The Strike!

The following comes from a wonderfully insightful and timely blog called "Atlas Shrugs"
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The Strike!
The exploitation and enslavement of the producers by the looters and moochers will not go unanswered. I find more and more, in talking with people trying to manage the over taxation and overwhelming government regulation in their lives, that they are minimizing their exposure. The producers will go on strike.
Every action Obama is taking will decrease revenues, not increase them. Free markets need to be free. This has been proven time and time again. As Obama's communist measures take effect and the economy sinks further into a financial abyss, expect the government to take even more dangerous measures. Michael Z wrote:
The best practical legal way for America to go Galt has already begun and that is for privately owned businesses to downsize their operations and not make any new or very limited new capital investments. They would then cut back on expenses to try and maintain a profit and lower revenue levels. This would necessitate layoffs, which most small businesses can do without a problem because they are not unionized. This would reduce peoples income and that along with Hussein's new credit card law will further reduce consumer spending and further shrink the economy.
This will continue to raise the unemployment rate (I expect to see at least 10% - 12% or maybe even higher unemployment before then end of 2010) and the Republican Constitution party should be able to take power from the Socialist Democrats in Congress in 2010.
OT but related: Anybody else get a bill by the IRS or US treasury for previous years? I did. A pretty hefty sum bill for 2004. Outta the blue. Of course I gotta start digging to find those financial docs. But I was wondering if folks have been getting billed suddenly for previous years. Purely anecdoctal.
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As some of you might recall, I blogged on this very topic back in february (looking back, it happened to be my birthday). It appears that Rush hit it on the nose and that is exactly the direction we're headed.

Our Jaron and His Paci

The last few posts have been about our Lara. It's time for an update on our Jaron!
Dave decided it's time to start weaning Jaron off the pacifier. Dave informed Jaron that he can only use the paci at nap time and bedtime. The first day did not go so well. Jaron wanted his paci when he wanted it, and we had to remind him that it was only for sleeping. After the first day we'd ask him for his paci when he woke up (I have to admit I was lenient the first morning that Dave was at work, but then Dave came home and had Jaron give it to him. Then I decided I should be more supportive of my husband). Jaron would shake his head no, and we'd remind him that is was only for sleeping, so he'd throw it at us or elsewhere in protest. But he would not ask for it after he gave it up. Then a couple days later I asked Jaron for it after he woke up. He threw it on the ground, then grabbed it and ran into his room, shut the door, and after about a minute he came out and handed it to me without me asking again. After a few minutes, he grabbed it and repeated the process of running to his room again. He did this a few more times, then the last time he came out of his room, laid on the floor by me and started snoring. He then stood up, handed me the paci and did not grab it again. Since then, when we ask him for his paci, he willingly hands it to us and tells us to put it up on the book shelf where we store his paci. There are times now that he'll immediately hand it to us when we let him out of his room, without us asking. There have been times he'd hide his paci in his room, then come out with it later in the day. But he still gave it up willingly when asked. This afternoon Dave did not get the paci right away. When I noticed Jaron had his paci, I asked for it. He then ran into his room, shut the door, and after a few seconds ran out and handed his paci to Dave and then told Dave to put it on the bookshelf. It was cute.
I just can't believe it has been this easy to wean him off daytime use of the paci. I hope it goes as smoothly when we wean him off completely!

Axis of Evil

From 1939 to 1945, the Axis of Evil consisted of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Japan.

In 2002, the Axis of Evil consisted of Iran, Iraq, and Communist North Korea.

In 2009, it appears Obama believes the Axis of Evil consists of US military veterans, pro-lifers, and supporters of the US Constitution.

Does anyone else see anything wrong with this?

The Truth About ObamACORN

It looks like Barry's Boys are getting nervous about his association to ACORN. Finally we're making some headway. If only the MSM would actually pick this up and run with it. Unfortuantely, in perfect dictator style, Barry's goonsuad tries to strong-arm anyone into silence that tries to investigate and report. Read the story below.

(via Perspectives)

The Truth About ObamACORN
by Michelle Malkin

Left-wing groups in Washington, DC, are panicked. The New York Times and other Team Obama whitewashers are downplaying the connection between the Obama presidential campaign, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) and Obama's old employer Project Vote (ACORN's nonprofit canvassing arm). Alas, the truth keeps seeping out. At a closed-door powwow hosted Thursday at the left-leaning Center for American Progress, activists discussed how to combat a relentless stream of corruption charges from ACORN/Project Vote whistleblowers. But it's too late for a reputation bailout. Former Project Vote official and whistleblower Anita MonCrief has harnessed the Internet to crowd-source a massive cache of documents showing ties between Obama staff members and the supposedly "nonpartisan" ACORN operations.

Last fall, The New York Times abandoned an investigation into whether Obama had shared donor lists with Project Vote, a 501(c)(3) organization that is prohibited from engaging in political activity. Public editor Clark Hoyt earlier this month called it "the tip that didn't pan out." Critics suggested the donor lists could have been compiled through public records. But I have obtained the lists -- not only of Obama donors, but also lists of Democratic National Committee, Hillary Clinton and John Kerry contributors. The records include small donors to the Obama campaign, who are not disclosed in public campaign finance databases. It's information only a campaign could supply...

(read full report here)

Poltics

So lately it has seemed that I have been devoting increasingly mroe space on this blog to political ramblings as opposed to other ruminations and I've been wondering if I should stop resisting the stemming tide and let it be. With everything that "Barry's Boys" (BO himself & his administration) and the left-wing "Statists" (as Mark R. Levin calls them) in Congress are doing to this country, I feel its my obligation to do what ever I can to fight for the cause of Conservatism.

Given my current status, I feel unable to devote any time or means (in the form of tea-bagging, etc. or dontaing money, etc.) But I do have my freedom of speech (so far, who knows when BO will try to change that) As such, I have even formed a Facebook group called Conservative Armchair Activists that I would like to invite all my readers to join, if you have a FB profile, obviously. Just recently I have started exploring the Conservative blogosphere and have linked to some of the ones I've found in the sidebar.

The same day that I added a couple of them, I discovered that one of them, The Founding Bloggers, linked to the Steven Crowder video about Gitmo and Torture that I posted a few days ago, and even gave me credit. How awesome is that. I'm just an amateur political blogger and I've been noticed by a major one. How crazy is that?!

I've also been more active posting videos and links on FB so if you want to see some of those, find me and befriend me. Thanks

The Pediatrician's Verdict On Lara

We took Lara to the doctor today. Lara is still running a fever and is still fighting breastfeeding without some pedialyte beforehand. The doctor said that there is a bug going around right now called the hand foot mouth virus. The doctor said that Lara will still have a fever for another day or two and then she'll have a rash. The doctor told us to keep doing what we have been doing and that Lara is contagious until the fever is gone. Glad we did not take her to church on Sunday =) My poor baby. She is happy when we give her Motrin or Tylenol because the fever goes down. Then when the medicine wears off she's lethargic, fussy and only wants to cuddle with Mommy. Looks like she got Mommy's immune system...yeah for Mommy (with a sarcastic tone). At least it's not that she had heat stroke or is still dehydrated. Just one of those things that is worse/scarier for the parent then for the child. Hopefully the fever will end sooner rather than later.

Way to Go, Jimmy

So last night I was watching Jimmy Fallon and he made a comment that ticked me off. And at the same time, I realized I should just laugh it off, it's his job to my humorous comments on current events in his opening monologue, and that they all do similar things. I think the problem is, I'm not that big of a fan of his, I don't think he's as good as Leno or Conan, whom he replaced.

As you all should know, North Korea tested a nuclear weapon yesterday, detonating it underground to contain the explosion and fall-out, etc. Underground detonations of nuclear devices is standard MO and has been done for many years. I happen to think its a big deal that North Korea is testing one. Kim Jong Dill-weed is a psychopath and I don't think he's afraid to use it on anyone at anytime. Jimmy Friggin' Fallon says: "Have you heard about North Korea? They detonated an underground nuclear weapon today. So I guess they'll be ready if they're ever attacked by gophers."

Jimmy, you're an idiot...

What do you think? I'm I wrong in being upset? Should I laugh it off? Or am I right that Jimmy was down-playing the importance of such an event? Let me know.

An Update On Lara

Today is almost as nail biting as yesterday. Lara is running an almost 102 degree fever. We called the pediatrician on call, who said that it is unrelated to yesterday's incident. We've given her infant Tylenol which helps her feel a little better. She slept for most of the day. She'd wake up seeming dehydrated and refusing to breastfeed. We'd give her water with pedialyte mixed in until she'd breastfeed again. My poor baby girl. I wish I could take it all away. We're still monitoring her closely. If she gets worse, we'll take her to the ER. If she does not get better, we'll take her to see her pediatrician on Tuesday (I really wish it was not Memorial Day weekend right now).

Lara Gives Us A Scare

Today we went to the Silver Dollar Fair here in Chico. I was manning the Mary Kay booth from 1-3pm with my friend Adria, and then Dave met up with me so we could take Jaron and Lara to see the baby farm animals and other kid friendly fun. We ran into our friend Robin, who is on the fair board so she has "perks", so she had her daughter take Jaron on some of the kid rides. We also met up with our friends Katie and Adam, and then headed over to the hypnotist show.
We got there a little before 6pm and the show did not start until 6:30pm. Robin had been holding Lara (Lara had been sleeping), so I got her back so I could feed her, but Lara would not eat. She was listless, her breathing seemed rapid and kind of shallow, and she felt hot on her back and stomach. Her lips were dry as well, which seemed unusual since she is always drooling. Robin asked me if I wanted to take her to the First Aid booth, I said I did since something just was not right. Dave had taken Jaron to get us something to eat, so Robin said she'd let Dave know. I was so freaked out I left the nursing cover on and did not "put myself together" underneath, and was walking as fast as I could carrying her in my arms. I ran into Dave on the way, so he came with me.
We got her to the First Aid booth and set I her down on the table as I tried to keep from crying to tell them what was wrong. They checked her vitals and determined that she was dehydrated and slightly overheated. They said that she needed to keep cool and get fluids and that they could get an ambulance and take her to the hospital. I said I wanted to try to feed her again before we did that. I tried, but she wouldn't eat. I really received some inspiration today, and I'm glad I listened. I asked for some water and she started to drink it. Then the EMT put a little bit of Gatorade in it to replace her electrolytes. She drank some of that and was starting to perk up. She finally breastfed and started acting like herself.
During all this, Robin came by to check on us and took Jaron to see the race cars, then took him to her house so he was not stuck in the room with us. I am so thankful for her doing that for us.
After she seemed cooled down and had been herself for a while (we were there for at least an hour), we left and went to pick up Jaron. But the car was too warm for her and the less then half mile to Robin's house, so we gave her more Gatorade water and I nursed her some more and we just let Jaron play with the kids for a couple hours.
We are still trying to get fluids down her. We are watching her as she sleeps to make sure she's not showing any further symptoms. The EMT told us to take her to be checked out tonight by a doctor, but the only place to go is the ER, so we are waiting until tomorrow to call the on call doctor unless she makes a turn for the worse. We don't want her to catch something while waiting at the ER.
She must get it from her mommy. It was only 83 degrees today and she had not been outside for more than 2 1/2 hours, of which we did our best to keep her in the shade at all times. I don't like the heat myself, it drains the life out of me. My poor baby!
We had fun today, but we're still worried about Lara. We'll keep everyone posted.

Five Messages from the People of California to Sacramento

This was copied in its entirey from an email sent to me today by Assemblyman Dan Logue. Enjoy.

-Dave


Five Messages from the People of CaliforniaTo Sacramento

By Assemblyman Dan Logue

The people of California have spoken, and from where I stand, they have given us a mandate to reel in State Government. There is no doubt the people of California have had it with billions of dollars of GM Bailouts, Chrysler Bailouts and Bank Bailouts. And now the people of California have said NO to the California government's tax-and-spend bailouts.The message was clear.

Message One. Don't raise taxes. We know the economy is bad and that government doesn't have all the money it hoped to have to fund its special projects, but we are hurting too. Those unemployment numbers, that 11.2%, those numbers have faces and names. Those numbers are my neighbors. They don't have jobs because our companies can't afford to keep them employed due to over taxation and over regulation. We don't have the money we used to have either. And you want to take our money to pay your bills? I don't think so.

Message Two. Own up to your own problems Sacramento. California government has become famous for passing the buck when it gets in a crunch. You will sell income generating assets for a quick buck today. Rather than face up to your own addiction to spending, you raid funds from local governments to feed your newest feel good pet project. Stop looking elsewhere to fix your problems. Look in the mirror and get to work.

Message Three. We are angry. Stop floating fake solutions. We know you don't think we are smart enough to see it, but we're telling you, we see it. The economy is forcing every industry to correct, government should be no different. Just like the housing market is undergoing a pricing correction, Sacramento needs to undertake a spending correction.

Message Four. Cut the size of government now. You threatened us with promises of massive cuts to government. Good. That's what we've been asking for. Shrink the size of the behemoth bureaucracy. Government isn't the solution to all of our problems. Government is the problem. Stop over-regulating us - telling us what kind of light bulbs we have to buy, what food we have to eat, and micromanaging every part of our lives. Stop driving jobs out of the state, stop the over regulation of septic tanks and auto emissions, and stop holding our water hostage!

Message Five. The greatness of California is not the government but it is the people.Do us all a favor - take these concrete government boots off of our feet and let us thrive. We did it before, we can do it again.

ASSEMBLYMAN DAN LOGUE
P.O. Box 1504 Chico, CA 95927
Not paid for or sent at taxpayer expense

Lara Is 6 Months Old!

Lara was officially 6 months old a week ago, but I waited until today because that is when she had her doctor's appointment. Lara weighed in at 16lbs 14oz and is almost 29 inches tall. This was another big month for Lara developmentally:

*It's official, Lara is crawling! She has been going after everything Jaron leaves around that she shouldn't have for a couple weeks now.

*Lara can sit without support

*Lara can get into a sitting position from her stomach

*Sticks her tongue out and razzes. The first time she did it was as Dave was holding her and walking by me. She looked at me and did it. Is this a sign?
*Picked up cereal Jaron left on the ground and ate it

*Broke though another tooth (on Mother's Day)

*Loves to rub soft blankets against her face (thank you Auntie Autumn [Moses]!)
Within this last week:

*4th tooth broke through and there are 2 more getting close

*pulled up to standing from sitting

*officially started solids

In this picture she is looking at Jaron. He is literally within a foot of her.

Torture & Gitmo - Steven Crowder

There's just too many gems to choose from by this guy...So I just went with the first one I saw. Wes sent me the link in an email. After watching it, I couldn't get enoughof his videos. He really gets the message across well.

Video-Gaming

GET MORE AT ManBabies.com!

What Am I Going To Do With This Kid?

This morning Jaron had dumped his bowl of cereal and goldfish on the living room floor. Later he wanted more goldfish, so I told him to eat the fish he dumped on the floor. He did not like this idea, so he was screaming (more like shrieking) at me among other things. I told him that if he screamed again I was going to turn off The Wiggles. He proceeds to run to the TV as he lets out another scream and then turns the TV off. Hmmm...need to rethink that one and not let him see me laugh (I didn't let him see, I waited until I called Dave to tell him). Guess I'll just stick with counting to 3, even though he's now counting with me.

A Letter to the President

Dear Barry,
I hope you don't mind that I call you Barry. I assumed it would be OK because you seem to be trying to do away with old stuffy traditions and be the new, young, hip president. Case in point, refusing to let the Marine Corp Band play "Hail to the Chief" when you enter a room. I definitely think "Desert Rose" is a way better song any way.

I am writing to you in regards to your recent announcement regarding healthcare reform and universal healthcare for all. This concerns me deeply because I like my current healthcare plan. I like what my private insurance is willing to cover, I understand and accept what they won't cover, I like my premiums/co-pays, and I like being able to choose the best doctor/healthcare provider for me. I also like the fact that I can usually get an appointment within a couple weeks and I am willing to wait that long, because I know my doctor is working hard and doing his best. I also understand that I might not always be so fortunate to have the same level insurance that I have now. But my point is, I like private insurance. I like being able to choose who to see and when to see them. I don't want to lose my private insurance and be forced into government administered healthcare because, sure I may have to wait a couple weeks to see a doctor right now, I still think that's better than waiting months to see an underpaid medical profession that no longer enjoys his work because of all the mandates and restrictions placed upon him.

Have you even been paying attention to the rest of the world? Europe, Canada, and Cuba: they have ll proven that universal healthcare doesn’t work. Even look within to the great state of Massachusetts. They have tried universal healthcare on the state level, and now it’s projected that the state will go bankrupt in just a few short years because of increasing costs. They are even asking for and receiving stimulus money to keep it running. I don’t see how it would be any different on the federal level.

also don’t like the thought of paying an even larger portion of my salary for the government to spend on the healthcare of those that haven’t paid their fair share. Call me stingy and selfish if you must, but I don’t think its fair to rob from the rich and give to the poor. The receiver’s of his pillaging may have treated him like a hero, but Robin Hood was still a thief, plain and simple. I bet if they were on the other end, they wouldn’t feel the same way about him. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
A. Citizen

Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mothers Day! Dave got me a book a month ago that I already read, but I knew it was my Mothers Day Gift. It was Dr Laura's "In Praise Of Stay At Home Moms." I really like it. Even though I know I made the right decision to stay home with my children, sometimes others act and say things that cause me to feel inferior. Satan really wants us to feel that way. Reading Dr Laura's book opened me eyes to why those women tend to do and say what they do and it helped me be more at peace with myself. If you feel that you need at little pick me up in your decision, I recommend reading it.
Dave found out yesterday that he is such a loving, thoughtful husband when I came home from grocery shopping and told him he scheduled a massage appointment for me on Monday as another Mothers Day gift. Isn't he so sweet =)
I want to take a moment in remembrance of my cousin Kyle. Today would have been his 22nd (I think) birthday. My thoughts and prayers go out to my aunt Lila and her family today. We miss you Kyle!

Code Blue, volume four

“Welcome back to KRIS 6 News, Corpus Christi. This evening we have a follow-up on the disappearance of reporter Ned Finlay near the Border Patrol Checkpoint in Sarita. We’ve had quite a response to the event out in the community, with a lot of religious fanatics prominently voicing their opinions. It appears they have been inspired by the utterances of the terrified Mexican that Ned tried to interview. All he could say, if you will recall, is ‘el Diablo, el Diablo.’ Which translated to English means ‘the Devil, the Devil.’ The religious fanatics have used this as justification to preach the Second Coming and we have an exclusive interview with one of them, who calls himself ‘Brother Salinger’, right now. Rick, over to you.”

“Thank you Maria, this is Rick Gomez with an exclusive interview. Bro. Salinger, first off, why do you call yourself Bro. Salinger?”

“Because we’re all brothers and sisters in the Lord, are we not?”

“So, why exactly are you claiming recent events are a sign that we are in the Second Coming?”

“The devil has been loosed and soon will come Armageddon.”

“But I thought Satan must be bound for 1000yrs and there will be no evil. Are you saying we’ve already seen that period? ”

“That period has ended with the recent cataclysm. The number must be taken figuratively, not literally. We have seen an epoch when millions of God’s children have accepted Christ in their heart and have been saved. One you have been saved, you can do no evil. The time for repentance is over! The time to gather at the mount of Har Megiddo and rally to your standard bearer is nigh! The final battle between good and evil is upon us, and when it’s over, Judgment Day! Jesus came the first time December 25, 1BC; he will return the second time December 25, AD2025! Mark my words!”

“That is in less than a week. Are you saying that the earth will be destroyed by the end of the year?!”

“The Lord Yeshua has declared it unto me in a night vision.”

“Maria, back to you.”

Jaron and Lara At The Dentist

Yesterday we went on a family trip to the dentist. Dave, Jaron and I were getting our teeth cleaned, and we brought Lara along because I was going to my friend Adria's afterwards and knew I would need to feed Lara by then.
Dave saw the dentist first. Jaron was not happy that Daddy was not where Jaron could get to him, so Jaron opened the waiting room door and went searching. I grabbed Lara and went after him. Jaron found Dave and was watching. The dental assistant went to grab a chair for Jaron to sit in the room with Dave when the dentist started reclining the dental chair which freaked Jaron out. So back into the waiting room Jaron went.
After a little bit, Jaron decided he needed to find Daddy again. This time he watched from the hallway and then he decided that everything needed to be in the hallway too. So Jaron grabbed his blanket and doggy backpack harness and brought them to me (I was in the hallway holding Lara). Then he went back into the waiting room and drug Lara's carseat into the hallway too. Jaron finally decided to go into the room with Dave and then it was my turn to get my teeth cleaned. Dave was getting xrays, so I had both kids going into the exam room.
Jaron would not sit in the chair and watch me, so the dentist had another assistant (I think she was his daughter) watch Jaron while I held Lara on my stomach and had my teeth cleaned. It was very interesting. Lara kept trying to eat my dental cover and grab at the dental tools. She had fun looking at everything and watching my teeth being cleaned too.
While I was getting my xrays, Dave took Jaron in for his examination and took Lara too. Jaron screamed and then Lara cried because Dave put her in her carseat so he could hold Jaron. The dentist let Jaron play with the water, but in the end Jaron would not cooperate, so no exam for Jaron. It was funny while I was getting my xrays. I could hear Lara and Jaron crying, and the assistant asked at one point, "Is that your son or your daughter?" It was Lara at that point.
So we had great fun =) We were the only ones there for most of the time and our dentist is in our ward. That was nice because we did not feel embarrassed by the whole situation. Hopefully we'll have better luck with Jaron next time.

The Cutest Thing Jaron Has Done Yet

I always tell Jaron I love him before we part, weither it's to go outside to check the mail with Daddy or before I go to the store. I especially tell him before he goes to sleep like a million times. A couple of days ago I thought he told me he loved me before he went outside to play at the playground with Daddy (Lara was taking a nap), but I was not sure. Tonight I got the confirmation. As we were saying our goodnights before Jaron went to bed, I kissed Jaron and told him I love him. Then went over to Lara, looked her right in the eyes and said, "I ov ou." Then he hugged her. It was soooo cute, it melted my heart. He can be so sweet at times. He is so affectionate and has been since he was born. He loves to cuddle all of the time! I'm still adjusting to it because I'm just the opposite of that. My mom said I did not even like being hugged when I was a baby. Anyways, that was the cutest thing Jaron has done so far. I'll be sure to remember it for when I need to remind him when he is older =)

Code Blue, volume three

“We have an issue, sir”

“I don’t need any more issues, I need resolutions, lieutenant.”

“A reporter for a local news broadcast was at the wrong place at the right time and was covering it until the signal cut out.”

What’s the status of the reporter?”

“Missing, presumed dead, sir.”

“That is not the type of news I want to hear lieutenant! DOES ANYONE HAVE THE STATUS ON THE DEPLOYMENT TEAMS?!”

“We lost contact as they entered the active zone. We presume no data are going in and none are coming out.”

“We’ve even lost contact with the cleaners?!”

“Wait just a minute, sir; I think we’re picking up a transmission.”

“Put it on the loudspeaker. And I want it in real time.”

“But General Houston, we are mandated to follow Security Protocol Clandestine in all war zone communications…”

“I override it with Encryption Protocol Amazon.”

“Does such a protocol exist?”

“Of course it exists! I wouldn’t be implementing it if it didn’t. It reroutes the transmission through a secure direct line that is used for top secret communications of the most vital nature.”

“How is it initiated, sir?”

“Go over to the terminal and enter in the communication protocol field ‘Amazon’. Then when it asks for an encryption key, enter: SHOUS-078-TX.”