Big T's News and Views from Around the Web

I would give President Bush a C- on his overall presidency, but he gets an A+ on his policies keeping America safe from terrorism. Here is how some of those policies that kept us safe, policies the democrats opposed I may add.

Thomas Sowell may be the brightest economist on Earth! He writes about-facing reality and the bailout of the Big Three.

Phillip Howard thinks while Congress dishes out tough advise to the Big Three about restructuring, perhaps they should look in the mirror and restructure themselves…I couldn’t agree more…

You know that “card check” bill I keep mentioning, otherwise known as the Employee Free Choice Act, which would eliminate secret ballots when workers vote to unionize. Well it turns out it is unconstitutional. Yeah...like Obama and friends are going to let that little piece of out dated paper stop them.

Earlier this year I said this election was about “What can my country do for me, without me having to do anything for my country.” Here….read this.

He is the King of Rock and the King of Christmas music??? Elvis Presley’s 1957 debut Christmas album remains the most popular with more than 12 million copies sold.

Here are some amazing photographs from 2008.

Big T's Pic of the day

Here is a look at one of the ballots Al Franken is trying to get thrown out in Minnesota!

Big T Has Now Roamed the Earth for 32 Years.

As of yesterday I have now roamed the Earth for 32 years! I remember when I thought that was a long time, but now I realize it isn’t that long at all.

Anyhow, I hope to accomplish a lot more in the next 32 years than what I did in my first 32…lots of time a wasted, but damn did I have some fun!

All Eyes on Georgia

It’s Election Day in Georgia. Today the people of Georgia may well decide how Obama will “rule” (his words, not mine) for the next two years. A democrat win at the polls today could allow these socialist to roll on with their polices of universal healthcare, federalizing pension plans and wealth distribution.

A vote for Jim Martin, who was campaigning with Ludacris yesterday, is more than the ousting of a Republican from the Senate. It’s a mandate for the liberal agenda.

Big T’s Book of the Month

Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand. It is an old one, but a good one. Atlas Shrugged was published in 1957. I read the book about seven years ago, but never has it been more relevant than today. This book has been praised and criticized by both conservatives and liberals and no matter which side of the political fence you reside on, this book will more than likely make you feel very uncomfortable about our current economic and government situation, but that is good for you…

It is unclear what time period the book is supposed to represent. There are several early 20th century technologies, but the political and economical situations are completely different than actual history of that time period.

It centers around the American industrial sector, in a time the U.S. is the only nation that has not become a people’s state. Times are hard and getting harder, as the nation is in a deep recession. One of the capitalist characters, Hank Reardon, a self-made man who started as an ordinary steel mill worker, showed talent and later founded Reardon Steel. It is up to Rearden and others like him to save the country, but there are a couple of problems in their way. One, the government seeks more and more intervention and control when it should be stepping back. Secondly, people like Rearden seem to be diminishing from society at a time they are critically needed.

The book is not a portrayal of capitalism or socialism, nor does it represent nationalization of private property. Instead it focuses on the point of a mixed economical system. At one point Hank Rearden confronts the government bureaucrats with “Why don’t you take over my mills and be done with it,” the bureaucrats react with “a jolt of genuine horror” and cries of “Oh no!” “We wouldn’t think of it,” and “We stand for free enterprise!”…Sound familiar?

Although academia and the media have ignored this novel, I say your education is not fulfilled until it is read. This is one of the most thought provoking books I’ve read, and should be required reading at all levels of education. It is an amazing novel of the killing and re-birth of the spirit of man, and helped change how I view the political spectrum and economics.

Is the Clinton Appointment legal?

Well, Hillary Clinton got the anointment from the “chosen one” Barack Obama to be Secretary of State, but is the appointment legal under the constitution? Some legal scholars say no.

They say the constitution forbids the appointment because the position received a raise while she held her Senate seat. Here is what Article 1, Section 6 of the constitution says: "No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office."

It seams pretty clear to me that it is not constitutional, but it hasn’t stopped other presidents from doing it in the past. After all it is just an out dated piece paper…just like Obama’s birth certificate.

Say Goodbye to Privatized 401K Plans

If democrats get their way, and that is a good possibility, say goodbye to your privatized 401K plan. They want to take over those and convert them into a universal Guaranteed Retirement Accounts (GRA’s) managed by the Social Security Administration…just what we need…more government. Oops, I mean change...

So why would the Democrats consider a plan like this? Well one is for wealth redistribution and the other is because government knows best. Americans are to stupid to take care of themselves.

For the latest information on what the Democrats want to do to your private pension plans read this excellent article by Karen McMahan published in the Carolina Journal. Pay close attention to the part that says the government will seize half your pension plan if you die, only allowing half your pension to be left to your family.

Don’t you folks just love all this new “change!”

They Mayor With No Political Affiliation

The Mayor of Birmingham, Alabama Larry Langford has been brought up on federal charges including conspiracy, bribery, fraud, money laundering and filing false income tax returns.

Now I have read at least 6 news stories on this and not one mentions his political affiliation. Now why do you suppose that is?

Since the first line of the story does not read “Republican Mayor Larry Langford…” I will assume he is a democrat. If anyone knows otherwise let me know, but I will bet the remaining of my stock portfolio he is a Democrat.

Of course, they could always just identify him as a Republican like they did Democrat Gov. Elliot Spitzer in the New York.

Obama the Ruler!

A couple of days ago I asked if anyone can tell me what is wrong with this statement from the co-chair of Barack Obama’s Transition Team.

“...giving—given, really, the daunting challenges that we face, it’s important that President-elect Obama is prepared to really take power and begin to rule day one. So we will be working closely with his [Bush] administration. We’re reviewing the agencies now. He [Obama] will be making key personnel decisions. He gets national security briefings every day now as well, but he will not be the president until January 20th.”

Some of you figured it out. Presidents govern. They manage. They lead. They don't RULE. China, North Korea, Venezuela, and most countries in Africa have "rulers." We don't. This is a hint at the mindset of the Obama crowd. The people of the United States have elected a "ruler," not a leader.

Big T's News and Views from around the Web.

As the majority of state governors rush to Obama for a bailout to pay for Medicaid, food stamps, unemployment benefits and other social programs, there are two governors, Rick Perry of Texas and Mark Sanford of South Carolina, against state bailouts. Read what they have to say in the Wall Street Journal. Brilliant!

Barack Obama’s birth certificate…Is it or isn’t it real…the world may never know.

This story comes from Britain. Fire extinguishers could be removed from public areas because they are a safety hazard. Only government could come up with this thought process.

If you live in New York you have to get a permit before putting lights or ornaments on your outside Christmas tree…isn’t government the greatest.

NASCAR is feeling the economical crunch and fears a bumpy road ahead if the Big 3 from Detroit goes under.

6 million of your tax dollars has been spent on a tutoring facility at the University of Illinois that can only be used by athletes…and the football team still sucks!

Big T's Pic of the Day

Here is Some of that “Change” We Can Now Look Forward Too:

Now that Barack Obama has won the White House and the democrats have control of Congress and the Senate, here are a few things we can expect… I hope you are all ready for this change you have all voted for.

Say goodbye to the secret ballot union elections in the workplace. The unions have been lobbying to get rid of secret ballots for a while now. Why? Well, they don’t like secret ballots. They want to know how workers are voting, so they can target those not voting for a union. First target on the list, Wal-mart, the largest employer in the U.S., and we all know how well the second employer in the U.S., General Motors, is doing with their union workers.

A return to the Fairness Doctrine…The left can not wait to get rid of conservative talk radio! So what about the first amendment.

A tax code of wealth distribution; taking away from the wealthy, business, entrepreneurs, and achievers and giving to the poor. In other words, socialism….

While we are on taxes…huge tax hikes on guns and ammunition. They won’t ban them; they will just tax them until they are unaffordable.

Say goodbye to your privatized 401 K plan. It is about to be replaced by something called a GRA (Guaranteed Retirement Account) ran by the government. Yeah, cause social security worked so well. More on this in the next couple of days.

More federal government in government schools…don’t get me started on this one.

Universal healthcare…it may be here a lot sooner than you think folks, like the first 100 days! Very scary stuff.

Executive order on domestic and off shore drilling rescinded, no drilling or nuclear power plants. High Gas prices are coming back…

The appointment of liberal Supreme Court justices who favor the idea of “fairness” over the constitution.

One thing about it, the Democrats are in charge. The problems now belong to them. They cannot blame their failures on Republicans anymore, all though they will try.

Would I Pay Extra to Fly Baby Free? You betchya I would!

I would be willing to pay a hundred dollars extra to sit in an area of an airplane guaranteed to be minus the crying, screaming, kicking the seat snot nosed brats for a long flight…hell, now that I think about it, I would pay that much for a 45 minute jump.

There was speculation that the airline WestJet, based out of Canada was considering a 10-dollar fee for people who wanted to sit in a section without infants. Why limit it to infants? Some of the 4 and 5 year-old, even 8-year-old kids are just as bad!

The airline says the rumor is false and claims they would never even consider a notion so ridiculous to offer to their customers.

I say they should run with it. It could put their business over the top. I fly often and am willing to bet, others who are frequent fliers would also love to have that option.

While we’re on the subject, I would be willing to pay extra in restaurants as well to get away from the screaming rug rats. They could use all those old smoking sections and put all the little diaper pants in there. This is why I usually sit at the bar; you have to be an adult to get in there.

Then again some of those folks are more obnoxious than the kids.

Madame Secretary of State

No I am not talking about Condi Rice, but rather her highly probable replacement, Hillary Clinton. Hey, I am not going to rant and rave about this one. Obama could have went with John Kerry, which would have been a lot worse than Madame Secretary of State Clinton.

A Big T administration would have appointed John Bolton, but then I probably couldn’t even get elected as dogcatcher, let alone president. So whom I would have appointed doesn’t amount to a pile of pinto beans.

By the way, you do know who John Bolton is don’t you?

Big T’s News and Views From Around the Web

So where do you go after being a top executive that helped bring the 5th largest securities and holdings bank in America to financial ruin? The Federal Reserve Bank of course! Aren’t you glad they got 700 billion of your tax money to play with?

Here is a site where the people can voice their priorities for the new administration. Hey look the FairTax is number 2 on the list!

Illinois State Police will now have to call for permission before they can drive 20 over the speed limit.

Obama is sending his kids to private schools….gee there is a surprise! Public schools are for your kids, not his.

Time Magazine admits extreme pro-Obama media bias during campaign, and says it was “the most disgusting failure in our business since the Iraq war.” Gee…you think?

Here is a growing alliance that means trouble for president-elect Barack Obama. Cuban president Raul Castro will visit Moscow next year.

The GOP is going to file federal lawsuit to repeal McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform and regulations. Yeah, It should have been vetoed from the get go.

Even the US postal service is feeling the economical crunch.

Gas prices are falling and people are buying SUV’s again…amazing how that works!

A government schoolteacher says she was fired for wearing a bikini during a second job, or was it because she missed to many days of work?

Here is an example of conservatism in exile. I thought liberal democrats were supposed to be the party of tolerance and inclusion? Guess not…but I already knew that.


These kids are more than likely getting their first lesson in government. They may lose their tree house that their dad built because it doesn’t follow the building code! Isn’t government regulations awesome…

Big T's Pic of the Day

If you can't laugh at that, this may not be the blog for you.

Happy Thanksgiving

Well, I posted some things on the blog yesterday, or at least I thought I did. For some reason they never made it here. I will work on posting some of those throughout the day today. Perhaps, you can read it after your Turkey with your pumpkin pie and coffee or squeeze it in between football games.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

The Real Story of Thanksgiving Not Taught in Schools: America’s First Socialist Failure.

Frequent readers of my blog already know Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Probably because I have a whole lot to be thankful for in my life, and well I love food… I have also enjoyed the story surrounding Thanksgiving.

Ever since I was a child, and I suspect the majority of Americans too, were taught the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock settling in this barren place with no ability or knowledge on how to survive or feed themselves. It was so bad, that if it had not been for the Indians teaching them how to grow corn, hunt and slaughter animals, they would have surely starved to death and died! In order to show their thanks and appreciation the Pilgrims held a feast with the Indians This commencing Thanksgiving as taught in schools, it’s not at all what happened.

The truth is Thanksgiving was a celebration of how capitalism, private property and individual initiative saved the colonist from starvation.

Yes it is true the Mayflower brought the Pilgrims to Plymouth in 1621. It was a barren land and it was very hard times, but it was not hard times because of a lack of survival skills.

William Bradford, the governor of the Pilgrim colony, writes about this in his journal. The colony was first organized on a communal basis, as their financers required. The land was owned in common and farmed communally. Whatever they produced went into the common store so all could share the fruits of everybody’s labor.

This is one of the first known experiments with socialism and it was based on all the great compassion and fairness you can think of, but the results were disastrous!

Some Pilgrims realized they didn’t have to do anything in order to get what they needed from the common store, because other people would pull their weight.

The food supply quickly became short and the winters long. At one point corn was rationed out at three kernels per day per person. By 1623 the colonist had suffered severe losses and starvation was almost imminent.

Bradford now realized the communal system was not working because it encouraged and rewarded laziness and inefficiency while destroying individual initiative. So he abolished the plan, distributed private plots of land among the surviving Pilgrims, encouraging them to farm as individuals and what you produce is yours. If there is a surplus you can sell it for a profit. This is when the Pilgrims began to flourish, and they shared their bounty with the Indians.

In the true story of Thanksgiving as wrote by Bradford, is thanks to God…It was thanks to God for helping them learn the way to survive and prosper when they arrived in this forsaken, unknown place.

So how was this story left out of the history books? Well, unfortunately Bradford’s journal is about the only recorded history we have from this time period. Many parts of his journal recording these events were lost. When Thanksgiving was later made a national holiday, the lesson the Pilgrims so painfully learned was not made part of the holiday.

Several years later, Bradford’s diaries were found. They’re now available in paperback documenting how capitalism saved the Pilgrims.

This Thanksgiving I now have one more thing to be thankful for…capitalism. The system that has lifted more people out of poverty than any other in history, perhaps one day America will return to it.

Big T's News and Views from Around the Web

Here is a great piece on the real story of thanksgiving from the LA Times…

…and here is one of the many revised versions being taught in schools today. A story of two cultures clashing, and Thanksgiving was a period of peace in 1621. History rewritten by the left is what this is!

This editorial says the first Thanksgiving may not have been at Plymouth and occurred 56 years earlier in St. Augustine, Fla. The main course was bean soup! Thank God we didn’t go with that tradition…

Another interesting editorial on Thanksgiving, this one makes the case the holiday is tied to military roots.

Jib Jab has done it again, this time with a cartoon and tune about Thanksgiving. Funny stuff.

Big T Pic of the Day

Socialism...It's Change from Our Tax Dollars.

Enjoy Socialism America

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