Big T's Pic of the Day

I told you it was a relifious following!!!

This photo was taken at a Borders Bookstore in the north east.

If you oppose the stimulus, don’t take the money?

Liberal commentator and Clinton buddy, Paul Begala, is criticizing S.C. Governor Mark Sanford over his opposition to the stimulus bill. He says if you oppose the bail out don’t take the money.

If I was Sanford I would respond back: “I won’t take the money if constituents and business in my state doesn’t have to pay federal income tax.


Then watch business and new jobs flock to S.C to avoid taxes….You know, the FairTax would do the same thing for all those jobs that have been taxed out of the country overseas.

Let’s Call It What It Is…

It’s all in the name…politicians love names, especially the left. If what you call something has a negative context just change the name. Liberal become progressive, because who doesn’t like progress. Welfare checks are now “handouts.” Government spending has become “re-investing.” And that takes us to the economic stimulus plan, which will now be called the “Recovery and Reinvestment Plan.”

It was never a stimulus plan anyways, but it is not much of a recovery plan either. Why don’t we just call it what it is? “The Government spending, growth, expansion and Democrat job insurance plan.”

Socialist Republic of Illinois trying to make it harder for gun owners

The Socialist Republic of Illinois (My home state) is doing everything they can to make it harder to be a gun owner. The Illinois legislator would like nothing more than to disarm its citizens, but they know they can’t pass laws to do it. There is this little old outdated piece of paper called the Constitution with the Bill of Rights that contains the Second Amendment. However, what they do know is with enough government regulation they will eventually cripple and destroy the industry.

So Lawmakers in the state have put forth a bill that will require gun owners to maintain a liability insurance policy of at least 1 million dollars in coverage.

You can see this bill here: HB0687, the Firearm Owners ID-Insurance bill:

"Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that any person who owns a firearm in this State shall maintain a policy of liability insurance in the amount of at least $1,000,000 specifically covering any damages resulting from negligent or willful acts involving the use of such firearm while it is owned by such person. Provides that a person shall be deemed the owner of a firearm after the firearm is lost or stolen until such loss or theft is reported to the police department or sheriff of the jurisdiction in which the owner resides. Provides that the Department of State Police shall revoke and seize a Firearm Owner's Identification Card previously issued under this Act if the Department finds that the person to whom such card was issued possesses or acquires a firearm and does not submit evidence to the Department of State Police that he or she has been issued in his or her name a liability insurance policy in the amount of at least $1,000,000 specifically covering any damages resulting from negligent or willful acts involving the use of such firearm while it is owned by such person. Effective January 1, 2010."

Politicians are aware that law abiding gun owners are not the problem, but when you are in the business of absolute control over a group of citizens or a population controlling access to weapons is crucial.

Here is one thing to keep in mind. Government has one power that the rest of us do not. The government can use force to accomplish their goals. It has happened time and time again throughout history. We should be very concerned and untrusting of any politician who fears the thought of private citizens retaining the ability to defend themselves.

Nearly 60% of U.S. voters fear too much government spending

A new Rasmussen poll shows fifty-nine percent of U.S. voters are worried that the Democratic controlled Congress and President Barrack Obama will increase government spending too much over the next year or two.

Well golly…what the hell did you expect when you voted these jack asses into office? It is just a little bit late to be worried about that now. Elections have consequences folks.

However, it is not like a Republican majority would have been any better. Spending increased faster in the last eight years than any other time in history, and that is after you subtract spending on the war.

New Jersey schools to teach Finance 101 classes for high school seniors.

A bill has passed the state legislator in New Jersey that will require high school seniors be taught how to write a check, manage credit card debt, and obtain a mortgage.

It’s amazing they were not already being taught this stuff. I remember learning this stuff when I was in 8th grade and a freshman.

Of course leave it to a Democrat to express concerns about the added requirement.

Sen. Jim Whelan, D-Absecon, is worried about adding requirements to the curriculum without extending the length of the school day.

Of course what Whelan is really worried about is the idea of people actually being able to take care of themselves without the help of government. See that would be a loss of power.

Mistresses Feeling Economical Crunch

The economy must be worse than I thought! More than 80 percent of multi-millionaires are cutting back spending on their mistress, 12 percent say they are going to dump them up all together.

See folks, it’s not just the working poor and middle-class hurting out there. Those poor mistresses are feeling the economical impact too!

No more free plane rides, lavish restaurants and diamonds…oh the misery out there.

News and Views from Around the Web

How to be a good republican? Well, that is easy. You strongly oppose the stimulus package, vote against it and then praise it after it passes for all the money it is bringing to your state. This is why I left the party…

Gary Younge writes for the Guardian in the UK . He says President Obama is popular, and his stimulus bill is being hailed as a victory, but no one really believes it will work.

This is real bad news…China is trying to figure out ways to diversify and dump the U.S. dollar…Yeah, I would too. Especially after the passing of this stimulus bill, China is not stupid…but if China isn’t going to buy all this debt we keep racking up then who will? It should be a question of great concern.

Kansas has a serious cash-flow problem. The state is virtually out of money…They may put a delay of state tax refunds and state worker paychecks. If you don’t pay your taxes the state takes your stuff, if the state doesn’t pay you can you take their stuff?

A Miami banker gave $60 million of his own money to employs as bonuses…What’s he doing? Doesn’t he know you can’t give out bonuses, only the government can give out things! Bad socialist…

I hope you are not in the brewery industry in Oregon . Oregon state lawmakers want to impose a 1,900 percent tax on each barrel of beer produced in the state. Ever get the feeling beer produced in Oregon will now be produced in Washington or California . Way to tax people out of jobs Oregon .

Richland County S.C. Sherriff has decided not to charge swimmer Michael Phelps with smoking the pot…

Big T's Pic of the Day

A Small Glimpse of the Spending in the Stimuls Bill

Since actual journalist won’t do their job and break down what is in this outrageous economical spending—oops--I mean stimulus bill, I have done it for them.

The legislation was released to the public at 11pm on Thursday, and because I have no life and am a geek and nerd, I have spent hours upon hours into the wee hours of the morning going through parts of the stimulus bill looking for where our tax dollars are going. This is by no means a full list of spending projects in the final economic stimulus bill, but it represents a good cross section of what I found.

This piece of legislation is well over 1000 pages long. I find it extremely hard to believe that any member of Congress read it before voting to pass it on Friday.

If you want to take a look for yourself, follow the links below:

As I mentioned, it is not a small document, one reason it was broken into four different parts for your downloading and reading enjoyment. I recommend several cups of coffee or red bulls to help you along the way.

http://www.rules.house.gov/111/LegText/hr1_legtext_cr.pdf - Division A - 31.9 MB

http://www.rules.house.gov/111/LegText/hr1_legtext_crb.pdf - Division B - 876 kb

http://www.rules.house.gov/111/LegText/hr1_cr_jes.pdf - Statment Div A - 13.9 MB

http://www.rules.house.gov/111/LegText/hr1_cr_jesb.pdf - Statement Div B - 32.4 MB

Here is just a few of the things that I found:

$24 million for construction and repairs to US Department of Agriculture facilities

$22.5 million for the USDA Inspector General for oversight on the stimulus bill

$176 million for deferred maintenance on US Agricultural Research Service facilities

$50 million to modernize and maintain the IT system of the Farm Service Agency

$290 million for "Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations"

$50 million for "Wastershed Rehabiliation Program"

$1 billion for rural housing direct loans

$10.4 billion for rural housing guaranteed loans

$2.5 billion for rural distance learning, telemedicine and broadband

$100 million in grants for National School Lunch Program equipment assistance

$150 million in agricultural commodity assistance

$1 billion for the Census Bureau

$4.7 billion for "Broadband Technology Opportunities Program" which includes $350 million for the development of a "broadband inventory map"

$650 million for Digital TV converter box program

$220 million for Scientific research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology

$360 million for Construction of scientific research facilities

$230 million in extra budget money for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

$600 million for NOAA "Procurement, Acquisition and Construction"

$225 million in grants for programs to combat violence against women

$2 billion in state and local law enforcement assistance grants

$225 million in grants to improve the criminal justice system

$225 million in law enforcement assistance to Indian Tribes

$100 million for the "office for Victims of Crime"

$125 million in law enforcement assistance for rural areas

$50 million in state and local grants to combat internet crime against kids

$1 billion for the COPS program

$400 million in operations budget money for NASA

$150 million for "Aeronautics" at NASA

$400 million for "Exploration" at NASA

$2.5 billion for research at the National Science Foundation

$100 million for NSF "Education and Human Resources"

$400 million for NSF "Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction"

$1.4 billion in Army "Operation and Maintenance"

$657 million in Navy "Operation and Maintenance"

$113 million in Marine Corps "Operation and Maintenance"

$1.09 billion for Air Force "Operation and Maintenance"

$98 million for Army Reserve "Operation and Maintenance"

$55 million for Navy Reserve "Operation and Maintenance"

$39 million in Marine Corps Reserve "Operation and Maintenance"

$13 million for Air Force Reserve "Operation and Maintenance"

$266 million for Army National Guard "Operation and Maintenance"

$25 million for Air National Guard "Operation and Maintenance"

$75 million each for Army, Navy, Air Force "Research, Development, Test and Evaluation"

$400 million for "Defense Health Program"

$2 billion for Army Corps of Engineers construction

$375 million for Army Corps projects on the Mississippi and tributaries

$2.07 billion for Army Corps of Engineers "Operation and Maintenance"

$100 million for "Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program"

$1 billion for Interior Department "Water and Related Resources"

$50 million for Central Utah Project Completion Act

$50 million for California Bay-Delta Restoration Act

$10 million to inspect canals in urban areas

$16.8 billion for Energy Department, "Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy"

$5 billion of that goes for "Weatherization Assistance"

$4.5 billion to improve the nation's electricity grid

$3.4 billion for "Fossil Energy Research and Development"

$483 million for "Non-Defense Environmental Cleanup"

$390 million for "Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund"

$1.6 billion for "Science"

$6 billion "Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program"

$5.12 billion for "Defense Environmental Cleanup"

$7 million for oversight of "Making Work Pay" tax credits and payments in this bill

$80 million to implement health insurance tax credit plan

$5.5 billion for the "Federal Buildings Fund"

$300 million to buy energy efficient vehicles for the federal government

$200 million to consolidate the Department of Homeland Security Headquarters

$100 million for hi tech border security technology along the Mexican border

$420 million for construction of US Customs land border ports of entry

$20 million for tactical communications equipment for immigration enforcement

$1 billion for Aviation Security (explosive detection equipment)

$98 million for improvements to Coast Guard shore facilities

$142 million for "Alteration of Bridges"

$150 million in FEMA Public Transportation Security Assistance grants

$150 million for Port Security Grants

$210 million in grants to upgrade non-Federal fire stations

$125 million for Bureau of Land Management activities

$180 million for Bureau of Land Management construction

$15 million for Wildland Fire Management

$165 million for Fish and Wildlife Service deferred maintenance

$115 million for Fish and Wildlife Service construction projects

$15 million for preservation at Historically Black Colleges

$589 million for National Park System construction

$140 million for repair and restoration of US Geological Survey facilities

$450 million for Bureau of Indian Affairs construction

$600 million for EPA Superfund program

$200 million for Leaking Underground Storage Tank program

$4 billion in Clean Water grants

$2 billion for safe drinking water projects

$300 million for "Diesel Emission Reduction Act grants"

$650 million in US Forest Service "Capital Improvement and Maintenance"

$500 million for Wildland Fire Management

$85 million for Indian Health Services

$415 million for Indian Health Facilities construction projects

$25 million for repairs on Smithsonian Institution facilities

$50 million for National Endowment for the Arts to help preserve jobs in the non-profit arts

sector

$3.95 billion in worker training and employment services

$400 million in state unemployment insurance funding

$80 million for enforcement of worker protection laws

$250 million for construction of Job Corps Centers

$500 million in grants to health care centers

$1.5 billion for health information technology systems

$500 million to address health professions workforce shortages

$1.3 billion for National Institutes of Health research resource

$7.4 billion for Office of the Director, NIH

$500 million for high priority construction at NIH

$700 million for comparative effectiveness research

$2 billion in low-income child care assistance

$1 billion in funding for Head Start

$1.1 billion for expansion of Early Head Start

$1 billion for Community Services Block Grant Act

$2 billion for Office of the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology

$300 million for CDC childhood immunization programs

$650 million for community-based prevention and wellness strategies

$50 million in grants to states for infections reduction strategies

$13 billion in Title I education funding

$720 million in school improvement grants

$200 million in "Innovation and Improvement" education grants

$12.2 billion in Special Education funding

$15.8 billion in student financial assistance money

$89 million in AmeriCorps awards money

$500 million to replace the National Computer Center for Social Security

$500 million to process disability and retirement claims

$180 million in Army Military Construction

$280 million in Navy and Marine Corps Military Construction

$180 million in Air Force Military Construction funds

$1.33 billion to build military hospitals

$120 million for military energy conservation programs

$50 million for Army National Guard Military Construction

$50 million for Air National Guard Military Construction

$34 million for Army family housing construction

$80 million for Air Force family housing construction

$555 million for "Homeowners Assistance Fund"

$1 billion for Veterans Affairs medical facilities

$50 million for National Cemetery Administration

$150 million to hire temporary VA claims processors

$50 million for VA Information Technology Systems

$150 million in grants to build state extended care facilities

$90 million for passport and training functions facilities

$290 million for State Department IT security upgrades

$1.5 billion in surface transportation infrastructure

$200 million for FAA infrastructure projects

$1.1 billion in airport grants

$27.5 billion in railroad and port infrastructure investments

$105 million for Puerto Rico highway program

$60 million in competitive transportation grants to states

$550 million for transportation on Indian reservations

$8 billion for high-speed rail

$1.3 billion for Amtrak

$6.9 billion in mass transit capital assistance

$100 million in discretionary grants to public transit agencies

$750 million for mass transit rail improvements

$4 billion in "Public Housing Capital Fund"

$510 million in Native American Housing Block Grants

$1 billion in Community Development Grants

$2 billion in emergency aid for the redevelopment of foreclosed homes

$2.25 billion for low-income housing tax credit projects$1.5 billion in a homelessness prevention fund

What does the stimulus bill have to do with healthcare? Apparently a lot!

As republicans and critics argued over the right mix of tax cuts and whether money was going to the right places to jump-start the economy, no one was objecting to the healthcare provisions that were slipped in to the bill without debate or discussion.

Senators should have read over this stimulus bill with more scrutiny before blindly voting for it. They should have paid extra attention to the provisions lined out in H.R. 1 EH (page numbers mentioned refer to this pdf version) and voted against it, because it is dangerous to your health, and I am not talking about the aneurysm you put yourself at risk of from reading this mess.
The stimulus bill will affect every aspect of the healthcare industry, from medical and nursing education, to how patients are treated and how much money hospitals will get paid.

These new provisions are clearly a reflection of the ideas of Tom Daschle as they are virtually identical to what he proposed in his 2008 book, “Critical: What We Can Do About the Health-Care Crisis.” (A book I just recently finished reading. Coincidence? I think not.) In the book Daschle suggests doctors give up their autonomy and “learn to operate less like solo practitioners. Daschle was the nominee to head the Health and Human Services Department, until recently.

If you read pages 445, 454 and 479 it is clear new health rules in this bill will affect “every individual in the United States.” A federal system is now going to electronically track every medical treatment you receive.

Having electronic medical records instantly available for easy transfer to other hospitals is no doubt beneficial, but the bill goes further. It will create a brand new government bureaucracy, the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology, to monitor treatments and make sure your doctor is doing what the federal government deems appropriate and cost effective. The goal is to reduce costs and “guide” your doctor’s decisions. (Pages 442, 446)

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want my doctor to work for the federal government and their interests, but rather work for me and mine.

There is also a summary of penalties in the bill you can read about on pages 511, 518 and 540-541. Under this bill Hospitals and doctors that are determined to not be “meaningful users” of the new system will face penalties. “Meaningful user” or the penalties is not clearly defined or stated in the bill. The new HHS secretary, who will be empowered to impose “more stringent measures of meaningful use over time”, will determine that. Whatever that means?

And what exactly are the penalties? Will they deter your doctor from going beyond the electronically delivered protocol if you have a special condition or you need an experimental treatment?

There is no doubt in my mind the vagueness of this was done intentionally. If we go back to Daschle’s book, he proposes an appointed body with vast powers to make the “tough” decisions others won’t make. The stimulus bill does just that and covers it on pages 190-192. It is called the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research.

Daschle also explains in his book the goal is to slow the development and use of new medications and technologies because they are driving up costs. He goes on to praise European systems for their willingness to accept “hopeless diagnoses” and “forego experimental treatments.” Daschle criticizes Americans for expecting too much from the healthcare system. He explains the reform “will not be pain free,” and seniors should be more accepting of conditions that come with age instead of treating them.

Interestingly this goal is accomplished in the bill as well. Medicare currently pays for treatments deemed safe and effective, but the stimulus bill would change that. According to the bill on page 464 there will now be cost-effectiveness standard set by the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research.

Daschle also tells us in his book the blue print for this council is modeled after a board in the U.K. named the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence that approves or rejects treatments using a formula that divides the cost of treatment by the number of years the patient is likely to benefit. Treatments for younger patients are more often approved than treatments for diseases that affect the elderly.

In 2006, the U.K. health board, NICE, denied treatment and a costly new drug to elderly patients with macular degeneration until they went blind in one eye. It took almost three years of public protest to reverse the decision.

Hiding the groundwork for universal or socialized healthcare in a stimulus bill was intentional. Daschle and supporters of the Clinton administration’s universal health care plans in 1994 learned an important lesson. They cannot pass universal healthcare with a debate and delay on the issue. In fact Daschle noted last year the next president should act quickly before critics mount an opposition. “If that means attaching a healthcare plan to the federal budget, so be it,” he said. “The issue is too important to be stalled by Senate protocol.”

The newly elected administration and Congress are following the script. All last week, President Obama was out pushing the stimulus bill calling it “inexcusable and irresponsible” for senators to delay passing the stimulus bill. In truth, the bill needed more scrutiny. Scrutiny they new would destroy their road to socialized medicine.

Universal Healthcare and the Uninsured

We know the groundwork has been laid for universal healthcare in the stimulus bill, but how long will it be before it is a reality? It looks like universal or national healthcare may be here sooner than you think. Congress plans to address the issue very soon, perhaps in the first 100 days of the Obama Presidency.




The democrats are wasting no time either. They are well underway to getting the process started. Montana Senator Democrat Max Baucus, senate finance committee chairman, has unveiled his own healthcare plan. It is very similar to President Barack Obama’s plan from the campaign trail, but there is one little exception. Under Baucus' plan Americans would be required to have health insurance. In other words, it would be illegal for you to be without health insurance.

They claim the goal of the new proposal is to provide insurance for the so-called 47 million uninsured Americans we keep hearing about, but who are the 47 million uninsured?

Many of them are illegal immigrants, others can actually afford to pay medical costs out of pocket and some are too lazy to sign up for government health care benefits they are eligible for.

Here are some numbers from the Current Population Survey (CPS) and the Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC) conducted in 2007 by the US Census Bureau.





· 9.7 million of the uninsured are non-citizens or illegal immigrants

· 7 million live in households with incomes between $50,000 and $75,000

· 7.6 million live in households with incomes more than $100,000

So that leaves 22.7 million uninsured or about 8% of the population, of which 7-10 million are eligible for government healthcare programs but fail to sign up according to the Congressional Budget report. This means the number of hardship and chronically uninsured Americans is closer to 12-15 million or approximately 4-5% of the population. This is hardly a healthcare crisis.



Under the government solution employers will be forced to provide health insurance to employees. Those who do not provide health insurance will have to pay into a fund to cover the uninsured. In other words, healthcare will no longer be an employer benefit, but a government mandate. This is just another hidden tax on business.





An analysis of Barack Obama's healthcare plan by a consulting firm estimates that his plan, which is similar to Baucus' proposal, would cost the taxpayers $75 billion in the first year. By 2018, we will have spent over $1 trillion to fund this government insurance scheme.





The analysis also found that Obama's plan might worsen some problems like shortages of primary care doctors. The report also said, "Unless costs are cut, growing health care costs will increase the costs of Obama's plan dramatically over time and reduce the effectiveness of mandates. This could make the federal costs unsustainably high."

This leaves the question is 4-5% of uninsured Americans enough reason to destroy one of the best healthcare providers in the world by turning it into a socialist system?

If you still think it is, I suggest you take the time to read this well researched article comparing the different healthcare systems outside the United States by Michael Tanner, health policy expert at the Cato Institute.

You might find it interesting how many people escape their countries’ socialized medical systems for care in the United States to include former Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Burlusconi. Tens of thousands of foreigners seek treatment in the US every year and one out of three Canadian physicians sends a patient to the US every year. The Canadian healthcare system pays 1 billion a year for care in the US.



Although it is definitely not perfect, no system is, one could argue that there is no system better than the US. Universal or national healthcare is not only bad for Americans, but also bad for the world.

News and Views from Around the Web

It’s nice to know our government is not alone when it comes to wasteful spending, China has spent earthquake donation funds on luxury vehicles.

It seems a lot of Americans are turning to the golden arches in these hard economical times. McDonalds reports 80% rise in profits for 2008.

Here is some good news; retail sales were up last month after a six-months of decline. Another sign the economy may be improving without the help of the stimulus bill.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) warns that America is heading towards a looming entitlement crisis… Gee, I wonder what his first clue was?

Almost 70% of Americans feel that they could do a better job on the economy than Congress…Well, they couldn’t do any worse.

When Michael Moore wants to make a film about the financial crisis, where does he turn to for expert advice? How about the The Daily Kos! I guess economist were too hard to find.

Times are tough for government budgets. So tough that Berkeley's public arts program is going to pay an artist $196,000 to create dog statues.

Arkansas is considering a bill that would allow people to carry concealed handguns into churches. No problems here. I think law-abiding citizens should be able to carry handguns wherever they want.

Mark Cuban has come up with his own version of an economic stimulus that relies on entrepreneurs, hard work and ingenuity, rather than government. What a concept! Genius!

How many jobs will the stimulus bill have to create to be successful? Seems like a fair question, but no one seems to be able to answer it.

Dick Morris has some useful information on our “culture of debt” and how dangerous it is. I have been telling you this stuff for years!

It looks like Meg Whitman, former CEO of E-bay, is going to put her name in the hat to run for Governor of California. Perhaps she can take the liquidity out of that mess and sell it on E-bay!

One of the brilliant senator’s from Massachusetts John Kerry is concerned about tax cuts because people would be "free to invest anywhere that they want if they choose to invest." Yeah John, I know this is hard for you to grasp, but it is called freedom!

Big T's Pic of the Day

Bambi II

now out on DVD...definately looks better

than the first one!

Happy New Year

Well, I have survived another year and another New Years Eve bash. I am in recovery mode today, but here is some reading for you…Happy New Year!

Strange Christmas Play Station 3 Offer...

This came in my e-mail yesterday. Apparently this was a Christmas posting for a Play Station 3 on Craigslist. I am not sure if it was real or not, but wouldn’t be all that surprised I guess if it were real. Here is the posting:

PlayStation 3 (the city)
Reply to: XXXXXXXXX@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-12-07, 10:54AM EST

I have a Brand new in-box PlayStation 3 gaming system that you can obtain for a special price. It is the 80gb model and includes 2 brand new dualshock 3 wireless controllers.

I do not want your money or thanks. To obtain this top of line gaming system, you must let me punch you in the face three times and your child must be present. If you have multiple children, I would prefer you bring your youngest child.

This is not a joke. If you want to be your children's hero on Christmas, we will meet at a location that I will specify to you, and I will proceed to punch you in the face in front of your child. You may brace yourself if you want before I begin to punch you, for I am a man of large stature (6'6, 275lbs) In between each punch, I want you to instruct your child not cry. If your child so much as whimpers, the deal is off.

Don't think I am a man to be trifled with or that you and a friend can ambush me. I am a former NAVY SEAL and a veteran of the Irag War.

This is the best deal you will ever find on a PlayStation 3. A truly unique offer. You are welcome to inspect the product for authenticity before the deal is done.

Email me for more specific details and we can arrange a rendevous.

Merry Christmas.

I do not believe this guy to be a NAVY SEAL; the Internet is filled with fake 6’6”, 275-pound former Seals. My guess is this guy is either 5’8” or a 6’6” tub of waste living in his mom’s basement playing “Call of Duty 4” which is the closest thing he will ever see to becoming a Seal or a veteran of the Iraq war.

My response to his add: I am not an inch over 6’ and weigh about 180-pounds. I am an Army paratrooper and former member of the 82nd Airborne Division and a veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan. I would like to meet you to discuss and deal with your attempt to give Seals and Iraq war veterans a bad name. You won’t hit me, unless your lucky, I don’t have a son and I will be giving your Play Station 3 to some unfortunate kids who lost their father in Iraq.

Merry Christmas A*! Hole…and a Happy New Year

News and Views from Around the Web

More like entertainment and useless knowledge from around the web. Hey you didn’t expect anything serious this week did you?

This was strangely interesting and disturbing…Dan Akroyd has webbed toes! Gotta love You Tube.

Age catches up with all of us, even the Hollywood stars. Some of them have not aged so gracefully.

Here is a great photo list of the 50 hottest Victoria's Secret models of all time. Probably not safe for the office, if anyone is actually there besides you today, or home, if your wife is there. There is no nude shots, but use your discretion.

Here is something to look at during these rough economical times, 65 famous people who lost it all and went bankrupt.

Try an all-new and refreshing Tentacle Grape soda. Available now…watch out you gonna get graped!

Are you unhappy with your Christmas presents? Check out what Dave got for Christmas, that last gift is pretty nice though.

Big T's Pic of the Day

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all my faithful readers…

I am enjoying Christmas with my family on the farm in Illinois. My parents and two brothers are here and we are just having a great time. It is the first time we have all been together for Christmas in several years.

What I am not enjoying is those frigid cold temperatures, snow and ice, but I am making the best of it!

I have been slacking big time this month on the blog. My apologies…I won’t be blogging much until the first of the year, I will try to throw in some news and views between now and then, but how about we get caught up with some random thoughts.

Big T's Random Thoughts of Wisdom

*It has been pretty cold in Illinois this week…Maybe we could get Al Gore up here to talk about global warming. I am sure his hot air could warm things up a degree or two.

*The majority of the problems facing America today are not nearly as bad as the so-called “solutions” politicians come up with…especially during an election year.

*Instead of a 750 billion bailout to banks and more money for the auto industry, why not a 350-400 million dollar bailout for everyone. The U.S. population is 350-400 million. Everyone gets a million dollars with the stipulation they must pay off debt. Mortgages are paid off with money left over for to buy cars. I call it the bail everyone out bill. Hey, it may not work, but it is a hell of a lot cheaper than the current bailout that has not worked.

*Last time I checked the qualifications to be a U.S. Senator is outlined in Article 1, Section 3, of the United States Constitution. It states a person must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen of 9 years and a resident of the state at the time of election…that is it…there is nothing about experience. This makes Caroline Kennedy completely qualified for the Senate seat in New York, and if that is whom the governor wants to appoint to the seat, then so be it.

Republicans should back off, because they are really starting to look like the Jack Asses on this one. Oh, by the way, Barack Obama is completely qualified to be president and Sarah Palin vice president as determined by the constitution.

*Why is it sports analyst and weathermen can be wrong everyday and people still tune in to listen to their wisdom? And football players can throw interceptions, drop catches, fumble the ball, miss tackles and miss field goals, but still make millions…

*President George W. Bush has some great reflexes when it comes to dodging shoes. I haven’t seen moves like that since Keanu Reeves in the movie “The Matrix.” I wonder if Bush has any experience in the dodging shoes department. Laura Bush seems to be the type of gal that would probably throw some shoes if you made her mad enough.

In fact I had flashbacks to the time shoes were thrown at me. They were not thrown by an Iraqi and definitely not a size 10, but she did call me a dog with some other choice words as she threw her 2inch stiletto high heels at me!

*It was not surprising to me to see the governor of Illinois indicted on charges of corruption. This is the same thug style Chicago politics that have ruled the Socialist Republic of Illinois for more than 60 years!

*As expected, Time magazine has named Barrak Obama Person of the Year in 2008. Other finalist on the list included U.S. Treasury Sec. Henry Paulson, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and Chinese director Zhang Yimou.

I personally think that is a weak list. I haven’t decided who should be Person of the Year, but my short list looks a bit different. My nominees for Person of the Year go to: Olympic Swimmer Michael Phelps, General David Patraeus, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Kamel al Maliki.

*A severe winter storm swept through Nevada last week dumping the most snow Las Vegas has seen in nearly 30 years! 40-degree temperatures plagued Texas and Tampa Bay, Fla. saw temperatures 20 degrees below normal. This global warming mess looks more and more like the hoax that it is everyday. Of course the warmers claim the cold weather pattern is the proof of global warming…say what? But then all the little warmer followers nod their heads and say, “yeah, that’s right…told you global warming is a problem.”

*After thinking about this for a while, I understand why all these CEOs keep running to the government for a bailout. Government schools educated most of these CEOs, and one of the first things they were taught was government can solve your problems. So, now they have a huge problem, so they turn to the government for the solution.

*Fox News anchor Brit Hume has left Special Report. Last night, Christmas Eve was his last show. This is unfortunate…there was not a better news program on the air. It will be interesting to see who takes his place.