Stupid People

Really?

There are days I watch the news with disbelief. Politicians offer statements and comments that my third grade son would laugh at and know are not true. Of more concern is the current the lack of experience, or just plain stupidity, of our current leaders.

Since the oil spill in the Gulf I knew jokingly George Bush would ultimately be blamed. As people would discuss the spill and what went wrong the comment would be made, “it must be George Bush’s fault” and laugh about the situation. When President Obama went on the offensive, to defend his actions on Friday he placed blame for the accident squarely on the shoulders of “administrations of the past decade”. I addressed such actions in prior columns and now we can conclude with certainty Obama is responsible for nothing. It appears anything, however remote to the past, will always be blamed on Bush.

There was no surprise in the media to Obama’s nomination of Kagan for Supreme Court Justice. With no record of judicial experience she is as qualified as the President is for his position. Kagan’s action to remove military recruiters at Harvard was unanimously overturned by the Supreme Court, and she has a failing track record arguing cases as Solicitor General. Her writings demonstrate contempt for the Constitution, and favoritism of a strong leftist approach to government. Compared to the President the only qualification she lacks is “Community Organizer.”

Finally, Attorney General Eric Holder made comments that should make every American stop in their tracks and say, “huh?” As Attorney General Holder’s job is to uphold the laws of the land and ensure constitutionality. Since the passage of Arizona’s “Enforcement of Immigration Laws” (AZ SB1070) Holder, and Obama, have both publicly criticized the law. On Thursday Holder was questioned before Congress and stated “I grant that I have not read it…my comments are based on reading news reports, watching television.” I am appalled the Attorney General and President criticize American citizens without reading legislation.

This morning I read the 17-page Arizona Bill in ten minutes. Based on the selection of Kagan for Supreme Court nominee, my ability to read state legislation, and the fact I took the LSAT I should be nominated for a high judicial position within the Obama administration. I can’t wait to see what this week brings; I only know it will be George Bush’s fault.

May 19, 2010 by Stupid People

Clintons equal Contradiction

Clintons equal Contradiction

When former Presidents speak their mind it is amazing how the media rushes to give credibility to their statements. I find it interesting that both former Bush’s tend to keep their comments on the charitable and humanitarian side while both Carter and Clinton feel compelled to continue to govern and affect policy. Last week I wrote about former President Bush (“W”) and what history may regard as the worst change to our civil liberties, enacting the Patriot Act. This week, Bill Clinton, and Hillary, must be called out for what they are, the greatest liars to ever hold the highest office in the United States.

Probably no quote in history can be described as more concerning than, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky. I never told anybody to lie, not a single time; never. These allegations are false. And I need to go back to work for the American people. Thank you.” With the audacity of a teenager, Bill Clinton looked directly into the cameras and lied to the American people. Quickly defended by supporters and leftists, Clinton was given a pass on this issue as his behavior was regarded as irrelevant to the presidency and his ability to govern. Much ado was subsequently made regarding his statements and it took seven months to finally come to an admission of “improper physical relationship” on August 17, 1998.

During his presidency Clinton dealt with two attacks on American soil, the first World Trade Center bombing and the Oklahoma City Bombing. Obviously Oklahoma City made an impact on Clinton because it drove him to recently make comments comparing Tim McVeigh to the Tea Partiers of today. On April 16, Clinton said that “legitimate” comparisons can be drawn between today’s grass-roots anger and resentment toward the government and the right-wing extremism that bubbled up prior to the bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City 15 years ago. Personally, I can find no comparison to Tim McVeigh, a militia movement sympathizer, who sought revenge against the federal government for “Waco” which had ended in the deaths of 76 people exactly two years earlier. In contrast, the Tea Party has gained coverage in the media with credibility as average citizens rightfully protesting, under the First Amendment, the new debt policies of the current administration.

The Clintons’ contradiction seems to come from protesting against the actions of the government, when a Republican is in office, which is acceptable, versus when a Democrat is running the kingdom, unacceptable. Clinton ordered the Waco attack and Obama is fueling debt which will be put on the shoulders of generations of Americans to come, and both have generated protests. Clinton hated the Vietnam War and policies of Republican President Nixon, as quoted on June 9, 1969, the Frederick, Maryland Post ran an article by Tom Cullen on antiwar sentiment among the 29 American Rhodes Scholars attending Oxford. “And that’s the way it should be,” says William J. Clinton, 22, of Hot Springs, Ark., “There would be something wrong with us if we could put the war out of our minds when our friends are being shot up in Vietnam.”
Hillary Clinton said it best though, in her 2003 tyrade on the floor of the Senate, “ I am sick and tired of people who say that if you debate and you disagree with this administration, somehow you’re not patriotic, and we should stand up and say, “WE ARE AMERICANS AND WE HAVE A RIGHT TO DEBATE AND DISAGREE WITH ANY ADMINISTRATION!” Both Clintons want their right to protest, but not your right to protest against Democrats.

May 8, 2010 by Big Government Stupid People

Politics and Science

Politics and Science

Published in the Observer 3/24/2010

Throughout history major corporations, governments, and philanthropists have played a role in funding scientific research. Funding is required to pay salaries, buy materials, and ultimately sustain research; therefore it is reasonable to expect the funding of research to be driven by self-interest. My favorite example would be the story of Archimedes discovering the concept of density to confirm King Hiero had been swindled in making his gold crown. The outcome of his research confirmed King Hiero’s concerns, and history benefitted from the discovery of the principle of density. We should be concerned when subjectivity in science overrules objectivity. The scientific method clearly outlines the objective process for creating a hypothesis, testing, analyzing data, and making valid conclusions.

I worked as an engineer, have a minor in mathematics, and am an expert in statistics, thus I believe I am well qualified to look at a set of data and make conclusions using experience and knowledge. However, I am not an expert in every field, nor is anyone. Therefore, I trust scientists to objectively examine data and come to valid conclusions. Under review, publishing, a peer process exists to monitor the scientific community. However, concern arises when this process is called into question and therefore raises doubts about conclusions and recommendations. If the conclusions are used to effect public policy the method and authorities providing the information must be trustworthy and verifiable. Continue reading…

April 24, 2010 by Big Government Freedom Stupid People

Sheep

Sheep

This past weekend was the Superbowl, a time honored tradition of getting together with friends, watching the game, cheering for fantastic football plays and watching commercials at halftime. I scoff at this as a continued hilarious process of entertaining the sheep, or the “sheeple” if you prefer. Sadly, I assert more people know the names of the quarterbacks of each team and not the names of their two Senators. Most people will know which team won the game, but cannot name which party has a majority in Congress. Lastly, the commercials will be recounted with detailed attention, but the average person cannot describe the details of the largest federal budget passed in history this last week.

I find myself an outcast because I don’t watch the Superbowl, or follow professional football obsessively. I admit I don’t follow any professional sports religiously, although I may know names, teams, or who leads a league at times. And of course, if I were invited to a game or race, I would joyfully attend. Preparing this week’s column I had realized I had no idea who was playing, and did not care. I realized a long time ago I had no interest in watching millionaires who made no contribution to society run around on a field or court. When the players make the news it is usually due to beating their wife or girlfriend, an affair, drugs, or shooting. But yet, our society idolizes these players that have near superhuman strength.

With President Obama’s populist push against the CEOs and executives of major corporations I must wonder why sports and Hollywood celebrities are exempt. The American people readily hand their money over to large entertainment corporations that provide obscene riches to a very few in an environment where nepotism is more likely to drive success than any type of skill. On the other hand, a successful businessman who risked his home, personal family life, and employed others is now demonized if he rises to a successful level. No one questioned the use of private aircraft and limousines by Paris Hilton, but the automotive executives that employ hundreds of thousands and whose company’s stock is owned by the masses were chastised by Congress for wisely using their time to travel via an efficient means. Ironically, Nancy Pelosi travels every week via private aircraft from Washington, D.C. to California at taxpayer expense but that is not questioned.

President Obama has made it clear that to succeed in America by hard work, rising through the ranks, managing people, and running billion dollar corporations is bad. However, it is acceptable to sign a hundred million dollar contract to play games for a few years, and even get paid if hurt. Or, like Conan O’Brien to get $30 million to peacefully leave a contract at NBC. As much as his populist agenda is being promoted, it scares me to think about a lottery society where success is measured by luck rather than a society that favors hard work, risk, and rewards success. Life is not fair, everyone is not a winner, but America has led the world by everyone having the opportunity to succeed regardless of gender, race, or economics. The Romans distracted the people with entertainment, ran lotteries, and controlled the people to take taxes, and control the people. Governments know when the people are entertained they will turn their backs on the important issues and trust others to care for them, just like sheep. Sadly, it seems like the American people have become sheep who do not care. Now, I must ask, “Who won the game?”

February 19, 2010 by Depression Great Recession Mainstream Media Obama Stupid People

Haiti and New Orleans

Haiti and New Orleans

When I was 10 years old my family moved from Minnesota to California. The move was huge, but it caused me anxiety because I had watched television shows predicting the next big earthquake and California falling into the Pacific Ocean. Of course, that was more than 30 years ago, and California remains part of the continental United States. However, the residents of California live with the threat of earthquakes every day. Unlike any other natural disaster phenomena, I would conjecture an earthquake is the worst threat to face. Contrastingly, in Florida we have days, up to a week, to prepare for a hurricane. Tornadoes come with minutes of warning, or hours if paying attention to conditions. Even mudslides, floods, and fires provide a reasonable warning. An earthquake, on the other hand, comes any time and with no warning. If you live in California though, you know the threat exists. Living in Haiti on the other hand is a place with minimal earthquake risk.

Facing disaster is reasonable when you know what threat exists, or more importantly have time to prepare. When Katrina struck New Orleans warnings were issued ahead of time, the citizens had a choice to stay or leave. Of course, a weather forecast is never perfect, but with Katrina the severity of potential of the storm obviously loomed. In contrast, Haiti was struck by the worst earthquake in 200 years with no warning, and unlike California, no predisposition for the expectation of earthquakes. It appears Haiti’s government and communications infrastructure collapsed, not unlike the local resources of New Orleans and Louisiana. Immediately, Haiti reached out to its neighbors to seek help, and so did New Orleans. In both instances, massive federal aid packages were mobilized to assist.

News coverage of the events in Haiti has been compassionate and focused on the successes of rescue. In South Florida the media is providing local stories of airports launching relief, medical teams departing, and families reuniting. It is nearly impossible to turn on the television without a reference to the current situation in Haiti and how the citizens of the world are reaching out to their neighbors. Unfortunately, last week there was troubling coverage of gangs, violence, and looting. I found the similarities to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans striking in this regard. Sadly, there are people who disregard the brotherhood of man and instead take advantage of disaster and troubling times. Amplifying this situation is sensationalism by the press of the minority doing so. Bothersome as these situations are though, we should not be left with images of theft and violence, but focus on the success of rescue and efforts to help those in need.

However, the real story remains at the ground level, not from the massive organized efforts. The individual rescues, and thousands of examples of neighbor helping neighbor. The real survivors in Haiti are those helping, not seeking assistance or depending on a foreign nation to save the day. The real survivors understand their fate is up to them and do not blame anyone for the earthquake that struck. In contrast, the residents of New Orleans shunned personal responsibility, looked to blame others, and waited for someone to save them. Haiti’s earthquake is going to forever change the look of neighboring nations as its own people realize it will take decades to recover. As we watch from afar, I challenge you to examine your own preparedness for unforeseen disasters, and remind you to believe in the goodness of people helping people.

January 31, 2010 by Health care preparedness Stupid People

Crisis Preparation

Crisis Preparation

I have read a lot about preparation for TEOTWAWKI (The End Of The World As We Know It) lately. However, I think there are other issues of greater concern than that which one must consider. I am repeating, changing, and re-writing some of what I have read. But, I go back to the root of what I have always known; preparation is about facing a threat. A threat can be measured three: probability of occurrence, intensity of destruction, and duration. A matrix should be made to consider the likelihood of a threat, where you might be during the occurrence, and what preparations should be made.

Supplies need consideration next. Preparation for supplies can be broken into several categories. Once the categories are identified a second stage of analysis must be completed – do you require mobility or will this preparation be to hunker down and stay in one location?

I feel most people fail to make any preparations in their lives because it is overwhelming to analyze “what-if” scenarios and planning around them. At the same time, ridicule of preparations is easy due to the old stereotypes of bomb-shelter fanatics, in the woods survivalists, and hippies living in communes off the grid. Ironically, these are the people that the unprepared will flee to.

Living in New Smyrna Beach, Florida I constantly faced a hurricane threat, but yet, like many friends and neighbors, brushed off this threat. I felt I could go to Wal-Mart, Lowes, or Home Depot and retrieve what I needed on demand. Although not as destructive as a ground-zero events like Katrina I faced three hurricanes in six weeks time. We faced a long duration of inconvenience – no credit card machines, gasoline shortages, lack of groceries, building materials shortages, and no ice. I had friends without electricity for 10 days. I could not locate a chainsaw chain to remove and cut trees. There was no ice available to keep food safe because there was no electricity. Gas stations were closed due to lack of electricity, the pumps would not work and they had no credit card machines. All of the foods spoiled in the grocery store meat and frozen sections. Thus, they were forced to close to clean up their stores and no groceries were available. This was a modern crisis of long duration.

Events like Katrina, 9/11, the Northridge earthquake, and spring floods make headlines. However, watching a crisis on the evening news is entirely different than living through it. One side of 9/11 often forgotten was the travelers stranded away from home – if you had boarded a plane on 9/10/2001 and traveled across the country for business you suddenly found yourself stranded without a way to return home. There was a sense of suspicion in the country and finding yourself stuck as an outsider with only business clothes to wear could create problems. Fortunately, the banking system stayed intact and credit card machines were not shut off. Had the financial industry been questioned, cash would have been required just to eat, pay hotel bills, and get new clothing. In this case it was not a significant event for those away from New York but an event of extreme inconvenience. Again, even telecommunications worked, but it is not hard to imagine the government shutting telecom to prevent communications among terrorists. In this case contacting family would not have been feasible, lending to panic among those stranded away from home.

Copyright (c) 2009 John R. Nelson. All Rights Reserved.

October 21, 2009 by Depression Great Recession preparedness Stupid People