"Ray" asked me about my politics a while back, and I'm finally getting around to answering.
I consider myself a "practical libertarian", as opposed to the libertarians who want complete isolationism, completely sealed borders, or outright anarchy. You could say I'm a "sane libertarian." Hell, I even think some taxes are okay.
The war on terror has caused me to ally with Bush and the Republicans. Liberals have done a bang-up job getting their ilk to believe the war is "Bush's war" or a "so-called war." That's 100%, unadulterated hippie hogwash. 9/11 proved to me we have a genuine enemy who deserves to get an ass-whoopin. It's do it here or do it there, and I'll take "there" every time.
Western Europe has suffered 35 major terrorist attacks since 9/11, and the USA has had ZERO. That is not a coincidence. Liberal (socialist) tolerance prevelant in Europe is directly responsible for the 35-0 scorecard. Not all cultures, and not all ideologies, are equal, despite what liberal-socialists long to believe. Islamic fundamentalism is every bit as deadly and diseased as the Nazis, and should be treated identically.
If Muslims were to take to the streets here and preach "death to America" and "death to the UK," as they frequently do all over Europe, I'd like the FBI to round them up and send them to Guantanamo Bay. That's one of many differences between Europe (liberals-socialists) and America that I cherish. Our handling of these killers is something I approve of and am unashamedly proud of. It is keeping me alive.
I stand behind the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and am ashamed of the UN for voting against the Iraq war. It's akin to failures in Guatemala, Cambodia, Rwanda, and many, many other places. Saddam's time in power amassed nearly three mass graves per year. We have a clever little term for that: genocide. The UN disgusts me and I want the U.S. to withdraw. We have more authority than the UN, which causes me to laugh out loud when socialists say Iraq is an "illegal war". LOL. Put simply, the U.S. is too good for that garbage institution.
Bush is not the white knight many on the Right thought he was. He has failed on immigration and spending. Big time. If he doesn't fix both problems by the next presidential election, I'll probably give up on Republicans and go back to voting Libertarian. Bush's domestic items I approve of include holding schools and teachers accountable (what idiots liberals are to think a kid should be promoted without learning, and that schools who fail to teach kids should continue to get equal funding with schools that are doing their jobs), tax cuts, fixing social security (which liberals believed was a problem when it suited them).
No liberals for me. Sixty percent taxes (and $10/gallon of gas, like in the UK) in exchange for free health care for people who choose not to educate themselves and find a good job that comes with health care -- can fuck off. The poorer an American is, the easier it is to get Pell Grants to go to college FREE OF CHARGE. Our present welfare system should be slashed by 80% immediately. Other bloated liberal ideas (which cost me money needlessly) must go, as well.
I'd vote for Mike Tyson for president before Hillary Clinton or any other liberal. If people want to live in a socialist nation, they should move to Canada or Europe. Quit bitching and get the fuck out of my country.
--Don Long
Friday, October 28, 2005
Monday, October 24, 2005
Bush's power: good and bad
Bush is almost certainly the most powerful president in my lifetime (1964-present). He saw the country through the end of our last recession, the Hainan spy plane crisis with China, 9/11, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and hurricane Katrina. He has chosen the new Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court as well as one associate justice, and now he has chosen a new Chairman of the Federal Reserve.
Few presidents have had so many lucky, and unlucky, circumstances to deal with.
The new Fed Chairman, replacing Alan Greenspan, is Ben Bernanke. From AP / ABC News:
President Bush named top White House economic adviser Ben Bernanke as chairman of the Federal Reserve Board on Monday in place of near-legendary Alan Greenspan as the official in closest control of interest rates.
Bernanke instantly announced his first priority would be "to maintain continuity with the policy and policy strategies under the Greenspan era."
Bush said his choice as the nation's new central banker "commands deep respect in the financial community." And he lavished praise on Greenspan, 79, calling him a legend who "has shepherded our economy through its highs and its lows."
The Harrier
The Harrier is the world's first operational jet fighter that can take off and land vertically (photos below). Made by Hawker in Britain, the Harrier is awesome to see. This year's Miramar Air Show had one demonstration flight, plus one sitting on the tarmac for close inspection, with a pilot to answer questions.
As cool as these planes may be, they are plagued with problems.
One third of all Harriers used by the U.S. Marines have crashed, according to the History Channel’s “Modern Marvels” on Oct. 19. Half of the accidents are related to the “temperamental” Rolls Royce jet engine.
Other Harrier problems:
+ 5 of 7 Harriers that took enemy fire during the Gulf War were destroyed
+ It can take 500 hours to change out a Harrier engine, where other U.S. fighters require 4-10 hours for the same job.
+ The plane is subsonic.
Hopefully the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will do better.
Another History Channel show talked about problems with using VTOLs (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) in combat conditions, and inherent difficulties with supporting these craft.
Afghanistan in the 1980s was the first major combat test of any VSTOL. Russia’s craft was so dangerous to fly that pilots would claim sick or attempt a transfer to other units to avoid flying. On landing, the vertical jet blast kicked up rocks and dirt, and this debris would funnel into the jet's intake, which basically ruined the engine after every takeoff or landing.
Eventually Russia stopped using the plane in the Afghan theater, replacing it with their latest generation of helicopter, the Hind. Afghani fighters decimated the slow Hinds with Stinger missiles supplied by the CIA. This was a major factor in Russia’s decision to vacate the war.
One problem with using VTOLs in major combat operations is resupply. If you have remote, mountainous VTOL bases, how do you keep a steady supply of engines, fuel, parts, and munitions flowing into the sites?
Photos: Harriers at the 2005 Miramar Air Show.
As cool as these planes may be, they are plagued with problems.
One third of all Harriers used by the U.S. Marines have crashed, according to the History Channel’s “Modern Marvels” on Oct. 19. Half of the accidents are related to the “temperamental” Rolls Royce jet engine.
Other Harrier problems:
+ 5 of 7 Harriers that took enemy fire during the Gulf War were destroyed
+ It can take 500 hours to change out a Harrier engine, where other U.S. fighters require 4-10 hours for the same job.
+ The plane is subsonic.
Hopefully the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will do better.
Another History Channel show talked about problems with using VTOLs (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) in combat conditions, and inherent difficulties with supporting these craft.
Afghanistan in the 1980s was the first major combat test of any VSTOL. Russia’s craft was so dangerous to fly that pilots would claim sick or attempt a transfer to other units to avoid flying. On landing, the vertical jet blast kicked up rocks and dirt, and this debris would funnel into the jet's intake, which basically ruined the engine after every takeoff or landing.
Eventually Russia stopped using the plane in the Afghan theater, replacing it with their latest generation of helicopter, the Hind. Afghani fighters decimated the slow Hinds with Stinger missiles supplied by the CIA. This was a major factor in Russia’s decision to vacate the war.
One problem with using VTOLs in major combat operations is resupply. If you have remote, mountainous VTOL bases, how do you keep a steady supply of engines, fuel, parts, and munitions flowing into the sites?
Photos: Harriers at the 2005 Miramar Air Show.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
A-10 Thunderbolt
The A-10 is a slow, cumbersome anti-tank craft. The capabilities of the A-10 are amazing, though. The 30mm Gatling gun fires depleted uranium bullets at a rate of 65 per second.
All shots from the 2005 Miramar Air Show.
All shots from the 2005 Miramar Air Show.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Sheehan and imperialism
Sheehan has been promoted from Class B to Class A Nutcase. Jawa Report, a blog I link to, has excerpted portions of a letter from Sheehan to Bush. This part rankled me more than the rest: “George Bush's war for imperialism and insatiable greed.”
Imperialism.
Let’s tackle that straightaway. The U.S. is not acting like any empire that has gone before. The main tenet marking an empire is the expansion of territories under complete political control. Indulge yourself with ten minutes of web research – check the British empire, the Spanish empire, the Roman empire, or the Mongols or any of the others. Expanding areas directly under control of an “emperor” makes an empire.
To all the wild, pathetic fuckbrains (liberals, socialists, communists, anti-war zealots, and terrorists), establishing free, open, democratic elections proves the U.S. is not imperial! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU DUMBFUCKS? Iraq is following the same path that Germany and France did. Are those two nations imperial territories of the United States? Well, are they? Or did they go on to become two of the most successful nations in the world?
Also, consider that if the U.S. was an empire, we would control 75% of the earth. No other country has a space-based military. No one else has aircraft carriers above and beyond small amphibs (to ferry Harriers and choppers); the U.S. has 13. No other country has stealth aircraft; the U.S. has dozens and dozens, including the new stealth fighter and the B2. No other nation has a $10+ trillion GDP coupled with the efficiency of democracy.
Idle boasts? Flights of fancy? Do you like the internet? How about GPS? France, do you like being free? How about you, Spain, Italy, and many others? Panamanians, are you better off without Noriega, or should we have let him go on killing? Yes or no? Would the Vietnamese have done better as a free democracy?
The U.S. compared to the rest of the modern world is not unlike Rome's comparison to the rest of the ancient world. Are we acting like Rome? Are we really? Rome gobbled up every inch of territory it could. Are we? How long would it take the U.S. to control, say, Africa? A week, a month? It took 21 days to take Baghdad. How long would it take to conquer Nigeria, a major oil-producing nation in Africa?
Do empires use military force exclusively against military targets? Do they use JDAMS against legitimate targets?
No, little Shaved Apes, America is not imperial. If we were, the rest would be digging holes in which to hide. It’s best for everyone that we're not an empire. I'll be the first to say it. Thankfully, we have a long record of liberating those who cannot liberate themselves (even it's messy at times).
Merriam-Webster has, essentially, three definitions for “imperial.”
1. “of, relating to, befitting, or suggestive of an empire or an emperor”
2. reference to the British empire
3. “of superior or unusual size or excellence”
I accept No. 3 for America. Excellence is questionable, though, considering we are The McDonald’s Nation.
Merriam’s definition of empire doesn’t fit the U.S. very well, either.
Wake up and smell the toast, people. Where the U.S. military goes, there is always a good reason -- by any definition. We're far from perfect, but that doesn't mean we should ignore the world's problems and stick our head in the sand.
Imperialism.
Let’s tackle that straightaway. The U.S. is not acting like any empire that has gone before. The main tenet marking an empire is the expansion of territories under complete political control. Indulge yourself with ten minutes of web research – check the British empire, the Spanish empire, the Roman empire, or the Mongols or any of the others. Expanding areas directly under control of an “emperor” makes an empire.
To all the wild, pathetic fuckbrains (liberals, socialists, communists, anti-war zealots, and terrorists), establishing free, open, democratic elections proves the U.S. is not imperial! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU DUMBFUCKS? Iraq is following the same path that Germany and France did. Are those two nations imperial territories of the United States? Well, are they? Or did they go on to become two of the most successful nations in the world?
Also, consider that if the U.S. was an empire, we would control 75% of the earth. No other country has a space-based military. No one else has aircraft carriers above and beyond small amphibs (to ferry Harriers and choppers); the U.S. has 13. No other country has stealth aircraft; the U.S. has dozens and dozens, including the new stealth fighter and the B2. No other nation has a $10+ trillion GDP coupled with the efficiency of democracy.
Idle boasts? Flights of fancy? Do you like the internet? How about GPS? France, do you like being free? How about you, Spain, Italy, and many others? Panamanians, are you better off without Noriega, or should we have let him go on killing? Yes or no? Would the Vietnamese have done better as a free democracy?
The U.S. compared to the rest of the modern world is not unlike Rome's comparison to the rest of the ancient world. Are we acting like Rome? Are we really? Rome gobbled up every inch of territory it could. Are we? How long would it take the U.S. to control, say, Africa? A week, a month? It took 21 days to take Baghdad. How long would it take to conquer Nigeria, a major oil-producing nation in Africa?
Do empires use military force exclusively against military targets? Do they use JDAMS against legitimate targets?
No, little Shaved Apes, America is not imperial. If we were, the rest would be digging holes in which to hide. It’s best for everyone that we're not an empire. I'll be the first to say it. Thankfully, we have a long record of liberating those who cannot liberate themselves (even it's messy at times).
Merriam-Webster has, essentially, three definitions for “imperial.”
1. “of, relating to, befitting, or suggestive of an empire or an emperor”
2. reference to the British empire
3. “of superior or unusual size or excellence”
I accept No. 3 for America. Excellence is questionable, though, considering we are The McDonald’s Nation.
Merriam’s definition of empire doesn’t fit the U.S. very well, either.
Wake up and smell the toast, people. Where the U.S. military goes, there is always a good reason -- by any definition. We're far from perfect, but that doesn't mean we should ignore the world's problems and stick our head in the sand.
Pull out stops to support quake areas
In a politically divided (and unstable) world, some things rise far above the squabbling. The Pakistan-India quake is one such item. Pour in the aid, supplies, personnel, and equipment. Even if Pakistan and India were bitter enemies of the U.S., we shouldn’t hesitate to do everything we can. After all, we belong to the human club before we belong to the club of nations, religions, and races.
Cuba and Venezuela, despotic lands ruled by megalomaniacs, offered aid during the U.S. hurricane crises, setting a fine example. The U.S. helped Iran during the Bam quake a few years back. These are the models.
Related, via Drudge Report.
Cuba and Venezuela, despotic lands ruled by megalomaniacs, offered aid during the U.S. hurricane crises, setting a fine example. The U.S. helped Iran during the Bam quake a few years back. These are the models.
Related, via Drudge Report.
Passenger jets very easy to steal
Cessna Citation 7
This’ll send chills down your spine:
A 10-passenger charter jet that was reported stolen from St. Augustine, Fla., was found at an airport near Atlanta, and authorities were attempting to figure out who had flown it there.
The plane, a $7 million Cessna Citation 7, was found at the Gwinnett County Airport-Briscoe Field on Monday and remained there Tuesday morning, said Darren Moloney, spokesman for the Gwinnett County Police Department. The plane is owned by Pinnacle Air of Springdale, Ark., which had no comment on the incident Tuesday.
What did 9/11 teach us? Hmmmm.
French diplomat arrested for Iraq corruption
It’s not terribly surprising that a French diplomat had his hand in the Iraqi cookie jar prior to Saddam Hussein’s removal. Most of the UN nations that voted “nay” to removing Hussein had somewhat sinister ulterior motives.
Some even wanted the people of Iraq to continue rotting just to spite the big, powerful, American empire. And that was disgusting, considering the world saw the effects of genocide in Guatemala, Cambodia, Rwanda, and other places. We all had a chance to work together to stop a madman this time, and some countries allowed anti-American sentiment and unadulterated cowardice dictate their course.
AP story here.
Some even wanted the people of Iraq to continue rotting just to spite the big, powerful, American empire. And that was disgusting, considering the world saw the effects of genocide in Guatemala, Cambodia, Rwanda, and other places. We all had a chance to work together to stop a madman this time, and some countries allowed anti-American sentiment and unadulterated cowardice dictate their course.
AP story here.
Friday, October 07, 2005
Ted Koppel gone in November
Ted Crappel is crapping for the last time in November. He survived an ouster attempt a couple of years ago, and apparently he's finally throwing in the towel. Good riddance. An AP story says the "show grew out of a series of special reports about the Iranian hostage crisis that began" in November 1979. That was Jimmuh Kahtuh's debable, fyi.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
USA losing control of internet?
Imagine you have a large diamond and several other valuable gems, all needing safeguarding. You can place them in the largest house on the block, the one made of brick, with 10-foot-thick walls and sporting heavily armed guards. Or you can place them in one of the other houses. These others are made of ordinary lumber, have few guards, and long histories of squabbling with others over petty politics.
Where will you place your valuables?
Get the picture?
The internet is best protected by the USA, the industrialized country with 297 million inhabitants, with the strongest and most technological military in the history of the universe, and the inventor of basic democratic principles like human rights.
The UN’s repeated, catastrophic failures (Guatemala, Cambodia, Rwanda, Iraq, etc.) demonstrate that the internet must not be left to the wolves, or, as The Guardian puts it, a “coalition of governments.”
You may as well cancel broadband and go back to smoke signals if the heart of the internet is removed from its creator and protector, the USA.
Of course, one must evaluate the source of this story: The Guardian. They make all their money by bashing the USA and Western freedoms.
Where will you place your valuables?
Get the picture?
The internet is best protected by the USA, the industrialized country with 297 million inhabitants, with the strongest and most technological military in the history of the universe, and the inventor of basic democratic principles like human rights.
The UN’s repeated, catastrophic failures (Guatemala, Cambodia, Rwanda, Iraq, etc.) demonstrate that the internet must not be left to the wolves, or, as The Guardian puts it, a “coalition of governments.”
You may as well cancel broadband and go back to smoke signals if the heart of the internet is removed from its creator and protector, the USA.
Of course, one must evaluate the source of this story: The Guardian. They make all their money by bashing the USA and Western freedoms.
Why energy is getting expensive
Here's why energy costs have skyrocketed recently (49% increase over 12 months). Well, here's part of why it's so expensive, from AP.
A national wildlife refuge in southeast Missouri is among the 10 most endangered in the nation, threatened by a proposed power plant in Illinois, according to a report released Wednesday by Defenders of Wildlife.
NYC subway terror threat
A “credible tip” has been received that 19 people are planning to bomb New York City’s subway system. ABC News story here.
I’ll bet Bloomberg, who will bow to politically correct pressure, will demand everyone be searched at the entrances – little kids, blacks, whites, old ladies, and the like. No need to single out Muslims even though it is they who will be committing the atrocity (the ratio of Muslim-perpetrated terror incidents vs. non-Muslim ones is roughly 5000:1, check here if you disbelieve).
I’ll bet Bloomberg, who will bow to politically correct pressure, will demand everyone be searched at the entrances – little kids, blacks, whites, old ladies, and the like. No need to single out Muslims even though it is they who will be committing the atrocity (the ratio of Muslim-perpetrated terror incidents vs. non-Muslim ones is roughly 5000:1, check here if you disbelieve).
Spain repels illegal aliens at border
Spanish territory in Morocco has become a flashpoint for Moroccan aliens trying to get in. Spain is handling the problem with intelligence: trying to stop illegals at the border, and deporting the ones who succeed with their crime. BBC story here.
Why would a liberal-socialist country like Spain have a tougher stance than the USA, which has a much larger problem?
It’s hard to believe that the USA doesn’t give a flying fuck about its Southern border, not seeming to care about 1.5 million (or more) illegal aliens flooding across each year, without a single ID check or cross reference on a terror watch list.
Why would a liberal-socialist country like Spain have a tougher stance than the USA, which has a much larger problem?
It’s hard to believe that the USA doesn’t give a flying fuck about its Southern border, not seeming to care about 1.5 million (or more) illegal aliens flooding across each year, without a single ID check or cross reference on a terror watch list.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Harriet Miers
I wish one of my friends would become president. I'd like to be the Minister of Pornography. I'd settle for a Supreme Court seat.
Just say ‘no’ to Jack Carter
Jack Carter's pop was a whiny, lame-duck liberal who did absolutely nothing for the country. The mark of Jimmy Carter’s presidency was allowing U.S. hostages to be held by Iran’s current president and whackjob friends.
And now Jimmuh Kahtuh’s brat is mulling a Senate run. Vote “nay” to this foolishness. Dynasties called Kennedy, Bush, and Clintoon are quite enough.
America doesn’t need politicians who fit any of these descriptions: incompetent, oil tycoon, philandering coward.
We can do better.
And now Jimmuh Kahtuh’s brat is mulling a Senate run. Vote “nay” to this foolishness. Dynasties called Kennedy, Bush, and Clintoon are quite enough.
America doesn’t need politicians who fit any of these descriptions: incompetent, oil tycoon, philandering coward.
We can do better.
Sunnis drop threat of boycott
The boycott didn't serve Sunnis very well last January in Iraq's first ever freely democratic elections. They actually boycotted the January vote and then complained about not having representation. Fools.
Why they even considered another boycott -- this time for the constitutional referendum -- is beyond my comprehension. My intellect simply doesn't grasp it. Somebody made a deal with them, and they are planning on voting during the constitutional referendum now. Hoooha.
AP story here.
Why they even considered another boycott -- this time for the constitutional referendum -- is beyond my comprehension. My intellect simply doesn't grasp it. Somebody made a deal with them, and they are planning on voting during the constitutional referendum now. Hoooha.
AP story here.
Muslim not looking forward to Ramadan
A Muslim friend of mine, a Kurdish Iraqi, is returning to his homeland in Northern Iraq this month. He fled during the Gulf War, and this will be his first trip back. I asked if he was looking forward to spending Ramadan in his home. He said “no.” His biggest complaint about Ramadan: “The restaurants close early.”
He also said that the rigors of being Muslim are too constricting throughout the year. Praying several times a day, plus one trip to a mosque each week, is “too much.” We had a good laugh at that.
Most Muslims who make the news are fanatical about it. It’s good to see a Muslim who isn’t. We should start meeting these people on the pages of our local newspapers, and on cable news.
He also said that the rigors of being Muslim are too constricting throughout the year. Praying several times a day, plus one trip to a mosque each week, is “too much.” We had a good laugh at that.
Most Muslims who make the news are fanatical about it. It’s good to see a Muslim who isn’t. We should start meeting these people on the pages of our local newspapers, and on cable news.
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Quote of the Week: Senator “I’ll have another" Kennedy
“I have thought long and hard about the exchanges I had with Judge Roberts, and I have read and re-read the transcript and the record. And try as I might, I cannot find the evidence to conclude that John Roberts understands the real world impact of court decisions on civil rights and equal rights in this country. And I cannot find the evidence to conclude that a Chief Justice John Roberts would be the kind of inspirational leader who would use his powers of persuasion to bring all the Court along on America's continued march of progress.”
The above paragraph is from a statement I found on Teddy’s website. It’s part of his rationale for voting against John Roberts for Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
When Teddy says he can’t conclude that Roberts “understands the real world impact of court decisions on civil rights and equal rights,” remember that most (as in Nearly All) people agree that Roberts’ knowledge of the constitution and law, as well as his raw brain power, dwarfed everyone else in the room. Roberts is a true prodigy, as described by his former law professors, his colleagues, even his political enemies.
Read between the lines here, kiddies. When Fat Teddy says “use his powers of persuasion to bring all the Court along on America's continued march of progress,” he means making decisions in accordance with international law. He also means making decisions in line with left wing zealots, who style themselves “progressives”.
If you want nationalized health care, 15% higher taxes, an era of outright raping the rich and giving to the poor, uber-support of workers while business owners and business starters are hung out to dry, follow Kennedy into the sinkhole. A U.S. under Kennedy’s fetid vision would be the “quagmire” he mistakenly believes Iraq to be.
Please remember that I am not, never have been, and probably never will be a Republican. I’m not a Christian, either. I’ve just had enough of the No! party. The libby Dems want to turn us into France, and they can summarily fuck themselves right in the puckered asses.
The above paragraph is from a statement I found on Teddy’s website. It’s part of his rationale for voting against John Roberts for Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
When Teddy says he can’t conclude that Roberts “understands the real world impact of court decisions on civil rights and equal rights,” remember that most (as in Nearly All) people agree that Roberts’ knowledge of the constitution and law, as well as his raw brain power, dwarfed everyone else in the room. Roberts is a true prodigy, as described by his former law professors, his colleagues, even his political enemies.
Read between the lines here, kiddies. When Fat Teddy says “use his powers of persuasion to bring all the Court along on America's continued march of progress,” he means making decisions in accordance with international law. He also means making decisions in line with left wing zealots, who style themselves “progressives”.
If you want nationalized health care, 15% higher taxes, an era of outright raping the rich and giving to the poor, uber-support of workers while business owners and business starters are hung out to dry, follow Kennedy into the sinkhole. A U.S. under Kennedy’s fetid vision would be the “quagmire” he mistakenly believes Iraq to be.
Please remember that I am not, never have been, and probably never will be a Republican. I’m not a Christian, either. I’ve just had enough of the No! party. The libby Dems want to turn us into France, and they can summarily fuck themselves right in the puckered asses.
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