Guess What? The surge is working. Guess what else? It doesn’t matter.

Even the New York Times is declaring the surge a success. As a patriotic American and a compassionate person, I want things to go well in Iraq. I want Americans, Iraqis–heck, all people–to be free, safe and prosperous. But here is the thing. . .

The incredible drain of resources to provide even a small measure of stability is sacrificing a huge number of other potential ‘good’ that could be created. Why not send the rest of our military (what’s left of it) and make Iraq even that much more safe?

Afghanistan just had its bloodiest month, Iran regularly thumbs its nose at us, our infrastructure is deteriorating and the list goes on and on. And the tens of thousands of soldiers and hundreds of billions or dollars being dedicated to Iraq could help all of that.

Think of it this way. You have a child. You want the best for that child, so you send him/her to the best, most expensive private school in the world. Now, no one will fault you for sacrificing for that child. But you have to work three jobs, lose your home and run up your credit cards just to keep up tuition payments, maybe it’s not the best idea. This is probably especially the case as you will need to remove that child from that school sooner or later.

Your child would probably do better by having a stable home life and an involved parent.

Iraq needs to stand on its own two feet sooner or later and for my money–and for the well being of all Americans–it’s much better sooner.

An Open Letter to Hillary Supporters on Why They Should Support Obama Enthusiastically

I have been on chat boards and HillaryClinton.com since Hillary’s concession/endorsement speech yesterday trying to take the temperature of Clinton supporters to see if they will be joining forces with us in the Fall to elect Obama.

Overwhelmingly, Hillary supporters are pissed. Well, at least the ones who taking the time express themselves online. (How representative that is of the 18 million Clinton supporters, I don’t know.) To those supporters, I offer this:

I would be pissed too. Losing is hard and it only gets harder the more you have invested in the campaign and the closer the results of contest. By all measures, this is a major heartbreak for the many passionate Clinton supporters out there. But, don’t let it get the better of you and do something you will regret.

The morning after the Texas primary, I woke up with a snarl on my face and an axe to grind. See, I was convinced that Obama was going to sneak a victory out of the lone star state. He didn’t. Hillary did.

It didn’t matter that Hillary had won it fair and square. I wanted Obama to win that state badly and when it didn’t happen I was one grumpy dude. My wife (a ferocious Hillary supporter) wished me good morning, I [ridiculously] said something terse in response.

Conversely, following the results of the Potomac primaries a few weeks earlier where Obama did very well, my wife erupted with “What the &^$% has Obama ever done?!?!? Why are people voting for this clown!?!?”

Despite both my wife and I having our various moments during this campaign, we had both agreed that whomever became the nominee, we would not only vote for, but also campaign for and financially support that person.

Here’s why–This election is bigger than any candidate and any individual movement. It chooses not only the direction of this country but will affect the survival of a great many people in the next 4-8 years and beyond. Questions to be answered in this election include:

• Do we continue on in Iraq, losing hundreds, perhaps even thousands more American lives or do we make Iraq stand on its own two feet after five years, 4,000+ American soldiers and hundreds of billions of dollars?
• Do we continue to allow individuals and families to be bankrupted by illness and skyrocketing health premiums by a corrupt, lobbyist friendly health care system?
• Do we continue to be bullied by countries controlling the supply of oil and hedge funds manipulating the price of oil or do we invoke a smart energy policy for alternative, eco-friendly fuels?
• Do we continue to allow the appointment of neo-con supreme court justices when we are just one justice appointment away from overturning Roe v. Wade, not to mention the many core ‘Bill of Rights’ issues we used to be able to take for granted?
• Do we continue to support civil liberties abuses like warrantless wiretapping, torture and suspension of the writ of habeas corpus?
• Do we continue to debate over whether or not we use diplomacy or just hold our breath until foreign governments give in to our demands?

As engaged participants in the political process, you know that where Obama stands on these issues and where McCain stands are 180-degrees apart. You also know that as close as many of our elections are, your votes could very well make the difference. And if those votes go to John McCain, many of those issues that you hold dear–and that Senator Clinton hold dear–will be decided against your wishes.

You think Hillary would make a better president? I respect that. You want to see her in the White House? So do I. She is formidable, accomplished and has an astounding intellect. She was health care before health care was cool. Plus, she has taken every stone thrown at her, chewed it up and spit it back at her opponents. She would make one hell of a president. But it did not quite happen for her this year. And, if you think you have heard the last of Hillary Clinton, then you grossly underestimate this phenomenal woman that you so enthusiastically support.

But, please do not let the bruises of the primary season compel you to inflict serious, permanent wounds to yourself and this country.

The Positive Effects of Four Dollar Gas–Economics 101

One of the first lessons that you learn in a macro economics class is the principle of “Price as a means of communication.” It is best explained thus:

After the devastation of Hurricane Andrew, people were outraged that the price of plywood in South Florida went from $10 a plank to $40. Folks thought it was an appalling lack of compassion for those hit hardest by the hurricane. It was actually a very positive thing as it sent a loud message to lumber companies across the globe to send plywood to South Florida. As suppliers responded to this shortage to take advantage of higher prices, the supply and demand came into equilibrium and price eventually normalized.

Using this example, what message is sent by $4/Gal gas?

First, it sends a very loud message to users to find alternatives to gas consumption. If you were out and about this past Memorial Day Weekend. . . well, you were in the minority. Neither the highways nor the beaches were jammed. People were changing their gas consumption (e.g. conserving) habits due to pricing.

Second, the economics of alternative fuels look a lot better. Producers of alternative fuels are hearing that very loud consumer demand for their products. Where, previously, producers of alternative fuels had a tough time competing with $1.50 gas, they are getting a very big green light from the market. But, at $4 or higher–it makes immediate financial sense to go alternative (regardless of any altruism felt by the consumer). Consider recent moves by Apple Computer and others.

Now, I am not about to argue that this spike in gas prices won’t deepen or prolong a recession. But, lurking beneath the immediate difficulties may actually be some real, lasting solutions to the financial and politicals difficulties that come from our energy problem. Perhaps we will end up like Brazil, which after the energy crisis of the 1970s moved to energy independence primarily through the use of sugar cane ethanol (7X more efficient than corn ethanol).

Gas is already backing off it’s highest prices as demand has buckled at the $4/gallon level. In a way, it’s almost a shame. If we were able to act as if we have $4 gas for the next 3-5 years, we will likely be able to create an energy independent economy that will provide cheaper and cleaner fuels and do more to combat terrorism than anything we have seen to date.

And that would make $4+ gas possibly the best thing to ever happen to this country.

Being Hillary Is Never Having to Say You’re Sorry

To watch Hillary give yesterday’s half-hearted, non-apology apology through gritted teeth reminded me of another apology a few years ago by another Clinton. They were both similar in that they were made begrudgingly with an air of “How dare you question me on this” and that neither apology contained the phrases “I did it” or “I am sorry.”

Instead, she oddly apologized to the Kennedy family in case “anyone was offended.”

Hillary, enough. Be a grown up, recognize your mistake, give a sincere apology to the offended people and move on.

Some people think she was trying to raise the spector of a potential Obama assassination by mentioning the events of 1968–it’s an easy and obvious conclusion to draw. I actually don’t believe this to be the case. I think she was merely trying to raise the spector of the brokered and broken 1968 convention and the resulting election of Richard Nixon. This is her hammer to use as she heads toward the decision on Florida/Michigan. (”better give me a good deal or else there is going to be hell to pay at the convention”)

But in a hotly contested election where she has fanned the flames of racism with vigor (’hard working people, white people”), she needs to actually put some effort into proving this was not her intent. She might try by first issuing an statement directly to Michelle Obama and her two children apologizing for the imagery of their losing the most important person in their lives. It would be a class move after a bad mistake.

But, alas, she won’t do it. This is a person who has mastered the art of being indignant whenever being called out something:

* “Why can’t we just get past” my repeated fabrications of being under fire in Kosovo
* “What we really need to talk about is the vast right wing conspiracy” instead of my husband’s potential perjury and infidelities.

Mike Huckabee made an odd gaffe at an NRA meeting where he joked about someone pointing a gun a Obama. Huckabee apologized for the mistake and denounced his own remarks. He–and the public–quickly moved on from the mistake.

Hillary might try the same.

The One Question Nobody Is Asking McCain

Let us consider how thin the military is spread given the current state of worldwide deployments.

* Navy personnel serving on the ground in Iraq to compensate for shortages of army infantry
* Enlistment bonuses are skyrocketing to try and lure new soldiers into the military
* Standards for recruiting and military conduct are dropping for fear of losing personnel.
* Reenlistment rates are down.

Add to this “Stop-Loss” programs and the allure of just working for Blackwater at three times the pay, and the military is really hurting for people.

So with all of this and with John McCain’s desire to fight to the finish in Iraq & Afghanistan while maintaining a credible, deterrant military threat, why is no one asking John McCain if he believes in a draft? It’s not an unreasonable question. We are having a hard time meeting current military commitments, it looks like our commitments will continue (if not expand) and our resources are shrinking. It appears that something must be done. Other than raising financial benefits and incentives (which he is currently opposing), it would seem a draft is the only way to go.

Let’s see how straight his talk is on that topic.

John McCain Believes The Iraq War Can Be Won Just After Re-Election

Further proving that John McCain is the Democrat’s best asset, today John McCain asserted that he thought the Iraq war could be won by January 2013. Hmmm, let me think for a moment. . . that would be around when. . . hmmmm. . . .

Oh, right. That is after his reelection and inauguration to a second term. Two reasons this is a gold mine for Democrats:

1. It takes people for idiots by saying “Give me two terms and I can end this thing”. And people hate being treated like idiots.
2. It may be better than “100 years”, but the slogan “We’ve had 5 years, just give me five more and I can totally wrap this thing up” is not a winner. ESPECIALLY when the other part of that equation is “We’ve lost 4,000 soldiers in five years, just let me lose 4,000 more and it will be cool.”

Bill Clinton had “Don’t Stop” as his campaign theme song. Perhpas McCain’s theme song should be “Nah nah nah nah, nah nah nah nah, hey hey hey, Good-bye!

Carly Fiorina is the Perfect Republican Spokesperson

Watching the Sunday morning shows, I was struck by how perfect a choice Carly Fiorina is as a spokesperson for the McCain campaign and the Republican party.

The Republicans are, smartly, trying to put a powerful, impressive woman at the front of their party in order to attract disaffected female voters who might look to the GOP after the democrats fail to nominate Hillary. But who is Carly Fiorina? She is George W Bush in a pants suit.

Ms. Fiorina came to prominence during the “Dot Com Boom” as an executive at telecommunications/Internet equipment maker Lucent Technologies. With a prominent roll in marketing, Ms Fiorina helped introduce the concept of vendor financing to Lucent. Vendor financing was the practice of extending lines of credit to tech start-ups who needed Lucent’s equipment but couldn’t afford to pay for it. The logic was to capture market share with these start-ups who would rapidly expand their networks and, as a result, their need for Lucent equipment.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION PORTION OF THE BLOG: Can anyone out there tell me what is wrong with the concept of extending lines of credit to people who can’t afford them?

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You guessed it! Those people will–in an overwhelming majority–default on their obligations. (see: current housing crisis). And that’s just what happened. Lucent flooded the market with their own equipment as these debtors had to liquidate their assetsm thus depressing prices. Further, Lucent had to restate previous earning as their accounts receivable department. . . well. . .never received anything from these bankrupt start-up. And, even worse, Lucent had to drastically restate their forecasted earnings as those were built upon the expectation of these half-baked start-ups flourishing.

The stock of the tech titan was reduced to pennies per share. Today, Lucent is no more. (By comparison, Lucent’s main competitor, Cisco, continues to thrive.)

But none of this mattered to Ms. Fiorina who took the top spot at Hewlett-Packard before these indigent chickens came home to roost. Lucent had yet to restate these earnings when she was offered top spot at HP.

She rode into HP on a white horse. Later, she would be chased out by angry mobs carrying torches.

Fiorina’s signature move at HP was to acquire Compaq, thereby combining the #2 and #3 manufacturers of PCs in the market (Dell being #1). Such a move was geared towards efficiencies–combine two large players in the same industry, eliminate redundant resources (staff, buildings, marketing dollars) and all of a sudden you have a lean, mean monster with higher margins.

Many, including Hewlett’s grandson, fought the move, wanting the Company instead to move up-market. In other words, they wanted HP to focus on their higher margin products such as their printers. Fiorina wanted to focus on the PC business–a largely commodotized market with lower margins and higher competitive & pricing pressures. After a long proxy fight to get the acquisition approved, Fiorina had her way.

Within a few months of the acquisition, the merger was an abject failure and the stock dropped more than 60%, . Carly was chased out of town–and with only a $21 Million severance to show for it. Poor Carly.

Now she is working for the Republican party and it appears a perfect marriage for the following reasons:

* She has experience destroying jobs, not creating them. (see: tax breaks for offshore outsourcing)

* She has no long term vision or eye for innovation to keep a venture vital and establish market leadership (see Bush administration, energy policy, foreign debt, devaluation of the dollar)

* No matter how big a disaster she creates, she is personnally enriched by each experience (see: George Bush’s oil ventures, Iraq war, Haliburton)

* She is a font of horrendous ideas, none of which hurt–or are paid for–by either her, her associates or her circle of friends but create tremendous burderns for others (see: lower & middle class families bearing brunt of war casualties, Bush administration being the administration of draft dodgers, lower & middle class being ignored by economic policy)

* She is incompetent (see all above references)

If the Republicans wanted to get a high profile woman on their campaign, they should have asked Meg Whitman, the CEO of eBay. She smart, innovative and full of common sense. Ms. Whitman has created enormous wealth, thousands of jobs and generally enriched those in her constituency. Unfortunately, she is not available: unlike Carly, she is still wanted at her company.

John McCain is an Alcoholic, Child-Molesting Leprechuan

Who is John McCain?

Very interesting and something that should be considered in your choice.

If you do not ever forward anything else, please forward this to all your contacts…this is very scary to think of what lies ahead of us here in our own United States …better heed this and pray about it and share it.

We checked this out on “snopes.com”. It is factual. Check for yourself.

Who is John McCain?

Probable U. S. presidential candidate, John Sidney McCain III was born in Panama to father John, an IRISH CATHOLIC from Arizona and Roberta, a white ATHEIST from Wichita, Kansas.

McCain’s parents met at Hawaii while father John was stationed there. When McCain was two years old, his parents divorced. His father returned to Panama. His mother then married Boozy MacFarland, an alcoholic leprechuan from Dublin who taught young John his magic secrets by harnessing the power of pink hearts, yellow moons and blue diamonds.

When McCain was 6 years old, the family relocates to Ireland where he aquired an insatiable appetite for whisky (and shepherd’s pie). He attended a SECULAR school in Dublin. He also spent two years in a Catholic school where he learned how to molest altar boys.

McCain has taken great care to conceal the fact that he is a pedophile. He is quick to point out that, “He was once a pedophile, but that he also attended Catholic school.”

McCain’s political handlers are attempting to make it appear that that he is not an alcoholic, child-molesting leprechuan.

McCain’s introduction to sobriety came via his father, and that this influence was temporary at best. In reality, the senior McCain returned to Ireland soon after the divorce, and never again had any direct
influence over his son’s education.

Boozy, the second husband of McCain’s mother, Roberta, introduced his stepson to Leprechuan magic. McCain was enrolled in a Lucky Charms school in Belfast.

Leprechuanism is the RADICAL teaching that is followed by the magic Irish dwarfs who are now casting spells against the Americans they deem to be after their pots of gold. Since it is politically expedient to be a HUMAN when seeking major public office in the United States, McCain never wears green and always puts lifts in his shoes in an attempt to downplay his background. ALSO, keep in mind that when he was sworn into office he DID NOT use the Holy Bible, but instead the pint of guiness and a sack of potatoes.

John Sidney McCain III will NOT recite the Pledge of Allegiance nor will he show any reverence for our flag. While others place their hands over their hearts, McCain chugs three beers and then recites the alphabet during one long, albeit impressive, belch.

Let us all remain alert concerning McCain’s expected presidential candidacy.

The Leprechuans have said they plan on destroying the US from the inside out, by stealing our gold and turning us all into newts. What better way to start than at the highest level - through the President of the United States, one of their own!!!!

Please forward to everyone you know. Would you want this man leading our country?…… NOT ME!!!
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This would be offensive if it wasn’t so ridiculous. However, all I did was take an actual email sent to my mother by some whacko and replace Obama’s name with McCain and the muslim references with the Irish & Catholic slurs. The actual Obama email is listed below. Let’s try and elect a president this time around with a minimal amount of nonsense.

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Who is Barack Hussien Obama?

Very interesting and something that should be considered in your choice.

If you do not ever forward anything else, please forward this to all
your contacts…this is very scary to think of what lies ahead of us
here in our own United States …better heed this and pray about it and
share it.

We checked this out on “snopes.com”. It is factual. Check for yourself.

Who is Barack Obama?

Probable U. S. presidential candidate, Barack Hussein Obama was born in
Honolulu , Hawaii , to Barack Hussein Obama, Sr., a black MUSLIM from
Nyangoma-Kogel , Kenya and Ann Dun ham, a white ATHEIST from Wichita ,
Kansas .
Obama’s parents met at the University of Hawaii . When Obama was two year
s old, his parents divorced. Hi s father returned to Kenya . His mother
then married Lolo Soetoro, a RADICAL Muslim from Indonesia.?
When Obama was 6 years old, the family relocate to Indonesia . Obama
attended a MUSLIM school i n Jakarta . He also spent two years in a
Catholic school.

Obama takes great care to conceal the fact that he is a Muslim. He is
quick to point out that, “He was o nce a Muslim, but that he also
attended Catholic school.”

Obama’s political handlers are attempting to make it appear that that he
is not a radical.

Obama’s in troduction to Islam came via his father, and that this
influence was temporary at best. In reality, the senior Obama returned
to Kenya soon after the divorce, and never again had any direct
influence over his son’s education.

Lolo Soetoro, the second husband of Obama’s mother, Ann Dunham,
introduced his stepson to Islam. Obama was enrolled in a Wahabi school
in Jakarta .

Wahabism is the RADICAL teaching that is followed by the Muslim
terrorists who are now waging Jihad against the western world. Since it
is politically expedient to be a CHRISTIAN when seeking major public
office in the United States , Barack Hussein Obama has joined the United
Church of Christ in an attempt to downplay his Muslim background. ALSO,
keep in mind that when he was sworn into office he DID NOT use the Holy
Bible, but instead the Koran.

Barack Hussein Obama will NOT recite the Pledge of Allegiance nor will
he show any reverence for our flag. While others place their hands over
their hearts, Obama turns his back to t he flag and slouches.

Let us all remain alert concerning Obama’s expected presidential
candidacy.

The Muslims have said they plan on destroying the US from the inside
out, what better way to start than at the highest level - through the
President of the United States , one of their own!!!!

Please forward to everyone you know. Would you want this man leading our
country?…… NOT ME!!!

So Why Isn’t Rush Limbaugh In Jail?

I know what you are thinking when you saw the title. No, this is not about his illegal drug habit or prescription fraud, though certainly he probably should have done a decent amount of time in the big house for that.

About 6 weeks ago, my wife and I were fortunate enough to travel to New Zealand. Everybody we bumped into asked us about the election. One Australian couple asked us about Rush Limbaugh and his “Project Chaos.” I explained he is encouraging republicans to vote for Hillary in democratic primaries and extend the process, thereby weakening Obama. Once I explained it, the wife got a confused look on her face and asked “That’s not very democratic, is it?”

No, it’s not. In fact, it’s illegal.

Conservative funny man Rush Limbaugh has been advocating that republicans switch their party affiliations and vote for Hillary. In doing so he has conspired with his listeners to falsify government documents and maniupulate the results of these elections. You can do serious time for that and there are–at this point–hundreds of hours of broadcasting by Rush to prove the case against him.

Now, beyond arguing whether or not he’s guilty of this (he is, open and shut case)–let’s talk about why this stunt of his is so offensive. This country was founded on the premise that each citizen could have equal say in who governed them. Millions of americans have given their lives for this premise. What’s more, the very war in Iraq that Rush supports, is also allegedly to support this premise.

And Limbaugh–a man who evaded military service–is polluting this process for what? It can’t be for his political convictions, he has condemned McCain as a liberal. He’s doing it for ratings. Nice. Good to know that to Rush, democracy has it’s price.

McCain’s Latest Commercial for the Democrats

Vietnam veteran John McCain is opposing a new bill that would give new benefits to veterans.

Howard Dean must be a little worried that McCain is gunning for his job. Keep up the good work McCain.

Obama ‘08.