Hennessy's View

Doctor Recommended

October 31, 2020

Trump Road Rally November 1 Noon

The republic is in peril. Congress is at risk. Your way of life could be over Tuesday. Don’t just sit there: Do Something! Road Rally for the Election St. Louis Area Road Rally for the Election starts at Noon Sunday, November 1 and ends with a rally at Lion’s Park in Eureka, MO about 2:15 PM. Map and route below. This is too simple: Decorate your car Meet at the Commuter Lot at 109 and I-44 in Eureka for a noon start Or, jump in line anywhere along the route Try to stay near the speed limit and in a tight formation Lots of flags, Red White and Blue "

BREAKING: Now, Crazy Joe Biden Is Bragging About His "Voter Fraud Organization"

October 24, 2020

You can’t make this up. Democrats and corrupt judges have forced states to adopt vote-by-mail schemes that are proven to invite fraud. Democrats have claimed there’s no evidence of voter fraud anywhere in the United States. Until now. Joe Biden, on a conference call with supporters, just touted his campaign’s voter fraud operations. “We have put together and you…d…guys did…duh..did it for our administra…the president…Obama’s administration have put together, I think the most extensive and inclusive VOTER FRAUD organization in the history of American politics”

No One Tells You About Polls that Project a Big Win for Trump

October 24, 2020

Most election polls include a question that pollsters rarely talk about: whom do you expect to win. Yet, the answer to this question is more accurate than any other election forecasting tool. By a lot. Finding the answers to this question is tricky. You have to get hold of the raw datasets and do the math yourself. Pollsters do not publish expectation data. The most recent analysis of expectation data comes from early October, around the first debate.

UPDATE: Expensify Could Drain Your Bank Account November 4

October 23, 2020

We have to ask: are your data and money safe with Expensify? Expensify’s CEO David Barrett (@dbarrett) sent an email to his customers threatening civil war if Trump wins re-election. Wow. Just received an extraordinary email from @expensify CEO @dbarrett. I can't remember ever seeing anything even remotely close to it. pic.twitter.com/lPCBMjQSh4 — Rick Klau (@rklau) October 22, 2020 You think Barrett would bat an eye at manipulating the expense data or even draining bank accounts of customers who support Trump?

Biden Plans to Nationalize Oil Industry

October 23, 2020

Let’s take Joe Biden at his word. (I know it’s crazy, but just play along.) In the seconds and final debate of Election 2020, Joe Biden promised two mutually exclusive changes: To eliminate the oil industry. To do so without eliminating jobs. “No one will lose their job,” he says. While President Trump and conservatives are saying, “Joe Biden will kill oil jobs,” I think Joe actually has a plan.

How Dems Play Wile E. Coyote to Trump's Roadrunner

October 20, 2020

The Commission on Presidential Debates, a partisan, anti-Trump cabal, may have just boosted Trump’s victory margin by trying to cheat. The Trump Train seems to be in a tizzy over the Commission’s new rules and changes to topics for the second presidential debate. The rule change involved cutting the microphone of one party while the other party speaks. The topic change was to drop foreign policy because Trump has been nominated for so many Nobel Peace Prizes that the Commission considers even mentioning the topic unfair.

Winner Take All Election

October 19, 2020

You might be wondering why Democrats are so brazen. Why would they knowingly impeach Trump on senseless and unimpeachable charges? Why would they wiretap and entrap the incoming Trump administration? Why would they commit so many felonies? Why would they nominate a corrupt and senile old influence peddler for president? It’s simple: 2020 is a winner-take-all election for the Democrats. If Democrats win, they will never lose again, at least, not in the lifetime of anyone alive today.

The ACB Standard

October 13, 2020

Like many people, I was struck by Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s description of her opinion-writing methodology. I wonder if her methodology would improve my writing. Specifically, should the ACB Standard make writing more persuasive? The ACB Standard When I write an opinion resolving a case, I read every word from the perspective of the losing party. There’s the succinct version of the ACB Standard. Maybe Judge Barrett is not the first to define this standard, but she’s the first I’ve heard state it so well.

White Liberals Twice as Likely to be Diagnosed with Psychological Problems

October 10, 2020

Liberals of all ages and races are twice as likely to suffer from mental illness than conservatives, but white liberals are particularly prone to psychological and psychiatric problems. Researchers have identified a strong correlation between liberalism and mental illness.The correlation is so powerful that almost one in two young white liberals have been diagnosed with mental health disorders according to Pew American Trends research. Crosstab analysis of Pew March 2020 American Trends survey data by Zach Goldberg @ZachG932

Trump's Third Act 2020

October 10, 2020

October 7, 2016: Access Hollywood October 7, 2016, was a Friday. My wife and I sat in our family room, waiting to leave for the movie theatre to see La La Land. The television served as background noise until about ten minutes before we left. That’s when a Fox News Alert popped up. Fox reported that NBC News had released an audiotape of a conversation between Billy Bush and Donald Trump.

Will Catholic Modernists Attack Amy Coney Barrett?

September 27, 2020

Everyone is expecting the Democrats to use their tired, old playbook against Amy Coney Barrett. You know the playbook I’m talking about: some old flame or old acquaintance will work up the “courage” to sit before the Senate Judiciary Committee and tell his story of something horrible the nominee did during Reagan’s first term. But Democrats could use a very different tactic this time with the help of the Catholic Church.

Feeling Grateful No Matter What Happens

September 19, 2020

It isn’t easy. Nothing works out just the way we want. Your best friend is a no-show at your daughter’s wedding. Your boss tells you your job is being eliminated. A thunderstorm hits 30 minutes after you stain the deck in violation of the weather forecast. Setbacks, big and small, dot our lives. Nothing seems to go right for Christian conservatives these days. Even less for traditionalists. Plagues, riots, threats of overthrowing the government, unemployment, uncertainty, division all dominate the headlines.

Cancelling Netflix

September 16, 2020

God does not override our free will. But He sometimes gives us black-or-white choices. And these sharp choices seem to be lining up like train cars, forcing Christians to choose between this world and His Kingdom. The latest example of this black-and-white, heaven-or-earth choice comes from Netflix. The Netflix Decision For the past three years, Netflix has become increasingly leftist in its programming and policies. (Find out how to report Cuties here.

Evidence Mounts That BLM Works With Demons

September 15, 2020

Defenders of Black Lives Matter claim the organization is “spiritual.” No doubt about that. It’s spiritual, alright. But demons are spirits, too. “Spiritual” is not the same as “Godly,” and there’s mounting evidence that BLM’s founders consort with evil spirits. In a guest post on The Gateway Pundit, I recently reported that Antifa/BLM rioters appear to benefit from preternatural (demonic) intelligence. People often surrender rights over their minds and bodies in exchange for hidden knowledge from demons.

King David, Emperor Constantine, Saint Augustine, and Donald Trump?

September 11, 2020

For 3,000 years (or more), God has called unworthy men to advance His Kingdom on earth. Why, then, are some Christian conservatives so appalled by President Trump? Specifically, I am thinking of people like Erick Erickson, an ordained deacon in the Catholic Church. Erickson never misses an opportunity to remind his readers and Twitter followers that Donald Trump has been divorced twice, uses foul language, insults people, boasts, and exaggerates. At the same time, Erickson recognizes that Trump is our last human defense against the children of darkness.

How to Pray for the US Election

September 10, 2020

It’s not only okay to vote and campaign based on your faith, it’s a duty. And this year’s presidential election lines up beautifully with the Church’s calendar, as we will see shortly. But first, this. You’ve probably heard many Catholic bishops and priests say it’s inappropriate to mix religion and politics. But these bishops and priests are dead wrong. A cursory review shows that bishops who admonish Catholics not to talk about politics talk about politics themselves all the time.

How to Report Netflix Child Porn

September 10, 2020

Netflix Distributes Child Pornography According to federal law, child pornography refers to any kind of visual depiction that displays sexually explicit conduct that involves individuals who are under the age of 18 (source: Bartlby). If you want to reference the actual law, it’s 18 U.S. Code § 2252: (a)(2)(A) the producing of such visual depiction involves the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. A new Netflix series, which I have seen only in clips on social media, seems to fit that definition of child porn like a glove.

How to Defeat Antifa

September 8, 2020

I recently read the account of a Marine Corps veteran who traveled to Portland, Oregon, seeking a job as a Portland police officer. Along with two other combat veterans trained in urban warfare, this Marine, with permission from the Portland Police Department, decided to witness the nightly siege of Portland by Antifa and BLM activists. His harrowing account can be summed as: don’t go there. Antifa is better trained than any enemy we’ve faced in Iraq or Afghanistan.

If by Rudyard Kipling

August 14, 2020

To all those who’ve lost their jobs due to COVID-19 and the subsequent panic. If If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies, Or being hated, don’t give way to hating, And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

Catholic Prayer for America

July 24, 2020

Prayer for the United States of America Almighty and Eternal God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords: graciously turn your gaze to us who invoke You with confidence. Bless us, citizens of the United States of America; grant peace and prosperity to our Nation; illuminate those who govern us so that they may commit themselves to the common good, in respect for Your holy Law. Protect those who, defending the inviolable principles of the Natural Law and Your Commandments, must face the repeated assaults of the Enemy of the human race.

The End of America

July 21, 2020

In six years, the present-day United States will find itself in one of three conditions: Marxist-totalitarian dictatorship masquerading as the United States. Dystopian failed state in a perpetual civil war. At least three distinct countries are functioning more or less successfully. The reason for this forecast is simple: a large number of Americans have simply decided they no longer wish to be Americans. We will call this group the “defectors.

Why Bother - Again

July 6, 2020

Everything seems to be falling apart. Hope fades eternal. Five years ago, apparently, many of us felt the same way. Many people said “thank you” for this post from August 2015. It seems more fitting today than anything new I could write. Why Bother Note: This was written in August, 2015, during the Obama administration. Lamentations about the current state of affairs pertain to an era now past. Hope for the future, though, burns eternal.

Please Don't Share This Post on Social Media

July 4, 2020

It’s time to pare back our addiction to social media, and I will propose an alternative later in this post. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are the primary causes of unhappiness, anger, tribalism, and violence in America and many other countries. Text messaging apps are accessories. Heavy Facebook Users Are Miserable and Lonely Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport available on Amazon. Replicated research shows that the top 1/4 of Facebook users are three times as angry and depressed as the bottom 1/4.

My First St Louis Forever Rosary (Videos)

July 3, 2020

I kept crying. And the t-shirt I wore was utterly inappropriate. Last night (July 2), I finally made it to the nightly Rosary by the statue of St. Louis in Forest Park. It was the most fantastic experience. Most amazing. When I arrived, Fr. Stephen Schumacher was leading about fifty people in chanting Vespers in Latin. Right there in the middle of Forest Park. That uniquely and unmistakably Catholic rite of daily prayer.

Mask Me In St. Louis: How to Minimize Human Suffering

July 2, 2020

Do you consider yourself a “compassionate” person? You have probably heard that St. Louis City and County issued a new mask mandate on July 1. What do you think about that? Will the number of new cases decline or continue to rise? Will this mask mandate shorten the duration of the pandemic or prolong the suffering? What do logic and science tell us? Totals Are Meaningless Because The Number of New Cases Can Only Go Up When was the last time you heard of someone dying in a chariot crash?

Put on the Armor of God

June 29, 2020

St. Paul warned us of times like these. Ephesians 6:10-20 warns us that we lack the strength, wisdom, courage, and intellect to fight the forces of darkness alone. That’s not to say we shouldn’t fight or that we should leave it to others. It means the only weapons that work are spiritual. Mere humans cannot forever defend monuments against other humans bent on their destruction. The defilers and destroyers need to get it right only once, while the defenders' vigilance must be perfect at all times.

Why We Prayed at the Statue of St. Louis IX, King of France

June 27, 2020

Our purpose in holding this Rosary event at the statue of St. Louis was to satisfy the two greatest commandments: to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. To that end, we prayed equally for everyone present at the event: For those who attacked us and called us names For those who falsely accused us of being in the KKK For those on both sides of the issues who came to provoke the other side For those police officers who donned riot gear on a hot, humid day to keep us all safe For those who came out to pray For all of them, we prayed to God that He softens our hearts and fills our souls with gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Let Us Pray at the Statue of St. Louis in Forest Park Saturday

June 26, 2020

By the grace of God, Jim Hoft, the Gateway Pundit, has called all Catholic Christian men to pray the Rosary at the statue of St. Louis IX, King of France, on Art Hill in Forest Park at Noon on Saturday, June 28, 2020. Please join us. If you cannot join us, please pray for us. Pray that our intentions align with the will of God, that we do nothing out of vainglory or pride.

The New Confederate Army

June 13, 2020

Five hundred West Point Military Academy graduates became the ideological heirs of Robert E. Lee this week. I bet they didn’t even realize it. The Gateway Pundit reports that 500 former West Point grads denounce “politicization” of the military and refuse to defend America against domestic enemies. Oath of Commissioned Officers I [state your name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter.

Civil War Chapter 14

June 13, 2020

(Previously, on Civil War…) Amanda Mateo’s door did indeed have balloons on it. A big plastic wreath with fake balloons. As if Martha Stewart went to work for Fischer-Price. “Hello, again,” Amanda said as she opened the door. “How did you know it was safe to open the door?” Mike asked. “I looked through the hole, silly. I’m not stupid.” Amanda stepped back, and Mike walked into her apartment. Brand new everything.

Civil War: Chapter 13

June 11, 2020

(Previously, in Civil War…) Michael Francis Franklin walked into his San Jose home at six thirty-seven on November 18, 2016. In his hands were a dozen envelopes and ads from his mailbox. On his mind was Amanda Mateo. Franklin was married from 1999 to 2006. He could remember about an hour and a half of being happily married. The rest was torture. In the decade since his divorce, Mike had come to accept that he was meant to be alone.

A Crazy Democrat Idea That Doesn't Go Far Enough

June 11, 2020

House Democrats last week introduced a federal police reform bill. As usual, the bill is terrible, even in concept. Policing is a local issue. But, like a broken clock, the Democrat bill is right on one matter: their bill makes qualified immunity a legislative issue instead of a judicial concern. What Is ‘Qualified Immunity’ Qualified immunity bars lawsuits against public officials whose actions cause actual damages unless those actions violate the law.

Moderna's COVID Vaccine Announcement Was Likely a Stock Manipulation Scheme

June 8, 2020

Just days after I reported that an effective COVID-19 vaccine is highly unlikely, the pharmaceutical company Moderna issued a press release touting promising results from early human trials. People assumed I was wrong. But I’m doubling down. Moderna’s vaccine trials have probably already failed, and Moderna’s “encouraging” press release proves it. Coronavirus Vaccines Are Unlikely From The Humane Approach to Coronavirus Is to Open Up Everything published May 16: There Probably Won’t Be a Coronavirus Vaccine: Since early March, researchers around the world have been warning us that a vaccine for Coronavirus is highly unlikely for a straightforward reason: they have been searching for vaccines against Coronaviruses for decades and have never produced one.

Congress shall make no law abridging the ignorance of the Press

June 2, 2020

The usual suspects on the CNN and MSNBC claim no president has ever called on the National Guard or the Army to put down riots and revolts. “Unprecedented,” said Larry O’Donnell on MNSBC. “Dictatorship,” declared CNN’s Don Lemon. Once upon a time, people in journalism had good historical educations. Reporters of the past didn’t necessarily study history in college. Most learned history by researching current stories. This is how most people learn most of what they know.

The Stunning Contrast Between Treatment of Hairdressers vs. Hooligans

May 31, 2020

A stunning contrast. Our leaders show more patience and respect (or is it fear?) for hooligans, thugs, and terrorists than for small business owners who pay the leaders' salaries and fill their campaign coffers. Political favoritism shown to violent street gangs will end, or the leaders will face a revolt from the right like nobody’s every seen before. When people feel their backs are to the wall, they fight for their lives.

There Are No Experts: Food, Riots, and Coronavirus

May 30, 2020

Today’s post was supposed to be about the public health crisis caused by the Coronavirus quarantine, but something more urgent came up. The Dunning-Kruger effect is a fascinating cognitive bias that causes enormous human suffering. We see it in the prolonged over-reaction to Coronavirus and the riots following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The experts include politicians, police, and community activists (peaceful). Non-experts include anarchists and rioters, on the one side, and anti-riot militias, on the other.

New CDC Office Guidelines Ignore Science

May 28, 2020

The CDC, today, issued guidelines for reopening offices that ignore medical guidance regarding masks. The latest medical guidance, according to May 21 article in the New England Journal of Medicine reported here, says: Public health authorities define a significant exposure to Covid-19 as face-to-face contact within 6 feet with a patient with symptomatic Covid-19 that is sustained for at least a few minutes (and some say more than 10 minutes or even 30 minutes).

'Masks Are Symbolic,' say Dr Fauci and The New England Journal of Medicine

May 28, 2020

In the past week, Dr. Anthony Fauci and the New England Journal of Medicine have admitted that masks are little more than symbols. Virtue signaling. For those of you who shout “science” like it’s a Tourette tick, this is from the New England Journal of Medicine on May 21, 2020: We know that wearing a mask outside health care facilities offers little, if any, protection from infection. Public health authorities define a significant exposure to Covid-19 as face-to-face contact within 6 feet with a patient with symptomatic Covid-19 that is sustained for at least a few minutes (and some say more than 10 minutes or even 30 minutes).

How Should Christians Prepare for and Respond to New World Order

May 26, 2020

A recurring theme in the Old Testament went something like this: the people of God (Jews) face a temporal crisis. The people of God surrender to a pagan nation, paying tribute to both the foreigners and to their gods. Most of the chosen people assimilate with their earthly masters. During the Babylonian Exile, they largely abandoned circumcision and most of the Mosaic laws. The Temple was given over to orgies and terrible sacrilege.

How Priests Gamble With Your Soul, and What You can Do About It

May 25, 2020

Could anything be more entertaining than watching a “woke” priest mock his own religion and its sacraments by spraying an infant with a water gun in the sanctuary? Yet, this is where the “reforms” of Vatican II have landed us. Satan himself has more respect for God than these vested buffoons who use Coronavirus as an excuse to mock God, mock His Church, and mock the seven Holy Sacraments.

Democrats Turn Nursing Homes Into Death Camps

May 24, 2020

When I wrote this post on May 6, I worried how it would be received. Accusing a governor of intentionally killing nursing home residents in order to save money is a serious charge. And, with only circumstantial evidence, difficult to prove. Since then, Andrew Cuomo’s behavior has been consistent with guilt. The latest example is deflection. He’s trying, now, to blame federal guidelines for his order to force uninfected nursing homes to treat confirmed COVID-19 patients even if they lacked the facilities and skills to do so.

Results Are In: Hennessysview 2020 Reader Survey

May 24, 2020

Thank you to everyone who replied to the 2020 Hennessy’s View (totally self-serving) Survey. Here are the results: New Blog Design On a scale of 1 to 10, readers give the new design a score of 8.95. I’ll round that up to 9.0. Thank you! What Topics Do You Want to See Covered? Since I didn’t ask permission to post your responses to these questions, I’m going to summarize. I list these topics in the form of questions that I can answer later with posts.

Warning: The Volcanoes Are Coming

May 22, 2020

File this one under “As If We Don’t Have Enough to Worry About.” We could be entering an age of revolution around the world, and I blame the sun. Solar Maxima/Solar Minima The sun goes through ~11 year cycles of high activity (solar maxima with lots of solar flares and sunspots) and low activity (solar minima with few solar flares and sunspots). NASA projected April 2020 (+/- 6 months) as the trough of the current cycle, number 24.

Leave the Gun. Take the Cannolis

May 22, 2020

Via WGEM: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker responded Friday afternoon to President Donald Trump’s statement earlier in the day where Trump said he had deemed churches and other houses of worship “essential” and called on governors to allow them to reopen this weekend. During his COVID-19 press briefing on Friday afternoon, Gov. Pritzker said Illinois would continue to operate on the basis of science and data. If JB Pritzker, governor of Illinois, took science and data seriously, he’d drop about 280 pounds fast.

The President's Authority to Open Churches Is the Constitution - VIDEO RANT

May 22, 2020

The morons in the White House press corps spend most of today’s briefing screaming at press secretary Kayleigh McEnany about President Trump’s order to re-open all churches. The oft-repeated (shouted) question: “What federal law is the president relying on to require states to allow church services?” The question demonstrates the absolute ignorance and laziness, the besst-like stupidity, of most journalists. The president’s authority is the United States Constitution, you mouth-breathing swine!

Lyda Krewson and the Joy of Dictatoring

May 19, 2020

St. Louis, Missouri, consistently makes everyone’s top 10 lists for worst cities in the United States. The reasons given include crime, lack of opportunity, and dilapidated neighborhoods. Having grown up in the city, and with most of my family still living there, I can add to that list unreliable city services, terrible roads, cronyism, and less than ideal weather. [Cities People Can’t Flee Fast Enough: St. Louis Number 4] Mayors can’t do anything about the weather, of course, but St.

Should I Wear a Mask

May 18, 2020

Go ahead and wear a mask, especially if a merchant requires you to, or if not wearing a mask will cause someone undue anxiety. It’s charitable. Also, if you’re highly active (get out a lot), you should probably wear a mask and wash your hands if you’re going to be around people who are more likely to suffer severely from Coronavirus: the elderly, the obese, people with chronic conditions. While we’re at it, basic practices our grandmothers taught us should always apply:

Masks Are Not to Control a Virus—Masks Are to Control YOU

May 17, 2020

Sadly, very sincere people, almost in tears, ask our forgiveness for wearing masks. “I wear a mask so I don’t unknowingly pass a disease to someone else,” one such explained to me on Twitter. These are not bad people. In fact, they think themselves very, very good people, indeed. The best. The ones willing to wear masks so as not to spread their (remotely possible) contagion to others. [Read why masks actually increase suffering from Coronavirus]

The Humane Approach to Coronavirus Is to Open Up Everything

May 16, 2020

The most humanane approach to Coronavirus is to let it spread without overwhelming the hospitals in any location. Mitigation orders, such as wearing masks, stay-at-home orders, and maintaining six feet of distance, while well-intentioned, actually prolong the agony, except when required in places that are in danger of overwhelming the hospital system. The idea that we can maintain this near-complete shutdown of society for as long as Coronavirus exists is a recipe for disaster on a Biblical scale.

Perfect Short Movie for Our Time

May 14, 2020

No need for set-up. This is simply the perfect short movie for our time. Please watch and share widely. Especially with your snitch friends. God bless Kevin James.

Cuomo Reaches 48th Place on Genocide List

May 14, 2020

NEW YORK—New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s nursing home genocide passed the Chittagong Hill Tracts genocide of 1977 to take sole possession of 48th place in the all-time genocide list, according to Genocide Watch International. Cuomo is now only 3,100 deaths away from overtaking Slobodan Milošević’s Bosnian genocide of 1992 to 1995 for 47th. All-time list of Greatest Genocides via Wikipedia Over 5,200 nursing home residents in New York died to Coronavirus as a result of Cuomo’s policy of placing elderly Coronavirus patients in otherwise disease-free facilities.

Today, Watergate Became the Second Worst Abuse of Power in American History

May 13, 2020

Releasing national security intercepts to unauthorized persons is a federal felony punishable by 10 years in prison. And at least one of the names on this list of top Obama Administration officials is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 18 U.S. Code § 798(a)(4): Whoever knowingly and willfully communicates, furnishes, transmits, or otherwise makes available to an unauthorized person, or publishes, or uses in any manner prejudicial to the safety or interest of the United States or for the benefit of any foreign government to the detriment of the United States any classified information—obtained by the processes of communication intelligence from the communications of any foreign government, knowing the same to have been obtained by such processes—Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.

Former Obama Officials Tired of His Drunken, Late-Night Calls

May 11, 2020

WASHINGTON — Members of the so-called “Obama Alumni Association” feel harassed and abused by the former president whose late-night, drunken conference calls have become annoying, frequent, and less coherent as time goes on. Hennessy’s View has learned that Obama began these occasional conference calls with a handful of former officials about six months after leaving office in 2017. Over time, the 44th president stopped following a semi-weekly schedule of planned calls.

ABC News' Jon Karl Plays the Little Snitch

May 11, 2020

One of the most despicable men alive, ABC News White House reporter Jon Karl, took his shot a Pulitzer for online journalism today by snitching on Fox News' John Roberts. Roberts, aparently, was the last person outdoors in the Rose Garden, to put on his mask. Look a “Karen” Karl’s snotty tweet: Almost everybody in the Rose Garden is wearing a mask — almost everybody. pic.twitter.com/JBnEV05HOd — Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) May 11, 2020 Jon Karl was the kid who made sure the teacher didn’t forget to collect homework.

Significant: CDC Death Count Inflated by 25% per Dr. Birx

May 11, 2020

We have all come to know some things about Dr. Deborah Birx, the doctor responsible for the White House’s Coronavirus response. Her clear explanations often highlighted the nightly White House Coronavirus Task Force press conferences. Night after night, we watched and listened as Dr. Birx carefully explained complex statistical and medical information in a way even a reporter could understand. Her style is considered and precise. Understatement and exaggeration seem genetic impossibilities for Dr.

St Louis: More People Shot Than Diagnosed with Coronavirus Saturday

May 10, 2020

On Saturday, May 9, in St. Louis, more people were shot than diagnosed with Coronavirus. Two died from gunshot wounds. The other eight are alive in unknown or unreported condition. Via the Washington Times: Authorities say at least 10 people were shot, two of them fatally, in a single day in St. Louis. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the the gunfire began around 1:15 p.m. Saturday when a 28-year-old man was fatally shot.

3 Reasons Why theFourth Stimulus Bill Is Not a Bill at All

May 10, 2020

Everybody’s talking about the fourth stimulus bill. Infrastructure. Payroll tax cut. Vote by mail. But there won’t be one. There will be a stimulus, but it will not come from Congress. The fourth stimulus will come from you and me. There are three reasons for this, which I will get to in a moment. But, first, do me a favor: Please share this post with your members of Congress. It’s that important.

It Begins: Isolation, Fear, and Masks Make People Mean

May 10, 2020

An ice cream parlor in Massachusetts closed one day after re-opening because customers treated his employees like dirt. Owner Mark Lawrence told Fox25 Boston, via Fox News: “People have forgotten how to treat other human beings in the six or seven weeks that they’ve been confined to their homes,” he told the station. “They have no clue how to respect other human beings.” After just one day, Lawrence closed his shop.

How Efficiency Caused Food and Toilet Paper Shortages

May 9, 2020

If you work for a corporation, you’ve undoubtedly heard about the virtues of efficiency. And, if you’re living in America, you’ve probably noticed shortages of stables like meat, packaged food, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, and more. What you probably don’t realize is that business’s pathological concerns for efficiency caused the shortages. And, what’s worse, most of the “expert” recommendations for dealing with pandemics will put us all at risk for precisely the same reason.

Forbidden Secrets of Coronavirus Data Manipulation

May 8, 2020

Nate Silver let the cat out of the bag. In case you don’t recognize his name, Nate Silver is the data analyst who launched Five Thirty-Eight, orignally in the New York Times. He was famous for not predicting an election a few years ago. Today, Nate unloaded on the media for just one aspect of their narrative-driven Coronavirus coverage. In short, noted the same thing Hennessy’s View pointed out a month ago: positive tests is meaningless unless it’s indexed to the number of tests administered.

Trump Triumphant

May 8, 2020

Donald Trump just had another one of those weeks for which he’s become famous. There was the week hit bombed Syria while dining with President Xi of China at Mar a Lago. There was Easter Week 2019 when the Mueller Report exonerated and the economy hit new highs. There was the week of the State of the Union Address that included his exoneration in the Senate. But, this week’s outbreak of liberty and its commensurate exposure of Trump’s enemies as pure scum is the best so far.

Did Andrew Cuomo Intentionally Kill the Elderly of New York?

May 6, 2020

It would be the most sinister murder plot in US history. Imagine a governor conspiring to thin the population of elderly people, using a pandemic as both cover and weapon. As unimaginable as it would be, evidence is mounting New York Governor Andrew Cuomo did just that: culled the herd in nursing homes by weaponizing Coronavirus. Dumped Off With Their Own Body Bags New York Governor Andrew Cuomo implemented an emergency declaration that required nursing homes to accept active Coronavirus patients regardless of their ability to care for or isolate the infected patients.

Doomsday Doctors Make the Best Case for Opening the Economy

May 5, 2020

A lot of doctors seem to derive much pleasure from convincing people that Coronavirus will kill us all very soon. Very soon. These are the Doomsday Doctors. And if they’re right, we need to eliminate all behavior restrictions immediately and enjoy our final days. The latest tactic of the Doomsday Doctors is to report (non-peer reviewed) that the Coronavirus has mutated into a weapons-grade killer that no one can avoid or resist.

Shock Therapy: Scott Adams Scooped Me

May 5, 2020

I’ve been writing “around” this topic for weeks, now. But I have to post this today, because Scott Adams scooped me. Tonight on his Coffee with Scott Adams Periscope he exposed the secret I’ve been leading up to. No reason to be subtle any longer. So, here we go. Watch Scott Adams' rant. (Begins about 9:30 mark.) There will be extra cussing tonight. Put the kids to bed. Close your windows and get under the covers.

It Was China All Along

May 5, 2020

The leaked Five Eyes dossier on China’s nefarious Coronavirus pandemic provides all the pieces to figure out what happened and why. The dossier doesn’t connect the dots for you, but they’re now easy to connect. So easy, even I can do it. The story goes something like this. China was playing around with dangerous natural microbes in order to prove that it was as good as the USA at studying and neutralizing infectious diseases.

Science Is Wrong Two-Thirds of the Time

May 3, 2020

If you believe science, then you disbelieve 2/3 of science. In 2017, the BBC reported on a major problem in science in medicine: two-thirds (67%) of all scientific and medical studies cannot be replicated. Via BBC: Science is facing a “reproducibility crisis” where more than two-thirds of researchers have tried and failed to reproduce another scientist’s experiments, research suggests. Two years earlier, in 2015, a major study found the same problem, with nearly the same numbers, involving psychology.

A Rebellion Is Brewing

April 30, 2020

The only thing more dangerous than a man with unlimited resources is a man with nothing to lose. Thanks to tyrannical and unlawful restrictions on liberty and commerce by a few governors, mayors, and county executives, 30 million Americans have nothing left to lose except their dignity and freedom. Millions of American feel threatened by stupid and tyrannical policies that have no basis in science or evidence. Only the will to power drives governors like Gavin Newsom and Gretchen Whitmer.

The Note That Killed the FBI

April 29, 2020

Agents of the FBI plotted to frame and destroy General James Flynn for politic purposes according to handwritten notes released today. General Flynn, a 30-year Army veteran and 3-star General, pled guilty to false charges in order to protect his family from further harassment by the FBI in 2017. Now, the law firm that once represented Flynn has release thousands of documents it previously illegally refused to turn over. One of those documents is a handwritten note.

The WHO Is a Misinformation Juggernaut

April 27, 2020

In the past 48 hours, the World Health Organization has spread misinformation about the Coronavirus intended to keep economies closed for good. On Saturday, the WHO, through its propaganda tools like the New York Times, Twitter, Facebook, and CNN, released a statement that Coronavirus antibodies offered no protection against catching the disease a second time. This statement was factually wrong, but the media quickly broadcast the false statement. On Sunday, after an outcry by physicians and researchers, the WHO amended its statement to say “there is no evidence” that Coronavirus antibodies protect people from the disease.

Open Offices Covid Casualty

April 27, 2020

Coronavirus could wipe out the open office floor plan as quickly and decisively as it wiped out many corporate bottom lines. Companies that move to an open office cite two benefits for the design: Cost savings by cramming more people into a given amount of space. Increased innovation, driven by collaboration. But multiple studies show that both assumptions are wrong. Now, Coronavirus has proven that open offices represent a significant public health threat, as well.

Twitter and YouTube Reject Science

April 25, 2020

Why would YouTube and Twitter executives attack an innovative biotech company? Hatred. Pure, unadulterated hate. Nothing but raging emotion can explain why both YouTube and Twitter went on the offensive against the biotech company AYTU Healight this weekend, banning the company from their platforms. What AYTU Healight did to earn deplatforming: it found favor with the man the China-controlled World Health Organization hates. Donald Trump merely asked his mecical experts about the possibilities of AYTU Healight’s Far-UVC catheter technology.

America Is on the Verge of Depression

April 25, 2020

The Congressional Budget Office release a report yesterday (April 24, 2020) that expects our response to Coronavirus will wipe out 40 percent of the US economy and throw 27 million Americans into long-term unemployment. We could see unemployment rates of 20 percent or more for a decade. The Last Depression My parents were born in 1925. Their understanding of the world was shaped by the Great Depression and World War II.

Sunlight Kills Coronavirus

April 23, 2020

An expert is someone who can’t be fired for being wrong about everything 100 percent of the time. You can call that Hennessy’s Law, and Coronavirus is proving this law iron clad. Iron clad. The latest confirmation of Hennessy’s Law just completed. In March, Donald Trump and others said that warm weather would diminish the spread of Coronavirus, just as it diminishes the flu. The reason: virus that survive well in cool, dry conditions don’t do well in warm, humid conditions.

Have I Mentioned 'Fourth Turning?'

April 21, 2020

About three days ago, as the news spread of our world rapidly grinding to a halt, I sent a text to some friends: For you Fourth Turning fans, the Climax is right on time. If you’ve never read my Fourth Turning posts, now might be a good time to do so. I’ll wait right here. (Link to Fourth Turning Posts) Here are some important quotes about the Climax.

Like It or Not, Herd Immunity Is Probably Our Only Hope to Stave Off Economy Depression

April 20, 2020

I know President Trump mocks the idea of herd immunity, but there’s really no other option absent a vaccine. And if we keep in lockdown until a vaccine is widely available, millions will die from the collapsed economy and collapsed infrastructure. What makes Coronavirus more dangerous than flu is lack of immune people. Let’s say that both kill about .01 to .02 percent of everyone who catches them, just for argument’s sake.

Why Are Media Leading Us Into Despair?

April 19, 2020

We’ve all been seeing the woeful headlines from the media that hates Trump and hates America: CNN, NYTimes, Washington Post, Drudge Report, etc. The headlines combine and conspire to send a single, unmistakable message: DESPAIR. The headlines and stories are clearly intended to make people panic. The media want people to stay locked in their homes, and they want people to demand that government keeps the brave locked in their homes, as well.

UPDATE: COVID-19 Acceleration Tracker

April 18, 2020

This is a live view of the most important COVID-19 metric: acceleration rates of positive tests, hospitalizations, and deaths. Source: The Covid Tracking Project Key Insight: For every week, Hospitalization rate decreases by about 9.19%. From My Original Tweet The most important number regarding Coronavirus is a number none of the tracking sites or governments will tell you: acceleration. Lower acceleration of hospitalization and deaths is good. It means the number of new incidents yesterday was smaller than the new incidents from the day before.

This Is How Masks Will Change People

April 17, 2020

Wearing masks in public will change the way people behave, and the consequences for society could be devastating. The White House released the plan to Open America Again. It’s reasonable, 3-phase plan that relaxes Coronavirus restrictions in 14-day increments. As a state achieves certain metrics, based on CDC surveillance data, it advances to the next phase. Phases one and two allow increased activity with the recommendation of requiring face masks when in confined public places like work.

Protests to Reopen Missouri and St. Louis County Tuesday

April 17, 2020

Governors, mayors, and county executives are drunk with power, and it’s our job to sober their asses up. Thanks to Josh Schisler and the Reopen Missouri movement, protests are a comin'. We’re gonna pull good ol' fashioned 2009 on a new crop of autocrats in a two-part protest to get Missouri Working Again. Part One: Reopen Missouri @ State Capitol at Noon Jefferson City, Missouri. Noon to 1:00 vehicle protest at the State Capitol.

Lockdown Will Be Over Before You Know It

April 13, 2020

America will reopen for business much, much faster than most people think. This is only a possible scenario, but it’s the scenario I see as likeliest case. But I’m realistic enough to know I could be terribly wrong. Be careful about acting on anything you read here. Some of my friends, relying on the horribly flawed data models that the CDC and many states relied on, seem to believe the economy will be locked down most of the summer.

All We Are Saying Is Give Walls a Chance

April 12, 2020

If you pay attention to certain sources, you’ll know exactly what to do. One of these sources is the Francis Vatican. Whatever the Francis Vatican says, do the opposite. Francis' Vatican recently called China the best example of Christianity in the world. Thinking people immediately treated China like the incarnation of Satan, which it is. When Francis defiled St. Peter’s Basilica with demonic idols, thinking Christians canceled their planned trip to the Vatican

History Will Little Note Nor Long Remember What COVID-19 Did But Will Never Forget How We Freaked Out

April 11, 2020

If a picture can paint 1,000 words, this infographic would fill a library. It is a visual representation of the death toll from various plagues throughout history (most of which originated in China), including COVID-19 (which originated in China). You will notice that COVID-19 is a rather mundane specimen. As of April 10, its death toll fell somewhere between the Yellow Fever of the late 1800s and Ebola of 2014-2015.

Is America Approaching Herd Immunity? CONFIRMED

April 10, 2020

Models failed. Miserably. The IHME models the CDC used as their primary source to justify the destruction of President Trump’s beautiful economy turned out to be no better than guesses from three drunks at a bar. The IHME factored in strict mitigation (lockdown), but they still over estimated everything by factors as high as 40. That models were unbelievably bad is not open to debate. The models were hideously bad.

President Trump's Humility Is Nearly Perfect

April 10, 2020

If I asked you, “what’s the perfect act of love and humility?” you’d likely answer, “to give one’s life for his neighbor.” If I asked your for the second greatest, you might say, “to sacrifice one’s life’s greatest work for his neighbor.” Now, if I asked you, “what is Donald Trump’s greatest work?” you’d probably say, “the US economy.” Objectively, the incredible US economy since January 2017 is the greatest accomplishment in Trump’s life.

Why the Acting Secretary of the Navy Should Be Fired

April 6, 2020

Last week, Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly fired the commanding officer of the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT. I wrote about it here. I supported that decision, but today I am asking President Trump to fire Thomas Modly. Modley fired Captain Brett Crozier after Crozier’s letter to a wide distribution list appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle. That five-page letter asked the Navy to move 4,000 sailors from the USS Roosevelt to hotels in Guam to be isolated to protect them from Coronavirus, which was spreading on board the aircraft carrier.

Confirmed! Monkeys Throwing Darts and Bill Gates' Coronavirus Estimates

April 5, 2020

Last week I hoped that the Coronavirus pandemic would kill a few horrible ideas. One of those bad ideas involves bowing down before data models as if they were some sort of pagan god. (I should have added to that list the idea of foundations funded by American billionaires.) Data models are not science, but most people have no idea what science is, so they fall prey to this insidious myth.

Doctor Benway Doctor Fauci

April 5, 2020

I wish I had never read the book Naked Lunch. Once in a while, though, having read it comes in handy. A Gateway Pundit story about Dr. Anthony Fauci reminded me of something from Naked Lunch. Dr. Benway is the chief antagonist of that wretched book. He is a sadist who advises governments on ways to keep populations compliant and submissive through fear. For example, from Naked Lunch by William S.

Coronavirus Exposes Medicine's Herd Mentality

April 4, 2020

In the 2003 movie, “Northfork,” two pseudo-government agents working for a power company try to convince a devout Mormon farmer to get out of his home before the construction of a dam floods him out. The farmer insists he must first receive a sign from God. The Mormon has built a replica of Noah’s ark, which he expects will rise with the waters and sail him and has wives to safety.

Who's the Villain of the USS Roosevelt?

April 3, 2020

People like clean storylines with an obvious, likable hero and a sinister, hateable villain. When real life tells us a story, our minds will mold the facts to fit our desired storylines. In other words, we will create a hero and a villain for every story, even if there aren’t any. As we retell our semi-fictionalized story to ourselves or others, we pad the hero’s character and tarnish the villain’s with each telling.

Survivors Will Envy the Dead

April 2, 2020

What kind of world will emerge from the coronavirus shutdown? People have gleefully surrendered amazing new powers to governments. We have erected barriers between ourselves and all other humans on the planet. We have surrendered all of our rights, including the First Amendment. We have abandoned religion. The Catholic Church has ordered its priests to disobey Christ’s Great Commission by prohibiting baptisms. We have shut down every business that isn’t part of a global enterprise.

Why Should I Believe You?

April 2, 2020

Someone sent me a video. The video shows a doctor explaining how coronavirus is worse than the flu. Should we believe him? I say, no. And the reasons we should not believe this doctor about the relative dangers of two diseases have nothing to do with medicine. They have everything to do with statistics and lying. First, the statistics. The Doctor’s Statistical Error The doctor, a general surgeon, opens the video by stating his conclusion that coronavirus is deadlier than influenza and his proof.

Do We Deserve Freedom

March 31, 2020

Do We Deserve Freedom? You probably know people who are concerned about a “surveillance state” developing. Maybe you’re one of them. I know I am. It’s a reasonable fear. Some police departments are using drones to spy on people in their homes, peering into living rooms and bedrooms with digital cameras and fining or arresting people who have more than the imposed limit of guests. The justification the state gives for these intrusions is, of course, coronavirus.

Antifa Threatens to Sue Over Coronavirus Masks

March 30, 2020

SEATTLE — Left-wing terrorist group Antifa has threatened to sue non-members wearing protective masks in public as a violation of the group’s trademark. “Wearing masks in public as a form of intimidation and anonymity is our thing,” said Seattle-area organizer Josh Millgram. “These fascists are ruining the brand. I mean, look, with everybody out there wearing some sort of mask, we don’t even know who to hit.” Antifa Seattle’s general counsel and chief operating officer, Heidi Berkhardt, wrote in a statement, “by long use and general practice, the Antifa mask has become a trademark for the organization.

The Only Covid Number That Matters

March 29, 2020

Last week, I pointed out that the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus is a meaningless number. The media is all atwitter about it, but the media are mostly idiots. (Never trust a reporter.) Bloomberg now cites many “experts” who agree with me on this: It doesn’t matter that the United States surpassed China this week in reported Covid-19 cases because those numbers (83,507 and 81,782 respectively as of March 26) don’t tell us how many people actually became infected in either country.

Holy Mass for the 5th Sunday of Lent

March 28, 2020

Bishops have banned public Masses, but that hasn’t stopped the Mass, especially the Traditional Latin Mass. Monsignor Eugene Morris of the Oratory of Ss. Gregory and Augustine is livestreaming the Holy Mass each Sunday at 8:00 a.m. You can watch live on the Oratory’s Facebook page. How to Get the Most from the Mass in Time of Pestilence Msgr. Morris has published a guide to keeping the Mass holy in this time of pestilence as we watch from home instead of participating in the pews.

7 Bad Ideas That Coronavirus Might Finally Kill

March 27, 2020

If you’re looking for a silver lining in the coronavirus pandemic, you don’t have to look far. Several bad ideas have become institutionalized in America in recent decades. These bad ideas have served the virus well, made it more deadly, and forced us to shut down our economy. No more! If we learn anything from this pandemic, these bad ideas will die: Open Offices: Millions of people have seen how moves to open office environments kill productivity and destroy previously good companies.

End the Great American Stand-Down

March 27, 2020

Today, President Trump nailed it. “What we did was we closed everything down. That was our public health strategy. Just close everything, all businesses, old workers, young people, old people, short people, tall people. Every school closed, everything.” “If you rethought that or had time to analyze that public health strategy, I don’t know that you would say quarantine everyone. I don’t even know that that was the best public health policy.

Number of Confirmed Cases Doesn't Matter—Here's What Does

March 26, 2020

Hysterical headlines scream about the number of new coronavirus infections every hour. This is a mistake. Ignore those headlines. Number of confirmed cases will rise as number of people tested rises. If we tested everyone for the flu, the number of confirmed flu cases would be astronomical. Doing some casual analysis, it’s pretty obvious what drives the death rate: the number of hospitalizations in a given geographic area. Last week I pointed out that mean averages are meaningless, even destructive if used to project into the future.

Coronavirus Isn't Finally Important. This Is

March 25, 2020

“Conservatism is the tacit acknowledgement that all that is finally important in human experience is behind us; that the crucial explorations have been undertaken, and that it is given to man to know what are the great truths that emerged from them.” — William F. Buckley Jr. Moments ago, I caught myself engrossed in a long news story about the goings on in the United States Senate over the two-trillion dollar coronavirus stimulus.

If Democrats Refuse to Help, Return To Normal Immediately

March 24, 2020

Democrats are bent on plunging America into an economic depression. Democrats love misery. While I’ve been in favor of “overreacting” to the coronavirus pandemic, we will have no choice but to simply return to status quo ante without immediate economic relief. I urge President Trump to give 24 hours to pass the Republican Senate emergency relief bill. If it hasn’t passed, end the national emergency, rescind all disaster declarations declared on behalf of states, and order the DOJ and the National Guard to guarantee freedom of speech, movement, religion, and commerce in every state.

Holy Mass for 4th Sunday of Lent

March 22, 2020

Monsignor Eugene Morris livestreamed his private Mass for the fourth Sunday in Lent today. The Mass is preceded by the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Monsignor’s wonderful homily is worth sharing with everyone you know. I apologize that I did not see this earlier. You will see why I fell in love with the Oratory of Ss. Gregory and Augustine. You can Like their Facebook page to keep track of future livestreamed Masses here.

What To Do and Not To Do During the Lockdown

March 22, 2020

Newspapers are lying to you. They’re feeding you ads pretending it’s news. The headlines are not only false, they’re dangerous. And wrong. The most common such lie goes like this: “Best Streaming Service For Shelter in Place” or “Here’s What to Binge Watch While Locked Down” Here’s the truth: we will not emerge from the coronavirus crisis stronger or better if we spend this time doing what we’ve always done.

UPDATED: Watch Traditional Latin Mass at Home Tomorrow

March 21, 2020

UPDATE: I saw this too late, but Msgr. Eugene Morris livestreamed his private Missa Cantata at 8:00 a.m. today, preceded by the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. You can watch replay here: Please Like the Facebook page of the Oratory of Ss. Gregory and Augustine. Chinese coronavirus has moved bishops around the world to shut down the Catholic Church. Luckily, the Traditional Latin Mass orders continue to offer the Holy Mass.

¡No Mass!

March 21, 2020

And in the streets, the children screamed The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed But not a word was spoken The church bells all were broken And the three men I admire most The Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost They caught the last train for the coast The day the music died — Don McLean, American Pie “We may not get what we want. We may not get what we need,” chanted the young adults in True Colors.

Can We Be Grateful?

March 19, 2020

When you hear “coronavirus” or “COVID-19,” you probably think of words like fear, disruption, recession, sick, death, inconvenient, and maybe even China. What if every time you hear “coronavirus,” you automatically think “gratitude?” How do you feel when you feel grateful? Most people associate feeling grateful with relief, appreciation, happiness, joy, and safety. Good feelings. Now, why are you grateful for coronavirus? That’s completely up to you. But I bet you can list just two reasons for being grateful for coronavirus.

Spanish Flu vs. Coronavirus

March 19, 2020

You might have heard mention of the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918 to 1919. Being the great-grandson of a doctor who came out of retirement to assist with St. Louis’s response to that epidemic, I thought I’d should share a little information about the differences and similarities between the Spanish Flu and coronavirus. I’ll briefly cover both the diseases and the responses. Note: The word “pandemic” was unknown in 1918, so contemporaneous references to the disease used the term “epidemic.

Opportunity for Excellence

March 18, 2020

Horses are prey to many species. Their behavior, their physiology, is that of a beast under constant threat from, usually, smaller, less beautiful organisms. Yet, wild horses capture our imaginations. Their grace and beauty, their power, and their gentleness reminds us of what we would be if we lived into our highest ideals for ourselves. We would be worthy of our sufferings. Your routine has been obliterated. Nothing you did routinely two weeks ago will be done for at least a month.

Trump Was 5 Years Ahead of Coronavirus

March 18, 2020

If the world has listened to Trump in 2015, the coronavirus pandemic might have happened, but it would have been a lot less severe. I say this with absolutely no fear of error. President Trump become an enemy of the left for just one policy proposal: controlling national borders. Trump not only wanted to restore US border controls that were left to decay since the 1960s, he also encouraged other nations to treat their borders like the front doors of their homes.

Should We Overreact?

March 17, 2020

Several friends tell me we are overreacting to the Coronavirus pandemic. Others say we are too complacent. So, which is it? When dealing with an epidemic, we need to consider two things: Current numbers are not very useful. Effects are non-linear. Beware Current Numbers The first argument I hear from those who wish we’d just go on with life as usual involves current statistics: number of confirmed cases, number of dead, etc.

UPDATE: Mass in Time of Pestilence

March 15, 2020

UPDATE: St. Louis Archdiocese has ordered all public Masses cancelled until at least April 6, including the planned Mass in Time of Pestilence. I don’t normally invite people to my church explicitly. But I am about to because we are living in a time of pestilence. Mass in Time of Pestilence: Wednesdays Each Wednesday for the remainder of Lent, my parish, the Oratory of Saints Gregory and Augustine, will offer a Mass in Time of Pestilence at 6:30 p.

Corona Couriers

March 15, 2020

Americans, in a crisis, want something to do. Maybe this is something. A mission. Senator Martha McSally told Judge Jeanine tonight that the next problem to solve in the coronavirus testing problem is the first mile. We have plenty of labs ready to accept specimens, but getting the specimens from the drive-thru test centers to a drop-off point, say a post office or Fedex drop. Perhaps people could be enlisted to serve as couriers of these specimens.

Common Knowledge for the Uncommon Cold

March 14, 2020

My wife texted me yesterday asking if we should stock up a couple of weeks worth of food and water. Now, there’s really no empirical reason to stock up on food and water. But there is a psychological/economic reason: the Common Knowledge game. Common Knowledge is something everyone knows everyone knows. When something becomes Common Knowledge, most people will behave as if the “thing” were true, if it is not. Stock markets are perfect example of Common Knowledge games.

Eating Neapolitan Ice Cream From the Carton

March 7, 2020

Long ago in South St. Louis Mom and Dad would go to an early Mass on Sundays. Maybe 6:30, but I’m not sure. Anyway, it was early. They’d bring home donuts from Donut Drive-In on Chippewa. But between the time they left for Mass and the time they returned with donuts, us kids would get into mischief. As I remember it, my oldest sister, Tee, started it. Tee would come downstairs, go straight to the ice box, open the freezer, pull out the newish carton of Neapolitan ice cream (“newish” because Mom and Dad shopped on Thursdays), and stand over the sink eating it with a big spoon straight from the carton.

Along Came a Pandemic

February 24, 2020

The thing that most rankled the left and crony-capitalist “right” about Donald Trump’s Magic Escalator Ride were his statements on illegal immigration. “They’re not sending their best.” The left sees open borders as a means of finally reducing the United States to a pauper nation, a dream long shared by socialists and communists in the US and Europe. Crony capitalists are less prosaic in their aims. They see open borders as a source of cheap labor.

Analog Wins

February 22, 2020

We’ve been trained to believe newer is better and high tech beats analog. Nassim Taleb labeled this cognitive error neomania. Neomania is a pathological preference for the new over the old. Or preference of the untested over the proven. (Later, we will see an extended quote from Taleb’s awesome book Antrfragile which explains the value of the proven.) Iowa Democrats tried to use the latest neomanic technology for their caucuses. It was an Obamacare.

Truth Behind Dems Latest Russian Hoax

February 21, 2020

BREAKING: Sources with direct knowledge of the House Intelligence Committee briefing tell Hennessy’s View that a report leaked to the Associated Press claiming Russia is trying to Boost Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump was manufactured by Congressional Democrats, given a stamp of authenticity by anti-Trump staffers inside the National Security Council, and leaked in hopes of undermining President Trump and the Sanders campaign. Democrats are getting really bad at hoaxes, and I’m going to tell you the truth behind the latest Democrat Russian hoax.

Missouri's Festering Wound

February 20, 2020

They say that time heals all wounds. But some wounds don’t heal. They fester and metastasize until pain demands the intervention of a surgeon’s scalpel. Two years have passed since Eric Greitens was carried from the Missouri Governor’s Mansion by a toxic cocktail of lies, false allegations, and prosecutorial misconduct. For two years, Missouri’s media and establishment Republicans pretended it never happened. They never liked Greitens, and they wanted him to go away.

Fine for Nothing

February 15, 2020

Last week, the Missouri Ethics Commission fined former Governor Eric Greitens for nothing. Literally, they fined him for doing nothing wrong. Even CNN finds the Missour Ethics Commission unethical and repulsive: A Missouri panel “found no evidence of any wrongdoing” by former Gov. Eric Greitens following a nearly 18-month investigation into allegations of misconduct by his 2016 gubernatorial campaign, according to a report released Thursday (CNN) Political pressure from the current Missouri governor undoubtedly weighed on the MEC.

Always Assume They're Cheating

February 4, 2020

You’ve probably heard that the Democrat Iowa Caucuses were a humiliating and laugh-out-loud disaster. Apparently, the same idiots who built the Obamacare website (aka Harvard) also built a voting app for the caucuses. Like Obamacare, the app didn’t work. At least, that’s the official story. But it’s never uncharitble to presume the Democrats are cheating. Because Democrats are cheaters by nature and practice. The nightmare scenario for Democrats is Bernie Sanders.

Where Is Scott Faughn's Book?

February 2, 2020

Scott Faughn is the publisher of the lobbyist “newspaper” Missouri Times and bagman for the sponsors of the illegal prosecution of Eric Greitens. When he was caught delivering a laundry bag of cash to attorney Al Watkins to pay off Greitens' accusers and others, the always-broke Faughn claimed the money was somehow related to his forthcoming book on the Greitens administration. He even told his audience that they could order the book at at his website, scottfaughn.

About Those Rent Seekers

January 26, 2020

What is “rent-seeking?” Here' a brief description from David John Marotta, What Is Rent-Seeking Behavior in Forbes Rent-seeking doesn’t add any national value. It is coerced trade and benefits only one side. Rent-seeking can include piracy, lobbying the government or even just giving away money. There are two kinds of lobbyists. One kind of lobbyist is necessary to keep legislators and executive-branch bureaucrats informed and on notice. These lobbyists protect the interests of special interest group, but often their special interest needs protection because it is at the mercy of the government.

Unfinished Business: Exodus and Eric Greitens

January 25, 2020

Parson will sell everything that isn’t nailed down. When the media, crooked businessmen, and corrupt politicians were in the midst of their coup against Eric Greitens, a friend told me, “If they get rid of Greitens, Parson will sell everything that isn’t nailed down.” My friend was wrong. Governor Mike Parson (who may or may not have been a conspirator in the coup) is selling everything in Missouri, but he isn’t stopping at the loose items.

Making the Exodus II

January 11, 2020

Satan’s grip on the world is tightening, but this video shows a group of boys rescuing their dog from a boa constrictor. These kids are way tougher than I am. Not all heroes wear capes.😇 The things we do for our dogs, bruh...💪🐶😍 pic.twitter.com/25xei1sLVw — Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) September 26, 2019 Though the video ends well, its lasting effect is less than pleasant. Our minds supply the dialog, the sub-plots, and the clichés.

Your President Trump: Season Six

December 31, 2019

Scott Adams says Donald Trump lives his life like a movie or television series. (See Looking Ahead to Season Four of Trump for a complete explanation.) Being New Year’s Eve, it’s time to look back on Season Five (2019) and, then, look ahead to season six (2020) of Trump. Season Five: Mueller Report and Ukraine Hoax Going into 2019, the Fed had slowed the incredible Trump Economy with aggressive interest rate hikes.

It's About the Destination, Not the Journey

December 31, 2019

Jerry Garcia Was Wrong Jerry Garcia of Grateful Dead was famous for saying “It’s about the journey, not the destination.” Garcia was wrong. There are two possible destinations: Eternal perfection. Eternal misery. It’s all about the destination. The destination is all that matters. The journey matters only insofar as it determines the destination. If you know and pursue the right destination, the journey will be difficult, often painful, often lonely, often frustrating.

God's Law or Mans Law

December 30, 2019

A celebrity priest fired up Twitter today by endorsing same-sex “marriage” and by comparing a same-sex couple favorably to the Holy Family. Let’s assume that the good father is not malicious but so poorly educated into reason and Church teaching that his embarrassing tweets make sense to him. Let’s pretend Fr. Sichko thinks he’s right. To help educate the ignorant priest (and educating the ignorant is one of our Christian duties), I’ll pose some questions to Fr.

Cold Showers and Confession

December 30, 2019

“There’s no point at which you’ve cleaned yourself so well that you never have to shower again.” —Eric Greitens, Resilience: Hard-Won Wisdom for Living a Better Life" “I don’t walk my dog anymore.” I walked him all at once. — Comedian Steven Wright “Get in line in that processional / climb into that small confessional / there the guy who’s got religion’ll / tell you if your sin’s original”

Why Do Demons Fear the Woman

December 28, 2019

A Frenchman named Michel Chiron was possessed by demons for decades. His story of exorcism revealed something remarkable. In an interview with Solène Tadié for National Catholic Register, Chiron said the demons possessing him mocked Jesus but feared “The Woman.” About Jesus: They told me he did exist in the past but that he should be forgotten, as nowadays human beings no longer needed him. They even said that he was with their king now.

Impeachment Is a Styrofoam Bird

December 19, 2019

This post is about impeachment. But, first, you need to hear about a toy bird from the 1970s. Disappointing Toys When I was seven or eight, I just had to have a Zorr: The Mighty Eagle. Zorr could soar on the wind for hours, just like a real eagle. The TV commercials left me certain that Zorr would make the most popular kid on my block—maybe the whole parish. I’d have a pet eagle, really.

IG Report: Obama Out-Dicked Nixon

December 13, 2019

IG Report: Obama Out-Dicked Nixon Nixon resigned. He resigned after a half-dozen Republican Senators told him, in the Oval Office, that a majority of Senators would vote to remove him from office if the House impeached him. So Nixon resigned. Nixon’s crimes were limited to covering up a break-in and wiretapping by employees of his re-election committee. Baraka Obama did worse. And he got by. Obama out-dicked Nixon. The IG Report Department of Justice Inspector-General Michael Horowitz released his report on Monday.

Thatcher Reagan Boris Trump

December 12, 2019

Boris Johnson’s Tories will win their biggest victory since Margaret Thatcher. Maybe bigger than Thatcher’s. Praise God! (This will be very short.) The conservative tide continues. People around the world are fed up with the failed ideas of the 1960s and 1970s. Maybe it was nostalgia that drove world leaders to dig up all the political crap I remember from my childhood. It failed then, and it’s failing us now.

What Do Democrats Expect?

December 4, 2019

If Democrats cross the Rubicon by impeaching President Trump, they will be sending a strong signal: no Republican president will ever survive his first term. How do you expect people to respond? I’m talking about the people President Obama derisively labeled “bitter clingers.” The people RealPolitics data analyst Sean Trende identified as “downscale, Northern, rural … H. Ross Perot voters.” Or, to put it another way, Tea Partiers.

How to Deplatform Twitter

November 17, 2019

You can deplatform Twitter and damage their business model. You don’t need money or special skills or lawyers. But deplatforming Twitter requires two things: Commitment. Friends. Friends can be strangers, as long as they use Twitter. Twitter followers are perfect friends for this action. What Is “Deplatforming” and Why Should We Do It? Deplatforming is one of these new words that irritate me. But new words have the virtue of universality.

Amazonium Pandamonium

November 3, 2019

Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. (Matthew 22:37-38) My Protestant friends were angry at the goings on at the Amazon Synod. It’s not unusual for some Protestants to disagree with the Catholic Church. After all, that’s what makes them “protestants.” What is unusual is why the Protestants are upset at the Church.

Im Not Good Enough for the New Church

November 2, 2019

Call me “rigid.” Last night, I saw a tweet that broke my heart. A woman wrote that her husband told her he was going to Mass after work. But he went to a bar, instead. She went to the bar. He was there. He was drunk. She asked for our prayers. I said one for her, and two for her husband. The woman is a traditional Catholic, like me. Or what the Holy Father calls “rigid.

Join Me October 13 at the Arch

September 21, 2019

Rosary Coast-to-Coast at the Arch in St. Louis We are in a spiritual battle for America’s soul, and we’ve been fighting it all wrong. Politics is important. Christians should engage. But politics isn’t enough. And politics isn’t first. “For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and power, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places” Ephesians 6:12

Rigid vs Squishy

September 14, 2019

The opposites of “rigid” are more unflattering than rigidity: lenient indulgent broken compromising easy imprecise indefinite inexact irresolute unfixed unreliable accommodating liberal permissive resigned soft-hearted And that’s the problem with name-calling. When we impose a derogatory label on someone, we invite scrutiny upon ourselves. We label ourselves as the opposite of the names we impose on others. Some of us are better at name-calling, or “labelling,” than others. Donald Trump does a lot of labeling.

All (political) Problems Are Demonic in Nature

August 25, 2019

A friend commented on a recent blog of mine that he misses my political analysis. So I need to make this clear: my political analysis is that all problems in the world are demonic in nature. I’ll write that again so no one’s confused: all problems, including all political problems, are demonic. Stop inviting Satan and the demons out of the abyss God made for them, and problems go away.

How to Be Unpopular

August 21, 2019

I’ve always wanted to write a book called How to Lose Friends and Alienate People. But nobody reads autobiographies anymore. So I’ll tell you how to be unpopular, instead. Being unpopular is pretty easy. And it’s hard, too. It’s easy because there’s only one rule, which we’ll get to in a moment. It’s hard for two reasons: beforehand, it’s scary to think about following the rule. Afterwards, it’s lonely and painful to have followed the rule.

We Need Prayers

August 20, 2019

Please spread the word. Tweet this. Post to Facebook. If you’re Catholic, please forward to your parish office and ask for a blurb in the Sunday bulletin. Our nation, the Catcholic Church, and the whole world needs prayer. Why? Just read this post. St. Padre Pio’s respond to problems was, “Bring me my weapon!” His weapon was his Holy Rosary. He prayed the Rosary to combat sin and evil. And it worked!

Last Post From Hennessy's View

August 18, 2019

Cross-posted to stlouisteaparty.com Ten years of syndicating my blog Hennessy’s View on stlouisteaparty.com comes to an end with this post. If you’d like to continue receiving emails when I write, please subscribe to Hennessy’s View daily updates. Readers of the Tea Party site have noticed that I rarely write about politics any longer. They’re right. I don’t. They’ve asked me to stop posting my Catholic faith blogs to the Tea Party site.

Rosary Coast-to-Coast Gateway Arch October 13

August 17, 2019

Join THOUSANDS of faithful Catholics just like you October 13, 2019, at 3:00 p.m. Pray for America and the Church. PLAN 2:30 PM: Opening prayers and sermon by Msgr. Eugene Morris 3:00 PM: The Glorious Mysteries 3:30 PM: Benediction and dismissal Now, read why we’re doing this, via Rosary Coast-to-Coast: Awesome Video Awesome Narrative In 2018 over 1,200 Rosary Rallies across the U.S. and over 50 participating countries!

At Whom Is Bishop Barron Angry?

August 12, 2019

I was gladdened to see Bishop Robert Barron’s tweets of anger about the Pew survey. Watch the attached video. (You will also be happy to hear the Pew survey didn’t shock the bishop.) I wish, though, his excellency had addressed the real cause of Catholics losing their faith: the ugly and sacrilegious farce that is the Novus Ordo (or Ordinary Form) Mass. Here’s Bishop Barron’s initial tweet. I urge you to watch the video attached.

St Lawrence of Rome

August 10, 2019

St. Lawrence of Rome is the patron saint of comedians. I had no idea there was one. But there is, and it’s St. Lawrence. He earned that designation for his obstinate and comedic refusal to deny Christ, even to his death. From The Catholic Company: He was appointed by Pope St. Sixtus II as archdeacon over the seven deacons of Rome, and held the sacred duty of tending to the Church’s wealth and distributing alms to the poor.

Don't Trust Father Don Draper

August 8, 2019

This was one of my favorite episodes of Mad Men. The post-Vatican II Church epitomizes Don Draper’s very accurate definition of advertising. “Whatever you’re doing . . . it’s okay. You’re okay.” I’m Not Okay; You’re Not Okay It’s likely yesterday’s screed offended some people. Let me tell you where it came from. A Pew survey found that most Catholics don’t believe things they are required to believe.

At Least They Go

August 7, 2019

“Well,” said the priest, “at least they go.” By “go,” he was referring to Mass. By “they,” he meant the people who dress like tramps, talk and laugh through Mass, and know nothing about the Church’s teachings. People who are pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, and pro-women priests. “At least they go.” Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi The law of prayer is the law of belief. “At least they go” would be a legit argument IF what they “went to” left no doubt about what they were participating in.

Mass Killings Are the Fruit of Modernism

August 4, 2019

Simple minds seek simple answers. A man kills innocents with a gun, and the simple mind blames the gun. When a dog sees an approaching shadow, he attacks his tail. Mass Killings Are Modernism In Action Modernism leads us to simple, but wrong, answers. Modernists have one solution for all problems: consolidate all freedom, all power, all decisions, all goods, all authority, and all thinking into the hands of a few omnipotent men.

Lousy Bishops

July 28, 2019

(Disclosure: I am a traditional Catholic.) Did you know that for every person who enters the Catholic Church in America six leave? It looks like this: Incoming Catholics Outgoing Catholics 1 6 Why? Simple answers are often problematic, but one answer seems obvious: Catholic leadership sucks. The Church in America offers nothing larger or more significant than the paltry pleasures of television and Amazon.

What About False Prophets (and Kooks)?

July 27, 2019

A prophet is someone who has the gift of recognizing how current behaviors, beliefs, and trends will bring calamity in the future. Prophets tell us what not to do, and predict the dire consequences that will befall us if we don’t listen. And we don’t listen. Yesterday, we looked at three reasons people don’t listen: The Semmelweis Reflex, which says people reject information that contradicts longstanding beliefs. The Power of the Status Quo, which says people believe the future will always be a linear progression of the recent past.

The Mueller Prophecy

July 24, 2019

Friends, Let me begin by saying “I am sorry” to Robert Mueller and his family. I have been critical of Mr. Mueller and his sham “investigation.” I have been uncharitable to him. And I am sorry. It became clear today that Mr. Mueller wasn’t a hostile actor. Obviously, Mueller is seriously impaired. What we saw in his selection of lawyers, in his handling of the investigation, in his management of partisan and criminal conduct by senior Justice Department officials under his command resulted not from malice toward the president but from incompetence.

Why We Don't Believe Prophets

July 22, 2019

Q: What was the epitaph on the hypochondriac’s tombstone? A: “I told you I was sick!” I happened to see a Facebook post from the George Gilder today. The post announced why Gilder is coming out of retirement at age 79. (I rarely look at Facebook, but there’s flooding in my town today. Facebook is the best source for reports from the ground.) I followed George Gilder closely for many years back in the mid-1990s.

Trump's Tweets Trigger Word-Thinkers

July 21, 2019

For a few weeks in June and July, Nancy Pelosi was doing a good job of isolating the Hate Squad. Pelosi realizes that the Hate Squad is bad for Democrats. She saw the Hate Squad growing in media attention, and she worked hard to stop that trend. Then, like a genius, Donald Trump did what Trump does best: he stuck out his chin to let his opponent (Pelosi) punch herself out.

Please Subscribe Before Twitter Bans Me

July 20, 2019

If you like reading this blog, please click the Subscribe link at the top. Enter your email address, and you’ll get one email a day at most. Twitter and Facebook and Google are trying to remove all conservatives from their social media platforms. So many people come to this blog by clicking links on those platforms, I’m afraid you will never know when I’m posting unless you subscribe now. I’ll try to keep you informed and entertained.

Do We Love The World?

July 20, 2019

Should Christians love this world? A Catholic parish has, as part of its mission statement, “we love this world.” Does this bother anyone? Besides me, I mean. I Googled the whole phrase, and here are the top 5 results: Do Not Love the World What Does It Mean to “Love not the things of the world?” What does it mean that we are not to love the world? Love Not the World 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the world.

A Spy's Guide to Taking Risks: A Book You Need to Read

July 19, 2019

Imagine yourself in a foreign country with a fake passport, a fake name, a fake cover story, and mission to make it home with stolen, top secret documents from that country’s government. Now, imagine it’s the first time you’ve ever done this. That’s how John Braddock begins his third book, A Spy’s Guide to Taking Risks. With the story of his first mission as an alias. In his previous books, A Spy’s Guide to Thinking and A Spy’s Guide to Strategy, Braddock, a retired CIA Field Officer, provided readers with top-notch spy stories and top-shelf tools for success.

A Very Bad Week for Planned Parenthood

July 18, 2019

The abortion company fires its CEOs as sloppily as it delivers “healthcare.” Before that, the Trump Administration successfully cut some of Planned Parenthood’s federal funding, which may have precipitated the decapitation of its management team. And, today, Planned Parenthood’s hand-picked judge tentatively ruled in complete favor with the journalist the company is suing. Aborting Dr. Wen On Wednesday, Planned Parenthood clumsily fired Dr. Leana Wen as its chief executive. I guess you could call it a late-term firing, since Dr.

Yes, President Trump Will Win Re-election

July 18, 2019

New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman today asked a rhetorical question: Trump’s Going to Get Re-elected, Isn’t He? The headline reflects the question he hears from his Democrat friends. They seem resigned to defeat. And the answer is: Yes. President Trump will win re-election in 2020. The reasons Trump will get re-elected: The Hate Squad. Four radical communist freshmen Representatives are the face of the new Democrat party. They are anti-Semitic, anti-Christian, and anti-American.

Easter and the Mueller Report

April 21, 2019

I write this on Easter Sunday, 2019, and the secular world, particularly the anti-Christian secular world, is losing its mind again. This time, the left’s insanity arises from the final report of the special investigator, Robert Mueller, into alleged crimes committed by the presidential campaign of Donald Trump in 2015 and 2016. Amazingly, what we are seeing in the reaction to that Mueller report was seen by an early father of the Church, St.

New Mass by the Numbers

April 7, 2019

I prefer the Latin Mass of 1962 (and a thousand years before) for at least 12 reasons listed here. My last reason for loving the Latin Mass (which I failed to list in that blog post) seems important: how American Catholicism has changed since the inception of the new mass in about 1970. So I turned to Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostalate for the numbers. Catholicism is dying in the United States.

Chelsea, Meet Stoicism

April 6, 2019

Donald Trump’s triumph in the 2016 election drove Chelsea Handler into a depraved descent. Weed and depression. Psychiatrists. Broken. Not because of anything that happened to her. She didn’t lose her home. No one close to her died because of the election. Chelsea Handler lost her mind because reality violated her expectations. I’m pretty sure Ms. Handler doesn’t read Hennessy’s View, but you do. So, for you, I’ll tell you how to avoid losing your mind when reality violates your expectations.

Rex the Libertarian Tyrant

April 6, 2019

I want to take over the world and leave everybody alone –Libertarian Motto Rex Sinquefield graduated from Bishop DuBourg High School and he’s supposedly something of a libertarian. That’s about all we have in common. Rex left St. Louis and became a billionaire by inventing stock market indexing or something. I went the Navy and still thank God every day that I have roof over my head. Rex is a brilliant chess strategist.

12 Reasons I Love Latin Mass

March 24, 2019

Lately, I’ve been going to Latin Mass instead of the new mass. Latin Mass feels like home to me. It feels like a call to holiness. Every detail of the Latin Mass has meaning, not just to me, but to everyone who’s studied scripture. The words, the gestures, the artifacts like the communion rail all have deep meaning. I don’t think the new mass is heretical; I just don’t think it lifts us up toward God.

90 Days

March 24, 2019

I stopped drinking for 90 days Many of you know I enjoy the occasional (hurrumph) adult beverage. You might be curious about my experiences during long periods of abstinence. I’m doing Exodus 90. My exodus began January 21 and ends Easter Sunday, April 21. Exodus 90 is Catholic thing. It challenges men to escape from the slavery of this world through prayer, asceticism, and fraternity. The asceticism includes abstaining from drinking.

What Could Be In Mueller Report

March 23, 2019

Just a quick warning. On break from Lenten retreat, but this is bugging me. Many conservatives are celebrating the Mueller report even though they have no idea what it says. That’s dangerous, as I pointed out in my post on loving Rachel Maddow: Finally, we still don’t know the details of the Mueller report. It could contain information that sends conservatives to Twitter to express our rage and anger. We don’t know.

Why We Should Love Rachel Maddow Now

March 23, 2019

God gives us so many opportunities to love our enemies. How often do we take him up on those offers? One of those opportunities to love came to us yesterday. Independent counsel Robert Mueller delivered to the Attorney General his final report on potential crimes involving the 2016 presidential election and the Trump campaign. The lede of that story was this: no new indictments. And the left lost their minds.

To Love Is to Will

March 16, 2019

Tina Turner not withstanding, love is not an emotion, and that’s a good thing. In today’s Gospel (from the modern lectionary), Jesus tells his disciples to “love your enemies” and “pray for those who persecute you.” But how? I find it difficult even to be around certain people, much less love them. Surely, Jesus wasn’t serious when He told us to love our enemies, right? If Jesus meant what He said, then I must not know what love means.

Go to Caracas and Say a Rosary

March 10, 2019

Down in the world’s newest socialist “paradise,” the longest blackout in decades has struck Venezuela. The country has been without power for at least 4 days. That’s how socialism works. The constitutional president, Juan Guaido, has called on Venezuelans to pour into the capital city of Caracas to demand the communist dictator Madura surrender. Guaido correctly points out that Maduro’s socialism caused the problem. Guaido’s call is great, but it doesn’t go far enough.

Fasting Is a Good Spring Cleaning for the Soul

March 9, 2019

My heart and soul needed a good spring cleaning, and Lent arrived just in time. Lent is fasting season. Most people know what fasting is, but many people don’t know what religious fasting is for. What good does fasting do the soul? Fasting is form of asceticism. That means intentionally depriving yourself of some comfort or sensual pleasure. Asceticism does not require pain or self-flagellation. Self-flagellation tends to lead to pride and should be avoided.

I thought this prophetic post was too crazy to publish

March 2, 2019

In a blog I never published for fear of being thought insane, I conveyed a prophecy: Many Christians will be accused of crimes against the state for simply following Christ’s teachings and believing that Jesus is our lord and savior. When you are accused and at trial, the Holy Spirit will speak through you if you let Him. You won’t need to come up with your own defense. Anyone might betray you and cause you to be put to death, even your parents or your children.

Looking Forward to Lent

February 18, 2019

I have never looked forward to the start of Lent. Lent is a time of repentance and atonement in anticipation of the commemoration of the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ Jesus. The whole idea of repentance and atonement always bothered me. Until now. This year, I can’t wait for Lent to begin. First, I’ve been called to redirect my zeal away from politics and toward God. Instead of bringing people into communion with the Constitution and liberty, I’m asked to bring people to Christ and Christ to people.

Elitists Want to Make St. Louis County More Like Failing City #DontMergeUs

January 12, 2019

This blog post will probably destroy my property value. Snowstorm Humanitarian Crisis on I-44 Last night, hundreds of people (maybe thousands) were trapped in their cars on I-44 eastbound near Eureka, Missouri for 7, 9, 12 hours. Some even longer. According to police scanners, a baby was born on the highway. It was a humanitarian crisis. Now, St. Louis billionaire Rex Sinquefield wants to make every aspect of your St. Louis County life a humanitarian crisis.

Congratulations Representative Dottie Bailey

January 10, 2019

The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. (Johhn 3:29) Yesterday, January 9, 2019, was a watershed day for everyone who ever associated with the St. Louis Tea Party Coalition. Your own Dottie Bailey was sworn in as Representative of the 110th State House district of Eureka, Wildwood, and Pacific.

Praying for Those Who Persecute Us

January 6, 2019

You might have read the post A Fourth Turning Warning. If you did, you’re probably wondering if I’ve lost mind. If you conclude I have not lost my mind, you probably wonder why I’d run from the fight. So I should probably address that. Let’s start, as we should always, with the Word. In this case, the Book of Matthew 5:43-45: “You have heard that is was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.

A Fourth Turning Warning for America: Climax

January 4, 2019

Yesterday, I warned, again, that the center didn’t hold. There is no center in American politics. Americans are more divided than at any time since the Civil War. (Read We Have the War Upon Us by William J. Cooper) Today, I have a short warning from the great book The Fourth Turning by Howe and Strauss. What Should Have Happened after 2016 Strauss and Howe prophesied an election that changed everything sometime during the Crisis era which began with the fall of Lehman Brothers (the last time Nancy Pelosi was Speaker of the House):

Romney Doesn't Get It: Flanders Fields

January 2, 2019

Mitt Romney’s naïveté is almost cute. He thinks it’s still 1982. But it’s not cute because it’s destructive. The world has changed, and everything is ready to fall apart. See, Mitt is mad that President Donald Trump hasn’t done more to “unite” the country. Mittens wants the president to be more “unifying.” Because “trying” to unite the country would solve everything, right? But the world has changed. Americans today are as polarized as they were 1861.

Now Experts Are Worse Than Useless

January 1, 2019

Millennials seem to believe anything that comes from the mouth of an “expert.” Even the older Millennials are probably too green to realize that listening to experts will produce worse results than going with your gut. It works like this . . . when we go with our gut (or some non-expert’s suggestion), we build in a wide margin for error. We recognize the fallibility of our own judgment and proceed with due caution.

2019: Year of the Fast

December 31, 2018

Fasting is probably the healthiest thing you can do for yourself. It’s also the cheapest healthy thing you can do. Unlike most diets and exercise plans, supplements, and, especially, trips to a doctor, fasting actually saves money. When you fast, you don’t eat. Further, fasting is the simplest thing you can do to improve your physical and mental health. There are only two things to remember: Don’t eat. Drink some water.

Glad I Won't Be Around

December 12, 2018

I was about five or six the first time I heard my mom say, “I’m glad I won’t be around to see it.” I didn’t understand what she was saying. Nonetheless, it felt ominous and unsettling. I let it go. I’m not sure when I heard it the second time, phrased slightly differenlty: “I won’t be alive when . . . .” I don’t remember what the “when” was. It didn’t matter.

St. Meinrad Archabbey (Photos)

November 25, 2018

This is the abbey church at St. Meinrad’s Archabbey in St. Meinrad, Indiana. My wife and I took a pilgrimage there this weekend. If you live in the St. Louis area, you’re only about three hours away from a fascinating piece of church history. (Here’s St. Meinrad’s website.) Mass I loved the mass. I won’t spoil it all for you, but I do want to let you know why I loved the mass.

It's a New Blog

November 23, 2018

Let’s see if this works, shall we? I spent all day moving my blog from a self-hosted Wordpress site to a Hugo static site. Since I no longer support advertising, I don’t need all the weight of Wordpress. Plus, managing a blog through Github is actually easier for me. I use git professionally. And I pretty much think in Markdown at this point. The final reason for the move is the change in direction for this blog.

Remember: Vote for Dottie Bailey in Wildwood, Eureka, Pacific MO

November 6, 2018

You know why. I’ve told you repeatedly. You have one job tomorrow if you live in Eureka, Wildwood, or Pacific. One job. VOTE FOR DOTTIE BAILEY, STATE HOUSE 110. To make the sniveling legalists happy, I am treasurer for Dottie Bailey for Missouri. Please tweet!

Josh Hawley for US Senate

November 6, 2018

Elect Hawley. Retire that wicked witch of the swamp McCaskill so you can walk with a little pride, Missouri. I am 100% voting proudly for Josh Hawley for US Senate, and you will too. No need to say more. Vote for Hawley all the way and silently wonder what’s wrong with anyone who doesn’t. (There’s something wrong. Say a prayer for them.) I repeat: **Hennessy’s for Hawley 100%. **

How will God answer our prayers?

November 5, 2018

How will God answer our prayers to make America holy again? For 17 days we’ve been praying, going to confession, going to mass as often as we can. Rosaries. Chaplet of St. Michael. Tomorrow, election day, our back-to-back novenas wrap up. Fr. Heilman asked his Spiritual Warriors to do as many of these daily devotions as possible: Pray in a State of Grace (Go to Confession) Believe God will answer our prayers October 20 – October 28 – Novena #1 – Pray the St.

How I'm Voting

November 5, 2018

In case anyone cares. US Senate: Josh Hawley US House, 2nd District: Ann Wagner State Auditor: Saundra McDowell State Senate: Dave Schatz State Rep, 110th: Dottie Bailey Issues Amendment 1: NO (this amendment is intended to make Missouri a blue state. Kill it now) Amendment 2: YES (best step toward ending cannabis war in Missouri) Amendment 3: YES (in case Amendment 2 fails) Amendment 4: YES (why can’t bingo advertise? Casinos can.

Election Day Spiritual Warfare

November 4, 2018

Polls open in less than 48 hours. History tells us how to win the election with spiritual warfare. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, agains the world rulers of this present darkness, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Perfect Words from Trump

November 4, 2018

Even his supporters say President Trump’s speech is sometimes inelegant. Intentional or accidental, the president’s word choice often triggers his enemies and sometimes confuses his many supporters. But on Friday President Trump had the best words for sure. Talking about the possibility of Democrats seizing control of the US House of Representatives, he said, “could happen . . . could happen.” But the killer line we all must remember came next: “Don’t worry about it.

Democrats Hate Asylum Seekers From Commie Countries

November 3, 2018

WARNING: College-educated suburban women should not read this article because it will punch holes in their unicorn-and-rainbows delusions. Democrats use refugees like pawns in their perverted and wicked quest for power. Once upon a time, nearly all asylum seekers were turned away by the United States. These were times when Democrats ran the White House or both Houses of Congress. Most recently, the Obama administration banned all asylum seekers from Cuba.

What do Stoics and Catholics Have in Common?

November 1, 2018

Lots, actually. But one Stoic practice that’s central to Christianity seems pertinent on All Hallow’s Eve: memento mori. Remember your death. Remember, you will die. We all die. All the tech billionaires spending their fortunes trying to live forever will die. No matter how young and healthy you are, time is running through your hourglass. It will run out. And you probably won’t know when. For over a year I’ve carried a challenge coin that reminds me of my death:

The Secret to a Better Life and Less Political Violence Is Here

October 29, 2018

If you read a lot of business and personal improvement blogs, you know they feed a lot of tips for living a better life. By “better” they mean making more money, getting a promotion, being more productive, whatever. Are those things really what makes life better? If so, why do so many successful people burn out? John Belushi, River Phoenix, Amy Winehouse, Janice Joplin, Michael Jackson. Is it show business? Well, look what’s happening to Elon Musk.

This could make Missouri a blue state fast

October 28, 2018

Amendment 1 would turn over Missouri’s state and federal gerrymandering to an unelected demographer. This means there’s an 8 to 1 chance (87.5%) that the demographer will be a Democrat. Demography is a social science. Social science majors are mostly far left or liberal. Only a handful of social science majors call themselves conservative: A 2015 study by psychologist José Duarte, then at Arizona State University, and his colleagues in Behavioral and Brain Sciences, entitled “Political Diversity Will Improve Social Psychological Science,” found that 58 to 66 percent of social scientists are liberal and only 5 to 8 percent conservative and that there are eight Democrats for every Republican.

I was wrong! And here's the lesson

October 27, 2018

A couple of days back I said the mail “bombs” looked like a false flag. But I left open the possibility of a crazy Republican. Boy, am I glad I gave myself that out. I should have paid more attention to Scott Adams in those days. Scott used pure statistical reasoning to conclude that the packages probably came from a crazy Trump supporter: base cases. There are more crazy people than there are brilliant criminal strategists who hate Trump.

Looks Like a False Flag Event

October 25, 2018

Maybe it’s a false flag. Maybe it’s not. But it looks like a false flag. All these mail bombs I’m talking about. You have to ask yourself: “who would do this two weeks before an election?” If you’re a conservative, do you do something that’s bound to inspire sympathy for lefties right before an election? No. Unless you’re insane. Any sane person would know that a (failed) mail-bomb plot targeting a bunch of Democrats and leftists will only make conservatives look bad.

Here's what's at stake on November 7

October 24, 2018

I get the feeling a lot of people think mid-term elections are like pre-season hockey. These people think the only election that counts is the presidential election. These people are, frankly, idiots. Sorry. They are. What’s at stake in less than two weeks is huge. One of the biggest mid-term elections in your lifetime. If you want it reduced to a simple either/or, here it is. Donald Trump will be an unstoppable swamp drainer and job creator or a lame duck.

What's October Without a Fest? Wed. Oct. 24 @ 6:30 p.m.

October 22, 2018

And by “fest” I mean “fundraiser.” Or just fun. For Dottie Bailey, soon to be the new Missouri House Rep from 110th District of Wildwood, Eureka, and Pacific. Fun and Fundraiser for Dottie Bailey October 24, 2018 | 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Eureka Wine House 107 S Central Ave, Eureka, MO 63025 Come out and join us! This will be fun. Great chance to meet Dottie and talk to old political friends about the upcoming election.

Are These Woman as Stupid as They Say?

October 20, 2018

I keep hearing the media say terrible things about women who live in suburbs and went to college. According to everyone from CNN to the Cook Political Report, these college-educated suburban women have no control over their emotions or their hormones. They self-sabotage and sabotage their families just to quell their own emotional urges. In other words, the media say college-educated suburban women are all hysterical. That’s a terrible, sexist thing for the CNN to say about these women.

How to shield Brett Kavanaugh against spells of witches

October 20, 2018

You probably heard that a bunch of witches are gathering in New York City today to put hexes on Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Donald Trump, and others. Don’t take this lightly. Father Richard Heilman and folks at the Holy League have asked Christians to pray the Lorica of St. Patrick for Justice Kavanaugh, substituting “Brett Kavanaugh” or “Justice Kavanaugh” for the first person pronouns. This is a powerful prayer that’s more than 1,500 years old!

The secret to holding the House of Representatives

October 14, 2018

No, it’s not more money. Nor better ads. Nor snarkier tweets. Nor more Facebook friends. Keeping the US House of Representatives out of the hands of the #AngryDemocratMob requires supernatural help. We cannot do it alone. The other side has supernatural help. The other side cooperates with Satan for power on earth. Therefore, our battle is not with mere mortals alone, but with demons working in concert with men. Even if we were to assemble a vast army of mere mortals, we will lose.

Donald the Great

October 7, 2018

In less than two years, Donald J. Trump has already achieved more as President of the United States than most of his predecessors did in eight or more years. Trump has eliminated more federal regulations than all past presidents combined Trump pushed through Congress one of the largest tax cuts in history Trump has renegotiated numerous trade agreements, including NAFTA Trump has reinvigorated American manufacturing Trump has sparked the strongest economy in US history Trump has reduce unemployment for blacks and Hispanics to their lowest levels in history Trump has achieved a remarkable 35% favorability rating among blacks, the highest for a Republican in modern times Trump has placed on the Supreme Court two solidly conservative jurists Trump has given Republicans the courage to stand up to evil progressives Trump has reunited the warring factions of the Republican base Trump has changed Americans' expectations of the office of president Trump has redefined what it means to be presidential Trump has exposed America’s domestic enemies and left vulnerable Even those who viscerally hate Donald Trump—and there are many—cannot deny that Trump’s impact on the USA and on the world exceeds even his impact on the New York City skyline.

How did I get the Kavanaugh vote so wrong?

October 6, 2018

I predicted that Judge Brett Kavanaugh would be rejected by the Senate. I was wrong. In a few minutes from the time I write, the Senate will confirm Judge Kavanaugh by a vote of 50 ayes to 48 nays. One Republican will vote “present.” What went wrong? I underestimated the courage and fortitude of three Senators: Republicans Jeff Flake and Susan Collins, and Democrat “Lonely” Joe Manchin. I truly believed Flake would put his hatred of Donald Trump before the good of the country and vote nay.

You Will Be Punished Efficiently

October 2, 2018

The trains to Auschwitz ran on time. Brutal dictatorships love efficiency. Stalin. Hitler. Mao. Pol Pot. The best mass murderers are efficient. Psychopaths feed on efficiency. They kill because killing is the most efficient means to their end. They kill to rid society of inefficient people. People who introduce inefficiencies to the system. People who get in the way. Democracy is inefficient. As are all republics. (A republic is any form of government that’s open to the public.

We've Never Been Closer to Totalitarianism

September 30, 2018

Very scary thought: If the Democrats take over the House and Senate in January, they could impeach both Trump and Pence and try them in the Senate at the same time making Nancy Pelosi president. You’ve Never Lived in a Time Like This One I’m almost old enough to remember the Democrat National Convention of 1968. Almost. What a show. Hippies and Yippies marching, tear gas, Mayor Daley, Buckley threatening to punch Gore Vidal on live TV.

Pray for Our Nation

September 28, 2018

I can’t believe I missed it. A 54-day novena for our nation. It ends on October 7 with the Rosary Coast-to-Coast. Which means it started before I learned of either. But that’s okay. You don’t have to do the novena to do say the Rosary. Just show up at any of the Rosary stations around the area at 3:00 on October 7. I’m helping organize one location at the Black Madonna Shrine in Eureka/Pacific area.

Amy Coney Barrett: Remember Her Name

September 27, 2018

Scott Adams predicts Brett Kavanaugh will be confirmed. I don’t. I predict his nomination won’t get out of committee. Jeff Flake of the judiciary committee will vote no. Trump will have to nominate someone else. He’ll nominate Amy Coney Barrett. There will be no hearing for Judge Amy. Diane Feinstein will have no opportunity to spew her anti-Catholic bigotry. She will pass the committee about 72 hours after the Senate receives the nomination.

This Day Comes Only Once a Year

September 23, 2018

But the urgency of this moment comes only twice per millennium. Will you be there? On October 7, Christians around the world will unsheathe the most powerful weapon with which God has ever armed his people. We will, together, wage a great battle in the spiritual war of our age. What is this weapon? What is the spiritual war? If you’re paying attention at all, you know the spiritual war we’re all in.

I think it's all a lie, but it will work

September 22, 2018

The Kavanaugh thing. I think it’s all a lie. Everything. I’ve been around Democrats and progressives too long. I’ve seen them. I’ve had one live in my house. You underestimate the depths of their hatred for America. They hate it. They hate us. They especially hate themselves. When you hate yourself, nothing is beneath you. When you hate yourself, you debase yourself. When you hate yourself, you are capable and willing to do anything.

Rosary Coast-to-Coast October 7—Pray for America! UPDATE

September 19, 2018

The holy Rosary is a powerful weapon! St. Josemaria Escriva On Sunday, October 7 at 3:30 p.m. Central (and simultaneously across the USA and the whole world), millions will say the Rosary in unison. Will you join us? We are at war. A war without borders, where no man is exempt but where most haven’t recognized, let alone been trained, to fight. Casualties often go unseen, but very few are left unwounded.

What the World Needs Now

September 12, 2018

Unless you’re training a young puppy, you don’t think about it very often. A few decades ago, it still applied to the training of young humans, but that’s passè now. Yet, of all the minor virtues, this one seems the most lacking, the most valuable, and most difficult for libertarians like me. I’m thinking of obedience. My Lesson in Obedience Obedience, like many other virtues, is easy to talk about and difficult to execute.

How God Uses Dogs

September 10, 2018

Stella Is My Teacher This is probably disturbing to theologians and apologists, but it makes sense to me. When I struggle with how to relate personally to Christ, I think of the way my dog relates to me. And when I wonder how God feels about me, I think about how I feel about my dog. Dogs treat their people the way we’re supposed to treat God. And we respond to dogs in a way that teaches us how God responds to us.

The Little Girl in Cory Booker

September 9, 2018

A faction in America seems hellbent on destroying the country in order to save it from Donald Trump. What do we owe them? For many years, I wrote and preached that we owe them contempt and anger. That we must fight them tooth and nail. And that we must prevail. And we did. And our victories led to bigger battles. The thrill of victory proved fleeting. Don’t you hope for a victory that lasts?

The Kavanaugh Conniption

September 8, 2018

Judging by the hateful behavior of the materialistic left, you’d think Judge Brett Kavanaugh has a history of driving around neighborhoods and stopping to strangle puppies in front of their 5-year-old masters. There was Kamala Harris’s outburst at the start of the hearings. There was Cory Booker’s sad and embarrassing Spartacus moment which was like a failed scene in a forgotten Woody Allen movie. Now, the left’s hate groups are complaining that the Democrats didn’t go far enough.

But What If the Holy Father Is Right?

September 4, 2018

You might think I’ve been pretty hard on Pope Francis lately. I’ve questioned whether his refusal to deny Archbishop Viganò’s accusations. And I’ve indicated that, if the allegations are true, the pope’s resignation might be the best thing for the Church. Please understand that my posts are about seeking justice for the many victims of this scandal, includes the many faithful who never directly abused by a priest but, nonetheless, have been harmed by the scandal.

Did Pope Francis and Vatican Sec State Admit Viganò's Testimony?

September 3, 2018

One week after Archbishop Carlo Viganò released his bombshell letter, it looks obvious that Pope Francis admits the key allegation: Francis knew McCarrick to be a serial molester, and he returned McCarrick to public ministry anyway. As we’ll see later in this post, Pope Francis has a pattern of letting molesters and their protectors off the hook. Speaks for Itself Did the pope admit to the horrendous allegations directly? Not directly.

Why Would I Do This Now?

September 2, 2018

“Good luck with your evangelism,” my wife said. We were discussing my plan to become a Catholic Street Evangelist. My first prayer station event is September 16 under the tutelage of a seasoned team leader. “Why do you say it like that?” I asked her. “This is kind of a bad time to be out trying to bring people into the Catholic church, isn’t it?” She had a point. The church has been in sort of a losing streak of late.

Jim Towey Is Confused

September 1, 2018

God bless Jim Towey and the work of his school, Ave Maria University. I am confident that he is confused, and we should pray for clarity. I’m talking about his recent series of letters and clarifications regarding how Catholics should express their obedience to the pope. Jim is partially right and partially off base. What Jim Towey Gets Right Jim is right that that conservative Catholics need to be very gracious and obedient when they challenge the pope’s formal teaching on matters like the death penalty.

Pope Emeritus Benedict Can Settle It All

September 1, 2018

One man can confirm or deny the central allegation against Pope Francis. The Catholic Church needs that man to step up now. In an 11-page letter by former US Nuncio (ambassador) Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, Pope Francis is accused of ignoring warnings about Cardinal Timothy McCarrick. Viganò claims he personally delivered the warning to Pope Francis in 2013. The pope allegedly ignored the warning and the dossier on McCarrick in 2013.

The Fisherman's Other Shoe Just Dropped

August 31, 2018

God, come to our assistance O, Lord, make haste to help us Pope Francis ignored evidence of crimes and overturned punishment imposed by Pope Benedict on the wicked and disgraced Cardinal McCarrick. That’s according to a former papal nuncio and corroborated by a former first counselor to the nunciature to the United States speaking on the record. The two men have direct knowledge of the matter. Pope Francis refused to comment on the allegations that he personally covered up McCarrick’s crimes.

Take the Leap of Faith

August 30, 2018

Thousands of religions have sprung up around the world. Most lasted less than a generation. Some lasted longer. Only five have shown the stability and breadth to be called “world religions.” They are Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. The Eastern religions—Buddhism and Hinduism—compartmentalize faith from daily life. They protect believers from the risks of a leap of faith. Philosopher Mortimer Adler dismissed Eastern religions because of this “logic-tight compartmentalization.” Religions that segregate faith from action dismiss believers of the need to take a leap of faith.

Hennessy's View Now Ad-Free!

August 28, 2018

I’ve been using Google Adsense for years to offset the cost of hosting this site. Google never paid enough to cover the costs, but the ad revenue helped. The thing is, Google is an evil company run by evil men. I don’t want to support evil people, so I’ve eliminated my Google ads. (Google is very unfair to publishers, by the way. They rig their system so you don’t get paid.

Why Do You Stay?

August 26, 2018

Why do you stay a Catholic? Today’s Gospel reading comes from John 6. John chapter 6 is all about the bread of life. In it, Jesus shocks his Jewish followers by announcing that they must eat his flesh and drink his blood to achieve eternal life. When some of his disciples challenged this formula for immortality, Jesus doubled down, saying: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

A Bishop Does the Right Thing and the Post-Dispatch Deceives You

August 24, 2018

It’s Friday, and our archbishop in St. Louis has done a great thing. (Maybe today would be a good time to thank a priest. Give him encouragement.) But the town blog used deception to report the story. Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis asked Missouri’s Attorney General, Josh Hawley, to review all of the archdiocese’s records regarding abuse cases. Hawley agreed to the Archbishop’s request. Archbishop Carlson deserves our praise and respect for his openness and honesty.

Now, Let's Thank God for Priests

August 23, 2018

I heard a story a long time ago. From a woman who escaped the Soviet Union and came to America. She told us how lucky we are in America to have priests. She urged us to pray in thanksgiving every day that we have priests. The communists in Russia outlawed religion. While some religions continued to operate, the government seemed to have a particular hatred of Catholics. Russian communists were familiar with the unique power of priests to consecrate the sacrifice and administer sacraments.

You Need the Church Christ Founded

August 22, 2018

Because of my sinfulness and selfishness, I was out of communion with the blessed sacrament for most of my adult life. To anyone who’s never been excommunicated, you cannot imagine the pain and humiliation of being in that state. Being a coward, I avoided mass. I was too embarrassed. Week after week, my neighbors would see me not going to communion. I’d have to get up and let the communicants through, then kneel back down, often alone.

Remember, Lord, how your servants are taunted (because of the sex abuse scandal)

August 16, 2018

Another day, another 300 accused predatory priests. When will it end, Lord? When will it end? This morning, I tried to listen in silence for God’s answers to my questions. What do we say about the news out of Pennsylvania? How do we answer those who taunt and ridicule the Church? How do we settle our anger at the priests and bishops and cardinals who protected the pederasts for decades? How do we reconcile the hideous criminality of those men with the uncountable graces God freely gave them through the many sacraments they’ve received?

How to Find Truth In Consistency

August 16, 2018

A great colleague and I invented something in 2010. It was a two-day workshop for companies. It has been incredibly successful. In that workshop, we cite a lot of behavioral science research. We also point out that some behavioral science research is bogus. Up to 60 percent by a recent study (which might have been bogus itself.) So how do you know good science from bad? Look for consistency. I’ll give you an example.

The Power of Praise

August 14, 2018

I need to practice something. I need to practice being more generous with compliments and praise of others. Yesterday, a colleague asked if she could speak to me. I naturally thought I had done something wrong. When she began by saying, “you know, I always speak my mind,” I thought, “oh, no. Here it comes.” Then she told me, “the other day in a meeting I mentioned how much I love hearing you speak.

How to Get to Heaven (I think)

August 13, 2018

God made man and woman, and man and woman screwed everything up. So, eventually, God gave up the comforts of heaven and most of the perks of being God to become a man on earth and show us how to do it right. Instead of thanking Him for the tutoring, we ridiculed, tortured, and murdered Him. Lucky for us, a few guys took notes while Jesus was here. And they published them.

Happy Birthday to a Special Friend

August 11, 2018

Just a short note to wish my friend Jim a happy birthday. Jim doesn’t know this, but several years ago he planted a seed in my heart that has broken through the crust of the earth and is now starting to bloom. For his birthday, I want him to know how grateful I am for his wisdom. When Jim was in St. Louis, he helped a great deal in getting the St.

How I Deal With the Pope's Teaching on the Death Penalty

August 11, 2018

Last week, Pope Francis approved a change to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Longtime readers might recall that my views on the death penalty are a bit nuanced. But I didn’t always have the courage to express it. In 2014, I wrote: I don’t buy the idea that the death penalty is no deterrent. I don’t buy the notion that the death penalty should be banned. I think the availability of such a punishment serves its purpose.

Follow-up to Yesterday's Post

August 10, 2018

Not all television is bad. Yesterday, I wrote about a dark and unpleasant future. [Read “What Should We Do Next?"] I wrote about the possibility of rapid social decay into civil war or oppression of Christians, Jews, and political conservatives. Essentially, the downfall of Western Civilization. Some people would expect me to recommend that we all prepare for combat. I don’t. I do recommend people prepare for hardship. (I’ll write about how in the future.

What Should We Do Next?

August 10, 2018

God laughs at man’s plans. That’s because God has already given us the only plan we need. A plan to get through this life worthy of the next. And that is enough. Lawrence of Rome Followed the Plan Today is the feast day of Saint Lawrence of Rome. Lawrence is the patron saint of, among others, comedians. Lawrence was the leader of a group seven deacons whose mission was to distribute alms to the poor.

Crawling Back to Happiness and Freedom

August 9, 2018

Happiness Did you know that the word “happiness” means “blessed?” Neither did I. But when I heard this on EWTN Radio the other day, I remembered there are two translations of the Beatitudes. One version goes with “Blessed are . . .” and the other with “Happy are . . . .” So, I guess it’s true. The words are interchangeable. Happiness, then, doesn’t mean walking around in some lithium-induced state of bliss.

Dottie Bailey Won

August 8, 2018

Dottie Bailey defeated Rockwood School Board President Matt Doell in the Republican primary for Missouri House District 110. Dottie now faces Democrat Cody Kelley in November. Dottie is a phenomenal campaigner. She knocked on over 4,000 doors between April and August. Her efforts resulted in an enormous 19 percentage-point win despite being outspent by her opponent. Making Dottie’s more impressive is the fact that Doell had been elected to the Rockwood board three times while this was Dottie’s first race ever.

How I'm Voting August 7

August 6, 2018

People ask me how I plan to vote on August 7. Here you go: U.S. Senator - Republican Party Primary → Austin Petersen U.S. Representative, District 2 - Republican Party Primary → Noga Sachs State Auditor - Republican Party Primary→ Paul Curtman Missouri Proposition A→ Yes State Representative, District 110 - Republican Party Primary→ Dottie Bailey St. Louis County Executive - Republican Party Primary→ Paul Berry III St. Louis County Assessor - Republican Party Primary → Dan Hyatt

Primary Fast: Day 14

August 6, 2018

You made it. If you began the Fast with me, today is the last day of skipping breakfast and lunch. (Unless you decide to makeone-meal-a-day a permanent habit.) What Fasting Can Do Here’s what happened to you during the fast (if you followed the prescription): You probably lost about five pounds. Your pants feel looser. You pull your belt a notch tighter. You saved money. (I saved $98.) You learned that food is an option most of the time.

Urgent: We Need Poll Sitters

August 5, 2018

We need poll sitters. Poll workers for Dottie Bailey for Missouri House District 110. Eureka, Pacific, and Wildwood. The job is easy. Wear a Dottie Bailey t-shirt in front of a polling place. As voters approach, say “Thank you for coming out to vote today, and we appreciate your support for Dottie Bailey. Why Dottie Dottie is the true conservative, grassroots activist in the race. Her primary opponent is an old nemesis of the Tea Party.

Listen to Napoleon

August 4, 2018

Vote for Dottie Bailey If you don’t vote for Dottie, I’ll come to your house and dance. (You can’t unsee that.)

Matt Doell: The Ru Paul of Eureka

August 4, 2018

Matt Doell pretending to be a Republican is the greatest display of cross-dressing since the Broadway premiere of La Cage Aux Folles.1 If you live in Missouri House district 110 (Eureka, Pacific, Wildwood), Matt Doell has been molesting your mailbox with personal attacks on his opponent, Dottie Bailey. (Read voter reactions to Doell’s dirt campaign here and here.) You might have noticed that Doell (I call him Droopy) never attacks Dottie’s positions on issues like jobs, education, the Second Amendment, taxes, crime, etc.

Doell's Soul Roe's Latest Victim

August 3, 2018

Personally, I like Jeff Roe, the political consultant. He called me the night before Ted Cruz announced his run for president. I was honored, frankly. As Senator Cruz’s campaign manager, Mr. Roe had much bigger fish to fry that night. I’ve heard that Jeff holds no grudges. He genuinely cares about the opposing candidates even while he viciously destroys their careers. I have no doubt Mr. Roe has many great qualities as a person, and I know he has amazing talents as a political operative and strategist.

Breaking: Droopy Matt Doell Gets Dirty

August 2, 2018

[caption id=“attachment_36429” align=“alignleft” width=“210”] Droopy (or Disgusting?) Matt Doell[/caption] Voters in House District 110 are asking why they received such a “disgusting” flyer from candidate Matt Doell. Answer: Probably because he’s losing badly. Matt Doell has decided to get dirty. And personal. And mean. (Horrible internals?) While Dottie Bailey has knocked doors, attended coffees, and generally met with voters, Matt Doell rubbed elbows with hot-shots and union bosses and avoided anything that looks like an “ordinary person.

Doell Slammed by Ethics Commission for Phony Complaint

August 2, 2018

Matt Doell made a desperate attempt to sick the MEC on Hennessy’s View. Makes me so happy. But the MEC shot Doell down like a hovering duck. From the MEC’s official “Wah-wah” letter to the Doell campaign: Therefore, the Commission is not accepting this complaint. Doell’s failed complaint centers on my blog posts that criticize his performance as a member of the Rockwood School Board. For your convenience, here’s the list of my blogs criticizing Rockwood during Doell’s seven-year tenure:

Bad Judgment on Rockwood School Board (or something worse?)

July 31, 2018

Everyone remembers the horrible audit of the Rockwood School District. ** $1.2 million wasted in double payments ** Contracts awarded to a construction company that had one of its executives on the board ** Feeble, “arrogant” response to the audit from board members ** Bad management! But the worst example of cronyism and arrogance went largely unreported. (The great Elliott Davis caught it, though. Video to follow.) Rockwood Board’s Secret Response The late auditor Tom Schweich released Rockwood’s horrible audit on February 28, 2013.

How Many Kids Did You Save Today?

July 29, 2018

Rush Limbaugh says radical feminism’s goal is to see that every abortion that can happen does. Today, I witnessed the opposite of that murderous goal. Today, I was lucky enough to rub elbows with beautiful people who make sure every life that can happen does. And every life saved is given the necessities to thrive. At my very first Knights of Columbus meeting in June, a man stood up to speak.

I could listen to this for hours: Veni Creator Spiritus

July 29, 2018

I love listening to Gregorian Chant. It’s all beautiful. But one chant, for me, stands above the rest. I think you’ll enjoy it, so I’m embedding it right here. [audio m4a=“https://www.hennessysview.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/18-veni-creator-spiritus-.m4a”][/audio] Veni Creator Spiritus by Schola Sancte Scholasticae and St. Cecilia’s Abbey, UK I hope you enjoy this lovely, calming music as much as I do. If you like it, please leave a note in the comments. Maybe even bookmark this page to listen again and again.

Don't Fast on Sundays

July 28, 2018

Many years ago, a company hired a new president. After several months on the job, this new president learned that most of his employees couldn’t pick him out of a line-up. He spent so much time in his office or in meetings or traveling that he rarely met with the people who reported to him. To fix this problem, he set up a series of lunches. They were off-site at restaurants around town.

State House Candidate Likes Local Control after Embarrassing State Audit

July 26, 2018

One of the candidates for Missouri House District 110 (Eureka, Wildwood, and Pacific) sent out a mailer to voters today. The mailer talks about “local control” of education, and many other fine platitudes that poll well. In other news,** while this candidate was on the Rockwood School District board of directors** (the district that serves most of Eureka, Wildwood, and Pacific), **bad things happened**. Like this: The Rockwood School District overpaid its longtime construction management company by more than $1.

Primary Fasting

July 24, 2018

I invite you to join a centuries-old tradition: fasting for a cause. Moses and Jesus fasted for 40 days. But this Primary Fast will last only 14. Some fasts require that you eat nothing during the fast. But this Primary Fast lets you eat one full, wonderful meal a day. Did you know that General Stanley McChrystal has lived on just one meal a day for decades. And one meal a day was enough to drive him through the war against al Qaeda.

Quick Math Facts on Rockwood School District Tax History. UPDATE: RDS Servers Bouncing?

July 24, 2018

One of the candidates running for the state House of Representatives in District 110 has been on the Rockwood School Board since 2011. In a campaign mailer, this candidate claims he’s cut taxes in the district. Is that true? Well, it’s true that the property tax rate in Rockwood has been reduced twice during his tenure. But that’s not even close to the whole picture. Since the 2010-2011 school year, when this candidate joined the board, Rockwood has raised taxes 5 times.

All Politicians Treat Constitutents Well

July 18, 2018

Some people complain about politicians not representing their constituents well. I disagree. From what I’ve seen in my life, all politicians do a great job of representing their constituents. They really do. If I’m right about politicians being 100% true to their constituents, then why are so many voters so unhappy with the people they voted for? It’s simple: the voters aren’t every politician’s constituents. That’s right. Not all politicians consider the people who vote for them constituents.

An Awesome Prayer to Start Your Day

July 6, 2018

You will find yourself saying this out loud as if it we’re a great soliloquy. This prayer is pure strength. (Updated with version found in [The Manual for Men](https://www.catholiccompany.com/manual-for-men-i124864/?aid=5417&new=yes&engine=email&trk_msg=2AU5FNSK4LQ4T2GBU5CVDHAA8G&trk_contact=1UJPB3PSL771MPT7G3JA8S5V8G&trk_sid=OP0ED4DVFP6GGATLOQK32FOHO0&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Product&utm_campaign=06_30_18_Mystery_Promo_Last_Day&utm_content=POSTCARD).) Lorica (Breastplate) of St. Patrick I bind to myself today the strong virtue of an Invocation of the Trinity: I believe the Trinity in the Unity the Creator of the Universe. I bind to myself today the virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism, the virtue of His crucifixion with His burial, the virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension, the virtue of His coming on the Judgement Day.

Declare Independence from Social Media. Do This Instead

July 4, 2018

The American Revolution started in a tavern. Actually, it started in many taverns. But taverns they were. J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis hatched their greatest novels in The Eagle and Child tavern in Oxford. If you want to be as great as the founding fathers or as prolific as Tolkien and Lewis, get off social media and get to a bar. I’m going to tell you why. #1: Social Media Breed Depression and Anxiety The more time you spend on Facebook, the more likely you are to suffer depression, attempt suicide, and feel overwhelmed by life.

Father's Day

June 17, 2018

For 99.875% of modern human existence, women tended the village and the home while men did dangerous things for long periods of time. And for the past 50 years, our academics and planners have pretended the entire history of our species didn’t matter. The academics and planners are killing us. I just looked at a list of 286 quotes about fathers. It is a modern list. For every positive quote about fathers, the list contains eight negative quotes.

How to Deal With Events

June 3, 2018

Governor Eric Greitens resigned. Friend of the lobbyists, Mike Parson, became Missouri’s governor. In the words of someone who knows the new governor well, Mike Parson will “sell everything that isn’t nailed down.” For those of us who believe in limited government that doesn’t put its thumb on the scale of achievement, it’s time to panic and despair, right? Wrong. It’s never time to panic or despair. And we know this from two of the greatest philosophers of all time, Epictetus and Seneca.

I Know a Saint

June 2, 2018

My mom and dad have two anniversaries. One anniversary celebrates the day my uncle Bob drove them to Hot Springs, Arkansas to elope. The other celebrates the day about a week later when, having learned of their civil nuptials, my grandfather ordered them to go see Father English and set themselves right with the church. Like father, like son, I guess. Except, the kid’s a lot slower. Fifteen years slower.

Why Is Jay Barnes So Angry?

May 26, 2018

Remember this? I’m sure you have some cosmic rationale But here you are with your faith And your Peter Pan advice You have no scars on your face And you cannot handle pressure The pressure Pressure 1, 2, 3, 4 Pressure! Read more: Billy Joel - Pressure Lyrics | MetroLyrics Jay Barnes is the chairman of the Missouri House impeachment committee. By all accounts, Greasy Jay, as he’s known on Twitter, is also acting like a raving lunatic.

Descend on Jefferson City

May 17, 2018

It’s time. Powerful and corrupt people want to undo the 2016 election. In Washington. In Missouri. Win or lose, Americans deal with the results of elections. Our commitment to open, public government, of the people, by, the people, for people, has sustained this nation. And made it the greatest nation in the history of humanity. But dark forces in Missouri want to turn your government into their private club. A club managed by corrupt business who rely on tax dollars to keep their failed enterprises afloat.

Poll Your Missouri State Rep Now

May 17, 2018

Simple mission: poll your Missouri State Rep. If you don’t know your rep, I’ll give you a link a little later. But hurry. Poll closes Friday, May 18 at 6:00 p.m. Here’s the single poll question: “As your constituent, I want to know: if a vote on impeachment of Governor Greitens were held today, would you vote Yay or Nay?” Then, return to this page to record your Rep’s answer.

Glory Days for Missouri Republicans

May 6, 2018

I had a friend was a big baseball player back in high school He could throw that speedball by you Make you look like a fool boy Saw him the other night at this roadside bar I was walking in, he was walking out We went back inside sat down had a few drinks but all he kept talking about was Glory Days —Bruce Springsteen, Glory Days

Trump: Morning in America Part II

May 1, 2018

When you hide the name and simply list accomplishments, any reasonable person would agree that Donald Trump has done more good for the country than any president in living memory. Economy ** African-America unemployment lowest in history ** Hispanic unemployment lowest in history ** Female unemployment lowest in 18 years ** Stock market up 35% since *election ** Manufacturing jobs growing for *first time in decades ** Steelworkers going to back to work after humiliating layoffs ** Regulatory cuts have reinvigorated dying industries ** Millions of new jobs planned across the country

Missouri Crimes

May 1, 2018

Scott Faughn’s name came up in conversation last week. “What’s this Faughn guy’s role in the Greitens' investigation?” someone asked. Faughn is the publisher of Missouri Times and a former mayor of Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Papers call him a “power broker.” Others call him the “Candy Man.” I didn’t understand the question. “Not sure,” I said. “His paper hates Grietens, but that’s as much as know. And I’ve been to his weird, hidden party pad in Jefferson City.

Hard Advice for Many Friends

April 30, 2018

“The [Johnson] Treatment” could last anywhere from ten minutes or four hours and it would come whenever and wherever Johnson might find a fellow Senator or politician within his radius. “Its tone could be and included supplication, accusation, cajolery, exuberance, scorn, tears, complaint and the hint of threat.” All of these elements together brought out the spectrum of human emotions. Its velocity was breathtaking, and it was all in one direction.

Party Thursday!

April 29, 2018

A great State Rep decides to give up his seat. The seat previously held by the Speaker of the House and a conservative legend. A seat in, perhaps, the most reliably conservative House district in St. Louis County. Now, there’s a battle for that seat. A battle between a left-leaning Establishment Republican and a grassroots Conservative activist. An activist whose work for the right causes earned a star on Heritage Action’s Wall of Honor.

Doc of the Decade Is Almost Here. Watch the Trailer

April 26, 2018

This is the most important documentary of the decade. https://youtu.be/X_AyP9SAEJc What can you do? Start close to home. Don’t tolerate intolerance. Don’t curb your tongue. And don’t elect whimps to government. Missouri’s legislature needs every person with spine it find. You don’t want a mouse in the House. And Dottie Bailey has no places for safe spaces. If you live in Wildwood, Eureka, or Pacific areas, vote for Dottie Bailey.

King David and Eric Greitens

April 24, 2018

People have an innate sense of justice. One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful,3 and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba,the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” 4 Then David sent messengers to get her.

Eric Greitens in His Own Words

April 23, 2018

My blog includes links to related posts at the bottom of every individual post page. I usually don’t pay much attention, but today I noticed something. (BTW, this new theme looks great on phones.) One of the old stories in the Eric Greitens category was my first comments on his book Resilience. My old post talked about why it took me so long to finish the book. And it contained two short passages from the book.

How Senator Schaff's "Clean Missouri" Plan Will Deliver the Legislature to Democrats

April 22, 2018

People who spend a lot of time in Jefferson City say Rob Schaff is so consumed with Governor Greitens that he’s completely lost his marbles. (I don’t know. Just telling you what I hear.) When I read about Schaff’s latest endorxement of the Clean Missouri petition initiative, I believed the stories. This is dangerous stuff. If Clean Missouri becomes law, State Senator Rob Schaff’s proposal would flip our state legislature from Republican Red to a deep and dirty Democrat Blue.

A Candidate With Skin in the Game

April 22, 2018

*Ninety-eight percent of Americans - plumbers, dentists, bus drivers - have skin in the game. We have to worry about the 2 percent - the intellectuals and politicians making the big decisions who don’t have skin in the game and are messing the whole thing up for everybody else. Thirty years ago, the French National Assembly was composed of shop owners, farmers, doctors, veterinarians, and small-town lawyers—people involved in daily activities.

The Odyssey of Eric Greitens

April 21, 2018

O Divine Poesy, goddess, daughter of Zeus, sustain for me this song of the various-minded man who, after he had plundered the innermost citadel of hallowed Troy, was made to stay grievously about the coasts of men, the sport of their customs, good and bad, while his heart, through all the sea-faring, ached with an agony to redeem himself and bring his company safe home. Vain hope – for them.

Yellow Josh "Hee" Hawley

April 21, 2018

We all thought it. “This time, for sure, McCaskill goes down.” We’ve thought it before and been disappointed. But this time is different, right? This time, we have that up-and-coming Attorney General who’s backed by conservatives and establishment Republicans alike. A guy equally at home at a Tea Party conference or a Jack Danforth backyard barbecue. This time, for sure. But this time looks like another disappointment for Missouri Republicans hoping to send another Republican to the US Senate.

What Happens When a Political Junky Unplugs?

April 1, 2018

I gave up news for Lent. I also stayed away from blogging. I’m trying to have fewer opinions about fewer things. When you have a lot of opinions about a lot of things, nothing is more important than anything else. But that’s ridiculous. Some things are more important than others. Some questions must be answered before others. So I gave up news for Lent, and I might never go back.

I’m 100% with Governor Greitens

January 16, 2018

Nothing has shaken my support for Eric Greitens. People ask me if I’m sorry I supported him. Are you kidding? Governor Greitens signed Right to Work. Something I’ve supported since it first appeared in the 1970s. Governor Greitens strengthened Missouri’s strong Right to Life policies. Governor Greitens is rebuilding Missouri jobs and wages. Governor Greitens is doing exactly what we elected him to do for Missouri. Is he perfect? Of course not.

How to spot a #StableGenius

January 6, 2018

You probably would like to know how to spot a very stable genius. It’s a skill that can come in handy. (Free Bonus: I’ll point you to the funniest thing I ever read in my life. Just because I like you. But first . . .) Well, today, Donald J. Trump gave us a lesson in genius detection. With the MSM chanting “mentally unfit” and “stupid,” our very stable genius president took to his favorite persuasion tool, Twitter.

Breaking News: Multiple Deputies Down in Shooting South of Denver (Active)

December 31, 2017

Latest: Sheriff sets up emergency shelter for displaced residents: Due to the size and cope of this investigation an emergency shelter has been set up @ East Ridge Rec Center, located at 9568 University Blvd. in Highlands Ranch. If anyone has been displaced from their homes due to this event please feel free to head there. — DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) December 31, 2017 Earlier: Domestic disturbance led to shots fired, via Douglas County Sheriff:

Here's what will happen in 2018 election (POLL)

December 30, 2017

Do you think Democrats will retake the House, the Senate, or both in the 2018 election? [socialpoll id=“2479812”] Now that you’ve answered, let’s consider the limits of data science in 2018. The best data scientists in the world agreed with nearly absolute certainty. These scientists determined, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Hillary Clinton would be the 45th President of the United States. That was in 2016. Those scientists were wrong.

Breaking: State Department releases Huma Abedin emails found on Weiner's hard drive

December 29, 2017

The US Department of State released 2,800 emails involving Hillary aid Huma Abedin that were found on Anthony Weiner’s hard drive last year, Judicial Watch reports. You can read all the emails here: FOIA Abedin Emails In a statement, Judicial Watch, which forced the release through lawsuits, said this: This is a major victory. After years of hard work in federal court, Judicial Watch has forced the State Department to finally allow Americans to see these public documents.

Looking ahead to season four of Trump: The President

December 29, 2017

Scott Adams first identified Donald Trump’s greatest strength. What do you think that might be? It’s not his money or his business experience. Those are strengths, sure, but they’re not THE strength. Scott Adams believes Trump’s campaign was a movie script. Here’s what Adams wrote way, way back when Trump’s candidacy was still just a PR stunt because he had zero chance of winning even a single primary: A movie script is almost always arranged in what the professionals call a three-act form.

2018: The beginning of the end of the Fourth Turning in America

December 27, 2017

Regardless of its ideology, that new leadership will assert public authority and demand private sacrifice. Where leaders had once been inclined to alleviate societal pressures, they will now aggravate them to command the nation’s attention. —William Strauss and Neil Howe: The Fourth Turning: What the Cycles of History Tell Us About America’s Next Rendezvous with Destiny Donald Trump can’t stand festering problems. Trump forces problems to the surface, into the daylight, where they can be fought and settled.

2018 will change American culture at its core

December 26, 2017

If you’re wondering how things will change in 2018, you might think back the mid-1980s. In the 1980s, leftist professors, leftist news media, and leftist entertainers were angry. For years, they’d preached that Ronald Reagan was a neo-Nazi buffoon whose incompetence and malice would destroy America. Maybe even wipe out the human species. “I believe Ronald Reagan can turn America back into what it once was,” said comedian Steve Martin on Saturday Night Live in 1980, “a vast wasteland covered with ice.

4 Years Ago Today, I Predicted de Blasio Would Ruin New York City

December 26, 2017

I’m scheduling this blog on December 26, 2013. I’m predicting Bill de Blasio will be as bad for New York City as Mayor John Lindsay (1967-1974). Read the original blog here. Now, let’s look back at the New York City de Blasio inherited. According to ZeroHedge blog: New York crime rates are at historic lows, the $72.7 billion budget is balanced, jobs are at an all-time high and a record 54 million tourists pumped money into the economy this year.

Liberals Are Not the Enemy

October 1, 2017

Forgive me. I say “liberal” sometimes when I mean something else. My mistake is habit, not irony. (Irony would require some intent on my part.) I grew up disparaging liberalism. I grew up reading and watching William F. Buckley Jr., for whom liberalism was the enemy. In the post-WWII era, the liberalism of the day was a problem. But it was never the problem. The problem in Western Civilization was a faction that used liberalism as cover.

Trump Instigates NFL Labor Dispute

September 28, 2017

Yesterday, I predicted the NFL would suffer a season-shortening labor dispute this season or next. The reason: President Trump’s pressure on owners to crack down on anthem haters will stir up a fight between NFL Players Association and the owners. As if on cue: [caption id=“attachment_24766” align=“alignnone” width=“1285”]Fox News[/caption] President Trump, in an exclusive interview with “Fox & Friends,” said that NFL owners are “afraid” to act against their players protesting the national anthem at games across the country.

NFL Losing a Laugher (Video)

September 28, 2017

Blowout. Embarrassment. Lopsided. Laugher. Humiliation. Fans are doing to the NFL what Ray Rice did to his girlfriend in that elevator. https://youtu.be/Dp47DeNAukw Bars are banning football. The VFW has condemned the NFL. Fans are burning jerseys. American Sniper’s widow livid. Viewership is down 11% year-over-year. Fans boo players they recognize. Baltimore fans demanding Ray Lewis statue come down like he’s General Lee. Major NFL sponsors are under increasing pressure to pull ads.

Jack Kemp Stood for Civil Rights . . . And America

September 26, 2017

Jack Kemp is on the top of my wall of heroes. Literally. An autographed Kemp card sits on top of my bookshelf housing the works and images of my heroes. As the NFL self-destructs, it’s worth reading about Jack Kemp’s work for civil rights. And for the Republican Party. And for conservatism. Jack Kemp’s Activism Kemp did it all. And, thanks to Jeffrey Lord, we can remember Kemp’s finest moments of civil rights activism:

President Trump Popped the NFL's Biggest Zit

September 26, 2017

Coming to a head. President Trump seems pathologically opposed to festering problems. When he sees a festering problem, he pops it like a zit. For example, the North Korean nukes problem has festered since the Clinton administration. Trump is bringing Little Rocket Man to a head. NAFTA has been festering since the Clinton administration. Trump is bringing NAFTA to a head. The latest example: the NFL anthem-haters. This anthem-hating is over a year old.

Villanueva Was Wrong

September 26, 2017

By now you’ve seen the photo. The iconic photo. One lone Army Ranger veteran defying his team to salute the flag during the Star-Spangled Banner. [caption id=“attachment_media-17” align=“alignnone” width=“1200”]screenshot CBS[/caption] You know that Alejandro Villanueva’s jersey and t-shirt immediately became the best-selling merchandise from the NFL’s store. Villanueva served three tours of combat duty as an Army Ranger. He’s authorized to wear the Bronze Star. He stood for his country. In Afghanistan with the Army and in Pittsburgh alone.

What Else Can You Do?

September 24, 2017

Brain damage. They all have brain damage. And they’ll likely die from it. Like Aaron Hernandez. 99 out of every 100 football players have serious brain damage. Kneeling for CTE NFL players and owners decided to show their disrespect to the flag, law enforcement, and the USA by kneeling during the national anthem. In a foreign country. The president responded by saying the NFL (and the TV networks) would be in big trouble if people stopped watching or attending games.

Franco Harris: All American

September 23, 2017

You might not know about Franco Harris. You might wonder why he’s so unhappy, like many of us are, with the NFL’s anti-American antics lately. But his wonderful heritage tells a lot about why my favorite running back respects America. His dad was an Army soldier. His dad met his mom in Italy during World War II. They married and returned to New Jersey. [Read this fantastic 1996 Baltimore Sun biography of Franco Harris.

NFL Hates Football Fans; Fire Them All

September 23, 2017

You can see the battle brewing. It’s coming to a head. And no one is telling you the real reason the NFL is dying before your eyes. Everyone sees the symptoms of football’s death spiral: empty stadiums. Crashed ratings. low quality. Criminals on the field. Some people call it “the National Felony League.” Frustrated fans look for better entertainment. Ticket sales remain high for one reason: stupid corporate executives. Stupid executives think it’s still a status symbol to control lots of NFL tickets.

Hear Exactly What Jim Hoft and I Think of the Fake News Media

September 20, 2017

. . . And It’s Deep-State Handlers Jim Hoft is a genius. From his St. Louis home, Jim runs one of the most influential websites in the universe, according to Harvard researchers. He’s a legend. Like Andrew Breitbart, Jim Hoft reshaped the media. Hoft exposes the rotten bastards who call themselves “journalists.” ** Caustic Jim Acosta ** F*** Chuck Todd ** Jake “The Fake” Tapper ** Juannabe Williams Jim Hoft exposed these knuckle-dragging liars.

Finally! A President Stands Tall

September 20, 2017

They were dumbfounded. Those United Nations stuffed shirts were dumbfounded. Struck dumb. Silenced. Shocked. Floored. Those sissy diplomats were shaken. Appalled. Frightened. Never in the sordid history of the United Nations has an American president spoken in unvarnished truth in unvarnished terms. Trump has the best words. Trump used his best words today. The best of the best. Trump called Kim Jung Un “Rocket Man.” The funniest and most effective linguistic kill-shot to date.

Fire Jeff Session

September 20, 2017

Greg Jarrett thinks Jeff Sessions should resign. I do, too. I felt like the lone voice on the right last week when I wrote “Counseling Sessions.” It feels great to have Greg Jarrett agree: Jeff Sessions should resign. As Jarrett puts it: Sessions appears either incapable or incompetent. He has resisted producing the documents relevant to the anti-Trump dossier which were subpoenaed by the House Intelligence Committee. He has failed to appoint a special counsel to reopen the case against Hillary Clinton for likely violations of the Espionage Act in the use of her email server, obstruction of justice for destroying 33,000 emails under congressional subpoena, and potential self-dealing for profit through her foundation.

Flush the Clapper. It Stinks!

September 19, 2017

James Clapper lied to Chuck Todd. Clapper wiretapped Paul Manafort and lied about it. Just like Trump said. James Clapper looks like a kind old grandfather. Like Josef Stalin. Or an elderly Charles Manson. Like Stalin and Manson, **Clapper’s soiled name deserves to be flushed into the bowels of history’s bio hazard tank. ** James Clapper categorically denied that anyone associated with the Trump campaign was ever wiretapped. He lied.

Equifax Update: More Breaches, More Lies

September 19, 2017

You will be mad. You probably don’t have a contract with Equifax. Your creditors do. When you apply for a loan, you give creditors permission to: *1. Obtain your credit file. *2. Update your credit file. You expect that creditors vet their vendors, don’t you? You assume banks and credit card companies test their vendors' security. And you expect financial services companies like Equifax to be on the up and up.

Trump Was Right! Obama White House 'Wiretapped' Paul Manafort UPDATE

September 18, 2017

CAUTION: This report comes from very fake news blog CNN and may fall apart over the next 24 to 48 hours (like most of CNN’s fake reports fall apart). CNN is reporting that Special Investigator Robert Mueller leaked secret documents to the press indicating the Obama White House “wiretapped” Paul Manafort before and after last year’s election. CNN previously mocked and scorned President Trump for suggesting Obama wiretapped Trump’s campaign. CNN says Mueller’s office cautioned that conclusions about Russian connection were “inconclusive.

Leftists Turn Against Nancy

September 18, 2017

Nancy Pelosi is paying a price for statesmanship. Remember when this blog wrote about liberals saving us from Antifa? But one group can save us from the Antifa caliphate. An unlikely group. A group you’d never believe could be the heroes of this terrifying story. Who’s this group? Who will save America? Who will preserve Western Civilization? Christendom? Judaism? Not the Right. Not the Center. Not the Great “Undecided” Voter.

Chuck and Nancy and Donald and Mitch and Paul

September 17, 2017

You can almost see it in your mind if you try. The cartons of Chinese takeout. The torn blisters of soy sauce. Nancy Pelosi, former swimsuit model, laughing at The Donald’s off-color jokes. About Mitch McConnell. Or Paul Ryan. While Chuck fills color of his own, about deals he helped The Donald put together back in New York. Stuff that didn’t make it into The Art of the Deal or The Art of the Comeback.

Graceless

September 15, 2017

Not often does a person or an event fit every definition of a single word. But Hillary Clinton’s life after the election fits perfectly all three definitions of graceless. __ Graceless. Graceless Hillary. Why didn’t Donald Trump think of that one during the campaign. “Graceless Hillary…” Not a single rational being could challenge the accuracy of that monicker. Graceless Hillary. Clumsy. No sense of propriety or decency. Inferior or clumsy in treatment or performance.

Counselling Sessions

September 10, 2017

Eight months into the Trump Administration, one cabinet appointment stands out as a flop: Attorney General Jeff Sessions. We all had a lot of hope. Back in January. Hope. Hope for the Trump administration. Hope for American greatness. And hope for justice. If you’re a Tea Partier, you had a lot of hope. Jeff Sessions looked like the ultimate pick for Attorney General. Conservatives berated Mitch McConnell to accelerate Sessions' confirmation by the Senate.

No Mercy for Equifax: Stock Price Zero

September 9, 2017

Move Over, Enron: Equifax Is Next The worst problem of modernity lies in the malignant transfer of fragility and antifragility from one party to the other, with one getting the benefits, the other one (unwittingly) getting the harm, with such transfer facilitated by the growing wedge between the ethical and the legal. This state of affairs has existed before, but is acute today— modernity hides it especially well. —Nassim Taleb, Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder (Incerto)

The Strategy That Dare Not Speak Its Name

September 7, 2017

By now you’ve heard that President Trump struck a deal with Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. Trump struck a deal to raise the debt ceiling. Trump struck a deal by going around Congressional Republicans. Trump struck a deal with Democrats. It’s about time, frankly. But Trump can go a lot further on this path. If I were his chief strategist, I’d tell him to go further. How far? Keep reading.

Did Mark and Andrew Madoff Profit from Bernie's Crimes?

September 6, 2017

Many people say, “you shouldn’t punish children for sins of the parent.” That’s something we firmly believe as Americans. The US Constitution even prohibits “corruption of blood.” Corruption of blood refers to laws that pass guilt genetically from generation to generation. I think we can all agree that punishing children for their parents' crimes is un-American. But what about children who profit from their parents' crimes? Should they be allowed to keep the booty?

Preparing for the Worst Case Scenario in North Korea

September 4, 2017

You wake up and nothing works. No electricity. No cell phone or land line. No radio. No electric tooth brush. No internet or cable. No laptop. No tablet. Car: nothing. What happened? No, it’s not a scene from the Twilight Zone. It’s the aftermath of an electromagnetic pulse attack. EMP for short. An EMP attack would look like this: ** North Korea launches an ICBM toward North America ** The warhead detonates 100 miles above Colorado ** Waves of electromagnetic energy pulse down across the fruited plain ** Every semiconductor and small wire in the United States burns out

Next: The Great Lefty Shark Jump

September 4, 2017

It might happen before I finish typing this post. Maybe it already happened. Maybe we just haven’t heard. Or maybe it’s a few days away. But it’s coming, folks. Believe me, it’s coming. And it’s gonna be a doozy. So many lefties were hoping that Hurricane Harvey would finally knock out President Trump. If they pray, they prayed. They prayed for a monumental catastrophe. They prayed for total collapse of FEMA.

Laugh at them, not with them

September 4, 2017

The left is crying. One guy on twitter is nearly suicidal. Hoft has more. Here’s what happened. Someone posted this photo on twitter. All the sane people laughed. @realDonaldTrump retweeted. And now it’s the left’s new Russian conspiracy. I remember when all the best comedians were liberals. But the new left traded its sense of humor for baseball bats with ten penny nails. USA! Meanwhile, the pre-schoolers at CNN have their panties in a bunch because the President of the United States wore a hat emblazoned with USA.

Houston's Gift

September 3, 2017

“It’s your life. You don’t know how long it’s gonna last, but you know it doesn’t end well. You’ve gotta move forward … as soon as you can figure out what that means.” —Don Draper, Mad Men, Season two, Six Month Leave Dear People of Houston (and thereabouts), President Trump has said, “the whole world is watching.” And he’s right! When people say “the whole world is watching,” they usually mean it as a warning.

Now, America Is Back!

September 2, 2017

We’ve been saying “America is back” ever since President Trump’s beautiful inauguration in January. And we meant it. But “America is back” rose to a higher level today. A level not since the days following 9-11. Or maybe the greatest moments of the Reagan administration. Today, in Houston, we saw the America of our dreams. The America that makes us cry when we hear the national anthem. Or when we see a soldier in Iraq bending down to help a tiny Iraqi child.

Character and Leadership in Houston

September 2, 2017

When I watch President Trump in Texas, I am reminded of one of my favorite books. Arthur C. Brooks wrote in The Conservative Heart: There is a common misconception that conservatives are materialistic. We are not, and this confusion is a central political irony of our time. Progressives truly want to help the poor but have tried to solve poverty primarily with government money, relegating talk of culture to the past and focusing more and more on income inequality.

I still think James Comey is a felon, and the FBI is corrupt

September 2, 2017

James Comey exonerated Hillary Clinton three months before he interviewed her. James Comey exonerated Hillary Clinton before interviewing 16 key witnesses. James Comey exonerated Hillary Clinton before he gathered any significant evidence. James Comey gave Hillary Clinton permission to destroy evidence in a felony investigation. James Comey leaked classified information to the media. These are all facts. No one disputes them. They are all crimes of various degrees. Some felonies.

Paul Ryan's Spokesperson Renounces Support for Antifa

September 1, 2017

It was probably a coincidence. One day after Hennessy’s View reported Speaker Paul “Dumbbell” Ryan as a member of the Antifa caliphate support team, Speaker Ryan’s office renounced his membership in the terrorist group’s fan club. [caption id=“attachment_23491” align=“alignnone” width=“460”]Paul “Dumbbell” Ryan[/caption] As reported by The Gateway Pundit: Social media was set ablaze after Paul Ryan attacked President Trump for condemning ‘both sides’ for the violence in Charlottesville. Trump supporters hammered Paul Ryan for refusing to condemn Antifa.

Who Can Stop the Antifa Caliphate?

August 31, 2017

Yesterday, I explained the military strategy behind Antifa’s remarkable growth. In case you didn’t realize it, Antifa has effectively shut down grass roots conservative speech. You cannot hold a public rally, march, or carnival if your views conflict with Antifa’s. Antifa has established a small caliphate in North America. Just like ISIS did in Syria and Iraq. And the government’s doing absolutely nothing about it. You should read my military strategy post and all the links.

A Military Strategist's View of Antifa

August 30, 2017

If equally matched, we can offer battle; if slightly inferior in numbers, we can avoid the enemy; if quite unequal, we can flee from him. If we wish to fight, the enemy can be forced to an engagement even though he be sheltered behind a high rampart and a deep ditch. All we need do is attack some other place that he will be obliged to relieve.

President Trump's Only Failure

August 29, 2017

You know this blog rarely criticizes President Trump. There’s a simple reason for that. That reason is the thousands of fraudulent journalists who create and repeat lies about President Trump every day. Like Jake “The Fake” Tapper. Those fake journalists don’t need my help. You also know that I have criticized President Bush, Republican candidates for president, and many, many other Republicans and conservatives. I just adopted a simple rule last year: until the fake news media treats President Trump honestly and fairly, I won’t criticize my president.

Harvey vs. Trump

August 27, 2017

Looks like Trump knows how to deal with natural disasters. Things could change. I’m sure the dishonest media will fake stories about minorities getting stiffed by FEMA. Total lies. But right now it looks like Trump knows how to handle disasters. My president

How the Statue Wars Will End

August 26, 2017

You probably believe the narrative. Because that narrative is strong right now. It has become common knowledge. Common knowledge in the formal, game theory sense of the word. In game theory, common knowledge is something everyone knows everyone knows. And everyone know everyone knows. And everyone knows how everyone else will behave because of that knowledge. Common knowledge doesn’t have to be true. In a common knowledge game, truth doesn’t matter.

In 3 Minutes You'll Be Able Fend Off Any Verbal Attack About Trump

August 24, 2017

You probably don’t believe it. You’re probably reading just to argue. But three minutes from now, you’ll be armed. Armed and ready to do verbal combat. Armed and ready to defend your Trump vote. Armed and read to win any intellectual confrontation. Think it’s impossible? Keep reading. You’ll find out defending your vote for Trump is easier than you could imagine. Your opponent will be standing there, jaw moving, lips quivering, voice lost, brain scrambled.

USS John S. McCain

August 22, 2017

You kind of knew how the story would end. How the search for the 10 missing sailors would end. This morning, we began hearing about bodies discovered on board the McCain and in waters near the collision. I grieve for those families. The news breaks a lot of hearts. Especially the hearts of people with loved ones deployed on ships in dangerous waters. I know my readers never forget the work our military does.

"We Are Killing Terrorists"

August 22, 2017

Elections have consequences. One consequence that we’ve all experienced: when you elect a street fighter, you get street fights. Another consequence that terrorists are experiencing: when you elect a street-fighter patriot, terrorists die. President Trump tonight reminded so many of us why we elected him. Because he’s a street fighter. Because he’s a patriot. Because there are bad people who wish us harm, and Donald Trump is okay with killing them.

What Kind of Person Are You?

August 21, 2017

This is one-question values study. It’s very revealing. Please take the survey, share your results, and encourage others to take it. The more people take this survey, the more accurate its results would be. I will not record any personal information. You can remain anonymous if you’d like. [os-widget path="/billhennessy1/moral-hypothetical" of=“billhennessy1” comments=“false”] Please forward to friends. Compare your results.

Peace Through Violence: CNN's Radical Chic Moment

August 20, 2017

CNN screwed up. And it reminds me of an incident from 1970. A headline writer admitted that the Antifa terror group seeks “peace through violence.” Later, presumably after receiving threats from Antifa terrorists, CNN removed the “peace through violence” sub-head. But the damage was done. CNN stumbled onto real news. Real news that exposes Antifa’s terrorist aims. Before we get to the dangers of normalizing political violence, aka “terrorism,” let’s remember a famous party.

Who's a Racist?

August 17, 2017

So many people say it’s okay for Antifa to beat people they don’t like. Tim Cook says it. Mitt Romney says it. It’s easy to agree with them. It’s easy to say, “I hate racists and Nazis. I’m glad somebody’s taking the initiative and beating them with clubs.” Many people feel that way. Many people feel it’s good and just to beat and maim wicked people. Especially people who hold wicked beliefs.

What Is Character?

August 17, 2017

Worry about your character, not your reputation. Reputation is what people think of you. Character is who you are. —John Wooden, legendary coach of basketball and character Everyone admits that President Trump cares more about his character than about his reputation. Only a man concerned with his character would tell the truth. Reputation is what people think of you. Character is who you are. The Stoics teach us that reputation is beyond our control.

What Was Good About Charlottesville

August 13, 2017

Charlottesville used to be a place. Now, it’s a thing. On Friday, Charlottesville was a city in Virginia. Today, Charlottesville is an event. A thing. In our hyper-emotional world of 2017, we are told to explore our emotions. Then act upon those emotions. Like poorly trained animals. Like half-wits. Like narcissists and spoiled brats. Like lower primates. Like the KKK and BLM and Antifa thugs who turned that place into a thing yesterday.

How Greitens Protected Privacy in Missouri

August 8, 2017

Angry texts. I got a bunch of very angry texts this morning. My friends are fired up. Because of Governor Greitens’s executive order. **An executive order that implements a novel approach to prescription drug databases. ** In case you haven’t heard, Governor Greitens signed an executive order on July 17. The EO made Missouri the 50th state to establish some sort of prescription drug tracking. Most states track everything about prescriptions.

How to Ignore the News

August 4, 2017

“Will Trump survive this?” A friend of mine texted me yesterday. I had no idea what the “this” was. Later, I learned. Turns out, like most of the media’s breathless revelations about Trump’s supposed crimes, the story that people reacted to meant little. The anti-Trump media exploded with fake news, fake interpretations of real news, and speculation that supported their own angry fetishes. But any reasonable person would respond like my friend.

Foxconn's Hiring and Mooch Is Safe

July 29, 2017

You know it’s coming. Some fake news hack will claim the whole Foxconn-Wisconsin deal was a plot to find a new job for Reince Priebus. Reince Priebus, the erstwhile White House chief of staff who prides himself on blocking deplorables from the White House posts they deserve, has been relieved of duties. He’s on his way back to native Wisconsin where Foxconn is building a $10 billion plant. Maybe Foxconn needs an establishment-connected middle manager.

Priebus Over-Under (under)

July 27, 2017

I’ll set the over-under on Priebus’s resignation/firing at 10 days (August 6). Pick over or under in the comments. Winners will get great satisfaction. I’m taking under. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, Gateway Pundit has it all. It’s juicy! Just yesterday, Washington Times pointed out that the very swampy Priebus is increasingly isolated and lonely in the Trump White House. Nobody likes Reince.

Regarding Jeff Sessions

July 26, 2017

I campaigned for and voted for Donald Trump. I stand 100% behind Trump today. I support Trump because he’s a fighter. He’s a man of action. Trump prosecutes his causes, he doesn’t navel gaze. Jeff Sessions is a good man. He’s a good Washington man. He has standards of decorum. Standards I admire. Trump has no standards of decorum. But I voted for Trump because history has made decorum a liability, even a vice.

Why You Must See Dunkirk

July 25, 2017

When Winston Churchill mouthed these eternal words, his nation’s life expectancy was about six months. All of Western Civilization, all of Christiandom, seemed doomed. One defiant man ended a speech to his House of Commons with this: I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves once again able to defend our Island home, to ride out the storm of war, and to outlive the menace of tyranny, if necessary for years, if necessary alone.

Feeling Exposed and Protected

July 24, 2017

People want cover. Danger drives us together. It’s our nature. Our herding response gave our species an advantage. The herders lived to breed. The wanderers, the stragglers, fell prey. Genes of herders increased. Genes of loners receded. But our strongest cover is our parents. They’re the protection we seek. The pair of humans who brought us into the world provide the best cover. We are born helpless. Our parents sustain us.

UPDATE: Kid Rock Winning MI Senate Race

July 24, 2017

If the election were held today, Senator Kid Rock would be a thing. Via The Gateway Pundit: News broke this weekend that Kid Rock is LEADING challenger, Dem Debbie Stabenow in a new poll 30% to 26%! Everyone who wrote this off as a joke, then as a publicity stunt, then as impossible, then as improbable will be forced to say “Senator Rock” soon. Very soon. Try this:

Free Forever Through Stoicism

July 16, 2017

“Some things we can control, some we can’t. We can control our attitudes, opinions, goals and desires – choices of our own. We can’t control health, wealth, fame or power – things we can’t have by choosing them.” —Epictetus Freedom begins with understanding what we control and we do not. Yet very few people even begin to consider this essential dichotomy. Even in the complete absence of “administration” as Tocqueville observed in early 19th century America, no one was free who failed to understand Epictetus’s control dichotomy: some things are under our control, some are not.

Senator Rock: Who's the Joke? (offensive) VIDEO

July 15, 2017

My serious Republican friends (think of people like Chris Wallace and Charles Krauthammer) worry. They worry about this trend toward “unserious” politicians getting elected. They worry about “what it says about voters” who elect Sarah Palin, Donald Trump, and (very soon) Kid Rock. These serious Republicans long for the days of serious men and serious matters. Of gray flannel suits beneath salt-and-pepper hair belonging to Yale grads and Harvard Law professors who can, on occasion, in the right circumstances, with just the right audience, shock the world with an (are you ready for this?

Sorry If Governor Greitens Hurts Your Feelings

July 10, 2017

Kudos to Governor Greitens and the Missouri legislature. They killed a minimum wage law in St. Louis. The law was designed to make city politicians feel better about themselves. It’s certain result would have been fewer jobs for the people who need jobs the most. Why are you complaining about Governor Greitens' first term? Did you not read his books? Like Donald Trump, Eric Greitens called his plays at the line of scrimmage.

We Can Make Missouri More Like Illinois

July 9, 2017

Admit it, Missouri. **You have Illini Envy. ** We all grew up in the shadow of the Lincoln State. We grew up frustrated that the Black Hawks have won Stanley Cups while the Blues end every season in frustration. Everybody in the world knows where Chicago is. And that it’s in Illinois, the Land of Lincoln. Missouri’s a little hit-or-miss on geography quizzes. But Missourians have a chance to make St.

War & Tariffs: What to do about North Korea

July 4, 2017

If you think about geopolitics at all, you know North Korea poses many problems for its neighbors. And for the United States. And for the whole world. If we take attack North Korea militarily, over a million South Koreans will die. Along with a lot of Americans on ships and on land over there. Nobody wants that. It might come to that, but nobody wants it. Now, North Korea has ICBMs that can drop a nuke on Alaska.

First 13er President: A Gen X Independence Day

July 4, 2017

“As they reach their turn for national leadership, 13ers will produce no-nonsense winners who will excel at cunning, flexibility, and deft timing.” —Neil Howe and William Strauss, 13th Gen: Abort, Retry, Ignore, Fail? I’ve written before that 2016 was the first Gen X Election. And that Donald Trump would be the first Gen X president. Not because he’s an Xer, but because he personifies our coming-of-age view of the world.

Greatest 4th of July! WrestlemaniaCNNTakeDown! (Video)

July 2, 2017

President Trump makes everything better. Everything. And this video, which he just tweeted, made this 4th of the July the best since 1776. (Click twice to get play this video) #FraudNewsCNN #FNN pic.twitter.com/WYUnHjjUjg — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 2, 2017 The left and CNN will, of course, be outraged. They don’t have a sense of humor. President Trump has a fine sense of humor. I can see the grin on his face as he tapped out “#FraudNewsCNN” and hit the send button.

I disavow every Republican who disavowed Trump's tweets

June 30, 2017

When Reagan was president, we wanted him to hit back harder on the press. We wanted him to put Sam Donaldson in his place. We wanted him to call out the fake news. [caption id=“attachment_22208” align=“aligncenter” width=“750”] 2/5/1981 President Reagan during an interview with Sam Donaldson of ABC News Leslie Stahl of CBS News and Judith Woodruff of NBC News with James Brady at the Cross Hall White House Library[/caption]

When the Russian Narrative Broke

June 27, 2017

When did the narrative break? Was it the assassination attempt on GOP Congressmen? Was it Comey’s admission that Trump was never under investigation? Was it Kathy Griffin’s grim ISIS imitation? Was it Trump’s 5-0 winning streak in special elections? Like the ageless question of how many licks it takes to get to the Tootsie-Roll center of a Tootsie-Pop, the world may never know. Never know just when the Russian narrative broke.

A Terrible Day for the Navy Family

June 18, 2017

[SEARCH CALLED OFF US Navy ends hunt for 7 missing sailors as bodies are found in the ship](https://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/06/18/us-navy-calls-off-search-for-7-missing-sailors-several-bodies-found-inside-destroyer.html) I saw the FoxNews.com headline last night. My face sagged. Those tiny muscles that control our facial expressions all fell asleep at once. A long, slow breath-flood rushed from my slack lips. I thought about those seven families. The families who haven’t heard from their USS Fitzgerald sailors.

Spy Tactics for Conservatives: 7 Easy Steps to Protect Yourself

June 15, 2017

You are a target. They want you dead. You are a conservative activist. They call themselves “progressives.” You want to live. And you want to remain active in politics. They want you dead. Or submissive. Like a slave. Or a battered woman. No, you can’t attack them. You shouldn’t engage them. They’re rabid animals. Neither reason nor normal persuasion can change progressives from their deadly habits. So what do you do?

Leadership.

June 15, 2017

https://youtu.be/JjMfrBY-K6g?t=2m15s President Trump wins praise from all side for his strength, dignity, and leadership following the left’s rifle attack on Republican members of Congress. “We can all agree that we are blessed to be Americans.”

How the Washington Post Radicalizes Murderers (video)

June 15, 2017

To liberals, the murder of a Republican is like the swatting of a mosquito. They oppose violence in theory, but they also want the pest dead. They’re just too lazy to get out of their easy chairs to do it themselves. Cass Sunstein, a leftist who’s happy whenever a conservative dies early, wrote a book called Nudge. It’s a good psychology book. Nudge is about persuasion, which is my chief interest.

Why I'm Betting on an Indictment of Comey

June 10, 2017

I made a lot of money on the election. Most of that money I cashed out. But I left a small balance in case I saw another opportunity to bet against the prevailing wisdom. I saw that opportunityt last night. My PredictIt Success In January 2016, I bought three kinds of shares on PredictIt, the prediction market. *1. Trump would win the Republican nomination. *2. Trump would win the White House.

No Obstruction. No Collusion. He's a Leaker. UPDATES

June 9, 2017

Scott Adams pointed out the linguistic brilliance of Donald Trump’s perfect summation of James Comey’s failed takedown attempt. “No obstruction. No collusion. He’s a leaker.” That’s how Trump summarized Comey’s testimony to the Senate’s Russian Conspiracy Hoax Committee. Click to watch: Scott is a genius in persuasion and psychology. Everything he just said about Trump’s linguistic kill-shot is dead-on accurate. Trump destroyed Comey without firing a shot. “No obstruction.

James Comey's GlassDoor.com Review of Donald Trump

June 8, 2017

I read a lot of GlassDoor.com reviews. I do it for work. It’s a great way to get a feel for a client’s culture. I’m smart enough to discount reviews from people who were recently fired from the company. I don’t ignore those reviews, but I discount the negative stuff. There’s a good chance that the disgruntled former employee is just venting. They feel wronged, even if they were terrible employees.

Gullible Evil Losers at CNN Criticize London Cops for Using Too Many Bullets. UPDATE

June 4, 2017

Maybe we should consider CNN employees enemy combatants. CNN’s latest hate-crime: **CNN is criticizing London police for using too many bullets. ** That’s right. CNN will soon demand a UN war crimes tribunal to try, convict, and hang the London cops who put down the London Bridge terrorists. This photo caption appeared below this critical headline. CNN has not responded to my request for comments. Specifically, I asked CNN to provide the exact number of rounds police are allowed to use to stop a terrorist.

Shark-Jumping Update: the Left Is Losing It

June 4, 2017

Previously on Hennessy’s View: Because of tolerance, it’s getting harder and harder to make people laugh with Trump jokes. Everybody’s heard them all. So comedians have to ramp up the shock factor. And they have been. And it was working. Until Kathy Griffin went too far. Comedians and leftist news people are bound to go too far. It’s bio-chemical response. And now, so many leftists are in a race to the top on excess and insanity.

How Kathy Griffin Helped Trump, Based on Brain Science

June 2, 2017

It’s difficult to see in the fog of war, but comedienne Kathy Griffin did Donald Trump a huge favor. Before I explain, look at all the benefits Trump got from Griffin’s decapitation humor: ** Prominent Democrats and CNN turned against Hillary Clinton ** Andrea Mitchell and other journalists began admitting the Russian conspiracy theory is a hoax ** Americans sympathize with the Trump family ** Kathy Griffin’s crazy press conference made Trump look mature, sober, and sane by comparison

Is the New York Times blackmailing FBI and CIA?

May 26, 2017

Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? How could a reporter at New York Times blackmail an FBI or CIA agent? Easily. And everyone who ever went through counter-espionage training knows it. What Went Down This morning, British Prime Minister Theresa May chastised the US government. The UK freely shares anti-terrorism intelligence with the US. The US is expected to keep secrets secret. But the US intel community is one gigantic sieve these days.

America Is Back!

May 23, 2017

On the night that a deranged terrorist murdered and maimed little girls in Manchester England, we can take some solace in the fact that the greatest bastion of Western Civilization is back. America is back. Back on the watch. Back on the hunt. Back in the world. When President Trump became the first American president to speak in Saudi Arabia, he delivered a message beyond his words. He delivered a message that no one missed.

Seth Rich Murder Case Closing In On Clinton Crime Family

May 20, 2017

Was Seth Rich murdered as an example? Seth Rich was murdered. Two gunshots to his back. Like you’d see on The Sopranos (video). The police called it a robbery. But nothing was stolen. Not his cell phone. Not his wallet. Not his watch. Not his cash. Shortly after his murder, Wikileaks posted embarrassing emails. Emails from the Democratic National Committee’s email server. Wikileaks maintains that the theft of the emails was an inside job.

Study Links Journalism, Stupidity

May 19, 2017

From the “we could have told you that” department: Journalists' brains show a lower-than-average level of executive functioning, according to a new study, which means they have a below-average ability to regulate their emotions, suppress biases, solve complex problems, switch between tasks, and show creative and flexible thinking. [emphasis added] It’s okay to laugh. You suspected that reporters are kind of dumb. Now you know. They can’t keep up with Trump, but they probably can’t keep up with a young adult novella, either.

Fox News' Ratings Collapse Is Almost Complete. Here's Why.

May 17, 2017

Guest post by Lee A. Presser For those of you who do not follow things as mundane as television rating scores, you may be surprised to learn that Fox News Channel (FNC) is losing its lead as the powerhouse in primetime cable TV ratings to MSNBC. There are a couple of reasons why. First, control of FNC has been transferred to two brothers, Lachlan and James Murdoch, who do not believe in the political message espoused by Fox for the last twenty years.

How "Healthy" Diets Kill You and Your Family

May 8, 2017

Do you follow the recommended diets? Low fat. High carbohydrate? Eat lots of fruit? If so, you’re probably overweight. And your blood tests are probably a mess. Maybe your doctor recommends expensive prescriptions to lower your cholesterol. A new study finds the problem is not your fault. Your doctor, poorly educated in nutrition, and government recommendations, prompted by industry lobbyists, are designed to keep you fat and sick. And it’s not just US government.

Persuasion and Fat

May 7, 2017

The Easiest Formula for Mastering Persuasion, Losing Weight, and Avoiding Disease (video) “Persuasion” is part of my job title. When you’re a persuasion professional, you get a lot of questions about persuasion. Some are sincere. Others are skeptical, like, “Okay, persuasion boy, persuade me to give you a hundred dollars.” Persuasion doesn’t work like that. But it also does. Here’s the thing: if you ask me to persuade you to give me a hundred bucks, you already want to give me a hundred bucks.

Why I'm Not Freaking Out About the Budget

May 2, 2017

Congress is about to pass a budget. I call it a “Paul Ryan Special.” This budget lets the government spend money for four months. It expires in September. The budget is horrible. Republicans are spinning a few “wins” in the budget, but that’s a terrible argument. It’s like telling a terminal cancer patient, “but your blood pressure’s pretty good.” Here’s the thing: you cannot control Congress. You can only control what you focus on and what you do next.

Ted Cruz: Mensch!

April 28, 2017

If you read my blog, you know I’ve had differences with Senator Ted Cruz. But the Senator has stepped up. Bigly! Only a gentleman would do what Cruz just did with his El Chapo bill. Remember the GOP race? Cruz and Trump went at each other like nobody’s business. Wives and all. While Cruz couldn’t bring himself to endorse Trump at the convention, Ted has stepped up a lot since the election.

Democrats Ruin the World (f-bombs included!)

April 18, 2017

Picture this. Every time you leave your teenage kids home alone for a weekend, you come back to stink-eyes from your neighbors, a living room that’s a sea of empty beer cans, a yard filled with cigarette butts, and a pregnant cat. Pretty soon, you’d stop leaving those kids to their own devices, wouldn’t you? If you had to leave town, you’d find a sitter. Maybe a retired Marine uncle. Or a friendly cop to send a car by the house every half hour during the dark hours.

You Might Be Thinking About 'Passion' All Wrong

April 16, 2017

You hear people say “follow your passion.” It sounds nice. Then you hear wildly successful people say “do NOT follow your passion.” Mark Cuban is in this camp. So is Dilbert creator Scott Adams. So which is it? Do you follow your passion or not? My answer might disappoint you. Because it’ll sound evasive. But I’ll give it a shot. I’ll need you to help out here, though. Think of this as an exercise.

False Flag or Not

April 8, 2017

The contemporary term false flag describes covert operations that are designed to deceive in such a way that activities appear as though they are being carried out by entities, groups, or nations other than those who actually planned and executed them. [Wikipedia] Think of a time when you acted on false information. You knew it might be false, but you acted as if it was true. Why did you do that?

What Do I Mean By "Narrative"

April 7, 2017

“I don’t agree.” Some folks disagreed with my instant assessment of the Syrian strike. My assessment: Trump’s surprise military attack will shift four narratives in Trump’s favor: ** Trump is Hitler: dead ** Trump is a Russian agent: dead ** Trump is incompetent: dying ** Trump is a lightweight among world leaders: dead In other words, it took 59 cruise missiles to blow up the left’s anti-Trump narratives. But my friends disagree.

Trump Launched 59 Cruise Missiles at Leftist Narratives

April 7, 2017

No child of God should ever suffer such horror. —President Donald J. Trump The most powerful weapon in the world is narrative. The most powerful weapon in the world is narrative. That’s another way of saying the pen is mightier than the sword. The most powerful weapon in the world is narrative. Tonight, President Trump blew up four narratives of the left. And he made America great again in the world.

The Right Question to Bring Down Susan Rice

April 5, 2017

Susan Rice admitted she lied. She requested unmaskings of Trump associates. Rice says her unmasking requests were routine. Maybe they were. We can find out. It’s simple data analysis. I’ll show you how. But, first, you have to know the right question to ask. And few people do. Right Questions You hear a lot of talk about whether Susan Rice requested unmasking of Trump associates. That’s a good question, but it’s not enough.

Obama Admin Wiretapped Trump UPDATE 2

March 31, 2017

Now you know. You can stop doubting. You have more than hope. The Obama administration spied on Donald Trump and his campaign and transition teams. There is no longer any doubt. The questions that remain are: ** Who ordered and authorized the illegal wiretaps? ** Who illegally received and disseminated the intelligence? ** What did Obama know? It’s easy to declare the Obama Admin guilty after Evelyn Farkas’s admissions on MSNBC.

The Day Reagan Was Shot

March 30, 2017

Think about the sun, Pippin Think about her golden glance How she lights the world up Well, now it’s your chance With the guardian of splendor Inviting you to dance Pippin Think about the sun —Finale, Pippin by Stephen Schwarz We were standing near the glass doors at the back of the theatre waiting for the bell.

Trump's Next Move: Infrastructure

March 27, 2017

I’ve changed my mind on priority. Instead of going to tax reform next, President Trump should work on that big-league infrastructure bill. Now. Fast. President Trump needs a big win because power is in perception. He also needs to put Democrats in a bind. Plus, he needs to prove he can pass big legislation without all GOP factions on board. The solution is infrastructure. During the campaign, Trump spoke of a massive building project to rejuvenate our roads, modernize our airports, and more.

How to Neuter a Crossing Guard

March 27, 2017

This is for my conservative friends who are celebrating the healthcare bill’s demise. You’ll want to read it all. Let’s begin with a little story about a crossing guard. Imagine you are standing at a dangerous intersection now. Cars whizzing by nonstop in all 4 directions. You feel powerless and frustrated. There are no structural safeguards, no physical barriers, to keep us from getting hit. There is a crossing guard, though.

Without Power, Principles Are Platitudes

March 26, 2017

Without power, principles are platitudes. Consider this a favor to the Freedom Caucusers. Those folks can’t see past the end of their own principles. Knowing the Freedom Caucus people pretty well, I know they’re very happy with Neil Gorsuch for the Supreme Court. I know they’d be very miserable if Gorsuch were rejected and Trump had to nominate someone who could win a few Democrat votes. It’s all about power.

Jobs Trump Healthcare

March 26, 2017

I feel drunk but I’m sober, I’m young and I’m underpaid I’m tired but I’m working, yeah I care but I’m restless, I’m here but I’m really gone I’m wrong and I’m sorry baby —Alanis Morissette, One Hand In My Pocket If your biggest problem involves choosing between multiple appealing jobs, everything else will seem less important. Because picking the right job is a really big deal. For the past decade, you’ve probably worried about finding or keeping any job.

Antibiotic-Resistent Bacterium: Obamacare

March 25, 2017

Overexposure to antibiotics and antibacterial soaps and lotions makes bacteria stronger. They adapt. That same thing happened to Obamacare over the years. It’s now untouchable. ** Obamacare survived the election of Scott Brown in Massachusetts. So it was born in a toxic environment. ** Then, Obamacare survived two Supreme Court rulings, each time by a single vote from the chief justice. ** Finally, Obamacare survived seven years of Republican promises to repeal it immediately upon winning the White House and Congress.

7 Questions for the Freedom Caucus

March 25, 2017

Yesterday, I placed blame for the healthcare debacle at Speaker Ryan’s feet. I also wrote that I expected the Republican establishment to blame the tea party. To blame us for aborting the Trump presidency in his first 100 days. Today, I’m going to beat the establishment to that punch a little. Because the Freedom Caucus and some of my favorite action organizations looked a little juvenile in this debate. Juvenile and stupid.

Paul Ryan's Battle of Kasserine Pass

March 24, 2017

General George S. Patton arrived in North Africa with a single mission: lead the Allied forces to victory over the Hun. But Patton’s assignment was also in response to a miserable and deadly failure of leadership. The failed leadership of General Lloyd Fredendall. Fredendall was a Francophobe and an Anglophobe ill-suited to wage coalition warfare; a micromanager who bypassed the chain of command – giving orders as far down as company level; a coward, he allowed animus with subordinates to affect his judgment and undercut their authority; and finally, staring defeat in the face at Kasserine, he tried to pin the blame on others.

Neediness

March 24, 2017

President Trump is teaching the world a huge lesson. That valuable lesson goes something like this: Don’t be needy. Jim Camp is a world-famous negotiation coach. Jim has led some enormous negotiations: labor disputes, huge multi-national buys, and mergers. This is is what Jim says about neediness in his book Start With No: It is absolutely imperative that you as a negotiator understand the importance of this point. You do NOT need this deal, because** to be needy is to lose control and make bad decisions**.

Obamacare Repeal Vote Results (Prediction)

March 24, 2017

Today, President Trump changed the game. He changed the Prisoner’s Dilemma (coordination) into a game of Chicken (competition). Lifer Republicans have no experience with games of chicken. They were raised on coordination games. By changing the game to Chicken, Donald Trump greatly increased the chances that phony Paul Ryan’s healthcare will PASS. Here’s why briefly. Psychologically, people always think they have more time. Republicans, in particular, believe time is limitless. Lifelong Republicans think they can delay any decision until the decision they want is a given.

Healthcare Strategy: Ignore Government Diet Advice

March 22, 2017

Yesterday, I established an end: great health care that ordinary people can afford. You remember I talked about John Braddock’s explanation of strategy: choose the end and work backward. Then forword. And Braddock’s first step after choosing an end: what comes immediately before. That’s where we are today. A few weeks back, I wrote several posts about diet (here and here). I warned you that the government and doctors and, especially, dieticians have been poising us for years.

Healthcare Strategy Beats Hyperventilating

March 20, 2017

Paul Ryan unveiled a health care bill two weeks ago. Ryan’s favorite lobbyists wrote it. They wrote it in secret. They dumped it on the House GOP caucus. A lot of my friends on the right went hermatile. “Shoved down our throats!” “Obamacare two-point-oh!” “Obamacare Lite!” “Tyranny!” “Entitlements!” “Worse than Obamacare!” The most frequently used key on the keyboards of tea partiers was the exclamation point! It’s easy to get spun up over the way Speaker Ryan handled the bill.

You Can't Unsee This

March 17, 2017

If you see some idiot in a kilt today, it might be me. You know my story. Aon scéal? (Gaelic for “Any story?")

Reagan Gives Trump's Budget TWO THUMBS UP!

March 17, 2017

President Donald Trump delivered his budget and a message for Congress. Since I’m lazy, I’ll quote Time magazine. First, the President’s message to Congress: “I urge the members of Congress to remember that last November the American people’s message was loud and clear. The mandate for change, expressed by the American people, was not my mandate; it was our mandate.” Then, the analysis: The President’s meaning was unmistakable: the public wants deep cuts in both spending and taxes, and any legislator who tries to keep the ax from falling risks putting his own neck under an ax at the polls.

Trump, The Jobs President

March 8, 2017

You can actually FEEL America getting GREAT again! ADP payroll report shows President Trump made a big down payment on his promise to be the **greatest jobs president ever. ** The economy added nearly 300,000 new jobs last month. Economists expected a rise of 190,000. It was the biggest jump in jobs in 6 years. The jobs were the good kind of jobs Trump talks about: manufacturing, mining. Jobs with grit.

Many Times Trump's Crazy Statements Turned Out to Be Right

March 8, 2017

Almost every time Donald Trump says something crazy, something so outlandish and wrong, he later turns out to be right. I know his critics can’t read my blog. (Literally, they can’t. They have a psychological problem that prevents their brains from processing information that’s inconsistent with their beliefs.) But for those of you who want to be right with the truth instead of just right with your own opinion, this will be a great post to forward to your friends.

BACKFIRE: Psychological Tricks Used to Advance Russian Conspiracy Theory

March 7, 2017

Newspapers lie. And by “newspapers,” I mean the whole mainstream media. Yesterday I told you how Donald Trump punked the media by pulling a Crazy Ivan maneuver. A critic on Twitter thinks I’m lying. He thinks I’m lying because he read a news article. He read it in the New York Times. This Twitter critic thinks it’s okay for the New York Times to lie (“Wiretapped Data Used In Inquiry of Trump Aides”), as long as they only lie in their headlines.

Donald Trump's Crazy Ivan

March 7, 2017

Cold War submarine lore. I can’t go into all of it here, but I can tell you about one bit of that lore: the Crazy Ivan. Modern submarines have incredible passive sonar arrays. They can hear everything in the ocean for hundreds of miles around. Everything. Everything except something directly behind them. Behind a submarine is a big propeller or “screw.” It turns. It pushes water abaft. The noise and the motion combine to prevent sound waves from reaching the sensors.

John McCain's Most Evil Sin

March 5, 2017

John McCain may have done some heroic things, but he is a hero no more. Imagine how you’d feel. A knock on your door. Through the deadlights around your front door, you see a car with government stencils on the side. When you get close enough, you look out and see a man in uniform. An officer. You know. You know why he’s here. Your throat tightens. You want to turn around and walk away.

When Democrats Loved 'em Some Ruskies

March 3, 2017

https://youtu.be/Py8BF0hHPnc In 2012, Barack Obama got caught telling Russian Prime Minister Medvedev that he’d have more “flexibility” after the election. Later in 2012, during a debate, Obama accused GOP candidate Mitt Romney of stoking Cold War fears against our new friends in Moscow. Obama said, “The 1980s are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back because…the Cold War’s been over for 20 years!” In fact, in 2012, the whole pantheon of pantsuit partiersmocked warnings about Russia.

The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!

March 3, 2017

https://youtu.be/IEWWRbn4zG0 In 1966, Hollywood liberals made a very funny movie. The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! The movie mocked Cold Warriors and ridiculed hyper-paranoia about the dangers posed by Russia. Some of those same Hollywood liberals are now running around screaming “The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!” Funny.

Trump Rally in Ballwin, Missouri Saturday

March 3, 2017

Reader Rick reminded me that there’s a Trump rally closer to St. Louis on Saturday. He provides a link to the Facebook page. If you can’t make it to Jeff City, here is another opportunity on Saturday, March 4, 11-1. Vlasis Park, Balwin https://www.facebook.com/events/1227190650721092 See you there! Thanks, Rick! DETAILS MARCH 4 11 am to 1pm 14811 Manchester Rd, BALLWIN 63011 VLASIS PARK * 97.1 FM Emcee Marc Cox Alyssa and Celeste Drinkard perform National Anthem

Trump Rally Missouri

March 3, 2017

The President needs us. From Show Me Trump THIS SATURDAY! President Trump needs our support and hundreds of Missourians have already RSVP’d that they’ll be attending! It’s clear he is being severely pressured by Democrats and the media alike. Our rally will send an important message to our new Commander in Chief–We The People support you! Find the Facebook event page by clicking here. These pro-Trump rallies are happening on Saturday across the entire USA - don’t miss the Missouri statewide rally in Jefferson City!

How to Tell a Lie

March 3, 2017

You had to laugh. Claire McCaskill jumped on Twitter to announce she’d never met the Russian ambassador to the US. Before that, she jumped on Twitter to brag about being so damned important and vital that the Russian ambassador sought her oracle-like guidance. After people mocked and scorned her silly lie, Claire McCaskill made up more lies to cover the first lie. You know, like a liar. Senator McCaskill believes Jeff Sessions should resign for not telling a lie.

How ObamaCare Benefits from the Scarcity Heuristic

February 23, 2017

The Concorde was a supersonic passenger plane. It shuttled people between New York and Paris very quickly. When commercial Concorde flights began in 1976, the novelty and excitement of flying at twice the speed of sound led people to line up to take the flights. But after 27 years and several safety mishaps, the Concorde’s popularity waned. Flights were often less than half full, so British Airways, the operator, was losing money.

Give McCain a Break

February 19, 2017

Hate John McCain if you want. Call McCain a traitor, even. I look at John McCain and marvel at his strength. Many do. Everyone knows about McCain being shot down over Vietnam and spending 5 years in a POW camp. But most people don’t know about the deep emotional scar McCain brought home with him. And that emotional scar undoubtedly drives him to his fits of anger and telling lies about people he doesn’t like.

The Joy of Trump

February 17, 2017

What bothers you most when you’re in a bad mood? You can imagine what it’s like be in a bad mood, can’t you? People go through periods of deep funk when nothing seems bright or cheerful, don’t they? And when you’re in those moods, what’s the worst thing? That’s right, it’s being around a bunch of happy people having fun. And that’s exactly how the left feels when they see Trump at a press conference: miserable amid the fun.

Greatest Presser Ever. Wow. Stunned Happy.

February 17, 2017

Imagine Michael Jordan’s best game ever. Or Tiger Woods. That’s what it was like watching President Trump today. Amazing. The President looked poised, cheerful, and humorous. He volleyed with Jim Acosta of CNN. He rated each question “good” or “bad.” He explained why he doesn’t want a nuclear war with Russia because the press seems to think nuclear war is a good thing. He mocked those in the press who want him to bomb that Russian intel ship off Virginia.

Slouching Towards the Climax

February 11, 2017

Soon thereafter, this great gate is sealed by the Crisis resolution, when victors are rewarded and enemies punished; when empires or nations are forged or destroyed; when treaties are signed and boundaries redrawn; and when peace is accepted, troops repatriated, and life begun anew. One large chapter of history ends, and another starts. In a very real sense, one society dies— and another is born. —The Fourth Turning

The Resistance: Defined

February 10, 2017

The leftists who want you and me to die (at their hands?) call themselves The Resistance. Okay. Let’s call them that. Author Steven Pressfield wrote a book about defeating The Resistance. It’s called The War of Art, and it’s an awesome, wonderful book. Overcoming and defeating The Resistance, Pressfield tells us, is the key to living the good life. I agree, even if I don’t agree on some of his enemies.

People Want You Dead

February 9, 2017

Have you ever found yourself in the midst of a riot? Even if you’ve only seen riots on television, you can probably imagine how it feels to be inside one. Imagine yourself surrounded on all sides by angry faces dressed in shabby clothes, some faces covered with bandanas or ski masks. People are chanting something you can’t quite understand, like a private joke you’re not allowed to get. Or maybe they’re chanting at you.

Government Diet Makes You Fat and Kills You

February 9, 2017

If you’re sick and fat, it might not be your fault. You listen to your doctor. You follow government diet guidelines. You eat more fresh fruit and vegetables. You cut down on animal fat. You eat more grains. And you just get sicker and fatter. You’re told it’s your fault. But it’s probably not. You might be a good mom or dad who wants your kids to learn healthy eating habits.

Why Are You Letting Your Doctor Kill You?

February 5, 2017

If you’re overweight, have high cholesterol, diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, or cancer, it’s probably not your fault. You’ve been told to eat poison your whole life, by people who are supposed to know better. Here’s some truth to set you free. Actually, I don’t know why. But it’s happening to you and millions of other people. Doctors are killing their patients. And they’re getting a lot of help from the government and big agriculture.

How to Hold Your Breath for 3 Minutes

January 29, 2017

Remember when you were a kid? All the weird challenges and contests you’d wage with your friends? There’s a good chance that breath-holding was one of them. Who can hold their breath the longest, right? I was always good at this when I was young, but I’m not that young anymore. I’m 53, but I held my breath for two minutes and 47 seconds last Thursday. And I could have gone longer, but I was bored.

Unprotected Sects

January 28, 2017

The television activists at CNN look like college seniors who learned upon returning from winter break that credit requirements for graduation were just upped from 120 hours to 180 hours. And there ain’t grandfathering! Diehard NeverTrumpers attack Trump supporters on social media like bitter, divorcing spouses locked in a pitched custody battle. And there ain’t no reconciliation! Establishment Republicans, Democrats who count on union support, the more radical unions like SEIU and NEA, Planned Parenthood baby killers, and tenured communist professors shriek like hormone-crazed adolescents in fall-down hysterics.

American Steel

January 25, 2017

I know people, and you probably do too, who are out of work from the United Steel Granite City (aka Granite City Steel) closure. It’s disheartening and depressing for people who worked hard all those years, thrown into the street because of bad trade deals and stifling regulations. But President Trump has ordered the Keystone Pipeline renegotiated to require American steel pipes. That’s great news for our friends and neighbors in GC.

Black Lives Don't Matter to American Liberals

January 25, 2017

President Trump (who, by the way, has accomplished more in two days than Obama did in eight years) saw Chicago’s horrific crime statistics and warned the mayor and the governor to get to work or he’ll fix it himself. Seventy-five percent of murder victims in Chicago are black. Immediately, leftists, who apparently enjoy all the carnage in Chicago, attacked Trump’s call for fewer shootings and murders. Think of that. LIBERALS WANT MORE MURDER!

Terrible Day for NeverTrump—Great Day for the Constitution

January 24, 2017

One way to summarize Donald Trump’s first business day in office is to say he followed through on many, many campaign promises. Another way to look at it is that Trump slaughtered NeverTrump. Both explanations are accurate, but one is the cause, the other the effect. First, you know I pay very little attention to Facebook. Too much craziness over there. But friends of mine do occasionally send me screen shots of things they find outrageous.

Sean Spicer and the White House Press Corp Proved Me 100% Right

January 23, 2017

It’s great to be right. Yesterday I told you that White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer played the White House press corps by telling the truth. But the press corps and many Americans have a psychosis that literally replaces some words with other words. It’s not dyslexia. It’s far worse because it’s selective. In this case, Spicer said “witness” but journalists everywhere repeated, “attend.” I wrote about it here. Well, today, Spicer explained the situation to a psychotic journalist almost the same way I did.

How to Spot Journalism's Psychosis

January 23, 2017

When your brain automatically alters perceptions, there’s something wrong with you. Reporters have this psychosis. Journalists. They have very bad ADHD it seems. They can’t pay attention. Like kids with ADHD. Chuck Todd and everybody at Business Insider should probably take Ritalin or something. Reporters are also narcissists. No one goes into journalism unless they have a pathologically inflated ego. No one. So I’m going to walk you through the proof, slowly, so even our narcissistic, hyperactive, attention-deficit-disordered journalists can understand that Sean Spicer played with them like a cat pawing a dying moth.

Breaking: San Antonio Mall Shooting: One Dead, Six Wounded, Armed Citizen Shot Murderer

January 22, 2017

A Good Samaritan was shot and killed and three shot in a “robbery gone very wrong” at Rolling Oaks Mall in San Antonio, Texas Sunday afternoon about 3:30 p.m. Two others transported to hospitals with other medical conditions. One suspect is still at large and assumed armed and dangerous. The dead man was a shopper who attempted to stop two robbers after they robbed a Kay Jewelers store in the mall.

Trump Meant It All

January 22, 2017

Trump’s enemies took refuge in the self-created narrative that his campaign was 100% American showmanship. The crooked press and the corrupt establishment, while dissing Trump publicly, scoffed privately. They “knew” his supporters were idiots and yahoos—marginally functional Neanderthals from America’s unreconstructed backwoods whose ability to think, handicapped by genetics, was further crippled by the moonshine distilled in the shed behind their putrid outhouse for personal consumption by their incest-ridden family of knuckle-dragging racist homophobes.

Rebuilding St. Louis

January 21, 2017

A lot of well-connected St. Louis Democrats like to say “everything’s fine” with the city and the St. Louis region. You know, though, that St. Louis is a mess. A hot, simmering mess covered with rot. (Check out StLouisPatina’s photo essay of St. Louis decay.) But the people responsible for St. Louis’s decay want you to pretend there are no problems. Of course, they do. And it’s getting worse. You might find yourself wondering how bad things are in St.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

January 20, 2017

https://youtu.be/TLYAyuf1I1Q

Welcome to the America of Our Dreams

January 20, 2017

Jim Durbin called me this evening. “Are you excited?” he asked. Jim was in the crowd at the very first Tea Party in St. Louis, February 27, 2009. A cold Friday. He and more than a thousand other folks took off work and school to see what this protest was all about. Like so many others, Jim knew America needed a change. A big one. A change built on the hopes and dreams and fierce independence of ordinary people.

America's Business is Jobs, Not College

January 15, 2017

Many of us are guilty. I am, too. You, probably. In high school (and after) we mocked the kids who took shop. The “greasers” who got credit for wrenching on cars or welding or making cabinets. It was the 1980s and shop, along with home economics, became an elective in most schools. Until the 80s, some practical life skill class was a requirement at most American public and parochial high schools.

Stan Kroenke's Long Con Has Just Started

January 5, 2017

You thought Stan Kroenke wanted a team in Los Angeles? I don’t think so. I think Stan is playing a long con. And I think it’s a brilliant strategy. Los Angeles is a terrible market for football teams, but it’s a fantastic market for the NFL. It would be a perfect place to build a permanent home for the Super Bowl. Los Angeles has fantastic weather, great attractions, and a huge pool of football fans, fans of every team in the NFL.

You Don't Hear "Big Data" Much Anymore, And For That I'm Thankful

January 5, 2017

This is about Big Data. You really can’t over-estimate what suckers business people are. I’m not talking about people who create things or improve things. Guys like Steve Jobs and Donald Trump built great businesses. But they weren’t business people. They were builders. Running a business was a necessary evil that allowed them the freedom to build what they wanted to build. They were great businessmen because they cared about the work their companies did.

We Tore It Apart—We Can Rebuild It

January 1, 2017

How will history remember the Tea Party movement of 2009 to 2016? The answer to that question depends on what we do next. The Tea Party movement was an antagonistic movement. We opposed bad stuff. We sought punishment for bad actors. We saw that the experts were wrong, and we pointed out their folly. Like William F. Buckley’s charter for National Review, we stood athwart history, yelling “STOP!” At its heart, the Tea Party movement opposed a corrupt and insulated establishment class.

Confirmed: Coup Attempt Is Under Way In America

December 14, 2016

You might have thought I was paranoid for wondering if some people in the CIA and the Deep State are plotting a coup to overturn our recent election. The Wall Street Journal seems to agree with my conclusion: a coup attempt is going on in America. Rogue actors within the CIA, all of the major leftist media (New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS), and probably major defense contractors seem to be involved, though the Wall Street Journal stops short of accusing advertisers.

Why Trump Might Never Become President

December 13, 2016

Call me paranoid, but it seems Donald Trump’s chances of taking the oath of office for President are diminishing every day. You might find yourself wondering why the CIA would plot a coup against Trump and his supporters. If you haven’t wondered about a CIA coup, you should.** Focus your awareness for a moment on what Trump means to the people of the Deep State.** The Deep State involves those people and institutions that have insulated themselves from the consequences of elections.

Is the CIA Plotting a Coup? UPDATE FBI Disputes CIA Allegation - VIDEOS

December 11, 2016

Many powerful interests around the world loathe Donald Trump and the people who elected him. There’s no disputing that. One of those powerful interests is the Central Intelligence Agency. One of the CIA’s own, Evan McMullin, attempted to disrupt the election. Like Bay of Pigs and Saddam’s weapons of mass destruction, that CIA plot failed. Even George Will admits the CIA makes some horrible, deadly mistakes. And sometimes those mistakes come from seeing the results they want to see, not the results presented.

Donald Trump: The Greatest President-elect in History

December 9, 2016

No one saw this coming. In the month since the election on November 8, America burst out of the longest economic malaise since the Great Depression. Historians will credit the election of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States. Those historians will be right, of course, but how can that be? President Trump won’t take office until Friday, January 20, 2017. Today is December 8, 2016. Yet Trump has already transformed America more in four weeks than Barack Obama did in eight years.

Civil War: Chapter 12

December 3, 2016

Roger crashed into his office. His sanctuary. It was only two fifteen, but he wanted a drink. Calls first. He pulled out is cell phone and decided to call the cop again. But the phone buzzed in his hand before he could find the number. “Hello,” Roger said. “Hi, Mr. Thompson? This is Amanda Mateo, one of David’s teachers.” “Hi. Ms. Mateo. Yeah, we met in August.” “Oh, yeah, right. Parents’ Night.

Civil War: Chapter 12

December 3, 2016

Study: Kellogg's Products Deadlier Than Cigarettes?

December 2, 2016

Kellogg sells mostly simple carbohydrates in the form of breakfast cereal and snacks. Their ad agencies make you think their foods are wholesome and safe. They’re not. They’re mostly simple carbohydrates (grains and sugar) that produce a glycemic shock when eaten. And foods that produce glycemic shock seem to be deadlier than cigarettes. At least that’s the suggestion from a recent study at the University of Texas. The study of 2,000 lung cancer patients and 2,500 people without lung cancer should raise concern.

Trump Transformed the Presidency Already

December 2, 2016

Tonight, Donald Trump delivered what will become the new standard of presidential oratory in Cincinnati, OH. President-elect Trump thanked Ohio voters for a landslide victory in the state with a barnburner of a speech that rivaled his most animated and colorful rally speeches during the 2015-2016 campaign. The art of the speech will never be the same. Frequently breaking from prepared remarks, Trump attacked the dishonest media, mocked a leftist reporter who cried when Hillary lost, and reminded voters, “Folks, how many times did we hear this?

Civil War: Chapter 11

December 1, 2016

Roger Thompson had completed his checklist. He’d learned from Jack Murphy, his friend and attorney, that the police sergeant seemed cooperative. With his tasks out of the way, he knew it was time to deal with his wife, Natalie. Natalie and Roger didn’t see eye to eye politically. Natalie described herself as a progressive. Even though they rarely discussed politics, Roger knew Natalie was politically active before they got married. She worked a lot of referendum campaigns in college and after.

Civil War: Chapter 11

December 1, 2016

Donald Trump: America's Work-craft Carrier

November 30, 2016

Donald Trump ran on a promise to bring American jobs back to America. And to make America great again. Even though his presidency is still two months away, he’s already delivering. Ford is staying. Apple is looking to move iPhone assembly to the USA. And, last night, Carrier announced it will keep 1,000 jobin Indianapolis. **America is #WINNING again. ** When Donald Trump railed against Carrier Air Conditioner’s decision to move over 1,000 jobs to Mexico, the fake news media mocked and ridiculed Trump.

Civil War: Chapters 9 and 10

November 29, 2016

Chapter Nine “Elizabeth, I’m going to be out of the building the rest of the day. You have my cell. Vice-principal Johnson is in his office.” Elizabeth had a mouthful of Goldfish and could only grunt. But she wrote a note herself and nodded furiously at her boss. Nancy Flanders left the building. Forty-two minutes later, Flanders was parked and walking into the lobby of modern, glass and stainless steel building.

Civil War: Chapters 9 and 10

November 29, 2016

Bastardizing Trump

November 28, 2016

Jill Stein has raised nearly $7 million in an effort to overturn election results in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. She has no chance of winning any of those states, and Hillary Clinton has joined Team Stein. So what’s the point? Apparently,Stein and Clinton want the recounts to miss their December 19 deadline. December 19 is the Constitutionally mandated Electoral College vote. If the recounts are incomplete on the 19th, voters in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania will be disenfranchised, no candidate will have 270 electoral votes, and the election will be thrown to the US House of Representatives.

Civil War: Chapter 8

November 27, 2016

Nancy Flanders sat perfectly still. Amanda Mateo fidgeted and rocked. Between lay a false statement and a pen. Amanda spoke. “I won’t sign that. I’ll write my own report. I should have spoken to the police yesterday. I’ll write my statement and give it you right now. But I’m not signing that,” pointing toward the statement on the desk. “That won’t be necessary. I’m afraid I’ll have to place you on suspension until the board reviews your case.

Civil War: Chapter 8

November 27, 2016

Castro Is Dead

November 26, 2016

We can close the books on the 20th century. Castro was greeted in hell by his peers Josef Stalin, Mao Zedong, Pol Pot, Mussolini, and Hitler. Castro was last seen paddling away from the Caribbean hellhole on a raft bound for hell. Castro leaves behind a nation trapped in the 1950s. Repeating our top story tonight: Cuban dictator Fidel Castro is still valiantly holding on in his fight to remain dead.

Civil War: Chapters 6 and 7

November 25, 2016

Chapter Six “Evan, this is Roger.” “How’s it going? Where are you?” “I’m at home. Listen, I’m going to have to use a sick day today.” “Everything okay?” “Not really. It’s a long story. David got beat up pretty bad yesterday at school. In school,” Roger said. “Well, hell. Sorry to hear that. Don’t worry about anything. I’ve got you covered.” “Thanks, Evan. Sorry about this.” “No worries. It’s the slow season anyway.

Civil War: Chapters 6 and 7

November 25, 2016

Civil War: Chapters 4 and 5

November 23, 2016

Chapter Four “Elizabeth, tell Amanda I need to see her on her planning hour.” Nancy Flanders’ assistant, Elizabeth Schneider, nodded her head, scribbled a note, and continued eating her bagel dripping with pineapple cream cheese and strawberry jam. Flanders returned to her office and closed the door. She sat and snatched the receiver from he desk phone, pressed two numbers, then hung up. She glanced out the window toward the school’s playground then reached for the cell phone on her desk.

Civil War: Chapters 4 and 5

November 23, 2016

Glad to See Trump Focusing on Working People Instead of Worrying About Hillary Clinton

November 23, 2016

You might have heard that President-elect Trump has said he doesn’t want to waste time and attention on Hillary’s email server. You also might have heard that some people are upset about that. I’m not one of them. Months ago I was telling people Trump should announce that, if elected, he will pardon Hillary Clinton for all crimes related to her email scandal. I had two reasons for promoting this strategy.

Predicting the Climax

November 22, 2016

We are watching The Fourth Turning unfold before our eyes. While you should read all of The Fourth Turning by generational historians William Strauss and Neil Howe, here’s one of their predictions for this point in time. The prediction was published in 1997: The economy will in time recover from its early and vertiginous reversals. Late in the Crisis, with trust and hope and urgency growing fast, it may even achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency and production.

The Left's Newfound Love of States' Rights

November 22, 2016

Every Constitutional conservative knows there’s no such thing as “states' rights.” Only people have rights. Governments have powers. People have the right to grant government powers. Governments have no power to assume powers not granted by the people. Anyone who says “states' rights” needs a basic course in political philosophy. For years, a few conservatives mistakenly defended “states' rights” when they meant to say “federalism.” When conservatives made this error, the left jumped all over them.

Civil War: Chapter 3

November 21, 2016

Roger, David, and Natalie, drove home from the hospital in relative silence. It was already dark at six-thirty. Traffic was still snarled as drivers got used to the end of daylight savings. When they arrived home, David went to his bedroom and Natalie followed. The post-concussion protocol called for lots of rest, no electronics, and soft lighting. David went straight to bed. Roger walked into his home office with a glass of whiskey.

Civil War: Chapter 3

November 21, 2016

Prayers for Ambushed Police Sergeant

November 21, 2016

Two cops were ambushed today. One in San Antonio. One in St. Louis. St. Louis Hills. An intersection I know very well from my youth. The St. Louis police sergeant is expected to survive. It’s time to end the war on cops. Please pray for the wounded officer, his family, our community, and all our fine police officers and emergency responders.

Civil War: Chapter 2

November 19, 2016

Roger pulled into the parking garage near St. Mary’s Hospital. Midday, the garage was packed. Roger parked on the roof and sprinted to the stairs. He crossed the short bridge to the third-floor reception area and approached the desk. “I’m Roger Thompson. My son David was brought here,” he said. The woman at the desk smiled at him, then typed on her keyboard. “Can I see your driver’s license please?” she asked Roger.

Civil War: Chapter 2

November 19, 2016

United States: noun (plural)

November 19, 2016

Last week’s election demonstrated beyond a reasonable doubt that the United States are still plural. Let me explain. Language changes. Sometimes those changes alter what things mean. And because of the odd way the brain deals with language, some changes create constant confusion in our heads. Once upon a time, “the United States of America” was a plural noun. (I’ll prove it to you in a moment.) Careful writers and speakers would say “the United States are .

Note On "Civil War" Series

November 18, 2016

You might have noticed “Civil War: Chapter One” here on Hennessy’s View. You may not have realized this is fiction. You might also not realize that chapter one means there’s more to come. I will release a new chapter every other day. Sometimes I might release two chapters at once because some chapters might be too short to release on their own. I don’t know where this story goes, and neither do you.

Note On "Civil War" Series

November 18, 2016

Civil War: Chapter 1

November 18, 2016

Roger Thompson’s phone vibrated in his pocket. His boss, Evan, couldn’t hear the vibrating phone, but he noticed Roger’s distraction. “Do you need a minute?” Evan asked Roger. “No. Sorry. Damn phone won’t quit ringing. I’ll turn it off.” “Maybe it’s important. Go ahead.” Roger pulled the phone from his pocket and looked. Missed Call: Briarhaven Elementary “It’s my kid’s school,” Roger said. “I should probably call them back.” “Go,” said Evan.

Civil War: Chapter 1

November 18, 2016

It's Happening! Divorces Down, Marriage Up

November 17, 2016

Last weekI made three bold predictions about how Trump would change American culture: *1. Marriage would rebound, as would the fertility rate *2. People would dress better *3. Legacy becomes physical things, not mere laws Trump’s influence on American culture can already be seen in marriage and divorce rates. According to Bloomberg, divorce is down to 35-year lows and marriage rates began pumping up during the recent campaign. The U.

Time is Running Out to Avoid Bloodshed

November 17, 2016

Every dayteachers beat students who like Trump. Every day anti-Trump social justice warriors (SJWs) beat, shoot, and kill Trump supporters. Every day, anti-Trump SJWs vandalize and harass businesses. Every day, anti-Trump reporters lie. And the anti-trumpets better change. Fast. Or there will be hell to pay. People will put up with harassment and violence only so long. People eventually push back. People who fight as a last resort fight for their lives.

The Hubris of Nation Builders

November 14, 2016

Guest Post by Lee A. Presser My friend Bill Hennessy wrote an excellent 11-12-16 blog analysis of Anglo-American history and how it relates to Mr. Trump’s victory (https://hennessysview.com/2016/11/12/how-the-second-born-twin-can-be-older-than-the-first/). After reading that blog I phoned him to add a tangential thought. Bill suggested I share the thought with you. It took 561 years (from the Magna Carta to the Declaration of Independence) for the idea of limited government and political equality to infuse itself into Anglo-American culture.

3 Ways President Trump Changes Everything

November 13, 2016

Trump’s win is far bigger than the vote. As British General Cornwallis said at the end of the movie ‘The Patriot,’ “Everything will change . . . everything has changed.” If you’ve been thinking about policy, you’re thinking really, really small. Trump’s influence is way bigger. Here are three ways Trump will change America for a generation. A Change of Uniform Since the late 1990s, American business and social life have gone uber casual.

How the Second-Born Twin Can Be Older Than the First

November 12, 2016

Have you ever noticed that twins have a pecking order? Even identical twins born minutes apart show a subtle seniority complex. Usually the first-born twin leads the second-born. Makes you wonder how these Peterson twins will relate to each other, doesn’t it? Because of the time change at the end of daylight saving time, the second-born twin is officially older than the first. That’ll be interesting to watch. And if you find yourself pondering the oddness of those twins' birth order, you can easily find yourself pondering America’s little sister relationship to the UK.

Entrepreneur vs. Empress

November 12, 2016

Adam Carolla noticed something I didn’t. Carolla’s first reaction to the election results was this. Hillary Clinton built herself a Logan’s Run type palace for her would-be coronation. Donald Trump accepted the presidency in a room that might double as a Hometown Buffet. Put another way, here’s what the winner’s auditorium: [caption id=“attachment_21054” align=“aligncenter” width=“1000”]Image clipped from UPI[/caption] And here’s the winner’s ballroom: Let that contrast sink in. Every penny of the Clintons' hundreds of millions came from taxpayers one way or another.

How Donald Trump Completed the Tea Party

November 12, 2016

Sometimes I forget what originally drove me to call for a tea party protest in St. Louis. One motivation was fear of missing out because a dozen other cities were planning protests. Another driver was a desire change the direction of the country. And at least some of it was the frustrated actor in me looking for an outlet. Since two-thirds of those motivations appeal only to me, let’s focus on the middle one: change the country.

I'm Sorry I Was Late to the Trump Train

November 9, 2016

Jim Hoft. Ed Martin. John Burns. Dottie Bailey. Ben Evans. Gina Loudon. Lee Presser. Ben Murphy. Phyllis Schlafly. Those are my friends who were on the Trump Train long before me. If not Day One, Day Two. I resisted. I wanted a kinder, gentler conservative. I was for Dr. Ben Carson. But my friends opened my eyes. Over time, they reminded me that the Tea Party was never about R vs.

Blank Slate

November 7, 2016

A few people have called me tonight to ask my prediction on the election. They know I’ve predicted a Trump landslide. They want to know if I stand by it. My answer: blank slate. I have no expectations. None. I have preferences, but no expectations. It’s kind of silly to expect something you have little or no control over. I have no control over James Comey or Loretta Lynch, much less the millions of American and non-Americans who will vote.

It's Going to Be Okay

November 6, 2016

You might be stressing out when you learn that James Comey sent another letter to Congress. In case you didn’t hear, he did. And he said that the emails found on Huma Abedin’s computer did not change his earlier conclusion about Hillary Clinton. It’s easy to panic or get mad or dejected. Totally understandable. But that’s totally counterproductive, too. And being mad or acting dispirited is just what the elites want us to do.

How to Win Consistently

November 6, 2016

If your favorite player hits a home run or scores a goal, but your favorite team loses, what have you accomplished? If an athlete you despise makes a horrible error but the hated team he plays for wins the championship, how do you feel? In several races across Missouri, some people seem willing to lose the war if it means they can win their private battles. That’s pretty sad, isn’t it?

Trump Makes People Better

November 5, 2016

https://youtu.be/pm8n9qVIK_8 The more you learn about people like William, the more you look forward to President Trump. Make America Great Again

The Way Things Ought To Be

November 5, 2016

https://youtu.be/vST61W4bGm8 Greatest closing argument ever. Make America great again. Trump is your last chance.

How to be inconsistent

November 3, 2016

This post is about why you should vote for Eric Greitens. But first, let’s take a stroll down memory lane. Remember August 2015? It was hot, of course, but everybody was talking about when Trump would fade. For example, here’s the RCP Afternoon Edition from August 7, the day after the first GOP debate: Whose Party Is It, Anyway? - Molly Ball, The Atlantic The Republican Debate Was Awesome - David Harsanyi, The Federalist You Cannot Embarrass Donald Trump - Ezra Klein, Vox The Beginning of the End for Trump - Ed Rogers, Washington Post Martin O’Malley, the Dems' Fallback?

BREAKING: Looks Like I Was Right

November 1, 2016

Yesterday I speculated that Barack Obama had grown sick of Hillary’s corruption, lies, and criminal disregard for the rule of law. A lot of people thought I was nuts, that I was reading too much into the White House statement that discredited Hillary’s primary talking point about James Comey. But today the Gateway Pundit reports that Michelle Obama has scrubbed all references** to Hillary Clinton from both of her Twitter timelines**.

Donna Brazile's Corrupt Silent Partner

October 31, 2016

Since its revelation in WikiLeaks two weeks ago, Donna Brazile has been justly excoriated for cheating on behalf of Hillary Clinton by passing along a debate question. However, an important aspect to this story has been overlooked. As the saying goes, it takes two to tango. Yes, Donna Brazile sent a critically beneficial piece of information - but Hillary Clinton accepted it. Mrs. Clinton accepted it (stealing), used it (cheating), and said nothing (lying).

Seems Like Obama Is Tired of Hillary's S***

October 31, 2016

You might have dated someone who was amazingly good looking. Everything’s great. For awhile. Then you get to know the person. A little too well. Maybe it’s on a weekend trip. Or, God forbid, when you move in together. Then you realize looks aren’t everything. The same thing can happen in political “marriages.” That surface quality that attracted you—donors, influence, contacts, whatever—sometimes isn’t worth the price. Just ask Barack Obama.

Have Voters Priced In Clinton's Criminality?

October 31, 2016

You never expect a candidate’s surrogates to tell you their candidate is a crook. But that’s exactly what Hillary’s surrogates are telling you now. From Bill Richardson to Robby Mook, Clinton surrogates are reciting a strange and disturbing talking point: Voters have “baked in” Clinton’s life of crime. [FLASHBACK: I gave James Comey the benefit of the doubt in July] The talking point seems meant to keep Democrats from panicking over the FBI’s re-opened criminal investigation of Hillary Clinton and the Clinton Foundation.

Obama Administration Revives Watergate—In Living Color!

October 30, 2016

Everyone knows that the White House is interfering with the FBI’s investigation of Hillary Clinton’s criminal conspiracies. We know this because the Justice Department is stonewalling the FBI’s request for a warrant to search the hard drive Huma Abedin shared with her ex-husband Anthony Weiner. For those of us too young to remember those black-and-white days of Watergate, here’s a brief timeline via Watergate.info: ** July 13, 1973: Alexander Butterfield, former presidential appointments secretary, reveals in congressional testimony that since 1971 Nixon had recorded all conversations and telephone calls in his offices.

Make Missouri Great Again—Greitens for Governor

October 30, 2016

As I pointed out last Saturday, a tiny faction of Missouri conservatives prefers Missouri’s pathetic status quo to true leadership and positive change. Those people apparently approve of Missouri’s horrible economy, weak schools, and declining stature in the country. And nowhere does Missouri’s decline stand out like San Diego, California. Last week, I spent a few days bumming around San Diego with my son. He is stationed there in the US Navy.

Everybody Knows It's Over Now

October 28, 2016

My phone was vibrating like a like a sex toy all afternoon. I couldn’t look. I was with a client and teammates working on serious business. When I got a break, after the client left, I locked myself in a bathroom stall and looked at the messages. Comey is reopening Hillary investigation New emails have been found I didn’t believe it, so I looked at The Gateway Pundit:

With 2 Weeks to Go, Don't Get Fooled Again

October 24, 2016

https://youtu.be/SHhrZgojY1Q Donna Brazile colluded with Hillary’s campaign and Roland Martin to feed debate to questions to Hillary before a debate. Hillary personally ordered violent protesters to disrupt Trump events. Hillary, Brazile, and PACS broke the law by colluding on disrupting Trump events. Hillary Clinton trashed and intimidated the women her husband raped. Hillary Clinton stole classified material and her minions offered bribes the FBI to help cover up the crimes.

Laugh at the Hag—Must See Video

October 23, 2016

https://youtu.be/MqyNO4XNovs Jen Bird!

Why Are Some Missouri Conservatives Putting Position Before Interest?

October 22, 2016

Let’s play a little thought experiment. Suppose you read that a scientific study proved dark blue socks look best with a gray suit. Then someone known for his remarkable sense of style shows up wearing purple striped socks with a gray suit. What would you do? Before you answer that, consider this. You’ve probably heard that a handful of conservative activists are supporting the Democrat running for governor. Those misguided conservatives think the GOP nominee isn’t conservative enough.

Democrats Rig Every Election

October 20, 2016

Donald Trump is taking exactly the right approach on the upcoming rigged election. Every election since 1960 has involved massive election rigging by Democrats. They laugh about it privately and act all offended by the accusation in public. Republicans let it happen. Republicans like John McCain believe they have a “duty” to concede even if an election is rigged. They called “honorable.” But conceding a rigged election is actually a moral failing.

Who Gets the Credit Matters Most

October 19, 2016

Some people on the right say they won’t vote for Trump. Those people list various reasons, mostly about his demeanor and things he’s said in the past. They think who gets the credit is more important than what gets done. We all know people like that, don’t we? Most of those NeverTrumpers were okay with Trump’s policies. They all love his Supreme Court list. Most of them liked Ted Cruz’s ideas, and Cruz’s weren’t far from Trump’s.

A Catholic Priest Eviscerates Childish NeverTrumpers

October 19, 2016

Outcomes. NeverTrumpers seem to believe that the act of voting is a sort of magic spell that can right all past wrongs. Psychologists call this “magical thinking.” Children do it. Magical thinking is the belief that we can change the outside world with our thoughts. Think of rain dances and crossed fingers. Or, as Dr. Ben Hunt explains, Fed policy. Father Christopher J. Pollard, writing in Catholic News Agency, destroys the NeverTrump argument in his essay “On Voting.

Justice Obama

October 19, 2016

If Hillary Clinton wins, Barack Obama will take Antonin Scalia’s seat on the Supreme Court. You NeverTrump cowards need to go read everything you’ve written about Barack Obama. Read what you said about his sick dream to fundamentally transform America. Read everything you’ve written about his hatred of American exceptionalism. But go deeper. Stop being cowards for ten minutes and recall what you’ve said and thought about Barack Obama. In private conversations.

Psychopath or Braggart: The Ultimate Test

October 18, 2016

Some people have already decided which candidate to vote for. According to polls, slightly more people favor the psychopath over the braggart. For the undecided, I thought I’d create a simple quiz that will tell you whether you’re more comfortable with a President who says ugly things and brags about accomplishments or a president who gets people killed and gives away national secrets for cash. I know, it’s a tough call.

Despicable Hillary Exposed by FBI

October 18, 2016

Have you ever met someone who’s just nasty? Mean? Self-centered? Treats “little people” like dirt? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you’ve probably met Hillary Clinton. Hillary is likely a psychopath according to official FBI documents released Friday. What is psychopathy? For the answer, let’s go to the book Almost a Psychopath (h/t Eric Barker): Psychopathy is a psychological condition in which the individual shows a profound lack of empathy for the feelings of others, a willingness to engage in immoral and antisocial behavior for short-term gains, and extreme egocentricity.

CNN Liars Slither to New All-Time Low as Politico Hits Rock Bottom

October 17, 2016

CNN is so afraid people will find out they’ve been lied to that CNN is lying harder than ever. It is perfectly legal to visit the Wikileaks.com website. You can even copy information found on the site. Yet CNN’s paid liars are telling viewers it’s against the law. Plus, they’re saying the only way you are allowed to learn the content of the Wikileaks documents is to have it filtered through CNN’s official state-sponsored Department of Truth.

Killing Scalia: The Clinton Crime Family

October 14, 2016

Do you think the Clinton Crime Family whacked Antonin Scalia? You will soon if you let yourself read this and all the links. But first, a strange call I had last week. Something Unrelated At the end of our talk, the reporter said, “do you mind if I ask you about something else? It has nothing to do with my article, and I won’t write about it.” “Uh, sure,” I said.

The Art of Lying

October 14, 2016

Lying is tough business. People believe lies with more details. Time, date, people, exact words, what people were wearing, sequences of events. All that. So liars usually provide some gripping details to make their lies more believable. In casual conversation, this works. Once some sucker buys your lie, you’re pretty much in the clear. The problem comes when you broadcast your lie for maximum coverage. The more people who hear the lie, the more people try to verify those details.

Hillary Told Us Trump Won

October 10, 2016

I really want to go to bed, but my brain won’t sleep until I type this out. Hillary Clinton told us Trump won the debate with her final answer. Final answer. An audience member asked the closing question. He challenged the candidates to say something nice about their opponents. Hillary went first. The right way to answer those screwball questions is to say something nice and sit down. I’ll explain why in a moment.

The Flies Are Coming Home to Roost

October 10, 2016

Frank Luntz—no fan of Donald J. Trump—said it best: he came into the second debate believing the race was over, but he came out believing Trump is back in the race. I realize CNN bought a poll that said Clinton won the debate. But CNN has a history of lying, cheating, and hiding facts. I wouldn’t bet a wooden nickel on anything I heard on CNN. I watched most of the debate at a bar in South St.

How to Act Like You Learned Something About Trump

October 9, 2016

People in the media and the GOP are acting like they learned something on Friday. That’s when the Washington Post released an audio (later conjoined with video) of Donald Trump talking lewd about his exploits with women. I say media people and Republicans are “acting” like they learned something, because they didn’t. We didn’t. Everybody who’s paid attention to the race (or pop culture) already knew how Trump is. Everybody knows Trump brags about his sexual prowess and how women melt around him.

We Heard From Ann Wagner. Now Let's Hear From the Clintons' Victims

October 8, 2016

Today, Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO) abandoned her party’s nominee to support a rape accomplice for President. Ann Wagner has lost her moral authority on all matters outside of her own home. I call on Mrs. Wagner to resign from the House of Representatives and to retire gracefully from public life. Mrs. Wagner seems to believe that being a woman gives her some unique moral vantage point. She forgets that she’s not the only woman in America.

Why Now? Open Borders

October 8, 2016

You might have heard that the Clinton campaign released the 2005 audio of Donald Trump on Friday to affect Sunday’s debate. Maybe, but not likely. It’s more likely that the story dropped to cover up the latest Hillary email scandal. Gwen Ifill agrees (via Breitbart): we would have been paying attention a lot more tonight to some revelations from WikiLeaks about Hillary Clinton’s email — her latest email tranche from the State Department.

Clinton vs. Trump on Women

October 8, 2016

Donald Trump’s Access Hollywood audio has a lot of people cringing. Especially a lot of men who remember the things they’ve said about women around other men. And I’m talking about men you respect and admire like husbands and dads and brothers. Comedians know what I ’m talking about. I won’t bore you with the biology of it all, but you probably realize that men and women are fundamentally different. Especially when it comes to reproductive success.

Killing Ron Brown: A Clinton Crime Family Story

October 2, 2016

Your life is in danger. At this moment, a Chinese nuclear warhead sits in a missile silo. Its guidance, if launched, instructs the warhead to detonate a mile or two above your home. And this was all made possible by extortion, murder, and illegal campaign contributions to Bill and Hillary Clinton. Remember Ron Brown? Brown was Clinton’s Secretary of Commerce. Ron Brown ran the Clintons' extortion racket in the 1990s.

How to Destroy the US Navy

September 30, 2016

You don’t need bombs and torpedos to destroy the Navy. Political correctness and terrible senior management are the Navy’s greatest threats. And today the Navy dropped a bomb on itself, with the help of Barack Obama. Obama’s Secretary of the Navy eliminated the 241-year-old Navy enlisted rating system. Because Obama felt the ratings were too politically incorrect? They weren’t gender neutral. Via No more Yeoman, Corpsman, or even Fire Control Technician.

How to Destroy Radical Islam Without Firing a Shot

September 30, 2016

You probably know that I admire Scott Adams quite a bit. He’s brilliantly predicted everything Trump has done. And he’s not finished dazzling us with his prediction skills. Yesterday he made a prediction of how we’ll kill ISIS. It isn’t pretty. He’s not advocating what will happen. He’s just telling us what will happen. I’m going to offer an alternative end to ISIS. It’s one I’ve advocated for attacking radical Islam since 2001.

Shameless James Comey Is a Liar and Darrell Issa Is a Hero

September 29, 2016

No honest company would hire FBI Director James Comey. He might be loyal, but he’ll commit crimes of loyalty. Comey would have fit right in at Enron. Or in Ceauşescu’s Romania. Today we learned that Comey flat out lied about Cheryl Mills’s immunity agreement. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) exposed Comey’s lies just minutes after Comey lied to Congress under oath about the extent of immunity granted to Mills, who was both a State Department employee and one of Hillary’s huge stable of personal attorneys.

How Framing Helps Presidential Debates

September 27, 2016

I love breaking from convention. I get tired of doing the same things, the same ways for no particular reason. If you’d asked me about dropping opening and closing statements from presidential debates, I’d have said “give it try.” Well, Lester Holt gave it a try. I want the statements back. Last night, the debate began with a question and ended with an answer. No opening or closing. Without those framing statements, the whole thing felt like middle music—a name my colleague gave to the music in upscale hotel lobbies that just goes on and on.

Trump Bunted a Hanging Slider He Could Have Walloped

September 27, 2016

Donald Trump missed numerous opportunities to use humor to destroy Hillary Clinton Monday night. The clearest example was on Lester Holt’s question on cyber security. Hillary went first and gave a long, robotic answer, hitting all the buzzwords her handlers made her memorize. Trump countered with a similar answer. But Trump could have crippled Hillary with a single line: If you’re worried about cyber security, don’t elect a woman who runs an email server out of her basement.

Spontaneous #DebateNight Reaction

September 27, 2016

Liveblogging the biggest debate in history. Before that, you should read my proposed closing remarks for Donald Trump. Someone told me on twitter that there will be no closing remarks. So maybe Mr. Trump will use my prompts for his opening statement. To make this more fun, you can grade my prediction accuracy at the end of the post.

Trump's Closing Statement Tonight

September 26, 2016

If he asked me, here’s how I’d end the debate of the century. First, I’d close off any open loops that arose during the debate. Then: American children under 10 have never known a year with three-percent GDP growth. Americans under 40 have no memory real wages going up. And American people of every age, from infant to elderly, never knew a time of greater threat from foreign terrorist attack.

If you want Mike Lee on the Supreme Court, you have to vote for Roy Blunt

September 25, 2016

I’ll make this short. I have been highly critical of Senator Roy Blunt for a long time. You can search my blog and find many things that bother me about the Blunts, but that’s not what this is about. This post is about whether the US Constitution survives. This post is about whether that government of the people, by the people, and for the people will perish from the earth.

#NeverTrump Self Immolation Over Trusty Ted Cruz

September 24, 2016

This is for the people, like me, who realized sometime between June 2015 and June 2016 that Donald Trump is at least better than Hillary and possibly a transformational character who can reverse America’s descent into chaos. “A leader is a man who can adapt principles to circumstances.” – General George Patton Jr You might think this post is an attempt to reach #NeverTrumpers and bring them on board the Trump Train.

Kids Are Back in School And Jihadists Are Killing Again

September 21, 2016

If you thought the government never made a mistake, this story might surprise (via Breitbart) WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government has mistakenly granted citizenship to at least 858 immigrants who had pending deportation orders from countries of concern to national security or with high rates of immigration fraud, according to an internal Homeland Security audit released Monday. The Homeland Security Department’s inspector general found that the immigrants used different names or birthdates to apply for citizenship with U.

How to Explain Obama's Childish Defeatism

September 20, 2016

Barack Obama has thrown in the towel on Hillary Clinton’s failed campaign. Before you see how that is, let’s look at a study on a key factor of business success or failure. CEO Locus of Control In a series of studies, researchers found that companies whose CEO displayed an external locus of control were 650 percent more likely to fail than similar companies whose CEO showed an internal locus of control (source).

Trump's Landslide Tipping Point Is Breathing Down Your Neck

September 19, 2016

We’re getting close, folks. So close you can feel it. Close your eyes and feel the soft, warm breath on the back of your neck. (Now open your eyes and continue reading. You’re such a good reader.) As you watch the polls shift rapidly toward Trump, you might wonder what’s happening. What’s happening is completely natural, but it’s not normal. Elections don’t usually go this way. And two psychological phenomena are working to deliver the Trump landslide I predicted long ago.

Make Jake Tapper Great Again

September 18, 2016

I am making an honest man out of Jake Tapper. This twitter thread tells it all. @whennessy i never made an issue of Trump’s use of the word bomb. so the whole premise of this is nonsense. — Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) September 18, 2016 The controversy began when Hillary Clinton attacked Donald Trump for calling terrorist bombings in New Jersey and New York “bombs.” But in the same interview, Hillary called the bombings “bombing,” making her look like an idiot.

Only the '64 Phillies Rival Hillary Clinton's Brutal September Collapse

September 16, 2016

After the Phillies beat the Dodgers on September 20, they owned a 6.5-game lead over the Reds and Cardinals, who were tied for second place. Philadelphia then hosted Cincinnati for three games, and the visiting Reds won all three. Then the Phillies hosted Milwaukee for four, and the visiting Braves won all four. At the end of that series, the Reds were in first place, a game ahead of the Phillies and 1.

Magical Thinking

September 14, 2016

You might wonder why I’m thinking about magic so much. What if you let yourself think about magic for a moment? Your mind can make all kinds of connections. It’s as if your mind takes you on a journey inside when you think about magic. When you hear “magic,” you instantly feel like a kid, don’t you? Perhaps you can remember when magic was as real to you as your favorite pillow or a treasured blanket.

Magic Letter

September 14, 2016

Just pretend that this letter is sort of magic. You don’t have to be aware of how it’s magic. Just pretend that you’re reading a magic letter. In a moment you’ll find out how it works. You might find yourself rolling your eyes and thinking you’re too old and too smart for magic letters, but the more you read, the more you might wish this letter really is magic. If you’re still reading, you might even laugh a little at how stupid this sounds.

More 1980 Election Parallels: Passing Out and Falling Down

September 12, 2016

The more you think about it, the more you realize 2016 gets more and more like 1980 every day. As you ponder Hillary Clinton’s fall from grace (even David Axelrod is trashing her now), you might remember Jimmy Carter’s collapse. I’m not talking about his collapse on election night. I’m talking about one of the two incidents that psychologically destroyed Carter’s image as a leader. In a moment, I’ll remind you of the collapse.

How the Press Has Let Us Down

September 12, 2016

Earlier I said the press has covered up Hillary Clinton’s horrible health problems. The press (or media as some call it) now admit as much. But they’re trying to weasel out of their culpability. See this line from an otherwise sound article on Commentary: While most serious people dismissed the rumors about Clinton’s health that were being circulated by Donald Trump’s supporters, what happened Sunday morning will deepen suspicions both about her health and whether her campaign has been telling the truth about it.

Suddenly You Feel Sorry for Hillary

September 11, 2016

Maybe you felt a twinge of pity when you saw that video of Hillary Clinton’s scary collapse today. In a moment you’ll see who’s to blame, and it’s not Hillary. If you haven’t seen the disturbing video, here it is, h/t thegatewaypundit.com: https://youtu.be/fo-pG2qChUI You could write off your emotions to the emotions of the day. It’s the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Your nerves are probably a bit frayed as you remember what you were doing when you realized that America was under attack.

No one else will tell how big this news is

September 9, 2016

Mr. Smiley’s Counter Girl: Whoa! You are so busted. Carolyn Burnham: You know, this really doesn’t concern you. Lester Burnham: Well, actually, Janine is Senior Drive-thru Manager so you are on her turf. — American Beauty, 1999 As you watched Donald Trump destroy Hillary Clinton on NBC’s Commander in Chief forum, something big happened. And you didn’t even know it. A woman who lives her life advancing conservatism, fighting cronyism, and promoting the best of the Republican Party won the chairmanship of Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District Republican committee.

Celebrating Phyllis's Remarkable Life Update: Trump In Town

September 9, 2016

UPDATE: The Gateway Pundit has confirmed Donald Trump will attend Phyllis Schlafly’s funeral in St. Louis. If you’re glad Ronald Reagan was once President, you should thank Phyllis Schlafly. Unfortunately, Mrs. Schlafly passed away, so you can’t thank her personally. But you can celebrate her life and her swift entrance to heaven. **This Saturday at 2:00pm, the ones she left behind will gather at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis (New Cathedral), 4431 Lindell Blvd.

How the NRA Picks Candidates

September 7, 2016

You might find yourself freaking out that NRA endorsed the Democrat for Missouri Governor instead of Republican Eric Greitens. If you think about it, though, the endorsement makes perfect sense from the NRA’s perspective. You realize that the NRA is a lobbying firm, and lobbyists have an easier time working with an established asset like Koster than cultivating an outsider like Greitens. Recruiting and cultivating an asset is to a lobbyist as finding and selling a new customer is to a business.

Phyllis Schlafly, RIP

September 5, 2016

If you asked me to define Phyllis Schlafly, my answered would be: “She wanted to destroy the king makers.” Phyllis Schlafly, the conservative icon who roared to national prominence with her 1964 classic, A Choice, Not an Echo, passed away today, September 5, 2016. She was 92. Eagle Forum, the pro-family, pro-American organization Phyllis launched in 1974, said in a statement: Phyllis Schlafly spent an astounding** 70 years in public service of her fellow Americans**.

Trump Surging Up, Up, and Away

September 5, 2016

Politico announced Tuesday: Clinton’s Advisors Tell Her to Prep for a Landslide Inquisitor said the same day: Hillary Clinton Campaign Preparing for a Landslide The stories beneath those headlines spoke of the intense hubris inside the Democratic Party and the Clinton campaign. Their “experts” declared the race over on Tuesday. Assured of a landslide, Clinton stopped campaigning and turned to what the Clinton’s do best: extorting money from the ultra-rich.

Just Pretend for a Moment

September 3, 2016

Nobody likes confrontation and conflict, am I right? But who doesn’t mind being lost in pretend for a little? So let’s just pretend it’s September 20, one week before the Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump appear at a joint press conference. (It’s not a debate. Hillary’s health won’t be up to a debate that soon.) Now, let’s pretend that Trump’s outreach to Hispanics and blacks worked because Trump’s ahead in the polls.

As You Watch, You Will Be Healed

September 3, 2016

You probably never thought you’d see anything like this, but it just happened. What’s it like when a nation turns from strife to peace and healing? Watch this most amazing moment in politics, in history. You might find yourself tearing up when the Bishop wraps The Donald in a prayer shawl. Powerful. https://youtu.be/79OAyAc3G-M?t=3m28s In my remarks to the 500 people at the Tea Party for Trump at Surdyke Harley-Davidson in Festus last Sunday, I spoke about the need for healing in America.

BREAKING: FBI Report Confirms Hillary's Guilty Mental Problems

September 2, 2016

The FBI dumped its Clinton criminal investigation report today, and it’s full of bombshells. Bombs are exploding like the 4th of July, especially the way Clinton lied about Gen. Colin Powell. Clinton has maintained that Powell advised her to use a private email and cell phone instead of using secure systems provided by the US government. Hillary lied. Here’s what the FBI found: Clinton contacted former Secretary of State Colin Powell via e-mail to inquire about his use of a BlackBerry while he was Secretary of State .

Predicting the Trump-Pena Nieto Communique

August 31, 2016

Donald Trump will land in Mexico City. He’s there for a summit meeting with Mexico’s President Pena Nieto. Before Trump even woke up this morning, the Washington Post declared the future meeting a complete disaster that Trump will never recover from. The Post predicted a complete visual and verbal disaster even though there’s no historical evidence on which to base such a prediction. The WaPo is probably projecting its wishes, not its beliefs.

What Blacks Want, According to Science

August 27, 2016

If this shocks you, you’re probably a racist. I probably am, too. Blacks want the same things whites want. Well, blacks want the same things non-elitist whites want. And it’s been quantified. By a Jew. Here’s what he found, as reported by Business Insider: His report (featured below) found that black voters care most about lowering taxes in their community, having a strong leader, creating jobs, changing the tax code to help workers and small businesses, making college affordable, and improving the financial health of the US.

Fun with Sexism and Racism

August 26, 2016

Admit it: words trump action. And words trump results. No one really cares what you do or the consequences of your actions. They care about what you say. That’s what we learned in school, right? That action is cheap but words are priceless. You probably memorized this nursery rhyme: Verbs and nouns Can break our crowns But deeds can never hurt us. There was another nursery rhyme with the same meter and opposite meaning.

How Reagan Almost Blew It in 1980

August 23, 2016

If you enjoy this post, you have to thank your fellow reader, Tony, for reading the whole TIME article from yesterday’s post. He pointed out more similarities between 1980 and 2016. Especially Reagan’s gaffes and Democrats' complacency. First, the gaffes. You hear about Trump stepping on his own applause lines. He announced Steve Bannon and Kellyanne Conway the day after the best speech of his life (until then). He wondered aloud (via Twitter) what Mr.

2016 looks like a repeat of 1980

August 22, 2016

You probably remember that in September 1980 voters couldn’t wait to cast a vote for Reagan. If you remember it like that, you remember wrong. At least a little wrong. TIME magazine examined voter sentiment in its September 15, 1980, issue. Voters that year sounded a lot like voters this year. Here’s how TIME’s Ed Magnuson summarized the voters of 1980: Disenchanted, but not apathetic. Caring about issues, although much more concerned about character.

One Week To Go. Are You Ready?

August 21, 2016

Time is running out fast. The St. Louis Area Tea Party for Trump is Sunday, August 28 at 4:00 p.m. at Surdyke Harley-Davidson in Festus, MO. Here’s your checklist to make sure you’re ready: [frontend-checklist name=“Tea Party for Trump”] Sign Ideas Make sure your signs embarrass no one. Don’t give the liars at CNN anything act all righteous about. Here are some sign ideas: ** Winning with Trump ** Donald Trump: YOU’RE HIRED ** Trump Stands With US ** Trump Never Sleeps ** Trump Leads from the FRONT ** All Aboard the TRUMP TRAIN ** I’m ALL IN for Trump ** HONK if you’re voting TRUMP ** Make America Great Again ** Make America Work Again ** Make America Safe Again ** Make America Strong Again ** I [HEART] Trump ** Build The Wall ** You Can’t Fake Great Kids ** Legal Immigration Rocks ** Borders Define a Country ** Dignity = Meaningful Work ** I’m Choosing Scalia’s Successor ** What’s Wrong with Greatness?

Trump's Misdirection Play

August 19, 2016

Everybody loves misdirection. It makes magic shows and movies interesting. You think you know what happens next, then WHAM! the unexpected happens. Now you’re plugged in. Trump gave a head fake. Everybody bought it. (Including me.) Then his legs went the other way, and we stand here flailing at the air. Some people’s heads exploded on CNN. BOOM! I’ll reveal the real misdirection in a moment. You’ll love it. After declaring “I don’t want to change” and hiring Stephen K.

How Liberalism Ruins Black Lives in America

August 18, 2016

You probably remember that I love The Conservative Heart by Arthur C. Brooks. I learned so much reading that book, and learning feels great. I read a lot and I’m 52-years-old, and I’m amazed at how much I didn’t know. And it feels so good to learn, doesn’t it? Idle Hands Are the Devil’s Workshop One of my favorite stories in The Conservative Heart involves the city of Marienthal, Austria, in the 1930s.

Trump's Third Act: The Honey Badger

August 17, 2016

Can you guess Stephen K. Bannon’s mantra at Breitbart? It’s not, “act like a Republican and lose.” It’s not “pivot,” a word I detest. “Honey badger don’t give a s—” is the Breitbart motto, and “the most dangerous political operative in America” is now running Donald Trump’s campaign. Raise the curtain on act three. https://youtu.be/4r7wHMg5Yjg The entire political world is reeling today with news that Donald Trump has named the incredible Stephen K.

The Gateway Pundit Featured Speaker at St. Louis Area Tea Party for Trump

August 17, 2016

The Gateway Pundit, Jim Hoft, was pro-Trump long before I was. Like me, he’s fed up with the politically correct elites who profit while America burns. And Jim recognized long before I did that Donald Trump is the voice for American greatness, for the dignity of meaningful work, for the security of strong borders. Jim Hoft will be among the featured speakers at the St. Louis area Tea Party for Trump on August 28, 2016 at Surdyke Harley-Davidson in Festus.

Jamie Allman Featured Speaker at Tea Party for Trump August 28

August 17, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE St. Louis Area Tea Party for Trump August 28 at 4:00 at Surdyke Harley-Davidson in Festus St. Louis Tea Party Co-founders Reunite to Take White House St. Louis, MO, August 16, 2016: Four St. Louis area Tea Party leaders who launched the local tea party movement announced a Tea Party for Trump Rally scheduled for 4:00 p.m. Sunday, August 28, 2016, at Surdyke Harley-Davidson, 2435 Highway 67 South in Festus, Missouri.

Tea Party for Trump Special Offer to Kid Rock

August 12, 2016

https://youtu.be/WjQtDEPETAY No Words Necessary The Tea Party for Trump is Sunday, August 28, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. at Surdyke Harley-Davidson in Festus, MO. Details to follow. GET YOUR FREE TICKETS NOW. Volunteer to help here.

Permission to Trump: Episode 3

August 12, 2016

[soundcloud url=“https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/277672779” params=“color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=“100%” height=“166” iframe=“true” /] Permission to Trump: episode 3 August 8, 2016 Ed Martin and Bill Hennessy. (Tim McNabb on assignment.)

Mark Calendars: Tea Party for Trump August 28 @ 4:00 p.m. UPDATE

August 12, 2016

We’re having a Tea Party. It’s time. Everybody’s onboard. Now, we need you at the** Tea Party for Trump, Sunday, August 28 at 4;00 p.m. at Surdyke Harley Davidson in Festus, MO**. (Hey, hey, hey—it’s only 20 minutes from South County.) And the band is getting back together (mostly). Expect **many simultaneous Tea Party for Trump events across the country. ** FREE TICKETS ARE LIMITED. GET YOUR FREE TICKETS NOW

If Donald Trump Scares You, You Should See a Depression

August 9, 2016

Guest post by Lee Presser. America’s fiscal year is October 1 to September 30. With two month left in FY16, the U.S. Treasury has already paid creditors $380,925,428,211.67 in interest costs. (That’s $381 Billion) https://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/reports/ir/ir_expense.htm The average interest rate was just over 2%. https://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/rates/pd/avg/2016/2016_07.htm It is expected that the last two month’s of this fiscal year, interest costs will increase another $45 to $66 Billion. The total FY16 interest cost may be between $426 and $447 Billion.

An Election Unlike Any Other

August 9, 2016

France’s population had changed considerably since 1614. The non-aristocratic members of the Third Estate now represented 98 percent of the people but could still be outvoted by the other two bodies. In the lead-up to the May 5 meeting, the Third Estate began to mobilize support for equal representation and the abolishment of the noble veto–in other words, they wanted voting by head and not by status. While all of the orders shared a common desire for fiscal and judicial reform as well as a more representative form of government, the nobles in particular were loath to give up the privileges they enjoyed under the traditional system.

The Strangest Governor Race Ever

August 6, 2016

You might be wondering why the Missouri Farm Bureau endorsed Democrat Chris Koster instead of Republican Eric Greitens. The Farm Bureau endorses Republicans about 99% of the time. If you’re thinking it had to do with policy or personality, you’re thinking wrong. (And, no, it wasn’t because of Koster’s hair, Mark Reardon.) This was all about the establishment vs. the people. It’s about power and control. Greitens threatens the establishment.

Purpose Trumps Policy and Principles—Video

August 5, 2016

Why did Trump beat Ted Cruz? Probably the biggest reason is that Trump talks purpose while Cruz talks policy and principles. When people hear Trump, they hear a purpose that aligns with their purpose. I know I do. And it’s similar to the purpose Arthur C. Brooks explained in his great book, The Conservative Heart. Ted Cruz never seemed to have a purpose, just policies and principles. Cruz spoke of abstract principles and left it to the people to figure out if those principles would make their lives better or worse.

Hennessy on Breitbart News Radio: Audio

August 4, 2016

I was a guest of Breitbart News Daily on SiriusXM channel 125 yesterday. Dan Riehl wrote this very nice story about my appearance on Breitbart News: Tea Party activist Bill Hennessy chronicled his transition from Donald Trump opposition to Trump supporter in the book Turning on Trump and shared some of his insights with_Breitbart News Daily_ SiriusXM host Stephen K. Bannon Wednesday. “I started off very anti-Trump,” said Hennessy, “and over the course of the primary season, I did a complete one-eighty.

Greitens's Win Was Just a Moment in Time. But a Big Moment

August 3, 2016

Navy SEAL Eric Greitens won the first political race of his life. Few first timers win a major party’s nomination for governor of a state. You’ll probably hear just how rare Greitens’s feat was. But not tonight. I want to tell some stories. Eric Greitens gave up a morning of this campaign to talk to one of my kids. That kid is a man now. He’s in the Navy at a helo combat squadron in San Diego.

Why I'm Voting for Eric Greitens

August 2, 2016

This was supposed to be a longer post, so I’ll tell you why I’m voting for Eric Greitens in a minute. First, why I have to cut it short. I got home from door knocking for Eric at about 6:30 and walked straight to my laptop to write. Just as I sat down, my wife called me to dinner. She’d already eaten, but she heated up my dinner, called to me, then walked into our living room and shrieked.

2016 Republican Primary Key Races

July 30, 2016

Some people have a loud opinion on each and every Republican Primary race. I have a lot of opinions, but I like to focus on a few key races. Here are my major concerns for the 2016 Republican Primary on August 2. [os-widget path="/billhennessy/2016-republican-primary-key-races1" of=“billhennessy” comments=“false”]

My First Choice for President Just Endorsed Eric Greitens for Governor

July 30, 2016

From Dr. Ben Carson: President Obama and his allies are trying to hijack the Republican primary in Missouri by attacking my good friend Eric Greitens. Like me, Eric is a conservative outsider, and that means the political establishment is terrified of him. Obama and his allies are now spending a million dollars falsely attacking Eric Greitens and trying to fool the people of Missouri.

Come Down to Arkansas August 13

July 30, 2016

It’s a great honor to be invited to speak at the Arkansas Tea Party Convention August 13 (details in a bit). It’s a bigger honor that they’ve invited me back for a second consecutive year.** I’d love to see familiar Missouri faces in the crowd.** I’m going to talk about how we can be way more persuasive. Persuasion is what wins elections. Not facts. Persuasion. The more you know about persuasion, the more your side will win.

Democrats Just Predicted Greitens Beats Koster

July 29, 2016

Do you want to help Democrats win? You can, and the Democratic Governors Association just told you how. If you’re a Republican and you follow the advice of the Democratic Governors Association, you won’t vote for Eric Greitens. The DGA wants Democrat Chris Koster to win, so Democrats are telling Missouri’s Republicans not to nominate Greitens. Democrats believe Greitens beats Koster in November. Smart people know that you watch what people do, not what they say.

Why Did Paul Holzer Expose John Brunner? Part III

July 29, 2016

This is part III of a four-part series. Here’s partI and part II. Why Now? Why did Holzer choose last week to out himself? Why show himself now, putting his old boss, John Brunner, in such a bad light? And right before the August 2 primary? **Holzer has damaged Brunner’s reputation and credibility. **And Brunner spent a ton of his own money in the process, including paying $100,000 to the guy who made the video, then squealed about it.

John Brunner's Charade, Part II

July 28, 2016

This is part II of a three-part series. Here’s part__I. That Shadowy Paul Holzer Paul Holzer is a former Navy SEAL Lieutenant Commander and a medical student at Dartmouth in New Hampshire. (Oddly, his bio shows MD, MBA, even though is still in medical school and simultaneously working toward an MBA.) Holzer also runs a biotech 501c3 and a political consulting firm, Draper Sterling LLC. He did some work for Donald Trump’s campaign, and he was John Brunner’s chief of staff last year.

John Brunner's Charade, part I

July 27, 2016

Why in the world would a political operative who once worked for John Brunner out himself and expose Brunner as either a liar or a patsy two weeks before an election? Reggie Lampert: Of course, you won’t be able to lie on your back for a while but then you can lie from any position, can’t you? –Charade, 1963 Things just got weirder in Missouri. After the stunning revelation that people associated with John Brunner’s campaign did, in fact, produce a false, negative video attacking Eric Greitens, you might be wondering what’s going on?

Hillary Takes While Donald Gives

July 26, 2016

Contrasts. Two Politico stories, just weeks apart, demonstrate the remarkable contrasts between the two candidates for president. The headline of the Trump story tells it all: Trump raised $32 million with RNC, but kept only a fraction. And the Hillary story: Leaked emails show officials tried to obscure the fact that Clinton allowed states to keep only a tiny fraction of proceeds from joint fundraising. Trump is on Team America.

Disillusioned by the Bern

July 26, 2016

So you’ve been Berned. Take some time. Take a breath. And save 25% on my new book, exclusively for Bernie fans. Click here for details.

Feelin' Berned? Special Offer for Bernie Fans

July 25, 2016

After the DNCLeak stories, I think Bernie fans deserve a break. Since you’re probably looking for someone to vote for—someone who’s anti-establishment and outside the political class—you might be thinking about Trump. This might help: 25% offthe ultimate guide to turning from anti-Trump to . . . voting for Trump. I did it. You can, too. My book will help. To get the 25% discount (that’s like $2.50 in your pocket), just give me your email address and vouch that you Feel Berned.

Trump Had But One Speech to Give for His Country, and It Was Perfect

July 24, 2016

Now it makes so much sense. I don’t know how I missed it. Trump’s campaign is so perfectly consistent, it’s almost scary. No, it is scary. It means we’re down to our last hope. When I Turned On Trump I put this in my book, Turning On Trump. I remember the night. I wrote late. Something hit me like wolves howling in the distance. Telling me something had changed. Or some ancient truth, long buried, had been uncovered.

Hillary Wants Americans to Suffer European-style Terrorism

July 22, 2016

Another terrorist attack is going on in Munich, Germany right now. At least 3 people are dead, but police can’t get into the shooting sites to find out how bad it is. Shooters are still at large. All public transportation has been shut down because terrorists are shooting up subways, too. There’s a 99% chance the terrorists are Muslim immigrants. This is what Hillary’s immigration plan looks like. Two days ago, a Muslim immigrant went on an ax-hacking spree on a German train.

A Voice, Not an Echo

July 22, 2016

Donald J. Trump overwhelmed the political class last night, smashing up their temple. He destroyed the media myths of everything. Everything. Donald Trump is the anti-myth, the truth-teller, the blunt reporter of reality on reality’s terms. And his speech, his reality manifesto, stole the hearts of thevast majority of Americas. So many myths dispelled. ** The Tea Party myth of a savior in an ill-fitting suit who speaks only two words: constitution and conservatism.

Why does Ted Cruz's Speech Bother Me So Much?

July 22, 2016

I’m trying to put my finger on exactly why I found Ted Cruz’s remarks Wednesday night so incredibly distasteful. The Pledge thing is a goodly part of it. Simply put, the parties to the Pledge Ted Cruz signed were only Ted Cruz and the RNC (by extension, you can probably include the delegates and voters, too). The Pledge promised support, including data, from the RNC in exchange for Ted Cruz’s endorsement of the eventual nominee.

What If Ted Cruz Said This Instead?

July 21, 2016

Parts pulled from comments to this post: Today Cruz proved himself to be Lyin' Ted again. After swearing that his non-endorsement was all about “freedom and the Constitution,” he admitted today that he broke his oath of support solely because Trump insulted his wife and his father. For Ted, this was personal, not business. Ted could have told us it was personal last night. But he lied instead. He could have said something else, too.

How Donald Trump Destroyed Ted Cruz

July 21, 2016

You’re probably thinking that Ted Cruz made Donald Trump look bad last night. And he did. Ted Cruz had a prime time speaking slot and he failed to endorse his party’s nominee for president. Hillary Clinton will use it. A lot of people are saying Trump shouldn’t have invited him to speak unless Cruz agreed to endorse Trump. But Trump didn’t even ask for Cruz’s endorsement. Trump just offered Ted the prime time spot, and Ted took it.

What It's Like to Meet Ted Cruz

July 21, 2016

In case you didn’t hear, Donald Trump invited Ted Cruz to speak at the RNC in prime time with no expectation that Cruz would keep his word by endorsing Mr. Trump. Senator Cruz immediately accepted the prime time speaking spot. In case you didn’t hear, Donald Trump waived his right to review Senator Cruz’s speech in advance, the first time that’s happened in our lifetimes according to Tucker Carlson. Mr. Trump respects Senator Cruz enough to let the senator say whatever he wants.

You Can't Trump Forgiveness

July 20, 2016

You might think big embarrassing mistakes will get you fired, but they don’t. As long as you keep making different kinds of mistakes and your managers know what they’re doing (big “if”), you’ll be fine. Just don’t make the same kind of mistake over and over again. And it helps to work for a guy like Tom Watson or Donald Trump. While the dollar amount has changed over time, the other details are pretty consistent.

Being the Oddball Sucks

July 20, 2016

Could you stand by a “wrong” answer? Let’s pretend you’re in a room with 10 people about your age and background. You’ve been talking for a while, and you’ve gotten to know the others. Then the task begins. It’s straightforward. On a large TV, you see a line drawing of a face. The instructor calls out people by name and asks if the face is a happy face, a sad face, or neutral face.

Finally Media Focus On America's Real Problem

July 19, 2016

After years wasted as the press and politicians covered secondary matters, the major media have finally stepped up to address America’s deepest, most damaging problem. I’m talking about alleged plagiarism. And it’s about damn time. While serious problems fester, the media and politicians waste precious time and energy covering the massacres of police officers by black militants and the slaughter of Bastille Day revelers by Islamic terrorists. Is it any wonder that 70 percent of Americans consider the country on the wrong track?

Part 3: Trump, The Champion (plus 25% savings)

July 19, 2016

https://youtu.be/rZPhWRhzGaA Maybe Mr. Trump read my book Turning On Trump. That’s probably where he got the idea for this entrance. Part 3 of Turning On Trump is “Trump, The Champion.” You should read the book and find out why it’s had so much influence. RNC Special - Save 25% Nobody offers 25% off, but I do. For just 4 days, get the paperback edition of Turning On Trump for 25%.

Obama & Hillary Have Lost Control of Cop Killer Rhetoric

July 17, 2016

Hillary, Obama, and much of the Democrat Party have fomented race hatred for years. They’ve ratcheted up their lies in recent months, hoping to turn race hatred into votes. They are that cynical and self-serving. Now, Hillary and Obama have lost control of the fire they started. Crazed, racist murderers all across the country have declared war on police officers. From Dallas, Texas, to Ballwin, Missouri, to Baton Rouge, Louisianna, Hillary has sent a message that says it’s okay to kill a cop.

NeverTrump Blows Up Like a Poisoned Dog

July 15, 2016

The Never Trump movement tried to make a stand. It failed by a massive margin. –Kyle Cheney, Politico It wasn’t even close, and I feel guilty. I don’t look at Facebook too often. I have been on Facebook lately because it’s a great vehicle for book sales, but I really don’t like it. One problem with Facebook is that I can see what people are thinking. And so many people I know and respect think some really dumb things.

You Won't Believe How Many Islamic Terrorist Attacks This Year

July 15, 2016

Good morning. One of the reasons Trump will win in a landslide is safety. Trump has warned for years that we are weak and political correctness makes us weaker. Everybody knows he’s right. NeverTrumpers were saying this until Trump said it. Last night,** a Muslim terrorist killed at least 84 people in Nice, France**. They were ordinary people lined up to watch fireworks, the same way you did on the 4th of July.

Why I'm Voting for Eric Greitens Governor

July 15, 2016

I believe the greatest threat to human freedom and thriving is the political class. That smirking political class infects both Washington, DC, and Jefferson City, Missouri. And I believe only one candidate has the courage, the brains, and the commitment to destroy that political class in Missouri. That candidate is Eric Greitens. Do you want to live as a slave to that smirking political class? Or do you want to live free and thrive?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Totally Had This Coming

July 14, 2016

You know how this game goes. You make a wish, I’ll do my damnedest to grant it. Because I am just that kinkkind of guy. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, aka Notorious RBG, made a wish last week. Being a lawyer, her wish came with a contingency. I just launched a GoFund.Meproject to grant her that wish. And why not? Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a true Horatio Alger story. Born to Russian-Jewish immigrant parents, raised in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, RBG rose the highest legal position in the United States: Supreme Court Justice.

Why NeverTrump Will Support Down-Ballot Dems

July 13, 2016

It’s possible that some NeverTrumper has already gone there, but I haven’t seen it. Up until now, one complaint of the NeverTurmpers has been that Mr. Trump will hurt Republicans running for Senate, the House, and state offices. They make this claim knowing full well that Trump is ahead of Romney in every poll and with every demographic group. I predict that, come October, people will be saying Trump is virtually running unopposed.

Mark Reardon for Mayor: Make St. Louis Fun Again

July 13, 2016

Nobody likes traffic, but St. Louis was built to hold a million people. And it once did, back in the days when Democrats and Republicans took turns being mayor. [Free Offer for Business Owners at Bottom] (read the small print) Now, in this foul year of our Lord twenty-sixteen, just over 300,000 people call the city home. A 70 percent decline! And I’m not one of them. For several reasons that no reasonable person could argue with.

Caution: Identifying as 'NeverTrump' Changes Your Brain

July 12, 2016

When a person declares himself “NeverTrump,” he thinks he’s making a political statement. Or a moral one. But he’s not. He’s making a psychological commitment that’s very difficult and painful to break. Identity is the highest, most powerful form of persuasion. Identity also drives our decisions in parts of the brain we don’t really have conscious control over. I realize many conservatives reject brain science, but, for those of you who are open to learning, I’ll explain as best I can in a moment.

How NeverTrump Promotes Race Violence

July 12, 2016

NeverTrumpers who don’t cross over stand to get a lot of blood on their hands. I’m not the only one noticing. If anything, I’m understating the case. Now we know: to be anti-Trump is to be pro-abortion and pro-race war. To be anti-Trump is to support violence against police officers, especially white police officers. That’s because Hillary is all those things, and to be anti-Trump is, logically, to be pro-Hillary. (If they both live until January 20, either Clinton or Trump will be the next president.

Warning: Reality Doesn't Care

July 11, 2016

His argument shocked me. I needed more time to think about it, so my response was weak. Maybe that was his intention. To knock me off my game. It worked, but for a very bad reason. I bet he’d like to take it back now, so pay close attention. You, like me, probably know you’re not responsible for what anyone else does, and other people’s behavior doesn’t excuse your behavior. You agree with that, don’t you?

How to Pretend You're Not Lying

July 10, 2016

Imagine if you posted on Facebook, “I’m going to the store,” and someone replied, “How come you’re going to buy the world’s largest vibrating dildo?” That other person would deny he’s lying, wouldn’t he? If you accused him of lying, he’d fire off a series of defenses: ** It was a question, not a statement ** You didn’t say you weren’t going to buy the world’s largest dildo, did you? ** Can you prove you weren’t planning to get the world’s largest vibrating dildo?

Convict Hillary

July 10, 2016

A lot of people are mad at FBI Director James Comey. Comey read a list of crimes committed by Hillary Clinton, then announced he couldn’t recommend prosecution for those crimes. On its face, it sounds like Comey caved. Let’s play the imagine game. Imagine Comey decided to refer Hillary Clinton’s crimes to the Department of Justice for prosecution. What would happen? First, you’d never hear about it. The FBI and the DOJ don’t discuss active criminal investigations.

Great Radio with Larry Kudlow and Friends

July 9, 2016

Wow! Larry Kudlow really like Turning On Trump. You can listen to my interview with Larry here. My hit starts at 1:36:48, but the whole show is great. [audio preload=“auto” mp3=“https://hennessysview.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Kudlow-Hennessy.mp3”][/audio] On Wednesday, Mark Reardon and I had a great Trump conversation onKMOX Radio. You can listen to that here. You should probably follow Mark on twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkReardonKMOX [audio mp3=“https://hennessysview.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Reardon-hennessy.mp3” preload=“auto”][/audio] And if you missed it, Jamie Allman was so gracious and kind to have me onThe Allman Report on Friday.

Permission to Trump, Episode 2

July 9, 2016

[soundcloud url=“https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/272883927” params=“color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=“100%” height=“166” iframe=“true” /] Ed Martin Jr. and I got together again to talk about why you might give yourself Permission to Trump. It’s important that you do. This week’s episode focuses on: ** FBI Director’s report on Hillary Clinton’s illegal and dangerous abuse of classified information ** The horrific massacre of police officers in Dallas ** Bill’s new book,** Turning On Trump** Feel free to share this post with all your friends.

Trump-Talking on The Allman Report

July 9, 2016

Jamie Allman overstates my accomplishments, but I had a great time on The Allman Report talking Trump and my new book, Turning On Trump.

Why You're Mad At Trump

July 7, 2016

A lot of people seem to be mad at Trump. You might be one of them. You probably think you know why you’re mad at him. For instance, you might not like what he said about the judge in a lawsuit he’s involved with. Or maybe you didn’t like what he said about Rosie O’Donnell. You might even be mad that he said Saddam Hussein was a bad man who was good at killing terrorists.

Hillary Left the Gate Open and Laughed

July 5, 2016

Many people grew up with dogs and backyards. If you are such a person, you probably remember being to told to make sure the gate’s shut and locked. Or maybe you were told not to use the gate at all because the dog might get out. A lot of people who grew up with dogs suffered emotional trauma when something bad happened to their dog. Imagine how you’d feel if you were seven or eight and you left the gate open and the dog got out and got hit by a car.

It's Been a Great Month for ISIS

July 4, 2016

If you’re football team, you’re measured by games won. If you’re a computer company, you’re measured by products shipped. If you’re and international terrorist organization, you’re measured by mayhem created. Let’s face it, ISIS is on a roll. What a week! Nearly 200 murders across three countries on two continents. Not bad for a JV team, huh? Let’s look at the week: ** Istanbul Airport: 45 murdered, 52 hospitalized. ** Bangladesh Bakery: 20 murdered, 13 escaped.

Breaking: Turning On Trump Is Out!

July 4, 2016

If you’ve tried to figure out what’s wrong with me, my new book might hold the answer. Buy Turning On Trump Right Now Political activist Ben Murphy tweeted: @peddoc63 Bill’s book, Turning on Trump, is an amazing journey from anti-Trump to pro-Trump. A RT by you will #MAGAhttps://t.co/8u3Qn9C3xo — Ben Murphy (@gomurphy) July 2, 2016 Order Now The book is 180 pages and covers three big periods of thinking about Trump:

Everybody's Talking About Turning On Trump

July 4, 2016

I sent one email to Jamie Allman. He’s such a great guy, he invited me on two of his shows. Probably not because of me, but because of the subject of Turning On Trump. Still, it’s an honor. Thank you, Jamie. If you’re as curious about Turning On Trump as Jamie Allman is, listen to his show on97.1 FM Tuesday, July 5 at 7:20 a.m. We’ll wait while you make a note to listen.

The Best We Can Do: Freedom and Independence For America

July 3, 2016

Tim Gerrity: We may not always get what we want. We may not always get what we need. Just so’s we don’t get what we deserve! –True Colors, 1991 Do you ever get the feeling we’re getting exactly what we deserve? As the Crisis deepens, 13ers will feel little stake in the old order, little sense that their names and signatures are on the social contract. They will have reached full adult maturity without ever having believed in either the American Dream or American exceptionalism.

Watch the Trailer

July 2, 2016

https://youtu.be/d02S3EMY6m8 Read all about my new book here

How to Feel Safe from Terrorism

June 30, 2016

Think about the word “news.” In a moment, I’m going to ask you more questions about the news. Before that, though, you probably heard about the terrible terrorist attack in Istanbul, Turkey. Dozens killed, scores injured. “It was like hell,” one witness recalled. Where did you get news of this latest terrorist attack? Facebook? Television? Radio? Do you remember what you were doing when you heard the news? Take a moment to think back to when you first heard the news.

The Best Way to Deal with Trump

June 28, 2016

Someone you know is PERFECT for this book. It might be you. Here you are, looking at your device, reading these words, and trying to figure out the Trump thing. Or maybe you’ve figured it out, but you want to know how people like you think about it. Or maybe you’re all-in for Trump, but you need help talking to your friends or family about your Trumpism. You might be thinking this book is for you.

George Will's Passive Aggressive Slacktivism

June 28, 2016

Pat Buchanan and George Will have a lot in common, but they’re very different, too. They’re both conservative writers and journalists. But Buchanan’s an activist while Will is a passivist. (New word?) Let me explain. When I was a freshman in college, a professor told me he saw George Will speak. He found Will’s conservatism “intellectual and reasonable,” unlike Ronald Regan’s “extremism.” It was a shot at my Reaganism. I knew it.

Dethroning the Pointy-Haired Bosses of the Universe

June 26, 2016

Okay, let me explain this in the simplest possible way… you…are…an…idiot. –Scott Adams, Dilbert Lately…the Peter Principle has given way to the “Dilbert Principle.” The basic concept of the Dilbert Principle is that the most ineffective workers are systematically moved to the place where they can do the least damage: management. ― Scott Adams, The Dilbert Principle: A Cubicle’s-Eye View of Bosses, Meetings, Management Fads & Other Workplace Afflictions

Permission to Trump

June 25, 2016

Ever feel like it’s not okay to admit you’re for Trump? Everybody who listens to this new podcast, Permission to Trump, will benefit in one way or another. Some people will feel liberated. Others vindicated. Everyone improved. [soundcloud url=“https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/270829707” params=“auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=“100%” height=“450” iframe=“true” /] You will want to listen and share with your friends. And soon you’ll want to buy my new book Turning on Trump.Sign up to stay up to date now.

Mike Flynn, RIP

June 24, 2016

When the BBC called Brexit for LEAVE at about 12:30 a.m. CDT today, I thought first of my friend Mike Flynn. Mike had a keen sense of history. He put the Tea Party movement into proper perspective, as he did with all events. Mike kept us from overstating both the Tea Party’s effect and its potential. Or he put them in context and reminded us that our potential depends on ourselves, not outside forces.

God Bless the Brits! Freedom Rings!

June 24, 2016

As an American, I am proud of the people from whose loins our nation sprang. United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union. The Brits rejected globalist, elitist threats and insults to vote for independence. Like America did in 1776. Savor this moment in history. You were alive to see a nation reject foreign tyranny. Every Brit who voted LEAVE showed courage and love of freedom. God bless them all.

Mark Levin Is Turning On Trump

June 23, 2016

“That’s outstanding,” said the Great One. The Republican leadership in Congress doesn’t have the guts to go to the floor of the Senate or the floor of the House and make these charges. This is outstanding. You can’t let Hillary Clinton get away with her corruption, her cronyism, her criminality. I don’t care who you support or don’t support. She’s detestable. [Via Breitbart.com] Mark Levin said some terrible things about Donald Trump.

Where's the Outrage Over Democrat Death Party?

June 23, 2016

Let’s play a game, shall we? How would CNN report the following tweets: These are real tweets from real people with one word changed. I replaced “Trump” in the original tweets with “Hillary.” You can see these death-happy tweets and many, many more on Breitbart.com. Real people openly call for assassination as if they were rooting for a basketball team. Scary, isn’t it? You didn’t miss the media outrage over these tweet–it didn’t happen.

Why Government Employees Should Be Scared of Trump

June 22, 2016

Some people say they’re afraid of Donald Trump for bizarre reasons. I’ve heard he’s a dictator, a fascist, a genocidal maniac, and a lousy businessman. If any of that is true, there’s no evidence of it, so he must also own all the media already. And the internet. In fact, if Trump is a lousy businessman who managed to bungle his way to a $10 billion fortune, he must really bad at dictatoring, because he hasn’t even conquered his home country in 70 years.

Lewandowski Firing

June 21, 2016

You knew it would happen, didn’t you? Corey Lewandowski, the obscure, small-potatoes political operative from a tiny state couldn’t possibly run a presidential campaign from start to victory, could he? But this isn’t about Corey Lewandowski. It’s about the next the president of the United States, Donald Trump. And you’ll want to read it all because it’s so true. So true. I read a summary of what happened at Lewandowski’s dismissal meeting, and it sounded exactly like an episode of The Apprentice.

I Cheat

June 21, 2016

A friend and colleague paid me a huge compliment recently. A compliment I didn’t deserve. He said something about trying to mimic my writing style. That’s an ego-booster, for sure, but, well, I don’t really have a writing style. I cheat. See, I experiment with every writing tool I hear about, and I stick with the ones that measurably improve my writing. Especially when they work as I write (because I hate editing and revision, as you can tell).

Irish, Jewish, Gay

June 19, 2016

Richard Brookhiser called the moment’s start, and I called its death. But before we get into that, are you as surprised as I am about Zuckerberg’s war on gays? You would think that a jihadist attack on a gay nightclub would trigger an anti-terror backlash against Islamic terrorists, would you not? Anti-Gay Jihad Instead, America’s radical left has declared a jihad against gays. Leading this jihad is Imam Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook.

Stanford Sexual Assault Case

June 15, 2016

You likely heard about the letter of the girl who was sexually assaulted on Stanford’s campus. Two passers-by saw a man molesting an unconscious woman. The man was sentenced to six months in jail and three years' probation. Many people were outraged by the sentence, but no one told the woman she needs to do some soul searching, did they? But why not? Why not ask the woman to reflect on her actions and things she might have said.

This will only take a minute

June 13, 2016

It’s unlikely you read Hennessy’s View and not The Gateway Pundit, but there’s always the chance. This morning, just as I was taking a break to catch up on news, I got a text from a friend that drew me to a particular post on GP. The headline: After the Pulse Club Massacre, It’s Time for Gays to Come Home to Republican Party In it, my friend Jim Hoft, co-founder of St.

No One Else Is Talking About This

June 13, 2016

With the Islamic massacre at a gay club in Orlando, there’s a lot of talk about jihad and guns. The Gateway Pundit does a great job of keeping you informed. So you don’t need me adding noise. Instead, I’ll talk about statistics, which everybody loves. There are about 320 million people in the United States. About one percent are Muslims. By comparison, about 2.5 percent of Americans are Jewish. It’s safe to say, then, that there are about 2.

Her Crooked Highness Hillary Just Got Smoked

June 10, 2016

Trump is now running unopposed for president because his only opponent is an empty pantsuit. Hillary Clinton uses other people’s money to surround herself with nearly 1,000 paid staff. Direct paid staff. That a HUGE support team for a crooked sexist like Hillary. Donald Trump spends his own money, so he hires only enough people to get the job done. Trump understands money and people, while Hillary understands comfort. Tonight, Hillary Clinton exposed herself as an amateur in the world of communication.

Forgive Paul Ryan

June 9, 2016

A lot of people are mad at Paul Ryan. Millions of people want Mr. Ryan to step down as Speaker of the House. I am not mad at him. Paul Ryan is a victim of his circumstances, just like a lot of other Republicans. Paul Ryan stepped up to a microphone this week and said what he was programmed to say. Essentially, Mr. Ryan said he’s not happy with Donald Trump’s statements about a La Raza judge who started issuing anti-Trump rulings after Trump called on America to enforce its immigration laws.

Forbidden Truths of Republicans and Race

June 7, 2016

Republicans hate race. Race has been bad for the GOP ever since Republicans passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. See, Lyndon Johnson was a Democrat, and he proposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Most Democrats violently opposed the bill. But most Republicans supported it. The bill passed, of course, and it survived many Supreme Court challenges. The Civil Rights Act’s aim was to wring racist behavior out of American life.

How to Tell If You're a Racist

June 7, 2016

You’ve probably heard the news that Donald Trump believes it’s possible for a Muslim judge to treat him unfairly. Do you think Trump is wrong about this? When asked by a reporter if Trump believed it would be possible for a Muslim judge to treat him unfairly, Trump answered, “It’s possible, yes. Yeah. That would be possible, absolutely.” Notice that Trump didn’t say, “all Muslim judges are unfair to me.” Nor did he say all Hispanic judges are unfair.

Muslim Judge

June 6, 2016

Has any judge, anywhere, ever presided unfairly over a trial? The leftist press is making hay over Donald Trump’s reasonable assertion that a Muslim judge might not be able to fairly adjudicate a case involving Trump. The answer to my opening question is “yes.” Many judges have presided unfairly over trials. For example, many blacks were sent to prison when the same evidence would have exonerated a white defendant. We all know that.

Hot Dripping Gift Only for Anti-Trump

June 3, 2016

READ THIS ALONE: Are you anti-Trump? You’re going to like this. A lot. While you read this post, you’re going experience bliss and ecstasy. Have you ever read an orgasmic blog post? You will, and you’ll like it. Like it so deeply. Very deep and very satisfying. This will become your favorite blog post ever. You’ll probably bookmark it. Maybe even email it to yourself. You’ll love it. This is only for anti-Trump people.

What The World Needs Now: A Trump Book

June 2, 2016

Do you want to know what Trump supporters are thinking? Many people do. If you supported Ted Cruz, you might not understand how the guy who wrote The Conservative Manifesto in 1993 could support Trump. If you supported Marco Rubio or Ben Carson last year, how do you reconcile your convictions with Donald Trump’s bizarre life? Is Donald Trump a conservative or not? I’ve written a new book about all these things, and you can buy your copy soon.

It must be a diversion, right?

June 1, 2016

I admire David French, David French is running for president, but you probably have no idea who he is, right? No, it’s not Buffy and Jody’s man-nanny from the 1960s sitcom Family Affair. That was Mr. French played by Sebastian Cabot, and I forget the character’s first name. Nor is it the guy who publishes most stage play scripts. That’s Samuel French. (Only theatre people will know that name.) If you’re a hard-core conservative or you read National Review for any reason, you might have heard of David French.

Two Faces of Memorial Day

May 30, 2016

The god of Memorial Day is Janus, looking to the future as well as the past. Memorial Day looks back, but it also warns of something coming. The list of war dead is incomplete. It always will be. Each generation looks at its wars and finds something final, but the end never comes. Memorials never end while man roams the earth. When I see the Vietnam Memorial, with its rows and ranks of lost warriors, I see, too, the invisible ledger that stretches to the horizon.

The Thrilla in California

May 27, 2016

Try not to imagine the worldwide television audience for the Trump vs. Sanders debate. Super Bowl ratings would look skimpy by comparison. Trump vs. Sanders would be the most watched political event ever. And I’m including the future in “ever.” And a Trump vs. Sanders debate would effectively kill Democrats' chances in November. This is huge. Yesterday, I wrote about Trump’s remarkable honesty at his press conference, but that wasn’t the big story of the day.

World's Greatest Press Conference

May 27, 2016

Donald Trump just exploded the heads of professional talkers on CNN. It was honestly funny. Trump reached 1,237 delegates today, clinching the nomination of the Republican Party. He will be the 45th President of the United States, and his press conferences will be the most popular show on television. It will be huge, believe me. And after the press conference, Trump did something that might have sealed the deal with American voters.

Winning Spawns Winners

May 27, 2016

After the 1998 Rams season, I walked into City Limits bar or Brothers bar or whatever its name was then. It’s a strip mall bar in Wildwood. Cindy Schuenke was tending bar, and we started talking about the Rams' dismal season. She said they were hopeless, but I disagreed. “They are four players away,” I said. “A quarterback, a running back, an offensive lineman, and a defensive end.” Later in the year, but before the season, the Rams acquired Trent Green (and Kurt Warner) at QB, Marshall Faulk at RB, Adam Timmermann at offensive guard, and Grant Wistrom moved up to start at defensive end.

Something's About to Change

May 23, 2016

Watch what people do and say because action comes before opinion. People write “President Trump” three times as much as they write “President Clinton.” For every one person who writes “President Trump” in a column, blog, tweet, or Facebook post, hundreds of thousands more say or think “President Trump” every day. That’s how I predicted Trump winning by a landslide. I watched what people say and do. A lot of people who subconsciously think “President Trump” will touch the screen or check the box or pull the lever for Trump when they step inside the voting booth.

What No One's Telling You About Donald Trump

May 22, 2016

Relax as you read, because knowledge is power. This simple post will arm you with powerful knowledge that will help you navigate the election. And it will only take a few minutes. No time at all. Here’s what the press refuses to tell you: The man in the picture is the next President of the United States. You might as well start calling him “President Trump.” Three national polls came out this week.

Trump and the TSA

May 17, 2016

Say what you want about Donald Trump, the customer service at his properties is insanely great. And The Donald personally sets the standard for that service. He also inspects it, and he has a sick level of attention to detail. Donald Trump doesn’t miss a thing when it comes to providing a perfect environment for his guests and residents. The opposite is true of the TSA. Like most government-run operations, the TSA sucks at customer service.

President Trump

May 16, 2016

You’ve probably noticed a lot of people are saying “President Trump” lately. And reading “President Trump” online, haven’t you? If not, you’ll probably notice it later today or tomorrow. [Tweet “Catch yourself saying ‘President Trump’ now? @realDonaldTrump”] It’s common during election years for pundits to occasionally say “President So-and-so,” usually sarcastically. And some “President Trump” talk is sarcastic. But most of this President Trump talk is subconscious prediction. People think President Trump is a thing, so their brains are warming up.

How Conservatives Abandoned Principles Over Trump

May 14, 2016

You’ve probably been hearing a lot about “principles” lately. Ted Cruz’s entire campaign centered “conservative principles” and being a “principled conservative.” Lately, though, most of that “principles” talk is about how Donald Trump has caused good conservatives to abandon their principles. Maybe that’s true. In fact, I’m starting to believe it. The one principle that many conservatives have abandoned and encouraged others to abandon: keeping your word. The lead advocate for abandoning this principle of keeping one’s word is Jonah Goldberg of National Review and the American Enterprise Institute.

How to Predict Trump's Landslide Win

May 13, 2016

You might have noticed that my predictions have been remarkably accurate lately, have you not? For example, on Sunday, May 1, I predicted Ted Cruz would suspend his campaign after getting trounced in Indiana. Two days later, Cruz lost the Indiana primary to Donald Trump 53 to 36. At the time I wrote, many pundits and pollster still believed Cruz could win that Indiana race, and everyone believed Cruz was telling the truth when he said repeatedly he was staying in the race to Cleveland unless Trump reached 1,237 delegates before then.

Here's How the Ryan-Trump Meeting Ends

May 11, 2016

Nothing happens in politics by accident. Every move has an angle. Some players are better than others. Paul Ryan and Donald Trump are two of the best players alive, but one is better than the other. We’ll see that tomorrow. House Speaker Paul Ryan has set aside Thursday for meetings with his party’s nominee for President. Every nominee for president meets with the senior members of his party’s Congressional caucus, so there’s nothing odd about the meeting.

Trump Is the Only Viable Pro-Life Choice

May 9, 2016

Some pro-life activists like Erick Erickson are plotting ways to sabotage Donald Trump’s candidacy for president. They probably haven’t stopped to think. If they succeed in defeating Trump, they will be culpable in many, many abortions. That’s a lot of guilt for a guy like Erickson to carry around, isn’t it? Chances are Congress won’t introduce any major abortion laws in the next four years. That means the abortion battle will remain in the courts.

Who Is Conservative?

May 8, 2016

People think they’re rational, but we’re not. For example, on many issues,** Trump’s positions are almost identical to Ronald Reagan’s.** When it comes to abortion, trade, taxes, foreign policy and the military, and entitlements like Social Security, you can’t fit a dime between Reagan and Trump. So why do people see Trump as far to the left of Reagan? Contrasts and comparisons. Reagan ran against George Bush and John B. Anderson.

Trump for President. I Endorse.

May 6, 2016

You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill I will choose a path that’s clear I will choose freewill –RUSH, Freewill Last July and August and once in September, I was down on Donald Trump. I predicted that a Trump nomination would be the last nail in the coffin of conservatism.

World Leaders and Paul Ryan Begin Negotiating With Trump

May 6, 2016

Every prediction about Trump has been wrong. Except for two. Ann Coulter and Scott Adams predicted Trump would win the nomination and, eventually, the White House in a landslide. They were right. World leaders expect Trump to win, and they are lining up to make all his crazy assertions look like brilliant predictions. Former Mexico president Vicente Fox apologized to Trump, and Trump graciously accepted. That’s a sign that Mexicans expect Trump to become the next US president.

An Affair to Dismember (Trump)

May 4, 2016

If you’ve ever cheated on your spouse just to get back at your daughter for dating or marrying the wrong man, you’re probably a #nevertrump person like George Will. Suppose your daughter married a man you didn’t approve of. You would probably respond by cheating on your own spouse, would you not? Having an affair would teach your daughter a lesson, right? And if your spouse and your friends and your other children suffered, too bad.

For Trump

May 4, 2016

I’m for Trump. I like stating the positive. So I’m for Trump. TheNR Against Trump writers can own it if Hillary wins and appoints a Supreme Court justice who’s to the left of Bader-Ginsberg as Scalia’s replacement. They’ll take that to their graves. For me, I’m for Trump. I’ll admit he wasn’t my first choice, but he was far from my last choice. My first choice, Ben Carson, endorsed The Donald.

The Psychology of The Inevitable

May 1, 2016

I have no idea who will win the Indiana primary 72 hours from the time I write. But the people inside Ted Cruz’s campaign seem to have an idea. And it’s not good for them. Cruz’s top team expects their candidate to lose. And Senator Cruz seems to have accepted that outcome. Expectations Matter More Than Preferences Regular readers know that polls that ask “who do you think will win” trump polls that ask “who do you intend to vote for” or even “who did you vote for?

Government Censors Health Information. Collusion! Rigged!

April 28, 2016

You’ve probably found yourself saying words like “rigged” and “collusion” recently. They’ve become sexy words, haven’t they. That’s because Donald Trump’s made rigged and collusion household words. He’s put them in your head. You might even use them wrong. “There was a collusion on highway forty-four.” Or “I rigged my shorts.” (BTW, Hillary sounds weak and hoarse, doesn’t she? Grating.) If you haven’t noticed yourself saying rigged and collusion, pay attention tomorrow.

Print Edition of Fight to Evolve Now Available on Amazon. Rush!

April 23, 2016

Most of my readers asked for a print edition of my new book, Fight to Evolve: The Government’s Secret War on NTX. Great news! Your book is waiting for you on Amazon. It’s just $17.99, and you’ll be happy to know that I don’t get a penny from the sales. All proceeds go to the Coalition for Safer Drinking and its fight to reduce alcohol’s negative effects on health. If you, like me, prefer electronic books, you can get the Kindle version of Fight to Evolve for just $3.

Safe Sex for Alcohol and a Condom for Your Liver - Podcast

April 20, 2016

Let’s regress in time to the 1980s. Remember C. Everett Koop, the Surgeon-General who launched the Safe Sex movement? Koop wanted to curtail the spread of AIDS. The Safe Sex movement started slowly and originally focused on non-monogamous gay men. By 1987, though, everyone was doing it. (Or not doing “it” as the case may be.) A February 17, 1987 New York Times headline declared “Safe Sex Movement Gains Favor Among Heterosexuals.

You've Been Drinking Wrong All Along PODCAST

April 9, 2016

It’s a beautiful day in spring. The sky is radiant and wonderful blue. Birds singing, trees starting to bloom, grass an impossible shade of vibrant green. A cool and welcoming breeze licks your bare skin, your cheeks, and playfully ruffles your hair like a lover. Your work is done, now, so you sit in your favorite outdoor chair and take in the relaxing, comfortable view. Smell the freshness of spring wildflowers.

Look for Print Version of Fight to Evolve on April 14

April 8, 2016

Thank you, so much, for asking. (So many have asked.) Fight to Evolve: The Government’s Secret War on NTX will be available in print on April 14. Just go to amazon.com and search for Fight to Evolve. If you can’t wait (and there’s no reason to wait) you can buy the Kindle edition right now. It’s already #2 bestseller on censorship in the Kindle store. Amazon offers FREE Kindle readers for just about every device: Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets.

Thanks for Overwhelming Book Launch!

April 7, 2016

Just a quick note because I’ve been on the road all week. Fight to Evolve: The Government’s Secret War on NTX just hit Number 2 in Censorship category on the Amazon Kindle store. (These numbers change a lot, so I’m posting this screenshot to prove it.) [caption id=“attachment_19181” align=“aligncenter” width=“630”] Fight to Evolve by Willam T. Hennessy Number 2 on Amazon Kindle Store for Censorship.[/caption] And it’s #1 on Hot New Releases!

How a Strategist Looks at the Supreme Court Nomination Battle

April 2, 2016

In a moment, we’re going to look the Supreme Court nomination of Merrick Garland and find the best strategy for Senate Republicans. In a moment. First, let’s just relax and think about a party. And pretend you’re a paid strategist. Hennessy’s View Podcast: [soundcloud url=“https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/256943967” params=“auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=“100%” height=“450” iframe=“true” /] Party Now or Party Later? Tim and Mary Johnson want to have a party for their friends. They’ve been talking about it since spring, and now it’s nearly winter.

Save Your Life?

April 1, 2016

My latest book, Fight to Evolve: The Governments Secret War on NTX, is available for pre-order now at Amazon. GET IT! Folks, this is the war we’re fighting. It’s the war that pits innovation against entrenched incumbents. It’s the too small to survive against too big to fail. And it’s the reason we call ourselves conservatives. Alcohol is killing your body, even if you’re a casual drinking. (I’m 10x casual. Maybe 30x.

I'm trying to write the truth

February 27, 2016

I was a pretender. In 2012, I pretended I believed Mitt Romney would win. But I knew better. I just didn’t have the heart to tell the truth to the volunteers banging doors and working call lists from our election office in South County. But I knew Romney would lose. I suspected the GOP would not regain the Senate. When some of our hardest workers showed up to help break down the office and move our belongings, I couldn’t look at them.

Trump knocks Rubio out of the news cycle

February 27, 2016

That was a strategic kill-shot, to borrow Scott Adams’s word. And it changes everything for conservatives. After a so-so debate performance and in the middle of a 16-hour verbal assault from Marco Rubio, Trump went nuclear. But not the way everyone would expect Trump to go nuclear. Trump didn’t need to invent a brilliant new put-down line to counter Marco. Instead, he calmly introduced Chris Christie to 10,000 fans in Texas.

How bad would Trump presidency be?

February 25, 2016

The world is about to end. Or civil war is about to break out in Dayton, Ohio. Believe it? Glenn Beck, Erick Erickson, and other Republicans have convinced a lot of people that we are doomed if Donald Trump wins the Republican nomination. I know some people who are nearly incapacitated with fear and grief after last night’s Nevada caucuses. Because they listen to Glenn Beck. Sad! Here’s the thing: **nothing is as bad as you think it will be while you’re thinking about it.

A crushing defeat for Glenn Beck

February 24, 2016

Glenn Beck was pretty sure that God killed Antonin Scalia so Ted Cruz would win the presidency. Glenn Beck’s theology is very different from mine. In 2010, I worried that Glenn Beck was doing more harm than good. For days, I’d watched Beck tell his watchers that the world was ending and they would be crushed. Here’s what I wrote: Beck offers no solutions. At least, he hasn’t in the past two days.

I bet Donald Trump reads my blog

February 23, 2016

Donald Trump probably reads my blog first thing every day. Until today, I figured Donald Trump never heard of me. He’s never mentioned me in his tweet storms. He’s never called me an idiot or a liar during a debate. He’s never pointed to one of my many egregious typos and tweeted: “@whennessy left out the word ‘for’. Confused everyone. Worst blogger in politics. Just sad.” (The guy has 2.

My Letter to State Senator Dave Schatz

February 21, 2016

You might have heard that State Senator Dave Schatz gutted ethics reform in Missouri. According to Ryan Johnson of Missouri Alliance for Freedom: Cleaning up the practice of Jefferson City’s revolving door is the reason for Rep. Caleb Rowden’s House Bill 1979 (carried in the Senate by Sen. Bob Onder). It puts in place a one year cooling off period that will make legislators sit out for at least a year before lobbying.

Ted Cruz's ultimate strategy

February 21, 2016

Ted Cruz has a powerful strategy available to him. This strategy could not only determine the winner of the Republican convention but put Cruz in position to influence policy for generations. But it’s probably not what you’re thinking. I’m going to lay out some assumptions, many of which you could disagree with. That’s okay. But for the purposes of this post, let’s stipulate: *1. Ted Cruz believes, like Glenn Beck, that Donald Trump would make a worse president than Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, or Bernie Sanders.

Trump's South Carolina win was impressive

February 21, 2016

I got tire of scrolling. Politico shows the results of each county in South Carolina, my state of residence from 1985 to 1992. Abbeville: Trump Aiken: Trump Allendale: Trump Anderson: Trump Bamberg: Trump Barnwell: Trump Beaufort: Trump Berkeley: Trump It goes on and on and on. Donald Trump not only won the geography, he won the demography: Evangelical Christians: Trump Born-again Christians: Trump Conservative Voters: Trump Moderate Voters: Trump Young Voters: Trump

This is the Gen X election

February 20, 2016

Who would have thought that Pat Buchanan would become the spokesman for Generation X? I put a lot of stock into generational history. I am a big fan of Howe and Strauss, a pair of historians whose works include Generations: The History of America’s Future, 13ers: Abort, Retry, Ignore, Fail?, Millennials Rising, and, my favorite, The Fourth Turning. As someone born in the 13th generation of Americans, more commonly called Generation X after the book by Douglas Coupland, I am overly captivated by that generation.

I'm with Apple

February 19, 2016

The government wants Apple to build a back door into the iPhone. Apple has refused. I’m with Apple on this one. This back door would allow the FBI to access the content of the San Bernardino terrorists’ phone, possibly exposing more terrorists. That would be a good thing. But Apple never built a back door to the iPhone because no one can control the keys to such portals. If Apple builds it, every government spy agency in the world will be able to read your texts, see where you’ve been, and listen to your phone calls.

How the Pope helped Trump

February 19, 2016

Pope Francis said today that Donald Trump is not a Christian. I can only assume the Pope has secretly cut a deal with The Donald. “Pope. Donald here. I need you to give me some crap about the wall.” “Si.” “Just, uh, call me a Muslim or something. Make it look sincere, ya know?” “Si.” So the Pope stands at the U.S.-Mexico border and says anyone who wants to build a wall “is not a Christian.

Surface thinking, deep thinking

February 17, 2016

How people responded to yesterday’s post, Maybe he’s not a conservative, varied. But there were two dominant types. Surface thinkers ignored most of the content. I warned you about this early on. I decided against a deep examination of conservatism because people don’t care. Instead, I wrote a rather tongue-in-cheek story about why definitions of conservatism don’t matter. Deep thinkers got the tongue-in-cheek shtick. Maybe they rolled their eyes at my cheap attempt at being clever.

Maybe he's not a conservative

February 16, 2016

As far as I can tell, the number one reason a few conservatives give for hating Eric Greitens is that he might not be a conservative. He’s probably not. But that shouldn’t make any difference. Figuring out whether Greitens is a conservative or not requires a lot of thinking, a lot of writing, and a lot of clear analysis from readers. I won’t waste time on the first two because I won’t get the last no matter what.

Proud to stand with veterans supporting Eric Greitens

February 15, 2016

Today I learned that I am not alone. I am not alone in my anger over a morally-bankrupt attempt to smear a great leader. And I learned that I am not alone in recognizing Eric Greitens’s singular ability to inspire and lead. I also learned that Eric Greitens has some really stupid opponents. Cowardly, stupid weasels. Cowardly because Greitens’s opponents funded, produced, and promoted an anonymous video, packed with lies. Stupid because that video so infuriated Missouri’s 500,000 military veterans that Greitens is picking up new supporters.

Suddenly 2012 becomes more relevant than 2016

February 14, 2016

[Stream of consciousness. Please forgive errors and craziness.] The human brain is very bad at looking to the future. It’s almost impossible to imagine a living person not being here. We naturally assume the future will be a linear progression of the recent past. Then one of five conservative Supreme Court justices dies. And everything’s thrown into chaos. We have only eleven months until a new president takes the oath of office.

Guest Post: Open the borders . . . to those who want to help

February 11, 2016

Lee A. Presser The American people get to decide who moves into the United States. If immigrants are coming for a free meal, we don’t need them. If immigrants are coming for free healthcare, we don’t need them. If immigrants are coming for free housing, we don’t need them. If immigrants are coming and their presence in the United States increases the public debt, we definitely don’t need them. If immigrants come here to improve their lives and the lives of their family members WITHOUT becoming a burden on American society, we will seriously consider their application.

Belated Gipper Birthday Post

February 9, 2016

I re-read Ronald Reagan’s announcement speech the other day. Delivered November 13, 1979, these are the words that launched the greatest presidency of my lifetime. Notice the natural humanity in Reagan’s words. He didn’t browbeat people with abstract concepts like the Constitution or liberty. Instead, he spoke about the real lives of ordinary Americans. And the everyday life of an America that lived up to its ideal. And notice the complete lack of pomposity, vanity, and vulgarity so prevalent in the frontrunners of 2016.

Greitens breathes life into our first principles

February 9, 2016

I am Catholic. I believe in and trust the magisterium of the church. Nothing distinguishes me from Protestants more profoundly than that concept: the magisterium, or the teaching authority, of the church. For me, the church is like Locke and Jefferson and Madison. They were learned men who read Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Seneca, Cato, Epictetus, Epicurus, and other Greek and Roman philosophers, often in the original languages. Those philosophical and political founders interpreted and organized ancient philosophy for England and America.

When does accountability begin?

February 8, 2016

Leverage: don’t make deals without it. –Donald Trump, The Art of the Deal, 1987 It’s tempting to go Machiavellian during primaries. Even during general elections after primaries. But there’s a great danger for the grassroots. **If we don’t hold candidates accountable during the race when we have all the leverage, how can we possibly hold office-holders accountable? ** Check out this paragraph from the Washington Post: Cruz offered a lawyerly defense of his campaign’s actions, blaming media reporting for the mistake.

Master of Manipulation

February 4, 2016

I’m going to share a secret about manipulation with you. Please do not use this powerful method for sinister deeds. But first . . . Disclosure 1: Before I get to the Master Manipulator Model, some important background. I work professionally in the field of persuasion and influence. I even invented a workshop that helps big companies make their stuff more persuasive. The point is, I study persuasion, and manipulation is persuasion’s cousin.

The biggest shock in Iowa

February 2, 2016

The polls were wrong. But that wasn’t the biggest shock. The big shock was . . . who was that guy pretending to be Donald Trump? Millions and millions of people waited to watch The Donald melt down after finishing second behind Ted Cruz. But it didn’t happen. Instead, Trump managed to show humility and graciousness without giving up his signature bravado. Pretty brilliant. As Romney and Rove learned in 2012, though, air power will not win many races.

What if high turnout in Iowa means something else

February 2, 2016

Reports on Twitter say turnout in Iowa very high. Some caucuses are reportedly running out of ballots. Huge turnout! #IowaCaucus — Jake Putala (@JakePutala) February 2, 2016 The view at Dubuque’s 19th precinct. We had to move to an auditorium to accommodate the large turnout. #IowaCaucus pic.twitter.com/QcWKY1ivAg — Chris Lammer-Heindel (@lammerheindel) February 2, 2016 HUGE turnout in both Democratic and Republican caucuses tonight.

Do we owe Obama an apology?

February 1, 2016

Imaginations can run wild in the affinity bubble. I was in Washington, DC, over the weekend when it dawned on me that we on the right were probably wrong about Obama’s thirst for dictatorial power. Or maybe we were right, but seven years of near-dictatorial power have exhausted the would-be autocrat. He certain looks worn down, as this Time magazine side-by-side shows: [caption id=“attachment_18520” align=“aligncenter” width=“300”] President Obama in 2009 and again in 2016[/caption]

The Cruz campaign's epic #facepalm

February 1, 2016

This “VOTING VIOLATION” controversy says bad things about the Cruz campaign. (BTW, Rubio’s campaign sent a similar, but less creepy, mailer, too. So far, I have not seen a large number of complaints about the Rubio mailer.) And I’m not talking about the ethics of publicly shaming people who vote sporadically. I’m talking two gross electioneering violations from a campaign that markets itself as the most scientifically advanced in history. With the mailer Team Cruz showed a lack of strategic understanding of the science and compounded their ignorance by apparently making up numbers.

Trump won the Fox News debate

January 28, 2016

Yes, you can win a contest before it starts. I gotta tell ya, the people at Fox News are stupid. Dumb. Ignorant. Pliable. Oafish. Any word you want you to use that means cognitively challenged (for the politically correct). But the Fox Newsmorons have a lot of company at National Review. Trump is playing these media elites like a fiddle. When The Donald says “dance,” they dance. When he says “cower,” they cower.

NRO: Against Jefferson

January 27, 2016

“Aristocrats fear the people, and wish to transfer all power to the higher classes of society.” –Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 1825. National Review has entered dangerous territory: they have inadvertently made the case for Trump. An angry screed by Kevin Williamson titled “Our Post-Literate Politics” (later renamed to “What’s a Book?") makes the case that Trump supporters are illiterate, uneducated, dim-witted, racist, homophobes. To wit (via Breitbart.com’s John Nolte):

Do Republican elites know something they're not telling?

January 26, 2016

Reading two excellent articles by Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight (here and here), I remembered a thought that passed through my mind last Friday. After reading some of National Review’s “Against Trump” issue,I wrote blog post. To me the NR issue showed the magazine is out of touch with voters. I’m not talking about traditional, reliable, motivated, and informed primary voters.** I’m talking about the broader pool of voters who vote in general elections every four, eight, or twelve years** and occasionally in local elections.

How late-deciders are like fish

January 25, 2016

**Expectations matter most in how undecided voters decide. ** It’s important to understand how late-deciders tend to vote. This knowledge (especially in Iowa and New Hampshire) could decide the outcome. Primary voters tend to decide whom to for at the last minute. In 2008, 16 percent of voters said they made their choice on election day. Which means we have a long way to go to know how Iowa will turn out.

Ted Cruz and Glenn Beck Were 100% Right about Katrina Pierson

January 24, 2016

_UPDATE: Originally I mentioned “apparently fake twitter account.” I’ve learned (after lots of research) that I was mistaken. I’ve removed that statement. Please continue reading. My carelessness was completely my own. _ I agree with Ted Cruz. And welcome Big Government readers. Senator Cruz said, “Katrina Pierson is an utterly fearless principled conservative.” That was just two years ago. Katrina Pierson was challenging Pete Sessions for Congress. I also agree with Ted’s dad, Rafael Cruz, who said of Katrina, “She’s a strict constitutionalist.

Why National Review's Trump Issue Will Fail

January 22, 2016

They. Don’t. Care. The conservative war against Trump won’t work. I get why National Review and The Weekly Standard devote whole issues of magazines to Trump’s lack of conservative bonafides. I appreciate it. Their work is important. **But their tactic will prove completely useless in defeating Trump. **In fact, the fight is already over, and the cover story proves it. Conservative magazines–online or on paper–are supposed to weigh events and people against conservative principles and pass judgment.

2016 is the year we overwhelm the Flak Catchers

January 21, 2016

Cars that get 200 MPG. Cures for multiple sclerosis and cancer. Someone saw Elvis in Dallas eating lunch with Jim Morrison. Conspiracy theories satisfy a psychological need to blame others for our problems or explain why the world doesn’t work the way we wish it worked. Maybe two nuns in Peoria found a cure for cancer in 1954 and Big Pharma really did pay J. Edgar Hoover to seize the formula to keep the multi-billion dollar oncology pharmaceutical money-printer cranking out the bucks at full speed.

Is Petraeus Paying Price for Hillary's Crimes?

January 20, 2016

Beyond Top Secret. Hillary famously kept an email server in her private bedroom where it was safe from being used as Bill’s YouPorn hub. (I’m pretty sure Bill Clinton hasn’t visited the inside of his wife’s sleeping chamber in the 21st century.) Being plugged into the internet, though, and lacking even the most rudimentary security, Hillary’s server was exposed to the prying eyes of Chinese, North Korean, Russian, and Anonymous spies.

Jefferson

January 19, 2016

Men by their constitutions are naturally divided into two parties: 1. Those who fear and distrust the people, and wish to draw all powers from them into the hands of the higher classes. 2. Those who identify themselves with the people, have confidence in them, cherish and consider them as the most honest and safe, although not the most wise depositary of the public interests. In every country these two parties exist, and in every one where they are free to think, speak, and write, they will declare themselves.

White Water/Black Ops

January 12, 2016

When I was a kid (thought I felt kind of old at the time) disaster movies were the thing. Before Star Wars, the 1970s were about killer sharks, towering infernos, earthquakes, and capsized cruise ships. Psychologists and sociologists attributed the genre’s popularity to the people’s need to assimilate nuclear holocaust. I think the movies were just good, cathartic entertainment. Nonnie Parry: [Deck behind the group is flooding rapidly] How long will we stay afloat?

Bill Cosby Should Ask for a Change of Venue to Cologne Germany

January 11, 2016

On New Year’s Eve, male Muslim refugees rampaged across Europe. They didn’t use guns and bombs. They used their bodies. On women. This created a political-correctness nightmare for Europe’s leaders. On the one hand, the victims were women, and no means no, and we must always believe a woman who accuses a man of sexual predation (unless the man is Bill Clinton in which case we destroy the woman). On the other hand, the assailants .

The Centre Cannot Hold

January 11, 2016

THE SECOND COMING --William Butler Yeats Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity. Surely some revelation is at hand; Surely the Second Coming is at hand.

Continue Your Support of Good Local Government

January 9, 2016

You have another chance to improve government and fight petty tyranny by supporting Senator Eric Schmitt’s latest bill to hold local government accountable. Last year, Senator Schmitt became the champion of responsible local government with SB-5, a bill designed to end “taxation by citation” in local governments. This year, Senator Schmitt is back to close a loophole that some cities are exploiting to suck more money out of residents who can least afford it.

Kroenke's Brilliant Move

January 8, 2016

I figured it out about the same time Ben Hochman of the Post Dispatch did: Stan Kroenke wrote a letter designed to force the owners to move the Rams to Los Angeles right now. The acrimony created by Kroenke’s relocation request letter makes the situation in St. Louis untenable for the team and its owner. In short, Kroenke calls St. Louis a second-rate, economically depressed, crime-infest toilet of a city full of people so obsessed with baseball that no other sports franchise has the ability to compete for entertainment dollars.

2015 was a bad year for Wall Street analysts

January 1, 2016

Last year about this time, Business Insider asked 13 Wall Street analysts where the S&P 500 would stand at close of trading today. For background, the S&P 500 began the year at 2058.9. The mean guess for closing number was 2212 with a standard deviation of 83. Here’s the ugly chart: Three of the guesses–Oppenheimer, RBC, and Fundstrat–were more than 3 standard deviations from the actual close of 2050. Fundstrat’s Tom Lee, the most overzealous guesser, expected capex to drive the S&P 500 t0 a whopping 2325.

2016 Could Be a Very Bad Year

December 31, 2015

People act according to what they expect. And that, my friends, could be very bad news for the economy in 2016. Social psychologists and usability experts both know that people’s words often conflict with their actions. This is especially true when asking people to predict their own behavior in a hypothetical. For example, one study asked people to predict whether they would buy flowers for a charity. Eight-three percent of respondents said, “yes I would,” but only 43 percent actually did.

How Missourians can access military bases after January 10

December 31, 2015

Need to visit a federal building or military base after January 10? Your Missouri DL won’t work by itself. If you have a Missouri drivers license or ID card but you do not have a passport or military ID, bring your Social Security card or your birth certificate. That’s the word I got from Navy Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes. The Department of Homeland Security informed Missouri last week that our state’s drivers licenses and ID cards will no longer serve as identification at federal agencies after January 10, 2016.

Here's Why New York Drops the Ball at Midnight

December 31, 2015

Once upon a time, in the days of sundials and pendulum clocks, people needed a way to agree on the time. For instance, if my watch says 11:13 and your watch says 1:32, who’s right? One way to coordinate time in a city or a sea port was a time ball placed somewhere highly visible. People could use the ball to set their pocket watches, and use their pocket watches to set their other clocks.

One thing the military teaches that business school doesn't

December 30, 2015

“What was the biggest adjustment for you going from the military to the business world?” Several people have asked me that question, and my answer always surprises them. “In the military,” I say, “every individual has a lot more latitude and authority to act. In the business world, no one can do anything without explicit instructions.” “Really? I thought it would be the other way around,” they say. “That’s the popular culture, but the truth is one-hundred eighty degrees the other way.

Why Did the Pritzkers Donate to Greitens?

December 30, 2015

A couple weeks ago, the blog Progressives Today ran an attack piece on Eric Greitens for two of his donors (link). The piece generated of lot angst and fury on the right side of social media. **Turns out the story was pretty shoddy journalism. ** Progressives Today didn’t bother to look at the Pritzkers' other donations or the military museum they founded. If they had, they’d know that Jennifer N. Pritzker (formerly James N.

It Can Happen Again—The Big Short Movie

December 24, 2015

“You know how when you walk into a post office you realize there is such a difference between a government employee and other people,” said Vinny. “The ratings agency people were all like government employees.” The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine (movie tie-in) (Movie Tie-in Editions) (p. 156). W. W. Norton & Company. Kindle Edition. I wanted to blame the government. Like millions of American conservatives, I had developed a powerful narrative of the way the world works.

Party Like It's 1992

December 22, 2015

Five for five. The first five people who told me they supported Trump in 2015 also supported Ross Perot in 1992. I realize it’s a tiny sample size. Still, it’s pretty clear that Donald Trump is the reincarnation of H. Ross Perot. Conservatives–all conservatives and all center-right voters–need to come to terms with that fact. We must also deal with the realities of the 2016 election and choose a strategy.

Missouri's 2016 Electorate Very Different from 2012

December 21, 2015

When it comes to the number of potential voters, 2016 is shaping up to be a watershed year in Missouri politics. Take at look at this chart of generational voters in 2008 and 2012: (Source: Missouri Census Data Center) Where Did the Millennials Come From? Leaving biology out of it, it’s simple: 2016 will be the first election in which the entire Millennial cohort is old enough to vote. Plus Millennial-aged immigrants have increased their numbers.

It's Time to Choose

December 21, 2015

I am a mess. I am a terrible father, a crappy husband (ask my ex-wives), and a difficult employee. I do a lot of things poorly. Most things, in fact. Especially the things I “have” to do. Authority irritates me. While I’m terrible at following plans, I write a week’s worth of blogs on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The pattern keeps me sane. Or semi-sane. I supplement those when events warrant.

The GOP Establishment Is a Cancer on America

December 20, 2015

Former Florida governor Jeb Bush, appearing Thursday on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” said that “of course” he would back Trump, should he emerge triumphant at next year’s GOP convention in Cleveland. “We need to be unified, we need to win,” Bush said. –The Washington Post, September 3, 2015 The Republican Establishment has exposed itself as a political disease willing to kill its host. Unless we seek treatment and remove the tumor first.

The Big Short

December 19, 2015

The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine by Michael Lewis My rating: 5 of 5 stars Capitalists are like children and free marketers are like their parents. If the free marketers neglect their duties to feed, protect, teach, and discipline capitalists, some well-meaning but inept government agency will impose itself into the parenting role, destroying the lives of everyone involved and wasting trillions of tax dollars (borrowed from future generations) in the process.

Guest Post: My Night With the Klan, Part 3

December 16, 2015

Editor’s Note: This article from 1992 tells a remarkable story of one man’s brave visit to a KKK rally. The stories Lee present serve a cautionary tale: human nature abhors a vacuum. When leaders fail to lead, humanity cries out. And, to paraphrase Steven King, who knows what dread thing will answer. Bear in mind that this rally took place in 1992. George H.W. Bush was president, and the Golden Age of Ronald Reagan was only 3 years in the past.

Dr. Strangedebate (or how I learned to stop worrying and love the GOP)

December 16, 2015

“I’ll build a wall . . . and I’ll make Donald Trump pay for it.” — Ted Cruz Line of the night in the last GOP Presidential debate of the year of our Lord two thousand and fifteen. This was the most telling debate of all. And it shouldn’t have happened. The more you know about anything, the less you like it. That’s a scientific fact. That’s why the “love of your life” when you were dating is the “lump on the couch” 20 years later.

Guest Post: My Night With the Klan, Part 2

December 15, 2015

Guest Post: My Night With the Klan, Part 1

December 14, 2015

The UN Game

December 13, 2015

The UN is a game with many players. The UN makes money by convincing member nations that the costs of funding the UN are less than the costs of not funding it. The UN wants to grow as large as possible, like any organization or organism or rear end. The UN is already very large. Its last budget was $5.4 billion, and that represented a 2.9 percent reduction from the previous two years.

Is the Cardinals’ Reign Over?

December 13, 2015

Imagine a world in which the Cardinals are not perennial champions. Major league baseball could be working on that scenario right now. The 1970s in Southwest St. Louis The Red Bird Express ran from Ivanhoe to Busch Stadium along Arsenal Street. For about seven dollars, I could get to a game and back, including bus fare, a bleacher ticket, and a hotdog and soda. My mom didn’t know how many times I made that trip, often for day games while she worked at St.

America is for Americans

December 10, 2015

Dave: You hear from your folks, Mooch? Moocher: Yeah, my dad called. He wanted to know if the house was sold. He could use the money something fierce. Dave: Well, you can come and live with me when it’s sold. In Italy, everybody lives together. Moocher: [laughs] Since you won that Italian bike, man, you’ve been acting weird. You’re really getting to think you’re Italian, aren’t you? Cyril: I wouldn’t mind thinking I was someone myself.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being There

December 7, 2015

Eve: May I ask your name? Chance: Chance. Eve: Chance? Chance: Chance, the gardener. Eve: Chauncey Gardiner? Mr. Chauncey Gardiner. Are you related to Basil and Perdita Gardiner? – Being There, 1979 People tell us who they are, but we ignore it. Because we want them to be what we we want them to be. –Don Draper, Mad Men President Obama used his third Oval Office address in seven years to say “Honey, I shrunk the country.

Loretta Lynch Mob UPDATE

December 6, 2015

“I think it’s important that as we again talk about the importance of free speech we make it clear that actions predicated on violent talk are not America," said Lynch. “They are not who we are, they are not what we do, and they will be prosecuted.” (source: Daily Wire) Take a slide on the slippery slope. Yesterday I warned that thePC Police will soon call for summary incarceration of anyone who violates the rules of their nationwide “safe space.

Police LT Mike Madden Paints Picture of Jihadi Death

December 6, 2015

https://youtu.be/siLsflWdhz8 Remarkable account of massacre by a police lieutenant who arrived first on the scene in San Bernardino. Notice the difference between his reaction and the reactions of the left. H/T Lee Presser.

Up From Political Correctness

December 5, 2015

I won’t blame the neighbors, but the neighbors knew. Syed Farook and four or five others worked long hours in Farook’s San Bernardino garage for months leading up to a deadly Islamic terror attack last week. Neighbors knew. They knew Farook and his Pakistani wife, Tashfeen Malik, were up to no good. But the neighbors said nothing until after the massacre at a center for the developmentally disabled. **The suspicious neighbors were afraid, not of the Muslim terrorists, but of political correctness.

The Conversion Odyssey

December 2, 2015

John Dos Passos has a mesmerizing name. The “John” doesn’t fit the “Dos Passos,” does it? Shouldn’t be Juan Dos Passos? But John Dos Passos was one of the Four Horsemen of American literature in the first half of the 20th century. And all four horsemen were Nomads, according to generational historians Howe and Strauss. The Nomads Wander Left to Right I’m a Nomad, too. Maybe that’s why I’m drawn to Hemingway, Faulkner, Fitzgerald, and Dos Passos.

I know it was you, Fredo

November 29, 2015

Fredo Corleone: I’m your older brother, Mike, and I was stepped over! Michael Corleone: That’s the way Pop wanted it. Fredo Corleone: It ain’t the way I wanted it! I can handle things! I’m smart! Not like everybody says… like dumb… I’m smart and I want respect! —The Godfather: Part II I’m sure John Brunner never saw himself as Fredo Corleone. A Burning Question Did you ever ask yourself why John Brunner would release a surreptitious recording of a phone call with an opponent?

The Real Story of Thanksgiving

November 26, 2015

Thanksgiving celebrates the Pilgrims' break from socialism. Schools and textbooks avoid the topic, but it’s worth remembering. The Plymouth and Jamestown plantations were dying under “common store” approach. Only by establishing a free market did the settlers thrive. Here’s the beginning of Kent Dillon’s excellent story of Thanksgiving, which you can continue reading in its entirety at The Mises Institute: By Kent Dillon The celebration of Thanksgiving is a celebration of plenty and appreciation of the abundance that has characterized the free enterprise, individualistic, capitalistic systems of the US.

John “The Weasel” Brunner

November 25, 2015

RADAR: Did you lose something, sir? HAWKEYE: Hi, Stinky. RADAR: Uh, sir, that’s the sort of name that kind of sticks with a fella. I’d appreciate it if you’d just call me by my given nickname. —MAS*H Some names stick with a fella. A friend emailed the link and this note: Brunner is indeed a weasel John Brunner, candidate for governor, surreptitiously recorded a phone conversation with his opponent Eric Greitens.

Slay Poverty

November 25, 2015

Paul Berry III made me laugh out loud. “Francis Slay hung out the vacancy sign but he’s running the Bates Motel." We were talking about the Syrian refugees and Francis Slay’s insistence that hosting a lot of them is in the city’s vital interest. Leaving aside the question of security and vetting for the refugees, why does Francis Slay want so desperately to host more people who have no jobs, no language, and little hope of flourishing in a city that, on most measures, is failing.

Our military leaders are no Pattons

November 23, 2015

Yesterday, Lee Presser made a great point in this guest post, The Only Rule of Engagement Will Be Victory. As one commenter noted: This is the best analysis of the war on terror that I have read. If we do not fight to win, we shouldn’t be in the fight. Winning the war on terror starts with 1) admitting there is a war on terror, 2) being willing to confront the enemy with force, 3) fighting to win the war rather than appease the enemy, and 4) do whatever it takes to protect Americans and their homeland.

Mizzou Protests Were About Abortion All Along

November 23, 2015

I hate to say “I told you so.” But the St. Louis Post Dispatch has found that I may have been right on November 8. That’s when I made the outlandish comment that the whole race issue at Mizzou is actually an abortion issue. I suspected that Planned Parenthood’s vast lobbyist network is agitating leaders of left-leaning organizations trying to create general unrest. **The manipulators would use campus racial unrest to demand restored privileges for Planned Parenthood.

The Only Rule of Engagement Will Be Victory

November 21, 2015

Guest Post by Lee Presser When FDR sent the troops to fight World War 2, he sent them to win. Since 1945, the political class has not given America’s military that clear instruction when being sent to war. Political considerations have modified the goal of winning. In Korea, it was fight but do not anger the Chinese. In Viet Nam, it was fight but do not attack the enemy if they are standing on the other side of line drawn on a map.

The torch has been passed

November 19, 2015

I feel old. It’s not my knees or my eyes. Nothing physical. It’s bigger than that. Be Kind to Him, World My mom framed a column she read in the St. Louis Globe Democrat in about 1969, just about the time I started kindergarten. The Globe title was “Be Kind To Him, World,” but Dan Valentine’s orginal title was “Dear World.” That column moved from place to place in our house most of the time I lived at home.

It’s time for Democrats to abandon Obama

November 19, 2015

In the war on terror, you’re on our side or theirs. Barack Obama announced that he will veto any attempt by Congress to require background checks of Syrian refugees in an attempt to weed out ISIS terrorists. The President’s allegiances are now clear. I heard Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) say that we must ensure proper screening in the wake of last Friday’s Islamic terrorist attack in Paris. The House of Representatives is working on legislation to do just that: increase the likelihood that we will catch terrorist infiltraters before they reach American soil.

The Week: November 15, 2015

November 16, 2015

Viva la France This week, let’s say a special prayer for the people of France. And the whole world. Mayor Slay About to Change Tune on Refugees On September 11, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay announced plans to accept 10,000 non-Christian Syrian refugees to St. Louis. After the coordinated attacks by ISIS terrorists in Paris on Friday, expect the mayor come under intense pressure to change plans. News that at least one of the Paris attackers entered France from Serbia as a Syrian war refugee will only intensify the pressure on Slay.

Paris Attacks Expose The Narcissists of Mizzou

November 14, 2015

People tell us who they are, but we ignore it. Because we want them to be what we want them to be. –Mad Men You can’t make this stuff up. Concerned Student 1950, the group that seized public ground for private use at the University of Missouri has a new concern today. It seems the kiddos are upset that ISIS deigned to steal the headlines by killing 120 to 150 people in Paris, wounding 200 others.

What we need in America is more Irish

November 10, 2015

Disclosure: I am Irish. I know the politically correct way to say it is Irish-American. The accurate way to say it is American of Irish descent. But I grew up in South St. Louis where we were just Irish. And the Italians were Italian and the Germans were German. (That’s about all we had in my neighborhood, plus a few Jewish converts to Catholicism, but they caucused with the Germans.)

Hysterical Yale student embarrasses herself on video

November 10, 2015

Nicholas Christakis is a giant in social psychology. And social psychology is only part of his resume. He’s also a medical doctor. Christakis wrote one of the most important books on social networks (the real kind, not Facebook), Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks. He holds distinguished positions at both Yale and Harvard and has appeared on Time Magazine’s list of 100 Most Influential People in the World.

The Week

November 9, 2015

Ben Carson The press can’t find people who will corroborate Ben Carson’s low opinion of himself as a young man. And somehow we’re supposed to believe that reflect poorly on Dr. Carson. It reflects poorly on journalism, for sure, but it actually shows that people who knew Dr. Carson won’t speak ill of him. Nice problem to have. Weather Was the weather wonderful this weekend, or what? I hope you got out, even if just to do some yard work.

Are abortionists manipulating Mizzou's black athletes?

November 8, 2015

A few Mizzou football players announced they’re boycotting all sports activities until University of Missouri system president Tim Wolfe quits or is fired. Considering the football team’s dismal performance, the cynic in me wonders if sitting out might help the players' chances of getting an NFL draft. The players and other African-American students at Mizzou believe they are victims of “systematic oppression” and they want Tim Wolfe to fix it simply by resigning.

Learning to be wrong

November 7, 2015

I am wrong a lot. When I was 25, I was wrong a lot, too. The difference between 1988 and 2015 is not that I’m particularly smarter now, but that I’m used to being wrong. Somewhere along life’s journey, I realized two things: *1. Being wrong isn’t the end of the world. *2. Being wrong is the beginning of learning. When I was 25, I refused to admit being wrong about anything.

The Debate for Bad Journalists

October 29, 2015

When Jim Cramer asks a question, you know everything’s all boogered up. The first hour of the GOP Presidential Debate from Colorado will go down as the first official event of the post-journalism world. The debate ended with John Harwood lying about the debate’s length. Having been an occasional guest of Larry Kudlow, I’m being nice. But the CNBC reporters couldn’t write a story for my high school newspaper. On the substance of what the candidates said, this was the best debate so far.

Conservatism Is The New Black

October 16, 2015

What has 50 years of loyalty to Democrats won for African-Americans? If you answered “civil rights legislation,” you better look at who voted for the laws and who opposed. (Hint: Republicans yea, Democrats nay.) Welfare? In 1967 the poverty rate was 14 percent. In 2014, the poverty rate was 14 percent. In the interim, we pissed away $22 trillion on bureaucratic sex junkets to Costa Rica and massive government office buildings in every major city.

This Is What Democracy Looks Like

October 15, 2015

The headline is a play on the oft-chanted slogan from OWS protests. Please, no “it’s not a democracy” emails. That’s a threat. A couple years ago on a Saturday night, I wrote about 2,000 words on the meaning of “democracy” and “republic.” I never posted it out of pity for you. I’m telling you, there’s a lot of Montesquieu in it, so if you don’t like superfluous vowels, don’t make me post it now.

Whip It. Whip It Good.

October 11, 2015

Maybe Ann Wagner’s the problem. Rep. Ann Wagner (HA-64) is the House Majority Whip. Her job is to know how every GOP member will vote on bills and to cut deals until House leadership gets the numbers it wants. It’s unfathomable that a majority whip would not have seen the Kevin McCarthy meltdown coming long before the House Republican caucus met to nominate a candidate for speaker. But many accounts suggest that the Republican House leadership thought McCarthy had the votes up to the moment he withdrew.

Send Dan Hyatt to Jefferson City

September 28, 2015

**On Tuesday, September 29th at 7:00 p.m., please join Dan Hyatt as he formally announces his candidacy for the Missouri House of Representatives, 72nd District at the Maryland Heights Community Center, 2344 McKelvey Rd., Maryland Heights, MO 63043. ** Suggested donation is $25. Gold donor $100. RSVP [email protected] We got to know Dan Hyatt at an After Party at Sky Music Lounge back in about 2011. Dan quickly chose a mission for himself: red light and speed cameras.

The MTC's Newest Fight Is For Its Life

September 22, 2015

Uber X St. Louis rolled into existence on Friday. No, Uber did not win the Metropolitan Taxicab Commission’s permission to operate. Instead, the ride-sharing service filed a federal anti-trade suit against the MTC. In the first weekend, Uber X provided over 5,000 rides, mostly from people leaving bars between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. In other words, by defying the MTC, Uber X kept 5,000 drunk drivers off the road.

Why can't presidential candidates talk like this?

September 17, 2015

Called upon to undertake the duties of the first executive office of our country, I avail myself of the presence of that portion of my fellow-citizens which is here assembled to express my grateful thanks for the favor with which they have been pleased to look toward me,** to declare a sincere consciousness that the task is above my talents, and that I approach it with those anxious and awful presentiments which the greatness of the charge and the weakness of my powers so justly inspire**.

I hate writing this post

September 17, 2015

I like to say I hate electoral politics. Maybe I just want people to think I’m the kind of person who hates electoral politics. (We are all capable of being wrong about ourselves.) I have to say, briefly, that this was the most encouraging Republican debate since . . . 1980? These are all serious people, and I’m including Trump. They all love America, and not just what they might get from America.

I am honored to question the GOP candidates for you and Heritage

September 16, 2015

This is pretty cool and a little unnerving. Heritage Action has extended the honor to be one of three Heritage Action Sentinels to question Republican Presidential candidates on Friday, September 17 in Greenville, South Carolina. So far, 12 candidates have confirmed, including Donald Trump, Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina, Ted Cruz, Scott Walker, Rick Santorum, Bobby Jindal, Rand Paul, Chris Christie, and Marco Rubio. (Maybe Trump will make fun of my tie.

There Is No Liberty Without Pursuit of Happiness

September 15, 2015

What did Jefferson mean by “pursuit of happiness” as an unalienable right? If you’ve heard it was a substitute for “property” because Jefferson feared Southerners would equate property with slaves, you heard wrong. For weeks I have repeated a foundational belief of conservatism: every person deserves the dignity of meaningful work and the freedom to pursue happiness. But what does it mean to pursue happiness? What did Jefferson mean? And why did Locke consider pursuit of happiness essential to liberty?

Get to Westport Plaza on September 26 at 11:00 a.m.

September 15, 2015

If you read this blog, you have a mile-wide curiosity streak. Many of you want to know more about Eric Greitens. You have a great chance to learn more on Saturday, September 26 at 11:00 a.m. Eric Greitens will have some things to say. Perhaps he won’t say everything you want to hear. (It’s still 11 months until the primary.) But he’ll say things you need to hear. And that’s my favorite thing about Eric.

Trump: The final nail in the conservative coffin?

September 10, 2015

So many battles are fought in war and in civilian life, and nothing is gained by their victory. Every battle we fight will result in a gain for us or we will not fight . . . There is no great gain in merely being right. To be right about some unimportant subject is not important. –General George S. Patton Jonah Goldberg explains the problem of Trump better than anyone:

Why Welfare Reform Must Continue

September 9, 2015

I can’t believe I missed this. It’s the story of Marienthal Austria. Marienthal was a town in Austria that thrived thanks to a single employer. When the flax mill went out of business in 1932, Marienthal’s population became mostly unemployed. Thanks to Austria’s liberal unemployment programs that replaced up to 90 percent of income, no one in Marienthal plunged into economic poverty as a result of the mill’s closing. But spiritual poverty was another story.

Why poverty is a conservative issue

September 8, 2015

Oh but now old friends they’re acting strange, They shake their heads, they say I’ve changed Well something’s lost, but something’s gained In living every day. –Joni Mitchell, Both Sides Now I’ve looked at poor from both sides now. I get a lot of grief for pushing poverty solutions. And service. Many conservatives believe Mitt Romney was right when he uttered his infamous 47 percent line. In case you forgot:

Same-Sex Marriage Is a Tax Problem

September 7, 2015

Why is government involved in marriage at all? Taxes. Brian Bollmann makes an excellent point about same-sex marriage. Brian points out in this post that marriage is not a matter for government; contract law is. Government’s only concern in the case of a marriage is with its contractual implications: At some point in the short history of the United States (and certainly after the Civil War), state governments stepped onto the wall of separation and began getting involved in the religious institution of marriage in the appropriate area of protecting the rights to property – especially that of women.

Find Out What I've Been Up To

September 3, 2015

Sorry for the dearth of posts. You know I have a day job. Sometimes that day job becomes a night job. And a weekend job, too. That’s happened. I’m still keeping up on what’s going on in the world, but travel and software launches and strategic plans have me spinning. I like to write when I have a long periods of uninterrupted time. Well, those blocks of time have been few and far between.

Republicans Worst-Case Scenario?

August 27, 2015

Things are getting bad for Hillary. I hear she’s losing a lot of support from Democrat Party insiders, at least in private. The DNC is meeting this week, and talk will likely surround an alternative Democrats can vote for. While Republicans enjoy the Clinton meltdown, we might want to be careful what we wish for. One of the GOP’s best hopes for the White House is voter enthusiasm. Republicans can’t wait to vote, Democrats dread it.

Correction

August 26, 2015

Something weird happened in the stock market today. Yesterday I blogged about the stock markets. I’d been up early to see what was going on in Europe and Asia. I was watching US futures, too. I decided to write about what might happen. And I told you about Ben Hunt, my favorite economics writer. Ben combines remarkable knowledge of game theory and psychology with his genius in finance and economics.

Trump: Good, Bad, and Ugly

August 24, 2015

There seems to be a certain air of inevitability that Trump will win the GOP nomination for President. According to a new poll, 57 percent of Republican voters expect that Trump will be the party’s candidate next year. Why is that important? Expectations Beat Preferences It’s important because expectations are far better predictors of actual winners than preference polls. From a 2012 NY Times story by David Leonhardt: Over the last 60 years, poll questions that asked people which candidate they expected to win have been a better guide to the outcome of the presidential race than questions asking people whom they planned to vote for, the study found.

Quick Note on Market

August 24, 2015

I was up early this morning sifting through the market stories. ** Asia: crash ** Middle East: crash ** Europe: crash ** USA: set to open There’s good news in all this loss. First, stocks were overpriced. At some point, they will bottom out and it will be time to start buying. Second, the Golden Age of the Central Banker seems to be over. And that is very good news.

Results of the Cabinet Matching Game

August 23, 2015

A couple weeks ago, I published a simple game for political nerds. Assuming the next president must build a cabinet from current candidates for the Republican nomination for president, how would you assign candidates to cabinet positions. This was meant to be a fun exercise for people who spend too much time thinking about politics. Like the leaders-eat-last poll, this required hide, often dissatisfying choices. As a result, only six people completed the exercise which took up to a half hour.

Trump's Immigration Fans Need to Read Wong Kim Ark

August 23, 2015

It’s sad that Donald Trump has inspired so many good conservatives to promote fantasies about the 14th Amendment. The Supreme Court addressed the issue of birthright citizenship directly, and Mark Levin and Laura Ingram know it. They are Constitutional lawyers. Both Levin and Ingraham are familiar with United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898) which established, thoroughly, that citizenship by birth has been the law of the land since before the Declaration of Independence and was codified by the 14th Amendment.

Fascinating Results from Leaders Eat Last Poll

August 22, 2015

This is the story of hard choices and how people resist making them. Last week’s poll asked you to watch a video by Simon Sinek before answering two, simple, two-part questions: which Republican candidate for President and Missouri Governor is most likely and least likely to eat last? I intended the poll to be hard. Not complicated, not long, but emotionally challenging. Why the Poll Was Emotionally Challenging For several weeks, I have built a case for the importance of leadership.

Who's Really Left in the GOP Field?

August 18, 2015

If you lack a unique, differentiating value, your only play is price. In business, you command the price play by being very, very big and very, very efficient. In presidential politics, you’re unique or you close up shop and go home. Commodities don’t win executive offices. Usually. Even though it’s early, only four Republican candidates for president have differentiating value propositions: ** Ben Carson ** Donald Trump ** Carly Fiorina ** Ted Cruz

One Question for Carly Fiorina

August 18, 2015

The next US President must be a great communicator. Distilling complex and controversial problems into mental models accessible to large numbers of people is not deception–it’s brilliance. The reason we hang onto sound bites isn’t because we’re stupid–it’s because we’re busy. We all don’t have time to earn masters-degree understanding of every issue facing society and government. Honest, accurate distillations of the complex ideas allow us to choose and act quickly.

What Is The Difference Between Leadership and Service?

August 17, 2015

Marine Corps officers eat last. That simple insight inspired the title of Simon Sinek’s latest book, “Leaders Eat Last.” If I could influence high school or college curricula, no one would graduate without successfully completing a semester course on that principle. Below is another remarkable video of Simon Sinek discussing how circumstances can override our desire to lead and serve and how leadership and service can fix almost any problem. But first, I’d like you think a bit more about these two critical needs: leadership and service.

You Have a New Son, America

August 15, 2015

My son Patrick (closest to the camera at a civilian’s idea of parade rest) listens to the instructions of the enlisting officer among 9 young men and women preparing to swear an oath to the Constitution of the United States. They were here to make their first commitment to the armed forces. [caption id=“attachment_16700” align=“alignleft” width=“711”]Patrick Hennessy takes the oath of enlistment at the Federal Building in St. Louis August 14, 2015.

What Is Leadership?

August 14, 2015

Many of you loved Simon Sinek’s Start With Why TEDx talk. I love the way Simon Sinek thinks. It’s no surprise, then, that his TED Talk on leadership could be the greatest definition of leadership I’ve ever heard. Please watch and share. I have some thoughts and a poll following. [ted id=1998] Contrasts give greater clarity. Sinek’s contrast between military leadership and business leadership says a lot about the state of American business.

We Were Once the Party of Ideas and Optimism

August 14, 2015

On my desk is a book titled “Grinning With the Gipper.” It’s 117 pages of Ronald Reagan’s humor.Think of that. A US president who could fill a book with jokes. My cursory review shows that about 60 percent of the jokes are on Reagan himself. And another 20 percent are on Republicans. Ronald Reagan knew that life is too short and too precious to waste it on anger and pride. Better to spend your days getting laughs.

Why Smart Phones Are More Popular Than the Tea Party

August 13, 2015

Does it bother you that people would give up essential freedoms before they’d give up their iPhone? While 26 percent of Americans report that they can’t live without their smartphone, only 20 percent of Americans say they can’t live without sex, according to this infographic compiled by FinancesOnline.com, a personal finance website. Seriously. It should bother you. [olympus_highlight color=‘yellow]Without essential freedoms, smart phones can be taken away or banned[/olympus_highlight].

The Compassionate Alternative to Raising the Minimum Wage

August 12, 2015

The headline is depressing, but I’m going to write it anyway: America’s Slums Are Exploding The story is in the Atlantic, a progressive publication. But they admit what so many Americans know: the welfare state has failed those who needed it most. And it’s failing those never needed it but were sucked into it nonetheless. Half a century after President Lyndon B. Johnson declared a war on poverty, the number of Americans living in slums is rising at an extraordinary pace.

How to Sell Conservative Principles

August 11, 2015

If you’re still asking “why bother?” read this. If you still believe conservatism is an economic theory, read this. If you’re ready to [olympus_highlight color=“yellow”]create a transformational social movement that improves lives[/olympus_highlight] by providing every America with the dignity of meaningful work and the freedom to pursue happiness, watch this video. It’s Simon Sinek’s TEDx talk about his then-new book, Start With Why, and it’s the most powerful idea I’ve discovered in recent years.

Request for Interview: Police Foot Patrol

August 11, 2015

If you have walked a neighborhood foot beat as a police officer, I’d like to talk to you. I am working on a story on policing, and I would like to hear stories from men and women who have both walked neighborhoods as police officers and driven patrols in cruisers. If interested, please contact me with this form: [contact-form to=‘[email protected]’ subject=‘Police Foot Patrol Response’][contact-field label=‘Name’ type=‘name’ required=‘1’/][contact-field label=‘Email’ type=‘email’ required=‘1’/][contact-field label=‘Comment’ type=‘textarea’/][contact-field label=‘Police Department’ type=‘text’ required=‘1’/][/contact-form]

America Has a Job To Do

August 11, 2015

We believe that meaningful work dignifies and enriches human lives. [olympus_highlight color=“yellow”]Every person who wants to work should find a choice of occupations to pursue. And every occupation improves the life of the person doing the work, the people the work is done for, and the family and community in which the worker lives.[/olympus_highlight] The more workers engaged in meaningful work, the better our country becomes. The opposite of work is not idleness but dependency, and dependency degrades human lives.

A Day of Hope, Prayer, and Clean-up in Ferguson

August 10, 2015

Dellena Jones’s 911 Hair Salon was attacked at about 11:15 PM by a small band of young men. The break-in and robbery occurred close to the time of the first shooting. The hair salon is less than 100 yards from the scene of the shooting. But that didn’t stop volunteers from St. Louis Tea Party Coalition and friends from helping. [caption width=“300” id=“attachment_16631” align=“alignright”]Volunteers pose for a picture after helping clean and repair 911 Hair Salon in Ferguson.

911 Beauty Salon Targeted by Looters. Please Help

August 10, 2015

Our adopted Ferguson business, the 911 Beauty Salon, appears to have been a target of looters tonight according to KTVI 2. [olympus_cta button_text=“Donate Now” button_color=“red” button_url=“https://www.gofundme.com/911hairsalonferg”]Don’t Let the Looters Win! Save 911[/olympus_cta] Dellena Jones’s business was already struggling. She didn’t need this. Let’s prove that we believe in free enterprise entrepreneurship. That we can help our neighbors. You can donate to help Dellena on this GoFundMe project [olympus_cta button_text=“Donate Now” button_color=“red” button_url=“https://www.

Do You Really Want Your Principles to Win?

August 10, 2015

in a democratic system, the minority is by definition the opposition. Their de facto position is fighting against the ideas of the other side. Political minorities fight against something that’s more powerful than they are. And over time, their entire self-identity can become utterly reliant on acting like the principled underdog. –Arthur C Brooks, The Conservative Heart My developmental psychology professor told a story of a female patient. The woman came to him for help with dating.

Overnight in Ferguson: "A remarkable amount of gunfire out there"

August 10, 2015

St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar told reporters “there was a remarkable amount of gunfire out there,” describing the scene on W. Florissant last night. A shooter confronted plain-clothes officers and opened fire. Officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The suspect is in critical, unstable condition in a local hospital. One officer was treated, but the severity and cause of his injury is unknown. The shooting and at least one break-in of a business marred what had been peaceful commemorations of the death of Michael Brown.

Incredible video of shooting in Ferguson

August 10, 2015

Watch. You can see the shooter in a white t-shirt. https://youtu.be/fZmpmVdIfJU We can make a difference. If you want to make the world better, like this, then we have to change the way talk.

Why Bother?

August 9, 2015

Note: This was written in August, 2015, during the Obama administration. Lamentations about the current state of affairs pertain to an era now past. Hope for the future, though, burns eternal. We yearn for civic character but satisfy ourselves with symbolic gestures and celebrity circuses. We perceive no greatness in our leaders, a new meanness in ourselves. Small wonder that each new election brings a new jolt, its aftermath a new disappointment.

Fill the Cabinet

August 8, 2015

My friend Scott Oppelt mentioned his complaint that the GOP has so many great candidates all at once. Why can’t they be spread out over 20 years? Great question. History being what it is, we can’t spread them across time, only across government. So this week’s poll is a little fun. The rules: You must fill the next White House cabinet using only the current candidates for President. You do not know who the President or Vice President is, so assume it’s none of the current candidates.

What Good Issued From the Candidate Debate?

August 8, 2015

Did you hear about the ratings? Over 24 million people watched the first Republican debate Thursday. That’s the largest audience ever for a cable program, save for sports. Everybody knows why so many watched: people wanted to see a fight break out between Chris Christie and Rand Paul. Donald Trump’s presence probably didn’t hurt. Let me clarify that. Trump’s appearance helped rating. His performance might have ended his campaign. Donald Trump comported himself with all the dignity and gravitas of a George W.

We Deserve Better

August 8, 2015

I should have gone to bed. I wanted to finish a great book called The Conservative Heart by Arthur C. Brooks of the American Enterprise Institute. The book left me feeling happy, proud, and inspired. I should have gone to bed as soon as I finished the book. But the feeling of having read something wonderful wanted to linger, so I sat with it for a bit. Then I really screwed up.

Enjoy Your Weekend More

August 7, 2015

Conservatism blesses the world. Our principles dignify people with work that** produces value**. We leave them **free to pursue happiness**, which includes their work, their leisure, their learning, and their families. Our cause is moral and spiritual, not economic. We want everyone to experience and benefit from meaningful work because work provides people with self-esteem and satisfaction. Work is not punishment; it’s a blessing. We do oppose things, but only those things that threaten to degrade human beings by denying them the dignity and benefits of working and living their own lives.

Readers Overwhelmingly Believe in a Service Ethic

August 6, 2015

Readers of this blog believe a stronger service ethic would make America a stronger country, but no one wants the federal government involved. And 95 percent of respondents agree that performing service benefits the volunteer as much or more as it benefits the recipients of the work. Those are the key finding from last week’s poll on service. Specifically, 82 percent agree with the statement “A strong service ethic would make America stronger.

I’m Pissed That I’m Pissed

August 6, 2015

Are you tired of being angry? Did you know that a lot of other people are tired of your anger? Did you know that 70 percent of Americans don’t like politics? Did you know that the 70 percent of Americans who don’t like politics won’t vote for anything an angry person tells them to vote for? Go look it up. It’s totally true. So many conservatives want another Reagan, but they want an angry, vengeful, belligerent Reagan.

Poll: Which Candidate Qualities Matter Most?

August 5, 2015

Farewell, Joe LeGrand

August 5, 2015

Once upon a time I didn’t like Joe LeGrand. It was 3rd grade. I was in the Epiphany Toppers Drum and Bugle Corps, and Joe was a bugler who stood right in front of me. He kept turning around and giving me dirty looks. So I decided right then and there that I didn’t like him. Joe was a year ahead of me in school. While our lives intersected a lot, we weren’t really close.

Tea Partiers in St. Louis See Things a Bit Differently

August 4, 2015

There’s a huge, important fiinding in a new poll—one I believe will affect a lot of elections nationally and in Missouri in 2016. In fact, 2016 will come down to one word. Write down what you think that word is before reading on. STLTPC vs. USA on President First, let’s look at some polls. St. Louis Tea Party members see the GOP Presidential race a little differently than the country at large.

I was an immigrant

August 1, 2015

Maybe I’m remembering this wrong. Maybe not. I met my best high school friends at the lunch table. Scott Oppelt, John Clancy, Christian Saller, Tom Newport, and . . . and dude with curly blond hair who was in Scott Oppelt’s band. John. John Martin. I met them early in my junior year. We had just one thing in common: we were all transferees. We were not native DuBourgers. We transferred.

How to kill a movement

July 31, 2015

Did you ever see a movement grow? Did you see the way it starts? Did you feel it spread around you? Did you hear it rustling the leaves and scraping the sidewalk? Did you want to kill it? The weird thing about movements is that opposition tends to strengthen them. Movements feed on hostility the way rats feed on garbage. The way you kill a movement is infiltration and fragmentation.

Dissolve the Empty See (MTC)

July 30, 2015

The Holy See is in Rome. The Empty See is in St. Louis. The Metropolitan Taxicab Commission (MTC) is a racket to protect incumbent taxicab companies. They use their power to keep St. Louis in the stone age of transportation. It’s time to dissolve the MTC. It has served its purpose and outlived its usefulness. Like the riverboat commission of the 1850s. Until then, I will do everything in my power to avoid taxis in St.

Keep Missouri Money in Missouri with TEA

July 29, 2015

The Transportation Empowerment Act gives states control and funding for their roads. It is a far superior to the Highway Trust Fund, which is slush fund for pork projects. Transportation Empowerment Act (TEA) from Senator Mike Lee would gradually shift federal gasoline taxes from Washington back to the states where they were collected without a Washington DC handling fee and without strings attached. TEA embodies an idea I first heard from Ronald Reaganwhen he was governor of California.

Analysis of Donald Trump Poll

July 27, 2015

Last week’s poll asked for your degree of support for Donald Trump’s candidacy. This poll received far less attention than the Missouri GOP Governor poll of the previous week, as only 60 people responded. On the plus side, there was no detectable cheating on the Trump poll. One Word: Polarization [caption id=“attachment_16313” align=“aligncenter” width=“600”]Histogram of Trump Poll[/caption] Respondents had choices from 0 to 5 to indicate their degree of support for Trump, with 0 = No Support and 5 = Total Support.

Poll: What Do You Think About Service?

July 26, 2015

Last week, we posted a 5-part series on national service. This week, we’d like to see what you think. Be heard The poll closes Saturday, August 1 at Midnight. Please vote only once. Last Week’s Poll: Trump Here’s my analysis of last week’s poll on Donald Trump.

Free eBook of National Service Posts

July 24, 2015

My series on National Service is important. Maybe not urgent, but important. (See Eisenhower Square.) So I turned it into an eBook: DOWNLOAD FREE E-BOOK Be warned: I did not edit the posts, so the ebook contains all the links to previous posts in the series. If there’s interest, I’ll go back and clean it up. This is just for convenience. Thanks.

A Conservative Missouri Service Program--Part 5

July 24, 2015

We’ve reached the end. On Monday, we corrected disinformation about The Franklin Project. Next, we looked at the historical conservative framework for national service. Wednesday was a dissection of The Franklin Project’s Plan of Action (as distinguished from the group’s vision.) Yesterday, we examined the consequences of ignoring the call for national service. Today, we offer an oversimplified proposal for Missouri’s version of a national-service program. While inadequate, it is a start.

Why Conservatives Should Get Involved—Part 4

July 23, 2015

In part 1 of this series, we clarified some misconceptions and falsehoods about the Franklin Project. In part 2, we examined the debate on the right from 1990 with William F. Buckley and Milton Friedman. Part 3 was a critique of the Franklin Project’s Plan of Action. Today, we will look at the consequences should conservatives turn their backs on the concept of developing a service ethos in America. Generations: Saying “No” Won’t Work Do you remember when Roosevelt died?

What’s Wrong With The Franklin Project? – Part 3

July 22, 2015

This is part three of a five-part series on national service. Part 1 introduced the controversy and corrected a major misconception. Part 2 looked at national service through the eyes of conservative giants, Milton Friedman, William F. Buckley, and Ronald Reagan. So, what’s wrong with the Franklin Project? Plenty. The Franklin Project promotes the idea of a renewed ethos of national service in America. It’s mission: The Franklin Project envisions a future in which a year of full-time national service—a service year—is a cultural expectation, a common opportunity, and a civic rite of passage for every young American.

Buckley vs. Friedman on Service-Part 2

July 21, 2015

This is part 2 of a series on national service and the Franklin Project. Read part 1 here. First, answer this for yourself: would you vote for William F. Buckley Jr? Milton Friedman on National Service My friend Lloyd Sloan points out that Milton Friedman disagreed with Buckley’s call for national service. It seems appropriate, then, to view the idea of a service ethos through the eyes of two champions of conservatism of the 20th century.

Fact and Fiction of the Franklin Project--Part 1

July 20, 2015

You know how to tell when a political camp has nothing on an opponent? It begins making stuff up. That “making stuff up” has become the chief form of amusement among those who oppose Eric Greitens for Governor. The current fiction they advance has to do with an organization called The Franklin Project. The fiction advanced by a few Facebook warriors goes something like this: “The Franklin Project wants mandatory national service.

Analysis of 2016 GOP Governor Poll

July 19, 2015

Last week, I launched anonline poll of declared and likely candidates for governor. This was not a controlled survey, so be careful what you read into it. Instead of using the poll as a measure of breadth, I recommend looking at from a few other angles. Suspicious Voting Yes, there was a lot of suspicious voting. At least one candidate received his or her strongest support from a single data center in India.

Donald Trump Poll

July 19, 2015

Donald Trump is back in the news. This time for attacking John McCain’s service record. But he’s dominating the polls. Given what you know of Donald Trump, rate your own support for Donald Trump’s candidacy for president on a scale of 0 to 5 with 0 meaning “no support” and 5 meaning “full support.” [yop_poll id=“3”] This poll closes at Midnight on Saturday, July 25. Please vote only once. Last Week’s Poll Results

Transportation in the 21st Century Event

July 18, 2015

You can’t get there from here. The way people get from here to there–and how they pay for the privilege–is about to change. We want you to have a say in the future of transportation. To help, Heritage Action for America is teaming up with St. Louis Tea Party Coalition to put on a Transportation Empowerment night on Saturday, July 25, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. Speakers Include: [gallery ids=“16213,16214,16215”]

Can John Brunner's Consultant Do His Duty?

July 18, 2015

Republican consultant David Barklage is in a weird place. Barklage grew up in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, along with Peter Kinder. Barklage has been Kinder’s campaign consultant for years—all of Kinder’s races, as far as I know. They were a team. David Barlage was Peter Kinder’s chief of staff when Kinder was president pro tem of the Missouri Senate in 2002. And a loyal consultant is a great tool for a politician.

The Entire World Is a Sick Joke

July 16, 2015

Greece’s parliament just signed its surrender to Germany. The country signed over virtually all of its national assets and all its future income for 30 years. No one believes Greece will make good on the agreement, and Greece didn’t want the deal. Germany demanded it, and Greece surrendered. But Greece will default at some point. Then what? Will Germany send its army? Probably. In Washington, Barack Obama berated a skeptical press for questioning the agreement he reached with the world’s largest exporter of Islamic terrorism.

Politics Is War By Other Means

July 15, 2015

WAR IS A MERE CONTINUATION OF POLICY BY OTHER MEANS. Good old Clausewitz. Best book on war ever written. (The Art of War was about something else.) But the 21st century has reversed his famous line. Politics has become war by other means. Germany has a history of waging wars of conquest. World War I. World War II. The Greek bailout. As Stratfor’s George Friedman explains:

Not Just Wrong--Evil

July 15, 2015

Today was a particularly busy day for me. I had a series of meetings. Like every hour, another meeting. From 9:00 on. I saw the text from my wife. I didn’t have time to click on a video. I was in a room full of people. Important business. Major client and all that. And I completely misunderstood the “H/T Gina L.” thing. For some reason, I thought Angela was mad at Gina.

Eric Greitens’ Shocking Revelation Could Shatter People’s Faith

July 14, 2015

Were you shocked when you learned that Navy SEAL, author, humanitarian, and charity founder, Eric Greitens, was born and raised and voted Democrat? I was. Sure, I’d heard the rumors. The whispers spread by some Republican campaign operatives. But I’ve learned to trust those campaign operatives about as far as I fund the national debt. Then, Senator John Lamping sent me a link to this Fox News story: Former Navy SEAL: Why I am no longer a Democrat So, the rumors were true.

Chili Palmer

July 13, 2015

The greatest mob movie of all time was Get Shorty. (Please, don’t argue.) The whole movie revolved around this exchange: Ronnie Wingate: Excuse me bro', but who the fuck are you? Chili Palmer: I’m the one tellin' you how it is… Last Sunday, Greece was Chili Palmer. A few days later, Angela Merkel is. Funny how things change. You probably heard that Greece’s Prime Minister called for a referendum on the troika’s terms.

Republican Governor Poll

July 12, 2015

Read my analysis of the poll here. [yop_poll id=“2”] You may vote only once. Poll closes at midnight on Saturday.

Jefferson’s Greatest Idea

July 10, 2015

Down in my former state of South Carolina, the legislature hastily voted to remove the Confederate flag from the state capitol building. That is their prerogative, and I take no offense at their move. What I do worry about is the haste. South Carolina’s action on the flag reflected a spasm instigated by the horrible deeds of a horrible man—an unthinkable crime and grave sin. I can understand how the murderer’s association with the flag would lead people to connect the flag to the murders.

RANT: Metropolitan Taxicab Commission Is Killing Capitalism

July 9, 2015

So how to reenergize the innovation diffusion machine? This is key: “A level playing field that does not favour incumbents over entrants. Many policy measures, from environmental to fiscal measures, are designed to favour incumbents.” More entry through startups and more exit by uncompetitive incumbents. –JAMES PETHOKOUKIS, AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE The Metropolitan Taxicab Commission is a crony club for taxi company executives and their hospitality friends, and its primary purpose is to kill transportation innovation and thwart price competition.

China Is Crashing and Greece Is Spinning Out of Control

July 8, 2015

The world is even more fragile than it was in 2007. The big banks are bigger. Aggregate bank assets are concentrated in fewer hands. The bank derivatives books are much larger. Market liquidity is worse. —James Rickards, The Daily Reckoning Well, ain’t that just dandy? And it’s undeniably true. We were told that the 2008 financial meltdown was caused by entities that had grown too large: banks, insurance companies, corporations, derivitives.

A Dangerous Misunderstanding of Debt

July 6, 2015

Debt is not a guarantee of future payments in full. Rather, it is a risk that creditors take, in hopes of maybe being paid tomorrow. The key word there is “risk.” If you’re willing to take the risk, you’ll get a premium — in the form of interest. But the downside of that risk is that you lose your money. And Greece just called Germany’s bluff. Jim Edwards nailed a major problem with modern finance.

Greece Rejects Central Banksters

July 5, 2015

Greece has voted to reject the “troika’s” bailout terms. The people of Greece said “no” to the central banksters who encourage sovereigns to enslave themselves under mountains of debt. The Greeks showed remarkable courage and resiliency, and their example could disrupt the entire international banking system. Tyler Durden at Zero Hedge: The Greek people have spoken and they said “OXI”! So congratulations Greece: for the first time you had the chance to tell the Troika, the unelected eurocrats, and the entire status quo establishment, not to mention all the banks, how you really felt and based on the most recent results, some 61% of you told it to go fuck itself.

St. Louis Uber Nada

July 5, 2015

About this time, a variety of railroads began trying to build their own networks to the West, but the St. Louis city government refused to grant the permits required for constructing railroad bridges across the river at their location, even though St. Louis was the logical choice and would have been a perfect place for a rail hub. Apparently, the politicians in St. Louis felt their duty was to protect the riverboat industry, at that time their life and blood, from any and all competition.

The Corner Prosperity Is Just Around Is Miles From Where We’re Standing

July 2, 2015

William Hennessy: Psychopomps are carriers of the dead, but they carry them to their afterlife. Dottie Bailey: Cool!! William Hennessy: We are in that phase of history. The 20th century is dying, or dead Dottie Bailey: Makes me sad though. William Hennessy: Everything that we called “normal” for all our lives lies listless in the beaks of sparrows—psychopomps—on their way to a new birth. That rebirth won’t happen for another 5 to 10 years.

You Are In Control

July 1, 2015

This post is about the control you have. And the control you don’t have. Last week was tough on a lot of us. The Supreme Court limited your freedom. The same-sex marriage case was very similar to Roe v. Wade in judicial legislation. States lost the power to regulate marriage. (There’s a deep theological discussion around whether the state ever had any say in marriage, but that’s for another post.)

Charleston, South Carolina

June 23, 2015

Limited government, fiscal responsibility, and the other tea party principles are not ends. They were never ends. Tea party principles are merely the most effective and efficient means to nobler ends Those ends include a society and a nation that respects and protects life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Without life, of what use are the others? Just as we speak out when “government becomes destructive of these ends,” so we must speak out when misguided and deranged individuals pervert those principles—or any principles—to their own illegitimate and murderous ends.

Who's Rambling Now?

June 18, 2015

Someone who met Bill Clinton told me, “I rambled. He probably thought I was an idiot.” No. Bill Clinton wanted you to ramble. He wanted to make you the most important person in the room for two minutes. He listened for a nugget of information–a story–he could use in his next speech. If you’re running for office remember: the most important person in every room is the voter you’re talking with.

Take a Walk on the Hedonic Treadmill

June 17, 2015

Here’s what happens when you raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, according to scientists: Nothing. Well, not nothing. All kinds of bad things happen to the economy. But nothing happens for two groups of people central to the whole debate: workers who get a bump to $15 and employers who have to bump to $15 an hour. Most cities and states that have raised their minimum wage laws to $15 will phase in the increase over five years.

Hypocrisy of the Left on Self-Identification

June 16, 2015

I’ll make this brief. If we must respect (revere?) the erstwhile Bruce Jenner for self-identifying as a woman, we have to respect Rachel Dolezal for self-identifying as black. Both voluntarily left the world of privilege, as it were, to join an underclass–an identifiable minority. Jenner left manhood; Dolezal left whitehood. The left doesn’t see it that way, though. Apparently, rejecting one’s biological sex is okay, but rejecting one’s biological race isn’t.

Activist Ron Calzone Sues Missouri Over Omnibus Bill

May 31, 2015

Without comment . . . Jefferson City, MO, May 29, 2015 - A lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Senate Bill 672, passed by the Missouri General Assembly in 2014, was filed in Cole County circuit court on May 29th. The lawsuit claims that the General Assembly ignored the constitutional limits to their legislative authority. The Missouri Constitution includes clauses that prohibit legislators from changing the purpose of a bill, including multiple subjects in one bill, or passing a “special law” that fails to treat everyone equally.

Breaking: White House Shuffles Export Import Management (parody)

May 29, 2015

Washington (APP) —In a Rose Garden press conference today, President Barack Obama introduced Art Vandelay as his choice to head the troubled Export Import Bank for a five-year term, pending approval by the Senate. The shake-up comes as Congress debates whether or not to extend the bank’s authorization amid heavy opposition from conservative and libertarian groups led by Heritage Action for America. Mr. Vandelay brings almost 30 years of experience in the export-import business, where he traded in commodities as varied as potato chips, diapers, and matches.

Come to Export Import Speaking and Gathering This Saturday at Paddy O's

May 27, 2015

With Opportunity for All; With Favoritism Toward None Join Us Paddy O’s–618 S. 7th Street, St. Louis, MO 4:15 PM Saturday, May 30 RSVP on Facebook They say the Export Import Bank is a tiny agency that creates jobs for small business while producing a profit for the Treasury. And rescues baby rabbits from dangerous predators. And it’s gluten free. Call us skeptics. We saw the news that Goldman Sachs used the Export Import Bank to secure funding for a financially unstable buyer—after paying the Secretary of State’s husband $200,000 for a fifteen-minute speech.

I finally finished reading Resilience by Eric Greitens

May 19, 2015

I usually breeze through books. I read Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman in four days. And it has math. I read Eric Greitens’s book The Heart and the Fist in two days. Why did it take me over a month to finish Resilience? I’m not sure, but here’s what I think. First, the book compels action. How could I read this paragraph without writing a blog post? If we are trapped in a life where everything is provided for us, our minds fail to grow, our relationships atrophy, and our spirits deteriorate.

Why the Export Import Bank Matters Now

May 19, 2015

Start small–end big. Raise your hand if you know someone who woke one morning and ran a marathon having never so much as walked around the block. No hands? Of course not. A few freaks of nature might be able to go from zero to 26.2 in no time, but most people would hurt themselves trying. And never do it again. When a sane sedentary person decides to run a marathon, he starts by walking.

Going Home

May 17, 2015

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. But if that step is in the wrong direction, you might end up 2,000 miles from your goal. Many believe America took a step in the wrong direction long ago–about the time “progressivism” became popular among political, business, and academic elites in the early 20th century. If progressivism was a step in the wrong direction, it’s led us at least 2,000 miles from our target.

The Lazy Person's Cure for Herpes Ex-Im

May 7, 2015

Every six months. Just when you can you least afford it. It happens. A breakout. It’s Herpes Ex-Im, a cronyism disease that can make the prettiest economic system look sick. Herpes Ex-Im is a virus that attacks your economy’s competitive system, resulting ugly blemishes. Even your lover won’t want to kiss you. But there’s a cure. **Left untreated by Congress, Herpes Ex-Im will die. ** The free-market system has built-in defenses against crony diseases like Herpes Ex-Im.

There's One Person to Blame if Blues Disappointed You

April 27, 2015

Harsh, I know. The St. Louis Blues disappeared from the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs in a 4-2, first-round collapse for the third consecutive season. And this year was supposed to be different. So different. With off-season pickups like Jori Lehtera and Paul Stastny, we expected St. Louis to shut down for a parade in June, not in the 3rd period of game six. Instead, we’re wondering how soon will T.J. Oshie sweaters go on the clearance rack at Dick’s?

Approaching Excellence

April 21, 2015

Could it be? Am I reading this right? Has anyone ever surprised you with a wish? A wish that defied logic? Yesterday, a friend wrote of his concerns about Eric Greitens, the Navy SEAL, humanitarian, Rhodes Scholar, charity founder, and former boxer who’s considering a run for Missouri Governor. His concern began: “Most all GOP candidates proudly trumpet their positions . . . “ He was right, of course. Almost.

It's a Beautiful Spring Day, And Dellena Struggles to Stay In Business

April 18, 2015

We metDellena Jones during our first Ferguson BUYcott in August. Since then, St. Louis Tea Partier, Dottie Bailey, has made it her mission to help Dellena’s business survive and flourish. https://youtu.be/r-ye3nSe2Vk Dellena’s business has fallen 60 percent since the first riots. She’s repaired the damage to her salon, but business is slow. Despite all her challenges, Dellena still found the time and energy to host Center for Self-Governance training in her shop on a Saturday, foregoing that day’s revenue to learn about freedom and responsibility.

We All Need a Drink

April 15, 2015

Ever come across a text you know, but forgot? I did recently. This gem of a paragraph leapt off the page and into my mind: I believe this nation hungers for a spiritual revival; hungers to once again see honor placed above political expediency; to see government once again the protector of our liberties, not the distributor of gifts and privilege. Government should uphold and not undermine those institutions which are custodians of the very values upon which civilization is founded – Faith, education and, above all, family.

How to Know You're Doing the Right Thing

April 14, 2015

“What if everything goes wrong?” I remember asking myself that on the morning of Friday, February 27, 2009. I was driving on I-44 headed to the Arch to host a Tea Party. My co-hosts were people I’d never met: Dana Loesch, Gina Loudon, Ed Martin, Michelle Moore. Those were the three to offered to help. Others offered to speak: Jim Lembke, Shamed Dogan, and a few others. Others helped organize sign-making, food, sign-in sheets, and music.

What's In Your Medicine Cabinet?

April 13, 2015

Missouri is the only state that doesn’t track your medical prescriptions. People say it like it’s a bad thing. What’s wrong with the government not knowing that one bit of information about your private medical life? Can’t government keep out of at least this one, extremely personal matter? The do-gooders and busy-bodies want Missouri to maintain a database (tied into similar databases in all other states) that keeps a permanent record of every prescription a doctor or dentist writes.

Low Interest Rates Hid True Cost of Increasing Debt

April 12, 2015

House mortgage-type instrument suggested as means to pay off national debt Guest Post By Lee A. Presser Interest rates have been held artificially low by the Federal Reserve since 2008. This has had the effect of hiding the true cost of increasing debt. As interest rates rise back toward 4%, the U.S. Treasury will have less money to spend on discretionary governmental functions. The FY 2015 budget is approximately $3,900,000,000,000.00. Another way to look at that number is about $12,187.

The SEAL, the Race, and the CEO

April 10, 2015

In its entire history, who was the safest CEO for Apple? In other words, if you were a corporate recruiter hired by Apple’s board to find a chief executive, whom would hire? I’ll answer this later, but first here’s why I’m asking. Who Would You Recruit? In response to yesterday’s post on Brunner vs. Greitens, someone asked me a similar question about Eric Greitens. The inquisitor seems to question my judgment for preferring Greitens over John Brunner.

The Greater of Two Goods

April 9, 2015

You know the feeling. You support someone for office. Call this person Candidate A. You’re all in. You’ve told your friends about this great person. Then another candidate jumps in to oppose your candidate. Let’s call this person Candidate B. This insurgent has great qualifications. You campaigned for Candidate B in another race a few years ago. You’ve talked him up. In the past, told your friends to vote for Candidate B.

Mastering One's Domain

April 5, 2015

I own a ton of domain names. Most of them I’ll never use. I bought them–and pay for them–because I don’t want anyone else to have them. Many contain “teabaggers.” Many contain “teaparty.” Many contain “Hennessy,” although the cognac people had sucked up quite a few of those already. Everyone should invest in domains containing their surname. Anyone who is even mildly famous should own the domains containing their full name.

This Guy Puts People to Work

March 31, 2015

Brett wanted to know more about Eric Greitens. Ben deferred to me to tell the Greitens story. I went through the usual, remarkable life of a man, eleven years my junior, a century my senior. I told him about Duke, boxing, Bosnia, Rwanda, Mother Teresa. I told him about boxing at Oxford and becoming a SEAL. Nothing from Brett. “Really,” I thought. “How stuck-up is this guy?” But we didn’t give up.

I Am a Coward (but I'm trying to get better)

March 26, 2015

A critic is someone who enters the battlefield after the war is over and shoots the wounded. ― Murray Kempton Great leaders inspire thought and action. But their real value? Great leaders inspire action. Hard action. Uncomfortable action. I’m reading Resilience by Eric Greitens. I have already bought six copies of the book, and I’m sure I’ll buy more. I want everyone to read it. The book changes people.

Mike Flynn for Congress

March 25, 2015

I was hungover. I sat in a booth at the Holiday Inn in Quincy, Illinois, with my wife and two friends from St. Louis. The day before was my wife’s birthday, which she graciously spent waiting for me to speak at a tea party in Quincy. Angela and I sat with Jim Durbin and Ben Evans. About four feet away, sitting at the bar, were Andrew Breitbart and editor-in-chief of Andrew’s BigGovernment.

Schools Don't Need More Technology--They Need Less

March 23, 2015

I was on my high school’s board of education for a year. It was quite an honor, honestly, but I screwed it up. At the time, I was a software architect. They put me on the board as the technology guy. I was supposed to make the case for more funding for smart boards and other tech stuff. But I said kids really don’t need more technology in school. Technology, I said, was like sex education: they’ll get more than they can handle on the streets or watching TV.

You Are Entitled to Nothing

March 22, 2015

I know “House of Cards” character Frank Underwood is fictitious, malicious, and evil. But even an evil fictitious character can hit the nail on its head occasionally. https://youtu.be/QgTIhT5aLCg We might not like his prescription, but he diagnoses America’s chief problem more concretely, more accurately, and more honestly than any American politician ever has. Ever. We’ve been crippled by Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, by welfare, by entitlements. And that is the root of the problem: entitlements.

The GOP's Sad New Whisper Campaign UPDATE

March 21, 2015

Note: Updated to remove reference to Jeff Roe Poor Catherine Hanaway. Her shadowy operatives worked so hard to defeat Tom Schweich, but a new threat to Hanaway’s coronation emerged: Eric Greitens. (You can read all about Eric Greitens, here.) The GOP establishment’s inept, new whisper campaign against Greitens is so amateurish and sad it evokes the kind of sympathy one feels toward the ignorance of animals (to paraphrase William F. Buckley).

Will the Left Fund a Campaign to "Fix" Missouri? UPDATE

March 20, 2015

Updated with new information Leftist donors flooded Texas with money for two years. Wendy Davis was the poster-child in 2014, but she was only a candidate of convenience. Leftists know that turning Texas purple would mean leftist domination in America. In 2013 “purple Texas” was all the talk. From Huffington Post: Last week, Politico reported that national Democrats are creating a “large-scale independent group” aimed at turning Texas into a legitimate electoral battleground.

How to Recruit Better Political Candidates

March 12, 2015

Let’s accept that people are lazy. I noticed no one rose to argue, so universal laziness is a given. When political consultants and parties recruit candidates, they do the lazy thing. They look for candidates who are easily electable. They want people who look good, speak well, shake hands like they’re still alive, and never made the papers for slapping their spouse. Actually, they want people who are squeaky clean. Boring.

The Ridiculous Thing I Gave Up for Lent

March 11, 2015

“What did you give up for Lent?” Ever get that one? Like it’s something you’re supposed to post on your Facebook page. A very good priest I knew, Dom Oppenheimer, warned against revealing one’s Lenten sacrifice. “When you tell others what you gave up for Lent, you’re likely to feel some pride,” he explained. “But pride is the worst sin.” That actually makes a lot of sense when you think about.

3 Questions. And I want some damn answers

March 11, 2015

What would happen if we if worked on: stuff we could actually fix stuff no one could complain about fixing stuff we didn’t care who got credit for fixing? Next question: Name one thing that needs fixing that meets all three criteria (and think of people you hate when answering question 2)

Which Two Industries Suck Most at Customer Service?

March 10, 2015

Want to know why Net Neutrality is dangerous? Forget the Constitutional stuff. That’s important, but most people don’t care. Seriously. As soon as you mention the Constitution or mercantilism, the 99% walk away. And the remaining 1% already agree with you. No, the way to scare people about Net Neutrality is this chart from Statista: You will find more statistics at Statista The only thing worse than Comcast’s customer service?

Why It's Good To Be Wrong

March 9, 2015

Well, a redneck nerd in a bowling shirt was a-guzzlin' lone star beer Talking religion and-uh politics for all the world to hear. –Kinky Friedman, They Aint' Makin' Jews Like Jesus Anymore I used to hate to be wrong. In fact, most of my life, I’d deny being wrong long after all doubt had left the room. I’d get angry when I was wrong, too. More accurately, I’d get angry when someone found out I was wrong.

How Emphasis on Race Hurts Efforts to Reform Municipal Courts

March 8, 2015

My story on the Justice Department’s Ferguson report addressed race early. . So let’s have a little blunt talk about race from a West County white guy’s point of view (which is alway helpful). Faction A and Faction B Whenever race comes up, two large factions shut down. They shut down intellectually because ‘race’ touches an irrational, emotional nerve. Faction A views every issue as a race problem. They see rain at a picnic as racist.

What To Do With the DOJ Report on Ferguson

March 7, 2015

The will of man is not shattered, but softened, bent, and guided; men are seldom forced by it to act, but they are constantly restrained from acting. Such a power does not destroy, but it prevents existence; it does not tyrannize, but it compresses, enervates, extinguishes, and stupefies a people, till each nation is reduced to nothing better than a flock of timid and industrious animals, of which the government is the shepherd.

Why Hope Beats Anger

March 7, 2015

The human brain is three times as sensitive to pain as it is to gain. That’s a gross over-simplification, but it’s basically true. In other words, you’ll work three-times harder to save a dollar you have than to earn one you don’t. Put another way, you won’t bet a dollar with even odds unless you stand to gain three dollars for a win. That’s not a flaw. It keeps you alive.

Providence and Hope in Missouri

March 5, 2015

Fate moves in mysterious ways. Just days before State Auditor and Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Schweich died, Eric Greitens announced an exploratory committee. Greitens wants to test the water of a possible run for Missouri Governor as a Republican. Greitens would be, perhaps, the most remarkable human being ever to pursue the office of Governor of Missouri. Here’s a sampling of Greitens’s achievements: Humanitarian who’s worked in Rwanda, Bosnia, Central America, India and other disaster zones—usually man-made disaster zones Boxer who won championships in England Rhodes Scholar who completed the program at Oxford Navy SEAL who earned the Bronze Star among other accolades in four tours in Iraq Founder of The Mission Continues to give wounded veterans a mission and a purpose in life Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world Forbes’ Magazine’s 50 greatest leaders in the world Purpose Over Party Greitens is no ideologue.

Missouri Deserves Better

March 5, 2015

Hancock, who is a political consultant, said he held meetings last fall with prospective donors for a project to register Catholic voters. Hancock said that if he had mentioned that Schweich was Jewish, it would have been in the context that Hanaway was Catholic but that was no indication of how Catholics were likely to vote. Those circling the wagons around John Hancock: woe betide you. God forgive you.

Allman in the Mourning

March 5, 2015

I hear that Jamie Allman ripped into Senator John Danforth yesterday. Allman called Danforth a failure and a thug. According to Allman, Danforth’s sin was defending a friend against lies, defending a people against centuries-old hate. I guess Jamie Allman and his handlers like lies and hate. I’d hate to be Jamie Allman on judgement day. Just sayin'. Mourning for Jamie’s soul.

Doing

March 2, 2015

Ben Evans worked hard to host a joint event with St. Louis Tea Party Coalition and Heritage Foundation a couple years ago. Because of Ben’s hard work, we met Dottie. Then the trouble in Ferguson happened last August. Fearless Dottie joined our band of BUYcotters who went to Ferguson to shop while the city still smoldered. We met Dellena. Dottie cultivated a relationship with Dellena. Saturday, February 28, Dellena hosted Level One training in Self-Governance at her 911 Beauty Salon on W.

What Is Success?

March 1, 2015

Could I ask you to answer a couple of questions. You can do this offline or in the comments of this post. *1. Name 3 people you consider wildly successful. *2. For each person you named, what is the number one criterion for establishing his or her success? Please do that before continuing. Done? Okay. I’m going to guess that, when all the answers are tabulated, wealth and income will be the top criteria for success.

Some Thoughts on Tom Schweich

February 27, 2015

Excerpts from past posts on Hennessy’s View about Tom Schweich “Integrity” is the first word I think of when trying to describe Tom Schweich. Rock n Roll Lunch We met for lunch on a hot day in April 2010. I expected a typical GOP establishment hack: smooth, overly friendly, defensive, and forgettable. I expected the man others told me to expect. But I met someone very different. How different? That lunch ended listening to his band’s recording of their original rock song.

Tom Schweich, RIP

February 26, 2015

News of Auditor Tom Schweich’s death hit me hard. If you haven’t heard, St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported to day that my friend Tom Schweich died of a gunshot wound today. Tom was 54. I am saddened by this news. I pray for Tom’s family and for his rapid entry to eternal happiness. May perpetual light shine on him, and may his soul and all the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.

What the hell got me involved in politics to begin with?

February 26, 2015

Paul Hamby asked a question last month. I was only one of the many he asked, and, being the rude bastard I am sometimes, I took a month to reply. And being lazy, I figured I should get a blog post out of it. So here’s my answer to the question “who inspired you to get involved in politics?” In the Summer of 74, I was between 3rd and 4th grade (I think).

This Seems Like a Really Big Win

February 26, 2015

I am so embarrassed. I didn’t even know that Fred Sauer, Gretchen Logue, and Anne Gassel were suing Missouri over Common Core. Did you know that? (I probably knew it and forgot. Sorry.) But here’s the thing: THEY WON!!!! Wait. YOU won. You won because Fred, Gretchen, and Anne stuck their necks out for you. And for me. So Thank You! to Fred, Gretchen, and Anne. And this case seems really, really big.

The New Russian Empire

February 26, 2015

The last two years of Barack Obama’s presidency will see the rise of a new Russian empire. This new empire will resemble the Soviet Union in shape, the Czars in style. We looked at this subject over the summer (here and here). To summarize those blogs: The US-led coup of Ukraine convinced Putin to reassert safer borders Russia wants to build a buffer between itself and NATO Putin wants to re-establish a Russian Empire to revitalize Russian pride and influence Western debt and war-weariness make NATO impotent Putin knows the next US president might be more of a man than Obama, even if its Hillary Putin will want to complete his expansion by January 20, 2017 Ukraine is as good as done and Poland will fall under Russian influence I still believe all of that.

The tangled web of net neutrality

February 25, 2015

A friend asked my thoughts on net neutrality. I hemmed and hawed and told her a story she probably didn’t want to hear. The best I could come up with was: I don’t trust the FCC or the Obama Administration to do anything honest I don’t trust the Republican establishment to do anything right First, the Obama Administration would love to get control of internet content. They can already read every message, every keystroke anyone types anywhere.

I Might Abandon the GOP in 2016

February 18, 2015

Why have conservatives and right-leaning libertarians made so little progress since 2009? Consider that the GOP was written off for dead following the 2008 election. Republicans disappeared from the press. When a Republican popped up on a Sunday talk show, he was talking about compromise and getting along. Then the Tea Party happened, and all of a sudden the GOP’s testes descended. But after two off-year wave elections that gave the GOP their largest majorities since Hoover, the GOP seems poised to double down on the crony capitalist, elitist policies and candidates that got them tossed out of Washington in 2006 and 2008.

34 to 0: Good Ideas Are Hard to Fight

February 14, 2015

I was scared. Not afraid to say it. And some friends turned hostile. They had good reasons. And I was probably a little cavalier. And I talked way too long. But last September I wanted to start something that would help real people in our neighborhood while advancing liberty and upsetting abusive government. Sure, I’d rather upset the federal government in Washington, but my arms are little short to box with Harry Reid.

Maybe Police Officers Would Rather Be Tax Collectors

February 2, 2015

Do people become cops just so they can write speeding tickets? According to the National Sheriffs’ Association, writing speeding tickets is a police officer’s noblest calling. People and technologies that help drivers drive more safely and obey the law interfere with that noble mission of revenue generation, and the NSA is out to stop it. According to the Associated Press,the National Sheriffs’ Association wants to crack down on the popular traffic navigation app Waze™ so that people will drive faster and cops can write more tickets.

Do the Speed-Trap Mayors Want You To Drive Dangerously?

January 23, 2015

I had the rare honor of testifying before the Missouri Senate committee on Economic Development. The hearing’s subject was Senator Eric Schmitt’s Senate Bill 5 to reign in traffic court abuses in Missouri. Here’s some perspective: St. Louis County accounts for 22 percent of Missouri’s population and over 50 percent of traffic tickets St. Ann’s traffic court revenue exploded from about $500,000 in 2009 to over $3.5 million last year Traffic court generates 90 percent of the total revenue for one Missouri city Ferguson, Missouri, has three outstanding traffic ticket warrants for every citizen The mayor of Edmundson in North St.

How to Define Tom Schweich With One Word

January 18, 2015

Work screwed up my plans. Our annual St. Louis Tea Party / Heritage Action Christmas Party started at 6:00 in the evening on December 17. I knew Auditor Tom Schweich planned to attend, and I looked forward to seeing him. About 3:00 the problems started. People scurrying to wrap up projects before the Christmas break led to errors, questions, and never-ending email threads. I finally made it out of the office about 7:30 and arrived at Scarecrow in Chesterfield a little after 8:00.

Boehner's Purge

January 7, 2015

You might have noticed that my report on the Speaker election process lacked enthusiasm. Now you know why. Boehner is moving quickly to purge conservatives from all committees of meaning. He has vowed to cooperate with the White House and Democrats. He has vowed never to shut down government again, no matter how evil, onerous, or destructive of liberty government becomes. Boehner has gone full native. That’s a predictable outcome of a failed coup.

Here's How a Mere Mortal Becomes Speaker of the House

January 6, 2015

The geniuses at Heritage Action put together a fantastic brief explaining everything you need to know about the Speaker election process. Check this out: Speaker Election Procedural Facts For the record, I’d love to see the election go to a second, third, fourth, or ninety-fifth ballot. But I don’t expect Boehner to lose. And if Boehner should lose, Gohmert might not win. The winner will need a LOT of Republican votes, and Boehner supporters won’t vote for the guy who inserted himself into the race.

Congress Adjourned and You Need a Drink

December 15, 2014

It’s the Heritage Action Christmas Party Wednesday, December 17 at 6:00 pm [caption id=“attachment_15660” align=“alignright” width=“300”]Republican Party Animal[/caption] Scarecrow in Chesterfield ( map ) Heavy Hors d’oeuvres complements of Heritage Action for America. Let’s talk about 2015 and $2.15 gasoline. You don’t have to RSVP, but we’d appreciate it.

Do Police Officers Like Writing Tickets?

December 14, 2014

[audio mp3=“https://hennessysview.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/do-police-like-ticket-quotas.mp3”][/audio] What do police officer think about traffic ticket quotas? Here’s one officer’s thoughts: In my agency, those of us in patrol had to keep a “Daily.” This would be a formal document that showed the times, addresses where we went, written in code, of what we had done. On the back were boxes for how many traffic citations, criminal citations, parking citations and felony and misdemeanor arrests we had made on that day.

What No One Tells You About Ferguson

December 13, 2014

There’s something happening here But what it is ain’t exactly clear There’s a man with a gun over there Telling me I got to beware –“For What It’s Worth” by The Buffalo Springfield “This isn’t about Michael Brown.” Those words popped out of my mouth as I watched the Sunday evening news with my dad. It was August 10. Full-scale rioting hadn’t erupted, but the battle lines were drawn: police on one side, people, mostly young people, on the other.

Here's What's Happening on the Muni Courts Front

December 10, 2014

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance. – The Declaration of Independence Back in August, I asked for your help in pushing for municipal court reform. Cities that abuse their police and courts destroy liberty: ** Abusive citiesturn citizens against their police forces ** Abusive cities sponge off the poor ** Abusive cities operate debtor prisons ** Abusive cities subvert respect for the law and the courts ** Abusive citiesdemean and demoralize their citizens ** Abusive cities repel business and jobs ** Abusive cities condition people to bow down to government

How to Shame House Republican Leadership On Immigration ACTION

December 3, 2014

[scroll to updates] And, yes, “House Republican Leadership” is a code word for Ann Wagner. Every victorious Republican ran on a promise to aggressively check Obama’s illegal executive actions. They weren’t all lying. Only the “leaders” lied. House leadership is trying to weasel out of its commitment to voters to block Obama’s illegal activities. The House can easily** attach a rider to the upcoming spending bill** prohibiting any money from going toward Obama’s 10 illegal illegal alien memoranda.

Why the Evidence Never Mattered

December 2, 2014

The danger of jumping to conclusions isn’t that you might be wrong. It’s that your brain will be unable to recognize its error. We’ve all heard of the psychological (or just logical) fallacy of confirmation bias. It’s worth looking at three aspects of confirmation bias from Science Daily: *1. In psychology and cognitive science, confirmation bias (or confirmatory bias) is a tendency to search for or interpret information in a way that confirms one’s preconceptions, leading to statistical errors.

How to Stop the Commies

December 1, 2014

It’s all a lie. It didn’t start that way. At first, the Mike Brown protesters were all about Mike Brown and people like him. But not anymore. Even the New York Times admitted the protests in Mike Brown’s name are actually the Revolutionary Communist Party advancing Marxism. (The NYT pulled down the story on Sunday morning. I wouldn’t have linked it, anyway.) I’m not a fan of stomping on someone else’s parade, even if I disagree with their cause.

In the US House, Insider Money Buys Leadership Positions

November 29, 2014

The US House of Representatives is not a meritocracy. And that’s a shame. House “leadership” doesn’t actually have anything to do with leadership. It has everything to do with money. In a story about the fall from power of Nancy Pelosi, Michael Barone describes how the House leadership process evolved from seniority to raw cash. For years, liberal Democrats had decried the seniority system, which automatically made conservative Southerners (and/or senile members) committee chairmen.

Some Protesters Couldn't Care Less About Mike Brown

November 29, 2014

If you think the mall protests are about the police, Ferguson, Mike Brown, or Darren Wilson, you could be wrong. For some, Mike Brown is a pawn. The protests are mere opportunities to exploit. Travis Martin, a protester who was at the bowling alley and the Justice Center, said he didn’t think that activist leaders had done enough planning and promotion for an event at the Galleria. “I think the main organizers weren’t so focused on anti-capitalism.

Gratitude Is Not a Privilege

November 27, 2014

Gratitude, like love, is bound only by our choices. The more we give, the more we keep. I tried to ignore Ferguson today, but I glanced at Twitter hashtag #Ferguson a moment ago. The first tweet I read inspired this post. Someone wrote that “being able to be thankful after #Fergson is a privilege itself.” I understand how someone could feel that their “gratitude privilege” had been revoked. We lost our daughter just before Christmas in 1994, about four weeks after I got out of the Navy.

8 Ideas to Save Christmas in Ferguson

November 25, 2014

Nixon buck-passed while Ferguson burned. With the city’s main business district laid to rubble, buycotts won’t have much effect. And Christmas is around the corner. Who got hurt last night? *1. People who own businesses *2. People who work at businesses *3. People who rely on businesses Time is short. The people affected by last night’s riots need help rebuilding and jobs right now. While I don’t have complete plans, I can throw out eight ideas.

The Worst of Humanity and the Absence of Leadership in Ferguson

November 25, 2014

I should be in bed. But I can’t take my eyes off the images of Ferguson burning to the ground. A liberal friend on Twitter admonished me not to be political. Maybe he’s right. But I’m pretty sure Dellena’s 911 Beauty Salon burned in Ferguson tonight. It seems everything else has, too. The airport is closed. St. Louis’s image may be taking a fatal blow. The region might go the way of Gary, Indiana.

Big ISPs Will Back Net Neutrality Someday

November 24, 2014

I don’t want Barack Obama regulating the internet. At the same time, conservatives who believe big corporations are always right better pop their heads out of their Chambers of Commerce. Greens Didn’t Kill the Incandescent Light Bulb—Corporatists Did The way big businesses got big and stayed big has nothing to do with business and everything to do with politics. Big corporations use their money and influence to bribe government to kill competition.

Rex Sinquefield Buys High-Priced Call Guv

November 23, 2014

[caption id=“attachment_15564” align=“alignright” width=“300”]Rex Sinquefield’s Mad Scientist Blimp-Piloting X-Ray Glasses.[/caption] The billionaire with the great big blimp buys another politician. After a raising a measely $66k in campaign contributions, Catherine Hanaway sold her soul to wierd billionaire Rex Sinquefield. The price? $750,000 down plus $10,000 a week through the election. With Rex, nothing is ever what it appears. You might know thatRex is tight with Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster, a Democrat.

Failed Consultant Seeks Funding for GOP Establishment

November 22, 2014

[caption id=“attachment_15564” align=“alignright” width=“300”]Rex Sinquefield’s Mad Scientist Blimp Piloting X-Ray Glasses[/caption] People tell me Republican consultant John Hancock is a really nice guy. I think they’re right. And, as Hancock’s clients have learned repeatedly, nice guys finish last. The clearest example of Hancock’s failure was John Brunner’s campaign for US Senate in 2012. Brunner is an exceptional businessman with a remarkably clear and accurate political philosophy. Had Brunner succeeded in winning the GOP nomination for Senate, Claire McCaskill would be retired, the GOP would have a Senate majority already, and Rand Paul would have a philosophical friend in the upper chamber.

Government Is For Sale. Here's Who's Buying

November 22, 2014

_Updated: the original title said “Congress is for sale.” My mistake. I meant Government. _ Once upon a time in America, people built companies by filling society’s unmet needs. To survive, a company relied on innovation, quality, and, of course, good advertising. The best advertisement being word of mouth. That’s all changed now. The way to grow a successful company is to get government to protect your market, dampen competition, and require people to buy what you sell.

It's Not Pro-Immigrant; It's Anti-American

November 20, 2014

Let’s be honest with ourselves: President Obama’s unilateral, dictatorial action on immigration is not to benefit illegals. It’s to punish American voters for rejecting him. This is personal. In two years, the next American president will let this and many other Obama executive orders expire. Executive orders are not law. They expire with the term of the president who signed them. No future president is bound to renew them. And the next president won’t.

The Governors

November 5, 2014

Governors Republicans were supposed to lose governor seats. Instead, they picked up nine or ten. That’s huge, because governors become presidents. Executive leadership is different from coalition “leadership,” and governors are real executives. Look for the GOP’s gubernatorial wins to play big roles in 2016 and 2020. This Morning (New York Times): Democrats seem to have their best shot in Florida, where the state’s former Republican governor, Charlie Crist, is running as a Democrat against the Republican incumbent, Rick Scott.

Thank You, Heritage Foundation

October 30, 2014

I’m sitting at Reagan National Airport waiting for my flight home. I just spent 24 hours meeting the people who keep America free. Well, besides the people in uniform. It’s the Heritage Foundation’s donors and leaders. It’s Heritage Action and its Sentinels. It’s decidedly NOT the ruling class, the two big parties. I had the high privilege of sharing a panel with 14 people who work a lot harder than I do.

Democrats Have Just One Chance for October Surprise

October 26, 2014

The White House and its corrupt Department of Justice has one chance to change the election’s outcome.According to Nate Silver’s FiveThirtyEight blog, the GOP has a 62.1 percent chance of a Senate majority. With nine days left until the election, and with President Obama’s approval and likability plunging, the Democrats face a huge loss. Apathetic Democrats Many political observers blame Democrat voter apathy, particularly among African-Americans. The black vote that swelled in 2008 and 2012 with Obama on the ballot shows signs of deflating in 2014 as it did in 2010.

Whatever Happened to the Party of Ideas?

October 17, 2014

From about 1978 until the Monica Lewinsky fiasco, the GOP was called “the party of ideas.” I miss the ideas. William F. Buckley helped. Buckley liked big ideas and smart people. He liked politicians who gave legs to great ideas and governors with the guts to experiment. Governor Ronald Reagan appeared on Buckley’s Firing Line shortly after the Gipper became California’s governor. Reagan talked about many ideas he was trying or hoping to try.

We Interrupt This Program . . .

October 2, 2014

I am scaling back my blogging. I spend about 1-2 hours on most posts. That’s writing, researching, photo editing, etc. It’s time consuming. It’s also worth the effort. Blogging is an opportunity cost, too. Every hour I spend blogging is an hour I’m not doing anything else. The things I’m not doing include: ** admiring my wife ** talking to my kids ** catching up with friends ** advancing my career ** cleaning up my office ** changing my underwear ** cheering on the Blues (or Cardinals or Rams) ** working out ** washing my car ** fixing that door that doesn’t open right ** training my dogs to make a proper CC and club soda ** paying bills ** answering emails ** blowing the leaves out of the garage ** hunting copperheads and rattlesnakes (we have both out here) ** visiting my parents

How Can I Possibly Vote for Rick Stream for County Executive?

September 30, 2014

Maybe this logic sucks, but this is my logic. When I vote, I ignore my positions on issues. Instead, I use my vote to advance two objectives: *1. I want my vote to improve policy towards liberty. *2. I want my vote to maximize my political power. A simple test that I ask myself is this: If I vote for A, do I expect resulting policy to be more or less to my liking?

John Diehl Doesn't Want You to Know There's a Big Press Conference Tuesday

September 29, 2014

My phone and inbox lit up all morning. Missouri Republicans are FREAKING OUT that Speaker Apparent John Diehl could go down to defeat at the hands of conservative/libertarian grassroots activists. The freak-out is over a press conference in Queeny Park at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 30. [map] I heard of the Stop Diehl project last week. On Saturday, mostly Republican volunteers began a door-to-door campaign in Diehl’s district to block re-election.

Rick Stream Probably Didn't Know I Knew His Old Career Counselor

September 28, 2014

When people asked me to get behind Rick Stream, I first wanted to make sure that was the right thing. I remembered that I have a friend who helped Rick a while ago. So I asked her. Rick Stream is “a quiet leader." “I didn’t see him as a politician,” she told me. We were talking about Rick Stream, the candidate for St. Louis County Executive. [caption id=“attachment_15477” align=“alignright” width=“300”] Representative Rick Stream (R-Kirkwood) chairs the House Appropriations Committee.

Comments

September 28, 2014

I changed the commenting system to Commento from Disqus. For my frequenty commenters, this may require you to re-authenticate. (Sorry, but security, ya know.) I did this for two reasons: Disqus sells user information, and Commento does not. Commento, therefore, respects your privacy more. Disqus slows down my pageload time, and Commento does not. Commento, therefore, respects your time. I have migrated all the old comments to the new platform, so anything you posted previously should appear.

Why Ann Wagner Is Wrong to Attack Heritage Action

September 25, 2014

Accountability? We don’t need no stinking accountability. No, Ann Wagner didn’t actually say that. But her comments to a 2nd District Republican committee meeting on Tuesday gave at least one attendee the impression that Mrs. Wagner opposes the idea of conservatives holding Congress accountable. Ann Wagner Attacks the Conservative Heritage Action Rep. Ann Wagner accused the conservative Heritage Action for America of “pitting Republican against Republican” and “never attacking Dems” at the Republican meeting.

I Will Vote for Libertarian Bill Slantz for Congress

September 24, 2014

Libertarians want to take over the world and leave you alone. What a refreshing ambition! A couple days ago, I wrote that I will not vote for Ann Wagner’s re-election in 2014. I arrived at that position after realizing that Mrs. Wagner and I share incompatible, mutually exclusive views on the proper relationship between government and people. She believes government should run markets. I believe government should make sure markets are fair.

Beware Republicans Offering to "Clear the Decks"

September 23, 2014

Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the lame duck. You can’t trust the GOP establishment. In case you missed it, the House GOP leadership pushed a Continuing Resolution to fund government through December. Now, these same GOP leaders will tell you they expect Republicans to take over the Senate in January. So why would they give Harry Reid a chance to use the lame duck Congress in December to pass an Obama-friendly long term CR?

Why I Will Not Vote for Ann Wagner in 2014

September 21, 2014

There is a tide in the affairs of men. Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat, And we must take the current when it serves, Or lose our ventures. Julius Caesar Act 4, scene 3, 218–224 The problem the Republican Party has, too many people are sitting around, waiting for a wave to take them across the election.

Here Are the Ex-Im Facts Ann Wagner and Claire McCaskill Don't Want You to Know

September 10, 2014

Rep. Ann Wagner’s Heritage Action Score is a disappointing 59. It’s about to drop even lower. Last week, the Republican from Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District came out strongly in support of cronyism by endorsing and vowing to fight for extending the Export-Import Bank. From Wagner’s interview with National Public Radio: “There is some talk about a short-term reauthorization, perhaps six or seven months on Ex-Im,” she said. “I’d like it to be longer than that.

Why Municipal Courts Matter to Liberty

September 6, 2014

I am embarrassed. I am embarrassed that I didn’t know about this problem sooner. Or I heard about it and ignored it, which is even worse. Maybe I thought it was just the usual liberal whining about trumped up racial problems. Whatever, I should have listened. On September 2, I asked a room of about 30 tea partiers, “Do you trust our justice system?” I heard a chorus of “No.”

How To Ruin a Perfectly Good Joke

September 4, 2014

If you talk long enough, you can butcher the best joke in the world–even the one from Monty Python that the Allies used to win WWII. https://youtu.be/ienp4J3pW7U Tuesday night at a Tea Party meeting, I managed to destroy a joke of my own, poor making, and insult a friend at the same time. That takes talent. Or . . . something. So, first, let me apologize to Adam Sharp, the best indy video journalist alive, since he was the victim of my horrible comedic delivery.

Where I'm Kicking Off My Ferguson BUYcott Saturday

August 29, 2014

At 1:00 PM, I’ll be at 911 Beauty Salon: 9193 W Florissant Ave, St Louis, MO 63136, Cross Streets: Between Ferguson Ave and Canfield Dr. Let us knowyour story here. Upload photos, reciepts, and stories. People love stories. You are welcome to join me there at 1:00, or shop and dine on your own. This Ferguson BUYcott is getting massive national attention. Big thanks to everyone who took part last week and who’s joining in this week.

I Would Like to Talk to You on Tuesday September 2

August 29, 2014

Hi. Bill Hennessy here. If you can, please stop by 111 Clarkson Executive Park, Ellisville, MO 63011 on Tuesday, September 2 at 7 p.m. (RSVP Here if you’d like.) I have something I’d like to talk to you about. It’s about the tea party movement. But it’s really about understanding two very important concepts: *1. Living to our purpose. *2. Doing what’s important. This is not a training session. It’s not an After Party.

Shop Ferguson and Dellwood This Weekend

August 28, 2014

Sorry I’m so late on this. This sounds whiny, I know, but I have a really involved week at work this week. Sorry. Crap always seems to work out this way, though. When there’s a great need for Tea Party services, I’m tied up with work obligations. Something has to give, and it’s usually the thing that doesn’t generate revenue. But we all have work to do. Ferguson businesses and families are still struggling with the effects of the riots.

Bureaucratizing Street Gangs

August 26, 2014

Did you ever wonder why do-gooders and social planners never pay for their crimes? Yesterday, I wrote about Jesse Jackson dressing down at the hands of activists in a McDonald’s parking lot in Ferguson. I pointed out that Martin Luther King and Dick Gregory were similarly dismissed by rioters in the 1960s. Some things never change. One thing that has changed is the economic gap between whites and blacks. That’s gotten worse despite trillions in federal poverty programs that went mostly to “community organizing.

Exposing the Race Hustlers in Ferguson

August 25, 2014

There’s an awesome YouTube video of Jesse Jackson getting skewered in Ferguson. First, though, a little history. One of the greatest books ever on race-based poverty and jobs programs is Tom Wolfe’s Mau-Mauing the Flak-Catchers. You won’t understand race politics in America without reading it. Twice. Four times, maybe. If you’ve read it, you know why Jesse Jackson and Capt. Ron Johnson and all the other “black leaders” are impotent to stop riots.

How Jay Nixon Lost the Liberal Press

August 24, 2014

“And then say what? say, ‘forget you’re hungry, forget you got shot inna back by some racist cop—Chuck was here? Chuck come up to Harlem—’ ”“No, I’ll tell you what—” “‘Chuck come up to Harlem and—’ ”“I’ll tell you what—” “Say,‘Chuck come up to Harlem and gonna take care a business for the black community’?” That does it. Heh-heggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! It’s one of those ungodly contralto cackles somewhere out there in the audience.

DOH! ACTION: Tell Missouri Legislature Jay Nixon to Pass Tax Holiday for Ferguson

August 23, 2014

****UPDATE Tim Jones let me know that I’m giving the legislature more power than it actually has. Veto sessions are limited to overriding vetos. Thus the name. BUT the governor can call a Special Session to vote on a Ferguson Tax Holiday. That session can run concurrent with the Veto Session, saving taxpayer dollars. SO > > > New Action: Ask Jay Nixon (via Twitter and Facebook) to call a Special Session concurrent with the Veto Session to create a Tax Holiday for Ferguson/Dellwood.

Why St. Louis Tea Party Went to Ferguson To Shop

August 22, 2014

You can’t change the world in your living room. That’s why a small band of (mostly) white people from (mostly) West County drove to Ferguson (and Dellwood) to shop tonight. We targeted the small businesses that were hit hard by violence–violence committed (mostly) by out of town agitators, criminals, vandals, and hooligans. We drove to Ferguson to make two statements with our actons: 1) Ferguson is OUR community, and 2) Ferguson is open for business.

The Export-Import Bank Story the Post-Dispatch Refused to Print

August 21, 2014

Since the Post won’t run my reply a recent op-ed about the Ex-Im Bank, I’ll publish it here: Huge multi-national corporations like to preach from the “small business” bible when it comes to the Export-Import bank. Unfortunately, most of the Ex-Im propaganda about how “small business” benefits crumbles under scrutiny. Professor Stanford Levin of Southern Illinois University recently wrote an Op-Ed supporting reauthorization of the Export Import Bank. As the professor states, the Export-Import Bank provides cheap loans to foreign companies and governments with which to buy products sold by mostly large, multi-national companies with headquarters in the United States.

Ferguson Shopping Ideas

August 21, 2014

Here are some businesses people should frequent: Eat at Sweetie Pies on W. Florrisant, or head to Paul’s Market on Elizabeth, Drive down N./S. Florrisant for Shop-n-Save, Chinese Food, local eats, bakeries, dollar tree, etc. Ferguson also extends to New Halls Ferry and 270, where there is a Home Depot, another Shop-n-Save, Party store, UPS store, and more. https://livewellferguson.com/main/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/FergusonMap5-1.jpg Also, there is Ferguson Bike shop, The Whistle Stop, and Sportsprint (where you might find an I heart Ferguson shirt).

Municipal Court or Kangaroo Court?

August 20, 2014

Guest post by Lee A. Presser On Wednesday, April 16, 2003, I was in Bel-Ridge, Missouri, Municipal Court to plead “not guilty.” The violation listed on the ticket did not match the reality of what actually happened on the road. In a file folder, I had documents and photographs to rebut the charge. The ticket stated that Court convened at 6:30 P.M. I arrived twenty minutes early. Before 9:30 that evening, I had been tightly handcuffed twice, verbally abused by police, pushed into a depressing detention cell, and made an example of in front of seventy-five to one hundred people.

Important Updates on Ferguson BUYcott

August 20, 2014

Including muster time and location, rules of conduct, and a little story about smiling. CLICK HERE I’ll be on Jamie in the Morning at 6:10 a.m. today, Wednesday, August 20 on FM 97.1. Please listen. Thanks!

It's Hard to Deny North County Has Problems with Police and Courts

August 19, 2014

What did you think when you first heard reports of violence in Ferguson? I mean, after the shooting death of Michael Brown? Did you ever for a moment think, “this is about more than just Michael Brown?” I hate to say that. It’s embarrassing to admit that I’m so jaded as to think “that’s all” when a young man dies. Sorry. I’m just being honest. I understand community grief and anger.

BUYcott Ferguson UPDATE DETAILS ** MORE UPDATES

August 19, 2014

DON’T STOP SHOPPING! The Buycott is underway. Great turnout on Thursday. Fantastic support from the media. Even Senator Claire McCaskill joined the buycott. Read all about it here. In the meantime, keep shopping Ferguson/Dellwood if you get the chance. And make an appointment on your calendar to shop Ferguson/Dellwood on Labor Day Weekend. Have out-of-town guests? Take them on a tour and have a meal in one of the great restaurants in the area.

Ferguson is the Canary in the Coal Mine" for St. Louis County

August 18, 2014

The next St. Louis County Executive better brace himself for this: poverty is exploding in the county. I’m not saying poor people do bad things. I’m saying that, at some point, eliminating jobs and hope will drive people to take things. And they will take things by force. And they will show no mercy to anyone who tries to get in their way. Right or wrong, it happens. And no militarized police force will stop it.

How To Create Hate and Discontent in America

August 17, 2014

I haven’t written about Ferguson because I’ve known too little to add value. But ignorance hasn’t stopped others from stirring up hate and discontent. For example, Missouri’s shakedown artist, Lacy Clay. Lacy Clay, speaking from a private island in the Carribean, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Michael Brown was murdered. Clay knew or should have known the effect of his words: more violence. Either Clay meant to incite violence or he has a casual disregard for the effect of his irresponsible speech.

What If We Stopped Shouting?

August 14, 2014

I shout a lot. Not with my lungs. With my pen. Well, not a pen, actually. With a wireless Bluetooth keyboard. A few years ago, I shouted with my lungs at Tea Party events. I realized pretty quickly that shouting wasn’t doing any good. It worked at first. Shouting carried my voice to people who thought “no one believes what I believe.” Some people heard me yelling at the Arch and came out to see what the hell was going on.

Insane: Stocks Markets Rally On Economic Disasters

August 14, 2014

Eurozone’s economy is basically in recession. Walmart lowered expectations. Again. The world is teetering on the edge of World War. The US is launching Iraq War 3.0: Mission Accomplished Accomplished. Germany’s economy is flat, and Italy and France are getting worse. Risk is high. Corporate debt is staggering. The Fed’s balance sheet is a sea of monetized debt. The central banks have nothing left to fix another crash. And the stock markets are rocketing to record highs because of all this news.

We Might Be Doing Criminal Trials Backwards

August 13, 2014

Is it possible that we do criminal trials backwards? In the United States, criminal trials have two parts: *1. Determination of guilt or innocence *2. Determination of penalty Does that make sense? What if we did it the other way around? What if, first, the prosecutor and defense attorney had to convince the judge or jury of the appropriate punishment for the crime in question. In this phase, the state would present the facts of the case.

How Do You Justify the Death Penalty?

August 12, 2014

I’m not being judgmental or rhetorical with that title. I’m curious how other people deal with capital punishment. Here' my story: Once upon a time, I advocated for the death penalty. Loudly. Shrilly, at times. In the 1980s and into 1990s, I read a lot. Philosophical. Religious. Legal. Historical. Lots of angles, but few perspectives. You see, I sought out confirming information. I searched high and low for perspectives that would justify my own.

Is The Tea Party Suffering From Republican Fatigue Syndrome?

August 11, 2014

Maybe the chickens are coming home to roost for the GOP in St. Louis County. In my day job, I focus on two subjects: strategic behavioral science and analytics. Really smart people do most of the heavy analytics work. I deal with the human behavior (neuroeconomics, psychology, etc.). In our narrow field of loyalty and motivation, I think we’re the best in the business. Not me, but the people I work with.

3 Simple Questions for Chairman Priebus

August 11, 2014

On Saturday, I raised a concern about Erick Erickson’s handling of Reince Priebus at Erickson’s annual RedState Gathering. Today, Erick responded to widespread criticism of his decision to protect the GOP Chairman from questions about tactics in the Mississippi Republican Senate Runoff. Here’s the heart of Erickson’s answer: But there was more to it than me knowing people would be angry about Mississippi. First, many of the people told me what they wanted to ask Reince.

Are the Missouri August Primary results a fluke or the beginning of a trend?

August 10, 2014

Many Republican voters pulled a Democrat ballot August 5th, in St. Louis County. Having crossed over once, how many will do it again in November? It is no secret that the Republican legislature in Jefferson City has exhibited minimal leadership on major issues while spending most of a short legislative calendar talking about issues invented by lobbyists. Republican voters expected more. Many St. Louis County Republican voters are baffled by the absence of political ‘guts’ displayed in Jefferson City.

Why Is Erick Erickson Protecting Reince Priebus?

August 9, 2014

UPDATE: Welcome, Donald Trump fans! Thanks for reading. Yes, it’s true, I have had disagreements with Erick in the past. I try to assess the situation, not just the person. It’s possible to disagree with someone on one subject and to agree with them on another. If anything, Erick showed consistency by rescinding Trump’s invitation to Red State. Erick didn’t want the event to descend into chaos led by my friends over the Barbour episode; he doesn’t want a descent into chaos led by Donald Trump.

The Number One Reason People Hate Elections

August 8, 2014

I wrote previously that I hate elections. I have many reasons for hating elections. One reason, though, seems pretty common: horrible, insulting radio ads. Two ads really stick out: The negative ad that mentions the sponsoring candidate’s opponent(s) five times as often as it mentions the candidate you’re supposed to remember at the poll. The couple having a stilted, phony conversation about the sponsoring candidate using words and interruptions that no human being ever uttered or ever will.

Check Out The Missouri Torch

August 8, 2014

If you don’t get The Missouri Torch delivered to your inbox every day, you’re missing out. [caption id=“attachment_15201” align=“aligncenter” width=“1000”] Duane Lester’s Missouri Torch. www.themissouritorch.com[/caption] Duane Lester has built a fantastic blog. The Missouri Torch captures the most important Missouri political news every day and sends you a convenient link list. Plus, Duane’s original pieces are crisp, smart, witty, and dead on. And, like Rush Limbaugh, Duane is almost always right 99.

How Missouri's Legislature Can Increase Highway Funds

August 7, 2014

Now that Amendment 7 has gone down in flames, let’s look at highway funding in Missouri. Amendment 7 would have authorized a 3/4 cent sales tax increase in Missouri. The money was intended for transportation in the broadest sense of the word. Parks with dirt paths qualify, since people can walk on the paths. Even if the bill tightened down the definition of transportation, municipalities and counties would have merely shifted funds to other projects and replaced that money with Amendment 7 taxes.

Ed Martin Moves to Censure Henry Barbour Over Racist Mississippi Ads

August 7, 2014

Go Ed! A few weeks ago, hunkered down at my laptop in my hotel room in Jacksonville, Florida. I was exhausted from seven hours of travel and a time change. But I had to take a moment to recognize Ed Martin’s commitment to all the best the Republican Party stands for. Ed is determined to expose the GOP establishment’s willingness to do anything to destroy grassroots insurgents. Thad Cochran’s forces in Mississippi threw ethics, morality, and decency to the wind in their quest to stop a Tea Party candidate from unseating the 128-term Cochran.

7 Fascinating Results In The Missouri Primary

August 7, 2014

CORRECTION: My sincerest apologies for an inexcusable error in this post earlier. I erroneously congratulated my friend Martin Baker in the US House 1st District primary. I understand that Martin was about 500 votes short. I failed to verify information I received on the race, and I apologize for my irresponsibility. Well, this got people talking. (See the comments.) Yesterday was the Missouri Primary. Congratulations to Rick Stream and Jay Ashcrofton their wins in contested races for St.

What the Hell Is Up In Missouri's 2nd Congressional District?

August 6, 2014

No time for deep analysis tonight, but there’s a small political earthquake in St. Louis County. With over 90% of the precincts counted in the Missouri primary, incumbent Congresswoman Ann Wagner has only 500 more votes than her November challenger, Democrat Arthur Lieber. I get that this is a primary and that the St. Louis County Executive race drew a lot of attention. But Wagner won her seat in 2012 by 20 points.

Michelle Obama's Dictates Force Eureka High PTO To Beg

August 4, 2014

When did first ladies become dictators? Seriously. The president’s family has no more authority than anyone else. The reason people show contempt for activist spouses of presidents is the same reason history hates Marie Antoinette. I know, the all-Democrat Congress passed the school nutrition law in 2010, but Michelle Obama wrote it. Michelle Obama has dictated that no tasty foods may enter any school property. That ban includes school bake sales and snack shops which has PTOs scrambling to replace lost income.

My Biggest Regret of the Tea Party Movement

August 3, 2014

It was 2010. St. Louis was the epicenter of the Tea Party movement. Tea Party Patriots picked St. Louis to host the Gateway to November rally under the Arch. Unlike our rag-tag events, this one would be professional all the way: live music with Sounding Fathers, speakers you heard of before the movement began in February 2009, and real security. The guest speakers began rolling into town on Friday the tenth.

Self-Governance Is the Best Kept Secret in the Fight for Freedom

August 3, 2014

Thanks to MOPP for this fantastic summary for Center for Self-Governance training opportunities in the show me state. Includes links to enroll in class. FYI… TO: MOPP SUPPORTERS MOPP COUNTY COORDINATORS (please help spread this message by forwarding to your Missouri contacts/networks/thanks!) **_ _** **_ _** **_ _** Citizen involvement is “snowballing” across the State of Missouri as the Center for Self Governance adds more classes to its schedule.

This Wisconsin Police Chief Admits Illegal Harassment of Tea Party Leader, After Lying About It

August 1, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbYKydZ3T0Q The weird thing is: isn’t that Sharp Elbows questioning the Chief? When did he become a detective in Michigan? The chief pleaded nolo contendere to identity theft charges. He presented himself as a tea party leader signing up for embarrassing, sexual email lists. From the La Crosse Tea Party: A shocking update to the Town of Campbell Situation this week. Detective Spencer from Monroe County Sheriff’s department called and said that Campbell Police Chief Tim Kelemen confessed to harassment/internet stalking/identity theft regarding my complaint filed to La Crosse P.

Here's How I'm Voting August 5 (with printable grid of ballot measures) Update

July 31, 2014

You’d think being a political animal of sorts, election season would be my favorite time of year. It’s not. I hate elections. I hate the crappy, predictable radio ads (above all else). I know, they do it because it works. Well, not really, but I’m not going to give a free marketing statistics lesson here. (No one has any idea if the campaign formula works, because no body ever tries anything different.

Libertarian Is The New Mainstream

July 30, 2014

You don’t hear the word “mainstream” in political spin like you used to. Back in the late 1980s when Jack Kemp, Pat Robertson, Pete DuPont, Al Haig, and George H. W. Bush were battling to replace [caption id=“attachment_15090” align=“alignright” width=“300”] 1988 Republican Candidates[/caption] Ronald Reagan, “mainstream” was in. Candidates fought for the title of “mainstream Republican,” “mainstream Conservative,” “mainstream everything.” I’m glad that word went away. But I’m bringing it back, if only for one blog post.

Just Which Freedoms Are We Losing?

July 29, 2014

I confess. When I write about freedoms lost, I don’t itemize the freedoms. I don’t feel too bad, though, because almost no one does. Itemizing sucks. First, it’s hard work. “Losing freedom,” takes about three seconds to type and less time to read. Listing freedoms,on the other hand, takes that much time just to highlight all the freedoms and click the un-ordered list button. God forbid I find myself working in straight HTML and have to hand-type "

Surprised? Transportation Empowerment Act Was Ronald Reagan's Idea—In 1967!

July 28, 2014

Last week I blogged that Ronald Reagan would love the Transportation Empowerment Act (TEA). I included audio of Reagan talking to Bill Buckley on Firing Line about the burden on states from onerous federal taxes and grants. Forgive me, but that was sort of a tease. Here’s the meat: Reagan wrote a proposal for the Republican Governors' Conference of 1967 to allow states to keep about 2 percent of all federal taxes raised in the state.

If You Don't Comment Today, You'll Be Deleted From Hennessy's View

July 28, 2014

If you registered as a user but never commented AND you want to continue getting an email notification when new blogs are posted, all you have to do is COMMENT on this blog. Say anything, like “don’t delete me, bro.” Here’s why: my blog has about 8,000 registered users. That sounds great, I know, but it’s not. Most of these registered users are zombies. They were created by a spam bot so the bot could post spam comments.

Here Is Rand Paul's Secret to Broadening the Republican Base

July 27, 2014

Have you ever felt like tuning out, giving up, and just riding out whatever storm comes down the pipe next? I have. Many times. Every week. Sometimes more than once a day. I think we can both give ourselves a pass on that feeling. In fact, I think we can both give ourselves a pass on acting on that feeling. It’s okay to check out occasionally. Everyone needs a break now and then.

What Francis Slay Won't Tell You About Missouri Roads—VIDEO

July 27, 2014

Proponents of Amendment 7 are telling a lot of lies. (I’m looking at you, St. Louis Business Journal.) The biggest lie involves the quality of Missouri’s roads and bridges. While Mayor Slay and the St. Louis Business Journal tell you Missouri’s roads are “crumbling," two independent studies say the opposite. In fact, Missouri has some of the best roads in the country. Via Show-Me Institute (h/tDarin Morley): We have often commented that Missouri is “middle of the pack” in various state rankings.

You Can Reclaim the 4th Amendment the 5th of August

July 25, 2014

Listen to my short podcast about Missouri’s Constitutional Amendment, Amendment 9–the Electronic Data Protection Act. [audio mp3=“https://hennessysview.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/HennessyView_20140714.mp3”][/audio] And don’t forget to vote YES on Amendment 9. Restore the4th Amendment. You can read more about Amendment 9 on Ballotpedia. And here’s the Missouri ACLU’s page on Amendment 9.

It Wasn't Reagan's 11th Commandment, and He Didn't Obey It Anyway

July 21, 2014

When a Republican invokes “Reagan’s Sacred and Holy and Inviolable Eleventh Commandment,” (in nomine Patris et Filii et Spritus Sancti, Amen), you can rest assured you’re witnessing a frightened establishment type trying get himself out of trouble. It’s actually comical to watch these guys: shaking with rage, forcing one of those pained, contraindicative grins as they wag a hostile finger at a woman a quarter their size. “Thou shalt NOT speak ill of a fellow Republican!

How To Be President When Russia Goes Berserk Starring Ronald Reagan

July 18, 2014

Since the scrawny punk from Chicago still hasn’t figured it out, this President 101 lesson delivered without further comment: https://youtu.be/9VA4W1wDMAk?t=18s Previously on Hennessy’s View: We Interrupt This World War For a Democratic Fundraiser

We Interrupt This World War For a Democratic Fundraiser

July 17, 2014

[caption id=“attachment_14949” align=“alignright” width=“300”]“What, me worry?"[/caption] Russian troops or Russian proxies murdered 293 people, today, including 23 Americans by many reports. Israel was forced to invade Gaza to destroy tunnels Hamas uses to invade Israel and murder children. The world teeters on the brink of all-out war. But the President refused to cancel partisan fundraising efforts tonight. Via The Blaze: At 2:25 p.m., the White House press office e-mailed a response to an inquiry from TheBlaze, “No scheduling changes to be reported at this time.

Ashcroft Passes on Opportunity to Deny Medicaid Expansion Fix

July 17, 2014

Last week, I wrote about the Missouri Republican Establishment’s plan to win a windfall for lobbyist Kit Bond via Senate candidate Jay Ashcroft. Not that the Establishment cares about Bond, but they want Medicaid expansion passed before they beg for money for 2016 from the Missouri Hospital Association and Chamber of Commerce. Well, the St. Louis Post Dispatch asked Ashcroft about the deal, and he couldn’t quite bring himself to deny that he would pass Medicaid expansion if elected.

Francis Slay Destroys the Transportation Sales Tax Trying to Support It UPDATE

July 16, 2014

Doesn’t it suck when Jay Nixon and Francis Slay get on opposite sides of an issue? Where do we go? They’re on opposite sides of Amendment 7, the largest tax increase in Missouri history. And you need to choose a side before August 5, because the ball’s in the voters' court. But there’s no need to fear; Hennessy is here. And I heard Francis the talking Mayor on KMOX this morning (or maybe it was yesterday) talking about how much he loves, Loves, LOVES the 3/4 cent sales tax increase theoretically for transportation.

Video: Ronald Reagan Wants the Transportation Empowerment Act

July 13, 2014

Want to fix Missouri’s roads and cut taxes at the same time? Well, two American conservative icons showed us the way almost 50 years ago. The Establishment likes to attack grassroots conservatives by claiming Reagan would have opposed the Tea Party. They’re wrong, of course, and the Transportation Empowerment Act tells us why. In 1967, shortly after Ronald Reagan became governor of California, William F. Buckley Jr. asked Governor Reagan if was even possible to be an effective governor.

Chairman Ed Martin Demands Mississippi Investigation

July 10, 2014

I’m on the road this week, but I’m thrilled to get this email from Missouri GOP Chairman Ed Martin: Over the past few days, I have reached out to many but not all of you about some of what MissouriRepublicans were asking about re Mississippi especially about the racially divisive ads run in support of Senator Cochran. Many of you gave me good advice, some were silent, and I got lots of input from Mississippi too.

Obama's Katrina

July 10, 2014

Visuals: Some of the thousands of children suffering in a humanitarian disaster at the US border on the top of the split screen. On the bottom, President Obama drinking beer and shooting pool with locals 246 miles away. Audio: President on deploying National Guard to alleviate humanitarian crisis: “I’d be happy to consider it,” but it would be “a temporary solution.” Face it: the press was going to blame George Bush for Katrina no matter what.

I Am a Right-Leaning Libertarian

July 8, 2014

What political label do you give yourself? Yesterday, I blogged about calling myself a Republican. I was a kid. Then, from about 1996 on, I called myself a conservative. Over the past year or so, I’ve taken on the label of libertarian. Now, a simple online test confirms that I’m a right-leaning conservative. [Take the test yourself] That’s exciting, because I feel like I need a new label. Labels Matter I know there was a movement a couple of years ago to abolish political and ideological labels.

One Irrefutable Definition of Leadership from Tom Landry

July 7, 2014

It’s funny, really, that America celebrates the day we signed up to fight a brutal war for independence, not the day that war was won. But I want to write about football. I’ve always hated the Dallas Cowboys. Cut me a little slack, though. I was a Big Red fan from childhood, and a season ticket holder from 1978 to 1983. (“Big Red” refers to the St. Louis Football Cardinals for those of you under 40.

Thad Cochran's Pyrrhic Win

July 6, 2014

A Pyrrhic victory is a victory with such a devastating cost that it is tantamount to defeat. Someone who wins a Pyrrhic victory has been victorious in some way; however, the heavy toll negates any sense of achievement or profit (another term for this would be “hollow victory”). — from Wikipedia I keep some things in a little box in my bedroom. Some Navy and submarine mementos, some letters, favorite photos of the kids that mean things only to me.

I Saw Dinesh D'Souza's America So Now You Have To

July 5, 2014

What if America didn’t exist? That’s the premise of Dinesh D’Souza’s new movie America: Imagine the world without her. (Find a theatre near you.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyD13lvE_U0 Last Wednesday, my wife took Samantha, Jordan, and me to see the movie to kick off Independence Day weekend. Even without the movie, this July 4th was special for me. My son, Jack, re-enlisted in the US Navy on board the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor.

2 Awesome Military Stories for Independence Day Weekend

July 5, 2014

I love this video. And I’m going to ask you a small favor for my son Jack, so please read all. WARNING: Strong Language https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj6AXvkBnv4 What’s So Great About It? You have to love this American Army sergeant telling the Iraqi police how it is in strong language. Perhaps if the Iraqi police had listened, they wouldn’t be defending Baghdad against the Islamic State right now. But they are. I know some of you might object to this sergeant’s direct assault on these men’s manhood and character.

Chamber Royale

July 4, 2014

Lynd: So as charming as you are, Mister Bond, I’ll be keeping my eye on the government’s money and off your perfectly formed arse. Bond: You noticed. Lynd: Even accountants have imaginations. — from Casino Royale, 2006 You have to ask “why?” Why would national Republicans like Roy Blunt, Ann Wagner, Billy Long, and Jason Smith jump into a State Senate primary? The race to replace Senator John Lamping in Missouri’s 24th State Senate district is attracting major attention from Missouri’s US Congress delegation.

10 Missouri Candidates No One Told You About

June 30, 2014

How many times have you thought, “I really don’t care for the Republican, but I’ll never vote for a Democrat?” How does that thought make you feel? Weak or strong? Impotent or powerful? Eager or dispirited? Do you know why you feel forced to choose between the lesser of two evils? Because you want to. In almost every race, you have more than two choices. In the 2014 US House elections in Missouri, ballots in all eight districts will have a Libertarian or independent candidate, or both.

The Masque of the Red Death - American Style

June 29, 2014

The “Red Death” had long devastated the country. No pestilence had ever been so fatal, or so hideous. Blood was its Avatar and its seal—the redness and the horror of blood. There were sharp pains, and sudden dizziness, and then profuse bleeding at the pores, with dissolution. The scarlet stains upon the body and especially upon the face of the victim, were the pest ban which shut him out from the aid and from the sympathy of his fellow-men.

Not All Lies Are Meant To Fool

June 27, 2014

What line of work was Tony Soprano in? Waste management. Did Tony Soprano expect people to believe he was in waste management? No. Tony Soprano expected people realize he was a wise guy and treat him with due respect–or what you and I call fear. Some lies are meant to make the liar seem more successful or more talented or better than he thinks he is. Trust me, I’ve done it.

What To Do About the New Political Dichotomy

June 25, 2014

What do we do with the plank? Yesterday I wrote about a new political dichotomy in America. This new dichotomy supersedes or suspends all other political dichotomies: left vs. right, Democrat vs. Republican, etc. This new American political dichotomy is elites vs. plebeians. Elites and Plebeians Think of elites as the people who donate lots of money and give lots of favors to the party in power in exchange for favors.

The New American Political Dichotomy

June 24, 2014

Before we get to politics, I want to tell you about a business exercise. The Universal Veto Game Sometimes my job as a consultant involves helping people decide what to do when no ideas have a consensus. Sure, someone in a hierarchy can dictate terms, but dictated solutions don’t really work in business. Cooperation and collaboration are too important for success, and dictated terms are usually executed half-assed. So we play this game.

How Crony Capitalism Spreads Bureaucracy

June 23, 2014

St. Louisan Eric Greitens did more before graduating from college than most people do in a lifetime. And, as if to insult us all, after college, Eric became a Navy SEAL. In his remarkable book, The Heart and the Fist: The education of a humanitarian, the making of a Navy SEAL , Greitens tells the story of a man who seems too good to be true. Seriously. And the book left me with two big impressions–probably the wrong ones, but that’s how I am.

3 Crystal-Clear Images From The Republican Primary De-Cantor

June 16, 2014

“Shellacked!” That was the word that stuck out to me. Eric Cantor, the Republican House Majority Leader led by 34 points according to his pollster. He lost by 10. That’s a shellacking. Eric Cantor was the first sitting House Majority Leader ever knocked off in a primary. Cantor was also one of Wall Street’s best friends and the embodiment of crony capitalism—the disease eating the heart out of the GOP.

How Missouri Republicans Made Jay Nixon Look Like a Statesman

June 6, 2014

You know how reckless and tone-deaf Obama is about Army deserters? Missouri’s House and Senate Republican leaders are just as clueless and irresponsible about money. Yes, I said it: the Missouri Republican legislature is about as conservative and principled as Susan Rice on a Sunday talk show. By going on a votes-for-cash spending spree on the last day of the General Assembly, the House and Senate handed Jay “Idiot” Nixon a PR prize worth its weight in pork.

Mark Your Calendar for June 19

June 5, 2014

Thanks to Ben Evans of Heritage Action for America and Michelle Moore of St. Louis Tea Party Coalition, you have a treat coming on June 19. Heritage Action/St. Louis Tea Party Social: June 19 On Thursday, June 19 at 6:30pm, we will gather informally at Scarecrow in Chesterfield, 1095 Chesterfield Parkway. All are welcome. Appetizers will be provided. Come down and enjoy the company of fellow grassroots activists. If you have friends who think Tea Partiers are “too extreme” or “racist” or whatever, bring them along.

Why I'm Changing My Mind About Impeaching Obama

June 3, 2014

A lot of good people I know grumble that the House Republicans don’t try to impeach Obama. I usually don’t say much in response. After the disaster of the ill-conceived Clinton impeachment fiasco,** impeachment seems like a superstition**. Like a unicorn. I think impeachment is a dangerous tool and should never be used for political purposes. Besides, Harry Reid’s Senate wouldn’t consider articles of impeachment if they included NSA video of Obama throwing adorable, drooling toddlers off the George Washington Bridge.

Memorial Day 2014

May 26, 2014

Not all casualties of war die in the field. Or even during hostilities. We’ve learned that some of our warriors died because they landed on a “secret waiting list.” Bureaucrats love pleasing their bosses. They live for it. In the case of the Veterans Administration, bureaucrats fired the final shot in the wars of at least 40 American warriors. Sadly, the American government proved a deadlier foe than Hitler, Tito, Saddam, or bin Laden to some of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines.

When Did It Get So Late?

May 24, 2014

I knew it was getting late. I was leaving work, walking to my car, when I got a text message. My nephew scored two tickets to Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.I texted my son, Patrick, to see if he was home. I planned to fly home, put on my Blues sweater, grab Patrick, and fly down to the Scot. But Patrick didn’t need a ride or a ticket. He was already on his way to the game with a friend.

Why I Cried and Made My Bed

May 23, 2014

I cried this morning. At work. Tears of shame. Every day when I get to work, I go through a thirty-minute routine. I write down the 3 things I want to accomplish that day. I write down my appointments. I write down a one-sentence prayer. I copy a quote to guide me. With the time remaining, I learn one new thing. Today that one thing I learned was humbling. Shameful, actually.

What Happened to the Tea Party?

May 22, 2014

I’ll give Business Insider some credit. After Tea Party-backed candidates came up empty across the board in Tuesday’s Republican primaries, the website that has spent years maligning our rule-of-law movement could have taken the low road. Instead, blogger Brett Logiurato wrote a fair assessment of what’s happened to the GOP since February 27, 2009. The much-talked about Republican “civil war” is over, at least for the people who thought it even existed in the first place.

Four Reforms for the 2014-2015 St. Louis Blues

April 27, 2014

If you’re reading this, the Blues blew it. Again. I’m writing this six hours before Game 6 against the Chicago Blackhawks. If I wait to write this after the game, I’ll get a lot of complaints about foul language. Yes, I expect the Blackhawks to end the Blues’ delusions of Market Street parades this afternoon. The Blues’ tenacity, hitting, and heart can’t overcome their lack of goal scoring and playoff goaltending.

So Far, Blues Playoff Run Is Carbon Copy of 2013

April 27, 2014

I told my nephew Scott that I was worried about the parallels between this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 and last year’s bitter collapse to the LA Kings. That conversation happened last Sunday at an Easter party. The Blues were up 2-0 at the time, preparing for Game 3 in Chicago. My trepidation stemmed from the pattern emerging: ** Blues playing defending Stanley Cup Champions in Round 1 ** Steen wins Game 1 on overtime goal ** Jackman scores game winner in Game 2

What the ACLU Teaches Us About Cliven Bundy

April 26, 2014

In 1977, the National Socialist Party (Nazi) applied to march and rally in Skokie, Illinois. Few communities want Nazis marching down their streets, but Skokie held a stronger case against the Nazis than most towns in America. About one person in every six of Skokie’s large Jewish population was a Nazi prison camp survivor. The debate was clear-cut: American Nazis claimed the right of free speech while their Jewish “targets” claimed the right to live without intimidation.

Jonah Goldberg Perfectly Defines the GOP Establishment

April 19, 2014

I hope you read Jonah Goldberg’s short article on National Review Online last week. If not, you missed the best definition of Establishment Republicans EVER! Goldberg’s piece also exploded the myth of “pro-business” way too many conservatives believe. Conservatism isn’t pro-business, it’s pro-market. I’ll let Jonah explain: Just to clarify, the difference between being pro-business and pro-market is categorical. A politician who is a “friend of business” is exactly that, a guy who does favors for his friends.

Rockwood School Board Quid Pro Quo?

April 13, 2014

From the “see, I told ya so” file . . . Rockwood NEA President Suzanne Dotta worked hard to influence the recent school board election. The candidates Ms. Dotta pushed won. The new board hired Ms. Dotta as Director of Professional Learning within 72 hours of the election. I expect Ms. Dotta to teach Rockwood’s professionals how to game the system for personal gain at taxpayer expense. If you’d like to question this apparent quid pro quo, the next Rockwood Board meeting is April 24.

Yes, the Government Should Fear the People

April 13, 2014

Every inch of US territory is a Constitutionally guaranteed free-speech zone. I am all for arresting and prosecuting without mercy any government employee–including military–who attempt to limit the size or scope of this zone. During the Bundy Ranch standoff in Nevada, the Bureau of Land Management set up “free-speech zones.” I prefer to call them “First Amendment pens.” The government uses these pens to segregate people. The US government says, “If you want to speak your mind, you may do so only within the pen.

The Government’s Surrender to Cliven Bundy Destroys Taleb’s Weak Argument for Gun Control

April 12, 2014

Events of the past week show the power of the Second Amendment to challenge government tyranny, regardless of the government’s firepower advantage. Let me back up, though. A Smart Man’s Stupid Argument for Gun Control A year ago, the gun control lobby pumped a Facebook post by Nassim Nicholas Taleb, one of my favorite thinkers. In his post, Taleb argued that the Second Amendment means nothing because the federal government has massively superior firepower:

Asia's Open and NIKKEI Is Diving

April 7, 2014

The NIKKEI Is down 1.56% already. This comes on the heels of a terrible day in US momentum stocks Friday. Also Abenomics begins it’s tax-hike phase tomorrow when Japan’s national sales jumps 60%, to 8 percent from 5 percent. Zerohedge plots Japan’s despair

Adam Weinstein and His Call to Jail Global Warming Skeptics

March 31, 2014

“Yet, in holding scientific research and discovery in respect, as we should, we must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific-technological elite.” –President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Farewell Address, 1961 A young man named Adam Weinstein recently called for incarceration of disbelievers in the cult of catastrophic anthropogenic global warming (CAGW). His argument mirrors the argument Goebbels used in 1930s to quash dissent from eugenics and to take immediate policy actions for the betterment of humanity.

Maybe I'm All Wrong About Putin and Poland

March 31, 2014

When you’ve stated your opinion or belief about something important, do you defend your belief to the hilt? Or do you immediately begin questioning your own conclusions? Most of my life, I would defend my opinion to the point of losing friends. Even if I was wrong. Even I knew I was wrong. I’m a coward, what can I say? I’m trying to get better, though. One practice I’ve developed and recommend to everyone is pretty simple but difficult.

Eileen Tyrrell Is Only Rockwood Candidate In It For All Stakeholders

March 29, 2014

Eileen Tyrrell is the only candidate who represents ALL the stakeholders in Rockwood School District. While other candidates focus on more money for the system, Eileen focuses on using Rockwood’s (embarrassingly) ample resources better. Here’s what you need to ask youself: Do you plan to fulfill your duty to vote on April 8? What time of day do you plan to vote? Where will be and what will you be doing immediately before you go to vote?

King Abdullah Kicks Obama Out of Saudia Arabia ? Video Added

March 29, 2014

You’d think American foreign policy couldn’t sink any lower than standing by while Vladimir Putin re-conquers the Warsaw Pact nations. Then you’ve underestimated Barack Obama’s incompetence. Apparently, Obama didn’t bow low enough to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. Whatever happened, an “intimate” evening planned for Obama and Abdullah was abruptly cancelled after a two-hour meeting between the two leaders. A meeting intended to “mend fences” between the two men. UPDATE: Here’s the video from Lou Dobbs on Fox Business

Stop By Tony Pousosa's Campaign HQ Saturday

March 26, 2014

Just got a reminder from Tony Pousosa, Republican for St. Louis County Executive: We will be opening up our campaign HQs on Saturday 3/29 at 5pm. 111 Clarkson Executive Park, Ellisville, MO 63011. Please join us if you can. I plan to stop by. You should, too.

Tony Pousosa for County Executive

March 25, 2014

Don’t you just love brash upstarts? People with verve and moxie? I do. I like pesky guys full of gumption, like Vladimir Sobotka. I like energetic young political activists like Kenny Newhouse. And I like bold conservative organizers like Eileen Tyrrell. In fact, nothing pleases me more than seeing young, libertarian-ish Republicans making the establishment squirm. Sometimes the squirming establishment is as small as a GOP township or a school district.

Now, the White House Says Russia Preparing to Invade Ukraine

March 23, 2014

This morning, a White House aide told reporters that Obama’s sanctions are visibly “weakening” Putin and Russia. Hours later, the White House recognizes that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could come any moment. Speaking from the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, Mike Rogers, the chair of the House of Representatives intelligence committee, said US intelligence officials were convinced “that Putin is not done in Ukraine”. Surprise. As I’ve written, Russian paranoia demands a larger sphere of influence and a large buffer of puppet governments, all the way to the German border with Poland.

What Would You Do If You Were Putin?

March 23, 2014

You saw Obama stand by as you threatened Georgia in 2009. You heard Obama whisper to Medvedev that he’ll be willing to defy Congress to capitulate to you after Obama’s re-election. You watched Obama and his bumbling Secretary of State mangle its its own strategy in Syria—if the US ever had a Syrian strategy at all. You saw that the US was completely unprepared for your annexation of Crimea. You see the headlines of massive NSA spying on US citizens, though that same NSA was blind to your invasion of Ukraine.

5 Secrets Politicians Don't Want You to Know

March 20, 2014

How long has it been since you said, “they just don’t listen to us?” By “they,” you mean politicians, of course. Maybe you feel they listen to lobbyists and big corporations and banksters, but they don’t listen to their constituents. I have to agree with you. Politicians don’t listen to their constituents. They don’t even know who their constituents are. They know demographics and statistics about their constituents, but that’s like saying you know how a banana tastes because you read a chemical assay report of its contents.

What Will Putin Do?

March 18, 2014

Ask yourself this: why did the stock markets rally today after Obama announced sanctions against Russians? I’ll get back to that, but first some background. I’ve often said that Putin plays chess while Obama fumbles with checkers. I picture our president, chin resting on fist, brows squeezed in childlike concentration, as he carefully chooses between jumping Putin’s piece to end the game or getting another of his pieces “kinged.” Of course, Obama goes for the kingship.

1.2 Million Reasons to Vote for Eileen Tyrrell on April 8

March 17, 2014

Do you live in Rockwood School District? I do. My kids all went to Rockwood schools. My wife taught in a Rockwood school for three years. The teachers in Rockwood tend to think a lot like the people who live here. They’re not a bunch of wacked-out lefties. Not most of them. Still, that good education has come with HUGE price tag. Rockwood is one of the most expensive districts in Missouri.

The Week: March 17, 2014

March 17, 2014

Here’s a roundup of what to look for in the coming week. St. Louis Monday, 12:30 p.m.: The Ancient Order of Hibernians' Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dogtown. Get there early. Give yourself time to park and walk. Dress warmly. Wednesday, 5:00 p.m.: Protest of St. Louis Archdiocese for its promotion of City-County Merger. Location is Lindell and Grand. Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.: The activist who helped expose scandal, waste, and corruption at Rockwood School District is running for the Rockwood School Board.

This Book Predicted Russia's Ukraine Adventure. Poland's Next.

March 16, 2014

Did you ever read a book and think, “I need to tell people about this?” Then you didn’t tell people about it. I mean, you didn’t blog about it. You didn’t “officially” proclaim the book “required reading.” Then something happened that you knew could happen because of the book, but you don’t get credit for calling it because you never got around to pumping the book. That’s how I feel today.

4 Steps To Negotiating With a Politician

March 15, 2014

Have you ever said, “vote them all out?” Do you sometimes think anybody would do a better job than the incumbent? Do you feel you have no influence in Jefferson City, Springfield, or Washington? Do you feel that way because you don’t have thousands of dollars to donate and rich friends with oodles of cash you can bundle? I feel that way all the time. Ask my friends Ben Evans and Michelle Moore.

Why Do Messages Backfire?

March 5, 2014

In the 1970s, a magazine ad for Benson & Hedges cigarettes portrayed a hockey fight. Two players slug it out. Sticks and gloves litter the ice. The point of view is on-ice, in the midst of the scrum. The crowd is on its feet, banging the glass. You’re right there with linesmen trying to break it up. The hockey gloves are Coopers. Every hockey player knows the name. In the photo, one of the gloves has been doctored.

Why Roy Blunt Needs a Psychologist

March 3, 2014

Senator Roy Blunt (HA-57) proposed that all Obamacare ads contain a disclaimer: “Paid for by the American Taxpayer.” I get the idea. I can’t stand it when my tax dollars buy ads intended to raise my taxes. It means I’m fighting against myself. Still, I don’t like Senator Blunt’s plan because I think it could backfire. The Psychology of Ownership Right now, few people have a sense of ownership of Obamacare.

The Tea Party Is 5 Years Old Today

March 1, 2014

If you were out on the Arch steps on February 27, 2009, take a moment to consider what’s happened. ** From near-spontaneous reaction to bailouts, corporate takeovers, and profligate government spending emerged the largest and most sustained political movement since the 1960s ** Both the GOP and Democrat Party are minority parties, as independents have surged ** A new generation identifies with libertarian ideals like freedom from government spying, freedom from failed wars on activities war was never meant to stop, insane spending, the opaque and manipulative Federal Reserve, government manipulation of information, IRS abuse of political groups, and Obamacare.

Free Tickets For Heritage Action Skills Clinic Thursday Only 20 Tix Left!

February 26, 2014

Ben Evans of Heritage Action has free tickets for his Activist Skills Training. There are still tickets available to the Skills Clinic on Thursday, February 27: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stl-skills-tickets-10683495623 Holding Congress accountable can be tough work. Whether you are new to the fight or a seasoned activist, the Heritage Action Skills Clinic will help you better engage Congress, so your voice can be heard. Join fellow liberty-minded, conservatives for this FREE training as we provide the tools to take meaningful action.

5 Years Ago Today, The Tea Party Was Born On a Phone Call

February 21, 2014

Give all due credit to Rick Santelli. His rant inspired a movement. But words don’t wear boots. More images like this one available at Doctor Bulldog: https://doctorbulldog.wordpress.com/2009/02/27/st-louis-tea-party-by-the-arch/ At 7:00 pm on February 20, Mike Leahy, Eric Odom, Jenny Beth Martin, Michelle Moore, Brooks Bayne, and a few others hijacked the TCOT conference call to answer Santelli’s call for a Tea Party in Chicago. Two days after that, I posted this on Hennessy’s View:St.

I was talking about defunding Obamacare before it was cool

February 17, 2014

Okay, I’m fired up. I’m fired up about Obamacare. I don’t know what got me onto this, exactly. I talked to Jim Durbin tonight, so maybe that was it. I’ve been looking for video of a speech I gave at the Million Med March in Clayton, MO, in 2009. Two-friggin-thousand-and-nine. (I’m a quarter German, so I hold a grudge.) I found it. Here’s the clip I’ve wanted to show Congress since last August.

We Interrupt This Blog To Gloat Over T.J. Oshie and Team USA

February 15, 2014

TV hockey color man Eddie Olczyk said during the USA vs. Slovakia game that TJ Oshie would become well-known in the hockey world during these Olympics. Eddie nailed it. @OSH74 scored 4 shootout goals in 6 chances to lead Team USA to 3-2 win over Russia this morning. The official St. Louis Blues website: T.J. Sochi! [caption id=“attachment_14348” align=“aligncenter” width=“666”] Get your tickets at stlouisblues.com[/caption] Check out these Bruins fans at a Boston bar:

Obama: Year of Action Figure

January 29, 2014

Constitution Not Included

Companies Should Adopt Conscious Capitalism Because It Pays

January 28, 2014

You’re going to hit me with the small sample size argument here, but that’s okay. I firmly believe that the purpose of a company is to make life better, and if it does that well, it will make a profit. If, on the other hand, a company makes life worse, the market should let that company die. Some companies try to improve life with insanely great technology products. Some make life better with fast, safe cars that are fun to drive.

Let's Not Prove Karl Marx Right

January 27, 2014

Karl Marx foresaw something that’s now playing out. As corporations cut labor costs to increase profits, they also destroy the markets for their goods and services. This chart shows corporate profits (red) and wages as a percentage of GDP (blue) from 1944 to 2012: [caption id=“attachment_14282” align=“aligncenter” width=“634”] Corporate Profits vs. Wages as Percentage of GDP, 1944-2012[/caption] When the blue line is higher than the red line, you get savings. For the red line to hang above the blue line, you need debt.

A Freaky Index Says 2014 Will See Economic Crash

January 17, 2014

I wanted to write this post earlier today, so you’d all think I’m really smart. But I had to work until 10:00 tonight. I never go to it. Now, things are happening that might make this post less prescient. I’m writing it anyway. The Weirdest Index The financial world has a lot of weird indexes. They’re all correlation, no causation. And many of them fail under scrutiny. But one freaky index even has banks worried.

Here's What Chris Christie Got Right

January 10, 2014

I stand by my assessment that Chris Christie’s leadership and management played a role in the retaliatory shutdown of Fort Lee’s access lanes to the George Washington Bridge. Yesterday,I compared the GWB scandal to several Obama scandals. I pointed out that conservatives must apply the same standards to Christie as we did to Obama when the IRS scandal broke. Today, let’s look at Christie’s response and contrast it to Obama’s.

Why "Time for Some Traffic Problems in Fort Lee" Matters

January 9, 2014

One argument put forth by conservatives–and even some liberals–regarding the IRS scandal was this: Obama set a tone that encouraged IRS workers to harass conservative and Tea Party groups. He didn’t have to give a direct order. His tone and statements clearly condoned such criminal behavior toward his political enemies. Kimberly Strassel at WSJ.com: Mr. Obama didn’t need to pick up the phone. All he needed to do was exactly what he did do, in full view, for three years: Publicly suggest that conservative political groups were engaged in nefarious deeds; publicly call out by name political opponents whom he’d like to see harassed; and publicly have his party pressure the IRS to take action.

Missouri Statewide Right to Work Meeting Wednesday January 8

January 8, 2014

Use your snow day to join the opening of the Missouri General Assembly Speaker of the House Tim Jones • Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder Representative Eric Burlison and Senator Ed Emery * State Capitol in the beautiful House Lounge next to room 308 201 W. Capitol Ave. Jefferson City, MO Wednesday, January 8th at 10am (be early) Questions? Mary Hill [email protected] Statewide Right to Work Meeting Afterwards in Hearing room 7 starting at noon!

Here's What Marijuana Does To You

January 7, 2014

Last week’s Weednesday Post generated several comments that took my side but the facts wrong. Specifically, a couple of commenters claimed “marijuana is harmless.” That’s not true. While cannabis may be have fewer harmful effects than alcohol and tobacco, someone who abstains from all three will be healthier mentally and physically than the same person smoking pot. On the other hand, a lot proponents of prohibition throw around bad science, too.

How To Crush Lobbying

January 6, 2014

Ben Sasse wants to break the back of lobbying and crony capitalism by moving the seat of government from Washington to Nebraska. Sasse is a Republican candidate for US Senate from Nebraska. Who doesn’t want to cripple lobbying? But Sasse’s plan won’t cripple lobbying. It will inconvenience lobbyists for a year while they resettle in the Midwest. Then it’s back to business as usual. Before you throw up your hands and say “it’s hopeless,” here’s an idea that might actually end lobbying as we know it.

This Is What Happens When I Blog About Cannabis Law Reform

January 6, 2014

I blog about tea party stuff 90 percent of the time. I get decent readership with those blogs, and I appreciate my loyal followers. Very much. But as long as I write about stuff only conservatives and activist libertarians care about, only conservatives and libertarians will read my blog. That means our ideas won’t escape the echo chamber we’ve been yelling in for years. When I write about the conservative/libertarian perspective on issues of wider interest, though, I bring in people who never otherwise read our views.

Here Are My Replies to Most Serious Arguments Against Ending Cannabis Prohibitions

January 4, 2014

I repeated my New Year’s Day tradition of proposing cannabis law reform in Missouri and America last Wednesday. The post has generated a lot of serious discussion. I have to thank, especially, Dennis Broadbooks and Lisa, Culture Vigilante, for raising valid issues. Many others commented as well. I will work through your comments as the blizzard rolls through this weekend. But I wanted to pull my reply to Dennis and Lisa and to link directly to their most salient comments.

The War on Weed Is Over, and Republicans Lost

January 2, 2014

The Republicans are the Leon Spinks of politics these days. Remember Leon Spinks? He beat Muhammad Ali. Then he got arrested a bunch, gained a lot of weight, and lost to Ali a few months later. He was pretty much done. And Ali was like 50 when Spinks lost to him. Spinks had the whole world served up on a plate. He tried to eat it all at once. He choked on it.

2013 Will Go Down As A Very Weird Year

December 30, 2013

The other one was 1975. At least in my lifetime. 1975 was weird for good reasons and bad. Saturday Night Live debuted with the Not Ready For Prime Time Players: Dan Akroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtain, Gilda Radner, and Garrett Morris. President Gerald Ford tried to stop inflation with WIN buttons (seriously). New York City faced bankruptcy, but, after initially saying ‘drop dead,’ Gerry Ford ended up bailing it out with $2.

Why Progressives and New Yorkers Should Fear Bill de Blasio

December 26, 2013

Have you ever wondered why moments end? I wrote about the Irish Moment and the Jewish Moment and the Gay Moment on Saturday. Three Moments enjoyed by identifiable groups of Americans. Moments that ended when the groups joined the main plot of the American story, leaving the artistic sub-plot to the next in line. Demographics offer only one kind of Moment, though. There are cultural moments and fashion moments and, of course, political moments.

Why Christmas 2013 Is The Most Important Christmas Ever

December 25, 2013

The only Christmas I remember getting everything I wanted was in 1975. First, I was finally old enough (12) to not be so shallow and needy and get pissed off if I didn’t exactly what I wanted. Santa Claus and my parents and sisters were really good to me, but until 1975 I could still get worked up if the Erector Set I got wasn’t the 118-piece set with real electric motor.

Merry Christmas

December 25, 2013

H/T Bob the retiree Trying to keep the old Christian virtues in check on Christmas.

This I know to be true

December 25, 2013

The vices are, indeed, let loose, and they wander and do damage. But the virtues are let loose also; and the virtues wander more wildly, and the virtues do more terrible damage. The modern world is full of the old Christian virtues gone mad. The virtues have gone mad because they have been isolated from each other and are wandering alone. Thus some scientists care for truth; and their truth is pitiless.

Ghosts Organize in Alton, Illinois

December 23, 2013

Alton, Illinois — Spirits of the dead in the river city of Alton, Illinois, voted last night to organize as a union affiliated with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Everett Johnson, a lawyer representing the ghosts, says he will begin negotiations with the town’s haunted house tour guides, spirit shops, and even owners of haunted properties. “The living have been exploiting these tortured souls for decades,” Johnson told Hennessy’s View.

How the AP, Huffpo, and Business Insider Lie About Climate

December 22, 2013

Dina Spector breathlessly reports that “December Heat Wave Smashes Temperature Records In New York City” on Business Insider. Her hysteria relies on a Huffington Post piece which relies on an AP story. And they’re all wrong. I checked with NOAA on record temperature maximums in the US on December 21, 2013. There were none. [caption id=“attachment_14162” align=“aligncenter” width=“941”] NOAA Record Highs for 12/21/2013[/caption] The “record” high temperature that Dina, HuffPo, and AP reported was from an unofficial thermometer in Central Park.

How Phil Robertson, Duck Dynasty, and A&E Killed the Gay Moment

December 22, 2013

Have you ever seen a moment end? I watched Duck Dynasty once or twice. I don’t get it. That makes me different. Fourteen million people watch the show every week. That’s more than watch any other show on television. Clearly, I’m a little odd, especially among conservatives. That’s okay. I’m used to being weird. I never expected that a reality TV show would stop a “moment.” But that’s exactly what’s happened.

Here's a Secret about the GOP My Friends Told Me Not To Share

December 18, 2013

I nearly killed my nephew, Scott, when he was about seven-years-old. I was 15 or so. We were at Sunnen Lake near Potosi, Missouri. My dad worked at Sunnen Products, and the company provided Sunnen Lake as a free recreation spot for employees and retirees. (Pretty cool perk.) The recreation complex was pretty rustic then. About ten cabins, a recreation hall with ping-pong and a huge fireplace. The big parking lot near the Rec Hall was covered with pea-size brown and tan gravel held in place by an eight-inch railroad tie wall.

The Ultimate Guide to Becoming Divergent

December 16, 2013

A_t least once every human should have to run for his life, to teach him that milk does not come from supermarkets, that safety does not come from policemen, that ‘news’ is not something that happens to other people. He might learn how his ancestors lived and that he himself is no different–in the crunch his life depends on his agility, alertness, and personal resourcefulness.”_- Robert Heinlein I’m falling in love with teenage girls.

Guest Post: An Open Letter to Millennials from Bob the Retiree

December 14, 2013

Submitted by Bob, the retiree: To the Millennials of America, All you sniveling, whining, crybaby Millennials need to quit your complaining and get signed up with Obamacare as soon as possible. We really don’t care what it costs you. I am retired now and drawing my Social Security and will sign up for Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps and any other Social program available, as soon as I can qualify. I’m entitled, you know!

How to Regain Control Over Government

December 9, 2013

“There’s something happening here. What it is ain’t exactly clear. There’s a man with a gun over there A-tellin' me I got to beware.” –The Buffalo Springfield, For What It’s Worth Strange Days Indeed Something weird’s going on when I find myself agreeing with Carl Bernstein. But fighting for freedom makes strange bedfellows. Carl Bernstein was a reporter with the Washington Post in the 1970s. With Bob Woodward, Bernstein brought down President Nixon.

My Favorite St. Louis Tea Party Wasn't a Tea Party At All

December 4, 2013

My son, Jack, crashed into the house about midnight. (Not literally. He just made a lot of noise coming through the door.) “You were on The Daily Show,” he shouted. “I know.” “You know how big a deal that is?” “Well, I was on Glenn Beck and Neill Cavuto, Larry Kudlow . . .” “Dad, no. You don’t get it. everybody watched Jon Stewart. Everybody I know called me.” I’ll get back to that.

What Was The High Water Mark for St. Louis Tea Party?

December 2, 2013

Do you realize that’s been nearly five years since I wrote this post? Realizing how time’s flown since 2009, I’ve been a little nostalgic this weekend. I looked through some of Darin Morley’s excellent videos on YouTube.I searched “St. Louis Tea Party” on duckduckgo.com. Have you thought about what’s happened? While Russ Carnahan survived Ed Martin’s remarkable challenge in 2010, Russ is no longer in Congress, and Ed is chairman of Missouri’s Republican Party.

How Cliches Can Scratch Your Back

October 20, 2013

When I was three, a cat jumped off the roof of a screened deck onto my back as I was walking up the stairs to the deck. The cat shredded my shirt and turned my back to hamburger. I’ll get back to that. You know this cliché: “What goes up must come down.” It’s true. Even satellites and space stations crash back to earth. And the long distance probes like Voyager will eventually crash into some planet or start.

How is Obama's Julia Like Pristomyrmex Punctatus?

October 9, 2013

Before I answer that, a little science. Scientists study all kinds of things. One thing they study is ants, because ants teach a lot about communities. In a recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, ecologists Shigeto Dobata and Kazuki Tsuji studied the effects of “cheaters” in a colony of Pristomyrmex Punctatus ants. P. Punctati segment their society into two groups by age. Younger ants tend to hang around the house reproducing asexually.

What Would Buckley Do?

October 8, 2013

I wanted to be William F. Buckley Jr. All I lacked was his intellect, education, and unique experiences. Well, I didn’t want to be him. I wanted to be the next one. Every day, I wrote a 750-word piece. Poorly. I believed that practice would improve my writing. It didn’t. One day, I realized, as long as I tried to be the next William F. Buckley, I was destined for frustration and failure.

Know When To Fight Your Own

October 7, 2013

I can be pretty hard on Republicans. Not hard enough for some. Too hard for others. But I, at least, try to time my battles for ideological consistency. As a general rule, odd-numbered years are for cleaning up the GOP. Even-numbered years are for cleaning out Democrats. This is an odd-numbered year. Right up to the votes on the continuing resolution,my primary targets were Republicans, especially Roy Blunt. Once the House exercised its Constitutional power of the purse strings, sending a popular continuing resolution to the Senate, the battle lines shifted.

How to Avoid Collateral Damage When Hunting for RINOs

October 6, 2013

Lowell Weicker was a RINO. So was Lincoln Chaffe for a while. And John Linsday, the mayor who tried to destroy New York City in the late 1960s and early 1970s. RINO stands for “Republican In Name Only.” Rhinos and Elephants are both pachyderms, so it’s a pretty clever name for people who join the Republican Party but prefer the Democrat platform. The problem is, some people take the concept to extremes.

Here's the Most Encouraging Thing John Boehner Ever Said

October 6, 2013

Today on ABC’s This Week, Speaker of the House John Boehner spoke very powerful words about himself. They reveal his motivation. And it’s very encouraging. “I’m a reasonable guy. But I didn’t come to Washington to be a congressman. I came to do something for my country.” Write that down. That statement echos. Research shows thatpeople motivated by doing, by getting better, by learning, will work harder and stay truer to their principles than people motivated by demonstrating how good they are–being something.

4 Reasons Why House Republicans Should Pass a Clean Debt Ceiling Bill Now UPDATE

October 5, 2013

Yeah, I know. Obama’s childish, petulant, and tyrannical tantrums over the continuing resolution makes me want to fight like an angry cat, too. But I don’t actually want to fight. Fighting isn’t in our interest. As Sun Tzu said: Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting. I want to succeed in repealing Obamacare and forcing government into its constitutionally limited box.

Organizers Needed for Truckers Drive for the Constitution in St. Louis

October 5, 2013

Will help coordinate highway overpass demonstrations to support the patriotic truckers? America’s truckers are heading to Washington, DC to demand respect for the Constitution. They’ll be coming from all over the USA, and many will come through St. Louis. https://www.facebook.com/ridefortheconstitution I’ll be out of town this week, so I’m asking for some help. Let’s fill the overpasses with Gadsden and American flags, signs, and crowds to wave the truckers on.

Obama's Loathsome War on WWII Vets Deserves Our Scorn and Fury

October 2, 2013

I’m sure you’ve all see the reports. WWII Veterans asked the White House for permission to visit the World War II Memorial in case of a shutdown. The veterans are part of the Honor Flights program that helps aging veterans visit the WWII Memorial. Even though there’s no cost involved, the White House chose to dishonor the veterans' request. It send forth “goons,” in Senator Paul’s works, to erect barricades around the memorial.

Shutdown Week Could Turn Into Big Win for Republicans

October 1, 2013

“I shouldn’t have to offer anything.” Barack Obama on why he’s shutting down the government. Obama keeps forgetting he’s not a dictator. Or maybe I keep forgetting he is. [caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“441”] Democrat Speaker Tip O’Neill shut down the government 12 times.[/caption] Did you see that list of government shutdowns? 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1995. Those first four shutdowns came with Democrat majorities in both houses of Congress.

I've Learned the House GOP Is A Lot Tougher Than Senate

September 29, 2013

I was wrong. As the continuing resolution fight approached, I expected House Republicans to cave. I expected Boehner to make a half-hearted attempt to use debt ceiling, instead of continuing resolution, as leverage to stop Obamacare. And I expected Republican Senators to make a stand. But that’s not what happened. In reverse order, Senate Republican leadership ran away from confrontation like schoolgirls spying a snake. Led by Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn, and Missouri’s Junior Senator Roy Blunt, the GOP attacked Senators Mike Lee and Ted Cruz instead of Obamacare.

Why I Expect Much More of Republicans on Obamacare

September 25, 2013

Sam Adams and friends risked their lives in the commission of a felony in their outrage over government overreach. That was the Boston Tea Party. Look at us now! People furious with me for going after Senator Roy Blunt. I went after him because he announced he will vote for cloture knowing full well that cloture give Harry Reid his only chance to strip the House’s Obamacare defund language from the continuing resolution.

How Roy Blunt Failed Missouri Today

September 25, 2013

The Republican primary for US Senate in 2016 will actually be a battle for an empty seat. Roy Blunt effectively abdicated his throne today. This morning, I showed where Missouri stands on Obamacare. I’ve called, written, and tweeted to Roy Blunt. So have thousands of other Missourians. And so have Americans across the country. I’m not surprised that Roy Blunt failed to publicly join Ted Cruz’s filibuster. That kind of daring commitment to principle just isn’t in his character.

How Lonely Is Roy Blunt?

September 24, 2013

Imagine how isolated Roy Blunt must feel. Senator Blunt is a party man. He believes in following leadership. He doesn’t rock the boat. And his leader, Senate Minority Leader Slick Mitch McConnell, has decided to help Harry Reid get the 60 votes needed to invoke cloture on the continuing resolution. Once debate closes (via cloture), Reid will strip the House’s defund language from the bill and pass it. Senate Republican leadership wants defund language stripped.

Mitch McConnell Vows To Help Harry Reid Fund Obamacare

September 24, 2013

Harry Reid needs six Republicans to fund Obamacare. Mitch McConnell signed up immediately. In a statement, McConnell announced he plans to vote against Obamacare by voting for cloture, allowing Harry Reid to strike the defunding language from the bill. McConnell will, of course, vote nay on the final bill. But that’s just a gimmick. McConnell’s slick maneuver is short-sighted. It will bite him. Slick Mitch knows as well as anyone that Obamacare is a disaster for the American people.

Why Millennials Will Be Poor Their Whole Lives

September 23, 2013

Since the 1980s, the AARP has been lobbying Congress and the White House. The AARP has just one objective: to transfer the future income of the young and the unborn to people over 50. Yes, it’s completely immoral. The AARP is like the father who used his kid’s Social Security Number to run up a ton of debt, then defaults. The kid is left with a permanently damaged credit rating, which prevents him from getting a good job or an affordable house.

Did Obama Aid the Kenyan Mall Massacre?

September 22, 2013

I never thought I’d have to ask. In Nairobi, Kenya, al Qaeda terrorists stormed an upscale mall yesterday to kill all the Christians.So far, 59 are dead and at least 175 wounded. Another 30 or so hostages remain inside with the terrorists.Kenyan police are hunting the terrorists and attempting to free the hostages. The USA, surely, is on the side of the Kenyan authorities. Right? Well, last week, President Obama waived (aka, violated) a US law that prohibited the arming of terrorists and terrorist-linked groups.

Evolution of Government

September 22, 2013

People are natural creatures. People were created without earthly masters. People are born free to choose. People invented government. Some people created private government by suppressing others. Some people created public government through voluntary cooperation with others. Public governments rule people. Public government serve people. Public governments foster human achievement. Private governments suppress human achievement. Private governments tell people what they can do. Public governments do what people allow. Private governments seek to maximize the power of the ruling class.

Why the Fed Will End Itself. With a Disaster

September 19, 2013

Listen carefully. Rewind and listen again. This is Jimmy Rogers talking about Ben Bernanke’s legacy.

House Unites To Defund Obamacare

September 18, 2013

I had no idea this was coming when I wrote my blog post on gratitude at midnight. From Heritage Action for America: This morning, House leaders announced they would pass a continuing resolution that funds the government but defunds Obamacare this week. In many ways, today’s announcement represents “a victory…for the GOP’s conservative wing and its tea-party allies.” (Wall Street Journal) However, it also represents a victory for the tens of thousands of workers who have seen their hours cut thanks to Obamacare and to the patients searching for new doctors.

What Happens When You Count Your Blessings?

September 18, 2013

I think I was upset about losing a baseball game. I don’t remember. I’m better now, but when I was a kid, everybody knew when I was upset. I made sure of it. And I hated when someone tried to break those foul moods. Wouldn’t you know it. My mom said, “count your blessings.” Yeah. What blessings? We lost! Wasn’t she listening? I was a real peach. It turns out, my mom was right.

How You Can Help a Brave Missouri Senator and Win an AR-15

September 17, 2013

For years, conservatives have relied on a handful of brave State Senators to block really bad bills. One of that small group is Senator Brian Nieves. Here’s how you can help ensure Missouri has some spine in the State Senate for another 4 years. Print 10 copies of this page and hand it to friends. Ask them to join you at Senator Nieves’s Sporting Clays event **State Senator Brian Nieves ** General Laws Committee Chairman and Senate Majority Whip, Invites you to a Special Event Honoring the TRUE Intent of Our 2nd Amendment where YOU may win a Premium AR15!

Here's the Secret to Finding a Perfect Candidate That No one's Telling You About: Guest Post

September 15, 2013

There’s no such thing as a perfect candidate. So quit waiting for one, and quit staying at home and casting a protest vote. We need your help. Who are we you ask? The voters who have been getting their asses handed to them. We have about a hundred years of making up to do and we need to get started with a strategy. If we can elect a candidate that we agree with:

Guest Post: Why is it that we expect more from elected public servants than from ourselves?

September 13, 2013

_Historic Veto Session leaves Missourians frustrated. _ Why is it that we expect more from elected public servants than from ourselves? We demand and expect them to stand up, sometimes alone, in a chamber full of their peers and fight for us, yet we don’t do it in our own communities! When we get frustrated with our elected representatives in Jefferson City (and Washington) who don’t stand up for us, our knee-jerk response is to try to elect someone else in their place and hope that new representative will listen to us.

Who Will Be America’s Clothing Czar

September 12, 2013

Are you ready for America’s first Clothing Czar? According to RightQuestion.org, this person, “will decide what you will wear every day for the next four years. If you’re a Goth, what if the Czar disallows Goth? What if he’s an 80s fan and orders collars up? What other questions do you have for the new Clothing Czar? The good news: you can vote for the Clothing Czar of your choice.

Firing John Kerry Is Obama’s Only Hope for Credibility

September 11, 2013

John Kerry isn’t fit for Secretary of State, and the whole world knows it. If Obama every had a strategy for Syria, John Kerry destroyed it in a matter of minutes Monday. First, Kerry said any American response to unspeakable humanitarian crisis in Syria would be “unbelievably small.” Man, you know that fired up the Marines floating off the coast of Syria. I can see them, Mae Wests on, ready to charge the beach, hearing that dreadful command: “Fix bottle rockets!

Obama’s Utterly Incoherent Syria Strategy

September 11, 2013

Obama pitched war to a war-weary America, and all he got back was a yawn. Tonight’s speech was touted as the most important of his life. I doubt many will remember in 3 years. “I have asked Congress to find something else to do for a couple of weeks,” seemed to be the theme. Or “there’s something wrong with you people for wanting to bomb a Middle East country. I mean, they’re Muslims for God’s sake.

Eric Cantor and the Trojan Rabbit

September 10, 2013

Eric Cantor’s latest tactic in the battle to defund Obamacare reminds me of the Trojan Rabbit in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. According to Business Insider’s Josh Barro: It’s a strategy predicated on the idea that Republican activists are stupid. Many of them are stupid. But they’re not stupid enough to fall for this. (Barro is hard-left, btw.) From what I can gather, Cantor intends to pass two continuing resolutions out of the House.

White House Common Sense Test Is Bassackwards

September 8, 2013

The White House admits it has no hard evidence that the Syrian government launched the alleged chemical weapons attack. Instead, White House chief of staff Denis McDonough told the Associated Press “a common sense test” implicates the Syrian government. Well, no, it doesn’t. Quite the opposite, in fact. Chemical weapons attacks are signs of desperation. But Assad’s forces have recently gained the upper hand against rebels according to numerous sources.

Republicans Need Marketing Consultants

September 7, 2013

I got four emails from Republican candidates today. They all sucked. I’ve made every mistake they made, so I won’t beat anyone up over it. But if conservative candidates want to win elections, they have to become—or hire—excellent marketers. Everybody freaks out about the Democrat advantage in data, analytics, and social. But 80 percent of that gap is good execution of scientifically established marketing principles. Republicans tend to despise marketing. They reject psychology.

I Had a Nightmare

September 6, 2013

A Scenario: 1. The USA bombs Syria 2. Syria bombs Israel 3. The USA and Israel bomb Syria 4. Russia gives USA ultimatum 5. USA ignores Russia 6. Syria and Iran bomb Israel and Turkey 7. Turkey bombs Syria and Iran 8. Russia lands troops in Syria 9. USA lands troops in Lebanon 10. . Cold sweat

Little Wars Waste Lives. Go Big Or Stay Home

September 6, 2013

War is too damn serious to fight in half-measures or for a president’s pride. And I am sick of American troops leaving our shores filled with vigor and ambition and hope only to return disillusioned, scarred, maimed, or dead. On this, left and right are beginning to agree. Here are just some of the wars we fought half-assed in my lifetime: Vietnam El Salvador/Nicaragua Libya Iraq I Iraq II Afghanistan By “half-assed,” I mean sending troops into harms way with no better purpose than to stop fighting on some arbitrary date and time.

8 Reasons I Oppose War in Syria

September 6, 2013

I’ve devoted this week to fighting Obama’s march to war in Syria. And I am ready to change parties over this issue. I will not vote for anyone in Congress who votes to authorize bombing in Syria, and I’ve notified my US Representative Ann Wagner and Senator Roy Blunt. Here’s why: I am far from convinced that the chemical attack was perpetrated by the government. Terrorism expert Yosef Brodansky reported that the preponderance of evidence indicates Syrian rebels released the sarin attack.

Have You Noticed How Political Lines Are Blurring?

September 5, 2013

Over the years I’ve said and written nasty things about liberals. Liberals, progressives, lefties, whatever the name. And I’ve defended conservatives—blindly at times. I’ve publicly defended policies I privately considered stupid. All in the name of advancing my agenda. I believed—and still believe—the liberty agenda is the best one. The only one for people live out the full potential of their lives, to own their own lives, and to leave the world better than they found it.

Am I Crazy If I Don't Believe the President?

September 4, 2013

John McCain and John Boehner believe him. John Kerry believes him. Nancy Pelosi, too. But I don’t. I don’t believe the US has irrefutable, indisputable proof that the Syrian government intentionally killed 1,500 people with sarin gas. I don’t believe it. Not yet. And neither does Yossef Bodansky. You’re probably thinking “this Bodansky guy’s some conspiracy kook, too.” Here’s Bodansky’s Wikipedia header: Yossef Bodansky (born in Israel) is an Israeli-Americanpolitical scientist who served as Director of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare of the US House of Representatives from 1988 to 2004.

How Ann Wagner Should Commit to Defunding Obamacare

August 27, 2013

The House GOP leadership has a problem. The conservative base wants Boehner to use the continuing resolution to force a showdown over Obamacare. Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levin, Sean Hannity, and millions of grassroots activists want the GOP to block passage of a continuing resolution because it funds the unpopular healthcare law. Boehner doesn’t want to. He’s afraid that shutting down the government will hurt Republicans in the 2014 election. Boehner could be right.

And the inspiring truth about teachers

August 27, 2013

Samantha. She’s the daughter every parent hopes for. Diligent. Dedicated. Kind to a fault. Smart. Hard working. Loyal. Prettier than she knows. She gets it from her mother. She’s about to graduate from college and become a teacher. Like her mom. She doesn’t need a union. She is a union. With her mom. And a million others. They care. And try. And teach. Or try. Your kid would be blessed to walk into Sam’s classroom one day.

The Devastating Truth About Teachers' Unions

August 26, 2013

The stronger the union the weaker the learnin'. According to Harvard Business Review, students learn less in states with stronger teachers' unions. A 1-standard-deviation rise in teachers' union dues per teacher is associated with a 4% fall in student proficiency rates, according to a study of 721 U.S. school districts in 42 states by Johnathan Lott of the University of Chicago Law School and Lawrence W. Kenny of the University of Florida.

50 Years Later Dr. King’s Dream Becomes a Night Terror

August 24, 2013

It was one of the greatest speeches in the history of speaking. It promoted two self-evident goods: freedom and equality. He spoke first of equality. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

Why Self-governance Training Is the Most Important Training You’ll Ever Receive

August 19, 2013

I just finished Level 1 Training with the Center for Self-Governance. While I have a long way to go to complete the training, I can tell you I needed this. Bad. What I Didn’t Know I Didn’t Know It’s not that I was stupid before. And some of the political action I’ve been doing my whole adult life was affective, I learned. The problem is, I didn’t know whether or not it was effective.

What Can Missouri Legislators Learn From 19th Century St. Louis Politicians?

August 13, 2013

I’ll let one of my favorite thinkers, St. Louis native Don Peppers, tell about St. Louis in 1850: My hometown of St. Louis, Missouri was the largest city west of the Mississippi River in 1850, and the second largest port city in the entire country. Only New York handled more tonnage than the riverboats that docked, often more than a hundred at a time, at the St. Louis levee. Among other things, the riverboats supplied equipment, people, horses, and other materials to a burgeoning population of pioneers who rode wagon trains out from St.

August 15 Is The Next After Party with Heritage Tavern

August 12, 2013

**PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR____** OUR NEXT BIG AFTER PARTY EVENT!____ It is Thursday, August 15, at 7:00 P.M. at Hacienda Mexican Restaurant____ https://www.haciendastl.com/____ ____ **Hacienda Mexican Restaurant____** **9748 Manchester RD____** **St Louis, MO 63119____** 314-962-7100****____ Russ Vought, Political Director at Heritage Action, will be our guest speaker on Thursday, August 15. He will discuss his role with Heritage Action. ____ From 7pm-8pm, Russ will talk about the Scorecard & what our team does in DC.

How I Would Vote on Gay Marriage Cases

June 26, 2013

I’m not a lawyer. And I’m not particularly smart. But that doesn’t stop me from writing my opinion. Rather, I’m a libertarian-ish conservative. I like a small central government that protects us from evil people in other countries and delivers mail. And prosecutes people who do great harm across state lines. The Supreme Court has two big gay marriage cases pending. At issue: Do the people of California have the right to define marriage in their state?

Here’s A Great Way To Connect to America’s Founding: 1776

June 17, 2013

Get into the spirit of ‘76 with a great live musical You probably didn’t know that I was a theatre guy in high school and college. In fact, I was a theatre major for a couple of years. I think the right’s neglect of the arts is one of our biggest failings. The arts reach people at an emotional level. Intellectual arguments cannot change emotional attachments. So here’s a chance to rev up your American patriotic spirits while connecting with the arts.

There Were No Rogue Agents In the IRS Scandal

May 18, 2013

They were all looking at me. Staring, actually. I looked around the silent sales room. No one blinked. They were all stunned. For twenty minutes, I’d laid on a coating of bullshit that would have made Bill Clinton cringe. And it worked. I sold a year of lawn care to a woman who, at first, thought our service was an environmental menace. “Do you know Dr. Peter Raven?” I asked.

One Word Explains the Avalanche of Obama Scandals

May 14, 2013

I’m a coward. It was the final zone inspection of boot camp. Navy Recruit Training. Get hit in this inspection, and you’re set back a week. Maybe two weeks. My mom and dad had already booked a hotel room in Orlando. They couldn’t wait to see their son pass in review. I knew everything in my area was perfect. My rack (bunk) was made to perfection. Every garment of clothing was folded to its ridiculous, bizarre specification.

Let’s Buy David Hanneberry a New Boat

April 21, 2013

David Hanneberry lost the love of his life in the capture of Suspect Two—his boat. @ColorMeRed inspired the idea of buying him a new one. I’ve started a GoFundMe account to raise $30,000 in 30 days to fund a new boat for Mr. Hanneberry. C’mon, folks, this guy’s a hero. He discovered Tsarnaev in his boat and called the cops. He had the courage to lift the canvas and verify that the bastard was in in there.

Thin-Slicing, Experts, and the Power of the Human Brain Help Capture Suspect Two Alive

April 20, 2013

The police in Watertown responded magnificently. But the most brilliant strategic move gets little notice from the press. For about sixteen hours, hundreds of law officers, FBI agents, helicopters, and satellites scoured a relatively tiny area of Boston suburbs for one wounded terrorist. At the same time, they kept the public relatively safe, off the streets, and out of the way of their manhunt. **But they didn’t find their man.

San Francisco Is The Liberal Dream

April 18, 2013

I’m in San Francisco this week. I’m taking notes. I just walked past a carbon-copy of my little doggy Stella guarding her homeless master who was sleeping on the stoop of a building at 8th and Mission. They were the first two people on the street who weren’t smoking dope. Then it dawned on me. In San Francisco, there is no opportunity for people at the bottom to climb up to the top.

Thoughts on Boston Marathon Bombing

April 16, 2013

. . . What Your Definition of Terrorism Is I heard a lot of people giving their opinions of what constitutes “terrorism.” Here’s the United States Code: Definitions … the term ‘terrorism’ means premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents; Let’s stick with that one. To be terrorism, all of these five elements must be present. You can use it as a checklist:

This Is What Evil Looks Like In Action UPDATES

April 15, 2013

This is a Vine clip of the first explosion at the Boston Marathon. Fox 25 in Boston reported moments ago that organizers confirmed that bombs caused the explosions. Clearly many casualties. “For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” UPDATES Saudi National Suspected CNN’s Wolf Blitzer Implicates anti-tax conservatives

The April After Party is Thursday at Yacovelli’s

April 14, 2013

Please join us as we host Ray Cunio talking to us about Agenda 21. As a leading speaker on this very important issue, Ray will tell us what we need to know about Agenda 21 and what steps we should be taking in our communities to stop the advancement of this liberty killing initiative. Find your way to Yacovelli’s here.

One Strong Leader Can Keep Congress In Line

April 11, 2013

Why do our members of Congress disappoint us? Why do they seem to put their personal interests ahead of the mission we elected them to do? More importantly, how we can we deter Republicans or bring them back to the fold? Study Shows How Communities Keep Members In Line New research by University of Oxford and the ETH Zurich could provide an answer: one strong leader. When non-cheating members of a community empowered a strong member to challenge the anti-social cheater, the cheating stopped.

Kudos to President Obama For Touching the Third Rail

April 11, 2013

President Obama submitted a budget wildly out of balance that increases taxes across the board. But he also stuck his tongue on the infamous ‘third rail’ of American politics by proposing chained CPI for calculating Social Security cost of living increases. Bravo. We’ve Been Asking For This Economic conservatives have pointed out for years that America’s entitlement programs are bankrupting the country.** The $100 trillion in unfunded liabilities can’t go on**.

This. Not That.

April 10, 2013

https://youtu.be/mQNqZFqQoMU Please share this. You’ll look good. About the Real Conservative National Committee The Real Conservatives National Committee is a political action committee organized under Section 527 of the IRS Code. We only endorse and support conservative Republican candidates. We do not support third party candidates. We will operate as an independent expenditure SUPER PAC as defined by the Federal Election Commission. Our mission is to help conservative candidates win Republican primary elections against incumbent RINOs, and help conservative Republicans win general elections against Democrats.

I Will Be On Panel at Show-Me Cannabis Conference April 13

April 8, 2013

Gary Weigert, State Rep. Paul Curtman, and I will share a panel at Show-Me Cannabis Reform Spring Conference Saturday, April 13 from 1:45 to 2:30 pm at the Crowne Plaza Downtown, 200 N. Fourth St. Our panel discusses the conservative case for marijuana law reform. I am honored by the invitation, and I’d love to see a big turnout of tea partiers for the event. Here’s the full schedule of events

Maybe It’s the New Season of Mad Men

April 8, 2013

This post is a bit unusual for me. Strange and disturbing thoughts crowded my mind tonight—Sunday, March 7. These thoughts interrupted my television viewing. I couldn’t really focus. Then, I couldn’t sleep. The thoughts won’t rest, and they won’t give me rest. So I write. I’m bewildered by the world’s stock markets. Someone told the Wall Street Journal that, sure, the US economy seems to be tanking, manufacturing’s falling, the labor rate’s in the toilet.

Hey Reince Priebus: Fire Mike Shields

April 7, 2013

On Tuesday, RNC Chief of Staff, Mike Shields, lashed out at the “professional right” and grassroots groups, blaming conservatives for all that ails the GOP. [caption id=“attachment_13568” align=“alignnone” width=“300”] RNC Chief of Staff Mike Shields attacked the “professional right."[/caption] Yesterday, RNC communications director, Sean Spicer, told Breitbart that Shields didn’t mean what we all heard him say. (You gotta see Mike Leahy’s excellent overage of this story, btw.) Here are my thoughts:

Two US House Members From Missouri Want to Protect Your Bank Deposits. You Can Help.

April 7, 2013

“Over my dead body.” That’s how Rep. Ann Wagner’s (R-MO) described her opposition to any attempts by the US government to seize retirement accounts or bank deposits. Here’s the full quote: “I am solidly behind this resolution and over my dead body will the USG ever raid our personal savings or retirement accts!!” **Thank you, Ann, for that unequivocal statement on the matter. ** Billy Long’s HR 129 To Protect Retirement Income and Bank Deposits And thanks to Rep.

Tuesday Is Election Day. Here's What You Need to Know

April 1, 2013

Before I get to Election Day . . . Join Bill Hennessy at The Creek in Washington, MO First, a plug. Wednesday, April 3, 2013, at 5:30 p.m. I will be in Washington, Missouri, and you’re invited. I have the high honor and distinct privilege of speaking to the great women of Washington Federated Republican Women. at 5:30 p.m. I’ll be talking about Heritage Foundation, Heritage Action for America, and Blaine Luetkemeyer’s Brain.

You Must Be Registered and Signed In to Comment

March 30, 2013

Sorry for the change, but I’m tired of tracing down fake names to proxy servers in Jamaica and Dubai. Registering on the site is easy. Just go to enter a comment. I’ll try not to spam you.

Today Is National Stomp On Marx Day

March 28, 2013

Join the fun and Stomp On Marx! Stomping on things is all the rage on some college campuses. But the kids are missing out on the real fun. Here’s an exercise I highly recommend for teachers of kids age 14 and up. Stomp On Marx! Here’s how you do it. Download and print this picture of the father of communism, Karl Marx. (click for larger image)

Use This One Word Because It Makes You More Influential

March 28, 2013

Don’t ask me to explain why the human brain works the way it does. And don’t ask me how scientists get the idea for some experiments. Instead, take note of the most influential work in the English language, because I want you to be more influential. What’s that one word? It’s not “you” or “free” or “instantly” or “new.” They’re very powerful words, as every copywriter knows. But they’re not the most influential.

ACTION: You Can Save the 2nd Amendment in Missouri UPDATE Senate Committee Approves the Bill

March 27, 2013

A lot of activity on the 2nd Amendment front. [caption id=“attachment_13149” align=“alignright” width=“359”] The 2nd Amendment needs your help Wednesday, March 27 in Jefferson City[/caption] First, the Missouri Senate subpoenaed the Department of Revenue. This story tells you why. Second, I just received this urgent request for support from Ron Calzone: March 26, 2013 Bill; Missouri Senate senator Kurt Schaefer is on a roll… This evening (Tuesday) his amendment strengthening our right to keep and bear arms (SJR 14) was “perfected” by the entire senate.

Get Rewarded Just For Reading Hennessy's View

March 27, 2013

This couldn’t get any easier. Look over to the right. See this? That’s the Hennessy’s View Game Center. Just click the avatar and register using your Twitter or Facebook ID. You’ll earn points and badges for just for visiting. You can earn even faster for sharing your favorite posts on social media. Get extra credits for watching videos. And there’s no easier way to score than to comment. Special recognition for leaders!

Before You Slam the Loudons for Reality TV Show, Watch This

March 25, 2013

Our old friends John and Gina Loudon appear on ABC’s Celebrity Wife Swap this Thursday, March 28. A lot of my friends have asked “what were they thinking?” Dr. Gina explains what they were thinking: My Take The Loudons took a big gamble. It’s about time someone did. Gina is dead on. As I’ve been saying for awhile, we have to break out of our affinity bubbles. That means going to places we might not be accepted.

It Begins: US Plans to Tax Deposits in Swiss Accounts

March 24, 2013

Reuters reports (via ZeroHedge) that Switzerland has reached a secret deal with the United States to assist the US government in conducted a Cyprus-style confiscation of deposits held in Swiss bank accounts. The question then is: how many of the oligarchs, Russian or otherwise, who avoided a complete wipe out and total capital controls in Cyprus, will wait to find out if the same fate will befall them in Switzerland?

Palm Sunday Snowstorm of 2013

March 24, 2013

[gallery ids=“13479,13480,13481,13482,13483,13484,13485,13486,13492”] Here’s what Twitterdom is saying about the Palm Sunday Snowstorm: Branches are touching the ground and now being covered by snow. #snomg #snowday #stlwx instagram.com/p/XQPGnxgy1s/ — Kristen (@Concrete_Runner) March 24, 2013 Things will taper off in early evening, but northern parts of STL region will have had between 8-14" of snow by then. #stlwx — Weatherbird (@Weatherbird) March 24, 2013 First weekend of #spring.

We Need a Stronger Third Eye

March 22, 2013

What do we look like to people who aren’t politics wonks? And why does it matter? This question is for my friends on the right. By “on the right,” I’m talking about conservatives and right-leaning libertarians. (I’m not going to debate definitions, so accept mine or stop reading.) Developing a Third Eye When I was an acting student many long years ago, I had a director, Don Garner, who stressed the importance of the actor’s third eye.

Rockwood School District Wants More Money But State Audit Found It Mismanages The Money It Has

March 21, 2013

Were Rockwood School District to shut down, the entire bond-issue-campaign-financing industry would slump into depression. [caption id=“attachment_12113” align=“alignright” width=“284”] Rockwood School District wants another $38 million bond issue on the heals of scathing audit of its financial management practices.I’ve lived in this district since 1996, and I honestly don’t remember an April in which the board wasn’t asking for more money to carpet the football fields or remodel 12-year-old theatres or build an observatory or whatever.

How the Condorcet Method Could Save The GOP

March 20, 2013

The RNC’s Autopsy report wants to do away with caucuses and conventions, replacing them with regional primaries. But I’ll propose a different reform that will make candidate selection more interesting, whether in a caucus or a primary. A Word About The Autopsy The idea of compacting the primary season and eliminating caucuses has some merit, but also a lot of downside. On the plus side are splashier events to showcase the party, fewer Tuesdays littered with politics, and, believe it or not, some economies as candidates can focus on one geographical region at a time.

The Weednesday Post: You Want the UN Deciding Your State’s Laws?

March 20, 2013

The United Nations wants our federal government to negate the laws of Colorado and Washington regarding marijuana. Attorney General Eric Holder mulls it over. Americans Believe In Federalism In polls, Americans are consistent: the US government must not impose its morals on states regarding marijuana. After ballot measures in Colorado and Washington approved legalization of pot, Gallup asked whether the United States should honor the will of the people.

If You Want Fewer Abortions, Stop Talking About How Many There Are

March 19, 2013

I’m using abortion as an example, but this bit of science applies to all political messaging. What’s wrong with this headline? I’ll tell you what’s wrong with it. It shouts: “Everybody’s getting an abortion!” Even if connected with messages that say abortion is wrong. In numerous studies, messages intended to discourage a behavior by promoting the number of people engaged in the behavior (called negative social proof) actually caused the behavior to increase.

Vote No on Proposition P on April 2

March 19, 2013

Every penny taken from your in taxes is a penny someone else decides how to spend. It’s a penny you earned but forfeited to someone else’s arbitrary discretion. Don’t surrender your economic freedom any more. Proposition P is an easy No vote. Proposition P is a sales tax increase that would drive up the cost of everything you buy in St. Louis City and County. St. Charles County already opted out of the tax, because they knew the money would be frittered away.

Trust Is a Bigger Problem for GOP Than Marketing

March 18, 2013

The GOP’s self-examination on the 2012 election debacle rightly identifies marketing and messaging and lack of a ground game as contributors to that mess. But the GOP’s self-exam missed a potentially fatal problem for the party: the American people simply do not trust Republicans on the budget. Read this paragraph from The Hill carefully. Read all of it. It should tell you everything you need to know. More voters trust the Democratic Party than the Republican Party on budgetary issues, according to the results of a new poll for The Hill — even though a strong majority actually prefer Republican fiscal policies [emphases added].

If You Vote in Kirkwood School District, Listen Up

March 18, 2013

In the past 15 years, Kirkwood School Districts operation costs have skyrocketed almost 100 percent. But the people paying the taxes for that district have seen a cost of living increase of only 44 percent. Obviously, at some point, the system will crash. Unless you do something now. On April 2, you can elect two fiscally responsible members to the board of education. Eric Peterson and Amy Russell Here’s what you should do:

Here's Why John Danforth's Attack On Ed Martin Is So Bad for the GOP

March 17, 2013

Old Jack Danforth is a troubled man. [caption id=“attachment_13392” align=“alignright” width=“300”] “You once called me a ‘warped, frustrated old man.’ Well, what are you, but a warped, frustrated young man?” John Danforth Attacked Ed Martin for Supporting Rand Paul[/caption] Danforth’s wiry frame got bent all out of shape because the chairman of Missouri’s GOP stated the uber-obvious in an email to friends: the McCain-Graham angry old man meme ain’t sellin’ no more.

One Sentence Explains Everything About Pope Francis

March 16, 2013

An enduring criticism of the Church over a millennium involves its wealth and opulence. Its cathedrals were often the most expensive and ornate structures in entire nations, save for monarch’s palaces. Lavish ceremonies mark significant milestones, such as the installation of a new pope. So Pope Francis’s instruction to the bishops and faithful of his homeland Argentina says everything about why this pope will be different from all other popes.

Why Compromise Is Like Half a Boob Job

March 15, 2013

A man wants his wife to get breast implants. His wife doesn’t want it. They compromise, and she gets one implant. Is this the best outcome? No! It’s the worst possible outcome. Either of the two other outcomes—no implants or two—would be better than the compromise. So why are Americans so infatuated with political compromise that leaves the country more lopsided? Why Compromise Produce the Worst Outcome The FBI’s top hostage negotiator provided my example, via Eric Barker’s fabulous blog, Barking Up The Wrong Tree.

Why the Missouri DOR’s Enhanced Interrogation Methods Should Make You Mad

March 14, 2013

Pulled from comments, in response to TJ, you asked: “I am somewhat confused about the current outrage. Shouldn’t the DOR verify, to the greatest extent possible, that an applicant for renewal of any state issued ID be who they maintain to be, live where they claim to live and so on." If you’re buying beer at Schnuck’s, you expect the cashier to card you, right? That’s because the cashier is required to verify your are 21 or older.

Breaking: Dem Appointed Director of Missouri Revenue Caught Lying to Senate

March 13, 2013

“That is the third time you’ve lied to me!” Those were the words of Missouri State Senator Kurt Schaefer to Director of Revenue Brian K. Long in a heated hearing at the Missouri State Capitol this morning. Senator Schaefer and researchers at the Missouri Family Network, who broke this story, learned prior to the hearing that Long’s department has ordered Missouri fee office workers to violate state law by collecting and storing personal identifying information (PII) on everyone who renews a driver’s license, non-driver ID, or concealed carry permit in Missouri.

The Weednesday Post: Guess How Much Marijuana Prohibition Costs Missouri

March 13, 2013

A lot. Marijuana prohibition costs enough to put more than 900 new police officers on the streets. Here’s the numbers from Harvard and Cato scholar Jeffrey A. Miron and marijuana law reform researcher Abhi Sivasailam (via Show-Me Cannabis): Missouri would save about $90 million in government expenditure and yield roughly $59 million in tax revenue annually. This assumes that marijuana would be taxed at rates comparable to those on alcohol and tobacco and that all other states and the federal government would also legalize.

I Will Not Debate Definitions

March 13, 2013

A commenter to my blog about libertarian kids implies that libertarians are okay—as long as they’re not, ya know, too libertarian. The other night at Heritage Tavern I heard debates break out over the definition of “conservative.” If you’re wondering why the left is kicking our ass, now you know. They’re busy turning Texas blue while we debate the meanings and merits of political labels. Maybe this country is beyond hope.

Why Libertarian Kids, Not Drones, Scare McCain and Graham

March 12, 2013

Jennifer Rubin—WaPo’s token conservative—said it perfectly: McCain lost his cool with Rand Paul and sounded like the old man down the street screaming to the new kids on the block, “Get off my lawn!” The real reason McCain and Lindsey Graham embarrassed themselves on the floor of Senate had nothing to do with what Rand Paul said. Rand Paul’s ideas terrify McCain, Graham, and most of the Republican establishment.

What Climate Scientists Aren’t Telling You About Global Warming

March 10, 2013

Allan Savory caused the slaughter of 40,000 elephants in a vain attempt to save the planet by stopping desertification. It turns out that he succeeded only in turning lush grasslands into desert. And, of course, killing 40,000 elephants. [caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“1134”] Biologist Allan Savory lobbied for the slaughter of 40,000 elephants in a vain attempt to save grasslands. Instead, the grasslands died even faster. Savory devoted his life to finding out why he and other scientists were so wrong about desertification.

This Is What It’s Like To Take Ownership Of Your Own Life

March 10, 2013

Imagine that you’re in a large field. Dust swirls around your ankles. Only an occasional weed interrupts the rocks and sands. Every step threatens to sprain your ankle. Rocky hills surround you on three sides. And these hills have eyes. You slowly look around the desert and white shards of light catch your eye. Reflections of the sun off lenses of cameras mounted on poles about every every 30 degrees around the perimeter of the field.

Head To Jefferson City Wednesday To Fight Common Core and Medicaid Expansion

March 9, 2013

[caption id="" align=“alignleft” width=“196”] State Senator John Lamping is sponsoring a bill in the Missouri Legislature to curb privacy invasions built into Common Core State Standards. Missouri liberty groups will support him in Jefferson City on March 13.[/caption] John Lamping is one of the brightest stars for liberty in the Missouri Senate, and he needs our help this week. Let’s support liberty by fighting Medicaid Expansion and Common Core State Standards in education.

St. Louis City Fathers Freak Out Because Police Sergeant Gary Wiegert Lobbies For Sane Marijuana Reforms

March 9, 2013

You’d think people would listen when a career police officer says we need to reform marijuana laws. But n-o-o-o-o. Not in St. Louis, anyway. Gary Wiegert is a 30+ year police officer who signed up to lobby Jefferson City on behalf of tea party issues a couple of years ago. Some people freaked out over that, but Gary was instrumental in advancing tea party issues for the past 2 years.

Why John McCain Wants the GOP To Go First

March 8, 2013

John McCain doesn’t want the Republican Party to outlive him. He’s afraid. Afraid that, after he’s gone, his political widow will remarry someone younger, sexier, more fun. Thursday, March 7, 2013: Senate Office Building, Washington, DC In the dark cloisters of his Senate office, McCain leans back in his chair, tie loosened, jacket tossed casually over a guest chair, fingers interlaced behind his white head, and broods. He sees those rascally young libertarians–the ones who actually want to own their own lives–plunging into the party.

The WEEDnesday Post: Here’s What Happens When a Missouri Teen Gets Caught With a Little Bit of Pot

March 6, 2013

Mary is a good student, and a tad independent. At 18, she’s getting ready to graduate from a Catholic high school with honors. And every once in a while, Mary smokes pot with her friends—friends she’s had since grade school. Leaving a concert at US Bank Pavilion, Mary and her friends stop at Denny’s. In Mary’s purse is a dime bag of pot. It’s been there for weeks, and she hasn’t really thought it.

How To Get More Twitter Followers

March 5, 2013

Unless you just want to vent, the reason you post things on Twitter is to influence people. But you can’t influence people who don’t see your tweets. **The more people who see your tweets, the more influential you are. **So you should increase your Twitter followers. How can you increase your followers? Research at Georgia Tech gives you the answer. Twitter Things To Do Be Positive. Positive tweets are more likely to be retweeted and people who use positive words have more followers.

Republicans Lose Because They Don’t Attract Enough Conservatives

March 4, 2013

For 20 years, the Battleground Poll of States (now the Politico/GW Battleground Poll) showed a freakish consistency about ideology. 2009: 59% Conservative 2012: 57% Conservative With almost 60% calling themselves somewhat or very conservative, how could Barack Obama get re-elected? How could Republicans fail to gain the Senate in 2010 and 2012? Come to think of it, how do Democrats win at all? The answer is simple: being conservative doesn’t make you Republican, but being Democrat makes you a liberal.

Don’t Miss The Brain Study That Tells You How to Influence Democrats

March 1, 2013

One of the most powerful tools of influence is fear. Decades of research shows that fear of loss is about three times as motivating as hope for gain. (This changes under certain situations, like conditions of certain loss, but that’s for another time.) So political message writers often use negative messages to influence voters to take a chance on a cause or a candidate. This tactic works well with Republican voters, and less well with Democrats.

Shane Schoeller Is The New MOGOP Executive Director And That’s Great News For Missouri Republicans

February 28, 2013

Shane Schoeller narrowly missed winning the job he and I wish he had: Missouri Secretary of State. Shane lost—along with every other non-incumbent Republican for a statewide office. [caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“560”] Shane Schoeller becomes the new Missouri Republican Party Executive Director. Party Chairman Ed Martin made the announcement on February 28, 2013[/caption] The good news is that Missouri Republican Chairman, Ed Martin, has tapped Shane Schoeller as the party’s Executive Director.

Ambition Comes In Good and Bad Flavors

February 28, 2013

When I was in high school I wanted to be a US Senator. Wait, that wasn’t the punch line. That ambition changed, and I’m glad it did. It was a bad ambition. Steve Jobs wanted to build an enduring company that made insanely great products that people loved. Thank God he pursued and achieved his ambition, because it was good and noble. What’s the difference? It’s not that one ambition was personal and one involved others.

The Establishment’s Creed

February 27, 2013

I believe in cash, the money almighty, creator of happiness and wealth; and in Big Corporations, its only friend, which were conceived by the holy government, born of the power to tax, suffered under regulations, were criticized, bankrupted, and neglected. On the second vote, the bail-out passed, and they ascended into The Fed. They are seated at the right hand of Government from whence they shall come to lobby for tax breaks with more debt.

Weednesday Post: Why The GOP Needs To Champion Marijuana Law Reform

February 27, 2013

**If Republicans want to put their liberty where their mouths are, they can begin by ending the war on weed. ** When I was a kid in South St. Louis in the 70s, marijuana was the weed in the field that separated traditional post-war American values from the hippies. It was an easy black-and-white issue: smoke dope, you’re un-American. It was the Boomers against the Greatest Generation, and no one questioned the pure evil of pot.

The Best Grilling Of Bernanke Came From Senator Elizabeth Warren And Republicans Should Be Ashamed

February 27, 2013

I agree with Republican Senator Corker that inflation is a danger in the future. But inflation doesn’t win the hearts and minds of most Americans right now. No one’s worried about it except economists and economics geeks. The death of the community and regional bank, however, does bother people. As does the printing of money that goes straight into the 5 biggest banks in history . . . and stays there.

Conscious Capitalism:The One Book Every Conservative Must Read

February 26, 2013

The motivating force behind the first tea party protests of February 27, 2009, was , in part, crony capitalism. Across the country and on the steps of the Arch in St. Louis, signs and speakers denounced bailouts for failed businesses. Rasmussen found that 68 percent of Americans believe Big Business and Big Government work together against the rest of us. I think they’re right. Since then, crony capitalism has only grown.

Here’s How the RNC Rules Committee Fiasco Really Went Down

February 25, 2013

First, I understand that some Republicans who don’t regularly read my blog were confused (and unhappy) about my “Prostitutes in Business Suits” slogan for the Missouri Chamber of Commerce (and other business organizations that stop being conservatives when government money’s dangled before their eyes). Well, grow up, Republicans. (Have you ever listened to Rush Limbaugh?) Now to the meat of the story. On Friday, two people contacted me. Urgent stuff.

Why GOP Pandering to Young Voters Backfires

February 25, 2013

Marco Rubio gave the Republican response to the State of the Union address for two reasons. First, Rubio’s Cuban, and the GOP wants to court Latinos. Second, Rubio’s relatively young, and the GOP wants to stop the bleeding when it comes to young voters. But there’s a fundamental problem with the Republican approach, and it stems from the GOP’s least favorite discipline: behavioral science. Young People Are Naturally Skeptical You hear about scams that target older folks all the time.

Why The Sequester Is Worse Now Than It Will Be After It Happens

February 24, 2013

Welcome Dr. Gina Show Listeners! Republicans should announce “the sequester won’t be so bad” and shut up, and science tells us why. Obama, the Dems, liberal pundits, the press, and even John Boehner are running around yelling about how horrible the sequester will be. In some deep recesses of our minds, we agree. “Oh, my God! We’re all going to do die!” Fear-mongering only works in the future because, in short, nothing is as bad (or as good) as we think it will be when we think about it.

The Republican Party Seems Bent On Self-Destruction

February 24, 2013

Every election cycle millions of reliable Republican voters die and even more millions of Democrat voters get the vote. Messaging and pandering won’t fix the problem. Reforming the party might. Libertarian reforms offer the best hope, because all the other conservative factions – evangelicals, Second Amendment, home schoolers, fiscal – have hit their high-water marks. We saw that in 2012. Liberty, however, sells with the kids. Or it might, if Republicans would try it.

Did Prostitutes In Business Suits Cost Ed Martin A Place On The Rules Committee?

February 23, 2013

You probably never heard of Lance Beshore of Joplin, MO. He’s been Missouri’s delegate to the Republican National Committee’s Rules Committee for 12 years. He runs the lobbying department of Leggett & Platt furniture company. He’s on the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, and he’s chairman of the board of Freeman Health Systems. In his roles at Freeman and the Missouri Chamber, Beshore advocates for Obamacare Medicaid Expansion in Missouri.

Here’s The Dirty Little Secret About Teachers Nobody Is Telling You About

February 16, 2013

I know a teacher pretty well, and I know nasty little secrets she’s not telling. She sneaks out of bed at 4:45 every morning. No one else is up. No one’s watching her. At that hour, she can do whatever she wants without consequence. She sneaks downstairs and puts on her make-up in front of the TV. She also encrypts mysterious lesson plans into a little black book. Names and numbers.

Don’t Let Missouri’s Businesspeople Become Prostitutes in Business Suits

February 2, 2013

Why would the Missouri Chamber of Commerce want to expand Obamacare in Missouri? Short-sighted pursuit of money. The Missouri Chambermaids of Cronyism Here’s the simple truth: the Missouri Chamber of Commerce is not conservative. It does not exist to advance limited government and fiscal responsibility and free enterprise capitalism. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce has become convinced that it must lie down before government and beg for scraps from the federal table.

How We Fool Ourselves With Numbers

January 6, 2013

Often, the best outcome seems less satisfying than alternatives. Daniel Kahneman is a psychologist who won a Nobel in economics for Prospect Theory, more commonly called Behavioral Economics. In his book, Thinking, Fast and Slow, Kahneman describes a cognitive bias that leads people to make the wrong choice on automobiles. But the bias might actually keep gasoline consumption high by fooling people with number. Say you’re concerned with the amount of gasoline you use.

Ed Martin’s Grit Overwhelms Establishment’s Power

January 6, 2013

In a blow to the old guard establishment,** the Missouri Republican State Committee elected Ed Martin Jr. as its new party chairman**. Roy Blunt and all six Republican members of Congress from Missouri lobbied the new state committee over the past few weeks to block Ed and retain the establishment’s choice, David Cole. Jo Mannies of the St. Louis Beacon wrote: Cole’s loss appears to be a setback for Missouri’s GOP establishment.

Our Tax Code: The Fustercluck From Which Everything Rancid Crawls

January 3, 2013

William F. Buckley proposed a simple tax reform in 1973. The language barrier that separates people like Buckley from that odd species we call Congress prevented his thoughts from finding fertile soil. And in the 40 years between, the tax code has become only murkier and more dangerous. “Our tax laws were,” Buckley wrote in _Four Reforms: A Guide for the Seventies, “_designed historically to raise revenue for the operations of government.

Congress Just Increased Deficits By $4 Trillion, And All I Got Was 2.9% Tax Increase

January 2, 2013

You’ll need a scorecard to keep up with the insanity in Washington this week. The Senate’s been a lost cause for a while, so let’s not even bother with the upper house. Besides, it’s really hard to focus on good fiscal policy while Hooter’s Girls are passing out Bacardi 151 shots, Buffalo wings, and “Welcome 2013” horns in the cloak room. Over in the House, things looked interesting for a while.

It’s Time To End War On Weed

January 1, 2013

When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for conservatives to divorce themselves from superstitions they’ve embraced since the Progressive Movement of the 1920s and join the pantheon of reasonable people, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. I hold these truths to be totally friggin’ obvious, that all drugs are not created equal, that we’ve wasted billions of dollars and millions of lives pursuing a** demented “zero tolerance” temperance goal that was Never Going To Happen**, that the losses we’ve endured trying stamp out weed have cost American society more than they’ve gained, that among these losses are lives, money, and opportunity.

How 2012 Might Have Been

December 31, 2012

Republican Presidential Primaries The Republican Primary season was already well underway. Before a single caucus or vote, though, we pretty much knew that Mitt Romney would win the nomination. He had the entire Republican establishment behind him, including true conservatives who wanted a “safe” candidate. We know how that worked out. What might have been had a strong conservative emerged in 2011? What if someone without baggage had prepared years in advance for a run against the weakened, staggering Obama?

This Is Why I Feel Sorry For Millennials

December 30, 2012

Doctor Viktor Frankl was a neurologist and psychiatrist in Vienna, Austria. He founded the third branch of Viennese psychological therapies, logotherapy. But his life changed drastically when Austria capitulated to the National Socialists. The Nazis interned Frankl. He spent time in four concentration camps, including Auschwitz and Dachau. For three years, his captors made him dig ditches for railroads and water pipes, and fed him a slice of bread and an ounce or two of soup a day.

How Psychological Biases Make Good Government Unlikely

December 28, 2012

Answer this question on paper without looking up the answer: Q: Which kills more people: guns or diabetes? Here’s what your brain is doing. It’s searching your memory for mentions of the keywords: “guns,” “diabetes,” and “kill.” For most of us, one of the variables—guns or diabetes—carries a significantly heavier emotional weighting than the other. A paid-up-for-life member of the NRA might attach powerful positive emotions to “guns.” The parent of a child who died of complications of diabetes will attach high negative emotions to “diabetes.

Government Planning Is Killing the Economy

December 26, 2012

Friedrich Hayek warned more than half a century ago that central planning doesn’t work. Here’s why: * Central Planners (government) makes a plan * The plan includes specific expectations * The expectations are never, ever, realized * A “crisis” ensues * So the planners demand more control * And create more plans * Ad hoc * Willy nilly * Capriciously * So you must wait for things to settle down to make your decision Today’s Wall Street Journal article about the fiscal cliff demonstrates the futility of central planning:

Merry Christmas

December 25, 2012

I read today that the Christmas shopping season was off. The writer, or his sources, blamed Sandy: Hurricane Sandy and Sandy Hook. Retailers said that shoppers weren’t very jolly. They were serious or worried or distracted. Hurried, as if they didn’t want to be out too long. I thought of my parents and others at the Christmas of 1941. Americans had endured a decade of economic depression that the planners were impotent to correct.

Here’s What Happens Now That Boehner’s “Plan B” Went Down In Flames

December 21, 2012

Now that Boehner’s “Plan B” strategy has blown up like a poisoned dog, here’s what Boehner will do. Remember this chart from last month? It shows strategic options from John Boehner’s point of view: Yesterday, Boehner tried to land about halfway between the top and bottom quadrant on the left, shown here Now that Plan B has been rejected, Boehner’s choices are limited to these: * Adjourn and hit the fiscal cliff * Cut a deal that will earn most Democrat votes and enough Republican votes to pass

Do You Fund A Terrorist Network?

December 15, 2012

According to the FBI: Domestic terrorism is the unlawful use, or threatened use, of force or violence by a group or individual based and operating entirely within the United States or Puerto Rico without foreign direction committed against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof in furtherance of political or social objectives. (source) In Michigan, union protesters physically assaulted Steven Crowder of Fox News, then destroyed a tent belonging to Americans for Prosperity (video below).

What Could Be Worse?

December 15, 2012

What could be worse than having no Christmas gift for a child to open? A Christmas gift with no child to open it. _Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their little souls, and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. _

American Schools Replace Great Fiction With Government propaganda

December 11, 2012

[Originally posted on Redstate.com] English was my favorite subject in school, so much so that I can still recite from memory large passages of the books we read, like A Separate Peace: I went back to Devon School not long ago, and found it looking oddly newer than when I was a student there 15 years before. And who doesn’t know this by heart: If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is where I was born and what my lousy childhood was like and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don’t feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth.

Conservatives Keep Losing Because They’re Reading The Wrong Books

December 9, 2012

For the past four years. conservatives have worried more about being right while liberals worried about winning. We all know how that worked out. It doesn’t matter how right you are if you’re powerless.Right now we are. Satisfied? I didn’t think so. After four years of 5,000 Leap and Constitution study groups, of Constitutional workshops, and rallies in the park, let’s make a vow to ourselves and to each other: We’re Done With Losing.

This Is The Infographic That The Whole Republican Party Is Freaking Out About

December 7, 2012

The 3 million McCain voters who didn’t vote for Romney? They’re dead. [Click image to view full size. Please forward, download, and print. This is important.] To survive, the GOP needs to stop being afraid of Millennials and tell them truth: they can move out of mom and dad’s house, they can drop out of school, they can quit their dead-end job with the idiot supervisor. But they can’t get away from government and debt.

Here Is Exactly How The Special Election To Replace Jo Ann Emerson Will Be Conducted. (We Think)

December 6, 2012

I’ve gotten a lot of emails and comments asking for more information on the special election process in Missouri’s 8th Congressional District. So I went to the smartest person I know about this stuff: Frieda Keough. Here’ what I learned: Eddie Justice, the Chair of the 8th Congressional District will call a meeting. Anyone wanting to be appointed to run for the 8th Congressional District shows up at the meeting and will be put before the committee.

The GOP

December 5, 2012

I bet ten bucks on a sentimental favorite to win. Sure, he’s old, and reports say he didn’t train as hard as he might have. But he’s been my boxing hero since childhood—when he won the gold at the Olympics. I’m sure there’s another moment of glory waiting to explode on an unsuspecting world. He just needs to land that one magical right. As the rounds wear on, though, I can feel it.

Did Lloyd Smith and Jo Ann Emerson Plan This All Along?

December 5, 2012

In an open Republican primary in Missouri’s 8th Congressional District, a solid conservative would beat an establishment “my turn” Republican, hands down. And the Missouri GOP would hate it. That’s why I smell a rat. Would you be surprised to learn that Jo Ann Emerson and Lloyd Smith had this switcheroo planned months ago? You have to admit that the timing is suspicious: * Emerson wins a certain re-election * Smith announces he's stepping down as Missouri GOP Executive Director * Emerson announces she's resigning to become Queen of Lobbyists * Missouri's GOP Establishment breaks hips to tell reporters "Lloyd Smith's our man!

Republicans Can't Just Rage Against The Fiscal Cliff Machine

November 30, 2012

Encouraging Boehner to shut down the government is the surest way to end conservatism as a practical political alternative. The GOP has no leverage in budget negotiations, and conservative denial won’t change that. Use Game Theory As I wrote on November 12, fighting Obama – voting down a budget in the House – results in the GOP’s worst possible outcome: total blame for anything that goes wrong and no credit for anything that goes right.

This Is Why Turning People Off Is A Terrible Idea

November 20, 2012

Sometimes a cause’s worst enemies are its best friends. In 1995, 56 percent of American described themselves as “pro-choice.” At the time, Michael Kinsley on CNN’s Crossfire declared the debate over. Then something strange happened. Americans started changing their minds. The pro-life movement whittled away at public opinion. By May of this year, Gallup found “pro-choice” to be at an all-time low: The 41% of Americans who now identify themselves as “pro-choice” is down from 47% last July and is one percentage point below the previous record low in Gallup trends, recorded in May 2009.

Stop The Crazy Talk: Vote Fraud Didn’t Cost Romney The Election

November 19, 2012

I wrote yesterday that if you need someone to blame, blame me. Don’t blame bogeymen. Yes, vote fraud is real. Voter rolls in most states need to be cleaned up. Voter intimidation should be harshly prosecuted. You can sign up at True the Vote or Missouri Precinct Project to take effective, useful action. These organizations do vital work, and they both need more volunteers. Using vote fraud, however, as an excuse for secession or for blocking the Electoral College vote is neither effective nor useful.

Dear Conservatives: We Are Already Losing 2016

November 18, 2012

If you need to blame someone for our election losses, blame me. I Let You Down I could have done more. I could have spoken up sooner. I could have been more honest with you about the mistakes we made and the opportunities we ignored. I could have worked harder on what I saw as the most important work we could do. I let you down. I focused on petty issues of the day, too, instead of working on a different future.

Colleges Suffocate Free Speech

November 16, 2012

Colleges in the United States are systematically destroying free speech, free thought, and creative writing. Sixty-five percent of colleges and universities censor students, even in creative writing classes. [youtube=https://youtu.be/Z3vgGqlZGGE] Hillsdale or nothing. Related articles * [GREG LUKIANOFF IN THE NEW YORK TIMES: Feigning Free Speech on Campus. "Colleges and universities a...](https://pjmedia.com/instapundit/155479/) (pjmedia.com) * [ONE WAY FREE SPEECH: The progressive vision of free speech is decidedly one-way, excluding any s...](https://pjmedia.com/instapundit/154514/) (pjmedia.

Bakers Union Costs 300 St. Louisans Their Jobs UPDATE

November 14, 2012

**UPDATE Union Declares Victory AsHostess Goes Out of Business. No more Ho Hos. **** Unions destroy themselves like pathetic drunks, dragging down everyone around them. In a fine example of anti-strategic thinking and un-game theory, the Bakers Union put 637 of its members out of work yesterday. Hostess—makers of Twinkies—is bankrupt. Part of the bankruptcy involved rewriting union contracts to allow the company to stay in business. Instead of taking one for the team and helping their company crawl out of its fiscal hole, the Bakers went on strike.

Is Petraeus Taking Obama With Him?

November 13, 2012

Note: This is a flight of fantasy. If anything in this post is later shown to conform reality, it’s pure coincidence. Nor am I accusing Gen. Petraeus of any crime or of compromising of national security secrets. (Just enjoy it, will ya?) A sex scandal rocks the king of spies. An email chain unravels the Pentagon high command. A cover-up exposed. It’s like the back cover of a Nelson DeMille novel.

Don’t Expect Boehner To Play The Black Knight

November 12, 2012

The GOP didn’t really have a plan in place in case it lost. It certainly didn’t have a plan for getting snotclobbered. And if you try to spin Tuesday’s results as anything less than a good old-fashioned ass-kicking, you’re deluding yourself. **Republicans Got Creamed ** I know Michelle Malkin found 20 things that went right on election night, but there about 60 million things that went wrong. Let’s take a look:

Karl Rove’s Air Power Strategy Failed America And His Donors

November 11, 2012

We heard it repeatedly during the Iraq wars: air power alone cannot win. You must take and hold ground in war. The same is true in political combat. For years the GOP upset Democrats at all levels through superior ground games. Typically, this process involves: * Identifying potential voters * Contacting the high-value targets * Registering the unregistered * Mobilizing them on election day Karl Rove’s Crossroads PACs tried a different strategy this time.

Nobody Is Telling You About The Regulatory Armageddon About To Swamp The US Economy

November 7, 2012

If you think federal regulation is bad today, just wait. You ain’t seen nothin’ yet. By the EPA’s own reckoning, the rule if implemented annually would cost American businesses $90 billion. But a related rule due to be taken up in December similarly would declare large swaths of the U.S. “closed for new business” until emissions are reduced to meet lower caps than exist today, says Anne Kolton, spokeswoman for the American Chemistry Council.

Did You Vote?

November 7, 2012

Voter turnout was down in every state from 2008. In many states, turnout was lower than 2004. [polldaddy poll=6672784] Thanks for responding.

The Conservative Base Is Dying And Taking Your Freedom With It CORRECTION

November 7, 2012

Consider these numbers: * **9.8 million** * <del>**11.6 million **</del>**16.8 million** * **55%** * **61%** Between the 2008 and 2012 elections: * 9.8 million people died*, 55% of them were reliable Republican voters * [16.8 <del>11.6</del> million people reached voting age](https://www.civicyouth.org/you-ask-we-answer-16-8-million-new-youth-eligible-to-vote-in-2012/?%3E)--61% of them are semi-reliable Democrat voters Between those years, neither the GOP nor conservative leaning organizations did anything significant to deal with this **demographic cliff.

Media Conspire to Suppress Republican Turnout

November 6, 2012

St. Louis’s KSDK.com is doing its fair share to suppress the Republican voter turnout. They’re pumping a handful of counted votes to give the impression that Obama is walking away with the national popular vote: Here’s the scam. Only 42 votes have been counted in a country of 150 million registered voters. In other words, it’s crap. No responsible news organization would post such misleading nonsense–except in hopes of discouraging Romney voters.

This Is How To Spend Election Day

November 6, 2012

Conservatives take great pride in working, and for good reason. Work gives shape to life. Work is the poles of a tent, the bones of a body, the beams in the ceiling. But work isn’t why we live. We live to pursue happiness. For some, the pursuit of happiness involves acquiring property. Land, clothes, cars, plastic surgery. All examples of the pursuit of happiness. Voting is another pursuit. People vote for minor candidates representing strange parties who have no chance of winning.

Here’s My Electoral Map Prediction

November 5, 2012

Yes, I’m feeling a wave toward Romney. My gut tells me this year is a lot like 1980. 1980 Was A Dead Heat The final Gallup poll that year had a dead heat. Time Magazine’s November 3, 1980, called the race a dead heat. So did Newsweek. The press was hoping John B. Anderson, a former Republican Congressman running for president as an independent, would siphon votes from Reagan. He did siphon votes from Reagan, but not nearly enough.

This Is Why You Are Underemployed

November 5, 2012

If you can’t find full-time work, blame Obamacare. One reason the Middle Class has shriveled and wages shrunk over the the past four years is underemployment. People want full time work, but settle for anything. And anything is usually part time. Most of the fantastic new jobs created since the 2009 have been part-time jobs. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 14.6% of Americans want a full-time job but settle for part-time.

How To Maximize Your Election Influence

November 4, 2012

Here’s What To Do Today And On Election Day Tuesday is the most important election of your life, but voting is never enough. You can have a bigger impact by using social proof to increase your influence. I’ll tell you how, and it won’t take you long. First, though, make sure nothing gets in the way of exercising your duty to vote. Studies have shown that you are more likely to vote if you answer these questions before Election Day:

Sandy Exposes Limits Of Government

November 4, 2012

Barack Obama ridiculed George W. Bush for Katrina. As people starve and beg for water in Rockaways, Obama’s promises to create heaven on earth through government look foolish and born of ignorance. Obama believes that government can solve any problem, large or small. But his FEMA can’t get water to people in New York City. With election two days away, remember this, you Obama voters: the most activist president of all time was unable to feed, clothe, and house hurricane victims despite having a week of warning.

Life As You’ve Known It Is About To Change

November 3, 2012

You have a choice. You can drive that change, or you can be swallowed by it. In a free society, people have liberty to do anything except a few prohibited things. In a totalitarian society, people have liberty to do nothing except a few permitted things. In a free society, the people have a black list of things they must not do, and government has a white of a few things it may do.

Obama Shuts Down Another Small Business

November 2, 2012

200,000 That’s the number of** small businesses lost during the Obama Administration**. If re-elected, Obama promises to accelerate the policies that destroyed American jobs, investments, and companies. https://youtu.be/NlFHrLeeJIU Voting isn’t enough. We need your help at 9966 Lin Ferry Drive, St. Louis, MO 63123. Pick you day to work the phones and get out the vote: * Friday, November 2 Noon to 8 p.m. * Saturday, November 3 Noon to 5 p.

Bill Radles Endorses Ed Martin for Attorney General

November 1, 2012

I Endorse Ed Martin Dear Friends, This is an email to encourage you to remember to do all you can to get Ed Martin elected Attorney General of Missouri. I know there are a lot of races and it is easy sometimes to overlook some of the down-ticket offices. But the Attorney General is an extremely important office. He is the chief law enforcement official of the state. He is responsible for seeing to it that our laws are faithfully enforced and our constitutional rights protected.

Your Rights In Missouri Are Unprotected. Vote For Ed Martin For Your Own Security

October 31, 2012

Please forward this post to everyone in your email address book. Use the buttons below to share on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, StumbleUpon, Reddit. Tell your family that their vote for Ed Martin for Attorney General is your best defense against a Washington power machine run amok. https://youtu.be/kRy2XWvGe38 Ed Martin’s opponent doesn’t seem to realize that the job of Missouri’s Attorney General is to represent our state. The AG isn’t just some high-ranking prosecutor.

Mitt Romney’s Cleaning Up in Early Voting, but It’s Confused the Hell Out of Politico

October 30, 2012

Gallup released its early voting poll today, and it shows Mitt Romney winning 52% to 45%—right in line with their Likely Voter poll numbers. Here’s the chart. Politico Reporter Can’t Read But Gallup’s section on early voting by party ID completely lost Politico’s Kevin Robillard. Robillard looked at the chart that shows when voters intend to vote by party and candidate and mistook it for voting results. This poll question shows that those who support Obama as as likely to vote early as are those who support Romney.

Here’s How Nate Silver Determines Obama’s Chances of Winning

October 29, 2012

Nate Silver publishes a daily number that represents Barack Obama’s chances of being re-elected. As I write this on October 27, Silver’s magic number is 74%. [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKTUiwhac8Q&w=351&h=216&hd=1] Nate Silver explains his scientific approach to picking winners in elections.

When The Three O'Clock Call Came, Barack Obama Froze

October 27, 2012

The fog of war is lifting from Benghazi, and what lies beneath should shame Obama’s most ardent supporters. Barack Obama choked, and Americans died. When America came under attack, Obama panicked and froze. When Americans under his direction pleaded for their lives, he was afraid to pull the trigger. Here’s the emerging picture. White House Ordered Military and CIA to Stand Down and Let Al Qaeda Kill Former Navy SEALs Ty Woods and Glen Doherty, so disgusted by the White House’s refusal to help Americans under attack, defied an order to stand down.

Italy Erases 600 years of Scientific Progress

October 26, 2012

The next time some liberal tells you the United States needs to act more like Europe, tell them, “no, we believe in science.” Italy sentenced six scientists to prison for the felony of failing to predict an earthquake. Seriously. The people who brought us da Vinci, Columbus, and Marconi believe that those wizards in lab coats with all the machines that go “beep” are actually gods who control the earth and the stars.

THis Is How I’m Voting On November 6

October 24, 2012

A lot of people want to know how to vote on the ballot measures and major offices in 2 weeks. Here’s how I’m voting, and why. Ballot Measures YES on Amendment 3: Change to Judge Appointments Better Courts for Missouri helped promote this measure to arrest the leftward list of appointments. The ballot language is awful, but this amendment is a step in the right direction. From their web site:

Socialism Sucks. Here’s How to Avoid It In America

October 23, 2012

Some of the “cool” kids say they like socialism. Of course they have no emotional clue what socialism is. Maybe they’ve read about socialism, seen the movies, and heard about it from their college professors—ya know, like the one who actually visited the old Soviet Union. But those sources give only an intellectual view of socialism. You can’t actually _feel _it. And life, in the end, is about feelings.

What The Pollsters Aren’t Telling You

October 22, 2012

Polls do influence elections. That’s why people like Nate Silver and some of the writers at Business Insider are doing somersaults over Gallup’s Daily Presidential Tracking numbers. For over a week, Gallup has shown a tidal wave for support for Mitt Romney. Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight tried to discredit Gallup by blogging about outlier results it’s shown in past years. Here’s the conclusion Business Insider reached: Bottom line: Gallup swings wildly and it frequently has results not in line with other pollsters.

Here’s What Robin Carnahan Doesn’t Want You Know About Proposition E

October 17, 2012

Robin Carnahan, the Democrat Missouri Secretary of State, writes ballot language like the editorial page editor of the Post-Dispatch. Carnahan wrote, perhaps, the most biased and unprofessional ballot initiative ever written regarding Proposition E. She wanted you to think that Proposition E would outlaw all insurance in the state of Missouri and compel pet owners to feed rat poison to their animals. Here’s the original ballot language Carnahan wrote:

Will KMOX Drop Candy Crowley Or Lose Its Credibility?

October 17, 2012

CNN’s Candy Crowley talks politics during KMOX’s Total Information AM every Friday. KMOX Presents Crowley as a credible source of political information. But Crowley’s credibility is gone. On Tuesday, Crowley jumped into the Presidential Debate by claiming Barack Obama called the Benghazi attack “an act of terror” in the Rose Garden on September 12. In hockey, she’d have earned a game misconduct for being the third player into a fight.

Don’t Miss A Rising Conservative Star

October 16, 2012

I met Raz Shaver in 2010. Even though he’s many years my junior, Raz has been an insightful, patient, and indispensible to mentor in grassroots activism. Raz continues to help me and St. Louis Tea Party Coalition from his bunker in Texas. He also helps groups like St. Louis Tea Party all around the country. Victories and 2010, those to come in 2012, owe, in a large degree, to Raz Shafer.

Turns Out The Guy Dumping On The Middle Class Is Joe Biden

October 10, 2012

A couple weeks ago, Joe Biden made the news by declaring that the middle class in America has been getting dumped on ever since he and Obama took their oaths of office. The statement marked the first time Biden got something right since that day. What Uncle Joe failed to mention was that he has been in charge of the White House’s Middle Class Task Force since January 30, 2009.

Now We Know Why Mitt Romney Has Been Wildly Successful In Life

October 8, 2012

Barack Obama’s performance was not nearly as bad as Romney’s performance was good. Not good—terrific. I’m not talking about his politics and policies; I’m talking Romney’s remarkable presence. Here are the four principles of presence that Romney knocked out of the park. Command of the Facts When it came to facts—and to how those facts matter to the listeners—Mitt Romney seemed more prepared for the office of President than the President.

St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners Proves Government Can’t Get Anything Right

October 5, 2012

Conservatives love cracking on government and its unintended consequences. How often does a government initiative give us backassward results? Exhibit A: Obama hands Solyndra millions in tax dollars to promote green energy. Solyndra (and numerous other green energy grant recipients) goes bankrupt. Another example is the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners. In 1861, Missouri’s legislature created a board of commissioners to oversee the St. Louis Police Department. Why? Because Missouri was a slave state, but St.

Happy Birthday, Jack Hennessy

October 2, 2012

I don’t get into town to visit my dad often enough. That’s my loss. Jack Hennessy, my dad, epitomizes what we call The Greatest Generation. He helped raise his younger brothers and sister after their mother passed away. Jack was ten. His youngest sibling, my uncle Jim, was a newborn. Jack Hennessy answered the call of World War II. He was a Machinist’s Mate in the Navy. He answered, again, when North Korea crossed the 34th Parallel.

St. Louis Police Department Is Crumbling, But You Can Vote to Save It

October 2, 2012

You get the feeling that Rex Sinquefield holds a grudge against his home state, and he’s using some of his fortune to punish us. Rex gave a quarter million dollars to Obama’s Lawyer, Chris Koster. But that wasn’t his first assault on us. Rex’s war against the St. Louis Police Department is older and far more bitter. Rex wants to force the state to surrender the Board of Police Commissioners for St.

Excellent Commercial by Ed Martin for Missouri Attorney General

October 1, 2012

Ed Martin’s new TV commercial is excellent for many fundamental marketing reasons. Ed’s energy, commitment, and love of people shines through. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzJS2bqIlyY] Still, the commercial is a waste of time and money unless people see it. Here’s how you can help: buy air time. If you want an Attorney General who will protect Missouri’s sovereignty and treasury, you can simply buy air time for this ad. And there’s more you can do.

Ignoramus Rex

September 30, 2012

Arguably, the most important battles for economic liberty in the next four years will be between states and the government in Washington. The progressives in Washington want to consolidate power and money to feed the insatiable appetite of parasites in the USA and the world. Rex Sinquefield, the billionaire Bishop DuBourg alum who masquerades as a libertarian-ish Republican, lifted his mask this week to help Washington’s progressives steal Missouri’s autonomy and treasures.

Barack Obama Is Having a Very Bad Week, and Even WaPo Noticed

September 26, 2012

[caption id="" align=“alignright” width=“180”] Barack Obama (Photo credit: jamesomalley)[/caption] The smartest man in the world can’t make a gaffe, surely. When Barack Obama says something ridiculous, mean-spirited, wrongheaded, or just plain dumb, he means it. So we know Obama considers the murders of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three others mere “bumps in the road” to his re-election. Four bumps, to be precise. When Obama says Israel is just “one of our strongest allies” in the Middle East, no longer our strongest, he means it.

How to Write Yourself Into the Great American Novel

September 25, 2012

A couple years ago, a lot of folks believed that victory in 2010 would be a cakewalk. Led by Tea Party activists, the GOP picked up over 800 legislative seats, state and federal, in the 2010 off-year election. Rumors of the Republican Party’s death had been greatly exaggerated. Or so it seemed. Novels and action movies involve a hero’s quest. The main character hopes to accomplish something. Dorothy wants to return to Kansas.

Which Barack Obama is Right?

September 19, 2012

A genius is someone who can hold contrary concepts simultaneously in mind. What, then, do we call a person who simultaneously argues two contrary concepts? How ‘bout “demagogue?” A few weeks ago, Barack Obama told America’s business owners that they are not responsible for their success. “Someone else built that.” Today, the same Obama told Mitt Romney that there not many people who consider themselves victims. Does Mr. Obama believe that people in dire straights are not victims of circumstances?

Can You Trust Barack Obama for 4 More Years?

September 17, 2012

Barack Obama came to office promising to heal the planet (I didn’t know it was sick), lower the waters, and end war as we knew it “whilst waking on water squirting wine out his ass,” to borrow William S. Burroughs’s anti-Christian blasphemy in Naked Lunch. (Funny. I don’t recall reading about Christians blowing up embassies over that book’s publication.) Four years later, The One might want to let the waters rise.

This Sums Up Everything I Believe Better Than I Ever Could

September 14, 2012

[caption id="" align=“alignright” width=“463”] Buckley (right) and L. Brent Bozell Jr. promote their book McCarthy and His Enemies, 1954 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)[/caption] The Liberal Kirsten Powers (my favorite liberal at times) described the leftist media’s mania as “absolutely, utterly insane.” What triggered the maniacal insanity from MSNBC and The New York Times (among others) was Mitt Romney’s public dismay over the way Barack Obama’s State Department responded to terror attacks on US embassies in Egypt and Libya.

Is the Romney Campaign Serious About Winning?

September 11, 2012

The Romney Campaign today reminded me of the McCain Campaign of 2008. I’m pretty good at ignoring bogus, fraudulent polls like the one CNN released tonight. In that poll, CNN announced a massive 52-46 national lead for Obama. If true, the race would be all but over. CNN, of course, cooked the books on this one. About one-third of voters describe themselves as independents, CNN sampled only 3% independents for its latest poll.

How to Rock the Election Like Scott Walker and Richard Mourdock

September 8, 2012

[caption id="" align=“alignright” width=“300”] The Gadsden flag (Photo credit: Wikipedia)[/caption] We’re past Empty Chair Day. The conventions are over. Barack Obama still stands between us and liberty. And the Establishment’s more worried about its $$$ future than about America’s future. What does that mean? It means _you and I _ will determine what happens in Election 2012 and beyond. If you want to have a hand in America’s future, listen up.

I Told You So! Democrats BOO God, Israel

September 6, 2012

As if reading from a script written by the Romney campaign, the Democrats on Wednesday managed to mangle their public image even further, this time by booing God and Israel. [caption id=“attachment_12536” align=“aligncenter” width=“288”] Clipped from https://thespeechatimeforchoosing.wordpress.com[/caption] On Tuesday, the Democratic National Convention stripped God’s name from their platform and rejected Israel’s choice of Jerusalem as its capital. Wednesday, the party panicked and rushed in an amendment to restore God and Jerusalem.

Can You Trust the Democcrats' Platform?

September 5, 2012

For years voters have complained that politicians and parties say anything to get a vote. People have longed for the days of plain talk and honesty. Well, the Democrats passed a new platform today. Two headlines emerged: The Democrats rejected any reference to God. The Democrats rejected Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The question is: can you trust them? Do Democrats really reject God and reject Jerusalem as the center of Israeli political life?

The Karl Rove School of Sanctimony

September 3, 2012

When I read about Todd Akin’s unfortunate comments to Charles Jaco, my first thought was uncharitable. “I could just kill him.” “I could kill him,” is an idiom. Its cousins include “wring his neck” and “poke his eyes out.” Idioms hyperbolize our emotional reaction to an event. I was angry because Todd Akin gave the left a great talking point in the infamous interview. I like Todd Akin. I voted for him.

7 Warning Signs That Obama’s Imploding

September 2, 2012

Hurricane Isaac smiled on the Republicans in Tampa and delivered more misery to New Orleans and its surroundings. That was just one of the ominous signs that 2012 is shaping up to be a forgettable year for Democrats, especially for Barack Obama. Here’s seven more warning signs that Obama’s 6-year campaign is about to implode: 1. Torrential Rains Wipe the Face of Mount Obamamore Not that weather plays favorites, but you have wonder.

See This Movie Today

August 25, 2012

You will irritate the the left. And you will like it. https://m.deadline.com/2012/08/first-box-office-anti-obama-movie-1/

Abraham, Isaac, and Todd

August 24, 2012

The story Isaac is about tests of faith. God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, his only son, born after Abraham and Sarah had given up hope of conceiving. Once Isaac was bound and placed on the altar, God stayed Abraham’s hand. “Now I know you fear God.” You know the rest. It just struck me this morning, listening to the weather during Jamie Allman’s show, that Isaac now threatens the GOP convention, dangling above Tampa like Abraham’s dagger.

Part 3: Todd Akin Needs to Lead or Get Out of the Way

August 23, 2012

[caption id="" align=“alignright” width=“300”] Todd Akin: member of the United States House of Representatives. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)[/caption] Part 3 of 3 | Read Part 1 | Read Part 2 Before we get too far down the Akin rally road, let’s get some solid advice to Mr. Akin. His principles, his spine, his grassroots do no good if Missouri turns blue. He cannot advance his causes from his house in Wildwood. Failure to take the Senate makes Obamacare permanent, at least in our lives.

Part 2: Here Is Todd Akin’s Real Crime

August 23, 2012

Part 2 of 3 | Read Part 1 | Read Part 3 What is Todd’s real crime? He’s a damaged candidate, sure, but he is not a damaged man. He was wrong, but** he erred on the side of life**. It says something about a society and political mood where a man can be disqualified for loving life and God, but another man celebrated for enabling the slaughter of living children with surgical scissors through the base of their skulls.

Part 1: Contingencies Every Conservatives Needs Right Now

August 23, 2012

Part 1 of 3 | Read Part 2 | Read Part 3 I think it’s smart to have a plan in case Todd Akin drops. The GOP central committee is working on a plan. If you wait until after a vacancy occurs, your preferences will be meaningless. That said, if you should decide to plot a contingency to influence the selection of a candidate to fill a vacancy that might occur, consider this: **the MOGOP central committee is not tea-party-ish.

Preserving the Republic Is Paramount in 2012

August 21, 2012

A few weeks ago, I blogged about loyalty to people and loyalty to principles. Both are important. Loyalty to people is an honorable principle. Sometimes, the ideal is paramount. In 2012, we simply must take the US Senate. We must put Claire McCaskill out of office. And we must send a strong conservative to the US House of Representatives from Missouri’s 2nd Congressional district. Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District has been well served by Todd Akin.

Game Theory and the Ryan Pick

August 14, 2012

If Mitt Romney applied game theory in choosing Paul Ryan, I have renewed respect for him. I’ll explain why, but first a bit of background on game theory. Game theory is a branch of social science concerned with strategic decision-making. It is most closely associated with economics. Professor John Nash, the subject of the movie A Beautiful Mind, won a Nobel Prize in Economics for his work in game theory. (For a great primer on the subject, read Thinking Strategically: the competitive advantage in business, politics, and everyday life.

You Have No Idea How Much Your Boss Pays in Payroll Taxes

August 14, 2012

America is suffocating under an amazing tax burden, but most Americans STILL underestimate how much their tax bill really is. That’s because Washington has done a fantastic job of forcing employers to hide most of the taxes you pay. If people had to see and deal with their total liability, the Democratic Party would be swept into the dust bin of history. Here are some frightening facts from Rasmussen:

These Are the Bill in Congress That Need Your Attention

August 13, 2012

Even though Congress is winding down, there are dangerous bills on the desk. I used Heritage Action’s Popvox program to tell Congressman (and future Senator) Todd Akin I oppose the FARM bill that does less for farmers and more for wasteful government statism. Here’s the whole slate of bills you should write to Congress about: Oppose the Big-Spending Farm Bill: Email Your Representative Now Tell Blunt and McCaskill to Kill LOST—A Bill to Surrender US Sovereignty

Tell Two People in West County About The After Party This Thursday at Sky Music Lounge

August 13, 2012

A friend from Dallas just called me. He said he met two conservatives from Ballwin who’d love to be involved in movement conservatism . . . but don’t know how. I was shocked. And a little embarrassed. ** How can someone in West County not know about St. Louis Tea Party Coalition and The After Party?** ' Clearly, I’ve done something wrong. I’m sorry. But I can’t just throw my hands up and walk away.

If We Don’t Flip Some Toss-Up States, Romney, Ryan, and the USA Are Screwed

August 12, 2012

Choosing Paul Ryan as his running mate was a great Romney move. Looking ahead, Romney sees movement conservatives working hard right up to the election—even if he or his advisors continues to say stupid things. That was necessary. SCROLL DOWN FOR TWO IMPORTANT EVENTS THIS WEEK But it wasn’t enough to win the election and unseat America’s first anti-American president. To do that, we must find a way to win over the selfish middle.

Romney-Ryan Have a Vision They Can Talk About

August 12, 2012

Why did murder skyrocket in Chicago as soon as Rahm Emanuel became mayor? Why have Americans become nastier and meaner since Barack Obama became president? As Michael Dukakis told us, a fish rots from the head down. Obama surrounds himself with people who thrive on decay and death. After four years, Obama has nothing to say for himself. Nothing. He can only cut and attack and lie and sneer and mock like a high school bully.

Primary Grades

August 11, 2012

I was surprised to learn that Sarah Steelman conceded the GOP Senate race at 10:00. I’d talked to Todd Akin at my polling place on Tuesday morning, and he confirmed my suspicion the [Missouri](https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.5,-92.5&spn=3.0,3.0&q=38.5,-92.5 (Missouri)&t=h) Republican race for US Senate would be close. It really wasn’t. Mr. Akin won handily, considering the 3-way race. John Brunner’s remarkably negative, nasty, angry campaign should have made the race much closer. It didn’t. Sarah Palin’s endorsement of Ms.

Thanks to the Candidates Who Took My Survey

August 5, 2012

Thanks, so much, to the candidates who took a moment to respond to my survey. Here are the results, including the candidates' verbatim responses. I will oppose tax credits for private development except for extreme cases, such as recovery from disasters. Agree 3 100% Disagree 0 0% I will reject federal funds that come with strings attached. Agree 2 67% Disagree 1 33% I will resist federal mandates that violate the original intent of the Constitution.

In Search of Loyalty

July 26, 2012

Long To what and whom do we owe loyalty, and how should we express it? Generational historians William Strauss and Neil Howe describe a generation of “nomads” in their prophetic book The Fourth Turning. “The 13th Generation (Nomad, born 1961-1981) survived a hurried childhood of divorce, latchkeys, open classrooms, devil-child movies, and a shift from G to R ratings. They came of age curtailing the earlier rise in youth crime and fall in test scores—yet heard themselves denounced as so wild and stupid as to put The Nation at Risk.

The Economy Is Getting Worse Thanks to Liberalism

July 25, 2012

The horror in Aurora, Colorado, gave President Obama a little cover last Friday. That’s because the Labor Department announced that unemployment rose in 27 states. President Obama promised to hold unemployment under eight percent if Congress passed the stimulus package in 2009. Congress did, but Obama failed. Remember all those green jobs? They’re gone. **The problem isn’t Barack Obama; the problem is liberalism. ** Liberals believe that only experts can make intelligent decisions.

Candidates, Take My Simple Missouri Candidate Questionnaire

July 25, 2012

I’m interesting in a few things about candidates. If you are a candidate for the Missouri legislature or for statewide office, I invite you take this short questionnaire. I will post results before the August 7 primary. Please note that I do not intend to base my vote solely on your answers to these questions.

DESE: The original box of rocks that nothing is dumber than

July 24, 2012

According to research from Missouri Education Watchdog, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) agreed to surrender Missouri’s education voice under Obama’s “Race to the Top” scheme. Race to the Top was a contest in which states agreed to let the federal Department of Education, via two puppet organizations, run all of the state’s education systems. In exchange, some states were awarded money, but others were not. Chris Nicastro, chief rock in the DESE box, applied for the grant.

Here's Why Tax Credits Kill Society

July 23, 2012

Tax credits reward particular businesses or developers with tax dollars from the general population. They concentrate wealth in a few hands. Tax credits are the way politicians play the market with someone else’s money. Worse, **Republicans are addicted to tax credits. ** A Missouri House Republican leader told a constituent that his party gives tax dollars to people who “spend it smarter.” Bill Clinton said the same thing in about 1992.

Distrust Adjectives, and the Politicians Who Use Them

July 21, 2012

Missouri’s primary is August 7. Missouri’s Republicans now litter the airwaves and in-boxes with smears against their Republican opponents. What strikes me is the weakness of so many of their pitches. Every political ad is a pitch. It’s a chance to sell an idea and to volunteer as that idea’s champion in some high office. What a noble calling. Few politicians take that noble path, sadly. Instead, they bully and vilify their opponents–especially their primary opponents.

The Old Reagan Soviet Jokes Are on US

July 18, 2012

Ronald Reagan loved to tell jokes about the Soviet Union.If Obama’s re-elected, though, these same jokes could be turned on the United States. Some of them already can be. It’s hard to get an automobile in the United States. They are owned mainly by elite bureaucrats. It takes an average of 10 years to get a car. 1 out of 7 families owned automobiles. You have to go through a major process and put the money out in advance.

If the election were held today, there’d be a lot of crying and gnashing of teeth

July 17, 2012

Here’s a screen grab from RealClearPolitics.com’s presidential tracking poll: RCP aggregates dozens of polls to produce its RCP average. The method has been remarkably accurate, especially at the state level. It’s time to focus on preventing the unmitigated disaster of a second Obama term. In 112 days, Americans will vote on whether or not to continue our experiment in self-government. If the election were held today, that experiment would be aborted.

Just How Bad Would a Second Obama Term Be?

July 16, 2012

If you believe that 92 percent of people need to have most aspect of their lives managed by experts, then a second Obama term will make you happy. If, however, you believe in self-governance, that people are endowed by God and nature with the capacity and unalienable right to manage their own affairs, then a second Obama term will be a massive human rights violation. Consider what the Obama administration has already brought us:

Gary Weigert on WGNU. Listen

July 8, 2012

Just to let everyone know, Gary Wiegert, is back on the radio. Every Friday at 1200 noon. WGNU 920 AM or you can connect on the computer. Gary Wiegert is also a St Louis Police Officer and a devoted Tea Party Supporter. wgnu920am.com Listener Call-In Line 314-448-4325 Via Patsy

Time for Defiance, Resistance, and Resolve in Missouri

July 6, 2012

At the Pachyderm Club’s national convention last year, I overheard a Republican Missouri State Representative talking about HB 609. “It was the best bill I’ve ever been involved with,” she said. “Those people who just went nuts don’t know anything about insurance.” If you read my blog, you’re likely one of the “those people,” the ignorant masses who don’t understand the fineries of the legislative process. You don’t appreciate how hard the insurance industry lobbyists worked with Jefferson City to craft a law that sold only a bit of you into slavery while ensuring the insurance companies remained profitable and your favorite Republican legislators had the money to campaign next year.

Millennials About To Bite Obama’s Crap Sandwich . . . with Relish

July 5, 2012

Sometimes the folks at Business Insider get fairly simple ideas ass backwards. Take their Winners and Losers story on the Supreme Court’s Obamacare decision. It’s dead wrong about Millennials (born after 1982): Young people can also count themselves winners in the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act, which allows children to stay on their parents' insurance plan until their 26th birthday. Read more: https://www.businessinsider.com/winners-losers-affordable-care-act-supreme-court-obamacare-ruling-2012-6?op=1#ixzz1zP2AiaCO [continued after image]

Why I Am Skipping Independence Day This Year

July 4, 2012

July 4th became my favorite holiday in 1981, replacing Christmas. Maybe it was a sign of my maturity. It was also a sign of the times. After a ten-year hiatus, patriotism was chic again, thanks to Ronald Reagan. Here’s a few other things that made me fall in love with Independence Day: * Fireworks—who doesn’t love blowing stuff up? * Parties * VP Fair (tragically renamed to Fair St.

Here Is One Sign That Your Government Is Tyrannical

July 3, 2012

We throw around big scary words like “tyranny” too much. I’m guilty myself. While we get a lot of attention with hyperbole, we’ll lose credibility over time. Then when tyranny emerges, people will ignore our screams. Like now. For years, Congress has used the tax code to motivate behavior. Tax credits for insulated windows and electric cars are examples. The home mortgage deduction is another. And tuition tax credits, dependent tax credits, etc.

Let Depression Be Your Guide

July 2, 2012

Yesterday, I gave you a reason to celebrate the Supreme Court’s decision. But I never said to let go of your anger or depression. ** That’s because we need creativity, focus, and action, and you get those through emotional distress. ** In his new best-selling book, Jonah Lehrer discusses the link between depression and creativity: This helps explain why Forgas has found that states of sadness— he induces the downcast mood with a film about death and cancer— also correlate with better writing samples; subjects compose sentences that are clearer and more compelling.

John Roberts Switched His Vote Under Outside Pressure

July 1, 2012

It won’t look like decay to many. John Roberts will be the toast of the political class for years to come. He’ll attend all the prettiest events with the prettiest people. Barbara Streisand will have him out to her massively carbon-releasing Hollywood mansion. The Washington Post intelligentsia will place his bust in its pantheon of The Evolved. He might even golf with Bill and Obama. But beneath the black robe grows a dark stain on his soul.

Here’s What’s Great About the Supreme Court’s Obamacare Decision

June 30, 2012

In the Ronald Reagan movie Kings Row, Reagan plays Drake McHugh, whose legs are sawn off by a sadistic, class-conscious doctor. Everyone remembers the line “Where’s the rest of me?” No remembers what happens after that. I’ll fill you in. McHugh’s best friend, a psychiatrist, decides to tell McHugh (Reagan) the truth: his legs were perfectly healthy, but the doctor cut them off to keep the lower class McHugh from pursuing the doctor’s debutante daughter.

Business Insider Has No Idea Where Money Comes From

June 27, 2012

I love some things about Business Insider. Mostly its great headlines. Unfortunately, sometimes its writers show an ignorance of basic economics in their rush to catapult Obama to a second term. Joe Weisenthal is just the latest example. Joe tries to claim that economic recovery in the US is retarded by loss of public sector jobs. What Joe doesn’t seem to get is this: the private sector pays for those public sector jobs.

Richard Florida Has the Relationship Between Home Ownership and Growth All Wrong

June 25, 2012

In a column intended to attract readers, not to promote hard economics, Rotman University economist Richard Florida declares that home ownership is terrible for the US Economy. The problem is, like many economists,** Florida’s understanding of home ownership is 180 degrees ass-backwards**. Florida thinks that home ownership is supposed to _cause_ economic growth. Instead of leading to economic development, higher rates of homeownership today are associated with lower levels of it.

Obamacare Ruling Comes Down This Week, and We’re Having a Tea Party

June 24, 2012

Pack clothes, flags, and signs for an Obamacare Tea Party at Forest Park on Art Hill this week. The rally will begin at 7:00 PM on the day the Supreme Court rules. We don’t know the day, but we do know the time: 7:00 pm in Forest Park on Art Hill (map below). The most likely days are Monday or Thursday, but because of the magnitude of this case, it could be any day of the week.

Here's One Way the Government's Making Medicine Worse in America

June 21, 2012

I had to go to the doctor today. The reason’s not important. Here’s what is: It took my doctor 10 minutes to describe my symptoms into a government-mandated voice recognition system. In the old days, the doctor took notes. Now, he has to recite his observations into a Mad Men-era dictaphone. “Male, age 48, blood pressure one-twenty-one over seventy-three . . . " The damn machine (government medical technology) couldn’t understand half the doctor’s words.

Black Friday (Infographic)

June 3, 2012

The world’s economy–including BRICs–is collapsing. The problem is debt, and the youth will set us free. Even if that’s a very painful liberation.

You'll Never Guess Who's About to Become Obama's Biggest Nightmare

June 3, 2012

In 2008, we heard all about the youth movement for Obama. We heard that the enormous Millennial Generation, born between 1982 and 2001, would destroy the GOP and everything America once stood for–like jobs, family, faith, and hard work. And when Obama won, many believed the tales of the Obama Youth. But many were wrong. Voters under 30 have had it with vague promises and glittering bullshit from that punk from Chicago.

3 Differences Between Bain and Solyndra

May 23, 2012

As Obama and his myrmidons continue to make asses of themselves by arguing that no one should ever put their own capital at risk, it seems timely to point out that Solyndra, and the White House’s many gambles on hypothetical energy companies, is not a fair comparison to Mitt Romney’s work at Bain & Co. It’s legal for individuals and companies to use their own money to buy failing companies and try to save them.

Henry Blodget Freaks Out Completely Over JP Morgan’s $2 Billion Loss

May 12, 2012

Looks like about $1.2 billion of JP Morgan’s $2 billion loss involved Henry Blodget’s 401k. How else to explain his emotional outburst on Business Insider? Why else would he jump to the conclusion that our bankrupt federal government understands finances better than billionaires? Here’s Blodget: Wall Street can’t be trusted to manage—or even correctly assess—its own risks. This is in part because, time and again, Wall Street has demonstrated that it doesn’t even KNOW what risks it is taking.

Hey, Candy Crowley: Tea Party Groups Resemble the 13 Colonies, Not the Balkans

May 7, 2012

Analogies say more about the speaker than about the subject. Candy Crowley told KMOX Radio listeners on Friday that Tea Party groups resemble the Balkans without guns. Wrong. Crappy analogy, Candy. The diverse and autonomous, often quarrelsome,** Tea Party groups remind me of the original 13 colonies.** The colonies were divided on just about every subject imaginable. The disagreed on slavery, on economics, on agraculture, manufacturing, cities, names – name it.

Elizabeth Warren Performs “Indian Rain Dance” To Quell Dispute

May 6, 2012

Cambridge, MA—Massachusetts Democratic Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren donned a pink headdress and performed, what she called, an “authentic Indian rain dance” during a press conference today. Ms Warren was hoping to convince skeptics of her claims of Native American heritage. She also hinted that her preference for bison meat to beef indicates her heritage. “My pepaw taught me this dance when I was a little girl,” Warren said during a short session with reporters at a high school gymnasium in Cambridge, MA.

Obama Attends Backyard Barbecue Fundraiser

May 5, 2012

[caption id=“attachment_12133” align=“alignnone” width=“359”] President Obama looks over the menu before a campaign backyard barbecue in Ohio.[/caption] Reports are that he went with the Neapolitan.

ACTION: Steve Tilley and Kevin Engler Want to Implement Obamacare. Stop Them.

May 4, 2012

Missouri House Speaker Steve Tilley and Senate Leader Kevin Engler never tire of implementing Obama’s totalitarian agenda. This time, Tilley and Engler are shoving HB 1193 through to passage. This bill is designed to score brownie points with Sibelius and Obama by creating a prescription spy network that monitors the prescription drug purchases of every Missouri resident. If Tilley and Engler get their way, every time your doctor writes a prescription, your pharmacist will be required to inform Jefferson City and Washington bureaucrats.

U.S. Holds Auditions for New Terrorist Mastermind

May 1, 2012

Washington, DC–Reeling from the backlash over a campaign ad that paints President Barack Obama as Osama bin Laden’s sole assassin, the White House today announced open auditions for a new global terrorist mastermind. [caption id=“attachment_12119” align=“alignnone” width=“570” caption=“Last year’s White House auditions for press secretary”] [/caption] White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters “the world needs a dangerous, evil character to worry about . . . and, frankly, so does the President.

Studies Show Most Americans Are Too Stupid to Vote

April 29, 2012

The new fad among Democrats is to see how many illegal aliens they can pack into a voting booth. While we conservatives decry this illegal and anti-American grab at tyrannical power, we should take some solace in this sobering fact: those illegal aliens probably know as much about the American political system as most 13th generation Americans. The fact is, most Americans are too stupid about politics to vote, which explains the 2008 election.

McCaskillPAC

April 26, 2012

What I find so funny about Claire McCaskill’s war on super pacs is that her husband is a super PAC. For the record, I have formally endorsed Senator McCaskill in her race to return to private life. Zimmerman Update Having declared George Zimmerman guilty of first degree, racially motivated murder, the MSM are now investigating the case. What they’re finding: The George Zimmerman that Francescani describes is quite different from the “delusional racist vigilante” that many have made him out to be.

Mitt Romney Shut Down a Company Over a Young Woman

April 25, 2012

There are many stories about Mitt Romney’s evil-doings when he ran Bain Capital, a $1 billion company famous for buying troubled companies and making money off them. Some of the stories involve Bain laying off workers to make companies profitable, then selling them off. Some of the stories involve Bain and Romney chopping companies to bits and selling off the parts. This story is about Romney shutting down a thriving business over a woman.

New York Times Admits It's Basically Obama's Campaign Newsletter

April 23, 2012

The only surprise here is that the NYT’s own ombudsman admits that the paper is Obama’s best friend: Many critics view The Times as constitutionally unable to address the election in an unbiased fashion. Like a lot of America, it basked a bit in the warm glow of Mr. Obama’s election in 2008. The company published a book about the country’s first African-American president, “Obama: The Historic Journey.” The Times also published a lengthy portrait of him in its Times Topics section on NYTimes.

Democrats Committed Massive Vote Fraud in 2008, They'll Do It Again in 2012

April 23, 2012

John McCain knew that Obama’s minions orchestrated massive voter fraud in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Besides using New Black Panther Party soldiers to repel McCain voters from the polls,** Democrats stuff ballot boxes to give Obama the win in two states with a combined 41 electoral votes**. Here’s how a memo leaked by wikileaks summarized McCain’s election night decision: After discussions with his inner circle, which explains the delay in his speech, McCain decided not to pursue the voter fraud in PA and Ohio, despite his staff’s desire to make it an issue.

Meet the GSA's 8th Grade Minds That Run Your Life

April 21, 2012

There are two kinds of people in America: those who grow up to become productive adults, and those who become bureaucrats. The GSA scandal lit up the 3 Stooges mentality of the “men and women” who would run every aspect of your life if Obama and his czars get their way. Jeff Neely’s the guy Thomas Jefferson had in mind when wrote: He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

NYT Describes Mayhem of “Taxmageddon”, And It Will Scare You Sick

April 19, 2012

What the hell’s going on at NYT? First, they do a piece on Andrew Breitbart. Then they warn the world that Taxmageddon will crush the world in 2013, beginning with the USA. Here’s how Business Insider summarized the David Leohardt article: Basically, with no changes to current law, taxes will rise for everyone, and after tax, inflation-adjusted income for the average American will drop to 1998 levels. Read more: https://www.

The Election’s Over, and America Gave Obama His Eviction Notice. Here’s What Went Down.

April 19, 2012

The look on George “Stephie” Stephanopoulos’s face was priceless. He had to say it. “ABC News now projects that President Obama will go down to defeat.” He couldn’t bring himself to say, “Romney won” or “Republicans won.” He just couldn’t. The network analysis was a political cliché run amok. My favorite came from James Carville who told CNN viewers that the election result “proves that crackers and racists vote.”

Tea Party Activist Calls for Stampede

April 18, 2012

I blogged aboutthe battle of the Tea Party’s future going on around the Lake of the Ozarks recently. I received this response from Freida Keough, St. Louis County Director ofMissouri Precinct Project: My answer: We have 56 positions for committeemen and women in 28 Townships for St.Louis County. Did you know that 35 new individuals filed for these positions in addition to the incumbents. Coincidence? I don’t think this happened because people felt they have nothing else to do.

Hookers By The Dozens and Booze Galore--So Where Was BILL Clinton In All This? UPDATE

April 18, 2012

Let me get this straight. Secret Service Agents and some military guys brought more than 20 – count ‘em, _twenty _– hookers to a hotel in Cartagena, Columbia. The Americans were drinking–a lot, according to hotel staff. When the girls were ready to leave, apparently, the Americans refused to pay. I guess these soldier or sailors or Marines don’t watch enough movies. They’d know how hookers act when they don’t get paid.

Obama Cancelled Religious Freedom, But Some People Aren't Listening to Obama

April 17, 2012

When Obama decreed that Catholics shall support and provide chemical abortions,he wasn’t promoting women. He was shackling religion. Totalitarian autocrats don’t cotton freedom, unless they personally granted it. Obama doesn’t believe in individual liberty, but that all power and rights emanate from government. Timothy Cardinal Dolan agrees. So it’s exciting to report that some St. Louisans are fighting back. Here’s the details: Protest for Religious Freedom Location: Old Courthouse (Directions) Date: Saturday, April 28, 2012 Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Video: White House Chief of Staff Says Obama Has Complete Power to Decree Healthcare Rules

April 17, 2012

Jack Lew, Obama’s Chief of Staff, says Obamacare law gives the President the power make rules regarding your health. Period. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhCxGdTJrxs] Lee Presser’s comment nails it: Chris Wallace states this is precisely the reason why so many people oppose Obamacare. Share this frightening power grab with your friends.

“[N]o one did it like Breitbart”

April 16, 2012

Last night, someone asked me, “who’s the most influential person in your iPhone contacts?” “I don’t know,” I said. “Breitbart’s dead.” David Carr writes in New York Times about the Life and Death of Andrew Breitbart. Be advised that neither Carr nor NYT shares our political beliefs. And the tactics they cheer from the left, they attack when from the right. Funny how whenKaren Finney lies about Mitt Romney, it’s good journalism.

Down at the Lake, They Want to Know "Is the Tea Party Dead?"

April 16, 2012

Is the Tea Party dead? That’s the big question this week around the Lake of the Ozarks. First, Eric Reeve The Lake Liberal wrote this letter-to in Lake News Online. He concludes: We may hear of the Tea Party here and there in the future, but I doubt it will ever figure prominently in American politics again. I say we should take a moment and reflect on what it might have been as we say farewell to the once promising Tea Party movement.

The After Party is Thursday, April 19, at 7 pm

April 15, 2012

The After Party is Thursday, April 19, at 7 pm. The location is Crowne Plaza Hotel in Clayton. The subject is the corrupt and corrupting judge selection process in Missouri, and how you can help change it. I learned a lot about the subject when Ed Martin pointed out this National Review article on the subject. The structure and left-wing dominance of the nominating commission (the distinctive feature of the Missouri Plan) has led many to argue that the state should amend the constitution to either directly elect judges or have them selected under something mirroring the advice/consent model set forth in the U.

Video: Rick Santelli Destroys The Buffett Rule Live on CNBC

April 15, 2012

The man who’s 2009 rant inspired the Tea Party movement shreds Obama’s “soak the rich” plan. Shreds I said. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfRxFFhhWnk] Santelli Crushes Buffett Rule There is no tax solution to America’s spending problem. Each additional dollar confiscated from the economy to feed the Washington bureaucracy results in an additional $1.40 in new spending. Washington IS THE PROBLEM! Starve the monster. Bleed the monster. But** Don’t Feed the Monster!**

A Former Governor and a Famous St. Louis Lawyer Indicted for Illegal Contributions to Democrat Party, and A Law Firm Changes Names in Mid-Quote

April 15, 2012

Everyone else is writing about the news that former Missouri Democrat Governor, Roger Wilson and local lawyer Ed Griesedieck Jr. were indicted on federal fraud charges today. The two allegedly made contributions to the Democrat Party (legal), and reimbursed themselves out of Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance Company’s coffers (illegal). But that’s not the weird part. After all, election fraud is the Democrats’ principal form of amusement. The weird part is the statement from Griesedieck’s law firm.

The Election’s Over, and the Republicans Got Creamed. Here’s What Went Wrong

April 15, 2012

November 7, 2012—When the AP called Florida for Obama only twenty minutes after polls closed there (8:00 EDT), any hopes of a Republican presidential victory were dashed. And before polls closed in the West, we knew that the GOP had lost the House as well as seven state legislatures. In short, the Grand Old Party died last night. Here’s what went wrong. Wrong Candidate at the Top: When Republicans run the candidate the liberal press wants them to run, they get creamed.

You Have a Date Next Thursday

April 15, 2012

Of course you do. It’s at 7:00 at the Crowne Plaza in Clayton. The Crowne Plaza Grille, to be precise. April 19. It’s the April After Party, and the topic is the Missouri plan. Your mission: bring one friend who’s never been to a Tea Party event. If you can’t find someone to bring, come anyway. Thinking about skipping? Don’t. The most important election since Lincoln’s first is just seven months away.

Spring view

April 9, 2012

Sometimes you to just stop and enjoy the view.

Obama, Obamacare and the Supreme Court

April 7, 2012

First, my prediction: Is Obamacare a tax? (8-1 Against) Technically speaking, if Obamacare is a tax, it could be non-justiciable until implementation. However, judicial precedence suggests the courts may review a tax before its implementation in certain circumstances. The Government did not even want to argue that Obamacare was a tax, so the Supreme Court (SCOTUS) appointed a separate attorney to make the argument. The only SCOTUS justice that appeared to entertain this line was Justice Breyer.

Time to Remove Justice Ginsburg

April 1, 2012

From Mark Steyn: Justice Ginsburg swung by Cairo last month to help out the lads from the Muslim Brotherhood building the new Egypt: “I would not look to the United States Constitution if I were drafting a constitution in the year 2012,” she advised them. That a sitting Supreme Court justice would denigrate the Constitution she’s sworn to uphold in a foreign country deserves the sort of scorn normally reserved for traitors.

The Supreme Court Votes on Obamacare Today

March 30, 2012

We won’t know the result until late June, most likely. And the results of today’s vote could change by then. Still, it’s sort of weird that after three years of public, wildly emotional and stupifyingly complex arguments, the fate of the republic comes down to a short meeting in Washington involving nine people in a paneled room. Mark Sherman of AP describes the cloistered scene: After months of anticipation, thousands of pages of briefs and more than six hours of arguments, the justices will vote on the fate of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul in under an hour Friday morning.

A Health Insurance Solution that Some Smart State Should Try

March 29, 2012

The term “United States” is both plural (many states united) and singular (the United States). The tag line “e pluribus unum” loses its meaning if we cease to be many, if we give up our identities as individual states. As states, we are as different from each other as the United States is from Canada. The United States are most powerful pursuing opportunities and fixing problems in the plural but defending in the singular.

It’s Impossible to Exaggerate the Historical Importance of the Supreme Court’s ObamaCare Decision

March 29, 2012

When the Supreme Court releases its opinion on the ObamaCare case, America will change fundamentally. This is the most important case to the future of the republic since the Great Depression or the Civil War. If the court upholds ObamaCare, it will end the principle of government limited by a written Constitution. Anthony Kennedy and Antonin Scalia said as much. A vote by Kennedy to uphold the legislation, then, would be a vote for unlimited government power.

The State of the GOP

March 28, 2012

by Bill Hennessy and Jim Durbin John Knowles’s classic novel, A Separate Peace, begins memorably: I went back to the Devon School not long ago, and found it looking oddly newer than when I was a student there fifteen years before . . . as if a coat of varnish had been put over everything for better preservation. I get precisely the opposite feel when I look at the Republican Party.

The Supreme Court Will Also Decide the Election

March 28, 2012

When the Supreme Court rules on ObamaCare, it will define Barack Obama as either a winner or loser. James Carville says overturning ObamaCare would be the best thing that could happen to Democrats. I think he’s wrong. ObamaCare is the centerpiece of Obama’s term in office. He put all of America’s business on hold for a year to pass it. He coerced, lied, intimidated, and threatened to get the law passed.

SCOTUS Reality Tour

March 28, 2012

By now you’ve seen the sensational headlines: * People Are Saying That Obama's Healthcare Law Got Massacred At The Supreme Court Today* Read more: https://www.businessinsider.com/politics#ixzz1qMjfnTtF** Here Is The Moment When Justice Alito Shredded Verrilli At The Obamacare Hearings* Read more: https://www.businessinsider.com/politics#ixzz1qMjjQXFM** Skeptical Kennedy signals trouble for Obama’s healthcare law** Supreme Court Health Care Law: Justices Come Down Hard On The Mandate And so it goes. Before we start dancing in the streets, let’s face a little reality.

Why People Are Being Unfair to Donald Verrilli

March 28, 2012

Everyone (including me) is cracking on Donald Verrilli, Obama’s Solicitor General. He figuratively died on the biggest legal stage in the world today. Here’s a sample of the left’s reaction to Verrilli’s performance: Mother Jones: Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli Jr. should be grateful to the Supreme Court for refusing to allow cameras in the courtroom, because his defense of Obamacare on Tuesday may go down as one of the most spectacular flameouts in the history of the court.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Crappy Argument In Support of ObamaCare

March 28, 2012

I’m often amazed at the weakness of arguments before the Supreme Court. Today, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, attempting to help out the Obama Administration’s fumbling solicitor-general, made the weakest argument I’ve ever heard. First,Ginsburg statement: Mr. Verrilli, I thought that your main point is that, unlike food or any other market, when you made the choice not to buy insurance, even though you have every intent in the world to self-insure, to save for it, when disaster strikes, you may not have the money.

How Herbert Hoover Launched Cardinal Nation

March 24, 2012

The St. Louis Cardinals were the major league team farthest west and farthest south until the 1950s. But that’s not the only reason the Redbirds built a massive flock of fans from the Alleghenies to the Rockies, and from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. The St. Louis Cardinals owe big government statism and technological innovation a big thanks, in addition to geography and great teams. The technology was radio. The big government statist?

Covenant of Liberty Is Available Now

March 20, 2012

Covenant of Liberty is the best American history I’ve read in years. Michael Patrick Leahy, among a very small group of patriots who hatched the first round of Tea Parties in February 2009, documents the US Government’s 230 year history of Constitutional infidelity. My full review will be finished soon, but don’t wait: buy Covenant of Liberty today. https://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=hennesssview-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=0062066331 Mike Leahy was the keynote speaker on day one of the 3rd Anniversary Tea Party in St.

Go Vote in Illinois

March 20, 2012

Go vote, please. Please. Vote now. Don’t Put It Off!! Did you know that ObamaCare is my fault? Of course, it is. Read my story below the clock. **I didn’t vote in 2006. You know why? ** I put it off. I decided not to stop on my way to work in the morning. Why? _I’ll have plenty of time tonight, _I thought. I’ll stop on my way home.

Action Alert: Help a David defeat a Goliath

March 19, 2012

If you think theTea Party’s job was to strengthen the Republican Establishment, stop reading. **If you think the Tea Party and the conservative grassroots stands for something larger than party, then you’re needed right now. ** A great grassroots candidate in Illinois needs an hour of your time today or tomorrow–to make calls, knock doors, wave signs, or work at polls. The GOP Establishment is pulling out all the stops. Lacking committed grassroots in Southern Illinois, they’re bringing in hired guns from Chicago and around the state.

Rodger Cook Best Choice for Southern Illinois

March 17, 2012

Rodger Cook fools no one into thinking he’s a member of the political class. He’s not. Rodger’s a human being, like the rest of us. That’s just one of the reasons that Rodger Cook has earned my personal endorsement in next Tuesday’s (March 20) Illinois primary.* Actually, Rodger’s not so much like the rest of us. Rodger has served the people of Illinois all of his adult life. Rodger has been a police officer, a detective, a mayor, and private businessman.

Jason Plummer Steps In It

March 16, 2012

When you’re the Republican Establishment’s candidate, you have one simple assignment: don’t screw up. Jason Plummer, a 29-year-old lumber heir, is the GOP Establishment’s appointed candidate for US Congress in Illinois’ 12th Congressional District. He’s facing a shockingly tough race from former police detective and former Belleville Mayor, Rodger Cook. (Never underestimate a detective’s tenacity.) In a debate last week, Plummer failed his one simple assignment. Despite a nearly unlimited war chest from his family’s fortune and the Illinois GOP treasury, Plummer said something stupid.

BREAKING: Watch The Kudlow Report at 6 Central Tonight MARCH 14

March 14, 2012

I’m honored to return to The Kudlow Report tonight (Wednesday, March 14) at 6:00 pm Central (7 ET) with Larry Kudlow. I hope to talk about the GOP Presidential primaries, RomneyCare, and the Tea Party movement. Please watch if you can. Good ratings for Tea Party guests will only increase the number of Tea Party guests.

The White House Will Ban Rush From Armed Forces Radio

March 13, 2012

When I was on the USS John C. Calhoun, the XO and I were big Rush fans. We stockpiled Snapple in the outboards of the Ship’s Office just to have a little taste of EIB during our three-month patrols. That was 1992. Back when this country’s government still held onto some strand of connection to its founding. That’s all gone, now. The United States is a shell of its former self.

America’s Dictator

March 12, 2012

From the New York Times: President Obama, who came to office promising transparency and adherence to the rule of law, has become the first president to claim the legal authority to order an American citizen killed without judicial involvement, real oversight or public accountability. In one sentence, the newspaper conservatives love to hate condemned Barack Obama to the title “dictator.” Those who voted for him—the ones who still want to be thought of as “American”—will rationalize.

Comes Now Gloria Allred and Makes an Ass of Herself

March 10, 2012

The feminist attorney famous for making herself famous just couldn’t let the Sandra Fluke case go. Gloria Allred sent a letter to a Florida District Attorney asking him to arrest Rush Limbaugh for violation of an ancient Florida law. The statute stipulates that anyone who “speaks of and concerning any woman, married or unmarried, falsely and maliciously imputing to her a want of chastity” is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

When Government Fails, Americans Step Up

March 9, 2012

Jennifer Pahlka is a remarkable woman. She realized what many have realized: government often fails at its most basic tasks. Governments don’t keep up with technology or culture. Nor can they act nimbly. A start-up produces finished products worth millions in four months; it takes government that long to start the first feasibility study. Spotting government’s shortcomings isn’t what makes Jennifer so amazing. Every sane American knows that government is a nightmare of bureaucratic hell that admires problems and punishes the successful.

Romney=money, Santorum=passion, Gingrich

March 9, 2012

Romney=money, Santorum=passion, Gingrich=plan, Paul=principles. We need a blender.

Are You a Superhero?

March 6, 2012

This is a challenge. I want you to grab a pen and paper (or open your favorite note app). Now write down a list of characteristic you’d expect a **superhero_ _**to display. Write as many or as few as you’d like. Don’t continue until you’ve written down the characteristics of a superhero. Welcome back. Here’s the next step. I want you to look over your list of superhero traits. As you do, think about the amount of that trait you have in you.

This David Stockman Quote Should Scare the Hell Out of Everyone

March 5, 2012

Is the US economy about to collapse worse the Greece’s? Some, like Paul Krugman, say that it’s okay for governments to print unlimited money. Others, who have actually managed businesses, say otherwise. **David Stockman is among the latter. He was Reagan’s budget director for a few years. He became a media sensation because of his command of numbers. ** He left the White House early, fretting over federal debt. But debt in the 1980s was as a piggy bank to Wells Fargo.

What Rush Limbaugh Could Teach Rush Limbaugh UPATE

March 4, 2012

What made Rush Limbaugh so amazing for 24 years was his steadfast resolve. Face it, you have to believe what you believe title your books The Way Things Ought To Be and See, I Told You So. His fans loved him because he never backed down. Rush didn’t back down when the left went nuts over his “Obama, The Magic Negro” parody. He didn’t back down from his “hope Obama fails” statement.

How Rush Limbaugh Revived Chivalry

March 3, 2012

A Georgetown law student turned the Democrat Party from an androgynous blob into a modern day Ivanhoe. (Yes, I’ll tread carefully around that “Ivanhoe” to spare Democrat sensibilities.) Sandra Fluke, the student, begged Congress to confiscate property from me and millions of other taxpayers in order to satisfy her sexual appetite. Rush Limbaugh pointed out that law school lasts three years, condoms cost about a buck each, and Ms. Fluke needed 3,000 of them just to make it to the bar exam.

RIP, Andrew Breitbart UPDATE

March 1, 2012

Business Insider has picked up a Big Journalism story that Andrew Breitbart died last night. (Big Journalism is one of Breitbart’s web sites.) If this is true, then we’ve lost a gallant warrior in the battle to preserve and advance freedom and liberty. Of course, the lefties will flood the internet with hate and bile. So maybe the obit is a plot to draw the lefties out and reveal them for who and what they really are.

Changes at Hennessy's View

February 29, 2012

Looks different, doesn’t it? After hosting my own web sites forever, I’m trying to simplify my server admin life. I’m moving Hennessy’s View to another service from my own servers. The difference you should see is the theme. (I’m tired of the minimalism.) Also, some archives from before 2010 might be missing for a while. They’ll catch up soon enough. Thanks UPDATE In addition to the changes above, a couple of comments posted during the upgrade have been lost.

America’s Economic Freedom Is Collapsing. Here’s What You Need To Know | Video

February 29, 2012

Yesterday, I blogged about freedom envy—the feeling Americans get when they look at countries where the people get freer every day. Today, thanks to Economic Freedom blog, we have a great video to introduce the idea of economic freedom. Does that sound silly? I mean, aren’t Americans born with an understanding of economic freedom? And craving to preserve it? Yes, we are. But our schools, entertainment, press, and, above all, GOVERNMENT beats economic freedom out of us by the time we’re 14 years old.

Why Not an Annual Celebration of Freedom?

February 28, 2012

The first entry in National Review’s “The Week” from sometime around 1990 listed ten or so former Soviet bloc countries that recently had shed the yoke of communist repression. And it made a simple statement: “It must be nice to live in a country where you get freer every day.” I thought of this while talking about the 13th Amendment Freedom Week with its evangelist-in-chief Kariem Haqq at St.

3rd Anniversary Tea Party: Thank You!

February 27, 2012

The 3rd Anniversary Tea Party rocked . . . because of the great patriot-activists who have decided it’s time to act and win. Although Dr. Larry Schweikart couldn’t make it (because of the Chicago snow storm), Friday’s event was better than planned or expected. Tea Party champion Michael Patrick Leahy jumped into fill a last-minute void, and the crowd loved it. I had the the pleasure of reading and advanced copy of Mike Leahy’s new book, Covenant of Liberty: The Ideological Origins of the Tea Party Movement in December.

Overtime

February 25, 2012

Just because it’s after 10:00 am, doesn’t mean you can’t come to the 3rd Anniversary Tea Party. No, we didn’t come up with a policy for people who arrive late to the feast. We will find a way to get you involved that’s fair to everyone. Grab your laptop or your mobile device, if you have one, get in your car, and drive to the Crowne Plaza in Clayton. Ask for the Tea Party.

Time’s Up!

February 24, 2012

The 3rd Anniversary Tea Party begins tonight at 6:30 at the Crowne Plaza in Clayton. You can make a difference. But not alone. If you join forces with just three other people, you’ll triple your influence. Show up. Bring two friends. Leave with a company a soldiers for the America’s liberation.

Why Attend the 3rd Anniversary Tea Party

February 23, 2012

Yes, I’ve written about little else. The 3rd Anniversary Tea Party is something of an obsession with me. And for good reasons: * Obama is surging * Apathy has seized the right * America’s future hangs in the balance But there’s a much bigger reason you—you, the person reading this blog—should attend the 3rd Anniversary Tea Party. That reason is personal, powerful, and acute. That reason is this:You cannot live with yourself if Obama wins and you failed to do everything in your power to stop him.

Unto Dust We Shall Return

February 22, 2012

Today begins Lent. Lent prepares us for the cycle of mortality and resurrection, perfected by Christ, without which life has no meaning. It’s a time of humility. We call to mind our human brokenness in hopes of making ourselves better imitators of Christ. On Ash Wednesday, we mark ourselves with the sign of the cross in ashes. **“Remember, man, that you are dust and unto dust you shall return (Genesis 3:19).

You’re Almost Out of Time

February 22, 2012

There will be only one 3rd Anniversary Tea Party, and it will be this coming Friday and Saturday, February 24 and 25. Today’s Wednesday. You have two days. Order today, because the future needs you. This could be the only chance you get to learn about how the brain votes, how social media can change the outcome, how you can influence casual voters with minimal effort, how to caucus, and how 7 obscure events changed American history.

What You Think You Know About Establishment Candidates Is Probably Wrong

February 21, 2012

I see is all the time. Supporters of Establishment candidates complain that their opponents are establishment, too. We saw it in the Missouri 2nd District. We see in the GOP Presidential primary. The last refuge of the Establishment’s candidates is to spread the pain of the Establishment label. What many people don’t get is what the Establishment label actually means. It’s time everyone understood this. **The Establishment’s candidate is the candidate the Establishment chooses for us.

What Makes Us Happy?

February 21, 2012

Marc, at Bad Catholic, rocks. In this post on Obama’s continuing jihad against Christianity, he answers a burning question: did human happiness exist before artificial contraception? Put another way, is chemical birth control a natural state of humanity? Before you answer, read the post. Think about it.

How Conservatives Relate to Washington’s Continental Army

February 20, 2012

Did you know there is no federal holiday called Presidents Day? Today is Washington’s Birthday. As a posthumous birthday gift to our first president and commander-in-chief of the army that won our war for independence, I offer a simple wish: that the army of liberty formed in February 2009, known as “the Tea Party,” will resist the temptation to resign. That’s a great word for what a lot of us feel these days: resignation.

Obama’s Surging in the Polls; Here’s Everything You Need to Know

February 20, 2012

Don’t bother blaming it on poll questions designed to lead respondents. Never mind that it’s a long way until the election. And stop whining about the White House fudging the numbers on unemployment. The fact is that Obama’s surging at just the right time. His re-election chances are now above 50 percent. His intrade.com chances of winning are near 60 percent. And he’s raising more money than al of the Republican candidates combined.

The Romans Had Nothing on Us | Video

February 19, 2012

Do you know the most persecuted religious group on earth? History speaks of the massive Roman persecution of Christians. The catacombs of Rome, housing the remains of thousands of Christian martyrs, tell us the story and give voice to the dead. But the Romans had nothing on we moderns when it comes to persecuting Christians. Today, Christians are the most persecuted religious group on the planet. And the problem grows worse every day.

Apathy

February 18, 2012

The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it. –Albert Einstein It’s easy to blame the subject for our apathy. The candidates are uninspiring; the colors are dull; the task is boring. Blaming the subject is easy because it relieves us, the objects, of any responsibility. “I can’t make Romney less WASPy.

10 Days Until 3rd Anniversary Tea Party

February 14, 2012

Are you armed with tickets? If not, get them today. Here’s the details: Join St. Louis Tea Party Coalition’s 3rd Anniversary Tea Party Weekend It’s time to prepare for the new Tea Party Revolution. 2012 will be the most important election of our lifetime. We must make sure we are doing everything we can to stop this Administration. Join us February 24th and 25th to learn the MUST know for this election cycle.

How You Can Save Religious Freedom in America

February 13, 2012

When Barack Obama declared that Catholics must either violate their consciences or face government persecution, he wasn’t going after just Catholics. Nor was he promoting healthcare. Barack Obama and his myrmidon Kathleen Sebelius tried to erase the First Amendment. They tried to erase religious freedom. They tried to take away yet another foundational liberty that made America America. And they will try again " Unless you stop them. But how are you going to stop them alone?

Santorum Surging Because People Like Him

February 12, 2012

The latest Public Policy Poll shows Santorum surging—big time. **Santorum is most appealing to conservatives—from Evangelicals to Tea Partiers: ** Santorum is now completely dominating with several key segments of the electorate, especially the most right leaning parts of the party. With those describing themselves as ‘very conservative,’ he’s now winning a majority of voters at 53% to 20% for Gingrich and 15% for Romney. Santorum gets a majority with Tea Party voters as well at 51% to 24% for Gingrich and 12% for Romney.

Relate to This, Mitt

February 12, 2012

The liberal press cannot issue a story about the Republican presidential race that does not refer to Mitt Romney’s need (and inability) to “relate to” conservatives. Puke. Relate to this: if Mitt Romney’s a conservative, I’m a Hottentot. By “relate to,” the media and Romney’s handlers actually mean “hoodwink.” While Romney might secure the GOP nomination without conservative support, his campaign will go down in flames without conservative grassroots boots on the ground from Labor Day to Election Day.

40 Days of Life

February 11, 2012

Forty Days of Life is a peaceful, prayerful response the poverty of abortion. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-AfLO6Oevo] The Coalition for Life is a community based Christian pro-life organization made up of over 90 churches and thousands of individuals who are working to end abortion in St. Louis, peacefully and prayerfully. ____ The 40 Days for Life St. Louis Adopt-A-Day program is for Churches and/or Organizations that feel God is calling them to a day of prayer at our vigil location near Planned Parenthood on Forest Park Avenue.

Obama’s War on Catholics Has Nothing To Do With Healthcare

February 11, 2012

Obama’s dictate that Catholic organizations must participate in contraception and abortion has nothing to do with healthcare or rights or contraception or anything of the sort. Not at all. Modern dictatorships don’t operate that way. **Obama just destroyed the free practice clause of the First Amendment, and that’s exactly what he intended. ** Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof

Mitt Romney’s Resume Cover Letter

February 9, 2012

There are some things you just don’t say in a cover letter—or on the campaign trail. A self-aggrandizing cover letter from an NYU undergrad to some Wall Street banks has the whole financial world laughing. The kid’s naïve hubris and ignorance of what employers look for in a candidate earned him public humiliation on an internet scale. Here’s just a sample of the kid’s self-promotion: That semester I achieved a 3.

Wait ‘til These Kids Meet the Tax Man

February 8, 2012

When the rules become so complicated and convoluted that well-meaning people unwittingly break the law, the legal system has lost its moral authority. Students at Georgetown University are discovering the horrors of, what Tocqueville called “small complicated rules, minute and uniform, through which the most original minds and the most energetic characters cannot penetrate, to rise above the crowd.” An editorial in The Hoya, the official student newspaper, students advocate “eliminating bureaucracy.

Don’t Bet On Election Outcomes

February 1, 2012

“Anybody will beat Obama.” I get some comments and see a lot of tweets about the inevitability that any Republican will win in November. That’s frightening. The prospect of a Republican beating Obama isn’t frightening, of course—any of the four remaining candidates would be night and day better for our future. What’s frightening is that so many people bet on the unknowable. Except in rare cases—one candidate is caught stealing from a church weeks before the election—political elections carry too many variables for anyone to predict their results a month in advance, much less three-quarters of a year ahead.

How Rational Is Your Vote?

January 31, 2012

Ask a real partisan—someone with a Ron Paul or Ed Martin sticker on his car–why he supports that candidate. You’ll get a lot of rational reasons. Then challenge just one of those reasons, and what do you get? More reason? No, you get raw emotions. That’s because the emotional mind—the part of the brain designed for survival—exerts far more influence over our thinking that most people are willing to admit.

What Do Presidential Debates and Colonoscopies Have in Common?

January 30, 2012

At some point, each additional GOP Presidential debate becomes just a bigger pain in the . . . But science shows us that the last debate before a vote—and the last memorable event in the last debate—is paramount to how we remember the entire event. In fact, memorable moments at the end, not consistent performance throughout, determine who wins and who loses. In this awesome TED talk, Nobel winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman explains the weird difference between our experiencing selves and our remembering selves.

The Biggest Rip-Off in America is College Tuition

January 29, 2012

While everyone was screaming about the rising cost of medical treatment, America’s leftist incubation chambers—colleges and universities—robbed us of our economic future. And the federal government’s misguided student aid program is to blame. **What allows this growth? ** * Increased per student government funding * Massive private and public debt Who benefits? * College administrators * Unions working on college campuses * Political causes that college administrators like (liberal) Who pays?

Ed Martin’s AG Race Makes 3rd Anniversary Tea Party Even More Important

January 28, 2012

Two weeks ago, weeks ago, how many Missouri statewide offices did you expect to flip? Be honest. Yes, there are great people running for Governor, Secretary of State, and Treasurer. And we already have a fine Lieutenant Governor Kinder running for re-election. But numerous factors, like name recognition, experience, and Jay Nixon’s weird relationship with Republican House leadership, made a major upset unlikely. And no Republicans had stepped up to challenge Chris Koster for Attorney General.

BREAKING: Ed Martin Running for Attorney General in Missouri UPDATE

January 26, 2012

Ed Martin Jr. of St. Louis has redirected his fire to the Attorney General race, and this is great news for everyone except Chris Koster. Back when Ed Martin was talking about running for the Republican nod to take on Claire McCaskill, I had another thought. Well, a bunch of people had another thought: Ed would make an outstanding Attorney General. UPDATE HUGE list of endorsements on Ed’s official press release.

Why We Must Win

January 25, 2012

Think about what’s at stake: * The Supreme Court is one liberal away from imposing a radical, unwritten constitution on the United States * The President has shredded the Constitution by seizing the power to declare when the Senate is or is not in session * The United States has fallen many notches in world prestige * We can no longer fight wars on two fronts * The White House and Democrats in the Senate block every attempt at increasing domestic energy production * Our debt is approaching Greece’s catastrophic levels * The economy, after nearly four years, is flat on its back * America is losing ground on every front * And Obama made it worse

UMSL Econ Professor David Rose on Moral Foundations of Economic Behavior

January 24, 2012

I’m proud to know David Rose. Dr. Rose is chairman of UMSL’s economics department. He’s also the President of the Discussion Club, one of St. Louis’s most valuable intellectual assets. In this interview with Russ Roberts, Dr. Rose discusses his new book Moral Foundations of Economic Behavior. This is great stuff for everyone, especially economic liberty fiends like me. https://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=hennesssview-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=0199781745

The Bain of Newt’s Existence

January 17, 2012

Truth is, not all companies, not all business ideas, can make it on their own. It’s easy to say that a good idea will automatically lead to a successful business. But it’s a lie. Apple did not become Apple without investors. Sure, there are some examples of businesses that flourished without financial help. But not many. We’ll never know the wonderful ideas that died in their owner’s garage for lack of financing.

Where Were You When Obama Nullified the Constitution?

January 16, 2012

Most Americans know more about forensic evidence in the Casey Anthony case than they do about the Constitution. That ignorance gave Barack Obama the hubris to end constitutional government in the United States. He did it, and you probably didn’t even notice. Over the course of a week, Barack Obama made a series of so-called recess appointments. In the process, he and his henchmen in Eric Holder’s Justice Department effectively nullified the US Constitution.

New Hampshire Exposes GOP’s Diverse Base

January 12, 2012

Okay, Santorum and Gingrich didn’t get a bump out of their debates over the weekend. More like the bump got them. And Ron Paul did way better than I expected. Congratulations to Dr. Paul and Mitt. I still think my Saturday night post accurately reflected the national impressions, though. That’s backed up by this CBS News poll that shows Republicans believe Santorum most closely shares their values, but—and this is a J Lo but—they believe Romney is more electable.

Are You Ready to Caucus?

January 10, 2012

What’s the difference between a caucus and a primary? Who’s allowed to attend a caucus? How do I find out my caucus location? When it the caucus? How long does it take? How to do I get ready? This Is Important Stuff These are just some of the questions I have about the Missouri Republican Presidential Caucus scheduled for March 17. And I’m not the only with questions. That’s why St.

Here’s a 16th Century Lesson on Focus

January 9, 2012

Sundays are useful touchstones for our goals. Last week, I told you about my maniacal focus for 2012. At the beginning of the week, I stuck carefully to my plan. But after two consecutive 15-hour days at work, I let my mind wander a little. I’m sure you know how that goes. Well, Sunday is a great touchstone. And who provided my guidance and support? A 16th century saint and Doctor of the Church.

Who Won the New Hampshire Republican Debate?

January 8, 2012

It depends on how you score. I see three scoring scenarios: 1. Best conservative performance 2. Best electability performance 3. Best positional performance Conservative performance is pretty clear: whose answers appeal to conservatives? (Does not mean conservatives believed the candidate meant what he said.) This is not Tea Party scoring, either. I’m not limiting my evaluation to the 3 core Tea Party principles of Constitutionally limited government, free markets, and fiscal responsibility.

BREAKING: Santorum Pulls Away with 13-Vote Lead

January 4, 2012

That’s with 88 percent of the counting complete. The bigger story: Romney’s underperforming his 2008 results in key counties. Santorum outperforming Huckabee in 2008. What does it all mean? Conservatives and libertarians dominate the caucuses. Romney is the choice of the Republican establishment. The cronies poured millions into his campaign even before he declared himself a conservative. He’s won endorsements from just about every big name general election loser include Bob Dole and George H.

Imagine That! America Was 40,000 Laws Short of a Full Deck

January 3, 2012

Until the clock struck twelve on January 1, that is. That’s when 40,000 – count ‘em, forty thousand—new laws took effect in the United States. Some of the new laws are, no doubt, good and proper. Some restore liberties lost. But others bind. And some are silly. Utah’s banning happy hours. (Why not ban melancholy hours instead?) California now prohibits people 18 and under from using tanning beds. Georgia requires golf carts to have turn signals and horns if driven on public roads.

A Maniacal Focus for 2012

January 2, 2012

I’m almost finished reading Walter Isaacson’s biography of Apple co-founder and genius Steve Jobs. Jobs’s life left insanely good lessons. Some lessons instruct us on how to do things. Others warn us of bad things to avoid. One of the good things Steve Jobs taught us: focus. Maniacal focus on things that mattered, and a pathological aversion to distractions. One example. When Jobs returned to Apple after 10-year exile, he took stock of all the projects underway.

Hennessy’s View of 2011

December 31, 2011

Here are the top Hennessy’s View posts of each month of 2012, scientifically selected by . . . me. January The Gabrielle Giffords shooting by lunatic Jerod Lee Loughner was the biggest news event of the month. The cynically attempted to use the tragedy for political gain. The left failed. February The Arab Spring began last winter. When Mubarak was on the ropes in Egypt, some questioned whether or not his fall would be good for the region and the world.

Pork For Me But Not For Thee

December 31, 2011

Some St. Louis area conservatives cheered Roy Blunt’s (R-MO) elevation to the Number 5 leadership position in the Senate Republican caucus. I didn’t. At least not politically. I like Senator Blunt personally, so I’m happy in that respect. But I’m not happy for the reasons some others are. First, as I told Jo Mannies of the St. Louis Beacon, internal party stuff isn’t really a Tea Party matter. Leadership in the Senate’s GOP caucus is for Republican Senators to worry about.

How the RCGA Is Ruining St. Louis and What Businesses Can Do About It

December 29, 2011

Everyone knows and accepts that government does stupid things. Sometimes it feels like people institute governments and delegate them certain powers just to give us something to complain about. Government stupidity, scandal, and corruption hits different people in different ways. Government hyperactivity keeps poor people poor by limiting opportunity and by building barriers to exiting poverty programs. “If you take that job, you’ll lose your health insurance.” Compassion my non-qualifying asset.

What Scrooge Teaches Millennials

December 28, 2011

_This is the fourth in a series. If you haven’t, please read part 1, part 2, and part 3. _ Because so many school systems have driven great English literature out of students’ hands and minds, it’s possible that some kids never read Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. If you’ve never read this classic, please do so now. You need it. Back? Good. Fascinating stuff, isn’t it? And so much more accessible than David Copperfield, which was my introduction to Dickens.

How Government Growth Creates Scrooges

December 27, 2011

Scrooge’s nephew left the office and let in two men in the process. They came to ask for a donation for London’s poor. “At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge,” said the gentleman, taking up a pen, “it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.

A Merry Christmas After All

December 25, 2011

We know how the story ends. “What’s to-day!” cried Scrooge, calling downward to a boy in Sunday clothes, who perhaps had loitered in to look about him. “EH?” returned the boy, with all his might of wonder. “What’s to-day, my fine fellow?” said Scrooge. “To-day!” replied the boy. “Why, CHRISTMAS DAY.” “It’s Christmas Day!” said Scrooge to himself. “I haven’t missed it. The Spirits have done it all in one night.

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come

December 24, 2011

In the course of our lives, we sometimes lose our way. We wander off the good path. Or we fail to blaze the trail we should. THE Phantom slowly, gravely, silently, approached. When it came near him, Scrooge bent down upon his knee; for in the very air through which this Spirit moved it seemed to scatter gloom and mystery. It was shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its head, its face, its form, and left nothing of it visible save one outstretched hand.

The GOP is to Public Relations What Evel Knievel Was to Motorcycle Safety

December 23, 2011

I live in a very hilly area. Yet I’m still alive. Explain that. Maybe that’s why I’m a lower-case “r” republican and not an upper-case one. Republicans seem to feel every hill is worth dying on. What else could explain the House’s rejection of a silly payroll tax cut extension followed by a doubly-damaging capitulation? By “silly,” I mean ill-advised, inconsequential, irrational, and fiscally irresponsible. The Senate’s two-month extension of the Social Security tax cut represents the worst of Washington.

Christmas on Sunday

December 22, 2011

When I was a kid, I loved Christmas on Sundays. What I hated were the years before and after the Sunday Christmas. My problem was I didn’t want to go to Mass two days in a row. To give some background, I grew up in a Catholic home. Very Catholic. My dad went to Epiphany. My mom’s Catholic, and her dad converted very late in life. Two of my dad’s cousins were Monsignors.

The Two Key Roles in Social Media Activism Update

December 21, 2011

Have you ever studied human networks? I’m not talking about online social networks alone, but any kind of human network. They’re amazing. Networks tend to determine who we date, who we marry, and where we work. Our lives are more influenced by networks than we can imagine. A network community can be defined as a group of people who are much more connected to one another than they are to other groups of connected people found in other parts of the network.

Where’s Bob Dole?

December 20, 2011

The middle of the road is fine until you have to get somewhere. I voted for Bob Dole in 1996. Yet his nomination drove me away from political activism for years. I got out of the Navy in the fall of 1994. I watched the GOP reclaim the House with my nephew, Scott. I expected the Republicans to nominate a solid conservative who deliver a knock-out blow to the Clinton era two years later.

Why Tea Party?

December 19, 2011

A college student asked me a question: Why join the Tea Party? He was wondering why anyone would want to associate with people who behaved reprehensibly at two earlier Republican debates. Here’s how I replied: Johnny, Sorry that I’m just getting to this. I get a lot of email, and sometimes I miss things. I organized the tea party in St. Louis in 2009. I did so because I’ve seen that governments accumulate power until they crush liberty and freedom.

Get Off Your Duff and GoVote.com

December 18, 2011

You have a great new way to participate in the political life of America thanks to GoVote.com With GoVote.com, you can Rate politicians, blogs, organizations, and more * Find all of your elected officials in one place * Find easy links to important web sites * Keep track of news that most important to you * Share your views on events, people, and organizations * More Take a few minutes to register and explore the site this weekend.

The extraordinary heart of a charity founder

December 16, 2011

Have you ever thought, “I need to do more for others?” I have. And I’ve made feeble attempts to satisfy that urge. Feeble. Still, when I’ve done something “good” for others with no expectation of return, I kind of thump my chest and smile at myself in the mirror like I’m some kind of big shot. Then my wife introduced me to Valerie Hays, and I realized how much more a person can do.

Yahoo Email Users: Check Your Spam Filters

December 15, 2011

We just received this heads up from a friend: Just a quick note that Yahoo has apparently changed their “Spam” firewall rules. You’re Tea Party updates have been showing up in my spam box for the past couple days. I can’t prove there is a conspiracy, but all of my e-mails from conservative organizations are showing up as spam while a lot of other crap is flying right through. Yahoo mail’s spam filter is supposed to be an adaptive process.

What’s the Big Deal with the Establishment?

December 14, 2011

A friend of mine told me this story. He sat that there bragging about getting a tax cut for friends of his. I said, ‘you do realize, don’t you, that you’re just like the Democrats, except you’re giving taxpayers money to a different special interest.’ He looked at me and said, ‘but our special interests do good with the money.’ My friend was talking about the second highest-ranking Republican in the Missouri House at the time.

Call Me “Apologist”

December 13, 2011

The Washington Post’s headline writer made a common mistake on Sunday. He confused “one who apologizes” with “apologist.” An easy mistake, no doubt, for most of us. Professional headline writers should know better. So should Glenn Kessler, the author of the WP story. The claim that Obama is an apologist for the nation began to take shape shortly after he became president. An apologist is “one who speaks or writes in defense of someone or something.

“men of good will” and other changes

December 11, 2011

Gloria in excelsis Deo. Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis. The English version of the Roman Catholic Missal changed at the start of Advent. The new translation is truer to the Latin original. The response to “The Lord be with you,” change to “And with your spirit” from “and also with you.” The Latin, et cum spiritu tuo translates exactly into “and with your spirit.” Another change that thrills conservative Catholics, is the consecration.

Kansas: Point of No Return

December 8, 2011

Tuesday in Kansas, President Barack Obama revealed his contempt for liberty. He declared that human beings are incapable of running their own lives . . . but, somehow, other, superior human beings are capable of running their own and others’. He said that free markets have always failed, everywhere . . . ignoring most of the last 240 years. He all but declared himself a Marxist. I am depressed that America let this dangerous man into our government.

The GOP’s Predictable Plan to Destroy the Tea Party

December 7, 2011

Yes, the establishment wants you to go away. Are you going to obey? With a little help from The Atlantic and New York Times (of all places), we can put together a strategy to recognize and deflect the establishment’s tactics. Put this in your back pocket. You’ll need it before primary season is over. Establishment Tactic 1: Never admit membership in the establishment How To Handle: Never argue about what he establishment is.

And the Battle Rages

December 6, 2011

Sometimes the right path is the easy path. Then the alarm goes off, and we get up to face the world. When we first met in February 2009, we set ourselves on a course. We dedicated ourselves to, in Buckley’s words, stand athwart history, yelling “STOP!” But we promised ourselves and the world even more. We committed to reversing the neglect and abuse that’s stained our liberty for more than half a century.

How the Establishment Wins

December 6, 2011

A few years ago, Malcolm Gladwell wrote an awesome article for The New Yorker: How David Beats Goliath. Read it after you read this. The story encourages and frustrates at the same time. Encourages because we learn Davids can, occasionally, beat Goliaths. Frustrates because Goliaths tend to change the rules just before the epic battle. That’s how the establishment wins—by establishing the rules. And changing them as necessary. Not exactly fair, but fairness isn’t in the rule book.

Debunking the 11th Commandment

December 5, 2011

The Gipper didn’t always follow his own commandment. I’ve appreciated Newt Gingrich’s attitude during the 398 Republican Presidential debates. You know, his approach of refusing to attack his opponents. He will, necessarily, change that approach a bit on the stump, but it’s been very effective so far. As Gingrich might put it, anyone on this stage will do a better job than Barack Obama. And he’d be right. But being right about that doesn’t mean candidates don’t have an obligation to show voters why they’re preferable to their opponents.

Guess Who the Puritans Are?

December 4, 2011

Some center-right people take their ball and go home. Guess who? Since the 2010 election, we’ve heard from the Establishment (GOP, MSM, DNC) that Tea Partiers are too puritanical. The elitist theory holds that Tea Partiers demand doctrinaire allegiance to some engraved-granite list of principles. Stray from that list, and the Tea Party will hunt you down like a dog in the street and beat you with a Wiffle Ball bat until you pee blood for a week.

Get Tea Party Calls--For Free!

November 22, 2011

I hear about it all the time. People are frustrated with me. With St. Louis Tea Party. They’re frustrated because they hear about our events after the events. That’s no good. We want people at the events. That’s what makes them events. **What you asked for was some way to get a phone call about upcoming events. ** That’s not unreasonable. The question is, how are we going to pay for it?

7 Questions for Candidate Forums

November 21, 2011

The quality of the answers you get in life depend on the quality of the questions you ask. Sometimes, though, when offered the chance to ask important questions, we ask questions about personal gain or immediate problems. That’s natural. Our brains are wired to prompt us with the urgent, immediate things in our lives. But sometimes that’s not the best strategy. Sometimes we need answers to the bigger questions–questions that may be crucial later.

What Do Post Dispatch Reporters and Penn State Have in Common?

November 19, 2011

Like the Penn State athletic department, most St. Louis news media covered up a sex crime in order to protect an organization they love. The St. Louis Post Dispatch, KTVI 2 and KPLR 11, and KSDK 5 each failed to report a sexual assault that took place at the illegal OccupySTL squatters' village in Kiener Plaza last week. The assault came to light only because a citizen-journalist, the POed Patriot, monitors the police crime map.

How Weather in Thailand Could Change American Politics

November 18, 2011

Just over a decade ago, a little lightning in New Mexico upended the cell phone business. Nature, not government, picked winners and losers. That storm determined the cell phone device race until another dynamo, the iPhone, came along and changed everything again. Now, weather in Thailand–and the tsunami in Japan–threaten to upend American politics in the 2012. Your economic future could hang in the balance. Nokia vs. Ericsson, 2001 The Wall Street Journal story spellbound me.

Tonight is The After Party

November 17, 2011

Just a reminder. The Missouri Precinct Project (MOPP) will make a presentation about its mission and goals at the next I want to encourage you to attend and listen to what we have to say about getting ready for the next election in 2012. Sky Music Lounge. Ballwin. 930 Kehrs Mill at Clayton Rd. 7:00 pm Please help Joplin Bring needed items for Joplin: ** Space heaters ** Blankets ** Canned goods ** Cleaning supplies

Want to Know What Real Change Looks Like?

November 16, 2011

Have you known anyone who turned his life around? I was in New York last week. Every day I was there, I passed hundreds of people. Each day, I met a dozen new friends. Everyone in New York, it seems, is ready to smile and have a conversation. I thought about some of these people– the young couple holding hands, the young man with a hoodie a dozen tattoos, the two models (I was in that part of town) sitting in the hotel lobby talking on their cell phones.

You Could Be Saving a Life

November 15, 2011

The daily news about Joplin has faded. The turmoil remains. The list of desperately needed items is shorter, but the need is more acute than ever. Please help. If you can, please bring NEW items for Joplin to Sky Music Lounge Thursday, November 17, between 7 and 10 pm. Please bring ONLY items on this list. Rob Brenner will make sure they get where they’re desperately needed.

Why Can't the Establishment Fix America's Problems?

November 14, 2011

America has but one political party capable of winning races on a scale large enough to change government practices: the Republican Party. When the GOP takes Washington (or Jefferson City), things don’t seem to get better. Wonder why? Let’s take a little stroll down memory lane. “To secure the nomination, the Dewey forces spent money and made deals and promises that Taft would never make. Offers were made of Federal jobs that Delegates could not resist.

What are the Perfect Ingredients of Great Book?

October 15, 2011

Writers are always looking for the perfect topic for a book. But there’s a problem. What’s important to me may not be important to you. And what you to read about, I might not care about. That’s why great books achieve a certain universality. They touch on the essence of life itself, of humanity itself, of existence. Some say that the secret to perfectly spellbinding stories is a mixture of just three elements: sex, food, and spirit.

Don't Let Occupy Wall Street Erase the Tea Party's Purpose

October 7, 2011

The Tea Party movement faces its greatest danger right now. The future of this country, therefore, straddles a sharp and angry line. One wrong move and everything that we’ve built over the past two and half years will collapse around us. Occupy Wall Street is a communist idea built on the very same factors that inspired the Tea Party movement. If Tea Partiers let their disdain for the messenger distort our message, the American experiment will end.

How Herman Cain Can Win

October 5, 2011

Do conservative politicians believe in America and in liberty? Or do they believe in their own grand plans? We’re about to find out. With Christie out of the race, the money will flood toward the establishment guy, Romney. In other words, the race will be over before Thanksgiving. Romney will be the GOP candidate. Whether he beats Obama is a coin flip. Romney will in the nomination, unless conservatives put country before pride.

Would you do me a favor this Saturday?

September 29, 2011

I try not to ask for much. Okay, maybe that’s not true, but I’m going to ask you a favor, anyway. Mark this down: **7:00 pm, Saturday, October 1. ** It’s weird, I know. But I’m asking for three presents in one. First, my mom and dad celebrate their wedding anniversary this week. (62nd?) Second, my wife and I celebrate our wedding anniversary this week. Third, next week is my birthday.

Top 5 Moves for Herman Cain Supporters Right Now

September 25, 2011

Herman Cain is riding a wave of popularity because of his upset win in the Florida straw poll on Saturday. He’s helped by Rick Perry’s free-fall and Mitt Romney’s establishmentarianism. But Cain is a huge underdog. That’s okay because **America loves an underdog. ** Here’s what must happen right now for Herman Cain to win: 1. Social Media avalanche. Get @THEHermanCain trending on Twitter, and keep it there for five consecutive days.

What Rick Perry Can Learn From Clark Griswold

September 24, 2011

In 2001, I loaded my three boys, ages 13, 10, and 8 at the time, into the car and headed to downtown St. Louis. The Cubs were in town, and I planned to introduce my boys to the greatest rivalry in pro sports. We parked (for twenty dollars) and headed toward the stadium. There was only one problem: we didn’t have any tickets. I planned to buy some on the street.

Who will feed the hungry, clothe the naked, tend the sick, visit the imprisoned . . . ?

September 19, 2011

The candidates blew the emotional turning point in Monday’s CNN/Tea Party debate. Blew it. Big. Before we go into that, hear me out on the pressure on those candidates. Lights, Camera, Panic Imagine being on a stage. Searing white brightness reduces your range of vision to a few degrees of arc. You hear hundreds of people making the sounds that audiences make, but you can’t really see them. Before you are journalists bent on catching in a gaffe, or unprepared, or vulnerable.

It’s All Your Fault

September 18, 2011

Straight up: We can’t tell you now where future After Parties will be. We can’t name the venue. And it’s all your fault! Well, not all. some if it’s my fault, but in a very innocent way. Planning The After Party Eisenhower said that planning is essential, but plans are useless. He was right. When we were planning The After Party, we figured about 50, maybe 75, people would attend at each one.

AttackWatch Starring Pamela Anderson

September 16, 2011

Co-starring Barack Obama as Himself. I’m setting my DVR right now.

My Remarks to First After Party

September 16, 2011

_Note: Thanks to the flu, I missed the first After Party. Thanks to Ben Evans for reading this for me. _ You probably realize that I have to be really sick to miss a party. Actually, I don’t feel so bad right now, but I don’t want to spread this to the most important people in America. And for the next 12 months, at least, that’s you: the most important people in America.

Why Did Jay Nixon Spit in Our Faces?

September 15, 2011

When Jay Nixon decided to ignore the voters, ignore the Missouri Constitution, and ignore the power of the legislature, he spit in our faces. But why? Maybe because his special session is failing. Maybe because, to save the centerpiece of that legislation, House Speaker Steve Tilley needed protection from the grass roots. Maybe because Jay Nixon is as crooked as a dog’s hind leg and doesn’t give a hoot about you, your state, your country, or the law.

Why Is 9-15 the Perfect Day to Start The After Party?

September 12, 2011

Have you been watching the 9-11 anniversary programs? I have. They remind me of several things. My Uncle Patrick Mahon, for one. Uncle Pat and I watched M_A_S*H reruns every day at 4:00 when I was a kid. We met at my Aunt Mame’s house (unwed sister to Pat and my mom). Uncle Pat drank coffee—usually black with sugar—and smoked unfiltered cigarettes. Uncle Pat retired from the St. Louis Fire Department in about 1976 (rough guess).

Will You Help Find the Lost?

September 10, 2011

You might have heard that Jefferson County Council was one of the happiest stories emerging from the 2010 election. Well, some of the conservative champions who led the crusade to capture the council want to help more citizens become political leaders. On Saturday, September 24, you can help. You can help while having blast of a good time in Crystal City. Events all day long, including live music in the caverns from 7 to 9 pm.

Why Did I Do an Internet Radio Program?

September 10, 2011

A couple of years ago, I stopped doing internet radio. I had several reasons for my decisions, and I stuck to them. When Mark Gillar of Tea Party Power Hour asked me to come onto his show, I broke my rule. Here’s why. First, Mark Gillar’s professionalism and sincerity are spectacular. His show is his mission to advance liberty and good government. Second, Tea Party Power Hour has hosted some amazing guests–folks I’m very honored and very humbled to follow.

How You Can Wear Your Response to Jimmy Hoffa on Your Chest

September 8, 2011

And support the St. Louis Tea Party Coalition. Order the Tea Party S.O.B. Brigade T-Shirt. The AUTHENTIC goods, designed by Chris Loesch. Available for a limited time. Orders ship shortly. Jump in. Everybody wants to see these on the streets of St. Louis. Order yours today. Click to Order

Wait, what year is this?

September 7, 2011

Dig this opening paragraph –> As the marathon for the presidency, 1980, begins to quicken, the American electorate is in a singularly sour and pessimistic mood. Not only is the public naturally worried about the economy, energy and inflation, but it doubts things will improve much. The country is anxious to find strong leaders —the evidence is overwhelming—and the public has little faith that Jimmy Carter has the ability, let alone the programs, to solve the nation’s problems.

Tea Party Leader Says Let’s “Take Out” Union Members

September 5, 2011

We got to keep an eye on the battle that we face: The war on Tea Partiers. And you see it everywhere, it is the Unions. And you know, there is only one way to beat and win that war. The one thing about Tea Party people is we like a good fight. And you know what? They’ve got a war, they got a war with us and there’s only going to be one winner.

Who Killed the American Job Machine

September 5, 2011

Maureen Dowd’s having trouble slathering make-up on her favorite pigs these days. Her President—the man for whom she surrendered all pretense of intelligence, wisdom, and self-control—is flailing. And Maureen Dowd is going all wobbly. Wobbly on Obama. Wobbly on America. Wobbly on life. Here’s an exceprt: On the razor’s edge of another recession; blocked at every turn by Republicans determined to slice him up at any cost; starting an unexpectedly daunting re-election bid; and puzzling over how to make a prime-time speech about infrastructure and payroll taxes soar, maybe President Obama is wishing that he had thrown the game.

Who's Selling St. Louis?

September 4, 2011

Aerotropolis is a pretty obvious attempt to shift tax money into the pockets of Jefferson City favorites. It’s an example of crony capitalism at its worst. Now,KMOV Channel 4’s Craig Cheatham shines the light on the people buying and selling St. Louis in this series. Not just Aerotropolis, but the whole oligarchy of incompetent, corrupt, and self-serving Boss Hog-types who seem bent on reducing the St. Louis region to irrelevance.

Don't Commit the 7 Deadly Sins of Movements

September 3, 2011

Maybe you scoffed at the headline. Maybe you didn’t see it. Maybe you’re in denial. Or maybe you just don’t care what other people think. If you want to stop the slide into irrelevancy (and the Tea Party movement is far down that path), then pay attention. If, however, you like the screaming in wilderness, stop reading now. This post is for those who want to continue the mission set forth in February 2009.

Missouri’s Crap Sandwich Servers

August 31, 2011

I have a question for State Senator Eric Schmitt: Who says that St. Louis’s 18 million square feet of vacant warehouse space isn’t good enough for Chinese goods? I heard Senator Schmidt on KMOX a couple of weeks ago. He scoffed at the Show-Me Institute’s analysis of available warehouse space for China Hub saying that to use existing space would be like building F-16s in the Wright Brothers’ hangar.

11 Minutes of Exactly What We’re Talking About

August 30, 2011

Ed Martin spoke the the Tenth Amendment Center’s Nullification conference in Kansas City. This is a remarkable description of the problem, the dangers, and the solutions of political seduction and abuse of power. Ed Martin at Nullify Now conference in Kansas City, MO One point that I should have made before being prompted by Ed’s speech. Trading Missouri sovereignty for a few pieces of ObamaCare silver is simple cowardice. Governor Nixon, and any Republican who voted for the healthcare exchange, should be retired—on their own or in a primary.

Who Would Call Out Maxine Waters? Martin Baker Would

August 30, 2011

Martin Baker, candidate for Missouri’s 1st Congressional District, lays it on the line, challenging Tea Party critics Maxine Waters and Frederica Wilson. Read Martin’s challenge: Today, I am inviting both of these distinguished ladies to St Louis, Missouri to tell me and my Tea Party compatriots in person why we should go straight to Hell. Congresswoman Waters should know the way here, having been born and raised in our esteemed area and a graduate of Vashon High School, which is in the St Louis Public School District.

Peering Into the Future from the Past

August 24, 2011

Check this out: As far as the market drop and the comeback of the market, I’d just like to pass along the following information. I stand in the Ten-Year Treasury-Note pit in the Chicago Board of Trade. The name of the room I trade in is the Financial Room. We trade the commodities that represent most of our national debt. When the gov., sells debt, the buyers of that debt have to hedge somewhere.

Do You Believe in Man-Made Liberty?

August 23, 2011

Maybe you’ll reconsider. Wallbuilders with Rick Green, Saturday, Aug. 27, First Baptist Church/Wentzville For more information, here’s the link. (h/t Rick Tsa’ara)

Bad Times for Unions

August 22, 2011

Wisconsin The boards at Democratic Underground crackled on June 12. It was just announced in Wisconsin that the unprecedented recall elections of Republicans will take place August 9. The leftists dreamed. Visions of a union-boss oligarchy danced in their heads. Posters misquoted Marx and Lenin. Others wanted nothing to do with waiting two months for an election: they were ready to take up arms and violently overthrow the Wisconsin government.

5 Ways Warren Buffett Can Take Personal Responsibility and Stop Relying on Government to Solve His Problems

August 15, 2011

Warren Buffett makes the erroneous claim that he pays less in taxes than does his secretary. He claims that the government thus “coddles” the rich. He asks the government to increase his taxes, and the taxes of others like him, as if he is incapable of doing that on his own. Buffett is half right. He proves that government coddles people by** asking the government to solve his problem of guilt**.

MoveOnUp.org was never supposed to happen

August 14, 2011

This weekend, MoveOnUp.org held its first conference. The location was the Crowne Plaza Hotel at the airport. The event launched the Sherman T. Parker Scholarship for African-American Political Science students. But that’s not the big story. The big story is this: MoveOnUp.org has cheated history. Why “cheated?” Because the past 50 years of American liberal history has prepared American blacks for one purpose: compliance. Using victimhood, welfare, crime, destructive education, and programs designed to destroy families, American liberals from Ted Kennedy to Barack Obama chained African-Americans to “Uncle Sam’s Plantation,” as Star Parker so aptly puts it.

Breitbart Cooks Lefties for Lunch at MoveOnUp.org's Luncheon

August 14, 2011

“I will die fighting this Democrat-Media Complex, and I will fight alongside you.” That’s Andrew Breitbart’s commitment to African-American conservatives meeting at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at the airport in St. Louis, Missouri, yesterday. The three-day “Meet Me in the ‘Lou” conference is the work of the remarkable people at MoveOnUp.org. Today’s day two, and Breitbart is the luncheon speaker. MoveOnUp.org represents the people that the Civil Rights Industry never wants you to meet: black conservatives, escapees from what Star Parker calls “Uncle Sam’s Plantation.

Guess Who’s Still Right 75 Years Later?

August 9, 2011

Dale Carnegie, of course. Published in 1936, Carnagie’s book, How to Make Friends and Influence People, remains one of the most important works in interpersonal human relations ever written. I wish I’d been humble enough to read this book when I was younger. Might have saved myself a lot of trouble, reputation, and embarrassment. Here’s an excerpt: Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking 1. **The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.

So Much for the Experts

August 9, 2011

Rule by the cleverest brute dominated most of human history. Then came the bizarre notion – in Greece and Rome to degrees, but mostly in the USA – of rule by the governed. Rule by the governed gave way in 20th century to rule by experts. Many so called “conservatives” warned against the expert thing. Eventually, conservatives believed, the experts would either fall prey to the clever brutes or to a world too complex for a small group to manage.

Obama the Reckless

August 8, 2011

On Saturday, the United States suffered its highest human lost since the Afghanistan conflict began. At least 38 elite, brave American warriors died in combat. Flasback to May 23 of this year. That’s when Barack Obama made the surprise announcement that he would begin accelerated troop withdrawals in July. That timetable meant beginning the withdrawal during the summer fighting season. Current and former military experts advised the president against this reckless move.

Did You See the Crisis Coming?

August 7, 2011

Can you guess the year? ** Scottish scientists cloned a sheep named Dolly ** President Clinton signed a bill barring federal funds for human cloning ** Bank robbers in Kevlar suits staged an epic gun battle with Los Angeles police ** The English Patient wins Best Picture Oscar ** Tony Blair becomes Prime Minister of England ** Timothy McVeigh convicted of pure evil ** Titanic bounced off the iceberg and hit the box office

What Do You Serve at a Downgrade Party?

August 6, 2011

Answer: Bondbonds. Sometimes the only option is humor. Maybe it’s time to laugh . . . at ourselves, at our pre-occupations, and at our president. We elected him. And, in a republic, you always get the leadership you deserve. Now what? Now focus. Public displays of anger only hurt us. Anger is a tactic. Yes, I’m angry. Furious. But acting out on anger does us no good. Instead, wise men and women focus that anger into a steely resolve to electorally destroy the cretins that destroyed America’s credit rating, liberty, and economy.

Are You Ready For The Next Wave?

August 4, 2011

Do you ever feel like Dan Blackford? Dan is an original Tea Party organizer. He’s been at it since 2009. And he’s just about worn out. According to the Wall Street Journal, Blackford’s given up his position in the Houston Tea Party. All the protests, the organization, the fundraising, the block-walking, has it done anything? Are we better off than we were two years ago? I say ‘No.’ How many other people feel the way Dan feels?

What’s the One Thing Congress Should Push Right Now?

August 3, 2011

It’s not the Balanced Budget Amendment, though that’s a good second choice. It’s certainly not senseless and impossible ideas like impeaching Obama or suing over birth certificates. Instead, we should push an idea that’s ripe for quick passage. It’s an idea that cheers political moderates and conservatives. And it doesn’t immediately turn off liberals. What is it? It’s an old idea that Jack Kemp championed for decades. It’s an idea that I’ve written about many times before.

What Everybody Ought to Know About the Debt Deal

August 2, 2011

There’s hysteria on both sides. From Satan Sandwiches to “killing future generations,” you’d think Congress is voting on a bill to launch the US nuclear arsenal on Philadelphia, Detroit, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. There are reasons to distrust the deal. I distrust it. There are great reasons todistrust the Congressional committee charged with finding more cuts. The bill does far too little, too slowly, to prevent a credit rating cut in the near future.

5 Things to Question About Debt Deal

August 1, 2011

Yes, the Tea Party movement influenced what went on in Washington. No, the Tea Party is not the winner. (No one won.) No, this debt deal won’t guide the government off the road toward bankruptcy. Here’s why. No Entitlement Fix: In fact, it appears that entitlements aren’t touched. Entitlements are the nation’s spending problem. Not roads and bridges, not the military. Entitlements. Until we arrest and reverse growth in Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, we’re spitting in the ocean.

Don't Make These Simple Mistakes About Debt

July 31, 2011

Our present crisis is the result of: ** Too much borrowing ** Too much spending ** Too much government control ** Too much taxing Those who argue that America needs to borrow, spend, regulate, and tax more are simply wrong, wrong, wrong. Their argument is absurd on its face. The way to increase revenue to government is to increase the economic activity of the people. You do that by giving the people maximum control over their destinies.

Who Else Wants To Know About Aerotropolis?

July 25, 2011

Aerotropolis on Prezi With thanks to Show-Me Institute for their wonderful research. Points to remember: ** The China Hub is not dependent on Aerotropolis ** The author of the plan thinks it will fail ** St. Louis has 18 million square feet of empty warehouse space right now ** Aerotropolis would hurt many companies who have vacant warehouse space ** Aerotropolis would transfer $360 million tax dollars to just two entities: a private developer and the City of St.

At Last, Obama’s Ready to Borrow More Money from China

July 22, 2011

The headline on July 15 was knee-slapping funny: Obama says he’s “ready to move**” on debt ceiling. ** Really? The man who dug a deeper debt hole in two years than anyone else did in 8—or 15—is willing to borrow more? Say it ain’t so. For those who believe Obama’s some sort of deficit hawk, let’s take a quick stroll down memory. Obama wanted to increase the debt limit by $2.

Um, What’s Going On?

July 22, 2011

Look, folks, let’s remember who’s on whose side. Dana Loesch is a champion of liberty, the conservative grassroots, and everything else we stand for. And she’s a great friend to me, to the Tea Party, and, in a sense, to all of us. She’s elevated this movement locally and nationally like no one else. You wouldn’t be reading this post if not for her. I am so sorry that my piece from last night raised tempers.

Let Me Apologize

July 22, 2011

In my response to Dan Riehl’s hit piece on Ed Martin, I wrote one more line than I should have. I wrote about an establishment takeover of Big Government. Mike Flynn, the editor of Big Government, has quietly (and not so quietly) led the fight for liberty and good government for decades. His Big Government site has been a backbone in the resurgence of our first principles. Much more importantly to me, Mike Flynn is a friend of mine.

Give Me 5 Minutes, And I’ll Give You a New Friend

July 21, 2011

I have to tell you about a man I know. He’s a good man whom I respect deeply. **When I’m done, I hope you’ll have a new friend. ** But first, I have tell you about microwave towers and optical illusions. Microwaves and Curves Has this ever happened to you? When I was a kid, my dad worked for a company that owned a small resort for employees about 90 miles south of St.

What’s Your FICA Score?

July 20, 2011

Your FICO score is a number between 380 and 820 (or something like that) that banks use to determine your credit worthiness. The higher your FICO score, the better. But that’s not what I’m talking about here. I’m talking about your FICA score. Your FICA score is the minimum payment on your federal loan. You didn’t know you had a federal loan? You do. If you’re 18 years old, you owe the federal government about $46,000.

Money Problems? Borrow Your Kids’ Social Security Numbers

July 18, 2011

Why not? Kids have a clean slate when it comes to credit scores. Sure, they don’t have a long history, but you can help with that. And you can buy that 56-inch 3D LED TV you’ve been craving. In a few months, you might even be able to buy a new car—on your kid’s credit. **Best of all, you really don’t need to pay it off. Let your kids pay that loan.

80 Percent of Americans Read This Blog Every Day

July 16, 2011

I’ll be honest with you: I’ve lied. Usually out of desperation. I’ve lied to those closest to me—those most willing to forgive the thing I lied about. I’ve also told the truth to my own detriment. In the long run, the latter works best. In fact, telling the truth works best in the short run, too. So maybe Obama’s desperate. Maybe he knows that the debt ceiling debate is the beginning of the unraveling of Americum Sovieticum, his life-long dream.

Gimme More Money or Granny Gets It!

July 12, 2011

Obama showed his breaking point today. The stress got to him. Today Obama threatened to stop Social Security payments if Congress doesn’t bend to his will on the debt ceiling. The president told reporters that there may not be enough money to pay Social Security benefits on and after August 3rd. But the President lies. Revenue from taxes and other fees would cover Social Security and other payments. What won’t be covered is additional borrowing to service the country’s already outrageous debt.

Jefferson on Debt

July 12, 2011

With the debt ceiling negotiations closing in, it’s worth looking to Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was very opposed to federal government borrowing. (He was less concerned with states borrowing.) What I love about the quote below is Jefferson’s concern for leisure time. “To preserve [the] independence [of the people,] we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must make our election between economy and liberty, or profusion and servitude.

Rah Rah Roy Blunt

July 7, 2011

Roy Blunt has not given an inch in thebattle over the debt ceiling. He deserves high praise for his resolve. During the 2010 Republican primary, many on the right questioned Blunt’s fiscal conservative credentials. As a member of the House, Blunt had helped craft some and pass unpopular spending bills, including TARP. On theissue of debt and responsibility, though, he shows no sign of cracking. Government debt is the defining issue of our time, perhaps of the American experiment.

Hollow Holiday

July 6, 2011

July 4, 2011, felt hollow, like celebrating the birthday of someone deceased. Independence Day celebrates the birth of an idea: that people create governments and empower them, not the other way around. Do we still believe that? Yes, I still believe that. Morally, at least. And you probably do, too. Does America still believe that government derives its just powers from the consent of the governed? Or do we, as a nation, believe that government has a monopoly on liberty and dispenses it at its will?

Thank You, Harvard

July 2, 2011

A Harvard study recently concluded that attending American Independence Day celebrations could turn kids into Republicans. The reason 4th of July creates Republicans has nothing to do with patriotism and everything to do with education. Here’s why: * On July 4th, we celebrate the Declaration of Independence, not the founding of the United States. (That would come with the passage of the Constitution thirteen years later).** July 4th events teach kids—in an environment free from teacher-union propaganda—the _reasons_ we broke from England.

Meditate on This, Why Don’t You?

July 1, 2011

I was 18 and a college freshman. It was a Tuesday night in October. My 1970 Chevy Impala felt wide open in the fifty-degree air and the smell of freshly fallen leaves. I drove through Forest Park feeling the rhythm of the yellow street lights as I moved between light and dark. “Memory” from Cats came on the radio. I lit a Camel (no filter). I was free. In America, we often think of independence as a collective thing.

Do You Follow Procedure?

June 17, 2011

The tram cars are tiny, metal containers. Passengers–six to a car–sit cramped on molded plastic seats. The air inside the cars is stale and hot. There is no air conditioning. The trams take you to the top of the 632 foot Gateway Arch in St. Louis. The uncomfortable ride takes only a few minutes. Except when it doesn’t. Sometimes things go wrong, as they did this week. Forty people were trapped for an hour.

Blame Machines

June 15, 2011

[caption id=“attachment_11015” align=“alignleft” width=“272” caption=“Obama blames this for unemployment”] [/caption] Even though they became ubiquitous when he was an undergrad,Obama just now discovered that ATMs reduce foot traffic in banks. Then again, they probably didn’t have the machines in the Kremlin where he spent his semester abroad. But the twits are sure having a blast with the news (me included). Exit question: you think ATMs and airport kiosks are preventing people from finding work?

Join Americans for Prosperity and the K and N Patriots for a "Running on Empty" Rally

June 9, 2011

Americans for Prosperity Foundation is stopping in O’Fallon on our Running On Empty Tour to give you a chance to send President Obama your gas bill and tell him to stop this runaway increase in gas prices. Click Here to Register! Since President Obama took office, gas prices have nearly doubled. The administration refuses to develop American energy sources…American energy sources that could help gas prices, electricity prices, and food prices come down.

Obama Makes It Worse

June 3, 2011

“It” could refer to anything. Anything at all. In this case, though, I’m referring to unemployment. Well, maybe I’m referring to the economy overall. Unemployment rate rises to 9.1%, 54K jobs added « Hot Air Obama has increased regulation, seized entire industries (auto, student loans, commercial banking, medicine), and borrowed more money faster than all previous presidents combined. Obama is a one-dictator disaster. And an incompetent one at that. If you don’t have a job, Obama made it worse.

Bill Hennessy's Ebook Available Today

May 31, 2011

Please get it here in the format of your choice. New from Broadside Books' Voices of the Tea Party. In Weaving the Roots, you’ll learn how even tiny grassroots organizations can make big impacts on the world through smart use of free or inexpensive social media tools. First you’ll learn the major tools, like Facebook, twitter, LinkedIn, Google Buzz, blogging, talk radio, and SMS text. How they work, how they work together, and how you can maximize your impact with a small team.

Ed Martin Talks to Lee Presser

May 31, 2011

This is an important conversation in an important race. Please watch. Ed talks about regulation, taxes, debt, Race to the Top, and more.

Name the One Tea Partier in the Race CLARIFICATION

May 22, 2011

I’ll save you some time: it’s Ed Martin. Please Consider I’ve met the former Missouri GOP head and former US Ambassador to Luxembourg a couple of times. Ann Wagner is smart, funny, and engaging. I think she’d make an outstanding Republican candidate for the US House. If elected, she’d serve Missouri well. Missouri and the tea party won’t be the big winners if Ann Wagner gets the nomination, though. That distinction would go to the Missouri Republican establishment—the same establishment that the tea party hopes to reform or replace.

Stand With Israel

May 21, 2011

Dear friend, In the wake of President Obama’s reckless comments directed towards Israel, I have just added my name to Grassfire Nation’s “I Support Israel” petition, and I’m urging you to do the same. Click here for more and to add your name to Grassfire Nation’s “I Support Israel” petition by clicking below: https://www.grassfire.com/159/petition.asp?PID=31372586&NID=1 Sincerely, Bill P.S. I find this site interesting, but I don’t know much about the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.

Who’s Lucky?

May 14, 2011

There’s a “special” school in St. Louis County. Its seniors graduated on last Friday. How sad it must be for those kids. They’re not graduating from the district’s “normal” schools with their peers. For various reasons, they’ve been relegated to a school for misfits. Seeing the building makes the bad feelings worse. It’s a former grade school, crammed inconveniently behind a bank and a Taco Bell. Its Eisenhower era architecture stands out amidst its Mortgage Boom surroundings like a dandelion on golf course.

3 Reasons to Pre-Order “Weaving the Roots”

May 13, 2011

You’ll learn how to have a bigger impact through social media. You’ll learn all kinds of cool back-stories about the St. Louis Tea Party (including some embarrassing things about me). You’ll promote conservative book publishing through Broadside Books, HarperCollins’ new imprint. Book Description New from Broadside Books' Voices of the Tea Party. In Weaving the Roots, you’ll learn how even tiny grassroots organizations can make big impacts on the world through smart use of free or inexpensive social media tools.

Plan a Happy Hour

May 12, 2011

The mood in the country is gay Each year on the 12th of May; The whiskey is running For linguists so cunning On this, National Lim’rick Day.

UMSL Killing American Males

May 11, 2011

David Brooks—the former conservative—skewered the University of Missouri St. Louis yesterday. Brooks wasn’t aware, and UMSL administrators don’t read. But some of us caught it. Brooks wrote of The Missing Fifth. **Did you know that 20 percent of American men in their primes don’t work? ** Americans should be especially alert to signs that the country is becoming less vital and industrious. One of those signs comes to us from the labor market.

UMSL: Communist Recruiting With Taxpayer Dollars

May 10, 2011

The University of Missouri St. Louis uses tax dollars to provide a recruiting station for the Communist Party USA—an organization whose purpose is to shred the United States Constitution. UMSL Student Philip Christofanelli heroically chronicles the remarkable Marxist indoctrination known as “Introduction to Labor Studies” on BigGovernment.com. I’ll give you a taste: Prof. Giljum then introduced Tony Pecinovsky, a local organizer for the Communist Party, who proceeded to speak to us for two hours about the beliefs of the Communist Party and the benefits of membership.

One of America’s Finest Moments

May 2, 2011

Over 6,000 American and 10,000 allied warriors gave their lives as a result of Bin Laden’s evil. These nn addition to the 3,000 who died 9/11 and the tens of thousands of others who’ve died at Bin Laden’s hand. Since Ollie North’s testimony to Congress during the Iran-Contra Hearings in the Reagan Administration, we’ve been working toward this one man’s death. This is a pivotal moment in US and world history.

Judy Ancel: Teacher of the Year

April 30, 2011

Judy Ancel is the University of Kansas City instructor responsible for teaching students to use violence, sabotage and intimidation as political tools. She’s telling the Kansas City Star that she’s receiving threats from people upset that she teaches students to threaten others. I oppose violence, sabotage, and intimidation as political tools. But Judy Ancel’s message of violence seems to have gotten through to some people. Too bad Ancel doesn’t use her skills for goodinstead of evil.

It’s About Love

April 30, 2011

Trent and Jennifer Humphries—hated by all the right people—just brought to tears to 5,200 eyes. After Trent told us that the secret to our success is Christ’s love, his wife, Jennifer, described the depths to which evil journalists stooped in the moments following the Giffords shooting. As the Humphries and their small children returned home from the grocery store, they learned that their next door neighbor—and a beloved friend—was killed in the tragedy.

One Question for Gail Hackett of UMKC

April 30, 2011

Gail Hackett, UMKC Provost, released a deceitful, false, and irresponsible defense of UMKC instructors who encouraged students to use violence, sabotage, and intimidation to their way. But Gail Hackett refuses to answer hard questions. I have one question for the UMKC Provost: **** **Do you agree with Don Giljum’s statement “I believe in a violent overthrow of Bourgeois?” ** Before you answer, remember that Giljum’s use of the personal term “Bourgois” instead of the the class “bourguoisie” indicates that Giljim believes in violence against individual members of the middle class.

Tucson

April 30, 2011

Almost pulled a muscle laughing in the ride from the Tucson airport to our hotel. It’s only 5:30 here. Weird. That call that “time difference” for you lefties who read my blog. Has to do with the earth being round and all. Been a whirlwind day so far. Met Trent and Jennifer Humphries, remarkable Tea Party leaders here in Tucson. Most gracious hosts you can imagine. Funny, dedicated, joyous. After checking into hotel, I spoke to Mike Ferguson of Eagle 93.

Billy left his home for Tucson Arizona

April 29, 2011

I am so proud to be bringing the Spirit of St. Louis to the great people of Tucson, Arizona, this weekend. Dana Loesch and Jim Hoft are among the speakers at Tucson’s Tea Party on April 30. The Tea Party is on Saturday, April 30 at 9 am Pacific (11 am Central). And there’s much, much more than just the Tea Party going on. Check it all out here. If you have friends in the area, please ask them to come out.

4 Updates on University of Missouri Story

April 29, 2011

Big news day in the advance of liberty in our battle against collectivists. First, KMOX is reporting that an UMSL professor has resigned** over the controversy**. For the life of me, I cannot find who the professor is. I thought that everyone involved was either an instructor or a guest lecturer. If you know the answer to the riddle, please use the comment form. Second, University of Kansas City refuses to accept responsibility for what goes on in its classroom.

Tea Party Leader condones political violence: “It certainly has its place. It’s a tactic that should be used at the appropriate time. I believe in a violent overthrow . . . , and that freedom is found at the barrel of a gun”

April 28, 2011

Did I say “Tea Party Leader?” ** I meant labor union leader Don Giljum condones violence, intimidation, and sabotage.** Giljum’s the business manager for Operating Engineers Local 148 and a lecturer at University of Missouri-St. Louis. It’s in the UMSL classroom that he pontificates and brags about the . . . the uglier side of negotiations. Here’s what he actually said about violence for political purposes: It certainly has its place.

ACTION: Melt the Phones

April 27, 2011

I’m going to ask you to melt phones in Jefferson City, UMSL, UMKC, and Mizzou. I’m asking you to do this today and tomorrow. I’m following up with an email to you. It’s sad that our state’s premier University System has fallen so far. Follow the #mounion hash tag on twitter Jay Nixon just asked the legislature to transfer $400 million from the taxpayers to the University of Missouri System. Unless the Governor or the Legislature acts at your request, some of that money will go to put you out of work.

Shut Down Labor Studies Now, Governor Nixon

April 27, 2011

Governor Nixon: What does it take to get your attention? What does it take to get you to act? Your University of Missouri System humiliates this state, and you refuse to act. Under your nose, the UofM teaches or encourages: * **[Politically motivated](https://biggovernment.com/publius/2011/04/25/union-official-professor-teach-college-course-in-violent-union-tactics/) violence**** **Politically motivated [industrial sabotage](https://biggovernment.com/publius/2011/04/25/how-to-college-course-on-violent-union-tactics-part-ii-case-studies-edition/)**** **Politically motivated threats of violence and sabotage**** **Supporting and aiding [the enemy in Iraq and Afghanistan](https://biggovernment.com/driehl/2011/04/26/college-course-us-flag-is-racist-how-to-defeat-america-in-iraq-and-afghanistan/)** You have permit these travesties. You, Jay Nixon.

Tell UMSL to Stop Teaching Industrial Sabotage

April 26, 2011

[ ](https://hennessysview.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/UofMCommie.png)Contact UofM President Steve Owens and demand an immediate end to the communist-led industrial sabotage courses that he’s shoving down your kids’ throats That’s right, UMSL and UMKC are teaching kids how to destroy business in America. They want your job to go overseas. And the guy leading the class is a proud communist. No employer in his right might would hire a graduate of the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Who’s Fit?

April 24, 2011

Take a look at Drudge. I’ll wait. The day doesn’t really matter. It’s always full of stuff that makes you think rivets are flying out of the planet like a jalopy in a cartoon. ** Two girls beat another girl into convulsions over the course of eight minutes while cowardly young men quiver in fear. (But an old lady steps in and protects the victim.) ** Syrian security opens fire on demonstrators killing 90.

Unknowing Believers

April 21, 2011

I’ll let you in on a little secret. You ready? I’m not a “big tent” guy. To me, “big tent” means we’ll keep adding on beliefs (or abandoning them) until no one disagrees with us. In other words, **“big tent” means pretending to enjoy the beatings we’re given. ** “Big tent” is Republican for “surrender.” It’s not for me. What is for me is broadening and building the base. Let me explain.

Don’t Let Missouri Surrender Its Electoral Votes

April 19, 2011

Fill out this online witness form TONIGHT. Read this if you have any questions. Follow the links. Missouri is considering surrendering its electoral votes to the whims of national popular elections. STOP IT NOW!!!!!!

Steve Tilley vs. the Constitution

April 17, 2011

And, he’s back. Missouri House Speaker Steve Tilley (R-Perryville) has signed onto legislation designed to circumvent the Electoral College in presidential elections. Like his position on embryonic stem cell research and the national debt, Tilley seems far out of step with Missouri’s Republican base on this. And this guy wants to be Lt. Governor? Please. This might be old news to some. I see that Big Government’s Josie Wales blogged about the national effort last August.

Closing the Wealth Gap

April 16, 2011

Face it: you don’t have that many friends. Not that you can rely on, anyway. On the bright side, you don’t really need friends, do you? You’re a rock star in your own small way. Who made the varsity swim team? You did. Who made honor rolls and deans’ lists? You did. Who landed your job and got the bonus? You did. With friends like yourself, who needs friends? If you make 20 times as much as the next guy in line at Target, who cares?

Steve Tilley vs. Fiscal Responsibility

April 15, 2011

Four men risked their political lives to help solve the problem of our lifetimes, but they forgot to massage Steve Tilley’s monstrous ego. When John McCain (R-AZ) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) agree with Michele Bachmann and Rush Limbaugh, you can bet the issue is beyond debate. In this case, the issue is the massive U.S. debt and what that debt is about to do to America. McCain compared the U.

3 Reasons to Run for Lt. Governor

April 13, 2011

Patrick Tuohey made some good points about the office of Lieutenant Governor. Based on that, I thought up all the possible reasons someone would run for LooeyG. 1. Stepping Stone: Establish state-wide name recognition and give yourself plenty of time to run for that next office, like U.S. Senate or Governor. 2. Party Reptile: If the governor is or is likely to be of the opposite party, you get to be the de facto head of your party in the state.

A Party, Not a Club

April 8, 2011

Let’s face it: the Missouri GOP has become a club to advance the careers of a select few favorites. It is not a party to advance conservative principles. And that needs to change here and now. And that means some old names need to retire. Here’s just one example of the ideological impotence of the Missouri Republican Party: The St. Louis County Assessor. The GOP created the St. Louis County Assessor’s office because of corruption and incompetence in the political patronage version of the office under Democrats Buzz Westfall and Charlie Dooley.

Thank a Senator

April 6, 2011

Last week, Missouri became the first state to reject a federal bribe. Four brave men deserve our thanks and admiration. State Senators Jim Lembke (@jimlembke), Brian Nieves (@briannieves), Rob Schaaf (@robschaaf), and Will Kraus stood for principle. And the left immediately went berserk. The collectivists—those who hate personal achievement and fiscal responsibility in government—will target these men. We must have their backs. Let’s begin by telling our Twitter followers and Facebook friends how proud we are are of their brave refusal to take stolen money from Washington.

BREAKING: Zimmerman’s Sob Story Phony as a Football Bat

April 4, 2011

PO’ed Patriot has the story. Jake Zimmerman’s campaign rotates two themes: The St. Louis County Assessor should be a career political hack, not a seasoned real estate professional His little old friend, Margaret, is in danger of losing her home. But mostly St. Louis County government needs more Democrat political hacks. Turns out that, just like Jake’s dad, his friend Margaret, a rather unsuccessful real estate investor, got a break on her property taxes.

St. Louis City: Arrogant, Anti-Freedom

April 3, 2011

Sometimes I’m ashamed and embarrassed at my roots. See, I graduated from the same Catholic grade school as St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay. I shouldn’t be embarrassed, I know. But how else do I react to stories like this one from George Will. It seems that Mayor Slay’s administration is busy trampling all over the rights of a citizen, Jim Roos. Roos painted a sign on a building he owns that days “End Eminent Domain Abuse.

Favoritism for Jake Zimmerman’s Dad?

March 31, 2011

The Post-Dispatch says the County Assessor should be a political operative, not an expert in real estate values like L. K. “Chip” Wood. I disagree, and this story explains why Charlie Dooley’s regime needs fewer political hacks and more competent professionals. Troubling Questions for Zimmerman’s Assessor Campaign: * Why did the Zimmerman campaign take screen shots of Zimmerman’s dad’s real estate values on January 13, 2011, the day he was selected?

Growing the Pie

March 29, 2011

If the Tea Party brings lasting change to America, it must introduce grow-the-pie thinking on the right. For years, the tug of war ground on. Democrats and Republicans, Liberals and Conservatives, Collectivists and Individualists all fighting for the same piece of land. The strategy was simple: if you’re behind, discredit the other side until you get the lead. If you’re in the lead, reward your friends to keep them loyal.

No “Vital National Interest”

March 29, 2011

ABC News is not known as President Obama’s loudest critic. More like his Amen corner. So it’s headline screams even louder: Defense Secretary: Libya Did Not Pose Threat to U.S., Was Not ‘Vital National Interest’ to Intervene The rest of Jake Tapper’s story gets more disturbing. * The President and the Defense Secretary seem to disagree on national interest** The Secretary of State cannot articulate a consistent US policy** Hillary Clinton seems to believe that the UN is a legal alternative to the US Congress More than week into a war that lacks even the thinnest thread of Constitutionality, Barack Obama seems clueless.

Dana Bouncing Back

March 28, 2011

Dana Loesch has been plagued with a perstistent cold. Yesterday, her stairs leapt up and kicked her in the . . . Turns out to be a fractured coccyx (aka, tailbone). We feel terrible that Dana had this tale to share with the world, but we congratulate ourselves for limiting the number of cheap jokes. Certainly, we pray for minimal pain and minimal recovery time.

Does the Tea Party Need a Lobbyist?

March 27, 2011

No. Here’s my thoughts. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyGTKFm1Mrc&hl;=en&hd;=1] Bill Hennessy on Gary Wiegert and labor conservatives

3 Great Reasons to Send Your Kids to Vacation Liberty School

March 25, 2011

Register today for Vacation Liberty School. Here’s 3 reasons why you should: Most school systems don’t care about liberty; they care about conformity. The only way kids will learn an appreciation for the blessings of libertyis if their parents send them to schools that put liberty at the center of the cirriculum. That’s what Vacation Liberty School does. Many teachers would love to teach more about the blessings of liberty to their skulls full of mush, but they can’t.

A Tale of Two Taxes

March 24, 2011

On Monday, we learned that US Senator Claire McCaskill failed to pay property taxes on her personal luxury jet for three years. Previously, she had charged taxpayers some of the cost of operating her private plane. Before that, it seems, she registered the plane in property tax-free Delaware. On Monday, Claire wrote a $287,000 check without batting an eye. Now, St. Louis County says she owes them another $33,000 in interest and penalties, for a total bill of $320,000.

L.K. Wood Makes His Case

March 23, 2011

You can help get these TV ads on the air. I will tell you how shortly. Don’t in live in St. Louis County? You still have a horse in this race. I’ll tell you why after you watch this commercial. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtcLdxad-3k&hl;=en&hd;=1] Vote L. K. Wood, as everyone should, on April 5 Why should you care about this race if you don’t live in St. Louis County? Because Chip’s opponent is a Harvard lawyer who’s being groomed for much bigger things.

A Disgraceful Presidency

March 23, 2011

Historians will mark March 19 as the day the Obama presidency reached its point of no return. The image of a cowardly and selfish child-president flying to Brazil to launch a war will haunt his legacy, like Nixon’s vulgarities on tape in 1974. Obama’s war on Libya has doomed an already weak administration. Today, Germany pulled out of NATO because of the bungled, late, and idiotic intervention. It appears, now, that the alliance that won the Cold War and help sustain two decades of peace could collapse under a lack of American leadership.

The Difference Between Cooperation and Consensus

March 21, 2011

What many people don’t get is that cooperation is not the same as consensus. Cooperation means someone takes the lead on an issue. If it makes sense, and if the leader is perceived to have good character and judgment, others follow. Otherwise, the project is stillborn. It’s the way the market picks leaders. Not through org charts, but through action and response. One person may be the leader on one issue and a cooperator on many others.

3 Top Ways to Clean Up St. Louis County Government

March 20, 2011

Meet Chip Tuesday, March 22 from 5:30 to 7:00. Details below. You can help clean up St. Louis County government. And you can have a good time doing it. Here’s how. Like L. K. “Chip” Wood’s Facebook page. It’ll take only a second, and you’ll feel more connected and productive just by doing it. Visit Chip Wood for Assessor and enter your email address in the email sign-up box on the right.

Libya: To What End?

March 20, 2011

When the US invaded Iraq in 2003, it do so with the clear intent of bringing its enemy—Saddam’s regime—to an unconditional surrender. That was the objective. Despite what happened after that objective was achieved, we went in with a clear and measurable purpose. The motivating reason for our foray into Iraq was also clear. We believed at the time that Saddam Hussein’s possession of – and desire for more – weapons of mass destruction posed an imminent threat to US interests and citizens.

Crooked as a Dog’s Hind Leg

March 20, 2011

That’s St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley. It’s bad enough that corruption, nepotism, and Machiavellian favoritism runs rampant in St. Louis County. What’s worse is that Dooley doesn’t seem to care what anyone thinks. St. Louis County in the third year of a hiring and pay freeze, Mike Temporiti landed a $70,000 county job. . . . The job was never posted, and Temporiti did not have to interview for it.

Why Does Leadership Response to Disaster Always Suck?

March 15, 2011

I just heard on BBC that the Japanese government is only now dealing with the Fukushami nuclear problem appropriately. I’m a little surprised they responded this quickly. 1. [Obama golfing while Japan burns](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/03/14/obama-urged-seize-reins-crises-pile/), Middle East rages, and Oil spikes* 2. The [White House took weeks to treat the Gulf Oil Spill](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=20&ved=0CFEQFjAJOAo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwashingtonindependent.com%2F99840%2Fnew-reports-show-white-house-mishandled-oil-spill-response&ei=fYp_TfrbGO6O0QHCp5zzCA&usg=AFQjCNG0t2ruKCpF38KzEAngbC50ir966A&sig2=a9QcCIo3o6BtcjzKp8t7Aw) like a disaster*3. The [White House and FEMA treated Katrina](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CB4QFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fstory%2F0%2C2933%2C185801%2C00.html&ei=pIp_Ta-fE_O-0QGQ5d33CA&usg=AFQjCNHWcQaxMjVDLaE2TdJfKihC_4kJGw&sig2=0o6IO3Xdk_bbK9A_dYmXjA) like a local problem until long after disaster struck*4.

Don’t Look for Quick Fixes

March 15, 2011

According to a book by historians Neil Howe and William Strauss, history follows a fairly predictable pattern, rotating in cycles equal to a long human life. The book, The Fourth Turning, was written in 1997. Read it. If Howe and Strauss are right—and so far, they’re dead on—then we recently entered a Fourth Turning in the current saeculum which they named “millennium.” What is a Fourth Turning? The Fourth Turning is a Crisis, a decisive era of secular upheaval, when the values regime propels the replacement of the old civic order with a new one.

Why Empire?

March 11, 2011

“Why would a nation become imperial?,” Steven asked me. “I mean, why would you want to take that on?” The conversation had been on Japan leading up to World War II. The question was important. Why would a nation conquer dissimilar nations? Why accept that burden and risk? My answer, which I’ve grown more fond of as time’s passed, was something like this: Imperial people view everything as a fixed pie.

Friday Happy Hour for March 11, 2011

March 11, 2011

Every senior generation decries the banal idiocy of its junior generations. Remember how critical Boomers were of Generation X? Turns out Gen X was one of the most productive generations in a long while. Then Gen Y just went off and fought two wars for us. Historian Neil Howe points us to today’s Happy Hour: a Millennial elected to Michigan’s state assembly last November. https://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1 As Howe points out: Many positive Millennial (born 1982-200?

3 Steps to Happiness and Success

March 10, 2011

Some of the biggest potholes on the road to happiness come from bad advice from self-help “experts.” But here are three scientifically proven steps to being happier. And since happiness causes success in other areas, not the other way around, these could be the most important tasks you perform. Give Thanks People who write down three things they’re grateful for and the reason those things happened show a 50 percent drop in medical claims over six months compared to a control group who journaled about nothing in particular (Emmons & McCullough).

Forward, Wisconsin

March 10, 2011

Doing the right thing is hard. Doing the right thing after years of practicing the wrong things is even harder. When your senate separated the fiscal responsibility provisions affecting union collective bargaining powers from a bill that previously included tax and spend provisions, you took a big step toward fiscal recovery. For years, public sector unions have dictated states’ taxing spending policies through brute force. These unions were not elected by the people, but the people were forced to pay—or borrow—what the unions demanded.

L. K. “Chip” Wood for County Assessor

March 10, 2011

Did you know that there’s an election on April 5? And it’s just as important an election as last November’s historic election. https://www.facebook.com/v/10150106903825886 https://www.chipwoodforassessor.com/index1.html This time, you and I have the job to elect Chip Wood for County Assessor.* Here’s why. In 2010, voters created an elected assessor’s office in St. Louis County. The Republicans pushed for this new office because of corruption, abuse, and waste in the County Assessor’s office under Charlie Dooley.

Why Stop at Red Light Cameras

March 9, 2011

I’ve written about this before. The problem with traffic signals is that they make all of the problems they’re designed to solve worse. By “all the problems” I mean: * Pollution * Congestion * Deaths * Accidents * Speed of Transit * Risk to pedestrians (except those with certain disabilities) Banning red light cameras is a great first step, but the ultimate goal should be elimination of traffic lights altogether.

Every Election Counts

March 8, 2011

Next Election: 4 weeks from today. I need a favor. This will only take you a minute (tops), but it’s very important that you do it right now. I will step you through it. Get a pen or pencil and something to write on—preferably a journal or appointment calendar. Go to April 5, 2011, or write April 5, 2011, if not using a calendar or dated journal.

Simply Staggering

March 7, 2011

The federal budget deficit in the month of February 2011 exceeds the deficit for all of 2007 by 40 percent. Simply staggering. Yet Senate Democrats refuse to cut more than a paltry $6 billion. They refuse because they seem bent on collapsing the American system – the economy, the government, and the people themselves. But at least the Obama administration stands by with its arms folded as gasoline prices skyrocket at the their fastest pace in history.

McCaskill’s Call to Fight

March 7, 2011

I’m getting a lot of requests to pump news about Claire McCaskill’s comments to Democrats. According to Brian R. Hook of Missouri Watchdog, McCaskill gave Democrats a set of instructions very similar to those I usually give at the end of Tea Party rallies. (Only Claire’s instructions seem a bit less human than mine.) Some national political scientists believe McCaskill’s Senate seat is one of the most vulnerable in 2012.

Please Join Me in Tucson, Arizona

March 7, 2011

I am very pleased and honored to tell you this news: Trent Humphries and the good people of the Tucson Tea Party have asked me to speak at their Third Annual April Tea Party on April 30, 2011, at 11:00 am. The theme is Reduce Taxes, Spending, and Waste. Of course, they’re not really inviting me to speak; they’re inviting the thousands of St. Louis area activists who have done so much to advance liberty and defend freedom over the past 25 months.

Friday Happy Hour

March 4, 2011

Dana Loesch on facebook gave kudos to Missouri State Senators Nieves and Lembke for fighting a federal bribe to the states. Major props to Brian Nieves and Jim Lembke for their continued commitment to conservatism in the MO Senate with HB 163 - refusing federal funds for another unemployment extension that costs taxpayers $81 million. They’re standing their ground against some of their fellow GOP who need to be reminded what fiscal conservatism is.

Why Would You Give State Workers the Power to Tax?

March 4, 2011

For decades, now, public sector unions have imposed onerous tax increases and service cuts on the net tax payers of many states. Wisconsin being among the worst. What do I mean by that? Look at what’s going on in Wisconsin. The people who represent the net tax payers—those who pay more in taxes to the state than they receive in salary—are being vilified, harassed, threatened, and assaulted by the net tax takers—those receive more in state wages than they pay in state taxes.

CORRECTED You Can Help Right a Massive Wrong

March 2, 2011

CORRECTION & APOLOGY_ I am so sorry to you and to Senator Eric Schmitt for misrepresenting his position on HB466. Senator Schmitt’s office tells me that he has no intention of filibustering this bill. He went on to say that he agrees in principle with the bill’s intent and may actually support it, depending on the language. _ Please accept my apology and help me make it right. Please call or write Senator Schmitt’s office (below) and tell him Thank You.

To My Commenters

March 1, 2011

I love getting lots of comments, and I encourage you to comment more. (Just say “hello” if that’s all you can think of.) But I want to clear up some misunderstandings about the way comments work. Over the weekend, a commenter got quite upset at me because her words didn’t appear on my blog 30 seconds after she his Submit. That’s by design. My comments are moderated. Believe it or not, I attract lunatic-fringe commenters who like to describe the shape and smell of the bullet they intend to use on me.

Happy Anniversary, Tea Party

February 27, 2011

Two years ago today, fifteen hundred Americans took time off work, school, and leisure. You braved high winds and low temps to stand under the Arch and say, “We’ve had enough.” Since then, over 1,000 state and federal offices have changed hands. In nearly 100 percent of these switches moves power from the privileged to the people. Some more than others. Some not enough. But an amazing reversal of trends, nonetheless.

DISAPPOINTING: Missouri House Leadership Blowing it

February 27, 2011

I continue hearing reliable reports that the GOP Leadership in the Missouri House keeps its boot on the throat of Tea Party freshmen. What a shame. The party that was flat on its back from 2006 to 2009 rose back to power because of the tea party. But, it seems, the Missouri branch of the party didn’t get the message. And its Speaker in the Missouri House has become tighter with left-fringe Democrats that with conservatives of his own party.

SHOCKER: Geriatric Guy Talks Dirty to 17 Year Old Patriot UPDATE Help ID the Perv

February 27, 2011

In this disturbing video, an old union guy vividly describes tea-bagging to a 17-year-old high schooler. The reason? The kid had the audacity to hand out free US Constitutions. As you’ll see in the video from P/Oed Patriot and Sharp Elbows, the site of the Constitution at a union rally is like a crucifix and a pound of garlic in a vampire den. You can actually watch as the document’s presence weakens the aging leftists.

The Akin Example

February 27, 2011

Todd Akin need doesn’t to build tea party street cred. He thumps primary and general election opponents in biennial blowouts for Missouri’s Second District. Todd is also a legitimate, committed member of the US House Tea Party Caucus. Todd Akin is the last politician who needs to prove his tea party cred. We trust him. Akin Lives the Message So when Todd Akin dashed from Springfield to Jefferson City to address the “Restore Common Sense” rally on the south steps of the Missouri Capitol, he didn’t do it to “prove” anything.

ACTION: Jefferson City February 26 UPDATE

February 26, 2011

Your country needs you today—Saturday, February 26—in Jefferson City, MO. Radical unions threatening a Wisconsin-style hatefest at the State Capitol. But some great Americans like Phil Todd and Elizabeth and Paul Couture have secured a permit for Tea Party on the Capitol Steps beginning at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 26 Please pass the word. If you can’t be there at 10:30, come later. We’ll need people there ALL DAY. RSVP Right Now

Unions Go Berserk

February 23, 2011

Obama’s friends in the public-sector unions stage embarrassing rallies to demand more, More, MORE of other people’s money. These aren’t unions that represent people who work in mines and factories. No, these are unions representing people who live off your and my tax dollars. (BTW,the military doesn’t have a union.) So let’s see . . . The government does a bunch of stuff we don’t want them to do. The people who did it get paid twice as much as the people who pay them.

Why I Support the Board of Police Commissioners

February 22, 2011

The battle over the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners is coming to a head in Jefferson City. Others (see www.24thstate. com) have documented the board’s odd history and surprising success. I’ve pointed out that the Constitution is silent on the matter. With legislation coming to a vote, I’ll state my personal position flat out. I believe that abolishing the Board would be a setback, not just for St. Louis Police Officers, not just for the city of St.

A Little Help for a Great Friend

February 22, 2011

The first St. Louis Tea Partier was Michelle Moore. In the annals of the Tea Party movement, the first action was a conference call held February 20, 2009. The only St. Louisan known to be on that call was Michelle Moore. Now, Michelle needs our help. Michelle needs a kidney. She details everything (in living color) on her blog, A Traditional Life Lived. If you can help—if you can’t point a donor her way—please do.

Wisconsin’s Teachers

February 22, 2011

Let’s knock off the silly political correctness, here, and admit what’s going in Wisconsin. The teachers are trying collapse the system. The National Education Association is a radical, political organization whose primary purpose is not education but control. Threatened with sensible legislation that protects the people of Wisconsin from unsustainable and unjustified retirement benefits, these teachers decided to shut down Wisconsin’s schools. The solution is simple. Do what Reagan did to PATCO.

Seducing the States

February 8, 2011

You can’t call yourself a conservative and ask for education money from Washington. Republicans dominate both houses of the Missouri legislature. You’d think they’d act like republicans (lower case). But when it comes to education bribes from Washington, many of our Republican legislators show little resistance to political seduction. We can help them. On BigGovernment. com, Bob McCarty highlights the hypocrisy of blasting ObamaCare from one side of the mouth while begging for federal cash out of the other.

American Idiots

February 7, 2011

Those who blindly cheer for the fall of Mubarak and the rise of anything else in Egypt are the same as those who cheered the fall of the Shah in Iran. Question their motives. The Great One, Mark Levin, tweeted attention to this post about an email from Salim Mansur to Claire Berlinski. The email’s purpose was to call Claire’s attention to Mansur’s latest column. Here’s what Mansur says as an aside:

Pujols or Politics?

February 6, 2011

I’m torn. Yesterday, I took part in a demonstration outside Senator Claire McCaskill’s St. Louis office on Delmar. The future of the republic is important. We are concerned that Senator McCaskill put her re-election before Missouri jobs by lobbying the DNC to hold its 2012 convention in Charlotte, NC, instead of St. Louis, MO. Down the road, a group of Cardinals fans held a demonstration outside Busch Stadium. The future of future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols is important, too.

Shout It Out: Renegade Arizona Sheriff Intimidating Citizens UPDATE

February 6, 2011

The incompetent Sheriff Dupnik of Pima County Arizona has intimidated speakers in an attempt to shut down the Tucson Tea Party. Now, Tucson’s asking for our help. Jennifer Humphries wrote to Gateway Pundit Jim Hoft. She asked Jim of his help defending the First Amendment rights of the people of Tucson. Those rights are under assault from an incompetent and irresponsible sheriff who has now turned to intimidation to silence dissent.

Waning US Influence

February 5, 2011

Pro-Western governments in these countries have fallen to anti-American forces or diminished their support for the US since Barack Obama became president. * Lebanon** Jordan** Yemen** Qatar** Egypt** Turkey Obama’s campaign promise to restore respect for America around the world is a joke. A cruel and dangerous joke. Our enemies see Obama’s weakness as American weakness. As they did during Jimmy Carter’s failed presidency, those enemies are advancing. The next president will have more than a financial catastrophe to fix.

NYTimes: Cubans Find Freedom Fun

February 4, 2011

Since mass murderer Fidel Castro fired thousands of Cuban government workers due to the economic unviability of Obamanomics, those set free are enjoying their independence. To the shock of the New York Times: “I feel useful; I’m independent,” said Ms. Álvarez, who opened a small cafe in November at her home in this scruffy town 25 miles from the capital, Havana. “When you sit down at the end of the day and look at how much you have made, you feel satisfied.

Obama’s Contempt for the Rule of Law

February 4, 2011

When he identified the three branches of government as President, House, and Senate, Was Chuck Schumer confused, or did he accurately state the Obama administration’s intent to subjugate the Judicial Branch of government? It seems the White House no longer considers the Judicial Branch the equal of the Executive. In two cases—the Gulf oil drilling ban and Obamacare—the White House refuses to obey ruling from federal judges. In New Orleans, federal judge Martin Feldman found the White House in contempt for its re-imposition of oil drilling bans after his previous ruling to the contrary.

A President Seriously Out of Touch

February 2, 2011

Did you enjoy President Obama’s gooey nostalgia for the Happy Days of Eisenhower and Howdy Doody as much I did? Saul Alinsky warned radicals to “never go outside the expertise of your people.” But desperate times call for desperate measures, so Obama jumped the shark to the time of Potsy and Fonzie and Joannie Loves Chachi to rekindle a flavor of Americana that died a couple of years before Obama was born.

Forcing Functions

February 1, 2011

An old boss of mine liked “forcing functions.” Forced us to meet delivery dates, while arbitrary dates tended to cause a “so what” attitude toward deadlines. Forcing functions like trade shows, magazine reviews, and client launches forced development teams to ship, no matter what. Keep that in mind for a moment while we look at the Obama Administration. Barack Obama campaigned on a promise to clip America’s wings. I know he didn’t use that term, but it was clear what he meant when he visited the Mediterranean and Germany.

BREAKING: 2nd Federal Judge Rules HealthControl Unconstitutional—No One Surprised

February 1, 2011

U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson today ruled Obamacare directly violates the Constitution by mandating that citizens buy health insurance. This ruling goes further than the previous Virginia ruling. Judge Vinson declared the entire Obamacare bill unconstitutional because the individual mandate portion is not severable from the rest of the law. Third, Judge Vinson granted the plaintiffs “declaratory relief,” the functional equivalent of an injunction, freeing them from the burden of compliance.

4 Ways Government Can Help Create Shared Value

January 31, 2011

Last week I wrote about Creating Shared Value. In that post, I pointed to a Harvard Business Review article by Michael Porter and Mark Kramer. If you haven’t read both my post and the Michael Porter piece, please do so now. I’ll wait. Now that you’re up to date, let me add the Tea Party angle to this. Though Porter did not dwell on government’s role in Creating Shared Value (CSV), he did point out that government must reform for CSV to succeed.

It’s 1978 All Over Again UPDATE: Thaddeus McCotter Agrees With Me

January 28, 2011

The news might seem unimportant to us in the USA: Day after day they marched, tens of thousands strong, defiant chanting demonstrators surging through the streets of Cairo, a capital unaccustomed to the shouts and echoes of dissent. The subject of their protest was the policies of Egypt’s supreme ruler, Hosni Mubarak. Some carried signs demanding his ouster. Others called for a return of long denied civil and political liberties and the enforcement of Islamic laws.

What’s the Constitutional Standing of a City?

January 27, 2011

Many of the people who support eliminating state oversight of the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners are not conservatives. Decidedly not. There are some good conservatives who disagree over the Board of Police Commissioners for the City of St. Louis. I’ve heard some of these conservative make some strong arguments for abolishing the board or relinquishing it to St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay. Some of the arguments in favor of so-called “home rule” are flat out false.

What We Learned from Milton Friedman

January 26, 2011

I am a big fan of Milton Friedman. I’m also becoming a big fan of Creating Shared Value. Some believe the two values are inconsistent, but I disagree. In 2005, Reason Magazine posted an online debate between Friedman and Whole Foods Market CEO John Mackey. The debate coincided with the 35th anniversary of Friedmans’ famous The New York Times Magazine article entitled: : “The Social Responsibility of Business Is to Increase Its Profits.

SOTUday Night Fever on KSDK 5

January 25, 2011

I’ll participate on KSDK Channel 5’s post-SOTU discussion panel Tuesday following the State of the Union speech. (I being Bill Hennessy, in case you’re reading this from a news feed.) I don’t know who my fellow panelists will be, but I think it’s pretty cool that a local network invited a tea partier to help break down the President’s State of the Union speech. The speech starts at 8:00 p.m. CT Tuesday, January 25 on KSDK 5.

How to Carry on the Pilgrims’ Mission

January 24, 2011

Conservatism and the Tea Party movement are good for America and good for the world. Moreover, our beliefs, our theory of government, and our principles are good for people. All people. Everywhere. That said, our marketing to date has been spotty at best and atrocious at worst. We don’t sell ourselves well. By “marketing,” I don’t mean phoniness or deception. Rather, we must advance those ideas that will do the greatest good or avert the gravest harm.

How to Carry-On the Pilgrims’ Mission

January 24, 2011

Conservatism and the Tea Party movement are good for America and good for the world. Moreover, our beliefs, our theory of government, and our principles are good for people. All people. Everywhere. [caption id=“attachment_16457” align=“alignnone” width=“800”]Pilgrim’s Progress Map[/caption] That said, our marketing to date has been spotty at best and atrocious at worst. We don’t sell ourselves well. By “marketing,” I don’t mean phoniness or deception. Rather, we must advance those ideas that will do the greatest good or avert the gravest harm.

Left Doubles Down on Threats

January 18, 2011

What would you do? Suppose you did something stupid. You blamed the wrong person, for instance, for a capital crime. Then supposed one of your comrades compounded your . . . error . . . by threatening to kill someone on national television? If you’re an American leftist, you might double down by issuing even more death threats to even more people. That’s what’ happening right now in America. Death threats are pouring into Trent Humphries, Tucson Tea Party organizer, Dana Loesch, Sarah Palin (who vows not to be silenced), Glenn Beck, and more.

Is Bill Maher’s Vitriol Responsible for Arrest?

January 16, 2011

Last week, America’s sleaziest leftists—Bill Maher, Chris Matthews, Keith Olbermann, E. J. Dionne, Paul Krugman, others – have [executed a prepared propaganda war](https://hennessysview.com/crime/a-national-day-of-shame/) against anyone who disagrees with them. Their theorem is: vitriolic rhetoric inspires conservatives to act out in violence. Unfortunately for the loony left, there was no evidence to support their theorem. The evidence they falsely pointed to—Jarod Lee Loughner’s deranged murder rampage in Tucson—was determined to be a lie only hours after the event.

An Extensive Interview with Missouri News Horizon

January 16, 2011

When I hear all the lies, slanders, and threats against the Tea Party movement from folks on the left, I wish I could counter with a fuller examination of my beliefs. Luckily, with the help of Missouri News Horizon, I can. The Friday before the 9/12 Tea Party, I sat down with Rebecca Townsend to talk about the Tea Party. Rebecca and I chatted for an hour. She led me through just about every aspect of the Tea Party’s history up to that point.

Jay Nixon Putting Party Ahead of Missouri? UPDATE

January 16, 2011

Last week, the Illinois legislature passed a massive income tax increase on individuals and businesses. Overall, it represents about a 67 percent income tax increase. In response, neighboring states of Wisconsin and Indiana have wisely mounted massive campaigns to suck businesses and people out of Illinois. Even New Jersey’s fabulous governor, Chris Christie, plans to fish the Land o’ Lincoln for some business transplants. One state bordering Illinois has been notoriously silent.

GOP: Knock Off the Symbolic Crap

January 16, 2011

Just as in 2001, some Republicans are falling for Democrat mind games. In 2001, it was the shared leadership arrangement in the Senate, even thought the GOP had the majority because of the VP tie-break. This year, it’s beginning with “bi-partisan” seating at the State of the Union address. I have one message for Republicans: Knock it the hell off. When a Democrat offers to reach across the aisle, with very few exceptions, it’s to poison a Republican.

I went to a memorial. . . and all I got was this lousy t-shirt UPDATE Michelle Malkin Reminds Us of Another Massacre Memorial

January 13, 2011

**Obama Productions Inc. ** Garish chic. No other way to describe it. Where were the Greek columns? No official sponsors? Why not GM and Goldman Sachs? While Obama’s speech was appropriate and well delivered—his best since taking office—the crass and tasteless setting, the shouting and cheering, the lack of dignity and solemnity, will mark this event as an embarrassment to the country and an affront to the families and victims.

A Turning Tide Swamps All Lefties

January 12, 2011

For three consecutive days the hard left of American politics executed a prepared battle plan: * Personify the Enemy (Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck) * Isolate him or her (Rightwing vitriol, conservative talk radio, “crosshairs”) * Vilify without mercy (Hate, violence, accessory to murder) Democrat Mark Penn showed us the left’s cards in November when he said that Obama needs an Oklahoma bombing to help him “reconnect” with the American people.

Got Your Back

January 11, 2011

Seth Godin’s daily blogs are amazingly timely. Today Seth talked about having someone’s back. He explained that the time we need to feel that someone has our back is when things are tough, not when they’re going well. No, if you want her to go all in, if you want her to take the risk and brave the fear, then it sure helps if you’re there too, no matter what.

Am I an Idiot?

January 11, 2011

For most of my life I was naïve. I think. I thought that most people who voted for larger government, higher taxes, tighter regulation, and limits on speech, religion, and assembly, were misguided. I’ve always known and acknowledged that the people who advocated and plotted to concentrate power in the hands of a few were wicked creatures. I never hesitated to attack them head-on. But the others. The others I sometimes pitied.

Sheriff Dupnik’s Culpability

January 11, 2011

According to an internal Department of Homeland Security memo, Jarod Lee Loughner’s mother “works for Pima County Board of Supervisors.” In the memo, obtained by Fox News and posted on Greta Van Susteren’s blog, the DHS agent openly speculates about undue internal influence. That’s because Loughner’s arrests don’t all end with reasonable closure, if you will. Here’s exactly what the DHS report says: suspect’s mother works for the Pima County Board of Supervisors* the suspect has multiple arrests … But no criminal record?

Just Sad

January 10, 2011

How sad is the story of the Tucson tragedy. Good people died. Good people grieve. A little girl, born on 9-11, went on her way to her reward. Too soon. So, so too soon. Experience says that some survivors will become bitter and angry. That’s sad, too. Some will become depressed. All will weep. Especially the little girl’s daddy. (I can’t bring myself to write their names—that would make it too personal for me.

Did Orwell Write This Weekend?

January 10, 2011

Democrats—from Jane Fonda to Senator Bob Brady of Pennsylvania—are pushing to ban words, phrases, and images they don’t like, as P/Od Patriot points out. Yes, we are living in very dangerous times. And the danger comes almost exclusively from the left. * Democrat [McCaskill calls for Americans to take up arms](https://gatewaypundit.rightnetwork.com/2010/12/claire-mccaskill-promotes-violence-if-dems-dont-get-their-historic-tax-hikes-it-really-is-time-for-americans-to-take-up-pitchforks-video/) if Democrat tax increase fails. (It did. And Gabrielle Giffords helped it fail.)** Democrat [Joe Biden threatened to strangle Republicans](https://www.

A National Day of Shame

January 9, 2011

It’s bad enough that five people died, including a wonderful nine-year-old girl. It’s bad enough that a dozen or more people were shot. It’s bad enough that a deranged man attacked our American system. But America’s liberal elite turned the tragedy into a national day of shame. They accomplished this by callously and capriciously blaming innocent political opponents for the violence. When confronted with facts to the contrary, liberals, including Paul Krugman, CBS News, the New York Times, CNN, MSNBC, Jane Fonda, Sheriff Dupnick of Pima County Arizona, and others, continued to lie, slander, and libel the tea party, Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, and conservatives in general.

FLASHBACKS: Media Blame Tea Party for Leftist Crimes

January 8, 2011

The most often repeated story is not the reluctant hero or the hero who wants to get home. Nor is it about a mother’s love. The ultimate archetypical story line is: LIBERAL PRESS ERRONEOUSLY BLAMES TEA PARTY FOR LEFTIST CRIMES As Jarod Lee Loughner’s political bent emerges, we see the same, predictable story playing out: 1. A horrific crime takes place.*2. Leftist bloggers like Markos Moulitsas blame conservatives.*3. CNN, New York Times, Washinton Post, etc.

Cowardly, Leftist Punks Go Silent

January 8, 2011

The tragedy in Tucson exposed America’s leading leftists for what they are. Andrew Breitbart points out on Twitter that his cowardly leftist accusors, including Markos Moulitsas and Eric Boehlert, quieted down on their libelous attacks on Breitbart, Palin, Bush, and Tea Party. These leftist cowards shut up only after it became undeniably clear that the evil bastard who shot Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and 11 others is not a tea partier, but a deranged socialist.

Alleged Giffords Shooter: Jared Loughner Leaves Video UPDATES

January 8, 2011

Update: Gateway Pundit has much more on the alleged shooter. These appear to be the paranoid ramblings of the man in custody for shooting Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and 11 others, including a federal judge, in Tucson, AZ. Lots of hard left references in his favorite books, including Mein Kampf and The Communist Manifesto. Politico’s Ben Smith calls Laughner’s writings “socialist.” [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHoaZaLbqB4&hl;=en&hd;=1] Another Video by alleged shooter in Arizona made 3 weeks before shooting

UPDATE: Go With Hope—reports that Gabrielle Giffords is still alive, needs our prayers

January 8, 2011

Like all decent people, I am disgusted to hear the sad news out of Tucson, AZ: Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) was shot and killed along with four others today. Twelve were shot altogether. The murderer was apprehended by heroic bystanders and is in custody. Not sure of the young murderer’s motives. I’m sure they weren’t worth killing or dying for. Except to him. Please prayer for the souls of the faithful departed, the well-being of their families, the quick recovery of the wounded, and the delivery of justice.

Momentum

January 6, 2011

Momentum is the mass and velocity of an object. The object is the American ideology. The impetus is the conservative grassroots. The velocity is medium. The direction is right. The tactics and tools to keep the dominos falling to the right might change, but the energy and ideals don’t. What brought you out to the tea parties, to the street parties, to the lit drops, and to the door knocking and phone banking parties must carry you forward in 2011 and 2012.

The 112th

January 6, 2011

Four years after Nancy Pelosi swore to end deficit spending, a new Congress, elected by a grassroots surge, took office today. Our work has just begun. But we have the momentum. Here’s how we need to deal with Congress: 1. We let them know what’s important to us. 2. We defend them—individually and collectively—when they do the right thing. 3. We remind them of their purpose, promises, and limitations when they stray.

3 Moves After the Tea Party*

January 2, 2011

It’s 2011. The Tea Party movement is almost two years old. Two years after the Boston Tea party, the Revolutionary War was well underway. In April, 1775, British Lieutenant General Gage sent troops to Concord, Massachusetts, to seize a garrison held by revolutionaries. It didn’t go so well for the Brits. By 1776, the Continental Congress declared our independence from Great Britain citing human rights. With words that echo through the centuries, we declared that human beings have certain rights, and:

Ezra Klein and the Dead Constitution

January 1, 2011

Clearly a fan of understatement, Ezra Klein once ran a blog called “Not Geniuses.” Now, of course, he demonstrates his ignorance on MSNBC. Last week, Klein unwittingly advanced the cause of dead constitutions. He did a better job than any proponent could. He said: The issue with the Constitution is that the text is confusing because it was written more than a hundred years ago. (William F. Buckley once described a statement like Klein’s as evoking of the sort of pity one feels for the ignorance of animals.

The Longest Year

December 31, 2010

The year that ends tonight didn’t begin a year a go tomorrow. Nor does it have a number. I’m not sure when this year started or what to call it. And, as surprising as it may sound, I don’t think I’ll miss it. Call it the year of the tea party. It lasted 22 months. We accomplished only two things, really, in this massive human wave. We reminded ourselves that we, the people, can still roar.

8 Things to Read in 2011

December 30, 2010

This week last year, I read The 5000 Year Leap. Good book. If you haven’t read it, do so. You might learn some interesting things. But don’t expect The 5000 Year Leap to change you. Or history. It won’t. Now, if 70 percent of the US population read it, it might make a difference. Or maybe not. I tend to doubt it, but that’s fodder for a different post. When tea partiers read books like Glenn Beck’s Common Sense or The 5000 Year Leap, we’re not broadening ourselves—we’re narrowing ourselves.

Despots Use Money to Buy Power

December 29, 2010

Politicians don’t seek money. They seek power. They use money to acquire power. Once they have the power, money becomes irrelevant. Did you see how states behaved last summer? The “Race to the Top” is all you need to know about the relationship between government money, power, and degradation. The Race to the Top education initiative dangled cash in front of states. Most states, including Missouri, bit. They competed against each other for the privilege of surrendering their sovereignty over education to a DoE overlord.

Why Don’t We Do Something Else?

December 27, 2010

Yes, I read that. And I saw that. And somebody told me about that, too. I see the ridiculous charges leveled by ignorant bigots against the Tea Party. I hear the slander on MSNBC and CNN. I know that Ben Jealous and Nancy Pelosi live on lies about you and me the way vampires live on human blood. I get it. My immediate urge when I read or hear this nonsense is anger.

Chains of a Different Master

December 25, 2010

Perhaps the most famous of all of Karl Marx’s writings was the clause “you have nothing to lose but your chains.” Many people still believe that human beings are chained to corporate masters. Writers like Seth Godin talk about an awakening in which workers refuse to remain cogs in someone else’s machine. These well-meaning people (some are well-meaning, anyway) have no problem, though with giving more power to a handful of slave-masters in Washington.

Merry Christmas!

December 24, 2010

Christmas is the holiday about humility. The humility of the immortal and all powerful and all knowing stooping to become a mere human being. The humility of God and king to live among the humblest and poorest–a carpenter’s son. The humility of belonging to a race so broken that our Creator sent his only Son to redeem us. For me, the humblest part of this season is what I’m doing right now.

How to Kill the Tea Party

December 24, 2010

If the Tea Party—or ACORN or the Democratic National Committee or anyone or anything else, for that matter—stays in a perpetual state of heightened negative emotions nothing positive gets accomplished. The gazelle that flees imaginary lions soon dies of exhaustion. As positive emotions researcher Barbara Frederickson puts it: when extreme, prolonged, or contextually inappropriate, negative emotions can trigger a wide array of problems for individuals and for society. Phobias develop out of unchecked fear.

Apologies to Seth Godin and His Readers

December 23, 2010

I tried to manually trackback to Seth Godin’s post on TV from this post. Between WordPress’s false negatives on reporting success of links, my laptop’s touchy touchpad, and Typepad’s weird trackback URL system, I managed to: a. Link once to the wrong blog post b. Link twice to the right blog post I pride myself on being respectful of blogging etiquette. I hate trackback spam. I hate it even more when I’m the one creating it.

Not So Fast, Seth

December 23, 2010

I am a big fan of Seth Godin’s thinking. He clearly understands that people are rejecting steep hierarchies where an oligarchy makes all the decisions and the rest of us are expected to blindly follow instructions. He wrote a wonderful book on the subject. Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? holds some wisdom (and some fallacy) that will empower you to take control of your life if you listen.

Special Thanks to American Majority

December 23, 2010

American Majority Action deserves a huge dose of the credit for Ed Martin’s tight race for Missouri’s 3rd district in 2010. But their ground help in September and October was only the tip of the iceberg. Dana Loesch and I met American Majority back in April. Ned Ryun, the founder and president, asked us to speak at the group’s Post-Party Summit in Kansas City. The weekend was fabulous, informative, and fun.

3 reasons why young voters might make a right turn (and how we missed an opportunity with them)

December 23, 2010

How many new voters has the tea party movement created? There’s reason to hope that first time voters will begin shifting to the right in 2010. There’s also reason for us on the right to worry. About 8 million people turned 18 since the 2008 election. While the left undoubtedly brainwashed many of them before they reached voting age, many others avoided indoctrination through good parenting, good thinking, or simply not paying attention to the left’s message.

Thank You!

December 22, 2010

Hennessy’s View is now 255 on Wikio’s Political Blog rankings. I know that’s nothing compared to Gateway Pundit. After 10 years of blogging, though, it’s nice to crack some list somewhere. If you’d like to see me move higher on this list, please use the social buttons below. Also, please tell me why you read Hennessy’s View in the comments. Thanks, again, for a great Christmas present.

Sometimes a Morris is Just a Morris

December 21, 2010

Dana Loesch invited Dick Morris onto her radio show today. Dana expected to discuss START with Mr. Morris. But Dick has a mind of his own. Morris decided, about a minute and a half into a five-minute segment, that he wanted to talk about the 2012 US Senate race in Missouri instead. Specifically, he wanted spend the segment campaigning for Sarah Steelman for the the Republican nomination. Decide for yourself: here’s the link to Dana’s show.

Generational Change

December 21, 2010

A man lost in thought is liable to say anything. Anything at all. A guy sitting behind me at a restaurant in Lambert airport began singing along with the background music. “Burning down the house (do do).” Perfect. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5VRhmgUNtM&hl;=en&hd;=1] November 2, American voters burned down the U.S. House. Before the vote, estimates ranged from 45 to 70 seats switching from Democrats to Republicans. Burning down the house, indeed. The final number was 63.

Get Good Candidates. Start Now.

December 20, 2010

Conservatives (tea party, et al) and Republicans better learn to get along. Quickly. Just as quickly, the two need to recruit, vet, and prep some A-list candidates. Candidates for offices from President down to school boards. That’s because the winners in 2012 will either belong to a conservative coalition or the most radical elements of the Democrat Party. Here’s why. Pollster Frank Luntz points out in today’s Washington Post that the largest ideological faction in the United States is the combination of GOP plus tea partiers:

All-American Alternative to Leftist Omaha Steaks

December 18, 2010

Jim Hoft of Gateway Pundit exposed Omaha Steak’s leftism yesterday. Omaha pulled its ads from Glenn Beck for ideological reasons. We took your comments regarding the Glenn Beck Program to heart. After further review and careful consideration, we have decided to pull all advertising from Glenn Beck programming effective December 20th, 2010. Then the president of the company, Bruce Simon, tried to deny his political motives. If you want to order top quality meats at great prices, you don’t have to put money in a lefty’s pocket.

A Remarkable Discussion

December 18, 2010

If you’ve never heard of The Discussion Club, listen up. Since 1955, The Discussion Club has brought to St. Louis the heavyweights of the time. * Milton Friedman** Dr. Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihn** Henry Regner** M. Stanton Evans** Dr. George C. Roche** Dr. Friedrich A. Von Haye (are you freakin’ kidding me?)** Dr. Russell Kirk (the father of American conservatism)** Arthur Laffer And that’s just the 70s and 80s. The [list of past speakers](https://www.

Are We the Last Americans?

December 7, 2010

Sometimes nightmares end well. Sometimes they don’t. Salon carries a depressing story for the lower 48 of North America. Author Alfred McCoy writes: Despite the aura of omnipotence most empires project, a look at their history should remind us that they are fragile organisms. So delicate is their ecology of power that, when things start to go truly bad, empires regularly unravel with unholy speed: just a year for Portugal, two years for the Soviet Union, eight years for France, 11 years for the Ottomans, 17 years for Great Britain, and, in all likelihood, 22 years for the United States, counting from the crucial year 2003.

The Tea Party’s Real Purpose Is . . .

December 6, 2010

We talk about liberty, limited government, freedom, Constitutional principles, and the like. Those are all relevant to the purposes of the conservative grassroots movement. But are they ends? Or are they just means? I believe they are means. In the founders’ writings we find clues to the end, even they don’t state it explicitly. Jefferson did. Jay came close. And Adams implicitly understood that end. Let me ask this: what’s the point of all the work we did in the past two years?

2 Ways to Make Christmas Season Happier

December 5, 2010

Is it better to give or to receive? Before you answer, let’s look at some of the science behind giving. Then let’s look a little deeper. Dr. Barbara Fredrickson studies the psychology of happiness. About a decade ago, Dr. Fredrickson announced a formula for creating an “upward spiral” of happiness. In other words, she identified what it takes to have happiness breed happiness. The formula applies to individuals, families, groups, and even companies.

Man’s Waning Days?

November 30, 2010

It’s easy to wonder whether humanity has simply grown weary of life. * Yesterday I noted the [inhumanity of Christmas shoppers](https://hennessysview.com/2010/11/28/our-disordered-society/) on Black Friday.** For the past 24 hours, the world has watched the slow release of hundreds of thousands of [classified US diplomatic cables](https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/sc-dc-1130-wikileaks-20101129,0,2557036.story).** As I write, [a gunman holds hostages](https://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/11/29/wisconsin.hostage/?hpt=T2) at a rural Wisconsin high school.** The [European debt crisis](https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2010/11/29/europes_ominous_reckoning_108078.html) refuses to remain quiet beneath the rug under which it’s been swept.

Our Disordered Society

November 29, 2010

Drudge’s headlines about Black Friday 2010 raise disturbing questions about America’s purpose as a nation. We degrade ourselves for deals on crap some puppet-master tells us we cannot live without. In the name of Christ’s birth, we reveal ourselves with headlines like “Craze shoppers stampede,” “Marine stabbed,” “Shopper arrested after packing gun,” “Mall food court placed on lockdown,” “Shopper arrested…raging,” “Police called after thousands rush,” “Woman busted.” We rush Toys-R-Us doors–angry, armed, and belligerent–because our society is grossly disordered.

What’s Left?

November 15, 2010

Exit polling tells the story. About 60 percent of voters agree with the tea party core principles of government constrained by a constitution and government transparency. Well over half of voters agree with specific measures advanced in the Contract From America, including: Balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. Elimination of earmarks until the budget is balanced, and then requiring a 2/3 vote. Audit the entire damn government, including the Fed.

Ideas Have Consequences—Even Stupid Ones

November 14, 2010

When Barack Obama became president in January 2009, he began a campaign to weaken America. I’m not talking about military cuts; I’m speaking of America’s stature. Barack Obama famously refused to acknowledge American Exceptionalism in 2009. He bowed to kings and princes, then denied doing so, then bowed again and again. His White House has driven down the dollar. Timothy Geithner, Obama’s Secretary of the Treasury, warns that the world economy must “rebalance” with less reliance on America.

The Courage of Roy Blunt

November 13, 2010

When you vote for a candidate for high office, sometimes you do so with fingers crossed. You just don’t know how they’ll handle the new responsibilities. Will they succumb to pressure and influence? Or will they remain true? Luckily for us, Senator-elect Roy Blunt showed his courage in a recent Wall Street Journal article about the Tea Party and the GOP. In a year when voters overwhelming demanded changes to business as usual in Washington, Roy Blunt showed he has the rectitude to stand strong for the tried and true practices of obfuscation, political double-speak, and deflection.

Election Night

November 3, 2010

Election Night. Already know that Christine O’Donnell lost. Not surprised. Rubio won going away. Not surprised. Roy Blunt already projected winner in Missouri. No word on Ed Martin, the race I’m most interested in. I’m usually glued to radio, TV, and internet on election nights. I’m usually In The Know. Sort of a cruel cosmic joke that I’m at 35,000 feet as returns come in for the most important election in a century.

Shady City Votes and Ego-Trip Riders

November 3, 2010

Three precincts in the city of St. Louis delivered 3,800 votes for Carnahan in the last hour of counting. Wahby’s district. Wahby’s wife works for Mayor Francis Slay. They waited until they knew how many votes they needed, then they manufactured them–typical Dems, in my view. Now I ask you: how many dead or non-existent people voted in Wahby’s precincts? Ed Martin won, and everyone knows it. City Democrats have no qualms with committing felonies to steal elections.

614 Days

November 2, 2010

Six hundred fourteen days from the first Tea Parties to Election Day. That’s 307 days in 2009 and 307 in 2010. In that time, we’ve met so many people. We’ve made too many friends. (Psychologists and sociologists and anthropologists believe that a person can manage no more than 150 human relationships, so there is such a thing as too many friends.) Most of us, I’m afraid, have seen friendships end, too.

Tea Party to Congress: Pack Up, Get Out

November 1, 2010

The clock is ticking on dozens of Democrat congressional careers. And a band of activists in Missouri are helping the losers move. Operation “Pack Up and Get Out” struck the offices of Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO) today. Carnahan is struggling to hold off Republican challenger Ed Martin, an original Tea Partier whose campaign has energized Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District. “Pack Up and Get Out” delivered 300 moving boxes to the Congressman’s offices in Brentwood, Missouri.

How to Make an Election Day Plan

November 1, 2010

“Winning isn’t everything—it’s the only thing.” – Bud Wilkinson Think you can vote without a plan? Maybe you can. Or maybe you’ll get too busy, traffic will be a mess, the weather will turn bad, or your boss will send you on a wild goose chase at 5:30. Without a voting plan, there’s a chance that Missouri will be stuck with a clown like Russ Carnahan. So let’s make a plan.

Do You Hear The People Sing?

November 1, 2010

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1iBjVlg6lw&w;=480&h;=385] It’s been almost two years since we met. At the time, I had no idea where this was going. Or what I was doing. I still don’t know what I’m doing, but we all know where America is headed. Beginning Tuesday, because of your passionate, tireless efforts, America is returning to the right course to meet the destiny our founders envisioned. On Tuesday, your vote, joined with millions of others, will turn the country around.

What If They Turned Off The Traffic Lights?

October 17, 2010

A town in England has reduced traffic congestion, pollution, and accidents. One year after the experiment began, the townspeople gushed over the change in the people and the way they drive. One woman’s commute went from twenty minutes to five. How did this happen? The town did the opposite of what had always been done. Instead of adding more traffic lights or signs or spy cameras, they went the other direction.

Human Decay in the Age of Obama

October 12, 2010

In 47BC, Julius Caesar assumed dictatorial power in Rome. He instituted “reforms” that transformed the Republic into the Empire. In the process, he became a dictator. Rome’s decent into oblivion began. In 44BC, seeing the damage Caesar’s tyranny and reforms, three men removed Caesar from power by the method of the day. History moves faster now than it did 2,000 years ago. A megalomaniacal leaders bent on fundamentally transforming a nation can do remarkable damage in the blink of an eye.

The Candidate Who Doesn’t Want You to Know Her

October 12, 2010

Political candidates want to meet everyone. “If people would just meet me,” they say, “they’ll realize I’m a regular . . .” guy/gal/tea partier/whatever. This seems a good thing—willing to stand before the voters and be judged. Missouri’s State Auditor, Susan Montee might want to keep her name, her history, and her record out of the spotlight. That’s because Susan Montee is about as hard left as you get. Here’ just a sample:

Big Journalism’s Big News

October 12, 2010

It seems impossible that nearly nineteen months have passed since I met Dana Loesch for the first time. It was on the sidewalk on Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd, 27 February 2010. Snow flurries drifted and bounced like little kids playing around at a wedding reception. Two-hundred or so people had already arrived, and Dana brought the cutest little megaphone you’ve ever seen. With that megaphone, we announced the first St.

Victory Center Packed—But More Help Needed

October 8, 2010

Tonight at Victory Center, the phones were packed with volunteers, and it made a difference. We made over 1,600 calls and canvassers visited over 200 homes. But it gets better. Because of the energy and enthusiasm in the room, the quality of the calls was fantastic. Veteran callers said that the people they spoke to were more engaged and pleasant than on past nights. That’s because success and energy drives enthusiasm, which people respond to even over the phone.

Drowning Beauty

October 7, 2010

Someday I’ll write more – much more – on this. But it’s important to remember what’s at stake in America, in the world, this election: beauty. Totalitarian regimes despise beauty. They bury it in palaces where the rulers roam, their cancerous eyes raking over someone’s masterpiece the way raw sewage pollutes a clear stream after a pipe’s failure. Regimes, in their attempts to hoard beauty, bury it. In free America (remember it?

Irrational History

October 6, 2010

Symbols can change history. Sort of. I was on patrol on the USS John C. Calhoun in January 1992. I sat in the Crew’s Lounge. Ed Lesage, a radioman, delivered the latest news from the wire—usually a few days old. I got the first copy. The first story told me that President George H. W. Bush would not be re-elected. I was right. This morning, I saw a story on RealClearPolitics.

Let Some Things Go; Fight For Others

October 5, 2010

Here’s a passage from a fine roman a clef: [I]f the worst were to happen and a local armed militia were to descend on me and drive me out as a Jewish alien, their offense mainly would be against the Jew, not against the landowner. And in such a case my concern would be for the U.S. Constitution, not for my investment. The rooms, the rocks, the vegetation had no hold on my vital organs.

A Different World

September 30, 2010

While we’ve been building the tea party, the world has changed. Our world has changed. * Consumers consume less** Inflation is limited to food, fuel, and gold** Experiences and human connections are more important than possessions and promotions** Debt shifted from people and businesses to government—which means to all of us** The government took out a $48,000 loan in your name** Both major parties looked bad when we examined them When the 112th Congress convenes, the priorities of February 27, 2009, may be irrelevant.

The Power and the Glory

September 30, 2010

_**“For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honor of triumph, a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeteers, musicians and strange animals from conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conquerors rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children robed in white stood with him in the chariot or rode the trace horses.

The Debate’s End

September 28, 2010

Thirty minutes after the debate’s official end, pods of people remained in the Arnold Rec Center Sunday night: a circle in the vestibule, a half-moon in the center aisle, two or three amorphous clumps up front, the one I belonged to, and the loud groups around Ed Martin. “Why didn’t Russ Carnahan stay and talk to people,” a young woman asked, implying a contrast with Ed Martin’s happy conversation a few feet away.

Who Has the Fear?

September 23, 2010

For 100 years in America, government, business, and the education establishment built schools and laws about education. The purpose of these government schools and education laws was to produce compliant, unimaginative, order-taking automatons. Don’t believe me? Here’s Woodrow Wilson, educator and president, speaking on the American plan for education: We want one class of persons to have a liberal education, and we want another class of persons, a very much larger class of necessity in every society, to forgo the privilege of a liberal education and fit themselves to perform specific difficult manual tasks.

Want to End the Obama Era?

September 23, 2010

Share this. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YXqf_6ug54&hl;=en]

Generation Conflicted

September 22, 2010

In the tech world, I meet a lot of brilliant, ambitious, hardworking entrepreneurs. These folks are committed to their dreams, working 100+ hour weeks, and paying themselves as little as possible. They stretch investors’ dollars to the limit and hunt for more VC to make dreams come true. They want to create jobs and better lives for many. Over drinks, these young capitalists talk about three things: Easier access to capital.

Is Glenn Beck Helping?

September 22, 2010

For (at least) the past two nights, Glenn Beck’s program has been spell-bindingly depressing and eye-gougingly infuriating. He’s chronicled the Obama administration’s anti-Constitutional transfer of power and wealth from private Americans to other countries. He’s shown that the administration has no concern over the 2010 election because it has no intention of obeying the laws passed by Congress. For example, the newly appointed Consumer Protection Czar, a hard-line communist, Elizabeth Warren, is funded directly from the U.

Afraid to Live

September 21, 2010

Leftist philosophies lead to despotism. Despotism appeals to some people because: They don’t have to think. They won’t face consequences. Problems arise when the people who thought they didn’t want to think decide to think for themselves. Traditionally, the despots either kill or incarcerate the thinkers. Eventually, too many people think, the prisons overflow, and the people kill or incarcerate the despot. Instead of living through this cycle of violence again, why don’t we stop the despot now?

A Magical Moment

September 18, 2010

On November 5, 1980, ABC News Nightline was devoted to the aftermath of the election. Ronald Reagan won 51-41 over incumbent Jimmy Carter. Republicans took the Senate and picked up 30+ seats in the house. The YouTube clip below shows us only the beginning of the program. But it’s a great reminder of what lies ahead for movement conservatives. Well, what lies ahead IF we continue to focus on moving the conversation toward first principles and away from the class warfare and Balkanization that Democrats love so much.

That’s One Awesome Friggin’ Photograph

September 8, 2010

The venerable Jim Hoft (aka, Gateway Pundit) snapped this shot of the new sign at St. Louis Tea Party Coalition HQ on Hampton. One year ago this week, we’d just finished a summer of street protests. ObamaCare had been delayed . . . twice. Cap and Trade had been put on hold. Many of us were getting ready to drive up to Quincy, Illinois, for the Midwest’s 9-12 Tea Party.

Why You Should Come to St. Louis If You Can’t Drive to the Beach

September 5, 2010

Yes, there are three major Tea Party events on 9-12: Washington, Sacramento, and St. Louis. But if you can’t see the Atlantic or the Pacific from your window, why don’t you make the trip to the middle of the country, to the “Gateway to November” Tea Party under the Arch? I’m hearing from groups in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Iowa, and many from Illinois and Kansas who CANNOT WAIT for the 9-12 “Gateway to November” Tea Party in St.

Innocent Until Proven Conservative

August 26, 2010

Within hours of reports of a firebombing at Rep. Russ Carnahan’s (D-MO) campaign finance office last Tuesday, St. Louis’s leftist bloggers leapt to the cause. In what seems to have been a coordinated attack, Riverfront Times and several progressive blogs and web sites ascribed culpability for the crime to St. Louis Tea Partyers. At one point, Chad Garrison of RFT flatly stated that the suspect “fit the description” of a tea partyer, a statement he later attempted to soften by claiming that firebombing is “too sane” a crime for Tea Partyers.

3 Signs of Economic Disaster

August 25, 2010

Each day, more economists jump onto the Double-Dip bandwagon. Signs abound that the natural economic recovery that would normally follow a deep recession won’t happen. Instead, the economy is now saddled with so much debt, so many regulations, and such onerous new taxes that the Obama Administration tells us to be happy with 9.5 percent unemployment. Barack Obama is an economic disaster of the first order. So why all the pessimism?

Barney Frank Comes Home to the Facts

August 22, 2010

Barney Frank Comes Home to the Facts. Remarkable. Is this is a true change in heart, a real wising-up, of one of Congress’s biggest Fannie and Freddie supporters? Or is Barney Frank playing some angle here. Let’s hope it’s the former. The best thing for America would be an awakening among big government Democrats. Imagine if Frank became a deficit hawk and a Tenther!.

A View From the Back

August 17, 2010

I approached the Rennick Park Pavilion with a heavy heart for three reasons. At least three. First, it was yet another night that I would not be home. And tomorrow’s first day of school. The last first day of school for my son, Patrick. I can’t think of that without thinking about his first day of kindergarten—which seems like yesterday—when he insisted on riding the bus. With his little backpack overflowing with supplies listed on a green sheet of paper (Rockwood-Green Pines-K), he stepped onto that bus in August of 1998.

Falling Down Again

August 12, 2010

One of the most popular and most talked about movies of 1993 was Falling Down, starring Michael Douglas, Barbara Hershey, and Robert Duval. Douglas played William “D-FENS” Foster, an engineer at a defense contractor who has a really bad day. Some described the movie as “an ordinary man at war with the everyday world.” Foster became an iconic anti-hero for the people who (stealing Bill Clinton’s line)worked hard and played by the rules, yet found themselves at the bottom of the heap in the post-Cold War era of 1993.

2/3 Think Worst Is Yet to Come for USA

August 12, 2010

The Wall Street Journal headline is grim: Grim Voter Mood Turns Grimmer Underpinning the gloom: Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe the economy has yet to hit bottom, a sharply higher percentage than the 53% who felt that way in January. Wow. I think thebarrage of terrible economic news this week has people realizing that you can’t borrow your way out of a debt problem. So far this fiscal year, the US has paid more in interest on its rapidly rising debt than it’s taken in from all corporate taxes.

How Much Damage Can They Do in 84 Days? UPDATE

August 11, 2010

A lot. Today, Congress gave failing states and cities $26 billion in Chinese loans. More failed policies bolstered. Today, the Federal Reserve Board reversed its plan to pay down the debt in order to put off economic downturn until after the election. Today, the Fed announced that our future is bleak. Today, we learned that the government probably overstated 2nd quarter economic growth—by almost double. (h/t Ed Morrissey) Today, we learned that inventories increased because people and businesses aren’t buying.

Healthcare Freedom Pledge

August 11, 2010

Ed Martin’s launched the HealthcareFreedomPledge.com site. Here you can find candidates who committed to protecting your right to choose your own healthcare options. Great idea. The site contains short statements from candidates for both state and federal office who pledge to defend our basic rights. Ask candidates in your area to sign the pledge today.

Nightmarish Carnival of Democrat Mayhem Continues

August 10, 2010

Congressional Democrats plan to hold a special session in August to pass yet another $26 billion bailout for states. Specifically for states that have create welfare empires they can no longer sustain. So responsible states now have to pay for irresponsible states at the point of a federal gun. It looks like the Democrats want to completely bankrupt America before they lose power in January. Of course, this also gives empty suits like Russ Carnahan an excuse not to debate their opponents, talk to constituents, or hold town halls.

Live Your Why

August 9, 2010

As we approach the anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech, it seems we should both honor Rev. King and learn from that speech. I can think of no better way to accomplish both goals than to liberally borrow from Simon Sinek’s fantastic blog post about that speech and the importance of living your “why.” On August 28, 1963, 250,000 people from across the country descended on the Mall in Washington, D.

3 Events Coming Up

August 9, 2010

I am very honored by the invitations I get to speak to various clubs and organizations around Greater St. Louis, including Illinois. This August, I have the chance to meet two groups and to guest host a radio show. On August 18, I’ll speak to the Meramec Township Republican Committee. On August 26, I’ll be speaking at the North County Republican Club meeting at Yac’s Restaurant at 407 Dunn Rd. in Florissant.

Fed: Other Shoe About to Drop

August 9, 2010

The only two people in the world who believe the economy is healthy and vibrant are Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Now, the Federal Reserve Board’s Open Market Committee (FOMC) is getting ready to announce that the economy is sicker than we thought. Although Fed policymakers still believe the basic trajectory of the economy remains one of moderate expansion, there may be more attention given to heightened dangers of a sharp slowdown.

The Return of Marcos

August 8, 2010

No,not Marie Antoinette. Too clichéd and too . . . ancient. Rather, Michelle Obama’s opulent life rekindles fond memories of Imelda Marcos. Imelda Marcos was the wife of Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos. Marcos was more a dictator than a president. Another parallel. In 1986, the Filipinos and the world had enough. Marcos was deposed and Imelda’s extravagance exposed. Imelda Marcos’s closet contained 2,700 pairs of shoes. That’s a different pair of shoes every day for 7.

3rd Time, No Regrets

August 8, 2010

On September 12, we make our third trip to the Arch Steps to rally our spirits and inform our neighbors. [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j8-s_9-y2E&w;=425&h;=355] On February 27, 2009, we met for the for first time. It started a revolution. It disrupted lives. It promises to change the course of history, the way the great New Madrid Earthquake forever altered the course of the Mississippi River. Over the past 18 months, we’ve come a long way.

On to November

August 7, 2010

The primaries are over. I honestly believe that in the St. Louis area, the rightward-most, viable candidate won each of the key votes. The people of Missouri are in a position to make historical shifts in our Washington representation. And those shifts are just the first step and restoring America’s First Principles. View Full Album Roy Blunt is a conservative. He will be a big step up for conservatism in the Senate.

Priceless! Boy Scouts Boo Bo

August 7, 2010

I guess this is the Boy Scout Jamboree. It’s too wonderful to research. On the big screen, we see The One, The Despot, Barack “Ass Kicker” Obama. In the foreground, we see and hear Boy Scouts booing and mocking and jeering. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAWsy7VV8oE&hl;=en_US&fs;=1&hl;=en] Part of me wishes the Boy Scouts were more respectful of the President of the United States, no matter who occupies that office. But another part of me believes that Obama is such a disgraceful, un-American anomaly that to disrespect him is to honor the United States.

Take Your Bill and Shove It, Mr. President

August 4, 2010

Missouri voters roundly rejected ObamaCare, all of its works, and all of its empty promises. By an overwhelming, unmistakable 71 percent, we said to the Obama Regime, “Take this bill and shove it.” The overwhelming passage was a slap in the face to the Missouri Hospital Association and to BJC President Steven Lipstein who spent nearly $500,000 trying to convince their employees that the hospital chain profits trump the Constitution. Pathetic worms.

Beyond The Dip

August 4, 2010

I received a couple of phone calls this morning. Maybe because of the primary election in Missouri. Or is the stifling, stale heat of August that drove the calls? Either way, I believe the calls represent very good news. We survived The Dip (Godin, 2007). Back in April, I sensed a dip in the burgeoning grassroots movement. By June 1, my suspicions were confirmed and I blogged about The Dip.

4 Questions You Must Answer Right Now

August 1, 2010

On Tuesday, Missouri becomes the first state in the union to vote on ObamaCare. If being a Tea Partyer means anything, it means you vote Yes on Prop C on Tuesday. I urge not to wing it. Most elections, I wake up and think “it’s election day.” Then I take a shower and go to work. I think about stopping to vote, but I don’t want to walk into the office at 9:00.

Quick! What do 1994 and 2010 have in common?

July 31, 2010

Besides . . . lots? In 1994, Dan Rostenkowski, then Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, was convicted of felony fraud charges. https://abcnews.go.com/assets/player/walt2.6/flash/SFP_Walt.swf In 2010, Charlie Rangel, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, is found guilty of ethics violations. (And BO says it’s time for him to go.) In 1994, Democrats were on the ropes after winning the House, the Senate, and the White House.

BJC’s Overlord

July 27, 2010

Steven Lipstein is president of BJC Hospitals. He is part of well-funded, national campaign to deny Missourians the right to NOT purchase something they don’t want. In a preposterous letter to his employees, Lipstein attempts to argue that human beings have no right to say “no” to health insurance. As self-anointed overlord of our spending, Lipstein questions the very foundations of America’s guiding philosophy when he writes: Can a citizen decide not to buy health care services, and with that decision, not be required to buy health insurance?

Are You Ready to Tea Party?????????

July 27, 2010

The weekend of September 12, 2010, will be The St. Louis Tea Party Weekend. We have the Arch steps. We have the Overlook Stage. We have the streets. We have the people. We have the hunger. We have the voice. We have the people. We have the stars. We have the plan. We have the people. We have the cause. We have the dedication. We have the people. We have the sound.

Shark-Jumping Anderson Cooper Style

July 26, 2010

Just before her beatification, Shirley Sherrod jumped the shark. On Thursday, CNN’s Anderson Cooper let the embattled former USDA director talk for an hour. Bad idea. It was bad for CNN, bad for viewers, and really bad for Sherrod, who lost her mind on the air. This is what she said: I think he’d [Andrew Breitbart would] like to get us stuck back in the times of slavery, That’s where I think he’d like to see all black people end up again.

No Content Found

July 26, 2010

Have you noticed few people call Barack Obama “The One” anymore? “The Golfer” or “The Vacationer” is more like it. Something less than One, by any measure. Still, with each passing day and each new, permanent crisis, it seems like BO just ain’t up to the job of President. Nothing new. When Jimmy Carter’s incompetence became obvious, the lefty press developed a theory that the job had simply grown too complex for one man.

Who Wronged Shirley Sherrod?

July 22, 2010

To no one’s surprise, leftist idiots and hate-mongers like David Frum, Keith Olbermann, and the staff of CNN point their crooked, hostile fingers toward Andrew Breitbart as the cause of Shirley Sherrod’s pain. That’s like blaming Ron Howard for the problems on board Apollo 13. What Breitbart and Big Government did regarding Ms. Sherrod was identical to what every television news program does every day of the week. They produced a news story based on information reasonably available to them.

Innocent Victims

July 21, 2010

When the NAACP’s Ben Jealous fired a reckless volley at the Tea Party, he missed his marked and struck an innocent woman. One week ago tonight, the news cycle was alive with the excitement of a heavyweight fight. The NAACP’s Ben Jealous needed to raise money and restore a sagging membership. He decided to pick a fight with the Tea Party. On Monday, the NAACP leaked a resolution to the Kansas City Star that stated:

I know where you’ll be on July 24

July 18, 2010

You’ll be in Grove Park in Grafton, Illinois, for: ALTON IL. T.E.A PARTY FIRST ANNIVERSARY “1776 FREEDOM RALLY” Saturday, July 24th 4pm-7pm Think about it. You’ve Fast Eddie’s right there. You’ve got two of the most haunted towns in America with Grafton and Alton. Great history, including homes that were critical to the Underground Railroad. [Map of Grafton] In short, you get to help make history in a place where history was made.

The Tea Party Is Intolerant . . . of Racism

July 18, 2010

Between a touch of the flu and the flurry of activity over this very issue, I missed the best, most direct breakdown of Ben Jealous’s misguided and hypocritical attack on the Tea Party. Read this column by Michael Graham on BostonHerald.com dated Thursday, July 15. Money quote: When you’re looking for bigots at a Tea Party rally, they’re on the fringe. When you’re looking for them at the NAACP, they’re on stage.

I Just Joined Conservative TV Online. Will You?

July 17, 2010

For the past seventeen months, Alex Rife has covered the conservative movement with the highest quality video available. His work even got me on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. For Alex to continue his video apostolate, he needs our help. I just joined his network for $5 a month. I hope you will, too. Today. Alex has invested thousands of dollars and thousands of hours of his time in our mission.

Why We Took a Stand Against the NAACP

July 17, 2010

Sometimes it is personal. Beginning with a simple blog post in February 2009, the St. Louis Tea Party Coalition has attracted over 40,000 people to dozens of events and online crusades. The vast majority of these folks represent America’s highest ideals in character and citizenship. We are educated, polite, and patriotic. We are stand-up people who fix our own problems and earn our own livings. We are not perfect, of course, but we understand that no one else can live our lives for us.

Holy Crap! Gov’t Shuts Down 73k Blogs

July 16, 2010

Claim is it’s a law enforcement issue. But under the Obama Regime, anything seems possible. Anything at all. I will spend this weekend backing up and downloading my blogs. Who know. This could revitalize the mimeograph machine.

Fighting Back Against NAACP Defamation

July 13, 2010

The NAACP has decided that it’s worth time to call 20 million American patriots “racists” for advancing liberty and economic opportunity. At midnight, the St. Louis Tea Party Coalition sent a resolution condemning the NAACP’s bigotry and hatred to its Washington bureau. The Tea Party’s principles are simple and clear: * Smaller federal government** Lower taxes** Fiscal responsibility** National defense** Federalism Those are precisely the tools to lift all Americans out of poverty.

Bi-Partisan Consensus: We’re Screwed

July 13, 2010

What if: In January, a new Republican Congress is sworn in. First up on the agenda? A bi-partisan report stating that Congress must enact the most draconian tax increases and entitlement cuts in history or face total economic collapse. That’s the scenario developing. President Obama appointed a bi-partisan commission to make recommendations about the US government’s debt. The commission will not report out until after the November 2010 elections, but the leaders—Republican Alan Simpson and Democrat Erskine Bowles–have given some warning about what we can expect.

Democrats Plan to Punish Voters

July 10, 2010

Democrats are planning to punish the American people with draconian, destructive legislation during the lame duck session following November’s election, according the Wall Street Journal. That’s why there have been signs in recent weeks that party leaders are planning an ambitious, lame-duck session to muscle through bills in December they don’t want to defend before November. Retiring or defeated members of Congress would then be able to vote for sweeping legislation without any fear of voter retaliation.

How We've Made a Difference

July 10, 2010

When you give over most of your private time to a cause, you need some feedback. We got some from former Reagan speechwriter Peggy Noonan on Friday: The Summer of the Angry Mob [caption id="" align=“aligncenter” width=“521” caption=“Dana’s Famous ‘Meet the Mob’ Blog”][/caption] Ms. Noonan reflected on the Townhall Revolt which began in St. Louis one year ago. Writes Noonan: When Rep. Russ Carnahan held a town hall meeting at a community college in Missouri on July 20, he tried patiently to explain that ObamaCare not only would be deficit-neutral, it would save money.

A lovely trip down memory lane

July 9, 2010

1980 [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsDe-8cOSYY&hl;=en] Reagan didn’t transform America. You did. All Reagan supplied was the blueprint, the story that brought economics and history to life. You will do it again.

Please Forgive Late Comment Approvals

July 7, 2010

I have had very limited internet access since July 2. I just approved a batch. Not censoring–just haven’t been able to see what’s out there. Thanks for your patience. Bill

Latest Missouri US Senate Race Poll

July 2, 2010

Rasmussen Report has the latest numbers from the Missouri Senate race. The poll does not include any mention of Republican candidate Chuck Purgason. Purgason seems to be enjoying something of a surge. He’s doffed his toupee and traded the Bolo tie for a regular one. And Purgason’s released a radio commercial in key areas around the state. Rasmussen finds strong support for Roy Blunt among those who consider themselves tea partyers:

Why We Have Hearings

July 1, 2010

Elena Kagan reminds me of Norm Peterson’s (Cheers) meltdown in front the brewery president just before he landed his dream job as a beer taster. Poor Elena can’t remember the simplest things—like her own handwriting. Today, Democrat Arlen Specter warned that he may have to vote “no.” She might not be the infanticidal maniac some claim. Instead, she seems to be devoid of any substantial legal thought whatsoever.

A Night at the Ball Park

July 1, 2010

Sometimes things just happen. As Jim Durbin points out, last night’s St. Louis Tea Party Night at the Ball Game was a total fluke. A mix-up left us with 46 tickets to last night’s Cardinal’s game against Arizona. (Long story.) But this tea party thing that started over a year ago seems to generate its own publicity. But the real story, to me, is what happened last night. Three incidents vindicated the shift toward more community building work, even if that work comes at the expense of big, boisterous rallies.

How to Achieve

June 29, 2010

When a family’s children are small, the family has such unity of purpose. Mom, Dad, and all the kids climb into the mini-van or the SUV and head to the store. From there, they visit her parents. Then stop at McDonald’s on the way home. If one of the older kids is involved in an organized program, the whole family attends. At bath time, the younger ones are bathed in batch.

The Real Tea Party on Kudlow

June 28, 2010

Thanks, again, to Larry Kudlow for asking me to talk about tea party things on Friday, June 25. https://plus.cnbc.com/rssvideosearch/action/player/id/1530503565/code/cnbcplayershare The Kudlow Rehttps://www.cnbc.com/id/15838446/port airs weeknights at 6:00 p.m. CT on CNBC.

How to Answer Chavez

June 27, 2010

Communist dictator Hugo Chavez has has stolen eleven oil rigs owned by the American company Helmerich and Payne. As Reuters points out, Chavez has now nationalized oil, telecommunications (including news), power, steel, and banking. If you’re keeping score, Chavez leads Obama 5-3, as Obama so far has managed to seize only banking, automotive, and healthcare. But Obama has vowed a comeback. Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of cutting and splitting some oak and hickory with a friend.

Obama Insults Americans . . . Again

June 27, 2010

An arrogant and distracted Barack Obama appeared at a press conference for the G20 Summit today. His purpose: to insult, threaten, and cajole the American people from an international stage. I’m doing it because I said I was going to do it and I think it’s the right thing to do. People should learn that lesson about me because next year when I start presenting some very difficult choices to the country, I hope some of these folks who are hollering about deficits and debt step-up because I’m calling their bluff.

Don’t Blink (you’ll miss the recovery)

June 22, 2010

The stock market reacted mildly to some devastating economic news today. In fact, the stock market appears to be in denial about the state of America’s economy. Existing home sales fell in May. As of this morning, economists expected a six percent increase. Economists expect new home sales to be worse than existing home sales. And economists expected home sales to fall off the table in July and for the remainder of 2010.

How to Avoid Overconfidence

June 22, 2010

Do you worry that conservative grassroots might get overconfident and blow our chance to stop the advance of socialism in America? I do. I am concerned that we keep repeating the same tactics to the same audiences until both the audience and the actors become . . . well, bored. When I read stories like this one, that GOP sentiment is at an all-time high, I worry that some on our side might decide they can go back to their regularly scheduled programming.

849 Reasons You’ll Never Succeed

June 19, 2010

View Full Album Major General Stephen Layfield, the reviewing officer at the Navy’s June 11 Boot Camp Graduation, introduced my son, AT Jack Hennessy, and 848 of Jack’s fellow sailors to America’s enemies. He mocked at our enemies’ plots to destroy America, pointing out that before him stood “eight hundred and forty-nine reasons why you’ll never succeed.” The crowd of about 4,000 roared. The sailors, in ranks, could not even clap.

The Washington Oil Leak

June 17, 2010

You would think that the basement of the White House was gushing 60,000 barrels of oil a day, wouldn’t you? After all, President Obama’s entire response to the greatest ecological disaster of modern times has been empower Washington, DC. The disasters are in the Gulf of Mexico, Mr. President, and in the latest Gallup and Rasmussen polls. Politicians who worship at the alter of omnipotent government have no answers to problems outside of government.

Thursday Night Throwdown

June 15, 2010

ST. LOUIS TEA PARTY HOSTS A PARTY Register Here AT SKY MUSIC LOUNGE IN BALLWIN **Folks, we decided that we can’t be all serious all the time! We need to have some fun, too! Sky Music Lounge in Ballwin is a fabulous place to share some adult beverages and have a good time. ** Register Now Come join Dana Loesch of 97.1 FM, Jim Hoft, our very ownGateway****Pundit, Bill Hennessy of the St.

Don't Feed the Democrats

June 15, 2010

[caption id=“attachment_10218” align=“alignleft” width=“260” caption=“Democrat Congressman attacks college student”] [/caption] In less than twenty-four hours, the left has demonstrated its incapacity for civilized living by physically assaulting a college student, then exclaiming the virtues of physical assaults on reporters. Background A Democrat member of Congress assaulted a college student. The assault, shown on two video angles, was unprovoked (unless asking a simple, closed question is now cause for violence) andcontinuing long past the point at which the victim said stop.

Go Israel

June 13, 2010

No, I’m not a war monger. But peace is not the absence of war. It’s the presence of peace. If you live in Israel, you are not at peace. You are at war. War against a massive body of people who want to destroy you before they move on to destroy Christendom. If Christendom doesn’t destroy itself first. So let’s all thank Israel for standing tall on the front lines of this epic battle between good and evil.

7 Points on Tea Party Popularity Poll (times 2)

June 9, 2010

A Washington Post/ABC News poll shows a major shift in sentiment toward (against?) the tea party movement. I would not challenge the accuracy of the results which show the tea party’s popularity waning among Southerners and people 18 to 29. In fact, the poll shows that a full 50 percent of Americans now have a negative view of the tea party. Sure, there may have been some chicanery with the questions to skew the results.

4 Steps to Launch Conservative Revolution

June 8, 2010

Thirty-two years ago this month, the modern conservative movement was born. The movement began with a local issue in a single state. Howard Jarvis of California succeeded in rolling back that state’s property taxes. Voters ignored Governor Jerry Brown’s apocalyptic predictions and captured the imaginations of a nation. After decades of government growth, the people of America’s largest state said, “Enough!” As economist Stephen Moore wrote on cato.org a dozen years ago:

Disturbing: United Church of Christ Advancing Islam?

June 7, 2010

This is disturbing. A St. Louis area “Christian” church, Parkway United Church of Christ, on N. Ballas is promoting Islam on its sign. This photo was snapped today, June 7, 2010 by Marcia Behr of St. Louis. While it’s understandable that a Christian church would treat Muslims as children of God, we are obliged to do so in the context of their prayerful conversion to Christ. Tolerance does not require submission.

Ouch: Obama loses the Left: suddenly, it's cool to bash Barack

June 7, 2010

Supporting Obama now seen as . . . naive nostalgia. It is an irony of Obama’s presidency - which came into being because he was the unBush - that it shares some of the worst traits of his predecessor’s administration. Among these are insularity and a blinkered arrogance. Obama has never been wracked by self-doubt and he is unusually self-contained for a politician.

How to Explain the Uselessness of Teachers’ Unions

June 4, 2010

America’s coolest governor explains it all: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ksLlAi3iIc&color1;=0xb1b1b1&color2;=0xd0d0d0&hl;=en_US&feature;=player_embedded&fs;=1&hl;=en]

How to Ignore Critics

June 3, 2010

This fantastic quote comes from Nasim Taleb (author of The Black Swan) via Timothy Ferriss (author of _The Four-Hour Work WeekI). _ Robustness is when you care more about the few who like your work than the multitude who hates it (artists); fragility is when you care more about the few who hate your work than the multitude who loves it (politicians). Dazzling, really. Imagine what we could accomplish by ignoring the haters.

How to Solve Every Problem

June 3, 2010

A friend of mine explained an interesting theory to me the other day. “The natural tendency of the universe is to level everything,” he said. “This entropic force leads us to just ‘go with the flow.’ But what makes us human—what built civilization and made man noble—was when we finally resisted entropy. When we built a levy to keep our village from flooding, or when we learned to lure and trap, then farm, animals instead of tracking them.

If Jo Ann Emerson’s a Conservative . . .

June 2, 2010

then I’m a Hottentot. (by Bob McCarty ) She’s supporting Bob Casey’s bill to take your money and give it to union fat cats. And she provides many channels to contact her. Let her know if you’re against a bailout for union bosses.

The Dip

June 2, 2010

Seth Godin is one of my favorite writers, thinkers, marketers, and presenters. Everything he writes is worth your time reading. Two of his books stand out for me. One is Tribes, because Tribes describes the whole Tea Party experience perfectly. And he wrote it a year before the Tea Party things started. Right now, though, my other favorite Godin book serves as a question and a guide for the Tea Party movement.

One Great Way to Relieve Stress

May 30, 2010

A new poll shows American’s are stressed out. Almost half of Americans say they’re under moderate to severe financial stress. I feel it, too. Financially, emotionally, and chronologically. While my book Zen Conservatism won’t fix all your problems, it will help you deal with what’s going on in America a little better. From now until Father’s Day, I’m giving you $4.95 off the cover price, so you can get the book for just $10 plus shipping.

A Memorial Day Penance

May 30, 2010

I ran to Walgreen’s at lunch. I needed some medication—maybe for a cold? I don’t remember for sure. While I was there, I picked up a Muscle Milk and a protein bar so I wouldn’t have to make another stop. I had only about 20 minutes to complete the circuit before my next meeting. Returning to work, I hit a traffic jam in an unusual place. The outer road was backed up—something I’d never seen before.

What Are We For?

May 30, 2010

A few weeks back, the Christian Science Monitor asked me to write an op-ed. The subject was, “If the Tea Party ran America, how would things change; and why do you think you’ll win?” The call was my opportunity to break from the easy, unassailable position that things are bad and getting worse. It meant coming up with a solution or two. And solutions already find disagreement somewhere. For over a year I’ve said that the Tea Party movement, begun out of anger, must shift its energy over time from anger to solutions.

Obama’s Incompetence Leaves Americans At Risk

May 30, 2010

It took almost three years of Jimmy Carter’s dangerously naive worldview before the world rushed in. By “rushed in,” I mean the Soviet Union rushed into Afghanistan, Iranian radicals rushed into the US Embassy in Tehran, and Cuban-backed communists rushed into every Central and South American country they could. These aggressions resulted from a world perception that Jimmy Carter was unwilling to use America’s arsenal for good. Additionally, following Vietnam and observing American culture, the world surmised that:

Reason TV Destroys Hillary Clinton’s Tax Theories

May 29, 2010

Hillary Clinton opened her mouth this week—the same mouth that she insisted on opening during the campaign, resulting in our most corrupt and juvenile president ever. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wzg0dGrfP60&color1;=0xb1b1b1&color2;=0xd0d0d0&hl;=en_US&feature;=player_embedded&fs;=1&hl;=en]

Total Failure of Leadership UPDATES

May 29, 2010

Barack Obama’s incompetent, confused, and contradictory handling of the Gulf oil spill reveals a man unfit for any position of authority. As Peggy Noonan pointed out in a painfully honest Wall Street Journal column on May 28, we know now that Barack Obama is an empty suit, a child playing grown-up. I wonder if the president knows what a disaster this is not only for him but for his political assumptions.

4 Ways to Stop Democrat Sen. Bob Casey From Stealing Your Tax Money to Reimburse SEIU for Bribing Media Matters and Huffington Post

May 29, 2010

Dana Loesch and 24th State have revealed the ring of corruption that extends from St. Louis bloggers and local St. Louis leftist rag, through SEIU, to Media Matters and Huffington Post. An additional crook in this den of thieves is Democrat Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania. Casey has introduced yet another bailout package. This time, the bailout is intended to repay corrupt unions like SEIU and AFL-CIO for bankrupting their members’ retirements by bribing the media and politicians.

Taxpayers to Bailout SEIU?

May 25, 2010

Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) wants you to pay $165 billion to bail out organized crimeunions. Actually, the bill heading toward taxpayers is unlimited and could reach into the trillions: Although right now taxpayers could possibly be on the hook for $165 billion, the liability could essentially be unlimited because these pensions have to be paid out until the workers die. Remember why we took to the streets for the first Tea Party Protests in 2009?

Francis Howell Has a Sicko Teacher

May 25, 2010

Celeste is an eighteen-year-old student in the Francis Howell High School. Celeste’s fellow students and, apparently, a teacher named Debra Blessman are bullying and abusing the girl. Celeste’s sin? Conservatism. Bob McCarty tells the story better than I can. Dana Loesch has been all over this story. There’s a facebook page dedicated to supporting Celeste, which everyone should like, even those of us who hate facebook. I should point out that, to date, the school’s administrators are standing behind the abusive teach, Blessman, who calls Celeste a “tea bagger” and encourages the students to mock the girl.

Is Obama Using SEIU to Terrorize Citizens?

May 22, 2010

Interesting. Mounting evidence suggests [the White House may have been complicit](If so, even Democrats in Congress would be forced to open impeachment investigations) in SEIU’s terrorism (as defined by U.S. Patriot Act) of a banker’s teenage son. Quit the SEIU. No decent person would belong to an organization that openly, and with the federal government’s approval, uses terrorism to get its way. Quit the DC Metro Police Force. The President is using you to promote domestic terrorism.

Grading my prediction for 2009

May 21, 2010

On December 28, 2008, I published my predictions for 2009. I should have graded myself in January, but I was still on hiatus from Hennessy’s View. So let’s take a look. The Dow: The Dow trades within a range of 1,000 points with a daily average closing of 8,500. Grade: D. The average would be a pain to figure out, but it looks like it was closer 9800. GDP and Economy: By July, everyone pretty much calls the situation “Great Depression II.

8,000 Dow? UPDATE

May 20, 2010

So says Yale economist Nouriel Roubini in an interview today on CNBC. “There are some parts of the global economy that are now at the risk of a double-dip recession,” said Roubini, head of Roubini Global Economics. “From here on I see things getting worse.” Roubini’s comments came in response to a 376 point drop in the Dow Industrials. Nasdaq and S&P 500 were off significantly as well.

It Must Suck to be an Incumbent

May 19, 2010

Whether you’re the party darling or the federal office holder, 2010 is shaping up to be your last year in politics. In Kentucky, Tea Party Republican, Rand Paul, opened a can of whoop-ass on Republican party favorite, Trey Grayson. No single race proves the strength or impact of the Tea Party, but races like Paul’s demonstrate that the right candidate with the right campaign team with the strong backing of the Tea Party and 9-12 Project can blow away the party candidate.

Poll: Tim Burns Can Take Murtha’s Seat

May 17, 2010

The final poll before Tuesday’s special election to fill Jack Murtha’s unexpired seat in the U.S. House shows that Republican Tim Burns is neck and neck with Democrat and pork barrel specialist Mark Critz. (Yes, Critz’s campaign is funded by lobbyists and special interests.) PPP has it 48 to 47 Burns. That means GOTV will determine the winner. If you want to make a difference, here’s the four step plan:

Epiphany

May 17, 2010

I can’t tell you the date of our last sandlot football game. We didn’t commemorate it or mark with a special ceremony. We probably didn’t even know it would be our last game together. After school, the kids would come to my house. Our next door neighbors, the Nahers, had a double lot, and Mrs. Naher was a former professional women’s baseball player. She loved sports and kids and let us tear up the the lawn they manicured all summer by playing sandlot football in the fall and winter.

Abortion and ObamaCare

May 16, 2010

In Tennessee and Arizona, insurance exchanges created under ObamaCare are barred from covering abortions. Pro-life groups claim this trend will continue as more states realize that the bill passed earlier this year allows states to block abortion coverage by private exchanges. (Missouri’s legislature sent a similar measure to Gov. Jay Nixon.) Pro-abortion members of Congress are incensed, according to the Associated Press and Fox News: “Implementation of this reform should be about increasing access to health care and increasing choices, not taking them away,” said Sen.

Astonishing Science: Sun May Cause Global Warming

May 16, 2010

Unbelievable! Scientists have discovered that the huge, glowing fireball in the sky may affect Earth’s temperature. The latest evidence comes from . . . the Moon. Back when we used to send astronauts to the Moon, we placed some temperature sensors on the Moon’s surface. We still monitor those sensors. Guess what they show. Yep, you’re right! As temperatures rose on Earth, temperatures rose on the Moon. Watts Up With That has all the details.

Public Policy Polling

May 16, 2010

I realize that most people aren’t reading political insider blogs at 4:30 in the morning. But something in this story bothers me: But there’s also one big reason why the Democrats may just pull it out- and why Republicans may not have as big an election year as we’re anticipating. And that’s because only 26% of voters in the district have a favorable opinion of Congressional Republicans, with 56% seeing them unfavorably.

Choosing Battles

May 16, 2010

For the record, I do not apologize for focusing on the most important battles facing self-government since the American Revolution. Earlier this week, McGraw Milhaven of 550 KTRS criticized Tea Partyers for not opposing Missouri legislation, introduced by and championed by Republicans, that will force insurance companies to cover treatment for children diagnosed with Autism and associated conditions. (I personally oppose this legislation, by the way.) Before that, a few Tea Partyers criticized me and others on facebook for not doing “enough” to support the Missouri Healthcare Free Choice act, which recently passed both the House and the Senate.

Facebook Exodus Planned for May 31: Will You Quit?

May 15, 2010

Facebook Exodus Planned for May 31: Will You Quit?. The delete-your-Facebook movement — scheduled for May 31 — has yet to attract too many pledges, but with anti-Facebook sentiment on the rise that could change in the near future. In fact, yesterday Danny Sullivan of Search Engine Land noticed that “how do i delete my facebook account” is now one of the top Googlesuggestions when typing “how do i …” in the search box.

Pimp My Platoon—Right Now at McArthur’s in Chesterfield

May 15, 2010

H/T and stolen content from SpikeSTL: Say “Thanks” to some heroes in Afghanistan. McArthur’s Bakery in Chesterfield 13700 Olive Blvd [map link] Come to McArthur’s in Chesterfield Sat. May 15,2010. Starting at 7:00 A.M. to say hi to Dr. Randy Tobler from 97.1 Talk radio and make a donation for Dave’s son Moose and his Marine comrades in Afghanistan. Bring a care package for the troops I heard this morning that Moose was recently injured?

Geek out on this

May 15, 2010

You’ll be glad you did. https://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf This eighteen minute presentation synthesizes almost everything I believe about leadership and inspiration. We own Why We believe that God’s law trumps Man’s, and that the Constitution trumps Congress. And the President. And the courts. We believe that each one of us has the will and the capacity to dream our own dreams, live our own lives, and die our own noble deaths without government assistance or government contraints.

Ensuring Liberty Congressional Town Hall

May 14, 2010

Over at Ensuring Liberty, we held our first Congressional Virtual Town Hall on Tuesday, May 11. In case you missed it, Reps Michele Bachmann and Steve King discussed Senator Dodd’s proposed financial takeover bill with thousands of Americans. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6AvG1HVcDE&color1;=0xb1b1b1&color2;=0xd0d0d0&hl;=en_US&feature;=player_embedded&fs;=1&hl;=en] Segment 1 of May 11 Ensuring Liberty Town Hall Ensuring Liberty plans to team up with Bachmann, King, and many other conservative House members throughout 2010 and beyond. We want to bring your voices to their ears—again, and again.

Time is Running Out

May 14, 2010

Money Bomb for Tim Burns ends at 11:00 p.m. Central tonight! If you want the satisfaction of replacing pork-barreler and Marine-basher, John Murtha, with fiscal conservative Tim Burns, then contributing to the money bomb will help. If you have friends or family in Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional district, you might want to give them a call this weekend and ask them if they plan to vote in Tuesday’s election. (People who are asked if they intend to vote are 40 percent more likely to vote than those who are not asked (Cialdini).

2 Paths to Focus

May 13, 2010

I had a small revelation yesterday: there are two paths to focus. One path requires constant vigilance against distraction. This path also demands great awareness of many things, knowledge, and outlandish tenacity. This is the path we recognize as heroic. The other path gets less notice, less acclaim. Those how follow this other path to focus don’t seem to try hard. These are the “naturals.” Things seem to come easy for them.

30 Minute Town Hall with Michele Bachmann is Tuesday Night

May 11, 2010

* Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) Please join Ensuring Liberty tonight (Tuesday) at 8:00 EDT (7:00 Central, 5 Pacific) for a virtual townhall with Congresswoman Michele Bachmann to discuss the disasterous implications of the Dodd Financial Reform Bill. Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 8:00 PM Eastern URL and Logon details will be sent in a follow up email.

How Happiness Makes You Better

May 10, 2010

Earlier, I wrote about a little trick for making your day a little happier than it otherwise would have been. Now, there are a lot of reasons why I should wish to make you happier. But I have to admit that there’s something in it for me. No, I don’t get 3 cents every time someone registers on ThankfulFor.com. But as a member of several grassroots organizations trying to change America, I want my teammates to be in the best possible spirits.

How to Be Happier

May 10, 2010

Happiness is a choice; anger is a tactic. Anger will have to wait for a future post. This one is about happiness. So let me ask: would you do something that took less than a minute if that something would make you happier? Martin Seligman at University of Pennsylvania’s school of Positive Psychology has broken down happiness in more scientifically measurable components: * Positive Emotion** Engagement** Purpose Other research has shown how to increase your happiness score.

Terrific: U.S. Pumping $$ into European Economic Abyss

May 10, 2010

Break out the Depression Glasses to toast the Obama Administration’s latest foray into economic disaster. Just posted on WSJ.com: BREAKING: The Federal Reserve and other central banks open a credit line to send dollars to Europe to ease debt crisis. Yes, folks. Your taxes are going up, your kids are going deeper into debt, to bail out lazy, overpaid, spoiled Greek socialists. Thank your president. The U.S. move follows a panicked decision by EU leaders to pump hundreds of billions of $$ into failing socialist economies in Europe to avert a global economic collapse.

A Great New Phase Unveiled at Post-Party Summit

May 10, 2010

Ned Ryun, President of American Majority, has opened a new chapter in America’s conservative grassroots movement. On Saturday, a crowd of several hundred 9-12 Project and Tea Party organizers heard Ryun explain why it’s time to move beyond the rallies at the American Majority Post-Party Summit in Kansas City. I have mentioned this before, and it seems to bother many people. I understand why. The rally was the animating function of the Tea Party movement.

Come to Kansas City This Weekend

May 7, 2010

The Cardinals are out of town. The day before Mother’s Day is always boring. (You don’t want to go into a Mother’s Day Brunch hangin’ like Saddam Hussein, right?) So spend Friday evening and/or Saturday with Dana Loesch, Bill Hennessy, and hundreds of grassroots conservative activists at; It’s not too late to register and arrive, and everything happens at the Embassy Suites at KC International Airport: Kansas City Summit May 7-8* Embassy Suites KC – Int.

Ensuring Liberty: Virtual Town Hall with Rep. Michele Bachmann

May 7, 2010

House Conservative Rock Star, Michele Bachmann, will hold a virtual Town Hall on Tuesday, May 11, 2010, at 8 p.m. Eastern, 7 Central, and 5:00 Pacific. REGISTER NOW! Representative Bachmann will discuss the Dodd Financial Reform Bill currently in debate in the U. S. Senate. Today’s Wall Street rollercoaster ride should remind everyone of the disaster caused by government intervention in the housing market through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Rep. Todd Akin: Putting Al-Qaeda Ahead of the CIA?

May 6, 2010

Hey, one of our favorite members of Congress, and a true gentleman, Todd Akin (R-MO), has made the front page of BigGovernment.com. The Obama Justice Department is quietly investigating the lawyers associated with the John Adams Project who may have violated a number of laws in place to protect our covert operatives and their families. But so far, with few exceptions, the media and their friends on Capitol Hill haven’t found this case nearly as interesting as Valerie Plame.

Truer Words Were Never Spoken

May 5, 2010

A truer leader never walked this land [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqAgmrSimx4&hl;=en_US&fs;=1&&hl;=en] In human relations, there is a fixed ratio between leaders and those they lead. The people trust leaders as much as the leader trusts the people. In my lifetime, no leader ever trusted me as much as Ronald Reagan. And I have trusted no leader as much as I trusted him. And we never even met.

How to Win

May 4, 2010

Focus. There. That was easy, wasn’t it? Focus. Of the thousands of possible activities and initiatives, choose one. Our goal is affect the outcome of the 2010 elections. That has not changed since our first tea party in Febuary 2009 with it’s tag line “Repeal the pork . . . or retire!” They didn’t fix the fiscal problems. We owe it to ourselves to retire them. But how? Let’s try this: let’s go out and meet our neighbors and family and friends.

Want to see the signing of the Declaration of Independence?

May 3, 2010

Here’s your chance. At the Farmington, MO, Centene Center on May 14 at 7:00 p.m. (click for map and directions) No admission, but I’ll bet the organizers would appreciate a donation to help the cause. Thanks and congratulations to We the People of Farmington, MO.

Why We Must Evangelize Liberty

May 2, 2010

Earlier I linked to Glenn Reynolds’s Examiner column about the hard work that lies ahead for Tea Partyers. If you haven’t read that piece, do so after reading this. At Tea Party marches and rallies, we are surrounded by others who understand and cherish liberty. We know the horrors that occur when a government loses accountability to and, yes, fear of the people they govern. Such regimes become murderous, intolerant, and repressive.

Graduation, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day . . .

May 2, 2010

Glenn Harlan Reynolds: Tea Party movement likely to have unglamorous but effective future | Washington Examiner

May 2, 2010

Glenn Harlan Reynolds: Tea Party movement likely to have unglamorous but effective future | Washington Examiner. Glenn is right, and I’ve been saying it for a while. Rallies and marches do NOT change history. It’s time to hit the streets. It’s time to go door-to-door.

Edward Whitacre Jr. Lies Update: NYT Agrees

May 2, 2010

No, General Motors did not pay back its debt to taxpayers. Edward Whitacre is a liar. Instead, Whitacre paid the Visa bill with his MasterCard. But both cards were issued by the same bank. So you, the banker, are still on the hook for the full amount. Now we know why Obama hand-picked Ed Whitacre to “lead” GM: Whitacre will do the president’s bidding. [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOaS2SymjQ4&w;=425&h;=355] UPDATE From Hotair.com: New York Times agrees that Whitacre and White House ain’t tellin' the truth.

Debt Crisis: Greece, Portugal, Spain . . . ?

April 28, 2010

WSJ.com Alert: S&P downgrades Spain to ‘AA’ with a negative outlook, saying the country is likely to have an extended period of subdued economic growth. Markets react: DJIA plummets from +23 to –22 in seconds after S&P drops Spain’s debt rating. And the sovereign debt nightmare is only beginning. The UK is next. But the USA borrows more money faster than anyone, and Socio-History blog ain’t happy: As I pointed out yesterday, US debt threatens to end the economic stabilization.

Greece: America’s Future

April 27, 2010

As I waited to appear on Larry Kudlow’s show last Friday, I heard Larry announce over and over again that he’s sick of hearing about Greece’s problems. Greece isn’t America. The U.S. economy is booming, and Greece can’t hurt it. I didn’t tell Larry, but I think he was wrong. Greece’s problems will hurt the American economy because Greece’s problems foreshadow a far more dangerous crash headed to America. Markets are people.

Jack Called Home

April 25, 2010

I heard from my son, Jack, tonight for the first time since he left for Navy boot camp on April 14. He is doing well. He survived the first week. He’s been declared fit for full duty. He’s learned to fold things very compactly, to recite the General Orders to the Sentry on command, and to identify his Chain of Command through the President of the United States. If boot camp hasn’t changed, week two is worse that week one, but I didn’t tell him that.

How to Focus for Better Living

April 25, 2010

I once thought that focus meant you never got distracted. I was wrong. A person with a powerful focusing ability gets as distracted as the next guy. The difference is that the Focus Master has learned to recognize distraction and gently guide his thoughts or actions back to the intended task at hand. That simple skill is rare and remarkably powerful. Pay attention to every word of this two-step process:

Fair Winds and Following Seas, Son

April 14, 2010

I spent the afternoon with my oldest son, Jack. It was his last day as a civilian. It was probably the last day that he and I will share a mailing address. In a few days, I’ll get a postcard containing a new address at RTC Great Lakes. It will be written in his own hand. He will miss home when he writes it. I hope I’m not revealing too much.

How to Rock Freedom

April 6, 2010

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgU7T2au2Wg&hl;=en_US&fs;=1&color1;=0x2b405b&color2;=0x6b8ab6&border;=1] Wow. A former Ambassador and candidate for Missouri State Auditor. And a Stones fan.

St. Louis County Votes

April 6, 2010

Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 6, is Election Day in St. Louis County. In some places, especially throughout South County, the only measure on the ballot is Proposition A: a sales tax increase. Prop A’s backers—principally County Exec Charlie Dooley and Chesterfield Mayor John Nations—claim this tax increase of up to $650 per family will allow Metro to grow. You know otherwise. * Dooley and Nations cannot point to a specific plan. They point to four.

How to Make a Happy Ending

March 23, 2010

**How to Make a Happy Ending ** We sat at a hi-top table for four at John D. McGurk’s Irish (duh) Pub in South St. Louis. Cold filled my being down to the soul. I’d been outside in the rain for the better part of two days. My favorite sport coat, soaked, lay in the back seat of my Jeep. My shirts clung to my shivering skin. My penny loafers made the sound of swishing mouth-rinse with every step.

White House Unveils Unemployment Strategy

January 10, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC: The White House unveiled a new strategy to lower the nation’s unemployment rate, currently standing at 10 percent. In his weekly radio address Saturday, the President announced that he will use remaining funds from the failed Stimulus bill to take advantage of little known variable in the unemployment rate factor: “discouraged workers.” Pointing out that “discouraged” workers are excluded from the unemployment calculation, the President explained that the government will encourage the unemployed to simply give up hopes for finding work.

Obama Accepts Reid’s Apology

January 10, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC – Saying, “The Senate relies on dingy-skinned white men, especially ones without a cracker dialect,” President Barack Obama accepted Senator Harry Reid’s (D-NV) apology for words Reid used in private in 2008. According to the forthcoming book, “Game Changing,” Reid described Obama a “light-skinned” black man “with no Negro dialect . . . unless he wanted to have one” during the 2008 presidential election. In his apology, Reid said, “I deeply regret using such a poor choice of words, but it’s mighty white of the President to accept my sincere apology.

Tea Party Gear Store Open Again

December 29, 2009

Sorry for the interruption, but we’ve worked out the kinks. Do you want to show the world your colors? Do you want to say, “I’m a tea partier?” Do you want your style to shout, “FREEDOM!” Then get to the official St. Louis Tea Party store and stock up. We’ve added T.E.A. ball caps to go with the T.E.A Special Forces t-shirts (our best seller). You’ll look terrific reading Zen Conservatism in your Tea Party Hoodie!

Zen Conservative Paperback Available Now

December 27, 2009

** You Can Order My Book Online Today **Zen Conservatism is now available in paperback. I began this book in December 2008, just after the election. My goal was to produce a book that would inspire people to restore our republic. At the time, conservatives were disheartened, dismayed, and distracted. Then the Tea Party movement began, and I had to put my book project on hold. But thanks to your work, I’ve been able to return to my project.

Welcome Back Globe-Democrat

December 13, 2009

The St. Louis Globe-Democrat is back as an online newspaper. That’s good news for all of us, regardless of their editorial positions. The other paper in St. Louis has fallen without competition. People have found alternatives.

Does Missouri Need Another State Commission?

December 12, 2009

Usually, I’m against any government adding anything to its list of functions. But our friend Carl Bearden points out a novel and needed commission proposed by Missouri State Senator Gary Nodler. If enacted, Senate Bill No. 587 would require Missouri to establish a 10th Amendment Commission. Here’s language directly from the proposed bill: The commission shall examine actions of the federal government toward the state, and refer cases to the attorney general when the federal government takes steps that require the state or a state officer to enact or enforce a provision of federal law that lies outside Congress’s enumerated powers and intrudes on the sovereignty reserved to the states by the tenth amendment to the United States Constitution.

Junk Bond

December 12, 2009

John is a Vietnam veteran and retired business executive. He loves America and hates to see what’s happened in Washington the past few years. He believes in liberty and Constitutional limitations on government growth. He called the Tea Party just to vent and to see if it’s just him. Recently, John had called Senator Kit Bond’s (R-MO) office in Washington. He wanted to know whether stories that Bond had signed off a $659 million earmark for soy bean farmers were true.

Junk Bond

December 12, 2009

Are there any courageous business executives alive today?

December 10, 2009

The most disappointing thing about leaving the military is that it usually means leaving the last bastion of leadership in America. If you open your own business or freelance, you probably don’t notice the cowardly bastards populating corner offices in most American enterprises. You’d puke, as Holden Caulfield might say. John Mackey of Whole Foods had the courage to oppose socialized medicine AND to defend his position and his right to say it.

shhhh-For Tea Partiers Only

December 9, 2009

I dwell on this too much, but my new ebook–Zen Conservatism–is now available. Currently, you’ll have to pay byGoogle Checkout. The hard launch is scheduled for Monday, December 14, but I wanted to make the ebook available to St. Louis Tea Partiers early AND at a discount of only $6.50. (It will go up to $9.50 on Monday.) In addition to the Zen Conservatism ebook, you can register now to become Happier, Healthier, and More Effective in just 3 Minutes a Day.

The Secret to Happy Political Victory

December 9, 2009

My new ebook, Zen Conservatism, will be available for download ($9.50) within the week. To prepare, I’ve posted the first chapter which you can download for free. Here’s more about the book: You consider yourself a patriot and a proud American. You have become more and more concerned about the direction your country is headed. You wish you could just yell “STOP!” –and someone would listen. “Zen Conservatism,” was written for you.

Separation of Press and State

December 9, 2009

Borrowing liberally from Americans United for Separation of Church and State, let’s adopt this manifesto of our resolve to keep the government from taking over (via voluntary non-profit status) the free press in the United States: Americans have more publishing freedom than any people in world history. We can choose what to read; what to teach our children; how, where and when to write; which causes to give money to; or even whether we want to get involved with the news at all.

Daniel Herman, MO.BarackObama.com

October 31, 2009

Organizing for America is opening a new office in St. Louis this Wednesday, November 4th. I’d like to invite you to come see the new space and join us as we write letters to our representatives in Congress. With the full House and Senate set to start debating final plans for health insurance reform, we’re closer than we’ve ever been to passing real reform. But to do so this year, we need your involvement – building support for the President’s plan, spreading the facts, and bringing new voices into this debate.

More Lies Than You Can Shake a Tea Bag At

July 23, 2009

Excerpts of Obama’s Remarks Prepared for News Conference - Washington Wire - WSJ Excerpts of the President’s Opening Remarks at Tonight’s News Conference President’s words in bold. Patriotic response in italics. ** That is why I’ve said that even as we rescue this economy from a full-blown crisis** _Obama promised to stop unemployment below 8 percent if stimulus passed. Stimulus passed and unemployment now 9.7 percent heading to 12 percent.

Obamacare Reality Bites

July 21, 2009

RealityStudio » Dr. Benway Operates Dr. Benway is operating in an auditorium filled with students: “Now, boys, you won’t see this operation performed very often and there’s a reason for that…. You see it has absolutely no medical value. No one knows what the purpose of it originally was or if it had a purpose at all. Personally I think it was a pure artistic creation from the beginning.

James Hansen Lies and Defrauds Even More

June 29, 2009

Watts Up With That has a graph illustrating the ridiculous extent to which James Hansen has gone to perpetuate his global warming myth. Hansen has rewritten US temperature data of the past 2 centuries–as if he was there. It’s time for NASA to fire Hansen. The DOJ should open a fraud investigation. Link: https://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/06/28/nasa-giss-adjustments-galore-rewriting-climate-history/

Democracy Is Not Above the Law

June 29, 2009

In Honduras, the military overthrew a democratically elected president who used his election to seize dictatorial powers. Good for the military, which acted on a Supreme Court order. Let’s hope the SCOTUS will have the berries to shut down TheOne’s continuing slide into despotism.

Obama's New Era of Secrecy

June 21, 2009

As a candidate, Barack Obama swore he would throw open the activities of government to light of public scrutiny. In his inauguration, he swore to disclose everything. As President, he has instituted strict rules of secrecy on White House actions–except those of his predecessors. Now, Newsweek’s Michael Isikoff, no friend of the right, notices the incongruity between Obama’s promises and his actual openess. He finds that Obama’s openess executive order contains loopholes that the media have ignored until now.

I Am Skeptical

June 18, 2009

You should be, too. The tally of continuing claims, or benefits drawn by workers for more than one week, fell 148,000 to 6,687,000, the first weekly decline since the week ended Jan. 3 and largest since Nov. 24, 2001. (wsj.com) That would be good news, but only if a) it’s true, and b) 148,000 more people found jobs than lost them last month. Frankly, I think the government’s lying to us.

WaPo: GM and Chrysler Deals Unconstitutional

June 14, 2009

I told you so.

Boycott David Letterman's Sponsors

June 14, 2009

If you don’t know why, then you’re reading the wrong blog. The New Agenda is keeping tabs on sponsors of David Letterman’s show. I have already told T-Mobile that I will cancel may $120 month service (paying the penalty) if they don’t stop advertising on The Late Show by July 15. Top names on the boycott list: * Johnson & Johnson * T-Mobile * Ford * Nissan/Infiniti * Toyota/Lexus * Proctor & Gamble * Citigroup (which should be out of business, anyway) * Chase (JPMC) * The Gap (plus Old Navy and Banana Republic) * Wyeth * Saturn * Hotels.

Missouri News Round Up

June 10, 2009

Lefty Blogger Political Incest Since the November elections, Missouri state government has been infested with former left-wing bloggers, according to 24th State. More news on the revolving door between FiredUp and Nixon/Carnahan junta to follow on 24th State blog. Conservative Heartland Leadership Conference Dana Loesch and Bill Hennessy were privileged to participate in a Social Media Marketing panel at theConservative Heartland Leadership Conference held at the Millennium Hotel June 3 and 4.

Memorial Day 2009

June 10, 2009

It’s not a sale. It’s not a party. It’s not a day off work. It’s a memorial to those who placed freedom, liberty, and dignity above the tiny distractions of life. We memorialize the moments of our heroes' lives–moments that defined their legacy in God’s book. They raised their hands and swore to defend their country and Constitution. They were so young, then. I saw a young Marine, yesterday, at his girlfriend’s high school graduation.

The End of Business; The End of the Republic

June 10, 2009

_While the Tea Party movement was and remains non-partisan, the dangers to freedom posed by this man, Barack Obama, are too serious to protect his name with euphemisms. The Tea Party movement is the only active resistance to this administration’s dictatorial seizure of power. _ Today, a government official leaked plans for a permanent government takeover of General Motors. On the heels of the administration’s repeal of contract law and elimination of 200 years of bankruptcy case law, this could signal the end of private ownership of manufacturing companies in America.

Blink*

June 10, 2009

In “Blink*” Malcolm Gladwell explains the human mind’s remarkable ability to arrive at truth instaneously. The book’s first story involves a Greek statue scientifically proven to be authentic . . . except that every human expert who sees it instinctively knows something’s wrong. Turns out, of course, that the humans are right and science is wrong. The statue was a fraud. When I first heard the story of the AF1 fly-over of New York City that created panic on Wall Street, I immediately, instinctively knew that it the publicity photo story was wrong.

Let's Honor Kemp with Inflation-Indexed Bonds

June 10, 2009

One single legislative act will stop government overspending in its tracks. In 1978, Representative Jack Kemp (R-NY) proposed legislation (which had no chance of passage in Tip O’Neill’s Democrat Congress) designed to stop the government from defrauding investors with inflation: bond indexing. The measure would have the additional value of discouraging government spending. Ronald Reagan and Milton Friedman endorsed Kemp’s proposal. Let’s dust off this bill and push it through Congress as a memorial to Jack Kemp.

Consent of the Governed

June 10, 2009

In the battle between conservatives and statists, a fundamental difference seems to lie in the meaning of a concept found in the Declaration of Independence: Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed[.] The dispute is how men convey consensual powers to their government. Conservatives believe that governmental power is conveyed exclusively through the Constitution; statists believe power is conveyed through elections.

Days of Free Markets Numbered

June 10, 2009

The statists are moving faster through the Constitution than Hitler moved through France. Today, Democrats in the House of Representatives voted to advance a bill to socialize medicine without debate. House Democrats went on record again in favor of advancing the legislation while allowing only limited debate, which would hobble the ability of Republicans to wrest concessions on one of Obama’s top domestic priorities. **Accelerating the **Banana Republic

5 Horrors of Inflation Update

June 10, 2009

Scroll for Updates Ronald Reagan and Jack Kemp wanted to index everything, especially Treasury notes and taxes. By “indexing,” we mean tying rates (interest and tax) to the inflation rate. Calls for indexing subsided after Reagan and Volcker did what Ford and Carter could not: whip inflation now. With a $2 trillion deficit this year and multi-trillion deficits projected as far as the eye can see, inflation will return to ravage the American consumer.

Another one bites the dust

April 18, 2009

This is my last post on Hennessy’s View, at least for some time. My work for the St. Louis Tea Party movement is very important to me and, in my opinion, to you. Our government is moving quickly to obliterate all vestiges of the free market republic that America once was. With the Republican party in disarray and the Democrat party in the hands of statist despots, the tea partiers are the only thing standing between liberty and tyranny.

Overwhelm the Nazis

April 17, 2009

The American Nazis are holding a rally on the Arch grounds at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 18. The Anti-Defamation League is sponsoring a counter-rally in Forest Park at the same time. I will be at Forest Park. So I have some strong disagreements with some of the sponsoring organizations of the counter-rally. Big deal. If the point of the counter-rally is to oppose Nazism, then I can easily look past those differences for a couple of hours.

KTVI's Hard News Guy . . . Sgt. Bilko

April 15, 2009

Just watch. And laugh. Then call KTVI’s General Manager, Spencer Koch at 314-213-2222, and demand an apology for Sgt. Bilko’s latest travesty reported on Gateway Pundit. [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z0VxWZszyg&w;=425&h;=344] Too good to be true? Ask Charles: [email protected] On April 13, Charles Jaco reported on KTVI News that an organization called The Constitution Party sponsored and helped organize the St. Louis Tea Party. Jaco also claimed that The Constitution Party is a white supremacist group.

Fox 2 News St. Louis Lies About Tea Parties UPDATE

April 15, 2009

Charles Jaco of Fox 2 News in St. Louis filed a fabricated story claiming that a) the St. Louis Tea Party is organized by something called The Constitution Party, and b) the Constitution Party is an extremist, white supremacist group. I will say only this: Neither Dana Loesch nor I is a member of the Constitution Party. I did not know of such an organization before April 14, 2009

The Anti-American Presidency

April 7, 2009

Barack Obama’s shameful and anti-American behavior this past weekend in Europe deserves the kind of scorn reserved for degenerate traitors like Benedict Arnold, the Rosenbergs, and Alger Hiss. On Thursday in London, the President of the United States transferred America’s economic sovereignty from we, the people, to a small group of European central bankers. In the words of former Clinton staffer Dick Morris, Obama “nullified the Declaration of Independence.” Specifically, Obama signed an agreement to create the Financial Stability Board comprised of European central banks and the Chairman of the Federal Reserve.

6.3 Earthquake in Central Italy UPDATE

April 6, 2009

The USGS reports a strong, 6.3 earthquake in Central Italy [map of quake]. No news on major news sites yet. UPDATE: Fox News now has banner but no story. UPDATE: Fox News moves fast. From Sky News Service quoting Rafael Abreu Hael of U.S. Geological Survey: “This is a significant earthquake,” he said. “This is a shallow quake but there is definitely a possibility of damage and even injuries. It is going to depend on what type of buildings are in the area.

UN Security Council Ignores Obama

April 6, 2009

Jimmy Carter was the Rodney Dangerfield of international politics: he got no respect from the people who counted. The bad guys laughed at him. The bad guys must be rolling on the floor tonight. Rogue Leaders Respect Nothing But Strength Almost simultaneous with North Korea’s launching an ICBM in violation of international law and in defiance of US warnings, Barack Obama stood before the world and declared his intention to disarm the arsenal for democracy.

Obama To Control Banks Permanently

April 5, 2009

The Obama administration has no intention of relinquishing dictatorial control of the banks according to financial expert Stuart Varney. The government wants to control the banks, just as it now controls GM and Chrysler, and will surely control the health industry in the not-too-distant future. Keeping them TARP-stuffed is the key to control. And for this intensely political president, mere influence is not enough. The White House wants to tell ‘em what to do.

As the Table Turns

April 2, 2009

MoveOn.org is the perfect advocate for big government; neither takes responsibility for the results of its positions. In fact, they don’t even review the results. They merely congratulate themselves on victory and seek a new horror to reign down upon the world. When it comes to MoveOn’s attack on President Bush, we’re lucky that RedState is watching. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsrFa9jrpv8&color1;=0xb1b1b1&color2;=0xcfcfcf&hl;=en&feature;=player_embedded&fs;=1] Nice.

Why Focus on Government Spending?

April 1, 2009

The mounting government debt–$2.98 trillion in recent bailouts and stimuli alone–is an oppressive anchor around the neck of every American. Currently, every family of 3 is obliged to pay over $118,000 in the next 30 years. That’s a house payment with a variable-rate. In other words, the government has done exactly what helped cause the mess for individuals by borrowing beyond its means at a teaser rate of 0.8 percent. That Teaser Rate Will Skyrocket

April 15 is 15 Days Away

March 31, 2009

Obama and his minions want to tell you how much you can make, how much water your toilet can flush, where you can work, what career you may pursue, where your kids can go to school, what your college-age kids can major in, the kind of toilet paper you can use, how many sheets of copy paper you may use in a month, and what you can name your children. Don’t bother arguing with me–all of these controls are in place in European “democracies” or Canada.

Watch Glenn Beck Destroy a Lawyer on the Law

March 31, 2009

I love watching a non-lawyer beat the crap out of a lawyer over the law. Here, the AG of Connecticut demonstrates communist tyranny. Glenn Beck demonstrates reason. The AG should lose his law license: he isn’t even an effective liar. HOT AIR In a just world, the good people of Connecticut would toss this demagogue AG into the Thames River on the coldest day of the year.

Obama Exercises Dictatorial Power by Firing GM CEO

March 29, 2009

Barack Obama has asserted his dictatorial powers by firing GM CEO Rick Waggoner. The firing of a company’s chief executive by a US president should send chills down the spine of every American. This is totalitarianism defined. While Hennessy’s View has been critical of Waggoner’s leadership at GM, we oppose illegal and unconstitutional dictatorial powers in the hands of any US president. Nothing in the Constitution permits a sitting president to direct a private company.

Tea Party Message Sinking In

March 28, 2009

Rasmussen’s weekly report shows the Tea Party message of limited government and lower taxes is hitting home with voters. Tax Cuts: More voters than ever now say tax cuts help the economy. Over 60 percent now agree with JFK, Reagan, Bush, and the undeniable facts of economic history: cutting taxes increases GDP and personal wealth. A separate survey released earlier today found that 66% of voters think the president is likely to raise taxes on those who make less than $250,000 per year.

OUTRAGES of the Day

March 27, 2009

Obama to Give Gitmo Terrorists Welfare and Home in the USA From The Weekly Standard: Some of the detainees, deemed non-threatening, may be released into the United States as free men, Blair confirmed. That would happen when they can’t be returned to their home countries, because the governments either won’t take them or the U.S. fears they will be abused or tortured. Blair said the former prisoners would have [to] get some sort of assistance to start their new lives in the United States.

The Embarrassing Michael Steele

March 26, 2009

The parish or congregation that’s most generous at the collection basket is not necessarily the church that sends the most souls to heaven. Nor is the best attended church the one that saves the most. Yet the purpose of every Christian congregation is to put souls through the Pearly Gates, not to put butts in pews. Michael Steele’s GOP made much, last week, of the fact that his party raised more money in February than did the Democrats.

America’s Survival Is In Your Hands

March 25, 2009

Are you as amazed as I am at how quickly our country has descended into something resembling an oversized banana republic? Consider: * [Gangs of thugs](https://michellemalkin.com/2009/03/25/the-rule-of-the-mob/) freely harass and intimidate AIG employees out of murderous envy** The Obama administration announced its willingness to [abandon the US dollar](https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aqDuKEqQn39I&refer=home) as the international reserve currency** The administration shows no willingness to check [China’s menacing military](https://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTTkuqvspJpXkAAwjQtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTBjMHZkMjZyBHBvcwMxBHNlYwNzcg--/SIG=13lepic2b/EXP=1238110250/**http%3a//www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/25/china.military.report/index.html%3fsection=cnn_latest) build-up, even though the Pentagon issued a warning just today** Secretary of State Clinton went to Mexico to [denounce the US](https://news.

I never thought I'd write this

March 25, 2009

I try not to say or write what I really thing about our President. It isn’t Christian. But when we were dating, my wife gave me the best advice I’ve ever received: If you really want to cut someone down, say at least one good thing about them, and make it sound sincere. For that reason, I keep in mind that Barack Obama is a fantastic communicator. Until tonight. He sucked.

The Dictator’s Press Conference

March 25, 2009

I won’t write much: I’m too angry. He has not answered a single question without blaming Bush and the Republicans. He’s blamed the Republicans for the Democrat Congress! He claims that “no one disputes” his prediction of the fastest economic growth in the American' history beginning THIS YEAR! Of course no one disputes it! Rational people don’t argue with insanity. Finally, he’s a Marxist bent on destroying American liberty! We don’t need to know anything else.

Mark Levin’s Definitive Work

March 24, 2009

https://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=hennesssview-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1416562850&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr Before Obama destroys your kids’ minds in his “let’s kill all the productive people” Nazi-Marxist youth camps, make them read the seminal work on conservatism by Mark Levin. Having authored a Conservative Manifesto myself, I am confident that this book is the definitive thought on conservatism. If you’re new to politics and activism, you need this primer. It will arm you with the verbal and intellectual ammunition you need send the scrawny rabble rouser we call a president back to the slimy rock he crawled out from under.

Houses Passes Nazi Mandatory Youth Re-Education and Service Bill

March 24, 2009

The House, which is unabashedly authoritarian, has passed the GIVE Act, requiring national-socialist indoctrination for your children. That’s right. Obama is going to turn your kids into spies working against you and your elderly parents. Why? Because Marxists like Obama hate liberty. Liberty is their enemy. And you support liberty, then you’re the enemy, too. Now, before you say I’m reaching, read the language. Think Obama’s goal isn’t a totalitarian, Marxist state?

The Whining Class

March 24, 2009

Today, leftist Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) called Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia a “homophobe.” But this isn’t about gay rights or homophobia. It’s about the many, many people like Barney Frank who believe that everything they don’t like about life is someone’s fault. It’s about the entitlement pandemic currently ravaging common sense. Remember when you were a kid and your dad gave you a dollar (or, in my day, a quarter) for the Ice Cream Man?

No, I didn't watch Obama on 60 Minutes

March 23, 2009

I did not watch America’s Toxic Asset on 60 Minutes for the same reason I’ve never read “Mein Kampf.” Some people’s words do not deserve my ear. I find it interesting, though, that Mr. Obama’s 90 minute interview on a program called “60 Minutes” so eerily parallels his budget: he consumed 150 percent of what was available. To those who watched our dictator-in-the-making, I ask a question, the answer to which should demonstrate that watching the propaganda piece was useles: what did you learn that you didn’t know before?

According to Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, I'm Probably a Terrorist--and so are you

March 23, 2009

The Missouri Information Analysis Center produced a report for Jay Nixon which was leaked by Missouri law enforcement officers. Perhaps the motivation for leaking was the chilling content of the report. The report classifies almost every conservative as a terrorist or potential terrorist. It encourages law enforcement to profile me and everyone like me. Any of these “warning signs” could cause Missouri police officers to pull you over and handle you as a suspected terrorist: * A Pro-Life bumper sticker * A Ron Paul bumper sticker * A flag with “Don’t Tread on Me” * Anti-Tax bumper stickers * Owning a gun * Supporting any 3rd party in any election * Belonging to conservative organizations

Tea Party Anthem: MUST LISTEN!

March 22, 2009

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2H8xHFXC8U&w;=425&h;=344] Accompanying message from Lloyd Marcus: Hello, it’s Lloyd Marcus, one of the spokespersons for the Our Country Deserves Better Committee. I’m active with this organization because I believe that Conservatism is compassionate and is the true path to achieving the AmericanDream. Liberalism weakens the human spirit by encouraging people to view themselves as victims. Besides political activism, my other great passion in life is as a singer, because that’s one of the things God gave me the greatest passion to pursue.

Will Barack Obama Shoot John Hinckley?

March 22, 2009

The speed with which Barack Obama has seized—is seizing—private enterprise amazes even radical conservatives like me. Quite honestly, I am losing confidence in anyone’s ability to stop him from making the United States into a hip version of the old Soviet Union. In his first 100, Barack Obama will have transformed the US government, completely erasing Ronald Reagan’s presidency—as it the 80s never happened. The New York Times piece gives a great example.

Obama Approval Down to +4; More Call Him “Extremely Liberal”

March 20, 2009

The latest Rasmussen poll has bad news for Obama, good news for those of us who’ve been warning America how dangerous he is. Highlights: The number of people calling Obama “extremely liberal” has jumped 16 percentage points since the inauguration Those expecting government spending to skyrocket is up to 72 percent from 54 percent on election day Overall approval has fallen to +4 percent from +30 percent just after the inauguration

Yes, Obama and his secretaries really are idiots

March 20, 2009

The new Secretary of Homeland Security has replaced the word “terrorism” with “man-caused disasters.” I did not use the word “terrorism,” I referred to “man-caused” disasters. That is perhaps only a nuance, but it demonstrates that we want to move away from the politics of fear toward a policy of being prepared for all risks that can occur. I assume that appointing an idiot like Napolitano to the cabinet qualifies as a man-cause disaster.

James Hansen Indicts Democracy; Can't Find His Rubber Duckies

March 20, 2009

James Hansen told some idiots who are bored enough to listen to the world’s foremost global warming fraudster that democracy is destroying the planet. This is the James Hansen who’s been cooking NASA books for a decade to try to cover his 20-year-old error about CO2 and global warming. Meanwhile, 90 rubber ducks that NASA dropped on Greenland glaciers to track the speed of melting have never made it to the sea.

The Absurdity of Obama

March 20, 2009

“Absurd” is the perfect word. Obama personifies absurdity. Take this headline for example: Obama Seeks to Lower Expectations (WSJ, 2/19/2009) Trust me, Mr. President; my expectations of you could not get any lower. Or this: House Passes Tax on Wall St. Bonuses (WSJ, 2/19/2009) The first Bill of Attainder in a century will sail through the courts because there are very few judges or justices who know Article I from Timbuktu.

Precarious Imbalance

March 19, 2009

There’s some sort of kid’s trick in which a spoon balances improbably—seemingly impossibly—on someone’s nose. Or something. You’ve seen it, haven’t you? Of course, it only works while you hold your head up straight. That’s America today. In the leadership vacuum created when the left eviscerated George W. Bush in 2006, America’s precarious imbalance seems improbable. Impossible. Perhaps it is. Likely it is. AIG people get bonuses and people are ready to tear down the AIG building.

Hey, soldier; pay your own damn medical bills!

March 17, 2009

That’s the message from Barack Hussein Obama to wounded veterans. The leader of the nation’s largest veterans organization says he is “deeply disappointed and concerned” after a meeting with President Obama today to discuss a proposal to force private insurance companies to pay for the treatment of military veterans who have suffered service-connected disabilities and injuries. The Obama administration recently revealed a plan to require private insurance carriers to reimburse the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in such cases.

Democrats led by Barney Frank caused the economic meltdown

March 17, 2009

The current economic mess is a gift of the DNC. Massechusetts Congressman Barney Frank (D) bears the lion’s share of guilt. Charles Schumer (D-NY), Maxine Waters (D-CA), and William Clay (D-MO) rank near the top of the list. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMnSp4qEXNM&hl;=en&fs;=1] Please direct appropriate correspondence toward them. And if you’re having financial troubles, please ask them to pay your bills. They seem to think that paying other people’s bills is the patriotic thing to do.

Cincinnati Tea Party HUGE

March 16, 2009

Michelle Malkin has impressive photos from the Cincinnati Tea Party. Thousands upon thousands of angry tax payers. Perhaps they were spurred on by Barack Obama’s accusation that anyone who has done well financially in the past 8 years is a criminal who will be punished. Directly from his budget, page 5: While middle-class families have been playing by the rules, living up to their responsibilities as neighbors and citizens,_ those at the commanding heights of our economy have not_.

William F. Buckley's Mission for National Review

March 15, 2009

Read this. THE MAGAZINE’S CREDENDA Among our convictions: 1. It is the job of centralized government (in peacetime) to protect its citizens' lives, liberty and property. All other activities of government tend to diminish freedom and hamper progress. The growth of government(the dominant social feature of this century) must be fought relentlessly. In this great social conflict of the era, we are, without reservations, on the libertarian side. 2. The profound crisis of our era is, in essence, the conflict between the Social Engineers, who seek to adjust mankind to conform with scientific utopias, and the disciples of Truth, who defend the organic moral order.

Approval of Obama Continues to Fall

March 15, 2009

Rasmussen’s daily Presidential Approval Tracking numbers continue to show that Obama has lost more support in his first 50 days than any president since polling began. Among the many factors contributing to Obama’s falling popularity, in my view, is his scattershot approach to the economy, inability to recruit and retain talent, and strong leftward lurch since taking office. Americans do not want socialism. I hear over and over from disenchanted Obama voters that they didn’t believe he was a leftist as some on the right made him out to be during the campaign.

Obama invites enemies to our gates

March 15, 2009

Since Barack Obama’s inauguration, America’s enemies have achieved gains that should frighten everyone: * Russia reportedly will deploy strategic bombers to Cuba and Venezuela. For the first time, Russia can strike American cities from advanced positions without a carrier battle group. * North Korea will soon test-fire a ballistic missile under the thin veil of “satellite” test * Iran has or will have 4 nuclear weapons with capabilities of hitting Israel from land and the US from sea * Pakistan is growing more violent * Pentagon facing 10 percent budget cut while admitting 2-war strategies isn’t enough wars

Get Your Tax Day Tea Party Apparel and Stickers

March 14, 2009

The St. Louis Tax Day Tea Party store is open! Proceeds will keep the movement going forward. This is a 10-round fight that will bring about a truly conservative House of Representatives in 2010. You’ve already done much just by visiting this site and attending the rallies. Now, show the whole world that you’re fed up with an irresponsible, tax-and-spend government that has grown beyond the consent of the governed.

2009 Economic Prediction Bumped and Updated

March 14, 2009

Originally posted February 15, 2009 I know this is a little late, but I was waiting for Congress to spend another trillion dollars or so before committing my prediction to the public. Here goes: GDP and unemployment will flatten and even improve a bit in first half of 2009 for a couple of reasons: First, people will begin to look for excuses to spend money. This includes businesses.

StLouisTeaParty.com

March 14, 2009

We’ve launched stlouisteaparty.com to keep non-facebookers up-to-date on the Tea Party movement in St. Louis. The Tea Party is a grassroots movement that will overthrow Congress in a ballot box revolution in 2010. It gives voice to the silenced conservatives who have been told “shut up and pay your taxes” by administrations and Congresses R and D. We’ve found our voice. Tonight I watched Glenn Beck’s 912project.com launch with a hundred patriots.

Liberal Juan Williams Rips Left-Wing Smear Machine

March 10, 2009

Tonight on “The O’Reilly Factor,” liberal journalist Juan Williams sided with O’Reilly and Bernard Goldberg in ripping the left-wing smear machine. “It’s real, and I’m a victim of it. I have the scars to prove it,” Williams told O’Reilly. The left-wing smear machine includes The New York Times, Daily Kos, and others. As Goldberg’s forthcoming book, “A Slobbering Love Affair,” points out, this smear machine is a loosely but skillfully orchestrated consortium of radical, anti-American organizations that seeks, not just win at the polls, but to eliminate conservatism and Constitutional government.

Don't Cooperate With Evil

March 8, 2009

The Freedom of Choice Act, the most sweeping suppression of religious dissent ever considered in the United States, is poised to pass in Congress. This legislation will put the U. S. government on a collision course with the Catholic church that could fundamentally alter the relationship of the government to religions forever. The Freedom of Choice Act would make it a crime for a hospital, nurse, doctor, or technician to refuse to take part in abortions.

Tell the World You Support the Tea Party Movement

March 7, 2009

Cafe Press has dozens of shirts, stickers, and mugs that let you tell the world you belong to the Tea Party Movement. The lefties proudly wear their Che t-shirts and those idiotic coexist bumper stickers. Conservatives shy away from Public Displays of Protest. NO LONGER! While we’re brewing up some St. Louis-flavored Tea Party logos, grab the generics now. You’re kids will thank you some day. Technorati Tags: tea party,spirit wear

Post-Dispatch Out of Touch (no matter what Eric Mink says)

March 7, 2009

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch was once a powerful, respected cornerstone of the Pulitzer publishing company. Today, it’s little more than a community newspaper. Some near-tomorrow, it will go the way of Rocky Mountain News. Its demise can be traced in large measure to the arrogance of its editorial board. Take Eric Mink. This is a man who rose through the organization by leveling unfair, nearly libelous attacks on anyone who deviated from Mink’s party line.

Time for Michael Steele to Resign

March 3, 2009

When Republican Congressmen and -women are more conservative than the party chair, it’s time for a new party chair. Micheal Steele took his seat and immediately alienated conservatives, the backbone of the Republican party. By attacking Rush Limbaugh, Steele attacked one of the few people in the US with the courage to speak the truth. For five years, Democrats have prayed – PRAYED – that Al Qaeda in Iraq would defeat the US Military.

Hey, I Make the New York Times

March 3, 2009

And I didn’t even have to shoot anybody. The Tea Party Movement will make history books, people. I’m telling you now.

As the World Cools

March 3, 2009

Two quick global warming notes. Arctic Sea Ice Extend Growing Not too long ago, Al Gore told German school kids that the North Pole, Santa, Polar Bears, and puppies would all be dead and rotting hunks of diseased fleshed in barren, desserts that were once the Arctic Sea by the time they entered high school. Turns out that the Arctic Sea Ice Extent for 2007-08 and 2008-09 is pretty much in the average for entire history of measured sea ice extent (1979 to present).

Democrats Destroying the Economy

March 3, 2009

The economy was just fine before you people elected a Democrat Congress. The Democrat party has controlled government’s taxing and spending policy since January 2007. In that time, Harry Reid, and Nancy Pelosi, now joined by Barack Obama, have presided over the greatest market and economic crash since the Great Depression. Everything They Do Makes Things Worse The US and world economies have been in rapid decline since Pelosi picked up the Speaker’s gavel.

Conservatives Have Felt Suppressed for a Long Long Time

March 2, 2009

Here’s an example of the kind of emails I’ve been getting since Friday’s Tea Parties: I hope you don’t mind me bugging you about this but I’ve been trying to find a group to get involved in that understands that some people have principles and they don’t believe government is the answer to the mess we are in. I would really like any information you have on getting connected with like minded people.

Obama's Approval in Free Fall

March 1, 2009

[caption id="" align=“alignleft” width=“405” caption=“Obama’s Approval Free Fall”][/caption] Barack Obama is now less popular than George W. Bush at the same point in their respective presidencies according to Rasmussen. The poll also indicates that deficits are more important to Americans than anything else. This could be the result of theTea Party movement which drew more than 30,000 people in 40 cities to take to the streets over the weekend. At this rate, Obama’s overall popularity will turn net negative this time next week.

Tax Day Tea Party and other news

March 1, 2009

UPDATE: NOTHING TENTATIVE ABOUT IT Repeal the Pork and Cut Taxes The next Tea Party event is April 15: Tax Day. Learn more at Tax Day Tea Party. Register for the St. Louis event on FaceBook today. Tell your friends. Possible locations include the Old Courthouse in St. Louis, the Federal Reserve Building, and several others. LOCATION: KIENER PLAZA, St. Louis, MO 63101 Repeal the Pork and Learn the Constitution

Obama's Budget Threatens American Sovereignty update

March 1, 2009

The immediacy of our challenge in defending the Republic against Barack Obama’s socialist,one-world ambitions reached new levels over the weekend. UPDATE: The eminent domain story appears to be a hoax. My apologies. I found it on several blogs that are generally reliable, so I assume the hoaxter is good at his craft Eminent Domain Rights to China* First, as Hennessy’s View has predicted for months, the rate and size of US borrowing has reduced Uncle Sam’s credit worthiness.

Video of St. Louis Event--Almost as Good as Being There update

February 28, 2009

My hat’s off to Bob Anders and the crew from Creative Video Services for this 3-part series of the St. Louis Nationwide Chicago Tea Party protest held February 27, 2009. If you need videography, you can’t go wrong with Creative Video. Part I: https://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3408578&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1 St. Louis Tea Party (Part 1) from CR8VDO on Vimeo. Click here for Parts 2 and 3. Dana has lots of great links. UPDATES It was a 3-part, not 4-part video.

Kansas City: 200+ Marching in the Snow

February 28, 2009

More than 200 hearty patriots marched through driving snow and 20 degree temps in Kansas City today as part of the ongoing Tea Party Protest. Congratulations to the organizers and demonstrators. You’re simple act of rebellion against Obama’s socialist power-grab is a noble statement of your intent to preserve and defend our Republic. [caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“314” caption=“Snow won’t stop the patriots in Kansas City. “][/caption] I will post photos as soon as they are uploaded.

Flow-Thru Afterglow

February 28, 2009

Dangerous Thoughts Standing in the Wings _Why are you here? _I thought. I was standing on the steps of the Arch fully aware that my fingers were painfully cold when the wrong thought crossed my mind. By “wrong thought,” I mean that one thought that will subconsciously sabotage the important or dangerous thing you are about to attempt. Like thinking, “what if the front wheel just fell off?” as you’re cruising down a winding road on a motorcycle, or “what if I forget my lines?

St. Louis Tea Party Turnout Rocks!

February 27, 2009

Thanks to the 1,000+ patriots who stood in the snow at the Arch, Dana “The Energizer” Loesch, Doug Saur, the speakers, Michelle Moore and Jeff who managed the fairgrounds, Desiree' the Poster Party Lady, and the true leaders at #TCOT who held my hand after I stumbled into this event. Today at the Arch in St. Louis was simple patriotic magic. I have to do some wrapping up of the event, but I’ll say this:

St. Louis Tea Party Live Feed All Day

February 27, 2009

Stay on Hennessy’s View for continous live coverage of the St. Louis Tea Party https://www.ustream.tv/flash/live/1/528594Free TV : Ustream

How to Change the World with Twitter

February 26, 2009

My light blogging owes to our efforts to change the world in a week. My role is, appropriately, miniscule. When Congress listens, it will repeal the trillions of waste, fraud, and abuse it has produced over the past 4 months, it will stop proposed borrowing and bailouts, it will stop rewarding bad behavior in corporations and citizens, or it will retire. This time, there are no two ways. Using tools like Twitter, email, and Facebook, TCOT has provided at least 163 patriots a forum to voice its discontent on Friday, February 27 at 11:00 a.

Matt Sczesny Rocks, and other Tea Party News

February 25, 2009

Great coverage of the St. Louis Tea Party on KMOV Channel 4 by reporter Matt Sczesny. Channel 4 has not posted the video (that I can find). I’ll link or embed it as soon as it’s available. Please say “thanks” to Matt and KMOV for a fair report. Amy at Top Conservatives on Twitter has put together a convenient list of the Tea Parties across the country. This list is NOT exhaustive, as not all cities have a Facebook Event page.

See Dana's Channel 5 Interview

February 25, 2009

Go Dana. How ‘bout a little equal time? Why does the WU prof get 80 percent of the time? DELETED VIDEO EMBED I detest videos that start automatically. You can see the report on KSDK’s web site. Not the best coverage, certainly not fair, but publicity is publicity. So thanks to Rebecca for visiting with Dana and selecting 7 seconds of the interview to air ahead of 30 minutes of some college professor who wrote a book in his spare time.

Live Blogging Barry's Crappy Reagan Imitation

February 25, 2009

The future is ours. Your disgust with the borrowing and spending, your noble desire to restore the republic the founders wrought, those are the real protests. The tea party is in our hearts and souls–the events are just the physical manifestations. But now, the President: Ninety percent of live blog posts suck. So I did my blog readers a big favor: I tested my quips on Twitter. Here I present my instant reactions that were good enough to get retweeted.

See me on PJTV

February 24, 2009

I look like a burrowing creature, but I made it through the toughest interview of my life. (Not really) PJTV.com Forward to friends.

Uncle Barry’s Adding Machine Stimulator Regulation Gimmick

February 24, 2009

A few weeks ago, shortly after his inauguration, Barry “The President” Obama panicked: the Republicans might talk the people out of the stimulus bill. Barry moved quickly. But Barry is an organizer, not an engineer. He’s the cheerleader, not the quarterback. He moves mobs, not nations. And when panicked, he fell apart. Barry decided to announce that life as we know it would economically end the Day After The Stimulus Bill Is Defeated.

So You Want Children, Do You?

February 24, 2009

What if they grow to be these NYU maggot-infested, long-haired, hippies?

Nationwide Chicago Tea Parties

February 23, 2009

St. Louis Tea Party official event page The list of cities with Tea Party protests scheduled for this Friday, February 27, is growing by the minute. I wanted to point out some important links and facts. #TCOT and Patrick Leahy have done an outstanding job pulling this together in a very short time. [Facebook] Thanks to Bill Whittle and PJTV who are doing an top job of covering the events. (I’ll be a guest on Bill Whittle’s upcoming show.

St. Louis Tea Party? UPDATE

February 22, 2009

Succinctly Hennessy’s View has joined Top Conservatives on Twitter and is proud to help with: St. Louis Nationwide Chicago Tea Party Friday, February 27, 2009 11:00 a.m. Foot of the Arch Steps on Wharf Street, St. Louis, MO, 63102 The official event sign-up page is https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=67775481561 Please, please, please show up in huge numbers. Thank you, and spread the word. We want our money back, dammit! Original Post Follows (Sorry this post is sloppy, but events are developing rapidly.

Obama Loses Support Faster Than Any President in Modern History

February 22, 2009

From his inauguration to the end of his first month in office, President Obama has dropped between 5 and 7 percentage points in approval according to Fox News and Rasmussen, respectively. That’s the largest first month drop in approval rating of any president since polling began. Barring a major plebiscitory reversal in 2010, Obama will go into the 2012 election with no scapegoats and no Congressional help. The Democrat Congress under Reid and Pelosi is the least popular since polling began, and Reid and Pelosi promise to deliver more of what made them so unpopular.

Clinton's China Trip is a Sales Pitch for Barry Bonds

February 22, 2009

Yesterday it seemed that Hillary Clinton’s principal goal in China was to detach human rights from . . . well, from everything. Today’s Washington Post reveals the real purpose of her trip: sales. Barack Obama has, in a month, made George W. Bush’s deficits look like surpluses. And he or his cabinet members promise about another $1.5 trillion in direct debt before the fiscal year ends in September. To finance this socialist expansion of government, Obama must sell bonds and lots of them.

How Obama Tells Us He Wasn’t Ready for the White House

February 11, 2009

In the polite political banter between liberal and conservative co-workers this fall, a liberal friend trotted out that tiresome, perennial Democrat litmus test: “They say the first act of a president is picking a vice-president; look how well Obama handled that.” Okay. Obama’s First Decision Was Disaster During the campaign, Joe Biden was a laughing stock, relegated to the safe, blue states where—Obama hoped—the press would ignore him. They did not.

California is Dying and a Conservative is Coming to its Rescue

February 10, 2009

Former eBay CEO—and conservative—Meg Whitman has had enough. She’s watch liberalism turn California into America’s Iceland. She’s running for governor. Maybe she’s the next Reagan. Or Thatcher. Whitman built eBay from a tiny start-up to the dominant online auctioneer. She will face at least one other Republican tech exec in the battle for the party nomination – Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner. Run, Meg, run. Technorati Tags: meg whitman,california,ronald reagan,california governor

I have an idea; let's borrow enough money to pay off every mortgage in America, then raise everybody's taxes the equivalent of a house payment

February 10, 2009

Barack Hussein Obama might be the dumbest man ever to stand behind a podium bearing the Official Seal of the President of the United States of America. No, wait. He is the dumbest man. And the whiniest. This is like listening to my kids complain about homework. Obama has no understanding of basic economics. He lacks any knowledge of the Great Depression. He seems to actually believe that the New Deal significantly reduced unemployment.

The Next Islamic Terrorist Act on American Soil Will Be Barack Obama’s Personal Responsibility

February 6, 2009

The Constitution enumerates certain powers to the US government. Chief among them is national defense. Barack Obama, in his campaign and in his first two weeks as president, has demonstrated a callous disregard for that duty. His actions threaten to place Americans in grave danger. Safe Since September 11, 2001 Like many, I assumed that Islamofascist terrorists would strike the US within a month or two of 9/11. The reasons were obvious at the time: we were woefully unprepared, panicked, and confused.

Obama Produces Most Corrupt Cabinet Ever

February 3, 2009

We on the right chided Obama supporters who claimed The One was ready for the Oval Office. Clearly, we were wrong: Only a seasoned, veteran politician could assemble a team of liars, frauds, cheats, hypocrites, and criminals as broad and deep as Obama’s cabinet. Daschle’s Hubris First, let’s set up some context. Here’s what your soon-to-be Health Socializer said about tax cheats on the floor of the Senate in 1998:

Obama: Let Those Redneck Republicans Die

February 1, 2009

Michael Laprarie asks: Now should we conclude that Democrats hate McCain voters and have no remorse over seeing them freeze and die? Rednecks die, no one cries (Wizbang) The answer, of course, is “yes.” Barack Obama is president of blacks, illegal aliens, abortionists, communists, socialists, enviro-terrorists, Islamo-terrorists, and the mentally ill. Since the white, Republican folks in Appalachia fit none of these categories, Obama’s happy to watch them suffer and die.

The Senate Stands Between You and Communism

January 31, 2009

Well, at least communism’s brightest symbol: piles of mattresses. In this case, Obama’s politburo wants to buy and crush new cars and trucks. Yes, GM and Chrysler and Ford can produce all the cars and trucks they want. Since the public won’t buy them, the government will—and crush them. Crush them. I kid you not. This from Gateway Pundit: Democrats want to include a new car crushing plan in the “stimulus” bill where the government would buy new cars and trucks that obtain less than 18 mpg and crush them

Another Horrible Week for Global Warming Industry

January 30, 2009

The GDP might have contracted 5.4 percent annualized in 4Q08, but the AGW industry contracted about 50 percent in one week: Hansen’s Boss: James Hansen, AGW’s Father of Lies, received an insulting, public rebuke from his old boss at NASA. In essence, Dr. John Theon of the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, accused of Hansen of violating basic scientific principles, NASA’s scientific methodologies and policies, and of embarrassing the agency with his anti-scientific screeds on global warming.

Focased Conservatism

January 29, 2009

January 28, 2009, could go down as the day conservatives regained their focus. What the FOCA?: Some enterprising pro-lifers desiring limited government launched the “What the FOCA?” website. The site kicks some of the 1973-style slogans from the Right to Life movement, updating themes and memes for 2009. A great idea, long overdue. Visit often and donate generously if fighting rampant abortion is one of your action focuses. A (Republican) House United: Every member of the Republican House Caucus voted against Obama’s Crap Sandwich.

DNCC Launches Campaign to End Rush Limbaugh--when will they launch campaign against me?

January 28, 2009

The Democrat National Congressional Committee has launched an online petition calling forsanctamony directed at radio giant Rush Limbaugh. Why not me? I wrote " I, for one, hopehis presidency is a miserable failure but that the country somehow survives" before Limbaugh spoke similar sentiments. I started the Campaign to Hope Obama Fails; Rush is a Johnny-come-lately. A fair-weather fan. He’s probably a big Steeler fan all of a sudden, too. The next the Democrats feel the need to decry divisiveness, please send them to me.

Experts are usually wrong, so have the experts rule everything

January 27, 2009

In 2005, I blogged about the fact that expert consensus is usually wrong. For instance: * More than half of the studies published in medical journals are later proven wrong. * Most experts predicted that oil prices would continue to rise to $200 a barrel as recently as last August, but gas prices have fallen more than 50 percent since. I based[ my prediction of oil in the $30s](https://hennessysview.com/2007/11/13/oil-price-collapse-coming/) on the simple fact that the experts agreed we'd never see oil below $100.

I have an idea: Let’s outlaw dissent!

January 25, 2009

On Friday, US Premier Barack Hussein Obama tipped his hand on his plans of banning dissent. He told reporters that Republicans must “stop listening to Rush Limbaugh.” Were Obama an ordinary politician, we’d take this comment as a harmless, oral wish. Limbaugh is an effective advocate for conservatism, limited government, lower taxes, freedom, and peace-through-strength—all things Obama hates. Obama’s not a typical politician in the American sense; he’s a communist. He’s a totalitarian.

Obama to America: F**k You!

January 22, 2009

Bill Clinton began his presidency in a recession, promising to make a middle class tax cut and more jobs his laser-beam focus. But first, he let gays into the military and sent his wife off to socialize medicine. Barack Obama began his presidency during a borderline depression, promising to save the country from economic collapse, lowering the seas, and scripting quality endings to Stephen King’s movies. But first, he symbolically flipped off everyone affected by Islamofascist terrorists,snubbed military heroes, andredifined ethics as the way one behaves when the whole world’s watching.

Good Government Doesn't Kill Babies

January 20, 2009

One of Barack Obama’s first actions as president will likely involve a series of executive orders ensuring that as many abortions as possible happen. Good government protects its most vulnerable citizens; bad government kills them. Nazi Germany killed the weak, the halt, the improvident. Of course, the Nazis trained specialist to carry out these grim and evil tasks. In America, we rely on ordinary citizens to do the killing for us.

From a 6-Year Big Red Season Ticket Holder-Section 592 Row 2 Seats 11 and 12

January 20, 2009

(click banner to hear fight song—don’t be afraid to sing along) *h/t Philadelphia Eagles **

It Never Was There

January 20, 2009

I’m like a lot of people I know. We may be very different from you and those you know. But we’re familiar to ourselves and to each other. I’m one of those people who tried to get There. There isn’t a place; it’s a status. It’s a moment. It’s hearing that someone told someone else that you have “one of those” and they should see it. Maybe it’s the big TV or the cool cappuccino machine.

The Evil of Debt

January 18, 2009

_The debtor is a slave to his lender. _ Americans hold hundreds of billions of dollars in credit card debt alone. To this add automobiles, student loans, mortgages, medical, and myriad personal loans and you arrive at the staggering figure of$2.55 trillion with a ’t'. This massive debt–encouraged and backed by the US Government–makes us miserable. Seriously. Are you happy? If the debtor is slave to his lender, then the US Government is slave to China and Japan.

eXtreme Programming and Good Government

January 14, 2009

Kent Beck, the genius who discovered eXtreme Programming, from whence sprang all so-called Agile methodologies, can lead us to good government. Beck, a senior consultant in the 1990s, noticed that all big software development programs began and ended the same way in the days of waterfall. Massive Requirements: Every project began with lots of highly paid people sitting in endless series of meetings aiming to document everything that a system must and should do and how.

Focused Blogging for Conservatives

January 12, 2009

Once upon a time, when blogging was fresh and new, conservative blogs dominated the top of Technorati’s most popular lists. Michelle Malkin, Powerline, and InstaPundit routinely led Talking Points and Kos. But we’ve fallen. Big time. Yesterday, Michelle was still the #1 conservative blog–at 39 overall. Huffington Post is #1, Kos is #8. Why? Reason 1: Focus Or lack thereof. The rising stars of the right aren’t necessarily political, but scientific.

The Other Shoe Drops

January 8, 2009

For months I’ve been echoing the warnings of Peter Schiff and others: when China stops buying American debt, we’re in deep, deep trouble. The possibility for hyperflation, prices rise by double-digits on daily or weekly measures, becomes palpably high. Even though this article from IHT failed to suprised me, I have a sick, frightened gnawing in my stomach: China has bought more than $1 trillion in American debt, but as the global downturn has intensified, Beijing is starting to keep more of its money at home - a shift that could pose some challenges to the U.

Let's Not Act Like Democrats . . . Me Included

January 8, 2009

Request: If you read a blog post on Hennessy’s View that seems to be rooting for America to fail or suffer in order that Obama take the blame, please e-mail me (bill-at–hennessysview–dot–com) and comment. I’m a hot-head, and I might not catch myself. The United States and every country on earth is in a perilous position right now. The world economy is on the brink of depression. Bad business practices driven by even worse government policies and regulations have destroyed $ trillions in wealth and left us on a narrow, swampy peninsula between deflation and hyperinflation.

Sad News About Jack Kemp

January 8, 2009

The first time I met George W. Bush in person, I was campaigning for Jack Kemp for President. Kemp was running against Vice President George H. W. Bush (and 47 others) for the Republican nomination. This was 1987. A wonderful, tough, and tireless local Republican organizer named Thelma Stuart recruited me and served as my mentor in Dixiecrat-style politics of South Carolina. My first gig was manning the Kemp booth at the Low Country Stump Days in Charleston.

I'll Say It Again: James Hansen Is a Fraud and a Liar

January 7, 2009

American Thinker Blog: Global Warm-mongering: More Silk from a Pig’s Ear It seems that NASA’s James Hansen, head of the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), is at it again. He just can’t let the data speak for itself. In yet another egregious display of Anthropogenic Global Warming (AGW) arrogance, he changed the temperature data from 1910-2008 to reflect what is clearly a cooling trend to reflect a warming trend.

Obama Is Simply Wrong

January 7, 2009

Obama: ‘Trillion-Dollar Deficits For Years’ - Capital Commerce (usnews.com) Just mindblowing. Here is #44 today (via the AP): Obama said Tuesday the deficit appears on track to hit $1 trillion soon. Speaking to reporters after meeting with top economic aides, Obama said: "Potentially we've got trillion-dollar deficits for years to come, even with the economic recovery that we are working on." If Obama really believes that the world economy will tolerate annual deficits north one trillion dollars, he will receive a belated economics education in short order.

So Much For an Ice-Free Arctic

January 6, 2009

DailyTech - Sea Ice Ends Year at Same Level as 1979 Thanks to a rapid rebound in recent months, global sea ice levels now equal those seen 29 years ago, when the year 1979 also drew to a close. Let’s give credit where it’s due: Al Gore. When Al Gore speaks, the opposite happens. Where Al Gore goes,snow is sure to follow. So when Al Gorefrightened a bunch of German kids by telling them that the North Pole would be gone in 5 years, that Santa Claus would die along with his reindeer, and that Polar Bears would either become extinct or catch the last few ice floes south to Europe where they’d “eat little kiddies like you,” you just knew that the Arctic would grow ice faster than Joe Biden’s head grows hair plugs.

Obama's $300 Billion Tax Cut

January 5, 2009

Let’s give credit where it’s due, if it’s due. If Barack Obama sends a $300 billion tax cut proposal to Congress as the meat of his stimulus package, he deserves high marks. Tax Cuts Increase Tax Revenue A large tax cut aimed at tax payers–individual and business alike–will not only stimulate the economy, it will increase federal revenue, defraying the irresponsible and dangerous spending of Paulson and Bernanke. As Kennedy, Reagan, and Bush 43 understood, tax cuts, to a point, increase federal revenue.

Gloriously Goring Gore

January 4, 2009

The Huffington Post (of all things) brings us a most cogent, concise, and accurate repudiation of Al Gore and the whole “climate change” Nazi crowd (h/t ICECAP). Harold Ambler deserves the Nobel Prize for truth stating. Some highlights. Strike One: How Al Gore (and Hansen and the rest) lie to you about climate change: First, the expression “climate change” itself is a redundancy, and contains a lie. Climate has always changed, and always will.

If The Post Office Built Cars

January 4, 2009

Some good people work at the Post Orifice. I know several. One of my dad’s best friends and WWII paratrooper retired from the Post Orifice. He was a great guy and good friend to my parents. On the other hand, the United States Postal Service is among the incompetent, bureaucratic, broken down, 19th century, poorly managed excuses for an organization since the Soviet Union went out of business. Case Study: Christmas Gift

Addicted to Entitlement

January 3, 2009

Entitlement is the psychological abnormality in which a person believes that he is owed an enrichment or compensation earned by suffering or activity and that society or government is obligated to pay. It is a psychological condition. It is abnormal–or should be. When a team of governors demands that the federal government steal wages and profits of the citizens and transfer those monies to state governors to dispense as the governors see fit, one wonders whether or not the disease is now the norm.

Zen to Done: Learning the Dream

January 3, 2009

Feeling confident, relaxed, and complete is a dream. Many people believe it’s an impossible dream. I’m learning otherwise. I’m into my third month of acquiring positive habits with Leo Babauta’sZen to Done method. At the same time, I’m working the 30 day challenge. What I’ve learned so far is that I hold onto too much. * I carried around anger and frustration over missed goals and failed or abandoned projects * I vilified good people (in my mind) because I wanted to get my way all the time about everything * I sabotaged myself by trying to do everything anyone asked of me * I was afraid to look weak, and that fear weakened me The faultering economy, no doubt, led me toZen Habits, which led me to Zen to Done, which led me to “The Power of Less,” which led me to theSedona Method, which led me here.

A Fresh Set of Downs

January 1, 2009

It’s first and ten again. Most years New Years just sort of happens. It arrives. Getting out of 2008 felt like we went for it on 4th and 13 deep inside our own territory. We pulled the goalie and went with a sixth attacker. We sent an injured Albert Pujols to pinch hit for our best reliever. We pulled out all the stops. The year 2008 will go down as a watershed year.

Gaining Control

December 31, 2008

I might have mentioned in an earlier post that I quit smoking about a month ago. I must thank Leo Babauta, his blog ZenHabits.net, and his ebook, Zen to Done, for giving me the motivation and confidence to quit. I have quit in the past. I went almost 4 years between 1998 and 2002, so I know I can do it for good. While the money I’ve saved on cigarettes I’ve plowed back into nicotine lozenges, it’s amazing how quickly the savings add up:

A Bunch of Hooey

December 30, 2008

The silliness of companies knows no bounds. The latest act of corporate stupidity comes from the computer maker Dell. In its attempt to become the “greenest technology company on the planet,” Dell made much of achieving some farcically theoretical “carbon-neutral” status. But, like everything associated with AGW, there’s really no so thing. WSJ points out in a wonderful examination today: In fact, that’s only a small fraction of all the emissions associated with Dell.

Thomas Sowell on Outliers

December 30, 2008

I bought “Outliers” the day it hit the bookstores for one reason: Malcolm Gladwell is the best researcher-writer alive today. I declared the book the most important in a generation. People made fun of me. Well, Thomas Sowell comes close to echoing my reaction: This book is an outstanding achievement in itself, and its readability, insights, and imagination make it one of the best books of 2008 or any other year.

Free Madoff!

December 30, 2008

In a just world where all men are created with equal rights, Bernie Madoff would be a hero. More than any other private sector figure, Bernie Madoff perfectly embodies the new American ideal. What Madoff Did Bernie Madoff admitted to investigators that he created an enormous Ponzi–or pyramid–scheme. He promised investors very high returns. He made good by paying of Round 1 investors with Round 2’s money. As long as a new generation of investors, larger than the previous, lines up to invest, everything’s good.

The Look of 2009

December 29, 2008

Sometimes decades start early; sometimes they start late. The 1960s started with JFK’s assassination–until then, they were a lot like the 50s except with a young president whose economic policies were to the right of his Republican predecessor’s. The 1970s culturally started with Woodstock in 1969. As Hunter S. Thompson pointed out in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Woodstock was not a celebration but a funeral. It marked the end of the hopeful part of whatever the 60s were and the beginning of the malaise of the 1970s.

Zen to Done: The Next Challenges

December 29, 2008

Several weeks ago, I posted about Leo Babauta’s Zen to Done method for Getting Things Done. I apologize for not keeping up my blogging on my progress. But one habit at a time. Habit One: Capturing Everything More than a month later, I can proudly say I’ve mastered the first step in the program. I still record everything on Jott, either on the web or by voice messaging Jott.

The Most Important Book of 2009

December 28, 2008

I just finished “The Power of Less” and its companion ebook, “Thriving on Less.” I hope everyone–and I mean everyone–reads these books before the end of January. https://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=hennesssview-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1401309704&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr Why are these books so important? Because life changed in 2008. The commitments we’d made as individuals, families, communities, nations, and the world received a margin call. We had biggest margin call in history, and everyone from plumbers to Harvard MBAs (especially the MBAs) lacked the capital to pay the bill.

Predictions for 2009

December 28, 2008

After a 2 year hiatus from annual predictions, here’s what I see happening in the precarious Year of our Lord Two-thousand nine: The Dow: The Dow trades within a range of 1,000 points with a daily average closing of 8,500. GDP and Economy: By July, everyone pretty much calls the situation “Great Depression II.” Unemployment, which declines in the first quarter, increases to more than 12 percent by fall. Gross Domestic Product by quarter:

Israel Continues Assault on Terrorists

December 28, 2008

Israel’s assault on Hamas terrorists in Gaza continued for a second day. As if reading from a script, the UN Security Council called for an immediate stop to Israel’s self-defense. As the air strikes continued, Israel has moved more troops and tanks to the border, possibly in preparation for an incursion into the area now under terrorist control. Some internation responses were less than predictable, though. France, for instance, demands first that the terrorists stop pitching rockets at Israeli school kids, then that Israel stop its air assault.

Global Warming Disproved!?

December 28, 2008

Hey, folks, I haven’t read the whole thing. But in the second paragraph we seem to find the answer to whole global warming problem: ignore it. First, all over the world, temperatures have been dropping in a way wholly unpredicted by all those computer models which have been used as the main drivers of the scare. Last winter, as temperatures plummeted, many parts of the world had snowfalls on a scale not seen for decades.

Cooling Planet Escalates Global Warming Hysteria

December 27, 2008

The increased urgency to legislate or judicially impose new, draconian burdens on society to “save the planet” is not your imagination. Neither is it a response to increasingly rising temperatures. Temperatures have been falling for 8 years now, and have not risen in more than 10. The reason the AGW alarmists need to impose restrictions is: credit. Remember the ozone holes? According to leftists, the holes were caused by chloroflourocarbons like refrigerant used in air conditioning.

Lake Superior Freezing Over

December 27, 2008

Even as CO2 levels rise, western Lake Superior is freezing over for the first time years. The western tip of Lake Superior has frozen over in December for the first time in recent memory, and that could mean a long season of ice angling that hasn’t been seen in years. “We were just talking that it’s been something like 17 years since we had a good, long ice fishing season at this corner of Lake Superior,’’ said Russ Francisco, owner of Marine General sporting goods store in Duluth.

Jennifer Aniston Wins at the Box Office

December 27, 2008

No, I’m not a celebrity freak; I’m just a red-blooded American male who thinks Jennifer Aniston is about as gorgeous as a celebrity can be. (She’s almost as beautiful as my wife.) I have no idea what she’s like in real life. I have no knowledge of her politics. I don’t know whether she’s fallen for the global warming idiocy. All I know is that she looks and acts (in public) like the sort of girl I’d want my sons to marry.

Retaliation in Gaza

December 27, 2008

The most important fact in this story: retaliation. Israel attacked dozens of terrorist targets in Gaza today, killing at least 145. The Arab world (yawn) reacted predictably, condemning Israel (yawn) and staging street protests (yawn). I’m sure many a rifle was fired into the air. The left–and I suspect Barack Obama is included–will decry Israel’s self-defense. They will call for Israel to show restraint. They will call on Israel to take another body blow.

Liberal Newspapers Ban Dissenting Voices

December 26, 2008

The Connecticut Post has banned letters to the editor that criticize Barney Frank or Christopher Dodd, the two liberal Democrats who helped Franklin Raines, Jim Johnson, and other mortgage fraudsters rake in billions by blocking attempts at Congressional oversight. Just another sign that democracy in America is over. In November, Change.gov banned conservatives from asking questions or offering suggestions to Barack Obama. Gateway Pundit has more [click].

Best Video of 2008

December 26, 2008

OMG, this is golden: [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmPSUMBrJoI&w;=425&h;=344]

Father Corapi's Christmas Message

December 24, 2008

I’m terrible at holiday posts, so I turn to America’s greatest Catholic preacher since Fulton Sheen: The blessed and joyous time of Christmas is here again. So, I’ll just take the opportunity to thank all of our viewing and listening family for allowing us into your homes. I don’t take that for granted. I am honestly grateful to you for allowing us to serve you in that way.

Obama Caves to Fanatical Left

December 23, 2008

Obama Intelligence Pick Torpedoed By Bloggers - FOXNews.com Transition Tracker John Brennan, Obama’s chief intelligence adviser and anticipated CIA chief, was recently forced to withdraw his name. There was no drumbeat of opposition to Brennan from the front pages or on cable. Rather, the pick was torpedoed by the blogosphere. “Apparently there is a lot of pressure on the Obama team from a blog saying that Brennan couldn’t be made the director of the CIA because he was involved in torture and renditions, which he wasn’t,” said Mark Lowenthal, former assistant CIA director.

Linux Approaching Tipping Point

December 22, 2008

Rarely does a single factor cause a paradigm shift. For one example, look at the election of Ronald Reagan. Sure, Reagan had a great message, expert delivery, and that presidential look. But without Carter’s bungling incompetence, excesses by liberals in Congress, a runaway Supreme Court, Soviet expansion, stagflation, the Iranian hostage crisis, and seventeen thousand other annoying problems, Reagan would not have upset an incumbent president in 1980.

Biden To Oversee Elimination of the Rich

December 22, 2008

Biden to Lead Task Force on Expanding Middle Class - FOXNews.com Transition Tracker As vice president, Joe Biden will oversee an Obama administration effort to find ways of building up the ranks of the middle class, that ambiguously defined segment of society most Americans identify with. What does “expanding the middle class” entail, exactly? The government has spent tens of trillions of dollars trying to elevate the poor to middle class.

The End of the Big Three: Why Not?

December 21, 2008

Can You Still See the USA in Your Chevrolet? by Mark Steyn on National Review Online General Motors, like the other two geezers of the Old Three, is a vast retirement home with a small loss-making auto subsidiary. The UAW is the AARP in an Edsel: It has three times as many retirees and widows as “workers” (I use the term loosely). GM has 96,000 employees but provides health benefits to a million people.

MSNBC: Somehow Winter Survived Global Warming

December 21, 2008

Winter madness MSNBC.com lea ds off this Sunday with a photo montage of serious winter weather from Pacific to Maine. To the left, all snow, all winter weather is “freak." To those of us with memories longer than our . . . privates . . . and a sense of history that exceeds our senses of fashion, winters are beginning to look a like winters past. The temperature was 7 when I got up this morning.

Top Story of 2008

December 21, 2008

Gateway Pundit: MICE SUSPECTED in Fire That Kills 100 Cats Oshawa also killed three dogs and some rats that were up for adoption. Technorati Tags: mice, cats, fire, gateway pundit

The Fiscal Calm Before The Economic Storm

December 17, 2008

New York, Illinois, California, and a dozen other liberal states will raise taxes dramatically in the next 3 months. New York, for instance, is instituting 88 new taxes. OPEC will cut oil output until oil reaches their target of $75 to $90 a barrel, which equates to $2.30 to $2.80 gasoline. Obama will impose regulations and taxes that stifle growth. The Bush capitulation to the Unamerican Auto Workers thugs will allow Detroit to limp for several months before collapsing.

USAToday Admits It's Cold

December 17, 2008

Even liberals are noticing that [global warming has been reversed](Can you explain the enormous hole in Earth’s magnetic field that allowed solar winds to flood our personal space on June 3, 2007? ). No doubt Gore and The One will take credit. Technorati Tags: AGW

We're Very Ignorant of Everything

December 17, 2008

Anthony Watts runs one of the most fascinating web sites on the entire internet. If you don’t read it every day, you’re missing a great, free education. Two stories today illustrate his Nobel-worthy work: * The [Ionosphere](https://wattsupwiththat.com/2008/12/16/earths-ionosphere-drops-to-a-new-low/) is encroaching on our atmosphere, perhaps because [the sun seems to be dying](https://wattsupwiththat.com/2008/12/14/even-quieter-on-the-solar-front-another-all-quiet-alert-issued/)** The Earth's [protective magnetic field](https://wattsupwiththat.com/2008/12/16/earths-magnetic-field-has-massive-breach-scientists-baffled/) has a massive breach allowing solar winds to bombard us with space stuff Both stories illustrate our minute understanding of our planet, its atmosphere, our solar system, the universe, and God.

WSJ: Obama Lied About Blagojevich Contacts

December 15, 2008

Today’s Wall Street Journal directly contradict’s Barack Obama’s claim to have never discussed his Senate replacement: Barack Obama had begun thinking about his Senate successor even before the presidential election, and dispatched Rahm Emanuel days after the vote to contact aides of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to begin talking up Mr. Obama’s preferred candidates, associates of Mr. Emanuel said this weekend. Remember that Obama also claimed that no one on his staff or acting on his behalf discussed the seat with Blago.

Seth Borenstein Dropping Al Gore's Acid

December 15, 2008

Seth Borenstein seems to have dropped the same Global Warming LSD as Al Gore. Today, in a news article (not opinion, mind you) Borenstein claims that the 10-year cooling trend we’re in proves the seriousness of his personal brand of Global Warming. He also passes along flat out lies about temperatures and, especially, sea ice extent–making up facts that never existed. Borenstein is a terrible polemicist and lazy researcher. But Borenstein excels as a writer.

Al Gore Loses His Mind . . . again

December 14, 2008

Jenn Q Public asked if I’d heard that Al Gore–the man Don Imus described as Evil Incarnate–told a German audience that the North Pole will cease to exist in 5 years. He held up his hand, fingers splayed, to avoid any possible confusion. Mark the date: according to Gore, on 12/12/2013, there will be zero ice north of the Arctic Circle. This would an amazing change in trends since global sea ice has been growing for 20 years now.

Historic Winter Storm

December 13, 2008

The massive storm brewing out west will plunge Los Angeles into the 30s, threatening all-time record lows for that city. Seattle is looking at highs in the mid-20s for the week ahead. That’s cold. Amazingly, the Ottawa Weather Center predicted this blast last week (here and here). Meanwhile, to the east and north or Southern California, blizzards will extend from New Mexico to Minneapolis. The cold and snow is forecast to continue for the next 48-72 hours, striking St.

Hey, UAW: Your Racket Is Over

December 13, 2008

The United Auto Workers is the sort of extortion racket that gives crime a bad name. For 40 years–since the introduction of Japanese cars in the US market–these whining, overpaid slobs have bilked consumers for billions, insisting that they deserve to be overpaid simply because there’s a bunch of them. America would be better off if the UAW simply ceased to exist. They make the bogus claim that they are better workers than their non-union counterparts who assemble BMWs, Hondas, Nissans, and Toyotas.

America, you just bought yourself 3 car manufacturers

December 10, 2008

Apparently Bush’s plan to socialize all of America before leaving the White House is alive and well. Some sort of a crappy deal has been reached. The plan includes a car czar–something that Toyata, Nissan, and Honda miraculously do not need–to run the auto industry like a DMV license office. The last time a government designed, built, and sold an automobile like, it was called the Yugo. I’ll keep my SUV, thanks.

"Mother F****er"

December 9, 2008

Wow. Why does news like this always break when I’m at work? Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich did the perp walk for his Chicago neighbors this morning. Others have written plenty about the facts of the indictment (here, here, here, here, and here). You should know two things: 1. There’s a chance Obama will pardon Blagojevich before he goes to court. Why? Because Obama is too close not to. Blagojevich is NOT AN HONORABLE CROOK.

America: the shining city on a hill; the last, best hope for democracy; the bastion of freedom; and the latest citizen of . . . the Twilight Zone

December 9, 2008

Would you believe me if I told you that capitalism would end in America, not by government seizure, but by surrender of the capitalists themselves? Are we really witnessing our largest businesses asking the government to save them from themselves? It seems like only yesterday that Ronald Reagan rolled back the advancing tide of socialism. He began the unraveling of complex and burdensome federal regulations that seemed designed to make free enterprise unmanageable.

American Auto Industry Doomed

December 7, 2008

If you own US auto stock, sell. If you work for a US auto maker, find a new job. If you own a US-made car, start shopping. The government is about to destroy the US auto industry, and it will cost billions of dollars. Apparently, the White House and Congress are trying to invent an auto czar position to “oversee the restructuring of the industry [Wall Street Journal].” That means that the problems that led to the current crisis will get worse and the possible solutions to the crisis will be outlawed.

You Get Feeling That Israel's Toast

December 3, 2008

Barack Obama has a lot of friends who would like to see a Final Solution to the Middle East, if you get my drift. Samantha Power, for instance, told the Institute for Policy Studies (which was founded by the KGB during the Cold War) that the US should invade Israel and set up a puppet government to impose a suicidal deal with Hamas. Nice, huh? Add to that a mounting certainty that Iran will deploy a nuclear weapon by the end of 2009–a year Obama must devote almost solely to the economy.

You Can't Be Stupid Enough Not To Get This

December 3, 2008

Fred Thompson provides the world with the wisest possible explanation of Washington’s bailoutmania. Watch the video. Take notes if you need to. Thompson speaks wisdom. [blip.tv https://blip.tv/play/Ad3iNI+MAQ] Did you notice he’s not afraid to use the “d” word. No to GM. No to Chrysler. No to Ford. No to Citi. No to everyone. Work hard, save, invest, buy what you need. It’s that simple. Technorati Tags: Fred Thompson,economy,bailouts

Outliers: The Story of Success

December 1, 2008

Rarely does a book require immediate action from the reader. “The Rights of Man” by Thomas Paine moved America’s founder’s to action. “The Communist Manifesto” moved Vladimir Lenin to enslave a nation–and allowed Stalin to enslave many more. “The Origin of Species” launched a crusade against tradition that grows in intensity with each subsequent generation. (Listverse has a list of the 10 most influential books of all time, admittedly subjective.)

My Favorite Beef Stew Recipe

November 30, 2008

With our first snowfall of the season, it’s time for stew. I created this recipe over a couple of years. It seems, finally, ready to release. Get your pens and shopping lists. Ingredients * 2 lbs. stew beef chopped in 1" to 1.5" cubes** Tone's Canadian Steak Seasoning (do not attempt this recipe without it)** 2 cloves garlic, chopped** 2 tbs olive oil** 16 oz. can beef bullion(or 2 cups water, 2 bullion cubes)** 28 oz.

The First Snowfall

November 30, 2008

If you’re like me, the first snowfall of the season brings feelings of endless possibilities.

Robert Rubin's Days Are Numbered

November 30, 2008

Robert Rubin was a key player in keeping Enron afloat while he and his cronies fleeced billions from employees and investors. Robert Rubin abandoned the Clinton administration when a recession was unavoidable. His relief was his protege, Larry Summers. Robert Rubin talked the Citigroup board into investing in extremely high-risk mortgage-backed securities. He also showed the bank how to carry those risks off the books–exactly the way he showed Enron how to do it.

The Silver Linings of Mumbai

November 29, 2008

This is not tongue-in-cheek or flippant. We can find two good results of the terrorist siege of Mumbai, India. First, Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg’s baby son, Moshe, escaped alive. Good people have set up a fund for the child where you can contribute. Please do so. The child’s survival seems to destine him for greatness, as the story contains odd parallels to the story of Moses. Second, the tragic events forced organizers to cancel Live Earth India, a pagan celebration to spread the lie of Anthropogenic Global Warming.

They Kept Shopping

November 29, 2008

Say you’re the CEO of Wal-Mart. You get a report from your store in Valley Stream, NJ, that one of your employees was trampled to death by your customers who broke down the doors to get at your Black Friday specials before anyone else. In the chaos, a customer, 8-months pregnant, suffered a miscarriage. How would you respond? Suppose you were the police who responded? How would you handle the situation in which the crowd, gripped by throes of a shopping frenzy refused to allow first responders to attempt to save the man’s life?

Merry Christmas

November 29, 2008

Hundreds of people trampled others to death so that they could get to cheap retail goods the fastest – presumably to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. . . .At some point, that horrible irony should cause people to pause and think about what motivates them in this holiday season. Amen to that, Ed. While I have no eagerness to live through an economic Great Depression, I think we need it.

Disgraceful, Selfish Cowards UPDATE

November 29, 2008

Liberal America is a sub-species of selfish cowards. India suffered its own 9-11 over the past 3 days. It continues at this hour. Yet America’s government, its media, its pundits retreated under the cover of Thanksgiving and the excuse of saving their corrupt and incompetent friends on Wall Street and in Detroit. George Bush and Barack Obama are invisible. CNN and MSNBC refused to call the terrorists who murdered over 160 in cold blood anything stronger than “militants.

How To Own Meetings

November 28, 2008

Over on The Work Works I’ve posted an entry about winning in meetings. It’s meant to make meetings contentious, but to ensure they produce results–and that those results came from you. Technorati Tags: business,meetings

Latest on Mumbai

November 28, 2008

According to Tweeters in the streets of Mumbai outside Nariman House, the Jewish Center, NSG Commandos (Indian special forces) are high-fiving people in the streets. The crowds are singing patriot songs. No gunfire. Meanwhile, 30 or more bodies were found in the Oberoi hotel. I hope the West takes a lesson from NSG’s fierce, straight-on attack on the terrorists. Also, have you noticed that our Western, pro-terrorist media (CNN, NY Times, LA Times, MSNBC) refuse to call the Mumbai terrorists “terrorists?

Mumbai Thoughts: Is This Prep for USA Siege?

November 28, 2008

Is Mumbai a test run for an attack on the United States? Al Qaeda is out of practice. The terror organization has been quite since 2001, pinned down inside in Iraq where our heroes destroyed their efforts to establish a beach head. The coincidence of the horror in Mumbai with the FBI reports of a serious, legitimate threat to the NYC subway system seems coordinated to me. Since 9-11, the US, UK, and Israel have trained and developed anti-terrorism techniques jointly with many nations, including India.

Mumbai Massacre Real-time on Twitter UPDATES

November 28, 2008

Vietnam was the first televised war. Film from the morning was flown one-stop to California allowing Americans to witness action within 24 hours of its occurrence. The Gulf War upped the ante with live, streaming video, 24 hours a day on CNN. September 11 and the liberation of Iraq came with live blogging from people feet from the action. But reading text messages on Twitter from people on the streets of Mumbai as events unfold is truly bizarre.

James Hansen's Letter to Obama

November 26, 2008

Since no one else will listen to his lies, half-science, and hysteria, the old man of GISS wrote a long letter to the president-elect. Luckily for the rational world, Richard Courtney (pdf) excoriated Hansen for the letter and for Hansen’s continued crusade to end freedom as we know it. Courtney’s summary of Hansen’s conclusion may go down in annuls of the AGW debate as a masterpiece: That “conclusion” may be correct if it were based on evidence and reasoned argument, but - as explained above - it is not.

Online Retail Sales Decline For First Time Ever

November 26, 2008

The Internet–the engine that drove year-over-year increases in sales since its inception–is unable to overcome the economic malaise in America. For the first 23 days of November, online sales declined 4% to $8.2 billion from $8.5 billion the same time last year, according to market-research firm comScore Inc. The firm projects that retail spending online in the months of November and December will total $29.2 billion, flat from the same period last year – a dreary sign for online retailers, many of which had grown accustomed to double-digit gains.

Abortion Wars

November 26, 2008

Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats could be headed toward a final showdown over abortion and the right of men and women to choose their moral direction. Obama has promised in bold and belligerent words to make the Freedom of Choice Act his first, most important act as President. Consistent with his lifelong passion for encouraging abortion, even encouraging his daughters to have abortions, Obama’s first act as President will be to drive a permanent wedge between the United States and the Catholic church.

The World's Next Margaret Thatcher?

November 25, 2008

While we in America credit Ronald Reagan with saving modern conservatism and the Western World, it was Margaret Thatcher who preceded Reagan and set the world stage for his entrance, stage right. Thatcher rose to the top of British government in response to decades of expensive, debilitating leftward drift in Europe. The countries of NATO faced a long series of self-inflicted financial crises, the KGB incited their youth toward socialism and Sovietphilia, and taxes were out of control.

Zen to Done: Almost a Week

November 25, 2008

This morning I felt no compulsion to get back in bad after turning off the alarm at 5:00. I must be getting used to the practice. I have been about 90 percent on writing down (Jotting) every commitment that comes into my world. Oddly, the ones I’m most likely to overlook are the most obvious and visible duties. Ignoring the Big Rocks For example, today my boss asked me to kick off a project that I’d been asking to do for some time.

The Government Can't Cover Its Checks

November 25, 2008

The US Government is now on the hook for $7.7 trillion in bailouts and guarantees trying to stave another Great Depression [source]. Mathematically, the government’s scheme cannot work. Bailout Costs in Perspective World War II cost about $2.1 trillion in 1990 dollars, which I calculate to be $3.5 trillion in 2008 (assuming 2.8 percent inflation over the period.). (San Francisco Chronicle puts a $5 trillion tag on WWI, though.) It took 50 years to pay off that debt.

Mercy Killings

November 24, 2008

Let’s hope that this weeks sees Congress and Barack’s team come to their collective senses about bailouts. Government intervention in the private problems afflicting General Motors, Chrysler, and the finance business effective reward poor leadership. Leaving executive compensation off the table completely, the government should foster a healthy climate for business, but no more. General Motors is not too big to fail; it’s too proud to do the right thing.

Thanking Sarah Palin

November 24, 2008

I received this e-mail this morning and thought I’d share it. We wanted to update you on the media reports regarding the Our Country Deserves Better Committee’s “Thank You Sarah Palin” television ad campaign that launches this week. Both CNN and CNN International contacted us for interviews on the subject. The Wall Street Journal ran an online report as did the publication Advertising Age. MSNBC is conducting an interview with our spokesman, Mark Williams, on Monday morning.

Zen to Done: First Weekend Day

November 23, 2008

Since I’m Collecting everything (Habit 1) via Jott and working on Early Rising (not a ZTD habit something I need more of), some apprehension preceded the the weekend’s arrival. (What’s ZTD? Click here to view more details) Challenges of Weekend ZTD First, most of my list items focus on work. That meant I’d have to shift my list management to look for loose ends from the work week that could be tied up from home and on items to do at home and errands.

The Crash Goes On

November 21, 2008

Today’s economic reads as though Dean Koontz decided to write a financial horror novel: * Unemployment claims hit multi-decadal high** Citi [looking at selling itself](https://online.wsj.com/article/SB122722907151946371.html?mod=testMod)** [Deflation Certain](https://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2008/11/20/guest-post-markets-test-us-resolve/)--the ["malign" kind](https://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8b5f0d60-b743-11dd-8e01-0000779fd18c.html)** Stocks plumment 5 percent for second straight day** S&P 500 hits levels last seen when [Princess Di was alive](https://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/gm-ford-worries-drag-futures-lower/)** American [auto industry](https://biz.yahoo.com/ap/081120/congress_autos.html) facing [extinction](https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,455407,00.html) It sound apocalyptic. Financially, it could be. Two stalwarts of the American national economy lived too long on ancient practices: autos and finance.

Zen to Done: Day 1.5

November 21, 2008

In Zen to Done (ZTD), Leo Babauta recommends working on one positive new habit at a time. He further recommends adopting the habits in the order presented in the book and warns that the temptation is to follow the advice of most similar systems and attempt a dozen new habits all at once. Since I have none of the positive habits recommended in ZTD or in David Allen’s “Getting Things Done,” which I’ve been re-implementing for nearly a decade, I decided to follow Babauta’s advice to the letter, with on exception: I use a digital notebook.

Fed Report Hints At Depression--Markets Tank

November 19, 2008

The Federal Reserve Board’s Open Market Committee released the minutes of its October 28-29 meeting, today, in which some members raise the specter of economic depression extending more than 4 consecutive quarters. The report calls the present financial mess the worst in more than half a century, carefully avoiding direct references to the Great Depression. Stocks Tank Wall Street responded with 427 point (5.16 percent) collapse, with Citigroup leading financial stocks to a 10 percent crash.

Simplifying Life

November 19, 2008

After the tumult of the election, 2 years of college, and the financial meltdown, I’ve had it with hectic. At least, I’ve had it with hectic that I don’t control in some way. Searching for ideas (motivation, actually) to simply my life, I came across ZenHabits.net run by Leo Babauta. I highly recommend this site to anyone. Some of the content is a little new age, but it’s digestible. Along the way, I’ve bought his ebook, “Zen to Done.

Particularly Beware This Boy

November 19, 2008

It turns out, according to a Zogby poll to be released in its entirety today, that most Obama voters are woefully, frighteningly, and unforgivably ignorant of the basic facts of government and of Barack Obama himself. Not surprising. Dickens warned us of the dangers of ignorance in “A Christmas Carol": Suddenly, Scrooge noticed something strange about the ghost. Two children-like figures were at the ghost’s feet - a boy and a girl.

Audio blog post, transcription...

November 18, 2008

Audio blog post, transcription unavailable listen Powered by Jott

Union Auto Workers Deserve Some Time Off

November 15, 2008

A federal bailout for the Big Three auto manufacturers will be direct transfer of wealth from the middle class to the upper class. Auto workers are, by Joe Biden’s definition, “wealthy.” Union auto workers more than the average executive manager with an MBA and nearly 3 times the wage of the average teacher with a master’s degree. That’s why the Big 3 are dying, and that’s exactly what the unions deserve.

Bailoutmania Could Bankrupt US Government

November 11, 2008

Once responsible companies are now basing decision critical decisions on government handouts. This is this is an expected, but unplanned for, result of the Paulson’s Panic in September. Says the Wall Street Journal: The rescue efforts are “evolving in ways that I don’t think anyone anticipated,” said Camden Fine, president and CEO of the Independent Community Bankers of America, a trade group. “Things are just hitting them from every single direction, every day, and I don’t think they know whether to spit or go blind.

Communism in America

November 11, 2008

I’ve received some notes and e-mails from friends who say I’m overboard in my rhetoric about Obama’s potential to communize the USA. I respect them, but they’re simply wrong. In Philadelphia, you can be arrested simply for wearing McCain-Palin t-shirts, as proven in this video. And these are Philly’s finest, not Obama’s promised jack-booted thugs. Be vigilant, America. Sleep with one eye open. Remember the words of William Wallace in the movie Braveheart:

James Hansen's Boldest Lie To Date Update

November 11, 2008

Dr. Hansen apparently believes the world is as stupid as, well, as stupid as the world seems to be. All of the October surface station temperature from Russia was corrupted. So what did Hansen do? He simply copied and pasted Russia’s temperatures for September into October and reported that October 2008 was the hottest October on record. Why isn’t James Hansen in prison? The AGW argument has lost so much steam that he’s resorted this level of lying, fraud, and deceit.

A Uniquely American Despotism

November 10, 2008

When I first read Alexis de Tocqueville’s “Democracy in America,” the hair on my neck stood at attention like soldiers on a parade ground before some mighty dignitary. A palpable fear shook my psyche. Its reverberations echo in my heart and soul some 28 years later, the way some scientists claim the Big Bang can still be heard pin-balling around the universe. I allowed myself a few days to digest the reality of last week’s election.

The last thing conservatism needs is marketing

November 10, 2008

From Rich Lowry (editor of National Review) to Norman Ornstein (American Enterprise Institute), conservatives cry out for “message that resonates with young people and minorities.” Hogwash. Barack Obama won the election because, given the choice of two vacuous and banal “messages,” voters went with the more interesting one. Blaming conservatism, Reagan, Christians, and clingers for the 2008 election results betrays a kind of ignorance for which non-profits raise funds to cure.

It's Movie Time for Conservatives

November 9, 2008

Most enduring political truths are exposed and accessible in the 1995 Mel Gibson classic Braveheart: freedom, eros, love of country, sacrifice, loss, anger, vengeance, lust, hatred,betrayal, evil, and everything in between. Conservatives should see moderate Republicans in the character of Robert the Bruce’s leper father. “You admire this man, this William Wallace. Uncompromising men are easy to admire. He has courage; so does a dog. But it is exactly the ability to ‘compromise’ that makes a man noble.

The Rush to Climate Change Laws

November 9, 2008

According to reports, Barack Obama will spend most of the afternoon of January 20, 2009, signing Executive Orders to ban or limit activities that produce CO2. Bankrupting the coal and steel industries apparently can’t wait for legislative action. Why the rush? Why is Obama in such a hurry to put tens of thousands of people out of work? Obama and the left want to get CO2 laws in place so they can claim the laws stopped and reversed global warming.

He Gives a Damn Good Concession Speech

November 5, 2008

Holy crap! That was the best speech McCain ever delivered. It was heartfelt and powerful. It was moving. It was . . . remarkable. And it reminded me of a great reason to celebrate. Let me explain. I was born in 1963 when there were still “Colored” and “White” drinking fountains. Obama’s a few years older. Tonight, despite my best efforts and many others, we have a black President. That’s amazing in a very good way.

Now What? Corrected

November 5, 2008

Sober, I scratch out some ideas for recovery. 1. The conservative movement must forget the Republican party. If the GOP wants to come along with us, they're welcome. But we won't listen to their nonsense about "[big tents](https://hennessysview.com/2008/02/05/why-vote-republican/)" and "get over Reagan." The Republican party was an irresponsible steward of conservatism for the past 20 years. Tonight it got its just deserts. Too bad the rest of us have to endure re-education camps, economic depression, and malaise because of them.

We're All Communists Now *************

November 5, 2008

Ignorance is no defense. Americans, faced with the choice of Marxist-socialism or republican-capitalism, a plurality chose communism. Their moral weakness, combined with viral corruption of character, has created a majority coalition of indecisive morons known as independents, children who want government to make their decisions and butter their bread, and neo-Marxists, like Obama. We fought the Cold War for nothing. Over the next two years, we will see the most complete change in a nation seen since the Bolshevik Revolution nearly 100 years ago in Russia:

Quartermaster, Mark the Time

November 5, 2008

At 8:18 p.m. CST, democracy in America ended. The people have spoken. We are now a socialist country. Good night, comrades. The 2nd American Revolution begins tomorrow. Technorati Tags: America surrenders,socialism

8:00 PM CST: Update: Brit Hume is drunk. Self-government remains on life-support

November 5, 2008

Fox New just called Ohio for Obama, meaning McCain is mathematically eliminated. UPDATE: Looks like Obama has won Florida. Michigan and Minnesota have gone communist, joining Wisconsin. UPDATE: Why is Major Garrett interviewing Adolf Hitler? UPDATE 8:05: Senate Calls (that matter) John Barrasso (R) wins special election in Wyoming; Mike Enzi (R) wins re-election; Republican Pat Robert wins re-election in Kansas; Tim Johnson (D) wins re-election in SD; Dems pick up Pete Dominici’s Senate seat in New Mexico (Dems +4); Jeff Session retains his seat, as does Thad Cochran (both Republicans); the special election for Senate in Mississippi too close to call, but the Republican leads.

7:30 PM CST: Could be the last half-hour of self-government Scroll for Updates Exit polls over-sampled Obama voters by 10 percent in Virginia

November 5, 2008

The chair from which George Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention had, at the head of its back, a carved image of the sun. When the Convention concluded with the Constitution, Madison wrote, Benjamin Franklin said, “I have often looked at that behind the president without being able to tell whether it was rising or setting. But now I… know that it is a rising…sun.” Tonight it is a setting sun.

Moderate Republicans Killing the Party

November 5, 2008

It should be clear by now, but I figured I’d point it out: Idiots like the editors of National Review, Christopher Buckley, and Peggy Noonan need to retire. Republican moderates, including McCain, are getting their rear-ends kicked, and they’re taking self-government with them. The only way to defeat leftism is with hard core conservatism. The debate is over. Technorati Tags: election results,moderate republicans

7:00 PM CST: Could be the last hour of self-government

November 5, 2008

In the next hour, Obama could win Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Georgia, Missouri, and/or other states. Any combination of Florida or Pennsylvania, and one of the others will end McCain’s chances of winning. What’s the appropriate song to sing when democracy dies? Sam played, “As time goes by” as the Germans marched into Paris. Maybe that’s the song. The Germans, by the way, wore gray. Will Obama wear blue? UPDATE 7:06: MSNBC calls Pennsylvania for Obama, but the link is to Hotair because I won’t link to the commie bastards at MSNBC.

Breaking News: Philadelphia Set Voting Record

November 5, 2008

Philadelphia, PA– Philadelphia today saw the most votes cast in the city’s history as measured by percentage and raw numbers. Oddly enough, only about 4,000 people actually showed up at polling places to cast votes. “It was remarkably efficient,” said Philly Mayor Nutter (D). “We managed to break voting records without forcing people to leave work early or find the polling places. This is a model for the country.” For the numbers, 127 percent of the eligible voters were represented in the final number, and nearly 1,800,000 votes cast.

Drudge Headlines Paint Dreary Picture

November 4, 2008

Drudge has posted two headline: Obama + 15 in Pennsylvania (where Black Panthers and election judges made sure no Republicans could actually vote), and SENATE: DEMS SEE 58 SEATS; EXIT POLLS SHOW OBAMA BIG I wouldn’t make too much of it, though. Urban area tend to dump more data at the mid-day collection than suburban and rural areas do. Remember that in 2004, the media all but called Ohio for Kerry at 3:00 in the afternoon based on exit poll results.

Thank God for Biden

November 4, 2008

My mother told me to always find the good in a bad situation. If Obama wins, we’ll have 4 years of knee-slapping, chin-rattling, crisis-causing gaffes from the silliest candidate for high office since . . . Quayle? In today’s episode, Joe explains than Nancy-girls could kick Nancy-boys' asses. Or something like that. Well, no, his sister’s a “girl-boy” and girl-boys are tougher than girl . . . Screw it. I have no idea what he was trying to say, but I’d defend with my laugh his right to say it!

Eternal Rest Grant Unto Her, Oh Lord

November 4, 2008

And let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. To Obama and his family, my condolences. This is personal; it isn’t business. Technorati Tags: Madelyn Dunham,Obama grandmother,condolences

Lowering Expectations

November 4, 2008

Nothing like lowering expectations of yourself, is there? Team Obama is busily preparing to dash his supporters' hope for change should he win the presidential election on Tuesday. Even in the final days before the election, the pressure to deliver on his lofty promises has Obama attempting to dampen expectations on the campaign trail: Jenn Q. Public I will follow Obama’s lead and lower expectations to this: his administration would go down as a disaster.

Reconsidering Mike Huckabee

November 3, 2008

[caption id="" align=“left” width=“232” caption=“The Huckster, God Love Him”][/caption] During the Republican primaries, I went after Mike Huckabee rather harshly. I disagreed with many of his political positions, and I had not seen him perform live. I still disagree with his views on economics and the war in Iraq. But I’ve also come under the magic spell he casts on live audiences. (If you haven’t witnessed his performance, do it soon.

Would You Bet Your Freedom?

November 3, 2008

In almost every toss-up, battleground state in the country, there remainsa mass of undecided voters who must decide whether socialism or freedom will prevail. They must make this decision by 7:00 p.m. Tuesday. They better not take it lightly. If Barack Obama wins, America will no longer be a free country when anyone can grow up to be President or CEO of a company. We know this by Obama’s writings and words and those of his Congressional allies.

Teaching Kindergartners To Be Gay: Obama's Dream

November 3, 2008

The first fruits of Obama’s pre-school sex education dictates have reached harvest season in California. A school district is under fire from parents whose 4- and 5-year olds were forced, without parental consent, to sign Gay Pledge Cards.

Media Have Become The Monsters The Right Always Accused Them of Being

November 3, 2008

If you tell a child he’s “bad” for long enough, there’s a good chance he’ll turn out badly. If you tell the country loudly enough that we’re on brink of the worst financial meltdown since The Great Depression, consumer and investor behavior might just bring it on. After 30 years of us conservatives calling the major media a bunch leftists Marxists seeking to overthrow capitalism through selective burying and publishing of news, we might have expected one day to be right.

Obama’s Million-Man Social Spy Network

November 2, 2008

Among the many Marxist police state features in Obama’s extra-Constitutional America is the Civilian Security Force. (Hat tip Gateway Pundit) I’m not kidding. According to Obama himself this force will be armed and funded as heavily as the US Armed Forces. Unlike the Navy, Army, Air Force, and Marines, this force will aim its destructive power on political dissidents. “We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we’ve set,” Dear Leader said Wednesday.

Obama’s Slippery Rich Slope

November 1, 2008

At the current rate of decline in Barack Obama’s definition of “the rich," by June 2009, anyone earning more than $20,136 a year will get a tax increase. Since July 2008, Obama’s definition of rich has been declining at rate of 20 percent per month. Simple extrapolation shows that even minimum wage earners will face a tax increase by the time any legislation can be enacted in June 2009.

America's Future In Good Hands

November 1, 2008

This video from ONN proves the young men who will lead America’s future are stacked with altruism. https://www.theonion.com/content/themes/common/assets/videoplayer/flvplayer.swf 12-Year-Old Boy Scouts Volunteer To Give Women Breast Exams

Champions of Freedom

November 1, 2008

After a week of steady gains in polling, McCain is now 1 point ahead of Obama according to Zogby. Some call the Friday poll an anomaly, but there’s reason to believe it’s not. Joe the Plumber and Tito the Builder resonate with an increasing number of voters. These are ordinary Americans who work hard to make a better life for their families. Obama and the leftist press attacked them viciously for deigning to challenge the American Lenin’s right to ascendancy.

Arctic Sea Ice Today May Be Higher than 1980

October 31, 2008

The image below from from University of Illinois shows that Arctic Sea ice nearly matches 1980 levels in area, and far exceeds 1980 in concentration. Remember the AGW crowd’s hysteria from this time last year until about June of this year? Scientists predicted that the Arctic would be ice-free? First, this shows nature’s ability to heal itself far exceeds man’s ability to heal it. Second, it shows that the AGW crowd are liars.

Marxist Rebel Leader Calls for General Strike

October 29, 2008

Marxist rebel leader Barack Obama has called a general strike among the proletariat on November 4–election day. (From Fox News) Obama has been encouraging voters to go to the polls for early voting. The Democratic nominee . . . released a new 30-second spot on his Web site urging voters to “talk to your boss” or professor and then take the day off from work or school to volunteer for his campaign on Election Day.

The Counter-culture and Redistributive Justice

October 28, 2008

In small coffee houses and basement bars where only academic elite may drink, the left bastardized the moral principle of “distributive justice.” They called it “redistributive justice.” Some, mostly leftists attempting to hide their private little plan for socialism, pretend that Obama’s heavy use of the term was coined by Barack in 2001 when he was searching for a word. It wasn’t. Browsing the left’s web sites, you’ll find academic papers on the subject.

A Liberal Feminist Defends and Promotes Sarah Palin

October 28, 2008

There are two reasons to read this column, every inch, every delicious letter, comma, period, semi-colon, and sidebar. First– Elaine Lafferty former editor-in-chief of Ms. magazine, has spend a lot of time around Sarah Palin and found her remarkable. Palin smart and has great . . . instincts. Second– Read the first comment by an idiot woman named mariah. Mariah was frightened by Palin’s “McCarthy”-like warning that, if Obama is elected, Mariah’s property will be in jeopdy.

Obama Plans to Register Jews

October 28, 2008

Cleveland, OH – Citing concern for their safety in anincreasingly anti-Semitic USA, Democrat presidential candidate Barack Obama today announced a plan to provide Jews with additional protection. The plan, called “HOPE . . . We’ll Protect You,” requires urges Jews to register with their local Social Security Administration office. After filling out a short form, SSA will photograph the citizen and implant a small microchip on the Jew’s left arm. The chip, about the size of a pencil lead, will allow authorities to quickly identify Jews killed or injured should anti-Semitic violence increase.

Obama Admits He'd Replace the US Constitution

October 28, 2008

In an NPR interview in 2001, Barack Obama admitted that he despises the US Constitution because it limits government. He stated that the Warren Court did not go far enough in redistributing wealth. In essence, the tape confirmed conservatives' worst suspicions of Obama’s motives. Last night, I blogged on light side, asking those who support Obama whether or not they’re ready to change the US form of government. I tried to make the case that Barack Obama’s long associations with admitted communists and terrorists, combined with expected Democrat control of both houses of Congress, placed at risk the idea of self-government, limited in its powers by a Constitution written by the People and enumerating those particular powers that we cede to the government.

A Call for a Rosary Novena

October 27, 2008

Among the most important titles we have in the Catholic Church for the Blessed Virgin Mary are Our Lady of Victory and Our Lady of the Rosary. These titles can be traced back to one of the most decisive times in the history of the world and Christendom. The Battle of Lepanto took place on October 7 (date of feast of Our Lady of Rosary), 1571. This proved to be the most crucial battle for the Christian forces against the radical Muslim navy of Turkey.

The Message

October 27, 2008

With a little more than a week before a presidential election that could change America’s form of government, let’s look at the election as Reagan might. I understand that many Americans are upset with the current conditions in the country. You believe that George Bush mishandled the war in Iraq, at least for a couple of years. While you’re willing to concede that the news media intentionally misled you about American successes in Iraq, you saw enough to conclude that the Administration made some mistakes–and those mistakes cost lives.

Another Liberal Liar

October 27, 2008

Black Five has the story of cowardly, pussy, scum who’s pretending to be a military hero. I know his kind of talk is frowned upon, but Charlie W. Williams should be taken out and shot. The best we can hope for in our wimpy society is for a Marine to beat the living hell out of him. The fact that he’s an old man makes no difference: you pretend to be a war hero for political purposes, you get whatever comes to you.

US Attacks Syria--About F'ing Time

October 27, 2008

The US launched an attack against terrorists inside Syria, killing at least eight deserving sons of bitches. Ninety percent of foreign fighters enter Iraq through Syria, according to U.S. intelligence estimates. Foreign fighters often enter Iraq in order to bring cash to Al Qaeda in Iraq’s chief. They also are deadly – trained in bomb-making and willing to sacrifice themselves in suicide attacks. Syria has permitted terrorists to stage attacks against American in Iraq for five years.

Obama Camp Can't Take The Heat

October 27, 2008

Barack Obama’s campaign blacklisted WFTV, a Florida television station, because its anchoress, Barbara West, refused to ask Joe Biden the questions prepared and approved by the Obama campaign. Barabara West asked Biden hard hitting questions–almost as hard-hitting as questions routinely fired at GOP Vice President candidate Sarah Palin. At one point, Biden said, “I don’t know who’s writing your questions,” showing his surprised that West was making up questions rather than reading the ones written for her by the Obama campaign.

I Can't Blog

October 25, 2008

I don’t have the heart. It’s too depressing. The news is that Obama will win in a landslide because Americans have given up on themselves. They want Obama to: * Outlaw personal retirement savings, [seize all 401k assets](https://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/10/it-has-begun-dem-leaders-call-for-25.html), and create new, bigger version of Social Security** Reduce the military by [at least 25 percent](https://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/10/it-has-begun-dem-leaders-call-for-25.html), surrendering Afghanistan and Iraq while leaving Eastern Europe and Israel to fend for themselves** Raise taxes on everyone who's not them** Pass draconian Global Warming laws because the people are too stupid to figure out that man-made global warming is a lie The list goes on.

Obama's Depression

October 21, 2008

Say you work for a good-size, privately held company called X-Dyne Inc. X-Dyne has revenues of $2 billion a year and employs 4,000 people. Last year, X-Dyne’s EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) was $20,000. After taxes, the company made $11.1 million in profits. The company used those profits to fund this year’s growth investments: hiring new employees, advertising and sales, research and development. Because the company’s strategy is to fund all growth with internal profits, it keeps a healthy bank account to continue operations should a large client leave the firm or should the economy turn down.

Homes for the Rest of Us

October 14, 2008

Homes for the Rest of Us is my response to the mess that is the finance industry. The Harvard MBAs screwed up the whole finance thing. So how are people supposed to get houses? We’ll just have to take care of ourselves. And each other. I don’t know exactly how this will work, but I am pretty damn sure we can make it happen. There’s this great program called Kiva.org that allows people to make micro-loans to entrepreneurs, mostly in emerging or plain dysfunctional economies.

Obama Proves Affirmative Action a Mistake

October 14, 2008

It’s time to knock off the niceties about Barack Obama and race. Barack Obama has a college education, political office, and a name because he black and from a broken home. He happened to hit college age when it was still vogue to promote minorities through the education system, including Harvard Law, regardless of their abilities. As a result of the misguided, dangerous attempts by guilt-ridden liberals to right a wrong they did not commit, America is on the brink of electing a mentally deficient Marxist president.

Christopher Buckley Wimps Out

October 11, 2008

You’d think his genes would have better prepared Christopher Buckley for hard times. On Friday, the son of conservative icon William F. Buckley, endorsed Barack Obama for president. Why? I’m not sure, really, and judging by Buckley’s rambling, unfunny endorsement in The Daily Beast, neither is he. Buckley doesn’t care for Sarah Palin, that’s for sure. He seems vaguely anti-religious, which would gravely wound his parents' hearts–but they probably knew already.

The Economic Abyss: More like '29 than '82

October 11, 2008

Yesterday I participated in a roundtable discussion on the economy and how we can help our customers through the rough times ahead. At the outset, I cautioned participants against the tendency to look toward recent economic slowdowns for guidance: “this isn’t like 1991 or 2001,” I told them. “You’ll have to go back to 1979-83 or 1929-42 to find a parallel.” My fellows flashed looks at me, then at each other.

Hot Stock Tip: Hormel

October 10, 2008

St. Louis–One company expected to surge amidst the economic chaos about to plague the planet: Hormel Foods, makers of the famous poverty meat, Spam. “I like Hormel,” Wachovia food analyst Walter Crimsin told Hennessy’s View. “Families that are lucky enough to avoid the soup kitchens will be looking for value in their animal protein purchases. Spam has been a staple poverty food since before the last Depression, and I think it’ll outperform the market in this one.

Governments Grasping at Straws

October 10, 2008

The world’s financial systems are succumbing to fear and negative in exponentially increasing spasms that threaten shatter to more than 200 years of economic development. Major US corporations are now on the precipice of surrender with GM’s price plummeting and GE quietly informing SEC that it fears it will not be able to obtain cash needed to maintain operations. The Dow Industrial Average fell more than 600 points today and has lost almost half of its value since its all-time high.

Debate: The Dive Continues

October 8, 2008

After showing signs of life following Sarah Palin’s top-shelf performance against Joe Biden on Friday, McCain reminded me of an addict who fell off the wagon. He’s addicted to boredom. It was like previous horrendous performances by Republican Senior Guardsmen: Bob Dole in 1996, George H. W. Bush in 1992. Did McCain look at his watch? I’m sorry, folks, but this guy does not want to be president. I have no doubt that he did.

The End of the American Experiment?

October 7, 2008

Consider this: The next president will be a Marxist riding into Washington just as the US economy collapses into a depression reminiscent of Weimar Germany. What will his policies be? What police-state powers will the frightened, hungry, weak American people grant? While I reserve some degree of skepticism, I am increasingly convinced there is more than coincidence behind the eery consistency between current economic problems and those predicted by Peter d.

Obama's $26 Million Fannie Mae Be-atch

October 5, 2008

Her name is Jamie Gorelick. She was the principal architect of Al Qaeda’s ability to plan and execute the 9-11 attacks under US intel’s radar. She took $26 Million in six years from Fannie Mae by ordering accountants and internal auditors to falsify records and forge documents so ensure that she, Jim Johnson, Franklin Raines, and other Democrat executives at Fannie received maximum bonuses. FoxNews.com: Lehman Brothers collapse is traced back to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two big mortgage banks that got a federal bailout a few weeks ago.

Why Aren't These Democrats In Prison?

October 4, 2008

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exxVZTKq1vA&hl;=en&fs;=1] Barney Frank (D-MA) Chris Dodd (D-CT) Maxine Waters (D-CA) Lacy Clay (D-MO) Gregory Meeks (D-GA) Charles Rangel (D-NY) These Democrats were the most vicious in attacking Republicans who tried to stop the abuses at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2003-2006. These criminal Congressmen accused anyone of challenging the soundness and safety of Fannie and Freddie of racism. “The political lynching of Franklin Raines,” was was Lacy Clay of Missouri called an auditor’s report on Fannie Mae.

Is the GOP Taking a Dive?

October 4, 2008

Somewhere between The Republican National Convention and the first debate on September 26, John McCain left the race. It’s as if the McCain campaign remains on suspension pending resolution of the economic crisis. Why? It’s possible, of course, that McCain is simply inept at closing the deal. As every baseball fan knows, closers don’t grow on trees. Many fine pitchers flounder in the ninth inning with a narrow lead. They’re not all Bob Gibson.

1974 Ford Maverick Sighting

October 3, 2008

Today’s my dad’s 84th birthday. I went to see him and my mom after work. My sisters Mickey and Tee showed up, and Tee’s husband Gary. We drank some Budweisers and laughed. I headed home about 7:30. As I turned left off of Germania onto Gravois, an orange (not original color) 1974 Ford Maverick made a right off Hampton right in front of me. It took a second for my mind to make the connection.

Read The Dems Race Card Attacks on Fannie Mae Regulators

October 2, 2008

In 2004, John McCain cosponsored legislation to clean up the criminal fraud of Obama advisorFranklin Raines’s Fannie Mae. The WSJ has a round up of key Democrats defending Raines’s fraud, calling the regulators and auditors liars, and telling McCain to stuff his reforms where sun shineth not. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGT_cSi7Rs&hl;=en&fs;=1] Rep. Barney Frank (D., Mass.): I worry, frankly, that there’s a tension here. The more people, in my judgment, exaggerate a threat of safety and soundness, the more people conjure up the possibility of serious financial losses to the Treasury, which I do not see.

Senate Passes Economic Rescue Plan--Reward Points Galore!

October 2, 2008

Washington, DC–As economists and taxpayers began to dissect the Economic Rescue bill passed by the U. S. Senate tonight, many experts were surprised to learn that tax payers are in line for trillions of reward points. Reward points are a popular perk used by banks, hotels, airlines, and retailers to encourage consumers to use their services and credit cards. What legislators failed to realize when authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to assume billions of dollars of bad debt was that the reward points associated with those loans transfer to the U.

Write Your Senator. NOW!

October 1, 2008

The Senate will vote onSocialism for Billionaires II tomorrow night at 9:00 p.m. Eastern. TELL YOUR SENATOR TO VOTE NO! One-third of the Senate is up for re-election this year. Make sure they all know that a vote for the bailout is a vote for unemployment. I’ve written Senators Bond and McCaskill. You need to let yours know that you like 485-point Dow advances, and you don’t want Congress screwing up our bull market.

Update on St. Louis Area Prosecutors for Obama

October 1, 2008

I received a comment to my post on St. Louis area prosecutors targeting anti-Obama speech. I’ll post, here, the comment and my reponse. I hope the commenter, Bill, is on the up-and-up. I’m an old high school friend of (St. Louis Circuit Attorney) Jennifer Joyce. Watching that initial KMOV report was like a punch in the gut. I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I talked to her on the phone today to try and get her side of the story.

It's Late and I'm Bored

October 1, 2008

so this will be my only post–a series of thoughts on the day. Financial Armageddon In case you were too busy with your normal life and missed it, the financial armageddon promised/threatened by President Bush, Nancy Pelosi, Hank Paulson, and every other power freak on the planet failed to materialize. The Dow ended up 485 points, erasing well over half of yesterday’s losses. Before Congress does something stupid, let’s just see what happens if we, the people, are left to our own devices–the way the founders planned it and the way it worked for 150 years before do-gooder morons fucked everything up.

Grand Jury Subpoenas Frannie, Freddie

September 30, 2008

In the turmoil over the Socialist Reverse-Redistribution Act of 2008, you might have missed the news that a federal grand jury has subpoenaed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The subpoena seeks documents relating to accounting, disclosure and corporate governance matters dating back to January 2007, Freddie Mac said in a statement. They should go back to 2000.

Government Never Solved a Democrat Mess

September 30, 2008

As the Wall Street crowd howls, Americans should thank the 228 Republicans and Democrats who voted against the most socialist piece of legislation offered since Hillary Clinton’s failed attempt to nationalize medicine. Make the Banks Fix It I am familiar with several financial services companies. These outfits are demanding price concessions to help them get through the current mess. “Hey, we fucked up the economy–why don’t you guys fix it for us?

Obama's Midwest SS

September 30, 2008

I wrote three versions of this story over the weekend. I didn’t publish any of them because I didn’t want police harassment and political persecution by St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert P. McCulloch. I am embarrassed to admit this, but it demonstrates how dangerous the Democrat party is to American freedom. After months of abuse, harassment, and threatened prosecution of anyone effectively opposing Barack Obama by a cadre of thugs under the control of Barack Obama’s campaign, St.

John McCain Was Right About Bailout Vote

September 29, 2008

Barry “Himmler” Obama mocked John McCain for claiming that the administration’s $700 billion bailout plan lacked the votes to pass. At the White House meeting last Thursday, Obama was insulting and abusive to everyone in the room. The man who didn’t know that the inauguration is in January and not November appeared not to know that he wasn’t President. Turns out McCain was right. Even after making progress in Washington last week and over the weekend, the bailout package still lacked a majority in the House.

McCain Honorable; Obama Not

September 25, 2008

John McCain took an enormous risk today by suspending his campaign for President in order to do his job as a Senator, party leader, and statesman. He returned to Washington to help prevent an economic depression brought about by Obama’s financial advisors, among others. Barack Obama ratcheted up the heat on McCain and Bush, blaming them for what his friends have done to America. McCain is noble and honorable; Obama is a putz.

Thief Jim Johnson Still Obama's Economic Advisor

September 25, 2008

On the night that the President of the United States described America’s current economic condition in terms reminiscent of the Great Depression comes word from Ben Smith at Politico that one of the chief architects of the next depression, Countrywide and Fannie Mae thief James Johnson, is advising Barack Obama on how to proceed on this crisis. Smith quotes former Senator Tom Daschle: Jim Johnson and I have scheduled another informal breakfast discussion and update on the campaign early next month.

Countdown to Post-Linehan Era

September 22, 2008

Last week, Rams owner Chip Rosenbloom all but promised Rams fans that head coach Scott Linehan would be fire along with others responsible for assembling and running the worst football in the NFL. You might think that Linehan and the Rams would have opened a can of backs-against-the-wall whoopass on the 0-2 Seahawks today. They didn’t. Apparently, they fumbled the whoopass can in the locker room before the game, drenching themselves with the toxic substance.

Hubris

September 21, 2008

From the Mercury News: Barack Obama made the calamity on Wall Street the central theme of his case against John McCain on Saturday, invoking the crisis to pound his rival on Social Security, health care and government reform. Let me get this straight: The highest-paid Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac politician on the planet wants to blame the financial crisis on the only politician whom Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were unable to bribe!

Why Vote Republican

September 21, 2008

I’ll be 45 years old in a few days. With my wife asleep on the couch and the kids scattered around town and home doing their own things, I wandered out onto the deck an hour ago to take a quick inventory of my life. It’s easy, as one gets older, to feel sorry for himself. Well, maybe it’s not feeling sorry for oneself as much as regretting some of the decisions we’ve made.

I Guess I'm a Racist

September 20, 2008

Time magazine’s Karen Tumulty says that criticizing Franklin Raines–the heart and soul of our current economic near-meltdown–is racism because . . . Raines is black. Therefore, criticizing any black is racism. I’ve criticized and accused Franklin Raines brutally in the past two weeks, so I must be a regular David Dukes. Perhaps Karen Tumulty needs to change her meds. Readers may not believe this, but I didn’t realize Raines was black until after I’d posted the second of my blog posts linking to Obama to Raines and Johnson and others responsible for the housing bubble and meltdown.

Brilliant!

September 16, 2008

Just read it. You can thank me later.

Franklin Raines' Criminal Enterprise and Barack Obama, His Accomplice UPDATE Top Recipients By $/Yr in Congress

September 16, 2008

TOP OF PAGE UPDATE This is an eye-opener. I’ve simply added Years in Congress and divided total Fraudie Mae and Fraudie Mac donations by that number to rank the top 15 recipients by $ per Year. Obama is winner by a ton: Download Spreadsheet FannieMaeEarningsByYearsInCongress As an executive at Fannie Mae, Franklin Raines illegally coerced his employees to falsify accounting facts so he’d get a maximum bonus. The government-backed firm used Enron-like fraud, in part at Raines’s orders, to create the largest bail-out in US history.

The Worst Football Team Ever

September 14, 2008

The title probably belongs to the 2008 St. Louis Rams. For the second week in a row, a team without serious injuries humiliated itself, its city, and the players' families on national television. Defense, offense, and special teams were sickeningly lackadaisical and inept. It was like watching squirrels do trigonometry. If I owned this team, the entire coaching staff would be fired tonight. Technorati Tags: St. Louis Rams,football

African-American Writers Sounding Resigned to Obama's Defeat

September 14, 2008

The African-American press has decided to help Obama by threatening all-out race war in America if McCain wins. In other words, vote for Obama or die. Last week, Fatimah Ali, a radical black writer, wrote in the Philadelphia News that if McCain wins, there will be a full-scale race war. If McCain wins, look for a full-fledged race and class war, fueled by a deflated and depressed country, soaring crime, homelessness - and hopelessness!

Obama Can Do Nothing Right *UPDATE: WaPo**ABC News

September 13, 2008

Except offend damn near everyone. [caption id=“attachment_8922” align=“alignnone” width=“300” caption=““So, did you hear the one about the disabled Vietnam veteran who couldn’t even tie his shoes?""] [/caption] Yesterday, the Obama Campaign released a mean-spirited attack ad poking fun at John McCain’s physical disabilities suffered in combat and as a POW in Vietnam. The injuries left McCain unable to type on a keyboard or use computer. ButDemocrats like to make fun of handicapped American veterans, so they jumped all over McCain’s limitations with this ad:

Second Grade Sex Club

September 13, 2008

See, Obama’s sex education for Kindergartners works.

Ignorant Professor Wendy Doniger

September 12, 2008

The Washington Post wasted ink and tree on the ignorant scribblings of tortured and angry woman named Wendy Doniger. Doniger is an infanticidal maniac–one of those NAGs who believes that every possible abortion should happen. (H/T Allahpundit) I emailed her this reaction directly. I hope she prints it off and chokes on it. Technorati Tags: abortion,Sarah Palin Dear Prof. Doniger: You committed an egregious moral error in the last paragraph of your inhumane and profane attack on Sarah Palin.

Charlie Gibson Is A Weak, Weak Man

September 12, 2008

Technorati Tags: Charlie Gibson,Sarah Palin Charlie Gibson extracted an insubordinate clause from a sentence spoken by Sarah Palin with the intent of accusing her of knowing God’s mind. Gibson did this intentionally, lied intentionally, misled intentionally. His a fraud, a cheat, and a liar. Palin said this: Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.

Is Michael Savage On To Something?

September 11, 2008

I’m not a Michael Savage fan. The few times I’ve listened to his radio show, I found myself screaming at the radio, hoping he’d here me trying to educate him. My angry shaking precluded dialing the cell phone–it was all I could do to keep the car on the road. Tonight I turned on my shower radio while flossing my teeth for the first time in a week to hear Savage stumble into interesting ground.

Why They're Called "Libtards"

September 10, 2008

The past 24 hours will serve as the most embarrassing, self-destructive period in liberalism. These people (liberals) are not only stupid enough to keep Sarah Palin’s name in the headlines, they’re stupid enough to piss off 3/4 of the people in the country while doing it. Ayles and Rollins couldn’t have scripted Democrat self-immolation any better. 1. Biden says Hillary might have been a better choice for Veep. 2. Carol Fowler, whose husband prayed that Gustav would destroy New Orleans, makes fun of Sarah Palin for NOT killing her babies.

Note On Comments

September 10, 2008

I just checked my spam filter and found more than a dozen comments that were not spam. I have released them all. I apologize to anyone who posted a comment that did not appear in a timely fashion. I’ll try to be more diligent about checking the filter.

Facing Defeat, Obama Resorts to Name Calling UPDATE

September 10, 2008

Obama called Sarah Palin “a pig” today. I guess we know, now, how he responds to pressure. Reasonable people’s opinions of the messiah were already on the down slope, but his resorting to name-calling should pretty much assure his defeat. He took the time to disguise the insult: “You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig,” the Democrat said, referring to Palin’s famous ad lib that the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull is the lipstick.

Book on Palin: $75 Best Price

September 9, 2008

This short-run biography of Sarah Palin written and published before her VP candidacy began is now selling for $75, best price, on Amazon. Hottest book in town. Technorati Tags: Sarah Palin

Obama The Property of Freddie/Fannie Crooks

September 9, 2008

Surprise, surprise. It turns out that the criminals who used Freddie Mac and Frannie Mae as a slush fund for influence purchasing and pocket-lining own Barack Obama, part and parcel. According to the Wall Street Journal: Sen. Obama has received $105,849 from donors tied to the companies since he ran for the senate four years ago, making him the **third-largest recipient in Congress **among the top 25 listed in a recent report by the Center for Responsive Politics, which examined contributions dating to 1989.

Battleground States: My Predictions vs. Polls

September 9, 2008

Saturday I posted this prediction on Palin’s effect on the polls in nine battleground polls. A Rasmussen poll released tonight concentrates on five of those states, so let’s see how my predictions are tracking. As of Saturday, all of these states were too close to call with neither candidate holding a meaningful advantage: Analysis Colorado: I expected the outdoors types (Rough Riders) to flock to Palin, but apparently Colorado is still under the spell of the DNC convention.

Operation Chaos II: Biden Off The Ticket UPDATE: I Told You So!

September 8, 2008

Scroll for updates Ever since Sarah Palin’s meteoric rise into political stardom, political junkies left and right have speculated that Team Obama could dump Joe Biden (due to some unfortunate family issue like Joe’s emerging pro-life stance) and replace him with Hillary Clinton. Think of it as second life for Rush Limbaugh’s Operation Chaos which extended the Democrat Nomination fight right up to mid-June. Let’s explore what that scenario might do to the race.

Biden: "Life Begins At Conception"

September 8, 2008

Senator and VP candidate Joe Biden today broke from the DNC and from Barack Obama declaring his belief that life begins at conception, according to the New York Times. Biden must have a very difficult time reconciling that belief with his public support of abortion rights. If he truly believes that life begins at conception, supporting abortion under and circumstances is tantamount to advocating murder. Biden admits that he cannot fully reconcile the two opposing views:

Holy Hockey Mom: McCain Double-Digits with Likely Voters

September 8, 2008

Tomorrow’s USAToday (online now) carries the latest Gallup Poll of Likely Voters. McCain-Palin opened a 10-point lead over Obama-Biden in the first poll conducted completely following the GOP convention. In the new poll, taken Friday through Sunday, McCain leads Obama by 54%-44% among those seen as most likely to vote. The survey of 1,022 adults, including 959 registered voters, has a margin of error of +/— 3 points for both samples.

Brit Hume Undresses Juan Williams

September 7, 2008

If you missed FoxNews’s Sunday new program, you missed a beautiful undressing of a liberal lie. Juan Williams, defending Barack Obama, said that Americans were sick and tired of the wealthy not paying their fair share of taxes. Juan was flat out angry. Brit Hume elegantly and calmly informed him, “Juan, the top 1 percent of income earners are paying a higher percentage of the total federal revenues than ever before.

Who Is Charley James?

September 7, 2008

This degenerate America-hater who goes by the name Charley James claims to live in Toronto, and claims to have friends in Alaska. He has earned his 15 minutes of fame by giving himself a Peyote enema and making up a ridiculous story about Sarah Palin complete with a fictitious waitress named “Lucille,” a name he probably pulled from Hunter S. Thompson’s “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.” (I don’t have the book in front of me, but I believe that Lucille was the name of the maid that Duke’s attorney attacked in the hotel room when the attorney mistook the maid’s mop for an axe handle.

Rams Worst Game Ever

September 7, 2008

Today the St. Louis Rams played the worst game in the history of the oft-horrible history, losing 38-3 to a mediocre Philadelphia Eagles team. Watching the game on a big, HD television made the spectacle ever more frightening. The incompetence, laziness, lack of preparedness, inept game planning and powder-puff tackling seemed to delight head coach Scott Linehan, who believes winning is over-rated. Linehan’s remarkable leadership and motivation worked magic on new offensive coordinator Al Saunders.

McCain Lead Outside Margin of Error

September 7, 2008

Two polls–Zogby and Gallup–now have John McCain and Sarah Palin leading Barack Obama and Joe Biden by 4 and 3 percentage points, respectively. Both leads are beyond the margins of error. Clearly, the voters like what they see in McCain and, especially, Palin. These results also validate the idea that Democrat lies and smears aimed at Palin are actually helping the GOP ticket. As a result of these numbers, Barack Obama has abandoned the traditional, academic definition of recession, and breaking another promise to his far left supporters: he will extend the Bush tax cuts in order to help the economy.

Obama: I Would Have Served, if . . . UPDATE

September 7, 2008

The messiah today told ABC News that he considered joining the military, only there weren’t any big wars going on at the time. But keep in mind — I graduated in 1979. The Vietnam War had come to an end. We weren’t engaged in an active military conflict at that point. And so, it’s not an option that I ever decided to pursue. I guess we’re all stupid enough to believe that had Vietnam dragged on a bit longer, Obama would have marched his scrawny ass down to the nearest Marine Corps recruiter and signed up for infantry.

The Post-Palin Electoral College Map

September 6, 2008

Sarah Palin will push 9 toss-up states into McCain’s camp (from left to right): * Nevada * Colorado * New Mexico * [Michigan](https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13198.html) * New Hampshire * Indiana * Ohio * Virginia * [Florida](https://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReportEmail.aspx?g=e3a24829-6f3f-4928-b30f-cb21804091f0) This will give McCain the Electoral College victory in November, 300 to 238. The Palin-Effect works two different ways: Rough Rider Admiration and Strong Woman Identification. This estimate and projection is based on analysis of detailed polling data from Gallup and Reuters.

THE Campaign Poster

September 5, 2008

h/t Gateway Pundit

The Starkest of Contrasts

September 5, 2008

We’ve all heard John McCain’s horrible experience in Vietnam. I’ve never before heard him tell it. What strikes me is the enormous contrast between him and Barack Obama. John McCain has lived a noble, heroic, remarkable life. Barack Obama’s read about such things. John McCain left it all on the battle field, then in a POW camp, then in hospitals where he gave his all for his country. Barack Obama took everything he could get his hands on: money from a convicted slum-lord felon, street cred from bigotted America-hating minister, political favor from a convicted anti-American terrorist.

Sell!

September 4, 2008

How True

September 4, 2008

Jay Nordlinger writes on NRO: And, believe it or not, this advice might be worth something: I caution liberals, both in politics and in the media (same diff, right?), not to let Palin drive them nuts. A lot of conservatives — a lot of us conservatives, I might say — were driven nuts by Clinton. We were driven nuts by his enduring popularity in the face of tremendous misdeeds.

Feminism Now Republican Domain?

September 4, 2008

Some say yes. Hat Tip Michelle Malkin.

Harry Reid: Sexist

September 4, 2008

Ponder this: The Republicans may win this election because we believe a woman can have both a career and a family, and the Democrats believe she cannot. Never would have dreamed it possible. Harry Reid’s office sent a press release describing Sarah Palin’s speech as “shrill” in response to Palin’s shot at Reid’s declaration of surrender. What a wuss. The liberal women on CNN are PISSED at Reid. They take it as a shot at women.

Palin Power Updates Galore

September 4, 2008

Sarah Palin’s Vice Presidential acceptance speech was a grand slam, walk-off homerun to the opposite field that knocked a beer out of Obama’s hand after the concession stand closed. She was smooth, easy, natural, funny, smart, real, genuine, organic, and brilliant. My favorite line: " . . . after the fake, styrofoam Greek columns have been hauled back to the lot in Hollywood . . ." Chris Wallace, “A star is born.

Live Blogging the Palin Speech

September 4, 2008

Live blog of the most anticipated convention speech in our lifetimes. https://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altcaster/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=5af59d4052/height=550/width=470 Anderson Cooper, CNN: “The excitement here is palpable.” Shep Smith, Fox: “I have never been so excited about speech in my life. I can’t wait.” Chris Wallace, Fox: “Oh, this is big, I’m excited, and that doesn’t happen at conventions very often.” I feel like I did at 4:30 p.m. on Super Bowl Sunday in 2000: one hour before the Rammies kicked off against the Titans.

Sally Quinn: Marbled, Aged, Putrid Meat

September 4, 2008

The elitist, socialite, degenerate, bowel-licker Sally Quinn says that Sarah Palin is not only unfit for public office, but an unfit mother. Now she’s trying to convince Bill O’Reilly that she’s Palin’s equal in the handling of rifle. She just can’t make up her mind. Quinn, who said a woman with 5 children has no business holding an important job, is, herself, a working mother. Perhaps Quinn is a slacker, though.

This is just a test...

September 3, 2008

This is just a test to see how well the voice recognition works in jott. I’ll delete this message as soon as it arrives on my blog. Thank you. listen Powered by Jott

If I Wrote Sarah Palin's Speech

September 3, 2008

Excerpt: . . . They say I lack experience. They’re right, in a way. I have no experience wandering a city for three years trying to find myself. No, I’ve never had that luxury. But Barack Obama has. And I have no experience funneling money from an educational trust into organizations run by my close friend, the convicted terrorist. No experience at all. Nor do I have the experience of having a political career launched by a pair of terrorists who tried to blow up the Capitol and the Pentagon, who succeeded in killing a police officer.

The Sexist, Hateful, Vicious Attacks on Sarah Palin

September 3, 2008

Not my words, there, but those of Susan Estrich, Democrat feminist, speaking on FoxNews. Estrich specifically identified the hateful sexists as “my friends.” She thoroughly and unquestionably denounced everything that’s come from Washington Post, New York Times, US magazine, and Barney Frank Technorati Tags: Sarah Palin,Susan Estrich,Abortion,Feminism in the past 36 hours. Earlier, Laura Ingraham nailed it, saying, “If this were a liberal, feminist, pro-choice woman candidate whose daughter got pregnant and had an abortion during the campaign, she’d be hailed as a hero.

What a Moron!

September 3, 2008

Is anyone dumber than Barack Obama? I’ve interviewed a lot of job candidates, usually for positions as computer programmers, network engineers, and project manager. I’ve heard a lot of bullshit in these interviews. I usually let these poor, desperate folks make their case. I shake their hands, escort them out, thank them for considering my company, call them about 2 hours later, and tell them, “I’m selecting another candidate for the position, and I wish you all the best in your pursuit.

The Best Convention Night Since 1984

September 3, 2008

Fred Thompson validated all of my reasons for being a conservative and a Republican. Joe Lieberman vindicated my decision to support John McCain. The combination of speakers and videos restored in Republicans that swagger we had when Reagan handed over the reins to George H. W. Bush. After two days of disgraceful, amoral, hate, innuendo, and cynicism from the leftist media in this country, the parade of grown-ups must have struck every viewer as the nation’s passage from infancy to a particularly profound adulthood.

Media Hit Rock Bottom Over Palin

September 2, 2008

Michelle Malkin calls is “Palin Derangement Syndrome.” William F. Buckley called it “liberal mania.” I call it “angry cynicism.” Call it what you will, the leftist media’s treatment of Sarah Palin and her family is an embarrassment to the country and felony indictment of the journalism industry in America. Only Hurricane Gustav’s untimely arrival spared us from 24 hours of Bristol Palin’s sex life on CNN. Every political/talk host on the network devoted the majority of his show to the subject.

Joe Biden is a Source of Hepatitis

September 2, 2008

Despite promises from Barack Obama that his campaign would drop attacks on its Republican rivals during Hurricane Gustav, that walking hunk of excrement, Joe Biden, broke the promise and ripped into John McCain today during a stump speech. The only guy in America in a position of some authority who is out of sync with the whole rest of the world is John McCain. Earlier in the day, Biden skipped out on a planned appearance at Labor Day parade in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Congratulations

September 2, 2008

I’ll dispense with hyperbole and sarcasm. I want to congratulate and thank the people who are making Gustav a better experience than Katrina. The People of the Gulf Coast You rebuilt, prayed, and left your homes, business, and schools in God’s able hands. You were rewarded, or will be, for, not only your wisdom in retreating from nature, but your perseverance and faith. You deserve our help, our thanks, and our support.

Kudos to Barack Obama

September 2, 2008

Asked about Bristol Palin’s pregnancy, Barack Obama firmly stated that children of candidates are “off limits,” and that anyone in his campaign discussing the matter “will be fired.” Outstanding. I watched and heard the interview, and I have no doubt he meant what he said. His vigor was sincere. As someone who villifies Obama regularly, I owe it to the man when he comes through. This time he did. I hope his minions listen.

Palin Disaster: Priors

September 2, 2008

More bad news about John McCain’s selection for Vice President emerged tonight. Sarah Palin was cited for fishing without a license. CNN is sending a team of reporters and producers to Wasilla, Alaska, to cover this emerging scandal. The citation does not indicate what she was fishing with or for, but the fact that a would-be Vice President of the United States did, with malice aforethought, cast her line into known fishing waters with the intent of extracting–or reasonably expecting to extract–a live fish demonstrates her unfitness for office of any kind.

CNN Devotes 30 minutes to "Troopergate" and Surrogate Pregnancy **Update: Larry King

September 1, 2008

Un-fucking-believable. Wolff Blitzer has no shame. His show is devoting the 5:00 p.m. hour to continuing the idiotic rumor that Sarah Palin faked her fifth pregnancy to cover the actual pregnancy of her daughter. They also spent 10 minutes spinning innuendo over the troopergate fabrication. CNN’s justification is that Palin hired a lawyer to handle the investigation. Duh! What was she supposed to do, hire a veterinarian? Her political enemies, of which she has many due to her cleaning-up of the GOP in Alaska, have seized upon a family dispute between Palin’s sister and brother-in-law, a State Trooper in Alaska.

Majority Leader Harry Reid: "New Orleans is Lost--Bring the Guardsmen Home"

September 1, 2008

Technorati Tags: Harry Reid,Hurricane Gustav,Satire RENO, Nevada–Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) announced today that the battle against Hurricane Gustav “is lost. New Orleans is lost. I demand that President Bush withdraw all National Guardsmen immediately.” Last year, Reid declared the war in Iraq lost, even as the troop surge began to show impressive signs toward ultimate victory. Today, he made his statement shortly after winds died down in New Orleans, and after the Army Corps of Engineers reported that the levees appeared to hold.

Peace-Loving Libs Attempt to Kill Republicans in Minnesota UPDATE

September 1, 2008

Not an exaggeration. Gateway Pundit was an intended target as leftist protestors hurled sacks of rocks and cement on speeding busses of GOP delegates, media, and participants. The leftards stood on overpasses above an interstate highway and dropped the sacks on passing busses. A few years back in St. Louis, a woman–recent emigrant from Russia–was killed by a rock dropped from an overpass over I-64 as she returned home from work late one evening.

Palin's Eldest Daughter Pregnant, To Marry Baby's Father

September 1, 2008

Technorati Tags: Palin,Pregnancy Sarah Palin’s eldest daughter, Bristol, is pregnant and will marry Levi, the child’s father, Todd and Sarah said today in a press release [FoxNews.com]. The 17-year-old unwed daughter of John McCain’s new running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, is five-months pregnant, Palin and her husband, Todd Palin, said Monday in a written statement. McCain’s campaign told FOX News that the presumptive Republican presidential candidate knew about Bristol Palin’s pregnancy before he chose Palin as his running mate last Friday, and that Bristol is planning to marry the father of her child.

CNN: Levee Breech, Rapid Flooding in Lower 9th Ward Update

September 1, 2008

CNN (TV, not .com) just reported that the Industrial Levee in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans has ruptured under the strain of water and wind, flooding homes and streets throughout the same area that was devastated by Katrina. The Army Corps of Engineers' latest release said that levees were overtopped, relieving some pressure, but all levees were holding. It’s possible that the CNN’s reporters doesn’t know the definition of a breech.

Who Does Bobby Jindal Remind You Of?

September 1, 2008

God help me, but every time I see a picture of the outstanding Governor of Louisiana, I expect to see Patricia Heaton standing next to him. Technorati Tags: Bobby Jindal,Ray Romano

Priceless Blooper

September 1, 2008

Watch hat tip Allahpundit

Palin The Star At Missouri McCain Rally

September 1, 2008

Every mention of Sarah Palin produced a banner-waving roar from the crowd of over 20,000 in T. R. Hughes Stadium in O’Fallon, Missouri, on blistering hot Sunday afternoon. While McCain is on top of the ticket, Palin is the draw. A woman from Dent County–about 3 hours from O’Fallon–made the drive to see McCain and Palin in person. She was thrilled to get hold of a “McCain-Palin” banner after several stacks of the banners didn’t make it to her.

McCain - Palin Rally in O'Fallon, Missouri, Is Still On

August 31, 2008

We’re getting ready to head out to the McCain Rally in O’Fallon, Missouri. I just checked with the campaign and the rally is still on. John McCain is stopping in New Orleans to check on hurricane preparations before the rally, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it starts late. I’ll have photos and a report on the events this evening. Technorati Tags: McCain-Palin Rally,O’Fallon

Democrats Praying for Destructive Gustav Update

August 31, 2008

Volunteer To Help Gustav Victims | Donate To Help Gustav Victims | McCain’s Gustav Site UPDATE Don Fowler, former DNC Chairman, apologizes for praying that Gustav destroys New Orleans. The story is buried deep in the bowels of ABCNews.com “If this offended anybody, I personally apologize,” Fowler told ABC News. “It was a mistake, and it was a satirical statement made in jest. And one that I clearly don’t believe.

McCain-Palin Rally In Missouri on Sunday Sold Out!

August 30, 2008

On Thursday, the Washington Post gleefully reported that the GOP couldn’t give away tickets to McCain’s scheduled pre-convention rallies in Dayton, Ohio, Pittsburgh, PA, and O’Fallon, MO. That ended with the announcement of Palin as is VP choice. In St. Louis, tickets disappeared so quickly (and the distribution method was so lame-brained) that even donors and party activists with guaranteed reservations lost their reservations. The party decided to give away reserved tickets to meet the clamorous demand at the doors of various ticket locations (which is going to royally piss off my son Patrick when he finds out they gave away our tickets).

Palin Pick Energizing the Right Update

August 30, 2008

Conservative spirits soared like roman candles three times in my life: * Ronald Reagan's emergence in 1980 * Newt Gingrich's Contract with America in 1994 * [Sarah Palin's selection](https://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0808/GOP_grassroots_on_fire.html) as McCain's vice president in 2008 Besides the math (each event exactly 14 years apart), Palin’s selection could change the face of politics in America for a long time. Yesterday, I hurriedly outlined some of the instant wins from McCain’s brilliant move.

Death Penalty for San Francisco Mayor

August 30, 2008

Danielle Bologna’s trembles like an injured child’s when she approaches the word, “widow.” “I never thought I’d used that word about myself,” she recently told an interviewer. Bologna is a widow. She’s also the grieving mother of two sons. On June 22, 2008, a wild, crazed killer wiped out Mrs. Bologna’s family as they returned home from a family picnic. Tony, husband and father; Michael, 20 years, sone; Matthew, 16 years, son.

What the Rank-and-File Libtards Are Saying

August 29, 2008

If I read too much of what the R-and-F Dems are saying about Sarah Palin, I’ll be tempted to hunt them down like dogs in the street. But ABC News has a blog with open comments, and it’s worth looking at: Moron #1: i just want to know who she’s going to hand off her sick child to when shes off and buzzing the middle east? This is a mother’s decision?

Democrat Hypocrisy: Palin's A Bad mother Update

August 29, 2008

Un f-ing believable! The Democrat talking point on Sarah Palin? Have you heard? They’re calling KMOX Radio in St. Louis to give the “bad mother” mantra. Here’s the line: What kind of a woman would leave a newborn and 3 young daughters behind while she campaigns for Vice President of the United States? [caption id=“attachment_8689” align=“alignleft” width=“240” caption=“McCain*Palin”][/caption] Holy crap! I don’t believe it. According to Democrats, then, women belong barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen.

Answer: Strategery

August 29, 2008

Question: Name a quality McCain has in places where Obama doesn’t have places. [caption id=“attachment_8683” align=“aligncenter” width=“300” caption=“Brilliant!"][/caption] Sarah Palin may not be the perfect pick for VP, but she’s the most perfect available. By selecting a (hot) working class mother of five with strong conservative principles and a record of putting the people before parties and pricnipalities, John McCain has proven, again, to be the most effective Republican campaigner since Reagan.

A Babbling Windbag--reaction as he speaks

August 29, 2008

It’s surprising, really, that Barack Obama’s entire speech is an attack on John McCain filled with lies, deceits, and fake “facts.” His self-aggrandizement borders on pathological. He alone will defend Israel. He alone will stop 4 billion years of climate change. He alone will provide health insurance to every man, woman, and child. The economy never had a negative growth quarter, but he sees a recession. Perhaps that recession comes from the emptiness of rhetoric.

Marine Jose Luis Nazario NOT GUILTY!

August 29, 2008

The Marine who was charged in civilian court with murder for doing his job on terrorists in Iraq was found NOT GUILTY (h/t wizbang) by a jury of his peers. Congratulations to Jose Luis Nazario! Thank you, Marine, for you proud and noble service to me, my family, and our country. Thank you, jurors, for rejected the sick arguments of that jack-booted thug federal prosecutor. May this serve as a warning to anti-military prosecutors.

Live Video: Obama Enters Invesco

August 29, 2008

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvneJSFzrZs&hl;=en&fs;=1]

Jimmy Carter, Please Resign From Life

August 29, 2008

Jimmy Carter says John McCain is “milking” the five-and-a-half years spent in a POW camp with broken limbs and eating bugs. I say Jimmy Carter is milking life.

Recession Never Happened

August 29, 2008

Tonight Barack Obama will tell you the country is in a recession. Of course, Barack Obama is an inveterate liar.

Comrade Obama's Thugs Go After Kurtz

August 29, 2008

Barack Obama’sassault on freedom of speech and of the press continued today as his minions attacke WGN radio in attempt to squelch journalist Stanley Kurtz. Kurtz is investigating Obama’s long and deep ties to terrorist William Ayers. Obama laundered money through a non-profit education foundation into Ayers' numerous corrupt organizations during the 1990s. When news broke of Obama’s connection to the convicted terrorist, Obama responded by attempting to incarcerate anyone investigating the connection.

I Agree With Biden

August 29, 2008

Joe Biden was right. At least his mom was. In last night’s speech, Biden told a story. When a bigger, tougher kid beat him up, his mom told him to, “go back out there and bloody his nose. That way you can walk down the street tomorrow.” Goddam right! Unfortunately, Joe Biden believes that being tough ends at the water’s edge. Where was that Irish moxie when it came time to bloody the noses of Al Qaeda in Iraq?

All You Need To Know About Obama

August 28, 2008

When you get down to it, it doesn’t matter what Obama says tomorrow night, or how he says it. Americans will vote for what he is. What Obama is can be summed up in a single, offensive word. Later. Here’s what we know about Obama vis-a-vis the job of Commander in Chief: * No military experience * No business experience * Best friends are terrorists and racists * Believes in socialism over capitalism * Meglomaniacal fascination with himself * Wife hates America, except when America gives her cash * Funnels money to radicals in exchange for political favors * Made over $4 million last year and claims to hate the rich * Want’s to double the average American family’s tax burden * Hires mafia thugs to intimidate Republican rivals * Smokes and tells us not to * He’s not particularly smart, but he pretends to be in speeches * Lies about his political past, his personal past, his intentions * Lacks the spine to stand up for what he actually believes in So what’s that one word?

Comrade Obama's KGB Suspends Freedom of Press in Denver

August 27, 2008

I told you so. DENVER–Police in Denver arrested an ABC News producer today as he and a camera crew were attempting to take pictures on a public sidewalk of Democratic Senators and VIP donors leaving a private meeting at the Brown Palace Hotel. Police in Denver arrested an ABC News producer today as he and a camera crew were attempting to take pictures on a public sidewalk of Democratic Senators and VIP donors leaving a private meeting at the Brown’s Palace Hotel.

Obama's Ties to Terrorism Tighten

August 27, 2008

According to Stanley Kurtz, one of a handful of reports allowed to see the Ayers Papers at University of Illinois, Chicago, “Our worst fears were confirmed.” Radical terrorist William Ayers, founder of the Weathermen and the Woods Fund of Chicago, appointed Obama as one of three directors of the “education” project in 1995. In exchange for the appointment and the right use it as street cred in his first political campaign, Obama voted to siphon funds intended for public school education programs into Ayers’s radical political organizations.

Obama Is A Communist, People

August 27, 2008

Michelle Malkin reports that Barack Obama has asked the US Justice Department to incarcerate a Republican donor in Texas for the high crime of . . . donating money to Republicans. This guy is as red as Stalin. Don’t think for a moment that, if Obama wins, the RNC’s donor list will be scrutinized and big donors prosecuted. Communists don’t like competition. Stop him before he stops you.

Hillary: Review

August 27, 2008

I listened to Hillary’s speech at the DNC in my car driving home from Strategic Planning class. First, I was struck by what a terrible speaker she is. Without the art and artifice of the convention hall, choreographed cameras, and wide shots of adoring fans, speakers are left with only their tone, pitch, inflection, volume, thoughts, ideas, and syntax to carry the message. Hillary Clinton lacked them all. Her speech seemed short.

Democrats Attack Michelle Malkin

August 26, 2008

Want to know what Democrats really think of strong, independent, successful women? They hate you. Alex Jones is obviously mentally disturbed. He’s obnoxious and mean. What do you want to bet he’s a child-beater?

Tuesday's Top News

August 26, 2008

The University of Illinois releases the Obama-Ayers papers tomorrow. Don’t expect the MSM to mention it–unless it’s good news for Obama. Meanwhile, Obama has asked the Department of Justice to block ads that link the Illinois Senator to domestic terrorist William Ayers. Pathetic. Obama’s campaign has written the Department of Justice demanding a criminal investigation of the “American Issues Project,” the vehicle through which Dallas investor Harold Simmons is financing the advertisements.

DNC Night One: Meet Barack Obama

August 26, 2008

Make me puke. After 10 months of 24 x 7 Obama news, after the Washington Post, Tom Brokaw, and Ed Rendell admitted that Obama coverage is embarrassingly lavish, after an 8-to-1 newspaper inch advantage over John McCain, these idiot Democrats have the balls to stand there and tell us that Americans just don’t know Obama well enough! The last guy who was so friggin complex that it took a decade to “know him” was Richard Nixon!

Death of Global Warming Anniversary Coming

August 26, 2008

It was one year ago–September 7, 2007–that ABC News stopped updating its Global Warming section. (Link to my original post on the subject. Congratulations to you skeptics. I knew you could do it!

Dems To Hold Secret Roll Call

August 26, 2008

The party of lies, deceit, class hatred, race hatred, and Jimmy Carter will break with tradition by holding its convention roll call vote behind closed doors at a hotel on Wednesday morning. Supporters of Hillary Rodham Clinton are furiously circulating petitions on the floor of the Democratic National Convention tonight, hoping to stave off a plan to hold the convention’s roll call at breakfast Wednesday — out of the public eye — sources inside the delegations say.

Recreate Sixty-Eight! Indeed

August 26, 2008

Alternate title: Liberals Gone Wild! Themacing has begun in Denver where the lefties are demanding communism, atheism, and death to the rich (their fathers who funded their trip to Denver not included). Watch the fun live here. Way better than the speeches.

The Ultimate Challenge to Biden

August 25, 2008

I hope someone with a prime time speech at the RNC Convention has the balls to read this open letter to Joe Biden verbatim.

Unauthorized Video of Obama and Biden Plotting Global Warming Cure

August 24, 2008

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4uunAcNN0Q&w;=425&h;=344]

Why I'm a Conservative

August 24, 2008

This is both the funniest and scariest thing you will watch all day. Learn how liberals think. Learn their frightening emotional disturbances. Are there any liberals who aren’t mentally handicapped? These people should be locked up for their own protection and ours. And, no, the “poet” should not be allowed to vote. Sorry.

Arrogance Factor

August 24, 2008

A fe months ago, only conservatives and Republicans were talking about Obama’s arrogance. Now, everyone’s noticing it. Something about Barack Obama’s manner bothers Margaret Cowan. “There’s something egotistical about him,” the Sheridan, Colo., retiree said. “It’s the way he struts around.” Many swing voters here and throughout the country consider the presumptive Democratic nominee distant, pompous, arrogant, even elitist. [Kansas City Star] Democrat consultants say Obama’s arrogance is a real issue that needs to be addressed.

Liberals Eat Their Young in Denver

August 24, 2008

Let the fun begin . . . [click]

Brilliant McCain Ad Perpetuates Operation Chaos

August 24, 2008

The ad asks, “Why not Hillary?” It provides the answer: Hillary told the truth about Obama, and the child-candidate didn’t like it. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NrQ36Djf2E&hl;=en&fs;=1] The McCain campaign’s marketing brilliance continues to amaze. I had no idea he would be this adept at modern campaigning. With this ad, McCain will foment the still-simmering anger among Clinton’s most loyal supporters, as demonstrated in this Washington Times article.

Don't Ever Question Joe Biden's IQ

August 23, 2008

His IQ is higher than yours and mine, and he ain’t afraid to say so. (H/t Allahpundit on HotAir.com) [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1j0FS0Z6ho&hl;=en&fs;=1] Wow. Smart, smart man. Only . . . most colleges don’t have an IQ requirement. George W. Bush has degrees from Yale and Harvard, but his IQ is, like, 28 according to Biden. I guess whatever schools Biden went to, they give diplomas based on IQ instead of credit hours.

Blogging for Air Conditioning

August 23, 2008

The best thing about being a liberal is the license to write idiotic things, pretend they’re scientific, and receive praise from you fellow liberals who accept your nonsense as settled science. Examples abound; just look at the mindless babblings of James Hansen and Al Gore. One a scientist, one a mediocre reporter. Edward McClelland writing on Salon.com recently wasted a couple of hours on an essay the claims air conditioning causes people to vote Republican.

Biden vs. Obama vs. Everyone

August 23, 2008

Daily Kos won’t be too happy with the Biden choice. ABC News’s Jake Tapper spent his Saturday morning documenting some of Joe Biden’s dumbest moments. (It’s long.) My favorite came from a Biden 1988 campaign ad in which he seemed to anticipate Obama’s candidacy: “The White House isn’t the place to learn how to deal with international crisis, the balance of power, war and peace, and the economic future of the next generation,” said a TV ad for Sen.

Mother of All Anti-Climaxes **Update: Txtmsg angle lame

August 23, 2008

CNN’s John King has confirmed from two unnamed sources that ultra-liberal Joe Biden is Obama’s veep choice. When you want to bury a story, you release it on Friday after 3:00 p.m. So, why did the Obama campaign release the news on the worst night in the news cycle? Because Biden was the party’s choice, not Obama’s. Obama wanted a young candidate, a liberal, who would make Obama look stronger, older, weightier.

Biden's Abode Abuzz

August 23, 2008

After hours staking out Joe Biden’s Delaware home with no sign of the prospective VP candidate, reporters are now witnessing a flurry of activity. CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive - Activity at the Bidens « - Blogs from CNN.com UPDATE: Wizbang coverage. Barack Obama might the Democrat’s Bob Dole. I quit writing “The Hennessy Report” for Town Hall in 1996 because I was so sickened by the combination of President Clinton and Candidate Dole.

Undecideds Prefer McCain's Advice

August 23, 2008

I don’t know how meaningful this FoxNews poll is, really. But it is revealing about America’s confidence in the relative judgment of McCain and Obama. American’s trust McCain more than 3 to 1 over Obama. That’s big. If you had to make the “toughest decision” of your life, who would you rather get advice from — Obama or McCain? Based on that question, there are signs that undecided voters may be more inclined to move to McCain than to Obama.

NBC Says Bayh, Kaine Out

August 23, 2008

MSNBC says sources confirmed that both Evan Bayh and Tim Kaine have been given the “thanks, but no thanks” call from Obama. That leaves Joe Biden and dark horses. Assume it’s Biden. The curious thing is the Obama/Bayh ‘08 stickers being produced in Kansas City. Of course, that could be misdirection. Gill Studios, the outfit producing the stickers, is on the Obama payroll, along with ACORN and other criminal organizations, according to Michelle Malkin.

Obama Prefers China to America

August 23, 2008

On August 21, Obama thought the mics were off. They weren’t. They picked up the Democrat candidate’s glowing report on the quality of life in China. Obama also encourage US businesses to relocate operations in China: Everybody’s watching what’s going on in Beijing right now with the Olympics. Think about the amount of money that China has spent on infrastructure. Their ports, their train systems, their airports are vastly the superior to us now, which means if you are a corporation deciding where to do business you’re starting to think, “Beijing looks like a pretty good option.

Liberal Media

August 22, 2008

Isn’t it strange that the same reporters who refuse to provide life-saving information to American troops under the banner of objectivity are willing to endorse and ordain a candidate for president? Seems hypocritical to me.

We Win!

August 22, 2008

Congratulations and thank you to every member of the U. S. armed forces, their wives, husbands, children, parents, boyfriends, girlfriends, best friends, aunts and uncles, grandparents, sisters and brothers, teachers, coaches, and civilian employers. You won the war in Iraq. In the process, you may well have defeated Al Qaeda worldwide. You suffered abuse at the hands of anti-American liberals, you overcame Donald Rumsfeld’s incompetent leadership, you left limbs and lives on the battlefield.

Pro-Choice Veep? Simmer down

August 22, 2008

Many on the right claim they’ll vote Democrat if McCain chooses a pro-choice veep. I’m as anti-abortion as anyone on the planet. I think my perseverating brethren need to learn their conservative roots. George H. W. Bush was pro-choice when Regan chose him as veep. Settle down, Michelle. McCain’s White House would be more pro-life than Obama’s. Take what you can get.

McCain Might Just Win This Thing

August 22, 2008

Do you remember the summer of 2007? Reporters found John McCain carrying his own baggage through an airport and looking defeated and dissheveled. In debt, at the bottom of the polls, and old, the MSM declared his campaign over. They were wrong. So was I. Somehow, McCain staged a masterful comeback, and I use the word “masterful” advisedly. His comeback was not spectacular or flamboyant or even memorable. It was quiet, consistent, and strong.

The Absolution Candidate

August 19, 2008

Rush Limbaugh came close, today, to a telling insight into the left’s love of Obama. He finished short. Let me complete Rush’s thought: The left worship Obama hoping for absolution and salvation. Absolution is a big thing to a Catholic. It’s the difference between Heaven and Hell. Absolution comes only from God through His son Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. The Messiah paved the way. The left’s deification of Obama stands on its own.

Russia Vows Pullout as Troops Dig In - washingtonpost.com

August 18, 2008

Maybe I didn’t overreact last week. According to the Washington Post on the scene in Gori, Republic of Georgia, Soviet Russian troops are “digging” for a long offensive or occupation: Russia pledged Sunday to begin removing its troops from Georgia on Monday, but the streets of this occupied city reflected a broadening, not a waning, of Russia’s military incursion. . . . During a reporter’s 24-hour stay in the city this weekend, Russian soldiers roamed the streets in armored personnel carriers and waved Kalashnikov rifles to prevent entry to a captured Georgian military base that is now the Russian headquarters.

Hey, Obama: Take Your Ass-Kicking Like a Man!

August 18, 2008

The day after John McCain handed Barack Obama his ass on a platter at the Saddleback Forum, Obama’s paid mouthpiece, Andrea Mitchell, accused McCain of cheating (see Newsbusters). I guess going mano-a-mano with a real man is above Obama’s paygrade, too. How pathetically consistent. Barack Obama’s childishness, immaturity, and lack of accountability grow to new legendary heights every passing day. I really don’t know how people can take this brat seriously.

Russia v. Georgia: McCain Was Right, Obama Was Everywhere

August 18, 2008

We’ve had a week to look at our two presidential candidates' handling of the largest foreign policy incident so far this campaign. In this crisis, we saw the difference between a strong man and an insecure boy. John McCain, who warned us a long time ago that President Bush’s evaluation of Putin was naive, called the matter right from the start, according Jim Wooten in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. McCain, who once said that he looked into Putin’s eyes and saw “a ‘K’, a ‘G’, and a ‘B’,” held one, single, defining position throughout the crisis:

Free Jose Luis Nazario Jr! UPDATE: YOU CAN HELPUPDATE: NOT GUILTY!

August 18, 2008

8/28/08 8:50 p.m. CDT: NOT GUILTY! UPDATE: Here’s a link to a defense fund for Sgt. Nazario and his brothers who have been coerced into testifying against him by the rogue Federal Persecutor, Jerry Behnke. I’ve made my donation; please make yours today. Federal prosecutors, emboldened by leftist anti-military groups, will persecute a former Marine for alleged murder committed while he was on active duty in Iraq. A former Marine sergeant facing the first federal civilian prosecution of a military member accused of a war crime says there is much more at stake than his claim of innocence on charges that he killed unarmed detainees in Fallujah, Iraq.

Obama's an Idiot on Abortion

August 17, 2008

To say Barack Obama’s intellectual stamina is weak is like saying Georgia’s a bad vacation destination right now. (Georgia the republic, not the state.) Under the brilliant title “Obama’s Paygrade = E-0” comes this: Last night the Obama was asked when an unborn child got legal rights. Like the spineless political tool he is he refused to answer stating that it was above his pay grade. The reason his answer matters is that he supports abortion on demand even when a child accidentally survives and lives outside the womb.

The Coolest Phone on the Market

August 17, 2008

[caption id=“attachment_8520” align=“alignleft” width=“204” caption=“Neonode N2 Black”][/caption] I like tiny phones that do a lot. The Neonode N2 from Neonode is the coolest phone I’ve ever seen. Totally touchscreen (no buttons) Tiny (smaller than a credit card) Holds up to 32GB music, videos, photos 2 Megapixel camera Great sound quality Watch this CNET Reviews video, then look below to find out how to get this $500 phone for $199.

Arctic Update

August 15, 2008

Steven Goddard has an update on Arctic sea ice levels, and it looks like the skeptics are right. He also found that the National Snow and Ice Data Center (leftist) is falsified its graph to show more melt than actually occured. The most certain equation in science is L = l(f) where L = lie, l = liberal, and f = “fact.”

Another Al-Qaeda "Number Two" Assumes Room Temp

August 12, 2008

Breaking news from Fox: Senior Al Qaeda Commander Abu Saeed Al-Masri Reportedly Killed in Pakistan Time for bed. Too late for champaign. It would be awesome if bin Laden went down with him. May Allah kick al-Masri’s ass from here to eternity.

One Question for Obama on Abortion

August 12, 2008

Everytime I’ve debated the death penalty with a bleeding-heart, I’ve heard this question: “Would you pull the switch” or its equal. It’s only fair to turn the question on them. Barack Obama, if you read this blog, please answer this question: Would you kill child who survived an abortion with your own hands? (Thanks to Jill Stanek via Michelle Malkin) Barack Obama, as chairman of an IL state Senate committee, voted down a bill to protect live-born survivors of abortion - even after the panel had amended the bill to contain verbatim language, copied from a federal bill passed by Congress without objection in 2002, explicitly foreclosing any impact on abortion.

Brink of World War UPDATES

August 12, 2008

Am I the only person who sees that we are on the brink of world war thanks to those Russian sonsofbitches? Russian forces swept across Georgia on Monday, capturing the town of Gori and moving to within 35 miles of the capital city Tbilisi, FOX News confirmed. This is very serious stuff. Russia’s expansionist intentions are as obvious as they were in the Prague Spring and the Hungarian Revolt.

Best Blog of the Day

July 29, 2008

Discerning Texan . . . or someone he’s linking.

Coming Soon . . . Global Warming Skepticism Illegal UPDATE

July 27, 2008

Steve McIntyre tears to shreds an anti-speech ruling by the British equivalent of the FCC, Ofcom. Ofcom ruled that a documentary “The Great Global Warming Swindle” violated rules, essentially, because the producers presented evidence contrary to the party line of the United Nations and the Labor government. In other words, in the UK, thou shalt not question global warming. For all the details (way too involved for this blog) see McIntyre’s Climate Audit beginning here.

More on Hansen's Fraud

July 27, 2008

While my flaming headline ("Dr. James Hansen of GISS is a Liar and Fraud") received a fair amount of attention, people a lot smarter than I are carefully documenting the facts that led to my unavoidable conclusion. One such appears on the Telegraph today. Christopher Booker (corrected link) notes that Dr. Hansen’s GISS center is alone in seeing continued warming throughout the world. Pointing out that laws supported by Hansen, Al Gore, and others will cost tens of trillions of dollars and severely limit freedoms throughout the world for the generations, Booker rightly contends that those proposing such a retreat from liberty be damn well sure they’re right.

Obama's 180 on Troops in Iraq

July 27, 2008

The boy-candidate has changed his mind again. For the second third fourth umpteenth time in a week, Barack Obama has shifted his view of how long American forces must stay in Iraq. His latest position “articulated” Saturday in an interview with Newsweek parrots the long-held positions of the Bush administration and of rival John McCain: forever. U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said in an interview published on Saturday the size of a residual U.

Obama Caught Lying Like a Hansen on Climate Change

July 26, 2008

TigerHawk decided to fact-check Obama’s pontifical address to his German subjects concerning the messiah’s “facts” about global warming (h/t Hackbarth). Like Hansen and Gore, Obama enjoys lying to the people. TigerHawk shows academic research that report sea levels falling, not rising, and Kansas not in a drought, but normal to exceptionally moist. I’m not surprised to catch Obama in a lie; I am surprised that people continue to lie about global warming despite all scientific evidence (not doctored byJames Hansen) to the contrary.

Rare Arrogance

July 26, 2008

Barack Obama’s most conspicuous quality, if you want to call it that, is shameless arrogance. His trip abroad was like Hitler’s tour of Italy in 1938. Before you dismiss my view as that of a party hack tearing down the opposition, read Susan Estrich’s column on FoxNews.com. (Estrich was Michael Dukakis’s campaign manager in 1988). First, Presidential candidates rarely campaign in war zones, and for good reason. American politics traditionally sort of stopped “at the water’s edge,” as the saying went.

Northwest Passage Today

July 25, 2008

We’ve heard that all the ice will be gone from the Arctic soon. Supposedly responsible “scientists” told us that the Arctic Sea would be ice-free in 2012. Better hurry: [caption id=“attachment_8462” align=“alignnone” width=“300” caption=“Arctic Sea Ice”][/caption]

Obama Round-Up: Gateway Pundit

July 25, 2008

The best Obama round-up is on The Gateway Pundit. Obama’s so anti-American and so, well, stupid, that it’s difficult for me to keep up with his antics. It’s nice to know that someone has it covered. By the way, you cannot vote for Obama and call yourself and American patriot. Unless you’re really dumb.

Who Else Believes Hansen a Fraud?

July 25, 2008

Brian Sussman writing on American Thinker, for one. In an article titled, “James Hansen: Abusing the Public Trust,” Sussman writes: Topping it all, Hansen has allegedly received hundreds of thousands of additional dollars to further politicize the issue of global warming. According to Investors Business Daily, “How many people, for instance, know that James Hansen, a man billed as a lonely ‘NASA whistleblower' standing up to the mighty U.S. government, was really funded by [George] Soros' Open Society Institute (OSI), which gave him ‘legal and media advice'?

Dr. James Hansen of GISS is a Liar and a Fraud

July 24, 2008

Dr. Hansen purposely and with malice aforethought manipulates actual temperature observations in order to perpetuate a global warming hoax. If I’m wrong, he can sue me. But he won’t, because he’s a fraud.

David Shipley Dispenses With Objectivity

July 22, 2008

On Friday, the New York Times refused to publish an op-ed piece by Republican nominee John McCain (FoxNews.com). This might be the first time in American history that a newspaper turned down a column by a presidential candidate from a major party. According to Jonathan Martin of Politico, the Times demanded that McCain include “timetables” for withdrawal if he wants NYT inches. This also demonstrates why liberalism is incompatible with democracy.

King of Beers Dethroned

July 19, 2008

Since A-B sold out to Belgian brewer InBev, things have changed in the St. Louis bar scene. In a typical St. Louis County strip-mall bar during a Friday happy hour about 70 percent of the male patrons would sit behind an Anheuser-Busch product–Budweiser, Bud Select, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, even Busch. Not anymore. I stopped drinking Select as soon as the announcement of the buyout came last Sunday. But I was shocked last night when I walked into The Corner Pub & Grill in West St.

Leave Me the F*** Alone, Nannies!

July 17, 2008

It took the nanny-staters to more than a minute to scream at low-carb dieters like me about the Mediterranean Diet study released today. The study shows that Atkins-like, low-carbohydrate diets are the most effective kind for both weight loss and good health. That joys me, because the only way I can lose and keep of weight is with low carbs. Even when I was running half marathons, I was well over 200 lbs on a 6-1 frame.

Rasmussen Poll Shows Dead Head

July 13, 2008

Rasmussen’s presidential tracking poll shows a dead heat between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain (h/t Drudge). This poll confirms the Newsweek poll showing the two in a statistical dead heat. Moreover, according Rasmussen, McCain enjoys higher favorability ratings than Obama. Considering that McCain has received little media attention since the last Democrat primary in June, Obama’s 15 percentage point drop can only be blamed on Obama’s dismal performance as a candidate.

Newsweek: Obama Fading

July 13, 2008

Barack Obama’s poll lead over John McCain has plummeted from 51-35 to a statistical dead-heat in less than a month. Obama’s downward spiral has Newsweek’s headline writers asking if his glow is fading. The polls finds that more than half of voters consider Obama lying opportunist who will take any position for votes. Obama’s rapid drop comes at a strategically challenging moment for the Democratic candidate. Having vanquished Hillary Clinton in early June, Obama quickly went about repositioning himself for a general-election audience–an unpleasant task for any nominee emerging from the pander-heavy primary contests and particularly for a candidate who’d slogged through a vigorous primary challenge in most every contest from January until June.

Antarctic Ice Anomaly At All-Time High

July 12, 2008

According University of Illinois’s Cryosphere Today, Antarctic sea ice is at an all-time high. (Yeah, I know “all-time” is relative, since records go back only 30 years. But the alarmists have no issue with treating 30 years as the sum of recorded history; why should I?) On the other hand, Arctic sea ice had a bad week. Mounting evidence points to underwater volcanoes pumping superheated water toward the bottom of the ice as the major problem, but the hysteriacs will blame my cigarette smoke.

The Greenhousers--At Least They Have Pluck

June 22, 2008

Despite all scientific evidence now denying the greenhouse hypothesis, the greenhousers stand by their story. That story: global temperatures will continue to rise in direct proportion to the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere and for many years after CO2 emissions stop altogether resulting mass famine, flooding, death, and the Cubs winning the World Series. Unfortunately for Al Gore, the past year saw almost every tenet, speculation, and idea about greenhouse gasses and man-made global warming fall to the scrutiny of science: * The Tree Ring theory upon which Mann relied was proven wrong, as tree leaves maintain a constant internal temperature of 21.

Hey, AP: I feel your pain, man

June 18, 2008

The Associated Press, long upset that people often quote and link to its stories on the internet, has imposed a $2.50 per word fee for bloggers who wish to quote one of its stories. I understand. It’s tough to have a lot of people driving web traffic to your site. Considering the number of articles attributed to the AP, the cost of servers and bandwidth must be outrageous. But I have a solution: Stop posting stories on the internet.

More CO2 = More Vegetation

June 9, 2008

Here’s something we’re doing right: growing more plants! As CO2 levels increase in the atmosphere, so does vegetation. Why? Plants need carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. WattsUpWithThat explains it all. Technorati Tags: green,co2,green house

Appreciative Inquiry of the Conservative Movement

June 9, 2008

It turns out that Johnny Depp and I have something in common. (It isn’t looks.) The right–that includes me–learned nothing from Reagan. Instead of being the sunny optimists who speak of a shining city on a hill, we have become Bob Dole curmudgeons lamenting the lazy, fat, vapid youth and spoiled Baby Boomers. (Stay with me.) I was reminded of the need to focus on what we do right on the right by two things personal experiences:

Life After Clinton

June 9, 2008

I just listened to a replay of today’s “Meet the Press” on the radio, at least the roundtable. All talk was about the Democrat race: blacks have come far; Clintons have fallen farther. It struck me that the pundits–liberal Democrats all–seemed to have forgotten that another vote happens in November. Instead of deep analysis of the McCain-Obama face-off, Andrea Mitchell and Tim Russert were handicapping Obama’s cabinet picks. Late in the segment, the team returned from 2009 as conversation turned to Hillary as veep.

An Inconvenient Ice Age

June 3, 2008

Part I The sun is the source and cause of all weather. The aggregate of weather is climate. When the sun changes, climate changes. These are irrefutable truths of science, even though Dr. Mann, Al Gore, and the global warming hysteriacs skipped that chapter in their science books. Part II The downside of global cooling, or ice ages, is far worse for humanity and most species of fish, plants, and animals than the worst predictions of global warming.

Before Al Gore . . . there was Tom Buchanan

May 30, 2008

“I read somewhere that the sun’s getting hotter every year,” said Tom genially. “It seems that pretty soon the earth’s going to fall into the sun–or wait a minute–it’s just the opposite–the sun’s getting colder every year.” –F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby Now, read this [click] Technorati Tags: global warming

FOXNews.com - Solar-Powered Speedboat Goes on Sale in Netherlands - Science News | Science & Technology | Technology News

May 29, 2008

Here’s some environmental-like news I like. Dutch researchers at the Technical University of Delft have developed what they say is the world’s first solar-powered speedboat, and it’s got all the luxurious trimmings one would expect. FOXNews.com - Solar-Powered Speedboat Goes on Sale in Netherlands - Science News | Science & Technology | Technology News No, I’m not panicked about greenhouse gasses, I do like effective methods of starving the oil barons in the Middle East.

Global Warming Dying Fast

May 7, 2008

The global warming hoax of the past decade, which reached a climax in 2006-2007, is in rapid decline. I’m no longer the only one noticing it. Add to that the news of a couple weeks back that no one in an ABC News poll of 1,197 US adults named Global Warming as an issue in this year’s elections. No one. Nada. Zip. Ain’t huntin'. In desperation, then, Al Gore today pronounced the Myanmar Hurricane a result of non-existent global warming.

Draw a Pig, and Know Yourself

May 3, 2008

Bill Click to view my test results

Abortionman

April 26, 2008

Michelle Malkin points out a skit on YouTube by comedian Damon Wayans: Abortionman. Michelle asks: Is Wayans really trying to send an anti-abortion message here? Or is this just sophomoric, exploitative garbage masquerading as faux social criticism? I’m a hyperbolist, myself, so I tend to see this as sophomoric anti-abortion speech. Sure, it’s exploitive: it exploits those who treat infanticide as a coin-flip decision. It exploits the moronic pro-abortion arguments the dehumanize unborn children.

Survey

April 22, 2008

Please take a minute to answer 10 quick questions about plastics and the environment. This will help me greatly with an environmental sciences class. Thanks, Bill Please take my survey

Survey: Environmental Cost of Plastics

April 22, 2008

Please take a quick, 10-question survey on the environmental cost of plastics. This survey is for an environmental science class, and will help me get a good grade. Please forward this link to anyone you know might want to help me with this survey. I need at least 25 responses, but the more, the merrier. https://hennessysview.plastics.sgizmo.com Thanks, in advance, for your help. Technorati Tags: Plastics,eduction,environment

Global Warming? We Don't Give a Damn

April 21, 2008

According to an ABC News poll released today, zero percent of Americans consider global warming an issue in this year’s election. I guess I’m in the majority on this one. Hat tip Anthony Watts. Technorati Tags: global warming

Obama: Narrow, Prejudiced, Little Man

April 21, 2008

The thinking, scientific world owes much to James Joyner and Arthur Brooks for this piece examining the socio-economic background of American gun owners. Principle findings: * Gun owners are happier than non-owners (Barack's prejudice debunked)** Gun owners earn more than non-owners (Barack's preju** dice debunked)** Gun owners are equally educated with non-owners (Barack's prejudice debunked) Barack Obama’s “bittergate” comments served to debunk the Barack myth. He is neither transcendent nor particularly intelligent.

Some too 'obsessed' with what we say - Roger Simon - Politico.com

April 18, 2008

Wednesday night, in a debate here, Barack Obama complained a number of times about the presidential campaign process and how some people spend way too much time “obsessing” about some of the things he and others have actually said. Some too ‘obsessed’ with what we say - Roger Simon - Politico.com Dude: when you haven’t actually done anything in your life, your words are the only thing voters have to go on.

P-H-O-N-E-Y

April 16, 2008

Thanks to Allahpundit Technorati Tags: barack obama on HotAir.

Invalidating Feelings

April 15, 2008

Every modern man knows that invalidating a woman’s feelings lies on the offensiveness scale somewhere between unwelcomed groping and fat jokes. Whether or not it’s fair to suffer a woman’s wrath because she misunderstood a word is another matter. Last week, Barack Obama smugly told a group of billionaire liberals in San Francisco that rural Americans are bitter, ignorant Neanderthals who prefer guns and superstitions (aka, religion) and race-hatred to reason, education, and hard work.

Benedict's Benediction

April 14, 2008

Pope Benedict XVI will receive the highest honor the United States can bestow upon on a visiting head of state: the President will meet him at the airport. Afterwards, the White House will host the largest gathering of Bush’s presidency, as over 12,000 guests will receive His Holiness. Quite an honor. Sadly, Catholic hate mobs will be out in force, too. Excommunicates who believe they know God’s designs for the church better than the Pope will travel from St.

The Boxmasters Debut Album

April 13, 2008

People love Billy Bob Thornton . . . or they hate him. Either way, they owe themselves a listen to selections from his new band’s new album. The Boxmasters combine the English Invasion with 60s hillbilly music to form “electric hillbilly.” It’s heavy on steel guitar, which gives all their songs the twang that screams “old country.” I love the sound. Thornton’s voice and accent fit the songs the way Johnny Cash fit black.

No Link Between Global Warming and Hurricanes

April 12, 2008

The much ballyhooed link between hurricanes and global warming appears to have snapped. A Houston Chronicle story describes the findings published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society (a GW alarmist pub): One of the most influential scientists behind the theory that global warming has intensified recent hurricane activity says he will reconsider his stand. The hurricane expert, Kerry Emanuel of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, unveiled a novel technique for predicting future hurricane activity this week.

Obama Seals His Fate: Update

April 12, 2008

Barack Obama told the world what he thinks of rural people, and, in so doing, sealed his fate [from Powerline]: So it’s not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations. Wow. Rev. Wright taught him well. (h/t Gateway Pundit) If you’re surprised that Obama could be so .

Offending Muslims Is Bad--Offending Everybody Else Is Good

March 30, 2008

The U.N. Secretary-General is quite furious at Denmark for permitting Geert Wilder’s film “Fitna” from seeing the light of day, according to Reuters. “Freedom must always be accompanied by social responsibility,” Ban said. “We must also recognize that the real fault line is not between Muslim and Western societies, as some would have us believe, but between small minorities of extremists, on different sides, with a vested interest in stirring hostility and conflict,” Ban said.

We're All Pussies Now

March 23, 2008

According to Michelle, (h/t allahpundit)Network Solutions, a wimp of web hosting known for overcharging customers ($35 for a domain name registration), brought down the web site promoting Geert Wilder’s new film, Fitna: the movie, citing complaints from rag-head terrorists. This site has been suspended while Network Solutions is investigating whether the site’s content is in violation of the Network Solutions Acceptable Use Policy. Network Solutions has received a number of complaints regarding this site that are under investigation.

Obama Proves He's No Leader

March 23, 2008

With a week separating us from Obama’s Race speech, we can look to the real lesson it taught: Barack Obama lacks the personal courage required of leaders. Since the Rev. Jeremiah Wright controversy reached the tipping point with The O’Reilly Factor on Thursday a week ago, Obama has pointed many fingers and blamed many people, including his “typical white person” grandmother. But most politicians dodge blame. What demonstrates Obama’s remarkable lack of courage was his direct dealings with a man he professes to love: the Rev.

The Other Global Warming Hyperventilation

March 23, 2008

Liberals, as a group, display a genetic inaptitude toward history. “Liberal historian,” then, becomes oxymoronic. One example of the phenomenon comes from the cult of Global Warming. The brilliant Anthony Watts has uncovered some old newspapers from 1922 and 1933 that prove my point very well. From the Washington Post of November 2, 1922, we learn that the death of the Arctic ice cap was nigh: The Arctic ocean is warming up, icebergs are growing scarcer and in some places the seals are finding the water too hot, according to a report to the Commerce Department yesterday from Consul Ifft, at Bergen, Norway.

Opening The Shuttered Room

March 21, 2008

No matter how painful, eventually you must go into his room. Each book on the shelves, every dirty sock strewn carelessly on the floor in anticipation of picking it up tomorrow, the odd angle of the pillow on the bed, and the scent–oh, God, above all the scent–remind you both of the life and of its passing. Still, you must open the door, for his passing didn’t relieve you of your duties.

Sorry For My Absence

March 18, 2008

I came down with some horrendous flu on Sunday and have been running a fever ever since. (I must have gotten too close to Michelle Malkin’s blog.) I hope to write more after Obama’s speech.

Oprah and the Racist Rev

March 17, 2008

I watched tonight’s edition of one my favorite shows, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” Following is Oprah’s Big Give. I was never a huge Oprah Winfrey fan, but learning that she chooses an anti-American racist as her minister poisoned whatever good feelings I might have had for her. Differences between races because of cultural histories are certain. Oprah and Obama, though, demonstrate, in their allegiance to Reverend Wright, a moral corruption that cannot be papered over with soothing rhetoric or million dollar giveaways.

Obama At A Crossroads

March 16, 2008

Today’s fatwa from the new pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, the separatist and anti-American church in which Barack Obama bends his knee, places a pivotal decision before the senator: he is either with them or against them. The church, whose manifesto and pastor spoke indefensible words of separatism and hate, could have taken its lumps, reformed, and move on. Instead, under the direction of the Reverend Otis Moss II, it came out swinging.

Chilling Insights From Rev. Wright Story

March 16, 2008

If America still has a serious racial divide, then black preachers may be the chief perpetuators. The Power of the Black Pulpit The preacher is a powerful, revered figured in black Christian communities (Jones, 1989). Good families teach their children to learn from and emulate the preacher’s words and actions. According to Kirk Byron Jones, The roots of black preachers' prerogative and power are in the soils of African religion and American racism.

My Way News - Obama Decries Racial Rhetoric

March 16, 2008

My Way News - Obama Decries Racial Rhetoric Sen. Barack Obama on Saturday decried “the forces of division” over race that he said are intruding into the Democratic presidential nomination contest. Remember that Jeremiah Wright is Barack’s spiritual advisor of 20 years. So,isn’t this a matter of the pot calling the kettle . . . African-American? Technorati Tags: barack obama,jeremiah wright,racial rhetoric

The Democrats In Chaos

March 16, 2008

Here’s the first paragraph of a New York Times article on the dysfunction in the DNC. Lacking a clear route to the selection of a Democratic presidential nominee, the party’s uncommitted superdelegates say they are growing increasingly concerned about the risks of a prolonged fight between Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, and perplexed about how to resolve the conflict. And these people want to deal with the Middle East?

Obama "Nodded In Agreement" At A Wright Anti-American Sermon UPDATE

March 16, 2008

Ace of Spades describes this breaking story as “nuclear” for the Obama campaign. I agree. Obama’s only defense in the Rev. Jeremiah Wright scandal was to claim he never heard vitriol spew from Wright’s mouth. Many pundits, including Obama supporters, warned that any evidence putting Obama in that church during an ant-US, anti-white hate sermon would be Obama’s undoing. He’d be a proven petty liar. Looks like he is: Wright laced into America’s establishment, blaming the “white arrogance” of America’s Caucasian majority for the woes of the world, especially the oppression suffered by blacks.

Left vs. Left

March 16, 2008

Someone wise once said that when your opponent is hell-bent on destroying himself, let him. The primary season was just too much for them…* The Left’s most popular blog **Daily Kos **is imploding faster than the Obama campaign.* **The reality-based community is showing clear-cut signs of meltdown.** Gateway Pundit Recent Rasmussen and Gallop polls support GP’s anecdotal evidence. In the national tracking polls released yesterday and today, McCain would be either Clinton or Obama by at least 5 percentage points if the election were held today.

Obama on Fox: Painful UPDATE and BUMP: NEW WRIGHT VIDEO FOUND

March 15, 2008

( . . . scroll for new video . . . ) I’ll be honest: I take some glee in seeing Barack Obama’s campaign come undone on national television. His interview with Major Garrett on Fox News, tonight, though, was difficult to watch. The normally eloquent and certain Obama was a stammering fool, carefully choosing his words, trying to remember what he’d said before and what’s been written by his campaign.

Rasmussen Reports™: Obama's Numbers Take a Nose Dive UPATE McCain Now Tied or Leading Nationally

March 15, 2008

Obama’s support plummeted overnight, despite the MSM’s “see no evil” act regarding Tony Rezko and Jeremiah Wright. It’s Obama 46% Clinton 45%** **(see recent daily results). This reflects an unusually sharp change from yesterday’s results when Obama led by eight points and reached the 50% level of support for the first time. That’s really bad news for Obama. If either of these stories ever reaches the front pages of a newspaper, he might need to work on his withdrawal speech.

McCain Says Terrorists May Try to Influence Election » Outside The Beltway | OTB

March 15, 2008

James Joyner takes note of John McCain’s statement that al Qaeda may try to influence the US election to avoid a McCain administration. it’s not entirely clear why al Qaeda is so desperate to avoid a President McCain. I suppose there’s some propaganda value to a female president that could be exploited; if anything, the opposite would be true in the case of a President Obama. Do they envision a radically more terrorist-friendly foreign policy?

Gateway Pundit: Muslim Nations Vote to Sue Islamophobe Bigots

March 15, 2008

Technorati Tags: Muslim nations Great. Now I’m going to be sued by rag-head terrorists, just writing the truth. Perhaps it’s time to unleash Wildfire. Telling the bigots to shut up…* * The Organization of Islamic States is through dealing with insults to Islam with peaceful protest (rioting? torching embassies?) and now want to sue cartoonists, countries, states, writers… and the rest of the Islamophobe bigots. Gateway Pundit: Muslim Nations Vote to Sue Islamophobe Bigots

Wake up America: Parts of Aborted Fetuses Found In a Dumpster Outside Abortion Clinic

March 15, 2008

This is the kind of story that inspires liberals to write checks to Planned Parenthood. Technorati Tags: abortion Body parts of aborted babies, bio-hazardous materials and patients' medical records, were all found in a dumpster outside of the WomanCare abortion clinic, in Lathrup Village, Michigan. Warning: Graphic Video below.* (A hand of an aborted baby retrieved from the trash behind Woman Care abortion clinic in Lathrup Village, Michigan–owned and operated by Alberto Hodari.

Rich Lowry on Class, Gender, Race, Hillary Clinton & Barack Obama on National Review Online

March 15, 2008

Lowry’s piece on NRO is a classic. It reminds that accusation of “-ism” does for liberals what sticking one’s finger’s in one’s ears and shouting, “I can’t hear you” does for toddlers: let’s them delay the inevitable while looking like idiots. Technorati Tags: racism,liberals,children In one of his sputtering-mad “special comments” usually devoted to damning President Bush to hell, Keith Olbermann of MSNBC accused Geraldine Ferraro of employing the “vocabulary of David Duke,” and of “insidious racism that is at least two decades old.

Obama Admits He Lied About Rezko

March 15, 2008

Technorati Tags: barack obama,tony rezko,judgment,election Others are subtler in their descriptions, but I don’t see any other way of stating the case. Yesterday, Barack Obama admitted to the Chicago Tribune that his campaigns have ac cepted twice as much money from Tony Rezko than the candidate admitted in the past. Obama, the candidate of judgment, blames repeated lapses of judgment. (Perhaps his judgment is impaired only when someone has a large amount of cash.

The Debate Is Over

March 15, 2008

Saddam Hussein supported al Qaeda. The evidence is irrefutable, as you’ll see here on Wake Up, Americans. Liberals will continue say, “There was no link.” That’s because liberals are children for whom reality is what they want, not what is. Technorati Tags: al qaeda,saddam hussein

It's Only Wrong If You're Caught

March 15, 2008

In a pathetic admission of his own shallowness, Barack Obama admitted that he’s known since his campaign began that the Rev. Jeremiah Wright is an anti-US racist. According to Fox News: Obama said he never personally heard Wright preach the statements at the center of the controversy, but he first learned of them when he launched his presidential campaign. For almost a year, Obama has defended the bigot, naming him chairman of the African-American Spirtitual Leadership Committee for his campaign.

Political Mavens » For a Segment of Obama’s Support, Jeremiah Wright Is Actually an Asset

March 15, 2008

Technorati Tags: jeremiah wright,barack obama Master quote: Ugly stuff. But this is also the proudly and openly expressed opinion of every major and minor contributor to The Nation magazine, lots of folks at The New Republic, the loudest members of the anti-war faction, and if my memory for op-eds since the mid-1980s is right, apparently a majority of vocal members of the Democratic Party. Sounds to me like Mr. Wright’s a problem for Sen.

Breaking: Racist Wright Resigns From Obama Campaign

March 14, 2008

Via Politico: Spokesman Tommy Vietor emails: “Rev. Wright is no longer serving on the African American Religious Leadership Committee.” This is a reversal of the campaign’s official line, according to Gateway Pundit. I guess Barack’s not black enough for Rev. Wright. See my previous post on Obama and Wright. Technorati Tags: barack obama,jeremiah wright

How Racist and Hate-filled Is Obama?

March 14, 2008

If I said my favorite writer is Adolf Hitler and that my wife hates America, you might legitimately call me an anti-American bigot. Barack Obama’s wife is unabashedly anti-American. His spiritual advisor is more so. That advisor, the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, hates white people, too. When the person with whom you choose to live your life and the person from whom you seek guidance for your thoughts and actions are known anti-American bigots, people are justified in assuming you are like them.

Global Warming Advocate Admits: It has nothing to with the environment

March 12, 2008

We on the right have claimed for years that environmentalist extremists (Al Gore, et al) are motivated by socialism, if not totalitarianism. In our argument we contend that scientific proof has no meaning to these miscreants. They are bent on economic and political control, not a healthy eco-system. If you don’t believe us, maybe you’ll believe one of them. Tipping my hat to Paul at Jennifer Marohasy blog, I draw your attention to a paper by Evan Sandsmark, via ClimateSci

Record Cold Winter Requires Even Scarier, More Draconian Response

March 10, 2008

Washinton, DC – The record cold temperatures and heavy snow in Asia and North America have prompted earth scientists to invent a whole new demand: zero carbon emissions. Citing a new generation of computer models, based on scientific speculation that only a decade ago was considered too outlandish to pull off, scientists now claim that even physical exercise is too dangerous and must be banned. “The steam that rises from a Starbuck’s coffee contains enough greenhouse gases to kill three polar bears and wipe out a village in Sri Lanka,” said Dr.

Is Earth's Axis Shifting?

March 9, 2008

Do you believe in human-caused global warming? Do you know that the earth wobbles? Do you know that the Antarctic ice shelf is growing and shifting from one side of the earth to the other? If you answered a throaty, certain “yes” to the first question but a less confident “I think so” to the next two, you better do some homework. Your prejudice toward human-cause global warming could be in danger.

Is Obama Supporting Communist Terrorists?

March 9, 2008

How this hell did this Investors.com report not make the Top Story? (h/t William Teach and Roger Kimball) Barack Obama, it seems, sent a delegation meet with FARC leaders in February. According to letters found on the hard drive of the room-temperature terrorist, Raul Reyes, Obama’s people have taken sides with FARC against Columbia’s Uribe. In a Feb. 28 letter, FARC chieftain Raul Reyes cheerily reported to his inner circle that he met “two gringos” who assured him “the new president of their country will be Obama and that they are interested in your compatriots.

Scientific Consensus Is Not Science

March 9, 2008

Here [DailyTech] and elsewhere I see many greenhouse believers hanging their hats on “scientific consensus,” as if it were the equal of scientific proof. That’s disturbing. (h/t Evan Jones blogging on WattsUpWithThat.) When Drs. Marshall and Warren discovered that ulcers were primarily caused by bacterial infection, the scientific consensus was to deprive them of their licenses to practice medicine. One hundred percent of gastro-intestinal physicians and researches agreed that over-production of acid caused stomach ulcers.

New York Times: Obama an Empty Suit

March 9, 2008

Have you ever you ever learned that, on some important matter, you agreed with the views of someone whose views you always find repulsive, stupid and reprehensible? I read the lengthy New York Times story about Obama’s uselessness in the US Senate yesterday. I was too confused to write. Could it be that NYT – the liberalest of liberal papers, the international bastion of anti-Americanism, the newspaper of fraud and everything unholy – was calling Obama a waste of Senate oxygen?

Throwing It Away

March 8, 2008

Roger Kreutz dashed to right a wrong. A tiny wrong, by modern standards, but a wrong nonetheless. “Dammit,” Roger might have thought, “you can’t even enjoy a quiet cup of coffee anymore.” Then he sprang into action. Aaron Poisson has a girlfriend and a car. And he’s out of high school. That’s a liberating combination to a young man. The boundaries of his youth–walls to many young men aching to break the chains of childhood–are far behind him.

Democrat Congress Bad for Economy

March 7, 2008

We are in for the worst economy since . . . the last time Democrats controlled Congress. I compared three economic numbers from the January 1994, when Democrats lost control of Congress and January 2007, when they took Congress back. Then looked at what’s happened since. It isn’t pretty Gore and Clinton were wrong, of course, because the American people did something about it: the elected Republicans.

ABCNews Gives Up on Global Warming

March 7, 2008

ABCNews gave up on a section of itsweb site dedicated to scaring people to death about global warming. [Link corrected] The site is still up, but no new material has hit the site since September 2007, when the coldest winter on record began. I know that liberals are cowards, liars, frauds, and criminals, but I didn’t think they were this shallow. To just stop posting when the news turned against them?

Liberalism = Terrorism

March 7, 2008

Now that we’re winning the war, the left is ratcheting up its anti-military hatemongering–all the way to terrorism. If the Congressmen who received the letters knew what was coming, they should taken out and shot, along the perp who did it. Today, leftist terrorists bombed a U. S. Armed Forces recruitment center in New York. This domestic terrorism should be met with lethal force. California Senator Diane Fienstein, in an e-mail, reported that members of the House of Representatives received letters with a photo of the perp and a copy of his political manifesto.

After Tuesday

March 6, 2008

Karl Roves cites three possible affects of the prolonged Democrat nomination process on John McCain’s chances: Clinton and Obama bloody each other, leaving the Democrats with a “damaged goods” candidate for the general election. The excitement of a brokered convention draws millions of sideliners into the political process, mostly on the Democrat side, giving whoever wins that party’s nomination a leg up. The protracted race pushes McCain off the front pages, allowing the Democrats to define McCain in any light they choose.

Infra Tuesday

March 5, 2008

https://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php?option=com_altcaster&task=viewaltcast&altcast_code=2b030f2899&height=550&width=470 MORE: Michelle Malkin blogging.

Crappily Evernafta

March 4, 2008

Technorati Tags: Rezko,Obama,Fraud,NAFTA,Goolsbee Something happened on the way to the coronation: the truth hit Barack Obama square in the face. Noam Scheiber of The New Republic previously dismissed the NAFTA-Canuk story, now admits the story has legs: Two things make it problematic for the Obama campaign: 1.) The sudden appearance of this lurid-sounding memo written by a Canadian consular official. I don’t think it’s particularly revealing–as I said this morning, it reflects what the Canadians thought they heard from Goolsbee; there are, significantly, no direct quotes.

Call T; He'll Know What To Do

March 4, 2008

Where’s Tony Soprano when the world needs him? There’s a communist instigator in Venezuela who needs to assume the position and take the big sleep. HotAir has more. Whack him, W. Then take out the Ecuadorian government, as well. As I wrote yesterday, this guy’s too dangerous to be left alive. Technorati Tags: Hugo Chavez

The Science That Dare Not Speak Its Name

March 4, 2008

The Catholic Church is often wrongly accused of suppressing science throughout the so-called Dark Ages. Legend has it that the Church used her secular influence over divine-right monarchs to thwart scientific inquiry. It’s all hooey, of course. During the Medieval period, the lack of an economic system that generated surplus left the Church alone to advance science, translate texts, and preserve history. But that’s a different story. Al Gore and his band of merry thought police are doing to science what the left claims the church did–slitting the throats of anyone who dares speak heresies against the Global Warming god.

Blog Consolidation

March 3, 2008

Last night I read Ed Morrissey’s farewell from Captain’s Quarters. He’s headed to HotAir.com where he’ll Michelle Malkin and others. Not that I’d missed the trend to move from solo blogging to group blogging, then to extremely commercial blogging, but Ed’s voluntary consolidation saddened me. Not that it should. Consolidation seems a natural tendency among human beings and their institutions. Remember the CLECs? (Competitive Local Exchange Carriers were the new phone companies like Allegiance, Onvoy, Big, McCloud.

A Stalinist is a Stalinist

March 2, 2008

Pay attention to this little news bit: Chavez sends troops to Colombian border. Chavez is a Stalinist, and Stalin founded and expanded the Soviet Union with a combination of force, threats, and promises. Every Soviet student expects Chavez to follow suit. President Hugo Chavez on Sunday ordered 10 battalions of troops to the border with Colombia after Colombia’s military killed a top rebel leader. He called the U.S.-allied government in Bogota “a terrorist state” and labeled President Alvaro Uribe “a criminal.

Cold Winter Cools Global Warming Rhetoric

March 2, 2008

I don’t troll AOL’s news, but I do notice where links to my blog come from. The high number of referrals from this AOL article (reprinted from the New York Times) led me to reading, and reading revealed an interesting tone coming from the global warming alarmists: their hubris wanes. Carl Mears, a global warming believer, said, “Temperatures are very likely to recover after the La Niña event is over.”

So, Obama Lies Update

March 2, 2008

Technorati Tags: Barack Obama,the kingfish,nafta Technorati Tags: rezko This is serious stuff, Terence. Thanks to Ed Morrissey, we have some details about Obama’s open admission to telling his supporters lies in order garner their support. On Wednesday, CTV reported that a senior member of Obama’s campaign called the Canadian government within the last month – saying that when Senator Obama talks about opting out of the free trade deal, the Canadian government shouldn’t worry.

It's Okay to Boo

March 2, 2008

Disks ping-pong across the floor* while Polar Bears dance on steel stilts* and the teacher in a JFK suit* tells his failing pupils all is well. All is well. All isn’t well in the theatre, though.* All is tight, worried and sad. Foreboding.* The clock’s ticks annoy the voyeurs* who stand in nervous circles, smoking. The patient may not have the year.* The doctors may not have the room.* The semester may be out of quarters* before the class learns to add and subtract.

Buckley ever after

March 2, 2008

Technorati Tags: william F Buckley David Brooks' masterful obituary of William F. Buckley in the New York Times gives that paper a reprieve, however short, from the right’s vituperations. National Review’s readers no doubt shared a hatred for Communism, but many of them simply wanted to be like Buckley. Guilty as charged. And proud of my crime.

Liberalism Kills Poor People

March 1, 2008

The owner of a St. Louis-area pizza parlor chain, Fortel’s, recently told KMOX radio that the price of 50-lbs. sacks of flour she uses in her pizzas has risen from $11 to more than $30 in recent months. Her suppliers told her to expect the price to exceed $50 soon. Both the US and the UN have announced plans to reduce food distribution programs to the world’s poorest people. Both site hyper-inflation in food prices, mostly grains, dairy, and meat, as we see in this piece on WashingtonPost.

Angelina jolie Joins Team America

February 29, 2008

Gateway Pundit links to the this WaPo option piece by none other than Angelina Jolie. After a visit to Iraq, Jolie announces that America has an obligation to win. My visit left me even more deeply convinced that we not only have a moral obligation to help displaced Iraqi families, but also a serious, long-term, national security interest in ending this crisis. For the many Americans who live and die by the advice of Hollywood celebrities, this story could turn the tide of public opinion–if it gets more play in the MSM.

Obama Prefers Al Qaeda in America

February 29, 2008

Demonstrating a remarkable daftness for thinking on his feet, Barack Obama magnified the folly of a debate gaffe, today, in a clumsy rejoinder to John McCain’s response. In a debate, Obama said he would deploy troops back into Iraq, after a pullout, if al Qaeda established bases. (Do I really need to point out the lack of intelligence, understanding, and strategy his comment portrays?) McCain responded by saying, “I have news for Senator Obama, al Qaeda is in Iraq, and that’s why we’re fighting in Iraq.

The Giants of My Youth are Nearly Gone

February 28, 2008

My favorite cat’s name was Buckley. The cat was nothing like my hero, but he crawled into my heart, settling there as snuggly and permanently as my hero did into my mind and soul. Reagan, Thatcher, and William F. Buckley Jr. That my children were privy to such greatness. A woman called Rush Limbaugh today as I left work to grab a hotdog and soda for lunch at the near-by QuikTrip.

A Hard Blow for Global Warming

February 26, 2008

When some people suggested that sun influences earth’s climate, the wack0 pseudo-scientists scoffed. “How could man possibly influence the sun?” they asked. Now, two prominent climate scientists, Robert Toggweiler of the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory at Princeton University and Joellen Russell, assistant professor of biogeochemical dynamics at the University of Arizona, conclude that wind has a larger influence on Arctic ice than man. (h/t Gateway Pundit). It’s not ice melt but rather wind circulation that drives ocean currents northward from the tropics.

How to Influence the President

February 23, 2008

Technorati Tags: mccain,bush “Do that face, George; they love that face. C’mon, George . . . yeah, yeah, that’s the one, you’re killin' ‘em. It’s just like the cartoons.”

Deconstructing McCain

February 21, 2008

Technorati Tags: McCain,New York Times The right (myself included) knew damn well what the left media were up to: influence voters to pick the weakest, viable Republican candidate. They’ve done it. McCain was the “media darling” candidate only until all other candidates fell out. That fall out came with this week’s primaries. Today, the very media that built up McCain and propelled him to the Republican nomination tore him down.

It Starts With "C"

February 20, 2008

Think of a four letter word to describe Michelle Obama, who has loathed America her entire life. Black Five nails it. Technorati Tags: Michelle Obama,anti-Americanism

Global Cooling Is Back!

February 20, 2008

Baby, it’s cold outside. Are you cold tonight? I thought it was just me. Here in St. Louis, we’ve had a few way above average temp days this winter, including 70+ in January and February. But between those balmy days are many, many below average days and nights. My gas bill has been in over $200 a month, and I live in an 11-year-old, well insulated home. Now, we learn that the polar ice caps have reversed five years of shrinkage by returning rapidly old levels.

White man's World

February 19, 2008

James Joyner gets the credit for finding this one. “Stuff White People Like” is the most exciting new blog on the planet. Example: White people love to laugh, so it’s no surprise that some of the funniest people in the world are white! But there’s more: WARNING: under no circumstances should you EVER list Dane Cook as your favorite comedian. The wrong kind of white people like him.

When Your Children Die

February 19, 2008

When your children die at the hands of terrorists, blame the Democrats and their lawyer friends. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and other Democrats let the domestic surveillance law die. They did it because their Trial Lawyer donors want to sue telecommunication companies who help stop terrorism. It’s impossible to count the number of American lives saved by electronic surveillance. We know it’s in the thousands. Possibly the hundreds of thousands.

Gunfight At the Not-OK Corral

February 19, 2008

Clinton Inc. will do whatever (it thinks) it takes to secure the Democrat nomination for president. The news of the past two days has been Obama’s plagiarism. As if Obama is can’t produce his own pandering drivel. From WaPo: Yesterday, key Clinton supporters accused Obama of “lifting” a passage of the rousing speech he delivered to a party gathering in Milwaukee on Saturday night from Massachusetts Gov. Deval L. Patrick, a longtime friend and supporter.

Windows Live Writer

February 19, 2008

I’ve tried several commercial and free blog writing tools in the past three years and found them all wanting. When Live Writer was still beta, I tried it, but it was touchy with WordPress. I’m giving it another try. If anyone has any tips or reviews, I’d love to hear them. Technorati Tags: windows live writer,blog writing tools

Elections

February 14, 2008

“Socialism in America will come through the ballot box." –Gus Hall, Chairman of the Communist Party of the United States and recipient of the Order of Lenin. Which is why Obama needs to take aloyalty oath (OTB).

Pater Noster

February 13, 2008

The Lord’s Prayer in Latin intrigues me. I think it’s because it’s so easily understood to speakers of English. This is a prayer to memorize, even if you’re not a Latin Mass type. The rhythm of the language is soothing, and the words begin to take on a higher meaning.

Obama Is a Commie--or next to it

February 13, 2008

I am disheartened that James Joyner continues to find more fault with conservatives' reasons and methods for attacking a socialist than with the socialist himself. In the growing debate over a Che Guevara Cuban flag proudly adorning the wall of Barack Obama’s headquarters in Houston, Texas, Joyner comes galloping to Obama’s defense, ignoring the mounting evidence that Obama is as every bit as much a threat to capitalism as is Hugo Chavez.

Archbishop of Canterbury Can't Bury His Words

February 12, 2008

Last week, Rowan Williams, the idiot who presides over the Anglican church, made comments on the radio that his country should adopt Islamic law. Today’s Washington Post reports that Williams sticks by his sentiments in favor of the abolition of freedom and Christianity, but like so many spineless weasels in today’s public eye, Williams says he’d made a “misleading choice of words.” A man stupid enough to emit such utterances could not possibly benefit from my attacks: his stupidity is beyond human reach.

Chapter 11 for Clinton Inc.

February 12, 2008

The New York Times on Tuesday will carry story describing the Hillary Clinton campaign as a death-watch (h/t Drudge). It’s worth noting that on January 7, I wrote the Kerry campaign obituary prematurely. Still, the problems Hillary faces are of the sort that spells doom to candidates, either in their nomination quest or, later, in the general election. Shuffling top staff, borrowing money from the candidate, asking staff to work without pay are all symptoms of a campaign in deep trouble.

Hitler's Diary

February 10, 2008

Imagine the affect on Allied troop morale, planning, and espionage had US troops found Hitler’s diary during the Normandy invasion. Something close, in the strategic sense, happened recently in Iraq. US fighters seized the diary of an al Qaeda in Iraq leader. The journal provides our side with names of terrorists, descriptions of their tactics, evidence of their atrocities, and catalogs of their weapons. Just as important, though, the book proves that we are winning and the terrorists are losing.

Perfect!

February 7, 2008

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDRA3XFfDr4&rel;=1]

Sit back and enjoy

February 7, 2008

Eight years from now, the next Republican President will be running for re-election. He’ll air a TV spot like this one, reminding us of how far we’ve come in the previous four years.[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU-IBF8nwSY&rel;=1]

Teach A Liberal to Love

February 6, 2008

I just sent a copy of “Hard Corps: From Gangster to Marine Hero” to Berkeley, California, Mayor Tom Bates. After all the anger directed at Berkeley after its city council voted to declare our great Marines persona non grata, I figured, “Maybe these people are just ignorant.” So I’m teaching the mayor to read, and what. If you’d like to educate other members of the council, find their names and addresses here.

The Joy of Family

February 6, 2008

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of attending an aunt and uncle’s 50th wedding anniversary. A foot of snow reflected brilliant white sunlight on a sixty-degree day that seemed more like Colorado than Missouri. But our location was obvious by the unmistakable eagles-in-As adorning every fixture at the Anheuser-Busch Center in southwest St. Louis County. I cherish every Hennessy family get-together, but this one was special. There was no funeral parlor to visit, no Rosary at 10:00 p.

The Worst Thing About Election Nights

February 6, 2008

The candidates addressing supporters. BOOOOOring! Well, Reagan in 1980 was pretty cool. Since then, I don’t even want to hear MY candidate’s speech, much less the others. I mixed a Scotch and air and Obama’s still talking.

Why Vote Republican?

February 6, 2008

If John McCain (or Huckster) is the Republican nominee, why would anyone, other than GOP loyalists, vote Republican? To paraphrase Harry Truman, if McCain (or Huckster) is the nominee, there won’t be a dime’s difference between the two parties. Given that, why not vote for the real deal in Hillary or Obama? McCain is an impostor. (Related: Michelle Malkin asks if the GOP is lost.) Ronald Reagan won because he was sooooooo different from the Democrats that conservative Democrats and independents exercised the freedom of political choice and crossed over to our side.

Blame Me—I didn’t vote

February 6, 2008

Not entirely my fault. I planned to vote on my way home from work. I have a client-facing job, and I have to respond to production issues. Tonight’s issue lasted until 6:10. Then, either local flooding or a bad accident had a major road to my house closed. It took over 45 minutes to get through the detour. By that time, it was 7:00 p.m., and my polling place in Ellisville, Missouri, was closed.

Dole: "McCain Can Win Even More States Than I Did"

February 5, 2008

Former Sentator and Republican nominee for President, Bob Dole, came to John McCain’s defense, today. Taking umbrage at anti-McCain rhetoric from conservatives like Rush Limbaugh, Dole struck back, declaring McCain a superior candidate. Here is the text of Dole’s message: When Bob Dole ran for president, Bob Dole lost to an unpopular, scandal-ridden Democrat who had just lost both houses of Congress in an off-year Republican landslide. Listen to Bob Dole: Bob Dole was an establishment Republican.

Belichick Bad UPDATE

February 4, 2008

UPDATE 2/4/2008 12:01 a.m. Yahoo! calls Belichick a “sore loser.” Because Bill Belichick wanted to go hide when he lost, the field ended up being flooded with people, and the officials had to clear the area before the Giants could take their final snap and make it official. When you lose, you take your loss. You don’t leave early because it makes you feel sad inside. Your opponent deserves more respect than that.

Give Berkeley to Taliban

February 3, 2008

We all know the trouble when a people, however recently formed, lose their homeland. Even if given privileged guest status in another country, they tend to make trouble for everyone around. (Think Palestinians.) The Taliban continue to wage war against freedom in Afghanistan. Likewise, the vile people of Berkeley, California, wish to be free of the burdens of freedom. I have the solution: Cede Berkeley, California, to the Taliban. Radical Islamists would love the location and the accomodating people.

Classes and Tides

January 29, 2008

Back in the 1980s, it was fashionable for the left to scoff at Reagan’s economic notion that a rising tide lifts all ships. Liberal economists and politicians sneeringly referred to “trickle-down” economics as a justification for the rich to keep the poor poor. Every responsible economist knew Reagan was right, but the left in America had no accountability. Many Americans, by 1986, believed “trickle-down” economics pure evil. Today, MSNBC took it all back.

Clinton Sabotaging Clinton

January 27, 2008

Bill Clinton is famously jealous, selfish, petulant, and subversive. He and Hillary haven’t really lived as husband and wife in over a decade. Bill’s eight years in the White Houseleft a void where most presidents leave a legacy. He’s best known as the president who turned the evening news rating from TV13 to TV-MA. In recent weeks, he’s angered Democrats and liberals by claiming, in so many words, that only black people are stupid enough to vote for Obama.

Snot-clobbered!

January 27, 2008

Democrat presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, seen here explaining to an African-American toddler why black men should not be president, had her sinuses cleared by fellow Senator, Barack Obama, in the South Carolina primary on Saturday. Clinton, once considered the inevitable nominee, appears weak and wounded headed into the February 5 Super Tuesday primaries. The final numbers from South Carolina are staggering: Obama 55 percent, Clinton 27 percent, Edwards 18 percent.

Depression Just One Symptom of Liberalism

January 25, 2008

Democrats are more likely to be depressed than Republicans, while independents (also know as “stupid people") fall somewhere in between. In a recent [WSJ-MSNBC ](Among Republicans, 52% now expect a recession; 76% of self-identified Democrats do. Independents – the swing voters who could tip the election – are also pessimistic, with 61% expecting a downturn.)poll, Democrats displayed pathological levels of depression: Among Republicans, 52% now expect a recession; 76% of self-identified Democrats do.

Gore Blames Global Warming

January 25, 2008

Former Vice President Al Gore, today, blamed global warming for the rapid deformation of his head. U2 lead singer, Bono, demonstrates a normal human head for comparison.

Get Ahead Fast

January 24, 2008

If you’re struggling to keep up with all your work, your errands, getting a St. Valentine’s Day gift, and the other things that crowd our minds, you need to check out a powerful combination of new tools: Nozbe.com is the best task and project manager on the planet. Based on my personal productivity guru David Allen’s Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity method, Nozbe is free for basic activity.

Pride and Petulance

January 24, 2008

After Democrat leaders, Barack Obama, and Newsweek pointed out that former President Bill Clinton’s behavior has been un-Presidential, self-serving, and full of lies, Bill Clinton became more prideful and more petulant than ever. I am amazed at the depths of Bill Clinton’s abhorrent behavior, but I’m equally amazed at Democrats' shock that their former hero is a bore. Former Senate minority leader, Tom “Puff” Daschle called Clinton’s behavior “unpresidential.” Duh.

Scarlett Johannsen: Forgivable--and then some

January 23, 2008

I understand that Scarlett Johansen’s remarkable, incredible, indescribable attractiveness came with a heavy dose of anti-Hennessy knee-jerkism. I forgive her.For one thing, she’s desirable like a mattress after a 72 hour day.For another, she spent a long day with our heroes in the Middle East. Blackfive has the video. (Get your rewind finger ready.)

Where's Hennessy?

January 23, 2008

Sorry, folks. I’m paying attention to the world in between client meetings. I have my most significant client in town. I am heartbroken that Fred Thompson ended his race. I am discouraged that he had to end it. The only Reagan conservative–well, Reagan-style conservative–in the race is gone. My best to Fred and his family. That leaves us with McCain (moderate) and Romney (smarmy). And Obama (Jimmy Carter). I’ll blog more tomorrow, but Carter’s presidency gave us Reagan.

Economy of Swine

January 21, 2008

America, and the world, could be looking at the worst recession since the ’70s and early ’80s. (Coincidentally, the last recession began simultaneously with the end of an 8 year presidency. The one before that was pretty close, too.) I remember that era. Only the unions and the remnants of employer-worker loyalty saved my neighbors from prolonged unemployment and foreclosure. St. Louis firms tried hard to keep their doors open. We know it wasn’t so good in other industrial cities: Detroit, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Milwaukee, southern Pennsylvania.

Obama Calls Bill Clinton a Liar

January 21, 2008

In an interview certain to shock Democrats who believe Bill Clinton a paragon of truthfulness and honesty, Democrat candidate Barack Obama has accused Bill Clinton of lying, according to ABC News. “You know the former president, who I think all of us have a lot of regard for, has taken his advocacy on behalf of his wife to a level that I think is pretty troubling,” Obama said. “He continues to make statements that are not supported by the facts – whether it’s about my record of opposition to the war in Iraq or our approach to organizing in Las Vegas.

Looks, Brains . . . Well, Looks

January 20, 2008

Hollywood has more airheads than the candy aisle at a convenience store. Some of the stories, though, are better than others. Case in point: Charlize Theron. “We went to Turkey. When we got over there, we rented a car and we drove all the way to Budapest. By the time we got to Budapest it was like the Cannes Film Festival, I’d never seen anything like it,” Theron told the Mail.

I've Been Spied Upon

January 20, 2008

Apparently Beth (MY Vast Right Wing Conspiracy) overheard a conversation between my wife and me at dinner last night. We were talking about Kiefer Sutherland’s release from jail, which led us to how whacked Britney Spears is, to which my wife added, “Tom Cruise is even worse.”

The Future of Fred

January 20, 2008

With his third place finish in South Carolina, a lot of us are just waiting for the announcement from Fred Thompson that the race, for him, is over. Charles Bird blogs on RedState that Thompson should do the honorable thing by dropping out and endorsing McCain. McCain, in turn, would return the favor naming Thompson his running mate if nominated. Thompson has enough support from social and economic conservatives to bring us a solid base going forward, especially if Thompson is a presumptive running mate.

WordPress Upgrades Suck

January 20, 2008

I love many things about WordPress, but their upgrades suck. About 2 weeks ago, WP notified users that an urgent security fix was required. I put it off as long as I could, but last night seemed like a good time to try it. I have 2–count ‘em 2–test sites. I upgraded both of them with no problem. then I repeated the process exactly on my live site and permalinks broke.

First in the South--Now What?

January 20, 2008

The polls in South Carolina closed 52 minutes ago, and ABC News projects that John McCain and Mike Huckebee will finish first and second (or second and first) with Fred Thompson battling Mitt Romney for third. A third place finish could spell the end for Thompson and hopes for a conservative Republican candidate in 2008. A win for McCain could put the Arizona Senator and former POW on a wave that would carry him to the nomination–and a brutal defeat in November.

Romney Wins Nevada

January 19, 2008

MSNBC projects Mitt Romney will win the Nevada Caucuses, topping Mike Huckabee, Fred Thompson, and Ron “Hell Yes I’m Nuts” Paul. I have to admit, I paid absolutely no attention to recent polls in Nevada. South Carolina is where the action is, where my attention has been, and where my head and heart lie. South Carolina is where Fred Thompson, the conservative candidate for President, makes his stand. South Carolinians–vote! vote!

The Islamic Republic of Canada

January 19, 2008

Last weekend, news of Canada’s “Human Rights” Commission’s persecution of a magazine publish sent a frightening chill through her freedom-loving neighbors to the south (US) and through many of her own good citizens. This week, we learn that some Canadians continue their persecution of conservatives, Christians, and free-speakers. Right Wing News has the story of a blogger called before an Islamic council to answer for his crimes–printing excerpts of a Mark Steyn book.

Polls Gone Wild

January 19, 2008

The most recent three polls from South Carolina demonstrate one thing clearly: you can’t believe polls. Here’s the latest from RealClearPolitics. The spreads and the leaders are so out of whack, so changing, that no one can draw any intelligent conclusions. While McCain’s number is static at about 26, Huckabee’s numbers fluctuate wildly. Romney and Paul are steadily falling, while our hero Thompson rises steadily. Let’s hope more Huckabee supporters break for Fred in the next 24 hours.

Global Warming Threatens To Destroy Siberia

January 19, 2008

Russians are bracing for temperatures of as low as minus 55 degrees Celsius (minus 67 degrees Fahrenheit) in Siberia as Russia’s emergencies ministry warns on Wednesday of its impending dangers in the coming weeks. [source] Of course, we all know that global warming causes cold weather. Seriously. Some scientists should be forced to turn in their diplomas.

Jay Grodner Guilty As Charged

January 19, 2008

This is a heart-warming, uplifting story written eloquently. Jay Grodner, the Chicago lawyer and convicted vote fraud conspirator, was sentenced to probation and to donate to the Semper Fi fund for keying a Marine’s car. He keyed the car only because its owner was a Marine.

Moderates Are Stupid . . . and Liberal

January 15, 2008

My blog fromOctober 2000. It’s worth reading every election cycle.

New Gay Man Disease

January 15, 2008

A staph infection strain that killed 19,000 Americans in 2005 and was formerly contained to hospital is now spreading among gay men in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York. (Reuters via Drudge). Sexually active gay men in San Francisco are 13 times more likely to be infected than their heterosexual neighbors, the researchers reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine. “Once this reaches the general population, it will be truly unstoppable,” said Binh Diep, a researcher at the University of California, San Francisco who led the study.

Deborah Sontag and Lizette Alverez Are Anti-Military Liars

January 13, 2008

What other conclusion could one reach after reading their unveiled attack on “the troops” in today’s New York Times. I could conclude that they are affirmative action babes who got their jobs only because of their sex, that they slept with the right people to get their jobs, and that Sontag and Alverez are the heroin connections at the Times, getting smack for the editors at crack-basement prices. Unfortunately, the story doesn’t support those conclusion.

Marine Murder Suspect Spotted

January 13, 2008

UPDATE 1:44 PM 1/13/08 Authorities say double murder suspect Cesar Armando Laurean was spotted heading through Louisiana toward Texas. Police are less than 2 hours behind the suspect. From FoxNews.com: Marine Cpl. Cesar Armando Laurean was seen getting on or off a Greyhound bus in Shreveport, La., Saturday night, said Shreveport police Chief Henry Whitehorn Sr. “We’re working with the U.S. Marshal’s Service and other law enforcement agencies trying to locate him,” Whitehorn told The Associated Press.

Fred Is On The Loose

January 13, 2008

Much great news to report on the Fred Thompson front: * [Crowds ](https://fredfile.fred08.com/blog/2008/video-on-the-road-in-mt-pleasant-sc/)grew so large at two[ campaign stops](https://fredfile.fred08.com/blog/2008/video-on-the-road-in-mt-pleasant-sc/) in South Carolina that the fire department shut them down. The Fredheads overwhelmed the[ buildings' occupancy limit (Captain's Quarters) ](https://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/016612.php) * Fred's goal of raising $540,000 on the internet by Friday has been blown away. He's raised over $875K as of the this morning. * Human Events magazine endorsed Fred on Friday.

Al Qaeda Attacks USA in the Gaza Strip

January 13, 2008

More ofGeorge Soros’s buddies, al Qaeda, attacked an American school in Gaza tonight (US time). Gateway Pundit provides: “Armed men entered the school in Beit Lahiya during the night and ransacked rooms as well as adminstration offices, and stole several computers.” Nasty fucks. I’ll bet George Soros finances this act of terrorism, too. The raid on the school was the second in a week. On Wednesday armed men fired anti-tank rockets at it, causing serious damage to the building.

How Many People Has George Soros Killed?

January 13, 2008

Anti-American billionaire George Soros would kill his own mother to make us believe he’s right. Then he’d pay millions to cover up his crime. What other conclusion can we draw after learning, to no surprise, the Soros funded the fictitious Lancet report of 650,000 Iraqi deaths–a report since dismissed by everyone from the DNC to the United Nations. From London’s TimesOnline: A STUDY that claimed 650,000 people were killed as a result of the invasion of Iraq was partly funded by the antiwar billionaire George Soros.

Al Qaeda in Cananda Attacked by Publisher

January 12, 2008

Al Qaeda in Canada, officially known as the Alberta Human Rights Commission, is persecuting Ezra Levant, former publisher of a magazine called The Western Standard, now defunct. His crime, according to the Commission, was publishing the famous Mohammed cartoons that originally appeared in a Danish Magazine. Levant was ordered against his will to appear before the Commission on Friday, January 10. He began with a compelleing opening statement that made the Commission sound like a collection of Nazi boobs hellbent on destroying the right of political speech and to advance the cause of radical Islam in Canada.

UPDATED 1/12 Help Find Missing Marine

January 12, 2008

UPDATE 1/12/08* This story is now both depressing and disgusting and disturbing. According to FoxNews, Laurean, the Marine accused of raping Maria Lauterbach, violently killed her and burned her body in his back yard. He crafted a noted claiming Laurean had slit her own throat–a scenario quickly dismissed by crime scene investigators. You’ll have to read the rest here. I’m too disgusted to keep writing. UPDATE 1/11/08* Lance Cpl.

Michelle Malkin Declares Fred Thompson "Clear" Winner

January 11, 2008

I could not watch the South Carolin GOP debate tonight, but I am ecstatic. Ron Paul made an ass of himself, but Michelle Malkin who, like me, seems to fret over Fred’s performances sometimes, has no doubt Fred won. From the clip I blogged below, I have to give points to Romney for slamming Ron Paul. As a war hero, John McCain had every right to across the stage and belt that phony, lying, racist scum.

Mitt's Loss Is Fred's Gain

January 10, 2008

Mitt Romney is pulling his broadcast advertising from South Carolina and Florida (h/t Drudge). This could help Fred’s Fort Sumter strategy. I might have been wrong about Huckabee’s descent, as he seems to remain above 20 percent in key states. By conceding South Carolina, though, Romney may end up driving soft supporters to Thompson, and that might be his strategy. With McCain, the media darling, rising, Romney could hope to bump up Thompson’s numbers in the Palmetto State.

House on Acid?

January 10, 2008

I wish this blogger had posted the name of the builder.

Kudos to Robin Williams

January 10, 2008

I’m not his biggest fan. Yet Blackfive shows us a video that earns new admiration. He shows particular respect for the troops he is entertaining in Kuwait. He shows singular respect for military tradition. Finally, he shows due respect to his country and her colors. Bravo, Mr. Williams.

Obamanation

January 9, 2008

(Continued from “Change Is All You Need") **The Obama Years ** To be fair, Jimmy Carter inherited a country that needed a lot of work. Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society programs, built on Roosevelt’s economically untenable New Deal welfare state, had set the nation’s economy and social classes on a path to destruction a decade earlier. The self-absorption of the Baby Boomers decayed the social institutions and mores that sustained us for 200 years.

The Battle of Fort Sumter

January 9, 2008

The Union Army held onto Fort Sumter for only day, but Fred Thompson hopes to gain and hold South Carolina from now to the convention. Unlike other candidates who dodge, dip, dive, duck, and dodge better than Patches O’Houlihan when asked how far they’ll take their campaigns, Fred Thompson put it on the line tonight with his usual bold honesty: “This is where we make our stand - this is where I have chosen to make my stand,” Thompson told a crowd at a barbecue restaurant.

Hot Air

January 9, 2008

Lines for the voting booths unexpectedly thinned after Mabel cast her vote . . .

The Candidate Most Like Me Is . . .

January 9, 2008

**90% Fred Thompson 88% Mitt Romney 83% Mike Huckabee 81% Ron Paul 79% Tom Tancredo 76% John McCain 54% Rudy Giuliani 29% Bill Richardson 20% Hillary Clinton 19% Chris Dodd 18% John Edwards 16% Barack Obama 15% Joe Biden 15% Mike Gravel 11% Dennis Kucinich ** I saw this on Blackfive, and I SWEAR I didn’t take it 19 times to make it come out this way. I took it once and lived with the results.

New Word: Obamaton

January 8, 2008

Obamaton: n. One who blindly follows Barack Obama, as in, “Oprah is a mind-numb Obamaton.” Derogatory.

Change is All You Need

January 8, 2008

G. K Chesterton said, “Nine out of ten of what we call new ideas are simply old mistakes.” I recall this quote (from Orthodoxy) every time I hear Barack Obama speak of “change.” Obama’s change is about old errors, not new ideas. But the children, like Oprah, croon. Why do I say this? How am I qualified to say, as I did on Saturday, that four years of Obama will look much like the four years of Carter?

A Leader, For a Change

January 8, 2008

Contrast Reagan’s “everything is right with America,” ad with this one, four years early, from Jimmy Carter. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ujaix6ya54&rel;=1]

Morning in America

January 8, 2008

Many of you don’t remember 1984. I was a junior in college, campaigning for Reagan, on campus and off. For those of you who weren’t around then, I can tell that even gray, rainy days were brighter than than sunniest June sky had been in 1979. Nothing expresses the change in America better than this classic. Brought to you by the Republicans. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH8J8ct7taM&rel;=1]

New Hampshire Debate II: Affirmations

January 7, 2008

After tonight’s 90 minutes with the Republicans, I can say without any fear of error whatsoever that Fred Dalton Thompson is the most qualified person in either party to run the United States of America. Here’s why: * Thompson understands the philosophical foundations on which this country was born and became the greatest nation on earth * Thompson's sense of humor is sharp, ready, and appropriate * Thompson's legal training and experience shines when it comes to framing the issue, such as "why not Barack Obama?

This Must Make Democrats Happy

January 6, 2008

Al Qaeda’s American spokesman called on the terror network’s fighters to greet President Bush with “bombs and booby-trapped vehicles” when he visits the Middle East later this week, according to a video posted Sunday. Read more on CNN.com

More Evidence AGAINST CO2 as Warming Agent

January 6, 2008

I have been railing against idiots who think human activity causes global warming for years. I find it interesting, then, that the more evidence we get the I’m right, the more people believe that I’m wrong. The latest evidence comes brilliantly from Jeff Jacoby via Boston Globe. Some of the facts: * Temperatures have been flat since 2000, even though CO2 in the atmosphere increased 4 percent * 2007, predicted by all alarmist models to be the hottest in recent history, was not * The second half of 2007 was one of the coldest in recent times * Ice in Antarctica is growing rapidly for the first time in 6,000 years * Al Gore is an idiot There.

Romney Contracted Hit on Thompson

January 6, 2008

Robert Novak (h/t Wizbang! Jim Addison) reveals today that Mitt Romney’s campaign released the phony story that Fred Thompson would withdraw and send his support to McCain. That may explain why it appeared Thompson and McCain singled out Romney for attacks in Saturday Night’s debate on ABC. Addision is a bit skeptical of Novak’s conclusions, noting that Bob did not name a source. I suspected Huckabee’s campaign as the source, but Romney is also a possibility.

Analyzing the New Hampshire Republican Debate

January 6, 2008

Last night I had to log off as soon asthe GOP debate ended, so I thought I’d log my impressions this morning. The Good Thompson, McCain, and Giuliani helped themselves in varying degrees. Captain Ed Morrissey seems to agree: Fred Thompson got Romney to admit he liked the “mandates that you want”. It seemed to me that Thompson and McCain won the foreign policy portion of the debate. Everyone got a chance to score a few points off of Ron Paul, who trotted out the same tired “terrorism is our fault” theme that he just can’t seem to surrender.

The New Hampshire Debate

January 6, 2008

What I got out of the debate: Ron Paul looks like Jack Riley, the comedian who played Mr. Carlin on the Bob Newhart Show in the 1970s: That, and Fred Thompson won hands down. Rudy and McCain (in that order) Placed and Showed. OIL 7:40 – Romney, with Fred’s help, says he’s against windfall profits tax. 7:39 – Giuliani is right-on on energy, particularly new refineries and nuclear power plants.

Wyoming Republican County Conventions

January 5, 2008

Former governor Mitt Romney has won the Wyoming Caucuses. Romney has 6 of the 12 delegates up for grabs. Two other delegates are split between Thompson and Duncan Hunter. With 4 delegates to be decided, that leaves Romney with a lock. Nonetheless, if Thompson could pick up 3 of the remaining 4, it would be a banner day for the true conservative voice. The Wyoming GOP has an Excel spreadsheet showing the candidate favored in each county.

On the Fred Watch

January 5, 2008

Today is the Wyoming Republican caucus. Unfortunately, I know no one from Wyoming, though I do have a few business acquaintances from Montana. My cousin Bob lived in Wyoming for a few years after college, from whence he hitch-hiked to St. Louis for the annual Hennessy St. Patrick’s Day party at Uncle Jim’s. Since I have no one to appeal to directly, I hope some Wyomingites stumple upon my humble blog and decide to wander to their county convention and cast a vote for conservatism in the person of Fred Thompson.

Politico--Waste of Zeroes and Ones

January 5, 2008

Curt at Flopping Aces beat me to the punch. (Great headline, by the way, and watch the video.) Don’t these yahoo’s understand that everything is taped nowadays? That bloggers will be on you quickly if you misrepresent an event? But they do it anyway. Incredible. Curt links to PoliGazette, which wrote: I’ve seldom seen anything as obviously slanted as that [Politico story] . I’m not sure what problem the Politico has with the former Senator, but it’s clear that the guys there want to make him look as bad as possible.

Thompson Surge Earns Third

January 4, 2008

Fred Thompson, who only a week ago was predicted to finish behind Ron Paul, roared into third place in the Iowa Caucuses, passing McCain and Giuliani. Huckabee and Romney finished one and two. Because so many had written off Thompson, his third-place showing should bolster his campaign–a campaign that seemed stuck in low gear until recently. The sad news is the support for Huckabee, a “non-conservative” Baptist minister who played a populism card in Iowa, demagoguing the Christian Right to build big momentum headed into the caucuses.

Watch Iran's Navy

January 4, 2008

Iran commissioned a stealth attack submarine on November 28, adding a dangerous and potentially destabilizing weapon to its aggressive arsenal. Built with Russian help, the Ghadir is capable of launching torpedoes and missiles simultaneously. Perhaps Iran has suspended its nuke program. Perhaps not. An advanced sub patrolling the Med in the hands of Iranian nuts is bad news for that part of the world. Makes me wish I was still in our submarine force.

Instead of Global Warming, Global Reality

January 4, 2008

Shut up and read.

The Thompson Hit

January 4, 2008

Just as Fred Thompson’s campaign started to take off, a loose conspiracy of MSM and bloggers seems determined to bring him down. As I blogged last night, a single rumor on Control Congress, which seemed implausible, turned into a major story today–the day of the Iowa Cauci. Apparently, the anti-Thompson forces were spooked by his surge in the polls in Iowa and decided to employ one of the dirtiest tricks in politics: the withdrawal rumor.

What Endorsement?

January 3, 2008

Control Congress carried a rumor, today, that appears to have no legs. I was watching the Morning Joe and they claim the rumor is out that if Thompson does badly in Iowa he may pull out and endorse McCain. Whether or not McCain or Thompson might, at campaign’s end, recommend their supporters to one or the other remains a possibility. But I seriously doubt this rumor came from inside Thompson’s campaign.

The Fred Surge

January 3, 2008

There are reasons to believe that Fred Thompson’s campaign is surging in Iowa. First, Zogby’s daily tracking poll finds Thompson in a tie for 3rd with McCain. Second, a Des Moines Register poll concluded 12/30 saw Thompson’s numbers rise by 2 percentage points. Third, strategic Vision, concluded 12/30, shows an up-tic for Thompson. Fourth, pundits are taking notice of both the late surge and Thompson’s penchant for substance over glitz:

Global Warming in 2008

January 2, 2008

Despite the Nobel committee’s best efforts, 2007 turned out to be a bad year for global warming hoaxters. Global, 2007 was the coolest since 2001. The 387 category 5 hurricanes predicted to strike Miami in at the rate of 3 per day until every (non-white) man, woman, and child was dead never happened. In a glorious NYT op-ed, John Tierney lambastes the leftist, the global warming fearmongers, the idiot soccer moms who accept the non-science of greenhouse effect as readily as they accept their mediocre offspring are genetically superior any other nineteen human beings put together.

Happy New Year!

January 1, 2008

I hope 2008 is the best year yet . . . for all of us. Most particularly, may our men in women in uniform continue to fight their good fight, kick the enemy’s ass, and catch a non-stop home to have a celebratory beer with us. We miss you kids, but we thank God you’re doing His work on our behalf.

Celebrate the Marines

January 1, 2008

I was in the Navy, but I have a life-long appreciation for the Marine Corps and its outstanding men and women. Why not help yourself some cool Marine stuff. Amazon.com Widgets

Jay Grodner's Voter Fraud Discipline

December 31, 2007

UPDATED Here’s the ISC document in PDF:Illinois Supreme Court Document According to the Illinois Supreme Court web site, Jay R. Grodner, the scumbag who keyed a deploying Marine’s car, committed vote fraud resulting in the suspension of his law license in 1984: Here’s highlights from the Supreme Court’s findings: The Administrator charged Petersen with forging voter signatures and with actively recruiting Grodner, Presbrey, Weir, and Truemper to assist in this effort.

Jay Grodner: Chicago Lawyer and Anti-American

December 31, 2007

Clarification: My comment about Chicago doesn’t read the way it sounded in my head. Chicago’s one of my favorite cities, and the people are generally great. My point was that it votes way to the left of the country as a whole. Way. Sorry to my Chicago friends. It’s still a great town. Everyone is blogging about this asshat. Blackfive had it first. For my part, I’ve e-mailed him the message below.

Why Liberals are Traitors

December 31, 2007

Liberalism is cultural treason. Past US wars have spawned heroes. Generations honored them. I came of age in the 1980s, but I was well aware of men like Audey Murphy, Ted Knight, Doolittle, Patton, the men of Iwo Jima, the Baton Death March. These great men shaped our understanding of what it means to be a man. Liberalism, though, has robbed my sons of such heroes. At least, it’s made their task of learning about these heroes much more difficult.

The GOP Horse Race

December 29, 2007

Mike Huckabee’s recent ascent through the polls is about to reverse itself. Looking through RealClearPolitics news stories and polls, I saw a pattern: * Huckabee says something stupid * Romney fires off attack ads on Huckabee * Huckabee makes something up that might not be true * Romney fires off attack ads on Huckabee * Huckabee attacks Romney's ads * Repeat until sick Let’s assume that people in Iowa, New Hampshire, Michigan, and the Palmetto State are not sadists who pick a candidate based primarily upon his or her ability to insult and impugn opponents.

Huckabee Slammed By Senior Aide

December 28, 2007

From CNN: A senior aide to Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee admitted Friday that the former Arkansas governor had “no foreign policy credentials” after his comments reacting to the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto raised questions. When a candidate’s senior aide admits the candidate knows nothing about the world beyond Arkansas, USA, the voters must take the aide seriously. A vote for Huckabee might be more un-American than a vote for a Democrat.

Blog Burst Works! $248,000 for Fred

December 28, 2007

Congratulations, Fred. (Official announcement of success here.) Congratulations, bloggers, especially Rick Moran. Finally, good luck to Iowa. You have a chance to set us back on track.

Hillary: Don't Ask, Don't Tell

December 28, 2007

Lawyers don’t like to ask questions of a witness unless they know the answer the witness will give and can compel the witness to give it. Hillary Clinton, whose troubles with questions from the people are the stuff of political legend, is employing the reverse of this lawyer’s rule: don’t take questions if you don’t have a good answer. As Riehl World View explains that Hillary’s take NO questions in an attempt to avoid further gaffes, like not knowing how many children her close, personal friend Benazir Bhutto had.

The Joy of Common Purpose

December 28, 2007

I planned to get new brakes on my car and to rearrange the storage room in the basement with my week off between Christmas and New Year’s. Solitary tasks. Yesterday, though, like many of you, I read about theBlog Burst for Fred Thompson. I linked to Captain’s Quarter’s (where I first read the story), then to Rick Moran and John Hawkins, who seem to have launched the effort. For the rest of the day, I found myself e-mailing friends and posting updates about the effort to raise enough money for Fred to run a commercial in Iowa lead up to the caucuses.

Group: Bin Laden to release Iraq message - Yahoo! News

December 28, 2007

UPDATE Michael Yon reports that UBL’s announcement has reached Western ears. Shockingly, UBL calls for uprisings in Iraq. [h/t Instapundit] Terror leader Osama bin Laden will release a new Internet message that focuses on Iraq and an al-Qaida linked insurgent group, a terrorism monitoring group said Thursday.The SITE intelligence group said the al-Qaida leader will discuss Iraq and the group the Islamic State of Iraq, a longtime foe of the Iraqi government and U.

You Gotta Watch This

December 28, 2007

John Hawkins (Right Wing News) has put together the best political ad of the season in support of Fred Thompson. Enjoy! [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG2DwIVuXr0&rel;=1]

Democrats Prove Incapable . . . Again

December 28, 2007

The two leading Democrat contenders for president took time out from their campaigns, yesterday, using Benazir Bhutto’s assassination to demonstrate their utter incapability and unpreparedness to lead the world’s last remaining superpower. Obama Barrack Obama’s team blamed the United States, George Bush, and everyone who supported the Iraq War for Bhutto’s assassination. In other words, like the child he is, Obama blamed everyone but himself. Clinton Our friend Gateway Pundit points out that Hillary’s soliloquy on Bhutto centered on the Senators long, close, personal relationship with Bhutto that lasted a dozen years.

Fred File – The Friends of Fred Thompson Blog » Blog Archive » “Substance” Airing in Iowa

December 28, 2007

[ ](https://www.fred08.com/PhotoGallery.aspx#) The blog burst has put Fred back on the air in Iowa. From our friend, Sean Hackbarth, at Fred ‘08: Your efforts are working. “Substance” is now airing in Iowa. We’re only $87,398 away from making sure it stays running through the caucuses. If 2200 people give $40 we make our goal. That’s doable since our average contribution today has been over $70.This wide-open Republican race means anything can happen.

Why Donate to Fred?

December 28, 2007

So Iowa–and America–can see this: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lssb6gkjQa4&rel;=1] It’s worth it. Even Beth has put down the knitting needles to help raise money for Fred.

After Bhutto

December 28, 2007

Mark Steyn might have said it best Benazir Bhutto’s return to Pakistan had a mad recklessness about it which give today’s events a horrible inevitability. Were any of us surprised to hear the news today? An Islamofascist slug shot to death Benazir Bhutto then blew up, either of his own volition or remotely by his sponsors. (We’ve learned to not believe that all terrorism executors are volunteers.) Pakistan is home to Usama bin Laden, al Qaeda’s central command, and the what remains of the Taliban.

Fred Blogburst Round-Up

December 27, 2007

Background Fred Thompson, the rightward-most viable candidate for president, needs about a quarter of a million dollars for pre-caucus blitz in Iowa. The blogosphere has committed to putting him over the top. Update With 24 hours to go, Fred has raised $117,033 of $248,846 needed for the blitz. Money is pouring in at about $6,000 an hour. What You Can Do Donate at Fred08.com

GOP Candidates: Whom To Support and Why

December 27, 2007

Issues voters are idiots. Track the progress here: Fred 08 YOU DID IT! THE BLOG BURST REACHED ITS GOAL Maybe that’s too strong, but it’s true. Anyone who votes for a candidate because of his or her statements on current issues is a moron too intellectually lazy to consider the gravity of a vote for president. Moreover, “issues voters” are gullible and selfish egomaniacs too caught up in their own immediate wants to recognize a liar when he’s selling them snake oil.

They've Come Undone

December 14, 2007

When Drudge devotes his middle column to the collapse of Congress under Democrat control, you know the Dems are in trouble. Citing four hit pieces in major papers, including The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post (here and here), USA Today, and The Hill, the DrudgeReport does to Pelosi and Reid what no amount of Republican advertising could ever do; he proves that Democrats are unfit to run the government. USA Today’s editorial eviscerates Democrats on the war.

Iranian Nukes

December 11, 2007

Has everyone missed the real story behind the National Intelligence Assessment of Iranian nukes? Conservatives, like Rush Limbaugh and Michelle Malkin, are doing back-bends to convince us that Iran is still a nuclear threat. Fine. I won’t argue that point. But a much larger story here looms, and everyone is missing it. Iran’s reported abandonment of it nuclear weapons drive coincides with the United States' invasion of Iraq! Make it a headline.

Oh, Blasphemtree!

December 4, 2007

From the al Qaeda Christmas Album comes Islam’s favorite carole: Oh, Blasphem-Tree! (sung to the tune of “Oh, Tannenbaum”) Oh, Blasphem-tree; oh, Blasphem-tree, You fill my heart with hatred. Oh, Blasphem-tree; oh, Blasphem-tree, Your boughs offend Mohammed. When I see stars and shiney bells I want to kill the infidels. Oh, Blasphem-tree; oh, Blasphem-tree, Your branches anger Allah! Oh, Blasphem-tree; oh, Blasphem-tree, From Teheran to Rihyad. Oh, Blasphem-tree; oh, Blasphem-tree,

National Review Likes Thompson's Plans

November 15, 2007

National Review expresses surprise and thanks that one Republican candidate has actually released comprehensive policy plans to deal with today’s challenges. Even more amazing to NR is the content of those plans: Conservative. That candidate is Fred Thompson, who leads the GOP in publishing specific ideas. Perhaps the reason other candidates don’t put their ideas onto paper is that they don’t have any. Or they know that conservatives won’t like them.

Oil Price Collapse Coming UPDATED, BUMPED

November 14, 2007

UPDATE C. H. Smith and I are no longer the lone contrarians–read The New Business World article, “Oil Prices May Crash.” Also, Hall of Record offers some intriguing charts comparing the oil price trends to recent crashes in tech stocks and the 1981-1986 world oil price collapse. As I said, “intriguing.” And this from the Wall Street Journal: Early signs of an easing in global demand growth and swings by Wall Street traders are pushing oil away from the historic $100-a-barrel mark, at least for now.

Standing Into Danger: GOP in 2008

November 14, 2007

The next election loomed ominously upon the political horizon in November 1979. A decade of failed foreign policy, Soviet expansion, stagflation, gas and oil shortages, historically severe winters, soaring crime rates, marauding youth, sexual perversion, and unstable standards left the American people wondering, “What next?” Next, of course, was the Iranian hostage crisis, which might well be called “the last straw.” Jimmy Carter and his Democrat party took the blame. The once proud term “liberalism” became profane.

Happy Veterans' Day

November 13, 2007

I know it’s late, but I was busy today. Busy doing what other veterans do: work. Unlike many others–from WWII to Iraq and Afghanistan–I am physically unscathed and mentally better off than I was in November 1984. That’s when I left St. Louis MEPS for Navy Recruit Training Center, Orlando. Military life is military, but the submarine force ain’t bad duty, if you can get it. I got it. The Cold War was fun – sort of.

Fred08: Keep Watching

November 7, 2007

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AIyfSZht8M]

Thought for the Day

November 7, 2007

If all the liberals were lined shoulder to shoulder a mile wide and marched into the ocean . . . beach front property values would drop precipitously, and the fish would sue the crap out of us for ruining their neighborhoods.

Quashing Thought

November 7, 2007

Does your college freshman attend mandatory thought indoctrination camps? Is he formally and publicly humiliated by the university if his view on gay marriage, global warming, or affirmative action differ from Barrack Obama’s? Doe his college or university punish him for holding opinions that are inconsistent with the Democrat Underground and other anti-American hate groups? If he attends University of Delaware, the answer is “yes.” Thanks to Joanne Jacobs on Pajama’s Media (h/t The Discerning Texan), we learn that Delaware is holding liberal, Soviet-style thought control experiments on its students, for which its faculty and administration should be taken out and shot.

Banks: No One Said They’re Smart

November 7, 2007

The mortgage industry is more than just banks, but let’s refer to the lot as “banks” for simplicity. Banks are run by stupid, short-sighted people. They brought the current mortgage crisis, quickly turning into a general credit problem, upon themselves. They will wise up just in time to make us pay for their mistakes, but you already knew that. The Independent points out the problem, but I’m giving the details:

Good Luck

November 5, 2007

I few years back, I went through some pretty tough times. I wrote about my situation on this blog. I won’t link to it, because I really don’t want you to read it. Financially, my family was in bad shape. Though we’re still together and very happy, that financial situation put strains on our marriage. Hard work, persistence, an abject refusal to give in, and God’s grace (no doubt granted by your prayers) has delivered us to a great place in life.

Left's Gamble Lost

November 4, 2007

From 2004 through about September 12, the American and European left bet the farm on terrorists. Here’s Dick Durbin, the anti-American from Illinois, in September: In a speech Friday at the Center for National Policy, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said, “President Bush is preparing to tell the nation, once again, that his strategy in Iraq is succeeding. We know what the Bush-Petraeus report will say: The surge is working. Be patient.

The War Continues

October 28, 2007

We have won the war in Iraq, but the war against rag-head extremists continues. One reason I hate liberals is that they don’t get stories like this one from CNN: KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) – U.S.-led coalition forces killed about 80 Taliban fighters during a six-hour battle outside a Taliban-controlled town in southern Afghanistan Saturday, the latest in a series of increasingly bloody engagements in the region, officials said.A man stands on the roof of his home and looks out over the city of Kabul, Afghanistan, at sunset Saturday.

War in Iraq Still Over . . . We Still Won

October 26, 2007

The war in Iraq is still over, and the United States and her allies still won. Liberals are asking for a recount, and, in frustration, have set fire to California. But one liberal has the . . . testicularity . . . too stand up to 12 percent of Americans who believe that George W. Bush ordered the 9/11 attacks.

Victory in Iraq!

October 3, 2007

Tell everyone Hennessy broke the story. America won the Iraq war. The insurgency is broken! Peace prevails. The terrorists are routed!Where are the headlines? A man between the ages of 18 and 30 has a better chance of being murdered in Philadelphiathan of dying in Iraq in September. The third head of al Qaeda in Iraq is dead–three in 18 months. Ascending to that throne is no promotion. Face it, folks, we won the war.

Britney Spears to Appear in New Bin Laden Video

September 11, 2007

Northern Pakistan–al Qaeda Entertainment, a division of al Qaeda-at-large, announced today that the next Osama bin Laden video will feature American pop star Britney Spears. al Qaeda hopes that Spears' presence will help increase viewership in the 15-24 demographic, a prime target for terrorist recruitment. Melinda Roikers, Ms. Spears' publicist, said the OBL video could mitigate some of the damage to Britney’s career and reputation as a result of her public drunkeness, her radical haircut, her feud with her mother, and her recent appearance on the Video Music Awards.

Ted Kennedy to Patraeus: Fight Like a Man

September 11, 2007

Washington – Massechusetts Senator Ted Kennedy, today, challenged General David Petraeus, commander of forces in Iraq, to a fist fight in the rotunda of the Capitol over their disagreements on the effectiveness of surge. “If General ‘Betray Us’ were half the man he acts like in front of the cameras, he’d come out here and fight like one,” shouted an angry and apparently intoxicated Kennedy during an impromptu press conference near the Declaration of Independence display.

Why Did I Serve?

September 7, 2007

It breaks my heart to write these words. I spent 11 years in the U.S. Navy. I thought the long hours, the humiliation, the lousy pay, and missing the 1980s was worth it. I thought my country appreciated our work. Apparently, I was wrong: Zogby Poll: 51% of Americans Want Congress to Probe Bush/Cheney Regarding 9/11 Attacks; Over 30% Seek Immediate Impeachment If I believed this poll be accurate, I really wouldn’t want to be an American any longer.

Obama Favorite of Non-Voters

September 7, 2007

St. Louis–A CNN/Time Magazine/Al-Jazeera poll of 1,098 ineligible voters finds that Illinois Democrat Barack Obama would be the next president of the United States were the election confined to non-voters. The ineligible groups polled included the mentally ill, children, and convicted felons. Among high school students, Obama trounced second-place candidate Hillary Clinton 62 percent to 14 percent. The mentally ill, including schizophrenics and victims of head trauma, gave Barack a slight advantage over Democrat Dennis Kucinich 34 to 32 with Joe Biden of Maryland finishing a close third.

He's In! UPDATES

September 6, 2007

Even though he spoke the words much earlier during the Tonight Show’s taping, just moments ago, Americans heard it for the first time. “I am running for President of the United States,” Fred told Jay Leno. If the audience in NBC’s Burbank studios represented a cross-section of the US, then Fred’s announcement is a welcome one. The audience went wild. I got the feeling Fred was a little tight just around the time he said he’s running.

You're Supposed to be Watching Leno

September 6, 2007

Fred Thompson will appear as a guest on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno tonight. Don’t miss it. How often do you get to see the next President of the United States announce his candidacy live on a late night talk show?

If You Want Something Done Right . . .

September 5, 2007

. . . you have to do it yourself. That’s the MSM’s motto over the upcoming Patraeus report to Congress on progress in Iraq. The facts are obvious: since the surge and offensive began, the terrorists in Iraq have become less effective. The surge and the offensive are working. Those who agree with this view inlude these liberals and Democrats: * [Katie Couric](https://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_247203227.html) * [Dick Durban](https://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8QT56I80&show_article=1) * [Bob Casey](https://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8QT56I80&show_article=1) * [Jack Reed](https://www.

Surprises and Yawns in Productivity Report

September 3, 2007

In a story out of Geneva, today, the United Nations reports that US workers are the most productive in the world, both hourly and annually. That’s no surprise, except to Democrats who like to paint Americans as the scum of the earth. The hours that we work are a bit off-putting, though. The U.S. employee put in an average 1,804 hours of work in 2006, the report said. That compared with 1,407.

Maybe We Need a Lazy President

September 3, 2007

The MSM are tripping over themselves to publish stories about Fred Thompson’s supposed laziness. Newsweek decided to make the accusation head on (from CNN.com): [A]s he prepares to formally begin his campaign for the White House this week, after months of “testing the waters,” the conventional wisdom in Washington is that Thompson doesn’t want it badly enough, isn’t willing to work hard enough-put bluntly, that he is lazy. Newsweek: Grin and Bear It

The AP Is the DNC's Press Secretary

September 2, 2007

As I predicted last week, the Democrats have hired the Associated Press to make up stories that discredit the success of the surge. Last week, as good new about the surge was cresting, the AP treated as fact an opinion piece that the “body count” in Iraq had doubled since the surge began. Today, AP customers are leading with another AP opinion piece claiming that August was one of the bloodiest months since the Iraq war began.

It's the Offense, Stupid

August 31, 2007

Since July, I have been saying that the surge is working because America is on offense instead of hunkering down on defense. Captain’s Quarters found a Petraeus interview in which the HMFIC in Iraq confirms that it’s not just the numbers, it’s the attitude: How have things changed in Iraq? Petraeus compared the previous condition of Ramadi to Stalingrad. The general told the newspaper that having to stay on defense had taken its toll on American strength and had emboldened the enemy.

Fred Thompson To Announce September 6

August 30, 2007

I guess this makes it semi-official. Fred Thompson will announce his candidacy for President of the United States by WWW on September 6. Now, I’ve been blogging for Fred since there were only about a dozen and a half bloggers for Fred. All I’m saying is that, when he’s trying to fill his Cabinet . . . I expect his official entry to change the dynamics of the GOP race dramatically.

More Evidence That Al Gore's A Liar

August 30, 2007

This gem of bad news for environmentalist wackos comes from the U. S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works via Drudge: Fewer than half of all peer-reviewed scientists who have written on global warming endorse the idea of man-made global warming. Of 528 total papers on climate change, only 38 (7%) gave an explicit endorsement of the consensus. If one considers “implicit” endorsement (accepting the consensus without explicit statement), the figure rises to 45%.

Time to Redefine Poverty

August 29, 2007

You’ll be hearing that mantra from the left pretty soon because poverty rates are lower under Bush than they were under Clinton. That means the Republicans can look into the camera next fall and ask Americans, “Are you better off now than you were eight years ago.” For those at the bottom of the econmic ladder, the answer must be, “Yes!” Leftist economists still claim that supply side economics and stimulation through tax cuts are fantasies.

Democrats Combat Surge With Propaganda Campaign

August 26, 2007

Just a few days, other bloggers (Captain Ed) and I speculated on the ramifications on Democrat surrender strategies of the increasingly obvious improvements in Iraq since the surge began. Ever the WaPo worried about how the Dems would deal. Now we know: propaganda. Following the phony story that Gen. Pace would urge the President to cut troops in Iraq by half, the Red Crescent, today, released a report that a record number of Iraqis have fled their homes in fear of their lives since the surge began.

Pace Pullout Talk Pack of Lies

August 26, 2007

For a couple of days, the wingnuts have been ecstatic over a story that Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Peter Pace would tell President Bush to cut Iraqi troop strength in half. I first heard the story on CBS Radio News Friday morning on my way to work. TheLA Times, quoting anonymous Pentagon and Administration officials, printed the the story in its Friday edition. But the story was a fabrication, likely designed to quell the growing support for the war.

Mr. Couey, Welcome to Hell

August 24, 2007

If you were with me in the winter of 2005, you may have read these posts about Jessica Lunsford, a beautiful Florida girl was missing for two weeks before investigators found her body. 3.19.05 Grant Her Peace 3.17.05 Person of Interest in Custody 3.5.05 Update on Missing Florida 9-Year-Old 2.28.05 Jessica Lunsford She was sexually assaulted for a week, then buried alive by this evil son of a bitch:

Apologies for Ill-informed Link

August 24, 2007

Several weeks ago, I linked and blogged about an organization headquartered in St. Louis. I had never heard of it. The name of the outfit–Council of Conservative Citizens–sounded like something useful. After reading a few entries on the blog, I thought it sounded pretty good. Today, though, I received their quarterly newsletter. I was a bit surprised by the number of stories about “blacks.” As I continued to read, it was obvious that the editors of the paper hold racial views that I have no desire to be associated with.

Democrats Changing Tune on Iraq/Pullout

August 23, 2007

It started in July with polls showing Americans were increasingly supportive of the war in Iraq. Then, the President’s approval rating began to climb. Then Congress’s approval rating fell to an all-time low. In between, the odd Democrat Congressman or analyst returned from Iraq saying good things, not bad, about the effect of the troop surge. With thanks to the California Conservative and Captain Ed for finding this story, we find that the Washington Post is reporting that the Democrats are forced to shift their policy on Iraq because of the undeniable success of the surge.

Environmentalist Bette Midler Clear Cuts Hawaiian Estate

August 22, 2007

You can’t beat the truth, folks. Environmentalist Bette Midler (who, I think, is related to Barbara Streisand) faces state charges in Hawaii for illegally killing more than 200 trees on her estate. The staff of the Board of Land and Natural Resources recommended $6,500 in fines for having the trees felled and for building a graded road without permits required for the land zoned for conservation use. Of course, she had the trees clear-cut in order to improve the environment, or so her publicist claims.

Clinton on Iraq: Victory is Not an Option

August 22, 2007

St. Louis, MO–Campaiging in Mooseknuckles, MO, today, Democrat Hillary Clinton gave supporters her strongest argument to date for an immediate, unconditional pull-out from Iraq. “You read the news,” she shrilled to the largely silent crowd. “You read the reports the coming out of Iraq. You know what’s happened during George Bush’s war!” The audience’s polite but blank silence indicated that they didn’t. “You have seen Senator Durbin and several Brookings Institute scholars report from the field that the surge is pushing back the insurgents.

Democrat Apparatchik Files Complaint Against Fred Thompson

August 21, 2007

A Democrat apparatchik named Lane Hudson has filed a complaint against Fred Thompson with the Federal Election Commission, according to WaPo. The lefty claims that Thompson is violating the law by operating like a candidate without declaring his candidacy. Hudson plans to file similar complaints against George Washington, who spent much of the Revolutionary War traveling through critical electoral states, like Pennsylvannia and New York, without declaring himself a candidate for President.

Terror Alert: Washington State

August 21, 2007

I got this link on GatewayPundit: The FBI is asking for the public’s help to identify two men who have been seen acting strangely aboard Washington State ferries recently. According to federal agents, passengers have seen the men on several occasions exhibiting unusual behavior. The FBI did not say precisely what that unusual The Submarine Base at Bremerton is home to the Navy’s Pacific fleet of Trident class submarines.

Time to Take Down Iran

August 20, 2007

I was lying in the bathtub after a rare Sunday afternoon football practice when the Big Red post-game show was interrupted: We interrupt this program for a CBS Radio News special report. I’m Morton Dean. The US State Department has announced that a group of students under control of the Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran have siezed the American Embassy in Tehran, taking more than 100 Americans hostage. or something like that.

Where I stand on Iraq

August 19, 2007

I stand for total victory in Iraq. Background Some say that I blindly support President Bush and everything he does. I do not. Nor do I publicly lambaste his missteps the way others, like Peggy Noonan, do. This blog, I hope, will explain to my readers and friends how I can hold several seemingly incongruous positions on Bush and the War. * The United States, the free world, in fact, was justified in invading Iraq and overthrowing Saddam * The war in Iraq was not successful in its early days despite the perception of a rout * The administration's greatest failure was kowtowing to the left * The symptom of that kowtowing was establishing a defensive posture instead of continuing the attack * Donald Rumsfeld failed the President by refusing to return to an offensive strategy * The key to victory is ruthless aggression * Republicans should limit criticism of Bush to recommendations that will achieve victory Justification Following 9/11, President Bush told Peggy Noonan in a private meeting that every night he goes to bed expecting to be woken and told that Saddam has unleashed a WMD in America.

Presidential Campaign Roundup

August 19, 2007

We’re still 15 months away from the next general election. Remember that. Getting groceries and taking the kids to hockey practice are more important. Two World Series separate us from the election, not to mention a season and a half of football, more than a year of school. A child born today will be talking and walking before the election. That said, Fred Thompson spoke to CNN yesterday, and his remarks make interesting reading.

Iranians in Iraq

August 19, 2007

Apparently, an Iranian army special forces unit is in Iraq training Shiite militias on the more effective methods of killing Americans. You’ll be pleased to know that the US is “tracking” them. My question is, Why aren’t we killing them? The Kurds are, according this story at Gateway Pundit. They are enemy combatants in an American occupation zone. We need answer to no one for eliminating this problem. This points to my whole problem with the way the Bush administration has handled Iraq.

Beth Quits!

August 17, 2007

According to a disturbing post on MY Vast Right Wing Conspiracy, Beth is hanging up the . . . the . . . whatever it is bloggers use to ply their trade. I’ll take her at her word, but I’m not happy. For – how many years? – Beth’s crisp, snappy, sarcastic, sometimes cynical, always lucid, and 100 percent on-the-money writing has made the little dramas of the news bearable. When I’ve been discouraged, Beth has picked me up.

Idiot Bishop--and he ain't American

August 17, 2007

Catholic Bishop Tiny Muskens (make your own joke) says all Christians should refer to God only as “Allah.” The Dutch bishop believes that surrendering to the Muslims is in the best interest of Christianity. Thanks, but no thanks, Your Excellency. Instead of that, how about if we call you “de-frocked” Bishop? According to CWN: The Dutch bishop admitted that his suggestion was not likely to gain widespread acceptance. But he predicted that within a century or two, Dutch Catholics would be addressing prayers to “Allah.

That Hideous Rhythm

August 17, 2007

I just blogged about the bad, sad events in St. Louis, Missouri, today. A 22-year-old police officer shot to death on duty; a famous, majestic church burned. But looking around the internet, I find bad news all over. It was one of those days when the world’s rhythms crossed into bad vibes. Some of those vibrations shook the earth in Peru, to the tune of 8.0 on the Richter scale, killing at least 850, probably more.

A Long, Hot Day in St. Louis

August 17, 2007

This morning, I heard the news of the murder of a young police officer. Officer Norvelle Brown, only 22 years old and a rookie cop, made St. Louis headlines for the second time in his short career–his short, honorable life. In April, Officer Brown responded to a hostage situation during a barber shop robber, defusing the situation and apprehending the armed robbers. He and another officer received citations for that action.

Ruining Lives For Fun and Profit

August 14, 2007

I don’t know why this story depresses me so much, but it does. It makes me sad for a lot of people. FoxNews.com relays a Times of London story of a company that offers to financially, socially, and otherwise ruin people’s lives for a meager $20 USD. I won’t provide a link to the dreadful site. A service offering a complete “revenge package” in which people can destroy the financial status and relationships of their enemies at the click of a mouse is being offered over the Internet.

MSM Editorials on Rove

August 14, 2007

I’m not talking about the editorials on the editorial pages, but the remarkably blatant editorializing in the “news” stories covering Karl Rove’s resignation from the White House. An AP story by Terence Hunt retrieved from news.myway.com begins by describing the whole of the Bush administration as “turbulent.” Perhaps, but the color of the paragraph indicates that the turbulence was Rove’s fault. If blaming Rove was Hunt’s intention, then Hunt must believe Rove ordered the Islamofascist hijackers to fly airplanes into buildings.

Fred Fading?

August 13, 2007

A new CBS News poll of 302 Republicans shows that Rudy Giuliani has widened his lead over Fred Thompson. Captain’s Quarters breaks down the unreliability of CBS, the problems with the sample, etc, so I won’t repeat that here. Instead, let’s say the numbers are correct and Fred Thompson is fading fast. Two questions come up: Why? and What of it? Why: Interest in Thompson as the non-candidate peaked in late June and the first week of July.

Illegals and Heinous Crime

August 13, 2007

Everyone who pays attention knows that the most spectacular and sickening murders of late were perpetrated by illegal aliens–the kind of people to whom Ted Kennedy wishes to give unfettered access to our schools and hospitals. Mel at aniMel describes two of the crimes, ending with a wonderful summary of the problem of illegal immigration: I want to be free. I want my country to be safe. I want to stop reading these sad stories of tragedy that the alien invaders hand us every day while they laugh and say, “now give me my civil rights or I’ll sue you!

First They Come After Obama . . .

August 13, 2007

The incestuous relationship between the Democrat party and the MSM may be the Dem’s weakest link. Big media are good two things: creating celebrities and destroying them. Think of Cindy Sheehan, Michael Jackson, Howard Dean. The evening news, the New York Times and Washington Post, the entertainment columns and television shows all contributed mightily to the rise and fall of these celebrities. When Barack Obama threw into the presidential race, the media provided millions of dollars in free advertising.

NYC Storm: Don't Blame Global Warming

August 12, 2007

A NASA Goddard scientist says that the massive thunderstorm–complete with tornado–that struck New York City on Wednesday was not the result of global warming. In a FoxNews.com article, James Hansen explains that the storm cannot be blamed on climate change, but it can be attributed to human activity. Cities, it seems, make storms worse. Tall buildings direct wind upward, intensifying the storms. City heat islands, like warm ocean water to a hurricane, fuel storms.

A World Mad With Virtues

August 12, 2007

Too much of a good thing, as my mother would say, turns bad. When Chesterton wrote “Orthodoxy” in 1908, he looked at his modern times and pitied their unimaginative banality. He would surely weep aloud were he to observe our times. “The modern world,” he wrote a century ago, “is full of the old Christian virtues gone mad. The virtues have gone mad because they have been isolated from each other and are wandering alone.

Iowa Straw Poll

August 12, 2007

The only lasting impact of the Iowa straw poll will be the removal of Sam Brownback. Brownback bussed in supporters by the bushel at $35 a head. He bet the farm on Iowa, and he lost. Mike Huckabee scored more votes than he paid for, which, as Time magazine points out, means one of two things: some of Huckabee’s supporters paid their own fare, or Huckabee stole votes from people who entered the fair on another candidate’s dime.

Disappointment

August 12, 2007

The weather’s always good, for one; too hot, too cold, it rained, it snowed. Work will work—oh work is fine; busy, slow, mean boss, long lunch. Fatigue can be my friend at times when my eyes just won’t stay open and energy that never ends comes in handy now and then. Kids are always under foot, it seems, wanting this and breaking that. My hair’s a mess or just got fixed or won’t stay put or needs a bath.

Islamofascist Humor

August 11, 2007

Go to MY Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy and read the joke of the day. Fox News reports on a foul-mouthed bird in Indiana. A man in Washington state gets into trouble with a goat. His family must be proud. OCB found out that Leonardo deCaprio has an education between 8 and 12 years with a GPA that even I can count to. Finally . . . and this isn’t funny . .

Bush Policies Balancing Budget

August 11, 2007

The White House announced yesterday that the 2008 budget deficit would be smaller than originally projected, as will the 2007 deficit. The reasons: 1) the economy is strong and 2) tax cuts stimulate taxable economic activity. We’ve know that that tax cuts increase federal revenue (to a point) since John F. Kennedy explained it in 1961. The Laffer Curve was the final word on the subject and should have earned Arthur Laffer the Nobel Prize for economics.

Sorry for the Theme Changes

August 11, 2007

I know this site has changed a lot, but there’s a reason. I was sick of the traditional blog format, so I switched to magazine layout. Unfortunately, the theme I used has incompatible with some plug-ins and javascript links I really need. So I customized the HemingwayEx theme. I love this theme (sorry if you don’t) and plan to keep it for a while. Please scroll down to take my poll on the new theme.

Haditha Marines Vindicated

August 11, 2007

The three Marines who were charged and cleared of murdering civilians in Iraq became the poster children for Jack Murtha’s attempts to destroy the U.S. Marine Corps. (I have no doubt that Murtha drank of Ho Chi Minh’s kool-aid in Viet Nam.) Murtha’s lies, smears, libels, and slanders launched an anti-American industry that just held its Yearly Kos nightmare in Chicago. The Marines libeled by Murtha and others are free, now.

The Left's Foreign Policy

August 10, 2007

The left’s foreign policy is both domestic and global. John Hawkins, in Right Wing News’s Q&A, responds to a question posed by RtWingNutCase, to wit: should the US pull out of Iraq prematurely, would the left turn its activism toward influencing a withdrawal from Afghanistan? Hawkins correctly says, “Yes,” but he stops short of speculating on motives. I won’t. The left’s motive in withdrawing from the world is to weaken America and the West.

Even More Bad News for Enviro-wacks

August 10, 2007

NASA was wrong! Michelle Malkin does an outstanding job of breaking down the NASA Y2K error that sort of invented global warming. In short, 1998 was NOT the hottest year of the 20th century. And half of the hottest years on record occured before WWII. Al Gore is an idiot, and now NASA scientists have proven it. Earlier this week, the wackos got bad news from U of C San Diego and NASA who discovered that aerosols do not mask atmospheric warming but accelerate it.

Captain Ed Finds a Rat

August 9, 2007

This is the blogosphere’s answer to O. J. Simpson’s low speed chase. If I were a client of Mr. Reynolds’s law firm, I’d check my bill very closely for charges this date. Seems he’s done nothing but DNS management all day. By 10:00 p.m., Reynolds will reach the end of the internet and www.imwithfred2008.com will point at Hennessy’s View. I hope.

Bush's Popularity Linked to War's

August 9, 2007

Over the past two or three weeks, several polls have shown increased support for the war in Iraq. Now, we see that President Bush’s poll numbers are up. * AP/IPSOS poll shows Bush's favorability up to 31 percent in July from 28 in June * CBS/NYT found that 42 percent now consider the war in Iraq "the right thing to do"[FoxNews.com ](https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,292709,00.html)a longer list of the small victories President Bush and the Pentagon have achieved in Iraq and with the public.

See No Terrorists, Hear No Terrorists . . .

August 9, 2007

The Charleston terrorist story that began last Saturday has not been resolved, but the networks, dailies, and news magazines are keeping it hush-hush. Why? Are they cooperating with the feds in a larger investigation? Or did the DNC or one of the Democrat campaigns ask the media to bury the story? Or do the MSM no longer consider terrorism in the United States newsworthy? Captain Ed asks some of the same, disturbing questions, and links to other who ask them, as well.

Mullah Cirac Leads Me To A Great Post

August 8, 2007

Someone calling himself Mullah Cirac posted a comment to an earlier post on the growing popularity of the war in Iraq. I posted a long reply to the Mullah. Then I checked my comments meta to see if he left legit e-mail and website. I don’t know about the e-mail, but web url he claims as his belongs to a girl from Texas who might be able to kick Cirac’s unholy ass from Mecca to Odessa.

Safari for Windows Beta

August 7, 2007

Many of you know that I’m a big-time Microsoft guy. Still, I have to keep my eye on the competition. Tonight I decided to try Apple’s Safari for Windows. It’s a beta version, but it’s about the 3rd beta. I have to admit, it’s impressive. The Clear Text is a little easier to read than IE7 and miles more readable than FireFox. Performance is excellent. The look, though, is fantastic. Nothing on the screeen that you don’t need–unless you want it.

Sean Hackbarth Works for Fred

August 7, 2007

Sean Hackbarth, the guy who runs The American Mind blog, has jumped onboard the Fred Thompson victory train as a member of the web team. Congratulations to Sean and to Fred. Both will benefit greatly from the effort, I am sure. If you’re not with Fred yet, it’s definitely not too late.

War Popularity Continues to Grow

August 7, 2007

The second poll in a week–this one by USAToday/Gallup–shows that support for the war in Iraq is growing. The latest poll shows that public perception of America’s success has increased substantially in the past month. The numbers coincide with the increasing effectiveness of the surge. In the latest USA TODAY/Gallup Poll, taken Friday through Sunday, the proportion of those who said the additional troops are “making the situation better” rose to 31% from 22% a month ago.

Fooling Around With Mother Nature

August 6, 2007

From the AP: Microorganisms locked in Antarctic ice for 100,000 years and more came to life and resumed growing when given warmth and nutrients in a laboratory. Okay, so science has reconstituted microorganisms that haven’t seen the light of day since the dinosaurs scoured the earth. And this is good news? Here’s what the left will do with this information: * These microorganisms prove that human activity causes global warming, according to Al Gore.

The Charleston Terrorist Story UPDATE

August 6, 2007

UPDATE: 6:42 p.m. CDT: MSNBC.com now reporting that the two Muslim men arrested near the Charleston Naval Weapons Station were in possession of pipe bombs. Their attorney assures us that a) they have a really good reason for possessing pipe bombs, and b) the two Middle Eastern men with pipe bombs near a Navy base are victims of racial profiling. Whatever. Profile away. Before details about the pipe bombs were released, the executive director of a civil rights organization for Muslims in Tampa criticized the arrest as racial profiling, an accusation South Carolina police denied.

More Bad News for Global Warming Alarmists

August 6, 2007

For years, global warming alarmists have claimed that aerosols have masked the effects of greenhouse gases in the past, explaining why global temperatures cooled during a period of rapid greenhouse gas production in the 20th century. But a new study by University of California-San Diego and NASA (found on FoxNews.com) indicates that the alarmists were wrong about the aerosols: they don’t reduce temperature but raise it. In other words, the things that wackos claim to reduce global warming actually cause global warming.

China Regulates Reincarnation

August 5, 2007

The Chinese government has found a way to regulate reincarnation. Can we use the method on the Fairness Doctrine? (h/t Discerning Texan).

Terrorism at Naval Weapons Station?UPDATE

August 5, 2007

UPDATE Michelle Malkin reports that the two suspects arrested with explosives near Charleston, SC, last night are Muslims. See MichelleMalkin.com for updated details. (Maybe they were on their way home from YearlyKos.) From the Charleston ABC News affiliate’s website: The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office believes that among materials in the car’s trunk were a bomb and bomb making materials that include chemicals, fuses, and igniters. The men 21-year-old Yousef Megahed and 24-year-old Ahmed Mohamed were pulled over Saturday evening during a routine traffic stop near Myers Road and Highway 176.

YearlyKos Review

August 5, 2007

The YearlyKos could be the last hurrah of this new hard left, the way Woodstock was the final note of the song of the Sixties. YearlyKos is a get-together of hard left bloggers organized by DailyKos founder Markos Moulitsas. DailyKos claimed, perhaps rightly, responsibility for the Democrat Congressional victory in 2006–much the way Hammas might claim victory for blowing up an Israeli schoolhouse. The Kos and Democratic Underground people who filled attendee list are the kind of folks who giggle at Dick Cheney’s heart problems, wish al Qaeda victory in its war against the West, and popped bottles of bubbly upon hearing of Chief Justice Roberts' seizure.

Republicans Can Be Stupid, Too

August 4, 2007

We nominated Bob Dole, didn’t we? Anyway, TexasFred’s has been listening in on the Romney campaign and heard this: Mitt Romney has cited the social welfare network of the Lebanese Hezbollah terror group as a role model the U.S. should copy to help promote “goodness” and “freedom” around the world. I know . . . out of context, read the whole thing, and all that. Still, a guy running for president ought to know that praising Hezbollah is a good way to become a really, really difficult trivia question about people who ran for president in 2008.

Religion of Peace, My Ass

August 4, 2007

From FoxNews.com: OAKLAND, Calif. — Police said they recovered firearms linked to the slaying of an Oakland journalist during a series of early morning raids Friday targeting members of a Black Muslim splinter group that operates a chain of bakeries. To paraphrase Harry Truman, if that’s a religion of peace, I’m a Hottentot.

Ron Paul's Fifteen Minutes

August 4, 2007

Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) generates more internet press than all the other candidates combined, it seems. His name has been on Technorati’s most-searched list for a couple weeks, rivaling Paris Hilton and YouTube for search popularity endurance. Whether or not his fledgling campaign for President will so endure is another matter. Rummaging through the odd blog with a Ron Paul theme, I found some common characteristics among his supporters: * Young * Typically apolitical * Technology careers * Homosexual * Educated * Atheist * Decent writing skills * No particular axe to grind I know many who fit the type, particularly working in the software industry.

A Republic No More

August 3, 2007

Last night in the U.S. House of Representatives, a party’s leadership refused to abide by a legal vote (Volunteer Opinion Journal). The vote was on a Republican measure to strip from a farm bill language that guaranteed welfare for illegal aliens. The vote was 215-213 in favor of stripping the guarantees. But Nancy Pelosi wanted a different result. So, her minions essentially burned the ballots, declared there was no vote, and ordered a new one (Michelle Malkin).

Obama's Weird Chess Game

August 3, 2007

Democrat candidate for president Barack Obama’s bizarre chess game with foreign policy took another twist today. In remarks to a report, Obama seemed to formulate his nuclear policy as he went along: “I think it would be a profound mistake for us to use nuclear weapons in any circumstance,” Obama said, with a pause, “involving civilians.” Then he quickly added, “Let me scratch that. There’s been no discussion of nuclear weapons.

Minneapolis-St. Paul Bridge Collapse

August 2, 2007

_UPDATE and Bump: Predictably, the idiot left has begun blaming George W. Bush and the Iraq War on Terror for the bridge collapse (Gateway Pundit). They know they’re full of manure. Saturday, liberal Bob Beckel on FoxNews admitted that there was no connection, but he went to explain the liberal lies: “Those of us who are opposed to this war will anything to advance our point.” _ _It’s nice to hear a Democrat fess up to lying.

Obama's Little Mind on Foreign Policy

August 1, 2007

Barack Obama proves he would be a dangerous commander-in-chief. Two weeks ago, he told us that the United States is obliged to stay out of wars, even to prevent genocide. He would not have fought Germany in World War II unless Germany attacked the United States. He would not stop the genocide in Darfur or Congo. He would not have gone to Somalia or Bosnia. That, again, was two weeks ago.

Friday's Lesson: Fred on Federalism

August 1, 2007

Thompson Remains in the Lead

August 1, 2007

The latest Rasmussen poll of likely primary voters completed July 31 shows Fred Thompson in front: In the race for the **Republican Presidential nomination, **former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson remains nominally on top with support from 26% of Likely Republican Primary voters. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani remains essentially even as the top choice for 24%. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Arizona Senator John McCain are each preferred by 12% (see daily history).

UN Approves Darfur Force

August 1, 2007

The UN Security Council, today, finally got around to approving a 26,000-strong force to control the violence in Darfur (FoxNews.com). I have a depressing suspicion that this means there are no Christians left for the Muslims to kill in Darfur. Expat Yank thinks the same: There are only two reasons a predator state engaged in fomenting widespread slaughter (the UN has not termed Darfur “genocide”) will voluntarily allow in a UN peacekeeping force: 1) that state has already accomplished most of its ”slaughter” goals (remember, this conflict began in February 2003), or 2) it doesn’t believe the UN force will be able to accomplish much of anything anyway, so its best to let it be deployed in order to get the “international community” off its back.

Quick Morning Hits

July 31, 2007

US Casualties in Iraq hit 8 month low (myway) More Democrats say the surge is working (Captain’s Quarters) So You Think You Can Dance an elaborate excuse for liberals to public hate the US Marine Corps (Michelle Malkin). I agree. Mia Michaels' apology was about as sincere as a toilet seat.

Thompson Campaign Alive and Well

July 31, 2007

Thompson’s enemies in both parties–all Democrats and the Republicans running for President–are acting like the $3 million raised by his exploratory committee in June dooms his candidacy. Nonesense. First, Fred formed the committee on June 4. It takes a while to get the money flow started, to get people going to the websites, etc. If the average daily gross for June 24 - June 30 were no greater than that of the first week, I’d be more concerned.

Brookings Institute Says US Gaining in Iraq

July 31, 2007

The headline would have read, “We’re Gaining in Iraq,” but I didn’t want to confuse any liberals for whom the “we” in Iraq is al Qaeda. The surge is working according two liberals from the Brookings Institute writing in the New York Times. And according to Dean Barnett blogging on HughHewitt.townhall.com, their former friends on the left are ready to do to them what it appears Chuck Schumer did to the Chief Justice.

Did Chuck Schumer Try To Murder Chief Justice Roberts?

July 31, 2007

Not much time tonight . . . watching a movie with the family Chuck Schumer’s an Idiot: Over the weekend, Chuck Schumer (see Malkin) picked up the theme started by Republican Sentator Arlen Specter. The two Senators are looking to indict Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts and Associate Justice Samuel Alito on perjury charges. Schumer’s justification for effectively abolishing the Supreme Court is the so anti-historical and anti-Constitutional it’s almost funny.

New UK PM Praises, Thanks Bush

July 30, 2007

The Sun Online carries the story of new British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s rather effusive praise of George W. Bush’s leadership. In his speech, Brown referred to Winston Churchill: The Prime Minister vowed to take Winston Churchill’s lead and make Britain’s ties with America even stronger. Mr Brown stunned critics by THANKING President Bush for the fight against Islamic extremism, and insisted the UK-US relationship will be his No1 foreign policy priority.

US Sinks North Korean Ship?

July 30, 2007

The Gateway Pundit (which you should read every day) discusses a Debka File report claiming the US sank a North Korean ship bound for Iran carrying nuclear weapon making cargo. Debka is notorious for reporting stories that are, well, stories that aren’t true. But such a heavy-handed action by the US could explain North Korea’s recent cooperation on the nuclear front. We’ll keep our eye’s peeled.

Mutant Mice--Not Pinky and the Brain

July 30, 2007

The TimesOnline headline demands attention: Scientists breed world’s first mentally ill mouse Amazingly, the creature is already being mentioned as a dark-horse candidate for the Democrat party presidential nomination, and the French parliament is taking up a measure to make the animal its national mascot.

Beginning of End for al Qaeda's Safehouse?

July 29, 2007

For years, now, al Qaeda and Taliban criminals have used the Western mountains of Pakistan as their home base. Emboldened by Pakistani President Musharraf’s reluctance to deal with radical Islam head-on, the Taliban have recently begun a campaign to turn Pakistan into what Afghanistan was before 9/11. Ed Morrissey had been keeping up with these events, and this story today on Captain’s Quarters may signal the end to Musharraf’s patience with the radicals.

Federalism Primer

July 29, 2007

Imagine you live on a busy street, and you have small children. You want to get a stop sign put up on one of the cross streets near your house to slow people down. You just need to know whom to talk to. In a country like the United States where federalism has been replaced by Big Government, you probably need to get hold of your U. S. Congressman. If he’s so inclined, he’ll attach an amendment that authorizes the placement of the stop sign to some bill.

Patton on Islamofascistfuqs

July 29, 2007

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyUX6wV1lBQ]Hat tip AlphaPatriot

The Story of the Tenth Amendment

July 28, 2007

**Note: Please read the entire store by clicking on the title or the Continue Reading link below. ** Those of us whose conservative conversions occured in the late 1970s and early 1980s, I think, are particularly fascinated by the 10th Amendment to the Constitution. We also mourn over its senseless destruction by Congress, courts, and citizens. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved for the States respectively, or to the people.

Five Kids and the List of Nos

July 28, 2007

Five kids is a lot these days. “You have five kids? Oh, my God!” people say, their eyes bugged out, mouths wide open. Even when the oldest were babies, developmental psychologists were advising parent not to tell children “no.” Their theory was that “no” would teach a child limitation and destroy his curiosity. Instead, offer an alternative. Well, that doesn’t work. But the funny thing is, it’s the no “no” advice is totally out of synch with society.

Read this . . .

July 27, 2007

No questions. Just do it. I said so. Now that you’ve read that, what do you have to say for yourselves, you tree-killing, renewable energy idiots?

Finally . . .

July 27, 2007

A blog for mentally challenged people who worry about EVERYTHING.

Beyond YouTube: The Blog Campaign

July 27, 2007

Matt Margolis at GOP Bloggers questions the cutting-edginess of the YouTube debate. He’s right in his various points about the ordinariness of the whole affair. To make the presidential race more interesting, I propose a blog-off. The candidates have to start a blog using a commonly available blog app: WordPress (my fave), MoveableType, etc. The candidate with the highest TLB Ecosystem score wins his party’s nomination. The rules 1. Posts must be submitted by the candidate himself or herself.

Scott Thomas Unmasked

July 27, 2007

The soldier who wrote under a pseudonym for The New Republic revealed himself as Private Scott T. Beauchamp. Powerline describes the son-of-a-bitch: " He’s a pretentious ass, and a lefty." Well, that’s a French name, isn’t it? Read more on PowerLine. Then read more about Beauchamp on Michelle Malkin (link also on PL). This guy’ll be the next Cindy Sheehan–until the left is done with him and casts him aside like greasy, black banana peel.

MichelleMalkin.com Called "Hate Site"

July 27, 2007

Michelle Malkin responds to that unnecessary race of humans known as liberals. The liberals, it seems, have gone about calling her web site, michellemalkin.com, a “hate-site.” Other bloggers are jumping in to defend Michelle. I won’t. I think she has one of the best blogs in the business, but she doesn’t need my defense. First, liberals are evil little creatures–more little than evil, in the small, petty sense. Their self-righteous slander is not really meant to hurt its target as to aggrandize the speaker or writer in his own small mind and among his own petty peers.

Thompson Gaining Social Conservatives

July 26, 2007

Boston.com reports that social conservatives are “coalescing” around Fred Thompson as their choice for Republican nominee for President in 2008. “There’s a consensus developing around him that’s pretty clear and pretty profound,” said John Stemberger, president of the Florida Family Policy Council, an Orlando-based conservative group. “I’ve never seen anything like it in 25 years in politics.” I agree. In 1979, as a high school sophomore with a National Review subscription, I became dissatisfied (for a short time) with the GOP.

A Bad Day for Democrats -- and Terrorists

July 26, 2007

Gateway Pundit provides this top-shelf story of a US F-16 taking out 30 or so al Qaeda terrorists in Iraq. It’s a thing of beauty, and it must make Democrats sick to see their well-trained comrades die under American attack.

Reports Indicate Fred Thompson Once Practiced Law

July 26, 2007

St. Louis, MO – The Washington Post is reporting that former U. S. Senator and presumed Republican candidate (nominee?) for President, Fred Thompson, may have practiced law during a period of his life when he was out of office, according to sources inside BlogsForFredThompson.com. The speculation is based on discoveries of Fred Thompson’s signature and name on court briefs in various Washington, DC. One of the briefs–a “friend of the court” brief– from August 1981 argues that citizens cannot be arrested for activities that are not against the law.

Dearborn = Baghdad?

July 26, 2007

Perhaps we need a surge in Dearborn, MI (gateway pundit).

Arlen Specter To Cancel Independent Judiciary

July 26, 2007

In an attempt to overturn Marbury v. Madison, Senator Arlen Specter, a far-left Republican, intends to bring up two Supreme Court justices on perjury charges. (source, StLCofCC) Arlen Specter is an ass. This, children, is why we don’t feed the liberals!

Al Qaeda's Base is Iraq

July 25, 2007

The ultimate argument for winning the war in Iraq came down from W today. The Discerning Texan has done a superlative job of breaking it down for you, so I won’t even try. We will win this thing, damn it. And we won’t damage the republic or the Republican Party in the process.

Where's All The Hurricanes?

July 25, 2007

Al Gore said this would be the worst year for hurricanes since hurricaning began, in 1952. Matt Margolis, who does great research, has the answer. The 2007 hurricane season may be less severe than forecast due to cooler-than-expected water temperatures in the tropical Atlantic, private forecaster WSI Corp said on Tuesday. Just not enough global warming. The Gores’ll have to kick out a lot more CO2 in 2008. See Matt’s piece for the whole story.

Blast From the Past: Ward Churchill

July 24, 2007

Funny thing . . . last night, I was cruising around one of my favorite blogs, The Pirate Ballerina, to see how the battle of Ward Churchill was going. It turns out, reading Michelle Malkin, that CU’s decision to fire or retain the plagiarist, almost-American Indian renegade professor is due tonight. I’ll add links to my previous WC posts shortly. In the meantime, go over to Pirate Ballerina and take a stroll down memory lane.

First Gaffe of the Campaign?

July 24, 2007

If Hugh Hewitt is right, the distinction goes to Barack Obama for promising to meet the leaders of “Iran, Syria, Cuba, Venezuela and North Korea without precondition.” Huh. Didn’t Jimmy Carter promise something like that in 1976? Except then it was China, the Soviet Union, East Germany, and the Grand Dutchy of Fenwick. This gaff (is that how to spell “gaff?") came during the YouTube debate, which I didn’t watch. I actually have avoided everything about it, but I stumbled onto Hugh Hewitt and had to giggle.

American Support For War Grows

July 23, 2007

The New York Times, believe it or not, has this story in its campaign blog: Poll: American Support for War Inches Up The story cites an NYT/CBS Poll that showed America support for war in Iraq rose to 41% in July from 35% in May. You will not see this story on the CBS Evening News or on the front page of America’s most un-American paper, though. The results do not fit either organization’s political agenda.

Is Al Qaeda Impotent?

July 23, 2007

Captain Ed raises an interesting point in response to al Qaeda’s declaration of war on North Africa Despite their general inability to prevail in Iraq, successfully detonate explosives in Britain, and do anything else in the US, AQ warned Muslims to stay away from their own government buildings on the south side of the Mediterranean He writes a good piece–which reminded me of this humor entry I posted in 2003 and agian in 2005:

Welcome Back!

July 23, 2007

You might have received an ugly error if you tried to view Hennessy’s View in the past week. I switched hosting providers (I’m on GoDaddy), and I transfered the domain over to the new hoster. Unfortunately, Yahoo!, the losing registrar, locked the DNS, leaving the site without a host file for a week. But now we’re back. Thanks for the patience.

Hoo Rah!

July 22, 2007

We kill them . . . and Democrat mourn.

Thompson to Announce in September

July 22, 2007

THIS IS HENNESSY’S VIEW’S 1000TH POST SINCE AUGUST, 2000 As an act of courtesy to the politics-weary American public, Fred Thompson is likely to announce his candidacy for the GOP nomination for President in September, according to columnist-reporterRobert Novak. Thompson’s late entry may reverse a trend in recent years in which the next presidential campaign begins before the last one ends. If Thompson believes the people will be sick of Giuliani, Clinton, and Obama by the time the Super Bowl comes around, he may be right.

America Needs Jack Bauer

July 22, 2007

And until we get one, we would do will to hang out at Forums4Bauer. Tell them Hennessy sent you. America also needs more of this . . . and this

Democrats Favor Terrorists Over Constituents

July 22, 2007

I hyperbolize now and then, but not this time. Democrats in the House and Senate voted to encourage criminal prosecution of Americans who report suspicious activity (Gateway Pundit). Do you know how difficult it is to formulate a more dramatic representation of that fact than the fact itself (Discerning Texan)? I hate Democrats. Yeah, I know, you’re not supposed to “hate” anyone. But Democrats are anti-American ass hats. They breed socialism.

Hillary Hysterium

July 21, 2007

Senator Clinton asked the Pentagon to describe its plans to withdraw from Iraq. The Pentagon—specifically, undersecretary of defense, Eric Edelman—replied in the most appropriate manner imaginable: Premature and public discussion of the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq reinforces enemy propaganda that the United States will abandon its allies in Iraq, much as we are perceived to have done in Vietnam, Lebanon and Somalia In response, Ms. Clinton displayed the kind of hysterium one associates with under-medicated paranoid schizophrenics.

Peggy Noonan: Turning Coats Softly With Her Song

July 18, 2007

Peggy Noonan is a great ally and a doubtful foe. She turned, mildly, on Reagan. She has turned on Bush. So what. Her human insights are wonderful, her writing , usually, excellent. She is setting up her pick for 2008 awkwardly. Bush supporters and detractors, alike, have made much of Ms. Noonan’s Friday Opinion Journal column about President Bush. As a fan Peggy’s, I was disappointed. One of the hallmarks of conservatism—something that should distinguish us from them—is that we don’t eat our own in public.

The Perfect Casual Jacket

July 15, 2007

The right casual jacket sets a mood, an image, and an expectation that can make an entire year somehow better. It’s about this time of year when I get weary of summer. I start looking ahead to cooler days of the fall, the start of football training camp and regular season. Hockey in the future. When I was a kid, I associated this time of year with getting a new fall jacket.

Bin Laden Is Dead

July 15, 2007

Maybe. Maybe not. But the new al-Qaeda video featuring a haggard Osama bin Laden has folks speculating about his health and even his life. Gateway Pundit compares the most recent video (in which bin Laden appears for less than a minute) with a video from 2002. The background and bin Laden’s attire are identical. And doesn’t look so hot. If this is not a new taping, then it could be an attempt by al-Qaeda to hide the terrorist’s death.

Fred Bars: A Proposal

July 15, 2007

Remember “Rush Rooms?” These were restaurants in cities around the country where people gathered to eat lunch and listen to Rush Limbaugh. To promote the social side of politics, I’d like to see a nationwide chain of “Fred Bars” where Thompson supporters get together for an adult beverage, laughs, and encouragement. No Kumbaya singing, though I know this proposal reeks of former Jesuit peacenik filth. I make this call to St.

Support our Troops

July 14, 2007

Learn how at Vets for Freedom.

Thompson - Guiliani: Dead Heat

July 14, 2007

A Rasmussen poll released on Friday shows Fred Thompson, not yet declared candidate, in a virtual tie with Rudy Guiliani as McCain continues his free-fall. I know a lot of his supporters want Fred to declare soon, but I think his strategy is working. As the left and the right throw all the negatives they can find his way, his poll numbers continue to climb. Perhaps he’s letting his opponents punch themselves out .

Cold War II?

July 14, 2007

For the past 4 years, Russian dictator Putin has moved his country closer and closer to its pre-Yeltsin isolation. Today, he announced suspension of NATO inspections of nuclear missile sites. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree freezing participation in the treaty that cited “extraordinary circumstances … that affect the security of the Russian Federation and require immediate measures,” the Kremlin said in a statement. Meanwhile, Russia continues a military build-up which most Americans have ignored.

The Archives Are Back

July 14, 2007

At least most of them, beginning with August 2000. The load process replaced a lot of single and double quotes with some annoying ASCII character, but I’m not in the mood to clean it up right now, if you want to know the truth. In the first place, that stuff bores me. In the second place, my wife would have about two hemorrhages if spent any more time on the computer today.

Have a Laugh

July 13, 2007

Go see Beth’s great wedding announcements, then answer the following question . . . How’s your wang holding up?

Why Fred Thompson Can Win

July 13, 2007

This won’t take long, but go get a beer. I’ll wait. Okay, here’s why Thompson will probably be the next POTUS. Personality. We like to think we vote for intellectual reason, but we don’t. Ask any sales professional how people buy, and the answer will be, “people buy on emotion and justify on reason.” Voting is the same. Heard of buyer’s remorse? It happens when the (emotional) rush of buying fades and you’re left with only your intellect to defend the purchase.

Democrats are Ready

July 13, 2007

The Democrat Party released its official agendum for the 2008 party convention today. Mark Noonan, journalist extraordinaire, obtained an advance copy. From the opening flag-burning to the end-of-evening driving arrangements, the party of defeat has thought of everything. Mark has formatted the schedule for convenient printing and laminating. Be sure to share it with your friends. Don’t miss the first comment from a whinny liberal idiot, either.

My First Book Available

July 12, 2007

A limited quantity of The Conservative Manifesto is available. Buy a copy today.

Why Mommy is a Democrat

July 11, 2007

Because she hates America? Because she doesn’t want a job? Because she’s too stupid or afraid to run her own life? Because she’s a tyrant seeking to run everyone else’s lives? Because she’s on crack? Not according to this sickening book. Any kid who reads this is bound to end up fat, dumb, and angry . . . like is mother. Look, they even illustrate nasty Republican-types spitting on a bum.

Housekeeping

July 11, 2007

I will be uploading my archives–going back to 1999–over the weekend. If you think this is a new blog, you’re mistaken. It’s been around since before the term “web log” was coined. But I moved my hosting earlier in the year, and loading posts dating back to the Clinton administration ain’t no easy task for a man my age. Thanks for reading, and Dominus vobiscum

WtF Main Event: Pelosi vs. Sheehan

July 10, 2007

The anti-Bush Frankenstein is about eat her maker. With a quote that perfectly demonstrates the liberal idea of freedom (thanks to Michelle Malkin) Cindy “it’s about me” Sheehan has declared she intends to take Nancy Pelosi’s seat in Congress in 2008. I have a dream of the detention centers that George has built…filled with Orange Clad neo-cons and neo-connettes That’s you and me, baby. Perhaps Ms. Sheehan will wind up in a small room with soft walls and and off-white jumpsuit.

My Goal For Today

July 9, 2007

Produce at least twice as much carbon as Al Gore. No easy feat, since his carbon footprint is the size of the average family of eighty Michelle Malkin covers the weekend’s greenfest. By the way, a “Live” event, such as “Live Earth” is death-knell for most awareness movements. Farm Aid, Live Aid, blah, blah, blah. The shallow left, particular the suburban mothers for whom guilt is their principal form of amusement, watch a couple of hours of banal television, stick an “awareness” magnet on their 2007 Nissan Tundras (with seating for eight), and drive the kids to the pool club (because the subdivision pool is alway so crowded and Austin doesn’t get along with that one boy from up the hill.

Grass is Greener on the Other Side of the Aisle

July 9, 2007

Congressional Democrats are finding leadership isn’t as fun as they thought it would be. With pressure for radical action mounting on the left, this fall could get ugly for Pelosi and Reid. The Democrats of 2006 ran against Bush in contrast to the Republics of 1994 who ran on the Pledge with America. The result is that the current Congress sees only one duty: damage the President. That duty, unfortunately, appears nowhere in Article I of the Constitution.

Cannibalism on the Left

July 8, 2007

The problem with elevating dim-witted self promoters to some contrived position of power, as the Dems are learning, is that they are never satisfied with the seat you give them.Â They want the big seat.Â They want to call the shots. Cindy Sheehan, the woman who turned her heroic son’s death in Iraq into a national campaign of ego, says she’ll run against Nancy Polosi unless the House Speaker introduces articles of impeachment against the President within two weeks:

Run, Fred, Run

July 8, 2007

_ Fred Thompson has turned a frightening but dull election into the most exciting and pivotal campaign since Ronald Reagan cleaned Jimmy Carter’s clock in 1980. If Fred Thompson’s campaign hasn’t electrified you, consult a physician._ In 1996, I quit writing my Town Hall column because I was sick of party politics. Specifically, I was sick of the GOP running losers because it was their turn. (Dole) I worked hard for Bush in 2000, mostly because the alternative would have been disastrous, not because of any strong feelings for W.

Deo Gratias

July 8, 2007

When I first read bogus news stories about the significance of today’s date–07/07/07–I was dismissive, as I was of stories about the millennium bug (or “Y2K Problem”) back in the late 90s. (I made a decent amount of money fixing that bug, though.) It turns out 07/07/07 was a watershed. Pope Benedict XVI released his long awaited motu proprio on the 1962 Missal today. It is, therefore, permissible to celebrate the Sacrifice of the Mass following the typical edition of the Roman Missal promulgated by Bl.

Theatre: The good life

April 1, 2007

The whole cast hasn’t received its notice, so I won’t be too obvious, I hope. But this is for my character’s wife. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeOPhh_DgPA] The play is Noel Coward’s Long Island Sound, a recently discovered Coward play first produced in 2002–more than 50 years after Sir Noel wrote the piece. For you edification, I link to a New York Times review of the original TACT performance. For St. Louis readers, you’ll have your chance to see this witty comedy in the summer of 2007.

Move Your Company and Your Career Forward

March 24, 2007

If you want to move your company—and your career—forward, concentrate on moving your product forward. Obvious, perhaps, but the concept gets little more than lip service in many organizations. Most of my career in software development has involved web-based products that my companies sell or license to client businesses who, in turn, provide the applications for their clients’ use. For instance, at Abiliti Solutions (now FTS), we produced telecommunications billing and analysis software, a part of which included electronic bill (or invoice) presentment and payment.

Ameren: World's Worst Company?

March 20, 2007

After Ameren wiped out Johnson Shut-Ins State Park in southeastern Missouri, some of felt a little sorry for the company. Six months after that tragedy, a powerful thunderstorm knocked down power lines and transformers, leaving more than 100,000 Ameren customers without electricity – some for more than week. Still, Ameren had viable defenses. Among them: ·*Property owners blocked the company from trimming trees that threatened power lines ·*The storm was the strongest in 100 years

Free Agents

March 10, 2007

Maybe it was the times. In the late 1990s and early 2000s—even after 9/11—the people I worked with were friends. We socialized after work, attended each other’s weddings, and held heart-felt happy hours for our friends who left the company, voluntarily or not, to pursue “other opportunities,” as the official e-mail usually read. Those were happy times. The telecommunications sector of technology where I worked at the time was shedding jobs like a German Shepherd drops hair in Spring.

Have We Taken Metadata Too Far

March 6, 2007

Recently, I’ve had the task of explaining to clients why it’s more difficult and error-prone to change their web applications’ configuration metadata than to change code. They don’t take my story well. After all, the whole idea of many web applications is configurability. By that I mean that a non-programmer can change, add, or remove values that cause either business rules, workflows, navigation flows, or content of a web site to change.

Aiming for Chesterton

March 5, 2007

When I revived this blog some months ago, I decided to set Chesterton as my ambition.� Not to rival him, of course.� But to embody his jovial, lively spirit.� To write from his point of view.� Go back to 1993, when I wrote _The Conservative Manifesto:_� my goal was to carry on in the tradition of William F. Buckley Jr.� After the book, I wrote for the fledgeling Town Hall Forum on CompuServe three times a week from August 1993 to about July 1995.

William M. Arkin, RIP

February 1, 2007

Perhaps it would be best if Mr. Arkin, wearing a dingy t-shirt and stained khakis, locked himself into a small room lighted by a lone, unsheathed incandescent bulb strung from a wire, supplied with a bottle of store label whiskey and a loaded Browning 9mm semi-automatic pistol, drank the whiskey, cried apologies to his absent mother, and discharged a single, lethal round into his angry and imbalanced head, ending a life whose pinnacle was to anger men and women smarter, braver, and stronger than he.

William M. Arkin, RIP

February 1, 2007

CBS News Signs Pact With al-Qaeda

January 31, 2007

Believe it. The left is unAmerican. Perhaps it would be best if CBS just went away.

CBS News Signs Pact With al-Qaeda

January 31, 2007

Believe it.Â The left is unAmerican.Â Perhaps it would be best if CBSÂ just went away.Â Â Â Â

Three Cheers for Maliki

January 6, 2007

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki told the world that his army, with American support, would soon secure Baghdad.Â Unlike previous such promises, this time he seems to mean it. Already the Iraqi army has killed at least 30 deserving scum, and they’re looking for more. We are fully aware that implementing the plan will lead to some harassment for all beloved Baghdad residents, but we are confident they fully understand the brutal terrorist assault we all face," he said.

Liberals Hate Free Speech Dierker Update

January 6, 2007

UPDATE See the O’Reilly Factor interview with Judge Dierker here FoxNews.com has more on JudgeÂ Dierker:Â 90 percent approval rating from Missouri Lawyers,Â re-elected in NovemberÂ with 70 percent of votes.Â Still, liberals want him crucified. **************Â Â What do liberalsâthose self-proclaimed guardians of tolerance and free speechâdo when a judge speaks the truth about the modern liberal idea of tolerance? They call for his head on a pike, of course, but modern liberals tolerate only other modern liberals.

Congress: We Can Hate Everything About It Again!

January 6, 2007

Most of my life, Democrats ran Congress . . . the way Hitler ran Germany.Â Then in 1995, Newt Gingrich took the gavel.Â I had to learn a whole new perspective.Â I had to pick and choose what I was for and against, and I had to cut back on the Congress jokes. The only good thing about the current balance of power, in my book, is that we can safely oppose everything Congress does or tries to do with absolute confidence that our position is the correct one.

Democrats Oppose American Victory in Iraq

January 6, 2007

**UPDATE Mark Noonan posits several critical questions for Pelosi and Reid. Last September, a group of St. Louis Cardinals fans would call local sports talk shows and say they hoped the team wouldn’t make the playoffs. They commented similar sentiments on various Cardinals forums and blogs. When the Cardinals lost a game, they’d gloat, making fun of the “kool-aid guzzlers” who wanted the team to make the playoffs. Claiming that losing was in the team’s best interest, they cheered for any team the Cardinals played, including the Chicago Cubs.

Cards Win, and I'm as Shocked as Anybody

October 9, 2006

After the Cardinals’ collapse at the end of the regular season, I expected my ‘birds to go out in 3 or 4 to begin the long winter recovery from season of injuries and missed opportunities—on the field and in the front office. Somehow, though, the team that lost something like 114 games in their last 12 rallied in the bottom of the first and the bottom of the sixth to wash their wealthy hands of the San Diego Padres.

Congratulation To Me

October 4, 2006

The most beautiful, wonderful girl in the world said “I do” three years ago today. To me.

To Israel

August 8, 2006

I know from my hit map that I have several regular readers in Israel. I have written a fair amount on my view of the current, and I continue to pray for Israel’s victory. On a personal note, though, I must share with you the words of Our Lady, Mother of Israel’s savior and of mine, when, in her Canticle to her kinswoman, Elizabeth, she said: He has come to the aid of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

War, the way it ought to be

August 5, 2006

It’s hard to understand why the United Nations in the late 1940s worked so hard to establish the Jewish state of Israel. Sadism? Since Israel’s declaration of independence, the UN has, more or less, condemned everything the country has done. Were Israel to play by the United Nations’ rules, the world’s only Jewish state would have ceased to exist several decades ago. Still, it persists. They persist, I should say. The government, the land, does not persist.

Lament and Reflection

August 4, 2006

We were all sitting in the living room, tonight, when my wife told me that my son had already chipped the veneer on his tooth. She’d taken him to the dentist just this afternoon. I stormed into the kitchen where the 13-year-old boy was getting himself a glass of water. “What the hell is wrong with you?” I shouted. “Do you think I’m stupid enough to pay for orthodontics? You can’t even keep your five hundred dollar teeth for four hours.

Why Did I Read the News Today?

August 3, 2006

Gateway Pundit, quickly becoming the best political blog on the net, reports some very bad news for the Jack Murtha defense squad: Murtha is a liar, according to the United States Marine Corps. I had class, tonight, after an arduous day at work. I had every intention of going to bed early. I just wanted to check the news of the day. I was too busy even to listen to the radio news.

Self Pity and NYT

August 3, 2006

The New York al-Times lost a major court battle in it’s ongoing intelligence war against the United States (see Michelle Malkin, who has updated her photo). A federal appeals court ruled 2 to 1 yesterday that the NYT must turn over telephone records to a U.S. attorney who is looking a procescute a leaker. In the case, the leaker used the NYT to tip off terrorists to an impending raid. (The New York Times is a terrorist organization.

New Link

December 18, 2005

Common Sense Political Thought is the newest addition to my blogroll. Please, whatever you do, read Dana’s and Ken’s blog. Now! Go

NYT Discovers Iraqi Election

December 17, 2005

The December 15 Parliamentary election in Iraq was so overwhelmingly successful that it took the New York Times editorial writers two full days to find something nasty to say about it. Not wanting to hold the bad news for the story, the headline writer did his best to explain that the recent election was a non-story, proclaiming: Iraq Votes for a Third Time As if Iraq voting is as commonplace as Howard Dean embarrassing himself in public.

New York Times Pay Per View

December 17, 2005

Readers of this blog know that I hold for Maureen Dowd the sort of contempt one might have for dog feces packed into the tread of a new sneaker. It’s nothing personal, really. It’s the fact that she is unintelligent, smug, and unfunny, possessing the writing skills of a high school diarist. With dead tree readership down at the NYT, its publisher has turned to demand payment for the privilege of reading Ms.

More Iraqi Surprises for the Left

December 15, 2005

On Monday I blogged about the ABC News poll of Iraqis that surprised the left by its upbeat results. Seventy percent of Iraqis are opimistic and better off than a year ago. Today, Jason on Countercolumn notices that the media are, once again, surprised–this time because of the success of Iraqi parliamentary elections. Obviously, the press is reading its own press. We on the right like claim the liberal media intentionally distorts the news to conform to its world view.

Did American Indians Trespass?

December 15, 2005

Interesting story on Foxnews.com. We all learned in grade school that the “original” Americans were those who came across the Bering Straights about 3,000 years ago. They migrated from present day Alaska to Canada, the US, Central and South America. Then the white man came from Europe, spread disease and pestilence, herded them into corrals known as reservations, raped the women and cattle, killed all the bison, cut down the pristine forests, and placed onerous taxes on all that was left standing.

Nativity Scenes

December 15, 2005

I’ve always felt that every home should have one–every Christmas Tree should protect one. But I didn’t have one for years. Now, I have one. I bought it on Sunday, and it’s beautiful, even though it was cheap. Oh, Pope Benedict agrees with me.

Paul Mirecki's Vanishing Credibility

December 15, 2005

If Paul Mirecki, the KU Professor who wanted to teach a class that presented Intelligent Design (and anything else vaguely religious) as myth, then withdrew the class when his bigotry against religion came to public attention, then claimed he was beaten by two white men in a pick-up truck over his religious views, has lost another round in his PR battle. (Hat Tip Michelle Malkin) Today, KU officials released a statement (thanks to Lawrence Journal-World) that included:

The True Meaning of Christmas

December 14, 2005

Thanks to Katherine Lopez at NRO The Corner, I learned a valuable lesson that all Catholics should heed: The true meaning of Christmas is about increasing the minimum wage. Let’s hope Ted Kennedy’s theological insights make to the Vatican before the Pope writes his homily for Midnight Mass. We’d hate to mis-catechize the Christian world by talking about Jesus when Christmas is really about hourly wages, health insurance, and campaign contributions from unions.

I Have Nothing to Say

December 14, 2005

“We knew,” you’re thinking. Well, I didn’t. Not until tonight. I just read through half a dozen blogs, scanned or read 20 articles on MyWay.com news, and checked out all of the major network news websites. I considered writing about thesilliness coming from Tookie Williams supporters. None of the stories I read quoted anyone who is unswervingly pro-life. No, the stories quoted people who think murderers are cool, but state laws that punish murderers with a taste of their own medicine are evil.

Tookie Williams's Last Lifeline

December 13, 2005

Stanley “Tookie” Williams lived a wasted life. He chose, at an early age, to kill for money, to sell drugs, to destroy families (including his own), and to make life for others as miserable as he’d made his own. He founded a street gang and supervised its stretch from Los Angeles to almost every major city in the US. With the help of a fawning press and Hollywood, murdering for kicks in the Tookie Williams style became as glamorous as murdering for politics did with the Black Panthers.

MSNBC Headline: Scientists create mice with human brain cells

December 13, 2005

Next step: try the same thing with Democrats.

Iraq Strategy: Vindicated

December 12, 2005

Last week, a colleague commented that he only put credence into international polls. As if the poll gods were listening, today ABC News released the most affirming poll for President Bush’s Iraq strategy ever conducted. It must have pained the ABC News editors to write such a glowing headline: Poll: Broad Optimism in Iraq So pained, in fact, that they felt compelled to immediately qualify that statement: But Also Deep Divisions Among Groups

A Phone Conversation Overheard

December 12, 2005

Overheard two weeks ago waiting in a very long, slow-moving line at Lowes standing behind a smelly, unbathed man in a pre-BDU era Army fatigue jacket. He had long dark hair striped with grey throughout. From his profile, he looked a bit like former Cardinals and Brewers catcher, Ted Simmons. The volume on his cell phone was very. It announced an incoming call with an odd, American Indian kind of ring tone.

Does Mirecki Have a Tort?

December 12, 2005

Anti-Religion Religion professor, Paul Mirecki, has retained a lawyer to investigate the possibility of suing the University of Kansas for denying him rights under the First Amendment. A Law Professor reviews the possiblities for Mirecki and KU. Paul M. Secunda, an associate professor of law at University of Mississippi says Mirecki might have a difficult time building a case against KU. From a public employment standpoint, Mirecki would not seem to have a procedural due process claim against Kansas, as public employees are not seen as having a property interest in administrative positions such as the chairmanship of the department as opposed to having such interests in their professorial positions.

Paul Mirecki Suing KU (Video)

December 10, 2005

Here’s the video fromKUID TV 6 in Kansas. Mirecki refused to be interviewed on camera, but did grant an off-camera interview in which he claims his black eye is “my battle scar in my war against the religious right.” Meanwhile, Douglas County Sheriff’s office has seized Mirecki’s car and computer as part of its investigation into Mirecki’s alleged beating. Says Mirecki, “I’m being treated more like a criminal than a victim.

Narnia

December 10, 2005

I received an e-mail from NewsMax today about the Disney film “Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.” It contained warnings from variously striped Christians that the movie may not be true to the Christian intentions of C. S. Lewis. Included in the e-mail was a quote from the film’s producer, Mark Johnson: “When I read the book as a child, I accepted it as a pure adventure story.

Mirecki's Intolerance Runs Deep

December 9, 2005

The Topeka Capital-Journal (free registration required) online has a piece that exposes Professor Paul Mirecki’s anti-religion intolerance. While I’m not ready to say his “beating” was a hoax, after reading more about the case since getting home from work, one could make the case that Mirecki used some injury as an opportunity to strike back at those he perceived to be attacking him: Christians and the media. Consider the depth of Mirecki’s intolerance and the leading university response to Mirecki:

Moonbat Overconfidence

December 8, 2005

I orignally posted this as an update to the Mirecki Hoax blog below, but I think it deserves its own space: MOONBAT BLOG UPDATE: Representative of the kind of knee-jerk jumping to prejudiced conclusions that liberals and the “educated” are famous for, someone named Elaine Meinel Supkis (who claims 100% personal responsibility for turning Pope Benedict XVI into a ‘conservative’) ignored all of the known facts of Paul Mirecki’s alleged and highly doubtable beating story:

Mirecki "Beating" A Hoax?

December 8, 2005

Michelle Malkin has done great digging and found more holes in Prof. Paul Mirecki’s (see this and this) beating story than in Howard Dean’s brain. For instance, Mirecki’s description of injuries do not match the hospitals. The police report gives very little evidence. Mirecki’s claim, that he got out of his truck to confront two yahoos who were crowding him makes little sense UNLESS Mirecki is the kind of guy who likes to settle things with his fists (which would greatly increase my respect for the guy).

I Confess . . .

December 8, 2005

to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have read Christina Martin’s Confessions of a Hot Carmel Sundae, and have found it a worthy new addition to my blog roll. I ask you, my brothers and sisters, to read it with me.

Then She Was There Again

December 7, 2005

It’s a blessing that one should experience these moments. The blessing’s doubled or quadrupled when the feeling lingers with for a time, striking you like an erotic tickle at unpredictable moments throughout the days. I was sitting on the couch watching a movie. My eyes wandered right. There, not more than five feet from me, sitting on the hearth, talking to the dog was the most beautiful, most lovable, most desirable girl-women I’ve ever laid eyes on.

Global Warming to Blame for Global Cooling

December 7, 2005

Amy Ridenour points a UK Guardian article explaining why Global Warming is responsible for Global Cooling. But Amy, unlike the Guardian, goes on to point out that the sun has more to do with global temperature than man does. But, hey, she’s smarter than I am. Go read her blog. UPDATE: I’ve added Amy’s blog to my blog roll. Therefore, you are all obliged to read it at least once a week.

Prof. Paul Mirecki: Anti-Religious Bigot

December 6, 2005

Okay, I can’t claim credit for this research. Jack Cashill earns the kudos for his December 1 commentary on WorldNetDaily. As with pro-terrorist professor Ward Churchill, Mirecki has a long paper trail of opposing those with faith, particularly Catholics and Jews. Here’s an excerpt from Cashill’s outstanding piece. In response to a SOMA communicant outraged that students were distributing free Bibles on campus, Mirecki told of how he had conceived an “anti-Bible tract” to counter the Christian presence.

Idiot Design Professor Beaten

December 6, 2005

“Hi. I’m Paul Mirecki. I hate God and everyone who prays to Him.” According to Fox News, a University of Kansas professor who created a class designed to attack Christianity and Intelligent Design theories was beaten by a couple of thugs yesterday. Last week, Mirecki asked the university to cancel the class after he created a furor by sending an e-mail to a student organization mocking Christian fundamentalists. Mirecki had referred to religious conservatives as “fundies,” and said a course describing intelligent design as mythology would be a “nice slap in their big fat face.

Saddam's Dream Team

December 6, 2005

When your dream team defense includes the pro-Soviet, anti-American Ramsey Clark, you’re in deep trouble. Yesterday, Clark stormed out of the court room in an effort to undermine the trial, US foreign policy, and God Almighty, whom Clark seems to consider an underling. Today, he apparently advised his Hitleresque client to refuse to return to court. Saddam also told the judge to “go to hell,” according to FoxNews. I’m not sure where the Constitution and case law stand on this, but it seems fitting that Clark be denied reentry into the United States.

It's a Festivus Miracle!

December 6, 2005

Share in the joy ofDer Tommissar’s wonderful news.

I Hate Howard Dean

December 6, 2005

I know, I know. I pray for graces to overcome this weakness. But, God help me, I hate him so. Click to see Howard Dean posing for Michelle Malkin’s camera. In other Dean news, Howard Dean announced thathe is betting on the terrorists and against the US Military. “As an American, I’d love to see the Army win. As a betting man, though, I have go with my gut. I’m putting all my bets on Al Qaeda in Iraq to win and the Sunnis to place.

A New Home for Senator Kerry

December 5, 2005

Today I saw two Veterans for Kerry bumperstickers on my way to work. I wonder if the people who emblazoned their cars with those stickers are really veterans. If so, do they consider themselves terrorists? Their choice for CINC ‘04 does. Yesterday on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Senator Kerry said And there is no reason, Bob, that young American soldiers need to be going into the homes of Iraqis in the dead of night, terrorizing kids and children, you know, women, breaking sort of the customs of the–of–the historical customs, religious customs.

Great Symposium in St. Louis

December 4, 2005

Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem will hold a three-day symposium centered around the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 8, 9, and 10 at the Cardinal Rigali Center in Shrewsbury, MO (Map of 20 Archbishop May Dr Saint Louis, MO 63119-5738, US). Please, please, please, if you live near St. Louis, plan on attending at least the Mass for the Immaculate Conception (a Holy Day of Obligation for all Latin Rite Catholics) on Thursday at 7:00 PM in the Saint Vincent de Paul Chapel at the Rigali Center.

Gratuitous Latin

December 4, 2005

Sorry, folks, but I just love John 1 in Latin. Let this roll off your tongue. You’ll thank Him for it. In principio erat Verbum et Verbum erat apud Deum, et Deus erat Verbum. Hoc erat in principio apud Deum. Omnia per ipsum facta sunt, et sine ipso factum est nihil quod factum est; in ipso vita erat, et vita erat lux hominum; et lux in tenebris lucet, et tenebrae eam non comprehenderunt.

Hope

December 4, 2005

Yes, there are many other things to write about. My move to Ballwin, Missouri has interrupted both my observations of the world at large and my commenting on them. Still, a singularly inspiring photo caught my eye: The evil, hate-mongering Benedict XVI plays nice with the new Palestinian leader. When I was a cynical young man, I’d have made good humor about this. Today, though, and only by God’s beneficence, I see nothing but hope.

Thanksgiving and Work

November 23, 2005

One thing I like to do at work is to give my team members a bit of my perspective on things around holidays or significant events. Here’s my Thanksgiving message to the troops. A wise man I once worked for, Tom Merta, had a simple yet profound view of life and work: You can get anything you want in life by helping enough other people get what they want. When others demands seem overwhelming and pointless, when deadlines seem arbitrary, when commitments seem only burdens with no reward, I have to remind myself of the obvious simplicity of Toms motto.

Punish Cardinal Mahoney

November 23, 2005

The Cardinal Cardinal Mahoney, should he deign to read this humble blog, may wish to charge me with an offense under Canon Law, Title IV: The Offence of Falsehood. After all, this is the same Mahoney to bullied Mother Angelica of EWTN nearly to her grave with a false charge of Falsehood. Time has come, though, that the church militant stand up against this anti-Catholic fraud of a priest and bishop who seems bent on destroying Catholicism in Los Angeles, California.

Modern Liberalism is Satanic

November 23, 2005

The recent attacks onMichelle Malkin are mere evidence of the theologically unassailable fact that Satan is to modern liberalism what the KGB was to SANE/Freeze. Of course, liberals don’t believe in Satan or God or Hell or Heaven. (If the road to hell be paved with good intentions, then hell’s bowels gurgle and belch with the dyspeptic cosmic waste of those who disbelieved in eternal punishment.) And while those calling themselves “conservatives” or “of the right” resort to base name-calling and mudslinging, it is far worse, far more self-damning, when a liberal does it.

Liberal=Selfish

November 20, 2005

The correlation between liberalism and selfishness is too easy to make. Atheistic liberalism gives selfishness a whole new dimension. But liberals, who in their selfishness consider themselves the epitome of compassion, say you can’t measure compassion. I utterly refute that idiot sentiment. And it is nothing more than mere sentiment. Via FoxNews.com, we learn that folks in liberal states spend their money almost exclusively on themselves, while “Bible belt” people spend money on those who need help.

Letting Go

November 17, 2005

In the end, the things we have amount to nothing; that which we’re left with when all our things are gone constitute everything. And our burdens are our greatest blessings. Regular readers and friends might know that we’ve been struggling mightily for the past three years against the forces of financial destruction. In order to keep a roof over our heads and wheels in our driveway, I took advantage of every protection the law allows.

Bush nominates Bernanke as next Fed chief

October 24, 2005

If Bernanke hopes to get through the Senate without a filibuster, he better hope he’s never written anything about Roe v. Wade.

Anne Rice Return to Rome

October 24, 2005

Anne Rice, the occult writer who left Catholicism for vampirism (literarily) at the age of 18, has returned to the Mother Church. In an interview with Newsweek (on MSNBC.com), Rice says that her reconversion will be the sole focus of her future writing. In two weeks, Anne Rice, the chronicler of vampires, witches andunder the pseudonym A. N. Roquelaureof soft-core S&M encounters, will publish “Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt,” a novel about the 7-year-old Jesus, narrated by Christ himself.

Teenage Drivers and Divine Interventions

October 24, 2005

I have a 17-year-old son, Jack, who wants to be a lawyer and dabbles in theatre, punk rock, and Mormonism. (His girlfriend’s Mormon.) He drives my step-daughter (perhaps the most wonderful 14-year-old girl in America) to school every day in the 1994 Ford Taurus he bought for himself with money earned working too many hours at Target. On Wednesday, they said “good-bye” and headed out to the garage through the laundry room.

Prince Albert Pujols

October 18, 2005

A couple of years ago, my son, now 17, and his friends walked into the house half-way through one of Pujols’s ridiculous games. I had a few a Budweisers in me and was feeling sentimental. “You guys,” I said to the group, “are witnessing the begining of a legend. This is DiMaggio, Ruth, Cobb, Mantle, Gibson. Watch him, remember every at-bat. Get to the stadium so you can tell your kids, I saw him hit a homerun off of whoever.

A Word (or Two) to the Wise Catholic

October 6, 2005

Brush your teeth. Go to Confession. Learn Latin. No, these are not only my preferences, these changes are coming soon to a Mass near you. In the 4th General Congregation of the 11th General Synod of Catholic Bishops, today, the centrality of the Eucharist, the purpose of the Synod, was central to the discussion: Archbishop Jan Pawel Lenga M.I.C., from Karaganda, Kazakhstan, who was persecuted for his faith during the years of soviet communism, recalled the days when the Eucharist was forced to be celebrated in secret by the faithful.

One World Day of Prayer

September 23, 2005

Set aside some time to pray for life on October 2, my dad’s birthday. The World Apostolate of Fatima, USA and The Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima are sponsoring One World Praying for the sanctity of life. Click here for details. You may wish to attend an event in or near your city. Currently, events are scheduled for various cities in Arizona, California, Michigan, Illinois, Delaware, New Hamphsire, New York, Florida, North Dakota, Ohio, Kansas City, KS, Pennsylvania, Massechusetts, New Mexico, Texas, and Vermont.

U.S. Bishop Urges Action on Darfur Crisis

September 22, 2005

WASHINGTON, D.C., SEPT. 22, 2005 (Zenit.org).- The United States and the international community must do more to bring an end to the ongoing crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan, says a U.S. bishop. Bishop John Ricard, the chairman of the U.S. episcopate’s International Policy Committee, made that statement in urging support for a “National Day of Action for the People of Darfur.” “The crisis in Darfur must be ended,” said Bishop Ricard, of Pensacola-Tallahassee, in a statement.

Rita Prediction

September 22, 2005

Based on nothing more than pure hunch, I hereby leave myself open to whatever insults anyone might hurl my way by announcing my prediction for Hurricane Rita’s impact on the Gulf. In a word, anti-climax. Before making landfall 6 hours earlier than currently projected, the hurricane will pick up speed to > 20 mph, weaken to < cat. 3 and make landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border as a mid-category 2.

Susan Komen and Planned Parenthood

September 22, 2005

When I was a runner, I took part in many runs to support various charities. One I never joined was the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Not because I oppose breast cancer research, but because something about that particular organization rubbed me the wrong way. For one thing, it seemed too big, too intrusive. It was like a charity version of the AFL-CIO, before it collapsed. (Hat tip to RomanCatholicBlog)

Follow-Up to Shocking Coldness

September 21, 2005

Shocking Coldness generated many responses from many quarters (for my blog, anyway). I have to admit, some of the criticism has forced me to think, while some of the arguments against my (assumed) position deserve a challenge. First, the original post accurately reflects my opinion about attitudes displayed by the women in the NY Times story. Remember, please, that this is a web log, a journal of my personal opinion and reflection.

Pope to Promote Tridentine Mass

September 20, 2005

How timely was Tom’s blog on the Latin Mass? I just received this holy news from Karl Keating’s newsletter: Last Thursday Catholic World News transmitted this story, filed out of Dublin, regarding what might happen to what is commonly called the Tridentine Mass: “Pope Benedict XVI will take action soon to allow all Catholic priests to celebrate the Latin Mass, a Cambridge historian has predicted. “Speaking to a conference of priests in Ireland earlier this week, Eamonn Duffy said that it was ‘extremely likely that Pope Benedict will lift the restrictions on the celebration of the Tridentine liturgy,’ the Irish Independent reported.

Big Thanks to Dawn Eden

September 19, 2005

Dawn graciously linked to one of my entries, even though she disagreed with some of my over-the-top language. (Yes, everything I do is over-the-top, unfortunately.) As a result, my site is busy. Thanks, Dawn, and keep up the terrific work.

Shocking Coldness

September 17, 2005

TheNew York Times Online, today, is drumming up sympathy for abortion. Venetia Grunder, 21, viewed an ultrasound image of the fetus in her womb. She was 12 weeks pregnant, though she had taken birth control pills as directed. “I feel pretty messed up,” she said after seeing the image. “It’s different, just knowing. My husband told me not to look. This changes my feelings, but I’m sticking by it. Damn it, $650, I’m sticking by it.

Another Sort of Confirmation Hearing

September 16, 2005

Listening to Fr. Frank Pavone’s homily on EWTN’s daily Mass today, my mind wandered to the Roberts confirmation hearing. Well, not to Roberts’s, but to another Supreme Court nonimee’s: a nominee whose public statements on Roe vs. Wade tow the liberal line. Chairman: The chair yields to the senior Senator from Missouri for ten minutes. Senator Bond. Bond: Thank you Mr. Chairman, colleagues, Judge Smeal. (Sifting through notes) Judge Smeal, have you ever seen photos or diagrams of an abortion in progress?

No Small Task

September 14, 2005

Once upon a time, men and women separated themselves from society in order to pray. Often, their piety attracted like-minded individuals to join them. Among early Christians, the practice became fairly common, and continued through the middle ages and even after the Reformation. While that may not be an official definition of monasticism, it fits. One can only imagine that forming a new religious order was easier in the days of the great kings of Europe than it would be today.

What Kind of Cross Am I?

September 13, 2005

You are the Corpus Christi Crucifix: The cross that bears the body of Christ is the most venerated of all the crosses. It hangs in the most sacred places in the world and inspires the faithful to contemplate the suffering of Christ. What Kind of Cross are You? brought to you by Quizilla

I am Joan

September 12, 2005

You are Joan of Arc! You don’t really want to hurt anyone, but if they attack your friends or your country and no-one else will stand up to fight them, you head into the battle. Beware though, conviction tends to get you killed. Which Saint Are You? brought to you by Quizilla

Happy Birthday, Ace

September 12, 2005

Few men are lucky to enough to meet one person who fulfills all of their social needs–a beautiful woman whose mere glance flitters the heart, a kind friend whom first you call with news good or bad, a companion in drink and sport with whom to enjoy life’s greatest celebrations and deepest heartbreaks, a mother who tends lovingly the children of the house, and a vessel of God’s mercy who shows you His love in her every move.

Social Engineering in Louisiana

September 9, 2005

You see them. They’re knocking each other down to blame Katrina and its aftermath on Bush. They’re lying, of course. They’re Democrats; they can’t help themselves. Genius isn’t required to see that the relief efforts in Republican-conrolled Mississippi, with far more storm damage than Louisiana, is relatively smooth. Like Florida’s Jeb Bush, Haley Barbour seems to know what he’s doing. Next door in Louisiana, there’s another story. Democrat run, Democrat destroyed Louisiana is a shambles.

Atheists Fight Prayer For Victims

September 7, 2005

Yes, the headline is too absurb to be fiction: Atheists: No prayer for disaster victims U.S. group says president violating Constitution by urging pleas to God Despite their hatred of religion, the Atheists are strongly admonishing their members to contribute both money and effort to the relief of hurricane stricken areas. “Anyone who looks upon the destruction, death, and suffering in Louisiana and turns his back risks . . . getting .

Sean Penn Saves New Orleans

September 6, 2005

Water levels in flooded New Orleans, Louisiana, dropped 1/32,000 of a centimeter, today, after actor and activist Sean Penn advised the Bush Administration on how to fix the problem. Thanks to Michelle Malkin.

Planned Parenthood Diverting Katrina Relief Money

September 6, 2005

The people at Planned Parenthood are the kinds of cowards who give cowardice a bad name. Dawn Eden demonstrated, today, how Planned Parenthood tried to divert money for Katrina Relief into their own abortion mills. Now, if you’re eugenicist, racist, baby-killer like those who run and support and profit from Planned Parenthood, then the their logic will make sense: a) Most of the really, really brutalized victims of Katrina we saw on television were poor blacks; b) if there weren’t so darn many poor blacks, the hurricane’s effect would have been far less catastrophic; therefore, c) if we prevent poor blacks from breeding, we will avoid future Katrinas.

Saints Among Us

September 5, 2005

A week ago yesterday, anticipating Katrinas arrival on the Gulf Coast, I penned the following paragraph on this blog: Perhaps we fortunate souls in the rest of the country should begin a ring of volunteers willing to put up a displaced person or family until they can get back on their feet. Im sure the government will help relocate folks. While St. Louis isnt exactly Louisiannas backyard, our door is open to such a family in need.

William Rehnquist: RIP

September 4, 2005

With perhaps 10,000 dead in the Gulf Coast, it seems almost silly to talk about one man’s death. But the man who died first came to our attention with bushy sideburns, thick glasses, and wide lapels. William Rehnquist was never a politician. He was just a judge. His devotion to the Constitution was amazing. He never deviated from his path of original understanding and legislsative intent. When Rehnquist authored an opinion, it was right in the eyes of the law, in the eyes of democracy, and in the eyes of God.

How Low Am I?

September 3, 2005

In fleeting delusions of vainglory, I have seen myself as a good man. No more. The e-mails and messages I have receives through www.katrinahomes.info have convinced me that I am a wretch. I don’t deserve to correspond with many of the people registering and e-mailing that site. I am not worthy to meet the people in the Gulf states looking for their children amidst the debris. I am not worthy of task God has set upon my shoulders.

Joe Scarborough: 'National Disgrace'

September 2, 2005

Police looting for food. People starving to death. The first of the Red Cross aid arrived in Biloxi, Mississippi only tonight, four days after the hurricane. Scarborough says he’s been involved in many hurricane relief efforts, and he’s never seen one this unresponsive. In New Orleans, there are very few Guardsmen, police, doctors visible. Several doctors left the Super Dome, unable to treat people because of the violence. One doctor reported the problem of the bodies of murder victims: four Wednesday night, four Tuesday, maybe more.

Total Political Failure

September 2, 2005

I know many will disagree with me, but must agree with Ron Fournier of the AP: At every turn, political leaders failed Katrina’s victims. They didn’t strengthen the levees. They ceded the streets to marauding looters. They left dead bodies to rot or bloat. Thousands suffered or died for lack of water, food and hope. Who’s at fault? There’s plenty of blame to go around - the White House, Congress, federal agencies, local governments, police and even residents of the Gulf Coast who refused orders to evacuate.

Homeland Insecurity

September 1, 2005

The Department of Homeland Security just faced its first major test in New Orleans. It failed miserably. No one is in charge. Looters, gangs, thugs, and murders rule the streets. (See Michelle Malkin: Can Law and Order Be Restored?) Police and other supposed officials have no instructions on what to do with refugees, who are herded from one street gang war to another. Days-old-babies are boiling in the sun while police yell at their helpless mothers to keep moving toward the danger zones.

New Orleans Mayor

September 1, 2005

These are the words for New Orleans Mayor Nagin, according to Fox News: There will be a “total evacuation of the city. We have to. The city will not be functional for two or three months,” Nagin said. And he said people would not be allowed back into their homes for at least a month or two. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Bright Outlook for American Generosity

September 1, 2005

Nearly 300 people have already responded to the Home for Katrina Victims site. The site has been up only about 15 hours, and it’s been working properly only since 7:00 PM. As a Christian, I believe that all love, charity, and kindness comes from God. But we have free will to pass it along or to use it all on ourselves. For that matter, we can reject it completely. Today’s response demonstrates the American people, at least many of them, are passing along God’s graces in buckets.

Grim Outlook for the Big Easy

August 31, 2005

There are at least 35,000 refugees fleeing New Orleans. Shep Smith on FoxNews just helped save a five-day-old baby. The infant and her mother had been dropped off of a boat after being rescued from an attic with 12 other people. The baby was burning hot, and Smith had to flag down a police officer to get medical attention. Dramatically, the police and paramedics showed up while Smith was interviewing the people on the air.

President Bush

August 31, 2005

Some highlights: It will take “years” to recover from Katrina. Government allows fuel blends immediately to reduce cost of gasoline. Victims will be overwhelmed with Americans' desire to help. I am confident that with time you’ll get your life back in order . . . the great city of New Orleans will be back on its feet. Some Thoughts: Let’s go to a 10 hour per day, 4 day work week.

Anheuser-Busch Helps

August 31, 2005

A-B Increases Water Donations to 825,000 Cans to Aid Hurricane Katrina Victims Anheuser-Busch Foundation Also Donates $250,000 To the Red Cross Relief Efforts In response to requests from relief agencies following the tremendous damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, Anheuser-Busch and its wholesalers have now shipped more than 825,000 cans of safe drinking water to victims of Hurricane Katrina. Separately, the Anheuser-Busch Foundation announced today that it is donating $250,000 to Red Cross relief efforts along the Gulf Coast.

Times-Picayune Bugging Out

August 30, 2005

To Register for Homes for Katrina Victims Please register at https://katrinahomes.billhennessy.com The information you provide will be used exclusively for coordinating this effort, should your kind services be required. In the meantime, we are praying that no one needs our help. Sincerely, Bill Hennessy With Lake Pontchartrain continuing to pour into New Orleans, the city’s major daily newspaper has ordered an evacuation of its building and its reporters. As of 9:40 AM:

Open Homes for Katrina Victims

August 29, 2005

To Register for Homes for Katrina Victims Please register at https://katrinahomes.billhennessy.com The information you provide will be used exclusively for coordinating this effort, should your kind services be required. In the meantime, we are praying that no one needs our help. Sincerely, Bill Hennessy UPDATE: I am experience technical difficulties with my database server. (Of all nights.) In the meantime, Nancy has graciously enjoined us to coordinate any kind of efforts on her wiki.

God Bless the People of New Orleans

August 29, 2005

I know that everyone with a heart is watching prayerfully as the Katrina prepares to make New Orleans a piece of Americana history. If the worst of the predictions comes true, there could be several hundred thousand refugees. To Register for Homes for Katrina Victims Please register at https://katrinahomes.billhennessy.com The information you provide will be used exclusively for coordinating this effort, should your kind services be required. In the meantime, we are praying that no one needs our help.

Firefox: Worse than Opera

August 29, 2005

Anyone who has anything nice to say about Mozilla’s Firefox browser has such because of emotional bigotry, not objective analysis. I have been running Firefox on both Linux (SuSE’s latest) and Windows (XP Pro SP2) since beta days. With each release and each patch, I expect the uncountable list of problems to abate. Instead, the list grows only longer. On Windows, Firefox has plenty of plug-ins, though not enough. It freezes constantly.

Roman Catholic Frat

August 27, 2005

In the continuing story of the resurgence of Roman Catholicism, Newsweek online reports on an orthodox Catholic frat at Franciscan University: Knights of the Holy Queen. Many on the Catholic right have long argued the church’s decline began with Pope Paul’s misguided reform of the Holy Mass in 1968. During the 1970s, Catholic dioceses and parishes in the Western world purged their sanctuaries of Christ, the Crucifix, the Blessed Mother, God, prayer, reverence, and holiness, replacing these “relics” with worship of the profane, the creature, the created.

Cowardly Teacher

August 27, 2005

I have a child who suffers from many neurological infirmities. He attends a prestigious school district in St. Louis County, Missouri. Several times, I have expressed my disappointment in the way some administrators in his former middle school, from which he has since matriculated, handled his problems. For his privacy, I never referred to the child in question as my son. I never used his name. And for their privacy, I never named the administrators with whom I disagreed.

Viacom

August 19, 2005

Jay Anderson illuminates a blood-boiler involving Viacom and Mother Teresa. (The fact that so many anti-theists so despise a woman who did nothing but good her entire life should tell us a lot about these people.) Penn and Teller aired a show in which they called Mother Teresa a “f*ing ct.” The Catholic League protested. Viacom promised to never air the episode again. But Viacom’s president, Sumner Redstone, wanted the last word.

What God Knows

August 19, 2005

C. S. Lewis makes a compelling argument that perfect love is perfect wisdom–or knowledge or understanding. You’d have to read his whole thing, which I encourage you to do. (I think it’s from The Four Loves.) I firmly believe that, and have since I read it–not that I doubt much of what Lewis wrote. Futher, since God is love, then in God, and only in God, can we find love. Or is it Love?

Another Alternative for Latin Mass in St. Louis

August 15, 2005

As readers know, my family treks almost 40 miles most Sundays to attend the Tridentine indult Mass at St. Francis de Sales Oratory in South St. Louis. I have personally expressed my thanks to his Excellency, Archbishop Raymond Burke, for allowing us this beautiful and holy Mass in such a splendid work of art. The blessings of Archbishop Burke continue to flow. In addition to St. Francis de Sales, West St.

The Catholic Order of Things

August 14, 2005

Once upon a time, I craved Holy Communion. Now, I don’t mind being the ONLY PERSON IN THE CHURCH who doesn’t go up to receive the true Body and Blood of our savior each mass. In fact, I’m kind of proud of that. While there’s nothing honorable about being the only person in the church in a state of mortal sin (there’s hell to pay), but there is some honor, I think, in being the only one, at least at Daily Mass, to admit it.

My Friends are all in Heaven

August 13, 2005

I’ve reached the point in my life at which the only people I can really talk to are in heaven. Pater noster, qui es in ceolli. Dominus regnum in ceolli. Mater Dei. My daughter, Amie. Grandma. PJ. Aunt Jane. It’s not that I’m terribly old, it’s just that I have no friends. I used to. But I’ve lost them all. Not all through death, but through life. Well, some through death, for sure.

What Women Want

August 13, 2005

Safety. Women want to feel safe. They seek out men who can protect them. Sorry, but it’s true. When a woman feels that her man can no longer protect her or their children, she has no use for him. Humor, cooking, intellect, whatever other qualities he might have become meaningless. They were only perquisites stacked atop his primary attraction: safety. Want to know why young, beautiful women are atrracted to wealthy old men?

Lines That Grow On You

August 10, 2005

In the past month, the hand of God has moved in my life so many times in so many wondeful ways. Over and over, I find myself whispering parts of the Magnificat. There is one stanza of that prayer that has worked its way into my very DNA: For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. I think that’s my new motto.

United Nations: Guilty As Charged

August 8, 2005

BREAKING NEWS A former U.N. officer named in the oil-for-food scandal pleads guilty to money laundering and conspiracy charges, federal prosecutors said. No details, but expect them soon–and expect a lot more indictments when this guy starts singing. Have I told you, lately, that I hate the UN?

Peter Jennings: RIP

August 8, 2005

It’s hard to believe that I was only two when Peter Jennings became the anchor of ABC’s Nightly News. It was 1965, before the 60s began. Timothy Leary was still at Harvard, and Viet Nam was still an opportunity to thwart communism’s uholy advance. Jennings didn’t last long. Berated by critics as a pretty face, ABC demoted him to foreign correspondent in 1968. In London, Munich, Brussels, and other foreign capitals, Jennings paid his dues.

Liberator of Women

August 7, 2005

The only liberator of women in history was Jesus Christ. Catholics are accused, falsely, of worshiping His mother, Mary. We venerate Mary. We ask His mother to pray for us, to intercede with Him on our behalf. We try to imitate her faith and obedience–“Be it done unto me according to thy word.” And most of us usually fall way, way short. When I read a poll showing that 2/3 of the adults in a Catholic church on any given Sunday are women, I was struck by the ratio.

Christianity Headlines

August 6, 2005

Here’s what’s making news around the Christian world * Chinese become Christians faster than you can say "In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritu Sancto" ([OrthodoxyToday](https://www.orthodoxytoday.org/blog/index.php?p=1041)) * [Emily at AfterAbortion ](https://afterabortion.blogspot.com/2005/08/diarist-at-daily-kos-publishes-this.html)reports that Daily Kos is making anti-life hay because some pro-violence anti-abortionists protested outside an abortion clinic. When will the pro-life side realize that prayer trumps murder? Updates coming . . .

Major Changes to Liturgy

August 6, 2005

The Roman Catholic Episcopate is set to introduce sweeping changes to the Latin Rite liturgy during its General Synod, October 2 through October 23, 2005. According to the agendum for the synod, which Catholics should read here, the following points will be addressed: * Intensive catechesis on the importance of keeping the Holy Days of Obligation, particularly the Sunday requirement. * Dignity, due preparation, and faith in the mystery of the Eucharist * The secularization of salvation and religious relativism * Understanding that "participation" in the Mass centers on receiving the Body and Blood of Christ the Redeemer, not standing in the sanctuary with your hands in the air in imitation of a priest.

Surprises

August 4, 2005

Sometimes surprises are less than wonderful. Does God heap these events on us? Or does He allow them happen because it’s part of His plan? Or does He allow them to happen because we have it coming? Or all three? Somehow I know the Good Lord will see us through. I wish I could see the path now, though.

Two Novenas in One Day

August 3, 2005

That’s how important my present petition is. I said two, one-day novenas today–one to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, one to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. (For the non-Catholics, they’re both the same person.) First, I want to publicly thank Our Lady for her gracious intercession. I know that if my request is not opposed to God’s holy Will, it will be done. Second, just in case, if you happen to be praying for things, please drop my name with the Almighty.

Paul Krugman Caught in Another Lie

August 1, 2005

It must be nice to be a liberal writer. You sit in your NY apartment, make up fictitious stories to embarrass and humiliate your fellow man; you libelously attribute your nasty quotes to someone else; you publish; you’re caught; life goes on. Paul Krugman decided to maliciously call Alabama a state full of illiterates who needed pictures to understand a story. Thus, claims Krugman, Toyota had to build a new car plant in Canada–Alabama lacked a literate workforce.

Very Bad News for Discovery Crew

August 1, 2005

From MSNBC: A couple of short strips of material dangling from Discoverys belly may require an unprecedented repair by spacewalking astronauts, if engineers determine theres even a possibility that the problem could endanger the shuttle during descent, NASA said Sunday. If this Space Shuttle does not come back in one piece, as much as I hate to switch sides on this one, it’s time to get the government out of the space program.

Al-Qaida Websites Disappeared

July 31, 2005

Thanks to Drudge. Israeli intelligence reports that the large network of al-Qaeda web sites, the organizations primary means of international communication, have been taken out of service. The Israelis believe UK intelligence did the Lord’s work on this case, reports the Times of London. Over the past fortnight Israeli intelligence agents have noticed something distinctly odd happening on the internet. One by one, Al-Qaedas affiliated websites have vanished until only a handful remain, write Uzi Mahnaimi and Alex Pell.

Early- and Late-Term Abortions

July 31, 2005

Early Non-viable tissue mass? Nope. A human being. Please remember this murdered child in your prayers today, and especially the misguided woman who let this happen–that she may come to know the truth and receive God’s forgiveness. While you’re at it, you may want to thank God that your mother had the graces not to do this to you. Here is the medical eximaniner’s certification that this photo, in fact, is an 8-week old human being.

Protestant Terrorism in Ireland

July 31, 2005

From Catholic News Agency: BALLYMENA, NORTHERN IRELAND, Ireland, July 27 (CNA) - Tuesday saw what police have called a wave of intimidation attacks against Catholics in and around Ballymena, a mostly Protestant town northwest of Belfast. The Associated Press reported that Protestant extremists planted a homemade grenade outside a Catholic family’s home in Ballymena. The bomb detonated, causing minor damage. Arsonists badly damaged one Catholic-run pub in the village of Martinstown, and caused minor fire damage to the outside of another pub in nearby Rasharkin with two gasoline-filled bottles.

Frankengate II UPDATED

July 30, 2005

Since I last blogged about the curious financial dealings (stealing from the poor to line the pockets of rich liberals), Err America has released two mutually exclusive denials of criminal wrong-doing (guilty as charged). (See Macho Nachos) Michelle Malkin has done a great job on this story, finding the loopholes in Franken’s loopholes. Those of us who always assume the worst motives of limosine liberals are alway right. There’s a satisfying justice in that, like when we learned that Barbara Streisand believes people like her are exempt from the need to protect the environment, or when theDave Matthews Band illegally dumps human feces all over boaters in Chicago.

Where's the Retractions?

July 29, 2005

When a “discovery” “proved” that Our Lady conceived and bore naturally, Time and Newsweek were all over the story. “Ha ha, you smug Catholics!” I have yet to see a print retraction, even though their “source” is now in jail: Israeli police have put under house arrest, Oded Golan, the owner of the so-called “James Ossuary”, the fake ossuary that attempted to promote the idea that Jesus Christ had brothers casting doubt on the virgin birth of Christ.

We Should All Be Pro Ecclesia

July 29, 2005

You might have noticed that I’m linking to Jay Anderson’s Pro Ecclesia quite a bit lately. You might think I’m selfishly skimming off his readers with cheap trackbacks, but that’s not the case at all. The fact is, Jay provides the best round-up of news interesting to Catholics and Christians I’ve found. He provides full stories, great links, and pithy, on-the-nose comments. If you’re looking for great information on the state of God’s world and its seeming indifference to Him, you’ll find it at Pro Ecclesia.

The Way It Is

July 29, 2005

On Wednesday, Pope Benedict XVI spoke to Italian clergy, and his statements seem, at first blush, rather sad. He told the assembled that Christian churches in the West appear to be dying. In particular, the so-called mainline Protestant churches have been losing members for nearly a century. Jay Anderson at Pro Ecclesia conjectures: “Mainstream churches” appear to be dying. Well, then, they aren’t really “mainstream”, are they? Just like the dying “mainstream media” isn’t really “mainstream”.

Time to Launch NASA?

July 29, 2005

After more than a decade of embarrassing and fatal failures, we may have reached the time to kiss NASA good-bye and turn America’s space program over to private companies. (CNN) – A small piece of insulating foam that came off the space shuttle Discovery’s external fuel tank may have struck the wing of its orbiter during liftoff. But NASA experts do not believe the foam caused any damage, a NASA official said late Thursday.

Time to Annex Canada?

July 28, 2005

Begging McArthur’s pardon, some men are born stupid, some achieve stupidity, and others have stupidity handed to them in the form of a diploma. How retired Royal Military College professor Bob Ferguson reached the exhaulted heights of stupidity from which he now pontificates is uncertain, but chances are education helped. Mr. Ferguson has called upon the Canadian government to regulate religion in that country, especially the Roman Catholic Church. Succumbing to the whispers of the dark one, Ferguson let loose this commentary on CBC radio:

End of Irish Violence?

July 28, 2005

Here is the text of the Irish Republican Army’s renouncement of violence to achieve political ends: The leadership of Oglaigh na hEireann (IRA; literally in Gaelic, “Soldiers of Ireland”) has formally ordered an end to the armed campaign. This will take effect from 4 p.m. this afternoon. All IRA units have been ordered to dump arms. All volunteers have been instructed to assist the development of purely political and democratic programs through exclusively peaceful means.

Al Franken Starves Poor Children UPDATED

July 27, 2005

So it appears. According to Michelle Malkin, Ed Morrissey, Brian Maloney, The Bronx News, and other sources, several federally supported relief agencies in New York have been illegally funelling hundreds of thousands of dollars to Al Franken’s anti-American radio network Air America. The agencies in question, Gloria Wise Boys & Girls Club and Pathways for Youth Boys & Girls clubs. One source told the News that $480,000 in funds from the Gloria Wise Club is involved in the citys investigation of illegal transfer of funds from the local club.

I Believe in Miracles

July 27, 2005

I wish I could give the details, but that would cause problems. Suffice it to say that two weeks ago, something my wife and I had been praying hard for seemed to have been placed out of reach. If that was God’s answer to our prayers, it was a resounding “Get lost.” Thankfully, though, we didn’t stop. I went straight to the perpetual adoration chapel and knelt before the exposed Body of Christ for an hour and a half.

Gloria in excelsis Deo! (Maybe)

July 26, 2005

No, really, of course. RomanCatholicBlog tells us at the the next time the Bishops get together, they might, just might, address the problem of horrible, rancid, loud, profane music at Mass. I’m sure all those who have complained about the music weren’t inspired by my blog. More likely, they were inspired by the same Holy Ghost that inspired me.

The Roberts Hearing: A Marc Goodman-Bill Todman Production

July 26, 2005

Stop whatever you’re doing, and check out Wuzzadem. Now, dammit. Do it!

Division of Labor

July 26, 2005

Since the beginning of the labor union movement, the greatest threat it felt–often paranoically–was management (or the Republicans) “breaking” the union. The external threat was seen to come from anti-union laws, movement of jobs overseas, and negotiating tactics that left union strikes powerless. Now, it seems, that the union movement may, like communism, collapse from its own weight. After a steady 20+ year decline in union membership, the flagship of organized labor, the AFL-CIO, fractured this week, losing more than 1/3 of its membership.

Lt. Gov. Knoll "Apologizes"

July 25, 2005

Thanks to some great investigative work by Michelle Malkin, we have a letter from the Pa. Lt. Gov. Catherine Knoll: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 25, 2005 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA Office of the Lieutenant Governor Commonwealth News Bureau Room 200, Main Capitol Harrisburg, PA 17120 LT. GOVERNOR CATHERINE BAKER KNOLL LETTER OF APOLOGY HARRISBURG: July 25, 2005 Dear Mrs. Goodrich, I am writing to further apologize and clarify what happened at the funeral of your beloved husband, Joseph.

Dick Durbin: What's It Good For

July 25, 2005

We know that Dick Durbin hates members of the US Armed Forces. We know that he hates personal property and freedom. Now we learn how much he hates unborn children. From Jay Anderson, via NewsMax, via NBC, we learn Durbin considers being pro-life as a disqualifying defect for any judge. I wonder how many abortions his wife and children account for? After all, if abortions are such wonderful things, wouldn’t he want the women he loves have a few?

Should Worship Embarrass?

July 25, 2005

My weekly attack on Catholic liturgical abuse needs some caveats: * I accept the teaching of the Second Vatican Council as bound in heaven as on earth. * I accept the validity of the New Mass based on the church's Magisterium and the indefectability of the church. * I do not believe that people who attend (by choice) New Mass are living outside the faith. A wedding this weekend left us no choice but to attend the 5:30 PM “LIFETeen” mass at our local parish.

Stephanie Klein? Huh?

July 24, 2005

I saw that the number one search phase on Technorati for the past 3 hours has been Stephanie Klein. I looked up her blog (she’s a blogger), and read a couple of entries. Pretty good writing, but I don’t get the mania. Does anyone know what the deal is? Is she famous for anything besides blogging?

A Democrat Without a Conscience

July 23, 2005

In the Museum of Left-Wing Lunacy we find a blood-boiling story of typical Democrat callous hatefulness. Pennsylvania Lt. Governor Catherine Baker Knoll is the sort of thing one scrapes from the bottom of a shoe. She crashed the funeral mass of fallen Marine Sgt. Joseph Goodrich to campaign for office and to chastise the family of the fallen hero, saying “our government opposes this war.” She sat down next to a Goodrich family member and, during the distribution of communion, said, “Who are you?

National Cancer Institute Buries Abortion Link

July 23, 2005

The National Cancer Institute funded a Chinese study that links induced abortion to a signficantly increased risk of breast cancer. But the results were politically incorrect, so the NCI buried the study, according to Purposeful Dreamer. It appears, now, the NCI is removing all copies of the study from the internet in a Soviet-style attempt to whitewash history. Still, pdf copies remain, and here is a link to one. (H/T to AfterAbortion.

Canadian Bishops Demand Resistence

July 23, 2005

The Canadian Conference of Bishops bravely demanded that Catholics continue to resist Canada’s attempt to redifine marriage. Catholics are to continue to oppose it, and to ensure that all provincial and territorial regulations on the solemnization of marriages provide full protection for freedom of conscience and religion, as guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Meanwhile, in Spain, a judge, Laura Alabau, has refused to marry a lesbian couple and is appealing to that country’s high court to overturn the law.

United Nations Pushes Abortion

July 23, 2005

TheUnited Nations Population Fund as declared that abstinence and contraception do not work in reducing poverty. Therefore, it declares, a massive increase in abortions is the only way to curb economic privation. Folks, the United Nations is the largest, most powerful force for evil in the world. Pressure your political leaders to withdraw from this cancerous legion of death. UPDATE: Dovetailing perfectly into this story, The Dawn Patrol, with the help of commenters, points out that sex education is proven to cause an increase in unplanned pregnancies.

Wither Cephas

July 22, 2005

My first foray into editing Wikipedia happened when I found some really bad etymology of St. Peter’s name. Following the misteaching of some Protestant theology, a well-meaning soul had written that Christ Jesus gave Symon the name “Petros,” then turned to a rocky cliff and said, “And upon this petra I will build my church.” (Since my edits, though, the entry has been radically altered.) Petros, in Greek, is a little rock.

Martyrdom in Canada

July 22, 2005

Now that Canada has made homosexual “marriage” the law of the land, it won’t be long before Catholic priests are imprisoned for refusing to preside over such blasphemy. Though Canadian Liberals assure us that the law applies specifically to “civil” marriages, there is no protection against civil suits against priests who refuse to conduct homosexual marriage ceremonies. And we all know how much liberals enjoy suing. The good news is that the situation may provide an opportunity for Canadian martyrs, of which there are few.

London Attacked Again

July 21, 2005

Another cowardly attack on our closest ally’s capital city. MSNBC reports that Tony Blair has appealed for calm. That seems superfluous in England where the good people showed such commendable fortitude after the last bombs. Thanks to God, the human toll was much lower this time: Only one person was reported wounded in Thursday’s blasts, but Blair said the intention of the attacks must have been to kill. And one of the bombers, this time, may have survived the attack.

Thanks for Favors Granted

July 21, 2005

There is nothing finer in life on this earth than to have a great advocate in heaven. I seem to have one in Our Lady. Never have I have fled to her protection, implored her help, or sought her intercession and was left unaided. If you don’t believe in the ability of saints in heaven to advocate on your behalf, do yourself a favor. The next time you really need help, especially in your faith or in fighting temptation, give Jesus' mother a chance to help.

John Roberts Jr: Excellent Choice

July 20, 2005

Everyone thought it was going to be a woman, or a Hispanic, or a Black. Instead, Bush put on the color-gender-sexual-orientation blinders and picked the best candidate: George John Roberts Jr. or the federal appeals court. It’s very easy to see why liberals hate–HATE–Judge Roberts: He seems to agree with the president on everything. Susan Estrich put it well: “This guy is a conservative . . . Conservatives should be very happy.

Boston Public Schools: Too Far Gone?

July 19, 2005

**WARNING: This post contains graphic descriptions of homosexual sex acts. ** Last week, Michelle Malkin and Captain Ed jumped all over Senator Rick Santorum for his 2002 editorial about the moral depravity of Boston, Massachusetts. At the risk of accusations of laying it on, I have concluded that Michelle and Ed were miles far off base in their knee-jerk defenses of Boston. For at least two years, the Massachusetts Department of Education held a “Teach Out.

Weeping for the New Jerusalem

July 18, 2005

As readers know, I prefer the Latin Tridentine MassLatin Tridentine Mass to the new mass carried on in 99% of Catholic churches. Except for my virulent conservatism, it’s hard to know precisely why. Today’s Gospel helped me understand. Jesus wept for Jerusalem. They were so wrapped up in themselves that they could not recognize their Messiah when he stood before them. They turned God’s temple into a “den of thieves.” American Catholics have turned the New Jerusalem, the church Christ built with his blood and tears, into a den of thieves.

NARAL: Not only Satanic, Cowardly

July 17, 2005

The cowardly folks at NARAL, following their Soviet-inspired practice of re-writing history, have cleansed their websites of stories about the Screw Abstinence party it sponsored in Seattle last week. Remember, if you don’t do reprehensible things, you have no need to hide them from public view. The evil love the cover of darkness, for it is in the Dark One that they try to find a peace that never comes.

London Bombers Photo

July 17, 2005

The BBC online has a story with photos of the four London bombers together. The picture was taken by a video surveillance camera on July 7 as they set out to perform their mayhem.

Powerful Witness

July 17, 2005

No hype. Just read

The Sickening Dutch

July 16, 2005

Is there a more depraved place in the West than Holland? Their pediatricians condone the murder of newborns. (Thanks to Mark Noonan.) I remember back in the early days of the Roe v. Wade wars when pro-lifers would use the term “slippery slope” and liberals would laugh their rears off at our moronic fear that euthenasia and assisted suicide and the whole plethora of eugenics would soon follow. Well, liberals: we were right.

Boston Archdiocese is Way Out There

July 16, 2005

Providentially, I was listening to Ros Moss on EWTN radio this morning. A man from Boston called in. He was in his late 30s with a family. He was almost in tears over the state of the church. Specifically, he has fought a losing battle against a pair of Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers who distribute Holy Communion in his parish. The pair is a “married” gay male couple. They are openly gay, they carry on public displays of affection in during Mass.

Another Lefty Priest (UPDATED)

July 16, 2005

A View From the Pew has a fantastic take-down of Fr. McBrien’s attack on “conservative” and “traditional” Catholics. This is a fine read in preparation for the Pope’s upcoming documents on the needs of the church. I hope Pope Benedict’s roadmap will drive the likes of Fr. Richard McBrien to some church where he belongs. His snotty attack on conservatives deserves scorn from all corners of the Catholic church. McBrien considers liberal Catholics mentally healthy, well-adjusted, and intelligent.

Health Experts Need Second Opinion

July 16, 2005

During the Terri Schiavo debate, I wrote a piece about how experts are often wrong when it comes to specific cases. Today, Professor Bainbridge links to a CNN story about just how often health care experts are: a full 1/3 of the time. I told you so.

Santorum vs. The World

July 16, 2005

I rarely disagree with Michelle Malkin. When I must, I hurt. Liberals seeking something–anything–with which to bash Senator Rick Santorum (RC-PA) have dug upa column he wrote that is older than Ted Kennedy’s favorite whiskey. In 2002, at the peak of the Cardinal Law Boston priest sex abuse scandal, Santorum passed at least some of the blame for the Boston church’s licentiousness on the prevailing “anything goes” attitude of Boston, its people, and its environs.

Thanks

July 13, 2005

St. Rita’s parents picked a husband for her when she as 15. It wasn’t a good choice, though. He beat her, gambled away their money, and carried on open affairs with other women. They had two children. Rita had wanted to enter the convent until her parents told her to marry this man. Her sons, despite Rita’s Christian teachings, followed the ways of their father. Rita’s husband was mortally stabbed. He converted on his death bed, as did her two wayward sons who died shortly thereafter.

NARAL--Satan's Slaves (UPDATED)

July 13, 2005

The Satanic National Abortion Rights Action League (SNARAL) is now picketing crisis pregnancy centers to try to intimidate pregnant Christians into committing murder. No, I’m not kidding, and neither is the Dawn Patrol where my wife found this sickening story. Please read the entire blog and follow the excellent links. They will help contribute to pro-life organizations trying to counter SNARAL’s murderous designs. One of these demons enjoins us to “See how beautiful we looked.

The Altruistic AARP

July 12, 2005

Regular readers might expect me to rant against the AARP, as I at least monthly. But this time, their altruism is commendable. By endorsing euthenasia for the elderly, the AARP has admitted that it serves no worthwhile purpose and must be put to sleep. Certainly, just disbanding would be the moral thing to do. But if the AARP insists on disbanding by suicide, who am I to get their way?

Christopher Hitchens Summarizes Jihad

July 11, 2005

Here’s one of Hitch’s reactions to the London Bombing: We know very well what the “grievances” of the jihadists are. The grievance of seeing unveiled women. The grievance of the existence, not of the State of Israel, but of the Jewish people. The grievance of the heresy of democracy, which impedes the imposition of sharia law. The grievance of a work of fiction written by an Indian living in London.

How Sad

July 11, 2005

What pain must one live through to express this sentiment? When Dr. Land said “I believe our grandchildren will look back with horror that we kill an unborn child every twenty seconds in the early twenty-first century,” my militantly pro-abortion mother snapped, “No, they’ll be saying ‘why didn’t they do it every ten?'” What pain must the writer feel to so betray his mother on a blog?

And, finally tonight . . .

July 11, 2005

This quote from Neal Pollack is two years old, but I just found it. I like it so much, I’m blogging it in hopes that no one will ever forget what an idiot Howard Dean is. It’s easy to see why people are seduced by Howard Dean. He’s well-spoken, handsome, and sensible. He appears to have a strong grasp on most major issues, a willingness to compromise with his opponents, and the gift of not getting flustered by minor annoyances.

Coincidence?

July 11, 2005

Friday night I blogged about the evils of the United Nations in Rwanda and elsewhere. Today, I blogged about the eugenicist Margaret Sanger. This afternoon I joined ProLifeBlogs.org and tonight, on that blog, I found the thrust of a theory the theological side of my brain has been pondering for some time (though it’s not time to expose it just yet): The UN wants to eliminate poverty by eliminating children.

Only Idiots Like Michael Moore

July 11, 2005

Okay, I said it. I’ll say it again, so please have your tape recorders ready: Everyone who likes Michael Moore is an idiot. Okay, everyone except the anti-Americans who pretend to be idiots. This week thanks to Moore’s al-Qaida heroes, he looked like a compete moron. Why? Because Moore claims terrorism is a red-herring, an invention. The Twin Towers? Computer graphics. If your husband disappeared on 9/11, it’s because he ran off with his secretary.

Margaret Sanger--Hitler's Advisor

July 11, 2005

Among the Culture of Death, saying anything bad about the Mother of Modern Murder, Margaret Sanger, is a sacrilege. But RomanCatholicBlog provides a reprint of an article worth reading. These are actual writings or words of Sanger, long suppressed by the fawning leftist media in the US. One of the most telling: … the most urgent problem today is how to limit and discourage the over-fertility of the mentally and physically defective.

Jewish Rapper Accepts Christ

July 10, 2005

According to Religious News Service and Christian News, Jewish satirical rapper, 50 Shekel, after viewing Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” has accepted Christ Jesus as the Messiah. Messianic Jews, like Christians, believe that Jesus (or as they refer to him, Y’Shua) was the expected Messiah. Though they claim to be following the true Judaism, mainstream Jews are nearly unanimous in rejecting the idea that Messianic Jews are Jewish, and many believe them to be Christians intentionally targeting Jews for conversion.

Higher Education Television

July 10, 2005

Several St. Louis area colleges and school districts fund a thing called HEC-TV. Most of the programming involves video tapes of classes. On Saturday night, though, I happened upon a program call Playback. The first homemade short featured two freaks, one tall and thin with long hair and a beard, one short and fat with mutton chops and a tie. They were near a river among trees. The tall one carried a rifle.

Ward Churchill

July 10, 2005

Calling for Mr. Churchill’s death, while consistent with his view of how one should treat those with whom he disagrees, would be too easy. Let’s keep this brainless, hate-spreading, son-of-a-bitch around awhile. I like kicking stupid bastards around, and Ward Churchill is my top candidate for Stupid Bastard of the 21st Century. That young people pay money to listen to his ignorance uttered demonstrates that, perhaps, American society is as troubled as he wishes it were.

Here's to Britain

July 9, 2005

London Bombing Watching the news of the miserable murders in London, I am reminded, oddly, of the other Bombing of Britain. After weeks of torturous air raids on London and its suburbs, Nazi Germany surely thought that English stood on the brink of collapse. But in the midst of the carnage, terror, and mayhem, Prime Minister Winston Churchill found the time to address the people of the United States. He encouraged us to keep a stiff upper lip.

Sickening

July 9, 2005

The National Abortion Rights Action League is peopled with hate-filled, depraved perverts and perverters. They hate truth, good, unity, and beauty. They worship lies, evil, disintegration, and ugliness. Sulfur is their perfume. Cancer is their aphrodesiac. Excrement is their fine art. And merciless murder of children is their unholy sacrament. Compared to members of NARAL, hardcore Nazis were alter boys. Their latest attack on truth, beauty, good, and unity is their Screw Abstinence campaign.

Speaking of Fear of God

July 5, 2005

It’s amazing that some people are so afraid of getting sick, of offending someone, of being labelled “intolerant”, of being poor, of alienating friends or family, of being unpopular, and other temporal nightmares. But they aren’t afraid of spening eternity burning in the fires of hell. I pray the Holy spirit descends upon these pitiful souls. They are truly worthy of our most profound prayers. I pray for those United Church of Christ leaders who prefer the praise of Satan over the promises of Christ.

Is America Worth It?

July 5, 2005

Yeah, I know. But when a major news network (NBC) equates America’s Founders with Usama bin Laden and the only people to react are conservatives, maybe this great experiment in self-governance has failed. It seems to me that the only remaining battle is The God Fearing vs. Everyone Else. If I have to die for something I believe in, better God than the people who watch NBC news. (H/T Michelle Malkin)

UCC Encourages Homosexuality

July 5, 2005

Atlanta, GA–TheUnited Church of Christ has endorsed homosexual marriage and demanded that God rewrite the Bible “to reflect modern realities.” According to UCC Rules Committee member, Nancy Ballabeuster, “God could not have foreseen such changes in human relationships as we’ve witnessed in the past 30 years. We know that God is love, and as such She would want us to have a Bible that makes everyone feel good about herself, regardless of sexual orientation, race, or criminal activity.

Open Letter to Archbishop Raymond Burke

July 4, 2005

Your Excellency: Thank you for giving us the Tridentine Mass at the beautiful St. Francis de Sales church. I grew up, mostly, in the Novus Ordo Missae. Over the past 30 years, I have seen the Mass go from a reverent, prayerful worship of God, to a social gathering, to, now, something that seems more like a baseball game. I use Perpetual Adoration, the daily Rosary, and novenas to pray, because prayer during Mass has become almost impossible.

What If Mass Were About God?

July 4, 2005

You walk up a flight of granite stairs to a pair great wooden doors beneath a spire rising, it seems, miles toward the heavens. The heavy door opens slowly, because of its weight, but surprisingly easily, like a perfectly balance vault door. The vestibule is dark and reverent, not grand at all. It might be the foyer of an old, downtown office building except for the small stained-glass windows. Then to the inner doors, smaller, but heavy and wooden.

Benedict's Books

June 30, 2005

I tried to read “Crossing the Threshold of Hope.” I failed. Because of that, I was skeptical about the writings of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI. The first Ratzinger book I read was “Many Religions, One Covenant.” I read it in 2 hours. Had the world ended during those two hours, I’d have missed it. Granted, this 113 page compilation is not deep theology. Thank the Lord it isn’t, because I’m no theologian.

Peter's Digest

June 28, 2005

Today, Pope Benedict XVI released the Compendium of Catechism of the Catholic Church. The book is a condensed version of the full Catechism released in 1992. The Holy Father says the book contains all of the essentials, but only the essentials. If you need a copy now, though, you’ll have to get the whole thing here:

Stem-Cell Fraud

June 28, 2005

Scientists admit that the miracle of embryonic stem-cell cures was oversold. James Thomson, the Wisconsin biologist who was the first to isolate embryonic stem cells, admitted that embryonic stem-cell research was oversold. He said cures from this research may not be available for another 10 or 20 years. Gee, imagine that: doctors and scientists lying to us in the pursuit of killing babies.

Eat Your Heart Out

June 28, 2005

This Sunday, God willing, my family will attend a Tridentine High Mass in this beautiful church. On our knees, the priest facing Christ crucified, Latin and chants invoking the Holy Spirit to fill our souls with graces. Does it get any better on this earth? _Gloria in excelsis Deo. Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis. Laudamus te. Benedicimus te. Adoramus te. Glorificamus te. Gratiam agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam.

Thank Denzel Washington

June 27, 2005

This is from my friend, Carrie. She asks a salient question about media coverage of conservative actors. Brooks Army Medical Center Don’t know whether you heard about this but Denzel Washington and his family visited the troups at Brook Army Medical Center, in San Antonio,Texas (BAMC) the other day. This is where soldiers that have been evacuated from Germany come to be hospitalized in the States, especially burn victims.

The Death of Cardinal Sin

June 27, 2005

I may have to take this to confession. When I first read this headline, I was overjoyed. I thought, somehow, the new Pope found a way to abolish serious sin: TELEGRAM FOR DEATH OF CARDINAL SIN Sadly, there was really a Roman Catholic Cardinal, Jaime L. Cardinal Sin, who passed away. He must have been very holy man. Imagine the Holy spirit’s work at convincing a Pope to promote someone named Sin to Cardinal.

Beating Up on Anglicans?

June 26, 2005

I could be accused of beating up on Anglicans. I am sorry if I am. The Church of England, though, claims to be an episcopal church. It believes in Apostolic succession. Until very recently, the Church of England was more closely united with the Roman Catholic church than any mainstream Protestant church. It is because of the Anglican church’s proximity to Rome that I desire its internal reformation. The Anglicans gave us Dr.

The Greater Danger

June 26, 2005

I used to think that atheists were the most dangerous creatures on earth. After all, the creature that disavows its creator is a pretty wretched thing. Lately, though, I’ve been thinking down a different path. Is it possible that the most dangerous thing on earth is the believer who doesn’t trust God? Someone who doesn’t believe in God is capable of doing great harm to himself, his family, and his community.

Cambodian Midget Fighters

June 24, 2005

I’ve been more active on the CMFL blog than on my own. I’d like to cross-post, but I’m too lazy. So, please, visit The Bower.

Liturgical Rants

June 23, 2005

Thanks toRomanCatholicBlog, I found this essay on abused liturgy by one of my heroes, Fr. James Schall, author of “Another Sort of Learning.” Father’s Day, we attended Mass with my in-laws, including my wife’s grandfather, in Illinois. Instead of a homily, the priest decided to (ab)use that portion of the Holy Sacrifice to conduct a survey. Ushers passed out forms like baseball All-Star ballots. Those of us who were not members of the parish were left to sit and pray amongst ourselves while the parishioners applied their number 2 pencils to the little dots.

I Used to be the Expert

June 20, 2005

I’m not a certified apologist or anything, but after 15 years of Catholic education I have a pretty good headful of catechetics. I think the reason I never actually asked my wife to become Catholic was that I enjoyed my position as household expert on the church. My wife is a lot smarter than I am, much better educated, and much dedicated to the things she finds important. A month and a half ago, she began “thinking” about becoming Catholic.

Perpetual Adoration

June 17, 2005

Last night, I was lucky enough to have my second hour before the exposed Eucharist in one week. My wife was out of town with the kids, so I took her place. My usual hour is in the morning, before work. The sun is up, the room is bright. It’s like Easter morning. But in the evening, it’s different. It’s more like the Agony in the Garden. The room seems larger and darker.

Something New

June 12, 2005

Hey, I realize that my readership has dropped from about 1,000 a day to a handful a day since I left the world of politics to concentrate on God. I don’t care. Well, I do. It’s symptomatic of the reason I turned toward God: this world loves sin, lies, and death. It hates goodness, truth, and life. In my return to the Holy Mother church, I am so fortunate that my parish has a Perpetual Adoration chapel.

Opportunity Lost

June 12, 2005

A few weeks ago, I walked to the neighborhood watering hole to say hello to my cousin. He was talking to a girl who used to tend bar at the place. I hadn

Tonight in Guatamala

June 6, 2005

Tonight in Guatamala, in a place lush with plants and beauty such that one from the comfortable but dry Midwestern United States might think “paradise” on first glance, lies a little girl. Her family has so little. The floor of their tin-roofed house is dirt. She has a matress, I understand. She like to sing and dance. She’s four and beautiful. Dearest Lord Jesus, you love little ones so dearly. They are our spiritual mentors.

Round and Round with Fr. Joyce

June 5, 2005

Fr. Brian Joyce (e-mail him here), a Roman priest, likes performing clown masses. He also believes that papal infallability is a joke and that the Blessed Virgin was just a Jewish mother. Here’s our latest go-around: Father, I can see beauty in your heart. I have read the testimony of your parishoners, and I can see that you bring people to Jesus. How gratifying that must be, Father. I wish I could touch so many souls.

An Abyss of Mercry

June 5, 2005

Never, I am sure, has a mortal man sinned so skillfully, consistenty, and entertainingly as I. Oh, Lord, You know that I am the leader among sinners. I can resist anything except temptation. (Hat tip to Wilde.) And yet, You forgive. In the abyss of Your fathomless mercy, You find a way to forgive me for my transgressions–my creative, evil, flesh-thrilling transgressions. How do I repay You? An eternity of homage would be too little.

But for the Grace of God, Part II

May 31, 2005

I don’t want to get on a rant against Episcopalians, here, but RomanCatholicBlog and Ex-Pagan bring us links to a travesty in an Episcopal church that I must point out. I know some took offence at my original swipe at the Anglican church last week. I even felt a little writer’s remorse, thinking, maybe, I’d been over the top. But God works, sometimes, in obvious ways. Aside from tacking a list of 95 Antitheses to their own heads and declaring God dead, I cannot think of surer way than The Clown Eurcharist to demonstrate to the world that one considers his own religion a joke.

Honesty

May 27, 2005

My wife is wearing one of my t-shirts–a green one with an Irish pub’s logo. That and a pair of jeans. She just got up from the couch to give the little guy a bath, stopping on the way through the living room to check on the fish and to pick up something left dropped on the floor by a thoughtless child. Women spend hours and dollars making themselves up to look like something special.

Another Miracle

May 24, 2005

Thank you, God. I have no words adequate to explain the significance of this favor. You said, Lord, “Ask and you shall receive.” I have doubted, but Your mercy destroys my doubts like a great flood striking a lean-to. I offer this testimony to Your great goodness.

But for the Grace of God

May 22, 2005

Rev. Alvin Kimel, an Episcopal priest in Johnstown, PA, has returned to the Holy Mother, thanks be to God. Reading his letter to the parish, I felt the hair on the back of my neck rise to attention. Some months ago, I nearly joined the very church Rev. Kimel is leaving. Thank you, God, for sparing me that humiliation, though I fully deserve the humiliation I would have felt. The Anglican catholic church has gone around the bend, and Rev.

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy

May 21, 2005

The Friday before John Paul II died, EWTN aired a documentary about Polish saints. For me, the most fascinating was St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000. Her diary, at 700 pages, is the most powerful testimony of faith I have ever read. Those who do not understand the joy of suffering for God must read this work of pure faith. Before I picked up the text last month, I was familiar with the phrase “offer it up.

Dudes!

May 21, 2005

Check out The Bower. Now, dammit!

Thanks

May 21, 2005

For a special intention for one of my kids granted by God’s endless mercy, I thank Our Lady and the Good Lord.

In Gratitude to Tom

May 21, 2005

Tom of The Donegal Express has launced a new group blog. He was kind enough to extend an invitation to yours truly, which I accepted without hesitation. Tom is a great wit and runs an enjoyable blog. I hope I don’t weigh down The Bower.

A Conversion Story

May 16, 2005

While reading the links from the Nunsense story on RomanCatholicBlog, I found this. I have only skimmed it so far, but it’s a good story, well written, timely, and encouraging. Conversion stories are among the most importat to reinforcing faith. All of the Epistles, really, were testimony to conversions of Jews, pagans, Greeks, Romans, and others. We learn so much about our faith from those who came to faith as adults or who returned after being adrift in secular confusion.

A Little Miracle

May 16, 2005

My grandma used to say three Hail Marys whenever she lost something of value. That little act of faith has brought about many little miracles, including once when the lost object fell onto a dining room table seemingly out of thin air. Last Friday, my wife was almost inconsolable over the loss of her pinky ring given her by her grandmother twenty years ago. She’d worn the tiny ring every day of her life.

A Beautiful Sight

May 14, 2005

From a distance, she looks so young. Too young. And not ugly. No, not a make-up model, but she wouldn’t have trouble getting a date. Closer, though, she’s not as young as I thought. But even more beautiful. Pushing her cart through the supermarket, studying various reliefs for indigestion, her back to the world, to me, I wanted to catch her eye and just say “hello.” But I chickened out.

The Whole Banana

May 9, 2005

Tear a banana from a bunch and show it to someone. Ask them to identify it. Thats a banana, theyll say. Now, peel the banana, hold up the fruit, and ask them what it is. A banana, theyll say, probably somewhat confused at your obvious questions. Set aside the fruit and hold up the peel. Once again, ask them to identify what you hold. A banana peel. The banana is a banana without its peel, but the peel is not a banana without its fruit.

Praise the Lord and Pass the Ear Plugs

May 8, 2005

Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska adored silence. Only through her special relationship with Jesus Christ could she find the inner strength to pray, to contemplate, worship, and hear God, amid the din of her convent. I can only imagine the cacophony of that house of nuns. With Mothers Day commitments abound, I was reduced to attending 5:30 Mass tonight. I lasted 10 minutes18 if you count the time before the Mass started.

Four Women

May 8, 2005

To four women I have prayed. Each as answered in special ways. Never have I been worthy of their graces, but never has one of them reminded me. First, who I see each morning and night, who reins in my idiot impulses, validating Chesterton

Prayer Request

May 7, 2005

If anyone finds himself needing a good reason to pray, please remember my friend in Australia whose sister passed away this morning.

More Stupid School Tricks

May 6, 2005

A high school in Columbus, GA suspended a 17-year-old student for taking a cell phone call from his mother who is serving our country in Iraq. The confrontation Wednesday began after the 17-year-old junior got a call at lunchtime from his mother, Sgt. 1st Class Monique Bates, who left in January for a one-year tour with the 203rd Forward Support Battalion. (USAToday) Spencer High School pats itself on the back for not having the kid arrested.

An Explanation of Mary

May 5, 2005

A couple of years ago, someone on a web forum tried to bait me into an argument over Mary’s role in the Catholic church. I ignored the taunts at the time, though her posts demonstrated a rather aggressive ignorance of the subject. Since then, I’ve felt a pang of guilt for leaving the Blessed Mother out dry. She would never do that to me–and that explains much about her role.

Send in the Pigs

May 4, 2005

It’s clear, based on documents recently seized in Iraq, that the terrorists are down to their final shots. Because of this, they carry out daring attacks, like the one yesterday that killed 60. Now is the time to send pig skins to Iraq with the promise that any terrorist–captured or killed–will be sewn into the animal’s skin and buried. This will go for the remains of suicide bombers as well as those killed in combat or captured and executed.

Joyful Surprise

May 3, 2005

“Women are the only realists; their whole object in life is to pit their realism against the extravagant, excessive, and occasionally drunken idealism of men."–G. K. Chesterton I was never a big fan of daily Mass, mostly because it involved getting up early. On the occasions I did attend 6:00 or 7:00 AM Mass at The Epiphany of Our Lord, I saw a few nuns, a few people my parents

Our German Shepherd

May 3, 2005

Chesterton, comparing and contrasting Sts. Francis of Assisi with St. Thomas Aquinas, said, “[I]t is the paradox of history that each generation is converted by the saint who contradicts it most.” Chesterton was not a prophet, but a genius. As such, his observations of history serve as predictions of the future. Pope John Paul II became pope when detente was still in the air, when Jimmy Carter was urging the world to accept the perpetualism of Soviet communism, when Americans were told that our best days were behind us.

True Love

May 2, 2005

A recent correspondence prompted a question in my mind: Which love is greater? The love that validates its object

Fear of God

May 1, 2005

Recently, a very good man, a Bishop in the Old Catholic church, wrote to me about his concern that I live in fear of God rather than in the light of God’s infinite love and mercy. His message made me realize that I had been, up to that point, too vague about how to fear God. I wrote him: Thank you. Your words are comforting, though I don’t have much fear of God, except the kind of fear one naturally has toward something of incomprehensible greatness.

Peace Prayer

April 27, 2005

Read this four times today. You, me, the world need the grace promised. “O Lord, make me an instrument of Thy Peace! Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is discord, harmony. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sorrow, joy. Oh Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Avoid Symbolism

April 26, 2005

When liberals, or those they like, perform some public act in order garner temporary respect from particular group, the press calls it “a profound symbolic gesture.” When a conservative does the same thing, it’s called a “callous act of hypocritical pandering.” We can’t win on the symbolic gesture front. Today on EWTN Radio (that’s a Catholic national radio network), a caller recommended that Pope Benedict take the lead in singing popular songs at televised Masses.

Why Have a Church

April 21, 2005

Liberal Catholics in America want a church that promotes contraception, abortion, homosexuality, promiscuity, greed, lust, dishonesty, sloth, and the rest of the mortal sins. So, why have a church? How indicative of our selfishness, our vainglory, to ask our churches to read the Bible then teach the opposite. Isn’t that what the devil is for? That nut caseAndrew Sullivan yesterday, already roundly destroyed by Professor Bainbridge, threw a tantrum that deserved a slap in the face and a prolonged sentence in the timeout chair.

Pope Benedict XVI

April 19, 2005

Thanks be to God. Already theleft media in the USA (J. Rob)is denouncing the selection of Joseph Ratzinger as new pope. CBS News called him “God’s Rottweiler,” an obvious play on his German nationality. That term was echoed by other networks and news agency, indicating that the term is part of talking points distributed by anti-Catholic liberals in the United States. A couple of weeks ago, people argued with me about who the Cardinals would choose.

The Stock Market

April 19, 2005

Undoubtedly, high fuel costs in their 3rd year (and 4th of 5) will drive up costs overall. But the Fed is promising to attack inflation aggressively. It’s no surprise, then, that wages are falling (against cost of living). The reduced disposable income numbers has hurt sale of snack foods, candy, soft drinks. The Dow is about to dip below 10,000. Perhaps the Fed needs to allow cash to rise to levels consistent with the real cost of fuel.

Ethanol, Now

April 19, 2005

Several St. Louis area gas stations are selling high-ethanol gasoline for $0.85 a gallon. That’s eighty-five cents a gallon. How can they sell this alternative to Saudi Arabian oil so cheaply? According to the AP Ethanol prices have declined sharply in recent months, largely because of the rapid growth in supply and few new markets. Shaw maintains that refiners are ignoring ethanol and keeping the additive out of some markets where it is readily available.

Happy Birthday, Benjamin Hennessy

April 18, 2005

Today’s Benjamin’s Birthday. He’s 14. You can leave hime a greeting in the comments section below. For his breakfast present, he received one share of common stock in Orbit Science. Since April 18 is a significant date in history, I’m borrowing this fromJack Lewis: April the Eighteenth This day in history: April 18, 1775 At 10 pm Paul Revere, Dr. Samuel Prescott and William Dawes received instructions from Dr.

Planned Parenthood Anthem

April 18, 2005

All the world seems in tune On a spring afternoon As we murder a fetus in the womb. Maybe we’ll do-in A newborn to two-when We murder a fetus in the womb. We’ll slaughter them all amid Laughter and merriment Except for the few We take home to experiment. Yes, the sun’s shining bright, Everything seems alright As we murder a fetus in the womb. We’ve gained notoriety And caused much anxiety In the Vitae Society With our games.

Abortionists for Birth Defects

April 18, 2005

In Illinois, quickly becoming the most leftist state in the union, Planned Parenthood and other infanticide supporters, are pushing a bill through the state’s legislature that will make it more difficult for pregnant women to obtain ultrasounds, according to the _Illinois Leader _via Jack Lewis. Why? Because seeing a picture of an unborn child tends to turn women against whimsical murder–the chief form of amusement for Planned Parenthood. Michelle Malkin quotes Bryan Preston:

Ward Churchill in San Francisco

April 10, 2005

A seemingly drunk Ward Churchill is spewing bizarre conspiracy theories on C-SPAN, taped March 25, 2005. He claims that 6 in 10 New Yorkers believe that September 11 was perpetrated by the US Government. He went on to say that he won’t give “white guys” credit for the attacks until he has proof. He’s having a very difficult time reading the questions. “Is capitalism bad?” (chuckles from audience) “Okay, you heard it here first: capitalism is bad.

The Eighties are Over

April 7, 2005

Most people who dabble in politics and political writing can point to one defining moment, one event, one story that crystallized some nebulous thoughts into a clear, palatable drive to do something. If you were born in 1963, the youngest of four, and you watched the excesses of the 1960s rip your older sisters from your parents, you share a lot with me. On November 4, 1979, I lay in the bathtub warming sore, cold muscles after a rare Sunday high school football game.

Peter Jennings: Get Well Soon

April 6, 2005

Politics used to end at the water’s edge. Now it ends at the treatment room. Peter Jennings announced today that he has lung cancer–the deadliest cancer of them all. Many who read this blog detest Jennings’s politics, as do I. But Peter Jennings’s life hasn’t been all roses. When Don Imus made fun of his marital situation a few years ago, I couldn’t laugh. Perhaps Imus had never loved. Or perhaps he’d been spared the pain of a love that blinded him to the treachery of the object of his affection.

A Great Writer

April 6, 2005

A few years back (quite a few), I picked up a copy of Esquire at an airport news stand. I think I was in Charleston, but it might have been Atlanta. It was hot. The issue contained the best American short stories of the year–judged by whom, I do not know. Whoever they were, they got one right. I wish I remembered the story or the name of the Saul Bellow entry.

John Paul II Random Thoughts

April 4, 2005

These thoughts have been thoroughly screened by Beefeater’s and tonic with a lime. Forgive the spelling, syntax, and logic. Whatever’s left should be absolutely brilliant, so get your pen out; you’ll want to take notes. Did I ever tell you that, as a boy, I had four ambitions: sports broadcaster, actor, lawyer, and US Senator? I mention this because I believe the training for the first two–sports and acting–prepare a young man for anything at all.

Too Many Deaths

April 3, 2005

I planned to write a column-length piece today. I even mapped out an outline: Terri Schiavo, Jesse Jackson, the Colorado Supreme Court. Then the Pope died. I sat here for a couple of hours trying to think of something to write. I thought of much. Unfortunately, none of the things would interest readers. There’s been too much death lately. Minnesota, Terri Schiavo, little girls in Nebraska and Florida, the Pope, even Johnnie Cochran.

John Paul II: Live Blog

April 1, 2005

The Vatican just announced that the Pope suffered heart failure earlier this evening. Dr. Arthur St. Andre says that he may . . . may . . . be surviving only on his IV to keep his blood pressure up. The Vatican describes the pontiff as seriously ill but lucid and comfortable. There are reports that doctors recommended he return to the hospital, but he personally declined. Obviously, he wants to die at what has been his home for the past quarter century.

A Uniquely American Killing

March 31, 2005

_Eternal rest grant unto Terri, o Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon her. May Terri

Seattle High School: Principal Responds

March 30, 2005

Even though I am curtailing my bloging, I believe I owe Susan Derse her say. Ms. Derse was kind enough to respond to my e-mail to the Board of Education in which I commented on past published reports that Ms. Derse, while principal at another school, reduced military recuriting presence. My contention was that Ms. Derse had established a pattern of anti-military behavior, to which she responds: Mr. Hennessey, however it was reported, the truth of what took place was that if military recruiters were to have remained in the student activity center as they had done, then Mr.

Thank You and Good Night

March 28, 2005

When I started writing in 1993, I assumed that at some point I would do it for a living. I did for a short time in 1995, but it was a pretty meager living. In 1999, I wrote a little ASP application that would allow me to write a few columns a week at my leisure. Soon, I found myself a single father, though, and had no time to write.

Easter Scare--Dangerous Car Repair

March 28, 2005

We were north bound on Illinois route 111. We being my boys and me. Angela took her car and was well ahead of us thanks to slow drivers in Chesterfield. As we approched an intersection with Horseshoe Lake Road, the light turned yellow. I applied the brakes. The car pitched, then a loud boom, then shuttered to a stop like a hyperactive mechanical bull on crack. Jack, 17 years-0ld, looked at me with eyes like a 5 year-old.

Destroy Google

March 27, 2005

The leftists at Google aren’t waiting for the FEC to ban conservative blogs. No way. Google is going all out to prevent anyone from reading blogs it disagrees with while pandering to terrorist organizations. Working backwarks (so that moonbats will understand) * [Captain's Quarters ](https://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/004169.php)is no longer available from Google's search engine. * [Little Green Footballs ](https://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=15145&only=yes)points out that Google considers neo-Nazis valid news source. * Google refuses to accept[ Michelle Malkin ](https://michellemalkin.

Easter Thoughts

March 27, 2005

Police barred Terri Schiavo from receiving the sacrament of communion today. For Easter, I wanted to express some thoughts on the Catholic church–the community that Judge Greer has isolated Terri from. Nine out of ten of what we call new ideas are simply old mistakes. The Catholic Church has for one of her chief duties that of preventing people from making those old mistakes; from making them over and over again forever, as people always do if they are left to themselves.

Every Wonder About My Leadership Style?

March 27, 2005

What Famous Leader Are You? personality tests by similarminds.com And Florida has new welcome signs:

Read This

March 27, 2005

Three Bad Fingers What are God

They Shoot Elk, Don't They?

March 26, 2005

If only Terri were an animal she’d be treated humanely. H/T NRO

Breaking: Terri's Parent Try Final Fla. Supreme Court Appeal

March 26, 2005

FoxNews reports that the Schindlers are filing a final appeal to the Supreme Court. Developing . . . Pinellas Circuit Judge George Greer (search) rejected their argument that Schiavo tried to say “I want to live” hours before her tube was removed March 18. They argued that she said “AHHHHH” and “WAAAAAAA” when asked to repeat the phrase. Also, details of Greer’s rejection of Friday night’s plea are emerging:

Consistency

March 26, 2005

Judge George Greer rejected the Schindler’s last appeal to save Terri. From Fox News: A state judge on Saturday rejected another attempt by Terri Schiavo’s parents to reconnect her feeding tube, rejecting what the couple’s lawyer described as their last chance to keep their severely brain-damaged daughter alive. The Schindlers said they will not appeal again. Those who have sacrificed, prayed, e-mailed, blogged, hoped, and cried for Terri may feel defeated.

Bedtime

March 26, 2005

I want to stay up until Judge Greer rules, but that won’t be until 11:00 AM CT. I’m going to bed. God bless all of you.

Police vs. State Confrontation Averted

March 26, 2005

The Miami-Herald reports that Florida Governor Jeb Bush sent a team of state workers to take custody of Terri Schievo last week, nearly resulting in a confrontation between those workers and police. Hours after a judge ordered that Terri Schiavo was not to be removed from her hospice, a team of state agents were en route to seize her and have her feeding tube reinserted – but they stopped short when local police told them they would enforce the judge’s order, The Herald has learned.

Help Prevent a Murder

March 26, 2005

At the behest of BlogsForTerri, here’s my e-mail to major media outlets informing them that the story of Terri’s plea to live is not new–it’s been reported for a week. The media are claiming that the Schindlers' lawyer first came up with the story of Terri’s words, “Aaah” “Waaahn” tonight. In fact, that story has been reported for a week. Please make sure your readers, listeners, and viewers understand this is an old story that the MSM ignored.

More Evidence Against NYC Educators

March 26, 2005

(Sorry– left out the NYC when I originally posted.) From the “you can’t this stuff up” pile: A Bronx teacher who repeatedly flunked his state certification exam paid a formerly homeless man with a developmental disorder $2 to take the test for him, authorities said yesterday. But it gets better. What made authorities suspicious was that the homeless guy scored so much higher than the teacher ever scored they knew something was amiss.

Enough Killing Already

March 26, 2005

Robert of Hip-Hop Politics shares a sick but touching experience. But, when I saw these guys carried away on a strecher and saw his peoples crying, that just stuck. When I got home, I just broke down. I’ll admit it. I cried. With little girls dying, Terri Schiavo dying, people in Iraq dying, can’t we stop killing each other for Easter weekend?

Terri Schiavo Asked to Live

March 26, 2005

FoxNews just played audio of the David Gibbs’s phone call to Judge Greer in which Gibbs read the affidavit of the woman who soliticited a plea for life from Terri Schiavo on the day her feeding tube was removed. The affidavit is stunning. There were numerous witnesses who heard Terri say “Aaah” and then yell “Waahn.” Among the witnesses was a female police officer. Why in the name of God are just hearing about this now?

FBI Arrests Man for Contract on Judge Greer

March 26, 2005

The FBI has arrest Richard Alan Meywes of North Carolina for soliciting murder of Terri Schiavo judge and Michael Schiavo, FoxNews reports. The name in the e-mail solicitation was Christopher Scott.

Live Blogging Schiavo Press Conference

March 26, 2005

The family of Terri Schiavo is holdin a press conference. Mrs. Schindler: Governor Bush, you can save our daughter. Mr. Schindler: This is judicial tyranny. They are determined to kill my daughter. Governor Bush can stop this with the stroke of a pen. They put Terri through a week of hell. I implore him to put a stop to this. This is judicial homocide, and he has to stop he. He kind hide behind a political agenda.

Apologies

March 25, 2005

My hosting provider decided to delete a lot of my files. I’ll be rebuilding the site this evening. Computers suck, but the people who operate them suck worse.

Diabetes Charities

March 25, 2005

My daughter died of complications from childhood diabetes more than 10 years ago. At the time, I was warned that diabetes research charities are not very interested in finding a cure. That would put them out of business. Moreover, JDRF seems to prefer people dying to giving up its political bent on stem-cells: SCIENCE DID publish the study demonstrating that adult spleen stem cells completely cured mice with late stage juv.

After Oil

March 25, 2005

Last week, as I rushed out the door for St. Patrick’s Day festivities, I noted that I think it’s time to get serious about finding a permanent replacement for oil. I didn’t elaborate, but Kenneth Defeyes has done it for me.

UN Baby Steps in Sudan

March 25, 2005

Perhaps the UN’s goal in Sudan is to wait until all of the victims are dead. That would make “peace keeping” a heck of a lot easier, wouldn’t it? For that matter, why don’t they take a page from the Terri Schiavo story and supply arms and ammo to the team that’s winning? Instead, the UN Security Council, yesterday, took the baby step of approving a peace keeping force for the country.

Terri Schiavo and Extraordinary Efforts

March 25, 2005

I have to agree withEd Morrissey on this: Governor Bush has done all he can do, and he must not violate the law to save Terri Schiavo. That might sound callous, but staying within the law is now our last refuge. As Thomas More told Will Roper in Robert Bolt’s “A Man for All Seasons": This country’s planted thick with laws from coast to coast – man’s laws, not God’s – and if you cut them down – and you’re just the man to do it – d’you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then?

Good Friday Activities

March 25, 2005

Today is the day we celebrate Christ’s conviction, scourging, and execution. Celebrate is the correct word. Two thousand years of Hebrew prophecies indicated that the messiah would would be put to death for speaking the truth. I finally watched Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ" this week. I had to laugh. It is not a funny movie, but the year’s separation from the ignorant blather leading up to its release seems so funny in retrospect.

Ward Churchill Letter

March 25, 2005

The CU Chancellor has sent out an e-mail regarding the Ward Churchill investigation. Michelle Malkin blogged the press conference earlier. SUBJECT: CHANCELLOR’S EMAIL TO PREVIOUS WRITERS FROM: Office of the Chancellor SENDER: [email protected] DATE: March 24, 2005 Dear Friend: You were one of many citizens who wrote or called the University of Colorado at Boulder concerning the controversial essay about 9/11 written by Professor Ward Churchill. Because of your interest, I am writing to share with you the outcome of our review of allegations concerning Professor Churchill’s conduct and scholarship.

FEC Declares First Amendment Unconstitutional

March 24, 2005

Taking its lead from the Supreme Court, which has recently ruled that the Constitution is un-Constitutional if the European Union says so, the Federal Election Commission, today, declare the First Amendment, while protecting displaying a crucifix in a jar of urine, does not apply to political speech. Think I’m joking? I’m not. (See PoliPundit and LGF) If the FEC’s proposed rules are adopted, Americans will have to clear their e-mails and blogs with the KGB–that is, the FEC–prior to sending.

Seattle High School Anti-Military Day Follow-up Letter

March 24, 2005

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION: Click Here. We have been active indemanding action from the Seattle School Board over a disgusting political ambush of American service members last week. Upon further review of theletters and e-mails issued by the Seattle School Board and Susan Derse, principal of West Seattle High School, I am determined to garner a more substantive response. Specifically, I expect every adult involved to apologize directly to the ambushed service member and to all members, veterans, and their families.

UPDATE: Seattle High School Anti-Military Day

March 24, 2005

UPDATE: Kimberly was kind enough to link to this entry, but no trackback posted. So check out Kimberly’s comments. UPDATE: Michelle Malkin has discovered that Susan Derse has a history of anti-Military attitudes. Read her post. (Corrected Link) Also LGF has printed the letters from the Principal, but not the one I received from the school board. UPDATE: March 24 letter to the Seattle School Board demanding additional information and apologies.

Last Word on Terri Schiavo?

March 24, 2005

Judge Greer having denied Governor Jeb Bush’s petition to make Terri Schiavo a ward of the state, the Schindlers seem to be out of legal and political options. Terri’s life is in God’s hands. In truth, it always has been. Those who have fought valiently to save Ms. Schiavo must take pride in having fought a good fight. Whatever Michael Schiavo’s motives may have been, and whatever the motives of those who took his side, we are best to assume their intentions noble absent evidence to the contrary.

Winter Weather

March 24, 2005

Winter has been warmer and wetter The St. Louis Post-Dispatch tried to alarm readers with its headline. Unfortunately, the story didn’t fit the bold print. It turns out that St. Louis had its 17th warmest winter on record. Meteorological winter in St. Louis runs from December 1 through February 28, so the exceptionally cool March won’t change the fact. Still, 17th out of 130 does not seem dramatic at all.

The FEC vs. the Founders

March 24, 2005

Well, well, well. Senator McCain and FEC members SWORE that bloggers had nothing to worry about. “We’re not coming after yoooouuuuu!” Read Captain Ed’s story and decide. As I said before, I will blog from jail. (I’m pretty sure that prisoners have better hardware than I can afford, anyway.) So come and get me, revenuers. I need the pub. (And see this and this and this and this.)

The Minnesota Killer

March 24, 2005

This is the most frightening picture I’ve ever seen on the internet. (Michelle Malkin) (There are pictures of me far more frightening, but I’ve kept them out of the public domain.) My brief reactions to the hideous story is here, but I’ll add this: NO ONE saw this coming? Hey, Lee Siegel: Don’t you wish this kid had run into Ashley Smith, too? Wouldn’t it be nice if more people found God’s purpose for them?

Disbelief or Anger?

March 24, 2005

A couple of days ago, I blogged about Lee Siegel’s anti-religious diatribe in the current The New Republic on-line (registration required). I just re-read his piece, and found something I missed. I figured Siegel an atheist. He’s not. He believes in God, but he’s angry at Him. Very angry. I wonder if a lot of atheists are actually just believers angry that they’re not God. In Luigi Pirandello’s Six Characters in Search of an Author, we learn the absurdity of anger at one’s creator.

Default Theme Changed

March 24, 2005

Blogrolling and other linked services have become so slow that I switched my default theme. This way, my blog will load even if technorati, sitemeter, etc. are down or slow. If you like the style, use the theme switcher–it was called Grubby Slipcovers. Of course, if you’re a minimalist, I have the WP defaults available, too.

American Idol . . . oops!

March 23, 2005

American Idol is the most important contest in the history of the universe. At least to my kids. Samantha is 13. She has her own room and often heads there after dinner. When the American Idol theme song hits my ear, the next thing that hits is Patrick’s excited shouts. “Sam! Sam! American Idol’s on! Jordan, go get Sam!” “I knoooow,” Samantha yells coming down the stares in a voice modulated by her rolling eyes.

Two Promises

March 23, 2005

First, barring something really earth-shattering in the Terri Schiavo case, I will not blog about that issue tomorrow. Second, I will now drink a Diet Coke, watch the rest of Letterman, and climb into bed beside the most wonderful woman in the world. Please remember: As disturbing as the Schiavo case may be, the world goes on. There are democracies to grow in the Middle East and children to education educate in the United States.

The Corner on National Review Online

March 23, 2005

Read the entire piece The Corner on National Review Online it is worth remembering that the excruciating slowness of the execution here, the incremental-ness of death, is designed by its champions to inure us to it. After the first hour, the second passes with far less fanfare, and the third less still. I’ve been following this closely, and I needed to remind myself today how many hours Terri Schiavo has actually been without sustenance by counting the days since Friday afternoon and multiplying by 24.

Deadly Blast Rips Through Lebanese City

March 23, 2005

Lord, please, don’t let these cowardly deeds disrupt Lebanon’s march to peace and freedom. FOXNews.com - U.S. & World - Deadly Blast Rips Through Lebanese City _An explosion devastated a business center on a commercial street in Lebanon’s (search) Christian heartland, a stronghold of the anti-Syrian opposition, early Wednesday, killing two people and wounding two others, police said. _

Experts vs. People

March 23, 2005

“Even when the EXPERTS all agree, they may well be mistaken.” – Bertrand Russell The guy on the street is often wrong about general principles of his environment. In other words, when a non-expert pontificates about the weather, the human brain, or the government, he’s very likely to come off as Cliff Clavin. Experts, on the other hand, are usually expert only about general nature of a specific study.

Why Can't Teachers Write?

March 22, 2005

Why are American students failing? Because American teachers can’t write. I received an e-mail from my children’s middle school principal today. The subject line read “March E-Mail to Parents.” Maybe the guy isn’t an English major, but any teacher should be able to write a decent letter. Were I grading this in a basic Business Writing class, I would give it a D. My comments in bold: Dear Parents:

Happy Birthday, Jack

March 22, 2005

My first son was born on this date 17 years ago. He is named after my father, Jack Hennessy, and his maternal grandfather, Benjamin Loyal. Send him a birthday wish at [email protected]

Food and Forgiveness

March 22, 2005

This comes from John Fischer who writes about his Irish friend and their annual St. Patrick

Bullies and Murderers

March 22, 2005

In Minnesota, a wierd kid who (supposedly) got picked on a lot decided to avenge himself by killing lots of people, including his grandparents. I think, not so much of the killer, but of the other kids, even the bullies. Yesterday, they had plans. Today, they have wings. Hegstrom described the shooter grinning and waving at a student his gun was pointed at, then swiveling to shoot someone else. “I looked him in the eye and ran in the room, and that’s when I hid,” she told The Pioneer.

Man, Curb Your Wife

March 22, 2005

There’s not much to say. Judges have determined, in logical order, the following: A. Michael Schiavo is Terri Schiavo’s husband; therefore, B. Michael Schiavo is Terri’s legal guardian; therefore, C. Michael Schiavo’s desires trump laws of the state and of morality. Florida law does not permit the execution of a person in Terri Schiavo’s condition. The judges (like Glenn Reynolds and James Joyner and others) are too cowardly to come out and say, “Look, people, the mentally ill make us kind of sick.

Attacking God for Fun and Profit

March 22, 2005

Lee Seigel of The New Republic has a very low opinion of people who believe in God, and lower opinion of people who read and writes books about God. Feel the contempt–the smug, liberal superiority–dripping from Siegel’s pen as he describes the advanced state of insanity that causes us to have faith in something other than the press, government, and academia: The New Republic Online: Preaching to the Choir So Warren’s book, read by 20 million of the Christian faithful, had its origin in Frankl’s book, which had its origins in Auschwitz.

Seattle High School Anti-Military Day

March 21, 2005

A fine Marine has written a letter complaining of his treatment at a Seattle High School “Hate the US Military Day.” (That’s not what they called it, but that’s what it was. Michelle Malkin links to the letter on SoundPoliticswhich includes e-mail addresses of this un-American school board. Please read the letter. The addresses are right here. Superintendent (206)252-0100 Raj Manhas 32-150 [email protected] Communications Director (206)252-0200 PeterDaniels 32-170 [email protected] School Board MemberDistrict 1 (206)252-0052 SallySoriano 11-010 sally.

Thanks to Right Wing News

March 21, 2005

for selecting Hennessy’s View as Website of the Day. Please browse over to RightWingNews.com for excellent commentary, analysis, and humor.

Terri Schiavo Hearing at 3:00 ET

March 21, 2005

That’s 2:00 central, 1:00 mountain, noon pacific. You can read all about it on BlogsforTerri.com Her family asks for prayers of guidance for Judge Whittemore. May God’s will, not ours, be done.

Latest Terri Roundup

March 21, 2005

For the best late news and commentary, see Michelle Malkin’s early morning update. Please follow the links. Perhaps you don’t want the feds involved because you, like I, support federalism. In this case, a state judge has ordered health care workers to murder an innocent woman. Hiding behind political ideology, in this case, won’t keep you from being as complicit in murder as the good Germans living a mile from a death camp who said nothing, did nothing, saw nothing, heard nothing.

Want Terri Schiavo to Die? Then Read This

March 21, 2005

Many people, including many conservative bloggers, believe that justice has been served in Florida. Terri Schiavo should be starved to death as ordered by Judge Greer. (And, please, don’t insult my integrity or intelligence by claiming he ordered otherwise. His order prohibits anyone from giving the woman food, water, or any other nutrients. He ordered her starved to death, not denied artificial support.) Well, I think that most of the people who support her murder must be ignorant of what they wish for.

Only if You Have Time for God

March 21, 2005

Let me tell you, make sure you read all the way to the bottom. I almost deleted this email but I was blessed when I got to the end. Subject: READ ONLY IF YOU HAVE TIME FOR GOD God, when I received this e-mail, I thought… I don’t have time for this… And, this is really inappropriate during work. Then, I realized that this kind of thinking is… Exactly, what has caused lot of the problems in our world today.

Help

March 20, 2005

Please link to this post to test my trackbacks. Thanks.

Iraq War: Two Year Anniversary

March 20, 2005

Michelle Malkin has links to some good stuff ‘bout the two years of war.

WordPress

March 20, 2005

As you can probably tell from the drastic change to my layout, I am switching from CommunityServer (which you probably know as .Text) to WordPress. Why? I am a Microsoft Kool-Aid guzzler. As such, I have tried to keep my blog 100% .Net. I worked through the betas and release candidates for CommunityServer. I really wanted to make it work. Unfortunately, the current version of .Text is not ready for prime time.

James Joyner Joins Culture of Death

March 20, 2005

Outside The Beltway : Bush Returning to Washington Over Schiavo So, now, we’re going to spend hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to subvert the legal process and the wishes of both Michael and Terri Schiavo in this matter? Yesterday, I pointed out that, as individuals, we need to look on the Terri Schiavo ordeal from God’s viewpoint. But that’s the individual issue. Beyond that, we have to contend with the political/judicial aspects of this case.

What's Right for Terri Schiavo?

March 20, 2005

In the battle over Terri Schiavo, I have found but one pertinent argument OpinionJournal - Peggy Noonan There is a passionate, highly motivated and sincere group of voters and activists who care deeply about whether Terri Schiavo is allowed to live. Their reasoning, ultimately, is this: _Be on the side of life. They remind me of what Winston Churchill said once when he became home secretary in charge of England’s prisons.

McGwire's (Nearly) Hall of Fame Career

March 19, 2005

Heres a telling quote from St. Louis Post-Dispatch sports columnist Bernie Miklasz: McGwire was such a disappointment. He showed no guts. If he isnt going to take a stand and defend himself against steroids accusations in such a highly publicized and open setting, then I no longer feel compelled to give him the benefit of the doubt on this issue. And Tony La Russa and others who have defended McGwire with such vigor are being made to look like fools.

Beirut

March 19, 2005

CNN.com - Reports: Car bomb explodes in Beirut - Mar 18, 2005 BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNN) – A car bomb has ripped through a predominantly Christian area of Beirut early Saturday, sheering off part of a multi-story office building and raising concerns about more violence in the volatile Lebanese capital. Some people hate peace. Tonight, some of them detonated a car bomb in Beirut. Likely, the goal is to divide Christians from Muslims.

Grant Her Peace

March 19, 2005

From FoxNews.com Authorities said that John Evander Couey (search) admitted that he abducted Jessica from her bedroom more than three weeks ago. He also told them the general area where the young girl’s body could be found, according to police. What could sound more trite than to say, “At least they know?” As with Laci Peterson’s parents and Ron Goldman’s father, it’s now up to this sweet little girl’s daddy and grandparents whether evil prevails.

Mark McGwire: A Sad End to a Great Career

March 17, 2005

Today before the United States House of Representatives, former major league baseball player and one-time single season home run champion Mark McGwire disgraced himself, his profession, and his career. Under friendly questioning from William Clay Jr., (D-MO), McGwire repeatedly refused to say if he’d ever taken even andro, which he more or less bragged about using when he was a Cardinal. Clearly, McGwire was a heavy steroid user. I didn’t believe so just two weeks ago, but he looked as guilty as OJ today.

Person of Interest in Custody

March 17, 2005

Fox News reports that the man sought as a “person of interest” in Jessica Lunsford’s disappearance has been taken into custody. He was at the Savannah, Georgia, St. Patrick’s Day Parade–the largest parade in the Southeast. But where is that darling little girl?

Erin Go Braugh!

March 17, 2005

I’ll be gathering material at the Hibernian’s Dogtown Parade today, so blogging will be light. Know what Michael Jackson and K-Mart have in common? They both have little boys shorts half-off. In other news: Congress holds its steroids in baseball hearings today. Lebanon gets more free by the minute Robert Blake not guilty I paid $2.06 a gallon for gasoline yesterday The Senate passed legislation to open ANWR to oil drilling–guess who’s upset?

Letting Murder Prevail

March 17, 2005

_Note: I have replaced a family name with ****** to protect their privacy. _ On a very bleak, November Sunday when I was in fourth grade, I came downstairs just before my mom and dad returned from Mass. (They always brought home donuts from the best donut shot that ever was, Donut Drive-In on Chippewa. But if I got up before they got home, my sister would let me eat ice cream off of the spoon.

Run For Your LIVES!

March 16, 2005

Amazon is down! Been down since about 8:39 CST. When Amazon crashed in 1999, it was BIG news. Oracle and Sun Solaris weren’t playing well together. Sent shock waves through the tech world. I can’t think of any major outages at the site since. UPDATE: Maybe its my DNS server. Or maybe half the internet is down. I can get to MSN but not MSNBC. CNN comes up. USAToday does not.

Big Words From Little Men

March 16, 2005

MSNBC - Reid threatens partial Senate shutdown “If Republicans want to go down this road, they are going to be beginning a huge, partisan, cataclysmic event, the implications of which are so profound that none of us really know the answer to it,” said Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., one of the Democrats arrayed behind Reid on the Capitol steps. “It would mean the government could not function, which, more importantly, means we could not be doing the people’s work.

Raise Me Up the Food Chain Day

March 15, 2005

I’m a Flippery Fish on the TTLB Ecosystem. A couple of weaks ago, I was a Crawly Amphibian. Please lift up to a higher link on the food chain by linking to any story on my blog. Thanks

My Mistake

March 15, 2005

I thought thousands of protesters showed up in Beirut to demand freedom Syria. Turns out, I was mistaken

Eat an Animal Today

March 15, 2005

Today is the3rd annual International Eat an Animal for PETA day. We’re having roast beef. Via Politicker Trackback: Jefe and the Man

Hotties for Freedom

March 15, 2005

What else is there to say. (Link by Wizbang) And a hotter hottie for me–>

The Atlanta Killer and His Savior

March 15, 2005

Being Catholic, I’m not big on deistic revelations. (Ironic that the parish I grew up in was The Epiphany, huh?) Still, I admit that the story of the Atlanta courthouse shooter has touched me. Until today, I was more interested in the Wisconsin church shooting. Then something happened. About 11:30 I went out to smoke. I walked to my car, where I leave my cigarettes, and turned on the aux to listen to Rush.

Bwah Hah Hah Hah

March 14, 2005

This is really too good for words, but some folks have found the perfect ones over on Wizbang’s caption contest. (My entry, not that I submitted one, would have been, “Now let’s talk about that bike path, reverend?")

Apologies to Dean Esmay

March 14, 2005

But I’m with Beth on Battlestar Galactica (sp?) While you’re on her blog, please look around. It’s a good one. Also, Donegal Express is fresh and crisp. I read it every day.

You Must Read This

March 14, 2005

Steven Taylor has the final word on theByrd Filibuster Crisis. (I know, but everything’s supposed to be a crisis these days.)

World Magazine: Blogstorm (Corrected Links)

March 14, 2005

World Magazine visits the McCain-Feingold vs. Blogs story and quotes . . . me? World Magazine | World News | Christian Views Still, many conservatives are setting aside their dislike of liberal inconsistencies in hopes of allying against potential regulation. “Currently, the limits would hurt conservatives more than it would hurt liberals,” said conservative blogger Bill Hennessy, noting that more conservative blogs exist. “Ultimately, though, the pain is already even; stifling political speech hurts everyone.

Without the NHL

March 14, 2005

My hockey jones finally crested, today, so I took the boys to a Missouri River Otters game. The Otters play in the UHL. With the NHL lockout in its 438th week, four Blues player–Bryce Salvador, Jamal Mayers, Ryan Johnson, and former NHL Rookie of the Year Barrett Jackman–now play for the local minor league team. (Yes, seeing some of my favorite Bluenotes made my decision to see a game easier.) We saw an excellent game, as theOtters defeated the Port Huron Beacons 5-2.

Holy Tantrum

March 14, 2005

STLtoday.com - News The man who fatally shot seven people during a quiet church service before turning the gun on himself was on the verge of losing his job and upset over a sermon he heard two weeks ago, investigators said Sunday. Let me get this straight: this guys having a tough time personally, then a sermon ticks him off. He gets his gun, goes to church, and kills a bunch of people, then himself.

A Solution to the Enemy Combatant Problem

March 13, 2005

Michelle Malkin points to a story of a released terrorist killed by the US Army in Afghanistan. With the EU, the Red Cross, the UN, and the Democrat Party so concerned about the treatment of people who wish to kill and eat their children, maybe we have a win-win opportunity here. Why not put the detainees on a plane and fly them to Baghdad. Oh, while we’re at it, let’s implant tracking devices so we know where they are.

EU vs. CIA

March 13, 2005

European Union investigators are trying to pin the disappearance of Muslim terrorists on the CIA., according to this story on MSNBC. What of it? Suppose the CIA is abducting terrorists like Abu Omar and secreting them off to Kuwait or Egypt or Saudi Arabia? So what? Would Italy prefer to harbor these monsters indefinitely? This is a war against the kinds people who consider mere torture sport. If the abduction and aggressive interrogation of one sicko Muslim radical reveals enough information to thwart a future attack, the practice justifies itself.

An Environmentalist Attacks Environmentalism

March 12, 2005

The left dismissed Michael Crichton’s book, State of Fear, attributing it to the rants of right-wing extremist. Crichton is actually an environmentalist and liberal, but once one strays off of the liberal plantation, he is no-good runner with rabbit in his blood who must be destroyed. Dismissing Nicholas Kristof’s NYT Op-Ed column on the subject, though, may prove troublesome for tree huggers. Kristof’s environmentalist credentials are even more solid than Crichton’s, and his life includes the kind of humanitarian missions leftists talk about but rarely perform.

Blind Mind's Eye: A challenge to social conservatives who are upset by the Supreme Court ruling on executing minors

March 12, 2005

Here’s a thread worth reading. Blind Mind’s Eye: A challenge to social conservatives who are upset by the Supreme Court ruling on executing minors As a more moderate libertarian, I have no particular problem with the death penalty, but do find in many ways the Supreme Court’s ruling to be consistent with how many want to view teenagers in this society. Mike makes some interesting assumptions about social conservatives' views of teens.

Those Shirts

March 12, 2005

In 1992, I started a little company to produce and sell political t-shirts, sweatshirts, and bumperstickers. It remained at break even too long, so I folded. (Some of you might have our best-seller: I Got Wet When Clinton Soaked the Rich.) I never bought anyone else’s stuff because I’ve always thought my ideas were better. Along comes ThoseShirts.com. I’m wearing this one right now: My son, Patrick, has one on the way.

St. Patrick's Week Begins!

March 12, 2005

It’s St. Patrick’s Week–every Irishman’s favorite seven days. Today, the people who wish they were Irish held a parade in Downtown St. Louis. I didn’t go, of course, because I attend the annual Ancient Order of Hibernian’s Dogtown Parade on the 17th. The Hennessys meet at West Park and Tamm. Stop by if you’re about. After the parade, we’re making the trek to Ellisville for Matt and Angie Clancy’s fantastic Corned Beef and Cabbage.

What Condi Said

March 12, 2005

In an increasingly famous interview, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice described herself as a “mildly pro-choice Republican.” But the pro-abortion folks would have to describe her as anti-abortion. 2008 run, abortion engage her politically - The Washington Times: Nation/Politics - March 12, 2005 _“And prayer is very important to me and a belief that if you ask for it, you will be guided. Now, that doesn’t mean that I think that God will tell me what to do on, you know, the Iran nuclear problem.

Light Blogging

March 11, 2005

Sorry for my absence the past few days. (Judging by the hit count, though, I wasn’t too missed.) I have to get my book proposal out the door this weekend, and much work remains. Please check out Michelle Malkin, Donagel Express, Dean Esmay, Steven Taylor,Stephen Bainbridge, Right in Texas, and the other excellent blogs in my blogroll. Thanks, Bill

Today's Assignment

March 11, 2005

Visit Donegal Express. The Donegal Express » Not only a blog, but a typoed hard alcohol! There are several reasons to go visit Bill Hennessy’s excellent blog. I could go on about the depth and quality of writing he puts up, making us all fortunate for its existence. I could talk about the wisdom that seeps through your screen as you read. But I’m not going to do that.

Yahoo! News - DNA Evidence Found in Judge Killings Case

March 11, 2005

This must disappoint the left: Yahoo! News - DNA Evidence Found in Judge Killings Case _A DNA match from a cigarette butt convinced police that a Chicago electrician was the killer of a federal judge’s husband and mother, authorities said. _ For a week, the leftist press typed its stories with crossed fingers that some white supremist hate group murdered the judges family. Instead, it was a run of the mill, disgruntled plaintiff.

These Kids Today

March 9, 2005

Back in the early 90s (and isn’t that frightening?) I was doing something like blogging in Groton, Connecticut, for Town Hall on CompuServe–pre-Web days. One of the topics of the day was Generation X. People like Rush Limbaugh and others got a kick out of making fun of Xers. They were slackers who wanted to make $45.00 an hour flipping burgers. Or, better, they wanted to graduate from college and step into an eighty grand a year job with a company car.

Spirit of America Update

March 9, 2005

This is an e-mail from Spirit of America. Please help the cause. **ROCKIN THE CORPS - MARINES WELCOME HOME **A nonprofit organization headed by Joe Robert is putting together a great welcome home party at Camp Pendleton no April 1 for Marines now returning from Iraq. This will be a terrific event to thank the Marines (and their families) who have been stationed mainly in Al Anbar province since last summer.

Lawyers

March 9, 2005

_Some of my favorite bloggers are lawyers, but this is too good to pass up. _ A big, burly guy in a plaid, flannel shirt and dirty jeans walk into a C.J. Muggs–a pretentious bar in Clayton, Missouri where lots of lawyers hang out after the courts close. The big guy orders a Busch and a shot of tequila, which downs in a loud, rude gulp. He slams the shot glass on the bar startling the suits around him.

From Order Comes Chaos

March 9, 2005

If you’re bored, go to www.myway.com. One by one, click the links to the major news sources. Here’s what you’ll find, in order. I have changed no words. AP Bill Tightening Bankruptcy Law Nears Senate Passage

Delenda Est McCain?

March 8, 2005

Ed Morrissey seems even more perturbed at Senator McCain than I. He provides an excellent retrospective of theKeating 5’s Greatest Hits, Volume I, McCain’s Screaming Hypocrisy, and the aforelined Mr. Clean (with a bid, old, honkin' question mark.) Captain Ed sums up McCain’s chicanery quite well: Here we have a man who has done more harm to the First Amendment as anyone in the past generation, all the while scolding us on coordination of electoral efforts, and he’s playing a shell game with Cablevision in order to gin up indirect payments to his staff.

Another Senate Hypocrite In Trouble

March 8, 2005

via Drudge Senator John McCain, the Keating Five escapee who put his name on a bill intended to destroy the First Amendment, has been caught with his hand in the till. According to theAssociated Press, one of the few organizations that stands to gain politically under McCain-Feingold, the Senator and former POW pressed for pricing changes on behalf of Cablevision while soliciting $200,000 from Cablevision for one of McCain’s tax-exempt political action committees, The Reform Institute.

Winning One for Democracy

March 8, 2005

Blogs for Bush ‘‘What’s taken place in a number of those countries is enormously constructive," the Massachusetts Democrat said on the ABC news program ‘‘This Week." ‘‘It’s a reflection the president has been involved." The Massachusetts Democrat Matt Margolis refers to is none other than Ted Kennedy singing the praises of Bushs foreign policy in the Middle East. Here was the same Teddy Kennedy just last summer while campaigning for John Kerry:

Robert Byrd: A History of Abusing Power

March 6, 2005

This week, the blogosphere buzzed with reaction to Senator Robert “Grand Wizard” Byrd’s comparison of the Republican Senate leaders to Nazis. His Washington Post op-ed contains some of the most partisan and hate-inspiring language penned by a sitting Senator in modern times. Some of the shock over Byrd’s incendiary comments may arise from the carefully managed but false image of Byrd. The mainstream press, liberal academicians, and historians have, for decades, portrayed Byrd as a kindly, intellectual defender of the Senate’s history.

Dogville: A Movie Review

March 6, 2005

Acting class. The actor and the scene. Script. Or not. Mime. Gibberish. Make believe. A wise director, in response to an actor’s complaint about lack of motivation, said, “it’s all make believe.” In the best acting, the more “make believe” the presentation, the more real. A great play demands that you strip the stage of technology and present truth in angry, cold, black and white, two-dimensional reality. Truth shines through, unencumbered by sets and lights.

MSNBC: Iraqis Turning Against Insurgents

March 6, 2005

This AP story on MSNBC report details the increasing anger against insurgents in Iraq. Even prominent Sunnis are jumping into the fray. I can hear this editorial meeting: EDITOR: Johnson, wuddah you got? JOHNSON: Well, chief, I’ve been working on a story about the Iraqi people turning agianst the insurgents . . . EDITOR: You mean turning against the US troops? JOHNSON: No, sir.

Update on Missing Florida 9-Year-Old

March 5, 2005

Jessica Lunsford’s grandfather, with whom she and her father lived, was arrested 3 times in the 1950s for rape and kidnapping. He told police he was never convicted, but police say that the age of the arrests make it difficult to verify. Here’s the story and MSNBC

Ward Churchill's Boss Responds to My Request

March 5, 2005

A couple weeks ago, I asked CU’s board of regents to explain how Mr. Churchill received tenure and a chair despite numerous warnings about his credentials and behavior. I didn’t expect a response, but I got one, and quite a long one Here it is: SUBJECT: Response Concerning Professor Churchill FROM: Philip P. DiStefano, Interim Chancellor SENDER: Pauline Hale, UCB Communications Executive Director

How Do I Say This . . .

March 5, 2005

Without being sexist? Michelle Malkin’s new picture is worth a look (hot!). How’s that?

Democrat Admits Democrats Pulling for Terrorists

March 5, 2005

Former Clinton White House aide Nancy Soderberg admitted on The Daily Show that she and other Democrats want Bush’s war against terrorism to fail. NewsMax.com: Inside Cover Story _After noting that the U.S.’s stunning foreign policy success followed the toppling of one of the three members of the axis of evil, Soderberg suggested again that the more success America has in defeating global terrorism, the worse it is for her party.

Big Unions = Liberal Activism

March 4, 2005

The union workers I grew up around weren’t liberals by any stretch. They were Archie Bunker (and I mean that in a good way). Since the early 1980s, though, their unions have abandoned putting workers first in favor of putting leftwing ideology first. The result has been a massive exodus from the union shops into non-union companies. But the unions have also done a disservice to the entire middle class. By concentrating on politics instead of labor issues, the AFL-CIO and other big unions have favored policies that destroy middle class jobs.

NHL For Sale

March 4, 2005

For $3.5 billion, it could be yours. The Wall Street Journal reports that he NHL is considering selling itself to a group in Boston: The audacious move to buy the NHL is the first of its kind involving a major U.S. sports league. If successful, a sale would convert the NHL from a collection of 30 individual franchises to what’s known in the sports industry as a single entity.

Uday Plotted Coup?

March 4, 2005

According to Saddam Hussein’s personal MSM reporter, Peter Arnett, Uday Hussein was only days away from toppling his father when the US invaded the country. Given Uday’s history of masochism, murder, rape, and mayhem, the Iraqi people are damn lucky the US showed up when it did. Here’s Wikipedia’s brief rundown of some of Uday’s more famous attrocities against humanity: As head of the Iraqi Olympic Committee, Uday oversaw the imprisonment and torture of Iraqi athletes who were deemed not to have performed to expectations.

No Free Internet in Texas

March 4, 2005

Michelle on Right in Texas wonders why some want to ban cities from providing free internet access in Texas. Could it be McCain-Feingold? UPDATE: Looks like I was way, way off base with this explanation. According to theHouston Chronicle, the Texas legislator sponsoring the bill is Republican Phil King. King’s says that when municipalities provide free internet access they screw up the free market. King’s basic objection, Trainor said, stands in a free-market system it’s not acceptable to let public government compete with private businesses

Dear Senator McCain:

March 4, 2005

_Today the consequences of your un-American and anti-Constitutional Campaign Finance Reform bill reached their totalitarian zenith as the FEC made clear that the people no longer have the right to voice their political beliefs on web logs. _ Since 2000, Senator, you have worked overtime at binding the spirit and body of the American people. You deny us, the people, free speech. You deny us, the people, free movement. You deny us, the people, the freedom other men died to give you in Vietnam.

What Do the MSM, the DNC, and Atheism Have In Common?

March 3, 2005

Way too much to catalog here, but one big thing is–dying. According to the World Tribune, atheism is in decline around the world. John Updike’s observation, “Among the repulsions of atheism for me has been is drastic uninterestingness as an intellectual position,” appears to become common currency throughout much of the West. The Rev. Paul M. Zulehner, dean of Vienna University’s divinity school and one of the world’s most distinguished sociologists of religion, told UPI Tuesday: “True atheists in Europe have become an infinitesimally small group.

McCain-Feingold Outlaws Blogging?

March 3, 2005

According to Michelle Malkin, FEC Commisioner Bradley Smith is preparing to cave into the two senators whose names appear on the law, and Democrats in general who want to outlaw political activity on the internet. It’s time to grab our pitchforks, peasants. I, for one, will fight this to the death. Let’s start, though, with the law. Perhaps we need to form a Bloggers Defense Fund. I am willing to provide the hosting.

Senator (Grand Wizard) Byrd

March 3, 2005

Bah hah hah hah hah I am so moved by Senator Byrd’s undying respect for the Senate’s traditions that I must ask him to go further to make his point. If he wants the American people to really understand how serious a threat to democracy is the invokation of cloture, he should demand time to speak, kneel down in the middle of the aisle, and set himself ablaze with gasoline.

Chris Matthews vs. Jed Clampett

March 3, 2005

WuzzaDem hits a homerun. Link via Poliblog

Newsweek Buys the Bush Doctrine

March 3, 2005

Well, at least one of its more, shall we say, “anti-Bush” writers, Christopher Dickey. He sees a permanent, structural shift word democracy in the Middle East. “So, say the despots, this wave of rising expectations about freedom and democracy will pass. Theyve seen it all before,” writes Dickey. But this time, he senses something different. Well, not this time. The whole political environment has changed in the Middle East.

If Houses were Software

March 2, 2005

From now on, when someone asks me what I do for a living, I’m sending them here. Thanks toNyomix the Crunchy Goddess.

The Supreme Court and Death Penalty

March 1, 2005

So, theSupremes peered into the US Constitution and found an entry regarding the age of criminal defendants and what punishments states may imposed thereon. I wish they would release the version of the Constitution which they read so we citizens, subject to the document as we are, may read it. Clearly, the one published in text books isn’t the one given the Supreme Court. Either that, or it reads differently under the magnification of their crystal ball.

Trackback Problems

February 28, 2005

Community Server is supposed to automatically generate trackbacks in the comments of blog entries whenever someone with a common system (mt, .blog, etc.) links. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work. So . . . If you link to a blog entry and no trackback generates on Hennessys’s view a) Create a manual trackback in the Comments or b) E-mail me with the Contact link, and I’ll create one for you. If you e-mail me, please include the blog software you use so I can fix this defect in my software.

Jessica Lunsford

February 28, 2005

](https://hennessysview.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/0_22_lunsford_jessica.jpg)[](https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,148867,00.html) Anyway, I pray that she is unharmed–physically and psychologically. Logically, I know the odds are really, really low, but, God, I pray for most naive hope. And if she’s not, I hope the horrible freak who would stoop to visit any harm to such a beautiful little girl meets a fate worse than any psychopathic torture junky could dream up. UPDATE: from FoxNews Despite heavy rain and a tornado watch, nearly 540 volunteers turned out to comb the rural community of 2,300 people, about 60 miles north of Tampa (search).

Howard Dean: the left's own Little Eichmann

February 28, 2005

Okay, I know I’m not a genius like the mad doctor from Vermont, but could someone explain the logic of Dean’s latest idiotic blusterfest? On the one hand, he extolls (kind of) the virtues of “tolerance”: “Moderate Republicans can’t stand these people (conservatives), because they’re intolerant. They don’t think tolerance is a virtue,” Dean said, adding: “I’m not going to have these right-wingers throw away our right to be tolerant.

Lefties on the Death Penalty

February 27, 2005

Well, we know that the left opposes the death penalty for the likes of Dennis Rader, the BTK killer, but some do support capital punishment for political speech and activity. Stephen Crockett wants murder Katherine Harris and Ken Blackwell because they’re Republicans. Combine this with the DUer who wants to beat the crap out of the 9-year-old for Social Security reform, and you have the makings of a leftwing lynch mob.

Hennessy's View is #8

February 27, 2005

on Technorati’s Politics Attention Index. Woohoo!!!! UPDATE: We’re #6. (It must be a slow blog day.) UPATE: Holy crap! We’re up to number 5. UPDATE: Doh! Back down to 7 and steady. (Link, people. Link!) UPDATE: Oh, crap!

Do We Need a National Collegiate Academic Association?

February 27, 2005

The disturbing case of Ward Churchill has me asking a question I ought not ask, but somehow feel compelled. The NCAA has an arcane, complicated, often brainless set of rules regarding recruitment and pampering of college athletes. The rules require major universities to hire folks just to deal with compliance. I hate bureaucracies like that. But the system effectively reduces the ability of a college to buy great sports teams. Moreover, the system demands that members require minimum (though way too minimal) education standards for student athletes.

DemocraticUnderground: Hypocrites With Zeal

February 27, 2005

The drooling juveniles on DemocraticUnderground took time out from praising terrorists, defending rapists, and seeking relief for child molesters to decry the White Houses use of a nine-year-old to promote Social Security Reform. Heres a sample of what the losers are saying: 1. exploiting children…yup, that’s family values, alright…. Why, pray tell is the mother allowing this? It is one thing to encourage your child to read and develop their own opinions, but to allow others to exploit those earliest opinions of childhood (which most of us may recall, DO change over time)….

NBC Ridicules Catholics

February 27, 2005

Michelle Malkin has much about a recent “Committed” episode on NBC in which the producers went out of their way to make a mockery of Catholicism. She makes an excellent point with a question: Will NBC be as responsive to the complaints of Catholic viewers as FOX was to the Muslims who protested the hit drama 24? Answer: Of course not.

Dennis Rader

February 27, 2005

The BTK killer’s name is Dennis Rader. He is the poison that grows on the bottom of a cesspool. He is the stuff that Hell considers too vile to abide. He is sin incarnate. A brave, good neighbor of his called him out two days after another neighbor died. She was a good woman dying of cancer with a little dog. She would let the dog out to go potty, and Dennis Rader, Animal Control Officer, would give her a citation.

Blogger ADD

February 26, 2005

I get bored easily with layouts. Sorry if the frequent skin changes on this blog annoy you, but that charcoal background was to depressing.

Sudan: The UN's Current and Next Disaster

February 26, 2005

In it’s never-ending quest to supervise or ignore catastrophes, the United Nations has, for more than two years nows, set its focus purposefully away from Sudan, having been relieved of ignoring Saddam Hussein by the US military. Andrew Quinn’s frustration shines through in this blog on The Moderate Voice.

Newt Gingrich Makes Excellent Point

February 26, 2005

My Way News “The urgency ought to be simpler,” Gingrich said. “Every day young people are denied the opportunity to have a personal Social Security savings account, they are cheated out of that day’s compound interest." Bill Clinton made a political career of putting off everything that could be put off. Call it leadership by procrastination. He succeeded because thats the way people are. We put things off. Even the most anal, scheduled, organized worry-wart puts things off, particularly things he feels he can do nothing about.

A Day Without a Churchill Story . . .

February 26, 2005

is a day without rain. Steven Taylor beat me to this story that the people who provided Churchill a podium from which to spew hatred, terrorism, venom, and lies is considering buying out his contract, as they would with a failing football coach. (But one whose players like to rape girls.) Read the rest on Poliblog. UPDATE: Ward Churchill assaults Denver news crew as they ask about his fake art. h/t Glenn Reynolds.

Vaccines Run Amok

February 26, 2005

About a year ago, I fired off a letter writing campaign to Missouri legistors urging them to fight a movement, sponsored by then-governor Bob Holden, to require Chick Pox vaccines for all Missouri children entering school. Michelle Malkin points out that Ohio has passed such a law with a link to the chicken pox vaccine money trail. (There’s always a money trail.) Mandatory chicken pox vaccines will kill people. According to Dr.

Bind, Torture, Kill

February 26, 2005

This is one sick son of a bitch, and Wichita, Kansas police think they have him. While Kansas’s supreme court last year ruled its death penalty unconstitutional, assuring that this vermin escapes state execution, his crimes carry the prison code death penalty. Barring permanent isolation in solitary confinement, some felon a step up on the murderer food chain will jam a rusty spoon handle still bearing spots of dried mashed potatoes into his throat just beneath the Adam’s apple, sending BTK onto the ninth ring of Hell.

South St. Louis Catholic Church Closings

February 25, 2005

Well, the parish I grew up in–Epiphany of Our Lord–was spared, thank God. I love that place. But a lot of the schools we played baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, and volleyball against will close. Here’s the complete list from KTRS.com: Ten Parishes and Three Schools in South Saint Louis will be closed by the Archdiocese. Holy Family Church and School Immaculate Conception, St. Henry Church, St. Bonaface Church, St.

Is There No End to Ward Churchill's Phoniness?

February 25, 2005

Michelle Malkin has dug up some artwork claimed to be the original work of Terrorist Advocate Ward Churchill. But, clearly, the works are not original, unless Mr. Churchill channels 19th century western artists and photographers. To those who say Churchill speaks for the American Indian better than anyone else, I say that his words that have so enchanted you most likely were plagiarized. Since Churchill’s rabid defenders will not expend the energy to click Michelle’s link, here’s the pertinent part of a CBS4 in Denver story Michelle reprinted in whole:

Condi Watch: Oprah's a Fan?

February 25, 2005

So says Individ. Well, with qualifications. Still, when Oprah speaks, women listen. On the other hand, Dean Esmay has encouraging poll news for Hillary. In 1996, I swore that 2000 would be McCain vs. Kerrey (Nebraska), so I won’t release my line-up card just yet. But if Condi gives ANY hint that she’s not “ruling out” a run in 2008, it will be very difficult for anyone but those two to get media time.

Liberals Never Tire of Running Others Lives

February 25, 2005

You can’t make this stuff up. Over at the DemocraticUnderground, they’re seriously talking about regulating salt. You know, the stuff you put on french fries. Why? Because, unless you’re a liberal slumming on this site, you’re too stupid to know how much salt to put on your food, poor thing. You don’t think they think you’re stupid? Some wretched creature had the audacity to say this to the Dems who want to keep their salt:

Thanks for the Links

February 25, 2005

Well, I’m humbled and grateful to Right in Texas, PirateBallerina, and FlamingDuck for the recent links. They are all excellent sites and reachable from my blogroll.

David Corn Calls Howard Dean Dumb, Stupid, . . .

February 25, 2005

David Corn, the guy who’s just to the left of DemocraticUnderground, blogged today on Howard Dean, and it’s must reading. Except for snivelling about health care and the usual mantra of socialist causes, I could have written the piece. Basically, Corn says what we already know: Howard Dean is his own worst enemy, and, as DNC chairman, is turning into his party’s worst enemy. Specifially, Corn responds to Dean’s recent announcement that people are afraid to call themselves Democrats because “it’s not socially acceptable to be a Democrat.

Chris Rock Questions Frivolity of Abortion

February 24, 2005

The Chris Rock quote that got so many conservatives so up in arms about abortion appears to be more pro-life than pro-choice, according to John Swansburg writing on Slate. The controversy involves this line from Rock: “It’s beautiful that abortion is legal” and says that he likes to pick up women at abortion rallies. “‘Cause you know they’re [expletive].” But that isolated sentiment is part of a larger theme in Rock’s routine, and, in reasonable context, constitutes a slap at the frivolity of “choice.

No Child Left Behind Unconstitutional

February 24, 2005

One chapter of the report says that the Constitution does not delegate powers to educate the nation’s citizens to the federal government, thereby leaving education under state control. The report contends that No Child Left Behind has greatly expanded federal powers to a degree that is unconstitutional.. (New York Times via Michelle Malkin) Oh, if only we stilled lived in a Constitutional democracy.

Does Ward Churchill Own the Word Wrong?

February 24, 2005

The more I read of the utterances and writings Ward Churchill, the closer I come to the conclusion that Churchill has never been right about anything in his life. The Guiness Book people may need to launch a new category. PirateBallerina has compiled the refutations of virtually every academic word the man has ever written, so Ill leave those alone. (Not to take anything away from that blogs work, but Mr.

Holy Mother of Ethnicity! Ward Churchill's Not an Indian!

February 24, 2005

Kudos to Instapundit for this link. Churchill did address the issue of his ethnicity, admitting that he is not Native American. “Is he an Indian? Do we really care?” he said, quoting those he called his “white Republican” critics. “Let’s cut to the chase; I am not,” he said. His pedigree is “not important,” Churchill said: “The issue is the substance of what is said.

WHO (not the band): Flu Pandemic Coming!

February 23, 2005

We at WHO believe that the world is now in the gravest possible danger of a pandemic, Dr. Shigeru Omi, the WHOs Western Pacific regional director, said Wednesday. (source) I mentioned this the other day in a blog, and it still chills me. The good news is that the Avian strain that so concerns the WHO and others still requires direct contact with infected birds.

Mark Steyn on the Suicide of the West

February 23, 2005

Dean Esmay hooked us up tothis fine column. As I commented on Dean’s blog, it reminds me of reading James Burnham’s masterpiece, Suicide of the West, in 1980. In the prologue, Burnham writes about looking over political maps of the world from ancient Egypt to the 20th century. He paints stark images of the West’s advances, eventually engulfing more than half the world. (Please don’t lecture me on the math.)

Must Read

February 23, 2005

Ed Morrissey’s smack down of Ted Rall is wonderful, uplifting, heart-happying. Read it before your next cup of coffee. Relish the way lefty Rall views people with regular jobs. The sneer, the smugness, the inuendo. How DARE a plebian attempt to think! I see Rall standing in some old building at Harvard looking out at the blogosphere the way Mel Gibson presented Cornwallis’s surrender. “Everything will change, now.” Hat tip Michelle Malkin.

Majority Ready for Woman President (Condi?)

February 23, 2005

I saw this several placed yesterday, but OTB has the write up that made me read. While I’m not quite ready to jump on the Condi 08 bandwagon just yet, this is a very encouraging story for those who have. For obvious reasons, I think it most likely that our first female president and our first black president will come from the party viewed as the more conservative. If you’re going to tear down walls, might as well kill two archaic birds with one stone, right?

Don't Monkey with Good News

February 23, 2005

Steven Taylor rightly predicts that today’s top story will be the Washington Post report that the White House redacted the whole of the report on Iraq’s economy from last week’s economic report. The story claims that the good news about Iraq’s economy would be inappropriate at a time when so many security problems exist. That rings hollow. The President could use some good news in his European trip, and the whole world could use some good news about Iraq.

What the 9/11 Commission Actually Said

February 23, 2005

An argument with a gentleman whose blog is called HairyFishNuts.com pointed out the need to remind people what the 9/11 Commission said about Saddam’s ties to terrorism. To wit: Iraq under Saddam supported international terrorist organizations to bolster Iraq’s revolutionary credentials, ensure his own role as Great Arab leader, and intimidate rival governments. In examining the history, methods, and patterns of behavior of Saddam Husayn in supporting international terrorism, some “truths” stand out.

UN Goes Blogging

February 22, 2005

Michelle Malkin reports that the United Nations has hired a Kerry hack to run a new blog aimed at salvaging what’s left a reputation that currently ranks somewhere between Dan Rather and Ward Churchill. Hiring Kerry hacks demonstrates the UN’s tone-deafness to American politics. I’m still waiting for some ex-official to open the books on the Kofi Annan and his family money laundry. UPDATE: Remarkably, the UN Blog allows neither comments nor trackbacks.

Fox News: Indictment in Plot to Assassinate Bush

February 22, 2005

Read it hearhere. (I can’t spell.) Of course, the liberal MSM will make this punk into a hero overnight. Watch. https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,148338,00.html LaShawn Barber nails it According to Fox News, over 100 supporters of this cretin packed the courtroom and mocked the proceedings. This raises a few questions, namely, did we place electronic surveillance instruments on them as they were leaving, and did we scan their faces for links to al Qaeda?

Request for Background to U of C Board of Regents

February 22, 2005

Yeah, I know they won’t reply, but I figured I should ask, anyway. The Rocky Mountain News today claims that Mr. Ward Churchill received tenure as a result of Colorado University’s failure to explore an alleged offer of tenure from the University of California system. I am interested in knowing whether or not Mr. Churchill implied such offer was made, or if someone at Colorado merely assumed such.

Ward Churchill's Tenure and Chair Obtained by Lying

February 22, 2005

Last week, Steven Taylor brought up the fact of Ward Churchill’s very thin credentials for his chair and tenure at University of Colorado. Taylor also noted that UofC waived some normal requirements in the process, namely demanding a PhD. Now we know that the left’s favorite nut case obtained both tenure and chair of Ethnic Studies at University of Colorado by lying. He convinced UofC that the University of California system had offered him professorship in American Indian studies, causing Colorado to rush his tenure through.

Peaceniks in St. Louis: Much Ado About Nothing

February 22, 2005

Four hundred people representing more than 1,000 anti-war groups met in St. Louis, Missouri, over the weekend. The aim was to define a strategy to get the US out of Iraq before it turns into a success. Among the “luminaries” present: Danny Glover and Tom Hayden. Fortunately for the causes of freedom, liberty, justice, and common sense, the assembled lefties spend so much time decrying the vote count in Ohio and Michael Crichton’s book, they ran out of time to produce a strategy.

Lefty MSM Back Slapping

February 22, 2005

I think Michelle got this wrong. Is it “George Polk Award” or “Gouge, Poke Award?”

Bush Shows He's a Diplomat

February 21, 2005

Newsday.com: Bush Suggests Chirac Is ‘Good Cowboy’ In his first European trip since re-election, President Bush displays remarkable statemanship. Balancing between firmness and friendliness, the President places American interest first, yet he undeniably wins friends on every stop. Sometimes, timing is everything, and the President dares to admit such: _“This is the first dinner since I’ve been re-elected on European soil, and it’s with Jacques Chirac. And that ought to say something.

AARP in the Crosshairs

February 21, 2005

Its about time. Joe Gandelman points out that the people who brought you the Swift Vets are taking aim on the AARPa corrupt, leftist organization committed to stealing from the young and giving to the old whilst limiting freedom for everyone and outlawing cell phones. I despise the AARP and everything it stands for, particularly its blogroll. (Find it yourselfIm not providing a link to the wealthy old bastards.) UPDATE: The spineless weasels took down their Blogroll.

Anti-War Movement Hates US

February 21, 2005

A Little More To The Right: Humor AND Opinion https://www.alittlemoretotheright.com/journal/00002143.html Anti-War lefties hang American Soldier in effigy. Good job, folks. That convinced me: Im wrong. Lets pull all of the troops out of Afghanistan and Iraq. South Korea, too. Life was so much better for those people without us. Except for the South Koreans, who would be so much better off with Kim Jong ILL as their slavemaster.

Hard Right Republicans For African-American Woman President

February 21, 2005

The American Thinker I am as pleased as anyone with Condoleezza Rices initial performance as Secretary of State. Shes a smart, articulate, passionate defender of America and George W. Bushs foreign policy vision. But all the excited talk about Condi for President is wildly premature, and even dangerous to the conservative cause. writes Steven M. Warshawsky on The American Thinker, February 15. Mr. Warshawsky goes on to list some pretty predictable problems with Condoleezza Rices White House credentials:

Flu Pandemic Coming?

February 21, 2005

My Way News Usually, these stories garner only a “whatever” from me. Not sure why this one has me thinking about my kids and parents and wife. It does. Avian flu outbreaks in Vietnam bird populations threaten to spread across the world. This could be the worst pandemic since 1918. Worse than that even, since 72% of those diagnosed with this nasty virus – die. The H5N1 avian flu, which first appeared in Hong Kong in 1997 and has since popped up twice, is evolving and can jump directly from birds to people, killing an estimated 72 percent of diagnosed victims, Gerberding said.

Hip-Hop Politics

February 21, 2005

You might have caught myrunning, er, conversation (expand comments) with someone calling himself SoupMan. After a few shots at him (some unfair, I admit), he disclosed the link to his blog, Hip-Hop Politics. I took a look around. I wasn’t surprised by anything. Obviously, I don’t agree with anything, but nothing was shocking. Mr. SoupMan was reluctant to share his link with me. He didn’t want hassles he’d experienced before.

I Could Have Told You

February 21, 2005

Windows is more secure than Linux for operating a web site, so concludes an independent study. And in more than ten years of helping companies embrace the internet and new technology, I can assure you that a front-to-back Microsoft solution is the least expensive possible. Sun hardware/Oracle DB is the most expensive and has the longest time to market. Linux lands in the middle of everything. Thanks to Ihaveacrazywife.

Hunter S. Thompson: RIP

February 21, 2005

“We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the dessert, when the drugs began to take hold.” That’s how begins the book that drove me to misspend a significant portion of my youth. I first read Fear And Loathing in Las Vegas in 1982 after graduating from high school. If marijuana is a gateway drug, it’s literary equivalent is Catcher in the Rye. Fear and Loathing is literary adrenichrome.

SEPTEM8ER TAPES: Movie Review

February 20, 2005

Movies that mimic documentaries often fall short in both emotional impact and believability. The September Tapes, by First Look Pictures, breaks that trend. A man lost his young wife on Sepember 11, 2001, a passenger on one of the planes. In desparation and dissatisfied with the US military’s progress in finding and killing bin Laden, Don Larson sells all of his worldly possessions to finance a trip to Afghanistan to get answers on the hunt for bin Laden from the ground.

Ruud Lubbers Resigns

February 20, 2005

Steven Taylor on Poliblog foundthe BBC story that Ruud Lubbers, the UN Refugee Head, resigned. Yesterday,I blogged on a New York Times story that Lubbers would not resign, calling the numerous sexual harassment changes against him “lies.” That story also reported that Kofi Annan planned to seek legal advice on the matter over the weekend. Apparently, Lubbers felt the heat. It looks like the UN’s closet door is open, and the skeletons are shaking out.

St. Louis Weather

February 20, 2005

It’s so warm today, it must be going to snow. (Anyone from St. Louis will understand.)

DemocraticUnderground on Bush Tapes

February 20, 2005

Steven Taylor wonders how long it will take the left to claim the Wead tapes were manufactured by Karl Rove. The answer: Not Long. I strolled the DemocraticUnderground forum today. (Strolled? No. Jogged. Churchill said, “when you’re going through hell, keep going.") Here’s what I found: From OETKB: Given the author and its less than revealing information and a veiled attempt to portray this dangerous man(*) as “one of us,” this is one of those stories that has probably emenated from the bowels of the Heritage Foundation with the heavy guidance of Karl Rove.

A Real Newspaper

February 20, 2005

Once upon a time, St. Louis had two major dailies: the St. Louis Globe-Democrat and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Globe was the conservative newspaper. It’s where Pat Buchanan got his start. The Post was the liberal paper. Then the Globe folded, leaving St. Louis with only the lefty paper. Since then, the quality of the Post has dropped precipitously. It is now a very bad paper with lousy writing, absent-minded editing, and incomplete coverage.

George W. Bush On Tape: The New York Times

February 19, 2005

George W. Bush On Tape: The New York Times The New York Times > Washington > In Secretly Taped Conversations, Glimpses of the Future President _Mr. Wead first acknowledged the tapes to a reporter in December to defend the accuracy of a passage about Mr. Bush in his new book, “The Raising of a President.” He did not mention the tapes in the book or footnotes, saying he drew on them for only one page of the book.

Yet Another UN Sex Scandal

February 19, 2005

Todays NY Times reports that Ruud Lubberswhich got me suspended from school in 8th graderefuses to resign despite mounting evidence that he likes the ladies the way Bob Packwood liked the ladies. The original complaint was filed on May 5 by a 51-year-old American with 20 years of service at the refugee office who is now an administrator in the human resources department.

Dean's World - Idiot Dean Supporters

February 19, 2005

Dean’s World noticed that a Howard Dean support threw a shoe at Richard Perle when Perle began speaking at debate against Howard in Oregon yesterday. Joe Gandelman, guest blogger, asks several questions about the mental state of the person who threw the shoe. But this is typical Deaniac behavior. Its why Dr. Dean wanted no press at the affair. His side has nothing to say, save for we have more shoes than we need, so you take some.

Bill and Georges

February 19, 2005

The New York Times print edition has a delightful story about the new friendship between George Bush 41 and Bill Clinton. Some of was pretty harsh on Clinton during his presidency, and Im certainly in that group. But a friendship between the presidents father and predecessor is good for everyone. George H. W. Bush, a terrible politician and so-so leader, is a wonderful human being. Bill Clinton is a man of no real political convictions, endless charm, and endearing wit.

Liberalism's Dark Valley

February 18, 2005

We on the right who are too young to have fought the Germans in WWII or Roosevelt’s New Deal, but old enough to remember Governor Reagan and William F. Buckley on “Laugh In,” feel a twinge of guilt reflecting on the dark days of conservatism–guilt for benefiting from the hard work of our predecessors. From 1932 until 1976, conservatism was as dead as Lincoln. “I think it was John Kenneth Galbraith,” writes Martin Peretz in the current New Republic, “speaking in the early 1960s, the high point of post-New Deal liberalism, who pronounced conservatism dead.

Prayer for Dean Esmay and Family

February 18, 2005

Their very small son, Drake, is in the hospital with pneumonia. May God speed Drake’s recovery and comfort his family.

Beware the Man in the Middle (recycled)

February 17, 2005

Originally posted October, 2000. Recycled because Joe Gandelman is pondering the state of undecidedness. Mark Noonan has some salient observations on the matter. I concur with Mark about both moderates AND Joe Gandelman’s blog–it’s simply one of the best around. After two debates, poll watchers cannot help but conclude that the people are stupid. By the people, I mean that horrid lot in the middlethe great-undecided voter, the noble vacillator, the independent voter, the moderate.

Opposing Black History Month: It Isn't Just for Redneck Racists, Anymore

February 17, 2005

Imagine you have struggled to rise above very humble, even deprived, roots to achieve something of prominence in your community. You work for an education, get elected to some minor office, do a lot of good for people, foster key relationships, and find yourself mayor or county executive. You pride yourself on your hard work–the thing that got you where you are, so far from your beginnings. Now, imagine that once a year, you are hounded to speak about being black.

Howard The Mouth and His Foot

February 17, 2005

One day, Howard Dean wanted a media blackout of his debate against Richard Pearle. The he changed his mind. (Never thought I’d talk about Howard Dean and a Mind, did you?) But, again, the MSM ignored another Dean f=== up.

More Envirofraud

February 17, 2005

Wizbang has two great pieces that debunk crappy envirofraud. Read this and this. Related stories Here, here, and here. You know, the liars who pollute science with this trash bother me, but not as much as the idiots on the street who believe it. Particularly, the teachers in this country who became teachers, not to educate, but to indotrinate. My kids have experienced these monsters numerous times. Three years ago, I got a teacher to drop a math book–MATH–because every word problem involved things like, “Scientists have concluded that most of the islands in the South Pacific will be drowned because of global warming .

Howard Dean

February 17, 2005

Here we are half a week into Dean’s chairmanship, and the Democrats still don’t control Congress. He has, though, picked up the rhetoric bulls**t where he dropped off when the loser, Kerry, kicked his lilly-white rearend out of the DNC primaries. He demanded that aGOP state chairman resign for making a rather innocuous observation, to wit: The Democrats simply have refused to learn the lessons of the past two election cycles, and now they can be accurately called the party of Barbara Boxer, Lynne Stewart and Howard Dean.

Wow--My Neck of the Woods

February 16, 2005

A teenager has been accused of using a stolen cell phone to swamp dispatchers with hundreds of bogus 911 calls over a matter of weeks, at times talking of killing some of the responding officers he could see. Remember when it took a truckload of courage to call a number at random from the phone book and ask if their refrigerator was running? Kids are getting bold, I tell ya.

Greenspan Endorses Private Investment of Social Security

February 16, 2005

“If you are going to move to private accounts, which I approve of, you have to do it in a cautious, gradual way.” The caution thing is a little silly. Washington never makes rash moves with money. Freedom, security, national defense, maybe. But money, never.

Kansas Camels?

February 16, 2005

Had no idea that camels once roamed Kansas. Nor did I know that people ate them. Then again, half way through the last century, Americans were still eating brain sandwiches, pancreases, and head cheese.

Syria and Iran

February 16, 2005

From the AP: “In view of the special conditions faced by Syria, Iran will transfer its experience, especially concerning sanctions, to Syria,” Mohammad Reza Aref, Iran’s first vice president, was quoted as saying after meeting Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otari. How surprising. Iraq’s neighbors joining forces to oppose the US, though they don’t mention us by name. It makes me wonder what their relationhip has been up until now.

Senator Arlen Specter Has Cancer

February 16, 2005

Hodgekins Lymphoma, according to Philly TV station’s webite. h/t to Drudge UPDATE: I know I typed this before, but, somehow, it didn’t get saved: I’ve had my disagreements with Senator Specter, but so has the left. Feminists still seeth over his valient defense of Clarence Thomas. For the most part, when justice or his party really needed him, he’s shown up. I wish him the best. As does Dean Esmay. And K-Lo

Light Blogging Today

February 16, 2005

Between a new project at work and two middle school band concerts tonight, I won’t be doing much blogging.

Hey, is my blog 5 Years Old?

February 16, 2005

Even though I need to fill in some big gaps in time, myposts go back to August 2000. The original site I wrote myself in Active Server Pages (classic) and XML. Later, I upgraded it to ASP.NET. Somewhere in between lie several dozen LONG pieces that I can’t find, though I know they exist somewhere in various CD-ROMs burnt from dying hard drives. (I hosted my old site on my home desktop/server via Deerfield’s DNS2GO over my cable modem.

Some Social Security Facts

February 16, 2005

Provided by the Heritage Foundation. (Gotta have something for the Beltway Traffic Jam) The current Social Security system is a very poor investment. A 25-year-old man is predicted to receive a 0.82 percent rate of return on his Social Security taxes.2 Low-income workers have extremely poor rates of return, and many low-income men will receive less in benefits than they paid in Social Security payroll taxes. A 25-year-old man living in Harlem would have a 4.

Left Files New Pledge Suit

February 15, 2005

According to the American Center for Law and Justice: Michael Newdow has filed a brand-new lawsuit in federal district court against the Pledge of Allegiance! He is also threatening to file suits in all 13 judicial circuits. Good heavens. Is it really that big of a deal, Michael? Leave it alone. Don’t say “under God” when reciting the pledge. Instruct your children not to say it. But some of us growing weary of hearing what offends you.

Thought Police Patrolling College

February 15, 2005

Le Moyne College has expelled a grad student for writing a paper (which recieved a grade of A) that advocates stricter discipline in schools. According to the dismissal letter, Le Moyne beleives that all students must strictly adhere to the administration’s philosophy of education. There is no room at Le Moyne for individual thinking, according to Cathy Leogrande, who signed the letter: Leogrande wrote, I have grave concerns regarding the mismatch between your personal beliefs regarding teaching and learning and the Le Moyne College program goals.

MSMs Get Ugly

February 15, 2005

A week or so ago, I warned that the MSM would launch a fierce counterattack against blogs in the face of Eason Jordan’s resignation. Michelle Malkin posted this story today about a blogger in Oklahoma who has been treatened by a Tulsa newspaper. My guess is that The Tulsa World’s tactic of denying bloggers the privilege of linking to stories will become widespread. Unfortunately for the MSM, there are Fair Use principles in the United States that permit bloggers and anyone else to use copyright material without explicit permission.

Google To the Left

February 15, 2005

Some staggering statistics release yesterday show that, dollar for dollar, Google may be the most pro-Democrat company in the United States. Google employees gave $207,650 to federal candidates for last year’s elections, up from just $250 in 2000 when it was still a start-up. And 98% went to Democrats, the biggest share among top tech donors, a new USA TODAY campaign finance analysis shows. Russell Kirk said that conservatism is the absence of ideology.

More UN Peacekeepers Jailed

February 15, 2005

The UN’s inability to keep its pants on has landed six more “peacekeepers” in jail in the Congo. Related stories: United Nations of Evil The Size of Watermelons and this.

Why International Government Is Dangerous

February 15, 2005

The hamburger giant, McDonald’s, sued two lefty idiot activists in England for libel after the pair distributed pamphlets accusing McDonalds of starving the Third World, deforestation, and killing people with poisonous food. McDonald’s won the libel suit. But wait . . . liberals don’t lose in courts in Europe. So the wackjobs–Helen Steel and David Morris–appealed to the European Court of Human Rights in, where else, France. That court ruled against Britain for failing to provide the couple with massive, expensive legal assistance.

Flu Shot Fever

February 15, 2005

John Kerry tried to make a campaign issue out of the flu vaccine shortage. It didn’t work, but he tried. So did other senior Democrats. Today we learn that flu shots may not prolong lives among the elderly. Led by National Institutes of Health researchers, the study challenges standard government dogma and is bound to confuse senior citizens. During last fall’s flu vaccine shortage, thousands of older Americans, heeding the government’s public health message, stood in long lines to get their shots.

Satire

February 14, 2005

When I start a blog entry with a dateline( St. Louis, Missouri–, Boulder, Colorado–, etc.) it’s a tip off that what follows is satire or humor. I just want anyone to be confused. Also, I place all humor and satire in this category. Thanks, Bill

Journalist Union Plans Blog Protest

February 14, 2005

St. Louis, Missouri–The International Federation of Journalists, a union representing more than half a million journalists world wide, today announced plans to protest Blogs–online journals on the World Wide Web. “Unprofessional armchair writers who call themselves journalists have destroyed numerous careers and the lives of respected members of our organization. It’s time we stopped this dangerous trend toward information run amock,” says Arnold Amber of the Newspaper Guild of Canada.

Breaking News: Ward Churchill Changes Ethnicity

February 14, 2005

Boulder, Colorado–Controversial writer and college teacher, Ward Churchill, who has long claimed American Indian heritage, today announced that he is no longer an American Indian. Instead, says Churchill, “I am seven-sixteenths Jewish, three-sixteenths Irish, and one-sixteenth rare, endangered Siberian Tiger.” The American Indian Movement and Keetoowah Cherokee tribe have for years denied Churchill credentials as an Indian. Nonetheless, Churchill maintained he was in fact either one-sixteenth…(read more)

More on the United Nations

February 14, 2005

Michelle Malkin has a nice roundup of blogs and MSM stories on the UN sex scandal. Thanks much, Michelle, for the plug. Some stories hit me harder than others, and I’ve been anti-UN for about 20 years. I thought I’d post a few lines that wrote in my 1993 book, The Conservative Manifesto: Since there is little evidence to defend the United Nations as anything but a hindrance to the cause of democracy and the advance of American foreign policy, we will withdraw from the United Nations and expel it from our borders.

Rockwood School District

February 12, 2005

I would love to do a study on the lifetime achievement of Rockwood School District. The district covers far west St. Louis County, Missouri, and touts itself as one of the best school districts in the nation. Based on standardized scores, they have every right. But Rockwood has some problems, too, and some of those problems have or will become societal problems. Rockwood, it seems, prefers dealing with the highly intelligent, well-behaved children of very rich Wildwood folks.

How Dean Thinks

February 12, 2005

Want to know how Howard Dean thinks? I support allotting a certain percentage of seats in these elections for the Sunnis. Ponder that a moment. The man who wanted to be chief executive of the modern world’s first democratic republic wrote on January 10, 2005, that he believes Iraqis deserve some sort of managed democracy in which votes are only marginally important. Instead of letting the people, who can’t be trusted in Dean’s view, to decide affairs, Dean would have a team of fairness experts decide how to apportion seats in the Iraqi legislature.

Free Book

February 12, 2005

Wow. Only 75 people have downloaded aPDF version of The Conservative Manifesto. It’s free!

Strict Construction or Original Understanding?

February 12, 2005

Over at Left2Right, Don Herzog claims that conservatives worship at the alter of “strict construction” of Constitutional matters. Strict construction means applying the language of the Constitution to what it straightforwardly refers to, not here’s the connection using it as a springboard to make stuff up. You’re wrong from the get-go, Don. Conservatives don’t honor strict constructionalism. We insist on original understanding. Put simply, the framers of laws have one chance to get their meaning across in writing.

The United Nations of Evil

February 12, 2005

About two months ago, right around Christmas, a silly little girl who attends some college somewhere in Pennsylvania sent me a nasty, mean e-mail. She had read something I wrote about the United Nations. Her college indoctrinators had convinced her that the only to achieve anything close to justice in the world is to dissolve all governments save for the the UN. Well, little girl who was too shy to pen her name, if you sawABC’s 20/20 tonight, you learned a little about that wonderful institution.

Eason Jordon and Alger Hiss

February 12, 2005

I missed the Eason Jordan affair. I heard about it, followed the stories, and read the blogs. But I didn’t feel like commenting here. The reason was that the story was obvious. Senior executives in the mainstream media believe that conservatives are Bible-beating idiots, Republicans raped poor black women so they can later eat the off-spring, and soldiers are murderers who enlist so they can kill without repercusion. Sorry, folks, but that’s how MSM, most college professors, a good major of the population of New York City, and Eason Jordan view us.

How will the press handle Dean?

February 11, 2005

Reading the AP story via Yahoo about Howard Dean’s pending coronation as chairman of the DNC, my paranoia kicked in again. What if the press turns him into a folk hero–again? I can see the MSM going berserk for the next two year. Everything the man says, does, and thinks broadcast live throughout the world as it happens. The liberal pundits will defend his frequent bouts of stupidity and insanity as demonstrative of his deep intellect.

Postage Just Got More Fun

February 10, 2005

https://www.cnn.com/2005/US/02/10/reagan.stamp.ap/index.html

Finally, A Wristband I Can Wear

February 10, 2005

My kids and wife have about 30 “awareness” wristbands each. I’d have gotten a breast cancer one, but I don’t look good in pink. (The Irish cheeks, ya know.) But Dean’s World shows us a wristband I can wear.

Hitchens

February 8, 2005

Some people demand admiration, and Christopher Hitchens ranks near the top of that list. Before I agreed with him about anything, back in the days when he seemed closer to Alexander Cockburn than to, well, to me, I would find myself pausing on some talkshow just because he was talking. His writing is as enjoyable as his conversation–and it’s conversation he has on talk shows, not interviews. Michael Totten favors us, today, with a piece about an evening with Hitch at DC bar.

Predicting Ward Churchill

February 8, 2005

We learn today that Colorado University cancelled an upcoming Ward Churchill appearance over fear of violence. Remember when conservative speakers were silenced by threats of violence? (William F. Buckley Jr. had a famous episode at Harvard in about 1968.) Ward Churchill has two choices: resign from CU and go to work for some leftwing think-tank that doesn’t care how much he lies on his resume, or move subtlely to the right.

Rafsanjani Seeks Common Ground with US

February 7, 2005

In an interview with USA Today, Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the once and future president of Iran, said the US and Iran have more common ground than differences. Running for a return to the Iranian presidency, Rafsanjani was clearly speaking to the White House through the press. If he’s sincere and he returns to power, this could be a major victory for Bush’s foreign policy in the Middle East. Bringing a moderate or liberal government to Iran is not Rafsanjani’s goal, for sure, but, like Gorbechev found in the Soviet Union, any reform could spin out of control.

Liberals Still Leaving

February 7, 2005

According to this story, some Americans really are going to move out of the country because Bush won. Woohoo!!!!! Thanks to Drudge

The Simpsons vs. Good and Decent

February 7, 2005

Boy, something evil crawled up the wrong end of The Simpsons' writers and died. You get the feeling that they’re pulling for Al Qaeda. The entire post game episode, promoted heavily for two weeks, was a mockery of everything good and decent. Anyone with mild religiosity advocates beating and killing. Ah, well. They lost the biggest election of their putrid lives. I guess I should remember them in my prayers tonight.

Eagles Two-Minute Offense

February 7, 2005

Apparently the Eagles stole Mike Martz’s play book.

Janeane Garofalo: One Human Being Too Many

February 7, 2005

If there’s anyone on this planet whose presence depresses the hell out of me, it’s that brainless windbag Janeane Garofalo. Not that I needed more reasons to despise her, but A Little More to the Right found one. I haven’t seen this anywhere else, so take a read. Money quote: “The inked fingers and the position of them, which is gonna be a ‘Daily Show’ photo already, of them signaling in this manner [Nazi salute], as if they have solidarity with the Iraqis who braved physical threats against their lives to vote as if somehow these inked-fingered Republicans have something to do with that.

Howard Dean Can Smell the Leather

February 7, 2005

of the DNC Chair. (CNN) – Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean appears to have virtually locked up the chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee, after his last major challenger dropped out of the race and endorsed him Friday night. Veteran party activist Donnie Fowler, who had been positioning himself as the alternative candidate to Dean, said it was “clear” Dean had the votes to become the new chairman when DNC members vote next week.

For the Record

February 7, 2005

With 13 minutes left in the game and New England up 7, I’ll take the Eagles by 4. UPDATE: Well, with a couple of minutes left, looks like I was wrong.

It's Anheuser-Busch--As Usual

February 7, 2005

Just because my company works closely with Anheuser-Busch and just because I drink Bud Light and Mich Ultra and just because I grew up in St. Louis and started taking brewery tours when in still in high school–they really didn’t card too heavily in the hospitality room back then–doesn’t mean I’m not objective. I’m not objective because of my soft spot for the military, in part because I served in the Navy for 10 years, and in part because all of my male relatives in my parents' generation fought in World War II, Korea, or both.

NY DA Preparing Indictment in Oil-for-Terrorism Probe

February 7, 2005

According to Fox News, The Manhattan district attorney has launched a criminal probe into Benon Sevan , the U.N. Oil-for-Food chief who investigators said had “serious conflict of interest” while overseeing the program. I must say this is good news. An indictment by a US grand jury is one of only two ways to get to the bottom of the scam, and the only hope for putting the criminals behind bars.

Hennessy Report Archives

February 6, 2005

Feel nostalgic? I found some of my oldHennessy Report website–2000 and 2001.

FLASHBACK: Al Qaeda Resorts to New Tactics

February 6, 2005

Washington, DC–Degraded by 18 months of America’s continued war on terror, and many of its most senior leaders killed or captured, Usama bin Laden’s international terrorists group al Qaeda has resorted to new tactics in its relentless attempt to collapse Western Civilization. According to administration sources speaking on condition of anonymity, the new tactics include ordering expensive pizzas for delivery to senior Bush administration officials' homes, making crank phone calls to American military high command at all hours of the night, and sending spam e-mails to American troops promising millions of dollars working from home–all attempts to degrade morale.

Social Security

February 6, 2005

Discuss Social Security Reform in the official BillHennessy.com forum I just learned how much money I’m flushing down the toilet by participating the Social Security scam: You can expect to pay $383,219 in Social Security taxes over your working life for retirement and survivors benefits. For those taxes, you can expect to receive $2,525 a month in Social Security retirement benefits. Your rate of return under today’s Social Security is 0.

Will Annan Go Down?

February 6, 2005

Looks like Paul Volcker’s investigation of the UN Oil-for-Terrorism scam is closing in on Kofi Annan. Investigators probing alleged corruption at the United Nations oil-for-food program are scrutinizing thousands of pages of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s documents, including e-mail and phone records, to determine whether he exerted influence in securing a contract for a Swiss company that employed his son. Previously, Volcker’s team had cleared the elder Annan of wrong-doing in connection with the scam which diverted billlions of dollars intended to releive the suffering of poor Iraqis into the pockets of Saddam Hussein and his sons.

The Idiot Professor

February 6, 2005

UPDATE: Join the discussion on the official Ward Churchill Discussion Board. UPDATE: Vote in the Ward Churchill Poll Joe Gandelman, blogging on Dean’s World, has an observation about the recalcitrant and intellectually bereft Ward Churchill. All kinds of books came out post-911 that clearly laid out the fact that terrorists seek high body counts. It doesn’t matter if the bodies are you, your wife, your newborn kid, your grandmother, Jews, Christians, atheists or Muslims who are unlucky enough to be in the target area.

Another Anniversary

February 5, 2005

Two years ago this coming Tuesday, I met a girl for a drink at the Fox and Hounds at Cheshire Inn in St. Louis. She’d contacted me through Match.com about two weeks earlier. I watched her cross Clayton Road. She moved like a dream–beautiful, graceful, certain. We talked for over 3 hours. I sang all the way home–40 minutes. I sang Sinatra and Lenny Kravitz. We went out on Valentine’s Day, one week later.

Rice: Europe Ready to Move On

February 5, 2005

Well, now that the Iraqi people have vindicated Bush’s policy through free and fair elections, the cheese-eating surrender monkeys want to be our friends again. “I think what we’re hearing from Europe is a desire to move on to the next chapter in this great alliance,” Rice said after meeting with Poland’s foreign minister, Adam Rotfeld. Of course. While Poland was on our side,Rice was likely referring to the French and Germans–and possibly the wimpering new Spanish government.

General Mattis

February 5, 2005

Three cheers for the general. Why can’t people just say it like is any longer? “You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn’t wear a veil,” Mattis continued. “You know, guys like that ain’t got no manhood left anyway. So it’s a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them.” Precisely.

Churchill Debate on Protein Wisdom

February 5, 2005

UPDATE: Steven Taylor favors us with an extensive examination of the Churchill debate with links to pertinent blogs and articles. I understand his points about the protections Churchill has built up over time: tenure, government employee, etc. As an originalist, I don’t buy the government employee protection because I don’t buy the conduit of the 14th Amendment argument. Further, firing him is not the same as incarcerating him. The state of Colorado is under no Constitutional or moral obligation to continue the employment of any person it deems detrimental to the state’s welfare.

Belated Anniversary Post

February 5, 2005

Before I ever heard the term blogging, I published three 500-750 word columns a week on my old website. That started in 1999. Work and other things became too demanding, so I let it lapse in 2001. This blog began about two years ago, but I got serious on December 15, 2003. I’ll mark that as my anniversary. It was the Monday after Saddam fell (crawled) into US custody. Two gentlemen have been too kind to me in the past year.

Schwarzenneger's Popularity Back Up

February 5, 2005

According to roving Hollywood reporter, Mike Evans, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s popularity is now at 68%, six points higher than Ronald Reagan’s all-time high. I didn’t think he’d run, then I didn’t think he’d win, then I wasn’t sure how well he’d do. But I have to admit, this guy seems to have been born to run the state of California. He’s been on top of the polls for over a year now–probably the most popular governor of any state in the country over that period.

It Must Be a Slow News Day

February 5, 2005

But first must get Moose and Squirrel! All I can think about is Howard Dean! Poliblogger and Dean Esmay are talking about him, too. Steven Taylor noticed my paranoia about Dean. Hey, I admit there’s no logical reason to conclude that Dean will revitalize the Democrat party. This blog frivilously documented Dr. Dean’s ridiculous run for the White House in 2003 (the wrong year).

Trouble Heads Churchill's Way

February 4, 2005

Besides instantly becoming the most despised college professor in America–not an easy thing to achieve, by the way–Ward Churchill recieved two doses of bad news today: First, though he claims 1/16 Cherokee, the tribe he claims to belong to says “he’s not one of us.” His name is nowhere in their database, so he’s not a member. Next, the University of Colorado might fire him. Good. I don’t like wishing ill on another, but this guy deserves to suffer for his stupidity.

Zarqawi: Sooner than Later

February 4, 2005

Yes, this is too easy with the headlines that US and Iraqi troops have just missed him two or three times in the past two weeks. But I have a soft stop for gut things, and George Bush is on a roll. First, Condi and Gonzalez have been confirmed. The stock market continues to improve. The State of the Union address was the best he’s given so far. The Iraqi elections were an overwhelming success.

Ward Churchill

February 2, 2005

What to Think of Chairman Dean

February 2, 2005

With Martin Frost out of the running for DNC Chairman, it looks more and more like Howard Dean, the biggest name among the three remaining contenders, will get the nod. Then again, we were all saying the same thing about Dean and the DNC nomination about this time last year. While many Republicans cant wait for Dr. Dean to take his seat at the head of the opposition table, I am a little cautious.

Terrorists Kidnap American Soldier Doll

February 2, 2005

Yes, folks, the end is obviously near for the terrorists in Iraq as evidenced bythis story of a video on a web site that frequently shows hostage tapes. Close inspection . . . what am I saying? . . . a casual glance reveals that the subject of photo is a GI Joe doll or some knock-off. The gun is obviously plastic. A couple of years ago I wrote a satire piece about Al Qaeda’s desparation.

All Liberals Are Smug, Condescending Bastards

February 2, 2005

Again, if the left continues to “know” what’s up with the right, I will continue to “know” what’s up with them, their mania, and their myriad psychoses. Brian Noggle caught this gem of lefty ass-showing from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, written by a man whose resemblance to a human being is mere coincidence.

BBC Admits Lie . . . er, Error

February 1, 2005

The BBC admits that it was wrong when it claimed coalition forces had killed more Iraqi civilians than had all other factors combined in the history of the country. Well, they didn’t claim that, exactly, but if the BBC can irresponsibly hyperbolize facts in order to promoted its twisted, anti-Western, pro-terrorist viewpoints, why can’t we? Hat tip to Drudge

Thanks to the Military

January 31, 2005

Of all the wonderful gifts the US military has given, some excellent sarcastic acronyms. Can you identify what these common acronyms, invented in the US Armed Forces, stand for? SNAFU BOHICA FUBAR

Iraqi Terrorists Use Disabled as Bombers

January 31, 2005

Terrorists used a disabled child as a suicide bomber on election day, Iraqi interior minister Falah al-Naqib said today. In all, 44 people were killed in a total of 38 bomb attacks on polling stations. Police at the scene of one the Baghdad blasts said the bomber appeared to have Down’s syndrome. Mr Al-Naqib praised an Iraqi citizen who was killed while preventing one suicide bomber from reaching a crowd of people outside a polling station.

You Gotta Love Marines

January 30, 2005

Particularly, this one

Great . . .

January 30, 2005

Now professional wrestlers are predicting global warming.

The Left on Iraqi Elections

January 30, 2005

The hatred and anger of those still think Stalin a role model of good national governance earns its own blog entry. Again, I wish I could afford to buy these folks an old, polluting car and a good air-tight garage. They really seem to have exhausted the joy of living. Yea, this is going to be a great representative government, With a third of the counrty not voting.

Better Than Expected

January 30, 2005

The headline of Iraq’s first free elections. Better than expected. Less violence than feared. Higher turnout than anticipated–over 60% nationwide. Ah, lovers of freedom and self-determination, savor the moment. When the statues of Saddam fell, the world laughed. But when the people voted today, the gods smiled. This, like our own election in 1788, the election today is the first true exercise of freedom in Iraq. Sure, John Kerry can only decry the lack of “international community” participation.

Dean vs. NYT

January 29, 2005

I get blasted for my occasional (okay, daily) venture into screaming at people. But the usually mellow Dean Esmay has had it with the New York Times, and it’s a beautiful thing to read. Dean stopped reading too soon. Here is the entire list of NYT’s “complete” coverage of Iraq. Complete my Irish-white rear-end. Negative stories are in bold. (12 of 17) Flashback to the 60’s: A Sinking Sensation of Parallels Between Iraq and Vietnam

A Surprise Feeling

January 29, 2005

I just saw the tape of Condoleezza Rice’s swearing-in as Secretary of State. Behind her stood her mother and father. Rice came into the world during segregation in a segregated Alabama. Unlike Madelaine Albright, who discovered she was Jewish when a Jew in the cabinet migh help her president, Secretary Rice has known her life that she’s black. In Alabama as a girl, society didn’t let you forget. Ms. Rice follows another African-American in the highest cabinet post of the most powerful country in the world.

Hennessy in a Toga

January 29, 2005

If you’re wondering what I look like as Holy Roman Empire prince . . .

Democrats' Litmus Test

January 29, 2005

MyDD blog has a very good analysis of his party’s relationship to labor vis a vis other liberal causes. I like to think of labor unions as applied liberalism, and academic liberalism (causes) as theoretical or pure liberalism. Having grown up in very pro-labor neighborhood of South St. Louis, I have soft spot for guys like this.

Justification of Taxes

January 29, 2005

Elizabeth Anderson, over at Left2Right, is on installment number 3 of her Ode to Taxes and the State. She’s subtle, but she’s not a very gifted thinker. I was going to add this brief comment to the blog, but they won’t let me. So, I’ll post this here. I plan to write a point-by-point attack on her specious claims tomorrow. My commet to Elizabeth: Glad to see you’re satisfied with your “proofs.

DU Claims Pentagon 9/11 Strike was a Hoax

January 29, 2005

You gotta see this for yourself. The CTs at DU are all agog over this. The White House crashed an F-14 into the Pentagon in order to get our Irish up. Good Lord, why don’t these people get some hemlock on their next trip to the organic food store. (Requires Flash)

48 Hours

January 29, 2005

`God save thee, ancient Mariner ! From the fiends, that plague thee thus !– Why look’st thou so ?'–With my cross-bow I shot the ALBATROSS. Forty-eight hours from now, America and our allies will have brought democratic elections to a second former dictatorship in less than one year. While the media elite, acadmic snobs, and run of the mill liberal whiners want to pass this election off as a hoax, the historical significance cannot b overstated: the liberations of Aghanistand and Iraq begin the 21st century’s march of freedom.

The More They Stay the Same

January 28, 2005

I watched TVLand’s tribute to Johnny Carson tonight. Following that was an old episode of All in the Family. Archie wanted to watch football highlights, but Meathead wanted to watch a special with Jack Lemon about polution. Then Little Girl came home from the grocery store with organic food–depriving Archie of his crunchy cereal with the animal cutouts on the box. The conversation moved to argument about a) the environment, b) race relations, c) drinking water, d) the war in Vietnam.

History Test

January 26, 2005

I recieved this in my e-mail today. Thanks to Shannon Bartch. HISTORY TEST: Do you remember? -1968 Bobby Kennedy was shot and killed by a. Superman b. Jay Lenno c. Harry Potter d. Muslim male extremist between the ages of 17 and 40 In 1972 at the Munich Olympics, athletes were kidnapped and massacred by a. Olga Corbett b. Sitting Bull c. Arnold Schwarzenegger d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

Anti-American and Democrat

January 26, 2005

Why do the Democrats invite Communists to their rallies? Because the commies will say what Democrats will only think–if they want to maintain their political viability. Thanks to Blogs for Bush.

It's a Crime Only When Conservatives Do It

January 26, 2005

Michelle Malkin points out an infuriating story from Louisanna, wherein police sat in their comfy cruising chowing Krispy Kremes and coffee while vandals defaced–no, destroyed–a pro-life monument built by folks with not a lot of money. “Shortly after 12 a.m. Monday, an LSUPD officer saw five individuals removing crosses from the Parade Ground. LSUPD Maj. Ricky Adams said the officer identified them and ordered them to leave. He said the officer did not arrest the individuals, but the investigation is still on-going…”

When a Democrat Calls You a Liar, Is It a Compliment?

January 26, 2005

Senator Mark Dayton, a Democrat from Minnesota, called Condoleezza Rice and President George Bush liars on the Senate floor today. While Senators have used the word liar occasionally, those occasions have been rare. At one time, the word demanded censure or a duel. These days, coming from members of Bill Clinton’s party, one must assume “liar” is some sort of underhanded praise. Condoleezza Rice’s confirmation is already in the books. She will receive more than 2/3 of the Senate’s endorsement.

WebHost4Life is Awesome!

January 24, 2005

My old hosting provider should have never gotten into the business. Over the past two weeks, I’ve been moving all of my sites to WebHost4Life.com. I just had my first need for technical support, and my problem was resolved in just 23 minutes. The the provider took weeks to respond, if he responded at all. I strongly recommend WebHost4Life.com if you need excellent ASP.NET hosting at the best prices in the world.

Johnny Carson, RIP

January 23, 2005

My mom worked evenings at St. Mary’s Hospital starting when I was in fourth grade. My dad went to be about 8:30 or 9:00 every evening, so, with no supervision, I started watching “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” before my time. I was addicted. Johnny Carson was a giant of Americana from the 1960s through 1992. He dominated the late night airwaves in a way no one else ever will.

My Wife Is Beautiful

January 22, 2005

Not bragging. We just got home from dinner and a few cocktails at Big Bear. I got to sit across from her and watch. She’s just . . . beautiful. No other way to put it. I’m going to watch a movie with her now.

We're On a New Server

January 21, 2005

The hosting provider I have used since May of last year was unabled to provide even minimal levels of service over the past month. As a result, the owner of that company decided to end its hosting business. Coincidentally, I saw his notice of termination while I was e-mailing him to let him know that I’d given up on his company’s ability to provide web hosting service. Last night and tonight, I moved four large applications from the old provider to the new one, WebHost4Life.

Americans Hopeful for Bush's 2nd Term

January 17, 2005

An Associated Press poll finds Americans clearly hopeful for the next four years. They also show remarkable, though understandable, confidence in Bush’s character. Money quote: “Almost two-thirds of those polled described Bush as likable, strong and intelligent. A majority said he is dependable and honest.” Thanks to MSNBC

Conservative Black Democrat from South Carolina

January 17, 2005

Backcountry Conservative has a worth-reading piece on Armstrong Williams' brother, Kent, who took his seat in the South Carolina Senate last week. Armstrong says his brother is a good conservative who could not hope to win running as a Republican in that district. Good for Kent and for the people of his district. Party affiliation isn’t as important as core beliefs, and Kent Williams’s core seems as solid as a rock.

67-Year-Old Gives Birth

January 17, 2005

Chances are, the child who lived will have only scant memories of her mother. How much time and energy does a woman nearly 70 have for a baby? I am only 41 with five kids–I don’t want more. I see men in their mid-fifties with pre-schoolers and can read the exhaustion, the uncertainty on their faces. I think it’s wonderful that modern science allows people who want children to have them.

Dean Demands DNC Chair

January 17, 2005

Apparently, Howard Dean, America’s dumbest physician, was in Missouri to warn Democrats that he won’t run if they don’t make him head of the party. Now I really have no idea whether to support his DNC quest or not. Thanks to Steven Taylor.

Master/Detail Dropdownlists Without Postback

January 17, 2005

Suppose you have three sets of data: Customers, Orders, Products. You want to present three dropdownlists–one for each set of data. When I select a Customer from list A, list is rebuilt with Orders for that customer, the first order is selected, and list C is updated with the Products for that order, the first Product selected. Using ASP.NET postbacks is pretty straightforward, but it’s also pretty ugly. Al Alberto got us most of the way to a solution with this article on CodeProject.

Latest Community Server Build

January 17, 2005

This site is now running on Beta 3 of Community Server. Click the logo button at the bottom of the page for more information. This is a great tool, but there are no migration scripts built into the beta versions. I had to move the old site into the new database myself, which is why I’ve been MIA. Well, that and some hideous deadlines at work. But now, I’m back.

The Ram's Best Friend

January 8, 2005

This week, former NFL star with the Los Angeles Rams, Jack Snow, father of San Francisco Giants first baseman J. T. Snow, called into a sports radio show on station KFNS-590 AM. Snow hosts a weekly show on the same station. Snow read the riot act to muckraker Kevin Slaten over Slaten’s belittling of the St. Louis Rams. While the Rams have done much to deserve criticism this season, Snow was right in two ways.

State of Fear, Part Two: Environmentalism

January 2, 2005

I forgive Michael Crichton for the lack of details I criticized in part one. He had an important story to tell, and the color of Peter Evanss walls were irrelevant. Irrelevant. That word comes up again and again, but in Crichtons text and in the readers mind. While reading State of Fear, I found myself using that term, boldly, even rudely, in numerous conversations and arguments. So much of what the left says is irrelevant.

Mann's Hockey Stick Theory of Global Warming Categorically Debunked

January 1, 2005

Thanks to a scientist at MIT. Everyone needs to read this article to understand how environmental scientists lie and how the media and well-meaning idiots throughout the land fall prey. UPDATE: Dean Esmay examines a WSJ story on the hockey stick.

Boston Liberals vs. The People

January 1, 2005

Here’s a great post on The Corner. Perhaps Boston can take freedom lessons from Afghanistan.

2004 Review

January 1, 2005

Thanks to St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz for giving me some categories to score. More New Year’s posts at OTB Biggest Bust: Howard Dean fell from coronated Democrat nominee to historical hiccough by screaming like a WWF nut after getting trounced in Iowa. Is there a more embarrassing position than Deaniac? Honorable mention to John Kerry. Biggest Boom: The United States economy. While EU countries trudge along with 10% unemployment and flat growth, the United States has begun a fundamentally solid and sustainable rally that will continue for another 4 years.

Predictions 2005

January 1, 2005

Last year, I hit about .500 on my predictions using my own, friendly measures. This year, though, is a bit tougher without an election to predict. Tsunami The disease outbreak won’t be as bad as the fearmongers at the UN hope. Still, the total human damage from the quakes will reach 200,000–a massive loss of life. The UN and the Bush Administration will have their final, irreparable falling-out over Bush’s coalition of aid.

Destroy the U.N.

December 29, 2004

The United Nations serves no worthwhile purpose. The United States should immediately withdraw from the UN and banish it’s buildlings from our shores. We should begin by refusing to participate in any UN emergency aid for countries victimized by the Christmas tsunami. Why? Because America provides 40% of the total world charity while comprising less than 5% of the population, but the smug bastards at the UN call us stingy.

Yes, It's This Disgusting

December 28, 2004

Just read. The story itself provides more nuance than I add or detract. https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=358130&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

Open Letter to Middle School Principal

December 25, 2004

Note: Mr. Muscara’s e-mail address is [email protected] Dear Mr. Muscara: I just read the story in the Hampton Union about your misguided decision to bar a student from a dance because he wore a Santa costume. You, Mr. Muscara, are a small, weak man. Contrary to your statement that “we have a separation of church and state,” what we have is a protection of religious practice. Congress shall make no law .

Christmas Past

December 25, 2004

People who hated Christmas used to bother me. I hated hearing their diatribes about commercialism and expense and depression. Over the years, though, my dreamy view of Christmas tarnished. I can’t remember many Christmas presents from childhood, but I do remember so many other wonderful things. I think it was 1975 when Uncle Bob and Aunt Carol came over on Christmas Eve. They sat in the dining room with my Mom and Dad drinking and laughing.

Education Spending

December 24, 2004

Did you know that no study has ever shown a correlation between quality of education and per-pupil spending among public schools? Did you know that in New York City, only 55% of education budget goes to instruction? Did you know that the higher the administrators to students ratio, the worse the education? Did you know that teacher to pupil ratio is a lousy predictor of education quality? Did you know that three of the worst school districts in the country are in the top five in spending per pupil?

Sorry for the Weak Blogging

December 24, 2004

I have two big software projects I’ve been working–one for work, one on my own. I’m on vacation all next week, so I should be a bit more prolific. In the meantime, Dean, Steven, et al, are doing a fine job keeping insanity at bay. If I don’t make it back here, Merry Christmas, everyone.

Festivus: Airing of Grievances

December 21, 2004

I gotta lotta problems with you people! Bush! I understand you’re still spending more money than God could print. Knock it off and cut some programs. Rumsfeld: What the hell are you doing? Kill those radical bastards so we can move onto Iran. Michael Moore: You’re liar. And you’re fat. O’Reilly: The act is old. Find a new schtick. Dan Rather: Quit already. UDATE: Hey, OTB has a Festivus page, too.

Man of the Year

December 20, 2004

Time Magazine’s Man of the Year title often makes a mockery of the honor. Remember the PC? This year, though, Time’s editors got it right. Tempted, no doubt, to embarrass their political enemy, the editors took the high road by selecting George W. Bush, the most remarkable President in half a century, as its Man of the Year, 2004. For sticking to his guns (literally and figuratively), for reshaping the rules of politics to fit his ten-gallon-hat leadership style and for persuading a majority of voters that he deserved to be in the White House for another four years, George W.

Speed in Maryland

December 17, 2004

Last week, I came across the news story about 12 homes under construction set ablaze in Maryland and used it to discuss eco-terrorism. Yesterday, authorities arrested a man named Aaron Speed. He is not known as an eco-terrorist, and apparently had no motive. Speeds works as a security guard protecting the home allegedly torched. Something seems wrong here. While Speed has a history of mental illness, he reminds me of the guy they arrested in Atlanta for detonating a bomb during the Olympics.

Atheists Against Trees

December 17, 2004

I know that stories about atheists being idiots should neither surprise nor upset me. But I’d really like beat the living hell out of the s.o.b.s who want the “Giving Tree” taken down While I’m at it, I wouldn’t mind punching whoever called it a “Giving Tree” instead of a Christmas Tree. “I try and be aware of injustice and inequality when it effects anybody or everybody,” he says. “Certainly this is something that has been a problem for as long as I can remember.

DU on State of Fear

December 15, 2004

The DUers are really torn over Michael Crichton’s book, “State of Fear.” Many of them clearly don’t want you or anyone else to read the book. (“Once I put it down, I just couldn’t pick it up!") Others try to arm readers with information to counter Crichton’s charges in the book. The counter-arguments are miserably lame and usually non-responsive to the charge. In other words, “we know we’re wrong, so change the subject.

Traffic Light Cameras

December 15, 2004

I live in Wildwood, Missouri, where traffic light cameras are popping up at all the intersections where new traffic signals are installed. It seems a new traffic signal is installed every week, too. I heard Walter Williams talking last year about these devices increasing the number of accidents and the number fatal accidents at intersections where they’re installed. Here’s the reason: The cameras aren’t cheap, but the manufacturers sell the city council on the ROI.

More on Death Penalty

December 15, 2004

Yesterday, I linked to a story about the decline in death sentences in the US. That reminded me of a post from last June aboutDavid Berkowitz. Then I found Annie’s piece on After Abortion. I still haven’t reached a new decision on the death penalty. I’m in a no-man’s land where I want the death penalty to be available to juries, but I don’t that I could ever condemn a stranger.

The Democrat Miracle?

December 15, 2004

Ron Bilancia has a long post on DemocraticUnderground.org that attempts to use the movie “Miracle,” about the 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team, as roadmap for the Democrat party. I agree with much of what Ron writes, but why are Democrats so godawful afraid to say “We’re Americans?” Bilancia catches most of the keys to the 1980 team’s success: brilliant coach, team play, focus, creativity, hard work, working for something outside yourself, and staying on the offensive.

Tom Wolfe Wins Bad Sex In Lit Honors

December 14, 2004

Apparently, theBrits don’t appreciate Wolfe’s steamy scenes in his latest novel, “I am Charlotte Simmons.” I envy Wolfe: I’ve never gotten an award for sex, good, bad, or indifferent.

Abbas Tells Palesinians to Stop the Killing

December 14, 2004

Mahmoud Abbas, the likeliest successor to Yassir Arafat, has called on Palestinians to lay down their arms. When Arafat’s death proves sufficient to reduce tensions in the Middle East and maybe give some Israelis and Palestinians a chance to live out their lives without daily terror, the United Nations and its amen corner in America and France will look like idiots for fawning over Arafat so many years. Arafat was a terrorist, self-serving hate-monger.

Fewer Death Sentences in US

December 14, 2004

American juries are awarding the death penalty with decreasing frequency these days. Good news. I have vacillated on the death penalty for several years, beginning with witnessing the implosion of the old St. Louis Arena. (Long story.) But let’s give credit where it’s due: the death penalty itself. Never having been a proponent of the deterrent of the death penalty, I have maintained that capital punishment can be defended on two grounds:

More Good in Afghanistan

December 14, 2004

Several bloggers have noted the stories that Taliban fighters, after three long years of ducking and running, are about ready to lay down their arms and become responsible citizens in a the world’s newest democracy. Whether or not exhaustion gets the credit, US and Afghan military have captured two high value targets, including Mullah Omar’s personal security chief. With these arrests, perhaps we’ll finally nab Omar. My guess is that, if he knows anything about Bin Laden’s whereabouts, he’ll sing.

Congressional Democrats Decide to Waste More Time and Money

December 14, 2004

Surprise! Unable to even maintain their numbers in Congress through the ballot box, the Democrat leadership in the Senate will spend time “investigating” the Bush administration–without subpoena power. They could do everyone a favor by hiring Michael Moore to conduct the investigations, and meet at Teddy’s house the 3rd Friday of every month for popcorn and videos. And lots of scotch.

Pablo Paredes's Response to Smash

December 14, 2004

I thought Pablo the deserter would turn out a pseudo-intelletual lefty. Well, an English major he is not. _The qualification process for doing most of my duties is over 6 months (the length of the deployment)and so i [sic] would of [sic] mainly been training and get[t]ing qualified, which in some ways is more of a burden than assistance. It is also likely that my early out chit would have been approved after the deployment .

State of Fear: Part I

December 14, 2004

I’ve finished the first 100 or so pages of Michael Crichton’s new book, State of Fear. Since I’ve been blogging about the book for a week, I owe some thoughts. First, the story has grabbed me. The action begins quickly. While some reviewers have crticized the number of characters and the variety of venues, I find the pace excellent. Second, if you’re looking for massive debunking of wacko global warming theories, the book will start slowly.

Marc Rich FBI Target -- Again

December 13, 2004

Regulars know that I rarely invoke the memory of William Jeffersonovich Clinton for the same reason I don’t I say “must win situation” when the Blues are down 3 - 1 in the Stanley Cup Finals. It’s a cliche. Nonetheless, news in today’s New York Post that Marc Rich, the most controversial of Clinton’s Midnight Pardons, was a major player in the Oil for Food scam with Saddam. Rich, the fugitive Swiss-based commodities trader who received a controversial pardon from President Bill Clinton in January 2001, is a primary target of criminal probes under way in the U.

More on Junk Science and Environmentalism

December 13, 2004

The combination of Michael Crichton’s recent publicity and Dean’s Nature of Science blog has me thinking about environmentalism. Few leftist utterings irritate me more than the environmental nonsense that I’ve heard since about 1990. It all started with my knowledge of freon, particularly R-12 and R-114. I spent 10 years in the submarine force. Freon is a very dangerous gas on submarines because of its weight and its tendancy to turn into phosgene gas upon heating.

Search Engines

December 13, 2004

What in God’s holy name does the Microsoft search engine do? I can type the exact same entry into three or four separate engines and get back, more or less, the same results. Then, I enter the same search–langa cleanxp–into MSN’s search and get back goofy results. I’ve noticed this for a couple of years, but since launching their “new” search engine in November, the problem seems to be getting worse.

The Catholic Church's New Problem

December 13, 2004

Catholic parishes in St. Louis, Boston, and other US cities are closing for financial reasons. The church, you see, lost income and paid millions in judgements and settlements to victims of its child-molester priests. Parishoners are rebelling, though. In St. Louis, the archdioces ordered St. Stanislaus Polish parish to turn over its assets to the archdioces. The parish said “no,” appealed to the Vatican, and lost. The parishoners continue to fight the turnover.

The Size of Watermelons

December 13, 2004

The UN must have genitalia of monstrous proportions This is as ballsy as the Clinton Library and Massage Parlor hosting Abstinence International celebrations. Thanks to Outside the Beltway for bringing the UN’s latest atrocity to our attentions.

Howard Dean

December 13, 2004

The Lambs

December 13, 2004

It’s 1998 all over again in Ram country. Today, playing with a 3rd string running back, Arlen Harris, and a delapidated quarter, Chris Chandler, the Rams threw six–count ‘em, six–interceptions to the Carolina Panthers, all but forcing the Panthers to win. The Rams gave up 3 opportunities to kick field goals, which would have made the score 20-16 late in the 4th quarter. As usual, they managed the clock poorly.

Liberalism in the Dessert

December 13, 2004

Thanks to Joe Gandelman writing on Dean’s World, I just read George Will’s attempt at restoring sanity to liberalism and its party, the DNC. In this analysis, Will blames the stockpiling losses on liberalsm’s condescension, disrespect, and distrust of most Americans. Will uses as an example a quote from Robert Kuttner writing in the leftist American Prospect: “Bill Clinton won election by declaring, as a matter of values, that people who work hard and play by the rules should not be poor.

Michael Crichton

December 13, 2004

Well, the blogosphere’s finally noticing Crichton’s new book, State of Fear . Econopundit has some interesting data, andI smelled this coming a year ago. Nod to Instapundit who has more links like this one. UPDATE: Dean Esmay has a long, thoughtful piece on global warming inspired by things other than Crichton. Money quotes that match Crichton’s speech at CalTech: When it comes to global warming there are three facts that I’m often amazed don’t get more attention:

CBS Plans Cover-Up of Memogate Invesigation

December 12, 2004

RatherBiased.com is reporting that the senior management as CBS wants to supress the most damaging parts of the “independent” investigation into Dan Rather’s use of forged, electronically invented documents to help John Kerry’s campaign. The report was promised on Tuesday of this week, then on Wednesday. Now, insiders say maybe January. My bet would be – never. While MoveOn.org thinks it has bought and paid for the DNC, they it will soon learn, as William F.

Great Little Moments in Life

December 11, 2004

My wife prepared for a day trip to Granite City, Illinois, to see her parents and get her hair done at her favorite salon. I needed smokes and a coffee, so I drove to the nearby Mobil On the Run. As I emerged from the store, a beautiful woman with eyes like a Scandinavian model approached my left flank turned me, and planted a kiss that sent my mind swirling in confused happiness.

Military Over-extended?

December 11, 2004

Professor Bainbridge quotes at length an essay by Andrew Bacevich in today’s Wall Street Journal which concludes a) we are over-extended in Iraq and Afghanistan, and b) Bush’s choices are “stark”. Those choice are: bring the troops home and use “other means” to battle terrorism, or grow the Army. Professor Bainbridge would be willing to raise taxes to build an 18 division Army. If we are over-extended, and we might not be yet, I think there is a third option.

Fewer Teens Having Sex

December 11, 2004

According to the Nation Center for Health Statistics. I wonder why? The news is definitely good. Sex taints things. For all the glory of sex, it changes relationships, lives, feelings. Innocence is such a wonderful thing. If you’re young, preserve it, defend it, treasure it. Losing belief in Santa is no one’s happiest memory.

Kerik Withdraws

December 11, 2004

I’d love to blame this on the bloodthirsty press, putting the joy of destroying a man’s reputation over national security. But I can’t. The blames lands at the administration’s feet for failing to scrutinize Kerik before. After the Clinton administration, the question of the legal status and taxes on domestics should be the first question asked. I uncovered information that now leads me to question the immigration status of a person who had been in my employ as a housekeeper and nanny.

I Misssed Buckley

December 11, 2004

If you’re under 35 or so, William F. Buckley may seem like relic. To my generation, he was Moses. I’m sorry I missed this on C-SPAN; it sounds delightful.

Michael Crichton

December 11, 2004

Blog Upgrade

December 11, 2004

Wow. I finally got the layout back. If you want to see th blog inside DotNetNuke 2.1.2, go to https://www.billhennessy.com. Same blog, different layout.

This is the Last Thing I Need

December 10, 2004

My cat’s enough of a problem without a human brain. I’d hate to see what he’d be like with one.

How Sad

December 10, 2004

The Name is King

December 10, 2004

My last name is perpetually mispelled. Hennessy becomes Hennessey, Henessy, Hennesy, Hensley, Henderson, and once, when I ordered a plastic submarine by saving the requisite Cap’n Crunch box tops, Kennerly. Even if your name is shamefully simple to spell, Florence King’s piece on National Review Online is a gem.

What's Krugman's Problem?

December 10, 2004

Just after the election, America’s hysterian, Paul Krugman, promised to leave us alone while he came to grips with an especially bruising defeat–Krugman, in the inner recesses of his limited mind, believed the election was a referendum on . . . him. Anyway, his sabbatical didn’t last long. He published two op-ed pieces in the New York Times this week, both railing against partial privatization of Social Security. His argument? There is no Social Security crisis.

And the number one worst investment decision of all time is . . . .

December 10, 2004

MoveOn to Democratic Party: ‘We Own It’ That’s right. MoveOn.org claims to have “bought and paid for” the DNC. Isn’t that like buying the Titanic after it hit the ice berg? People wonder why liberals flock to non-profits? If they use their money to buy things like the DNC, they can’t be trusted with real companies.

C.S. Lewis Foe Turns to God

December 10, 2004

The 20th Century’s two giant defenders of Christian faith–C.S. Lewis and G.K. Chesterton–both turned to Christianity from atheism. Chesterton fought G. B. Shaw over God’s existence. C.S. Lewis fought, among others, Antony Flew. Flew, now 81 years old, made his name scoffing at the silliness of people who “believe in a ghost in the clouds.” A professor of philosophy, Flew demanded proof of God’s existence before he would believe–or let others believe unchallenged.

The Pitts

December 10, 2004

TOP OF PAGE UPDATE! The editor of Pitts’s newspaper speaks: “He is there to write stories, not make news himself,” Griscom said of Pitts. The editor added that the recipient of the e-mail, whom he would not identify, should not have passed it along. The recipient should not have passed it along? Good God, Mr. Griscom. It’s called NEWS!!!!!!!!!! That’s how a lot of news gets made–someone does something unethical and gets caught because their ego demands that they pound their chest.

Navy Officer Talks to Deserter

December 10, 2004

In an open letter to deserter Pablo Paredes, SMASH tells the silly bastard how it really is. I hope this kid matures enough to feel the shame he brought upon himself by taking a cowardly way out of hard work. I’d like to see his just war theory as written prior to 9/11. If he just “invented” his pacifism since the possibility of fighting came about, he’s a coward and a traitor who should be taken out and shot.

One Year Ago Today . . .

December 7, 2004

. . . was supposed to be the largest Meet Up in history as millions of paranoid liberals got together in homes, restaurants, and taverns to gloat over the ascendency of Dr. Howard Dean. It flopped. In case you enjoy a little recent history, read this and this. It’s nice to have my archives back.

New Left Blog

December 7, 2004

Dean Esmay has found an interesting new site, Left2Right. Dean’s description piqued my interest, and I immediately found an entry worth responding to. Thanks to Dean for brightening an otherwise dull afternoon.

What Liberals Worship

December 7, 2004

Not since college in the early 1980s have I spent as much time reading what liberals have to write as I have since the election. Much of what I’ve read demanded an immediate response. Some, though, stewed in my mind until it has, just now, reached a consistency worth serving to my readers. I know that the liberals didn’t really care for Kerry. He isn’t their hero or idol. They don’t respect him, really.

Desperate Measures

December 7, 2004

Howard Fineman hacked for Kerry when he said, in October, that President Bush sounded desperate. One can fairly say, though, that the insurgency in Iraq shows signs of desperation. Having lost a significant portion of its armaments in our attack on Fallujah and the corollary fight in Mosul, the terrorists sense an end game. They are going down in a blaze of glory. From the[ Associate Press via MSNBC](https://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6577206/): Brazen gunmen firing automatic weapons roamed Baghdads streets Monday within blocks of the countrys most fortified facilities, including the U.

Greens Gone Wild

December 7, 2004

The FBI believes that dozens of home fires in Maryland may be the work of eco-terrorists. Apparently, carbon dioxide produced from intentionally set house fires doesn’t contribute to global warming. UPDATE: Michelle Malkin has a thorough list of Ecoterrorism’s recent history.

Bush Wins!

December 7, 2004

According to CNN, Ohio has certified the election. I feel sorry for the folks at DemocraticUnderground who convinced themselves that Ohio would end up in the Kerry camp and thousands of GOP voters would end up in jail. Blogs for Bush has some interesting polling data.

Words I Miss

December 6, 2004

I dont know what gets the blamepolitical correctness, pop culture, declining understanding of the subtleties of language, or just timebut I miss some words. I wish people used them more often. Spatand the past of other verbs that end with -it. Instead of spat, I hear only spit used for any tense. He spat on me, lends an air of dignity that he spit on me lacks. Spittleanother victim of the ubiquitous verb.

On Bin Laden's Trail

December 6, 2004

Outside the Beltway examines Michael Scheuer’s column in Los Angeles Times. One point I’d add: The reason American people are outraged over Clinton’s failure to take out Bin Laden in 1998 and 1999 is that they don’t know. The press did a fine job of filtering out any criticism of the Clinton admin. Remember Howard Fineman’s admission in October? That the MSM would report only bad news about Iraq until the end of the campaign?

My 2004 Predictions Report Card

December 6, 2004

Back in December 2003, I blogged my predictions for 2004, Part I and Part II. Later, I added my 2004 resolutions. Lets see how I did. (My 20/20 hindsight is** in bold**.) PREDICTIONS: Economy The US economy will continue to expand at the fast pace since the Reagan administration through the second quarter. While new home construction will slow, service and other sectors will more than take its place. Unemployment will improve in fits and starts, but it will be more than half a percentage point lower by the end of the second quarter as the economy creates 100,000 more jobs than existed at the peak in April 2000.

WSJ's Top Ten Trends

December 6, 2004

The Wall Street Journal is out with its top ten trends. (You may need to subscribe to WSJonline. I do, so I’m not sure.) According to my favorite daily, here’s what to expect in ten industries: Fashion: Plain is out; vibrant is in. Autos: Uncertainty. The SUV craze is waning, but nothing seems to fill the void. In my opinion, hybrids, especially big ones, may become de rigeur. Publishing: Fewer reads, more material will lead publishers to jump on some craze, like the spiritualism of the 90s or journaling/letters of last year.

The Stupid Things Liberals Write on Signs

December 6, 2004

This is from a peace rally somewhere. Does this Nancyboy Junior Lefty really look he needs someone to tell him not to bully weaker kids? And do his teachers ask him whether Saddam bullied people? Perhaps he should learn about the brides Saddam’s sons routinely raped on their wedding nights. Perhaps he should learn about the mass graves in Kurdish north. Perhaps he should be lifting weights instead of holding idiotic signs that make him look like a pansy.

Boys

December 6, 2004

Steven Taylor of polibloghad an interesting day.

Who Will Fight?

December 6, 2004

_The DemocraticUnderground.org discussion forum _is full of vile and hatred toward everyone who voted for George W. Bush on November 2, 2004. One thread caught my attention more than others. It encourages conservatives to join the military. 1-800-USA-ARMY. That is the number you can call to locate your local Army recruiter if you want to enlist or need information for your children or grandchildren or nephews.

The Conservative Creed

December 6, 2004

rom The Conservative Manifesto . . . We believe that governments exist at the will of and to serve the governed. We believe that a government’s only powers are those surrendered to it by those it governs, and that the governed may, at any time, reclaim their powers or deny the government of them. We believe that the individual is free to do as he wishes within the rules set forth by the majority of his fellow citizens and their elected representatives.

Fun Mind Games

December 6, 2004

John Derbyshire has posted some great questions on The Corner. Here’s a teaser: “Why isn’t ‘phonetic’ spelled the way it sounds?”

Dean: Thanks for the Link

December 6, 2004

Thanks to Dean Esmay for adding me to his blogroll.

Kofi Annan: Abject Failure

December 5, 2004

Kofi Annan’s tenure as UN Secretary-General ranks as one of the most massive failings in modern leadership. Two American presidents and hundreds of thousands of American troops filled the void left by Annan’s abrogation of responsibility. In case you’ve missed the headlines, Kofi Annan presided over the slaughter of nearly one million people in Rwanda, the enslavement and systematic murders of millions in Sudan, the rise to emminence of Islamic terrorists, Saddam Hussein’s theft of billions, and the orchestrated attempt to eliminate Israel.

Cool President

November 21, 2004

George Bush reaches into a frecas to extract one of his Secret Service agents in Chile. Let me repeat: The President of the United States rescued one of his body guards from a fight with other body guards. George W. Bush is the coolest president since Teddy Roosevelt. These are the moments that define men at the pinnacle. The president is supposed to walk away, seek the safety of other leaders and security agents.

Scouting for Food

November 19, 2004

This Saturday, the Boy Scouts will be around to pick up the bags you filled with canned goods for their Scouting for Food program. Here’s a list of the “perfect” bag: After consulting with numerous food pantry directors in the area and seeking nutrition advice from Roberta Larson Duyff, a local registered dietitian and author of the American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide, we compiled what we like to call the Perfect Bag.

Dean Esmay and Corporations

November 16, 2004

Dean claims that it’s unnatural for conservatives and libertarians to accept the idea of corporations. I think he’s wrong. While he may have moral argument, it is of no practical value. My point: there may be rational moral arguments against corporations, but they are as pointless as moral arguments against thinking bad thoughts. Without the security of a stock or bond and the protection of arms-length ownership, few intelligent people would invest in individuals who have what might be a good idea.

Colin Powell Resigns

November 15, 2004

According to MSNBC, Secretary of State Colin Powell has submitted his resignation. Having served as SoS during the most critical time since World War II, Powell must be exhausted. I am not Powell’s biggest fan, having learned much about him from several of his lieutenants when he was still a general in the Army. But he did a remarkable job under very tough circumstances. He deserves our sincerest thanks for a life of service to his country.

What Liberals Worship

November 15, 2004

Affirmative Action Queen of New York

November 14, 2004

America’s most cognitively challenged columnist, Maureen Dowd, wasted some good tree in Sunday’s New York Times spouting off about the the lack of Christian charity and forgiveness from the right. The Christian avengers and inquisitors, hearts hard as marble, are chasing poor 74-year-old Arlen Specter through the Capitol’s marble halls, determined to flagellate him and deny him his cherished goal of taking over the Senate Judiciary Committee, Ms. Dowd writes.

Small Town or Paranoia or Have the Crooks Won?

November 14, 2004

Heather at Angelweave has a delightful and thought provoking post about living in a small town where the activities known as asking for it are still just part of growing up. I grew up in a not-so-safe neighborhood in South St. Louis, but my parents let me experience the kinds of freedoms Heather had in a small town in Michigan. So I was shocked when the cops stopped my 13-year-old from walking to school in one of the safest suburbs in St.

Democrat Reaction to Cheney's Hospitalization

November 13, 2004

Take a look. These are the Blue Staters. Is it any wonder that from these lands come the people listed below? These are compassionate, loving, meek, intelligent liberals writing. Read the rampant ignorance. Read the abuse of the language. Read the hatred, the discontent, the vile wishes of pain and suffering. Read the desire to abandon the United States. Read their minds, which they merrily open to the world the way a dirty old man reveals his naked body to school children.

Famous Blue Staters

November 13, 2004

Liberals want to claim that Blues states house every thinking and tax-paying American in the country. But the Blue states have produced more famous people than liberals might want to acknowledge: * Timothy McVeigh * O. J. Simpson * Ted Bundy * John Wayne Gacy * Scott Peterson * Richard Speck * Benedict Arnold * Richard Nixon * David Berkowitz I could go on, but you get the point.

Book Review: The Pentagon's New Map, by Thomas P. M. Barnett

November 12, 2004

American military policy as most of us know it evolved in response to the Cold War. The Soviet Union represented a military commanders worst nightmare: equal or superior strength in numbers, technology, and intelligence, combined with a desire to conquer the world. But, as we found in the 1990s, the Soviet Union was also a military commanders dream: a formidable adversary requiring American and NATO vigilance in the forms of large, new weapons systems, enormous training budgets, and hands-off intelligence programs.

Veterans' Day

November 11, 2004

I’ll resist the temptation to write specifically about Veterans' Day. As a veteran, I’m afraid anything I wrote would too self-indulgent. ;) Instead, I’ll link to this earlier piece. National Review has this nice piece.

Arafat

November 11, 2004

Jimmy Carter will probably attend Yassir Arafat’s funeral service in Cairo, Egypt. How typical of the man who considers the American Revolution a low point in world history. Yassir Arafat was a tyrant, a murderer, a thief, a shameless self-promoter, a liar, a welcher whose ego killed more Palestinians than all of Israel’s weapons. While the UN and its amen chorus denounced Israel’s terrorism fence and the poverty Israel supposedly forced upon the Palestinians, Arafat moved hundreds of million of dollars to France–money that might have alleviated Palestinian suffering.

Newsweek: Unfair, Imbalanced

November 11, 2004

It’s no surprise that the liberal MSM would smear John Ashcroft in his retirement as they’ve smeared him throughout his career. But Newsweek’s coverage of Ashcroft is over the top. Their lead story, Ashcroft’s legacy, is an interview with a single person, David Cole, who has a toolshedfull of axes to grind with the outgoing Attorney General. While liberals always have and always will hate Ashcroft, make up stories about him, accuse him of everything from fascism to the Johnstown Flood, this treatment is beyond the pale.

Kerry Supports Blugeon Bush Supporter

November 10, 2004

According to posters to liberal forums, conservatives have a monopoly on violence. But some young Democrats, it seems, have learned their lessons from the union thugs who destroyed numerous Bush-Cheney and Republican offices prior to the election. Three high school seniors who supported Kerry beat a Bush supporter with baseball bat and chains after school yesterday. The SAINT PAUL PIONEER PRESS reported in morning editions: The argument began earlier in the day Thursday with a discussion about candidates the minors had supported for president, Backstrom said.

READ THIS: CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS IS MY HERO!!!!!!

November 10, 2004

This is the best Hitchens in . . . ever. Read it. Read it now. Tell your boss you’re busy, and read it now, savoring every brilliant word.

Thank You, General Ashcroft

November 10, 2004

At the 1983 Lincoln Days in the Chase-Park Plaza in St. Louis, I followed a group of partiers from Jack Danforth’s room up a few flights of dingy stairs to Ashcroft’s room. At the time, John Ashcroft was Missouri’s Attorney-General who was seeking to replace Kit Bond as Governor. As we slithered between preppily dressed bodies in the once glamorous hotel, a shout came from up ahead, repeated in various voices of shock and amazement.

More Fodder from DemocraticUnderground

November 9, 2004

Sorry. I know I should let them have their hissy fits in private, but when people who publicly claim to be intellectually, educationally, and morally superior to me spew nonsense, I have to point it out. Please read this post on today’s du.org. This girl says that we conservatives can’t be reasoned with, then goes on to say she has cut ties with all of her friends who support Bush, because, like our troops in Iraq, all conservatives are evil (emphases mine):

Golberg Variations

November 9, 2004

This Jonah Goldberg piece in The Corner is a classic–one to print on acid-free paper and keep in a safe place. Nod to INDC Journal. Goldberg makes a point that I’ve been trying to make since Phil Collins was just Genesis’s drummer: What Maher, Raines, and Smiley fail to grasp is that all morality is based upon transcendence – or it is merely based on utilitarianism of one kind or another, and therefore it is not morality so much as, at best, an enlightened expediency or will-to-power.

Will Liberals Stop Supporting Troops?

November 9, 2004

Arguing with Sign Posts reminds me that liberals continue to say things that seem, well, silly. But some liberals are teetering frightening close to the truth. Someone posting to the democraticunderground.org forum ponders whether it’s time for liberals to stop supporting our troops. Her reasoning goes thusly: George Bush is a known evil; those who support Bush support evil; 72% of American service members in Iraq supported George Bush; therefore; 72% of American service member in Iraq are evil.

God Bless our Troops

November 8, 2004

The assault on Fallujah has begun. 10,000 of the bravest Americans and Iraqis are about test their mettle. God bless them all. May each return to his family with all of his faculties. How dare we forget the struggles of the few for the many. May those who must fall in fighting find fast, safe passage to eternal salvation, and may they one day welcome us, the beneficiaries of the their sacrifice, into God’s waiting arms.

Jay Gould Presentation

November 8, 2004

Listening to Mr. Gould’s presentation on Thursday, I was struck by the fact that I have a lot to do. We have a gold mine of information available in the database. We can use technology in many ways to enhance our outreach to the top tier contributors. I hope, in the coming weeks, to find ways to help this effort. We will need some custom programming to maximize the value of the database.

Oh, Canada!

November 8, 2004

The Canadian government reports a six-fold increase in page accesses of its immigration site. The increase came from the United States on Wednesday and Thursday as un-American liberal sore losers considered renouncing their American citizenship for Canada. Go. Please. On election night, PBS commentator and anti-American Bill Moyers conjectured that, should Kerry win, there would be right-wing coup d’etat to overthrow the government. As is almost always the case when a liberal opens his mouth to speak, Bill Moyers was 180 degrees out.

Oh, Canada!

November 8, 2004

The County Map

November 5, 2004

Liberals (and you should check out CaptainNormal.com, democraticunderground.com, or Jane Smiley’s vituperations in Slate.com) want us to believe that a few ignorant, hate-filled yahoos in a handful of places like Macon, Georgia and Waco, Texas gave this election to President Bush. They think they, not the 58 million who voted for Bush, are the majority. USA Today has given us a county-by-county map of the election. If I were a Blue American, I’d be worried.

This Web Site is Beautiful!!!

November 4, 2004

Kudos to Mike and Dr. Payne. This looks fantastic! A web site worthy of the Bishop DuBourg tradition.

Election Review Part I

November 4, 2004

George W. Bush’s achievement in the election of 2004 ranks as one of the greatest political achievements of a century. Elected without a popular vote mandate in a contested election that was unsettled for six weeks, Bush began his first term at a sharp disadvantage. Liberals hated him, lambasting him as a buffoon, an idiot, a redneck moron from West Texas who was too stupid to tie shoes, much less run a country.

The Losers

November 3, 2004

Just took a quick trip through DemocraticUnderground. Hehehehehe. Oh, there’s such joy in Mudville. My favorite posts, summarized: Everyone who voted for Bush is a toothless, SUV-driving, NASCAR-watching, illiterate who doesn’t deserve to vote America will become a 3rd world country Calling for boycotts of all American products by both Americans and everyone else in the world Begging Canada to annex the blue states. (I’m not sure I’d stand in the way) Virtually hugs to liberals in red states who have to live amongst brain-dead idiots Hopes that radical Islamists will kill all American soldiers in the Middle East Folks, these are the sentiments of the people we just defeated.

Exit Polls

November 3, 2004

I’m not buying the story that yesterday’s leaked, mid-day exit poll results were innocently in err. No way. They were intentionally skewed toward Kerry to discourage Bush votes in the afternoon and evening. This was shameful. Again and again in this election, the MSM have used their power to influence the vote. Again and again, they were thwarted by the will of the people. Now, let’s have the will of the people dismantle the MSM.

The MSM

November 3, 2004

The networks and newspapers are not calling states they know Bush has won in order to not force Kerry to concede. As Jay Cost points out, this is disgraceful. I will call it. Bush has now won Nevada, New Mexico, Iowa, and Ohio. He has won the popular vote. George W. Bush has been re-elected to a second term as President of the United States by the will of its free citizens.

What The Election Portends

November 3, 2004

We know these things: The American people have re-elected President Bush The American people have given his party a stronger hand in the US Senate The American people have given his party a stronger hand in the US House of Representatives The American people have given his party a stronger hand in state governorships Taken together, Election 2004 can be seen as nothing short of an endorsement of President Bush’s policies and the Republic view of our country and its place in the world.

Assuring His Fate

November 3, 2004

John Kerry has apparently decided to contest the presidential election in the courts by forcing Ohio, to count its 150,000 provisional ballots. Should that fail, perhaps he’ll sue everyone who voted for Bush. If John Kerry forces a prolonged fight in Ohio, he will have assured himself an ignoble, despised place in American history. In 2000, Al Gore had several factors on his side that somewhat supported his challenges: –Gore won the popular vote

It's 10:00 in St. Louis

November 3, 2004

I’m drinking Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel (all time favorite wine). Bush is up by 1/4 million votes in Florida with 90% of the votes counted. He’s up 52%-47% in Florida, Ohio, and the nation. I feel good. Time to court my wife.

The Plan

November 3, 2004

I’m going to the store to get beer and wine. When I’m confident that I know the outcome of the election, I will open one or the other: Wine if Bush, beer if Kerry. On the other hand, I might break into them early if I run out of fingernails to bite.

Polls Closed

November 3, 2004

On most of the East Coast and Midwest. At the top of the hour, projections have Kerry up 77 to 66. South Carolina, Virginia, and North Carolina–all states where Bush is almost certain to win–are still not called. Bush is leading among the votes counted in Ohio and Florida. I don’t think it will be a long night. We should know something by 10:00 PM CST–11:00 in the east.

South Carolina

November 3, 2004

I understand caution, but South Carolina is going Bush. I get the feeling the networks are declaring the Palmetto State as “too close to call” to give Kerry hopefuls hope out West.

Election Prediction

November 1, 2004

For what it’s worth–this is my most optimistic guess: Beginning with WSJ’s 216-203 Bush, I see the Toss Ups falling like this: Bush 216 + 63 = 279 (winner) Kerry 203 + 52 = 255 (loser) Popular vote: Bush 50-Kerry 48-Nader/others <1. Senate: GOP + 4 House: GOP + 4 Likely alternatiaves (in order of probability): Bush wins Florida Kerry wins Ohio Bush wins Pennsylvannia Kerry wins Minnesota Kerry wins Wisconsin Bush wins Michigan Kerry wins New Mexico Bush wins Hawaii

Coffee cup

October 23, 2004

It took me just a second to stop and watch them play. My coffee cup felt grown up when the ball bounced toward my feet. I didn’t mean to smile at them. My eyes did, though. And big Then I carried on inside. They won’t be there when I go out. They’re like my coffee cup.

Anti-Republican Violence

October 11, 2004

In today’s OpinionJournal.com (Wall Street Journal), John Fund details recent AFL-CIO criminal activity aimed at intimidating Republicans in Missouri, Florida, and Michigan. I brought some of these stories to Dean’s World’s attention last week while this site was down. What could be more demonstrative of the Democrat intellectualism than these stories. They send sub-human union neanderthals to smash up Republican campaign offices because they’re afraid of losing on merit. Then again, isn’t the purpose of unionism to eliminate merit-based rewards?

ABC News Director Tells Staff To Favor Kerry in Reporting

October 9, 2004

Read for yourself. My headline is my judgement. (Thanks to Drudge) Coupled with Howard Fineman’s assessment that the press has moral reasons to bury news that might help Bush, the conspiracy of the MSM against the president is more or less conceded by the conspirators themselves. Does anyone care?

Debate II: What to make of it

October 9, 2004

I didn’t see or hear the debate. Instead, I read bloggers' reactions this morning. Here’s what I found: Instapundit’s concensus reading is the Bush won by fighting to a draw. After the president’s miserable performance in debate one, this makes some sense. Andrew Sullivan called it a draw. Dean’s World reviewers took the president. The Corner, though, is the interesting one. Based on the times of the posts, I’d say that Bush was miserable for first 40 minutes or so.

Open Letter to Howard Fineman

October 9, 2004

You and the rest of the main stream have timed things well. Let the President rise a bit, then flood the airwaves and papers with bad news. Leave anything positive about the war on terrorism on deep, inside pages in 2-point print. Let Kerry make a great comeback. No, Mr. Fineman, the President doesn’t sound desperate. He sounds like a candidate. He sounds full-throated and eager. His pathetic performance in debate one–so reminiscent of his dad’s in debate 2 in 1992–woke him.

Why Pro-Choicers Should Fear Kerry

October 9, 2004

If Kerry has his way, the price of an abortion will increase dramatically, because Kerry wants the government to pay for them. For years I’ve maintained that the ridiculous cost of a college class is the fault of the government’s insane college assistance program. Providing funding for the difference between what a student can afford and what a college charges is a salesman’s dream come true. Imagine if the government did the same for homes.

Turning on the Darkness

October 9, 2004

I turned my back to the darker world many years ago. I trained my focus on lighter things and happier sounds. I let myself laugh at things that I wouldnt have before. I let myself cry when babies laughed or someone, with Just the right inflection and sincerity, said, God Bless America or Look at that rainbowthere. But the darkness didnt turn its back on me, for sure. Hes kept me in his gaze like a lions on a gazelle.

VP Debate:

October 6, 2004

John Edwards is a lightweight. He has called Cheney a liar twice, and Cheney has not responded. He needs to address this directly, firmly, and finally. “Saddam Hussein needed to be confronted . . . it needed to be done the right way . . . now, remember, we went into Afghanistan . . . we had Osama bin Laden cornered . . . and what did the administration decide to do?

VP Debate

October 5, 2004

Dick Cheney is really, really good. He should be on more often. He instills confidence. John Edwards on Global Test: Yes, there is a global veto, but Senator Kerry said we will never give anyone a veto on American use of force. Another waffle. John Kerry will never give control of the security of the United States of America to another country. What about the UN? Its not a country.

It's Kerry's Race to Lose

October 3, 2004

Only the blindness of emotional loyalty would allow someone to watch the first of 3 presidential debates and conclude that President Bush demonstrated he was fit to run the country. As a partisan, I was embarrassed. It was as bad as Nixon’s “well, I’m not a crook” press conference. Bush didn’t look guilty of anything; he just didn’t look particularly interested. Like his father in 1992, Bush 43 had better things to do.

Christopher Hitchens: No one says it better

September 28, 2004

No one alive describes the stakes in the war on terror better than Christopher Htchens. In this piece, he will convince you to denounce the Democrat party once and for all. Nod to Instapundit.

In Case Europeans Happen By

September 27, 2004

I think that most of our allies–meaning more than 50% of the populations of the several countrie–are Nancy boys. The Germans, the French, as individual human beings, are inferior to Americans in most ways. They are inferior athletes, inferior writers, inferior scientists, inferior fighters. Except for whining, crying, and cowaring behind Uncle Sam’s red, white, and blue pants, I can’t think of anything the people in these two countries, and most of Europe, do better than Americans.

A Better Skin

September 25, 2004

I have to find a better skin for this site. I don’t like this one. I should buck up and buy one, but I’m too cheap. If you see funny things here today, please forgive me.

NYTimes Looking for Hope

September 25, 2004

In this front page NYTimes.com story, the paper argues that Democrats are pummelling Republicans in registering new voters in swing states, specifically, Florida and Ohio. Looking at the headline, one might conclude that Kerry is gaining momentum. If you read more, then do a little independent work, you’re likely to reach a different conclusion. Okay, so the Democrats are better at getting people to register. No doubt. In St. Louis, Missouri, the Democrat machine is canvassing cemetaries all weekend.

24% of Democrats Are Ashamed of What They Do

September 24, 2004

While only 8% of Republics are ashamed of their jobs. What other conclusion can we draw from the fact that, according to OpenSecrets.org, 1 in 4 donors to John Kerry’s campaign refuses to disclose his employer or occupation while 92% of Bush contributors proudly disclose theirs. Under federal law, candidates and parties are required to make reasonable efforts to determine the occupation and employer of all contributors. While Republicans are frequently fined by the FEC for failing to identify the occupuations of 5-10% of donors, Democrats generally skate by with 15% non-disclosure with no fines.

Buy Beer for Soldiers--Not Andrew Sullivan

September 24, 2004

National Review Online has a link to a story about soldiers in Iraq who’ve created a website that allows us back home to buy a beer for a soldier over the internet. What a great idea. I’ve added their site to my blogroll, or you can click this. I’ve already donated $20.00, because soldiers need beer. On another front, I’ve removed Andrew Sullivan’s blog from the blogroll. I’m not happy about this, because Andrew offers superior writing and, until recently, superior thinking.

How Stupid Are Liberals?

September 24, 2004

This is totally unfair, but here’s a thread snippet from a liberal conspiracy theory site (and aren’t they all). On idiot Democrat is trying to find another idiot’s hyperlink. And they have the balls to call Bush stupid! I’m not making this up.

Idle Threat?

September 24, 2004

Looking back through some old entries, I came across this one: Al Qaeda Threatens Europe. from July 1. Almost 3 months later, the threatened 9/11-caliber attacks haven’t taken place. About the same time, some liberal mags were speculating that al Qaeda’s capacity to carry out spectacular acts of terrorism has been so greatly diminished that the Bush administration is being disingenuous by even mentioning the terrorism threat as a real risk.

Kerry Operative Pressured Burkett for Memos

September 24, 2004

UPDATE: I have deleted the story that used to be her because Burkett has apparently recanted. UPDATE: InDC has more information Apparently, so does Drudge, but I haven’t gotten there.

Kerry's First Defeat: 1972

September 24, 2004

Thanks to Poliblogger for this link. There is something chilling in reading this article top to bottom, perhaps more so because 1972 is the beginning of my political awakening. My parents were naturally Democrats, and I grew up in the very Democrat, blue-collar neighborhood of Southwest St. Louis where Scullin Steel once cast a sulfur cloud shadow over the old frame houses built in the declining days of the Jazz Age.

John Kerry Knows Iraq Better Than Iraqis?

September 23, 2004

In the crassest act of political desparation since Richard Nixon waved the list of communist contributors in Helen Gehagen Douglas’s face, John Kerry today told the heroic interim PM of Iraq that the PM doesn’t know Iraq as well as Kerry does. Well, consider the source. John Kerry believes that the world was a better place when the Taliban ruled Afghanistan. John Kerry believes that Iraq was a better place when Saddam was presiding over the murders of 300,000 people and the tortures of 5,000,000 and the enslavement of the nation.

Read Something Beautiful

September 22, 2004

Don’t sleep until you’ve read this. And read the whole thing!

Rules of War

September 22, 2004

The Bush administration violated several of my rules of war in Iraq: Do not let politicians make military decisions; do not let generals make political decisions. Tommy Franks has admitted that the declaration of the end of major combat operations was his idea. He hoped that by convincing President Bush to make that public declaration, our former “allies” would jump in to help rebuild Iraq. As a result, we stopped aggressive fighting before we had killed enough enemy.

CBS News Ties to Kerry Campaign

September 21, 2004

One thing we’ve learned from the CBS Memogate unraveling: if you need to get in touch with the Kerry Campaign, call CBS News. CBS has admitted that its producer, Mary Mapes, arranged for a telephone conversation between Bill Burkett, source of the infamous memos, and Joe Lockhart, senior advisor to Senator Kerry and former Clinton press secretary. According to USA Today new ethics experts, the contacts raise serious ethics questions, pointing to the possibility that CBS is using its power as a major television news network to influence the outcome of the Presidential election according to its liberal bias.

Some Sanctions Work

September 21, 2004

I usually scoff at sanctions, like when the UN imposes sanctions against Iraq so that Kofi’s son can make millions violating them, but I propose two sanctions against CBS News that will have a desirable effect on the Tiffany network’s credibility: One year suspension of credentials to all federal government offices and events. Ban CBS from the presidential debates this fall. These steps will ensure that the reorganized CBS News staff place objectivity and ethics before party politics and sensationalism.

CBS: Unanswered Questions

September 20, 2004

Ed Gillespie on CBS’s responsibilities: “In an effort to regain the trust of the American people CBS should not only investigate the process that led to the use of these documents but they should identify immediately those engaged in possible criminal activity who attempted to use a news organization to affect the outcome of a Presidential election in its closing days.” I would be shocked if the Kerry Campaign did NOT have a major role in the creation and/or distribution of the fraudulent documents.

George W Bush Never Drilled in Alabama

September 20, 2004

That’s according to a major investigation conducted by GQ. Their conclusion? W was in deep cover doing espionage work. And they have witnesses more reliable than CBS’s. Nod to National Review UPDATE: Wow. If you read the GQ piece, you have to read this.

Kerry Endorses Saddam

September 20, 2004

In his biggest break from his previous convictions, Sen. John Kerry today announced that Saddam Husssain should not have been removed from power in Iraq. If elected, the Mass. Senator will reinstate Saddam as president of the Middle East country, provided the Iraqis haven’t already executed the former despot. “Democracy has gone too far,” Kerry told an audience of students in New York. “Some people, like most of the Middle East, do better under dictatorships and monarchies than under anything like a democratic-republic.

Burkett Tightening Rather's Noose

September 19, 2004

Professional Bush-hater and admitted liar, Bill Burkett, has hastened the departures of Dan Rather and John Kerry from the national scene. On Saturday, Burkett says he provided “information” on Bush’s National Guard record to the Kerry campaign via former Sentator Max Cleland. While Burkett did not specify what that information was, it is clear that it included the forged memos that, eventually, found their way to CBS and Dan Rather.

Polls

September 17, 2004

The Gallup organization shows the President has a commanding 13-point lead in its latest poll of likely voters conducted in the past week. A Pew Research Group poll conducted during roughly the same period finds the race a dead heat at 46% to 46%. The Gallup poll was conducted normally. The Pew people tried something new, by conducting the poll in two phases. Whether that accounts for the difference, I don’t know, but somebody is wrong here.

The Crying Girl Who Lost Her Sign

September 17, 2004

Most of the world knows that a little girl in West Virginia had her Bush-Cheney sign ripped from her tiny hands by angry Democrats at a John Edwards rally on Wednesday. Sophia Parlock’s dad, Phil, brought to the Democrat event and gave her a Bush-Cheney sign to hold up at the end of the rally, after Edwards had spoken. Union thugs set upon the family, forcibly ripping the signs from the children’s hands.

Self-serving, Pompous, Smug Bastards!!!!!!!

September 15, 2004

There is no other way to describe CBS News. They have proven to have no concern whatsoever about journalism integrity. They clearly want only to defame President Bush and to sway the election in Kerry’s favor. As such, CBS News is now a mere parody of itself, The Onion Network. I was opposed to Congressional investigations of the network. They’ve changed my mind. Let’s have the Justice Department and FCC dig in as well.

Dan Rather and the Mea Culpa

September 13, 2004

After reading William Safire’s piece on CBS’s fraud, I am convinced that CBS will have to retract and apologize before the week is out. When your friends tell you it’s over, it’s over. Dan Rather is, right now, Richard Nixon being told he doesn’t have the votes in the Senate to acquit. What bothers me is how the MSM will treat Rather after he confesses. Instead of riding him out on a rail, he will be honored for his “remarkable courage.

even if it isn't me

September 12, 2004

Can I be happy day and night, Whistle Disney tunes and bright Exciting airs delight, Even if it isnt me? Never, ever curse or scowl, Seldom frown or whimper foul, Never drag a drooping jowl, Even if it isnt me? My moods Ill keep so high And sunny. Jokes to slap your thigh, So funny. Absolutely nothing dry, Even if it isnt me? So many faults in me youve found

The Sugar Coat Memo is a Fraud

September 12, 2004

Having spent 9 years as a Personnel Officer in the Navy, I can tell you that the Sugar Coat memo is likely a fraud. In that memo, Killian supposedly writes to himself that hes going to give Bush no marks for the period, but Killian had no choice. Thats the way fitreps work. When an officer is away from his permanent duty station for a significant period portion of the reporting period, the reporting senior must submit a “not observed” report.

CBS Fraud Update

September 11, 2004

I’ve been busy cleaning the house (Saturday is Field Day around the Hennessy house), but I have had time to look around and find: A retired Major General whom CBS News claimed corroborated the Killian memos says that CBS lied to him. According to ABC News, Maj. Gen Hodges, Killian’s supervisor at the time the memos were supposedly written, says that CBS told him that all of the memos were “hand written,” not typed.

Dan Rather Changed My Mind

September 11, 2004

For many reasons, I decided that I would not actively work for the Bush campaign this year as I did in 2000. Those reasons are personal, so I won’t explain here. However, after CBS collaborated with the Democrats to cheat by creating and airing fraudulant documents, I have no choice but to join the fight. I will be spending a lot of my spare time working for the campaign here on out, so my blog might go empty for a day here and there.

Dan Rather Suicide Watch: Day 1

September 11, 2004

Senator John Kerry, when asked about Admirla Boorda’s suicide a few years back, commented that suicide is probably the appropriate response to disclosure that one knowingly wore military decorations not officially awarded. I’m sure, then, that the Senator would agree that intentionally passing fraudulent documents as real in order to influence a presidential election is also grounds for suicide. Therefore, I am herewith launching the Dan Rather Suicide Watch. Shortly, we’ll introduce contests for Pick the Time and Date, Pick the Method, and Write Dan’s Suicide Note which we’ll have certified as authentic by CBS’s own Marcel Matley.

The Voice of a Voter

September 11, 2004

“If we don’t take care of the terrorists, we certainly won’t have to worry about the economy.” There’s nothing left to say.

CBS vs. The Press

September 10, 2004

I watched the CBS Evening News tonight, so I couldn’t see the competition. NBC and ABC were unable to find a single forensic document specialist who believe the documents on CBS News were legitimate. These included former FBI document experts now teaching forensics at universities. Apparently, the only expert who thinks Jerry Killian typed and signed the CBS papers is the CBS employee featured on their broadcast tonight. Funny–the liberal press isn’t rallying to CBS’s side.

Dan Rather Source of Documents?

September 10, 2004

Yesterday, I conjectured that Dan Rather fabricated the Bush ANG documents as a vendetta against the Bushes for 41’s undressing of Rather on the CBS Evening News in 1988–the interview that turned the election in Bush’s favor. Apparently, I’m not alone. Here’s an interesting quote from Powerline: Last night, it was reported that senior executives at CBS News were promising an investigation. Today, Dan Rather is personally vouching for the documents' authenticity.

Former Navy Personnel Officer Explains Why The "Sugar Coat" Memo is Likely a Fraud

September 10, 2004

Something on TimeIsAFactor.com caught my attention. One of the 4 CBS memos about George W. Bush’s National Guard service contains the following memo supposedly authored by his commanding officer: “Bush wasn’t here during rating period and I don’t have any feedback from 187th in Alabama. I will not rate.” Having spent 9 years as an enlisted Personnel Officer in the Navy, the marks on Bush’s fitness report for the period he was in Alabama are the only ones that could be entered.

National Guard Document Fraud Will Decide Election

September 10, 2004

It’s pretty clear that two of the document CBS aired were fraudulent. Assuming that CBS News retracts them on tonight’s Evening News (and there are indications that Dan Rather will make and on-air apology), George Bush will win the election in November with an 8% to 12% popular vote margin and at least 100 vote margin in the Electoral College. Why? The law of increasing returns, also known a piling on.

Rather Evades Points of Dispute

September 10, 2004

On the CBS Evening News tonight, Dan Rather lied about the reasons for questioning the authenticity of the National Guard documents he likely typed at home before cutting and pasting a dead man’s signature. He claimed that doubters asserted that the CGTimes font “was not available” in the 1970s. No, Dan, no one’s claiming that. Typography experts are claiming, though, that the proportional font was not available on common typewriters in 1972.

The Democrats' Watergate

September 10, 2004

UPDATE: ArguingWithSignposts has some quotes from Democrat and CBS insiders indicating that both the Kerry campaign, which gave the memos to 60 Minutes, and CBS had doubts about their validity. Good analysis . . . take a read. CBS News has launched an internal investigation into the validity of documents related to George W. Bush’s National Guard service that it aired on 60 Minutes, according to Drudge. Other developments overnight seem to make it more likely than not that at least two of the documents were forgeries–with Killian’s signature electronically placed on a memo fabricated by Democrat operatives, then fed to CBS News.

CBS and Dems Part 2: Forged, Phoney Documents?

September 9, 2004

CNSNew.com is reporting that typography experts are fairly confident that documents exposed on CBS’s 60 Minutes II were fake. The documents, allegedly authored in 1972, used proportional fonts and superscript lettering, not widely available in 1972. I am very familiar with the typewriter the Navy used in the 1980s: IBM Selectric III. It had changable font golfballs, one of which was proportional (CGTimes). But it looked awful. The proportional spacing was in consistent.

CBS and Dems: Unmitigated Bullshit

September 9, 2004

250 private citizens – Vietnam veterans all – attacked John Kerry’s previously unscrutinized service record. It made news because Kerry is running for president. CBS News and the Democrat National Party, now, are re-examining Bush’s National Guard service and spewing lies that were already answered and resolved in 2000. I honestly do not remember a presidential campaign in which the media so forcefully and openly worked to elect one candidate over another.

Carter Call Zell Miller Disloyal

September 8, 2004

In a blistering letter to Zell Miller, former president Jimmy Carter–the worst president in 100 years–decries Miller’s “unprecedented disloyalty” to the Democrat party. “By now, there are many of us loyal Democrats who feel uncomfortable in seeing that you have chosen the rich over the poor, unilateral pre-emptive war over a strong nation united with others for peace, lies and obfuscation over the truth and the political technique of character assassination as a way to win elections or to garner a few moments of applause,”

1,000 US Deaths in Perspective

September 7, 2004

In 16 months of war, 1,000 brave Americans have given their lives so that filthy, vile creatures could travel to New York to spit, bleed, and deficate on Republicans. During that same period it is estimated by the Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and other organizations, that 1,250 college-age men and women between 18 and 24 years of age died by suicide. 53,000 Americans were killed in highway accidents.

A Muslim Looks at his Religion

September 7, 2004

For those on the PC side of the aisle, please read this. Nod to NRO–The Corner

Cheers for Putin

September 7, 2004

Western, though not necessarily American, reporters ask Russian president Vladimir Putin on Monday why he hasn’t invited Chechen rebels to the Kremlin for a meeting on their disputes with Russia in the wake of the massacre last week. Putin’s answer was perfect. “Why don’t you have a meeting with bin Laden? Invite him to the White House? Can you imagine if people who shoot children in the head ever came to power anywhere in the world?

Disgruntled Democrats

September 7, 2004

The National Review Online has this excellent, anonymous piece by a self-described disgruntled Democrat who attempts to explain why Zell Miller is so angry. It’s great reading, because I remember my dad, a lifelong Democrat, becoming angry in 1972 and voting for Nixon. He went back (I think) the Democrats in 1976, but four years of Jimmy Carter has made him a permament Republican. Bottom line is this: Democrats will sell out their country to win an election.

Kerry Threatens President's Life

September 7, 2004

If his irrational rants hadn’t been bad enough, now Kerry wishes to bring deadly weapons to his debates with George Bush. Imagine the liberal outcry were a conservative to say this: In West Virginia, Cecil Roberts, president of the United Mine Workers of America, gave Kerry a rifle as a gift. Kerry, a self-described gun-owner and hunter, quipped: **“I thank you for the gift, but I can’t take it to the debate with me.

More Bush Flight Records Found

September 7, 2004

Turns out the President was a pretty good pilot, particularly in the classroom. This is from MSNBC: The records also indicate that Bush made good grades, scoring an 88 on total airmanship and earning perfect 100s for flying without navigational instruments, operating a T-38 System and studying applied aerodynamics. Other scores ranged from 89 in flight planning to 98 in aviation physiology. The new records are consistent with the President’s long-standing assertion that he trained regularly until 1972 when transfered to Alabama to work on a Senate campaign.

Reward Offered for 1,000th Killed American (satire)

September 7, 2004

With the American military death toll since the beginning of the war in Iraq at 999, expectant news agencies have launched the “Million for A Thousand” reward program. CNN, NBC, CBS, ABC, New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times, AP, Reuters and the BBC are jointly sponsoring the program, which will pay $1,000,000 (US) to the Iraqi or foreign terrorist who kills the 1,000th American. “This will be such a windfall for both news circulation [or viewership] and for the Kerry campaign that we all thought the person who delivers the story, so to speak, should share in the reward,” said a CNN spokesman on condition of anonymity.

The Most Beautiful Writer in America

September 7, 2004

Take that title to mean what you will, no one writes of politics more beautifully than does Peggy Noonan. She is is difficult to read, like some poets. Her writing makes me want to meet her. Her view of the world a beautiful one, even when she’s describing horribly, ugly things she sees. I feel guilty when I read her columns. Of all the stimulae she could focus on, she focuses on the best things all the time.

2-Point Bush Bounce

September 6, 2004

CNN, which downplayed polls by both Newsweek and Time, has announced THE OFFICIAL GEORGE W. BUSH CONVENTION BOUNCE . . . . TWO PERCENT!!!! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, George Bush’s convention earned him a smaller bounce than Kerry’s. Interestingly, the 2 point bounce, according to the article on CNN.com, puts Bush at 52% to 45% for Kerry–a seven point lead for Bush. I watch these polls, people, I can tell you that going into the convention, no on had Bush at 50%.

Tell Me Big Media Aren't Biased

September 5, 2004

Time and Newsweek polls released yesterday both show President Bush with an 11 point lead over challenger John Kerry. I know this because of www.drudgeport.com. I would never have known it looking at the major media websites. CNN: Buried on politics page MSNBC: Buried on politics page Why do I single out these two? Because CNN and Time own a joint website, as do MSNBC and Newsweek. Basically, CNN and NBC refuse to report the results of their own polls because, like spoiled, petulant children, the polls don’t show what they want them to show.

I'm Back!!!!!!!

September 4, 2004

My server upgrade was easy on Thursday night. The nightmare was getting my firewall reconfigured. Yeech. I’ll write more later. Now, have to go check on my meatloaf. Great convention; best since 1984. In fact, this whole election is starting to feel like 1984. Let’s hope. Kerry is desperate. Not sounding so. Is. George Bush, for the first time ever, looked completely comfortable speaking to a large audience. He looked at home.

41

August 31, 2004

I don’t confuse George H. W. Bush with a great president. I do believe he has been and remains a truly great American, though. His performance as the former president father of the president has been superb–no one could ask for a better performance. And his performance yesterday in defense of the President and in opposition to the President’s filthy detractors was stellar.

Amazon Attacks SwiftVets Book

August 31, 2004

Professor Bainbridge has discovered another example of liberal hypocrisy. (They’re so hard to find, aren’t they?) Amazon has suspended its rules of decorum for one book: Unfit for Command. The Amazon policy permits anyone to write anything about anyone–short of profanity. Presumably, one can offer cash money for the assassination of the Swift Boat Veterans with Amazon’s ascent. I was in a Border’s two weeks ago where I found an aisle end cap dedicated to books on the election.

Anti-Bush Protesters Abusive, Confrontational

August 31, 2004

According to the New York Times, the people in New York to stiffle Republic speech, to disrupt the Republican convention, and to increase the chances of harm being done to the Republican President, are making life difficult for both delegates and for NY police. I think back to Republican demonstrations in Florida during the 2000 recount. Remember how the major media and every liberal across this great land clamored for harsh punishment for the Republicans?

Arnold

August 31, 2004

Looks like he’s tearing it up. So far, McCain, Guilliani, and Arnold have been the best 3 speeches I’ve ever seen back-to-back-to-back at a political convention. I’ve been watching these things since 1972. Arnold, whom I laughed at when he announced his run for governor in California, is doing something no career politician could. He is doing what Reagan did in 1976. He is winning the convention. Following on Monday’s performances, this is the most genuinely positive, upbeat GOP convention of my lifetime with the possible exception of 1984, when David Brinkley said of the conventioneers, “They’re all so happy that can hardly stand it.

Arnold II

August 31, 2004

Thinking of the celeb imbalance between the dems and GOP, the Republicans have produced President Ronald Reagan, Congressmen Steve Largeant, Sonny Bono, and JC Watts, Senator Fred Thompson, and Governor Ronald Reagan, Mayor Clint Eastwood. Can anyone think of a significant celebrity Democrat office holder?

Gore Turmoil vs. Kerry Turmoil

August 31, 2004

Ah hah! I’ve found some references from 2000. I was right: the media treated the Gore campaign much as they are now treating Kerry’s. USA Today July 26, 2000: [T]he contrast with Texas Gov. Bush could hardly be sharper. From the beginning, Bush has relied on a hometown trio: chief strategist Karl Rove, campaign manager Joe Allbaugh and communications director Karen Hughes. Despite little experience in presidential campaigns, they have moved through this year’s difficult GOP primaries and into the general election winning credit, by and large, for being sure-footed and tight-lipped.

Gotta Love Spin

August 31, 2004

Howard Fineman used his blog to spin for Kerry today. If I had any money, I’d offer a reward to the first person to find this quote pertaining to Al Gore. Speaking of Kerry, Fineman writes: “He is fundamentally a loner and a thoughtful decision-maker –sometimes too much so, which the Bush campaign translates as “uncertainty.” " Isn’t that EXACTLY what they said was wrong with Gore?

John Edwards is an Empty Suit

August 31, 2004

Wow. What an airhead. I hope I don’t offend any lawyer friends, but Edwards strikes me as the worst of his breed: ambulance chasers. I’ll be he has more books on marketing legal services, maximizing profitability from a single client, and finding new avenues for class action suits than he has on actual law. John Edwards is a shallow, empty man who, absent our current legal system, would sell junk bonds door to door making millions without a scrupple.

John McCain Scores Points with Doubters

August 31, 2004

I thought I was the only one who distrusts John McCain. (I have not trusted him since his attacks on Pat Buchanan in which McCain knowingly advanced phony charges that Buchanan was a Nazi sympathizer. McCain did so for his own purposes and permanently destroy my faith in his character.) Apparently, though, there are quite a few people who have reservations about the one of the Keating Five who never seems to get a mention with that group.

Lefties Attack Chris Matthews

August 31, 2004

According to Drudge. I don’t know. I don’t have cable (only a cable modem), and none of the mainstreams are saying anything negative about the protesters on their web sites. Please post a comment if it’s worth talking about.

More Kerry's Campaign Shuffle

August 31, 2004

Turmoil in the Kerry campaign continues to get attention: me, Dan Rather, Howard Fineman, Al Hunt, and now PoliBlogger. Links to other stories available here, here, and here Again, I’m amazed at the similarities between descriptions of Kerry’s campaign problems and Al Gore’s four years ago. I’m sure Al Hunt and Howard Fineman mean to help Kerry with their fond descriptions of his thinking skills, but they are setting him up for failure by raising the bar too high.

Quit Log, if anyone cares

August 31, 2004

It’s been 35 days nine hours since my last smoke, and I’m craving them badly today. This is the first time I’ve wanted to smoke in over 2 weeks. I’ve saved $232.75, though, less about $95 for off-brand patches. I have to buy one more box of 7 mg patches, then I’m done. I’ll have a net savings of about $130 by the time my patches run out. Wahoo!

Something is Moving

August 31, 2004

Andrew Sullivan is sensing something that I’m sensing, too: things are moving, at least at the moment, in the President’s direction. I think the protesters are helping Bush far more than they’re hurting them, and Andrew has some other reasons: “In all this, you can almost feel the election swinging Bush’s way a little. The swift boat smear was important in jolting the conversation, in changing the dynamic that was pointing to a Bush defeat.

Something is Moving, Part 2

August 31, 2004

Yesterday, Dan Rather wrote on his blog that Democrats are becoming frustrated and disappointed with the Kerry campaign. As I noted earlier, there’s a feeling of a big Bush surge coming. Now, Al Hunt, in today’s Wall Street Journal, writes of a “major shake-up” coming in the Kerry campaign. (Remember all of Al Gore’s shake-ups? Remember the contrast between Bush’s well-oiled machine with one man making quick decisions against Gore’s committee-driven, poll watching, risk averse blob?

West Wins Olympics!

August 31, 2004

Take a break from the convention to check out Musings (Brian Noggle) on the West vs. the East, Islam, and Africa.

Breaking News

August 30, 2004

Michael Moore, the documentary-style film maker, gave birth to his fifth chin during the opening night of the Republican National Convention. At 8 lbs., 4 oz. and 22 inches long, Al, as Moore has named him, is the largest of Moore’s many chins. “One more and I start my own Chinese phone book,” the liberal icon quipped as paramedics strapped the undulating flesh to stretcher.

Morning in America II: The Bush Era

August 30, 2004

I agree with Richard Brookhiser that second terms are, more or less, pathetic disappointments. After four of the most tumultuous years of my life (and I lived through Kennedy’s assassination, Viet Nam, the horrid sixties, Nixon’s wage and price controls, Ford’s WIN buttons, Carter’s malaise, and Clinton’s intern training program, I think I’m ready for a dull four years of military victory, peace, and economic growth. President Bush offers the best chance of those things coming true.

Ron Silver: Last Words

August 30, 2004

With speech below, listed here in its entirety, the acting career of Ron Silver likely ended. To Hollywood liberals, freedom of speech extends only to the ends of their perverse, selfish, hateful beliefs. Tonight, Ron Silver, a liberal Democrat, proudly and bravely crossed the picket line of liberalism and its strike against America. God bless him. I want to thank the President and the Republican Party for holding this

Smoking Linked to Sexual Frustration

August 30, 2004

I quit smoking a month ago. Now, this story.

"I'm the guy makin' history."

August 29, 2004

That’s what Bush told Time magazine. "

French Hostages: How Does It Feel?

August 29, 2004

Obviously, the taking of hostages is despicable, but we who have shouldered the responsibility of keeping the world safe for democracy for a century must think “how does it feel?” when we read this news. The combination of rampant politically correct anit-religiosity with paranoid fear of self-defense has resulting in two French journalists in the hands of hostages who demand that France repeal its ban on Muslim headcovers. Terrorism is the use of violence against non-combatants to advance a political cause.

Hate in Their Hearts; Death on Their Lips

August 29, 2004

The most pro-violent, anti-American, anti-Western protests since the 1970s has begun in New York. The protesters are there to wish death to the President of the United States and all support or tolerate him. Yet protesters, whose web pages and speeches are filled with violent, murderous mayhem, won’t do the deed themselves. While talking a good game, these unemployed, over-educated, unbathed, nasty excuses for human beings are, in fact, cowards. They confront their enemies only in large numbers and with the protection of police, whom they claim to despise.

Tsunami Could Destroy New York in 8-10 Hours

August 29, 2004

Read this story and think: Liberals are already preparing a response that blames the Bush administration and man’s destruction of the environment. Link to NY Daily News story.

Clintons Avoid Decency Label

August 28, 2004

Bill and Hillary Clinton, long disdainful of things decent, appropriate, and cultured, will hold self-glorification rituals in NYC during the RNC Convention next week. Guests (aka, donors) will praise Bill and Hillary while handing $10,000 checks to so-called 527 organizations–DNC organs invented by Russ Feingold as the “switch” part of the bait and switch of the recently enacted Campaign Finance Reform act. Sen. John McCain, the man who seems to make a living of getting hoodwinked by Democrats, now wants the 527 outlawed.

Confirmed: At Least One of Kerry's Purple Hearts a Fraud

August 28, 2004

This letter, published in NRO, is from an officer who was onboard the swiftboat the night of December 2-3, 1968 when Kerry claims to have been wounded under fire. This letter is significant because Kerry’s defenders have claimed since the outset that none of the SwiftVets ever served onboard Kerry’s boat. The author of this letter was the Officer in Charge of the swiftboat that night–Kerry’s senior officer who would have had to have signed the award recommendation.

Hyphenated-American

August 28, 2004

I have never studied linguistics, and the fact that Noam Chomsky made it his career before he set out to destroy Western Civilization, pretty much guarantees that I never will study it. But I think I have a sense of language and its effect on people. I pay attention to the evolution of words' meanings. I like the way words affect the human mind and emotions. I like metaphor and simile and hyperbole–not to be clever, but to actually color a reader’s mood the way tiny drop of dye colors an entire bucket of milk.

Kerry's Silver Star Mystery

August 28, 2004

Former Navy Secretary John Lehman (who was SECNAV when I joined) says he has no idea where John Kerry got a Silver Star citation with Lehman’s signature, but Lehman didn’t sign it. The bogus citation is on Kerry’s own web site. Nod to Drudge

One Month Anniversary

August 28, 2004

Quitnet.com sent me my one month anniversary e-mail yesterday. Last night, I went to my fave bar. I wasn’t even tempted to smoke. Today, I didn’t put a patch on (I’m down to 14 mg/day) until after 3:00. No cravings, but I didn’t want to take the chance in the evening. I finally cleaned the kitchen counter, too. It looks terrific for a change.

Site Down

August 28, 2004

I apologize for the down time today. I was attempting to switch my web sites to a new server, but I have a DOA motherboard. I expect to get the new hardware in place next weekend, so expect some down time on Saturday or Sunday.

Are All Scientists Stupid?

August 27, 2004

A herd of “scientists” recently gathered in Sweden to announce a new geological era, Anthropocene, which is man’s final destruction of the rest of the planet. These assembled idiots, embarrassments to whatever colleges granted them degrees, gave as an example of “catastophic” changes caused by man, sand churned up by SUVs and ATVs. Yes, dust churned up in the Sahara. Of course, these mice of science lack any actual numbers. Were they to study their own fields, they’d learn that the eruption of Krakatoa in 1883 released approxomately 11 cubic miles of dust into the atmosphere, creating a mini-nuclear winter in New York, some 6,000 miles away.

Dave Matthews Band: Shut the **** Up

August 26, 2004

After years of preaching to the rest of us about protecting the environment, Dave Matthews dumps a couple hundred gallons of human waste on pleasure boaters in the Chicago River. Global warming is a theory, Dave, but dumping raw sewage into public water systems is proven to sicken people, fish, and water fowl. I’m glad you’re concerned about things you can’t control. Now control your bowels, and we’ll all be better off.

One Last Thought: Olympics Spectators Terrorists?

August 26, 2004

The IOC, Greece, and NATO spent three years putting up defenses to keep terrorists away from the Olympic games. Now, the games are plagued with terrible attendance. So I’m wondering if maybe the people who normally go to Olympics are terrorists who couldn’t get into Greece for the 2004 games, therefore all the people disguised as empty seats.

What Liberals Shriek

August 26, 2004

I just took a quick trip through some lefty apparel and gift web sites. Wow. These people are bitter. Stammering. They have these t-shirts with, three or four different themes on them. They’re all college co-ed hysterical stuff: “You know, Bush is going to get us all killed because that he can be like king and stuff,” on the front, and “If you’re one of those military guys, you’re doing the work of evil .

Where the Hell are the Terrorists?

August 26, 2004

Jim Lacey, in National Review Online, makes some excellent points about the same thing I’ve wondered for some time: where are all the terrorists? After we invaded Afghanistan, we were told that tens of thousands of well-trained fanatics were scattered around the globe, increasing their danger and allowing them to recruit more members. Well, three years later, where are they? Why haven’t they struck? Mr. Lacey’s article is well worth reading as explores some possible answers to these questions.

Kerry is a Traitor to Veterans

August 25, 2004

And don’t even think about lecturing me about veterans. I’m one, too, though not from Vietnam era. Peter is, and his letter to Kerry is an important read. It’s bad enough that we couldn’t mourn our dead then. Now we see the same man that stood over the open graves of our brothers and pissed on their bodies is back. This time he’s dug up those bodies and is standing on them to give himself the stature for high office.

Kerry On Iraq

August 25, 2004

This is must-see TV https://www.kerryoniraq.com/

Max Cleland: Backstabbing S.O.B.

August 25, 2004

Because Max Cleland was disabled in war, are we not allowed to criticize him? Just because he lost two legs, an arm, and his sense of decency in Vietnam, are we not allowed to point out that he is a scum sucking, backstabbing son of a bitch? He takes a job from President Bush, then libels him in a disgusting display. Thanks to Rich Lowry at National Review.

More Veterans Against Kerry

August 25, 2004

Letter to John Kerry August 25, 2004 Senator John Kerry 304 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Kerry, We are pleased to welcome your campaign representatives to Texas today. We honor all our veterans, all whom have worn the uniform and served our country. We also honor the military and National Guard troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan today. We are very proud of all of them and believe they deserve our full support.

Kerry Hiding More than just his Military Records

August 24, 2004

Everyone knows that John F. Kerry refuses to allow anyone to view any part of his official military records. The Truth Laid Bear blog has found another Kerry cover-up: his contributors list. Even though federal election law requires that candidates for all public office publicize their contributor list and how much each contributor gives, Kerry considers himself above the law. Bush, whose military records are public record, lists almost 100% of his contributors, while Kerry’s disclosure rate is in the mere 70s.

Kerry's Vietnam Strategy Defies Logic

August 24, 2004

Rush Limbaugh started down this path on radio last week, but Christopher Hitches beautifully finishes the job in Slate, brought to my attention by Poliblog. A logical person–a professor of philosophy, let’s say, or math–mush cringe trying to defend Kerry’s arguments that his service in Vietnam makes him more deserving of the office of the President of the United States than its current occupant. Here’s why: Kerry and most Democrats consider the US to be the bad guys in Vietnam, and the US military the perpetrators of wrong for the advance of evil.

My Thought for the Day

August 24, 2004

Never open a bottle of wine unless you intend to finish it.

Break the Oil Monster's Back

August 23, 2004

Oil output is up and demand is down. The reasonable price for oil is about $35.00/bbl. based on historic supply and demand balances. But reason has been thrown to the wind by a combination of pessimism, panic, stupidity, and hardy greed. The best way to punish the stupid and mean is to greatly reduce consumption. Here’s some easy ways. Tax-free days for telecommuting. Absolve employers of all payroll tax burdens on a day-for-day basis for employees who work from home.

Democrats Risk Going Too Far on SwiftVets

August 23, 2004

Just when I was ready to hand the election to Kerry thanks to the SwiftVets, the DNC makes me look stupid. I had no idea that they would do something as stupid as waste an entire Sunday trying to convince people that George W. Bush ghost-wrote the SwiftVets book, but that’s just what they did. Stupid, stupid Democrats. You were winning this one, you morons! Instead of being “presidential” and adult about it by having Kerry merely respond, “My record in the Navy is my record in the Navy,” you send out drooling attack dogs like Tad Divine to lie about Bush’s personal involvement.

Firefighters Make Lots of Money in St. Louis

August 23, 2004

A powerful union allowed to run amok in the St. Louis area’s fire protection district has made a lot of firefighters rich. It’s a little frustrating that the firemen in the safest districts seem to make the most money. It’s more alarming that a district that was better paid than any area union district unionized last year. That will only drive up the cost of fire protection for everyone. As with so many unions, expect this story in the St.

Swift Boat Veterans Score Big Points for Kerry

August 22, 2004

The swift boat veterans who penned the anti-Kerry book have accomplished two things: made themselves look petty and made John Kerry look strong. Hey, amateur politicians: Never give your opponent the opportunity to take a stand in defense of himself, his family, or his military service. Kerry got no bounce from the DNC convention, but he will get 10 points from the swiftvets by this time next week. Bush will be down 12 when the GOP convention begins thanks to amateur political hacks who thought they could help their candidate.

Gymnasts and Elections

August 20, 2004

The last time an American girl won the Olympic Gold Medal for All-Around in gymnastics, a Republican president won re-election in a landslide against a liberal Democrat from Massecheusetts. With the GOP convention around the corner, Kerry’s bounce (or whatever he got from the DNC convention) is gone–Bush and Kerry are dead even. Reagan was only slightly ahead of Mondale at this point in 1984, when Mary Lou became the first American to win the Olympic all-around.

Ted Rall Has No Reason To Live

August 18, 2004

Perhaps my reaction was his intention with this column. Ted Rall is a liar who lies to promote his personal goal of inciting a violent overthrow of the United States government so he and George Soros can impose a Stalinist state. They are, after all, working communists committed to fulfilling Lenin’s dream. But that’s just my opinion, as Dennis Miller days; I could be wrong.

US Service Members Safer in Iraq

August 18, 2004

Okay, this is simple enough for even John Kerry and Howard Dean supporters to understand: American service members are safer serving in Iraq than they are in the US. The US mortality rate, according to the Centers for Disease Control, is 834 deaths per 100,000 of population per year. There have been 200,000 (average) US troops in Iraq for 18 months. The death rate for 200,000 Americans should be 1,668 per year, meaning that since the start of the war, statistically you’d expect 2,502 Americans to have died.

Weeks later...

August 15, 2004

These weeks later, as summer fades into fall-wth a taste of fall weather included- and as I help my girls get ready for school (shoe shopping, labelling folders, notebooks, crayons and markers), I can still go off an a tangent about this summer’s experience. We went on a family camping trip last week, and I made it until the third night before I broke out the pictures and went off about what fun I had this summer.

Where Does Site Design Go Wrong?

August 10, 2004

I am simultaneously juggling four new websites, all built on the DotNetNuke portal framework with massive customization. The biggest challenge so far has been deciding What goes into the site? What main tabs? What sub tabs? What security roles? What can each security role see and do? In other words, basic site design and flow. In almost every site I’ve designed, I’ve begun down the wrong path. I don’t get far, mind you, but I always start off the wrong way.

St. Louis Blues: I can't be a fan

August 9, 2004

Once upon a time, the St. Louis Blues was my favorite sports team. Hockey is my favorite sport. But Larry Pleau has ruined this franchise. Larry is an arrogant, incompetent General Manager who has driven away more Hall of Fame hockey players than he has thumbs on his fumbling two hands. Brett Hull wanted to finish his career in St. Louis. St. Louis hockey fans have been praying for three years tht Hullie would return.

Busch Stadium

August 7, 2004

Is there a more beautiful sight in the world?

Liberals Help Terrorists--Directly and Undeniably

August 7, 2004

Howard Dean assists terrorism. The New York Times assists terrorism. MSNBC, CBS, ABC, and CNN support terrorism. Most people understand this conceptually, but we haven’t had any hard proof. Until now. Since last Saturday when Tom Ridge held a press conference to announce that 5 specific building and other unspecified buildings were targets of on-going Qaeda planning, the liberals herein mentioned, plus their Amen Corner in every city coffee shop and faculty lounge in the county, accused the Bush administration of fabricating the evidence in order to boost the President’s poll ratings.

Jobs Favor Kerry

August 6, 2004

The Labor Department released the worst news on the economy in three years

Kerry Promises More "Sensitive" War on Terror

August 5, 2004

What did I tell you people a week ago? I said that, reading between the lines, Kerry will not fight bin Laden, but schmooze him. Today, he admitted as much by saying he will “fight . . . a more sensitive war on terror.” Whatever funding the Bush Administration hasn’t cut off from terrorists will now be redirected to the Kerry campaign. Either way, the terrorists lose their money.

Times Admits Administration Terror Warning is Serious

August 5, 2004

“The administration was obviously right to warn the country that Al Qaeda had apparently studied financial institutions in three cities with the idea of a possible attack.” That’s from the newspaper that only Tuesday declared that George Bush made up the terror alert just to win votes. The New York Times, its editors, and everyone who bought the political theory of the terror alert are un-American.

Terror Alert Doubters are Un-American

August 4, 2004

Why beat around the bush, so to speak. If you think the Administration invented the terror alert for 5 buildings in order to boost the President’s re-election chances, you are un-American. Should terrorism strike between now and the election, they will either claim that the GOP coordinated the attack (no doubt designed to kill Democrats in key voting districts), or blame the Administration for failing to protect us. The media will oblige them–on both counts.

Bob Holden's Era A Short One

August 3, 2004

Okay, I know I’m risking looking like an idiot, but I’ll predict (with 16% of the precincts reporting) that Claire McCaskill will win the Democrat Gubernatorial primary in Missouri, defeating a failed, one-term governor who won primarily because his predecessor died a month before the election. Bob Holden was a disaster as governor. He was outwitted by the Republican House Speaker at every turn. He seemed petty and unprepared for the office.

Congratulations, Missouri Democrats

August 3, 2004

You have selected the better candidate for governor. Why does a Republican care? Well, I’m also a Missourian. I must remind myself: What if the Democrat wins? On the chance that the next Missouri governor is a Democrat, I have to side with the best Democrat available. That may not be Claire McKaskill, but it sure as hell isn’t Bob Holden. Whoever wins the general election, Missouri’s next governor will be better than its current one.

Specific Threats: Financials

August 2, 2004

Tom Ridge’s announcement that the US has specific threats from al qaeda came a shock to many. Yet it reminds that we are at war with people who want to destroy our way of life. They do not believe in co-existence, anymore than Soviet leaders did. Some, like the French and most liberals, want to pretend that these zealots wish only to be left alone. They are wrong. It is us or them.

Howard Dean: As Stupid as Ever

August 2, 2004

Howard Dean claims that the White House made up the threat against NY and DC financial institutions in order to win votes. Howard Dean had all of the money, all of the liberal pundits, all of the liberal media, and all of the DNC on his side going into Iowa. His message earned him not a single delegate until the Vermont primary, where he won 18 votes to 14. Howard Dean is a stupid man.

Kerry Must Want to Be Usama's Buddy

August 2, 2004

“The policies of this administration, I believe and others believe very deeply, have resulted in an increase of animosity and anger focused on the United States of America,” Kerry told reporters after a campaign meeting with first responders. “The people who are training terror are using our actions as a means of recruitment.” Of course, they’re pissed at us, Senator. We drove them out of Afghanistan. We dried up their money supplies around the world.

Kerry Wants America to Surrender

August 2, 2004

Well, I was being facetious in my earlier post about Kerry suggesting we simply surrender to Al Qaeda. But, once again, no matter how ridiculous a conservative tries to be, he can’t top the way liberals really think. John Kerry truly believes we should never had launched a war on terrorism. He’s not backing down on that stand. Good for him: it’s likely to be his last.

Kerry Attacks Bush Slogan

August 1, 2004

John Kerry is mocking Bush’s “Turning the Corner” campaign theme. “I think the American people are a heck of a lot smarter than some of these politicians and political consultants think they are,” Kerry told a recent, all-Democrat audience. Mr. Kerry failed to tell them that he thinks Americans are too stupid to save for their own retirement, to decide how much to spend on medical care, to decide which cars to drive, to decide where to live, to decide where to send their children to school.

Quit Log: Day Six

August 1, 2004

Last night was a big test. I passed, but there were a few anxious moments. I took Angela to dinner at a fairly new, popular restaurant in Lafayette Square. Eleven Eleven Mississippi is modeled off of Northern California’s wine country bistros. It’s menu is excellent. It’s wine selection perfect. It’s prices reasonable. This was the first time I’ve been “out” since quitting. My first smoke pangs occured just as we finished dinner.

Microsoft and Big Labor

July 29, 2004

A union is trying to organize Microsoft’s programmers. The union is exploiting fear of off shoring to rally the workers. Having worked in software engineering for a decade, but observed the utility of unions over 40 years, I strongly urge Microsoft’s employees to do some long, hard thinking before they sign up with the labor group. Unions have been completely unable to stop off shoring in every industry they’ve tried. In fact, in steel, garments, and shoes, union activity accelerated the rates of job moves to overseas companies by making American workers more of a headache and more expensive.

Decompression

July 24, 2004

Sorry that I’ve been absent from the blog, but I’m decompressing. I didn’t realize how much of the rest of my life had been neglected over the past two months–but I have a lot of catching up to do. I’ll have much more to say next week. Until then, have a great weekend.

What's Up in Iraq?

July 24, 2004

It would appear that the insurgency in Iraq heeded Southwest Airlines' marketing campaign: “You are now free to move about the country.” Having captured, in broad daylight, the head of an Iraqi construction company, the insurgents have sent the clear signal to the Iraqi people, “We are in charge.” The United States had an opportunity to destroy the resistance in April, May, and June of 2003. Instead, we chose to let them take their AK-47s and RPGs home to regroup, plot, and recruit.

From a proud "Mom"

July 17, 2004

Bill’s comments move me to tears. Not having been on the stage since childhood (“Smallest Princess”, The King and I), I cannot speak to that, but I can try to describe the width and breadth of my pride in having been in on the labor and birth of such an awesome production. I am, by nature, a major busy body. I love watching all the parts of a show come together– the sets building and painting, the designing and sewing, the planning and buying, the blocking and practicing….

The End Too Soon

July 17, 2004

Make-up, lights, set, rehearsal, house: stage. Words that convey things to those with theatre in their blood and things very different to the rest of the world. Friday night before the curtain felt like an opening. I was nervous. I thought back to my first play at DB: Blythe Spirit. In my first scene my character sipped a martini. On opening night, I was so nervous that the water’s surface looked like what I what later see from the bridge of a submarine: rolling waves breaking into white caps.

Nailed It

July 16, 2004

“I started crying.” “Why?” “I don’t know. I saw how much you love being on stage, and I was overwhelmed by how good this show is . . . and how good you are. I was just . . . I was afraid I’d started gasping.” That’s the effect you had on my wife opening night. She’s not just a biased family member in the audience. She’s an accomplished dancer and theatre major who’s seen more than her share of plays.

Buzz Kill

July 16, 2004

23 years ago, I met Joe DiMercurio at auditions for his People’s Players production of Sound of Music. Over the next four years, he became one of my closest friends, particularly on stage. Last night, after the thrill of a wonderful opering night, still buzzing from the excitement and the energy of the play, I found out that my haste in producing the program resulted in my omitting one of my best friend’s biography.

Opening Night a Success

July 15, 2004

So, last night was Opening Night… I personally thought it went GREAT! The audience was very receptive–laughing and clapping when and where they should have. (And not being shy about it.) I THINK this is accurate information, but I heard that we started a few minutes late because we still had a line out the door for tickets at 7:30. (?) And that, save for 9 tickets, we were sold out (?

Prayer Before Play

July 14, 2004

One seminal moment can so focus the mind that the thing that should be central slides to the periphery. Mr. L surprised me with “Let’s say a prayer.” Instantly, I remembered the routine practiced by every Catholic sports team, speech club, and theatre cast and crew before any important event: hands lain upon hand, bodies pressed against bodies, some stretching to reach, others bowing to accommodate. All together for one moment, humbly before God and man, asking for His blessing on what we are about to do.

Final tech...

July 14, 2004

I personally felt that final tech did exactly what I thought it would do–everything came together. Sure, there were a few final snags to be ironed out, many notes taken by Mr. L, but that’s just standard procedure. Commenting on Bill’s blog, when I heard “Bust your buns”, it had been wayyyy too long since I heard that before a show. Before every community theatre show I’ve done though, I have found a quiet secluded spot for myself, and I have prayed and recited that ‘pre-game’ ritual that I prayed and recited before every show I was in or worked on at DuBourg.

No Time to Blog Today

July 13, 2004

Sorry. I have a ton of work-related things that have to get done. Today’s my last day before moving on to a new account starting Monday. If I can remember all of the things I wanted to say about last night, I’ll try to post them tomorrow–I’m off Wednesday-Friday.

Long night

July 13, 2004

Well last night was certainly a long night…which was to be expected. I can not believe we open tomorrow night! It just completely blows my mind! I was looking around last night at everyone in their full costumes, make-up, wigs, hair, etc. and it was just amazing–everything and everyone looks so fun and awesome! I do have to admit, though, I am starting to freak out a little bit. I mean, I know everything will come together by Wednesday night–as it always has–but I still get paranoid before a show.

The Story's Out

July 12, 2004

Don’t miss the story in the Post. Click here if you haven’t seen it, and tell your friends.

Okay, I Lied

July 12, 2004

But is too good to pass up. From a NYT 11 questions interview with William F. Buckley (thanks to National Review Online): NYT: Do you have any gay friends? WFB: I once said, commenting on the revised estimate of the number of gays in the U.S. from Kinsey’s 10 percent to the corrected figure, ‘‘If there are only 2.5 percent gays in America, I know them all.’’ The guy’s a classic

Taking a Week Off

July 12, 2004

A play I’m in opens this week, so I won’t be blogging. Should return about the 19th. Keep the world safe for democracy in my absence.

Tech Saturday

July 11, 2004

Well done? Ha! The set looks . . . Magnificent! Today, we make history. We use the Green Room for the first time. My Guild training paid off when I was in college. When I first saw the big green room below the stage at Fontbonne, I couldn’t wait to be able to sit and relax between scenes. But I couldn’t do it. I was so used to being in the wings when not on, I was afraid that I’d “lose” something being in a bright, comfortable, climate-controlled room, listening to the play over crackling speakers.

Television Appearance

July 9, 2004

Hey, we all made it to Channel 5. Great turnout. Surprising happiness for 5:40 AM, when I got there. My wife said we were wonderful. The web site has gotten 14 annonymous views from different IP addresses, indicating that people are looking. No one’s bought yet, but maybe they’ll call. We should probably do something to encourage Registration.

Kerry Too Busy to Get Terror Briefing

July 9, 2004

Senator John Kerry turned down White House offers to receive briefings on the current terror risk assessment because he was too busy. Last night on CNN’s Larry King Live, Kerry had this exchange (from Drudge): KING: News of the day, Tom Ridge warned today about al Qaeda plans of a large-scale attack on the United States. Didn’t increase the – you see any politics in this? What’s your reaction?

Kerry-Edwards Big Advantage? Hair

July 9, 2004

At a rally after announcing his pick for Veep, Senator John Kerry listed the things that make the Democrat ticket a better choice than the current administration. His final, and presumably, most important point: “And we have better hair. And that goes a long way.” Perhaps if the Senator wishes us to take him seriously as a presidential candidate, he should put down the mirror, stop kissing his VP nominee, and attend the terror assessment briefings offered by the White House.

Ruthless People

July 9, 2004

Yesterday (July 8), Tom Ridge called a press conference to inform the public that intelligence now exists strongly suggesting that Al Queda will launch a major terrorism act inside the United States in an attempt to “disrupt” (read, “help the Democrats win”) the November elections. Almost immediately, evil bastards in the DNC and their minions in the press began a whipering campaign that Ridge was making up these reports in order draw attention away from John Kerry’s campaign.

Great Rehearsal

July 9, 2004

It’s really coming together. It’s a great thing to see. Thank you, everyone, for what you’re doing. You might be doing this for yourself, but your dedication is such a gift to all the rest of us who went into it for OURselves. There is nothing better than being a part of a great team, is there? There’s something masturbatory about individual accomplishments. Tonight reminded me of boot camp when the company finally gets the drill down: 82 boots strike the pavement as one.

That's It!

July 9, 2004

I asked a couple people last night at rehearsal: “Are you ever standing on stage and all of the sudden, a thought pops into your head: ‘This is going to be AWESOME!’?” I had that feeling last night at rehearsal during the finale. We worked and re-worked that d*mn thing soo many times, but it helped sooo much! I (personally) understand and have such a better grasp on not just that song itself, but everything in the show–why the players do what they do, how they act, etc.

Character & Scene

July 8, 2004

Last night was a trip. Jim had a few people come in to work on scenes: Bob, Kevin H, Adrienne, Susan, and me. (Am I missing anyone?) Sitting on the floor, watching the others work, hearing Jim breathe a deeper, more coordinated life into characters, was a beautiful thing to observe. While we all know OUR motivations and worries, the director’s vision is the one that counts–it turns isolated characters into related beings.

Anna Quindlen Worries Republicans are Too Masculine

July 8, 2004

I wrote last week that it is refreshing to know that one person in Washington can tell his political enemy to fuck himself and not feel obliged to apologize to generations yet unborn for action. Now, Anna Quindlen, in the latest Newsweek online, has wrung her hands beyond the poor abilities of Madge in a Palmolive commercial to repair. Quindlen is worried that these Republicans are too damn manly for the good of the country.

Conspiracy Theory Run Amock at TNR

July 8, 2004

The New Republic claims that the Bush Administration has ordered the government of Pakistan to capture Usama bin Laden and other major terrorism and Taliban fugitives during the DNC convention in July. This magazine, which I have long respected and often hated, has now made itself fit to stand beside The National Enquirer and the World News. Next, we’ll learn about the traumatic childhood of a half-man, half-pig adolescent living in Georgia and that the Virgin Mary works as a cocktail waitress in the lounge at the Holiday Inn in Meridian, Mississippi.

CounterPunch, and Those Who Believe It

July 8, 2004

I don’t know if there’s a name for people who believe only the worst about everything, but there should be. And the word should hint at the irony that these kinds of people are also the kinds of people who promote hatred, mistrust, and murder in the name of human rights, fairness, peace, and justice. Oh. I’m sorry. There is a name for them; they’re called liberals. The liberals have a little fiction mag called CounterPunch.

Major Media Hide Good Unemployment News

July 8, 2004

Drudge and Bloomberg got it. The Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, CNN, all hid it. FoxNews.com buried it below the fold. What is it? US Jobless Claims Fall to Lowest Level Since 2000 There number of new claims for unemployment benefits fell, last week, by 39,000 to a four-year low. Yet all of the liberal media buried the story. Why? Because good economic news hurts Kerry’s chances of election, and the primary goal of the major news media in the US is to get him elected.

Ridge: Al Qaeda Will Attempt To Disrupt Elections

July 8, 2004

Tom Ridge’s announcment, today, that Al Qaeda intends to launch a major hit on the US to alter the outcome of our November elections should be a wake up call to all the people, like Michael Moore, who think that Bush is the moral inferior to UBL. I hope we have more spine than Spain. I hope the attack, should it materialize, will galvanize America’s resolve to carry the Bush Doctraine to it’s limits.

The last "normal" rehearsal

July 8, 2004

Well tonight is the last “normal” rehearsal for Pippin…I have a feeling it’s going to be a long one. Not a big deal, though; I’m used to it. At the risk of sounding sappy, sentimental, etc. (which really is NOT me at all–maybe deep down, but not a side I generally show to lots of people.), I need to explain some things: First, I used to be shy. No, seriously, I was.

I miss my wife

July 8, 2004

Tuesday night, I stood backstage, waiting for The Finale to begin. Susan and Bob were saying final goodbyes on stage as Pippin and Catherine. I was alone. Suddenly, as if an angel had tapped my shoulder, I was awakened into a dream of my wife. Until rehearsals began, we spent so much time together. We rarely go out, nor do we entertain a lot. With five kids, those things are just out of the question.

Global Warming Caused by the Sun

July 6, 2004

Poor Dr. Sami Solanki. He and his colleagues at the Institute for Astronomy in Zurich have discovered that sun spot activity–which has been measured since 1610 and can be reliable tracked for a thousand years before that–has a powerful influence on the earth’s temperatures. Moreover, the sun, they’ve found, has been more active in the past 60 years–which coincides with “global warming”–than any time in the past 1,000 years. Wait until the environmentalist whackos go after this poor bastard.

Weather and Home Improvement

July 6, 2004

If you’ve come here in the past few days, you’ve noticed that my site’s been down. There are a couple of reasons: I spent 24 out of 38 hours working in my family room (and, no, it wasn’t a Godfather maration). I painted, ripped out the carpet, and put in laminate flooring that looks wonderful. In the process, I re-routed some cables and forget to reconnect them until Monday morning.

Al Qaeda Threatens Europe

July 2, 2004

**“To the European people … you only have a few more days to accept bin Laden’s truce or you will only have yourselves to blame.” ** Thus spake al Qaeda through two Arabic web sites. The date is July 15. The truce was to give European nations time to pull all troops out of Muslim countries, presumably Afghanistan included. How will Europe respond? Why not America? Al Qaeda should that it still has the capability to strike in Europe by the train in Spain bombing that changed that country’s government and policy.

Cosby Keeps It Up

July 2, 2004

Comedian Bill Cosby, who ruffled feathers last month by denouncing many practices of the black culture in America, is keeping the heat on. Thanks to Dean’s World for keeping us up to date.

Hear Nixon, Kissinger, Colson Discuss John Kerry--1971

July 2, 2004

Nod to Jonah Goldberg at NRO’s The Corner for these gems. Nixon Tapes on Kerry 1 Nixon Tapes on Kerry 2

Sudan: It's Not a Famine, Damnit!

July 2, 2004

Newsweek, via MSNBC, has a story about the “famine” in Sudan. What the f*ck? When Muslim extremists murder scores, burn villages, block food relief, burn crops, and lay waste to an entire country, it’s not A GODDAMN FAMINE! It’s murder, genocide, evil-incarnate. It’s a spineless, greedy, UN chief taking money under the table to keep his mouth shut, as he did with Saddam. It’s a horror and disgrace to a world that considers itself “civlized.

UN Oil For Food Scandal (reposted)

July 2, 2004

The stories, the facts, the meat of the case, against the United Nations are beginning to leak out. Here is one such story from the New York Post. Saddam used bribes to UN Officials to divert $10 billion from food and medicine for the Iraqi people to building palaces and killing people he didn’t like. The UN quietly endorsed this practice. Giving money to UN relief agencies is more than a waste: it’s supporting corruption that kills innocent people.

What Sick Bastards Support Kerry?

July 2, 2004

Kerry is raising millions of dollars through ads like this one on pleasevote.com that depicts George Bush eating the brains of a baby. It was also the back cover of The Nation magazine’s July 5 edition: What does that this say about Kerry’s supporters? NYPost has more Nod to Drudge

What to Make of the Jobs Report

July 2, 2004

The good news is that the economy added 112,000 new jobs in June. The bad news is that that figure is less than half of what economists expected. More bad: manufacturing lost jobs. Personally, I was stunned by the news. The month when kids get out of school for the summer, resorts increase staff for vacation season, etc., should have seen a big number. I was siding with the more optimistic economists expecting 300,000+ new jobs.

UN Oil for Food Scandal Tidbits

July 2, 2004

9/11 Commission finds Iraq-Al Qaeda Link

July 1, 2004

Thanks to Dean’s World for finding this. Is it any surprise, really? I’ve noticed the press handling things this way for some time: First, put out a story that is mostly false by using some legitimate source’s name without really revealing what that source said. Let the story (that reinforces the press’s prejudices) fester for awhile. Finally, to maintian their own legitimacy, quietly leak the real story. That way, editors can tell Tim Russert or Marvin Kalb, “We published the entirety of the commission’s finding.

Garry Wills on Abortion and the Catholic Church

July 1, 2004

Here’s something worth reading and pondering. Hat tip to Professor Bainbridge. Too many Christians rely on the writings of modern scholars who, 200 years from now, may or may not be valid. We just don’t know. We do know, however, that Augustine and Aquinas remain valid. Trust the ancients for they have withstood the test of time.

Hillary Loses Her Advance (Scrappleface)

July 1, 2004

Scrappleface characterizes perfectly the essence of redistributive taxation policy as espoused by Hillary Clinton.

Over 10,000 Iraqi Deaths

July 1, 2004

Iraq’s population is about 25 million. It’s 2004 death rate is 5.66 deaths per 1,000. The US population is more than 10 times that at just under 300 million. Our death rate is 8.34 per 1,000. Before you go crying about all the people we are killing in Iraq, bear in mind that your chances of dying in 2004 are much, much greater here than there. Iraq is obviously safer than the United States.

Saddam Declares: "Real Criminal is Bush"

July 1, 2004

Once upon a time, when I was young and naive, I would have thought such a statement by a mass murderer would only help George Bush. But the attitudes of my fellow Americans, led by the cowardly liar Michael Moore (please sue me) has hardened my opinion of my neighbors. My guess is that this evening’s talk shows will host more than a few “mainstream” pundits who will claim Saddam’s indictment of Bush proves Moore’s case–that Bush is in fact a criminal.

The Perfect Christmas Gift

July 1, 2004

Iraqis are flocking to stores to buy a dancing Saddam doll. Now I know what to get the kids for Christmas. Not too long ago, such a novelty would have earned torturous death for its owner. Today, stores can’t keep the things on the shelves. This is the best proof in a long time that we were morally right to liberate Iraq. On to Iran!

The Seething Hatred of Maureen Dowd

July 1, 2004

In today’s New York Times, Maureen Dowd–as rotten a human being as she is a writer–rips George Bush for writing “Let Freedom Reign,” instead of “ring” on a note announcing the control of Iraq had been passed to Iraqi’s governing council. Maureen Dowd must be a joy. I hope I never meet her. Virtually the whole her being now works toward displaying her visceral hatred for George Bush and for anyone who would vote for him.

What Buckley Has Done

July 1, 2004

This forum provides neither the time nor the space for one to adequately thank, or even mention, all of the debts owed William F. Buckley Jr. He holds markers for the world, the country, journalism, conservatism, and me and millions like me. Thankfully, Buckley’s collection methods are, at most, mild, like his disposition. I have been in a room with Mr. Buckley but once, and it remains one of the highlights of my life.

WMD Smoking Guns

July 1, 2004

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld revealed that coalition soldiers from Poland have discoverd WMDs in Iraq. Bet you won’t hear it on television news, though. So read the source. RUMSFELD: Now what’s actually happened? Right now you have the Iraqi Survey Group, which is a multinational group that’s out there reviewing documentation and looking at suspect WMD sites. I was with the Polish minister of defense this weekend in Istanbul, Turkey at the NATO Summit.

Gasoline & Traffic Signals

June 29, 2004

Even as gasoline prices continue to fall, I am furious about the synchronization of traffic signals in my part of the world. Once upon a time, municipalities synchronized traffic signals so that a vehicle moving at or about the speed limit would be stopped by a red light very infrequently, usually once while on that particular road. Apparently, St. Louis County, Missouri has abandoned that practice. Last night, I had to stop for 7 of 9 signals in a 4 mile stretch approaching my home.

Hillary Promises Dems Will Take What's Yours

June 29, 2004

Yeah, we were all on pins and needles, weren’t we? Speaking in San Francisco, CA, the New York Senator affirmed the most basic belief of liberalism: educated elites know better what’s good for you than you do, and they will use the full power of the US government to force you to comply with their plans. “We’re going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good,” she said.

Something Big?

June 29, 2004

Do you get the feeling that something–really big–is about to happen? I do. Something tells me it will be something good and big. Capture bin Laden? Maybe, but I think that would be anticlimactic at this point. As the 9/11 Commission reported June 6, the US war on terror has all but crippled Al Qaeda’s abilitiy to do something big and bad. They are reduced to killing hapless innocents abroad one at a time with a knife.

A Blow to the Drug War?

June 28, 2004

The 9th Circuit’s ruling held that the federal marijuana laws did not apply to medicinal use of marijuana in two specific cases. As you should know, the Constitution prohibits Congress from making laws on matters that lie outside its enumerated powers, which are very limited. One of those powers, though, known as the commerce clause, gives Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce. The commerce clause has become the conduit for Congressional abuse of the states and of the people.

Breaking News: Al-Zarqawi Captured?

June 28, 2004

Econopundit is reporting, from a source listening to Iraqi radio, that Iraqi intelligence has captured terrorist Al-Zarqawi. If so, mark June 27 as the turning point in the Iraqi operation: the second deadliest terrorist in the world captured, and a democracy in the Middle East. Not to mention NATO capitulation to Bush and Blair and limited victories for the administration handling of Gitmo detainees from the Supremes.

Goldberg Assails Moore

June 28, 2004

Jonah Goldberg’s piece on Moore is required reading. If you must have a review from a liberal who has seen the movie, read Christopher Hitchens’s piece from Slate. (link below)

Iraq is a Nation Again

June 28, 2004

In a move designed to shock the American press and Iraqi terrorists, the new Iraqi government took sovereign control of that country this morning in a low-key ceremony in Baghdad. The US, British, Polish, Turkish, Czech, South Korean, Japanese, and other troops are now guests of the interim government. Just months ago, critics claimed that June 30 was a ridiculous date, that the Iraqis, being dark-skinned people who don’t speak English natively, would never be able to handle the responsibilities of self-governance with so little preparation.

US Restores Full Diplomatic Ties to Libya

June 28, 2004

According to CNN.com: The United States has formally resumed diplomatic ties with Libya after a 24-year break, the State Department says. Oh, if only the al-Zarqawi story were true. Imagine, since taking office, George Bush’s State Department has overthrown Saddam and freed 25 million Iraqi prisoners, overthrown the Taliban and freed 25 million Afghan slaves, disarmed and normalized relations with Libya, and, so far, prevented a single act of terrorism on United States soil or against significant US interests since 9/11/01.

Attacking Atkins

June 27, 2004

Letigimate organization do a couple of things with their web sites: They list, by name and credential, the individuals who comprise their governing boards They identify researchers by name and credential They provide a means for readers to communicate with them, such as e-mail addresses or feedback forms The Partnership for Essential Nutrition provides the public none of these. It is an annonymous clearinghouse for opinions of liberals who want to dictate what we eat and how we eat it.

Dems Pay Felons for Votes

June 27, 2004

The Democrat party is all about inclusion. Now, they are hiring sex offenders to promote Democrat Voter Registration in Missouri. Nod to Drudge

Father's Day

June 27, 2004

You sent me out. I resisted. You made me go. I went. Brian showed up with LeAnne. I broke his toe, played Golden Tee. (I lost) You trusted me. I missed you. I saw a room. You weren’t there. I drank without you, alone with friends. You sent me out. I went. I paid and left. I walked. You made me go. I’m home now. Father’s day: It’s when a man

Hitchens Hitches Hopes on Moore

June 27, 2004

Oh, how improvished is the left. This piece on Slate’s Fray is from something calling itself

Reagan's Farewell

June 27, 2004

St. Louis – When someone says “the President,” I still think the reference is to Ronald Reagan. As JFK did for Bill Clinton and his generation, and as FDR did for my mom and dad, Ronald Reagan defined the presidency for me. He was my president. He is my hero. Having just moved to St. Louis from Groton, Connecticut (fleeing taxes, among other reasons), I was busy this afternoon moving furniture from our bedroom to the basement of our house, which is just four years younger than our 40th president.

The Veep Has Spine

June 27, 2004

It is such a relief to hear a Republican stand by something he’s said or done. Last Tuesday, Vice President Dick Cheney, as President of the Senate, told Vermont Democrat Patrick Leahy,

Dems Pay Felons for Votes

June 24, 2004

The Democrat party is all about inclusion. Now, they are hiring sex offenders to promote Democrat Voter Registration in Missouri. Nod to Drudge

Attacking Atkins

June 23, 2004

Hitchens Reviews 9/11

June 22, 2004

And comes away disappointed. In his review of Fahrenheit 9/11, Christopher Hitchens explains his longtime craving for liberal version of Firing Line (William F. Buckley’s long running discussion show on CBS and PBS), or even a liberal Rush Limbaugh. He hoped it would be Michael Moore. Then he saw the movie: To describe this film as dishonest and demagogic would almost be to promote those terms to the level of respectability.

Father's Day

June 21, 2004

Killing the Enemy

June 20, 2004

Struggling to find an answer to the problems of Al Qaeda, the Iraqi insurgents, and terrorists in general? Kill them. Kill them all. Kill them and those who aid and abet. I have no pity for the Iraqis killed by American bombers that took out a terrorist safe house. I pity the children whose criminal parents placed them in harms way, but no one else. (In case you believe the locals who said it was an innocent family home, weapons and bombs that were cached in the house exploded for 20 minutes after the US attack was over.

Son of Blogger

June 12, 2004

What can you learn from a serial killer? It’s up to you, but David Berkowitz’s musings are worth reading. I was in grade school when the Son of Sam murders captivated the country’s imagination. It was an odd time in my life. Saturday Night Live was the most talked about television show. America, by and large, had decided to put Watergate and Vietnam onto the backburner. We were ready to laugh.

We Needed That

June 12, 2004

A few days ago, I pondered the timeliness of Reagan’s death. After Friday’s internment in California, my pondering changed to certainty: America needed Reagan’s funeral. For one week, we took the full measure of a great man who lived in our lifetimes: a man who strode across history’s plane with steps that challenged, but didn’t surpass, the founders. We needed to cry, to laugh, to reflect on a life well-lived. And we did.

People Love My Wife

June 10, 2004

_Angela, I’ve watched you struggle to go to school and still be as good a mom as could be. I’ve watched you flustered, doing more work than you should, and becoming just plain tired. I’m happy you’ve made the decision to move on and open your world to a new and exciting career. Best of luck to you, Angie. I wish you every success!_

War on America

June 8, 2004

In a front page story supported by an editorial, the Washington Post deliberately misled the public by indicating that the US government’s official policy on torture of terrorists at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is

Bush, and we, can learn from Reagan

June 7, 2004

Reading reminders of the hatred for Ronald Reagan (now the most beloved former president in US history), offers a lesson for President Bush and the American people. During his administration, Reagan repeatedly did what he felt was right or necessary at the expense of his personal and political popularity. He was truly hated in Europe and in American institutions of higher learning. Yet his confident and brave pursuit of good won both the political and the moral battles of the time and of history.

Nick Berg's Dad's a Commie--go figure

June 7, 2004

Did you read the quotes from the Reagan haters I posted earlier? Did you read, with some mild skepticism, my description of the mid-range nuke protesters I met in Europe? Well, it turns out that Nick Berg’s dad was a) one of the Reagan haters at Saturday’s rally and b) a communist. Not only that, he has something to hide: Michael Berg: “Who are you?" **Socialist Workers Party Reporter: **“I

Perhaps Modern Liberalism is Evil by Nature

June 6, 2004

I tried very hard to avoid this, but some of the hatred – the Nazi leadership, Muslim terrorist kind of hatred – spewing from the festering pie-holes of some on the left must be noted, denounced, and rejected. Here’s a summary from National Review Online. These are Howard Dean’s people at their expository best. Know them by their words and pray their words never turn into deeds. Here are some hightlights, if you can call them that:

Ronald Reagan: RIP

June 5, 2004

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Brothers

February 21, 2004

A foul and acrid odor greets the nose and violates the shirt, the pant, the underwear for hours, days, weeks, unwashed. Plastic flip-top lid conceals the quartered fruit, so dry and old, unworthy of gin or tongue. Tired, sad, bilirubin-stained faces surround the parallelogram giving more than they receive and much less than they asked for. Age marked in hollows, dents, and chips. Laughters, hard and coarse, rise above the jukebox boom of same old songs

Writing Doomed?

February 19, 2004

Julia Smillie wonders if technology and blogging has doomed writers. Mediocre writing always had a following, even though it didn’t transcend eras. Good writing still sells and IS read, while bad writing sells and sits. When I first started trying to get published in the 1980s, I read The Writer and Writer’s Digest religiously. Almost every issue contained at least one column or article that said this exact same thing.

Social Services Snobs

February 12, 2004

I recently had an experience with a social services agency that paints an unfriedly face for the organization. Almost Home, run by the Franciscan Sisters of St. Mary, provides teen mothers with the chance to make a better life for themselves and their children. In exchange for going to school, remaining free from drugs, establishing the norms of social achievement (job, daycare, financial assistance, child-rearing skills, etc.), the women and their babies have a safe, comfortable place to live, help with their children, etc.

Social Services Snobs, Part II

February 12, 2004

Why can they not even send a simple acknowledgement? Don’t they realize that a woman with a college degree wants to take a pay cut to work a nasty job helping society’s most vulnerable people, it’s a compliment? I even sent Target gift cards to the center so some of the young women could buy small gifts for their kids, or something for themselves. The response from Almost Home’s communication director was shockingly cold, impersonal, and sarcastic:

Don't Take a Breath

February 6, 2004

until you’ve read this piece. https://www.nationalreview.com/comment/robinson200402060920.asp Today is Ronald Reagan’s 93rd birthday. Godspeed, Gipper.

The Room

February 5, 2004

With that, the guards silently beckoned me to turn. The room was large and dark. Overhead lights illuminated the oracle on her seat and spilled onto the guards, but the rest of the room was invisible. Before me lay large double doors. I could see light fighting to enter around the great doors' edges. As I walked toward the light, the doors began to open slowly, admitting more light. I could see that pottery and artifacts stood on display pedestals all around the room, whose charcoal gray ceiling stood at least forty feet above me.

The Dean Blog

January 28, 2004

These people are great. Funny thing is, I have good scotch and great conversations with people just like this every few weeks. Politics corrupts; Democrat politics corrupts democratically. WE WILL WIN. KERRY WILL SUCK MY —. EXCUSE ME. BUSH WILL LOSE. KERRY WILL LOSE. Dean wins Kerry dies Bush burns in hell GO DEAN! Posted by chewy bushhater at January 27, 2004 10:51 PM I am a NOBODY BUT DEAN…I used to be an ABB, but no more.

Off From New Hampshire

January 28, 2004

I must admit that I paid no attention the New Hampshire primary until about 15 minutes ago. For those of you who are like me, Kerry won by more than 10 points over Dean. Edwards and Clark tied for third. (Is this Clark any relation to Ramsey Clark? And if not, why not?) Howard Dean’s post coital speech sounded a lot like a farewell, according to the snippets I read. He named a lot of people who work(ed) on his campaign, thanking them for their long hours, [insert all the stock phrases here].

Losing It

January 21, 2004

I promised not to write here anymore, but I have to. Not since Bob Dole pleadingly swore to the GOP,

The Corner Neocon Debate

January 7, 2004

Over on The Corner is a raging debate about the origin and meaning of the term Neo-Conservative. I am very rarely critical of anything National Review and its people do, but I have to criticize this conversation: no one cares. The world view NR and her readers and advocates as conservatives. It doesn’t separate Buchanan from Goldberg. And we conservative, including those of us who formerly wrote for NR on CompuServe, couldn’t care less.

CNN/Time Poll

January 7, 2004

For poll junkies, today’s CNN/Time poll is loaded with interesting tidbits: * Dean’s support is slipping, no doubt due to the doctor’s idiotic statements, Biblical errors, short temper, and whining * Several Democrats (Kerry, Clark, Lieberman, Gephardt) seem to be getting stronger, perhaps because they’re buying air time to compete with the hours of free time Dean has gotten since last June * Bush’s approvals keep going up:** 61% approve of his job in Iraq** 58% approve the president’s overal foreign policy** 54% approve the president’s handling of the economy * This graphic is the most revealing, though, on the Democrats:

Life for Iraqis Better by the Second

January 7, 2004

An Iraqi-American engineering professor appearing on KTRS 550 AM radio’s morning show today reports that life for the Iraqi people is

Deconstructing Kerry, Part I

January 7, 2004

Can anyone look upon the fading figure of John Kerry without feeling a sense of pity as for a man who’s lost his family and home? His serious face, always looking a bit pained with concern, now expresses a sad displeasure for life itself. To make matters worse, Howard Dean, the child politician – childlike in size, bearing, countenance, temperament, mentality, and world view – has not only stolen Kerry’s media-given title of Man to Beat, he has now taken Kerry’s Biblical allusion: Job.

Decontructing Kerry, Part II

January 7, 2004

Even more bizarre, or so it must have seemed to Senator Kerry, was the effect of the war, for which he voted. The more successful our campaign in Iraq, the less his fellow Democrats liked him. Had we lost the war, one assumes that the rank-and-file Democrats would have supported a warmonger candidate. But as our victory became apparent, the Dems fled to the two candidates who opposed the war in the first place: Dean and Clark.

Quickly

January 7, 2004

Hillary Clinton came to St. Louis today to make Gandhi jokes. First, I live in St. Louis and didn’t know she was coming. Second, she showed up in Iraq the day after the President, now she shows up in St. Louis the day after the President. Pattern? Howard Dean potentially faces criminal charges for releasing secret security plans for the Yankee Nuclear Power plant after 9/11/01. He won’t release records of meetings from his 11 years as governor, but he’s pretty fast and loose with national security plans whose compromise could give terrorists the information they need to overcome that security.

Thanks for the Link!

January 5, 2004

Steven at www.PoliBlogger.com and Arguing with Signposts . . . graciously linked to this site. Thank you, so much, for the favor.

NEA: Leave the Kids Behind

January 5, 2004

The National Education Association, perhaps America’s most active liberal political action committee, continues to decry the No Child Left Behind law. The NEA’s chief complaints seem to be * It costs too much money * It set the bar too high * Its timeline is too aggressive * It encourages teachers to teach children to pass tests My questions to the NEA are * How much money would satisfy your insatiable greed?

Dr. Dean Insider Trader?

January 5, 2004

ProfessorBainbridge.com reports that the doctor may have an insider trading scandal to deal with. Keeping score, Dean is now a hypocrite on: * Dean wants the Bush administration to release minutes of meetings with energy executives, but he refuses to release minutes of his meetings with energy executives. * Dean wants religion divorced from politics, but he wants to talk about what a bang-up Christian he is while campaigning in the South.

WP on Dean Revisited

January 5, 2004

Hey, I think I was too quick to judge the Dean on Religion article in the Washington Post. I felt that the reporter, Jim VandeHei, was soft on Dean and failed to analyze or even characterize the veracity of the doctor’s statements on religion. Having re-read the article, I have a new perspective. (Hey, I’ve been celebrating the holidays, and the mind isn’t quite up to full speed.) VandeHei has done a hatchet job to Dean.

Sperm Counts Off by 1/3

January 5, 2004

I found this on Drudge. I offer a contrarian explanation, however. Perhaps the feminization of men–mandatorily sitting to urinate in pre-schools, supporting Howard Dean–is reducing the amount of testosterone men produce. I’d like to see a study that measures the sperm count in deficient men before and after a weekend movie marathon of The Godfather I and II, Patton, Braveheart, The Patriot (Mel Gibson’s), and Band of Brothers (all 10 episodes).

Dean and Yankee Power

January 5, 2004

We know that Dean has a problem with his handling of security and safety failures at Vermont’s only nuclear power plant. Dean’s World has an excellent point. Combine the Yankee Power/Homeland Security issue with Dr. Dean’s secret energy policy meetings, and you begin to see that money talks with the good doctor, as does he from both sides of his mouth. Also, have you noticed that the big magazines, Time and Newsweek, are starting to question the Dean phenomenon?

Monday Morning QB

January 5, 2004

No, it’s not about football. Howard Dean isn’t an idiot, according to Andrew Sullivan. He’s a doctor, dictator, refuses to be challenged or questioned, has no peers, likes to tell people what to do, right or wrong, and let the patient suffer the consequences of his errors. PoliBlog.com has an interesting piece on Dean and Job. Don’t missThe Corner today. I will have more to write later.

Christian Dean

January 4, 2004

From the Washington Post: “I am still learning a lot about faith and the South and how important it is,” said Dean, a Congregationalist. The Congregationalist Church is a Christian denomination that preaches a personal relationship with God without a strong hierarchal structure guiding it. Dean was reared an Episcopalian, but left the church 25 years ago in a dispute with a local Vermont church over efforts to build a bike path.

Christian Dean (con't)

January 4, 2004

The Democrats have a real dilemma: Dean is seen by more and more people as both a shameless opportunist and a man who can’t speak straight. Making mistakes of fact at a pace of three a week, he runs the risk of looking significantly less intellectually vigorous than President Bush–something most people thought unthinkable a few months ago. Is it any wonder that Kerry, Gephardt, and the rest of the Democrat field are scared of Dean?

Dean Hypocrite on Security (and so many other things)

January 4, 2004

As governor of Vermont, Howard Dean repeatedly ignored warnings that his state was unprepared for a potential nuclear problem involving the Yankee Nuclear Power Plant and that security at the plant was unacceptable. According to the Associated Press, Dean, who criticizes the Bush Administration’s war on terror nearly every day, underfunded critical programs to secure the nuclear plant even after September 11. “During Dean’s final year in office in 2002, an audit concluded that despite a decade of repeated warnings of poor safety at Vermont Yankee, Dean’s administration was poorly prepared for a nuclear disaster,” the AP story said

Dean House Party Flops

January 4, 2004

Ryan Lizza of The New Republic went to a Dean house party on December 30. His report is worth reading, and it jibes with my own research into the house parties. On December 28, I decided to see which of my neighbors might be hosting a Dean house party. Like Lizza, I was curious and wanted to attend one as a non-Deaniac observer. While Lizza, who lives in the DC area, had about 30 parties to choose from, pickings were slim in St.

Kennedy and Durbin v. Democracy

January 3, 2004

AGHHH!!!! I HATE computers! 750 words of analysis of the unfolding story about a Democrat senate conspiracy to subvert the federal judiciary, and my computer screwed you, dear reader, out of it. I will rewrite it if I get the energy. This is all that remains–a quote from Federalist No. 64 by John Jay: the President and senators so chosen will always be of the number of those who best understand our national interests, whether considered in relation to the several States or to foreign nations, who are best able to promote those interests, and whose reputation for integrity inspires and merits confidence.

Pope wants "New World Order"

January 3, 2004

His Holiness, John Paul II, has begun a crusade of his own. According to The Guardian, the pontiff wants to replace the United Nations with an organization capable of preventing things like the liberation of Iraq. The pope made his speech flanked by none other than Cardinal Renato Martino, a devout America-hater who felt sorry for Saddam Hussein

Donations Wanted

January 3, 2004

Deaniacs send money to the Dean campaign whenever there’s a negative story about their candidate. (The fact that this method raised $15 million in three months says something about Dean, but I’m not sure what.) I propose that readers donate $5.00 to this blog every time Dr. Dean says something stupid. The money will be used to improve the site, allow me more time to research and write, and, if Dean remains on the front pages until November, let me retire a wealthy man this time next year.

Dr. Dean wants to "Education White Folks"

January 3, 2004

Slate, quickly becoming the prickliest liberal thorn in Howard Dean’s side, has an excellent commentary, today, by Mickey Kaus I would add my own rebuttal to Dean’s comments, but between Kaus’s analysis and Dean’s own political stupidity and pathological carelessness, I really can’t make this any more damaging to the good doctor’s faultering reputation.

Economy

January 3, 2004

Just a quick rundown of top economic stories on this first business day of the new year: Manufacturing grew at its fastest pace in 20 years (since the Reagan administration) in December. Hiring will pick up in 2004 according to economists, with unemployment dropping .5% to 5.5% by November (as per my 2004 Predictions). Stock markets are up across the board, with Dow and NASDAQ safely above 10000 and 2000, respectively.

Excellent Analysis of Dean Tax Hikes

January 2, 2004

Steve Moore of the Club for Growth has an excellent analysis of Howard Dean’s proposed tax increases. An excellent summary: _The Dean plan, our ad notes, would raise taxes by $2,472 a year on a typical middle-income family of four. Mr. Dean would also raise the death tax rate, the capital gains tax rate, the dividend tax rate and the payroll tax, and he would bring back the hated marriage tax penalty that President Bush abolished this year.

North Korea Allows US Inspectors

January 2, 2004

When Town Hall was in its infancy on CompuServe, and I was writing three columns a week, Jimmy Carter’s illegal negotiations with North Korea that resulted in US assistance in building nuclear weapons to be aimed at Los Angeles and Chicago inspired my most vitriolic pieces. What bothered me, perhaps, more than anything was the fact that Carter’s meddling had me siding with Clinton. That was 1994. Ten years later, we are still digging out from that mess.

Will Deaniacs Vote?

January 1, 2004

It is easy to get young people riled up, as William F. Buckely points out. The Dean house parties, rallies, $2 donations, etc., are the kinds of things young people like to do. And there is no doubt that Dean has energized a particular demographic group, namely, the 18- to 24-year-old folk. Last week, Dr. Dean warned the DNC chairman that, if the other Democrat candidates don’t stop attacking Dean, Dean’s supporters might not vote at all come November 2004.

Election Year Begins

January 1, 2004

The New Year begins with–guess what–Howard Dean saying something stupid. Thankfully, John F**ing Kerry has called him on it. Dean’s inability to research his statements before making them–like finding out how Kerry voted–makes you wonder what kind of a doctor he was. Did he prescribe medication before checking the patient’s allergies? Did he prescribe procedures without determining if that procedure remained the recommended treatment? In other words, was he as intellectually lazy as a physician as he is as a politician?

Resolutions

December 31, 2003

Here are my resolutions (which I don’t make) for 2004: I will leave my caps lock on 24x7x364, using Title Case on the 4th of July only. I will find a way to catch and save the little, black and green detritis unloosed through dental flossing. I will convince one person each week throughout the year that someone is out to get them, and that that someone is getting closer and closer.

Predictions Part I

December 31, 2003

Everyone does it, so Ill join the fray. If you feel tempted to wager based on these predictions, please just send the money to me: I need, and your chances of getting a return are much better. Economy The US economy will continue to expand at the fast pace since the Reagan administration through the second quarter. While new home construction will slow, service and other sectors will more than take its place.

War Dividends

December 20, 2003

Back in 1989, the term Peace Dividend was all the rage. Peace Dividend referred to money Democrats could spend on welfare programs and pork as a result of the end of the Cold War. Today, Bush and Blair announced a new, better, and real dividend: the dividends of war. After seeing the effectiveness of Bush’s policy in overthrowing Saddam, Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has admitted trying to develop weapons of mass destruction – but now plans to dismantle all such programs.

Kofi Annan "Frustrated"

December 19, 2003

The vassal of vascilationville, Kofi Annan, is frustrated that the US and the Iraqi Governing Council are not giveing him “specific answers” to his questions regarding the UN’s role in post-war Iraq. The ballsy son-of-a-*** is sounding pretty damn uppity about it.

Saving the World from Environmentalism

December 16, 2003

With the possible exception of phrenology, nothing has produced more false, even fraudulent science than has environmentalism. Scientists of various sorts with otherwise solid credentials have, for years, allowed their own political biases bastardize results of scientific inquiry in order to “prove” what is not provable or lacks valid scientific evidence. Moreover, people, particularly procreative baby boomers and the generation that followed, believes such nonsense without critical questioning. Author Michael Crichton, himself an environmentalist and scientist, has had enough.

Markets Update

December 15, 2003

Well, the President gets more positive coverage with a press conference, the Army announces the arrests of Iraqi resistence leaders based on information contained in documents found with Saddam, and the markets respond by turning down. The Dow, up by more tha 80 points earlier in the day, is at +60, while NASDAQ is just about flat at +2. The American investor class knows nothing of patriotism. Sometimes, at seminal moments in history, it is right to subordinate your personal wealth to the national or world good.

Markets Responding Oddly

December 15, 2003

Saddam’s capture pushed the Asian and European markets up consistently and strongly, between 1% and 3.5% for all the majors. But in America, people who buy and sell stock are the strangest creatures on earth, and clearly the most in need of instant gratification. From way up to barely a blip, as greedy bastards in $7,000 suits sell, sell, sell at tiny margins to “lock in their profits.” What a joke.

I light a log

May 13, 2003

If it is, it always was And once it is, it Must be always. Modern minds commit The wrongs they hate From the past. It

Do-It-Yourselfer Disappointed

April 12, 2003

Wildwood, MO—A Wildwood man is disappointed that a home improvement project proved more difficult than expected. William Hennessy began a project to remove wallpaper and paint the master bedroom in his house in the Westglen Farms subdivision in Wildwood. Shortly after starting the job, he learned that, what he expected to take to hours, would take more than a day. “According to the guy at Home Depot, this was a slam dunk,” said the unemployed software architect.

A Grim Anniversary

January 22, 2003

Tomorrow our nation commemorates the 30th anniversary of judicial activisms most ignoble achievement. Back in 1973, I remember my father coming home from his monthly Mens Club meeting at Epiphany of Our Lord Catholic Church in St. Louis with tears still streaking down his cheeks. Being the kind of man he is, he tried to hide them from the kids. I cant believe I fought two wars for this country, only to have those bastards send us all to hell, he told my mother in the kitchen.

January 1, 0001