Obama wants school, school, and more school

Hey kids, I've got some great news for you. Mr. Obama says you need to go to school more. In a story ran in The Tennessean (** see link below) on September 28, 2009, Obama and his Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan (pictured right), believe kids don't spend enough time in school and are therefore "disadvantaged" compared to kids in other countries. They believe schools need to add more time to classes, stay open late, and even be open on weekends.

Surely they're kidding. When is it enough ?? When are they gonna let kids be kids ?? When I started school, classes started after Labor Day and we got out for the summer the first week of June. Basically, we had nine months of school and then a three month summer break. We got a two week break at Christmas and then another week in the spring. Almost everyone graduated, parents were involved and worked with the teachers to get us the best education possible. Sometimes kids got in fights but they didn't take guns to school to maim and kill classmates. Teachers were respected.

Now, classes start the first week of August and end in late May with the same break at Christmas and in the spring that we had. The kids are now in school nearly ten months and out for only two in the summer. Graduation rates are lower and the parent-teacher relationship is not as strong as it used to be. In fact, many times the parents blame the teachers if their kid doesn't do well and kids are taking guns to school and killing and maiming teachers and classmates.

Where did it all go wrong ?? Maybe kids are spending too much time in school. I don't believe more class time is the answer. Kids not only need to get an education, but they also have to have time to be kids. Let me ask you a question. Think back to when you were in school. Do you remember how kids were out playing in the afternoons after school let out ?? Do you see that happening as much now ?? I doubt it. I know I don't. We need to focus on getting kids a quality education instead of more quantity. They need quality facilities, quality books, and for parents and teachers to work together during the educational process instead of being adversaries. If the teachers don't have all the resources they need to teach, no amount of extra class time is gonna make a difference. The answer is simple - quality not quantity.


** article link - http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090928/NEWS04/909280334/1970/Longer+school+year+could+give+kids+an+edge++Obama+says

P.S. Attention parents - In a few weeks, I'm gonna tell you more about Arne Duncan and his political affiliations and some things he may indoctrinate your kids with. Stay tuned for that.

So true ...

Ronnie rolled over

President Ronald Reagan rolled over in his grave last week when Mr. Obama scrapped the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) a.k.a. "Star Wars" program that Reagan started in his first term as president. In fact Ronnie didn't just roll, he flipped over !! SDI was to be a missile defense shield to knock down Russian nuclear missiles in case of an attack on the U.S. or our allies in Europe. It was to be partially based on land in Europe and partially in outer space.

Obama has been cozying up to the Russians lately in hopes that they will help him deal with Iran's potential nuclear threat. The Russians have been pushing the U.S. to scrap SDI for years because they believe it is a threat to them. Now, Obama has given them exactly what they wanted even though the SDI was never intended to be an offensive weapon. It was only intended to be a defensive weapon. Furthermore, if you browse the internet, you will find that the Russians have and SDI-type system of their own. Mr. Obama, are the Russians gonna scrap theirs, too ?? I doubt it. Now the only defense we have against a nuclear attack from Russia or anyone else is to launch a counterattack of our own. That will only lead to total destruction of everyone. Nobody will win. The Russians are still a threat and now Obama has made us and our European Allies more vulnerable to nuclear attack in the future.

For eight months, Obama has done nothing but screw up. He hasn't made one good decision or instituted one good policy. He appears to be either completely incompetent or the rumors are correct and he is intentionally trying to destroy the U.S. I hate to think that the man who is supposed to be the leader of this country would do that. Unfortunately, nowadays anything is possible.

No liberty, no security

Today, I'll share something that happened to me about a week ago that in my opinion is a perfect example of how our freedoms are being eroded today.

I went to the emergency room of one of the major hospitals in Nashville to visit a patient. When entering the ER, the first thing I encountered was a security checkpoint. Yes, a security checkpoint in a hospital ER complete with a metal detector and a lovely sign prohibiting firearms, knives, etc. You would have thought I was at Bethesda or Walter Reed and the President was there. Like most Southern boys, I carry a pocket knife most of the time and that day was no exception. I don't carry it as a weapon. It's a tool, a part of everyday life for me and thousands like me - that's it. I looked at Barney Fife ... oops, I mean the security guard and asked him if I had to return it to my vehicle, which was two blocks away due to lack of parking and construction, and he said yes because it's a weapon. I told him that was ridiculous and left.

The entire situation was nonsense. I'm sure the Liberals in the hospital would say it's for the safety of the patients and guests. I suspect it's because when a gang banger is shot in a drive-by and is transported there, they don't want his rivals walking into the ER with a weapon and finishing the job. Here's the problem with that logic - the criminals are NOT gonna obey any "NO WEAPONS" sign. That's why they are called criminals. The only people that obey such signs are law-abiding citizens, such as myself. That's why they are called law-abiding citizens. Criminals will carry weapons anytime, anyplace they want. They don't care about signs or laws. When you ban weapons, all you do is prevent innocent civilians from defending themselves.

Here's the most interesting part of the whole deal. Back in 1995, I went through the application process, the safety course and training, and was then issued a permit to carry a concealed weapon by the State of Tennessee. The permit is not for a knife or a club but for a FIREARM !! The State has deemed me fit and qualified to carry a firearm for protection but this hospital doesn't think I should be allowed to carry a POCKET KNIFE into their ER. Ludicrous !!

Is common sense completely gone in this country ?? I think the following quote by one of the country's Founding Father's, Benjamin Franklin (picture above), sums it up the best - "They who would give up essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security."

Amen. Enough said.

Al Gore featured speaker as thousands attend global warming protest

I bet Cap and Tax .... um, I mean Cap and Trade was not one of the featured topics.

Canadian healthcare video

Do you still believe Mr. Obama's "public option" is a good thing ?? You won't after you watch this real-life, true story via video from Canada.


TELL THE U.S. SENATE AND CONGRESS TO SAY NO TO OBAMA'S PUBLIC OPTION A.K.A. SINGLE PAYER HEALTHCARE !!


P.S. If you get my e-mail blog updates, the video may not come through with the e-mail. If it doesn't, try clicking on the title of the blog entry you've been e-mailed or on the blog link within the e-mail. You will then be taken to my blog where you can view the video.

NFL season opens tonight with a grudge match in The Steel City

The 2009 NFL season kicks off tonight with a game between the defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tennessee Thugs .... oops, I mean Titans. The Steelers have a score to settle after losing the game in Nashville last year and then being disrespected with the "towel incident." Now, the Thugs are in enemy territory, outnumbered, and outgunned against a team with a long memory. The Thugs have got a beat down coming the likes of which they have not seen since the Raiders humiliated them in Oakland during the AFC Championship Game several years ago. Steeler fans get the Terrible Towels ready. Thugs don't bother to turn the game on. It will be ugly for you.

Obama still doesn't get it ... or doesn't care.

I just finished watching Mr. Obama's nationally televised address regarding healthcare reform. For months, we have listened to constant bickering between him, the Senate, the Congress, and the special interests. However, after tonight it is obvious that none of them get it even after seeing and hearing the American people's outrage. Tonight, he said he has a new plan that will do the following :

1. Require every American to have healthcare insurance.
2. Require insurance companies to give you insurance regardless of pre-existing conditions.
3. Require every employer to offer health insurance coverage except for small businesses that fall below a certain size threshold.
4. Make available a public option for any Americans that cannot afford health insurance.
5. Cost about $900 Billion over 10 years.

Now, that's his "new" proposal. Here are the problems :

1. It is unconstitutional to require Americans to have health insurance, employers to provide it, and health insurance companies to cover everyone regardless of pre-existing conditions. These requirements are an infringement upon Americans freedom of choice and upon the free market - period.
2. If health insurance companies are required to insure people with pre-existing conditions, another problem is created. Due to increased costs and risk to the insurance companies, the premiums will be so high that Americans with chronic illnesses will be unable to afford them. The only way to solve this problem is to cap premiums which would also be an unconstitutional infringement upon the free market.
3. Americans unable to afford insurance because of higher premiums related to pre-existing conditions (see #2 above) will be FORCED onto the public option. This will lead to the public option creating deficits and care being rationed just like was brought up in the broo-ha-ha over HR 3200.
4. The country CANNOT afford another $900 Billion spending plan. It's already broke !!

Obama's newest plan simply does not cut it. It will ultimately lead to millions of Americans currently considered uninsurable being forced onto a low-quality public plan because they will not be able to afford the insurance offered them. Others have offered alternatives including removing the prohibition against selling health insurance across state lines. Mr. Obama, however, refuses to listen. Apparently, it's his way or the highway and I'm about ready to see him hit the highway. He has no idea what millions of Americans, like myself, who are considered uninsurable go through. His "new" plan does absolutely nothing for us.

Mr. Obama, that's strike two on healthcare.

The Czars Are Falling !!

Uh -oh ..... Obama's Czars are falling !! On Saturday, September 5th, the first of Obama's 30-something Czars resigned. Van Jones, Special Advisor for Green Jobs a.k.a. Green Jobs Czar, resigned under pressure due to questions about past statements and associations as well as insults (to put it mildly) he voiced at Conservative Republicans in Congress.

The questioning of his past associations was primarily initiated by Glenn Beck (http://www.glennbeck.com/). It included statements made by Jones in 1992 when he was arrested during a protest of the Rodney King verdict. Jones said that the incident "... accelerated my radicalization" and that he was "... a rowdy nationalist." He later professed to being a communist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Jones#cite_note-vanjonesrodneyking-15). The question is what was a self-proclaimed communist doing as an advisor to Obama ?? Is it because Obama and he share the same views ?? Or, was Obama's vetting process inadequate ?? Either way, there is NO Constitutional authority for any of Obama's Czars. They are not confirmed by the Senate nor do they answer to Congress. They all must go.

In my opinion, all Americans owe Glenn Beck a big, big thank you for exposing Jones. None of the other media outlets investigated him nor even seem to care. Back in the '80s, Kiss recorded a song titled "Tears Are Falling." Maybe someone should do a cover version titled "Czars Are Falling." Let's hope and pray Jones' resignation is only the beginning.

Tennessee 1 for 1 under Kiffin !!

The Tennessee Volunteers won Lane Kiffin's debut as head coach on Saturday by whipping Western Kentucky 63-7 in Knoxville. The Vols started off slow with multiple mistakes in the first quarter ranging from penalties to turnovers. They moved the ball up and down the field and imposed their will upon the Hilltoppers the entire game. Once they stopped shooting themselves in the foot in the second quarter, it was over as they led 28-0 at halftime. In fact, Coach Kiffin remarked at halftime that they should have been up by 5 or 6 touchdowns.

Tennessee also enjoyed significant, quality contributions from a number of freshman. They will face a stiffer test from UCLA at home in Knoxville this Saturday. I suspect that Coach Kiffin will probably get some criticism this week for "running up the score." However, most Vol fans will laugh it off after having endured 17 years of Phil Fulmer failing to put teams away. The Vols may have been sending a message to the likes of Alabama, Georgia, Auburn, and #1 Florida to the tune of "look out - we're comin' !!"

It's football time in Tennessee !!

College football season starts tomorrow, September 5th. The University of Tennessee (UT) opens a new era with a new head coach, Lane Kiffin, at home against Western Kentucky. UT has a lot of unknowns going into the season as to how successful they will be. The old regime is gone, thankfully, and a new day has dawned. In my opinion, UT fans need to be patient and give Coach Kiffin a few years to get HIS system inplemented and bring in a few of HIS recruiting classes. I think that once those two things happen, UT will be successful. However, it won't happen overnight and patience is the key. GO VOLS !!!!

Longest surviving heart transplant patient dies

According to WUSA 9 TV from the D.C., Virginia, Maryland area (see http://www.wusa9.com/news/health/story.aspx?storyid=89641&catid=28), Tony Huesman, the longest surviving heart transplant patient has died. He lived 31 years after his transplant until skin cancer took his life. He developed viral cardiomyopathy at 16 and was transplanted in 1978 at Stanford when he was 20.

Even though this is a sad story, it has a good side, too. A caring, generous donor gave Tony 31 years of life that he would not have had otherwise. I suspect that Tony would say not to shed any tears or grieve for him because he was very blessed. I'm sure he would encourage everyone to sign up to be an organ and tissue donor so that someone else might have the same second chance and 30+ extra years he got. To that I would say .... Amen.