Sunday, June 20, 2010

A Father's Day Story

Power Line - A Father's Day Story
"Tevlin writes:

[W]hen he saw on the television that tornadoes were forming in the area, Wes Michaels jumped in his pickup truck and drove down to the Cenex to check on Heidi, who was managing the station.
When he got there, a customer joked that he should be out having fun on his birthday.

A few minutes later, a twister took aim on the station.

Michaels ordered Heidi and customers into the cooler as it hit.
Michaels was a big man, about 6 feet tall with a broad chest, 'a strong man who wasn't afraid to use his strength,' according to his former boss, Orville Lee.
Instinctively, he positioned his body above that of his daughter, and took the brunt of the force from debris as the building crumbled around them.

It occurs to me that Michaels' story is a little like a real-life version of a song that we noted recently.

Wes Michaels, RIP, and happy Father's Day to all of our readers who are fortunate enough to bear that title."

We still live in a wonderful country filled with AMERICAN heroes!

Bank failure is 83rd in '10; pace more than double last year's

Bank failure is 83rd in '10; pace more than double last year's - USATODAY.com
"The 83 closures so far this year is more than double the pace set in all of 2009"

This isn't good.
Don't you think you'd hear more about this disaster if Bush/McCain/Palin was president?

Dad's flag














I originally posted this on 4/6/2006 and thought it would go well with the story of Private First Class Jack G. Rasey and the flag his son bought in his Dad's name.

"Today is Take an American Flag to Work Day so I though it might be a good time to recount this little story about the last birthday gift I received from my father.
Dad passed away last summer after a broken hip forced him to move into assisted living. 
We'd become fast friends in the last 15 years after my rather tumultuous youth.
Like many fathers, Dad hated shopping and early on caved to reality, just sending a generous check as Christmas and birthday gifts. 
Most times I'd send Dad a thank you and deposit the check in my checking account, soon to be forgotten.
But last year, after my visit to his new apartment, reality crept into my consciousness and I realized that Dad might not be with me forever.
My birthday check arrived shortly after my visit and for some reason, I just hung on to it, not depositing it for a few weeks. 
It took me some time but I soon realized that I wanted to do something special with my father's gift.
As luck would have it, I was chatting with a friend who has his own flagpole and I asked him who had installed it. 
He had done it himself, and I instantly had the answer to my quest for the perfect gift from Dad.
A few days later it was up. 
Lighted at night, almost always flapping proudly during the day.
I took a photo of the flag and sent it to Dad and I think he got as much of a kick out of as did I. 
He even asked me to send him additional photos of my birthday gift.
Dad served in WW2 and Korea, losing his fighter pilot brother over France in 1943. 
He instilled a tremendous sense of American pride and patriotism in all his children and he was wonderfully proud to fit into his old US Naval officer's uniform a few years back. 
Yes, that's Dad up top.
We all must bear the loss of our parents but the memories of their love and life lessons live on.
My Father is gone now but his spirit and "Dad's Flag" greet me each time I come home.
Thank you, Dad. for the wonderful memories that make me smile even as I grieve."

Happy Father's Day: It's Still a Mancession

CARPE DIEM: Happy Father's Day: It's Still a Mancession

Happy Father's Day - The World's Strongest Dad

BLACKFIVE: Happy Father's Day - The World's Strongest Dad
"But exactly how strong can one dad be?
So, this brings us to the world's strongest dad - a father among fathers. Blackfive reader Ron sends this story from Sports Illustrated's Rick Reilly about Dick and Rick Hoyt (Dick is a retired Air National Guard Lieutenant Colonel).

It's a great story about a father and son who saved each other.
I thought it would be a great story to read this weekend:"

Read this and be proud that you share this country with these two amazing Americans.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

CNN to air telethon to aid Gulf oil spill victims

CNN to air telethon to aid Gulf oil spill victims
"CNN and Larry King are presenting a telethon Monday to benefit victims of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Celebrities on the special two-hour edition of 'Larry King Live' will include Justin Bieber (BEE'-bur), Ted Danson, Cameron Diaz, Randy Jackson and Robert Redford, as well as a performance by Sting.

CNN said Friday that guests will visit with King on set and by satellite. They will also participate in the program's telephone banks taking viewer calls.

Ryan Seacrest will host an online suite for viewers using social media like Facebook.

'Disaster in the Gulf: How You Can Help' is aimed at raising funds for the United Way, National Wildlife Federation and The Nature Conservancy. The telethon will air 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern.

Isn't this just gonna reduce what BP has to pay?

Teddy Kennedy Revealed -

Teddy Kennedy Revealed - HUMAN EVENTS
"The FBI released over 2,000 pages from their files on Monday concerning the late Sen. Edward Kennedy.

The files further solidify Teddy’s image as a promiscuous, immoral, trembling blob of sexual excitement.

Michigan celebrates! MI now #2 in unemployment after being #1 for 4 straight years, passed up by Nevada

theblogprof: Michigan celebrates! MI now #2 in unemployment after being #1 for 4 straight years, passed up by Nevada

The Job-Killing Impact of Minimum Wage Laws II

CARPE DIEM: The Job-Killing Impact of Minimum Wage Laws II

Friday, June 18, 2010

World Sees Obama as Incompetent and Amateur

Mort Zuckerman: World Sees Obama as Incompetent and Amateur - US News and World Report
"One Middle East authority, Fouad Ajami, pointed out that Obama seems unaware that it is bad form and even a great moral lapse to speak ill of one's own tribe while in the lands of others."

Detroit school board president accused of sex act in meeting

Detroit school board president accused of sex act in meeting Detroit Free Press:

Amid allegations that he fondled himself during a meeting with the schools superintendent, Detroit school board President Otis Mathis today admitted engaging in “inappropriate actions” but tried to rescind his resignation."

Dozen state-employee pensions slashed to cut costs

Dozen state-employee pensions slashed to cut costs ScrippsNews
"In an effort to reduce the burden on their budgets, at least a dozen states have passed laws this year overhauling their retirement systems.
Some have created less-generous pensions for newly hired workers.

Others have increased the amount of money employees must pay into their pensions. Some have done both."

Celluoid Burns Like Napalm - Hanger 42 percent

RightMichigan.com Celluoid Burns Like Napalm - Hanger 42 percent
"Perhaps no one has yet noticed the similarity between the name and the amount (percentage) of credit provided to film makers for their 'investments' into the Michigan Economy?

Could it be possible, the sheer audacity of what now appears to be a scam to separate Michigan taxpayers from their hard earned dollars would lend itself to the very name of the tool used to perpetrate such fraud?"

An Apology To Be Truly Sorry About

An Apology To Be Truly Sorry About - IBD - Investors.com
"Rep. Joe Barton says what everyone knows is true and his own party threatens to kick him out of his committee seat. We expected cynical political opportunism from Democrats, but not from Republican leaders.

Where are we as a society when the truth is treated as a something that can't be uttered in public?"

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Oil: The Real Green Fuel

Jonah Goldberg : Oil: The Real Green Fuel - Townhall.com
"estimates rainforest clear-cutting for biofuels releases 17 to 420 times more CO2 than it offsets by displacing petroleum or coal."

A view we won't see on MSM TV.

Obama administration spends $1.2 billion on cycling and walking initiatives

Obama administration spends $1.2 billion on cycling and walking initiatives - Telegraph:
"Obama administration spends $1.2 billion on cycling and walking initiatives
The Obama administration more than doubled spending on cycling and walking initiatives to $1.2 billion (£810 million) last year as it seeks to coax Americans out of their cars."

Is this the time to expand frivolous spending?

Granholm defends record after 8 years

Granholm defends record after 8 years Lansing State Journal
"Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, battered by economic turmoil but still optimistic, said Friday that her nearly eight years as governor have been a fight to shrink government, adapt to hundreds of thousands of manufacturing job losses and educate more citizens."

This woman is the Nero of Michigan as she fiddled away our entire state economy.

And now she shows us she is delusional to boot!

The Immutable Law Of The Potomac

The Immutable Law Of The Potomac - IBD - Investors.com
"Sen. Joe Lieberman believes American households are 'willing to pay less than $1' a day to stop global warming.

The Connecticut independent needs a lesson in the history of government program costs."

When some say both political parties are the same, remind them of this eco-tax monster that is the core of the democrat party.

CARPE DIEM: The Job-Killing Impact of Minimum Wage Laws

CARPE DIEM: The Job-Killing Impact of Minimum Wage Laws

Take Action! Stop the Union Budget Busting Bills

Take Action! Stop the Union Budget Busting Bills Americans for Prosperity
"SB 1072, supposedly a reform of binding arbitration that has been strangling local governments for 40 years, will actually expand union boss power.
It will expand binding arbitration to local authorities, school districts and boards and do nothing to reform arbitration in cities and townships."

HB 6154 will extend binding arbitration to county corrections workers and greatly increase costs to counties and taxpayers."

Call your state rep. and senator or pay the price for your lethargy.

France says EU wants global financial tax

My Way News - France says EU wants global financial tax
"French President Nicolas Sarkozy says European Union leaders will call for a a global tax on financial transactions.
He says the 27 leaders want the United States and others to back a tax at a Group of 20 summit of rich and emerging nations in Toronto next week - despite opposition from some nations.
It is unclear how exactly a global tax would work."

Maybe this is what they have in mind:

Banks have declared war -- on you
Changes are coming fast to the credit card world, and you can expect your bank to raise rates, slash credit limits, add fees and cut rewards. Consumers, brace yourselves.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/CreditCardSmarts/banks-have-declared-war-on-you.aspx

Lap Around the Boat

Lap Around the Boat

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

German student attacks Hell's Angels with puppy

"German student attacks Hell's Angels with puppy
BERLIN

Wed, May 26 2010BERLIN (Reuters) - A German student created a major traffic jam in Bavaria after making a rude gesture at a group of Hell's Angels motorcycle gang members, hurling a puppy at them and then escaping on a stolen bulldozer."

Ya gotta love those Germans! So inventive!

So bulldozerish!

Al Gore's Alleged Affair With Laurie David

Dear Margo: Al Gore's Alleged Affair With Laurie David -- Reason for His BP Silence? wowOwow
"He is silent on this issue for the same reason that Teddy Kennedy couldn’t join the Anita Hill/Clarence Thomas fight: The equivalency to Teddy’s womanizing is that Mr. Gore has been in a two-year affair with Laurie David, also an environmentalist, and it would be, uh, unseemly."

Car Lust: 1976 Chevrolet Vega Cabriolet

Car Lust: 1976 Chevrolet Vega Cabriolet
"Egad! How else to begin a post on this poor little pretentious thing?
The Vega never had the best reputation to start with, but to call this car a convertible when it had a full, fixed metal roof?
C'mon now!"

Sacramento council approves economic sanctions against Arizona

Sacramento council approves economic sanctions against Arizona - Sacramento City News - sacbee.com
"The Sacramento City Council voted Tuesday night to place economic sanctions against Arizona companies in response to that state's immigration laws."

There's a pipe spewing a gazillion gobs of oil into the gulf, so let's build more windmills

Obama's speech: There's a pipe spewing a gazillion gobs of oil into the gulf, so let's build more windmills Top of the Ticket Los Angeles Times:

LA Times?!!
Check out the photo!

Clip Syndicate Video: 5/20 - Prichard Pension Plan

Clip Syndicate Video: 5/20 - Prichard Pension Plan

The Flipper Bridge: Hong Kong to China

CARPE DIEM: The Flipper Bridge: Hong Kong to China
"Hong Kong drives on the left side of the road (thanks to the British Empire) and mainland China drives on the right side. So how do you prevent crashes when driving on a bridge between them?

Answer: The Flipper Bridge, find out more here."

Dangerous to our health

Dangerous to our health - The Boston Globe
"But if Obama is as opposed to a government-ruled health sector as he claims, why has he nominated Dr. Donald Berwick as director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services — far and away the nation’s largest health-insurance programs, at a cost of nearly $1 trillion — a man who openly adores Britain’s socialized health care?
“I am romantic about the National Health Service,’’ Berwick told a British audience in 2008.
“I love it.’’
He not only loves the National Health Service, he extols it as “an example for the whole world — an example . . . that the United States needs now.’’"