Presidential Speech to Congress

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Just out of curiosity - and this is purely meant to be a thought provoking point - where is this supported in the bill?

"But thanks to the bold and decisive action we've taken since January, I can stand here with confidence and say that we have pulled this economy back from the brink."

Can you? Are we not now more in debt than ever before?!

"Others are self-employed, and can't afford it, since buying insurance on your own costs you three times as much as the coverage you get from your employer."

Not the case for me - it was actually much cheaper for me to buy a personal plan rather than pay through my employer. Not sure on this particular statistic - but we might want to look at that one.

"There are those on the left who believe that the only way to fix the system is through a single-payer system like Canada's where we would severely restrict the private insurance market and have the government provide coverage for everybody. On the right, there are those who argue that we should end employer-based systems and leave individuals to buy health insurance on their own."

Great use of some good old Communistic Rhetoric here - let's play each side against the other so that we all figure out that the "Messiah" knows the safe way down the middle.

"But what we've also seen in these last months is the same partisan spectacle that only hardens the disdain many Americans have towards their own government. Instead of honest debate, we've seen scare tactics. Some have dug into unyielding ideological camps that offer no hope of compromise. Too many have used this as an opportunity to score short-term political points, even if it robs the country of our opportunity to solve a long-term challenge. And out of this blizzard of charges and counter-charges, confusion has reigned."

Isn't this a bit of the kettle calling the pot black? Who's better at using "scare tactics" - the liberal politicians or the conservatives?

"Let me repeat this: Nothing in our plan requires you to change what you have."

Except that it states explicitly that it does....you know - other than that, this is perfectly true.

"Under this plan, it will be against the law for insurance companies to deny you coverage because of a preexisting condition."

Annnnnd how is that viable for a business? Isn't part of the deal the competitive nature of the insurance provider?

August Update

I know that I haven't kept up with this thing as much as I probably was intending to when I started the site - but then again, whenever can one keep all of the promises that he makes? ^_^;;

Anywho - there's a ton on my mind (ranging from the most recent scientific study concerning the dealing with a potential zombie infestation to that of the more imminent and dangerous political situation found within the USA).

The major focus on my mind at the moment however is divided evenly between two major events that are in the process of being realized. The first happens to be fairly significant - my wife and I have decided after a long period of debate that it is time for us to move to be closer to her immediate family. Of course, this isn't just a move from one city to another, but rather a leap that will take us roughly half way across the States from our current location in the DFW area to that of the KC geographical area. This being said, I am still in the opinion that while we will undoubtedly face hard times (we're planning on putting my wife through a master's program for accounting and then hopefully getting me through law school) I think that at the end of the next 5 - 6 years, we will be much more comfortable with our place in the world. Hopefully by that time, we will also have been able to either have our first child or will be working towards that particular addition to our family.

The second aspect of my focus currently deals with the job front (which is kinda significant, you know?) and what I'm going to be doing for at least the next 2 - 3 years. Depending on whether A.C. gets into her master's program, I'm going to have to pull some significant weight in regards to monetary gain to keep our little family going...something that hasn't been a light weight on my mind, to be sure. However, I'm equally confident that when (not if) A.C. gets through with her CPA licensure, she will prove more than capable of taking over the majority of the income aspect so that I might be able to focus on getting the JD degree that will allow me to practice law.

Of course, this is all subject to drastic change - what isn't, after all? - but at the moment, that's the plan...and hopefully I'll become more diligent in posting on this site (as my great role model J.P. has) in the times to come.

Peace.

History Misunderstood

Not to beat a dead horse, but can anyone explain - in all seriousness - how in the Nine Hells this man got to the pinnacle of political power without understanding the most basic of historical facts?

Hanson has the right of it (again) in his latest article (Our Historically Challenged President). I can understand the slight misunderstanding about the deeds of a great-uncle in the midst of World War II, however, to misconstrue the history of one's heritage is a bit much (especially in the light which President Obama has here in regards to the Abolition of Slavery in America). And the further point that a system of government should not be imposed upon another is completely unfounded! Hanson points this out, though he only cites the instances in modernity. If one looks at the histories of our race, you can't but see instance after instance of the victorious cultures forcing their views upon those whom have been conquered (Roman history is overflowing with instances of the victorious legions sweeping through smaller 'civilizations' and "introducing" the inhabitants to their way of life).

Another issue is this whole idea of a tolerant Islamism - one which our current president seems more and more drawn to each time something comes to the forefront concerning the terroristic tactics which are utilized in this culture to dominate those who are opposed to their way of life. For someone who does not seen the necessity of one culture imposing its views upon another, President Obama sure seems lenient of his pet religion's checkered past. Alexiev makes a beautiful show of this (found here at Obama's Fantasy Islam) and even goes to show that this attitude has become equivalent to the president's recent comments concerning the bloody path through history which this religion has created.

Morbid Truth

I think that this is beautifully written and expresses my distaste of the "modern" form of Dark Fantasy better than I could ever, ever write.

Excellent Points Against the Popular Media

Thought that this was extremely poignant and a great summary of the approach that many who fall prey to the popular media find themselves within.

The Corner - Rush on Our Minds

Thoughts on the Denial of the Pharmacy School

A new hot topic for those who have graduated or who are attending the University of Dallas is their recent shutting down of the project to open a new pharmacy school for the incoming class of 2010. While many of the student body (both past and present) seem to be rejoicing - I can't help but think of the implications of this move upon the financial situation of the school.

It was stated that the reason behind the closing of the program was due to the economic situation that the school (and the rest of the country) is undergoing at this point in time. However, I would be very interested in the answer that the Board of Directors would give to the questions concerning the interest that could have been garnered through the University being able to claim ownership of the only Pharmaceutical program in the North Texas area. Would that not have been enough to not only cover the cost of the development of a scientific program (a program that would include the strong moral and spiritual basis that the entire existence of UD is based upon none-the-less) but also generate a large amount of profit for the school?

The majority of the reasons for 'rejoicing' that the student body erroneously is experiencing at the moment are due to the misunderstanding of the proposed addition as nothing more than a "trade school." Now, considering the literal definition of a trade school (i.e., "a secondary school that offers instruction in skilled trades; a vocational school") could you not claim the same for any program that offers a decent education? The scholastic program in and of itself could be viewed as nothing more than a large trade school - a trade school theoretically designed to train individuals in the vocation of being a learned individual. But I deviate. The understanding of a Pharmacy Program (or, for any case, a medical program designed to train potential doctors) as nothing more than a trade school is something that is both naive and extremely arrogant. As such, I would hope that the school reconsider their recent move to disband what was potentially the largest positive move in the recent history of the University, if for no other reason than to actually put a pseudo-quantifiable reason for their dismissal of the program other than that it makes them feel "uncomfortable."

Mumbai - Perception of a Friend

And here's another look at the events which have just occurred in the International realm of politics - the Mumbai incident. One of our close family friends was over in the area and went through hell to get back to safety here on American soil. Just thought that people would appreciate reading a first-hand account of the event that didn't have the PC-bull that so many of us are used to seeing in these things.

Dear family and friends,

I am safely in San Francisco this evening after a rather harrowing 28 hour
journey. It was so good to turn on my computer tonight and see all your
good wishes for my safety. Thank you all for your support and prayers on my
behalf.

I got up at 5:45 am on Monday morning in Thailand, had breakfast with Chris
and met Tay (my Thai military nurse friend) at 7:15. We took a taxi across
Bangkok to the main offices of Thai Airlines. It was pretty chaotic, with
"queues" for everything. Tay managed to get me #5. The work force arrived
but did not start business until 8:30 am. Having someone with me who spoke
Thai was invaluable - I'm sure I would have ended up in the wrong line! It
took about 45 minutes, but I was able to purchase a ticket from U-Tapao
(pronounced oo-ta-pow) to San Francisco. It was scheduled to leave U-Tapao
at 4 pm. I was to be at another hotel in Bangkok at 10 am to get the bus to
U-Tapao. Tay organized another taxi ride back to our hotel, helped me
finish packing (I'd really not thought I'd get out today), and then another
taxi to the hotel. The first image is what the reception area there looked
like. No organized lines, paper signs on the walls and what appeared to be
1000 people all trying to leave! In retrospect, they were pretty organized.
They offered water for anyone who wanted it, put a sticker with my bus
number and destination (HKG 2) on my chest and directed me to the
immigration officials. They also checked my bags, but only to HK - I'd have
to get them there and transfer to Singapore Airlines to get them to SFO. I
said goodbye and thanks to Tay and went to wait for the bus.

We boarded the bus about 10:30 am, and finally left for U-Tapao about 11:15
am. The reason for the delay was that they arranged a police escort for the
6 buses of people who were going from that hotel. They offered us water, an
orange and something brown with rice on the side. I drank the water. We
arrived at U-Tapao about 1:20 and were left off in a parking lot about 1/4
mile from the building we checked into. The second picture is the road down
which we schlepped our luggage to the departure terminal. Let me say I use
that term loosely. It is a building with 2 gates and very few seats. The
third image is of the crowd outside the door waiting to get inside to check
bags and wait for the flight.

As I said, we arrived about 1:30. It was a bright, sunny, HOT day in
Thailand, and we stood packed in like sardines in the sun for over 2 hours
before we finally inched our way to the door. Once inside, the luggage went
through the scanner - how anyone could have checked anything would be a
miracle - they threw the bags on the belt as fast as they could and stuck a
sticker on when they came out the other side 2 seconds later. Then it was
another line to check your ticket and passport and then another line to go
thru immigration again. Now realize, when I say line, think of a huge crowd
trying to squeeze through one small door with no one doing anything to
organize them. It literally was every person for themselves, and trust me,
the Asians and Indians are NOT shy about pushing ahead. Once finally
through immigration (again!) I went thru another security check (ha ha) and
landed in the departure "lounge". It too was packed like sardines with the
few available chairs all taken. We stood again until about 6 pm when they
finally called for us to board the bus to go out on the tarmac to our plane.
I have to say, I was pretty happy to sit down after all that time.

Wheels up was about 6:30 pm and although no one cheered out loud, I did say
a small prayer of thanks. We had an uneventful flight to HK, but arrived
quite late - my flight from HK to SFO was scheduled to leave at 10:45 and we
arrived about 9:45. At the end of the ramp there was a young girl from the
airline who had a paper with my name on it. She told me I had to check in
by 10 pm so we had to run. I told her running was not possible but I did
hurry as best I could as she scurried on ahead looking back and waving at me
to "Hurry Missy, hurry!" I told her I needed to get my luggage but she
pretty much ignored that. We got to the Singapore Airlines transfer desk
where they gave me a boarding pass and took my baggage claim tags from Thai
Air and then sent someone to get the bags. There was one other American in
the same boat re luggage. I decided I'd fight the luggage battle later - my
goal was to get back on US soil!

We left the transfer desk and rushed thru the airport to the gate. The
flight was loading, but I got there in time. I thanked my escort and called
[her husband] to let him know I'd made it that far.

The flight to SFO was uneventful. I slept most of the time - I was
exhausted! It was about an 11 hour flight and after I cleared customs I
went to the baggage carousel pretty sure my bags would not have made it.
Well, today was really my day - THEY ARRIVED!!!!

Irene had kindly arranged the next leg of my trip which continues tomorrow
to ----, four days later than scheduled but looking pretty good right now!
Irene arranged for a hotel so I could get some rest and an early flight out
in the morning.

So here I am, getting ready to try to sleep again and deeply grateful and
thankful to be back on American soil.

Once again, thanks to all of you for your support and prayers! It's great

to be back in the USA!