An Ol' Broad's Ramblings
Archive for December 2009
And Now, For Your Viewing Pleasure….
….”Silent Monks” singing…..
Well, obviously they aren’t really monks! Duh!
Shared by Ken the Cop.
Is That A Lie I’m Hearing?
Mark Lloyd, the chief diversity officer and associate counsel at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), says he is not carrying out a “secret plot funded by George Soros” aimed at getting rid of conservative talk-show hosts Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck.
Lloyd, the keynote speaker at a Monday forum sponsored by the Media Access Project (MAP), also said that there was a “right-wing smear campaign” against him.
Oh yeah, all us right wing types go out of our way to make stuff up, right? I mean, it doesn’t matter that there are actual facts to back up those little tidbits.
FCC Memphis “Field Meeting”
Last night, the FCC held one of their ‘field meetings‘ in Memphis (no audio up so far). I heard a brief report last night on the news, and expected to find something in the Memphis newspaper about it this morning. I was wrong. There was nothing, at least, not that I’ve found. I would assume the paper sent a reporter to cover what should be a big story, but I guess since the Commercial Appeal can find no fault with whatever this administration does, they didn’t consider it newsworthy? You know what they say about ‘assuming’, right? sigh…
Since I was unable to attend, I asked for a “report” from someone who was able to go what he thought of the whole shindig. Needless to say, I wasn’t all that surprised by the outcome.
Here are just a few of the highlights:
Panelists:
Mark McCormick- Veteran Affairs Services
Madelin Taylor- NAACP
Michael Ragame- Connected TN
Diane Polly- Metropolitan Inner-Faith Assc.
Tim Morema- Center for Rural Strategies
Blair Levin- National Broadband Task Force
Mignon Clyburn- Commissioner FCC
Michael Copps- Commissioner FCC
Wink Dowman? Shelby County Sheriff’s Office-Public Safety
Format:
Commissioner Clyburn introduced everyone and welcomed the public to the session. A video from Julius Genachowski was played thanking Memphis and talking about the importance of broadband. “We need to ensure access for Jobs (training and finding jobs)”. Broadband will connect everyone in the country.
Sounds rather noble, doesn’t it. I’d like to take issue with on thing though. Experience is a great teacher. Sitting on the computer is good for a few things, but when it comes right down to it, you can only learn so much by taking classes on it.
Dr. Benjamin Hooks comments:
Critical for civil participation.
Broadband is a basic necessity, shapes our today and tomorrow.
Broadband will improve the quality of live for every citizen.
Broadband is the key to maintaining economic leadership and competitiveness for the country.
We need a roadmap to employ broadband penetration.
A basic necessity? I was under the impression that shelter, food, and clothing were basic necessities, not high speed internet.
Michael Capps:
Stated that he is still working on media reform to give more ownership to minorities and women.
Broadband needs to be seen as a civil right. If people do not have broadband they will be cut off because everything will be on broadband, tv, jobs, etc.
Broadband is the solution for everything, healthcare, smartgrids, etc.
He compared broadband to the invention of the printing press.
Just how is “broadband the solution for everything”? And the comparison to the printing press is more than just a bit off base!
Joe Townes (state representative):
Broadband is the new social currency.
It will increase access to university education.
Access will grant full digital citizenship/failure to do so will be a social barrier.
What the blazes is ‘social currency’? I’d love to take a few classes on the internet, but I can’t afford them, so I read books. You know those things, made of paper, have printed words, can be found in a public library at no cost to the reader. Well, unless you fail to return them, then there could be an issue. To be perfectly honest, I don’t find a whole lot of folks who have a college diploma to be all that smart anyway. Well, unless of course, they are specialized, like physicians, and even then, many I have spoken to aren’t all that informed about the world in general. So, I’m guessing, because I have high speed internet, I’m one of the really SMART people, and am granted ‘digital citizenship’? What a goofy thing to say!
Blair Levin- said nothing of importance
Honestly, I don’t any of the previous speakers said much of import either, but that’s just me.
Tim Marema comments:
FCC should use the following principles in formulating its policy:
1. Available does not equal affordable (compared rural electricity when it first started)
2. Innovation- remember the missed opportunity from UHF
3. Local ownership is needed for the Spectrum
4. Reform the universal service fund
5. Net neutrality- democracy demands no less.
Uh….the American people are the most innovated, when free to be so, and with more and more government intervention, are actually losing the will to create new ideas. If there are local folks who are willing to step up, have the know how, I’d say let ‘em, and get the hell out of the way! What the heck is the ‘universal service fund’? And you can blow that ‘net neutrality’ outcher wazoo!
Diane Polly comments:
Seniors are more worried about digital conversion and are scared of the technology. Hard to get them as a group to want broadband. Income levels are prohibitive.
I know a few seniors who would dispute some of this woman’s comments. For one thing, a lot of seniors already have access. Those I know, who aren’t on the internet, don’t WANT to. As one lady put it, “I have lived all my life without the damn thing, why do I need it now?” And, once again, if income levels are ‘prohibitive’, there is the public library, and even some senior centers have computers.
Michael Ramage comment:
Cost of the computer should be a factor to consider, wants to give computers to everyone, “the focus is to get a computer into everyone’s hands.”
Has anyone been to a Best Buy lately? The cost of computers has come down quite significantly in recent years. You can find one for less than $300! Oh, but not everyone has that much to spend on a computer. Here’s a thought….save it up! It’s amazing how fast the change from the bottom of your purse adds up to a significant amount. I don’t believe tax money should be spent to make sure anyone has a computer!
Madeline Taylor comments – broadband promises:
1. Education- can extend homebound students, increase limited access to library
2. Healthcare- allows for home diagnosis, treatment, counseling
3. Commerce- shopping and selling for homebound folks
4. Improved government access- improve access to services, speaking with incarcerated
5. Employment- only the best jobs are available for application on-line.
I can understand the ‘homebound students’, but I take major issue with the ‘health care’ nonsense. You can’t diagnose diddly through a computer. There’s also this little thing called a telephone for ordering stuff, and if you want to talk to low level putz from the government, that ringy dingy works fairly well too. Yeah yeah….being on hold for hours on end is a real pain in the butt, but perhaps if instead of sitting around and filing their nails, an actual human being would pick up said ringy dingy once in a while, efficiency would improve. And I’d really like to know why the ‘incarcerated’ have computers? And no, the best jobs are not only available online. I don’t suppose making phone calls, and pounding the pavement, like in the olden days, is acceptable anymore.
Wink Dowman:
Broadband will save tax dollars because public safety will be able to do more and pay less. Need the 700mhz band.
Uh…whut? Now, you know full well that it will be tax dollars that will be footing the bill to provide the entire country computer and broadband, so how is that going to be a saving? As for public safety, I was under the impression that police departments were already equipped with all the bells and whistles.
These comments took over an hour leaving only 40 minutes for comment.
Individuals in Attendance who asked questions:
Mississippi Grass Roots
Bomer and Associates
Black Business Association of Memphis
Westwood Neighborhood Association
Viewpoints expressed:
Several individuals stepped forward with a conservative viewpoint, FCC stay out, don’t pick winning technologies, auction Spectrum bands, how much is this going to cost, don’t use regulatory panels to suppress ideas.
I really wish I had been able to attend, Memphis is not just down the road for me though. As is the norm for any current governmental agency, they will NOT take into account any opposing viewpoints, and will continue on their merry way, doing what they damn well please, even if it puts the taxpayer into the poor house. I’d honestly like to know where in the Constitution it says anyone has a ‘right’ to broadband internet access?
The Declaration of Independence says “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” That means we are all equal in our right to PURSUE happiness, not that it’s guaranteed.
The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution states “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” Once again, we are free to pursue what we, as individuals, need to secure our own success, or failure.
A huge thanks to Mr Anonymous (who put it all in context….”gimme, gimme, gimme“), for providing the information!
Shredding Rights
5th Amendment:
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Not So Private Property?: Clean Water Restoration Act Raises Fears of Land Grab
Upwards of 40 percent of all land in the United States is already under some form of government control or ownership — 800 million to 900 million acres out of America’s total 2.2 billion acres.
The government now appears poised to wield greater control over private property on a number of fronts. The battle over private property rights has intensified since 2005, when the Supreme Court ruled in the Kelo v. City of New London case that the government could take property from one group of private landowners and give it to another.
I’m no Constitutional scholar, which is all too obvious on a regular basis, but I honestly do not believe that our Founding Fathers intended for the 5th Amendment to be used as a confiscatory tool.
Arguing With Idiots
Hmmm…. I wonder why there are so many idiots in our nation’s capital making laws, and trashing the Constitution? Oh yeah….it’s because we have so many IDIOTS voting for them!
I Must Have Missed Something
Was I asleep when the unemployment rate went below 5%? Or perhaps the war in Afghanistan was declared a victory? Was there a complete turn around in the economy and no one told me? Did Washington finally come clean and admit they are full of male bovine excrement, and are as useless as teats on a boar?
President Obama Gives Himself A B-plus Grade
President Barack Obama, in an interview that aired Sunday, gave himself “a good solid B-plus” grade for his first year in office.
Speaking with fellow Chicagoan Oprah Winfrey, the president claimed progress on economic and international fronts.
Obama said the only thing that stands in the way of giving himself a better grade is the fact that some elements of his agenda – health care reform and putting more Americans to work – remain undone.
“The biggest burden on me right now is that economic growth has happened, but job growth has not happened,” Obama told Winfrey on the ABC special.
On the plus side, Obama said, “We are on our way out of Iraq.” And, he added, “I think we’ve got the best possible plan for Afghanistan.”
No doubt about it. I’ve stepped into a parallel universe where we actually have a leader in the White House, and all is well with the world.
As Spencer Hughes said, “I’d Hate To See What a “D” Looks Like“!
I challenge defenders of the President’s high self imposed grade to SHOW me what he has done exactly to deserve it.
I’m waiting…If you can’t answer off the cuff, I am on the radio for 10 hours a week. You are more than welcome to share the myriad of things on your list then.
In the meantime, it looks like the American people are the only real ones able to grade the President.
And they just gave him the worst first year ratings of any President in history.
This is one report card that I wouldn’t be running home to mom and dad to boast about.
There was a time when I didn’t believe anyone could ever top Jimmah Cartah as the worst president in my lifetime. I was wrong. Cartah is now the second worst.
Thanks Obama!
Shared by Ken the Cop.
Petition To The President
Dear Mr. President:
As a citizen of the United States of America I respectfully request and demand that you immediately fire Kevin Jennings from the post of Safe Schools Czar. Mr. Jennings’ long history of promoting a radical homosexual agenda in the schools is completely inappropriate and I object to my children being subjected to this. Furthermore, it has recently been reported that the group Mr. Jennings founded (GLSEN) is promoting books for schoolchildren containing some of the most explicit and vile sexual content imaginable. Please remove this man from your administration and stop exposing our children to such inappropriate material.
PLEASE GO SIGN THIS PETITION! It really IS “for the sake of the children”!
H/T: Texas Fred’s
2010 Is Looking Up!
Rep. Bart Gordon Will Not Seek Reelection
Rep. Bart Gordon has said today that he will not be seeking reelection after his current term is over.
Stating that “Turning 60 has led me to do some thinking about what’s next, I have an 8-year-old daughter and a wonderful wife who has a very demanding job, and I am the only child of my 83-year-old mother Margaret. They have made sacrifices to allow me to do what I love by serving Congress, and now it’s my turn.”
He also said “When I was elected, I was the youngest member of the Tennessee congressional delegation; now, I’m one of the oldest,”
I don’t suppose his decision not to run again has anything to do with the lack of support he’s getting from his constituents, could it? Naw. Not possible, right? Heh. Let’s just hope that the folks of TN 6th Congressional district can get a REAL conservative elected to that seat! First Tanner, now Gordon. 2010 could turn out to be a good year for conservatives, and a real bad one for libs. 
One of Those Emails
You know the kind, you’re suppose to pass along and send back. Mostly, I hate those things, and just delete them. No, I don’t believe that if I pass such and such to 10 million people, Bill Gates is going to send me a check that will pay my bills for the rest of my life. No, I don’t think that an email will save some kid’s life in Uganda.
So, when I got this one, instead of just deleting it, or passing to four people, I decided to post it. Hope it touches you as much as it touched me.
This was written by a Metro Denver Hospice Physician: (whether it was or not, isn’t the point…it’s the message)
I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5, stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd., and the car started to choke and splutter and die – I barely managed to coast into a gas station, glad only that I would not be blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to wait for the tow truck. It wouldn’t even turn over. Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the quickie mart building, and it looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a gas pump, so I got out to see if she was okay..
When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel.
At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95..
I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying ‘I don’t want my kids to see me crying!,’ so we stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now. So I asked, ‘And you were praying?’ That made her back away from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person and said, ‘He heard you, and He sent me.’
I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car completely, and while it was fueling, walked to the next door McDonald’s and bought 2 big bags of food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee. She gave the food to the kids in the car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little.
She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City. Her boyfriend left 2 months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn’t have money to pay rent Jan. 1, and finally, in desperation, had called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about 5 years. They lived in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet there.
So she packed up everything she owned in the car.. She told the kids they were going to California for Christmas, but not that they were going to live there. I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road. As I was walking over to my car, she said, ‘So, are you like an angel or something?’
This definitely made me cry. I said, ‘Sweetie, at this time of year angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people.’
It was so incredible to be a part of someone else’s miracle. And of course, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem. I’ll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but I suspect the mechanic won’t find anything wrong.
Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the flutter of their wings…
Psalms 55:22 ‘ Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.’
Shared by Rosemary.
We don’t often realize the affect we can have on others. We go through our days, concerned with our own problems, and forget there are those with much bigger issues that make our concerns pale by comparison. I pray that, not only during the Christmas season, but throughout the year, we can put aside our petty differences and remember the sacrifice of One much greater than us. It is no sacrifice for us to show a kindness to others. A kind word, a smile, perhaps the spare change in your pocket, can sometimes have a greater affect than we will ever know.
A Moment of Silence
Today, at noon eastern, 11 central, please take a moment to pray for those in Washington, D.C. Pray they will remember who gave them their job, and who can take it away. Pray they will read the Constitution and remember their oath of office. Pray they will remember who they work for, We, The People. Pray they remember those who fought and died to preserve our freedoms. Pray they will not be in such a hurry to destroy those freedoms. Pray we will remain the United States of America, and all it stands for. Pray they will see the Light!
R.I.P.
Henderson police officer shot in robbery dies this morning
A Henderson police captain shot in an armed robbery on Thursday night died this morning, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has confirmed.
Capt. Dennis Cagle was shot once in the stomach around 8 p.m. Thursday at a grocery store in Chester County.
Ricky Steward, 48, has been charged with aggravated robbery and attempted first degree murder. He was also shot multiple times in the robbery. He is in critical but stable condition at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, said John Mehr, TBI special agent in charge.
Steward’s 49-year-old wife, Cheryl, was also arrested Thursday and is charged with aggravated robbery.
Mehr said more charges are likely pending for the couple.
I would hope that murder charges will be brought, and the death penalty will REMAIN an option. These types of things aren’t suppose to happen in small town America.
My prayers are with the family, friends and fellow officers.
Reid’s Nose Tweek
Lieberman Rules Out Voting for Health Bill
In a surprise setback for Democratic leaders, Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, independent of Connecticut, said on Sunday that he would vote against the health care legislation in its current form.
The bill’s supporters had said earlier that they thought they had secured Mr. Lieberman’s agreement to go along with a compromise they worked out to overcome an impasse within the party.
But on Sunday, Mr. Lieberman told the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, to scrap the idea of expanding Medicare and to abandon the idea of a new government insurance plan, known as a public option.
While this is a good move, to a degree, it would be even better if the good Senator refused to vote for this type of bill in ANY form.
On a separate issue, Mr. Reid tried over the weekend to concoct a compromise on abortion that would induce Senator Ben Nelson, Democrat of Nebraska, to vote for the bill. Mr. Nelson opposes abortion. Any provision that satisfies him risks alienating supporters of abortion rights.
Isn’t it interesting that even though they’ve been told, and even admitted nothing they are doing when it comes to health care is Constitutional, they just roll right along, oblivious. That tax payer funds should even be considered to pay for the slaughter of innocent children, in this farce of ‘health care reform’, is even more offensive.
Saturday Afternoon – Too Busy – No Laundry Time
Bad Economy? What Bad Economy? – Support Your Local Gunfighter
Why We Should Get Out Of Afghanistan – 912 Warrior Blog
“THAT’S NOT A BABY” – Charlie Sykes
Fistgate IV: Obama’s Safe Schools Czar Passed Out Gay Bar Guides to Teens – Texas Fred’s
The Year End List Of Things I Don’t Care About – Newscoma
Jerusalem: The Eternal Capital of Israel! – The American Tea Party
CHANNUKAH: THE FREEZE – This Land Is My Land
Congress is legally insane, there is no other explanation – Taxing Tennessee
It’s beginning to look a lot like… – From Where I sit
A Christmas Tune – silent E speaks
UK POLLS Dhimmi Down: We will not Speak of Islam, Now Please Don’t Hurt Us! – Atlas Shrugs
Political Correctness: The Lie that Kills – Moonbattery
GOP is to blame – Stepping Right Up!
Another flight disrupted by a group of Muslims – Muslims Against Sharia
China Claims “One Child Policy” Helps To Slow Global Warming – Cristy Li
Friday Afternoon Roundup – On the Radar and Off the Radar – Sultan Knish
America, What’s More Important? – Big Mark
The Bailout That Never Ends – RedState
Muslim Radicalization Gains Momentum in US: Analysts – Loganswarning
Oy, (Grand)Son of Jimmuh: Third Generation of Carters Gets Into Politics, Won’t Answer Israel Questions - Debbie Schlussel
Stop the Carbon Madness! - Tennessee Tenth Amendment Center
World Without Dum Dums – Digital Publius
Michelle Obama Needs More Boob Belt – Feed Your ADHD
Bad news, Good news – Camp4U
My Heisman Prediction – Real Debate Wisconsin
A Big Shout Out to The Big Mango – The Asian Badger
Loophole or Rationing? – Blue Collar Republican
Update On Christmas Ghost’s Son
From TMFo on the website:
***UPDATE! 12:51 AM CST, 12/12/09***
I just heard from Ghost. Her son is alive, off the ventilator and breathing on his own. They repaired the fractures to his face, but the skull fracture is still bad, running an hand-span along his left temple. They don’t know the extent of the damage to his left eye. He still has bleeding in his brain, and he can talk a little, though most of it isn’t making sense yet. From what I gather, he has some degree of awareness, and that is an excellent sign. He goes in for CT scans tomorrow (Sunday). When he was admitted, they gave him the lowest possible score for survival. As best as they can tell, his brain was without oxygen for at least 8 minutes, but the hypothermia slowed him down enough. Best case scenario, he is looking at several months of hospitalization.
He has beaten the odds, so please, continue to pray or send good vibes, or whatever it is your particular belief system does. He’s been moved from ICU to Intensive Head Trauma Rehabilitation Unit.
Please, continue praying for this young man and his family!
