Are we heading backward towards 2001/09/10 - the last day of the roaring 90's...
Or forward towards 2001/09/12, the first day of the end of the Islamofascist movement...
The Hard Left has been smoking cancer sticks for so long I can't remember a moment when one wasn't poking from their ever scowling grill.
The Center Left moved away from them.
Recently, however, the media provided the means for the Hard Left contagion to stream into the center.
If we have the anti-bodies remaining to fight this internal struggle than the Left in America will be destroyed.
Is this a good thing?
Not always…
And, that comes from a conservative neocon.
But, it is a thing.
It is a fact.
Both Parties will have to rebuild. One from the ground up – cursing the idealists and power brokers who cannot see the good in our society, who cannot see the good in our efforts, who run the show completely and without remorse, The other from the center out – picking off those who have no backbone, no morals, no guiding stricture.
Back to the culture wars, eh…
Monday, November 12, 2007
Sunday, October 14, 2007
This is a test of the Emergency Alert System. This is only a test...
Here is a weird thought:
Americans are blithely trooping about listening to music on their radios. The latest tunes. Songs of love, dogs, cats, killing cops, or whatever turns each individual on… In the background we hear of auto crashes and traffic snarls…
Every week or so we experience the aggravating sound of the ‘Emergency Alert System’ test:
Here is the skinny…
We accept that test. Most respect that test. We know we need that test.
Six years into the GWOT we accept the war, most respect the warfighter, and we know we have to be engaged in the region. We don’t like it. But we accept it. We are very happy that most of the sounds are ‘tests’ of the system and not Katrinas with thousands or hundreds of thousands of casualties. We feel prepared.
When a Katrina is forming or blows in most will heed the warning and act. Some will ignore the Emergency Alert System and switch to their iPod or whatever. But, in full, there will be major action. There have already been major adjustments.
Maybe someone with an iPod stuck in his/her ear-hole will be elected. That would be a shame. Both for us and our enemy. But, we are large and still in charge. And we have mobilized our economy (which is perking along just fine), our infrastructure (which is very robust and getting more so), our military (which is in the region and gaining experience), and pushing to ‘close the gap’ (which will help any leader focus on a smaller and smaller region for full retaliation). It would be a shame to lose thousands more and to be forced into sowing a land with salt – but, that might be the end result.
Americans are blithely trooping about listening to music on their radios. The latest tunes. Songs of love, dogs, cats, killing cops, or whatever turns each individual on… In the background we hear of auto crashes and traffic snarls…
Every week or so we experience the aggravating sound of the ‘Emergency Alert System’ test:
Music and joy or cop killing or whatever fills the air again.Squawk..
Squawk..
Squawk.."This is a test of the Emergency Alert System. This is only a test."
Squawk..
"This is a coordinated monthly test of the broadcast stations in your area. Equipment that can quickly warn you during emergencies is being tested. If this had been an actual emergency such as (insert types of messages that may occur in the geographic area) , official messages would have followed the alert tone. This concludes this test of the Emergency Alert System."
Squawk..
Squawk..
Squawk..‘This concludes this test of the Emergency Alert System.”.
Here is the skinny…
We accept that test. Most respect that test. We know we need that test.
Six years into the GWOT we accept the war, most respect the warfighter, and we know we have to be engaged in the region. We don’t like it. But we accept it. We are very happy that most of the sounds are ‘tests’ of the system and not Katrinas with thousands or hundreds of thousands of casualties. We feel prepared.
When a Katrina is forming or blows in most will heed the warning and act. Some will ignore the Emergency Alert System and switch to their iPod or whatever. But, in full, there will be major action. There have already been major adjustments.
Maybe someone with an iPod stuck in his/her ear-hole will be elected. That would be a shame. Both for us and our enemy. But, we are large and still in charge. And we have mobilized our economy (which is perking along just fine), our infrastructure (which is very robust and getting more so), our military (which is in the region and gaining experience), and pushing to ‘close the gap’ (which will help any leader focus on a smaller and smaller region for full retaliation). It would be a shame to lose thousands more and to be forced into sowing a land with salt – but, that might be the end result.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Bush’s War Machine by the Numbers…
Re(1): 'Joe Sixpack on Taxes', The Fly Bottle, Will Wilkinson
Re(2): 'The July 2007 Monthly Treasury Statement', Department of the Treasury
Re(3): 'Monthly Treasury Statement', Department of the Treasury
Re(4): Bureau of Labor Inflation Calculator
Some poor Lefty (Alphie) posted the usual blather at Will Wilkinso’s ‘The Fly Bottle’ blog stating:
The poor sod.
Just how big is Bush’s War Machine…
Some facts first:
That War Machine is costing 0.8% of GDP and 7% of Tax Revenue. There are no serious experts who think we should spend less than 4% of GDP on our military. Only folks like Alphie I guess.
So, here is my deal with the Lefty’s:
Let’s cut DOD expenditures by $25 Billion and HSS expenditures by $35 Billion. That is, shave 5% off of each budget!!! Then, with the tax revenue growth President Bush has initiated we shall see a large surplus next year.
Let’s shake on that!!!
The Grand Bargain!!!
Re(2): 'The July 2007 Monthly Treasury Statement', Department of the Treasury
Re(3): 'Monthly Treasury Statement', Department of the Treasury
Re(4): Bureau of Labor Inflation Calculator
Some poor Lefty (Alphie) posted the usual blather at Will Wilkinso’s ‘The Fly Bottle’ blog stating:
And the $400+ billion the U.S. government paid in interest last year(mostly to foreigners) on the money it borrowed in the past instead of rasing through taxes?(Spelling errors his)
Even Joe Sixpack realizes that if he runs off to Vegas and blows his mortgage money on a good time…there will be a cost.
When he sobers up, that is.
The poor sod.
He is off by $29 Billion on the interest payment – in his favor!!!
And:
Off by a massive $161 Billion on his DOD spending. That is a 30% error.So, I got to thinking…
Just how big is Bush’s War Machine…
Some facts first:
The GDP in 2000 was 9.8 Trillion
The GDP estimate for 2007 is $13.5 Trillion.
Thus, GDP in 2007 in 2000 dollars is 11.2 Trillion
DOD spending in FY2000 was $281 Billion
The DOD FY2007 spending estimate is $539 Billion
Thus, DOD FY2007 spending in 2000 dollars is $445 Billion
Some opinion:
Very few associated with the military found the DOD spending acceptable. Anyone remember running out of Tomahawk missiles in October 2001? Anyone remember any new military technology that was developed in the Clinton era? Anything we did not have in 1992? Anything at all? Maybe some up-armored HMMVEs?
So my opinion is that we had to spend a bit more in the DOD to compensate for Clinton Era cutbacks. We all know the military ‘survived the Clinton Era!!!’. But, just barely
Now the Math (in 2000 dollars):
Bush has grown the DOD budget by:
$445 Billion - $281 Billion = $164 Billion.In that time, Health and Human Services grew by:
$561 Billion - $390 Billion = $171 Billion
With Tax Revenue Growth of:
$2,127 Billion - $2,025 Billion = $102 Billion
And, a FY2007 deficit of probably $120 Billion ($99 Billion in 2000 dollars). With a balanced budget – or even a surplus – in FY2008!!!
Thus, under Bush,
The DOD expenditures are 3.7% of GDP
The Health and Human Services expenditures are 5.0% of GDP
The DOD expenditures are 20.9% of Tax Revenue.
The Health and Human Services expenditures are 26.4% of Tax Revenue
Thus, under Clinton,
The DOD expenditures are 2.9% of GDP
The Health and Human Services expenditures are 4.0% of GDP
The DOD expenditures are 13.9% of Tax Revenue.
The Health and Human Services expenditures are 19.3% of Tax Revenue.
That War Machine is costing 0.8% of GDP and 7% of Tax Revenue. There are no serious experts who think we should spend less than 4% of GDP on our military. Only folks like Alphie I guess.
So, here is my deal with the Lefty’s:
Let’s cut DOD expenditures by $25 Billion and HSS expenditures by $35 Billion. That is, shave 5% off of each budget!!! Then, with the tax revenue growth President Bush has initiated we shall see a large surplus next year.
Let’s shake on that!!!
The Grand Bargain!!!
Sunday, September 02, 2007
I flushed once…
Re(1): 'As 9/11 Draws Near, a Debate Rises: How Much Tribute Is Enough? ', NYT, N.R. Klienfiled
No, not a Larry Craig joke.
Instead, yet another miserable article by the NYT…
The basic jist of Klienfield's article is: 9/11 – Get over it!!!
Some quotes:
Klienfield, we Americans remember World War II. Have you visited the monument? Do you go shopping on Veterans Day? Memorial Day? You may not remember the start of World War II – but that only proves you are an ignorant lout. Personally, if you do not remember ‘the day that lives in infamy’ I can’t help you. Why are you qualified the write about epoch changing events?
Klienfield, I do not commemorate the Kennedy assassination, Kent State shooting, the Katrina hurricane, or the Oklahoma City bombing because those events did not upend America the way the Revolution, the Civil War, World War II, and 9/11 have. The Kennedy assassination is remembered – but what has it changed. The other events were tragic – but why are they on your list.
A natural disaster?
A steamship fire?
A mass killing?
Why not put Contra Gate on that list? Watergate? Did some Christianist Wing-Nut editor at the NYT scandalously excise those references from your screed? How about the 1977 San Diego State beating of Florida State? Are all tragedies equal. Can you define the Revolution, the Civil War, and World War II as tragedies and still tell the world that you are a man of letters? Spend a second and think of 9/11. Was it a 'tragedy'?
I live over three thousand miles away.
I will allow my memory of 9/11 to fade when I find myself living in an era of PAX Americana. I will remember ‘Victory over Barbarism Day’. If you ignorant troglodytes will allow a victory than that will be the day I celebrate. Is that a fair bargain? Let us shake on that.
To make my point a bit clearer. To cut though the fog of BDS infliction. If you cannot separate a steamship fire from the initiation of a hot war than I am sorry.
You and yours are turds still floating aimlessly in the bowl.
Looks like I have to flush that damn toilet again.
No, not a Larry Craig joke.
Instead, yet another miserable article by the NYT…
The basic jist of Klienfield's article is: 9/11 – Get over it!!!
Some quotes:
To answer Klienfield’s questions as well as that of the good doctor’s:Few Americans give much thought anymore on Dec. 7 that Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941 (the date to live in infamy). Similar subdued attention is paid to other scarring tragedies: the Kennedy assassination (Nov. 22, 1963), Kent State (May 4, 1970), the Oklahoma City bombing (April 19, 1995).
Generations, of course, turn over. Few are alive anymore who can recall June 15, 1904, when 1,021 people died in the burning of the steamer General Slocum, the deadliest New York City disaster until Sept. 11, 2001. Also, the weight of new wrenching events crowds the national memory. Already since Sept. 11, there have been Katrina and Virginia Tech. And people have their own more circumscribed agonies.
What might happen on Sept. 11 a hundred years from now? “It’s conceivable that it could be virtually forgotten,” said Dr. Bodnar, the history professor. “Does anyone go out on the streets of New York and commemorate the firing on Fort Sumter?”
Klienfield, we Americans remember World War II. Have you visited the monument? Do you go shopping on Veterans Day? Memorial Day? You may not remember the start of World War II – but that only proves you are an ignorant lout. Personally, if you do not remember ‘the day that lives in infamy’ I can’t help you. Why are you qualified the write about epoch changing events?
Klienfield, I do not commemorate the Kennedy assassination, Kent State shooting, the Katrina hurricane, or the Oklahoma City bombing because those events did not upend America the way the Revolution, the Civil War, World War II, and 9/11 have. The Kennedy assassination is remembered – but what has it changed. The other events were tragic – but why are they on your list.
A natural disaster?
A steamship fire?
A mass killing?
Why not put Contra Gate on that list? Watergate? Did some Christianist Wing-Nut editor at the NYT scandalously excise those references from your screed? How about the 1977 San Diego State beating of Florida State? Are all tragedies equal. Can you define the Revolution, the Civil War, and World War II as tragedies and still tell the world that you are a man of letters? Spend a second and think of 9/11. Was it a 'tragedy'?
I live over three thousand miles away.
I will allow my memory of 9/11 to fade when I find myself living in an era of PAX Americana. I will remember ‘Victory over Barbarism Day’. If you ignorant troglodytes will allow a victory than that will be the day I celebrate. Is that a fair bargain? Let us shake on that.
To make my point a bit clearer. To cut though the fog of BDS infliction. If you cannot separate a steamship fire from the initiation of a hot war than I am sorry.
You and yours are turds still floating aimlessly in the bowl.
Looks like I have to flush that damn toilet again.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
It Didn't Happen
Re(1): "It Didn't Happen", The OpinionJournal, James Taranto
Re(2): “History Proves Vietnam Victors Wrong”, Wall Street Journal, Senator James Webb
Re(3): “The Approach Of The Arab Pol Pot”, HughHewitt.com, Hugh Hewitt
Re(4): “Vietnam Analogies”, HughHewitt.com, Dean Barnett
Because of articles like these - and the long memories of an educated citizenry - I think it will be impossible to bail from a conflict without addressing the consequences.
It was possible in 1975:
- To run and hide.
- To cut and run and redeploy.
- To have a compliant media ignore the facts.
There is simply too much information, too much history, and too many sources to ignore the circumstances of a run and hide strategy.
I am including Taranto's article on the 'My Favorite Posts' link list.
I would have included Webb's as well - but, me thinks politics may add, shall we say, nuance to his writings in the near future. I want to keep the 'My Flameouts' link list as clean as possible. What Webb writes in 2000 is now open to interpretation by Webb in 2007 and beyond!!!
Measurement and Change...
Re(1): ‘Process’, The Belmont Club, Wretchard
Process and initiative are both basic cogs in an ever improving and competitive enterprise. There is a balance. You need both.
The Clinton Legacy was one that neither respected the military nor the intelligence services. Hence, they would not accept failure and could not accept results unless ‘process was followed’ and ‘accountability could be ascertained’. Both the military and the intelligence services were not critically important assets since they were not immediately aligned to Liberal goals. Basically, these entities never adapted to the peace dividend!!!
Therefore, the view was that they must change incrementally. Thus, process improvement techniques where implemented (TQL) to build a ‘stronger’ military and ‘revamped’ intelligence service. However, under Clinton ‘stronger’ was ‘more streamlined’ and cheaper - and ‘revamped’ was a re-tasking to economic and social research. We were, of course, talking about ‘Peace in Our Time!!!’.
Conversely, after 9/11 we went straight to change and initiative without much regard to process. To me, this was necessary. The processes were not set up to redevelop and restructure the entity. They were there to make it manageable and cheaper in peacetime. However, we are now dealing with the excesses and failures of initiative without measurement. America is now restructuring its processes to match its reality. Hence, the hue and cry about surveillance and counter insurgency surges. The Left is still unconvinced that the military and intelligence services have adapted to the modern world, and the Right cannot prove that they have. We are now readdressing process. It is ugly, but it is necessary.
Here is a very strong positive of the Clinton starvation by process and the ‘W’ process be damned just give me progress initiatives. Now, the military has a much lighter support footprint and understands process improvement techniques. The best example is Rumsfeld’s water spiquet references. Even during wartime he wanted to measure effectiveness and make incremental changes based on those facts. Another example is the recent review of NSA surveillance techniques – and, the reasonable adjustment to the wild-wild west changes that occurred in October of 2001. Why is that important? It is important because we can now change tactics and equipment and training and recruiting and retention – and still measure how the changes affect the whole.
We have changed, We are changing, And, we are improving.
I would hate to be the other guy!!!
Process and initiative are both basic cogs in an ever improving and competitive enterprise. There is a balance. You need both.
The Clinton Legacy was one that neither respected the military nor the intelligence services. Hence, they would not accept failure and could not accept results unless ‘process was followed’ and ‘accountability could be ascertained’. Both the military and the intelligence services were not critically important assets since they were not immediately aligned to Liberal goals. Basically, these entities never adapted to the peace dividend!!!
Therefore, the view was that they must change incrementally. Thus, process improvement techniques where implemented (TQL) to build a ‘stronger’ military and ‘revamped’ intelligence service. However, under Clinton ‘stronger’ was ‘more streamlined’ and cheaper - and ‘revamped’ was a re-tasking to economic and social research. We were, of course, talking about ‘Peace in Our Time!!!’.
Conversely, after 9/11 we went straight to change and initiative without much regard to process. To me, this was necessary. The processes were not set up to redevelop and restructure the entity. They were there to make it manageable and cheaper in peacetime. However, we are now dealing with the excesses and failures of initiative without measurement. America is now restructuring its processes to match its reality. Hence, the hue and cry about surveillance and counter insurgency surges. The Left is still unconvinced that the military and intelligence services have adapted to the modern world, and the Right cannot prove that they have. We are now readdressing process. It is ugly, but it is necessary.
Here is a very strong positive of the Clinton starvation by process and the ‘W’ process be damned just give me progress initiatives. Now, the military has a much lighter support footprint and understands process improvement techniques. The best example is Rumsfeld’s water spiquet references. Even during wartime he wanted to measure effectiveness and make incremental changes based on those facts. Another example is the recent review of NSA surveillance techniques – and, the reasonable adjustment to the wild-wild west changes that occurred in October of 2001. Why is that important? It is important because we can now change tactics and equipment and training and recruiting and retention – and still measure how the changes affect the whole.
We have changed, We are changing, And, we are improving.
I would hate to be the other guy!!!
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Some Reletively Unsubstantiated Thoughts...
1. bin Laden is dead or weak.
2. The tide has turned against al-Qaeda.
3. al-Qaeda's strategic actions seem to take place in Iran and Pakistan.
I have a feeling inside, can't explain...
I have a feeling inside, I can't explain...
But, I can state a few things:
1. We don't want to get beat by Islamists ANYWHERE
2. This conflict is not over when al-Qaeda is wiped out; it is a wider conflict.
3. Iran and Islamist elements of Pakistan will not enjoy Sunni Islamists inside their borders
and, lest we forget some earlier commentary...
We will not definitively know when we have won the conflict...
2. The tide has turned against al-Qaeda.
3. al-Qaeda's strategic actions seem to take place in Iran and Pakistan.
I have a feeling inside, can't explain...
I have a feeling inside, I can't explain...
But, I can state a few things:
1. We don't want to get beat by Islamists ANYWHERE
2. This conflict is not over when al-Qaeda is wiped out; it is a wider conflict.
3. Iran and Islamist elements of Pakistan will not enjoy Sunni Islamists inside their borders
and, lest we forget some earlier commentary...
We will not definitively know when we have won the conflict...
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
This 4th of July
Re(1): ‘Harry Jaffe’, The Hugh Hewitt Show
RE(2): 'The Dennis Prager Show', Dennis Pragwer
Listening to Harry Joffrey and Dennis Prager this July 4th - while debating yet another Conflicted Leftist on ‘Back Talk’ - moved one synapse in my vague and beer addled mind to connect with another…
What do I love and respect about my country – the good old United States of America!!!
I love my nation because we:
- accept imperfection,
- know we are imperfect,
- can act on our imperfections,
- and have the freedom to strive for perfection.
Where else in this fine and diverse abode on which we all live is this true. We accept our imperfections, but have confidence we can challenge and overcome them. Slavery is a perfect example. For the greater good, slavery was actually written into existence - written into the Constitution. But, that Constitution can be, must be, and will be changed. Over 600,000 fellow Americans died to change that central mores – but, we did the right thing.
Additionally, and here I might be on thin beer bleary thin ice, where else on this marble of ours does a nation celebrate its birth as being the date of legal separation. Not a battle won or a war started. But, instead, when a document that defines a belief and presents a grievance is presented to the general populace. Who really remembers the first or last battle in the Revolution?
We remember a perfection written by the naturally imperfect.
The most perfect understanding of humanity yet.
May we always move forward.
God Bless America
Monday, July 02, 2007
Larry's Other Brother Larry - CIA Expert
Re(1): 'Larry Johnson: So wrong so often that he’s actually becoming a nearly-pitch perfect predictor of what’s right', Protein Wisdom, Jeff Goldstein
MessNBC's Terrorism Expert, Larry Johnson...
The best 'byline description' of CIA Master Spy Larry Johnson yet!!!
A target of scorn and humor...
That has to hurt...
MessNBC's Terrorism Expert, Larry Johnson...
The best 'byline description' of CIA Master Spy Larry Johnson yet!!!
Once again, Johnson’s wannabe-hipster pessimism — which is temperamentally tied to the grand conspiracy scenarios he and his acolytes like Olbermann cling to like Lindsay Graham might a victory sombrero — has led him to look like an utter “denialist” (hi, Commissar!), one who, if his track record is any indication, wouldn’t be able to spot imminent Islamic terrorism were it wearing a “Hi, I’m a Jihadist” name tag and galloping towards him on a camel wrapped in explosives and sporting a riding blanket made entirely from roofing nails and the severed heads of western journalists.
A target of scorn and humor...
That has to hurt...
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Talkin' Tax Code...
Re(1): 'Trick question: "Did the tax cuts pay for themselves?"', The Skeptical Optimist, Steve Conover
Re(2): '2000 Tax Rate Schedules', IRS
Re(3): '2006 Tax Rate Schedules', IRS
Re(4): '2006 Alternative Minimum Tax Schedule', IRS
I am not rich. I am in the 25% tax bracket. Solidly middle class!!!
I am using 2006 inflation adjusted numbers and am increasing the 2000 tax brackets by the inflation adjustment. Adjusted the brackets look like the following:
2000 Federal Tax Schedule for Married Filing Jointly (Inflation adjusted to 2006) :
2006 Federal Tax Schedule for Married Filing Jointly:
(Note: Higher brackets will end up in the AMT. A flat tax!!! Income is flat taxed at 26% or 28% with very restricted deductions - and, no, that hasn't been changed. Thus, higher income earners really don't get a 'tax break' and can't play with their taxes - but, inflation will soon bring the AMT flat tax to you!!!).
If the taxes revert to the pre-2003 code I will be in the 28% tax bracket. That difference does not sound like much, but the fact is that income from $0 - $51,336 is taxed at a higher effective tax rate of 15% rather than 13% (as a side note: why should we all want the bottom two brackets to pay more income tax?).
So, under pre-2003 tax code I would pay the Feds $14,045 for exactly the same service I currently pay the Feds $11,615. Thus, from a married chap firmly in the middle class, the BusHitler tax code nets little old me $2,430 in take home pay - or a little more than $200 bucks a month. Half a car payment, or perhaps paying down the old credit cards a bit faster, maybe investing more into my retirement fund, eh… Lots of options and the government is not there to tell me how to best deal with it. And, to top everything off, the Federal annual budget will be in surplus next year – while looking at $300 - $500 billion dollar annual surpluses for as long as the eye can see if the economy doesn’t tank
Now, more pertinent to the current post by Steve. Will I simply pay the $200 each month and be happy about it?
Nope…
I will act aggressively, as I did in 2000, to reduce my tax burden. I will ‘hide’ more income from the tax man!!! I will be more aggressive in my deductions. I will stop funding a Roth IRA and increase my 401(k) contributions. And, RIGHT NOW, I will take my capital gains from investment growth and move to cash. (and, yes, Marmico that is what I am doing at the present. I want to beat the big time investors to the safety of cash and low tax rates before they act).
So, the increase in personal income tax rates will net the government $0 or maybe even a negative return as I start playing the tax game again. And, what happens to the economy as I move my resources from active assets to tax shelters?
Why should the Feds make me play the game?
Since I feel the taxes are fair I no longer play. I just pay!!!
Re(2): '2000 Tax Rate Schedules', IRS
Re(3): '2006 Tax Rate Schedules', IRS
Re(4): '2006 Alternative Minimum Tax Schedule', IRS
I am not rich. I am in the 25% tax bracket. Solidly middle class!!!
I am using 2006 inflation adjusted numbers and am increasing the 2000 tax brackets by the inflation adjustment. Adjusted the brackets look like the following:
2000 Federal Tax Schedule for Married Filing Jointly (Inflation adjusted to 2006) :
| If taxable income is over- | But not over- | The tax is- |
| $0 | $51,336 | $7,700 |
| $51,336 | $124,039 | $7,700 + 28% of the amout over $51,336 |
| $124,039 | $189,014.63 | $20,356 + 31% of the amount over $124,039 |
2006 Federal Tax Schedule for Married Filing Jointly:
| If taxable income is over- | But not over- | The tax is- |
| $0 | $15,100 | $1,510 |
| $15,100 | $61,300 | $1,510 + 25% of the amount over $15,100 |
| $61,300 | $123,700 | $8,440 + 25% of the amount over $61,300 |
| $123,700 | $188,450 | $24,040 + 28% of the amount over $123,700 |
(Note: Higher brackets will end up in the AMT. A flat tax!!! Income is flat taxed at 26% or 28% with very restricted deductions - and, no, that hasn't been changed. Thus, higher income earners really don't get a 'tax break' and can't play with their taxes - but, inflation will soon bring the AMT flat tax to you!!!).
If the taxes revert to the pre-2003 code I will be in the 28% tax bracket. That difference does not sound like much, but the fact is that income from $0 - $51,336 is taxed at a higher effective tax rate of 15% rather than 13% (as a side note: why should we all want the bottom two brackets to pay more income tax?).
So, under pre-2003 tax code I would pay the Feds $14,045 for exactly the same service I currently pay the Feds $11,615. Thus, from a married chap firmly in the middle class, the BusHitler tax code nets little old me $2,430 in take home pay - or a little more than $200 bucks a month. Half a car payment, or perhaps paying down the old credit cards a bit faster, maybe investing more into my retirement fund, eh… Lots of options and the government is not there to tell me how to best deal with it. And, to top everything off, the Federal annual budget will be in surplus next year – while looking at $300 - $500 billion dollar annual surpluses for as long as the eye can see if the economy doesn’t tank
Now, more pertinent to the current post by Steve. Will I simply pay the $200 each month and be happy about it?
Nope…
I will act aggressively, as I did in 2000, to reduce my tax burden. I will ‘hide’ more income from the tax man!!! I will be more aggressive in my deductions. I will stop funding a Roth IRA and increase my 401(k) contributions. And, RIGHT NOW, I will take my capital gains from investment growth and move to cash. (and, yes, Marmico that is what I am doing at the present. I want to beat the big time investors to the safety of cash and low tax rates before they act).
So, the increase in personal income tax rates will net the government $0 or maybe even a negative return as I start playing the tax game again. And, what happens to the economy as I move my resources from active assets to tax shelters?
Why should the Feds make me play the game?
Since I feel the taxes are fair I no longer play. I just pay!!!
Monday, May 28, 2007
Memorial Day...
Re(1): 'The Call of Cthulhu', The Belmont Club, Wretchard T.C.
Re(2): 'Americans will die for liberty', The Telegraph, Andrew Gimson
I fear that many confuse the sound of Spartan piping at Thermopylae with the signed or whispered or shouted orders at Diyala and Auschwitz and Andersonville. On this Memorial Day, I think we should take a moment to redefine the difference.
On this day I voice my deep appreciation for the soldiers who have fought - and who are now fighting - men who don the livery of evil. I honor those who have paid the ultimate cost for the ultimate endeavor.
May good always triumph!!!
Re(2): 'Americans will die for liberty', The Telegraph, Andrew Gimson
I fear that many confuse the sound of Spartan piping at Thermopylae with the signed or whispered or shouted orders at Diyala and Auschwitz and Andersonville. On this Memorial Day, I think we should take a moment to redefine the difference.
On this day I voice my deep appreciation for the soldiers who have fought - and who are now fighting - men who don the livery of evil. I honor those who have paid the ultimate cost for the ultimate endeavor.
May good always triumph!!!
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Sorry Libs, The Federal Deficit will not balloon this year :-&
The one grand hope you have regarding ‘Deficits as Far as the Eye Can See!!!’ is that the spineless Democrat acceptance of the $100 Billion in ‘off-budget’ Iraq Occupation supplemental will bust the budget. It will not. You will have to hope for more al-Qaeda murders (whoops, I forgot. The freedom fighting group that calls itself ‘Al-Qaeda In Iraq’ is not in Iraq) and Biblical natural disasters to blow the improving budget outlook.
Why? Three reasons:
Why? Three reasons:
- The Defense Department is currently spending as if the supplemental was passed
- And, even the DOD cannot spend that kind of money that quickly
- And, the stock market is boiling…
Thus, there will be no marked increase in monthly spending. The DOD will simply backfill other budget line items. And, folks are still making tons of taxable money in the stock market - even if the market crashes!!!.
I expect an FY2007 deficit (for you Lib ignits October 2006 to September 2007) to be about $70 Billion. That is, less than 0.6% of GDP. Yup, rounding error - or the equivalent of a six pack of cheap beer per month for Americans at the poverty level.
There is always hope. Maybe you all could create al-Qaeda influenced cells here in America and prove that playing offense in the Middle East is not making Americans safer here. What will you call your organization – ‘Ignit Lefty al-Qaeda Supplicants in America’. Has a nice ring to it!!!
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Deficit News You Won't Hear on MessNBC!!!
Re(1): 'Montly Budget Review, May 2007', Congressional Budget Office
Re(2): 'Monthly Treasury Statement, April 2007', United States Treasury
Carnac must retire from the Federal Budget prognostication business...
I mentioned in an earlier post that BusHitler, the 'Great Monkey Ape', seemed to be streamlining the budget process. I even mentioned the whole TQM approach of measuring and managing processes. The fact that the woefully incompetent - and slow - Congressional Budget Office is quickly reviewing and posting information based on the Monthly Treasury Statement is testament to that fact that the budget process is now more manageable.
The CBO actually crunched and posted an adjustment to their estimates four days after the end of April. This is very good, and a very positive thang. But, if they did it right it does make predicting tax receipts and government expenditures a bit boring.
Oh well...
Here are the numbers:
However, things are far bleaker if one uses the ratios from the remaining months as the determinant factors:
This would incorporate the $100 Billion dollar Defense Supplimental. Even the DOD can only spend so much money a month on gold plated screwdrivers!!!
But, and this is a rather large sized but...
There is no additional Katrina money being spent!!!
Thus, I still lean toward my preseason pick of $68 Billion as the FY2007 deficit...
Oh, the humanity...
My guess is that we will hear nothing of this. I mean the gnashing of teeth over a deficit of 0.51% of GDP should be audible from the moon.
The end is near...
The end of annual deficits, I mean!!!
Re(2): 'Monthly Treasury Statement, April 2007', United States Treasury
Carnac must retire from the Federal Budget prognostication business...
I mentioned in an earlier post that BusHitler, the 'Great Monkey Ape', seemed to be streamlining the budget process. I even mentioned the whole TQM approach of measuring and managing processes. The fact that the woefully incompetent - and slow - Congressional Budget Office is quickly reviewing and posting information based on the Monthly Treasury Statement is testament to that fact that the budget process is now more manageable.
The CBO actually crunched and posted an adjustment to their estimates four days after the end of April. This is very good, and a very positive thang. But, if they did it right it does make predicting tax receipts and government expenditures a bit boring.
Oh well...
Here are the numbers:
| April | to Date | Change | Annual Projection | |
| Revenues: | $385 | $1,506 | +11.3% | $2,677,533 |
| Expenditures: | $209 | $1,589 | +2.9% | $2,731,353 |
| Deficit: | $176 surplus | $83 | -54.9% | $53,831 |
However, things are far bleaker if one uses the ratios from the remaining months as the determinant factors:
| April | to Date | Change | Annual Projection | |
| Revenues: | $385 | $1,506 | +12.1% | $2,697,449 |
| Expenditures: | $209 | $1,589 | +6.3% | $2,822,886 |
| Deficit: | $176 surplus | $83 | -49.6% | $125,437 |
This would incorporate the $100 Billion dollar Defense Supplimental. Even the DOD can only spend so much money a month on gold plated screwdrivers!!!
But, and this is a rather large sized but...
There is no additional Katrina money being spent!!!
Thus, I still lean toward my preseason pick of $68 Billion as the FY2007 deficit...
Oh, the humanity...
My guess is that we will hear nothing of this. I mean the gnashing of teeth over a deficit of 0.51% of GDP should be audible from the moon.
The end is near...
The end of annual deficits, I mean!!!
Friday, April 06, 2007
Implicitly Included...
Re(1): 'Russian Muslims Seething Over Beslan Memorial', LGF
Re(2): 'Beslan memorial plan angers Russian Muslim leader', Reuters, Christian Lowe
To me the key paragraph is:
My response to the concerns expressed by Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, chairman of the Council of Russian Muftis, is that his religion is included in the proposed document...
It wouldn't be their but for Radical Islamism!!!
Re(2): 'Beslan memorial plan angers Russian Muslim leader', Reuters, Christian Lowe
To me the key paragraph is:
"It is not acceptable to present this tragedy as the tragedy of followers of only one religion," Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, chairman of the Council of Russian Muftis, said in a statement.
"We need a monument on this site that symbolises a national tragedy, without any religious undertones, where everyone can come and shed their tears."
My response to the concerns expressed by Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, chairman of the Council of Russian Muftis, is that his religion is included in the proposed document...
It wouldn't be their but for Radical Islamism!!!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Carnac the Magnificent: Deficits as Far as the Ey Can See!!!
Re(1): 'Monthly Treasury Statement - February'
Tomorrow, Paul Krugman will explode in almost sexual release.
He will have to dry clean his shorts because the annual running total of the US Deficit will again exceed $100 Billion. It might be as much as $150 Billion. Only five months into BusHitler's proliferate budgetary wastage. Oh the joy for Paul Krugman et. al. If only we could also incorporate a recession he could kill his column knowing he was right in the end!!!
A horror…
A Tragedy…
That damn monkey of a President took surpluses as far as the eye could see and turned them into Halliburton profits. What he will neglect to tell his honored readers (actually, patients) is that February is normally a miserable month for tax receipts – and usually a boon for government bloat. For example, one can watch the effects of the ‘War for Oil and the Subjugation of Brown People’ Supplementals on expenditures over the past few years.
February revenues are fairly easy to SWAG. My guess is that it will come in at about $126 Billion – which, by the way, is $24 Billion higher than FY1997’s February revenue stream inflation adjusted.
February expenditures are all over the map. If you model your numbers on the mid-1990’s than you expect expenditure numbers for February to be about 4% higher than January. If you use war-time number you expect a growth of 7% - 8%. I am actually going to run for safety and assume a growth rate of February over January of about 4%. That’s right Randy Rhodent listeners – I am going to assume February numbers roughly equivalent to Clinton’s era PAX Americana when we were not killing people who declared war on us.
Oh my god, how can one be so naïve. Here is one good reason. After studying the numbers it has become apparent that our ignorant fool of a President is normalizing the budget process. That is, he is lucking into a process that is more predictable. To summarize:
Now here is a very odd thought.It is very conceivable that expenditures will be in the $218 Billion range and revenues in the $128 Billion range. That will result in: Revenue:
Folks, at those numbers we are looking at a surplus in September 2007.
Me still thinks we will run a small deficit. There will be a supplemental for our egregious war on civilization – one that occurs later this year than in years past. But, the deficit will be so minimal as to be rounding error. However, one can hope that Byrd and Stevens can’t get it together to carve up the pork on their serving plate. So far, the split leadership can’t agree on who gets which cuts. Maybe the big eaters will starve for a year, eh…
Tomorrow, Paul Krugman will explode in almost sexual release.
He will have to dry clean his shorts because the annual running total of the US Deficit will again exceed $100 Billion. It might be as much as $150 Billion. Only five months into BusHitler's proliferate budgetary wastage. Oh the joy for Paul Krugman et. al. If only we could also incorporate a recession he could kill his column knowing he was right in the end!!!
A horror…
A Tragedy…
That damn monkey of a President took surpluses as far as the eye could see and turned them into Halliburton profits. What he will neglect to tell his honored readers (actually, patients) is that February is normally a miserable month for tax receipts – and usually a boon for government bloat. For example, one can watch the effects of the ‘War for Oil and the Subjugation of Brown People’ Supplementals on expenditures over the past few years.
February revenues are fairly easy to SWAG. My guess is that it will come in at about $126 Billion – which, by the way, is $24 Billion higher than FY1997’s February revenue stream inflation adjusted.
February expenditures are all over the map. If you model your numbers on the mid-1990’s than you expect expenditure numbers for February to be about 4% higher than January. If you use war-time number you expect a growth of 7% - 8%. I am actually going to run for safety and assume a growth rate of February over January of about 4%. That’s right Randy Rhodent listeners – I am going to assume February numbers roughly equivalent to Clinton’s era PAX Americana when we were not killing people who declared war on us.
Oh my god, how can one be so naïve. Here is one good reason. After studying the numbers it has become apparent that our ignorant fool of a President is normalizing the budget process. That is, he is lucking into a process that is more predictable. To summarize:
| February | to Date | Change | Annual Projection | |
| Revenues: | $126 | $961 | +10.0% | $2,646,249 |
| Expenditures: | $231 | $1,108 | +1.5% | $2,707,464 |
| Deficit: | $105 | $147 | -32.5% | -81% |
Now here is a very odd thought.It is very conceivable that expenditures will be in the $218 Billion range and revenues in the $128 Billion range. That will result in: Revenue:
| February | to Date | Change | Annual Projection | |
| Revenues: | $128 | $962 | +10.2% | $2,719,543 |
| Expenditures: | $218 | $1,094 | -2.0% | $2,707,464 |
| Deficit: | $90 | $132 | -39.5% | -104% |
Folks, at those numbers we are looking at a surplus in September 2007.
Me still thinks we will run a small deficit. There will be a supplemental for our egregious war on civilization – one that occurs later this year than in years past. But, the deficit will be so minimal as to be rounding error. However, one can hope that Byrd and Stevens can’t get it together to carve up the pork on their serving plate. So far, the split leadership can’t agree on who gets which cuts. Maybe the big eaters will starve for a year, eh…
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Internal Intrigue/External Failure...
Re(1): 'The Truce is Over', The Belmont Club, Wretchard T.C.
Re(2): '"Supporting the Troops" Means... Supporting the Troops', My Sandmen, Major Mike
Internal intrigues are not the true equal to external dangers.
Intrigue simply paves the way for externally driven destruction. When internal conflict seems more at hand than the external enemy we focus on the internal. However, it is the outside threat that destroys a state, a culture, a civilization.
Ask these questions:
Why is the Hagia Sofia a mosque?
Do you respect the Greek Navy?
Why is Latin a dead language?
So, a vocal minority and the silly masses in America compete ever more belligerently in a forty year long culture war while various external threats smolder. Many discount – or prejudge as inconsequential and ineffective – the external threats we face to our state, our culture, and our civilization. But, the threat of rolling back ‘the Great Leap Forward’ brings out the battle standards.
So, think this through. Our culture can internally shift more traditional – but progressives can continue to agitate for goals in-line with that value structure. Our culture values that agitation. Our culture requires that agitation. However, enemies outside our cultural umbrella do not respect and do not value much of anything fought over in the Culture War. They want to see it end.
Why is an Illini not an Indian?
Where is the Christmas Pageant?
Is there anything worth fighting for?
Re(2): '"Supporting the Troops" Means... Supporting the Troops', My Sandmen, Major Mike
Internal intrigues are not the true equal to external dangers.
Intrigue simply paves the way for externally driven destruction. When internal conflict seems more at hand than the external enemy we focus on the internal. However, it is the outside threat that destroys a state, a culture, a civilization.
Ask these questions:
Why is the Hagia Sofia a mosque?
Do you respect the Greek Navy?
Why is Latin a dead language?
So, a vocal minority and the silly masses in America compete ever more belligerently in a forty year long culture war while various external threats smolder. Many discount – or prejudge as inconsequential and ineffective – the external threats we face to our state, our culture, and our civilization. But, the threat of rolling back ‘the Great Leap Forward’ brings out the battle standards.
So, think this through. Our culture can internally shift more traditional – but progressives can continue to agitate for goals in-line with that value structure. Our culture values that agitation. Our culture requires that agitation. However, enemies outside our cultural umbrella do not respect and do not value much of anything fought over in the Culture War. They want to see it end.
Why is an Illini not an Indian?
Where is the Christmas Pageant?
Is there anything worth fighting for?
Friday, February 16, 2007
Thermopylae/Herdonia- And Choices Made...
Re(1): '17 Republicans Join the White Flag Caucus ', Victory Caucus, NZ Bear
Re(2): 'Battle of Thermopylae', Wikipedia
Re(3): 'Battle of Herdonia', Wikipedia
When sending men off to battle Spartan women told their men to come home with your shield or on it. The men were to fight and return with dignity or die trying.
However, You never drop your shield…
Simply put, you die when you drop your shield.
You die an inglorious death. A death without dignity or meaning. You do not face the enemy with your armor. You have nobody protecting your flanks. You get stabbed in the back – by an unforgiving victor. That enemy then moves onward – ever closer to your home and hearth. Dropping shields and fleeing fields resulted in the greatest massacres in military history. And, each coward's last thought is this truth.
The Libs have for years whined about the martial apect of American sports. They hate the reality that while on the court you can win, you can lose, but you do not quit…
The following Republicans dropped their shields today:
Re(2): 'Battle of Thermopylae', Wikipedia
Re(3): 'Battle of Herdonia', Wikipedia
When sending men off to battle Spartan women told their men to come home with your shield or on it. The men were to fight and return with dignity or die trying.
However, You never drop your shield…
Simply put, you die when you drop your shield.
You die an inglorious death. A death without dignity or meaning. You do not face the enemy with your armor. You have nobody protecting your flanks. You get stabbed in the back – by an unforgiving victor. That enemy then moves onward – ever closer to your home and hearth. Dropping shields and fleeing fields resulted in the greatest massacres in military history. And, each coward's last thought is this truth.
The Libs have for years whined about the martial apect of American sports. They hate the reality that while on the court you can win, you can lose, but you do not quit…
The following Republicans dropped their shields today:
Representative James T. WalshThey shall only be remembered because they will never be forgiven…
Phone: 202-225-3701
Fax: 202-225-4042
Web Email
Representative Walter Jones
Phone: 202-225-3415
Fax: 202-225-3286
Web Email
Representative Wayne Gilchrest
Phone: 202-225-5311
Fax: 202-225-0254
Web Email
Representative Michael Castle
Phone: 202-225-4165
Fax: 202-225-2291
Web Email
Representative Richard (Ric) Keller
Phone: 202-225-2176
Fax: 202-225-0999
Web Email
Representative Philip Sheridan English
Phone: 202-225-5406
Fax: 202-225-3103
Web Email
Representative Ronald Ernest Paul
Phone: 202-225-2831
Web Email
Representative Frederick Stephen Upton
Phone: 202-225-3761
Fax: 202-225-4986
Web Email
Representative Thomas M. Davis
Phone: 202-225-1492
Fax: 202-225-3071
Web Email
Representative Mark Kirk
Phone: 202-225-4835
Fax: 202-225-0837
Web Email
Representative Howard Coble
Phone: 202-225-3065
Fax: 202-225-8611
Web Email
Representative John J. Duncan Jr.
Phone: 202-225-5435
Fax: 202-225-6440
Web Email
Representative James Ramstad
Phone: 202-225-2871
Fax: 202-225-6351
Web Email
Representative Steven C. LaTOURETTE
Phone: 202-225-5731
Fax: 202-225-3307
Web Email
Representative Robert Inglis
Phone: 202-225-6030
Fax: 202-226-1177
Web Email
Representative Timothy V. Johnson
Phone: 202-225-2371
Fax: 202-226-0791
Web Email
Representative Thomas Petri
Phone: 202-225-2476
Fax: 202-225-2356
Web Email
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Sorry Libs, the Federal Budget is Balancing!!!
Re(1): 'Monthly Treasury Statement numbers for the first four months of FY2007'
Re(2): 'Federal Budget Slashing in Progress', Me
Re(3): 'Watching the Deficit', Me
Re(4): 'Brad and Other Libs Miss Deficit by Just 39%!!!' Me
Re(5): 'Budget Deficit Estimation' (FY2006), Me
Here comes another Monthly Treasury Statement - and, yes Randi Rhodent listeners, the Monthly Treasury Statement includes all the 'Emergency Supplimentals' for the War or whatever. Please, dear Rhodents, don't send me estimated budgets that still project a $423 Billion deficit for FY2006 - those numbers are all in and you lost...
So the MTS balance sheet will magically appear at 0900 EST on February 12 - the eighth working day after the end of the month. If you are reading this prior to that date/time Do Not Click. It ain't there. This is a premonition.
Here are the predictions:
I think the 2% growth in Federal spending will hold this year. Even the Libs can't spend all the money allocated to their pet projects. And, the military will not be able to spend all that is thrown their way - for the second year in a row!!!
I now think we will have about 11% revenue growth in FY2007.
Please note the sweet spot in the above chart. Recent trends indicate that the Monthly Treasury Statement numbers for the running deficit first four months of FY2007 will be about 1/3rd of the total deficit - no big surprise, eh... However, posting large December/January back to back surpluses portend very good things...
My projections for a $60 Billion deficit imply a $40 Billion dollar surplus for January.
That will match with the $44 Billion surplus for December.
Good things are happening...
Re(2): 'Federal Budget Slashing in Progress', Me
Re(3): 'Watching the Deficit', Me
Re(4): 'Brad and Other Libs Miss Deficit by Just 39%!!!' Me
Re(5): 'Budget Deficit Estimation' (FY2006), Me
Here comes another Monthly Treasury Statement - and, yes Randi Rhodent listeners, the Monthly Treasury Statement includes all the 'Emergency Supplimentals' for the War or whatever. Please, dear Rhodents, don't send me estimated budgets that still project a $423 Billion deficit for FY2006 - those numbers are all in and you lost...
So the MTS balance sheet will magically appear at 0900 EST on February 12 - the eighth working day after the end of the month. If you are reading this prior to that date/time Do Not Click. It ain't there. This is a premonition.
Here are the predictions:
- Individual Income Tax Revenue will increase (~10%)...
- Social Security Payroll Tax Revenue will increase (~10%)...
- Corporate Income Tax Revenue will increase significantly (~20%)...
- and, split government will limit the increase of Federal Spending to 2%
| Growth | Revenue | Expenditures | Deficit | |
| FY2006 | 2,406,675 | 2,654,873 | -248,197 | |
| FY2007 | +8% | 2,599,209 | 2,707,970 | -108,761 |
| +9% | 2,623,276 | -84,694 | ||
| +10% | 2,647,343 | -60,627 | ||
| +11% | 2,671,409 | -36,561 | ||
| +12% | 2,695,476 | -12,494 | ||
| +13% | 2,719,543 | +11,573 | ||
| +14% | 2,743,610 | +35,640 | ||
| +15% | 2,767,676 | +59,706 |
I think the 2% growth in Federal spending will hold this year. Even the Libs can't spend all the money allocated to their pet projects. And, the military will not be able to spend all that is thrown their way - for the second year in a row!!!
I now think we will have about 11% revenue growth in FY2007.
Please note the sweet spot in the above chart. Recent trends indicate that the Monthly Treasury Statement numbers for the running deficit first four months of FY2007 will be about 1/3rd of the total deficit - no big surprise, eh... However, posting large December/January back to back surpluses portend very good things...
My projections for a $60 Billion deficit imply a $40 Billion dollar surplus for January.
That will match with the $44 Billion surplus for December.
Good things are happening...
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Hamas - 'A Man We Can Deal With'!!!
Re(1): 'Of Course', The Belmont Club, Wretchard T.C.
Re(2): 'Hamas Wants West to End Blockade', The Age
Progress It Is!!!
"We have agreed with the Saudis to market this agreement internationally."
"We will never recognize Israel. There is nothing called Israel"
"We, in the Hamas movement, will not abide by anything."
I don’t know…
Bring on Jimmy…
Only Time will tell!!!
Re(2): 'Hamas Wants West to End Blockade', The Age
Progress It Is!!!
"We have agreed with the Saudis to market this agreement internationally."
Hamas will market New Terror!!! A more overt, state sponsored, and state
protected variant of the barbarism they currently aspire too. Maybe they can use
AP to Photoshop the old 'New Coke' ads to save money!!!
"We will never recognize Israel. There is nothing called Israel"
That is an agreement all Fascists can start with. Actually, not all Fascists.
Many Fascists find other scapegoats - but the real ones can always hearken to
the golden oldie!!! We westerners can dust off the Chamberlain backgrounders on
how to deal with Fascists – especially when we identify ‘a man we can work
with’. Heck, maybe dust off the ‘Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact’ if we are really
adventurous and/or duplicitous!
"We, in the Hamas movement, will not abide by anything."
There always has to be a starting point, eh. The Global Community has to find
the lowest common denominator to initiate a frank and open discussion. I think
this might be the lowest common denominator ever brought into the peace process.
Maybe even a bit lower than ceding a sovereign nation to Nazi Germany.
I don’t know…
Bring on Jimmy…
Only Time will tell!!!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
The Arkin Man and His Poison...
Re(1): ‘The Troops Also Need to Support the American People, Washington Post, A Blitzed William Arkin
Re(2): 'The Arrogant and Intolerant Speak Out', Washington Post, Arkin in the Drunk Tank
Re(3): 'A Note to My Readers', Washington Post, A William Arkin under treatment
I am on a bender too!!!
Not really…
But I am enjoying a glass of ‘Beaulieu Vineyard 2004 Beauzeaux’ that to my pitiful palette is very good. Very good indeed…
But why admit to Boozin’ While Bloggin’?
Because, a Mr. Arkin seems to have the same affliction.
Mr. Arkin posted an ‘Early Warning’ on the WoPo blog while on an end-game drunk. The one question I had (that I attempted to post, but was not permitted to) revolved around a bit too much booze and a whole lotta prune juice. I thought he emptied his shit-bag of an 'id' on the crap paper we know as the Washington Post. Oh, well… I probably should have softened my tone...
So, Arkin sobers up a bit yesterday and writes an apology – sort of… It is I who is arrogant. Not he. While I have never, will never, and can never, have the honor of serving my nation in the military I still take affront to this. He accomplished this feat of excellence one day after a full on slobbering binge – but only sober enough to create complete sentences of acceptable structure. Must have been difficult, though…
And now, our hero – the Arkin Man – has sobered to the point on quasi-apology. But, how do you apologize for stating what you believe? You can’t….
I love it when some brilliant piece of shit - one I could decimate on any topic - informs me to appreciate his betters. Since this blog entry is the first to cuss I will puctuate it with a hearty Fuck You to the Arkin Man...
I hope there is a 12 Step Program for Boozin’ Haters of America…
Yeah, that’s the ticket…
Re(2): 'The Arrogant and Intolerant Speak Out', Washington Post, Arkin in the Drunk Tank
Re(3): 'A Note to My Readers', Washington Post, A William Arkin under treatment
I am on a bender too!!!
Not really…
But I am enjoying a glass of ‘Beaulieu Vineyard 2004 Beauzeaux’ that to my pitiful palette is very good. Very good indeed…
But why admit to Boozin’ While Bloggin’?
Because, a Mr. Arkin seems to have the same affliction.
Mr. Arkin posted an ‘Early Warning’ on the WoPo blog while on an end-game drunk. The one question I had (that I attempted to post, but was not permitted to) revolved around a bit too much booze and a whole lotta prune juice. I thought he emptied his shit-bag of an 'id' on the crap paper we know as the Washington Post. Oh, well… I probably should have softened my tone...
So, Arkin sobers up a bit yesterday and writes an apology – sort of… It is I who is arrogant. Not he. While I have never, will never, and can never, have the honor of serving my nation in the military I still take affront to this. He accomplished this feat of excellence one day after a full on slobbering binge – but only sober enough to create complete sentences of acceptable structure. Must have been difficult, though…
And now, our hero – the Arkin Man – has sobered to the point on quasi-apology. But, how do you apologize for stating what you believe? You can’t….
I love it when some brilliant piece of shit - one I could decimate on any topic - informs me to appreciate his betters. Since this blog entry is the first to cuss I will puctuate it with a hearty Fuck You to the Arkin Man...
I hope there is a 12 Step Program for Boozin’ Haters of America…
Yeah, that’s the ticket…
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