The BabyCenter has released their list of the Top Baby Names of 2009 and the results are nothing short of miraculous. A quick glance will reveal that the most popular names are Biblical in nature, but closer analysis will reveal a leap of epic proportions:
After only three newborns being named 'Edward' in 2008 (barely squeezing out 'Ebeneezer'), the name has jumped to #226 on the popularity list for 2009.
How could a name jump from obscurity - truly the twilight of its relevance - to lionization if you will, in such a short amount of time? What could have happened in the past year to cast a new moon on a name like Edward? Who is responsible for this transformation?
Occasionally, my popularity amazes even me. "GO TEAM EDWARD!!!" I hear women shouting that all the time. Thank you, all of you, for the support. And MERRY CHRISTMAS!
He was working at Tractor Supply Co. when I went in for some M-T-G. Danny was vociferous and enthusiastic. He was animated, almost invading. His address of each customer was cordial, but loud. Almost shouting. And the smile on his face and in his voice was genuine.
Danny obviously had Down's Syndrome. He stood behind the counter rocking from foot to foot. The regular cashier was standing behind him because, even though he knew most of the movements, Danny didn't always remember which button to push or when. And although he was very difficult to understand, he insisted on carrying on a running dialog with each and every customer. (As I walked out the door he was making an announcement on the exterior speaker system, with his assistant following up to make sure the request was understood.)
I left with a smile on my face. The same smile that remained on Danny's face as he turned from the mic to help the next customer. I thought about how Danny made sure to speak to every customer, and about how many times I have been through a store for 45 minutes or more and gone through the checkout line without a single person speaking to me... or making an effort myself to speak to anyone else. I thought about how much Danny enjoyed scanning the products and reading out the prices, about how mundane the job must be and how so many other people become disinterested in their own jobs, me included.
For just an instant I began to think about the issues Danny has to face in every facet of life due to his affliction. But that thought transformed into something else when I realized that Danny wasn't wasting time doing that. So I began thinking about my own set of issues. I work for a company in the construction industry. Times are tough. With the downturn of the economy I've watched our income dwindle down to just a fraction of our expenses. Every two weeks I sweat about how I'm going to be able to pay our guys. Then about whether I'm going to be able to pay myself. My job has been reduced to juggling creditors and trying to keep the lights on. I'm no fool... it can't last long like this.
My boss pointed out to me that he dreaded coming into the office of late. It seems he didn't want to see my face because I wore on it the only kind of news I've had for him: bad. I didn't bother to tell him that I've felt the same about avoiding him. Surely things will turn around soon, we fool ourselves. Actually, we're hurting because of the bursting of the so-called housing bubble. We both know that the commercial construction bubble is still yet to fail. So, while barely treading water, we're going to have to redirect the entire company.
The holidays are always a bit stressful: traveling to see family, organizing everything that needs to be organized, decorating everything that needs to be decorated, and gifting everyone who needs to be gifteed. I have to deal with my ex-wife on the kids' holiday visits, which is always a nightmare. And this year the extended family is getting together, which means we've got to scrounge the gift money for a slew of additional children. And if that weren't enough, the only reason I met Danny is that one of my horses has rain rot. That's why I needed the M-T-G.
But, hey! I have horses. Sure, one is sickly and has problems, but he's a sweetheart. And the two mares... well, while they aren't exactly sweet, they are stout. I live on a beautiful piece of property that most could only dream about. I have a great extended family, one that I will get to visit this holiday season. And my wife's family will be coming to us. No illnesses or losses in either family for quite some time. My daughter will be joining the rest of us for the entire Christmas break. I'm in excellent health and couldn't ask for a more loving home life.
Sure, there are problems at work. We're going through quite a tough time. But I have a job. I've watched competitors, clients, and vendors go out of business all around us. We may may just be treading water, but we're here. And I'm most thankful for that. There are many out there - about 17% of the population - that won't have a job this Christmas. When I look at it, my life is pretty darn rich right now.
I have no intention of turning this into a political diatribe, and those who are close to me know that I'm not completely sold on Sarah Palin as the savior of Conservatism. For that matter, I put no faith in any politicians. I just don't trust their motives. And from the spiritual side, I am one that believes in coincidences. But it struck me that on the very day I met Danny I read an article about Sarah Palin's book tour bringing out the pro-lifers because she was touring with Trig, her son that was diagnosed with Down's Syndrome. I don't think he was diagnosed before birth, but I do know he wasn't planned.
I don't know that that has anything to do with me. But I can tell you this: If you see me acting a little differently at work. If I'm stepping a little higher, and smiling a little brighter. If my head and morale are higher. If my outlook has shifted over into the positive column. Don't be alarmed. I'm not on drugs. I haven't checked out of reality. And my lottery ticket is still worthless. All that's happened is that I've been shown just how life should be approached, how valuable it is, and how glad I should be to have mine.
Representatives of the KKK have come forward today to announce the organization will be supporting the Democrat-backed Health Care Reform initiatives. This surprising announcement comes just hours after the Census Bureau released figures revealing that, given current U.S. infant mortality rates, white children will be a minority by 2023, with the overall Hispanic population ballooning to 28% within two decades.
"This is despert times," drawled Oral 'Mud' Slippins, Dragon of KKK Local 23. "Dey calls for despert maysures. If'n the guv'mint starts ta payin' fer abortions, maybe it'll cut down on all of dem Mesican babies being' borned."
This begs the question: Could there be stranger bed fellows than David Duke and Barack Obama?
The Centers for Disease Control has announced that 800,000 doses of H1N1 Vaccine have been recalled., but states there is no health risk posed to anyone who has been inoculated. There is nothing to worry about; the government is still protecting you. The recalled doses merely did not contain enough Sodium Pentothal.
Accenture has stepped forward as the first major sponsor to drop Tiger Woods over 'Voice Mail Gate.' The corporate consultancy company has recognized that Tiger's current public image might not be the greatest tool for convincing other businesses to trust Accenture's judgment. It also questions for marketing professionals the wisdom of hanging an entire company's public image on one character. It seems like this question may have been answered in the past.
Still, Tiger doesn't seem to be too worried. Although his life has been thrown asunder over his extra-marital affairs, and other large sponsors are sure to follow Accenture's lead, he is as confident as ever. Already he has reportedly been contacted by Blackberry for a new ad campaign:
Straight from the Tiger's lips
"Why leave a voice message, when a text is so much more deniable?"
You may recall that back in the bailout days Congress purchased, with our tax dollars, a stake in CitiGroup for about $45 billion (with another $300 billion guarantee) on the grounds that it was "too big to fail." In actuality, it was just the right size to fail. CitiGroup is an institution that has extended credit card lines to everyone from little old widows on Social Security to family pets. This practice created not only a huge dependence upon credit by your average Joe (more credit card use just to be able to make the minimum payment on the credit card used to buy that 2nd four-wheeler), it also resulted in an unacceptable percentage of defaults. It's true. You can look it up.
Many other companies also engaged in this practice. The overall effect was devastating, but blame was shifted to the housing market to cover up the irresponsibility of these leeching credit companies. The fear generated (and the drying up of other credit lines, such as those for small business - the true motor of this country) has resulted in a very real housing and construction crisis, as prophesied by the administration and Fed last year. Because of this, most of the banks that received any kind of bailout funding are sitting on the money because they are worried about loan defaults - the very issue that got them in trouble in the first place. The President has asked them to start freeing up some of this money, but there just aren't that many small businesses left to issue loans to - and those that are managing to hang on are no longer safe bets.
There is good news, though! CitiGroup is repaying their $20 billion obligation to the government. The other $25 billion was given in stock. Congress will now sell that stock, which - for those keeping count - is worth 20% more now than when Congress purchased it a year ago. This will bring in about a $15 billion return on stock that has fallen in value 40% this year. Pretty sneaky profit they made with our tax dollars. I'll be waiting for my dividend check...
...this morning before we head out into the mad world of Christmas shoppers. So, I thought I'd sit down with a cup of coffee and get my mind off the upcoming insanity with a quick update.
"Is that a putter in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?"
A strange week indeed in the world of golf: Tiger Woods has been voted out of the neighborhood while John Daly has been voted back in. Who woulda thunk it?
Daly has apparently cleaned up his personal life, recommitted himself to stylish clothing, is considering writing another book, and wants to do a movie about his life. And after recently shedding 115 pounds, Daly stated that he envisions Matt Damon taking the lead role.
Drew Carey could not be reached for comment.
Tiger Woods has announced he will be taking an indefinite leave from professional golf and his Tiger Woods Foundation. So far none of his sponsors have openly dropped him in light of the 467 women who have come forward claiming to be his 19th Hole, but have stated there have been "thoughtful conversations" about what happens next. Expect him to be entering a 'sexual addiction' clinic any day.
Since it is not included in the list to the left:
What is the difference between Tiger Woods and Santa Claus?
Cash flow. Most small business failures are due to cash flow problems: income isn't properly accounted for, expenses aren't properly tracked, the company over-extends, market demands shift, or the entire economy goes into the toilet. Larger corporations are more insulated from cash flow problems, but do face longer-term complications. The common ground is that in both cases these problems are no one's responsibility other than those involved in the individual business. The difference is the government likes to get involved to help out the "too-big-to-fails." Case in point: "Cash for Caulkers."
This is a program the President is bandying about to raise his popularity polls and fill his campaign coffers with money from... oops, where was I going with that? I mean, he's looking out for people, little people like you and me, by calling for a program that will give rebates to those wanting to make their homes more energy efficient. "I’m calling on Congress to consider a new program to provide incentives for consumers who retrofit their homes to become more energy-efficient, which we know creates jobs, saves money for families and reduces the pollution that threatens our environment." Hey, that's green, too! Spreading the love and saving the planet, one Nobel Peace Prize at a time.
Surprisingly (or not) Dow Chemical is on board with this program. Of course, as a manufacturer of insulation products, why wouldn't they be on board? I wonder if the government realizes that Dow's hydrocarbon- and fiberglass-based insulation products aren't exactly the 'green-greeniest" stuff around... but then, why nitpick? I wonder if Dow Chemical remembers that the government was involved in destroying Dow Corning over silicone implants that were never shown to actually cause harm... but then, why nitpick?
Lowe's and The Home Depot have jumped on board with their support, and why not? They sell these products. And just look at how successful the Cash for Clunkers Program was, they point out. But wait! This was supposed to be a thank you note. So, here it is:
Dear Uncle Barack,
Thank you for the Cash for Caulkers Program. I know it's not a done deal, yet... and heck, it may not even happen. But thank you for mentioning it. I can't even imagine how many homeowners are sitting around right now going, "Honey, I'm so satisfied sitting here with the heating running, stomping our carbon foot all over the planet. Of course, if there was a government stimulus package that somehow made tax payers cover a rebate for us to get better insulation - I might not feel that way." They'll be coming around next year! But I wanted to thank you for what happened today!
This is a slow time for us in the construction industry. The economy is in the tank, building is off, it's been raining, and it's the holidays, so people don't even want us in their houses. We install insulation. It's been so slow that I've watched our competitors go out of business. In fact, it's so slow that I, here in accounts receivable/payable, haven't even had to bother with bills - there's just no money to pay them. I haven't had to worry about payroll - there just isn't any money to pay it. And it was looking to be a slow, peaceful, quiet Christmas season until one of our customers called up wanting insulation installed before the holidays! But thanks to you, we're off the hook.
Seems that hours before we were to start that customer heard you might give him money in the future to upgrade his insulation, so he's going to wait it out until next year. Thanks, Uncle Barack. Now I don't have to busy myself with processing that income. We'll get to it next year... if we're still here.
That's the headline from Yahoo! News this morning. It banners an Associated Press story written by Erica Werner. The article centers on the Democrats backing down from a proposed government-run insurance program, or Public Option, in order to gain key support in the Senate Healthcare Reform Bill. Hmm. This tactic seems familiar. Where was I forewarned of it? Oh, yes... now I remember:
This is not a “public option.” This is the government setting prices and packages throughout the industry, listing it for you, and letting you “choose” which option you want. In other words, a fascist health care system. The Democrats will have appeared to have backed way off of their demands and the Republicans will have appeared to have saved face. And all of us will be reaping the… well, I’ll let you characterize the results any way you wish.
You may remember that, too. It was from the end of myHelthkare Яeform (Part 7) post. I predicted it. It's right there. Read it.
But this post isn't about my own self-aggrandizement (well, maybe a little). I want to bring your attention to a sentence in the seventh paragraph of this AP article:
New purchasing marketplaces called exchanges would make it easier for small businesses and people without government or employer coverage to shop for health insurance, and onerous insurance company practices such as denying coverage to people with pre-existing medical conditions would be banned.
Did you catch that? The "onerous" practice? Isn't this a tad editorial in nature? I will tell you straight out that this blog is most certainly slanted in one direction - MINE! But I make no claims to the contrary. The reader is free to recognize the truth or to disagree with me. But this article is from the Associated Press! Should it not be objective?
The truth is that I am not surprised to see it. I have actually fired off letters to the AP complaining about the poor quality of their writing in not only fact reporting but basic grammar. Pointless to do so, I know... but it allows me to complain that nothing is going to improve. It will only get worse, and here's why:
News reporting is not a lucrative industry. With the number of cable stations and online outlets, news organizations have less and less money every year to spend on reporters. As a result, most of the reporters you see today are young, blond girls. (I know nothing about Erica Werner specifically, other than the fact that she is apparently incapable of objective reporting.) It is no coincidence that they look very much like the girl dancing in the lower corner of your screen saying something like, "At Adult Playground you can watch me as we chat online and..." These reporterettes are not hired because of their abilities... they are hired for their looks.
I know this sounds sexist, but I've been there and seen it. Sour grapes? Nope. I didn't enjoy my time in news organizations because of their unwillingness to dig deep and risk ticking off politicians (probably a good idea if Federal dollars end up being used to bailout - read: take over - large newspapers). So there's no sour grapes. I just hate seeing quality plummet. (One can be good looking AND smart... ehem. The issue here is the 'and.')
The only solution we have is to do it ourselves. My blog is more of an editorial page, no doubt. But what blogs have you seen that you feel deliver objective information? (Don't bother submitting Wikipedia, please.) Please comment with links to information blogs you enjoy. It might be your own. It might be Matt Drudge's, or whomever.
I want to gather a list of them, go through and find ones that dig for information, and provide that list for you to bookmark. Sort of a morning reading list. Instead of relying on the reporterette who interviews one professor at Berkley and suddenly becomes an expert on Global Warming, let's identify those individuals out there who have a passion for the issues that affect our lives. Let's dig into their heads and resources, and come up with a digest of credible, detailed, and objective sources.
Anyone game? Put your links in a comment, or email them to me if you'd prefer.
I often listen to Steve & Leah in the Morning, a local talk show, on my way in to work. This morning was no exception. Today they stated a belief that anyone found guilty of shooting and killing a police officer should face a mandatory death sentence. Leah added that a restriction on appeals to just one should also be enacted.
I called in with my opinion. I'd like you to leave your opinion below. It's not hard, and it's free of charge!
As President Obama prepares for a mass bowing in Capenhagen, the Environmental Protection Agency is announcing today its opinion that heat-trapping greenhouse gases are endangering people's health. This is in response to the Supreme Court's previous ruling that an endangerment declaration must exist before the EPA can begin regulating factories under the Clean Air Act. Yes, you read that correctly: before the EPA can regulate business, it must only claim that business is hurting people.
This move will certainly help Barack Obama in his effort to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations by showing the world that America can control its dogs. For anyone thinking this is about climate change (man-made or not), take a look back at the old Kyoto Protocol, which we were prudent enough not to ratify. (This will not, I fear, be the case this go around.):
The former reveals monies will flow from "developed" countries to "developing" countries. That second group includes many of the same countries accused by the U.N. of gross human rights abuses. Hmmm.
Article 22, with its "vice versa" tag, means that groups like the E.U. will vote for ALL of Europe, and it will do so with that many votes. (Sorry if any member state disagrees with the E.U.) It also means that ANY regional economic group (let's say, African Union?) would get more votes than an economy the size of the U.S. (1 vote). From where does the money flow, and where does it go?
Or, to be less U.S.-centric, there are 27 members of the E.U. There are 53 countries in Africa. What if there was an African Union? Do you think, with that disparity of voting power, any money would flow FROM Africa TO Europe?
So, the next time you hear how terribly the United States is destroying the world and how critical it is for us to join international "pollution" treaties, ask yourself what it all means as you look at pictures like these:
The CDC has been telling us that the H1N1 Virus is going to kill everyone on the planet for a little over a YEAR now. So far, they've only been able to get enough vaccine manufactured to protect 1 out of 100 old people and babies; the rest of us are left out in the cold.
The University of Alabama won the 2009 SEC Championship by beating the Florida Gators on Saturday, 32-13. In less than 48 hours enough memorabilia has been manufactured to outfit every man, woman, and child on earth with a "2009 SEC CHAMPS - Roll, Tide, Roll!" hat, shirt, and license plate frame.
My Question:
If health care is going to be taken over, would we not be better off leaving it in the hands of Nick Saban?
It's busy day for us here in the Land of the (soon to be not-so) Free. It's December 7th, and that can mean only one thing here in the U.S. of A.:
Today we recognize the vital importance of the men and women of our armed forces by arraigning four members of our most elite fighting force on charges of punching a known and successful terrorist scumbucket.
I know there are allegations of falsifying reports and impeding investigations and etc... But for God's sake! Am I the only one that can see the big picture here? Am I the only one that sees the damage that will be done by prosecuting Navy SEALs in front of the entire world in deference to a godless sociopath!!?? What are we going to do next, start bowing before other national leaders?
Did Matthew McCabe punch this guy? I don't know, and I don't really care. Did he cover the fact up with the help of his buddies? I don't know, but realize the military must find out. But I also know that if they did collude in covering it up they did so in reaction to the mamby-pamby, social-experimenting, equal opportunity, progressive state the U.S. Military is in today! Which is what has landed it in The Pansy Corner in the first place!
Here's the test on this case: WWPS?
Who Would Patton Slap? Would George S. Patton, Jr. (can anyone argue against his effectiveness and understanding of war?) slap these Navy SEALs or would he slap Robert Gates and anyone else not coming to their defense and putting an end to this circus?
President Barack Obama's long anticipated "Afghaniplan" is scheduled to be announced this very evening, with a troop increase of 30-35,000 expected, which is a tad less than the 140,000 his commanding General recommended for success. Our little candidate is growing up. It seems like just yesterday he was saying things like, "I don't oppose all wars. What I am opposed to is a dumb war." Of course, that quote was directed toward the War in Iraq.
After eight years there, Afghanistan is clearly a different story... just ask the Russians. But fear not: Obama is not growing weary, even if his party is. He plans for U.S. troops to be there for at least three more years, beating the Soviets by a year and a half. He states that we will not leave before the job is done. By the way: does anyone know what the job is?
Due to its mountainous terrain (among other factors) there has never been an effective, centralized government in Afghanistan, with the possible exception of the East India Company. The area is nothing more than a barren pile of minerals, a line of demarcation between warring ethnic factions. If Obama really thinks Bin Laden is still hiding in the hills there, don't send more U.S. soldiers into harm's way to look for him; send mining companies. Within a few years of strip mining, there won't be anywhere left for the b*stard to hide.
SEALing THEIR FATE
Four U.S. SEALs have been accused of the mistreatment of another poor Islamic prisoner, one Ahmed Hashim Abed. This fella claims he was punched in the mouth during his detainment by the members of SEAL Team 10. One of the soldiers, Matthew McCabe, has been charged with assault. You probably have never heard of McCabe, but you might remember Abed from a 2004 incident during which four U.S. contractors were murdered, burned, dragged, and hung from a bridge over the Euphrates River under his orders. The SEALs have given our mamby-pamby, Obama-era military the finger and demanded Courts-Martial (facing criminal charges and possible jail time) rather than administrative discipline. And get this: they are to be arraigned on DECEMBER 7th! Good for them for standing up! If these SEALs don't win their case against the Obama Administration's witness - fellow Muslim Ahmed Hashim Abed, we all need to march to Washington and defend the men at home who are defending us abroad! And I mean march armed to the teeth. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
This despicable treatment of our soldiers comes from the post-Abu Ghraib, we're so sorry for being Americans attitude that has only intensified under the current administration. ('W'-ers out there rest assured that the previous administration was guilty of this, too - just to a lesser extent.) Don't humiliate the enemy, they tell us. You will just make them angrier. Don't humiliate them? You mean like this?
This administration tells us we no longer can waterboard because it is cruel and inhumane. Besides, they tell us, it is not an effective way to get information and could suggest to people we are not compassionate. You mean like this?
I'm going to address waterboarding for just a moment. I saw Mancow do a little bit on it. He apparently (I don't listen to his show) was a big fan of it until he tried it himself in-studio:
So Mancow admits that waterboarding is torture. Well, he forgot to ask these 4 questions:
Yeah?
And?
So?
What?*
Why in the Hell would I care? Is waterboarding torture? Possibly. I don't really know the definition. I can tell you this: Waterboarding by no means looks like a pleasant experience. In fact, it is so bad that it is probably among the top 5 reasons that I'm not a scumbag, Hell-bound, militant, Islamic terrorist today. I say the only way you do waterboarding wrong is if the piece of garbage terrorist gets up afterward. It is my understanding that we actually only waterboarded one individual (a bunch of times, grant you) and it worked... remarkably well. It worked so well that we only had to threaten one other individual with it before he started singing about terrorist cells and info. If waterboarding some Muslim dink saves just one person from a fate like this...
...bring me an ironing board and a pitcher of water! I have compassion. It makes me passionate. And maybe it makes a SEAL passionate from time to time.
To all other SEALs out there: In the future, you take the future "Objective Ambers" out there, cut off their toes or noses or whatever to get information - or not - then put a bullet in their head... followed by another. We need you protecting us, not wasting your time in disciplinary hearings or Courts-Martial. Oh, and "Thank You" to all of you from all of us.
*And thanks to Bill Hicks for not objecting to me stealing from his joke.
HIGHER A-SPIRE-ATIONS
Remember the Chicago Spire? This massive, 2000-feet high skyscraper was to be the third tallest building in the world, and tallest residential structure ever. The project's financing collapsed with the current economic downturn, with little hope of it ever becoming a reality. Until now...
The AFL-CIO is now looking at raising more than $100 million to get the project going. Why? Because some of their union members are facing 30% unemployment rates. This project would provide over one million man-hours of labor at a time when it is greatly needed. The work, that is, if not the building.
At a time when people are losing their homes because they are overextended, is it wise to build a luxury residential high-rise, a monument to fiscal irresponsibility? A Cortlandt Homes Project for the 2000's? I think not, so I have a better suggestion. Why not build a wall like we have been talking about in this country for the last ten years?
This will be something practical, something useful, something with purpose. It will get these union guys working again... they will like that. It will protect the citizens of this country from a horrible enemy. And it will help insure the economic integrity of the U.S. for generations to come.
I'm not talking about a wall to keep gardeners and meat packers south of the boarder. And I'm not talking about a wall to keep emergency room visitors and weekend gamblers to the north. I'm talking about a massive wall, some 50 feet high, made of concrete, steal, and whatever else that can be scrounged, impervious to human efforts to blast through, cross over, or tunnel under, email and phone signal-proof, sealed, and left forever. Something that will make the Great Wall of China look like a Christo and Jeanne-Claude installation. I'm talking about building a wall around Washington, D.C.
Now, that's construction that would help this country.
