Comedians are having too much fun with the GOP primaries

| February 2, 2012

Got to love the humor of Jon Stewart, even if he show his bias and plays to his left leaning audience. For the fun of it I figure President Obama deserved a little bit of face time too and added (photoshopped) the little Al Green comparison … perhaps it is not as effective as the [...]

David Walker is as poignant as anyone

| January 23, 2012

David Walker is an idea man that speaks as clearly as any in stating our country’s issues and would be a great advisor to any administration lucky enough to add him. His ideas, that “I believe” the majority will agree on, could be a reasonable approach for most of America who elect moderate Democrats or [...]

Video: One of the better Christmas stories for 2011

| December 25, 2011

Since I didn’t post anything on Christmas day this year, I’ll add this short heartwarming story from CBS a few days late (video below). It is a wonderful Christmas story and might just bring a few tears to your eyes.

Video: Australian Cattle Dogs

| December 12, 2011

During a little channel surfing this weekend spotted an interesting and educational segment on Australian Cattle Dogs. It interested me because our 14 year old Tootsie is Blue Heeler and the comments were very characteristic of her breed. She is a good pet, but I can attest to the warning regarding “need for exercise” and [...]

Video: Orca mom passes unique hunting skills to her calf

| December 6, 2011

I don’t watch the BBCLife or NatGeo all that regularly, I do appreciate their fantastic documentaries and brilliant filming. In the above video a Killer Whale passes her unique skills to her calf in hunting elephant seals. The “low volume” audio in this clip describes the danger and intelligence required by these animals to navigate [...]

Rick Santelli of CNBC on taxes and Congress

| November 22, 2011

Even if you’re not a CNBC watcher or someone who focuses on the financial markets each day, you may have heard of Rick Santelli and his rant in 2009 during the peak of the U.S. financial bailouts. I included the clip in a post which many believed may have spurred the Tea Party movement (some [...]

Deficit and debt debacle continues to drag on our economy

| November 21, 2011

The financial markets responded negatively Monday morning to the general conclusion that neither Europe or the U.S. can come to agreements over out of control spending. The congressional super committee charged with coming up with a solution telegraphed failure this weekend as neither Democrats or Republicans seem interested in compromising their positions. I ask you, [...]

Remembering Veterans and the recent passing of Andy Rooney

| November 13, 2011

A long time CBS journalist and 60 Minutes commentator Andy Rooney died this week after an iconic career in both reporting and “curmudgeon” commentary, or at least that’s the word I’ve heard bantered around this week. He commented after his last appearance that he was “lucky” in his career … and having noted that he [...]

Should fuel efficient diesel get equal tax incentive credits?

| November 12, 2011

After reading a recent article in the WSJ discussing the tens of thousands of high paying energy sector and supporting jobs that would be immediately available if the Keystone XL pipeline project would be approved, its clear that politics are more important to President Obama that U.S. jobs. He must have decided that the votes [...]

Why Tax reform? (testing flash video embed after blog move)

| September 20, 2011

Why we need to reform the tax code and create a structure that attracts business to the United States … a thought from Thomas Falk, CEO of Kimberly Clark this morning on CNBC. Get the latest Flash Player to see this player. [Javascript required to view Flash movie, please turn it on and refresh this [...]

No debt deal yet. Markets head down on Friday morning

| July 29, 2011

As the financial markets in the US trade down this morning on lousy economic recovery news (little growth – 1.3% annual rate) and no compromise in Washington DC on the debt ceiling … I’m wondering why politicians can’t find a solution with a country as strong as ours. The far right can’t come together for [...]

I do wish Governor Mitch Daniels was running for President

| July 13, 2011

Although Indiana’s Gov. Mitch Daniels is not running in the the primaries against other GOP candidates, I certainly hope that whoever is nominated looks to Daniels for advice and executive experience. With an economy stifled by excessive bureaucracy and adversarial to business, we need someone with his experience when it comes to putting America back [...]

Jury issues not guilty verdict in Casey Anthony case in 11 hours

| July 5, 2011

Just as most Americans were shocked by the verdict in the OJ Simpson case in 1995, most are once shaking their heads in the “much publicized” trial of Casey Anthony. Accused of the killing of her 2 year old daughter Caylee, the jury returned a not guilty verdict for all but charges of lying to [...]

The truth emerges regarding Rep Weiner’s tweeted photos

| June 6, 2011

Over and over again, “men” in powerful positions repeatedly show little self-control or respect for their elected positions (or their families) while serving in congress … or governorships or even as President. Today, the week long scandal involving Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) and his Twitter account and the tweeting of images of himself to a [...]

Alan Greenspan talks debt ceiling and concern over deficits

| June 3, 2011

At age 85, former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan talked candidly with the CNBC hosts this morning about the looming “debt ceiling” debate and more importantly our country’s lack of unity in addressing our deficit spending. Interestingly he is currently supporting some increases in taxes as a compromise realizing that in a divided government one [...]

“We choose to go to the moon” speech is 50 years old

| May 29, 2011

Amazingly … President John F. Kennedy’s speech setting the goal for the United States to “go to the moon”  was given 50 years ago. Most in this country has heard parts of this speech and JFK’s delivery is burned into memory of many of my generation. For those too young to have heard the entire [...]

Greenberg vs. Cramer: Sodastream challenge on CNBC

| May 25, 2011

Herb Greenberg and Jim Cramer took the Sodastream challenge on CNBC Tuesday … I’m not so sure it’s the best option for those who enjoy Coke or Pepsi … or other brand named soft drinks? The beef for me is still the relatively high cost, limited availability and smallish CO2 canisters. Give me a small [...]

President Obama delivers another Budget, while VP Biden sleeps

| April 13, 2011

Since the President delivered his budget in a speech during mid-day, I didn’t get the chance to listen to President Obama unveil his ‘updated’ budget … after the one he submitted two months ago. I had thought he might get serious about taking a bipartisan leadership position in deficit reduction and realized that most Americans [...]

The nations’ unfunded promises are the primary budget busters

| April 5, 2011

It looks to me as if grappling with how to pay for health care is going to be the biggest hurdle when dealing with our deficit spending in the future (as if it isn’t bad enough now). It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about current private insurance plans, Obama’s national health care law, Medicaid for [...]

The Rockford Files redux on NetFlix

| March 30, 2011

Although this will probably show my age, today I’m highlighting one of my favorite TV programs and favorite actors — James Garner in The Rockford Files (imdb). I might have commented, "who doesn’t like the show," but since I live with that one person, I already know the answer. About a year ago I added [...]

A leading GOP presidential candidate’s resonating sound bite

| March 27, 2011

It does seem a little early, but it is nearing the time we’ll find out who is a viable and electable 2012 Republican candidate for President. As I look at the current field of previous GOP presidential candidates, a couple of them seem to be getting their names out early. One well known political hopeful [...]

A roof over your head … and one over your boat(s)

| March 23, 2011

The Winns’ residence in Charlevoix, Michigan has a “modest” boathouse and in viewing the video, they have a couple nice boats to put in it too (HGTV video below). The 10,437 square-foot Round Lake home and 8,537 square-foot boathouse of long-time Charlevoix residents John and Zita Winn is an architecturally stunning masterpiece. One of the [...]

Obama: using the US military “to prevent atrocities in Libya”

| March 22, 2011

Although I’m not a big Don Imus fan, KT McFarland discussed the point that has been bothering me seeing the many uprisings in the middle east. At what point do we restrict our military involvement around the world to our security and national interest … and at what point do we commit our blood and [...]

Archiving: Japan hit by an 8.9-Magnitude Earthquake

| March 11, 2011

After a day out of touch with the ‘goings on’ of the world, it was depressing to come back to the dock and read about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan – the images are sickening. It is hard to imagine what the death toll will be or how they will be able to clean [...]

As the Olivia Newton John song goes “Let’s get physical …”

| February 28, 2011

As the crowds of protesters dissipate in Madison Wisconsin (previous post), some of the more intense union members or bussed in supporters are still sticking around to get their point across. The Capitol police in Madison have for the most part been clearing out the state house and the door have been closes to prevent [...]

Rep. Paul Ryan: “The problem is spending…”

| February 18, 2011

If there is one politician that gives me hope that we can get our government fiscal house in order, it is Wisconsin Representative Paul Ryan. Greta Van Susteren had one of her best interviews (probably because I liked what I heard) with Rep. Ryan on Thursday night … it is well worth listening to if [...]

Video: Clay Matthews on Jay Leno

| February 11, 2011

Clay Matthews, the hard hitting defensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers and a smooth talking new face for the NFL, made an appearance after winning the Superbowl on the Jay Leno Show (below). After listening to his conversation with Jay, I think he’ll end up comfortably behind a microphone (or in the movies) after [...]

Top Gear holiday show: From Miami to New Orleans

| January 1, 2011

My son couldn’t stop laughing at this Top Gear holiday episode – a road trip from Miami to New Orleans – and wanted me to watch it. It takes a little time so I watch it on New Year’s Day on the computer. “Crazy Brits” definitely applies to a few of the things they do.

A Ménière’s disease reminder

| November 16, 2010

A friend of mine posted about the Astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr. on her Facebook page today and it was a reminder to me how devastating Ménière’s disease was. Back in the 1990’s I (and my family) struggled in dealing with the frustrating ringing, sudden attacks of vertigo and associated debilitating sickness (sea-sickness as I [...]

MSNBC TV’s Rachel Maddow and glass houses

| November 10, 2010

I wouldn’t be throwing rocks if I lived in your “house” Ms. Maddow … MSNBC TV cable news network is far from innocent when it comes to having political bias. [audio src=http://myarchive.us/mp3/RachelMaddowBlirp.mp3] We’re not a political operation, Fox is. We are a news operation.   ~ Rachel Maddow

Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.