Around 1:15 pm today, the winds were picking up considerably and the first rains of Hurricane Sandy were falling. I looked out my office window into the Family Court parking lot and saw a man clearing the parking lot with a leaf blower.
Imagine that. Using a leaf blower as the winds of a hurricane approach!! Yikes!!
Monday, October 29, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
Lee Iacocca (a Democrat) Endorses Romney
Lee Iacocca, a prominent Democrat who was once offered a seat in the United States Senate from Pennsylvania, has endorsed Mitt Romney for President. I think his words ring true. I have therefore posted them below along with a link to the Detroit News website where it appears officially.
"I've seen a lot of situations that needed a turnaround in my time, and I know one when I see one. Trust me, America needs a turnaround.
America is in deep trouble. After four years, economic growth is still anemic, our annual deficits were not cut in half as promised, and our staggering $16 trillion federal debt hangs over us and our kids like the plague. Our people are hurting, they can't find jobs, they have lost a major part of their net worth, the number of Americans living in poverty is at unacceptable levels, and we just aren't doing the things that would get our country back on the right track.
Like any turnaround it must begin by honestly facing our problems; hope and speeches won't get our people back to work. It will require experienced leadership that can create and lead policy change that will enable a more robust and competitive America. We need leadership that understands that government, just like American families, can't continue to spend beyond its means. We must find leadership that won't pander to the people, but rather will speak honestly to them about our situation, explaining in simple terms what we have to do to get back on the right track. And we need leadership that can bring us together in a sense of shared responsibility so that we can move forward as a team. All of us. As Americans.
America needs new leadership
Mitt Romney has successfully led both public and private sector turnarounds. He is a bright and successful man; he is a good man, a caring man, a man of integrity, family and faith. Importantly, he recognizes we are in a tough situation. With dozens of years of real world experience in the public and private sectors, he knows what he's talking about. His policies will enable a stronger America, one in which all Americans can share. He was groomed and trained for this moment.The future of our country is at stake
If you are out of work or worried about your job, having trouble making ends meet, are worried about your kids' future or your own, or if you just have a nagging sense that as Americans we can do better than this, it's time to wake up and stop just hoping it will all work out in a few more years. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it won't!It's time for straight talk.
I'm asking you to vote for change that will get us moving in the right direction, and to be ready to be part of the solution. Everything depends on it. We don't have time to waste. It's time to make America great again.
Vote for Mitt Romney for president."
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
5 Big Lies from the Second Presidential Debate
1. President Obama: "I told you I would cut taxes for middle-class families, and I did. I told you I’d cut taxes for small businesses, and I have."
Truth --The few tax cuts that Obama did enact, such as the temporary payroll tax holiday, were short-term, or conditional. Moreover, Obama has raised taxes on the middle class. The largest of these is Obamacare. Keep in mind also that his so-called Millionaires tax will decimate small businesses.
2. President Obama: Romney "was asked, is it fair for somebody like you, making $20 million a year, to pay a lower tax rate than a nurse or a bus driver . . . and he said, yes, I think that’s fair."
Truth: Obama was referring to a 60 minutes interview where Romney said that capital gains should be taxed lower than other income because it has been taxed once already. According to his tax policy, Obama agrees with this principle. Thus, Obama's claim was a deliberate distortion.
3. Obama (referring to Romney's intention to limit funding to Planned Parenthood) "They rely on it for mammograms."
Truth: Planned Parenthood does not do mammograms. That has been confirmed by various fact checkers. This was just a nasty cheap shot by the President intending to get women to believe that Governor Romney is anti-woman.
4. Obama: "And the production is up....What you’re saying is just not true."
Truth -- Romney's statement that oil production on federal lands is down 50% is not completely accurate. It is actually closer to 60%. Obama's statements were just plain wrong.
5. Moderator Crowley: "He did call it an act of terror."
Truth -- No, he did not. His reference to "acts of terror" in his Rose Garden speech was in a general, abstract sense, and came long after he had described the 9/11 attacks on U.S. diplomatic missions as demonstrations against an anti-Islamic video. Obama also went o the United Nations days later and again claimed the attacks were due to a video and not as a result of terrorism. Crowley later walked these statements back. One must ask what business a moderator has in fact checking the candidates, especially since she got it wrong.
Truth --The few tax cuts that Obama did enact, such as the temporary payroll tax holiday, were short-term, or conditional. Moreover, Obama has raised taxes on the middle class. The largest of these is Obamacare. Keep in mind also that his so-called Millionaires tax will decimate small businesses.
2. President Obama: Romney "was asked, is it fair for somebody like you, making $20 million a year, to pay a lower tax rate than a nurse or a bus driver . . . and he said, yes, I think that’s fair."
Truth: Obama was referring to a 60 minutes interview where Romney said that capital gains should be taxed lower than other income because it has been taxed once already. According to his tax policy, Obama agrees with this principle. Thus, Obama's claim was a deliberate distortion.
3. Obama (referring to Romney's intention to limit funding to Planned Parenthood) "They rely on it for mammograms."
Truth: Planned Parenthood does not do mammograms. That has been confirmed by various fact checkers. This was just a nasty cheap shot by the President intending to get women to believe that Governor Romney is anti-woman.
4. Obama: "And the production is up....What you’re saying is just not true."
Truth -- Romney's statement that oil production on federal lands is down 50% is not completely accurate. It is actually closer to 60%. Obama's statements were just plain wrong.
5. Moderator Crowley: "He did call it an act of terror."
Truth -- No, he did not. His reference to "acts of terror" in his Rose Garden speech was in a general, abstract sense, and came long after he had described the 9/11 attacks on U.S. diplomatic missions as demonstrations against an anti-Islamic video. Obama also went o the United Nations days later and again claimed the attacks were due to a video and not as a result of terrorism. Crowley later walked these statements back. One must ask what business a moderator has in fact checking the candidates, especially since she got it wrong.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Biden Giggles His Way to a Loss
Reminiscent of Al Gore's sigh's and groans which cost him a debate with George W. Bush in 2000, Joe Biden smiled, laughed, and giggled his way to a loss in a debate with Paul Ryan.
If you read the transcript or listened on the radio, you would think Biden did well. If you watched on television, you could not help but be appalled at the juvenile behavior exhibited by the Vice President. For the first 2/3rd of the debate, Biden smiled, laughed, giggled, and interrupted Ryan 82 times. His behavior was not only juvenile, but also extremely disrespectful.
Here are some of the comments from journalists about Biden's behavior.
Phil Klein of the Washington Examiner: "“Biden’s strategy seems to be to laugh at Ryan constantly. Will it work to infantalize Ryan, or backfire like Gore sighing?”"
David Gregory of NBC: “Biden’s smile is out of control.”
Ben Smith of Buzzfeed: “So did Biden practice laughing at Ryan?"
Rick Klein of ABC: “Biden on verge of breaking down in laughter when Ryan talks.”
Former Eric Cantor staffer Brad Daysping: “Joe Biden needs to realize this isn’t a Senate Foreign Relations Hearing. His laughter and condescending attitude is a disaster.”
Guy Benson of TownHall: “Will Biden laugh his ass off at the terrible economy, too?”
If you read the transcript or listened on the radio, you would think Biden did well. If you watched on television, you could not help but be appalled at the juvenile behavior exhibited by the Vice President. For the first 2/3rd of the debate, Biden smiled, laughed, giggled, and interrupted Ryan 82 times. His behavior was not only juvenile, but also extremely disrespectful.
Here are some of the comments from journalists about Biden's behavior.
Phil Klein of the Washington Examiner: "“Biden’s strategy seems to be to laugh at Ryan constantly. Will it work to infantalize Ryan, or backfire like Gore sighing?”"
David Gregory of NBC: “Biden’s smile is out of control.”
Ben Smith of Buzzfeed: “So did Biden practice laughing at Ryan?"
Rick Klein of ABC: “Biden on verge of breaking down in laughter when Ryan talks.”
Former Eric Cantor staffer Brad Daysping: “Joe Biden needs to realize this isn’t a Senate Foreign Relations Hearing. His laughter and condescending attitude is a disaster.”
Guy Benson of TownHall: “Will Biden laugh his ass off at the terrible economy, too?”
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Gibson Destroys Schreibman at Debate
Earlier tonight, at M. Clifford Miller School, I watched the most lopsided debate I have ever seen. It was truly no contest. What is unclear to me is how much of the difference was the positive performance of Chris Gibson or the dreadful performance of Julian Schreibman.
Now, I know some of you are thinking that I am exaggerating for the purpose of partisanship. If you think that, then go the Freeman web site and watch the replay. I kid you not. Chris Gibson destroyed Schreibman.
In fact, during Schreibman's closing statement, his over the top attacks against Gibson caused most of the crowd to groan, boo, and hiss. No exaggeration.
To give some detail, Schreibman kept making false charge after false charge. He rarely answered questions and instead used his time to verbally assault his opponent. It came off very poorly. Even his own supporters were confused as to his strategy.
Finally, Gibson had enough. After a nasty attack wherein Schreibman claimed that Gibson lacked the ability to appeal across the aisle, Gibson pointed out that Julian was once the County Chairman of the Ulster Democrats. If you are so good at motivating people and bringing them together, then why are so many Democrats in Ulster County publicly supporting me? I am paraphrasing the quote, but he got a loud laugh and long round of applause after that retort.
The biggest hand of the night went to neither candidate. When retiring Congressman Hinchey entered the room, he got a loud ovation. (Not from me) However, not even the warm reception for Mr. Hinchey could help Julian Schreibman. He was outclassed.
One of two headlines describes this debate. The first is "Gibson Kicks Schreibman's Ass" or the second is "Schreibman Makes an Ass of Himself". Either fits this debate.
Now, I know some of you are thinking that I am exaggerating for the purpose of partisanship. If you think that, then go the Freeman web site and watch the replay. I kid you not. Chris Gibson destroyed Schreibman.
In fact, during Schreibman's closing statement, his over the top attacks against Gibson caused most of the crowd to groan, boo, and hiss. No exaggeration.
To give some detail, Schreibman kept making false charge after false charge. He rarely answered questions and instead used his time to verbally assault his opponent. It came off very poorly. Even his own supporters were confused as to his strategy.
Finally, Gibson had enough. After a nasty attack wherein Schreibman claimed that Gibson lacked the ability to appeal across the aisle, Gibson pointed out that Julian was once the County Chairman of the Ulster Democrats. If you are so good at motivating people and bringing them together, then why are so many Democrats in Ulster County publicly supporting me? I am paraphrasing the quote, but he got a loud laugh and long round of applause after that retort.
The biggest hand of the night went to neither candidate. When retiring Congressman Hinchey entered the room, he got a loud ovation. (Not from me) However, not even the warm reception for Mr. Hinchey could help Julian Schreibman. He was outclassed.
One of two headlines describes this debate. The first is "Gibson Kicks Schreibman's Ass" or the second is "Schreibman Makes an Ass of Himself". Either fits this debate.
This Says It All
Barack Obama, 2008: “If you don’t have any fresh ideas, then you use
stale tactics to scare the voters. If you don’t have a record to run on,
then you paint your opponent as someone people should run from. You
make a big election about small things.”
Barack Obama, 2012: Big Bird! Big Bird! Big Bird!
Barack Obama, 2012: Big Bird! Big Bird! Big Bird!
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Romney Wipes The Floor With Obama
Last night, Governor Romney completely destroyed President Obama in the first Presidential Debate. But, do not take my word for it. Let's look at comments from prominent Democrats and Liberals.
Andrew Sullivan of The Beast: " Look: you know how much I love the guy, and you know how much of a high information viewer I am, and I can see the logic of some of Obama's meandering, weak, professorial arguments. But this was a disaster for the president for the key people he needs to reach, and his effete, wonkish lectures may have jolted a lot of independents into giving Romney a second look.
Obama looked tired, even bored; he kept looking down; he had no crisp statements of passion or argument; he wasn't there. He was entirely defensive, which may have been the strategy. But it was the wrong strategy. At the wrong moment.
The person with authority on that stage was Romney - offered it by one of the lamest moderators ever, and seized with relish. This was Romney the salesman. And my gut tells me he sold a few voters on a change tonight. It's beyond depressing. But it's true."
Chris Matthew of MSNBC: "I don't know what he was doing out there. He had his head down, he was enduring the debate rather than fighting it. Romney, on the other hand, came in with a campaign. He had a plan, he was going to dominate the time, he was going to be aggressive, he was going to push the moderator around, which he did effectively, he was going to relish the evening, enjoying it."
Bill Maher: "“Obama made a lot of great points tonight. Unfortunately, most of them were for Romney.”
Michael Moore: "If Romney keeps this up . . . Obama is going to vote for him."
A CNN poll found that 67 percent believe Romney won the debate, compared to only 25 percent for Obama.
Ladies and gentlemen, if you think this was just a bad night for the President, you are mistaken. This is how Obama debates. Four years ago, his opponent was John McCain, a very weak debater. Now, Mitt Romney, a strong debater, is running circles around the President. In 2 weeks, it will happen again.
Andrew Sullivan of The Beast: " Look: you know how much I love the guy, and you know how much of a high information viewer I am, and I can see the logic of some of Obama's meandering, weak, professorial arguments. But this was a disaster for the president for the key people he needs to reach, and his effete, wonkish lectures may have jolted a lot of independents into giving Romney a second look.
Obama looked tired, even bored; he kept looking down; he had no crisp statements of passion or argument; he wasn't there. He was entirely defensive, which may have been the strategy. But it was the wrong strategy. At the wrong moment.
The person with authority on that stage was Romney - offered it by one of the lamest moderators ever, and seized with relish. This was Romney the salesman. And my gut tells me he sold a few voters on a change tonight. It's beyond depressing. But it's true."
Chris Matthew of MSNBC: "I don't know what he was doing out there. He had his head down, he was enduring the debate rather than fighting it. Romney, on the other hand, came in with a campaign. He had a plan, he was going to dominate the time, he was going to be aggressive, he was going to push the moderator around, which he did effectively, he was going to relish the evening, enjoying it."
Bill Maher: "“Obama made a lot of great points tonight. Unfortunately, most of them were for Romney.”
Michael Moore: "If Romney keeps this up . . . Obama is going to vote for him."
A CNN poll found that 67 percent believe Romney won the debate, compared to only 25 percent for Obama.
Ladies and gentlemen, if you think this was just a bad night for the President, you are mistaken. This is how Obama debates. Four years ago, his opponent was John McCain, a very weak debater. Now, Mitt Romney, a strong debater, is running circles around the President. In 2 weeks, it will happen again.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Time For A Change
On
October 2, 2012, I filed paperwork with the Ulster County Board of
Elections changing my enrollment from Republican to Conservative. By
law, this will not take effect until the week after this year's November
election.
Though I would be permitted to retain my Republican committee position until the enrollment change is official, I also know from experience that insisting upon maintaining my position would cause a significant and unnecessary distraction for the committee. We are just over 30 days away from an important election and the focus of the party must be on the election. Therefore, effective immediately, I resigned my position as County and City Republican Committeeman.
This was a very difficult decision for me. I have served on the Republican committee for the better part of 20 years. My Dad served nearly 55 years. His father before him served many years as well. Between the 3 of us, we have provided almost 100 years of service to this party. Nevertheless, I believe this decision is necessary and the right thing for me at this time.
As for my reasons for changing enrollment, I have chosen to keep them to myself. Discussing them publicly would serve only as a distraction and would require discussion of internal party business. I still have many friends in the city and county committees. Having worked with them side by side for so many years toward a common goal, I have no intention of publicly attacking the Republican Committee for the county and/or city. To do so would dishonor the fine work we have done together. I will continue to be involved with local politics albeit with the Conservative Party.
Though I would be permitted to retain my Republican committee position until the enrollment change is official, I also know from experience that insisting upon maintaining my position would cause a significant and unnecessary distraction for the committee. We are just over 30 days away from an important election and the focus of the party must be on the election. Therefore, effective immediately, I resigned my position as County and City Republican Committeeman.
This was a very difficult decision for me. I have served on the Republican committee for the better part of 20 years. My Dad served nearly 55 years. His father before him served many years as well. Between the 3 of us, we have provided almost 100 years of service to this party. Nevertheless, I believe this decision is necessary and the right thing for me at this time.
As for my reasons for changing enrollment, I have chosen to keep them to myself. Discussing them publicly would serve only as a distraction and would require discussion of internal party business. I still have many friends in the city and county committees. Having worked with them side by side for so many years toward a common goal, I have no intention of publicly attacking the Republican Committee for the county and/or city. To do so would dishonor the fine work we have done together. I will continue to be involved with local politics albeit with the Conservative Party.
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