The Recession and Recreational Activity

Everyone knows we are deep in a global recession. The two questions on most people's minds are, "How will it affect me?" and "When will it turn around and stabilize my life and 401K?"

Even the brightest economists can't touch the second question; there are too many factors and an unhealthy degree of government intervention. The answer to the second one is easier. "You'll have to tighten your belt and hang on for the ride."

One of the first things to do is cut spending on recreation. I remember the last time anything of this magnitude happened here in Houston. We are still weathering the storm fairly well due to the energy sector.

But last time, one of the first things to go was gym memberships. That put a lot of personal trainers on the street, and their talents don't translate to many other occupations.

Instead of going to the movies, fueling up the ski and fishing boats, and eating out, it's still possible to have fun on a shoestring. Public libraries are still free. So are public parks. Why not begin a fitness routine outdoors, like a beginners running program?

All that takes is a pair of running shoes and shorts. There's always a good deal if you shop around and find a New Balance Clearance Sale. Heck, you don't even have to drive anywhere. It doesn't get any easier than that!

How Dangerous will North Korea Get?

North Korea's latest missile test is problematic to say the least. Them saying they're launching for a satellite program is like saying OJ Simpson wasn't guilty (the first time, not the looney-tunes act in Las Vegas).

North Korea has arguably one of the strangest societies in the world. It's like quirkiness going exponential. The caricature that is Kim Jong il is enough to boggle the mind. The public's worshiping of him makes the whole thing stranger. If that's possible.

What do they see in him? The inner Elvis?

The question in my mind is this, "How is Obama going to handle this?" He'll be expected to be a leader. But how will he react?

He's practically advocating demilitarization, at least out of one side of the mouth. The other side is committing more action in Afghanistan and maintaining a continued presence in Iraq.

He needs to get on the stick and light the fire beneath Korea. Tell them to cease and desist. It'll be humiliating if Barak pulls another bow-at-the-hip act, but this time with Kim "Elvis" Jong il instead of the Sheik.

Obama Appoints Yet Another Tax "Mistaker"

Being a tax avoider seems to be one of the most common traits of Obama's appointments. The latest "detail overlooker" is Health and Human Services nominee Kathleen Sebelius.

Sebelius, who is the Governor of Kansas, and her husband, who is a federal magistrate judge, overlooked $7,040 in back taxes. Not just a single mistake either; they began overlooking details in 2005 and continued through 2007. Wow.

Now, I'm not trying to throw stones here; anybody can make a mistake. Some of theirs were ones that, well, I bet most of us make all the time. Especially it we're Governors and federal magistrate judges. Here's an interesting sampling of how this couple's finances went so wrong:

• Not keeping paperwork for three charitable deductions.
• Not enough documentation for various business expense deductions.
• They took mortgage interest deductions for payments they continued to make even after they sold the home. I hate it when I keep paying for a house somebody else owns! I could've had a V-8! Argg!
  

OK, I'm just wondering here. Now that the Democrats are in charge of the whole game now, and the people getting appointed and confirmed can't seem to pay their taxes, doesn't it seem logical that they might take a look at simplifying the federal tax code?

I mean, if these people are smart enough to be running the country and can't figure it out, what hope is there for us serfs?

Saudi Arabia Takes Terrorism Seriously - Kind of

Saudi Arabia has moved, albeit slowly, to taking terrorists a wee bit more seriously. 9-11 didn't convince them and they kept up their support of radical mosques which preached hate and called for jihad.

So where has this somewhat perceptible change of heart come from? From violent attacks hitting closer to home. For example, in December 2004, a suicide bomber detonated his car at the Saudi's main counterterrorism training center.

Nothing like hitting close to home to make you say, "Whoa... maybe we should back off being so touchy-feely with Wahhabism. "

So what are the visible changes that the royal ruling family have instituted? Well, they've built up their SWAT teams and increased anti-terrorism training.

In a country of high unemployment, the government finds jobs for those who renounce jihad.

Still, the patience of the jihadists is long. And they have found a warm welcome in Yemen, with whom the Saudis share a long and porous border. They can strike at their leisure, much like the Mexican drug cartels on our own border.

And our government is still turning a blind eye to our border problem. Maybe we share more with the Saudis than first meet the eye.

Coleman and Franken Still Dukin' it Out

The people of Minnesota must be getting plenty tired of the battle between Norm Coleman (R) and Al Franken (D). But it's not up to the citizens any more, it's up to a 3-judge panel.

It used to be the case that we, as citizens of this great nation, elected our leaders. Not so anymore. Our election system has become a fraud to our great shame. But the power of it is that we can at least settle these things legally.

It's not just Minnesota. It's all over the map. Acorn drumming up fake votes for Obama is a great example. And they're being rewarded by a nice slice of economic stimulus pie.

Al Gore lost even after he disallowed all those absentee ballots from our military members serving overseas. Perhaps what we need is a big helping of Patriot Depot.

Meanwhile, back in Minnesota, they are still arguing about re-counting ballots, even though according to Newsmax.com as many as 25 precincts counted ballots for Franken twice. Whew! Can you say fraud?

The rumor has it that Franken's eventual goal is to run for governor. Some talking heads contend that all this fighting may count against him when it comes to that goal.

He was never funny on Saturday Night Live, and he's not even remotely amusing now. And by golly, I don't like him.

Obama's Lack of Executive Experience Showing

The fact that both Hillary and Sarah Palin pointed out, and quite correctly, that Barak seriously lacked executive experience was lost on his many disciples. But now, as his swept-under-the-carpet pastor would say, "Obama's chickens have come home to roost!"

Rest assured that this assertion is not made lightly. Barak Obama has come to office as possibly the least qualified candidate in the history of the nation. Not only that, but he still sees the world through the rose-colored eyeglasses of academia.

This is not to say that he can't mature in the ways of the world and the office, but even Joltin' Joe Biden said this is not an on-the-job-training kind of job. There's simply too much power potential involved.

Consider:

• Delivering that pathetic speech to the Iranian people. This is not realistic "reaching out;" what this boils down to is people from that culture seeing a weak and inept leader.

• After condemning President Bush for employing signing statements as an abuse of power, and promising to exercise more restraint when using them he is doing just that himself. His campaign said he would not issue “signing statements that undermine the legislative intent.” But his latest one is used to bypass whistle-blower protections for executive branch officials who give certain information to Congress. That's paranoid behavior and a lack of transparency. Even executive branch officials are civil servants, a fact lost on today's elite class of professional politicians.

• He now laments the fact that he's in a "Washington bubble" and out of contact with the common folk. Mr. Obama, as the highest executive in the land, you don't have time for that; you must use other methods to keep your hand on pulse of the nation. You're not a community organizer any more - deal with it; Get Organized.
  

Yes, I am being critical. I understand that there is a steep learning curve. But I deplore what the president is doing to our country. I'm afraid of the amount of damage he will have done before he matures in office and understands the world as it is. And you should be afraid as well.

Who's Ready for Cap and Trade?

Basically, President Obama is. Why? Because I might be wrong but I doubt that he has to cover the utility bills in the White House.

Now is the time to prepare your home to reduce your electricity and gas bills as much as possible.

Officially, the cap and trade policy (read "energy tax") would only up the national energy cost by $646 billion. But Ernest Istook of the Heritage Foundation estimates that the average American household wil be ponying up an additional 50%.

So what is this policy? In a nutshell, the cap is a government-mandated legal limit on what volume of greenhouse gases that a region can emit each year. Trade means that companies can swap among themselves the permission – or permits – to emit greenhouse gases.

More, when the price of petroleum spikes again, as it will thanks to Venezuela and those lovely Middle Easterners.

I don't know about you, but I'm not exactly swimming in disposable income.

But to compound the future gasoline prices, the United Nations has sent up a trial balloon on an international gasoline tax. They're calling it the "green new deal". Obama has already demonstrated how sweet he is on the UN. It's not a stretch to assume that he will embrace this plan as well.