Life has Meaning once again

An oasis this weekend between the end of college hoops and the NFL Draft and NBA Playoffs: the international Craft Brewers Conference and World Beer Cup competition is being held this week here in San Diego.

For reasons here inexplicable, San Diego has carved out a nice little niche’ for itself in the world of craft/microbrew beers. To wit, Ratebeer.com’s ranking of the planet’s top 100 beers places 19 of them from SD county. Not too shabby, eh?

The conventional wisdom is that Karl Strauss got the ball rolling towards San Diego becoming a microbrew mini-mecca which would be ironic, in our opinion, as we’ve never been big fans of Karl’s beer. Now the pork chops at his restaurant, on the other hand…? Anyway, we’re partial to Ballast Point, Pizza Port (Solano Beach) and particularly Stone, makers of Arrogant Bastard Ale as in-town brews.

Maybe we’ll see you down there.

Full story here.

Its all fun and games until someone loses their Irony

We’re clearly late to the whole Obama “Bittergate” episode so any opinion we may have has probably been vented a dozen times over on radio, TV and internet, so... what’s a slacking little blog like ours to do except react to the reaction.

But first, in case any of you have been comatose for the past few days, here are the words spoken by Obama at a San Fran fundraiser that have got him into so much trouble:

“You go into some of these small towns in Pennsylvania, and like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing’s replaced them (editor: go cry that tune to the buggy whip manufacturers, pal). And they fell through the Clinton administration, and the Bush administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are gonna regenerate and they have not. So it’s not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.”

A look at the Bittergate dust-up here by George Will who claims “Obama may be the fulfillment of modern liberalism”. With assistance from the indespensible pollster/demographer Michael Barone, Will traces a line from what we’ll call bread’n’butter FDR liberalism through the smug Adlai Stevenson to today’s Obamamania whose campaign’s spritual overtones combined with his desire for governmental hyper-activity recalls the quote from Socialist/Communist pioneer Moses Hess: “The Christian… imagines the better future of the human species…in the image of heavenly joy… We, on the other hand, will have this heaven on earth”.

And here is an interesting and ultimately bizarre piece from WaPo columnist E.J. Dionne. Dionne takes Obama to task for his choice of words but not necessarily its intent or purpose. He then goes after Clinton for parroting Republican talking points about Al Gore, John Kerry and Obama not really respecting values/faith voters. But then in the last few lines, he completely loses it:

“It has been sickening over the years to watch Republicans, who always rally to the aid of the country's wealthiest citizens, successfully cast themselves as pork-rind-eating, NASCAR-watching, gun-toting populists. To have the current White House occupant (Yale, Harvard Business School, son of a president) run as a good old boy should have been the final straw. But here are the two remaining Democratic candidates, Obama by speaking carelessly and Clinton by piling on shamelessly, doing all they can to make it easy for Republicans to pretend one more time that they are the salt of the earth.”

Look. In a two party system there is naturally going to be that inherent “big tent” membership whereby each party will attract people across the economic spectrum so to start claiming which party is for the big guy/little guy will start looking like an endless tennis volley. We do have our thoughts on the matter but its beside the point of this post.

And by no means is this meant to be any cheerleading for the Republican Party as their collective behavior over the past few years has us feeling like, ironically enough, RINOs ourselves... but how does Dionne square his disgust with reality?

This reality, of course, is a Party whose leadership has consistently fought tooth and nail against any sensible restrictions on abortion (parental notification and the gruesome practice of late-term abortion), has consistently voted against tax cuts, has consistently campaigned for more gun control laws, has consistently been in silent consent with those who want to wipe religion from the public square, has consistently opposed school choice/voucher programs, has consistently offered, at best, tepid support for the military when not deriding it obliquely or directly…. Issues all that could by varying degrees be considered under the big tent of “traditional values” for rank and file Democrats and Republicans, alike.

And Dionne has the unmitigated gall to feel disgusted and sickened that despite all the above, those wascalwy Wepublicans have somehow slithered their way to the mantle of Party of the common man?

Dionne is either being intellectually dishonest with his readers or he’s been asleep at the wheel for the last 30-40 years. Policy, planks, positions… throw’em all out the window. Dionne’s attitude is perfectly exemplary of the biggest electoral problem Democrats have had since the late 60s and why it is they are setting themselves up for their 8th presidential election defeat in the last 11: condescension.

In that statement and by conveniently neglecting the choices and the battles Democratic Party leadership has fought in charting a course for the Party, Dionne exhibits the EXACT same condescension he takes Obama to task for in his choice of words and the poor dolt, most likely, doesn’t even realize it.

They still don’t get it. Its amazing. You just can’t make up this stuff.

Ted Kennedy scoffs, err.... mumbles at your 50% tax rate

Jason Mattera of Young America’s Foundation caught up with Ted Kennedy to pick his brain on the estate tax (our thoughts on the estate tax, here) of which Kennedy has been a strong supporter. Mattera queries Kennedy on what at first blush would seem to be some inconsistencies between his vigorous defense of the so-called death tax and the financial handling of the Kennedy estate itself. In response, Kennedy is his usual reasoned, eloquent and coherent self.



... and finally... you didn't think we we're going to let this day go by without this most appropriate sign-off, did you?



H/T: Hot Air

We'll show you our check if you show us yours.

We were advised by our tax preparer (Liberty Tax Service… our first plug...? Yes, that’s the one with the ummm… rather down-on-their-luck folks dressed up in those ridiculous Statue of Liberty outfits waiving to passer-bys in traffic) that we would be receiving our $600 economic stimulus check in the mail around May 9th. Vrooom-vrooom. Can you feel the excitement? We’ve half a notion to divvy it up among our nieces and nephews and have it put into some sort of trust fund, whereby they could only access it to pay down the mountain of debt we will be leaving them.

True. The shear numbers we're talking about (nieces and nephews, that is) makes this well-intended gesture more symbolic than anything else, but its far greater than any real help they can expect from our elected representatives who speak in grave tones about the environmental legacy we will leave future generations but can’t quite seem to muster the necessary solemnity when speaking of unfunded entitlements future generations will need to cover.

We will applaud John McCain then for at least carrying the right tune on Medicare and Social Security in his speech today that was covered more extensively in the previous post:

“They and others argue that the tax increase is necessary in part to finance Social Security and Medicare. Unfortunately, this claim only serves to remind us of Congress' consistent failure to repair both of these programs even under the best of circumstances. For years, Congress has been buying time, and leaving the great challenge of entitlement reform for others to deal with. And now the two contenders in the other party have even proposed enormous new federal commitments before the old commitments have been kept -- trusting that others, somewhere down the road, will handle the financing and make all the numbers come out right…. And you have my pledge: as president I will work with every member of Congress -- Republican, Democrat, and Independent -- who shares my commitment to reforming and protecting Medicare and Social Security.”

Anyway, we would love to hear what you are going to be doing with your economic stimulus check. Drop us a line in the comment section.

A Warming Trend Pt. III and... the quote of the day.

Never more appropriate than on tax day, John McCain delivered his big economic speech at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh today and took on his prospective Democrat opponent on the very issue of taxes. We cover the highlights below, full text can be found here:

First, some broad-themed talk on economics:

“In our free society, it is left to each one of us to make our own way in the world -- and our jobs, businesses, savings, pensions, farms, and homes are the work of years. Take these away and you are diminishing a lot more than the GDP, or the final tally on the Big Board on Wall Street. Take these away, and a million dreams are undone. The gains of hard work and sacrifice are lost. And something can be lost that is very crucial in our economy, and very slow to return -- confidence.” Every once in a while, he lets that Reaganite within him out to romp a bit.

Then a little red meat for the unwashed among us:

“In the same way, many in Congress think Americans are under-taxed. They speak as if letting you keep your own earnings were an act of charity, and now they have decided you've had enough. By allowing many of the current low tax rates to expire, they would impose -- overnight -- the single largest tax increase since the Second World War. Among supporters of a tax increase are Senators Obama and Clinton. Both promise big "change." And a trillion dollars in new taxes over the next decade would certainly fit that description.”

Now, taking Hillary, Obama and Congress (run against Congress, John, implores B-Daddy) to task for their positions on the Columbia Free Trade Agreement – Columbia, a legit but fragile democracy is a strategic ally and also happens to be in a warm war with Venezuela and their deplorable leftist leader, Hugo Chavez. This agreement needs to get done and Congressional fecklessness in this matter is inexcusable:

“Free trade can also give once troubled and impoverished nations a stake in the world economy, and in their relations with America. In the case of Colombia, a friend and crucial democratic ally, its stability and economic vitality are more critical now, as others in the region seek to turn Latin America away from democracy and away from our country. Trade serves all of these national interests, and the interests of the American economy as well -- and I call on the Congress once again to put this vital agreement to an up or down vote.”

But its still McCain, right? And he won’t be getting 10s across the board as he is all for you bailing-out other people for their poor decisions:

“Under the HOME plan I have proposed, our government will offer these Americans direct and immediate help that can make all the difference: If you can't make your payments, and you're in danger of foreclosure, you will be able to go to any Post Office and pick up a form for a new HOME loan. In place of your flawed mortgage loan, you'll be eligible for a new, 30-year fixed-rate loan backed by the United States government. Citizens will keep their homes, lenders will cut their losses, and everyone will move on…”

In place of your flawed mortgage loan…? …and everyone will move on…? Deep breaths, deep breaths… Let’s just get to the money shot before we take back those nice things we’ve been saying.

First, though, a little swipe at His Awesomeness:

“I do not seek the presidency on the presumption that I am blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save my country in its hour of need. I seek the presidency with the humility of a man who cannot forget that my country saved me.” That’s a keeper.

And finally this:

“Under my opponents' various tax plans, Americans of every background would see their taxes rise -- seniors, parents, small business owners, and just about everyone who has even a modest investment in the market. All these tax increases are the fine print under the slogan of "hope": They're going to raise your taxes by thousands of dollars per year -- and they have the audacity to hope you don't mind.”

That's good… too good perhaps to be used this early. Maybe he can salt it away for latter use in the general election campaign this fall. That is to say, if he is facing Obama in the general. Mmmmwwwwwaaaahaaahaaahaaahaaa!!!!

H/T: National Review Online

Obama's supporters really wish Hillary’s supporters would quit wasting everyone's time.

If article here is to be believed, there is a nasty little misogynistic undercurrent to the glassy-eyed Obama support the Senator receives from his straight male supporters. There’s always been some bitterness among Clinton supporters that the Obama phenomena was not just sweeping away but sweeping away in dismissive fashion the best chance feminists might have in a very long time to put a woman in the Oval Office but now many young female Hillary supporters are complaining that this dismissive-ness has taken the form of good old-fashioned sexism and distrust of women in power.

Guy friends and boyfriends alike are getting quite perturbed with their Hillary supporting girlfriends… “like, c’mon, ladies… let’s all get onboard here – can’t you see Obama is the real deal – can’t you see that Obama possesses all those transcendent qualities Hillary does not… your behavior is becoming quite embarrassing…”


Also, for a man who has to be cognizant of the messiah complex charge against him, he and/or his surrogates don’t appear to be doing much to dissuade this notion. In fact, it appears the campaign embraces it. Check out video here. Glassy-eyed, indeed.




“We are the ones we have been waiting for”… We don’t suppose there has ever been a more self-indulgently narcissistic campaign slogan in recorded history. We’re not even sure what it means so throw in “vague” and “incomprehensible” as well. If its one of those “The time is now” or “Our time has come” sort of things, then just say it. We get dizzy just trying to wrap our pea-brains around the circular logic of “We are the ones we have been waiting for” Aaaaaghhh…. Make it stop! The antidote is here by some dudes that sound like Cake.

H/T: Instapundit

Your first time is always special.

It had to happen sooner or later but.... we didn't expect it to come in this form. Getting Rolled.... Scratching Post style.

Sexy?

You may think we sit around all day and wait for gems like this to fall into our lap. Normally you’d be wrong but since we were out for a few days we can take no credit for doing any actual homework as this has been very big news in the sporting world… at least in the European Formula One racing sporting world manner of speaking.

It seems that FIA (Formual One’s governing body) HMFIC, Max Mosley is in a bit of hot water for what a British tabloid alleges as him having sex with multiple prostitutes (sometimes referred to as an “orgy”). Probably no biggie given the European sensibility regarding private affairs but the tabloid claims this particular romp to have involved “Nazi role-playing”. Woops. Story here.

Several F-1 teams have asked Mosley to stand down from his position of President. Mosley, for his part, has termed the tabs actions an “illegal invasion of privacy” but has not come out denying the event took place as described.

We're kinda with Max on this one if for no other reason than to shamelessly exploit his misfortune for the sole purpose of recalling the wisdom of P.J. O’Rourke regarding carnal pursuits and political affiliation. O’Rourke in the introduction of his masterpiece, "Give War A Chance", slices open the liberal mindset and motivation with surgical-like precision. At the very end of the intro, though, he realizes his politics leave him open to certain unsavory accusations for which O’Rourke, of course, finds the silver lining and reminds us to, perhaps, quit our own bellyaching over this matter:

“…you may be wondering-don’t I sometimes get called a Nazi? Yes, name-calling, in which conservatives such as myself are so loath to indulge, is a favorite tactic of the liberals. I have often been called a Nazi, and, although it is unfair, I don’t let it bother me. I don’t let it bother me for one simple reason. No one has ever had a fantasy about being tied to a bed and sexually ravished by someone dressed as a liberal.”

Remind us again of why we have to go to work tomorrow...

OK, were back from our annual spring outing to Joshua Tree. Though its good to be home we hardly remember a case where it was hotter here in San Diego (outside thermometer sez 100) than it was at the Tree where expected highs were to be in the mid-high 80s. All in all, outside a few minor falls and scrapes, a spectacular weekend. Never recall seeing so many wildflowers. We’re debating on embarking on one long, self-indulgent post (w/accompanying pictures ) or breaking it up a bit. We’ve been going out there for over 30 years and each time we discover something new, something different and we’d like to share. An amazing place.

P.S. Many thanks to B-Daddy for keeping things moving along here at the site.

Plenty of Blame to Go Around in Airline Mess

B-Daddy here. If you're stranded in an airport today and stumbled on our humble little blog by accident, my condolences and best wishes in finding a flight. Godspeed, to coin a phrase. However, don't get angry at the poor woman behind the ticket counter. I have a list of candidates on whom to vent your ire, provided for your consideration.

Some background. In 2006, yeah that long ago, the FAA told the airlines to check wire bundles in the wheel wells of MD-80, MD-88, and MD-90 aircraft. The goal was to ensure that the wires were secured so as to prevent them from becoming chaffed. Purportedly, checks were performed and no chaffing was found. The wiring bundles were also to have been secured to prevent future chaffing. Important point to note, at that time, the airlines were given 18 months to comply.


So why the hubbub? In a second round of spot checks, the FAA found "slack wires, clamps in the wrong position, insulation that was too thick...." blah, blah. OK, there were problems, but why did they then deny American Airlines' request to space out inspections and repairs over several days? After all, they had waited 18 months already.

The answer starts with our Congress. Sen. John Rockefeller, also famous for accusing McCain for knowing nothing of real war, and chair of the Senate aviation sub-committee has been lambasting the FAA repeatedly. Along with other lawmakers, he has asserted a cozy relationship between the agency and the airlines.

So what's a bureaucrat to do? The FAA spinelessly creates a phony crisis that will cost an airline hundreds of millions of dollars and create havoc for the flying public. That'll learn them West Virginian politicians.

Meanwhile, what about the management at American Airlines. Couldn't we fix the wheel well wiring correctly in the first place? Just because you get 18 months to get the job done, does that mean you do it half-a***d?

Finally, what about the highly credentialed union mechanics working for American? I have more than once heard the argument on behalf of unions, that they ensure a trained and qualified work force is on the job in industries important to the welfare and safety of the nation. Not in this case, most of the defects had to do with properly measuring the placement of banding around cable bundles to prevent chaffing and these guys couldn't get it right. The real concern is how they're doing with safety retrofits that are really important.

H/T: San Diego Union-Tribune

We may have to re-evaluate the term "civilian university"

And we thought we had it tough at Seminary. We normally don't do the Universities-as-bastions-of-liberalism thing but this ..... this was special.

H/T: Instapundit