I have been putting a lot of thought into whether or not to do a website devoted to the Civil War of the United States. It would be a site where the history is told through the words of the people who experienced it. Although the people who fought those battles long ago are no longer with us, there are plenty of books and documents in the public domain that were written by the participants. With that thought in mind, here is President Lincoln's speech from the battle that turned the war in favor of the Union.
Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, given November 19, 1863 on the battlefield near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA
Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation: conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war. . .testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated. . . can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war.
We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that this nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate. . .we cannot consecrate. . . we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.
It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us. . .that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion. . . that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain. . . that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom. . . and that government of the people. . .by the people. . .for the people. . . shall not perish from this earth.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Get Out and Vote in the Mid-term Elections
The mid-term elections are fast approaching and I just wanted to take the time out and encourage everyone to vote. If you are having primary or runoff elections, don't forget to get out and vote in those as well.
The right to vote is one that has not yet been screwed with too much and we should take full advantage of it while we can and maybe by doing so we can elect people who will work to restore the rights that have been tampered with through legislation and adjudication.
I've found a great new site that will give you insight into the upcoming elections, plus they are publishing dates for primaries and runoffs so that you will know when it is your turn to get out there and vote. Vote November 2010 is dedicated to getting people elected who respect the constitution and the founding fathers original ideals for our country.
In recent years, there has been too many instances of our political (from both sides of the aisle) and judicial systems taking away our rights. Its time for all of us to stand up and say: "No more!" Lets get rid of these politicians and judges who choose to corrupt our constitution and take away our rights.
Facist systems usually begin with the taking away of your rights a small bit at a time... things that you really don't notice, until one day you wake up and your living under a dictator. Let's keep our freedoms and get out in the Mid-term elections and vote for those candidates who will preserve and restore our rights as US citizens!
The right to vote is one that has not yet been screwed with too much and we should take full advantage of it while we can and maybe by doing so we can elect people who will work to restore the rights that have been tampered with through legislation and adjudication.
I've found a great new site that will give you insight into the upcoming elections, plus they are publishing dates for primaries and runoffs so that you will know when it is your turn to get out there and vote. Vote November 2010 is dedicated to getting people elected who respect the constitution and the founding fathers original ideals for our country.
In recent years, there has been too many instances of our political (from both sides of the aisle) and judicial systems taking away our rights. Its time for all of us to stand up and say: "No more!" Lets get rid of these politicians and judges who choose to corrupt our constitution and take away our rights.
Facist systems usually begin with the taking away of your rights a small bit at a time... things that you really don't notice, until one day you wake up and your living under a dictator. Let's keep our freedoms and get out in the Mid-term elections and vote for those candidates who will preserve and restore our rights as US citizens!
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Sunday, March 29, 2009
Small Biz Gets Screwed in ID, too!
The cartoon says it all...
While the U.S. government bails out the big banks and auto makers, the small business owners (who create most of the jobs in this country) get screwed! Leave it to the Wizard of Id to put everything in perspective.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Follow the Money Trail
Who's to blame for the current economic crisis? Its a good idea to follow the money trail and see where it leads.
The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) of 1977 was the beginning of this current mess. This act requires (yes it is still in force) lenders under penalty of law to make loans to lower income earners to provide them with the ability to own their own home. Under the watch of Bill Clinton in 1995 this act was expanded to include even more people who could not afford the loans they were getting into because "the CRA had not lived up to its promise".
The penalties imposed on the lenders who refused to make these loans, forced them to make the loans or else risk being forced out of business. These risky loans were then allowed to be bundled and sold as investments creating more government beauracracy in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
The Bush administration (who I am no big fan of) tried in 2001 and again in 2003 to get congress to reform the financial industry and was both times blocked in the Senate Finance Committee. I know the Democrats out there are screaming that the Republicans were in control of the Senate at those times. True...but...
The Finance Committee was made up of 11 Republicans and 9 Democrats at the time and needed 60% to bring a bill out of committee and to the full floor. Only one Democrat would have had to approve for reforms to reach the Senate floor and come to a vote, but not one had the balls to break against his party and do so.
Who have been the chief beneficiaries of the CRA and its expansion?
Franklin Raines. A former Clinton administration budget director and current Obama adviser received $90 million as CEO of Fannie Mae from 1999 to 2004.
Jamie Gorelick. Clinton deputy Attorney General received $26 million as vice chair of Fannie Mae from 1998 to 2003. She has been highly mentioned for a cabinet position if Obama becomes President.
James Johnson. Served as an Aide to Walter Mondale and the head of Obama's VP selection committee received $21 million in his final year as Fannie Mae head in 1998.
Rahm Emanuel. Former Clinton White House senior adviser, served on the board at Freddie Mac and has opposed every reform that has been proposed for that institution in his time there. He is also credited with rallying Democrat Congressional support in the early days of Obama's campaign.
Christopher Dodd (Senate Finance Committee Chairman) and Barrack Obama. The number one and two benefactors of political contributions from Fannie Mae. Those that scream the loudest are usually hiding something...
Watch the Dems fight against financial reforms below.
Its not just Democrats people...
The financial institutions are guilty as well.
Many of these low-income people were duped by the lending institutions into taking adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) and as interest rates have increased, many more of them are now not able to afford them.
Banks happily loaned money on houses that these people could not afford because the housing market was in fine shape and when they reposessed it they could sell it for a profit. But, with the current housing market (in most states...Oklahoma home values are still on the rise thankfully), the banks cannot resell them for profit and have had to scale back their lending to qualified individuals and companies to make up for their losses...
Some will claim that deregulation caused this crisis. But history shows us that when government gets out of the way, business prospers.
Why will the bail out not work?
The $700 billion package is like putting a band aid on a gaping chest wound. There are 1.2 TRILLION dollars of ARM notes coming up for review in the next few months. The payments are going to increase and in some cases double or more on those notes! People are already suffering. How the hell are they going to be able to afford even higher payments?
Many of these houses aren't worth what is owed on them and with the ever tightening credit market, refinancing is out of the question. What will become of them? It has been estimated that as much as a third will go into foreclosure. Another $400 BILLION dollar bailout then?
The only solution is to reform the laws that have gotten us here. Write your congress person and tell them that we need to repeal the CRA! Without that essential reform any bailout money will be poured down a gaping hole that has no end.
Want a REAL ECONOMIST opinion read here.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OK. I know I'm probably going to hear from some Democrats about taking them to the woodshed here, but I welcome it. To any Republican reading this...don't get too comfortable...Your time will come.
The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) of 1977 was the beginning of this current mess. This act requires (yes it is still in force) lenders under penalty of law to make loans to lower income earners to provide them with the ability to own their own home. Under the watch of Bill Clinton in 1995 this act was expanded to include even more people who could not afford the loans they were getting into because "the CRA had not lived up to its promise".
The penalties imposed on the lenders who refused to make these loans, forced them to make the loans or else risk being forced out of business. These risky loans were then allowed to be bundled and sold as investments creating more government beauracracy in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
The Bush administration (who I am no big fan of) tried in 2001 and again in 2003 to get congress to reform the financial industry and was both times blocked in the Senate Finance Committee. I know the Democrats out there are screaming that the Republicans were in control of the Senate at those times. True...but...
The Finance Committee was made up of 11 Republicans and 9 Democrats at the time and needed 60% to bring a bill out of committee and to the full floor. Only one Democrat would have had to approve for reforms to reach the Senate floor and come to a vote, but not one had the balls to break against his party and do so.
Who have been the chief beneficiaries of the CRA and its expansion?
Franklin Raines. A former Clinton administration budget director and current Obama adviser received $90 million as CEO of Fannie Mae from 1999 to 2004.
Jamie Gorelick. Clinton deputy Attorney General received $26 million as vice chair of Fannie Mae from 1998 to 2003. She has been highly mentioned for a cabinet position if Obama becomes President.
James Johnson. Served as an Aide to Walter Mondale and the head of Obama's VP selection committee received $21 million in his final year as Fannie Mae head in 1998.
Rahm Emanuel. Former Clinton White House senior adviser, served on the board at Freddie Mac and has opposed every reform that has been proposed for that institution in his time there. He is also credited with rallying Democrat Congressional support in the early days of Obama's campaign.
Christopher Dodd (Senate Finance Committee Chairman) and Barrack Obama. The number one and two benefactors of political contributions from Fannie Mae. Those that scream the loudest are usually hiding something...
Watch the Dems fight against financial reforms below.
Its not just Democrats people...
The financial institutions are guilty as well.
Many of these low-income people were duped by the lending institutions into taking adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) and as interest rates have increased, many more of them are now not able to afford them.
Banks happily loaned money on houses that these people could not afford because the housing market was in fine shape and when they reposessed it they could sell it for a profit. But, with the current housing market (in most states...Oklahoma home values are still on the rise thankfully), the banks cannot resell them for profit and have had to scale back their lending to qualified individuals and companies to make up for their losses...
Some will claim that deregulation caused this crisis. But history shows us that when government gets out of the way, business prospers.
Why will the bail out not work?
The $700 billion package is like putting a band aid on a gaping chest wound. There are 1.2 TRILLION dollars of ARM notes coming up for review in the next few months. The payments are going to increase and in some cases double or more on those notes! People are already suffering. How the hell are they going to be able to afford even higher payments?
Many of these houses aren't worth what is owed on them and with the ever tightening credit market, refinancing is out of the question. What will become of them? It has been estimated that as much as a third will go into foreclosure. Another $400 BILLION dollar bailout then?
The only solution is to reform the laws that have gotten us here. Write your congress person and tell them that we need to repeal the CRA! Without that essential reform any bailout money will be poured down a gaping hole that has no end.
Want a REAL ECONOMIST opinion read here.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OK. I know I'm probably going to hear from some Democrats about taking them to the woodshed here, but I welcome it. To any Republican reading this...don't get too comfortable...Your time will come.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
NEVER buy an Internet Marketing product until you see this...
If you're anything like me, you've probably bought loads of Internet marketing products that promised the moon but barely got you a Snicker's Bar. Let's face it. People are in business to make money, and unfortunately, we're the ones they make the most off of... until now...
The long-needed resource has FINALLY been created--a user-contributed ratings and reviews website for Internet marketing businesses only. Now you can find out what other people *really* thought about a product they bought before you buy it too!
The site is called *Internet Biz Buzz*, and it allows you to get the "buzz" on a business BEFORE you buy from it...
http://www.InternetBizBuzz.com/?r=1004
Not only can you read other people's reviews, but you can leave your own. You can praise great products, and expose the crappy ones... You can even review businesses that haven't been added to the directory... It's GREAT!
Be smart, get the buzz BEFORE you buy.
http://www.InternetBizBuzz.com/?r=1004
See you at IBB
The long-needed resource has FINALLY been created--a user-contributed ratings and reviews website for Internet marketing businesses only. Now you can find out what other people *really* thought about a product they bought before you buy it too!
The site is called *Internet Biz Buzz*, and it allows you to get the "buzz" on a business BEFORE you buy from it...
http://www.InternetBizBuzz.com/?r=1004
Not only can you read other people's reviews, but you can leave your own. You can praise great products, and expose the crappy ones... You can even review businesses that haven't been added to the directory... It's GREAT!
Be smart, get the buzz BEFORE you buy.
http://www.InternetBizBuzz.com/?r=1004
See you at IBB
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