Merry Christmas, From Our "Leaders"

How does one "lose" $1 billion dollars?" John Corzine, former mayor of N. J., and after his term went to work at M. F. G. (Monetary Fund Global), was brought on to run the whole "M. F. G.," as the CEO, and was paid over $1 million base salary. He is to testify in front of congress today, will not take the fifth, but has a twenty one page introduction, to Congress, but in it, he states, "I do not know where the money went, but I am sorry." Sorry? A person is sorry, if they do not give the cashier at the store, $5. When you lose $1 billion, of "INVESTOR's MONEY", who have invested, done their homework to make money, and using the capitalist system to retire, but there is no where to find these dividends. Therefore, all of these people, are just out of luck.

Then, President Obama sends his family on, to Hawaii, for their vacation, as his "tax holiday." After not having a budget for two years, failing to get $4 trillion cut out of the debt, failing to get a quality budget cut for the $1 trillion, failures of Congress and the "Super Committee," and all the while, the President's words: "I am staying out of it, and letting Congress work it out." How has that worked out? I am not sure, as I am torn, because if President Obama would put his "LEADERSHIP" to good use, he may have tried to do another "Obamacare," "EPA Control of every animal in the world, halting production and jobs," and "he could also go ahead and just deny "The Constitution" and the people and MANDATE health care, or something else, he deems necessary. Then again, what has "Congress" (both the Senate and Congress, on "The Hill") have a 8-12% trust rating, and they have not done anything, but play politics (leading up to the election, starting eight months ago) on all the issues, both sides. Democrats want to spend, spend, spend the way out of the jobs and recession storm, and the Republicans want everything paid for, that the U.S. spends, or adds on.

Now, everyone knows that George W. Bush's last two years, were a DISASTER! Fanny and Freddie (which is not his fault, but was Barney Frank (D- retiring due to redistricting, in N. Y.) and Chris Dodd (D-Connecticut), as it was called the "Dodd/Frank Bill." Yet, it has Bush's name on the bottom, so he gets some responsibility. Then the two wars, which cost the United States trillions of dollars and U.S. soldiers blood. However, strategically (no matter if you are for war, against it, think it was right/wrong, to go into Iraq and Afghanistan), there was only one option, after 9-11. That was to go to war, in the most strategic places, for the best intelligence, and that was Iraq (who had used gas and bombs against the Kurds, killing thousands, not to mention countless Christians, just in Iraq) and Afghanistan (who was running "terrorist high" with the Taliban. Killing Christians, instituting Sharia Law, and the things they did to women there are not worth repeating here). These two places were the right targets (even though, nobody could know how long we would be there, cost, or what, and also that the Middle East would go up in smoke, and Obama would do nothing).

Here the United States people are in debt, by $15 trillion dollars (73% of GDP), looking like Europe (in our values, money, and all of the things that Italy, France, Ireland, and others are going thru, in Europe) with the "Wall Street Crowds" who do not actually know what they are fighting for, or they are plants and being paid (not counting the criminals across the country hiding in the crowds). So, President Obama spared part of his vacation. Does he deserve one, more than the regular 5 days around Christmas? Libya, Egypt, Iraq (where he didn't listen to his general's, played politics with the war and is bringing them all home, for IRAN, to step in, with the Shi'ite figurehead as a "constitutional figure"), Afghanistan, Pakistan (blocking our routes to get supplies to Afghanistan, saying the U. S. is not a "friend", and they have nukes. Say hello, to India, our new best friend.), Iran and Syria, who openly had war games, ships in the Mediterranean Sea, and enough rockets, weapons and air power (from Syria) to provide a FULL SCALE Israeli War, if things do not get better, in a hurry. This does not even count, the fake job numbers (8.5% unemployment, is the White House Stat, but 350,000 people just quit looking for jobs, so they are not counted and the "underemployed" are not counted either, so it is more like 17.4% unemployment, hello France), lack of financial security, and all of the FDA, EPA, and other regulators killing our economy. All of this, the Christmas season (with those without, for reasons, that need not be there), and our borders wide open enough to kill an ambassador (if the Iranian's would have been smarter. Merry Christmas, President Obama!

"PJ" An Obituary, On My 1st Dog

PJ, "Peej" for a nickname, became my first dog (as in "my" first dog on my own). My father and I drove all the way to Brookefield, Mo., to get her, at about 10 weeks old. She rode on my lap all the way home. From then on, PJ was with me for the next two and a half years. I lived, after I hurt my back, in trailor (my choice, as I couldn't live with folks, but was still hurt too), and PJ and I were outside in a 18 foot trailor, for those two years. She learned hand, voice, and even head signals over those two years. :) She was so smart.

My father and I started taking her hunting that same year we got her (two month after), but on that trip, she was walking on the edge of the water (at 4 months) and then decided to crawl into my hunting jacket arm/sleeve, on the ground at my feet. However, the next year, she was good to go. Best dog for ducks and geese, field and water, and there wasn't anything she wouldn't get in the water/land (tennis balls, frisbees, etc...). She was an outgoing and loving dog that "EVERY TIME" I came home, or someone came to visit, PJ met them/us at the door, with "TWO" (had to be two?) balls, a ball and a tug rope, two of ANYTHING, just "2". :)

Peej loved people, sitting on the couch, being my best friend, hunting, fishing, being with family, and just living life. Even on her last day: "I took a turkey brat out for me, or the cats, and one for PJ (she wouldn't come in the house, for the last three days, she knew it was time). I walked outside and she lifted up her head, pounded her tail on grass (just like she did, ANY time I came up to her while she lounged on "her couch", and shared a brat and some water with me, on the ground, as I sat by her. Like she was shiny and new, not beat up and dying from cancer."

However, as PJ is in Heaven, waiting for me to come up and throw the frisbee, or to go fish with me, I will just have to settle for her looking down on Cali (my rescue dog), Cinnamon (my rescue cat), and me. I will always miss her and all the time we had, thru my physical stuggles and my living alone, the whole time she was alive she was with me. I will always remember the good stuff, and I don't think I could have any "bad things" to remember, she was that good of a best friend and dog.

Peace and God Bless,
MD

Copyright. Dman@TheThoughtSpigot.Com

http://thethoughtspigot.com/

Syria, When Is Killing Civilians And Protestors, To Much?

There is not any way, for anyone, to know how many people have died for sure (the rough total is anywhere between 4-6500 people dead, thousands injured). Yet, there is no doubt that Syria is gunning down civilians (literally), using tanks and personal carriers (with mounted and personal weaponry aboard), and then there is the always popular (in the Middle East, with the Jihadism) the lobbing mortar rounds into the civilian populations. All of this, because the people of Syria are tired of the dictator and his family, who have ran Syria and all of it's components, for over 40 years. The satellites, computers, phones, reporters, and any kind of trying to get a story out and correct, results in death (even if you are a reporter, currently, there are at least 4 reporters in Syrian prisons, from the E. U.). Then there is Egypt, Libya, Iran, and the other civilian populations, in the Middle East, longing for freedom and liberty, but there is no help, there are very few solutions, and the population is left to fend for themselves, far out gunned, out manned, and are in dire situations.

Most people know about the above, hate it with all of their being, but what is there to do, in order to save the lives of the Syrian people and getting Bashar al-Assad, either to get out of the country and turn it over to a democratic (for the Middle East) government, or have him killed. The protests continue everyday, and so do the killings. The United Nations Security Counsel is putting up sanctions, with teeth, on Syria's oil exports, mainly going to the E. U., Russia, China, and some other smaller countries. Although, there is a complete blow back in the U. N. Security Counsel, with Russia, China, South Africa, India and Brazil, as they are the ones who are trading and selling oil, natural commodities and then regular trading partners. Those countries are pulling back on the sanctions, are not looking to not accept the oil (Syria is selling), so it will be very interesting to see what the U. N. draws up on paper, continuing with the sanctions, and how watered down they may get.

Where is the United States, our military, and President Obama on Syria? The Obama White House will not call it a "war," "civil war," and/or anything controversial. There is not any way, the United States (alone), could put boots on the ground, use a no fly zone (like in the "non-war" in Libya, which the Obama White House is "leading from the rear" on), so sanctions are what the Syrians will get from the United States, as well.

Then there is other Middle East countries and "The Arab League," and C. A. I. R. (Counsel on American, Islamic Relations). There are very few, definitely something that people have to research to find, moderate Muslims speaking out, taking a stand, and trying to assimilate. Instead, there is nothing, but backlash, rioting in the E. U. (partially from the economy and partially from the non-assimilation of Muslim's and other cultures), and then there are countries who have things tied into the United States, Syria, and the country doing business. As an example, Amnesty International tried to go thru Turkey (who are killing Kurds and are having huge problems with Syrian refugees), and they were stopped from entering the country, seeing and going into the refugee "tent city," and were told not to come back.

There are multiple reasons, ranging from just the political, to the geo-political, and/or just bad blood and getting over on the next country, for the problems in the Middle East (Lebanon, Syria, Libya, etc...etc....). Nicholas Sarkosi spoke out and said, "The Assad, Syrian Government has caused irreparable damage, to the Syrians, Syria's Leaders, and the Middle East as a whole. The Syrian leaders, lead by the Assad Family are wrong in thinking the public will not rise against the government, as it is in the human spirit to yearn to be free." The French leader has had more to say, publicly and privately, then anyone in the United States, including President Obama. Although Turkey, Iran, Yemen and Syria are definite problems, there is also wars in Libya, Iraq, and Afghanistan, so troop presences, from the United States would have to come with "peace keeping missions/forces," if they were to be sent in.

The more a person looks at the current problems in Syria (and Libya, the whole Middle East, really), the more involved the problems become. Syria is a major trading partner with Brazil, and Brazil gets oil, as a majority from Syria/Iran. Also, Brazil is in the middle of a booming economy, with it's natural resources to ship, worker's working for very little (for the exporting), and they are also looking to go off shore, very soon, which makes it all very hard to get it thru the South American countries. However, Brazil is also in a very hard place too, as their currency is at a place where they are in for a scare with major inflation. Therefore, why would there go with a Security Council Vote? They wouldn't. Then there is Lebanon, Israel, and Syria. Israel sandwiched between two governments who use Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Iranian Guard (similar to our C. I. A., highly trained and highly filled with tons of weapons). Lebanon is, basically, ruled Hezbollah, which does not think Israel has the right to exists (as per the Iranian Constitution, and what the Mullah's and President have all said repeatedly). In the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the Hamas group is part of the government (legally, thru elections, assuming they were not rigged) and is also an Iranian puppet group.

Where does the world go? What does the world do? How many people have to die, even thru such a complicated and multi-faceted problem? The world does not have any answers, other than the sanctions being drawn up and implemented. There is one "wild card," in all of this, as the U. S. sits by (like in Libya and 2009 Iran, when they had an "uprising", which was crushed, by lack of effort) and does nothing. Though, the United States could spread fliers, use the Net, hack into (other countries computers, to show the people we were with them) computers, and use Twitter, Face Book, and other social sites to let the people of the world. It would let those people, "know" they are no alone, and could end up as a greater option, then sending in air power and troops. The only thing the people of the world know, is Syria is killing it's civilians, over them wanting a new government, to be free, and to not live under a dictator. No matter how hard, grueling, or long a problem is, there is an answer, and it is people who yearn for freedom. Whether that "freedom" is like the United States, or if it is an elected government of different tribes, and/or elected officials. If a person yearns for freedom, they are just about willing to do anything to achieve it. They just need some help.

Copyright. DMAN @ TheThoughtSpigot.com
http://www.thethoughtspigot.com/

Gun Shows, The Media, & The Tea Party

Personally, I believe full disclosure should be the only way to go (due to the partisan rhetoric and ranker, from our government), and I am a "half independent and 1/2 libertarian," if a person was to rate, or have to put a label on me. Also, I have grown up with guns, around guns, have hunted, and understand that everyone should be able to protect themselves. However, I have also quit hunting, even though I ate the things I killed. I saw that I was able to buy whatever I need to eat, and their need not be "any" suffering, in the least, to the animals I may have shot in the future. I also believe that there is a difference and a "huge" facade, by the far right and the NRA, to try and make the AK-47's, AR-15's, and all the other heavy military weapons, used at "home defense guns." On the left, they to have the same talking points and the same tricks, but they are obviously looking to have the United States, "just like London, England" and the rest of the European Union. Now, with that being said, I will continue with the article.

Last weekend, I was able to muster enough strength and go to a "a major gun show in the Missouri area," with my father. I was there, not just to have a good time and look at high dollar, collector's, and just overall (to me) neat looking guns and knives with my dad, but also to look at the "tea party people" (which are often labeled by the media, as "gun nuts," "huge amounts of people, mobs if you will, who hoard guns and ammunition"), and also to just get a feel for the overall sense of who the people were that worked there. To be honest, there was about 10% that were just about as "batty" (or how MSNBC would label them), for my taste, in that they were there as obvious racists, obvious survivalists, and some separatists. Then there was about 60% that were die-hard gun owners, collectors and were seller's. NOT ONE GUN, THAT I SAW PURCHASED (48, while I was there, and witnessed the whole process) DID NOT DUE A BRADY/FBI CHECK, AND DID ALL OF THE CORRECT PAPERWORK AND PHONE CALLS. These dealers walking around and those people who were there to sell a gun, or two out of there own collections (I saw seven of these), asked for ID (which they didn't have to), talked to the guy (for more than 5-6 minutes, which they didn't have to), and they also made the decision to sell to each of those people (which they didn't have to, and two guys turned down people "for the asking price of their gun," do to the fact they did not feel "comfortable selling to those two people", and both were white men). Then there is about 30% of people selling everything, from purses, candles, and a combination of all kinds of items. As there is a certain amount of things, other than guns and weapons, allowed in each show (depending on the show).

Meeting more than 400 people personally, that day, getting pictures, and video, I did not have any bad relations, talks, and there was more people and vendors there to just talk about their own hobby. However, one stood out, from the other vendors/dealers. I walked up to the majority of the tables, but when I walked up to the table labeled, "She's A Pistol", I was really blown away. They had a mixture of things. Yet, the thing that caught my eye, was they had a set of "sensual clothes/bikini's" (see pictures below, there is nothing lewd about them), having a combination of pink with camouflage. Then I looked, more and a little more, and they had a mixture of outdoors things, clothes, and also some of the most "quiche" side of the outdoor world, I have ever seen. Then, up walks a lady, to help me, and we begin to talk about how they got started. These people did not only have the best booth, but they were also great people. They were not terrorists, did not sell any guns, and they were in the "norm of society." I would have to say, they were as far away from the "belt way, as they could be, but they had common sense and knew about a host of political issues. (If you wish to look at these cool things, not in my pictures, below, here is their web site: ( http://www.shesapistol.com/ and all questions, for thier products are to be directed to ( sales@ShesAPistol.Com ).

This was the overall vibe, of the whole gun show. It was not about whether you were one of those fringe elements, as those people who were there to buy a ticket "knew" who was for "them," "on the fringe," and/or just something they were not into, or were into. The people in between the aisles of sale, were a mixture of races, genders, and ages. There were people there of different sexual orientation, those that were way out on the "far right," and there was not problems. There was not any police action, except one rumor that a gun went out the front door, without the dealer, or the owner's permission, but they would not go into any details, or specifics. With the right and left side of the media, side of the population, or the fact that those who have given these shows a "label" (one way, or another), there is only one thing I would say about this show. It was "everything" the mainstream, right and left fanatics, and those who want to squelch "the right to bare arms," opposite, of what is coming out of the majority of those venues.

This is not the only gun show I have been to, or the only state (Missouri). I have been to more than fifty gun shows in my life, pretty easily. The only problem(s) I have ever seen, heard, or was involved in anything wrong (as portrayed in the media, the far side of each), was when I saw one white man (in one of the smaller gun shows, not that it makes it right), not serve someone of another color. This is the only thing, I have ever seen, heard, or witnessed bad, at any of these gun shows. Some people take these times to have and make money, others are there to let others see the collection, and then there are others that are at these gun shows, like I was (last weekend), to spend time with their father.

Copyright. DMAN @ TheThoughtSpigot.Com

http://www.thethoughtspigot.com/

LSU's Players Lack Of Respect & Violations, Cost Them A National Title

LSU Tiger Football just took a huge hit this week (pun intended), and a bit earlier in the week. It is official, LSU Tiger quarterback Jordan Jefferson and starting linebacker Josh Johns. Also, adding in the suspended and multi-talented Russell Shepard (think Dexter McCluster, the tandem brother combo at Oregon State (last year), or even Tyrell Pryor). These three players, all hammered, and justifiably so, by the NCAA and the LSU school, have not only jeopardized their own futures, but they just dashed the hopes of a National Championship, for sixty-five (plus) other teammates. Jefferson and Johns were both charged with 2nd degree battery, and both players bailed out on $5,000 bond. Though, Jefferson found out thru a text message/tweet, that he was wanted by the law, and he did walk in on his own, this is something that made Les Miles and the Tiger Staff to take action, suspending both players from all football activity indefinately.

LSU football will survive. They already have a quarterback (thought without the talent of Jefferson), in Jared Lee, in the wings who can fill in to the position. The second string quarterback, is a transfer, who just got to LSU in January, and the coaching staff had already admitted, that he was at least a year away, "though his arm strength is ready now." Johns, the linebacker, was just a back-up linebacker, but he has the same 2nd degree battery charge behind his name. However, the loss of Jefferson and Shepard, from the number four team in the land, is more than the Tigers and Les Miles can afford. The lack of respect of the institution (giving these players, OVER other deserving applicants), lack of respect for the law and the recipient of the "battery" (details are sketchy on who got hit and what went on, for sure), and then the lack of respect for themselves and their "teammates", it begs to question on whether Jefferson (especially), desierves another chance (after constant and other troubles with people in the law and life, counting 4 instances, to date, that are known). Especially, with (#4) Tigers versus (#3) Oregon Ducks (some think is the best team in the land), rolling into town on opening weekend. This game should be a precursor of things to come and the only question left:

Can LSU even make a bowl game this year, or do you start rebuilding, now?

Copyright. DMAN @ TheThoughtSpigot.Com
http://www.thethoughtspigot.com/

Rick Perry/George W. Bush II New Mantra Better Be..........

Texas Governor, Rick Perry is the "shiny new penny," in the 2012 Presidential race. He, in the latest Gallup Poll (as of 8-16-11), it shows: Rick Perry 29%, Mitt Romney 18%, and Michelle Bachmann 13%, has pulled ahead, to become the front runner. What does the "front runner" do on his first day? He says that the Chairman of the Federal Reserve (honestly a heinous institution, and poorly run, to say the least), Ben Bernake, was "almost guilty of treason," obviously a charge that carries a possible, death penalty (something for sure to come out later, Perry's Texas death prison rate, and how many times he has NOT "come to the aid". To be seen in another article). However, President Obama, who is out on a bus tour, for "jobs" (in reality, no pundit, White House Staff, or W.O.N.K. on the Hill, could say otherwise, that this is a tax payer, fund raising trip for Obama, right after the Iowa Straw Polls and Perry's recent announcement.), said the exact same thing, about the "far right/tea party" and that they were also guilty of treason, he just used six sentences to say it. Good politician, good speaker, and (aside from Bill Clinton) the best fund raiser in either party is Barack Obama.

I digress, back to Gov. Rick Perry, and what is soon to be his problem. He will act like, will look like at times, and he will most definitely be attacked as, George W. Bush, and possibly G.H. W. Bush, too, one never knows today). When the constant comparison comes up, "Rick, Rick, Rick, Mr. Perry what do you say, that you are just another George W. Bush, big oil, big Pharma, wrapped in a different package?" Wow, if that question would have been asked by anyone, to Rick Perry today, what would he have said? "Well, I can understand your question, but I am Rick Perry look at my record, look at his." C'mon, what would he have said? It would have been, something like that, and then the next ten months, he would have been branded "George W. II"!

His answer should have been, "Are you kidding me? You are asking me, if my 10 years as Governor, all of the things I have done, and all the while I was not in the White House, or anywhere near Capitol Hill? I did not have anything to do with George W. Bush, but good business and taking care of my fellow Texans. However, now I am running and am planning on "winning" the White House. Once this happens, I will have to look out for everyone of my fellow Americans, not just Texans, so no, I am no carbon copy of George W. Bush. I hope that puts this question to rest." If he would say that, and just take his lumps, over a Monday thru a Friday news cycle, it would stick. The Democrats and President Obama, would come off seeming petty and just name callers.

One thing is for sure, this election cycle will continue to continue to get more and more ugly. Both sides are far, far away from being individuals and are not going to play fair, this is the game of politics. However, the Republicans will be shown the door, as this election is going to be historic. Every single vote will count, there are 14+ months to the election, many things can change. However, Rick Perry's campaign, as him being a "shoot from the hip" talker, and a politician who will be (and could eat up) all of the new found glory, falling on his face. Though, he will not even get to Florida, if he will not stick to the "I am not George W. Bush II" answer down, and get it down fast.

Copyright. TheThoughtSpigot.Com by DMAN
http://www.thethoughtspigot.com/

America Home Of The Down?

In the light of another Serbian General being tried (at the Hague, Mladic, Serbian General in the "Kosovo Affair"), the latest kill of Osama Bin Laden, an Iraq and Afghanistan War, and the Libyan War (that isn't not even considered a hostility, by the Obama Office), and the countless other things people may have a problem with the United States, as a whole. Whether a person is a Democrat, Republican, through the Liberatarian table, pro war to a dove, or if they have no politics what so ever, but are just participating in America, in the best way they know how, I am sure that everyone can agree, for every problem, atrocity, multi-billion dollar affair/corruption, and so on................

Please remember, we are a country of immigrants, who has done more in less amount of time, than any other country in the history of this world. Through that "power"/"strength"/"grace" (whatever one wishes to call it), America, Americans, have done more and have helped more than any country in the world. We are Americans first. We should celebrate this with such zeal, as aside from our most core belief (some of our faiths), America and what it stands for, is always there, with people to answer that call. The humanitarian aide, while not perfect, is donated and given multi-times over, through the last 100 years, showing that America and Americans are about pride, making those people with less have more, and above all there are more people wanting and trying to come to America, The United States, to settle and make these free shores theirs, as well.

Please celebrate our gifts, and above all be safe today, as there are so many who can't be with us today. Have fun, have pride, be thankful for those fighting for those here in America, and show why America is the country it is, regardless of what may have been problems, perceived and/or real, over the last three to twelve years. God Bless America, and it's people.

Copyright. DMAN@TheThoughtSpigot.Com
http://www.thethoughtspigot.com/

PLEASE REMEMBER, ON OUR DAY OF CELEBRATION..........

"On this day of celebration, let's all take time to remember our loved ones, those who have come before us, the fight in Americans to bring our lives (if we so choose) to the next level, and NEVER forget our troops in combat, those back who have served, and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our beloved land. Please be safe and remember what the holiday is all about." -----Me

Copyright. DMAN at "TheThoughtSpigot.com"

http://www.thethoughtspigot.com/

Vacilating Obama No Surprise, And IS U. S. Voter's Fault

President Obama is one of the very best orators, politicians, and one of the top five to ten most charismatic Presidents, in United States history. He is a bright man, period. These are all things that voters and the world knew, when he began (even before, with his two books and his meteoric rise to President). Yet, there are a lot of things that are not coming true, policy and primary statements that have both sides of the aisle not in the best of moods, and most of the American people act like this is a big surprise? When President Obama was a Senator in 2007, he voted and spoke very harshly about George W. Bush's attempt to raise the debt ceiling (a problem coming in the next month, again). Not only has President Obama raised the debt ceiling 9 times, since his stint in the Oval Office, but here is what he said in 2006-07: ............."The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can't pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies. … Increasing America’s debt weakens us domestically and internationally." The debt ceiling is one promise, flip flop, or change of mind (however, a person wishes to characterize it), it just one example. President Obama made these promises on the campaign trail (and keep in mind, these are just the policy/U. S. things he has changed on, or can't explain. There is no Rev. Wright, birth certificate stuff, or personal problems, John McCain was to gutless to go after him on, before that 2008 election): First words, "I will cut all of the taxes on those 2% of the rich, and resend the Bush Tax Cuts." Action, he extended the Bush Tax cuts, even for the wealthy 2% and Wall Street, for two years. Original stance, "I guarantee, when I am President, I will close GITMO!" Actual action, it is still open. "Those of you who will go under the government's plan to 'reform health care', will not have any changes in doctors, procedures, or see anything change." Actually, people have had doctors retire, not take Medicare/Medicaid people (I know, I am one), there has been massive cuts in what tests people can have done (like instead of my quarterly blood tests, I only get two now.), and finally he has given over 1000 actual 'waivers' to major companies (GE, almost all the car companies, banks, and all the unions, just to name a few). Then it has been said/ruled on, by multiple states and courts, the whole ObamaCare system is not Constitutional, but he will not fast track it (which would save millions, literally, of dollars in attorney and court expenses alone), and even Joe Biden has said it is going to have to be handled by the Supreme Court. Then, there is all of the debt and spending. To be fair, there is $1 billion a week (yes, a week), going to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. On the campaign trail and in his first year in office, Obama said, "I will bring or troops home from Iraq, in my first year of office! (actually banging his fist on the podium). Yet, there are still troops there, whether if they are fighting, or sitting in lawn/sand chairs. They are still there. These things do not even touch the trillion dollars of debts he racked up, in his first two years of office. Where he spent more money, straight from the playbook of people like Allinsky, Piven, and the progressives throughout history, wanting government to run the lives of the United States people, rather than the states and people taking care of their individual regions (which all vary). All of these things have transpired, but this is not a bash President Obama post. It is a "YOU SHOULD NOT BE SURPRISED" post and it is nobody's fault, but the American people. Those who did not vote, did not pay attention, said "my vote won't make a difference," or actually voted for the man (even after all the problems with Rev. Wright, his voting "present" more times than "yes/no" in the Senate, the fact he was a Jr. senator, only serving for really two years (as he was traveling to get elected, the other two years of his senatorial stint), and everyone bought the "Hope and Change" slogan, "Hope and Change We Can Believe In." Well, we all got it. It is "change." We can believe in it, because look at the country, and how the democratic party (with a super majority, in all houses, and with a Dem. President), has spent more money than all the other President's, from Washington to President G.W. Bush. If the American people do not start caring, voting (even for school boards and alderman's, the most miniscule votes), and studying all of the candidates. Well, all that can be said is, "You will get more and more "Change", but it will have all the "Hope" gone out of it. American's should have known before Obama was elected, and if they do not know now, we all deserve whatever we get. Copyright. DMAN@TheThoughtSpigot.Com http://www.TheThoughtSpigot.Com

The XXX CHURCH And Pornography In The Mainstream

If you were out today, between 4:30-5 P. M. (CST)., then you may have then you may have heard two completely different and shocking things one the radio. On one channel, 96.5 "The Buzz" (on the "Lazlo Show, http://965thebuzz.com/) and then on 92.5 Bott Radio (on the Richard Land Show, http://bottradionetwork.com/), they were both talking about the exact same thing, but in completely different ways. They were both talking about "porn"/pornography and marriage, relationships, and outcomes from porn in the household. It would be up to the reader, here, to decide if you want to go and look at the pod cast, of either of these shows, there will be no shilling for either. Yet, there was some content that is striking.

From the online XXXChurch (http://xxxchurch.com/), there was a man who has been to the (two time a year) "Porn Show," and will also be attending this year, on the weekend of February 6 (http://xxxchurch.com/getinvolved/x3events/pornsunday.html). He was a pastor and has been going, with a couple of other pastors, and this year he will be going with the NFL's former quarterbacks John Kitna and Josh McNown, and on the site, Matt Hasselback (from the Seattle Seahawks) has a video clip. Having pastors and ministers going to a "Porn Show," for the last four years has brought a lot of different thoughts and feelings, from a lot of different faiths and Christian denominations. However, there is not any doubt, there is a huge problem with pornography in America. A $4 billion a year industry, it is touted from, "a marriage aid," to "keeping people with deviant/non-normal wants in the house, rather than acting out, in life."

(At the end of this, I feel the only way I can make this article credible, is to give a small sliver of my own story on this topic, as if I do not, I am just some "guy with an opinion.")

Moving on, the "keeping deviants in the basement and marriage aids" arguments is NOT going to be settled here. However, it is important for people to know the facts. Things as, the majority of married couples have sex less than 20 times a year, 58% (depending on the table/set of stats looked at) of marriages end with some kind of a pornography component, and more and more young men are having trouble (with the easy access, even free, in most cases, as more than 70% of men 18-34 have watched/viewed some kind of pornography, in the last WEEK. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pornography#Statistics) actually forming real, loving, and treating women, as they are to be treated. This is leaving a whole generation, without the skills and knowing what is real in the bedroom.

There is a general knowledge of what is thought of, some people know some things, but as a rule, the majority of people (ESPECIALLY men, and young men) think this is just a "good time," is normal stuff, and just part of the mainstream now. However, here are just a handful of statistics and websites (as I am not the one who should research every single thing, sell anyone on what they should/shouldn't believe, but at the same time I do need to give every reader, friends in most cases, but those who are my blog readers across the world, the tools and places to see for themselves. Then they may make their own decision.

Yet, feeling like I am not above reproach on this issue, in any way, as I have seen and viewed porn, just like the majority of society. However, when I was 25 years old (I am 38 now), I decided that I was going to take a whole year off from sex and six months off from dating women, as I had not had the best of luck. The only thing I could see, as a common denominator, in my failings in finding a wife, was the sex involved. I also realized that I had only one "clean/pure relationship," which last for about two years and it was a "true love" situation, and there was no sex involved. Now I am not going to go into why that relationship did not work out, but I will say that is was not either my, or the woman's fault, at that time in our lives (being just 19). Moving on, that one relationship was clean/pure, like I said, there was no porn in my life, and everything I know about that relationship was what every relationship (in my opinion) should be based on. After that year, I began dating again, also I was still looking at porn videos and some magazines, nothing crazy, just the "run of the mill" (as I would describe it) sexual stuff. I continued on dating, but not having sex and yet there was a well defined problem, with the women I was seeing, as I would be refusing sex (sometimes after 5 dates, sometimes after a couple months). This always ended the relationships/dating with the women, and I was either labeled "weird" (as why would a guy not want to have sex with a really nice looking women?), or else I was labeled "gay/homosexual." This is pretty personal for me, but like I said, the only way to be credible is to sometime go out of your comfort zone, and speak up. I ended up being hurt and after a while, the whole time still watching porn, I quit dating altogether. However, I also re-dedicated my life back to a Christian life, taking things in order (like apologizing to friends for some things in the past, then quit lying, then working on my body, mind, and soul, then family issues, and finally I came to the "porn problem." I can honestly say, that with the exception of "chewing tobacco" (which I still have not conquered), my trying to eliminate all porn out of my life was the second hardest thing I have ever done. It took almost eight months, 4 years ago, to get it all gone.) Now, everything is in the trash, no Net porn, and I stay away from the Cinemax shows, late at night, as well. I have to stress, though, how hard this was, and I never planned it to be that hard. This is why I have written the article, given the web sites and stats, plus the story of what I heard on the radio today. I only hope this helps, whoever it is supposed to help, with no judgment in me at all. I just hope that it reaches one person, as this is so pervasive in the mainstream, from the music, television shows, movies, even when you let your kids watch NickToons, or those childrens channels (like Hannah Montana, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, even Harry Potter, watch, as parents, how many times the little girls, dip into the camera, just showing off enough skin, to make a difference. Look at the shows reality and game shows, and see how many women and men are there in tight clothes, or loose clothes leaning into the camera, just for that three to five seconds, in order for the man (who watches and looks for these things) to see that little extra skin, cleavage, whatever. IT IS EVERYWHERE!).

Here are some of the stats and web sites, which you may read and then check yourself. However, I highly recommend and look at this http://www.xxxchurch.com/, as it will be a valuable experience. The rest is also good, so here you go:

This is from the web site (a porn participant, those who have been in movies, web site http://www.thepinkcross.org/, a site which is both for straight, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender porn actors/actresses):

At the 2003 meeting of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a gathering of the nation’s divorce lawyers, attendees revealed that 58% of their divorces were a result of a spouse looking at excessive amounts of pornography online.

Child pornography is one of the fastest growing businesses online, and the content is becoming much worse.

In 2008, Internet Watch Foundation found 1,536 individual child abuse domains.
Of 1351 pastors surveyed, 54% had viewed Internet pornography within the last year.
There are 4.2 million pornographic web sites, 420 million pornographic web pages, and 68 million daily search engine requests.

From the web site BlazingGrace (http://www.blazinggrace.org/cms/bg/pornstats), which includes statistics from TIME, LA Time Magazine, and then some other religious statistic sites, as well:

* The U.S. Customs Service estimates that there are more than 100,000 web sites offering child pornography (which are illegal) worldwide. Red Herring Magazine, 1/18/02
* Hollywood currently releases 11,000 adult movies per year – more than 20 times the mainstream movie production. LA Times Magazine, 2002.
* 39 million homes receive the adult channels in scrambled form, while the number of children with potential exposure to such images is about 29 millionMorality Continues to Decay. Barna Research Group, November 3, 2003.
* One in 4 American adults surveyed in 2002 admitted to seeing an x-rated movie in the last year. National Opinion Research Letter 55%: Percentage of Porn movie rentals vs. non-porn movies in hotels in 2005. AVN News, State of the Adult Industry
* The average time a porn movie is watched in a hotel room is 12 minutes.Time.com, 3-29-05

Here is also a list of sites, in which you may go to, in order to find out more, as you may have time:
http://xxxchurch.com/, www.womansavers.com/infidelity-statistics.asp (a site which is for marriage, women, and what happens within the marriage bond, do to pornography), www.purehope.net/statisticspornography.asp, http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/Pornography_Addiction, and http://www.wisechoice.net/porn-statistics/

Judeo-Christian/Christian Nation, But No Prayer At Memorial?

During this time of healing, listening, and heart felt needs, for the people, families and all United States Citizens, I do not think that it is very constructive to hammer any political party, blame anyone, but the shooter, for the horrific things that have happened in Arizona. I also do not think that talking about the President, his remarks, whether they were good, bad, or indifferent. As, this time and the time after, till people have been diagnosed with, or have made the recovery they will achieve thru Christ, and HIS blessings.

However, I will take the time to ask, how "P. C." (politically correct) does our country need to keep going, who makes these P. C. decisions, and what are they thinking, by alienating the majority of the country, which is CHRISTIAN, by having an "Indian Blessing," at the opening of a memorial service, for a congresswoman, who is still in a drug induced coma (in and out, now)? Are we that scared of our own history? The majority of our people's religious beliefs (I believe that 68% of America's people are/claim, some form, of Christianity as their belief system), and everything our country has been built on, from leaving the English Islands (to find this great land), to the Civil, Revolutionary, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan, and all of the other uprisings (Kosovo, Dar fur, etc..etc...), not to mention all of the great things Americans (thru their beliefs, not all Christian, of course, but predominately), that we are not going to open up a memorial service, for a sitting Congresswoman, those killed and wounded in Arizona, with a Christian Prayer? I do not want to go into a huge article on this, but I do want to make sure to point out; If our country was good enough to be founded on the Judeo-Christian/Christian principles, then a Judeo-Christian Prayer is the correct opening, for a live, prime time, memorial service, where the President of the United States will speak. Also, at a memorial service for people who have died, could still die, and are recovering (no matter what field they are in, or who they are), there is no need for whistling, cat calls, and rampant cheering, in a situation, supposing to be a moment of respect and reverence, to those people. It is not a time to hollar, yell, whistle, and constantly interrupt. Where is the decorum, in all of this? I believe this is also part of the problem.

We must, as believers, look at the black and white, of certain things. Even though, there were multiple references to "The Bible" and direct quotes from Christian leaders, there was still no prayer to the "Christian God." I am taking nothing away from Carlos Gonzalez (a Mexican and Yaky Indian descendant), and his beliefs. I am sure that his belief system, as all other of the Religions of the World, are just as important to them, as Christianity is for me. However, we do not live in "just Arizona." We are Americans. America was founded on certain principles, that should always be followed, put first, and regardless of the "political correctness" (as if there would have been a Muslim, or a Christian prayer at opening, those certain people, would have had a fit about it) never be sidelined for any reason(s). I hope people take this for what it is worth, and this is against what I usually do (take 24 hours to think about something, BEFORE I write about it). I am just stating, I am shocked, as I have NEVER seen a memorial service, for any political figure, or American (unless they specifically asked for a certain kind of prayer, type of introduction), that did not start with a Judeo-Christian/Christian Prayer. At least, I had not, until tonight.

Copyright. DMAN At TheThoughtSpigot.Com

http://TheThoughtSpigot.Com