The Loss of Credibility

What is credibility? We have seen over the years what happens when we, in our private lives, do things which give other people pause to trust in us and to believe in us when we act or say something to cause doubt in our honesty.

We are human, after all. We strive for perfection, whether real or perceived and each day we are forced to look into the mirror and admit our failings at least to ourselves. It takes a big person to admit his/her mistakes.

We have learned since January 20, 2009 that the man elected President the previous November is not the man he had us believe he was. In the beginning, we gave him the benefit of the doubt because we felt he deserved the same honeymoon period we have always given our new Presidents. It would be unfair of us if we did less with this President. After all, he inherited a mess with the economy and two wars from the Bush Administration.

As Americans, we pride ourselves on fairness and a forgiving nature if Presidents are honest with us.

In my lifetime, I remember the disaster of the Bay of Pigs, when President Kennedy allowed CIA-trained Cuban guerrillas to land on the beaches without air power and a strong support/back-up rear guard. When the attack was done, and the guerrillas were captured or killed, rather than try to lay blame on the CIA, the Eisenhower Administration who developed the plan or at the feet of the guerrillas for poor execution, instead, JFK sucked it up, went out to face the press and said, "Victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan." 

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He didn't blame others, he didn't prevaricate and he didn't try to cover it up. The American people, rather than curse him, supported him because he was HONEST, TRUSTWORTHY AND WILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for his actions. 

Can anyone say the same for President Obama and believe they are being honest with themselves? 

Last week, the President had a ninety minute meeting with the leader of over one billion Catholics, Pope Francis. When it was done, they came out of the meeting and spoke to the media; it seems, based on the comments each man made, that they must have been at two separate meetings. 

I ask you, which is the correct discourse that reviewed that meeting? Was it the one spoken by a man that many feel is infallible on subjects besides those concerning faith and morals? Or, was it the one spoken by the man who promised, PROMISED Americans "if you like your plan you can keep your plan, period"?

 This, then, is the basis of credibility. If your actions and deeds constantly reveal you as honest and trustworthy, as with Pope Francis, you will be believed. If you blame the deaths of four Americans on the actions of a non-existent video and Americans finally realize they were lied to for political expediency, well, you have no credibility. 

President Obama, as of this writing, has two years, nine months and twenty days before his term ends but he is already a lame duck, at least until this coming Election Day. If the Democrats lose the Senate and the Republicans keep the House that will reveal to America and the world that this man has no credibility. In essence, he will be an impeached "dead duck" should he try anything, say anything, do anything contrary to what the American people want for the rest of his term. 

He has lost all credibility with the American people. When the media finally catches up, and stops fawning over this liar, then he will finally be held in check. 

Nixon, Carter and even Clinton learned the lesson the hard way. Credibility is necessary to be able to govern. If you lose it, you are powerless; if you get out of line, you will be run out of town like Nixon and Clinton, well almost Clinton. 

Will Obama learn the lesson of credibility? I doubt it. 

Russia, Europe and the USA

Could I ask a question? I know that tensions are running a wee bit high, as I wrote last week and all month but,  are WE the country that needs to put up a billion dollars while the countries of the European Union sit back and watch?

How about it Germany, France and Great Britain?  Don't you think they should kick in a few Euros, too? Why does the United States come to your rescue while you constantly criticize us for not doing enough to save your back?

Doesn't the Maginot Line, Omaha Beach, Dunkirk and crossing the Rhine ring the bells? You know, the disasters in Europe caused by one Kaiser Wilhelm and one Adolph Hitler? Or are your memories not only short but selective?

Just because our guy, President Obama, knows how to talk our ears off about nothing does not mean he knows how to lead, does not give you the right to sit back and basically do nothing. I think all of you on the other side of the pond need to chip in some money and stand up to the new and improved (?) Soviet Union or whatever Putin decides to call it before it's too late for you.

In the late, online edition of Thursday's New York Times, there is an article about the overwhelming vote by both members of the Congress to GIVE  Ukraine a

The European Union and Russia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

billion dollars in aid to stand up to the Russians as the Bear is setting its sights on the rest of Ukraine, probably Estonia, and eventually some if not all the republics which made up the USSR. Doesn’t that sound nice?

Where are WE getting the money from? What program will be cut to pay for that outlay? Hey Congress, if you haven't heard the latest, I have a news flash for you; we are BROKE! I believe there is still austerity ongoing in this country. In politi-speak, it's called sequester. No matter what name you want to call it, BROKE probably is the most honest word for it.

Perhaps part of that approval should have included a mandatory spending cut to pay for it and a directive by the Congress to require the President to tell Europe they needed to participate in the funding and the arms support for this money to be allocated. Of course, the geniuses in both parties didn't think of that little idea to protect our expenditure. Why would they? It just might make sense.

We need to help Ukraine for no other reason but that we don't want a new USSR or Eurasian Union staring at our allies Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia, among other Eastern Europe allies, that would live under the yoke of Russian domination. Part of that congressional agreement also should have included the building of the defense shield over the aforementioned countries. No matter what agreement Madame Hillary negotiated in 2009, we need to stick it to Russia and let Vlad know we mean business. We can't be pushed around by him.

These next 10 to 20 days are critical to our sensibilities. Obama needs to start protecting us and not worry about playing nice with the countries which are not supporting us as wholeheartedly as they should.

We are willing to stand up to Russia but will the European Union join with  us and stand up, too?!? Only time will tell. If they don't, well, let's just say our world will be a much different place than it is right now.

An Example of Government Overreach

As you may know, I am not a big fan of unions. I come from a union heritage; my dad, his dad, some of his brothers, a few of my cousins... Well, you get the picture.

As a banker, obviously it was a union-free industry and as such, I earned every raise I was awarded, every promotion I received, all based on merit. I never received a step raise or COLA just because of my time in position.

People who belong to unions get those increments whether they deserve them or not. Workers can mess up and will receive whatever was negotiated.

So, it was somewhat disconcerting when I read an article on the Fox News website concerning the regional NLRB ruling that college football players at Northwestern University could unionize. College athletes, for the most part, receive sports scholarships in lieu of salary and benefits.

Obviously, the school will appeal the ruling.

English: Wordmark of Northwestern University. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Essentially, the heart of that ruling had to do with the fact that the conference and the school receive millions of dollars from the NCAA based on monies earned via television contracts. When you think about it, isn't the money used to defray educational costs not only of the athletes, but also helps to pay the salaries of the coaches, administrators, teachers and others in the employ of the university?

Tuition, exclusive of housing, does not cover the expenses of the university. It amazes me that when you subtract the cost of housing per year, the remaining amount is a pittance used to pay all the expenses, generally; the housing costs include meal plans. 

So, if an athlete were to unionize, under current labor law, all benefits the athlete receives would be subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement or CBA. It would only be fair to the "employer" you know, the university. Suddenly, the scholarship, meal plan, housing and other benefits to the student/athlete would be lost, just to give a "salary" of $2,000 to "help defray costs".

This is yet another example of overreach by the federal government to place everyone on an "equal playing field." How absolutely stupid was this action. As for the athlete who helped push this along, well in his zeal, he may have hurt those he left behind. He received his free education and now he is heading for the NFL. 

Perhaps he should stay in school and take a course or two in common sense. If he doesn't, he might find himself on the wrong side of a CBA. What will he do then? Complain to the NLRB? Good luck to him on that. 

As for the NLRB, as with all other government entities, get out of industries you know nothing at all about. You will be doing America a favor.

America says, "Thank you!"

Statism v Liberalism and Libertarianism

I received two articles on Monday referencing the overreach of government. It is amazing to me that Libertarians like me, and Conservatives are up on arms, but not Liberals.

Why is that?

The fact that Liberals don't find the overreach of government troubling tells me that they aren't Liberals at all. Apparently, the modern Liberal is actually a Statist which is actually quite frightening.

The premise of liberalism traditionally has been less government, not more. Leaders like JFK, FDR, Truman, Eisenhower and even Nixon to some degree would not be liberals today, but rather Libertarians. Does that surprise you?

Take the Liberal’s greatest nemesis, Richard Nixon. This man was a strong anti-communist, strong on defense and a believer in tax reform, as was Kennedy, Eisenhower and Truman. Roosevelt was comparable on the first two concepts but, less so on the third. How many remember that it was Nixon who gave us the EPA, wage and price controls, a smaller defense budget, a volunteer army, Individual Retirement Accounts and opened the doors to China and the former Soviet Union?

Anyone care to guess?

These were not conservative ideas by any stretch of your imagination.

So Liberals, why do you want the government in your bedroom? In an article I received today from The Heritage Organization/religious freedom

I would think Liberals cherish the First Amendment but, I guess they choose to cherry-pick the parts they don't want touched. The part that says "freedom of religion" does not apply because they choose to read that as "freedom from religion". What about the rights of those this is intended to protect? 

Why is government violating religious freedom? Can you answer that without calling me a bigot?

In actuality, you are taking away MY rights and others like me with your application of the part of the illegal law called Obamacare, which forces me to pay for abortions when I don't agree with that practice. You have the right to choose but I don't wish to pay for your choice.

The other article which I received had to do with the right of private land ownership. In The Heritage Organization/land grab

The Environmental Protection Agency, the one created by Richard Nixon, told a farmer that he would be fined for building a duck pond on his property. Isn't that a bit of an overreach? The man is IMPROVING the environment and the government threatens the farmer with fines if he does. We do not live in a “gated community”!

Does that not offend you? Don't you think the EPA, with the tacit approval of President Obama, is reaching well beyond the intent of the original mandate and the reasonable modifications to the law made since 1970 until 2009?

This government is on steroids, completely out of control. If you choose to ignore that fact, someday something you truly hold precious and close to your belief system WILL be taken away from you and you will have no redress. You allowed this to happen because of your Statist, not liberal views.

Libertarians, who you despise so much, understand the concept of “less government”. Perhaps you should actually stop and listen to one of us. We are not kooks or racists as the “liberal" mainstream media makes us and Tea Party activists out to be.

We believe in the literal translation of the Constitution, not some twisted interpretation to fit your agenda. The Framers were very careful with each word chosen, each Article which formulated it, and the Bill of Rights attached to fix it. It has worked well since September 17, 1788.

Finally, remember that the "government exists with the consent of the governed". The government does not have all-encompassing power that Statists wish it to have. The governed are getting tired of government abuse.

Someday soon, if the government doesn't voluntarily back off, the people will rise up as it was done before, as it was documented in our most sacred treasure, the United States DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE:

 “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

 Any Questions?

What Happened to Flight 370?

I have been silent thus far regarding the loss of Malaysian flight 370 because other than the actual disappearance of the plane, everything else that has been reported had been supposition and conjecture on the part of "experts".

What I will say is this; condolences should be expressed to the families these victims that were aboard. Yes, the reporters and hosts of the various cable news shows have expressed the appropriate remorse. However, they have engaged with the "experts" to advance much of the nonsense surrounding this event.

The United States and others have spent much in assets and treasure trying to find the plane. In addition, the U.S., Australia, China and France have all revealed satellite photos which show what could be ship cargo boxes as much as parts of a plane.

The area that these photos concentrate on is in the very southern part of the Indian Ocean. This is the coldest part of the ocean which has very little land mass for these objects to be wash up on. The southern tips of New Zealand and Cape Horn on South America are the largest land masses that far south.

Let's think logically for a minute, folks.

If the plane crashed into the ocean, I would think by now bodies would have surfaced due to the bloating and hypothermia which would have set in. Even two miles down it is over two weeks so, where are the bodies?

If the plane crashed into the water, don't you think there would have been a fire or an explosion, anywhere? Are we to believe the plane did not break apart when it hit the water from 35,000 feet, or are we to believe that it fell straight down and the nose is in the silt with an intact plane standing upright?

I highly doubt it folks.

One theory being floated around has the plane flying around India 200 miles out with radar not even capturing a blip. That is astounding, given the wonderful relationship between India and Pakistan.

Another theory has the plane mirroring a flight from Singapore, using that flight as a shield while it passes over India on its way to Pakistan. No one in either India or Pakistan noticed two planes flying so close? No one on the ground or even air traffic controllers were concerned enough to report such an unusual formation?

By the way, the theory of the plane flying onto Khazikstan is also preposterous because U.S. radar in Afghanistan would have alerted our military and F-16s would have been scrambled. The same with Pakistan. That is a pretty widespread conspiracy, isn't it?

Here is a thought; where are the families of the pilots and the flight crew? Are we to believe they all vanished into thin air, with nary a trace?

Here is my theory; the pilot and the copilot were part of the conspiracy. Family members were already on the plane before takeoff, perhaps in the cargo hold, hence the dip down to warmer, more breathable air. So yes, they did vanish into thin air.

The Iranian passengers with the fake passports had two roles to play: to act as decoys once the plane took off and investigators became suspicious, and to help whoever was in the cargo hold kill the passengers.

The alleged phone call by the pilot was probably made to someone in the cargo hold to let the people there know the plane was ready to take off, and to get ready for their part of the plan.

The plane was flown straight to the one rogue nation which is on the other side of the Indian Ocean, Somalia. Remember, the Somalians hijacked Captain Phillips and his

English: Map of Strait of Hormuz Español: Mapa del estrecho de Ormuz Русский: Карта Ормузского пролива (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

crew, without regard for international law. Taking the plane with willing participants is a much easier task.

Israel is right to fear the consequences of this event, as this play just finished act one. The plane will be brought into Iran in plain sight of the entire world, probably in several pieces on a cargo ship right through the Strait of Hormuz.

The fear of course is what is to come. It is the unknown and the unannounced that will be putting the world on the brink. The crisis between Russia and Ukraine is tense but the drama concerning the disappearance of a plane is actually more frightening, because the unknown always is.

Perhaps I am wrong, I surely hope I am; but if I'm not, may God have mercy on our souls.

And Then He Came For Me

When you thought he couldn't do anything more narcissistic, after appearing on TV Wednesday to reveal his brackets, President Barry appears on the Ellen Show to shill a failing program, Obamacare. Between the ferns and the two comedians Zack Galfinkis and Ellen, does he think people will run, look for a pen, and sign up for something which we all know won't work? Quick, get me my checkbook, my pen and my phone! I need to get screwed by a failed program!

Not anyone I know with a brain.

Barry, if you read my last two commentaries, "An Argument for Impeachment"  and "As The World Burns", or any of my other commentaries over the last several weeks, you might have learned that while you were fundraising, golfing and yucking it up on TV, Cold War II has started. That is keeping your eye on the ball, Mr. President. The golf ball and the basketball. 

For the rest of us, we recognize that the Russian Bear had finally awakened from its 23 year long winter nap and this country is concerned.

This time, our "leaders" are not able to lead, sadly, because none of them know how. Joe Biden is a nice guy but he is an incapable buffoon. John Kerry? Well, this guy dissed the Iran nuclear agreement before the ink was dry. HE NEGOTIATED IT!

John Boehner will probably cry if he were in charge. Yeah, that will send Vlad running for the hills. Nancy Pelosi? She will have to sign the agreement to see what's in it. Chuck Hagel, well let's just say he was a good sergeant but, he is no Secretary of Defense and we have had some great ones. McNamara and Gates come to mind.

Honestly, none of these clowns can match a community organizer, who acts like he was promoted to leader of a Chicago south side gang bullying his way to what he wants and sending his moll everywhere she wanted to go because she knew it was only a short time before it was all over.

This is what we have in place to stand up to a very cunning, slick, conniving and yet, masterful politician who must have learned a few things about politics from Ronald Reagan when he came here as a "charge d’affaire" in the 1980s with Mikhail Gorbachev.

How sad is the state of the world right now…..

I wrote back on June 26, 2013 in "Chess, Anyone?"  that Vlad was sizing Barry up for some future confrontation. Well folks, that future is now. Barry is so naive, he still doesn't see it. He is truly out of touch with the REALITY that is Vladimir Putin. 

Even the old commissars and Communists could learn a thing or two from Vlad, you think? He is ruthless in his goal to reunify the old Soviet Union, obviously under a new name, which won't sound so offensive. Perhaps the Eurasian Union might have a pleasing ring to it.

Late Thursday, I heard that the sabers are now rattling at Estonia, one of the Baltic States which gained its independence in 1991, because "ethnic Russians" are being mistreated, much like the Crimeans allegedly were. But this time, Estonia is a member of NATO. Will Barry and his gang fight with "sanctions, costs and concern" again? Will Europe and the United States surrender Estonia to Vlad, much like Chamberlain surrendered Austria and Czechoslovakia to Hitler in 1938, just so he might leave us alone?

This time, Cold War II just might break out into World War III. As history has shown, its ugliness has a way of repeating itself much in the same way as it did the first time.

The question is "when?" When will Russia set its sights on another valuable NATO member, say, like Poland? Slovakia? The Czech Republic?

History does have a way about itself, doesn't it?

As The World Burns

We are at the brink of war in Europe, the worst circumstance since the Cuban Missile Crisis, if not the end of WWII and we stand back and place "sanctions" on the aggressor in Ukraine. What does Russia do and say? Well, you know how we thought Russia was part of the group of nations holding Iran's feet to the fire regarding its nuclear program? I think not…..

It is being reported by Fox News and Reuters late Wednesday that Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov indicated that not only would Russia respond in kind to additional sanctions by the US and the EU but it would also rethink its position concerning Iran's nuclear program.

Considering that Russia has reasonably strong ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran, any withdrawal from the six-country agreement by Russia would be disastrous for the remaining countries, including the United States. The Obama Administration has tepid support from Britain and the other countries anyway and even John Kerry, our illustrious version of Edouard Dadalier, the weak Prime Minister of France in the 1930s, sold out the agreement before the ink was dry.

What was our President doing while Russia took over the naval base on Ukraine? Talking with the NATO Secretary General? No. Dealing with Germany or Britain? No, think again.  That's right, you guessed it, he was on television Wednesday picking his teams and giving his analysis of each team for the NCAA brackets. 

The world is starting to burn and he is taking a leisurely stroll through a useless exercise of picking college teams. Perhaps he is auditioning to take Dick Vitale's job when his term is up.

Seriously, Vladimir Putin is addressing and gloating to the Politburo/Parliament about the success Russia has enjoyed this month and Obama is picking college teams? He is actually over the top as the world is starting to burn, that the Deputy Foreign Minister is talking about a reset of Russia's Iran policy, that a plane mysteriously disappeared (or was hijacked) and yet Barry is yucking it up about nonsense?

Is this the way a President acts during a crisis? Even Jimmy Carter kept his focus on the hostages in 1979 and 1980. He didn't think it was appropriate to attend the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, for fear it would look like there were more important things than American hostages.

I have said in several commentaries that Vlad has Barry's number and will embarrass him every chance he gets in front of the world. Apparently, he doesn't have to; Barry is doing a great job all by himself, each and every day he is in office.

No one really cares anymore in this country what he has to say; now no one in the world really cares anymore either. Tom Ford, the Mayor of Toronto, commands more respect than Obama does because Tom Ford is at least a congenial and kind buffoon. 

As the world burns, let's take a stroll down memory lane. Ronald Reagan and JFK maintained focus on the crises that faced them during their Presidencies. They were great examples of leaders in a crisis. They believed in the adage "when the going gets tough, the tough get going."

Barry however, has given it a twist, "when the going gets tough, hide." Does that about sum it up?

As the world burns…..indeed.

An Argument For Impeachment

Since February 24, the world has been sitting on a tinderbox with the crisis in Ukraine exploding over the prior weekend, as the games of "peace" were ending in Sochi, Russia. During that week, a war of words between Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama escalated until Saturday the 28th when Obama told Putin "there will be costs" and that he was "deeply concerned" with the actions Russia was taking at the time.

I covered this extensively in my commentary of March 3 called "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World"  as I discussed how Vladimir Putin was trying to test the resolve of Barack Obama and the United States. Much has elapsed since then, which has brought us to this point, when on Monday, Putin signed the annexation order and Obama placed "sanctions" on seven high level Russians.

Oooooo, Vlad is shaking in his shoes! Oh, my!

Finally, on Tuesday, we found good old Joe Biden in Poland trying to reassure the Poles, a modern day ally which sits just to the west of the Russian Federation and in Tuesday's late online edition of the Sac Bee,  President Obama is calling for a summit of the European members of the G-7 excluding Russia. 

I think it is too little, too late. This would have had a chance to be more effective if it were to have been called two weeks ago, before conditions had deteriorated so rapidly.

What will be accomplished now? More finger wagging? More calls for bogus sanctions? If Angela Merkel, David Cameron, Stephen Harper and others join Barack Obama in his foolhardy quest, which of these "leaders" will be the new Neville Chamberlain?

It is shameful that these countries did nothing to protect Ukraine, a non-aligned, pro-western country, which is scheduled to sign the political part of an association agreement this coming Friday with the 28 member nations of the European Union but will put off agreements on economic issues. Now, the new government has lost faith in the west because of the turmoil surrounding the vote by Crimeans to secede from Ukraine and Russia's annexation, all at the barrel of a gun.

Ukraine protests 2013-2014 (Photo credit: FotoBart)

The world is teetering on the crest of a potential nuclear war and countries are going to talk about additional sanctions? Vlad is a chess player while everyone else is playing checkers and jacks. Somewhere in that brain of his, there is an overall plan which come Hell or high water, he will make certain it comes to fruition. 

If he completes his plan as designed, which he just might, no longer will Russia or its eventual successor name perhaps the "Eurasian Union", a mesh of many of the former soviet republics, be the second banana to the United States. The world will look much different than it does now.

The world will forever remember that great Nobel Peace Prize winner, Barack Obama, how he singlehandedly not only transformed America, but also transformed the world into a "soviet-style" oligarchy, with nary a shot fired.

Will someone please offer Articles of Impeachment now before it all comes tumbling down? 

Calling John Adams

"The nature of the encroachment upon American constitution is such, as to grow everyday more and more encroaching.  Like a cancer; it eats faster and faster every hour. The revenue creates pensioners, and the pensioners urge for more revenue. The people grow less steady, spirited and virtuous, the Seekers more numerous and corrupt, and every day increases the circles of their dependents and expectants, until virtue, integrity, public spirit, simplicity and frugality become the objects of ridicule and scorn, and vanity, luxury, foppery, selfishness, meanness, and downright venality swallow up the whole of society."

John Adams, to the inhabitants of the colony of Massachusetts Bay, 1775

When I first was reading this, I thought this was from a speech given by Ronald Reagan, John Kennedy, Newt Gingrich, Scoop Jackson or another moderate or conservative of modern or at least, recent history. I was extremely surprised to read that John Adams said this in 1775, the year prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence when Americans were still proud to be British citizens.

This quote is apropos more today as we debate the issues of Obamacare, entitlements, welfare reform and other social issues. John Adams understood that if you give people handouts, they become reliant and expect to be cared for by the state.

We began this slippery slope in 1932 with the election of FDR. Each President since then, except for Ronald Reagan, has managed to put another cog in the wheel I call "socialism". No one else is exempt.

Obamacare, the PPACA, is the biggest blight this country has ever produced. At least with Social Security and Medicare, Roosevelt and Kennedy understood that the government would not be able to afford senior benefits as we enjoy them today. So, a FICA tax was added in 1935 and a Medicare tax was added in 1965.

Until the 70s, as with the Federal Highway Administration, all these funds were held as trusts for the purposes intended. The Carter Administration removed the trusts and commingled all the funds into the big blur called the “federal budget”.

Somehow these are called "entitlements" because the federal government considers itself the "ultimate Nanny State" which is a far cry from what Adams unequivocally understood almost 240 years ago.

Obamacare Protest at Supreme Court (Photo credit: southerntabitha)

With Obamacare, there isn't even a real payment into the system by anyone. Oh, the usual suspects keep saying that the system will work if only the young pay high premiums to cover the older plan participants. The Obama Administration, through HHS doesn't know if anyone, ANYONE has paid in because that part of the system, four years after the law was signed, hasn't been built yet. Unbelievable!

In the end, John Adams with his backward education and non-technological society in which he lived, understood more about the inherent faults of the welfare state than any of today's mental giants who have shown know nothing at all. Seems a bit ironic, doesn’t it?

Adams was a Federalist, one who believed in a strong, central government. What we have today is not what he envisioned. He saw the government as an entity which was to work for the people, so that the people wouldn't need to work the government for themselves.

He also believed that the government exists with the consent of the governed, not that the governed exists with the blessings of the government.

We are not a statist country, at least not yet. Let's make certain this statist experiment never happens again. It is an unmitigated failure and we are broke because of it.

Let's find ourselves a modern-day John Adams to bring us back from this abyss. Now!

The Ugly Face of Cancer

I found out recently that my closest and dearest friend was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He had an operation last week, and the doctors feel they were able to remove 98% of it. As of this writing, pathology came back indicating it is an aggressive form of brain cancer.

The reason I share this is to remind you that you should not ignore those little headaches which seem to come on suddenly and disappear as quickly. In his case, he thought it was either a sinus or tension headache because it was in the back and bottom of his skull. Until, of course, something else more dramatic happened. The week before he had the surgery, he went to get his haircut and as the girl was washing his hair, he fell unconscious.

English: Space-occupying lesion correlating with left temporo-parietal metastatic infiltration associated with peritumoral edema. Brain MRI, same lesion seen by CT scan: File:CT brain tumor.jpg. Español: Lesion ocupante de espacio compatible con infiltración secundaria (metástasis) a nivel temporoparietal izquierda asociado con edema alrededor de la lesión. Resonancia magnética de cráneo; misma lesión por TAC por TAC de cráneo: File:CT brain tumor.jpg (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

He was rushed to the hospital, and all the usual tests were done, CT, MRI, blood tests and so many others. He was told to see a renowned doctor, a wonderful man, who is my oncologist. The doctor took one look at the results of the tests and ordered him to immediately go to the hospital. The next morning, he had the surgery.

He is a young man, a year younger than I was when I was diagnosed. Yes, I had stage three colon cancer, but that is nothing compared to the brain. He has a great attitude, and like me, has become very spiritual in so many ways. He will need to have chemo and radiation, probably hydration, and a strong support system around him.

I have been friends with him and his wife since 1989, and she is a strong and powerful force in their family's life. She, along with their kids, has been through this before with her father. So, she knows what will transpire along the way. When I spoke with her after the surgery, she was upbeat and seemed to be concerned how I was doing. I, on the other hand, tried to focus the conversation back to him.

He and I met because our sons were in the same kindergarten class, and as luck would have it, our boys wanted to play soccer, so, the natural progression was for us to coach the team, as a team of us. When my son got married, of course his son was in the wedding party. As it should be.

I spoke with him on Saturday and he was joking with me like we were talking like we always did. But I also know, from my own experience, that fear of the unknown will make you reach for any positive rope you can find, until you are sure you have grabbed the right one. I threw it to him and he grabbed it.

He knows it will be a long and arduous journey for the next few months and maybe for the next year or so. He said he hopes he can be as strong as I was. I told him not to look to me for that example, but rather, to look inward, where the source of all of our strengths lies. As I said, I became very spiritual about this and my friend has become the same.

I have faith that he will recover, and while he may no longer be able to do the things he was used to doing, I told him that he should do whatever he is capable. The rest will come later.

As I said, I share this with you, because none of us are immortal and sometimes the smallest things if left unattended can become something so big it may be difficult to recover from, if not you, then a friend or loved one. Take care and be vigilant. Cancer will rear its ugly head when you least expect it and in a way that is masked until it is too late.

Go for those annual checkups; you will be glad you did.

The Luck o' the Irish

Today is St Patrick's Day, the day we all become Irish, even if for just one day. All month long, small communities and large cities have held two and three hour parades on Saturdays and Sundays, rain (in some cases, snow) or shine.

The one parade that really matters is the five hour parade held in New York City, the oldest and continuously held parade every year since 1762. As a New Yorker, even though I live on Long Island, this is the most important parade held anywhere in the world.

The Cathedral of Saint Patrick is the head church of the Archdiocese of New York. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I can say this because people come here to share in this magical day from all parts of the country and the world for the privilege to march in this one, more than any other.

There are other traditions which make all of us Irish today, both religious and secular. Certainly, we know the legend, that St Patrick converted the Irish to Christianity by taking the shamrock and using its three leaves to explain the Blessed Trinity of God. We also know that leprechauns have been part of Irish folklore since at least the 8th Century.

In Sunday's online USA Today there are other traditions and legends explained much better than I could.

It is a fun day, with McRizzo’s and O'Krupski’s joining McLaughlin’s and Murphy’s in the revelry and good times.  Even this McHale, who gets to enjoy Columbus Day as much as this day, will spend some time watching the Parade, having a boiled potato, corned beef and cabbage, and washing it down with Guinness Stout.

So, today and tonight, have a great time celebrating but be safe. Don't do stupid things like drinking and driving. That really isn't the tradition of being Irish, being so drunk that you don't even know or remember the good time you should have had.

The Irish have many proverbs, all of them great, but I will leave you with these two: "May the wind always be at your back" and "May you be in Heaven a half an hour before the Devil knows you're dead."

Have a Happy St Patrick's Day.  

Reagan, RINOs and Ruination

Ronald Reagan is known for many great quotes which have inspired so many Americans for years. I could go on and cite any one of them but, today I want to cite just one: "and the 11th commandment is, 'thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican'". He said this while he was governor of California.

Apparently since his death, other Republicans never learned this commandment or they just forgot it. They have invented terms like "RINO" to describe those of us who don't march in lockstep with the right wing of the party.

On July 22, 2013, I wrote a commentary on this subject titled  "RINOs?"   which overviewed the reasons for my objections to this term and should raise those objections in you. I am appalled that Republicans would speak of each other so negatively.

English: Crude drawing of the "No RINO" buttons used by American Republicans. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I am imploring conservatives to stop using this term. You are playing into the hands of the left-wing media as they silently rejoice while we tear ourselves apart with political fratricide.

Did we learn anything from the 2012 election when the more conservative elements ripped into a moderate would be President Romney? By the time the convention started, he was so wounded he was never able to fully recover. He was still trying to win over the conservative vote on Election Day and instead, you all stayed home.

The reward for standing by your conservative principles was four more years of an Obama march toward a more Socialist America.  

Believe me, we have a great shot of capturing the Senate now, but if the fratricide continues, we could lose both houses in November, and the Obama "transformation of America" will be complete.

In addition, by the Republicans continually destroying each other, Americans will elect Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton or even Sam Stupid as President in 2016. Is that who we want to lead us through the rest of the decade? Any of our causes will be lost forever, because the next President will either affirm or entrench the disaster of Barack Obama and his presidency or will be able to overturn every single unconstitutional act he and the Pelosi/Reid Congress started in 2009.

Which outcome would you prefer? For me, the latter would be the preferable choice. If we lose both Houses in 2014 and lose a chance for capturing the Presidency in 2016, our fate will be sealed. By 2021, we will have been 12 years down the road to a "Democrat-Socialist"-led America and if we continue to castigate each other, we will get what we deserve. It will be our own fault.

Think about it. Even the more moderate and left-of-center Republican is better than anyone the Democrats can offer with one or two exceptions, and they really are Republicans but haven't figured that out yet.   Those dems still talk of the party of JFK, Truman and Scoop Jackson, but today's Democrat Party left these great Americans behind long ago. 

So, stop it already! Enough of the name-calling! We are Republicans, all of us, and each part of our party has something good to bring to the Party and something better to say than anyone to the left of Joe Manchin. Maybe he could be our standard-bearer. Right now, he is the one politician who most closely resembles the best President we had since Kennedy, who would be a Republican today. Reagan probably would endorse that.

Think about it. Take a deep breath and toss "RINO" out of our lexicon. Or, come 2017, Madame President Clinton, of "at this point, what difference does it make" fame, will be sealing our fate forever.

That will be a BIG difference.

Make Every Day Sunday!

Last Sunday, I was invited by a friend of mine who works with Steve Schirripa, the owner and namesake of Uncle Steve's Italian Specialties, to attend a food tasting at Grace's Marketplace in Greenvale, Long Island. You may know Steve better as "Bobby" from The Sopranos.

Let me tell you, whether you are Italian or not, I can assure you that this is the best jar sauce I have ever tasted. Generally, I will use a jarred sauce as a base to my own homemade sauce because it makes a good base for what I really want to do with the tomatoes, oregano, basil, garlic, onions, wine, and Parmesan cheese (no sugar or tomato paste in my sauce).

Uncle Steve's sauce is so good, I will tell you not only did I enjoy it I bought several jars and served them to my family. They said it was the best sauce I ever made. As much as I wanted to take credit, I admitted that it was not mine and gave credit where credit was due. It was a hit.

I spoke with Steve and my friend Felice, who laid out for me their ambitious business plan for the year. Essentially, the goal is to saturate the New York, New Jersey and The Northeast markets by June. They are marketing in stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and other specialty stores which cater to organic and gluten-free food.  The plan is to be national by year-end.

Felice, Steve Schirripa and me (left to right)

Steve Schirripa is scheduled to appear during April on the Today Show and The View as the roll out gains steam. This should be the boost he and his team need as the product makes a big play.

As with most new products, having a big named celebrity behind the product will certainly make a good opportunity ever better. In this case, when the celebrity developed the product and the team to make and market his product, it's not just about using his name. Instead, there is a passion, interest and devotion to make sure his product is a success.

Trust me, Steve is no different than any entrepreneur to move his product from the assembly line to the store shelves and ultimately to homes across the nation. He is a nice guy with an engaging smile, but he is also a business person who wants to succeed. A great sauce is a great way to accomplish that goal.

Presently he has three sauces available, Marinara, Arrabiata and Tomato/Basil. They are all tasty and enjoyable.

You can visit Steve's website, www.UncleStevesNY.com for information on recipes, products and other important information. You can follow Steve on Twitter @UncleStevesNY or like on Facebook, UncleStevesNY.

Finally, as every Italian knows, Sunday is traditionally the day Mom made the big meal for the week with sauce, meatballs, sausage, pasta and other delectable food, hence the tagline "Make every day Sunday!"

I did. Shouldn't you?