Ann Coulter-Love Her or Hate Her?

I just had to write early this morning as my Ann Coulter update hit my inbox. A while back I subscribed to her update because I find some of the things she says very interesting. I find her incredibly smart with some very good views on things...I just think her delivery stinks. She tends to get so incredibly cynical that she loses her message...but I guess that is why she is such a best selling author...she is extremely controversial.

So what caught my eye today was her writing about the President's speech this week and how all the reactions from the media and from many congressmen (including Republicans) seemed to focus on him being the "first black president to do XYZ". Everything with Obama is historic and are we going to have to listen to that for four years? An excerpt: "Are we going to have to hear about this for the next four years? Obama is becoming the Cal Ripken Jr. of presidents, making history every time he suits up for a game. Recently, Obama also became the first African-American president to order a ham sandwich late at night from the White House kitchen!"

But the best part of the column was this...and I must say I agree with this statement: "But as long as the nation is obsessed with historic milestones, is no one going to remark on what a great country it is where a mentally retarded woman can become speaker of the house?"

You really should go read the entire article. Every now and then I check out her stuff...usually for a good chuckle. Her link is here: http://www.anncoulter.com/ title of the article is "The Cal Ripken President".

The Lenten Season

Hard to believe it is already Ash Wednesday and the Lenten Season is upon us. As I have gotten older it has become less of what to give up and more of what can I do extra...how can I change or adjust the way I am living. A few years ago I purchased the book by Rick Warren, "A Purpose Driven Life". I never got started on it so this year I decided to use it as my Lenten homework. It is 40 days long...so fits Lent perfectly. I am very excited about how it may help me out...especially with what is going on in my life right now. I'll let you know how it goes...it may be something for you to try.

The Stimulus Plan From My Foxhole

For the past few weeks we have heard about how the banks were being given all this money to bail them out. The media then started telling the story of how the banks aren't giving any of the money out, how lending has not picked up. Well, that is only part of the story. I just got off the phone with the owner of my house...CitiMortgage. The gentleman listened as I told him I wanted to put my two loans into one so as to decrease my monthly payment. After explaining to me that it could not be done, he explained why. First he began by saying that Citi Bank had gotten $38 Billion in bailout money but had lost $41 Billion in just California...so the money being given so they could loan is not entirely true. He said the main reason the money had been going to the four largest banks, was to keep them from failing. He also explained that since I had originally taken the risk of a 100% loan, I would have to accept that risk now because no one is giving them out. Even if they did, I would need PMI (Personal Mortgage Insurance) which would actually increase my payment and not be tax deductible. Even though I did not like the answer he gave me, I found the explanation very helpful. Now that Obama has thrown all this money at the banks and economy, maybe he should try coming up with how to actually make it work. No wonder he can't fill his cabinet, no one wants to try to tackle this monster.

Freedom of Choice Act

Recently, the Catholic Church has taken a very aggressive posture against the Freedom of Choice Act, something I blogged about before. Our priest has mentioned it, we have discussed it during our Knights of Columbus meetings, and also in general discussions. I read today, an article on CNN.com, that said this was all a bunch of hype, that no such bill has been or will be introduced. It has, however, been introduced twice, by Rep. Jerald Nadler, a New York Democrat. The fact that it has never been voted on is the point of the Church's mobilization! If Congress knows how against this bill we are, we can keep it off the floor of the Congress. It is important to stay vigilant...so that stories such as this one do not cause us to let down our guard. The Freedom of Choice Act would be disastrous for the Pro-Life movement. Don't let the Congress put this bill in motion.

Ohhh the Pressure!!!

Have you ever noticed that all the pressure for Valentine's Day is on the man? I mentioned this to a female friend of mine and she wholeheartedly disagreed....of course. But...look at these facts. Who makes the big deal if a card is not received? Who is most concerned about receiving flowers or candy, or something? Who makes sure that this "holiday" doesn't go by unnoticed? It isn't the man! And as final proof...I heard two advertisements on the radio and one on TV and all were aimed at what the MAN should do for Valentine's Day. No mention of the woman making sure she remembers to get her man something. This day must have been invented by a woman!!!

Donations Accepted!

The inevitable has happened! Nadya Suleman, also known as Octo-mom, has placed the ability to donate money to her on her family website via check or credit card. NO, I am not posting it here. She also receives Social Security for her three children with disabilities, estimated at about $2,400. The hospital that delivered the babies has placed a claim to California version of Medicaid to cover the costs of the care of the octuplets...the cost has not been disclosed. In 2006, the cost of a premature baby in California was $164,273. Times 8 that is about $1.3 million. Guess who gets to pay for that bill? It won't be that single, unemployed mother of 14!!! She has been getting hammered in the media for this whole situation. She has been called an idiot, irresponsible, and I guess some things they won't print. In my opinion....much of it well deserved. Say...I wonder what President Obama's health plan would do in this situation?

An Obituary Printed in the Time...

Interesting, and sadly rather true:

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not the children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

So Stupid It Is Funny

OK, I ran across this story about Facebook on CNN.com. It was talking about how people put the "25 Things About Me" on their Facebook page and that so many are so stupid. I would have to agree with the article. Here is one of the "25 Things" the author did not need to know:

14. I was born with an extra kidney. I wish I could have sold it on the black market and made some money, but it was underdeveloped and did nothing but cause me to wet the bed until the third grade.

That one had me laughing and I don't think I stopped until the end of the article. The complete article can be found here: http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1877187,00.html?cnn=yes. It is good for a laugh.

Change is Harder Than Originally Thought

The banter around the office lately has been on how President Obama has had to eat some of his words lately. It would appear that promises made on the campaign trail are not always as easy to keep once in office. He has now had to adjust his time table for withdrawing troops from Iraq and he has gone and hired lobbyists after saying they would not be allowed in his administration. Politics as usual were going to change. Well, somethings just don't! Washington is made up of lobbyists...and apparently tax evaders as well. What is going on there? I wonder what would happen if I didn't pay my taxes. Bet I wouldn't be offered a Cabinet position! So the reality of being in Washington is hitting Obama between the eyes. In my opinion, all he would need to say is something to the effect that his intentions were to do "A", but when he got to Washington and saw the ground truth, he had to adjust a little and do "B", though he will continue to get to "A". Maybe then, people would give him a bit more slack. Let's hope he gets that part straight soon, or those nice, high approval rating will disappear fast.

Best/Funniest News Site EVER!!!

I got turned on to this website by a friend of mine a few years ago. It is so funny to read some of these stories...they are so well-written you would think they are real. Here is an example: http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/steeler_defense_renamed_mid. The website is "The Onion". I am sure many of you have heard of it. Here is the link to the main page: http://www.theonion.com/content/index. I suggest you go there and enjoy the stories.

6 + 8 = More Than We Should Pay For!!

OK, here is another example when someones "right" to do something needs to be tempered with common sense.

Last week we all cheered the successful delivery of the octuplets in California. A miracle, indeed, that all of them had survived and were doing so well. Then...as the media did what they do...we find out that the mother already had six children at home...no small family to be adding to at all, let alone have eight more added to the fray. Now today, the news mentioned that she is a SINGLE mother!!! Gee...I wonder who will get to pay this doctor bill...to the tune of, I have heard, about $4 million. Now, it was also mentioned that the father is the same for all the children, obviously an important fact considering the mother is SINGLE!!!! Hello America! What the &%@$ is going on here? Why do we let people do this kind of crap? Didn't a doctor say, "Excuse me ma'am, but you already have six children at home that you are caring for on your own, I don't think you should have more". NO, the $$$ showed and he said let's go! This whole thing stinks and by the sounds of it, many different things were done wrong in this process.