How To Deal With the 21st Century
The Chicago Cubs: The Magic Number is One
Stepping away from politics for a few minutes, I noticed that the Chicago Cubs are on their way to clinching the National League Central title. They are currently in a three-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. The Cubs are just one win away to start on the journey to the Worlds Series. I am not some avid sports fan, but I have been keeping my eye on their progress. For the team to be this far is pretty exciting.
What a year this could turn out to be for Chicago. Their prodigal son, Barack Obama winning the Presidency of the United States and the Chicago Cubs winning their first World Series in 100 years. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.
Are Women Actually This Stupid?
I went to the Democratic primary here in Steamboat. And I asked a couple of women who were wearing Clinton buttons why they were supporting her. The answers I got were, “Because she is a woman.” Now some of these same women are supporting Sarah Palin. Why? Because she has a vagina.
I just finished reading an article on Politico where some of the supporters at Palin’s latest rally were asked why they had come out in support of her. Here’s some quotes just to show you how amazingly ignorant these people are:
“PTA, Soccer Mom, that kind of stuff,” explained Luann Tiner.
“She’s the only candidate of all four who can actually shoot an assault rifle,” chimed in her husband, Ken.
“It’s fantastic what she’s accomplished, being able to do it with a family, and keeping that baby, that was very special, and she’s got a boy in the service and going over to Iraq,” said Betty Beck, who lives in South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
“She’s an American,” said Blake
That Ficticious Luxury Jet Sale
The more of Sarah Palin’s acceptance speech that I read, the more lies I uncover. I have already covered the topic in regards to her statement on Alaska’s budget surplus. (See Sarah Palin’s Experience Challenged
Let’s talk about that luxury jet, shall we? In her speech Palin made the following statement which was then followed by thunderous applause:
I came to office promising major ethics reform, to end the culture of self-dealing. And today, that ethics reform is the law.
While I was at it, I got rid of a few things in the governor’s office that I didn’t believe our citizens should have to pay for.That luxury jet was over the top. I put it on eBay.
The jet was actually put up on the auction block at eBay. So I guess you could say that she wasn’t really lying. However, after two unsuccessful attempts at selling the plane, it was finally brokered by John Harris, the speaker of the Alaska House. The plane which was purchased for $2.7 million dollars was eventually sold to Valdez businessman Larry Reynolds for $2.1 million dollars. Reynolds is now asking the Alaskan government for $50,000 to cover maintenance fees.
At first glance, this may seem petty. But it is this exact type of misstatements that the Republicans have been spitting at us for years. Unfortunately, the sheep in elephant’s clothing are only too happy to lap up this continuously growing pile of horse shit.
Sarah Palin’s Experience Challenged
I have been working on some research into Sarah Palin’s experience and have learned quite a lot about the state of Alaska in the process.
Here is a quote from Palin’s acceptance speech:
Our state budget is under control.
We have a surplus.
The state does have a surplus – a $39 billion surplus. However, this money sits in a Permanent Fund which was set up in the 70’s when Alaska started reaping in mounds of cash during the oil boom. It is an investment fund whose principal is untouchable.
To say that the state’s budget is under control is a misleading statement. Residents of the state of Alaska do not pay income tax or sales tax. Over 80% of Alaska’s revenues come from oil and gas. With the skyrocketing price of gas, Alaska is currently enjoying a large windfall of cash. However, the state also receives money in the form of federal subsidies. These subsidies, which the rest of us pay for, are to the tune of $8 billion a year. Even with the cash haul from oil revenues, Alaska is completely dependent upon these federal subsidies. Meanwhile, qualifying residents of Alaska receive a check every year from the Permanent Fund dividends. In 2007 the check was in the amount of $1,654.
Now I can understand why Sarah Palin has an 83% approval rating in her state. Who wouldn’t love getting that yearly bonus? I’m not sure that I can agree with the assertion that Palin is the most qualified in matters of the economy. Alaska’s economy is completely unique to the rest of the United States. Simply being governor of Alaska for two years does not mean that you have an understanding of the federal budget.
2010 F1 Schedule
Date Location Mar. 14 
Sakhir - Bahrain Mar. 28 
Melbourne - Australia Apr. 04 
Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia Apr. 18 
Shanghai - China May 09 
Barcelona - Spain May 16 
Monaco May 30 
Istanbul - Turkey Jun. 13 
Montreal - Canada Jun. 27 Valencia - Spain Jul. 11 
Silverstone - Great Britain Jul. 25 
Hockenheim - Germany Aug. 01 
Budapest - Hungary Aug. 29 
Spa-Francorchamps - Belgium Sep. 12 
Monza - Italy Sep. 26 
Singapore Oct. 10 
Suzuka - Japan Oct. 24 
South Korea Nov. 07 
Sao Paulo - Brazil Nov. 14 
Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates -
