It's a Nanny State & The Professor Thing

Dear America,

"Official motto of the White House economic team: Those who can, do. Those who can’t, fantasize in the classroom, fail in Washington and then return to the Ivy Tower to train the next generation of egghead economic saboteurs. Life is good for left-wing academics. Everyone else pays dearly."

that's what she said.

That is what Michelle Malkin opened her column with just yesterday; hm. same day G was thinking the exact same thing.  Only, Malkin, far more polished in her delivery, backed up thoughts with names, numbers and data to string a mile long...for G, not so much. [insert smiley face here]  But gotta love it when, there she was, with Sean Hannity last night, explaining the "abandoning ship...going back to academics" theory on national TV -- hence, backing up the G thing hook, line and sinker.

Poking some kind of fun back on the lefties who come off "untouched and unscathed by reality" while living in their Keynesian house of cards, she keeps building up her case..."and we get told we're the morons!" she added, basically throwing down all her cards and showing Sean, along with the rest of his viewers, black jack.

good times. good times indeed.

Considering G was hopped up on everything free market yesterday, in the middle of her piece, Malkin said this:

"Goolsbee’s most recent “innovation”: the “White House White Board,” a weekly video lecture teaching everyone else how to hitch what remains of America’s free-market system to the wagon of the state and how much (or rather, how little) we should make doing it. He illustrated his grand interventionist strategy to pick and choose “Startup America” winners by drawing a trough of broken light bulbs (symbolizing entrepreneurial ideas) piling up in a “Valley of Death” because they lacked government support.

A comical choice of imagery given the Democrats’ enviro-nutty ban on incandescent bulbs. But I digress."

And speaking of digressing, nothing like starting off the day with one, eh.  This isn't exactly where I wanted to go this morning, but I just couldn't help myself.  My first thought of the day went right to sweet synchronicity rounding up full circle.  To read her full column, go here. 

so, from what remains of the free market to the remains on a day...what else...what else... oh right...now this is really neither here nor there, I mean, my gosh, the story came up from down under.  But did you hear about the new protectionism, specific to wildlife, showing favor expressly for a certain group, namely possums?


The way the story goes, domestic felines have a curfew; no more gallivanting around the neighborhood in the middle of the night, causing all sorts of mayhem.  Possums seem to be unable to hold their own down under, so again, the first thing environmentalists think of is scratching natural law and order, scrapping Darwin's survival of the fittest, in one giant leap.  And again, deciding for us, who deserves special privileges, special rights of passage and the like, posing one animalia against another even -- all while swiping the civil liberties of the domestic cat with one scratch.

Here's a bit of kitty kibble on the matter:

"There have been some 564 reported cat attacks on ringtail possums in the last year alone, making up the biggest part of total cat attacks on wildlife, wildlife protection agency WIRES said. 'It's a small thing to ask people to keep their cats indoors if it means protecting our native wildlife.' McKenzie said 'After all, they were here first, we've introduced domestic pets, so we have a responsibility to control them.' "

really?

How do we know if whether or not the possums started it?  I mean, is someone actually stalking the Sydney neighborhoods in search of cats run amuck, wreaking havoc upon the poor, defenseless possums?  I'm sorry, are we talking about Fluffy, Dingleberry, and Boo?  C'mon.

And seriously, if a possum can't seem to handle a little harassment from frick and frack, who is to say they deserve to be in the wild in the first place?  what a let down in the name of wildlife everywhere, eh.  Oh G is a heartless bitch this morning.

But really, I love wildlife as much as the next girl (as long as that girl does not subscribe to the philosophy and actions of greenpeace... most often an outfit controlling the rights of mother nature to the extremes) -- but this seems downright ludicrous. Perhaps the way to go might be to begin "domesticating" possums, ever think of that?  If they can't handle the real world, let's bring them indoors and treat them like babies.

Now, in my old neighborhood, not to be confused with my new neighborhood which is pretty much the same, we get possums, and raccoons, and rabbits, and what not -- sometimes even coyotes.  And the truth is, we seem to be losing more felines (proof is in the pictures taped to the sides of telephone polls...the sweet faces of lost Dingleberries pop up all the time).

How would might this group suggest we keep the possums in -- at night?  Because I have seen possums willing to take on small children in these here parts  (really)  (not kidding).

Here's a piece of advice handed down to cat owners in the wake of this assault upon the average possum (considering that there is no law in place to give them any authority to forbid households to let their cats out at night):

"Whilst the curfew cannot be strictly enforced, an education and information program to be sent out by the local government will propose that cat owners keep their pets indoors between dusk and dawn, monitor their cat's activities during the day and attach two bells to their collar."

attach two bells, they suggest...
that's gonna go over well.
they seem not to have a clue about how the typical cat ticks.

Isn't that domestic cat abuse?  wouldn't a couple of bells announcing their every move cut a cat's psyche right in two, emasculating whatever natural tendencies they happened to be born with as one of God's beautiful creatures?

and this may sound over the line, but wouldn't this be like telling a gay or lesbian student to wear a letter across their chest in school, announcing who they are on the inside, and to back off, long before they've even had a chance to say hello?  I mean, what you are asking a cat to do here is wrong.  What gives you the right to decide how to level the playing field -- and assuming the field is full of land mines only blowing up one side?   For isn't the real world a place where we all have to get along...even in conditions that might test our very souls, if not, our outright ability to fight for what we believe and who we are?

Maybe, why stop at bells and whistles calling out all cats, how about we have possums sit down and watch a video like "It gets better" while we're at it.

And call me stupid if I think possums could probably do a better job at adapting, or move to higher ground.

But again, throwing the risk of repetition against the wind, how do we not know for sure that it was the possum who stuck it's tongue out in the first place?

I would also be remiss if I did not ask the age old question:  Is Fluffy really capable of taking down a wild animal like a possum?  My bet goes to the feral kitty sitting there in the corner, looking like the Cheshire cat.  Can you say gill tea? 

so no. my two cents today did not remain inside American borders.  shoot me. throw me in a cage. leave me for dead.  whatever.

but if need be,  I can make a course correction right now, on the fly, if you like... 

Survival of the fittest is a good thing, it makes us adapt, and expand, and take action -- to protect and guide and manifest a magnificent future.  It is a very American ideal, indeed.  It is an idea not intended for wussies, or should I say pussies, as the observations of today chime in in the back of my head (who are we kidding, it was just a couple of bells).

WE, as a country, used to teach all our youngin' how to hold their own -- getting better at it as time went by -- generated by the top down (ergo from mom and pop, people of authority, our leaders...).  Kids understood their place -- and how to work awfully hard to get out from under parental control and make their own way, albeit in a warped give me liberty or give me death kind of way.

But somehow, in the last thirty or forty years, we have shifted -- going against the natural Darwinian flow and teachings surrounding our duty to raise self-reliant, able-bodied, rootin' tootin' kids ready to take on the world -- these days, we are raising a bunch of fluffies with a social cause ringing around their ears.  Yes, extreme G lives and reigns.  But think about it, here in America and down under, the social justice agenda is replacing a beautiful industrial life in a dog-eat-dog cat-scratch-fever kind of way.

With good intentions (I'm sure...say that with some attitude please) our political correctness has enabled scores of protectionists, environmentalists, fascists, marxists, social justice-ists, to control the population.  It always starts out small and grows.  First, it is adding a just couple of bells around our neck, but pretty soon, we are locked up in cages (but only at night).

I am not happy with things down under with this whole goodbye kitty police state.  And it has taken me by surprise, really; for, of all places, you would think the great Outback would choose Darwin over Code Pink Hello Kitty any day of the week.  The thing is, considering evolution by the hundredth monkey effect seems to be in full force, this doesn't bode well for the rest of us.

here we go. there we go. it's all the same thing on this incredibly stupid day.  are you ready for a cat fight?

Make it a Good Day, G

speaking of which, did you know we are engaged in a fourth war?  covert ops, they say.  In Yemen.  oh yes, and you lefty's thought you had found yourself an anti-war anti-imperialist golden child  -- thing is, he just doesn't tell anyone about it or get congressional approval.  that's all.  may I suggest you write your congressman.   but really now, can I get a chorus of "whiskey tango foxtrot" for the president?

Dear America,

Happy Fall everyone; but watch out, first step is always a doozy.

Somewhere between watching the premiere of Biggest Loser and catching in the corner of my eye a "YES WE CAN" bumper sticker, it came to me.

We've talked about America's exceptionalism before, and in more ways than one, to be sure; and I believe we will talk a trillion times more on the subject, as I don't see a time ever in our future when we could hang a banner of mission accomplished on this one.  WE must remind ourselves of our good and the good we do, as a people, or we will drift into some kind of foreign land, fall into some kind of valley, and perhaps never muster enough self-esteem to climb ourselves back up.

Velma is still with me, in spirit.  I can't shake her utter desperation and her genuine appeal to the president wondering if this is all there is, is this what we can expect from him, is this all he wrote via the teleprompter, for today, tomorrow and the kingdom come?  Her depression became an instant overnight sensation felt in the gut of every American -- and no one could have said it any better.  It lingers with us...

It's just that, call me funny now, our president, just turned his head and laughed.

Does anyone else find that reaction kind of troubling?  Has anyone else caught on that he finds things amusing at the most awkward times -- almost like a nervous twitch, he is quick to go to a little chuckle, as if he could just giggle himself out of answering any questions.

Mr. President, with all due respect, America is experiencing some serious sh** these days; it isn't that funny.

And there you are laughing, while the rest of us are wiping our tears and watching one more of your economic team give notice (oh, right, cuz you guys were planning on Larry Summers leaving by the end of the year, right). If we had a three stikes you're out policy, you would be getting the pink slip; that is if we add up Orzag and Romer who earlier beat Summers to the punch.  And then there is this, before long we will be watching Rahm leave -- you know, to go organize Chicago; I suppose, when an administration gets tough, the tough run for 'dem hills -- or outside the beltway if at all possible.

Anyway, back to where I was really heading this morning, all of a sudden...you know, sometime between Biggest Loser and the bumper sticker, I had this sense that YES WE CAN has been AMERICA's ideology since day one.  It has always been yes, we can; it has always been, whatever you need; it has always been, tell me what to do, and I'll do it. 

It was always, how can I serve; it was always, how much can I give for my country; it was always, where do I sign; it was always, don't need any thanks, I am obliged to be of help; it was always, let me give of my time and my talent without any need for attention. 

It has always been YES WE CAN and we will! And it will be good.

Somewhere along the way, our independence factor -- our ability to make a life on our own, under a limited government, sheltering our ingenuity and pursuit of happiness and individual liberties safely under the arm of America's Constitution -- has become our very own mental hurdle that just too many of us can't seem to break.

Now Velma, she is speaking for most of us because she gets it; she knows what she needs to do in order to build a life for herself and her family.  What has her perplexed and "quite frankly exhausted" is the mountain she must climb, now that our government is way too big for it's britches.  WE can't afford this kind of gluttony!  And she is wondering, like the rest of us, just how, Mr. President, are we gonna pay for all this -- and be able to eat something other than "beans and franks" or was it "franks and beans" -- either way, the combo sucks.

What has the left all in a tizzy, is watching the tea party patriots climbing the walls and crying out in agony, with sweat dripping off their brow, gasping for air, saying NO MORE! we aren't gonna take it anymore -- but in a good way.  WE, the Tea, see what we must do to overcome the hole that we are in; we are willing and able to do the work; so bring it. 

Yes WE can, as Americans and all together (making every attempt to blend red shirts with blue), get through this time in our lives and get over it, by golly -- and we have no time for messing around, as our blood glucose level is off the charts.

Do us all a favor, and stop over indulging, big government; start setting an example that the kids can be proud of, will ya?!

Oh, the level of emotion watching the Biggest Loser can be so overwhelming.  Just when you think you got it bad...bam!  Left hook smacking you in the face when we're not looking up, ka pow!  And we are on our knees. 

Between the story of the young mother who fell asleep with her three year old son, with cancer, no longer breathing when she awoke...between the mother of five, wife of a military officer, and never having time to take care of herself... between the woman who survived breast cancer, only to be up against the battle of  her real life, losing twenty years of bad weight... and the round of dads who just want to set a good example for their sons and daughters...every story, every issue, every feeling, we can't help but get sucked into their lives as if it's our own -- cuz that's just what we do here in America.

Velma and I are like sisters of a different color -- but of the same culture, the same country, the same dreams, and pretty much the same stress.  But what is most striking -- and this is the real kicker in the old behind -- is the level of understanding as to how much of this we brought on ourself -- in the MACRO sense, that is (not personally, as in little old me and Velma, for we are perfect in every way, but...).  The thing is, we let our country do this to us when we were not paying attention.  WE let ourselves go, and now we are paying the price.

The left wants you to believe that MORE government is the answer; when it is precisely the glut of government which got us here in the first place.  Wake up and smell the coffee growing on the hillsides of Columbia, people.  We can't keep doing this to ourselves.  Everyone needs to catch their own fish now, and more importantly, eat it, as it is way better for you than most things we snap, crackle and pop into our mouths.

Oh YES WE CAN overcome; yes we can climb the mountain and lose the excess weight -- but it will take a concerted effort and everyone's undying commitment.  Oh yeah, and it will hardly be a cake walk; "Obama's Money" is not opening up a cupcake factory coming to a neighborhood near you.  WE got no money; the cupcakes are bad for you; and we would be better off taking a spin around the park and coming home to a well balanced meal of living within our means with a side of double happiness, followed up with a good night's sleep instead of ding dongs and twinkies, that is after a long day at the fishing hole.  And then, for the icing on the cake, to wake up and do it all over again the next day.  It's gonna be so fun.

YES WE CAN is not a slogan -- it is a way of life, and Mr. President, you better not mess with it.

YES WE CAN, is right on the money and two for the show, and three to get ready now, go, go, go.

I am a conservative;
and even though I am virtually skinny girl from way back...
(and feel free to hate me on both infractions -- if it gets you through your day)
 ... but believe me when I say,
whether left or right, I am here for you --
to pump you up this morning!
Whatever number of pounds we have to lose, we will do it together!
WE can do this.
For I am woman, and we are AMERICA, hear me roar!

Time is now -- while time also happens to be real money, go figure --
and there is no going back.

Make it a GOOD Day, G


Found in The 5000 Year Leap:

"Life, Liberty, and the property do not exist

because men have made laws. 

On the contrary,

it was the fact that life, liberty, and the property

existed beforehand

that caused men to make laws

[for the protection of them]

in the first place."

Frederic Bastiat

The Law

From Benjamin Franklin:

"I am apprehensive, therefore -- perhaps too apprehensive --

that the government of these states

may in future times end in a monarchy.

But this catastrophe,  I think, may be long delayed,

if in our proposed system we do not sow the seeds

of contention, faction, and tumult,

by making our posts of honor

places of profit.

If we do, I fear,

though we employ at first number and

not a single person, the number will

in time be set aside;

it will only nourish the fetus of a king

(as the honorable gentleman from Virginia

very aptly expressed it),

and a king will the sooner be set over us."