Friday Round-up: 01-23-09

 

Gerald Warner at the Telegraph has some dire warnings about the future in his article, “Barack Obama inauguration: this Emperor has no clothes, it will all end in tears”. I do believe he may be correct:

“To anyone who kept his head, the string of Christmas cracker mottoes booming through the public address system on Washington’s National Mall can only excite scepticism. It is crucial to recall the reality that lies behind the rhetoric. Denouncing “those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents” comes ill from a man whose flagship legislation, the Freedom of Choice Act, will impose abortion, including partial-birth abortion, on every state in the Union. It seems the era of Hope is to be inaugurated with a slaughter of the innocents.”

There’s more, and it’s all very compelling.

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Last week, Hugh Hewitt linked to a very interesting article about the economy as seen through the eyes (as it were) of the Disney corporation. Perhaps things aren’t as bad as we think:

“ …The news coming out of Lake Buena Vista these days is still lots better than anyone ever anticipated back in late October / early November.

Which is why — very quietly — Walt Disney World has begun thawing out some previously frozen projects…

…No, I’m talking about WDW’s family suites project. Which will involve taking those half-completed buildings on the Legendary Years side of Disney’s Pop Century Resort and then turning them into two, three and four-bedroom units where entire families can stay together during their Disney World vacations. Just this past week, contracts were signed to begin the clean-up / preparatory phase on this construction project. Which will involve sending survey teams into this long-empty structures to identify where repairs need to be made. More importantly, what walls need to come down.

Now keep in mind that Disney is doing this work in early 2009 because the Company genuinely believes that — by mid-2010 (i.e. when the first of these family suites buildings will actually be ready for Guests to occupy) — that the economy will have made a strong enough recovery that there’ll actually be demand for these types of rooms on property. And as the economy gets stronger & stronger, more & more blocks of rooms at Disney’s Pop Century will be transformed into family suites…”

So a huge corporation thinks the economy is doing well enough, relatively speaking, to plan for growth in the coming years. I find that heartening, don’t you?

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Lastly, here is one more lovely farewell, courtesy of A Soldier’s Perspective, via The Anchoress (via Mom):

Let’s leave it at that, shall we?

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Unless you’d like to see some peaceful video of birds at a feeder. What’s that? You would? Well, okay, if  you insist, here’s just the ticket, by way of eBirdseed:

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Have a terrific weekend!

Stoutcat

New Video of Hudson River Water Landing

The Associated Press has just released a new video of last week’s astounding landing of US Air Flight 1549 in the Hudson River. The more video I see of this, the more amazed I am at the way everything and everyone worked together so magnificently for such a wonderful outcome.

Watch closely the action and the timing. Within three seconds, the first door is open–the water splash is still visible. Within 10 seconds, both doors are open and the emergency escape slides are out. Within 20 seconds, people are out of the plane.

Call it a miracle, call it good training, call it what you will–it is the finest examples of people working together in a life-or-death situation that I have seen in a long while. God bless every single one of ‘em.

Compare that with the water landing linked here, and realize just how amazing last week’s landing really was.

(Above video via Comcast.)

Stoutcat

An Embarassing Day

For me, Jan 20, 2009 should have been a great day… A day of celebration and history. More importantly, it was to be the day of a new beginning.

Instead it was day of shame and embarrassment. In particular, I speak of the crowds‘ booing of former First Lady Laura Bush… Dislike Dubya, dislike Cheney… Whatever… But boo Laura?

Mrs. Bush never wanted to get involved in politics. All she ever wanted to do with her life was to teach disadvantaged children. In my humble opinion, those who booed her are nothing more than liberal, petty, classless, ignorant, agenda-driven lemmings…

I’ve got news for the media and the liberals. My guess is that the Conservative honeymoon for Obama ended when he didn’t show just that tiny sliver of decency in gently chastising the million or more for booing Mrs. Bush. Just a quick reminder of civility would have worked wonders. But that collective gesture (booing) was childish, self-indulgent, oblivious, obnoxious, entitlement-laden, ignorant, brat behavior. In short, it was embarrassing.

And before anyone wails, “We have the right to boo because Dubya got us into a war based on lies about WMDs…” You’d better read up on those 500 tons of uranium yellowcake we found in Iraq.

And before anyone wails, “We have the right to boo because Dubya got us into this economy mess…” You’d better check out what one of your liberal writers said. (Max. kudos BTW go out to Mr. Card. He’s one of the few journalists Left or Right who has the guts to simply tell the truth.) Not to mention this pathetic circus. Oh, and check out this.

Other miscellaneous thoughts on Jan. 20…

As the Bushes left the White house, there were no “O” keys missing. Sounds like Dubya et al were more than slightly classier than the Clintons et al.

I guess I should have expected this kind of behavior from this kind of citizenry. How else do you rationally explain the vocal snubbing directed at the former First Lady?

I don’t know much about much… I really don’t. But I do know that Mrs. Bush didn’t deserve the send-off she received on Jan 20…

That’s just embarrassing.

Alan Speakman

Stay Away from PA!

 

The Steelers… the Eagles… The Terrorists? If PA Rep. John Murtha has his way, Pennsylvania may soon be home to former inmates of Guantanamo Bay, those gentle, mis-understood “political” prisoners, about whom it has been reported:

One detainee told his captor that when he was released he would track him and his family down on the Internet and “cut their throats like sheep.” Assaults by prisoners on guards, ranging from punches and body slams, to throwing objects, even feces and urine, are a near daily occurrence. One detainee has attacked his military guards more than 20 times, swearing each time to kill all of them when he is released.

With PresBO honing to make good on at least one campaign promise, it looks like the detention center at Guantanamo may be closing and the terrorists that are being held there moved elsewhere. But if the terrorists are removed from Gitmo, where will they go? Fear not! Murtha has extended an invitation to host them in Pennsylvania.

Rep. Murtha does not consider these men a threat to society, so he has offered to house them his district, where (in his words), “They’re no more dangerous in my district than in Guantanamo.” Right.

The horrible irony of this offer is simple: Murtha’s district includes Shanksville, PA. Yes, Shanksville, the town where, on September 11, 2001, the heroes of United Flight 93 won the first battle against radical Islam of the new millennium. This is so shameful that I have no words to describe it.

But I hope the people of Pennsylvania, and in particular, those citizens of Murtha’s 12th District, will speak out against this travesty in words so plain and unmistakable that even a tin-eared blowhard like Murtha will understand: terrorists DO NOT belong on American soil, in American prisons. And they most certainly do not belong anywhere near consecrated ground where American heroes died in a desperate attepmt to thwart the plans of the brothers-in-arms of those same terrorists.

Pennsylvanians, please do not let Rep. Murtha do this to you.

Related: Wizbang, HotAir 

Stoutcat

Must-Read of the Day

 

Striking somewhat of the same note as (but far better written than) my Fair Weather Friends post of yesterday, Victor David Hanson brings us our must-read article for today. Actually his was from yesterday too, but it is as timely and thought-provoking today.

“…I distilled from the press coverage and the crowds and the punditry yesterday that for all too many suddenly a vote for Obama redeems America. Now, to paraphrase Michelle Obama, for the first time in their lives they are apparently proud of the United States…

So I am surprised that suddenly the election of a single individual means that we are united, patriotic, proud of America? Suddenly Okinawa or Antietam, or all those who died at the Argonne, are ours to claim again? (This reminds of elementary school, when our third-grade split up into two sides, as the teacher quizzed us on geography–and the losers of the contest cried and said unfair and how they didn’t like school or Mrs. Wilson, and then when they won the next day, how suddenly third grade became glorious, and Mrs. Wilson and her games were once again wonderful).

But America was always ours, the public, and the nation transcends the proposition of whether Obama gets elected or not—given that the United States, in its worst hour, was better than the alternatives at their best. So I think it would be wise to cool it on the “I am now proud of America” rhetoric. If getting your way means suddenly the dead at Iwo or those who were blown up in B-17s over Germany are at last your own and matter, then we are in deep trouble.”

And he’s just getting started:

“…Excuse me, but as a cynic I confess the politics of the left are now about power, ego, status, and the notion of control, rather than genuine concern for the planet, or the creed of egalitarianism or for freedoms of the people. The conservative grandee at least lives by his unapologetic creed, one that we sometimes abhor, but accept is consistent with the natural law of the jungle in that the stronger and more capable claim that that they deserve a greater material reward for their greater accomplishments or, barring that, even unabashedly for their greater luck in being born lucky…”

Read it all–including the comments.

Stoutcat

Consumer Warning: Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) Danger

Don’t know how widespread this is… But Mission Control, we have a very serious fire hazard.

One of our CFLs outlived its functionality, and almost caused a fire. No joke… Smoke, the whole deal… Take a look at the pic below (particularly the charred/melted base where the glass tubes meet the plastic housing).

Looks like I’m not the only one who’s had this problem… (In my situation, I was dealing with a MaxLight 15W EconoMax bulb)

http://chervil-earth.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-safe-are-cfls.html

Regardless, this is a real fire hazard… Be aware and be safe.

Alan Speakman

Fair Weather Friends

 

In certain expatriate circles around the world (particularly, I would venture to guess, literary, academic, and “journalistic” cliques), it has been fashionable of late to pretend that one is not an American. Hide the flag. Fleetingly mention Ottawa or Canada in conversations. Mock President Bush with your European friends. It’s all the same. These people have thrown America under the bus, thinking their country embarrassing, inconvenient, or merely tacky.

And these same ex-pats are now dancing in the streets of Europe’s capitals with the same fervor some Arab communities did when the Twin Towers fell. Suddenly, it’s hip to be an American. It’s cool. It’s okay. There’s no longer any need to feel ashamed by the hopelessly stodgy, relentlessly upbeat, unabashedly pro-American utterings of ex-President Bush; we have a trendy new President now! Case in point:

A week before, I would have said to her, ‘Just put the flag in the car. Let’s not draw attention to ourselves,’ ” Pampalone said. But this time, she told her daughter, ” ‘Great, take the flag,’ and when she walked around saying, ‘Yes, we can!’ everyone in the restaurant was smiling.’ “

We now are led by the man who took Europe by storm, who breathed fresh life into our souls with his soaring rhetoric of hope and change. Doesn’t matter that he hasn’t actually accomplished anything except publishing two rather lame autobiographies. Doesn’t matter that many of his friends are terrorists and America-haters. Nor that his advisors seem to have, ah, “background problems,” shall we say.

None of that matters, you see, because now that Barack Obama is president, it’s okay to be an American again, in the eyes of the world.

These ex-pat second-classers ougth to have defended our country–not with their lives, no! Leave that to the troops they don’t support. Simply defend your country with words, you cowards. Stand up for the land that grants you the freedom to live, worship, work, travel wherever you please. But no! You bad-mouth America. You deny your heritage and heap shame upon yourselves, even if you’re too liberal stupid to realize it.

America has always needed her stalwart citizens, never more so than during the last eight years. But we can do very nicely without you fair weather Americans. Just stay where you are… And don’t come back.

H/T: Rachel Lucas

Stoutcat

Obama: Can Substance Take Over For The Hype?

 

It is now official. We have our 44th President, Barack Hussein Obama.  He has enjoyed the ride to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. borne by support from so many sources (some still hidden), but perhaps most helpful, from the liberal media. Never was a candidate given so many “passes” on issues that would have taken down other candidates.  But it’s now a fait accompli.  It is done.

In his inaugural address today, he played his part well. He spoke the words carefully calculated by his speech writers to cause frequent breaks for cheers and applause. The speech they provided to him didn’t let him down. But for all the hype and hoopla… well, to paraphrase Lloyd Bentsen, “I heard John F. Kennedy’s inauguration speech, and this was no Kennedy speech.”

Ever since Kennedy’s famous, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” challenge in his inaugural address nearly a half century ago, Presidential speechwriters have tried (and failed) to come up with something that would equal that quote.  I’m sure that was the goal for Obama’swriters — and this may be their first big failure. But don’t worry. Whatever may have been missing in his speech, the media will undoubtedly fill in the gap with their artificially induced enthusiasm. MSNBC’s  Keith Olbermann will undoubtedly drool all over himself as he reviews the speech. And it will be moderately interesting to see Chris Matthews’ take on it. All of America will be holding its collective breath to see if the tingle is still present in his leg or, perhaps, if Matthews has lost control of his bladder altogether. Either way, I”m sure he will continue to see his job as a journalist is to make the Obama Presidency work (and the Bush Presidency to look bad). I must have been absent from journalism class that day.

The grand finale of Obama’s inaugural address (which, to be fair, was overall inspiring), fell well short of expectations. It imitated Kennedy (no surprise there) in its appeal to America’s citizens to rise to the challenges outlined earlier in the speech as he implored:

“With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.”

Perhaps I’m jaded, but that sentiment, no matter how genuine, sounded so formulaic, it was almost anti-climactic, especially coming immediately after he quoted George Washington:

 “Let it be told to the future world … that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive…that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet it”  

Finally, I find it more than a tad hypocriticalthat, after outlining just what hardships this country faces, it is now off to 10 more inaugural balls with the continued support of the media… the same media who chastized George Bush 4 years ago for spending less than one third of what Obama is reportedly spending (in excess of $150 million) for  his  monstrous 4 days of bread and circuses. In the days and months that lie before us, we will undoubtedly look back at this vulgar display of  “an embarrassment of riches” and ask, “What was he thinking?” A trulygreat leader would have led by example:

 “Sorry folks, while it’s important to both acknowledge and celebrate this historic  moment, it is equally important that we  celebrate in a manner more appropriate and in line with the economic reality facing our nation.”

Obama really missed the boat in his first golden opportunity to be a leader. One can only hope this is not an example of his future judgement.  Score ONE for HYPE and ZERO for SUBSTANCE.

Tomorrow, however, the truth will take hold. No more parties. No more “When I become President…”  He can no longer point fingers at George Bush (although I’m sure he will continue to use the Bush Presidency as the scapegoat for any and all future shortcomings). And there’s only so much smoke and mirrors that can be provided by Matthews, Olbermann, Couric and the others.

It’s time to roll up the sleeves and begin work, Mr. President.  Let’s see what you’re really made of.

Pass the Rolaids, would you, hon?

Gerry Ashley

New Kid in Town

 

It’s just so damn perfect!

There’s talk on the street, it sounds so familiar.
Great expectations, everybody’s watching you.
People you meet they all seem to know you,
Even your old friends treat you like you’re something new.

Johnny-come-lately, the new kid in town,
Everybody loves you, so don’t let them down…

There’s talk on the street, it’s there to remind you
That it doesn’t really matter which side you’re on.
You’re walking away and they’re talking behind you.
They will never forget you till somebody new comes along.

Where you been lately? Theres a new kid in town…

Ah, the Eagles. Is there any situation not covered by one of their songs?

Stoutcat

Congratulations, President Obama

 

 ”I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

With those words, Barack Obama assumes the job of President of the United States of America.

Good luck, Mr. President. Your road will not be easy, and it probably mostly won’t be much fun. You won’t be able to carry a TelePromTer with you all the time, so you’d better get better at speaking off the cuff. Those who you once thought of as friends may or may not still be friendly to you; better get used to that, too.

The press (all those sycophants of the Mainstream Media who just yesterday were still slobbering over you) may suddenly turn and rend you if you disappoint them–or they may not. They’re capricious that way. Your liberal supporters will back you only as long as you do their bidding. Stray from their designated path but an inch, and they, too, are likely to turn and start kicking you around. It’ll hurt, you know.

I’ll be interested to see what your reaction will be the first time you get savaged by the press or your “followers”. I would hope that you will handle it with grace and dignity; President Bush has set you a wonderful example of how to do that, and you would do well to emulate him. 

Honestly, I really don’t know why you wanted this job so badly. But you did, and you got it. So from one American to another, I wish you all success in the endeavor. In fact, I truly wish you so much success that I find myself impelled to vote for you in four years.

Congratulations, good luck, and may you keep our beloved nation as safe as your predecessor did.

Stoutcat