Topping the blog lists!

You made Thinking Out Loud one of the top ten conservative blogs on "Top Political Blog" site (on April 28, 2012) with an international audience. On February 18, 2013, we hit in the top 50 of ALL political blogs. (This changes all the time, so keep reading.) Thank you.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Things that have been bothering me

You know how it is when a multitude of things are bothering you but you can't seem to focus to get your thoughts together about them? I mean, the things that are getting you annoyed get so overwhelming that you just shut the laptop / newspaper / turn off the tube and just walk away.

Well, its been that kind of month for me (okay, its been that kind of year, but lets not quibble).

The President oversteps (again) his bounds of maybe not legality but common sense / morality / decency / et al. Here they are, in no certain order and not in any detail as I might have to walk away again before I finish.

Obama talks to kids in school about contraceptives, condoms and planned parenthood. Not that they don't need to know, but its NOT HIS JOB. If it was my kid in school, I would be outraged and the White House would be getting a call from me.

Obama gets tired of Congress not acting on his Dream Act and unilaterally tells his Administration to stop deporting illegal immigrants 30 years or younger, "because its the right thing to do." When only a few months ago he was saying his hands were tied because Congress had to handle the legislation. Talk about PANDERING! Sheesh!

Obama whines he will be the "first President to be outspent in his re-election campaign." Puh-leeeze!!! This is a real OMG moment! In 2008 Obama spent over $650 MILLION dollars. He and McCain spent a combined $1 Billion and ALL the money spent (by candidates, PACS, SuperPACS, etc) was over $51 BILLION! And as of March 10, Obama had outspent Romney 2 to 1. But now, Obama is spending MORE than he is taking in and Romney is getting more money in donations. I would have to say to the President "DO YOU THINK THERE MAY BE A REASON FOR THIS??!!" What A Whiner! ANd a hypocrite!

Obama, our "first gay President" (oh come on, that is such a rob of the actual first gay President, whoever he or she may be), gave a big bash in the WHite House and let his guests be pictured flipping off (yes, the middle finger gesture that means F*** Y**) former Presidents. Such disrespect of any former President is not a crime. But to do it IN the White House and the President to be oblivious of it. And the media, White House staff - oh hell everybody - to chuckle at it, is kind of sickening.

And on the topic of "do unto others but you better leave the Obama Administration alone", there is the whole return of the race issue in this election year. If you don't like Obama, you're a racist. If you don't like Obama's policies, you're a racist. If you don't like Eric Holder, you're a racist. If you don't tow the Democrat party line, you're a racist. If you breathe and aren't voting for Obama, you're a racist. Hell, you may as well just admit you're a racist until someone in the Administration clears you.

Okay. My blood pressure is starting to rise again so I am going to just hold off on any more annoying things.

So, anyway, agree or not, that's your prerogative. All I ask is that the agreeing or disagreeing are yours, not what some spin doctor or politician or talking head says you should be thinking. STOP BEING SHEEP and AVOID THE SPIN! Be your own person with your own brain and opinions. But hey, as usual, this is just me, Thinking Out Loud.

Have a great day.

Charles

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Mook is a . . . well, mook

Robby Mook is the Executive Director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. He is supposed to be an intelligent person. You really couldn't tell it, in my opinion. But this latest email he is sending out makes one just turn their head sideways and go “huhnnnnn??”

Just take a look at this and ask yourself the question, “what the hell is this guy talking about?”

“I had to send this around -- it’s new poll numbers for the generic Congressional ballot just released:



You can bet Boehner and Cantor are really panicking now.

Let's win the House for President Obama. Chip in $3 right now >>

Thanks!

Robby

Robby Mook
DCCC Executive Director”


Wording-wise, its standard Democratic fare. We're gonna win, but we (the really rich schmucks in politics) need your money to do it.

But the twist is the poll he is so proud of. What the heck is it saying? Democrats 47, Republicans 43? First, that doesn't equal 100. So it isn't talking about how many of one or the other is going to win the House. Its not 50, so it doesn't represent the Senate. Is it an approval rating? Not likely, as those for Congress are down in the teens and single digits.

So what the hell is he really saying here?

I have my own thoughts.

He's saying: “Hey all you sheep! Ignore what I'm saying because it doesn't really matter! What matters is that I get you all psyched up to send us money! Because despite what we say on the campaign trail, its all about the money we don't have to spend and can soak you for all you got! So, come on, give us money! Right now! And we'll win! YEA!”

Well that's how I read it anyway.

But the worse thing about this email. Not that its doesn't really say anything important. That is just typical politics. All they care about is the power their position gives them. Oh and maybe the pension for life that most of us would kill just to get for a few years.

No what is really bad about this email is that there are millions of sheep ready to send these people money every possible chance.

Why? Because they are scared that the other “evil” party will get in. No matter that the party in there now has done so much damage, the OTHER party is the evil one. Or its because they are lazy sacks of you know what that don't want to see an end to the gravy train of entitlements. Or its because they have no mind of their own and believe whatever it is they are told they are supposed to believe.

No matter what the reason, the sad part is that this email – and so many like it that seem to be pumped out daily – people will give them money. Forget the fact that $3 to Obama and Mook is a tip on a cup of coffee in the morning, while it represents the weekly disposable spending of grandma Kelly and Mr. Jones down at the recycling center. To them, $3 is the difference between going one day without breakfast or buying little Timmy a birthday present.

The gall of these guys, and every politician like them – which most of them are – is that they just don't get it. The President gets $430,000 a year, and then every year after he's out of office as a pension. Congress gets $172,000 a year and also that same amount as a pension after being voted out of office (or more likely retiring, because none of these slugs willingly leaves such a cushy job). If they really want these jobs then these punks, most of whom were or will be millionaires even without the money they get for being politicians, they should have to pay for themselves.

Imagine you're going for a job with ABC Company. But someone else is going for the same job. So you put up bulletin boards on the boss' way to the office. You take out newspaper ads in papers he or she reads. You do television spots. All to get the job. Now imagine you go out and ask people at the company to give you money to pay for these ads.

Ain't happening. So why should it be this way in our government?

Agree with me or not about all of this. I just want you to LOOK at it and decide for yourself, without the whispering of political consultants telling you what to think. If you come to a conclusion without these leeches influencing it, that's all that matters to me. But hey, you know, this is just me, Thinking Out Loud.

Have a great day.

Charles

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Father's day and politics - should they be mixed?

You know, I am so sick and tired of all the politicians, and I mean ALL. Its not just Obama and the Democrats. If Republicans and others thought they could get mileage out of it, they would.

But you know what? I'm not "signing a card" for President Obama on Father's Day.

If I knew him, I might text or call or stop by and wish him a happy father's day. But I don't and I won't.

He ain't my dad. My dad passed away a few years ago. I called him, sent him a card, an email - visited when I could - but, I repeat, he was my dad.

I'll wish friends and relatives a happy father's day. And thats only if I know they're dads. Or if it won't hurt them to wish it. (Divorce, strained relationships and such can cause immense pain. I know.)

But I do not know the President well enough to wish him a Happy Father's Day. Thats up to Michelle and the girls. Thats up to his close friends and relatives. I do hope he has a nice one.

Where was Caroline Kennedy's call for you all to send MY dad a card? Hmmm? Where were all those pissant celebrities who have nothinh better to do then tell us what awe should be doing as far as politics are concerned? (Yea, like they really got it together and are people I would listen to.) Did they call for you to wish MY dad a happy father's day?

No.

SO as far as I am concerned, Caroline Kennedy, Michelle and all those ego-maniacal losers who don't know me from a hole in the ground can go pound sand. They can pander their brand of political BS somewhere else. And frankly, I don't know about you, but for me, this type of political use of something that is personal to each family is enough for me to say "I ain't voting for schmucks like this."

I know, you say I wouldn't be voting for him anyway. But truth be told, I am a conservative - thats with a small "c" and there is a HUGE difference - and I vote for who is best for the country. Who will run it best, be cognizant of their position as being servant to the people, can be fiscally responsible and not be a tool for ANYONE (big business, small business, political party, deep pockets, unions, special interest, foreign powers or religious doctrines). I voted for Bill Clinton because I liked his no-nonsense approach to "if it don't work, try something else" approach. But then HE became a tool to the Party. Then he showed his ignorance to simple semantics. I DID NOT vote for him a second term.

I vote for who I feel is best, not on party affiliation or rhetoric - but on action and proven history.

If Barack Obama had been a different man, then maybe. But as it stands, you're right. I'm not voting for him. But IF I HAD BEEN thinking about it, this kind of political antics would sour me.

But no matter. Agree or disagree, that is your prerogative. I only want you to think for yourself, STOP BEING SHEEP and AVOID THE SPIN of politicians and political consultants. CMOe up with your own opinions and not be a parrot for some spin doctor or biased talking head (or lame brained celebrity who can't even keep their marriages for more than six weeks or themselves out of rehab). Thinking for yourselves, use that grey matter in between your ears for heaven's sake.

But hey, its no skin off my nose. This is just me, Thinking Out Loud.

Have a great day.

Charles

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

"Dinner with Barack" update

Just got this from Julianna Smoot. (Someone doing mass emailing for BarackObama.com.)

"You know how if you win Dinner with Barack, you get to pick a guest to bring along?
Well, this is pretty great:
This time, you get to weigh in on who the President brings, too."


I think this is pretty neat. Since you no longer HAVE to donate to enter (not taking credit, just interesting that they changed this when I made a stink about it right here on Thinking Out Loud and on Yahoo, and again mentioned it this year), I keep entering.

But who should I tell him I think should be at the dinner, too?

I was thinking that most people will say "Oh bring Michelle. I'd just love to meet the First Lady." And I can't really blame them. Its like they are a matched set. If you're gonna meet the President in a social setting, you just automatically have to have the First Lady. Peanut Butter and Jelly. Sugar and cream. Peas and carrots. They just go together, right?

But I think that if you are gonna be given the chance then it ought to be someone else.

SO here is what I was thinking.

How about Eric Holder? That should be good for a few interesting moments.

Say, Eric, could you pass the bread and a few M-16s?

I was maybe thinking Jay Carney, but then there would just be too much SPIN going on at the table. Every time the President would start to speak, Jay would pop in with the Administration line on it.

Or how about David Patraeus? Then I could thank him for all his hard work in the Middle East. And maybe ask him about the inner workings of our security agencies and are they really working together well now. But maybe that wouldn't be a great idea. Obama might feel overshadowed and start acting all goofy.

Then there's Joe Biden. I really wouldn't want to sit down and eat with him. But then again, he'd definitely be good for a few laughs.

But really, would that be worth spoiling the meal? Probably not.

I wonder if you can ask for ANYBODY to sit at the table? Hmmmm . . .

How about George W? That would be really interesting. Can we get Condi Rice there? Now that would be cool. Oh Oh Oh, wait . . . how about Mitt Romney?? Oh man wouldn't that be the meal worth being at?! I mean, hey, they're both doing the eat with me schtick. They could consolidate.

Maybe you can weigh in and let us know who YOU think should be at the Dinner with Barack. And then if any one of us wins, we will know who to bring.

(Note - I can't give you the direct link to the "contest" because its pre-loaded with all my information . . . hey, thats pretty insidious. They already have my info loaded into their webpages. Makes you wonder about privacy and such. Gives you shiver, don't it?)

Anyway, this is just me, Thinking Out Loud about this really daft trend in politics.

Have a great day.

Charles

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

It was a sound like thunder . . . to me.

The news came silently across my computer screen. No fanfare, no loud noises, wailing or gnashing of teeth.

But to me, it was like the sound of thunder. Author Ray Bradbury dies.

He was 91 years old. Or young, if you take into consideration both his continued activities in life into his nineties and the child-like enthusiasm he always held for life itself. It was a long, rich and rewarding life he led. He did what he loved and was loved for what he did.

Although all this is true, I nonetheless felt the pangs of sadness, regret and loss.

It was Ray who led me to where I am in life. At least the writing part. Most other parts of my life are in total disarray. But I am doing what I love, and have been doing it for 35 years. AND . . . it was Ray who started me on this magnificent journey. Thirty nine years ago, I read "A SOund of Thunder," a short story in Ray's R is for Rocket collection of short stories. We had to read it in 6th grade English class. MOst everyone else groaned, as they always do about having to read something. But for me it was some great revelation. For me it led to reading everything else in the book. And to reading everything else I could have that he ever wrote.

And from there I moved onto Clarke and Asimov and Rsnick and Harrison and Tolkein. From there I read Patterson and Fleming and King and Bach and Cornwell and so many others. I would return to "A Sound of Thunder" from time to time.

And eventually, it would lead me to write my first short story (which has never seen the light of publication), "The Proper Care and Feeding of an Electric Guitar". From that humble beginning, I wrote and wrote and wrote. Many years of which were simply for me and my enjoyment. Of course, I envisioned myself an author, read by millions. Like Ray Bradbury.

Over the years, working in the industry and going to conventions, I crossed paths with many authors I admired and many I had never heard of. I listened to authors read their works, like Anne McCaffrey in San Diego in 1979. I met and conversed with Dr. Asimov. Laughed at the humor of Alexis Gilliland's cartoons. Briefly met powerhouse authors such as Esther Friesner, Ben Bova, Greg Bear and discussed industry politics with Margaret Wander Bonanno and Ann Crispin. Debated egos with Lawrence Watt-Evans. And enjoyed watching the talents of Christine Golden grow.

One regret I had was being to gun-shy to actually meet Ray Bradbury. I wish I had had the courage to at least say 'thank you' for all he had done for me without ever even knowing me.

And now, in a silent crash of thunderous sadness, I can only thank him posthumously.

I will be sad for the time being. But, eventually, I will slide joyously into memories of all he inspired in my writing life. Ray is, no doubt, wandering down the street in a white suit, watching young boys peer through fences as space men head out to the stars and dreaming of days when they too can travel beyond their boyhood days. And I know he is smiling.

Instead of my usual close, I will simply wish you all a wonderful day. Spend it dreaming of better days and doing what you love. Ray would have appreciated that kind of tribute.

Have a wonderful day. Read a book today. maybe R is for Rocket or S is for Space or Dandelion Wine.

Charles