Wallace and Gromit Music Video

Snowzilla

Now this is impressive. Snowzilla (22 feet high) in Anchorage Alaska.

Restaurant Review

Check out the best three restaurants in Huntsville. Well, the best to take a date (or maybe your wife too)--Ha!

Sometimes Pizza is the ticket, sometimes Mexican, but sometimes you just have to step it up a notch:


Really, I don't eat at fancy places like this much, but Huntsville is blessed to have some surprisingly exceptional restaurants. Others I like in Huntsville are Little Rosies and Cantina Laredo for Mexican, Surin of Thailand, and for faster fare, nothin' but noodles, Jason's Deli, and Cheeburger-Cheeburger.

Cyber Attack?

This is worrisome:









U.S. not ready for cyber attack

Now this is some real money

I think Washington has gone mad. This is an enormous amount of money to borrow. It's not only Obama, but he certainly needs some new "advisors".

Obamas Economic Advisers Considering TRILLION Dollar Stimulus Plan

How Much Sorrow?

This man lost his whole family in a tragic accident. Pray for him. This is soo sad, but I do admire the way he is handling such a loss.




Also read more here:

San Diego Tribune

Great music, Great Movie

Cadillac CTS

This is an awesome car:

Pay it Forward

Monster Wave-- DUDE!

This is Awesome:






Surfer Takes 41 Foot Monster Wave--Lives to Tell Tale

Try this one:

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Election 2008 is Over.

Election 2008 is Over.

This year:

1. I contributed to a political campaign for the first time ever.
2. I found a presidential candidate I felt could lead the country effectively.
3. I somehow, by the grace of God, became a delegate to the national convention and that was an experience of a lifetime.
4. I actually got to meet a presidential candidate in person.
5. Disappointment at the results- I am relieved the senate dems. do not have a supermajority.
6. I fear for my country's future. Our economic competitiveness, our national defense, our fiscal debt, the drift towards socialism.
7. I am concerned for the state of journalism in this country.
8. I am Glad--for my African American friends. Though I wish him the best, I fear Obama will not live up to expectations. Still, it can never be said this country would deny election on the basis of color.

I look on this defeat as a challenge to improve, to organize (which is essential in politics these days), to come back stronger than ever.

3 year old SARAH PALIN!!!

CUTE!!!

Arnold and Ditka

How Low Can You Go?

Ever Changing definitions--simply class warfare.



People once committed to a candidate (or anything) are ashamed to admit they were incorrect in their original assessment. They will "convince" themselves that the other campaign is negative, rather than accept the arguments of the other campaign as valid---because if they do, they admit an error in their own judgement.

So, yes, there will be a few that do see the light, but it may take time, ie, past the election on Tuesday for them to accept they made a major error and were just swept up in the crowd.

Fireproof (2008) movie trailer

We saw this the other night. It's a great movie. Kirk Cameron was great and the other actors did very well considering they were amateurs and volunteers. It's a little preachy, but who cares? Other good films by this group include Facing the Giants and Flywheel.

Huckabee Show, Aaron Tippin Performs

Check out this song!

McCain's Speech

This is text of the end of McCain's acceptance speech. I think everyone should read this:

I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else's. I loved it not just for the many comforts of life here. I loved it for its decency, for its faith in the wisdom, justice, and goodness of its people.

I loved it because it was not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for. I was never the same again; I wasn't my own man anymore; I was my country's.

I'm not running for president because I think I'm blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need.

My country saved me. My country saved me, and I cannot forget it. And I will fight for her for as long as I draw breath, so help me God.

My friends, if you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you're disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and work to correct them. Enlist...

Enlist in our Armed Forces. Become a teacher. Enter the ministry. Run for public office. Feed a hungry child. Teach an -- an illiterate adult to read. Comfort the afflicted. Defend the rights of the oppressed. Our country will be the better, and you will be the happier, because nothing brings greater happiness in life than to serve a cause greater than yourself.

I'm going to fight for my cause every day as your president. I'm going to fight to make sure every American has every reason to thank God, as I thank him, that I'm an American, a proud citizen of the greatest country on Earth. And with hard work -- with hard word, strong faith, and a little courage, great things are always within our reach. Fight with me. Fight with me.

Fight for what's right for our country. Fight for the ideals and character of a free people.

Fight for our children's future. Fight for justice and opportunity for all.

Stand up to defend our country from its enemies. Stand up for each other, for beautiful, blessed, bountiful America.

Stand up, stand up, stand up, and fight.

Nothing is inevitable here. We're Americans, and we never give up.
We never quit.
We never hide from history. We make history.

Thank you, and God bless you, and God bless America.

Do we have to act?--Unfortunately, Yes

Over the past few weeks and this economic crisis, I have done a lot of research and talked to some very knowledgeable people on all this. These are my current conclusions:

1. The first "bailout" bill was not a good bill. It is good that it did not fly.
2. The revised "buyout" bill that failed yesterday, was better. A much different beast.
3. Most importantly we need to have some significant bill to deal with this credit crunch. My initial reaction was the market will work it out--no federal involvement. Although I still see this perspective and share it's goals, I also see that something major needs to be done-
4. What to be done now? My hope is that although we conservatives would like a drastically different solution (capital gains tax reduction, etc) a pragmatic approach would be to fight to at least have these items in a revised/improved/passable bill-

a. --Change the Mark to Market accounting rules.
b. --Increase the FDIC insurance limits from $100,000 to $250,000
c. --Endorse an insurance plan funded by wall street to cover a significant portion of these potential losses from bad mortgages (some of this is there now).Dave Ramsey has an interesting take on all this on his web site "common sense plan"
d.--There will still likely need to be federal money to buyout the mortgages--I do not like this, but from the advice I have obtained, the President is correct in that the Government is the one that can wait out the markets and sell the properties when the market rises. All this restoring liquidity, etc. I am hoping the insurance provision can do the job without the buyout, but I am doubtful. I am worried about possible problems down the pike with all this federal involvement.
e.--as part of this or a separate piece of legislation-repeal Sarbaines/Oxley?

This "plan" is much better than the original and is politically pragmatic ie. enough so that Republicans AND, yes, enough Democrats will support it. IF the politics and Nancy Pelosi get out of the way, this bill will pass and we can move on. Inaction is not an option.

*Update April 2009--I was wrong. We should not have acted, at least not in this bailout way. It has gotten way out of hand.

Obama Missile Defense Flip-Flop

Huntsville needs to see this. Obama is unreliable and does NOT support Missle Defense!

John McCain Discusses His Bracelet

China Rising Dragon

While we were "debating" last evening, China marches forward with their space program. I hope the USA will wake up and support NASA and not let us fall behind.

McCain just won the election

I was at first confused. Good grief, I am looking forward to the Friday--why delay?

McCain just won the election. It hit me when Dick Morris said as much on Orielly:

1. McCain suspends campaign--Rides into Washington (on white horse)? to actually work.

2. Obama says --call me if you need me--I'm not that important.

3. McCain and the Republicans will be on the same page and a (hopefully more reasonable package will pass to help the mortgage crisis). McCain gets credit. (I don't want a big bailout, but some kind of plan is needed)

4. McCain may or may not go to the debate, but has seized the initiative--the bill will eventually pass soon and the stock market will soar--(they don't like unknowns). Problem "fixed" at least in the short run.

5. Obama is left looking like the politician he is.

Hmmmm

$700 Billion for what?

My opinion:

I fear the 700 billion dollar proposal to buy up bad debt of wall street companies is a bad idea as it is presently constructed. They should not do this. They should protect bank deposits, and increase liquidity. Once this monster is created, it will never go away. Why should taxpayers pay for investment bank's bad decisions? Well, I am at least sympathetic to them because it was bad lawmaking that encouraged their bad banking practices.

Oh, Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac should have never been created as they were in the first place. They need to break up these companies and make them private, not governmental and not the quasi public institutions they were. If anyone has more perspective on all this, please fill me in.

See here:

Newt's response

Masterful Timepieces

This is my next watch. Greubel Forsey Quadruple Tourbillon a' differential. Oh, it's only about $500,000



Or maybe this one, the Jaeger LeCoultre Gyrotourbillon (it's only $395,000):

Vice President Cheney in Huntsville

President Bush was to attend a reception today for Wayne Parker and Jay Love, two congressional candidates in Alabama. Bush could not attend so VP Cheney was there instead. I was at the reception when Vice President Cheney visited today. The husband of one of my staff memebers got an award presented by the VP!

Cheney Visit to Huntsville

At the reception today, he spoke about the fact that it was his (tie-breaking) vote in the senate, that passed the tax stimulus package just after the 2001 attacks. He also reminded us that the New York Times revealed our terrorist surveillance program even after the president sat down with them and looked them in the eye, and asked them NOT to do so in order to protect the us. They did it anyways, and got a pulitzer prize to boot!

This kind of mentality knows no bounds of propriety, privacy or morality. It's no surprise Gov. Palin has fallen victim to this criminal despicable activity (hacking her e-mail and releasing personal e-mails and family photos).

By the way, President Eisenhower told reporters of the D-day invasion, and asked them not to reveal it till it had started, --they did not say a word. How times change.

Too Cute!

Thank You Minneapolis and St. Paul

I was very surprised to find the people of Minnesota to be very nice--(Minessota nice)?  Y'all were great hosts for the gop convention.  We will have to make you an honorary Southern state for your hospitality.

Mike Huckabee with a Delegate from Alabama Dean Brandon on the floor of the RNC

It's hard to see in this video, but Jason from Huck's Army go this video of me getting my photo with Mike Huckabee. Someone took a flash photo at the same instant Mike's wife snapped our photo. Still it turned out ok.

Wow, I'm tired

It's early here and we have to get to the airport to leave Minnesota. I will post more here (photos/videos/commentary) on the convention later on this week. --need to get home now--Oh, I did meet Gov. Huckabee!

Strange site on the convention floor

I noticed something strange last night--people walking around the floor cannot gain access without proper credentials. These are usually worn around the neck on a laniard. I saw a rather casually dressed young man (jeans and knit shirt), with what appeared to be credentials around his neck. But it was an iphone on a laniard with the image of the GOP elephant! Kind of looked like the credentials worn by most of the delegates. This is pretty surprising that he got on the floor (I suspect without credentials or maybe he did, but put them away)?--no one noticed this guy that I could see. He was out of sight after he passed by. I wonder?

A Big Night

Wednesday evening was a really great night for some pretty big speakers. My impression of them:

Many of the preliminary speakers were very good. Particularly the female Gov. of Hawaii--her memorable line: "Obama is a "Zero" as in zero executive experience, etc. etc. etc.

1. Mitt Romney: good speech, but uninspiring
2. Mike Huckabee: great speech -the hall was much quieter (attentive), much more heartfelt and effective
3. Rudy Giuliani: A real barnburner of a speech--really got the crowd going--harsh contrasts between McCain & Obama--the excitement level increased greatly during the speech--lots of cheering!
4. Sarah Palin: Out of the park speech. After the three previous speakers she knocked a grand slam. The McCain/republican staffers around the hall were trying to to cut off the cheering to get on with the speech (to get more of it into prime time--very hard task as people were in a frenzy of cheering yelling and support. So loud I could not even hear some of her words. An absolute "electric" charge throughout the hall. One of the most amazing scenes I have ever witnessed. John McCain came out at the end, but I tell you he will have a tall order to follow this night. Oh, one more thing if that was not enough--the tele-prompter failed half way through the speech. She finished without it.

The roll call started with our delegation--

The Media

I'll tell you what, I got more photos taken of me and interviews last night due to my funny hat. It certainly attracts attention. I also was evidently on FoxNews during Joe Leiberman's speech.

Later on we went to the Huckabee party where his band, "Capitol Offense" was playing--they really have a good band. Jeff Cook from the band Alabama played guitar and sang too.

Mike Huckabee

Mike Huckabee just spoke at our delegation breakfast. He is a great speaker. Unfortunately, I didn't get a photo with the Governor as there was quite a crowd around him and I was not about to push someone out of the way just to get a photo.  A Joke he told: Walmart is based in Arkansas and he was speaking with the corporate directors who were stating that they were curious that all the ammunition was sold out at all the stores in Alabama. This was puzzling to them.

The reason was revealed when an Alabama Walmart patron said: " Well the Russians have invaded Georgia,--I'll tell you this, they're not gettin' into Alabama if I have anything to say about it!"

GOP Convention--1st session

My quickly edited post the night of the first (very short) session.

GOP Convention-Silly Hats

Silly hats are a must at conventions. I'm going to get buttons and pins and put them on my cool camo booney hat. I don't yet have any McCain buttons yet. --Definitely gonna get some Sarah Palin Buttons ASAP!

* Update Sunday--They have cancelled all speeches for the Monday session out of concern for the hurricane in the gulf. I am quite disappointed--I doubt very much that I will get a chance to wear the funny hat-they want things to be more serious this week.

It IS Sarah!

I am quite pleased that Gov. Palin was selected. She has executive experience and charisma. I am also impressed with John McCain. He showed that in battle, sometimes you have to take a bold move. This is a bold move!

Sarah Palin

My prediction for McCain's VP: SARAH PALIN---

Martin Luther King Jr. was a Republican? --Yes

Yes, MLK was a Republican.  Wow, I didn't know, this is where I found out: Click here to read the story:

Why Martin Luther King Jr. was a Republican

Democratic Convention Schedule

This was e-mailed to me the other day. Sorry to post it, it's a little harsh, but it made me laugh.

2008 Democrat National Convention Schedule of Events

7:00 pm OPENING FLAG BURNING
7:15 pm PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE U.N.
7:20 pm Ted Kennedy PROPOSES A TOAST
7:25 pm NONRELIGIOUS PRAYER AND WORSHIP - Jesse Jackson & Al
Sharpton
7:45 pm CEREMONIAL TREE HUGGING - Darryl Hannah
7:55 pm Ted Kennedy PROPOSES A TOAST
8:00 pm HOW I INVENTED THE INTERNET - Al Gore
8:15 pm GAY WEDDING PLANNING - Rosie O'Donnell
8:35 pm Ted Kennedy PROPOSES A TOAST
8:40 pm OUR TROOPS ARE WAR CRIMINALS - John Kerry
9.00 pm MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR SADDAM AND HIS SONS - Cindy Sheehan
and Susan Sarandon
10:00 pm ANSWERING MACHINE ETIQUETTE - Alec Baldwin
11:00 pm Ted Kennedy PROPOSES A TOAST
11:05 pm COLLECTION FOR THE OSAMA BIN LADEN KIDNEY TRANSPLANT
FUND - Barbara Streisand
11:15 pm FREE THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS FROM GUANTANAMO BAY - Sean
Penn
11:30 pm OVAL OFFICE AFFAIRS - William Jefferson Clinton
11:45 pm Ted Kennedy PROPOSES A TOAST
11:50 pm HOW GEORGE BUSH BROUGHT DOWN THE WORLD TRADE TOWERS
Howard Dean
12:15 am TRUTH IN BROADCASTING AWARD - Presented to Dan Rather
by Michael Moore
12:25 am Ted Kennedy PROPOSES A TOAST
12:30 am SATELLITE ADDRESS - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
12:45 am NOMINATION OF Barack Hussein Obama- Nancy Pelosi
1:00 am Ted Kennedy PROPOSES A TOAST To Obama
1:30 am Ted Kennedy PROPOSES A TOAST To Hillary Clinton
1:35 am Bill Clinton asks Ted Kennedy to drive Hillary home

PC Fights Back?

Say it isn't so Jerry! If anyone is a Mac fan I am sure it is Jerry Seinfeld. Hey, PC, you can put lipstick on a pig, but sorry ....you are still a pig...

Blogging the Convention-Post#1

I plan on blogging from the GOP Convention in Minneapolis in a few weeks. I do not know whether the posts will be short, long, boring, or exciting, --just something I can share with everyone. I may even post a video! Stay Tuned.

By the way, just getting started on the "Twitter" / "Viddler" thing and other new interactive sites to help me better understand and utilize this new technology. (Thanks go out to Sarah Austin).

Paco the Pig-Olympic Edition

You Just Never Know!

Gas Prices Go Down-Analysis

Have you noticed that if gas prices are rising there is lots of reporting , angst, and blame all over the media.  Rising prices produce reports of conspiratorial theories, blaming political leaders (whoever is in office)-but mainly whoever you don't like anyways, calls for major change, and especially blaming oil companies.  However, if prices are lowering, you don't see any praise of oil companies, really any praise or thanks at all towards anyone.   Sometimes you hear that politicians conspired to lower prices just in time for an election or whatever.  In other words, those looking for something like that will always find it.  Market forces cause increases and decreases in prices of commodities all the time.  If anything is to blame or to be praised it is the supply and demand curve.  Consumers do have some control over consumption and that will be reflected in the price.  Still, the praise for lower prices is pretty much silent compared to the rancor over rising prices.  Funny how human nature works. 

Paco the Pig-A Grand Day Out

Here is a cute video my kids and me made about our favorite pig:

Alabama Delegation Meeting #2

I just returned form our second delegate meeting.  We are all looking forward to a great convention.  Much more questions this time about sightseeing, transportation, parties, etc.  I meet several people there and at the meeting the evening before.  I was privileged to briefly meet Sen. Jeff Sessions and Chairman Mike Hubbard.  I also talked with the likely Republican candidate for the 5th Congressional seat, Wayne Parker.

Make it Happen

RBS has some great commercials. This one is a classic and a lesson for all of us.

Oh, as a related story:  Mike Huckabee--Hero

Congressman Paul Ryan on Energy Policy

He has some good points.

Rising Gasoline Prices

Gasoline Prices are rising and consumers are feeling the pinch. Why is this happening, what can we do?

Why?--You have to start with the basics of Supply and Demand. Let's take Demand first. The main cost of a gallon of gas comes from the basic ingredient--oil. Oil is refined into various products including basic ingredients for making plastics, kerosene, jet fuel, various other oil products and yes, gasoline. Who is using all these oil based products?  Why is Demand going up? Answer: a strong American economy means increased energy use across the board--more driving, etc. China and India are growing economies too, more cars, more plastic in Chinese toys, more construction projects, etc. This international demand previously had no noticeable impact, Now, we are (and our dollars are) competing with other countries across the globe for a limited supply. Supply: There is oil out there, but the easy light sweet crude close to the surface is limited. It costs more to extract oil offshore or oil deep in the earth. It also costs more to refine poorer quality crude. Discoveries of new sources continue, such as in the finding of large deposits off the coast of Brazil. In the USA and Canada, there are very large deposits of oil shale, which again would take a good deal effort and cost to extract. Access to Alaska and offshore sources of oil is limited due to environmental concerns and restrictions. Even if sources were legally accessible, costs of removal are high. Internationally, political turmoil in oil producing countries, (Venezuela, Nigeria, the Middle East), etc. cause occasional disruptions and uncertainty in the market. Refining capacity can be a limiting factor as far as far as products such as gasoline. Our capacity is very limited and no new refinery has been built in a very long time. That brings me to another reason--Speculation. Money is looking for commodities, which are viewed currently as being a safer bet for investment than stocks or the American Dollar. Speculators see rising oil prices, so futures markets bid up the commodity. All this is also related to the international Value of the Dollar. The dollar as valued against the Euro and British Pound is going down. It takes more dollars to buy a gallon of oil-- a gallon of gas.

What can we do about it? In the short run, not much. Conservation is the only short term measure. Drive less, drive slower, drive smaller. Even with that, international demand will still have an overwhelming effect on prices. Larger issues need to be addressed before deeper longer term solutions can have an effect. Increase in Supply is the next step. Increased reasonable access to American oil sources is necessary. Increased sophistication in extraction technologies will ameliorate the environmental impact. Increased Refining capacity will be necessary. Alternative sources of energy: Well, this can be a complicated topic. Basically, alternatives replace the demand for for oil and gasoline. Rising prices are making these non crude derived sources economically viable. Potential energy sources include extraction of oil from oil shale, conversion of coal to gasoline, and gas to liquid projects using techniques such as the Fischer-Tropsch Process currently used by the US AirForce to produce jet fuel. Ethanol can be derived from corn or other agricultural sources. While this may be a viable option in the Midwest, increasing demand on corn (food) will raise food prices. Non hydrocarbon sources: Solar-particularly in the Southwest, Wind, Hydroelectric, Geothermal, and Tidal power. Nuclear Power can have a major impact on our energy needs and must be encouraged as part of an overall energy policy. Finally, Future technology like converting cars to run on fuel cells powered by Hydrogen.  What about electric cars? Again, the electricity has to come from somewhere.  We need all of these solutions.  Limiting ourselves to only one way of approaching the problem, will not be enough.

Why do it? In some of these alternatives, the energy it takes to make (say Hydrogen) is more than the energy produced by the product.  Bad idea? Not really.  The net effect is to reduce dependence on foreign oil.  Viable alternatives to oil will stabilize the cost of fuel and energy. Finally, any kind of energy source that enables America to become less dependant on foreign sources will create stability and security for this country.

Wall Street Journal Reference

McCain's Energy Porposal

While We Were Sleeping

While we are going about our everyday mundane tasks, our soldiers are dealing with some very bad people. Here is what happened in just the past two days. Makes you proud of our fighting forces:
Defense Link News Reports

McCain wraps it up

Well, John McCain now has enough pledged delegates to cinch the Republican nomination. I will certainly support his effort even though he is not my first choice. Posts of the convention will be here, so stay tuned. Even though McCain has some problems in my book, I'd rather see him as commander in chief than certain Democrats I know.

Alabama Delegation Meets

The Alabama Delegation meet Sunday February 17. To make the meeting, I had to fly back from Dallas Texas then drive over three hours to Montgomery through torrential rain. Minutes after I arrived the tornado warning sirens went off. A big tornado struck Prattville, AL just minutes after I had passed that town! No one was killed, just a lot of damage as this photo shows.















The meeting continued as we were in a strong building. The McCain delegates were obviously nervous and loaded for bear, as they were outnumbered by the Huckabee delegates. They made a motion to adjourn and meet again a month or so later "after McCain would have it all wrapped up". I thought, I just came through a tornado to get here and I'm not driving all the way back again just to do what we came here to do today. Well, the controversy continued. I won't get into details, but some of this had more to do with internal Alabama politics than the convention. When all was said and done, we elected a delegation chairman, Mike Hubbard, the party chairman who was neutral on the candidates. We elected Huckabee delegates to several key committee positions, but also some McCain people were elected for some positions too.

I have to relate one incident (one of several). At one point a McCain delegate said, "Come on, who here thinks Huckabee has any chance? I mean we all know the nominee will be John McCain". Well, that did not sit well with us. I wanted to say, the fat lady may be warming up, but she hasn't sung yet, in fact there may yet be another act to this opera! I seriously thought about standing up and saying : "NUTS". That is what General Mcauliffe said in the battle of the bulge.  Well, we don't just give up because the other side is ahead. Let's let all this play out, then we will join forces whoever the nominee happens to be. I was proud of how the Huckabee delegates handled themselves.

One note, I was impressed with Mr. Edgar Weldon.  He deftly calmed the nerves and guided the meeting to a successful conclusion.  (I was later on to find Mr. Weldon has been a great asset to the party and has vast experience in bringing consensus over the years).

I'm a Huckabee Delegate!

Due to the election here in Alabama on "Super Tuesday", I have been elected as a delegate to the Republican National Convention pledged to Mike Huckabee.

I am going to try and post information here as I go along.

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