NEW SHOOTING UNDERSCORES THE REAL PROBLEM

Well, I finally dug out from under the snow on Christmas Eve, only to get socked again on Christmas Day.  Do you suppose if I switch to being a registered Democrat I could claim snow removal from my driveway as an entitlement?  If the county plow makes my driveway inaccessible, isn't that a violation of my property rights?  

A Christmas Eve shooting spree in Webster, NY killed two firefighters and sent two others to the hospital before the shooter, William Spangler, shot himself.  He had evidently set fire to his own house to set up the lure and started shooting as firefighters arrived.  Spangler was an ex-convict who had served 11 years for a violent crime. 

COMMENTS:

So, the gun is to blame for another horrible tragedy.  The fact of the matter is that, being an ex-con, Spangler was not legally in possession of his gun(s); it’s against the law for felons to have guns.  Yet, he did.  The shooter in Connecticut should not technically legally been able to have guns due to his mental condition.  Certainly that was the case in the Colorado movie theater killings and at Fort Hood.  Yet, the looming answer to the problem is to punish those of us legal gun owners who would never hurt a flea for the sins of those illegal gun handlers.  What kind of rationale is that?  Let’s get to the root of the problems and quit addressing the symptoms.  In fact, the real problem is that the liberal thinkers in this country are not capable of dealing with reality.  That's start there, with that fact. 

TODAY’S QUERIES & ANSWERS:

Q. Your last posting said that you were having snow and were without electricity.  What did you do while you were waiting for it to come back on?  (Leonora ~ Fortuna, CA)

A. I couldn’t cook in the traditional way and had no running water since I use a well.  So, I melted snow and boiled the water for use in cooking hot dogs on my wood stove.  If I had been able to get at my grill, I could have used that, but it also was buried in snow.  My cellphone was dead as was my landline; no TV, laptop computer or light to read by.  It gave me a lot of time to contemplate my navel.    

Q. We’re at the end of the year.  Have you changed your predictions about what will happen with the “fiscal cliff?” ~ (Archie ~ Amarillo, TX)

A. Not really.  The Democrats have been trying to rub the Republican’s noses in poopoo for several decades.  As far as compromise goes, it takes two to tango and the Obamacrats will not budge an inch.  The Republicans will fight it right up until the last minute and then give the enemy everything it wants.  That’s been the history of things for the last four years; the art of compromise has been a one-sided farce for that entire time. 

Q. I remember that France decided to raise its taxes on the rich.  What were the results, or is it too early to judge yet?  (Horrinder ~ Saratoga, CA)

A. While most of France’s population approved of the increases, the wealthy are fleeing in droves.  Some are renouncing citizenship.  What you will see here is declining investment and reinvestment in the American sector as the big money moves to Canada and much more attractive venues.  Then, the whole country will be just like California… Someday, the politicians will have to learn that it is much better to have 25% of a huge pie than 99% of just the crust. 

TODAY’S QUOTE:  (And a very Happy New Year to you, Mr. Twain)

“Sometimes too much to drink is barely enough.” ~ Mark Twain

TODAY’S VIDEO:

http://video.foxnews.com/v/2055178297001/the-biggest-news-stories-of-2012/?playlist_id=903226511001

IT'S TRULY CHRISTMAS

Where I am on Saturday morning at 10:00 AM PST, the electricity has been off for ten hours.   Since my water comes from a well powered by electricity, I have no water and no stove.  My old desk top and my brand new desk top are both dark and silent.  My cell phone ran out of juice an hour ago and it's too dark to read.  The battery in this laptop will soon be dead. 

But, some things are good in life.  There's well over two feet of fresh snow on the ground and more coming; I couldn't get out of my driveway if I had to.  I can stand by the wood stove gazing out at the falling flakes while I contemplate breaking into the liquor cabinet or even popping some popcorn on that wood stove.  I'm so totally isolated; even Obama can't get to me. 

And so it is, my friends, that I sign off a day early for the Christmas holiday.  I'll be back on Wednesday the 26th, presuming that the electricity will be back on by then.  Cheers!

MAY GOD DAMN OUR GOVERNING OFFICIALS

Once again, Congress and the President have displayed an innate ability to get down to the wire on a matter of huge import to the country.  Just about the time that Obama was heading for Andrews AFB to get on Air Force One and jaunt off for a Hawaiian vacation, he challenged Congress to come back the day after Christmas and keep on trying to reach a solution. 

COMMENTS:

Well, this whole “thing” about the “Fiscal Cliff” is a bunch of malarkey to start off with.  This all should have been resolved last July and they’ve had six months since they punted at that time to fix it. The issue is that Obama is demanding his way and the Republicans don’t want to give it to him; they want compromise and Obama, regardless of his proclamations to the contrary, doesn’t want to compromise.  So, it’s a Mexican standoff.  I prayed and prayed and prayed before the election that the citizens would realize that this behavior can only be resolved by removing everyone responsible from their jobs.  We needed fresh faces in Washington starting in January, Republican and Democrat alike.  But, we didn’t get it and we’re still in a fix.  My issue is that we, you and I, are going to end up on the short end of this stick and the politicians are going to skate on and on and on.  And, by the way, any President who would, under the circumstances, tell Congress to get back to work the day after Christmas is a downright bastard.   

TODAY’S QUERIES & ANSWERS:

Q. I’ve heard it said several times recently, “If the Republicans had any smarts…”  Well, why don’t the Republicans follow some of these suggestions?  (Iva ~ Vacaville, CA)

A. Because they do not, in fact, have any smarts.  They have proven themselves beyond any reasonable doubt over the course of this last election cycle to be as dumb as posts. 

Q. I just heard that Glenn Beck had some kind of a beef with American Airlines?  (Myrtle ~ Lynnwood, WA)

A. He and his family were flying from New York City to Dallas and were grossly mistreated.  Other passengers on the plane were treated courteously and respectfully, but Glenn and family were not.  It was obvious that he was getting the brunt of liberalism dumped in his lap.  A word to the wise: Unless you’re a left-wing liberal, do not fly on American Airlines. 

Q. What do you think will happen with Egypt?  (George ~ Shasta City, CA)

A. It appears they will become an Islamic State, like Iran and Syria.  This is another fine example of Obama’s lack of foreign policy expertise; but, we’re stuck with him.  Maybe John Kerry with his 16 Purple Hearts can improve the track record. Certainly, a man of his caliber could have done better with Benghazi. 

TODAY’S QUOTE:

“Denial ain't just a river in Egypt.” ~ Mark Twain

TODAY’S VIDEO:

http://video.foxnews.com/v/2044283840001/the-truth-about-guns-murder-and-children-in-the-usa/

MARINE IN MEXICAN JAIL VICTIM OF “FAST & FURIOUS”

Any hope of former Marine Jon Hammer being released before Christmas, or even before Valentine’s Day for that matter, is all but extinguished.  A letter from Mexican Ambassador to the United States Arturo Sarukhan to Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), an advocate for Hammar's release, takes a thinly veiled swipe at the U.S., blaming it for gun proliferation south of the border. Hammar has been stuck in the drug cartel-controlled prison just 15 miles south of the U.S. border since Aug. 13. 

COMMENTS:

The victims of Eric Holder’s “Fast & Furious” gun running program continue to pop up.  Just a few days ago, a “Fast & Furious” gun showed up in the death of a Mexican beauty queen.  The gun was personally purchased by the former ATF Number 2 administrator some three years ago.  When asked how that could have happened, the agent responded that he didn’t know and that he had sold the gun on the Internet.  Mexicans appear to be just as upset over this "Fast & Furious" scheme as we are.   Holder and Obama continue to stonewall it. 

TODAY’S QUERIES & ANSWERS:

Q. I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard Obama whining that the Republicans won’t pass his agenda because they don’t like him.  Is he a ninny, or what?  (Liet ~ Gardena, CA)

A. He believes that you must do as he commands, whether you like him or not.  He is omnipotent, the new messiah.  It’s now your turn to bow to him. 

Q. I just heard that it is legal for the Federal government to track you by GPS on your cell phone or laptop without having a legal warrant.  Isn’t that an invasion of privacy?  (Gina ~ Rock Springs, WY)

A. Although the Supreme Court ruled the practice to be illegal, a Federal Judge in the 9^th Circuit Court recently ruled the tactic to be legal.  This will be another judicial quagmire going on for another two years.  In the meantime, leave your cell phone at home if you’re heading for a lady’s bordello. 

Q. Late yesterday, the House did a poll and discovered it did not have enough votes to pass “Plan B.”  Now what?  (Todd ~ Layton, UT)

A. Even if the plan had passed, the Senate and Obama both would have refused it.  If we go over the fiscal cliff, Obama gets his wishes: decreased military spending and higher taxes on everybody.  Does that make it easier to understand? 

TODAY’S QUOTE:

“The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant.” ~ John Stuart Mill

TODAY’S VIDEO:

http://video.foxnews.com/v/2048423514001/around-the-world-dozen-misshaped-skulls-found-in-mexico/?playlist_id=903226511001

MORE BENGHAZI BULL

Three State Department officials have reportedly resigned as a result of the sanitized “scathing” report released yesterday.  Word is that Eric Boswell, the assistant secretary of state for diplomatic security and Charlene Lamb, the deputy assistant secretary responsible for embassy security, stepped down under pressure after the release of the report.  A third person evidently worked for the Bureau of Near East Affairs and has not been identified.  
 

COMMENTS:

This is a typical “sacrificial lamb” ploy used in an effort to deflect investigations into wrongdoings.  We’re supposed to believe that the Benghazi Massacre was the fault of these three people and drop it.  In the meantime, every single person who should be called to testify including Obama and Clinton, has been shucking, ducking, bobbing and weaving more than Cassius Clay ever thought of doing. 

TODAY’S QUERIES & ANSWERS:

Q. Obama says he believes Americans are entitled to own guns, but that the NRA and others need to work together to come up with appropriate answers to growing gun violence.  He thinks there needs to be a list of requirements for someone to buy a gun.  What’s your answer to that?  (Zubert ~ San Pablo, CA)

A. Beware of government enacting laws for the protection of betterment of its citizens.  It sounds good, but I don’t trust Obama as far as I can throw him.  That’s not to say that I don’t agree with those who want to prevent another Newtown.  In the Newtown case, the mother should have removed the guns from the house, but she didn’t.  She was the registered owner.  Did she ever take a gun safety course as is required in California and other states?  I don’t think so, or she would have known better.  That type of legislation I’m in favor of, as well as background checks including determining mental stability.  But, even these things must be coupled with an examination of the sociological factors leading to mass murders.   

Q. What about this former Marine Hammar who is in a Mexican jail?  (Demmi ~ Gardnervile, NV)

A. Yes, he declared his antique gun as he entered the country.  But, the prison he is in is run by a Mexican drug cartel.  You also have a President who is impotent in dealing with such matters; once again, the United States is being held hostage.  We are dealing with this situation the same way we have dealt with the Benghazi Massacre, and how we are handling the North Koreans and the Iranians.  I have said for several years now that any American who wants to be a tourist in Mexico is out of his tree.  The danger there is too high. 

Q. TIME has again named Obama as “Person of the Year.”  I just know you must have some caustic comment.  (Troy ~ Los Alamos, NM)

A. No, I don’t have any comment, other than to say that I don’t read trashy magazines.   

TODAY’S QUOTE:

“If you want to know who your friends are, get yourself a jail sentence.” ~ Charles Bukowski

TODAY’S VIDEO:

http://video.foxnews.com/v/2046355478001/atf-officials-gun-ends-up-at-mexican-crime-scene/?playlist_id=903226511001

GUN SALES SKYROCKET

Now that President Obama and Members of Commerce have made it clear that they are going after gun control as a result of the Newtown horror, gun sales are soaring.  Thousands of people have purchased the AR-15, which is tops on the list of guns to be banned.  High capacity magazines for all types of guns are also going like hotcakes at a Boy Scout breakfast sale. 

COMMENTS:

I agree that every American who is mentally stable and of legal age should buy the gun(s) of their dreams right now.  Even those not so inclined to own guns should consider buying them as an investment; unless badly mistreated, their value does not go down and, given the anti-gun movement, their value is likely to go up as the ability to buy guns becomes more difficult.  I also recommend loading up on ammo.  Ammo doesn’t go bad and one of the tactics of governments is to try and dry up the supply of ammo.  Buy from a reliable gun store and be sure to get instruction on gun safety and proper use of the weapons you purchase. 

TODAY’S QUERIES & ANSWERS:

Q. [Yesterday] Obama summarily turned down the Republican “Plan B” to raise taxes on those making more than $1 million a year, coupled with plans for further talks to reduce spending, etc after the first of the year.  What’s your reaction to this?  (Parker ~ Prescott, AZ)

A. The pious, dictatorial son-of-a-bitch deserves to rot in hell.  Outside of that, I like him. 

Q. I heard some female Senator yesterday saying in essence that the NRA should be shut down.  Is that going to be their new tactic on gun control?  (Ivan ~ Desert Hot Springs, CA)

A. People who talk like that are dangerous to society.  She should be tucked away into an insane asylum, but I understand mental health issues are not covered under ObamaCare.    

Q. I don’t understand something.  Obama makes these speeches about how we need to cut spending and reduce the debt, and then he wants to add $1.6 trillion to spending and refuses to discuss any cuts.  (Donni ~ Grants Pass, OR)

A. He speaks out of both sides of his mouth.  He speaks with forked tongue.  He’s a pathological liar, a master at manipulation and the worst thing ever to happen to this country.  Outside of that, I still like him.  Maybe he’ll invite me over for a beer in the Rose Garden. 

TODAY’S QUOTE:

“I am in support of the NRA position on gun control.” ~ William J. Clinton

TODAY’S VIDEO:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7dpTtn5AQo

GOVERNMENT SPENDING SPREE

The Federal Government is spending about $11 billion per day.  That’s over $4 trillion per year.  Or, in smaller terms, that $7.64 million dollars per minute.  Of the $11 billion, the major expenditures are as follows: The Department of Health and Human Services, $3 billion a day; Social Security, $2.5 billion a day; the Department of Defense, $1.8 billion a day ; and interest on the debt at $854 million every day.  Yes, that’s a paltry $593,000 per minute in interest. 

COMMENTS: 

Just wait until we add the ObamaCare figures.  Obama wants to add another $1.6 trillion in spending on top of that.  Do any of these figures boggle your mind?  Me neither, but I’ll bet you they will boggle our grandkids’ wallets!  The question is… Can we Americans stop this? 

TODAY’S QUERIES & ANSWERS:

Q. I know you’ve said that both the Chinese and the Russians are ramping up their military forces.  The Chinese are flexing their naval muscles in the South China Sea.  What about the Russian navy?  (Wilbur ~ Victorville, CA)

A. They’re a tad behind, but intend to catch up through their U.S. espionage activities.  Their submarines are superb.  They’ve been caught several times grabbing U.S. Naval secrets. 

Q. Of the several groups that avoided the Republicans this year, the single women group is among the largest.  Why are they so much to the left?  (Sami ~ Glendora, CA)

A. Here’s a quote from one 31-year-old unmarried gal: "They skew so much to the religious right. ... They focused so much on taxes. It's not something that women in my demographic really care about. I've never heard my friends lament their taxes." Women care more about their future security, and Obama gave them entitlements and other things to rely on if they get in a jam.  They want that safety net.   

Q. New York Mayor Bloomberg is at it again, wanting to ban guns.  He says that said if Obama does not act, an estimated 48,000 Americans will die next year at the trigger of illegally possessed guns. How do you respond?  (Brian ~ Abilene, TX)

A. Chicago has the toughest gun laws in the country.  It also has the highest rate of gun crimes in the country.  Obviously, in Chicago, only the criminals have guns. 

TODAY’S QUOTE:

“One man with a gun can control 100 without one.” ~ Vladimir Lenin

TODAY’S VIDEO:
http://video.foxnews.com/v/2041491422001/details-emerge-on-adam-lanzas-past/?playlist_id=903226511001