The single issue ballot?

Voters in this county do not have a 'Line Item' vote. Unfortunately that's how some of us vote.

Those who are genuinely concerned about the direction this country is headed have to concern themselves with what the next generation will be taking to the polls and we're already beaten there. Schools are teaching that lot stuff that most of us can't even imagine.

But there is a rising issue that just might stem the tide long enough to recover.

This from Fred Thompson is the case in point.

Before the next Presidential election this case should be decided. It must play a truly paramount role in the next few months as well.

Forget everything else. A single issue is involved, sure, but it is the single issue upon which every other is based.

Fred is not my candidate this far out... but the issue is so profound that we need to watch every candidate with a microscope. Everything else will simply be of no consequence if this falls. The Constitution and The Bill of Rights is our foundation! This not the time to be flexible.

Trickle Down WHAT?

This story concerning The SecDef and his statements has been making the rounds of the MilBlogs.

As a result, he said that he is faced with the undesirable task of preparing to cease operations at Army bases by mid-February, and lay off about 100,000 defense department employees and an equal number of civilian contractors. A month later, he said, similar moves would have to be made by the Marines.

Think about it. The liberals have been saying for years the 'trickle down economics' is a myth. If the SecDef does his job Rep. Murtha (D PA-12) will get some panicked phone calls .

It's really okay though, the myth will be exploded once and for all. The liberals can't be bit on the ass by a myth... it just ain't fair.

In Defense of the Abattoir

I like meat, and while I have killed, butchered, and dressed everything on my menu at one time or another, it's just not as much fun as cooking and eating the result.

That little bit of information is prompted by the onset of deer season around here. I haven't hunted for years. Got the know how, got the tools (and the teeshirt). Was a time when chasing little bunny rabbits with a shotgun was high on my list of fun things. Think Elmer Fudd...

Still, I have it worked out so I don't need to freeze my butt off. I allow a very few folks to hunt on my place. In exchange I get all the deer meat I want.

No point here, other than I feel a bit pleased with myself. Yum, Yum!

Emigration: to be considered?

This article raises questions for us.

Last year, 207,000 British citizens - one every three minutes - left the country while 510,000 foreigners arrived to stay for a year or more.

Think about it.

I dunno what the current numbers might be here. I've earnestly considered Belize, Australia, and New Zealand myself.

As you might have noticed - fighting for this country has taken precedence for me. Still, it is a reasonable response.

More than 50 per cent of the British emigrants moved to just four countries in 2006 - Australia, New Zealand, France and Spain. Eight in every 100 went to the USA.

Spain is leaning socialist, NZ was as well. France is turning around and Australia is struggling with Immigration. Belize has recently found oil.

Just tossing out the question... maybe someone has a 'better idea'?

Consider the Farce

2: a light dramatic composition marked by broadly satirical comedy and improbable plot.
- MW online.

The Plot: The most powerful country in the world picks a new leader.
The Cast of Characters: A few, mostly quite wealthy, folks who say and do the darnedest things.
Plot Twist #1: Most voters never get to actually vote for the candidate of their choice.
Plot Twist #2: Millions are spent to avoid saying anything. But when the need arises...
Plot Twist #3: Words are used to mean something quite different than any reference work would support. This often leads to...
Plot Twist #4: Satire.

This farce is cast with folks who couldn't BE funny in real life since there's no script. Hence they rely on satire to get the laughs. They depend on script writers to turn subjects devoid of humor into jokes. Of course, most of the script writers think they are required to be serious so it's up to us to see the humor.

The only sane way to view this farce is with a chuckle. Somewhere there is a Bob Saget waiting in the wings. When the election is over he'll host "The Presidential Elections Funniest Videos" show and we'll laugh until we cry.

Do we get what we deserve?

H. L. Mencken:

As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their hearts desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.

The Baltimore Evening Sun, July 26, 1920

He also observed:

Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.

Thing is I've been casting around some, trying to understand how we, as country, got this way. I've offered post after post, trying to get someone to help me shake this melancholy. Or to simply explain why I'm wrong. The 'boy who cried wolf' and maybe 'chicken little' hover around the periphery of my thoughts, but I can't ignore what is.

History demonstrates that countries fall. Our own country has been through trials and tribulations aplenty yet somehow survived. This seems different. Could be my age or temperament writ large.

It would seem that a vast majority of the electorate has abdicated their responsibility in favor of comfort and who am I to fault them.

This Presidential election keeps scanning as a comic opera... no... make that farce!

The fundamental flaw in my thinking is obvious, and Mencken was talking about it years ago when HIS crisis of confidence was in bloom.

I'm old enough that I should learn to sit back and laugh. That's what otherwise sane people do when observing a running gag.

November at The Wall

Today the 25th anniversary of The Viet Nam Memorial begins with the Reading of the Names.

I had planned to be there this weekend, but life intrudes and I was there twice this year.

John F. Kerry will be there to once again try to capitalize on his service, and mooning him would have been worth facing(??) the weather.

When I first saw the plans for the memorial years ago I was, quite frankly, of the 'Black Gash' opinion. The other memorials in The Mall are of what I would call more appropriate design.

However, appropriateness and meaningfulness are different animals, and we 'Nam Vets have made The Wall far more meaningful than suggested by it's design. Even in the dead of winter The Wall gives off a sort of heat. I personally know few of the names on the wall, but I've known many who have added their warmth to the stone so that it glows if you know how to look. As long as one of us touches one name the effect is not unlike a transfusion of blood.

Years from now it may once again just a 'black gash', but for now it's a glowing beacon that can be seen from everywhere in the country.

Ralph Peters - 12 Myths of 21st-Century War

The article is here.

I read the article in the dead tree format last week, and after a bit of enthusiasm decided to let it slide.

Not because I disagreed with his views, but because there was nothing new said.

The article is now making the rounds in some blogs I read so I decided to examine my apparent ennui.

Every one of the myths he describes has been exploded numerous times... that his words are greeted with such enthusiasm troubles me. I'll readily acknowledge that I'm confused that Andy Warhol can do a painting of a soup can and have it called ART, so maybe there is something fundamental missing from my perceptual skill set.

I would have thought that most of the people I know and/or read would read Peters' article and simply nod along rather like a music fan who knows the words and sings along.

Still, I shouldn't have been so dismissive. If his words change one mind they should be shouted from the rooftops.

So please let me join the chorus and bring them to your attention.