28 posts from 2008

"This WEEK'S Quote: "No, not in politics, No I'm going to get an honest job." Mayor Debbie Cook (D), Huntington Beach, Ca., Nov. 4, 2008, referring to her future after losing a bid for Congress.
 I really like this quote by Mayor Cook. It reminds me of a quote by President Harry Truman. Something about a piano player in a house of ill repute being more reputable than a politician.
 
 
 
 
 
Comment by Lightfoot - Published Dec. 27, 2008 - Liberty Views

and The Egineers -

It’s a House divided —  not so much, because both Democrats and Republicans support the financial policies that has brought us to where we are. Our financial problems are caused by the injection of “socialist engineering concepts” into the business model (and education model).

 Herbert Hoover       These socialist concepts began with the Hoover and  FDR administration and have grown, with increased power and failure under each administration. 

The core problem is the federal government acting as the “Great White Father” using socialist engineering concepts applied to a free market. This must be addressed and stopped. They are not only unconstitutional — they have failed every time they have been applied or used.

Any current bailout, rescue package or payout without a ban on future government sponsored enterprises, GSE's Fannie/Freddie adventures is not acceptable. Without such a ban, we are continuing the same policy no matter how much the Democrats and Republicans claim this will never happen again. If we have the programs and support the policy, it will happen again and again and again.

Senator  Obama or Senator McCain will keep stoking the fires of the socialist train,..  we must take their shovels away from them — permanently!

 

 

Commentary by Lightfoot - Published Nov. 4, 2008 - LA Times/DP

donkrotee wrote on Nov 4, 2008  

" This writing is so wrong it is a little surprising the Pilot printed it. Deregulation, not socialism, and bipartisan greed are the culprits for crisis. Banking wanted to deregulate itself since 1933. Financial institutions got their big start when Phill Gramm (R) collected more than $1.5 million in lobbying cash (he needed for his senate re-election) to push through (narrow margin) relief from a banking/finance regs of the Glass-Steagall Act, one of the pillars of Roosevelt's New Deal. Final collapse was Paulson convincing Cox/ and SEC to exempt investment banks from maintaining reserves to cover losses. "

 

timothy wrote on Nov. 29

This is good!

                                                          

The America that you are searching for is not hard to find. Just look for individual freedom. That is the American Dream and Promise.
 
If you protest that we are gradually losing that dream to an authoritarian socialist system; I tend to agree with you. If you think that has anything to do with the Great Depression, Guthrie or the Dust Bowl; I think you are just another empty suit trying to sell a song... to make a buck.

   If you protest the entertainment industry
       that sells all that is good as bad; that sells all that is bad as good; I tend to agree with you. If you think that has anything to do with Vietnam,  I would think you were just another airhead filling a vast space that should be occupied with something better, something much better.
 
If you protest the public education system that destroys the liberalism of the Founding Fathers to re-write the future as a authoritarian socialist state; I tend to agree with you.  If you think that has anything to do with Iraq you have already raised the white flag to those who would re-wite our history for their own self serving purpose.   A fools song no doubt !

 

 

Letter by Lightfoot to BS

What "old fashioned" cultural behavior do you wish still existed in these modern times?

I would like to stroll along the beach without the 'Socialist Sons of Beaches'  posting a 100 different rules and regulations . Especially the one that forbids use of the beach after 10 pm.

CLINTON PALIN and the SISTERHOOD and it's existence?
 

                                              Photo - Kieth Srakocic

The words “disapproval of the McCain-Palin ticket” attributed to young women and the photo worded “Women for Obama” struck a chord with my inner self that I did not know I had (“Praised, panned in Costa Mesa,” Oct. 5).

I have heard since I was a young boy that there was a sisterhood among all women. What women experienced in life was very different than the good old boys’ world experience. Most women had insight into the pain and glory, that bound them together based on life experience. Any time one of the sisters was unfairly treated or physically harmed it was an attack against the sisterhood as a whole.

If the theory is true, it has met it’s greatest test. What is that test? The crucifixion of Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin.

No, not questions of policy or experience, which I would expect. An all-out personal attack regarding her lifestyle, beliefs, husband and her children. Not unlike what happened to Sen. Hillary Clinton as she campaigned for the Democrat Party nomination for president.

Both Palin and Clinton have been the target of demeaning slurs and personal questions of all types. Saying she is only qualified to run the PTA or that her daughter proves she is an unfit mother is a slur against all women. Because Palin and Clinton both have more experience than Sen. Barack Obama, I can only conclude that the crucifixion of each has more to do with their being successful moms and successful in their chosen fields.

We know the good old boy network does exist, and Palin and Clinton do not belong.  Each in their own way, remind me a little of Margaret Thatcher. 

 

                         

The sisterhood did rise up somewhat to the personal attacks against Clinton from many sides of the political arena.

The great test: Will any of the sisters rise to the occasion and object to the crucifixion of Palin regardless of personal philosophy, beliefs, faith or culture?

Then, possibly the message 'be all that you can be' is intended for all women.

My best guess, and just a guess, the answer is no. However, if there were a true sisterhood they should realize that if they do well in life the good old boys and the media will crucify them!

 

Things could change

.

Beanie wrote: Nov. 2, 2008 - I just went and read your post on Sisterhood.  Very compelling.

Joseph Bell, Columnist for LA Times/DP wrote Oct. 16 - So why then focus on Palin? Because her apologists want it both ways as illustrated in a recent commentary.  (regarding the sisterhood).   el tigre wrote on Oct 10, 2008  " Elllie, Madam Speaker is a real woman. I would love her to be our next president. We need a strong and knowledgeable woman in the White House. Paulin is neither Hillary nor Nancy. "   elllie abernathy wrote on Oct 10, 2008  " She is running for VP not President! when was the last time a VP took over? 1944+/- the likelyhood she would take office is small--I know anything can happen, but the reality is she most likely will NOT take office. I would be more scared that both would be gone and "Madam Speaker" would be president- YIKES!! she is way more scarry then Palin! "     Eliza wrote on Oct 10, 2008  Sarah Palin does not represent 'tolerance and equality.' Nor does she have much in common with Hillary Clinton besides their common gender. You continue to make the mistake of rounding up all women into your Norman Rockwell-designed cage. And your continued sentimentality over a lost 'sisterhood' that never existed simply proves that you'd rather pine over the imaginary feminine ideal in your mind than hear and respect the women speaking to you on this very web page. "    El Tigre wrote on Oct 10, 2008 " Sorry, there's nothing similar between Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin other than the two are women. Hillary is clearly the most polished and smart. I'm sure Hillary reads magazines like Foreign Affairs, Int. Affairs, The Economist, and some academic magazines to get knowledge on the world. Palin didn't know any of them when asked by newswoman Couric. If someone seeking a top public office doesn't know the "Bush Doctrine", then he/she shouldn't be elected. After all, we suffer today due to the so-called "Bush Doctrine". Palin is no Hillary. "   Concerned_Citizen wrote on Oct 10, 2008  " The scariest part about Palin is that she would only be ONE heartbeat away from being our president. Conservative column writers are being honest that she is clearly NOT QUALIFIED to be in that position. It has nothing to do with gender. She is more of a detriment to the McCain ticket than a positive as she only appeals to the ultra right base, which she alread had going in. "   gericault wrote on Oct 9, 2008 " There is no comparison between Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin.This is like comparing John McCain with Ronald Reagan because they are both old.John McCain is NO Ronald Reagan!What media? Sean Hannity, Greta Van Susteren. Nice handholding. Did Katie Couric give Sarah too much rope? Those hard questions like"What do you read , and Name a supreme court ruling"?You Republicans should have not been so against Romney because he was a Mormon.He might have helped you a little with the economic meltdown. Not much, but better than Palin.McCain went for the rabid base and lost the election. "   billtheswede wrote on Oct 9, 2008 " Sounds like Eliza is one of those zombies from "Night of the Living Dead" walking around this nation without common sense. Most zombies cannot count to 100. "   Eliza wrote on Oct 9, 2008 " Gosh, thanks, Billtheswede! I always thought that preserving the planet we inhabit and defending the bodily autonomy of half its citizens was pretty important, but thank goodness you're here to school me (and, I assume, the rest of the sisterhood)! Just so we're clear, Palin and I disagree on nearly every crucial issue. However, since I don't believe her views on the war, the nation's foreign policy, the economy, or the deficit are much more than talking points rehearsed in the past month, I opted not to address them in my 100-word comment. "   billtheswede wrote on Oct 9, 2008 " In response to Eliza's comment regarding Palin anybody who considers a candidate's stance of being anti-choice and anti-environment as the most important issues facing the USA today is a very short-sighted individual. "   Mike O'Reilly wrote on Oct 9, 2008  " Crucified? Oh, stop. Palin has been ridiculed in the public prints not because she's a woman, but because she's so spectacularly, preposterously unfit for higher office. McCain pulled her out of bag during the convention, and since then she's done nothing but smirk, wink, and utter consummate gibberish. The woman is an utter bonehead, pushed in front of McCain to soak up the grapeshot fired at his inept campaign.   SoCalboomer wrote on Oct 9, 2008  " Just as you can get misunderstood when you try to speak to a native, when you are learning a new language, there are a lot of complexities in the sisterhood. First of all, women have brains and access to all kinds of thought and decision making processes that have little or nothing to do with gender. Secondly, women have only been able to vote since 1921, and not always had female candidates to choose from, so women have more expertise in evaluating candidates as a whole person, not just on gender alone. Also we're choosing a president not a VP. "   stepping_up wrote on Oct 9, 2008 " Yes, when a sister is unfairly treated or harmed, it is an attack on all of us. Sarah Palin unfairly treated the women of Wasala when she decided to save the city some money by billing rape victims for the kits used in the investigation. So yes, as a sister, I very rightfully question her decency as a woman and a human being. I'm outraged that you have the audacity to tell me that I should be defending this woman. She deserves to be held accountable for her personal beliefs when she issues legislation that harms women. "   Gina wrote on Oct 9, 2008 Your comment alone is sexist. You offend me by assuming I should not think for myself, only my gender and suggesting that women who do 'crucify' Palin are petty and jealous? Palin in no way represents ANYTHING in my belief system. Her experience thus far has been a scripted mess and the most recent personal attacks on Obama fill her 'speeches' with venom and fear mongering- again, Mrs. Jane Six Pack does NOT speak for me with her homophobic, anti-choice, book banning, $1.2 million dollar voice. AND Republicans DO NOT own the American flag- we all do! "   proud mom wrote on Oct 8, 2008  " I am a Christian mother of five and I don't support Sarah Palin because she is not who she says she is. First, she says she's a mother. Real mothers put their children FIRST. Second, she says she's a Christian. The Christian church opposes pre-marital sex, and Ms. Palin was pregnant before marriage, and so was her teenage daughter. Third, Ms. Palin says she's an American. Americans speak English, not Alaskan Ebonics. There's a reason why a pronunciation is included in American dictionaries. Sarah Palin is not representative of motherhood, Christianity, or America! "   Eliza wrote on Oct 8, 2008  " By the way---sexism should offend all PEOPLE, not just all WOMEN. :) "  eliza wrote on Oct 8, 2008  You're right: No woman should have to withstand attacks because of her gender. Feminists like myself have spoken vociferously against the rife sexism directed at both Palin and Clinton. But you, too, engage in sexism when youthrow all women into the "sisterhood" pile---as if we're interchangeable and indistinguishable, one big giggly sorority with a common charter. The notion that we should shelve our principles in order to elect a shockingly unqualified candidate just because she's female is the biggest insult of all. The anti-choice, anti-environment, homophobic Palin does not speak for me. Neither should you.   jamisings wrote on Oct 8, 2008  " Of course it should offend all women. It should offend anyone of any gender with half a brain. The problem is most of the attacks are being done by hypocritical women (and a few men) who can't see that Palin is the better choice for VP then Biden. Who are afraid because the Republicans were brave enough to do what the Democrats could not do. "   Balboa Res wrote on Oct 8, 2008  " It is more offensive to think that women should stick up for a woman who doesn't believe in women's rights. "

 

Commentary by Lightfoot - Published LA Times Daily Pilot,  Freedom Newspapers, OC Register, Alaska Daily News

        The MEDIA, ENDORSEMENTS and LIES

 

And why...
Possibly I'm just backwards.  Because,  I do not think the news media should endorse any candidate or proposition at any level of government. First, it gives a few citizens the voice of thousands, if not millions. Not very democratic in nature. Second, it is not the job or purpose of the news media to tell us what to think. It is the job and purpose of the news media to report facts and allow the citizens to interpret those facts.

Example: Currently there is very little difference between the overall policy of President Bush, President Elect Obama,  Except, there is a R after one and an D after the others. Possibly Bush and Obama  could debate which letter looks better after one's name. The perceived difference is created by the media so they they can argue for or against the perceived difference that they themselves have created. It should be noted that President Elect Obama is more honest and direct about the social welfare state that he wants to expand. As a voter, I appreciate his honesty as a welcome change from most politicians. But, the policy is different only by degrees. Not a different policy.

If the news media just reported the facts we would all know that there is very little difference on every major issue from social security, the economy, foreign policy to protecting the integrity of the United States. The real difference is the perceived difference created by the media in a malicious way to fix the outcome of elections based on personal political party affiliation and the reporting of that difference by the news media. 
Possibly, I am not only backwards, also naive, thinking we as citizens want factual information. Not, opinions based on spin and personal prejudice put forth for pure political reasons.
I am truly looking forward to that hot debate over which letter looks better after ones name...TRULY!

 

 

 

Letter/Commentary: Rejected by Freedom News Papers/The Register, LA Times, Daily Pilot, OC Weekly ,  Washington Post and     Alaska Daily News

Reconsidered and published  by the LA Times/Daily Pilot Dec. 1, 2008

 

 

 

 

Now that Obama has been elected President, what is the first change you would like to see him make once he is in office?

If the President-Elect is truly a person of change the first thing he should do is rescind the Prescription Drug Bill passed by this Congress and signed by President Bush. It is true that 3-4 % of Seniors need help with their prescription drugs costs. However, this one-size fits all, bill was and is a failure before the ink dried. Even in  a social welfare state Social Security, which is also failing, should have been addressed first.

Where are you planning on watching today's historical election results? Are you prepared to celebrate or for disappointment?

I think I will let Will Rogers and Judge Gray speak for me as someone that know much more than I about politics.

 "If your side lost don't take it too much to heart. Remember there is always this difference between us and Italy. Mussolini runs the country. But here the country runs the president."
Will Rogers - Nov. 9, 1932

" Mr. President. Regardless of the politics of this past election, all Americans wish you good health, wisdom and fortitude as you guide our fragile experiment in democracy forward for the next four years. And if you ever feel that there is anything I can do to help you in this effort, you can always count on me"
Judge James P. Gray - Nov. 2, 2008

 

 

 

Published: LA Tmes Daily Pilot

and today-
 
  In the early 1900's, most educational leaders, as well as the rank and file of teachers argued that the unionization of teachers was prompted by selfish devotion to self interest.  The affiliation with the A.F. and L. was the prostitution of the well-being of all children. The main assertion was NO WORTHY TEACHER would ever feel justified in going ON STRIKE.
 

 Today we hear; Our new budget is only 193 million over last years budget of 56.6 billion. "We have to be out here (picketing) for the kids." LAUSD teacher the day of the mini-strike. 30,000 teachers stayed-out, on the picket line. That's 30,000 hours times approximately 700, 000 students lost time that will never be regained, never returned.  Again,  "we have to be out here for the kids." Just what kids are they talking about.  

 
 And, the LAUSD and The California Teachers Union wonder why some of us think the public schools are failing and set a bad example for all our kids, grandkids and future generations. Don't be surprised the next time you hear close the public schools for a year and just start over. A good time to start over might be 1904.  I do not think those teachers would pick D-Day to hit the picket line! 
 
Then again,  I wonder if  these students or teachers even know it's D-DAY.
 
  Not to be less corrupt than the LAUSD, the Nevada Teachers Union's threatened to use of the initiative process to increase taxes on casinos by approximately (44%)forty four percent. That's right forty four percent! If passed all the new taxes would only be used for teachers salaries. 

 
  And then, with the help of Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley (D) a secret meeting was held between the Public Teachers Union and the casinos resulting in a bizarre plan that almost as corrupt as the original initiative. Nevada counties are to put the question of tax increases on the November ballot. 

 
Threats, blackmail and secret back room deals of the past have become the present for teachers unions. To use the initiative process to for a personal tax grab, not improve education, is corrupt  to the core. An act  only worthy of self serving selfish greedy individuals, but not public employees...especially teachers!

Not to be outdone by Nevada Teachers. The District Attorney charged Capistrano School Board (CUSD) held closed door meetings in violation of the Brown Act. While, voting the CUSD Super a 58 thousand per year pay raise. I'm sure it was all for the little kids.

Again, just what kids are they talking about?

 

 

Brian Gilbert wrote; "The teachers union, tenure and promotion, out of the classroom, who should be fired, represents everything that is wrong with America."

 

 

 
ref: LA Times,  ABC News 2008,  School and Society 1918, 1956, Sac. Union, Tahoe 
      Bonanza - Photo - Sacramento Union 

 

 

 Published in part June 29 -  Sacramento Union

Additional Notes: Sept.6 -  In all areas of academic ability, half of the children are below average. This fact has implications for education and public policy, and yet it's something most politicians and public intellectuals would rather not talk about. It amounts to educational romanticism. At its heart is a glib presumption that every child can be anything he or she wants to be if only the schools do their job properly. No one really believes it, but we approach education's problems as if we did. We are phobic about saying out loud that children differ in their ability to learn the things schools teach. Not only do we hate to say it, we get angry with people who do. We insist that the emperor is wearing clothes, beautiful clothes, and that those who say otherwise are bad people.”

Dr. Charles Murray

Dec. 5 -  Our public education system is a slow-motion car crash, driven the same union special interests that brought the auto companies to the brink of bankruptcy.

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