YAY SOLAR! BOO COMMUNISM!

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2013/05/energy-expert-predicts-solar-could-upend-major-utility-in-california-on-price

While I am Pro Photovoltaic Energy production (you know, there's this thing - THE SUN - that bombards the planet with _free_ energy 365 days a year...  Collecting some of it to power our civilization seems like a no-brainer!)

... This solar program (as any government subsidized thing) is touted as _the_ path to a glorious and shiny _green_ future is more likely to be a road to ruin.

I know we (the USA) tend, with good reason, to be an anti monopoly nation.  The idea being that we were set up to not have all the power centralized in one place plus competition breeds innovation and quality at lower (competitive) prices, etc.

The problem with these types of programs, such is the case with this Utility in Northern California (coupled with all the other ever increasing socialistic government regulation and bureaucracy) is that it ultimately burdens and destroys rather than prospers and builds (anyone recall the late, great USSR?).

In this instance (as in many, many across the country), this utility (PG&E) in Northern California is being forced to essentially pay to build the artificially created competition's infrastructure while having to increase prices in order to attempt to continue maintaining and operating the utility.

These artificially higher prices basically help subsidize the cheaper energy costs of the competition and drive the customers away from the utility to the Solar competitors until the utility (logically) ultimately fails.

Well, pretty much all of the Solar (Photovoltaic) systems that are being installed are _grid-tied,_ basically meaning that it's wired into the electric company's system so that while the solar panels are generating power that's being sent into the _grid_ and stored until used.

Well, boys and girls, the _grid __*IS*_ the very infrastructure that is wholly maintained by the utility that is being forced into ruin and if it fails, then all those _grid-tied_ systems will virtually be useless (after finishing the utility that efficiently maintains and delivers your conventional electrical power on the very infrastructure its solar competitors are _tied_ to and dependent upon - so, kinda like a virus)!

So, aren't you glad that you get to pay higher and higher taxes and higher prices for goods and services so that you can proudly help fund programs like these?!

#Solar #Communism

~Magnus ~ Posted via Blogaway

THE NEW AND IMPROVED "MODERN PROGRESSIVES"

This Op Ed piece from the New York Times last November, Right vs. Left in the Midwest,  "contrasts" Conservatism and Progressivism by showing the successes of (my native) Minnesota's current "Modern Progressive" governor and Democratic Legislature against the "failures" Wisconsin's more conservative Republican governor and legislators.

NYT, I'd say, is already an overtly liberal, left - leaning publication, so, of course, this particular writer favors the Liberal side of things freely gets a predominate spot.  (Lawrence R. Jacobs is a professor of political science at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota and the author, with Theda Skocpol, of “Health Care Reform and American Politics.”).

Professor Jacobs poses the question, "Which side of the experiment — the new right or modern progressivism — has been most effective in increasing jobs and improving business opportunities, not to mention living conditions?"

Professor Jacobs, in this Op Ed,  essentially paints a picture of Utopian paradise unfolding in Minnesota under a Modern Progressivism while the neighboring Wisconsin withers under the New Conservatism.

He does point out a couple of things that I think are key to, maybe, a more accurate analysis:

"... Wisconsin ranks 34th for job growth. Mr. Walker’s defenders blame the higher spending and taxes of his Democratic predecessor... "

"The lion’s share of Minnesota’s new tax revenue was sunk into human capital... "

" Minnesota raised taxes by $2.1 billion, the largest increase in recent state history... "

" Higher taxes and economic growth in Minnesota have attracted a surprisingly broad coalition. Businesses complain about taxes, but many cheered Mr. Dayton’s investments in the Mayo Clinic, the new Vikings stadium, the Mall of America and 3M headquarters."

These simply say to me:  Yes, it's natural for the current political apparatus to blame it's predecessor  for its current problems, but I suspect there is some truth in Wisconsin's present case (coupled, of course, with the bad economy).

I also suspect that Minnesota's economic growth is probably the fruit of former fiscally conservative policies. 

And while the good professor seems to point to these things as proof of how the New Progressivism and taxing the rich works, I think it's actually an illusion (and I believe history bears this out) and it will ultimately fail.

While raising taxes on whatever is currently prospering  almost always initially will produce a high revenue it puts a drag on whatever (whoever) is producing the wealth and begins to choke it out.

However good-hearted the programs that are funded by these new government gains, these are more like appeasement to sooth and pacify us and we, who are too busy struggling to survive and /or too caught up in our recreation and hedonism, can say,  "ooh,  my Governor (or whichever leader) IS good,  he gave me a new stadium and fixed the Mall of America and gave me stuff. "

[Remember when all of us poor citizens got a couple hundred bucks under George W's administration to simulate our economy?  Well, that sure came in handy, but I remained unemployed for a long time after the jobs disappeared forever -  I would have preferred that my job opportunities still existed and that the government would have just butted out long ago and let us prosper and pull each other up rather than "helping" us by providing the so-called "safety net" that we've been taxed to death to have (and the NON-PRODUCERS have always had as incentive to remain non-producers as many seem to have come to the understanding that they are entitled to it).!]

Then later, I guess, when things fall apart, we'll have already forgotten - more likely, never paid much attention to in the first place - what really happened and we can blame the other guy and look to our government to bail us out again.

Meanwhile the government continues its unprecedented immense expansion with out of control spending and deficits as it bails out the banking institutions that failed us (and they failed to regulate) so that they can keep on helping us.

And "everything will be okay" as long as we "pay no attention to the man behind the curtain" while our big friendly government tells us that "we have nothing to fear as long as we're doing nothing wrong! "

- yeesh!

 http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/11/24/opinion/sunday/right-vs-left-in-the-midwest.html?pagewanted=all  

~Magnus ~ Posted via Blogaway

Anarchy - Not A Cuss Word

Anarchy in the USA!

(my comment from this discussion:  Libertarians on Google+  )

I used to be completely opposed to anarchy, knowing that we humans need some sort of rules to live by and something in place to protect and enforce it.

Now I understand that our (U.S.) government was originally established to do just the minimum to try to protect individual freedoms and provide for the common defense - leaning as close to anarchy as possible and as far away from tyranny as possible.

From what I'm observing, government (throughout history) always gravitates toward tyranny.

Whether by accident, design or some combination.... The US government has grown out of its britches and seems to be rampaging like an unsupervised teenager that continues to get more out of control because the parents are absent, indifferent, and too busy to be bothered with disciplining their child.

We, the people, are the "parents" to this big spoiled child that we never say no to.

The government is our servant, not the other way around.

I now understand anarchy to be an ideal that we should strive for. Anarchy would be perfect if we individuals could be perfectly responsible for ourselves; perfectly resolve every dispute; and perfectly hold each other accountable.

Knowing absolute perfection is not achievable, I believe our form of government is the most ingenious one conceived so far in human history.

We the people (the parents) need to get our spoiled child (the government) back in line before it's too big and simply doesn't have to listen to us at all any more.

I highly and definitely recommend writing to your representatives, get involved with your local government, join an organization or two that works toward this end - just start doing something, no matter how small!

I know we're all busy surviving, etc, but just start with something small. The Internet is a great way - this discussion is a fine example.

For example: I pick one issue and I email, fax, call and let my representatives know my stance and (usually) my disagreement. I continue to stick to it even though all I seem to get is the generic (and nauseating) response form-letter stating how so-and-so representative is "working hard" for "all" their constituents. (when they seem to vote in a way that is contrary to what's good for their constituents (let alone, the USA.!) - I wonder who they're actually representing or if they've just completely lost their mind!).

So, in this light I say: Yes, the government has to raise revenue and, yes, the government that prints a currency owns that currency...

However, taxation without representation IS theft. And, at least under the US government, it's We the People that GOVERNMENT is suppose to act for and, in turn, "We the People" that own what the government owns (so that money is ultimately ours).

The whole "loan" thing is a product of the Federal Reserve that is at the same time a fine indicator of the unconstitutionality of it!

....

Thank God for the First Amendment and debate.

On a side note, it's interesting to me that our (US) Government is based on the same one from which we "threw the yoke off!" (Of course, minus the hereditary entitlements and with emphasis on individual sovereignty and all that). 
  

~Magnus ~ Posted via Blogaway

Obamacare Defunded

French are taxed at something like 105%!

ObamaCare | NewsBusters

Constitution Day - September 17

Preamble to the United States Constitution

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

On this day in 1787, 39  men -our Founding Fathers, signed the legal instrument upon which the United States government rests and within which our liberty is guaranteed and several rights are enumerated in the first ten Amendments known as the Bill of Rights.

Some delegates demanded a listing of rights before they would ratify a constitution.  I thank God for this, I can't imagine where we'd be without them!

I recommend that all citizens, those thinking about becoming citizens, and anyone, really, read the entire Constitution at least once a year (what better day than Constitution Day!) and refer to the particular article of the Bill of Rights each time someone mentions it. 

For instance, the next time someone invokes his or her 1st Amendment Rights to free speech, read the actual amendment and know that there's much more packed into it:

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Understand the invaluable gift this is!  Cherish it and stand up for it: from it flows all the blessings of liberty we still enjoy and the basis for the additional civil rights we have gained in the  two plus centuries it has been in existence!

Constitution Day commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution by thirty-nine brave men on September 17, 1787, recognizing all who, are born in the U.S. or by naturalization, have become citizens.

Yay! .... Putin?

I never, EVER, imagined a day would ever come that I would be more in agreement with a President of Russia then with a President of the United States of America.

Well.... That day came.

Following is the text of Vladimir Putin's open letter as it appeared in the New York times.  (Surreal!)

__________________________________________
OP-ED CONTRIBUTOR

A Plea for Caution From Russia

What Putin Has to Say to Americans About Syria

By VLADIMIR V. PUTIN
Published: September 11, 2013

MOSCOW — RECENT events surrounding Syria have prompted me to speak directly to the American people and their political leaders. It is important to do so at a time of insufficient communication between our societies.

Relations between us have passed through different stages. We stood against each other during the cold war. But we were also allies once, and defeated the Nazis together. The universal international organization — the United Nations — was then established to prevent such devastation from ever happening again.

The United Nations’ founders understood that decisions affecting war and peace should happen only by consensus, and with America’s consent the veto by Security Council permanent members was enshrined in the United Nations Charter. The profound wisdom of this has underpinned the stability of international relations for decades.

No one wants the United Nations to suffer the fate of the League of Nations, which collapsed because it lacked real leverage. This is possible if influential countries bypass the United Nations and take military action without Security Council authorization.

The potential strike by the United States against Syria, despite strong opposition from many countries and major political and religious leaders, including the pope, will result in more innocent victims and escalation, potentially spreading the conflict far beyond Syria’s borders. A strike would increase violence and unleash a new wave of terrorism. It could undermine multilateral efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear problem and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and further destabilize the Middle East and North Africa. It could throw the entire system of international law and order out of balance.

Syria is not witnessing a battle for democracy, but an armed conflict between government and opposition in a multireligious country. There are few champions of democracy in Syria. But there are more than enough Qaeda fighters and extremists of all stripes battling the government. The United States State Department has designated Al Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, fighting with the opposition, as terrorist organizations. This internal conflict, fueled by foreign weapons supplied to the opposition, is one of the bloodiest in the world.

Mercenaries from Arab countries fighting there, and hundreds of militants from Western countries and even Russia, are an issue of our deep concern. Might they not return to our countries with experience acquired in Syria? After all, after fighting in Libya, extremists moved on to Mali. This threatens us all.

From the outset, Russia has advocated peaceful dialogue enabling Syrians to develop a compromise plan for their own future. We are not protecting the Syrian government, but international law. We need to use the United Nations Security Council and believe that preserving law and order in today’s complex and turbulent world is one of the few ways to keep international relations from sliding into chaos. The law is still the law, and we must follow it whether we like it or not. Under current international law, force is permitted only in self-defense or by the decision of the Security Council. Anything else is unacceptable under the United Nations Charter and would constitute an act of aggression.

No one doubts that poison gas was used in Syria. But there is every reason to believe it was used not by the Syrian Army, but by opposition forces, to provoke intervention by their powerful foreign patrons, who would be siding with the fundamentalists. Reports that militants are preparing another attack — this time against Israel — cannot be ignored.

It is alarming that military intervention in internal conflicts in foreign countries has become commonplace for the United States. Is it in America’s long-term interest? I doubt it. Millions around the world increasingly see America not as a model of democracy but as relying solely on brute force, cobbling coalitions together under the slogan “you’re either with us or against us.”

But force has proved ineffective and pointless. Afghanistan is reeling, and no one can say what will happen after international forces withdraw. Libya is divided into tribes and clans. In Iraq the civil war continues, with dozens killed each day. In the United States, many draw an analogy between Iraq and Syria, and ask why their government would want to repeat recent mistakes.

No matter how targeted the strikes or how sophisticated the weapons, civilian casualties are inevitable, including the elderly and children, whom the strikes are meant to protect.

The world reacts by asking: if you cannot count on international law, then you must find other ways to ensure your security. Thus a growing number of countries seek to acquire weapons of mass destruction. This is logical: if you have the bomb, no one will touch you. We are left with talk of the need to strengthen nonproliferation, when in reality this is being eroded.

We must stop using the language of force and return to the path of civilized diplomatic and political settlement.

A new opportunity to avoid military action has emerged in the past few days. The United States, Russia and all members of the international community must take advantage of the Syrian government’s willingness to place its chemical arsenal under international control for subsequent destruction. Judging by the statements of President Obama, the United States sees this as an alternative to military action.

I welcome the president’s interest in continuing the dialogue with Russia on Syria. We must work together to keep this hope alive, as we agreed to at the Group of 8 meeting in Lough Erne in Northern Ireland in June, and steer the discussion back toward negotiations.
If we can avoid force against Syria, this will improve the atmosphere in international affairs and strengthen mutual trust. It will be our shared success and open the door to cooperation on other critical issues.

My working and personal relationship with President Obama is marked by growing trust. I appreciate this. I carefully studied his address to the nation on Tuesday. And I would rather disagree with a case he made on American exceptionalism, stating that the United States’ policy is “what makes America different. It’s what makes us exceptional.” It is extremely dangerous to encourage people to see themselves as exceptional, whatever the motivation. There are big countries and small countries, rich and poor, those with long democratic traditions and those still finding their way to democracy. Their policies differ, too. We are all different, but when we ask for the Lord’s blessings, we must not forget that God created us equal.

Vladimir V. Putin is the president of Russia.

A version of this op-ed appears in print on September 12, 2013, on page A31 of the New York edition with the headline: A Plea for Caution From Russia.

A Plea for Caution From Russia - NYTimes.com

Patriots Day!

Well, today is Patriots Day, a day set aside to remember the nearly 3000 that perished in those most infamous terrorist attacks that occurred on U.S. soil that fateful morning 12 years ago today.

It's ironic that we have an official holiday with a name such as this when it seems that someone who is a patriot is equated to some type of extremist these days.

It makes some sense, in our politically correct climate, that the name initially considered for this holiday, "Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001," did not make the cut.

Today, The 2 Million Bikers to DC motorcycle rally and ride through our nation's capital went ahead without receiving the permit they applied for.

This ride was organized as a response to the Million Muslim March (now actually being called "The Million American March Against Fear" due to the flack The American Muslim Political Action Committee organizers received over the original name).

My experience tells me that bikers like these are very patriotic supporters of the "American Dream," , the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

I don't think it's a stretch to believe that, though The 2 Million Bikers to DC organization has made statements that they would "never" join the Muslim march, many of the folks on the ride today are veterans that took the oath to defend the Constitution and are of the true American ilk that would still put their lives on the line to defend the rights afforded to all, including those we disagree with.

God bless those who are currently putting their lives on the line to defend these ideals.  Shame on those appointed over them that would so blatantly misuse them!

I pray that we, the people of the USA hold our government accountable and that our nation repents before the right of 2 million bikers to ride and 1 million Muslims to march  peaceably through DC, the rights of all of us, are revoked because of a government that renders itself illegitimate by going against the very principles it is founded upon!

So, on this Patriots Day, I call on  patriots everywhere to remember the 9-11 victims and those who have fallen in "The War On Terror" while we repent and pray that our nation's leaders redirect our course ¬while we raise our voices to demand a return to our tradition of liberty as laid down by our Founding Fathers and paid for by the blood our patriotic forebears¬ and repent for any misuse of power amassed by this  great nation!

See also:

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriot_Day

http://www.infowars.com/live-updates-d-c-bikers-stand-up-for-free-speech-and-defy-federal-tyranny/

http://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/sep/11/2-million-bikers-roar-dc-honor-911-protest-muslim-/

Nothing "Federal" About It!

It's been awhile, and I know that the buzz is all about the potential war with Syria and the possibility of sparking-off WWIII.

But, I have begun to look into the force behind the funding of all the Wars and conflicts the U.S. has been involved in over the last century -- The Federal Reserve System.

As is likely the case with most of us (including our parents and grandparents), we have gone through our entire lives so far without even giving it the slightest thought (though we've probable heard  of "The Fed" or the name of Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan and, perhaps, the latest Chairman, Ben Bernanke.

We may be vaguely aware that "The Fed" sets the rate that banks base interest rates on, but what is Federal Reserve System?

Here's a definition from Wikipedia:  "A central bank, reserve bank, or monetary authority is an institution that manages a state's currency, money supply, and interest rates. Central banks also usually oversee the commercial banking system of their respective countries. In contrast to a commercial bank, a central bank possesses a monopoly on increasing the amount of money in the nation, and usually also prints the national currency, which usually serves as the nation's legal tender.  Examples include the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Federal Reserve of the United States..."

I don't know about you, but that definition us glimpse into something scary....  While we elect our U.S. Government, what of this "Fed"?

“Some people think that the Federal Reserve Banks are United States Government institutions. They are private monopolies which prey upon the people of these United States for the benefit of themselves and their foreign customers; foreign and domestic speculators and swindlers; and rich and predatory money lenders.” –The Honorable Louis McFadden, Chairman of the House Banking and Currency Committee in the 1930s

Hmmmm.

Check out:

http://www.globalresearch.ca/who-owns-the-federal-reserve/10489

Probably the most famous critique (expose' ?) Of the fed is The Creature from Jekyll Island (1994) - by G. Edward Griffin

See him give an excellent overview of the system on youtube: The Creature From Jekyll Island (by G. Edward Griffin)
http://www.youtube.com/embed/lu_VqX6J93k?autoplay=1

(also see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G._Edward_Griffin

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0912986212/ )

I look forward to your comments and input!

[Illustrations:  initially found on Equilibrium.blog.bg, but turns out they belong to http://www.deesillustration.com/index.asp , so please go there, check out the many excellent illustrations and support that site!]

Blacks Hurt Most By Amnesty

Conservatives who oppose immigration bill see issue as opportunity to connect with black Democrats - Yahoo! News

New World Disorder

The New World Disorder | Antiwar.com Original

Nazi Salute = Ban For Life?!

Nazi salute by Greek soccer player brings outrage, ban for life -Washington Post

So much for freedom of expression.... Banned for life?

I understand that a national team from any country wants a player  that's politically neutral and is a good representative of the country, etc.

This is a 20 year old kid and, while I doubt he "doesn't know" what a Nazi salute is, I wouldn't be surprised that this kid doesn't actually realize the full significance of the recent (last century) historical meaning behind it.

Those "wiser" voices in the crowd that are "outraged" and speaking out against it seem so ready to exterminate this kid because they seem to have jumped to the conclusion that he is some force of evil that must be eliminated so that the genocide can be halted -or... what?!

This is exactly why we have the First Amendment here in the U.S.A.  Our Founding Fathers labored to give us a limited government "for the people, by the people" but strove to also protect us from mob rule.   (Ironically, parts of our U.S. government are modeled after some Greek ideas!)

I'd hate to see the organization this kid belongs to (Greece's national soccer team, I think - I was too irritated by the "life ban" thing and all the over-reaction to what probably amounts to a 20-year-old kid being silly in mocking a gesture) being allowed to take such harsh action against an individual who supposedly belongs to FREE Western Civilization.

I also hope that cooler minds are actually running things and are not influenced so much by the angry mob that seems ready to lynch this kid!

This is why I am so thankful to live in the U.S.A.

In my opinion, though there seems to be a growing pressure and influence to be "citizens of the world," the U.S.A. should never give up it's sovereignty to "international law" precisely because of thinking like this example shows. (I think, if anything, the pressure and influence should be the other way around!)

Can you imagine, our Bill of Rights subordinated to the "International Community" (it's already happening to some extent, I hear, with U.S.  Judges citing "International Law" in their decisions)!  Again (my opinion), I think "international law" should cite U.S. Law!

Now, I understand the countries formerly occupied by the Axis  Forces being sensitive about Nazi salutes and symbols.  Swastikas, lightning-bolt stylized S's, and other Nazi symbols are even illegal in Germany (at least, in public).

Here in the U.S.A., our freedom of speech is protected to the extent that, if one so desires, we can openly display swastikas, read a Bible, burn a Bible, Read Mein   Kampf right after reading The  Tanakh.  We can freely purchase a Koran, discuss The Communist Manifesto, make fun of Barry Obama, George  Bush, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels without fear of imprisonment, torture, forced labor or life banishment from anything!

We have Aryans, Communists, Vegans, Southern Baptists, Buddhists, Islamists, Adventists, Libertarians, Nation of Islam, Mormans, Creationists, Atheists, etcetera, ad infinitum!

We can speak out for or against any of these above mentioned movements, ideas, ideas or  groups without fear of (legal) retribution!

Here,  not only can an individual fly the Confederate Flag, but states can still have it incorporated into their state flag!

While l don't agree with a lot of folks and ideas, I stand by their First  Amendment and Everyone's right (in the U.S.A) to believe, speak, and express themselves as they see fit - so long as their activities do not violate nor infringe upon another's rights (even if it is deemed "offensive" - I don't mind warning labels and common courtesy, as long as it's not used as a tool just to shut me up!)

Free speech, free press, the right to redress the government with grievances, etc. lend to the healthy public discourse and debate, sometimes leading to improvements (like, say,  the abolishment of slavery, etc.)

So...  is this kid a good soccer player?  Maybe there's a slot open on Team U.S.A!

Celebrities, Dictators, BFFs

Isn't it comforting to know that North Korea is "years away" from the capability to strike the U.S.

It's a good thing that the U.N. Has added yet  another sanction against this country that has withstood them for 50 years!

At least our great partner in commerce, China, is "frustrated" with N. Korea's behavior (as they basically feed and supply them - something like 90% of N. Korea's imports are from China... Hey,  doesn't the U.S. Import a little from China, too?! -  Ooh! ... anyone remember that little event  often referred to as the "Korean War?").

Well, at least now Dennis Rodman and Kim Jung Un are "BFFs" .... A good thing Mr. Rodman was able to pitch his North Korea - USA basketball idea and "maybe we can start there!" 

(Sheesh!  What's with these celebrities going to hang-out with dictators and  supporting brutal regimes as if they are something to be emulated while thumbing their noses at that "empirical" USA,  you know, the country that actually provided the opportunity to become and prosper as a celebrity in the first place! 

Hmmm... I wonder if Danny Glover made it to the Hugo Chavez funeral, maybe the devastated Sean Penn could deliver the eulogy of his "close personal friend" and Oliver Stone can make a movie to show how Chavez is the great saviour of  the Venezuelan people, etc.  Anyway...)

Oh, yes... The celebs are friends with the dictators so, therefore, we (i.e., the "International Community" or, really, the   Sovereign U.S.) Should give concessions so then we all can just be friends and make a new and better world.

Aren't these simpletons usually the people that cry out for the oppressed (basically implicating the U.S. a "The Oppressor"  - you know, probably the freest country on the planet - any "freer" country is backed by the U.S.) and ironically become "dear friends" with the head of some totalitarian regime.

Well, I guess someone has to legitimize the propaganda. 

Useful idiots!

Green Government Waste

Here's an example of government "investing" your money into failure.

As many as 50 Obama-backed green energy companies bankrupt or troubled
By Michael Bastasch
3:24 PM 10/30/2012

The October bankruptcy of solar company Satcon Technology Corp. puts the number of bankrupt or troubled green energy companies as high as 50, according to one estimate. During the first presidential debate, Republican candidate Mitt Romney said the Obama administration had doled out $90 billion to green energy companies, half of which he said had failed, which sparked a media-wide debate over the accuracy of the claim. Read the Story
  Copyright ©2012 Daily Caller.
        All rights reserved.

Now,  probably as most anybody,  I am all for green energy and a clean environment.

I am no economist nor investing expert, (not even a betting man) but I would bet that private investors would NOT invest in these ventures.  Or, at least, private financers "go all in" like the government.

Now, after squandering billions of tax dollars, our governments are asking for more taxes!

It's like if I blew my whole paycheck buying a truckload of fake dog feces.  Now there's no money left to pay the rent and bills so my solution is to ask my  benefactors to pay me even more money because my children need a place to live.... They'd not only say "no" but probably laugh in my face.

So why should we say yes to our government at federal, state or any level -whatever the sob story is.  Or, that "we're just asking the rich to help out a little more...." because they can "afford" it (Mr. Buffet).

I say pay the bills  first, Mr. or Ms.Elected Government Official and don't ever ask me to chip in on a truckload of feces!

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Journalists or Propagandists?

This blog shares the title of an article by writer and political analyst for THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, Dick Polman, subtitled Too many reporters today shed their ethics and become complicit in sources' spin.  (30 september 2012 edition of the Press Enterprise, PERSPECTIVE section -p.A24)

Centering around an article done for  Vanity Fair by journalist  Michael Lewis where he "hung out" with President Obama for 6 months and wrote about it.

Mr. Lewis was allowed to do this only after agreeing to submit all his quotes to the White House for approval before publication.

Mr. Polman's point seems to be that there is this move from journalism toward propagandism - a shift he calls "Orwellian" and he starts the article with a quote from YouGeorge Orwell, "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed:  every thing else is public relations."

I was sorry to be unable to find a link to the article online, so I snapped a couple of photos of the article in the paper to post along with this blog.

Though I am unfamiliar with Mr. Polman's writings, I sense that I differ vastly in most of our political views, I absolutely agree with what he is illustrating in this article and couldn't have painted a better picture myself!

Freedom of speech and the press are of the utmost importance, but journalistic integrity is paramount.  Bias is understandable, but fabrication or omission to present a reality that is untrue is unacceptable where a journalist has a duty to report factually to his/her audience.  It's especially dubious when government or politicians are allowed to dictate what truth is.  (Talk about abridging a constitutional right!)

Mr. Polman points out that some candor remains citing the example of cameras recording Romney's "dismissive contempt" for us commoners. (while my viewpoint is probably closer to that of Romney than Obama's, these comments stir-up my suspicions that political elites are out of touch with the overwhelming majority of everyday Americans and causes me to question whether they really represent me or anybody else in most of the U.S. populace! ....  Guess I'll just have to  "throw-away" my vote on a "third party" candidate our something!)

Mr. Polman also pointed out that the Romney Campaign is also guilty of employing the censorship policy of requiring "quote approval" before journalists are allowed access.

One last thing:  I love what Mr. Polman says about gettimg reporters to "just say no" rather than exchanging independence for access; "... Journalists are tougher to herd than cats in a rainstorm!"

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How About: "Investing In The Capital of U.S. Citizens" ?

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Why Does a Man in the USA Have To Go Into Hiding?

A Coptic

Christian

man from the Cerritos, CA area went into hiding with sheriff department aid.  He produced a film that depicts the Prophet Mohammed as a fraud,  philanderer, and child molester.  (according to an AP article from 18   Sep 2012 see:  Coptic Christians, Muslims Denounce Film, Violence - ABC News).

This (the U.S.) is the one country on the planet where one is able to freely practice a religion of one's choosing while having to speak out (or make a film) expressing his or her views and opinions.

In this same article, it talks about how the bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Southern California met with a "Muslim Leader" in Los Angeles:  Bishop Serapion and  Sr. Advisor/ Muslim  Public Affairs Council, Maher Hathout, held a press conference on the steps of L.A. City Hall.  The Bishop distanced his church from the issue:  "a few ignorant individuals do not represent the views of many Coptic Christians," and the Muslim Leader called the film-makers "psychologically diseased with hearts full of hate."  (Wow!  That's a lot of name-calling!  Makes me start to think maybe the "film-makers" are onto something.)

That's all fine, and perhaps we'd see simular outrage from certain Christian leaders if a "film-maker" produced a movie depicting Jesus in a homosexual relationship with the "disciple he loved"  or maybe telling the story of him as a free-love-communal-living-transient-revolutionary.

However, the artist who makes a provocative statement about the founder of the Christian Faith probably wouldn't have to go into hiding.  And, I'm also guessing that riots and uprisings wouldn't be breaking out in countries in some predominately Christian region of the globe.  (I think you can see the pattern I'm highlighting!)

Okay - so, in the USA, why should a man - Coptic or otherwise - have to go into hiding for making a movie that mocks Mohammed?  The respective religious leaders making stately announcements outlining their objections to the film, even uniting to do so, is at least understandable.  But.... Hiding?  ...really? (think:  Salman Rushdie!)

Now, I'm sure that if our fine young Islamic artists here in the U.S. made a film that conveys controversial views of the Christian Faith -EVEN MOCKING CHRIST HIMSELF- they would not find it necessary to go into hiding!  Surely it would draw the ire of the aforementioned Christian leaders, but endanger the producer of such a film?   ....probably not.  I'm again guessing, in fact it would probably be lauded for it's creativity in the popular press!

Oh, on a side note:  having the sheik-leader of Hezbollah speak out against the film on behalf of Islam is sort-of like having the Grand-Master-Dude of the KKK speak on behalf of Christians everywhere!  (just say'n!)

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