Cars of the Future and the Prediction

We've all heard the Obama speeches regarding his policies to push car companies to build "greener" cars... the cars of the future.

When I saw this Brit's review of one of those so-called green cars, I couldn't stop laughing. It was hilarious. Here are just a few of the descriptive details:

1. "It's the first car I’ve ever considered crashing into a tree, on purpose, so I didn’t have to drive it any more."

2. "The biggest problem, and it’s taken me a while to work this out, because all the other problems are so vast and so cancerous, is the gearbox."

3. "It feels like the clutch is slipping. It feels horrid."

4. "And the sound is worse. ...at full chat, makes a noise worse than someone else's crying baby on an airliner. It's worse than the sound of your parachute failing to open. Really, to get an idea of how awful it is, you'd have to sit a dog on a ham slicer."

5. "So you're sitting there with the engine screaming its head off, and your ears bleeding, and you're doing only 23mph because that's about the top speed, and you're thinking things can't get any worse, and then they do because you run over a small piece of grit."

6. "Normally, Hondas feel as though they have been screwed together by eye surgeons. This one, however, feels as if it's been made from steel so thin, you could read through it. And the seats, finished in pleblon, are designed specifically, it seems, to ruin your skeleton."

The entire review is well worth the read. Here's the link.

Deep in the review is this quote:

Car makers, then, have had nearly a century to develop and hone the principles of suck, squeeze, bang, blow. And they have become very good at it.

But now comes the need to throw away the heart of the beast, the internal combustion engine, and start again. And, critically, the first of the new cars with their new power systems must be better than the last of the old ones. Or no one will buy them.

Now that's a message all auto makers need to pay close attention to if they plan to stay in bailouts... errrrr, I mean business.

Speaking of Bailouts

Watch for news coming out soon on Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. Here's a snapshot:

In an ominous setback, the government agency that insures the pensions of 44 million Americans has amassed a record $33.5 billion deficit -- triple what it was just six months ago. [link]

Interestingly enough, "Investment losses from the stock market were only the third contributing factor."

The Prediction

Awhile back, I made a prediction right after the election results were in.

I posted it online a few months later.

In case you missed it, here it is again:

I remember telling a friend of mine to "get out of stocks" immediately after the election results were announced. He listened. Saved a small fortune.

I told him this is what was going to happen...

The DOW would fall to between 6500 to 6200. Then there will be a brief rally. Everyone will think we've finally hit the bottom. And it will look like everything is finally shoring up, that the crisis is over.

In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Dems crowing, hootin' and hollarin' that they fixed everything... that it will be because of the massive amounts of money they've thrown at the problems. They'll be strutting about, gleefully exclaiming, "I told you so."

That's when the "stupid money" will start pouring in.

The rally will be brief.

It will be a relief to millions of people.

But it will be short-lived.

Then everything will fall off a cliff. It will slide to about 3800, plus or minus a few hundred.

DISCLAIMER: I am NOT an investment adviser. I am NOT a tax advisor. Everything in this post is simply my personal and humble opinion/analysis. If you want investment advice and/or tax advice, talk to a professional, if you can find one you trust.

I'm repeating it all here because some of you have seen this video.

And also, because it looks like the stupid money is now being skimmed out, just as I knew it would be...

"...in the last couple weeks, company chief executives and chief financial officers have gone from big buyers to heavy sellers. According to InsiderScore.com, two weeks ago there was a slight bias towards selling, while last week turned in the biggest disparity of sellers to buyers — more than 1.2 sellers for every buyer — since September." (Excerpt from "Insider Selling Adds to Cautious Tone" - WSJ)

Watch carefully over the next few short months.

If you haven't already done so already, start building up your cash reserves. I'm talking CASH... not bank balance. How much? Ask yourself this question: "If you were to lose all sources of your income for the next 12 to 18 months, do you have enough cash on hand to see your family through?"

Maybe I'm just being paranoid.

Maybe not.

You will either need it (and thank me for telling you this)... or at the very least, be able to have a nice party 5 - 9 years from now once the dust settles and rebuilding our battered economy really begins.

In Memory for Memorial Day

Today, we remember...

" I want all of you to be safe. And please don't feel bad for us. We are warriors. And as warriors have done before us, we joined this organization and are following orders because we believe that what we are doing is right. Many of us have volunteered to do this a second time due to our deep desire to finish the job we started. We fight and sometimes die so that our families don't have to. Stand beside us. Because we would do it for you. Because it is our unity that has enabled us to prosper as a nation." - Staff Sergeant Marcus Golczynski, written a week before he was killed in action in Iraq.

The picture below shows Christian Golczynski, 8, receiving the flag from his father's casket from Lt. Col. Ric Thompson during the graveside service at Wheeler Cemetery in Bedford County. [link]



Photo Credit: DNJ photo by Aaron Thompson

Please remember those who serve and their families this day. Take time to read "Blackfive's Blog" with respect for Staff Sergeant Marcus Golczynski... and meet the Warrior Legacy Foundation.

Protect and preserve the memories of all who have fought so bravely for this nation.

FDIC Friday Bank Closings Update

Yesterday was FDIC Friday and since it's been awhile, I thought I'd post a new update on bank closings racing across the nation.

In our last update (April ) there were a total of 29...

We are now up to a whopping 36!!

Yesterday, our unofficially nicknamed FDIC Friday, two Illinois banks with combined assets of almost $1 billion were closed, their assets taken over/bought by other banks:

• Strategic Capital Bank in Champaign, and


• Citizens National Bank in Macomb

The above 2 bank failures brings the total bank closings in Illinois to FIVE for this year. Bloomberg reports, "The FDIC estimates the seizures will cost the federal government's deposit insurance fund a combined $279 million."

In an unusual twist, the largest bank closed this month -- namely BankUnited Financial Corp. in Florida -- was closed on a Thursday.

Bloomberg reports:

Regulators are closing banks at the fastest pace in 15 years, including BankUnited Financial Corp. in Florida yesterday, and pumped $200 billion into the biggest banks in a Treasury rescue program. Costs from closing banks in the second quarter climbed to more than $8 billion, including $4.9 billion for BankUnited, from $2.28 billion in the first, FDIC data show. [link]

So, let's update our running "tickertape" on the parade of bank closings:

Total Bank failures in 2005: 0
Total Bank failures in 2006: 0
Total Bank failures in 2007: 3
Total Bank failures in 2008: 25
Total Bank failures (as of May 22) in 2009: 36 BANK CLOSURES!

(As of April 24, 2009, the total was a whopping 29 bank closures... and we thought that was a high number. Whew!!)

Since we are not even half way through the year yet, I'm guessing our total for the year will more than double last year's bank seizures/closings (possibly triple?).

If you are sitting back watching all of this unfold, just as a casual observer, do you see the "glimmers" and "green shoots" of recovery happening here?

Hmmmm... Let's see if we can add a few facts up:

1. Personal incomes fell in March for the fifth time in the past six months. (According to a report on April 30 by the U.S. Commerce Dept.)

2. Bank closures/seizures are at an all time high for the year, not seen since the 1930s.

3. Home prices in 20 major U.S. cities dropped in yet again February. (According to the S&P/Case-Shiller Index.)

4. Another 539,000 jobs were dropped in April, extending the decline to 5.7 million jobs since December 2007. (According to the Labor Department's May 8 report.)

5. On the foreclosure front "April was a Shocker!" Foreclosures in April exceeded even March's blistering pace with a record 342,000 homes receiving notices of default, auction notices or undergoing bank repossessions. (According to a Realty Trac.) But I'm guessing the numbers are higher with the new trend in both commercial and residential real estate -- the increase in deed for mortgage swaps to avoid the foreclosure process. [See this on the subject.]

6. Housing starts and the industry in general remains in a state of near total collapse.

7. As for the "bank stress tests" released this month, some experts are saying "the stress tests will go down in history as the world's most elaborate effort to paint lipstick on a pig." It's a cornucopia of deceit that, once the general public wakes up to the real facts, could demolish the Dems in future elections. [link]

There are 11 more points I could add to this list, but I have to dash.

Got things to do.

On a brighter note, here are some unique ways a few industries and entrepreneurs are adapting to the tough economic climate:

Downsizing is Cool in Farming: Farms downsize with miniature cows

Recycling huge Space is another Gamble Underway: A Casino Rises in the Place of a Steel Giant

Innovative ways to Save Gas: 'Termite' Truck on Cross-Country Journey Burning Wood Chips for Fuel

And even Teens are Finding NEW WAYS to help Clean Up: Here's the scoop on skimming trash from waterways

As always, it won't be our Government who bails us out of the financial quagmire we find ourselves in (in most part, through no fault of our own). It will be the unique thinking and risk taking of individuals... the true strength of America... its awesome and highly creative people!

Let's just hope the Government doesn't try to screw that up, too.

This is NOT How to Create Abundance

The squeeze is on in about 47 of the 50 States right now. How many bailouts are on the way?

Where does the money come from?

Where does it actually go?

Who pays for it in the end?

Who said this?

"Great expansion of currency and credit have depreciated the dollar just as expansion and inflation have discredited the coins of the world. We inflate it in haste; we must deflate in deliberation. We debase the dollar in reckless finance. We must restore an honesty. Deflation on the one hand and restoration of the 100 cent dollar on the other ought to have begun the day after the Armistice, but plans were lacking or courage failed."

The exact opposite of what we are being told now...

"We gotta blow eight hundred billion dollars that doesn't even exist on a whole bunch of money losing projects to keep the economy going. Yeah. I gotta bash the patient in the head with a hammer to keep him conscious, too." (link to video)

It was Harding who said the first quote above during his acceptance speech for the Republican nomination back in 1920. In the same speech, he also said this:

"Let us call to all the people for thrift and economy, for denial and sacrifice if need be, for a nationwide drive against extravagance and luxury, to a recommittal to simplicity of living, to that prudent and normal plan of life which is the health of the republic. There hasn't been a recovery from the waste and abnormalities of war since the story of mankind was first written except -- through work and saving, through industry and denial -- while needless spending and heedless extravagance have marked every decay in the history of nations."

For the benefit of California, I add that it was also Harding who said:

"I would be blind to the responsibilities that mark this fateful hour if I did not caution the wage earners of America that mounting wages and decreased production can lead only to industrial and economic ruin."

Misallocation of Resources...

I'm paraphrasing here on a very (VERY) brief introduction into how interest rates work (or don't work) in a capitalist economic system.

Interest rates actually play a role in society... they aren't just arbitrary numbers... they play a coordinating function. And when they are permitted to play this coordinating function, what they do is coordinate production across time.

People save more today for spending more in the future. When they save, interest rates go down. Businesses take loans when interest rates are down to invest and make changes to gear up for production to capitalize on that future spending.

By saving, my deferral of consumption (ie not spending) leaves resources out there for businesses to draw from to increase production. It increases the supply of resources into the overall economy which industry can draw from.

When you tamper with interest rates as the market sets them, you are introducing dis coordination into this coordinating structure.

So now, if the central bank, like the Federal Reserve, tries to artificially lower interest rates -- forcing them down in an open economy -- but the public has not indicated they want to save for future consumption (instead, they want to consume now) then businesses are still being encouraged to invest right now for future consumption (long range production) which creates a timing mismatch.

Just because the Federal Reserve wants to force interest rates down, that does not force more resources into the economy.

What it does is create an unchanged resource pool in a market-driven economy.

The Bust is Inevitable

Without all the needed resources, many long term projects cannot be completed. This will create a bust that comes in the future.

While things are "booming" you don't notice it... until you run out of the needed resources. In a timing mismatch, you will run out. History has proven this. And when you run out, that's when the real crash comes.

That's why falsely pumping money into the economy (like the Administration is doing right now) is not a solution to a "depression" ...it's actually the cause of a "depression."

Even worse, by snatching resources from that pool and putting them towards non-producing projects (ie take resources and/or capital out of the hands of industry) at a time when you are trying to "stimulate" production, you are creating a gaping hole that becomes larger, and larger (and larger) to fill, the longer you keep doing it.

It's a mismatch of time, resources and demand.

That is NOT a capitalist system, dear readers.

One thing you have to do in a situation like we are now in is STOP THE MONEY CREATION.
Learn more in this 49 minute video: "Why You've Never Heard of the Great Depression of 1920"

Yes, it's a long video, just over 49 minutes long, but I promise you, it is well worth the time you invest in exchange for the education you will get from it. You will walk away from it with a far clearer picture of how integrated and interrelated interest rates and money creation are in a capitalist economy.

Don't Blame Capitalism

There are people in Europe screaming against capitalism right now.

There are people right here at home silently agreeing with those very same Europeans.

There are some in Government in agreement, as well.

Their ignorance to the natural laws of capital economies has led them down the path of believing they actually have a capitalist economy. Theirs' is nothing but a farce, a managed economy teetering on the edge of socialism... so far from true capitalism that they cannot even see the forest for the trees, IMHO.

I wonder how they would react if they actually found out how "managed" their economy truly is?

You see... when you Lord it over natural laws of supply and demand, then it is YOU who is to blame for all the pain, poverty and lack of abundance you see. You've actually created your own lack of abundance. And worse, you've actually created the inequalities in your society.

You've created a FALSE abundance along with a FALSE abundance mentality.

What would your people think of that if they ever found out?

You can try to misdirect them -- tell them it's capitalism's fault.

If you can live with that lie.

Sooner or later, the truth comes out.

They should heed these words:

"In a world without truth, freedom loses its value." ~ Pope John Paul II

This mini lesson on interest rates and abundance all ties into the BIG FAT LIE that I will be expanding on very soon. I have not revealed all the lies behind the BIG FAT LIE yet because it's important, in my very humble opinion, that you understand at least the basics of how a capitalistic economy works.

Watch the video... and I'll see you again soon with some VERY IMPORTANT information I've uncovered regarding how some books are being cooked in the most extraordinary of places to create money that does not exist.

Until then, keep the faith.

Americans are strong. Once they understand the truth, they will adjust their direction and find their inner compass. I truly believe this!

South Bend Hotbed

By now, you've probably heard all about the hotbed of activities going on in South Bend, Indiana, over the President's pending commencement speech at Notre Dame today.

Personally, I don't see a problem with the speech part of the visit since Presidents are often guests to such events at major Universities in this country ... but... I have to admit I share the belief that the Honorary Degree crossed a line, honoring someone who most obviously does not share Catholic beliefs on some very important subjects.

I'm guessing there are more than a few people who wish the Honorary Degree was not part of the event. I wonder what the spin will be on this when everyone moves forward?

Over 400 people have been arrested in riots to date regarding this commencement speech.

The Administration is probably, in one way at least, thankful for the attention being drawn away from the Pelosi pickle barrel they've landed in.

There are a growing number of people believing she should voluntarily step down from the Speaker's Chair and/or resign. If the Dems throw her to the wolves, I wonder who their next "scapegoat" will be to deflect attention from the economy when yet another shoe drops. (Oh yeah. It's coming. I'll tell you more next week.)

But I digress...

Back to the commencement speech. By the way things are being portrayed in far left media, I see a bit of "underdog" like marketing in play... that's kind of bizarre, actually.

You see, it's pretty hard to paint the "victim" picture when your "hero" has made it so clear he likes his superpowers so much. (Are you picturing tights and a cape? LOL)

I'm still reading The 5000 Year Leap. In fact, as chance would have it, I'm on the "4th Principle: The Role of Religion" right at the section where Justice Joseph Story of the Supreme Court pointed out why the Founders as well as the states themselves felt the federal government should be absolutely excluded from any authority in the field of settling questions on religion.

In an excerpt from Justice Story's now-famous "Commentaries on the Constitution" he stated clearly and unequivocally:

THUS, THE WHOLE POWER OVER THE SUBJECT OF RELIGION IS LEFT EXCLUSIVELY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENTS, TO BE ACTED UPON ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN SENSE OF JUSTICE, AND THE STATE CONSTITUTIONS.

Following the speech excerpt above, the book goes on to say...

This is why the First Amendment of the Constitution provides that "Congress shall make NO law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

I wonder what the Founders would be thinking now if they were to witness Obama giving his commencement speech when, from what I'm given to understand, he will be meeting the controversy head-on with respect to his beliefs which are so contrary to Catholic beliefs regarding stem cell research and abortion.

Contrary to what some people think, the Founders truly wanted to encourage religions in this country. A lot of people have a completely mistaken interpretation of the term "Separation of Church and State" which is so often used to boycott religions in schools and public properties/institutions.

Even with the many, many safeguards they put into the Constitution and other important documents to help religions flourish in the USA, it's obvious, to me at least, that in this important area that originally defined the fabric of America the Founders failed.

It's not their fault, however, as it failed more as a result of "statesmen" who rose to power long after they left.

There is a powerful reason the words -- "In God We Trust" -- were so intertwined with so many facets of this country.

But those who wish to abolish the words (and the ideals and beliefs behind them) have little concept of what this can (and most likely will) lead to, if successful, within a nation such as ours.

Those are the very people who truly need to read The 5000 Year Leap. But I haven't met any of them that are open minded enough to see beyond their own definition of "separation of Church and State" which they cling to so tightly.

Chrysler Dealerships Closing List Is Here

After some searching, I found the Chrysler Dealerships Closing List posted on the Baltimore Business Journal website. Here is a link to the full list of Chrysler Dealership Closings on their site.

Just right-click the link and choose "Save Target As..." to save it to your computer. It's 41 pages long. (It's a pdf document. You will need Adobe, most computers have it, to read it.) Or you can click to open it now.

I've also downloaded a copy. If the link above doesn't work, let me know in the comments below and I'll load it to one of my servers so you can grab a copy.

After a very quick search, it looks like 21 of the 789 dealerships are located in Indiana.

There might be more. I just used the quick text-search tool... didn't have time tonight to read through the list line-by-line.

From what I understand, GM hasn't yet compiled the list of dealerships they plan to close. They are said to be closing 3,600 franchises from their 6,200 franchise network. I have a feeling the impact of the GM Dealership closings will be felt much deeper considering the numbers... but still, I imagine there are quite a few unhappy Chrysler dealership/personnel upset right now.

I don't blame them.

My hearts go out to each and every one of them.

Imagine, if you dare, that ...say... McDonald's decided to close over 50% of their franchises here in the USA. Can you imagine how many people would be impacted?

You all know my stand on the wasteful Government spending by this Administration since it took over the reigns of governing. And yet, I am shocked and appalled by what they did to Chrysler -- and how they did it.

Look for the story behind the story.

Don't take the 30-second sound-bites from mainstream media as the only story on this. Look deeper, my friends... if you can stomach the ugly truth of what really happened here.

I owned a Chrysler Newport once.

It lasted more than 10 years, was still running even after I pulled it off the road... and was still in great condition with wide front bucket seats that you could snuggle deep into and feel totally safe.

I remember the longest trip I took with it driving 2 days and 2 nights non-stop with the exception of getting gas and a burger at a few truck stops on the way. It was my all time most awesome car.

I once hit black ice on a long hill doing about 70 miles an hour (errrr, probably faster)... As it slid close to out of control, I had a choice. Choose the ditch (beyond which was a mountain side) or the lake (frozen solid beyond the highway barricade).

I chose the ditch and gunned it, because I knew that Chrysler would take me into the ditch and right back out again... it was that solid.

I was right.

Unfortunately, it pulled a 360 degree on me once back on the highway and I ended up slamming right back into that 10 foot snow-drifted-in ditch.

Even so, after being towed out, that car still ran like a dream and there wasn't even a scratch on it.

And then there is another unrelated story about the baby moose that hit my passenger mirror. That was a different place, different time... and the car fared better than the moose, considering there was just a slight dent in the backside of the mirror whereas the baby moose stood stunned for several minutes before ambling off after its mother into the forest.

Those were good times.

Good times.

The story isn't over yet. The article over at the BBJ indicated, "It's expected that the dealers will have a right to appeal Chrysler's decision." [link to full story]

Stay tuned to this one. It ties into my post the other day.

Yes It Is My Birthday

Soon I will be able to say that I witnessed half a century go by on this planet... but not today. I'm one year shy of the big five oh.

Strangely, I don't feel that old.

Even my Wii Fit said I don't seem that old... it gave me a "Fitness" age of only 39 this morning. Of course, that was before I completed the 30 minute workout in Strength and Yoga exercises that I've been working on.

Now I feel my age in every aching joint and tendon!

So, I'm taking it a bit easy today. I'm reading "The 5000 Year Leap: A Miracle That Changed the World" that my husband and son got me for my birthday. I'm only 59 pages into it and I've already marked 4 quotes that resonate with me.

The last is a quote from Benjamin Franklin who wrote:

"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters."

I wonder what he would think of today's America and the fact that some appear to believe we need such a massive Government? Would he think we have become corrupt and vicious and therefore in need of masters? Is that what the Washington crowd believes of the rest of the nation? I wonder...

Random thought -- did you know that every Tuesday at noon the air raid sirens sound off in San Francisco? Apparently, you can set your watch by it.

Seriously. Check it out:

Every Tuesday at noon, San Francisco tests the Outdoor Warning System. During the test the siren emits a 15 second alert tone. In an actual emergency, the siren tone will cycle repeatedly for 5 minutes. [link]

Sorry... my mind is wandering a bit today. Too much on my mind to get back on track.

Did you see this story today? - "Gov't runs April deficit for first time since '83"

Spend, Baby, Spend!

Sheesh!

A friend of mine sent me a link to this video -- a must see: "Is Anyone Minding the Store at the Federal Reserve?"

It is only a little over 5 minutes long, time well spent once you understand the implications for us all.

Actually, it ties into the BIG FAT LIE I've been hinting about since Tuesday, April 28, 2009.

The lie came out. It was neatly and swiftly presented. Most journalists (as I guessed would happen) gave it nothing more than cursory coverage... a mere blip on the radar screen of mass media.

And then... well, then... life went on like nothing happened.

I predict that in about 12 to 16 months everyone is going to start screaming about it. I mean, it was truly quite stunning how deftly they managed to lie with statistics and deliver a completely different painting for the public. They made it look so easy! Seriously. It took my breath away.

If you look at their picture regarding the so-called "stress tests" and then you check around other sites looking at a different point of view regarding total credit exposure, the contrast is really quite stunning.

For one example, here is another stress test result from an independent body that paints an entirely different picture:



Isn't it funny how Goldman Sachs was found to be "healthy" according to the Fed stress tests, and yet, when you look at the above they are the worst of them all?

Look for the story behind the story.

When they scrape more billions from your pockets and don't tell you where they are sliding those billions, keep the above chart in mind.

Hmmmmmm....

You think, maybe, that's where the missing money went from the Federal Reserve?

Nah! That would imply collusion and all sorts of messy legal implications, dontcha think?

You betcha!

SIDENOTE: If you're wondering why I keep using the phrase "you betcha" all the time lately, it's because at my age -- I can wear purple if I want -- and I like getting my little digs in against the mass media that took such glee in steamrolling over Palin and her family. They're still trying to keep her quiet and bashing her every chance they get. I'll have more on that in a future post.

For now, I'm going to wander off humming ..."Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday to me..."

Mothers Day Humor

To lighten things up on this special day, here is a little mother's day humor. Mom's you're going to LOVE this video:




If you're getting this by email and the above embed code doesn't work, here is the direct link to watch it on YouTube.

And a little fun from the children...

WHY GOD MADE MOMS

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?

1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?

1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?

1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your mom?

1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?

1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?

1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?

1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms & dads?

1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?

1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?

1. On the inside, she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?

1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.



And here are a few more thoughts for Moms on Mothers Day...


MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche;
they don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils
are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,
filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough
doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what
the vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'
and get their answer when a little
voice says, 'Because I love you best.'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth
is not measured by height or years or grade...
It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.

14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,
because that is the doorway to her heart,
the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,
but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she
shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!


Happy Mothers Day!

Defending American History

“Local school boards may not remove books from school library shelves simply because they dislike the ideas contained in those books …”
— U.S. Supreme Court in Board of Education, Island Trees School District v. Pico (1982)

Well, America -- they've found another way to take away your books.

Hazardous Books to be Removed!!!

America -- whether you choose to believe it or not -- you are being raped of your history.

The loose definition of BOOK BURNING is:

Book burning (a category of biblioclasm, or book destruction) is the practice of destroying, often ceremoniously, one or more copies of a book or other written material. In modern times, other forms of media, such as phonograph records, video tapes, and CDs have also been ceremoniously burned, torched, or shredded. The practice, usually carried out in public, is generally motivated by moral, religious, or political objections to the material.

Some particular cases of book burning are long and traumatically remembered - because the books destroyed were irreplaceable and their loss constituted a severe damage to cultural heritage, and/or because this instance of book burning has become emblematic of a harsh and oppressive regime. Such were the destruction of the Library of Alexandria, the burning of books and burying of scholars under China's Qin Dynasty, the destruction of Mayan codices by Spanish conquistadors and priests, and in more recent times, Nazi book burnings and the destruction of the Sarajevo National Library. [emphasis added - link to more detail]

You might choose to disagree, but in my humble opinion what happened for me today is just as horrific as any book burning held in any country in any of those historical occasions mentioned above.

I'm a writer... so maybe I'm just a wee bit more appalled by the new law slipped quickly and quietly through your Congress than most.

Here is what happened to me today.

A last minute switch had me working at the Elementary school today for my volunteer day (instead of tomorrow)... and by Divine Providence I was present on the very day, at the very time, the order came down.

The order was given, and as the volunteer today, I had the woeful task of going through books in the classroom looking for the dates they were printed and removing all books printed prior to 1985.

My eyes welled with tears as I saw treasured and worn books, obviously well used and loved, like Dr. Seus and The Cat In The Hat, Charlotte's Web, Alice in Wonderland... the list goes on, and on, and on... and place them (albeit gently) into the box for discard/removal from the classroom.

Apparently this is taking place clear across the country.

Any and all books printed prior to 1985 are to be removed from all classrooms and libraries -- historical tombs, many now out of print, might be gone forever, never to be seen, read, or taught from ever again.

And I wonder...

How Many Bibles Were Printed Prior to 1985?

Imagine -- just think -- how many books no longer in print will never be seen by your children ever again?

Do you care?

Do you wonder what your children might miss?

Do you wonder how the many volumes of books built up over the years by teachers everywhere, priceless books that will now have to be replaced somehow, some way?

How many can never be replaced?

Do you care...? ...a bit? ...at all?

New Federal Law Makes It Mandatory!

Here is the reasoning behind the new law:

Writers of new child-safety legislation that sailed through both houses of Democrat-controlled Congress added children's books to the list of "banned hazardous substances," unless they're proved to be lead-free. Let's protect kids, right? Maybe they should have considered this: Kids don't eat books.

The new CPSIA law bans all books printed before 1985 from resale or distribution because they might contain small amounts of lead in the ink. Hundreds of thousands of books have already been destroyed, even though there's no proof that a child could be harmed by them. This law could effectively gut every library and every school in the state, who along with thrift stores are subject to horrendous fines if they sell or distribute pre-1985 copies of books like "Velveteen Rabbit" and "The Little Engine that Could" or "Little Golden Books" that contain lead. [link]

Now, I don't know about you, but I've seen far more lead pencils with chew marks on them in classrooms than I've ever seen kids slurping or chewing on books. In fact, I've never seen one kid yet (except maybe a baby) ever reach to chew on a book.

And yet, after finding out about this ridiculous law today, I went online and found a few blogs/articles on the subject where commenters have actually said that yes, they've seen their kids eat books.

My words to them -- WHY THE HECK DID YOU LET THEM????

Did you not stop to think that you could teach them NOT to EAT the freakin' books??

Just because a few stupid parents are incapable of looking after their kids and/or teaching their kids not to eat freakin' books now the entire country has to suffer because of their pathetic stupid incompetent parenting skills? You are stupid and deserve to suffer ....not push your suffering on the rest of the country. Go get some friggin' help!!!!! IDIOTS!!!! In fact, maybe child services should be taking your kids away from you?

Whew! Sorry about that...

Okay, didn't mean to call a bunch of parents with bookeating kids stupid. Maybe lacking in common sense, but not stupid.

But seriously... the next thing you know, they'll be asking the Feds to outlaw lead pencils. Because, hey, people just can't think for themselves in this country... so, you know, there just has to be a Federal law, dontcha think? (sarcasm intended)

Sheesh!

I'm guessing far more kids chew on their pencils than slurp or eat their books. In fact, I'm guessing when they erase mistakes on their homework they might be tempted to lick their fingers or thumbs and wet the paper to make the eraser work better. Ever seen that happen?

I'm guessing there's far more lead content in a lead pencil than there is in an old book... but I might be wrong.

The Stupidity Behind The New CPSIA Law

Here's some of the stupidity behind the new law:

It requires UNIT testing. The final product must be tested from each batch. It doesn’t matter if all the components going into it are certified and have been tested as having no lead, it still must be tested for lead.

Here’s an example. You publish textbooks for 4th graders. You publish a science textbook. You publish a spelling book. They are printed with all the same materials, on the same day, on the same press, with the same crew manning it. You must test the science book and the spelling book separately because they may contain lead!

This basically seems to imply that somehow alchemy works. Non-lead containing item + non-lead containing item= LEAD! [link]

The freakin' Dems were so eager to concoct a lie saying Palin was banning books from the library in Alaska, and then... once in full and complete power... they choose to add this piece of crap legislation that amounts to nothing more than a book burning! (IMHO)

I am not a partisan voter...

But I gotta tell 'ya...

They are doing absolutely everything in their power to turn me into one.

One more insult on my intelligence after another after another after another...

To be fair, the CPSIA started work on this legislation back in August of 2008 although it wasn't finalized and written into law then. I'm still trying to find out when the hammer came down and books were added. (I'll bring you more on this -- for sure -- along with the NAMES of the PERPETRATORS of this CRIME against humanity!)

I grew up so deep in the bush that even as a 4 year old child I had to learn how to think fast and think on my feet. Common sense gets drilled into your head early when you are in the wilds.

It's a pity that common sense is not a skill taught to children here.

Or at least, that's the way it appears to me...

Think about it. See a baby bear cub in the bush, there has to be a protective mommy bear somewhere near, 'ya think?

When I look at the Constitution and witness first-hand the Fed's overstepping their authority in this way -- dictating to States across the nation -- even authoring laws that amount to book burnings in this country... I shudder to think where you are being led.

Enjoy the rose colored glasses.

Ten years from now, they are going to be way out of fashion and you just might find yourself looking pretty stupid in them.

As far as I'm concerned, Google can add another notch onto the book burning timeline -- and the real shock is that the book burning is taking place this time in the United States of America.

God Bless America -- we need a little Divine Intervention here.

Pray for us.

On another subject...

The BIG FAT LIE Came Today

But I'm too upset about the book burning thing to go into details for you.

Sorry.

I'll be back tomorrow on that.

Related Articles and Stories across the country:
Oregon Education - Lead is feared in children's books
SCtimes - A danger within children's books?
Change.org - Save Small Business from the CPSIA
Lifestyle - Some History on Book Burning
CPSIA - Comments & Observations - Share your viewpoints regarding the recent CPSIA decisions.
The Bookshop Blog - Book burning on Feb. 10th 2009 due to CPSIA

PS: I oh-so-very-much-wish I had known about this sooner. I missed it, like so many others did. Where the heck was the media coverage on this one?!?