Ruminations - 17apr2009

George Rebane

“At heart (Obama) is a European socialist.” was the considered opinion of Dick Morris yesterday on the Fox News Hannity program.  Such pronouncements from a the former President Clinton campaign manager and White House staffer (now a Democrats’ reprobate) cause more than a little discomfort to our friends across the aisle, especially those who continue to see every new stimulus and government growth spurt from Washington through their ‘it’s only just wee bit left of center’ glasses.

And it's clear from the now notorious Department of Homeland Security memorandum that they have an active and ongoing program of monitoring political speech in the US.  This all comes under the broad category of keeping tabs on “rightwing chatter” (such as you’re reading right now).  The DHS concludes that right wing extremism is the number one threat to homeland security and safety.  The unclassified ‘For Official Use Only’ 9-page report (here) is worth reading.  And remember this is just the tip of the iceberg that fortunately has come into public view – I’d like to see the classified versions of these communiqués.  The scary thing is that the report calls out no extremist organizations or provides any specifics in the government’s “rightwing extremist” appellation, other than labeling those who hold broad-based conservative/libertarian views, and, of course, combat-trained veterans (seems I'm guilty on both counts).  Even for conducting class warfare, that’s a pretty broad brush to apply to our backsides.  If you’re one of them extremists, don’t sit down until the paint dries.

It’s fun to see the little dust devil kicked up hereabouts by the news that The Union has invited two conservative commentators to up and commentate in their print edition.  Some of our self-declared ‘middle of the road, balanced view’ stripe locals already have their undies in a large and prickly bundle.  The Lord only knows how many minds yearning for garden club news will be mangled when Russ Steele and I kick things into high gear in the pages of our local newspaper.  Today the dangers from uninvited new ideas and arguments are everywhere, and they can getcha before you know it.

Finally, if you're also one of them scoundrels who exhale, you are now a public health hazard.  Our government in its headlong rush into idiocy has declared CO2 among the gases that cause all kinds of bad things and must now come under a slew of draconian regulations.  Russ Steele has the necessary details here.  The Chinese and other major developing countries would be laughing their collective butts off if they weren't so worried that now the destruction of our economy will become endemic, and who will then buy all the stuff that they have been selling to us.  Have you checked out the reports (here) that China is now getting rid of their dollar reserves by stockpiling industrial metals (e.g. copper, zinc) for future use - how do you say 'two birds with one stone' in Chinese? 

Comments

[DaveC]

yi shi er niao. Literally translated as 'one stone, two birds".

I just happen to be going to Guangzhou, China this Sunday on business and this is what my handy dandy Eng-Chi dictionary, with a little help from Rosetta Stone tells me.

[George Rebane]

You're fantastic Dave. Would love to hear what you saw and heard when you return.

[Russ Steele]

Dave,

Yes, lets have coffee when you return. Personal insight is much more valuable than what we read in the MSM.

[Diane Child]

I enjoyed reading your blog and added it to my blog list. I just added an article about the Tea Party held in Portland. I was talking with an organizer today and she said they are starting to plan for July 4th demonstrations. I'm all for it! My only hope is that the conservatives can take back Congress in 2010.

[George Rebane]

Thank you Diane and welcome to RR, and likewise about your fine blog. (Diane lives in the Northwest and writes Diane's Discussions at www.dianesdiscussions.blogspot.com) Jo Ann and I just got back from a local function where most of the attendees were at the Sacramento Tea Party. The word is out that we will have another major Tea Party on July 4th and a local one in the interval here in Nevada County.

[Russ Steele]

George,

You were most insightful! Sure enough some of the middle of the roaders have their undies twisted up over your comment: "Some of our self-declared ‘middle of the road, balanced view’ stripe locals already have their undies in a large and prickly bundle." Details at Jeff Pelline's Blog 

[George Rebane]

Upon reflection, one often wonders to where does the road lead on which we find them balanced in the middle.