The ultimate back scratcher

It's been that kind of day.



Now where's my pipe, slippers and a Stoly on the rocks!

Hat tip to Shawn!

The Proposal

When a company falls on difficult times, one of the things that seems to happen is they reduce their staff and workers. The remaining workers need to find ways to continue to do a good job or risk that their job would be eliminated as well. Wall Street, and the media normally congratulate the CEO for making this type of "tough decision", and his board of directors gives him a big bonus.

Our government should not be immune from similar risks.

Therefore: Reduce the House of Representatives from the current435 members to 218 members and Senate members from 100 to 50(one per State). Also reduce remaining staff by 25%.

Accomplish this over the next 8 years. (Two steps / Two elections) and of course this would require some redistricting.

Some Yearly Monetary Gains Include:

$44,108,400 for elimination of base pay for congress. (267 members X $165,200 pay / member / yr.)

$97,175,000 for elimination of the above people's staff. (estimate $1.3 Million in staff per each member of the House, and $3 Million in staff per each member of the Senate every year)

$240,294 for the reduction in remaining staff by 25%.

$7,500,000,000 reduction in pork barrel ear-marks each year. (those members whose jobs are gone. Current estimates for total government pork earmarks are at $15 Billion / yr)

The remaining representatives would need to work smarter and would need to improve efficiencies. It might even be in their best interests to work together for the good of our country?

We may also expect that smaller committees might lead to a more efficient resolution of issues as well. It might even be easier to keep track of what your representative is doing.

Congress has more tools available to do their jobs than it had back in 1911 when the current number of representatives was established. (Telephone, computers, cell phones to name a few)

Note:
Congress did not hesitate to head home when it was a holiday, when the nation needed a real fix to the economic problems. Also, we have 3 senators that have not been doing their jobs for the past 18+ months (on the campaign trail) and still they all have been accepting full pay. These facts alone support a reduction in senators & congress.

Summary of opportunity:

$44,108,400 reduction of congress members.

$282,100,000 for elimination of the reduced house member staff.

$150,000,000 for elimination of reduced senate member staff.

$59,675,000 for 25% reduction of staff for remaining house members.

$37,500,000 for 25% reduction of staff for remaining senate members.

$7,500,000,000 reduction in pork added to bills by=2 0the reduction of congress members.

$8,073,383,400 per year estimated total savings. (That’s 8 BILLION just to start!)

Big business does these types of cuts all the time.

If Congresspersons were required to serve 20, 25 or 30 years (like everyone else) in order to collect retirement benefits there is no telling how much we would save. Now they get full retirement after serving only ONE term.

Hat tip to Bill T.

What does abortion under Obama and free speech mean??

The Obama Presidency continues to create problems in how we should treat him. The attempted blackout of “Hussein” was successful by Hussein’s campaign, aided greatly by John McCain who ran the worst campaign in history. Now, as time goes on, many say that his supporters seek special treatment.

Down in Pinellas Park one of them put up a sign saying:
“One Nation Obama.”

Many people didn’t like that and the city agreed, although for a different reason.

“Code officials mailed two citations to Randy Heine, owner of Rockin' Cards and Gifts, 7451 Park Blvd., in unincorporated Pinellas on the edge of Pinellas Park.

The first said Heine was violating a county ordinance that permits only one freestanding sign on business property. Heine already has his main sign, which bears his business name and special deals on naughty novelties, gay cards, lingerie, whipped cream chargers and rolling papers.

The second citation says that the fence Heine erected around the Obama sign is too high at 4 feet. The height limitation for fences is 3 feet.

Heine said he plans to fight the citations, which he sees as an attempt to stifle his political speech.

"My personal opinion is ... the government is run by Christians (who have decided) you've got to punish him," Heine said. "I feel like I'm being punished for exercising my First Amendment rights.

Link

In the meantime, over in Oklahoma:

The police officers who stopped Oklahoma City motorist Chip Harrison and confiscated a sign from his car told him he has a right to his beliefs, but the Secret Service "could construe this as a threat against President Obama," according to the incident report released this morning.

The sign, which read "Abort Obama Not the Unborn," was returned to Harrison later that day, the report said.

Police spokesman Steve McCool said this morning that the sign was taken in error, and Oklahoma City residents should not be worried that their First Amendment rights will be violated.

Harrison told the officers that in his opinion the words "Abort Obama" meant to impeach him. He told the officers he does not believe in abortion because he is a Christian.

Harrison said he later received a call from a person who said he was a lieutenant supervisor for the Internal Investigations Department and wanted to know his location and return his sign to him.

According to Harrison, the supervisor said the Secret Service had been contacted on the matter and had told them the sign was not a threat to the president.

''The Secret Service called and said they were at my house," Harrison said.

After talking to his attorney, Harrison went home where he met the Secret Service.
''When I was on my way there, the Secret Service called me and said they weren't going to ransack my house or anything ... they just wanted to (walk through the house) and make sure I wasn't a part of any hate groups."

Harrison said he invited the Secret Service agents into the house and they were "very cordial."

''We walked through the house and my wife and 2-year-old were in the house," Harrison said.

He said they interviewed him for about 30 minutes and then left, not finding any evidence Harrison was a threat to the president.

''I'm still in contact with a lawyer right now," Harrison said. "I don't know what I'm going to do."

Harrison said he feels his First Amendment rights were violated.

McCool said the officer who pulled over Harrison misinterpreted the sign.

Link

And of course both the Left and the Right are in a dither. Both think their rights have been violated, but…. of course…..not the rights of the other. Well, in my former life I was not a lawyer, but I think this demonstrates the problems with our political discourse.

The Constitutions says:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

That's what it says, and it is pretty plain. At the same time that does not give a person the right to slander, libel or cause harm to another. This is the basis of the law saying you can't threaten the Prez. (You can't threaten anyone with harm without running afoul of the law. It is called assault and can get you arrested.)

Further, the Constitution protects POLITICAL speech. That means I may call for the impeachment of Obama and say his policies are wrong, etc.

The Constitution does not protect COMMERCIAL speech. If you work for MacDonald's you can't say something like, "I wouldn't biggie size that; the burgers suck today," and be protected by the Constitution.

Further there is a difference between slander and libel of PUBLIC and PRIVATE individuals. While you may be free to go on TV say that Obama is not the brightest bulb on the tree, saying the same about your next door neighbor on TV could get you sued. (Those aren't good comparisons but the best I can do right now.)

There was a time when insulting someone could get you challenged to fight a duel or be branded as a coward. The modern day equivalent is flame wars on Blogs and Forums.

So the Oklahoma sign was, in the analysis of the Secret Service not threatening and protected. I happen to disagree. I think the word "abort" clearly refers to an act of violence although the individual didn't intend it that way, and that is why the Secret Service let the matter drop. I doubt the man put the sign back up.

In the Florida situation the property owner is making a political statement, but he is doing so illegally. Under the equal protection concept of our laws, since everyone is prohibited then he also is prohibited. Taking it further, you can't put up your own radio station and start broadcasting. I agree with the city.

This was a subject of discussion last night with a couple of guys while having a couple of buds, or the equivalent thereof. Both expressed shock that I agreed with the police in Oklahoma but expressed relief I could see more clearly in Florida.

One wondered why then I objected to Obama objecting to him being called Hussein.

It’s simple. Hussein was his middle name. He had no right to try and restrict its use because some might think it proved him a Muslim.

I don’t like politicians telling me what I can call them. If successful it leads to further enlargement of their egos and God Complex.

Which leads to this.

`I don't know what you mean by "glory",' Alice said.

Humpty Dumpty smiled contemptuously. `Of course you don't -- till I tell you. I meant "there's a nice knock-down argument for you!"'

`But "glory" doesn't mean "a nice knock-down argument",' Alice objected.

`When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, `it means just what I choose it to mean -- neither more nor less.'

`The question is,' said Alice, `whether you can make words mean so many different things.'

`The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, `which is to be master -- that's all.'

From, “Through the Looking Glass,” by Lewis Carroll

Hat tip to Bill and Edward from the Tennessean. The above is an expansion my coments there.

Clinton, Pallin and Kennedy meet - UPDATE

I have taken this down.

After thinking about it I find it too close to the edge.

And while only a nut case would be inspired by what is clearly political humor, there are too many nut cases.

Snow, ARod and NW

I have been coming to Los Angeles for over 42 years. It is one of my favorite cities, even if it is, at the same time, one of the most f'd up places in the history of the world.

This morning I jumped on the 105 going east at Sepulveda. It was a beautiful day and there was a fantastic view of the mountains that back LA to the east. And they are covered in snow. More snow than I have ever seen on them. More than in December. More than in January. And certainly more than any previous week after Valentine's day.

Now I know that this is meaningless. I know it anecdotal. But the snow is there. (Don't tell Pope Algore.)

But I digress...

Had a few adult beverages last night at the hotel bar. A gentleman from Norway was two seats down. At some point I asked him about the Muslim problem in Norway. He nodded wisely and said:

"We don't talk about that. It is better that way."

Now I know that's anecdotal, but that is an expression of surrender.

But I digress...

I watched part of the press conference regarding ARod in which a guy making millions a year explained that he had no knowledge that what he was doing was wrong and hid only because... well because he had no knowledge that it was wrong.

Works for me.

I mean I watch the pros only because I admire watching them perform. And if they want to take a drug that makes their balls smaller and their weenie limper so they can put on a better show... I say let them do it.. Gene pool improvement works.

But I digress.

I flew out here on a Northwest flight in a A319. Since First Class is only for politicians and sports stars... certainly not for us ROF's... In case you don't know, that's the last row in coach. My theory is that if you can't be first, be last. Cuts down on the standing around... I had my headphones and Mpeg but figured that I'd listen to some music courtesy of NW.

Wrong. The aircraft had NO audio outlets.

So I boogied from Memphis to LAX on "Speedo," "My Prayer," and other such. Nice flight and the two ladies who were caring for 150 or so people really tried. But there isn't much anyone can do for you when you're in coach. My aim is to survive.

Being always the big spender I purchased a $7.00 snack that had crackers and cheese and something in a tin that if you bought it for a camping outing you would take back to the store. Plus two VO's on the rock's. $15.00 and a bargain at $6.00... I had nothing to eat since about 2:00PM and I knocked back the booze in record time, yet remained sober as could be... In my past two of these would have eased me into slumber land.... I wonder if they have down sized the amount. Yes, I think they have.

And NW can't figure out why they went out of business and Delta bought'em. As someone named George said about another merger years and years ago...

"When you breed two losers what do you get?"

Damn... everything looks so bad

it's really hard (no pun intended) to find something to laugh about.

Click on the picture to make it larger. (Again, no pun intended.)

Hat tip to Jimmy M.

NOW on beheading at Bridges TV

While is its almost unbelievable, we have had NOW actually say something about Muslim men treating women poorly, as in cutting of their heads. To wit:

ALBANY, NY — On February 12, 2009, in Orchard Park, Buffalo, NY, forty-four year-old Muzzamil Hassan, a prominent Muslim businessman, was arrested for having allegedly beheaded his wife, thirty-seven year-old Aasiya Z. Hassan. What was Aasiya's crime? Why, Aasiya was having Muzzamil served with divorce papers. And apparently, on February 6, Aasiya obtained an order of protection which had forced her violent husband out of their home.

NOW New York State is horrified that Erie County DA, Frank A. SeditaII, has referred to this ghastly crime as "the worst form of domestic violence possible." The ridiculous juxtaposition of "domestic" and "beheading" in the same journalistic breath points up the inherent weakness of the whole "domestic violence" lexicon.

True. If you buy the premise, as they say in Gollywood, you buy the bit. Only in this case NOW is saying, "No sale!" NOW continues.

What is "domestic" about this violence? NOW NYS President Marcia Pappas says "it is high time we stop regarding assaults and murders as a lover's quarrels gone bad. We further demand of lawmakers that punishments fit crimes. We of NOW decry the selective enforcement of assault laws and call for judicial enforcement of our mandatory arrest policy, even when the axe-wielder is known by his victim."

And why is this horrendous story not all over the news? Is a Muslim woman's life not worth a five-minute report? This was, apparently, a terroristic version of "honor killing," a murder rooted in cultural notions about women's subordination to men. Are we now so respectful of the Muslim's religion that we soft-peddle atrocities committed in it's name? Millions of women in this country are maimed and killed by their husbands or partners. Had this awful murder been perpetrated by a African American, a Latino, a Jew, or a Catholic, the story would be flooding the airwaves. What is this deafening silence?

Where indeed? Well, Ms Pappas might want to start with the just completed election cycle in which is was politically unacceptable to refer to Hussein as Hussein because that was somehow racist and Muslim and our attempt to link him with Islam was evil and bad because Islam had no known flaws.

Ms Pappas, if you yell at the children to not talk about something, don't be surprised when they don't talk about something.

And exactly what do orders of protection do? Was Aasiya desperately waving the order of protection in Muzzamil's face when he slashed at her throat? Was it still clutched in her hand as her head hit the floor?

You of the press, please shine a light on this most dreadful of murders. In a bizarre twist of fate it comes out that Muzzamil Hassan is founder of a television network called Bridges TV, whose purpose it was to portray Muslims in a positive light. This a huge story. Please tell it!

Link to NOW.

What is even more interesting is some of the comments.

I don't think that it was simply a cultural/religious reaction to divorce that caused this crime to occur. I think there were a lot of factors that lead to his mental instability.......

Dude, people kill each other all the time. someone is killed every single day. probably every hour. possibly every minute.

The murderers aren't all Muslim. they are EVERY race, ethnicity, religion, sex, country, height, weight, hair color...

Of course this is horrendous, but so is the US Family Court System which is run by feminists....

After reading your post, which is overflowing with your unresolved personal anger,....

So, "Millions of women in this country are maimed and killed by their husbands or partners." says Marcia A. Pappas, President, National Organization for Women-NYS.

Really? That's at what rate? 2700 a day if just one million. Including Sundays and holidays. 5400 if two million. Of course it goes up on Superbowl day. No wonder a beheading doesn't make it into the media much.....

And finally this.

This was not an honor killing. I wish that people would stop perpetuating that erroneous speculation. MO Hassan was married before to a non-Muslim woman, and had two children with her as well. He divorced the first wife without killing her. He was not a religious Muslim. Bridges TV was nothing more to him than an oppertunity to make money. He did not fast or pray as is required in the religion. HE often said that he did not miss Pakistan, or wish to visit. He was very Americanized. What this was is an example of is his rage, and domestic abuse... not an "honor killing." I know all this becuase I used to work there. Most of the staff there was NOT Muslim. Leave the religion of Islam out of it.

I have no idea if the comment is true, but it really doesn't matter. You would have to be knuckle headed beyond belief to not understand that beheading is a particularly Muslim act. And what this act shows that when really stressed, he went towards some social norms that were still floating around in his mind.

And the comments show that the selling of diversity and political correctness has eaten way much of our commonsense.

Ms Pappas, you have a hard task in front of you. Good luck, but you have been your own worst enemy.

But her remarks are welcome. Who know? She may actually discover women being stoned and gays and rape victims being hung.

Hat tip to UrgentAgenda.