More cat word associations...

Yes, it could be said I'm feeling "catty" today, but more cat word associations. Most of you, especially those of you without felines in your home may conjur up another visual when thinking of bathroom vanities, not here. Here, images of cats, especially one cat in particular who likes to sleep in our bathroom sink comes to mind. The picture is not our cat, it is one who looks eerily like him and also apparently likes to sleep in the sink. Our cat is clever enough that when he sees you come with a camera, he leaps down...

Word associations with cats...

There are times I realize we have too many pets, because certain words make me think of one of the pets as opposed to what most people would think of. Take the word, tuxedos as an example, most of you might think of the suit, or perhaps even a penguin, but for me? I think of cats. We've had tuxedo cats in the past and still have one now, one that shouldn't be living here, but she is.

My ex-husband got the cat (Yoko) for my youngest daughter against my wishes. Said cat was supposed to reside at his home, when he moved from this area, he without even asking brought the cat to my house and left it on my front porch taped in a box. He realized that since it was my daughter's cat he could abdicate responsibility and stick me with the drama of either disposing of the cat or keeping it. Yes, you can see a good example of why he's an ex-husband (smile). The other cats who live here are older, all belong to my other children who as they have moved out have not been able to find or afford places that allow pets. That explains the two dogs too, but the other cats hate Yoko and she being younger, terrorizes them to the point one is afraid to use the litter box because of her bullying behavior. So every time I find a pile of poo where it should not be, I think fondly of the man who created quite a bit of poo for me...and I think of cats when I hear the word "tuxedo."

Ron Paul and the Birch Society...

The way it's done is you always try to dismiss a person by finding people that are considered by some to be "extreme" and then try to make the implication that no matter how small the association that person is therefore one of the "extreme." We watched the attempt to link Barack Obama with several people who could be in this "extreme" category, it obviously didn't work. It was supposedly bemoaned by many as not being fair. Yet, the same thing is being done to Ron Paul, it started some time ago, with one example from 2008 and it still continues today with articles like this one Yes, Ron Paul is a Bircher.

When asked in 2007 about the Birch Society, Paul stated:

“Oh, my goodness, the John Birch Society!” he said in mock horror. “Is that bad? I have a lot of friends in the John Birch Society. They’re generally well educated, and they understand the Constitution. I don’t know how many positions they would have that I don’t agree with. Because they’re real strict constitutionalists, they don’t like the war, they’re hard-money people. . . . ”

As someone who is personally more liberal but is interested in libertarian principles since that is the political party of my upbringing, I'd question if Paul believes some of the positions now, as opposed to some stated in the past, as an example, I don't believe:

Liberals are secret communist traitors who provide the cover for the gradual process of collectivism, with the ultimate goal of replacing the nations of western civilization with one-world socialist government.

Sad to say, though I do know people who do feel that way, and I don't think all of them are John Birch Society Members.

I ventured over to the John Birch Society website expecting to see a bunch of extreme positions. None that I noticed, in fact it was much more laid back than some of the "Focus on Family" type material that I've seen out there. I really don't think speaking with people who are members of this group is anything "bad" and if we are going to follow the whole "if it's wrong, it's wrong" theory, then if people are not supposed to worry about some of the closer relationships our current President had? Ron Paul's Birch connection is not one to worry about...

How my refrigerator became a campaign slogan

When my youngest daughter was 11, she decided she wanted to volunteer for a local city council candidate. She did this on her own, with the exception of us having to arrange for transportation, with her zeal for her favorite candidate demonstrated on our refrigerator. He had magnets created for his campaign and she had slews of them. Enough that at one point in time it was difficult to see what color the actual refrigerator was...Even after the campaign was over, and her favorite candidate had won, it took quite some time before she'd let us remove the magnets. Two of which still remain on the fridge almost three years later.

:-)

Speciality employment sites

There are the larger sites that people turn to online when job hunting, but at times it can be a frustrating adventure depending on how organized the search ability is. That's why there have been niche sites set up that specialize in a variety of different employment areas, like admin careers, where that particular field is focused on.

It helps the employer seeking an employee because people coming there are looking for that particular type of job, and it helps the employee since it makes the process easier for them to connect with employers.

California Libertarians Say Today's Budget Deal is a 'Travesty'

Recommended article on MSNBC about some of the reaction to the latest California Budget. California is in such bad financial straights that they are not giving people their state income tax refunds, it's been put on hold with it being stated they might have to issue IOU's.

Part of the statement released today:

Libertarian Party of California Chair Kevin Takenaga issued the follow statement today regarding the budget deal agreed to this morning by the California legislature:

"The budget package passed by the California legislature this morning is an absolute travesty. It shows just how little concern the Democrats and Republicans in Sacramento have for ordinary, hard-working individuals and businesses in California.

"And make no mistake, even those Republicans who voted against it today share the blame. The state's fiscal mess didn't just happen overnight. It took years of arrogance, neglect, ignorance and willful disregard for taxpayers by both major parties to reach this point. The state's $40 billion deficit was utterly predictable. Both parties were copartners in crime in approving ever larger spending plans that far outstripped the state's rising revenues. Despite a slowing economy, the state still separated taxpayers from a record amount of their money last year.

Critiques of Libertarianism, more like elementary taunts

This was kind of funny that Libertarianism was seen as such a threat that there is an actual website out there to give you the talking points to "deal" with the arguments from "Libertarian Evangelists" at first I thought it might have some informational value, until I got to this part:

The Libertarian Party: America's third largest political party.

Wow, third! That sounds impressive until you realize that the Libertarian Party is about one percent of the size of the other two. Funny how they don't mention that in their slogan. I guess they should get a new slogan. Let's have a new slogan contest for the Libertarian Party!

* A party a lot smaller than the Communists used to be?
* The party that can't get as many votes as any one-shot third party?
* The party that's elected fewer to national office than the Socialists?
* The party whose symbol is a big government statue.
* The party with the oxymoronic name?
* The party of Pat Paulson, uh, I mean Don Imus, uh, I mean Howard Stern!
* America's Third Most Comical Political Party?
* Preschool for hyperactive Republicans?

Evidently some have taken Mike Huben seriously enough to write a response to him. Which rather than make Huben think, probably created him awarding another Libertarian Loser of the week. Which maybe it's just me, but I believe in freedom of thought, when you can't offer a real argument but your response is immaturity? It's hard to take the critique seriously and if what Huben said is true and the numbers of Libertarians are small enough to mock, then why expend so much effort?

Of Bias and belief...

You often hear the phrase asking for people to "keep an open mind" when considering a variety of topics, some related to politics some not. The reality is I have found less people who actually are willing to attempt this than I have those who carry their own personal biases and beliefs with them like heavy luggage on their backs. While at times it's frustrating, it's also understandable, we as human beings base many parts of our beliefs on what we feel to be true. If we begin to question some of those core values/beliefs that that creates the frightening proposition that if we are wrong or mistaken on one area, what about the others?

It's much easier to shut out the voices of those who you don't agree with based merely on the fact that you don't agree with them rather than it is to challenge your own beliefs to see with the information shared, how does that impact your belief on any particular issue...

Ron Paul piece asks, "What if?"

I don't pretend to agree with everything that Ron Paul states, that said, I think that many of the questions he raises and the topics that he tries to broach as a way of creating discussion/getting people to think should be out there more. All too often people try to explain away/ignore some valid questions. With that? Comes this piece written last week:

What if we wake up one day and realize that the terrorist threat is a predictable consequence of our meddling in the affairs of others?

What if propping up repressive regimes in the Middle East endangers both the United States and Israel?

What if occupying countries like Iraq and Afghanistan – and bombing Pakistan – is directly related to the hatred directed toward us and has nothing to do with being free and prosperous?

What if someday it dawns on us that losing over 5,000 American military personnel in the Middle East since 9/11 is not a fair trade-off for the loss of nearly 3,000 American citizens, no matter how many Iraqi, Pakistani, and Afghan people are killed or displaced?

What if we finally decide that torture, even if called “enhanced interrogation techniques,” is self-destructive and produces no useful information – and that contracting it out to a third world nation is just as evil?

What if it is finally realized that war and military spending is always destructive to the economy?

What if all wartime spending is paid for through the deceitful and evil process of inflating and borrowing?

What if we finally see that wartime conditions always undermine personal liberty?

What if conservatives, who preach small government, wake up and realize that our interventionist foreign policy provides the greatest incentive to expand the government?

What if conservatives understood once again that their only logical position is to reject military intervention and managing an empire throughout the world?

What if the American people woke up and understood that the official reasons for going to war are almost always based on lies and promoted by war propaganda in order to serve special interests?

What if we as a nation came to realize that the quest for empire eventually destroys all great nations?

What if Obama has no intention of leaving Iraq?

What if a military draft is being planned for the wars that will spread if our foreign policy is not changed?

What if the American people learn the truth: that our foreign policy has nothing to do with national security and that it never changes from one administration to the next?

What if war and preparation for war is a racket serving the special interests?

What if President Obama is completely wrong about Afghanistan and it turns out worse than Iraq and Vietnam put together?

What if Christianity actually teaches peace and not preventive wars of aggression?

What if diplomacy is found to be superior to bombs and bribes in protecting America?

What happens if my concerns are completely unfounded – nothing!

What happens if my concerns are justified and ignored – nothing good!

Of man and machine...

There are times when I wonder about the future and what will take place as far as "tinkering" with man. It's been the topic of many a science fiction type movie/book, where "unwanted" behaviors or characteristics are eliminated or enhanced in man just as easy as one would change auto performance parts for a machine. In some ways we have already done this when it comes to genetics, which created the never ending dilemma of how much in man could be changed without impacting what makes us unique, our human spirit...

Ron Paul's thoughts on the Stimulus Bill...

Ron Paul notes that only 5 hard copies of the bill were available to read, some of it handwritten, that he feels this is part of the process that for him was an issue, that he almost got more information from the media on what this bill was going to contain than those who were in office. He said this is an atrocious way to legislate.

No matter how you feel on the stimulus bill, it should be disturbing to everyone that all too often, these bills are not fully read before they are voted on.

Spotlight on a Libertarian Mayoral candidate

I came across the title linked article and I thought it was an interesting one to share for a variety of reasons, including that local government is probably where the Libertarian Party has it's best chance at making inroads. It also demonstrates that even when you don't win? Many are committed to continue trying to run for office. A small part of the recommended piece:

At its most basic, libertarian philosophy says government shouldn't do much more than provide police to keep people from hurting each other.

Libertarian mayoral candidate Robb Cunningham says that may be going a bit too far. But he does advocate privatizing MetroLink. And of course he favors curbing what he calls eminent domain abuse.

As a Libertarian candidate for an executive position, rather than a legislative position, Cunningham said he would be relatively more liberal.

He favors promoting wind and solar power and creating green jobs for the city's unemployed. He also would push harder to remove lead from buildings.

While he might oppose the idea of the federal government's economic stimulus plan, he would seek to bring as much money as possible from the plan to St. Louis once it's approved.

Lose your job? Perhaps it's time to open your own business...

One of the most popular advice suggestions for those who have lost a job is to look at this as a chance to start their own business, that if they had dreamed about doing this "some time" then perhaps now would be the time. One way many people do this is by taking advantage of a franchise opportunity to start their own business.

Many times this is less expensive and less of a risk than starting a business of your own from scratch. You may think of franchises as being related primarily to the food industry, but that is very far from the case. From Automotive to franchises that specialize in services for Women, there are thousands of different franchise opportunities out there.

If I could find one for political blogging? I'd be ready.

:-)

Commentary: Libertarian ideas to stimulate economy

CNN doesn't often provide commentary from what is stated to be a Libertarian point of view, so I was a bit surprised to see a commentary by Jeffrey A. Miron on their website the other day. Considering I balance between leaning Libertarian when it comes to fiscal issues yet still being liberal when it comes to social issues, at times it can create some internal conflict. Some of the suggestions by Miron create that conflict for me, though I do understand and appreciate where his point of view is coming from.

I recommend reading the article in full, the list by title:

Repeal the Corporate Income Tax
Increase Carbon Taxes While Lowering Marginal Tax Rates
Moderate the Growth of Entitlements
Eliminate Wasteful Spending
Withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan
Limit Union Power
Renew the U.S. Commitment to Free Trade
Expand Legal Immigration
Stop Bailing out Businesses that Took on Too Much Risk

Word associations from my past...

I grew up a motor head, in a family where one of the males was a very outspoken Libertarian and the other leaned Libertarian when it came to a variety of social issues, especially gun control. With the fascination with cars starting at an early age and being the daughter assigned to be the mechanic's helper, to me hearing the three letters, "POS" described a car that was not a very good one, infact it would be close to a junker, a piece of...I'm sure you can fill in the third word.

Once I started blogging and started learning about a variety of different business practices, I learned what a POS system was, that it was a "Point of Sale" system. Though I admit every time I come across those three letters, I think back to my father loudly proclaiming that one of his friends was driving a POS compared to whatever his car of the moment was...