CatHouse Chat

Happy Fourth of July wishes

... from ReasonTV via the Puppy Blender...

Wow! Can we do that every year until the morons in D.C. actually learn fiscal responsibility?!

Mike Ramirez: SLAM DUNK!

Click to embiggen, or go over to Mike Ramirez' page and view the political cartoon from 23Jun09:

A devastating - and accurate - critique.

(kittipurrs to Jerry)

A "pivot"... That's the new word for "broke a promise," right?

How about as an alternate for "has no moral foundation, much less any principles"?

Brian Kirwin at Bearing Drift alerted me to the newest bit of idiocy from President Obama (and you do not KNOW how much more difficult it is getting to NOT use some of the disrespectful and rude nicknames I have for Obama....)

President Obama, in a pivot from a campaign promise, told Democratic senators Tuesday that he is willing to consider taxing employer-sponsored health benefits to help pay for a broad expansion of coverage.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., said Obama expressed a willingness to consider changing the existing tax exclusion. The decision probably would anger liberal supporters such as labor unions, but such a tax change would raise enormous sums of money as Congress and the White House struggle to find the estimated $1.2 trillion needed to pay for an overhaul of health care over the next decade.

Yeah, that's the completely unbiased and totally non-partisan Seattle Slimes oops Times.

A "pivot."

You know, if the tone-deaf and too-comfortable-on-their-asses... persons... in Washington DC would actually STOP SPENDING MONEY WE DON'T HAVE... Ah, no... why bother? The sheeple want their free money, and so the government will write more and more bad checks while trying to extort more "revenue" out of the pockets of those of us who actually work and produce goods and services...

Socialism looms close on the horizon, and the destruction of this wonderful country cannot be far behind.

I will give the Seattle Times some props, though - here's the last sentence in their article:

Nevertheless, the issue represents treacherous politics for Obama, given his attacks on Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who advocated a similar approach during the campaign. [emph. mine]

I predict the newest fashion: Fetish gear

... 'cause Vice President Biden is going to have to walk around with a gag in his mouth...

When the Obamabots come calling...

... you'll know what to do.

Go read. NOW!

The GIVE Act - opens door to slavery AND violates First Amendment! (UPDATED)

The other day, I posted about HR1388, also known as the GIVE Act, and pointed out that it opens the door to "voluntary" MANDATORY service - an oxymoron (emphasis on MORON) if I ever read one.  UPDATE: I've corrected that post; I got my links mixed up, and section 6104, while in the original referred to the House, does NOT appear in the final version sent to the Senate.

Well, now look at Section 125: {UPDATE: The link on http://thomas.loc.gov is not permanent, so you'll have to go here and then click into one of the text-of-bill links to find section 125}

(a) Prohibited Activities- A participant in an approved national service position under this subtitle may not engage in the following activities:

     (1) Attempting to influence legislation.

     (2) Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes.

     (3) Assisting, promoting, or deterring union organizing.

     (4) Impairing existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements.

     (5) Engaging in partisan political activities, or other activities designed to influence the outcome of an election to any public office.

     (6) Participating in, or endorsing, events or activities that are likely to include advocacy for or against political parties, political platforms, political candidates, proposed legislation, or elected officials.

     (7) Engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of religious proselytization.

For a refresher, here is the full text of the First Amendment (link has the full Bill of Rights):

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

So, let's break it down a little, shall we:

• Prohibiting the free expression of religion? Check.
• Prohibiting the freedom of speech? Check.
• Prohibiting the right of peaceful assembly? Check and check (both for political AND religious reasons - nice double play there, you anti-constitutional buffoons!)
• Prohibiting the right to petition the government for redress of grievances? Check.

As you can see, the seventh point really burns my gut. And I know, I know, some of you anti-American, anti-freedom, anti-Constitution liberal lunatics out there will say, "Oh, that's just for MANDATORY religious services!" Nope. Sorry. That word applies only to the phrase "providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship," not the rest of that paragraph.

So, programs run by Prison Fellowship and Alcoholics Anonymous, for instance, would be on the list of activities which are likely to be prohibited.

Congress is pushing this law through - not private citizens or private businesses or private organizations. CONGRESS.

So, where are the liberal moonbats and their screams of censorship and suppression?

[crickets chirping]

Yeah, I thought so.

Time to make sure we're stocked up, and to triple polish the guns, folks. We just might be getting into the Second Revolution any day now...

Are the DemonRATS (and RINOs) going to bring back slavery? (UPDATED)(And UPDATED again)

UPDATE 2.0 - VERY IMPORTANT: OK, I see that I got my links mixed up, for which I apologize. Section 6104 of this bill appears in the version originally introduced to the House, but is NOT included in the final version sent to the Senate. This is a good thing!

Because the G.I.V.E. Act ("Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act") has just passed the House...

Kender alerted me to this post at InfoWars:

Fears about Obama’s plans to create involuntary servitude were first stoked in July 2008, when Obama told a rally in Colorado Springs, “We cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives we’ve set. We’ve got to have a civilian national security force that is just as powerful, just as strong, just as well funded.”

Despite denials that Obama plans to institute a mandatory program of national service, his original change.gov website stated that Americans would be “required” to complete “50 hours of community service in middle school and high school and 100 hours of community service in college every year”. The text was only later changed to state that Americans would be “encouraged” to undertake such programs.

Section 6104(b)(6) has some very troubling language {UPDATE: The link to the thomas.loc.gov search is not a permalink - you must go here, and then review the full text of the bill. I used the most recent version which was sent to the Senate},/strike>

Whether a workable, fair, and reasonable mandatory service requirement for all able young people could be developed, and how such a requirement could be implemented in a manner that would strengthen the social fabric of the Nation and overcome civic challenges by bringing together people from diverse economic, ethnic, and educational backgrounds.

Funny, last I heard, the definitions of the words "volunteer" and "voluntary" did NOT include the word "MANDATORY." In fact, from the definitions, these words are not synonyms, but ANTONYMS.

So all those DemonRATS and RINOs are, effectively, re-opening the door to slavery.

Way to go, you idiots!

UPDATE 2.0 - I see that my Cotillion blog-sis, Nice Deb, is already on it!

Will Virginia reassert its Tenth Amendment rights?

Last month, I referred to a post over at And Rightly So which discussed several states which had taken measures to take back their 10th Amendment rights from the Federal Government.  I wondered why Virginia, which is the Mother of Presidents, hadn't gotten on the bandwagon, and several of my Virginia blog-brothers reminded me of the Virginia Resolution of 1798 (actual text here).

So, Virginia has had this on the books, as it were, for a long time.

I didn't blog it then, but last week, the Old Virginia Blog pointed to some information that Del. Christopher Peace is the chief sponsor of HR 61, State Sovereignty. Virginia *IS* pushing back against the Federal Government's infringement of states' rights!

Full text of the bill is here, and I give my whole hearted support to it - and I pray that, once it passes (God willing), the government of this Commonwealth follows through and tells the Feds where to stick it when Uncle Sam (NannyState version) tries to meddle!

As with the Republican Party of Virginia, so with the National Committee?

With the Republican Party of Virginia making serious moves to oust its currant chairman, Jeff Frederick, will the National Committee be following suit?

*sigh*

Looks like the Republican Party continues to implode. Which is just as well - the RINOs need to be purged (yes, I know it's a strong word), and the Party needs to return to and promote its foundational values: small government, low taxes, economic power, strong national defense, combined with personal integrity and honor at every level.

Evan Sayet at Heritage on 03Mar09: "Hating What's Right: How the Modern Liberal Winds Up on the Wrong Side of Every Issue"

Totally LOVE Evan... He's awesome! His last speech at Heritage was two years ago, and was superb. Now he's back with a speech from last week, again at Heritage:

State of the Union "Foreclosures-burg Address"

Yeah, I'd say that about sums it up.

Virginia - take back your Tenth Amendment rights!

I've really been disgusted by the continual creep of the Federal Government into areas where it has no Constitutional right. It offends me as a citizen and as a conservative who loves our Founding Documents and the founding principles of this country.

This morning, I see that Duncan over at And Rightly So has posted that Texas is finally fed up with this too, and has taken steps to address the issue. Here's the summary of the bill (ARS has the full text):

Affirming that the State of Texas claims sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution, serving notice to the federal government to cease and desist certain mandates, and providing that certain federal legislation be prohibited or repealed.

Virginia, you are the "Mother of Presidents"! Many of our distinguished Founders and Presidents have come from the Commonwealth, and served with honor and integrity. Why are we not on the forefront of this movement??

Time for a Chicago Tea Party!

First, go watch this video (wish I could embed it)

CNBC's Rick Santelli and the traders on the floor of the CBOE express outrage over the notion they may have to pay their neighbor's mortgage, particularly if they bought far more house than they could actually afford

And then go vote in the poll.

I am totally onboard with this; my sentiments are accurately expressed by the first commenter I read at the poll's page:

The plan is a discrace! I pay my mortgage and bills on time. I live on a fixed income. I find it tough each month to make ends meet, but do. I did not go out and buy a home I could not afford. No one is helping ME! The Bleeding heart Democrats might as well give the country away. God Bless Rick Santelli!!

Robin Hood taxation: rob the hard working, productive people, and redistribute the wealth (AFTER the government takes its cut, of course) to those who lived beyond their means and were fiscally irresponsible... Whoa, just like the government!

Fer the luvaGod....

Well, here's a qualified "Atta boy!" for President Obama

He opposes the so-called "Fairness Doctrine."

And I'll qualify that with an "I'll believe it when I see him smacking down the DemoRATS who are promoting it."

Obviously, he thinks money grows on trees or something...

President Obama, not satisfied with signing off on the massive and irresponsible porkulus "recovery" bill passed by Congress last Friday, is now pushing for an ADDITIONAL $75 billion to prevent foreclosures:

President Obama, calling the housing meltdown a "crisis unlike we've ever known," rolled out a $75 billion plan Wednesday that his administration hopes will keep as many as 9 million families in their homes.

The announcement in Phoenix comes a day after he signed a $787 billion economic rescue package that combines spending and tax cuts aimed at saving and creating millions of jobs. 

The foreclosure prevention plan is more ambitious than initially expected -- and more expensive. It aims to aid borrowers who owe more on their mortgages than their homes are currently worth, and borrowers who are on the verge of foreclosure. 

Obama said the plan is a critical component in his administration's efforts to pull the nation out of recession.

No, this is a critical component in the DemonRATS' and RINOs' plan to weaken America and turn us all into mewling babies, intent on sucking on the Nanny State's teat all our lives. I never though I'd really see the day that American citizens would put up with this sort of idiocy, but I guess all those years of public school education and media propaganda is finally doing its work.

Welcome to Socialism, America. Lenin, Stalin, and Mao are all rolling in their graves, laughing at how far America has fallen.

UPDATE: This post from Gateway Pundit is particularly ironic:

You know things are out of control when Communist China is lecturing democrats on protectionism and now the former head of the KGB is lecturing US democrats against socialism.

"Out of control"? Well, I think that's putting it... mildly!

Virginia senators Warner and Webb: Anti-religious bigots?

I dunno, what do you think? They both voted against an amendment to the soi-disant "stimulus" bill proposed by Sen. DeMint (R - SC). According to Sen. DeMint's website:

Pages 164-165 of the stimulus contain the following prohibitions on the use of $3.5 billion available for renovation of public or private college and university facilities.

(2) PROHIBITED USES OF FUNDS.—No funds awarded under this section may be used for—
(C) modernization, renovation, or repair of facilities—
(i) used for sectarian instruction, religious worship, or a school or department of divinity; or
(ii) in which a substantial portion of the functions of the facilities are subsumed in a religious mission; or construction of new facilities.

Sen. DeMint proposed striking this language because it was a Congressional infringement of our First Amendment rights and that

“This is a direct attack on students of faith, and I’m outraged Democrats are using an economic stimulus bill to promote discrimination,” said Senator DeMint. “Democrats should be ashamed of themselves for siding with the ACLU over millions of students of faith. These students simply want equal access to public facilities, which is their constitutional right. This hostility toward religion must end. Those who voted to for this discrimination are standing in the schoolhouse door to deny people of faith from entering any campus building renovated by this bill."

Of course Virginia's senators voted against it - they're not interested in the Constitution; they're just like the rest of their DemocRAT(ick) cohorts: freedom of speech and religion are too good for the masses.

Sounds to me like Virginia's bitter, religious gun owners ought to band together and vote these reprobates out of office at the next opportunity. Then again, anything these idiots do to piss of their constituents just makes their tenure in Congress that much shorter... many more stupid moves like these, and Virginians wouldn't spit on Webb and Warner even if they were on fire.

(kittipurrs to Gateway Pundit)

Virginia's new smoking ban...

Well. *sigh* This is a difficult one.

Bearing Drift reports that legislation banning smoking in Virginia restaurants has, effectively, passed.  Speaking personally (and as a former smoker), I'm glad because I really really REALLY hate cigarette smoke, especially in restaurants.

However.

Speaking as a freedom-loving citizen of this Republic, I deplore this additional intrusion of the Nanny State into private business. I think that if such a ban is indeed so important and worthy, it ought to have been brought to vote by the residents of this Commonwealth.

Frankly, even though I'm in the heart of tobacco country, I'm seeing less and less smoking inside of restaurants, anyway; it's my opinion that these business owners were already reacting to the natural pressure from their clientele, and that the ban would have been unnecessary in a few years.

But then the government - pernicious and meddling as ever - just has to stick its nosy, interfering self into the mix...

President Obama:

It's NOT above your pay grade...

It's not beyond anyone's pay grade!

CHOOSE LIFE!

(kittipurrs to Gribbit)

"Close Gitmo! Close Gitmo!"

But don't send the detainees to *MY* back yard!

What's the matter, Nancy? Couldn't the enlightened city of San Francisco treat these people in a "humane" manner? Or are you really counting on all those tourist dollars that no one will be spending because all our citizens are too busy working to pay off the obscene debt you and your cohorts (and, yeah, I included the RINOs) have voted in?

Heart's ease (UPDATED)

[Grrrrr. For some reason, the text of the moblog didn't come thru... Ah, well, this is a better comment anyway]

"Thou awakest us to delight in Thy praise; for Thou madest us for Thyself, and our heart is restless, until it rest in Thee." --- St. Augustine, Confessions, Book 1

I've been very busy at work with my new job, so I haven't taken the time to post much (gotta correct that). I've also been rather melancholy over the political situation - as you know, President Obama was far from my first choice to lead America in these perilous times.

However, I read Rick Warren's prayer for the inauguration on Mark Driscoll's blog, and it really reminded me that things haven't actually changed: God is still on His throne, He is still in control, and the Blood of Christ still cleanses us from sin.

I think, perhaps, that this is a good thing for me. I don't want to have a "functional savior" in politics or political leaders. I don't want to cling to anyone or anything other than Jesus, the true Savior and God, for my joy and fulfillment. So, I'm hoping that I'll take this opportunity to learn to grow closer to Him, to follow Him more faithfully, and to learn to seek His approval.

God alone should have my deepest loyalty and devotion. Although men can hurt and maim and enslave and hamper and cripple and kill me, only God has sovereignty over my soul. Only God is worthy of my worship. Only God can bring peace to my restless heart and my anxious mind.

God has made me for Himself, to bring glory to His name and to let His grace and love work through me. It's time to learn to trust Him fully, and to rest in Him.

EXACTLY!!!

What he said:

Which brings me to the whole preposterous idea that somehow, we conservatives need to change – or to use the in-vogue word, “redirect” -- our message. The problem we conservatives have is not with our message. The problem we have is with the men who were supposed to deliver it (as opposed to the one woman courageous enough to carry our banner, who did fine and dandy, thank you). The problem we have is with our “leaders’” methods. And their meandering, miasmic, mealy-mouthed meekness.

Remember the congressional majority we suffered through for nearly 12 long, harrowing years? For your sake, I actually hope not. For more than a decade, the Republicans (self-described conservatives almost to a one) controlled the Senate and the House. And they proceeded to surrender on almost every front. They bleated about being “non-partisan.” They whined about maintaining their majority (for what reason we now know not). And they “reached across the aisle” so often that the lines between the parties dissolved into an amorphous blur.

Then, when, inevitably, the American people tired of the Republicans’ pusillanimity and spit them from their mouths, the do-nothing losers blamed the message they had long-since betrayed. And now – after a Republican President pushes for open borders and blanket amnesty; after he spends like a drunken sailor on a Cinderella liberty; after he nationalizes everything but grandma’s put-back pin money; and after the American electorate shows open disdain for him, his policies, and his party – lo and behold, the self-same nervous nellies say it’s time to, you guessed it, change the message.

I am tired - deathly tired! - of politicians claiming the conservative label, and then acting like the worst kind of spineless, waffling, craven, America-hating left-wing moonbats! Stand up, be counted, and fight for true conservative values, you cowards!

Of course, I do have to put a fair amount of blame squarely on the shoulders (and, yeah, I'll include myself) of the voting public, because we've kept voting these idiots into office and then allowed them to remain there once their "mealy-mouthed meekness" has been exposed...

Dave Barry's Year in Review... and cute kittens

Yep. This is a good way to spend New Year's Day - reading Dave Barry. Some highlights:

• Abroad, Fidel Castro steps down after 49 years as president of Cuba, explaining that he wants to spend more time decomposing. In selecting his successor, the Cuban national assembly, after conducting an exhaustive nationwide search, selects Fidel's brother, Raul, who narrowly edges out Dennis Kucinich.
• In sports, the undefeated New England Patriots lose the Super Bowl to the New York Giants in a stunning upset that confounds the experts, not to mention Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which had $38 billion on the Pats to win.
• In environmental news, Earth Hour is observed on March 29, when cities around the world display their commitment to conserving energy by turning out their lights for one hour. When the lights come back on, Detroit is missing.
• the International Atomic Energy Agency releases a report stating that Iran is actively developing nuclear warheads. In response, Iran issues a statement asserting that (1) it absolutely is not developing nuclear warheads, and (2) these are peaceful warheads. The United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia and China convene an emergency meeting, during which they manage, in heated negotiations, to talk France out of surrendering.
• Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac invest $17 billion in an Herbalife franchise.
• Speaking of vegetables, the big scare in June comes from the Food and Drug Administration, which announces that tomatoes are killing people. A wave of fear grips the nation as supermarket shoppers stampede from the produce section, causing several fatal shopping-cart mishaps. At the height of the panic, with the tomato industry reeling, the FDA declares that, oops, the killer might not be tomatoes, but some other vegetable, possibly jalapeño peppers, but nobody knows for sure. Eventually everyone calms down, but not before a bank in Cleveland is held up by a man wielding only a stalk of asparagus.
• Speaking of trouble, the economic news continues to worsen with the discovery that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have sent $87 billion to a Nigerian businessman with a compelling e-mail story.
• Also troubling is the news from Iran, which test-fires some long-range missiles, although Iranian President Whackjob Lunatic insists that Iran intends to use these missiles "for stump removal."

... Oh forget it - just go read the whole thing; it's hilarious!

And now for more hilarity, I present to you... KITTENS AND COKE!!!!!

(Kittipurrs to Bayou Renaissance Man)

Ah, a day is not wasted when you can combine politics, cats, cuteness and laughter...

Chicago: Buy furniture from this store!!!!

(kittipurrs and image credit to Gateway Pundit)

I love it... I TOTALLY LOVE!!!!! IT!

Gentlemen, set your phasers on "mock-to-DEATH"! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Hey, Republican Party of Virginia - are you listening?

Because Shaun Kenney's got some things to say - and you would be wise to act on his suggestions!

Honored

One thing I didn't say in my previous post is something I don't mention often enough:

I am honored by the friends and allies I have in the Virginia blogosphere, in particular the members of the Jeffersoniad. Scott, Shaun, Jason, Mike, Leslie, Rick, Krystal, Jay, Jim, Jim, Jim and Jim, Jane, DJ - and I know I've left someone(s) out, but you get the idea. These men and women are true patriots, gracious and thoughtful, who can disagree without malice, and who are wonderfully able to explain political points without being dogmatic and arrogant.

These are men and women of character and integrity, and while we may not always agree, I know I can be confident in their honor and their friendship.

Thanks, guys. I am blessed that I'm associated with you!

It's a confederacy of dunces!

And Jason is merely pointing it out:

By organizing around the old guard, by being openly hostile to Republican bloggers, by failing to understand that you are not truly anonymous on the internet, by failing to grasp a basic understanding of new media, by having access to RPV dealings, these individuals are representing themselves as mouth pieces of the Republican Party Of Virginia and threatening the message and direction that the party so desperately needs if it is going to organize and pull itself out of the downward trend of the last few elections.

All of this shows a lack of understanding of the New Media on the part of the current Republican Party of Virginia leadership.  Efforts by bloggers to reach out to the RPV and help were met with invitations to blog for the RPV but no real avenue for input in how the RPV conducts its online outreach.  Serious questions are raised about the organization of the current leadership and the state of the future of this party, whether it belongs to new voices and new ideas or the same, old, bitter trends that have gotten the party to where it is today.

Leslie expands upon the theme:

I prefer the term social media (although a fair argument can be made that new media is more encompassing). What's special about blogs, micro-blogs like twitter, social networking sites like facebook, and most everything else that gets lumped under the rubric of "new media" is that it's interactive. People post something; other people respond; there's communication; knowledge spreads; ideas are refined. At least that's the ideal.

But if those who want to lead aren't engaged, well, then they can't really lead. The "Here's our content; you spread it, and otherwise don't bother me because I'm too important" days are over.

And several others have chimed in as well:

• Scott's Morning Brew
• Crystal Clear Conservative
• Virginia Virtucon
  
• Below the Beltway
• The Write Side of My Brain

They are all prominent conservative and right-leaning bloggers, and they all agree with Jason that the RPV's ham-handed handling of the blogosphere bodes ill for the GOP.

Hampton Roads GOP, one of the blogs Jason singles out for chastising, attempted to put their own two cents in, but with their first trackback (which is from a post that does not reference Jason's post in any way), displays their fumble-footed lack of savvy regarding the blogosphere. Their second trackback does link Jason's post (oh, look! They can learn - if you whap them upside the head enough.), but it's merely a plaintive "Can't we all just get along?" which doesn't address the foundational issue. (And, no, I'm not going to send those arrogant minions a link. Go find your own.)

What is that issue? Well, how about I quote Jeff Frederick's comment over on Jason's post?

As you may know, I rarely read blogs. Nothing personal, just a time management thing. But occasionally, people forward me links and I read. Thus, I landed here.

Before I address the critique of my leadership on new media in this post (I’m not going to get into the turf battle among bloggers), let me just say that I am surprised that a group of people who spend so much time communicating have failed to communicate with me directly regarding these concerns on the Party’s efforts with new media. I’m easy to get ahold of. Email me. Call me. As the many people that write me everyday will tell you, I respond.

Uh-huh. You rarely read blogs. Well, than, it's no wonder you are apparently so out of touch with the base! As for the time management issue, if you did some research and chose about 6-12 blogs to monitor (I'd suggest that Bearing Drift, for one, ought to be at the top of the list), you wouldn't overwhelm that poor, sore head of yours, and would still be able to keep up with what YOUR EMPLOYERS really want.

Yes, I said "YOUR EMPLOYERS." We, the citizens. We,  the right-leaning, small government, low-tax, secure-borders, fiscal-responsibility people who might actually VOTE for RPV candidates. Without us, Jeffy, you're gone, gone, gone, as is the RNC and RPC, and all the Republican organizations which have failed so spectacularly at fielding candidates who reflect OUR values and concerns.

Oh, and as for us contacting you? As a member of the Jeffersoniad, I have personal knowledge that we DID contact you, and the RPV appeared to immediately try to force us into the cookie-cutter image of what they thought would work. Nuh-uh. We are no one's yes-men here in the Virginia blogosphere. Give us issues, give us arguments, listen to our discussions and our refutations and suggestions, but - as I learned through a painful experience last year - you can't herd cats. You can guide them, you can sway them, but the moment you "put your foot down," you've lost them.

The GOP hasn't listened to its base for years. How's that working for you, guys?

So, Jeffy, you and the upitty-ups of the Republican Party need to get off the fence and ENGAGE.

Or your jobs will disappear faster than ice in the Mojave Desert at high noon - and so will the GOP.

(BTW, for those of you who think this is overly harsh, yeah, well, I'm sick, I'm feeling quite temperamental, and I just don't feel like "making nice." Deal with it.)

I don't believe you.

Nope. Now that your candidate has won, now that eight years of slander, histrionics, DRAHma, baseless attacks, deranged libel and temper tantrums by liberal nutcases like you are almost over, NOW you want to make up and play nice?

[Mom, don't look]

UPDATE 2.0 - Out of deference to my mom and her friends, I've put the rest of this post below the fold.  Mom, I TOLD YOU NOT TO LOOK!

Secondly, I want to clarify something: I have some friends who are Democrats, who are good people, sensible, and who can carry on a discussion without either of us wanting to harm the other. I am obviously NOT talking about them. [/update]

Bill Whittle, I just adore you!

Really, I do. We don't agree on everything, but the love and regard we have for our nation and for conservative/libertarian ideals is spot on:

It has been a source of delight for me these past few days to see nothing but evidence of this, all across our defeated lines. Nowhere have I heard a shred of defeatism or despair. On the contrary. In point of fact, the magnanimity and graciousness I have seen in defeat in so many places on the right tells me that this is a eager and seasoned army, one able to look defeat in the face and own up to the errors in tactics and strategy that got us there. And nowhere do I see a call to abandon our core principles and sue for terms, but rather that our loss was caused precisely by our abandonment of the issues we which hold dear and which have served us so well on battlefields past.

So consider this, my fellows in arms:

On Tuesday, the Left – armed with the most attractive, eloquent, young, hip and charismatic candidate I have seen with my adult eyes, a candidate shielded by a media so overtly that it can never be such a shield again, who appeared after eight years of a historically unpopular President, in the midst of two undefended wars and at the time of the worst financial crisis since the Depression and whose praises were sung by every movie, television and musical icon without pause or challenge for 20 months… who ran against the oldest nominee in the country’s history, against a campaign rent with internal disarray and determined not to attack in the one area where attack could have succeeded and who was out-spent no less than seven-to-one in a cycle where not a single debate question was unfavorable to his opponent – that historic victory, that perfect storm of opportunity…

Yielded a result of 53%

Folks, we are going to lick these people out of their boots.

Go read his whole post; it's short (particularly for him; he writes WONDERFUL essays!), and very much worth your time.

*sigh* Yup. Just ADORE the man...! And, he's just earned the right to have the label "Hero" applied to him in my categories - this has previously been reserved for our wonderful, brave military, and a few other folks who have also displayed courageous patriotism. Welcome to their ranks, Bill - you've earned it!

Republicans have finally turned into Democrats

... Which is one of the BIGGEST reasons we lost this election, you friggin' morons! Via Ace, Michelle, and Redstate among many others, I hear of "anonymous" staffers from the McCain campaign trashing Gov/ Sarah Palin.

Ace says:

Here's a story these staffers tell: Sent to collect Palin from a hotel, she greeted them, straight from the shower (running late, I guess ) dressed (scandal!) only in a bathrobe (presumably a very thick hotel bathrobe).

These staffers called that "uncommon" -- Cameron delighted in the word to give it the sound of "whorish, unprofessional."

Heh, assholes? She had to open the door and had just gotten out of the shower. Did you want her to use her magical powers of telekinesis to open the door for you?

Michelle:

The anonymous trashing of Sarah Palin by blabbermouth McCain aides who are leaking to Fox News is disgusting. Absolutely disgusting.

Allah’s got the vid clip of a report citing unnamed McCain staffers accusing Palin of lacking, in Carl Cameron’s words, “knowledgeability.”  More slime here. And here.

At least all the Hollywood and Manhattan Palin-haters were willing to sign their names and put their faces on their attacks.

Redstate is launching Operation Leper:

We intend to constantly remind the base about these people, monitor who they are working for, and, when 2012 rolls around, see which candidates hire them. Naturally then, you'll see us go to war against those candidates.

Works for me.

Listen, you deaf, smug, elitist snobs who claim to be Republicans and yet refuse to adhere to the core values of the party, I didn't for FOR John McCain. I voted FOR Sarah Palin and AGAINST Obama. If John McCain hadn't brought Sarah Palin on board as his running mate, I would have voted third party and said "To hell with the Republicans!"

If not for Sarah Palin, the popular vote would have been much MORE in Obama's favor; she is a true maverick, is cheerfully courageous, actually lives the values that make up the Republican Party, and isn't afraid to speak the truth and call her opponent on his gaffes, lies, subterfuges, associations, and experience. She is articulate without the overly-polished (i.e. "how well can I say something without actually saying anything?") rhetorical style of Washington insiders - she is a REAL PERSON who understands what it's like to be an "average citizen."

That's who I voted for, and your slimy, craven, and dishonorable behavior towards her ranks you right with the LameStream Lying Media and the DemonRATS.

We lost this election because you RINOs went to Washington, lived the good life, and forgot your base. Your spines turned to mush, your brains decayed, your hearing faded, and your eyes went blind. And the proof is that now, in defeat, instead of standing firm as the loyal opposition and graciously conceding this victory while remaining true to your (long-abandoned) values, you are rolling over, showing your belly, and peeing all over yourselves in eagerness to show your willingness to bend over and be screwed.

Curs! Cowardly, dishonorable, craven, spineless, frail, dithering, foolhardy IDIOTS!

Congratulate Sen. Obama for his historic accomplishment - and remind America that the race card is now off the table forever. Acknowledge his well-run campaign; 'cause you obviously can learn a lot from it. Acknowledge the Democrats' lawful leadership - but never forget that almost half of the people who voted voted AGAINST socialism, AGAINST big government, AGAINST weakness, and AGAINST corruption.

Your "leadership," RINOs, got us into this. You ignored your base, and now the country will pay the price. You will eventually go down; either to more and more liberal, spineless, weak socialists, or to true conservatives who will lead according to the foundational philosophy of conservatism: small government, fiscal restraint, national strength, personal integrity, individual responsibility, and dedicated perseverance. 

Something tells me I'll be voting third party for real, next time - unless a miracle happens and you incompetents can get your act together and promote real conservative Republicans.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice... Ain't gonna happen, dudes.

UPDATE: Oh, and Misha has a few choice words to offer McCain (but read it all; it *IS* the Emperor, LOL) -

But where is the “Maverick” in all of this? Nowhere to be found. His staffers are spreading lies about his VP pick like crazy, but the “brave” Maverick can’t find it in himself to tell his own employees to shut up already and quit character assassinating his own pick. As a matter of fact, the only person in the McCain camp who stood up for her, one Randy Scheunemann, was first reported to have been fired for “disloyalty” and then, later on, claimed that he hadn’t been. Who knows?

All we know is that our Imperial Mother told us to stand up for ladies when they are attacked, but obviously that’s not something that appears in the McCain family curriculum.

Call us when you find your balls, you clown.

Yeah. I'm disgusted with this - for all the rhetoric McCain spoke about his warrior past, and his honorable, manly service, he can't stand up for the woman who pulled his campaign's nuts out of the fire and saved him from losing like Carter lost to Reagan.

[headdesk] No more, RINOs. Not EVER again!

Whither now?

Oh, man. Oh... [headdesk] What terrible news to wake up to. I figured Obama was probably going to win, God help us, but I did NOT think the country was going to flip so terribly blue. My district's Congressman may have lost in a close race to a puling infant "foreigner"! VA now has two Dem. Senators - the whole damn state flipped BLUE.

It's going to take a few days to settle my stomach.

*sigh*

Some of my friends are talking about the Carter years, which were terrible, but we survived. I pray we can revive conservatism so it makes a huge comeback in the next 2, 4, 6 years, but I am truly fearful that America has willingly stepped over the cliff, and that our slide out of the pages of history is now irrevocable.

God answered my prayers, and He said, "No." He is still good, He is still in control, life will go on - but I fear that He has truly lifted His hand of grace and blessing off of America. Nevertheless, I will praise Him in this storm, and proclaim that His blessings and judgments are still righteous and good.

And that's all I can say for now.

Last political post until Wednesday

Tomorrow, I'm going to drop kids off at school, and then go vote. After that, the TV, the computer, and whatever else might be appropriate, will all be turned off to any references to politics and the election.

In 2004, I stayed up until the wee hours, breathlessly watching and angsting over the returns, and I'm not going to put myself through that this year. So, while I am planning to post tomorrow, I'll be posting some fluff and non-political stuff. If you need a break, please feel free to stop by and relax here at CatHouse Chat.

But, for this last Election 2008 post, I present "The Mac is Back," found over at Mike's place:

To those of you who are still undecided - and to Sen. Obama's supporters, as well - I ask that you take a good, hard look at a man who has espoused a socialist political philosophy, effectively supports infanticide, and cannot appear to take a firm stand, either in the Illinois State Senate, or in our Federal Senate.

For all his faults - and there are more than a few - Sen. John McCain will, in the long run, be better than Sen. Obama. He will be stronger on national security, he will offer better support for lower taxes for everyone, he will do all he can to confront and eliminate corruption in government, and he will protect babies who survive abortions.

Please.

VOTE MCCAIN!

The "Carbone Scale" of election reaction

Hilarious!

Well, no. It's scary - and too possible - because America has moved away from the rule of Law and the disciplines of self-control and tolerance.

God willing, whatever the results, rational minds will prevail over any possible mobs.

Palin Rally Pictures are UP!

Go on over to my Flickr set. There are 168 photos, total, and I'm working on getting unique captions on each one - I think I'm at about number 40, LOL!

Here are some of my favorites:

I have more, of course, but that's about as far as I've gotten with captioning, so like I said, GO OVER AND LOOK!

Saracuda is IN THE HOUSE!!

Woo-HOO!

Gilmore now up

Crowd is REVVED!

Virgil Goode speaking

Let's work hard to send MCcain-Palin to Washington, and send Sen. Obama back to Illinois!" Crowd ROARs: "Send him home! Send him home!"

Chris Saxman on stage

"I have something to say to Joe the Plumber: I don't want your money!" HUGE response!

People are still coming in by the score!

Things are really filling up! A local band, Cimarron (?), just started their set with "Take It Easy."

Lynchburg Christian Academy Marching Band opens up

Palin scheduled for 6:45p not 5:30p - but WORTH IT!!

Here's where I'm sitting - upin the top left. If you see the TV shots, my little group is above the "U" in USA. Gov Palin will be facing away from us, but perhaps that means I'll be able to get a rear view of Todd Palin (if he's here tonight) for all my Cotillion Ladies ;-) In the meantime, we're all having fun, chatting and giggling away. I've even met several fellow quilters!!

Virginia loves Sarah Palin!!

Getting ready for Gov. Palin's speech here in Salem, VA... About two hours 'til "kickoff."

I dunno... (BUMPED) It's a hoax

UPDATE: Via the lovely, talented - and alert! - Leslie Carbone, Ms Todd has confessed to it being a hoax.

It's a weird thing to say I hope I'm wrong on this issue - if the attack was real as alleged, then there's an Obama supporter out there who's just nuts (gee, surprise). But if Ms Todd is lying, she needs some serious help, and it's going to be a nasty backlash against McCain.

Basically it's a no-win situation.

A lot of people have been weighing in on this (just take a look at Michelle Malkin's post), and many seem very skeptical.

Personally, I have no issues with the backwards "B," but I do wonder about its superficiality and neatness. Believe me, I've cut myself often enough in the kitchen to know that knife wounds aren't so nice unless very carefully done. If this woman was struggling - or if she was immobile in fear and the attacker was in a hurry - there is NO WAY that B would have been so well-formed, and the cuts would have been far more ragged.

I just don't know.

As for her refusal of medical treatment, well, I've been in a couple of situations myself - as well has hearing a story or two from my Beloved - where stress and the high-emotions of the moment haven't led me to make the most rational of decisions. Therefore, I easily see Ms Todd refusing treatment. Heck, who knows?!, she may have a religious reason for refusing medical aid.

Again, I just don't know.

But I am feeling cautious and a more than a bit skeptical.

Jeri Thompson smacks Alan Colmes

Of course, he probably enjoyed it...

Via Gateway Pundit:

I'll say what Jeri meant, although she's far too savvy to actually say it:

"Alan, you're a putz, an idiot and a liberal tool - but you're fun to smack around, so don't let anyone ever tell you you're completely useless..."

Just sayin'....

"Really think before you vote!"

And vote McCain-Palin!

(Kittipurrs to Gateway Pundit)

Oh, and you want a bit more documented evidence of Obama's socialist background? Look right over here... Wonder why New Zealand could dig this up, when our own media can't [rolls eyes].

A vote for Obama is a vote for socialism and the destruction of our Constitutional liberties!

Choose ye this day: Life and blessings, or death and cursings

Gateway Pundit posts this damning video about Obama's position on abortion:

Christian, if you are faithful to your Bible, you cannot vote for Sen. Obama. If you do, you are spitting in the face of God Himself - and displaying serious evidence which would lead many to conclude that you are not truly His.

Look at the way Obama prevaricates with Pastor Warren. Listen to his strong statements in favor of abortion. Remember how he describes a baby as a punishment when referring to his daughters and a hypothetical unplanned pregnancy.

Do you know how GOD describes children? Like this:

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
        The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
        So are the children of one’s youth.
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
        They shall not be ashamed,
        But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

The Lord has been abundantly kind to this nation, but we have fallen so terribly far from where we began! The fact that He has restrained His hand of judgment for so long both amazes and terrifies me, because America has earned His condemnation.

And if you think that I'm too single-issue about this, that's not my problem. But a true Christian recognizes and submits to God's absolute sovereignty over us all, even from before our birth - and He hates the murder of children. His holy hatred will exact a terrible retribution, and I fear for Sen. Obama's very soul when he espouses such evil while claiming the title of Christian.

At Sinai, God commanded the Israelites to choose, and to hold fast to that choice. He gives America the same choice today, with the same sober warning:

See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them. [emph. mine]

Choose wisely, America. Your fate, and the fate of your children, hangs in the balance.

I bid you stand, Men of the West!!!

Rachel Lucas says it all:

If you’ve never read the LOTR trilogy - or even watched the movies - now is the time. Even if you already have, maybe do it again if you’re curled up fetal with your thumb in your mouth like I’ve been for a few days.

Because the entire point of the tale, in my estimation, is that the only honorable thing to do, ever, is to fight until you cannot fight any more. Even when you are horribly outnumbered, outgunned, outwhatevered - you must never give up because if you do, you’re handing victory to the enemy.

I wish I'd seen this when she posted it on October 16th...

She's right, though, and it's becoming more and more right as we get to Election Day. We now have barely less than two weeks, and the Obamanation is crowing with pride at its victory - but remember, the Fat Lady hasn't sung yet, and there's only ONE poll that really counts.

Never, ever, ever, EVER give up!

I BID YOU STAND, MEN OF THE WEST!!!!

Classic class envy - a socialist/communist view

Beautifully displayed by Barney Frank:

The money quote? Right here:

I think at this point, there needs to be an immediate increase in spending, and I think this is a time when deficit fear has to take a second, uh, a second seat. I do think this is the time for a very important kind of dose of [unintelligible]. Yes, I think later on, there should be tax increases. Speaking personally, I think there are a lot of rich people out there who we can tax at a point down the road to recover some of this money.

Yep. Barney Frank isn't interested in fairness. He isn't interested in the 40% of Americans who don't pay taxes. He'd rather go after the "rich people" out there who are working hard, making money, creating jobs (for those 40% - well, the part who aren't on welfare), and invigorating our economy.

Nah, Barney Frank would rather make sure that the government spends money like a drunken sailor, with no checks and balances, and then - after writing all sorts of NSF checks - making "the rich" pay for it all.

Congressman Frank, you - and all your tax-and-spend cohorts - are a disgrace to America.

Busy, busy week so far!

On Monday, the Beloved Husband and I accompanied the Darling Munchkin to the very nice, awesome, and excellent school we hope she'll be admitted to for her high school years. I had very high expectations of this school going in to the orientation - and they blew them all to smithereens! If our Munchkin is accepted there, she will get a stellar education, and will be perfectly well prepared fr college.

Of course, the price tag is a shocker (what a surprise!), so it will take a lot of prayer and hard work - but the Beloved and I know it will be worth it.

Then that evening, I went to my tax prep class, since I'd missed my normal morning session. It was a very good thing I did, because I got some excellent gouge (that's mil-speak for "good information") about the mid-term exam on Wednesday.

Tuesday, I studied, and then went to the after-school robotics workshop and "enjoyed" the enthusiasm of the kids (IOW, they have the attention span of gnats [sorry to insult gnats], and drove me nuts). Regional competition is barely a month away, and they've got to pull things together!!!

Wednesday, I aced my mid-term!!! One Hundred Percent Correct!!! I knew I'd pass, but I really wanted to get everything correct. It was a good thing (well, for me, anyway) the other two students weren't there, because I muttered and reasoned and commented my way through the whole exam; for some reason, talking through the problems aloud tends to help me concentrate and double check my work.

And then, that afternoon, I had an excellent ride on my dear buddy Jimmy, who is a wonderful Saddlebred gelding. He generally doesn't care to take the left lead when cantering (he'd rather try to rack, which is rather an odd feel if you're expecting the three-beat pace of a canter), but Wednesday, he picked it up right away. Apparently, I was also looking good, because the stable owner (a wonderful lady; I love her to bits) advised that I really ought to just buy Jimmy - and was only half joking! LOL Nooooooo, cant buy a horse when we have tuition for the Excellent School coming up in a few years! (Darn... 'Cause Jim-Jimmy-Jimmers is a great horse, and I adore him).

Yesterday... What did I do yesterday?! Oh, yeah, I went with a friend to WalMart, where we purchased a lot of supplies for the three Robotics teams. Her husband came along, too, and we all had lunch together... And then talked politics on the way back home (arg - not fun!).

The main thing we spoke of was the whole "Joe the Plumber" issue. My friend's husband claimed that "Joe" was mistaken, and that his taxes would not be affected - and missed the entire point of Obama's socialistic/communistic response:

This is a more complete video than the one I saw originally (which I prefer: I like things as much in context as possible), but at around the 1:20 and 3:00 minute marks, Sen. Obama talks about "spreading the wealth around," which is socialistic and communistic. That is government forcing people to give up an excessive amount of their hard-earned money, and penalizing them for their work and effort.

Now, I understand that taxes are a necessary evil - to some extent. The Federal government has to maintain the military to defend us, interstates need to be kept up, and so on - but our tax code has become so large and unwieldy that even the IRS can't keep up with it all! Joe bought up a flat tax, and Obama's response, though it sounds good and thoughtful, is merely an avoidance of a serious problem. Frankly, our tax code needs to be scrapped in its entirety and replaced (*wince* Ow - that hurt just typing it!) with something that gets out of the way of productivity, entrepreneurship, investing and saving; is simple, clear and easy to understand; and which is locked in so that lobbyists and special interest groups cannot screw around with it.

Yes, even if I get a job in tax preparation, I would love for that job to become obsolete because something like the FairTax was passed and adopted. Until then, I will do my best to serve my clients by making sure that the government doesn't get one red cent that my client doesn't owe them!

*sigh*

So, at the moment, I've got a stew bubbling away in the crock pot, I've completed my homework for my tax class, and I'm going through the news... And I'm feeling a little troubled and worried, because I cannot see anything good coming, no matter who gets elected in November! So, I need to remember Jesus' words to His disciples:

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Thank You, Lord, for Your watchcare over Your children. You know our fears, our worries and our troubles, You know our frailties and failures. Please let us turn to You when we are burdened with the cares of the world; remind us that You are still in control, You are still sovereign, and there is nothing that comes to pass that You have not foreseen and permitted and brought to pass. You alone are God, and Your mighty hand works to order history according to Your good and perfect will.

In Your Providence, nations rise and fall, rulers reign and die, and countries wax and wane in influence. You alone are God, You alone are ruler over all the universe, and You alone will receive the glory at the end of the age. All knees will bow before you, and every tongue will confess that You reign in righteousness. Your judgment is just and holy and true, and You will mold all things for Your glory and for the good of Your children.

Thank You, Father, for Your mercy and grace, for Your patient lovingkindness, and for the abundant blessings You shower upon us. I pray that Your love and forbearance will do their work and turn all our hearts to You in repentance and willing obedience to Your will. I pray that You will receive glory from a nation that returns to her Eternal Father, and again lifts up the name of Christ Jesus in honor, thanksgiving and praise for all He has done. In His blessed and exalted name, amen.

Even in the little things that never seem to big to me
In the things I thought didn’t matter much at all
As simple as my daily bread
To the strength I need to get out of bed
When I fly or when I am about to fall
Oh it's you in me that I fail to see

Make me aware, make me see
That everything I am is not all about me
So Take my world and turn it around
So that the obvious can finally be found
Make me aware, make me aware

When my life is hanging from a thread
And I think about the things you said
that in this moment seem so far away
Help me see the guarantees
That first brought me to believe
So I can make through another day
Oh it's you in me that helps me breathe

Make me aware, make me see
That everything I am is not all about me
So Take my world and turn it around
So that the obvious can finally be found
Make me aware

I have been missing so much
Not recognizing your touch
Or Acknowledging that you’re the reason
I'm even here
I have been missing so much not recognizing your touch

Make me aware, make me aware
Help me see that everything I am is not all about me
Take my world turn it around so that the obvious can finally be found
Make me aware, make me aware

                                                     Salvador, "Aware," from their album Aware (2008)

So, the spineless socialist pigs (by that I mean "Congress") passed it

No, I'm not really surprised.

Lawmakers voted 263-171 to pass the bill. It was the second time this week the House voted. On Monday, it rejected an earlier version, but accepted changes after the Senate added sweeteners and supported it on Wednesday.

President Bush will now sign the bill into law.

Before the vote, member after member went to the well of the chamber to voice discomfort and displeasure with many aspects of the bailout legislation. But they also said they would vote for it anyway. And nearly 30 members who voted against it on Monday said beforehand that they had changed their minds.

They "voice[d] discomfort and displeasure," yet they voted it in anyway. They let themselves be panicked, and rushed forward with an ill-conceived and pork-filled bill that American taxpayers will be paying for for the next century.

Spineless, feeble, cowardly fools! It's been a long time - an extremely long time - since I've seen Congress as a whole act honorably to preserve and uphold the Constitution and our freedom.

However, there are some bright spots one of which was that the majority of the House Republicans, including my congressman, Virgil Goode, voted against this bill (by almost a three two-to-one margin! [*grf!* I need my eyes checked!]) So, perhaps there's hope for the Republicans, at least those in the House. And, sixty-three courageous and freedom-loving Democrats crossed the aisle and tried to vote against socialism as well. Bravo for them.

The Senate, however, has more than a few RINOs who ought to be horsewhipped and stockaded in the public square to face well-deserved scorn (that the DemonRATS deserve the same ought to go without saying).

I'm beginning to see what Shakespeare meant when he said, "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers." (King Henry VI, Part 2, Act 4 scene II), although I'm beginning to wonder if he was prescient and really meant our Congress...

UPDATE: Other Virginians' reactions:

Leslie Carbone, with a quote: "I shall rise and fight again."

Crystal Clear Conservative: "It seems that Congress does not believe in the hard work of Americans, who put in endless hours to make ends meet. They would rather bail out their friends on Wall Street without considering that the American people will be footing this $700 Billion bill. Talk about an infringement of your liberties, Ladies and Gentlemen."

Bearing Drift: Commenting on our Representatives from Virginia says, "Pretty much a NoVA / RoVA split again…regardless of party."

Right Wing Liberal: "The bailout won 58 more votes this time, a sad commentary on the depth of the panic that gripped Washington since Monday." [And I wouldn't say that I'm "beside myself," DJ - but I am royally ticked off!]

Virginia Virtucon has a simple "Thanks for nothing!"

UPDATE 2.0: Oh, and note this lovely little tidbit:

The Dow gave back all of a 300-point rally Friday after the House of Representatives signed off on the controversial $700 billion financial rescue plan

Brilliant. Can't wait until Monday...

I called Congressman Virgil Goode's office yesterday

and it looks like I'll be doing it again today. I need to reiterate my desire that he holds the line and continues to vote "NO" on this socialistic-porker-invasive "bailout" bill.

Yesterday, I saw that my bank, Wachovia (which I like very much; they have good service and wonderful people working for them) was to be bought out by Citicorp in a maneuver apparently orchestrated by the FDIC. My Mother, who's not too fond of Citi (for whatever reason), will, I hope, like this news better:

Wells Fargo one-upped rival Citigroup on Friday by unveiling a $15.1 billion deal to acquire all of Wachovia.

As my blog-brother, DJ, points out:

...Wachovia didn’t need the government or Citigroup after all (Washington Post, emphasis added) [...]

...the supposed poster-child for a banking sector deserpately [sic] desperately [DJ fixed it - Kat, the SooperEditor, at your service! LOL] in need of government help managed to make a better deal for its stockholder without government help.

The Wells Fargo deal is far better for Wachovia, and - golly gee! - it didn't need the government "rescue/bailout" stupidity to do it. Let the free market do what it's supposed to, and don't allow the government to meddle where it's not needed - although there are some idiots out there who might say it's needed. *pfft!*