Category Archives: Opinion

D DAY HEROES DISHONORED

Posted on June 11, 2010 | Leave a comment

D Day was the second day of WW II to go down in infamy. December 7th, Pearl Harbor Day was the first. On D Day the Allies stormed the beaches of Normandy, France and put boots on the ground in German held territory. .It was a day thousands gave their lives to rid the world of a bloody genocidal tyrant.

A memorial was built to honor those who fell that day. Bedford, Virginia was chosen as the site in recognition of the fact Bedford lost more men per capita that day than any other town or village in the country. Every June 6th.a ceremony is held; Presidents come to pay their respects on behalf of millions of Americans, Presidents that is, except Barack Obama who chose instead to go to a theatre party this year.

Hitler is credited with the murder of 6 million people. Evil though he was, he was outdone 10 times over by Stalin who is credited with the intended starvation and killing of 60 million of his own countrymen. Last year we dispatched a bust of Winston Churchill from the White House, an affront to the people of Britain. This year we added a bust of Josef Stalin to the D Day memorial, an affront to those who died to free the world of the evil Stalin represents. No, this sculpture by a Lynchburg college professor is not but an affront; it is a dishonor, a despicable slap in the face of the dead.

JOSEF STALIN, PERHAPS THE BLODDIEST DICTOR IN HISTORY

Bob B

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WHY OBAMA HAS FALLEN FROM GRACE

Posted on June 10, 2010 | Leave a comment

An alien in the White House

Dorothy Rabinowitz (WSJ) has written an insightful analysis explaining why Obama has fallen from grace by so many of his one time admirers. Her thesis is Obama is apart from America; he is among us but not of us. He is an alien in the White House.

There should have been nothing puzzling about [Obama] to anyone who has paid even modest critical attention to Mr. Obama’s pronouncements. For it was clear from the first that this president—single-minded, ever-visible, confident in his program for a reformed America saved from darkness by his arrival—was wanting in certain qualities citizens have until now taken for granted in their presidents. Namely, a tone and presence that said: This is the Americans’ leader, a man of them, for them, the nation’s voice and champion.

[Obama lacks those qualities expected in a President], identification with the nation and to all that binds its people together in pride and allegiance. These are feelings held deep in American hearts, unvoiced mostly, but unmistakably there and not only on the Fourth of July.

A great part of America now understands that this president’s sense of identification lies elsewhere, and is in profound ways unlike theirs. He is hard put to sound convincingly like the leader of the nation, because he is, at heart and by instinct, the voice mainly of his ideological class. He is the alien in the White House.

Ms. Rabinowitz continues,

One of his first reforms was to rid the White House of the bust of Winston Churchill—a gift from Tony Blair—by packing it back off to 10 Downing Street. A cloudlet of mystery has surrounded the subject ever since, but the central fact stands clear. The new administration had apparently found no place in our national house of many rooms for the British leader who lives on so vividly in the American mind. Churchill, face of our shared wartime struggle, dauntless rallier of his nation who continues, so remarkably, to speak to ours. For a president to whom such associations are alien, ridding the White House of Churchill would, of course, have raised no second thoughts.

Click here to read the full article. The authors observations of Obama’s appointees is particularly telling.

Bob B

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FINANCIAL REFORM BILL

Posted on May 25, 2010 | Leave a comment

Fannie and Freddie Redux

In the opinion of Sen. Gregg (R) N.H., the Senate version of the financial reform bill “is a disaster because it doesn’t address the fundamental underlining causes of the economic issue, which were real estate and underwriting. “ The focus in the drafting of this legislation “was directed at scoring political points.”

Two things are horribly wrong with the Senate bill which was drafted primarily by Sen. Dodd. First, the bill creates a giant new government authority with the propagandic title “Consumer Protection Agency”. Its provisions center, not around protection, but around ordering banks to lend “on social justice purposes instead of safety and soundness purposes.” In other words the new rules would be a form of affirmative action for banks to lend to borrowers of questionable ability to repay, all in the name of social justice.

The current financial crisis, the one that Rahm Emmanuel urged Democrats not to waste, was the natural consequence of large scale lending to borrowers who could not afford to repay. A high level of sub-prime lending was mandated by HUD and facilitated by the Government Sponsored Entities (GSE) known as Fannie and Freddie with added help from Greenspan’s low interest rates. The federal government set up the conditions in the real estate market that led to its inevitable collapse. The Dodd bill just passed by the Senate would set up similar conditions in the consumer lending industry as it did in real estate.

The second problem with the bill is the unintended consequence of less regulation of derivative markets.  The prohibitions in the bill are likely to cause those markets to find a home overseas where restrictions are less onerous and out of reach by U.S. regulation. Such a response would be what economists call “rational expectations”.

Remember, social justice, to the left means equal status. To achieve social justice, wealth must be redistributed.

Bob B

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THE SPIRIT OF AMERICA IS ALIVE AND WELL

Posted on May 24, 2010 | 2 comments

A bumper sticker seen on a pickup truck in Charleston, S.C. said:

Annoy a Liberal, Work Hard Be Happy.

That sticker said a lot in a few words. Folks of the conservative persuasion are not given to participating in the nuisance of public demonstration. Self reliance nourishes the soul, life is good and too short to spend it pacing around with signs proclaiming the grievances du jour…normally.

But there is a line. If you will permit me to say it, it is liberally placed. You may step on our toes, you may kick us in the shins with little response. But, my liberal friends, when you bludgeon our groin and aim at the heart of where we live we will rise up.

You may not recognize our furor for it is of a different nature from yours. The Nazi signs you expect are yours, not ours. The spits and slurs you expected are your way, not ours. Whatever hatred we harbor is toward what you believe. Whatever hatred you harbor is toward who we are.

We are the defenders of individual freedom. We are the proponents of equal opportunity for all. We are proud of our country. We are the spirit of America.

Here are samples of how we speak our truth to power.

The day Conservatives stood up.

The Associated Press estimated total attendance to be 2 million.

Farrakhan’s “Million Man March” attracted 400,000 people according to the National Park Service estimate..


Protesters came from every state in the union. This man came from San Antonio, TX . He said that he was really sorry he hadn?t brought his family. He stated that being a black conservative he was afraid to expose his children to what he expected would be a lot of liberal abuse. He was thrilled with the tenor of the event and the fact that no liberals were present to harass him. He spoke about how incredibly intolerant the left is to black individuals who don’t bow to the party line.

Can you hear us now?

You surely will hear from us in November.

Catchy, but premature to be sure.

The fearsome mob.

Protesting in style with humor and a smile.

Check out our website.

The other mob, the one that does not wear SEIU shirts.

Joe the plumber's favorite photo.

This is about as nasty as it got.

******************************

Here are samples of how you speak your truth to power.



And these are the people who claim the moral high ground.

Bob B

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RANDOM OBSERVATIONS

Posted on May 18, 2010 | Leave a comment

In “Kagan on Reagan” a certain sagacious blonde quotes Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan as having written of Ronald Reagan’s election that “the world has gone mad, liberalism is dead and that there is no longer any place for the ideals we held or the beliefs we espoused”. The lady, (Kagan, not the blonde) is no moderate. She is a true believer in the progressive theme.

Bye the way,” progressive”, that’s propagandic for regressive of course.

If I were you, I would take a cue from Mae West and go up and see this blonde sometime. You will see a nice set of articles if you do. The key to her room is http://mobyrebuttal.blogspot.com/ .

Next. I noticed the New Yorker magazine has something to say about Tocqueville in America in the latest issue. In 5 or 6 pages they managed to make Christianity look pretty silly but didn’t find space available to print his rather timely statement that “America will last until the populace discovers it can vote for itself largess out of the public treasury”.

Finally. It seems Obama is dissing America by proxy now. Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner has been assigned the duty of urging the Chinese to improve their humanitarian policies. He led the discussions by volunteering that Arizona’s new illegal immigration policy is a violation of basic human rights. Somehow I don’t think murdering dissidents is the same thing as enforcing laws on illegal immigration. What is it about this administration that causes them to think negotiations will be more fruitful if you humiliate yourself at the outset?

Bob B

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PAPANDREOU BLAMES AMERICAN BANKS

Posted on May 17, 2010 | Leave a comment

The Greek leader has said he might consider suing American banks as responsible for Greece’s insolvency. This is not as stupid as it sounds. Papandreou knows the lenders are not responsible for his nation’s virtual bankruptcy. He also knows his popularity is plunging and he must focus the anger of the Greek people away from himself if he is to have any hope of continued political power.

There lies throughout Europe an underlying resentment of America and a distrust of banks, Wall Street and capitalism. They serve well as straw men toward which the arrows of public discontent may easily be deflected. The idea of suing the banks may be absurd on its merits but at the same time a wise step for the man who put it forth. This is the mud of which the building blocks of a political house are formed.

This one is for Citibank! And the people cheered.

Nor does it appear the man is fighting a lost cause. Papandreou’s popularity has sunk below 50% but he still leads his closest opponent by 17%. His chances for re-election appear good. In a nation with multiple parties a plurality is all that’s needed.

One should not be too quick to take a politician’s actions at face value. There is an old joke that asks, “How can you tell when a politician is lying?” The answer is “His lips are moving.”

Bob B

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PRESIDENTIAL COMMENCEMENT SPEECHES

Posted on May 13, 2010 | 1 comment

There is really but one outline for commencement speeches, – Congratulations. You have worked hard. New challenges are ahead. But the world is your oyster, so go get ‘em tiger! Now and then a speaker ignores the outline, sometimes for better, sometimes otherwise. The two Obama’s gave commencement speeches as Presidents and First Ladies are wont to do. Neither one of them stuck to the outline. Both introduced elements of race.

Ladies first. Michelle chose to speak at The University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff, a historically black school. She extended her congratulations and spoke of the challenges ahead. Then she spoke of Martin Luther King’s fight for equality but did not mention his dream of a color blind nation. She spoke of her husband and how he had to overcome special adversity. She spoke of injustices and of marches and blood that was shed. She spoke of civil rights activist Dr. Dorothy Height, quoting her statement regarding black activism that “This is my life’s work. It is not a job.”

Martin Luther King’s dream was of a color blind America. Michelle’s message did not help to further the realization of that dream.

Barack chose to speak at Hampton University in Virginia, also a historically black school. He too spoke of Dr. Dorothy Height and how she was denied her dignity as a black woman. He noted the disparity in educational achievement between blacks and other racial groups in America, the implied cause being social injustice.

The periods of slavery and segregation should not be forgotten, and they will not be forgotten. That is why we celebrate Martin Luther King Day. However, I am concerned that our first family may be gently stoking the ashes of resentment that Dr. King worked so hard to bury.

Bob B

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EUROPE SAVES ITSELF

Posted on May 10, 2010 | Leave a comment

Fat finger Freddie freed from fault

All it took was a trillion dollars worth of Euros. We said it would happen…this time. It happened…this time. The bailout will likely bring about 10 years of relative peace, or call it 3 election cycles. During this period we will find out if the close call put the fear of God in the minds of European voters or if they will continue with their socialistically modified form of capitalism.

On May 7th we wrote regarding the market gyrations, “the word is, that someone at Citigroup placed an order to sell Proctor and Gamble and hit the B key instead of the M key”. Indeed, that was the word at the time. The fat finger theory has faded, to be replaced by a big question mark. Nobody knows, so let’s speculate.

It was an act of inhumanity. Once upon a time human beings decided which stocks to buy or sell and at what price. This is no longer the practice except by a few elderly people who probably don’t have cell phones yet either. Today humans set strategy, and then delegate the details to computers to carry out the strategy. To paraphrase a well known cliché, “computers do, or crash and die, but never reason why”. Computerization, which I am calling inhumanity, is rampant on both sides of the street as well as in the middle of the pavement itself. By that I mean the buying community, the selling community and the exchange are all programmed to leave it to an Intel processor to handle the actual trading.

There was a great deal of nervousness milling about, stocks had run up too fast, Greece was scaring everyone, etc. So the strategists drew lines in the sand and told their computers to take immediate action if the lines were crossed. Normal procedure, but this time there was more uniformity of opinion among the players as to where to put the line and it was a tight line. Triggers triggered triggers and down she went, faster than humans could figure out why.

That’s my speculation. It remains, as usual, for Congress to investigate and deliver the final word so that we need speculate no more.

Bob B

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Posted on April 30, 2010 | Leave a comment

Around the states

NY Governor Paterson has said that 22% of New York State revenues come from Wall St taxpayers. The Governor has expressed concern that the proposed new laws may result in erosion of New York City’s status as the world’s financial center. We at Random Thots believe there is more pomp and circumstance than there is substance in the current condemnations of Goldman Sachs, et al. Some senators are making noise, but there is little to fear from the administration on this score. Still, it is a bit disturbing to see the reputation of our financial institutions tarnished beyond what would be necessary for honest reform.

The only state in the nation with a sizable population and without a budget shortfall is Texas. Others are Alaska, Montana, Wyoming and West Virginia. It is notable that all of them, including Texas are “red” states. They are states filled with the sort of people who take pride in self reliance and individualism. Their geography has help to save them from the fates of Oregon and Vermont whose natural beauty and proximity to liberal dominated populations have seen their cultures inverted by invasion from their neighbors.

If you are searching for a decent Democrat, a man of good character, you will find many. I would nominate Arnold Schwarzenegger. Oh, I know, he ran on the Republican ticket but he governs as would a Democrat. He may be the only (R) governor in the country to give full support to Obamacare. It will take a Republican to pull California out of the hole. Arnold won’t do it.

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RON PAUL RISING ?

Posted on April 20, 2010 | Leave a comment

A Rasmussen poll puts Ron Paul in a dead heat with Barack Obama, 42 to 41 percent. Why are Ron Paul’s poll numbers so high? Because people are fed up with Washington, that’s why. Clinton soiled our house with Monica. Bush took us on a hunting trip for a target that did not exist and spent like a Democrat. Obama is selling America short around the world and leading us into bankruptcy at home. Taxes are going up and health care is going down.

Along comes Ron Paul, riding into this melee of disgust with his Libertarian message to eliminate the federal government, or at least a big part of it. He wants to bring all the troops home, end foreign aid, abolish the IRS and the Department of Health and Education. Hip! Hip! Hooray! for Ron Paul!…However, Paul’s popularity is a but a primal scream.

He has no chance of winning the nomination for the Republican party. His popularity will wane with time as sane Americans see him as a bit of a nut. It is one thing to cheer him on between elections but quite another to put him up as your candidate. Both conservatives and Republicans know that. However, the man is tenacious and has a loyal hard core constituency. President – no, spoiler – maybe, but only if he bolts the party.

Bob B

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