When "Cool" Isn't "Hot"

Obama and "Weed"

Justice Dakota

05/23/2012

President Barack Obama, in his 1995 autobiography, Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance, admitted to extensive and enthusiastic use of drugs.

In Dreams from My Father, Obama admits that as a teenager and young adult he smoked pot (marijuana), drank booze, and did a little "blow" (cocaine); however, he never tried "smack" (heroine) because the dealer creeped him out.

Obama writes: "I spent the last two years of high school in a daze ... drank beer heavily, and tried drugs enthusiastically."

Good thing for young Obama a State Trooper or Federal Agent wasn't lurking nearby during his "Daze Days."

If Obama had been arrested and convicted of drug possession -- things may have turned out differently. He may not have grown up to be the President of the United States; and, he may not have had an estimated net worth of around $10 million.

During his 2008 presidential campaign, Obama famously explained the marijuana-smoking technique: "The point was to inhale. That was the point."

Has Obama even considered that his "hip" and "cool" talk about his personal use of drugs looks bad to the mother of an imprisoned drug possessor/user?

Enter comedian Penn Jillette (who by the way stated he has never used drugs or drank alcohol -- ever).

Jillette, during a recent podcast ("Penn's Sunday School") indicated that President Obama is potentially mocking the "lower class" by bragging about how he managed to use drugs without getting caught ,,,

In Jillette's own words:

"What troubles me about this... I think it's beyond hypocrisy. I think it's something to do with class. A lot of people have accused Obama of class warfare, but in the wrong direction. I believe this is Obama chortling with Jimmy Fallon about lower class people. Do we believe, even for a second, that if Obama had been busted for marijuana -- under the laws that he condones -- would his life have been better? If Obama had been caught with the marijuana that he says he uses, and 'maybe a little blow'... if he had been busted under his laws, he would have done hard f*cking time. And if he had done time in prison, time in federal prison, time for his 'weed' and 'a little blow,' he would not be President of the United States of America. He would not have gone to his fancy-a** college, he would not have sold books that sold millions and millions of copies and made millions and millions of dollars, he would not have a beautiful, smart wife, he would not have a great job. He would have been in f*cking prison, and it's not a god damn joke. People who smoke marijuana must be set free. It is insane to lock people up."

Watch the video of Jillette's podcast (kids out of the room due to language):

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/21/penn-jillette-slams-obama-drug-policy-states-rights-video_n_1533004.html

If Obama decides to go get the Libertarian and/or the Ron Paul vote, Romney might have some problems!

Odds are the President will just joke about his history of drug use and not do anything about the hypocrisy and wasted money associated with the "Drug War."

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP)

http://www.leap.cc/

Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker Understands ...

... Economics

Justice Dakota

05/21/2012

Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker (Democrat; Obama supporter and self-described Obama surrogate) talked about economic reality on Meet the Press on May 20, 2012.

Booker, who indicated he is an Obama surrogate (he even displayed his "surrogate" notes) suggested that Obama's attacks on Governor Romney's tenure at a private equity firm are "nauseating." Booker sounded like a man who understands how the economy really works (this makes the Obama campaign mad (?)).

Booker forced Obama's campaign into damage-control mode after he implied that attacks on Romney's private equity background are as absurd as Republicans attacking Obama for having associated with Reverend Wright. “Enough is enough. Stop attacking private equity. Stop attacking Jeremiah Wright,” Booker said.

Also, it can be assumed that things tightened-and-puckered a little bit over at Obama's Campaign Headquarters (OCH) when the popular Mayor neutered the Obama re-election strategy with the following comment regarding Romney's private equity gig at Bain Capital:

“As far as that stuff, I have to just say from a very personal level I’m not about to sit here and indict private equity...To me, it’s just we’re getting to a ridiculous point in America. Especially that I know I live in a state where pension funds, unions and other people invest in companies like Bain Capital. If you look at the totality of Bain Capital’s record, they’ve done a lot to support businesses [and] to grow businesses."

OUCH!

How long do you think it took for Obama's main re-election campaign dude, David Axelrod, to pick up the phone and demand some dishonesty from Booker? Around 10 minutes?

Also, and this is bold for any politician to admit (sad that the admission of a truth has to be controversial): Booker admitted he sometimes has to fire people!

Booker told a seemingly shocked David Gregory that he had to fire city workers to keep his city functioning. That ostensibly freaked-out the Obama Press. (Governments, in the world-view of the Anti-Romney media, are supposed to have unlimited funds.)

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, if he has the opportunity, should jump on the chance to become our next Vice President because Booker sounds like a Democrat who understands economics and is willing to speak the truth. I like his chances for higher office ...

Subsequent to the Booker "Smack-Down" of Obama and Axelrod, other high-profile Democrats went to the defense of Bain Capital and the equity financial sector:

During an MSNBC interview, U.S. Senator Mark Warner (Dem-Va.) stated that Bain Capital " ... did what they were supposed to do," and that he was proud of his previous private equity career.

Ed Rendell, former Democratic Governor of Pennsylvania, seemed to support Booker's private equity narrative. Regarding Obama's attacks on Bain Capital, Rendell remarked, “I think they’re very disappointing.”

Former Tennessee Congressman (Dem.) and Senate candidate Harold Ford Jr. did not do the Obama re-election campaign any favors with this statement on MSNBC’s Morning Joe:  “I would not have backed off the comments if I were Mayor Booker. The substance of his comments on Meet the Press, I agree with the core of it,” Ford said. “I would not have backed them out … private equity’s not a bad thing. As a matter of fact, private equity is a good thing in many, many instances.”

Will Obama's "War on Capitalism" go into retreat mode? Or, will POTUS double-down?

I bet Axelrod hates Booker!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9xz4YkUurQ

Time-Out for AZ Eclipse!

Economy, Energy, Deficits

"It's Still About the Economy -- and We're Not Stupid!"
Governor Mitt Romney

Justice Dakota

05/19/2012

Governor Romney is perfectly positioned to defeat President Barack Obama in 2012.

To date, Romney has successfully avoided "social issues" and personal attacks on Obama. However, many influential "conservatives" at the national level are still obsessed with "social issues" and the "vetting" of Obama.

The only historic information about President Obama that matters is the last three-plus years!

Here is what we have as of May, 18, 2012: the potential disintegration of the Euro-Zone; a seemingly never-ending global financial crisis; a stagnant American economy; an American debt to gross-domestic-product (GDP) ratio of around 100-percent; and a world where many (if not most) Western Democracies are in a financial crises and flirting with potential social and political upheaval.

And yet -- the so-called "Real Conservatives" (RCs) -- [think Palin-Newt-Perry-Bachman narrative] -- can not get over their obsession with Obama's teenager/college years, and his former Pastor. Who cares about Reverend Wright? Not independents, and, more importantly, not the majority of conservatives.

News flash: Obama used drugs! Who cares? Answer: almost nobody except for the RCs.

Why are RCs freaked-out by Obama's "unapologetic" history of drug-use, his "radical associations" and his unreleased college transcripts and college papers?

Does this obsession make RCs look like bitter, tiny, angry, hypocritical, and jealous cry-babies? ("Mommy, Obama broke some rules yet was successful -- boo-hoo, boo-hoo, sniff, sniff ... not fair, mommy ... whaaaaaa!")

The vetting of President Obama has already happened -- and it is a part of the public record: his Presidency!

There is a reason Newt Gingrich is not the Republican nominee for President in 2012 (and it has nothing to do with money). Even conservative Republican primary voters get tired of the anger and hate, the hyperbole, and the sometimes seemingly weird obsession with "social issues" in a time of global economic crisis!

Most Americans (conservative, independent, liberal, or other) have at least one "social issue" violation per the "RC Social Issue Code of Conduct" Policy Manual.

Furthermore, most Americans, at some point in their lives, had a counter-hegemonic thought! There is a name for this phenomenon: Youth.

Romney needs to focus on how he intends to: 1) restore the American economy visa-vis free-market capitalism; 2) pursue energy independence by tapping into our vast oil and natural gas resources; 3) prevent impending U.S. bankruptcy by constraining, if not freezing, the growth of federal government financial outlays.

In other words, it's about economy, energy, and deficits (EED). That wins!

Let the Obama campaign and the RCs obsess over "social issues," and joust over certificates, associations, pastors and religion, college transcripts, birth-control, and teenage angst ... -- the rest of us want to get serious.

Truth be asked, haven't "social issues" always been exploited by both parties because they are easier to communicate and they get an emotional response?

The RCs need to come to terms with this simple fact: More Americans would vote for the man and the narrative associated with the picture at the top of this page than for the man and the narrative associacted with the picture below. That's just the way it is ...   

"It's Still About the Economy -- and We're Not Stupid!"

Paleolithic Man

 ... uh, and Woman ...

Justice Dakota

05/15/2012

A screen-play (the following is not an endorsement of a theory, a science, or an ideology. What follows is an idea for a screen-play -- comedic or dramatic -- it should work either way):

Act I thru VI:

And ... Action!

1) The Paleolithic Period is a prehistoric period of human history. This period (think Cave-Man-Dude) began around 2.6 million years ago and is associated with the use of primitive stone tools (2.6 million years ago to the end of the Pleistocene Period around 10,000 BP).

2) Cave-Man-Dude (CMD) paid a lot of attention to hunting for protein (meat) and reproducing with Cave-Woman-Chic (CWC). It is believed that during this pre-historic era early humans, or early (potential) humans, or early mythical humans (qualifications made for the purpose of helping the "sensitive" reader) grouped together in small non-voting pre-historic counties, districts, tribes, cities ... (let's just call them herds of CMDs and CWCs).

3) Presumably, the CWCs competed for the attention of the CMDs, and the CMDs competed for the attention of the CWCs. Additional competition for a mate, from the perspective of both CMDs and CWCs, was probably considered a bad thing.

4) The Paleolithic Period lasted a long time. Habits, attitudes, behavior, mental and genetic stuff may have formed during this era (hypothetically).

5) Let's assume a good CMD was hard to find 2.6 million years ago. Sure, CMDs liked to run wild with their buddies, and they liked to look at other CWCs ... and, I presume that behavior was tolerated by the CWCs.

6) However (and this may or may not have happened around 2.6 million years ago), the majority of the CWCs were a little uncomfortable when their CMDs started paying attention to the 25-year-old, CMD-Fitness-Guy (CFG) at the tribal club!

And ... Cut!

In Other News: A Poll & and 2 Questions --

A recent poll suggests that women prefer Romney for President over Obama! If that is true ... I wonder why? I really don't know! And, are our frontal lobes growing or not?

http://washingtonexaminer.com/politics/washington-secrets/2012/05/shock-poll-romney-now-leads-among-women/613771

A False Euphoria ...

... a False Prosperity?

Justice Dakota

05/10/2012

Greece: Around May 2012

In early February 2012, the Prime Minister of Greece, Lucas Papademos, admitted that Greece was "a breath away from ground zero." The nation has a public debt-to-GDP ratio around 170-percent (meaning if Greece' total economic value is 1 billion, they owe creditors 1.7 billion). Greece is bankrupt.

Around the same time, Nikitas Simos, who is presumed to be a typical, Greek, small-business owner in Koufonissia, Greece, stated: "For the past 20 years Greece experienced a false euphoria, a false prosperity."

Recent economic reports indicate that about six out of 10 Greeks under the age of 30 are now out of work.

Greece is out of money and can not make payments on its loans. Over many decades, the politicians in Greece have managed to bankrupt the country. The politicians, one could argue, were rational actors as their constituents wanted free stuff -- a "false prosperity."

Politicians like to be elected, and re-elected to office, so -- no brainer -- borrow money and give the masses free stuff.

Greece may be booted out of (or quit) the Euro-Zone because not only can it not pay its current bills, it  is increasingly difficult for the country to borrow more money (and is negotiating to have its debts restructured and reduced -- as in bankruptcy).  In order for Greece to pay the interest on its national debt, it has to implement austerity measures (meaning less free stuff for Greeks). As of May 2012, banks and international financial institutions are making plans for Greece to exit the Euro-Zone and return to the drachma currency.

People like free stuff. Greece is in trouble!  

In early May 2012, Greek Neo-Nazi Nikolaos Michaloliakos celebrated the success of the neo-Nazi Chrysi Avgi (Golden Dawn) party during recent elections. The Fascist party won about 7-percent of votes and will have parliamentary representation for the first time -- ever!

"Greece is only the beginning," Nazi Michaloliakos shouted. "You know exactly what I mean. Out of my country, out of my home! How will we do it? Use your imagination. This victory is dedicated to all the brave youngsters who wear black T-shirts with Golden Dawn written in white."

President Obama: Around April 2012

In April 2012, United States President Barack Obama's administration seemed overly concerned with "free" birth-control for women and giving college students who have student-loan debts a little free money in the form of reduced interest payments on their loans.

As of March 2012, the United States had a public debt-to-GDP ratio of around 100-percent (meaning if America's total economic value is 16 trillion, we owe creditors 16 trillion).

Wow! We are doing better than Greece!. To date, thank God, there is no serious Neo-Nazi movement on America's horizon.

France: Around May 2012

Francois Hollande defeated French President Nicolas Sarkozy in a presidential runoff. The success of the Socialist party is seen as an anti-austerity vote. The French would like to keep their generous social well-fare nation afloat even if they can't pay for the social programs. The election of a Socialist President indicates France will continue borrowing money in an attempt to perpetuate a  "false euphoria, a false prosperity."

Hollande will be the nation's first "Left-Wing Dude-in-Charge" since 1995. Hollande stated: "Austerity can no longer be something that is inevitable."

France has a public debt-to-GDP ratio around 90-percent (meaning if France' total economic value is 1 dollar, they owe creditors 90 cents).

"It's a great night, full of joy for so many young people all across the country," said Thierry Marchal-Beck, French President of the Movement of Young Socialists.

Spain: Around May 2012

Spain is also sinking under the weight of its debts and nearly insolvent financial sectors. Spain's debt-to-GDP ratio is currently around 80-percent, and the Spanish government is struggling to pay its bills. Spain’s prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, is expected to request external assistance in an effort to avoid bank insolvency as the Spanish financial  sector continues to disappoint.

Spain, like Greece, will most likely say "adios" to the Euro-Zone in the near future. Could Spain return to the peseta as its currency? I remember the peseta -- that was the currency in play during the fascist and/or authoritarian rule of dictator Francisco Franco and his National Defense (the military) Committee.

Does anyone predict that authoritarian and fascist radicals will pick up seats in the Spanish Parliament in the near future? I do ... 

Europe in general May 2012

On May 11, 2012, the executive arm of the EU, the European Commission, predicted the collective economies of the 17 countries that use the euro will shrink 0.3 over the next six months.

Olli Rehn, the EU’s Monetary Affairs Chief, stated the following at the EU's Spring Economic Conference:  “We cannot pile debt over debt and it is essential that we are continuing fiscal consolidation and staying the course.”

An interesting article regarding recent events in Europe:

"Seven Days that Shook Europe"

 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f3dfdc66-9b56-11e1-b097-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1ubdMouPe

United States: On or about May 9, 2012

President Barack Obama stated that he is personally comfortable with legalized Gay marriage (not that there is anything wrong with that). But, he's not doing anything about the issue because he believes it is a "state" issue. So, maybe POTUS can focus a little more on the global debt crisis, the impending break-up of the Euro-Zone, European economic contraction, and our own stagnant economy.

Tick, Tock ...?

The U.S. has a public debt-to-GDP ratio of around 100-percent! Oh well, at least the President is talking about birth control, student loans, and Gay marriage.

Thankfully, I don't see any Nazis on the American horizon (maybe that only happens at the 170-percent debt-to-GDP ratio?)

http://www.usdebtclock.org/

Obama's "Real Energy" Problem

... and "What Would Romney Do?"

Justice Dakota

May 9, 2012

President Obama appears to not appreciate America's oil and natural gas industries. In fact, one could argue that President Obama seems to despise the concept of creating new jobs and new wealth for average Americans (and America in general in terms of an increase in Gross Domestic Product -- GDP) via the traditional method of gas and oil exploration, discovery, recovery, and production.

Obama rejected approval of the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to Texas (causing our Canadian friends to conclude that China was a better business-partner than the United States in terms of energy acquisition). By the way, approval of Keystone would have created "shovel-ready" jobs in addition to sending a message to the world that North America is serious about energy autonomy.

In 2009, President Obama enthusiastically committed a minimum of $2 billion to help Brazil and its state-owned oil company, Petrobras, explore a huge offshore discovery in Brazil’s Tupi oil field in the Santos Basin. Obama told Brazilians: “We want to work with you. We want to help with technology and support to develop these oil reserves safely, and, when you’re ready to start selling, we want to be one of your best customers.” (I wonder why we can't develop our own reserves and sell them to Brazil?)

In a January 2008 interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, Obama attempted to explain a part of his energy policy:

"You know, when I was asked earlier about the issue of coal, uh, you know — Under my plan of a cap and trade system, electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket. Even regardless of what I say about whether coal is good or bad. Because I’m capping greenhouse gases, coal power plants, you know, natural gas, you name it — whatever the plants were, whatever the industry was, uh, they would have to retrofit their operations. That will cost money. They will pass that money on to consumers."

Note to Self: "Keep it Simple, Stupid!"

Okay, economy and the economics of Real Energy gets complicated so let's simply wrap our heads around "Big Picture" examples: Russia, China, Brazil, India, Mexico, Venezuela, Canada, North Dakota ... etc ... every nation (and North Dakota) on Earth except for the nations of Europe and the United States -- are aggressively pursuing oil and natural gas in an attempt to improve the standard of living of their citizenry (and increase international influence and national power-status compared to competing powers. So old-school, I know ...). Those nations who are not into getting "dirty," but have attained a level of technological sophistication, tend to pursue nuclear power (France gets 70-percent of its electricity from nuclear power).


Meanwhile, in February 2012 President Obama schooled us all with his energy science: “We’re making new investments in the development of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel that’s actually made from a plant-like substance known as algae.” Actually made from a plant-like substance? Wow! Plants can sometimes be green in color ... That's awesome! Let's all go take a nap under a tree knowing the problem is solved ...

We all know that Obama is 100-percent ideologically committed to "Green Energy." He seems to really like solar, wind, and oil made from algae (pond scum). We can presume he does not like nuclear energy because he never mentions this industry as a substitute for oil and gas.

It is safe to say that Obama does not like the two energy sectors (nuclear and oil/gas) that actually, reliably produce "Real Energy" (meaning they have a net plus in energy produced after subtracting the energy required for production -- uh, kind of like an "energy profit").

It appears as if President Obama is infatuated with energy from "alternative" and "Green" sources that have energy deficits (they have a net loss in energy produced after subtracting the energy required for production -- uh, kind of like a "budget deficit").

I smell an ideological, economic, and political pattern with Obama's world-view! Net deficits are good; net profits are bad! It is almost as if the pursuit of failure (net loss) has been glamorized, and the pursuit of success (net gain) has been demonized.

And, what do the "adults" in the oil business have to say:

In August 2011, Chevron Chief Executive John Watson said the following:

“Energy is the industry that makes all others possible. There aren’t many industries that can fairly be called indispensable, but the energy industry is surely one of them. It is absolutely essential to growth, development and prosperity for the country as a whole. Conservatively, we’re looking at a 40% growth in global energy demand over the next 25 years. Over that same period, renewable sources are going to expand rapidly, but at nowhere near the pace required to keep up with overall demand,” he said. “Most of our energy needs – roughly 80% – will continue to be met with fossil fuels."

Watson continued with this: “Far from peaking, the world’s estimated base of recoverable oil and gas is continually rising. In fact, over the past 30 years, as the peak oil theory has gained traction in some quarters, the world’s known reserves of oil and natural gas increased by roughly 130%, to 2.5 trillion barrels. We could accomplish great things if America had a rational, robust and comprehensive energy policy."

According to the "Oil-Guy," a rational energy policy: " ... would encourage alternative sources, not by mandates and subsidies, but by allowing the market to identify the best new fuels and bring them up to commercial scale.”

When an alternative fuel can (100-percent) power a jetliner to fly from Los Angeles to New York -- without the passengers having to pay more than $5,000 per ticket -- then, and only then -- will there be a legitimate substitute for oil and natural gas.

In the meantime, maybe we should hire/elect a businessman who actually understands Real Energy and market forces ! To that end, Governor Romney needs to have an "Energy Contract with America" moment where he spells out exactly how a Romney Presidency will encourage, increase, and support gas and oil exploration, discovery, recovery, and production.

A video that may sum up Obama's energy policy for America: "If I Wanted America to Fail ..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CZ-4gnNz0vc