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/