Twitter - @....

Many of you readers have heard of the online social community called Twitter, in fact some of you reading this followed the link I posted there to direct you here...

Not too long ago (on December 14th), I posted an entry here entitled "I'm Back" - In short, I hadn't written in a while, and announced my return to the fray. I promised to try to be less partisan, and give President Obama some grace time before ripping into his policies or actions. I'm still evaluating some of these, and the grace period continues - for President Obama that is...

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and their cronies? It's open season. Oh, no! I'm not going to limit myself to just lambasting the Left. I'm also going to go after the demagogues on the Right, like Rush Limbaugh, and Sean Hannity. However - this post is not about any of those people.

This post is in regards to a member of Twitter that posted an @reply to me. At first I was at a loss as to the topic of conversation as I had just posted a comment about the literary merits of the Twilight series of novels by Stephanie Meyer. I had stated my dislike for them, and receive what I thought was a response to that -

"Perhaps it is you who does not get it. I do have the right to express my opinion even if it differs from yours. Vile? Very sad"

I then started reading back to see what I had said that was so "Vile" and offensive to the writer of this response... and figured out that they weren't talking about Twilight at all... I had taken her to task for her insipid, overly-blind-partisan, hatred of everything and everyone that disagrees with her political views. Or more accurately, anyone that she disagrees with. What had I written that was labeled as "vile"?

You just absolutely do not get it do you? It's not just the republicans' or the democrats' that are to blame - its all of us...

Yep, that's it. Could someone please tell me how that can be considered "vile"? My point, as I stated in the December 14th post, was that it's not Speaker Pelosi, Senator Reid, Mr. Limbaugh, or Mr. Hannity that are responsible for the venom that is being pushed as "debate" in this nation - it's you and I, all of us. Its the simple fact that we do not stand up to these partisan hacks and shout "ENOUGH!"

In case you missed it: The goal of my original post in December, and this one today, is to illuminate the fact that serious debate is a lost art in this county. Without which, we are unable to discuss ideas that will potentially solve the problems we face in the nation, and in the world.

In my @reply to her, I never stated, implied, or inferred that she "didn't have the right to express her opinion". I spent too many years in uniform as a United States Marine protecting that very right to try to impugn that right today. As has been credited to Voltaire,

"I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

Which also, incidentally gives me the right to respond in any manner that I choose, be it civil (as I thought I had) or in the worst vile terms known to the history of mankind.

You are wrong madam, and you are perpetuating the death knell of this nation. I will not allow you to do this unchallenged. Years ago I swore an oath to preserve, protect, and defend this nation, against ALL enemies, foreign and domestic. I will carry out my oath.

To have to point out that you, and your ilk, are so politically blind, and seemingly brain-dead, that you are unable to see that you are part of the problem, and not in any way advancing any type of solution is simply frustrating. Let me know when you want to enter into a serious debate to discuss the issues of the day, and possible solutions to those issues, instead of the finger-pointing and blaming that is rampant in our society today.

And no that's not an ad hominem attack because I haven't called you out by name. Or in today's lingo:

OMG, Barboo, you make me want to LOL. I just discovered Twitter. I know i’m a little late to the game, but that doesn’t mean that you’re any less of a G.A.B.P.I.T.A.W.M.W. number 2 “D.” Giant Annoying Bangsy Pain In The Ass Who Makes me Want to Die.

To my readers:

Now that you have suffered through reading my rant I have some questions for you:

1. What are you doing to improve the state of the nation today?
2. Are you part of the problem, or part of the solution?
3. What effect are your efforts having in a positive or negative way?
4. What do you think can be done better, what can be changed in the approach we use?

Thanks for listening.

Sarah Palin in a nutshell

First let me quote what Dennis Miller said on Bill O’Reilly’s show on why he likes Sarah Palin, “She’s normal, she’s happy to be normal, and she makes me happy to be normal.” I add to that, “Her values are my values … Biblical values.

And those are what I want to see represented in government more than anything else.” Because POLItics (and therefore POLIcies) emanate out of the VALUES of people.

But now, with the results of this election giving the final word to the democrats in every branch of federal government, a great flaw in our political system is exposed. That is, where is the representation for the 48% of the population who voted for McCain/Palin? The final say should have 48% Republican influence and 52% democrat influence. (But there is even a flaw built into that … how many of those who voted for democrats were hoodwinked by a liberal media who was selective in their reporting by inventing gaffs for Palin [clothes, Africa, etc.] and not putting a spotlight on the gaffs by Obama [57 out of 58 states] or Biden [FDR on TV in 1929]).

Like Sean Hannity says, “Journalism is dead in this country”. And I add to that, “So is intelligence”.

The Rest of the Story...

Paul Aurandt was born in the empty outback of Oklahoma near Tulsa in 1918, the son of a police officer that was tragically killed while Paul was still a baby. Growing up in those times, in that place could have been devastating to any youngster growing up in a single parent home, but Paul thrived.

In high school a teacher took note of a special quality in Paul and planted the seeds of his career that spanned decades and brought him to the pinnacle of his field. Bowing to a genuine modesty he always credited his "Angel", as he always called her, with his success. He must have seen something special in her as he proposed on their first date. She said "no". Never one to quit, he pressed on like so many of that generation, and in 1940 married her.

Together they created a son, and a iconic radio show that lasted until his name, and his distinctive voice were a heartland icon, delivering the news, and his commentary on it in his unique style - often imitated, never replicated.

He was nothing short of a legend in his own time, but he never allowed that to color his everyman aura that made him a part of the folklore of Americana.

Paul Aurandt died today in Arizona at the age of 90. Nevermore will we hear that distinctive voice call out "Stand by for News!"

Paul Harvey Aurandt: 1918-2009

And now you know...

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Absolutely Gobsmacked!

Time for a break from what I normally post. I was going to start a post regarding President Obama's address to a joint session of Congress last night and give some reflections on that, and other things political - however; sometimes life throws a curve and like some pitchers in baseball, leaves that curve hanging. Anyone (that knows baseball) knows that a hanging breaking ball is was hitters drool over.

This is one of those posts that I HAD to write, because the subject matter was just "that good". I just watched "Transform:: A short film for ScottKelby.com" that was done by a photographic artist from Atlanta by the name of Zack Arias.

In short - stunning, absolutely gob smacking.

To give it more words, or tell you what the video is about would be a grave injustice. To not share it with you would be a crime. Go to the link below and watch it. If you do nothing else today - do that. Watch the whole video.

I have included my response/reply to his video and I hope that one day he'll run across it and know how his short film has affected not only myself, but countless others - I hope you will be one of those.

http://www.zarias.com/?p=284


Zack;

I could tell you how much your video means to me - but I'm actually speechless. I have sat here now for 23 minutes trying to formulate words. I keep getting stuck after "WOW"... I was directed here by Cory "Mr. Safety" Williams (thanks Cory) from a simple "tweet" he posted. After watching your work, my day... simply... stopped.

Sometimes something renews our hope, that either there are people like ourselves in the world (common travelers, if you will), or that there is still hope for humanity, and the humanities.

Without stealing the words of others who probably have said it much better than I ever could - stunning, beautiful, breathtaking, thought-provoking, motivating, encouraging. And simply, "Wow!"

And thank you.

World-Wide, Baby!!!

Reposted from Texas Swimming Blog - texasswimming.blogspot.com

Don't ask me to remember who put me onto their site, but in November of '07, I was introduced to Floswimming.

It's time to stop and think about the impact Garrett's site has had on our sport in just over sixteen (16) months.

Don't just think about it in terms of swimmers and coaches watching other swimmers and coaches.

Think about the way it impacts families in our great sport.

Imagine a serviceman an ocean away logging on and watching his niece qualify for a state meet for the very first time. Think about the grandmother a continent away seeing her grandson swim in a Grand Prix meet.

Do y'all appreciate how incredibly simple it is for these people - and thousands like them - to connect with their swimming loved ones?

They:

• don't need special software,
• don't have to register,
• aren't asked for their e-mail addresses,
• don't have ads popping up all over their screen, and
• don't have to spend a dime.

They just click their mouse, sit back, and watch it all unfold.

It could be a daughter talking about training with her college team. Or a nephew in a club workout. Maybe a cousin being interviewed after a great race.

This is the best thing to happen to our sport since goggles...

View Original Article

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I'm Back!

It's been a while - but I'm back.

Some things over the last few years have been disappointing, while others have been uplifting. I took a break from writing my obviously partisan blog since I had gotten my fill of rabidness and blind demagoguery. However, I am making a return.

This is not because I have become any less or more partisan, or opinionated over the time I was gone, but I have witnessed some shocking hypocrisy that cannot, and shall not, go unchallenged.

On the day after the recent US presidential elections, and the announcement that Senator Obama had won, all of the sudden the call for "bipartisanship" went out. I actually heard one talking head state that "now that Sen. Obama has won the election, its time for all Americans to unite behind this new President and support him." - Uhhh, like you did in 2000? Or in 2004? I seem to remember NONE of you going forward in the "spirit of cooperation" to "support the President-Elect"... seems to me there were near riots in the streets with many on the Left saying "he wasn't elected, he was selected." - and calling him everything from "stupid" to "illegitimate" - well guess what... I'm going to proceed with the same spirit of "cooperation and bipartisanship" that you showed in those days.

Well, with one exception of course, I'm actually going to give the new President the chance to make his own decisions, and his own mistakes before I start lambasting those on this blog. And if he does good - I'm going to do something you on the Left couldn't have done if there was a gun pointed at your mother's head... I'm going to admit that President Obama has made the correct call, and praise and support him on it.

I know, I know - it's inconceiveable for you to fathom the depth of character and integrity that such an act would require. Just watch and see how it's done. Perhaps next time you can support a Republican in office....... or you can wallow in the filth and mud that seems to be clinging to you after 8 years of hatred toward this current administration... your choice...

Mexifornia

We know Richard Lamm as the former Governor of Colorado. In that context his
thoughts are particularly poignant. Last week there was an immigration
overpopulation conference in Washington, DC, filled to capacity by many of
American's finest minds and leaders. A brilliant college professor by the
name of Victor Hansen Davis talked about his latest book, Mexifornia,"
explaining how immigration - both legal and illegal" was destroying the
entire state of California. He said it would march across the country until
it destroyed all vestiges of The American Dream.

Moments later, former Colorado Governor Richard D. Lamm stood up and gave a
stunning speech on how to destroy America. The audience sat spellbound as
he described eight methods for the destruction of the United States. He
said, "If you believe that America is too smug, too self-satisfied, too
rich, then let's destroy America. It is not that hard to do. No nation in
history has survived the ravages of time.
Arnold Toynbee observed that all great civilizations rise and fall and that
'An autopsy of history would show that all great nations commit suicide.'"

Here is how they do it," Lamm said:

"First, to destroy America, turn America into a bilingual or multi-lingual
and bicultural country." History shows that no nation can survive the
tension, conflict, and antagonism of two or more competing languages and
cultures. It is a blessing for an individual to be bilingual; however, it
is a curse for a society to be bilingual. The historical scholar, Seymour
Lipset, put it this way: "The histories of bilingual and bi-cultural
societies that do not assimilate are histories of turmoil, tension, and
tragedy." Canada, Belgium, Malaysia, and Lebanon all face crises of national
existence in which minorities press for autonomy, if not independence.
Pakistan and Cyprus have divided.
Nigeria suppressed an ethnic rebellion. France faces difficulties with
Basques, Bretons, and Corsicans.".

Lamm went on: Second, to destroy America, "Invent 'multiculturalism' and
encourage immigrants to maintain their culture. I would make it an article
of belief that all cultures are equal. That there are no cultural
differences. I would make it an article of faith that the Black and
Hispanic dropout rates are due solely to prejudice and discrimination by the
majority. Every other explanation is out of bounds.

Third, "We could make the United States an 'Hispanic Quebec' without much
effort. The key is to celebrate diversity rather than unity. As Benjamin
Schwarz said in the Atlantic Monthly recently: "The apparent success of our
own multiethnic and multicultural experiment might have been achieved not by
tolerance but by hegemony. Without the dominance that once dictated
ethnocentricity and what it meant to be an American, we are left with only
tolerance and pluralism to hold us together."
Lamm said, "I would encourage all immigrants to keep their own language and
culture. I would replace the melting pot metaphor with the salad bowl
metaphor. It is important to ensure that we have various cultural subgroups
living in America enforcing their differences rather than as Americans,
emphasizing their similarities."

"Fourth, I would make our fastest growing demographic group the least
educated. I would add a second underclass, unassimilated, undereducated,
and antagonistic to our population. I would have this second underclass
have a
50% dropout rate from high. school."

"My fifth point for destroying America would be to get big foundations and
business to give these efforts lots of money. I would invest in ethnic
identity, and I would establish the cult of 'Victimology.' I would get all
minorities to think that their lack of success was the fault of the
majority. I would start a grievance industry blaming all minority failure
on the majority population."

"My sixth plan for America's downfall would include dual citizenship, and
promote divided loyalties. I would celebrate diversity over unity.
I would stress differences rather than similarities. Diverse people
worldwide are mostly engaged in hating each other - that is, when they are
not killing each other. A diverse, peaceful, or stable society is against
most historical precedent. People undervalue the unity it takes to keep a
nation together. Look at the ancient Greeks. The Greeks believed that they
belonged to the same race; they possessed a common language and literature;
and they worshipped the same gods. All Greece took part in the Olympic
games. A common enemy, Persia, threatened their liberty. Yet all these
bonds were not strong enough to overcome two factors: local patriotism and
geographical conditions that nurtured political divisions. Greece fell.
"E. Pluribus Unum" -- >From many, one.
In that historical reality, if we put the emphasis on the 'pluribus'.
Instead of the 'Unum,' we will balkanize America as surely as Kosovo."

"Next to last, I would place all subjects off limits; make it taboo to talk
about anything against the cult of 'diversity.' I would find a word similar
to 'heretic' in the 16th century - that stopped discussion and paralyzed
thinking. Words like 'racist' or 'xenophobe' halt discussion and debate.
Having made America a bilingual/bicultural country, having established
multi-culturism, having the large foundations fund the doctrine of
'Victimology,' I would next make it impossible to enforce our immigration
laws. I would develop a mantra: That because immigration has been good for
America, it must always be good. I would make every individual immigrant
symmetric and ignore the cumulative impact of millions of them."

In the last minute of his speech, Governor Lamm wiped his brow.
Profound silence followed. Finally he said,. "Lastly, I would censor
Victor Hanson Davis's book Mexifornia. His book is dangerous. It exposes
the plan to destroy America. If you feel America. deserves to be
destroyed, don't read that book.".

There was no applause. A chilling fear quietly rose like an ominous cloud
above every attendee at the conference. Every American in that room knew
that everything Lamm enumerated was proceeding methodically, quietly,
darkly, yet pervasively across the United States today.
Discussion is being suppressed. Over 100 languages are ripping the
foundation of our educational system and national cohesiveness. Even
barbaric cultures that practice female genital mutilation are growing as we
celebrate 'diversity.' American jobs are vanishing into the Third World as
corporations create a Third World in. America - take note of California and
other states - to date, ten million illegal aliens and growing fast. It is
reminiscent of George Orwell's book "1984." In that story, three slogans are
engraved in the Ministry of Truth building:
"War is peace," "Freedom is slavery," and "Ignorance is strength.".

Governor Lamm walked back to his seat. It dawned on everyone at the
conference that our nation and the future of this great democracy is deeply
in trouble and worsening fast. If we don't get this immigration monster
stopped within three years, it will rage like a California wildfire and
destroy everything in its path, especially The American Dream.