So That...What?

A number of years ago, while in a strategic planning meeting, my then-supervisor stated thusly:

"We do this, so that___. If you can't fill in the blank, then you shouldn't be doing what you're doing."

Enter Mark Dayton.

Despite the fact that the MN GOP-controlled legislature has given Governor Dayton everything he wants in terms of both K-12 spending and health care spending, and despite the GOP's dropping of their demands for tax relief in their budget, Governor Dayton remains singularly, myopically hyperfocused on one battle cry: "Tax the rich!"

Now, back to my boss' axiom:

"Mark Dayton wants to impose job-killing tax hikes on the 'rich' so that______"

Mr. Dayton has yet to fill in the blank.

Now, given the fact that Governor Dayton has received nearly everything he wants in terms of spending, whatever is left, no matter how sensical, must be the reason for his continued insistence on his tax increase, that will necessarily kill Minnesota jobs. We are left with these three possibilities with which to fill in the blank:

1. Mark Dayton wants to tax the "rich," to tax the rich.
2. Mark Dayton wants to utilize the tax increase as an excuse to shut down government so as to teach Minnesotans a "lesson" that in his mind will somehow ensure democrat majorities for years to come.
3. Both of the above.

Given that Mark Dayton is who he is, a trust-fund limousine socialist, and given that democratic majorities in the state houses will assuredly increase the chances of his agenda moving forward, I would necessarily say that possibility number 3 fits the bill.

However, Dayton has never been known with being the brightest bulb on the chandelier. Dayton is counting on the notion that Minnesotans will pin any chaos and/or inconvenience of a government shutdown on the GOP-led legislature, and that Minnesotans are not aware nor intelligent enough to be able to put two and two together (projection is yet another fatal flaw in the liberal psyche). Given, however, that the most recent KSTP-TV/USA-Today poll reveals that only 8 percent of Minnesotans favor an increase in spending, beyond some unionized state workers, Dayton will necessarily have to look far and wide to find a critical mass of Minnesotans that will be sympathetic to his cause.

In the end, in terms of practicality, Mark Dayton may indeed sadly find that he wanted to increase taxes so that democrats will remain in minority status in perpetuity.

Governor Dayton's Scorched Earth Policy

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton is fast surpassing former governor Rudy Perpich in the race for the title of, "Governor Goofy." There were reasons that he was voted as being one of the five "worst Senators" in the United States Senate, and those reasons are coming full circle in his dismal performance and abdication of his responsibilities as Governor. Gary Gross notes:

If this article is accurate, then Gov. Dayton has just brought upon himself a constitutional crisis. Here's what caught my attention:

Ramsey District Judge Kathleen Gearin will hear Dayton's request on June 23 -- just one week before state funds start to run out.

In her petition, Swanson asked the court to fund a broad expanse of state services and appoint a "special master" -- essentially a shutdown referee, to sort the details.

Dayton offered a different solution in his petition.

"Order the parties to mediate," Dayton asked the court. He suggested former Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz or former Associate Justice James Gilbert to act as court-appointed mediators. Swanson had asked that Gilbert be appointed special master.

Only if mediation fails, Dayton's brief said, should the court infringe "on the constitutional powers of the legislative and executive departments."

It is quite clear that Governor Dayton (despite his initial bloviating) has had it in his feeble, twisted mind to shut down the government on purpose, from the get-go, as part of a planned, perverted game of chicken, seemingly using the resultant denial of state services to maximize the discomfort and to teach Minnesotans some kind of twisted lesson as to the "danger" of conservative principles of limited government and to instill the perceived need for un-checked, unbridled, unsustainable big brother government for generations to come.

At the outset of his election win, many people, including many conservatives, argued that since Dayton wasn't the endorsed DFL candidate, that he would not be beholden to the DFL, and would thus be 'less partisan', more 'level headed,' and 'easier to work with.'

Truth be told, I never bought that notion for a nanosecond. Dayton may not have been the endorsed DFL candidate for governor; but Dayton is, always has been, and always will be, a dyed-in-the-wool (albeit incompetent) socialist, with an indefatigable belief in the primacy of the State and its all-encompassing role in people's lives. And he's not above inconveniencing and/or making Minnesotans downright suffer to twistedly impose his ideology.

Wednesday Hero Blogburst 6-15-2011

Tech. Sergeants Abner Berrios & Alan Hunter


Tech. Sergeants Abner Berrios (left) and Alan Hunter display their letter perfect "black-letter initial" aircraft checklists at Pope Field, N.C. In an effort to set a positive example for the unit's newer crew chiefs and members, the two used their professional rivalry to try to out-work and out-inspect each other. The end result was the rarity of both crew chiefs obtaining discrepency free checklists. Both sergeants are crew chiefs with the 440th Airlift Wing.

Photo Courtesy AF.mil Taken By Staff Sgt. Peter Miller

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.
Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Could this be why Romney refuses to renounce man-made global warming?

Erin Haust of the Minneapolis Conservative examiner has done some digging, that more than sheds light on Romney's allegiance to the hysteria that is man-made global warming:

Most news outlets and political pundits are talking about Romney's "belief in man-made climate change" but there is a more practical explanation for his affection for Mother Earth.

Romney has a financial stake in the success of climate change legislation.

Since 1977, Romney has been employed by or been CEO of the consulting firm Bain & Company or its spinoff Bain Capital which Romney co-founded in 1984. Bain & Company and Bain Capital LLC are profitable to the tune of billions of dollars and have offices all over the world.

(Continue reading here)

In my book, this is more than enough to tell me that when it comes to choosing a Republican Presidential candidate for 2012, Romney is more than worth panning.

Wednesday Hero Blogburst

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Pet

Col. Van T. Barfoot
91 years old from Henrico County, Virginia
157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division


In December 2009 Van T. Barfoot made national headlines when he wanted to fly his American flag in his yard but was told to take it down by his homeowners association. It's still flying proudly today. But that's just one small event in the life of Mr. Barfoot. Long before he decided to fly that flag he defended it during W.W.II.

Barfoot joined the Army in 1940 and was shipped to Italy in 1943 where distinguished himself in 1944 when, in the course of a single day, he advanced alone through a minefield, took out a German machine gun with a hand grenade, single handily killed eight German soldiers, captured seventeen, disabled a tank with a bazooka and then returned to his own lines and helped two of his own wounded squad members. All which earned him the Medal Of Honor. So it comes as no surprise that when he wanted to fly the American fly he wasn't going to take no for an answer.


You can read more about Col. Barfoot here

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero Blogburst 5-25-2011

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Michael

First Lieutenant Audie Murphy
3rd Platoon, Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division
June 20, 1924 – May 28, 1971


Most people know Audie Murphy as a popular actor, but before that he was a highly distinguished Soldier in WWII. First Lieutenant Murphy was, in fact, the most decorated American Soldier in the war earning a total of 39 medals from the U.S., France and Belgium. He was awarded every medal the U.S. had at the time including 2 Silver Stars, 2 Bronze Hearts, 3 Purple Hearts and the Medal Of Honor.

You can read more about First Lieutenant Murphy here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Separated at Birth?

Senator Henry Waxman, and "Batboy"

SEALS Under the bus in 3...2...1....

That the Obama administration suddenly 'hearts' the Navy Seals is laughable:

Now the admin is saying the decision to kill OBL was not Obama's decision, but the decision of Seal Team 6; even though Obama himself took credit for every aspect of the operation during his speech on Sunday.

Anyone want to make book as to how long it will be before the Obama administration totally throws Seal Team 6 under the bus?

Navy SEALs Face Assault Charges for Capturing Most-Wanted Terrorist

www.foxnews.com

Navy SEALs have secretly captured one of the most wanted terrorist in Iraq the alleged mastermind of the murder and mutilation of four Blackwater USA security guards in Fallujah in 2004.

Wednesday Hero Blogburst 5-4-2011

Sgt. Jorge A. Diaz


Sgt. Jorge A. Diaz, a squad leader with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, receives a Bronze Star Medal with Combat V from Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck, Jr., commanding general, III Marine Expeditionary Force, during Glueck's visit to Marine Corps Base Hawaii with Sgt. Maj. Daniel J. Fierle, III MEF sergeant major, April 28, 2011. Diaz received the award for heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Sept. 17, 2010.

Photo Courtesy Of Marines.mil

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wolves In Sheep's Clothing...

On many weekends during the Bush administration, the group "Pax Christie," would stage antiwar protests in front of our local Barnes & Noble. When asked of their intentions, they would state that their beef wasn't with then-President George W. Bush, but rather they were against war in all its forms.

Curiously, they continue to be absent since the election of Barack Obama.

Oh, they would say that since Obama's election, a new era of hope and change had emerged; that protests are no longer necessary.

Yet, since Obama’s election, there has been an escalation of the war in Afghanistan--and now in Libya, where Muammar Khaddaffy's son and three grandchildren were recently killed at a "family gathering." Guantanamo Bay remains open for business. Even an extra-legal assassination of a well-known Al Qaeda leader took place in a foreign country without U.N. approval!

Yet, the shadows of Pax Christi members still remain absent from the grassy knoll in front of Barnes & Noble. The makeshift caskets, pictures of civilians killed, and "NO BLOOD FOR OIL!" signs have vanished. Even the omnipresent NO-HALLIBURTON signs no longer grace the area, though the 'evil' bogeyman continues to provide logistical support for the wars.

Not a single word of protest. Zip. Zero. Nada.

Could it be that members of "Pax Christi" actually had a political axe to grind; that their protestations and concern over war and its accompanying horrors were secondary, at best, to whomever occupied 2600 Pennsylvania Avenue?

Perish the thought.

I'm sure their intentions are as pure as the wind-driven snow-- that they have a vegan cooking class to make every Saturday, or that the batteries in their Prius died and they are patiently awaiting their exchange.

Yeah. That must be it.

A Tree Is Known by Its Fruit
Lk. 6.43, 44
15	¶ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16	Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17	Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18	A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19	Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Mt. 3.10 · Lk. 3.9
20	Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Mt. 12.33

Wednesday Hero Blogburst 4-20-2011

Capt. Lawrence Rollo


Capt. Lawrence Rollo cradles a Nigerian baby while visiting with locals during a community relations project at the Light of Dawn Government Junior Secondary School Tomarow as part of Africa Partnership Station (APS) West. APS is an international security cooperation initiative designed to strengthen global maritime partnerships through training and collaborative activities to improve maritime safety and security in Africa.

Information And Photo Courtesy U.S. Navy. Taken by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Darryl Wood

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday Hero Blogburst 4-13-2011

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Steve

Lt. Col. Charles L. Brown
86 years old from Miami, Florida
October 24, 1922 - November 24, 2008


For extraordinary heroism in military operations in WWII he was awarded the Air Force Cross our nations award for valor second only to the Medal of Honor. He flew 29 combat missions as a B-17 pilot. His many other military decorations included the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat. Upon being offered a position with the United States Department of State he took early retirement from the Air Force and continued to serve his nation as a senior Foreign Service Officer spending six years in Southeast Asia as Inspector-In- Charge, Agency for International Development, U.S. Dept. of State

Sadly couldn't find too much information on Lt. Col. Brown. The best source was his obituary.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Feed Your Family on $10 Billion Per Day...

Must. Read. From. I o w a h a w k

Obama Hearts Dead Babies.

The title of this post may sound like so much hyperbole, but what other conclusion can one come to?

The American Principles Project (APP) Wednesday criticized the Obama administration for allowing the elimination of $600 million for Community Health Centers while protecting funding for Planned Parenthood as part of last week’s budget deal agreed to by Congress and the White House.

Touting Planned Parenthood as a key women’s health-care provider, Democrats held firm to their promise not to allow cuts to the nation’s largest abortion provider. Community Health Centers, which do not perform abortions, provide health services to the needy — including mammograms and pre- and post-natal care.

According to the American Principles Project last year Community Health Centers performed 320,000 mammograms while Planned Parenthood did none.

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2011/04/13/white-house-protects-abortion-provider-allows-cuts-to-community-health-centers/#ixzz1JRYVzxjY

Unlike the blatant lie that Planned Parenthood president Cecele Richards told, Planned Parenthood performs no mammograms. Aside from a few ancillary condoms given out, abortion is, by and large, Planned Parenthood’s Business.

Remember, as an Illinois legislator, Obama voted three times AGAINST the Born Alive Protection Act. In other words, Barack Hussein Obama was quite OK letting a live-aborted baby perish on a gurney or in a trash can, rather than offer it life support.

Obama, beyond a shadow of a doubt, is the most pro-abortion, pro-dead-baby President we have ever had. Period.

His latest act of fealty toward the nation’s most prodigious killer of developing human beings, ostensibly in the name of ‘women’s health,’ to the detriment of organizations that actually provide services geared toward women’s health, is added testament to Obama’s ghoulish psyche.

The Democrats' Continuing War on Children

I’ve always maintained that if there was anyone who had it in for kids, it was the liberal democrat. It is actually my contention that liberal democrats have been waging war against children for decades now, on a number of fronts. On one front, it is their ceaseless support for abortion. On yet another front, it is their insistence on padding their own political fortunes on the backs of the children who actually are fortunate enough to survive the womb, by willingly piling mountains of debt on their progeny for the sole reason of maintaining a stranglehold on their own political power. On yet another front, you have the liberal democrat waging war on children by indoctrinating them; thereby ensuring that they grow up to be nihilistic dolts; unable to sustain a self-determinant and independent lifestyle; thinking that they don’t stand a chance without the limousine liberal establishment being on hand to ‘level the playing field‘ for them.

These are tough times for Minnesota schools. In Lakeville, for example, the school board recently announced wrenching cuts of almost $7 million. Ninety-four teachers will lose their jobs, arts programs will suffer and a school will be closed. There was wailing and gnashing of teeth, but the board set its jaw: There’s not a dime for anything extra.

Unless you’ve got an ax to grind with white folks. Then the money spigots open. The Lakeville schools are sending a delegation of teachers to the 12th annual “White Privilege Conference” at the Bloomington Sheraton from April 13-16. The district is shelling out $160 a pop — plus $125 a day for teacher subs — for this “white guilt” festival.

Aside from being a textbook example of a situation literally screaming for a “Don’t tell me we don’t have any money!” rejoinder, this is also a textbook example of the type of war that the liberal democrat is waging on society by targeting society’s children, even at times going so far as to feature books endorsed by former unrepentant Weather Underground terrorists.

So the next time you see a liberal democrat hiding behind a child to advance his or her agenda, know that the last thing on their mind is the protection of that child and that child’s interest.

Know rather that it is the child who is in their crosshairs.