Are they smart enough to vote?

Leonard Pitts says that state laws that require a photo ID to vote are all about race. Blacks "live in the margins." "You have no driver's license because you have nothing to drive." I don't know about that. It seems that even those who live in shacks with leaking roofs and tumbled down porches usually have an old Cadillac in the yard along with a satellite dish on the roof and a big screen TV in the parlor. Leonard says, "You have no passport because you've never been out of the country." There are lots of white people who've never been out of the country, either. According to Leonard, "You have no other photo ID because you have no bank account. You work and get paid under the table, a wad of cash sliding from hand to hand." So Leonard thinks people who cheat the IRS and Social Security should be allowed to vote?

But, for the sake of argument, let's agree with Leonard on all these issues. These people have no photo ID's. My contention is . . . black, white, red, or yellow . . . if they're too stupid to apply to the state government which will provide a photo ID at no cost, then they're too stupid to vote anyway.

"Of course voter IDs are about race." The Dallas Morning News; January 9, 2012; p. 11A.

Guard your children!

An unnamed coalition of health and education groups recently released new education guidelines for public schools.

According to the guidelines, by the end of 2nd grade, students should use the correct names for the male and female body parts. I assume this entails showing them illustrations of said body parts. If I had a second grade child, I wouldn't want anyone besides me or Mr. Essie May teaching him or her about the parts of the opposite gender. I think that's just a wee bit early for someone besides family to be talking to them about such sensitive subjects.

By the end of second grade, these so-called experts say, students should "know that sexual orientation is the romantic attraction of an individual to someone of the same gender or a different gender." Does that sound to you like they're trying to make homosexuality sound normal? It certainly does to me. We need to go back to the time when second graders had absolutely no concept of sex except for little boys thinking kissing girls is icky.


By the end of middle school, they should be able to "differentiate among gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation." I guess that means they should be able to pick out a homosexual or a transvestite in a crowd.

By the end of high school, students should be able to "evaluate the effectiveness of abstinence." Well, duh! It's 100% effective!

If you believe that these guidelines are a legitimate attempt to provide information and not an ideological brainwashing exercise, as someone I'm quite fond of likes to say, "I have a nice Italian fountain on the Plaza downtown that I'd like to sell you."

"Beyond the birds and the bees." The Dallas Morning News; January 10, 2012; p. 12A.

Interesting Point

Greg Glennon of Garland raised a very interesting point about Obama's inconsistencies. Remember how he stood behind the unions in Wisconsin when the governor and legislature there cut benefits? Now what does he want to do? He's cutting the same benefits for the military. As Mr. Glennon says, "Put your life on the line, and the president reduces your benefits. Join a union, own a large bank  or build a 'green' product, and taxpayer funds are readily available."

" . . .And don't expect outcry." The Dallas Morning News; January 10, 2012; p. 10A.

How's that Obamacare working for you?

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, consumers nationwide are bearing more and more of the cost of health care, with millions losing their insurance and those still insured paying higher premiums and spending more out of pocket.

Thank goodness for Obamacare!

"Growth in medical spending slows as consumers pay more." The Dallas Morning News; January 10, 2012; p. 1A.

What does Richard Cordray mean to you?

In another power grab, Obama appointed Richard Cordray as the director of his new consumer protection agency. The appointment was made while Congress was not in session (according to Obama), because Obama knew that approval of Congress for this man was not likely. The appointment was probably illegal, but that's an issue for another post.

So what does this mean to you? Under the guise of protecting the consumer, this agency will begin regulating mortgage servicers, student lenders and payday-loan companies. According to the newspaper, some areas of consumer finance will remain outside the bureau's reach, but the very next paragraph in the article belies that statement. ". . .the consumer protection bureau can supervise only non-bank companies it defines as 'larger participants' in their markets." Notice the italics. The bureau, itself, gets to decide who and what it will regulate. We are fast losing our freedoms in the name of "protecting the consumer." The consumer better learn to protect himself before it's too late!

"Appointment expands watchdog's oversight." The Dallas Morning News; January 5, 2012; p. 2A.

My Jakadrien Turner Theory

Jakadrien Turner is the teenager who told ICE she was an illegal alien even though she was born and raised in the U.S. She was deported. Why would she tell them that?

Essie's theory: She had met some Columbian boy, either in person or over the internet, and she wanted a free trip to Columbia.

Remember, you heard it here first.

Sidenote: Jakadrien's friends need to make sure they stay in school. They all met her at the airport when she returned to the states. The newspaper photo shows one of them holding up a sign: "So glad your home."

"Deported girl back home with family and questions." The Dallas Morning News; January 7, 2012; p. 1A.

Crazy or Just a Publicity Hound?

Bob Jag shot his wife in the face six times in 1988. He now resides in the Texas Department of Corrections. Bob has three step-daughters -- the children of the woman he killed. They now run a movie production outfit in California.

They recently came to Texas to "mediate" with Bob about the heinous crime he committed all those years ago. They wanted to do a documentary about the mediation process. Maybe I'm a little clueless, but just what is there to mediate with a man who murdered your mother? At any rate, the sisters say they have been "re-victimized" by the TDC because they will not allow them to film the mediation.

If their real motivation is some sort of reconciliation with this man, why is it so important to them to film it? In fact, I can see that filming it could inhibit the man to confess and beg their forgiveness. And if they're really talented film-makers, don't you think they could re-enact these scenes for their documentary? Other documentary makers do it all the time. 

Kelley Whitis, one of the sisters, says that she went in without any expectations, and she's glad she did, because no apology from Bob was forthcoming. However, she said, she began to feel empathy for him. Really? A man who shot her mother six times? She said, "I saw a lonely and scared 12-year-old. I saw a little boy who had been lied to and manipulated by women . . . since he was a child. Because of this, he assumed all women would lie and cheat. He reached his wits end with my mother. Because she wanted to leave him, he decided no woman would ever leave him again." I don't know about you, but I think that either this woman is a publicity hound, or she's missing a whole bunch of her marbles!


"Sisters confront their mother's killer." The Dallas Morning News; January 8, 2012; p. 7A.

The Answer to the Question

No one seems to know why Jaime Gonzalez, Jr. took a pellet gun that looked remarkably like a more lethal weapon to Cummings Middle School in Brownsville, Texas. But multiple witnesses agree on what he did once he got there. He assaulted one student by punching him in the nose and then stormed the halls with the weapon drawn.

The principal called 911. When the police arrived, they repeatedly instructed Jaime to put the gun down. He refused. The police did what they had to do -- they shot him.

Jaime's father says the only thing he has left to say is "Justice." When asked to explain, he said, "Justice means finding out why they shot him the way they did."

I can provide Mr. Gonzalez justice right here and now. They shot him, because they had no way of knowing if the weapon was real or not. They shot him, because he endangered their lives and the lives of the students and faculty at the school by refusing to put the weapon down. They shot him, because they had no idea what he intended to do next. It's as simple as that.

"A lesson from student's death." The Dallas Morning News; January 8, 2012; p. 3A.

Elvin may get his wish.

Elvin Taylor of Waxahachie responded to an article about Medicare cuts in physician reimbursements. Elvin says he doesn't feel sorry for those doctors. I don't think Elvin gets it.


Elvin says that he's 80 years old, and he had trouble finding a doctor close to home when he moved last year. He says he finally found one 20 miles away. Guess what, Elvin? The problem is that fewer and fewer doctors are accepting Medicare patients because their costs are not being covered.

Elvin says the doctors won't refill his prescriptions unless he comes in for an office visit even though he's not sick. Guess what, Elvin? FDA regulations prohibit doctors from prescribing certain medications without seeing the patient. The doctor could lose his license to practice if he prescribes for you without seeing you. Guess what else, Elvin? If you're not sick, you don't need to be taking any medicine. Obviously something is wrong, or you wouldn't need the drugs.

Elvin complains that the doctors bill Medicare $150 for the office visit. Guess what, Elvin? Most doctors have high-tech equipment that helps them to diagnose your problem. That equipment isn't cheap. Most of them have receptionists who handle your calls for appointments. They must be paid. Most of them have clinics requiring electricity, running water, telephones, computer equipment. They have to pay for all that. Guess what, Elvin? Most of them have nurses on staff to help insure you receive optimal care. Those nurses didn't spend time in nursing school to volunteer their services -- they must be paid. Guess what, Elvin? The salaries of those nurses and receptionists aren't the only costs associated with employing them. The doctor has to pay social security and unemployment taxes not to mention any other benefits he might provide. Guess what, Elvin? That doctor spent approximately 12 years in school to take care of you, and it cost him a small fortune. He should be compensated for that.

Elvin says we should look at the homes they live in and the cars they drive and the property they own. Guess what, Elvin? I don't care whether he lives in a 15,000 square foot mansion or a 2-room apartment. I don't care whether he drives a Jaguar or pedals a bicycle to work. I only care about what kind of medical care he provides.

Elvin suggests those greedy doctors change professions to see what teaching in the public schools is like. Guess what, Elvin? You may get your wish as the effects of Obamacare and Medicare cuts drive more and more of them out of the profession. Then you'll be lucky to find a doctor within 200 miles of your house. I don't think you get it, Elvin.

"Doctors have it made." The Dallas Morning News; January 2, 2012; p. 8A.

Mama always said . . .

Sometimes when I read the letters to the editor in the newspaper, I can't help but think of Forrest Gump. "Mama always said, 'Stupid is as stupid does.'"

J. E. French of Dallas certainly reminded me of Forrest's mama's wisdom. J. E. says that we don't understand what a capitalist society is. He says we've been taught that socialism and communism are "bad, evil even."

But capitalism, J. E. says, really means getting the most we can for the least amount we have to pay (and I guess he thinks that's bad). He says that if you've ever felt you should be paid more, you're probably right. Because your mean old boss wants to keep all the wealth for himself. He says most of us deserve more money, and he'd like the wealth in this country to be spread around. He asks, "How do we start the process of Occupying Capitalism?"

Remember, J.E., you asked. Here's the answer to your question. Don't wait for your employer to spread the wealth -- you should start the ball rolling and set the example yourself. I'll just bet that there are employees at your company who make less than you do. Let's say you're making $12.50 an hour, but the guy who works in the department with you makes only $8.50 an hour. You go tell your boss that you want to give $2.00 an hour of your pay to the $8.50 guy. That way, you'll both be making $10.50, and you will feel really good about yourself for having spread your wealth and given nasty old capitalism a good swift kick in the rear.

In the same letters column, Peggy Simpkin of Dallas suggested that manufacturers and auto dealers be required to install ignition devices to test for intoxication on all vehicles. It's no different, she says, than requiring air bags and seatbelts. Yes, Peggy, it is different.

Air bags and seatbelts are basic safety devices. They have nothing to do with the ability of the driver. Mr. Essie May and I do not imbibe. Why should we have to pay several hundred dollars more for a vehicle and contend with the hassle of having to blow our unintoxicated breath into a machine before we can drive? I foresee malfunctioning machines that won't start the car even when the driver's had nothing to drink. I foresee so-called friends blowing into the machine for driver's who've had one too many. I foresee people making a little black market money by disconnecting the devices. You don't penalize the majority for the sins of a few. You enact strict laws and then enforce them. No deferred adjudication or expunged records -- when the law says you go to jail for good on the third offense, that's exactly what should happen. It's hard to drive drunk when you're in the gray bar hotel!

"Can we occupy capitalism?" The Dallas Morning News; December 27, 2011; p. 12A.
"Deadly distracted driving." The Dallas Morning News; December 27, 2011; p. 12A.

Cathedral of Hope? Or Cathedral of Delusion?

Doesn't it seem preposterous that a church could be founded on the basis of one's preferred sin? And then that the members could be so delusional as to believe that God is blessing them for it?

That seems to be the case with the Cathedral of Hope - a "church" founded for gays. During the Christmas season, they had a children's Christmas pageant there. Twenty years ago, when people were still spiritual enough to be somewhat ashamed of their sin, the church didn't have a children's ministry. It's a sign of our times that homosexual couples now have enough children to start one. It's the focus of that ministry that concerns me.

David White is the chairman of the church's board of directors and the "father" of 9-year-old twin boys. He said the children are taught "faith with a focus on total acceptance." Does that mean that he wants his sons to accept pedophiles, murderers, liars, thieves, and bigots? Can he show me a scriptural case for that? I don't think so. In fact, God says to "believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." And then He says, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves . . . Without natural affection, . . . lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."



Ask Ananias and Sapphira about the consequences of "playing" at being good Christians. God doesn't want us to play church. And if the church is founded on a lie -- that homosexuality is "normal" and "right" -- the members are delusional and that's exactly what they're doing.

"Kids give Cathedral of Hope wings." The Dallas Morning News; December 19, 2011; p. 1B.

The Big Drawback to Social Security

I came across an interesting take on Social Security in a financial advice column. The question was whether or not expected Social Security benefits should be counted as an asset. The answer was that they should not.

Why? Because it's not your money. You are entitled only to a monthly stipend from it. If you've paid in $100,000 over the years to Social Security, and you die after having drawn out only $25,000, that's it. Your heirs (aside from a spouse) do not pass go and do not collect $200.

Mr. Essie May and I have a couple of other retirement provisions. Unlike social security, they are assets. Why? Because it is our money. If one or both of us should die before we have drawn out what we paid in, our heirs will get whatever remains.

And that is why Social Security needs to be phased out. The American people are being scammed out of their own money -- and being told it's for their own good.

"You can calculate Social Security's worth, but don't count it as asset." The Dallas Morning News; December 15, 2011; p. 1D.

Better Than First Bimbo

George Palmer of Dallas makes fun of Newt Gingrich: "Have we ever had a third wife as first lady," he asks.

I know we've had some second wives as first ladies, but I wonder what designation we give the bimbos and the mistresses of Bill Clinton, JFK, and FDR? At least Newt has enough moral fiber to marry instead of corrupt and degrade young interns in government offices.

"A Gingrich first?" The Dallas Morning News; 12/15/2011; p. 16A.

And what has one to do with the other????

Randy Lawhon of Forney says he noticed a "very revealing" juxtaposition of items in the newspaper. One was headlined: "Man arrested after shots are fired at White House." The other was headlined: "Portability of gun permits is backed."

He says this speaks volumes about the values of our society. I'm not sure I understand what he means. Does he think that the nutcase who fired the shots at the White House had a gun license? Or does he think that if a person is determined to shoot at the White House, he'll think, "Oops! Can't do that. I don't have a license"? Or does he think that if all states recognize the licenses of other states we'll suddenly have a spate of assassination attempts? If that's not what he means, just what does he mean?

"Gun culture on display." The Dallas Morning News; 11/20/2011; p. 2P.

In your opinion, how much are they worth?

Aubra Thomas of Dallas says that "extreme income disparity is undesirable, dangerous and ultimately unsustainable." I don't think Aubra has the faintest idea what she's talking about.

I don't know what Aubra does for a living, but let's suppose she's spent eight years in college and another three to eight years in internship to become a doctor. And let's suppose that the janitor at the clinic she just opened dropped out of school in the 10th grade. Aubra's now bringing in somewhere in the neighborhood of $200,000 a year. In terms of hourly pay, let's say she works a 60 hour week. That means she's making roughly $96 an hour.  She's paying the janitor $8.50 an hour. That's an extreme income disparity. But if she's in that position, do you think she thinks it's undesirable, dangerous and unsustainable? I kind of doubt it.

There is a solution for Aubra. If she's the doctor, she can raise the janitor to $52.25 an hour. Then there won't be any income disparity. There's also a solution if she's the janitor. She can get a grip on her envy and stop worrying about how much money other people make. Then she can get her rear in gear and do what it takes for her to get a better job.

"Income disparity matters." The Dallas Morning News; November 20, 2011; p. 3P.

Another Case for Strict Deportation of Illegals

Santana Gaona was accused of rape. He was placed in Dallas County jail and red-flagged as an illegal immigrant. For some reason, the rape charge collapsed, but he was still here illegally. So one would assume, that since he was already in custody, he would be deported. Not so. Federal immigration officials say they can't reveal why they cancelled their detainer and allowed him to be released from jail.

Seven weeks later, he shot and killed Jesse Benavides at a family birthday party in Dallas. FBI Agent Danny Defenbaugh is bumfuzzled by the situation. "I wouldn't expect any law enforcement entity to let the guy run amok," he said, adding that it sounded "ugly." I expect there are quite a few people who share Defenbaugh's puzzlement.

"Freed illegal immigrant suspected of murder." The Dallas Morning News; 11/05/2011; p. 1A.

Another Installment of Why Johnny Can't Read

At Lake Highlands Elementary School in Dallas, they evidently have brilliant students who learn their lessons so quickly, they have nothing constructive to do. So they've spent hours stacking cups in an attempt to break a world record. You read that right -- they are participating in the highly educational activity of placing plastic cups one atop the other.

And the school hypes this up like it's a source of pride. One student said, "Our school could be legendary." Kids practice at home. There are cups in all the classrooms and gym. The kids chant and cheer as the competition goes on. Gosh -- if only they could be so enthusiastic about reading.

"Kids join global bid to topple Guinness stacking record." The Dallas Morning News; November 18, 2011; p. 1B.

Why would one want unqualified judges?

The American Bar Association has given the "unqualified" rating to a significant number of Obama's potential picks for federal judgeships. In fact, the number deemed not qualified under the Obama administration exceeds the number receiving a similar designation under eight years of George Bush or eight years of Bill Clinton. The rejection rate is more than 3 1/2 times higher than under those presidencies.

So why would a President consider such a high number of people who are unqualified? I can think of a few plausible reasons. 1) He's too ignorant to realize they are unqualified. 2) He's returning a favor. 3) He hopes to gain a favor. 4) They may know nothing about the law, but they agree with him politically.  6) They are personal friends. 5) Judgeships for sale.

Other than those, I can't think of anything. Can you?

"Report: 14 of Obama's potential judge picks rated unqualified." The Dallas Morning News; November 23, 2011; p. 6A.

DIY Immigration

I've heard it all now. Federal authorities want to open an unmanned port of entry from Mexico as a "security upgrade." Only someone in the federal government could put such a spin on, "Let's let Mexicans freely come and go at Big Bend National Park without even a customs agent there to monitor the comings and goings."

Actually, it's going to be an honor system type thing. They'll have a kiosk there for Mexicans to scan their documents. The customs officer will be 100 miles away. It doesn't say what they plan to do about all the Mexicans who will just bypass the kiosk.

Customs and Border Protection spokesman William Brooks said, "I think it's actually going to end up making security better." According to the newspaper, this upgraded security will cost the taxpayer $2.3 million dollars. I'm no builder, but I think I could build them a kiosk for far less than that. The newspaper also says that this program has support from the "highest levels of government." Do you know what that tells me? It tells me this November, we need to change our "highest levels of government"! Vote Nobama!

"Nations may ease Big Bend crossings." The Dallas Morning News; December 12, 2011; p. 3A.

What's wrong with this picture?

I always loved Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, but something is definitely wrong with this picture. Frankie and his wife, Randy, are in the midst of divorce proceedings. She's getting $30,000 a month from him in spousal support and royalties. She's also getting $810 a month in public assistance for taking care of her own children. And we wonder why this country is in the shape it's in!

http://www.tmz.com/2011/11/22/frankie-valli-jersey-boys-divorce/

How could she afford the computer and the phone?

Rachelle Grimmer shot her two children and killed herself in a standoff at a welfare office in Laredo. The two children later died, too. The implications from the newspaper stories are that she was distraught because she had been denied food stamps.

Obviously, the woman had some mental problems. She had no job. The newspaper report says that she was nowhere near the Webb County per capita income of $13,600. Neighbors say she would walk down the highway after midnight to beg restaurants for the food they would throw away. The family bathed with a hose outside the small trailer they lived in -- a step up from the tent they had occupied previously. Yet she had a cell phone and probably a computer -- previous news reports detail the webpage she and her children set up, and the daughter posted on Facebook the day she was shot. How did they afford those things? And when child welfare investigated her in July 2010, she showed them money and food.

It appears Grimmer did little to help herself. The children did not go to school. When she applied for food stamps, she never submitted the proof of income the agency required. She reported that her child support was greater than her monthly expenses for rent and utilities. The agency had no choice but to turn her down. According to the children's paternal grandmother, their father had tried several times since his divorce to have the children removed from Grimmer's custody. Grimmer's friends say that's not true. At any rate, perhaps he didn't try hard enough.

"Friends saw family's desperation." The Dallas Morning News; 12/11/2011; p. 3A.

Goodbye, Miss Manners.

I've always enjoyed reading Miss Manners, because I usually pick up all sorts of little points of etiquette I didn't know. But I guess I'll officially have to quit reading Ms. Martin's column. It has degenerated from an informative social guide to a politically correct farce.

The column that broke the proverbial camel's back dealt with the quandary of a betrothed couple's friend. She didn't know if it would be appropriate for her to provide bouquets for the couple's civil ceremony. Oh -- did I mention that the betrothed couple did not include a woman?

The friend's dilemma stems from the fact that she thinks "having men carry bouquets is tacky." But having two men flaunt their abominable relationship by making a mockery of marriage is not? The friend has swallowed that proverbial camel.

Miss Manners politely suggests that the friend provide boutonnieres for the happy couple because "gentlemen do not carry bouquets." I respectfully submit that Miss Manners misses the salient point that we're not dealing with "gentlemen" here. I also respectfully point out to Miss Manners that if both "gentlemen" wear boutonnieres, nobody will know which one is the bride.

"Economical ways to fete the grooms." The Dallas Morning News; December 9, 2011; p. 1E.

More on Personal Responsibility

Colleen McCain Nelson seems to want to blame the City of Dallas for a lack of responsibility on the part of property owners. I wrote before the Christmas holidays about a pile of trash she felt the City should move when the people in the neighborhood appeared to be perfectly capable of moving it themselves.

In a December column, she's again implying that the City should "do something," despite her own acknowledgement that the City is doing all it legally can, and the neighbors themselves appear to be the major factor behind the eyesore. In this case, it's a burned out structure on Spring Avenue. The property was destroyed by arsonists nine months ago. The owner lives in Florida.

Code compliance officers have repeatedly hauled off debris and tacked up plywood, but the vandals repeatedly rip down the plywood. The City would love to bring in the bulldozers and raze the ruins, but it's had to wind its way through the laws protecting the property rights of the owners. The first lawsuit was filed in June, and a continuance was granted to the owners in August. In September, the owners agreed to clean the lot within 60 days. That didn't happen. The City filed a notice of noncompliance in November and put the property in the lineup to be razed.

The owners say they paid someone to clean the property and were not aware it had not been done. That's not a legitimate excuse. They should have checked to make sure it was done. Now, back to my contention that the neighbors, themselves, bear responsibility for this eyesore. When they bought the property, the owners contracted with a management company to maintain it and collect rents. But the management company eventually refused to collect the rents because the neighborhood was too dangerous. Then the arsonists hit -- and it's a safe bet they live somewhere near. And the plywood keeps disappearing. If I were a city official, I'd look around to see if the neighboring houses had up any new plywood. It seems to me that these are not the kind of neighbors who really care whether or not there's a burned out house next door.

But the bottom line is that the property owners are responsible. The City should fine them the maximum, because they've wasted countless hours and resources belonging to taxpaying citizens.

"Bring out the bulldozers to South Dallas eyesore." The Dallas Morning News; December 9, 2011; p. 27A.

Obamacare at Work for You!

One of the provisions of Obamacare is that insurance companies must spend 80% of their premium revenue on medical care or refund the difference to consumers. Sounds logical and fair and good for the consumer, doesn't it?

But let's see what the fallout is. The Texas Department of Insurance contends that some companies will be driven out of the market by the new rule. And, in fact, in the last 18 months, four insurers filed formal plans to withdraw from Texas' individual market. One of those, National Health Insurance Company, covered 1,758 people last year. Those 1,758 people now face the daunting task of finding new insurance. At least 11 carriers have said they either will or might stop writing policies.

Another consequence is that the rule effectively prohibits the insurance company from building up reserves from a good year to cover a year that might have a higher number of claims than usual. In that case, guess what? Premiums will increase.

Obama wants you to believe that Obamacare is good for you -- "you're never going to go bankrupt because you get sick or somebody in your family gets sick."* But any way you slice it, it means higher premiums, fewer benefits, and a bureaucracy making your healthcare decisions. You may not go bankrupt, but you very well may die! Obama's spin reminds me of those old tobacco company ads. They show you the smiling, healthy, beautiful people smoking their products -- not the lung cancer patients who are so addicted that they're smoking cigarettes through their trachs.

"State plan slashes rebates." The Dallas Morning News; December 9, 2011; p. 1A.
*Obama quote: http://www.politico.com/playbook/

Does Hillary speak for you?

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks for the nation at the U.N. Human Rights Council when she says, "Gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights." That's a stupid statement with no substance. It means nothing, but it sounds enlightened and benevolent. The emperor has no clothes.

"It should never be a crime to be gay," Clinton said. "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination," God said. Which one speaks for you?

"Clinton: U.S. supports gay rights worldwide." The Dallas Morning News; December 7, 2011; p. 11A.

Matter of Interpretation

The news reports that arrests of illegal immigrants along the U.S. border with Mexico are at the lowest level since the Nixon administration. This indicates, according to the newpaper, that fewer people are attempting to cross the border to live and/or work in the United States. Therefore, they say, the debate on illegal immigration will move from securing the border to handling the illegals who are already here.

I have a different interpretation of the data. Fewer arrests means border security has been weakened in recent years. It's not that fewer people are coming across the border; it's that more of them are coming across without being apprehended. The motive for this misinterpretation of the data is clarified in their conclusion -- let's just quit worrying about the border and come up with a way that those already here can stay.

That's kind of like the plumber who comes to your flooded kitchen to fix the hole in your waterline. His solution to your problem: let's just mop up all this water and not worry about that hole. Sounds pretty stupid when it's put like that, doesn't it?

"Border arrests at low point." The Dallas Morning News; December 7, 2011; p. 1A.

Cost isn't the only issue.

Charles Mikkelsen of Dallas contends that universal single-payer health care would be cheaper, especially for businesses, and would cover everyone in the country. I doubt that's true. Somebody has to pay for health care -- the user, the business owner, or other taxpayers. Mikkelson contends that we should be like other countries, and if we don't agree with him, we are obstinate and shortsighted.

However, for the sake of argument, let's concede Mikkelson's original point that a single-payer system would be cheaper. The next question is whether or not we really want to be like other countries. Do we want to wait three years for a gall bladder operation? Do we want bureaucrats telling us which procedures we need and which we don't? Do we want politicians deciding who gets medicine when there's a shortage? Besides all that, it doesn't appear single-payer systems have done much for the economies in all those countries Mikkelson considers to be enlightened.

Perhaps Mr. Mikkelson needs to be reminded of the old saw "you get what you pay for."

"Single-payer would be cheaper." The Dallas Morning News; December 6, 2011; p. 14A.

Hoist on His Own Petard

Let's just say that Christopher Scott Furber is not the brightest bulb in the box.

Christopher committed the perverted act of putting a hidden camera disguised as an air freshener inside a recreation center restroom in Plano. How do they know Christopher did it? His photograph is the first one the camera snapped.

"Arrest made in case of restroom camera." The Dallas Morning News; December 6, 2011; p. 2B.

From my WIST file . . .

Some words of wisdom:

•  You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity.
• What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.
• The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.
• You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.
• When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that is the beginning of the end of any nation.

Harold Cooperman

Richardson, Texas

I am offended.

You can call me a redneck, a bigot, a racist, un-pc, or whatever you want, but I am one of those people who believes mixed race marriages are asking for trouble. I find the recent trend in advertising to be especially offensive -- a kind of "in your face" pairing of black/white couples when there's really no need for it.

So -- Macy's, Lexus, Dentyne, K-Mart, Philadelphia Brand Cream Cheese, and all the other companies trying to prove how tolerant you are, I am offended by your ads. But since I'm a conservative Christian, I doubt that bothers you.

What has happened to gratitude?

Before the Thanksgiving turkey even had time to get cold, people began their surge to black Friday sales. Don't get me wrong, I love a good bargain as much as the next person, and I and my family had a great time shopping, selecting gifts, and opening presents. But can we not take even 24 hours to be thankful for what we have without obsessing over how much more we need to get?



People (idiots if you really want to be honest about it) camped out in front of stores for days before Thanksgiving. One woman talked about how they manned their tent in shifts so each of them could have a chance to go home for the Thanksgiving feast. Stores opened at ridiculous hours for fear the competition would get more sales than they did. Even at 4 in the morning, people jammed the doorways waiting to get in. People were pepper sprayed, trampled, and assaulted -- all for the chance to get 50% off. People mistakenly thought one store in California was opening at midnight. The store was actually scheduled to open at 4 a.m. When the unsuspecting employees who were stocking shelves failed to open the doors at midnight, the barbarians knocked them down and stormed into the closed story, neglecting to pay for the merchandise they helped themselves to. And all this under the guise of celebrating the birth of the Savior.


No, Thanksgiving and Christmas just don't seem to mean what they once did to the masses. The holidays seem to be much less about thanking God for His goodness and reflecting on His abundant blessings and much more about greedily beating the other guy to the big bargain -- legally or illegally. May God forgive us our selfishness and ingratitude, and may we all remember in 2012 that the important things in life are not things.