Blog @ MoreWhat.com

crossposted at:
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Conservative Thoughts

Besides the title, the first sentence draws attention and interest in this AP report presented below. One can probably find plenty of examples of issues in this country being improperly handled. But health care is equally bizarre or absurd in the way it is mishandled coupled with the subtle but real consequences for this nation in the long term if we don’t soon approach it intelligently.

In Health Care Debate, U-Word Is Back

By NANCY BENAC Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON Sep 16, 2007 (AP)

It’s been 14 years since first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton’s health care reform plan sank like a stone …

Hillary Rodham Clinton’s past failure with health care should not be her reason for addressing it again. If anyone including Hillary Rodham Clinton had a viable, broad solution capable of winning support from both parties, special interest and the general public that would be great. But this report and other common knowledge most people possess about these matters would indicate neither she nor anyone else will be bringing such a solution forward.

Democratic candidates argue it is the government’s job to make sure everyone has health insurance they cannot lose.
‘Make sure’ means an unlimited supply of taxpayer money to pay for whatever politicians think will make them look good. By the time the truth of the failure is published in the press, the usual anonymous suspects will be guilty as charged. Like a quote from a recent PBS program, ‘everyone is guilty so no one’s to blame.’

Republicans are pushing more limited incentives and subsidies to help people obtain affordable coverage. Which will result in the same problem for different reasons than the Dems plan. Both political parties are missing the point on this issue. They both rely on government appropriations as the vehicle. This is an issue where we are all guilty but everyone is to blame. It is understandable that anyone who is satisfied with their current health care situation would be reluctant to change. But even those who are happy are at risk. The system cannot be supported by taxpayer funds forever and the costs will not decrease if we continue the way it is.

Both sides are trying to steer clear of anything resembling the 1993 plan.

A professor at Emory University named Kenneth Thorpe was involved with Clinton on her 1993 health care fiasco and has worked with her and the other Dems as well on their health care plans this time. So all the Democratic party candidates are offering a repackaged 1993 idea that failed. That is why the Harry and Louise ad depicted the fretting couple worried about the government running health care. No wonder, it has worked so well so far. The special interest money machine has molded the government program into a rubber stamp for pay as we say coverage. Why else would a ‘patient’ pay nothing for a motorized chair or Viagra or getting their stomach stapled? Both social security and Medicare are paying for all manner of things and people never originally intended to be on it. And some are surprised the golden goose is running out of money…… our money.

Clinton was described as ‘adamant’ that “we’re going to get it done this time.”

Hillary Rodham Clinton should choose her words more carefully. Who in their right mind would agree that politicians have gotten anything ‘done’ in the true sense of the word? Just look at a few examples of legislation in general. If you read the text of most bills you will find phrases like ‘to modify’, ‘change’ or in some way alter existing legislation. A bill is introduced and before it ever passes or fails it is swamped with amendments, lost in committee, languishing in some isolated outpost in Washington or being revised. Little gets ‘done’ in Washington. So please, Hillary Rodham Clinton, stop with the rhetorical nonsense, like suspension of disbelief. Which could have been used here to describe your statements.

The reason health care won’t get ‘done’ is that the issue already has been reduced in the politicians’ mindset to insurance coverage. The funny thing is Hillary Rodham Clinton was sliced and diced by the same insurance lobby that she has cozied up to since then. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. So what type of reform do you think Hillary Rodham Clinton will get for you? With the other Dems drinking the same tainted Kool Aid offered by the same authors this time around, their plans will be substantially the same thing. And the GOP’s sentiment is simply Hillary Lite.

Citizens who are currently satisfied even if that only means they have insurance but it is not adequate will not rock the boat for fear of things getting worse. Those who need or desperately need health care solutions will not be addressed or will decline to complain for all the good it will do. The politicians are either avoiding the mess or in the pockets of lobbyists and things have a better chance of getting worse for all consumers.

And we’ll all keep drinking, smoking and eating ourselves into oblivion while avoiding sufficient activity as we couch potato and yell at the news we don’t watch. There are those who will not exit the drug induced stupor or coma long enough to care or the infinite number of other high risk behaviors that helped get us here in the first place.

Patients will keep asking for popular meds that feed Big Pharma’s coffers. Doctors will keep prescribing them and too often not listen to what their patients are saying. Nurses will continue to claim doctors don’t save your life, nurses do and they might be right. But too many people will die in hospitals or other facilities for reasons defying logic. And TV news magazines will continue to warn us about the peril while their evening news broadcast partners are cluttered with ads for those popular drugs from Big Pharma with side effects appearing worse than the ailment they are intended to medicate.

The health care problem in this country is that no one, really, no one wants to address health care. At least not in any way that would truly solve it. Everyone offering a plan is expecting someone else to carry the load. In other words, go ahead and fix it as long as it does not inconvenience me or require any discipline or sacrifice on my part.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Trackposted to Pirate’s Cove, The Pink Flamingo, The Amboy Times, third world county, Republican National Convention Blog, Big Dog’s Weblog, Conservative Thoughts, Nuke’s News & Views, Rosemary\’s Thoughts, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

You don’t have to be Alan Greenspan to understand government spending has been off the charts in the last seven years. You also don’t have to be more than a ’shoe clerk’ to know the GOP controlled Congress during that time. And you also don’t have to be a rocket scientist to suspect Greenspan’s assessment has more to do with his recently released book and its promotion than politics. So the question will be whether or not Alan Greenspan, in addition to promoting his book, was looking for a way to distract attention from the Clinton skeletons and recent news of many campaign irregularities to focus on President Bush’s liberal use of the government wallet.

Two things come to mind from the start. Greenspan’s compliment of former President Bill Clinton’s handling of economic issues should not be selective. It would be nonsense to criticize the GOP majority in Congress for economic woes during the Bush Administration when they were also the majority for most of the Clinton Administration. And if the Clinton Administration had chosen to aggressively respond to terrorist threats, 9/11 and its aftermath including the war in Iraq may have not happened at all or not on Bush’s watch. You may wish to argue the decision to go to war, but Clinton doing nothing about bin Laden, et al, does not give him a pass. Leaving it for the next guy gives you a share of the responsibility.

Whether or not this story stays alive for the remainder of the 2008 race as suggested remains to be seen. It may be all talked out before the end of 2007. And Mr Greenspan, good luck with the book sales.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Greenspan Memoir a Gift for Democrats, Grenade for Republicans
By Matthew Benjamin
Sept. 17 (Bloomberg) — Alan Greenspan, a conservative central banker, has tossed a political grenade into the 2008 elections and it exploded right under his Republican Party.In his memoir, “The Age of Turbulence: Adventures in a New World,'’ the former Federal Reserve chairman skewers President George W. Bush and congressional Republicans for what he said was reckless spending and a politically driven economic agenda and said they deserved to lose control of Congress in 2006. By contrast, he praised former President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, and his economic record.

crossposted at:
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FaultlineUSA
Conservative Thoughts

Therefore, we have decided to offer every iPhone customer who purchased an iPhone from either Apple or AT&T, and who is not receiving a rebate or any other consideration, a $100 store credit towards the purchase of any product at an Apple Retail Store or the Apple Online Store. Details are still being worked out and will be posted on Apple’s website next week. Stay tuned.

We want to do the right thing for our valued iPhone customers. We apologize for disappointing some of you, and we are doing our best to live up to your high expectations of Apple.

Above is the only part of Steve Jobs’ Open Letter to All iPhone Customers that you need to see. The remainder of the brief letter is just some silly fill that executive types feel compelled to include so they do not feel so dumb apologizing in public. But this is just another episode of consumers being dumb and corporate executives following suit albeit for different reasons.

In the article below from MarketWatch, Apple’s stock price dropped over six percent in the Wednesday/Thursday trading. Steve Jobs may have a winner on his hands and there were obviously enough idiots wanting idiot phones. But for a guy who has pulled off some incredible achievements, he also appears to possess the ability to shoot himself in the foot. Maybe the early wars between Gates and him still haunt.

The move has put pressure on Apple’s stock, which fell more than 5% Wednesday and continued to trade down on Thursday. The shares closed trading Thursday down nearly 1.3% at $135.01.

There’s another post or two around here somewhere dealing with the iPhone. Don’t take the reference of idiot phone the wrong way. Steve Jobs is talented. Apple can be an impressive company. The idiot phone has some interesting characteristics. But number one, its not like miniaturization was just invented nor display technology still using tubes.

Number two, the real idiot part of the equation not only addresses the ’stand n line’ mentality but RE-addresses an old problem. The one that caused most people to laugh. The person who always had to have the newest things and have them first. The first premium paid was obviously the highest price for the product. And that premium also bought the purchaser first dibs on product flaws as well as the chance to convert that new technology into a boat anchor. Not to mention the follow up purchases for upgrades or newer models, etc.,etc.

The business world is now telling the gullible they need fast transactions for a fast world that demands a credit card. They don’t tell you a cashless society may only benefit them. They also don’t tell you they’re competing with debit cards on that ad. The same goes with the idiot phone.

Remember when telephones had wires. Remember life before cell phones or built-in cameras or wireless internet or GPS tracking or traceless, disposable models? That is when the cost and quality of telephone service were the major complaints. When the phone was a phone the cost and quality of service were the big issues. Now wireless phones are the weapon of choice. Guess what the problem is? The cost and quality of service for making a damn telephone call.

It is done over many years and usually targeted at the younger or gullible demographic. Once they lure you into secondary features the price increases follow and the old problems never get solved. Who needs less expensive, quality phone service when you can get all these cool extras?

The technology gets released in tiny increments to milk the market. The sheep create demand and continue the cycle. The best products and services at the best prices that provide the best balance of profit for business and satisfaction for consumers rarely appear.

Without the announced price reduction so soon after buyers swarmed for the initial release of the iPhone, the customers would still be fat, dumb and happy. Steve Jobs indicated the apology idea was born after ‘hundreds of emails.’ Maybe, but one might think the sale of any product would generate more than hundreds of complaints. That aside, Jobs decides to keep the discounts in place but offer rebates to current customers. The deep discounts already moved the company’s stock down significantly in two days. A case of dumb all the way around.

That is why the i in iPhone stands for idiot. Do they offer text messaging so you won’t notice when the wireless internet portable music camera phone no longer allows you to talk to someone? Sure, laugh now. It’s coming.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Trackposted to Perri Nelson’s Website, The Random Yak, 123beta, Adam’s Blog, Right Truth, The Populist, The Uncooperative Radio Show! Aug. 07, 08 and 09, 2007, Nuke’s News & Views, Stuck On Stupid, The Bullwinkle Blog, Phastidio.net, , Woman Honor Thyself, 4 Time Father?, Blue Star Chronicles, Right Voices, and Church and State, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Users can ask questions of would-be presidents in real time during broadcasts this fall

August 23, 2007 (Computerworld) — MySpace and MTV Thursday announced plans for a new series of events that will allow MySpace and MTV.com users to submit questions to presidential candidates in real time during Web and television broadcasts.

The two companies described the events as “dialogues” between major Republican and Democratic candidates and MySpace and MTV devotees. Users can participate via MySpace instant messaging, mobile devices and e-mail. The dialogues will take place on college campuses nationwide and air on the MTV and mtvU cable stations, and will be webcast live on MTV.com and MySpaceTV.

There’s gold in them thar hills!! Part of the justification for the CNN/YouTube debates was expressed as acknowledging the importance of the electronic age, specifically the internet audience and efforts of candidates to tap the voter potential within its demographic. According to some opinions, the success of the 2004 Howard Dean campaign’s focus on internet fund raising created the interest. What is missing from any argument about these trends is the pathetic turnout in most elections in the US. While it may be promoted as good for the process, the entrance of MySpace and MTV into the fray more likely suggests the money angle. Candidates first sought the net for fund raising and it is just as likely the primary incentive for CNN, YouTube, MySpace and MTV is purely profit.

Another point missed by this most recent development in political debates is the lack of meaningful information provided by either arrangement. The traditional debate format is vetted by the political parties, often restricts who is invited and is scripted from beginning to end. The newer format may be intended to engage the under 25 age group yet reports of other efforts to increase the younger vote have failed miserably. If the players in American politics could move past the staged nature of campaigns and elections the public interest in them has a chance of improving. But that is exactly what politicians do not want. Anymore than they want to abandon lobbyists or special interest money. They like things the way they are even though they bemoan the lackluster turnouts and participation by the voting public. And the companies profiting by this new age debate marketing could care less about the process either. They are doing what they do best……making money.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Trackposted to Right Celebrity, Jeanette’s Celebrity Corner, and Gone Hollywood, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

The Dems placed a newspaper ad and opened a website to announce the winner of the Iowa Straw Poll as ‘none of the above.’ Are they just having a little fun at the GOP’s expense? Or are they showing just how concerned they are about their chances for the White House in 2008?

Their conclusion that poll numbers indicating 23% of Republicans were dissatisfied with the current field of candidates is the first clue. If the percentage breakdown among current candidates and undecided voters is evenly distributed between the top candidate or two and undecided voters, it can reflect a situation other than the lame assessment offered by the Democratic party. If you have a relatively large selection of qualified candidates it is no surprise to have many candidates sharing percentages above some minimum threshold. It is also not surprising to have a quarter of the pool of voters undecided this early in the campaign. It is hard to keep people’s interest this early in an unusually long campaign season.

By contrast, the Democratic field of candidates has only two choices. Clinton or Obama are the only candidates with competitive numbers while Edwards is well behind the two front runners and the remainder of the field has displayed no indication of moving higher. The nine day campaign gauntlet recently completed by the Democratic candidates featured criticism for Clinton’s love for lobbyists, Obama’s propensity for war and the insignificance of the other candidates. One exception would be Richardson declaring homosexuality as a choice. Reports later revealed that was not the position to take if courting homosexual voters.

While the Democratic candidates alienate their base, Rudy Giuliani and Newt Gingrich have predicted a Clinton and Obama ticket. At the very least it is an entertaining view. Whether it holds any campaign significance is yet to be determined. The GOP has ample choices in candidate selection and has only experienced typical competitive challenges during the campaign thus far. Lower tier candidates are spoiling for a party fight while the top tier stays on message. Nothing out of the ordinary has transpired so far this campaign season in the GOP ranks. The same might not be said of Democratic party hopefuls.

Thus the ad mentioned at the top of this post may simply be a reflection of the Democratic party’s inability to gain traction. A front running candidate with lots of baggage of her own as well as that of her husband’s two terms as President. A rookie second place contender showing signs of the inexperience he described as change. A lower tier group of candidates spearheaded by a candidate who lost in 2004 with his wife the more effective campaigner in his bid this time around. And the finale is a Democratic majority in Congress that is the least effective since records on the topic have been kept.

As an independent with conservative values, this blog has leaned to the right for some time now. While the Democratic party continues to display its inability or unwillingness to move away from dangerous policies and practices, the GOP while slow to correct their own set of faults show more promise in this regard. Detailing those contrasts here is unnecessary and outside the scope of this post. Comments, inquiries or objections would encourage a follow up post on that topic. Readers should be able to collect that information and draw their own conclusions.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Poll finds Romney leading crowd in much-watched Iowa Straw Poll

Stewart M. Powell, Hearst Newspapers
Saturday, August 11, 2007

Democrats urged Iowa Republicans on Friday to vote “none of the above” in today’s Iowa Straw Poll that gauges the early organizational strength of Republican candidates seeking the presidential nomination in 2008.

On the eve of the voting, the Democratic Party launched a newspaper advertisement and a Web site declaring, “Republicans have made up their mind and the winner is clear: none of the above.”

Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, CounterCulture, Is It Just Me?, Rosemary’s Thoughts, A Blog For All, Big Dog’s Weblog, The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns, Blue Star Chronicles, The Pink Flamingo, Webloggin, The Bullwinkle Blog, , Dumb Ox Daily News, Public Domain Clip Art, and CatSynth.com, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Romney For President Launches New Television Ad, “Ocean”

Monday, Jul 16, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Kevin Madden (857) 288-6390

To view video ‘Ocean’ CLICK HERE

Boston, MA - Today, Romney for President launched its newest television ad, “Ocean.” In the ad, Governor Romney discusses his belief that we need to look at the culture that surrounds America’s children and clean up “the ocean in which our children now swim.” Governor Romney believes that our country’s strength is dependent upon the strength of the American family and the promise of our children.

The ad will begin airing today in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. Scripts and viewing links are below.

Script For “Ocean” (TV:60):

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: “I’m deeply troubled about the culture that surrounds our kids today.

“Following the Columbine shootings, Peggy Noonan described our world as ‘the ocean in which our children now swim.’

“She described a cesspool of violence, and sex, and drugs, and indolence, and perversions.

“She said that the boys who did the shooting had ‘inhaled too deeply in the oceans in which they swam.’

“I’d like to see us clean up the water in which our kids are swimming.

“I’d like to keep pornography from coming up on their computers.

“I’d like to keep drugs off the streets.

“I’d like to see less violence and sex on TV and in video games and in movies.

“And if we get serious about this, we can actually do a great deal to clean up the water in which our kids and our grandkids are swimming.

“I’m Mitt Romney and I approve this message.”

To view “Ocean,” please see: http://mitt-tv.mittromney.com/?showid=234880

AD FACTS: Script For “Ocean” (TV:60 ):

GOVERNOR ROMNEY: “I’m deeply troubled about the culture that surrounds our kids today. Following the Columbine shootings, Peggy Noonan described our world as ‘the ocean in which our children now swim.’”

- Governor Romney: “I’m deeply troubled about the culture that surrounds our kids today. Following the Columbine shootings, Peggy Noonan described our world as ‘the ocean in which our children now swim.’” (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks At The Frontiers Of Freedom Ronald Reagan Gala, Washington, D.C., 4/18/07)

- Author Peggy Noonan: “This is the ocean in which our children swim. This is the sound of our culture. It comes from all parts of our culture and reaches all parts of our culture, and all the people in it, which is everybody. ” (Peggy Noonan, Op-Ed, “The Culture Of Death,” The Wall Street Journal, 4/22/99)

GOVERNOR ROMNEY: “She described a cesspool of violence, and sex, and drugs, and indolence, and perversions. She said that the boys who did the shooting had ‘inhaled too deeply in the oceans in which they swam.’”

- Governor Romney: “She described a cesspool of violence, and sex, and drugs, and indolence, and perversions. She said that the boys who did the shooting had ‘inhaled too deeply in the oceans in which they swam.’” (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks At The Frontiers Of Freedom Ronald Reagan Gala, Washington, D.C., 4/18/07)

- Author Peggy Noonan: “The boys who did the killing, the famous Trench Coat Mafia, inhaled too deep the ocean in which they swam.” (Peggy Noonan, Op-Ed, “The Culture Of Death,” The Wall Street Journal, 4/22/99)

GOVERNOR ROMNEY: “I’d like to see us clean up the water in which our kids are swimming. I’d like to keep pornography from coming up on their computers. I’d like to keep drugs off the streets. I’d like to see less violence and sex on TV and in video games and in movies. And if we get serious about this, we can actually do a great deal to clean up the water in which our kids and our grandkids are swimming.”

- Governor Romney: “I’d like to see us clean up the water in which our kids are swimming. I’d like to keep pornography from coming up on their computers. I’d like to keep drugs off the streets. I’d like to see less violence and sex on TV and in video games and in movies. And if we get serious about this, we can actually do a great deal to clean up the water in which our kids and our grandkids are swimming.” (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks At The Frontiers Of Freedom Ronald Reagan Gala, Washington, D.C., 4/18/07)

GOVERNOR ROMNEY: “I’m Mitt Romney and I approve this message.”

from MoreWhat.com:
This press release is offered for reader commentary. It is expected to get a ‘rise’ outta somebody.
Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Gary D. Naler
Voice: 573.729.5439
Email: Website: www.thecurseof1920.com

Conservatives Shoot Too Low: Stunning New Book, The Curse of 1920 Addresses How Feminization has Degraded Our Nation

“Women’s suffrage began in 1920, and our nation has been suffering ever since!”

Salem, MO — June 26, 2007 — “Conservatives are in for continued defeat unless they take the offensive and aim at the right target.” This is the sober counsel of author, Gary Naler, whose incredibly eye-opening book, The Curse of 1920, The Degradation of Our Nation in the Last 100 Years, is being announced by RTC Quest Publications.

“The problem with conservatives is that they are failing to get to the root of our problems as a nation. They lack leadership and clear effectual answers, and are aimlessly wandering in malaise and bewilderment. Even people like Rush Limbaugh, though aware of the problem of feminism that has a strangle-hold on this nation, have not seen through the fog to perceive the real source of the problem — women in politics! In 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment gave women the right to vote; and ever since, our nation has been cursed — the Curse of 1920! Thomas Jefferson astutely warned that women in politics would lead to ‘depravation of morals and ambiguity of issues.’ He was woefully right, as evidenced today!”

Author, Gary Naler, thoroughly addresses in this 320 page book three distinct matters, or three prongs as he calls them, that are destroying this nation, each having their coming-out in 1920: the women’s rights movement; jazz, rock, and rap music; and abortion and euthanasia.

Naler sets forth in clear, strongly supported argument that exactly what took place in the original Garden of Eden when the woman ate the forbidden fruit and gave it to the man, has been taking place in America. And rather surprisingly, he even points back to a most unlikely source for the second prong of this Curse — jazz, rock, and rap music — by addressing when Abraham married a cursed Canaanite woman, whose first of six ill-named sons bore the name meaning “music.”

Just when you think you’re beginning to understand a thing or two, along comes a book like The Curse of 1920 that adds a dimension that no one has ever seen — a fresh look at reality! Naler goes on to say, “The problem with conservatives is that they are aiming too low. They have not even gotten the real target in their sights, and they possess no effectual offense. Until women get out of government, you can absolutely forget about halting the problem of feminism in this nation. There are many analogies that apply to our response to women’s rights; but it’s like having a cancerous growth, and the doctor simply tries to stop the symptoms. The Women’s Suffrage Amendment of 1920 and the Prohibition Amendment of 1920 are both like failures — each created vast destructive social problems instead of reducing them!”

“Susan B. Anthony said it well” added Naler, “‘We must reach the root of the evil,’ and that root is the very work that she and Elizabeth Cady Stanton began — women’s rights! As one man aptly noted — women’s suffrage began in 1920, and our nation has been suffering ever since!”

With compelling statistical data from several sources, and observation that defies anything yet written on this nation’s ills, The Curse of 1920 is a very timely and desperately needed look at an otherwise missed analysis. Naler is able to stand back to a place where men have yet to stand and see a perspective that makes the chaotic simple and gives meaning that has long been lost. But not only does he point out the root of our ills, he lays out clear answers and specific actions that must be taken.

One of the most enlightening parts of the book is when he gives a report card on the women’s rights movement, examining their claims and grading their fulfillments. And he leaves us with this final challenge: “Men need to take their God-given responsibility that lies with them alone, and lead and govern.”

If Naler is right, conservatives have shot a lot of loose rounds into the ground, and have totally missed the target, allowing liberals to continually set the agenda. If you want to be challenged with fresh and new observations and ideas in the throws of an otherwise present political fog, this is unquestionably the book to read. If you recoil at this nation being led by Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and Dianne Feinstein, this book is a must read for you. If you want a compelling strategy that is sure to succeed, this is your book.

About The Author

After receiving his degree from a Texas University, spending six-and-a-half years behind a desk, and undergoing a year of humbling, Gary Naler spent the next thirteen years helping the poor and needy in Dallas, Texas. A portion of Gary’s mission included hosting a daily radio broadcast that addressed those needs. After building a home for homeless and/or abused women and children, his last thirteen years have been spent earnestly devoted to understanding and presenting vital issues such as those covered in The Curse of 1920. For more information about The Curse of 1920 and other writings, please visit: www.thecurseof1920.com .

For further information, please contact:

Gary D. Naler
411- E Franklin #1
Salem, MO 65560
Voice: 573.729.5439
Email Address:
Website Address: www.thecurseof1920.com
###

Trackposted to Right Pundits, third world county, Faultline USA, Stageleft, Right Truth, Big Dog’s Weblog, Walls of the City, The Pet Haven Blog, Nuke’s news and views, The Pink Flamingo, Adeline and Hazel, and CatSynth.com, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT REPORTS $20.5 MILLION IN
TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER

$43.9 Million In Total Receipts For The Year

Boston, MA - Today, Romney for President announced it will report $20.5 million in total receipts for the Second Quarter, ending June 30, 2007. The Campaign again opted to raise no general election funds and raised $14 million in primary contributions. The total receipts include Governor Romney’s loan of $6.5 million.

For the first six months of this year, Romney for President has total receipts of $43.9 million. Governor Romney’s message of conservative change in Washington is resonating with the American people and his support is growing throughout the country.

In the Second Quarter, Romney for President focused on growing its base of contributors and will report that more than 80,000 people have contributed to Governor Romney. This represents nearly 50,000 new donors since the First Quarter. This impressive display is indicative of Governor Romney’s growing network of grassroots support.

“Governor Romney’s momentum is the result of his message, which is centered around changing the status quo and transforming Washington. Our campaign is growing and building new networks of supporters every day, and this quarter’s strong fundraising support shows we have both the dedicated commitment and the ample resources to communicate Governor Romney’s message and continue building our campaign’s grassroots infrastructure,” said Romney for President campaign spokesman Kevin Madden.

FAST FACTS About Romney For President’s $20.5 Million Second Quarter Total:

* Amount Raised In Primary Contributions In The Second Quarter: $14 Million
* Total Amount Raised In Primary Contributions For The Year: Approximately $35 Million
* In The Second Quarter, Governor Romney Loaned $6.5 Million To Romney For President.
* Total Amount Of Revenue For The Entire Year: $43.9 Million
* Cash On Hand: $12 Million
* Total Number Of Donors In The Second Quarter: More Than 80,000 (Nearly 50,000 New Donors And 150% Increase From The First Quarter)
* Contributions Received From All 50 States And Washington, D.C.
* NO General Election Money Collected.

Sarah Pompei

Deputy Press Secretary for Regional Media

Romney for President, Inc.

Leave it to Forbes to present the title ‘Romney Outguns Opponents’ while the article itself may present a slightly different take. On TV ads Romney and, a surprise, Richardson are cranking out the TV ads. Richardson is a close 2nd in Iowa to Romney on TV ads. Who’d a thunk it?

McCain is getting more buzz online but his website isn’t. His online ads are doing well apparently. Obama leads the Dems and maybe all on net buzz since it is reported Dems buzz tops the GOP 2 to 1. Clinton is working to catch others like Obama in net audience. Is that what the stupid song search was doing?

Perhaps what the Forbes title means is Romney outspent rather than outgunned opponents. When you consider his political and business success it is hard to believe the net result would not favor his campaign. Early on this blog referred to Romney as the thinking man’s candidate. That appraisal still holds. Let’s not forget it’s a long campaign season and this is summer when much of the campaign spending may fall on deaf ears. This fall things will heat up in anticipation of the early primaries. The reports may be right that after all the calendar juggling Iowa and New Hampshire may be more important this year than before.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Romney Outguns Opponents

Andrew White 07.03.07, 6:00 AM ET
WASHINGTON, D.C. -
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has placed more local TV ads than all other presidential candidates combined, Nielsen Monitor Reports released Monday.

With 4,549 ads placed through June 10, the Massachusetts governor and Republican presidential candidate is leading all other candidates in overall TV advertising, with more than double the amount of TV ads from Democratic candidate Bill Richardson, who placed the second most TV ads through the middle of June with 2,232.

The ‘i’ in iPhone stands for idiot. Consumers pay too much for everything and then at some point complain that prices are too high. Everything costs too much because you keep buying it at ridiculous prices. The business community doles out technology products and services, as well as others, in tiny incremental phases at bloated prices and minimal or substandard capability, performance, features, quality, etc., etc., and consumers keep flocking to each new marketing ploy. The ‘i’ in iPhone stands for idiot.

The youngest among us are the easiest to fool. Haven’t been on the planet long enough or care about the trends that matter. Gotta have the newest and coolest even if it is a marketing campaign that defines the object. The trend is the business community has long known how to use hype to drive revenue. They not only target the younger demographic due to the extreme discretionary income as compared to other groups but they are keenly aware that they are largely clueless when it comes to intelligent purchasing decisions supported by fact.

As for the older demographic that follows suit, they once were part of the younger demographic that was clueless and no improvement in buying decisions has occurred over time. These two demographics are in large part responsible for the continued promotion of second rate products and services at unreasonable prices.

Why do houses cost so much? Because first time buyers only consider what they want and finding a way to qualify for a price they do not see as inflated. The mortgage industry is only too happy to invent flawed solutions like the subprime industry to accommodate such foolish transactions.

Why do cars cost so much? Why does health care cost so much? Why is the cost of an education higher than most think it should be? Although the details may vary the overall reasons for the cost of goods and services and their associated real value are so dramatically skewed. People convince themselves they need what they are buying and have no patience, discipline or any buyer sophistication adequate to the task. This is followed by subsequent complaints about how bad things are without the consumer accepting any guilt for the outcome. The ‘i’ in iPhone stands for idiot.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Perri Nelson’s Website, The Virtuous Republic, Right Truth, Big Dog’s Weblog, Stuck On Stupid, Leaning Straight Up, The Amboy Times, Pursuing Holiness, CatSynth.com “catback” weekend, The Magical Rose Garden, third world county, Right Celebrity, Wake Up America, Woman Honor Thyself, stikNstein… has no mercy, Pirate’s Cove, Nuke’s news and views, The Pink Flamingo, Dumb Ox Daily News, Church and State, The Random Yak, A Blog For All, 123beta, DeMediacratic Nation, Jeanette’s Celebrity Corner, Webloggin, Cao’s Blog, , Conservative Cat, , Diary of the Mad Pigeon, Allie Is Wired, Walls of the City, The World According to Carl, Blue Star Chronicles, High Desert Wanderer, Gone Hollywood, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

NEWSWEEK Cover: Why Gaza Matters

The June 25 Issue of Newsweek (on newsstands Monday, June 18), “Why Gaza Matters” explores the impact the Hamas-lead attacks have on the rest of the Middle East. Plus: An exclusive interview Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says that despite pressure to make changes in Iraq, he needs time because the decisions he is making will be “written in stone”; Angelina Jolie on the making of “A Mighty Heart,” being an activist and a mother; and Fred Thompson’s Senate record. (PRNewsFoto/Newsweek)

NEW YORK, NY UNITED STATES 06/16/2007

The Most Chaotic, Violent and Fractionalized Countries in the Middle East
are the Ones U.S. Urged to Hold Elections
Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki says, ‘The Timetables Given, Sometimes I Do Not
Find Them in President Bush’s Mind so Much as They are in the Minds of Some
People Who Make [Public] Statements’

NEW YORK, June 17 /PRNewswire/ — This has been a bad week for
President Bush’s freedom agenda in the Middle East. Between the continued
violence in Iraq and the Hamas-lead violence that has broken out in Gaza,
America’s hopes for bringing peace to the Middle East are waning.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070616/CLSA011 )
The violence that has rocked Gaza over the last week has left Hamas
fighters in control of the 140-square-mile strip and it may now become
Hamas’s private enclave and perhaps even an ungovernable font of terror. In
the June 25 issue of Newsweek (on newsstands Monday, June 18), Senior
Editor Michael Hirsh states that the defeat of the secular and more
moderate Fatah forces could, along with the insurgents’ success in Iraq,
inspire Islamist radicals in the region and around the world.
In his second Inaugural Address, the president embraced the promotion
of democracy as his top priority, declaring: “The survival of liberty in
our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands.”
Hirsh points out, however, that in Iraq and the Palestinian territories, as
in Russia, Pakistan and other places, liberty is retreating. Now citizens
of countries where Washington has called for greater democracy-Iran, say,
or Syria- have three less-than-inspiring examples close to home. In
Lebanon, Iranian-backed Hizbullah reigns as a power unto itself. In Iraq,
the sect-based parties that came to power in the 2005 elections have
created a bloody nightmare, and stymied any attempts to forge a truly
national consensus. And in the Palestinian territories, Washington simply
rejected the election results.
After Hamas’s wins, the United States and other Western countries cut
aid money to the Palestinian government, instead funneling resources
directly to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s office, reports Jerusalem
Bureau Chief Kevin Peraino. Some observers accuse Washington of baldly
encouraging rivalry between the two camps. In a confidential report leaked
last week, United Nations envoy Alvaro de Soto wrote that “the U.S. clearly
pushed for a confrontation between Fatah and Hamas.” De Soto recounts
listening to a U.S. official declare, “I like this violence,” twice at an
envoys’ meeting in Washington recently. “The U.S. fanned the flames of this
internal Palestinian conflict,” says Haim Malka of Washington’s Center for
Strategic and International Studies. State Department spokesman Sean
McCormack dismissed de Soto’s remarks as “the views of an individual.”
What seems certain is that Hamas-run Gaza is doomed to greater
isolation and misery. With the Islamists in control, Israel may intensify
its campaign of air strikes on Hamas rocket teams and other militants. Some
Israeli analysts point out that a strong Hamas leadership in Gaza could
have its advantages; at least someone would be in control there. But that
is a minority view. “There’s no common ground [with Hamas],” says Ephraim
Sneh, Israel’s deputy Defense minister. Dialogue, he says, is almost
certainly a nonstarter. “Listen to them, for God’s sake!” he says. “Gaza
will be worse than Mogadishu. Our Apache [helicopter gunships] will talk to
them.”
Peraino also reports that Gaza is likely to experience further troubles
once the chaos settles because of the exodus of the territory’s middle
class citizens. The Gazans most likely to escape are those with means and
connections–the ones Gaza can least afford to lose. In the past 12 months,
88,320 people have left Gaza for Egypt through the Rafah crossing, and only
76,176 have come in-a net loss of some 12,000 people. Anecdotal evidence
suggests that the vast majority of those who manage to escape are the
young, wealthy and well educated. Many of those who are leaving are
technocrat types who work for organizations like the United Nations and
foreign NGOs with global reach.
“The next American president will have to grapple with a Middle East
that is messier and quite possibly angrier than before 9/11.” Hirsh says.
“But also, in a larger sense, he or she will have to confront anew a harsh
lesson in the limits of power. America can only be, at best, a guiding hand
behind an international system that is disposed to democracy and open
markets.”
Meanwhile, in Iraq, patience with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is
running out. Maliki recently gave Newsweek an exclusive interview in which
he expressed optimism for the process of turning his country around. But
the slow pace is testing the patience of Iraqis and Americans, except
apparently, President George W. Bush. With mounting pressure from all sides
to speed up reconciliation among Iraq’s various parties and bringing an end
to the civil war, Maliki says he needs time in order to make long-term
decisions-ones that will be “written in stone”-and says he’s confident that
Bush understands. Maliki tells Paris Bureau Chief and Middle East Regional
Editor Chris Dickey and Baghdad Correspondent Larry Kaplow, “The timetables
given, sometimes I do not find them in President Bush’s mind so much as
they are in the minds of some people who make [public] statements.”
Maliki says his close relationship with Bush has a lot to do with fate,
“Destiny wanted to bring together two people who strongly stick to their
principles.” But what the two of them see as resolve, however, many others
see as stubbornness (that has yet to bring an end to violence.)
(Read cover story at http://www.Newsweek.com)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19263096/site/newsweek/

SOURCE Newsweek

Making Offshore Outsourcing ‘Irrelevant’ is Goal of New Ascent Technology Center

Company’s New Approach Saves Clients Up To 70% Off Their IT Costs

PITTSBURGH, June 14 /PRNewswire/ — Ascent Systems, a leading regional
professional services firm providing business process and information
technology solutions that elevate business performance, announced today the
launch of its “Ascent Technology Center(TM) (ATC)” that cuts the total cost
of information technology projects by up to 70%. Ascent Systems is ranked
14th on the Pittsburgh Business Times’ 2006 Pittsburgh 100 list of
fastest-growing companies.
The Ascent Technology Center will provide full-spectrum technology
services to its clients and is expected to employ nearly 300 local
technology professionals when fully staffed. Ascent offers technology
consulting, custom software development, CRM/ERP/PLM systems integration,
web content management, and IT project outsourcing to clients in the
Pittsburgh region.
“We believe that, throughout the last decade and a half, the U.S. IT
services industry has not mounted an effective campaign to reduce the cost
of IT projects and has sent the work offshore rather than do it here. One
result is that the Bangalore region of India has grown their technology
industry by billions of dollars and 170,000 workers over the last few
years. So, we are launching such a campaign in Pittsburgh today,” said John
Twigg, Chief Executive Officer of Ascent. Twigg has spoken on the
detrimental effects of offshore outsourcing on radio and television
programs as well as at numerous technical and business events. He also
represents the interests of U.S. members of the Institute for Electrical
and Electronics Engineers in meetings with legislators in Washington D.C.
Jim Trotta, VP of Business Development for Ascent and previously an
alumnus of Tier-1 providers IBM, EDS, Deloitte & Touche, and Ernst & Young
added, “The goal of the Ascent Technology Center is to provide rapid and
affordable local solutions to solve our clients’ critical business issues
such as increasing sales, improving customer satisfaction, reducing costs,
and maximizing profits. Ascent has perfected its model over the last three
years and already has a 7-0 record vs. offshore firms of keeping work here
in Pittsburgh. Why not make offshore outsourcing irrelevant while
increasing the career opportunities for our local technology professionals
and students? We’ve already proven that our globally-competitive business
model works and we’ve been recognized for it by both the Pittsburgh City
Council and the Pennsylvania Senate.”
Ultimately, Twigg foresees a trend where his lower IT costs will enable
clients of any size to increase their use of technology to be more
competitive. “A 2004 Deloitte Consulting study showed that Pennsylvania
manufacturing firms lag the U.S. national average in productivity by 11%.
As many of these firms experience increasing competitive pressures over
time, they realize that information technology and process improvement are
the two important growth engines that they must have to compete — and that
only a local partner like Ascent makes these engines affordable,” he
concludes. “What we do is identify, prioritize, and execute those
improvements that bring the largest business value. Our clients are kept
close to their projects and intellectual property.
“But where the rubber really hits the road,” Twigg suggested, “is in
cost reduction. As of today, our existing clients will get an immediate
drop of 30% or more in programming costs if they aren’t on the lower rates
already. And, our consulting rates for enterprise resource planning (ERP)
systems will be close to 70% below traditional ERP providers, lowering the
total cost of implementation of such systems dramatically. So now, for
example, a small manufacturing client can have the ERP system they really
need instead of settling for just an accounting system.”
About Ascent Systems, Inc.
Ascent Systems provides strategy-driven capabilities, process
improvements, and technologies that are critical to the growth and
prosperity of its clients. By focusing on smaller, achievable technology
milestones, Ascent Systems can field new capabilities much faster and can
make the acquisition process less costly, thereby achieving expected
results on schedule and within cost. Ascent Systems proudly employs a 100%
U.S. resident work force.

For further information:
Jim Trotta
Public Relations
Ascent Systems, Inc.
412.795.4444
info@ascent-systems.com
http://www.ascent-systems.com

SOURCE Ascent Systems, Inc.

Maybe on a lazy Sunday afternoon while many Americans are enjoying the benefits of living in this great country is a good time to remind everyone of some things they could do to preserve that ability. The calls for action listed below are worthwhile and necessary efforts to maintain the United States in the manner which it has been for over 200 years.

None of them require much effort and offer a simple means for strong Americans to do their part for this great nation. If the United States means as much to you as it should, take a few minutes to help out your fellow Americans do the right thing. Thank you.

We Win, They Lose

When it came to defeating the Soviets, Ronald Reagan made it simple: “We win, they lose.” Now more than ever, the defeatists in Congress must hear that same message. America will never surrender. Here’s how you can help:

Illegal Immigration Reform

View Current Signatures - Sign the Petition

To: The US Congress

We the undersigned, citizens of the United States, petition the US Congress to reject any immigration bill that offers amnesty or otherwise rewards people for illegal behavior. (first sentence of the petition)

You can find more opportunities to participate in the sidebar of this blog. While not all calls for action may appeal to all Americans, the ones listed above should be an exception to that statement. If you are an American and care about your country, this is the least you can do to help preserve it.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

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It is probably a contrived argument among publishers involved to increase the hype of new books coming out soon. Because of the socially redeeming value of such a prank, in thsi case, we’ll play along. Two publishers, each releasing a book in June by known authors, feature biogrphies on none other than Hillary Rodham Clinton. Hopefully those three words, HRC, will be picked up by search engine spiders along with the other mentions of the books to help spread the word. We hope everyone reads the books, or at least skims them at their public library when available.

Being one of many blogs with an unfavorable opinion of Hillary Rodham Clinton and the mind-numbing fear of the damage she would do to this country if ever elected again, our future is tied in part to two books that promise to unveil the truth about her lies. And don’t say we’re being unfairly critical of Hillary Rodham Clinton. If you cannot see through the sham of their political crimes, you are either deaf, dumb and blind and been locked in a closet since birth, or you’re a fringe left liberal Democrat. We understand those two descriptions are nearly identical and that is the problem. That is because, as a society, we have somehow created a group of people who believe if they can think of it, it si right and we all should be in favor of it.

This started out to be a simple reminder with a little humor mixed in. However, just thinking about the Clintons, sorry Chelsea it’s an accident of birth, you might be an innocnet bystander, makes me cringe and the reminder will have to end here. Check the books when they come out and the excerpt is below. Take something for an upset stomach before opening the books as a preemptive strike.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Publishers in pitched battle with dueling Hillary biographies

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 05/12/07
BY BOB MINZESHEIMER
USA TODAY
Sniping worthy of a political campaign has begun between rival publishers with dueling biographies of Hillary Rodham Clinton due June 19.

In one corner is “A Woman in Charge” by Carl Bernstein of Watergate reporting fame. It will be published by Knopf, which also is Bill Clinton’s publisher.

“Her Way” by Jeff Gerth and Don Von Natta Jr. will be published by Little, Brown, whose editor in chief, Geoff Shandler