One of the claims often made by Clintoon camp is that “the ‘Nice Lady’ of Benghazi” would put her husband in charge of economic matters. After all: he “knows how to fix the economy”. Just look at how good things were while he was in office!
Well, as they might say where I’m writing this article: quelle merde. The folks over at FiveThirtyEight.Com did an article the other day which thoroughly debunks that bogus claim.
BLUF: Willie “Intern and Cigar Connoisseur” Clintoon simply got lucky. His Administration had very little to do with the good economic times during the 1990s. Further, policies begun under his Administration are at least partly responsible (if not the major cause) for the mid-2000s real estate “bubble burst” and the late 2000s recession.
The article is IMO worthwhile reading. And the info it contains might well be useful if you want to throw a bucket of cold-water reality on any overheated Clintoon supporter who brings up that “he knows how to fix the economy” canard.
In Albuquerque, New Mexico, folks got their panties wadded up over Americans speaking their minds and turned to rioting at a Donald Trump rally, according to Fox News;
Hours after Trump and some 4,000 of his supporters left the Albuquerque Convention Center, approximately 100 demonstrators remained in downtown. Smoke grenades were used in an effort to disperse the crowd, while protesters threw rocks, plastic bottles, burning T-shirts and other items at officers.
Albuquerque police said on Twitter late Tuesday that “several” officers were being treated for injuries as a result of being hit by rocks. At least one person was arrested.
Inside the Trump rally, demonstrators shouted, held up banners and resisted removal by security officers. The banners included the messages “Trump is Fascist” and “We’ve heard enough.”
As Trump spoke, several hundred protesters outside the convention center rushed police, trying to storm the building. When they were blocked, they lobbed rocks at cops, who reportedly tear-gassed the crowd. A glass door at the convention center was shattered by what police later said was a shot from a pellet gun.
If I didn’t know better, I’d think that the Trump campaign organized these riots to scare Americans into voting for him, because that will be the end result.
If you watch the video at the Fox link, you can see the rioters waving Mexican flags while this dickhead burns an American flag. Which country is holding an election in November, anyway?
Today Suzie-Q and I went out to the cemetery to visit my parents’ gravesite. We tidied up, replaced some old flowers with new, and then took a little quiet time. I thought about a legacy. Looking down at the final resting place for what is often referred to as the greatest generation I pondered how the legacy of my generation, the baby boomers, would measure up. I even pondered it on a personal level and what might the next generation think of me or us.
I suppose we could travel down the long trail of who did what and when, but I do not want to do that. I once participated in a seminar, the core of which was to impart that who you are depends on where you were when. Your life experiences define who you are and to a large part that also defines generations.
The people of my parent’s generation came up through the great depression. They learned the value of work especially the large percentage of Americans of the time without it, and understood the importance of providing for their families. They understood the importance of family. They understood the value of money driven by a time of less affluence. They were thrifty. The Second World War was their great challenge. Every generation has its detractors and profiteers, but for the most part Americans at home and at the war front made great sacrifices to defeat the enemy hell bent on world domination. At great cost, they won. They came home to a grateful nation and built an affluent America. It was a vision and determination from the people of that age that put a man on the moon. An American. It is safe to say they made America great. Churches were full on Sundays. No one claimed it offensive or intolerant to declare we were one nation under God. There was an audible national gasp when Clark Gable said “Frankly my dear. I don’t give a damn.”
They also started having babies, many of them. It was a baby boom. The birth of my generation.
Instead of a great depression my generation experienced relatively great affluence. Our big war was a cold one, the mission to block the expansion of communism. It was dotted with the hot ones of Korea and Vietnam, neither of which garnered the total national sacrifice of World War II. In Korea communist aggression was turned back, but the war ended in political settlement not military defeat of the enemy. Many from my generation balked at military service during the Vietnam era with protests and draft card burnings. The great generation had movie stars and the wealthy involved in the war effort. My generation had movie stars heading off to the land of our enemies to take photographs with them and make propaganda radio broadcasts directed to American Soldiers. Our wealthy were receiving multiple draft deferments or filling the bulging ranks of National Guard and Reserve units that largely never deployed to the combat zone unless they needed to build some credentials for future political endeavors. There was no big welcome home for our Vietnam War Veterans. Instead, they were blamed for the failures of politicians. Churches were much less filled on Sundays. We began rating movies based on the content of vulgarity and Mr. Gable’s big screen declaration would raise nary an eyebrow.
Where is my generation now? We are running our country. I am so proud. We are confronted by an enemy hell bent on world domination and we are unable to call him by his name. I suppose we produced the millennial generation, if I am up on my generational tag lines, fully indoctrinated with a progressive education, participation trophies and the need for safe spaces. A generation one would think based on current observations willing to totally embrace socialism because their indoctrination is completed and they missed the history lessons about the millions killed by it. Declaring we are one nation under God is just too intolerant and offensive for them to even contemplate. With vision and determination, the great achievement of my generation is going to be putting a man in a woman’s bathroom. Now that is a legacy a man can be proud of. Well maybe not just a man. I need a safe space.
If you’ve ever been more concerned with Donald Trump’s destructive brand of politics than radical Islamism, America doesn’t have time for you anymore. If you believe that criticizing Islamic terrorism only increases the terrorists’ recruitment efforts, your legitimacy as a talking head is coming to an end.
The sun is setting on the era of political correctness. No, Donald Trump’s bullying version is not the requisite norm, but getting into a tizzy because a public figure speaks frankly is definitely passé.
For too long, the progressives’ army of social justice warriors have been criticizing every aspect of America while simultaneously protecting and promoting the global Muslim ummah. In their worldview, Americans are somehow responsible for all that is bad in this world – both globally and at home.
Pandering to bullies has always been counterproductive – and Islamic extremism is the global bully. We do not avoid punishing a violent offender – not because the rate of recidivism is too high, not because we are afraid of reinforcing a deviant stereotype, and not because we fear creating disgruntled familial relations and future criminals. We incarcerate them because we know that the only way to ensure that they will not prey on innocence is to remove them from society.
How, then, do some intellectual types adhere to a belief system completely divorced from these realities?
When dealing with bullies and criminals, there is an expectation that justice will be meted out. When confronted with radical Islamists, suddenly this formula of identifying dangerous individuals and publicly ostracizing them is abruptly abandoned for a softer more intellectual approach.
For the liberal gate guards of Islam, any correlation between the peaceful religion and terror atrocities is a nonstarter. Despite the fact that this approach screams of intellectual dishonesty, liberal power brokers – of particular note: our current president and presumptive Democratic nominee – have determined that this is the path toward progress.
Not anymore.
Ignoring facts, data, and common sense was yesterday’s progressivism. Donald Trump, for all of his many shortcomings, is ushering in a new era of realism. In this new era, Americans are permitted to call a spade a spade. Americans will no longer feel ashamed of putting their needs above the needs of every disadvantaged person in every corner of the world.
American families know that before you can be successful in the workplace, you have to be successful in the home. If you neglect the home life, productivity in the workplace inevitably falls. Trump’s “America First” proposition is precisely that – it’s time to take care of the American homeland.
As a strong and prosperous nation, America has always assisted globally – WWI, WWII, the Cold War, the Persian Gulf War, and financing the U.N.’s peacekeeping mission. (The U.S. currently accounts for more than one-fifth – 22 percent – of the regular U.N. budget.) As a weak, divided, and economically depressed nation, we flounder and exert ineffective domestic and foreign policy – the Civil War, Vietnam, Iraq, Libya, and Syria.
Americans are long overdue for a policy that puts the spotlight back on its citizens. Americans are desperate for a president who assures us that our success, safety, and future are prioritized above our global colleagues.
America has a plot of land that is strategically isolated from the epicenter of the world’s current problems. We should never use this strategic depth as an excuse to enact isolationist policy, but failing to recognize that our geographic location allows us the opportunity to rebuild our nation while remaining insulated from the societal shift that the Middle East and Europe is currently undergoing is foolish.
Let’s make America great again first. It is only from a position of strength that we can enact lasting and positive change on the global stage.
Speaking to cadets at the United States Military Academy, Vice President Joe Biden told them that the new diversity of women in combat units and gays in the military is an ‘incredible asset’ on the battlefield, according to the Associated Press.
“Having men and women together in the battlefield is an incredible asset, particularly when they’re asked to lead teams in parts of the world with fundamentally different expectations and norms,” Biden said in his speech at a graduation ceremony at Michie Stadium on the West Point grounds along the Hudson River.
[…]
The vice president saluted class president Eugene “E.J.” Coleman for publicly coming out as gay.
Before the repeal of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in 2010, “E.J. would have been discharged from the Army, and we would have lost an incredible talent,” he said. “Thanks for your courage, E.J., and I expect we’re going to hear big things from you, pal.”
I guess that’s just something you say these days. No one has made the case that proves how women in combat units and openly gay soldiers in the military will help us kill more enemies and win wars, so they just speak in empty platitudes about “courage” and “incredible talent”.
You’d think the Clinton campaign would have the good sense to stay far, far away from the issue of Donald Trump being a misogynist, or even his merely being a misbehaving boor toward women. It’s becoming obvious that every time the Clinton campaign lays a media ambush for Trump, he not only sidesteps it nimbly, but also spins it back with far more effect.
So the Clintons try to stain Trump with the bristleless brush of the Republican war on women; Donald responds with a fresh can of scarlet sexual predator paint, which he loudly upends on Bill Clinton’s head, splashing a huge scarlet E on Hillary as Bill’s enabler. The decades-old charges against Bill, the lawsuits, the payoffs, the cigars, his impeachment, all that sleaze that had faded to a dim pink is now screaming scarlet again, thanks to those geniuses on the Clinton campaign staff who said, “Hey, here’s an idea…”
However, the Clintons apparently failed to fire the errant geniuses, because now they and their in-house publicists, better known as the New York Times, the Washington Post, and network TV, are all busy doing their best to dig up some sexual dirt on the Donald. Instead, they get women praising the man as a gentleman who offers a helping hand for them to succeed and never asks anything in return. That is a completely alien concept to Bill Clinton, who believes that in such situations quid pro quo is an anatomical reference.
Recently some CBS Clintonista was interviewing Trump’s lovely daughter, Ivanka, and asked her about the possibility of her father groping women. Ivanka defended her father forcefully but gracefully, an ability possessed by all the Trump offspring, denying that he could ever do such a thing. Ivanka acquitted herself well, but should she ever be asked that question again, she should respond with a succinct “Who do you think I am? Chelsea Clinton?” and walk away. Can you imagine that liberal CBS reporter asking Chelsea about Juanita Broaddrick’s very credible claims that she was raped by Chelsea’s father?
So what will the Clintons try next? I’m beginning to suspect that this campaign may play out like one of the old Roadrunner and Coyote cartoons, with the Clintons ordering all sorts of fanciful devices from the Acme Rocket-Propelled Election Corporation in scenarios that inevitably do not end well for the Clinton Coyotes while the beep-beeping Donald runs circles around them, all the way to the finish line.
And doesn’t that coyote “desperate to win” persona just fit the Clintons so exquisitely well?
I keep hearing that a gaggle of boobs is saying they scared me away from TAH, or that I’ve been fired, or on a mission for MS13. The last one makes perfect sense because I don’t speak Spanish, have 20/400 vision, can’t even speed without getting caught and only shot expert when I had an ACOG. But I digress.
The truth is I am just busy as hell. Main reason is the little creature who came into my house and keeps pooping and screaming. As a result, I try to sleep about 10 hours a day.
Also, my travel schedule is beyond ridiculous. Like, nearly constant. In the past month I’ve been to Lake Havasu Arizona, Louisville Kentucky, Freedom Indiana (to interview the real Forrest Gump, MOH Sammy Davis) and Gainesville Texas. Then this past weekend I went to Dallas. Next week I am in Ely, Minnesota, 2 weeks later at SW Minnesota State, then a day off and Radford Virginia for a week. Then Newnan, GA, DC for 10 days, then the Grand Canyon and Louisville again. So literally I am on the road about 75% of the time.
So apologies on not many posts. As I need not tell you (those of you rational anyway) I don’t get paid to blog here, and kids aren’t cheap. (Did you know they shit about 9 times a day? And did you know my wife somehow never smells it and accidentally hands me the baby immediately afterward?)
So here I am today with proof of life, and to drop some knowledge on you.
Musical tastes are different for everyone. Obviously Irish Punk is the best, but there’s a few other songs out there that are highly underrated. I’m telling you what the Top 10 are. If you disagree with them, you clearly are wrong. (I’m told I order you people around and you do whatever I say, so from now on, these are your favorite songs.)
#1) Bad Touch, Bloodhound Gang
Classic song. It has monkeys, midgets, doggie style, and the redhead that would be my second wife if I were to ever live through the first one.
#2) Brimful of Asha, Coronership
Somehow I missed this song when it came out. I think I was in Bosnia. But whoever wants to argue that you don’t need a bosom for a pillow really needs to check their selves.
#3) Sail, AWOL Nation
I don’t know man, something about this song makes me want to just run through a brick wall. The Vikings trailer with it made me want to take to the seas and invade Angleland.
#4) Run Around, Blues Traveller
You could argue which song of Blues Traveller to use here, but you have to include them. John Popper had a heart attack in a hot tub during a threesome. That means you make every list forever.
#5) What’s up, 4 Non Blondes
I find this singer chick intriguing. I honestly can’t tell if I think she’s hot, or just a dirty hippie. But the song is straight $$$.
#6) Stubborn Love, Lumineers
This may be sneaky my favorite non-Irish song of all time. Probably my favorite band on regular radio right now too.
#7) Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya, Dropkick Murphys
You didn’t for a second think this would be Irish free did you? I cut it down to only 2 Irish songs, but this is another one that gets me fired up.
#8) The Impression That I Get, Mighty Mighty Boston’s
The pride of Beantown, it always amazed me these guys didn’t become bigger than they are. This song is straight fire.
#9) Steady as She Goes, The Raconteurs
This song isn’t much on lyrics, but the sound is just kick ass.
10) Within a Mile of Home, Flogging Molly
Every workout playlist should end with this one. If you don’t listen to it, you are probably a communist.
So anyway, those are the top 10 underrated songs of all time.
And if you disagree, you are probably a member of ISIS.
In truth, just wanted to check in, since some folks had emailed to make sure I was good. I am, all is great in my life. Jonn owns and runs the best military blog on the internet, so I try not to screw it up with my jackassery too often, but did want to check in with y’all.
According to the Military Times, the House voted almost along party lines to fully fund the Pentagon by a margin of 277-147 to fund a 2.1 percent pay raise to the troops, overhaul the military medical system, and to protect the A-10 close air support aircraft from the Air Force. The Democrats in the House were more focused on the really important issues, they say;
They objected when language was dropped from the bill that would have required women to register for the Selective Service System, a provision that has support in the Senate, and to wording that states federal contractors cannot be discriminated against on the basis of religion. That provision, critics say, legitimizes discrimination against gay and bisexual employees.
House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith, D-Wash., said those points of conflict forced him to vote against the measure.
“They have misused the rules process to avoid votes on women’s equality, labor laws, and taxpayer-funded discrimination against LGBT individuals, while adding further restrictions on transfers from the Guantanamo detention facility, cutting funds for nuclear nonproliferation, and adopting a range of other highly problematic provisions,” he said in a statement.
The White House has threatened to veto the bill, mostly because the bill gives the troops a larger pay raise than the president thinks they earned. Never mind that their pay checks haven’t kept pace with inflation for the last six years.
