Where Are You Bobby Mitchum?

On Sunday, America once again was witness to the vapidness of Tinseltown’s Annual Academy Awards.

I’ll admit right up front that I’m an old fuddy duddy and long for the days when matinee idols played macho heroes and villains and the starlets were glamorous queens of the silver screen; each held our collective imagination.

With former Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), who was embroiled in the Countrywide Financial debacle, as the Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America it’s no wonder that Hollywood has strayed from recognizing the work of artists who produce the kind of films that Americans want to spend their hard-earned money to see.

Instead we are fed a steady diet of political correctness and/or indoctrination.  Take for example, Albert Nobbs; an unsettling film starring Glenn Close playing a woman playing a man.  Another attempt to make moviegoers accept lifestyles different from their own comes in the form of Beginners, a saccharine-sweet story of an elderly man who hid his homosexuality from his son for forty-four years.

I am by no means a prude, but good grief, how much longer must the progressives foist this hogwash on us?

The films the academy recognized this year were garbage.  The movie-going public knows it and has stayed away from the cineplexs in droves.

Maybe I’m not such a fuddy duddy after all.  Maybe the popcorn just ain’t worth the cost of the ticket or the assault on our sensibilities.

“The Con Artist”: The Biggest Box Office Flop Of All Time

50 Years Later The Former Soviet Union Has The Last Laugh

On April 12, 1961, the Soviet Union put Yuri Gagarin, the first human, into space.  On February 20, 1962, at the height of the Cold War, John Glenn’s historic flight renewed American pride.  That was 50 years ago.

On February 1, 2010 The New York Times reported, “President Obama is calling on NASA to cancel the program that was to return humans to the Moon by 2020, and focus instead on radically new space technologies.”

Two months later, former astronauts Neil Armstrong, James Lovell  and Eugene Cernan urged President Obama to reconsider what they warned would be "devastating" new policies for the future of NASA.  Here are excerpts from their letter to the President:

“The United States entered into the challenge of space exploration under President Eisenhower’s first term; however, it was the Soviet Union who excelled in those early years.  Under the bold vision of Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon, and with the overwhelming approval of the American people, we rapidly closed the gap in the final third; of the 20th century, and became the world leader in space exploration.”

[SNIP]

 
“World leadership in space was not achieved easily.  In the first half-century of the space age, our country made a significant financial investment, thousands of Americans dedicated themselves to the effort, and some gave their lives to achieve the dream of a nation.”

[SNIP]

“America’s only path to low Earth orbit and the International Space Station will now be subject to an agreement with Russia to purchase space on their Soyuz  (at a price of over 50 million dollars per seat with significant increases expected in the near future) until we have the capacity to provide transportation for ourselves.”

[SNIP]

“It appears that we will have wasted our current $10-plus billion investment in Constellation and, equally importantly, we will have lost the many years required to recreate the equivalent of what we will have discarded.”

[SNIP]

“...the USA is far too likely to be on a long downhill slide to mediocrity.  America must decide if it wishes to remain a leader in space.”

For Madame Royale Life Is One Big Party

We are the brokest nation on the planet and yet we have a sasquatch whose dedication to a life of fabulousness takes no notice of the fact that many of the peasants, out of budgetary necessity, resorted to “Staycations” just to make ends meet.

As many have noted, barely seventeen days have passed since sasquatch returned from a “luxury Christmas break in Hawaii.”

While in Aspen, FLOTUS is enjoying her après ski at the posh home of Jim and Paula Crown, Chicago cronies and longtime supporters of the SCOAMF.  The Crowns are “top bundlers” for his 2012 bid for the presidency.

Right Jabs For February 19, 2012

George Burns, the iconic comedian, once said, “Sex is one of the nine reasons for reincarnation.  The other eight are unimportant.”  Do Republicans have a problem with sex?

…you are obviously already staggering about in a blighted night darker than a hundred midnights down in a cypress swamp…

A hymn of praise.

The cold, hard truth.  Why are we ignoring it?

These numbers should shock the errand boy sent by grocery clerks.

How can MSNBC be the Old and New Testament when there’s The New York Times?

America’s bleak fiscal future.

Liberals claim they support gays, support their rights, support their sexual lifestyle.  Except when they don’t.

Soylent Green Food Pantry.  The set up.

ESPN’s slur pun.

Greetings sled god.

There is still time…from someone who should know.

The government hasn’t proven to me that they can be unconditionally trusted with my treasure.

Maybe Mars won't be the only "Red planet".

It’s your money and this is how they squander it.

A catalyst to the democratic process?   Oh, please.

And never the twain shall meet.  Until now.

Simple harmonic motion.

Liberal media bias is a myth.  The public will know what we want them to know.

The emasculation of heroism.

They didn't want guns, but they didn't want butter either. They wanted a third thing.

“They had shot down our copter.”

 What’s Barney Frank’s favorite road sign?  Entering Dennis [a town in Massachusetts].

The evils of Bible Thumpers.

Warmists are so cute when they attempt to prop up their dying cult.

Can you imagine the look on Bin Laden's face when these guys came through the door?

Shapeshifters.

Many a crisp mountain morning I would view the snow capped Hindu Kush and sadly ponder how this would be a great tourist location if it weren't for the people trying to kill you.

A note from our attorneys: This is not a real quote.

The Magisterium of Cafeteria Catholics.

‘Twas our own who betrayed us.

Temporal Distortion: Amazing Time Lapse Video

Temporal Distortion from Randy Halverson on Vimeo.

At :53  and 2:17 into the video you see a meteor with a persistent train which is made up of ionizing gases. At 2:51, there is a second meteor with a much shorter persistent train that wasn’t backlit by the moon. You can learn more about the phenomena at Discover Magazine.

Watch for two deer at 1:27.

Shot mostly in South Dakota near White River, the video also features shots from Arches National Park in Utah and Canyon of the Ancients in Colorado.

Linked at Sentry Journal.  Thanks John.

It’s Déjà Vu All Over Again: Two Million Re-educated Supporters Will Aid In Misrepresenting POTUS’s Record

The errand boy sent by grocery clerks has launched a new effort to enlist and educate at least 2 million supporters for a “grassroots communications team” they’re calling the Truth Team.  Excuse me while I snicker.

ABC News is reporting that “The goal is to ensure that when Republicans attack President Obama’s record, grassroots supporters can take ownership of the campaign and share the facts with the undecided voters in their lives.”

 

The teams will be first launched in thirteen “swing states,” including Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio and Virginia.

Let’s see, we went from issuing a call to supporters to snitch on “opponents” of health care reform and send in “fishy” emails, to Fighting The Schmears Smears, to Attaaaaaaaaaaaaack Watch to this baloney.

RNC spokeswoman Kirsten Kukowski doesn’t hold back.  In her email she writes, “The Obama campaign is organizing propaganda teams to deceive voters because Americans are catching onto the reality that Obama’s record doesn’t match his rhetoric.  How else will they mask the broken promises like introducing another trillion dollar deficit or the fact that the president continues to recycle the same proposals without ever seeing results?”


Linked at Reaganite Republican.  Thanks James.
Linked at The Camp of the Saints.  Thanks General Bob.

Athens Riots: Austerity And Anarchy

If you have trouble envisioning what modern day socialism looks like, you need look no further than Athens, Greece.

Aristotle once said, “Bring your desires down to your present means. Increase them only when your increased means permit.”

The latest reports from The Washington Post suggest that more than 100,000 rioters destroyed or seriously damaged 93 buildings while police said at least 45 were burned. They included nine listed as national heritage buildings, mostly in the neoclassical style, while dozens of stores and cafes were smashed and looted.

More than 170 people were hurt in the rioting which also broke out in other Greek cities. Authorities said 106 police needed medical care after being injured by gasoline bombs, rocks and other objects hurled at them, while at least 70 protesters were also hospitalized.

In order to stave off a calamitous default, the Parliament voted 199-74 to accept rescue loans amounting to $172 billion.  Part of the agreement means axing one in five civil service jobs over the next three years and slashing the minimum wage by more than a fifth.

Greece has been in a devasting recession for the last five years.  Unemployment is 21 percent and it is rising.  Economists fear that the bailout money will still not be enough to preserve social and political cohesion in the face of growing unrest and political extremism.

Today, the current occupant of the Oval Office unveiled a $3.8 trillion spending plan. The new 10-year blueprint shows annual deficits exceeding $600 billion every year except 2018. And the portion of the debt held by outside investors would grow to $18.7 trillion by 2021, or 76.5 percent of the economy—a full $1 trillion higher.

It took Greece four thousand years to reach the precipice of economic insolvency.  This president is bringing a 236-year-old republic to its knees.  He’s up for re-election.  We cannot afford four more years of his fiscal insanity.

Hating Breitbart

He ends the trailer by declaring war.  IYKWIMAITYD

American Hero (I Jest) New Orleans Mayor Nagin Subject Of Grand Jury Investigation

Published reports said former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin is the target of a grand jury investigation.

Officials said the investigation questions Nagin's involvement in private business dealings with several city contractors who have now either been convicted or pleaded guilty in federal court to charges such as bribery and conspiracy.

The report adds that Greg Meffert, a former technology official and deputy mayor under Nagin, pleaded guilty in 2010 to charges he took bribes and kickbacks in exchange for steering city contracts to former city vendor Mark St. Pierre. Anthony Jones, who served as the city's chief technology officer during Nagin's administration, also pleaded guilty to taking payoffs.

Meffert cooperated with the government in its case against St. Pierre, who was convicted in May 2011 of charges that include conspiracy, bribery and money laundering.

Meffert was scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 5. But at the request of prosecutors, the hearing was postponed by nearly five months. They filed a document related to Meffert's case under seal, saying that disclosing it would "interfere with a legitimate governmental interest."

According to KLTV, federal authorities also are investigating how a firm founded by Nagin and his two sons landed a contract to install granite countertops for local Home Depot stores and whether the Nagin family company received free equipment from city vendors, the people said. They spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they could not publicly comment on an ongoing investigation.

A Justice Department spokeswoman in Washington had no comment. The U.S. attorney in New Orleans, Jim Letten, did not return a call requesting comment. A spokeswoman for FBI Special Agent in Charge David Welker declined to comment on whether an investigation is underway.

Here’s the money quote from Jim Treacher at DC Trawler, “Hey, you run a chocolate city long enough and you’re bound to get sticky fingers.”

Linked at POH Diaries.  Thanks TWB.

Imagine If This Were You

There is a story which appears at The Last Vegas Review-Journal that was originally posted by Mike Blasky on February 7, 2012 and updated on February 8^th entitled, “Video Shows Officers Beating Motorist In Diabetic Shock.”

I have a deep and abiding respect for law enforcement officers and I want to make sure that anyone reading this post understands I am outraged at how pitifully our first responders are trained to deal with situations like the one described in the story at the Review-Journal.

Adam Greene is a person with diabetes.  He apparently was suffering from hypoglycemia, low blood sugar, while behind the wheel and was observed driving erratically in the city of Las Vegas.

Local police and highway patrol approached the vehicle and the video shows an appalling “arrest” of Mr. Greene.

“A Highway Patrol trooper enters the scene first, gun drawn, and kicks the driver's window of Greene's four-door sedan. After several moments, the trooper opens the door.”

“The trooper, his gun still raised, then gives Greene conflicting commands. He first tells him not to move, then tells him to come forward.”

“A second trooper quickly cuffs Greene's wrist and pulls him from the car, which rolls forward until an officer stops it.” 

“Greene flops to the ground, clearly dazed as five officers rush him. A sixth officer, with Henderson police, enters the frame late and delivers five well-placed kicks to Greene's face.” 

"’Stop resisting mother (expletive)!’ one officer yells.” 

“Greene doesn't scream until a second Henderson officer knees him in the midsection—and then does it three more times. Greene was later treated for fractured ribs.” 

“Police suspected Greene was intoxicated as he weaved among lanes about 4 a.m. on Oct. 29, 2010, and finally stopped his car near Lake Mead Parkway and Boulder Highway in Henderson.” 

“But that wasn't the case, which they soon discovered after they searched Greene.” 

"’Call in medical,’ one officer says in the video. ’We found some insulin in his pocket.  He's semiconscious.’"

When I was diagnosed with diabetes in March of 2006, my health care team was extremely thorough in helping me to cope with my diagnosis.  One thing they emphasized was driving safely.

When a person with diabetes experiences low blood sugar some of the symptoms include shakiness, dizziness, hunger, cold or clammy skin or loss of consciousness and even seizures.

From the story, it is not clear whether Mr. Greene was wearing a medical alert bracelet.  This is a must for anyone with diabetes.  My bracelet lists all of the medications I take and includes the name of the person I wish to be contacted in the event I cannot speak for myself.

I also ordered diabetic driver decals which I placed on the windows of the driver side and passenger side of my car.  I did this because I was well aware that law enforcement officers are undertrained or not trained at all on the effects of hypoglycemia/diabetes.

This arrest is a black eye for law enforcement. It is horrifying. Mr. Greene has been compensated for the beating he took at the hands of the cops.  He suffered broken ribs and bruises to his hands, neck, face and scalp according to the lawsuit.

If you know someone with diabetes, please ask if they have a medical alert bracelet and decals.  If they don’t, urge them to get them.

Many people with diabetes are ashamed of their disease.  This should not be.  Help your friend overcome their fright.  It could be the difference between life and death.  Trust me on this.

Hey Gisele, Envision This

Last Thursday, Tom Brady’s supermodel wife wrote in a private e-mail, “My sweet friends and family, this Sunday will be a really important day in my husband’s life.  He and his team worked so hard to get to this point and now they need us more than ever to send them positive energy so they can fulfill their dream of winning this Super Bowl.  So I kindly ask all of you to join me on this positive chain and pray for him, so he can feel confident, healthy and strong.  Envision him happy and fulfilled experiencing with his team a victory this Sunday. Thank you for your love and support.  Love, G:)”

Bless her little heart.  She sounds like a wife who has her husband’s best interests at heart.  Not so fast.

Just moments after New England and her little Tommy got beaten 21-17 by Eli Manning and the New York Giants, she responded to taunts from a Giants fan with this potty mouth reply, "My husband cannot f****ing throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time. I can't believe they dropped the ball so many times."  

I could be wrong, but seems to me that Ms. Bundchen may pose topless in a Versace photo shoot, but she wears the pants in the Brady household.  Poor Tommy.

Earlier in the week, Brady said Gisele gave him some advice before he headed off to Indianapolis. “Throw the ball quickly,” he said she told him. “She doesn’t like it when I get hit very often.”  Oooooh!

Soros The Puppetmaster Sees No Difference

Is George Soros, the radical left-wing billionaire and globalist, actually expressing his true feeling that there exists no difference between Obama and Romney?  Or is it a ruse to bring down Mitt?

The problem most voters have with Mitt is the disturbing similarity between ObamaCare and RomneyCare.  If you will, ObamneyCare.

Linked at Mind Numbed Robot.  Thank you 'Bot.

America At A Crossroads

Linked at The Lonely Conservative.  Thanks.
Linked at The Other McCain.  Thank you, Smitty.
Linked at Mind Numbed Robot and The Frugal Café.  Thanks so much 'Bot and Vicki.
Thanks to The Admiral for the link at The Pirate's Cove.
Thanks to Sentry Journal for the linky-love.
Linked at Maggie's Notebook.  Thanks a bazillion Maggie.
Linked at Don Surber.  Thank you, sir.

Uh Oh