This isn't really blog pimping - we asked if we could share this. It's good 'food' for a Saturday...a question that just sort of hangs in the air, without a good answer: Mr. President; Why the Change?
A taste from this meaty piece:
Obama sees our founding document as flawed, that we are a young country needing to set aside childish things, that fundamental change and transformation of our government, economy and cultural is required to remake the world as it should be.
In retort to the President I would ask: Mr. President Why the Change?
The success of that form of government is inarguable. Pick virtually any metric and in those 233 years we've become the world's leaders. We dominated the world economy, provide uncounted scientific and commercial advances. Our culture is admired (and reviled) worldwide, but you can go to even remote corners of the world and find American culture.
Our military has a historically unmatched dominance, which hasn't been used to enrich us, it's been used to liberate others. Look up at the list, see that cluster of independences occurring around 1991? That was us, without firing a shot, 10's of millions liberated. 1945? A continent liberated, and all we ask for “was ground to bury our dead.”
Domestically we have unmatched liberty, standards of living, or just about anything else you can think of. Bill Whittle asked “which way are the rafts headed?” How many leave America for greener pastures compared to the number who risk everything to come here?
Argh, it's Talk Like a Pirate Day again, mateys
ReplyDeleteIt's rolled around once again, like a stray cannonball on the deck of a sailing ship. Sept. 19 is the annual Talk Like a Pirate Day, for no particular reason whatsoever.
Thank John "OI' Chumbucket" Bauer and Mark "Cap'n Slappy" Summers, the two ne'er-do-wells with pirattitude for starting the tradition, and writer Dave Barry for popularizing it seven years ago. Bauer and Summers have two books available from publishers and three others they've self-published, including the children's book "A Li'l Pirate's A-B-Seas."
/arrr!
September 18, 2009
ReplyDeleteThe President
The White House
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. President:
/when seven former CIA directors tell you you’re drunk, you’d better lie down
Hey JCM ... how do you find the time to do this? ... really ... how? ... great article ...
ReplyDeleteJust a drive-by as I did not know the blog would be open for comments this weekend ... will try to check in tomorrow or later tonight ... glad RB is getting some rest ... but ... um we are ready to see the new place ...
Hope everyone is having a great weekend! ...
Avast thar, shiver me timbers! It's talk like a pirate day!
ReplyDeleteArrrggh!
Hi Z2!
ReplyDeleteJCM did a great job on this. I hope people will click the link, because there's much, much more there.
Glad to see you! (The way it looks now: A few of us may be going in for some tire-kicking tomorrow night, and registration may be starting mid-week.)
For those of us less creative:
ReplyDeletePirate Talk Generator
/when seven former CIA directors tell you you’re drunk, you’d better lie down
ReplyDeleteHeh. (Fat chance of that happening.)
Our military has a historically unmatched dominance, which hasn't been used to enrich us, it's been used to liberate others. Look up at the list, see that cluster of independences occurring around 1991? That was us, without firing a shot, 10's of millions liberated. 1945? A continent liberated, and all we ask for “was ground to bury our dead.”
ReplyDeleteThis pretty much sums it all up. What about this paragraph is it, that the libs find so hard to understand?
Pirates names, git yer' pirate names here!
ReplyDeleteI be Cap'n Ross Jellybones!
Arrrg, grog! I need me some grog!
Ahoy, my name is Pirate Julia the Well-tanned, and I'd like t' welcome you t' our blog this afternoon. Aye, me parrot concurs.
ReplyDeletePirates names, git yer' pirate names here!
ReplyDeleteMine is Cap'n Bobby Skullcrack. Better then Buttcrack I guess.:)))
This pretty much sums it all up. What about this paragraph is it, that the libs find so hard to understand?
ReplyDeleteETR: I have noticed a pattern with liberals and their thinking. They seem to gravitate toward the most repellent figures they can find (this fascination with Castro, for example).
I've also noticed that politically, they function as the children in a parent/child relationship. They want to be fed, sheltered, and protected by their "parents", but they also want to rebel against them and mouth off to them.
This need to "change" what isn't really broken, I think, is part of this pattern. It doesn't matter if their own vision of America is worse for everyone - they just want to make their own, and it has to be different from "Mom and Dad's".
I wish Pink were here this afternoon, because she could offer some insight into the psychology of it all...but I think that may have something to do with it.
Everyone, DEZ is in the house! (Downstairs.)
ReplyDeleteMadeleine Albright: USA No Longer Intends To Be World's No.1 State
ReplyDeleteFormer US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright took part in the forum too. She particularly participated in the meeting titled “Non-Economic Aspects of Entrepreneurship.”
Madeleine Albright said during the meeting that America no longer had the intention of being the first nation of the world.
Ms. Albright started her speech in Russian. “Hello and thank you! It’s a pleasure for me to be here,” she said in Russian. Albright wrote in her autobiography that she was trying to learn some Russian during the 1960s.
The former US Secretary of State surprised the audience with her speech. She particularly said that democracy was not the perfect system. “It can be contradictory, corrupt and may have security problems,” Albright said.
America has been having hard times recently, Albright said.
“We have been talking about our exceptionalism during the recent eight years. Now, an average American wants to stay at home – they do not need any overseas adventures. We do not need new enemies,” Albright said adding that Beijing, London and Delhi became a serious competition for Washington and New York.
“My generation has made many mistakes. We give the future into the hands of the young. Your prime goal is to overcome the gap between the poor and the rich,’ the former head of the US foreign political department said.
/keel haul America ye scurvy Democrats, arrr!
Oh good grief, eatitorwearit! I remember her making similar comments when she was SoS.
ReplyDelete1998 Article: Albright Says U.S. Doesn't Want to Be Sole Superpower
U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said Tuesday that her country does not want to be "the only superpower."
The remarks, made in a speech to students at Howard University, appear to somewhat contradict the U.S. strategy of leading the world.
President Obama, race and the unpatriotic right
ReplyDeleteThe far right and its right-wing brethren have shown that they are driven by envy and racial animus.
I would remind the far right what the Apostle Paul wrote, " ... there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God." Hence, Obama is the U.S. president and leader of the Free World because he was appointed by God.
/God 'e says, arrr!
eatitorwearit
ReplyDelete*SPIT*
Not at you eatitorwearit, at F'in Mad Halfwit.
It's evil to be the leader, to set the standard, to have and be the best.
It's evil to be EXCEPTIONAL!
Exactly the counter point to my essay. Our exceptionalism is not at the cost of others, it's our ideas, what we are, how we do things.
The left believes their is a finite sum of everything, that when one person, group or nation is exceptional it excludes everyone else.
They could not be more wrong.
I had a very tough calculus professor who dreamed of an entire class with a 4.0. Because he taught everyone in the class to excel, not by tearing down the top and falsely building up the bottom.
I love how they whip out the "G_d" and "Jesus" references when they're useful to them, but otherwise want to shove them as far back into the closet as they can, under canned goods and winter coats.
ReplyDeleteProblem is, all the things list above are the things B. Obama and the Earth First, Anti-war Democrats hate.
ReplyDeleteThe only change needed is the core of the current Democrat party. IMO
How many leave America for greener pastures compared to the number who risk everything to come here?
ReplyDeleteI am more than willing to come and live in the US of America!
Playing the green-card lottery is not a great risk, yet willing to tilt ones live bottoms-up is pretty risky.
And most importantly, I want to life in the US specifically BECAUSE of its freedoms and its constitution.
refresh
ReplyDeleteDang....
ReplyDeleteLast year the UW Huskies went 0-12.
Right now they are showing #5 USC how football is played.
They've shut down USC in the last seven positions and are leading 10-13.
I'm lovin' in it!
Callahan23
ReplyDeleteTurning you life upside for idea.
That's a powerful thing.
Some even risk their lives to get here.
Avast, mateys! Cap'n Azriel Knifenose about to board! 'Tis so wet in these parts, methinks I'll stay in the hold and drink me grog this evenin'.
ReplyDeleteJCM, I can't wait to read your whole piece. That teaser is right on the money.
And Callahan is here! [Waves delightedly] It's great to see you.
Good afternoon/evening all. My pirate name is Logan the Dagger. Yarrrrr mateys. Hey Erik, are you around? E-mail incoming.
ReplyDeleteHeld USC to a field goal.
ReplyDeleteTied 13 all.
Even if USC wins, being in UW being even in this game, now with 4 minutes left is huge.
Arrggg.
ReplyDeleteI be Pietr the Peg-Legged heere.
By the powers, we be almost thar.....
I bookmarked that JCM. Looks like quite a bit of work. Not to be in vain !
THREE SECONDS LEFT!! YAY HUSKIES!!
ReplyDeleteField Goal, UW Huskies with 3 seconds to go, 13-16 over USC.
ReplyDeleteIf it holds for 3 seconds this is a big upset!
Hey JCM, finished reading your post a few minutes ago. Well stated and thought out.
ReplyDeleteHey Erik, are you around? E-mail incoming.
ReplyDeleteGot it thanks. I just deleted it, like a dumb ass I did not save your addy. Please send again.
DEZes where are you? Show your face. :)))
Okay Erik, e-mail resent.
ReplyDeleteDEZes where are you? Show your face. :)))
ReplyDeleteHooo-Rayyyy !
Cheers,Buccanneers.
*drink
Got it 2P. Thanks
ReplyDeletePaladinPhil
ReplyDeleteThank you. And to everyone for the kind words.
re JCM:
ReplyDeleteMy full comment on your blog :
Thanks JCM!
A prudent and gradual change is always for the better and far more humane as all revolutions and quick fixes 'n changes have left death in their wake.
I love the slow evolutionary process, 's friendlier to us mere humans.
{doppelganglander} besos y abrazos
Isn't it a very nice 'n comfy place here?
Pub thread going up at 7:00PM EST - it will be hosted by Bar Wench. I'm taking off but we're leaving it in her capable hands for as long as she wants to keep the doors open. Maybe she can talk Pi Guy into an assist.
ReplyDeleteThings may close for a few hours after that (or not - we'll leave it up to those on duty), but for those of you inclined to partake of the fruit cup, that will be up at 5:00AM EST/2:00AM PST just like always.
See you all later on. Everyone please remember our rules, but have a great time! If you see anything hinky, please ignore it, and we'll take care of it as quicker than you can say "shiver me timbers". ; )
Isn't it a very nice 'n comfy place here?
ReplyDeleteWell, if you'd get out of my lounger, it would be.
//
Evening, callahan.
How goes it ?
Have a nice evening, CC.
ReplyDeleteThey never give up.
ReplyDeleteSeattle's Mayor Nickels was beat in the primary and is on his way out.
He's a big gun grabber and proposed banning guns on all city property, but the State AG smacked him dow saying State Law precluded that.
He's back with a gun ban in parks.
Mayor proposes gun ban at city-park facilities
I sure the predators will feel much safe in Seattle Parks....
DEZes where are you? Show your face. :)))
ReplyDeleteThat is gonna be a hoot once the old gang is reunited here.
*anticipating*
Wooo Hoo, pub is open. Last one there is a dirty land lubber.....
ReplyDelete/*dashes for the stairs*
re: Sasquatch
ReplyDeleteI am doing good, as I am here with friends. :-)
How are you doin'?
-
Hi Erik! Recuperating from entertaining your girls? ;-)
Callahan, yes it's very nice. I believe I'll drop in at the pub once I get the adult beverage of my choice in hand.
ReplyDeleteWOW - what a truly fine article JCM, I mean really well thought out and written.
ReplyDeleteNow how can we get President Obama, Speaker Pelosi and Majority leader Reid to all read this article and ruminate on it?
AND how can we reach a MUCH wider audience with it?
Thank you for writing this.
realwest
And hey Callahan23 and all y'all - I sure wish I could stay, but I HAVE to go eat dinner now.
ReplyDeleteHope I can catch y'all (and JCM especially!) later on tonight!
And NO I have no idea why TypePad won't put realwest down next to my name, and just gives me a number and takes away my name.
Hmmmm, wonder if there's a song in that somewhere?! :)
Thanks! Real!
ReplyDeleteSee you later!
fish/shear
ReplyDeleteblah(tfk)blah
ReplyDeletePub up top! --->
uh
ReplyDeleteArrr where'd my beer go?
ReplyDelete/*poof*
Pub down in basement --->
ReplyDeletePub down in basement underwater --->
ReplyDeleteblub,,, blub,,,,,
ReplyDeletethat you bar maid
I'll get Ted Kennedy
he will swim out to you
hold on
Pub back up.....
ReplyDeletegettin' dizzy....