A Free Launch

Coming to Colorado - A "Joint" Mission?

2012-04-29T15:48:00.001-04:00

Well, it's about time we engaged in a spirit of cooperation. It's about time we learned to share our defense strategies and technology with Russia. Maybe we should invite Iran and Syria as well. North Korea could bring cupcakes.

Russian Airborne Troops To Take and Hold Denver Airport in Joint Military Exercise

2012-02-21T22:12:00.001-05:00

How silly that Rick Santorum would talk about "evil" in the world. All rational people know that there is no such thing as "evil" in our world, other than Republicans, conservatives, Christians, pro-Israel fanatics, anti-abortionists, and tea-party proponents. Other than those fringe elements, there is no such thing as "evil' in our perfect progressive world.

Once we are rid of these charlatans, there will be nothing to worry about. Everyone will conform, and accept their role as essential (although anonymous) cogs in the wheel of economic/environmental progress.

We will not question who is being enriched by our work. It won't matter. We will be happy to have purpose provided for us. Cradle to grave. Mindless, soul-sapping rape. And we'll say thank you, is there more?

One Swallow Does Not Make a Spring

2012-02-21T21:40:00.000-05:00

I thought someone's grandmother made that up. I thought she might have been Pennsylvania Dutch. I even thought I could have come up with that thought, given enough time and paid vacation to consider such things.

No, it was Aristotle.

Just a little factoid I have learned through Hillsdale College's Constitution 101 online course.

Time well-spent.

Family Ties

2012-02-12T16:59:00.000-05:00

Exploring family history is such an adventure. I recently discovered that 3 generations ago, a brother and sister in my family married a sister and brother of another family. Poring through the marriages, the widowing, the re-marriaging, I am seeing a flow of life I never saw before.

I found one member of my family who listed his occupation on a census as a "tonsil artist". I thought that meant he was a surgeon, but no, he was a barber. A lot of occupations are listed as "coal miner" or "laborer" or "farmer." What would today's census look like? What would be the most common occupations? Economic Advisor? Marketing Engineer? Advocate for Social Equalization Services? Agricultural Consultant for Sustainable Growth?

What I am finding through family research is that family takes in family...people take care of each other. It's very uplifting.

Santorum Wins Three?

2012-02-08T23:25:00.000-05:00

Rick Santorum has won three important victories. Yes, they are important to his candidacy, but they are more important to the conservative cause. I think it's a sign that the populace is finally voting its conscience, rather than resigning itself to an inevitable candidate.

I hope Santorum wins, and I believe that he can. But even if he doesn't win the nomination, he has indelibly written the conservative message on the rock of the GOP.

Bravo, Rick Santorum! It's a challenge, not a contest, and we're all the better for that.

Romney Schomney

2012-01-31T20:03:00.000-05:00

Well, it looks like Romney wins Florida. Hopefully, it's not "game over," although I have to say, I prefer Romney over Gingrich. It's a matter of temperment. Plus, I think Romney will make a better decision when it comes to a running mate - which I think will be the deciding factor.

The best conservative candidate is Rick Santorum, but things are just not going his way. So, if I have to choose between Romney and Gingrich, I will go with Romney. That's just my take. If I thought the general election was going to be won by debates, I might go with Gingrich, but I don't think debates will even be a slight factor in the general election. It's going to be a showdown based on vision, based on whether we still view America as an "exceptional" nation or not. Romney does present America as an "exceptional" nation, and he does it elegantly.

So while my ideology still aligns with Rick Santorum, my practical vote would be for Romney, if he becomes the nominee. If Gingrich wins the nomination, I'd have to rethink everything.

Ben Breedlove and the Other Side

2012-01-24T20:23:00.000-05:00

I don't know the whole story on this video yet. This is part II - part I provides a little more background about Ben Breedlove and his health condition. What strikes me about this video is his description of the near-death experience. The light; the peace; the wanting to stay there. I had a similar experience, but I would describe it as an "awareness of being," rather than near-death, or cheating death.

He talks about his favorite rap artist, Kid Cudi, and a particular recording, "Mr. Rager" — weirdly enough, my maiden name is Rager, so I looked up the lyrics and the official video. I have to admit, it made no sense to me. It was very dark and depressing.

I couldn't make out from the "Mr. Rager" video whether they were pronouncing the name "Rager" with a soft "g" or a hard "G" - the proper pronunciation is with a hard "G." But who's to say what is "proper?"

The Wizard of Oz...A Different Take

2012-01-23T20:00:00.000-05:00

Here's a very different perspective on the story of the Wizard of Oz. Could it have been an allegory, commenting on the political and economic climate of the day? It's an interesting theory. Did you know that in the original story, Dorothy's shoes were made of silver - they were NOT ruby slippers!

Money and Politics in the Land of Oz - from The Independent Review, published by The Independent Institute.

Social Security - Where Did It Come From?

2012-01-21T21:08:00.000-05:00

Now, I've always been told that Social Security was intended to be a supplemental retirement plan. Just 5 years after it was implemented, it is clear that it was intended as a welfare trough.

http://www.newspaperarchive.com/SiteMap/FreePdfPreview.aspx?img=103256842 THREE BILLION PAID IN BENEFITS WASHINGTON, Aug. 12. (£>)

The government's social security program, five years old this week, has distributed $3,000,000,000 to the nation's aged and unemployed workers, and to widows, orphans and the blind.

In advance of its anniversary Wednesday, the social security board summarized its vast operations to show that some 50,000,000 workers had been enrolled in the program since President Roosevelt signed the act in 1935.

Dream Candidate

2012-01-21T20:31:00.000-05:00

Okay, here's what I want:

Someone with Rick Santorum's ethics, Ron Paul's fiscal policy, Newt Gingerich's political savvy, Mitt Romney's business acumen, Rick Perry's cowboy attitude, and Michele Bachmann's passion. Top it off with Herman Cain's 9-9-9 plan, and I'm in. To be fair, let's include Huntsman's daughters...hopefully, promoting Santorum.

What a horse race!

Sorry Romney, Santorum Officially Wins Iowa

2012-01-19T19:59:00.000-05:00

This was good news to me, but unfortunately the records from a number of precincts have been "lost." (?!) So, we'll never know who really won Iowa. Good reason, I think, for a national primary. I'm wondering what the advantage is to state primaries? As it stands, the decision of 3-4 relatively small states essentially makes the decision for the nation. For instance, 48 of the 50 states no longer have the option to choose Bachmann, Perry, or Huntsman. It doesn't make sense to me.

Sorry Romney, Santorum Officially Wins Iowa - Katie Pavlich

GBTV Premiere Night

2012-01-18T20:20:00.000-05:00

GBTV (Glenn Beck TV, an internet media network) is introducing some new shows tonight. The first two hours (5-7:00 pm eastern) comprised the usual Glenn Beck show — the focus on SOPA and PIPA was outstanding, although the explanations (and chalk-board illustrations) weren't as crystal-clear as others have been.

From 7-8:00 pm, a news show debuted from The Blaze. This show is hosted by Amy Holmes, who does the news updates on the regular 5:00 pm Glenn Beck show. She's really good! The first in-depth discussion about economics was a bit dry, but they did a piece on Che Guevara that was excellent.

At 8:00 pm, there will be a half-hour special, with Glenn highlighting some of the new shows, and features of the new GBTV headquarters in Dallas. This will be followed at 8:30 pm by the launch of a new reality show, "Independence, USA." The reality show is about a family in Pennsylvania that decides to learn how to live "off-the-grid." Should be interesting!

The evening will wrap up with a new edition of Brian Sack's comedy show, "B. S. of A." — always a hoot!

The new, young, talent on GBTV is impressive, the sets are great, and the production quality is top of the line. I highly recommend Roku, or another internet TV device, rather than watching these programs on your computer.

I do think GBTV is just a sample of what TV will be in the 21st Century.

Rick Santorum on our Founding Documents

2012-01-18T19:25:00.000-05:00

Rick Santorum provides an excellent summary of the connection between the Declaration of Independence, and the U. S. Constitution. In part, he says:

The Constitution is not the "why" of America; it's the "how" of America. It’s the operator's manual. It’s the rules we have to play by to ensure something. And what do we ensure? God-given rights.

Read the Full Statement...

Class and Classics

2012-01-17T20:57:00.000-05:00

She still changes the oil herself? And the spark plugs?? My hat is off!

What is truth?

2012-01-16T19:34:00.000-05:00

I had a conversation with a friend about the nature of truth. He suggested that an automobile crash provides the definition of truth. Someone who is standing on the southeast corner when the crash happens has a totally correct version of what happened. Someone who is standing on the northwest corner of the intersection also has a totally correct (although different) version of the event. So therefore, truth is relative.

I think this confuses two very distinct concepts. Truth is what actually happened, and there is only one truth. Perspective is the report of truth, from a particular vantage point. It's not the same as truth.

2012-01-15T14:25:00.001-05:00

So far, Moneyball is no Field of Dreams...

Taken A-Bach...

2012-01-15T12:45:00.001-05:00

Ron Paul: Here's the Deal

2012-01-14T11:53:00.000-05:00

Ron Paul's domestic and economic policies are appealing; his foreign policy, not so much. He takes a lot of heat in the media, but this article provides a fairly even perspective.

The True Believer

An "Airless" Tire?

2012-01-14T11:34:00.000-05:00

It's such a marvelous world! Imagine never again having to worry about being stranded with a flat tire. Granted, these tires are not pretty, but the concept makes sense. For our military, it could be life-saving.

Airless Tire Promises Grace Under Pressure For Soldiers

Amazon's Kindle Fire

2012-01-12T20:48:00.000-05:00

What sold me: I had been using my PalmPre phone to listen to the radio at work, since my office is positioned in such a way that reception with an ordinary radio is very poor. I didn't want to drain network resources from the company network by streaming through my computer, so I added the TuneIn app to my phone, and this worked great!

Dilemma: I wanted to cut expenses, get rid of the PalmPre, and go back to a home phone - in combination with my cable TV and internet access, it's a great deal. The Kindle Fire supports TuneIn...PLUS, it's an e-reader; So, I could have my radio, plus e-books, plus music. Well, it's a LOT more! There are apps for just about everything I do online. Even Ancestry.com for my genealogy habit! And I must say, there's something wicked about instant download...

One downside I have found is you can't delete apps that are pre-loaded (although I have read that der are vays...). Also, there is no camera, as there was in the PalmPre. I don't use the web browser much, since the 7-inch screen isn't all that convenient. You do need wi-fi to take advantage of the cloud storage, but for me that's not a problem, since I'm nearly always in wi-fi environments.

Summation: It's a great little device, and well worth the money.

Roku Internet Streaming Technology

2011-09-25T01:39:00.000-04:00

Originally submitted at Roku

The new HD, with built-in wireless, delivers top value in high-definition streaming.

Opens a Whole New World

By Kathy the Reluctant Tech Queen from Sarasota, FL on 9/24/2011

Pros: Excellent chat support, High quality picture, Built in Wi-Fi, Great value, Compact

Cons: Requires networking savvy, Need fast internet service

Best Uses: Living room, Customized Viewing, Secondary TV

Describe Yourself: News junkie, Customization Fan

I love building my own news/entertainment resource. I'm picky about the information I want to consume and Roku allows me to design my own network. The only negative is you really have to understand computer networking to get it set up correctly. It is not a typical plug-in, as claimed.

(legalese)

Constitution Day 2011

2011-09-17T14:56:00.000-04:00

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Read the full text...

Book Review: Chazown, by Craig Groeschel

2011-05-14T12:48:00.000-04:00

This book was a pleasure to read, although in many ways, it is typical of self-discovery/self-improvement books in general. The author’s engaging personality shines through some rather tired concepts. Namely, the Five Spokes: God/Spirituality, Personal Relationships, Finance, Health, and Work.

The most intriguing concept of the book is presented in the very first few pages of chapter one, titled (ironically), “Your Final Chapter.” The idea is that you should consider your life backwards - what would you like to see in your own obituary? Oddly enough, I did this very exercise 20-25 years ago, and it has haunted/guided me ever since.

The first half of the book is very conversational, offering a fresh interpretation of “vision,” from which the title, Chazown, is derived. The author is an excellent story teller, which is clearly the strength of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s perspective on the ways in which our core values, spiritual gifts, and past experiences intersect.

However, I was less impressed with the second half of the book, which addressed the Five Spokes. Perhaps a younger reader, hearing these pearls of wisdom for the first time, would be more motivated by this section than I was. The presentation was fine - well written, easy to understand, and solid. But, I found myself skimming these pages, thinking to myself, “Yeah, yeah, yeah…”

I would recommend this book for young adults, or for anyone who is still asking such questions as, “Who am I? Why am I here?” Older readers will enjoy the first half of the book, and most likely find that section gratifying, if not inspiring.

I appreciate WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for sending me a FREE copy of Chazown, by Craig Groeschel, in exchange for this review.

Order the book: Chazown, by Craig Groeschel

Civics 101 - Week 4

2011-04-02T15:44:00.000-04:00

This week, our session focused on the Planning Commission - these are the folks that make decisions about development in Sarasota County. The first half of the session consisted of presentations by agencies representing various elements involved with development: the comprehensive plan, zoning, re-zoning, permitting, inspections, code enforcement, etc.

The second half of the session was a mock Planning Commission meeting. The class was divided into 3 components: Commissioners, citizens opposed to a sample petition, and citizens supporting the sample petition (which was an actual case, decided in 2009).

It was a lot of fun to participate in this exercise - I was on the "opposed" team. Some of our team members brought props and signs to promote our "cause." The team in support of the sample petition made their case as well. Those willing to speak (most of the team members) signed request-to-speak cards, and took their turn at the podium.

The "Commissioners" debated the points we brought up (both sides), and discussed the issue at hand. Then they voted, and a decision was made.

I'm sure that actual Planning Commission meetings are not nearly as entertaining as ours was, but it was very informative to participate in this process. It was especially enlightening to read through the actual documentation of the case. I never realized the hoops that developers must jump through, in order to complete their projects. I also never realized how much influence citizens can have on local development - just by paying attention and participating in the process.

If your community offers a course like Civics 101 in Sarasota, you should take advantage of it.

My Clean Water Initiative

2011-03-22T20:32:00.000-04:00

What if I told you that it would only take $10 to supply an individual in a poverty-stricken nation with TEN years of clean water? Could you spare $10? Could you spare $1.00 to provide one person with clean water for one year?

Consider it. Five dollars provides 5 people with clean water for one year.

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