First USMC F-35B STOVL Flight

First USMC F-35B STOVL Flight
Kick-ass awesome, dude.

§ TheBigHenry for President '08

§ ≡ A section of Preserve, Protect, and Defend: Faithfully Executing the Office of the President
{Section 4.3 « Section 4.4 » Section 4.5}

{link » 2008 Election Coverage Video}

“I'm sick of the bullshit!”

TheBigHenry for President'08
If d’you gotta problem widdat, bite me!

BTW, you might be wondering how I can run for President if I am not a natural born citizen (I am a naturalized citizen). Well, many people wonder the same thing about Obama, viz.


Obama Citizenship — October Surprise

It's "America the Beautiful", Stupid

{link » America the Beautiful}

O beautiful, for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea.

It's always been America the "Beautiful". Don't change it to America the "Ugly-ass, Self-hating, Socialistic Liberal".

Teeth D'Olbermann

 SOB Like the One Pictured

{link » Keith Olbermann on me}

What an excellent riposte to the half dozen lunatics who have said foolish/offensive things at McCain-Palin rallies - have the most partisan Democratic broadcaster in the country call John McCain a Nazi!

{link » Keith Olbermann: Personal life}

Keith Olbermann is of German ancestry.

{link » Olbermann Kicks Off Special Komment with a Lie}

What's this? Gov Palin hadn't even arrived when some doofus shouted "Kill Him"! Oralmann twists the facts by saying "she may not have heard" it. May not?!? She wasn't even there! "Her silence was deafening." Well, it is kind of hard to be heard when you are in a motorcade miles away.

Keith Olbermann, once again demonstrating that he is a slovenly political hack, and, above all, a flagrant liar.

The subject title answers the question, "What do you get when you cross a Deutscher Schäferhund with a rabid Dobermann Pinscher?"

Perhaps a Blessing in Disguise

{link » Wall Street 101}

How odd that all those boring lessons from our grandparents turn out to be true in the globalized, hip 21st century: Save your money. Don't borrow what you can't pay back. Look first at a man's character, not his degrees. And if a promised return on an investment seems too good to be true, it probably is. — ©2008 Tribune Media Services

A cousin of mine who followed an education/career path similar to my own, including degrees from Ivy League schools and a high-tech career in applied and theoretical physics, was "shocked" to hear that I was not voting for Obama. I mentioned my objections to an Obama Presidency and his response was basically, "But Obama is a Harvard graduate, and McCain's choice of Palin as running mate reflects poorly on his judgment". At that point I assured him that his views would not impact my personal affection for him and begged off from further discussion of my "shocking" political point of view.

“The most perfect ruler of men the world has ever seen” did not hold a degree from Harvard, or from any other institution of higher learning. But wisdom, decency, honor, common sense, in short — outstanding judgment, were his in great abundance.

The (Sour) Grapes of Liberal Wrath

{link » Bush critic Paul Krugman wins economics Nobel}

I don't claim to be a very sophisticated investor, just your basic buy-and-hold asset allocator who believes in diversification, periodic re-balancing, and cost averaging. But when the markets experience a record one-day gain after a week of record losses, I have to believe that last week's panic sellers will never recover from the missed opportunity of today's 11% gain.

The markets go up; the markets go down. But all historical 10-year periods have been positive. Those long-term positive results, however, rely almost exclusively on the small number of upward surges of which today's is the epitome.

Nevertheless, the early commentary after todays record close is mostly skeptical and sarcastic. It sounds to me like the Bush bashers were amongst those panic sellers last week. But their patron saint has been awarded a big chunk of Nobel change. Perhaps he'll share it with his fellow long-suffering liberals, though I'd wager Krugman is not that kind of liberal socialist.

"It ain't over till it's over."

 Yogi Berra

{link » Not Over Yet}

The odds always were against McCain. And the outcome in these last few days may seem contingent in large part on breaking news beyond the candidates’ control. Yet McCain still has it within his own power to win the election. Obama’s view of America is mostly rosy emulation of the European Union; McCain’s is to restore fiscal sanity, keep our defenses strong, and ensure that American exceptionalism remains a fact, rather than descends into an empty slogan. In that context, it makes no sense to sneer at McCain for being behind, but a great deal to hope that he isn’t. — ©2008 Victor Davis Hanson

After capitulation, what then? Perhaps clarity of vision. Perhaps a surge of hope. God-willing, "a new birth of freedom".

The markets may be regaining composure. Time will tell, though time is the most precious commodity, and it's forever running out. "Reprehensible politically correct cynicism" is racing against awakening American common sense.

"Common sense" is not code for racism, though the racists would have you believe it. Common sense is what it is — the opposite of demagoguery. Choose not to swallow bullshit; choose to exercise common sense.

§ Well-aimed Ray of Hope Can Pierce Misguided Change

§ ≡ A section of Preserve, Protect, and Defend: Faithfully Executing the Office of the President
{Section 4.2 « Section 4.3 » Section 4.4}

{link » In The Event Of An Obamergency …}

[S]ometimes you have no choice but to sit back and watch the show. Maybe that is what David is talking about. GOP leadership that can calmly, patiently, pointedly express opposition views and alternatives, fully aware it is simply positioning for 2012, without succumbing to impotent rage, while quietly triangulating with Democratic moderates to deftly, gently thwart Obama’s will in those cases where it is possible. Because impotent rage isn’t really that attractive … just look at the last eight years of Bush-bashing, after all, even when they actually controlled Congress. If it was, do you think Obama would be in a virtual dead heat with McCain right now?

Worthy of consideration, Jules, if only as a means of bootstrapping out of a deep sense of malaise. It might actually be fun for a while to watch the bonfire of the vanities, were it not for the infrared radiation. A poor-man's suntan, however, may be just what the doctor ordered.

The potential downside, of course, is that a conflagration can get out of hand very quickly. It was not that many years ago when I experienced first hand an emergency evacuation from Los Alamos, in the wake of a so-called "controlled burn" in the surrounding hills, which came raging into town and burned some homes to the ground. I know Obama is skilled at lowering ocean levels, but are his water skills applicable to burn-control?

And what if that GOP leadership you refer to gets swamped by Obama's coattails? Can Joe Lieberman and a handful of other moderates triangulate deftly (or otherwise) on their own? You know that Reid, Dodd, Pelosi, and the ever despicable Frank are going to be on a triangulation rampage of their own to obliterate the slightest whiff of their culpability in the financial meltdown. I hate pointing out the obvious, but the inmates are running the asylum, right into the proverbial handbasket heading south. Please reassure me that we have hope of surviving the lunacy till 2012.

§ The Faking of the President, 2008

§ ≡ A section of Preserve, Protect, and Defend: Faithfully Executing the Office of the President
{Section 4.1 « Section 4.2 » Section 4.3}

The 2008 Nobel Prize in Sales & Marketing has been awarded to the Democratic Presidential-Campaign Team for their historic achievement of transforming a sow's ear into a silk-purse knock-off in plain sight on the world stage and without the aid of lipstick. Consider the enormity of the accomplishment:

Rap Sheet of a Silk-purse Knock-off

• The knock-off has a questionable pedigree:
  • origin, including dubious American birthright citizenship, shrouded in smoke , mirrors, and, yes, a "funny" name;
  • disputed religious affiliation;
  • education records withheld;
  • leadership experience laughable;
  • legislative experience — "present";
  • grasp of history, geography, diplomacy, and ancillary disciplines — absent;
  • appeal to the baser instincts of the idolaters — adorable.
• He has affiliations that would have wilted the aspirations of anyone lacking affirmative action from the media:
  • a wife who makes disgraceful remarks about the Nation he seeks to lead;
  • a foul-mouthed racist mentor;
  • personal and professional associations with felons, traitors, and anti-Semites.
• His core constituency comprises:
  • rabid leftists;
  • leaders of rogue regimes;
  • at least 200,000 Germans;
  • at most a couple dozen disaffected soldiers;
  • all of Holyshitwood;
  • the insane, the zany, the worshipful, and the perpetually perplexed.

An incredible accomplishment indeed, on behalf of a rapper with a rap-sheet albatross in place of bling. Congratulations are in order to the recipients, whose prize money will be drawn from the hides of the unsuspecting dupes, as well as from the nest eggs of the undeserving victims. Team Obama deserves it, as does the electorate.

Fuggeddaboudit

{link » What American accent do you have?}

What American accent do you have? Result for TheBigHenry: The Northeast   Judging by how you talk you are probably from north Jersey, New York City, Connecticut, or Rhode Island. Chances are, if you are from New York City (and not those other places) people would probably be able to tell if they actually heard you speak.
Philadelphia
The Inland North
The Midland
The South
Boston
The West
North Central
What American accent do you have?

This quiz result was spot-on for me. I lived most of my first 44 years in New York City and its suburbs in Nassau and Westchester Counties.

Take this fun quiz and let me know in the comment section for this post how well it worked for you (and tell me which regional American accent was determined for you). If I get enough data, I'll post the tabulated results.

§ Words I Would Like to Vote For

§ ≡ A section of Preserve, Protect, and Defend: Faithfully Executing the Office of the President
{Section 3.2 « Section 4.1 » Section 4.2}

{link » Cocktail in a Styrofoam Cup}

My fellow Americans, we are in the fight of our lives for our children's future. We have enemies abroad. We have enemies within our borders. In some ways, we are our own worst enemies. We must stop; look; listen; think; cooperate; and get to work for the common good. Our way of life is the best that the world has ever seen. We must preserve it first; and make it better in due time.

The critical conflict between our own forward-looking (clockwise) and our enemies' backward-looking (counter-clockwise) societies has been engaged once again. If we prevail, humanity will witness a virtual heaven on earth. Otherwise, humanity is doomed to repeat its history, beginning with dark ages much exacerbated by depleted resources. To doubt the criticality of this conflict is to capitulate to civilization's counter-clockwise downward spiral to an irreversible loss.

This election must not be about whose fault for our economic straits is most egregious. It must not be about universal health care or any other socialist scheme. It must not be about who will raise taxes; who will lower taxes; who will put a car in your garage or a chicken in your pot.

Ask not what your leaders can promise to do for you. Ask how your leaders plan to lead you in our struggle for survival. All the rest is just a question of time, cooperative effort, ingenuity, honorable intentions, and common sense.

Never Give In Except to Convictions of Honour and Good Sense

Convictions of Honour and Good Sense — Churchill

{link » America as the Last Man Standing}

This is not the first time our civilization is under threat. We have seen dangers before. We have been betrayed by our elites before. They have sided with our enemies before. And yet, then, freedom prevailed.

These are not times in which to take lessons from appeasement, capitulation, giving away, giving up or giving in. These are not times in which to draw lessons from Mr. Chamberlain. These are times calling us to draw lessons from Mr. Churchill and the words he spoke in 1942:

“Never give in, never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”

Be steadfast in your convictions. Do not capitulate to idolatry du jour.

Honor and good sense can only be lost. What you must fight for is Liberty.

Capitulation (It's a Technical Term)

{link » Panic Selling - Capitulation Or Crash?}

“In Wall Street the term [capitulation] refers to the time when investors (all of them) sell all their stocks because they want out. The sole motivation for trading is to get out of the market and seek shelter in ‘safe’ investments such as bonds or your mattress [but feel free to use mine]. The selling frenzy is painful, but relatively quick. Consequently, a sign of capitulation is mass selling that occurs over a brief time span.

{link » America’s Nervous Breakdown — and The World’s}

“The natural order of the world is chaos, not calm [second law of thermodynamics]. Like it or not, for over a half-century the United States alone restrained nuclear bullies, kept the sea lanes free from outlaws and corralled rogue nations. America alone could provide that deterrence because we produced a fourth of the world's goods and services, and became the richest country in the history of civilization.

But the bill for years of massive borrowing for oil, for imported consumer goods and for speculation has now finally come due on Wall Street — and for the rest of us as well.

Should that heart of American financial power in New York falter — or even appear to falter — then eventually the sinews of the American military will likewise slacken. And then things could get ugly — real fast.”

©2008 Tribune Media Services

It is crunch time in more ways than one. While most Americans focus on Wall Street, the world beyond realizes that the financial crunch underlies a much more serious crunch. Our so-called allies, many of them in Europe, are waking up to the realization that their cushy arrangement with America, whereby we provide them with military and economic defense (relatively free of charge) while they wax holier-than-thou and spit in our faces (for a fee), is inextricably linked to American well-being. Fair-weather friends (Russia springs to mind) and avowed enemies (Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, Holyshitwood, and the other usually suspected miscreants, including but not limited to Democratic-Party-Owner George Soros) know all too well that their well-being is inextricably linked to American difficulties; and they act accordingly.

The next series of capitulations may very well be military, in such bastions of capitulation as France. You want fries widdat?

The correct answer to this incredibly complex scenario is ...

Consider the following scenario. An American family is living in a home with no equity in it. They have an obligation to make monthly payments for their home. At a given point in time, their monthly-payment obligation is increased such that they can no longer afford the payments.

Which of the following choices best describes the above scenario:

1. This is one of those "millions of American families who are about to lose their homes" that we keep hearing about. This family fell victim to the sub-prime lending practices that created our financial crisis. Having made no down payment, they had assumed an adjustable-rate interest-only mortgage, whose rate has been adjusted; upwards.
2. This is one of those millions of American families who are about to move to a cheaper apartment, because their rent has been increased beyond what their prudent monthly budget can manage.
3. There is not enough information given in the scenario to distinguish between the first two choices.

The correct answer to this incredibly complex scenario is ... 3.

Sensible People Are Obliged to Think

{link » Clinton Democrats Are To Blame For The Credit Crunch}

“Consequently, this hardly seems the most appropriate moment to mount a defence of capitalism in general, and American bankers in particular, against the threats posed by meddlesome politicians and excessive regulation. But, what the heck. Unless we take advantage of this hiatus between the crashing of financial institutions to take an honest look at the origins of our current predicament, then today’s spin and myth-making will quickly harden into tomorrow’s firm conviction. Let us be clear: this crisis was not caused on Wall Street — it was caused in the White House. The root problem was not financial — it was political, and those truly responsible for this fiasco were not bankers, nor even Bush Republicans; they were Clinton Democrats.

For generations, America’s bankers have been firmly refusing credit to those they judged unworthy of it. Yet the mountain of toxic subprime debt that has threatened to overwhelm the entire financial system, and the astonishing number of mortgage foreclosures across the United States, is proof that, at some point in the relatively recent past, bankers radically altered their behaviour and began to shower mortgages on borrowers who had no realistic prospect of keeping up their repayments. What could possibly have induced them to act so recklessly, and so out of character? The facile answer to that question is greed, the lure of a fast and easy buck. The correct answer is that banks were bullied, cajoled and coerced into lowering their lending standards by politicians in pursuit of an ideological agenda.” [Read entire article here.]

Anyone with a shred of common sense and a modicum of willingness to question political (m)ass coverage, is obliged to consider a clear-headed exposition of what is arguably the most pressing economic crisis in four score years.

But do not miss the trailing commentary. You will see the usual adherents to both fringes of the of the socio-political spectrum at their finest venom-ocity. Do take into consideration your estimate for their individual levels of absurdity in determining what makes sense to you.

I'm Optimistic

{link » Preamble to the United States Constitution}

“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.”

Our American Founders, those who conceived our Liberty (lead by Adams, Jefferson, and Franklin), won our Independence (dominated by Washington), framed our Constitution (lead by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay), and subsequently preserved our Union (dominated by Lincoln), would all, in my humble opinion, be chagrined by what has become of our Federalist principles, as summarized by the Preamble to the Constitution.

The Union has congealed into Red and Blue politicized-blocks of states. Justice has also been infected by political bias. Domestic tranquility is anything but. The common defense is not well-enough appreciated, largely taken for granted, and therefore alarmingly self-defeating. General welfare (by which the Founders meant "the common good", not "handout nation") has been replaced by social engineering on a massive scale. And the blessings of liberty have been usurped by the curses of narcissism and disavowal of personal accountability. And, I dare say, my assessment is overly optimistic.

Our socio-economic-political system currently mimics reality television that is as unrealistic as Disneyland, which may account for its ridiculous popularity. Every important and popular endeavor is contested rather than engaged in with a cooperative spirit for the common good. Bylaws and ground rules adhere to gamesmanship, either explicitly or implicitly, and football/baseball/basketball jargon pervades our daily activities. It's the 2-minute drill; we need a walk-off home run; and, unfortunately, Michael Jordan is retired.

In reality, our general elections are no longer about finding a reasonable approximation to a Washington, a Lincoln, or even a Truman, but about choosing a facsimile of an American Television Idol. Not someone blessed with qualities of leadership, wisdom, and personal integrity, but, rather, someone skilled in winning a debate or in deceiving the uninformed, the misinformed, and the perpetually perplexed. So I cling, not to religion or guns (which I don't have) but to my faith that America has a knack for winning at the buzzer when the championship is on the line.

Nutrition 101

h/t Theo
American Family (of 4) Meal

Yikes!

{link » Gang Rape Yuks}

“A Boston women’s shelter, not amused, drops Sandra Bernhard from its fundraiser lineup over her Sarah Palin “big black brothers” gang rape joke.”

I'm not sure which is scarier, the joke or the joker.

Doomsday Scenario ...

{link » Like Kissing Your Sister}

“ ... which means we'd have President Pelosi.”

Here's how:

Doomsday Scenario Could Realistically Impact the Human Race
• With 0.63% probability, there could be a 269-269 tie in the Electoral College this election. If this comes to pass, the 12th Amendment to the Constitution directs the election of the President to the House of Representatives and the election of the Vice President to the Senate.
• The voting in the incoming (newly-elected) House proceeds with one vote per state delegation. Recall (are you listening Obama?) that there are 50 state delegations. The ensuing voting could deadlock in a 25-25 tie. This would make the Vice President, who is being elected by the incoming Senate, the President.
• Meanwhile, with 100 Senators voting, the Vice Presidential election in the Senate could end in a 50-50 tie, because the outgoing Vice President (currently Dick Cheney) does not get a vote under the 12th Amendment. Therefore, if the House hasn't picked a President and the Senate hasn't picked a Vice President, Presidential succession defaults to the Speaker of the House.
• Ironically, such a cataclysmic outcome could then be averted — by Obama himself! He could save the Nation, nay humanity itself, by switching his likely vote for Biden to a highly improbable vote for Palin! In so doing, he would not only save the world from a Pelosi Presidency but also make amends to all women voters for his unsportsmanlike dashing of their hopes for Hillary's Presidency! Unlikely to happen you say? Stranger things happen all the time in quantum mechanics.

This has been a public service posting to give you something (which could be more interesting than the financial crisis) to worry about.

h/t The Roy Rogers Show Ending

Someone to Watch Over Them

{link » If you think stronger regulation is a good answer, heed Buffett}

“Mr. BUFFETT: Well, it's really an incredible case study in regulation because something called OFHEO was set up in 1992 by Congress, and the sole job of OFHEO was to watch over Fannie and Freddie, someone to watch over them. And they were there to evaluate the soundness and the accounting and all of that. Two companies were all they had to regulate. OFHEO has over 200 employees now. They have a budget now that's $65 million a year, and all they have to do is look at two companies. I mean, you know, I look at more than two companies. [emphasis added]

QUICK: That sounds like an argument against regulation, though. Is that what you're saying?”

Well, duh.


h/t Someone to watch over me / Linda Ronstadt

Post #400 Someone to Watch Over Them

Google Project Googol

h/t Project 10^100

Funny Guy

{link » Biden's Chopper Was 'Forced Down' by Snowflakes}

“WASHINGTON — When Joe Biden tells voters he understands the threat posed by Afghan extremists, he dramatically illustrates one reason why: His helicopter was "forced down" on "the superhighway of terror." Actually, snow, not the enemy, persuaded the helicopter pilot to land and wait out a storm. [...] His spokesman, David Wade, said Biden was joking.”

The word "biden" means "joke" in Afghani, so Biden is a joke in both languages (most likely in other languages too).

Now what?

h/t New Yorker Cartoon by Roz Chast

{link » Jackpot in Spacetime}
People ask me, "TheBigHenry, now that I understand how complicated everything is, what can I do?"

I say unto them with the lips of my mouth as follows:

1. Do thou as I do (refer to "Your Ticket to Ride").
2. An excellent rule of thumb is the Golden Rule. There are two choices:
   
   • The Christian version is more proactive: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.
   • The Jewish version is less intrusive: Do not do unto others that which you would not have others do unto you.
   Take your pick; it's all good. In plain English: Try not to be a schmuck.
3. Stop cursing your bad luck. Take personal accountability for your actions. Grow up; times a wastin'.
4. Everybody needs a break now and then. All work and no play etc. Everything in moderation.
5. Be nice to your parents. They gave you life. Break them a f*cking give. Eventually, you'll wish your kids did.
6. Do what you can to save a life worth saving.
7. Thou shalt not f*ck with America.
8. Honesty is the best policy. Make a habit of it.
9. Put your own affairs in order before telling others what to do. Glass houses and all that lot.
10. Stop trying to keep up with the Joneses. That's what got us into our financial mess in the first place. Be happy with what you have. As for Mrs. Jones, she's not that hot. Trust me on that one.

Jackpot in Spacetime

 h/t Theo

{link » Lesson From a Crisis: When Trust Vanishes, Worry}

“But in the end, this really isn’t about Wall Street. It’s about reducing the risk that something really bad happens. It’s about limiting the damage from the past decade’s financial excesses. Unfortunately, there is no way to accomplish that without also extending a helping hand to Wall Street. That is where our credit markets are, and we need them to start working again.”
[Read entire article here.]

Here's what I think (though I reserve the right to reevaluate as the scenario unfolds, or, perhaps more accurately, unravels). This is a very complicated situation. I know this seems obvious, but I repeat with emphasis: This is a very complicated situation.

What makes this so complicated? Many factors:

1. No one is immune from the fallout — no one!
2. Everyone is fearful to a lesser or greater degree. We are on the verge of panic, as clearly indicated by, among many other indications, the wild volatility in the markets.
3. The general election is only weeks away, and the financial crisis is politicized to the extreme:
   
   1. The Presidential candidates recognize that this issue is crucial to their success.
   2. All House Members realize this issue is crucial for their reelection.
   3. 1/3 of all Senators realize this issue is important to their reelection.
   4. Our government leaders are political animals to the core and find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to consider the people's business ahead of their personal aspirations.
   5. Many of our leaders are not as bright as they think they are.
4. No one trusts anyone else, with very good reasons:
   
   1. Our political affiliations are polarized in the extreme.
   2. Everybody exaggerates; many lie. Hyperbole is the new witty.
   3. The complexity of our (global) economy is beyond anyone's ability to fully comprehend, yet many think they do comprehend it, and many more want (desperately) a simple explanation. It does not, and will not compute.
      
      1. Ignorance is widespread.
      2. Ignorance of economic principles is rampant.
      3. The complexity of international finance is less understandable than the solution to Fermat's Last Theorem.

I could go on, but you get the idea, I hope. It's dire and it's complicated.

To recapitulate: Although most people, I dare say, want a solution, a solution, if it exists, is very elusive. I strongly doubt that a unique best solution exists, and I doubt even more that anyone is capable of discovering what one might be, much less so capable of persuading a sufficient number of power brokers to have it properly implemented. Selfishness, irresponsibility, ignorance, and all manner of excess have brought us to this point. And unfortunately, this point happens to coincide with extremely bad timing. It is the proverbial jackpot in spacetime.