Wednesday, August 31, 2011

What is important?

If you're a Ron Paul supporter, stop reading this post. Once again, if you plan to vote for Texas Congressman Ron Paul for President in 2012, stop reading this post. Why? Well, no matter what I write regarding his position on FEMA, I understand there's little chance I'll change a single Libertarian mind.

Ron Paul is NOT a Republican. Ron Paul is a repackaged Libertarian. On the issue of FEMA, Ron Paul is an idiot. Period. No one can control the power of Mother Nature. Not even the so-called Free Market. READ MORE...
Since 9-11, this country has spent over $1,300,000,000 to fund two wars of occupation in Afghanistan and Iraq. This dollar amount does not include the yearly budgets of the Department of Defense or Homeland Security.




Yes, I realize that Ron Paul has been a vocal advocate against these specific military operations. But the fact remains, at some point, this country needs to pay the bill for these wars.




If a husband goes on a $10,000 shopping spree with the family credit card, the wife is equally responsible for paying off the bill. The credit card companies don't care which spouse spent the money, as long as the bill gets paid.

Once again, no one can control Mother Nature. Drought and wild fires hit Texas and New Mexico. Tornadoes strike Missouri and Oklahoma. Hurricanes come ashore in Florida and Louisiana. Earthquakes shake California. This year, flooding washed away communities in Vermont and North Dakota. It's not complicated. IF it's important, people find the time, energy and money to do IT (i.e. whatever IT is). Helping fellow Americans during times of need will ALWAYS be important to this blogger. IF that means paying higher taxes to fund FEMA, so be it. If that means paying higher taxes to FINALLY pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, so be it.  


In terms of helping Americans impacted by natural disasters, Vermont Senator Bernard Sanders put it best, "to say that the only way you can come up with funding to rebuild devastated communities is to cut back on other desperately needed programs is totally absurd. Historically in this country we have understood that when communities and states experience disasters, we as a nation come together to address those. That is what being a nation is about."

Sadly, people will believe want they want to believe about anyone or anything. Over the years, I've learned to display a lot more patience with individuals who are ignorant rather than stupid. Ignorance can be fixed. The roots of stupidity are deeply embedded in 'Pride and Prejudice'. The latter of which is nearly impossible to overcome or change.

Ron Paul would NOT have ordered the Bin Laden Raid?

While the use of military force to achieve a political objective opens the door to other unforeseen consequences, in the case of ordering the raid into Pakistan, President Obama made the right decision. If President Obama had choosen a different course of action and Osama Bin Laden had escaped, the GOP would have had a non-stop media driven field day attacking this President. The following radio interview with the candidate was recorded on May 10, 2011: 



Photo of Door Gunner somewhere over Iraq (April 2005).
YMCA photo of Peter's Grandmother (Back Row, 3rd from Right), Concord State Teachers College, Athens, West Virginia (Circa 1934).

How Americans Can Buy American: 
The Power of Consumer Patriotism - Third Edition

Monday, August 29, 2011

A tightly closed mouth gathers no foot?


In a recent POST (read below), this blogger half-jokingly used the East Coast Earthquake to illustrate the level absurdity of some of the GOP's political attacks against President Obama. Evidently, Minister Michele Bachmann didn't get the memo.


On Sunday (8/28/11), just five days after my post, this candidate told a group of voters in Sarasota, Florida that GOD is sending a message:
"I don't know how much God has to do to get the attention of the politicians. We've had an earthquake; we’ve had a hurricane. He (GOD) said, 'Are you going to start listening to me here?' Listen to the American people because the American people are roaring right now. They know government is on a morbid obesity diet and we've got to rein in the spending." 
Read More...

While I haven't agreed with every decision made by President Obama, this blogger understands that there is NO secret magic economic pill to quick fix this economy. It will take time. But to blame President Obama for the recent earthquake or hurricane, perhaps John Wayne put it best, "Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid." Speaking of which, WHO was born in Waterloo, Iowa?
Rooster Cogburn (DVD)

Post Apocalypse Reclamation Center
December 2009
Carrizozo, New Mexico

Foot-in-Mouth Update: Minister Bachmann now says her comments that the recent East Coast Earthquake and Hurricane Irene were a message from "God" was a "JOKE". Read More...

Joke of the Day: GE introduces the Michele Bachmann limited edition light bulb. Old ideas made new again. Burns out quick. 95% inefficient. Wastes all it's energy making hot air.

How to Ace Calculus: The Streetwise Guide (Paperback)

Sunday, August 28, 2011

What is an ACT of War?

Today's internet is like the early days of the automobile. There are no posted traffic signs or speed limits. The painted lines on the road are merely a suggestion. No rules. No laws. No ethics. No golden rule. With that said, if a country attacks the trade or commerce of another country, even on the internet, it should be recognized as an act of war.

Guardian
Chinese TV programme shows
apparent cyber-attack on US website
by Tania Branigan
August 25, 2011
Read More...

The Telegraph
China chief suspect in major cyber attack
by Peter Foster
August 3, 2011
Read More...



MSNBC
U.S. official says pre-infected
computer tech entering country
By M. Alex Johnson
July 8, 2011
Read More...

Popular Science
Richard Clarke: 
China is Planting Digital Bombs
Throughout the U.S. Power Grid
By Clay Dillow
June 15, 2011
Read More...

Reuters
Kissinger, Huntsman: 
U.S., China need cyber detente
By Paul Eckert and Daniel Magnowski
June 15, 2011
Read More...

Australian Broadcasting Corporation
IMF becomes latest cyber attack victim
Reuters Report
June 12, 2011
Read More...



Cyber attack hits Ottawa; 
probe focuses on IP addresses from China
by Bill Curry and Colin Freeze
February 16, 2011
Read More...


The Epoch Times
Canada Grapples with Controversy Over Chinese Espionage
By Matthew Little
July 6, 2010
Read More...

Derivative photograph an Olympic advertisement for Nike Shoes, Beijing Subway, PRC (March 2008).
60 Minutes - Stealing America's Secrets (DVD)

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Rebels offer a $1,000,000 bounty for Ka-Da-Fee?

The World Press Battles Spell Checker?

If you've been following the latest news reports out of Libya, you may have noticed that the media has been using different variations of the former dictator's last name:

   CBS News - Qaddafi

   AP & CNN International - Gadhafi
   BBC & Time Magazine - Gaddafi
   The Guardian (U.K.) - Gadafy
   U.S. News & World Report - Qadhafi
   The Boston Globe - Khadafy
 
Confused? According to NPR (National Public Radio), back in 1986, a Minnesota's school teacher's 2nd grade class wrote a letter to the Libyan leader. He actually wrote back and signed his name Gad-ha-fi. Until recently, that letter was the Rosetta Stone for spelling his name.

However, over the years, the Libyan Embassy in London has issued press releases with the spelling Qadaffi. So, who is right? Well, don't ask the French or the Italians. The AFP (Agence France-Presse) uses Kadhafi and AGI (Agenzia Italia) spells it Gheddafi.

Libya: From Colony to Independence (Paperback)

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Why does the HISTORY Channel produce a show called "Pawn Stars"?

With all the debt relief, tax lawyer, car insurance, buy GOLD commercials, it's strange how these difficult economic times have changed what's on television.

Elvis and Me (Paperback)

Monday, August 22, 2011

German State UNLIKEs Facebook?

Agencies Banned From Using Facebook, 'Like' Button
PC Magazine
by Chloe Albanesius
August 19, 2011


"German data watchdogs on Friday ordered federal agencies to shut down their Facebook pages and remove 'like' buttons from their Web sites, suggesting that anyone who uses Facebook will have their online activity tracked."
READ MORE...

I think, therefore, I'm Facebook.
The Humongous Book of Calculus Problems: For People Who Don't Speak Math

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Gadhafi on the Ropes?

During the first GOP Presidential Debate in New Hampshire (June 13, 2011), Congresswoman Michele Bachmann questioned President Obama's actions over Libya. Last week on the campaign trail, Bachmann hammered President Obama on his so-called delay in taking action against the Syrian Government. 


Can you say political double-speak?
Why Libya? It's not complicated. America's NATO allies (who directly supported the U.S. in Iraq and/or Afghanistan) were afraid of a FLOOD of refugees landing on Europe's doorstep (i.e. hundreds of thousands of BOAT people). In the case of Syria, because of its geographic location, Turkey is the main regional player. The Turkish military is protecting the refugees crossing over its southern border. For folks who forget, the invasion of Iraq in 2003 damaged this country's relationship with this important NATO member. This time around, President Obama is working with the Turkish government in formulating actions against the Syrian regime.

NATO's continued military actions in Libya is/was intended to create & maintain safe havens WITHIN Libyan borders. President Obama supported the political leaders of France, Spain, the UK, and Italy to meet this specific military objective. Welcome to the reality of our geopolitical world! Prior to direct US involvement in Bosnia (i.e. with boots on the ground), it's how the Europeans (under a failed United Nations mandate) responded to the fighting (and genocide) in the Balkans. Unlike 1995, this time around, NATO (not the UN) brought enough firepower to the party which PREVENTED a Srebrenica-type massacre in Benghazi.

Former Defense Secretary Gates' public frustration with NATO was in response to the organization's continued inability to do the heavy lifting to meet a European specific military/political/economic objective without DIRECT U.S. support. 
Anyhow, could somebody PLEASE plug in Bachmann's brain? It's one thing to create some mythical fairy tale about the original intent of this country's founding fathers, it's quite another to create revisionist history from recent current events.


If you're an American against this country's continued membership in NATO, here are two regional issues which continue to have global implications: North Korea and the South China Sea. Confused? The United Nations is a paper tiger. Basically, folks need to remember that NATO's geopolitical influence reaches far beyond Europe's own borders.
Read More...


Arab Spring Update
October 20, 2011
:

Moammar Gadhafi killed in Sirte.
Read More...


Photo of American Soldier on M-42 Duster, Fort Bliss, Texas (Summer 1982).

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Suffering from a bad case of "the illusion of productivity"?

"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first." ~ Mark Twain
How to Tell a Story And Other Essays (Paperback)

Wiki-Publishing
Today, I Googled my name to see where my photographs were being used on the internet. This blogger discovered that an image of White Sands, New Mexico is being sold as a Postcard on Zazzle.com:


I'm not mad or angry. I'm not going to run out and hire a lawyer. The main reason this blogger allows the FREE USE of my images is because I enjoy sharing my work. That's it. Maybe one of these days I'll get lucky and some publisher will offer this blogger a book deal.

Photo of White Sands. New Mexico by Peter Rimar.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Donald Trump does not believe Osama Bin Laden is DEAD?

Does he really need to see the death certificate?


Some of the theories being echoed by Pakistani politicians, mullahs and journalists: Bin Laden died of natural causes years ago in Afghanistan? He had his hands & feet bound by plastic straps, carried into the house on a helicopter & executed in a US operation to embarrass Pakistan? His bodyguard shot him in the heart, but he survived with "supernatural strength", until he requested his loyal follower shoot him in the head? 



In case you missed it, the following story is the best written account of the special operations' mission to get Bin Laden published to date:

The New Yorker
Getting Bin Laden
What happened that night in Abbottabad.

by Nicholas Schmidle
READ MORE...

Honestly, I have no secret, morbid desire to see the photos of Bin Laden's dead corpse. I agreed with President Obama's decision. Given the nature of our open & progressive society, at some point in the future, perhaps as a result of the Freedom of Information Act, the images of Bin Laden will be released. IF it's 50 years from today, so be it.

This was the most expensive manhunt in U.S. history. The original mission in Afghanistan was to find, kill and/or capture Osama Bin Laden. Perhaps his death will open the political door so our troops can return home.

American Heroes in Special Operations (Hardcover)

Thursday, August 18, 2011

London's Calling?

Is it just me or does the world seem a bit CRAZY these days? After watching the scenes from the recent riots across the United Kingdom, this blogger wonders what would have happened if the thousands of frustrated English youth had channeled their anger into something positive.
In Chile, a country which now protects Freedom of Expression, Chilean college students took to the streets to pressure the government to spend more money on education. However, instead of burning cars and buildings, the student protest on June 24th took a more peaceful, creative and just plain FUN approach to voicing their demands:


Lonely Planet Chile & Easter Island (Country Travel Guide)

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Can you spell "hypocrisy"?

The NCAA makes BILLIONS upon BILLIONS of dollars off student athletes. What's the "CRIME" if a couple students trade a few football jerseys for some silly body art? IF an NCAA student gets hurt ON the playing field, a university is under no financial or MORAL obligation to continue awarding that student an athletic scholarship.
NCAA Florida Gators Infant Bib

Monday, August 15, 2011

Bachmann WINS Iowa Straw Poll?


Do I BELIEVE that "she believes" she'll actually be elected President? No. Based on this answer, what's her agenda?

IF Congresswoman Bachmann wants to be elected to this country's highest office, she deserves the same level of professional & public scrutiny as President Obama (and ALL the Presidents before him).

The following stories take a hard look at this candidate's personal and political background:


The New Yorker
Leap of Faith ~ 
The making of a Republican front-runner.
by Ryan Lizza
READ MORE...

Rolling Stone
Michele Bachmann's Holy War
By Matt Taibbi
READ MORE...

The Los Angeles Times
Bachmann's had her share of government aid
By Melanie Mason and Matea Gold (Washington Bureau)
READ MORE...

Army Times
Bachmann plan would cut veterans benefits
By Rick Maze
READ MORE...

There must be a reason why 67% of "polled" Republicans DO NOT like the current field of TEN candidates. It's a bit curious that Texas Governor Rick Perry waited until AFTER the debt ceiling crisis to announce his run for the White House. Can you say Karl Rove?


Bachmann Update:
(01/04/12)
Game Over!
The Iowa Straw Poll's main goal is to help the local Republican Party raise money during each new Presidential election cycle. With Bachmann's rather poor Iowa Caucus showing, in four years, her inflated candidacy will give the 24/7 political pundits something to banter about on all the talking head news channels (CCN, MSNBC & Faux News).

Oddball Iowa: A Guide to Some Really Strange Places (Paperback)

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Cowboys and Aliens?

It's OFFICIAL. Hollywood has now made every possible type of Western movie. Perhaps ALL that's left is "Cowboys vs. the Tea Party".

True Grit DVD

Economics 101?

Mirror in a tattoo shop, San Antonio, Texas (October 2009)

IF you buy a home, a new car & max out your credit card on clothes & food, at some point, you have to pay your bills. How you pay those bills directly impacts your credit rating. It's not complicated.

Debt is debt. As a person, you have several choices. You can attempt get a second job to meet your financial obligations (i.e. raise revenue), cut back on spending (i.e. reduce the size of the government), do a mix of the two methods or just give up & file for bankruptcy (DEFAULT). Your individual credit rating depends on HOW you, as an individual, respond to paying off your bills. Ignoring phone calls from the bank & the credit card companies WILL NOT solve the long term DEBT problem.


When a Presidential candidate (i.e. Michele Bachmann) gets on Face the Nation & tells the reporter that the Treasury Department can just move around money to avoid a crisis, well, that way of thinking is just plain wrong (as well as stupid).



It's NOT 1773, 1776 or 1789. 


It's 2011 and ALL of us live in a Global economy. The sooner folks recognize that reality, the sooner this country will start doing what it needs to do to COMPETE in a GLOBAL MARKETPLACE. And oh by the way, the whole Boston Tea Party thing was NOT about paying taxes. It was about "TAXATION Without Representation". Walking away from the table (on EVERY ISSUE) is NOT Representation.

All financial markets (Bond, Stock, Currency & Commodity) are built on the foundation of "confidence". Don't fool yourself. The GOP's goal is the WHITE HOUSE & NOT fixing the budget mess or the overall economy. Guys like Karl Rove & the Koch Brothers know egg-xactly what they're doing.

Once a factory closes, it's closed. Those jobs may or may not ever return. What folks don't understand is that once a manufacturing job leaves our shores, it's only a matter of time before a corporation starts to trim its white collar staff (i.e. folks who were originally hired to support a larger blue collar workforce). This delayed process of corporate contraction causes a negative, slow moving, ripple effect on the entire economy. Simply put, like it or not, in the short term, there is NO quick fix (or voodoo magic) for turning around this economy.


Anyhow, driving the global economy off a cliff to pander to the narrow whims of the Liberatarian Wing of the Republican Party is just plain NUTS! Unless of course, that's the REAL economic & political END GAME. IF that's the case, then maybe it's indeed a good time for all of us to start praying.



The Wealth of Nations (Paperback)

Saturday, August 13, 2011





Army Sgt. Osvaldo Ortiz sleeps next to the transfer case and gear of his fallen friend aboard a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft bound for Dover Air Force Base, Del. Ortiz is accompanying the remains to the base and eventually back to the fallen soldier's home in Puerto Rico (June 2003). Photo by Peter Rimar.