Election Crunch Time: THE VIDEO

The article below is now a video.

Election Crunch Time: SOCIALISM or NOT SOCIALISM

Forget everything. Forget all the minutia, all the ancillary topics. Your choice for President of the United States comes down to one issue:

SOCIALISM

• If you want socialism - vote for Obama.
• If you THINK you want socialism - vote for Obama.
• If you like what Obama is proposing but refuse to call it socialism, or you don't know what socialism is, or you don't know that socialism is what Obama is proposing and you could care less one way or the other because you just like Obama and that's that - vote for Obama.

If you don't want socialism, AND you still want Obama, then you are ignorant which isn't necessarily your fault, especially if you are under 30 and were educated in the public school system.

If you DON'T want socialism, vote for McCain.

I'm not wild about McCain, but I'm less wild about the US turning to a more socialist agenda. In the worst case McCain will be four more years of the "same ol' same ol'."

And that is still better than socialism.

SOCIALIST = OBAMA

NOT SOCIALIST = MCCAIN

It's that simple.

Obama's Citizenship Issue: Update

Here is an update on this story I published a few days ago.

Judge Barclay Surrick has dismissed Philip Berg's lawsuit challenging Obama's eligibility for office of President of the United States.

In a 34-page memorandum and opinion, the judge said Berg's allegations of harm were "too vague and too attenuated" to confer standing on him or any other voters.

Surrick ruled that Berg's attempts to use certain laws to gain standing to pursue his claim that Obama was not a natural-born citizen were "frivolous and not worthy of discussion."

The judge also said the harm Berg alleged did "not constitute an injury in fact" and Berg's arguments to the contrary "ventured into the unreasonable."

I am not a lawyer; thank God for that. However, I have a problem with this not because it got thrown out, but, rather, the way in which it was thrown out.

Lacks standing? Berg, a lawyer and US citizen, has a question. Whether or not he has ulterior motives for filing such a suit is irrelevant. He asks only that Obama produce a valid birth certificate. When a judge shoots down that request on the grounds that Berg lacks standing to basically ask a question, that is just wrong. Berg, you, me - any American citizen has the right to ask for a ruling of clarification on any issue such as this.

The judge in his ruling said, essentially, this issue is no big deal. Nothing to see here...move along...

Jeff Schreiber, a lawyer-blogger, has analysis on the issue of "standing."

Here's something interesting:

So, who does have standing? According to the Hon. R. Barclay Surrick, that's completely up to Congress to decide.

If, through the political process, Congress determines that citizens, voters, or party members should police the Constitution’s eligibility requirements for the Presidency, then it is free to pass laws conferring standing on individuals like Plaintiff. Until that time, voters do not have standing to bring the sort of challenge that Plaintiff attempts to bring in the Amended Complaint.

Two things strike me as odd. First, on an issue of legality to hold the highest office in the land, the judge states that only Congress should determine who is worthy of policing the Constitution. Pardon me for being a citizen.

Second, this judge is more than happy to defer to Congress - the LEGISLATURE - on this issue which affects every American. Yet, on special interest issues like civil rights, judges are more than happy to rule from the bench.

Obama's Citizenship Issues: October Surprise or April Fools Joke?

God help me, but this is getting tiresome and, at the very least, tedious. The Obama citizenship issue - here's the basic run-down.

Phillip Berg, a Democrat and Hillary Clinton supporter, has filed a lawsuit in a Philadelphia Federal Court, demanding a summary judgment be made regarding Obama's citizenship. Here is the pro-forma document waiting to be signed:



This was filed as a result of Obama, et al failing to respond within 30 days to the original suit filed on August 22 which essentially means that, by default, he has admitted to all the allegations. It is expected that Judge Barclay Surrick will make a ruling in the next day or so. What has been largely overlooked is that Phillip Berg is also a "9/11 Truther" who has filed suit against President Bush for the attack on the WTC on Sept 11, 2001.

Philip J. Berg represented Ellen Mariani and later William Rodriguez in two separate RICO lawsuits, both of which were withdrawn without prejudice. Part of Rodriguez suit was dismissed. Philip J. Berg has not represented William Rodriguez for over two years. Because of personal reasons, Philip J. Berg has not proceeded with any 911 litigation in two years.

While it has no bearing on whether or not the allegations are found to be true, at this point that fact raises questions regarding Berg's credibility, not to mention his ties to Hillary, sour grapes, and the Clinton machine.

Furthermore, Obama has gone to Hawaii to visit his ailing grandmother (so he claims), but he is also facing a hearing there, set for Nov 7, on a subpoena for production of his birth certificate. I think he is doing some damage control, making a stop at grandma's house for some milk and cookies along the way. He is facing similar court proceedings in 5 other states, as well.

Obama supporters often cite an analysis of Obama's birth certificate by the folks at FactCheck.org, attesting to its validity, but the credibility of FactCheck also comes into question due to their affiliation with and funding from the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania which falls under the wings of the Annenberg Foundation. The connection here lies in the fact that the founder, Walter H. Annenberg, initiated the Annenberg Challenge.

Announced in December 1993 at the White House, Ambassador Walter H. Annenberg's $500 million "Challenge to the Nation" became the largest public/private endeavor in U.S. history dedicated to improving public schools.

Eighteen locally designed Challenge projects operated in 35 states, funding 2,400 public schools that served more than 1.5 million students and 80,000 teachers. Over 1,600 businesses, foundations, colleges, and universities, and individuals contributed $600 million in private matching funds.

Each Challenge project fit unique local conditions and was planned collaboratively by educators, foundation officers, and community, civic, and business leaders.

Grants ranged from $1 million to $53 million.

One such project was in Chicago, and on the board which organized that project were none other than Obama and Bill Ayers, the infamous Weather Underground militant domestic bomber and murderer turned community organizer turned educator (hey, only in America can you get education credentials with a resume like that; just ask Angela Davis). I know it's a stretch, but you know what they say: Follow the money.

So, what does all this mean? First, the mainstream media has been silent on most of it, and when they haven't been silent they have circled the wagons in defense of the Anointed One, dismissing most anything critical or negative about him as right wing folly or conspiracy. Yet let Joe the plumber ask one question, and they're telling the world that Joe is not his first but, rather, his middle name (and so is mine, too)! That is typical and to be expected.

Second, and more important, is Obama's silence on this. FactCheck says they actually held the original birth certificate in their hands. They held the sacred birth certificate - actually held it (and probably fondled it as though it were a surrogate penis, too). I wonder if they got a tingle up their thighs. But I digress. If they could get it and examine it as they say, why is it so hard to have it produced in court? If that had happened, this all goes away. Sometimes people can be their own worst enemies.

Third, and most important, is how did this get so far gone? Let's say for the sake of argument that it is proven to be undeniable, irrefutable, 100% FACT that Obama is not a US citizen and therefore not eligible to hold the office of President of the United States. Does not that call into question the integrity of the entire system, that it is corrupt beyond anything we could ever have imagined? I mean the fate of the credibility of our system of government could lie in the hands of a lawyer and a judge? (shiver)

Look, I don't want Obama to become president; I am very clear about that. But the timing here just stinks. Cynical, skeptical, mistrusting, curmudgeonly bastard that I am, I still have a hard time fathoming that somebody could get this far in the political system - one heartbeat away from the presidency - and none of this had been vetted well before now.

I am suspending any judgment on the issue until it has been resolved one way or another. If these allegations are proven false, then this will have been the worst kind of smear campaign, and it will further ruin the reputation of the GOP. It will also embolden and galvanize the Left. If proven true, things will get VERY interesting.

I stand by my prediction (and I'm not the only one) that if McCain wins by a close margin, this election will be held-up in court for months, and there will be violence in our streets.

The Choo-Choo of Change Chugs Along

After a bit of an unannounced and unplanned break, we're back...again! One thing after another cropped-up, and real-life's priorities took precedence over cyber-life. That, and the fact that I was once again burned-out with campaign overload, forced me to take a blogging vacation. I don't know what to say at this point regarding the election; despite the polls it could go either way. It appears there will be no "October surprise" - at least nothing that will have an impact on the election. However, it is important to never say, "Never," as anything can happen.

It appears that nothing can or will deter the Obamaniacs. Not Bill Ayers; not ACORN; not Reverend Wright; not Fanny and Freddie; not the Berg lawsuit regarding Obama's citizenship; not Joe the plumber - not any of the other sundry dark clouds that hang over the Anointed One's head seem to be able to derail the Choo-Choo of Change and Hope.

There can be only three reasons why, with so many dubious connections surrounding Obama's past and present, he still has the support he does:

1. They don't know about any of it.
2. If they know, they don't believe it.
3. If they believe it, they don't care.

If they don't care, it means that either the people are ready - knowingly and willingly - for a good dollop of socialism, or they have no idea that this is exactly what they are going to get - but it is "change". And change is good.

I have not given-up on the idea that McCain can win, but it looks grim, boys and girls. The media have their minds made up, and, like it or not, they shape too many people's perceptions. And, like it or not, perception is reality at least when it comes to the unwashed masses.

Unfortunately, the majority has the right to be wrong.

Music Video

One thing I have been doing is putting together some music videos. The first one is one that some of you "old-timers" may remember, a Jim Pepper composition entitled "Witchi Tai To", from Brewer and Shipley's 1969 album, "Weeds". I think it's a beautiful song, and I find it very uplifting and relaxing. I tried to capture that feeling with the images I selected to go with the song.


Here's a little background on the song:

Songwriter and saxophonist Jim Pepper adapted the song "Witchi Tai To" from from an old peyote chant that he learned from his Native American grandfather. Pepper's song was first recorded by his band Everything Is Everything, who to this day are credited with having the only hit to feature an authentic Native American chant in the history of the Billboard pop charts. The group's producers encouraged Pepper to express his Native American heritage in his music, so he brought one of his grandfather's peyote chants and they worked out the arrangement and English translation. "Witchi Tai To", became a cult favorite and leftfield hit, reaching #69 on the Billboard Charts in 1969.

Brewer and Shipley learned the lyrics to "Witchi Tai To" by listening to Everything Is Everything's recording on an FM station beaming out of Little Rock, Arkansas. It is ironic that they correctly interpreted the Native American lyrics but misinterpreted the adapted English lyrics.

Here are the two different versions of the lyrics. Funny thing is that I never noticed that Brewer and Shipley got it "wrong". When I listen to the song, I hear "Water spirit feelings", hence the water images in the video when those lyrics are sung:

Everything is Everything
Water spirit feelings
Springin' round my head
Makes me feel glad
That I'm not dead

Brewer & Shipley
What a spirit spring
Is bringing round my head
Makes me feel glad
That I’m not dead

Indian chant
Witchi Tai Tai, kimarah
Whoa Ron-nee Ka
Whoa Ron-nee Ka
Hey-ney, hey-ney, no-wah

My Best Video To Date

Well, at least I think it is anyway. The song is meant to be a satire, but, of course, you, the listener can take it any way you want to; you have the final say. I put together images and video to go along with the song's lyrics as they are. This is Randy Newman's "Let's Drop the Big One Now." Personally, as I get older and more curmudgeonly, I tend to think, "What the fuck? Why not?" Just kidding...or am I?

The blast at the end is the Soviet bomb named "The Tsar". It's the largest tested bomb in history, coming in at over 50 megatons - roughly all the tonnage used in WWII - times 8.

Cartoons, Funnies, and Other Stuff to Make You Laugh

If a picture ever was worth 1000 words, this is it.


Hat-tip: Jim and Lynn
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Engine Porn

Time for another edition of Engine Porn, an ongoing series featuring classic engines that have not only had a significant impact on the world of motorsports but also have a certain visual and/or aural appeal that cannot be quantified, only felt on a visceral level.

This edition focuses on the long-standing relationship between Ford and the British engineering and manufacturing firm, Cosworth. The engine that has had many iterations in that partnership is the Cosworth V8, namely that designated the "DFV" (Double Four Valve), shown below.


Initially putting out 408 hp, the normally aspirated 3.0 liter (183 cu.in.) DFV was developed for the Lotus 49 in 1967. However, Cosworth decided to offer the engine on a customer basis for any team that wanted to purchase them, and the DFV became the dominant engine from 1968, winning 155 of 262 races through to the turbo era of the early 80's, ultimately making 510 hp at that time.

The onset of the turbo era in the early 1980s put an end to the DFV's F1 activities, as even with modifications the 15-year-old engine could not hope to compete with the vast power being put out by the new 1.5 litre turbocharged engines. For a few years, between 1977 when Renault debuted the powerful but unreliable turbo engine, and 1982 when the DFV-powered teams began to negotiate deals for turbo engines of their own, a competitive equilibrium was established. Michele Alboreto took the DFV's last F1 win in a Tyrrell at Detroit in 1983, and Martin Brundle was the last person to race in F1 with a DFV, also in a Tyrrell at the Austrian Grand Prix in 1985.

There was also the turbocharged DFX "Indy", a de-stroked, methanol-burining version displacing 2.65 liters for Indy Car racing, shown below. In its final form the DFX developed 840 hp and was the dominant powerplant from 1977 to 1987, having won 10 consecutive Indy 500's and 11 series championships.


And, while not really related to the Cosworth offerings, Ford had developed in the 1964 its four cam, fuel injected "Indy" V8 engine, displacing 4.2 liters (255 cu. in.) and developing 475 hp on methanol. This engine, along with the Lotus mid-engine chassis, sealed the fate of the front engined, Offenhauser-powered roadsters in Indy car racing in 1965 when F1 champ, Jim Clark, won the 500. Notice the inverted head design which places the exhaust ports between the cylinder banks and the intake ports between the camshafts. This arrangement makes the engine more compact and able to fit in a tighter space; gives the fuel/air mix a straighter shot to the intake valves; and lends itself well to the 180-degree exhaust configuration which improves exhaust scavenging, boosting overall usable power, especially in mid-range torque production.





This design also lends itself well to turbocharging, and by destroking the motor to achieve the 2.6 liter displacement limit for Indy cars at the time, A.J. Foyt actually purchased the rights to the engine from Ford, renaming it the Foyt engine. Shown below is the 1968 variant.

This engine was soon superceded when the aforementioned Ford-Cosworth DFX variant of the DFV came onto the scene in 1976.

These engines, in addition to giving outstanding performance, also sounded fantastic. With their 10,000+ RPM redlines these little V8's had an incredible howl unique unto themselves. From a mechanical engineering perspective, the Cosworth Ford is without a doubt sexy and worthy of a place in the Engine Porn Hall of Fame.

Take a ride in Patrick Depailler's Cosworth DFV-powered Tyrell F1 during a practice session at the 1978 Long Beach Grand Prix. You'll get the full effect on the second lap when the Ferarri has pulled out of ear-shot. One thing you must take into consideration (beside having cold tires on the out lap) is that the camera he was riding with back then weighed over 20 lbs. - they weren't the magic marker-sized digital units we (barely) see today. And you gotta love the days before pit-lane speed limits!


Here's Dider Pironi at Hockenheim, also in a DFV-powered Tyrell.


And Pironi, again, at Watkins Glen.

Excess for the Sake of Excess

Next time you're traveling through Phoenix, stop at the Heart Attack Grill in Chandler, AZ. It's right off the I-10. "The Taste Worth Dying For."



That is the "Quadruple Bypass Burger."

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This is Just So...

creepy - and - wrong.

UPDATE: Apparently Youtube pulled the video. I've heard that the edict came from the Obamessiah, and I've also heard that the creator/organizer of the video, Kathy Sawada (the woman "choir director" in the video), pulled it for copyright reasons. Whatever. Given that while it was up at Youtube, comments had been disabled because, like all good, tolerant, little left-wing fascists, they don't like criticism.

Anyway, it is up at LiveLeak.

It's also back at Youtube under a different title.



Could you imagine the media outrage if this was done on behalf of McCain?

I don't care what adults do, but when they engage their children in indoctrination of this kind I don't know whether to get really angry or sad. I guess a bit of both. I don't care what anybody says, children at this age are not educated enough to form their own opinions about politics or socio-political philosophies. And it matters not whether it is right-wing, left-wing or anything else. It's wrong. This creeps me out in the same fashion as when I see kids at protests wearing little signs or shirts.

Leave your kids out of your activism and politics.

This reminds me of another era when children were brainwashed into a "movement".

And I am suspending Godwin's Law here. The similarities are so glaringly parallel.



Hot Air has more on this as well as some more historical "parallels". And the People's Cube has their own whacky take.

The Best Analysis Yet

With the US Senate voting for their pork-stuffed bail-out, we have ventured into a new realm of centralized state control of finance; and let me put that in a time frame - EVER.

To combat the depression by a forced credit expansion is to attempt to cure the evil by the very means which brought it about ...”
The confusion of Chicago school economics on monetary issues is so profound as to lead its adherents today to support the largest government grab of private capital in world history. By adding their voices to those on the left, these confused free-marketeers are not helping to “save capitalism”, but contributing to its destruction.

Read the rest because the author spells it out better than anybody else.

Thought for the Day

A president's pension currently is $191,300 per year.

Assuming the next president lives to age 80, Sen McCain would receive ZERO pension as he would reach 80 at the end of two terms as president.

Sen Obama on the other hand would be retired for 26 years after two terms and would receive $4,973,800 in pension.

Therefore it would certainly make economic sense to elect McCain in November.

How's that for non-partisan, purely economic thinking?

Hat-tip: Raybo

For a Laugh

Diesel's SFW XXX Party Clip - Watch more free videos

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