The Prodigal Prince

A “prodigal” is a person who is a spendthrift, who spends money recklessly and wastefully; in other words, a person who squanders his or her resources. That Obama is a prodigal, I have no doubt, that he is a prince I have no doubt that he thinks he is. Probably his most valuable asset is his silver tongue. He has a talent for obfuscation, which can certainly be an asset for a politician, especially one who wants to mislead. But his employment of his talent is nothing new. In 1826 James Fenimore Cooper (1789 – 1851) published “The Last of the Mohicans.” The most despicable character in the book is a gifted orator and after one of his speeches, is described by Cooper as follows:

“In short, he so blended the warlike with the artful, the obvious with the obscure, as to flatter the propensities of both parties, and to leave to each subject of hope, while neither could say it clearly comprehended his intentions.. ..The orator or the politician, who can produce such a state of things is commonly popular with his contemporaries, however he may be treated by posterity. All perceived that more was meant than was uttered, and each one believed that the hidden meaning was precisely such as his own faculties enabled him to understand or his own wishes led him to anticipate.”

That description fits President Obama to a “T.” Obama and his speech writers are masters of the art of deception. Even his winning campaign slogan, “Change you can believe in,” defies definition. And his use or should I say abuse of the word “hope,” appealed to enough of the gullible to get him elected. No one can deny that we certainly have change and we can only hope it is for the better in the long run.

I will say this for Obama, he is quick to seize an opportunity and he has been incredibly lucky in politics. The Republican who would have won the senate seat in Illinois, Jack Ryan, dropped out of the race after the details of his divorce from his actress wife, Jeri Ryan, were made public - even though both parties signed legal documents agreeing to keep the details confidential. A California judge overruled the agreement at the request of the news media. Then, after serving in the U.S. Senate for less than a year he sensed an opportunity that only comes once in a lifetime. It was almost a given that a Democrat would be elected to the Presidency. It is rare in American politics for the same party to keep the White House more than 8 years. So, he went for it and as luck would have it his competitors for the democratic nomination made so many mistakes they made him look good. And then the Republicans were dumb enough to nominate McCain, a man who just could not energize the party. He only did as well as he did because of Sarah Palin.

But the press, for reasons I will never understand, looked over the facts that Obama belonged to a radical church, that he had many radical friends, that he really considered himself a Muslim, that he would not or could not produce a birth certificate, that he refused to open his college records, and that he could not point to any significant accomplishment in his life, except to vote “present” for every controversial vote when he was a state senator, and so on ad nauseum. When looked at as a whole, his career has been almost magical. He has had all the breaks fall his way. How many times in the history of this country has one party had a commanding lead in the House, had the magic 60 seats in the Senate and held the White House at the same time?

It is almost too good to be true. He has everything going for him, but I think he will turn out to be the Prodigal Prince. Prodigal, because he will squander it in self-indulgence and a prince because he acts like one. He has already lost his 60 seat margin in the Senate and even if the Democrats keep control of the house and Senate after the November elections, he will have lost his ability to pass everything he wants. So, the question to ask ourselves is what will the remainder of his term be like and does he have a chance for a second term? My guess is that the remainder of his term will be very frustrating to him. He can no longer ignore the Republicans and therefore will have to reduce his expectations. Plus, he has managed to enrage so many people that he now faces nationwide opposition not seen since the Viet Nam protests.

As for a second term, that depends more on who the Republicans nominate than on what Obama does. We can expect more of the same from Obama, but his oratory will wear thin as his ambitious goals fail to succeed. If the Republicans can find another Reagan out there, who has the courage to take off the gloves, Obama will be history. So, I think the Prodigal Prince will ultimately fail as all prodigals do, but Obama will not seek forgiveness. He’ll never be able to get past his own pride. And he will never understand that he is President of all the people, not just the far left.

And that is how I feel today.

Protection of the States

Article IV, Section 4 of the United States Constitution states:

The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.

On Friday, April 23, 2010, Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona signed into state law the toughest illegal alien law in the nation and was immediately berated by President Obama for doing so. The state of Arizona, acting well within its rights as a sovereign state, took action to control its borders and protect its citizens from invasion and domestic violence caused by illegal aliens from Mexico. For a state to take such action is shocking, not because it was done, but because the Federal Government failed to carry out its Constitutional responsibilities.

What is wrong with the United States Government when it cannot or will not act even when, by its own admission, it has tolerated millions of Mexicans who have illegally entered the United States? There have been many answers to that question, but none are acceptable. We have been told we need cheap labor, that we need people to do work Americans will not do, that it is the moral thing to do, and probably the dumbest reason is we don’t want to offend the Mexican government or the Mexican people. The Mexican government has already responded to Governor Brewer’s action. They stated that the new law may affect border relations. Well, hurray for them. It’s past time to affect some change to border relations. It is past time for the Mexican government to quit encouraging illegal immigration to the U.S. It is past time for the Mexican government to control its drug wars and it is past time for the Mexican government to stop blaming the U.S. for its inability to protect its own people.

It is time for Americans to have the resolve to take charge of our own borders and enforce our right to protect those borders. If we don’t respect our own borders, how can we expect anyone else to do so. An international border, like any property line has privileges and responsibilities. These were recognized by Henry David Thoreau, 1817 – 1862, in a very telling statement:"Who are bad neighbors? " asked H. D. Thoreau, for the sole purpose of answering his own question.

"They who suffer their neighbors' cattle to go at large because they don't want their ill will,—are afraid to anger them. They are abettors of the ill-doers." Thoreau could have as readily asked, "Who are good neighbors?" Whereupon, following his reasoning, one could answer, "Those who build and maintain walls which keep out their neighbors' cattle."

Why do those in Washington have so much trouble understanding such a simple concept? Because as Thoreau points out, they are afraid. They are afraid to anger the Mexicans and therefore, by doing nothing, they become the abettors of the ill-doers. It is that simple and that disgusting.

Well, I don’t care if the Mexicans get angry. Their anger can’t be any worse than the present situation. And besides, we have a right to take action. Believe me, if we take action we may not be liked, but we will be respected. And respecting the property rights of United States citizens is very important to me. I like my property rights. I worked hard for my land and I don’t like trespassers. This is my land and my home and you may not enter without invitation. It is as simple as that. If I have to, I will build a fence to protect my rights and make clear to my neighbor where that property line is located. Over the years, I have owned several pieces of property and I have never had a problem with a neighbor over the installation or maintenance of a fence. Robert Frost (1874- 1963) said it very well in his poem, “Mending Wall,” published in 1914.

“…….He is all pine and I am apple orchard.

My apple trees will never get across
And eat the cones under his pines, I tell him.
He only says, "Good fences make good neighbors."

I agree. Good fences make good neighbors. It is a mark of respect that each neighbor observes. So, I say to Governor Brewer and the good citizens of Arizona: Thank you for standing up for your rights and may the President of the United States now realize his responsibilities under the Constitution.

And that’s how I feel today.

The Hypocrisy of Democrats.

Recently, policy makers in Washington, D.C. let it be publicly known that our government is trying to assassinate an American-born cleric, who preaches anti-American terrorism. Anwar Al-Awlaki was born in New Mexico, studied in Colorado, preached in San Diego and Virginia before going overseas. He was briefly detained in Yemen and then resumed his preaching online with a new political theme, stressing that “America is at war with Islam.” The United States, according to Al-Awlaki, is at war with Islam due to its occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan and must be fought on its homeland by any means. The news of Al-Awlaki’s pending assassination circled the globe and included long discussions in the media about whether or not such a murder is “constitutional,” if it even constitutes “murder” and on Al-Jazeera it was dissected as a possible window into the Obama administration’s decision making process.

Is this incredible news or not? The Obama administration has issued an order to summarily assassinate another Islamic extremist, who is also an American citizen without reading him his rights or granting him a trial. While at the same time Attorney General, Eric Holder, wants to try the architect of the 9-11 attack in federal court, grant him his miranda rights, grant him a tax payer paid attorney and grant him the opportunity to spread his version of extremism on national media. What is going on here?

The answer is obvious. First, Obama still does not have a handle on his own administration. His subordinates continue to do their own thing. His staff of Czars is such a collection of left wing extremists and misguided zealots, who all supposedly report to him personally that he can't possibly supervise them all. Even a freshman business major learns in Management 101 about the limits of span of control. Second, democrats do what they want to do and rely on the media to back them up. If this assassination order had been issued by Bush, there would be calls to impeach him. The democrats are oh so sanctimonious when they are criticizing republicans, but oh so sure of themselves when they get caught violating the law. Basically, democrats are so blatantly repulsive in their behavior that nothing seems out of the ordinary with them. It is just the way they are. Its the old adage. If you have no standards you certainly can't be held accountable for violating any.

My description of a democrat? One who is frequently wrong, but never in doubt. Are we really a nation of sheep being fleeced daily and told it is a shampoo? The truth I suspect is that the vast majority of Americans are too busy earning a living and raising a family to find the time to delve into the intricacies of political shenanigans. Most don't even rely on the news anymore. The more I watch politics the more I am convinced that 99% of democrats are going to vote democrat even if the proverbial yellow dog is the candidate. And conversely, 99% of republicans will vote republican for the same reason. The reason being that my family has always been - fill in the blank. That leaves the independents and the one percenters who really determine who gets elected. And these people tend to alternate between voting republican or democrat, just to be fair. Take the last election for example. Bush, a republican had been in the white house for 8 years. Its time to give the other side a chance. That kind of thinking is taking a chance. And look what taking a chance got us. If the election were held today, Obama wouldn't have a chance.

I am told that public schools no longer teach civics. If this is true, it explains a lot about the ignorance and naivety of the American voter. Leaving politics to the professional politician is worse than letting the fox guard the hen house. It is the worst kind of hypocrisy. Is it not hypocritical to hold one party accountable and not the other?

Prmoris Fugio

Obama's latest military opinion delivered during his summation speech at his nuclear arms control meeting, where he said in so many words that the U.S. military is a burden comes as no surprise. There is no doubt in my mind that he would like to down size the military because he thinks that the military strength of the U.S. is a threat to world peace. This wrong headed thinking is typical of left wingers, especially those who have never served in the military. In Obama's world, which is somewhere between "Alice in Wonderland" and Disney World," everyone would get along just fine if the U.S. would put away all of its guns and play nice. Besides, he would like to spend all that money wasted on guns to provide more welfare for democrats.

Does he not understand the concept of "Peace through Strength?" I call Obama and people who think like him, "Woodstock Warriors." Instead of the Marines motto of Semper Fidelis or Always Faithful, or the Army motto, "This we will defend." Or the Navy motto, "Paratus Et Potens," or Ready and Able, or the Air Force motto, "Un ab Alto," One over all, or the Coast Guard motto, "Semper Paratus," Always Ready, the Woodstock Warriors motto ought to be, "Primoris Fugio," or Run Away First. Do I think Obama is a coward? No, but I do think he is delusional. His experience in the real world has been so limited that he just can't conceive of anyone who doesn't love and adore him and his pacifist leanings. It frightens me to the core to think we have a commander in chief, who is afraid to command.

But perhaps the most frightening thing about Obama is that he represents a huge percentage of American citizens who have the most distorted view of what I call "physical reality." Oh, they understand politics, and economics and social issues, but what they lack is experience in what it takes to keep us fed and clothed and warm in the winter. I am talking about people who live in cities and have always lived in cities. They live in a pampered environment that shields them from the harsh realities of what it takes to obtain food, clothing and shelter. I dare say that the vast majority of city folks have no idea where their steaks come from, or their pasta or their leather shoes for that matter. I live in the country - in one of those flyover states I guess. I have butchered chickens, turkeys, and deer, not for sport, but for food. I frequently get my hands dirty growing food. It doesn't seem cruel to me to kill and animal for food any more than it seems cruel to kill and animal so I can wear leather shoes or boots. And yes I have guns, several guns. I have no qualms about killing a rattle snake that threatens me or my family or a bobcat that wants to kill livestock. I guess the difference between those of us who live close to blood and guts is that we know a filet minon doesn't miraculously appear in an upscale restaurant in Chicago. It came from a slaughtered heifer or steer. And I am not ashamed of that and I make no apologies for it. If people want to live in a city as far as they can get from the blood and guts, more power to them, but don't criticize me for facing reality and being willing to live with it. I'm not a Woodstock Warrior. And I have no qualms about telling the rest of the world that I will not hesitate defend my country, and my culture with my guns.

I don't think I'm alone, when I say that I am fascinated by Barak Obama. I am fascinated in the same way that the Pied Piper and FDR fascinate me. All three are or were charismatic, complex and corrupting. That last word must have gotten your attention, so I will explain. All three corrupt their followers by leading them to dependency. And dependency is anathema to freedom. The question is; why does Obama do it? Why does he want the great mass of Americans dependent on government? His government - the democratic party controlled government. Is it commitment to socialism, distrust of capitalism, power, control, self aggrandizement, or could it be all of the above plus something else? I think it is all of the above plus at least one other factor that has not gotten much attention - reparations.

Various dictionaries have various slants on reparation, but the common thread in all definitions is repayment of a debt. In this case, the romantic and fictitious debt that America owes to descendants of American slaves. I do believe that part of Obama's complex agenda is righting what he and his advisers perceive as wrongs committed against various populations within the United States, primarily, but not limited to descendants of slaves. How else can one explain the expenditure of billions of dollars in support of so many organizations dedicated to providing assistance to those who are perceived as having been abused in the past or shut out from the great American dream. These organizations run the gamut from ACORN to Urban Renewal and lets not forget Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, that guarantee home loans to anyone who can fill out a form. Freddie and Fannie may just be the largest and most disastrous welfare program in the history of the United States.

I'm not saying that there aren't deserving people in America, who need help, but I am put off by generation after generation of welfare dependent families, who would rather accept charity from the great plantation massah in Washington than get up, grow up go for self reliance. Being the descendant of a slave is no excuse for wallowing in self pity and demanding welfare "rights." After all, if we go back far enough in European history, I dare say we would find that tens of millions of us anglo-saxons are also descendants of slaves. Slavery is as old as the Old Testament and was rampant in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas a thousand years before Christopher Columbus was born. And another factor that is overlooked when reparations are mentioned is that the slaves brought from Africa to the Americas were "purchased" in Africa from African slave owners. The belief that Africans were chased down by white slave traders is just myth.

I think reparations, the R word if you will, should be banned just as the N word is. It makes my blood boil just to think that anyone in his or her right mind would entertain such an idea as reparations for more than a second. Would these descendants rather their ancestors were never brought here? Would they rather be living in Africa today. I think not. Yet, I do believe the righteousness of reparations is ingrained in Obama and most of his advisers. Don't get me wrong, I am not racist. I think it is wonderful and profound that we have a black President. It shows that Americans are enlightened in social matters and it shows how trusting we are in our government. But, I am convinced that our trust has been abused by a very manipulative and charismatic Pied Piper.

In 1960, when I was 17, I joined the Unites State Air Force. Kennedy was elected that year and if I had been old enough I would have voted for him. He appeared young and hip with funky hair, but a cool accent and exuded youthful vigor. He made Nixon look like a tired old man, who was out of touch with current affairs. In 1962, Kennedy and his Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara screwed the military royally with a phony pay raise. At the time, I got base pay, overseas pay and proficiency pay. Kennedy and McNamara made a big deal out of a "huge" pay raise for those in uniform. What they did not say was that the overseas pay and proficiency pay was taken away. I ended up losing a dollar a month. Some pay raise. It was then, that it dawned on me that Kennedy and McNamara didn't give a shit about me or anyone else in uniform. They just wanted to look good and get re-elected. I guess I became a republican that day.

So, I have been watching politics in this country with a keen interest for the last 50 years and I still cannot understand why democrats want socialism so badly. Is it because they have no faith in capitalism or no faith in the common sense of the people or because they see it as way to buy votes and stay in power or do they really believe the government can do things better than free enterprise? Or is it all of the above?

I really don't know the answer to those questions, but my gut feeling is that people who vote for democrats would rather be given a fish every day than learn how to fish. They would willingly give up freedom for security. I think they also have a high tolerance for being told what they ought to think and they don't mind standing in lines. Which reminds me of an old army story. The master sergeant announced his pending retirement to a corporal, who he loved to brow beat and said, "Well, I suppose you're going to keep track of my whereabouts, so when I die, you can come piss on my grave." To which the corporal replied, "No Sarge, when I get out of the army, I'm never going to stand in line again."

I find it rather fascinating that liberals, progressives or democrats demand their rights to privacy, which include abortions, same sex marriages, gays in the military, and now health insurance, but have no trouble with the government telling us what kind of gas mileage our cars must get, how much water we can use to flush a toilet, and what can and cannot be taught in schools. Seems kinda contradictory to me. Common sense tells me you're either for privacy and individuality or you are not.

At any rate, I see the U.S. reaching a point very soon where 90 plus percent of the tax revenues will be used for interest on our debt (no chance of paying down the principal) and social programs. That will leave so little for defense and research that we will give up our space program, vastly reduce our military and become just another nanny country like those in Europe. When that happens, the Chinese will be the last super power standing. But, maybe that's ok. I don't think the Chinese will be of a mind to read a terrorists his Miranda rights.

And that's how I feel today,

Dan