RIGHTS TO RIDE WHAT WE CHOOSE

AND TAKE A FEW EXTRA SECONDS

TO BE SURE WE ARE NOT IN 'YOUR' WAY!

LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES

COMMANDER IN CHIEF???

2008-02-21T09:34:00.000-08:00

SUPERDELEGATES!!! AWAY!!!!

2008-02-20T15:19:00.000-08:00

As Citizen Steve commented on Luke Esser arbitrarily picking delegates, which is untrue, (we use black and white marbles...) I thought that I would muddy the waters a little and ask a question from a point of ignorance.

One of my intellectual Democrat buddies was trying to explain to me that at the Democrat National Committee, there are 795 Super Delegates. My question was what is the difference between a rank and file delegate and a Super Delegate, because all Republican Delegates are created equally?

She told me that these are people in the Democrat party who have been around for a long time and know the ins and outs of how the process works better than the average delegate.I asked if they have Superpowers and that is how they are SUPERDELEGATES!!!?

She called me a smart-ass and explained again how these folks have an intricate knowledge into how the nomination process works, because they have been around in the Democrat(ic) party for a long time. She also scolded me and said to stop calling them the Democrat Party as she finds it offensive. The are the DemocratIC Party.

So I'm hoping to understand this correctly.
If, say for instance, that Obama leads by 794 Delegates at the Democrat(ic) National Convention, then these elite Super Delegates can bring all to their senses with their experience and wisdom and nominate Clinton instead?

Educate me, please. Is this what it means to be a Democrat(ic)?

CHINA AND RUSSIA AGITATED...AGAIN

2008-02-20T07:01:00.000-08:00

As I write this, China currently has an orbiter circling the moon, possibly two.
They no longer recognize the United States claim to possession of the moon.
So why would they care if we are going to use a non explosive interceptor type missle from an Aegis Destroyer to shoot down a Spy Sattelite of our own that never functioned properly?

Today we will shatter it into little tiny pieces, instead of letting it potentially come down intact and crash into possibly some populated area.
Is it that we are demonstrating that we can hit something at 150 miles from the surface of the Earth?

Perhaps this is why Russia is agitated, because if successful, it demonstrates that even if we don't deploy early warning systems in Southern Europe, we can still take their stuff down. The Russians have been harrassing our Navy ships aggressivily in International waters recently, and consider our knocking down one of our own satellites aggressive actions.

Do any of our current candidates understand the strategic importance of establishing a colony on the moon?
I'm not talking about tourism, but minerals and gases that are prevalent on the moon.
Many of our current Nuclear physicists claim that Nuclear fusion would be great if we didn't have to repair facilities every five years because of excessive heat and Neutron damage to the interior of test structures.

This brings us to Helium 3, on Earth only a byproduct of Nuclear weapons construction.
On the Moon, Helium 3 is prevelant, potentially making the coloines on the moon the Potential OPEC of the 21st century.

Will the United States bow down to China, India, Japan, Russia, and even the slow old European Union? We will if we elect a president and congress who don't understand the Strategic Importance of the next Decade. Bush has it right on this one, Reagan had it right, But we are behind already. and it's only the the third inning, and most of us don't even know or care that the game is already being played.

Knocking down our Defunct Spy satellite takes on a new meaning now.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/sm3.htm

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/18/asia/spy.php

http://www.chinaview.cn/rygc/index.htm

http://www.asi.org/adb/02/09/he3-intro.html

Yes, I do have tinfoil hats for sale...

HERE IS SOME ADULT SUPERVISION

2008-02-19T13:24:00.000-08:00

In my last column today, I wrote about Olympia needing some Adult Supervision.
Well, here he is.
His name is Jere Hawn.
He is going to be running against Kelli Linville.

Meet Jere Hawn
Tuesday, February 19th (TONIGHT)
at THE BELLWEATHER
7:00 to 10:00

Don't get me wrong, I like Kelli and Will, and I think that her son is a great high school baseball coach!
I have even voted for Kelli in the past. (What, you ask? Dexter would vote for a liberal? rare but for Kelli, I have. I disagree with her on may levels, but quite simply I like her as a person.)

My previous thinking was that Doug and Kelli work well together in Olympia, but these next two years, Doug really needs some help in combating excess taxation, which is where the State Democrats are pushing strongly.

There is an arrogance in Olympia that stems from having control of all three branches of State Government:
1) We the people are too stupid to know what we are voting on.

2) We the hard working people need to pay more taxes.

3) Those who have our consent to legislate need more taxes so they can spend more on groups that they want to pander to.

It seems like bad decision making to me, based on false presumptions.

In steps Jere Hawn, Retired Military and a current Decision Sciences Professor at Western Washington University.
He understands that decisions need to be made that will not hinder economic development.
He knows that the overtaxation of hard working Washington residents is not the answer to have a healthy and vibrant local economy.

Don't take my word for it,
Go to the Bellweather between 7:00PM and 10:00PM to meet Jere and if you like him, offer your support for his campaign.
I would go, but I am way too sick to be in public tonight. Hope that I feel better before Saturday!

OLYMPIA NEEDS ADULT SUPERVISION

2008-02-19T12:26:00.001-08:00

I'm sick and home from work for yesterday and today.
Now after reading these two new tax or fee schemes, I'm sick and cranky...
Our State Democrats really need some adult supervision.

Here are two proposals that are just plain stupid. the first one which thankfully got the boots put to it is the bill SB 6900 and it adds an "engine displacement" fee to the vehicle license tabs upon renewal. The fee has a varied amount depending on the size of the vehicle's engine:

Engine Size (liters) Rate Schedule (note how they use non -American measurements to attempt to confuse us...)

Up to 1.9 $0
2.0 - 2.9 $70
3.0 - 3.9 $225
4.0 - 4.9 $275
5.0 - 5.9 $325
6.0 - 7.9 $400
8.0 or over $600

For each car & truck that you own, calculate the rate by matching the engine size in liters to the dollar amount. Add the amounts for each vehicle and you'll see that the average two car family will be paying $500+ every year in "displacement fees" on top of the normal licensefees. If you have three vehicles, you'll be paying even more.

How about those of us with AMERICAN MACHINES?

I mean litres per dollar, shouldn't that be litre per yen or euro?

Here is my fleet:
V-8's:
454 cubic inches
318 cubic inches
259 cubic inches
straight 6:
240 cubic inches
V-twins:
110 cubic inches
88 cubic inches
45 cubic inches

How much will I pay for these under the new scheme that will come back next year if we don't elect some adult supervision in Olympia? It appears that it will be more than before we voted on $30.00 car tabs. (At least several of these are considered antiques, but I'll bet that the Taxocrats will find a way to stab me in my hard working back on those also...)

AND it just keeps getting worse...

Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s universal-coverage bill, House Bill 2640, as sponsored by Reps. Eileen Cody, D-Seattle, Steve Conway, D-Tacoma, Bob Hasegawa, D-Seattle, and others, as calculated by the state’s Office of Financial Management:
FY 2010 $ 3,139,000,000
FY 2011 $ 7,705,000,000
FY 2012 $ 7,898,000,000
FY 2013 $ 8,095,000,000
FY 2014 $ 8,297,000,000
FY 2015 $ 8,504,000,000
FY 2016 $ 8,717,000,000
FY 2017 $ 8,935,000,000

Total $61,290,000,000

"FY" means fiscal year, You can see that it starts at $3.1 billion, which is slightly less than 10 percent of the budget. But it quickly gets up to $8 billion, which would be about one-fifth of a much larger state budget. And recall from the history of Medicare and other government medical programs that these programs always cost more than projected...Always, and on the backs of the hard working men and women.

Remember, this proposal that Governer Grinch loves so much will be taken out of our hard earned pay checks to pay for health care for those who choose not to work. Businesses will foot the other half of of this. Just who exactly will be the beneficiaries of this scheme? It sure won't be those of us who work for a living, now will it? By the way, this won't be considered a State income tax. So what will they consider calling it?

Gotta go back to bed and get some sleep so I can go back to work tomorrow to put money away to pay for these stupid new tax schemes.

To quote Ron White, "you can't fix stupid."

NEWS FROM THE FRONTLINES

2008-02-12T17:38:00.000-08:00

( Guest writer: gk and LTC CV)
Dear gentle readers -

If you want to read encouraging words out of Iraq - take the time to read this email.

As many of you know, in the past, whenever I get a "first hand" encouraging letter from soldiers who are fighting on the front - I try to forward them, as I believe them to be more accurate then what we are reading in the Main Stream Media. Of course, there is no way to check out these personal letter's accuracy - but whatever, there is no way to check out the MSM's reports either, except to compare each to the other. I prefer to believe the first hand soldier's reports. And by far, even during the worst days of fighting, it seems that the vast majority of these reports were able to see the positive side of the Iraqi situation (ordinary Iraqi's being friendly to our troops/hospitals & schools being rebuilt/opened again, etc.) as opposed to the MSM reports which seem to focus almost exclusively on the negative side (Iraqi's and American Soldiers being killed by roadside bombs, etc). The attached soldier's personal letter also shows this trend.

In any case, mostly, our troop's personal reports are positive, all the MSM reports from the beginning of the Iraqi conflict are negative because the liberal supporting reporters want Pres. Bush and the Iraq/Afghanistan wars to fail. So these kinds of positive personal reports from those that are actually putting their lives on the line, somewhat offset the constant stream of negative news we get out of Iraq/Afghanistan out of the MSM and give some amount of balance.

It is my understanding that for the most part, except a brave few, the MSM reporters are holed up in hotels within the Baghdad "Green Zone" walls - (which is a heavily guarded area containing the American Embassy and the Iraqi Govt) and because of the previous violence prevalent throughout some of the Iraqi Provinces. These American reporters are/have been dependent on Iraqi reporters (stringers who are paid by the article - who as natives - actually go outside the Green Area and return and try to feed the American Reporters what they want to hear - i.e. deaths,failures and bombings, not successes in peace and rebuilding and cooperation). I don't know if the American reporters are now getting out into the field and getting first hand news themselves or not? I doubt it. I can't really blame the American reporters for not risking their skins outside the "Green Zone" because the last I heard, something like 80 some of them from all countries had been killed in the fighting - and that's obviously not what they signed on for! So until it becomes common for our American reporters to actually get out in the country-side and see first hand - the progress, I would suppose we can expect to hear failure, doom & gloom, etc. Sells news papers and provide headlines when people die.

But whatever, this soldier's personal letter is forwarded for whatever it is worth -

I am encouraged also by the fact that about 10 days, one of the top three overall al Qaeda leaders/commander leading the fighting was killed by a predator drone missile along with about a dozen other leaders. The death of Abu Laith al-Libi was reported 1 Feb. on Islamic extremist Web sites and confirmed by an American official, who said the veteran Al Qaeda leader died when a missile from a U.S. Predator drone struck a compound in Pakistan's North Waziristan region late Monday. The U.S. says al-Libi — whose name means "the Libyan" in Arabic — was likely behind a February 2007 bombing at the U.S. base at Bagram in Afghanistan during a visit by Vice President Dick Cheney. The attack killed 23 people but Cheney was deep inside the sprawling base and was not hurt. Al-Libi was among the most high-profile figures in Al Qaeda after its leader, Osama bin Laden, and his deputy Ayman al-Zawahri.

This is the third? report of the supposed top al Qaeda leader(s) in Iraq/Afghanistan being killed in some way - but it is a hopeful sign (not for the al Qaeda leader(s) of course) when we keep picking off the long time top al Qaeda guy(s), and as new ones come forward. We also have many drones flying over wherever Osama and his henchmen are holed up in caves in the Afghan/Pakistani border area - 24/7 - and sooner or later, these leaders are going to stick their noses out of their caves and get them blown off by a missile too. Course I have been predicting this event now - since summer/fall of 2004, but sooner or later, the very top al Qaeda will be captured/killed too. (Assuming it happens before 20 Jan 2009 or whomever is the next president doesn't cut & run, withdraw from the Iraq/Afghanistan fight)

In other emails, I have said in order for any insurgency to be successful, 3 things are needed.

1. An outside national power(s) funding/supplying/arming the insurgents (In this case the outside parties being Iran/Syria/Russia? etc.)
2. Safe Sanctuaries for the insurgents to hide in between battles.
3. A willing local populous that supports/protects them either willingly or under coercion.

In this letter, the letter writer describe how two of the three above needed conditions being taken away from the al Qaeda insurgents - there are no safe sanctuaries for the insurgents to retreat to and/or hide, they are being targeted and captured and/or killed. And the local populous has become convinced that they can - with immunity - turn in the al Qaeda in their neighborhoods without they themselves being targeted and killed by other uncaptured al Qaeda's. The local's have become convinced that we (Americans) are not going to abandon them and let the al Qaeda come back and kill them for collaborating with the American/Iraqi military.

Although this letter doesn't so state, I read elsewhere - that how we are finding and killing/capturing the al Qaeda/insurgents rooted among the populous in the Baghdad area is that we have directly hired 22,000 Iraqi Militia who we directly pay ourselves. (This has been a problem with earlier efforts where the Iraqi National Forces were hired by the Iraqi Central Govt - we trained them but they didn't get paid - so they would quit after 6 months of no pay and go back home). Anyway, we have hired out own Iraqi Militia - and these militia live and watch their own neighborhoods, man check points and are the "eyes and ears" for our own military. There are hundreds, maybe thousands of checkpoints with these "private" militia working directly for us, and either they - themselves capture the insurgents or let us know where they are, and they are then being captured by either our's or the Iraqi regular military. We also now have American Military and (newly trained) Iraqi National Forces Military working side-by-side and they are now becoming more and more effective in what they do. In fact, I have read that the Iraqi Military have now been given & taken charge of almost all the areas of the country of Iraq in providing security, except in a few remaining hot spots. (17 of 19 provinces?)

I have heard that it is estimated that there only remain 3500 hard core al Qaeda operating in Iraq- I don't know how that figure was arrived at or how good it is? and there are hardly any new foreign fighters/al Qaeda being imported into Iraq as in previous years. Perhaps we have hardened the borders and also, have somehow gotten to these supporting countries, Saudi Arabia, Iran & Syria diplomatically so those importing insurgents are slowing them down? So it seems, what was previously thought to be an endless supply of new insurgent fighters coming into Iraq seems to be abating somewhat. So this goes to the other (third) insurgent requirement, that they be supplied by an outside force, with money/munitions/weapons and fighters. This outside power(s) support seems to be slowing if not stopped too.

And finally, the Iraqi/American's have figured out a way to let those insurgents who formerly were actively fighting the central Iraqi authority & American forces, to turn themselves in and surrender their arms - with some amount of amnesty. And that seems to be working too. In fact, I have heard that former Sunni/Shiite enemies are even being reconciled and even incorporated into the Iraqi National Forces and if they are truly loyal to the National Govt - they probably know exactly who they are and where their former fellow insurgents are holed up, and can find them!

Read the letter, and coupled with my info above, you can interpret what is being said by this soldier/writer. gk

(Here are a few added comments - marked in blue - to clarify the writers cryptic comments and place the names/places mentioned into context.)

(Added. gk - "Summit" refers to this writer's Iraqi area of operations, apparently within the city of Hawijah/surrounds)

(Note Added - gk - Hawijah is an agricultural town of about 50,000, is located 30 miles in the southwest of Kirkuk in Northern Iraq, is considered an old bastion of the Sunni Iraqi resistance. Because the Baghdad area "surge" is killing/capturing many of the Baghdad insurgents - others are fleeing to Hawijah)

(Note: gk - I'm assuming "Cobra" refers to the U.S. Forces which this letter writer commands/is a part of)

(Added: -gk- I'm assuming these "6,000 Iraqi Partners" referred to above are similar to the 22.000 civilian/militia "eyes & ears" types being used to man check points in the Baghdad area - mentioned in my previous comments. Use of these kinds of embedded local militia types denies the al Qaeda being able to blend within the populous because these locally hired Iraqi's know their neighborhoods and who is who and who supports who.)

==================

From LTC Christopher Vanek,
Battalion Commander February 1st, 2008

Dear Summit Friends and Families,

Well folks, we've completed another month in Operation Iraqi Freedom and I can fortunately provide you nothing but incredible news from the front on the accomplishments of your Summit Warriors. We are witnessing historical changes within our district that truly amaze us, while also challenging us to keep up with them.

Our targeting of the terrorist network has down right ripped the guts out of Al Qaeda in Hawijah. - In the past 4 weeks, we've detained or killed 5 of the top 10 Brigade High Value Targets. Additionally we have captured hundreds of terrorist fighters and in just the past 2 weeks, we've achieved an 85% target capture rate when going after a specific individual. I would challenge anyone in history to compete with this.

More importantly, the enemy has taken notice and we continue to see them either attempt to surrender in our reconciliation effort, or flee our district.

Violence in January dropped 80% or more in our district. We go weeks at a time now without a violent attack against our Soldiers. This is significant because as you might recall, it was just a couple of months ago when our Blacksheep would sustain multiple attacks every night in Hawijah, and anytime the Cobra's entered in Abassi, they were attacked with grenades and IED's. In fact, it was suicidal in October to drive thru Hawijah during daylight, now we walk the streets freely greeting our neighbors with smiles and handshakes.

Today we conducted our second Reconciliation Gathering and this was even more successful than the initial one with 42 terrorists coming forward to lay their arms down and join the peace process. We expect this number to continue to grow exponentially as the Government of Iraq informally approves of this path to peace. We will continue to pursue every avenue possible through lethal actions against our enemies or by making offerings for amnesty to those deserving.

Many of you are probably either not believing what we are achieving or are in disbelief because of what the media reports. I cannot tell you the media misleads anyone because we have less of a perspective of the comprehensive situation in Iraq than you probably do. But we can speak for the Area of Operations Summit in which we are responsible.

There are three primary reasons for the success we've achieved. First, our lethal targeting has evolved to PhD level effectiveness. Our Soldiers are capturing their intended targets every single day with a level of success no one could have asked for. Secondly, the formation of the Awakening or Concerned Local Citizens within AO Summit has emplaced over 6,000 Iraqi partners in our AO. This required tremendous effort and hard work from your loved ones. But it's paid off in lives saved, terrorists captured, IED's discovered and caches turned in on a daily basis. There is literally no where for the enemy to hide right now.

Finally, and most importantly, the daily discipline and honor that your Soldier's display cannot be measured in effectiveness, yet the results are indisputable. As I told you earlier this month, every local I encounter makes it a point to tell me how much they appreciate the kindness, yet firmness our Soldiers display to the people of Iraq. Our Soldiers have or are winning the hearts and minds every single day.

Obviously not everything is positive. All of us miss our loved ones and desire to return to you as quickly as possible. But we remain resolute in seeing our mission completed. And having been involved in this fight for almost 7 years now, I've never been part of a team that was winning as much as this team is, and the sense of optimism is rapidly growing.

We couldn't do this without your support. Whether it is our spouses sending the Iraqi children toys, or the Allen family visiting our hero SPC Camacho in the hospital in Richmond, the acts of kindness and generosity remain truly inspirational.

The winds of success could rapidly shift from our favor, but we currently enjoy a sail full of momentum and look forward to our continued successes on the battlefield.

To The Top!

Chris
===============================

For those interested, here is another story penned by LTC Vanek:

http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/01/11/6969-commentary-american-soldier-remains-nations-ultimate-weapon/

Lt Col Christopher Vanek commands the 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Battalion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Battalion,_87th_Infantry_Battalion_(United_States)

===================================
(Please pray for our Patriot Armed Forces standing in harm’s way around the world, and for their families— Of all the gifts you can give them, PRAYER is the best!) gk

A FRIENDLY NOTE TO RON PAUL SUPPORTERS

2008-02-07T22:40:00.000-08:00

(Guest Writer: gk)

Although I agree with Ron Paul on some things (like being a strict constitutionalist) - there are other areas upon which I vehemently disagree - his Isolationalist ideas are the main ones. I simply think it is impractical to withdraw to a "fortress America" and abrogate all our standing trade agreements and national mutual defense agreements, and not expect that our national security or standard of living will not be severely jeopardized. If we were to unilaterally withdraw our military from around the word - those areas we withdraw from, would soon be over-run by whichever crazie holds forth in that part of the world - i.e. Middle-East - Iran, Middle Europe - Russia, Far East - China or N.Korea and as soon as these countries were under their control, they would soon all gang up on the U.S. and either individually, or collectively, attack us. So it's fight them over there or over here - take your choice. We tried isolationist policies after WWI and didn't work then either. Germany overran Europe and Japan attacked first China and then all the Pacific Islands and then finally Pearl Harbor, when we finally got in it. We are still thinking about both Pearl Harbor and 9-11. Some people have forgot.

We also produce much more of everything then we can consume - especially in food products, wheat, etc, and we depend on our world-wide trade to give our national producer's their profit - in turn - buying other nations products that we don't produce. Without this global economy, which I understand Paul wants to withdraw from, the world would go into a world-wide depression - bottom line, nations would starve - and we too, would be very hard put to maintain our economy. With hostile nations in charge of most of, if not all the world's oil - our entire U.S. economy/society would grind to a huge halt without oil. I could go on and on- but Paul's ideas are just not practical or reality. He has a 1776 Constitutionalist mentality in a very complex world-wide/mutually dependent 2008 world - and his simplistic ideas simply won't work. So, it serves no purpose to take his ideas one-by-one and consider/discuss them.

I also disagree with McCain on some things, but his main claim to fame is backing G.W. on the War on Terror and specifically Iraq and Afghanistan - which is my number one priority campaign issue. So if it comes down to McCain and whoever the Dem's candidate is, they have already said (like Ron Paul) that they would "cut and run" in Iraq - and McCain has said, he would stay there for 100 years if necessary to insure our nation's safety, so that's a no brainer who I would vote for. If our nation doesn't have security, all the rest of it is moot.

I don't agree with your assessment that McCain can't win.

Against Hillary, I think McCain gets the nod - depending on their running mates.

Against Obama - I'm not as sure McCain can win - that will be a question of how many would vote for a black man, with some great amount of confusion about his true loyalties - Muslim background/seems a bit reluctant to salute the flag, etc. And of course, the other great unknown about Obama is that so far has said "He's for change" "Trust me" and not much more. When he gets down to his stand on specific issues - if he ever does, maybe he won't fare so well. And then the race will tighten up a lot more. Not much is unknown about McCain, but there is not much that is known about Obama, and as he becomes better known, I think he will lose a lot of his appeal. He is a glib speaker, has a lot of charisma and sex appeal - as compared to McCain, but I think when it comes down to pulling the lever, the Soccer Moms of this world will vote for their family's security and go with a proven warrior and that is McCain . Not "cut & run" Obama. (or Billary or Paul)

It's beginning to look more and more like a McCain/Obama race - so it will remain to be seen who is electable and who isn't.

Not withstanding the Ron Paul email that is circulating saying - ignore the MSM and the way to get Ron Paul nominated as the Republican Nominee, is to gain enough delegates to the Nat'l Convention is to get delegates at the various state's conventions, and that way, win at the Nat'l Convention. I am very skeptical that that is doable. McCain already has 703 delegates, by winning previous Winner-take-all states or through caucus states to now and winning caucus/popular delegates that are committed delegates at the Nat'l level. Ron Paul has 14 to date. Bit of a disparity there! Little humor!

There are 2503 delegates to the Republican Nat'l Convention. 1191 are need to secure the nomination. So far, according to today's Herald - 1200 are already assigned/committed. When the other candidates concede, traditionally and historically, they release/assign their won delegates to the front runner as a sign of unity. This means Romney (293) & Huckabee (190) and between the two of them, they have enough votes they could throw to the nomination to McCain today, assuming not another delegate is assigned from today. Traditionally, these delegates follow their candidate's wishes but occasionally a few rebels will still vote another way. It's not common but it has happened to a few votes. So the nomination is already over assuming tradition is followed - and Romney and Huckabee either now or eventually throw their votes to McCain (vs Paul) and I fully expect that in the interest s of party unity and giving McCain a head start on campaigning against whomever the eventual Democrat candidate will be.

Almost half of the available Republican Delegates votes are already decided to now in primary elections. Of the remaining states primary elections, in order for Ron Paul to catch up with McCain/Huckabee, he would have to win 1176 out of the remaining 1303 uncommitted states delegate votes. Good luck to Paul in winning 91% of all the remaining state's primary popular or caucus vote! Not going to happen! Especially since to date, he has typically garnered around 3-5% of the primary votes. His delegate percentage at present is around 1.1%. So if he can turn this around and win 90 some % more of the popular vote then he has to now, he can just about tie the front runners in the remaining states.

I admire the zeal of Ron Paul's grass roots workers, but reality is reality. The political system as presently structured is stacked against fringe candidates such as Ron Paul/Perot's/Ralph Nader's/etc.

Running for president costs a lot of money. Romney spent 35M of his own trying to get nominated - and has 293 delegates. He has conceded today. He will probably throw his delegates to McCain, but we'll see. Ron Paul hasn't spent that kind of money - hasn't got that kind of money, won't get that kind of money - and now that it is only McCain and Huckabee, besides him, I don't think Paul is going to create any ground swell with about 52% of the remaining delegate vote up for grabs and win a vast majority of those. He would have to win an overwhelming majority of these remaining delegates to pull it off. I just don't see it in the cards.

Much as I hate to say it, I think the rest of the remaining state's presidential primaries and caucus's are just going through the motions - including our Washington State primary. I think that McCain is pretty much a lock. Today's Herald below the fold front page headline thinks so too.

But - believe what you will, I haven't been right yet in any of my predictions, except about a year ago, I predicted that Billary won't even win the nomination, much less the presidency. That prediction is still alive. All my other predictions have gone down in flames - i.e. I picked George Allen to be the Republican nominee and he didn't even get out of the gate at the beginning of the race - Giuliani did, as did Duncan Hunter, Tancredo, Fred Thompson, Romney, Alan Keyes, and they are all dead in the water - so, this has been a brutal race to predict! So, maybe a huge miracle will occur and Ron Paul will finally win? We'll see. -gk

FRIENDS OF NRA

2008-02-05T06:57:00.000-08:00

Last year the Black Mountain Boy scout camp was broken into by a bunch of recidivistic scum.

They stole camping gear, fishing gear, and broke into the the range and stole a several .22 caliber single shot hunting rifles. Before you think that the scoutmasters were irresponsible; They weren't. these rifles were always locked up, and were locked up at the time. The system was outdated.

However, Some good Samaritans stepped forward, and provided an emergency grant to replace their Camping Gear, Fishing Gear, and not only replaced their rifles, but In creased the number of rifles with help from Sportsman Warehouse, Bellingham's Security Solutions stepped forward and made a very modern Firearm Safe available to these Good Samaritans who coordinated these efforts.

Who are these good samaritans?

They are the Skagit and Whatcom County chapters of the Freinds of NAtional Rifle Association.

Their grant giving priorities are for youth safety and shooting programs, women's self defense programs and firearm range development.

In order to raise these funds, they need your help.

This Year, FRIDAY MAY NINTH at the Lakeway Inn, they will be hosting another fundraiser Auction and Banquet. It is a great family evening and prices for dinner are to be announced.

Details will be coming as the date gets closer. And yes Sam Taylor, there are many fine pieces of hardware on the auction block. You are invited to sit at my Table...

PRESIDENTIAL PREDICTIONS

2008-01-31T18:47:00.000-08:00

(Guest Writer: gk)

(Folks, before we begin with gk's column, I have found pictures for all my authors...I hope they forgive me...-Dexter)

Well, well, well, let the mocking begin! I missed my Florida Election percentages by a skosh!

Let me review my exact prediction's words (written a full 5 days ago.)

Quote:

Several of my Ron Paul supporting friends have made sure that I get my fair share of favorable Ron Paul editorials - but being the "fair and balanced" guy that I am, here is another view extracted from one of my favorite websites/Patriot Post (which newsletter I subscribe to). You be the judge! Read and Learn.

(Added Note: I have not included the Ron Paul Editorial link - email me if you want it or see it by scrolling to the end of the archives at)

http://parkenfarkergroup.blogspot.com/2008_01_20_archive.html

IMHO, both Ron Paul, Rudy Giuliani & Huckabee are going to make or break in Florida - if these three can't poll well there, (at least 1st or 2nd) they are just about done - and if that doesn't do it, the 5 Feb primaries will certainly tell the story, where up to 20 states and 1/3 of Americans will be voting. Only the top two candidates will survive after 5 Feb. Florida will be Giuliani's first real test, he passed up all the other earlier state's primaries to concentrate his money/ads and campaigning time in Florida, where he has canvassed/crisscrossed the state for the past 60 days.

Ron Paul also needs to finish high in Florida (against Romney/McCain/Huckabee/Giuliani) to validate his polling data - which, when allowed to be skewed by his followers with call-ins, etc - shows unbelievably high percentages of support. Now lets see if these 40% or higher phone-in polls in other states, are supported in the same numbers at the Florida voting box, with actual voters/votes, which can't be skewed by Ron Paul supporter's phone-ins or emails. I'll eat my words if Ron Paul surprises me!

Bush was elected by the Floridians twice - the first time 2000, as recalled, in a real squeaker/recounts/court cases, etc. Whomever becomes the eventual Republican nominee, can't get elected President without being first or at least a strong second in total state voting numbers - in the 29 Jan Florida primary - I think - anyone being down in the teens % or single digits % in Florida is not going to hack it - for whomever is down there in the ground clutter is an "also ran".

But that is where I think Ron Paul is going to be, and maybe even Huckabee.

I predict it will be Romney - 26 %, McCain 24% and Giuliani 20%, Huckabee in the high teens and Ron Paul in the low teens or even high single digits. Of course, all these numbers could be plus or minus 4%, and because the top three will be so close, their final percentages could put them in a different winning order. But for sure, Romney and McCain will be the top two, we'll see the final order- but I'm guessing Romney. You can mock me if I'm wrong!

Unquote!

Lets see how I did on my wonderful "predictions"?

This predicting exact election results percentages is tricky business! Even given I gave myself a plus or minus 4%. I expected the Florida election results to be a real statistical squeaker with Mitt Romney narrowly defeating John McCain. The final results were - (my 5 days earlier prediction in paren's and the actual result follows):

McCain - (24%) 35.8%
Romney (26 %) 31.1%
Giuliani (20%) 15%
Huckabee (Huckabee in the high teens) 13.3%
Paul (low teens or even high single digits) 3.2%.

As you can see, McCain's final winning numbers surprised me, but I have an explanation for that - more on that later.

Except for McCain's win - I had the order correct. And although I gave myself a plus or minis 4% points difference in my percentages, McCain's difference was almost 10% higher, Romney's was 5.1% higher, and the other three were 5% lower or much lower then my predictions.

Obviously, McCain really over-performed, Romney was a strong second, but the bottom three - under-performed. I expected Giuliani to break into the low 20's but in fact - he didn't even do as well as his campaign strategy of skipping earlier primaries, focusing in Florida - spending all his time (60 days crisscrossing the state) and $3M ad money there...... was a failure. And also, as predicted, if he didn't make a good showing, he was/and he announced today, he is history.

The main thrust of my comments/earlier prediction were actually focused on Ron Paul - a Ron Paul editorial - when I expressed strong skepticism in Ron Paul's apparent strength & stated that his various debates "call-in" polling (and other polling) numbers were extremely inflated. I said I would "eat my words" if I was proved wrong!

It was even worse then I predicted, at least I gave Paul enough credit that he was going to be in the low teens or high single digits. He wasn't even outside the 4% margin of error I gave myself, he polling 3.2% which is my version of being down in the "ground clutter", i.e. Paul not even making enough of a blip on the (political) radar screen as to be unseen!

And of course, Giuliani is supposed announce he is dropping out this morning and endorse McCain. That's not a surprise either - his main (single?) issue was the War on Terror - which also is McCain's and he too, might be thinking if he throws in his lot with McCain, McCain will reward him by picking him as his V.P. running mate.

Although Huckabee was in the low teens and ought to drop out of the race, he is soldiering on - I believe, hoping to win the southern states (probably not) and hoping to gain enough delegates to throw in his lot with and be McCain's Vice-Presidential choice- putting him over the top. The longer the Huckster sticks around, the more conservative votes he siphons off of Romney - and that too, might be the Huckabee/McCain strategy - McCain might even have an "under the table deal" to get the Huckster to stick around at least through the 5 Feb "Super Tues Primaries" - knowing that it will hurt his main competition (Romney). This will not bother McCain who appeals to Republican moderates/even independents/and some disaffected Democrats, but will hurt Romney, by Huckabee and Romney splitting the conservatives/Evangelical/vast right wing conspiracy (of which I'm a charter member!)

And don't ask me about Ron Paul anymore - he apparently is also going to stay in the race - but I don't know why? Ego? You explain it to me! I haven't understood the Ron Paul phenomenon from the get-go, still don't, but it seems that in every presidential race, we have some fringe candidate come out of the woodwork - Peroit, (Bush Sr. spoiler), Ralph Nader (Algore/Kerry spoiler), who skews the election results. And now Ron Paul, being this season's fringe candidate.

It doesn't appear that Ron Paul is going to be as much of a factor in 2008 as some of the earlier presidential election's fringe candidates have had here-to-fore. I don't want to write about Ron Paul anymore - like I said, he is down in the ground clutter - an insignificant statistic, and his presence in the race, touting his "issues" (which seems to be isolationism - cut & run in Iraq) isn't even forcing the mainstream Republican candidates to change their mainline stances/issues, as Edwards did over on the Democrat side. He is a non-factor and not worth wasting anymore time discussing. He doesn't even have a "block of delegates" that he can use to gain concessions on issues he backs- out of the front runners and it doesn't seem he will.

By contrast to Ron Paul - on the D's side, Edwards declared early on in his bid for the Democrat nomination, if he is elected, he would immediately withdraw from Iraq! His position has had a significant effect on the other two Democrat Presidential front runners - Billary and Obama.

In Billary's, Florida acceptance speech last nite, (although no Democrats campaigned and were forbidden by the DNC in the meaningless Florida Democrat Primary Election), she stated that if elected, on her first day as President (makes me shutter to type that statement!), she would call in her Military Leaders and tell them to come back with a plan to pull all our troops out of Iraq in 60 days! An amazing Billary movement to the far left -- for someone who is considered herself a "centralist." In other words, in order for her to get the far left Democrat Move-on.org/kooky voters, she has signed off all the possible cross-over disaffected Republican voters for whom the War-on-Terror is their priority issue. They certainly won't vote for the Democrat candidate now, given both Billary and Obama are saying they will cut & run immediately.

Billary's earlier stances (starting some 6 months ago?) were/was basically the same as Pres. Bush's, that she would withdraw as advised by the Military Leaders. With Edwards seemingly getting the far left fringe Kook vote by saying he would withdraw from Iraq immediately, Billary shifted to, "she would immediately withdraw all American combat troops, leaving only enough to train the Iraqi military and protect American interests (Baghdad Green Zone/International Embassies/Iraqi Central Govt, etc)." Now she has "evolved" to where she will withdraw all American Troops out of Iraq in 60 days with no caveats! Isn't this called "flip-flopping?" You tell me!

I don't want this treatise into turn into a book but will try to explain McCain's surprising win percentage. You won't hear this on Rush either. At least, I haven't heard it so far!

Reason #1 for McCain's win: A significant factor for McCain's good showing is that two very popular Florida Republican politicians, Governor Charlie Crist and Senator Mel Martinez endorsed McCain a day or two before the election.

This was big! And I would guess, accounted for at least half of McCain's surprising win. These blockbuster endorsements happened after my predictions.

As an aside - my own #1 issue in this election is Natl Defense, which happens to be McCain's also. I agree with Geo. W's position on the War on Terror and Iraq/Afghanistan exactly and so does and always has, McCain. So as far as my #1 issue, can I vote for McCain? (VS "Cut & Run" Billary/Obama/Edwards) You bet!

But I would have thought that the illegal alien issue would have had a greater impact on this election then obviously it has. Given, McCain has repeatedly and clearly stated "I get it, the people want our borders secured before any other actions are taken, i.e. Amnesty, etc" and that the notion of Amnesty is dead/history" etc. So I would have thought that a lot of folks would have backed Romney, who has been the strongest on what is my #2 campaign issue. We'll see, might make a difference yet. But it doesn't look like the
Amnesty issue it getting much traction now.

As I earlier predicted, in order to win the nomination and especially the presidency - the Republican candidate has to have a either a win or a strong 2nd place finish in Florida. McCain and Romney did this and so, are still viable candidates. Granted, it was not as close I as expected, but there is an explanation.

Reason #2 for the McCain win: The other half of McCain's surprise I think, resulted from a quirky Florida Election law, (same as present Washington election law) requiring every voter to declare their party, either Democrat of Republican? They were then given either a D or an R ballot. There was no provision for Independents!

It is being said constantly by the various talking heads that McCain's long suit is "independents" supporting him. According to the extracted quote below - Florida Elections officials were "unofficially" instructing independents to declare for one or the other party, in order to vote, which they did - most opting for Republican ballots and voting for McCain!

Although not mentioned in anything you are going to read in the MSM, Florida also had a very controversial Florida Property Tax issue on the Primary Ballot, and a lot of the Florida voters wanted to vote on this important issue. In order to do this, voters had to get one or the other party's ballot. So, surprise - surprise (to me at least - I din't know this requirement or the property issue when I made my "predictions"), these independent voters got Republican ballots and "Oh, by the way, while voting on the Florida Property Tax issue, I guess I will just check McCain as well, since I don't want to vote for either a woman (Billary) or a black (Obama) and I don't like the "Breck Girl"!"

Also a big surprise (NOT!), half of Florida is over 60, white/cross-over voters, and McCain got the majority of these votes! DAH! Who is the oldest white person in the history of the United States to run for the presidency? McCain. Who are the older white folks in Florida going to identify with? That's a no-brainer! McCain!

So, I think the late Crist/Martinez endorsements and the Florida Election laws had a lot to do with the surprising McCain win in Florida.

This quote is extracted from the linked article below.

In northern Coral Springs, near the Sawgrass Expressway and Coral Ridge Drive, David Nirenberg arrived to vote as an independent. Nevertheless, he said poll workers insisted he choose a party ballot."He said to me, 'Are you Democrat or Republican?' I said, 'Neither, I am independent.' He said, 'Well, you have to pick one,''' Nirenberg said.In Florida, only those who declare a party are allowed to cast a vote in that party's presidential primary.Nirenberg said he tried to explain to the poll worker that he should not vote on a party ballot because of his "no party affiliation" status.Nirenberg said a second poll worker was called over who agreed that independents should not use party ballots, but said they had received instructions to the contrary."He said, 'Ya know, that is kind of funny, but it was what we were told.' … I was shocked when they told me that." Nirenberg said he went ahead and voted for John McCain.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-129electionday%2C0%2C6968764%2Cprint.story

And of course, the rest is history!

Will the independent vote hold up and back McCain for the rest of the primaries? With Edwards now out of the race, it could be! When confronted with voting for either a woman or a black, many people might just cross over and vote for whoever the Republican front runner is in the remaining primaries - and right now, that's McCain. And he seems to have the big "Mo". (momentum)

I also gave a further "prediction" and said whoever wins the Florida Election will likely win their parties nomination. As far as Billary goes - Dick Morris noted that in an exit poll in Florida, many Democrat voters who voted in person in the polls, said they had changed their mind in the last 3 days to Obama - as a result of the recent S.Carolina events (Bill Klinton's fiasco) while it is thought that those that voted earlier by absentee, voted for Billary. So while Billary won by a bunch in Florida, this might not be indicative of whether these percentage will hold in the 5th Feb Primaries. As I earlier predicted, it is thought that Obama has picked up momentum, and that Billary needed a big win bad! Is Florida enough, or were there circumstances that explain her big win away? i.e. it was because of absentee voters that cast their votes before the S. Carolina final vote was known and Bill's post election remarks were made? We'll see. Stay tuned for the 5th Feb Primaries!

I said those primaries will sort out everyone - I still think that, and I still lean toward Romney and Obama giving McCain and Billary a run for their money. (and McCain doesn't have any!) (Might be the tie-breaker)

Final comment: In one of my recent posts, I said that we (Republicans) are still waiting for someone to voice a believable "Vision" to inspire the people. I listen/watched with great interest last evening - as first Romney and then McCain gave their speeches on TV last nite to their supporters. Romney cleverly took full advantage of the occasion of being on National TV to enumerate his "vision" for America. He went over all the hot button issues - point by point, giving what he intended to do, if elected, and his "vision" sounded pretty darn good to me/very inspiring IMHO.

McCain came on TV, thanked his two endorsers profusely, crediting them with his win, and gave an abbreviated version of his "vision" for America. Compared to Romney - it was not inspiring, nothing new, etc.

Supposedly, this election is all about "Change". Romney said a mouthful last nite in his speech when he said, "If either Billary or McCain are elected, you are just getting the "status quo" candidates, they are just changing chairs", they both being senators and are partly to be blamed for the present status in Washington D.C. By electing him, you get a person from outside the beltway, who would bring "change" to Washington D.C.

Final thought - Romney can fund his own campaign if he has to - and already has organization in all the 21 state having primary elections on 5 Feb. McCain is broke and doesn't. Lets see how that turns out?

So, I'm not "eating my words." I'm having cereal for breakfast, thank you! and listening to Rushbo's brilliant program opening("non-concession speech") this morning as I type this.

Rush's spin is that his stance on declaring McCain & Huckabee not being conservatives, he didn't lose. And he makes a point, in McCain's acceptance speech - he went a long ways out of his way to stake out his claim to be a "Reagan conservative" from his earliest days in politics. So it seems, McCain is moving toward Rush and not vice-versa! In other words, Rush wins again. But the MSM is saying it just the opposite! That McCain's win - is in Rush's face! Who is moving toward conservatism? Rush was and is always there! McCain is the one moving in his stance!

In conclusion, let me say this - Romney has been either the winner or a solid second in not all, at least most of the primaries to now. Until yesterday's Florida "winner-take-all" primary that gives all 57 of their delegate votes to the winner (McCain), Romney had the most delegate votes to the Republican Natl Convention. Romney has enough (personal) money, he can stay in the campaign as long as he wants to. I still think that Romney will win the Republican nomination in a squeaker - but it now seems, that depends on Huckabee and how long he sticks around? By Huckabee and Romney splitting the conservative votes and McCain gaining all the coalition of moderate/independent/ disaffected Democrat crossover voters/those not wanting to vote for either a woman or a black - McCain might just pull it off, after he being literally dead in the water/unmentioned in the MSM last summer! That's what makes campaigns interesting!

So, mock away! I remain your humble predictor but I don't intent to give percentages in the future - too risky! gk

(Please pray for our Patriot Armed Forces standing in harm’s way around the world, and for their families— Of all the gifts you can give them, PRAYER is the best!) gk

WELCOME, DINOCRAT ROSSI POSSE!

2008-01-30T21:41:00.000-08:00

Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!
Anyone remember when Democrats actually cared about this?
In thier move to the extreme left, they have abandoned the blur collar worker to become the party that has no direction, No hope for the future, No real Ideas of their own.
The biggest thing recruiting new supporters to Dino Rossi, Is the current governer herself.
Folks who voted for her last time, are now saying, "Why should I pay for my health care and the Health care of people who don't want to work?" She and the State Democrats are proposing to pull that money out of my paycheck to do it. I thought that we didn't have a State Income Tax.
But it appears that she is trying to sneak one in under the guise of Universal Health Care."
This is a great gift! Going out and recruiting new supporters for the challengers with bad ideas that hurt the working class. Punish the family who make a combined 50 to 60 thousand a year. Keep proposing a State Income Tax too, while you're at it.
Who is this helping? Are they American Citizens? Are they those whom are disinterested in working? I'm skeptical. The working poor already have a state health program. This is pandering to the socialists, who want something for nothing paid for by you and me. Guys and Gals with JOBS.
p.s. State legislators, keep focusing on impeaching Bush, too. That's bringing more folks with common sense to Rossi also. The State voters gave you consent to legislate on our State Policies, and you,ve fumbled a 2 billion dollar surplus, and put us back into the red. Your own State and County employees have a class action lawsuit over your mismanagement of transfering PERS 2 to PERS 3 retirement accounts. This oversight will cost Stae propertyowners (taxpayers) an additional 5.5 million dollars. No wonder you are taking the back door approach to raise car tabs, allow retroactive property tax increases, and propose to create a State INcome TAx, Increase the gas tax, increase the sales tax, and add a penalty to our paychecks to pay for health care for those who choose not to enter the job market.

To my Democrat Friends:
Thank you for recruiting new GOP support from those who built your party in the 20th century.
The 21st century GOP is a big tent, and the Blue collar worker is just as welcome now as when you came over to vote for Reagan Twice to elect him to two slam dunk landslide victories. It's okay when the rest of you vote for Dino. It is still a secret ballot...