This is an interesting site. Not only does it ask who your first choice of GOP candidate is, but it also asks about which of the GOP candidates would be acceptable to you.
The results are quite interesting, although most of the bloggers are ga ga about Fred Thompson, who is not even running. I'm semi-committed to Giuliani, and only because I think he will keep the country safe and not be a wuss like the democratic candidates.
Here is the Poll:
GOP Straw Polls
While you are at it, cast a vote at the Pajamas Media Poll in the right side column of my blog.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Advice for American Automakers
Here's what you can do to correct your problems:
Take emergency action to save your jobs and your companies now.
1. Cut your prices to competitive levels. That means Toyota pricing *gasp* or something even better - beat their prices.
2. Roll a Camry into your design engineer's workshop and tell them simply this "If you don't beat this design in one year you are fired"
3. Reduce the size of your vehicles. Make them lighter. Make them easier to handle. We don't want the Tank.
4. Consider hybrid technology as a stopgap solution and work toward the completion of plug in electric technology. Then quickly accelerate to plug in technology. Do not put your hybrid technology in heavy SUVs and Trucks. It's counterproductive unless you intend to make this technology as an option fleet-wide.
5. Consider a little humility in your customer sales department. Perhaps publicly admitting that you have made design mistakes in the past. Do take polls. Stop listening to your own propaganda. Build cars that people need. People need fuel efficient, highly reliable, maintenance free vehicles. They would also like them to be safe and they would like them to be comfortable and fun to drive.
6. Please, Please, PLEASE stop building ugly cars!!!! The crossover phenomenon has created a bastardization between a truck and a car, and it is hideous.
7. Please stop trying to make retro cars that look like a '67 Volvo. They look stupid.
8. Work with labor in good faith to empower the worker. Perhaps stock sharing, or a company worker/ownership plan so that the worker feels an investment in the company. If you do these things that the Japanese have already been doing, you just might survive.
9. Consider firing anybody that says "We just can't do it". You don't have the time or money to tolerate naysayers at any level of management, and your jobs and the integrity of the American Auto industry is on the line.
10. In your dealerships, make sure that you really serve your customers, and that you meet or exceed their expectations. Eventually Customer loyalty will return.
11. Drop the pandering to the special interest groups. You are an American companies, not political action committees.
Take emergency action to save your jobs and your companies now.
1. Cut your prices to competitive levels. That means Toyota pricing *gasp* or something even better - beat their prices.
2. Roll a Camry into your design engineer's workshop and tell them simply this "If you don't beat this design in one year you are fired"
3. Reduce the size of your vehicles. Make them lighter. Make them easier to handle. We don't want the Tank.
4. Consider hybrid technology as a stopgap solution and work toward the completion of plug in electric technology. Then quickly accelerate to plug in technology. Do not put your hybrid technology in heavy SUVs and Trucks. It's counterproductive unless you intend to make this technology as an option fleet-wide.
5. Consider a little humility in your customer sales department. Perhaps publicly admitting that you have made design mistakes in the past. Do take polls. Stop listening to your own propaganda. Build cars that people need. People need fuel efficient, highly reliable, maintenance free vehicles. They would also like them to be safe and they would like them to be comfortable and fun to drive.
6. Please, Please, PLEASE stop building ugly cars!!!! The crossover phenomenon has created a bastardization between a truck and a car, and it is hideous.
7. Please stop trying to make retro cars that look like a '67 Volvo. They look stupid.
8. Work with labor in good faith to empower the worker. Perhaps stock sharing, or a company worker/ownership plan so that the worker feels an investment in the company. If you do these things that the Japanese have already been doing, you just might survive.
9. Consider firing anybody that says "We just can't do it". You don't have the time or money to tolerate naysayers at any level of management, and your jobs and the integrity of the American Auto industry is on the line.
10. In your dealerships, make sure that you really serve your customers, and that you meet or exceed their expectations. Eventually Customer loyalty will return.
11. Drop the pandering to the special interest groups. You are an American companies, not political action committees.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Open Letter to Ford Executives
Dear Ford Executives that have been sucking on the backs of the American Consumer for decades:
The problem is not with lack of consumer confidence If that were true, then ALL auto sales would go down proportionately. The problem with your sales figures is that you build crummy cars. We don't want big fuel-guzzling, unsafe, unreliable mechanically , aesthetically pleasing only to an army veteran who loves tanks, and with the ergonomics in comfort seating of a plastic seat in RFK stadium. Did we mention your over inflated prices for any vehicle throughout your fleet . Your commercials are insulting to the intelligence of the American people.
Not only this, exalted Ford executives, your anti-family values have disgusted many potential customers - like us - and your flagrant promotion of the pro-gay, anti-family agenda is not a good business decision. And you dare to blame consumer confidence for your multitudinous woes? Maybe consumers have lost confidence in you!
How is it that the Japanese, who have to spend 60% of their income on basic needs like food and clothing build wonderful, fuel efficient, safe and comfortable vehicles that are, as a matter of fact, much more aesthetically pleasing than the over priced, over sized, uber-hyped rolling products that come off your assembly line. Why can Japanese auto companies produce their vehicles for a much fairer price than your vehicles? How can they make deals with their laborers, and how can they build factories here in your back yard and keep their laborers happy? Maybe you guys are just greedy.
Why can't American Auto Makers respond to the hybrid situation. Why do you keep putting your hybrid motors in your giant carbon footprint monstrosities? Why don't you listen to the American auto buyer, and make a car more like a Corolla or Camry? Because you can't and you won't. Your arrogance won't allow you to do it. Why didn't you plan for energy problems? Why do you keep churning out vehicles that contribute to "global warming?" Your Fusion, despite some improvement in reliability, is still one of the ugliest cars we've seen.
Here are some interesting stats for you to chew on:
We have lost confidence in Ford. So have a lot of people, apparently. What will YOU do about it?
Here's what you can do to correct your problems:
Take emergency action to save your jobs and the Company now.
1. Cut your prices to competitive levels. That means Toyota pricing *gasp* or something even better - beat their prices.
2. Roll a Camry into your design engineer's workshop and tell them simply this "If you don't beat this design in one year you are fired"
3. Reduce the size of your vehicles. Make them lighter. Make them easier to handle. We don't want the Tank.
4. Consider hybrid technology as a stopgap solution and work toward the completion of plug in electric technology. Then quickly accelerate plug in technology to the Fusion, which is your best hope to save Ford Motors. Do not put your hybrid technology in heavy SUVs and Trucks. It's counterproductive unless you intend to make this technology as an option fleet-wide.
5. Consider a little humility in your customer sales department. Perhaps publicly admitting that you have made design mistakes in the past. Do take polls. Stop listening to your own propaganda. Stop repeating the mistakes of the Edsel, which you are making in the Excursion, and build cars that people need. People need fuel efficient, highly reliable, maintenance free vehicles. They would also like them to be safe and they would like them to be comfortable and fun to drive.
6. Please, Please, PLEASE stop building ugly cars!!!! The crossover phenomenon has created a bastardization between a truck and a car, and it is hideous.
7. Please stop trying to make retro cars that look like a '67 Volvo. You are just not very good at it.
8. Work with labor in good faith to empower the worker. Perhaps stock sharing, or a company worker/ownership plan so that the worker feels an investment in the company. If you do these things that the Japanese have already been doing, you just might survive.
9. Consider firing anybody that says "We just can't do it". You don't have the time or money to tolerate naysayers at any level of management, and your jobs and the integrity of the American Auto industry is on the line.
10. In your dealerships, make sure that you really serve your customers, and that you meet or exceed their expectations. Eventually Customer loyalty will return.
11. Drop the pandering to the special interest groups. You are an American Company, not a political action committee.
The problem is not with lack of consumer confidence If that were true, then ALL auto sales would go down proportionately. The problem with your sales figures is that you build crummy cars. We don't want big fuel-guzzling, unsafe, unreliable mechanically , aesthetically pleasing only to an army veteran who loves tanks, and with the ergonomics in comfort seating of a plastic seat in RFK stadium. Did we mention your over inflated prices for any vehicle throughout your fleet . Your commercials are insulting to the intelligence of the American people.
Not only this, exalted Ford executives, your anti-family values have disgusted many potential customers - like us - and your flagrant promotion of the pro-gay, anti-family agenda is not a good business decision. And you dare to blame consumer confidence for your multitudinous woes? Maybe consumers have lost confidence in you!
How is it that the Japanese, who have to spend 60% of their income on basic needs like food and clothing build wonderful, fuel efficient, safe and comfortable vehicles that are, as a matter of fact, much more aesthetically pleasing than the over priced, over sized, uber-hyped rolling products that come off your assembly line. Why can Japanese auto companies produce their vehicles for a much fairer price than your vehicles? How can they make deals with their laborers, and how can they build factories here in your back yard and keep their laborers happy? Maybe you guys are just greedy.
Why can't American Auto Makers respond to the hybrid situation. Why do you keep putting your hybrid motors in your giant carbon footprint monstrosities? Why don't you listen to the American auto buyer, and make a car more like a Corolla or Camry? Because you can't and you won't. Your arrogance won't allow you to do it. Why didn't you plan for energy problems? Why do you keep churning out vehicles that contribute to "global warming?" Your Fusion, despite some improvement in reliability, is still one of the ugliest cars we've seen.
Here are some interesting stats for you to chew on:
Top 5 Most Fuel Efficient American Cars:
- Ford Escape Hybrid - 36 mpg city / 31 mpg highway
- Chevy Aveo - 26 mpg city / 35 mpg highway
- Ford Focus - 26 mpg city / 34 mpg highway
- Chevy Cobalt - 25 mpg city / 34 mpg highway
- Ford Fusion - 24 mpg city / 32 mpg highway
Top 5 Most Fuel Efficient Japanese Cars:
- Honda Insight - 60 mpg city / 66 mpg highway
- Toyota Prius - 60 mpg city / 51 mpg highway
- Honda Civic Hybrid - 49 mpg city / 51 highway
- Toyota Corolla - 32 mpg city / 41 mpg highway
- Toyota Matrix - 30 mpg city / 36 mpg highway
Again...Toyota and Honda are making the MOST reliable vehicles....But some vehicles like the Ford Fusion seems to be as reliable as the best cars made. All I can say..."IT'S ABOUT TIME".
Many of us older car-buffs who LOVED American made vehicles and have been greatly disapointed in the past 30 years are very happy to hear this news.
The problem is that a good number of Ford, GM and Chryco vehicles are still VERY UNRELIABLE.
We have lost confidence in Ford. So have a lot of people, apparently. What will YOU do about it?
Here's what you can do to correct your problems:
Take emergency action to save your jobs and the Company now.
1. Cut your prices to competitive levels. That means Toyota pricing *gasp* or something even better - beat their prices.
2. Roll a Camry into your design engineer's workshop and tell them simply this "If you don't beat this design in one year you are fired"
3. Reduce the size of your vehicles. Make them lighter. Make them easier to handle. We don't want the Tank.
4. Consider hybrid technology as a stopgap solution and work toward the completion of plug in electric technology. Then quickly accelerate plug in technology to the Fusion, which is your best hope to save Ford Motors. Do not put your hybrid technology in heavy SUVs and Trucks. It's counterproductive unless you intend to make this technology as an option fleet-wide.
5. Consider a little humility in your customer sales department. Perhaps publicly admitting that you have made design mistakes in the past. Do take polls. Stop listening to your own propaganda. Stop repeating the mistakes of the Edsel, which you are making in the Excursion, and build cars that people need. People need fuel efficient, highly reliable, maintenance free vehicles. They would also like them to be safe and they would like them to be comfortable and fun to drive.
6. Please, Please, PLEASE stop building ugly cars!!!! The crossover phenomenon has created a bastardization between a truck and a car, and it is hideous.
7. Please stop trying to make retro cars that look like a '67 Volvo. You are just not very good at it.
8. Work with labor in good faith to empower the worker. Perhaps stock sharing, or a company worker/ownership plan so that the worker feels an investment in the company. If you do these things that the Japanese have already been doing, you just might survive.
9. Consider firing anybody that says "We just can't do it". You don't have the time or money to tolerate naysayers at any level of management, and your jobs and the integrity of the American Auto industry is on the line.
10. In your dealerships, make sure that you really serve your customers, and that you meet or exceed their expectations. Eventually Customer loyalty will return.
11. Drop the pandering to the special interest groups. You are an American Company, not a political action committee.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Not your Father's definition of Multilingualism
Hillary Clinton is an interesting bird. She wants so badly to be president that she caters her every speech to her audiences, even to the point of putting on what sounds like a very fake southern accent.
Don't get me wrong - she is a smart woman. Some would even say shrewd. And because of this I expect her to have a very strong command of the English language. Discovering that she considered herself "multi-lingual" because she can switch accents just made her lose political capital with me. Doesn't she realize that President Bush really "is" (and we are not talking about what the definition of "is" is) multilingual since he speaks Spanish very well. I am multilingual as a German speaker. My husband is as well, being able to communicate in Greek as well as his native tongue, English.
Now the Associated Press calls her a "... linguistic polyglot—a Chicago native turned New York resident who works in Washington and spent two decades living in Arkansas when her husband, Bill Clinton, was governor." What an ignorant farce for Hillary as well as the ignorant reporters of the Associated Press.
Don't get me wrong - she is a smart woman. Some would even say shrewd. And because of this I expect her to have a very strong command of the English language. Discovering that she considered herself "multi-lingual" because she can switch accents just made her lose political capital with me. Doesn't she realize that President Bush really "is" (and we are not talking about what the definition of "is" is) multilingual since he speaks Spanish very well. I am multilingual as a German speaker. My husband is as well, being able to communicate in Greek as well as his native tongue, English.
Now the Associated Press calls her a "... linguistic polyglot—a Chicago native turned New York resident who works in Washington and spent two decades living in Arkansas when her husband, Bill Clinton, was governor." What an ignorant farce for Hillary as well as the ignorant reporters of the Associated Press.
A Great Loss to the Musical World
The Classical Music Community grieves the loss of this great conductor, Mstislav Rostropovich.
Mstislav Rostropovich, a cellist and conductor who was renowned not only as one of the great instrumentalists of the 20th century, but also as an outspoken champion of artistic freedom in Russia during the final decades of the Cold War, died in Moscow today. He was 80 and lived in Paris, with homes in Moscow, St. Petersburg, London and Lausanne, Switzerland.
Here is a video of Rostropovich performing the Bach Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major.
Mstislav Rostropovich, a cellist and conductor who was renowned not only as one of the great instrumentalists of the 20th century, but also as an outspoken champion of artistic freedom in Russia during the final decades of the Cold War, died in Moscow today. He was 80 and lived in Paris, with homes in Moscow, St. Petersburg, London and Lausanne, Switzerland.
Here is a video of Rostropovich performing the Bach Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
This Scam Was Forseen
As the wealthy and various companies seek to buy their way to carbon neutrality, thus proving their concern for the welfare of the planet and improving their status among the worshipers of the Goracle, the Financial Times has conducted an investigation of organizations that peddle 'ecological indulgences," as Charles Krauthammer calls them. These organizations have been found wanting, succeeding only in cashing in on the consciences of the rich in a lucrative green "gold mine." This whole scam was forseen by Krauthammer, who described some of the practices of carbon offsetting companies.
Here are some of the Financial Times findings:
The FT article mentions how some companies are working on their own in-house carbon offsetting, rather than trusting a separate entity to wash away their globally wasteful and polluting sins. This would make more sense, as concern for the environment should be personal and not shoved off to some profiteering third party.
Here are some of the Financial Times findings:
The FT article mentions how some companies are working on their own in-house carbon offsetting, rather than trusting a separate entity to wash away their globally wasteful and polluting sins. This would make more sense, as concern for the environment should be personal and not shoved off to some profiteering third party.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Giuliani is right about this: UPDATE
As might be expected, leading Democrats are wailing and gnashing their teeth over Giuliani's statements. I already commented on this article here. And every time I think about Giuliani's comments, I think about the Iran Hostage crisis that was precipitated by Jimmy Carter's weakness against our enemies during his administration. His administration was so bad he is very close to being considered one of the worst presidents we have ever had. By the way, neither Bush is close to being on this list.
My question for Democrats is this - how will the Democrats deal with an enemy that is hell-bent on destroying our civilization and replacing it with a barbaric, misogynistic, intolerant, and frankly, backward theocratic civilization?? I hope they have a good answer, too, because the future of the United States of America hangs upon how this nation will vote..not just in the presidential election, but in every election.
So, Hillary and Obama have decided that Giuliani has stooped to a new low. (I think Hillary did that already by putting on the fake southern accent and singing "Ah Dohn't Git No Waays Tahrd!" for her black audience) Lets see how low they go in scrambling to give their blind "peace peace (when there is no peace)" constituents some sort of answer to the terrorism issue rather than pushing it aside.
My question for Democrats is this - how will the Democrats deal with an enemy that is hell-bent on destroying our civilization and replacing it with a barbaric, misogynistic, intolerant, and frankly, backward theocratic civilization?? I hope they have a good answer, too, because the future of the United States of America hangs upon how this nation will vote..not just in the presidential election, but in every election.
So, Hillary and Obama have decided that Giuliani has stooped to a new low. (I think Hillary did that already by putting on the fake southern accent and singing "Ah Dohn't Git No Waays Tahrd!" for her black audience) Lets see how low they go in scrambling to give their blind "peace peace (when there is no peace)" constituents some sort of answer to the terrorism issue rather than pushing it aside.
Giuliani is right about this
In an article in the Politico, Giuliani states frankly that "if a Democrat is elected president in 2008, America will be at risk for another terrorist attack on the scale of Sept. 11, 2001."
He believes if a Democrat wins the highest office, our nation will go on the defensive against those whose sole purpose is to convert us or kill us. In doing that, the war will be extended and there will be more casualties. He added: “The Democrats do not understand the full nature and scope of the terrorist war against us.”
On the other hand, if a Republican is elected, they are likely to remain on the offensive against a very vicious and religiously motivated enemy. Fewer casualties should ensue, and, in my opinion, there would be greater stability and peace in the world.
Here are some more quotes from the article:
It's time to kick butt and take names again, and I think the Democrats would let our butt be the one kicked.
He believes if a Democrat wins the highest office, our nation will go on the defensive against those whose sole purpose is to convert us or kill us. In doing that, the war will be extended and there will be more casualties. He added: “The Democrats do not understand the full nature and scope of the terrorist war against us.”
On the other hand, if a Republican is elected, they are likely to remain on the offensive against a very vicious and religiously motivated enemy. Fewer casualties should ensue, and, in my opinion, there would be greater stability and peace in the world.
Here are some more quotes from the article:
Giuliani continued: “The freedoms we have are in conflict with the perverted, maniacal interpretation of their religion.” He said Americans would fight for “freedom for women, the freedom of elections, freedom of religion and the freedom of our economy.”
I'll be honest. I'm a social conservative, and Giuliani's views on social positions do make me cringe. But at the same time, is there a candidate on the Republican side who is willing to take such a bold stand against a very real enemy? As far as the Democrats are concerned, while there are some skilled in governing (Bill Richardson, who is very experienced, is one of the few examples), but I am totally embarrassed by the hang dog, turn tail, flip-flopping defeatist attitude that Democratic leaders portray.
It's time to kick butt and take names again, and I think the Democrats would let our butt be the one kicked.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Money Saturated Stupidity
It's too much! I have to quote Sheryl Crow directly:
I have spent the better part of this tour trying to come up with easy ways for us all to become a part of the solution to global warming.
Although my ideas are in the earliest stages of development, they are, in my mind, worth investigating. One of my favorites is in the area of forest conservation which we heavily rely on for oxygen. I propose a limitation be put on how many squares of toilet paper can be used in any one sitting. Now, I don't want to rob any law-abiding American of his or her God-given rights, but I think we are an industrious enough people that we can make it work with only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions where 2 to 3 could be required. When presenting this idea to my younger brother, whose judgment I trust implicitly, he proposed taking it one step further. I believe his quote was, "how bout just washing the one square out."I also like the idea of not using paper napkins, which happen to be made from virgin wood and represent the height of wastefulness. I have designed a clothing line that has what's called a "dining sleeve." The sleeve is detachable and can be replaced with another "dining sleeve," after usage. The design will offer the "diner" the convenience of wiping his mouth on his sleeve rather than throwing out yet another barely used paper product. I think this idea could also translate quite well to those suffering with an annoying head cold.
This next idea I have been saving but I will share it with you if you promise not to steal it. It is my latest, very exciting idea for creating incentive for us all to minimize our own personal carbon footprints. It's a reality show. (I feel pretty certain NO ONE has thought of this yet!). Here is the premise: the contest consists of 10 people who are competing for the top spot as the person who lives the "greenest" life. This will be reflected in the contestant's home, his business, and his own personal living style. The winner of this challenging, prestigious, contest would receive what??.... a recording contract!!!!!
This is ridiculous. Here I am an average person trying to be a good steward for the environment, and there she blows about a removable sleeve (Never heard of a cloth napkin, lady) and a "reality show"! This woman has more money than sense and little compassion in my book.
Hat tip to JammieWearingFool for pointing me in this direction!
Something to Crow about!
Well, Sheryl Crow is having another media moment by suggesting the restriction of toilet paper usage as a way to save the planet. If every Hollywood star were to start restricting their toilet paper usage, do you think it will make a significant difference in the lives of polar bears and penguins? Probably not.
Why don't those celebrities who, in their self importance, want to do something for the planet choose to take the Personal Energy Ethics Pledge:
This is the same pledge former Vice President Al Gore refused to sign when Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla) presented it to him during his sermon at the Washington Global Warming Hearing.
I doubt if those Hollywood celebrities would dare lower themselves from their luxurious lifestyles to make a significant change for the sake of the planet. Instead, they can assuage their guilt for their wasteful lifestyles by purchasing more carbon credits in the hope of saving their environmental soul.
Why don't those celebrities who, in their self importance, want to do something for the planet choose to take the Personal Energy Ethics Pledge:
This is the same pledge former Vice President Al Gore refused to sign when Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla) presented it to him during his sermon at the Washington Global Warming Hearing.
I doubt if those Hollywood celebrities would dare lower themselves from their luxurious lifestyles to make a significant change for the sake of the planet. Instead, they can assuage their guilt for their wasteful lifestyles by purchasing more carbon credits in the hope of saving their environmental soul.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
We know which side he is on!
Well, Mr. "Two Americas", why don't you come and live on our side for a while?
$400 is exorbitant for any hair treatment, let alone a simple haircut. Iowa Barbers Agree!
I'm sorry, Mr. Edwards - with your personal hypocrisy and your far left political stance, don't count on my vote in 2008 or any time.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Condolences to all
To the Virginia Tech Students, Faculty, Staff and all Parents and Families of the slain students I give my heartfelt sympathy. God bless you as you grieve.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
What Keeps Me Busy Nowadays
I love political blogging! It's hard to stay away from this pleasant pastime, but, alas, I must work diligently on what is decidedly my first interest - Music. This self imposed exile must last for at least a month (although I may slip an article in here over this time period).
Right now I'm analyzing Beethoven's First Symphony, finishing a paper, and preparing for both my recital AND my oral exams. It keeps me busy.
Here is the divine First Symphony in C Major, Opus 21, by Ludwig von Beethoven
Directed by Herbert von Karajan
I must add this visualization of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor! Let the kids see this and see if they can find the subject of the fugue. It has a specific shape and can be seen in inversion (upside down) and retrograde inversion (upside down and backwards!!!)
Right now I'm analyzing Beethoven's First Symphony, finishing a paper, and preparing for both my recital AND my oral exams. It keeps me busy.
Here is the divine First Symphony in C Major, Opus 21, by Ludwig von Beethoven
Directed by Herbert von Karajan
I must add this visualization of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor! Let the kids see this and see if they can find the subject of the fugue. It has a specific shape and can be seen in inversion (upside down) and retrograde inversion (upside down and backwards!!!)
Friday, April 6, 2007
Pelosi in Chains?
Looks like Nancy Pelosi overstepped her bounds as she traveled to Damascus, Syria to play diplomatic games. Unfortunately for her, and she should know better, the United States is to present a unified diplomatic front to the nations of the world, and by freelancing Pelosi presented a different view from current State Department and international policy. The UN and State Department have determined that Syria is a brood of vipers harboring terrorists.
There is a law in place to deal with issues like rogue diplomats. It is called the Logan Act. The Logan Act makes it a felony for any American, "without authority of the United States," to communicate with a foreign government in an effort to influence that government's behavior on any "disputes or controversies with the United States" and provides for a prison sentence of up to three years.
Even though Nancy Pelosi wanted to follow the guidelines of the ISG report that suggests more communication with Syria, she is foolish and idealistic to think her input would benefit the current situation in the Middle East. Not only is she a very high ranking official going to visit our enemies (third in line to the presidency) without the current administration's blessing, she is presenting a view different from what our State Department presents, AND she botched a supposed message from Israel.
When she comes home, she should be censured severely at the very least, and should possibly lose her position as Speaker of the House if the Democrats have the cojones to deal with her behavior. Perhaps, instead of the witch hunt against Scooter Libby, prosecutors should face a real lawbreaker like Pelosi!
HERE is another article about the Logan Act and whether or not Nancy Pelosi should be arrested for her actions.
Radiant Times
UPDATE:
Is it me, or is there a Pelosi blackout in the Media today? Hmmmm.
We wonder if she's given secrets to the enemy, and personally would not put it past her.
There is a law in place to deal with issues like rogue diplomats. It is called the Logan Act. The Logan Act makes it a felony for any American, "without authority of the United States," to communicate with a foreign government in an effort to influence that government's behavior on any "disputes or controversies with the United States" and provides for a prison sentence of up to three years.
Even though Nancy Pelosi wanted to follow the guidelines of the ISG report that suggests more communication with Syria, she is foolish and idealistic to think her input would benefit the current situation in the Middle East. Not only is she a very high ranking official going to visit our enemies (third in line to the presidency) without the current administration's blessing, she is presenting a view different from what our State Department presents, AND she botched a supposed message from Israel.
When she comes home, she should be censured severely at the very least, and should possibly lose her position as Speaker of the House if the Democrats have the cojones to deal with her behavior. Perhaps, instead of the witch hunt against Scooter Libby, prosecutors should face a real lawbreaker like Pelosi!
HERE is another article about the Logan Act and whether or not Nancy Pelosi should be arrested for her actions.
Radiant Times
UPDATE:
Is it me, or is there a Pelosi blackout in the Media today? Hmmmm.
We wonder if she's given secrets to the enemy, and personally would not put it past her.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Upcoming Concert
Here is what I will be up to in a few short weeks (besides my graduate recital on the 14th) . If you are in the area, try to come to this concert.
The young man pictured as Beethoven played the Father opposite me in Hansel and Gretel. He's a fine singer and a good man.
The young man pictured as Beethoven played the Father opposite me in Hansel and Gretel. He's a fine singer and a good man.
This is the article from our online newsletter, CyberSong:
The Wonder of the Missa Solemnis by Beethoven
|
| Ironically, the work was not completed in time for the enthronement in 1820. Beethoven immersed himself intensely in the composition which eventually required five years of feverish writing, involving tremendous thought and musical expertise. It was first heard in St. Petersburg in 1824, the score having been sold to the Russian Prince Galitzen. The text was of supreme importance to Beethoven, so the final work is a study in contrasts encompassing multiple musical ideas to express it. Dr. Alt remarks that,"Beethoven uses every style of choral composition in the (mass) and adds his personal touch to it." Different parts of the mass call for strong melody or recitative, chromaticism, fugue, a quartet of soloists, solo instruments, gentle choral sounds and ones with a marching beat, all to illuminate the text. "Challenging rhythms and complex tonal harmonies make the Missa Solemnis a mountain of a piece for us," continues Dr. Alt, referring to NMSU Combined Choirs. "All voice parts are singing at the top of their ranges for long periods. I think this fact is the most significantly unique element of (the piece.)"...The Missa has been described as the ‘Mount Everest of major choral works.’ Literally, we are at the peak of our vocal ranges and figuratively we feel like we are participating in a life challenging experience!" The choirs will be joined by five soloists and an orchestra assembled by Stephanie Schweigart of El Paso. Tickets are available now at Pan Am Center Ticket Office. Call 505.646.1420. |
Ecstatic or Disappointed
If you are a Democrat, you are either Ecstatic about Nancy Pelosi now, or very concerned and Disappointed.
Pelosi has embarked on her own taxpayer-funded fool's errand of trying to out-state department the State Department by going to Syria to meet with their dictator Bashar al-Assad. Problem is that Syria is one of the biggest terror supporters in the region, being the home location of Hezbollah's (or hez-bullies, as I like to call them) Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, and other terrorists.
Here is a quote from the Washington Post article "Pratfall in Damascus":
Pelosi's ill advised personal foray into foreign policy begs the question - who should be getting impeached or at least censured for this Fol-de Rol? Did she do this for her own personal pride? Or is her idealistic view of those who support our enemies blinding her from common sense. Has Pelosi forgotten that the approval rating for Congress, particularly the House of Representatives, is LESS than that of the President.
Charles Hurt of the Examiner writes:
UPDATE
Here's another article on the issue:
When a dilettante takes on Hizbullah
PERSONAL UPDATE:
I condemn Pelosi's actions, but I ALSO condemn the five Republicans who went with her. Doesn't the President have authority to have the whole delegation arrested for making a "diplomatic" visit to a country with whom we are having very restricted diplomatic relations??
Pelosi has embarked on her own taxpayer-funded fool's errand of trying to out-state department the State Department by going to Syria to meet with their dictator Bashar al-Assad. Problem is that Syria is one of the biggest terror supporters in the region, being the home location of Hezbollah's (or hez-bullies, as I like to call them) Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, and other terrorists.
Here is a quote from the Washington Post article "Pratfall in Damascus":
Ms. Pelosi was criticized by President Bush for visiting Damascus at a time when the administration -- rightly or wrongly -- has frozen high-level contacts with Syria. Mr. Bush said that thanks to the speaker's freelancing Mr. Assad was getting mixed messages from the United States. Ms. Pelosi responded by pointing out that Republican congressmen had visited Syria without drawing presidential censure. That's true enough -- but those other congressmen didn't try to introduce a new U.S. diplomatic initiative in the Middle East.
Pelosi's ill advised personal foray into foreign policy begs the question - who should be getting impeached or at least censured for this Fol-de Rol? Did she do this for her own personal pride? Or is her idealistic view of those who support our enemies blinding her from common sense. Has Pelosi forgotten that the approval rating for Congress, particularly the House of Representatives, is LESS than that of the President.
Charles Hurt of the Examiner writes:
"Back home, conservatives and liberals alike criticized Pelosi's diplomatic freelancing as naive, sloppy and dangerous."Dangerous indeed, Nancy. Now come home and face the music.
UPDATE
Here's another article on the issue:
When a dilettante takes on Hizbullah
PERSONAL UPDATE:
I condemn Pelosi's actions, but I ALSO condemn the five Republicans who went with her. Doesn't the President have authority to have the whole delegation arrested for making a "diplomatic" visit to a country with whom we are having very restricted diplomatic relations??
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