So, what were you doing this morning? Sleeping in? Jogging? Eating a big breakfast? Tilling your garden space for Spring planting? Well, when I started out this morning at my wife’s encouragement, I could think of several other places to be going. Staying with the in-laws in Henderson, NV, we stepped out of their home, hopped into the XTerra, and headed to Searchlight.
What in the heck were we doing going to Searchlight? Well, it wasn’t to shake hands with each of the 773 people who live there. On this particular weekend, there was an organized event. In fact, it was a Tea Party, purposely scheduled in Harry Reid’s hometown. Why? It was a “Dump Harry Reid” party, and Sarah Palin showed up to give it some creds.
About 4 miles outside of Searchlight we ran into stop and go traffic. It was a little surprising since they were only expecting about 4,000 people to show up. We slowly made our way another 2 ½ miles and noticed people pulling of I-95 and parking. We hurried and did the same.
There we were, walking with whites, blacks, Latinos and Hispanics. They were of all ages, from kids to grandpas… all of them happy to be together and shooting pictures of posters and signs. It was also an interesting mix of people from all walks of life. You had your bikers with long hair and earrings to grandmas with umbrellas. One guy had his leg in a brace and a cane… slowly making his way to the event. These folks were quite a contrast to the Reid supporters who drove by yelling obscenities from car windows or who threw eggs at the Tea Party Express bus. In fact, I’m sure the Nevada Highway Patrol had to be surprised by the pleasant thank you’s extended to them as they crossed the street.
When we finally finished our 1 ½ walk, we were surprised to find a crowd of people in a dusty desert bowl surrounding a makeshift stage. High above the stage was a large speaker hanging from a cranes extension. We heard a variety of different speakers whipping the crowd into a frenzy. There were a number of motor homes parked around the bowl marking the perimeter. We made our way to a rise on the opposite side of the bowl and sat on a rocky mound.
My wife asked if these people were in Cougar stadium how many people would I say were there. It was a good way to look at the crowd. My best guess was that there were 30,000 to 40,000 people crowded in that dusty bowl. Flags colored the crowd: an American flag here; a “Don’t Tread on Me” flag there. A variety of signs and tee shirts carefully moved through the mass of people. One young woman featured a sign that said: “I’m in your DEBT, Obama.” High in the skies above, five planes painted word art messages. “God bless the US.” “Tea Party-ers Vote Reid Out.” And then Sarah Palin took the stage….
She is a crowd favorite. A helicopter from a local station hovered above us; they must have been informed about the time Palin was to speak. It was so noisy it competed with Palin’s talk. The cold wind didn’t help either. It didn’t matter to the crowd, they were glad to be there and to heartily thank Palin for some one-liners that they did catch. What was one of her most popular one-liners? “It’s not time to retreat… but to reload.”
Well, that is the point, isn’t it. The Democrats cram through legislation that Americans didn’t want. They did so in ways that sicken most red-blooded Americans. They’ve abused some principles of representative government. Finally, Mr. Obama signed it into law. With so much going against us… including our own elected representatives… the tendency would be to throw in the towel. “Why try… no one’s listening anyway?”
Well, from what I saw today, no one is throwing in the towel. In fact, they’re writing “Don’t Tread on Me” on their towels and waving them for the world to see. Palin’s got it right… one battle may be over, but the war goes on. Don’t retreat, just reload. Well, this is one Basicguy who will do just that. I’m not finished… I’m thinking we replace those who refuse to represent the people in both 2010 and 2012. We literally reload Congress and the White House and then repeal bad law. In time the bad taste in my mouth will be gone and I’ll once again be enjoying the sweet flavor of liberty and hope.
Well, our first Tea Party experience is now over. How heartening it is to know that good and basic people are rallying to this cause. Little Searchlight, Nevada, drew people from Texas, Oregon, California, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Pennsylvania and, of course, Nevada. This is a nationwide movement. It is a grassroots movement. It is a movement for limited government, free enterprise, and sanity in the political arena. Basic people mad about Mr. Obama’s change, like a sleeping giant, are awake and rising up to wrench America back from the hands of those who hate it and intend to reinvent it in their own sorry image.
Well, America is speaking out… since too few are speaking for them in Washington. Reload America… lock and load… load with the right ammunition—the principles of freedom found in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Now, I’m just a Basicguy, but if America rode into existence on the shoulders of such weighty principles, we can ride them again to reclaim our nation.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Denying the Undeniable
Did you catch the new out of Washington D.C. today? The Obama administration had an anniversary of sorts. Under the circumstances, I’m not sure I would have even brought it up. But they did. It was a year ago today that Mr. Obama signed the nearly a billion dollar Stimulus Bill. Fox News reported it this way:
“The White House stood its ground Wednesday on the impact of the economic stimulus package, arguing that the bill signed a year ago has given an ‘undeniable’ boost to the economy and that Republican critics are just playing politics.
“On the one-year anniversary of the bill's signing, President Obama said the $787 billion package saved 2 million jobs and helped prevent a ‘second depression.’ White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that while many Americans have soured to the program, the bill is working and taxpayers will ‘absolutely’ have a different outlook once it has had its full effect.”
Golly, I’m sure glad we dodged that “second depression”! Of course, on earlier similar claims Mr. Obama and his staff have made, no one had any idea where they got their numbers. We’ll probably hear similar reports about these claims too. But not to worry, Roberts Gibbs assures us that it’s all “undeniable.”
Hmmm. That sounds familiar. Wasn’t that word once used to describe the science behind global warming and climate change… even by this administration? Makes one wonder doesn’t it.
Aw, what the heck. I’m going out on a limb. I’m denying the undeniable in this case. Getting to be quite a habit too.
“The White House stood its ground Wednesday on the impact of the economic stimulus package, arguing that the bill signed a year ago has given an ‘undeniable’ boost to the economy and that Republican critics are just playing politics.
“On the one-year anniversary of the bill's signing, President Obama said the $787 billion package saved 2 million jobs and helped prevent a ‘second depression.’ White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that while many Americans have soured to the program, the bill is working and taxpayers will ‘absolutely’ have a different outlook once it has had its full effect.”
Golly, I’m sure glad we dodged that “second depression”! Of course, on earlier similar claims Mr. Obama and his staff have made, no one had any idea where they got their numbers. We’ll probably hear similar reports about these claims too. But not to worry, Roberts Gibbs assures us that it’s all “undeniable.”
Hmmm. That sounds familiar. Wasn’t that word once used to describe the science behind global warming and climate change… even by this administration? Makes one wonder doesn’t it.
Aw, what the heck. I’m going out on a limb. I’m denying the undeniable in this case. Getting to be quite a habit too.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!
Do you feel like a sing along with Andy Williams? I do. And there’s one song in particular that I’d love to belt out about now. Let it Snow. Why? Because if Washington DC is socked in with record snow levels, maybe Congress can’t do any more damage to the country. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Tea Anyone?
Now, I’m not a tea drinker… never have been. Actually, some forms of it is against my religion. However, there is one particular tea I’m very partial to. It both tastes good and feels right. It’s something that anyone can taste or feel at your local tea party. What am I talking about?
Well, there have been “tea parties” sweeping the nation for at least a year now and they keep coming. The name was borrowed from our early revolutionists who opposed British taxation on local tea and ended with a major tea party in Boston harbor. The movement today is a national stand of regular people against big government and irresponsible spending. In essence it’s a citizen’s revolt against the policies of intrusion by the Obama White house and the wasteful and out of control spending of Congress. And to me, it’s the only tea that both tastes and feels good going down.
I’ve watched it with a great deal of interest and feel swells of patriotism for my country. A glimmer of hope fills me knowing that I’m no longer alone in a world that once appeared to be slipping into political and economic insanity. But of course, if we’re not careful, all of this hope can be dashed upon rocks of reality. I see worries on the horizon.
Tea Partiers beware! Political forces see you as a prime source to exploit, are at your doors. Don’t get sucked into their web. Many are conspiring for their own gain. The GOP would love to “catch” your wave and claim you as its own. Now, I’m a republican, a say this carefully. I may be a Republican, but I’m a conservative first. Republicans like Democrats use movements to gain power. Republicans “used” conservatism for this purpose and once in control ended up wielding their new-found power to simply maintain job security on the people’s dime. Conservatives felt betrayed when those entrusted with the reins of power defaulted to party politics. The same thing will happen to the Tea Party movement if you are not careful.
Another warning I can see is the temptation to establish a third party. Political parties tend to exist less for movements, and more for those who seize control of them. Power invested in the few has a debilitating affect on mere mortals. They tend to think its all about them instead of an opportunity to use talents for the greater good… servants of the people. With this in mind, I was glad to see Mark Skoda (a Tea Party organizer in Memphis, TN) says:
“This movement is beginning to mature… not as a third party but a force to be reckoned with in the traditional party structure.”
Now that makes the most sense to a basicguy like me. The Tea Party needs to remain as a movement. There may a star around which the movement takes voice such as a Sarah Palin or a Mit Romney. But as soon as any one person sees it as a chance to seize some power and wealth, and Tea Partiers allow it to happen, then the movement dies. So, let’s keep our fingers crossed… no, let’s stay ever vigilant and not allow for any one person or entity to rest it from the hands of the people.
Finally, a tea the tastes and feels good going down… and that isn’t against my religion. Tea anyone?
Well, there have been “tea parties” sweeping the nation for at least a year now and they keep coming. The name was borrowed from our early revolutionists who opposed British taxation on local tea and ended with a major tea party in Boston harbor. The movement today is a national stand of regular people against big government and irresponsible spending. In essence it’s a citizen’s revolt against the policies of intrusion by the Obama White house and the wasteful and out of control spending of Congress. And to me, it’s the only tea that both tastes and feels good going down.
I’ve watched it with a great deal of interest and feel swells of patriotism for my country. A glimmer of hope fills me knowing that I’m no longer alone in a world that once appeared to be slipping into political and economic insanity. But of course, if we’re not careful, all of this hope can be dashed upon rocks of reality. I see worries on the horizon.
Tea Partiers beware! Political forces see you as a prime source to exploit, are at your doors. Don’t get sucked into their web. Many are conspiring for their own gain. The GOP would love to “catch” your wave and claim you as its own. Now, I’m a republican, a say this carefully. I may be a Republican, but I’m a conservative first. Republicans like Democrats use movements to gain power. Republicans “used” conservatism for this purpose and once in control ended up wielding their new-found power to simply maintain job security on the people’s dime. Conservatives felt betrayed when those entrusted with the reins of power defaulted to party politics. The same thing will happen to the Tea Party movement if you are not careful.
Another warning I can see is the temptation to establish a third party. Political parties tend to exist less for movements, and more for those who seize control of them. Power invested in the few has a debilitating affect on mere mortals. They tend to think its all about them instead of an opportunity to use talents for the greater good… servants of the people. With this in mind, I was glad to see Mark Skoda (a Tea Party organizer in Memphis, TN) says:
“This movement is beginning to mature… not as a third party but a force to be reckoned with in the traditional party structure.”
Now that makes the most sense to a basicguy like me. The Tea Party needs to remain as a movement. There may a star around which the movement takes voice such as a Sarah Palin or a Mit Romney. But as soon as any one person sees it as a chance to seize some power and wealth, and Tea Partiers allow it to happen, then the movement dies. So, let’s keep our fingers crossed… no, let’s stay ever vigilant and not allow for any one person or entity to rest it from the hands of the people.
Finally, a tea the tastes and feels good going down… and that isn’t against my religion. Tea anyone?
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The State of the Union or Mr. Obama?
Well, it’s Mr. Obama’s moment to shine. He seems to crave moments that allow him to be in control and to look his best. All of that is usually accomplished through the membrane of a tele-prompter.
Pundits words fill the blogoshpere with predictions of those things that Mr. Obama will focus on and why. Some of the predictions are sure to be more informed than others. One blogger, Andrew Golis (editor of Yahoo!’s News blogs), listed five questions he thought needed answered by Mr. Obama considering the state of things in the Union since the Massachusetts’s Shocker.
1. Can he reclaim the role of "changer in chief"?
2. Will there be another "You lie!" moment?
3. What will he say about health care?
4. Does he have a sound bite that sticks?
5. Can he offer a hopeful economic vision?
That’s nice. But I thought there was only one question that needed to be answered. How many things will Mr. Obama either lie about or spin to put him in the best light and ease the concerns of a growing discontented populace?
I know, I seem to be a serious skeptic here. Well, what do you expect? Try this experiment. On a sheet of paper, list as many things as you can that shows how Mr. Obama actually did what he said he would do. Here’s mine:
• Ahhh
• Hmmm
OK, so I can’t think of any. Your turn.
Anyway, if you choose to tune in tonight and catch the President’s State of the Union address, it might be just as important to try and determine what the State of Mr. Obama is. In my opinion this president has difficulty being genuine. He tends to say things for looks. He also tends to say things to spin a message. If he can say the right things and gain even a tiny degree of trust among his fellow Americans, he can then go on and do what he really wants while America looks the other way.
The times in this country are just too dangerous to be caught looking the other way. Watch this guy like a hawk and take nothing for granted. Only in this way can we hope to keep the state of this Union in the safe harbor of the Constitution of the United States.
Pundits words fill the blogoshpere with predictions of those things that Mr. Obama will focus on and why. Some of the predictions are sure to be more informed than others. One blogger, Andrew Golis (editor of Yahoo!’s News blogs), listed five questions he thought needed answered by Mr. Obama considering the state of things in the Union since the Massachusetts’s Shocker.
1. Can he reclaim the role of "changer in chief"?
2. Will there be another "You lie!" moment?
3. What will he say about health care?
4. Does he have a sound bite that sticks?
5. Can he offer a hopeful economic vision?
That’s nice. But I thought there was only one question that needed to be answered. How many things will Mr. Obama either lie about or spin to put him in the best light and ease the concerns of a growing discontented populace?
I know, I seem to be a serious skeptic here. Well, what do you expect? Try this experiment. On a sheet of paper, list as many things as you can that shows how Mr. Obama actually did what he said he would do. Here’s mine:
• Ahhh
• Hmmm
OK, so I can’t think of any. Your turn.
Anyway, if you choose to tune in tonight and catch the President’s State of the Union address, it might be just as important to try and determine what the State of Mr. Obama is. In my opinion this president has difficulty being genuine. He tends to say things for looks. He also tends to say things to spin a message. If he can say the right things and gain even a tiny degree of trust among his fellow Americans, he can then go on and do what he really wants while America looks the other way.
The times in this country are just too dangerous to be caught looking the other way. Watch this guy like a hawk and take nothing for granted. Only in this way can we hope to keep the state of this Union in the safe harbor of the Constitution of the United States.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
A New Dawn for America?
The morning the New Year dawned I woke up feeling positive about the future. That hadn’t happened in some time. For much of the previous two years a depressing pall hung over my life. I noticed that a similar pall hung over the country. But 2010 opened with a glimmer of hope… a lighter feeling… a bit of excitement. I related these feelings to some friends and when they asked why I thought I felt differently, I really couldn’t explain it.
Who would have known that any news out of Massachusetts would have provided a glimpse into my glimmer of hope… a tentative glimmer to be sure… but there is no doubting the hopeful feeling inside. Scott Brown… Chevy truck… healthcare reform is dead… Democrats getting frantic… Kennedy’s seat… wake-up call… Is it Martha or Marcia Coakley? Each of these words and phrases fueled the hope within until I heard the news… Brown Wins! Then in his acceptance, Brown declared: “This isn’t Kennedy’s seat, or my seat, but your seat!”
That is like music to my ears. I detest the growing political aristocracy in America. Political offices are a right of passage to some. To others the seat is bought off. And still to others, once they get the office, it becomes their job… their profession. Brown has the right idea… the seat belongs to the people and those that the people put in the seat serves them. Where has this idea gone?
Well, I’m happy for Scott Brown and the Republican Party. I’m happy that there is a chance to turn the tide of big fat government controlling every aspect of our country. There is a chance that the free enterprise system can be saved from government take-over. Maybe some sanity will set in and we’ll learn to live within our means, strengthen the dollar, and re-establish the hope of America.
However, I have a warning for Scott Brown and other Republicans like him. First, don’t get caught up in the thought that the Massachusetts shocker is a repudiation of the Democratic Party and a mandate for the Republicans. It has little to do with party, but everything to do with ideals… conservative ideals.
I’m a registered Republican, but I’m a conservative American first. I believe in a lean central government that fulfills the mandate written in the Constitution. I think the Founding Father’s stand head and shoulders above their peers and see hardly anyone today who can even be considered their peer. I believe in America’s Christian heritage that opens the door to other religions and non-religions to exist in a free society. I believe in our imperfect but free enterprise system that fuels the greatest nation on earth. When these things are tempered in the hands of a moral people… a people who accept personal responsibility… then truly there is such a thing as an American dream.
So, is it a New Dawn for traditional American ideals? I truly hope so. As for now, my hope index is up… may yours be too.
Who would have known that any news out of Massachusetts would have provided a glimpse into my glimmer of hope… a tentative glimmer to be sure… but there is no doubting the hopeful feeling inside. Scott Brown… Chevy truck… healthcare reform is dead… Democrats getting frantic… Kennedy’s seat… wake-up call… Is it Martha or Marcia Coakley? Each of these words and phrases fueled the hope within until I heard the news… Brown Wins! Then in his acceptance, Brown declared: “This isn’t Kennedy’s seat, or my seat, but your seat!”
That is like music to my ears. I detest the growing political aristocracy in America. Political offices are a right of passage to some. To others the seat is bought off. And still to others, once they get the office, it becomes their job… their profession. Brown has the right idea… the seat belongs to the people and those that the people put in the seat serves them. Where has this idea gone?
Well, I’m happy for Scott Brown and the Republican Party. I’m happy that there is a chance to turn the tide of big fat government controlling every aspect of our country. There is a chance that the free enterprise system can be saved from government take-over. Maybe some sanity will set in and we’ll learn to live within our means, strengthen the dollar, and re-establish the hope of America.
However, I have a warning for Scott Brown and other Republicans like him. First, don’t get caught up in the thought that the Massachusetts shocker is a repudiation of the Democratic Party and a mandate for the Republicans. It has little to do with party, but everything to do with ideals… conservative ideals.
I’m a registered Republican, but I’m a conservative American first. I believe in a lean central government that fulfills the mandate written in the Constitution. I think the Founding Father’s stand head and shoulders above their peers and see hardly anyone today who can even be considered their peer. I believe in America’s Christian heritage that opens the door to other religions and non-religions to exist in a free society. I believe in our imperfect but free enterprise system that fuels the greatest nation on earth. When these things are tempered in the hands of a moral people… a people who accept personal responsibility… then truly there is such a thing as an American dream.
So, is it a New Dawn for traditional American ideals? I truly hope so. As for now, my hope index is up… may yours be too.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Who's Really in the Main Stream?
We’ve heard a lot over the past several months about the shortcomings of the MSM (Main Stream Media). They seem oblivious to the pulse of their audience. A recent poll shows that an increasing majority of MSA (Main Stream America) believes the country is woefully going in the wrong direction (see http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/59934). And yet the MSM has chosen not to pick up the story and report it.
Now, I could talk about the definition of “Main Stream” and wonder who is really in it: the media or the American people. But that really isn’t the story to me. What’s really interesting is how the MSM has failed to capture the minds of the MSA… this time. They have functioned now for months as Mr. Obama’s spin machine… trying to manipulate what the MSA hears and believes. But despite the MSM’s one-sided and heavy-handed progressive political agenda, the MSA still believes that Mr. Obama’s country is seriously going in the wrong direction.
That’s really good news to me… a basicguy in the main stream of America. I’ve had to search far and wide for media that represents what most American’s believe in and bring some sanity back into the argument in this great land. As the MSA continues to search as I have and abandons the MSM, maybe they’ll come to their senses… it’s not likely… but one can hope.
Later the same day:
Well, well, what do you know? As I watched ABC’s World News, what did Diane Sawyer report on? The very poll I mentioned above. Now that was unexpected. Is this a course change… or a crumb to keep MSA interested? As always, time will tell.
Now, I could talk about the definition of “Main Stream” and wonder who is really in it: the media or the American people. But that really isn’t the story to me. What’s really interesting is how the MSM has failed to capture the minds of the MSA… this time. They have functioned now for months as Mr. Obama’s spin machine… trying to manipulate what the MSA hears and believes. But despite the MSM’s one-sided and heavy-handed progressive political agenda, the MSA still believes that Mr. Obama’s country is seriously going in the wrong direction.
That’s really good news to me… a basicguy in the main stream of America. I’ve had to search far and wide for media that represents what most American’s believe in and bring some sanity back into the argument in this great land. As the MSA continues to search as I have and abandons the MSM, maybe they’ll come to their senses… it’s not likely… but one can hope.
Later the same day:
Well, well, what do you know? As I watched ABC’s World News, what did Diane Sawyer report on? The very poll I mentioned above. Now that was unexpected. Is this a course change… or a crumb to keep MSA interested? As always, time will tell.
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