McCain's Wise Choice

This is one that I called back on July 2. I think she is a stellar addition to the McCain team and will complement him well as a running mate.

"McCain picks Palin as running mate

Popular Alaska governor to be first female Republican VP nominee"

Pro-family, pro-life, conservative, pro-business, Christian. This choice shows to me that McCain will exercise some wisdom in his leadership -- surround yourself with people that offset the areas that are not your strengths. Strong leaders surround themselves with strong people.

Thank you, John McCain! The GOP now has its own "Rock Star" but ours has substance!

Abortion, Climate Change and the GOP

It is critically important that the GOP maintain its stance on the sanctity of life vis a vis the platform regarding abortion. It is hoped that progress in the fight to stop the destruction of future generations by the killing of unborn children will continue under the next administration. I believe that most people that seriously think about the issue agree with the view that life begins long before birth.

The platform concerning Climate Change is another issue altogether. The U.S. has one of the best records in the world of addressing issues affecting our environment. A healthy environment is achievable without sacrificing our economy or our standard of living.

The biggest threats to the global environment are in state-controlled countries and in extremely poor countries. In state controlled economies, where there are virtually no individual property rights, there are no personal incentives for taking care of the environment. There is instead, the natural human tendency to do the least possible for the meager living that is allowed by the state. Personal property rights on the other hand, give the owner of those rights incentive to protect that property. If he wants his land to be productive he is not going to destroy it by piling toxic chemicals on it (subject of course to education on the negative impact of those chemicals).

In poor countries, the issue is that the people are just focused on survival. How can they devote resources to "saving the planet" when they just want to know from where their next meal is coming.

If we really want to fight "climate change" we need to focus on raising the living standard of the world to ours. This involves better forms of government and abundant energy resources.

Have you ever noticed that the highest birth rates are in the poorest countries? Lower birth rates are closely correlated to economic well-being and education. That's where we need to focus our efforts and our money -- better governments around the world, abundant energy for developing economies and a general improvement of the economic well-being of the people of this world. When those things happen, "climate change" will be mitigated by the very people that today are contributing the most dangerous pollutants to our atmosphere, water and land resources.

Opium Wars in Afghanistan

When the economy of a country is in shambles, the people will turn to whatever means necessary to survive. This often includes raising crops destined for production of illicit drugs. Those illicit crops typically finance criminal and rebellious organizations that add to the political turmoil in a region. That turmoil keeps the economy in shambles and makes it more difficult for a conversion to legitimate crops. This is the problem in Afghanistan. Although progress has been made, the lawless areas of the Southwest part of the country are still the world's largest producer of opium. Drug users in the U.S. and EU are financing terrorists that are keeping the multi-national forces busy in Afghanistan. Are we our own worst enemy?

It is in some ways the old problem of the chicken or the egg. Can you fix the illicit drug manufacturer without first removing the rebel elements and restoring law and order -- or must you restore law and order first so that the drug trade can be eliminated. In reality, both must happen almost simultaneously to be effective. If we could rid the world of the drug users it would cut off the funding for the rebels.

What Kind of Handgun Are You?

I ran across this quiz on CZ the Day and couldn't resist.

I am a: Heckler and Koch, Model P7 in 9mm

What kind of handgun are YOU?

The Cost of Protecting Protesters

I respect the rights of various groups to protest at the national party conventions but I think they're wasting their time and the taxpayer's money. It will cost us over $100 million for special security arrangements in the two convention cities this year. The number of protesters could exceed 50,000 at each of the conventions.

We will be fortunate if they don't turn violent at some level. I don't think violence is planned by the protesting groups, however, it would be easy for a handful of individuals to incite the crowds into mob violence. Terror activity doesn't necessarily mean a suicide bomber. It could be a well-placed individual inciting the crowd -- it happened in the 60's.

I know that the convention host cities are excited about the money the media circuses will bring. I fear that they may regret the ultimate cost of the conventions if worst fears are realized. Most insurance policies don't cover civil unrest. Will the cities have to cough up the repair bill for their downtown if things turn ugly?

I pray that all will be peaceful.

Business Bootcamp for Disabled Vets

Texas A&M University has a long military heritage. It supplies more officers to the U.S. military than any other college or university in the U.S. other than the military colleges. I am proud of my university and that heritage. The article linked below is one more example of A&M's commitment to those who serve our country.


Disabled vets muster at business boot camp

When our soldiers return from active duty, adjustment to civilian life can be difficult. I applaud all those who seek to make that transition a little easier. Our country did a poor job of assimilating Vietnam Veterans. We must do a better job with our Iraq and Afghanistan Vets as well as those who served in other parts of the globe. After all, they have given themselves -- even their very lives -- that we might enjoy the freedom that we have.

Colleges and Alcoholic Consumption

There is a discussion sweeping college campuses across the nation concerning lowering the legal age for alcoholic consumption to 18 from the present 21. Some university presidents are endorsing it, others oppose it, but most are as yet undecided. I can best identify with the undecided category.

College kids are consuming alcohol anyway. Would decriminalizing their behavior make it more controllable? It might bring it out in the open a little more which would place it under the light of public scrutiny. I don't know.

There are plenty of other problems on our college campuses. Is alcohol a contributing factor to them? In many cases I suspect it is. I refer to a previous post.

If you are so inclined, weigh in on the debate. What are your thoughts?

New Study About College Students and Suicide

A new study indicates that a high percentage of college students have considered suicide. It is a sad commentary on our society. I'm no sociologists or psychologist or whatever "gist" you might think would properly analyze this, but a little common sense speaks to the reasons.

1) Pressure -- for grades, to fit in, for dates, over beliefs -- all adds up to "life is no longer easy and no one is really taking care of me anymore."
2) Lack of preparation -- oh, they may be ready academically, but too many of them have no preparation for facing real life with all of its challenges.
3) Socialization -- the process certainly starts in Kindergarten and continues through High School, but it is tempered by, hopefully, some influence at home that counter balances at least some of the socializing process. Some kids just don't fit in. They're told what, who and how they're supposed to be. If you don't fit -- you don't fit! However, it can be a difficult blow to those who don't understand that being "exceptional" is actually a good thing.
4) Just plain growing up. Most kids are still a bit immature when they hit college. Growing up and taking on the mantle of adulthood is not easy in Western society. We have no rites-of-passage. Maybe we need some.

The problem at least partially lies with the colleges and universities but it mostly lies within the home of the growing child. Too many are from broken homes. What a wonderful prospect to look forward to when evaluating potential mates. Many come from dysfunctional schools. If your High School doesn't prepare you for what to expect in college it only adds to the shock.

I think I'll quit now -- this is depressing. I have a senior in High School at home who is shopping for colleges. I'm thankful that he seems to have his head-on-straight. I pray that he will stay centered on Christ as he makes the leap to college. It is the BEST way to overcome what he will face.

Decisiveness in Leadership

When you consider the characteristics of a leader (I'm referring to the Presidency), decisiveness is one thing that seems to be high on the list of desirable qualities. We hear from the media how the people are ready for "change" and tired of the Washington insiders. What's interesting is how the one who positions himself as the candidate of change comes across as the smooth, political insider and the one who has been in Washington for years comes across as a bit rough around the edges and something of a "maverick." That "maverick" is showing that he can be decisive. The other one shows that he is a politician -- waffling over every potentially sticky issue.

The result is beginning to show in the polls. Let's hope that Senator McCain can keep the momentum.

Teachers and Firearms

Should teachers be allowed to carry firearms in a public school? The fact that we must consider such a question is a sad commentary on our country.

School violence has been in the news on a regular basis for a number of years now. The more media attention it receives, the worse it seems to get.

My first reaction is that in some of the inner city schools (stereotyping here), violence is more common than in smaller rural schools. I wouldn't want my daughter teaching in such schools. I would worry about her every day. However, school violence isn't confined to those schools. It happens in schools of all sizes and locations.

One would hope that the training and licensing process would weed out those individuals who should not carry a weapon. I doubt that it would. Proficiency, knowledge of safety procedures and such will not insure that the person carrying the firearm won't react in a way that jeopardizes the innocent kids in the event of an incident.

I think the best solution might be to hire or train a safety officer. Such an individual would preferably have police training and experience. In the event that they do not, they should go through training similar to what law enforcement officers do. There should only be one or two per campus. An administrator might be the preferred individual in the event that an outside safety officer is not hired. Our own school system utilizes the local police department and has an officer on campus when classes are in session.

I wonder what might be the liability issues for the school district?

Nominating Conventions and Boredom

I recall that as a youngster many years ago, the party nominating conventions for President were a big deal in our house. I loved to watch the speeches -- although at the time I probably was clueless about the implications of all that was said -- and I waited with anticipation the vote by state delegations for their choice of Presidential nominee. There was always an air of "the possible" and some doubt as to how the vote would turn out. That no longer is the case.

Today, the party conventions are a media circus with a foregone conclusion. The only possible question this year is in the Democratic Convention where there is an element of potential surprise by Hillary Clinton. This could be a good thing for Obama. It may create enough interest by the voting public to actually watch the convention to see just what she and her supporters will do. The Republicans don't have that type of question in front of them.

The Republican Convention promises to be boring. Many of the party faithful are less than enamored with their candidate. The vote is expected to be without event. The speeches will likely follow tried-and-true formulas. There is nothing that promises excitement with the possible exception of the expected nominee himself, John McCain. There may be some expectation that his performance will provide news fodder for a few days if his speech is less-than-satisfactory to the political-talking-heads.

Wouldn't it be more fun if it was more of a political brawl with backroom bargaining and ringing floor speeches attempting to sway the delegates? Instead, it will be canned speeches, foregone conclusions and endless analyses by analysts whose primary qualification is that they lost a political race at one time or another. Will there be an audience?

It seems to me that the candidates have more to lose than they have to gain. McCain will have difficulty overcoming the "boring-us-to-death" potential in Minneapolis. Obama will have to come across as Presidential -- not just a rock star. How the Hillary question is played will also affect voter views of him as a leader. I fear the American public will be the big loser as we are subjected to carefully orchestrated television performances -- if we watch at all.

Dancing With The Devil - 2

Money drives politics. Nothing new there. The average person really doesn't think too much about that fact except in the abstract. Occasionally, however, we get a glimpse of the murky side of the money equation.

The Democratic Party of Texas has struggled for several years now -- since Republicans took control of state government -- including both the House and Senate. In fact, they have steadily lost ground at the state level. There are some Democratic strongholds around the state, such as the Rio Grande Valley and parts of the larger cities, that continue to send Democrats to Austin and Washington to represent their interests.

One of the difficulties the party has faced in Texas is funding. With the majority of their support in low-income areas, they have struggled with the financial side of intrastate party politics. The national party has injected some funding, but when there are no hotly contested races, that funding is sparse -- until 2005, when Dallas lawyer, Fred Baron, teamed with Matt Angle, a long-time aid to Democratic Representative Martin Frost of Dallas to create the Texas Democratic Trust (TDT). The TDT has since become the primary source of funding for Democratic candidates in state contests.

Now comes the real twist. Baron has been implicated as being involved in John Edwards recent troubles with Rielle Hunter. According to The Austin American Statesman:

"After Edwards admitted last week that he had had an affair with Rielle Hunter when she was his campaign videographer, reports surfaced that Baron had helped Hunter financially. Baron told several media outlets that he had helped Hunter and former Edwards campaign aide Andrew Young, along with Young's family, move to California from North Carolina to escape tabloid reporters and paparazzi. Despite reports in the National Enquirer that Edwards is the father of Hunter's baby, Young has claimed to be the father.

Baron has said that he did not tell Edwards that he helped Hunter and Young, and he has not said how much money he gave them."

The Edwards scandal threatens to taint many of those connected with Baron because of his alleged involvement. One of the candidates who appears to have benefited greatly from the largess of the TDT is Diana Maldonado who is running for the House seat currently occupied by Rep. Mike Krusee, R-Williamson County.

I wonder how much influence $1.9 million can buy? In the same Statesman article:

"Other big donors were skeptical, Baron has said, so he paid for most of the effort himself.

He started the Texas Democratic Trust and gave it $1.9 million in 2005 and 2006, providing more than 80 percent of its funding.

In turn, the group gave about $855,000 to the Texas Democratic Party, $530,000 to the House Democratic Campaign Committee and $360,000 to the Texas Progress Council, an independent research and advocacy group.

Slightly more than half of the money raised by the state party's political action committee in 2005 and 2006 came from the Democratic Trust. Baron's recent donations are unmatched in Texas by anyone in his party."

It certainly makes you stop and think....

Texas Polls and the Senate Race

The Texas Senate race this year is a match up between the Republican incumbent, John Cornyn, and State Representative Rick Noriega, a Democrat. In many ways, it is easy for the people of the state to dismiss the race as a foregone conclusion. Such an attitude could be very dangerous for Senator Cornyn. That is why he is spending a lot of time campaigning this election season.

The latest poll, produced by the University of Texas, shows Cornyn with a lead of 13% with a split of 44% to 31%. That seems to be a strong lead until you consider that almost 25% of those surveyed expressed no preference. That large number could significantly sway the election either direction.

The large number of "no preference" voters may be a reflection of the general dissatisfaction with Congress and with government in general. In the same poll, respondents were asked to express whether they thought the country was heading in the right direction, or the wrong direction. Those who thought we were heading in the right direction accounted for 20% of the responses while those who thought we were heading in the wrong direction accounted for 67% of the responses.

Economic perceptions were also assessed in the polling questions. Respondents indicated they thought the country was in worse economic shape by 81% as compared to 2% believing the country was better off. I believe this response is largely shaped by media constantly barraging print and air with stories of how poorly the economy is doing. However, when asked about their personal economic situation, 51% thought their personal situation was the same or better.

The Presidential race is likely to have a strong impact on the Senate race vote. Many down ballot votes will follow the party of the voter's Presidential candidate choice. In the Presidential race, the votes track fairly closely with the Senate race with a 42% to 33% split -- slightly narrower, but strongly in favor of McCain. That leaves 25% who are either undecided are who prefer a minor party candidate.

The number that really stands out to me is the almost 25% who expressed no preference in the Senate and Presidential races. I believe that it is because they see Congress -- and government in general -- as not acting in their best interests. It reflects the growing segment of the population who feel powerless to affect the legislative process.

Consumer Price Increase Is Energy Surcharge

The rise in U.S. consumer prices being reported around the world is not unexpected. I find it interesting how most reports include statistics "stripped" of energy and food price increases. What they don't tell you is that nearly all of the increase is energy driven. Energy affects transportation prices for goods and services. It impacts input costs into goods and services. It affects direct operating costs of businesses. It is built into every item manufactured and every service offered.

My point is this: It isn't inflation that we are seeing, it is a fuel surcharge. If we want to see inflation controlled, we must cut our energy costs.

Iraqi Reconstruction and Budgets

Even as I continue to support the efforts of our troops and the Bush administration in Iraq, I agree that a successful conclusion to the operation is desirable. Part of success is the ability to stand on one's own feet and to take charge of one's own future. Reports of significant budget surpluses for the Iraqi government are an indicator of the success of both our efforts to reconstruct their country and of their own efforts at establishing a sound economic basis for survival.

While it is desirable that we continue to have a significant role in how the Iraqi economy is shaped as it moves toward our disengagement, it is also desirable for the Iraqi people to take greater responsibility for their own success. It is time that they utilize the oil revenue that has been enabled due to our efforts, to invest in their own country. I agree with Senator Cornyn's call for the Defense Department to begin transitioning reconstruction of Iraq's infrastructure to the Iraqi government. Let them pay their own way now that the means are available.

Some Random Thoughts, Links and Observations

I see that Candidate Obama took a Hawaiian vacation -- probably to check in with Pelosi and Reid -- while McCain stepped up his attacks. Senator McCain on the other hand is working with his speech writers on what is expected to be a brief address to the RNC.

Not all of the Democrats are getting a vacation though, it seems that Senator Edwards is busy dodging bullets about his admitted affair.

The Republican Congressional Leadership on the other hand, is spending its vacation speaking to an empty House in Washington. Ah, well, at least CSPAN is listening -- I think -- I haven't checked. Other Republicans are pressing their war to lower gasoline prices in a more practical manner -- by taking it on the stump and to the people. Senator Cornyn (R-Tx) has not let up on his efforts on behalf of energy consumers for several months now. He also expressed his disappointment with the EPA's rejection of Governor Perry's request for relief on the RFS mandates.

The President is in China for the Olympics while the U.S. government is condemning Russia for attacking Georgia, a U.S. ally. This brings to mind thoughts of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in the not-so-distant past. How far will we go on behalf of our allies? Senator McCain seems ready to go a little farther than the President. Perhaps he just isn't encumbered by the trappings of diplomacy yet.

The President and Putin have been discussing the situation in Georgia while grazing the munchies in China. I wonder how their little chat went?

Meanwhile, Paris Hilton is gaining ground in her newly announced bid for the Presidency. She is receiving important endorsements for her Energy Plan. She will have a difficult time getting it through Congress if she's elected. They don't know what an Energy Plan is apparently.

That's the days political news -- at least as much of it as I want to mention.

Democrats Walk Out on the American Public

It has been awhile since I posted here. It seems that not much has changed in politics other than the Republicans speaking to an empty house and C-SPAM (slip intended) since the Democrats pulled their usual "don't give a rip what the American public thinks" act and went to Aspen or wherever for vacation. We need an energy bill. It won't happen on Pelosi and Reid's watch. Pelosi is so busy "trying to save the planet" that she may not save her job -- we can only hope.